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Quintero-Yanes A, Léger L, Collignon M, Mignon J, Mayard A, Michaux C, Hallez R. Regulation of potassium uptake in Caulobacter crescentus. J Bacteriol 2024:e0010724. [PMID: 39133005 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00107-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Potassium (K+) is an essential physiological element determining membrane potential, intracellular pH, osmotic/turgor pressure, and protein synthesis in cells. Here, we describe the regulation of potassium uptake systems in the oligotrophic α-proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus known as a model for asymmetric cell division. We show that C. crescentus can grow in concentrations from the micromolar to the millimolar range by mainly using two K+ transporters to maintain potassium homeostasis, the low-affinity Kup and the high-affinity Kdp uptake systems. When K+ is not limiting, we found that the kup gene is essential while kdp inactivation does not impact the growth. In contrast, kdp becomes critical but not essential and kup dispensable for growth in K+-limited environments. However, in the absence of kdp, mutations in kup were selected to improve growth in K+-depleted conditions, likely by increasing the affinity of Kup for K+. In addition, mutations in the KdpDE two-component system, which regulates kdpABCDE expression, suggest that the inner membrane sensor regulatory component KdpD mainly works as a phosphatase to limit the growth when cells reach late exponential phase. Our data therefore suggest that KdpE is phosphorylated by another non-cognate histidine kinase. On top of this, we determined the KdpE-dependent and independent K+ transcriptome. Together, our work illustrates how an oligotrophic bacterium responds to fluctuation in K+ availability.IMPORTANCEPotassium (K+) is a key metal ion involved in many essential cellular processes. Here, we show that the oligotroph Caulobacter crescentus can support growth at micromolar concentrations of K+ by mainly using two K+ uptake systems, the low-affinity Kup and the high-affinity Kdp. Using genome-wide approaches, we also determined the entire set of genes required for C. crescentus to survive at low K+ concentration as well as the full K+-dependent regulon. Finally, we found that the transcriptional regulation mediated by the KdpDE two-component system is unconventional since unlike Escherichia coli, the inner membrane sensor regulatory component KdpD seems to work rather as a phosphatase on the phosphorylated response regulator KdpE~P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Quintero-Yanes
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Loïc Léger
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Madeline Collignon
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Julien Mignon
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique des Biomolécules, UCPTS, Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Mayard
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Catherine Michaux
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique des Biomolécules, UCPTS, Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Régis Hallez
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), Universite de Namur, Namur, Belgium
- WEL Research Institute, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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2
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Silberberg JM, Ketter S, Böhm PJN, Jordan K, Wittenberg M, Grass J, Hänelt I. KdpD is a tandem serine histidine kinase that controls K + pump KdpFABC transcriptionally and post-translationally. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3223. [PMID: 38622146 PMCID: PMC11018627 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems, consisting of a histidine kinase and a response regulator, serve signal transduction in bacteria, often regulating transcription in response to environmental stimuli. Here, we identify a tandem serine histidine kinase function for KdpD, previously described as a histidine kinase of the KdpDE two-component system, which controls production of the potassium pump KdpFABC. We show that KdpD additionally mediates an inhibitory serine phosphorylation of KdpFABC at high potassium levels, using not its C-terminal histidine kinase domain but an N-terminal atypical serine kinase domain. Sequence analysis of KdpDs from different species highlights that some KdpDs are much shorter than others. We show that, while Escherichia coli KdpD's atypical serine kinase domain responds directly to potassium levels, a shorter version from Deinococcus geothermalis is controlled by second messenger cyclic di-AMP. Our findings add to the growing functional diversity of sensor kinases while simultaneously expanding the framework for regulatory mechanisms in bacterial potassium homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob M Silberberg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Sophie Ketter
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Paul J N Böhm
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Kristin Jordan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Marcel Wittenberg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Julia Grass
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Inga Hänelt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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3
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Yan T, Li M, Wang Q, Wang M, Liu L, Ma C, Xiang X, Zhou Q, Liu Z, Gong Z. Structures, functions, and regulatory networks of universal stress proteins in clinically relevant pathogenic Bacteria. Cell Signal 2024; 116:111032. [PMID: 38185228 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Universal stress proteins are a class of proteins widely present in bacteria, archaea, plants, and invertebrates, playing essential roles in bacterial adaptation to various environmental stresses. The functions of bacterial universal stress proteins are versatile, including resistance to oxidative stress, maintenance of cell wall integrity, DNA damage repair, regulation of cell division and growth, among others. When facing stresses such as temperature changes, pH shifts, fluctuations in oxygen concentration, and exposure to toxins, these proteins can bind to specific DNA sequences and rapidly adjust bacterial metabolic pathways and gene expression patterns to adapt to the new environment. In summary, bacterial universal stress proteins play a crucial role in bacterial adaptability and survival. A comprehensive understanding of bacterial stress response mechanisms and the development of new antibacterial strategies are of great significance. This review summarizes the research progress on the structure, function, and regulatory factors of universal stress proteins in clinically relevant bacteria, aiming to facilitate deeper investigations by clinicians and researchers into universal stress proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiuyan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chengcheng Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaohong Xiang
- School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Zhen Gong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Singh A, Singhal C, Sharma AK, Khurana P. Identification of universal stress proteins in wheat and functional characterization during abiotic stress. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:1487-1501. [PMID: 37341826 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE TaUSPs are localized in Endoplasmic reticulum and form homo and hetero dimers within themselves. They play significant role in multiple abiotic stress responses in yeast heterologous system and in plants. Universal Stress Proteins are stress responsive proteins present in a variety of life forms ranging from bacteria to multicellular plants and animals. In this study we have identified 85 TaUSP genes in the wheat genome and have characterised their abiotic stress responsive members in yeast under different stress conditions. Localization and Y2H studies suggest that wheat, USP proteins are localized in the ER complex, and extensively crosstalk amongst themselves through forming hetero and homodimers. Expression analysis of these TaUSP genes suggests their role in adaptation to multiple abiotic stresses. TaUSP_5D-1 was found to have some DNA binding activity in yeast. Certain abiotic stress responsive TaUSP genes are found to impart tolerance to temperature stress, oxidative stress, ER stress (DTT treatment) and LiCl2 stress in the yeast heterologous system. TaUSP_5D-1 overexpression in A. thaliana imparts drought tolerance via better lateral root network in transgenic lines. The TaUSP represents an important repertoire of genes for engineering abiotic stress responsiveness in crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Singh
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Chanchal Singhal
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Arun Kumar Sharma
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Paramjit Khurana
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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Sankhe GD, Raja R, Singh DP, Bheemireddy S, Rana S, Athira PJ, Dixit NM, Saini DK. Sequestration of histidine kinases by non-cognate response regulators establishes a threshold level of stimulation for bacterial two-component signaling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4483. [PMID: 37491529 PMCID: PMC10368727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial two-component systems (TCSs) consist of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) that perceives a specific signal, and a cognate response regulator (RR) that modulates the expression of target genes. Positive autoregulation improves TCS sensitivity to stimuli, but may trigger disproportionately large responses to weak signals, compromising bacterial fitness. Here, we combine experiments and mathematical modelling to reveal a general design that prevents such disproportionate responses: phosphorylated HKs (HK~Ps) can be sequestered by non-cognate RRs. We study five TCSs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and find, for all of them, non-cognate RRs that show higher affinity than cognate RRs for HK~Ps. Indeed, in vitro assays show that HK~Ps preferentially bind higher affinity non-cognate RRs and get sequestered. Mathematical modelling indicates that this sequestration would introduce a 'threshold' stimulus strength for eliciting responses, thereby preventing responses to weak signals. Finally, we construct tunable expression systems in Mycobacterium bovis BCG to show that higher affinity non-cognate RRs suppress responses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav D Sankhe
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rubesh Raja
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Devendra Pratap Singh
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sneha Bheemireddy
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Subinoy Rana
- Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - P J Athira
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Narendra M Dixit
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
| | - Deepak Kumar Saini
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
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Luo D, Wu Z, Bai Q, Zhang Y, Huang M, Huang Y, Li X. Universal Stress Proteins: From Gene to Function. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054725. [PMID: 36902153 PMCID: PMC10003552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Universal stress proteins (USPs) exist across a wide range of species and are vital for survival under stressful conditions. Due to the increasingly harsh global environmental conditions, it is increasingly important to study the role of USPs in achieving stress tolerance. This review discusses the role of USPs in organisms from three aspects: (1) organisms generally have multiple USP genes that play specific roles at different developmental periods of the organism, and, due to their ubiquity, USPs can be used as an important indicator to study species evolution; (2) a comparison of the structures of USPs reveals that they generally bind ATP or its analogs at similar sequence positions, which may underlie the regulatory role of USPs; and (3) the functions of USPs in species are diverse, and are generally directly related to the stress tolerance. In microorganisms, USPs are associated with cell membrane formation, whereas in plants they may act as protein chaperones or RNA chaperones to help plants withstand stress at the molecular level and may also interact with other proteins to regulate normal plant activities. This review will provide directions for future research, focusing on USPs to provide clues for the development of stress-tolerant crop varieties and for the generation of novel green pesticide formulations in agriculture, and to better understand the evolution of drug resistance in pathogenic microorganisms in medicine.
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Masamba P, Weber BW, Sewell BT, Kappo AP. Crystallization and preliminary structural determination of the universal stress G4LZI3 protein from Schistosoma mansoni. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.101057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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8
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Genetic Determinants of Stress Resistance in Desiccated Salmonella enterica. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0168321. [PMID: 34586905 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01683-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric pathogens, including Salmonella, are capable of long-term survival after desiccation and resist heat treatments that are lethal to hydrated cells. The mechanisms of dry-heat resistance differ from those of wet-heat resistance. To elucidate the mechanisms of dry-heat resistance in Salmonella, screening of the dry-heat resistance of 108 Salmonella strains, representing 39 serotypes, identified the 22 most resistant and the 8 most sensitive strains for comparative genome analysis. A total of 289 genes of the accessory genome were differently distributed between resistant and sensitive strains. Among these genes, 28 proteins with a putative relationship to stress resistance were selected for to quantify relative gene expression before and after desiccation and expression by solid-state cultures on agar plates relative to cultures growing in liquid culture media. Of these 28 genes, 15 genes were upregulated (P < 0.05) after desiccation or by solid-state cultures on agar plates. These 15 genes were cloned into the low-copy-number vector pRK767 under the control of the lacZ promoter. The expression of 6 of these 15 genes increased (P < 0.05) resistance to dry heat and to treatment with pressure of 500 MPa. Our finding extends the knowledge of mechanisms of stress resistance in desiccated Salmonella to improve control of this bacterium in dry food. IMPORTANCE This study directly targeted an increasing threat to food safety and developed knowledge and targeted strategies that can be used by the food industry to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness in their dry products and thereby reduce the overall burden of foodborne illness. Genomic and physiological analyses have elucidated mechanisms of bacterial resistance to many food preservation technologies, including heat, pressure, disinfection chemicals, and UV light; however, information on bacterial mechanisms of resistance to dry heat is scarce. Mechanisms of tolerance to desiccation likely also contribute to resistance to dry heat, but this assumption has not been verified experimentally. It remains unclear how mechanisms of resistance to wet heat relate to dry-heat resistance. Thus, this study will fill a knowledge gap to improve the safety of dry foods.
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9
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Masamba P, Kappo AP. Parasite Survival and Disease Persistence in Cystic Fibrosis, Schistosomiasis and Pathogenic Bacterial Diseases: A Role for Universal Stress Proteins? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10878. [PMID: 34639223 PMCID: PMC8509486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Universal stress proteins (USPs) were originally discovered in Escherichia coli over two decades ago and since then their presence has been detected in various organisms that include plants, archaea, metazoans, and bacteria. As their name suggests, they function in a series of various cellular responses in both abiotic and biotic stressful conditions such as oxidative stress, exposure to DNA damaging agents, nutrient starvation, high temperature and acidic stress, among others. Although a highly conserved group of proteins, the molecular and biochemical aspects of their functions are largely evasive. This is concerning, as it was observed that USPs act as essential contributors to the survival/persistence of various infectious pathogens. Their ubiquitous nature in various organisms, as well as their augmentation during conditions of stress, is a clear indication of their direct or indirect importance in providing resilience against such conditions. This paper seeks to clarify what has already been reported in the literature on the proposed mechanism of action of USPs in pathogenic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Masamba
- Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology (MBSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry, Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa;
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10
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Ye X, van der Does C, Albers SV. SaUspA, the Universal Stress Protein of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius Stimulates the Activity of the PP2A Phosphatase and Is Involved in Growth at High Salinity. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:598821. [PMID: 33304342 PMCID: PMC7693658 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.598821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, the protein phosphatase PP2A plays important regulatory roles in many cellular processes, including cell growth, cell shape and synthesis of the archaellum. A conserved prokaryotic protein, designated as SaUspA, was identified as an interaction partner of the phosphatase PP2A. SaUspA belongs to the universal stress protein (USP) superfamily, members of which are found in bacteria, archaea, plants and invertebrates. Biochemical analysis showed that SaUspA is a homodimeric ATP-binding protein, which also in vitro binds to PP2A. SaUspA did not hydrolyze ATP, but stimulated the phosphatase activity of PP2A and might in this manner affect many other processes. Interestingly, binding of ATP further enhanced SaUspA's interaction with PP2A. In contrast to bacterial usp genes, environmental stress conditions including stationary phase, starvation stress, high salinity stress and UV stress did not stimulate expression of saUspA. Deletion of saUspA led to premature production of the archaellin FlaB in S. acidocaldarius although motility was not affected. The ΔsaUspA mutant showed a significant growth defect under high salinity stress and complementation of ATP-binding deficient mutant SaUspAG97A failed to restore this growth defect. Compared with the wild type strain, its growth or survival was not affected under heavy metal stress and UV stress. To date, this is the first study in which the physiological role of USP homologs in archaea have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Ye
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chris van der Does
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sonja-Verena Albers
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Choudhary KS, Kleinmanns JA, Decker K, Sastry AV, Gao Y, Szubin R, Seif Y, Palsson BO. Elucidation of Regulatory Modes for Five Two-Component Systems in Escherichia coli Reveals Novel Relationships. mSystems 2020; 5:e00980-20. [PMID: 33172971 PMCID: PMC7657598 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00980-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli uses two-component systems (TCSs) to respond to environmental signals. TCSs affect gene expression and are parts of E. coli's global transcriptional regulatory network (TRN). Here, we identified the regulons of five TCSs in E. coli MG1655: BaeSR and CpxAR, which were stimulated by ethanol stress; KdpDE and PhoRB, induced by limiting potassium and phosphate, respectively; and ZraSR, stimulated by zinc. We analyzed RNA-seq data using independent component analysis (ICA). ChIP-exo data were used to validate condition-specific target gene binding sites. Based on these data, we do the following: (i) identify the target genes for each TCS; (ii) show how the target genes are transcribed in response to stimulus; and (iii) reveal novel relationships between TCSs, which indicate noncognate inducers for various response regulators, such as BaeR to iron starvation, CpxR to phosphate limitation, and PhoB and ZraR to cell envelope stress. Our understanding of the TRN in E. coli is thus notably expanded.IMPORTANCE E. coli is a common commensal microbe found in the human gut microenvironment; however, some strains cause diseases like diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and meningitis. E. coli's two-component systems (TCSs) modulate target gene expression, especially related to virulence, pathogenesis, and antimicrobial peptides, in response to environmental stimuli. Thus, it is of utmost importance to understand the transcriptional regulation of TCSs to infer bacterial environmental adaptation and disease pathogenicity. Utilizing a combinatorial approach integrating RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), independent component analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with exonuclease treatment (ChIP-exo), and data mining, we suggest five different modes of TCS transcriptional regulation. Our data further highlight noncognate inducers of TCSs, which emphasizes the cross-regulatory nature of TCSs in E. coli and suggests that TCSs may have a role beyond their cognate functionalities. In summary, these results can lead to an understanding of the metabolic capabilities of bacteria and correctly predict complex phenotype under diverse conditions, especially when further incorporated with genome-scale metabolic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sonal Choudhary
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Julia A Kleinmanns
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Katherine Decker
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Anand V Sastry
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ye Gao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Richard Szubin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Yara Seif
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bernhard O Palsson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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12
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Khan MA, Durica‐Mitic S, Göpel Y, Heermann R, Görke B. Small RNA-binding protein RapZ mediates cell envelope precursor sensing and signaling in Escherichia coli. EMBO J 2020; 39:e103848. [PMID: 32065419 PMCID: PMC7073468 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein RapZ cooperates with small RNAs (sRNAs) GlmY and GlmZ to regulate the glmS mRNA in Escherichia coli. Enzyme GlmS synthesizes glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), initiating cell envelope biosynthesis. GlmZ activates glmS expression by base-pairing. When GlcN6P is ample, GlmZ is bound by RapZ and degraded through ribonuclease recruitment. Upon GlcN6P depletion, the decoy sRNA GlmY accumulates through a previously unknown mechanism and sequesters RapZ, suppressing GlmZ decay. This circuit ensures GlcN6P homeostasis and thereby envelope integrity. In this work, we identify RapZ as GlcN6P receptor. GlcN6P-free RapZ stimulates phosphorylation of the two-component system QseE/QseF by interaction, which in turn activates glmY expression. Elevated GlmY levels sequester RapZ into stable complexes, which prevents GlmZ decay, promoting glmS expression. Binding of GlmY also prevents RapZ from activating QseE/QseF, generating a negative feedback loop limiting the response. When GlcN6P is replenished, GlmY is released from RapZ and rapidly degraded. We reveal a multifunctional sRNA-binding protein that dynamically engages into higher-order complexes for metabolite signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna A Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and GeneticsMax Perutz LabsVienna Biocenter (VBC)University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Svetlana Durica‐Mitic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and GeneticsMax Perutz LabsVienna Biocenter (VBC)University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Yvonne Göpel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and GeneticsMax Perutz LabsVienna Biocenter (VBC)University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ralf Heermann
- Microbiology and Wine ResearchInstitute for Molecular PhysiologyJohannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
| | - Boris Görke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and GeneticsMax Perutz LabsVienna Biocenter (VBC)University of ViennaViennaAustria
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Identification of salt tolerance-related genes of Lactobacillus plantarum D31 and T9 strains by genomic analysis. ANN MICROBIOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s13213-020-01551-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to identify salt tolerance-related genes of Lactobacillus plantarum D31 and T9 strains, isolated from Chinese traditional fermented food, by genomic analysis.
Methods
Tolerance of L. plantarum D31 and T9 strains was evaluated at different stress conditions (temperatures, acid, osmolality, and artificial gastrointestinal fluids). Draft genomes of the two strains were determined using the Illumina sequencing technique. Comparative genomic analysis and gene transcriptional analysis were performed to identify and validate the salt tolerance-related genes.
Results
Both L. plantarum D31 and T9 strains were able to withstand high osmotic pressure caused by 5.0% NaCl, and L. plantarum D31 even to tolerate 8.0% NaCl. L. plantarum D31 genome contained 3,315,786 bp (44.5% GC content) with 3106 predicted protein-encoding genes, while L. plantarum T9 contained 3,388,070 bp (44.1% GC content) with 3223 genes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a number of genes involved in the maintenance of intracellular ion balance, absorption or synthesis of compatible solutes, stress response, and modulation of membrane composition in L. plantarum D31 and or T9 genomes. Gene transcriptional analysis validated that most of these genes were coupled with the stress-resistance phenotypes of the two strains.
Conclusions
L. plantarum D31 and T9 strains tolerated 5.0% NaCl, and D31 even tolerated 8.0% NaCl. The draft genomes of these two strains were determined, and comparative genomic analysis revealed multiple molecular coping strategies for the salt stress tolerance in L. plantarum D31 and T9 strains.
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A Universal Stress Protein That Controls Bacterial Stress Survival in Micrococcus luteus. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00497-19. [PMID: 31548273 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00497-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have remarkable mechanisms to survive severe external stresses, and one of the most enigmatic is the nonreplicative persistent (NRP) state. Practically, NRP bacteria are difficult to treat, and so inhibiting the proteins underlying this survival state may render such bacteria more susceptible to external stresses, including antibiotics. Unfortunately, we know little about the proteins and mechanisms conferring survival through the NRP state. Here, we report that a universal stress protein (Usp) is a primary regulator of bacterial survival through the NRP state in Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665, a biosafety level 1 (BSL1) mycobacterial relative. Usps are widely conserved, and bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Escherichia coli, have multiple paralogs with overlapping functions that have obscured their functional roles. A kanamycin resistance cassette inserted into the M. luteus universal stress protein A 616 gene (ΔuspA616::kan M. luteus) ablates the UspA616 protein and drastically impairs M. luteus survival under even short-term starvation (survival, 83% wild type versus 32% ΔuspA616::kan M. luteus) and hypoxia (survival, 96% wild type versus 48% ΔuspA616::kan M. luteus). We observed no detrimental UspA616 knockout phenotype in logarithmic growth. Proteomics demonstrated statistically significant log-phase upregulation of glyoxylate pathway enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase in ΔuspA616::kan M. luteus We note that these enzymes and the M. tuberculosis UspA616 homolog (Rv2623) are important in M. tuberculosis virulence and chronic infection, suggesting that Usps are important stress proteins across diverse bacterial species. We propose that UspA616 is a metabolic switch that controls survival by regulating the glyoxylate shunt.IMPORTANCE Bacteria tolerate severe external stresses, including antibiotics, through a nonreplicative persistent (NRP) survival state, yet the proteins regulating this survival state are largely unknown. We show a specific universal stress protein (UspA616) controls the NRP state in Micrococcus luteus Usps are widely conserved across bacteria, but their biological function(s) has remained elusive. UspA616 inactivation renders M. luteus susceptible to stress: bacteria die instead of adapting through the NRP state. UspA616 regulates malate synthase and isocitrate lyase, glyoxylate pathway enzymes important for chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. These data show that UspA616 regulates NRP stress survival in M. luteus and suggest a function for homologous proteins in other bacteria. Importantly, inhibitors of UspA616 and homologs may render NRP bacteria more susceptible to stresses, including current antibiotics.
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Wang X, Cai X, Ma H, Yin W, Zhu L, Li X, Lim HM, Chou SH, He J. A c-di-AMP riboswitch controlling kdpFABC operon transcription regulates the potassium transporter system in Bacillus thuringiensis. Commun Biol 2019; 2:151. [PMID: 31044176 PMCID: PMC6488665 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0414-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular K+ level in bacteria is strictly controlled by K+ uptake and efflux systems. Among these, KdpFABC is a high-affinity K+ transporter system that is generally activated by the KdpDE two-component system in response to K+ limitation stress. However, the regulatory mechanism remains obscure in bacteria lacking the kdpDE genes. Here we report that the transcription of a kdpFABC operon is distinctively regulated by a cyclic diadenylate monophosphate (c-di-AMP) riboswitch located at the 5'-untranslated region of kdp transcript, and binding of c-di-AMP to the riboswitch promotes its intrinsic termination that blocks the kdpFABC transcription. Further, the intracellular c-di-AMP concentration was found to decrease under the K+ limitation stress, leading to transcriptional read-through over the terminator to allow kdpFABC expression. This regulatory element is found predominantly in the Bacillus cereus group and correlate well with the K+ and c-di-AMP homeostasis that affects a variety of crucial cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Xia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Hongdan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Wen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Xinfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
| | - Heon M. Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 Republic of Korea
| | - Shan-Ho Chou
- Institute of Biochemistry and Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan
| | - Jin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070 PR China
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Jung K, Fabiani F, Hoyer E, Lassak J. Bacterial transmembrane signalling systems and their engineering for biosensing. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180023. [PMID: 29695618 PMCID: PMC5936718 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Every living cell possesses numerous transmembrane signalling systems that receive chemical and physical stimuli from the environment and transduce this information into an intracellular signal that triggers some form of cellular response. As unicellular organisms, bacteria require these systems for survival in rapidly changing environments. The receptors themselves act as ‘sensory organs’, while subsequent signalling circuits can be regarded as forming a ‘neural network’ that is involved in decision making, adaptation and ultimately in ensuring survival. Bacteria serve as useful biosensors in industry and clinical diagnostics, in addition to producing drugs for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, there is a great demand for engineered bacterial strains that contain transmembrane signalling systems with high molecular specificity, sensitivity and dose dependency. In this review, we address the complexity of transmembrane signalling systems and discuss principles to rewire receptors and their signalling outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Jung
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Florian Fabiani
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hoyer
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jürgen Lassak
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
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18
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Akgul A, Nho SW, Kalindamar S, Tekedar HC, Abdalhamed H, Lawrence ML, Karsi A. Universal Stress Proteins Contribute Edwardsiella ictaluri Virulence in Catfish. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2931. [PMID: 30546354 PMCID: PMC6279896 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Edwardsiella ictaluri is an intracellular Gram-negative facultative pathogen causing enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), a common disease resulting in substantial economic losses in the U.S. catfish industry. Previously, we demonstrated that several universal stress proteins (USPs) are highly expressed under in vitro and in vivo stress conditions, indicating their importance for E. ictaluri survival. However, the roles of these USPs in E. ictaluri virulence is not known yet. In this work, 10 usp genes of E. ictaluri were in-frame deleted and characterized in vitro and in vivo. Results show that all USP mutants were sensitive to acidic condition (pH 5.5), and EiΔusp05 and EiΔusp08 were very sensitive to oxidative stress (0.1% H2O2). Virulence studies indicated that EiΔusp05, EiΔusp07, EiΔusp08, EiΔusp09, EiΔusp10, and EiΔusp13 were attenuated significantly compared to E. ictaluri wild-type (EiWT; 20, 45, 20, 20, 55, and 10% vs. 74.1% mortality, respectively). Efficacy experiments showed that vaccination of catfish fingerlings with EiΔusp05, EiΔusp07, EiΔusp08, EiΔusp09, EiΔusp10, and EiΔusp13 provided complete protection against EiWT compared to sham-vaccinated fish (0% vs. 58.33% mortality). Our results support that USPs contribute E. ictaluri virulence in catfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akgul
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Seong Won Nho
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Safak Kalindamar
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Hasan C Tekedar
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Hossam Abdalhamed
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Mark L Lawrence
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Attila Karsi
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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Akgul A, Akgul A, Lawrence ML, Karsi A. Stress-related genes promote Edwardsiella ictaluri pathogenesis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194669. [PMID: 29554143 PMCID: PMC5858854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobic rod and the causative agent of enteric septicemia of channel catfish (ESC), which is one of the most prevalent diseases of catfish, causing significant economic losses in the catfish industry. E. ictaluri is resistant to complement system and macrophage killing, which results in rapid systemic septicemia. However, mechanisms of E. ictaluri stress responses under conditions of host environment are not studied well. Therefore, in this work, we report E. ictaluri stress responses during hydrogen peroxide, low pH, and catfish serum stresses as well as during catfish invasion. E. ictaluri stress responses were characterized by identifying expression of 13 universal stress protein (USP) genes (usp01-usp13) and seven USP-interacting protein genes (groEL, groES, dnaK, grpE, and clpB, grpE, relA). Data indicated that three usp genes (usp05, usp07, and usp13) were highly expressed in all stress conditions. Similarly, E. ictaluri heat shock proteins groEL, groES, dnaK, grpE, and clpB were highly expressed in oxidative stress. Also, E. ictaluri grpE and relA were highly expressed in catfish spleen and head kidney. These findings contribute to our understanding of stress response mechanisms in E. ictaluri stress response, and stress-related proteins that are essential for E. ictaluri could be potential targets for live attenuated vaccine development against ESC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akgul
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
| | - Ayfer Akgul
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
| | - Mark L. Lawrence
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
| | - Attila Karsi
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Mielich-Süss B, Wagner RM, Mietrach N, Hertlein T, Marincola G, Ohlsen K, Geibel S, Lopez D. Flotillin scaffold activity contributes to type VII secretion system assembly in Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006728. [PMID: 29166667 PMCID: PMC5718613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scaffold proteins are ubiquitous chaperones that promote efficient interactions between partners of multi-enzymatic protein complexes; although they are well studied in eukaryotes, their role in prokaryotic systems is poorly understood. Bacterial membranes have functional membrane microdomains (FMM), a structure homologous to eukaryotic lipid rafts. Similar to their eukaryotic counterparts, bacterial FMM harbor a scaffold protein termed flotillin that is thought to promote interactions between proteins spatially confined to the FMM. Here we used biochemical approaches to define the scaffold activity of the flotillin homolog FloA of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, using assembly of interacting protein partners of the type VII secretion system (T7SS) as a case study. Staphylococcus aureus cells that lacked FloA showed reduced T7SS function, and thus reduced secretion of T7SS-related effectors, probably due to the supporting scaffold activity of flotillin. We found that the presence of flotillin mediates intermolecular interactions of T7SS proteins. We tested several small molecules that interfere with flotillin scaffold activity, which perturbed T7SS activity in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that flotillin assists in the assembly of S. aureus membrane components that participate in infection and influences the infective potential of this pathogen. The recently discovered functional membrane microdomains (FMM) of prokaryotic cells contain a protein homologous to the scaffold protein flotillin found in eukaryotic lipid rafts. It remains to be elucidated whether, like their eukaryotic counterparts, flotillin homolog proteins have a scaffold function in bacteria. Here we show that the Staphylococcus aureus flotillin FloA acts as a scaffold protein, to promote more efficient assembly of membrane-associated protein interacting partners of multi-enzyme complexes. In a case study, we provide biochemical evidence that FloA participates in assembly of the Type VII secretion system and thus contributes to S. aureus infective potential. Targeted dispersion of FMM-related processes using anti-FMM molecules opens up new perspectives for microbial therapies to treat persistent S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Mielich-Süss
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rabea M. Wagner
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- National Center for Biotechnology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicole Mietrach
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Rudolf Virchow Center - DFG Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Hertlein
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gabriella Marincola
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Knut Ohlsen
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Geibel
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Rudolf Virchow Center - DFG Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Lopez
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases ZINF, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- National Center for Biotechnology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Vollmer AC, Bark SJ. Twenty-Five Years of Investigating the Universal Stress Protein: Function, Structure, and Applications. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 102:1-36. [PMID: 29680123 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since the initial discovery of universal stress protein A (UspA) 25 years ago, remarkable advances in molecular and biochemical technologies have revolutionized our understanding of biology. Many studies using these technologies have focused on characterization of the uspA gene and Usp-type proteins. These studies have identified the conservation of Usp-like proteins across bacteria, archaea, plants, and even some invertebrate animals. Regulation of these proteins under diverse stresses has been associated with different stress-response genes including spoT and relA in the stringent response and the dosR two-component signaling pathways. These and other foundational studies suggest Usps serve regulatory and protective roles to enable adaptation and survival under external stresses. Despite these foundational studies, many bacterial species have multiple paralogs of genes encoding these proteins and ablation of the genes does not provide a distinct phenotype. This outcome has limited our understanding of the biochemical functions of these proteins. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of Usps in general and UspA in particular across different genera as well as conclusions about their functions from seminal studies in diverse organisms. Our objective has been to organize the foundational studies in this field to identify the significant impediments to further understanding of Usp functions at the molecular level. We propose ideas and experimental approaches that may overcome these impediments and drive future development of molecular approaches to understand and target Usps as central regulators of stress adaptation and survival. Despite the fact that the full functions of Usps are still not known, creative many applications have already been proposed, tested, and used. The complementary approaches of basic research and applications, along with new technology and analytic tools, may yield the elusive yet critical functions of universal stress proteins in diverse systems.
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Mörk-Mörkenstein M, Heermann R, Göpel Y, Jung K, Görke B. Non-canonical activation of histidine kinase KdpD by phosphotransferase protein PtsN through interaction with the transmitter domain. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:54-73. [PMID: 28714556 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The two-component system KdpD/KdpE governs K+ homeostasis by controlling synthesis of the high affinity K+ transporter KdpFABC. When sensing low environmental K+ concentrations, the dimeric kinase KdpD autophosphorylates in trans and transfers the phosphoryl-group to the response regulator KdpE, which subsequently activates kdpFABC transcription. In Escherichia coli, KdpD can also be activated by interaction with the non-phosphorylated form of the accessory protein PtsN. PtsN stimulates KdpD kinase activity thereby increasing phospho-KdpE levels. Here, we analyzed the interplay between KdpD/KdpE and PtsN. PtsN binds specifically to the catalytic DHp domain of KdpD, which is also contacted by KdpE. Accordingly, PtsN and KdpE compete for binding, providing a paradox. Low levels of non-phosphorylated PtsN stimulate, whereas high amounts reduce kdpFABC expression by blocking access of KdpE to KdpD. Ligand fishing experiments provided insight as they revealed ternary complex formation of PtsN/KdpD2 /KdpE in vivo demonstrating that PtsN and KdpE bind different protomers in the KdpD dimer. PtsN may bind one protomer to stimulate phosphorylation of the second KdpD protomer, which then phosphorylates bound KdpE. Phosphorylation of PtsN prevents its incorporation in ternary complexes. Interaction with the conserved DHp domain enables PtsN to regulate additional kinases such as PhoR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Mörk-Mörkenstein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL), University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ralf Heermann
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried/München, Germany
| | - Yvonne Göpel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL), University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at the Department of Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried/München, Germany
| | - Boris Görke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL), University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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Glass LN, Swapna G, Chavadi SS, Tufariello JM, Mi K, Drumm JE, Lam TT, Zhu G, Zhan C, Vilchéze C, Arcos J, Chen Y, Bi L, Mehta S, Porcelli SA, Almo SC, Yeh SR, Jacobs WR, Torrelles JB, Chan J. Mycobacterium tuberculosis universal stress protein Rv2623 interacts with the putative ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter Rv1747 to regulate mycobacterial growth. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006515. [PMID: 28753640 PMCID: PMC5549992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that the Mycobacterium tuberculosis universal stress protein Rv2623 regulates mycobacterial growth and may be required for the establishment of tuberculous persistence. Here, yeast two-hybrid and affinity chromatography experiments have demonstrated that Rv2623 interacts with one of the two forkhead-associated domains (FHA I) of Rv1747, a putative ATP-binding cassette transporter annotated to export lipooligosaccharides. FHA domains are signaling protein modules that mediate protein-protein interactions to modulate a wide variety of biological processes via binding to conserved phosphorylated threonine (pT)-containing oligopeptides of the interactors. Biochemical, immunochemical and mass spectrometric studies have shown that Rv2623 harbors pT and specifically identified threonine 237 as a phosphorylated residue. Relative to wild-type Rv2623 (Rv2623WT), a mutant protein in which T237 has been replaced with a non-phosphorylatable alanine (Rv2623T237A) exhibits decreased interaction with the Rv1747 FHA I domain and diminished growth-regulatory capacity. Interestingly, compared to WT bacilli, an M. tuberculosis Rv2623 null mutant (ΔRv2623) displays enhanced expression of phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (PIMs), while the ΔRv1747 mutant expresses decreased levels of PIMs. Animal studies have previously shown that ΔRv2623 is hypervirulent, while ΔRv1747 is growth-attenuated. Collectively, these data have provided evidence that Rv2623 interacts with Rv1747 to regulate mycobacterial growth; and this interaction is mediated via the recognition of the conserved Rv2623 pT237-containing FHA-binding motif by the Rv1747 FHA I domain. The divergent aberrant PIM profiles and the opposing in vivo growth phenotypes of ΔRv2623 and ΔRv1747, together with the annotated lipooligosaccharide exporter function of Rv1747, suggest that Rv2623 interacts with Rv1747 to modulate mycobacterial growth by negatively regulating the activity of Rv1747; and that Rv1747 might function as a transporter of PIMs. Because these glycolipids are major mycobacterial cell envelope components that can impact on the immune response, our findings raise the possibility that Rv2623 may regulate bacterial growth, virulence, and entry into persistence, at least in part, by modulating the levels of bacillary PIM expression, perhaps through negatively regulating the Rv1747-dependent export of the immunomodulatory PIMs to alter host-pathogen interaction, thereby influencing the fate of M. tuberculosis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N. Glass
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Ganduri Swapna
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Sivagami Sundaram Chavadi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - JoAnn M. Tufariello
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Kaixia Mi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Joshua E. Drumm
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - TuKiet T. Lam
- MS & Proteomics Resource of the W.M. Keck Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Guofeng Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Chenyang Zhan
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Catherine Vilchéze
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Jesus Arcos
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Lijun Bi
- Department of Medicine, School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Simren Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Porcelli
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Steve C. Almo
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Syun-Ru Yeh
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - William R. Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Jordi B. Torrelles
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - John Chan
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
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24
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Koch G, Wermser C, Acosta IC, Kricks L, Stengel ST, Yepes A, Lopez D. Attenuating Staphylococcus aureus Virulence by Targeting Flotillin Protein Scaffold Activity. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:845-857.e6. [PMID: 28669526 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Scaffold proteins are ubiquitous chaperones that bind proteins and facilitate physical interaction of multi-enzyme complexes. Here we used a biochemical approach to dissect the scaffold activity of the flotillin-homolog protein FloA of the multi-drug-resistant human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. We show that FloA promotes oligomerization of membrane protein complexes, such as the membrane-associated RNase Rny, which forms part of the RNA-degradation machinery called the degradosome. Cells lacking FloA had reduced Rny function and a consequent increase in the targeted sRNA transcripts that negatively regulate S. aureus toxin expression. Small molecules that altered FloA oligomerization also reduced Rny function and decreased the virulence potential of S. aureus in vitro, as well as in vivo, using invertebrate and murine infection models. Our results suggest that flotillin assists in the assembly of protein complexes involved in S. aureus virulence, and could thus be an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Koch
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Charlotte Wermser
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Ivan C Acosta
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Lara Kricks
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Stephanie T Stengel
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Ana Yepes
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Daniel Lopez
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany; National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain.
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25
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Ali MK, Li X, Tang Q, Liu X, Chen F, Xiao J, Ali M, Chou SH, He J. Regulation of Inducible Potassium Transporter KdpFABC by the KdpD/KdpE Two-Component System in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:570. [PMID: 28484428 PMCID: PMC5401905 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kdp-ATPase is an inducible high affinity potassium uptake system that is widely distributed in bacteria, and is generally regulated by the KdpD/KdpE two-component system (TCS). In this study, conducted on Mycobacterium smegmatis, the kdpFABC (encoding Kdp-ATPase) expression was found to be affected by low concentration of K+, high concentrations of Na+, and/or [Formula: see text] of the medium. The KdpE was found to be a transcriptional regulator that bound to a specific 22-bp sequence in the promoter region of kdpFABC operon to positively regulate kdpFABC expression. The KdpE binding motif was highly conserved in the promoters of kdpFABC among the mycobacterial species. 5'-RACE data indicated a transcriptional start site (TSS) of the kdpFABC operon within the coding sequence of MSMEG_5391, which comprised a 120-bp long 5'-UTR and an open reading frame of the 87-bp kdpF gene. The kdpE deletion resulted in altered growth rate under normal and low K+ conditions. Furthermore, under K+ limiting conditions, a single transcript (kdpFABCDE) spanning kdpFABC and kdpDE operons was observed. This study provided the first insight into the regulation of kdpFABC operon by the KdpD/KdpE TCS in M. smegmatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Xinfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Qing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Fang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Jinfeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Muhammad Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China.,Biotechnology Program, Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information TechnologyAbbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Shan-Ho Chou
- Institute of Biochemistry and NCHU Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing UniversityTaichung, Taiwan
| | - Jin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
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26
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Schramke H, Laermann V, Tegetmeyer HE, Brachmann A, Jung K, Altendorf K. Revisiting regulation of potassium homeostasis in Escherichia coli: the connection to phosphate limitation. Microbiologyopen 2017; 6. [PMID: 28097817 PMCID: PMC5458449 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component signal transduction constitutes the predominant strategy used by bacteria to adapt to fluctuating environments. The KdpD/KdpE system is one of the most widespread, and is crucial for K+ homeostasis. In Escherichia coli, the histidine kinase KdpD senses K+ availability, whereas the response regulator KdpE activates synthesis of the high-affinity K+ uptake system KdpFABC. Here we show that, in the absence of KdpD, kdpFABC expression can be activated via phosphorylation of KdpE by the histidine kinase PhoR. PhoR and its cognate response regulator PhoB comprise a phosphate-responsive two-component system, which senses phosphate limitation indirectly through the phosphate transporter PstCAB and its accessory protein PhoU. In vivo two-hybrid interaction studies based on the bacterial adenylate cyclase reveal pairwise interactions between KdpD, PhoR, and PhoU. Finally, we demonstrate that cross-regulation between the kdpFABC and pstSCAB operons occurs in both directions under simultaneous K+ and phosphate limitation, both in vitro and in vivo. This study for the first time demonstrates direct coupling between intracellular K+ and phosphate homeostasis and provides a mechanism for fine-tuning of the balance between positively and negatively charged ions in the bacterial cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Schramke
- Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Center for integrated Protein Science Munich (CiPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Vera Laermann
- Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Halina E Tegetmeyer
- Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.,Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- Department of Biology I, Genetics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Center for integrated Protein Science Munich (CiPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
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27
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Schramke H, Tostevin F, Heermann R, Gerland U, Jung K. A Dual-Sensing Receptor Confers Robust Cellular Homeostasis. Cell Rep 2016; 16:213-221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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28
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Moreau PL, Loiseau L. Characterization of acetic acid-detoxifying Escherichia coli evolved under phosphate starvation conditions. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:42. [PMID: 26895825 PMCID: PMC4759930 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During prolonged incubation of Escherichia coli K-12 in batch culture under aerobic, phosphate (Pi) starvation conditions, excess glucose is converted into acetic acid, which may trigger cell death. Following serial cultures, we isolated five evolved strains in two populations that survived prolonged incubation. METHODS We sequenced the genomes of the ancestral and evolved strains, and determined the effects of the genetic changes, tested alone and in combination, on characteristic phenotypes in pure and in mixed cultures. RESULTS Evolved strains used two main strategies: (1) the constitutive expression of the Trk- and Kdp-dependent K(+) transport systems, and (2) the inactivation of the ArcA global regulator. Both processes helped to maintain a residual activity of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which decreased the production of acetic acid and eventually allowed its re-consumption. Evolved strains acquired a few additional genetic changes besides the trkH, kdpD and arcA mutations, which might increase the scavenging of organophosphates (phnE (+), lapB, and rseP) and the resistance to oxidative (rsxC) and acetic acid stresses (e14(-)/icd (+)). CONCLUSIONS Evolved strains rapidly acquired mutations (phnE (+) lapB rpoS trkH and phnE (+) rseP kdpD) that were globally beneficial to growth on glucose and organophosphates, but detrimental to long-term viability. The spread of these mutant strains might give the ancestral strain time to accumulate up to five genetic changes (phnE (+) arcA rsxC crfC e14(-)/icd (+)), which allowed growth on glucose and organophosphates, and provided a long-term survival. The latter strain, which expressed several mechanisms of protection against endogenous and exogenous stresses, might provide a platform for producing toxic recombinant proteins and chemicals during prolonged incubation under aerobic, Pi starvation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice L Moreau
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France.
| | - Laurent Loiseau
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France.
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29
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Moscoso JA, Schramke H, Zhang Y, Tosi T, Dehbi A, Jung K, Gründling A. Binding of Cyclic Di-AMP to the Staphylococcus aureus Sensor Kinase KdpD Occurs via the Universal Stress Protein Domain and Downregulates the Expression of the Kdp Potassium Transporter. J Bacteriol 2016; 198:98-110. [PMID: 26195599 PMCID: PMC4686210 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00480-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nucleotide signaling molecules are important intracellular messengers that regulate a wide range of biological functions. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus produces the signaling nucleotide cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP). This molecule is common among Gram-positive bacteria and in many organisms is essential for survival under standard laboratory growth conditions. In this study, we investigated the interaction of c-di-AMP with the S. aureus KdpD protein. The sensor kinase KdpD forms a two-component signaling system with the response regulator KdpE and regulates the expression of the kdpDE genes and the kdpFABC operon coding for the Kdp potassium transporter components. Here we show that the S. aureus KdpD protein binds c-di-AMP specifically and with an affinity in the micromolar range through its universal stress protein (USP) domain. This domain is located within the N-terminal cytoplasmic region of KdpD, and amino acids of a conserved SXS-X20-FTAXY motif are important for this binding. We further show that KdpD2, a second KdpD protein found in some S. aureus strains, also binds c-di-AMP, and our bioinformatics analysis indicates that a subclass of KdpD proteins in c-di-AMP-producing bacteria has evolved to bind this signaling nucleotide. Finally, we show that c-di-AMP binding to KdpD inhibits the upregulation of the kdpFABC operon under salt stress, thus indicating that c-di-AMP is a negative regulator of potassium uptake in S. aureus. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen and a major cause of food poisoning in Western countries. A common method for food preservation is the use of salt to drive dehydration. This study sheds light on the regulation of potassium uptake in Staphylococcus aureus, an important aspect of this bacterium's ability to tolerate high levels of salt. We show that the signaling nucleotide c-di-AMP binds to a regulatory component of the Kdp potassium uptake system and that this binding has an inhibitory effect on the expression of the kdp genes encoding a potassium transporter. c-di-AMP binds to the USP domain of KdpD, thus providing for the first time evidence for the ability of such a domain to bind a cyclic dinucleotide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana A Moscoso
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Schramke
- Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM), Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yong Zhang
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tommaso Tosi
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amina Dehbi
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Center for Integrated Protein Science (CiPSM), Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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30
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The KdpD Sensor Kinase of Escherichia coli Responds to Several Distinct Signals To Turn on Expression of the Kdp Transport System. J Bacteriol 2015; 198:212-20. [PMID: 26350129 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00602-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Kdp, one of three saturable K(+) uptake systems in Escherichia coli, is the system with the highest affinity for K(+) and the only one whose expression is strongly controlled by medium K(+) concentration. Expression is controlled by a two-component system of KdpD, the sensor kinase, and KdpE, the response regulator. There is general agreement that expression occurs when the growth rate of cells begins to become limited by K(+) availability. How K(+) limitation results in expression has been controversial. Studying the roles of the major components of the growth medium shows that KdpD senses at least two distinct signals inside the cell, those of Na(+) and NH4 (+), and it probably senses other monovalent cations in the cell. KdpD does not sense turgor. IMPORTANCE The expression of the Kdp K(+) transport system of E. coli occurs when cells become limited in their growth rate by the availability of K(+). Cells sense limited K(+) and try to compensate by taking up other monovalent cations, particularly Na(+) and NH4 (+). These cations are sensed in the cytoplasm by the KdpD response regulator, presumably to stimulate its kinase activity. It is shown that KdpD does not sense turgor, as was suggested earlier.
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31
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Schneider J, Mielich-Süss B, Böhme R, Lopez D. In vivo characterization of the scaffold activity of flotillin on the membrane kinase KinC of Bacillus subtilis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 161:1871-1887. [PMID: 26297017 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Scaffold proteins are ubiquitous chaperones that bind to proteins and facilitate the physical interaction of the components of signal transduction pathways or multi-enzymic complexes. In this study, we used a biochemical approach to dissect the molecular mechanism of a membrane-associated scaffold protein, FloT, a flotillin-homologue protein that is localized in functional membrane microdomains of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. This study provides unambiguous evidence that FloT physically binds to and interacts with the membrane-bound sensor kinase KinC. This sensor kinase activates biofilm formation in B. subtilis in response to the presence of the self-produced signal surfactin. Furthermore, we have characterized the mechanism by which the interaction of FloT with KinC benefits the activity of KinC. Two separate and synergistic effects constitute this mechanism: first, the scaffold activity of FloT promotes more efficient self-interaction of KinC and facilitates dimerization into its active form. Second, the selective binding of FloT to KinC prevents the occurrence of unspecific aggregation between KinC and other proteins that may generate dead-end intermediates that could titrate the activity of KinC. Flotillin proteins appear to play an important role in prokaryotes in promoting effective binding of signalling proteins with their correct protein partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Schneider
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Benjamin Mielich-Süss
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Richard Böhme
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Daniel Lopez
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Madrid 28050, Spain
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
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32
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Lüttmann D, Göpel Y, Görke B. Cross-Talk between the Canonical and the Nitrogen-Related Phosphotransferase Systems Modulates Synthesis of the KdpFABC Potassium Transporter in Escherichia coli. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 25:168-77. [DOI: 10.1159/000375497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many Proteobacteria possess the regulatory nitrogen-related phosphotransferase system (PTS<sup>Ntr</sup>), which operates in parallel to the transport PTS. PTS<sup>Ntr</sup> is composed of the proteins EI<sup>Ntr</sup> and NPr and the final phosphate acceptor EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup>. Both PTSs can exchange phosphoryl groups among each other. Proteins governing K<sup>+</sup> uptake represent a major target of PTS<sup>Ntr</sup> in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. Nonphosphorylated EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup> binds and stimulates the K<sup>+</sup> sensor KdpD, which activates expression of the <i>kdpFABC</i> operon encoding a K<sup>+</sup> transporter. Here we show that this regulation also operates in an <i>ilvG</i><sup><i>+</i></sup> strain ruling out previous concern about interference with a nonfunctional <i>ilvG</i> allele present in many strains. Furthermore, we analyzed phosphorylation of EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup>. In wild-type cells EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup> is predominantly phosphorylated, regardless of the growth stage and the utilized carbon source. However, cross-phosphorylation of EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup> by the transport PTS becomes apparent in the absence of EI<sup>Ntr</sup>: EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup> is predominantly nonphosphorylated when cells grow on a PTS sugar and phosphorylated when a non-PTS carbohydrate is utilized. These differences in phosphorylation are transduced into corresponding <i>kdpFABC</i> transcription levels. Thus, the transport PTS may affect phosphorylation of EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup> and accordingly modulate processes controlled by EIIA<sup>Ntr</sup>. Our data suggest that this cross-talk becomes most relevant under conditions that would inhibit activity of EI<sup>Ntr</sup>.
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33
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Förster AH, Gescher J. Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli for Production of Mixed-Acid Fermentation End Products. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2014; 2:16. [PMID: 25152889 PMCID: PMC4126452 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2014.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixed-acid fermentation end products have numerous applications in biotechnology. This is probably the main driving force for the development of multiple strains that are supposed to produce individual end products with high yields. The process of engineering Escherichia coli strains for applied production of ethanol, lactate, succinate, or acetate was initiated several decades ago and is still ongoing. This review follows the path of strain development from the general characteristics of aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism over the regulatory machinery that enables the different metabolic routes. Thereafter, major improvements for broadening the substrate spectrum of E. coli toward cheap carbon sources like molasses or lignocellulose are highlighted before major routes of strain development for the production of ethanol, acetate, lactate, and succinate are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas H Förster
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe , Germany
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34
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Heermann R, Zigann K, Gayer S, Rodriguez-Fernandez M, Banga JR, Kremling A, Jung K. Dynamics of an interactive network composed of a bacterial two-component system, a transporter and K+ as mediator. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89671. [PMID: 24586952 PMCID: PMC3938482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
KdpD and KdpE form a histidine kinase/response regulator system that senses K+ limitation and induces the kdpFABC operon, which encodes a high-affinity K+ uptake complex. To define the primary stimulus perceived by KdpD we focused in this study on the dynamics of the Kdp response. Escherichia coli cells were subjected to severe K+ limitation, and all relevant parameters of the Kdp response, i.e., levels of kdpFABC transcripts and KdpFABC proteins, as well as extra- and intracellular K+ concentrations, were quantitatively analysed over time (0 to 180 min). Unexpectedly, induction of kdpFABC was found to follow a non-monotonic time-course. To interpret this unusual behaviour, a mathematical model that adequately captures the dynamics of the Kdp system was established and used for simulations. We found a strong correlation between KdpD/KdpE activation and the intracellular K+ concentration, which is influenced by the uptake of K+ via the KdpFABC complex. Based on these results a model is proposed in which KdpD/KdpE phosphorylation is inversely correlated with the intracellular K+ concentration. To corroborate this hypothesis an isogenic mutant that produces a defective KdpFABC complex, and the trans-complemented mutant that expresses the KtrAB high-affinity K+ uptake system of Vibrio alginolyticus were quantitatively analysed. Experimental data and simulations for the mutants consistently support the tight correlation between KdpD/KdpE activation and the intracellular K+ concentration. This study presents a striking example of the non-intuitive dynamics of a functional unit comprising signalling proteins and a transporter with K+ as mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Heermann
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CiPSM) at the Department Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Katja Zigann
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CiPSM) at the Department Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Stefan Gayer
- Fachgebiet für Systembiotechnologie, Technische Universität München, Garching b. München, Germany
| | | | - Julio R. Banga
- BioProcess Engineering Group, IIM-CSIC, Spanish Council for Scientific Research, Vigo, Spain
| | - Andreas Kremling
- Fachgebiet für Systembiotechnologie, Technische Universität München, Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CiPSM) at the Department Biology I, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
- * E-mail:
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35
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Sergeev G, Roy S, Jarek M, Zapolskii V, Kaufmann DE, Nandy RK, Tegge W. High-throughput screening and whole genome sequencing identifies an antimicrobially active inhibitor of Vibrio cholerae. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:49. [PMID: 24568688 PMCID: PMC3937525 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-14-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathogenic serotypes of Vibrio cholerae cause the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. The increasing development of bacterial resistances against the known antibiotics necessitates the search for new antimicrobial compounds and targets for this pathogen. Results A high-throughput screening assay with a Vibrio cholerae reporter strain constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed and applied in the investigation of the growth inhibitory effect of approximately 28,300 structurally diverse natural compounds and synthetic small molecules. Several compounds with activities in the low micromolar concentration range were identified. The most active structure, designated vz0825, displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6 μM and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.2 μM against several strains of V. cholerae and was specific for this pathogen. Mutants with reduced sensitivity against vz0825 were generated and whole genome sequencing of 15 pooled mutants was carried out. Comparison with the genome of the wild type strain identified the gene VC_A0531 (GenBank: AE003853.1) as the major site of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the resistant mutants. VC_A0531 is located on the small chromosome of V. cholerae and encodes the osmosensitive K+-channel sensor histidine kinase (KdpD). Nucleotide exchange of the major mutation site in the wild type strain confirmed the sensitive phenotype. Conclusion The reporter strain MO10 pG13 was successfully used for the identification of new antibacterial compounds against V. cholerae. Generation of resistant mutants and whole genome sequencing was carried out to identify the histidine kinase KdpD as a novel antimicrobial target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ranjan K Nandy
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Chen L, Wu L, Zhu Y, Song Z, Wang J, Zhang W. An orphan two-component response regulator Slr1588 involves salt tolerance by directly regulating synthesis of compatible solutes in photosynthetic Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 10:1765-74. [DOI: 10.1039/c4mb00095a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report here the characterization of a novel orphan response regulator Slr1588 directly involved in the synthesis and transport of compatible solutes against salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
| | - Lina Wu
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
| | - Ye Zhu
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
| | - Zhongdi Song
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
| | - Jiangxin Wang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering
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Sukenik A, Kaplan-Levy RN, Viner-Mozzini Y, Quesada A, Hadas O. Potassium deficiency triggers the development of dormant cells (akinetes) in Aphanizomenon ovalisporum (Nostocales, Cyanoprokaryota)(1). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2013; 49:580-587. [PMID: 27007046 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Akinetes are spore-like nonmotile cells that differentiate from vegetative cells of filamentous cyanobacteria from the order Nostocales. They play a key role in the survival and distribution of these species and contribute to their perennial blooms. Various environmental factors were reported to trigger the differentiation of akinetes including light intensity and quality, temperature, and nutrient deficiency. Here, we report that deprivation of potassium ion (K(+) ) triggers akinete development in the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon ovalisporum. Akinetes formation is initiated 3 d-7 d after an induction by K(+) depletion, followed by 2-3 weeks of a maturation process. Akinete formation occurs within a restricted matrix of environmental conditions such as temperature, light intensity or photon flux. Phosphate is essential for akinete maturation and P-limitation restricts the number of mature akinetes. DNA replication is essential for akinete maturation and akinete development is limited in the presence of Nalidixic acid. While our results unequivocally demonstrated the effect of K(+) deficiency on akinete formation in laboratory cultures of A. ovalisporum, this trigger did not cause Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii to produce akinetes. Anabaena crassa however, produced akinetes upon potassium deficiency, but the highest akinete concentration was achieved at conditions that supported vegetative growth. It is speculated that an unknown internal signal is associated with the cellular response to K(+) deficiency to induce the differentiation of a certain vegetative cell in a trichome into an akinete. A universal stress protein that functions as mediator in K(+) deficiency signal transduction cascade, may communicate between the lack of K(+) and akinete induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Sukenik
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, P.O. Box 447, Migdal, 14950, Israel
| | - Ruth N Kaplan-Levy
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, P.O. Box 447, Migdal, 14950, Israel
| | - Yehudit Viner-Mozzini
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, P.O. Box 447, Migdal, 14950, Israel
| | - Antonio Quesada
- Departamento de Biología, C/Darwin 2, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Ora Hadas
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, P.O. Box 447, Migdal, 14950, Israel
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Laermann V, Ćudić E, Kipschull K, Zimmann P, Altendorf K. The sensor kinase KdpD ofEscherichia colisenses external K+. Mol Microbiol 2013; 88:1194-204. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Laermann
- Universität Osnabrück; Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie; Barbarastrasse 11; 49076; Osnabrück; Germany
| | - Emina Ćudić
- Universität Osnabrück; Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie; Barbarastrasse 11; 49076; Osnabrück; Germany
| | - Kerstin Kipschull
- Universität Osnabrück; Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie; Barbarastrasse 11; 49076; Osnabrück; Germany
| | - Petra Zimmann
- University of Applied Sciences; Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften & Landschaftsarchitektur; Oldenburger Landstrasse 62; 49090; Osnabrück; Germany
| | - Karlheinz Altendorf
- Universität Osnabrück; Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie; Barbarastrasse 11; 49076; Osnabrück; Germany
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Woodruff LB, Boyle NR, Gill RT. Engineering improved ethanol production in Escherichia coli with a genome-wide approach. Metab Eng 2013; 17:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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40
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Tkaczuk KL, A Shumilin I, Chruszcz M, Evdokimova E, Savchenko A, Minor W. Structural and functional insight into the universal stress protein family. Evol Appl 2013; 6:434-49. [PMID: 23745136 PMCID: PMC3673472 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the crystal structures of two universal stress proteins (USP) from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Nitrosomonas europaea in both apo- and ligand-bound forms. This work is the first complete synthesis of the structural properties of 26 USP available in the Protein Data Bank, over 75% of which were determined by structure genomics centers with no additional information provided. The results of bioinformatic analyses of all available USP structures and their sequence homologs revealed that these two new USP structures share overall structural similarity with structures of USPs previously determined. Clustering and cladogram analyses, however, show how they diverge from other members of the USP superfamily and show greater similarity to USPs from organisms inhabiting extreme environments. We compared them with other archaeal and bacterial USPs and discuss their similarities and differences in context of structure, sequential motifs, and potential function. We also attempted to group all analyzed USPs into families, so that assignment of the potential function to those with no experimental data available would be possible by extrapolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina L Tkaczuk
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
| | - Igor A Shumilin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
| | - Maksymilian Chruszcz
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC, USA
| | - Elena Evdokimova
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexei Savchenko
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA
- Midwest Center for Structural GenomicsUSA
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Abstract
The two-component system (TCS) KdpD/KdpE, extensively studied for its regulatory role in potassium (K+) transport, has more recently been identified as an adaptive regulator involved in the virulence and intracellular survival of pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, entero-haemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia pestis, Francisella species, Photorhabdus asymbiotica, and mycobacteria. Key homeostasis requirements monitored by KdpD/KdpE and other TCSs such as PhoP/PhoQ are critical to survival in the stressful conditions encountered by pathogens during host interactions. It follows these TCSs may therefore acquire adaptive roles in response to selective pressures associated with adopting a pathogenic lifestyle. Given the central role of K+ in virulence, we propose that KdpD/KdpE, as a regulator of a high-affinity K+ pump, has evolved virulence-related regulatory functions. In support of this hypothesis, we review the role of KdpD/KdpE in bacterial infection and summarize evidence that (i) KdpD/KdpE production is correlated with enhanced virulence and survival, (ii) KdpE regulates a range of virulence loci through direct promoter binding, and (iii) KdpD/KdpE regulation responds to virulence-related conditions including phagocytosis, exposure to microbicides, quorum sensing signals, and host hormones. Furthermore, antimicrobial stress, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress are associated with KdpD/KdpE activity, and the system's accessory components (which allow TCS fine-tuning or crosstalk) provide links to stress response pathways. KdpD/KdpE therefore appears to be an important adaptive TCS employed during host infection, promoting bacterial virulence and survival through mechanisms both related to and distinct from its conserved role in K+ regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë N. Freeman
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Dorus
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Nicholas R. Waterfield
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria sense diverse environmental signals as cues for differential gene regulation and niche adaptation. Pathogens such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), which causes bloody diarrhea, use these signals for the temporal and energy-efficient regulation of their virulence factors. One of the main virulence strategies employed by EHEC is the formation of attaching and effacing (AE) lesions on enterocytes. Most of the genes necessary for the formation of these lesions are grouped within a pathogenicity island, the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), whose expression requires the LEE-encoded regulator Ler. Here we show that growth of EHEC in glycolytic environments inhibits the expression of ler and consequently all other LEE genes. Conversely, growth within a gluconeogenic environment activates expression of these genes. This sugar-dependent regulation is achieved through two transcription factors: KdpE and Cra. Both Cra and KdpE directly bind to the ler promoter, and Cra’s affinity to this promoter is catabolite dependent. Moreover, we show that the Cra and KdpE proteins interact in vitro and that KdpE’s ability to bind DNA is enhanced by the presence of Cra. Cra is important for AE lesion formation, and KdpE contributes to this Cra-dependent regulation. The deletion of cra and kdpE resulted in the ablation of AE lesions. One of the many challenges that bacteria face within the GI tract is to successfully compete for carbon sources. Linking carbon metabolism to the precise coordination of virulence expression is a key step in the adaptation of pathogens to the GI environment. An appropriate and prompt response to environmental cues is crucial for bacterial survival. Cra and KdpE are two proteins found in both nonpathogenic and pathogenic bacteria that regulate genes in response to differences in metabolite concentration. In this work, we show that, in the deadly pathogen enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7, which causes bloody diarrhea, these two proteins influence important virulence traits. We also propose that their control of one or more of these virulence traits is due to the direct interaction of the Cra and KdpE proteins with each other, as well as with their DNA targets. This work shows how EHEC coopts established mechanisms for sensing the metabolites and stress cues in the environment, to induce virulence factors in a temporal and energy-efficient manner, culminating in disease. Understanding how pathogens commandeer nonpathogenic systems can help us develop measures to control them.
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Jung K, Fried L, Behr S, Heermann R. Histidine kinases and response regulators in networks. Curr Opin Microbiol 2012; 15:118-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Chen C, Ai L, Zhou F, Ren J, Sun K, Zhang H, Chen W, Guo B. Complete nucleotide sequence of plasmid pST-III from Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III. Plasmid 2011; 67:236-44. [PMID: 22209721 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Revised: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The complete nucleotide sequence of the 53,560-bp plasmid pST-III from Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III has been determined. The plasmid contains 42 predicted protein-coding sequences, and the functions of 34 coding sequences could be assigned. Homology analysis for the replication protein and the typical features of the origin of replication suggested that pST-III replicates via the theta-type mechanism. Among the predicted genes, we identified a kdp gene cluster (a high-affinity K(+)-transport system) for the first time in the Lactobacillus genus and a system for osmolyte transport. Analysis of the plasmid-encoded functions and the plasmid-cured experiment showed that the genes of pST-III could serve for the niche adaptations of L. plantarum ST-III and make significant contributions to its viability under hyperosmotic conditions. Furthermore, the relative copy number of pST-III was determined to be 6.79±1.55 copies per cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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45
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Alegado RA, Chin CY, Monack DM, Tan MW. The two-component sensor kinase KdpD is required for Salmonella typhimurium colonization of Caenorhabditis elegans and survival in macrophages. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:1618-37. [PMID: 21790938 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01645.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability of enteric pathogens to perceive and adapt to distinct environments within the metazoan intestinal tract is critical for pathogenesis; however, the preponderance of interactions between microbe- and host-derived factors remain to be fully understood. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a medically important enteric bacterium that colonizes, proliferates and persists in the intestinal lumen of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Several Salmonella virulence factors important in murine and tissue culture models also contribute to worm mortality and intestinal persistence. For example, PhoP and the virulence plasmid pSLT are virulence factors required for resistance to the C. elegans antimicrobial peptide SPP-1. To uncover additional determinants required for Salmonella typhimurium pathogenesis in vivo, we devised a genetic screen to identify bacterial mutants defective in establishing a persistent infection in the intestine of C. elegans. Here we report on identification of 14 loci required for persistence in the C. elegans intestine and characterization of KdpD, a sensor kinase of a two-component system in S. typhimurium pathogenesis. We show that kdpD mutants are profoundly attenuated in intestinal persistence in the nematode and in macrophage survival. These findings may be attributed to the essential role KdpD plays in promoting resistance to osmotic, oxidative and antimicrobial stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna A Alegado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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46
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Detection and function of an intramolecular disulfide bond in the pH-responsive CadC of Escherichia coli. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:74. [PMID: 21486484 PMCID: PMC3096576 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In an acidic and lysine-rich environment Escherichia coli induces expression of the cadBA operon which encodes CadA, the lysine decarboxylase, and CadB, the lysine/cadaverine antiporter. cadBA expression is dependent on CadC, a membrane-integrated transcriptional activator which belongs to the ToxR-like protein family. Activation of CadC requires two stimuli, lysine and low pH. Whereas lysine is detected by an interplay between CadC and the lysine-specific transporter LysP, pH alterations are sensed by CadC directly. Crystal structural analyses revealed a close proximity between two periplasmic cysteines, Cys208 and Cys272. Results Substitution of Cys208 and/or Cys272 by alanine resulted in CadC derivatives that were active in response to only one stimulus, either lysine or pH 5.8. Differential in vivo thiol trapping revealed a disulfide bond between these two residues at pH 7.6, but not at pH 5.8. When Cys208 and Cys272 were replaced by aspartate and lysine, respectively, virtually wild-type behavior was restored indicating that the disulfide bond could be mimicked by a salt bridge. Conclusion A disulfide bond was found in the periplasmic domain of CadC that supports an inactive state of CadC at pH 7.6. At pH 5.8 disulfide bond formation is prevented which transforms CadC into a semi-active state. These results provide new insights into the function of a pH sensor.
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Vlisidou I, Eleftherianos I, Dorus S, Yang G, ffrench-Constant RH, Reynolds SE, Waterfield NR. The KdpD/KdpE two-component system of Photorhabdus asymbiotica promotes bacterial survival within M. sexta hemocytes. J Invertebr Pathol 2010; 105:352-62. [PMID: 20932844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2010.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 09/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many bacteria persist within phagocytes, deploying complex sets of tightly regulated virulence factors to manipulate and survive within host cells. So far, no single factor has been identified that is sufficient to allow intracellular persistence of an otherwise non-pathogenic bacterium. Here we report that the two-component KdpD/KdpE sensor kinase/response regulator of the insect and human pathogen Photorhabdus asymbiotica (Pa) is sufficient to allow a harmless laboratory strain of E. coli to resist phagocytic killing and persist within insect hemocytes, ultimately killing the insect. Screening of a cosmid library of Pa in E. coli by injection into the moth Manduca sexta, previously identified three overlapping clones which caused the insect to cease feeding and subsequently die. Transposon mutagenesis revealed a cosmid encoded kdp high affinity potassium pump regulon was responsible for this phenotype. Gentamycin protection assays and confocal microscopy revealed the cosmid clones were persisting inside insect hemocytes far longer than control bacteria. Cloning and expression of PakdpD/kdpE alone into E. coli recapitulated the phenotype. Bioassay results and transcriptional analysis of various E. coli kdp mutants harboring the Pa kdp genes confirmed that Pa KdpD/KdpE was able to induce the E. coli kdp pump structural genes in response to exposure to insect hemocytes but not blood plasma alone. The finding that Pa KdpD/KdpE can facilitate resistance of E. coli to phagocytic killing suggests a central role for potassium in this process, supporting previous work implicating potassium sensing in virulence of other bacteria and also in the normal process of protease killing of engulfed bacteria by neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Vlisidou
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
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Schobert M, Tielen P. Contribution of oxygen-limiting conditions to persistent infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Future Microbiol 2010; 5:603-21. [PMID: 20353301 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.10.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile opportunistic human pathogen that is able to colonize a broad spectrum of different aquatic and soil habitats. In the environment and during pathogenesis, P. aeruginosa encounters oxygen-limited and anaerobic environments. Particularly during chronic infection of the cystic fibrosis lung, oxygen-limiting conditions seem to contribute to persistent infection. Oxygen limitation increases antibiotic tolerance, robust biofilms and alginate biosynthesis, which contribute to the persistence of this opportunistic pathogen. Despite the importance of anaerobic metabolism during persistent infection of P. aeruginosa, we are just beginning to understand the underlying regulatory network and the molecular basis of how anaerobic metabolism contributes to a persistent infection. A deeper understanding of the anaerobic physiology of P. aeruginosa will allow the identification of new antibiotic targets and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Schobert
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Strains of the East Asian (W/Beijing) lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are DosS/DosT-DosR two-component regulatory system natural mutants. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:2228-38. [PMID: 20154135 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01597-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of our ongoing efforts to uncover the phenotypic consequences of genetic variability among clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, we previously reported that isolates of the "East Asian" or "W/Beijing" lineage constitutively overexpress the coordinately regulated transcriptional program known as the DosR regulon under standard in vitro conditions. This phenotype distinguishes the W/Beijing lineage from all other M. tuberculosis lineages, which normally induce expression of this regulon only once exposed to low oxygen or nitric oxide, both of which result in inhibition of bacterial respiration and replication. Transcription of the DosR regulon is controlled through a two-component regulatory system comprising the transcription factor DosR and two possible cognate histidine sensor kinases, DosS and DosT. Through sequence analysis of a carefully selected set of isolates representing each of the major M. tuberculosis lineages, we describe herein a naturally occurring frameshift mutation in the gene encoding the DosT sensor kinase for isolates of the most recently evolved W/Beijing sublineages. Intriguingly, the occurrence of the frameshift mutation correlates precisely with the appearance of the constitutive DosR regulon phenotype displayed by the same "modern" W/Beijing strains. However, complementation studies have revealed that the mutation in dosT alone is not directly responsible for the constitutive DosR regulon phenotype. Our data serve to highlight the evolutionary pressure that exists among distinct M. tuberculosis lineages to maintain tight control over DosR regulon expression.
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50
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Heermann R, Jung K. The complexity of the 'simple' two-component system KdpD/KdpE in Escherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2010; 304:97-106. [PMID: 20146748 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.01906.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The KdpD/KdpE two-component system of Escherichia coli activates the expression of the kdpFABC operon encoding the high-affinity K(+) uptake system KdpFABC in response to K(+) limitation or salt stress. Earlier, it was proposed that the histidine kinase KdpD is a turgor sensor; recent studies suggest that KdpD integrates three chemical stimuli from the cytoplasm. The histidine kinase KdpD contains several structural features and subdomains that are important for stimulus perception, modulation of the kinase to phosphatase ratio, and signaling. The response regulator KdpE receives the phosphoryl group from KdpD and induces kdpFABC transcription. The three-dimensional structure of the receiver domain was resolved, providing insights into the activation mechanism of this transcriptional regulator. Two accessory components, the universal stress protein UspC and the phosphotransferase system component IIA(Ntr), are known to interact with KdpD, allowing the modulation of kdpFABC expression under certain physiological conditions. Here, we will discuss the complexity of a 'simple' two-component system and its interconnectivity with metabolism and the general stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Heermann
- Munich Center for integrated Protein Science (CiPSM) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biozentrum, Bereich Mikrobiologie, Martinsried, Germany.
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