A study led by researchers from Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona (UAB) describes one of the mechanisms in which pathogenic bacteria populations control the way they spread over the surface of the organs they infect and stop when they detect the presence of an antibiotic, only to resume again when the effect wears off. The star of this process is the RecA protein, which significantly increases its concentration at the start of the bacteria DNA repair mechanism induced by antibiotics. The research was published in Infection and Immunity.
In order to develop the infectious process, many pathogenic bacteria move collectively along the surface of the organ they infect until growing into a massive colony, and consequently produce toxins and substances that harm host tissues. This movement is known as swarming, similar to the movement of bee colonies and other animals. Parts of the molecular process taking place during this movement already have been described, but the mechanism controlling activation or inhibition was not yet known.
The research reveals for the first time the relation between the bacteria DNA repair system, known as SOS response, and swarming. Researchers demonstrated that the presence of antibiotics activates SOS response and thus increases concentration of RecA protein. This interferes with the action of the CheW protein, essential for swarming, and thus causes the bacterial colony to stop moving. When the concentration of this antibiotic decreases, the amount of RecA protein reduces and CheW once again can continue its task of spreading the bacteria.
The results obtained indicate that given the special characteristics of this type of collective movement, antibiotics only affect outer cells of the swarm, which in turn act as sensors and activate the aforementioned molecular repair system. This action thus cancels out the effect of the drug on the rest of the bacteria population.
Jordi Barb, Laura
'/>"/>
| Contact: Maria Jesus Delgado MariaJesus.Delgado@uab.cat 34-935-814-049 Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Molecular discovery suggests new strategy to fight cancer drug resistance
2. New discovery could aid development of elusive bovine mastitis vaccine
3. Medical researchers discovery may explain how certain cancers develop
4. Discovery may lead to safer drinking water, cheaper medicine: Queens University researchers
5. Discovery: Yeast make plant hormone that speeds infection
6. Discovery of stem cell illuminates human brain evolution, points to therapies
7. Covance Establishes New Discovery & Translational Services Group
8. Parallel brainstem circuit discovery suggests new path in Parkinsons research
9. Covance Establishes New Discovery & Translational Services Group
10. Gene discovery may lead to new varieties of soybean plants
11. Discovery of a primate more than 11 million years old
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |