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Specific targeting of intestinal Prevotella copri by a Listeria monocytogenes bacteriocin

Rolhion, N.; Chassaing, B.; Nahori, M.-A.; de Bodt, J.; Moura, A.; Lecuit, M.; Dussurget, O.; Berard, M.; Marzorati, M.; Fehlner-Peach, H.; Littman, D. R.; Gewirtz, A. T.; Van de Wiele, T.; Cossart, P.

2019-07-02 microbiology
10.1101/680801 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Deciphering the specific function of every microorganism in microbial gut communities is a key issue to interrogate their role during infection. Here, we report the discovery of a Listeria bacteriocin, Lmo2776, that specifically targets the abundant gut commensal Prevotella copri and affects Listeria infection. Oral infection of conventional mice with a {Delta}lmo2776 mutant leads to a thinner intestinal mucus layer and higher Listeria loads both in the intestinal content and deeper tissues compared to WT Listeria, while no difference is observed in germ-free mice. This microbiota-dependent effect is phenocopied by precolonization of germ-free mice before Listeria infection, with P. copri, but not with other commensals. Together, these data unveil a role for Prevotella in controlling intestinal infection, highlighting that pathogens may selectively deplete microbiota to avoid excessive inflammation.

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