Scarless excision of an insertion sequence restores capsule production and virulence in <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>
Clémence Whiteway, Adam Valček, Chantal Philippe, Mojca Stražišar, Tim De Pooter, Ivan D. Mateus, Anke Breine, Charles Van der Henst
Abstract
We identify a new mechanism mediating capsule production and virulence in the WHO and CDC priority ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Non-capsulated and avirulent bacteria can revert into a capsulated and virulent state upon scarless excision of an ISAba13 insertion sequence under stress conditions. Reversion events fully restore capsule production and in vivo virulence. This increases our knowledge about A. baumannii genome dynamics, and the regulation of capsule production, virulence and resistance.
Topics & Concepts
VirulenceAcinetobacter baumanniiBiologyMicrobiologyPathogenOpportunistic pathogenBacteriaWhole genome sequencingGeneGenomeGeneticsPseudomonas aeruginosaAntibiotic Resistance in BacteriaVibrio bacteria research studiesInsect symbiosis and bacterial influences