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Luo Z, Xi H, Huang W, Liu MF, Yuan L, Chen Q, Xiao Y, Zhu Q, Zhao R, Sheng YY. The role of male hormones in bacterial infections: enhancing Staphylococcus aureus virulence through testosterone-induced Agr activation. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:401. [PMID: 39261350 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04130-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a notorious pathogen predominantly involved in skin and soft tissue infections, exhibiting a distinct innate sex bias. This study explores the influence of testosterone on the virulence of S. aureus and elucidates its underlying mechanisms. Utilizing a skin abscess model in intact and castrated male mice, we assessed the effects of testosterone on S. aureus pathogenicity. Compared to controls, castrated mice showed significantly reduced abscess sizes and decreased bacterial loads, highlighting the role of testosterone in modulating the severity of S. aureus infections. In vitro experiments revealed that testosterone enhances the hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress resistance of S. aureus. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed a significant upregulation of the genes encoding α-hemolysin (hla) and phenol-soluble modulin (psmα). Importantly, testosterone treatment significantly enhanced the expression of the accessory gene regulator (Agr) quorum-sensing system components (agrC, agrA, agrB, agrD), while the SaeRS system (saeR, saeS, and sbi) exhibited only slight changes. Gene knockout experiments revealed that deletion of agrC, rather than saeRS and agrBD, abolishes the testosterone-induced enhancement of hemolysis and gene expression, underscoring the key role of AgrC. Molecular docking simulations indicated a direct interaction between testosterone and AgrC protein, with a strong binding affinity at the active site residue SER201. This study provides new insights into the mechanistic basis of how testosterone enhances the pathogenicity of S. aureus, potentially contributing to increased male susceptibility to S. aureus infections and offering a targeted approach for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxia Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Huimin Xi
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mei-Fang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yanghua Xiao
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Yi-Yun Sheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Yuan L, Xi H, Luo Z, Liu MF, Chen Q, Zhu Q, Zhao R, Sheng YY. Exploring the potential of isorhapontigenin: attenuating Staphylococcus aureus virulence through MgrA-mediated regulation. mSphere 2024; 9:e0031724. [PMID: 38837389 PMCID: PMC11332347 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00317-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The emerging prevalence of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates underscores the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies due to the declining effectiveness of traditional antibiotics in clinical settings. MgrA, a key virulence regulator in S. aureus, orchestrates the expression of numerous virulence factors. Here, we report the discovery of isorhapontigenin, a methoxylated analog of resveratrol, as a potential anti-virulence agent against S. aureus. Isorhapontigenin effectively inhibits the hemolytic activity of S. aureus in a non-bactericidal manner. Additionally, it significantly reduces the cytotoxicity of S. aureus and impairs its ability to survive in macrophages. Mechanistically, isorhapontigenin modulates the expression of virulence factors, dose-dependently downregulating hla and upregulating the MgrA-regulated gene spa. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that isorhapontigenin inhibits the binding of MgrA to the hla promoter in a dose-dependent manner. Thermal shift assays confirmed the direct interaction between isorhapontigenin and the MgrA protein. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that isorhapontigenin significantly reduced the area of skin abscesses and improved survival in a pneumonia model while decreasing bacterial burden and inflammation in the lungs. In conclusion, isorhapontigenin holds potential as a candidate drug for further development as an anti-virulence agent for treating S. aureus infections. IMPORTANCE The emergence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains presents a formidable challenge to public health, necessitating novel approaches in combating these pathogens. Traditional antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective, leading to a pressing need for innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, targeting virulence factors that play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections offers a promising alternative to circumvent resistance mechanisms. The discovery of isorhapontigenin as an inhibitor of S. aureus virulence represents a significant advance in anti-virulence therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huimin Xi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhaoxia Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mei-fang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn plastic and wound repair, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yi-yun Sheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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3
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Vadakkan K, Sathishkumar K, Kuttiyachan Urumbil S, Ponnenkunnathu Govindankutty S, Kumar Ngangbam A, Devi Nongmaithem B. A review of chemical signaling mechanisms underlying quorum sensing and its inhibition in Staphylococcus aureus. Bioorg Chem 2024; 148:107465. [PMID: 38761705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a significant bacterium responsible for multiple infections and is a primary cause of fatalities among patients in hospital environments. The advent of pathogenic bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus revealed the shortcomings of employing antibiotics to treat bacterial infectious diseases. Quorum sensing enhances S. aureus's survivability through signaling processes. Targeting the key components of quorum sensing has drawn much interest nowadays as a promising strategy for combating infections caused by bacteria. Concentrating on the accessory gene regulator quorum-sensing mechanism is the most commonly suggested anti-virulence approach for S.aureus. Quorum quenching is a common strategy for controlling illnesses triggered by microorganisms since it reduces the pathogenicity of bacteria and improves bacterial biofilm susceptibility to antibiotics, thus providing an intriguing prospect for drug discovery. Quorum sensing inhibition reduces selective stresses and constrains the emergence of antibiotic resistance while limiting bacterial pathogenicity. This review examines the quorum sensing mechanisms involved in S. aureus, quorum sensing targets and gene regulation, environmental factors affecting quorum sensing, quorum sensing inhibition, natural products as quorum sensing inhibitory agents and novel therapeutical strategies to target quorum sensing in S. aureus as drug developing technique to augment conventional antibiotic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayeen Vadakkan
- Department of Biotechnology, St. Mary's College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala 680020, India; Manipur International University, Imphal, Manipur 795140, India.
| | - Kuppusamy Sathishkumar
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India
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4
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Curcic J, Dinic M, Novovic K, Vasiljevic Z, Kojic M, Jovcic B, Malesevic M. A novel thermostable YtnP lactonase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence in vitro and in vivo. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130421. [PMID: 38423425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens are one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system today. Quorum quenching (QQ) enzymes have the potential to be used as innovative enzyme-based antivirulence therapeutics to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The main objective of this research was to describe the novel YtnP lactonase derived from the clinical isolate Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and to investigate its antivirulence potential against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa MMA83. YtnP lactonase, the QQ enzyme, belongs to the family of metallo-β-lactamases. The recombinant enzyme has several advantageous biotechnological properties, such as high thermostability, activity in a wide pH range, and no cytotoxic effect. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the activity of recombinant YtnP lactonase toward a wide range of N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), quorum sensing signaling molecules, with a higher preference for long-chain AHLs. Recombinant YtnP lactonase was shown to inhibit P. aeruginosa MMA83 biofilm formation, induce biofilm decomposition, and reduce extracellular virulence factors production. Moreover, the lifespan of MMA83-infected Caenorhabditis elegans was prolonged with YtnP lactonase treatment. YtnP lactonase showed synergistic inhibitory activity in combination with gentamicin and acted additively with meropenem against MMA83. The described properties make YtnP lactonase a promising therapeutic candidate for the development of next-generation antivirulence agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Curcic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroslav Dinic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Novovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorica Vasiljevic
- Institute for Mother and Child Health Care of Serbia "Dr Vukan Čupić", Radoja Dakića 8, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Kojic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera "Torlak", Vojvode Stepe 448, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branko Jovcic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milka Malesevic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia.
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Dong Y, Miao X, Zheng YD, Liu J, He QY, Ge R, Sun X. Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Displays Enhanced Resistance and Virulence in Iron-Restricted Conditions. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2839-2850. [PMID: 33872026 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The unreasonable misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of large-scale drug-resistant bacteria, seriously threatening human health. Compared with drug-sensitive bacteria, resistant bacteria are difficult to clear by host immunity. To fully explore the adaptive mechanism of resistant bacteria to the iron-restricted environment, we performed data-independent acquisition-based quantitative proteomics on ciprofloxacin (CIP)-resistant (CIP-R) Staphylococcus aureus in the presence or absence of iron. On bioinformatics analysis, CIP-R bacteria showed stronger amino acid synthesis and energy storage ability. Notably, CIP-R bacteria increased virulence by upregulating the expression of many virulence-related proteins and enhancing the synthesis of virulence-related amino acids under iron-restricted stress. This study will help us to further explain the adaptive mechanisms that lead to bacterial resistance to antibiotics depending on the host environment and provide insights into the development of novel drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingshan Dong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xinyu Miao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yun-Dan Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jiajia Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing-Yu He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ruiguang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xuesong Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Michalik M, Samet A, Podbielska-Kubera A, Savini V, Międzobrodzki J, Kosecka-Strojek M. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) as a significant etiological factor of laryngological infections: a review. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2020; 19:26. [PMID: 32498711 PMCID: PMC7271473 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-020-00367-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This review article shows that coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are widely responsible for laryngological diseases. General characteristics of CoNS infections are shown in the introduction, and the pathogenicity in terms of virulence determinants, biofilm formation and genetic regulation mechanisms of these bacteria is presented in the first part of the paper to better display the virulence potential of staphylococci. The PubMed search keywords were as follows: CoNS and: nares infections, nasal polyps, rhinosinusitis, necrosing sinusitis, periprosthetic joint infection, pharyngitis, osteomyelitis of skull and neck bones, tonsillitis and recurrent tonsillitis. A list of laryngological infections and those related to skull and neck bones was presented with descriptions of the following diseases: rhinosinusitis, necrotizing sinusitis, nasal polyps, nares and nasal skin infections, periprosthetic joint infections, osteomyelitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Species identification and diagnostic problems challenging for diagnosticians are presented. Concluding remarks regarding the presence of CoNS in humans and their distribution, particularly under the effect of facilitating factors, are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Savini
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital, Pescara, PE, Italy
| | - Jacek Międzobrodzki
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maja Kosecka-Strojek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
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Stochastic Expression of Sae-Dependent Virulence Genes during Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Development Is Dependent on SaeS. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.03081-19. [PMID: 31937649 PMCID: PMC6960292 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03081-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The intricate process of biofilm formation in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus involves distinct stages during which a complex mixture of matrix molecules is produced and modified throughout the developmental cycle. Early in biofilm development, a subpopulation of cells detaches from its substrate in an event termed "exodus" that is mediated by SaePQRS-dependent stochastic expression of a secreted staphylococcal nuclease, which degrades extracellular DNA within the matrix, causing the release of cells and subsequently allowing for the formation of metabolically heterogenous microcolonies. Since the SaePQRS regulatory system is involved in the transcriptional control of multiple S. aureus virulence factors, the expression of several additional virulence genes was examined within a developing biofilm by introducing fluorescent gene reporter plasmids into wild-type S. aureus and isogenic regulatory mutants and growing these strains in a microfluidic system that supplies the bacteria with a constant flow of media while simultaneously imaging developing biofilms in 5-min intervals. This study demonstrated that multiple virulence genes, including nuc, were expressed stochastically within a specialized subpopulation of cells in nascent biofilms. We demonstrated that virulence genes regulated by SaePQRS were stochastically expressed in nearly all strains examined whereas Agr-regulated genes were expressed more homogenously within maturing microcolonies. The commonly used Newman strain contains a variant of SaeS (SaeSP) that confers constitutive kinase activity to the protein and caused this strain to lack the stochastic expression pattern observed in other strain backgrounds. Importantly, repair of the SaeSP allele resulting in reversion to the well-conserved SaeS L allele found in other strains restored stochastic expression in this strain.IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen capable of colonizing diverse tissue types and inducing severe disease in both immunocompromised and otherwise healthy individuals. Biofilm infections caused by this bacterial species are of particular concern because of their persistence, even in the face of intensive therapeutic intervention. The results of the current study demonstrate the stochastic nature of Sae-mediated virulence gene expression in S. aureus and indicate that this regulatory system may function as a "bistable switch" in a manner similar to that seen with regulators controlling competence gene expression in Bacillus subtilis and persister cell formation in Escherichia coli The results of this study provide a new perspective on the complex mechanisms utilized by S. aureus during the establishment of infections.
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Magalhães AP, Jorge P, Pereira MO. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus communication in biofilm infections: insights through network and database construction. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:712-728. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2019.1700209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Patrícia Magalhães
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Jorge
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Olívia Pereira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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9
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Staphylococcus aureus Toxins: From Their Pathogenic Roles to Anti-virulence Therapy Using Natural Products. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-019-0059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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10
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Fleitas Martínez O, Cardoso MH, Ribeiro SM, Franco OL. Recent Advances in Anti-virulence Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Dismantling Bacterial Membrane Microdomains, Toxin Neutralization, Quorum-Sensing Interference and Biofilm Inhibition. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:74. [PMID: 31001485 PMCID: PMC6454102 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance constitutes one of the major challenges facing humanity in the Twenty-First century. The spread of resistant pathogens has been such that the possibility of returning to a pre-antibiotic era is real. In this scenario, innovative therapeutic strategies must be employed to restrict resistance. Among the innovative proposed strategies, anti-virulence therapy has been envisioned as a promising alternative for effective control of the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. This review presents some of the anti-virulence strategies that are currently being developed, it will cover strategies focused on quench pathogen quorum sensing (QS) systems, disassemble of bacterial functional membrane microdomains (FMMs), disruption of biofilm formation and bacterial toxin neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmel Fleitas Martínez
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Suzana Meira Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
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RESEARCH OF CERTAIN PATHOGENIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCI OF SKIN BIOME. EUREKA: HEALTH SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.21303/2504-5679.2018.00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A serious problem in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is the frequent attachment of a secondary skin infection. Among the microbes colonizing the skin of patients suffering from AD, S. aureus takes the lead. According to different authors, from the skin of 80–95 % of patients are sown Staphylococcus aureus. The survival of bacteria in a biotope is promoted by the persistent properties of microorganisms.
Aim of the research: to determine the adhesive properties and antilysozyme activity of clinical strains of staphylococci isolated from the skin of patients with allergic dermatosis.
