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Masset Z, Gunaratnam S, Millette M, McFarland LV, Lacroix M. Environmental and Nutritional Parameters Modulating Genetic Expression for Virulence Factors of Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:365. [PMID: 38667041 PMCID: PMC11047382 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040365] [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] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) continue to be a persistent healthcare concern despite newer antibiotic treatments, enhanced infection control practices, and preventive strategies focused on restoring the protective intestinal microbial barrier. Recent strides in gene sequencing research have identified many genes regulating diverse virulence factors for CDIs. These genes may be over- or under-expressed when triggered by various environmental and nutritional factors. The aims of this paper are to review the important genes involved in C. difficile pathogenesis and to identify modifiable environmental, nutritional, and other factors that may trigger the expression of these genes and thus offer new strategies to prevent CDIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Masset
- INRS Armand-Frappier Health Biotechnology Research Centre, Research Laboratories in Sciences, 531 des Prairies Blvd, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (Z.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Sathursha Gunaratnam
- Bio-K+, a Kerry Company, Preclinical Research Division, 495 Armand-Frappier Blvd, Laval, QC H7V 4B3, Canada; (S.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Mathieu Millette
- Bio-K+, a Kerry Company, Preclinical Research Division, 495 Armand-Frappier Blvd, Laval, QC H7V 4B3, Canada; (S.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Lynne V. McFarland
- Public Health Reserves Corps, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- McFarland Consulting, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Monique Lacroix
- INRS Armand-Frappier Health Biotechnology Research Centre, Research Laboratories in Sciences, 531 des Prairies Blvd, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (Z.M.); (M.L.)
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Zhu D, Fan Y, Wang X, Li P, Huang Y, Jiao J, Zhao C, Li Y, Wang S, Du X. Characterization of Molecular Chaperone GroEL as a Potential Virulence Factor in Cronobacter sakazakii. Foods 2023; 12:3404. [PMID: 37761113 PMCID: PMC10528849 DOI: 10.3390/foods12183404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular chaperone GroEL of C. sakazakii, a highly conserved protein encoded by the gene grol, has the basic function of responding to heat shock, thus enhancing the bacterium's adaptation to dry and high-temperature environments, which poses a threat to food safety and human health. Our previous study demonstrated that GroEL was found in the bacterial membrane fraction and caused a strong immune response in C. sakazakii. In this study, we tried to elucidate the subcellular location and virulent effects of GroEL. In live C. sakazakii cells, GroEL existed in both the soluble and insoluble fractions. To study the secretory mechanism of GroEL protein, a non-reduced Western immunoblot was used to analyze the form of the protein, and the result showed that the exported GroEL protein was mainly in monomeric form. The exported GroEL could also be located on bacterial surface. To further research the virulent effect of C. sakazakii GroEL, an indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the adhesion of recombinant GroEL protein to HCT-8 cells. The results indicated that the recombinant GroEL protein could adhere to HCT-8 cells in a short period of time. The recombinant GroEL protein could activate the NF-κB signaling pathway to release more pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8), downregulating the expression of tight-junction proteins (claudin-1, occluding, ZO-1 and ZO-2), which collectively resulted in dose-dependent virulent effects on host cells. Inhibition of the grol gene expression resulted in a significant decrease in bacterial adhesion to and invasion of HCT-8 cells. Moreover, the deficient GroEL also caused slow growth, decreased biofilm formation, defective motility and abnormal filamentation of the bacteria. In brief, C. sakazakii GroEL was an important virulence factor. This protein was not only crucial for the physiological activity of C. sakazakii but could also be secreted to enhance the bacterium's adhesion and invasion capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Yufei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Yaping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Jingbo Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Chumin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xinjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; (D.Z.); (Y.F.); (X.W.); (P.L.); (Y.H.); (J.J.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.); (S.W.)
