1
|
Østergaard MZ, Nielsen FD, Meinfeldt MH, Kirkpatrick CL. The uncharacterized PA3040-3042 operon is part of the cell envelope stress response and a tobramycin resistance determinant in a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0387523. [PMID: 38949386 PMCID: PMC11302039 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03875-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (hereafter "phages") are ubiquitous predators of bacteria in the natural world, but interest is growing in their development into antibacterial therapy as complement or replacement for antibiotics. However, bacteria have evolved a huge variety of antiphage defense systems allowing them to resist phage lysis to a greater or lesser extent. In addition to dedicated phage defense systems, some aspects of the general stress response also impact phage susceptibility, but the details of this are not well known. In order to elucidate these factors in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we used the laboratory-conditioned strain PAO1 as host for phage infection experiments as it is naturally poor in dedicated phage defense systems. Screening by transposon insertion sequencing indicated that the uncharacterized operon PA3040-PA3042 was potentially associated with resistance to lytic phages. However, we found that its primary role appeared to be in regulating biofilm formation, particularly in a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa in which it also altered tobramycin resistance. Its expression was highly growth-phase dependent and responsive to phage infection and cell envelope stress. Our results suggest that this operon may be a cryptic but important locus for P. aeruginosa stress tolerance. IMPORTANCE An important category of bacterial stress response systems is bacteriophage defense, where systems are triggered by bacteriophage infection and activate a response which may either destroy the phage genome or destroy the infected cell so that the rest of the population survives. In some bacteria, the cell envelope stress response is activated by bacteriophage infection, but it is unknown whether this contributes to the survival of the infection. We have found that a conserved uncharacterized operon (PA3040-PA3042) of the cell envelope stress regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has very few dedicated phage defense systems, responds to phage infection and stationary phase as well as envelope stress and is important for growth and biofilm formation in a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa, even in the absence of phages. As homologs of these genes are found in other bacteria, they may be a novel component of the general stress response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Z. Østergaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming D. Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette H. Meinfeldt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Clare L. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Inostroza O, Fuentes JA, Yáñez P, Espinoza G, Fica O, Queraltó C, Rodríguez J, Flores I, González R, Soto JA, Calderón IL, Gil F. Characterization of Clostridioides difficile Persister Cells and Their Role in Antibiotic Tolerance. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1394. [PMID: 39065162 PMCID: PMC11279270 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive pathogen known for its toxin production and spore formation. It is primarily responsible for most cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Bacterial persisters are a small subset of the population that exhibits transient tolerance to bactericidal substances, and they are of significant medical concern due to their association with the emergence of antibiotic resistance and difficult-to-treat chronic or recurrent infections. Vancomycin, the predominant antibiotic utilized in the management of C. difficile infection, is extensively applied in the realm of clinical practice. Previous studies have demonstrated a persister-like phenotype with treatments involving this antibiotic. However, the mechanism in C. difficile remains largely unknown, primarily due to the challenge of isolating this small population at any given time. To better characterize C. difficile persister cells, we present a study that enables the enrichment and characterization of persister cells from bacterial cultures in both the exponential and stationary phases. Moreover, we could differentiate between triggered (induced using antibiotics such as vancomycin) and spontaneous (stochastic) persister cells. Additionally, we observed the involvement of toxin-antitoxin systems and Clp proteases in persister cell formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Inostroza
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Juan A. Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Patogénesis Bacteriana, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile;
| | - Paulina Yáñez
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Giovanni Espinoza
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Omar Fica
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Camila Queraltó
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - José Rodríguez
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Isidora Flores
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Ruth González
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Jorge A. Soto
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile;
| | - Iván L. Calderón
- Laboratorio de RNAs Bacterianos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile
| | - Fernando Gil
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-Millennium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, Santiago 8370186, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sanchez-Torres V, Kirigo J, Wood TK. Implications of lytic phage infections inducing persistence. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102482. [PMID: 38714140 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Phage therapy holds much promise as an alternative to antibiotics for fighting infection. However, this approach is no panacea as recent results show that a small fraction of cells survives lytic phage infection due to both dormancy (i.e. formation of persister cells) and resistance (genetic change). In this brief review, we summarize evidence suggesting phages induce the persister state. Therefore, it is predicted that phage cocktails should be combined with antipersister compounds to eradicate bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Sanchez-Torres
- Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Joy Kirigo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Michaud A, Garneau D, Côté JP, Lafontaine DA. Fluorescent riboswitch-controlled biosensors for the genome scale analysis of metabolic pathways. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12555. [PMID: 38821978 PMCID: PMC11143247 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61980-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent detection in cells has been tremendously developed over the years and now benefits from a large array of reporters that can provide sensitive and specific detection in real time. However, the intracellular monitoring of metabolite levels still poses great challenges due to the often complex nature of detected metabolites. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) metabolism in Escherichia coli by using a TPP-sensing riboswitch that controls the expression of the fluorescent gfp reporter. By comparing different combinations of reporter fusions and TPP-sensing riboswitches, we determine key elements that are associated with strong TPP-dependent sensing. Furthermore, by using the Keio collection as a proxy for growth conditions differing in TPP levels, we perform a high-throughput screen analysis using high-density solid agar plates. Our study reveals several genes whose deletion leads to increased or decreased TPP levels. The approach developed here could be applicable to other riboswitches and reporter genes, thus representing a framework onto which further development could lead to highly sophisticated detection platforms allowing metabolic screens and identification of orphan riboswitches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Michaud
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - D Garneau
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - J-P Côté
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - D A Lafontaine
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shore SFH, Leinberger FH, Fozo EM, Berghoff BA. Type I toxin-antitoxin systems in bacteria: from regulation to biological functions. EcoSal Plus 2024:eesp00252022. [PMID: 38767346 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0025-2022] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin systems are ubiquitous in the prokaryotic world and widely distributed among chromosomes and mobile genetic elements. Several different toxin-antitoxin system types exist, but what they all have in common is that toxin activity is prevented by the cognate antitoxin. In type I toxin-antitoxin systems, toxin production is controlled by an RNA antitoxin and by structural features inherent to the toxin messenger RNA. Most type I toxins are small membrane proteins that display a variety of cellular effects. While originally discovered as modules that stabilize plasmids, chromosomal type I toxin-antitoxin systems may also stabilize prophages, or serve important functions upon certain stress conditions and contribute to population-wide survival strategies. Here, we will describe the intricate RNA-based regulation of type I toxin-antitoxin systems and discuss their potential biological functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selene F H Shore
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Florian H Leinberger
- Institute for Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elizabeth M Fozo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bork A Berghoff
- Institute for Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Etesami H, Glick BR. Bacterial indole-3-acetic acid: A key regulator for plant growth, plant-microbe interactions, and agricultural adaptive resilience. Microbiol Res 2024; 281:127602. [PMID: 38228017 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127602] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a fundamental phytohormone categorized under auxins, not only influences plant growth and development but also plays a critical role in plant-microbe interactions. This study reviews the role of IAA in bacteria-plant communication, with a focus on its biosynthesis, regulation, and the subsequent effects on host plants. Bacteria synthesize IAA through multiple pathways, which include the indole-3-acetamide (IAM), indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA), and several other routes, whose full mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. The production of bacterial IAA affects root architecture, nutrient uptake, and resistance to various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity, enhancing plant resilience and thus offering promising routes to sustainable agriculture. Bacterial IAA synthesis is regulated through complex gene networks responsive to environmental cues, impacting plant hormonal balances and symbiotic relationships. Pathogenic bacteria have adapted mechanisms to manipulate the host's IAA dynamics, influencing disease outcomes. On the other hand, beneficial bacteria utilize IAA to promote plant growth and mitigate abiotic stresses, thereby enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers. Advancements in analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, have improved the quantification of bacterial IAA, enabling accurate measurement and analysis. Future research focusing on molecular interactions between IAA-producing bacteria and host plants could facilitate the development of biotechnological applications that integrate beneficial bacteria to improve crop performance, which is essential for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring global food security. This integration of bacterial IAA producers into agricultural practice promises to revolutionize crop management strategies by enhancing growth, fostering resilience, and reducing environmental impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Etesami
- Soil Science Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bernard R Glick
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Iaconis A, De Plano LM, Caccamo A, Franco D, Conoci S. Anti-Biofilm Strategies: A Focused Review on Innovative Approaches. Microorganisms 2024; 12:639. [PMID: 38674584 PMCID: PMC11052202 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040639] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilm (BF) can give rise to systemic infections, prolonged hospitalization times, and, in the worst case, death. This review aims to provide an overview of recent strategies for the prevention and destruction of pathogenic BFs. First, the main phases of the life cycle of BF and maturation will be described to identify potential targets for anti-BF approaches. Then, an approach acting on bacterial adhesion, quorum sensing (QS), and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix will be introduced and discussed. Finally, bacteriophage-mediated strategies will be presented as innovative approaches against BF inhibition/destruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Iaconis
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Maria De Plano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonella Caccamo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Domenico Franco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Sabrina Conoci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.I.); (L.M.D.P.); (A.C.)
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- URT Lab Sens Beyond Nano—CNR-DSFTM, Department of Physical Sciences and Technologies of Matter, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fernández-García L, Song S, Kirigo J, Battisti ME, Petersen ME, Tomás M, Wood TK. Toxin/antitoxin systems induce persistence and work in concert with restriction/modification systems to inhibit phage. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0338823. [PMID: 38054715 PMCID: PMC10783111 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03388-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE To date, there are no reports of phage infection-inducing persistence. Therefore, our results are important since we show for the first time that a phage-defense system, the MqsRAC toxin/antitoxin system, allows the host to survive infection by forming persister cells, rather than inducing cell suicide. Moreover, we demonstrate that the MqsRAC system works in concert with restriction/modification systems. These results imply that if phage therapy is to be successful, anti-persister compounds need to be administered along with phages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fernández-García
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Animal Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-Si, Jellabuk-Do, South Korea
- Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-Si, Jellabuk-Do, South Korea
| | - Joy Kirigo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael E. Battisti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maiken E. Petersen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - María Tomás
- Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pourciau C, Yakhnin H, Pannuri A, Gorelik MG, Lai YJ, Romeo T, Babitzke P. CsrA coordinates the expression of ribosome hibernation and anti-σ factor proteins. mBio 2023; 14:e0258523. [PMID: 37943032 PMCID: PMC10746276 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02585-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The Csr/Rsm system (carbon storage regulator or repressor of stationary phase metabolites) is a global post-transcriptional regulatory system that coordinates and responds to environmental cues and signals, facilitating the transition between active growth and stationary phase. Another key determinant of bacterial lifestyle decisions is the management of the cellular gene expression machinery. Here, we investigate the connection between these two processes in Escherichia coli. Disrupted regulation of the transcription and translation machinery impacts many cellular functions, including gene expression, growth, fitness, and stress resistance. Elucidating the role of the Csr system in controlling the activity of RNAP and ribosomes advances our understanding of mechanisms controlling bacterial growth. A more complete understanding of these processes could lead to the improvement of therapeutic strategies for recalcitrant infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Pourciau
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Helen Yakhnin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Archanna Pannuri
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mark G. Gorelik
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ying-Jung Lai
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Tony Romeo
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Paul Babitzke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mattiello SP, Barth VC, Scaria J, Ferreira CAS, Oliveira SD. Fluoroquinolone and beta-lactam antimicrobials induce different transcriptome profiles in Salmonella enterica persister cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18696. [PMID: 37907566 PMCID: PMC10618250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46142-8] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we investigate the transcriptome profiles of two S. Enteritidis and one S. Schwarzengrund isolates that present different persister levels when exposed to ciprofloxacin or ceftazidime. It was possible to note a distinct transcript profile among isolates, time of exposure, and treatment. We could not find a commonly expressed transcript profile that plays a role in persister formation after S. enterica exposure to beta-lactam or fluoroquinolone, as only three DEGs presented the same behavior under the conditions and isolates tested. It appears that the formation of persisters in S. enterica after exposure to ciprofloxacin is linked to the overexpression of genes involved in the SOS response (recA), cell division inhibitor (sulA), iron-sulfur metabolism (hscA and iscS), and type I TA system (tisB). On the other hand, most genes differentially expressed in S. enterica after exposure to ceftazidime appeared to be downregulated and were part of the flagellar assembly apparatus, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, carbon metabolism, bacterial secretion system, quorum sensing, pyruvate metabolism pathway, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The different transcriptome profiles found in S. enterica persisters induced by ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime suggest that these cells modulate their response differently according to each stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P Mattiello
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Microbiologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- College of Mathematics and Science, The University of Tennessee Southern, UTS, Pulaski, TN, USA
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, SDSU, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - V C Barth
- Laboratório de Imunoterapia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - J Scaria
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, SDSU, Brookings, SD, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - C A S Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Microbiologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S D Oliveira
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Microbiologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pizzolato-Cezar LR, Spira B, Machini MT. Bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems: Novel insights on toxin activation across populations and experimental shortcomings. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 5:100204. [PMID: 38024808 PMCID: PMC10643148 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The alarming rise in hard-to-treat bacterial infections is of great concern to human health. Thus, the identification of molecular mechanisms that enable the survival and growth of pathogens is of utmost urgency for the development of more efficient antimicrobial therapies. In challenging environments, such as presence of antibiotics, or during host infection, metabolic adjustments are essential for microorganism survival and competitiveness. Toxin-antitoxin systems (TASs) consisting of a toxin with metabolic modulating activity and a cognate antitoxin that antagonizes that toxin are important elements in the arsenal of bacterial stress defense. However, the exact physiological function of TA systems is highly debatable and with the exception of stabilization of mobile genetic elements and phage inhibition, other proposed biological functions lack a broad consensus. This review aims at gaining new insights into the physiological effects of TASs in bacteria and exploring the experimental shortcomings that lead to discrepant results in TAS research. Distinct control mechanisms ensure that only subsets of cells within isogenic cultures transiently develop moderate levels of toxin activity. As a result, TASs cause phenotypic growth heterogeneity rather than cell stasis in the entire population. It is this feature that allows bacteria to thrive in diverse environments through the creation of subpopulations with different metabolic rates and stress tolerance programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis R. Pizzolato-Cezar
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beny Spira
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. Teresa Machini
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pan X, Liu W, Du Q, Zhang H, Han D. Recent Advances in Bacterial Persistence Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14311. [PMID: 37762613 PMCID: PMC10531727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The recurrence of bacterial infectious diseases is closely associated with bacterial persisters. This subpopulation of bacteria can escape antibiotic treatment by entering a metabolic status of low activity through various mechanisms, for example, biofilm, toxin-antitoxin modules, the stringent response, and the SOS response. Correspondingly, multiple new treatments are being developed. However, due to their spontaneous low abundance in populations and the lack of research on in vivo interactions between persisters and the host's immune system, microfluidics, high-throughput sequencing, and microscopy techniques are combined innovatively to explore the mechanisms of persister formation and maintenance at the single-cell level. Here, we outline the main mechanisms of persister formation, and describe the cutting-edge technology for further research. Despite the significant progress regarding study techniques, some challenges remain to be tackled.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhou Pan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Qingqing Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Dingding Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Alves da Silva A, Silva IJ, Arraiano CM. A paradox of bacterial persistence and antibiotic resistance: chloramphenicol acetyl transferase as a double barrel shot gun. MICROLIFE 2023; 4:uqad034. [PMID: 37781689 PMCID: PMC10540939 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The problematic microbial resistance to antibiotics has led to an increasing interest in bacterial persistence and its impact on infection. Nonetheless, these two mechanisms are often assessed in independent studies, and there is a lack of knowledge about their relation or possible interactions, both at cellular and population levels. This work shows evidence that the insertion of the resistance gene Chloramphenicol Acetyl Transferase (cat) together with its cognate antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAM), is capable to modulate Salmonella Typhimurium persistence to several antibiotics and decrease its survival. This effect is independent of the antibiotics' mechanisms of action or the locus of cat. RelA [p(ppGpp) syntetase] has been shown to be involved in persistence. It was recently proposed that RelA [(p)ppGpp synthetase], binds to uncharged tRNAs, forming RelA.tRNA complexes. These complexes bind to vacant A-sites in the ribosome, and this mechanism is essential for the activation of RelA. In this study, we propose that the antibiotic chloramphenicol blocks the A-site of the ribosome, hindering the binding of RelA.tRNA complexes to the ribosome thus preventing the activation of RelA and (p)ppGpp synthesis, with a consequent decrease in the level of persistence of the population. Our discovery that the concomitant use of chloramphenicol and other antibiotics in chloramphenicol resistant bacteria can decrease the persister levels can be the basis of novel therapeutics aiming to decrease the persisters and recalcitrant infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alves da Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Inês Jesus Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cecília Maria Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fernández-García L, Tomás M, Wood TK. Ribosome inactivation by Escherichia coli GTPase RsgA inhibits T4 phage. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1242163. [PMID: 37670987 PMCID: PMC10475562 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1242163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bacteria must combat phages, and myriad bacterial anti-phage systems have been discovered that reduce host metabolism, for example, by depleting energetic compounds like ATP and NAD+. Hence, these systems indirectly inhibit protein production. Surprisingly, direct reduction of ribosome activity has not been demonstrated to thwart phage. Methods Here, by producing each of the 4,287 Escherichia coli proteins and selecting for anti-phage activity that leads to enhanced growth, we investigated the role of host proteins in phage inhibition. Results and discussion We identified that E. coli GTPase RsgA inhibits lytic phage T4 by inactivating ribosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fernández-García
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Thorfinnsdottir LB, Bø GH, Booth JA, Bruheim P. Survival of Escherichia coli after high-antibiotic stress is dependent on both the pregrown physiological state and incubation conditions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1149978. [PMID: 36970700 PMCID: PMC10036391 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1149978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe survival of bacterial cells exposed to antibiotics depends on the mode of action, the antibiotics concentration, and the duration of treatment. However, it also depends on the physiological state of the cells and the environmental conditions. In addition, bacterial cultures contain sub-populations that can survive high antibiotic concentrations, so-called persisters. Research on persisters is challenging due to multiple mechanisms for their formation and low fractions, down to and below one millionth of the total cell population. Here, we present an improved version of the persister assay used to enumerate the amount of persisters in a cell population.MethodsThe persister assay with high antibiotic stress exposure was performed at both growth supporting and non-supporting conditions. Escherichia coli cells were pregrown to various growth stages in shake flasks and bench-top bioreactors. In addition, the physiological state of E. coli before antibiotic treatment was determined by quantitative mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling.ResultsSurvival of E. coli strongly depended on whether the persister assay medium supported growth or not. The results were also highly dependent on the type of antibiotic and pregrown physiological state of the cells. Therefore, applying the same conditions is critical for consistent and comparable results. No direct connection was observed between antibiotic efficacy to the metabolic state. This also includes the energetic state (i.e., the intracellular concentration of ATP and the adenylate energy charge), which has earlier been hypothesized to be decisive for persister formation.DiscussionThe study provides guides and suggestions for the design of future experimentation in the research fields of persisters and antibiotic tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaute Hovde Bø
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - James Alexander Booth
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Bruheim
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- *Correspondence: Per Bruheim,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Citrate Synthase GltA Influences Antibiotic Tolerance and the Type III Secretion System through the Stringent Response. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0323922. [PMID: 36602339 PMCID: PMC9927146 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03239-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrate metabolism plays essential roles in energy generation and providing carbon skeletons for amino acid syntheses. In addition, carbohydrate metabolism has been shown to influence bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and virulence. In this study, we demonstrate that citrate synthase gltA mutation can increase the expression of the type III secretion system (T3SS) genes and antibiotic tolerance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The stringent response is activated in the gltA mutant, and deletion of the (p)ppGpp synthetase gene relA restores the antibiotic tolerance and expression of the T3SS genes to wild-type level. We further demonstrate that the intracellular level of cAMP is increased by the stringent response in the gltA mutant, which increases the expression of the T3SS master regulator gene exsA. Overall, our results reveal an essential role of GltA in metabolism, antibiotic tolerance, and virulence, as well as a novel regulatory mechanism of the stringent response-mediated regulation of the T3SS in P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Rising antimicrobial resistance imposes a severe threat to human health. It is urgent to develop novel antimicrobial strategies by understanding bacterial regulation of virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants. The stringent response plays an essential role in virulence and antibiotic tolerance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes acute and chronic infections in humans. The bacterium produces an arsenal of virulence factors and is highly resistant to a variety of antibiotics. In this study, we provide evidence that citrate synthase GltA plays a critical role in P. aeruginosa metabolism and influences the antibiotic tolerance and virulence. We further reveal a role of the stringent response in the regulation of the antibiotic tolerance and virulence. The significance of this work is in elucidation of novel regulatory pathways that control both antibiotic tolerance and virulence in P. aeruginosa.
Collapse
|
17
|
Structure, Substrate Specificity and Role of Lon Protease in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Survival. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043422. [PMID: 36834832 PMCID: PMC9961632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteases are the group of enzymes that carry out proteolysis in all forms of life and play an essential role in cell survival. By acting on specific functional proteins, proteases affect the transcriptional and post-translational pathways in a cell. Lon, FtsH, HslVU and the Clp family are among the ATP-dependent proteases responsible for intracellular proteolysis in bacteria. In bacteria, Lon protease acts as a global regulator, governs an array of important functions such as DNA replication and repair, virulence factors, stress response and biofilm formation, among others. Moreover, Lon is involved in the regulation of bacterial metabolism and toxin-antitoxin systems. Hence, understanding the contribution and mechanisms of Lon as a global regulator in bacterial pathogenesis is crucial. In this review, we discuss the structure and substrate specificity of the bacterial Lon protease, as well as its ability to regulate bacterial pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
18
|
Krysińska M, Baranowski B, Deszcz B, Pawłowski K, Gradowski M. Pan-kinome of Legionella expanded by a bioinformatics survey. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21782. [PMID: 36526881 PMCID: PMC9758233 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic Legionella bacteria are notorious for delivering numerous effector proteins into the host cell with the aim of disturbing and hijacking cellular processes for their benefit. Despite intensive studies, many effectors remain uncharacterized. Motivated by the richness of Legionella effector repertoires and their oftentimes atypical biochemistry, also by several known atypical Legionella effector kinases and pseudokinases discovered recently, we undertook an in silico survey and exploration of the pan-kinome of the Legionella genus, i.e., the union of the kinomes of individual species. In this study, we discovered 13 novel (pseudo)kinase families (all are potential effectors) with the use of non-standard bioinformatic approaches. Together with 16 known families, we present a catalog of effector and non-effector protein kinase-like families within Legionella, available at http://bioinfo.sggw.edu.pl/kintaro/ . We analyze and discuss the likely functional roles of the novel predicted kinases. Notably, some of the kinase families are also present in other bacterial taxa, including other pathogens, often phylogenetically very distant from Legionella. This work highlights Nature's ingeniousness in the pathogen-host arms race and offers a useful resource for the study of infection mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Krysińska
- grid.13276.310000 0001 1955 7966Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences — SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Baranowski
- grid.413454.30000 0001 1958 0162Laboratory of Plant Pathogenesis, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Deszcz
- grid.13276.310000 0001 1955 7966Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences — SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pawłowski
- grid.13276.310000 0001 1955 7966Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences — SGGW, Warsaw, Poland ,grid.267313.20000 0000 9482 7121Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ,grid.413575.10000 0001 2167 1581Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marcin Gradowski
- grid.13276.310000 0001 1955 7966Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences — SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Shi X, Zarkan A. Bacterial survivors: evaluating the mechanisms of antibiotic persistence. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36748698 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria withstand antibiotic onslaughts by employing a variety of strategies, one of which is persistence. Persistence occurs in a bacterial population where a subpopulation of cells (persisters) survives antibiotic treatment and can regrow in a drug-free environment. Persisters may cause the recalcitrance of infectious diseases and can be a stepping stone to antibiotic resistance, so understanding persistence mechanisms is critical for therapeutic applications. However, current understanding of persistence is pervaded by paradoxes that stymie research progress, and many aspects of this cellular state remain elusive. In this review, we summarize the putative persister mechanisms, including toxin-antitoxin modules, quorum sensing, indole signalling and epigenetics, as well as the reasons behind the inconsistent body of evidence. We highlight present limitations in the field and underscore a clinical context that is frequently neglected, in the hope of supporting future researchers in examining clinically important persister mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Shi
- Cambridge Centre for International Research, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Ashraf Zarkan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Patel H, Buchad H, Gajjar D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cell formation upon antibiotic exposure in planktonic and biofilm state. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16151. [PMID: 36168027 PMCID: PMC9515113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20323-3] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Persister cell (PC) is dormant, tolerant to antibiotics, and a transient reversible phenotype. These phenotypes are observed in P. aeruginosa and cause bacterial chronic infection as well as recurrence of biofilm-mediated infection. PC formation requires stringent response and toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules. This study shows the P. aeruginosa PC formation in planktonic and biofilm stages on ceftazidime, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin treatments. The PC formation was studied using persister assay, flow cytometry using Redox Sensor Green, fluorescence as well as Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, and gene expression of stringent response and TA genes. In the planktonic stage, ceftazidime showed a high survival fraction, high redox activity, and elongation of cells was observed followed by ciprofloxacin and gentamicin treatment having redox activity and rod-shaped cells. The gene expression of stringent response and TA genes were upregulated on gentamicin followed by ceftazidime treatment and varied among the isolates. In the biofilm stage, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin showed the biphasic killing pattern, redox activity, gene expression level of stringent response and TA varied across the isolates. Ceftazidime treatment showed higher persister cells in planktonic growth while all three antibiotics were able to induce persister cell formation in the biofilm stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiral Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, 390002, India
| | - Hasmatbanu Buchad
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, 390002, India
| | - Devarshi Gajjar
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, 390002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fernández-García L, Muthami JM, Tomas M, Wood TK. What are the options for treating infections by persister-forming pathogens? Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4500-4504. [PMID: 35912818 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fernández-García
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Joy M Muthami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maria Tomas
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mode S, Ketterer M, Québatte M, Dehio C. Antibiotic persistence of intracellular Brucella abortus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010635. [PMID: 35881641 PMCID: PMC9355222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human brucellosis caused by the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella spp. is an endemic bacterial zoonosis manifesting as acute or chronic infections with high morbidity. Treatment typically involves a combination therapy of two antibiotics for several weeks to months, but despite this harsh treatment relapses occur at a rate of 5–15%. Although poor compliance and reinfection may account for a fraction of the observed relapse cases, it is apparent that the properties of the infectious agent itself may play a decisive role in this phenomenon. Methodology/Principal findings We used B. abortus carrying a dual reporter in a macrophage infection model to gain a better understanding of the efficacy of recommended therapies in cellulo. For this we used automated fluorescent microscopy as a prime read-out and developed specific CellProfiler pipelines to score infected macrophages at the population and the single cell level. Combining microscopy of constitutive and induced reporters with classical CFU determination, we quantified the protective nature of the Brucella intracellular lifestyle to various antibiotics and the ability of B. abortus to persist in cellulo despite harsh antibiotic treatments. Conclusion/Significance We demonstrate that treatment of infected macrophages with antibiotics at recommended concentrations fails to fully prevent growth and persistence of B. abortus in cellulo, which may be explained by a protective nature of the intracellular niche(s). Moreover, we show the presence of bona fide intracellular persisters upon antibiotic treatment, which are metabolically active and retain the full infectious potential, therefore constituting a plausible reservoir for reinfection and relapse. In conclusion, our results highlight the need to extend the spectrum of models to test new antimicrobial therapies for brucellosis to better reflect the in vivo infection environment, and to develop therapeutic approaches targeting the persister subpopulation. Brucellosis is a zoonosis endemic to many low- and middle-income countries around the world. Therapies recommended by the WHO are comprised of at least two antibiotics for several weeks, sometimes months. Relapses are frequent despite these harsh treatments. The underlying reasons for these relapses, besides reinfection and non-compliance to treatment, are unknown. Our study shows that Brucella abortus can form so called “persisters” in rich broth but also inside macrophages. This small bacterial subpopulation survives antibiotic treatment and resumes growth after removal of the antibiotics and could therefore serve as a reservoir for relapses in human brucellosis. Furthermore, we show that the intracellular lifestyle of Brucella has protective properties against recommended antibiotics as observed for other intracellular pathogens, highlighting the necessity to develop new infection models to assess antibiotic efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selma Mode
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Maxime Québatte
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (MQ); (CD)
| | - Christoph Dehio
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (MQ); (CD)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Shmidov E, Lebenthal-Loinger I, Roth S, Karako-Lampert S, Zander I, Shoshani S, Danielli A, Banin E. PrrT/A, a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacterial Encoded Toxin-Antitoxin System Involved in Prophage Regulation and Biofilm Formation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0118222. [PMID: 35575497 PMCID: PMC9241795 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01182-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are genetic modules that consist of a stable protein-toxin and an unstable antitoxin that neutralizes the toxic effect. In type II TA systems, the antitoxin is a protein that inhibits the toxin by direct binding. Type II TA systems, whose roles and functions are under intensive study, are highly distributed among bacterial chromosomes. Here, we identified and characterized a novel type II TA system PrrT/A encoded in the chromosome of the clinical isolate 39016 of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We have shown that the PrrT/A system exhibits classical type II TA characteristics and novel regulatory properties. Following deletion of the prrA antitoxin, we discovered that the system is involved in a range of processes including (i) biofilm and motility, (ii) reduced prophage induction and bacteriophage production, and (iii) increased fitness for aminoglycosides. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of this toxin-antitoxin system to key physiological traits in P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE The functions attributed to bacterial TA systems are controversial and remain largely unknown. Our study suggests new insights into the potential functions of bacterial TA systems. We reveal that a chromosome-encoded TA system can regulate biofilm and motility, antibiotic resistance, prophage gene expression, and phage production. The latter presents a thus far unreported function of bacterial TA systems. In addition, with the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, especially with the rising of P. aeruginosa resistant strains, the investigation of TA systems is critical as it may account for potential new targets against the resistant strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Shmidov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ilana Lebenthal-Loinger
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Shira Roth
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Sarit Karako-Lampert
- Scientific Equipment Center, The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Itzhak Zander
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Sivan Shoshani
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Amos Danielli
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ehud Banin
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Borreliella burgdorferi Antimicrobial-Tolerant Persistence in Lyme Disease and Posttreatment Lyme Disease Syndromes. mBio 2022; 13:e0344021. [PMID: 35467428 PMCID: PMC9239140 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03440-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The annual incidence of Lyme disease, caused by tick-transmitted Borreliella burgdorferi, is estimated to be at least 476,000 cases in the United States and many more worldwide. Ten to 20% of antimicrobial-treated Lyme disease patients display posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), a clinical complication whose etiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain. Autoimmunity, cross-reactivity, molecular mimicry, coinfections, and borrelial tolerance to antimicrobials/persistence have been hypothesized and studied as potential causes of PTLDS. Studies of borrelial tolerance/persistence in vitro in response to antimicrobials and experimental studies in mice and nonhuman primates, taken together with clinical reports, have revealed that B. burgdorferi becomes tolerant to antimicrobials and may sometimes persist in animals and humans after the currently recommended antimicrobial treatment. Moreover, B. burgdorferi is pleomorphic and can generate viable-but-nonculturable bacteria, states also involved in antimicrobial tolerance. The multiple regulatory pathways and structural genes involved in mediating this tolerance to antimicrobials and environmental stressors by persistence might include the stringent (rel and dksA) and host adaptation (rpoS) responses, sugar metabolism (glpD), and polypeptide transporters (opp). Application of this recently reported knowledge to clinical studies can be expected to clarify the potential role of bacterial antibacterial tolerance/persistence in Lyme disease and PTLDS.
Collapse
|
25
|
Li H, Xia Y, Tian Z, Jin Y, Bai F, Cheng Z, Swietnicki W, Wu W, Pan X. Dihydrolipoamide Acetyltransferase AceF Influences the Type III Secretion System and Resistance to Oxidative Stresses through RsmY/Z in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030666. [PMID: 35336241 PMCID: PMC8950878 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon metabolism plays an important role in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis. The type III secretion system (T3SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a virulence factor that contributes to acute infections. It has been demonstrated that bacterial metabolism affects the T3SS. Meanwhile, expression of T3SS genes is negatively regulated by the small RNAs RsmY and RsmZ. In this study, we studied the relationship between the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase gene aceF and the T3SS. Our results reveal an upregulation of RsmY and RsmZ in the aceF mutant, which represses the expression of the T3SS genes. Meanwhile, the aceF mutant is more tolerant to hydrogen peroxide. We demonstrate that the expression levels of the catalase KatB and the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpB are increased in the aceF mutant. The simultaneous deletion of rsmY and rsmZ in the aceF mutant restored the expression levels of katB and ahpB, as well as bacterial susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide. Thus, we identify a novel role of AceF in the virulence and oxidative response of P. aeruginosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haozhou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Yushan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Zhenyang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Yongxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Fang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Zhihui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Wieslaw Swietnicki
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Weihui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
| | - Xiaolei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (H.L.); (Y.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.J.); (F.B.); (Z.C.); (W.W.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hemeg HA. Combatting persisted and biofilm antimicrobial resistant bacterial by using nanoparticles. Z NATURFORSCH C 2022; 77:365-378. [PMID: 35234019 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2021-0296] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Some bacteria can withstand the existence of an antibiotic without undergoing any genetic changes. They are neither cysts nor spores and are one of the causes of disease recurrence, accounting for about 1% of the biofilm. There are numerous approaches to eradication and combating biofilm-forming organisms. Nanotechnology is one of them, and it has shown promising results against persister cells. In the review, we go over the persister cell and biofilm in extensive detail. This includes the biofilm formation cycle, antibiotic resistance, and treatment with various nanoparticles. Furthermore, the gene-level mechanism of persister cell formation and its therapeutic interventions with nanoparticles were discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan A Hemeg
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, P.O. Box 344, Al-Madinah Al-Monawra 41411, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Bacterial persisters are nongrowing cells highly tolerant to bactericidal antibiotics. However, this tolerance is reversible and not mediated by heritable genetic changes. Lon, an ATP-dependent protease, has repeatedly been shown to play a critical role in fluoroquinolone persistence in Escherichia coli. Although lon deletion (Δlon) is thought to eliminate persister cells via accumulation of the cell division inhibitor protein SulA, the exact mechanism underlying this phenomenon is not yet elucidated. Here, we show that Lon is an important regulatory protein for the resuscitation of the fluoroquinolone persisters in E. coli, and lon deletion impairs the ability of persister cells to form colonies during recovery through a sulA- and ftsZ-dependent mechanism. Notably, this observed "viable but nonculturable" state of antibiotic-tolerant Δlon cells is transient, as environmental conditions, such as starvation, can restore their culturability. Our data further indicate that starvation-induced SulA degradation or expression of Lon during recovery facilitates Z-ring formation in Δlon persisters, and Z-ring architecture is important for persister resuscitation in both wild-type and Δlon strains. Our in-depth image analysis clearly shows that the ratio of cell length to number of FtsZ rings for each intact ofloxacin-treated cell predicts the probability of resuscitation and, hence, can be used as a potential biomarker for persisters. IMPORTANCE The ATP-dependent Lon protease is one of the most studied bacterial proteases. Although deletion of lon has been frequently shown to reduce fluoroquinolone persistence, the proposed mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are highly controversial. Here, we have shown that lon deletion in Escherichia coli impairs the ability of persister cells to form colonies during recovery and that this reduction of persister levels in lon-deficient cells can be transient. We also found that altered Z-ring architecture is a key biomarker in both wild-type and lon-deficient persister cells transitioning to a normal cell state. Collectively, our findings highlight the importance of differentiating persister formation mechanisms from resuscitation mechanisms and underscore the critical role of the nonculturable cell state in antibiotic tolerance.
Collapse
|
28
|
Urbaniec J, Xu Y, Hu Y, Hingley-Wilson S, McFadden J. Phenotypic heterogeneity in persisters: a novel 'hunker' theory of persistence. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:fuab042. [PMID: 34355746 PMCID: PMC8767447 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence has been linked to treatment failure since its discovery over 70 years ago and understanding formation, nature and survival of this key antibiotic refractory subpopulation is crucial to enhancing treatment success and combatting the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The term 'persistence' is often used interchangeably with other terms such as tolerance or dormancy. In this review we focus on 'antibiotic persistence' which we broadly define as a feature of a subpopulation of bacterial cells that possesses the non-heritable character of surviving exposure to one or more antibiotics; and persisters as cells that possess this characteristic. We discuss novel molecular mechanisms involved in persister cell formation, as well as environmental factors which can contribute to increased antibiotic persistence in vivo, highlighting recent developments advanced by single-cell studies. We also aim to provide a comprehensive model of persistence, the 'hunker' theory which is grounded in intrinsic heterogeneity of bacterial populations and a myriad of 'hunkering down' mechanisms which can contribute to antibiotic survival of the persister subpopulation. Finally, we discuss antibiotic persistence as a 'stepping-stone' to AMR and stress the urgent need to develop effective anti-persister treatment regimes to treat this highly clinically relevant bacterial sub-population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Urbaniec
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - Ye Xu
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - Y Hu
- Farnborough Sensonic limited, Farnborough road, GU14 7NA, UK
| | - S Hingley-Wilson
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - J McFadden
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
- Quantum biology doctoral training centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mohiuddin SG, Ghosh S, Ngo HG, Sensenbach S, Karki P, Dewangan NK, Angardi V, Orman MA. Cellular Self-Digestion and Persistence in Bacteria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2269. [PMID: 34835393 PMCID: PMC8626048 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular self-digestion is an evolutionarily conserved process occurring in prokaryotic cells that enables survival under stressful conditions by recycling essential energy molecules. Self-digestion, which is triggered by extracellular stress conditions, such as nutrient depletion and overpopulation, induces degradation of intracellular components. This self-inflicted damage renders the bacterium less fit to produce building blocks and resume growth upon exposure to fresh nutrients. However, self-digestion may also provide temporary protection from antibiotics until the self-digestion-mediated damage is repaired. In fact, many persistence mechanisms identified to date may be directly or indirectly related to self-digestion, as these processes are also mediated by many degradative enzymes, including proteases and ribonucleases (RNases). In this review article, we will discuss the potential roles of self-digestion in bacterial persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mehmet A. Orman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA; (S.G.M.); (S.G.); (H.G.N.); (S.S.); (P.K.); (N.K.D.); (V.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Song S, Kim JS, Yamasaki R, Oh S, Benedik MJ, Wood TK. Escherichia coli cryptic prophages sense nutrients to influence persister cell resuscitation. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7245-7254. [PMID: 34668292 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cryptic prophages are not genomic junk but instead enable cells to combat myriad stresses as an active stress response. How these phage fossils affect persister cell resuscitation has, however, not been explored. Persister cells form as a result of stresses such as starvation, antibiotics and oxidative conditions, and resuscitation of these persister cells likely causes recurring infections such as those associated with tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and Lyme disease. Deletion of each of the nine Escherichia coli cryptic prophages has no effect on persister cell formation. Strikingly, elimination of each cryptic prophage results in an increase in persister cell resuscitation with a dramatic increase in resuscitation upon deleting all nine prophages. This increased resuscitation includes eliminating the need for a carbon source and is due to activation of the phosphate import system resulting from inactivating the transcriptional regulator AlpA of the CP4-57 cryptic prophage. Deletion of alpA increases persister resuscitation, and AlpA represses phosphate regulator PhoR. Both phosphate regulators PhoP and PhoB stimulate resuscitation. This suggests a novel cellular stress mechanism controlled by cryptic prophages: regulation of phosphate uptake which controls the exit of the cell from dormancy and prevents premature resuscitation in the absence of nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802-4400, USA.,Department of Animal Science, Jeonbuk National University, 587 Baekje-Daero, Deokjin-Gu, Jeonju-Si, Jeollabuk-Do, 54896, South Korea.,Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, 587 Baekje-Daero, Deokjin-Gu, Jeonju-Si, Jeollabuk-Do, 54896, South Korea
| | - Jun-Seob Kim
- Department of Nano-Bioengineering, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Ryota Yamasaki
- Department of Health Promotion, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 803-8580, Japan
| | - Sejong Oh
- Division of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Michael J Benedik
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802-4400, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Deacylated tRNA Accumulation Is a Trigger for Bacterial Antibiotic Persistence Independent of the Stringent Response. mBio 2021; 12:e0113221. [PMID: 34126764 PMCID: PMC8262941 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01132-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial antibiotic persistence occurs when bacteria are treated with an antibiotic and the majority of the population rapidly dies off, but a small subpopulation enters into a dormant, persistent state and evades death. Diverse pathways leading to nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) depletion and restricted translation have been implicated in persistence, suggesting alternative redundant routes may exist to initiate persister formation. To investigate the molecular mechanism of one such pathway, functional variants of an essential component of translation (phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase [PheRS]) were used to study the effects of quality control on antibiotic persistence. Upon amino acid limitation, elevated PheRS quality control led to significant decreases in aminoacylated tRNAPhe accumulation and increased antibiotic persistence. This increase in antibiotic persistence was most pronounced (65-fold higher) when the relA-encoded tRNA-dependent stringent response was inactivated. The increase in persistence with elevated quality control correlated with ∼2-fold increases in the levels of the RNase MazF and the NTPase MazG and a 3-fold reduction in cellular NTP pools. These data reveal a mechanism for persister formation independent of the stringent response where reduced translation capacity, as indicated by reduced levels of aminoacylated tRNA, is accompanied by active reduction of cellular NTP pools which in turn triggers antibiotic persistence. IMPORTANCE Bacterial antibiotic persistence is a transient physiological state wherein cells become dormant and thereby evade being killed by antibiotics. Once the antibiotic is removed, bacterial persisters are able to resuscitate and repopulate. It is thought that antibiotic bacterial persisters may cause reoccurring infections in the clinical setting. The molecular triggers and pathways that cause bacteria to enter into the persister state are not fully understood. Our results suggest that accumulation of deacylated tRNA is a trigger for antibiotic persistence independent of the RelA-dependent stringent response, a pathway thought to be required for persistence in many organisms. Overall, this provides a mechanism where changes in translation quality control in response to physiological cues can directly modulate bacterial persistence.
Collapse
|
32
|
Hossain T, Deter HS, Peters EJ, Butzin NC. Antibiotic tolerance, persistence, and resistance of the evolved minimal cell, Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-Syn3B. iScience 2021; 24:102391. [PMID: 33997676 PMCID: PMC8091054 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem, but bacteria can evade antibiotic treatment via tolerance and persistence. Antibiotic persisters are a small subpopulation of bacteria that tolerate antibiotics due to a physiologically dormant state. Hence, persistence is considered a major contributor to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant and relapsing infections. Here, we used the synthetically developed minimal cell Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-Syn3B to examine essential mechanisms of antibiotic survival. The minimal cell contains only 473 genes, and most genes are essential. Its reduced complexity helps to reveal hidden phenomenon and fundamental biological principles can be explored because of less redundancy and feedback between systems compared to natural cells. We found that Syn3B evolves antibiotic resistance to different types of antibiotics expeditiously. The minimal cell also tolerates and persists against multiple antibiotics. It contains a few already identified persister-related genes, although lacking many systems previously linked to persistence (e.g. toxin-antitoxin systems, ribosome hibernation genes).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tahmina Hossain
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
| | - Heather S. Deter
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Eliza J. Peters
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Butzin
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ziegler M, Zieringer J, Takors R. Transcriptional profiling of the stringent response mutant strain E. coli SR reveals enhanced robustness to large-scale conditions. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:993-1010. [PMID: 33369128 PMCID: PMC8085953 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In large-scale fed-batch production processes, microbes are exposed to heterogeneous substrate availability caused by long mixing times. Escherichia coli, the most common industrial host for recombinant protein production, reacts by recurring accumulation of the alarmone ppGpp and energetically wasteful transcriptional strategies. Here, we compare the regulatory responses of the stringent response mutant strain E. coli SR and its parent strain E. coli MG1655 to repeated nutrient starvation in a two-compartment scale-down reactor. Our data show that E. coli SR can withstand these stress conditions without a ppGpp-mediated stress response maintaining fully functional ammonium uptake and biomass formation. Furthermore, E. coli SR exhibited a substantially reduced short-term transcriptional response compared to E. coli MG1655 (less than half as many differentially expressed genes). E. coli SR proceeded adaptation via more general SOS response pathways by initiating negative regulation of transcription, translation and cell division. Our results show that locally induced stress responses propagating through the bioreactor do not result in cyclical induction and repression of genes in E. coli SR, but in a reduced and coordinated response, which makes it potentially suitable for large-scale production processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Ziegler
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | - Julia Zieringer
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | - Ralf Takors
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Song S, Wood TK. Are we really studying persister cells? ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 13:3-7. [PMID: 32363793 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Animal Science, JeonBuk National University, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Eisenreich W, Rudel T, Heesemann J, Goebel W. Persistence of Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens-With a Focus on the Metabolic Perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:615450. [PMID: 33520740 PMCID: PMC7841308 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.615450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome adverse environmental conditions. This capability is common to almost all bacteria, including all human bacterial pathogens and likely connected to chronic infections caused by some of these pathogens. Although the majority of a bacterial cell population will be killed by the particular stressors, like antibiotics, oxygen and nitrogen radicals, nutrient starvation and others, a varying subpopulation (termed persisters) will withstand the stress situation and will be able to revive once the stress is removed. Several factors and pathways have been identified in the past that apparently favor the formation of persistence, such as various toxin/antitoxin modules or stringent response together with the alarmone (p)ppGpp. However, persistence can occur stochastically in few cells even of stress-free bacterial populations. Growth of these cells could then be induced by the stress conditions. In this review, we focus on the persister formation of human intracellular bacterial pathogens, some of which belong to the most successful persister producers but lack some or even all of the assumed persistence-triggering factors and pathways. We propose a mechanism for the persister formation of these bacterial pathogens which is based on their specific intracellular bipartite metabolism. We postulate that this mode of metabolism ultimately leads, under certain starvation conditions, to the stalling of DNA replication initiation which may be causative for the persister state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Biochemistry, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Chair of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Heesemann
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, München, Germany
| | - Werner Goebel
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, München, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wood TK, Song S. Forming and waking dormant cells: The ppGpp ribosome dimerization persister model. Biofilm 2020; 2:100018. [PMID: 33447804 PMCID: PMC7798447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2019.100018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Procaryotes starve and face myriad stresses. The bulk population actively resists the stress, but a small population weathers the stress by entering a resting stage known as persistence. No mutations occur, and so persisters behave like wild-type cells upon removal of the stress and regrowth; hence, persisters are phenotypic variants. In contrast, resistant bacteria have mutations that allow cells to grow in the presence of antibiotics, and tolerant cells survive antibiotics better than actively-growing cells due to their slow growth (such as that of the stationary phase). In this review, we focus on the latest developments in studies related to the formation and resuscitation of persister cells and propose the guanosine pentaphosphate/tetraphosphate (henceforth ppGpp) ribosome dimerization persister (PRDP) model for entering and exiting the persister state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| | - Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Liu S, Brul S, Zaat SAJ. Bacterial Persister-Cells and Spores in the Food Chain: Their Potential Inactivation by Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8967. [PMID: 33260797 PMCID: PMC7731242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of bacterial pathogens in the food chain has caused a severe impact on public health and welfare in both developing and developed countries. Moreover, the existence of antimicrobial-tolerant persisting morphotypes of these pathogens including both persister-cells as well as bacterial spores contributes to difficulty in elimination and in recurrent infection. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the behavior of these persisting bacterial forms in their environmental niche and upon infection of humans is necessary. Since traditional antimicrobials fail to kill persisters and spores due to their (extremely) low metabolic activities, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been intensively investigated as one of the most promising strategies against these persisting bacterial forms, showing high efficacy of inactivation. In addition, AMP-based foodborne pathogen detection and prevention of infection has made significant progress. This review focuses on recent research on common bacterial pathogens in the food chain, their persisting morphotypes, and on AMP-based solutions. Challenges in research and application of AMPs are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Liu
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Stanley Brul
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Sebastian A. J. Zaat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Centre for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
(p)ppGpp and Its Role in Bacterial Persistence: New Challenges. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01283-20. [PMID: 32718971 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01283-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic failure not only is due to the development of resistance by pathogens but can also often be explained by persistence and tolerance. Persistence and tolerance can be included in the "persistent phenotype," with high relevance for clinics. Two of the most important molecular mechanisms involved in tolerance and persistence are toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules and signaling via guanosine pentaphosphate/tetraphosphate [(p)ppGpp], also known as "magic spot." (p)ppGpp is a very important stress alarmone which orchestrates the stringent response in bacteria; hence, (p)ppGpp is produced during amino acid or fatty acid starvation by proteins belonging to the RelA/SpoT homolog family (RSH). However, (p)ppGpp levels can also accumulate in response to a wide range of signals, including oxygen variation, pH downshift, osmotic shock, temperature shift, or even exposure to darkness. Furthermore, the stringent response is not only involved in responses to environmental stresses (starvation for carbon sources, fatty acids, and phosphates or heat shock), but it is also used in bacterial pathogenesis, host invasion, and antibiotic tolerance and persistence. Given the exhaustive and contradictory literature surrounding the role of (p)ppGpp in bacterial persistence, and with the aim of summarizing what is known so far about the magic spot in this bacterial stage, this review provides new insights into the link between the stringent response and persistence. Moreover, we review some of the innovative treatments that have (p)ppGpp as a target, which are in the spotlight of the scientific community as candidates for effective antipersistence agents.
Collapse
|
39
|
Duca DR, Glick BR. Indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis and its regulation in plant-associated bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:8607-8619. [PMID: 32875364 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10869-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported the stimulation of plant growth following inoculation with an IAA-producing PGPB. However, the specific mode of IAA production by the PGPB is rarely elucidated. In part, this is due to the overwhelming complexity of IAA biosynthesis and regulation. The promiscuity of the enzymes implicated in IAA biosynthesis adds another element of complexity when attempting to decipher their role in IAA biosynthesis. To date, the majority of research on IAA biosynthesis describes three separate pathways classified in terms of their intermediates-indole acetonitrile (IAN), indole acetamide (IAM), and indole pyruvic acid (IPA). Each of these pathways is mediated by a set of enzymes, many of which are traditionally assumed to exist for that specific catalytic role. This lends the possibility of missing other, novel, enzymes that may also incidentally serve that function. Some of these pathways are constitutively expressed, while others are inducible. Some enzymes involved in IAA biosynthesis are known to be regulated by IAA or by IAA precursors, as well as by a multitude of environmental cues. This review aims to provide an update to our current understanding of the biosynthesis and regulation of IAA in bacteria. KEY POINTS: • IAA produced by PGPB improves bacterial stress tolerance and promotes plant growth. • Bacterial IAA biosynthesis is convoluted; multiple interdependent pathways. • Biosynthesis of IAA is regulated by IAA, IAA-precursors, and environmental factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiana R Duca
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Bernard R Glick
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Salcedo-Sora JE, Kell DB. A Quantitative Survey of Bacterial Persistence in the Presence of Antibiotics: Towards Antipersister Antimicrobial Discovery. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E508. [PMID: 32823501 PMCID: PMC7460088 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bacterial persistence to antibiotics relates to the phenotypic ability to survive lethal concentrations of otherwise bactericidal antibiotics. The quantitative nature of the time-kill assay, which is the sector's standard for the study of antibiotic bacterial persistence, is an invaluable asset for global, unbiased, and cross-species analyses. Methods: We compiled the results of antibiotic persistence from antibiotic-sensitive bacteria during planktonic growth. The data were extracted from a sample of 187 publications over the last 50 years. The antibiotics used in this compilation were also compared in terms of structural similarity to fluorescent molecules known to accumulate in Escherichia coli. Results: We reviewed in detail data from 54 antibiotics and 36 bacterial species. Persistence varies widely as a function of the type of antibiotic (membrane-active antibiotics admit the fewest), the nature of the growth phase and medium (persistence is less common in exponential phase and rich media), and the Gram staining of the target organism (persistence is more common in Gram positives). Some antibiotics bear strong structural similarity to fluorophores known to be taken up by E. coli, potentially allowing competitive assays. Some antibiotics also, paradoxically, seem to allow more persisters at higher antibiotic concentrations. Conclusions: We consolidated an actionable knowledge base to support a rational development of antipersister antimicrobials. Persistence is seen as a step on the pathway to antimicrobial resistance, and we found no organisms that failed to exhibit it. Novel antibiotics need to have antipersister activity. Discovery strategies should include persister-specific approaches that could find antibiotics that preferably target the membrane structure and permeability of slow-growing cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Enrique Salcedo-Sora
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ovsepian A, Larsen MH, Vegge CS, Ingmer H. Ciprofloxacin-induced persister-cells in Campylobacter jejuni. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2020; 166:849-853. [PMID: 32697188 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a major bacterial foodborne-pathogen. Ciprofloxacin is an important antibiotic for the treatment of C. jejuni, albeit high rates of fluoroquinolone resistance have limited its usefulness. Persister-cells are transiently antibiotic-tolerant fractions of bacterial populations and their occurrence has been associated with recalcitrant and persistent bacterial infections. Here, time-kill assays with ciprofloxacin (200×MIC, 25 µg ml-1) were performed in C. jejuni strains 81-176 and RM1221 and persister-cells were found. The frequency of survivors after 8 h of ciprofloxacin exposure was approx. 10-3 for both strains, while after 22 h the frequency was between 10-5-10-7, depending on the strain and growth-phase. Interestingly, the stationary-phase cultures did not display more persister-cells compared to exponential-phase cultures, in contrast to what has been observed in other bacterial species. Persister-cells after ampicillin exposure (100×MIC, 200 µg ml-1) were not detected, implying that persister-cell formation in C. jejuni is antibiotic-specific. In attempts to identify the mechanism of ciprofloxacin persister-cell formation, stringent or SOS responses were not found to play major roles. Overall, this study reports ciprofloxacin persister-cells in C. jejuni and challenges the notion of persister-cells as plainly dormant non-growing cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armen Ovsepian
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Marianne Halberg Larsen
- Present address: Chr. Hansen, Hørsholm, Denmark.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Christina Skovgaard Vegge
- Present address: Bacthera, Hørsholm, Denmark.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Song S, Wood TK. Combatting Persister Cells With Substituted Indoles. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1565. [PMID: 32733426 PMCID: PMC7358577 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Given that a subpopulation of most bacterial cells becomes dormant due to stress, and that the resting cells of pathogens can revive and reconstitute infections, it is imperative to find methods to treat dormant cells to eradicate infections. The dormant bacteria that are not spores or cysts are known as persister cells. Remarkably, in contrast to the original report that incorrectly indicated indole increases persistence, a large number of indole-related compounds have been found in the last few years that kill persister cells. Hence, in this review, along with a summary of recent results related to persister cell formation and resuscitation, we focus on the ability of indole and substituted indoles to combat the persister cells of both pathogens and non-pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Animal Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Fodor A, Abate BA, Deák P, Fodor L, Gyenge E, Klein MG, Koncz Z, Muvevi J, Ötvös L, Székely G, Vozik D, Makrai L. Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and Collateral Sensitivity in Bacteria, with Special Attention to Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects and to the Perspectives of Antimicrobial Peptides-A Review. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070522. [PMID: 32610480 PMCID: PMC7399985 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic poly-resistance (multidrug-, extreme-, and pan-drug resistance) is controlled by adaptive evolution. Darwinian and Lamarckian interpretations of resistance evolution are discussed. Arguments for, and against, pessimistic forecasts on a fatal “post-antibiotic era” are evaluated. In commensal niches, the appearance of a new antibiotic resistance often reduces fitness, but compensatory mutations may counteract this tendency. The appearance of new antibiotic resistance is frequently accompanied by a collateral sensitivity to other resistances. Organisms with an expanding open pan-genome, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, can withstand an increased number of resistances by exploiting their evolutionary plasticity and disseminating clonally or poly-clonally. Multidrug-resistant pathogen clones can become predominant under antibiotic stress conditions but, under the influence of negative frequency-dependent selection, are prevented from rising to dominance in a population in a commensal niche. Antimicrobial peptides have a great potential to combat multidrug resistance, since antibiotic-resistant bacteria have shown a high frequency of collateral sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides. In addition, the mobility patterns of antibiotic resistance, and antimicrobial peptide resistance, genes are completely different. The integron trade in commensal niches is fortunately limited by the species-specificity of resistance genes. Hence, we theorize that the suggested post-antibiotic era has not yet come, and indeed might never come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- András Fodor
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Correspondence: or (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +36-(30)-490-9294 (A.F.); +36-(30)-271-2513 (L.M.)
| | - Birhan Addisie Abate
- Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology Directorate, Addis Ababa 5954, Ethiopia;
| | - Péter Deák
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Fodor
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 22, H-1581 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Ervin Gyenge
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.G.); (G.S.)
- Institute for Research-Development-Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Michael G. Klein
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA;
| | - Zsuzsanna Koncz
- Max-Planck Institut für Pflanzenzüchtungsforschung, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany;
| | | | - László Ötvös
- OLPE, LLC, Audubon, PA 19403-1965, USA;
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
- Arrevus, Inc., Raleigh, NC 27612, USA
| | - Gyöngyi Székely
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.G.); (G.S.)
- Institute for Research-Development-Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dávid Vozik
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Veszprem, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; or or
| | - László Makrai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 22, H-1581 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence: or (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +36-(30)-490-9294 (A.F.); +36-(30)-271-2513 (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Antibiotics constitute one of the cornerstones of modern medicine. However, individuals may succumb to a bacterial infection if a pathogen survives exposure to antibiotics. The ability of bacteria to survive bactericidal antibiotics results from genetic changes in the preexisting bacterial genome, from the acquisition of genes from other organisms, and from nonheritable phenomena that give rise to antibiotic tolerance. Nonheritable antibiotic tolerance can be exhibited by a large fraction of the bacterial population or by a small subpopulation referred to as persisters. Nonheritable resistance to antibiotics has been ascribed to the activity of toxins that are part of toxin-antitoxin modules, to the universal energy currency ATP, and to the signaling molecule guanosine (penta) tetraphosphate. However, these molecules are dispensable for nonheritable resistance to antibiotics in many organisms. By contrast, nutrient limitation, treatment with bacteriostatic antibiotics, or expression of genes that slow bacterial growth invariably promote nonheritable resistance. We posit that antibiotic persistence results from conditions promoting feedback inhibition among core cellular processes, resulting phenotypically in a slowdown or halt in bacterial growth.
Collapse
|
45
|
Krzyżek P, Grande R. Transformation of Helicobacter pylori into Coccoid Forms as a Challenge for Research Determining Activity of Antimicrobial Substances. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9030184. [PMID: 32143312 PMCID: PMC7157236 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9030184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphological variability is one of the phenotypic features related to adaptation of microorganisms to stressful environmental conditions and increased tolerance to antimicrobial substances. Helicobacter pylori, a gastric mucosal pathogen, is characterized by a high heterogeneity and an ability to transform from a spiral to a coccoid form. The presence of the coccoid form is associated with the capacity to avoid immune system detection and to promote therapeutic failures. For this reason, it seems that the investigation for new, alternative methods combating H. pylori should include research of coccoid forms of this pathogen. The current review aimed at collecting information about the activity of antibacterial substances against H. pylori in the context of the morphological variability of this bacterium. The collected data was discussed in terms of the type of substances used, applied research techniques, and interpretation of results. The review was extended by a polemic on the limitations in determining the viability of coccoid H. pylori forms. Finally, recommendations which can help in future research aiming to find new compounds with a potential to eradicate H. pylori have been formulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Krzyżek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Rossella Grande
- Center for Aging Science and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), Via Luigi Polacchi, 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Song S, Wood TK. Toxin/Antitoxin System Paradigms: Toxins Bound to Antitoxins Are Not Likely Activated by Preferential Antitoxin Degradation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e1900290. [PMID: 32293143 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Periodically, a scientific field should examine its early premises. For ubiquitous toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems, several initial paradigms require adjustment based on accumulated data. For example, it is now clear that under physiological conditions, there is little evidence that toxins of TA systems cause cell death and little evidence that TA systems cause persistence. Instead, TA systems are utilized to reduce metabolism during stress, inhibit phages, stabilize genetic elements, and influence biofilm formation (bacterial cells attached via an extracellular matrix). In this essay, it is argued that toxins bound to antitoxins are not likely to become activated by preferential antitoxin degradation but instead, de novo toxin synthesis in the absence of stoichiometric amounts of antitoxin activates toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Song S, Wood TK. ppGpp ribosome dimerization model for bacterial persister formation and resuscitation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 523:281-286. [PMID: 32007277 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.01.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stress is ubiquitous for bacteria and can convert a subpopulation of cells into a dormant state known as persistence, in which cells are tolerant to antimicrobials. These cells revive rapidly when the stress is removed and are likely the cause of many recurring infections such as those associated with tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and Lyme disease. However, how persister cells are formed is not understood well. Here we propose the ppGpp ribosome dimerization persister (PRDP) model in which the alarmone guanosine pentaphosphate/tetraphosphate (henceforth ppGpp) generates persister cells directly by inactivating ribosomes via the ribosome modulation factor (RMF), the hibernation promoting factor (Hpf), and the ribosome-associated inhibitor (RaiA). We demonstrate that persister cells contain a large fraction of 100S ribosomes, that inactivation of RMF, HpF, and RaiA reduces persistence and increases single-cell persister resuscitation and that ppGpp has no effect on single-cell persister resuscitation. Hence, a direct connection between ppGpp and persistence is shown along with evidence of the importance of ribosome dimerization in persistence and for active ribosomes during resuscitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yamasaki R, Song S, Benedik MJ, Wood TK. Persister Cells Resuscitate Using Membrane Sensors that Activate Chemotaxis, Lower cAMP Levels, and Revive Ribosomes. iScience 2020; 23:100792. [PMID: 31926430 PMCID: PMC6957856 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.100792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence, the stress-tolerant state, is arguably the most vital phenotype since nearly all cells experience nutrient stress, which causes a sub-population to become dormant. However, how persister cells wake to reconstitute infections is not understood well. Here, using single-cell observations, we determined that Escherichia coli persister cells resuscitate primarily when presented with specific carbon sources, rather than spontaneously. In addition, we found that the mechanism of persister cell waking is through sensing nutrients by chemotaxis and phosphotransferase membrane proteins. Furthermore, nutrient transport reduces the level of secondary messenger cAMP through enzyme IIA; this reduction in cAMP levels leads to ribosome resuscitation and rescue. Resuscitating cells also immediately commence chemotaxis toward nutrients, although flagellar motion is not required for waking. Hence, persister cells wake by perceiving nutrients via membrane receptors that relay the signal to ribosomes via the secondary messenger cAMP, and persisters wake and utilize chemotaxis to acquire nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Yamasaki
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-4400, USA
| | - Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-4400, USA
| | - Michael J Benedik
- Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843-3122, USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-4400, USA; The Huck Institute of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-4400, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Highly Contingent Phenotypes of Lon Protease Deficiency in Escherichia coli upon Antibiotic Challenge. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00561-19. [PMID: 31740490 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00561-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary trajectories and mutational landscapes of drug-resistant bacteria are influenced by cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this study, I demonstrated that loss of the Lon protease altered susceptibility of Escherichia coli to trimethoprim and that these effects were strongly contingent on the drug concentration and genetic background. Lon, an AAA+ ATPase, is a bacterial master regulator protease involved in cytokinesis, suppression of transposition events, and clearance of misfolded proteins. I show that Lon deficiency enhances intrinsic drug tolerance at sub-MIC levels of trimethoprim. As a result, loss of Lon, though disadvantageous under drug-free conditions, has a selective advantage at low concentrations of trimethoprim. At high drug concentrations, however, Lon deficiency is detrimental for E. coli I show that the former is explained by suppression of drug efflux by Lon, while the latter can be attributed to SulA-dependent hyperfilamentation. On the other hand, deletion of lon in a trimethoprim-resistant mutant E. coli strain (harboring the Trp30Gly dihydrofolate reductase [DHFR] allele) directly potentiates resistance by enhancing the in vivo stability of mutant DHFR. Using extensive mutational analysis at 3 hot spots of resistance, I show that many resistance-conferring mutations render DHFR prone to proteolysis. This trade-off between gaining resistance and losing in vivo stability limits the number of mutations in DHFR that can confer trimethoprim resistance. Loss of Lon expands the mutational capacity for acquisition of trimethoprim resistance. This paper identifies the multipronged action of Lon in trimethoprim resistance in E. coli and provides mechanistic insight into how genetic backgrounds and drug concentrations may alter the potential for antimicrobial resistance evolution.IMPORTANCE Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of antimicrobial resistance is vital to curb its emergence and spread. Being fundamentally similar to natural selection, the fitness of resistant mutants is a key parameter to consider in the evolutionary dynamics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors modulate the fitness of resistant bacteria. This study demonstrated that Lon, a bacterial master regulator protease, influences drug tolerance and resistance. Lon is a key regulator of several fundamental processes in bacteria, including cytokinesis. I demonstrated that Lon deficiency produces highly contingent phenotypes in E. coli challenged with trimethoprim and can expand the mutational repertoire available to E. coli to evolve resistance. This multipronged influence of Lon on drug resistance provides an illustrative instance of how master regulators shape the response of bacteria to antibiotics.
Collapse
|
50
|
Song S, Wood TK. Persister cells resuscitate via ribosome modification by 23S rRNA pseudouridine synthase RluD. Environ Microbiol 2019; 22:850-857. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Song
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania 16802‐4400 USA
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania 16802‐4400 USA
| |
Collapse
|