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Xie ST, Zhu D, Song YQ, Zhu YG, Ding LJ. Unveiling potential roles of earthworms in mitigating the presence of virulence factor genes in terrestrial ecosystems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135133. [PMID: 38986408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Earthworms can redistribute soil microbiota, and thus might affect the profile of virulence factor genes (VFGs) which are carried by pathogens in soils. Nevertheless, the knowledge of VFG profile in the earthworm guts and its interaction with earthworm gut microbiome is still lacking. Herein, we characterized earthworm gut and soil microbiome and VFG profiles in natural and agricultural ecosystems at a national scale using metagenomics. VFG profiles in the earthworm guts significantly differed from those in the surrounding soils, which was mainly driven by variations of bacterial communities. Furthermore, the total abundance of different types of VFGs in the earthworm guts was about 20-fold lower than that in the soils due to the dramatic decline (also by approximately 20-fold) of VFG-carrying bacterial pathogens in the earthworm guts. Additionally, five VFGs related to nutritional/metabolic factors and stress survival were identified as keystones merely in the microbe-VFG network in the earthworm guts, implying their pivotal roles in facilitating pathogen colonization in earthworm gut microhabitats. These findings suggest the potential roles of earthworms in reducing risks related to the presence of VFGs in soils, providing novel insights into earthworm-based bioremediation of VFG contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ting Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Zhu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Sino-Danish College of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, China; Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing 100049, China; Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Jimei District, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Long-Jun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
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Beaud Benyahia B, Taib N, Beloin C, Gribaldo S. Terrabacteria: redefining bacterial envelope diversity, biogenesis and evolution. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01088-0. [PMID: 39198708 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial envelope is one of the oldest and most essential cellular components and has been traditionally divided into Gram-positive (monoderm) and Gram-negative (diderm). Recent landmark studies have challenged a major paradigm in microbiology by inferring that the last bacterial common ancestor had a diderm envelope and that the outer membrane (OM) was lost repeatedly in evolution to give rise to monoderms. Intriguingly, OM losses appear to have occurred exclusively in the Terrabacteria, one of the two major clades of bacteria. In this Review, we present current knowledge about the Terrabacteria. We describe their diversity and phylogeny and then highlight the vast phenotypic diversity of the Terrabacteria cell envelopes, which display large deviations from the textbook examples of diderms and monoderms, challenging the classical Gram-positive-Gram-negative divide. We highlight the striking differences in the systems involved in OM biogenesis in Terrabacteria with respect to the classical diderm experimental models and how they provide novel insights into the diversity and biogenesis of the bacterial cell envelope. We also discuss the potential evolutionary steps that might have led to the multiple losses of the OM and speculate on how the very first OM might have emerged before the last bacterial common ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basile Beaud Benyahia
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Najwa Taib
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Beloin
- Genetics of Biofilms Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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3
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Serra ND, Darwin CB, Sundaram MV. Caenorhabditis elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and precuticle. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae081. [PMID: 38739761 PMCID: PMC11304973 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae081] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans, expanded families of divergent Hedgehog-related and patched-related proteins promote numerous processes ranging from epithelial and sense organ development to pathogen responses to cuticle shedding during the molt cycle. The molecular functions of these proteins have been mysterious since nematodes lack a canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway. Here we show that Hedgehog-related proteins are components of the cuticle and precuticle apical extracellular matrices that coat, shape, and protect external epithelia. Of four Hedgehog-related proteins imaged, two (GRL-2 and GRL-18) stably associated with the cuticles of specific tubes and two (GRL-7 and WRT-10) labeled precuticle substructures such as furrows or alae. We found that wrt-10 mutations disrupt cuticle alae ridges, consistent with a structural role in matrix organization. We hypothesize that most nematode Hedgehog-related proteins are apical extracellular matrix components, a model that could explain many of the reported functions for this family. These results highlight ancient connections between Hedgehog proteins and the extracellular matrix and suggest that any signaling roles of C. elegans Hedgehog-related proteins will be intimately related to their matrix association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Serra
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Chelsea B Darwin
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meera V Sundaram
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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4
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Liu R, Dang JN, Lee R, Lee JJ, Kesavamoorthy N, Ameri H, Rao N, Eoh H. Mycobacterium dormancy and antibiotic tolerance within the retinal pigment epithelium of ocular tuberculosis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0078824. [PMID: 38916325 PMCID: PMC11302011 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00788-24] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide due to latent TB infection, which is the critical step for the successful pathogenic cycle. In this stage, Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides inside the host in a dormant and antibiotic-tolerant state. Latent TB infection can also lead to multisystemic diseases because M. tuberculosis invades virtually all organs, including ocular tissues. Ocular tuberculosis (OTB) occurs when the dormant bacilli within the ocular tissues reactivate, originally seeded by hematogenous spread from pulmonary TB. Histological evidence suggests that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells play a central role in immune privilege and in protection from antibiotic effects, making them an anatomical niche for invading M. tuberculosis. RPE cells exhibit high tolerance to environmental redox stresses, allowing phagocytosed M. tuberculosis bacilli to maintain viability in a dormant state. However, the microbiological and metabolic mechanisms determining the interaction between the RPE intracellular environment and phagocytosed M. tuberculosis are largely unknown. Here, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics were used to illuminate the metabolic state within RPE cells reprogrammed to harbor dormant M. tuberculosis bacilli and enhance antibiotic tolerance. Timely and accurate diagnosis as well as efficient chemotherapies are crucial in preventing the poor visual outcomes of OTB patients. Unfortunately, the efficacy of current methods is highly limited. Thus, the results will lead to propose a novel therapeutic option to synthetically kill the dormant M. tuberculosis inside the RPE cells by modulating the phenotypic state of M. tuberculosis and laying the foundation for a new, innovative regimen for treating OTB. IMPORTANCE Understanding the metabolic environment within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells altered by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and mycobacterial dormancy is crucial to identify new therapeutic methods to cure ocular tuberculosis. The present study showed that RPE cellular metabolism is altered to foster intracellular M. tuberculosis to enter into the dormant and drug-tolerant state, thereby blunting the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. RPE cells serve as an anatomical niche as the cells protect invading bacilli from antibiotic treatment. LC-MS metabolomics of RPE cells after co-treatment with H2O2 and M. tuberculosis infection showed that the intracellular environment within RPE cells is enriched with a greater level of oxidative stress. The antibiotic tolerance of intracellular M. tuberculosis within RPE cells can be restored by a metabolic manipulation strategy such as co-treatment of antibiotic with the most downstream glycolysis metabolite, phosphoenolpyruvate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Liu
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua N. Dang
- Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rhoeun Lee
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jae Jin Lee
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Niranjana Kesavamoorthy
- Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hossein Ameri
- Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Narsing Rao
- Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hyungjin Eoh
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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5
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Wuo MG, Dulberger CL, Warner TC, Brown RA, Sturm A, Ultee E, Bloom-Ackermann Z, Choi C, Zhu J, Garner EC, Briegel A, Hung DT, Rubin EJ, Kiessling LL. Fluorogenic Probes of the Mycobacterial Membrane as Reporters of Antibiotic Action. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17669-17678. [PMID: 38905328 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The genus Mycobacterium includes species such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can cause deadly human diseases. These bacteria have a protective cell envelope that can be remodeled to facilitate their survival in challenging conditions. Understanding how such conditions affect membrane remodeling can facilitate antibiotic discovery and treatment. To this end, we describe an optimized fluorogenic probe, N-QTF, that reports on mycolyltransferase activity, which is vital for cell division and remodeling. N-QTF is a glycolipid probe that can reveal dynamic changes in the mycobacterial cell envelope in both fast- and slow-growing mycobacterial species. Using this probe to monitor the consequences of antibiotic treatment uncovered distinct cellular phenotypes. Even antibiotics that do not directly inhibit cell envelope biosynthesis cause conspicuous phenotypes. For instance, mycobacteria exposed to the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampicin release fluorescent extracellular vesicles (EVs). While all mycobacteria release EVs, fluorescent EVs were detected only in the presence of RIF, indicating that exposure to the drug alters EV content. Macrophages exposed to the EVs derived from RIF-treated cells released lower levels of cytokines, suggesting the EVs moderate immune responses. These data suggest that antibiotics can alter EV content to impact immunity. Our ability to see such changes in EV constituents directly results from exploiting these chemical probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Wuo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charles L Dulberger
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Theodore C Warner
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Robert A Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Alexander Sturm
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Eveline Ultee
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Rapenburg 70, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zohar Bloom-Ackermann
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Catherine Choi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Junhao Zhu
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ethan C Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Ariane Briegel
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Rapenburg 70, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Deborah T Hung
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Eric J Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Laura L Kiessling
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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6
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Vallet A, Ayala I, Perrone B, Hassan A, Simorre JP, Bougault C, Schanda P. MAS NMR experiments of corynebacterial cell walls: Complementary 1H- and CPMAS CryoProbe-enhanced 13C-detected experiments. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2024; 364:107708. [PMID: 38901173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2024.107708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial cell walls are gigadalton-large cross-linked polymers with a wide range of motional amplitudes, including rather rigid as well as highly flexible parts. Magic-angle spinning NMR is a powerful method to obtain atomic-level information about intact cell walls. Here we investigate sensitivity and information content of different homonuclear 13C13C and heteronuclear 1H15N, 1H13C and 15N13C correlation experiments. We demonstrate that a CPMAS CryoProbe yields ca. 8-fold increased signal-to-noise over a room-temperature probe, or a ca. 3-4-fold larger per-mass sensitivity. The increased sensitivity allowed to obtain high-resolution spectra even on intact bacteria. Moreover, we compare resolution and sensitivity of 1H MAS experiments obtained at 100 kHz vs. 55 kHz. Our study provides useful hints for choosing experiments to extract atomic-level details on cell-wall samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Vallet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71, avenue des martyrs, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Isabel Ayala
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71, avenue des martyrs, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | | | - Alia Hassan
- Bruker Biospin, Fällanden, 8117, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Simorre
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71, avenue des martyrs, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Catherine Bougault
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71, avenue des martyrs, Grenoble, 38000, France.
| | - Paul Schanda
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg, 3400, Austria.
