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Huang S, Méheust R, Barquera B, Light SH. Versatile roles of protein flavinylation in bacterial extracyotosolic electron transfer. mSystems 2024:e0037524. [PMID: 39041811 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00375-24] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria perform diverse redox chemistries in the periplasm, cell wall, and extracellular space. Electron transfer for these extracytosolic activities is frequently mediated by proteins with covalently bound flavins, which are attached through post-translational flavinylation by the enzyme ApbE. Despite the significance of protein flavinylation to bacterial physiology, the basis and function of this modification remain unresolved. Here we apply genomic context analyses, computational structural biology, and biochemical studies to address the role of ApbE flavinylation throughout bacterial life. We identify ApbE flavinylation sites within structurally diverse protein domains and show that multi-flavinylated proteins, which may mediate longer distance electron transfer via multiple flavinylation sites, exhibit substantial structural heterogeneity. We identify two novel classes of flavinylation substrates that are related to characterized proteins with non-covalently bound flavins, providing evidence that protein flavinylation can evolve from a non-covalent flavoprotein precursor. We further find a group of structurally related flavinylation-associated cytochromes, including those with the domain of unknown function DUF4405, that presumably mediate electron transfer in the cytoplasmic membrane. DUF4405 homologs are widespread in bacteria and related to ferrosome iron storage organelle proteins that may facilitate iron redox cycling within ferrosomes. These studies reveal a complex basis for flavinylated electron transfer and highlight the discovery power of coupling comparative genomic analyses with high-quality structural models. IMPORTANCE This study explores the mechanisms bacteria use to transfer electrons outside the cytosol, a fundamental process involved in energy metabolism and environmental interactions. Central to this process is a phenomenon known as flavinylation, where a flavin molecule-a compound related to vitamin B2-is covalently attached to proteins, to enable electron transfer. We employed advanced genomic analysis and computational modeling to explore how this modification occurs across different bacterial species. Our findings uncover new types of proteins that undergo this modification and highlight the diversity and complexity of bacterial electron transfer mechanisms. This research broadens our understanding of bacterial physiology and informs potential biotechnological applications that rely on microbial electron transfer, including bioenergy production and bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Raphaël Méheust
- Génomique Métabolique, CEA, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Université d'Évry, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Evry, France
| | - Blanca Barquera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Samuel H Light
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Huang S, Méheust R, Barquera B, Light SH. Versatile roles of protein flavinylation in bacterial extracyotosolic electron transfer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584918. [PMID: 38559090 PMCID: PMC10979944 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria perform diverse redox chemistries in the periplasm, cell wall, and extracellular space. Electron transfer for these extracytosolic activities is frequently mediated by proteins with covalently bound flavins, which are attached through post-translational flavinylation by the enzyme ApbE. Despite the significance of protein flavinylation to bacterial physiology, the basis and function of this modification remains unresolved. Here we apply genomic context analyses, computational structural biology, and biochemical studies to address the role of ApbE flavinylation throughout bacterial life. We find that ApbE flavinylation sites exhibit substantial structural heterogeneity. We identify two novel classes of flavinylation substrates that are related to characterized proteins with non-covalently bound flavins, providing evidence that protein flavinylation can evolve from a non-covalent flavoprotein precursor. We further find a group of structurally related flavinylation-associated cytochromes, including those with the domain of unknown function DUF4405, that presumably mediate electron transfer in the cytoplasmic membrane. DUF4405 homologs are widespread in bacteria and related to ferrosome iron storage organelle proteins that may facilitate iron redox cycling within ferrosomes. These studies reveal a complex basis for flavinylated electron transfer and highlight the discovery power of coupling comparative genomic analyses with high-quality structural models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raphaël Méheust
- Génomique Métabolique, CEA, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Université d’Évry, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Evry, France
| | - Blanca Barquera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Troy, NY
| | - Samuel H. Light
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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3
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Mridha S, Abt MC. Starvation helps transition to abundance - a ferrosome story. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:219-220. [PMID: 38281864 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.01.006] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Iron is an essential nutrient for bacterial pathogenesis. In their study, Skaar and colleagues (Pi et al.) discovered and determined the detailed structure of ferrosomes within Clostridioides difficile, the iron-storage organelles that form under iron-limited conditions in anticipation of future iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subham Mridha
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael C Abt
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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4
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Benisch R, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. A widespread bacterial protein compartment sequesters and stores elemental sulfur. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk9345. [PMID: 38306423 PMCID: PMC10836720 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Subcellular compartments often serve to store nutrients or sequester labile or toxic compounds. As bacteria mostly do not possess membrane-bound organelles, they often have to rely on protein-based compartments. Encapsulins are one of the most prevalent protein-based compartmentalization strategies found in prokaryotes. Here, we show that desulfurase encapsulins can sequester and store large amounts of crystalline elemental sulfur. We determine the 1.78-angstrom cryo-EM structure of a 24-nanometer desulfurase-loaded encapsulin. Elemental sulfur crystals can be formed inside the encapsulin shell in a desulfurase-dependent manner with l-cysteine as the sulfur donor. Sulfur accumulation can be influenced by the concentration and type of sulfur source in growth medium. The selectively permeable protein shell allows the storage of redox-labile elemental sulfur by excluding cellular reducing agents, while encapsulation substantially improves desulfurase activity and stability. These findings represent an example of a protein compartment able to accumulate and store elemental sulfur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Benisch
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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5
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Drakesmith H, Zimmermann MB. Another iron in C. difficile's fire. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:1-2. [PMID: 38211560 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Iron is arguably the most important nutrient in the ongoing battle between hosts and bacteria. Recently in Nature, a unique iron storage organelle, the ferrosome, was discovered in the human pathogen Clostridioides difficile.1 But what is the role of ferrosomes and how do they affect bacterial behavior and infection?
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Affiliation(s)
- Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Translational Immune Discovery Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0EU, UK.
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- MRC Translational Immune Discovery Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0EU, UK
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6
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Dziuba MV, Müller FD, Pósfai M, Schüler D. Exploring the host range for genetic transfer of magnetic organelle biosynthesis. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:115-123. [PMID: 37735601 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Magnetosomes produced by magnetotactic bacteria have great potential for application in biotechnology and medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties and high biocompatibility. Attempts to transfer the genes for magnetosome biosynthesis into non-magnetic organisms have had mixed results. Here we report on a systematic study to identify key components needed for magnetosome biosynthesis after gene transfer. We transfer magnetosome genes to 25 proteobacterial hosts, generating seven new magnetosome-producing strains. We characterize the recombinant magnetosomes produced by these strains and demonstrate that denitrification and anaerobic photosynthesis are linked to the ability to synthesize magnetosomes upon the gene transfer. In addition, we show that the number of magnetosomes synthesized by a foreign host negatively correlates with the guanine-cytosine content difference between the host and the gene donor. Our findings have profound implications for the generation of magnetized living cells and the potential for transgenic biogenic magnetic nanoparticle production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V Dziuba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Frank-Dietrich Müller
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mihály Pósfai
- ELKH-PE Environmental Mineralogy Research Group, Veszprém, Hungary
- Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Dirk Schüler
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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7
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Chen H, Shi H, Chen C, Jiao Y, Wang P, Chen C, Li J, Wu LF, Song T. Effects of static magnetic field on the sulfate metabolic pathway involved in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 cell growth and magnetosome formation. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad302. [PMID: 38066686 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad302] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) can use their unique intracellular magnetosome organelles to swim along the Earth's magnetic field. They play important roles in the biogeochemical cycles of iron and sulfur. Previous studies have shown that the applied magnetic fields could affect the magnetosome formation and antioxidant defense systems in MTB. However, the molecular mechanisms by which magnetic fields affect MTB cells remain unclear. We aim to better understand the dark at 28°C-29°C for 20 h, as shownthe interactions between magnetic fields and cells, and the mechanism of MTB adaptation to magnetic field at molecular levels. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed microbiological, transcriptomic, and genetic experiments to analyze the effects of a weak static magnetic field (SMF) exposure on the cell growth and magnetosome formation in the MTB strain Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. The results showed that a 1.5 mT SMF significantly promoted the cell growth but reduced magnetosome formation in AMB-1, compared to the geomagnetic field. Transcriptomic analysis revealed decreased expression of genes primarily involved in the sulfate reduction pathway. Consistently, knockout mutant lacking adenylyl-sulfate kinase CysC did no more react to the SMF and the differences in growth and Cmag disappeared. Together with experimental findings of increased reactive oxidative species in the SMF-treated wild-type strain, we proposed that cysC, as a key gene, can participate in the cell growth and mineralization in AMB-1 by SMF regulation. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the magnetic field exposure can trigger a bacterial oxidative stress response involved in AMB-1 growth and magnetosome mineralization by regulating the sulfur metabolism pathway. CysC may serve as a pivotal enzyme in mediating sulfur metabolism to synchronize the impact of SMF on both growth and magnetization of AMB-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Hongkai Shi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronics, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Changyou Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yangkun Jiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronics, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pingping Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chuanfang Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jinhua Li
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Long-Fei Wu
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, CNRS, F-13402 Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, LCB, F-13402 Marseille, France
| | - Tao Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biological Electromagnetism, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- France-China International Laboratory of Evolution and Development of Magnetotactic Multicellular Organisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronics, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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8
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Pathogenic bacteria build an iron-storage system for growth and survival in their hosts. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-03367-x. [PMID: 37968459 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-03367-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
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9
