Researchers have shed light on the little-known Pandoraea bacteria, revealing their unique survival strategies in the competitive environment of the lung microbiome. An interdisciplinary team, led by the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena, discovered a new group of bioactive natural compounds called pandorabactins, produced by Pandoraea sputorum. This study further underscores the potential for human health risks posed by Pandoraea. Importantly, it sheds light on how Pandoraea flourishes despite competing microbes.
Though they are among the most highly health risk pathogens and have historically been under-researched, Pandoraea bacteria are largely unexplored within scientific literature. Given the commercial potential of these bacteria, the recent study was aimed at understanding how these bacteria can survive in an environment packed with more dominant microbial species. The results reveal that Pandoraea sputorum utilizes pandorabactins to chelate iron. This essential nutrient is typically limited in the lungs, and this capacity for scavenging iron from competitors helps Pandoraea sputorum outcompete other bacteria that reside within the microbiome.
The Role of Pandorabactins
These pandorabactins, which are natural products, are critically important for the survival and pathogenicity of Pandoraea bacteria. According to Princeton researchers Juan and de la Torre, those molecules allow Pandoraea sputorum to outcompete other microbes like Pseudomonas, Mycobacterium and Stenotrophomonas. By sequestering iron from these bacterial competitors, pandorabactins tip the balance in favor of Pandoraea in the competitive lung environment.
The research team found a surprising development. Led by doctoral researcher Elena Herzog, their investigation revealed that pandorabactins are produced by a newly discovered gene cluster known as “pan.” This gene cluster is key for producing these specialized, unique molecules and giving Pandoraea an edge in competition. Considering iron is usually in short supply in most environments, these adaptations are an elegant tactic for thriving in survival of the fittest doctrine.
Health Risks and Survival Strategies
Pandoraea bacteria, particularly Pandoraea sputorum, have been increasingly recognized as pathogens in the lung microbiome. In addition, they highlight some outstanding survival skills. Because it is this genus that experts have long known poses the highest health risks. Up until now, their precise molecular properties have mostly been unknown.
These recent findings show just how dangerous these bacteria can be. They are equally a testament to their extraordinary talent for adapting and succeeding under the most vicious of conditions. This study underscores the threats Pandoraea presents to human health. More importantly, it exposes the organism’s deeply complex survival strategies, which should be explored much more deeply.
This project is characterized by a close collaboration between Leibniz-HKI and universities in Jena, Heidelberg and Hong Kong. This collaboration exemplifies the importance of interdisciplinary, integrative approaches to understanding microbial ecology and the effects on human health.
Implications for Future Research
The finding of these several pandorabactins provides fertile ground for further exploration into the Pandoraea bacteria themselves, and especially their unexpected place in the lung microbiome. Researching the bacteriophage–bacteria interaction with non-pathogenic, spatially-interactive species opens up thrilling scientific and therapeutic potential. This understanding might lead to innovative approaches for combating infections from opportunistic pathogens.
As researchers continue to explore the functions and interactions of pandorabactins, they may uncover additional insights into microbial ecology and potential therapeutic targets. There’s more to this research than just Pandoraea. This new work challenges our current understanding of closely related bacterial species and their competition.