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Hendriks A, Kerkman PF, Varkila MRJ, Haitsma Mulier JLG, Ali S, Ten Doesschate T, van der Vaart TW, de Haas CJC, Aerts PC, Cremer OL, Bonten MJM, Nizet V, Liu GY, Codée JDC, Rooijakkers SHM, van Strijp JAG, van Sorge NM. Glycan-specific IgM is critical for human immunity to Staphylococcus aureus. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101734. [PMID: 39293400 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101734] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, yet the immune factors that protect against infection remain elusive. High titers of opsonic IgG antibodies, achieved in preclinical animal immunization studies, have consistently failed to provide protection in humans. Here, we investigate antibody responses to the conserved S. aureus surface glycan wall teichoic acid (WTA) and detect the presence of WTA-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in the plasma of healthy individuals. Functionally, WTA-specific IgM outperforms IgG in opsonophagocytic killing of S. aureus and protects against disseminated S. aureus bacteremia through passive immunization. In a clinical setting, patients with S. aureus bacteremia have significantly lower WTA-specific IgM but similar IgG levels compared to healthy controls. Importantly, low WTA-IgM levels correlate with disease mortality and impaired bacterial opsonization. Our findings may guide risk stratification of hospitalized patients and inform future design of antibody-based therapies and vaccines against serious S. aureus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Hendriks
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Priscilla F Kerkman
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Meri R J Varkila
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jelle L G Haitsma Mulier
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thijs Ten Doesschate
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas W van der Vaart
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carla J C de Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Piet C Aerts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Olaf L Cremer
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marc J M Bonten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - George Y Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Netherlands Reference Center for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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2
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Ram G, Chiu L, Dey S, Ross HF, Cammer M, Novick RP. ABD-3, the confluence of powerful antibacterial modalities: ABDs delivering and expressing lss, the gene encoding lysostaphin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0023524. [PMID: 39072634 PMCID: PMC11373205 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00235-24] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to the antimicrobial resistance crisis, we have developed a powerful and versatile therapeutic platform, the Antibacterial Drone (ABD) system. The ABD consists of a highly mobile staphylococcal pathogenicity island re-purposed to deliver genes encoding antibacterial proteins. The chromosomally located island is induced by a co-resident helper phage, packaged in phage-like particles, and released in very high numbers upon phage-induced lysis. ABD particles specifically adsorb to bacteria causing an infection and deliver their DNA to these bacteria, where the bactericidal cargo genes are expressed, kill the bacteria, and cure the infection. Here, we report a major advance of the system, incorporation of the gene encoding a secreted, bactericidal, species-specific lytic enzyme, lysostsphin. This ABD not only kills the bacterium that has been attacked by the ABD, but also any surrounding bacteria that are sensitive to the lytic enzyme which is released by secretion and by lysis of the doomed cell. So while the killing field is thus expanded, there are no civilian casualties (bacteria that are insensitive to the ABD and its cargo protein(s) are not inadvertently killed). Without amplifying the number of ABD particles (which are not re-packaged), the expression and release of the cargo gene's product dramatically extend the effective reach of the ABD. A cargo gene that encodes a secreted bactericidal protein also enables the treatment of a mixed bacterial infection in which one of the infecting organisms is insensitive to the ABD delivery system but is sensitive to the ABD's secreted cargo protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Ram
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Cellinfinity Bio, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - LiTing Chiu
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Somrita Dey
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hope F Ross
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael Cammer
- Microscopy Core, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard P Novick
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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3
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Beck C, Krusche J, Notaro A, Walter A, Kränkel L, Vollert A, Stemmler R, Wittmann J, Schaller M, Slavetinsky C, Mayer C, De Castro C, Peschel A. Wall teichoic acid substitution with glucose governs phage susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis. mBio 2024; 15:e0199023. [PMID: 38470054 PMCID: PMC11005348 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01990-23] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The species- and clone-specific susceptibility of Staphylococcus cells for bacteriophages is governed by the structures and glycosylation patterns of wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers. The glycosylation-dependent phage-WTA interactions in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have remained unknown. We report a new S. epidermidis WTA glycosyltransferase TagE whose deletion confers resistance to siphoviruses such as ΦE72 but enables binding of otherwise unbound podoviruses. S. epidermidis glycerolphosphate WTA was found to be modified with glucose in a tagE-dependent manner. TagE is encoded together with the enzymes PgcA and GtaB providing uridine diphosphate-activated glucose. ΦE72 transduced several other CoNS species encoding TagE homologs, suggesting that WTA glycosylation via TagE is a frequent trait among CoNS that permits interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our study unravels a crucial mechanism of phage-Staphylococcus interaction and horizontal gene transfer, and it will help in the design of anti-staphylococcal phage therapies.IMPORTANCEPhages are highly specific for certain bacterial hosts, and some can transduce DNA even across species boundaries. How phages recognize cognate host cells remains incompletely understood. Phages infecting members of the genus Staphylococcus bind to wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers with highly variable structures and glycosylation patterns. How WTA is glycosylated in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species has remained unknown. We describe that S. epidermidis glycosylates its WTA backbone with glucose, and we identify a cluster of three genes responsible for glucose activation and transfer to WTA. Their inactivation strongly alters phage susceptibility patterns, yielding resistance to siphoviruses but susceptibility to podoviruses. Many different CoNS species with related glycosylation genes can exchange DNA via siphovirus ΦE72, suggesting that glucose-modified WTA is crucial for interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our finding will help to develop antibacterial phage therapies and unravel routes of genetic exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Notaro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Kränkel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anneli Vollert
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regine Stemmler
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute, DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Beck C, Krusche J, Elsherbini AMA, Du X, Peschel A. Phage susceptibility determinants of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102434. [PMID: 38364502 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common member of the human skin and nose microbiomes and a frequent cause of invasive infections. Transducing phages accomplish the horizontal transfer of resistance and virulence genes by mispackaging of mobile-genetic elements, contributing to severe, therapy-refractory S. epidermidis infections. Lytic phages on the other hand can be interesting candidates for new anti-S. epidermidis phage therapies. Despite the importance of phages, we are only beginning to unravel S. epidermidis phage interactions. Recent studies shed new light on S. epidermidis phage diversity, host range, and receptor specificities. Modulation of cell wall teichoic acids, the major phage receptor structures, along with other phage defense mechanisms, are crucial determinants for S. epidermidis susceptibility to different phage groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ahmed M A Elsherbini
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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5
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Li FKK, Worrall LJ, Gale RT, Brown ED, Strynadka NCJ. Cryo-EM analysis of S. aureus TarL, a polymerase in wall teichoic acid biogenesis central to virulence and antibiotic resistance. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj3864. [PMID: 38416829 PMCID: PMC10901376 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA), a covalent adduct of Gram-positive bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan, contributes directly to virulence and antibiotic resistance in pathogenic species. Polymerization of the Staphylococcus aureus WTA ribitol-phosphate chain is catalyzed by TarL, a member of the largely uncharacterized TagF-like family of membrane-associated enzymes. We report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of TarL, showing a tetramer that forms an extensive membrane-binding platform of monotopic helices. TarL is composed of an amino-terminal immunoglobulin-like domain and a carboxyl-terminal glycosyltransferase-B domain for ribitol-phosphate polymerization. The active site of the latter is complexed to donor substrate cytidine diphosphate-ribitol, providing mechanistic insights into the catalyzed phosphotransfer reaction. Furthermore, the active site is surrounded by electropositive residues that serve to retain the lipid-linked acceptor for polymerization. Our data advance general insight into the architecture and membrane association of the still poorly characterized monotopic membrane protein class and present molecular details of ribitol-phosphate polymerization that may aid in the design of new antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco K. K. Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liam J. Worrall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert T. Gale
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric D. Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie C. J. Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Zhang Z, Bo L, Wang S, Li C, Zhang X, Xue B, Yang X, He X, Shen Z, Qiu Z, Zhao C, Wang J. Multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 inhibits the nitrogen removal capacity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and comammox in activated sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117739. [PMID: 38007076 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117739] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), ammonia oxidation is primarily carried out by three types of ammonia oxidation microorganisms (AOMs): ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and comammox (CMX). Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose an important public health concern, have been identified at every stage of wastewater treatment. However, few studies have focused on the impact of ARGs on ammonia removal performance. Therefore, our study sought to investigate the effect of the representative multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 on the functional microorganisms involved in ammonia oxidation. Using an inhibitor-based method, we first evaluated the contributions of AOA, AOB, and CMX to ammonia oxidation in activated sludge, which were determined to be 13.7%, 41.1%, and 39.1%, respectively. The inhibitory effects of C2H2, C8H14, and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) were then validated by qPCR. After adding donor strains to the sludge, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging analysis demonstrated the co-localization of RP4 plasmids and all three AOMs, thus confirming the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of the RP4 plasmid among these microorganisms. Significant inhibitory effects of the RP4 plasmid on the ammonia nitrogen consumption of AOA, AOB, and CMX were also observed, with inhibition rates of 39.7%, 36.2%, and 49.7%, respectively. Moreover, amoA expression in AOB and CMX was variably inhibited by the RP4 plasmid, whereas AOA amoA expression was not inhibited. These results demonstrate the adverse environmental effects of the RP4 plasmid and provide indirect evidence supporting plasmid-mediated conjugation transfer from bacteria to archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Binshui West Road 399, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300387, China.
| | - Lin Bo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Binshui West Road 399, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300387, China; Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xinxin He
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China.
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
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7
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Szczykutowicz J. Ligand Recognition by the Macrophage Galactose-Type C-Type Lectin: Self or Non-Self?-A Way to Trick the Host's Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17078. [PMID: 38069400 PMCID: PMC10707269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The cells and numerous macromolecules of living organisms carry an array of simple and complex carbohydrates on their surface, which may be recognized by many types of proteins, including lectins. Human macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL, also known as hMGL/CLEC10A/CD301) is a C-type lectin receptor expressed on professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) specific to glycans containing terminal GalNAc residue, such as Tn antigen or LacdiNAc but also sialylated Tn antigens. Macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL) exhibits immunosuppressive properties, thus facilitating the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Hence, MGL is exploited by tumors and some pathogens to trick the host immune system and induce an immunosuppressive environment to escape immune control. The aims of this article are to discuss the immunological outcomes of human MGL ligand recognition, provide insights into the molecular aspects of these interactions, and review the MGL ligands discovered so far. Lastly, based on the human fetoembryonic defense system (Hu-FEDS) hypothesis, this paper raises the question as to whether MGL-mediated interactions may be relevant in the development of maternal tolerance toward male gametes and the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Szczykutowicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Division of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Sklodowskiej-Curie 48/50, 50-369 Wroclaw, Poland
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8
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Guo Y, Du X, Krusche J, Beck C, Ali S, Walter A, Winstel V, Mayer C, Codée JD, Peschel A, Stehle T. Invasive Staphylococcus epidermidis uses a unique processive wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase to evade immune recognition. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj2641. [PMID: 38000019 PMCID: PMC10672168 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis expresses glycerol phosphate wall teichoic acid (WTA), but some health care-associated methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (HA-MRSE) clones produce a second, ribitol phosphate (RboP) WTA, resembling that of the aggressive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. RboP-WTA promotes HA-MRSE persistence and virulence in bloodstream infections. We report here that the TarM enzyme of HA-MRSE [TarM(Se)] glycosylates RboP-WTA with glucose, instead of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) by TarM(Sa) in S. aureus. Replacement of GlcNAc with glucose in RboP-WTA impairs HA-MRSE detection by human immunoglobulin G, which may contribute to the immune-evasion capacities of many invasive S. epidermidis. Crystal structures of complexes with uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose), and with UDP and glycosylated poly(RboP), reveal the binding mode and glycosylation mechanism of this enzyme and explain why TarM(Se) and TarM(Sa) link different sugars to poly(RboP). These structural data provide evidence that TarM(Se) is a processive WTA glycosyltransferase. Our study will support the targeted inhibition of TarM enzymes, and the development of RboP-WTA targeting vaccines and phage therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Lo HY, Long DR, Holmes EA, Penewit K, Hodgson T, Lewis JD, Waalkes A, Salipante SJ. Transposon sequencing identifies genes impacting Staphylococcus aureus invasion in a human macrophage model. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0022823. [PMID: 37676013 PMCID: PMC10580828 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00228-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative intracellular pathogen in many host cell types, facilitating its persistence in chronic infections. The genes contributing to intracellular pathogenesis have not yet been fully enumerated. Here, we cataloged genes influencing S. aureus invasion and survival within human THP-1 derived macrophages using two laboratory strains (ATCC2913 and JE2). We developed an in vitro transposition method to produce highly saturated transposon mutant libraries in S. aureus and performed transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify candidate genes with significantly altered abundance following macrophage invasion. While some significant genes were strain-specific, 108 were identified as common across both S. aureus strains, with most (n = 106) being required for optimal macrophage infection. We used CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) to functionally validate phenotypic contributions for a subset of genes. Of the 20 genes passing validation, seven had previously identified roles in S. aureus virulence, and 13 were newly implicated. Validated genes frequently evidenced strain-specific effects, yielding opposing phenotypes when knocked down in the alternative strain. Genomic analysis of de novo mutations occurring in groups (n = 237) of clonally related S. aureus isolates from the airways of chronically infected individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) revealed significantly greater in vivo purifying selection in conditionally essential candidate genes than those not associated with macrophage invasion. This study implicates a core set of genes necessary to support macrophage invasion by S. aureus, highlights strain-specific differences in phenotypic effects of effector genes, and provides evidence for selection of candidate genes identified by Tn-Seq analyses during chronic airway infection in CF patients in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yu Lo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dustin R. Long
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizbeth A. Holmes
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kelsi Penewit
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Taylor Hodgson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Janessa D. Lewis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Adam Waalkes
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stephen J. Salipante
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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10
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Shen P, Zheng L, Qin X, Li D, Zhang Z, Zhao J, Lin H, Hong H, Zhou Z, Wu Z. Synthesis of structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified wall teichoic acids as potential vaccine against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115553. [PMID: 37336068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115553] [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: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a high priority pathogen due to its life-threating infections to human health. Development of prophylactic or therapeutic anti-MRSA vaccine is a potential approach to treat S. aureus infections and overcome the resistance crisis. β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated wall teichoic acids (WTAs) derived from S. aureus are a new type of antigen that is closely associated with β-lactam resistance. In this study, structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified WTAs varied in chain length and numbers of GlcNAc modification were synthesized by an ionic liquid-supported oligosaccharide synthesis (ILSOS) strategy in high efficiency and chromatography-free approach. Then the obtained WTAs were conjugated with tetanus toxin (TT) as vaccine candidates and were further evaluated in a mouse model to determine the structure-immunogenicity relationship. In vivo immunological studies revealed that the WTAs-TT conjugates provoked robust T cell-dependent responses and elicited high levels of specific anti-WTAs IgG antibodies production associated with the WTAs structure including chain length as well as the β-1,4-GlcNAc modification pattern. Heptamer WTAs conjugate T6, carrying three copy of β-1,4-GlcNAc modified RboP, was identified to elicit the highest titers of specific antibody production. The T6 antisera exhibited the highest recognition and binding affinity and the most potent OP-killing activities to MSSA and MRSA cells. This study demonstrated that β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated WTAs are promising antigens for further development against MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Lele Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xinfang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zijiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Han Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Haofei Hong
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhifang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhimeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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11
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Staphylococcus aureus Prophage-Encoded Protein Causes Abortive Infection and Provides Population Immunity against Kayviruses. mBio 2023; 14:e0249022. [PMID: 36779718 PMCID: PMC10127798 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02490-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Both temperate and obligately lytic phages have crucial roles in the biology of staphylococci. While superinfection exclusion among closely related temperate phages is a well-characterized phenomenon, the interactions between temperate and lytic phages in staphylococci are not understood. Here, we present a resistance mechanism toward lytic phages of the genus Kayvirus, mediated by the membrane-anchored protein designated PdpSau encoded by Staphylococcus aureus prophages, mostly of the Sa2 integrase type. The prophage accessory gene pdpSau is strongly linked to the lytic genes for holin and ami2-type amidase and typically replaces genes for the toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). The predicted PdpSau protein structure shows the presence of a membrane-binding α-helix in its N-terminal part and a cytoplasmic positively charged C terminus. We demonstrated that the mechanism of action of PdpSau does not prevent the infecting kayvirus from adsorbing onto the host cell and delivering its genome into the cell, but phage DNA replication is halted. Changes in the cell membrane polarity and permeability were observed from 10 min after the infection, which led to prophage-activated cell death. Furthermore, we describe a mechanism of overcoming this resistance in a host-range Kayvirus mutant, which was selected on an S. aureus strain harboring prophage 53 encoding PdpSau, and in which a chimeric gene product emerged via adaptive laboratory evolution. This first case of staphylococcal interfamily phage-phage competition is analogous to some other abortive infection defense systems and to systems based on membrane-destructive proteins. IMPORTANCE Prophages play an important role in virulence, pathogenesis, and host preference, as well as in horizontal gene transfer in staphylococci. In contrast, broad-host-range lytic staphylococcal kayviruses lyse most S. aureus strains, and scientists worldwide have come to believe that the use of such phages will be successful for treating and preventing bacterial diseases. The effectiveness of phage therapy is complicated by bacterial resistance, whose mechanisms related to therapeutic staphylococcal phages are not understood in detail. In this work, we describe a resistance mechanism targeting kayviruses that is encoded by a prophage. We conclude that the defense mechanism belongs to a broader group of abortive infections, which is characterized by suicidal behavior of infected cells that are unable to produce phage progeny, thus ensuring the survival of the host population. Since the majority of staphylococcal strains are lysogenic, our findings are relevant for the advancement of phage therapy.
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12
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Understand Evolution Better Applying the Computer. Bioinformatics 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-65036-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
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13
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Tamminga SM, Völpel SL, Schipper K, Stehle T, Pannekoek Y, van Sorge NM. Genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferases affects immune recognition. Microb Genom 2022; 8:mgen000902. [PMID: 36748528 PMCID: PMC9837562 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000902] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections and systemic infections. Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are cell wall-anchored glycopolymers that are important for S. aureus nasal colonization, phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer, and antibiotic resistance. WTAs consist of a polymerized ribitol phosphate (RboP) chain that can be glycosylated with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) by three glycosyltransferases: TarS, TarM, and TarP. TarS and TarP modify WTA with β-linked GlcNAc at the C-4 (β1,4-GlcNAc) and the C-3 position (β1,3-GlcNAc) of the RboP subunit, respectively, whereas TarM modifies WTA with α-linked GlcNAc at the C-4 position (α1,4-GlcNAc). Importantly, these WTA glycosylation patterns impact immune recognition and clearance of S. aureus. Previous studies suggest that tarS is near-universally present within the S. aureus population, whereas a smaller proportion co-contain either tarM or tarP. To gain more insight into the presence and genetic variation of tarS, tarM and tarP in the S. aureus population, we analysed a collection of 25 652 S. aureus genomes within the PubMLST database. Over 99 % of isolates contained tarS. Co-presence of tarS/tarM or tarS/tarP occurred in 37 and 7 % of isolates, respectively, and was associated with specific S. aureus clonal complexes. We also identified 26 isolates (0.1 %) that contained all three glycosyltransferase genes. At sequence level, we identified tar alleles with amino acid substitutions in critical enzymatic residues or with premature stop codons. Several tar variants were expressed in a S. aureus tar-negative strain. Analysis using specific monoclonal antibodies and human langerin showed that WTA glycosylation was severely attenuated or absent. Overall, our data provide a broad overview of the genetic diversity of the three WTA glycosyltransferases in the S. aureus population and the functional consequences for immune recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Tamminga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon L. Völpel
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kim Schipper
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yvonne Pannekoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,*Correspondence: Nina M. van Sorge,
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,*Correspondence: Nina M. van Sorge,
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14
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Gerlach D, Sieber RN, Larsen J, Krusche J, De Castro C, Baumann J, Molinaro A, Peschel A. Horizontal transfer and phylogenetic distribution of the immune evasion factor tarP. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:951333. [PMID: 36386695 PMCID: PMC9650247 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.951333] [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: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major human pathogen, uses the prophage-encoded tarP gene as an important immune evasion factor. TarP glycosylates wall teichoic acid (WTA) polymers, major S. aureus surface antigens, to impair WTA immunogenicity and impede host defence. However, tarP phages appear to be restricted to only a few MRSA clonal lineages, including clonal complexes (CC) 5 and 398, for unknown reasons. We demonstrate here that tarP-encoding prophages can be mobilized to lysogenize other S. aureus strains. However, transfer is largely restricted to closely related clones. Most of the non-transducible clones encode tarM, which generates a WTA glycosylation pattern distinct from that mediated by TarP. However, tarM does not interfere with infection by tarP phages. Clonal complex-specific Type I restriction-modification systems were the major reasons for resistance to tarP phage infection. Nevertheless, tarP phages were found also in unrelated S. aureus clones indicating that tarP has the potential to spread to distant clonal lineages and contribute to the evolution of new MRSA clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology Section, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Janes Krusche
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology Section, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Juliane Baumann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology Section, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology Section, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Krause AL, Stinear TP, Monk IR. Barriers to genetic manipulation of Enterococci: Current Approaches and Future Directions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6650352. [PMID: 35883217 PMCID: PMC9779914 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are Gram-positive commensal gut bacteria that can also cause fatal infections. To study clinically relevant multi-drug resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, methods are needed to overcome physical (thick cell wall) and enzymatic barriers that limit the transfer of foreign DNA and thus prevent facile genetic manipulation. Enzymatic barriers to DNA uptake identified in E. faecalis and E. faecium include type I, II and IV restriction modification systems and CRISPR-Cas. This review examines E. faecalis and E. faecium DNA defence systems and the methods with potential to overcome these barriers. DNA defence system bypass will allow the application of innovative genetic techniques to expedite molecular-level understanding of these important, but somewhat neglected, pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Krause
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Timothy P Stinear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Ian R Monk
- Corresponding author: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia. E-mail:
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16
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Wysocka A, Łężniak Ł, Jagielska E, Sabała I. Electrostatic Interaction with the Bacterial Cell Envelope Tunes the Lytic Activity of Two Novel Peptidoglycan Hydrolases. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0045522. [PMID: 35467396 PMCID: PMC9241647 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00455-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases, due to their crucial role in the metabolism of the bacterial cell wall (CW), are increasingly being considered suitable targets for therapies, and a potent alternative to conventional antibiotics. In the light of contradictory data reported, detailed mechanism of regulation of enzymes activity based on electrostatic interactions between hydrolase molecule and bacterial CW surface remains unknown. Here, we report a comprehensive study on this phenomenon using as a model two novel PG hydrolases, SpM23_A, and SpM23_B, which although share the same bacterial host, similarities in sequence conservation, domain architecture, and structure, display surprisingly distinct net charges (in 2D electrophoresis, pI 6.8, and pI 9.7, respectively). We demonstrate a strong correlation between hydrolases surface net charge and the enzymes activity by modulating the charge of both, enzyme molecule and bacterial cell surface. Teichoic acids, anionic polymers present in the bacterial CW, are shown to be involved in the mechanism of enzymes activity regulation by the electrostatics-based interplay between charged bacterial envelope and PG hydrolases. These data serve as a hint for the future development of chimeric PG hydrolases of desired antimicrobial specificity. IMPORTANCE This study shows direct relationship between the surface charge of two recently described enzymes, SpM23_A and SpM23_B, and bacterial cell walls. We demonstrate that by (i) surface charge probing of bacterial strains collection, (ii) reduction of the net charge of the positively charged enzyme, and (iii) altering the net charge of the bacterial surface by modifying the content and composition of teichoic acids. In all cases, we observed that lytic activity and binding strength of SpM23 enzymes, are regulated by electrostatic interactions with the bacterial cell envelope and that this interaction contributes to the determination of the spectrum of susceptible bacterial species. Moreover, we revealed the regulatory role of charged cell wall components, namely, teichoic and lipoteichoic acids, over the SpM23 enzymes. We believe that our findings make an important contribution to understand the means of hydrolases activity regulation in the complex environment of the bacterial cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Wysocka
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Łężniak
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Jagielska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela Sabała
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Xiong M, Chen L, Zhao J, Xiao X, Zhou J, Fang F, Li X, Pan Y, Li Y. Genomic Analysis of the Unusual Staphylococcus aureus ST630 Isolates Harboring WTA Glycosyltransferase Genes tarM and tagN. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0150121. [PMID: 35170993 PMCID: PMC8849055 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01501-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) can cause a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from skin infections to life-threatening diseases in both community and hospital settings. The surface-exposed wall teichoic acid (WTA) has a strong impact on host interaction, pathogenicity, horizontal gene transfer, and biofilm formation in S. aureus. The unusual S. aureus ST630 strains containing both ribitol-phosphate (RboP) WTA glycosyltransferase gene tarM and glycerol-phosphate (GroP) WTA glycosyltransferase gene tagN have been found recently. Native PAGE analysis showed that the WTA of tagN, tarM-encoding ST630 strains migrated slower than that of non-tagN-encoding ST630 strains, indicating the differences in WTA structure. Some mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as the unique GroP-WTA biosynthetic gene cluster (SaGroWI), SCCmec element, and prophages that probably originated from the CoNS were identified in tagN, tarM-encoding ST630 strains. The SaGroWI element was first defined in S. aureus ST395 strain, which was refractory to exchange MGEs with typical RboP-WTA expressing S. aureus but could undergo horizontal gene transfer events with other species and genera via the specific bacteriophage Φ187. Overall, our data indicated that this rare ST630 was prone to acquire DNA from CoNS and might serve as a novel hub for the exchange of MGEs between CoNS and S. aureus. IMPORTANCE The structure of wall-anchored glycopolymers wall teichoic acid (WTA) produced by most Gram-positive bacteria is highly variable. While most dominant Staphylococcus aureus lineages produce poly-ribitol-phosphate (RboP) WTA, the tagN, tarM-encoding ST630 lineage probably has a poly-glycerol-phosphate (GroP) WTA backbone like coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). There is growing evidence that staphylococcal horizontal gene transfer depends largely on transducing helper phages via WTA as the receptor. The structural difference of WTA greatly affects the transfer of mobile genetic elements among various bacteria. With the growing advances in sequencing and analysis technologies, genetic analysis has revolutionized research activities in the field of the important pathogen S. aureus. Here, we analyzed the molecular characteristics of ST630 and found an evolutionary link between ST630 and CoNS. Elucidating the genetic information of ST630 lineage will contribute to understanding the emergence and diversification of new pathogenic strains in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Xiong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liangjun Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junying Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinwei Li
- Medical School of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yunbao Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Engineering Center for Infectious Disease Prevention, Control and Treatment, Wuhan, China
| | - Yirong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Engineering Center for Infectious Disease Prevention, Control and Treatment, Wuhan, China
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18
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Sutton G, Fogel GB, Abramson B, Brinkac L, Michael T, Liu ES, Thomas S. Horizontal transfer and evolution of wall teichoic acid gene cassettes in Bacillus subtilis. F1000Res 2022; 10:354. [PMID: 35035886 PMCID: PMC8753576 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.51874.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Wall teichoic acid (WTA) genes are essential for production of cell walls in gram-positive bacteria and necessary for survival and variability in the cassette has led to recent antibiotic resistance acquisition in pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Using a pan-genome approach, we examined the evolutionary history of WTA genes in
Bacillus subtilis ssp.
subtilis. Results: Our analysis reveals an interesting pattern of evolution from the type-strain WTA gene cassette possibly resulting from horizontal acquisition from organisms with similar gene sequences. The WTA cassettes have a high level of variation which may be due to one or more independent horizontal transfer events during the evolution of
Bacillus subtilis ssp.
subtilis. This swapping of entire WTA cassettes and smaller regions within the WTA cassettes is an unusual feature in the evolution of the
Bacillus subtilis genome and highlights the importance of horizontal transfer of gene cassettes through homologous recombination within
B. subtilis or other bacterial species. Conclusions: Reduced sequence conservation of these WTA cassettes may indicate a modified function like the previously documented WTA ribitol/glycerol variation. An improved understanding of high-frequency recombination of gene cassettes has ramifications for synthetic biology and the use of
B. subtilis in industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Granger Sutton
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, USA
| | - Gary B Fogel
- Natural Selection, Inc., San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Bradley Abramson
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Todd Michael
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Enoch S Liu
- Natural Selection, Inc., San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
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19
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Borodovich T, Shkoporov AN, Ross RP, Hill C. OUP accepted manuscript. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2022; 10:goac012. [PMID: 35425613 PMCID: PMC9006064 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the microbiome has profound consequences for human health and disease. The spread of antibiotic resistance genes, virulence, and pathogenicity determinants predominantly occurs by way of HGT. Evidence exists of extensive horizontal transfer in the human gut microbiome. Phage transduction is a type of HGT event in which a bacteriophage transfers non-viral DNA from one bacterial host cell to another. The abundance of tailed bacteriophages in the human gut suggests that transduction could act as a significant mode of HGT in the gut microbiome. Here we review in detail the known mechanisms of phage-mediated HGT, namely specialized and generalized transduction, lateral transduction, gene-transfer agents, and molecular piracy, as well as methods used to detect phage-mediated HGT, and discuss its potential implications for the human gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Borodovich
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Corresponding author. APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Room 3.63, College Road, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland.
| | - Andrey N Shkoporov
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - R Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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20
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Göller PC, Elsener T, Lorgé D, Radulovic N, Bernardi V, Naumann A, Amri N, Khatchatourova E, Coutinho FH, Loessner MJ, Gómez-Sanz E. Multi-species host range of staphylococcal phages isolated from wastewater. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6965. [PMID: 34845206 PMCID: PMC8629997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27037-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The host range of bacteriophages defines their impact on bacterial communities and genome diversity. Here, we characterize 94 novel staphylococcal phages from wastewater and establish their host range on a diversified panel of 117 staphylococci from 29 species. Using this high-resolution phage-bacteria interaction matrix, we unveil a multi-species host range as a dominant trait of the isolated staphylococcal phages. Phage genome sequencing shows this pattern to prevail irrespective of taxonomy. Network analysis between phage-infected bacteria reveals that hosts from multiple species, ecosystems, and drug-resistance phenotypes share numerous phages. Lastly, we show that phages throughout this network can package foreign genetic material enclosing an antibiotic resistance marker at various frequencies. Our findings indicate a weak host specialism of the tested phages, and therefore their potential to promote horizontal gene transfer in this environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline C. Göller
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tabea Elsener
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Lorgé
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natasa Radulovic
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viona Bernardi
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Naumann
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nesrine Amri
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ekaterina Khatchatourova
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felipe Hernandes Coutinho
- grid.26811.3c0000 0001 0586 4893Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Martin J. Loessner
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gómez-Sanz
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Área de Microbiología Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain.
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21
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Hort M, Bertsche U, Nozinovic S, Dietrich A, Schrötter AS, Mildenberger L, Axtmann K, Berscheid A, Bierbaum G. The Role of β-Glycosylated Wall Teichoic Acids in the Reduction of Vancomycin Susceptibility in Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0052821. [PMID: 34668723 PMCID: PMC8528128 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00528-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a wide range of infections. Due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance that leads to treatment failure, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms. Here, the cell wall structures of several laboratory vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strains were analyzed. Among the VISA strains were S. aureus VC40, which accumulated 79 mutations, including most importantly 2 exchanges in the histidine-kinase VraS, and developed full resistance against vancomycin (MIC, 64 μg/ml); a revertant S. aureus VC40R, which has an additional mutation in vraR (MIC, 4 μg/ml); and S. aureus VraS(VC40), in which the 2 vraS mutations were reconstituted into a susceptible background (MIC, 4 μg/ml). A ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis showed that S. aureus VC40 had a significantly decreased cross-linking of the peptidoglycan. Both S. aureus VC40 and S. aureus VraS(VC40) displayed reduced autolysis and an altered autolysin profile in a zymogram. Most striking was the significant increase in d-alanine and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) substitution of the wall teichoic acids (WTAs) in S. aureus VC40. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis revealed that this strain had mostly β-glycosylated WTAs in contrast to the other strains, which showed only the α-glycosylation peak. Salt stress induced the incorporation of β-GlcNAc anomers and drastically increased the vancomycin MIC for S. aureus VC40R. In addition, β-glycosylated WTAs decreased the binding affinity of AtlA, the major autolysin of S. aureus, to the cell wall, compared with α-glycosylated WTAs. In conclusion, there is a novel connection between wall teichoic acids, autolysis, and vancomycin susceptibility in S. aureus. IMPORTANCE Infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are commonly treated with vancomycin. This antibiotic inhibits cell wall biosynthesis by binding to the cell wall building block lipid II. We set out to characterize the mechanisms leading to decreased vancomycin susceptibility in a laboratory-generated strain, S. aureus VC40. This strain has an altered cell wall architecture with a thick cell wall with low cross-linking, which provides decoy binding sites for vancomycin. The low cross-linking, necessary for this resistance mechanism, decreases the stability of the cell wall against lytic enzymes, which separate the daughter cells. Protection against these enzymes is provided by another cell wall polymer, the teichoic acids, which contain an unusually high substitution with sugars in the β-conformation. By experimentally increasing the proportion of β-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine in a closely related isolate through the induction of salt stress, we could show that the β-conformation of the sugars plays a vital role in the resistance of S. aureus VC40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hort
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ute Bertsche
- Department of Infection Biology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Alina Dietrich
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anne Sophie Schrötter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura Mildenberger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Axtmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anne Berscheid
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bierbaum
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinics of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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22
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Glucose Decoration on Wall Teichoic Acid Is Required for Phage Adsorption and InlB-Mediated Virulence in Listeria ivanovii. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0013621. [PMID: 34096780 PMCID: PMC8297528 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00136-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria ivanovii (Liv) is an intracellular Gram-positive pathogen that primarily infects ruminants but also occasionally causes enteric infections in humans. Albeit rare, this bacterium possesses the capacity to cross the intestinal epithelium of humans, similar to its more frequently pathogenic cousin, Listeria monocytogenes (Lmo). Recent studies in Lmo have shown that specific glycosyl modifications on the cell wall-associated glycopolymers (termed wall teichoic acid [WTA]) of Lmo are responsible for bacteriophage adsorption and retention of the major virulence factor internalin B (InlB). However, the relationship between InlB and WTA in Liv remains unclear. Here, we report the identification of the unique gene liv1070, which encodes a putative glucosyltransferase in the polycistronic WTA gene cluster of the Liv WSLC 3009 genome. We found that in-frame deletion of liv1070 led to loss of the glucose substitution on WTA, as revealed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analysis. Interestingly, the glucose-deficient mutant became resistant to phage B025 infection due to an inability of the phage to adsorb to the bacterial surface, a binding process mediated by the receptor-binding protein B025_Gp17. As expected, deletion of liv1070 led to loss of InlB retention on the bacterial cell wall, which corresponded to a drastic decrease in cellular invasion. Genetic complementation of liv1070 restored the characteristic phenotypes, including glucose decoration, phage adsorption, and cellular invasion. Taken together, our data demonstrate that an interplay between phage, bacteria, and host cells also exists in Listeria ivanovii, suggesting that the trade-off between phage resistance and virulence attenuation may be a general feature in the genus Listeria. IMPORTANCE Listeria ivanovii is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen known to cause enteric infection in rodents and ruminants and occasionally in immunocompromised humans. Recent investigations revealed that in its better-known cousin Listeria monocytogenes, strains develop resistance to bacteriophage attack due to loss of glycosylated surface receptors, which subsequently results in disconnection of one of the bacterium's major virulence factors, InlB. However, the situation in L. ivanovii remains unclear. Here, we show that L. ivanovii acquires phage resistance following deletion of a unique glycosyltransferase. This deletion also leads to dysfunction of InlB, making the resulting strain unable to invade host cells. Overall, this study suggests that the interplay between phage, bacteria, and the host may be a feature common to the genus Listeria.
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23
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Whittard E, Redfern J, Xia G, Millard A, Ragupathy R, Malic S, Enright MC. Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Novel Polyvalent Bacteriophages With Potent In Vitro Activity Against an International Collection of Genetically Diverse Staphylococcus aureus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:698909. [PMID: 34295840 PMCID: PMC8290860 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.698909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy recently passed a key milestone with success of the first regulated clinical trial using systemic administration. In this single-arm non-comparative safety study, phages were administered intravenously to patients with invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections with no adverse reactions reported. Here, we examined features of 78 lytic S. aureus phages, most of which were propagated using a S. carnosus host modified to be broadly susceptible to staphylococcal phage infection. Use of this host eliminates the threat of contamination with staphylococcal prophage - the main vector of S. aureus horizontal gene transfer. We determined the host range of these phages against an international collection of 185 S. aureus isolates with 56 different multilocus sequence types that included multiple representatives of all epidemic MRSA and MSSA clonal complexes. Forty of our 78 phages were able to infect > 90% of study isolates, 15 were able to infect > 95%, and two could infect all 184 clinical isolates, but not a phage-resistant mutant generated in a previous study. We selected the 10 phages with the widest host range for in vitro characterization by planktonic culture time-kill analysis against four isolates:- modified S. carnosus strain TM300H, methicillin-sensitive isolates D329 and 15981, and MRSA isolate 252. Six of these 10 phages were able to rapidly kill, reducing cell numbers of at least three isolates. The four best-performing phages, in this assay, were further shown to be highly effective in reducing 48 h biofilms on polystyrene formed by eight ST22 and eight ST36 MRSA isolates. Genomes of 22 of the widest host-range phages showed they belonged to the Twortvirinae subfamily of the order Caudovirales in three main groups corresponding to Silviavirus, and two distinct groups of Kayvirus. These genomes assembled as single-linear dsDNAs with an average length of 140 kb and a GC content of c. 30%. Phages that could infect > 96% of S. aureus isolates were found in all three groups, and these have great potential as therapeutic candidates if, in future studies, they can be formulated to maximize their efficacy and eliminate emergence of phage resistance by using appropriate combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Whittard
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - James Redfern
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Millard
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Roobinidevi Ragupathy
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sladjana Malic
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mark C. Enright
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
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24
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Staphylococcus epidermidis clones express Staphylococcus aureus-type wall teichoic acid to shift from a commensal to pathogen lifestyle. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:757-768. [PMID: 34031577 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00913-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most clonal lineages of Staphylococcus epidermidis are commensals present on human skin and in the nose. However, some globally spreading healthcare-associated and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (HA-MRSE) clones are major causes of difficult-to-treat implant or bloodstream infections. The molecular determinants that alter the lifestyle of S. epidermidis have remained elusive, and their identification might provide therapeutic targets. We reasoned that changes in surface-exposed wall teichoic acid (WTA) polymers of S. epidermidis, which potentially shape host interactions, may be linked to differences between colonization and infection abilities of different clones. We used a combined epidemiological and functional approach to show that while commensal clones express poly-glycerolphosphate WTA, S. epidermidis multilocus sequence type 23, which emerged in the past 15 years and is one of the main infection-causing HA-MRSE clones, contains an accessory genetic element, tarIJLM, that leads to the production of a second, Staphylococcus aureus-type WTA (poly-ribitolphosphate (RboP)). Production of RboP-WTA by S. epidermidis impaired in vivo colonization but augmented endothelial attachment and host mortality in a mouse sepsis model. tarIJLM was absent from commensal human sequence types but was found in several other HA-MRSE clones. Moreover, RboP-WTA enabled S. epidermidis to exchange DNA with S. aureus via siphovirus bacteriophages, thereby creating a possible route for the inter-species exchange of methicillin resistance, virulence and colonization factors. We conclude that tarIJLM alters the lifestyle of S. epidermidis from commensal to pathogenic and propose that RboP-WTA might be a robust target for preventive and therapeutic interventions against MRSE infections.