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3
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Gangwal A, Kumar N, Sangwan N, Dhasmana N, Dhawan U, Sajid A, Arora G, Singh Y. Giving a signal: how protein phosphorylation helps Bacillus navigate through different life stages. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad044. [PMID: 37533212 PMCID: PMC10465088 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad044] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is a universal mechanism regulating a wide range of cellular responses across all domains of life. The antagonistic activities of kinases and phosphatases can orchestrate the life cycle of an organism. The availability of bacterial genome sequences, particularly Bacillus species, followed by proteomics and functional studies have aided in the identification of putative protein kinases and protein phosphatases, and their downstream substrates. Several studies have established the role of phosphorylation in different physiological states of Bacillus species as they pass through various life stages such as sporulation, germination, and biofilm formation. The most common phosphorylation sites in Bacillus proteins are histidine, aspartate, tyrosine, serine, threonine, and arginine residues. Protein phosphorylation can alter protein activity, structural conformation, and protein-protein interactions, ultimately affecting the downstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the knowledge available in the field of Bacillus signaling, with a focus on the role of protein phosphorylation in its physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakriti Gangwal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Faculty of Science, Delhi- 110007, India
| | - Nishant Kumar
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Faculty of Science, Delhi- 110007, India
| | - Nitika Sangwan
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Faculty of Science, Delhi- 110007, India
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110075, India
| | - Neha Dhasmana
- School of Medicine, New York University, 550 First Avenue New York-10016, New York, United States
| | - Uma Dhawan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110075, India
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- 300 Cedar St, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, New Haven CT, United States
| | - Gunjan Arora
- 300 Cedar St, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, New Haven CT, United States
| | - Yogendra Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Faculty of Science, Delhi- 110007, India
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institution of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
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Virmani R, Pradhan P, Joshi J, Wang AL, Joshi HC, Sajid A, Singh A, Sharma V, Kundu B, Blankenberg D, Molle V, Singh Y, Arora G. Phosphorylation-mediated regulation of the Bacillus anthracis phosphoglycerate mutase by the Ser/Thr protein kinase PrkC. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 665:88-97. [PMID: 37149987 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.039] [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: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis Ser/Thr protein kinase PrkC is necessary for phenotypic memory and spore germination, and the loss of PrkC-dependent phosphorylation events affect the spore development. During sporulation, Bacillus sp. can store 3-Phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) that will be required at the onset of germination when ATP will be necessary. The Phosphoglycerate mutase (Pgm) catalyzes the isomerization of 2-PGA and 3-PGA and is important for spore germination as a key metabolic enzyme that maintains 3-PGA pool at later events. Therefore, regulation of Pgm is important for an efficient spore germination process and metabolic switching. While the increased expression of Pgm in B. anthracis decreases spore germination efficiency, it remains unexplored if PrkC could directly influence Pgm activity. Here, we report the phosphorylation and regulation of Pgm by PrkC and its impact on Pgm stability and catalytic activity. Mass spectrometry revealed Pgm phosphorylation on seven threonine residues. In silico mutational analysis highlighted the role of Thr459 residue towards metal and substrate binding. Altogether, we demonstrated that PrkC-mediated Pgm phosphorylation negatively regulates its activity that is essential to maintain Pgm in its apo-like isoform before germination. This study advances the role of Pgm regulation that represents an important switch for B. anthracis resumption of metabolism and spore germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Virmani
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Prashant Pradhan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Jayadev Joshi
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Avril Luyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S1A8, Canada
| | | | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Anoop Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Vishal Sharma
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Bishwajit Kundu
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Daniel Blankenberg
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Virginie Molle
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, UMR, 5235, Montpellier, France
| | - Yogendra Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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Kasthuri T, Barath S, Nandhakumar M, Karutha Pandian S. Proteomic profiling spotlights the molecular targets and the impact of the natural antivirulent umbelliferone on stress response, virulence factors, and the quorum sensing network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:998540. [PMID: 36530435 PMCID: PMC9748083 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.998540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa easily adapts to newer environments and acquires several genome flexibilities to overcome the effect of antibiotics during therapeutics, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. During adaptation to the host system, the bacteria employ various tactics including virulence factor production and biofilm formation to escape from the host immune system and resist antibiotics. Hence, identifying alternative strategies to combat recalcitrant pathogens is imperative for the successful elimination of drug-resistant microbes. In this context, this study portrays the anti-virulence efficacy of umbelliferone (UMB) against P. aeruginosa. UMB (7-hydroxy coumarin) is pervasively found among the plant family of Umbelliferae and Asteraceae. The UMB impeded biofilm formation in the P. aeruginosa reference strain and clinical isolates on polystyrene and glass surfaces at the concentration of 125 µg/ml. Global proteomic analysis of UMB-treated cells revealed the downregulation of major virulence-associated proteins such as RhlR, LasA, AlgL, FliD, Tpx, HtpG, KatA, FusA1, Tsf, PhzM, PhzB2, CarB, DctP, MtnA, and MscL. A functional interaction study, gene ontology, and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that UMB could modulate the global regulators, enzymes, co-factors, and transcription factors related to quorum sensing (QS), stress tolerance, siderophore production, motility, and microcolony formation. In vitro biochemical assays further affirmed the anti-virulence efficacy of UMB by reducing pyocyanin, protease, elastase, and catalase production in various strains of P. aeruginosa. Besides the antibiofilm activity, UMB-treated cells exhibited enhanced antibiotic susceptibility to various antibiotics including amikacin, kanamycin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and cefotaxime. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity analysis revealed the biocompatibility of UMB, and the IC50 value was determined to be 249.85 µg/ml on the HepG2 cell line. Altogether, the study substantiates the anti-virulence efficacy of UMB against P. aeruginosa, and the proteomic analysis reveals the differential expression of the regulators related to QS, stress response, and motility factors.
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Role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase PrpN in the life cycle of Bacillus anthracis. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010729. [PMID: 35913993 PMCID: PMC9371265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversible protein phosphorylation at serine/threonine residues is one of the most common protein modifications, widely observed in all kingdoms of life. The catalysts controlling this modification are specific serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases that modulate various cellular pathways ranging from growth to cellular death. Genome sequencing and various omics studies have led to the identification of numerous serine/threonine kinases and cognate phosphatases, yet the physiological relevance of many of these proteins remain enigmatic. In Bacillus anthracis, only one ser/thr phosphatase, PrpC, has been functionally characterized; it was reported to be non-essential for bacterial growth and survival. In the present study, we characterized another ser/thr phosphatase (PrpN) of B. anthracis by various structural and functional approaches. To examine its physiological relevance in B. anthracis, a null mutant strain of prpN was generated and shown to have defects in sporulation and reduced synthesis of toxins (PA and LF) and the toxin activator protein AtxA. We also identified CodY, a global transcriptional regulator, as a target of PrpN and ser/thr kinase PrkC. CodY phosphorylation strongly controlled its binding to the promoter region of atxA, as shown using phosphomimetic and phosphoablative mutants. In nutshell, the present study reports phosphorylation-mediated regulation of CodY activity in the context of anthrax toxin synthesis in B. anthracis by a previously uncharacterized ser/thr protein phosphatase–PrpN. Reversible protein phosphorylation at specific ser/thr residues causes conformational changes in the protein structure, thereby modulating its cellular activity. In B. anthracis, though the role of ser/thr phosphorylation is implicated in various cellular pathways including pathogenesis, till date only one STP (PrpC) has been functionally characterized. This manuscript reports functional characterization of another STP (PrpN) in B. anthracis and with the aid of a null mutant strain (BAS ΔprpN) we provide important insight regarding the role of PrpN in the life cycle of B. anthracis. We have also identified the global transcriptional regulator, CodY as a target of PrpN and PrkC, and for the first time showed the physiological relevance of CodY phosphorylation status in the regulation of anthrax toxin synthesis.
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Liu D, Ge S, Wang Z, Li M, Zhuang W, Yang P, Chen Y, Ying H. Identification of a sensor histidine kinase (BfcK) controlling biofilm formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum. Chin J Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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King A, Blackledge MS. Evaluation of small molecule kinase inhibitors as novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:1038-1064. [PMID: 34581492 PMCID: PMC8616828 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global and pressing concern. Our current therapeutic arsenal is increasingly limited as bacteria are developing resistance at a rate that far outpaces our ability to create new treatments. Novel approaches to treating and curing bacterial infections are urgently needed. Bacterial kinases have been increasingly explored as novel drug targets and are poised for development into novel therapeutic agents to combat bacterial infections. This review describes several general classes of bacterial kinases that play important roles in bacterial growth, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. General features of these kinase classes are discussed and areas of particular interest for the development of inhibitors will be highlighted. Small molecule kinase inhibitors are described and organized by phenotypic effect, spotlighting particularly interesting inhibitors with novel functions and potential therapeutic benefit. Finally, we provide our perspective on the future of bacterial kinase inhibition as a viable strategy to combat bacterial infections and overcome the pressures of increasing antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley King
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, NC 27268
| | - Meghan S. Blackledge
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, NC 27268
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Nagarajan SN, Lenoir C, Grangeasse C. Recent advances in bacterial signaling by serine/threonine protein kinases. Trends Microbiol 2021; 30:553-566. [PMID: 34836791 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been nearly three decades since the discovery of the first bacterial serine/threonine protein kinase (STPK). Since then, a blend of technological advances has led to the characterization of a multitude of STPKs and phosphorylation substrates in several bacterial species that finely regulate intricate signaling cascades. Years of intense research from several laboratories have demonstrated unexpected roles for serine/threonine phosphorylation, regulating not only bacterial growth and cell division but also antibiotic persistence, virulence and infection, metabolism, chromosomal biology, and cellular differentiation. This review aims to provide an account of the most recent and significant developments in this up and growing field in microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathya Narayanan Nagarajan
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, Université de Lyon, CNRS, IBCP building, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Cassandra Lenoir
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, Université de Lyon, CNRS, IBCP building, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Christophe Grangeasse
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, Université de Lyon, CNRS, IBCP building, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
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Gupta KR, Arora G, Mattoo A, Sajid A. Stringent Response in Mycobacteria: From Biology to Therapeutic Potential. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111417. [PMID: 34832573 PMCID: PMC8622095 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111417] [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] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a human pathogen that can thrive inside the host immune cells for several years and cause tuberculosis. This is due to the propensity of M. tuberculosis to synthesize a sturdy cell wall, shift metabolism and growth, secrete virulence factors to manipulate host immunity, and exhibit stringent response. These attributes help M. tuberculosis to manage the host response, and successfully establish and maintain an infection even under nutrient-deprived stress conditions for years. In this review, we will discuss the importance of mycobacterial stringent response under different stress conditions. The stringent response is mediated through small signaling molecules called alarmones “(pp)pGpp”. The synthesis and degradation of these alarmones in mycobacteria are mediated by Rel protein, which is both (p)ppGpp synthetase and hydrolase. Rel is important for all central dogma processes—DNA replication, transcription, and translation—in addition to regulating virulence, drug resistance, and biofilm formation. Rel also plays an important role in the latent infection of M. tuberculosis. Here, we have discussed the literature on alarmones and Rel proteins in mycobacteria and highlight that (p)ppGpp-analogs and Rel inhibitors could be designed and used as antimycobacterial compounds against M. tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Abid Mattoo
