Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common opportunistic pathogen, is known to cause infections in a variety of compromised human tissues. An emerging mechanism for microbial survival is the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids to alter the cell’s membrane phospholipid profile. With thes...

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Main Authors: Lyssa Y. Baker, Chelsea R. Hobby, Andrew W. Siv, William C. Bible, Michael S. Glennon, Derek M. Anderson, Steven J. Symes, David K. Giles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-09-01
Series:BMC Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1259-8
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author Lyssa Y. Baker
Chelsea R. Hobby
Andrew W. Siv
William C. Bible
Michael S. Glennon
Derek M. Anderson
Steven J. Symes
David K. Giles
author_facet Lyssa Y. Baker
Chelsea R. Hobby
Andrew W. Siv
William C. Bible
Michael S. Glennon
Derek M. Anderson
Steven J. Symes
David K. Giles
author_sort Lyssa Y. Baker
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common opportunistic pathogen, is known to cause infections in a variety of compromised human tissues. An emerging mechanism for microbial survival is the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids to alter the cell’s membrane phospholipid profile. With these findings, we show that exogenous fatty acid exposure leads to changes in bacterial membrane phospholipid structure, membrane permeability, virulence phenotypes and consequent stress responses that may influence survival and persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results Thin-layer chromatography and ultra performance liquid chromatography / ESI-mass spectrometry indicated alteration of bacterial phospholipid profiles following growth in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (ranging in carbon length and unsaturation). The exogenously supplied fatty acids were incorporated into the major bacterial phospholipids phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The incorporation of fatty acids increased membrane permeability as judged by both accumulation and exclusion of ethidium bromide. Individual fatty acids were identified as modifying resistance to the cyclic peptide antibiotics polymyxin B and colistin, but not the beta-lactam imipenem. Biofilm formation was increased by several PUFAs and significant fluctuations in swimming motility were observed. Conclusions Our results emphasize the relevance and complexity of exogenous fatty acids in the membrane physiology and pathobiology of a medically important pathogen. P. aeruginosa exhibits versatility with regard to utilization of and response to exogenous fatty acids, perhaps revealing potential strategies for prevention and control of infection.
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spelling doaj.art-276be20f8de84621a87a61c67d7994af2022-12-22T00:48:55ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802018-09-0118111210.1186/s12866-018-1259-8Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulenceLyssa Y. Baker0Chelsea R. Hobby1Andrew W. Siv2William C. Bible3Michael S. Glennon4Derek M. Anderson5Steven J. Symes6David K. Giles7Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Chemistry and Physics, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Chemistry and Physics, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaAbstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common opportunistic pathogen, is known to cause infections in a variety of compromised human tissues. An emerging mechanism for microbial survival is the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids to alter the cell’s membrane phospholipid profile. With these findings, we show that exogenous fatty acid exposure leads to changes in bacterial membrane phospholipid structure, membrane permeability, virulence phenotypes and consequent stress responses that may influence survival and persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results Thin-layer chromatography and ultra performance liquid chromatography / ESI-mass spectrometry indicated alteration of bacterial phospholipid profiles following growth in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (ranging in carbon length and unsaturation). The exogenously supplied fatty acids were incorporated into the major bacterial phospholipids phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The incorporation of fatty acids increased membrane permeability as judged by both accumulation and exclusion of ethidium bromide. Individual fatty acids were identified as modifying resistance to the cyclic peptide antibiotics polymyxin B and colistin, but not the beta-lactam imipenem. Biofilm formation was increased by several PUFAs and significant fluctuations in swimming motility were observed. Conclusions Our results emphasize the relevance and complexity of exogenous fatty acids in the membrane physiology and pathobiology of a medically important pathogen. P. aeruginosa exhibits versatility with regard to utilization of and response to exogenous fatty acids, perhaps revealing potential strategies for prevention and control of infection.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1259-8Pseudomonas aeruginosaFatty acidsPhospholipidsAntimicrobial peptidesBiofilmMotility
spellingShingle Lyssa Y. Baker
Chelsea R. Hobby
Andrew W. Siv
William C. Bible
Michael S. Glennon
Derek M. Anderson
Steven J. Symes
David K. Giles
Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
BMC Microbiology
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Fatty acids
Phospholipids
Antimicrobial peptides
Biofilm
Motility
title Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
title_full Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
title_fullStr Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
title_full_unstemmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
title_short Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence
title_sort pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids pufas by modifying phospholipid composition membrane permeability and phenotypes associated with virulence
topic Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Fatty acids
Phospholipids
Antimicrobial peptides
Biofilm
Motility
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1259-8
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