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25
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Staphylococcus epidermidis Phages Transduce Antimicrobial Resistance Plasmids and Mobilize Chromosomal Islands. mSphere 2021; 6:6/3/e00223-21. [PMID: 33980677 PMCID: PMC8125051 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00223-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant strains of S. epidermidis emerge in both nosocomial and livestock environments as the most important pathogens among coagulase-negative staphylococcal species. The study of transduction by phages is essential to understanding how virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes spread in originally commensal bacterial populations. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections that is notable for its ability to form a biofilm and for its high rates of antibiotic resistance. It serves as a reservoir of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes that spread among the staphylococcal population by horizontal gene transfer such as transduction. While phage-mediated transduction is well studied in Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis transducing phages have not been described in detail yet. Here, we report the characteristics of four phages, 27, 48, 456, and 459, previously used for S. epidermidis phage typing, and the newly isolated phage E72, from a clinical S. epidermidis strain. The phages, classified in the family Siphoviridae and genus Phietavirus, exhibited an S. epidermidis-specific host range, and together they infected 49% of the 35 strains tested. A whole-genome comparison revealed evolutionary relatedness to transducing S. aureus phietaviruses. In accordance with this, all the tested phages were capable of transduction with high frequencies up to 10−4 among S. epidermidis strains from different clonal complexes. Plasmids with sizes from 4 to 19 kb encoding resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol were transferred. We provide here the first evidence of a phage-inducible chromosomal island transfer in S. epidermidis. Similarly to S. aureus pathogenicity islands, the transfer was accompanied by phage capsid remodeling; however, the interfering protein encoded by the island was distinct. Our findings underline the role of S. epidermidis temperate phages in the evolution of S. epidermidis strains by horizontal gene transfer, which can also be utilized for S. epidermidis genetic studies. IMPORTANCE Multidrug-resistant strains of S. epidermidis emerge in both nosocomial and livestock environments as the most important pathogens among coagulase-negative staphylococcal species. The study of transduction by phages is essential to understanding how virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes spread in originally commensal bacterial populations. In this work, we provide a detailed description of transducing S. epidermidis phages. The high transduction frequencies of antimicrobial resistance plasmids and the first evidence of chromosomal island transfer emphasize the decisive role of S. epidermidis phages in attaining a higher pathogenic potential of host strains. To date, such importance has been attributed only to S. aureus phages, not to those of coagulase-negative staphylococci. This study also proved that the described transducing bacteriophages represent valuable genetic modification tools in S. epidermidis strains where other methods for gene transfer fail.
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26
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Lade H, Kim JS. Bacterial Targets of Antibiotics in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:398. [PMID: 33917043 PMCID: PMC8067735 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10040398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most prevalent bacterial pathogens and continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. MRSA is a commensal bacterium in humans and is transmitted in both community and healthcare settings. Successful treatment remains a challenge, and a search for new targets of antibiotics is required to ensure that MRSA infections can be effectively treated in the future. Most antibiotics in clinical use selectively target one or more biochemical processes essential for S. aureus viability, e.g., cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis (translation), DNA replication, RNA synthesis (transcription), or metabolic processes, such as folic acid synthesis. In this review, we briefly describe the mechanism of action of antibiotics from different classes and discuss insights into the well-established primary targets in S. aureus. Further, several components of bacterial cellular processes, such as teichoic acid, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the lipid II cycle, auxiliary factors of β-lactam resistance, two-component systems, and the accessory gene regulator quorum sensing system, are discussed as promising targets for novel antibiotics. A greater molecular understanding of the bacterial targets of antibiotics has the potential to reveal novel therapeutic strategies or identify agents against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jae-Seok Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 05355, Korea;
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27
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams against the Fortress of the Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Bacterium. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3412-3463. [PMID: 33373523 PMCID: PMC8653850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria-whether assessed by shape, food, metabolism, or ecological niche-surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular eukaryotes. The relationship between bacteria whose ecological niche is the eukaryote, and the eukaryote, is often symbiosis or stasis. Some bacteria, however, seek advantage in this relationship. One of the most successful-to the disadvantage of the eukaryote-is the small (less than 1 μm diameter) and nearly spherical Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. For decades, successful clinical control of its infection has been accomplished using β-lactam antibiotics such as the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Over these same decades S. aureus has perfected resistance mechanisms against these antibiotics, which are then countered by new generations of β-lactam structure. This review addresses the current breadth of biochemical and microbiological efforts to preserve the future of the β-lactam antibiotics through a better understanding of how S. aureus protects the enzyme targets of the β-lactams, the penicillin-binding proteins. The penicillin-binding proteins are essential enzyme catalysts for the biosynthesis of the cell wall, and understanding how this cell wall is integrated into the protective cell envelope of the bacterium may identify new antibacterials and new adjuvants that preserve the efficacy of the β-lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
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28
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Hendriks A, van Dalen R, Ali S, Gerlach D, van der Marel GA, Fuchsberger FF, Aerts PC, de Haas CJ, Peschel A, Rademacher C, van Strijp JA, Codée JD, van Sorge NM. Impact of Glycan Linkage to Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid on Langerin Recognition and Langerhans Cell Activation. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:624-635. [PMID: 33591717 PMCID: PMC8023653 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Staphylococcus
aureus is the leading cause of
skin and soft tissue infections. It remains incompletely understood
how skin-resident immune cells respond to invading S. aureus and contribute to an effective immune response. Langerhans cells
(LCs), the only professional antigen-presenting cell type in the epidermis,
sense S. aureus through their pattern-recognition
receptor langerin, triggering a proinflammatory response. Langerin
recognizes the β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine
(β1,4-GlcNAc) but not α-1,4-linked GlcNAc (α1,4-GlcNAc)
modifications, which are added by dedicated glycosyltransferases TarS
and TarM, respectively, on the cell wall glycopolymer wall teichoic
acid (WTA). Recently, an alternative WTA glycosyltransferase, TarP,
was identified, which also modifies WTA with β-GlcNAc but at
the C-3 position (β1,3-GlcNAc) of the WTA ribitol phosphate
(RboP) subunit. Here, we aimed to unravel the impact of β-GlcNAc
linkage position for langerin binding and LC activation. Using genetically
modified S. aureus strains, we observed that langerin
similarly recognized bacteria that produce either TarS- or TarP-modified
WTA, yet tarP-expressing S. aureus induced increased cytokine production and maturation of in vitro-generated LCs compared to tarS-expressing S. aureus. Chemically synthesized WTA
molecules, representative of the different S. aureus WTA glycosylation patterns, were used to identify langerin-WTA binding
requirements. We established that β-GlcNAc is sufficient to
confer langerin binding, thereby presenting synthetic WTA molecules
as a novel glycobiology tool for structure-binding studies and for
elucidating S. aureus molecular pathogenesis. Overall,
our data suggest that LCs are able to sense all β-GlcNAc-WTA
producing S. aureus strains, likely performing an
important role as first responders upon S. aureus skin invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Hendriks
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Glaxo-Smith Kline, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Partner Site Tübingen, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Piet C. Aerts
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J.C. de Haas
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Partner Site Tübingen, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jos A.G. van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D.C. Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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29
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Lavecchia A, Chiara M, De Virgilio C, Manzari C, Pazzani C, Horner D, Pesole G, Placido A. Comparative Genomics Suggests a Taxonomic Revision of the Staphylococcus cohnii Species Complex. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6134082. [PMID: 33576800 PMCID: PMC8086632 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus cohnii (SC), a coagulase-negative bacterium, was first isolated in 1975 from human skin. Early phenotypic analyses led to the delineation of two subspecies (subsp.), Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii (SCC) and Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticus (SCU). SCC was considered to be specific to humans, whereas SCU apparently demonstrated a wider host range, from lower primates to humans. The type strains ATCC 29974 and ATCC 49330 have been designated for SCC and SCU, respectively. Comparative analysis of 66 complete genome sequences-including a novel SC isolate-revealed unexpected patterns within the SC complex, both in terms of genomic sequence identity and gene content, highlighting the presence of 3 phylogenetically distinct groups. Based on our observations, and on the current guidelines for taxonomic classification for bacterial species, we propose a revision of the SC species complex. We suggest that SCC and SCU should be regarded as two distinct species: SC and SU (Staphylococcus urealyticus), and that two distinct subspecies, SCC and SCB (SC subsp. barensis, represented by the novel strain isolated in Bari) should be recognized within SC. Furthermore, since large-scale comparative genomics studies recurrently suggest inconsistencies or conflicts in taxonomic assignments of bacterial species, we believe that the approach proposed here might be considered for more general application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lavecchia
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Chiara
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina De Virgilio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Manzari
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Pazzani
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - David Horner
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie, Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Placido
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
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30
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Guo Y, Pfahler NM, Völpel SL, Stehle T. Cell wall glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus: targeting the tar glycosyltransferases. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 68:166-174. [PMID: 33540375 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major structural polymer of the bacterial cell wall. The PG layer of gram-positive bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is permeated with anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs) and lipoteichoic acids (LTAs). In S. aureus, the WTA backbone typically consists of repeating ribitol-5-phosphate units, which are modified by enzymes that introduce glycosylation as well as amino acids at different locations. These modifications are key determinants of phage adhesion, bacterial biofilm formation and virulence of S. aureus. In this review, we examine differences in WTA structures in gram-positive bacteria, focusing in particular on three enzymes, TarM, TarS, and TarP that glycosylate the WTA of S. aureus at different locations. Infections with S. aureus pose an increasing threat to human health, particularly through the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Recently obtained structural information on TarM, TarS and TarP has helped to better understand the strategies used by S. aureus to establish resistance and to evade host defense mechanisms. Moreover, structures of complexes with poly-RboP and its analogs can serve as a platform for the development of new inhibitors that could form a basis for the development of antibiotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nina M Pfahler
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon L Völpel
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA.
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31
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Moller AG, Winston K, Ji S, Wang J, Hargita Davis MN, Solís-Lemus CR, Read TD. Genes Influencing Phage Host Range in Staphylococcus aureus on a Species-Wide Scale. mSphere 2021; 6:e01263-20. [PMID: 33441407 PMCID: PMC7845607 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.01263-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen that causes serious diseases, ranging from skin infections to septic shock. Bacteriophages (phages) are both natural killers of S. aureus, offering therapeutic possibilities, and important vectors of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the species. Here, we used high-throughput approaches to understand the genetic basis of strain-to-strain variation in sensitivity to phages, which defines the host range. We screened 259 diverse S. aureus strains covering more than 40 sequence types for sensitivity to eight phages, which were representatives of the three phage classes that infect the species. The phages were variable in host range, each infecting between 73 and 257 strains. Using genome-wide association approaches, we identified putative loci that affect host range and validated their function using USA300 transposon knockouts. In addition to rediscovering known host range determinants, we found several previously unreported genes affecting bacterial growth during phage infection, including trpA, phoR, isdB, sodM, fmtC, and relA We used the data from our host range matrix to develop predictive models that achieved between 40% and 95% accuracy. This work illustrates the complexity of the genetic basis for phage susceptibility in S. aureus but also shows that with more data, we may be able to understand much of the variation. With a knowledge of host range determination, we can rationally design phage therapy cocktails that target the broadest host range of S. aureus strains and address basic questions regarding phage-host interactions, such as the impact of phage on S. aureus evolution.IMPORTANCEStaphylococcus aureus is a widespread, hospital- and community-acquired pathogen, many strains of which are antibiotic resistant. It causes diverse diseases, ranging from local to systemic infection, and affects both the skin and many internal organs, including the heart, lungs, bones, and brain. Its ubiquity, antibiotic resistance, and disease burden make new therapies urgent. One alternative therapy to antibiotics is phage therapy, in which viruses specific to infecting bacteria clear infection. In this work, we identified and validated S. aureus genes that influence phage host range-the number of strains a phage can infect and kill-by testing strains representative of the diversity of the S. aureus species for phage host range and associating the genome sequences of strains with host range. These findings together improved our understanding of how phage therapy works in the bacterium and improve prediction of phage therapy efficacy based on the predicted host range of the infecting strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham G Moller
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (GDBBS), Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kyle Winston
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH), Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shiyu Ji
- Eugene Gangarosa Laboratory Research Fellowship, Emory College Online & Summer Programs, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Junting Wang
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michelle N Hargita Davis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Claudia R Solís-Lemus
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Timothy D Read
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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32
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Wu X, Han J, Gong G, Koffas MAG, Zha J. Wall teichoic acids: physiology and applications. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 45:6019871. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are charged glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and represent one of the major components of Gram-positive cell envelope. WTAs have important physiological functions in cell division, gene transfer, surface adhesion, drug resistance and biofilm formation, and are critical virulence factors and vital determinants in mediating cell interaction with and tolerance to environmental factors. Here, we first briefly introduce WTA structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, and then summarize in detail four major physiological roles played by WTAs, i.e. WTA-mediated resistance to antimicrobials, virulence to mammalian cells, interaction with bacteriolytic enzymes and regulation of cell metabolism. We also review the applications of WTAs in these fields that are closely related to the human society, including antibacterial drug discovery targeting WTA biosynthesis, development of vaccines and antibodies regarding WTA-mediated pathogenicity, specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food using WTAs as a surface epitope and regulation of WTA-related pathways for efficient microbial production of useful compounds. We also point out major problems remaining in these fields, and discuss some possible directions in the future exploration of WTA physiology and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Jing Han
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Guoli Gong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Mattheos A G Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Zha
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
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33
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Wall Teichoic Acid in Staphylococcus aureus Host Interaction. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:985-998. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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34
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Xiong M, Zhao J, Huang T, Wang W, Wang L, Zhao Z, Li X, Zhou J, Xiao X, Pan Y, Lin J, Li Y. Molecular Characteristics, Virulence Gene and Wall Teichoic Acid Glycosyltransferase Profiles of Staphylococcus aureus: A Multicenter Study in China. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2013. [PMID: 32973729 PMCID: PMC7466653 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) constantly evolves under host and environment pressures. The monitoring network is essential in assessing the epidemiology of S. aureus infections. A total of 555 S. aureus isolates were collected from five hospitals in three different geographical regions of China for the investigation of molecular characteristics, antibiotic resistance, virulence gene, and wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosyltransferase gene profiles. 233 (42.0%) isolates were identified as MRSA, and 323 (58.2%) were defined as multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. MRSA prevalence showed no significant difference among the three regions. In contrast, the MDR prevalence was significantly higher in central China than that in northern China (63.5% vs. 50.8%, P < 0.05). Thirty-eight sequence types (STs) belonging to 17 clone complexes (CCs) and 126 distinct spa-types were identified. The most prevalent clone was ST59-t437 (9.7%, 54/555), followed by ST22-t309 (7.6%, 42/555) and ST5-t2460 (7.2%, 40/555). Most ST59-t437 and ST5-t2460 were MRSA isolates, whereas most ST22-t309 was MSSA isolates. The predominant clones varied in different geographical areas. The distribution of the pvl, etb, tsst, clfb, sdrC, sdrD, hlg, fnbA, and hla genes showed significant differences among different regions. We found five WTA glycosyltransferase gene profiles, with tarP-/tarS+/tarM-/tagN- being the most common combination. Remarkably, the tarP gene was identified in more CCs than just CC5 and CC398. All of 16 tarP-positive isolates also contained the tarS. Moreover, tarS was present in almost all S. aureus isolates except 10 ST630 isolates. The tagN gene was only detected in 10 of 12 ST630 S. aureus isolates without tarS. The tarM gene was absent in CC5 and CC398. In brief, there were regional differences among molecular characteristics, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene profiles. The tarS-negative ST630 lineage carried the tagN, which was never found before, indicating that it may be capable of expressing GroP-α-GalNAc WTA and exchanging mobile genetic elements with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Xiong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Weihua Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xuehan Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junying Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunbao Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yirong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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35
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Mnich ME, van Dalen R, van Sorge NM. C-Type Lectin Receptors in Host Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:309. [PMID: 32733813 PMCID: PMC7358460 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are present throughout the human body—in tissues, at barrier sites and in the circulation. They are critical for processing external signals to instruct both local and systemic responses toward immune tolerance or immune defense. APCs express an extensive repertoire of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect and transduce these signals. C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) comprise a subfamily of PRRs dedicated to sensing glycans, including those expressed by commensal and pathogenic bacteria. This review summarizes recent findings on the recognition of and responses to bacteria by membrane-expressed CLRs on different APC subsets, which are discussed according to the primary site of infection. Many CLR-bacterial interactions promote bacterial clearance, whereas other interactions are exploited by bacteria to enhance their pathogenic potential. The discrimination between protective and virulence-enhancing interactions is essential to understand which interactions to target with new prophylactic or treatment strategies. CLRs are also densely concentrated at APC dendrites that sample the environment across intact barrier sites. This suggests an–as yet–underappreciated role for CLR-mediated recognition of microbiota-produced glycans in maintaining tolerance at barrier sites. In addition to providing a concise overview of identified CLR-bacteria interactions, we discuss the main challenges and potential solutions for the identification of new CLR-bacterial interactions, including those with commensal bacteria, and for in-depth structure-function studies on CLR-bacterial glycan interactions. Finally, we highlight the necessity for more relevant tissue-specific in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models to develop therapeutic applications in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata E Mnich
- Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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36
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Ribič U, Jakše J, Toplak N, Koren S, Kovač M, Klančnik A, Jeršek B. Transporters and Efflux Pumps Are the Main Mechanisms Involved in Staphylococcus epidermidis Adaptation and Tolerance to Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E344. [PMID: 32121333 PMCID: PMC7143832 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis cleanroom strains are often exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations of disinfectants, including didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC). Consequently, they can adapt or even become tolerant to them. RNA-sequencing was used to investigate adaptation and tolerance mechanisms of S. epidermidis cleanroom strains (SE11, SE18), with S. epidermidis SE11Ad adapted and S. epidermidis SE18To tolerant to DDAC. Adaptation to DDAC was identified with up-regulation of genes mainly involved in transport (thioredoxin reductase [pstS], the arsenic efflux pump [gene ID, SE0334], sugar phosphate antiporter [uhpT]), while down-regulation was seen for the Agr system (agrA, arC, agrD, psm, SE1543), for enhanced biofilm formation. Tolerance to DDAC revealed the up-regulation of genes associated with transporters (L-cysteine transport [tcyB]; uracil permease [SE0875]; multidrug transporter [lmrP]; arsenic efflux pump [arsB]); the down-regulation of genes involved in amino-acid biosynthesis (lysine [dapE]; histidine [hisA]; methionine [metC]), and an enzyme involved in peptidoglycan, and therefore cell wall modifications (alanine racemase [SE1079]). We show for the first time the differentially expressed genes in DDAC-adapted and DDAC-tolerant S. epidermidis strains, which highlight the complexity of the responses through the involvement of different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urška Ribič
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Jernej Jakše
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Nataša Toplak
- Omega d.o.o., Dolinškova 8, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (N.T.); (S.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Simon Koren
- Omega d.o.o., Dolinškova 8, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (N.T.); (S.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Minka Kovač
- Omega d.o.o., Dolinškova 8, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (N.T.); (S.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Anja Klančnik
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Barbara Jeršek
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.R.); (A.K.)
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37
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Kizziah JL, Manning KA, Dearborn AD, Dokland T. Structure of the host cell recognition and penetration machinery of a Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008314. [PMID: 32069326 PMCID: PMC7048315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of infections in humans. The emergence of virulent, antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus is a significant public health concern. Most virulence and resistance factors in S. aureus are encoded by mobile genetic elements, and transduction by bacteriophages represents the main mechanism for horizontal gene transfer. The baseplate is a specialized structure at the tip of bacteriophage tails that plays key roles in host recognition, cell wall penetration, and DNA ejection. We have used high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of the S. aureus bacteriophage 80α baseplate at 3.75 Å resolution, allowing atomic models to be built for most of the major tail and baseplate proteins, including two tail fibers, the receptor binding protein, and part of the tape measure protein. Our structure provides a structural basis for understanding host recognition, cell wall penetration and DNA ejection in viruses infecting Gram-positive bacteria. Comparison to other phages demonstrates the modular design of baseplate proteins, and the adaptations to the host that take place during the evolution of staphylococci and other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. Kizziah
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Keith A. Manning
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Altaira D. Dearborn
- Structural Virology Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Terje Dokland
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
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38
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Zhao Y, van Woudenbergh E, Zhu J, Heck AJR, van Kessel KPM, de Haas CJC, Aerts PC, van Strijp JAG, McCarthy AJ. The Orphan Immune Receptor LILRB3 Modulates Fc Receptor-Mediated Functions of Neutrophils. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:954-966. [PMID: 31915259 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils are critical to the generation of effective immune responses and for killing invading microbes. Paired immune receptors provide important mechanisms to modulate neutrophil activation thresholds and effector functions. Expression of the leukocyte Ig-like receptor (LILR)A6 (ILT8/CD85b) and LILRB3 (ILT5/CD85a) paired-receptor system on human neutrophils has remained unclear because of the lack of specific molecular tools. Additionally, there is little known of their possible functions in neutrophil biology. The objective of this study was to characterize expression of LILRA6/LILRB3 receptors during human neutrophil differentiation and activation, and to assess their roles in modulating Fc receptor-mediated effector functions. LILRB3, but not LILRA6, was detected in human neutrophil lysates following immunoprecipitation by mass spectrometry. We demonstrate high LILRB3 expression on the surface of resting neutrophils and release from the surface following neutrophil activation. Surface expression was recapitulated in a human PLB-985 cell model of neutrophil-like differentiation. Continuous ligation of LILRB3 inhibited key IgA-mediated effector functions, including production of reactive oxygen species, phagocytic uptake, and microbial killing. This suggests that LILRB3 provides an important checkpoint to control human neutrophil activation and their antimicrobial effector functions during resting and early-activation stages of the neutrophil life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Esther van Woudenbergh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jing Zhu
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Center, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Center, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Kok P M van Kessel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carla J C de Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Piet C Aerts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alex J McCarthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; .,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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39
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Mining the Methylome Reveals Extensive Diversity in Staphylococcus epidermidis Restriction Modification. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02451-19. [PMID: 31848274 PMCID: PMC6918075 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02451-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a significant opportunistic pathogen of humans. Molecular studies in this species have been hampered by the presence of restriction-modification (RM) systems that limit introduction of foreign DNA. Here, we establish the complete genomes and methylomes for seven clinically significant, genetically diverse S. epidermidis isolates and perform the first systematic genomic analyses of the type I RM systems within both S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus Our analyses revealed marked differences in the gene arrangement, chromosomal location, and movement of type I RM systems between the two species. Unlike S. aureus, S. epidermidis type I RM systems demonstrate extensive diversity even within a single genetic lineage. This is contrary to current assumptions and has important implications for approaching the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis Using Escherichia coli plasmid artificial modification (PAM) to express S. epidermidis hsdMS, we readily overcame restriction barriers in S. epidermidis and achieved electroporation efficiencies equivalent to those of modification-deficient mutants. With these functional experiments, we demonstrated how genomic data can be used to predict both the functionality of type I RM systems and the potential for a strain to be electroporation proficient. We outline an efficient approach for the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis strains from diverse genetic backgrounds, including those that have hitherto been intractable. Additionally, we identified S. epidermidis BPH0736, a naturally restriction-defective, clinically significant, multidrug-resistant ST2 isolate, as an ideal candidate for molecular studies.IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially those related to implanted medical devices. Understanding how S. epidermidis causes disease and devising ways to combat these infections have been hindered by an inability to genetically manipulate clinically significant hospital-adapted strains. Here, we provide the first comprehensive analyses of the barriers to the uptake of foreign DNA in S. epidermidis and demonstrate that these are distinct from those described for S. aureus Using these insights, we demonstrate an efficient approach for the genetic manipulation of S. epidermidis to enable the study of clinical isolates for the first time.
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40
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Schifano E, Ficociello G, Vespa S, Ghosh S, Cipollo JF, Talora C, Lotti LV, Mancini P, Uccelletti D. Pmr-1 gene affects susceptibility of Caenorhabditis elegans to Staphylococcus aureus infection through glycosylation and stress response pathways' alterations. Virulence 2019; 10:1013-1025. [PMID: 31771413 PMCID: PMC6930020 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1697118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium signaling can elicit different pathways involved in an extreme variety of biological processes. Calcium levels must be tightly regulated in a spatial and temporal manner in order to be efficiently and properly utilized in the host physiology. The Ca2+-ATPase, encoded by pmr-1 gene, was first identified in yeast and localized to the Golgi and it appears to be involved in calcium homeostasis. PMR-1 function is evolutionary conserved from yeast to human, where mutations in the orthologous gene ATP2C1 cause Hailey-Hailey disease. In this work, we used the Caenorhabditis elegans model system to gain insight into the downstream response elicited by the loss of pmr-1 gene. We found that pmr-1 knocked down animals not only showed defects in the oligosaccharide structure of glycoproteins at the cell surface but also were characterized by reduced susceptibility to bacterial infection. Although increased resistance to the infection might be related to lack of regular recognition of C. elegans surface glycoproteins by microbial agents, we provide genetic evidence that pmr-1 interfered nematodes mounted a stronger innate immune response to Gram-positive bacterial infection. Thus, our observations indicate pmr-1 as a candidate gene implicated in mediating the worm's innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Schifano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Graziella Ficociello
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Vespa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salil Ghosh
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - John F Cipollo
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudio Talora
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Mancini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Uccelletti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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41
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Abstract
Staphylococci, and in particular Staphylococcus aureus, cause an extensive variety of infections in a range of hosts. The comprehensive analysis of staphylococcal genomes reveals mechanisms controlling the organism's biology, pathobiology, and dissemination. Whole-genome sequencing technologies led to a quantum leap in our understanding of bacterial genomes. The recent cost reduction of sequencing has resulted in unprecedented volumes of genomic information about S. aureus, one of the most sequenced bacterial species. Collecting, comparing, and interpreting big data is challenging, but fascinating insights have emerged. For example, it is becoming clearer which selective pressures staphylococci face in their habitats and which mechanisms allow this pathogen to adapt, survive, and spread. A key theme is the constant evolution of staphylococci as they alter their genome, exchange DNA, and adapt to new environments, leading to the emergence of increasingly successful, antibiotic-resistant, immune-evading, and host-adapted colonizers and pathogens. This article introduces the structure of staphylococcal genomes, details how genomes vary between strains, outlines the mechanisms of genetic variation, and describes the features of successful clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi A Lindsay
- St. George's, University of London, Institute of Infection and Immunity, London, United Kingdom
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42
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Vrbovská V, Kovařovic V, Mašlaňová I, Indráková A, Petráš P, Šedo O, Švec P, Fišarová L, Šiborová M, Mikulášek K, Sedláček I, Doškař J, Pantůček R. Staphylococcus petrasii diagnostics and its pathogenic potential enhanced by mobile genetic elements. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 309:151355. [PMID: 31563331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.151355] [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: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus petrasii is recently described coagulase negative staphylococcal species and an opportunistic human pathogen, still often misidentified in clinical specimens. Four subspecies are distinguished in S. petrasii by polyphasic taxonomical analyses, however a comparative study has still not been done on the majority of isolates and their genome properties have not yet been thoroughly analysed. Here, we describe the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 65 isolates and the results of de novo sequencing, whole genome assembly and annotation of draft genomes of five strains. The strains were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to the species level and the majority of the strains were identified to the subspecies level by fingerprinting methods, (GTG)5 repetitive PCR and ribotyping. Macrorestriction profiling by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was confirmed to be a suitable strain typing method. Comparative genomics revealed the presence of new mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial resistance factors such as staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec, transposones, phage-inducible genomic islands, and plasmids. Their mosaic structure and similarity across coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus suggest the possible exchange of these elements. Numerous putative virulence factors such as adhesins, autolysins, exoenzymes, capsule formation genes, immunomodulators, the phage-associated sasX gene, and SCC-associated spermidine N-acetyltransferase gene, pseudouridine and sorbitol utilization operons might explain clinical manifestations of S. petrasii isolates. The increasing recovery of S. petrasii isolates from human clinical material, the multi-drug resistance including methicillin resistance of S. petrasii subsp. jettensis strains, and virulence factors homologous to other pathogenic staphylococci demonstrate the importance of the species in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Vrbovská
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Kovařovic
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Mašlaňová
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Indráková
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Petráš
- Reference Laboratory for Staphylococci, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, 100 42 Praha 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Šedo
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Švec
- Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Fišarová
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Šiborová
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Mikulášek
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Sedláček
- Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Doškař
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Pantůček
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic.
