1
|
Fang Y, Wang Q, Yao Y, Mao J, Liu G, Li J. Amphiphilic AIE Fluorescent Probe: A Dual-Functionality Strategy for Efficient Antibacterial Therapy Fluorescence Bioimaging against Staphylococcus aureus. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3758-3765. [PMID: 38768375 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00141] [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] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Drug-resistant bacteria present a grave threat to human health. Fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic antibacterial therapy holds enormous potential as an innovative treatment in antibacterial therapy. However, the development of a fluorescent material with good water solubility, large Stokes shift, bacterial identification, and high photodynamic antibacterial efficiency remains challenging. In this study, we successfully synthesized an amphiphilic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescent probe referred to as NPTPA-QM. This probe possesses the ability to perform live-bacteria fluorescence imaging while also exhibiting antibacterial activity, specifically against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). We demonstrate that NPTPA-QM can eliminate S. aureus at a very low concentration (2 μmol L-1). Moreover, it can effectively promote skin wound healing. Meanwhile, this NPTPA-QM exhibits an excellent imaging ability by simple mixing with S. aureus. In summary, this research presents a straightforward and highly effective method for creating "amphiphilic" AIE fluorescent probes with antibacterial properties. Additionally, it offers a rapid approach for imaging bacteria utilizing red emission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Yue Yao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Jie Mao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Guijin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Junjian Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tian S, Shi L, Ren Y, van der Mei HC, Busscher HJ. A normalized parameter for comparison of biofilm dispersants in vitro. Biofilm 2024; 7:100188. [PMID: 38495770 PMCID: PMC10943042 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Dispersal of infectious biofilms increases bacterial concentrations in blood. To prevent sepsis, the strength of a dispersant should be limited to allow the immune system to remove dispersed bacteria from blood, preferably without antibiotic administration. Biofilm bacteria are held together by extracellular polymeric substances that can be degraded by dispersants. Currently, comparison of the strength of dispersants is not possible by lack of a suitable comparison parameter. Here, a biofilm dispersal parameter is proposed that accounts for differences in initial biofilm properties, dispersant concentration and exposure time by using PBS as a control and normalizing outcomes with respect to concentration and time. The parameter yielded near-identical values based on dispersant-induced reductions in biomass or biofilm colony-forming-units and appeared strain-dependent across pathogens. The parameter as proposed is largely independent of experimental methods and conditions and suitable for comparing different dispersants with respect to different causative strains in particular types of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Tian
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, the Netherlands
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, PR China
| | - Linqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, PR China
| | - Yijin Ren
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Orthodontics, Hanzeplein 1, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henny C. van der Mei
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk J. Busscher
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Peña-Díaz S, Olsen WP, Wang H, Otzen DE. Functional Amyloids: The Biomaterials of Tomorrow? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312823. [PMID: 38308110 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FAs), particularly the bacterial proteins CsgA and FapC, have many useful properties as biomaterials: high stability, efficient, and controllable formation of a single type of amyloid, easy availability as extracellular material in bacterial biofilm and flexible engineering to introduce new properties. CsgA in particular has already demonstrated its worth in hydrogels for stable gastrointestinal colonization and regenerative tissue engineering, cell-specific drug release, water-purification filters, and different biosensors. It also holds promise as catalytic amyloid; existing weak and unspecific activity can undoubtedly be improved by targeted engineering and benefit from the repetitive display of active sites on a surface. Unfortunately, FapC remains largely unexplored and no application is described so far. Since FapC shares many common features with CsgA, this opens the window to its development as a functional scaffold. The multiple imperfect repeats in CsgA and FapC form a platform to introduce novel properties, e.g., in connecting linkers of variable lengths. While exploitation of this potential is still at an early stage, particularly for FapC, a thorough understanding of their molecular properties will pave the way for multifunctional fibrils which can contribute toward solving many different societal challenges, ranging from CO2 fixation to hydrolysis of plastic nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - William Pallisgaard Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - Huabing Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Clinical Laboratory Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 6, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kumari S, Das S. Functional amyloid fibrils of biofilm-forming marine bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PFL-P1 interact spontaneously with pyrene and augment the biodegradation. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131266. [PMID: 38556224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131266] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria thrive in biofilms embedding in the three-dimensional extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Functional Amyloid in Pseudomonas (Fap), a protein in EPS, efficiently sequesters polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Present study reports the characterization of Fap fibrils from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PFL-P1 and describes the interaction with pyrene to assess the impact on pyrene degradation. Overexpression of fap in E. coli BL21(DE3) cells significantly enhances biofilm formation (p < 0.0001) and amyloid production (p = 0.0002), particularly with pyrene. Defibrillated Fap analysis reveals FapC monomers and increased fibrillation with pyrene. Circular Dichroism (CD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) unveil characteristic amyloid peaks and structural changes in Fap fibrils upon pyrene exposure. 3D-EEM analysis identifies a protein-like fluorophore in Fap fibrils, exhibiting pyrene-induced fluorescence quenching. Binding constants range from 5.23 to 7.78 M-1, with ΔG of -5.10 kJ mol-1 at 298 K, indicating spontaneous and exothermic interaction driven by hydrophobic forces. Exogenous Fap fibrils substantially increased the biofilm growth and pyrene degradation by P. aeruginosa PFL-P1 from 46 % to 64 % within 7 days (p = 0.0236). GC-MS identifies diverse metabolites, implying phthalic acid pathway in pyrene degradation. This study deepens insights into structural dynamics of Fap fibrils when exposed to pyrene, offering potential application in environmental bioremediation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swetambari Kumari
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Surajit Das
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iaconis A, De Plano LM, Caccamo A, Franco D, Conoci S. Anti-Biofilm Strategies: A Focused Review on Innovative Approaches. Microorganisms 2024; 12:639. [PMID: 38674584 PMCID: PMC11052202 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040639] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilm (BF) can give rise to systemic infections, prolonged hospitalization times, and, in the worst case, death. This review aims to provide an overview of recent strategies for the prevention and destruction of pathogenic BFs. First, the main phases of the life cycle of BF and maturation will be described to identify potential targets for anti-BF approaches. Then, an approach acting on bacterial adhesion, quorum sensing (QS), and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix will be introduced and discussed. Finally, bacteriophage-mediated strategies will be presented as innovative approaches against BF inhibition/destruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Iaconis
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Maria De Plano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonella Caccamo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Domenico Franco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Sabrina Conoci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- URT Lab Sens Beyond Nano—CNR-DSFTM, Department of Physical Sciences and Technologies of Matter, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sønderby TV, Louros NN, Khodaparast L, Khodaparast L, Madsen DJ, Olsen WP, Moonen N, Nagaraj M, Sereikaite V, Strømgaard K, Rousseau F, Schymkowitz J, Otzen DE. Sequence-targeted Peptides Divert Functional Bacterial Amyloid Towards Destabilized Aggregates and Reduce Biofilm Formation. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168039. [PMID: 37330291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168039] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Functional bacterial amyloid provides structural stability in biofilm, making it a promising target for anti-biofilm therapeutics. Fibrils formed by CsgA, the major amyloid component in E. coli are extremely robust and can withstand very harsh conditions. Like other functional amyloids, CsgA contains relatively short aggregation-prone regions (APR) which drive amyloid formation. Here, we demonstrate the use of aggregation-modulating peptides to knock down CsgA protein into aggregates with low stability and altered morphology. Remarkably, these CsgA-peptides also modulate fibrillation of the unrelated functional amyloid protein FapC from Pseudomonas, possibly through recognition of FapC segments with structural and sequence similarity with CsgA. The peptides also reduce the level of biofilm formation in E. coli and P. aeruginosa, demonstrating the potential for selective amyloid targeting to combat bacterial biofilm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thorbjørn V Sønderby
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center (SDC), Eastern Yanqihu Campus, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 380 Huaibeizhuang, Huairou District, Beijing, China. https://twitter.com/@tvs1212
| | - Nikolaos N Louros
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/LourosNikos
| | - Ladan Khodaparast
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@LadanKhodapara1
| | - Laleh Khodaparast
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@LalehKhodapara1
| | - Daniel J Madsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - William P Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center (SDC), Eastern Yanqihu Campus, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 380 Huaibeizhuang, Huairou District, Beijing, China
| | - Nele Moonen
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@vitasereikaite
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hoppenreijs LJG, Overbeck A, Brune SE, Biedendieck R, Kwade A, Krull R, Boom RM, Keppler JK. Amyloid-like aggregation of recombinant β-lactoglobulin at pH 3.5 and 7.0: Is disulfide bond removal the key to fibrillation? Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124855. [PMID: 37187417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Functional nanofibrils from globular proteins are usually formed by heating for several hours at pH 2.0, which induces acidic hydrolysis and consecutive self-association. The functional properties of these micro-metre-long anisotropic structures are promising for biodegradable biomaterials and food applications, but their stability at pH > 2.0 is low. The results presented here show that modified β-lactoglobulin can also form nanofibrils by heating at neutral pH without prior acidic hydrolysis; the key is removing covalent disulfide bonds. The aggregation behaviour of various recombinant β-lactoglobulin variants was systemically studied at pH 3.5 and 7.0. The suppression of intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds by eliminating one to three out of the five cysteines makes the non-covalent interactions more prevalent and allow for structural rearrangement. This stimulated the linear growth of worm-like aggregates. Full elimination of all five cysteines led to the transformation of worm-like aggregates into actual fibril structures (several hundreds of nanometres long) at pH 7.0. This understanding of the role of cysteine in protein-protein interactions will help to identify proteins and protein modifications to form functional aggregates at neutral pH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loes J G Hoppenreijs
- Laboratory of Food Process Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Achim Overbeck
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Particle Technology, Volkmaroderstrasse 5, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Straße 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sarah E Brune
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Microbiology, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Straße 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Biedendieck
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Microbiology, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Arno Kwade
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Particle Technology, Volkmaroderstrasse 5, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Straße 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rainer Krull
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Straße 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Remko M Boom
- Laboratory of Food Process Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Julia K Keppler
- Laboratory of Food Process Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pirhaghi M, Najarzadeh Z, Moosavi-Movahedi F, Shafizadeh M, Mamashli F, Atarod D, Ghasemi A, Morshedi D, Meratan AA, Otzen DE, Saboury AA. The anti-platelet drug ticlopidine inhibits FapC fibrillation and biofilm production: Highlighting its antibiotic activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2023; 1871:140883. [PMID: 36455808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance of bacteria and persistent infections related to biofilms, as well as the low availability of new antibacterial drugs, make it urgent to develop new antibiotics. Here, we evaluate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of ticlopidine (TP), an anti-platelet aggregation drug, TP showed antibacterial activity against both gram-positive (MRSA) and gram-negative (E. coli, and P. aeruginosa) bacteria over a long treatment period. TP significantly reduced the survival of gram-negative bacteria in human blood though impact on gram-positives was more limited. TP may cause death in MRSA by inhibiting staphyloxanthin pigment synthesis, leading to oxidative stress, while scanning electron microscopy imaging indicate a loss of membrane integrity, damage, and consequent death due to lysis in gram-negative bacteria. TP showed good anti-biofilm activity against P. aeruginosa and MRSA, and a stronger biofilm degradation activity on P. aeruginosa compared to MRSA. Measuring fluorescence of the amyloid-reporter Thioflavin T (ThT) in biofilm implicated inhibition of amyloid formation as part of TP activity. This was confirmed by assays on the purified protein in P. aeruginosa, FapC, whose fibrillation kinetics was inhibited by TP. TP prolonged the lag phase of aggregation and reduced the subsequent growth rate and prolonging the lag phase to very long times provides ample opportunity to exert TP's antibacterial effect. We conclude that TP shows activity as an antibiotic against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria thanks to a broad range of activities, targeting bacterial metabolic processes, cellular structures and the biofilm matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Mahshid Shafizadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mamashli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Deyhim Atarod
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Ghasemi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Meratan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rasmussen HØ, Kumar A, Shin B, Stylianou F, Sewell L, Xu Y, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS, Matthews SJ. FapA is an Intrinsically Disordered Chaperone for Pseudomonas Functional Amyloid FapC. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167878. [PMID: 36368411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial functional amyloids contribute to biofilm development by bacteria and provide protection from the immune system and prevent antibiotic treatment. Strategies to target amyloid formation and interrupt biofilm formation have attracted recent interest due to their antimicrobial potential. Functional amyloid in Pseudomonas (Fap) includes FapC as the major component of the fibril while FapB is a minor component suggested to function as a nucleator of FapC. The system also includes the small periplasmic protein FapA, which has been shown to regulate fibril composition and morphology. The interplay between these three components is central in Fap fibril biogenesis. Here we present a comprehensive biophysical and spectroscopy analysis of FapA, FapB and FapC and provide insight into their molecular interactions. We show that all three proteins are primarily disordered with some regions with structural propensities for α-helix and β-sheet. FapA inhibits FapC fibrillation by targeting the nucleation step, whereas for FapB the elongation step is modulated. Furthermore, FapA alters the morphology of FapC (more than FapB) fibrils. Complex formation is observed between FapA and FapC, but not between FapA and FapB, and likely involves the N-terminus of FapA. We conclude that FapA is an intrinsically disordered chaperone for FapC that guards against fibrillation within the periplasm. This new understanding of a natural protective mechanism of Pseudomonas against amyloid formations can serve as inspiration for strategies blocking biofilm formation in infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Ø Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Shin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fisentzos Stylianou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Sewell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingqi Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Steve J Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pirhaghi M, Frank SA, Alam P, Nielsen J, Sereikaite V, Gupta A, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Sharma D, Saboury AA, Otzen DE. A penetratin-derived peptide reduces the membrane permeabilization and cell toxicity of α-synuclein oligomers. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102688. [PMID: 36370848 PMCID: PMC9791135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder associated with the intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Cytotoxicity is mainly associated with the oligomeric species (αSOs) formed at early stages in α-syn aggregation. Consequently, there is an intense focus on the discovery of novel inhibitors such as peptides to inhibit oligomer formation and toxicity. Here, using peptide arrays, we identified nine peptides with high specificity and affinity for αSOs. Of these, peptides p194, p235, and p249 diverted α-syn aggregation from fibrils to amorphous aggregates with reduced β-structures and increased random coil content. However, they did not reduce αSO cytotoxicity and permeabilization of large anionic unilamellar vesicles. In parallel, we identified a non-self-aggregating peptide (p216), derived from the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin, which showed 12-fold higher binding affinity to αSOs than to α-syn monomers (Kdapp 2.7 and 31.2 μM, respectively). p216 reduced αSOs-induced large anionic unilamellar vesicle membrane permeability at 10-1 to 10-3 mg/ml by almost 100%, was not toxic to SH-SY5Y cells, and reduced αSOs cytotoxicity by about 20%. We conclude that p216 is a promising starting point from which to develop peptides targeting toxic αSOs in Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Signe Andrea Frank
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Parvez Alam
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Arpit Gupta
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India; G.N. Ramachandran Protein Centre, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Chennai, India
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bowler JT, Sawaya MR, Boyer DR, Cascio D, Bali M, Eisenberg DS. Micro-electron diffraction structure of the aggregation-driving N-terminus of Drosophila neuronal protein Orb2A reveals amyloid-like β-sheets. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102396. [PMID: 35988647 PMCID: PMC9556795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid protein aggregation is commonly associated with progressive neurodegenerative diseases, however not all amyloid fibrils are pathogenic. The neuronal cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein is a regulator of synaptic mRNA translation, and has been shown to form functional amyloid aggregates that stabilize long-term memory. In adult Drosophila neurons, the CPEB homolog Orb2 is expressed as two isoforms, of which the Orb2B isoform is far more abundant, but the rarer Orb2A isoform is required to initiate Orb2 aggregation. The N-terminus is a distinctive feature of the Orb2A isoform and is critical for its aggregation. Intriguingly, replacement of phenylalanine in the 5th position of Orb2A with tyrosine (F5Y) in Drosophila impairs stabilization of long-term memory. The structure of endogenous Orb2B fibers was recently determined by cryo-EM, but the structure adopted by fibrillar Orb2A is less certain. Here we use micro-electron diffraction to determine the structure of the first nine N-terminal residues of Orb2A, at a resolution of 1.05 Å. We find that this segment (which we term M9I) forms an amyloid-like array of parallel in-register β-sheets, which interact through side chain interdigitation of aromatic and hydrophobic residues. Our structure provides an explanation for the decreased aggregation observed for the F5Y mutant, and offers a hypothesis for how the addition of a single atom (the tyrosyl oxygen) affects long-term memory. We also propose a structural model of Orb2A that integrates our structure of the M9I segment with the published Orb2B cryo-EM structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette T Bowler
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
| | - Michael R Sawaya
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - David R Boyer
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Duilio Cascio
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Manya Bali
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - David S Eisenberg
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles; Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Functional Bacterial Amyloids: Understanding Fibrillation, Regulating Biofilm Fibril Formation and Organizing Surface Assemblies. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134080. [PMID: 35807329 PMCID: PMC9268375 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional amyloid is produced by many organisms but is particularly well understood in bacteria, where proteins such as CsgA (E. coli) and FapC (Pseudomonas) are assembled as functional bacterial amyloid (FuBA) on the cell surface in a carefully optimized process. Besides a host of helper proteins, FuBA formation is aided by multiple imperfect repeats which stabilize amyloid and streamline the aggregation mechanism to a fast-track assembly dominated by primary nucleation. These repeats, which are found in variable numbers in Pseudomonas, are most likely the structural core of the fibrils, though we still lack experimental data to determine whether the repeats give rise to β-helix structures via stacked β-hairpins (highly likely for CsgA) or more complicated arrangements (possibly the case for FapC). The response of FuBA fibrillation to denaturants suggests that nucleation and elongation involve equal amounts of folding, but protein chaperones preferentially target nucleation for effective inhibition. Smart peptides can be designed based on these imperfect repeats and modified with various flanking sequences to divert aggregation to less stable structures, leading to a reduction in biofilm formation. Small molecules such as EGCG can also divert FuBA to less organized structures, such as partially-folded oligomeric species, with the same detrimental effect on biofilm. Finally, the strong tendency of FuBA to self-assemble can lead to the formation of very regular two-dimensional amyloid films on structured surfaces such as graphite, which strongly implies future use in biosensors or other nanobiomaterials. In summary, the properties of functional amyloid are a much-needed corrective to the unfortunate association of amyloid with neurodegenerative disease and a testimony to nature’s ability to get the best out of a protein fold.
Collapse
|
13
|
Guo M, Tan S, Zhu J, Sun A, Du P, Liu X. Genes Involved in Biofilm Matrix Formation of the Food Spoiler Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:881043. [PMID: 35733961 PMCID: PMC9207406 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.881043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix is essential for the biofilm formation of food spoilers. Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07 is a previous isolate from spoiled marine fish; however, the genes involved in the extracellular matrix formation of PF07 biofilms remain poorly defined. In this study, PF07 formed a wrinkled macrocolony biofilm through the high production of extracellular matrix. The genes involved in biofilm matrix formation and regulation were screened and identified by RNA-seq-dependent transcriptomic analysis and gene knock-out analysis. The macrocolony biofilms of PF07 grown for 5 days (PF07_5d) were compared with those grown for 1 day (PF07_1d). A total of 1,403 genes were significantly differentially expressed during biofilm formation. These mainly include the genes related to biofilm matrix proteins, polysaccharides, rhamnolipids, secretion system, biofilm regulation, and metabolism. Among them, functional amyloid genes fapABCDE were highly upregulated in the mature biofilm, and the operon fapA-E had a –24/–12 promoter dependent on the sigma factor RpoN. Moreover, the RNA-seq analyses of the rpoN mutant, compared with PF07, revealed 159 genes were differentially expressed in the macrocolony biofilms, and fapA-E genes were positively regulated by RpoN. In addition, the deletion mutants of fapC, rpoN, and brfA (a novel gene coding for an RpoN-dependent transcriptional regulator) were defective in forming mature macrocolony biofilms, solid surface-associated (SSA) biofilms, and pellicles, and they showed significantly reduced biofilm matrices. The fap genes were significantly downregulated in ΔbrfA, as in ΔrpoN. These findings suggest that the functional amyloid Fap is the main component of PF07 biofilm matrices, and RpoN may directly regulate the transcription of fap genes, in conjunction with BrfA. These genes may serve as potential molecular targets for screening new anti-biofilm agents or for biofilm detection in food environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Tan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junli Zhu
- College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aihua Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Du
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoxiang Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Piktel E, Wnorowska U, Depciuch J, Łysik D, Cieśluk M, Fiedoruk K, Mystkowska J, Parlińska-Wojtan M, Janmey PA, Bucki R. N-Acetyl-Cysteine Increases Activity of Peanut-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles Against Biofilms Formed by Clinical Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:851-871. [PMID: 35281576 PMCID: PMC8906902 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s348357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by bacteria, as they form a biofilm, determine the stability and viscoelastic properties of biofilms and prevent antibiotics from penetrating this multicellular structure. To date, studies demonstrated that an appropriate optimization of the chemistry and morphology of nanotherapeutics might provide a favorable approach to control their interaction with EPS and/or diffusion within the biofilm matrix. Targeting the biofilms’ EPS, which in certain conditions can adopt liquid crystal structure, was demonstrated to improve the anti-biofilm activity of antibiotics and nanoparticles. A similar effect is achievable by interfering EPS’ production by mucoactive agents, such as N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). In our previous study, we demonstrated the nanogram efficiency of non-spherical gold nanoparticles, which due to their physicochemical features, particularly morphology, were noted to be superior in antimicrobial activity compared to their spherical-shaped counterparts. Methods To explore the importance of EPS matrix modulation in achieving a suitable efficiency of peanut-shaped gold nanoparticles (AuP NPs) against biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients, fluorescence microscopy, as well as resazurin staining were employed. Rheological parameters of AuP NPs-treated biofilms were investigated by rotational and creep-recovery tests using a rheometer in a plate-plate arrangement. Results We demonstrated that tested nanoparticles significantly inhibit the growth of mono- and mixed-species biofilms, particularly when combined with NAC. Notably, gold nanopeanuts were shown to decrease the viscosity and increase the creep compliance of Pseudomonas biofilm, similarly to EPS-targeting NAC. Synergistic activity of AuP NPs with tobramycin was also observed, and the AuP NPs were able to eradicate bacteria within biofilms formed by tobramycin-resistant isolates. Conclusion We propose that peanut-shaped gold nanoparticles should be considered as a potent therapeutic agent against Pseudomonas biofilms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Piktel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, 15-222, Poland
| | - Urszula Wnorowska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, 15-222, Poland
| | - Joanna Depciuch
- Institute of Nuclear Physic, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, PL-31342, Poland
| | - Dawid Łysik
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology, Bialystok, 15-351, Poland
| | - Mateusz Cieśluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, 15-222, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Fiedoruk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, 15-222, Poland
| | - Joanna Mystkowska
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology, Bialystok, 15-351, Poland
| | | | - Paul A Janmey
- Department of Physiology and Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, 15-222, Poland
- Correspondence: Robert Bucki, Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, Bialystok, 15-222, Poland, Tel + 48 85 748 5793, Email
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Interaction of membrane vesicles with the Pseudomonas functional amyloid protein FapC facilitates amyloid formation. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100055. [PMID: 37082589 PMCID: PMC10074931 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional amyloids (FA) are proteins which are evolutionarily optimized to form highly stable fibrillar structures that strengthen the bacterial biofilm matrix. FA such as CsgA (E. coli) and FapC (Pseudomonas) are secreted to the bacterial surface where they integrate into growing fibril structures projecting from the outer membrane. FA are exposed to membrane surfaces in this process, but it remains unclear how membranes can interact with FA and potentially affect the self-assembly. Here we report the effect of different vesicles (DOPG, DMPG, DOPS, DOPC and DMPC) on the kinetics and structural endpoints of FapC fibrillation using various biophysical techniques. Particularly anionic lipids such as DMPG trigger FapC fibrillation, and the protein's second repeat sequence (R2) appears to be important for this interaction. Vesicles formed from phospholipids extracted from three different Pseudomonas strains (Δfap, ΔFapC and pfap) induce FapC fibrillation by accelerating nucleation. The general aggregation inhibitor epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits FapC fibrillation by blocking interactions between FapC and vesicles and redirecting FapC monomers to oligomer structures. Our work indicates that biological membranes can contribute significantly to the fibrillation of functional amyloid.
Collapse
|
16
|
Nagaraj M, Najarzadeh Z, Pansieri J, Biverstål H, Musteikyte G, Smirnovas V, Matthews S, Emanuelsson C, Johansson J, Buxbaum JN, Morozova-Roche L, Otzen DE. Chaperones mainly suppress primary nucleation during formation of functional amyloid required for bacterial biofilm formation. Chem Sci 2022; 13:536-553. [PMID: 35126986 PMCID: PMC8729806 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05790a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases, aggregation of functional amyloids involved in bacterial biofilm, e.g. CsgA (E. coli) and FapC (Pseudomonas), is carefully regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Pansieri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, S – 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Greta Musteikyte
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Steve Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Cecilia Emanuelsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, PO Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Janne Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, S – 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Joel N. Buxbaum
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Siri M, Herrera M, Moyano AJ, Celej MS. Influence of the macromolecular crowder alginate in the fibrillar organization of the functional amyloid FapC from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 713:109062. [PMID: 34688606 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.109062] [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: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are an alternative lifestyle in which communities of bacteria are embedded in an extracellular matrix manly composed by polysaccharides, nucleic acids and proteins, being the hallmark of bacterial survival in a variety of ecological niches. Amyloid fibrils are one of the proteinaceous components of such extracellular crowded environments. FapC is the main component of the functional amyloid recently discovered in Pseudomonas species, including the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa, which is a major cause of nosocomial infections and contamination of medical devices. Considering that several functional roles have been attributed to this bacterial amyloid, FapC emerged as a novel target to control Pseudomonas biofilm formation and to design new treatments against chronic infections. In this study, we used complementary biophysical techniques to evaluate conformational signatures of FapC amyloids formed in the presence of alginate, the major exopolysaccharide associated with the mucoid phenotype of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients. We found that the this naturally occurring macromolecular crowder leads to morphological similar yet polymorphic FapC fibrils, highlighting the importance of considering the complexity of the extracellular matrix in order to improve our understanding of microbial functional amyloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Siri
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC, CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de La Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Melisa Herrera
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC, CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de La Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J Moyano
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC, CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de La Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M Soledad Celej
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC, CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de La Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Najarzadeh Z, Nielsen J, Farzadfard A, Sereikaite V, Strømgaard K, Meyer RL, Otzen DE. Human Fibrinogen Inhibits Amyloid Assembly of Most Phenol-Soluble Modulins from Staphylococcus aureus. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:21960-21970. [PMID: 34497891 PMCID: PMC8412925 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Functional amyloids are highly organized protein/peptide structures that inter alia promote biofilm formation in different bacteria. One such example is provided by a family of 20-45 residue-long peptides called phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) from Staphylococcus aureus. External components such as eukaryotic host proteins, which alter self-assembly of bacterial amyloids, can affect the biofilm matrix. Here, we studied the effect of the highly prevalent human plasma protein fibrinogen (Fg) on fibrillation of PSMs. Fg inhibits or suppresses fibrillation of most PSMs tested (PSMα1, PSMβ1, and PSMβ2) except for PSMα3, whose already rapid aggregation is accelerated even further by Fg but leads to amorphous β-rich aggregates rather than fibrils. Fg also induces PSMβ2 to form amorphous aggregates and diverts PSMα1 into off-pathway oligomers which consist of both Fg and PSMα1 and cannot seed fibrillation. Peptide arrays showed that Fg bound to the N-terminus of PSMα1, while it bound to the entire length of PSMα3 (except the C terminus) and to the C-termini of PSMβ1 and PSMβ2. The latter peptides are all positively charged, while Fg is negatively charged at physiological pH. The positive charges complement Fg's net negative charge of -7.6 at pH 7.4. Fg's ability to inhibit PSM fibrillation reveals a potential host-defense mechanism to prevent bacterial biofilm growth and infections in the human body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Azad Farzadfard
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Rikke Louise Meyer
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ruhal R, Kataria R. Biofilm patterns in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Microbiol Res 2021; 251:126829. [PMID: 34332222 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are attributable to matrix-enclosed aggregates known as biofilms. Biofilms are root cause of industrial biofouling and characterized by antimicrobial resistance during infections. Many biofilm studies examine specific Gram type cultures, whereas nearly all biofilm communities in nature comprise both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, a greater understanding of the conserved themes in biofilm formation is required for common therapeutics. We tried to focus on common components which exist at each stage of biofilm development and regulation. The Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and cell wall glyco-polymers of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria seem to play similar roles during initial adhesion. The inhibition of the polymerization of amyloid-like proteins might impact the biofilms of both Gram-type bacteria. Enzymatic degradation of matrix components by glycoside hydrolase and DNase (nuclease) may disrupt both Gram-type biofilms. An additional common feature is the presence of membrane vesicles, and the potential of these vesicles requires further investigation. Genetic regulation by c-di-GMP is prominent in Gram-negative bacteria. However, quorum sensing (QS) may play a common regulation during biofilms dispersal. These studies are significant not only for common therapeutic against mixed biofilms, but for better understanding of bacterial interactions within natural or host infection environment as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Ruhal
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India.
