Yue Chen, PhD

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which causes tuberculosis, poses a global threat as the leading cause of infectious disease-related deaths. What makes Mtb particularly formidable is its ability to adapt to diverse environmental signals during infection. In order to survive and grow in a host, Mtb needs to adeptly exploit available nutrient sources. This includes cholesterol, a crucial carbon source for Mtb during infection. We are focusing on a critical aspect of this adaptability, delving into how cholesterol impacts function of a key potassium uptake system in Mtb, and its relation to host potassium transport systems and Mtb growth. Potassium is essential for both bacterial and host cells. By understanding the intrinsic interplay between cholesterol and potassium uptake and balance during Mtb infection, our work sets the foundation for development of novel strategies to disrupt Mtb growth in its host, to alleviate the profound global burden of this lung disease.

Update: In the past year, we discovered that potassium, an abundant ion, plays a crucial role in helping Mtb import and utilize cholesterol, a key nutrient during infection. Surprisingly, cholesterol also regulates a key Mtb potassium uptake system, revealing a two-way interaction essential for bacterial survival. These findings highlight new potential targets for disrupting the ability of Mtb to adapt to its host.