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Pi H, Sun R, McBride JR, Kruse ARS, Gibson-Corley KN, Krystofiak ES, Nicholson MR, Spraggins JM, Zhou Q, Skaar EP. Clostridioides difficile ferrosome organelles combat nutritional immunity. Nature 2023; 623:1009-1016. [PMID: 37968387 PMCID: PMC10822667 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06719-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Iron is indispensable for almost all forms of life but toxic at elevated levels1-4. To survive within their hosts, bacterial pathogens have evolved iron uptake, storage and detoxification strategies to maintain iron homeostasis1,5,6. Recent studies showed that three Gram-negative environmental anaerobes produce iron-containing ferrosome granules7,8. However, it remains unclear whether ferrosomes are generated exclusively by Gram-negative bacteria. The Gram-positive bacterium Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial and antibiotic-associated infections in the USA9. Here we report that C. difficile undergoes an intracellular iron biomineralization process and stores iron in membrane-bound ferrosome organelles containing non-crystalline iron phosphate biominerals. We found that a membrane protein (FezA) and a P1B6-ATPase transporter (FezB), repressed by both iron and the ferric uptake regulator Fur, are required for ferrosome formation and play an important role in iron homeostasis during transition from iron deficiency to excess. Additionally, ferrosomes are often localized adjacent to cellular membranes as shown by cryo-electron tomography. Furthermore, using two mouse models of C. difficile infection, we demonstrated that the ferrosome system is activated in the inflamed gut to combat calprotectin-mediated iron sequestration and is important for bacterial colonization and survival during C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualiang Pi
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rong Sun
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James R McBride
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Angela R S Kruse
- Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Katherine N Gibson-Corley
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Evan S Krystofiak
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maribeth R Nicholson
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Spraggins
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Qiangjun Zhou
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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10
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Murdoch CC, Skaar EP. Nutritional immunity: the battle for nutrient metals at the host-pathogen interface. Nat Rev Microbiol 2022; 20:657-670. [PMID: 35641670 PMCID: PMC9153222 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00745-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Trace metals are essential micronutrients required for survival across all kingdoms of life. From bacteria to animals, metals have critical roles as both structural and catalytic cofactors for an estimated third of the proteome, representing a major contributor to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The reactivity of metal ions engenders them with the ability to promote enzyme catalysis and stabilize reaction intermediates. However, these properties render metals toxic at high concentrations and, therefore, metal levels must be tightly regulated. Having evolved in close association with bacteria, vertebrate hosts have developed numerous strategies of metal limitation and intoxication that prevent bacterial proliferation, a process termed nutritional immunity. In turn, bacterial pathogens have evolved adaptive mechanisms to survive in conditions of metal depletion or excess. In this Review, we discuss mechanisms by which nutrient metals shape the interactions between bacterial pathogens and animal hosts. We explore the cell-specific and tissue-specific roles of distinct trace metals in shaping bacterial infections, as well as implications for future research and new therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin C Murdoch
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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11
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Gwisai T, Mirkhani N, Christiansen MG, Nguyen TT, Ling V, Schuerle S. Magnetic torque–driven living microrobots for increased tumor infiltration. Sci Robot 2022; 7:eabo0665. [DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abo0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Biohybrid bacteria–based microrobots are increasingly recognized as promising externally controllable vehicles for targeted cancer therapy. Magnetic fields in particular have been used as a safe means to transfer energy and direct their motion. Thus far, the magnetic control strategies used in this context rely on poorly scalable magnetic field gradients, require active position feedback, or are ill-suited to diffuse distributions within the body. Here, we present a magnetic torque–driven control scheme for enhanced transport through biological barriers that complements the innate taxis toward tumor cores exhibited by a range of bacteria, shown for
Magnetospirillum magneticum
as a magnetically responsive model organism. This hybrid control strategy is readily scalable, independent of position feedback, and applicable to bacterial microrobots dispersed by the circulatory system. We observed a fourfold increase in translocation of magnetically responsive bacteria across a model of the vascular endothelium and found that the primary mechanism driving increased transport is torque-driven surface exploration at the cell interface. Using spheroids as a three-dimensional tumor model, fluorescently labeled bacteria colonized their core regions with up to 21-fold higher signal in samples exposed to rotating magnetic fields. In addition to enhanced transport, we demonstrated that our control scheme offers further advantages, including the possibility for closed-loop optimization based on inductive detection, as well as spatially selective actuation to reduce off-target effects. Last, after systemic intravenous injection in mice, we showed significantly increased bacterial tumor accumulation, supporting the feasibility of deploying this control scheme clinically for magnetically responsive biohybrid microrobots.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Gwisai
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - N. Mirkhani
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - M. G. Christiansen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - T. T. Nguyen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - V. Ling
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 40 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - S. Schuerle
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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12
