A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism

Summary: Resistance to diverse antibiotics can result from mutations in RNA polymerase (RNAP), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we compare two Bacillus subtilis RNAP mutations: one in β′ (rpoC G1122D) that increases resistance to cefuroxime (CEF; a model β-lacta...

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Main Authors: Yesha Patel, John D. Helmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Cell Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725000397
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author Yesha Patel
John D. Helmann
author_facet Yesha Patel
John D. Helmann
author_sort Yesha Patel
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Resistance to diverse antibiotics can result from mutations in RNA polymerase (RNAP), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we compare two Bacillus subtilis RNAP mutations: one in β′ (rpoC G1122D) that increases resistance to cefuroxime (CEF; a model β-lactam) and one in β (rpoB H482Y) that increases sensitivity. CEF resistance is mediated by a decrease in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), methionine, and pyrimidine pathways. These same pathways are upregulated by CEF, and their derepression increases CEF sensitivity and antibiotic-induced production of reactive oxygen species. The CEF-resistant rpoC G1122D mutant evades these metabolic perturbations, and repression of the BCAA and pyrimidine pathways may function to restrict membrane biogenesis, which is beneficial when cell wall synthesis is impaired. These findings provide a vivid example of how RNAP mutations, which commonly arise in response to diverse selection conditions, can rewire cellular metabolism to enhance fitness.
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spelling doaj-art-9373acee89484d37be010d344ef437802025-02-06T05:11:32ZengElsevierCell Reports2211-12472025-02-01442115268A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolismYesha Patel0John D. Helmann1Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USADepartment of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA; Corresponding authorSummary: Resistance to diverse antibiotics can result from mutations in RNA polymerase (RNAP), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we compare two Bacillus subtilis RNAP mutations: one in β′ (rpoC G1122D) that increases resistance to cefuroxime (CEF; a model β-lactam) and one in β (rpoB H482Y) that increases sensitivity. CEF resistance is mediated by a decrease in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), methionine, and pyrimidine pathways. These same pathways are upregulated by CEF, and their derepression increases CEF sensitivity and antibiotic-induced production of reactive oxygen species. The CEF-resistant rpoC G1122D mutant evades these metabolic perturbations, and repression of the BCAA and pyrimidine pathways may function to restrict membrane biogenesis, which is beneficial when cell wall synthesis is impaired. These findings provide a vivid example of how RNAP mutations, which commonly arise in response to diverse selection conditions, can rewire cellular metabolism to enhance fitness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725000397CP: Microbiology
spellingShingle Yesha Patel
John D. Helmann
A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
Cell Reports
CP: Microbiology
title A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
title_full A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
title_fullStr A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
title_full_unstemmed A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
title_short A mutation in RNA polymerase imparts resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
title_sort mutation in rna polymerase imparts resistance to β lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
topic CP: Microbiology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725000397
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