Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant
<i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Infantis has emerged as a prevalent foodborne pathogen in poultry with significant global health implications. This study investigates the molecular characteristics influencing virulence in a <i>S.</i> Infantis rough variant collected from a...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Nneka Vivian Iduu Steven Kitchens Stuart B. Price Chengming Wang |
| author_facet | Nneka Vivian Iduu Steven Kitchens Stuart B. Price Chengming Wang |
| author_sort | Nneka Vivian Iduu |
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| description | <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Infantis has emerged as a prevalent foodborne pathogen in poultry with significant global health implications. This study investigates the molecular characteristics influencing virulence in a <i>S.</i> Infantis rough variant collected from a poultry farm in the USA. In this study, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics were performed on smooth and rough poultry <i>S.</i> Infantis isolates, while chicken embryo lethality assay was conducted to assess their virulence. Comparative genomics between isolates was analyzed using Mauve pairwise Locally Collinear Blocks to measure the genetic conservation. Embryo survival rates between the isolates were compared using the Kaplan–Meier curves. High genomic conservation was observed between the two isolates, but a frameshift mutation was detected in the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene of the rough variant, resulting in early protein truncation. The chicken embryo lethality assay showed that the lethality rate of the smooth strain was higher than that of the rough strain (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This study identifies a frameshift mutation in the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene, leading to protein truncation, which may reduce bacterial virulence by impacting O-antigen biosynthesis in the rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis variant. These findings deepen our understanding of <i>S.</i> Infantis pathogenesis and suggest that targeting the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene or related pathways could be a promising strategy for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2fca9c2e02ed4cdfaee40505fd82e1012025-08-20T02:01:24ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812024-11-01111260310.3390/vetsci11120603Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis VariantNneka Vivian Iduu0Steven Kitchens1Stuart B. Price2Chengming Wang3Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 1130 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849-5519, USADepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 1130 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849-5519, USADepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 1130 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849-5519, USADepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 1130 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849-5519, USA<i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Infantis has emerged as a prevalent foodborne pathogen in poultry with significant global health implications. This study investigates the molecular characteristics influencing virulence in a <i>S.</i> Infantis rough variant collected from a poultry farm in the USA. In this study, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics were performed on smooth and rough poultry <i>S.</i> Infantis isolates, while chicken embryo lethality assay was conducted to assess their virulence. Comparative genomics between isolates was analyzed using Mauve pairwise Locally Collinear Blocks to measure the genetic conservation. Embryo survival rates between the isolates were compared using the Kaplan–Meier curves. High genomic conservation was observed between the two isolates, but a frameshift mutation was detected in the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene of the rough variant, resulting in early protein truncation. The chicken embryo lethality assay showed that the lethality rate of the smooth strain was higher than that of the rough strain (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This study identifies a frameshift mutation in the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene, leading to protein truncation, which may reduce bacterial virulence by impacting O-antigen biosynthesis in the rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis variant. These findings deepen our understanding of <i>S.</i> Infantis pathogenesis and suggest that targeting the <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> gene or related pathways could be a promising strategy for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/12/603<i>Salmonella</i> InfantisvirulenceO-antigen chain regulator<i>Wzz(fepE)</i>rough variant |
| spellingShingle | Nneka Vivian Iduu Steven Kitchens Stuart B. Price Chengming Wang Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant Veterinary Sciences <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis virulence O-antigen chain regulator <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> rough variant |
| title | Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant |
| title_full | Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant |
| title_fullStr | Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant |
| title_short | Mutation in <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis Variant |
| title_sort | mutation in i wzz fepe i linked to altered o antigen biosynthesis and attenuated virulence in rough i salmonella i infantis variant |
| topic | <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis virulence O-antigen chain regulator <i>Wzz(fepE)</i> rough variant |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/12/603 |
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