Journal Article

Campylobacter jejuni 11168H Exposed to Penicillin Forms Persister Cells and Cells With Altered Redox Protein Activity

Studholme, David J., Love, John, Champion, Olivia L., Kovacs-Simon, Andrea, Butler, Clive S., Titball, Richard W., Wagley, Sariqa, Tennant, Richard K., Soyer, Orkun S., Morcrette, Helen, Yang, Zheng R.

2020

Overview

The formation of persister cells is one mechanism by which bacteria can survive exposure to environmental stresses. We show that 11168H forms persister cells at a frequency of 10 after exposure to 100 × MIC of penicillin G for 24 h. Staining the cell population with a redox sensitive fluorescent dye revealed that penicillin G treatment resulted in the appearance of a population of cells with increased fluorescence. We present evidence, to show this could be a consequence of increased redox protein activity in, or associated with, the electron transport chain. These data suggest that a population of penicillin G treated cells could undergo a remodeling of the electron transport chain in order to moderate membrane hyperpolarization and intracellular alkalization; thus reducing the antibiotic efficacy and potentially assisting in persister cell formation.

• Publisher: Frontiers Media SA,Frontiers Media S.A
• Subject: Abiotic stress / Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology / antibiotic / Antibiotics / Bacteria / Campylobacter / Campylobacter jejuni / Cellular and Infection Microbiology / electron transport / Electron transport chain / Epithelial Cells / Flow cytometry / Fluorescent indicators / Hyperpolarization / Metabolism / Oxidation-Reduction / Penicillin / Penicillins - pharmacology / persister cell / Proteins / proteomics / Sensors / Software