1
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He M, Yin S, Huang X, Li Y, Li B, Gong T, Liu Q. Insights into the regulatory role of bacterial sncRNA and its extracellular delivery via OMVs. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:29. [PMID: 38159117 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12855-z] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) play important regulatory roles in bacterial physiological processes and host-pathogen interactions. Meanwhile, bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), as naturally secreted outer membrane structures, play a vital role in the interaction between bacteria and their living environment, including the host environment. However, most current studies focus on the biological functions of sncRNAs in bacteria or hosts, while neglecting the roles and regulatory mechanisms of the OMVs that encapsulate these sncRNAs. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the intracellular regulatory roles of bacterial sncRNAs in promoting pathogen survival by regulating virulence, modulating bacterial drug resistance, and regulating iron metabolism, and their extracellular regulatory function for influencing host immunity through host-pathogen interactions. Additionally, we introduce the key role played by OMVs, which serve as important cargoes in bacterial sncRNA-host interactions. We propose emerging pathways of sncRNA action to further discuss the mode of host-pathogen interactions, highlighting that the inhibition of sncRNA delivery by OMVs may prevent the occurrence of infection to some extent. Hence, this review lays the foundation for future prophylactic treatments against bacterial infections and strategies for addressing bacterial drug resistance. KEY POINTS: •sncRNAs have intracellular and extracellular regulatory functions in bacterial physiological processes and host-pathogen interactions. •OMVs are potential mediators between bacterial sncRNAs and host cells. •OMVs encapsulating sncRNAs have more potential biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan He
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Shuanshuan Yin
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xinlei Huang
- Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yi Li
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Biaoxian Li
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Tian Gong
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Qiong Liu
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Center for Advanced Diagnostic Technology and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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2
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Wang L, Hou J, Yang K, Yu H, Zhang B, Liu Z, Zheng Y. Development of synthetic small regulatory RNA for Rhodococcus erythropolis. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400022. [PMID: 38528342 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400022] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Rhodococci have been regarded as ideal chassis for biotransformation, biodegradation, and biosynthesis for their unique environmental persistence and robustness. However, most species of Rhodococcus are still difficult to metabolically engineer due to the lack of genetic tools and techniques. In this study, synthetic sRNA strategy was exploited for gene repression in R. erythropolis XP. The synthetic sRNA based on the RhlS scaffold from Pseudomonas aeruginosa functions better in repressing sfgfp expression than those based on E. coli MicC, SgrS, and P. aeruginosa PrrF1-2 scaffold. The RhlS-based sRNAs were applied to study the influence of sulfur metabolism on biodesulfurization (BDS) efficiency in R. erythropolis XP and successfully identified two genes involved in sulfur metabolism that affect the BDS efficiency significantly. The RhlS-based synthetic sRNAs show promise in the metabolic engineering of Rhodococcus and promote the industrial applications of Rhodococcus in environmental remediation and biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Wang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jie Hou
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, P.R. China
| | - Kun Yang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Haonan Yu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yuguo Zheng
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
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3
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Hu W, Huo X, Bai H, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yang H, Feng S. Insights into the complementation potential of the extreme acidophile's orthologue in replacing Escherichia coli hfq gene-particularly in bacterial resistance to environmental stress. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:105. [PMID: 38386219 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03924-0] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus caldus is a typical extreme acidophile widely used in the biohydrometallurgical industry, which often experiences extreme environmental stress in its natural habitat. Hfq, an RNA-binding protein, typically functions as a global regulator involved in various cellular physiological processes. Yet, the biological functions of Hfq derived from such extreme acidophile have not been extensively investigated. In this study, the recombinant strain Δhfq/Achfq, constructed by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated chromosome integration, fully or partially restored the phenotypic defects caused by hfq deletion in Escherichia coli, including impaired growth performance, abnormal cell morphology, impaired swarming motility, decreased stress resistance, decreased intracellular ATP and free amino acid levels, and attenuated biofilm formation. Particularly noteworthy, the intracellular ATP level and biofilm production of the recombinant strain were increased by 12.2% and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the Δhfq mutant. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that even under heterologous expression, AcHfq exerted global regulatory effects on multiple cellular processes, including metabolism, environmental signal processing, and motility. Finally, we established a potential working model to illustrate the regulatory mechanism of AcHfq in bacterial resistance to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xingyu Huo
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Haochen Bai
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongling Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailin Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shoushuai Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Ferrara S, Bertoni G. Genome-Scale Analysis of the Structure and Function of RNA Pathways and Networks in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2721:183-195. [PMID: 37819523 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3473-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, several genome-wide approaches based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) have been developed. These methods allow a comprehensive and dynamic view of the structure and function of the multi-layered RNA pathways and networks. Many of these approaches, including the promising one of single-cell transcriptome analysis, have been successfully applied to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, we are only at the beginning because only a few surrounding conditions have been considered. Here, we aim to illustrate the different types of approaches based on RNA-seq that will lead us in the future to a better understanding of the dynamics of RNA biology in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ferrara
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bertoni
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milano, Italy.
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5
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Gil-Gil T, Valverde JR, Martínez JL, Corona F. In vivo genetic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa carbon catabolic repression through the study of CrcZ pseudo-revertants shows that Crc-mediated metabolic robustness is needed for proficient bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0235023. [PMID: 37902380 PMCID: PMC10714802 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02350-23] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IIMPORTANCE Hfq and Crc regulate P. aeruginosa carbon catabolic repression at the post-transcriptional level. In vitro work has shown that Hfq binds the target RNAs and Crc stabilizes the complex. A third element in the regulation is the small RNA CrcZ, which sequesters the Crc-Hfq complex under no catabolic repression conditions, allowing the translation of the target mRNAs. A ΔcrcZ mutant was generated and presented fitness defects and alterations in its virulence potential and antibiotic resistance. Eight pseudo-revertants that present different degrees of fitness compensation were selected. Notably, although Hfq is the RNA binding protein, most mutations occurred in Crc. This indicates that Crc is strictly needed for P. aeruginosa efficient carbon catabolic repression in vivo. The compensatory mutations restore in a different degree the alterations in antibiotic susceptibility and virulence of the ΔcrcZ mutant, supporting that Crc plays a fundamental role linking P. aeruginosa metabolic robustness, virulence, and antibiotic resistance.
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6
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Reichelt R, Rothmeier T, Grünberger F, Willkomm S, Bruckmann A, Hausner W, Grohmann D. The archaeal Lsm protein from Pyrococcus furiosus binds co-transcriptionally to poly(U)-rich target RNAs. Biol Chem 2023; 404:1085-1100. [PMID: 37709673 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0215] [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: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Posttranscriptional processes in Bacteria include the association of small regulatory RNAs (sRNA) with a target mRNA. The sRNA/mRNA annealing process is often mediated by an RNA chaperone called Hfq. The functional role of bacterial and eukaryotic Lsm proteins is partially understood, whereas knowledge about archaeal Lsm proteins is scarce. Here, we used the genetically tractable archaeal hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus to identify the protein interaction partners of the archaeal Sm-like proteins (PfuSmAP1) using mass spectrometry and performed a transcriptome-wide binding site analysis of PfuSmAP1. Most of the protein interaction partners we found are part of the RNA homoeostasis network in Archaea including ribosomal proteins, the exosome, RNA-modifying enzymes, but also RNA polymerase subunits, and transcription factors. We show that PfuSmAP1 preferentially binds messenger RNAs and antisense RNAs recognizing a gapped poly(U) sequence with high affinity. Furthermore, we found that SmAP1 co-transcriptionally associates with target RNAs. Our study reveals that in contrast to bacterial Hfq, PfuSmAP1 does not affect the transcriptional activity or the pausing behaviour of archaeal RNA polymerases. We propose that PfuSmAP1 recruits antisense RNAs to target mRNAs and thereby executes its putative regulatory function on the posttranscriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Reichelt
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tamara Rothmeier
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Felix Grünberger
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Willkomm
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Bruckmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (Biochemistry I), Protein Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Hausner
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dina Grohmann
- Institute of Microbiology & Archaea Centre, Single-Molecule Biochemistry Lab, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Regensburg Center of Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
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7
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Trouillon J, Attrée I, Elsen S. The regulation of bacterial two-partner secretion systems. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:159-177. [PMID: 37340956 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems, also known as Type Vb secretion systems, allow the translocation of effector proteins across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. By secreting different classes of effectors, including cytolysins and adhesins, TPS systems play important roles in bacterial pathogenesis and host interactions. Here, we review the current knowledge on TPS systems regulation and highlight specific and common regulatory mechanisms across TPS functional classes. We discuss in detail the specific regulatory networks identified in various bacterial species and emphasize the importance of understanding the context-dependent regulation of TPS systems. Several regulatory cues reflecting host environment during infection, such as temperature and iron availability, are common determinants of expression for TPS systems, even across relatively distant species. These common regulatory pathways often affect TPS systems across subfamilies with different effector functions, representing conserved global infection-related regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Trouillon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS UMR 5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
| | - Ina Attrée
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS UMR 5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvie Elsen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS UMR 5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
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8
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Cao P, Fleming D, Moustafa DA, Dolan SK, Szymanik KH, Redman WK, Ramos A, Diggle FL, Sullivan CS, Goldberg JB, Rumbaugh KP, Whiteley M. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa small RNA regulates chronic and acute infection. Nature 2023; 618:358-364. [PMID: 37225987 PMCID: PMC10247376 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The ability to switch between different lifestyles allows bacterial pathogens to thrive in diverse ecological niches1,2. However, a molecular understanding of their lifestyle changes within the human host is lacking. Here, by directly examining bacterial gene expression in human-derived samples, we discover a gene that orchestrates the transition between chronic and acute infection in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The expression level of this gene, here named sicX, is the highest of the P. aeruginosa genes expressed in human chronic wound and cystic fibrosis infections, but it is expressed at extremely low levels during standard laboratory growth. We show that sicX encodes a small RNA that is strongly induced by low-oxygen conditions and post-transcriptionally regulates anaerobic ubiquinone biosynthesis. Deletion of sicX causes P. aeruginosa to switch from a chronic to an acute lifestyle in multiple mammalian models of infection. Notably, sicX is also a biomarker for this chronic-to-acute transition, as it is the most downregulated gene when a chronic infection is dispersed to cause acute septicaemia. This work solves a decades-old question regarding the molecular basis underlying the chronic-to-acute switch in P. aeruginosa and suggests oxygen as a primary environmental driver of acute lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Cao
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Derek Fleming
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Dina A Moustafa
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kayla H Szymanik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Whitni K Redman
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Anayancy Ramos
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Frances L Diggle
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Joanna B Goldberg
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kendra P Rumbaugh
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Marvin Whiteley
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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9
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Gebhardt MJ, Farland EA, Basu P, Macareno K, Melamed S, Dove SL. Hfq-licensed RNA-RNA interactome in Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals a keystone sRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218407120. [PMID: 37285605 PMCID: PMC10214189 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218407120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA chaperone Hfq plays important regulatory roles in many bacteria by facilitating the base pairing between small RNAs (sRNAs) and their cognate mRNA targets. In the gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, over a hundred putative sRNAs have been identified but for most, their regulatory targets remained unknown. Using RIL-seq with Hfq in P. aeruginosa, we identified the mRNA targets for dozens of previously known and unknown sRNAs. Strikingly, hundreds of the RNA-RNA interactions we discovered involved PhrS. This sRNA was thought to mediate its effects by pairing with a single target mRNA and regulating the abundance of the transcription regulator MvfR required for the synthesis of the quorum sensing signal PQS. We present evidence that PhrS controls many transcripts by pairing with them directly and employs a two-tiered mechanism for governing PQS synthesis that involves control of an additional transcription regulator called AntR. Our findings in P. aeruginosa expand the repertoire of targets for previously known sRNAs, reveal potential regulatory targets for previously unknown sRNAs, and suggest that PhrS may be a keystone sRNA with the ability to pair with an unusually large number of transcripts in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Gebhardt
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Elizabeth A. Farland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Pallabi Basu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Keven Macareno
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Sahar Melamed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem9112102, Israel
| | - Simon L. Dove
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
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10
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Sanya DRA, Onésime D, Vizzarro G, Jacquier N. Recent advances in therapeutic targets identification and development of treatment strategies towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:86. [PMID: 36991325 PMCID: PMC10060139 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02832-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the causal agent of a wide variety of infections. This non-fermentative Gram-negative bacillus can colonize zones where the skin barrier is weakened, such as wounds or burns. It also causes infections of the urinary tract, respiratory system or bloodstream. P. aeruginosa infections are common in hospitalized patients for which multidrug-resistant, respectively extensively drug-resistant isolates can be a strong contributor to a high rate of in-hospital mortality. Moreover, chronic respiratory system infections of cystic fibrosis patients are especially concerning, since very tedious to treat. P. aeruginosa exploits diverse cell-associated and secreted virulence factors, which play essential roles in its pathogenesis. Those factors encompass carbohydrate-binding proteins, quorum sensing that monitor the production of extracellular products, genes conferring extensive drug resistance, and a secretion system to deliver effectors to kill competitors or subvert host essential functions. In this article, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of P. aeruginosa pathogenicity and virulence as well as efforts for the identification of new drug targets and the development of new therapeutic strategies against P. aeruginosa infections. These recent advances provide innovative and promising strategies to circumvent infection caused by this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Djamila Onésime
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, 78350, France
| | - Grazia Vizzarro
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
- Present Address: Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Station 19, EPFL-SV-UPBLO, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Jacquier
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland.
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11
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Botelho J, Tüffers L, Fuss J, Buchholz F, Utpatel C, Klockgether J, Niemann S, Tümmler B, Schulenburg H. Phylogroup-specific variation shapes the clustering of antimicrobial resistance genes and defence systems across regions of genome plasticity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104532. [PMID: 36958270 PMCID: PMC10053402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104532] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen consisting of three phylogroups (hereafter named A, B, and C). Here, we assessed phylogroup-specific evolutionary dynamics across available and also new P. aeruginosa genomes. METHODS In this genomic analysis, we first generated new genome assemblies for 18 strains of the major P. aeruginosa clone type (mPact) panel, comprising a phylogenetically diverse collection of clinical and environmental isolates for this species. Thereafter, we combined these new genomes with 1991 publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes for a phylogenomic and comparative analysis. We specifically explored to what extent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, defence systems, and virulence genes vary in their distribution across regions of genome plasticity (RGPs) and "masked" (RGP-free) genomes, and to what extent this variation differs among the phylogroups. FINDINGS We found that members of phylogroup B possess larger genomes, contribute a comparatively larger number of pangenome families, and show lower abundance of CRISPR-Cas systems. Furthermore, AMR and defence systems are pervasive in RGPs and integrative and conjugative/mobilizable elements (ICEs/IMEs) from phylogroups A and B, and the abundance of these cargo genes is often significantly correlated. Moreover, inter- and intra-phylogroup interactions occur at the accessory genome level, suggesting frequent recombination events. Finally, we provide here the mPact panel of diverse P. aeruginosa strains that may serve as a valuable reference for functional analyses. INTERPRETATION Altogether, our results highlight distinct pangenome characteristics of the P. aeruginosa phylogroups, which are possibly influenced by variation in the abundance of CRISPR-Cas systems and are shaped by the differential distribution of other defence systems and AMR genes. FUNDING German Science Foundation, Max-Planck Society, Leibniz ScienceCampus Evolutionary Medicine of the Lung, BMBF program Medical Infection Genomics, Kiel Life Science Postdoc Award.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Botelho
- Antibiotic Resistance Group, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany; Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Leif Tüffers
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Janina Fuss
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Buchholz
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian Utpatel
- Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
| | - Jens Klockgether
- Clinic for Paediatric Pneumology, Allergology, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Niemann
- Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
| | - Burkhard Tümmler
- Clinic for Paediatric Pneumology, Allergology, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Antibiotic Resistance Group, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany; Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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Multifaceted Interplay between Hfq and the Small RNA GssA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mBio 2023; 14:e0241822. [PMID: 36475775 PMCID: PMC9973299 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02418-22] [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: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Behind the pathogenic lifestyle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exists a complex regulatory network of intertwined switches at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Major players that mediate translation regulation of several genes involved in host-P. aeruginosa interaction are small RNAs (sRNAs) and the Hfq protein. The canonical role of Hfq in sRNA-driven regulation is to act as a matchmaker between sRNAs and target mRNAs. Besides, the sRNA CrcZ is known to sequester Hfq and abrogate its function of translation repression of target mRNAs. In this study, we describe the novel sRNA GssA in the strain PA14 and its multifaceted interplay with Hfq. We show that GssA is multiresponsive to environmental and physiological signals and acts as an apical repressor of key bacterial functions in the human host such as the production of pyocyanin, utilization of glucose, and secretion of exotoxin A. We suggest that the main role of Hfq is not to directly assist GssA in its regulatory role but to repress GssA expression. In the case of pyocyanin production, we suggest that Hfq interplays with GssA also by converging a positive effect on this pathway. Furthermore, our results indicate that both Hfq and GssA play a positive role in anaerobic growth, possibly by regulating the respiratory chain. On the other hand, we show that GssA can modulate not only Hfq expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels but also that of CrcZ, thus potentially influencing the pleiotropic role of Hfq. IMPORTANCE The pathogenic lifestyle of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of life-threatening infections in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients, is based on the fine regulation of virulence-associated factors. Regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) and the RNA-binding protein Hfq are recognized key components within the P. aeruginosa regulatory networks involved in host-pathogen interaction. In this study, we characterized in the highly virulent P. aeruginosa strain PA14 the novel sRNA GssA. We found that it can establish a many-sided reciprocal interplay with Hfq which goes beyond the canonical mechanism of direct physical interaction that had previously been characterized for other sRNAs. Given that the Hfq-driven regulatory network of virulence factors is very broad and important for the progression of infection, we consider GssA as a new RNA target that can potentially be used to develop new antibacterial drugs.