The study included 50 patients with atopic dermatitis and 20 practically healthy individuals, from which 140 laboratory strains of staphylococci were isolated: 101 strains from patients with AD and 39 control strains. Bacteriological studies to isolate microorganisms and determine a number of pathogenic characteristics were carried out using the methods of classical bacteriology.
The severity of antilysozyme activity (ALA) and adhesive properties of strains isolated from affected areas of the skin was significantly higher than in cultures isolated from intact skin areas, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The obtained data made it possible to assume a certain complicating role of these factors on the course of AD.
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12
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Kong C, Chee CF, Richter K, Thomas N, Abd Rahman N, Nathan S. Suppression of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and virulence by a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2758. [PMID: 29426873 PMCID: PMC5807447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21141-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections and secretes a diverse spectrum of virulence determinants as well as forms biofilm. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus highlights the need for alternative forms of therapeutics other than conventional antibiotics. One route to meet this need is screening small molecule derivatives for potential anti-infective activity. Using a previously optimized C. elegans – S. aureus small molecule screen, we identified a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162, which rescued nematodes from a S. aureus infection. UM-C162 prevented the formation of biofilm in a dose-dependent manner without interfering with bacterial viability. To examine the effect of UM-C162 on the expression of S. aureus virulence genes, a genome-wide transcriptome analysis was performed on UM-C162-treated pathogen. Our data indicated that the genes associated with biofilm formation, particularly those involved in bacterial attachment, were suppressed in UM-C162-treated bacteria. Additionally, a set of genes encoding vital S. aureus virulence factors were also down-regulated in the presence of UM-C162. Further biochemical analysis validated that UM-C162-mediated disruption of S. aureus hemolysins, proteases and clumping factors production. Collectively, our findings propose that UM-C162 is a promising compound that can be further developed as an anti-virulence agent to control S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cin Kong
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chin-Fei Chee
- Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Katharina Richter
- Department of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Adelaide Biofilm Test Facility, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicky Thomas
- Adelaide Biofilm Test Facility, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Noorsaadah Abd Rahman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sheila Nathan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.
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Small RNA teg49 Is Derived from a sarA Transcript and Regulates Virulence Genes Independent of SarA in Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00635-17. [PMID: 29133345 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00635-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus is regulated by a wide range of transcriptional regulators, including proteins and small RNAs (sRNAs), at the level of transcription and/or translation. The sarA locus consists of three overlapping transcripts generated from three distinct promoters, all containing the sarA open reading frame (ORF). The 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) of these transcripts contain three separate regions ∼711, 409, and 146 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the sarA translation start, the functions of which remain unknown. Recent transcriptome-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis and subsequent characterization indicated that two sRNAs, teg49 and teg48, are processed and likely produced from the sarA P3 and sarA P1 transcripts of the sarA locus, respectively. In this report, we utilized a variety of sarA promoter mutants and cshA and rnc mutants to ascertain the contributions of these factors to the generation of teg49. We also defined the transcriptional regulon of teg49, including virulence genes not regulated by SarA. Phenotypically, teg49 did not impact biofilm formation or affect overall SarA expression significantly. Comparative analyses of RNA-Seq data between the wild-type, teg49 mutant, and sarA mutant strains indicated that ∼133 genes are significantly upregulated while 97 are downregulated in a teg49 deletion mutant in a sarA-independent manner. An abscess model of skin infection indicated that the teg49 mutant exhibited a reduced bacterial load compared to the wild-type S. aureus Overall, these results suggest that teg49 sRNA has a regulatory role in target gene regulation independent of SarA. The exact mechanism of this regulation is yet to be dissected.
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Liu Q, Yeo WS, Bae T. The SaeRS Two-Component System of Staphylococcus aureus. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7100081. [PMID: 27706107 PMCID: PMC5083920 DOI: 10.3390/genes7100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, the SaeRS twocomponent system (TCS) plays a major role in controlling the production of over 20 virulence factors including hemolysins, leukocidins, superantigens, surface proteins, and proteases. The SaeRS TCS is composed of the sensor histidine kinase SaeS, response regulator SaeR, and two auxiliary proteins SaeP and SaeQ. Since its discovery in 1994, the sae locus has been studied extensively, and its contributions to staphylococcal virulence and pathogenesis have been well documented and understood; however, the molecular mechanism by which the SaeRS TCS receives and processes cognate signals is not. In this article, therefore, we review the literature focusing on the signaling mechanism and its interaction with other global regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Won-Sik Yeo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest, Gary, IN 46408, USA.
| | - Taeok Bae
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest, Gary, IN 46408, USA.
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