1
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Luo VC, Peczuh MW. Location, Location, Location: Establishing Design Principles for New Antibacterials from Ferric Siderophore Transport Systems. Molecules 2024; 29:3889. [PMID: 39202968 PMCID: PMC11357680 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
This review strives to assemble a set of molecular design principles that enables the delivery of antibiotic warheads to Gram-negative bacterial targets (ESKAPE pathogens) using iron-chelating siderophores, known as the Trojan Horse strategy for antibiotic development. Principles are derived along two main lines. First, archetypical siderophores and their conjugates are used as case studies for native iron transport. They enable the consideration of the correspondence of iron transport and antibacterial target location. The second line of study charts the rationale behind the clinical antibiotic cefiderocol. It illustrates the potential versatility for the design of new Trojan Horse-based antibiotics. Themes such as matching the warhead to a location where the siderophore delivers its cargo (i.e., periplasm vs. cytoplasm), whether or not a cleavable linker is required, and the relevance of cheaters to the effectiveness and selectivity of new conjugates will be explored. The effort to articulate rules has identified gaps in the current understanding of iron transport pathways and suggests directions for new investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark W. Peczuh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, U3060, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
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2
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Kumar A, Chakravorty S, Yang T, Russo TA, Newton SM, Klebba PE. Siderophore-mediated iron acquisition by Klebsiella pneumoniae. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0002424. [PMID: 38591913 PMCID: PMC11112993 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00024-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes synthesize and secrete siderophores, that bind and solubilize precipitated or otherwise unavailable iron in their microenvironments. Gram (-) bacterial TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors capture the resulting ferric siderophores to begin the uptake process. From their similarity to fepA, the structural gene for the Escherichia coli ferric enterobactin (FeEnt) receptor, we identified four homologous genes in the human and animal ESKAPE pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae (strain Kp52.145). One locus encodes IroN (locus 0027 on plasmid pII), and three other loci encode other FepA orthologs/paralogs (chromosomal loci 1658, 2380, and 4984). Based on the crystal structure of E. coli FepA (1FEP), we modeled the tertiary structures of the K. pneumoniae FepA homologs and genetically engineered individual Cys substitutions in their predicted surface loops. We subjected bacteria expressing the Cys mutant proteins to modification with extrinsic fluorescein maleimide (FM) and used the resulting fluorescently labeled cells to spectroscopically monitor the binding and transport of catecholate ferric siderophores by the four different receptors. The FM-modified FepA homologs were nanosensors that defined the ferric catecholate uptake pathways in pathogenic strains of K. pneumoniae. In Kp52.145, loci 1658 and 4984 encoded receptors that primarily recognized and transported FeEnt; locus 0027 produced a receptor that principally bound and transported FeEnt and glucosylated FeEnt (FeGEnt); locus 2380 encoded a protein that bound ferric catecholate compounds but did not detectably transport them. The sensors also characterized the uptake of iron complexes, including FeGEnt, by the hypervirulent, hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae strain hvKp1. IMPORTANCE Both commensal and pathogenic bacteria produce small organic chelators, called siderophores, that avidly bind iron and increase its bioavailability. Klebsiella pneumoniae variably produces four siderophores that antagonize host iron sequestration: enterobactin, glucosylated enterobactin (also termed salmochelin), aerobactin, and yersiniabactin, which promote colonization of different host tissues. Abundant evidence links bacterial iron acquisition to virulence and infectious diseases. The data we report explain the recognition and transport of ferric catecholates and other siderophores, which are crucial to iron acquisition by K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
- Department of Rare Blood and Musculoskeletal Disorders, Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Somnath Chakravorty
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
- Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Taihao Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Thomas A. Russo
- Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Veterans Administration, Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Salete M. Newton
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Phillip E. Klebba
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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3
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Motz RN, Guo C, Sargun A, Walker GT, Sassone-Corsi M, Raffatellu M, Nolan EM. Conjugation to Native and Nonnative Triscatecholate Siderophores Enhances Delivery and Antibacterial Activity of a β-Lactam to Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7708-7722. [PMID: 38457782 PMCID: PMC11037102 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Developing new antibiotics and delivery strategies is of critical importance for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Hijacking bacterial iron uptake machinery, such as that of the siderophore enterobactin (Ent), represents one promising approach toward these goals. Here, we report a novel Ent-inspired siderophore-antibiotic conjugate (SAC) employing an alternative siderophore moiety as the delivery vector and demonstrate the potency of our SACs harboring the β-lactam antibiotic ampicillin (Amp) against multiple pathogenic Gram-negative bacterial strains. We establish the ability of N,N',N''-(nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl))tris(2,3-dihydroxybenzamide) (TRENCAM, hereafter TC), a synthetic mimic of Ent, to facilitate drug delivery across the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative pathogens. Conjugation of Amp to a new monofunctionalized TC scaffold affords TC-Amp, which displays markedly enhanced antibacterial activity against the gastrointestinal pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) compared with unmodified Amp. Bacterial uptake, antibiotic susceptibility, and microscopy studies with STm show that the TC moiety facilitates TC-Amp uptake by the OM receptors FepA and IroN and that the Amp warhead inhibits penicillin-binding proteins. Moreover, TC-Amp achieves targeted activity, selectively killing STm in the presence of a commensal lactobacillus. Remarkably, we uncover that TC-Amp and its Ent-based predecessor Ent-Amp achieve enhanced antibacterial activity against diverse Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens that express Ent uptake machinery, including strains that possess intrinsic β-lactam resistance. TC-Amp and Ent-Amp exhibit potency comparable to that of the FDA-approved SAC cefiderocol against Gram-negative pathogens. These results demonstrate the effective application of native and appropriately designed nonnative siderophores as vectors for drug delivery across the OM of multiple Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N. Motz
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Chuchu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Artur Sargun
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gregory T. Walker
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Martina Sassone-Corsi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Chiba University-UC San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Nolan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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4
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Kumar A, Yang T, Chakravorty S, Majumdar A, Nairn BL, Six DA, Marcondes Dos Santos N, Price SL, Lawrenz MB, Actis LA, Marques M, Russo TA, Newton SM, Klebba PE. Fluorescent sensors of siderophores produced by bacterial pathogens. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101651. [PMID: 35101443 PMCID: PMC8921320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Siderophores are iron-chelating molecules that solubilize Fe3+ for microbial utilization and facilitate colonization or infection of eukaryotes by liberating host iron for bacterial uptake. By fluorescently labeling membrane receptors and binding proteins, we created 20 sensors that detect, discriminate, and quantify apo- and ferric siderophores. The sensor proteins originated from TonB-dependent ligand-gated porins (LGPs) of Escherichia coli (Fiu, FepA, Cir, FhuA, IutA, BtuB), Klebsiella pneumoniae (IroN, FepA, FyuA), Acinetobacter baumannii (PiuA, FepA, PirA, BauA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FepA, FpvA), and Caulobacter crescentus (HutA) from a periplasmic E. coli binding protein (FepB) and from a human serum binding protein (siderocalin). They detected ferric catecholates (enterobactin, degraded enterobactin, glucosylated enterobactin, dihydroxybenzoate, dihydroxybenzoyl serine, cefidericol, MB-1), ferric hydroxamates (ferrichromes, aerobactin), mixed iron complexes (yersiniabactin, acinetobactin, pyoverdine), and porphyrins (hemin, vitamin B12). The sensors defined the specificities and corresponding affinities of the LGPs and binding proteins and monitored ferric siderophore and porphyrin transport by microbial pathogens. We also quantified, for the first time, broad recognition of diverse ferric complexes by some LGPs, as well as monospecificity for a single metal chelate by others. In addition to their primary ferric siderophore ligands, most LGPs bound the corresponding aposiderophore with ∼100-fold lower affinity. These sensors provide insights into ferric siderophore biosynthesis and uptake pathways in free-living, commensal, and pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Taihao Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Somnath Chakravorty
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Aritri Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Brittany L Nairn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - David A Six
- Department of Biology, Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Naara Marcondes Dos Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sarah L Price
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Matthew B Lawrenz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Luis A Actis
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
| | - Marilis Marques
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thomas A Russo
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Salete M Newton
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Phillip E Klebba
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
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5
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Klebba PE, Newton SMC, Six DA, Kumar A, Yang T, Nairn BL, Munger C, Chakravorty S. Iron Acquisition Systems of Gram-negative Bacterial Pathogens Define TonB-Dependent Pathways to Novel Antibiotics. Chem Rev 2021; 121:5193-5239. [PMID: 33724814 PMCID: PMC8687107 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an indispensable metabolic cofactor in both pro- and eukaryotes, which engenders a natural competition for the metal between bacterial pathogens and their human or animal hosts. Bacteria secrete siderophores that extract Fe3+ from tissues, fluids, cells, and proteins; the ligand gated porins of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane actively acquire the resulting ferric siderophores, as well as other iron-containing molecules like heme. Conversely, eukaryotic hosts combat bacterial iron scavenging by sequestering Fe3+ in binding proteins and ferritin. The variety of iron uptake systems in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens illustrates a range of chemical and biochemical mechanisms that facilitate microbial pathogenesis. This document attempts to summarize and understand these processes, to guide discovery of immunological or chemical interventions that may thwart infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip E Klebba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Salete M C Newton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - David A Six
- Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 30 Spring Mill Drive, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355, United States
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Taihao Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Brittany L Nairn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, Minnesota 55112, United States
| | - Colton Munger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Somnath Chakravorty
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
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6
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Majumdar A, Trinh V, Moore KJ, Smallwood CR, Kumar A, Yang T, Scott DC, Long NJ, Newton SM, Klebba PE. Conformational rearrangements in the N-domain of Escherichia coli FepA during ferric enterobactin transport. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4974-4984. [PMID: 32098871 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli outer membrane receptor FepA transports ferric enterobactin (FeEnt) by an energy- and TonB-dependent, but otherwise a mechanistically undetermined process involving its internal 150-residue N-terminal globular domain (N-domain). We genetically introduced pairs of Cys residues in different regions of the FepA tertiary structure, with the potential to form disulfide bonds. These included Cys pairs on adjacent β-strands of the N-domain (intra-N) and Cys pairs that bridged the external surface of the N-domain to the interior of the C-terminal transmembrane β-barrel (inter-N-C). We characterized FeEnt uptake by these mutants with siderophore nutrition tests, [59Fe]Ent binding and uptake experiments, and fluorescence decoy sensor assays. The three methods consistently showed that the intra-N disulfide bonds, which restrict conformational motion within the N-domain, prevented FeEnt uptake, whereas most inter-N-C disulfide bonds did not prevent FeEnt uptake. These outcomes indicate that conformational rearrangements must occur in the N terminus of FepA during FeEnt transport. They also argue against disengagement of the N-domain out of the channel as a rigid body and suggest instead that it remains within the transmembrane pore as FeEnt enters the periplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritri Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Vy Trinh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Kyle J Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
| | | | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Taihao Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Daniel C Scott
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
| | - Noah J Long
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Salete M Newton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Phillip E Klebba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
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Moynié L, Milenkovic S, Mislin GLA, Gasser V, Malloci G, Baco E, McCaughan RP, Page MGP, Schalk IJ, Ceccarelli M, Naismith JH. The complex of ferric-enterobactin with its transporter from Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests a two-site model. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3673. [PMID: 31413254 PMCID: PMC6694100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11508-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use small molecules called siderophores to scavenge iron. Siderophore-Fe3+ complexes are recognised by outer-membrane transporters and imported into the periplasm in a process dependent on the inner-membrane protein TonB. The siderophore enterobactin is secreted by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, but many other bacteria including Pseudomonas species can use it. Here, we show that the Pseudomonas transporter PfeA recognises enterobactin using extracellular loops distant from the pore. The relevance of this site is supported by in vivo and in vitro analyses. We suggest there is a second binding site deeper inside the structure and propose that correlated changes in hydrogen bonds link binding-induced structural re-arrangements to the structural adjustment of the periplasmic TonB-binding motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Moynié
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, 7 Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, UK
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Stefan Milenkovic
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP Monserrato-Sestu Km 0.700, Monserrato, 09042, Italy
| | - Gaëtan L A Mislin
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
| | - Véronique Gasser
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP Monserrato-Sestu Km 0.700, Monserrato, 09042, Italy
| | - Etienne Baco
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Malcolm G P Page
- Department of Life Sciences & Chemistry, Campus Ring 1, Bremen, 28759, Germany
| | - Isabelle J Schalk
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR7242, ESBS, Bld Sébastien Brant, Illkirch, F-67413, Strasbourg, France.
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042, Italy.
| | - Matteo Ceccarelli
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP Monserrato-Sestu Km 0.700, Monserrato, 09042, Italy.
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042, Italy.
| | - James H Naismith
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, 7 Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
- The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, UK.
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK.
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Ekundayo TC, Okoh AI. Pathogenomics of Virulence Traits of Plesiomonas shigelloides That Were Deemed Inconclusive by Traditional Experimental Approaches. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3077. [PMID: 30627119 PMCID: PMC6309461 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major challenges of modern medicine includes the failure of conventional protocols to characterize the pathogenicity of emerging pathogens. This is particularly apparent in the case of Plesiomonas shigelloides. Although a number of infections have been linked to this microorganism, experimental evidence of its virulence factors (VFs), obtained by traditional approaches, is somewhat inconclusive. Hence, it remains unclear whether P. shigelloides is a true or opportunistic one. In the current study, four publicly available whole-genome sequences of P. shigelloides (GN7, NCTC10360, 302-73, and LS1) were profiled using bioinformatics platforms to determine the putative candidate VFs to characterize the bacterial pathogenicity. Overall, 134 unique open reading frames (ORFs) were identified that were homologous or orthologous to virulence genes identified in other pathogens. Of these, 52.24% (70/134) were jointly shared by the strains. The numbers of strain-specific virulence traits were 4 in LS1; 7 in NCTC10360; 10 in 302-73; and 15 in GN7. The pathogenicity islands (PAIs) common to all the strains accounted for 24.07% ORFs. The numbers of PAIs exclusive to each strain were 8 in 302-73; 11 in NCTC10360; 14 in GN7; and 18 in LS1. A PAI encoding Vibrio cholerae ToxR-activated gene d protein was specific to 302-73, GN7, and NCTC10360 strains. Out of 33 antibiotic multi-resistance genes identified, 16 (48.48%) genes were intrinsic to all strains. Further, 17 (22.08%) of 77 antibiotic resistance islands were found in all the strains. Out of 23 identified distinct insertion sequences, 13 were only harbored by strain LS1. The number of intact prophages identified in the strains was 1 in GN7; 2 in 302-73; and 2 in NCTC10360. Further, 1 CRISPR element was identified in LS1; 2 in NCTC10360; and 8 in 302-73. Fifteen (78.95%) of 19 secretion systems and secretion effector variants were identified in all the strains. In conclusion, certain P. shigelloides strains might possess VFs associated with gastroenteritis and extraintestinal infections. However, the role of host factors in the onset of infections should not be undermined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope C. Ekundayo
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria
| | - Anthony I. Okoh
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
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9
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Luscher A, Moynié L, Auguste PS, Bumann D, Mazza L, Pletzer D, Naismith JH, Köhler T. TonB-Dependent Receptor Repertoire of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Uptake of Siderophore-Drug Conjugates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e00097-18. [PMID: 29555629 PMCID: PMC5971595 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00097-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The conjugation of siderophores to antimicrobial molecules is an attractive strategy to overcome the low outer membrane permeability of Gram-negative bacteria. In this Trojan horse approach, the transport of drug conjugates is redirected via TonB-dependent receptors (TBDR), which are involved in the uptake of essential nutrients, including iron. Previous reports have demonstrated the involvement of the TBDRs PiuA and PirA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their orthologues in Acinetobacter baumannii in the uptake of siderophore-beta-lactam drug conjugates. By in silico screening, we further identified a PiuA orthologue, termed PiuD, present in clinical isolates, including strain LESB58. The piuD gene in LESB58 is located at the same genetic locus as piuA in strain PAO1. PiuD has a similar crystal structure as PiuA and is involved in the transport of the siderophore-drug conjugates BAL30072, MC-1, and cefiderocol in strain LESB58. To screen for additional siderophore-drug uptake systems, we overexpressed 28 of the 34 TBDRs of strain PAO1 and identified PfuA, OptE, OptJ, and the pyochelin receptor FptA as novel TBDRs conferring increased susceptibility to siderophore-drug conjugates. The existence of a TBDR repertoire in P. aeruginosa able to transport siderophore-drug molecules potentially decreases the likelihood of resistance emergence during therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Luscher
- Service of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lucile Moynié
- School of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dirk Bumann
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lena Mazza
- Service of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - James H Naismith
- School of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Thilo Köhler
- Service of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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10
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Abstract
Iron acquisition systems are critical for bacterial pathogenesis and thus have been proposed as attractive targets for iron-dependent pathogen control. Of these systems, high-affinity iron acquisition mediated by siderophore, a small iron chelator, is the most efficient iron-scavenging mechanism in gram-negative bacteria. Campylobacter does not produce any siderophores but has the ability to utilize exogenous siderophores. In particular, the enterobactin (Ent)-mediated iron scavenging is tightly linked to Campylobacter pathogenesis. To date, Ent, a triscatecholate with the highest known affinity for ferric iron, is a well-characterized siderophore used by Campylobacter for iron acquisition during in vivo infection. Here, we describe the key methods used to characterize Ent-mediated high affinity iron acquisition system in Campylobacter jejuni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximin Zeng
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4574, USA
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4574, USA.
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11
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Fluorescence High-Throughput Screening for Inhibitors of TonB Action. J Bacteriol 2017; 199:JB.00889-16. [PMID: 28242720 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00889-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria acquire ferric siderophores through TonB-dependent outer membrane transporters (TBDT). By fluorescence spectroscopic hgh-throughput screening (FLHTS), we identified inhibitors of TonB-dependent ferric enterobactin (FeEnt) uptake through Escherichia coli FepA (EcoFepA). Among 165 inhibitors found in a primary screen of 17,441 compounds, we evaluated 20 in secondary tests: TonB-dependent ferric siderophore uptake and colicin killing and proton motive force-dependent lactose transport. Six of 20 primary hits inhibited TonB-dependent activity in all tests. Comparison of their effects on [59Fe]Ent and [14C]lactose accumulation suggested several as proton ionophores, but two chemicals, ebselen and ST0082990, are likely not proton ionophores and may inhibit TonB-ExbBD. The facility of FLHTS against E. coli led us to adapt it to Acinetobacter baumannii We identified its FepA ortholog (AbaFepA), deleted and cloned its structural gene, genetically engineered 8 Cys substitutions in its surface loops, labeled them with fluorescein, and made fluorescence spectroscopic observations of FeEnt uptake in A. baumannii Several Cys substitutions in AbaFepA (S279C, T562C, and S665C) were readily fluoresceinated and then suitable as sensors of FeEnt transport. As in E. coli, the test monitored TonB-dependent FeEnt uptake by AbaFepA. In microtiter format with A. baumannii, FLHTS produced Z' factors 0.6 to 0.8. These data validated the FLHTS strategy against even distantly related Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Overall, it discovered agents that block TonB-dependent transport and showed the potential to find compounds that act against Gram-negative CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae)/ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens. Our results suggest that hundreds of such chemicals may exist in larger compound libraries.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has spurred efforts to find novel compounds against new targets. The CRE/ESKAPE pathogens are resistant bacteria that include Acinetobacter baumannii, a common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia and sepsis. We performed fluorescence high-throughput screening (FLHTS) against Escherichia coli to find inhibitors of TonB-dependent iron transport, tested them against A. baumannii, and then adapted the FLHTS technology to allow direct screening against A. baumannii This methodology is expandable to other drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Compounds that block TonB action may interfere with iron acquisition from eukaryotic hosts and thereby constitute bacteriostatic antibiotics that prevent microbial colonization of human and animals. The FLHTS method may identify both species-specific and broad-spectrum agents against Gram-negative bacteria.
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12
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Structure and Function of the PiuA and PirA Siderophore-Drug Receptors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02531-16. [PMID: 28137795 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02531-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria presents an efficient barrier to the permeation of antimicrobial molecules. One strategy pursued to circumvent this obstacle is to hijack transport systems for essential nutrients, such as iron. BAL30072 and MC-1 are two monobactams conjugated to a dihydroxypyridone siderophore that are active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of these molecules in A. baumannii We identified two novel TonB-dependent receptors, termed Ab-PiuA and Ab-PirA, that are required for the antimicrobial activity of both agents. Deletion of either piuA or pirA in A. baumannii resulted in 4- to 8-fold-decreased susceptibility, while their overexpression in the heterologous host P. aeruginosa increased susceptibility to the two siderophore-drug conjugates by 4- to 32-fold. The crystal structures of PiuA and PirA from A. baumannii and their orthologues from P. aeruginosa were determined. The structures revealed similar architectures; however, structural differences between PirA and PiuA point to potential differences between their cognate siderophore ligands. Spontaneous mutants, selected upon exposure to BAL30072, harbored frameshift mutations in either the ExbD3 or the TonB3 protein of A. baumannii, forming the cytoplasmic-membrane complex providing the energy for the siderophore translocation process. The results of this study provide insight for the rational design of novel siderophore-drug conjugates against problematic Gram-negative pathogens.
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13
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Smallwood CR, Jordan L, Trinh V, Schuerch DW, Gala A, Hanson M, Hanson M, Shipelskiy Y, Majumdar A, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. Concerted loop motion triggers induced fit of FepA to ferric enterobactin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 144:71-80. [PMID: 24981231 PMCID: PMC4076525 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201311159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The loops of the bacterial outer membrane iron transporter FepA move at different rates to adsorb and grasp the substrate ferric enterobactin before transporting it into the periplasm. Spectroscopic analyses of fluorophore-labeled Escherichia coli FepA described dynamic actions of its surface loops during binding and transport of ferric enterobactin (FeEnt). When FeEnt bound to fluoresceinated FepA, in living cells or outer membrane fragments, quenching of fluorophore emissions reflected conformational motion of the external vestibular loops. We reacted Cys sulfhydryls in seven surface loops (L2, L3, L4, L5, L7 L8, and L11) with fluorophore maleimides. The target residues had different accessibilities, and the labeled loops themselves showed variable extents of quenching and rates of motion during ligand binding. The vestibular loops closed around FeEnt in about a second, in the order L3 > L11 > L7 > L2 > L5 > L8 > L4. This sequence suggested that the loops bind the metal complex like the fingers of two hands closing on an object, by individually adsorbing to the iron chelate. Fluorescence from L3 followed a biphasic exponential decay as FeEnt bound, but fluorescence from all the other loops followed single exponential decay processes. After binding, the restoration of fluorescence intensity (from any of the labeled loops) mirrored cellular uptake that depleted FeEnt from solution. Fluorescence microscopic images also showed FeEnt transport, and demonstrated that ferric siderophore uptake uniformly occurs throughout outer membrane, including at the poles of the cells, despite the fact that TonB, its inner membrane transport partner, was not detectable at the poles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuck R Smallwood
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Lorne Jordan
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Vy Trinh
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Daniel W Schuerch
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Amparo Gala
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Mathew Hanson
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | | | - Yan Shipelskiy
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Aritri Majumdar
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Salete M C Newton
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Phillip E Klebba
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
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14
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Klebba PE, Charbit A, Xiao Q, Jiang X, Newton SM. Mechanisms of iron and haem transport byListeria monocytogenes. Mol Membr Biol 2012; 29:69-86. [DOI: 10.3109/09687688.2012.694485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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15
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Hollander A, Mercante AD, Shafer WM, Cornelissen CN. The iron-repressed, AraC-like regulator MpeR activates expression of fetA in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infect Immun 2011; 79:4764-76. [PMID: 21947770 PMCID: PMC3232672 DOI: 10.1128/iai.05806-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen that causes the common sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. Gonococcal infections cause significant morbidity, particularly among women, as the organism ascends to the upper reproductive tract, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In the last few years, antibiotic resistance rates have risen dramatically, leading to severe restriction of treatment options for gonococcal disease. Gonococcal infections do not elicit protective immunity, nor is there an effective vaccine to prevent the disease. Thus, further understanding of the expression, function, and regulation of surface antigens could lead to better treatment and prevention modalities in the future. In the current study, we determined that an iron-repressed regulator, MpeR, interacted specifically with the DNA sequence upstream of fetA and activated FetA expression. Interestingly, MpeR was previously shown to regulate the expression of gonococcal antimicrobial efflux systems. We confirmed that the outer membrane transporter FetA allows gonococcal strain FA1090 to utilize the xenosiderophore ferric enterobactin as an iron source. However, we further demonstrated that FetA has an extended range of substrates that encompasses other catecholate xenosiderophores, including ferric salmochelin and the dimers and trimers of dihydroxybenzoylserine. We demonstrated that fetA is part of an iron-repressed, MpeR-activated operon which putatively encodes other iron transport proteins. This is the first study to describe a regulatory linkage between antimicrobial efflux and iron transport in N. gonorrhoeae. The regulatory nidus that links these systems, MpeR, is expressed exclusively by pathogenic neisseriae and is therefore expected to be an important virulence factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Hollander
- Department of Microbiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298
| | - Alexandra Dubon Mercante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - William M. Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance, VA Medical Center (Atlanta), Decatur, Georgia 30033
| | - Cynthia Nau Cornelissen
- Department of Microbiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298
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16
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Newton SM, Trinh V, Pi H, Klebba PE. Direct measurements of the outer membrane stage of ferric enterobactin transport: postuptake binding. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:17488-97. [PMID: 20335169 PMCID: PMC2878513 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.100206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2010] [Revised: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
When Gram-negative bacteria acquire iron, the metal crosses both the outer membrane (OM) and the inner membrane, but existing radioisotopic uptake assays only measure its passage through the latter bilayer, as the accumulation of the radionuclide in the cytoplasm. We devised a methodology that exclusively observes OM transport and used it to study the uptake of ferric enterobactin (FeEnt) by Escherichia coli FepA. This technique, called postuptake binding, revealed previously unknown aspects of TonB-dependent transport reactions. The experiments showed, for the first time, that despite the discrepancy in cell envelope concentrations of FepA and TonB ( approximately 35:1), all FepA proteins were active and equivalent in FeEnt uptake, with a maximum turnover number of approximately 5/min. FepA-mediated transport of FeEnt progressed through three distinct phases with successively decreasing rates, and from its temperature dependence, the activation energy of the OM stage was 33-35 kcal/mol. The accumulation of FeEnt in the periplasm required the binding protein and inner membrane permease components of its overall transport system; postuptake binding assays on strains devoid of FepB, FepD, or FepG did not show uptake of FeEnt through the OM. However, fluorescence labeling data implied that FepA was active in the DeltafepB strain, suggesting that FeEnt entered the periplasm but then leaked out. Further experiments confirmed this futile cycle; cells without FepB transported FeEnt across the OM, but it immediately escaped through TolC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salete M. Newton
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Vy Trinh
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Hualiang Pi
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Phillip E. Klebba
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
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17
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Molecular, antigenic, and functional characteristics of ferric enterobactin receptor CfrA in Campylobacter jejuni. Infect Immun 2009; 77:5437-48. [PMID: 19737895 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00666-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ferric enterobactin receptor CfrA not only is responsible for high-affinity iron acquisition in Campylobacter jejuni but also is essential for C. jejuni colonization in animal intestines. In this study, we determined the feasibility of targeting the iron-regulated outer membrane protein CfrA for immune protection against Campylobacter colonization. Alignment of complete CfrA sequences from 15 Campylobacter isolates showed that the levels of amino acid identity for CfrA range from 89% to 98%. Immunoblotting analysis using CfrA-specific antibodies demonstrated that CfrA was dramatically induced under iron-restricted conditions and was widespread and produced in 32 Campylobacter primary strains from various sources and from geographically diverse areas. The immunoblotting survey results were highly correlated with the results of an enterobactin growth promotion assay and a PCR analysis using cfrA-specific primers. Inactivation of the cfrA gene also impaired norepinephrine-mediated growth promotion, suggesting that CfrA is required for C. jejuni to sense intestinal stress hormones during colonization. Complementation of the cfrA mutant with a wild-type cfrA allele in trans fully restored the production and function of CfrA. A growth assay using purified anti-CfrA immunoglobulin G demonstrated that specific CfrA antibodies could block the function of CfrA, which diminished ferric enterobactin-mediated growth promotion under iron-restricted conditions. The inhibitory effect of CfrA antibodies was dose dependent. Immunoblotting analysis also indicated that CfrA was expressed and immunogenic in chickens experimentally infected with C. jejuni. Amino acid substitution mutagenesis demonstrated that R327, a basic amino acid that is highly conserved in CfrA, plays a critical role in ferric enterobactin acquisition in C. jejuni. Together, these findings strongly suggest that CfrA is a promising vaccine candidate for preventing and controlling Campylobacter infection in humans and animal reservoirs.
