Rv3143 directly interacts with NuoD, a core subunit of the type I NADH dehydrogenase (NDH-1) complex, as demonstrated by:
This interaction modulates electron transport chain activity, particularly under conditions affecting membrane potential .
Gene knockout studies in M. tuberculosis (Δrv3143) and M. smegmatis (Δmsmeg_2064) revealed:
Increased reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), indicating a hyper-reduced cytosolic environment .
Hypersensitivity to valinomycin (3× higher MIC90 in Δrv3143 vs. wild-type), which disrupts membrane potential .
Upregulation of nitrate respiration genes (narGHIJ, nirBD) under standard growth conditions .
Impaired survival under hypoxia in CRISPRi/dCas9-mediated ndh-silenced strains .
Reduced oxygen consumption during hypoxic adaptation in double mutants (Δmsmeg_2064 ndh CRISPRi/dCas9) .
Knockout construction: Homologous recombination using p2Nil/pGOAL17 vectors .
Complementation: Restored wild-type phenotypes via pMV306/pKW08Lx plasmids .
RNA sequencing of Δrv3143 M. tuberculosis showed:
Upregulated genes: narK2 (nitrite extrusion), moaE3 (molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis).
Downregulated genes: fdxA (ferredoxin), ctaD (cytochrome c oxidase) .
Rv3143’s role in maintaining respiratory chain efficiency highlights its potential as a drug target. Key insights include: