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Steuber J, Fritz G. The Na +-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na +-NQR): Physiological role, structure and function of a redox-driven, molecular machine. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2024; 1865:149485. [PMID: 38955304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Many bacterial processes are powered by the sodium motive force (smf) and in case of pathogens, the smf contributes to virulence. Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of Cholera disease, possesses a Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR), a six-subunit membrane protein assembly. The 3D structure of NQR revealed the arrangement of the six subunits NqrABCDEF, the position of all redox cofactors (four flavins, two [2Fe-2S] centers) and the binding sites for the substrates NADH (in NqrF) and ubiquinone (in NqrB). Upon oxidation of NADH, electrons are shuttled twice across the membrane, starting with cytoplasmic FADNqrF and electron transfer to the [2Fe2S] clusterNqrF and from there to an intra-membranous [2Fe-2S] clusterNqrDE, periplasmic FMNNqrC, FMNNqrB and from there to riboflavinNqrB. This riboflavin is located at the cytoplasmic entry site of the sodium channel in NqrB, and it donates electrons to ubiquinone-8 positioned at the cytoplasmic side of NqrB. Targeting the substrate binding sites of NQR is a promising strategy to identify new inhibitors against many bacterial pathogens. Detailed structural information on the binding mode of natural inhibitors and small molecules in the active sites of NQR is now available, paving the way for the development of new antibiotics. The NQR shows different conformations as revealed in recent cryo-EM and crystallographic studies combined with spectroscopic analyses. These conformations represent distinct steps in the catalytic cycle. Considering the structural and functional data available, we propose a mechanism of Na+-NQR based on conformational coupling of electron transfer and Na+ translocation reaction steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Steuber
- Institute of Biology, Department of Cellular Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Günter Fritz
- Institute of Biology, Department of Cellular Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Zhang Q, Alter T, Fleischmann S. Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae-An Underestimated Foodborne Pathogen? An Overview of Its Virulence Genes and Regulatory Systems Involved in Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2024; 12:818. [PMID: 38674762 PMCID: PMC11052320 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the number of foodborne infections with non-O1 and non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) has increased worldwide. These have ranged from sporadic infection cases to localized outbreaks. The majority of case reports describe self-limiting gastroenteritis. However, severe gastroenteritis and even cholera-like symptoms have also been described. All reported diarrheal cases can be traced back to the consumption of contaminated seafood. As climate change alters the habitats and distribution patterns of aquatic bacteria, there is a possibility that the number of infections and outbreaks caused by Vibrio spp. will further increase, especially in countries where raw or undercooked seafood is consumed or clean drinking water is lacking. Against this background, this review article focuses on a possible infection pathway and how NOVC can survive in the human host after oral ingestion, colonize intestinal epithelial cells, express virulence factors causing diarrhea, and is excreted by the human host to return to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susanne Fleischmann
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 69, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (Q.Z.); (T.A.)
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Entila F, Han X, Mine A, Schulze-Lefert P, Tsuda K. Commensal lifestyle regulated by a negative feedback loop between Arabidopsis ROS and the bacterial T2SS. Nat Commun 2024; 15:456. [PMID: 38212332 PMCID: PMC10784570 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44724-2] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the plant health-promoting effects of plant microbiota, these assemblages also comprise potentially detrimental microbes. How plant immunity controls its microbiota to promote plant health under these conditions remains largely unknown. We find that commensal bacteria isolated from healthy Arabidopsis plants trigger diverse patterns of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production dependent on the immune receptors and completely on the NADPH oxidase RBOHD that selectively inhibited specific commensals, notably Xanthomonas L148. Through random mutagenesis, we find that L148 gspE, encoding a type II secretion system (T2SS) component, is required for the damaging effects of Xanthomonas L148 on rbohD mutant plants. In planta bacterial transcriptomics reveals that RBOHD suppresses most T2SS gene expression including gspE. L148 colonization protected plants against a bacterial pathogen, when gspE was inhibited by ROS or mutation. Thus, a negative feedback loop between Arabidopsis ROS and the bacterial T2SS tames a potentially detrimental leaf commensal and turns it into a microbe beneficial to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederickson Entila
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, Cologne, 50829, Germany
| | - Xiaowei Han
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518120, China
| | - Akira Mine
- JST PRESTO, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Paul Schulze-Lefert
- Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, Cologne, 50829, Germany
| | - Kenichi Tsuda
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, Cologne, 50829, Germany.
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518120, China.
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Guan G, Li S, Bing J, Liu L, Tao L. The Rfg1 and Bcr1 transcription factors regulate acidic pH-induced filamentous growth in Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0178923. [PMID: 37933972 PMCID: PMC10715123 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01789-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is a human commensal and frequent pathogen that encounters a wide range of pH stresses. The ability of C. albicans to adapt to changes in extracellular pH is crucial for its success in colonization and pathogenesis. The Rim101 pH sensing pathway is well known to govern neutral-alkaline pH responses in this pathogen. Here, we report a novel Rfg1-Bcr1 regulatory pathway that governs acidic pH responses and regulates filamentous growth in C. albicans. In addition, the Rim101-Phr1 pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, transcription factors Efg1 and Flo8, and hyphal-specific G1 cyclin Hgc1 cooperate with this regulation. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of acidic pH response in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobo Guan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaihu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Bing
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Tao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Zhang Q, Alter T, Strauch E, Hammerl JA, Schwartz K, Borowiak M, Deneke C, Fleischmann S. Genetic and Phenotypic Virulence Potential of Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae Isolated from German Retail Seafood. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2751. [PMID: 38004762 PMCID: PMC10672755 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-O1 and non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) can cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. Contaminated food, especially seafood, is an important source of human infections. In this study, the virulence potential of 63 NOVC strains isolated from retail seafood were characterized at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Although no strain encoded the cholera toxin (CTX) and the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP), several virulence factors, including the HlyA hemolysin, the cholix toxin ChxA, the heat-stable enterotoxin Stn, and genes coding for the type 3 and type 6 secretion systems, were detected. All strains showed hemolytic activity against human and sheep erythrocytes: 90% (n = 57) formed a strong biofilm, 52% (n = 33) were highly motile at 37 °C, and only 8% (n = 5) and 14% (n = 9) could resist ≥60% and ≥40% human serum, respectively. Biofilm formation and toxin regulation genes were also detected. cgMLST analysis demonstrated that NOVC strains from seafood cluster with clinical NOVC strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results in the identification of five strains that developed non-wildtype phenotypes (medium and resistant) against the substances of the classes of beta-lactams (including penicillin, carbapenem, and cephalosporin), polymyxins, and sulphonamides. The phenotypic resistance pattern could be partially attributed to the acquired resistance determinants identified via in silico analysis. Our results showed differences in the virulence potential of the analyzed NOVC isolated from retail seafood products, which may be considered for further pathogenicity evaluation and the risk assessment of NOVC isolates in future seafood monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quantao Zhang
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 69, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Alter
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 69, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eckhard Strauch
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (E.S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Jens Andre Hammerl
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (E.S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Keike Schwartz
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (E.S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Maria Borowiak
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (E.S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Carlus Deneke
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (E.S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Susanne Fleischmann
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 69, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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Baothman OAS. Identifying therapeutic antibacterial peptides against Vibrio cholerae to inhibit the function of Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37850460 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2270696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is the bacteria responsible for cholera, which is a significant threat to many nations. Curing and treating this infection requires identification of the critical protein and development of a drug to inhibit its function. In this context, Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase was considered a potential therapeutic target. A library of antibacterial peptides with residue lengths of 50 was screened using a docking method, and the five most potent peptides were selected on the basis of a weighted score derived from solvent accessible surface area and docking score. To investigate the stability of the protein-peptide complex, a 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation was performed. These peptides targeted the native dimeric binding interface of Na(+)-transporting NADH-quinone reductase. This study evaluated the binding affinity and conformational stability of these peptides with the protein using different post-simulation metrics. A peptide, CCL28, exhibited steady RMSD characteristics; nonetheless, it modified the docked conformation but stabilized in the new conformation. This peptide also demonstrated the best performance in addressing the protein's native binding interface. It demonstrated a binding free energy of -120 kcal/mol with the protein. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first PC had the lowest conformational variation and the greatest coverage. Eventually, these peptides were also evaluated using steered molecular dynamics, and it was discovered that CCL28 had a greater maximum force than the other five peptides, at 1139.08 kJ/mol/nm. Targeting the native binding interface, we present a CCL28 peptide with a strong potential to block the biological activity of Vibrio cholerae's Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Othman A S Baothman
