1
|
Ji X, Shi A, Wang J, Zhang B, Hu Y, Lv H, Wu J, Sun Y, Liu JM, Zhang Y, Wang S. EnvZ/OmpR Controls Protein Expression and Modifications in Cronobacter sakazakii for Virulence and Environmental Resilience. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:18697-18707. [PMID: 39165163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is a notorious foodborne opportunistic pathogen, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as premature infants, and poses significant public health challenges. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the envZ/ompR genes in environmental tolerance, pathogenicity, and protein regulation of C. sakazakii. An envZ/ompR knockout mutant was constructed and assessed for its impact on bacterial growth, virulence, environmental tolerance, and protein regulation. Results demonstrate that deletion of envZ/ompR genes leads to reduced growth rate and attenuated virulence in animal models. Additionally, the knockout strain exhibited compromised environmental tolerance, particularly in desiccation and oxidative stress conditions, along with impaired adhesion and invasion abilities in epithelial cells. Proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations in protein expression and phosphorylation patterns, highlighting potential compensatory mechanisms triggered by gene deletion. Furthermore, investigation into protein deamidation and glucose metabolism uncovered a link between envZ/ompR deletion and energy metabolism dysregulation. Interestingly, the downregulation of MalK and GrxC proteins was identified as contributing factors to altered desiccation tolerance and disrupted redox homeostasis, respectively, providing mechanistic insights into the phenotypic changes observed. Overall, this study enhances understanding of the multifaceted roles of envZ/ompR in C. sakazakii physiology and pathogenesis, shedding light on potential targets for therapeutic intervention and food safety strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Aiying Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Bowei Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yaozhong Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huan Lv
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing-Min Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu P, Dong X, Ji X. Cronobacter sakazakii Pyridoxal Kinase PdxY Mediated by TreR and pESA3 Is Essential for Vitamin B 6 (PLP) Maintenance and Virulence. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0092423. [PMID: 37458600 PMCID: PMC10467337 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00924-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing severe infections, particularly in neonates. Despite the bacterium's strong pathogenicity, the pathogenicity of C. sakazakii is not yet well understood. Using a comparative proteomic profiling approach, we successfully identified pdxY, encoding a pyridoxal kinase involved in the recycling of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), as a gene essential for the successful pathogenesis of C. sakazakii. Knocking out the pdxY gene resulted in slower growth and reduced virulence. Our study sheds light on the fundamental importance of pyridoxal kinase for the survival and virulence of C. sakazakii. The identification of pdxY as gene essential for successful pathogenesis provides a potential target for the development of new antibiotic treatments. IMPORTANCE The opportunistic pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii is known to cause severe infections, particularly in neonates, and can result in high mortality rates. In this study, we used a comparative proteomic profiling approach to identify genes essential for the successful pathogenesis of C. sakazakii. We successfully identified pdxY, encoding a pyridoxal kinase involved in the salvage pathway of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), as a gene essential for the successful pathogenesis of C. sakazakii. Knocking out the pdxY gene resulted in impaired growth and reduced virulence. This study sheds light on the fundamental importance of pyridoxal kinase for the survival and virulence of C. sakazakii, which can be a potential target for the development of new antibiotic treatments. This study highlights the importance of comparative proteomic profiling in identifying virulence factors that can be targeted for the development of new antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuemeng Ji
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cheng S, Li Z, Bai X, Feng J, Su R, Song L, Yang H, Zhan X, Xia X, Lü X, Shi C. The biochemical characteristics of viable but nonculturable state Yersinia enterocolitica induced by lactic acid stress and its presence in food systems. Food Res Int 2023; 170:113024. [PMID: 37316087 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113024] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state is adopted by many foodborne pathogenic bacteria to survive in adverse conditions. This study found that lactic acid, a widely used food preservative, can induce Yersinia enterocolitica to enter a VBNC state. Y. enterocolitica treated with 2 mg/mL lactic acid completely lost culturability within 20 min, and 10.137 ± 1.693 % of the cells entered a VBNC state. VBNC state cells could be recovered (resuscitated) in tryptic soy broth (TSB), 5 % (v/v) Tween80-TSB, and 2 mg/mL sodium pyruvate-TSB. In the VBNC state of Y. enterocolitica induced by lactic acid, the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration and various enzyme activities were decreased, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was elevated, compared with uninduced cells. The VBNC state cells were significantly more resistant to heat and simulated gastric fluid than uninduced cells, but their ability to survive in a high-osmotic-pressure environment was significantly less than that of uninduced cells. The VBNC state cells induced by lactic acid changed from long rod-like to short rod-like, with small vacuoles at the cell edges; the genetic material was loosened and the density of cytoplasm was increased. The VBNC state cells had decreased ability to adhere to and invade Caco-2 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells. The transcription levels of genes related to adhesion, invasion, motility, and resistance to adverse environmental stress were downregulated in VBNC state cells relative to uninduced cells. In meat-based broth, all nine tested strains of Y. enterocolitica entered the VBNC state after lactic acid treatment; among these strains, only VBNC state cells of Y. enterocolitica CMCC 52207 and Isolate 36 could not be recovered. Therefore, this study is a wake-up call for food safety problems caused by VBNC state pathogens induced by lactic acid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Cheng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhenye Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiangyang Bai
