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Cited by 0Escherichia coli research studiesBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyEnterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research

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Convergent evolution of distinct D-ribulose utilisation pathways in attaching and effacing pathogens

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Cottam, Curtis, Bowran, Kieran, White, Rhys T., Baslé, Arnaud, Josts, Inokentijs, Connolly, James P. R.·2025·Nature Communications
DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-62476-5PMC PMC12307932

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Abstract

Attaching and effacing pathogens overcome colonisation resistance by competing with metabolically similar organisms for limited resources. Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) utilises the pathogenicity island-encoded Accessory ʟ-arabinose Uptake (Aau) transporter to effectively colonise the mouse gut, hypothesised to be achieved via an enhanced capacity to scavenge ʟ-arabinose. Aau is regulated exclusively in response to ʟ-arabinose, but it is unclear how this system specifically benefits EHEC in vivo. Here, we show that Aau displays a > 200-fold higher affinity for the monosaccharide D -ribulose, over ʟ-arabinose. EHEC cannot grow on D -ribulose as a sole carbon source and this sugar does not trigger aau transcription. However, Aau effectively transports D -ribulose into the cell only in the presence of ʟ-arabinose, where it feeds into the pentose phosphate pathway, after phosphorylation by the ʟ-ribulokinase AraB, thus providing EHEC a significant fitness advantage. EHEC has therefore evolved a mechanism of hijacking the canonical ʟ-arabinose utilisation machinery to promote D -ribulose utilisation in vivo. Furthermore, Citrobacter rodentium encodes an analogous system that exclusively transports D -ribulose and metabolises it via a dedicated D -ribulokinase. These unique mechanisms of D -ribulose utilisation suggest that convergent evolution has driven the ability of distinct pathogenic species to exploit this nutrient during invasion of the gut niche.

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Metadata

Authors
Cottam, C., Bowran, K., White, R. T., Baslé, A., Josts, I., & Connolly, J. P. R.
Affiliations
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (NZ)
Corresponding author
Connolly, James P. R.
ORCID
Venue
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-07-29
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
6976-6976
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41467-025-62476-5
PMC
PMC12307932
OpenAlex
W4412785781
Cited by
0
References
5
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) (cc-by)
Funders
  • Academy of Medical Sciences (SBF005\1029)
  • RCUK | Medical Research Council (MR/X007197/1)
  • Royal Society (RGS\R2\202100, URF\R1\231752)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Escherichia coli research studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
Keywords
convergent evolution, attaching and effacing pathogens, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Citrobacter rodentium, pentose phosphate pathway, colonization resistance, nutrient competition, sugar transporters
MeSH terms
Animals, Arabinose, Humans, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Evolution, Molecular, Escherichia coli Proteins, Citrobacter rodentium, Mice, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

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