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Peña-Díaz J, Woodward SE, Creus-Cuadros A, Serapio-Palacios A, Ortiz-Jiménez S, Deng W, Finlay BB. Quorum sensing modulates bacterial virulence and colonization dynamics of the gastrointestinal pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2267189. [PMID: 37842938 PMCID: PMC10580866 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2267189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum Sensing (QS) is a form of cell-to-cell communication that enables bacteria to modify behavior according to their population density. While QS has been proposed as a potential intervention against pathogen infection, QS-mediated communication within the mammalian digestive tract remains understudied. Using an LC-MS/MS approach, we discovered that Citrobacter rodentium, a natural murine pathogen used to model human infection by pathogenic Escherichia coli, utilizes the CroIR system to produce three QS-molecules. We then profiled their accumulation both in vitro and across different gastrointestinal sites over the course of infection. Importantly, we found that in the absence of QS capabilities the virulence of C. rodentium is enhanced. This highlights the role of QS as an effective mechanism to regulate virulence according to the pathogen's spatio-temporal context to optimize colonization and transmission success. These results also demonstrate that inhibiting QS may not always be an effective strategy for the control of virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Peña-Díaz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah E. Woodward
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna Creus-Cuadros
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Antonio Serapio-Palacios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephanie Ortiz-Jiménez
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Wanyin Deng
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - B. Brett Finlay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Matosin S, Fischer PD, Droemer MA, Baggs E, Chowdhury AS, Tavares I, Ficarro SB, Warner LR, Arthanari H, Nagarajan R. 1H, 13C and 15N backbone and sidechain assignment of the Burkholderia mallei acyl carrier protein. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2023; 17:167-171. [PMID: 37233945 PMCID: PMC10676446 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-023-10136-4] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) are universally conserved proteins amongst different species and are involved in fatty acid synthesis. Bacteria utilize ACPs as acyl carriers and donors for the synthesis of products such as endotoxins or acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), which are used in quorum sensing mechanisms. In this study, wehave expressed isotopically labeled holo-ACP from Burkholderia mallei in Escherichia coli to assign 100% of non-proline backbone amide (HN) resonances, 95.5% of aliphatic carbon resonances and 98.6% of aliphatic hydrogen sidechain resonances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srdan Matosin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick D Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxim A Droemer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Baggs
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | - Isidoro Tavares
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott B Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Rose Warner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
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Fischer PD, Chowdhury AS, Bartholow T, Basu S, Baggs E, Cox HS, Matošin S, Burkart MD, Warner L, Nagarajan R, Arthanari H. Carrier protein mediated cargo sensing in quorum signal synthases. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1014-1017. [PMID: 36645064 PMCID: PMC9931420 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03551k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Acyl-homoserine lactone synthases make specific AHL quorum sensing signals to aid virulence in Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we use solution NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that the carrier protein-enzyme interface accurately reveals substrate recognition mechanisms in two quorum signal synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Fischer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrucken, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Bartholow
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Shibani Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
| | - Eric Baggs
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
| | - Huel S Cox
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Srđan Matošin
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Warner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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The Role of Quorum Sensing Molecules in Bacterial-Plant Interactions. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13010114. [PMID: 36677039 PMCID: PMC9863971 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a system of communication of bacterial cells by means of chemical signals called autoinducers, which modulate the behavior of entire populations of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Three classes of signaling molecules have been recognized, Al-1, Al-2, Al-3, whose functions are slightly different. However, the phenomenon of quorum sensing is not only concerned with the interactions between bacteria, but the whole spectrum of interspecies interactions. A growing number of research results confirm the important role of QS molecules in the growth stimulation and defense responses in plants. Although many of the details concerning the signaling metabolites of the rhizosphere microflora and plant host are still unknown, Al-1 compounds should be considered as important components of bacterial-plant interactions, leading to the stimulation of plant growth and the biological control of phytopathogens. The use of class 1 autoinducers in plants to induce beneficial activity may be a practical solution to improve plant productivity under field conditions. In addition, researchers are also interested in tools that offer the possibility of regulating the activity of autoinducers by means of degrading enzymes or specific inhibitors (QSI). Current knowledge of QS and QSI provides an excellent foundation for the application of research to biopreparations in agriculture, containing a consortia of AHL-producing bacteria and QS inhibitors and limiting the growth of phytopathogenic organisms.
