We have studied the effect of H2O2 on the activity of the Escherichia coli Cu,ZnSOD showing that, unlike the bovine enzyme, this bacterial Cu,ZnSOD is highly resistant to inactivation by hydrogen peroxide. In view of the key role played by oxygen radicals in bacterial killing by phagocytes, we have tested the ability of E. coli strains expressing different amounts of Cu,ZnSOD in the periplasmic space to survive the phagocytic attack of activated macrophages. Overexpression of the enzyme effectively protected the bacterial cell from macrophage killing. The results obtained support the hypothesis that in pathogenic bacteria periplasmic Cu,ZnSOD may reduce the oxyradical damages induced by the respiratory burst and therefore be important in virulence.

Overexpression of a hydrogen peroxide-resistant periplasmic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase protects Escherichia coli from macrophage killing

DONNARUMMA, Giovanna;
1998

Abstract

We have studied the effect of H2O2 on the activity of the Escherichia coli Cu,ZnSOD showing that, unlike the bovine enzyme, this bacterial Cu,ZnSOD is highly resistant to inactivation by hydrogen peroxide. In view of the key role played by oxygen radicals in bacterial killing by phagocytes, we have tested the ability of E. coli strains expressing different amounts of Cu,ZnSOD in the periplasmic space to survive the phagocytic attack of activated macrophages. Overexpression of the enzyme effectively protected the bacterial cell from macrophage killing. The results obtained support the hypothesis that in pathogenic bacteria periplasmic Cu,ZnSOD may reduce the oxyradical damages induced by the respiratory burst and therefore be important in virulence.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11591/195959
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 39
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 39
social impact