ZntA maintains zinc and cadmium homeostasis and promotes oxidative stress resistance and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Metals
Metals
Heavy metals influence microbial pathogenicity in two ways: they can be toxic to microbes by disrupting cellular functions and inducing oxidative stress, and they can be exploited by pathogens to enhance survival, resist treatment, and evade immunity. Understanding metal–microbe interactions supports better antimicrobial and public health strategies.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes are microscopic organisms living in and on the human body, shaping health through digestion, vitamin production, and immune protection. When microbial balance is disrupted, disease can occur. This guide explains key microbe types—bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea—plus major pathogenic and beneficial examples.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study explored the role of ZntA, a metal-transporting ATPase, in maintaining zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) homeostasis and its involvement in oxidative stress resistance and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The research focused on understanding how ZntA mediates metal homeostasis and contributes to bacterial survival and pathogenicity under various environmental stresses.
Who was studied?
The study used the Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain RIMD2210633, a gram-negative bacterium known for causing gastroenteritis in humans and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis in shrimp. Mutant strains were created, including the zntA deletion mutant (ΔzntA) and complemented strains, to assess the role of ZntA in metal homeostasis, oxidative stress resistance, and virulence.
Most important findings
The research showed that ZntA plays a critical role in maintaining metal homeostasis, particularly for zinc and cadmium. ZntA was found to be induced by several metals, including Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Cd, but not by Fe or Mn. The absence of ZntA in the ΔzntA mutant significantly impaired the growth of V. parahaemolyticus under excess Zn, Ni, and Cd conditions. In contrast, the growth of the wild-type (WT) and complemented strains was not affected under these conditions. ZntA was also essential for the bacteria’s ability to resist oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and its deletion led to reduced virulence in zebrafish models. Additionally, the study demonstrated that ZntR, a transcriptional regulator, positively regulates zntA expression in response to metal stresses, with zntA being upregulated in the presence of excess metals.
Key implications
This study highlights the essential role of ZntA in bacterial survival under metal stress, particularly in maintaining Zn and Cd homeostasis. The findings suggest that ZntA’s involvement in oxidative stress resistance and virulence could have important implications for developing strategies to manage V. parahaemolyticus infections. Understanding the mechanisms behind metal homeostasis and oxidative stress resistance in pathogenic bacteria could lead to new therapeutic approaches aimed at disrupting metal regulation, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of metalloregulation in bacterial pathogenicity and survival, offering insights into how V. parahaemolyticus adapts to hostile environments within the host.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace element vital for cellular functions and microbiome health. It influences immune regulation, pathogen virulence, and disease progression in conditions like IBS and breast cancer. Pathogens exploit zinc for survival, while therapeutic zinc chelation can suppress virulence, rebalance the microbiome, and offer potential treatments for inflammatory and degenerative diseases.