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jingqi Feng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Ruiying Su
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Luyi Song
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hui Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiangjun Zhan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiaodong Xia
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116304, China
| | - Xin Lü
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Chao Shi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yan P, Chen X, Chelliah R, Jo KH, Shan L, Shin H, Kim S, Oh DH. Biocontrol and anti-biofilm potential of aerosols sprayed slightly acidic electrolyzed water against Cronobacter sakazakii in infant food industry. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
|
5
|
Hu L, Zhang S, Xue Y, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Wang S. Quantitative Detection of Viable but Nonculturable Cronobacter sakazakii Using Photosensitive Nucleic Acid Dye PMA Combined with Isothermal Amplification LAMP in Raw Milk. Foods 2022; 11:foods11172653. [PMID: 36076838 PMCID: PMC9455467 DOI: 10.3390/foods11172653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An accurate method that rapidly detects the number of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Cronobacter sakazakii was developed by combining propidium bromide with quantitative LAMP (PMA-QLAMP). The gyrB gene was the target for primers design. The optimal PMA treatment conditions were determined to eliminate the DNA amplification of 108 CFU/mL of dead C. sakazakii without affecting any viable C. sakazakii DNA amplification. Compared with the DNA of 24 strains of common non-C. sakazakii strains found in raw milk and dairy products, the DNA of only six C. sakazakii strains from different sources was amplified using PMA-QLAMP. The ability of PMA-QLAMP to quantitatively detect non-dead C. sakazakii in a 10% powdered infant formula (PIF) solution was limited to 4.3 × 102 CFU/mL and above concentrations. Pasteurizing 106 CFU/mL viable C. sakazakii yielded the maximum ratio of the VBNC C. sakazakii. PMA-QLAMP-based detection indicated that, although approximately 13% of 60 samples were positive for viable C. sakazakii, the C. sakazakii titers in these positive samples were low, and none entered the VBNC state under pasteurization. PMA-QLAMP showed potential as a specific and reliable method for detecting VBNC-C. sakazakii in pasteurized raw milk, thereby providing an early warning system that indicates potential contamination of PIF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianxia Hu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Shijiazhuang University, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
| | - Shufei Zhang
- College of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
| | - Yuling Xue
- Junlebao Dairy Group Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050221, China
| | - Yaoguang Zhang
- Junlebao Dairy Group Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050221, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- College of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
- Junlebao Dairy Group Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050221, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-311-67362689
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Insights into the mechanisms of Cronobacter sakazakii virulence. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105643. [PMID: 35716925 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cronobacter species have adapted to survive harsh conditions, particularly in the food manufacture environment, and can cause life-threatening infections in susceptible hosts. These opportunistic pathogens employ a multitude of mechanisms to aid their virulence throughout three key stages: environmental persistence, infection strategy, and systemic persistence in the human host. Environmental persistence is aided by the formation of biofilms, development of subpopulations, and high tolerance to environmental stressors. Successful infection in the human host involves several mechanisms such as protein secretion, motility, quorum sensing, colonisation, and translocation. Survival inside the host is achieved via competitive acquisition and utilization of minerals and metabolites respectively, coupled with host immune system evasion and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms. Across the globe, Cronobacter sakazakii is associated with often fatal systemic infections in populations including neonates, infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. By providing insight into the mechanisms of virulence utilised by this pathogen across these three stages, this review identifies current gaps in the literature. Further research into these virulence mechanisms is required to inform novel mitigation measures to improve global food safety with regards to this food-borne pathogen.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen C, Ao J, Wang L, Zhang J, Mo Y, Zhang Y, Zhao L. Characterisation of the molecular mechanisms of multiple antibiotic tolerance in growth‐arrested
Cronobacter sakazakii
under ampicillin exposure. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.15714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chuxin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
| | - Jialu Ao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
| | - Li Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
| | - Jingfeng Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
| | - Yunshao Mo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
| | - Yehui Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou Guangdong 510641 China
| | - Lichao Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods College of Food Sciences South China Agricultural University Guangzhou Guangdong 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou Guangdong 510641 China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arvaniti M, Skandamis PN. Defining bacterial heterogeneity and dormancy with the parallel use of single-cell and population level approaches. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|