English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Pseudomonas aeruginosa  is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that infects immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients. Treatment is difficult due to antibiotic resistance, and new antimicrobials are needed to treat infections. The alternative sigma factor 54 (σ 54 , RpoN), regulates many virulence-associated genes. Thus, we evaluated inhibition of virulence in  P. aeruginosa  by a designed peptide (RpoN molecular roadblock, RpoN*) which binds specifically to RpoN consensus promoters. We expected that RpoN* binding to its consensus promoter sites would repress gene expression and thus virulence by blocking RpoN and/or other transcription factors. RpoN* reduced transcription of approximately 700 genes as determined by microarray analysis, including genes related to virulence. RpoN* expression significantly reduced motility, protease secretion, pyocyanin and pyoverdine production, rhamnolipid production, and biofilm formation. Given the effectiveness of RpoN*  in vitro , we explored its effects in a  Caenorhabditis elegans–P. aeruginosa  infection model. Expression of RpoN* protected  C. elegans  in a paralytic killing assay, whereas worms succumbed to paralysis and death in its absence. In a slow killing assay, which mimics establishment and proliferation of an infection,  C. elegans  survival was prolonged when RpoN* was expressed. Thus, blocking RpoN consensus promoter sites is an effective strategy for abrogation of  P. aeruginosa  virulence.

Targeting the alternative sigma factor RpoN to combat virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa