1
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Laborda P, Molin S, Johansen HK, Martínez JL, Hernando-Amado S. Role of bacterial multidrug efflux pumps during infection. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:226. [PMID: 38822187 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04042-7] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Multidrug efflux pumps are protein complexes located in the cell envelope that enable bacteria to expel, not only antibiotics, but also a wide array of molecules relevant for infection. Hence, they are important players in microbial pathogenesis. On the one hand, efflux pumps can extrude exogenous compounds, including host-produced antimicrobial molecules. Through this extrusion, pathogens can resist antimicrobial agents and evade host defenses. On the other hand, efflux pumps also have a role in the extrusion of endogenous compounds, such as bacterial intercommunication signaling molecules, virulence factors or metabolites. Therefore, efflux pumps are involved in the modulation of bacterial behavior and virulence, as well as in the maintenance of the bacterial homeostasis under different stresses found within the host. This review delves into the multifaceted roles that efflux pumps have, shedding light on their impact on bacterial virulence and their contribution to bacterial infection. These observations suggest that strategies targeting bacterial efflux pumps could both reinvigorate the efficacy of existing antibiotics and modulate the bacterial pathogenicity to the host. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of bacterial efflux pumps can be pivotal for the development of new effective strategies for the management of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, 9301, Denmark.
| | - Søren Molin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, 9301, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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Williams E, Seib KL, Fairley CK, Pollock GL, Hocking JS, McCarthy JS, Williamson DA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaccines: a contemporary overview. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0009423. [PMID: 38226640 PMCID: PMC10938898 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00094-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is an important public health issue, with an annual global incidence of 87 million. N. gonorrhoeae infection causes significant morbidity and can have serious long-term impacts on reproductive and neonatal health and may rarely cause life-threatening disease. Global rates of N. gonorrhoeae infection have increased over the past 20 years. Importantly, rates of antimicrobial resistance to key antimicrobials also continue to increase, with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae as an urgent threat to public health. This review summarizes the current evidence for N. gonorrhoeae vaccines, including historical clinical trials, key N. gonorrhoeae vaccine preclinical studies, and studies of the impact of Neisseria meningitidis vaccines on N. gonorrhoeae infection. A comprehensive survey of potential vaccine antigens, including those identified through traditional vaccine immunogenicity approaches, as well as those identified using more contemporary reverse vaccinology approaches, are also described. Finally, the potential epidemiological impacts of a N. gonorrhoeae vaccine and research priorities for further vaccine development are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Williams
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L. Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgina L. Pollock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S. Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James S. McCarthy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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3
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Gaurav A, Bakht P, Saini M, Pandey S, Pathania R. Role of bacterial efflux pumps in antibiotic resistance, virulence, and strategies to discover novel efflux pump inhibitors. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169. [PMID: 37224055 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has reached a crisis level. The treatment options against infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria are shrinking gradually. The current pace of the discovery of new antibacterial entities is lagging behind the rate of development of new resistance. Efflux pumps play a central role in making a bacterium resistant to multiple antibiotics due to their ability to expel a wide range of structurally diverse compounds. Besides providing an escape from antibacterial compounds, efflux pumps are also involved in bacterial stress response, virulence, biofilm formation, and altering host physiology. Efflux pumps are unique yet challenging targets for the discovery of novel efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs). EPIs could help rejuvenate our currently dried pipeline of antibacterial drug discovery. The current article highlights the recent developments in the field of efflux pumps, challenges faced during the development of EPIs and potential approaches for their development. Additionally, this review highlights the utility of resources such as natural products and machine learning to expand our EPIs arsenal using these latest technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Gaurav
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Perwez Bakht
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mahak Saini
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Shivam Pandey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
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4
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Ragavendran PV, Tripathi V, Gandotra S. Structure prediction-based insights into the patatin family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36748562 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite its genome sequencing more than two decades ago, the majority of the genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain functionally uncharacterized. Patatins are one such class of proteins that, despite undergoing an expansion in this pathogenic species compared to their non-pathogenic cousins, remain largely unstudied. Recent advances in protein structure prediction using machine learning tools such as AlphaFold2 have provided high-confidence predicted structures for all M. tuberculosis proteins. Here we present detailed analyses of the patatin family of M. tuberculosis using AlphaFold-predicted structures, providing insights into likely modes of regulation, membrane interaction and substrate binding. Regulatory domains within this family of proteins include cyclic nucleotide binding, lid-like domains and other helical domains. Using structural homologues, we identified the likely membrane localization mechanisms and substrate-binding sites. These analyses reveal diversity in their regulatory capacity, mechanisms of membrane binding and likely length of fatty acid substrates. Together, this analysis suggests unique roles for the eight predicted patatins of M. tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P V Ragavendran
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
| | - Vaishnavi Tripathi
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sheetal Gandotra
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
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5
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Kojima K, Matsumoto U, Keta S, Nakahigashi K, Ikeda K, Takatani N, Omata T, Aichi M. High-Light-Induced Stress Activates Lipid Deacylation at the Sn-2 Position in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis Sp. PCC 6803. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 63:82-91. [PMID: 34623441 PMCID: PMC8789269 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial mutants defective in acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase (Aas) produce free fatty acids (FFAs) because the FFAs generated by deacylation of membrane lipids cannot be recycled. An engineered Aas-deficient mutant of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 grew normally under low-light (LL) conditions (50 µmol photons m-2 s-1) but was unable to sustain growth under high-light (HL) conditions (400 µmol photons m-2 s-1), revealing a crucial role of Aas in survival under the HL conditions. Several-times larger amounts of FFAs were produced by HL-exposed cultures than LL-grown cultures. Palmitic acid accounted for ∼85% of total FFAs in HL-exposed cultures, while C18 fatty acids (FAs) constituted ∼80% of the FFAs in LL-grown cultures. Since C16 FAs are esterified to the sn-2 position of lipids in the Synechocystis species, it was deduced that HL irradiation activated deacylation of lipids at the sn-2 position. Heterologous expression of FarB, the FFA exporter protein of Neisseria lactamica, prevented intracellular FFA accumulation and rescued the growth defect of the mutant under HL, indicating that intracellular FFA was the cause of growth inhibition. FarB expression also decreased the 'per-cell' yield of FFA under HL by 90% and decreased the proportion of palmitic acid to ∼15% of total FFA. These results indicated that the HL-induced lipid deacylation is triggered not by strong light per se but by HL-induced damage to the cells. It was deduced that there is a positive feedback loop between HL-induced damage and lipid deacylation, which is lethal unless FFA accumulation is prevented by Aas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ui Matsumoto
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, 487-8501 Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, 4-1-8 Honmachi, Kwaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Sumie Keta
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, 487-8501 Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, 4-1-8 Honmachi, Kwaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | | | | | - Nobuyuki Takatani
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, 4-1-8 Honmachi, Kwaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601 Japan
| | - Tatsuo Omata
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, 4-1-8 Honmachi, Kwaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601 Japan
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6
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Golparian D, Unemo M. Antimicrobial resistance prediction in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 22:29-48. [PMID: 34872437 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2015329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), mostly real-time PCRs, to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and predict AMR in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are promising, and some may be ready to apply at the point-of-care (POC), but important limitations remain with most NAATs. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can overcome many of these limitations.Areas covered: Recent advances, with main focus on publications since 2017, in the development and use of NAATs and NGS to predict gonococcal AMR for surveillance and clinical use, and pros and cons of these tests as well as future perspectives for appropriate use of molecular AMR prediction for N. gonorrhoeae.Expert Commentary: NAATs and/or NGS for AMR prediction should supplement culture-based AMR surveillance, which will remain because it detects also AMR due to unknown AMR determinants, and translation into POC tests is imperative for the end-goal of individualized treatment, sparing ceftriaxone±azithromycin. Several challenges for direct testing of clinical, especially pharyngeal, specimens and for accurate prediction of cephalosporins and azithromycin resistance, especially using NAATs, remain. The choice of AMR prediction assay needs to carefully consider the intended use of the assay; limitations intrinsic to the AMR prediction technology, algorithms and specific to chosen methodology; specimen types analyzed; and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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7
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Palace SG, Fryling KE, Li Y, Wentworth AJ, Traverso G, Grad YH. Identification of bile acid and fatty acid species as candidate rapidly bactericidal agents for topical treatment of gonorrhoea. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:2569-2577. [PMID: 34245280 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, given its increasing antimicrobial resistance. Treatment of oropharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae infections has proven particularly challenging, with most reported treatment failures of the first-line drug ceftriaxone occurring at this site and lower cure rates in recent trials of new antibiotics reported for oropharyngeal infections compared with other sites of infection. However, the accessibility of the oropharynx to topical therapeutics provides an opportunity for intervention. Local delivery of a therapeutic at a high concentration would enable the use of non-traditional antimicrobial candidates, including biological molecules that exploit underlying chemical sensitivities of N. gonorrhoeae but lack the potency or pharmacokinetic profiles required for effective systemic administration. METHODS Two classes of molecules that are thought to limit gonococcal viability in vivo, bile acids and short- and medium-chain fatty acids, were examined for rapid bactericidal activity. RESULTS The bile acids deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), but not other bile acid species, exerted extremely rapid bactericidal properties against N. gonorrhoeae, reducing viability more than 100 000-fold after 1 min. The short-chain fatty acids formic acid and hexanoic acid shared this rapid bactericidal activity. All four molecules are effective against a phylogenetically diverse panel of N. gonorrhoeae strains, including clinical isolates with upregulated efflux pumps and resistance alleles to the most widely used classes of existing antimicrobials. DCA and CDCA are both approved therapeutics for non-infectious indications and are well-tolerated by cultured epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS DCA and CDCA are attractive candidates for further development as anti-gonococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Palace
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyra E Fryling
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Adam J Wentworth
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Kengmo Tchoupa A, Eijkelkamp BA, Peschel A. Bacterial adaptation strategies to host-derived fatty acids. Trends Microbiol 2021; 30:241-253. [PMID: 34218980 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acids (FAs) are potent antimicrobials which hold great promise as viable alternatives or complements to conventional antibiotics. Intriguingly, bacteria are well equipped to use environmental FAs as energy sources and/or building blocks for their membrane lipids. Furthermore, these microbes display a wide array of mechanisms to prevent or mitigate FA toxicity. In this review we discuss strategies that bacteria use to thrive despite extensive exposure to host-derived antimicrobial FAs. We also highlight the altered response of these FA-adapted bacteria to antibiotics. Given the ubiquitous nature of FAs in various host environments, deciphering bacterial adaptation strategies to FAs is of prime importance. This knowledge may pave the way for a rational design of FA-based combination therapies with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Kengmo Tchoupa
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Bart A Eijkelkamp
- Molecular Sciences and Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Fairweather SJ, Gupta V, Chitsaz M, Booth L, Brown MH, O’Mara ML. Coordination of Substrate Binding and Protonation in the N. gonorrhoeae MtrD Efflux Pump Controls the Functionally Rotating Transport Mechanism. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1833-1847. [PMID: 33980014 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance is a serious problem that threatens the effective treatment of the widespread sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The drug efflux pump primarily implicated in N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance is the inner membrane transporter MtrD, which forms part of the tripartite multiple transferable resistance (Mtr) CDE efflux system. A structure of MtrD was first solved in 2014 as a symmetrical homotrimer, and then, recently, as an asymmetrical homotrimer. Through a series of molecular dynamics simulations and mutagenesis experiments, we identify the combination of substrate binding and protonation states of the proton relay network that drives the transition from the symmetric to the asymmetric conformation of MtrD. We characterize the allosteric coupling between the functionally important local regions that control conformational changes between the access, binding, and extrusion states and allow for transition to the asymmetric MtrD conformation. We also highlight a significant rotation of the transmembrane helices caused by protonation of the proton relay network, which widens the intermonomeric gap that is a hallmark of the rotational transporter mechanism. This is the first analysis and description of the transport mechanism for the N. gonorrhoeae MtrD transporter and provides evidence that antimicrobial efflux in MtrD follows the functionally rotating transport mechanism seen in protein homologues from the same transport protein superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Fairweather
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Vrinda Gupta
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Mohsen Chitsaz
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Lauren Booth
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Melissa H. Brown
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Megan L. O’Mara
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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10
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Alav I, Kobylka J, Kuth MS, Pos KM, Picard M, Blair JMA, Bavro VN. Structure, Assembly, and Function of Tripartite Efflux and Type 1 Secretion Systems in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Chem Rev 2021; 121:5479-5596. [PMID: 33909410 PMCID: PMC8277102 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tripartite efflux pumps and the related type 1 secretion systems (T1SSs) in Gram-negative organisms are diverse in function, energization, and structural organization. They form continuous conduits spanning both the inner and the outer membrane and are composed of three principal components-the energized inner membrane transporters (belonging to ABC, RND, and MFS families), the outer membrane factor channel-like proteins, and linking the two, the periplasmic adaptor proteins (PAPs), also known as the membrane fusion proteins (MFPs). In this review we summarize the recent advances in understanding of structural biology, function, and regulation of these systems, highlighting the previously undescribed role of PAPs in providing a common architectural scaffold across diverse families of transporters. Despite being built from a limited number of basic structural domains, these complexes present a staggering variety of architectures. While key insights have been derived from the RND transporter systems, a closer inspection of the operation and structural organization of different tripartite systems reveals unexpected analogies between them, including those formed around MFS- and ATP-driven transporters, suggesting that they operate around basic common principles. Based on that we are proposing a new integrated model of PAP-mediated communication within the conformational cycling of tripartite systems, which could be expanded to other types of assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Alav
- Institute
of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Kobylka
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe Universität
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Miriam S. Kuth
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe Universität
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaas M. Pos
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe Universität
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Picard
- Laboratoire
de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS
UMR 7099, Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France
- Fondation
Edmond de Rothschild pour le développement de la recherche
Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jessica M. A. Blair
- Institute
of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Vassiliy N. Bavro
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ United Kingdom
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11
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Beggs GA, Ayala JC, Kavanaugh LG, Read T, Hooks G, Schumacher M, Shafer W, Brennan R. Structures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae MtrR-operator complexes reveal molecular mechanisms of DNA recognition and antibiotic resistance-conferring clinical mutations. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4155-4170. [PMID: 33784401 PMCID: PMC8053128 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations within the mtrR gene are commonly found amongst multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which has been labelled a superbug by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These mutations appear to contribute to antibiotic resistance by interfering with the ability of MtrR to bind to and repress expression of its target genes, which include the mtrCDE multidrug efflux transporter genes and the rpoH oxidative stress response sigma factor gene. However, the DNA-recognition mechanism of MtrR and the consensus sequence within these operators to which MtrR binds has remained unknown. In this work, we report the crystal structures of MtrR bound to the mtrCDE and rpoH operators, which reveal a conserved, but degenerate, DNA consensus binding site 5'-MCRTRCRN4YGYAYGK-3'. We complement our structural data with a comprehensive mutational analysis of key MtrR-DNA contacts to reveal their importance for MtrR-DNA binding both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we model and generate common clinical mutations of MtrR to provide plausible biochemical explanations for the contribution of these mutations to multidrug resistance in N. gonorrhoeae. Collectively, our findings unveil key biological mechanisms underlying the global stress responses of N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Beggs
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Julio C Ayala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Logan G Kavanaugh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Timothy D Read
- Department of Medicine, and the Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Grace M Hooks
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Richard G Brennan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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12
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Henderson PJF, Maher C, Elbourne LDH, Eijkelkamp BA, Paulsen IT, Hassan KA. Physiological Functions of Bacterial "Multidrug" Efflux Pumps. Chem Rev 2021; 121:5417-5478. [PMID: 33761243 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial multidrug efflux pumps have come to prominence in human and veterinary pathogenesis because they help bacteria protect themselves against the antimicrobials used to overcome their infections. However, it is increasingly realized that many, probably most, such pumps have physiological roles that are distinct from protection of bacteria against antimicrobials administered by humans. Here we undertake a broad survey of the proteins involved, allied to detailed examples of their evolution, energetics, structures, chemical recognition, and molecular mechanisms, together with the experimental strategies that enable rapid and economical progress in understanding their true physiological roles. Once these roles are established, the knowledge can be harnessed to design more effective drugs, improve existing microbial production of drugs for clinical practice and of feedstocks for commercial exploitation, and even develop more sustainable biological processes that avoid, for example, utilization of petroleum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J F Henderson
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Maher
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Liam D H Elbourne
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney 2019, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bart A Eijkelkamp
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5042, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ian T Paulsen
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney 2019, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karl A Hassan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney 2019, New South Wales, Australia
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13
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Salvador López JM, Van Bogaert INA. Microbial fatty acid transport proteins and their biotechnological potential. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:2184-2201. [PMID: 33638355 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid metabolism has been widely studied in various organisms. However, fatty acid transport has received less attention, even though it plays vital physiological roles, such as export of toxic free fatty acids or uptake of exogenous fatty acids. Hence, there are important knowledge gaps in how fatty acids cross biological membranes, and many mechanisms and proteins involved in these processes still need to be determined. The lack of information is more predominant in microorganisms, even though the identification of fatty acids transporters in these cells could lead to establishing new drug targets or improvements in microbial cell factories. This review provides a thorough analysis of the current information on fatty acid transporters in microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and microalgae species. Most available information relates to the model organisms Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but transport systems of other species are also discussed. Intracellular trafficking of fatty acids and their transport through organelle membranes in eukaryotic organisms is described as well. Finally, applied studies and engineering efforts using fatty acids transporters are presented to show the applied potential of these transporters and to stress the need for further identification of new transporters and their engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Salvador López
- BioPort Group, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge N A Van Bogaert
- BioPort Group, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Comprehensive Bioinformatic Assessments of the Variability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Vaccine Candidates. mSphere 2021; 6:6/1/e00977-20. [PMID: 33536323 PMCID: PMC7860988 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00977-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A protective vaccine is the only viable way to stop the spread of gonorrhea in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. However, the notorious phase and antigenic variation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae surface proteins remains one of the challenges in vaccine development. To facilitate vaccine advancement efforts, we carried out comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of sequence variation by comparing 34 gonorrhea antigen candidates among >5,000 clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates deposited in the Neisseria PubMLST database. Eight protein antigens showed exceptional conservation by having a single allele variant distributed in >80% of isolates. An additional 18 vaccine candidates were represented by ≤3 alleles in >50% of N. gonorrhoeae isolates globally. Phylogenetic analyses highlighted closely related antigen variants and additionally showed that AniA and FetB were the closest between N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis Up to 44% of N. meningitidis alleles for both antigens have premature stop codons, suggesting differential expression. Mapping polymorphisms to the available three-dimensional structures of 12 antigens revealed low-frequency surface polymorphisms. PorB and TbpB possessed numerous high-prevalence polymorphic sites. While TbpA was also highly variable, conserved loops were nonetheless identified. A high degree of sequence conservation, the distribution of a single antigen variant among N. gonorrhoeae strains globally, or low-frequency sequence polymorphisms in surface loops make ACP, AniA, BamA, BamE, MtrE, NspA, NGO0778, NGO1251, NGO1985, OpcA, PldA, Slam2, and ZnuD promising candidates for a gonorrhea vaccine. Finally, the commonly used N. gonorrhoeae FA1090 strain emerges as a vaccine prototype, as it carries antigen sequence types identical to the most broadly distributed antigen variants.IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Gram-negative bacterium responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is categorized as a high-priority pathogen for research and development efforts. N. gonorrhoeae's "superbug" status, its high morbidity, and the serious health impact associated with gonorrhea highlight the importance of vaccine development. One of the longstanding barriers to developing an effective vaccine against N. gonorrhoeae is the remarkable variability of surface-exposed antigens. In this report, we addressed this roadblock by applying extensive bioinformatic analyses to 34 gonorrhea antigen candidates among >5,000 clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates. Our studies are important, as they reveal promising, conserved gonorrhea vaccine candidates and aid structural vaccinology. Moreover, these approaches are broadly applicable to other infectious diseases where surface antigen variability impedes successful vaccine design.
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15
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Lim KYL, Mullally CA, Haese EC, Kibble EA, McCluskey NR, Mikucki EC, Thai VC, Stubbs KA, Sarkar-Tyson M, Kahler CM. Anti-Virulence Therapeutic Approaches for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020103. [PMID: 33494538 PMCID: PMC7911339 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seen in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, the former has become resistant to commonly available over-the-counter antibiotic treatments. It is imperative then to develop new therapies that combat current AMR isolates whilst also circumventing the pathways leading to the development of AMR. This review highlights the growing research interest in developing anti-virulence therapies (AVTs) which are directed towards inhibiting virulence factors to prevent infection. By targeting virulence factors that are not essential for gonococcal survival, it is hypothesized that this will impart a smaller selective pressure for the emergence of resistance in the pathogen and in the microbiome, thus avoiding AMR development to the anti-infective. This review summates the current basis of numerous anti-virulence strategies being explored for N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y. L. Lim
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Christopher A. Mullally
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Ethan C. Haese
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Emily A. Kibble
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Nicolie R. McCluskey
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Edward C. Mikucki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Van C. Thai
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Keith A. Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Charlene M. Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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16
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Gao L, Wang Z, van der Veen S. Gonococcal Adaptation to Palmitic Acid Through farAB Expression and FadD Activity Mutations Increases In Vivo Fitness in a Murine Genital Tract Infection Model. J Infect Dis 2020; 224:141-150. [PMID: 33170275 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterial pathogen that colonizes mucosal epithelia that are rich in antimicrobial molecules such as long-chain fatty acids. Here we studied the mechanisms involved in palmitic acid resistance and their impact on in vivo biological fitness in a murine genital tract infection model. A stable palmitic acid-resistant derivative was obtained by serial passage with incremental palmitic acid concentrations. This derivative outcompeted its parent strain for colonization and survival in the murine infection model. Subsequent whole-genome sequencing resulted in the identification of the 3 resistance-related SNPs ihfAC5T, fadDC772T, and farAG-52T (promoter) that were verified for resistance against palmitic acid. Subsequent characterization of the associated resistance determinants showed that ihfAC5T and farAG-52T induced gene expression of the FarAB efflux pump, whereas fadDC772T increased the maximum enzyme activity of the FadD long-chain fatty acid-coenzyme A ligase. Our results highlight the mechanisms involved in gonococcal adaptation to the murine host environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhemin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Stijn van der Veen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Dermatology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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17
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18
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Calder A, Menkiti CJ, Çağdaş A, Lisboa Santos J, Streich R, Wong A, Avini AH, Bojang E, Yogamanoharan K, Sivanesan N, Ali B, Ashrafi M, Issa A, Kaur T, Latif A, Mohamed HAS, Maqsood A, Tamang L, Swager E, Stringer AJ, Snyder LAS. Virulence genes and previously unexplored gene clusters in four commensal Neisseria spp. isolated from the human throat expand the neisserial gene repertoire. Microb Genom 2020; 6. [PMID: 32845827 PMCID: PMC7643975 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Commensal non-pathogenic Neisseria spp. live within the human host alongside the pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and due to natural competence, horizontal gene transfer within the genus is possible and has been observed. Four distinct Neisseria spp. isolates taken from the throats of two human volunteers have been assessed here using a combination of microbiological and bioinformatics techniques. Three of the isolates have been identified as Neisseria subflava biovar perflava and one as Neisseria cinerea. Specific gene clusters have been identified within these commensal isolate genome sequences that are believed to encode a Type VI Secretion System, a newly identified CRISPR system, a Type IV Secretion System unlike that in other Neisseria spp., a hemin transporter, and a haem acquisition and utilization system. This investigation is the first to investigate these systems in either the non-pathogenic or pathogenic Neisseria spp. In addition, the N. subflava biovar perflava possess previously unreported capsule loci and sequences have been identified in all four isolates that are similar to genes seen within the pathogens that are associated with virulence. These data from the four commensal isolates provide further evidence for a Neisseria spp. gene pool and highlight the presence of systems within the commensals with functions still to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Calder
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Chukwuma Jude Menkiti
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Aylin Çağdaş
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Jefferson Lisboa Santos
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Ricarda Streich
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Alice Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Amir H Avini
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Ebrima Bojang
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Karththeepan Yogamanoharan
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Nivetha Sivanesan
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Besma Ali
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Mariam Ashrafi
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Abdirizak Issa
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Tajinder Kaur
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Aisha Latif
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Hani A Sheik Mohamed
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Atifa Maqsood
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Laxmi Tamang
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Emily Swager
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Alex J Stringer
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Lori A S Snyder
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
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19
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Ma KC, Mortimer TD, Hicks AL, Wheeler NE, Sánchez-Busó L, Golparian D, Taiaroa G, Rubin DHF, Wang Y, Williamson DA, Unemo M, Harris SR, Grad YH. Adaptation to the cervical environment is associated with increased antibiotic susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4126. [PMID: 32807804 PMCID: PMC7431566 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17980-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat due to rapidly increasing incidence and antibiotic resistance. In contrast with the trend of increasing resistance, clinical isolates that have reverted to susceptibility regularly appear, prompting questions about which pressures compete with antibiotics to shape gonococcal evolution. Here, we used genome-wide association to identify loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the efflux pump mtrCDE operon as a mechanism of increased antibiotic susceptibility and demonstrate that these mutations are overrepresented in cervical relative to urethral isolates. This enrichment holds true for LOF mutations in another efflux pump, farAB, and in urogenitally-adapted versus typical N. meningitidis, providing evidence for a model in which expression of these pumps in the female urogenital tract incurs a fitness cost for pathogenic Neisseria. Overall, our findings highlight the impact of integrating microbial population genomics with host metadata and demonstrate how host environmental pressures can lead to increased antibiotic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison L Hicks
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole E Wheeler
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - George Taiaroa
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel H F Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Simon R Harris
- Microbiotica Ltd, Biodata Innovation Centre, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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20
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Onyeabor M, Martinez R, Kurgan G, Wang X. Engineering transport systems for microbial production. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2020; 111:33-87. [PMID: 32446412 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development in the field of metabolic engineering has enabled complex modifications of metabolic pathways to generate a diverse product portfolio. Manipulating substrate uptake and product export is an important research area in metabolic engineering. Optimization of transport systems has the potential to enhance microbial production of renewable fuels and chemicals. This chapter comprehensively reviews the transport systems critical for microbial production as well as current genetic engineering strategies to improve transport functions and thus production metrics. In addition, this chapter highlights recent advancements in engineering microbial efflux systems to enhance cellular tolerance to industrially relevant chemical stress. Lastly, future directions to address current technological gaps are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moses Onyeabor
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Rodrigo Martinez
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Gavin Kurgan
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Xuan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.
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21
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Abstract
The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhoea, which has an estimated global annual incidence of 86.9 million adults. Gonorrhoea can present as urethritis in men, cervicitis or urethritis in women, and in extragenital sites (pharynx, rectum, conjunctiva and, rarely, systemically) in both sexes. Confirmation of diagnosis requires microscopy of Gram-stained samples, bacterial culture or nucleic acid amplification tests. As no gonococcal vaccine is available, prevention relies on promoting safe sexual behaviours and reducing STI-associated stigma, which hinders timely diagnosis and treatment thereby increasing transmission. Single-dose systemic therapy (usually injectable ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin) is the recommended first-line treatment. However, a major public health concern globally is that N. gonorrhoeae is evolving high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens the effectiveness of the available gonorrhoea treatments. Improved global surveillance of the emergence, evolution, fitness, and geographical and temporal spread of AMR in N. gonorrhoeae, and improved understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for current and future antimicrobials in the treatment of urogenital and extragenital gonorrhoea, are essential to inform treatment guidelines. Key priorities for gonorrhoea control include strengthening prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of patients and their partners; decreasing stigma; expanding surveillance of AMR and treatment failures; and promoting responsible antimicrobial use and stewardship. To achieve these goals, the development of rapid and affordable point-of-care diagnostic tests that can simultaneously detect AMR, novel therapeutic antimicrobials and gonococcal vaccine(s) in particular is crucial.
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22
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Beggs GA, Brennan RG, Arshad M. MarR family proteins are important regulators of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance. Protein Sci 2019; 29:647-653. [PMID: 31682303 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There has been a rapid spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria across the world. MDR efflux transporters are an important mechanism of antibiotic resistance in many pathogens among both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. These pumps can recognize a variety of chemically and structurally different compounds, including innate and clinically administered antibiotics. Intriguingly, these efflux pumps are often regulated by transcription factors that themselves bind a diverse set of substrates thereby allowing them to regulate the expression of their cognate MDR efflux pumps. One significant family of such transcription factors is the Multiple antibiotic resistance Repressor (MarR) family. Members of this family are well conserved across different bacterial species and in some cases are known to regulate vital bacterial functions. This review focusses on the role of MarR family transcriptional factors in antibiotic resistance within a select group of clinically relevant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Beggs
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Mehreen Arshad
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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23
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Beggs GA, Zalucki YM, Brown NG, Rastegari S, Phillips RK, Palzkill T, Shafer WM, Kumaraswami M, Brennan RG. Structural, Biochemical, and In Vivo Characterization of MtrR-Mediated Resistance to Innate Antimicrobials by the Human Pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:e00401-19. [PMID: 31331979 PMCID: PMC6755732 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00401-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae responds to host-derived antimicrobials by inducing the expression of the mtrCDE-encoded multidrug efflux pump, which expels microbicides, such as bile salts, fatty acids, and multiple extrinsically administered drugs, from the cell. In the absence of these cytotoxins, the TetR family member MtrR represses the mtrCDE genes. Although antimicrobial-dependent derepression of mtrCDE is clear, the physiological inducers of MtrR are unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of an induced form of MtrR. In the binding pocket of MtrR, we observed electron density that we hypothesized was N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (CAPS), a component of the crystallization reagent. Using the MtrR-CAPS structure as an inducer-bound template, we hypothesized that bile salts, which bear significant chemical resemblance to CAPS, are physiologically relevant inducers. Indeed, characterization of MtrR-chenodeoxycholate and MtrR-taurodeoxycholate interactions, both in vitro and in vivo, revealed that these bile salts, but not glyocholate or taurocholate, bind MtrR tightly and can act as bona fide inducers. Furthermore, two residues, W136 and R176, were shown to be important in binding chenodeoxycholate but not taurodeoxycholate, suggesting different binding modes of the bile salts. These data provide insight into a crucial mechanism utilized by the pathogen to overcome innate human defenses.IMPORTANCENeisseria gonorrhoeae causes a significant disease burden worldwide, and a meteoric rise in its multidrug resistance has reduced the efficacy of antibiotics previously or currently approved for therapy of gonorrheal infections. The multidrug efflux pump MtrCDE transports multiple drugs and host-derived antimicrobials from the bacterial cell and confers survival advantage on the pathogen within the host. Transcription of the pump is repressed by MtrR but relieved by the cytosolic influx of antimicrobials. Here, we describe the structure of induced MtrR and use this structure to identify bile salts as physiological inducers of MtrR. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for antimicrobial sensing and gonococcal protection by MtrR through the derepression of mtrCDE expression after exposure to intrinsic and clinically applied antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Beggs
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yaramah M Zalucki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicholas Gene Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sheila Rastegari
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rebecca K Phillips
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy Palzkill
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Laboratories of Microbial Pathogenesis, VA Medical Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Muthiah Kumaraswami
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard G Brennan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Pasqua M, Grossi M, Zennaro A, Fanelli G, Micheli G, Barras F, Colonna B, Prosseda G. The Varied Role of Efflux Pumps of the MFS Family in the Interplay of Bacteria with Animal and Plant Cells. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7090285. [PMID: 31443538 PMCID: PMC6780985 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7090285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Efflux pumps represent an important and large group of transporter proteins found in all organisms. The importance of efflux pumps resides in their ability to extrude a wide range of antibiotics, resulting in the emergence of multidrug resistance in many bacteria. Besides antibiotics, multidrug efflux pumps can also extrude a large variety of compounds: Bacterial metabolites, plant-produced compounds, quorum-sensing molecules, and virulence factors. This versatility makes efflux pumps relevant players in interactions not only with other bacteria, but also with plant or animal cells. The multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are widely distributed in microbial genomes and exhibit a large spectrum of substrate specificities. Multidrug MFS efflux pumps are present either as single-component transporters or as tripartite complexes. In this review, we will summarize how the multidrug MFS efflux pumps contribute to the interplay between bacteria and targeted host cells, with emphasis on their role in bacterial virulence, in the colonization of plant and animal host cells and in biofilm formation. We will also address the complexity of these interactions in the light of the underlying regulatory networks required for the effective activation of efflux pump genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pasqua
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Milena Grossi
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zennaro
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Fanelli
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Micheli
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Frederic Barras
- Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
- Équipe de Recherche Labellisée (ERL) Microbiology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Bianca Colonna
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Prosseda
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Infections arising from multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria are spreading rapidly throughout the world and threaten to become untreatable. The origins of resistance are numerous and complex, but one underlying factor is the capacity of bacteria to rapidly export drugs through the intrinsic activity of efflux pumps. In this Review, we describe recent advances that have increased our understanding of the structures and molecular mechanisms of multidrug efflux pumps in bacteria. Clinical and laboratory data indicate that efflux pumps function not only in the drug extrusion process but also in virulence and the adaptive responses that contribute to antimicrobial resistance during infection. The emerging picture of the structure, function and regulation of efflux pumps suggests opportunities for countering their activities.
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26
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Lowrence RC, Subramaniapillai SG, Ulaganathan V, Nagarajan S. Tackling drug resistance with efflux pump inhibitors: from bacteria to cancerous cells. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:334-353. [PMID: 31248314 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2019.1607248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a serious concern in a clinical setting jeopardizing treatment for both infectious agents and cancers alike. The wide-spread emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes from bacteria to cancerous cells necessitates the need to target resistance mechanisms and prevent the emergence of resistant mutants. Drug efflux seems to be one of the preferred approaches embraced by both microbial and mammalian cells alike, to thwart the action of chemotherapeutic agents thereby leading to a drug resistant phenotype. Relative to microbes, which predominantly employs proton motive force (PMF) powered, Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS)/Resistance Nodulation and Division (RND) classes of efflux pumps to efflux drugs, cancerous cells preferentially use ATP fuelled ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters to extrude chemotherapeutic agents. The prevalence, evolutionary characteristics and overlapping functions of ABC transporters have been highlighted in this review. Additionally, we outline the role of ABC pumps in conferring MDR phenotype to both bacteria and cancerous cells and underscore the importance of efflux pump inhibitors (EPI) to mitigate drug resistance. Based on the literature reports and analysis, we reason out feasibility of employing bacteria as a tool to screen for EPI's targeting ABC pumps of cancerous cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Christena Lowrence
- a Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield , Sheffield , UK
| | | | | | - Saisubramanian Nagarajan
- c Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University , Thanjavur , India
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27
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Baarda BI, Zielke RA, Le Van A, Jerse AE, Sikora AE. Neisseria gonorrhoeae MlaA influences gonococcal virulence and membrane vesicle production. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007385. [PMID: 30845186 PMCID: PMC6424457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The six-component maintenance of lipid asymmetry (Mla) system is responsible for retrograde transport of phospholipids, ensuring the barrier function of the Gram-negative cell envelope. Located within the outer membrane, MlaA (VacJ) acts as a channel to shuttle phospholipids from the outer leaflet. We identified Neisseria gonorrhoeae MlaA (ngo2121) during high-throughput proteomic mining for potential therapeutic targets against this medically important human pathogen. Our follow-up phenotypic microarrays revealed that lack of MlaA results in a complex sensitivity phenome. Herein we focused on MlaA function in cell envelope biogenesis and pathogenesis. We demonstrate the existence of two MlaA classes among 21 bacterial species, characterized by the presence or lack of a lipoprotein signal peptide. Purified truncated N. gonorrhoeae MlaA elicited antibodies that cross-reacted with a panel of different Neisseria. Little is known about MlaA expression; we provide the first evidence that MlaA levels increase in stationary phase and under anaerobiosis but decrease during iron starvation. Lack of MlaA resulted in higher cell counts during conditions mimicking different host niches; however, it also significantly decreased colony size. Antimicrobial peptides such as polymyxin B exacerbated the size difference while human defensin was detrimental to mutant viability. Consistent with the proposed role of MlaA in vesicle biogenesis, the ΔmlaA mutant released 1.7-fold more membrane vesicles. Comparative proteomics of cell envelopes and native membrane vesicles derived from ΔmlaA and wild type bacteria revealed enrichment of TadA–which recodes proteins through mRNA editing–as well as increased levels of adhesins and virulence factors. MlaA-deficient gonococci significantly outcompeted (up to 16-fold) wild-type bacteria in the murine lower genital tract, suggesting the growth advantage or increased expression of virulence factors afforded by inactivation of mlaA is advantageous in vivo. Based on these results, we propose N. gonorrhoeae restricts MlaA levels to modulate cell envelope homeostasis and fine-tune virulence. The Gram-negative outer membrane is a formidable barrier, primarily because of its asymmetric composition. A layer of lipopolysaccharide is exposed to the external environment and phospholipids are on the internal face of the outer membrane. MlaA is part of a bacterial system that prevents phospholipid accumulation within the lipopolysaccharide layer. If MlaA is removed, membrane asymmetry is disrupted and bacteria become more vulnerable to certain antimicrobials. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes millions of infections worldwide annually. A growing number are resistant to available antibiotics. Improving our understanding of gonococcal pathogenicity and basic biological processes is required to facilitate the discovery of new weapons against gonorrhea. We investigated the role of MlaA in N. gonorrhoeae and found that when MlaA was absent, bacteria were more sensitive to antibiotics and human defensins. However, the mutant bacteria produced more membrane vesicles–packages of proteins wrapped in membrane material. Mutant vesicles and cell envelopes were enriched in proteins that contribute to disease. These alterations significantly increased mutant fitness during experimental infection of the female mouse genital tract. Our results provide new insights into the processes N. gonorrhoeae uses to fine-tune its ability to stay fit in the hostile environment of the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I. Baarda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ryszard A. Zielke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Adriana Le Van
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ann E. Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Aleksandra E. Sikora
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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28
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Gulati S, Shaughnessy J, Ram S, Rice PA. Targeting Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) for a Gonococcal Vaccine. Front Immunol 2019; 10:321. [PMID: 30873172 PMCID: PMC6400993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of gonorrhea worldwide and the global spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, constitute a public health emergency. With dwindling antibiotic treatment options, there is an urgent need to develop safe and effective vaccines. Gonococcal lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) are potential vaccine candidates because they are densely represented on the bacterial surface and are readily accessible as targets of adaptive immunity. Less well-understood is whether LOSs evoke protective immune responses. Although gonococcal LOS-derived oligosaccharides (OSs) are major immune targets, often they undergo phase variation, a feature that seemingly makes LOS less desirable as a vaccine candidate. However, the identification of a gonococcal LOS-derived OS epitope, called 2C7, that is: (i) a broadly expressed gonococcal antigenic target in human infection; (ii) a virulence determinant, that is maintained by the gonococcus and (iii) a critical requirement for gonococcal colonization in the experimental setting, circumvents its limitation as a potential vaccine candidate imposed by phase variation. Difficulties in purifying structurally intact OSs from LOSs led to "conversion" of the 2C7 epitope into a peptide mimic that elicited cross-reactive IgG anti-OS antibodies that also possess complement-dependent bactericidal activity against gonococci. Mice immunized with the 2C7 peptide mimic clear vaginal colonization more rapidly and reduce gonococcal burdens. 2C7 vaccine satisfies criteria that are desirable in a gonococcal vaccine candidate: broad representation of the antigenic target, service as a virulence determinant that is also critical for organism survival in vivo and elicitation of broadly cross-reactive IgG bactericidal antibodies when used as an immunogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Peter A Rice
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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29
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Roles of Efflux Pumps from Different Superfamilies in the Surface-Associated Motility and Virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02190-18. [PMID: 30642939 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02190-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the relationship between Acinetobacter baumannii efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance is well documented, less is known about the involvement of these proteins in the pathogenicity of this nosocomial pathogen. In previous work, we identified the AbaQ major facilitator superfamily (MFS) efflux pump and demonstrated its participation in the motility and virulence of A. baumannii In the present study, we examined the role in these processes of A. baumannii transporters belonging to different superfamilies of efflux pumps. Genes encoding known or putative permeases belonging to efflux pump superfamilies other than the MFS were selected, and the corresponding knockouts were constructed. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of these mutants were consistent with previously reported data. In mutants of A. baumannii strain ATCC 17978 carrying inactivated genes encoding the efflux pumps A1S_2736 (resistance nodulation division [RND]), A1S_3371 (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion [MATE]), and A1S_0710 (small multidrug resistance [SMR]), as well as the newly described ATP-binding cassette (ABC) permeases A1S_1242 and A1S_2622, both surface-associated motility and virulence were reduced compared to the parental strain. However, inactivation of the genes encoding the known ABC permeases A1S_0536 and A1S_1535, the newly identified putative ABC permeases A1S_0027 and A1S_1057, or the proteobacterial antimicrobial compound efflux (PACE) transporters A1S_1503 and A1S_2063 had no effects on bacterial motility or virulence. Our results demonstrate the involvement of antimicrobial transporters belonging at least to five of the six known efflux pump superfamilies in both surface-associated motility and virulence in A. baumannii ATCC 17978.
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30
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Genus-Wide Comparative Genomics Analysis of Neisseria to Identify New Genes Associated with Pathogenicity and Niche Adaptation of Neisseria Pathogens. Int J Genomics 2019; 2019:6015730. [PMID: 30775379 PMCID: PMC6350579 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6015730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, the only two human pathogens of Neisseria, are closely related species. But the niches they survived in and their pathogenic characteristics are distinctly different. However, the genetic basis of these differences has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, comparative genomics analysis was performed based on 15 N. gonorrhoeae, 75 N. meningitidis, and 7 nonpathogenic Neisseria genomes. Core-pangenome analysis found 1111 conserved gene families among them, and each of these species groups had opening pangenome. We found that 452, 78, and 319 gene families were unique in N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and both of them, respectively. Those unique gene families were regarded as candidates that related to their pathogenicity and niche adaptation. The relationships among them have been partly verified by functional annotation analysis. But at least one-third genes for each gene set have not found the certain functional information. Simple sequence repeat (SSR), the basis of gene phase variation, was found abundant in the membrane or related genes of each unique gene set, which may facilitate their adaptation to variable host environments. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis found at least five distinct PPI clusters in N. gonorrhoeae and four in N. meningitides, and 167 and 52 proteins with unknown function were contained within them, respectively.
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31
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El-Rami FE, Zielke RA, Wi T, Sikora AE, Unemo M. Quantitative Proteomics of the 2016 WHO Neisseria gonorrhoeae Reference Strains Surveys Vaccine Candidates and Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:127-150. [PMID: 30352803 PMCID: PMC6317477 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.001125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea (causative agent: Neisseria gonorrhoeae) remains an urgent public health threat globally because of its reproductive health repercussions, high incidence, widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and absence of a vaccine. To mine gonorrhea antigens and enhance our understanding of gonococcal AMR at the proteome level, we performed the first large-scale proteomic profiling of a diverse panel (n = 15) of gonococcal strains, including the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) reference strains. These strains show all existing AMR profiles - established through phenotypic characterization and reference genome publication - and are intended for quality assurance in laboratory investigations. Herein, these isolates were subjected to subcellular fractionation and labeling with tandem mass tags coupled to mass spectrometry and multi-combinatorial bioinformatics. Our analyses detected 904 and 723 common proteins in cell envelope and cytoplasmic subproteomes, respectively. We identified nine novel gonorrhea vaccine candidates. Expression and conservation of new and previously selected antigens were investigated. In addition, established gonococcal AMR determinants were evaluated for the first time using quantitative proteomics. Six new proteins, WHO_F_00238, WHO_F_00635c, WHO_F_00745, WHO_F_01139, WHO_F_01144c, and WHO_F_01126, were differentially expressed in all strains, suggesting that they represent global proteomic AMR markers, indicate a predisposition toward developing or compensating gonococcal AMR, and/or act as new antimicrobial targets. Finally, phenotypic clustering based on the isolates' defined antibiograms and common differentially expressed proteins yielded seven matching clusters between established and proteome-derived AMR signatures. Together, our investigations provide a reference proteomics data bank for gonococcal vaccine and AMR research endeavors, which enables microbiological, clinical, or epidemiological projects and enhances the utility of the WHO reference strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi E El-Rami
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Ryszard A Zielke
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Teodora Wi
- §Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra E Sikora
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon;; ¶Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon;.
| | - Magnus Unemo
- ‖World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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32
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Baarda BI, Zielke RA, Nicholas RA, Sikora AE. PubMLST for Antigen Allele Mining to Inform Development of Gonorrhea Protein-Based Vaccines. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2971. [PMID: 30581422 PMCID: PMC6292995 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a human-specific pathogen and the etiological agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection with a significant global health burden. While often asymptomatic, untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and increased transmission/acquisition of HIV. A protective gonorrhea vaccine may be the only way to control disease transmission in the future due to the inexorable development of antibiotic resistance. Subunit antigens are proven candidates for vaccine development due to their safety, cost-effectiveness, and rapid preparation. To inform protein-based gonorrhea vaccine design by including different antigen variants, herein we present bioinformatics mining of alleles and single nucleotide/amino acid polymorphisms using DNA/protein sequences of all Ng isolates deposited into the PubMLST database and MtrE and BamA as model antigens. We also present phylogenetic analyses that can be performed using sequence data to gain insights into the evolutionary relationships between the polymorphisms found among the population of isolates using a convenient tool: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software. Finally, we perform antigen polymorphism mapping onto the MtrE and BamA structures. This methodology can be applied for rational vaccine design to increase vaccine coverage and cross-protection by heteroligand presentation achieved via inclusion of diverse antigen variants and is relevant to over 100 different species and genera deposited into the PubMLST family of databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I. Baarda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Ryszard A. Zielke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Robert A. Nicholas
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Aleksandra E. Sikora
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
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33
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Handing JW, Ragland SA, Bharathan UV, Criss AK. The MtrCDE Efflux Pump Contributes to Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae From Human Neutrophils and Their Antimicrobial Components. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2688. [PMID: 30515136 PMCID: PMC6256084 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucosal inflammatory response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) is characterized by recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection. Gc survives exposure to neutrophils by limiting the ability of neutrophils to make antimicrobial products and by expressing factors that defend against these products. The multiple transferable resistance (Mtr) system is a tripartite efflux pump, comprised of the inner membrane MtrD, the periplasmic attachment protein MtrC, and the outer membrane channel MtrE. Gc MtrCDE exports a diverse array of substrates, including certain detergents, dyes, antibiotics, and host-derived antimicrobial peptides. Here we report that MtrCDE contributes to the survival of Gc after exposure to adherent, chemokine-treated primary human neutrophils, specifically in the extracellular milieu. MtrCDE enhanced survival of Gc in neutrophil extracellular traps and in the supernatant from neutrophils that had undergone degranulation (granule exocytosis), a process that releases antimicrobial proteins into the extracellular milieu. The extent of degranulation was unaltered in neutrophils exposed to parental or mtr mutant Gc. MtrCDE expression contributed to Gc defense against some neutrophil-derived antimicrobial peptides but not others. These findings demonstrate that the Mtr system contributes to Gc survival after neutrophil challenge, a key feature of the host immune response to acute gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W Handing
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Stephanie A Ragland
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Urmila V Bharathan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Alison K Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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34
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cis- and trans-Acting Factors Influence Expression of the norM-Encoded Efflux Pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Levels of Gonococcal Susceptibility to Substrate Antimicrobials. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00821-18. [PMID: 29891604 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00821-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gonococcal NorM efflux pump exports substrates with a cationic moiety, including quaternary ammonium compounds such as berberine (BE) and ethidium bromide (EB) as well as antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and solithromycin. The norM gene is part of a four-gene operon that is transcribed from a promoter containing a polynucleotide tract of 6 or 7 thymidines (T's) between the -10 and -35 hexamers; the majority of gonococcal strains analyzed in this study contained a T-6 sequence. Primer extension analysis showed that regardless of the length of the poly(T) tract, the same transcriptional start site (TSS) was used for expression of norM Interestingly, the T-6 tract correlated with a higher level of both norM expression and gonococcal resistance to NorM substrates BE and EB. Analysis of expression of genes downstream of norM showed that the product of the tetR-like gene has the capacity to activate expression of norM as well as murB, which encodes an acetylenolpyroylglucosamine reductase predicted to be involved in the early steps of peptidoglycan synthesis. Moreover, loss of the TetR-like transcriptional regulator modestly increased gonococcal susceptibility to NorM substrates EB and BE. We conclude that both cis- and trans-acting regulatory systems can regulate expression of the norM operon and influence levels of gonococcal susceptibility to antimicrobials exported by NorM.
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The Growing Threat of Gonococcal Blindness. Antibiotics (Basel) 2018; 7:antibiotics7030059. [PMID: 30002340 PMCID: PMC6164567 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics7030059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is now a reality, as well as the consequences of untreatable infections. Gonococcal eye infections result in blindness if not properly treated; they accounted for the vast majority of infections in children in homes for the blind in the pre-antibiotic era. Neisseria gonorrhoeae infects the eyes of infants born to mothers with gonorrhea and can also infect the eyes of adults. Changes in sexual practices may account for the rise in adult gonococcal eye infections, although some cases seem to have occurred with no associated genital infection. As gonorrhea becomes increasingly difficult to treat, the consequences for the treatment of gonococcal blindness must be considered as well. Monocaprin was shown to be effective in rapidly killing N. gonorrhoeae, and is non-irritating in ocular models. Repeated passage in sub-lethal monocaprin induces neither resistance in gonococci nor genomic mutations that are suggestive of resistance. Here, we show that 1 mM monocaprin kills 100% of N. gonorrhoeae in 2 min, and is equally effective against N. meningitidis, a rare cause of ophthalmia neonatorum that is potentially lethal. Monocaprin at 1 mM also completely kills Staphylococcus aureus after 60 min, and 25 mM kills 80% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 360 min. Previously, 1 mM monocaprin was shown to eliminate Chlamydia trachomatis in 5 min. Monocaprin is, therefore, a promising active ingredient in the treatment and prophylaxis of keratitis, especially considering the growing threat of gonococcal blindness due to antimicrobial resistance.
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Eijkelkamp BA, Begg SL, Pederick VG, Trapetti C, Gregory MK, Whittall JJ, Paton JC, McDevitt CA. Arachidonic Acid Stress Impacts Pneumococcal Fatty Acid Homeostasis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:813. [PMID: 29867785 PMCID: PMC5958418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Free fatty acids hold dual roles during infection, serving to modulate the host immune response while also functioning directly as antimicrobials. Of particular importance are the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are not commonly found in bacterial organisms, that have been proposed to have antibacterial roles. Arachidonic acid (AA) is a highly abundant long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and we examined its effect upon Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, we observed that in a murine model of S. pneumoniae infection the concentration of AA significantly increases in the blood. The impact of AA stress upon the pathogen was then assessed by a combination of biochemical, biophysical and microbiological assays. In vitro bacterial growth and intra-macrophage survival assays revealed that AA has detrimental effects on pneumococcal fitness. Subsequent analyses demonstrated that AA exerts antimicrobial activity via insertion into the pneumococcal membrane, although this did not increase the susceptibility of the bacterium to antibiotic, oxidative or metal ion stress. Transcriptomic profiling showed that AA treatment also resulted in a dramatic down-regulation of the genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, in addition to impacts on other metabolic processes, such as carbon-source utilization. Hence, these data reveal that AA has two distinct mechanisms of perturbing the pneumococcal membrane composition. Collectively, this work provides a molecular basis for the antimicrobial contribution of AA to combat pneumococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart A Eijkelkamp
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Begg
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Victoria G Pederick
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Claudia Trapetti
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Melissa K Gregory
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jonathan J Whittall
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - James C Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Rice PA, Shafer WM, Ram S, Jerse AE. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Drug Resistance, Mouse Models, and Vaccine Development. Annu Rev Microbiol 2018; 71:665-686. [PMID: 28886683 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090816-093530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gonorrhea, an obligate human infection, is on the rise worldwide and gonococcal strains resistant to many antibiotics are emerging. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment and prevention, including effective vaccines, are urgently needed. To guide investigation, an experimental model of genital tract infection has been developed in female mice to study mechanisms by which Neisseria gonorrhoeae evades host-derived antimicrobial factors and to identify protective and immunosuppressive pathways. Refinements of the animal model have also improved its use as a surrogate host of human infection and accelerated the testing of novel therapeutic and prophylactic compounds against gonococcal infection. Reviewed herein are the (a) history of antibiotic usage and resistance against gonorrhea and the consequences of resistance mechanisms that may increase gonococcal fitness and therefore the potential for spread, (b) use of gonococcal infection in the animal model system to study mechanisms of pathogenesis and host defenses, and
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Rice
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605-4321; ,
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.,Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia 30033;
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605-4321; ,
| | - Ann E Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799;
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Churchward CP, Alany RG, Snyder LAS. Alternative antimicrobials: the properties of fatty acids and monoglycerides. Crit Rev Microbiol 2018; 44:561-570. [PMID: 29733249 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2018.1467875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
With the rising antibiotic resistance of many bacterial species, alternative treatments are necessary to combat infectious diseases. The World Health Organization and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have warned that some infections, such as those from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, may be untreatable within a few years. One avenue of exploration is the use of antimicrobial fatty acids and their derivatives for therapeutic prevention or treatment of bacterial infections. Several studies have explored the activity of fatty acids and their derivatives, including monoglycerides against a variety of bacterial species. These are reviewed here, assessing the antimicrobial properties that have been demonstrated and the feasibility of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin P Churchward
- a School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry , Kingston University , Kingston upon Thames , UK
| | - Raid G Alany
- a School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry , Kingston University , Kingston upon Thames , UK
| | - Lori A S Snyder
- a School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry , Kingston University , Kingston upon Thames , UK
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Mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae grown in sub-lethal concentrations of monocaprin do not confer resistance. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195453. [PMID: 29621310 PMCID: PMC5886539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, due to its short lipooligosaccharide structure, is generally more sensitive to the antimicrobial effects of some fatty acids than most other Gram negative bacteria. This supports recent development of a fatty acid-based potential treatment for gonococcal infections, particularly ophthalmia neonatorum. The N. gonorrhoeae genome contains genes for fatty acid resistance. In this study, the potential for genomic mutations that could lead to resistance to this potential new treatment were investigated. N. gonorrhoeae strain NCCP11945 was repeatedly passaged on growth media containing a sub-lethal concentration of fatty acid myristic acid and monoglyceride monocaprin. Cultures were re-sequenced and assessed for changes in minimum inhibitory concentration. Of note, monocaprin grown cultures developed a mutation in transcription factor gene dksA, which suppresses molecular chaperone DnaK and may be involved in the stress response. The minimum inhibitory concentration after exposure to monocaprin showed a modest two-fold change. The results of this study suggest that N. gonorrhoeae cannot readily evolve resistance that will impact treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum with monocaprin.
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Abstract
The host-adapted human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoea. Consistent with its proposed evolution from an ancestral commensal bacterium, N. gonorrhoeae has retained features that are common in commensals, but it has also developed unique features that are crucial to its pathogenesis. The continued worldwide incidence of gonorrhoeal infection, coupled with the rising resistance to antimicrobials and the difficulties in controlling the disease in developing countries, highlights the need to better understand the molecular basis of N. gonorrhoeae infection. This knowledge will facilitate disease prevention, surveillance and control, improve diagnostics and may help to facilitate the development of effective vaccines or new therapeutics. In this Review, we discuss sex-related symptomatic gonorrhoeal disease and provide an overview of the bacterial factors that are important for the different stages of pathogenesis, including transmission, colonization and immune evasion, and we discuss the problem of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jane Quillin
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - H Steven Seifert
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Donà V, Low N, Golparian D, Unemo M. Recent advances in the development and use of molecular tests to predict antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2017; 17:845-859. [PMID: 28741392 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2017.1360137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The number of genetic tests, mostly real-time PCRs, to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and predict AMR in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is increasing. Several of these assays are promising, but there are important shortcomings and few assays have been adequately validated and quality assured. Areas covered: Recent advances, focusing on publications since 2012, in the development and use of molecular tests to predict gonococcal AMR for surveillance and for clinical use, advantages and disadvantages of these tests and of molecular AMR prediction compared with phenotypic AMR testing, and future perspectives for effective use of molecular AMR tests for different purposes. Expert commentary: Several challenges for direct testing of clinical, especially extra-genital, specimens remain. The choice of molecular assay needs to consider the assay target, quality controls, sample types, limitations intrinsic to molecular technologies, and specific to the chosen methodology, and the intended use of the test. Improved molecular- and particularly genome-sequencing-based methods will supplement AMR testing for surveillance purposes, and translate into point-of-care tests that will lead to personalized treatments, while sparing the last available empiric treatment option (ceftriaxone). However, genetic AMR prediction will never completely replace phenotypic AMR testing, which detects also AMR due to unknown AMR determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Donà
- a Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Nicola Low
- b Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Daniel Golparian
- c WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea , Örebro University , Örebro , Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- c WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea , Örebro University , Örebro , Sweden
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Prevention of Ophthalmia Neonatorum Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae Using a Fatty Acid-Based Formulation. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.00534-17. [PMID: 28743809 PMCID: PMC5527305 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00534-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Ophthalmia neonatorum, also called neonatal conjunctivitis, acquired during delivery can occur in the first 28 days of life. Commonly caused by the bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, infection can lead to corneal scarring, perforation of the eye, and blindness. One approach that can be taken to prevent the disease is the use of an ophthalmic prophylaxis, which kills the bacteria on the surface of the eye shortly after birth. Current prophylaxes are based on antibiotic ointments. However, N. gonorrhoeae is resistant to many antibiotics and alternative treatments must be developed before the condition becomes untreatable. This study focused on developing a fatty acid-based prophylaxis. For this, 37 fatty acids or fatty acid derivatives were screened in vitro for fast antigonococcal activity. Seven candidates were identified as bactericidal at 1 mM. These seven were subjected to irritation testing using three separate methods: the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) test; the hen’s egg test—chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM); and the red blood cell (RBC) lysis assay. The candidates were also tested in artificial tear fluid to determine whether they were effective in this environment. Four of the candidates remained effective. Among these, two lead candidates, monocaprin and myristoleic acid, displayed the best potential as active compounds in the development of a fatty acid-based prophylaxis for prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a painful bacterial infection of the eye in newborns. A common cause is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which has the potential to cause severe damage to the eye and blindness. This study was designed to identify new and unconventional drug candidates that could be used in an eye ointment to prevent the development of this disease. The drugs that were tested were fatty acid-based compounds. The potential candidates were screened for their ability to kill bacteria in tear fluid without causing damage to the eye. This study identified seven candidates that are fast acting and nonirritating, with two strong candidates for potential use in the eye. Further development and testing are now required to formulate an eye treatment incorporating these drugs to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum.
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Wang L, Xing D, Le Van A, Jerse AE, Wang S. Structure-based design of ferritin nanoparticle immunogens displaying antigenic loops of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 7:1196-1207. [PMID: 28781959 PMCID: PMC5537070 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective vaccines are urgently needed to combat gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection, for which treatment options are diminishing due to rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance. We have used a rational approach to the development of gonorrhea vaccines, and genetically engineered nanoparticles to present antigenic peptides of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea. We hypothesized that the ferritin nanocage could be used as a platform to display an ordered array of N. gonorrhoeae antigenic peptides on its surface. MtrE, the outer membrane channel of the highly conserved gonococcal MtrCDE active efflux pump, is an attractive vaccine target due to its importance in protecting N. gonorrhoeae from host innate effectors and antibiotic resistance. Using computational approaches, we designed constructs that expressed chimeric proteins of the Helicobacter pylori ferritin and antigenic peptides that correspond to the two surface-exposed loops of N. gonorrhoeae MtrE. The peptides were inserted at the N terminus or in a surface-exposed ferritin loop between helices αA and αB. Crystal structures of the chimeric proteins revealed that the proteins assembled correctly into a 24-mer nanocage structure. Although the inserted N. gonorrhoeae peptides were disordered, it was clear that they were displayed on the nanocage surface, but with multiple conformations. Our results confirmed that the ferritin nanoparticle is a robust platform to present antigenic peptides and therefore an ideal system for rational design of immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda MD USA
| | - Daniel Xing
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda MD USA
| | - Adriana Le Van
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda MD USA
| | - Ann E Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda MD USA
| | - Shuishu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda MD USA
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Willers C, Wentzel JF, du Plessis LH, Gouws C, Hamman JH. Efflux as a mechanism of antimicrobial drug resistance in clinical relevant microorganisms: the role of efflux inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 21:23-36. [PMID: 27892739 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1265105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Microbial resistance against antibiotics is a serious threat to the effective treatment of infectious diseases. Several mechanisms exist through which microorganisms can develop resistance against antimicrobial drugs, of which the overexpression of genes to produce efflux pumps is a major concern. Several efflux transporters have been identified in microorganisms, which infer resistance against specific antibiotics and even multidrug resistance. Areas covered: This paper focuses on microbial resistance against antibiotics by means of the mechanism of efflux and gives a critical overview of studies conducted to overcome this problem by combining efflux pump inhibitors with antibiotics. Information was obtained from a literature search done with MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, OneSearch and EBSCO host. Expert opinion: Efflux as a mechanism of multidrug resistance has presented a platform for improved efficacy against resistant microorganisms by co-administration of efflux pump inhibitors with antimicrobial agents. Although proof of concept has been shown for this approach with in vitro experiments, further research is needed to develop more potent inhibitors with low toxicity which is clinically effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Willers
- a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
| | - Johannes Frederik Wentzel
- a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
| | - Lissinda Hester du Plessis
- a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
| | - Chrisna Gouws
- a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
| | - Josias Hendrik Hamman
- a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
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Harrison OB, Clemence M, Dillard JP, Tang CM, Trees D, Grad YH, Maiden MCJ. Genomic analyses of Neisseria gonorrhoeae reveal an association of the gonococcal genetic island with antimicrobial resistance. J Infect 2016; 73:578-587. [PMID: 27575582 PMCID: PMC5127880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens our ability to treat the sexually transmitted bacterial infection gonorrhoea. The increasing availability of whole genome sequence (WGS) data from Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates, however, provides us with an opportunity in which WGS can be mined for AMR determinants. METHODS Chromosomal and plasmid genes implicated in AMR were catalogued on the PubMLST Neisseria database (http://pubmlst.org/neisseria). AMR genotypes were identified in WGS from 289 gonococci for which MICs against several antimicrobial compounds had been determined. Whole genome comparisons were undertaken using whole genome MLST (wgMLST). RESULTS Clusters of isolates with distinct AMR genotypes were apparent following wgMLST analysis consistent with the occurrence of genome wide genetic variation. This included the presence of the gonococcal genetic island (GGI), a type 4 secretion system shown to increase recombination and for which possession was significantly associated with AMR to multiple antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS Evolution of the gonococcal genome occurs in response to antimicrobial selective pressure resulting in the formation of distinct N. gonorrhoeae populations evidenced by the wgMLST clusters seen here. Genomic islands offer selective advantages to host bacteria and possession of the GGI may, not only facilitate the spread of AMR in gonococcal populations, but may also confer fitness advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joseph P Dillard
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christoph M Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David Trees
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zielke RA, Wierzbicki IH, Baarda BI, Gafken PR, Soge OO, Holmes KK, Jerse AE, Unemo M, Sikora AE. Proteomics-driven Antigen Discovery for Development of Vaccines Against Gonorrhea. Mol Cell Proteomics 2016; 15:2338-55. [PMID: 27141096 PMCID: PMC4937508 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m116.058800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding efforts to develop preventive gonorrhea vaccines is critical because of the dire possibility of untreatable gonococcal infections. Reverse vaccinology, which includes genome and proteome mining, has proven very successful in the discovery of vaccine candidates against many pathogenic bacteria. However, progress with this approach for a gonorrhea vaccine remains in its infancy. Accordingly, we applied a comprehensive proteomic platform-isobaric tagging for absolute quantification coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry-to identify potential gonococcal vaccine antigens. Our previous analyses focused on cell envelopes and naturally released membrane vesicles derived from four different Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. Here, we extended these studies to identify cell envelope proteins of N. gonorrhoeae that are ubiquitously expressed and specifically induced by physiologically relevant environmental stimuli: oxygen availability, iron deprivation, and the presence of human serum. Together, these studies enabled the identification of numerous potential gonorrhea vaccine targets. Initial characterization of five novel vaccine candidate antigens that were ubiquitously expressed under these different growth conditions demonstrated that homologs of BamA (NGO1801), LptD (NGO1715), and TamA (NGO1956), and two uncharacterized proteins, NGO2054 and NGO2139, were surface exposed, secreted via naturally released membrane vesicles, and elicited bactericidal antibodies that cross-reacted with a panel of temporally and geographically diverse isolates. In addition, analysis of polymorphisms at the nucleotide and amino acid levels showed that these vaccine candidates are highly conserved among N. gonorrhoeae strains. Finally, depletion of BamA caused a loss of N. gonorrhoeae viability, suggesting it may be an essential target. Together, our data strongly support the use of proteomics-driven discovery of potential vaccine targets as a sound approach for identifying promising gonococcal antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard A Zielke
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Igor H Wierzbicki
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Benjamin I Baarda
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Philip R Gafken
- §Proteomics Facility, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Olusegun O Soge
- ¶Neisseria Reference Laboratory, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - King K Holmes
- ¶Neisseria Reference Laboratory, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; ‖Departments of Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ann E Jerse
- **Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Magnus Unemo
- ‡‡WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Aleksandra E Sikora
- From the ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon;
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Hernando-Amado S, Blanco P, Alcalde-Rico M, Corona F, Reales-Calderón JA, Sánchez MB, Martínez JL. Multidrug efflux pumps as main players in intrinsic and acquired resistance to antimicrobials. Drug Resist Updat 2016; 28:13-27. [PMID: 27620952 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug efflux pumps constitute a group of transporters that are ubiquitously found in any organism. In addition to other functions with relevance for the cell physiology, efflux pumps contribute to the resistance to compounds used for treating different diseases, including resistance to anticancer drugs, antibiotics or antifungal compounds. In the case of antimicrobials, efflux pumps are major players in both intrinsic and acquired resistance to drugs currently in use for the treatment of infectious diseases. One important aspect not fully explored of efflux pumps consists on the identification of effectors able to induce their expression. Indeed, whereas the analysis of clinical isolates have shown that mutants overexpressing these resistance elements are frequently found, less is known on the conditions that may trigger expression of efflux pumps, hence leading to transient induction of resistance in vivo, a situation that is barely detectable using classical susceptibility tests. In the current article we review the structure and mechanisms of regulation of the expression of bacterial and fungal efflux pumps, with a particular focus in those for which a role in clinically relevant resistance has been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hernando-Amado
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Blanco
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Alcalde-Rico
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Corona
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose A Reales-Calderón
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María B Sánchez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Martínez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Reales-Calderon JA, Blanco P, Alcalde-Rico M, Corona F, Lira F, Hernando-Amado S, Bernardini A, Sánchez MB, Martínez JL. Use of phenotype microarrays to study the effect of acquisition of resistance to antimicrobials in bacterial physiology. Res Microbiol 2016; 167:723-730. [PMID: 27106258 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the acquisition of resistance to antimicrobials confers a fitness cost. Different works have shown that the effect of acquiring resistance in bacterial physiology may be more specific than previously thought. Study of these specific changes may help to predict the outcome of resistant organisms in different ecosystems. In addition to changing bacterial physiology, acquisition of resistance either increases or reduces susceptibility to other antimicrobials. In the current article, we review recent information on the effect of acquiring resistance upon bacterial physiology, with a specific focus on studies using phenotype microarray technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Reales-Calderon
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Paula Blanco
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Manuel Alcalde-Rico
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Fernando Corona
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Felipe Lira
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sara Hernando-Amado
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alejandra Bernardini
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María B Sánchez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José L Martínez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Novel Genes Related to Ceftriaxone Resistance Found among Ceftriaxone-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains Selected In Vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2043-51. [PMID: 26787702 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00149-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of ceftriaxone-resistantNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis currently a global public health concern. However, the mechanism of ceftriaxone resistance is not yet fully understood. To investigate the potential genes related to ceftriaxone resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeae, we subcultured six gonococcal strains with increasing concentrations of ceftriaxone and isolated the strains that became resistant. After analyzing several frequently reported genes involved in ceftriaxone resistance, we found only a single mutation inpenA(A501V). However, differential analysis of the genomes and transcriptomes between pre- and postselection strains revealed many other mutated genes as well as up- and downregulated genes. Transformation of the mutatedpenAgene into nonresistant strains increased the MIC between 2.0- and 5.3-fold, and transformation of mutatedftsXincreased the MIC between 3.3- and 13.3-fold. Genes encoding the ABC transporters FarB, Tfq, Hfq, and ExbB were overexpressed, whilepilM,pilN, andpilQwere downregulated. Furthermore, the resistant strain developed cross-resistance to penicillin and cefuroxime, had an increased biochemical metabolic rate, and presented fitness defects such as prolonged growth time and downregulated PilMNQ. In conclusion, antimicrobial pressure could result in the emergence of ceftriaxone resistance, and the evolution of resistance ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaeto ceftriaxone is a complicated process at both the pretranscriptional and posttranscriptional levels, involving several resistance mechanisms of increased efflux and decreased entry.
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Blanco P, Hernando-Amado S, Reales-Calderon JA, Corona F, Lira F, Alcalde-Rico M, Bernardini A, Sanchez MB, Martinez JL. Bacterial Multidrug Efflux Pumps: Much More Than Antibiotic Resistance Determinants. Microorganisms 2016; 4:microorganisms4010014. [PMID: 27681908 PMCID: PMC5029519 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms4010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial multidrug efflux pumps are antibiotic resistance determinants present in all microorganisms. With few exceptions, they are chromosomally encoded and present a conserved organization both at the genetic and at the protein levels. In addition, most, if not all, strains of a given bacterial species present the same chromosomally-encoded efflux pumps. Altogether this indicates that multidrug efflux pumps are ancient elements encoded in bacterial genomes long before the recent use of antibiotics for human and animal therapy. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that efflux pumps can extrude a wide range of substrates that include, besides antibiotics, heavy metals, organic pollutants, plant-produced compounds, quorum sensing signals or bacterial metabolites, among others. In the current review, we present information on the different functions that multidrug efflux pumps may have for the bacterial behaviour in different habitats as well as on their regulation by specific signals. Since, in addition to their function in non-clinical ecosystems, multidrug efflux pumps contribute to intrinsic, acquired, and phenotypic resistance of bacterial pathogens, the review also presents information on the search for inhibitors of multidrug efflux pumps, which are currently under development, in the aim of increasing the susceptibility of bacterial pathogens to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Blanco
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sara Hernando-Amado
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jose Antonio Reales-Calderon
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Fernando Corona
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Felipe Lira
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Manuel Alcalde-Rico
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alejandra Bernardini
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Blanca Sanchez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Martinez
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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