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Inlow K, Tenenbaum D, Friedman LJ, Kondev J, Gelles J. Recycling of bacterial RNA polymerase by the Swi2/Snf2 ATPase RapA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303849120. [PMID: 37406096 PMCID: PMC10334767 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303849120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-living bacteria have regulatory systems that can quickly reprogram gene transcription in response to changes in the cellular environment. The RapA ATPase, a prokaryotic homolog of the eukaryotic Swi2/Snf2 chromatin remodeling complex, may facilitate such reprogramming, but the mechanisms by which it does so are unclear. We used multiwavelength single-molecule fluorescence microscopy in vitro to examine RapA function in the Escherichia coli transcription cycle. In our experiments, RapA at <5 nM concentration did not appear to alter transcription initiation, elongation, or intrinsic termination. Instead, we directly observed a single RapA molecule bind specifically to the kinetically stable post termination complex (PTC)-consisting of core RNA polymerase (RNAP)-bound sequence nonspecifically to double-stranded DNA-and efficiently remove RNAP from DNA within seconds in an ATP-hydrolysis-dependent reaction. Kinetic analysis elucidates the process through which RapA locates the PTC and the key mechanistic intermediates that bind and hydrolyze ATP. This study defines how RapA participates in the transcription cycle between termination and initiation and suggests that RapA helps set the balance between global RNAP recycling and local transcription reinitiation in proteobacterial genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koe Inlow
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | | | | | - Jane Kondev
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Jeff Gelles
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
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Montero DA, Vidal RM, Velasco J, George S, Lucero Y, Gómez LA, Carreño LJ, García-Betancourt R, O’Ryan M. Vibrio cholerae, classification, pathogenesis, immune response, and trends in vaccine development. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1155751. [PMID: 37215733 PMCID: PMC10196187 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1155751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a highly contagious diarrheal disease affecting millions worldwide each year. Cholera is a major public health problem, primarily in countries with poor sanitary conditions and regions affected by natural disasters, where access to safe drinking water is limited. In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the current understanding of the evolution of virulence and pathogenesis of V. cholerae as well as provide an overview of the immune response against this pathogen. We highlight that V. cholerae has a remarkable ability to adapt and evolve, which is a global concern because it increases the risk of cholera outbreaks and the spread of the disease to new regions, making its control even more challenging. Furthermore, we show that this pathogen expresses several virulence factors enabling it to efficiently colonize the human intestine and cause cholera. A cumulative body of work also shows that V. cholerae infection triggers an inflammatory response that influences the development of immune memory against cholera. Lastly, we reviewed the status of licensed cholera vaccines, those undergoing clinical evaluation, and recent progress in developing next-generation vaccines. This review offers a comprehensive view of V. cholerae and identifies knowledge gaps that must be addressed to develop more effective cholera vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Montero
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Roberto M. Vidal
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana Velasco
- Unidad de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Hospital del Profesor, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Formación de Especialista en Medicina de Urgencia, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio George
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yalda Lucero
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil, Hospital Dr. Roberto del Rio, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonardo A. Gómez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Richard García-Betancourt
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel O’Ryan
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Inlow K, Tenenbaum D, Friedman LJ, Kondev J, Gelles J. Recycling of Bacterial RNA Polymerase by the Swi2/Snf2 ATPase RapA.. [DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTFree-living bacteria have regulatory systems that can quickly reprogram gene transcription in response to changes in cellular environment. The RapA ATPase, a prokaryotic homolog of the eukaryote Swi2/Snf2 chromatin remodeling complex, may facilitate such reprogramming, but the mechanisms by which it does so is unclear. We used multi-wavelength single-molecule fluorescence microscopy in vitro to examine RapA function in theE. colitranscription cycle. In our experiments, RapA at < 5 nM concentration did not appear to alter transcription initiation, elongation, or intrinsic termination. Instead, we directly observed a single RapA molecule bind specifically to the kinetically stable post-termination complex (PTC) -- consisting of core RNA polymerase (RNAP) bound to dsDNA -- and efficiently remove RNAP from DNA within seconds in an ATP-hydrolysis-dependent reaction. Kinetic analysis elucidates the process through which RapA locates the PTC and the key mechanistic intermediates that bind and hydrolyze ATP. This study defines how RapA participates in the transcription cycle between termination and initiation and suggests that RapA helps set the balance between global RNAP recycling and local transcription re-initiation in proteobacterial genomes.SIGNIFICANCERNA synthesis is an essential conduit of genetic information in all organisms. After transcribing an RNA, the bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) must be reused to make subsequent RNAs, but the steps that enable RNAP reuse are unclear. We directly observed the dynamics of individual molecules of fluorescently labeled RNAP and the enzyme RapA as they colocalized with DNA during and after RNA synthesis. Our studies show that RapA uses ATP hydrolysis to remove RNAP from DNA after the RNA is released from RNAP and reveal essential features of the mechanism by which this removal occurs. These studies fill in key missing pieces in our current understanding of the events that occur after RNA is released and that enable RNAP reuse.
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Pis Diez CM, Antelo GT, Dalia TN, Dalia AB, Giedroc DP, Capdevila DA. Increased intracellular persulfide levels attenuate HlyU-mediated hemolysin transcriptional activation in Vibrio cholerae. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.13.532278. [PMID: 36993174 PMCID: PMC10054925 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.13.532278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate host’s immune system and resident commensal bacteria deploy a range of highly reactive small molecules that provide a barrier against infections by microbial pathogens. Gut pathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae , sense and respond to these stressors by modulating the expression of exotoxins that are crucial for colonization. Here, we employ mass-spectrometry-based profiling, metabolomics, expression assays and biophysical approaches to show that transcriptional activation of the hemolysin gene hlyA in V. cholerae is regulated by intracellular reactive sulfur species (RSS), specifically sulfane sulfur. We first present a comprehensive sequence similarity network analysis of the arsenic repressor (ArsR) superfamily of transcriptional regulators where RSS and reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensors segregate into distinct clusters. We show that HlyU, transcriptional activator of hlyA in V. cholerae , belongs to the RSS-sensing cluster and readily reacts with organic persulfides, showing no reactivity and remaining DNA-bound following treatment with various ROS in vitro, including H 2 O 2 . Surprisingly, in V. cholerae cell cultures, both sulfide and peroxide treatment downregulate HlyU-dependent transcriptional activation of hlyA . However, RSS metabolite profiling shows that both sulfide and peroxide treatment raise the endogenous inorganic sulfide and disulfide levels to a similar extent, accounting for this crosstalk, and confirming that V. cholerae attenuates HlyU-mediated activation of hlyA in a specific response to intracellular RSS. These findings provide new evidence that gut pathogens may harness RSS-sensing as an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to overcome the gut inflammatory response by modulating the expression of exotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian M. Pis Diez
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405BWE Ciudad Autónoma de, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Giuliano T. Antelo
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405BWE Ciudad Autónoma de, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Triana N. Dalia
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Ankur B. Dalia
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - David P. Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Daiana A. Capdevila
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405BWE Ciudad Autónoma de, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Stress Responses in Pathogenic Vibrios and Their Role in Host and Environmental Survival. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1404:213-232. [PMID: 36792878 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-22997-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio is a genus of bacteria commonly found in estuarine, marine, and freshwater environments. Vibrio species have evolved to occupy diverse niches in the aquatic ecosystem, with some having complex lifestyles. About a dozen of the described Vibrio species have been reported to cause human disease, while many other species cause disease in other organisms. Vibrio cholerae causes epidemic cholera, a severe dehydrating diarrheal disease associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water. The human pathogenic non-cholera Vibrio species, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, cause gastroenteritis, septicemia, and other extra-intestinal infections. Infections caused by V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus are normally acquired through exposure to sea water or through consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood. The human pathogenic Vibrios are exposed to numerous different stress-inducing agents and conditions in the aquatic environment and when colonizing a human host. Therefore, they have evolved a variety of mechanisms to survive in the presence of these stressors. Here we discuss what is known about important stress responses in pathogenic Vibrio species and their role in bacterial survival.