| | - Rashmi Kataria
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Najarzadeh Z, Zaman M, Sereikaite V, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Otzen DE. Heparin promotes fibrillation of most phenol-soluble modulin virulence peptides from Staphylococcus aureus. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100953. [PMID: 34270957 PMCID: PMC8363829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), such as α-PSMs, β-PSMs, and δ-toxin, are virulence peptides secreted by different Staphylococcus aureus strains. PSMs are able to form amyloid fibrils, which may strengthen the biofilm matrix that promotes bacterial colonization of and extended growth on surfaces (e.g., cell tissue) and increases antibiotic resistance. Many components contribute to biofilm formation, including the human-produced highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan heparin. Although heparin promotes S. aureus infection, the molecular basis for this is unclear. Given that heparin is known to induce fibrillation of a wide range of proteins, we hypothesized that heparin aids bacterial colonization by promoting PSM fibrillation. Here, we address this hypothesis using a combination of thioflavin T-fluorescence kinetic studies, CD, FTIR, electron microscopy, and peptide microarrays to investigate the mechanism of aggregation, the structure of the fibrils, and identify possible binding regions. We found that heparin accelerates fibrillation of all α-PSMs (except PSMα2) and δ-toxin but inhibits β-PSM fibrillation by blocking nucleation or reducing fibrillation levels. Given that S. aureus secretes higher levels of α-PSM than β-PSM peptides, heparin is therefore likely to promote fibrillation overall. Heparin binding is driven by multiple positively charged lysine residues in α-PSMs and δ-toxins, the removal of which strongly reduced binding affinity. Binding of heparin did not affect the structure of the resulting fibrils, that is, the outcome of the aggregation process. Rather, heparin provided a scaffold to catalyze or inhibit fibrillation. Based on our findings, we speculate that heparin may strengthen the bacterial biofilm and therefore enhance colonization via increased PSM fibrillation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Masihuz Zaman
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Beg AZ, Farhat N, Khan AU. Designing multi-epitope vaccine candidates against functional amyloids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through immunoinformatic and structural bioinformatics approach. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 93:104982. [PMID: 34186254 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) displays high drug resistance and biofilm-mediated adaptability, which makes its infections difficult to treat. Alternative intervention methods and targets have made such infections treatment manageable. One of the biofilm components, functional amyloids of Pseudomonas (Fap) is correlated positively with virulence and mucoidy phenotype found in infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Extracellular accessibility, conservation across P. aeruginosa isolates and linkage with lung infections phenotype in CF patients, makes Fap a promising intervention target. Furthermore, the reported effect of bacterial amyloid on neuronal function and immune response makes it a targetable candidate. In the current study, Fap C protein and its immediate interactions were explored to extract antigenic T-cell and B-cell epitopes. A combination of epitopes and peptide adjuvants has been linked to derive vaccine candidate structures. The vaccine candidates were validated for antigenicity, allergenicity, physiochemical properties, stability and interactions with TLRs and MHC alleles. Immunosimulation studies have demonstrated that vaccines elicit Th1 dominated response, which can assist in good prognosis of infection in CF patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Z Beg
- Medical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Lab., Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Nabeela Farhat
- Medical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Lab., Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Asad U Khan
- Medical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Lab., Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India; Centre for Bioinformatic on Antimicrobial Resistance, IBU, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Munir F, Gul S, Asif A, Minhas FUAA. MILAMP: Multiple Instance Prediction of Amyloid Proteins. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 18:1142-1150. [PMID: 31443048 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2019.2936846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid proteins are implicated in several diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, prion diseases, etc. In order to characterize the amyloidogenicity of a given protein, it is important to locate the amyloid forming hotspot regions within the protein as well as to analyze the effects of mutations on these proteins. The biochemical and biological assays used for this purpose can be facilitated by computational means. This paper presents a machine learning method that can predict hotspot amyloidogenic regions within proteins and characterize changes in their amyloidogenicity due to point mutations. The proposed method called MILAMP (Multiple Instance Learning of AMyloid Proteins) achieves high accuracy for identification of amyloid proteins, hotspot localization, and prediction of mutation effects on amyloidogenicity by integrating heterogenous data sources and exploiting common predictive patterns across these tasks through multiple instance learning. The paper presents comprehensive benchmarking experiments to test the predictive performance of MILAMP in comparison to previously published state of the art techniques for amyloid prediction. The python code for the implementation and webserver for MILAMP is available at the URL: http://faculty.pieas.edu.pk/fayyaz/software.html#MILAMP.
Collapse
|
23
|
A multimethod approach for analyzing FapC fibrillation and determining mass per length. Biophys J 2021; 120:2262-2275. [PMID: 33812849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid proteins are found in a wide range of organisms owing to the high stability of the β-sheet core of the amyloid fibrils. There are both pathological amyloids involved in various diseases and functional amyloids that play a beneficial role for the organism. The aggregation process is complex and often involves many different species. Full understanding of this process requires parallel acquisition of data by complementary techniques monitoring the time course of aggregation. This is not an easy task, given the often-stochastic nature of aggregation, which can lead to significant variations in lag time. Here, we investigate the aggregation process of the functional amyloid FapC by simultaneous use of four different techniques, namely dynamic light scattering, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), circular dichroism, and Thioflavin T fluorescence. All these approaches are applied to the same FapC sample just after desalting. Our data allow us to construct a master time-course graph showing the same time-course of aggregation by all techniques. This allows us to integrate insights from approaches that report on different structural and length scales. During the lag phase, loosely aggregated oligomers with random-coil structure are formed, which subsequently transform to fibrils without accumulation of additional significant species. Subsequently, the loosely associated protofilaments/subfilaments, which form side by side, mature to more compact fibrils. Furthermore, we determine the mass per length of the mature fibrils, obtaining very similar results by SAXS (33 kDa/nm) and tilted-beam transmission electron microscopy (31 kDa/nm). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the fibrils consist of primarily two protofilaments and similar dimensions of the cross section of the fibrils as revealed by SAXS modeling when the number of protofilaments per fibril was taken into account. Mass per length information underscores the general usefulness of SAXS in fibrillation analysis and provides an important constraint for further modeling the fibril structures.
Collapse
|
24
|
Levkovich SA, Gazit E, Laor Bar-Yosef D. Two Decades of Studying Functional Amyloids in Microorganisms. Trends Microbiol 2020; 29:251-265. [PMID: 33041179 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, amyloids, typically associated with human diseases, have been described to play various functional roles in nearly all life forms. The structural and functional diversity of microbial 'functional amyloids' has dramatically increased in recent years, expanding the canonical definition of these assembled molecules. Here, we provide a broad review of the current understanding of microbial functional amyloids and their diverse roles, putting the spotlight on recent discoveries in the field. We discuss their functions as structural scaffolds, surface-tension modulators, adhesion molecules, cell-cycle and gametogenesis regulators, toxins, and mediators of host-pathogen interactions. We outline how noncanonical amyloid morphologies and sophisticated regulatory mechanisms underlie their functional diversity and emphasize their therapeutic and biotechnological implications and applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shon A Levkovich
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; BLAVATNIK CENTER for Drug Discovery, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Dana Laor Bar-Yosef
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Christensen LFB, Nowak JS, Sønderby TV, Frank SA, Otzen DE. Quantitating denaturation by formic acid: imperfect repeats are essential to the stability of the functional amyloid protein FapC. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13031-13046. [PMID: 32719003 PMCID: PMC7489911 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial functional amyloids are evolutionarily optimized to aggregate, so much so that the extreme robustness of functional amyloid makes it very difficult to examine their structure-function relationships in a detailed manner. Previous work has shown that functional amyloids are resistant to conventional chemical denaturants, but they dissolve in formic acid (FA) at high concentrations. However, systematic investigation requires a quantitative analysis of FA's ability to denature proteins. Amyloid formed by Pseudomonas sp. protein FapC provides an excellent model to investigate FA denaturation. It contains three imperfect repeats, and stepwise removal of these repeats slows fibrillation and increases fragmentation during aggregation. However, the link to stability is unclear. We first calibrated FA denaturation using three small, globular, and acid-resistant proteins. This revealed a linear relationship between the concentration of FA and the free energy of unfolding with a slope of mFA+pH (the combined contribution of FA and FA-induced lowering of pH), as well as a robust correlation between protein size and mFA+pH We then measured the solubilization of fibrils formed from different FapC variants with varying numbers of repeats as a function of the concentration of FA. This revealed a decline in the number of residues driving amyloid formation upon deleting at least two repeats. The midpoint of denaturation declined with the removal of repeats. Complete removal of all repeats led to fibrils that were solubilized at FA concentrations 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than the repeat-containing variants, showing that at least one repeat is required for the stability of functional amyloid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Stanislaw Nowak
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Signe Andrea Frank
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lee EY, Srinivasan Y, de Anda J, Nicastro LK, Tükel Ç, Wong GCL. Functional Reciprocity of Amyloids and Antimicrobial Peptides: Rethinking the Role of Supramolecular Assembly in Host Defense, Immune Activation, and Inflammation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1629. [PMID: 32849553 PMCID: PMC7412598 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological self-assembly is a concept that is classically associated with amyloids, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease and α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. In prokaryotic organisms, amyloids are assembled extracellularly in a similar fashion to human amyloids. Pathogenicity of amyloids is attributed to their ability to transform into several distinct structural states that reflect their downstream biological consequences. While the oligomeric forms of amyloids are thought to be responsible for their cytotoxicity via membrane permeation, their fibrillar conformations are known to interact with the innate immune system to induce inflammation. Furthermore, both eukaryotic and prokaryotic amyloids can self-assemble into molecular chaperones to bind nucleic acids, enabling amplification of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Recent work has shown that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) follow a strikingly similar paradigm. Previously, AMPs were thought of as peptides with the primary function of permeating microbial membranes. Consistent with this, many AMPs are facially amphiphilic and can facilitate membrane remodeling processes such as pore formation and fusion. We show that various AMPs and chemokines can also chaperone and organize immune ligands into amyloid-like ordered supramolecular structures that are geometrically optimized for binding to TLRs, thereby amplifying immune signaling. The ability of amphiphilic AMPs to self-assemble cooperatively into superhelical protofibrils that form structural scaffolds for the ordered presentation of immune ligands like DNA and dsRNA is central to inflammation. It is interesting to explore the notion that the assembly of AMP protofibrils may be analogous to that of amyloid aggregates. Coming full circle, recent work has suggested that Aβ and other amyloids also have AMP-like antimicrobial functions. The emerging perspective is one in which assembly affords a more finely calibrated system of recognition and response: the detection of single immune ligands, immune ligands bound to AMPs, and immune ligands spatially organized to varying degrees by AMPs, result in different immunologic outcomes. In this framework, not all ordered structures generated during multi-stepped AMP (or amyloid) assembly are pathological in origin. Supramolecular structures formed during this process serve as signatures to the innate immune system to orchestrate immune amplification in a proportional, situation-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Y Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yashes Srinivasan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jaime de Anda
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lauren K Nicastro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Çagla Tükel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gerard C L Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,California Nano Systems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Amyloids are protein polymers that were initially linked to human diseases. Across the whole Tree of Life, many disease-unrelated proteins are now emerging for which amyloids represent distinct functional states. Most bacterial amyloids described are extracellular, contributing to biofilm formation. However, only a few have been found in the bacterial cytosol. This paper reviews from the perspective of synthetic biology (SynBio) our understanding of the subtle line that separates functional from pathogenic and transmissible amyloids (prions). Amyloids are protein polymers that were initially linked to human diseases. Across the whole Tree of Life, many disease-unrelated proteins are now emerging for which amyloids represent distinct functional states. Most bacterial amyloids described are extracellular, contributing to biofilm formation. However, only a few have been found in the bacterial cytosol. This paper reviews from the perspective of synthetic biology (SynBio) our understanding of the subtle line that separates functional from pathogenic and transmissible amyloids (prions). In particular, it is focused on RepA-WH1, a functional albeit unconventional natural amyloidogenic protein domain that participates in controlling DNA replication of bacterial plasmids. SynBio approaches, including protein engineering and the design of allosteric effectors such as diverse ligands and an optogenetic module, have enabled the generation in RepA-WH1 of an intracellular cytotoxic prion-like agent in bacteria. The synthetic RepA-WH1 prion has the potential to develop into novel antimicrobials.
Collapse
|
28
|
Amyloidogenic Peptides in Human Neuro-Degenerative Diseases and in Microorganisms: A Sorrow Shared Is a Sorrow Halved? Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25040925. [PMID: 32093040 PMCID: PMC7070710 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The term "amyloid" refers to proteinaceous deposits of peptides that might be generated from larger precursor proteins e.g., by proteolysis. Common to these peptides is a stable cross-β dominated secondary structure which allows self-assembly, leading to insoluble oligomers and lastly to fibrils. These highly ordered protein aggregates have been, for a long time, mainly associated with human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (Amyloid-β peptides). However, they also exert physiological functions such as in release of deposited hormones in human beings. In the light of the rediscovery of our microbial commensals as important companions in health and disease, the fact that microbes also possess amyloidogenic peptides is intriguing. Transmission of amyloids by iatrogenic means or by consumption of contaminated meat from diseased animals is a well-known fact. What if also our microbial commensals might drive human amyloidosis or suffer from our aggregated amyloids? Moreover, as the microbial amyloids are evolutionarily older, we might learn from these organisms how to cope with the sword of Damocles forged of endogenous, potentially toxic peptides. This review summarizes knowledge about the interplay between human amyloids involved in neurodegenerative diseases and microbial amyloids.
Collapse
|
29
|
Li X, Kim J, Wu J, Ahamed AI, Wang Y, Martins-Green M. N-Acetyl-cysteine and Mechanisms Involved in Resolution of Chronic Wound Biofilm. J Diabetes Res 2020; 2020:9589507. [PMID: 32083136 PMCID: PMC7007959 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9589507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wounds are a major global health problem with the presence of biofilm significantly contributing to wound chronicity. Current treatments are ineffective in resolving biofilm and simultaneously killing the bacteria; therefore, effective biofilm-resolving drugs are needed. We have previously shown that, together with α-tocopherol, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) significantly improves the healing of biofilm-containing chronic wounds, in a diabetic mouse model we developed, by causing disappearance of the bacteria and breakdown of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). We hypothesize that NAC creates a microenvironment that affects bacterial survival and EPS integrity. To test this hypothesis, we developed an in vitro biofilm system using microbiome taken directly from diabetic mouse chronic wounds. For these studies, we chose mice in which chronic wound microbiome was rich in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97%). We show that NAC at concentrations with pH < pKa causes bacterial cell death and breakdown of EPS. When used before biofilm is formed, NAC leads to bacterial cell death whereas treatment after the biofilm is established NAC causes biofilm dismantling accompanied by bacterial cell death. Mechanistically, we show that NAC can penetrate the bacterial membrane, increase oxidative stress, and halt protein synthesis. We also show that low pH is important for the actions of NAC and that bacterial death occurs independently of the presence of biofilm. In addition, we show that both the acetyl and carboxylic groups play key roles in NAC functions. The results presented here provide insight into the mechanisms by which NAC dismantles biofilm and how it could be used to treat chronic wounds after debridement (NAC applied at the start of culture) or without debridement (NAC applied when biofilm is already formed). This approach can be taken to develop biofilm from microbiome taken directly from human chronic wounds to test molecules that could be effective for the treatment of specific biofilm compositions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jane Kim
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jiabin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alaa' I Ahamed
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Martins-Green
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zamora-Carreras H, Maestro B, Sanz JM, Jiménez MA. Turncoat Polypeptides: We Adapt to Our Environment. Chembiochem 2019; 21:432-441. [PMID: 31456307 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A common interpretation of Anfinsen's hypothesis states that one amino acid sequence should fold into a single, native, ordered state, or a highly similar set thereof, coinciding with the global minimum in the folding-energy landscape, which, in turn, is responsible for the function of the protein. However, this classical view is challenged by many proteins and peptide sequences, which can adopt exchangeable, significantly dissimilar conformations that even fulfill different biological roles. The similarities and differences of concepts related to these proteins, mainly chameleon sequences, metamorphic proteins, and switch peptides, which are all denoted herein "turncoat" polypeptides, are reviewed. As well as adding a twist to the conventional view of protein folding, the lack of structural definition adds clear versatility to the activity of proteins and can be used as a tool for protein design and further application in biotechnology and biomedicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Zamora-Carreras
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Maestro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Sanz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Angeles Jiménez
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Najarzadeh Z, Mohammad-Beigi H, Nedergaard Pedersen J, Christiansen G, Sønderby TV, Shojaosadati SA, Morshedi D, Strømgaard K, Meisl G, Sutherland D, Skov Pedersen J, Otzen DE. Plant Polyphenols Inhibit Functional Amyloid and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Strains by Directing Monomers to Off-Pathway Oligomers. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E659. [PMID: 31717821 PMCID: PMC6920965 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of proteins to β-sheet rich amyloid fibrils is commonly observed in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, amyloid also occurs in the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilm, which protects bacteria from environmental stress and antibiotics. Many Pseudomonas strains produce functional amyloid where the main component is the highly fibrillation-prone protein FapC. FapC fibrillation may be inhibited by small molecules such as plant polyphenols, which are already known to inhibit formation of pathogenic amyloid, but the mechanism and biological impact of inhibition is unclear. Here, we elucidate how polyphenols modify the self-assembly of functional amyloid, with particular focus on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG), baicalein, oleuropein, and procyanidin B2. We find EGCG and PGG to be the best inhibitors. These compounds inhibit amyloid formation by redirecting the aggregation of FapC monomers into oligomeric species, which according to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements organize into core-shell complexes of short axis diameters 25-26 nm consisting of ~7 monomers. Using peptide arrays, we identify EGCG-binding sites in FapC's linker regions, C and N-terminal parts, and high amyloidogenic sequences located in the R2 and R3 repeats. We correlate our biophysical observations to biological impact by demonstrating that the extent of amyloid inhibition by the different inhibitors correlated with their ability to reduce biofilm, highlighting the potential of anti-amyloid polyphenols as therapeutic agents against biofilm infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Najarzadeh
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran;
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Biomedicine-Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Thorbjørn Vincent Sønderby
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Seyed Abbas Shojaosadati
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran;
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box: 1417863171, Tehran, Iran;
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark;
| | - Georg Meisl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK;
| | - Duncan Sutherland
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Morel B, Conejero-Lara F. Early mechanisms of amyloid fibril nucleation in model and disease-related proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:140264. [PMID: 31437584 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.140264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein amyloid aggregation is a hallmark in neuropathologies and other diseases of tremendous impact such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. During the last decade, it has become increasingly evident that neuronal death is mainly induced by proteinaceous oligomers rather than the mature amyloid fibrils. Therefore, the earliest molecular events occurring during the amyloid aggregation cascade represent a growing interest of study. Important breakthroughs have been achieved using experimental data from different proteins, used as models, as well as systems related to diseases. Here, we summarize the structural properties of amyloid oligomeric and fibrillar aggregates and review the recent advances on how biophysical techniques can be combined with quantitative kinetic analysis and theoretical models to study the detailed mechanism of oligomer formation and nucleation of fibrils. These insights into the mechanism of early oligomerization and amyloid nucleation are of relevant interest in drug discovery and in the design of preventive strategies against neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Morel
- Departamento de Química Física e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Francisco Conejero-Lara
- Departamento de Química Física e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Schultzhaus JN, Dean SN, Leary DH, Hervey WJ, Fears KP, Wahl KJ, Spillmann CM. Pressure cycling technology for challenging proteomic sample processing: application to barnacle adhesive. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 11:235-247. [DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSuccessful proteomic characterization of biological material depends on the development of robust sample processing methods. The acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite is a biofouling model for adhesive processes, but the identification of causative proteins involved has been hindered by their insoluble nature. Although effective, existing sample processing methods are labor and time intensive, slowing progress in this field. Here, a more efficient sample processing method is described which exploits pressure cycling technology (PCT) in combination with protein solvents. PCT aids in protein extraction and digestion for proteomics analysis. Barnacle adhesive proteins can be extracted and digested in the same tube using PCT, minimizing sample loss, increasing throughput to 16 concurrently processed samples, and decreasing sample processing time to under 8 hours. PCT methods produced similar proteomes in comparison to previous methods. Two solvents which were ineffective at extracting proteins from the adhesive at ambient pressure (urea and methanol) produced more protein identifications under pressure than highly polar hexafluoroisopropanol, leading to the identification and description of >40 novel proteins at the interface. Some of these have homology to proteins with elastomeric properties or domains involved with protein-protein interactions, while many have no sequence similarity to proteins in publicly available databases, highlighting the unique adherent processes evolved by barnacles. The methods described here can not only be used to further characterize barnacle adhesive to combat fouling, but may also be applied to other recalcitrant biological samples, including aggregative or fibrillar protein matrices produced during disease, where a lack of efficient sample processing methods has impeded advancement. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD012730.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janna N Schultzhaus
- National Research Council Research Associateship Programs Fellow, Washington, D.C., USA
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Scott N Dean
- National Research Council Research Associateship Programs Fellow, Washington, D.C., USA
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Dagmar H Leary
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - W Judson Hervey
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Kenan P Fears
- Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Kathryn J Wahl
- Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Christopher M Spillmann
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Shanmugam N, Baker MODG, Ball SR, Steain M, Pham CLL, Sunde M. Microbial functional amyloids serve diverse purposes for structure, adhesion and defence. Biophys Rev 2019; 11:287-302. [PMID: 31049855 PMCID: PMC6557962 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-019-00526-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional amyloid state of proteins has in recent years garnered much attention for its role in serving crucial and diverse biological roles. Amyloid is a protein fold characterised by fibrillar morphology, binding of the amyloid-specific dyes Thioflavin T and Congo Red, insolubility and underlying cross-β structure. Amyloids were initially characterised as an aberrant protein fold associated with mammalian disease. However, in the last two decades, functional amyloids have been described in almost all biological systems, from viruses, to bacteria and archaea, to humans. Understanding the structure and role of these amyloids elucidates novel and potentially ancient mechanisms of protein function throughout nature. Many of these microbial functional amyloids are utilised by pathogens for invasion and maintenance of infection. As such, they offer novel avenues for therapies. This review examines the structure and mechanism of known microbial functional amyloids, with a particular focus on the pathogenicity conferred by the production of these structures and the strategies utilised by microbes to interfere with host amyloid structures. The biological importance of microbial amyloid assemblies is highlighted by their ubiquity and diverse functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirukshan Shanmugam
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Nano, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Max O D G Baker
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Nano, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Sarah R Ball
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Nano, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Megan Steain
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Chi L L Pham
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Nano, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Margaret Sunde
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Nano, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Christensen LF, Jensen KF, Nielsen J, Vad BS, Christiansen G, Otzen DE. Reducing the Amyloidogenicity of Functional Amyloid Protein FapC Increases Its Ability To Inhibit α-Synuclein Fibrillation. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:4029-4039. [PMID: 31459612 PMCID: PMC6647998 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FA) proteins have evolved to assemble into fibrils with a characteristic cross-β structure, which stabilizes biofilms and contributes to bacterial virulence. Some of the most studied bacterial FAs are the curli protein CsgA, expressed in a wide range of bacteria, and FapC, produced mainly by members of the Pseudomonas genus. Though unrelated, both CsgA and FapC contain imperfect repeats believed to drive the formation of amyloid fibrils. While much is known about CsgA biogenesis and fibrillation, the mechanism of FapC fibrillation remains less explored. Here, we show that removing the three imperfect repeats of FapC (FapC ΔR1R2R3) slows down the fibrillation but does not prevent it. The increased lag phase seen for FapC ΔR1R2R3 allows for disulfide bond formation, which further delays fibrillation. Remarkably, these disulfide-bonded species of FapC ΔR1R2R3 also significantly delay the fibrillation of human α-synuclein, a key protein in Parkinson's disease pathology. This attenuation of α-synuclein fibrillation was not seen for the reduced form of FapC ΔR1R2R3. The results presented here shed light on the FapC fibrillation mechanism and emphasize how unrelated fibrillation systems may share such common fibril formation mechanisms, allowing inhibitors of one fibrillating protein to affect a completely different protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Line Friis
Bakmann Christensen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Friis Jensen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Brian Stougaard Vad
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Section
for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Vennelyst Boulevard 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Rasmussen CB, Christiansen G, Vad BS, Lynggaard C, Enghild JJ, Andreasen M, Otzen D. Imperfect repeats in the functional amyloid protein FapC reduce the tendency to fragment during fibrillation. Protein Sci 2019; 28:633-642. [PMID: 30592554 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FA) is widespread in bacteria and serves multiple purposes such as strengthening of biofilm and contact with eukaryotic hosts. Unlike pathological amyloid, FA has been subjected to evolutionary optimization which is likely to be reflected in the aggregation mechanism. FA from different bacteria, including Escherichia coli (CsgA) and Pseudomonas (FapC), contains a number of imperfect repeats which may be key to efficient aggregation. Here we report on the aggregative behavior of FapC constructs which represent all single, double, and triple deletions of the protein's three imperfect repeats. Analysis of the fibrillation kinetics by the program Amylofit reveals that the removal of these repeats increases the tendency of the growing fibrils to fragment and also generally increases aggregation half-times. Remarkably, even the mutant lacking all three repeats was able to fibrillate, although fibrillation was much more irregular and led to significantly altered and destabilized fibrils. We conclude that imperfect repeats can promote fibrillation efficiency thanks to their modular design, though the context of the imperfect repeats also plays a significant role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casper B Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Brian S Vad
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carina Lynggaard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
To interact with the external environments, bacteria often display long proteinaceous appendages on their cell surface, called pili or fimbriae. These non-flagellar thread-like structures are polymers composed of covalently or non-covalently interacting repeated pilin subunits. Distinct pilus classes can be identified on basis of their assembly pathways, including chaperone-usher pili, type V pili, type IV pili, curli and fap fibers, conjugative and type IV secretion pili, as well as sortase-mediated pili. Pili play versatile roles in bacterial physiology, and can be involved in adhesion and host cell invasion, DNA and protein secretion and uptake, biofilm formation, cell motility and more. Recent advances in structure determination of components involved in the various pilus systems has enabled a better molecular understanding of their mechanisms of assembly and function. In this chapter we describe the diversity in structure, biogenesis and function of the different pilus systems found in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and review their potential as anti-microbial targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Lukaszczyk
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Brajabandhu Pradhan
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|