Lerato Ngakane
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Lerato Ngakane has a total of 4 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Monique J. Williams
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
1 shared publication - Nandi Niemand
South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
1 shared publication - Robin Mark Warren
South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
1 shared publication - Timothy J. de Wet
SAMRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DSI/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 14 June 2023
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 11 (6) , 1573
The Mycobacterium smegmatis HesB Protein, MSMEG_4272, Is Required for In Vitro Growth and Iron Homeostasis
A-type carrier (ATC) proteins are proposed to function in the biogenesis of Fe-S clusters, although their exact role remains controversial. The genome of Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes a single ATC protein, MSMEG_4272, which belongs to the HesB/YadR/YfhF family of proteins. Attempts to generate an MSMEG_4272 deletion mutant by two-step allelic exchange were unsuccessful, suggesting that the gene is essential for in vitro growth. CRISPRi-mediated transcriptional knock-down of MSMEG_4272 resulted in a growth defect under standard culture conditions, which was exacerbated in mineral-defined media. The knockdown strain displayed reduced intracellular iron levels under iron-replete conditions and increased susceptibility to clofazimine, 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), and isoniazid, while the activity of the Fe-S containing enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase, and aconitase were not affected. This study suggests that MSMEG_4272 plays a role in the regulation of intracellular iron levels and is required for in vitro growth of M. smegmatis, particularly during exponential growth.
- 14 June 2023
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 11 (6) , 1573
Open AccessThe Mycobacterium smegmatis HesB Protein, MSMEG_4272, Is Required for In Vitro Growth and Iron Homeostasis
A-type carrier (ATC) proteins are proposed to function in the biogenesis of Fe-S clusters, although their exact role remains controversial. The genome of Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes a single ATC protein, MSMEG_4272, which belongs to the HesB/YadR/YfhF family of proteins. Attempts to generate an MSMEG_4272 deletion mutant by two-step allelic exchange were unsuccessful, suggesting that the gene is essential for in vitro growth. CRISPRi-mediated transcriptional knock-down of MSMEG_4272 resulted in a growth defect under standard culture conditions, which was exacerbated in mineral-defined media. The knockdown strain displayed reduced intracellular iron levels under iron-replete conditions and increased susceptibility to clofazimine, 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), and isoniazid, while the activity of the Fe-S containing enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase, and aconitase were not affected. This study suggests that MSMEG_4272 plays a role in the regulation of intracellular iron levels and is required for in vitro growth of M. smegmatis, particularly during exponential growth.