Two Distinct L-Lactate Dehydrogenases Play a Role in the Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Cervical Epithelial Cells

J Infect Dis. 2020 Jan 14;221(3):449-453. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz468.

Abstract

L-lactate is an abundant metabolite in a number of niches in host organisms and represents an important carbon source for bacterial pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this study, we describe an alternative, iron-sulfur cluster-containing L-lactate dehydrogenase (LutACB), that is distinct from the flavoprotein L-lactate dehydrogenase (LldD). Expression of lutACB was found to be positively regulated by iron, whereas lldD was more highly expressed under conditions of iron-limitation. The functional role of LutACB and LldD was reflected in in vitro studies of growth and in the survival of N gonorrhoeae in primary cervical epithelial cells.

Keywords: gonococcus; intracellular metabolism; iron regulation; lactate; respiration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cervix Uteri / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Gonorrhea / metabolism*
  • Gonorrhea / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Iron / metabolism
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Microbial Viability / genetics*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / enzymology*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / genetics
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / growth & development
  • RNA, Viral / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Viral
  • Iron
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase