Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can convert to coccoid form in unfavorable conditions or as a result of antibiotic treatment. In order to adapt to harsh environments, H. pylori requires a stringent response which, encoded by the spoT gene, has a bifunctional enzyme possessing both (p)ppGpp synthetic and degrading activity. Our goal in this study was to compare spoT gene expression in spiral and induced coccoid forms of H. pylori with use of amoxicillin. First, clinical isolate coccoid forms were induced with amoxicillin; then, the viability test was analyzed by flow cytometer. After RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and designing a specific primer for spoT gene, evaluation of the desired gene expression in both forms were studied. Bacterial isolates exposed to amoxicillin at MIC and 1/2 MIC induced morphological conversion better and faster than other MIC concentration. The expression of spoT gene was significantly downregulated in spiral forms of H. pylori, while the gene expression was upregulated and + 30.3-fold changes was seen in coccoid forms of bacterium. To summarize, spoT gene is one of the key factors for antibiotic resistance and its enhanced expression in coccoid form can be a valuable diagnostic marker for recognition of H. pylori during morphological conversion.
- MeSH
- amoxicilin metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- antibakteriální látky metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální geny genetika MeSH
- bakteriální léková rezistence genetika MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace genetika MeSH
- Helicobacter pylori účinky léků genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- mikrobiální viabilita účinky léků MeSH
- pyrofosfatasy genetika MeSH
- regulace genové exprese u bakterií účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
