Rv2617c and P36 are virulence factors of pathogenic mycobacteria involved in resistance to oxidative stress
Marina A. Forrellad,
Cristina L. Vázquez,
Federico C. Blanco,
Laura I. Klepp,
Elizabeth A. García,
Rosana V. Rocha,
Villafañe Luciana,
María M. Bigi,
Maximiliano G. Gutierrez,
Fabiana Bigi
Affiliations
Marina A. Forrellad
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Cristina L. Vázquez
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Federico C. Blanco
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Laura I. Klepp
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Elizabeth A. García
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Rosana V. Rocha
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
Villafañe Luciana
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
María M. Bigi
University of Buenos Aires, School of Agronomy (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía)
Maximiliano G. Gutierrez
The Francis Crick Institute
Fabiana Bigi
Institute of Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Instituto de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria) and IABIMO-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas)
In this study, we characterized the role of Rv2617c in the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Rv2617c is a protein of unknown function unique to M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) and Mycobacterium leprae. In vitro, this protein interacts with the virulence factor P36 (also named Erp) and KdpF, a protein linked to nitrosative stress. Here, we showed that knockout of the Rv2617c gene in M. tuberculosis CDC1551 reduced the replication of the pathogen in a mouse model of infection and favored the trafficking of mycobacteria to phagolysosomes. We also demonstrated that Rv2617c and P36 are required for resistance to in vitro hydrogen peroxide treatment in M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, respectively. These findings indicate Rv2617c and P36 act in concert to prevent bacterial damage upon oxidative stress.
