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Frare R, Stritzler M, Pascuan C, Liebrenz K, Galindo-Sotomonte L, Soto G, Nikel PI, Ayub N. Elimination of GlnKAmtB affects serine biosynthesis and improves growth and stress tolerance of Escherichia coli under nutrient-rich conditions. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 367:6006877. [PMID: 33242092 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen is a most important nutrient resource for Escherichia coli and other bacteria that harbor the glnKamtB operon, a high-affinity ammonium uptake system highly interconnected with cellular metabolism. Although this system confers an advantage to bacteria when growing under nitrogen-limiting conditions, little is known about the impact of these genes on microbial fitness under nutrient-rich conditions. Here, the genetically tractable E. coli BW25113 strain and its glnKamtB-null mutant (JW0441) were used to analyze the impact of GlnK-AmtB on growth rates and oxidative stress tolerance. Strain JW0441 showed a shorter initial lag phase, higher growth rate, higher citrate synthase activity, higher oxidative stress tolerance and lower expression of serA than strain BW25113 under nutrient-rich conditions, suggesting a fitness cost to increase metabolic plasticity associated with serine metabolism. The overexpression of serA in strain JW0441 resulted in a decreased growth rate and stress tolerance in nutrient-rich conditions similar to that of strain BW25113, suggesting that the negative influence on bacterial fitness imposed by GlnK-AmtB can be traced to the control of serine biosynthesis. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of glnKamtB mutants in bioproduction processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Frare
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Margarita Stritzler
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Pascuan
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karen Liebrenz
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luisa Galindo-Sotomonte
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Soto
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Iván Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nicolás Ayub
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto de Genética (IGEAF), INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Picchi SC, de Souza E Silva M, Saldanha LL, Ferreira H, Takita MA, Caldana C, de Souza AA. GC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics analysis to investigate the changes driven by N-Acetylcysteine in the plant-pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15558. [PMID: 34330957 PMCID: PMC8324833 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant, anti-adhesive, and antimicrobial compound. Even though there is much information regarding the role of NAC as an antioxidant and anti-adhesive agent, little is known about its antimicrobial activity. In order to assess its mode of action in bacterial cells, we investigated the metabolic responses triggered by NAC at neutral pH. As a model organism, we chose the Gram-negative plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri), the causal agent of citrus canker disease, due to the potential use of NAC as a sustainable molecule against phytopathogens dissemination in citrus cultivated areas. In presence of NAC, cell proliferation was affected after 4 h, but damages to the cell membrane were observed only after 24 h. Targeted metabolite profiling analysis using GC-MS/TOF unravelled that NAC seems to be metabolized by the cells affecting cysteine metabolism. Intriguingly, glutamine, a marker for nitrogen status, was not detected among the cells treated with NAC. The absence of glutamine was followed by a decrease in the levels of the majority of the proteinogenic amino acids, suggesting that the reduced availability of amino acids affect protein synthesis and consequently cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cristina Picchi
- Centro de Citricultura "Sylvio Moreira" - Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, 13490-970, Brazil
| | - Mariana de Souza E Silva
- Centro de Citricultura "Sylvio Moreira" - Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, 13490-970, Brazil
| | - Luiz Leonardo Saldanha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Henrique Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Takita
- Centro de Citricultura "Sylvio Moreira" - Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, 13490-970, Brazil
| | - Camila Caldana
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol - Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-100, Brazil.,Max-Planck-Institut Für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alessandra Alves de Souza
- Centro de Citricultura "Sylvio Moreira" - Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, 13490-970, Brazil.
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Bueno Batista M, Brett P, Appia-Ayme C, Wang YP, Dixon R. Disrupting hierarchical control of nitrogen fixation enables carbon-dependent regulation of ammonia excretion in soil diazotrophs. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009617. [PMID: 34111137 PMCID: PMC8219145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The energetic requirements for biological nitrogen fixation necessitate stringent regulation of this process in response to diverse environmental constraints. To ensure that the nitrogen fixation machinery is expressed only under appropriate physiological conditions, the dedicated NifL-NifA regulatory system, prevalent in Proteobacteria, plays a crucial role in integrating signals of the oxygen, carbon and nitrogen status to control transcription of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes. Greater understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms driving transcriptional control of nif genes may provide a blueprint for engineering diazotrophs that associate with cereals. In this study, we investigated the properties of a single amino acid substitution in NifA, (NifA-E356K) which disrupts the hierarchy of nif regulation in response to carbon and nitrogen status in Azotobacter vinelandii. The NifA-E356K substitution enabled overexpression of nitrogenase in the presence of excess fixed nitrogen and release of ammonia outside the cell. However, both of these properties were conditional upon the nature of the carbon source. Our studies reveal that the uncoupling of nitrogen fixation from its assimilation is likely to result from feedback regulation of glutamine synthetase, allowing surplus fixed nitrogen to be excreted. Reciprocal substitutions in NifA from other Proteobacteria yielded similar properties to the A. vinelandii counterpart, suggesting that this variant protein may facilitate engineering of carbon source-dependent ammonia excretion amongst diverse members of this family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Brett
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Corinne Appia-Ayme
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Yi-Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences & School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ray Dixon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Rapid Response of Nitrogen Cycling Gene Transcription to Labile Carbon Amendments in a Soil Microbial Community. mSystems 2021; 6:6/3/e00161-21. [PMID: 33975966 PMCID: PMC8125072 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00161-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A large portion of activity in soil microbial communities occurs in short time frames in response to an increase in C availability, affecting the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. These changes are of particular importance as nitrogen represents both a limiting nutrient for terrestrial plants as well as a potential pollutant. Episodic inputs of labile carbon (C) to soil can rapidly stimulate nitrogen (N) immobilization by soil microorganisms. However, the transcriptional patterns that underlie this process remain unclear. In order to better understand the regulation of N cycling in soil microbial communities, we conducted a 48-h laboratory incubation with agricultural soil where we stimulated the uptake of inorganic N by amending the soil with glucose. We analyzed the metagenome and metatranscriptome of the microbial communities at four time points that corresponded with changes in N availability. The relative abundances of genes remained largely unchanged throughout the incubation. In contrast, glucose addition rapidly increased the transcription of genes encoding ammonium and nitrate transporters, enzymes responsible for N assimilation into biomass, and genes associated with the N regulatory network. This upregulation coincided with an increase in transcripts associated with glucose breakdown and oxoglutarate production, demonstrating a connection between C and N metabolism. When concentrations of ammonium were low, we observed a transient upregulation of genes associated with the nitrogen-fixing enzyme nitrogenase. Transcripts for nitrification and denitrification were downregulated throughout the incubation, suggesting that dissimilatory transformations of N may be suppressed in response to labile C inputs in these soils. These results demonstrate that soil microbial communities can respond rapidly to changes in C availability by drastically altering the transcription of N cycling genes. IMPORTANCE A large portion of activity in soil microbial communities occurs in short time frames in response to an increase in C availability, affecting the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. These changes are of particular importance as nitrogen represents both a limiting nutrient for terrestrial plants as well as a potential pollutant. However, we lack a full understanding of the short-term effects of labile carbon inputs on the metabolism of microbes living in soil. Here, we found that soil microbial communities responded to labile carbon addition by rapidly transcribing genes encoding proteins and enzymes responsible for inorganic nitrogen acquisition, including nitrogen fixation. This work demonstrates that soil microbial communities respond within hours to carbon inputs through altered gene expression. These insights are essential for an improved understanding of the microbial processes governing soil organic matter production, decomposition, and nutrient cycling in natural and agricultural ecosystems.
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Prell C, Busche T, Rückert C, Nolte L, Brandenbusch C, Wendisch VF. Adaptive laboratory evolution accelerated glutarate production by Corynebacterium glutamicum. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:97. [PMID: 33971881 PMCID: PMC8112011 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The demand for biobased polymers is increasing steadily worldwide. Microbial hosts for production of their monomeric precursors such as glutarate are developed. To meet the market demand, production hosts have to be improved constantly with respect to product titers and yields, but also shortening bioprocess duration is important. RESULTS In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution was used to improve a C. glutamicum strain engineered for production of the C5-dicarboxylic acid glutarate by flux enforcement. Deletion of the L-glutamic acid dehydrogenase gene gdh coupled growth to glutarate production since two transaminases in the glutarate pathway are crucial for nitrogen assimilation. The hypothesis that strains selected for faster glutarate-coupled growth by adaptive laboratory evolution show improved glutarate production was tested. A serial dilution growth experiment allowed isolating faster growing mutants with growth rates increasing from 0.10 h-1 by the parental strain to 0.17 h-1 by the fastest mutant. Indeed, the fastest growing mutant produced glutarate with a twofold higher volumetric productivity of 0.18 g L-1 h-1 than the parental strain. Genome sequencing of the evolved strain revealed candidate mutations for improved production. Reverse genetic engineering revealed that an amino acid exchange in the large subunit of L-glutamic acid-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase was causal for accelerated glutarate production and its beneficial effect was dependent on flux enforcement due to deletion of gdh. Performance of the evolved mutant was stable at the 2 L bioreactor-scale operated in batch and fed-batch mode in a mineral salts medium and reached a titer of 22.7 g L-1, a yield of 0.23 g g-1 and a volumetric productivity of 0.35 g L-1 h-1. Reactive extraction of glutarate directly from the fermentation broth was optimized leading to yields of 58% and 99% in the reactive extraction and reactive re-extraction step, respectively. The fermentation medium was adapted according to the downstream processing results. CONCLUSION Flux enforcement to couple growth to operation of a product biosynthesis pathway provides a basis to select strains growing and producing faster by adaptive laboratory evolution. After identifying candidate mutations by genome sequencing causal mutations can be identified by reverse genetics. As exemplified here for glutarate production by C. glutamicum, this approach allowed deducing rational metabolic engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Prell
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology & CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tobias Busche
- Technology Platform Genomics, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Sequenz 1, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian Rückert
- Technology Platform Genomics, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Sequenz 1, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lea Nolte
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph Brandenbusch
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Volker F. Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology & CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Castillo H, Li X, Smith GB. Deinococcus radiodurans UWO298 Dependence on Background Radiation for Optimal Growth. Front Genet 2021; 12:644292. [PMID: 34025716 PMCID: PMC8136434 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.644292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a major environmental variable for cells on Earth, and so organisms have adapted to either prevent or to repair damages caused by it, primarily from the appearance and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we measured the differential gene expression in Deinococcus radiodurans UWO298 cultures deprived of background ionizing radiation (IR) while growing 605 m underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), reducing the dose rate from 72.1 to 0.9 nGy h–1 from control to treatment, respectively. This reduction in IR dose rate delayed the entry into the exponential phase of the IR-shielded cultures, resulting in a lower biomass accumulation for the duration of the experiment. The RNASeq-based transcriptome analysis showed the differential expression of 0.2 and 2.7% of the D. radiodurans genome after 24 and 34 h of growth in liquid culture, respectively. Gene expression regulation after 34 h was characterized by the downregulation of genes involved in folding newly synthesized and denatured/misfolded proteins, in the assimilation of nitrogen for amino acid synthesis and in the control of copper transport and homeostasis to prevent oxidative stress. We also observed the upregulation of genes coding for proteins with transport and cell wall assembly roles. These results show that D. radiodurans is sensitive to the absence of background levels of ionizing radiation and suggest that its transcriptional response is insufficient to maintain optimal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Castillo
- Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United States
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Geoffrey B Smith
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
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Yokoyama T, Niinae T, Tsumagari K, Imami K, Ishihama Y, Hizukuri Y, Akiyama Y. The Escherichia coli S2P intramembrane protease RseP regulates ferric citrate uptake by cleaving the sigma factor regulator FecR. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100673. [PMID: 33865858 PMCID: PMC8144685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli RseP, a member of the site-2 protease family of intramembrane proteases, is involved in the activation of the σE extracytoplasmic stress response and elimination of signal peptides from the cytoplasmic membrane. However, whether RseP has additional cellular functions is unclear. In this study, we used mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic analysis to search for new substrates that might reveal unknown physiological roles for RseP. Our data showed that the levels of several Fec system proteins encoded by the fecABCDE operon (fec operon) were significantly decreased in an RseP-deficient strain. The Fec system is responsible for the uptake of ferric citrate, and the transcription of the fec operon is controlled by FecI, an alternative sigma factor, and its regulator FecR, a single-pass transmembrane protein. Assays with a fec operon expression reporter demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of RseP is essential for the ferric citrate-dependent upregulation of the fec operon. Analysis using the FecR protein and FecR-derived model proteins showed that FecR undergoes sequential processing at the membrane and that RseP participates in the last step of this sequential processing to generate the N-terminal cytoplasmic fragment of FecR that participates in the transcription of the fec operon with FecI. A shortened FecR construct was not dependent on RseP for activation, confirming this cleavage step is the essential and sufficient role of RseP. Our study unveiled that E. coli RseP performs the intramembrane proteolysis of FecR, a novel physiological role that is essential for regulating iron uptake by the ferric citrate transport system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhiko Yokoyama
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoya Niinae
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuya Tsumagari
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koshi Imami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishihama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yohei Hizukuri
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yoshinori Akiyama
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Bolay P, Rozbeh R, Muro-Pastor MI, Timm S, Hagemann M, Florencio FJ, Forchhammer K, Klähn S. The Novel P II-Interacting Protein PirA Controls Flux into the Cyanobacterial Ornithine-Ammonia Cycle. mBio 2021; 12:e00229-21. [PMID: 33758091 PMCID: PMC8092223 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00229-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Among prokaryotes, cyanobacteria have an exclusive position as they perform oxygenic photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria substantially differ from other bacteria in further aspects, e.g., they evolved a plethora of unique regulatory mechanisms to control primary metabolism. This is exemplified by the regulation of glutamine synthetase (GS) via small proteins termed inactivating factors (IFs). Here, we reveal another small protein, encoded by the ssr0692 gene in the model strain Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, that regulates flux into the ornithine-ammonia cycle (OAC), the key hub of cyanobacterial nitrogen stockpiling and remobilization. This regulation is achieved by the interaction with the central carbon/nitrogen control protein PII, which commonly controls entry into the OAC by activating the key enzyme of arginine synthesis, N-acetyl-l-glutamate kinase (NAGK). In particular, the Ssr0692 protein competes with NAGK for PII binding and thereby prevents NAGK activation, which in turn lowers arginine synthesis. Accordingly, we termed it PII-interacting regulator of arginine synthesis (PirA). Similar to the GS IFs, PirA accumulates in response to ammonium upshift due to relief from repression by the global nitrogen control transcription factor NtcA. Consistent with this, the deletion of pirA affects the balance of metabolite pools of the OAC in response to ammonium shocks. Moreover, the PirA-PII interaction requires ADP and is prevented by PII mutations affecting the T-loop conformation, the major protein interaction surface of this signal processing protein. Thus, we propose that PirA is an integrator determining flux into N storage compounds not only depending on the N availability but also the energy state of the cell.IMPORTANCE Cyanobacteria contribute a significant portion to the annual oxygen yield and play important roles in biogeochemical cycles, e.g., as major primary producers. Due to their photosynthetic lifestyle, cyanobacteria also arouse interest as hosts for the sustainable production of fuel components and high-value chemicals. However, their broad application as microbial cell factories is hampered by limited knowledge about the regulation of metabolic fluxes in these organisms. Our research identified a novel regulatory protein that controls nitrogen flux, in particular arginine synthesis. Besides its role as a proteinogenic amino acid, arginine is a precursor for the cyanobacterial storage compound cyanophycin, which is of potential interest to biotechnology. Therefore, the obtained results will not only enhance our understanding of flux control in these organisms but also help to provide a scientific basis for targeted metabolic engineering and, hence, the design of photosynthesis-driven biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bolay
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Solar Materials, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rokhsareh Rozbeh
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions Department, Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - M Isabel Muro-Pastor
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Stefan Timm
- Department of Plant Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martin Hagemann
- Department of Plant Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Francisco J Florencio
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Karl Forchhammer
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions Department, Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Klähn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Solar Materials, Leipzig, Germany
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Soto-Varela ZE, Cabrera G, Romero A, Cantero D, Valle A, Bolivar J. Identification of Enzymatic Bottlenecks for the Aerobic Production of Malate from Glycerol by the Systematic Gene Overexpression of Anaplerotic Enzymes in Escherichia coli. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052266. [PMID: 33668723 PMCID: PMC7956688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The biotechnological production of dicarboxylic acids (C4) from renewable carbon sources represents an attractive approach for the provision of these valuable compounds by green chemistry means. Glycerol has become a waste product of the biodiesel industry that serves as a highly reduced carbon source for some microorganisms. Escherichia coli is capable of consuming glycerol to produce succinate under anaerobic fermentation, but with the deletion of some tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle genes, it is also able to produce succinate and malate in aerobiosis. In this study, we investigate possible rate-limiting enzymes by overexpressing the C-feeding anaplerotic enzymes Ppc, MaeA, MaeB, and Pck in a mutant that lacks the succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh) enzyme. The overexpression of the TCA enzyme Mdh and the activation of the glyoxylate shunt was also examined. Using this unbiased approach, we found that phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (Ppc) overexpression enhances an oxidative pathway that leads to increasing succinate, while phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (Pck) favors a more efficient reductive branch that produces mainly malate, at 57.5% of the theoretical maximum molar yield. The optimization of the culture medium revealed the importance of bicarbonate and pH in the production of malate. An additional mutation of the ppc gene highlights its central role in growth and C4 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zamira E. Soto-Varela
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (Z.E.S.-V.); (A.R.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (G.C.); (D.C.)
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Simón Bolívar, 080020 Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Gema Cabrera
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (G.C.); (D.C.)
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO)—International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Agustin Romero
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (Z.E.S.-V.); (A.R.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (G.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Domingo Cantero
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (G.C.); (D.C.)
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO)—International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Antonio Valle
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (Z.E.S.-V.); (A.R.)
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO)—International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.B.); Tel.: +34-956-012820 (A.V.); +34-956-012791 (J.B.)
| | - Jorge Bolivar
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain; (Z.E.S.-V.); (A.R.)
- Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.B.); Tel.: +34-956-012820 (A.V.); +34-956-012791 (J.B.)
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Abstract
Bacterial cells utilize toxin-antitoxin systems to inhibit self-reproduction, while maintaining viability, when faced with environmental challenges. The activation of the toxin is often coupled to the induction of cellular response pathways, such as the stringent response, in response to multiple stress conditions. Under these conditions, the cell enters a quiescent state referred to as dormancy or persistence. How toxin activation triggers persistence and induces a systemic stress response in the alphaproteobacteria remains unclear. Here, we report that in Caulobacter, a hipA2-encoded bacterial toxin contributes to bacterial persistence by manipulating intracellular amino acid balance. HipA2 is a serine/threonine kinase that deactivates tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase by phosphorylation, leading to stalled protein synthesis and the accumulation of free tryptophan. An increased level of tryptophan allosterically activates the adenylyltransferase activity of GlnE that, in turn, deactivates glutamine synthetase GlnA by adenylylation. The inactivation of GlnA promotes the deprivation of glutamine in the cell, which triggers a stringent response. By screening 69 stress conditions, we find that HipBA2 responds to multiple stress signals through the proteolysis of HipB2 antitoxin by the Lon protease and the release of active HipA2 kinase, revealing a molecular mechanism that allows disparate stress conditions to be sensed and funneled into a single response pathway.IMPORTANCE To overcome various environmental challenges, bacterial cells can enter a physiologically quiescent state, known as dormancy or persistence, which balances growth and viability. In this study, we report a new mechanism by which a toxin-antitoxin system responds to harsh environmental conditions or nutrient deprivation by orchestrating a dormant state while preserving viability. The hipA2-encoded kinase functions as a toxin in Caulobacter, inducing bacterial persistence by disturbing the intracellular tryptophan-glutamine balance. A nitrogen regulatory circuit can be regulated by the intracellular level of tryptophan, which mimics the allosteric role of glutamine in this feedback loop. The HipBA2 module senses different types of stress conditions by increasing the intracellular level of tryptophan, which in turn breaks the tryptophan-glutamine balance and induces glutamine deprivation. Our results reveal a molecular mechanism that allows disparate environmental challenges to converge on a common pathway that results in a dormant state.
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Schmitz RA, Peeters SH, Versantvoort W, Picone N, Pol A, Jetten MSM, Op den Camp HJM. Verrucomicrobial methanotrophs: ecophysiology of metabolically versatile acidophiles. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:6125968. [PMID: 33524112 PMCID: PMC8498564 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanotrophs are an important group of microorganisms that counteract methane emissions to the atmosphere. Methane-oxidising bacteria of the Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria have been studied for over a century, while methanotrophs of the phylum Verrucomicrobia are a more recent discovery. Verrucomicrobial methanotrophs are extremophiles that live in very acidic geothermal ecosystems. Currently, more than a dozen strains have been isolated, belonging to the genera Methylacidiphilum and Methylacidimicrobium. Initially, these methanotrophs were thought to be metabolically confined. However, genomic analyses and physiological and biochemical experiments over the past years revealed that verrucomicrobial methanotrophs, as well as proteobacterial methanotrophs, are much more metabolically versatile than previously assumed. Several inorganic gases and other molecules present in acidic geothermal ecosystems can be utilised, such as methane, hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide, ammonium, nitrogen gas and perhaps also hydrogen sulfide. Verrucomicrobial methanotrophs could therefore represent key players in multiple volcanic nutrient cycles and in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from geothermal ecosystems. Here, we summarise the current knowledge on verrucomicrobial methanotrophs with respect to their metabolic versatility and discuss the factors that determine their diversity in their natural environment. In addition, key metabolic, morphological and ecological characteristics of verrucomicrobial and proteobacterial methanotrophs are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob A Schmitz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn H Peeters
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Versantvoort
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nunzia Picone
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Pol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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62
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Tomi-Andrino C, Norman R, Millat T, Soucaille P, Winzer K, Barrett DA, King J, Kim DH. Physicochemical and metabolic constraints for thermodynamics-based stoichiometric modelling under mesophilic growth conditions. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1007694. [PMID: 33493151 PMCID: PMC7861524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic engineering in the post-genomic era is characterised by the development of new methods for metabolomics and fluxomics, supported by the integration of genetic engineering tools and mathematical modelling. Particularly, constraint-based stoichiometric models have been widely studied: (i) flux balance analysis (FBA) (in silico), and (ii) metabolic flux analysis (MFA) (in vivo). Recent studies have enabled the incorporation of thermodynamics and metabolomics data to improve the predictive capabilities of these approaches. However, an in-depth comparison and evaluation of these methods is lacking. This study presents a thorough analysis of two different in silico methods tested against experimental data (metabolomics and 13C-MFA) for the mesophile Escherichia coli. In particular, a modified version of the recently published matTFA toolbox was created, providing a broader range of physicochemical parameters. Validating against experimental data allowed the determination of the best physicochemical parameters to perform the TFA (Thermodynamics-based Flux Analysis). An analysis of flux pattern changes in the central carbon metabolism between 13C-MFA and TFA highlighted the limited capabilities of both approaches for elucidating the anaplerotic fluxes. In addition, a method based on centrality measures was suggested to identify important metabolites that (if quantified) would allow to further constrain the TFA. Finally, this study emphasised the need for standardisation in the fluxomics community: novel approaches are frequently released but a thorough comparison with currently accepted methods is not always performed. Biotechnology has benefitted from the development of high throughput methods characterising living systems at different levels (e.g. concerning genes or proteins), allowing the industrial production of chemical commodities. Recently, focus has been placed on determining reaction rates (or metabolic fluxes) in the metabolic network of certain microorganisms, in order to identify bottlenecks hindering their exploitation. Two main approaches are commonly used, termed metabolic flux analysis (MFA) and flux balance analysis (FBA), based on measuring and estimating fluxes, respectively. While the influence of thermodynamics in living systems was accepted several decades ago, its application to study biochemical networks has only recently been enabled. In this sense, a multitude of different approaches constraining well-established modelling methods with thermodynamics has been suggested. However, physicochemical parameters are generally not properly adjusted to the experimental conditions, which might affect their predictive capabilities. In this study, we have explored the reliability of currently available tools by investigating the impact of varying said parameters in the simulation of metabolic fluxes and metabolite concentration values. Additionally, our in-depth analysis allowed us to highlight limitations and potential solutions that should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Tomi-Andrino
- Centre for Analytical Bioscience, Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rupert Norman
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Millat
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Soucaille
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- INSA, UPS, INP, Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, (TBI), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- INRA, UMR792, Toulouse, France
- CNRS, UMR5504, Toulouse, France
| | - Klaus Winzer
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Barrett
- Centre for Analytical Bioscience, Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - John King
- Nottingham BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dong-Hyun Kim
- Centre for Analytical Bioscience, Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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63
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Pessione E. The Less Expensive Choice: Bacterial Strategies to Achieve Successful and Sustainable Reciprocal Interactions. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:571417. [PMID: 33584557 PMCID: PMC7873842 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.571417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria, the first organisms that appeared on Earth, continue to play a central role in ensuring life on the planet, both as biogeochemical agents and as higher organisms' symbionts. In the last decades, they have been employed both as bioremediation agents for cleaning polluted sites and as bioconversion effectors for obtaining a variety of products from wastes (including eco-friendly plastics and green energies). However, some recent reports suggest that bacterial biodiversity can be negatively affected by the present environmental crisis (global warming, soil desertification, and ocean acidification). This review analyzes the behaviors positively selected by evolution that render bacteria good models of sustainable practices (urgent in these times of climate change and scarcity of resources). Actually, bacteria display a tendency to optimize rather than maximize, to economize energy and building blocks (by using the same molecule for performing multiple functions), and to recycle and share metabolites, and these are winning strategies when dealing with sustainability. Furthermore, their ability to establish successful reciprocal relationships by means of anticipation, collective actions, and cooperation can also constitute an example highlighting how evolutionary selection favors behaviors that can be strategic to contain the present environmental crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Pessione
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
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64
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Ye Z, Moreb EA, Li S, Lebeau J, Menacho-Melgar R, Munson M, Lynch MD. Escherichia coli Cas1/2 Endonuclease Complex Modifies Self-Targeting CRISPR/Cascade Spacers Reducing Silencing Guide Stability. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:29-37. [PMID: 33331764 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based interference has become common in various applications from genetic circuits to dynamic metabolic control. In E. coli, the native CRISPR Cascade system can be utilized for silencing by deletion of the cas3 nuclease along with expression of guide RNA arrays, where multiple genes can be silenced from a single transcript. We notice the loss of spacer sequences from guide arrays utilized for dynamic silencing. We report that unstable guide arrays are due to expression of the Cas1/2 endonuclease complex. We propose a model wherein basal Cas1/2 endonuclease activity results in the loss of spacers from guide arrays. Subsequently, mutant guide arrays can be amplified through selection. Replacing a constitutive promoter driving Cascade complex expression with a tightly controlled inducible promoter improves guide array stability, while minimizing leaky gene silencing. Additionally, these results demonstrate the potential of Cas1/2 mediated guide deletion as a mechanism to avoid CRISPR based autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixia Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- DMC Biotechnologies, Inc., Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
| | - Eirik A Moreb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Shuai Li
- DMC Biotechnologies, Inc., Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Juliana Lebeau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Romel Menacho-Melgar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Matthew Munson
- DMC Biotechnologies, Inc., Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
| | - Michael D Lynch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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65
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Aguilar F, Ekramzadeh K, Scheper T, Beutel S. Whole-Cell Production of Patchouli Oil Sesquiterpenes in Escherichia coli: Metabolic Engineering and Fermentation Optimization in Solid-Liquid Phase Partitioning Cultivation. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:32436-32446. [PMID: 33376881 PMCID: PMC7758989 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Patchouli oil is a major ingredient in perfumery, granting a dark-woody scent due to its main constituent (-)-patchoulol. The growing demand for patchouli oil has raised interest in the development of a biotechnological process to assure a reliable supply. Herein, we report the production of patchouli oil sesquiterpenes by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli strains, using solid-liquid phase partitioning cultivation. The (-)-patchoulol production was possible using the endogenous methylerythritol phosphate pathway and overexpressing a (-)-patchoulol synthase isoform from Pogostemon cablin but at low titers. To improve the (-)-patchoulol production, the exogenous mevalonate pathway was overexpressed in the multi-plasmid PTS + Mev strain, which increased the (-)-patchoulol titer 5-fold. Fermentation was improved further by evaluating several defined media, and optimizing the pH and temperature of culture broth, enhancing the (-)-patchoulol titer 3-fold. To augment the (-)-patchoulol recovery from fermentation, the solid-liquid phase partitioning cultivation was analyzed by screening polymeric adsorbers, where the Diaion HP20 adsorber demonstrated the highest (-)-patchoulol recovery from all tests. Fermentation was scaled-up to fed-batch bioreactors, reaching a (-)-patchoulol titer of 40.2 mg L-1 and productivity of 20.1 mg L-1 d-1. The terpene profile and aroma produced from the PTS + Mev strain were similar to the patchouli oil, comprising (-)-patchoulol as the main product, and α-bulnesene, trans-β-caryophyllene, β-patchoulene, and guaia-5,11-diene as side products. This investigation represents the first study of (-)-patchoulol production in E. coli by solid-liquid phase partitioning cultivation, which provides new insights for the development of sustainable bioprocesses for the microbial production of fragrant terpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aguilar
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstr. 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kimia Ekramzadeh
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstr. 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheper
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstr. 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sascha Beutel
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstr. 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany
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66
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Bird C, LeKieffre C, Jauffrais T, Meibom A, Geslin E, Filipsson HL, Maire O, Russell AD, Fehrenbacher JS. Heterotrophic Foraminifera Capable of Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:604979. [PMID: 33343548 PMCID: PMC7744380 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.604979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen availability often limits biological productivity in marine systems, where inorganic nitrogen, such as ammonium is assimilated into the food web by bacteria and photoautotrophic eukaryotes. Recently, ammonium assimilation was observed in kleptoplast-containing protists of the phylum foraminifera, possibly via the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) assimilation pathway imported with the kleptoplasts. However, it is not known if the ubiquitous and diverse heterotrophic protists have an innate ability for ammonium assimilation. Using stable isotope incubations (15N-ammonium and 13C-bicarbonate) and combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with quantitative nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) imaging, we investigated the uptake and assimilation of dissolved inorganic ammonium by two heterotrophic foraminifera; a non-kleptoplastic benthic species, Ammonia sp., and a planktonic species, Globigerina bulloides. These species are heterotrophic and not capable of photosynthesis. Accordingly, they did not assimilate 13C-bicarbonate. However, both species assimilated dissolved 15N-ammonium and incorporated it into organelles of direct importance for ontogenetic growth and development of the cell. These observations demonstrate that at least some heterotrophic protists have an innate cellular mechanism for inorganic ammonium assimilation, highlighting a newly discovered pathway for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) assimilation within the marine microbial loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Bird
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom.,School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte LeKieffre
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,UMR CNRS 6112 LPG, Bio-Indicateurs Actuels et Fossiles, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Thierry Jauffrais
- Ifremer, IRD, Univ Nouvelle-Calédonie, Univ La Réunion, CNRS, UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Anders Meibom
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Centre for Advanced Surface Analysis, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuelle Geslin
- UMR CNRS 6112 LPG, Bio-Indicateurs Actuels et Fossiles, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | | | - Olivier Maire
- Université de Bordeaux, EPOC, UMR 5805, Talence, France.,CNRS, EPOC, UMR 5805, Talence, France
| | - Ann D Russell
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer S Fehrenbacher
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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67
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Saito J, Deng X, Okamoto A. Single-Cell Mass Spectroscopic Analysis for Quantifying Active Metabolic Pathway Heterogeneity in a Bacterial Population on an Electrode. Anal Chem 2020; 92:15616-15623. [PMID: 33205944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical catalysis based on respiratory reactions coupled with extracellular electron transport (EET), which is critical for bioenergy applications, strongly depends on the biocompatibility of the electrode material. However, the comparison of materials for such physiological responses has been difficult because of the lack of a quantitative assay for characterizing cellular metabolism at the electrode surface. Here, we developed a single-cell analysis method specific for the cells attached to the electrode to quantify active metabolic pathway heterogeneity as an index of physiological cell/electrode interaction, which generally increases with metabolic robustness in the microbial population. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry followed by microbial current production with model EET-capable bacteria, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and its mutant strains lacking carbon assimilation pathways, showed that different active metabolic pathways resulted in nearly identical 13C/15N assimilation ratios for individual cells in the presence of isotopically labeled nutrients, demonstrating a correlation between the 13C/15N ratio and the active metabolic pathway. Compared to the nonelectrode conditions, the heterogeneity of the assimilated 13C/15N ratio was highly enhanced on the electrode surface, suggesting that the metabolic robustness of the microbial population increased through the electrochemical interaction with the electrode. The present methodology enables us to quantitatively compare and screen electrode materials that increase the robustness of microbial electrocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junki Saito
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Xiao Deng
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia
| | - Akihiro Okamoto
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.,Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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68
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Metabolic network of ammonium in cereal vinegar solid-state fermentation and its response to acid stress. Food Microbiol 2020; 95:103684. [PMID: 33397616 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV), a Chinese traditional vinegar, is produced by various microorganisms. Ammonium is an important nitrogen source for microorganisms and a key intermediate for the utilization of non-ammonium nitrogen sources. In this work, an ammonium metabolic network during SAV fermentation was constructed through the meta-transcriptomic analysis of in situ samples, and the potential mechanism of acid affecting ammonium metabolism was revealed. The results showed that ammonium was enriched as the acidity increased. Meta-transcriptomic analysis showed that the conversion of glutamine to ammonia is the key pathway of ammonium metabolism in vinegar and that Lactobacillus and Acetobacter are the dominant genera. The construction and analysis of the metabolic network showed that amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway and energy metabolism were enhanced to resist acid damage to the intracellular environment and cell structures. The enhancement of nitrogen assimilation provides nitrogen for metabolic pathways that resist acid cytotoxicity. In addition, the concentration gradient allows ammonium to diffuse outside the cell, which causes ammonium to accumulate during fermentation.
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69
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The Protein-Protein Interaction Network Reveals a Novel Role of the Signal Transduction Protein PII in the Control of c-di-GMP Homeostasis in Azospirillum brasilense. mSystems 2020; 5:5/6/e00817-20. [PMID: 33144311 PMCID: PMC7646526 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00817-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The PII proteins sense and integrate important metabolic signals which reflect the cellular nutrition and energy status. Such extraordinary ability was capitalized by nature in such a way that the various PII proteins regulate different facets of metabolism by controlling the activity of a range of target proteins by protein-protein interactions. Here, we determined the PII protein interaction network in the plant growth-promoting nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense. The interactome data along with metabolome analysis suggest that PII functions as a master metabolic regulator hub. We provide evidence that PII proteins act to regulate c-di-GMP levels in vivo and cell motility and adherence behaviors. The PII family comprises a group of widely distributed signal transduction proteins ubiquitous in prokaryotes and in the chloroplasts of plants. PII proteins sense the levels of key metabolites ATP, ADP, and 2-oxoglutarate, which affect the PII protein structure and thereby the ability of PII to interact with a range of target proteins. Here, we performed multiple ligand fishing assays with the PII protein orthologue GlnZ from the plant growth-promoting nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense to identify 37 proteins that are likely to be part of the PII protein-protein interaction network. Among the PII targets identified were enzymes related to nitrogen and fatty acid metabolism, signaling, coenzyme synthesis, RNA catabolism, and transcription. Direct binary PII-target complex was confirmed for 15 protein complexes using pulldown assays with recombinant proteins. Untargeted metabolome analysis showed that PII is required for proper homeostasis of important metabolites. Two enzymes involved in c-di-GMP metabolism were among the identified PII targets. A PII-deficient strain showed reduced c-di-GMP levels and altered aerotaxis and flocculation behavior. These data support that PII acts as a major metabolic hub controlling important enzymes and the homeostasis of key metabolites such as c-di-GMP in response to the prevailing nutritional status. IMPORTANCE The PII proteins sense and integrate important metabolic signals which reflect the cellular nutrition and energy status. Such extraordinary ability was capitalized by nature in such a way that the various PII proteins regulate different facets of metabolism by controlling the activity of a range of target proteins by protein-protein interactions. Here, we determined the PII protein interaction network in the plant growth-promoting nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense. The interactome data along with metabolome analysis suggest that PII functions as a master metabolic regulator hub. We provide evidence that PII proteins act to regulate c-di-GMP levels in vivo and cell motility and adherence behaviors.
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70
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Schubert C, Zedler S, Strecker A, Unden G. L-Aspartate as a high-quality nitrogen source in Escherichia coli: Regulation of L-aspartase by the nitrogen regulatory system and interaction of L-aspartase with GlnB. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:526-538. [PMID: 33012071 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli uses the C4-dicarboxylate transporter DcuA for L-aspartate/fumarate antiport, which results in the exploitation of L-aspartate for fumarate respiration under anaerobic conditions and for nitrogen assimilation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. L-Aspartate represents a high-quality nitrogen source for assimilation. Nitrogen assimilation from L-aspartate required DcuA, and aspartase AspA to release ammonia. Ammonia is able to provide by established pathways the complete set of intracellular precursors (ammonia, L-aspartate, L-glutamate, and L-glutamine) for synthesizing amino acids, nucleotides, and amino sugars. AspA was regulated by a central regulator of nitrogen metabolism, GlnB. GlnB interacted with AspA and stimulated its L-aspartate deaminase activity (NH3 -forming), but not the reverse amination reaction. GlnB stimulation required 2-oxoglutarate and ATP, or uridylylated GlnB-UMP, consistent with the activation of nitrogen assimilation under nitrogen limitation. Binding to AspA was lost in the GlnB(Y51F) mutant of the uridylylation site. AspA, therefore, represents a new type of GlnB target that binds GlnB (with ATP and 2-oxoglutarate), or GlnB-UMP (with or without effectors), and both situations stimulate AspA deamination activity. Thus, AspA represents the central enzyme for nitrogen assimilation from L-aspartate, and AspA is integrated into the nitrogen assimilation network by the regulator GlnB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schubert
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra Zedler
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Strecker
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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71
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Ancestral Reconstructions Decipher Major Adaptations of Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea upon Radiation into Moderate Terrestrial and Marine Environments. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.02371-20. [PMID: 33051370 PMCID: PMC7554672 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02371-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike all other archaeal lineages, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) of the phylum Thaumarchaeota are widespread and abundant in all moderate and oxic environments on Earth. The evolutionary adaptations that led to such unprecedented ecological success of a microbial clade characterized by highly conserved energy and carbon metabolisms have, however, remained underexplored. Here, we reconstructed the genomic content and growth temperature of the ancestor of all AOA, as well as the ancestors of the marine and soil lineages, based on 39 available complete or nearly complete genomes of AOA. Our evolutionary scenario depicts an extremely thermophilic, autotrophic, aerobic ancestor from which three independent lineages of a marine and two terrestrial groups radiated into moderate environments. Their emergence was paralleled by (i) a continuous acquisition of an extensive collection of stress tolerance genes mostly involved in redox maintenance and oxygen detoxification, (ii) an expansion of regulatory capacities in transcription and central metabolic functions, and (iii) an extended repertoire of cell appendages and modifications related to adherence and interactions with the environment. Our analysis provides insights into the evolutionary transitions and key processes that enabled the conquest of the diverse environments in which contemporary AOA are found.
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72
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Hobmeier K, Goëss MC, Sehr C, Schwaminger S, Berensmeier S, Kremling A, Kunte HJ, Pflüger-Grau K, Marin-Sanguino A. Anaplerotic Pathways in Halomonas elongata: The Role of the Sodium Gradient. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:561800. [PMID: 33101236 PMCID: PMC7545133 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.561800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Salt tolerance in the γ-proteobacterium Halomonas elongata is linked to its ability to produce the compatible solute ectoine. The metabolism of ectoine production is of great interest since it can shed light on the biochemical basis of halotolerance as well as pave the way for the improvement of the biotechnological production of such compatible solute. Ectoine belongs to the biosynthetic family of aspartate-derived amino-acids. Aspartate is formed from oxaloacetate, thereby connecting ectoine production to the anaplerotic reactions that refill carbon into the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle). This places a high demand on these reactions and creates the need to regulate them not only in response to growth but also in response to extracellular salt concentration. In this work, we combine modeling and experiments to analyze how these different needs shape the anaplerotic reactions in H. elongata. First, the stoichiometric and thermodynamic factors that condition the flux distributions are analyzed, then the optimal patterns of operation for oxaloacetate production are calculated. Finally, the phenotype of two deletion mutants lacking potentially relevant anaplerotic enzymes: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (Ppc) and oxaloacetate decarboxylase (Oad) are experimentally characterized. The results show that the anaplerotic reactions in H. elongata are indeed subject to evolutionary pressures that differ from those faced by other gram-negative bacteria. Ectoine producing halophiles must meet a higher metabolic demand for oxaloacetate and the reliance of many marine bacteria on the Entner-Doudoroff pathway compromises the anaplerotic efficiency of Ppc, which is usually one of the main enzymes fulfilling this role. The anaplerotic flux in H. elongata is contributed not only by Ppc but also by Oad, an enzyme that has not yet been shown to play this role in vivo. Ppc is necessary for H. elongata to grow normally at low salt concentrations but it is not required to achieve near maximal growth rates as long as there is a steep sodium gradient. On the other hand, the lack of Oad presents serious difficulties to grow at high salt concentrations. This points to a shared role of these two enzymes in guaranteeing the supply of oxaloacetate for biosynthetic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Hobmeier
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marie C. Goëss
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiana Sehr
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schwaminger
- Bioseparation Engineering Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Berensmeier
- Bioseparation Engineering Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Kremling
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Jörg Kunte
- Division of Biodeterioration and Reference Organisms, Bundesanstalt Für Materialforschung und -Prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Pflüger-Grau
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alberto Marin-Sanguino
- Professorship for Systems Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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73
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Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus hilgardii LMG 7934, Carrying the Gene Encoding for the Novel PII-Like Protein PotN. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:3538-3545. [PMID: 32803419 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria are widespread in various ecological niches with the excess of nutrients and have reduced capabilities to adapt to starvation. Among more than 280 Lactobacillus species known to the date, only five, including Lactobacillus hilgardii, carry in their genome the gene encoding for PII-like protein, one of the central regulators of cellular metabolism generally responding to energy- and carbon-nitrogen status in many free-living Bacteria, Archaea and in plant chloroplasts. In contrast to the classical PII encoding genes, in L. hilgardii genome the gene for PII homologue is located within the potABCD operon, encoding the ABC transporter for polyamines. Based on the unique genetic context and low sequence identity with genes of any other so-far characterized PII subfamilies, we termed this gene potN (Pot-protein, Nucleotide-binding). The second specific feature of L. hilgardii genome is that many genes encoding the proteins with similar function are present in two copies, while with low mutual identity. Thus, L. hilgardii LMG 7934 genome carries two genes of glutamine synthetase with 55% identity. One gene is located within classical glnRA operon with the gene of GlnR-like transcriptional regulator, while the second is monocistronic. Together with the relative large genome of L. hilgardii as compared to other Lactobacilli (2.771.862 bp vs ~ 2.2 Mbp in median), these data suggest significant re-arrangements of the genome and a wider range of adaptive capabilities of L. hilgardii in comparison to other bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus.
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74
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Bloch SE, Clark R, Gottlieb SS, Wood LK, Shah N, Mak SM, Lorigan JG, Johnson J, Davis-Richardson AG, Williams L, McKellar M, Soriano D, Petersen M, Horton A, Smith O, Wu L, Tung E, Broglie R, Tamsir A, Temme K. Biological nitrogen fixation in maize: optimizing nitrogenase expression in a root-associated diazotroph. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:4591-4603. [PMID: 32267497 PMCID: PMC7382387 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants depend upon beneficial interactions between roots and root-associated microorganisms for growth promotion, disease suppression, and nutrient availability. This includes the ability of free-living diazotrophic bacteria to supply nitrogen, an ecological role that has been long underappreciated in modern agriculture for efficient crop production systems. Long-term ecological studies in legume-rhizobia interactions have shown that elevated nitrogen inputs can lead to the evolution of less cooperative nitrogen-fixing mutualists. Here we describe how reprogramming the genetic regulation of nitrogen fixation and assimilation in a novel root-associated diazotroph can restore ammonium production in the presence of exogenous nitrogen inputs. We isolated a strain of the plant-associated proteobacterium Kosakonia sacchari from corn roots, characterized its nitrogen regulatory network, and targeted key nodes for gene editing to optimize nitrogen fixation in corn. While the wild-type strain exhibits repression of nitrogen fixation in conditions replete with bioavailable nitrogen, such as fertilized greenhouse and field experiments, remodeled strains show elevated levels in the rhizosphere of corn in the greenhouse and field even in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. Such strains could be used in commercial applications to supply fixed nitrogen to cereal crops.
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75
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Abstract
The enzyme molybdenum nitrogenase converts atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia and is of critical importance for the cycling of nitrogen in the biosphere and for the sustainability of life. Alternative vanadium and iron-only nitrogenases that are homologous to molybdenum nitrogenases are also found in archaea and bacteria, but they have a different transition metal, either vanadium or iron, at their active sites. So far alternative nitrogenases have only been found in microbes that also have molybdenum nitrogenase. They are less widespread than molybdenum nitrogenase in bacteria and archaea, and they are less efficient. The presumption has been that alternative nitrogenases are fail-safe enzymes that are used in situations where molybdenum is limiting. Recent work indicates that vanadium nitrogenase may play a role in the global biological nitrogen cycle and iron-only nitrogenase may contribute products that shape microbial community interactions in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Harwood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
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76
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LaSarre B, Deutschbauer AM, Love CE, McKinlay JB. Covert Cross-Feeding Revealed by Genome-Wide Analysis of Fitness Determinants in a Synthetic Bacterial Mutualism. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e00543-20. [PMID: 32332139 PMCID: PMC7301861 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00543-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial interactions abound in natural ecosystems and shape community structure and function. Substantial attention has been given to cataloging mechanisms by which microbes interact, but there is a limited understanding of the genetic landscapes that promote or hinder microbial interactions. We previously developed a mutualistic coculture pairing Escherichia coli and Rhodopseudomonas palustris, wherein E. coli provides carbon to R. palustris in the form of glucose fermentation products and R. palustris fixes N2 gas and provides nitrogen to E. coli in the form of NH4+ The stable coexistence and reproducible trends exhibited by this coculture make it ideal for interrogating the genetic underpinnings of a cross-feeding mutualism. Here, we used random barcode transposon sequencing (RB-TnSeq) to conduct a genome-wide search for E. coli genes that influence fitness during cooperative growth with R. palustris RB-TnSeq revealed hundreds of genes that increased or decreased E. coli fitness in a mutualism-dependent manner. Some identified genes were involved in nitrogen sensing and assimilation, as expected given the coculture design. The other identified genes were involved in diverse cellular processes, including energy production and cell wall and membrane biogenesis. In addition, we discovered unexpected purine cross-feeding from R. palustris to E. coli, with coculture rescuing growth of an E. coli purine auxotroph. Our data provide insight into the genes and gene networks that can influence a cross-feeding mutualism and underscore that microbial interactions are not necessarily predictable a prioriIMPORTANCE Microbial communities impact life on Earth in profound ways, including driving global nutrient cycles and influencing human health and disease. These community functions depend on the interactions that resident microbes have with the environment and each other. Thus, identifying genes that influence these interactions will aid the management of natural communities and the use of microbial consortia as biotechnology. Here, we identified genes that influenced Escherichia coli fitness during cooperative growth with a mutualistic partner, Rhodopseudomonas palustris Although this mutualism centers on the bidirectional exchange of essential carbon and nitrogen, E. coli fitness was positively and negatively affected by genes involved in diverse cellular processes. Furthermore, we discovered an unexpected purine cross-feeding interaction. These results contribute knowledge on the genetic foundation of a microbial cross-feeding interaction and highlight that unanticipated interactions can occur even within engineered microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breah LaSarre
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Adam M Deutschbauer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Crystal E Love
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - James B McKinlay
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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77
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Transporters of glucose and other carbohydrates in bacteria. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:1129-1153. [PMID: 32372286 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02379-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Glucose arguably is the most important energy carrier, carbon source for metabolites and building block for biopolymers in all kingdoms of life. The proper function of animal organs and tissues depends on the continuous supply of glucose from the bloodstream. Most animals can resorb only a small number of monosaccharides, mostly glucose, galactose and fructose, while all other sugars oligosaccharides and dietary fibers are degraded and metabolized by the microbiota of the lower intestine. Bacteria, in contrast, are omnivorous. They can import and metabolize structurally different sugars and, as a consortium of different species, utilize almost any sugar, sugar derivative and oligosaccharide occurring in nature. Bacteria have membrane transport systems for the uptake of sugars against steep concentration gradients energized by ATP, the proton motive force and the high energy glycolytic intermediate phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). Different uptake mechanisms and the broad range of overlapping substrate specificities allow bacteria to quickly adapt to and colonize changing environments. Here, we review the structures and mechanisms of bacterial representatives of (i) ATP-dependent cassette (ABC) transporters, (ii) major facilitator (MFS) superfamily proton symporters, (iii) sodium solute symporters (SSS) and (iv) enzyme II integral membrane subunits of the bacterial PEP-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS). We give a short overview on the distribution of transporter genes and their phylogenetic relationship in different bacterial species. Some sugar transporters are hijacked for import of bacteriophage DNA and antibacterial toxins (bacteriocins) and they facilitate the penetration of polar antibiotics. Finally, we describe how the expression and activity of certain sugar transporters are controlled in response to the availability of sugars and how the presence and uptake of sugars may affect pathogenicity and host-microbiota interactions.
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78
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Velázquez-Sánchez C, Espín G, Peña C, Segura D. The Modification of Regulatory Circuits Involved in the Control of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Metabolism to Improve Their Production. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:386. [PMID: 32426348 PMCID: PMC7204398 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly-(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) are bacterial carbon and energy storage compounds. These polymers are synthesized under conditions of nutritional imbalance, where a nutrient is growth-limiting while there is still enough carbon source in the medium. On the other side, the accumulated polymer is mobilized under conditions of nutrient accessibility or by limitation of the carbon source. Thus, it is well known that the accumulation of PHAs is affected by the availability of nutritional resources and this knowledge has been used to establish culture conditions favoring high productivities. In addition to this effect of the metabolic status on PHAs accumulation, several genetic regulatory networks have been shown to drive PHAs metabolism, so the expression of the PHAs genes is under the influence of global or specific regulators. These regulators are thought to coordinate PHAs synthesis and mobilization with the rest of bacterial physiology. While the metabolic and biochemical knowledge related to the biosynthesis of these polymers has led to the development of processes in bioreactors for high-level production and also to the establishment of strategies for metabolic engineering for the synthesis of modified biopolymers, the use of knowledge related to the regulatory circuits controlling PHAs metabolism for strain improvement is scarce. A better understanding of the genetic control systems involved could serve as the foundation for new strategies for strain modification in order to increase PHAs production or to adjust the chemical structure of these biopolymers. In this review, the regulatory systems involved in the control of PHAs metabolism are examined, with emphasis on those acting at the level of expression of the enzymes involved and their potential modification for strain improvement, both for higher titers, or manipulation of polymer properties. The case of the PHAs producer Azotobacter vinelandii is taken as an example of the complexity and variety of systems controlling the accumulation of these interesting polymers in response to diverse situations, many of which could be engineered to improve PHAs production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Velázquez-Sánchez
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Espín
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Carlos Peña
- Departamento Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Daniel Segura
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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79
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Jacoby RP, Succurro A, Kopriva S. Nitrogen Substrate Utilization in Three Rhizosphere Bacterial Strains Investigated Using Proteomics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:784. [PMID: 32411116 PMCID: PMC7198800 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen metabolism in the rhizosphere microbiome plays an important role in mediating plant nutrition, particularly under low inputs of mineral fertilizers. However, there is relatively little mechanistic information about which genes and metabolic pathways are induced by rhizosphere bacterial strains to utilize diverse nitrogen substrates. Here we investigate nitrogen substrate utilization in three taxonomically diverse bacterial strains previously isolated from Arabidopsis roots. The three strains represent taxa that are consistently detected as core members of the plant microbiome: Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Rhizobium. We use phenotype microarrays to determine the nitrogen substrate preferences of these strains, and compare the experimental results vs. computational simulations of genome-scale metabolic network models obtained with EnsembleFBA. Results show that all three strains exhibit generalistic nitrogen substrate preferences, with substrate utilization being well predicted by EnsembleFBA. Using label-free quantitative proteomics, we document hundreds of proteins in each strain that exhibit differential abundance values following cultivation on five different nitrogen sources: ammonium, glutamate, lysine, serine, and urea. The proteomic response to these nitrogen sources was strongly strain-dependent, with lysine nutrition eliciting widespread protein-level changes in Pseudomonas sp. Root9, whereas Rhizobium sp. Root491 showed relatively stable proteome composition across different nitrogen sources. Our results give new protein-level information about the specific transporters and enzymes induced by diverse rhizosphere bacterial strains to utilize organic nitrogen substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P. Jacoby
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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80
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Taabodi M, May EB, Bryant RB, Saporito LS, Skeen OK, Hashem FM, Allen AL. Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilization of Ammonium-N, Nitrate-N and Urea-N in culture. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03711. [PMID: 32322713 PMCID: PMC7163070 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Agricultural drainage ditches represent a major source of nutrient pollution. Shifts in nitrogen source and use of animal manures have changed the bacterial composition both in species of bacteria and their abundance in agricultural ditches. This change affects how nitrogen is being cycled and potentially the final forms of available nutrients. In particular, animal manures often have bacteria such as Escherichia coli present, increasing the abundance of a bacterial species in ditches. Research has shown that the effect of different nitrogen sources is to change bacterial community composition (class, family). How this influences the role of an individual bacterial species is poorly understood. Thus, our question was how individual species would respond to different sources of nitrogen. We used Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are common in agricultural ditches and exposed them to different concentrations of nitrogen in cultures of 1 × 100 and 1 × 10−1 dilutions from a stock solution of bacteria. Nitrogen sources were ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate and urea. The results showed A. hydrophila and E. coli have strong similarities particularly with nitrate-N and urea-N utilization and the response was often correlated with the amount of nutrient added. P. aeruginosa while similar did not show any strong correlation with amount of nutrient added. B. thuringiensis was different from the other three bacteria in utilization or production. Research has provided insight into the role of some bacteria in nitrogen cycling and may be valuable in the future to developing management strategies to reduce nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Taabodi
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric B May
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
| | - Ray B Bryant
- USDA- Agricultural Research Service, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Louis S Saporito
- USDA- Agricultural Research Service, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Olivia K Skeen
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
| | - Fawzy M Hashem
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
| | - Arthur L Allen
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
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81
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Rodríguez-Herrero V, Payá G, Bautista V, Vegara A, Cortés-Molina M, Camacho M, Esclapez J, Bonete MJ. Essentiality of the glnA gene in Haloferax mediterranei: gene conversion and transcriptional analysis. Extremophiles 2020; 24:433-446. [PMID: 32296946 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-020-01169-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine synthetase is an essential enzyme in ammonium assimilation and glutamine biosynthesis. The Haloferax mediterranei genome has two other glnA-type genes (glnA2 and glnA3) in addition to the glutamine synthetase gene glnA. To determine whether the glnA2 and glnA3 genes can replace glnA in nitrogen metabolism, we generated deletion mutants of glnA. The glnA deletion mutants could not be generated in a medium without glutamine, and thus, glnA is an essential gene in H. mediterranei. The glnA deletion mutant was achieved by adding 40 mM glutamine to the selective medium. This conditional HM26-ΔglnA mutant was characterised with different approaches in the presence of distinct nitrogen sources and nitrogen starvation. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to compare the expression profiles of the strains HM26-ΔglnA and HM26 under different growth conditions. The glnA deletion did not affect the expression of glnA2, glnA3 and nitrogen assimilation genes under nitrogen starvation. Moreover, the results showed that glnA, glnA2 and glnA3 were not expressed under the same conditions. These results indicated that glnA is an essential gene for H. mediterranei and, therefore, glnA2 and glnA3 cannot replace glnA in the conditions analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Rodríguez-Herrero
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - G Payá
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - V Bautista
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - A Vegara
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - M Cortés-Molina
- Departamento de Matemática Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - M Camacho
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - J Esclapez
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - M J Bonete
- División de Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica Y Bioquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain.
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82
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Millanao AR, Mora AY, Saavedra CP, Villagra NA, Mora GC, Hidalgo AA. Inactivation of Glutamine Synthetase-Coding Gene glnA Increases Susceptibility to Quinolones Through Increasing Outer Membrane Protein F in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:428. [PMID: 32265871 PMCID: PMC7103639 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciprofloxacin is the choice treatment for infections caused by Salmonella Typhi, however, reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin has been reported for this pathogen. Considering the decreased approbation of new antimicrobials and the crisis of resistance, one strategy to combat this problem is to find new targets that enhances the antimicrobial activity for approved antimicrobials. In search of mutants with increased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin; 3,216 EZ-Tn5 transposon mutants of S. Typhi were screened. S. Typhi zxx::EZ-Tn5 mutants susceptible to ciprofloxacin were confirmed by agar diffusion and MIC assays. The genes carrying EZ-Tn5 transposon insertions were sequenced. Null mutants of interrupted genes, as well as inducible genetic constructs, were produced using site-directed mutagenesis, to corroborate phenotypes. SDS-PAGE and Real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expression of proteins and genes, respectively. Five mutants with increased ciprofloxacin susceptibility were found in the screening. The first confirmed mutant was the glutamine synthetase-coding gene glnA. Analysis of outer membrane proteins revealed increased OmpF, a channel for the influx of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, in the glnA mutant. Expression of ompF increased four times in the glnA null mutant compared to WT strain. To understand the relationship between the expression of glnA and ompF, a strain with the glnA gene under control of the tetracycline-inducible Ptet promoter was created, to modulate glnA expression. Induction of glnA decreased expression of ompF, at the same time that reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Expression of sRNA MicF, a negative regulator of OmpF was reduced to one-fourth in the glnA mutant, compared to WT strain. In addition, expression of glnL and glnG genes (encoding the two-component system NtrC/B that may positively regulate OmpF) were increased in the glnA mutant. Further studies indicate that deletion of glnG decreases susceptibility to CIP, while deletion of micF gene increases susceptibility CIP. Our findings indicate that glnA inactivation promotes ompF expression, that translates into increased OmpF protein, facilitating the entry of ciprofloxacin, thus increasing susceptibility to ciprofloxacin through 2 possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Millanao
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aracely Y Mora
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia P Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolás A Villagra
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Laboratorios Clínicos, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Guido C Mora
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Ciencias Biomédicas SEK, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Santiago, Universidad SEK, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro A Hidalgo
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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83
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Santos ARS, Gerhardt ECM, Parize E, Pedrosa FO, Steffens MBR, Chubatsu LS, Souza EM, Passaglia LMP, Sant'Anna FH, de Souza GA, Huergo LF, Forchhammer K. NAD + biosynthesis in bacteria is controlled by global carbon/nitrogen levels via PII signaling. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6165-6176. [PMID: 32179648 PMCID: PMC7196632 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
NAD+ is a central metabolite participating in core metabolic redox reactions. The prokaryotic NAD synthetase enzyme NadE catalyzes the last step of NAD+ biosynthesis, converting nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NaAD) to NAD+. Some members of the NadE family use l-glutamine as a nitrogen donor and are named NadEGln. Previous gene neighborhood analysis has indicated that the bacterial nadE gene is frequently clustered with the gene encoding the regulatory signal transduction protein PII, suggesting a functional relationship between these proteins in response to the nutritional status and the carbon/nitrogen ratio of the bacterial cell. Here, using affinity chromatography, bioinformatics analyses, NAD synthetase activity, and biolayer interferometry assays, we show that PII and NadEGln physically interact in vitro, that this complex relieves NadEGln negative feedback inhibition by NAD+. This mechanism is conserved in distantly related bacteria. Of note, the PII protein allosteric effector and cellular nitrogen level indicator 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) inhibited the formation of the PII-NadEGln complex within a physiological range. These results indicate an interplay between the levels of ATP, ADP, 2-OG, PII-sensed glutamine, and NAD+, representing a metabolic hub that may balance the levels of core nitrogen and carbon metabolites. Our findings support the notion that PII proteins act as a dissociable regulatory subunit of NadEGln, thereby enabling the control of NAD+ biosynthesis according to the nutritional status of the bacterial cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Richard Schenberger Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil; Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin der Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | | | - Erick Parize
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil
| | - Fabio Oliveira Pedrosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil
| | - Maria Berenice Reynaud Steffens
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil
| | - Leda Satie Chubatsu
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil
| | - Emanuel Maltempi Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil
| | - Luciane Maria Pereira Passaglia
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, CEP:91501-970 CP 15053 Brazil
| | - Fernando Hayashi Sant'Anna
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, CEP:91501-970 CP 15053 Brazil
| | - Gustavo Antônio de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, CEP: 59072-970 Brazil
| | - Luciano Fernandes Huergo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, CEP: 81531-980 Brazil; Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin der Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany; Setor Litoral, UFPR, Matinhos, Paraná, CEP: 83260-000 Brazil.
| | - Karl Forchhammer
- Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin der Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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84
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Ma L, Guo L, Yang Y, Guo K, Yan Y, Ma X, Huo YX. Protein-based biorefining driven by nitrogen-responsive transcriptional machinery. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:29. [PMID: 32127916 PMCID: PMC7045595 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-1667-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein-based bioconversion has been demonstrated as a sustainable approach to produce higher alcohols and ammonia fertilizers. However, owing to the switchover from transcription mediated by the bacterial RNA polymerase σ70 to that mediated by alternative σ factors, the biofuel production driven by σ70-dependent promoters declines rapidly once cells enter the stationary phase or encounter stresses. To enhance biofuel production, in this study the growth phase-independent and nitrogen-responsive transcriptional machinery mediated by the σ54 is exploited to drive robust protein-to-fuel conversion. RESULTS We demonstrated that disrupting the Escherichia coli ammonia assimilation pathways driven by glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase could sustain the activity of σ54-mediated transcription under ammonia-accumulating conditions. In addition, two σ54-dependent promoters, argTp and glnAp2, were identified as suitable candidates for driving pathway expression. Using these promoters, biofuel production from proteins was shown to persist to the stationary phase, with the net production in the stationary phase being 1.7-fold higher than that derived from the optimal reported σ70-dependent promoter P LlacO1. Biofuel production reaching levels 1.3- to 3.4-fold higher than those of the σ70-dependent promoters was also achieved by argTp and glnAp2 under stressed conditions. Moreover, the σ54-dependent promoters realized more rapid and stable production than that of σ70-dependent promoters during fed-batch fermentation, producing up to 4.78 g L - 1 of total biofuels. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that the nitrogen-responsive transcriptional machinery offers the potential to decouple production from growth, highlighting this system as a novel candidate to realize growth phase-independent and stress-resistant biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianjie Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Liwei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Guo
- Biology Institute, Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103 China
| | - Yajun Yan
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China
- Biology Institute, Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103 China
| | - Yi-Xin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China
- Biology Institute, Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103 China
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85
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Huang L, Wang J, Watkins AM, Das R, Lilley DMJ. Structure and ligand binding of the glutamine-II riboswitch. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7666-7675. [PMID: 31216023 PMCID: PMC6698751 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have determined the structure of the glutamine-II riboswitch ligand binding domain using X-ray crystallography. The structure was solved using a novel combination of homology modeling and molecular replacement. The structure comprises three coaxial helical domains, the central one of which is a pseudoknot with partial triplex character. The major groove of this helix provides the binding site for L-glutamine, which is extensively hydrogen bonded to the RNA. Atomic mutation of the RNA at the ligand binding site leads to loss of binding shown by isothermal titration calorimetry, explaining the specificity of the riboswitch. A metal ion also plays an important role in ligand binding. This is directly bonded to a glutamine carboxylate oxygen atom, and its remaining inner-sphere water molecules make hydrogen bonding interactions with the RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Huang
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jia Wang
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Andrew M Watkins
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rhiju Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David M J Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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86
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Pelicaen R, Gonze D, Teusink B, De Vuyst L, Weckx S. Genome-Scale Metabolic Reconstruction of Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B, a Candidate Functional Starter Culture for Cocoa Bean Fermentation. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2801. [PMID: 31921009 PMCID: PMC6915089 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B is a candidate functional starter culture for the cocoa bean fermentation process. To allow in silico simulations of its related metabolism in response to different environmental conditions, a genome-scale metabolic model for A. pasteurianus 386B was reconstructed. This is the first genome-scale metabolic model reconstruction for a member of the genus Acetobacter. The metabolic network reconstruction process was based on extensive genome re-annotation and comparative genomics analyses. The information content related to the functional annotation of metabolic enzymes and transporters was placed in a metabolic context by exploring and curating a Pathway/Genome Database of A. pasteurianus 386B using the Pathway Tools software. Metabolic reactions and curated gene-protein-reaction associations were bundled into a genome-scale metabolic model of A. pasteurianus 386B, named iAp386B454, containing 454 genes, 322 reactions, and 296 metabolites embedded in two cellular compartments. The reconstructed model was validated by performing growth experiments in a defined medium, which revealed that lactic acid as the sole carbon source could sustain growth of this strain. Further, the reconstruction of the A. pasteurianus 386B genome-scale metabolic model revealed knowledge gaps concerning the metabolism of this strain, especially related to the biosynthesis of its cell envelope and the presence or absence of metabolite transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Pelicaen
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- (IB) - Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels (ULB-VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Didier Gonze
- (IB) - Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels (ULB-VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Unité de Chronobiologie Théorique, Service de Chimie Physique, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bas Teusink
- Systems Bioinformatics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Luc De Vuyst
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Weckx
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- (IB) - Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels (ULB-VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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87
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Kurata H. Self-replenishment cycles generate a threshold response. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17139. [PMID: 31748624 PMCID: PMC6868230 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53589-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Many metabolic cycles, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle, Calvin cycle, urea cycle, coenzyme recycling, and substrate cycles, are well known to catabolize and anabolize different metabolites for efficient energy and mass conversion. In terms of stoichiometric structure, this study explicitly identifies two types of metabolic cycles. One is the well-known, elementary cycle that converts multiple substrates into different products and recycles one of the products as a substrate, where the recycled substrate is supplied from the outside to run the cycle. The other is the self-replenishment cycle that merges multiple substrates into two or multiple identical products and reuses one of the products as a substrate. The substrates are autonomously supplied within the cycle. This study first defines the self-replenishment cycles that many scientists have overlooked despite its functional importance. Theoretical analysis has revealed the design principle of the self-replenishment cycle that presents a threshold response without any bistability nor cooperativity. To verify the principle, three detailed kinetic models of self-replenishment cycles embedded in an E. coli metabolic system were simulated. They presented the threshold response or digital switch-like function that steeply shift metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kurata
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan. .,Biomedical Informatics R&D Center, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan.
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88
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Aigle A, Bonin P, Fernandez-Nunez N, Loriod B, Guasco S, Bergon A, Armougom F, Iobbi-Nivol C, Imbert J, Michotey V. The nature of the electron acceptor (MnIV/NO3) triggers the differential expression of genes associated with stress and ammonium limitation responses in Shewanella algae C6G3. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 365:4939474. [PMID: 29566166 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Shewanella algae C6G3 can dissimilatively reduce nitrate into ammonium and manganese oxide (MnIV) into MnII. It has the unusual ability to anaerobically produce nitrite from ammonium in the presence of MnIV. To gain insight into their metabolic capabilities, global mRNA expression patterns were investigated by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR in cells growing with lactate and ammonium as carbon and nitrogen sources, and with either MnIV or nitrate as electron acceptors. Genes exhibiting higher expression levels in the presence of MnIV belonged to functional categories of carbohydrate, coenzyme, lipid metabolisms and inorganic ion transport. The comparative transcriptomic pattern between MnIV and NO3 revealed that the strain presented an ammonium limitation status with MnIV, despite the presence of a non-limiting concentration of ammonium under both culture conditions. In addition, in the presence of MnIV, ntrB/nrtC regulators, ammonium channel, nitrogen regulatory protein P-II, glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase glutamine-dependent genes were over-represented. Under the nitrate condition, the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of several amino acids was increased. Finally, the expression level of genes associated with the general stress response was also amplified in both conditions and among them, katE, a putative catalase/peroxidase present on several Shewanella genomes, was highly expressed with a median value relatively higher in the MnIV condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Aigle
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
| | - Patricia Bonin
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
| | | | - Béatrice Loriod
- UMR_S 1090, TGML/TAGC, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Sophie Guasco
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Bergon
- UMR_S 1090, TGML/TAGC, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Fabrice Armougom
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
| | - Chantal Iobbi-Nivol
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, BIP Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines UMR 7281, 13402, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Imbert
- UMR_S 1090, TGML/TAGC, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Valérie Michotey
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
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89
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Ramos Y, Morales DK. Exopolysaccharide-mediated surface penetration as new virulence trait in Enterococcus faecalis. Commun Integr Biol 2019; 12:144-147. [PMID: 31666914 PMCID: PMC6802913 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2019.1657373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal bacterium that normally inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans. This non-motile microorganism can also cause lethal infections in other organs by penetrating and breaching the intestinal barrier. However, the precise molecular mechanisms enabling E. faecalis movement and translocation across epithelial barriers remain incompletely characterized. We recently reported that E. faecalis utilizes the RpiA-GlnA-EpaX metabolic axis to generate β-1,6-linked poly-N-acetylglucosamine (polyGlcNAc)-containing exopolymers that are necessary for its optimal migration into semisolid surfaces and efficient translocation through human epithelial cell monolayers. These findings provide new evidence indicating that non-motile bacterial pathogens can exploit carbohydrate metabolism to penetrate surfaces. Hence, targeting this process might represent a new strategy to more effectively control systemic infections by E. faecalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusibeska Ramos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diana K Morales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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90
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Vornhagen J, Sun Y, Breen P, Forsyth V, Zhao L, Mobley HLT, Bachman MA. The Klebsiella pneumoniae citrate synthase gene, gltA, influences site specific fitness during infection. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008010. [PMID: 31449551 PMCID: PMC6730947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp), one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections, increases patient morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization costs. Kp must acquire nutrients from the host for successful infection; however, the host is able to prevent bacterial nutrient acquisition through multiple systems. This includes the innate immune protein lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), which prevents Kp iron acquisition. To identify novel Lcn2-dependent Kp factors that mediate evasion of nutritional immunity during lung infection, we undertook an InSeq study using a pool of >20,000 transposon mutants administered to Lcn2+/+ and Lcn2-/- mice. Comparing transposon mutant frequencies between mouse genotypes, we identified the Kp citrate synthase, GltA, as potentially interacting with Lcn2, and this novel finding was independently validated. Interestingly, in vitro studies suggest that this interaction is not direct. Given that GltA is involved in oxidative metabolism, we screened the ability of this mutant to use a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. The results indicated that the gltA mutant has a distinct amino acid auxotrophy rendering it reliant upon glutamate family amino acids for growth. Deletion of Lcn2 from the host leads to increased amino acid levels in bronchioloalveolar lavage fluid, corresponding to increased fitness of the gltA mutant in vivo and ex vivo. Accordingly, addition of glutamate family amino acids to Lcn2+/+ bronchioloalveolar lavage fluid rescued growth of the gltA mutant. Using a variety of mouse models of infection, we show that GltA is an organ-specific fitness factor required for complete fitness in the spleen, liver, and gut, but dispensable in the bloodstream. Similar to bronchioloalveolar lavage fluid, addition of glutamate family amino acids to Lcn2+/+ organ lysates was sufficient to rescue the loss of gltA. Together, this study describes a critical role for GltA in Kp infection and provides unique insight into how metabolic flexibility impacts bacterial fitness during infection. The bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an important cause of infection in healthcare settings. These infections can be difficult to treat, as they frequently occur in chronically ill patients and the bacteria have the ability to acquire multiple antibiotic resistance markers. Kp is a common colonizer of the intestinal tract in hospitalized patients, and can progress to infections of the bloodstream, respiratory, and urinary tract. However, the bacterial factors that allow Kp to replicate in these different body sites are unclear. In this study, we found that the Kp citrate synthase, GltA, enables bacterial replication in the lung and intestine by enhancing the ability of Kp to use diverse nutrients in a mechanism known as metabolic flexibility. Kp lacking GltA require specific amino acids that are abundant in blood, but not other body sites. The work in this study provides novel insight into why Kp is a successful hospital pathogen that can colonize and infect multiple body sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Vornhagen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Yuang Sun
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Paul Breen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Valerie Forsyth
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Harry L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Michael A Bachman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
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91
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Alves RJE, Kerou M, Zappe A, Bittner R, Abby SS, Schmidt HA, Pfeifer K, Schleper C. Ammonia Oxidation by the Arctic Terrestrial Thaumarchaeote Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus arcticus Is Stimulated by Increasing Temperatures. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1571. [PMID: 31379764 PMCID: PMC6657660 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is causing arctic regions to warm disproportionally faster than those at lower latitudes, leading to alterations in carbon and nitrogen cycling, and potentially higher greenhouse gas emissions. It is thus increasingly important to better characterize the microorganisms driving arctic biogeochemical processes and their potential responses to changing conditions. Here, we describe a novel thaumarchaeon enriched from an arctic soil, Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus arcticus strain Kfb, which has been maintained for seven years in stable laboratory enrichment cultures as an aerobic ammonia oxidizer, with ammonium or urea as substrates. Genomic analyses show that this organism harbors all genes involved in ammonia oxidation and in carbon fixation via the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle, characteristic of all AOA, as well as the capability for urea utilization and potentially also for heterotrophic metabolism, similar to other AOA. Ca. N. arcticus oxidizes ammonia optimally between 20 and 28°C, well above average temperatures in its native high arctic environment (-13-4°C). Ammonia oxidation rates were nevertheless much lower than those of most cultivated mesophilic AOA (20-45°C). Intriguingly, we repeatedly observed apparent faster growth rates (based on marker gene counts) at lower temperatures (4-8°C) but without detectable nitrite production. Together with potential metabolisms predicted from its genome content, these observations indicate that Ca. N. arcticus is not a strict chemolithotrophic ammonia oxidizer and add to cumulating evidence for a greater metabolic and physiological versatility of AOA. The physiology of Ca. N. arcticus suggests that increasing temperatures might drastically affect nitrification in arctic soils by stimulating archaeal ammonia oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo J Eloy Alves
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melina Kerou
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Zappe
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romana Bittner
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie S Abby
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heiko A Schmidt
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Pfeifer
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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92
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Klähn S, Bolay P, Wright PR, Atilho RM, Brewer KI, Hagemann M, Breaker RR, Hess WR. A glutamine riboswitch is a key element for the regulation of glutamine synthetase in cyanobacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:10082-10094. [PMID: 30085248 PMCID: PMC6212724 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the key enzyme of bacterial nitrogen assimilation, glutamine synthetase (GS) is tightly regulated. In cyanobacteria, GS activity is controlled by the interaction with inactivating protein factors IF7 and IF17 encoded by the genes gifA and gifB, respectively. We show that a glutamine-binding aptamer within the gifB 5′ UTR of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is critical for the expression of IF17. Binding of glutamine induced structural re-arrangements in this RNA element leading to enhanced protein synthesis in vivo and characterizing it as a riboswitch. Mutagenesis showed the riboswitch mechanism to contribute at least as much to the control of gene expression as the promoter-mediated transcriptional regulation. We suggest this and a structurally related but distinct element, to be designated type 1 and type 2 glutamine riboswitches. Extended biocomputational searches revealed that glutamine riboswitches are exclusively but frequently found in cyanobacterial genomes, where they are primarily associated with gifB homologs. Hence, this RNA-based sensing mechanism is common in cyanobacteria and establishes a regulatory feedback loop that couples the IF17-mediated GS inactivation to the intracellular glutamine levels. Together with the previously described sRNA NsiR4, these results show that non-coding RNA is an indispensable component in the control of nitrogen assimilation in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Klähn
- Genetics & Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Bolay
- Genetics & Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrick R Wright
- Bioinformatics, Technical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ruben M Atilho
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kenneth I Brewer
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martin Hagemann
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ronald R Breaker
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wolfgang R Hess
- Genetics & Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany
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93
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Host-dependent nitrogen recycling as a mechanism of symbiont control in Aiptasia. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008189. [PMID: 31233506 PMCID: PMC6611638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolic symbiosis with photosynthetic algae allows corals to thrive in the oligotrophic environments of tropical seas. Different aspects of this relationship have been investigated using the emerging model organism Aiptasia. However, many fundamental questions, such as the nature of the symbiotic relationship and the interactions of nutrients between the partners remain highly debated. Using a meta-analysis approach, we identified a core set of 731 high-confidence symbiosis-associated genes that revealed host-dependent recycling of waste ammonium and amino acid synthesis as central processes in this relationship. Subsequent validation via metabolomic analyses confirmed that symbiont-derived carbon enables host recycling of ammonium into nonessential amino acids. We propose that this provides a regulatory mechanism to control symbiont growth through a carbon-dependent negative feedback of nitrogen availability to the symbiont. The dependence of this mechanism on symbiont-derived carbon highlights the susceptibility of this symbiosis to changes in carbon translocation, as imposed by environmental stress. The symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae is key to the success of reef building corals in the nutrient poor environment of tropical waters. Extensive insight has been obtained from both physiological and “omics” level studies, yet, there are still gaps in our knowledge with respect to the metabolic interactions in this symbiotic relationship. In particular, the role of the host in nitrogen utilization and its potential link to symbiont population control still remains unclear. Using a meta-analysis approach on publicly available RNA-seq data and isotope-labeled metabolomics, we demonstrate the presence of a negative-feedback cycle in which the host uses symbiont-derived organic carbon to assimilate its own waste ammonium. This host-driven nitrogen recycling process might serve as a molecular mechanism to control symbiont densities in hospite. The dependence of this regulatory mechanism on organic carbon provided by the symbionts explains the sensitivity of this symbiotic relationship to environmental stress.
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94
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He F, Stumpf MPH. Quantifying Dynamic Regulation in Metabolic Pathways with Nonparametric Flux Inference. Biophys J 2019; 116:2035-2046. [PMID: 31076100 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the central tasks in systems biology is to understand how cells regulate their metabolism. Hierarchical regulation analysis is a powerful tool to study this regulation at the metabolic, gene-expression, and signaling levels. It has been widely applied to study steady-state regulation, but analysis of the metabolic dynamics remains challenging because it is difficult to measure time-dependent metabolic flux. Here, we develop a nonparametric method that uses Gaussian processes to accurately infer the dynamics of a metabolic pathway based only on metabolite measurements; from this, we then go on to obtain a dynamical view of the hierarchical regulation processes invoked over time to control the activity in a pathway. Our approach allows us to use hierarchical regulation analysis in a dynamic setting but without the need for explicitly time-dependent flux measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei He
- Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; School of Computing, Electronics, and Mathematics, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P H Stumpf
- Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of BioScience and School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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95
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Grimbs A, Klosik DF, Bornholdt S, Hütt MT. A system-wide network reconstruction of gene regulation and metabolism in Escherichia coli. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006962. [PMID: 31050661 PMCID: PMC6519848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models have become a fundamental tool for examining metabolic principles. However, metabolism is not solely characterized by the underlying biochemical reactions and catalyzing enzymes, but also affected by regulatory events. Since the pioneering work of Covert and co-workers as well as Shlomi and co-workers it is debated, how regulation and metabolism synergistically characterize a coherent cellular state. The first approaches started from metabolic models, which were extended by the regulation of the encoding genes of the catalyzing enzymes. By now, bioinformatics databases in principle allow addressing the challenge of integrating regulation and metabolism on a system-wide level. Collecting information from several databases we provide a network representation of the integrated gene regulatory and metabolic system for Escherichia coli, including major cellular processes, from metabolic processes via protein modification to a variety of regulatory events. Besides transcriptional regulation, we also take into account regulation of translation, enzyme activities and reactions. Our network model provides novel topological characterizations of system components based on their positions in the network. We show that network characteristics suggest a representation of the integrated system as three network domains (regulatory, metabolic and interface networks) instead of two. This new three-domain representation reveals the structural centrality of components with known high functional relevance. This integrated network can serve as a platform for understanding coherent cellular states as active subnetworks and to elucidate crossover effects between metabolism and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Grimbs
- Computational Systems Biology, Department of Life Sciences & Chemistry, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany
| | - David F. Klosik
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefan Bornholdt
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Marc-Thorsten Hütt
- Computational Systems Biology, Department of Life Sciences & Chemistry, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany
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96
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Maeda K, Westerhoff HV, Kurata H, Boogerd FC. Ranking network mechanisms by how they fit diverse experiments and deciding on E. coli's ammonium transport and assimilation network. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2019; 5:14. [PMID: 30993002 PMCID: PMC6461619 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-019-0091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex ammonium transport and assimilation network of E. coli involves the ammonium transporter AmtB, the regulatory proteins GlnK and GlnB, and the central N-assimilating enzymes together with their highly complex interactions. The engineering and modelling of such a complex network seem impossible because functioning depends critically on a gamut of data known at patchy accuracy. We developed a way out of this predicament, which employs: (i) a constrained optimization-based technology for the simultaneous fitting of models to heterogeneous experimental data sets gathered through diverse experimental set-ups, (ii) a 'rubber band method' to deal with different degrees of uncertainty, both in experimentally determined or estimated parameter values and in measured transient or steady-state variables (training data sets), (iii) integration of human expertise to decide on accuracies of both parameters and variables, (iv) massive computation employing a fast algorithm and a supercomputer, (v) an objective way of quantifying the plausibility of models, which makes it possible to decide which model is the best and how much better that model is than the others. We applied the new technology to the ammonium transport and assimilation network, integrating recent and older data of various accuracies, from different expert laboratories. The kinetic model objectively ranked best, has E. coli's AmtB as an active transporter of ammonia to be assimilated with GlnK minimizing the futile cycling that is an inevitable consequence of intracellular ammonium accumulation. It is 130 times better than a model with facilitated passive transport of ammonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Maeda
- Frontier Research Academy for Young Researchers, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka Japan
| | - Hans V. Westerhoff
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, VU University Amsterdam, O|2 building, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Manchester Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hiroyuki Kurata
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka Japan
- Biomedical Informatics R&D Center, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka Japan
| | - Fred C. Boogerd
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, VU University Amsterdam, O|2 building, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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97
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Armbruster CE, Forsyth VS, Johnson AO, Smith SN, White AN, Brauer AL, Learman BS, Zhao L, Wu W, Anderson MT, Bachman MA, Mobley HLT. Twin arginine translocation, ammonia incorporation, and polyamine biosynthesis are crucial for Proteus mirabilis fitness during bloodstream infection. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007653. [PMID: 31009518 PMCID: PMC6497324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), which can progress to secondary bacteremia. While numerous studies have investigated experimental infection with P. mirabilis in the urinary tract, little is known about pathogenesis in the bloodstream. This study identifies the genes that are important for survival in the bloodstream using a whole-genome transposon insertion-site sequencing (Tn-Seq) approach. A library of 50,000 transposon mutants was utilized to assess the relative contribution of each non-essential gene in the P. mirabilis HI4320 genome to fitness in the livers and spleens of mice at 24 hours following tail vein inoculation compared to growth in RPMI, heat-inactivated (HI) naïve serum, and HI acute phase serum. 138 genes were identified as ex vivo fitness factors in serum, which were primarily involved in amino acid transport and metabolism, and 143 genes were identified as infection-specific in vivo fitness factors for both spleen and liver colonization. Infection-specific fitness factors included genes involved in twin arginine translocation, ammonia incorporation, and polyamine biosynthesis. Mutants in sixteen genes were constructed to validate both the ex vivo and in vivo results of the transposon screen, and 12/16 (75%) exhibited the predicted phenotype. Our studies indicate a role for the twin arginine translocation (tatAC) system in motility, translocation of potential virulence factors, and fitness within the bloodstream. We also demonstrate the interplay between two nitrogen assimilation pathways in the bloodstream, providing evidence that the GS-GOGAT system may be preferentially utilized. Furthermore, we show that a dual-function arginine decarboxylase (speA) is important for fitness within the bloodstream due to its role in putrescine biosynthesis rather than its contribution to maintenance of membrane potential. This study therefore provides insight into pathways needed for fitness within the bloodstream, which may guide strategies to reduce bacteremia-associated mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie E. Armbruster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Valerie S. Forsyth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Alexandra O. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Sara N. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Ashley N. White
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Aimee L. Brauer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Brian S. Learman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics; University of Michigan School of Public Health; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Weisheng Wu
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Mark T. Anderson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Bachman
- Department of Pathology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
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98
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Manipulating nitrogen regulation in diazotrophic bacteria for agronomic benefit. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:603-614. [PMID: 30936245 PMCID: PMC6490700 DOI: 10.1042/bst20180342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is controlled by intricate regulatory mechanisms to ensure that fixed nitrogen is readily assimilated into biomass and not released to the environment. Understanding the complex regulatory circuits that couple nitrogen fixation to ammonium assimilation is a prerequisite for engineering diazotrophic strains that can potentially supply fixed nitrogen to non-legume crops. In this review, we explore how the current knowledge of nitrogen metabolism and BNF regulation may allow strategies for genetic manipulation of diazotrophs for ammonia excretion and provide a contribution towards solving the nitrogen crisis.
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99
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Lloyd CJ, King ZA, Sandberg TE, Hefner Y, Olson CA, Phaneuf PV, O’Brien EJ, Sanders JG, Salido RA, Sanders K, Brennan C, Humphrey G, Knight R, Feist AM. The genetic basis for adaptation of model-designed syntrophic co-cultures. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006213. [PMID: 30822347 PMCID: PMC6415869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the fundamental characteristics of microbial communities could have far reaching implications for human health and applied biotechnology. Despite this, much is still unknown regarding the genetic basis and evolutionary strategies underlying the formation of viable synthetic communities. By pairing auxotrophic mutants in co-culture, it has been demonstrated that viable nascent E. coli communities can be established where the mutant strains are metabolically coupled. A novel algorithm, OptAux, was constructed to design 61 unique multi-knockout E. coli auxotrophic strains that require significant metabolite uptake to grow. These predicted knockouts included a diverse set of novel non-specific auxotrophs that result from inhibition of major biosynthetic subsystems. Three OptAux predicted non-specific auxotrophic strains—with diverse metabolic deficiencies—were co-cultured with an L-histidine auxotroph and optimized via adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). Time-course sequencing revealed the genetic changes employed by each strain to achieve higher community growth rates and provided insight into mechanisms for adapting to the syntrophic niche. A community model of metabolism and gene expression was utilized to predict the relative community composition and fundamental characteristics of the evolved communities. This work presents new insight into the genetic strategies underlying viable nascent community formation and a cutting-edge computational method to elucidate metabolic changes that empower the creation of cooperative communities. Many basic characteristics underlying the establishment of cooperative growth in bacterial communities have not been studied in detail. The presented work sought to understand the adaptation of syntrophic communities by first employing a new computational method to generate a comprehensive catalog of E. coli auxotrophic mutants. Many of the knockouts in the catalog had the predicted effect of disabling a major biosynthetic process. As a result, these strains were predicted to be capable of growing when supplemented with many different individual metabolites (i.e., a non-specific auxotroph), but the strains would require a high amount of metabolic cooperation to grow in community. Three such non-specific auxotroph mutants from this catalog were co-cultured with a proven auxotrophic partner in vivo and evolved via adaptive laboratory evolution. In order to successfully grow, each strain in co-culture had to evolve under a pressure to grow cooperatively in its new niche. The non-specific auxotrophs further had to adapt to significant homeostatic changes in cell’s metabolic state caused by knockouts in metabolic genes. The genomes of the successfully growing communities were sequenced, thus providing unique insights into the genetic changes accompanying the formation and optimization of the viable communities. A computational model was further developed to predict how finite protein availability, a fundamental constraint on cell metabolism, could impact the composition of the community (i.e., the relative abundances of each community member).
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Affiliation(s)
- Colton J. Lloyd
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Zachary A. King
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Troy E. Sandberg
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Ying Hefner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Connor A. Olson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Patrick V. Phaneuf
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Edward J. O’Brien
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Jon G. Sanders
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
- Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Rodolfo A. Salido
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Karenina Sanders
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Caitriona Brennan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Gregory Humphrey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Adam M. Feist
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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100
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Ramos Y, Rocha J, Hael AL, van Gestel J, Vlamakis H, Cywes-Bentley C, Cubillos-Ruiz JR, Pier GB, Gilmore MS, Kolter R, Morales DK. PolyGlcNAc-containing exopolymers enable surface penetration by non-motile Enterococcus faecalis. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007571. [PMID: 30742693 PMCID: PMC6386517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens have evolved strategies that enable them to invade tissues and spread within the host. Enterococcus faecalis is a leading cause of local and disseminated multidrug-resistant hospital infections, but the molecular mechanisms used by this non-motile bacterium to penetrate surfaces and translocate through tissues remain largely unexplored. Here we present experimental evidence indicating that E. faecalis generates exopolysaccharides containing β-1,6-linked poly-N-acetylglucosamine (polyGlcNAc) as a mechanism to successfully penetrate semisolid surfaces and translocate through human epithelial cell monolayers. Genetic screening and molecular analyses of mutant strains identified glnA, rpiA and epaX as genes critically required for optimal E. faecalis penetration and translocation. Mechanistically, GlnA and RpiA cooperated to generate uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) that was utilized by EpaX to synthesize polyGlcNAc-containing polymers. Notably, exogenous supplementation with polymeric N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) restored surface penetration by E. faecalis mutants devoid of EpaX. Our study uncovers an unexpected mechanism whereby the RpiA-GlnA-EpaX metabolic axis enables production of polyGlcNAc-containing polysaccharides that endow E. faecalis with the ability to penetrate surfaces. Hence, targeting carbohydrate metabolism or inhibiting biosynthesis of polyGlcNAc-containing exopolymers may represent a new strategy to more effectively confront enterococcal infections in the clinic. Enterococcus faecalis is a microbial inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract that can cause lethal infections. Typically classified as a non-motile bacterium, E. faecalis can readily migrate and translocate across epithelial barriers to invade distant organs. Nevertheless, the molecular pathways driving enterococcal invasive attributes remain poorly understood. In this study, we uncover that E. faecalis produces a polyGlcNAc-containing extracellular glycopolymer to efficiently migrate into semisolid surfaces and translocate through human epithelial cell monolayers. Our work provides evidence that non-motile bacterial pathogens can exploit endogenous carbohydrate metabolic pathways to penetrate surfaces. Thus, targeting glycopolymer biosynthetic programs might be useful to control infections by Gram-positive cocci in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusibeska Ramos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jorge Rocha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ana L. Hael
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jordi van Gestel
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hera Vlamakis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Colette Cywes-Bentley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Juan R. Cubillos-Ruiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gerald B. Pier
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Gilmore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Roberto Kolter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Diana K. Morales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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