Virulence of the Emerging Pathogen, <i>Burkholderia Pseudomallei</i> , Depends Upon the <i>O</i> -linked Oligosaccharyltransferase, PglL

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> We sought to characterize the contribution of the <i>O</i>-OTase, PglL, to virulence in two <i>Burkholderia</i> spp. by comparing isogenic mutants in <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i> with the related species, <i>Burkholderia thailandensis</i>. <b>Materials & methods:</b> We utilized an array of <i>in vitro</i> assays in addition to <i>Galleria mellonella</i> and murine <i>in vivo</i> models to assess virulence of the mutant and wild-type strains in each <i>Burkholderia</i> species. <b>Results:</b> We found that <i>pglL</i> contributes to biofilm and twitching motility in both species. <i>PglL</i> uniquely affected morphology; cell invasion; intracellular motility; plaque formation and intergenus competition in <i>B. pseudomallei</i>. This mutant was attenuated in the murine model, and extended survival in a vaccine-challenge experiment. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our data support a broad role for <i>pglL</i> in bacterial fitness and virulence, particularly in <i>B. pseudomallei</i>.