- Pharmaceutical Development, Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, Woburn, MA 01801, USA;
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
- Correspondence: or
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11
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Rauch J, Barton J, Kwiatkowski M, Wunderlich M, Steffen P, Moderzynski K, Papp S, Höhn K, Schwanke H, Witt S, Richardt U, Mehlhoop U, Schlüter H, Pianka V, Fleischer B, Tappe D, Osterloh A. GroEL is an immunodominant surface-exposed antigen of Rickettsia typhi. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253084. [PMID: 34111210 PMCID: PMC8191997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsioses are neglected and emerging potentially fatal febrile diseases that are caused by obligate intracellular bacteria, rickettsiae. Rickettsia (R.) typhi and R. prowazekii constitute the typhus group (TG) of rickettsiae and are the causative agents of endemic and epidemic typhus, respectively. We recently generated a monoclonal antibody (BNI52) against R. typhi. Characterization of BNI52 revealed that it specifically recognizes TG rickettsiae but not the members of the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. We further show that BNI52 binds to protein fragments of ±30 kDa that are exposed on the bacterial surface and also present in the periplasmic space. These protein fragments apparently derive from the cytosolic GroEL protein of R. typhi and are also recognized by antibodies in the sera from patients and infected mice. Furthermore, BNI52 opsonizes the bacteria for the uptake by antigen presenting cells (APC), indicating a contribution of GroEL-specific antibodies to protective immunity. Finally, it is interesting that the GroEL protein belongs to 32 proteins that are differentially downregulated by R. typhi after passage through immunodeficient BALB/c CB17 SCID mice. This could be a hint that the rickettsia GroEL protein may have immunomodulatory properties as shown for the homologous protein from several other bacteria, too. Overall, the results of this study provide evidence that GroEL represents an immunodominant antigen of TG rickettsiae that is recognized by the humoral immune response against these pathogens and that may be interesting as a vaccine candidate. Apart from that, the BNI52 antibody represents a new tool for specific detection of TG rickettsiae in various diagnostic and experimental setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rauch
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Barton
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Malte Wunderlich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Steffen
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Papp
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Höhn
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hella Schwanke
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Witt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulricke Richardt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Mehlhoop
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Verena Pianka
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Dennis Tappe
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anke Osterloh
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Zhang H, Yang P, Wang Z, Li M, Zhang J, Liu D, Chen Y, Ying H. Clostridium acetobutylicum Biofilm: Advances in Understanding the Basis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:658568. [PMID: 34150727 PMCID: PMC8209462 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.658568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium acetobutylicum is an important industrial platform capable of producing a variety of biofuels and bulk chemicals. Biofilm of C. acetobutylicum renders many production advantages and has been long and extensively applied in fermentation. However, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the biofilm have been much less studied and remain largely unknown. Here, we review studies to date focusing on C. acetobutylicum biofilms, especially on its physiological and molecular aspects, summarizing the production advantages, cell physiological changes, extracellular matrix components and regulatory genes of the biofilm. This represents the first review dedicated to the biofilm of C. acetobutylicum. Hopefully, it will deepen our understanding toward C. acetobutylicum biofilm and inspire more research to learn and develop more efficient biofilm processes in this industrially important bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengting Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Energy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.,School of Chemical Engineering and Energy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hanjie Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.,School of Chemical Engineering and Energy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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13
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Bacillus anthracis chain length, a virulence determinant, is regulated by membrane localized serine/threonine protein kinase PrkC. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00582-20. [PMID: 33753466 PMCID: PMC8117516 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00582-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming pathogen that displays a chaining phenotype. It has been reported that the chaining phenotype acts as a virulence factor in B. anthracis In this study, we identify a serine/threonine protein kinase of B. anthracis, PrkC, the only kinase localized at the bacteria-host interface, as a determinant of B. anthracis chain length. In vitro, prkC disruption strain (BAS ΔprkC) grew as shorter chains throughout the bacterial growth cycle. A comparative analysis between the parent strain and BAS ΔprkC indicated that the levels of proteins, BslO and Sap, associated with the regulation of the bacterial chain length, were upregulated in BAS ΔprkC BslO is a septal murein hydrolase that catalyzes daughter cell separation and Sap is an S-layer structural protein required for the septal localization of BslO. PrkC disruption also has a significant effect on bacterial growth, cell wall thickness, and septa formation. Upregulation of ftsZ in BAS ΔprkC was also observed. Altogether, our results indicate that PrkC is required for maintaining optimum growth, cell wall homeostasis and most importantly - for the maintenance of the chaining phenotype.IMPORTANCEChaining phenotype acts as a virulence factor in Bacillus anthracis This is the first study that identifies a 'signal transduction protein' with an ability to regulate the chaining phenotype in Bacillus anthracis We show that the disruption of the lone surface-localized serine/threonine protein kinase, PrkC, leads to the shortening of the bacterial chains. We report upregulation of the de-chaining proteins in the PrkC disruption strain. Apart from this, we also report for the first time that PrkC disruption results in an attenuated cell growth, a decrease in the cell wall thickness and aberrant cell septa formation during the logarithmic phase of growth - a growth phase where PrkC is expressed maximally.
