Cysteine and resistance to oxidative stress: implications for virulence and antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including the superoxide radical anion (O₂^•–), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the hydroxyl radical (^•HO), are inherent components of bacterial metabolism in an aerobic environment. Bacteria also encounter exogenous ROS, such as those produced by the host cells during the respiratory burst. As ROS have the capacity to damage bacterial DNA, proteins, and lipids, detoxification of ROS is critical for bacterial survival. It has been recently recognised that low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols play a central role in this process. Here, we review the emerging role of cysteine in bacterial resistance to ROS with a link to broader elements of bacterial lifestyle closely associated with cysteine-mediated oxidative stress response, including virulence and antibiotic resistance.