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7
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Habjan E, Lepioshkin A, Charitou V, Egorova A, Kazakova E, Ho VQT, Bitter W, Makarov V, Speer A. Modulating mycobacterial envelope integrity for antibiotic synergy with benzothiazoles. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302509. [PMID: 38744470 PMCID: PMC11094368 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing effective tuberculosis drugs is hindered by mycobacteria's intrinsic antibiotic resistance because of their impermeable cell envelope. Using benzothiazole compounds, we aimed to increase mycobacterial cell envelope permeability and weaken the defenses of Mycobacterium marinum, serving as a model for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Initial hit, BT-08, significantly boosted ethidium bromide uptake, indicating enhanced membrane permeability. It also demonstrated efficacy in the M. marinum-zebrafish embryo infection model and M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. Notably, BT-08 synergized with established antibiotics, including vancomycin and rifampicin. Subsequent medicinal chemistry optimization led to BT-37, a non-toxic and more potent derivative, also enhancing ethidium bromide uptake and maintaining synergy with rifampicin in infected zebrafish embryos. Mutants of M. marinum resistant to BT-37 revealed that MMAR_0407 (Rv0164) is the molecular target and that this target plays a role in the observed synergy and permeability. This study introduces novel compounds targeting a new mycobacterial vulnerability and highlights their cooperative and synergistic interactions with existing antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Habjan
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Lepioshkin
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vicky Charitou
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Egorova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Kazakova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vien QT Ho
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vadim Makarov
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Speer
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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8
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Meyer FM, Bramkamp M. Cell wall synthesizing complexes in Mycobacteriales. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102478. [PMID: 38653035 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Members of the order Mycobacteriales are distinguished by a characteristic diderm cell envelope, setting them apart from other Actinobacteria species. In addition to the conventional peptidoglycan cell wall, these organisms feature an extra polysaccharide polymer composed of arabinose and galactose, termed arabinogalactan. The nonreducing ends of arabinose are covalently linked to mycolic acids (MAs), forming the immobile inner leaflet of the highly hydrophobic MA membrane. The contiguous outer leaflet of the MA membrane comprises trehalose mycolates and various lipid species. Similar to all actinobacteria, Mycobacteriales exhibit apical growth, facilitated by a polar localized elongasome complex. A septal cell envelope synthesis machinery, the divisome, builds instead of the cell wall structures during cytokinesis. In recent years, a growing body of knowledge has emerged regarding the cell wall synthesizing complexes of Mycobacteriales., focusing particularly on three model species: Corynebacterium glutamicum, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian M Meyer
- Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Marc Bramkamp
- Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
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9
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Mulholland CV, Wiggins TJ, Cui J, Vilchèze C, Rajagopalan S, Shultis MW, Reyes-Fernández EZ, Jacobs WR, Berney M. Propionate prevents loss of the PDIM virulence lipid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1607-1618. [PMID: 38740932 PMCID: PMC11253637 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) is an essential virulence lipid of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In vitro culturing rapidly selects for spontaneous PDIM-negative mutants that have attenuated virulence and increased cell wall permeability, thus impacting the relevance of experimental findings. PDIM loss can also reduce the efficacy of the BCG Pasteur vaccine. Here we show that vancomycin susceptibility can rapidly screen for M. tuberculosis PDIM production. We find that metabolic deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA impedes the growth of PDIM-producing bacilli, selecting for PDIM-negative variants. Supplementation with odd-chain fatty acids, cholesterol or vitamin B12 restores PDIM-positive bacterial growth. Specifically, we show that propionate supplementation enhances PDIM-producing bacterial growth and selects against PDIM-negative mutants, analogous to in vivo conditions. Our study provides a simple approach to screen for and maintain PDIM production, and reveals how discrepancies between the host and in vitro nutrient environments can attenuate bacterial pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire V Mulholland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas J Wiggins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jinhua Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Vilchèze
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saranathan Rajagopalan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael W Shultis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - William R Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Berney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Seidel RW, Goddard R, Lang M, Richter A. Nα-Aroyl-N-Aryl-Phenylalanine Amides: A Promising Class of Antimycobacterial Agents Targeting the RNA Polymerase. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202400267. [PMID: 38588490 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400267] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains the leading cause of death from a bacterium in the world. The global prevalence of clinically relevant infections with opportunistically pathogenic non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has also been on the rise. Pharmacological treatment of both TB and NTM infections usually requires prolonged regimens of drug combinations, and is often challenging because of developed or inherent resistance to common antibiotic drugs. Medicinal chemistry efforts are thus needed to improve treatment options and therapeutic outcomes. Nα-aroyl-N-aryl-phenylalanine amides (AAPs) have been identified as potent antimycobacterial agents that target the RNA polymerase with a low probability of cross resistance to rifamycins, the clinically most important class of antibiotics known to inhibit the bacterial RNA polymerase. In this review, we describe recent developments in the field of AAPs, including synthesis, structural characterization, in vitro microbiological profiling, structure-activity relationships, physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics and early cytotoxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger W Seidel
- Institut für Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Richard Goddard
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Markus Lang
- Institut für Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Adrian Richter
- Institut für Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
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11
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Jowsey WJ, Cook GM, McNeil MB. Antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis alters tolerance to cell wall-targeting inhibitors. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2024; 6:dlae086. [PMID: 38836195 PMCID: PMC11148391 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A limited ability to eliminate drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major contributor to the morbidity of TB. Complicating this problem, little is known about how drug resistance-conferring mutations alter the ability of M. tuberculosis to tolerate antibiotic killing. Here, we investigated if drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis have an altered ability to tolerate killing by cell wall-targeting inhibitors. Methods Bacterial killing and MIC assays were used to test for antibiotic tolerance and synergy against a panel of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. Results Our results demonstrate that vancomycin and thioacetazone exhibit increased killing of diverse drug-resistant strains. Mutations in mmaA4 and mmpL3 increased vancomycin killing, which was consistent with vancomycin synergizing with thioacetazone and MmpL3-targeting inhibitors. In contrast, mutations in the mce1 operon conferred tolerance to vancomycin. Conclusions Overall, this work demonstrates how drug-resistant strains experience perturbations in cell-wall production that alters their tolerance to killing by cell wall-targeting inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Jowsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Matthew B McNeil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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12
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Arejan NH, Czapski DR, Buonomo JA, Boutte CC. MmpL3, Wag31 and PlrA are involved in coordinating polar growth with peptidoglycan metabolism and nutrient availability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.29.591792. [PMID: 38746181 PMCID: PMC11092516 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.591792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Cell growth in mycobacteria involves cell wall expansion that is restricted to the cell poles. The DivIVA homolog Wag31 is required for this process, but the molecular mechanism and protein partners of Wag31 have not been described. In this study of Mycobacterium smegmatis, we identify a connection between wag31 and trehalose monomycolate (TMM) transporter mmpl3 in a suppressor screen, and show that Wag31 and polar regulator PlrA are required for MmpL3's polar localization. In addition, the localization of PlrA and MmpL3 are responsive to nutrient and energy deprivation and inhibition of peptidoglycan metabolism. We show that inhibition of MmpL3 causes delocalized cell wall metabolism, but does not delocalize MmpL3 itself. We found that cells with an MmpL3 C-terminal truncation, which is defective for localization, have only minor defects in polar growth, but are impaired in their ability to downregulate cell wall metabolism under stress. Our work suggests that, in addition to its established function in TMM transport, MmpL3 has a second function in regulating global cell wall metabolism in response to stress. Our data are consistent with a model in which the presence of TMMs in the periplasm stimulates polar elongation, and in which the connection between Wag31, PlrA and the C-terminus of MmpL3 is involved in detecting and responding to stress in order to coordinate synthesis of the different layers of the mycobacterial cell wall in changing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Desiree R Czapski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas, Arlington
| | - Joseph A Buonomo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas, Arlington
| | - Cara C Boutte
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, Arlington
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13