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14
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Qu D, Zhao X, Sun Y, Wu FL, Tao SC. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Thymidylyltransferase RmlA Is Negatively Regulated by Ser/Thr Protein Kinase PknB. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:643951. [PMID: 33868202 PMCID: PMC8044546 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.643951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ser/Thr phosphorylation by serine/threonine protein kinases (STPKs) plays significant roles in molecular regulation, which allows Mycobacteria to adapt their cell wall structure in response to the environment changes. Identifying direct targets of STPKs and determining their activities are therefore critical to revealing their function in Mycobacteria, for example, in cell wall formation and virulence. Herein, we reported that RmlA, a crucial L-rhamnose biosynthesis enzyme, is a substrate of STPK PknB in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that RmlA is phosphorylated at Thr-12, Thr-54, Thr-197, and Thr-12 is located close to the catalytic triad of RmlA. Biochemical and phenotypic analysis of two RmlA mutants, T12A/T12D, showed that their activities were reduced, and cell wall formation was negatively affected. Moreover, virulence of RmlA T12D mutant was attenuated in a macrophage model. Overall, these results provide the first evidence for the role of PknB-dependent RmlA phosphorylation in regulating cell wall formation in Mycobacteria, with significant implications for pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehui Qu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Module-Based Breeding of High Yield and Abiotic Resistant Plants in Universities of Shandong, School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Module-Based Breeding of High Yield and Abiotic Resistant Plants in Universities of Shandong, School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Module-Based Breeding of High Yield and Abiotic Resistant Plants in Universities of Shandong, School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Fan-Lin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Module-Based Breeding of High Yield and Abiotic Resistant Plants in Universities of Shandong, School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Sheng-Ce Tao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Molina-Mora JA, Chinchilla-Montero D, Castro-Peña C, García F. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) image analysis based on CellProfiler: Pseudomonas aeruginosa AG1 as model. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23373. [PMID: 33285719 PMCID: PMC7717798 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) is an indispensable technique for the study of proteomes of biological systems, providing an assessment of changes in protein abundance under various experimental conditions. However, due to the complexity of 2D-GE gels, there is no systematic, automatic, and reproducible protocol for image analysis and specific implementations are required for each context. In addition, practically all available solutions are commercial, which implies high cost and little flexibility to modulate the parameters of the algorithms. Using the bacterial strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosaAG1 as a model, we obtained images from 2D-GE of periplasmic protein profiles when the strain was exposed to multiple conditions, including antibiotics. Then, we proceeded to implement and evaluate an image analysis protocol with open-source software, CellProfiler. First, a preprocessing step included a bUnwarpJ-Image pipeline for aligning 2D-GE images. Then, using CellProfiler, we standardized two pipelines for spots identification. Total spots recognition was achieved using segmentation by intensity, whose performance was evaluated when compared with a reference protocol. In a second pipeline with the same program, differential identification of spots was addressed when comparing pairs of protein profiles. Due to the characteristics of the programs used, our workflow can automatically analyze a large number of images and it is parallelizable, which is an advantage with respect to other implementations. Finally, we compared six experimental conditions of bacterial strain in the presence or absence of antibiotics, determining protein profiles relationships by applying clustering algorithms PCA (Principal Components Analysis) and HC (Hierarchical Clustering).
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16
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Robertsson C, Svensäter G, Blum Z, Wickström C. Intracellular Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome of the oral commensal Streptococcus gordonii DL1. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:280. [PMID: 32928109 PMCID: PMC7488673 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01944-y] [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] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To respond and adapt to environmental challenges, prokaryotes regulate cellular processes rapidly and reversibly through protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. This study investigates the intracellular proteome and Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome of the oral commensal Streptococcus gordonii. Intracellular proteins from planktonic cells of S. gordonii DL1 were extracted and subjected to 2D-gel electrophoresis. Proteins in general were visualized using Coomassie Brilliant Blue and T-Rex staining. Phosphorylated proteins were visualized with Pro-Q Diamond Phosphoprotein Gel Stain. Proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS and sequence analysis. Results In total, sixty-one intracellular proteins were identified in S. gordonii DL1, many of which occurred at multiple isoelectric points. Nineteen of these proteins were present as one or more Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylated form. The identified phosphoproteins turned out to be involved in a variety of cellular processes. Conclusion Nineteen phosphoproteins involved in various cellular functions were identified in S. gordonii. This is the first time the global intracellular Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation profile has been analysed in an oral streptococcus. Comparison with phosphoproteomes of other species from previous studies showed many similarities. Proteins that are consistently found in a phosphorylated state across several species and growth conditions may represent a core phosphoproteome profile shared by many bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Robertsson
- Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, 20506, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Gunnel Svensäter
- Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Zoltan Blum
- Department of Biomedical Science, Malmö University, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Claes Wickström
- Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
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17