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Park Y, Eyal Z, Pekker P, Chevrier DM, Lefèvre CT, Arnoux P, Armengaud J, Monteil CL, Gal A, Pósfai M, Faivre D. Periplasmic Bacterial Biomineralization of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2203444. [PMID: 35975419 PMCID: PMC9534983 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Metal sulfides are a common group of extracellular bacterial biominerals. However, only a few cases of intracellular biomineralization are reported in this group, mostly limited to greigite (Fe3 S4 ) in magnetotactic bacteria. Here, a previously unknown periplasmic biomineralization of copper sulfide produced by the magnetotactic bacterium Desulfamplus magnetovallimortis strain BW-1, a species known to mineralize greigite (Fe3 S4 ) and magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) in the cytoplasm is reported. BW-1 produces hundreds of spherical nanoparticles, composed of 1-2 nm substructures of a poorly crystalline hexagonal copper sulfide structure that remains in a thermodynamically unstable state. The particles appear to be surrounded by an organic matrix as found from staining and electron microscopy inspection. Differential proteomics suggests that periplasmic proteins, such as a DegP-like protein and a heavy metal-binding protein, could be involved in this biomineralization process. The unexpected periplasmic formation of copper sulfide nanoparticles in BW-1 reveals previously unknown possibilities for intracellular biomineralization that involves intriguing biological control and holds promise for biological metal recovery in times of copper shortage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeseul Park
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
| | - Zohar Eyal
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot7610001Israel
| | - Péter Pekker
- Nanolab, Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical EngineeringUniversity of PannoniaEgyetem st. 10Veszprém8200Hungary
| | - Daniel M. Chevrier
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
| | - Christopher T. Lefèvre
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
| | - Pascal Arnoux
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS) University of Paris‐SaclayFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE)Pharmacology and Immunoanalysis unit (SPI)Bagnols‐sur‐Cèze30200France
| | - Caroline L. Monteil
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
| | - Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot7610001Israel
| | - Mihály Pósfai
- Nanolab, Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical EngineeringUniversity of PannoniaEgyetem st. 10Veszprém8200Hungary
- ELKH‐PE Environmental Mineralogy Research GroupEgyetem st. 10Veszprém8200Hungary
| | - Damien Faivre
- Aix‐Marseille UniversityFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille (BIAM)Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance13108France
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Wan J, Monteil CL, Taoka A, Ernie G, Park K, Amor M, Taylor-Cornejo E, Lefevre CT, Komeili A. McaA and McaB control the dynamic positioning of a bacterial magnetic organelle. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5652. [PMID: 36163114 PMCID: PMC9512821 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32914-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetotactic bacteria are a diverse group of microorganisms that use intracellular chains of ferrimagnetic nanocrystals, produced within magnetosome organelles, to align and navigate along the geomagnetic field. Several conserved genes for magnetosome formation have been described, but the mechanisms leading to distinct species-specific magnetosome chain configurations remain unclear. Here, we show that the fragmented nature of magnetosome chains in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 is controlled by genes mcaA and mcaB. McaA recognizes the positive curvature of the inner cell membrane, while McaB localizes to magnetosomes. Along with the MamK actin-like cytoskeleton, McaA and McaB create space for addition of new magnetosomes in between pre-existing magnetosomes. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that McaA and McaB homologs are widespread among magnetotactic bacteria and may represent an ancient strategy for magnetosome positioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wan
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Caroline L Monteil
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, 13108, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Azuma Taoka
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Gabriel Ernie
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kieop Park
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Matthieu Amor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, 13108, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Elias Taylor-Cornejo
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biology, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA, 23005, USA
| | - Christopher T Lefevre
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, 13108, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Arash Komeili
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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Magnetotactic bacteria and magnetofossils: ecology, evolution and environmental implications. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:43. [PMID: 35650214 PMCID: PMC9160268 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of phylogenetically diverse and morphologically varied microorganisms with a magnetoresponsive capability called magnetotaxis or microbial magnetoreception. MTB are a distinctive constituent of the microbiome of aquatic ecosystems because they use Earth's magnetic field to align themselves in a north or south facing direction and efficiently navigate to their favored microenvironments. They have been identified worldwide from diverse aquatic and waterlogged microbiomes, including freshwater, saline, brackish and marine ecosystems, and some extreme environments. MTB play important roles in the biogeochemical cycling of iron, sulphur, phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen in nature and have been recognized from in vitro cultures to sequester heavy metals like selenium, cadmium, and tellurium, which makes them prospective candidate organisms for aquatic pollution bioremediation. The role of MTB in environmental systems is not limited to their lifespan; after death, fossil magnetosomal magnetic nanoparticles (known as magnetofossils) are a promising proxy for recording paleoenvironmental change and geomagnetic field history. Here, we summarize the ecology, evolution, and environmental function of MTB and the paleoenvironmental implications of magnetofossils in light of recent discoveries.
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