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Zheng Y, Zhu X, Jiang M, Cao F, You Q, Chen X. Development and Applications of D-Amino Acid Derivatives-based Metabolic Labeling of Bacterial Peptidoglycan. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319400. [PMID: 38284300 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319400] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan, an essential component within the cell walls of virtually all bacteria, is composed of glycan strands linked by stem peptides that contain D-amino acids. The peptidoglycan biosynthesis machinery exhibits high tolerance to various D-amino acid derivatives. D-amino acid derivatives with different functionalities can thus be specifically incorporated into and label the peptidoglycan of bacteria, but not the host mammalian cells. This metabolic labeling strategy is highly selective, highly biocompatible, and broadly applicable, which has been utilized in various fields. This review introduces the metabolic labeling strategies of peptidoglycan by using D-amino acid derivatives, including one-step and two-step strategies. In addition, we emphasize the various applications of D-amino acid derivative-based metabolic labeling, including bacterial peptidoglycan visualization (existence, biosynthesis, and dynamics, etc.), bacterial visualization (including bacterial imaging and visualization of growth and division, metabolic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, etc.), pathogenic bacteria-targeted diagnostics and treatment (positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy, etc.), and live bacteria-based therapy. Finally, a summary of this metabolic labeling and an outlook is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Zheng
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Zhu
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Mingyi Jiang
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Cao
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Qing You
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
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14
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Liu R, Dang JN, Lee R, Lee JJ, Kesavamoorthy N, Ameri H, Rao N, Eoh H. Mycobacterium dormancy and antibiotic tolerance within the retinal pigment epithelium of ocular tuberculosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585612. [PMID: 38562751 PMCID: PMC10983995 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide due to latent TB infection, which is the critical step for the successful pathogenic cycle. In this stage, Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides inside the host in a dormant and antibiotic-tolerant state. Latent TB infection can lead to a multisystemic diseases because M. tuberculosis invades virtually all organs, including ocular tissues. Ocular tuberculosis (OTB) occurs when the dormant bacilli within ocular tissues reactivate, originally seeded by hematogenous spread from pulmonary TB. Timely and accurate diagnosis as well as efficient chemotherapies are crucial in preventing poor visual outcomes of OTB patients. Histological evidence suggests that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells play a central role in immune privilege and in the protection from the antibiotic effects, making them an anatomical niche for invading M. tuberculosis . RPE cells exhibit high tolerance to environmental redox stresses, allowing phagocytosed M. tuberculosis bacilli to maintain viability in a dormant state. However, the microbiological and metabolic mechanisms determining the interaction between the RPE intracellular environment and phagocytosed M. tuberculosis are largely unknown. Here, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to illuminate the metabolic state within RPE cells reprogrammed to harbor dormant M. tuberculosis bacilli and enhance the antibiotic tolerance. The results have led to propose a novel therapeutic option to synthetically kill the dormant M. tuberculosis inside the RPE cells by modulating the phenotypic state of M. tuberculosis , thus laying the foundation for a new, innovative regimen for treating OTB. Importance Understanding the metabolic environment within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells altered by infection with M. tuberculosis and mycobacterial dormancy is crucial to identify new therapeutic methods to cure OTB. The present study showed that RPE cellular metabolism is altered to foster intracellular M. tuberculosis to enter into the dormant and drug tolerant state, thereby blunting the efficacy of anti-TB chemotherapy. RPE cells serve as an anatomical niche as the cells protect invading bacilli from antibiotic treatment. LC-MS metabolomics of RPE cells after co-treatment with H2O2 and M. tuberculosis infection showed that intracellular environment within RPE cells is enriched with greater level of oxidative stress. The antibiotic tolerance of intracellular M. tuberculosis within RPE cells can be restored by a metabolic manipulation strategy such as co-treatment of antibiotic with the most downstream glycolysis metabolite, phosphoenolpyruvate.
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15
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Sparks IL, Kado T, Prithviraj M, Nijjer J, Yan J, Morita YS. Lipoarabinomannan mediates localized cell wall integrity during division in mycobacteria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2191. [PMID: 38467648 PMCID: PMC10928101 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46565-5] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The growth and division of mycobacteria, which include clinically relevant pathogens, deviate from that of canonical bacterial models. Despite their Gram-positive ancestry, mycobacteria synthesize and elongate a diderm envelope asymmetrically from the poles, with the old pole elongating more robustly than the new pole. The phosphatidylinositol-anchored lipoglycans lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) are cell envelope components critical for host-pathogen interactions, but their physiological functions in mycobacteria remained elusive. In this work, using biosynthetic mutants of these lipoglycans, we examine their roles in maintaining cell envelope integrity in Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We find that mutants defective in producing mature LAM fail to maintain rod cell shape specifically at the new pole and para-septal regions whereas a mutant that produces a larger LAM becomes multi-septated. Therefore, LAM plays critical and distinct roles at subcellular locations associated with division in mycobacteria, including maintenance of local cell wall integrity and septal placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian L Sparks
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Takehiro Kado
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | - Japinder Nijjer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yasu S Morita
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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16
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Savková K, Danchenko M, Fabianová V, Bellová J, Bencúrová M, Huszár S, Korduláková J, Siváková B, Baráth P, Mikušová K. Compartmentalization of galactan biosynthesis in mycobacteria. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105768. [PMID: 38367664 PMCID: PMC10951656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105768] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Galactan polymer is a prominent component of the mycobacterial cell wall core. Its biogenesis starts at the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane by a build-up of the linker disaccharide [rhamnosyl (Rha) - N-acetyl-glucosaminyl (GlcNAc) phosphate] on the decaprenyl-phosphate carrier. This decaprenyl-P-P-GlcNAc-Rha intermediate is extended by two bifunctional galactosyl transferases, GlfT1 and GlfT2, and then it is translocated to the periplasmic space by an ABC transporter Wzm-Wzt. The cell wall core synthesis is finalized by the action of an array of arabinosyl transferases, mycolyl transferases, and ligases that catalyze an attachment of the arabinogalactan polymer to peptidoglycan through the linker region. Based on visualization of the GlfT2 enzyme fused with fluorescent tags it was proposed that galactan polymerization takes place in a specific compartment of the mycobacterial cell envelope, the intracellular membrane domain, representing pure plasma membrane free of cell wall components (previously denoted as the "PMf" domain), which localizes to the polar region of mycobacteria. In this work, we examined the activity of the galactan-producing cellular machine in the cell-wall containing cell envelope fraction and in the cell wall-free plasma membrane fraction prepared from Mycobacterium smegmatis by the enzyme assays using radioactively labeled substrate UDP-[14C]-galactose as a tracer. We found that despite a high abundance of GlfT2 in both of these fractions as confirmed by their thorough proteomic analyses, galactan is produced only in the reaction mixtures containing the cell wall components. Our findings open the discussion about the distribution of GlfT2 and the regulation of its activity in mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Savková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maksym Danchenko
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viktória Fabianová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Bellová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Bencúrová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Huszár
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Korduláková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Siváková
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Baráth
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Mikušová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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17
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Gligonov IA, Bagaeva DI, Demina GR, Vostroknutova GN, Vorozhtsov DS, Kaprelyants AS, Savitsky AP, Shleeva MO. The accumulation of methylated porphyrins in dormant cells of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis is accompanied by a decrease in membrane fluidity and an impede of the functioning of the respiratory chain. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184270. [PMID: 38211647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2024.184270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Transition of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (Msm) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to dormancy in vitro is accompanied by an accumulation of free methylated forms of porphyrins (tetramethyl coproporphyrin - TMC) localized in the cell wall of dormant bacteria. A study of the fluorescence anisotropy of BODIPY based fluorescent probes on individual cell level using confocal microscope revealed significant changes in this parameter for BODIPY FL C16 from 0.05 to 0.22 for vegetative and dormant Msm cells correspondingly. Similarly, the increase of TMC concentration in vegetative Msm cells grown in the presence of 5-aminolevulinic acid (a known inducer of porphyrin synthesis) resulted in an increase of BODIPY FL C16 anisotropy. These changes in TMC concentration and membrane fluidity were accompanied by an inhibition of the activity of the respiratory chain measured by oxygen consumption and a reduction of the DCPIP redox acceptor. During the first 8 h of the reactivation of the dormant Msm cells, the porphyrin content and probe fluorescent anisotropy returned to the level for vegetative bacteria. We suggested that upon transition to dormancy, an accumulation of TMC in membranes leads to a decrease in membrane fluidity, resulting in an inhibition of the respiratory chain activity. However, direct interactions of TMC with membrane bound enzymes cannot also be excluded. This, in turn, may result in the down regulation of many metabolic energy-dependent reactions as a part of mechanisms accompanying the transition to a hypometabolic state of mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A Gligonov
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Daria I Bagaeva
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Galina R Demina
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Galina N Vostroknutova
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Dmitriy S Vorozhtsov
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Arseny S Kaprelyants
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Alexander P Savitsky
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia.
| | - Margarita O Shleeva
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre 'Fundamentals of Biotechnology' of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia.
