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Sagmeister T, Gubensäk N, Buhlheller C, Grininger C, Eder M, Ðordić A, Millán C, Medina A, Murcia PAS, Berni F, Hynönen U, Vejzović D, Damisch E, Kulminskaya N, Petrowitsch L, Oberer M, Palva A, Malanović N, Codée J, Keller W, Usón I, Pavkov-Keller T. The molecular architecture of Lactobacillus S-layer: Assembly and attachment to teichoic acids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2401686121. [PMID: 38838019 PMCID: PMC11181022 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2401686121] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
S-layers are crystalline arrays found on bacterial and archaeal cells. Lactobacillus is a diverse family of bacteria known especially for potential gut health benefits. This study focuses on the S-layer proteins from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus amylovorus common in the mammalian gut. Atomic resolution structures of Lactobacillus S-layer proteins SlpA and SlpX exhibit domain swapping, and the obtained assembly model of the main S-layer protein SlpA aligns well with prior electron microscopy and mutagenesis data. The S-layer's pore size suggests a protective role, with charged areas aiding adhesion. A highly similar domain organization and interaction network are observed across the Lactobacillus genus. Interaction studies revealed conserved binding areas specific for attachment to teichoic acids. The structure of the SlpA S-layer and the suggested incorporation of SlpX as well as its interaction with teichoic acids lay the foundation for deciphering its role in immune responses and for developing effective treatments for a variety of infectious and bacteria-mediated inflammation processes, opening opportunities for targeted engineering of the S-layer or lactobacilli bacteria in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Sagmeister
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Nina Gubensäk
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | | | | | - Markus Eder
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Anđela Ðordić
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Claudia Millán
- Structural Biology Unit, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona08028, Spain
| | - Ana Medina
- Structural Biology Unit, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona08028, Spain
| | - Pedro Alejandro Sánchez Murcia
- Laboratory of Computer-Aided Molecular Design, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Francesca Berni
- Department of Bio-Organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden2333, The Netherlands
| | - Ulla Hynönen
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki00100, Finland
| | - Djenana Vejzović
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Elisabeth Damisch
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | | | - Lukas Petrowitsch
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
| | - Monika Oberer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
| | - Airi Palva
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki00100, Finland
| | - Nermina Malanović
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
| | - Jeroen Codée
- Department of Bio-Organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden2333, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
| | - Isabel Usón
- Structural Biology Unit, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona08028, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona08003, Spain
| | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria8010
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
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2
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Guo J, Balić P, Borodkin VS, Filippov DV, Codée JDC. Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Difluoromethylene Bisphosphonates. Org Lett 2024; 26:739-744. [PMID: 38215221 PMCID: PMC10825822 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c04211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of the symmetrical diethyl(dimethyl)difluoromethylene bisphosphonate reagent for the synthesis of terminal and unsymmetrical difluoromethylene bisphosphonates, close analogues of biologically important molecules. The difference in reactivity of the methyl and ethyl groups in the symmetrical diethyl(dimthyl)difluoromethylene bisphosphonate is exploited in a stepwise demethylation-condensation sequence to functionalize either side of the reagent to allow the generation of a series of close bioisosteres of natural pyrophosphate molecules, including ADPr, CDP-glycerol and CDP-ribitol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Guo
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Pascal Balić
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Vladimir S. Borodkin
- Division
of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, U.K.
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D. C. Codée
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, Netherlands
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3
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Gurunathan S, Thangaraj P, Kim JH. Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases. Foods 2023; 13:89. [PMID: 38201117 PMCID: PMC10778838 DOI: 10.3390/foods13010089] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Postbiotics are (i) "soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids"; (ii) "non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts"; and (iii) "compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing". A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangiliyandi Gurunathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Eachanari, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Pratheep Thangaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Eachanari, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Jin-Hoi Kim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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4
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Shen P, Zheng L, Qin X, Li D, Zhang Z, Zhao J, Lin H, Hong H, Zhou Z, Wu Z. Synthesis of structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified wall teichoic acids as potential vaccine against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115553. [PMID: 37336068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115553] [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: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a high priority pathogen due to its life-threating infections to human health. Development of prophylactic or therapeutic anti-MRSA vaccine is a potential approach to treat S. aureus infections and overcome the resistance crisis. β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated wall teichoic acids (WTAs) derived from S. aureus are a new type of antigen that is closely associated with β-lactam resistance. In this study, structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified WTAs varied in chain length and numbers of GlcNAc modification were synthesized by an ionic liquid-supported oligosaccharide synthesis (ILSOS) strategy in high efficiency and chromatography-free approach. Then the obtained WTAs were conjugated with tetanus toxin (TT) as vaccine candidates and were further evaluated in a mouse model to determine the structure-immunogenicity relationship. In vivo immunological studies revealed that the WTAs-TT conjugates provoked robust T cell-dependent responses and elicited high levels of specific anti-WTAs IgG antibodies production associated with the WTAs structure including chain length as well as the β-1,4-GlcNAc modification pattern. Heptamer WTAs conjugate T6, carrying three copy of β-1,4-GlcNAc modified RboP, was identified to elicit the highest titers of specific antibody production. The T6 antisera exhibited the highest recognition and binding affinity and the most potent OP-killing activities to MSSA and MRSA cells. This study demonstrated that β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated WTAs are promising antigens for further development against MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Lele Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xinfang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zijiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Han Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Haofei Hong
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhifang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhimeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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5
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Vera-Santander VE, Hernández-Figueroa RH, Jiménez-Munguía MT, Mani-López E, López-Malo A. Health Benefits of Consuming Foods with Bacterial Probiotics, Postbiotics, and Their Metabolites: A Review. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031230. [PMID: 36770898 PMCID: PMC9920731 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, probiotics have been extensively studied within the medical, pharmaceutical, and food fields, as it has been revealed that these microorganisms can provide health benefits from their consumption. Bacterial probiotics comprise species derived from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (genus Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Streptococcus), the genus Bifidobacterium, and strains of Bacillus and Escherichia coli, among others. The consumption of probiotic products is increasing due to the current situation derived from the pandemic caused by COVID-19. Foods with bacterial probiotics and postbiotics are premised on being healthier than those not incorporated with them. This review aims to present a bibliographic compilation related to the incorporation of bacterial probiotics in food and to demonstrate through in vitro and in vivo studies or clinical trials the health benefits obtained with their metabolites and the consumption of foods with bacterial probiotics/postbiotics. The health benefits that have been reported include effects on the digestive tract, metabolism, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and psychobiotic properties, among others. Therefore, developing food products with bacterial probiotics and postbiotics is a great opportunity for research in food science, medicine, and nutrition, as well as in the food industry.
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Sorieul C, Dolce M, Romano MR, Codée J, Adamo R. Glycoconjugate vaccines against antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:1055-1078. [PMID: 37902243 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2274955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is responsible for the death of millions worldwide and stands as a major threat to our healthcare systems, which are heavily reliant on antibiotics to fight bacterial infections. The development of vaccines against the main pathogens involved is urgently required as prevention remains essential against the rise of AMR. AREAS COVERED A systematic research review was conducted on MEDLINE database focusing on the six AMR pathogens defined as ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli), which are considered critical or high priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analysis was intersecated with the terms carbohydrate, glycoconjugate, bioconjugate, glyconanoparticle, and multiple presenting antigen system vaccines. EXPERT OPINION Glycoconjugate vaccines have been successful in preventing meningitis and pneumoniae, and there are high expectations that they will play a key role in fighting AMR. We herein discuss the recent technological, preclinical, and clinical advances, as well as the challenges associated with the development of carbohydrate-based vaccines against leading AMR bacteria, with focus on the ESKAPE pathogens. The need of innovative clinical and regulatory approaches to tackle these targets is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sorieul
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Dolce
- GSK, Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Jeroen Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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7
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Del Bino L, Østerlid KE, Wu DY, Nonne F, Romano MR, Codée J, Adamo R. Synthetic Glycans to Improve Current Glycoconjugate Vaccines and Fight Antimicrobial Resistance. Chem Rev 2022; 122:15672-15716. [PMID: 35608633 PMCID: PMC9614730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as the next potential pandemic. Different microorganisms, including the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, Clostridioides difficile, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, non-typhoidal Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida auris, have been identified by the WHO and CDC as urgent or serious AMR threats. Others, such as group A and B Streptococci, are classified as concerning threats. Glycoconjugate vaccines have been demonstrated to be an efficacious and cost-effective measure to combat infections against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and, more recently, Salmonella typhi. Recent times have seen enormous progress in methodologies for the assembly of complex glycans and glycoconjugates, with developments in synthetic, chemoenzymatic, and glycoengineering methodologies. This review analyzes the advancement of glycoconjugate vaccines based on synthetic carbohydrates to improve existing vaccines and identify novel candidates to combat AMR. Through this literature survey we built an overview of structure-immunogenicity relationships from available data and identify gaps and areas for further research to better exploit the peculiar role of carbohydrates as vaccine targets and create the next generation of synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kitt Emilie Østerlid
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dung-Yeh Wu
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jeroen Codée
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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8
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Thorakkattu P, Khanashyam AC, Shah K, Babu KS, Mundanat AS, Deliephan A, Deokar GS, Santivarangkna C, Nirmal NP. Postbiotics: Current Trends in Food and Pharmaceutical Industry. Foods 2022; 11:3094. [PMID: 36230169 PMCID: PMC9564201 DOI: 10.3390/foods11193094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Postbiotics are non-viable bacterial products or metabolic byproducts produced by probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity in the host. Postbiotics are functional bioactive compounds, generated in a matrix during anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients like prebiotics, for the generation of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. The byproducts of this metabolic sequence are called postbiotics, these are low molecular weight soluble compounds either secreted by live microflora or released after microbial cell lysis. A few examples of widely studied postbiotics are short-chain fatty acids, microbial cell fragments, extracellular polysaccharides, cell lysates, teichoic acid, vitamins, etc. Presently, prebiotics and probiotics are the products on the market; however, postbiotics are also gaining a great deal of attention. The numerous health advantages of postbiotic components may soon lead to an increase in consumer demand for postbiotic supplements. The most recent research aspects of postbiotics in the food and pharmaceutical industries are included in this review. The review encompasses a brief introduction, classification, production technologies, characterization, biological activities, and potential applications of postbiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyamvada Thorakkattu
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Food Science Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | - Kartik Shah
- Sargento Foods, 305 Pine Street, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020, USA
| | - Karthik Sajith Babu
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Food Science Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Anjaly Shanker Mundanat
- Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Sonipat 131028, India
| | | | - Gitanjali S. Deokar
- Department of Quality Assurance, MET’s Institute of Pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Nashik 422003, India
| | - Chalat Santivarangkna
- Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Nilesh Prakash Nirmal
- Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
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Wall Teichoic Acids Facilitate the Release of Toxins from the Surface of Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0101122. [PMID: 35863033 PMCID: PMC9430763 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01011-22] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major feature of the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus is its ability to secrete cytolytic toxins. This process involves the translocation of the toxins from the cytoplasm through the bacterial membrane and the cell wall to the external environment. The process of their movement through the membrane is relatively well defined, involving both general and toxin-specific secretory systems. Movement of the toxins through the cell wall was considered to involve the passive diffusion of the proteins through the porous cell wall structures; however, recent work suggests that this is more complex, and here we demonstrate a role for the wall teichoic acids (WTA) in this process. Utilizing a genome-wide association approach, we identified a polymorphism in the locus encoding the WTA biosynthetic machinery as associated with the cytolytic activity of the bacteria. We verified this association using an isogenic mutant set and found that WTA are required for the release of several cytolytic toxins from the bacterial cells. We show that this effect is mediated by a change in the electrostatic charge across the cell envelope that results from the loss of WTA. As a major target for the development of novel therapeutics, it is important that we fully understand the entire process of cytolytic toxin production and release. These findings open up a new aspect to the process of toxin release by a major human pathogen while also demonstrating that clinical isolates can utilize WTA production to vary their cytotoxicity, thereby altering their pathogenic capabilities. IMPORTANCE The production and release of cytolytic toxins is a critical aspect for the pathogenicity of many bacterial pathogens. In this study, we demonstrate a role for wall teichoic acids, molecules that are anchored to the peptidoglycan of the bacterial cell wall, in the release of toxins from S. aureus cells into the extracellular environment. Our findings suggest that this effect is mediated by a gradient of electrostatic charge which the presence of the negatively charged WTA molecules create across the cell envelope. This work brings an entirely new aspect to our understanding of the cytotoxicity of S. aureus and demonstrates a further means by which this major human pathogen can adapt its pathogenic capabilities.
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N-methyl Benzimidazole Tethered Cholic Acid Amphiphiles Can Eradicate S. aureus-Mediated Biofilms and Wound Infections. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113501. [PMID: 35684439 PMCID: PMC9182351 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections associated with Gram-positive bacteria like S. aureus pose a major threat as these bacteria can develop resistance and thereby limit the applications of antibiotics. Therefore, there is a need for new antibacterials to mitigate these infections. Bacterial membranes present an attractive therapeutic target as these membranes are anionic in nature and have a low chance of developing modifications in their physicochemical features. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can disrupt the microbial membranes via electrostatic interactions, but the poor stability of AMPs halts their clinical translation. Here, we present the synthesis of eight N-methyl benzimidazole substituted cholic acid amphiphiles as antibacterial agents. We screened these novel heterocyclic cholic acid amphiphiles against different pathogens. Among the series, CABI-6 outperformed the other amphiphiles in terms of bactericidal activity against S. aureus. The membrane disruptive property of CABI-6 using a fluorescence-based assay has also been investigated, and it was inferred that CABI-6 can enhance the production of reactive oxygen species. We further demonstrated that CABI-6 can clear the pre-formed biofilms and can mitigate wound infection in murine models.
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11
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Maan H, Itkin M, Malitsky S, Friedman J, Kolodkin-Gal I. Resolving the conflict between antibiotic production and rapid growth by recognition of peptidoglycan of susceptible competitors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:431. [PMID: 35058430 PMCID: PMC8776889 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27904-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities employ a variety of complex strategies to compete successfully against competitors sharing their niche, with antibiotic production being a common strategy of aggression. Here, by systematic evaluation of four non-ribosomal peptides/polyketide (NRPs/PKS) antibiotics produced by Bacillus subtilis clade, we revealed that they acted synergistically to effectively eliminate phylogenetically distinct competitors. The production of these antibiotics came with a fitness cost manifested in growth inhibition, rendering their synthesis uneconomical when growing in proximity to a phylogenetically close species, carrying resistance against the same antibiotics. To resolve this conflict and ease the fitness cost, antibiotic production was only induced by the presence of a peptidoglycan cue from a sensitive competitor, a response mediated by the global regulator of cellular competence, ComA. These results experimentally demonstrate a general ecological concept - closely related communities are favoured during competition, due to compatibility in attack and defence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Maan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maxim Itkin
- Life Science Core Facilities Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sergey Malitsky
- Life Science Core Facilities Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jonathan Friedman
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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12
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Biosynthetic Mechanisms and Biological Significance of Glycerol Phosphate-Containing Glycan in Mammals. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216675. [PMID: 34771084 PMCID: PMC8587909 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216675] [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: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria contain glycerol phosphate (GroP)-containing glycans, which are important constituents of cell-surface glycopolymers such as the teichoic acids of Gram-positive bacterial cell walls. These glycopolymers comprising GroP play crucial roles in bacterial physiology and virulence. Recently, the first identification of a GroP-containing glycan in mammals was reported as a variant form of O-mannosyl glycan on α-dystroglycan (α-DG). However, the biological significance of such GroP modification remains largely unknown. In this review, we provide an overview of this new discovery of GroP-containing glycan in mammals and then outline the recent progress in elucidating the biosynthetic mechanisms of GroP-containing glycans on α-DG. In addition, we discuss the potential biological role of GroP modification along with the challenges and prospects for further research. The progress in this newly identified glycan modification will provide insights into the phylogenetic implications of glycan.
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13
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Basu N, Ghosh R. Recent chemical syntheses of bacteria related oligosaccharides using modern expeditious approaches. Carbohydr Res 2021; 507:108295. [PMID: 34271477 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2021.108295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Apart from some essential and crucial roles in life processes carbohydrates also are involved in a few detrimental courses of action related to human health, like infections by pathogenic microbes, cancer metastasis, transplanted tissue rejection, etc. Regarding management of pathogenesis by microbes, keeping in mind of multi drug-resistant bacteria and epidemic or endemic incidents, preventive measure by vaccination is the best pathway as also recommended by the WHO; by vaccination, eradication of bacterial diseases is also possible. Although some valid vaccines based on attenuated bacterial cells or isolated pure polysaccharide-antigens or the corresponding conjugates thereof are available in the market for prevention of several bacterial diseases, but these are not devoid of some disadvantages also. In order to develop improved conjugate T-cell dependent vaccines oligosaccharides related to bacterial antigens are synthesized and converted to the corresponding carrier protein conjugates. Marketed Cuban Quimi-Hib is such a vaccine being used since 2004 to resist Haemophilus influenza b infections. During nearly the past two decades research is going on worldwide for improved synthesis of bacteria related oligosaccharides or polysaccharides towards development of such semisynthetic or synthetic glycoconjugate vaccines. The present dissertation is an endeavour to encompass the recent syntheses of several pathogenic bacterial oligosaccharides or polysaccharides, made during the past ten-eleven years with special reference to modern expeditious syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabamita Basu
- Department of Chemistry, Nabagram Hiralal Paul College, Konnagar, Hoogly, West Bengal, 712246, India
| | - Rina Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700 032, India.
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14
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Unlocking the bacterial membrane as a therapeutic target for next-generation antimicrobial amphiphiles. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:100999. [PMID: 34325929 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.100999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gram-positive bacteria like Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter Spp. are responsible for most of fatal bacterial infections. Bacteria present a handful of targets like ribosome, RNA polymerase, cell wall biosynthesis, and dihydrofolate reductase. Antibiotics targeting the protein synthesis like aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, inhibitors of RNA/DNA synthesis like fluoroquinolones, inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis like glycopeptides and β-lactams, and membrane-targeting polymyxins and lipopeptides have shown very good success in combating the bacterial infections. Ability of the bacteria to develop drug resistance is a serious public health challenge as bacteria can develop antimicrobial resistance against newly introduced antibiotics that enhances the challenge for antibiotic drug discovery. Therefore, bacterial membranes present a suitable therapeutic target for development of antimicrobials as bacteria can find it difficult to develop resistance against membrane-targeting antimicrobials. In this review, we present the recent advances in engineering of membrane-targeting antimicrobial amphiphiles that can be effective alternatives to existing antibiotics in combating bacterial infections.