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Smallwood CR, Marco AG, Xiao Q, Trinh V, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. Fluoresceination of FepA during colicin B killing: effects of temperature, toxin and TonB. Mol Microbiol 2009; 72:1171-80. [PMID: 19432807 PMCID: PMC3082853 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06715.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We studied the reactivity of 35 genetically engineered Cys sulphydryl groups at different locations in Escherichia coli FepA. Modification of surface loop residues by fluorescein maleimide (FM) was strongly temperature-dependent in vivo, whereas reactivity at other sites was much less affected. Control reactions with bovine serum albumin showed that the temperature dependence of loop residue reactivity was unusually high, indicating that conformational changes in multiple loops (L2, L3, L4, L5, L7, L8, L10) transform the receptor to a more accessible form at 37 degrees C. At 0 degrees C colicin B binding impaired or blocked labelling at 8 of 10 surface loop sites, presumably by steric hindrance. Overall, colicin B adsorption decreased the reactivity of more than half of the 35 sites, in both the N- and C- domains of FepA. However, colicin B penetration into the cell at 37 degrees C did not augment the chemical modification of any residues in FepA. The FM modification patterns were similarly unaffected by the tonB locus. FepA was expressed at lower levels in a tonB host strain, but when we accounted for this decrease its FM labelling was comparable whether TonB was present or absent. Thus we did not detect TonB-dependent structural changes in FepA, either alone or when it interacted with colicin B at 37 degrees C. The only changes in chemical modification were reductions from steric hindrance when the bacteriocin bound to the receptor protein. The absence of increases in the reactivity of N-domain residues argues against the idea that the colicin B polypeptide traverses the FepA channel.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qiaobin Xiao
- The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019
| | - Vy Trinh
- The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019
| | - Salete M. C. Newton
- The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019
| | - Phillip E. Klebba
- The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019
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19
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Expression, purification, and structural characterization of CfrA, a putative iron transporter from Campylobacter jejuni. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:5650-62. [PMID: 18556796 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00298-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene for the Campylobacter ferric receptor (CfrA), a putative iron-siderophore transporter in the enteric food-borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, was cloned, and the membrane protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, affinity purified, and then reconstituted into model lipid membranes. Fourier transform infrared spectra recorded from the membrane-reconstituted CfrA are similar to spectra that have been recorded from other iron-siderophore transporters and are highly characteristic of a beta-sheet protein (approximately 44% beta-sheet and approximately 10% alpha-helix). CfrA undergoes relatively extensive peptide hydrogen-deuterium exchange upon exposure to (2)H(2)O and yet is resistant to thermal denaturation at temperatures up to 95 degrees C. The secondary structure, relatively high aqueous solvent exposure, and high thermal stability are all consistent with a transmembrane beta-barrel structure containing a plug domain. Sequence alignments indicate that CfrA contains many of the structural motifs conserved in other iron-siderophore transporters, including the Ton box, PGV, IRG, RP, and LIDG motifs of the plug domain. Surprisingly, a homology model reveals that regions of CfrA that are expected to play a role in enterobactin binding exhibit sequences that differ substantially from the sequences of the corresponding regions that play an essential role in binding/transport by the E. coli enterobactin transporter, FepA. The sequence variations suggest that there are differences in the mechanisms used by CfrA and FepA to interact with bacterial siderophores. It may be possible to exploit these structural differences to develop CfrA-specific therapeutics.
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20
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Schalk IJ. Metal trafficking via siderophores in Gram-negative bacteria: Specificities and characteristics of the pyoverdine pathway. J Inorg Biochem 2008; 102:1159-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Revised: 10/03/2007] [Accepted: 11/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Insight from TonB hybrid proteins into the mechanism of iron transport through the outer membrane. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:4001-16. [PMID: 18390658 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00135-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We created hybrid proteins to study the functions of TonB. We first fused the portion of Escherichia coli tonB that encodes the C-terminal 69 amino acids (amino acids 170 to 239) of TonB downstream from E. coli malE (MalE-TonB69C). Production of MalE-TonB69C in tonB(+) bacteria inhibited siderophore transport. After overexpression and purification of the fusion protein on an amylose column, we proteolytically released the TonB C terminus and characterized it. Fluorescence spectra positioned its sole tryptophan (W213) in a weakly polar site in the protein interior, shielded from quenchers. Affinity chromatography showed the binding of the TonB C-domain to other proteins: immobilized TonB-dependent (FepA and colicin B) and TonB-independent (FepADelta3-17, OmpA, and lysozyme) proteins adsorbed MalE-TonB69C, revealing a general affinity of the C terminus for other proteins. Additional constructions fused full-length TonB upstream or downstream of green fluorescent protein (GFP). TonB-GFP constructs had partial functionality but no fluorescence; GFP-TonB fusion proteins were functional and fluorescent. The activity of the latter constructs, which localized GFP in the cytoplasm and TonB in the cell envelope, indicate that the TonB N terminus remains in the inner membrane during its biological function. Finally, sequence analyses revealed homology in the TonB C terminus to E. coli YcfS, a proline-rich protein that contains the lysin (LysM) peptidoglycan-binding motif. LysM structural mimicry occurs in two positions of the dimeric TonB C-domain, and experiments confirmed that it physically binds to the murein sacculus. Together, these findings infer that the TonB N terminus remains associated with the inner membrane, while the downstream region bridges the cell envelope from the affinity of the C terminus for peptidoglycan. This architecture suggests a membrane surveillance model of action, in which TonB finds occupied receptor proteins by surveying the underside of peptidoglycan-associated outer membrane proteins.
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22
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Rabsch W, Ma L, Wiley G, Najar FZ, Kaserer W, Schuerch DW, Klebba JE, Roe BA, Laverde Gomez JA, Schallmey M, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. FepA- and TonB-dependent bacteriophage H8: receptor binding and genomic sequence. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:5658-74. [PMID: 17526714 PMCID: PMC1951831 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00437-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2007] [Accepted: 05/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
H8 is derived from a collection of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis bacteriophage. Its morphology and genomic structure closely resemble those of bacteriophage T5 in the family Siphoviridae. H8 infected S. enterica serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium and Escherichia coli by initial adsorption to the outer membrane protein FepA. Ferric enterobactin inhibited H8 binding to E. coli FepA (50% inhibition concentration, 98 nM), and other ferric catecholate receptors (Fiu, Cir, and IroN) did not participate in phage adsorption. H8 infection was TonB dependent, but exbB mutations in Salmonella or E. coli did not prevent infection; only exbB tolQ or exbB tolR double mutants were resistant to H8. Experiments with deletion and substitution mutants showed that the receptor-phage interaction first involves residues distributed over the protein's outer surface and then narrows to the same charged (R316) or aromatic (Y260) residues that participate in the binding and transport of ferric enterobactin and colicins B and D. These data rationalize the multifunctionality of FepA: toxic ligands like bacteriocins and phage penetrate the outer membrane by parasitizing residues in FepA that are adapted to the transport of the natural ligand, ferric enterobactin. DNA sequence determinations revealed the complete H8 genome of 104.4 kb. A total of 120 of its 143 predicted open reading frames (ORFS) were homologous to ORFS in T5, at a level of 84% identity and 89% similarity. As in T5, the H8 structural genes clustered on the chromosome according to their function in the phage life cycle. The T5 genome contains a large section of DNA that can be deleted and that is absent in H8: compared to T5, H8 contains a 9,000-bp deletion in the early region of its chromosome, and nine potentially unique gene products. Sequence analyses of the tail proteins of phages in the same family showed that relative to pb5 (Oad) of T5 and Hrs of BF23, the FepA-binding protein (Rbp) of H8 contains unique acidic and aromatic residues. These side chains may promote binding to basic and aromatic residues in FepA that normally function in the adsorption of ferric enterobactin. Furthermore, a predicted H8 tail protein showed extensive identity and similarity to pb2 of T5, suggesting that it also functions in pore formation through the cell envelope. The variable region of this protein contains a potential TonB box, intimating that it participates in the TonB-dependent stage of the phage infection process.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/physiology
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/physiology
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/physiology
- DNA, Viral/chemistry
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Enterobactin/pharmacology
- Escherichia coli/virology
- Gene Order
- Genome, Viral/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/physiology
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Open Reading Frames
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology
- Receptors, Virus/genetics
- Receptors, Virus/physiology
- Salmonella Phages/genetics
- Salmonella Phages/physiology
- Salmonella enteritidis/virology
- Salmonella typhimurium/virology
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Deletion
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Siphoviridae/genetics
- Viral Tail Proteins/genetics
- Virion/ultrastructure
- Virus Attachment
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Rabsch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 620 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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23
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López CS, Alice AF, Chakraborty R, Crosa JH. Identification of amino acid residues required for ferric-anguibactin transport in the outer-membrane receptor FatA of Vibrio anguillarum. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:570-584. [PMID: 17259629 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2006/001735-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Vibrio anguillarum 775 is a fish pathogen that causes a disease characterized by a fatal haemorrhagic septicaemia. It harbours the 65 kbp pJM1 plasmid, which encodes an iron sequestering system specific for the siderophore anguibactin and is essential for virulence. The genes involved in the biosynthesis of anguibactin are located on both the pJM1 plasmid and the chromosome. However, the genes for the outer-membrane receptor FatA and the other transport proteins are only carried on the plasmid. With the aim of elucidating the mechanism of ferric-anguibactin transport mediated by FatA, this work focuses on the identification of FatA amino acid residues that play a role in the transport of ferric-anguibactin, by analysing the transport kinetics of site-directed mutants. The mutations studied were located in conserved residues of the lock region, which contains a cluster of ten residues belonging to the N-terminal and barrel domains, and of the channel region of FatA, which contains conserved glycines located in the beta5-beta6 loop and a conserved arginine located in strand 11 of the beta-barrel. In the case of the FatA lock region, it is clear that although the residues analysed in this work (R95, K130, E505 and E550) are conserved among various outer-membrane receptors, their involvement in the transport process might differ among receptors. Furthermore, it was determined that in the FatA channel region double substitutions of the conserved glycines 131 and 143 with alanine resulted in a variant receptor unable to transport ferric-anguibactin. It was also shown that the conserved arginine 428 located in strand 11 is essential for transport. The results suggest that a conformational change or partial unfolding of the plug domain occurs during ferric-anguibactin transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S López
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Alejandro F Alice
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ranjan Chakraborty
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Public and Allied Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Jorge H Crosa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Ma L, Kaserer W, Annamalai R, Scott DC, Jin B, Jiang X, Xiao Q, Maymani H, Massis LM, Ferreira LCS, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. Evidence of ball-and-chain transport of ferric enterobactin through FepA. J Biol Chem 2006; 282:397-406. [PMID: 17056600 PMCID: PMC2398697 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m605333200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli iron transporter, FepA, has a globular N terminus that resides within a transmembrane beta-barrel formed by its C terminus. We engineered 25 cysteine substitution mutations at different locations in FepA and modified their sulfhydryl side chains with fluorescein maleimide in live cells. The reactivity of the Cys residues changed, sometimes dramatically, during the transport of ferric enterobactin, the natural ligand of FepA. Patterns of Cys susceptibility reflected energy- and TonB-dependent motion in the receptor protein. During transport, a residue on the normally buried surface of the N-domain was labeled by fluorescein maleimide in the periplasm, providing evidence that the transport process involves expulsion of the globular domain from the beta-barrel. Porin deficiency much reduced the fluoresceination of this site, confirming the periplasmic labeling route. These data support the previously proposed, but never demonstrated, ball-and-chain theory of membrane transport. Functional complementation between a separately expressed N terminus and C-terminal beta-barrel domain confirmed the feasibility of this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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25