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18
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Zhang K, Limwongyut J, Moreland AS, Wei SCJ, Jim Jia Min T, Sun Y, Shin SJ, Kim SY, Jhun BW, Pethe K, Bazan GC. An anti-mycobacterial conjugated oligoelectrolyte effective against Mycobacterium abscessus. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi7558. [PMID: 38381846 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria have increased more than 50% in the past two decades and more than doubled in the elderly population. Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab), one of the most prevalent of these rapidly growing species, is intrinsically resistant to numerous antibiotics. Current standard-of-care treatments are not satisfactory, with high failure rate and notable adverse effects. We report here a potent anti-Mab compound from the flexible molecular framework afforded by conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs). A screen of structurally diverse, noncytotoxic COEs identified a lead compound, COE-PNH2, which was bactericidal against replicating, nonreplicating persisters and intracellular Mab.COE-PNH2 had low propensity for resistance development, with a frequency of resistance below 1.25 × 10-9 and showed no detectable resistance upon serial passaging. Mechanism of action studies were in line with COE-PNH2 affecting the physical and functional integrity of the bacterial envelope and disrupting the mycomembrane and associated essential bioenergetic pathways. Moreover, COE-PNH2 was well-tolerated and efficacious in a mouse model of Mab lung infection. This study highlights desirable in vitro and in vivo potency and safety index of this COE structure, which represents a promising anti-mycobacterial to tackle an unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jakkarin Limwongyut
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Alex S Moreland
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Samuel Chan Jun Wei
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tania Jim Jia Min
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Sun
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, 636921 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sung Jae Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Su-Young Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Byung Woo Jhun
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Kevin Pethe
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, 636921 Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), 16 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308442 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guillermo C Bazan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM), National University of Singapore, 117544 Singapore, Singapore
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19
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Yang L, Hu X, Lu Y, Xu R, Xu Y, Ma W, Alam MS, Zhang T, Chai X, Lei Y, Ye Q, Dong X, Kang Y, Che J, Hou T, Li D. Discovery of N-(1-(6-Oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine)-pyrazole) Acetamide Derivatives as Novel Noncovalent DprE1 Inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1914-1931. [PMID: 38232131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose oxidase (DprE1) is a promising target for treating tuberculosis (TB). Currently, most novel DprE1 inhibitors are discovered through high-throughput screening, while computer-aided drug design (CADD) strategies are expected to promote the discovery process. In this study, with the aid of structure-based virtual screening and computationally guided design, a series of novel scaffold N-(1-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine)-pyrazole) acetamide derivatives with significant antimycobacterial activities were identified. Among them, compounds LK-60 and LK-75 are capable of effectively suppressing the proliferation of Mtb with MICMtb values of 0.78-1.56 μM, comparable with isoniazid and much superior to the phase II candidate TBA-7371 (MICMtb = 12.5 μM). LK-60 is also the most active DprE1 inhibitor derived from CADD so far. Further studies confirmed their high affinity to DprE1, good safety profiles to gut microbiota and human cells, and synergy effects with either rifampicin or ethambutol, indicating their broad potential for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xueping Hu
- Institute of Frontier Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yang Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ruolan Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yaping Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - WanLi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Md Shah Alam
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou 510530, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou 510530, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xin Chai
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yixuan Lei
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qing Ye
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Kang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jinxin Che
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua ,Zhejiang321000, China
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20
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Vasyankin AV, Panteleev SV, Steshin IS, Shirokova EA, Rozhkov AV, Livshits GD, Radchenko EV, Ignatov SK, Palyulin VA. Temperature-Induced Restructuring of Mycolic Acid Bilayers Modeling the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Outer Membrane: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Molecules 2024; 29:696. [PMID: 38338443 PMCID: PMC10856651 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030696] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new drug-resistant strains of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a new challenge for modern medicine. Its resistance capacity is closely related to the properties of the outer membrane of the Mtb cell wall, which is a bilayer membrane formed by mycolic acids (MAs) and their derivatives. To date, the molecular mechanisms of the response of the Mtb outer membrane to external factors and, in particular, elevated temperatures have not been sufficiently studied. In this work, we consider the temperature-induced changes in the structure, ordering, and molecular mobility of bilayer MA membranes of various chemical and conformational compositions. Using all-atom long-term molecular dynamics simulations of various MA membranes, we report the kinetic parameters of temperature-dependent changes in the MA self-diffusion coefficients and conformational compositions, including the apparent activation energies of these processes, as well as the characteristic times of ordering changes and the features of phase transitions occurring over a wide range of elevated temperatures. Understanding these effects could be useful for the prevention of drug resistance and the development of membrane-targeting pharmaceuticals, as well as in the design of membrane-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Vasyankin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Sergey V. Panteleev
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Ilya S. Steshin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Ekaterina A. Shirokova
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Alexey V. Rozhkov
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Grigory D. Livshits
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Eugene V. Radchenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Stanislav K. Ignatov
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Vladimir A. Palyulin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (A.V.V.); (S.V.P.); (I.S.S.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (E.V.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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21
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Ling X, Liu X, Wang K, Guo M, Ou Y, Li D, Xiang Y, Zheng J, Hu L, Zhang H, Li W. Lsr2 acts as a cyclic di-GMP receptor that promotes keto-mycolic acid synthesis and biofilm formation in mycobacteria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:695. [PMID: 38267428 PMCID: PMC10808224 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44774-6] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that promotes biofilm formation in several bacterial species, but the mechanisms are often unclear. Here, we report that c-di-GMP promotes biofilm formation in mycobacteria in a manner dependent on the nucleoid-associated protein Lsr2. We show that c-di-GMP specifically binds to Lsr2 at a ratio of 1:1. Lsr2 upregulates the expression of HadD, a (3R)-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, thus promoting the synthesis of keto-mycolic acid and biofilm formation. Thus, Lsr2 acts as a c-di-GMP receptor that links the second messenger's function to lipid synthesis and biofilm formation in mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocui Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Minhao Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yanzhe Ou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Danting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yulin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Jiachen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Lihua Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Hongyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Weihui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
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22
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Singha B, Murmu S, Nair T, Rawat RS, Sharma AK, Soni V. Metabolic Rewiring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon Drug Treatment and Antibiotics Resistance. Metabolites 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38248866 PMCID: PMC10820029 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010063] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a significant global health challenge, further compounded by the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a result of several system-level molecular rearrangements enabling bacteria to evolve with better survival capacities: metabolic rewiring is one of them. In this review, we present a detailed analysis of the metabolic rewiring of Mtb in response to anti-TB drugs and elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of bacterial metabolism contributing to drug efficacy and resistance. We have discussed the current state of AMR, its role in the prevalence of the disease, and the limitations of current anti-TB drug regimens. Further, the concept of metabolic rewiring is defined, underscoring its relevance in understanding drug resistance and the biotransformation of drugs by Mtb. The review proceeds to discuss the metabolic adaptations of Mtb to drug treatment, and the pleiotropic effects of anti-TB drugs on Mtb metabolism. Next, the association between metabolic changes and antimycobacterial resistance, including intrinsic and acquired drug resistance, is discussed. The review concludes by summarizing the challenges of anti-TB treatment from a metabolic viewpoint, justifying the need for this discussion in the context of novel drug discovery, repositioning, and repurposing to control AMR in TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biplab Singha
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA;
| | - Sumit Murmu
- Regional Centre of Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, India;
| | - Tripti Nair
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Rahul Singh Rawat
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India;
| | - Aditya Kumar Sharma
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Vijay Soni
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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23
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Steshin IS, Vasyankin AV, Shirokova EA, Rozhkov AV, Livshits GD, Panteleev SV, Radchenko EV, Ignatov SK, Palyulin VA. Free Energy Barriers for Passive Drug Transport through the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Outer Membrane: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1006. [PMID: 38256079 PMCID: PMC10815926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis strains poses a significant challenge to modern medicine. The development of new antituberculosis drugs is hindered by the low permeability of many active compounds through the extremely strong bacterial cell wall of mycobacteria. In order to estimate the ability of potential antimycobacterial agents to diffuse through the outer mycolate membrane, the free energy profiles, the corresponding activation barriers, and possible permeability modes of passive transport for a series of known antibiotics, modern antituberculosis drugs, and prospective active drug-like molecules were determined using molecular dynamics simulations with the all-atom force field and potential of mean-force calculations. The membranes of different chemical and conformational compositions, density, thickness, and ionization states were examined. The typical activation barriers for the low-mass molecules penetrating through the most realistic membrane model were 6-13 kcal/mol for isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and etambutol, and 19 and 25 kcal/mol for bedaquilin and rifampicin. The barriers for the ionized molecules are usually in the range of 37-63 kcal/mol. The linear regression models were derived from the obtained data, allowing one to estimate the permeability barriers from simple physicochemical parameters of the diffusing molecules, notably lipophilicity and molecular polarizability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya S. Steshin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Alexander V. Vasyankin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Ekaterina A. Shirokova
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Alexey V. Rozhkov
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Grigory D. Livshits
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Sergey V. Panteleev
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Eugene V. Radchenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Stanislav K. Ignatov
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Vladimir A. Palyulin
