Certain sequence types (STs) of Escherichia coli, such as ST131 and ST648, belong to high-risk clonal lineages that pose serious public health threats by combining antimicrobial resistance (AMR), fitness, and virulence. In contrast, other subtypes e.g., ST10 are typically harmless and beneficial colonizers. To identify characteristics beyond AMR, we analyzed over 22,000 E. coli genomes and discovered the L-sorbose (sor) phosphotransferase system (PTS) as a marker enriched in high-risk lineages but nearly absent in commensals. Multi-omics analyses revealed sor-dependent induction of the sor PTS and activation of associated pathways including motility, capsule biosynthesis, and purine and tryptophan metabolism. Functional validation via knockout mutants confirmed a fitness advantage linked to the sor-operon. Notably, introducing the operon into a commensal strain increased virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. The widespread presence and induction of the sor-PTS in high-risk clones highlight its potential role in linking metabolism, fitness, and virulence. Further studies, including in vivo models, are planned to elucidate its potential as a pathogen-specific target for alternative therapies. Such targeted strategies may reduce antimicrobial use and thereby resistance selection, supporting One Health goals by limiting AMR emergence and spread across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance; E. coli; Multi-omics investigation; Sorbose and associated fitness
| Registration ID |
150
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| Professional Status of the Speaker |
PhD Student
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| Junior Scientist Status |
Yes, I am a Junior Scientist.
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Dr
Elias Eger
(Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research HZI, Greifswald, Germany.)
Dr
Kristin Surmann
(Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.)
Mr
Fynn Meller
(Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research HZI, Greifswald, Germany.)
Dr
Lukas Schulig
(University of Greifswald, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Germany.)
Dr
Marco Harms
(Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.)
Mr
Thaddäus Echelmeyer
(Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research HZI, Greifswald, Germany.)
Dr
Christian Hentschker
(Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.)
Prof.
Uwe Völker
(Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.)
Mr
Michael Schwabe
(Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research HZI, Greifswald, Germany.)
Prof.
Katharina Schaufler
(Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research HZI, Greifswald, Germany.)
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