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15
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Ali S, Hendriks A, van Dalen R, Bruyning T, Meeuwenoord N, Overkleeft HS, Filippov DV, van der Marel GA, van Sorge NM, Codée JDC. (Automated) Synthesis of Well-defined Staphylococcus Aureus Wall Teichoic Acid Fragments. Chemistry 2021; 27:10461-10469. [PMID: 33991006 PMCID: PMC8361686 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are important components of the cell wall of the opportunistic Gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. WTAs are composed of repeating ribitol phosphate (RboP) residues that are decorated with d‐alanine and N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine (GlcNAc) modifications, in a seemingly random manner. These WTA‐modifications play an important role in shaping the interactions of WTA with the host immune system. Due to the structural heterogeneity of WTAs, it is impossible to isolate pure and well‐defined WTA molecules from bacterial sources. Therefore, here synthetic chemistry to assemble a broad library of WTA‐fragments, incorporating all possible glycosylation modifications (α‐GlcNAc at the RboP C4; β‐GlcNAc at the RboP C4; β‐GlcNAc at the RboP C3) described for S. aureus WTAs, is reported. DNA‐type chemistry, employing ribitol phosphoramidite building blocks, protected with a dimethoxy trityl group, was used to efficiently generate a library of WTA‐hexamers. Automated solid phase syntheses were used to assemble a WTA‐dodecamer and glycosylated WTA‐hexamer. The synthetic fragments have been fully characterized and diagnostic signals were identified to discriminate the different glycosylation patterns. The different glycosylated WTA‐fragments were used to probe binding of monoclonal antibodies using WTA‐functionalized magnetic beads, revealing the binding specificity of these WTA‐specific antibodies and the importance of the specific location of the GlcNAc modifications on the WTA‐chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hendriks
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht (The, Netherlands
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht (The, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Bruyning
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Nico Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Gijs A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht (The, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden (The, Netherlands
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16
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams against the Fortress of the Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Bacterium. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3412-3463. [PMID: 33373523 PMCID: PMC8653850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria-whether assessed by shape, food, metabolism, or ecological niche-surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular eukaryotes. The relationship between bacteria whose ecological niche is the eukaryote, and the eukaryote, is often symbiosis or stasis. Some bacteria, however, seek advantage in this relationship. One of the most successful-to the disadvantage of the eukaryote-is the small (less than 1 μm diameter) and nearly spherical Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. For decades, successful clinical control of its infection has been accomplished using β-lactam antibiotics such as the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Over these same decades S. aureus has perfected resistance mechanisms against these antibiotics, which are then countered by new generations of β-lactam structure. This review addresses the current breadth of biochemical and microbiological efforts to preserve the future of the β-lactam antibiotics through a better understanding of how S. aureus protects the enzyme targets of the β-lactams, the penicillin-binding proteins. The penicillin-binding proteins are essential enzyme catalysts for the biosynthesis of the cell wall, and understanding how this cell wall is integrated into the protective cell envelope of the bacterium may identify new antibacterials and new adjuvants that preserve the efficacy of the β-lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
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17
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Hendriks A, van Dalen R, Ali S, Gerlach D, van der Marel GA, Fuchsberger FF, Aerts PC, de Haas CJ, Peschel A, Rademacher C, van Strijp JA, Codée JD, van Sorge NM. Impact of Glycan Linkage to Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid on Langerin Recognition and Langerhans Cell Activation. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:624-635. [PMID: 33591717 PMCID: PMC8023653 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00822] [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: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Staphylococcus
aureus is the leading cause of
skin and soft tissue infections. It remains incompletely understood
how skin-resident immune cells respond to invading S. aureus and contribute to an effective immune response. Langerhans cells
(LCs), the only professional antigen-presenting cell type in the epidermis,
sense S. aureus through their pattern-recognition
receptor langerin, triggering a proinflammatory response. Langerin
recognizes the β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine
(β1,4-GlcNAc) but not α-1,4-linked GlcNAc (α1,4-GlcNAc)
modifications, which are added by dedicated glycosyltransferases TarS
and TarM, respectively, on the cell wall glycopolymer wall teichoic
acid (WTA). Recently, an alternative WTA glycosyltransferase, TarP,
was identified, which also modifies WTA with β-GlcNAc but at
the C-3 position (β1,3-GlcNAc) of the WTA ribitol phosphate
(RboP) subunit. Here, we aimed to unravel the impact of β-GlcNAc
linkage position for langerin binding and LC activation. Using genetically
modified S. aureus strains, we observed that langerin
similarly recognized bacteria that produce either TarS- or TarP-modified
WTA, yet tarP-expressing S. aureus induced increased cytokine production and maturation of in vitro-generated LCs compared to tarS-expressing S. aureus. Chemically synthesized WTA
molecules, representative of the different S. aureus WTA glycosylation patterns, were used to identify langerin-WTA binding
requirements. We established that β-GlcNAc is sufficient to
confer langerin binding, thereby presenting synthetic WTA molecules
as a novel glycobiology tool for structure-binding studies and for
elucidating S. aureus molecular pathogenesis. Overall,
our data suggest that LCs are able to sense all β-GlcNAc-WTA
producing S. aureus strains, likely performing an
important role as first responders upon S. aureus skin invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Hendriks
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Glaxo-Smith Kline, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Partner Site Tübingen, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Piet C. Aerts
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J.C. de Haas
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Partner Site Tübingen, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jos A.G. van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D.C. Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Berni F, Wang L, Kalfopoulou E, Nguyen DL, van der Es D, Huebner J, Overkleeft HS, Hokke CH, van der Marel GA, van Diepen A, Codée JDC. Generation of glucosylated sn-1-glycerolphosphate teichoic acids: glycerol stereochemistry affects synthesis and antibody interaction. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:187-191. [PMID: 34458781 PMCID: PMC8341164 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00206b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) have been addressed as possible antigen candidates for vaccine development against several opportunistic Gram-positive pathogens. The study of structure-immunogenicity relationship represents a challenge due to the heterogenicity of LTA extracted from native sources. LTAs are built up from glycerol phosphate (GroP) repeating units and they can be substituted at the C-2-OH with carbohydrate appendages or d-alanine residues. The substitution pattern, but also the absolute chirality of the GroP residues can impact the interaction with chiral biomolecules including antibodies and biosynthesis enzymes. We have generated a set of diastereomeric GroP hexamers bearing a glucosyl modification at one of the residues. The chirality of the glycerol building block had an important impact on the stereoselectivity of the glycosylation reaction between the glycosyl donor and the glycerol C-2-OH acceptor. The GroP C-2-chirality also played an important role in the interaction with TA recognizing antibodies. These findings have important implications for the design and synthesis of synthetic TA fragments for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Berni
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Liming Wang
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Ermioni Kalfopoulou
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Germany
| | - D Linh Nguyen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Daan van der Es
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Huebner
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Germany
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | | | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
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19
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Guo Y, Pfahler NM, Völpel SL, Stehle T. Cell wall glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus: targeting the tar glycosyltransferases. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 68:166-174. [PMID: 33540375 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major structural polymer of the bacterial cell wall. The PG layer of gram-positive bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is permeated with anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs) and lipoteichoic acids (LTAs). In S. aureus, the WTA backbone typically consists of repeating ribitol-5-phosphate units, which are modified by enzymes that introduce glycosylation as well as amino acids at different locations. These modifications are key determinants of phage adhesion, bacterial biofilm formation and virulence of S. aureus. In this review, we examine differences in WTA structures in gram-positive bacteria, focusing in particular on three enzymes, TarM, TarS, and TarP that glycosylate the WTA of S. aureus at different locations. Infections with S. aureus pose an increasing threat to human health, particularly through the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Recently obtained structural information on TarM, TarS and TarP has helped to better understand the strategies used by S. aureus to establish resistance and to evade host defense mechanisms. Moreover, structures of complexes with poly-RboP and its analogs can serve as a platform for the development of new inhibitors that could form a basis for the development of antibiotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nina M Pfahler
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon L Völpel
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA.