- Department of Chemistry, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia; (I.S.S.); (A.V.V.); (E.A.S.); (A.V.R.); (G.D.L.); (S.V.P.); (E.V.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Moscow 119991, Russia
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24
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Brown T, Chavent M, Im W. Molecular Modeling and Simulation of the Mycobacterial Cell Envelope: From Individual Components to Cell Envelope Assemblies. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:10941-10949. [PMID: 38091517 PMCID: PMC10758119 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Unlike typical Gram-positive bacteria, the cell envelope of mycobacteria is unique and composed of a mycobacterial outer membrane, also known as the mycomembrane, a peptidoglycan layer, and a mycobacterial inner membrane, which is analogous to that of Gram-negative bacteria. Despite its importance, however, our understanding of this complex cell envelope is rudimentary at best. Thus, molecular modeling and simulation of such an envelope can benefit the scientific community by proposing new hypotheses about the biophysical properties of its different layers. In this Perspective, we present recent advances in molecular modeling and simulation of the mycobacterial cell envelope from individual components to cell envelope assemblies. We also show how modeling other types of cell envelopes, such as that of Escherichia coli, may help modeling part of the mycobacterial envelopes. We hope that the studies presented here are just the beginning of the road and more and more new modeling and simulation studies help us to understand crucial questions related to mycobacteria such as antibiotic resistance or bacterial survival in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turner Brown
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Matthieu Chavent
- Institut
de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, CNRS, Université
de Toulouse, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
- Departments
of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh
University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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25
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Serra ND, Darwin CB, Sundaram MV. C. elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and pre-cuticle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.26.573316. [PMID: 38234847 PMCID: PMC10793445 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.26.573316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In C. elegans, divergent Hedgehog-related (Hh-r) and Patched-related (PTR) proteins promote numerous processes ranging from epithelial and sense organ development to pathogen responses to cuticle shedding during the molt cycle. Here we show that Hh-r proteins are actual components of the cuticle and pre-cuticle apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) that coat, shape, and protect external epithelia. Different Hh-r proteins stably associate with the aECMs of specific tissues and with specific substructures such as furrows and alae. Hh-r mutations can disrupt matrix structure. These results provide a unifying model for the function of nematode Hh-r proteins and highlight ancient connections between Hh proteins and the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D. Serra
- Dept. of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - Chelsea B. Darwin
- Dept. of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - Meera V. Sundaram
- Dept. of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
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26
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Meyer FM, Repnik U, Karnaukhova E, Schubert K, Bramkamp M. Effects of benzothiazinone and ethambutol on the integrity of the corynebacterial cell envelope. Cell Surf 2023; 10:100116. [PMID: 38044953 PMCID: PMC10689261 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2023.100116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mycomembrane (MM) is a mycolic acid layer covering the surface of Mycobacteria and related species. This group includes important pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, but also the biotechnologically important strain Corynebacterium glutamicum. Biosynthesis of the MM is an attractive target for antibiotic intervention. The first line anti-tuberculosis drug ethambutol (EMB) and the new drug candidate, benzothiazinone 043 (BTZ) interfere with the synthesis of the arabinogalactan (AG), which is a structural scaffold for covalently attached mycolic acids that form the inner leaflet of the MM. We previously showed that C. glutamicum cells treated with a sublethal concentration of EMB lose the integrity of the MM. In this study we examined the effects of BTZ on the cell envelope. Our work shows that BTZ efficiently blocks the apical growth machinery, however effects in combinatorial treatment with β-lactam antibiotics are only additive, not synergistic. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed a distinct middle layer in the septum of control cells considered to be the inner leaflet of the MM covalently attached to the AG. This layer was not detectable in the septa of BTZ or EMB treated cells. In addition, we observed that EMB treated cells have a thicker and less electron dense peptidoglycan (PG). While EMB and BTZ both effectively block elongation growth, BTZ also strongly reduces septal cell wall synthesis, slowing down growth effectively. This renders BTZ treated cells likely more tolerant to antibiotics that act on growing bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian M. Meyer
- Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Straße 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Urska Repnik
- Central Microscopy Facility, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Karnaukhova
- Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Karin Schubert
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Straße 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Marc Bramkamp
- Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Central Microscopy Facility, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Straße 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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27
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Comín J, Campos E, Gonzalo-Asensio J, Samper S. Transcriptomic profile of the most successful Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain in Aragon, the MtZ strain, during exponential and stationary growth phases. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0468522. [PMID: 37882511 PMCID: PMC10714837 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04685-22] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Aragon Community suffered, during the first years of the beginning of this century, a large outbreak caused by the MtZ strain, producing more than 240 cases to date. MtZ strain and the outbreak have been previously studied from an epidemiological and molecular point of view. In this work, we analyzed the transcriptomic profile of the strain for better understanding of its success among our population. We have discovered that MtZ has some upregulated virulence pathways, such as the ESX-1 system, the cholesterol degradation pathway or the peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Interestingly, MtZ has downregulated the uptake of iron. Another special feature of MtZ strain is the interruption of desA3 gene, essential for producing oleic acid. Although the strain takes a long time to grow in the initial culture media, eventually it is able to reach normal optical densities, suggestive of the presence of another route for obtaining oleic acid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Comín
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Jesús Gonzalo-Asensio
- Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación IIS Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía Samper
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación IIS Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Li J, Xu X, Shi J, Hermoso JA, Sham LT, Luo M. Regulation of the cell division hydrolase RipC by the FtsEX system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7999. [PMID: 38044344 PMCID: PMC10694151 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43770-6] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The FtsEX complex regulates, directly or via a protein mediator depending on bacterial genera, peptidoglycan degradation for cell division. In mycobacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, the FtsEX system directly activates peptidoglycan-hydrolases by a mechanism that remains unclear. Here we report our investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis FtsEX as a non-canonical regulator with high basal ATPase activity. The cryo-EM structures of the FtsEX system alone and in complex with RipC, as well as the ATP-activated state, unveil detailed information on the signal transduction mechanism, leading to the activation of RipC. Our findings indicate that RipC is recognized through a "Match and Fit" mechanism, resulting in an asymmetric rearrangement of the extracellular domains of FtsX and a unique inclined binding mode of RipC. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of FtsEX and RipC regulation in the context of a critical human pathogen, guiding the design of drugs targeting peptidoglycan remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jian Shi
- Center for Bioimaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Juan A Hermoso
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Instituto de Química-Física "Blas Cabrera", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lok-To Sham
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Center for Bioimaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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29
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Rahlwes KC, Dias BR, Campos PC, Alvarez-Arguedas S, Shiloh MU. Pathogenicity and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Virulence 2023; 14:2150449. [PMID: 36419223 PMCID: PMC9817126 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, an infectious disease with one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Leveraging its highly evolved repertoire of non-protein and protein virulence factors, Mtb invades through the airway, subverts host immunity, establishes its survival niche, and ultimately escapes in the setting of active disease to initiate another round of infection in a naive host. In this review, we will provide a concise synopsis of the infectious life cycle of Mtb and its clinical and epidemiologic significance. We will also take stock of its virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms that modulate host immunity and facilitate its spread. Developing a greater understanding of the interface between Mtb virulence factors and host defences will enable progress toward improved vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and treat tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn C. Rahlwes
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Beatriz R.S. Dias
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Priscila C. Campos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Samuel Alvarez-Arguedas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael U. Shiloh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,CONTACT Michael U. Shiloh
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30
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Gaidhane IV, Biegas KJ, Erickson HE, Agarwal P, Chhonker YS, Ronning DR, Swarts BM. Chemical remodeling of the mycomembrane with chain-truncated lipids sensitizes mycobacteria to rifampicin. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13859-13862. [PMID: 37929833 PMCID: PMC10872977 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02364h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The outer mycomembrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related pathogens is a robust permeability barrier that protects against antibiotic treatment. Here, we demonstrate that synthetic analogues of the mycomembrane biosynthetic precursor trehalose monomycolate bearing truncated lipid chains increase permeability of Mycobacterium smegmatis cells and sensitize them to treatment with the first-line anti-tubercular drug rifampicin. The reported strategy may be useful for enhancing entry of drugs and other molecules to mycobacterial cells, and represents a new way to study mycomembrane structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani V Gaidhane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
| | - Kyle J Biegas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Helen E Erickson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Prachi Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yashpal S Chhonker
- Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Donald R Ronning
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Benjamin M Swarts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
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31
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Itterbeek A, Possemiers A, Colak Y, Bäcker LE, Aertsen A, Lavigne R, Paeshuyse J. Characterization of mycophage endolysin cell wall binding domains targeting Mycobacterium bovis peptidoglycan. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 681:291-297. [PMID: 37801778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Mycophage endolysins are highly diverse and modular enzymes composed of domains involved in peptidoglycan binding and degradation. Mostly, they are characterized by a three-module design: an N-terminal peptidase domain, a central catalytic domain and a C-terminal peptidoglycan binding domain. Previously, the affinity of cell wall binding domains (CBDs) to the mycobacterial peptidoglycan layer was shown for some of these endolysins. In this study, an in depth screening was performed on twelve mycophage endolysins. The discovered CBDs were characterized for their binding affinity to Mycobacterium (M.) bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a largely unexplored target and an attenuated strain of M. bovis, responsible for bovine tuberculosis. Using homology-based annotation, only four endolysins showed the presence of a known peptidoglycan binding domain, the previously characterized pfam 01471 domain. However, analysis of the secondary structure aided by AlphaFold predictions revealed the presence of a C-terminal domain in the other endolysins. These were hypothesized as new, uncharacterized CBDs. Fusion proteins composed of these domains linked to GFP were constructed and positively assayed for their affinity to M. bovis BCG in a peptidoglycan binding assay. Moreover, two CBDs were able to fluorescently label M. bovis BCG in milk samples, highlighting the potential to further explore their possibility to function as CBD-based diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Itterbeek
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium; Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Amber Possemiers
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium; Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Yunus Colak
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium; Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Leonard E Bäcker
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Abram Aertsen
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Jan Paeshuyse
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
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32
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Couston J, Guo Z, Wang K, Gourdon P, Blaise M. Cryo-EM structure of the trehalose monomycolate transporter, MmpL3, reconstituted into peptidiscs. Curr Res Struct Biol 2023; 6:100109. [PMID: 38034087 PMCID: PMC10682824 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2023.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteria have an atypical thick and waxy cell wall. One of the major building blocks of such mycomembrane is trehalose monomycolate (TMM). TMM is a mycolic acid ester of trehalose that possesses long acyl chains with up to 90 carbon atoms. TMM represents an essential component of mycobacteria and is synthesized in the cytoplasm, and then flipped over the plasma membrane by a specific transporter known as MmpL3. Over the last decade, MmpL3 has emerged as an attractive drug target to combat mycobacterial infections. Recent three-dimensional structures of MmpL3 determined by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM have increased our understanding of the TMM transport, and the mode of action of inhibiting compounds. These structures were obtained in the presence of detergent and/or in a lipidic environment. In this study, we demonstrate the possibility of obtaining a high-quality cryo-EM structure of MmpL3 without any presence of detergent through the reconstitution of the protein into peptidiscs. The structure was determined at an overall resolution of 3.2 Å and demonstrates that the overall structure of MmpL3 is preserved as compared to previous structures. Further, the study identified a new structural arrangement of the linker that fuses the two subdomains of the transmembrane domain, suggesting the feature may serve a role in the transport process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Couston
- IRIM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Zongxin Guo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kaituo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mickaël Blaise
- IRIM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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33
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Torrelles JB, Chatterjee D. Collected Thoughts on Mycobacterial Lipoarabinomannan, a Cell Envelope Lipoglycan. Pathogens 2023; 12:1281. [PMID: 38003746 PMCID: PMC10675199 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell envelope was first reported close to 100 years ago. Since then, numerous studies have been dedicated to the isolation, purification, structural definition, and elucidation of the biological properties of Mtb LAM. In this review, we present a brief historical perspective on the discovery of Mtb LAM and the herculean efforts devoted to structurally characterizing the molecule because of its unique structural and biological features. The significance of LAM remains high to this date, mainly due to its distinct immunological properties in conjunction with its role as a biomarker for diagnostic tests due to its identification in urine, and thus can serve as a point-of-care diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB). In recent decades, LAM has been thoroughly studied and massive amounts of information on this intriguing molecule are now available. In this review, we give the readers a historical perspective and an update on the current knowledge of LAM with information on the inherent carbohydrate composition, which is unique due to the often puzzling sugar residues that are specifically found on LAM. We then guide the readers through the complex and myriad immunological outcomes, which are strictly dependent on LAM's chemical structure. Furthermore, we present issues that remain unresolved and represent the immediate future of LAM research. Addressing the chemistry, functions, and roles of LAM will lead to innovative ways to manipulate the processes that involve this controversial and fascinating biomolecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi B. Torrelles
- International Center for the Advancement of Research and Education (I • Care), Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
- Population Health Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | - Delphi Chatterjee
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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34
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Bunduc CM, Ding Y, Kuijl C, Marlovits TC, Bitter W, Houben ENG. Reconstitution of a minimal ESX-5 type VII secretion system suggests a role for PPE proteins in the outer membrane transport of proteins. mSphere 2023; 8:e0040223. [PMID: 37747201 PMCID: PMC10597459 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00402-23] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteria utilize type VII secretion systems (T7SSs) to secrete proteins across their highly hydrophobic and diderm cell envelope. Pathogenic mycobacteria have up to five different T7SSs, called ESX-1 to ESX-5, which are crucial for growth and virulence. Here, we use a functionally reconstituted ESX-5 system in the avirulent species Mycobacterium smegmatis that lacks ESX-5, to define the role of each esx-5 gene in system functionality. By creating an array of gene deletions and assessing protein levels of components and membrane complex assembly, we observed that only the five components of the inner membrane complex are required for its assembly. However, in addition to these five core components, active secretion also depends on both the Esx and PE/PPE substrates. Tagging the PPE substrates followed by subcellular fractionation, surface labeling and membrane extraction showed that these proteins localize to the mycobacterial outer membrane. This indicates that they could play a role in secretion across this enigmatic outer barrier. These results provide the first full overview of the role of each esx-5 gene in T7SS functionality. IMPORTANCE Pathogenic mycobacteria, such as the notorious Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are highly successful as pathogens, in part due to their specific and diderm cell envelope, with a mycolic acid-containing outer membrane. The architecture of this highly impermeable membrane is little understood and the proteins that populate it even less so. To transport proteins across their cell envelope, mycobacteria employ a specialized transport pathway called type VII secretion. While recent studies have elucidated the type VII secretion membrane channel that mediates transport across the inner membrane, the identity of the outer membrane channel remains a black box. Here, we show evidence that specific substrates of the type VII pathway could form these channels. Elucidating the pathway and mechanism of protein secretion through the mycobacterial outer membrane will allow its exploitation for the development of novel mycobacterial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Bunduc
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-Life), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Structural and Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
- German Electron Synchrotron Centre, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Y. Ding
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-Life), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C. Kuijl
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T. C. Marlovits
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Structural and Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
- German Electron Synchrotron Centre, Notkestraße, Hamburg, Germany
| | - W. Bitter
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-Life), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E. N. G. Houben
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-Life), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Mulholland CV, Wiggins TJ, Cui J, Vilchèze C, Rajagopalan S, Shultis MW, Reyes-Fernández EZ, Jacobs WR, Berney M. The PDIM paradox of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: new solutions to a persistent problem. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.16.562559. [PMID: 37905120 PMCID: PMC10614861 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.16.562559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) is an essential virulence lipid of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In vitro culturing rapidly selects for spontaneous mutations that cause PDIM loss leading to virulence attenuation and increased cell wall permeability. We discovered that PDIM loss is due to a metabolic deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA that impedes the growth of PDIM-producing bacilli. This can be remedied by supplementation with odd-chain fatty acids, cholesterol, or vitamin B12. We developed a much-needed facile and scalable routine assay for PDIM production and show that propionate supplementation enhances the growth of PDIM-producing bacilli and selects against PDIM-negative mutants, analogous to in vivo conditions. Our results solve a major issue in tuberculosis research and exemplify how discrepancies between the host and in vitro nutrient environments can attenuate bacterial pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire V. Mulholland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Catherine Vilchèze
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Saranathan Rajagopalan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Michael W. Shultis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
| | | | - William R. Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Michael Berney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, New York, USA
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36
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Prado LG, Camara NOS, Barbosa AS. Cell lipid biology in infections: an overview. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1148383. [PMID: 37868347 PMCID: PMC10587689 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1148383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipids are a big family of molecules with a vast number of functions in the cell membranes, within the cytoplasm, and extracellularly. Lipid droplets (LDs) are the most common storage organelles and are present in almost every tissue type in the body. They also have structural functions serving as building blocks of cellular membranes and may be precursors of other molecules such as hormones, and lipoproteins, and as messengers in signal transduction. Fatty acids (FAs), such as sterol esters and triacylglycerols, are stored in LDs and are used in β-oxidation as fuel for tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. FA uptake and entrance in the cytoplasm are mediated by membrane receptors. After a cytoplasmic round of α- and β-oxidation, FAs are guided into the mitochondrial matrix by the L-carnitine shuttle system, where they are fully metabolized, and enter the TCA cycle. Pathogen infections may lead to impaired lipid metabolism, usage of membrane phospholipids, and LD accumulation in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Otherwise, bacterial pathogens may use lipid metabolism as a carbon source, thus altering the reactions and leading to cellular and organelles malfunctioning. This review aims to describe cellular lipid metabolism and alterations that occur upon infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Gavião Prado
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia de Transplantes, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Disciplina de Nefrologia, Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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37
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Ufimtseva EG, Eremeeva NI. Drug-Tolerant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Adopt Different Survival Strategies in Alveolar Macrophages of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14942. [PMID: 37834390 PMCID: PMC10573496 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914942] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis (Mtb) strains and the phenomenon of phenotypic tolerance to drugs present challenges toward achieving the goal of tuberculosis (TB) elimination worldwide. By using the ex vivo cultures of alveolar macrophages obtained from lung tissues of TB patients after intensive antimicrobial chemotherapy before surgery, different subpopulations of multidrug-tolerant Mtb with a spectrum of phenotypic and growth features were identified in the same TB lesions. Our results are indicative of not only passive mechanisms generating nonheritable resistance of Mtb to antibiotics, which are associated mainly with a lack of Mtb growth, but also some active mechanisms of Mtb persistence, such as cell wall and metabolic pathway remodeling. In one of the subpopulations, non-acid-fast Mtb have undergone significant reprogramming with the restoration of acid-fastness, lipoarabinomannan expression and replication in host cells of some patients after withdrawal of anti-TB drugs. Our data indicate the universal stress protein Rv2623 as a clinically relevant biomarker of Mtb that has lost acid-fastness in human lungs. The studies of Mtb survival, persistence, dormancy, and resumption and the identification of biomarkers characterizing these phenomena are very important concerning the development of vaccines and drug regimens with individualized management of patients for overcoming the resistance/tolerance crisis in anti-TB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G Ufimtseva
