Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase CT699, lysophospholipid acyltransferase CT775, and acyl-ACP synthase CT776 provide membrane lipid diversity to Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydiae in corals: shared functional potential despite broad taxonomic diversity

Cnidarians, such as corals and sea anemones, associate with a wide range of bacteria that have essential functions, including nutrient cycling and the production of antimicrobial compounds. Within cnidarians, bacteria can colonize all microhabitats including the tissues. Among them are obligate intracellular bacteria of the phylum Chlamydiota (chlamydiae) whose impact on cnidarian hosts and holobionts, especially corals, remain unknown. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of previously published 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding data from cnidarians (e.g. coral, jellyfish, and anemones), eight metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of coral-associated chlamydiae, and one MAG of jellyfish-associated chlamydiae to decipher their diversity and functional potential. While the metabarcoding dataset showed an enormous diversity of cnidarian-associated chlamydiae, six out of nine MAGs were affiliated with the Simkaniaceae family. The other three MAGs were assigned to the Parasimkaniaceae, Rhabdochlamydiaceae, and Anoxychlamydiaceae, respectively. All MAGs lacked the genes necessary for an independent existence, lacking any nucleotide or vitamin and most amino acid biosynthesis pathways. Hallmark chlamydial genes, such as a type III secretion system, nucleotide transporters, and genes for host interaction, were encoded in all MAGs. Together these observations suggest an obligate intracellular lifestyle of coral-associated chlamydiae. No unique genes were found in coral-associated chlamydiae, suggesting a lack of host specificity. Additional studies are needed to understand how chlamydiae interact with their coral host, and other microbes in coral holobionts. This first study of the diversity and functional potential of coral-associated chlamydiae improves our understanding of both the coral microbiome and the chlamydial lifestyle and host range.

Dual Role of ACBD6 in the Acylation Remodeling of Lipids and Proteins

The transfer of acyl chains to proteins and lipids from acyl-CoA donor molecules is achieved by the actions of diverse enzymes and proteins, including the acyl-CoA binding domain-containing protein ACBD6. N-myristoyl-transferase (NMT) enzymes catalyze the covalent attachment of a 14-carbon acyl chain from the relatively rare myristoyl-CoA to the N-terminal glycine residue of myr-proteins. The interaction of the ankyrin-repeat domain of ACBD6 with NMT produces an active enzymatic complex for the use of myristoyl-CoA protected from competitive inhibition by acyl donor competitors. The absence of the ACBD6/NMT complex in ACBD6.KO cells increased the sensitivity of the cells to competitors and significantly reduced myristoylation of proteins. Protein palmitoylation was not altered in those cells. The specific defect in myristoyl-transferase activity of the ACBD6.KO cells provided further evidence of the essential functional role of the interaction of ACBD6 with the NMT enzymes. Acyl-CoAs bound to the acyl-CoA binding domain of ACBD6 are acyl donors for the lysophospholipid acyl-transferase enzymes (LPLAT), which acylate single acyl-chain lipids, such as the bioactive molecules LPA and LPC. Whereas the formation of acyl-CoAs was not altered in ACBD6.KO cells, lipid acylation processes were significantly reduced. The defect in PC formation from LPC by the LPCAT enzymes resulted in reduced lipid droplets content. The diversity of the processes affected by ACBD6 highlight its dual function as a carrier and a regulator of acyl-CoA dependent reactions. The unique role of ACBD6 represents an essential common feature of (acyl-CoA)-dependent modification pathways controlling the lipid and protein composition of human cell membranes.

Lipid droplets and the host-pathogen dynamic: FATal attraction?

In the ongoing conflict between eukaryotic cells and pathogens, lipid droplets (LDs) emerge as a choke point in the battle for nutrients. While many pathogens seek the lipids stored in LDs to fuel an expensive lifestyle, innate immunity rewires lipid metabolism and weaponizes LDs to defend cells and animals. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites directly and remotely manipulate LDs to obtain substrates for metabolic energy, replication compartments, assembly platforms, membrane blocks, and tools for host colonization and/or evasion such as anti-inflammatory mediators, lipoviroparticles, and even exosomes. Host LDs counterattack such advances by synthesizing bioactive lipids and toxic nucleotides, organizing immune signaling platforms, and recruiting a plethora of antimicrobial proteins to provide a front-line defense against the invader. Here, we review the current state of this conflict. We will discuss why, when, and how LDs efficiently coordinate and precisely execute a plethora of immune defenses. In the age of antimicrobial resistance and viral pandemics, understanding innate immune strategies developed by eukaryotic cells to fight and defeat dangerous microorganisms may inform future anti-infective strategies.

