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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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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author | Yesha Patel John D. Helmann |
author_facet | Yesha Patel John D. Helmann |
author_sort | Yesha Patel |
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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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language | English |
publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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series | Cell Reports |
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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