Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae
Abstract Background Enterobacter cloacae is increasingly prevalent and resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it a significant pathogen in healthcare settings with high mortality rates. However, its pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Results In this study, we explored the role of nag...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-024-03718-2 |
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| author | Xianggui Yang Xuejing Yu Li Zhou Dan Wang Weixian Chen |
| author_facet | Xianggui Yang Xuejing Yu Li Zhou Dan Wang Weixian Chen |
| author_sort | Xianggui Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Enterobacter cloacae is increasingly prevalent and resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it a significant pathogen in healthcare settings with high mortality rates. However, its pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Results In this study, we explored the role of nagZ in regulating the virulence of E. cloacae and its potential as a therapeutic target. Our research showed that pathogenic strains of E. cloacae express higher levels of nagZ than colonizing strains, particularly in simulated infection environments. Deleting nagZ significantly reduced E. cloacae virulence in various infection models, including Galleria mellonella larvae, mice, and RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, nagZ knockout decreased the bacterium's ability to induce inflammatory factor levels, while complementing nagZ in knockout strains partially rescued this ability. Importantly, the absence of nagZ also enhanced the antibacterial efficacy of ceftazidime against E. cloacae. Conclusions These findings underscore the crucial role of nagZ in E. cloacae pathogenesis and highlight its potential as a novel therapeutic target for treating infections caused by this pathogen. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa5d4c7be6084d2c8a649048dfb1e75e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2180 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa5d4c7be6084d2c8a649048dfb1e75e2025-01-12T12:10:12ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802025-01-0125111310.1186/s12866-024-03718-2Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacaeXianggui Yang0Xuejing Yu1Li Zhou2Dan Wang3Weixian Chen4Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical UniversityInstitute for Heart and Brain Health, University of Michigan Medical CenterDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical CollegeDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical UniversityAbstract Background Enterobacter cloacae is increasingly prevalent and resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it a significant pathogen in healthcare settings with high mortality rates. However, its pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Results In this study, we explored the role of nagZ in regulating the virulence of E. cloacae and its potential as a therapeutic target. Our research showed that pathogenic strains of E. cloacae express higher levels of nagZ than colonizing strains, particularly in simulated infection environments. Deleting nagZ significantly reduced E. cloacae virulence in various infection models, including Galleria mellonella larvae, mice, and RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, nagZ knockout decreased the bacterium's ability to induce inflammatory factor levels, while complementing nagZ in knockout strains partially rescued this ability. Importantly, the absence of nagZ also enhanced the antibacterial efficacy of ceftazidime against E. cloacae. Conclusions These findings underscore the crucial role of nagZ in E. cloacae pathogenesis and highlight its potential as a novel therapeutic target for treating infections caused by this pathogen.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-024-03718-2nagZVirulenceTherapeutic targetEnterobacter cloacae |
| spellingShingle | Xianggui Yang Xuejing Yu Li Zhou Dan Wang Weixian Chen Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae BMC Microbiology nagZ Virulence Therapeutic target Enterobacter cloacae |
| title | Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae |
| title_full | Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae |
| title_fullStr | Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae |
| title_short | Exploring nagZ as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in Enterobacter cloacae |
| title_sort | exploring nagz as a virulence biomarker and treatment target in enterobacter cloacae |
| topic | nagZ Virulence Therapeutic target Enterobacter cloacae |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-024-03718-2 |
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