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43
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Ingmer H, Gerlach D, Wolz C. Temperate Phages of Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0058-2018. [PMID: 31562736 PMCID: PMC10921950 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0058-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most Staphylococcus aureus isolates carry multiple bacteriophages in their genome, which provide the pathogen with traits important for niche adaptation. Such temperate S. aureus phages often encode a variety of accessory factors that influence virulence, immune evasion and host preference of the bacterial lysogen. Moreover, transducing phages are primary vehicles for horizontal gene transfer. Wall teichoic acid (WTA) acts as a common phage receptor for staphylococcal phages and structural variations of WTA govern phage-host specificity thereby shaping gene transfer across clonal lineages and even species. Thus, bacteriophages are central for the success of S. aureus as a human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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44
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Mnich ME, van Dalen R, Gerlach D, Hendriks A, Xia G, Peschel A, van Strijp JAG, van Sorge NM. The C-type lectin receptor MGL senses N-acetylgalactosamine on the unique Staphylococcus aureus ST395 wall teichoic acid. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13072. [PMID: 31219660 PMCID: PMC6771913 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin commensal but is also associated with various skin and soft tissue pathologies. Upon invasion, S. aureus is detected by resident innate immune cells through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), although a comprehensive understanding of the specific molecular interactions is lacking. Recently, we demonstrated that the PRR langerin (CD207) on epidermal Langerhans cells senses the conserved β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) modification on S. aureus wall teichoic acid (WTA), thereby increasing skin inflammation. Interestingly, the S. aureus ST395 lineage as well as certain species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) produce a structurally different WTA molecule, consisting of poly-glycerolphosphate with α-O-N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues, which are attached by the glycosyltransferase TagN. Here, we demonstrate that S. aureus ST395 strains interact with the human Macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL; CD301) receptor, which is expressed by dendritic cells and macrophages in the dermis. MGL bound S. aureus ST395 in a tagN- and GalNAc-dependent manner but did not interact with different tagN-positive CoNS species. However, heterologous expression of Staphylococcus lugdunensis tagN in S. aureus conferred phage infection and MGL binding, confirming the role of this CoNS enzyme as GalNAc-transferase. Functionally, the detection of GalNAc on S. aureus ST395 WTA by human monocyte-derived dendritic cells significantly enhanced cytokine production. Together, our findings highlight differential recognition of S. aureus glycoprofiles by specific human innate receptors, which may affect downstream adaptive immune responses and pathogen clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata E Mnich
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Glaxo-Smith Kline, Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Astrid Hendriks
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Glaxo-Smith Kline, Siena, Italy
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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45
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Azam AH, Kadoi K, Miyanaga K, Usui M, Tamura Y, Cui L, Tanji Y. Analysis host-recognition mechanism of staphylococcal kayvirus ɸSA039 reveals a novel strategy that protects Staphylococcus aureus against infection by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Siphoviridae phages. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:6809-6823. [PMID: 31236618 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Following the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), phage therapy has attracted significant attention as an alternative to antibiotic treatment. Bacteriophages belonging to kayvirus (previously known as Twort-like phages) have broad host range and are strictly lytic in Staphylococcus spp. Previous work revealed that kayvirus ɸSA039 has a host-recognition mechanism distinct from those of other known kayviruses: most of kayviruses use the backbone of wall teichoic acid (WTA) as their receptor; by contrast, ɸSA039 uses the β-N-acetylglucosamine (β-GlcNAc) residue in WTA. In this study, we found that ɸSA039 could switch its receptor to be able to infect S. aureus lacking the β-GlcNAc residue by acquiring a spontaneous mutation in open reading frame (ORF) 100 and ORF102. Moreover, ɸSA039 could infect S. pseudintermedius, which has a different WTA structure than S. aureus. By comparison, with newly isolated S. pseudintermedius-specific phage (SP phages), we determined that glycosylation in WTA of S. pseudintermedius is essential for adsorption of SP phages, but not ɸSA039. Finally, we describe a novel strategy of S. aureus which protects the bacteria from infection of SP phages. Notably, glycosylation of ribitol phosphate (RboP) WTA by TarM or/and TarS prevents infection of S. aureus by SP phages. These findings could help to establish a new strategy for the treatment of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius infection, as well as provide valuable insights into the biology of phage-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aa Haeruman Azam
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.,Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kenji Kadoi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Miyanaga
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Masaru Usui
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyoudaimidorimachi, Ebetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tamura
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyoudaimidorimachi, Ebetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Yasunori Tanji
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
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46
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Abstract
Bacteria in the genus Staphylococcus are important targets for phage therapy due to their prevalence as pathogens and increasing antibiotic resistance. Here we review Staphylococcus outer surface features and specific phage resistance mechanisms that define the host range, the set of strains that an individual phage can potentially infect. Phage infection goes through five distinct phases: attachment, uptake, biosynthesis, assembly, and lysis. Adsorption inhibition, encompassing outer surface teichoic acid receptor alteration, elimination, or occlusion, limits successful phage attachment and entry. Restriction-modification systems (in particular, type I and IV systems), which target phage DNA inside the cell, serve as the major barriers to biosynthesis as well as transduction and horizontal gene transfer between clonal complexes and species. Resistance to late stages of infection occurs through mechanisms such as assembly interference, in which staphylococcal pathogenicity islands siphon away superinfecting phage proteins to package their own DNA. While genes responsible for teichoic acid biosynthesis, capsule, and restriction-modification are found in most Staphylococcus strains, a variety of other host range determinants (e.g., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, abortive infection, and superinfection immunity) are sporadic. The fitness costs of phage resistance through teichoic acid structure alteration could make staphylococcal phage therapies promising, but host range prediction is complex because of the large number of genes involved, and the roles of many of these are unknown. In addition, little is known about the genetic determinants that contribute to host range expansion in the phages themselves. Future research must identify host range determinants, characterize resistance development during infection and treatment, and examine population-wide genetic background effects on resistance selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham G Moller
- Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG), Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (GDBBS), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jodi A Lindsay
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy D Read
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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47
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Staphylococcus aureus Colonization of the Human Nose and Interaction with Other Microbiome Members. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7. [PMID: 31004422 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0029-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is usually regarded as a bacterial pathogen due to its ability to cause multiple types of invasive infections. Nevertheless, S. aureus colonizes about 30% of the human population asymptomatically in the nares, either transiently or persistently, and can therefore be regarded a human commensal as well, although carriage increases the risk of infection. Whereas many facets of the infection processes have been studied intensively, little is known about the commensal lifestyle of S. aureus. Recent studies highlight the major role of the composition of the highly variable nasal microbiota in promoting or inhibiting S. aureus colonization. Competition for limited nutrients, trace elements, and epithelial attachment sites, different susceptibilities to host defense molecules and the production of antimicrobial molecules by bacterial competitors may determine whether nasal bacteria outcompete each other. This chapter summarizes our knowledge about mechanisms that are used by S. aureus for efficient nasal colonization and strategies used by other nasal bacteria to interfere with its colonization. An improved understanding of naturally evolved mechanisms might enable us to develop new strategies for pathogen eradication.
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48
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Langerhans Cells Sense Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid through Langerin To Induce Inflammatory Responses. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00330-19. [PMID: 31088921 PMCID: PMC6520447 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00330-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of skin infections and is also associated with the occurrence and severity of eczema. Langerhans cells (LCs), a specific subset of skin immune cells, participate in the immune response to S. aureus, but it is yet unclear how LCs recognize S. aureus. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between LCs and S. aureus. We identified that wall teichoic acid, an abundant polymer on the S. aureus surface, is recognized by langerin, a receptor unique to LCs. This interaction allows LCs to discriminate S. aureus from other related staphylococcal species and initiates a proinflammatory response similar to that observed in patients with eczema. Our data therefore provide important new insights into the relationship between S. aureus, LCs, and eczema. Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections and aggravator of the inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis (AD [eczema]). Epicutaneous exposure to S. aureus induces Th17 responses through skin Langerhans cells (LCs), which paradoxically contribute to host defense but also to AD pathogenesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between S. aureus and LCs are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that human LCs directly interact with S. aureus through the pattern recognition receptor langerin (CD207). Human, but not mouse, langerin interacts with S. aureus through the conserved β-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) modifications on wall teichoic acid (WTA), thereby discriminating S. aureus from other staphylococcal species. Importantly, the specific S. aureus WTA glycoprofile strongly influences the level of proinflammatory cytokines that are produced by in vitro-generated LCs. Finally, in a murine epicutaneous infection model, S. aureus strongly upregulated transcripts of Cxcl1, Il6, and Il17, which required the presence of both human langerin and WTA β-GlcNAc. Our findings provide molecular insight into the unique proinflammatory capacities of S. aureus in relation to skin inflammation.
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49
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Azam AH, Tanji Y. Peculiarities of Staphylococcus aureus phages and their possible application in phage therapy. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:4279-4289. [PMID: 30997551 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09810-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage has become an attractive alternative for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. For the success of phage therapy, phage host range is an important criterion when considering a candidate phage. Most reviews of S. aureus (SA) phages have focused on their impact on host evolution, especially their contribution to the spread of virulence genes and pathogenesis factors. The potential therapeutic use of SA phages, especially detailed characterizations of host recognition mechanisms, has not been extensively reviewed so far. In this report, we provide updates on the study of SA phages, focusing on host recognition mechanisms with the recent discovery of phage receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) and the possible applications of SA phages in phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aa Haeruman Azam
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yasunori Tanji
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
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50
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Lerch MF, Schoenfelder SMK, Marincola G, Wencker FDR, Eckart M, Förstner KU, Sharma CM, Thormann KM, Kucklick M, Engelmann S, Ziebuhr W. A non-coding RNA from the intercellular adhesion (ica) locus of Staphylococcus epidermidis controls polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA)-mediated biofilm formation. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1571-1591. [PMID: 30873665 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA)-associated biofilm formation is mediated by the intercellular adhesin (ica) locus and represents a major pathomechanism of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Here, we report on a novel long non-coding (nc)RNA, named IcaZ, which is approximately 400 nucleotides in size. icaZ is located downstream of the ica repressor gene icaR and partially overlaps with the icaR 3' UTR. icaZ exclusively exists in ica-positive S. epidermidis, but not in S. aureus or other staphylococci. Inactivation of the gene completely abolishes PIA production. IcaZ is transcribed as a primary transcript from its own promoter during early- and mid-exponential growth and its transcription is induced by low temperature, ethanol and salt stress. IcaZ targets the icaR 5' UTR and hampers icaR mRNA translation, which alleviates repression of icaADBC operon transcription and results in PIA production. Interestingly, other than in S. aureus, posttranscriptional control of icaR mRNA in S. epidermidis does not involve icaR mRNA 5'/3' UTR base pairing. This suggests major structural and functional differences in icaADBC operon regulation between the two species that also involve the recruitment of ncRNAs. Together, the IcaZ ncRNA represents an unprecedented novel species-specific player involved in the control of PIA production in NBSP S. epidermidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike F Lerch
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Sonja M K Schoenfelder
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Gabriella Marincola
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Freya D R Wencker
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Martin Eckart
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany.,Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, TH Köln, Cologne, D-50678, Germany.,ZB MED-Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany
| | - Cynthia M Sharma
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
| | - Kai M Thormann
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Martin Kucklick
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Microbial Proteomics, Inhoffenstraße 7, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Susanne Engelmann
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Microbial Proteomics, Inhoffenstraße 7, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Wilma Ziebuhr
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Wuerzburg, D-97080, Germany
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