Altered motility in response to iron-limitation is regulated by lpdA in uropathogenic E. coli CFT073.
Arwen E Frick-ChengAllyson E SheaJ R RobertsS N SmithM D OhiHarry L T MobleyPublished in: bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology (2023)
(UPEC), the main causative agent of uncomplicated UTI. This work is innovative by providing mechanistic insight into the synergistic relationship between these two critical virulence properties. Here, we demonstrate that iron limitation has pleiotropic effects with consequences that extend beyond metabolism, and impact other virulence mechanisms. Indeed, targeting iron acquisition as a therapy may lead to an undesirable enhancement of UPEC pathogenesis through increased motility. It is vital to understand the full breadth of UPEC pathogenesis to adequately respond to this common infection, especially with the increase of antibiotic resistant pathogens.