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Quatrini R, Jedlicki E, Holmes DS. Genomic insights into the iron uptake mechanisms of the biomining microorganism Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2005; 32:606-14. [PMID: 15895264 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-005-0233-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2004] [Accepted: 04/15/2005] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Commercial bioleaching of copper and the biooxidation of gold is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process for metal recovery. A partial genome sequence of the acidophilic, bioleaching bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is available from two public sources. This information has been used to build preliminary models that describe how this microorganism confronts unusually high iron loads in the extremely acidic conditions (pH 2) found in natural environments and in bioleaching operations. A. ferrooxidans contains candidate genes for iron uptake, sensing, storage, and regulation of iron homeostasis. Predicted proteins exhibit significant amino acid similarity with known proteins from neutrophilic organisms, including conservation of functional motifs, permitting their identification by bioinformatics tools and allowing the recognition of common themes in iron transport across distantly related species. However, significant differences in amino acid sequence were detected in pertinent domains that suggest ways in which the periplasmic and outer membrane proteins of A. ferrooxidans maintain structural integrity and relevant protein-protein contacts at low pH. Unexpectedly, the microorganism also contains candidate genes, organized in operon-like structures that potentially encode at least 11 siderophore systems for the uptake of Fe(III), although it does not exhibit genes that could encode the biosynthesis of the siderophores themselves. The presence of multiple Fe(III) uptake systems suggests that A. ferrooxidans can inhabit aerobic environments where iron is scarce and where siderophore producers are present. It may also help to explain why it cannot tolerate high Fe(III) concentrations in bioleaching operations where it is out-competed by Leptospirillum species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Quatrini
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, University of Andrés Bello and Millennium Institute of Fundamental and Applied Biology, Santiago, Chile
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26
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Sauter A, Braun V. Defined inactive FecA derivatives mutated in functional domains of the outer membrane transport and signaling protein of Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:5303-10. [PMID: 15292131 PMCID: PMC490880 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.16.5303-5310.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The FecA outer membrane protein of Escherichia coli functions as a transporter of ferric citrate and as a signal receiver and signal transmitter for transcription initiation of the fec transport genes. Three FecA regions for which functional roles have been predicted from the crystal structures were mutagenized: (i) loops 7 and 8, which move upon binding of ferric citrate and close the entrance to the ferric citrate binding site; (ii) the dinuclear ferric citrate binding site; and (iii) the interface between the globular domain and the beta-barrel. Deletion of loops 7 and 8 abolished FecA transport and induction activities. Deletion of loops 3 and 11 also inactivated FecA, whereas deletion of loops 9 and 10 largely retained FecA activities. The replacement of arginine residue R365 or R380 and glutamine Q570, which are predicted to serve as binding sites for the negatively charged dinuclear ferric citrate, with alanine resulted in inactive FecA, whereas the binding site mutant R438A retained approximately 50% of the FecA induction and transport activities. Residues R150, E541, and E587, conserved among energy-coupled outer membrane transporters, are predicted to form salt bridges between the globular domain and the beta-barrel and to contribute to the fixation of the globular domain inside the beta-barrel. Mutations E541A and E541R affected FecA induction and transport activity slightly, whereas mutations E587A and E587R more strongly reduced FecA activity. The double mutations R150A E541R and R150A E587R nearly abolished FecA activity. Apparently, the salt bridges are less important than the individual functions these residues seem to have for FecA activity. Comparison of the properties of the FecA, FhuA, FepA, and BtuB transporters indicates that although they have very similar crystal structures, the details of their functional mechanisms differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Sauter
- Mikrobiologie/Membranphysiologie,Universität Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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27
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Annamalai R, Jin B, Cao Z, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. Recognition of ferric catecholates by FepA. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:3578-89. [PMID: 15150246 PMCID: PMC415739 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.11.3578-3589.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli FepA transports certain catecholate ferric siderophores, but not others, nor any noncatecholate compounds. Direct binding and competition experiments demonstrated that this selectivity originates during the adsorption stage. The synthetic tricatecholate Fe-TRENCAM bound to FepA with 50- to 100-fold-lower affinity than Fe-enterobactin (FeEnt), despite an identical metal center, and Fe-corynebactin only bound at much higher concentrations. Neither Fe-agrobactin nor ferrichrome bound at all, even at concentrations 10(6)-fold above the Kd. Thus, FepA only adsorbs catecholate iron complexes, and it selects FeEnt among even its close homologs. We used alanine scanning mutagenesis to study the contributions of surface aromatic residues to FeEnt recognition. Although not apparent from crystallography, aromatic residues in L3, L5, L7, L8, and L10 affected FepA's interaction with FeEnt. Among 10 substitutions that eliminated aromatic residues, Kd increased as much as 20-fold (Y481A and Y638A) and Km increased as much as 400-fold (Y478), showing the importance of aromaticity around the pore entrance. Although many mutations equally reduced binding and transport, others caused greater deficiencies in the latter. Y638A and Y478A increased Km 10- and 200-fold more, respectively, than Kd. N-domain loop deletions created the same phenotype: Delta60-67 (in NL1) and Delta98-105 (in NL2) increased Kd 10- to 20-fold but raised Km 500- to 700-fold. W101A (in NL2) had little effect on Kd but increased Km 1,000-fold. These data suggested that the primary role of the N terminus is in ligand uptake. Fluorescence and radioisotopic experiments showed biphasic release of FeEnt from FepA. In spectroscopic determinations, k(off1) was 0.03/s and k(off2) was 0.003/s. However, FepAY272AF329A did not manifest the rapid dissociation phase, corroborating the role of aromatic residues in the initial binding of FeEnt. Thus, the beta-barrel loops contain the principal ligand recognition determinants, and the N-domain loops perform a role in ligand transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajasekaran Annamalai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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28
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Raymond KN, Dertz EA, Kim SS. Enterobactin: an archetype for microbial iron transport. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:3584-8. [PMID: 12655062 PMCID: PMC152965 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0630018100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 621] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have aggressive acquisition processes for iron, an essential nutrient. Siderophores are small iron chelators that facilitate cellular iron transport. The siderophore enterobactin is a triscatechol derivative of a cyclic triserine lactone. Studies of the chemistry, regulation, synthesis, recognition, and transport of enterobactin make it perhaps the best understood of the siderophore-mediated iron uptake systems, displaying a lot of function packed into this small molecule. However, recent surprises include the isolation of corynebactin, a closely related trithreonine triscatechol derivative lactone first found in Gram-positive bacteria, and the crystal structure of a ferric enterobactin complex of a protein identified as an antibacterial component of the human innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth N Raymond
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1460, USA.