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20
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Wu X, Han J, Gong G, Koffas MAG, Zha J. Wall teichoic acids: physiology and applications. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 45:6019871. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are charged glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and represent one of the major components of Gram-positive cell envelope. WTAs have important physiological functions in cell division, gene transfer, surface adhesion, drug resistance and biofilm formation, and are critical virulence factors and vital determinants in mediating cell interaction with and tolerance to environmental factors. Here, we first briefly introduce WTA structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, and then summarize in detail four major physiological roles played by WTAs, i.e. WTA-mediated resistance to antimicrobials, virulence to mammalian cells, interaction with bacteriolytic enzymes and regulation of cell metabolism. We also review the applications of WTAs in these fields that are closely related to the human society, including antibacterial drug discovery targeting WTA biosynthesis, development of vaccines and antibodies regarding WTA-mediated pathogenicity, specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food using WTAs as a surface epitope and regulation of WTA-related pathways for efficient microbial production of useful compounds. We also point out major problems remaining in these fields, and discuss some possible directions in the future exploration of WTA physiology and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Jing Han
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Guoli Gong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Mattheos A G Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Zha
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
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21
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Wall Teichoic Acid in Staphylococcus aureus Host Interaction. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:985-998. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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Sumrall ET, Keller AP, Shen Y, Loessner MJ. Structure and function of Listeria teichoic acids and their implications. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:627-637. [PMID: 31972870 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Teichoic acids (TAs) are the most abundant glycopolymers in the cell wall of Listeria, an opportunistic Gram-positive pathogen that causes severe foodborne infections. Two different structural classes of Listeria TA exist: the polyribitolphosphate-based wall teichoic acid (WTA) that is covalently anchored to the peptidoglycan, and the polyglycerolphosphate-based lipoteichoic acid (LTA) that is tethered to the cytoplasmic membrane. While TA polymers govern many important physiological processes, the diverse glycosylation patterns of WTA result in a high degree of surface variation across the species and serovars of Listeria, which in turn bestows varying effects on fitness, biofilm formation, bacteriophage susceptibility and virulence. We review the advances made over the past two decades, and our current understanding of the relationship between TA structure and function. We describe the various types of TA that have been structurally determined to date, and discuss the genetic determinants known to be involved in TA glycosylation. We elaborate on surface proteins functionally related to TA decoration, as well as the molecular and analytical tools used to probe TAs. We anticipate that the growing knowledge of the Listeria surface chemistry will also be exploited to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T Sumrall
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja P Keller
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Hernández-Granados MJ, Franco-Robles E. Postbiotics in human health: Possible new functional ingredients? Food Res Int 2020; 137:109660. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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24
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Wang L, Berni F, Enotarpi J, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel G, Codée JDC. Reagent controlled stereoselective synthesis of teichoic acid α-(1,2)-glucans. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:2038-2050. [PMID: 32141465 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob00240b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The stereoselective construction of 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages is key in the assembly of biologically relevant glycans, but remains a synthetic challenge. Reagent-controlled glycosylation methodologies, in which external nucleophiles are employed to modulate the reactivity of the glycosylation system, have become powerful means for the construction of 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages. Here we establish that nucleophilic additives can support the construction of α-1,2-glucans, and apply our findings in the construction of a d-alanine kojibiose functionalized glycerol phosphate teichoic acid fragment. This latter molecule can be found in the cell wall of the opportunistic Gram-positive bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis and represents a structural element that can possibly be used in the development of therapeutic vaccines and diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Wang
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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25
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Enotarpi J, Tontini M, Balocchi C, van der Es D, Auberger L, Balducci E, Carboni F, Proietti D, Casini D, Filippov DV, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Colombo C, Romano MR, Berti F, Costantino P, Codeé JDC, Lay L, Adamo R. A stabilized glycomimetic conjugate vaccine inducing protective antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4434. [PMID: 32895393 PMCID: PMC7477203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18279-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A capsular polysaccharide (MenA CPS) consists of (1 → 6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-mannopyranosyl phosphate repeating units, O-acetylated at position C3 or C4. Glycomimetics appear attractive to overcome the CPS intrinsic lability in physiological media, due to cleavage of the phosphodiester bridge, and to develop a stable vaccine with longer shelf life in liquid formulation. Here, we generate a series of non-acetylated carbaMenA oligomers which are proven more stable than the CPS. An octamer (DP8) inhibits the binding of a MenA specific bactericidal mAb and polyclonal serum to the CPS, and is selected for further in vivo testing. However, its CRM197 conjugate raises murine antibodies towards the non-acetylated CPS backbone, but not the natural acetylated form. Accordingly, random O-acetylation of the DP8 is performed, resulting in a structure (Ac-carbaMenA) showing improved inhibition of anti-MenA CPS antibody binding and, after conjugation to CRM197, eliciting anti-MenA protective murine antibodies, comparably to the vaccine benchmark.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry
- Bacterial Capsules/immunology
- Biomimetics/methods
- Glycoconjugates/chemical synthesis
- Glycoconjugates/immunology
- Mice
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup A/chemistry
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup A/drug effects
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup A/immunology
- Polysaccharides, Bacterial/chemical synthesis
- Polysaccharides, Bacterial/chemistry
- Polysaccharides, Bacterial/immunology
- Vaccines, Conjugate/chemistry
- Vaccines, Conjugate/microbiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Enotarpi
- Department of Chemistry and CRC Polymeric Materials (LaMPo), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Bioorganic Synthesis, Leiden University, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Daan van der Es
- Department of Bioorganic Synthesis, Leiden University, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Auberger
- Department of Chemistry and CRC Polymeric Materials (LaMPo), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Department of Bioorganic Synthesis, Leiden University, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermen S Overkleeft
- Department of Bioorganic Synthesis, Leiden University, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cinzia Colombo
- Department of Chemistry and CRC Polymeric Materials (LaMPo), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Jeroen D C Codeé
- Department of Bioorganic Synthesis, Leiden University, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Luigi Lay
- Department of Chemistry and CRC Polymeric Materials (LaMPo), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Mnich ME, van Dalen R, van Sorge NM. C-Type Lectin Receptors in Host Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:309. [PMID: 32733813 PMCID: PMC7358460 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are present throughout the human body—in tissues, at barrier sites and in the circulation. They are critical for processing external signals to instruct both local and systemic responses toward immune tolerance or immune defense. APCs express an extensive repertoire of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect and transduce these signals. C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) comprise a subfamily of PRRs dedicated to sensing glycans, including those expressed by commensal and pathogenic bacteria. This review summarizes recent findings on the recognition of and responses to bacteria by membrane-expressed CLRs on different APC subsets, which are discussed according to the primary site of infection. Many CLR-bacterial interactions promote bacterial clearance, whereas other interactions are exploited by bacteria to enhance their pathogenic potential. The discrimination between protective and virulence-enhancing interactions is essential to understand which interactions to target with new prophylactic or treatment strategies. CLRs are also densely concentrated at APC dendrites that sample the environment across intact barrier sites. This suggests an–as yet–underappreciated role for CLR-mediated recognition of microbiota-produced glycans in maintaining tolerance at barrier sites. In addition to providing a concise overview of identified CLR-bacteria interactions, we discuss the main challenges and potential solutions for the identification of new CLR-bacterial interactions, including those with commensal bacteria, and for in-depth structure-function studies on CLR-bacterial glycan interactions. Finally, we highlight the necessity for more relevant tissue-specific in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models to develop therapeutic applications in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata E Mnich
- Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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27
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Gordesli-Duatepe FP, Park BJ, Kawas LH, Abu-Lail NI. Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation of the Contributions of Listeria monocytogenes Cell-Wall Biomacromolecules to Their Adherence and Mechanics. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:5872-5883. [PMID: 32544332 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c04025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the contributions of the pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes cell-wall biomacromolecules to the bacterial mechanics and adhesion to a model inert surface of silicon nitride in water were investigated by atomic force microscopy. Chemical ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and biological enzymatic trypsin treatments of cells were performed to partially or totally remove the bacterial cell-wall proteins and carbohydrates. Removal of 48.2% proteins and 29.2% of carbohydrates from the cell-wall of the bacterium by the EDTA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the length of the bacterial cell-wall biomacromolecules and an increase in the rigidity of the bacterial cells as predicted from fitting a model of steric repulsion to the force-distance approach data and classic Hertz model to the indentation-force data, respectively. In comparison, removal of almost all the cell-wall proteins (99.5% removal) and 8.6% of cell-wall carbohydrates by the trypsin treatment resulted in an increase in the elasticity of the bacterial cells, an increase in the extension of the cell-wall biomacromolecules, and a significant decrease in their apparent grafting densities. In addition, adhesion strength of native-untreated L. monocytogenes to silicon nitride in water decreased by 30% on average after the EDTA treatment and further decreased by 60% on average after the trypsin treatment, showing a positive correlation with the% removal of cell-wall proteins by the EDTA and trypsin treatments, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Pinar Gordesli-Duatepe
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir University of Economics, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bong J Park
- The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Leen H Kawas
- Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology, Washington State University Pullman, Washington 99164-6520, United States
| | - Nehal I Abu-Lail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
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Walter A, Unsleber S, Rismondo J, Jorge AM, Peschel A, Gründling A, Mayer C. Phosphoglycerol-type wall and lipoteichoic acids are enantiomeric polymers differentiated by the stereospecific glycerophosphodiesterase GlpQ. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4024-4034. [PMID: 32047114 PMCID: PMC7086022 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell envelope of Gram-positive bacteria generally comprises two types of polyanionic polymers linked to either peptidoglycan (wall teichoic acids; WTA) or to membrane glycolipids (lipoteichoic acids; LTA). In some bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis strain 168, both WTA and LTA are glycerolphosphate polymers yet are synthesized through different pathways and have distinct but incompletely understood morphogenetic functions during cell elongation and division. We show here that the exolytic sn-glycerol-3-phosphodiesterase GlpQ can discriminate between B. subtilis WTA and LTA. GlpQ completely degraded unsubstituted WTA, which lacks substituents at the glycerol residues, by sequentially removing glycerolphosphates from the free end of the polymer up to the peptidoglycan linker. In contrast, GlpQ could not degrade unsubstituted LTA unless it was partially precleaved, allowing access of GlpQ to the other end of the polymer, which, in the intact molecule, is protected by a connection to the lipid anchor. Differences in stereochemistry between WTA and LTA have been suggested previously on the basis of differences in their biosynthetic precursors and chemical degradation products. The differential cleavage of WTA and LTA by GlpQ reported here represents the first direct evidence that they are enantiomeric polymers: WTA is made of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate, and LTA is made of sn-glycerol-1-phosphate. Their distinct stereochemistries reflect the dissimilar physiological and immunogenic properties of WTA and LTA. It also enables differential degradation of the two polymers within the same envelope compartment in vivo, particularly under phosphate-limiting conditions, when B. subtilis specifically degrades WTA and replaces it with phosphate-free teichuronic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Walter
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Unsleber
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Maria Jorge
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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29
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Gray DA, Wenzel M. More Than a Pore: A Current Perspective on the In Vivo Mode of Action of the Lipopeptide Antibiotic Daptomycin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E17. [PMID: 31947747 PMCID: PMC7168178 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic, which was discovered in 1987 and entered the market in 2003. To date, it serves as last resort antibiotic to treat complicated skin infections, bacteremia, and right-sided endocarditis caused by Gram-positive pathogens, most prominently methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Daptomycin was the last representative of a novel antibiotic class that was introduced to the clinic. It is also one of the few membrane-active compounds that can be applied systemically. While membrane-active antibiotics have long been limited to topical applications and were generally excluded from systemic drug development, they promise slower resistance development than many classical drugs that target single proteins. The success of daptomycin together with the emergence of more and more multi-resistant superbugs attracted renewed interest in this compound class. Studying daptomycin as a pioneering systemic membrane-active compound might help to pave the way for future membrane-targeting antibiotics. However, more than 30 years after its discovery, the exact mechanism of action of daptomycin is still debated. In particular, there is a prominent discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro studies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on the mechanism of daptomycin against Gram-positive bacteria and try to offer explanations for these conflicting observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Declan Alan Gray
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Michaela Wenzel
- Division of Chemical Biology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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30
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Bi Y, Zimmer J. Structure and Ligand-Binding Properties of the O Antigen ABC Transporter Carbohydrate-Binding Domain. Structure 2019; 28:252-258.e2. [PMID: 31879128 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of Gram-negative bacteria is an asymmetric outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the extracellular leaflet. LPS molecules consist of lipid A, which is connected to the inner and outer core oligosaccharides. This LPS core structure is extended in the periplasm by the O antigen, a variable and serotype-defining polysaccharide. In the ABC transporter-dependent LPS biosynthesis pathway, the WzmWzt transporter secretes the complete O antigen across the inner membrane for ligation to the LPS core. In some O antigen transporters, the nucleotide-binding domain of Wzt is fused C-terminally to a carbohydrate-binding domain (CBD) that interacts with the O antigen chain. Here, we present the crystal structure of the Aquifex aeolicus CBD that reveals a conserved flat and a variable twisted jelly-roll surface. The CBD dimer is stabilized by mutual β strand exchange. Microbial glycan array binding studies with the isolated CBD provide insights into its interaction with complex carbohydrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchen Bi
- School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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31
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Patel V, Black KA, Rhee KY, Helmann JD. Bacillus subtilis PgcA moonlights as a phosphoglucosamine mutase in support of peptidoglycan synthesis. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008434. [PMID: 31589605 PMCID: PMC6797236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphohexomutase superfamily enzymes catalyze the reversible intramolecular transfer of a phosphoryl moiety on hexose sugars. Bacillus subtilis phosphoglucomutase PgcA catalyzes the reversible interconversion of glucose 6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) and glucose 1-phosphate (Glc-1-P), a precursor of UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc). B. subtilis phosphoglucosamine mutase (GlmM) is a member of the same enzyme superfamily that converts glucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) to glucosamine 1-phosphate (GlcN-1-P), a precursor of the amino sugar moiety of peptidoglycan. Here, we present evidence that B. subtilis PgcA possesses activity as a phosphoglucosamine mutase that contributes to peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This activity was made genetically apparent by the synthetic lethality of pgcA with glmR, a positive regulator of amino sugar biosynthesis, which can be specifically suppressed by overproduction of GlmM. A gain-of-function mutation in a substrate binding loop (PgcA G47S) increases this secondary activity and suppresses a glmR mutant. Our results demonstrate that bacterial phosphoglucomutases may possess secondary phosphoglucosamine mutase activity, and that this dual activity may provide some level of functional redundancy for the essential peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaidehi Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Katherine A. Black
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Kyu Y. Rhee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Caffalette CA, Corey RA, Sansom MSP, Stansfeld PJ, Zimmer J. A lipid gating mechanism for the channel-forming O antigen ABC transporter. Nat Commun 2019; 10:824. [PMID: 30778065 PMCID: PMC6379404 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular glycan biosynthesis is a widespread microbial protection mechanism. In Gram-negative bacteria, the O antigen polysaccharide represents the variable region of outer membrane lipopolysaccharides. Fully assembled lipid-linked O antigens are translocated across the inner membrane by the WzmWzt ABC transporter for ligation to the lipopolysaccharide core, with the transporter forming a continuous transmembrane channel in a nucleotide-free state. Here, we report its structure in an ATP-bound conformation. Large structural changes within the nucleotide-binding and transmembrane regions push conserved hydrophobic residues at the substrate entry site towards the periplasm and provide a model for polysaccharide translocation. With ATP bound, the transporter forms a large transmembrane channel with openings toward the membrane and periplasm. The channel's periplasmic exit is sealed by detergent molecules that block solvent permeation. Molecular dynamics simulation data suggest that, in a biological membrane, lipid molecules occupy this periplasmic exit and prevent water flux in the transporter's resting state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Caffalette
- Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Robin A Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | | | - Jochen Zimmer
- Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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33
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Zimmer J. Structural features underlying recognition and translocation of extracellular polysaccharides. Interface Focus 2019; 9:20180060. [PMID: 30842868 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Essentially all living systems produce complex carbohydrates as an energy source, structural component, protective coat or adhesive for cell attachment. Many polysaccharides are displayed on the cell surface or are threaded through proteinaceous tunnels for degradation. Dictated by their chemical composition and mode of polymerization, the physical properties of complex carbohydrates differ substantially, from amphipathic water-insoluble polymers to highly hydrated hydrogel-forming macromolecules. Accordingly, diverse recognition and translocation mechanisms evolved to transport polysaccharides to their final destinations. This review will summarize and compare diverse polysaccharide transport mechanisms implicated in the biosynthesis and degradation of cell surface polymers in pro- and eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Zimmer
- University of Virginia, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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34
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Jung YC, Lee JH, Kim SA, Schmidt T, Lee W, Lee BL, Lee HS. Synthesis and Biological Activity of Tetrameric Ribitol Phosphate Fragments of Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid. Org Lett 2018; 20:4449-4452. [PMID: 30028624 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b01725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A systematically designed and synthesized ribitol phosphate (RboP) oligomer using a series of building blocks, which make up the wall teichoic acid (WTA) of S. aureus, is presented. Based on the use of a solution-phase phosphodiester synthesis, a library of ribitol phosphate tetramers, decorated with d-alanine and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), were generated. The synthesized RboP tetramers showed increased cytokine levels in mice in a subcutaneous air pouch model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Chul Jung
- Department of Chemistry , KAIST , Daejeon , 34141 , Korea
| | - Jae-Hyeok Lee
- Department of Chemistry , KAIST , Daejeon , 34141 , Korea
| | - Sang Ah Kim
- Department of Chemistry , KAIST , Daejeon , 34141 , Korea
| | - Timo Schmidt
- National Research Laboratory of Defense Proteins, College of Pharmacy , Pusan National University , Busan , 46241 , Korea
| | - Wonchul Lee
- Department of Chemistry , KAIST , Daejeon , 34141 , Korea
| | - Bok Luel Lee
- National Research Laboratory of Defense Proteins, College of Pharmacy , Pusan National University , Busan , 46241 , Korea
| | - Hee-Seung Lee
- Department of Chemistry , KAIST , Daejeon , 34141 , Korea
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35
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Gan L, Zhang X, Xu X, Xu W, Lu C, Cui J, Wang H. spd1672, a novel in vivo-induced gene, affects inflammatory response in a murine model of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Can J Microbiol 2018; 64:401-408. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2017-0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
spd1672, a novel Streptococcus pneumoniae (hereinafter S. pn) gene induced in vivo, has been identified to contribute to the virulence of S. pn; however, the role of spd1672 during host innate immune reaction against S. pn infection is unknown. In the present study, mice were infected with wild-type D39 and mutant D39Δspd1672 strains. Compared with the D39-infected mice, reduced bacterial load and attenuated inflammatory response were observed in the D39Δspd1672-treated mice. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β, in the blood of D39Δspd1672-infected mice were lower than that in the D39-infected group. Additionally, attenuated activation of STAT3 and AKT was observed in the D39Δspd1672-infected mice. In conclusion, our data indicated that spd1672 expression modulates the release of proinflammatory cytokines, and AKT–STAT3 signaling appears to participate in the process. In conclusion, the present study extends our understanding of the role of an in vivo-induced gene in S. pn–host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Gan
