Pangenome Analytics Reveal Two-Component Systems as Conserved Targets in ESKAPEE Pathogens
Akanksha Rajput, Yara Seif, Kumari Sonal Choudhary, Christopher Dalldorf, Saugat Poudel, Jonathan M. Monk, Bernhard Ø. Palsson
Abstract
The ESKAPEE pathogens are the leading cause of health care-associated infections worldwide. Two-component systems (TCSs) can be used as effective targets against pathogenic bacteria since they are ubiquitous and manage various vital functions such as antibiotic resistance, virulence, biofilms, quorum sensing, and pH balance, among others. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the pangenomic status of the TCSs among ESKAPEE pathogens. The annotation and pangenomic analysis of TCSs show that they are significantly distributed and conserved among the pathogens, as most of them form closed pangenomes. Furthermore, our analysis also reveals that the removal of the TCSs significantly affects the fitness of the cell. Hence, they may be used as promising drug targets against bacteria.