MsmK, an ATPase, Contributes to Utilization of Multiple Carbohydrates and Host Colonization of Streptococcus suis

PLoS One. 2015 Jul 29;10(7):e0130792. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130792. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Acquisition and metabolism of carbohydrates are essential for host colonization and pathogenesis of bacterial pathogens. Different bacteria can uptake different lines of carbohydrates via ABC transporters, in which ATPase subunits energize the transport though ATP hydrolysis. Some ABC transporters possess their own ATPases, while some share a common ATPase. Here we identified MsmK, an ATPase from Streptococcus suis, an emerging zoonotic bacterium causing dead infections in pigs and humans. Genetic and biochemistry studies revealed that the MsmK was responsible for the utilization of raffinose, melibiose, maltotetraose, glycogen and maltotriose. In infected mice, the msmK-deletion mutant showed significant defects of survival and colonization when compared with its parental and complementary strains. Taken together, MsmK is an ATPase that contributes to multiple carbohydrates utilization and host colonization of S. suis. This study gives new insight into our understanding of the carbohydrates utilization and its relationship to the pathogenesis of this zoonotic pathogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism*
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism*
  • Carbohydrates*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Mice
  • Streptococcal Infections* / enzymology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / genetics
  • Streptococcus suis* / enzymology
  • Streptococcus suis* / pathogenicity
  • Substrate Specificity / genetics

Substances

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carbohydrates
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the International S & T Cooperation Program of China (ISTCP grant no. 2013DFG32360) and the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program grant no. 2012CB518802). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.