Overexpression of a DNA Methyltransferase Increases Persister Cell Formation in Acinetobacter baumannii
Hyunkeun Kim, Jeehong Kim, Hongbaek Cho, Kwan Soo Ko
Abstract
Bacterial persister cells are not killed by high concentration of antibiotics, despite its antibiotic susceptibility. It has been known that they may cause antibiotic treatment failure and contribute to the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Although many mechanisms have been suggested and verified for persister cell formation, many remains to be uncovered. In this study, we report that DNA methyltransferase leads to an increase in persister cell formation, through transcriptional activation of several regulatory genes. Our results suggest that DNA methyltransferases could be target proteins to prevent formation of persister cells.
Topics & Concepts
Multidrug toleranceAcinetobacter baumanniiBiologyMicrobiologyMethyltransferaseCefotaximeGeneBacteriaAntibioticsGeneticsMethylationBiofilmPseudomonas aeruginosaAntibiotic Resistance in BacteriaVibrio bacteria research studiesBacterial biofilms and quorum sensing