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Research Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, 2 Timakova Street, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Natalya I Eremeeva
- Institute of Disinfectology, F.F. Erisman Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene of the Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, 18a Nauchniy Proezd, 117246 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Department, Ural Research Institute for Phthisiopulmonology, National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 50 XXII Partsyezda Street, 620039 Yekaterinburg, Russia
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38
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Zhou Z, Wattiez R, Constant P, Marrakchi H, Soetaert K, Mathys V, Fontaine V, Zeng S. Telacebec Interferes with Virulence Lipid Biosynthesis Protein Expression and Sensitizes to Other Antibiotics. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2469. [PMID: 37894127 PMCID: PMC10609169 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a public health issue, particularly due to multi-drug-resistant Mtb. The bacillus is wrapped in a waxy envelope containing lipids acting as essential virulence factors, accounting for the natural antibiotic resistance of mycobacteria. Telacebec (previously known as Q203) is a promising new anti-TB agent inhibiting the cytochrome bc1 complex of a mycobacterial electron transport chain (ETC). Here, we show that the telacebec-challenged M. bovis BCG exhibited a reduced expression of proteins involved in the synthesis of phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIMs)/phenolic glycolipids (PGLs), lipid virulence factors associated with cell envelope impermeability. Consistently, telacebec, at concentrations lower than its MIC, downregulated the transcription of a PDIM/PGL-synthesizing operon, suggesting a metabolic vulnerability triggered by the drug. The drug was able to synergize on BCG with rifampicin or vancomycin, the latter being a drug exerting a marginal effect on PDIM-bearing bacilli. Telacebec at a concentration higher than its MIC had no detectable effect on cell wall PDIMs, as shown by TLC analysis, a finding potentially explained by the retaining of previously synthesized PDIMs due to the inhibition of growth. The study extends the potential of telacebec, demonstrating an effect on mycobacterial virulence lipids, allowing for the development of new anti-TB strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Zhou
- Microbiology, Bioorganic & Macromolecular Chemistry Research Unit, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Patricia Constant
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UT3), 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Hedia Marrakchi
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UT3), 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Karine Soetaert
- National Reference Laboratory "Mycobacterium", Sciensano, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Mathys
- National Reference Laboratory "Mycobacterium", Sciensano, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - Véronique Fontaine
- Microbiology, Bioorganic & Macromolecular Chemistry Research Unit, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sheng Zeng
- School of Nursing and Health, Nanfang College Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510970, China
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39
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Bloom BR. A half-century of research on tuberculosis: Successes and challenges. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20230859. [PMID: 37552470 PMCID: PMC10407785 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Great progress has been made over the past half-century, but TB remains a formidable global health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the mechanisms of pathogenesis and necessary and sufficient conditions for protection are critical. The need for inexpensive and sensitive point-of-care diagnostic tests for earlier detection of infection and disease, shorter and less-toxic drug regimens for drug-sensitive and -resistant TB, and a more effective vaccine than BCG is immense. New and better tools, greater support for international research, collaborations, and training will be required to dramatically reduce the burden of this devastating disease which still kills 1.6 million people annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry R. Bloom
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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40
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Palčeková Z, Obregón-Henao A, De K, Walz A, Lam H, Philp J, Angala SK, Patterson J, Pearce C, Zuberogoitia S, Avanzi C, Nigou J, McNeil M, Muñoz Gutiérrez JF, Gilleron M, Wheat WH, Gonzalez-Juarrero M, Jackson M. Role of succinyl substituents in the mannose-capping of lipoarabinomannan and control of inflammation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011636. [PMID: 37669276 PMCID: PMC10503756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The covalent modification of bacterial (lipo)polysaccharides with discrete substituents may impact their biosynthesis, export and/or biological activity. Whether mycobacteria use a similar strategy to control the biogenesis of its cell envelope polysaccharides and modulate their interaction with the host during infection is unknown despite the report of a number of tailoring substituents modifying the structure of these glycans. Here, we show that discrete succinyl substituents strategically positioned on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) lipoarabinomannan govern the mannose-capping of this lipoglycan and, thus, much of the biological activity of the entire molecule. We further show that the absence of succinyl substituents on the two main cell envelope glycans of Mtb, arabinogalactan and lipoarabinomannan, leads to a significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in infected murine and human macrophages. Collectively, our results validate polysaccharide succinylation as a critical mechanism by which Mtb controls inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Palčeková
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Andrés Obregón-Henao
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kavita De
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Amanda Walz
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ha Lam
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jamie Philp
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Shiva Kumar Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Johnathan Patterson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Camron Pearce
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Sophie Zuberogoitia
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jérôme Nigou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Michael McNeil
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Juan F. Muñoz Gutiérrez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Martine Gilleron
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - William H. Wheat
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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41
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Chen J, Fruhauf A, Fan C, Ponce J, Ueberheide B, Bhabha G, Ekiert DC. Structure of an endogenous mycobacterial MCE lipid transporter. Nature 2023; 620:445-452. [PMID: 37495693 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
To replicate inside macrophages and cause tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis must scavenge a variety of nutrients from the host1,2. The mammalian cell entry (MCE) proteins are important virulence factors in M. tuberculosis1,3, where they are encoded by large gene clusters and have been implicated in the transport of fatty acids4-7 and cholesterol1,4,8 across the impermeable mycobacterial cell envelope. Very little is known about how cargos are transported across this barrier, and it remains unclear how the approximately ten proteins encoded by a mycobacterial mce gene cluster assemble to transport cargo across the cell envelope. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the endogenous Mce1 lipid-import machine of Mycobacterium smegmatis-a non-pathogenic relative of M. tuberculosis. The structure reveals how the proteins of the Mce1 system assemble to form an elongated ABC transporter complex that is long enough to span the cell envelope. The Mce1 complex is dominated by a curved, needle-like domain that appears to be unrelated to previously described protein structures, and creates a protected hydrophobic pathway for lipid transport across the periplasm. Our structural data revealed the presence of a subunit of the Mce1 complex, which we identified using a combination of cryo-EM and AlphaFold2, and name LucB. Our data lead to a structural model for Mce1-mediated lipid import across the mycobacterial cell envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alice Fruhauf
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Fan
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jackeline Ponce
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Damian C Ekiert
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Dzigba P, Rylski AK, Angera IJ, Banahene N, Kavunja HW, Greenlee-Wacker MC, Swarts BM. Immune Targeting of Mycobacteria through Cell Surface Glycan Engineering. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1548-1556. [PMID: 37306676 PMCID: PMC10782841 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacteria and other organisms in the order Mycobacteriales cause a range of significant human diseases, including tuberculosis, leprosy, diphtheria, Buruli ulcer, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease. However, the intrinsic drug tolerance engendered by the mycobacterial cell envelope undermines conventional antibiotic treatment and contributes to acquired drug resistance. Motivated by the need to augment antibiotics with novel therapeutic approaches, we developed a strategy to specifically decorate mycobacterial cell surface glycans with antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs), which flag bacteria for binding to human-endogenous antibodies that enhance macrophage effector functions. Mycobacterium-specific ARMs consisting of a trehalose targeting moiety and a dinitrophenyl hapten (Tre-DNPs) were synthesized and shown to specifically incorporate into outer-membrane glycolipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis via trehalose metabolism, enabling recruitment of anti-DNP antibodies to the mycobacterial cell surface. Phagocytosis of Tre-DNP-modified M. smegmatis by macrophages was significantly enhanced in the presence of anti-DNP antibodies, demonstrating proof-of-concept that our strategy can augment the host immune response. Because the metabolic pathways responsible for cell surface incorporation of Tre-DNPs are conserved in all Mycobacteriales organisms but absent from other bacteria and humans, the reported tools may be enlisted to interrogate host-pathogen interactions and develop immune-targeting strategies for diverse mycobacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Dzigba
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859 United States
| | - Adrian K. Rylski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Isaac J. Angera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Nicholas Banahene
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859 United States
| | - Herbert W. Kavunja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Mallary C. Greenlee-Wacker
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA
| | - Benjamin M. Swarts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859 United States
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43
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Mahajan PS, Girigosavi P, Chauware V, Mokashi ND, Nema V. Issues with the current drugs for Mycobacterium tuberculosis cure and potential of cell envelope proteins for new drug discovery. Indian J Tuberc 2023; 70:286-296. [PMID: 37562902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2023.03.015] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been the smartest pathogen ever and a challenge to drug development. Its replicative machinery is unique, so targeting the same for killing the pathogen remains a challenge. Our body typically throws out the drugs before they see the bacterium multiply. The pathogen has also learned how to remove drugs from its internal chambers and not allow them to reach their targets. Another strategy for Mtb is the mutation of the targets to reject drug binding and bypass the drug's inhibitory actions. In this review, we tried to explore possible targets on the outer side of the bacterial cell. We have also explored if those targets are promising enough and if there are drugs or inhibitors available. We also discuss the essential proteins and why they remain to be a good target. We concluded that the cell envelope has got a few proteins that can be targeted in isolation or maybe along with other machinery while making the outer environment more conducive for penetration of current drugs or newly proposed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik S Mahajan
- Division of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, 411026, India
| | - Payal Girigosavi
- Division of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, 411026, India
| | - Vijay Chauware
- Division of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, 411026, India
| | - Nitin D Mokashi
- Postgraduate Institute, Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, Pune, 411018, India
| | - Vijay Nema
- Division of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, 411026, India.
