Remodeling of the Enterococcal Cell Envelope during Surface Penetration Promotes Intrinsic Resistance to Stress
Yusibeska Ramos, Stephanie Sansone, Sung‐Min Hwang, Tito A. Sandoval, Mengmeng Zhu, Guoan Zhang, Juan R. Cubillos‐Ruiz, Diana K. Morales
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis inhabits the GIT of multiple organisms, where its establishment could be mediated by the formation of biofilm-like aggregates. In susceptible individuals, this bacterium can overgrow and breach intestinal barriers, a process that may lead to lethal systemic infections. While the formation of multicellular aggregates promotes E. faecalis migration across surfaces, little is known about the metabolic and physiological states of the enterococci encased in these surface-penetrating structures. The present study reveals that E. faecalis cells capable of migrating through semisolid surfaces genetically reprogram their metabolism toward increased cell envelope and glycolipid biogenesis, which confers superior tolerance to membrane-damaging agents. E. faecalis's success as a pathobiont depends on its antimicrobial resistance, as well as on its rapid adaptability to overcome multiple environmental challenges. Thus, targeting adaptive genetic and/or metabolic pathways induced during E. faecalis surface penetration may be useful to better confront infections by this bacterium in the clinic.