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Henry C, Haller L, Blein-Nicolas M, Zivy M, Canette A, Verbrugghe M, Mézange C, Boulay M, Gardan R, Samson S, Martin V, André-Leroux G, Monnet V. Identification of Hanks-Type Kinase PknB-Specific Targets in the Streptococcus thermophilus Phosphoproteome. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1329. [PMID: 31275266 PMCID: PMC6593474 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation especially on serine/threonine/tyrosine residues are frequent in many bacteria. This post-translational modification has been associated with pathogenicity and virulence in various species. However, only few data have been produced so far on generally recognized as safe bacteria used in food fermentations. A family of kinases known as Hanks-type kinases is suspected to be responsible for, at least, a part of these phosphorylations in eukaryotes as in bacteria. The objective of our work was to establish the first phosphoproteome of Streptococcus thermophilus, a lactic acid bacterium widely used in dairy fermentations in order to identified the proteins and pathways tagged by Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylations. In addition, we have evaluated the role in this process of the only Hanks-type kinase encoded in the S. thermophilus genome. We have constructed a mutant defective for the Hanks type kinase in S. thermophilus and established the proteomes and phosphoproteomes of the wild type and the mutant strains. To do that, we have enriched our samples in phosphopeptides with titane beads and used dimethyl tags to compare phosphopeptide abundances. Peptides and phosphopeptides were analyzed on a last generation LC-MS/MS system. We have identified and quantified 891 proteins representing half of the theoretical proteome. Among these proteins, 106 contained phosphorylated peptides. Various functional groups of proteins (amino acid, carbon and nucleotide metabolism, translation, cell cycle, stress response, …) were found phosphorylated. The phosphoproteome was only weakly reduced in the Hanks-type kinase mutant indicating that this enzyme is only one of the players in the phosphorylation process. The proteins that are modified by the Hanks-type kinase mainly belong to the divisome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Henry
- Micalis Institute, PAPPSO, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Lucia Haller
- Micalis Institute, PAPPSO, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Mélisande Blein-Nicolas
- PAPPSO, GQE - Le Moulon, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel Zivy
- PAPPSO, GQE - Le Moulon, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Alexis Canette
- Micalis Institute, MIMA2, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Morgane Verbrugghe
- Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Christine Mézange
- Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Mylène Boulay
- Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Rozenn Gardan
- Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Samantha Samson
- MaIAGE, INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | - Véronique Monnet
- Micalis Institute, PAPPSO, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Micalis Institute, ComBac, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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18
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Zhang M, Zhang X, Tong L, Ou D, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wu Q, Ye Y. Random Mutagenesis Applied to Reveal Factors Involved in Oxidative Tolerance and Biofilm Formation in Foodborne Cronobacter malonaticus. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:877. [PMID: 31118922 PMCID: PMC6504702 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00877] [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] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cronobacter species are linked with life-treating diseases in neonates and show strong tolerances to environmental stress. However, the information about factors involved in oxidative tolerance in Cronobacter remains elusive. Here, factors involved in oxidative tolerance in C. malonaticus were identified using a transposon mutagenesis. Eight mutants were successfully screened based on a comparison of the growth of strains from mutant library (n = 215) and wild type (WT) strain under 1.0 mM H2O2. Mutating sites including thioredoxin 2, glutaredoxin 3, pantothenate kinase, serine/threonine protein kinase, pyruvate kinase, phospholipase A, ferrous iron transport protein A, and alanine racemase 2 were successfully identified by arbitrary PCR and sequencing alignment. Furthermore, the comparison about quantity and structure of biofilms formation among eight mutants and WT was determined using crystal violet staining (CVS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results showed that the biofilms of eight mutants significantly decreased within 48 h compared to that of WT, suggesting that mutating genes play important roles in biofilm formation under oxidative stress. The findings provide valuable information for deeply understanding molecular mechanism about oxidative tolerance of C. malonaticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maofeng Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China.,State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiyan Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Liaowang Tong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Dexin Ou
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingwang Ye
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China.,State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Virmani R, Sajid A, Singhal A, Gaur M, Joshi J, Bothra A, Garg R, Misra R, Singh VP, Molle V, Goel AK, Singh A, Kalia VC, Lee JK, Hasija Y, Arora G, Singh Y. The Ser/Thr protein kinase PrkC imprints phenotypic memory in Bacillus anthracis spores by phosphorylating the glycolytic enzyme enolase. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:8930-8941. [PMID: 30952697 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax in humans, bovine, and other animals. B. anthracis pathogenesis requires differentiation of dormant spores into vegetative cells. The spores inherit cellular components as phenotypic memory from the parent cell, and this memory plays a critical role in facilitating the spores' revival. Because metabolism initiates at the beginning of spore germination, here we metabolically reprogrammed B. anthracis cells to understand the role of glycolytic enzymes in this process. We show that increased expression of enolase (Eno) in the sporulating mother cell decreases germination efficiency. Eno is phosphorylated by the conserved Ser/Thr protein kinase PrkC which decreases the catalytic activity of Eno. We found that phosphorylation also regulates Eno expression and localization, thereby controlling the overall spore germination process. Using MS analysis, we identified the sites of phosphorylation in Eno, and substitution(s) of selected phosphorylation sites helped establish the functional correlation between phosphorylation and Eno activity. We propose that PrkC-mediated regulation of Eno may help sporulating B. anthracis cells in adapting to nutrient deprivation. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, our study provides the first evidence that in sporulating B. anthracis, PrkC imprints phenotypic memory that facilitates the germination process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Virmani
- From the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.,Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India.,Delhi Technological University, Delhi 110042, India
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Anshika Singhal
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Mohita Gaur
- From the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Jayadev Joshi
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Ankur Bothra
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Richa Garg
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Richa Misra
- From the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.,Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110021, India
| | - Vijay Pal Singh
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Virginie Molle
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques (DIMNP), CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34000, France
| | - Ajay K Goel
- Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Archana Singh
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Vipin C Kalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea, and
| | - Jung-Kul Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea, and
| | - Yasha Hasija
- Delhi Technological University, Delhi 110042, India
| | - Gunjan Arora
- From the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India, .,Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20851
| | - Yogendra Singh
- From the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India, .,Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
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20
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Chelliah R, Wei S, Park BJ, Rubab M, Banan-Mwine Dalirii E, Barathikannan K, Jin YG, Oh DH. Whole genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 10792 and improved discrimination of Bacillus thuringiensis from Bacillus cereus group based on novel biomarkers. Microb Pathog 2019; 129:284-297. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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Saxena P, Joshi Y, Rawat K, Bisht R. Biofilms: Architecture, Resistance, Quorum Sensing and Control Mechanisms. Indian J Microbiol 2019; 59:3-12. [PMID: 30728625 PMCID: PMC6328408 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-018-0757-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm is a mode of living employed by many pathogenic and environmental microbes to proliferate as multicellular aggregates on inert inanimate or biological substrates. Several microbial diseases are associated with biofilms that pose challenges in treatment with antibiotics targeting individual cells. Bacteria in biofilms secrete exopolymeric substances that contribute to architectural stability and provide a secure niche to inhabiting cells. Quorum sensing (QS) plays essential roles in biofilm development. Pathogenic bacteria in biofilms utilize QS mechanisms to activate virulence and develop antibiotic resistance. This review is a brief overview of biofilm research and provides updates on recent understandings on biofilm development, antibiotic resistance and transmission, and importance of QS mechanisms. Strategies to combat biofilm associated diseases including anti-biofilm substances, quorum quenching molecules, bio-surfactants and competitive inhibitors are briefly discussed. The review concludes with updates on recent approaches utilized for biofilm inhibition and provides perspectives for further research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Saxena
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Yogesh Joshi
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Kartik Rawat
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Renu Bisht
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, 110021 India
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22
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Tiwari V. Post-translational modification of ESKAPE pathogens as a potential target in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2018; 24:814-822. [PMID: 30572117 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
ESKAPE pathogens are gaining clinical importance owing to their high pervasiveness and increasing resistance to various antimicrobials. These bacteria have several post-translational modifications (PTMs) that destabilize or divert host cell pathways. Prevalent PTMs of ESKAPE pathogens include addition of chemical groups (acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation and hydroxylation) or complex molecules (AMPylation, ADP-ribosylation, glycosylation and isoprenylation), covalently linked small proteins [ubiquitylation, ubiquitin-like proteins (UBL) conjugation and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)] or modification of amino acid side-chains (eliminylation and deamidation). Therefore, the understanding of different bacterial PTMs and host proteins manipulated by these PTMs provides better insight into host-pathogen interaction and will also help to develop new antibacterial agents against ESKAPE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Ajmer 305817, India.
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23
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Liu D, Yang Z, Chen Y, Zhuang W, Niu H, Wu J, Ying H. Clostridium acetobutylicum grows vegetatively in a biofilm rich in heteropolysaccharides and cytoplasmic proteins. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2018; 11:315. [PMID: 30479660 PMCID: PMC6245871 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1316-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofilms are cell communities wherein cells are embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The biofilm of Clostridium acetobutylicum confers the cells superior phenotypes and has been extensively exploited to produce a variety of liquid biofuels and bulk chemicals. However, little has been known about the physiology of C. acetobutylicum in biofilm as well as the composition and biosynthesis of the EPS. Thus, this study is focused on revealing the cell physiology and EPS composition of C. acetobutylicum biofilm. RESULTS Here, we revealed a novel lifestyle of C. acetobutylicum in biofilm: elimination of sporulation and vegetative growth. Extracellular polymeric substances and wire-like structures were also observed in the biofilm. Furthermore, for the first time, the biofilm polysaccharides and proteins were isolated and characterized. The biofilm contained three heteropolysaccharides. The major fraction consisted of predominantly glucose, mannose and aminoglucose. Also, a great variety of proteins including many non-classically secreted proteins moonlighting as adhesins were found considerably present in the biofilm, with GroEL, a S-layer protein and rubrerythrin being the most abundant ones. CONCLUSIONS This study evidenced that vegetative C. acetobutylicum cells rather than commonly assumed spore-forming cells were essentially the solvent-forming cells. The abundant non-classically secreted moonlighting proteins might be important for the biofilm formation. This study provides the first physiological and molecular insights into C. acetobutylicum biofilm which should be valuable for understanding and development of the biofilm-based processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Zhengjiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Wei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Huanqing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Jinglan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
| | - Hanjie Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advance Material (SICAM), No. 30, Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211800 China
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24
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Regulation of Antimicrobial Pathways by Endogenous Heat Shock Proteins in Gastrointestinal Disorders. GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/gidisord1010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are essential mediators of cellular homeostasis by maintaining protein functionality and stability, and activating appropriate immune cells. HSP activity is influenced by a variety of factors including diet, microbial stimuli, environment and host immunity. The overexpression and down-regulation of HSPs is associated with various disease phenotypes, including the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease (CD). While the precise etiology of CD remains unclear, many of the putative triggers also influence HSP activity. The development of different CD phenotypes therefore may be a result of the disease-modifying behavior of the environmentally-regulated HSPs. Understanding the role of bacterial and endogenous HSPs in host homeostasis and disease will help elucidate the complex interplay of factors. Furthermore, discerning the function of HSPs in CD may lead to therapeutic developments that better reflect and respond to the gut environment.
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25
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Weissman Z, Pinsky M, Wolfgeher DJ, Kron SJ, Truman AW, Kornitzer D. Genetic analysis of Hsp70 phosphorylation sites reveals a role in Candida albicans cell and colony morphogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1868:140135. [PMID: 31964485 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock proteins are best known for their role as chaperonins involved in general proteostasis, but they can also participate in specific cellular regulatory pathways, e.g. via their post-translational modification. Hsp70/Ssa1 is a central cytoplasmic chaperonin in eukaryotes, which also participates in cell cycle regulation via its phosphorylation at a specific residue. Here we analyze the role of Ssa1 phosphorylation in the morphogenesis of the fungus Candida albicans, a common human opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans can assume alternative yeast and hyphal (mold) morphologies, an ability that contributes to its virulence. We identified 11 phosphorylation sites on C. albicans Ssa1, of which 8 were only detected in the hyphal cells. Genetic analysis of these sites revealed allele-specific effects on growth or hyphae formation at 42 °C. Colony morphology, which is normally wrinkled or crenellated at 37 °C, reverted to smooth in several mutants, but this colony morphology phenotype was unrelated to cellular morphology. Two mutants exhibited a mild increase in sensitivity to the cell wall-active compounds caspofungin and calcofluor white. We suggest that this analysis could help direct screens for Ssa1-specific drugs to combat C. albicans virulence. The pleiotropic effects of many Ssa1 mutations are consistent with the large number of Ssa1 client proteins, whereas the lack of concordance between the phenotypes of the different alleles suggests that different sites on Ssa1 can affect interaction with specific classes of client proteins, and that modification of these sites can play cellular regulatory roles, consistent with the "chaperone code" hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva Weissman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Mariel Pinsky
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Donald J Wolfgeher
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Stephen J Kron
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Andrew W Truman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
| | - Daniel Kornitzer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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GroEL Mediates Folding of Bacillus anthracis Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase, PrkC. Indian J Microbiol 2018; 58:520-524. [PMID: 30262963 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-018-0744-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax in human and animals. Both, signaling system such as two component system and endogenous chaperone system such as GroEL-GroES help bacteria to cope with the environmental challenges. Such molecular chaperones are the stress induced proteins that help bacteria to override unfavorable conditions by their moonlighting functions. Previous reports showed that PrkC and PrpC, the Ser/Thr kinase-phosphatase pair in B. anthracis, control phosphorylation of GroEL and regulate biofilm formation. In this study, we show that GroEL is involved in the folding of PrkC to active form. The proteins (GroEL, PrkC and PrpC) were expressed and purified by affinity chromatography. Purified GroEL was used for refolding of denatured PrkC and PrpC and observed that GroEL refolds PrkC but not PrpC as measured by their enzymatic activity. We also observed that purification of GroEL with six histidine tag using Cobalt-Agarose resin yielded superior quality GroEL protein with negligible contamination of non-specific proteins. Thus, cobalt resin can be a better choice for purification of many histidine tagged proteins, where Ni-NTA does not work very well.
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27
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Effect of Homocysteine on Biofilm Formation by Mycobacteria. Indian J Microbiol 2018; 58:287-293. [PMID: 30013272 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-018-0739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteria show peculiar aggregated outgrowth like biofilm on the surface of solid or liquid media. Biofilms harbor antibiotic resistant bacteria in a self-produced extracellular matrix that signifies the bacterial fate to sedentary existence. Despite years of research, very little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to biofilm formation. LuxS has been previously known to play a role in biofilm formation in Autoinducer-2 dependent manner. We here show the effect of LuxS product-homocysteine, on the biofilm forming ability of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG showing AI-2 independent phenotypic effect of LuxS. Exogenous supplementation of homocysteine in the culture media leads to aberrant cording, pellicle outgrowth, and biofilm formation. Thus, our study contributes to the better understanding of the mechanism of mycobacterial biofilm formation and sheds light on the role of LuxS product homocysteine. In addition, we highlight the contribution of activated methyl cycle in bacterial quorum sensing.
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Ansari MY, Mande SC. A Glimpse Into the Structure and Function of Atypical Type I Chaperonins. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:31. [PMID: 29696145 PMCID: PMC5904260 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chaperonins are a subclass of molecular chaperones that assist cellular proteins to fold and assemble into their native shape. Much work has been done on Type I chaperonins, which has elucidated their elegant mechanism. Some debate remains about the details in these mechanisms, but nonetheless the roles of these in helping protein folding have been understood in great depth. In this review we discuss the known functions of atypical Type I chaperonins, highlighting evolutionary aspects that might lead chaperonins to perform alternate functions.
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Pensinger DA, Schaenzer AJ, Sauer JD. Do Shoot the Messenger: PASTA Kinases as Virulence Determinants and Antibiotic Targets. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:56-69. [PMID: 28734616 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
All domains of life utilize protein phosphorylation as a mechanism of signal transduction. In bacteria, protein phosphorylation was classically thought to be mediated exclusively by histidine kinases as part of two-component signaling systems. However, it is now well appreciated that eukaryotic-like serine/threonine kinases (eSTKs) control essential processes in bacteria. A subset of eSTKs are single-pass transmembrane proteins that have extracellular penicillin-binding-protein and serine/threonine kinase-associated (PASTA) domains which bind muropeptides. In a variety of important pathogens, PASTA kinases have been implicated in regulating biofilms, antibiotic resistance, and ultimately virulence. Although there are limited examples of direct regulation of virulence factors, PASTA kinases are critical for virulence due to their roles in regulating bacterial physiology in the context of stress. This review focuses on the role of PASTA kinases in virulence for a variety of important Gram-positive pathogens and concludes with a discussion of current efforts to develop kinase inhibitors as novel antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Pensinger
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Adam J Schaenzer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Doctoral Training Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - John-Demian Sauer
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Doctoral Training Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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