Dependency on the host vitamin B12 has shaped the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex evolution

Abstract Human and animal tuberculosis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, which have evolved a genomic decay of cobalamin (vitamin B12) biosynthetic genes. Accordingly, and in sharp contrast to environmental, opportunistic and ancestor mycobacteria; we demonstrate that M. tuberculosis (Mtb), M. africanum, and animal-adapted lineages, lack endogenous production of cobalamin, yet they retain the capacity for exogenous uptake. A B12 anemic model in immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice, demonstrates improved survival, and lower bacteria in organs, in anemic animals infected with Mtb relative to non-anemic controls. Conversely, no differences were observed between mice groups infected with M. canettii, an ancestor mycobacterium which retains cobalamin biosynthesis. Interrogation of the B12 transcriptome in three MTBC strains defined L-methionine synthesis by metE and metH genes as a key phenotype. Expression of metE is repressed by a cobalamin riboswitch, while MetH requires the cobalamin cofactor. Thus, deletion of metE predominantly attenuates Mtb in anemic mice; although inactivation of metH exclusively causes attenuation in non-anemic controls. These phenotypes are specific of Mtb, which unlike M. canettii and environmental mycobacteria, is unable to consume exogenous L-methionine. Here we show how suboptimal host B12 antagonizes Mtb virulence, and describe a host-pathogen cross-talk with implications for B12 anemic populations.