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Dhanoa GK, Kushnir I, Qimron U, Roper DI, Sagona AP. Investigating the effect of bacteriophages on bacterial FtsZ localisation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:863712. [PMID: 35967845 PMCID: PMC9372555 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.863712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is one of the most common Gram-negative pathogens and is responsible for infection leading to neonatal meningitis and sepsis. The FtsZ protein is a bacterial tubulin homolog required for cell division in most species, including E. coli. Several agents that block cell division have been shown to mislocalise FtsZ, including the bacteriophage λ-encoded Kil peptide, resulting in defective cell division and a filamentous phenotype, making FtsZ an attractive target for antimicrobials. In this study, we have used an in vitro meningitis model system for studying the effect of bacteriophages on FtsZ using fluorescent E. coli EV36/FtsZ-mCherry and K12/FtsZ-mNeon strains. We show localisation of FtsZ to the bacterial cell midbody as a single ring during normal growth conditions, and mislocalisation of FtsZ producing filamentous multi-ringed bacterial cells upon addition of the known inhibitor Kil peptide. We also show that when bacteriophages K1F-GFP and T7-mCherry were applied to their respective host strains, these phages can inhibit FtsZ and block bacterial cell division leading to a filamentous multi-ringed phenotype, potentially delaying lysis and increasing progeny number. This occurs in the exponential growth phase, as actively dividing hosts are needed. We present that ZapA protein is needed for phage inhibition by showing a phenotype recovery with a ZapA mutant strain, and we show that FtsI protein is also mislocalised upon phage infection. Finally, we show that the T7 peptide gp0.4 is responsible for the inhibition of FtsZ in K12 strains by observing a phenotype recovery with a T7Δ0.4 mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurneet K. Dhanoa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Inbar Kushnir
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Udi Qimron
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David I. Roper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Antonia P. Sagona
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Antonia P. Sagona,
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Lee SC, Collins R, Lin YP, Jamshad M, Broughton C, Harris SA, Hanson BS, Tognoloni C, Parslow RA, Terry AE, Rodger A, Smith CJ, Edler KJ, Ford R, Roper DI, Dafforn TR. Nano-encapsulated Escherichia coli Divisome Anchor ZipA, and in Complex with FtsZ. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18712. [PMID: 31822696 PMCID: PMC6904479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54999-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The E. coli membrane protein ZipA, binds to the tubulin homologue FtsZ, in the early stage of cell division. We isolated ZipA in a Styrene Maleic Acid lipid particle (SMALP) preserving its position and integrity with native E. coli membrane lipids. Direct binding of ZipA to FtsZ is demonstrated, including FtsZ fibre bundles decorated with ZipA. Using Cryo-Electron Microscopy, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering, we determine the encapsulated-ZipA structure in isolation, and in complex with FtsZ to a resolution of 1.6 nm. Three regions can be identified from the structure which correspond to, SMALP encapsulated membrane and ZipA transmembrane helix, a separate short compact tether, and ZipA globular head which binds FtsZ. The complex extends 12 nm from the membrane in a compact structure, supported by mesoscale modelling techniques, measuring the movement and stiffness of the regions within ZipA provides molecular scale analysis and visualisation of the early divisome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Lee
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Richard Collins
- Faculty of Life Sciences, A4032 Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Yu-Pin Lin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mohammed Jamshad
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Claire Broughton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sarah A Harris
- School of Physics and Astronomy and Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Benjamin S Hanson
- School of Physics and Astronomy and Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Cecilia Tognoloni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Rosemary A Parslow
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ann E Terry
- MAX IV Laboratory Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alison Rodger
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Corinne J Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Karen J Edler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Robert Ford
- Faculty of Life Sciences, A4032 Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - David I Roper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Timothy R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Nev OA, Van Den Berg HA. Mathematical models of microbial growth and metabolism: a whole-organism perspective. Sci Prog 2017; 100:343-362. [PMID: 29113620 PMCID: PMC10365175 DOI: 10.3184/003685017x15063357842583] [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: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We review the principles underpinning the development of mathematical models of the metabolic activities of micro-organisms. Such models are important to understand and chart the substantial contributions made by micro-organisms to geochemical cycles, and also to optimise the performance of bioreactors that exploit the biochemical capabilities of these organisms. We advocate an approach based on the principle of dynamic allocation. We survey the biological background that motivates this approach, including nutrient assimilation, the regulation of gene expression, and the principles of microbial growth. In addition, we discuss the classic models of microbial growth as well as contemporary approaches. The dynamic allocation theory generalises these classic models in a natural manner and is readily amenable to the additional information provided by transcriptomics and proteomics approaches. Finally, we touch upon these organising principles in the context of the transition from the free-living unicellular mode of life to multicellularity.
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Broughton CE, Van Den Berg HA, Wemyss AM, Roper DI, Rodger A. Beyond the Discovery Void: New targets for antibacterial compounds. Sci Prog 2016; 99:153-182. [PMID: 28742471 PMCID: PMC10365418 DOI: 10.3184/003685016x14616130512308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotics save many lives, but their efficacy is under threat: overprescription, population growth, and global travel all contribute to the rapid origination and spread of resistant strains. Exacerbating this threat is the fact that no new major classes of antibiotics have been discovered in the last 30 years: this is the "discovery void." We discuss the traditional molecular targets of antibiotics as well as putative novel targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan M. Wemyss
- Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells Doctoral Training Centre
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Haeusser DP, Margolin W. Splitsville: structural and functional insights into the dynamic bacterial Z ring. Nat Rev Microbiol 2016; 14:305-19. [PMID: 27040757 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria must divide to increase in number and colonize their niche. Binary fission is the most widespread means of bacterial cell division, but even this relatively simple mechanism has many variations on a theme. In most bacteria, the tubulin homologue FtsZ assembles into a ring structure, termed the Z ring, at the site of cytokinesis and recruits additional proteins to form a large protein machine - the divisome - that spans the membrane. In this Review, we discuss current insights into the regulation of the assembly of the Z ring and how the divisome drives membrane invagination and septal cell wall growth while flexibly responding to various cellular inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Haeusser
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Biology Department, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14208, USA
| | - William Margolin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Broughton CE, Roper DI, Van Den Berg HA, Rodger A. Bacterial cell division: experimental and theoretical approaches to the divisome. Sci Prog 2015; 98:313-45. [PMID: 26790174 PMCID: PMC10365498 DOI: 10.3184/003685015x14461391862881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell division is a key event in the bacterial life cycle. It involves constriction at the midcell, so that one cell can give rise to two daughter cells. This constriction is mediated by a ring composed offibrous multimers of the protein FtsZ. However a host of additional factors is involved in the formation and dynamics of this "Z-ring" and this complicated apparatus is collectively known as the "divisome". We review the literature, with an emphasis on mathematical modelling, and show how such theoretical efforts have helped experimentalists to make sense of the at times bewildering data, and plan further experiments.
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