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29
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Cao Z, Warfel P, Newton SMC, Klebba PE. Spectroscopic observations of ferric enterobactin transport. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:1022-8. [PMID: 12409288 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m210360200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the uptake of ferric enterobactin (FeEnt), the native Escherichia coli ferric siderophore, through its cognate outer membrane receptor protein, FepA, using a site-directed fluorescence methodology. The experiments first defined locations in FepA that were accessible to covalent modification with fluorescein maleimide (FM) in vivo; among 10 sites that we tested by substituting single Cys residues, FM labeled W101C, S271C, F329C, and S397C, and all these exist within surface-exposed loops of the outer membrane protein. FeEnt normally adsorbed to the fluoresceinated S271C and S397C mutant FepA proteins in vivo, which we observed as quenching of fluorescence intensity, but the ferric siderophore did not bind to the FM-modified derivatives of W101C or F329C. These in vivo fluorescence determinations showed, for the first time, consistency with radioisotopic measurements of the affinity of the FeEnt-FepA interaction; K(d) was 0.2 nm by both methods. Analysis of the FepA mutants with AlexaFluor(680), a fluorescein derivative with red-shifted absorption and emission spectra that do not overlap the absorbance spectrum of FeEnt, refuted the possibility that the fluorescence quenching resulted from resonance energy transfer. These and other data instead indicated that the quenching originated from changes in the environment of the fluor as a result of loop conformational changes during ligand binding and transport. We used the fluorescence system to monitor FeEnt uptake by live bacteria and determined its dependence on ligand concentration, temperature, pH, and carbon sources and its susceptibility to inhibition by the metabolic poisons. Unlike cyanocobalamin transport through the outer membrane, FeEnt uptake was sensitive to inhibitors of electron transport and phosphorylation, in addition to its sensitivity to proton motive force depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghua Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman 73019, USA
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30
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Goetz DH, Holmes MA, Borregaard N, Bluhm ME, Raymond KN, Strong RK. The neutrophil lipocalin NGAL is a bacteriostatic agent that interferes with siderophore-mediated iron acquisition. Mol Cell 2002; 10:1033-43. [PMID: 12453412 DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 994] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
First identified as a neutrophil granule component, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL; also called human neutrophil lipocalin, 24p3, uterocalin, or neu-related lipocalin) is a member of the lipocalin family of binding proteins. Putative NGAL ligands, including neutrophil chemotactic agents such as N-formylated tripeptides, have all been refuted by recent biochemical and structural results. NGAL has subsequently been implicated in diverse cellular processes, but without a characterized ligand, the molecular basis of these functions remained mysterious. Here we report that NGAL tightly binds bacterial catecholate-type ferric siderophores through a cyclically permuted, hybrid electrostatic/cation-pi interaction and is a potent bacteriostatic agent in iron-limiting conditions. We therefore propose that NGAL participates in the antibacterial iron depletion strategy of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Goetz
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Box 357275, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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31
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Abstract
Using a lysine-specific cleavable cross-linking reagent ethylene glycolbis(sulfosuccimidylsuccinate) (Sulfo-EGS), we studied conformational motion in the surface loops of Escherichia coli FepA during its transport of the siderophore ferric enterobactin. Site-directed mutagenesis determined that Sulfo-EGS reacted with two lysines, K332 and K483, and at least two other unidentified Lys residues in the surface loops of the outer membrane protein. The reagent cross-linked K483 in FepA L7 to either K332 in L5, forming a product that we designated band 1, or to the major outer membrane proteins OmpF, OmpC, and OmpA, forming band 2. Ferric enterobactin binding to FepA did not prevent modification of K483 by Sulfo-EGS but blocked its cross-linking to OmpF/C and OmpA and reduced its coupling to K332. These data show that the loops of FepA undergo conformational changes in vivo, with an approximate magnitude of 15 A, from a ligand-free open state to a ligand-bound closed state. The coupling of FepA L7 to OmpF, OmpC, or OmpA was TonB independent and was unaffected by the uncouplers CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) and DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) but completely inhibited by cyanide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Scott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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32
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de Zamaroczy M, Buckingham RH. Importation of nuclease colicins into E coli cells: endoproteolytic cleavage and its prevention by the immunity protein. Biochimie 2002; 84:423-32. [PMID: 12423785 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-9084(02)01426-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A major group of colicins comprises molecules that possess nuclease activity and kill sensitive cells by cleaving RNA or DNA. Recent data open the possibility that the tRNase colicin D, the rRNase colicin E3 and the DNase colicin E7 undergo proteolytic processing, such that only the C-terminal domain of the molecule, carrying the nuclease activity, enters the cytoplasm. The proteases responsible for the proteolytic processing remain unidentified. In the case of colicin D, the characterization of a colicin D-resistant mutant shows that the inner membrane protease LepB is involved in colicin D toxicity, but is not solely responsible for the cleavage of colicin D. The lepB mutant resistant to colicin D remains sensitive to other colicins tested (B, E1, E3 and E2), and the mutant protease retains activity towards its normal substrates. The cleavage of colicin D observed in vitro releases a C-terminal fragment retaining tRNase activity, and occurs in a region of the amino acid sequence that is conserved in other nuclease colicins, suggesting that they may also require a processing step for their cytotoxicity. The immunity proteins of both colicins D and E3 appear to have a dual role, protecting the colicin molecule against proteolytic cleavage and inhibiting the nuclease activity of the colicin. The possibility that processing is an essential step common to cell killing by all nuclease colicins, and that the immunity protein must be removed from the colicin prior to processing, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklos de Zamaroczy
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, CNRS, UPR 9073, 13, rue Pierre et Marie Curie 75005, Paris, France.
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33
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Abstract
To kill Escherichia coli, toxic proteins, called colicins, pass through the permeability barrier created by the outer membrane (OM) of the bacterial cell envelope. We consider a variety of different colicins, including A, B, D, E1, E3, Ia, M and N, that penetrate through the porins OmpF, FepA, BtuB, Cir and FhuA, to subsequently interact with a few targets in the periplasm, including TolA, TolB, TolC and TonB. We review the mechanisms, demonstrated and postulated, by which such toxins enter bacterial cells, from the initial binding stage on the cell surface to the internalization reaction through the OM bilayer. Our discussions endeavor to answer two main questions: what is the origin of colicin-binding affinity and specificity, and after adsorption to OM porins, do colicin polypeptides translocate through porin channels, or enter by another, currently unknown pathway?
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghua Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 620 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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34
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Barnard TJ, Watson ME, McIntosh MA. Mutations in the Escherichia coli receptor FepA reveal residues involved in ligand binding and transport. Mol Microbiol 2001; 41:527-36. [PMID: 11532122 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02473.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
FepA is the Escherichia coli outer membrane receptor for ferric enterobactin, colicin D and colicin B. The transport processes through FepA are energy-dependent, relying on the periplasmic protein TonB to interact with FepA. Through this interaction, TonB tranduces energy derived from the cytoplasmic membrane across the periplasmic space to FepA. In this study, random mutagenesis strategies were used to define residues of FepA important for its function. Both polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated random mutations in the N-terminal 180 amino acids of FepA and spontaneous chromosomal fepA mutations were selected by resistance to colicin B. The PCR mutagenesis strategy targeted the N-terminus because it forms a plug inside the FepA barrel that is expected to be involved in ligand binding, ligand transport, and interaction with TonB. We report the characterization of 15 fepA missense mutations that were localized to three regions of the FepA receptor. The first region was a stretch of eight amino acids referred to as the TonB box. The second region included extracellular loops of both the barrel and the plug. A third region formed a cluster near the barrel wall around positions 75 and 126 of the plug. These mutations provide initial insight into the mechanisms of ligand binding and transport through the FepA receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Barnard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA
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35
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Scott DC, Cao Z, Qi Z, Bauler M, Igo JD, Newton SM, Klebba PE. Exchangeability of N termini in the ligand-gated porins of Escherichia coli. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:13025-33. [PMID: 11278876 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m011282200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ferric siderophore transporters of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane manifest a unique architecture: Their N termini fold into a globular domain that lodges within, and physically obstructs, a transmembrane porin beta-barrel formed by their C termini. We exchanged and deleted the N termini of two such siderophore receptors, FepA and FhuA, which recognize and transport ferric enterobactin and ferrichrome, respectively. The resultant chimeric proteins and empty beta-barrels avidly bound appropriate ligands, including iron complexes, protein toxins, and viruses. Thus, the ability to recognize and discriminate these molecules fully originates in the transmembrane beta-barrel domain. Both the hybrid and the deletion proteins also transported the ferric siderophore that they bound. The FepA constructs showed less transport activity than wild type receptor protein, but the FhuA constructs functioned with turnover numbers that were equivalent to wild type. The mutant proteins displayed the full range of transport functionalities, despite their aberrant or missing N termini, confirming (Braun, M., Killmann, H., and Braun, V. (1999) Mol. Microbiol. 33, 1037-1049) that the globular domain within the pore is dispensable to the siderophore internalization reaction, and when present, acts without specificity during solute uptake. These and other data suggest a transport process in which siderophore receptors undergo multiple conformational states that ultimately expel the N terminus from the channel concomitant with solute internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Scott
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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