Two distinct L-lactate dehydrogenases play a role in the survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in cervical epithelial cells

L-lactate is an abundant metabolite in a number of niches in host organisms and represents an important carbon source for bacterial pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this study, we describe an alternative, iron-sulfur cluster-containing L-lactate dehydrogenase (LutACB), that is distinct from the flavoprotein L-lactate dehydrogenase (LldD). Expression of lutACB was found to be positively regulated by iron, whereas lldD was more highly expressed under conditions of iron-limitation. The functional role of LutACB and LldD was reflected in in vitro studies of growth and in the survival of N gonorrhoeae in primary cervical epithelial cells

A Role for Lactate Dehydrogenases in the Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Cervical Epithelial Cells

Lactate is an abundant metabolite, produced by host tissues and commensal organisms, and it represents an important potential carbon source for bacterial pathogens. In the case of Neisseria spp., the importance of the lactate permease in colonization of the host has been demonstrated, but there have been few studies of lactate metabolism in pathogenic Neisseria in the postgenomic era. We describe herein the characterization of genome-annotated, respiratory, and substrate-level lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) from the obligate human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Biochemical assays using N. gonorrhoeae 1291 wild type and isogenic mutant strains showed that cytoplasmic LdhA (NAD+-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase) and the membrane-bound respiratory enzymes, LdhD (D-lactate dehydrogenase) and LldD (L-lactate dehydrogenase) are correctly annotated. Mutants lacking LdhA and LdhD showed greatly reduced survival in neutrophils compared with wild type cells, highlighting the importance of D-lactate metabolism in gonococcal survival. Furthermore, an assay of host colonization using the well-established human primary cervical epithelial cell model revealed that the two respiratory enzymes make a significant contribution to colonization of and survival within the microaerobic environment of the host. Taken together, these data suggest that host-derived lactate is critical for the growth and survival of N. gonorrhoeae in human cells