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiuyu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wenchun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Chang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- The Center for Clinical Molecular Medical Detection, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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36
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Litschko C, Oldrini D, Budde I, Berger M, Meens J, Gerardy-Schahn R, Berti F, Schubert M, Fiebig T. A New Family of Capsule Polymerases Generates Teichoic Acid-Like Capsule Polymers in Gram-Negative Pathogens. mBio 2018; 9:e00641-18. [PMID: 29844111 PMCID: PMC5974469 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00641-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Group 2 capsule polymers represent crucial virulence factors of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. They are synthesized by enzymes called capsule polymerases. In this report, we describe a new family of polymerases that combine glycosyltransferase and hexose- and polyol-phosphate transferase activity to generate complex poly(oligosaccharide phosphate) and poly(glycosylpolyol phosphate) polymers, the latter of which display similarity to wall teichoic acid (WTA), a cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria. Using modeling and multiple-sequence alignment, we showed homology between the predicted polymerase domains and WTA type I biosynthesis enzymes, creating a link between Gram-negative and Gram-positive cell wall biosynthesis processes. The polymerases of the new family are highly abundant and found in a variety of capsule-expressing pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Bibersteinia trehalosi, and Escherichia coli with both human and animal hosts. Five representative candidates were purified, their activities were confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and their predicted folds were validated by site-directed mutagenesis.IMPORTANCE Bacterial capsules play an important role in the interaction between a pathogen and the immune system of its host. During the last decade, capsule polymerases have become attractive tools for the production of capsule polymers applied as antigens in glycoconjugate vaccine formulations. Conventional production of glycoconjugate vaccines requires the cultivation of the pathogen and thus the highest biosafety standards, leading to tremendous costs. With regard to animal husbandry, where vaccines could avoid the extensive use of antibiotics, conventional production is not sufficiently cost-effective. In contrast, enzymatic synthesis of capsule polymers is pathogen-free and fast, offers high stereo- and regioselectivity, and works with high efficacy. The new capsule polymerase family described here vastly increases the toolbox of enzymes available for biotechnology purposes. Representatives are abundantly found in human pathogens but also in animal pathogens, paving the way for the exploitation of polymerases for the development of a new generation of vaccines for animal husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa Litschko
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Insa Budde
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Monika Berger
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Meens
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rita Gerardy-Schahn
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Mario Schubert
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Timm Fiebig
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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37
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van der Es D, Berni F, Hogendorf WFJ, Meeuwenoord N, Laverde D, van Diepen A, Overkleeft HS, Filippov DV, Hokke CH, Huebner J, van der Marel GA, Codée JDC. Streamlined Synthesis and Evaluation of Teichoic Acid Fragments. Chemistry 2018; 24:4014-4018. [PMID: 29389054 PMCID: PMC5887911 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Teichoic acids (TAs) are key components of the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall that are composed of alditol phosphate repeating units, decorated with alanine or carbohydrate appendages. Because of their microhetereogeneity, pure well-defined TAs for biological or immunological evaluation cannot be obtained from natural sources. We present here a streamlined automated solid-phase synthesis approach for the rapid generation of well-defined glycosylated, glycerol-based TA oligomers. Building on the use of a "universal" linker system and fluorous tag purification strategy, a library of glycerolphosphate pentadecamers, decorated with various carbohydrate appendages, is generated. These are used to create a structurally diverse TA-microarray, which is used to reveal, for the first time, the binding preferences of anti-LTA (lipoteichoic acids) antibodies at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan van der Es
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Francesca Berni
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Wouter F. J. Hogendorf
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Nico Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Diana Laverde
- Division of Paediatric Infectious DiseasesDr. von Hauner Children's HospitalLudwig-Maximilians-UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of ParasitologyLeiden University Medical CenterAlbinusdreef 22333 ZALeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Herman S. Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H. Hokke
- Department of ParasitologyLeiden University Medical CenterAlbinusdreef 22333 ZALeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Johannes Huebner
- Division of Paediatric Infectious DiseasesDr. von Hauner Children's HospitalLudwig-Maximilians-UniversityMunichGermany
| | | | - Jeroen D. C. Codée
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 55, 2333CCLeidenThe Netherlands
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38
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Bi Y, Mann E, Whitfield C, Zimmer J. Architecture of a channel-forming O-antigen polysaccharide ABC transporter. Nature 2018; 553:361-365. [PMID: 29320481 PMCID: PMC5978415 DOI: 10.1038/nature25190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
O-antigens are cell surface polysaccharides of many Gram-negative pathogens that aid in escaping innate immune responses. A widespread O-antigen biosynthesis mechanism involves the synthesis of the lipid-anchored polymer on the cytosolic face of the inner membrane, followed by transport to the periplasmic side where it is ligated to the lipid A core to complete a lipopolysaccharide molecule. In this pathway, transport to the periplasm is mediated by an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, called Wzm-Wzt. Here we present the crystal structure of the Wzm-Wzt homologue from Aquifex aeolicus in an open conformation. The transporter forms a transmembrane channel that is sufficiently wide to accommodate a linear polysaccharide. Its nucleotide-binding domain and a periplasmic extension form 'gate helices' at the cytosolic and periplasmic membrane interfaces that probably serve as substrate entry and exit points. Site-directed mutagenesis of the gates impairs in vivo O-antigen secretion in the Escherichia coli prototype. Combined with a closed structure of the isolated nucleotide-binding domains, our structural and functional analyses suggest a processive O-antigen translocation mechanism, which stands in contrast to the classical alternating access mechanism of ABC transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchen Bi
- Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia
School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Evan Mann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Chris Whitfield
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia
School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Letarov AV, Kulikov EE. Adsorption of bacteriophages on bacterial cells. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297917130053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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40
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Zhou Z, Ding W, Li C, Wu Z. Synthesis and immunological study of a wall teichoic acid-based vaccine against E. faecium U0317. J Carbohydr Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/07328303.2017.1390576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhifang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Wenzhang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Chen Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhimeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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