Membrane Lipids Augment Cell Envelope Stress Signaling via the MadRS System to Defend Against Antimicrobial Peptides and Antibiotics in <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>

Abstract

Enterococci have evolved resistance mechanisms to protect their cell envelopes against bacteriocins and host cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) produced in the gastrointestinal environment. Activation of the membrane stress response has also been tied to resistance to the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin. However, the actual effectors mediating resistance have not been elucidated. Here, we show that the MadRS (formerly YxdJK) membrane antimicrobial peptide defense system controls a network of genes, including a previously uncharacterized 3-gene operon (madEFG) that protects the Enterococcus faecalis cell envelope from antimicrobial peptides. Constitutive activation of the system confers protection against CAMPs and daptomycin in the absence of a functional LiaFSR system and leads to persistence of cardiac microlesions in vivo. Moreover, changes in the lipid cell membrane environment alter CAMP susceptibility and expression of the MadRS system. Thus, we provide a framework supporting a multilayered envelope defense mechanism for resistance and survival coupled to virulence.