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Molecular Mechanisms and Applications of N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone-Mediated Quorum Sensing in Bacteria. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217584. [PMID: 36364411 PMCID: PMC9654057 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial biodiversity includes biotic and abiotic components that support all life forms by adapting to environmental conditions. Climate change, pollution, human activity, and natural calamities affect microbial biodiversity. Microbes have diverse growth conditions, physiology, and metabolism. Bacteria use signaling systems such as quorum sensing (QS) to regulate cellular interactions via small chemical signaling molecules which also help with adaptation under undesirable survival conditions. Proteobacteria use acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules as autoinducers to sense population density and modulate gene expression. The LuxI-type enzymes synthesize AHL molecules, while the LuxR-type proteins (AHL transcriptional regulators) bind to AHLs to regulate QS-dependent gene expression. Diverse AHLs have been identified, and the diversity extends to AHL synthases and AHL receptors. This review comprehensively explains the molecular diversity of AHL signaling components of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chromobacterium violaceum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Escherichia coli. The regulatory mechanism of AHL signaling is also highlighted in this review, which adds to the current understanding of AHL signaling in Gram-negative bacteria. We summarize molecular diversity among well-studied QS systems and recent advances in the role of QS proteins in bacterial cellular signaling pathways. This review describes AHL-dependent QS details in bacteria that can be employed to understand their features, improve environmental adaptation, and develop broad biomolecule-based biotechnological applications.
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Ampomah-Wireko M, Luo C, Cao Y, Wang H, Nininahazwe L, Wu C. Chemical probe of AHL modulators on quorum sensing in Gram-Negative Bacteria and as antiproliferative agents: A review. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113864. [PMID: 34626877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria use an intercellular chemical communication system called quorum sensing (QS) to control the expression of cellular functions such as virulence factors, biofilm formation, toxin production, and antibiotic resistance in a manner that is highly dependent on population density. Hence, since the emergence of QS, there has been a great interest in exploiting the QS mechanism as a new drug target. Therefore, blocking the QS mechanism can be an effective strategy to control infection and solve the problem of drug resistance. So far, there is no clinically approved anti-QS drug that can disable the circuits of QS systems. This review discusses the quorum-sensing network systems and novel anti-QS inhibitors in some Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Ampomah-Wireko
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Chunying Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Yaquan Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Lauraine Nininahazwe
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Chunli Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Preparation Innovation, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China.
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Jin L, Bao J, Chen Y, Yang W, Du W. Structural insights into acyl-ACP selective recognition by the Aeromonas hydrophila AHL synthase AhyI. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:173. [PMID: 34103011 PMCID: PMC8188788 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02244-9] [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: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aeromonas hydrophila is a gram-negative bacterium and the major causative agent of the fish disease motile aeromonad septicemia (MAS). It uses N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing signals to coordinate biofilm formation, motility, and virulence gene expression. The AHL signaling pathway is therefore considered to be a therapeutic target against pathogenic A. hydrophila infection. In A. hydrophila, AHL autoinducers biosynthesis are specifically catalyzed by an ACP-dependent AHL synthase AhyI using the precursors SAM and acyl-ACP. Our previously reported AhyI was heterologously expressed in E. coli, which showed the production characteristics of medium-long chain AHLs. This contradicted the prevailing understanding that AhyI was only a short-chain C4/C6-HSL synthase. Results In this study, six linear acyl-ACP proteins with C-terminal his-tags were synthesized in Vibrio harveyi AasS using fatty acids and E. coli produced active holo-ACP proteins, and in vitro biosynthetic assays of six AHL molecules and kinetic studies of recombinant AhyI with a panel of four linear acyl-ACPs were performed. UPLC-MS/MS analyses indicated that AhyI can synthesize short-, medium- and long-chain AHLs from SAM and corresponding linear acyl-ACP substrates. Kinetic parameters measured using a DCPIP colorimetric assay, showed that there was a notable decrease in catalytic efficiency with acyl-chain lengths above C6, and hyperbolic or sigmoidal responses in rate curves were observed for varying acyl-donor substrates. Primary sequence alignment of the six representative AHL synthases offers insights into the structural basis for their specific acyl substrate preference. To further understand the acyl chain length preference of AhyI for linear acyl-ACP, we performed a structural comparison of three ACP-dependent LuxI homologs (TofI, BmaI1 and AhyI) and identified three key hydrophobic residues (I67, F125 and L157) which confer AhyI to selectively recognize native C4/C6-ACP substrates. These predictions were further supported by a computational Ala mutation assay. Conclusions In this study, we have redefined AhyI as a multiple short- to long-chain AHL synthase which uses C4/C6-ACP as native acyl substrates and longer acyl-ACPs (C8 ~ C14) as non-native ones. We also theorized that the key residues in AhyI would likely drive acyl-ACP selective recognition. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02244-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jin
