Abstract

In recent paper, He, et al., elegantly demonstrate the role of inorganic plyphospahte (polyP) in promoting persistence of Mycbacteria. Firstly, polyP affects the formation, morphology and ultramicrostructure of biofilms of Mycobacterium smegmatis by affecting the synthesis of short chain fatty acids. Furthermore, polyP regulates inflammatory factors expression through transition of macrophages from M1 to M2 type and promotes the survival of M. smegmatis in cells. Tuberculosis is still the main threat to human health. Persistence is an important cause of drug resistance and recurrence for M. tuberculosis.

Keywords: Polyphosphate; Mycobacteria; Hydrophobicity; Mutation