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Carsten A, Wolters M, Aepfelbacher M. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy for investigating bacterial cell biology. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:646-658. [PMID: 38041391 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy technologies developed over the past two decades have pushed the resolution limit for fluorescently labeled molecules into the nanometer range. These technologies have the potential to study bacterial structures, for example, macromolecular assemblies such as secretion systems, with single-molecule resolution on a millisecond time scale. Here we review recent applications of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy with a focus on bacterial secretion systems. We also describe MINFLUX fluorescence nanoscopy, a relatively new technique that promises to one day produce molecular movies of molecular machines in action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Carsten
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Wolters
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Gershberg J, Morhaim M, Rostrovsky I, Eichler J, Sal-Man N. The sequence of events of enteropathogenic E. coli's type III secretion system translocon assembly. iScience 2024; 27:109108. [PMID: 38375228 PMCID: PMC10875159 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109108] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial pathogens employ the type III secretion system (T3SS), a specialized complex that transports effector proteins that manipulate various cellular processes. The T3SS forms a translocon pore within the host-cell membrane consisting of two secreted proteins that transition from a soluble state into a transmembrane complex. Still, the exact sequence of events leading to the formation of a membranous functional pore remains uncertain. Here, we utilized the translocon proteins of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) to investigate the sequence of those steps leading to translocon assembly, including self-oligomerization, hetero-oligomerization, interprotein interaction, and membrane insertion. We found that in EPEC, EspD (SctE) plays a dominant role in pore formation as it assembles into an oligomeric state, regardless of pH, membrane contact, or the presence of EspB (SctB). Subsequently, EspB subunits integrate into EspD homo-oligomers to create EspB-EspD hetero-oligomers that adopt a transmembrane orientation to create a functional pore complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenia Gershberg
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - May Morhaim
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Irina Rostrovsky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Jerry Eichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Neta Sal-Man
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Liu W, Zhang C, Zhang H, Ma S, Deng J, Wang D, Chang Z, Yang J. Molecular basis for curvature formation in SepF polymerization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316922121. [PMID: 38381790 PMCID: PMC10907229 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316922121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of proteins into curved structures plays an important role in many cellular processes. One good example of this phenomenon is observed in the septum-forming protein (SepF), which forms polymerized structures with uniform curvatures. SepF is essential for regulating the thickness of the septum during bacteria cell division. In Bacillus subtilis, SepF polymerization involves two distinct interfaces, the β-β and α-α interfaces, which define the assembly unit and contact interfaces, respectively. However, the mechanism of curvature formation in this step is not yet fully understood. In this study, we employed solid-state NMR (SSNMR) to compare the structures of cyclic wild-type SepF assemblies with linear assemblies resulting from a mutation of G137 on the β-β interface. Our results demonstrate that while the sequence differences arise from the internal assembly unit, the dramatic changes in the shape of the assemblies depend on the α-α interface between the units. We further provide atomic-level insights into how the angular variation of the α2 helix on the α-α interface affects the curvature of the assemblies, using a combination of SSNMR, cryo-electron microscopy, and simulation methods. Our findings shed light on the shape control of protein assemblies and emphasize the importance of interhelical contacts in retaining curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Liu
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Zhang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huawei Zhang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen518055, People’s Republic of China
- Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaojie Ma
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Deng
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daping Wang
- Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen518055, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Intelligent Orthopaedics and Biomedical Innovation Platform, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Orthopedic Technology, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziwei Chang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan430071, People’s Republic of China
- Interdisciplinary Institute of NMR and Molecular Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, People’s Republic of China
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Cabezón E, Valenzuela-Gómez F, Arechaga I. Primary architecture and energy requirements of Type III and Type IV secretion systems. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1255852. [PMID: 38089815 PMCID: PMC10711112 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1255852] [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: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens use Type III and Type IV protein secretion systems to secrete virulence factors from the bacterial cytosol into host cells. These systems operate through a one-step mechanism. The secreted substrates (protein or nucleo-protein complexes in the case of Type IV conjugative systems) are guided to the base of the secretion channel, where they are directly delivered into the host cell in an ATP-dependent unfolded state. Despite the numerous disparities between these secretion systems, here we have focused on the structural and functional similarities between both systems. In particular, on the structural similarity shared by one of the main ATPases (EscN and VirD4 in Type III and Type IV secretion systems, respectively). Interestingly, these ATPases also exhibit a structural resemblance to F1-ATPases, which suggests a common mechanism for substrate secretion. The correlation between structure and function of essential components in both systems can provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms involved. This approach is of great interest in the pursuit of identifying inhibitors that can effectively target these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cabezón
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria- CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Arechaga
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria- CSIC, Santander, Spain
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Wang H, Oliveira-Garcia E, Boevink PC, Talbot NJ, Birch PRJ, Valent B. Filamentous pathogen effectors enter plant cells via endocytosis. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:1214-1217. [PMID: 37586981 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings demonstrate that cytoplasmic effectors from fungal and oomycete pathogens enter plant cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). This raises several questions: Does effector secretion pathway facilitate host uptake? How is CME triggered in host cells? How are the effectors released from endosomal compartments to reach diverse subcellular destinations?
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, Yangling, Shanxi 712100, China; Division of Plant Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Hutton Institute, Errol Road, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Ely Oliveira-Garcia
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Petra C Boevink
- Cell and Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Errol Road, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Nicholas J Talbot
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Paul R J Birch
- Division of Plant Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Hutton Institute, Errol Road, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK; Cell and Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Errol Road, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK.
| | - Barbara Valent
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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Type III Secretion System Repressor RhpR Induces GrlP, a Glycine-Rich Outer Membrane Lipoprotein with Functions in Regulating the Periplasmic Space and Pleiotropic Responses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0158722. [PMID: 36602318 PMCID: PMC9888284 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01587-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The two-component system RhpRS was initially identified as a regulator of genes encoding the type III secretion system (T3SS) in Pseudomonas syringae. Phosphorylated RhpR (P-RhpR) negatively regulates the T3SS genes by repressing the hrpR promoter, but directly activates the expression of a small gene named here as grlp. Here, we show that grlp is expressed higher in rich medium than in minimal medium in P. s. pv. tomato DC3000 and encodes a glycine rich lipoprotein (GrlP) located in the outer membrane (OM). The grlp gene has a pleiotropic effect on bacterial behaviors such as reductions in pathogenicity, swimming motility, biofilm formation, tolerance to various stresses and antibiotics, and long-term survival when overexpressed, but induces these responses when it is deleted in P. s. pv. tomato DC3000. Overexpression of grlp increases the size of periplasm while deletion of grlp decreases the periplasmic space. Further, GrlP interacts with OprI, the ortholog of E. coli OM lipoprotein Lpp, a key player in determining the size of periplasm and mechanic stiffness of the OM by tethering the OM to peptidoglycan (PG) in periplasm. As periplasmic space and OM mechanics play central roles in regulating bacterial physiology, we speculate that GrlP probably imposes its functions on bacterial physiology by regulating the periplasmic space and OM mechanics. These findings suggest that the T3SS gene regulation is closely coordinated with bacterial cell envelope properties by RhpRS in P. syringe. IMPORTANCE The OM of Gram-negative bacteria is the most front line in contact with extracellular milieu. OM is not only a protective layer, but also a structure that determines the envelope stiffness. Recent evidence indicated that components determining the periplasmic space and cross-links of lipopolysaccharide on the OM play key roles in regulating the mechanical properties of the OM. However, whether the OM composition and mechanical properties are coordinated with the expression of the T3SS genes is unknown. Here, we found that the two-component system (TCS) regulator P-RhpR, a direct repressor of the T3SS regulator hrpRS operon, directly activates the expression of the OM lipoprotein gene grlp bearing a function in regulating the periplasmic space. This finding suggests a coordination between the OM properties and the T3SS gene regulation and reveals a new target for control of the T3SS gene expression and bacterial pathogenicity.
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Guzmán-Herrador DL, Fernández-Gómez A, Llosa M. Recruitment of heterologous substrates by bacterial secretion systems for transkingdom translocation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1146000. [PMID: 36949816 PMCID: PMC10025392 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1146000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secretion systems mediate the selective exchange of macromolecules between bacteria and their environment, playing a pivotal role in processes such as horizontal gene transfer or virulence. Among the different families of secretion systems, Type III, IV and VI (T3SS, T4SS and T6SS) share the ability to inject their substrates into human cells, opening up the possibility of using them as customized injectors. For this to happen, it is necessary to understand how substrates are recruited and to be able to engineer secretion signals, so that the transmembrane machineries can recognize and translocate the desired substrates in place of their own. Other factors, such as recruiting proteins, chaperones, and the degree of unfolding required to cross through the secretion channel, may also affect transport. Advances in the knowledge of the secretion mechanism have allowed heterologous substrate engineering to accomplish translocation by T3SS, and to a lesser extent, T4SS and T6SS into human cells. In the case of T4SS, transport of nucleoprotein complexes adds a bonus to its biotechnological potential. Here, we review the current knowledge on substrate recognition by these secretion systems, the many examples of heterologous substrate translocation by engineering of secretion signals, and the current and future biotechnological and biomedical applications derived from this approach.
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Godlee C, Holden DW. Transmembrane substrates of type three secretion system injectisomes. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001292. [PMID: 36748571 PMCID: PMC9993115 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001292] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The type three secretion system injectisome of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens injects virulence proteins, called effectors, into host cells. Effectors of mammalian pathogens carry out a range of functions enabling bacterial invasion, replication, immune suppression and transmission. The injectisome secretes two translocon proteins that insert into host cell membranes to form a translocon pore, through which effectors are delivered. A subset of effectors also integrate into infected cell membranes, enabling a unique range of biochemical functions. Both translocon proteins and transmembrane effectors avoid cytoplasmic aggregation and integration into the bacterial inner membrane. Translocated transmembrane effectors locate and integrate into the appropriate host membrane. In this review, we focus on transmembrane translocon proteins and effectors of bacterial pathogens of mammals. We discuss what is known about the mechanisms underlying their membrane integration, as well as the functions conferred by the position of injectisome effectors within membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Godlee
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Present address: Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- *Correspondence: Camilla Godlee, ;
| | - David W. Holden
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- *Correspondence: David W. Holden,
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