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.,Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Jingjiao Bao
- Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Wenge Yang
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Wenyi Du
- Sichuan MoDe Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, 610000, China
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Complete genome sequence of fish-pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila HX-3 and a comparative analysis: insights into virulence factors and quorum sensing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15479. [PMID: 32968153 PMCID: PMC7512022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72484-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, the causative agent of motile aeromonad septicaemia, has attracted increasing attention due to its high pathogenicity. Here, we constructed the complete genome sequence of a virulent strain, A. hydrophila HX-3 isolated from Pseudosciaena crocea and performed comparative genomics to investigate its virulence factors and quorum sensing features in comparison with those of other Aeromonas isolates. HX-3 has a circular chromosome of 4,941,513 bp with a 61.0% G + C content encoding 4483 genes, including 4318 protein-coding genes, and 31 rRNA, 127 tRNA and 7 ncRNA operons. Seventy interspersed repeat and 153 tandem repeat sequences, 7 transposons, 8 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, and 39 genomic islands were predicted in the A. hydrophila HX-3 genome. Phylogeny and pan-genome were also analyzed herein to confirm the evolutionary relationships on the basis of comparisons with other fully sequenced Aeromonas genomes. In addition, the assembled HX-3 genome was successfully annotated against the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins database (76.03%), Gene Ontology database (18.13%), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway database (59.68%). Two-component regulatory systems in the HX-3 genome and virulence factors profiles through comparative analysis were predicted, providing insights into pathogenicity. A large number of genes related to the AHL-type 1 (ahyI, ahyR), LuxS-type 2 (luxS, pfs, metEHK, litR, luxOQU) and QseBC-type 3 (qseB, qseC) autoinducer systems were also identified. As a result of the expression of the ahyI gene in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), combined UPLC-MS/MS profiling led to the identification of several new N-acyl-homoserine lactone compounds synthesized by AhyI. This genomic analysis determined the comprehensive QS systems of A. hydrophila, which might provide novel information regarding the mechanisms of virulence signatures correlated with QS.
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Jin L, Zhang X, Shi H, Wang W, Qiao Z, Yang W, Du W. Identification of a Novel N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Synthase, AhyI, in Aeromonas hydrophila and Structural Basis for Its Substrate Specificity. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:2516-2527. [PMID: 32050067 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b07833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the Gram-negative bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing (QS) influences pathogenicity, protein secretion, and motility. However, the catalytic mechanism of AHL biosynthesis and the structural basis and substrate specificity for AhyI members remain unclear. In this study, we cloned the ahyI gene from the isolate A. hydrophila HX-3, and the overexpressed AhyI protein was confirmed to produce six types of AHLs by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, contrasting with previous reports that AhyI only produces N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and N-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL). The results of an in vitro biosynthetic assay showed that purified AhyI can catalyze the formation of C4-HSL using S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) and butyryl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) as substrates and indicated that the fatty acyl substrate used in AhyI-mediated AHL synthesis is derived from acyl-ACP rather than acyl-CoA. The kinetic data of AhyI using butyryl-ACP as an acyl substrate indicated that the catalytic efficiency of the A. hydrophila HX-3 AhyI enzyme is within an order of magnitude compared to other LuxI homologues. In this study, for the first time, the tertiary structural modeling results of AhyI and those of molecular docking and structural and functional analyses showed the importance of several crucial residues, as well as the secondary structure with respect to acylation. A Phe125-Phe152 clamp grasps the terminal methyl group to assist in stabilizing the long acyl chains in a putative binding pocket. The stacking interactions within a strong hydrophobic environment, a hydrogen-bonding network, and a β bulge presumably stabilize the ACP acyl chain for the attack of the SAM α-amine toward the thioester carbon, offering a relatively reasonable explanation for how AhyI can synthesize AHLs with diverse acyl-chain lengths. Moreover, Trp34 participates in forming the binding pocket for C4-ACP and becomes ordered upon SAM binding, providing a good basis for catalysis. The novel finding that AhyI can produce both short- and long-chain AHLs enhances current knowledge regarding the variety of AHLs produced by this enzyme. These structural data are expected to serve as a molecular rationale for AHL synthesis by AhyI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jin
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
- Zhoushan Fishery Environments & Aquatic Products Quality Monitoring Center of Ministry of Agriculture China , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Hui Shi
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Zhaohui Qiao
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
| | - Wenge Yang
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
| | - Wenyi Du
- Sichuan MoDe Technology Co., Ltd. , Chengdu 610000 , P. R. China
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Shin D, Nagarajan R. Enzymatic Assays to Investigate Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Autoinducer Synthases. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1673:161-176. [PMID: 29130172 PMCID: PMC5766357 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7309-5_13] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria use chemical molecules called autoinducers as votes to poll their numerical strength in a colony. This polling mechanism, commonly referred to as quorum sensing, enables bacteria to build a social network and provide a collective response for fighting off common threats. In Gram-negative bacteria, AHL synthases synthesize acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducers to turn on the expression of several virulent genes including biofilm formation, protease secretion, and toxin production. Therefore, inhibiting AHL signal synthase would limit quorum sensing and virulence. In this chapter, we describe four enzymatic methods that could be adopted to investigate a broad array of AHL synthases. The enzymatic assays described here should accelerate our mechanistic understanding of quorum-sensing signal synthesis that could pave the way for discovery of potent antivirulence compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.
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11
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Molecular basis for the substrate specificity of quorum signal synthases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9092-9097. [PMID: 28784791 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1705400114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In several Proteobacteria, LuxI-type enzymes catalyze the biosynthesis of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) signals using S-adenosyl-l-methionine and either cellular acyl carrier protein (ACP)-coupled fatty acids or CoA-aryl/acyl moieties as progenitors. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of signal biosynthesis, the basis for substrate specificity, or the rationale for donor specificity for any LuxI member. Here, we present several cocrystal structures of BjaI, a CoA-dependent LuxI homolog that represent views of enzyme complexes that exist along the reaction coordinate of signal synthesis. Complementary biophysical, structure-function, and kinetic analysis define the features that facilitate the unusual acyl conjugation with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). We also identify the determinant that establishes specificity for the acyl donor and identify residues that are critical for acyl/aryl specificity. These results highlight how a prevalent scaffold has evolved to catalyze quorum signal synthesis and provide a framework for the design of small-molecule antagonists of quorum signaling.
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Chapalain A, Groleau MC, Le Guillouzer S, Miomandre A, Vial L, Milot S, Déziel E. Interplay between 4-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-2-Alkylquinoline and N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Signaling in a Burkholderia cepacia Complex Clinical Strain. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1021. [PMID: 28676791 PMCID: PMC5476693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Species from the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) share a canonical LuxI/LuxR quorum sensing (QS) regulation system named CepI/CepR, which mainly relies on the acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL), octanoyl-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL) as signaling molecule. Burkholderia ambifaria is one of the least virulent Bcc species, more often isolated from rhizospheres where it exerts a plant growth-promoting activity. However, clinical strains of B. ambifaria display distinct features, such as phase variation and higher virulence properties. Notably, we previously reported that under laboratory conditions, only clinical strains of the B. ambifaria species produced 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs) via expression of the hmqABCDEFG operon. HMAQs are the methylated counterparts of the 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines (HAQs) produced by the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in which they globally contribute to the bacterial virulence and survival. We have found that unlike P. aeruginosa's HAQs, HMAQs do not induce their own production. However, they indirectly regulate the expression of the hmqABCDEFG operon. In B. ambifaria, a strong link between CepI/CepR-based QS and HMAQs is proposed, as we have previously reported an increased production of C8-HSL in HMAQ-negative mutants. Here, we report the identification of all AHLs produced by the clinical B. ambifaria strain HSJ1, namely C6-HSL, C8-HSL, C10-HSL, 3OHC8-HSL, 3OHC10-HSL, and 3OHC12-HSL. Production of significant levels of hydroxylated AHLs prompted the identification of a second complete LuxI/LuxR-type QS system relying on 3OHC10-HSL and 3OHC12-HSL, that we have named CepI2/CepR2. The connection between these two QS systems and the hmqABCDEFG operon, responsible for HMAQs biosynthesis, was investigated. The CepI/CepR system strongly induced the operon, while the second system appears moderately involved. On the other hand, a HMAQ-negative mutant overproduces AHLs from both QS systems. Even if HMAQs are not classical QS signals, their effect on AHL-based QS system still gives them a part to play in the QS circuitry in B. ambifaria and thus, on regulation of various phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelise Chapalain