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13
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Dendooven T, Sonnleitner E, Bläsi U, Luisi BF. Translational regulation by Hfq-Crc assemblies emerges from polymorphic ribonucleoprotein folding. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111129. [PMID: 36504222 PMCID: PMC9890229 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111129] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The widely occurring bacterial RNA chaperone Hfq is a key factor in the post-transcriptional control of hundreds of genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. How this broadly acting protein can contribute to the regulatory requirements of many different genes remains puzzling. Here, we describe cryo-EM structures of higher order assemblies formed by Hfq and its partner protein Crc on control regions of different P. aeruginosa target mRNAs. Our results show that these assemblies have mRNA-specific quaternary architectures resulting from the combination of multivalent protein-protein interfaces and recognition of patterns in the RNA sequence. The structural polymorphism of these ribonucleoprotein assemblies enables selective translational repression of many different target mRNAs. This system elucidates how highly complex regulatory pathways can evolve with a minimal economy of proteinogenic components in combination with RNA sequence and fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Dendooven
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Elisabeth Sonnleitner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max Perutz LabsUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Udo Bläsi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max Perutz LabsUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ben F Luisi
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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14
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Pleiotropic Effects of Hfq on the Cytochrome c Content and Pyomelanin Production in Shewanella oneidensis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0128922. [PMID: 36073941 PMCID: PMC9499022 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01289-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shewanella oneidensis is the best understood model microorganism for the study of diverse cytochromes (cytos) c that support its unparallel respiratory versatility. Although RNA chaperone Hfq has been implicated in regulation of cyto c production, little is known about the biological pathways that it affects in this bacterium. In this study, from a spontaneous mutant that secretes pyomelanin and has a lowered cyto c content, we identified Hfq to be the regulator that critically associates with both phenotypes in S. oneidensis. We found that expression of the key genes in biosynthesis and degradation of heme is differentially affected by Hfq at under- and overproduced levels, and through modulating heme levels, Hfq influences the cyto c content. Although Hfq in excess results in overproduction of the enzymes responsible for both generation and removal of homogentisic acid (HGA), the precursor of pyomelanin, it is compromised activity of HmgA that leads to excretion and polymerization of HGA to form pyomelanin. We further show that Hfq mediates HmgA activity by lowering intracellular iron content because HmgA is an iron-dependent enzyme. Overall, our work highlights the significance of Hfq-mediated posttranscriptional regulation in the physiology of S. oneidensis, unraveling unexpected mechanisms by which Hfq affects cyto c biosynthesis and pyomelanin production. IMPORTANCE In bacteria, Hfq has been implicated in regulation of diverse biological processes posttranslationally. In S. oneidensis, Hfq affects the content of cytos c that serve as the basis of its respiratory versatility and potential application in bioenergy and bioremediation. In this study, we found that Hfq differentially regulates heme biosynthesis and degradation, leading to altered cyto c contents. Hfq in excess causes a synthetic effect on HmgA, an enzyme responsible for pyomelanin formation. Overall, the data presented manifest that the biological processes in a given bacterium regulated by Hfq are highly complex, amounting to required coordination among multiple physiological aspects to allow cells to respond to environmental changes promptly.
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