The Canonical Long-Chain Fatty Acid Sensing Machinery Processes Arachidonic Acid To Inhibit Virulence in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Melissa Ellermann, Angel G. Jimenez, Reed Pifer, Nestor Ruiz, Vanessa Sperandio
Abstract
(EHEC). We show that long-chain fatty acids including arachidonic acid act as signaling molecules that directly suppress a key pathogenicity island in EHEC following recognition by the fatty acyl-CoA-responsive transcription factor FadR. Thus, in addition to its established effects on host immunity and its bactericidal activities against other pathogens, we demonstrate that arachidonic acid also acts as a signaling molecule that inhibits virulence in an enteric pathogen.
Topics & Concepts
VirulenceArachidonic acidPolyunsaturated fatty acidHost (biology)Escherichia coliMicrobiologyFatty acidChemistryImmunityBiologyBiochemistryImmune systemGeneImmunologyEnzymeGeneticsEscherichia coli research studiesGut microbiota and healthProbiotics and Fermented Foods