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Equipe Pathogénèse des Légionelles, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université LyonLyon, France
| | | | | | - Aurélie Miomandre
- CNRS, INRA, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Université Lyon 1Villeurbanne, France
| | - Ludovic Vial
- CNRS, INRA, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Université Lyon 1Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Eric Déziel
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, LavalQC, Canada
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Spadaro F, Scoffone VC, Chiarelli LR, Fumagalli M, Buroni S, Riccardi G, Forneris F. The Crystal Structure of Burkholderia cenocepacia DfsA Provides Insights into Substrate Recognition and Quorum Sensing Fatty Acid Biosynthesis. Biochemistry 2016; 55:3241-50. [PMID: 27198181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Burkholderia cenocepacia is a major concern among respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis patients. This pathogen is particularly difficult to treat because of its high level of resistance to the clinically relevant antimicrobial agents. In B. cenocepacia, the quorum sensing cell-cell communication system is involved in different processes that are important for bacterial virulence, such as biofilm formation and protease and siderophore production. Targeting the enzymes involved in this process represents a promising therapeutic approach. With the aim of finding effective quorum sensing inhibitors, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of B. cenocepacia diffusible factor synthase A, DfsA. This bifunctional crotonase (dehydratase/thioesterase) produces the characteristic quorum sensing molecule of B. cenocepacia, cis-2-dodecenoic acid or BDSF, starting from 3-hydroxydodecanoyl-acyl carrier protein. Unexpectedly, the crystal structure revealed the presence of a lipid molecule in the catalytic site of the enzyme, which was identified as dodecanoic acid. Our biochemical characterization shows that DfsA is able to use dodecanoyl-acyl carrier protein as a substrate, demonstrating that dodecanoic acid, the product of this reaction, is released very slowly from the DfsA active site, therefore acting as a DfsA inhibitor. This molecule shows an unprecedented conformational arrangement inside the DfsA active site. In contrast with previous hypotheses, our data illustrate how DfsA and closely related homologous enzymes can recognize long hydrophobic substrates without large conformational changes or assistance by additional regulator molecules. The elucidation of the substrate binding mode in DfsA provides the starting point for structure-based drug discovery studies targeting B. cenocepacia quorum sensing-assisted virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Spadaro
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Viola C Scoffone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laurent R Chiarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Riccardi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Federico Forneris
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia , Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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14
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Shin D, Frane ND, Brecht RM, Keeler J, Nagarajan R. A Comparative Analysis of Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Synthase Assays. Chembiochem 2015; 16:2651-9. [PMID: 26456773 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing is cell-to-cell communication that allows bacteria to coordinate attacks on their hosts by inducing virulent gene expression, biofilm production, and other cellular functions, including antibiotic resistance. AHL synthase enzymes synthesize N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones, commonly referred to as autoinducers, to facilitate quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria. Studying the synthases, however, has proven to be a difficult road. Two assays, including a radiolabeled assay and a colorimetric (DCPIP) assay are well-documented in literature to study AHL synthases. In this paper, we describe additional methods that include an HPLC-based, C-S bond cleavage and coupled assays to investigate this class of enzymes. In addition, we compare and contrast each assay for both acyl-CoA- and acyl-ACP-utilizing synthases. The expanded toolkit described in this study should facilitate mechanistic studies on quorum sensing signal synthases and expedite discovery of antivirulent compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - Nicole D Frane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - Ryan M Brecht
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, PO Box 208114, New Haven, CT, 06520-8114, USA
| | - Jesse Keeler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, 83686, USA.,Loma Linda School of Medicine, Coleman Pavilion, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.
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