Modulation of Host Lipid Pathways by Pathogenic Intracellular Bacteria

Lipids are a broad group of molecules required for cell maintenance and homeostasis. Various intracellular pathogens have developed mechanisms of modulating and sequestering host lipid processes for a large array of functions for both bacterial and host cell survival. Among the host cell lipid functions that intracellular bacteria exploit for infection are the modulation of host plasma membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) required for efficient bacterial entry; the recruitment of specific lipids for membrane integrity of intracellular vacuoles; and the utilization of host lipid droplets for the regulation of immune responses and for energy production through fatty acid β-oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation. The majority of published studies on the utilization of these host lipid pathways during infection have focused on intracellular bacterial pathogens that reside within a vacuole during infection and, thus, have vastly different requirements for host lipid metabolites when compared to those intracellular pathogens that are released into the host cytosol upon infection. Here we summarize the mechanisms by which intracellular bacteria sequester host lipid species and compare the modulation of host lipid pathways and metabolites during host cell infection by intracellular pathogens residing in either a vacuole or within the cytosol of infected mammalian cells. This review will also highlight common and unique host pathways necessary for intracellular bacterial growth that could potentially be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

The diversity of ACBD proteins - From lipid binding to protein modulators and organelle tethers

Members of the large multigene family of acyl-CoA binding domain containing proteins (ACBDs) share a conserved motif required for binding of Coenzyme A esterified fatty acids of various chain length. These proteins are present in the three kingdoms of life, and despite their predicted roles in cellular lipid metabolism, knowledge about the precise functions of many ACBD proteins remains scarce. Interestingly, several ACBD proteins are now suggested to function at organelle contact sites, and are recognized as host interaction proteins for different pathogens including viruses and bacteria. Here, we present a thorough phylogenetic analysis of the ACBD family and discuss their structure and evolution. We summarize recent findings on the various functions of animal and fungal ACBDs with particular focus on peroxisomes, the role of ACBD proteins at organelle membranes, and their increasing recognition as targets for pathogens.

The metabolic change in serum lysoglycerophospholipids intervened by triterpenoid saponins from Kuding tea on hyperlipidemic mice

Triterpenoid saponins from Kuding tea have demonstrated preventive effects on hyperlipidaemia induced by a high-fat diet. Lysoglycerophospholipids (Lyso-GPLs) are known to be associated with proatherogenic conditions such as hyperlipidaemia. In this study, a target profiling strategy based on a multiple reaction monitoring mode was applied for the analysis of Lyso-GPLs. The metabolic changes were evaluated by the qualitative and relative quantitative distribution of six classes of Lyso-GPLs in mouse serum. A total of 153 Lyso-GPL regioisomers, consisting of 85 lysophosphatidylcholines, 15 lysophosphatidic acids, 23 lysophosphatidylethanolamines, 5 lysophosphatidylserines, 19 lysophosphatidylinositols and 6 lysophosphatidylglycerols, were detected and quantified. The results showed decreased trends in the content of total Lyso-GPLs in the serum of hyperlipidemic mice compared with that in normal controls. The content of total Lyso-GPLs significantly increased after treatment with triterpenoid saponins from Kuding tea. Among them, the proportions of most Lyso-GPLs with a higher degree of unsaturation or a longer carbon chain in fatty acyl chains dramatically decreased in hyperlipidemic mice. However, this tendency reversed after the treatment of triterpenoid saponins from Kuding tea. This is the first study regarding a target profiling strategy for the quantitative analysis of six different types of Lyso-GPLs on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice intervened by Kuding tea. Those Lyso-GPLs changed significantly may be potential biomarkers for hyperlipidaemia, and involved in the mechanism of the preventive intervention of Kuding tea on Lipid metabolic diseases.

Lipid Droplets: A Significant but Understudied Contributor of Host⁻Bacterial Interactions

Lipid droplets (LDs) are cytosolic lipid storage organelles that are important for cellular lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, cell signaling, and inflammation. Several bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens exploit host LDs to promote infection, thus emphasizing the importance of LDs at the host–pathogen interface. In this review, we discuss the thus far reported relation between host LDs and bacterial pathogens including obligate and facultative intracellular bacteria, and extracellular bacteria. Although there is less evidence for a LD–extracellular bacterial interaction compared to interactions with intracellular bacteria, in this review, we attempt to compare the bacterial mechanisms that target LDs, the host signaling pathways involved and the utilization of LDs by these bacteria. Many intracellular bacteria employ unique mechanisms to target host LDs and potentially obtain nutrients and lipids for vacuolar biogenesis and/or immune evasion. However, extracellular bacteria utilize LDs to either promote host tissue damage or induce host death. We also identify several areas that require further investigation. Along with identifying LD interactions with bacteria besides the ones reported, the precise mechanisms of LD targeting and how LDs benefit pathogens should be explored for the bacteria discussed in the review. Elucidating LD–bacterial interactions promises critical insight into a novel host–pathogen interaction.

Therapeutic Targets in Chlamydial Fatty Acid and Phospholipid Synthesis

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen with a reduced genome reflecting its host cell dependent life style. However, C. trachomatis has retained all of the genes required for fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis that are present in free-living bacteria. C. trachomatis assembles its cellular membrane using its own biosynthetic machinery utilizing glucose, isoleucine, and serine. This pathway produces disaturated phospholipid molecular species containing a branched-chain 15-carbon fatty acid in the 2-position, which are distinct from the structures of host phospholipids. The enoyl reductase step (FabI) is a target for antimicrobial drug discovery, and the developmental candidate, AFN-1252, blocks the activity of CtFabI. The x-ray crystal structure of the CtFabI•NADH•AFN-1252 ternary complex reveals the interactions between the drug, protein, and cofactor. AFN-1252 treatment of C. trachomatis-infected HeLa cells at any point in the infection cycle reduces infectious titers, and treatment at the time of infection prevents the first cell division. Fatty acid synthesis is essential for C. trachomatis proliferation within its eukaryotic host, and CtFabI is a validated therapeutic target against C. trachomatis.