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Barber MF, Fitzgerald JR. Mechanisms of host adaptation by bacterial pathogens. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae019. [PMID: 39003250 PMCID: PMC11308195 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae019] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new infectious diseases poses a major threat to humans, animals, and broader ecosystems. Defining factors that govern the ability of pathogens to adapt to new host species is therefore a crucial research imperative. Pathogenic bacteria are of particular concern, given dwindling treatment options amid the continued expansion of antimicrobial resistance. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in the understanding of bacterial host species adaptation, with an emphasis on pathogens of humans and related mammals. We focus particularly on molecular mechanisms underlying key steps of bacterial host adaptation including colonization, nutrient acquisition, and immune evasion, as well as suggest key areas for future investigation. By developing a greater understanding of the mechanisms of host adaptation in pathogenic bacteria, we may uncover new strategies to target these microbes for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in humans, animals, and the broader environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Barber
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States
| | - J Ross Fitzgerald
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
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Andreev I, Laidlaw KME, Giovanetti SM, Urtecho G, Shriner D, Bloom JS, MacDonald C, Sadhu MJ. Discovery of a rapidly evolving yeast defense factor, KTD1, against the secreted killer toxin K28. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217194120. [PMID: 36800387 PMCID: PMC9974470 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217194120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Secreted protein toxins are widely used weapons in conflicts between organisms. Elucidating how organisms genetically adapt to defend themselves against these toxins is fundamental to understanding the coevolutionary dynamics of competing organisms. Within yeast communities, "killer" toxins are secreted to kill nearby sensitive yeast, providing a fitness advantage in competitive growth environments. Natural yeast isolates vary in their sensitivity to these toxins, but to date, no polymorphic genetic factors contributing to defense have been identified. We investigated the variation in resistance to the killer toxin K28 across diverse natural isolates of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae population. Using large-scale linkage mapping, we discovered a novel defense factor, which we named KTD1. We identified many KTD1 alleles, which provided different levels of K28 resistance. KTD1 is a member of the DUP240 gene family of unknown function, which is rapidly evolving in a region spanning its two encoded transmembrane helices. We found that this domain is critical to KTD1's protective ability. Our findings implicate KTD1 as a key polymorphic factor in the defense against K28 toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Andreev
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Kamilla M. E. Laidlaw
- Biology Department, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, UK
| | - Simone M. Giovanetti
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Guillaume Urtecho
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Daniel Shriner
- Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Joshua S. Bloom
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- HHMI, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Chris MacDonald
- Biology Department, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, UK
| | - Meru J. Sadhu
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
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Fleckenstein JM, Bitoun JP. Changing the locks on intestinal signaling. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1335-1337. [PMID: 34499858 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous peptides and structurally similar bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins (ST) bind guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C), resulting in fluid homeostasis or diarrhea, respectively. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Carey et al., show how bats have evolutionarily maintained homeostatic signaling while avoiding pathogenic effects of ST.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Fleckenstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Medicine Service, Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Saint Louis, MO 63106, USA.
| | - Jacob P Bitoun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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