Genome-wide high-throughput transposon mutagenesis unveils key factors for acidic pH adaptation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Antunes CA, Goodall EC, Henderson IR, Wild D, Mehltretter A, Ott P, Hölzl M, Ott L, Seidel G, Burkovski A (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Microbiology Microbiology Society

Book Volume: 171

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001554

Abstract

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a notable pathogen responsible for the life-threatening disease diphtheria, encounters harsh intracellular environments within the host, particularly within macrophages where acidic conditions prevail. To elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying its acid stress response, we employed a Transposon Directed Insertion-site Sequencing approach. This comprehensive study identified crucial genes and pathways facilitating C. diphtheriae's survival at low pH. In subsequent experiments, the Ktr potassium transport system was identified as a putative key factor for maintaining pH homeostasis and growth under acidic stress. A ktrBA deletion strain exhibited significantly reduced growth at pH 5, which could be restored by ktrBA expression in trans. The deletion strain showed unchanged uptake and survival in macrophages compared to the wild-type, indicating that the Ktr system is not crucial for the survival of C. diphtheriae in phagocytes. These findings advance our understanding of C. diphtheriae's pathophysiology, further delineating the intricate survival strategies of C. diphtheriae in hostile environments.

Authors with CRIS profile

David Wild Professur für Mikrobiologie Alexander Mehltretter Professur für Mikrobiologie Philipp Ott Professur für Mikrobiologie Markus Hölzl Professur für Mikrobiologie Gerald Seidel Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie Andreas Burkovski Professur für Mikrobiologie

Involved external institutions

University of Queensland AU Australia (AU)

How to cite

APA:

Antunes, C.A., Goodall, E.C., Henderson, I.R., Wild, D., Mehltretter, A., Ott, P.,... Burkovski, A. (2025). Genome-wide high-throughput transposon mutagenesis unveils key factors for acidic pH adaptation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Microbiology, 171(4). https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001554

MLA:

Antunes, Camila Azevedo, et al. "Genome-wide high-throughput transposon mutagenesis unveils key factors for acidic pH adaptation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae." Microbiology 171.4 (2025).

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