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Italia A, Shaik MM, Peri F. Emerging Extracellular Molecular Targets for Innovative Pharmacological Approaches to Resistant Mtb Infection. Biomolecules 2023; 13:999. [PMID: 37371579 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging pharmacological strategies that target major virulence factors of antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are presented and discussed. This review is divided into three parts corresponding to structures and functions important for Mtb pathogenicity: the cell wall, the lipoarabinomannan, and the secretory proteins. Within the cell wall, we further focus on three biopolymeric sub-components: mycolic acids, arabinogalactan, and peptidoglycan. We present a comprehensive overview of drugs and drug candidates that target cell walls, envelopes, and secretory systems. An understanding at a molecular level of Mtb pathogenesis is provided, and potential future directions in therapeutic strategies are suggested to access new drugs to combat the growing global threat of antibiotic-resistant Mtb infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Italia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Mohammed Monsoor Shaik
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
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45
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de Homdedeu M, Sanchez-Moral L, Violán C, Ràfols N, Ouchi D, Martín B, Peinado MA, Rodríguez-Cortés A, Arch-Sisquella M, Perez-Zsolt D, Muñoz-Basagoiti J, Izquierdo-Useros N, Salvador B, Matllo J, López-Serrano S, Segalés J, Vilaplana C, Torán-Monserrat P, Morros R, Monfà R, Sarrias MR, Cardona PJ. Mycobacterium manresensis induces trained immunity in vitro. iScience 2023; 26:106873. [PMID: 37250788 PMCID: PMC10182650 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a global health crisis, with new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants weakening vaccine-driven protection. Trained immunity could help tackle COVID-19 disease. Our objective was to analyze whether heat-killed Mycobacterium manresensis (hkMm), an environmental mycobacterium, induces trained immunity and confers protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. To this end, THP-1 cells and primary monocytes were trained with hkMm. The increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-10, metabolic activity, and changes in epigenetic marks suggested hkMm-induced trained immunity in vitro. Healthcare workers at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled into the MANRECOVID19 clinical trial (NCT04452773) and were administered Nyaditum resae (NR, containing hkMm) or placebo. No significant differences in monocyte inflammatory responses or the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were found between the groups, although NR modified the profile of circulating immune cell populations. Our results show that M. manresensis induces trained immunity in vitro but not in vivo when orally administered as NR daily for 14 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel de Homdedeu
- Innate Immunity Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Experimental Tuberculosis Unit, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Lidia Sanchez-Moral
- Innate Immunity Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Concepció Violán
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- North Metropolitan Research Support Unit, Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Mataró, Spain
- Northern Metropolitan Primary Care Management, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Neus Ràfols
- Innate Immunity Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Dan Ouchi
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berta Martín
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (PMPPC-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Peinado
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (PMPPC-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Alhelí Rodríguez-Cortés
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marta Arch-Sisquella
- Experimental Tuberculosis Unit, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | - Nuria Izquierdo-Useros
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Betlem Salvador
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Matllo
- Department of Prevention and Risks, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Northern Metropolitan Territorial Management, Catalan Health Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Sergi López-Serrano
- Joint IRTA-UAB Research Unit in Animal Health, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Animal Health Program, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Joint IRTA-UAB Research Unit in Animal Health, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Cristina Vilaplana
- Experimental Tuberculosis Unit, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Direcció Clínica Territorial de Malalties Infeccioses i Salut Internacional de Gerència Territorial Metropolitana Nord, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Torán-Monserrat
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- North Metropolitan Research Support Unit, Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Mataró, Spain
- Northern Metropolitan Primary Care Management, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Rosa Morros
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Monfà
- Jordi Gol University Research Institute in Primary Care, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria-Rosa Sarrias
- Innate Immunity Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pere-Joan Cardona
- Experimental Tuberculosis Unit, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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46
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Polinário G, Primo LMDG, Rosa MABC, Dett FHM, Barbugli PA, Roque-Borda CA, Pavan FR. Antimicrobial peptides as drugs with double response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfections in lung cancer. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1183247. [PMID: 37342560 PMCID: PMC10277934 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1183247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis and lung cancer are, in many cases, correlated diseases that can be confused because they have similar symptoms. Many meta-analyses have proven that there is a greater chance of developing lung cancer in patients who have active pulmonary tuberculosis. It is, therefore, important to monitor the patient for a long time after recovery and search for combined therapies that can treat both diseases, as well as face the great problem of drug resistance. Peptides are molecules derived from the breakdown of proteins, and the membranolytic class is already being studied. It has been proposed that these molecules destabilize cellular homeostasis, performing a dual antimicrobial and anticancer function and offering several possibilities of adaptation for adequate delivery and action. In this review, we focus on two important reason for the use of multifunctional peptides or peptides, namely the double activity and no harmful effects on humans. We review some of the main antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory bioactive peptides and highlight four that have anti-tuberculosis and anti-cancer activity, which may contribute to obtaining drugs with this dual functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Polinário
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Paula Aboud Barbugli
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Rogério Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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47
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Abstract
Mycobacteria are responsible for several human and animal diseases. NOD2 is a pattern recognition receptor that has an important role in mycobacterial recognition. However, the mechanisms by which mutations in NOD2 alter the course of mycobacterial infection remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to review the totality of studies directly addressing the relationship between NOD2 and mycobacteria as a foundation for moving the field forward. NOD2 was linked to mycobacterial infection at 3 levels: (1) genetic, through association with mycobacterial diseases of humans; (2) chemical, through the distinct NOD2 ligand in the mycobacterial cell wall; and (3) immunologic, through heightened NOD2 signaling caused by the unique modification of the NOD2 ligand. The immune response to mycobacteria is shaped by NOD2 signaling, responsible for NF-κB and MAPK activation, and the production of various immune effectors like cytokines and nitric oxide, with some evidence linking this to bacteriologic control. Absence of NOD2 during mycobacterial infection of mice can be detrimental, but the mechanism remains unknown. Conversely, the success of immunization with mycobacteria has been linked to NOD2 signaling and NOD2 has been targeted as an avenue of immunotherapy for diseases even beyond mycobacteria. The mycobacteria-NOD2 interaction remains an important area of study, which may shed light on immune mechanisms in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Yves Dubé
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marcel A Behr
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Canada
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48
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Sau S, Roy A, Agnivesh PK, Kumar S, Guru SK, Sharma S, Kalia NP. Unravelling the flexibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: an escape way for the bacilli. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 37261969 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis makes it difficult to eradicate the associated infection from the host. The flexible nature of mycobacteria and their ability to adapt to adverse host conditions give rise to different drug-tolerant phenotypes. Granuloma formation restricts nutrient supply, limits oxygen availability and exposes bacteria to a low pH environment, resulting in non-replicating bacteria. These non-replicating mycobacteria, which need high doses and long exposure to anti-tubercular drugs, are the root cause of lengthy chemotherapy. Novel strategies, which are effective against non-replicating mycobacteria, need to be adopted to shorten tuberculosis treatment. This not only will reduce the treatment time but also will help prevent the emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains of mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashikanta Sau
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Arnab Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Puja Kumari Agnivesh
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Guru
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sandeep Sharma
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab -144411, India
| | - Nitin Pal Kalia
- Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology and Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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49
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Jacobo-Delgado YM, Rodríguez-Carlos A, Serrano CJ, Rivas-Santiago B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell-wall and antimicrobial peptides: a mission impossible? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194923. [PMID: 37266428 PMCID: PMC10230078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most important infectious agents worldwide and causes more than 1.5 million deaths annually. To make matters worse, the drug resistance among Mtb strains has risen substantially in the last few decades. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find patients infected with Mtb strains that are virtually resistant to all antibiotics, which has led to the urgent search for new molecules and therapies. Over previous decades, several studies have demonstrated the efficiency of antimicrobial peptides to eliminate even multidrug-resistant bacteria, making them outstanding candidates to counterattack this growing health problem. Nevertheless, the complexity of the Mtb cell wall makes us wonder whether antimicrobial peptides can effectively kill this persistent Mycobacterium. In the present review, we explore the complexity of the Mtb cell wall and analyze the effectiveness of antimicrobial peptides to eliminate the bacilli.
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50
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Liu Z, Lepori I, Chordia MD, Dalesandro BE, Guo T, Dong J, Siegrist MS, Pires MM. A Metabolic-Tag-Based Method for Assessing the Permeation of Small Molecules Across the Mycomembrane in Live Mycobacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202217777. [PMID: 36700874 PMCID: PMC10159989 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The general lack of permeability of small molecules observed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is most ascribed to its unique cell envelope. More specifically, the outer mycomembrane is hypothesized to be the principal determinant for access of antibiotics to their molecular targets. We describe a novel assay that combines metabolic tagging of the peptidoglycan, which sits directly beneath the mycomembrane, click chemistry of test molecules, and a fluorescent labeling chase step, to measure the permeation of small molecules. We showed that the assay workflow was robust and compatible with high-throughput analysis in mycobacteria by testing a small panel of azide-tagged molecules. The general trend is similar across the two types of mycobacteria with some notable exceptions. We anticipate that this assay platform will lay the foundation for medicinal chemistry efforts to understand and improve uptake of both existing drugs and newly-discovered compounds into mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Irene Lepori
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Mahendra D. Chordia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | | | - Taijie Guo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200232, China
| | - Jiajia Dong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200232, China
| | - M. Sloan Siegrist
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Marcos M. Pires
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
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