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Hsieh ML, Kiel N, Jenkins L, Ng WL, Knipling L, Waters C, Hinton D. The Vibrio cholerae master regulator for the activation of biofilm biogenesis genes, VpsR, senses both cyclic di-GMP and phosphate. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4484-4499. [PMID: 35438787 PMCID: PMC9071405 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation/maintenance is controlled by myriad factors; chief among these are the regulator VpsR and cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). VpsR has strong sequence similarity to enhancer binding proteins (EBPs) that activate RNA polymerase containing sigma factor σ54. However, we have previously shown that transcription from promoters within the biofilm biogenesis/maintenance pathways uses VpsR, c-di-GMP and RNA polymerase containing the primary sigma factor (σ70). Previous work suggested that phosphorylation of VpsR at a highly conserved aspartate, which is phosphorylated in other EBPs, might also contribute to activation. Using the biofilm biogenesis promoter PvpsL, we show that in the presence of c-di-GMP, either wild type or the phospho-mimic VpsR D59E activates PvpsL transcription, while the phospho-defective D59A variant does not. Furthermore, when c-di-GMP levels are low, acetyl phosphate (Ac∼P) is required for significant VpsR activity in vivo and in vitro. Although these findings argue that VpsR phosphorylation is needed for activation, we show that VpsR is not phosphorylated or acetylated by Ac∼P and either sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate, which are not phosphate donors, fully substitutes for Ac∼P. We conclude that VpsR is an unusual regulator that senses phosphate directly, rather than through phosphorylation, to aid in the decision to form/maintain biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lun Hsieh
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Niklas Kiel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Lisa M Miller Jenkins
- Collaborative Protein Technology Resource, Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wai-Leung Ng
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Leslie Knipling
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christopher M Waters
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Christopher M. Waters. Tel: +1 517 884 5360; Fax: +1 517 355 6463;
| | - Deborah M Hinton
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 301 496 9885; Fax: +1 301 402 0053;
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13
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Yan J, Liang Q, Chai Z, Duan N, Li X, Liu Y, Yang N, Li M, Jin Y, Bai F, Wu W, Cheng Z. Glutathione Synthesis Regulated by CtrA Protects Ehrlichia chaffeensis From Host Cell Oxidative Stress. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:846488. [PMID: 35432225 PMCID: PMC9005958 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.846488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a small Gram-negative obligatory intracellular bacterium, infects human monocytes or macrophages, and causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis, one of the most prevalent, life-threatening emerging zoonoses. Reactive oxygen species are produced by the host immune cells in response to bacterial infections. The mechanisms exploited by E. chaffeensis to resist oxidative stress have not been comprehensively demonstrated. Here, we found that E. chaffeensis encodes two functional enzymes, GshA and GshB, to synthesize glutathione that confers E. chaffeensis the oxidative stress resistance, and that the expression of gshA and gshB is upregulated by CtrA, a global transcriptional regulator, upon oxidative stress. We found that in E. chaffeensis, the expression of gshA and gshB was upregulated upon oxidative stress using quantitative RT-PCR. Ehrlichia chaffeensis GshA or GshB restored the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa GshA or GshB mutant to cope with oxidative stress, respectively. Recombinant E. chaffeensis CtrA directly bound to the promoters of gshA and gshB, determined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and activated the expression of gshA and gshB determined with reporter assay. Peptide nucleic acid transfection of E. chaffeensis, which reduced the CtrA protein level, inhibited the oxidative stress-induced upregulation of gshA and gshB. Our findings provide insights into the function and regulation of the two enzymes critical for E. chaffeensis resistance to oxidative stress and may deepen our understanding of E. chaffeensis pathogenesis and adaptation in hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qi'an Liang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhouyi Chai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Duan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yajing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meifang Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongxin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fang Bai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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14
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ToxT Regulon Is Nonessential for Vibrio cholerae Colonization in Adult Mice. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0007222. [PMID: 35384706 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00072-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a life-threatening diarrheal disease in humans. The ability of V. cholerae to colonize the intestine of different animals is a key factor for its fitness and transmissibility between hosts. Many virulence factors, including the ToxT regulon, have been identified to be the major components allowing V. cholerae to colonize the small intestine of suckling mice; however, the mechanism of V. cholerae colonization in the adult mammalian intestine is unclear. In this study, using the streptomycin-treated adult mouse animal model, we characterized the role of the ToxT regulon in V. cholerae colonization in adult mammalian intestine. We first found that the activity of TcpP regulating ToxT regulon expression was attenuated by intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS). We then found that V. cholerae containing a deletion of the ToxT regulon showed a competition advantage in colonizing adult mice; however, a mutant containing a constitutively active ToxT regulon showed a significant defect in colonizing adult mice. Constitutively producing the virulence factors in the ToxT regulon causes a V. cholerae competition defect in nutrient-limiting conditions. The results of this study demonstrate that modulating the activity of the ToxT regulon through ROS sensed by TcpP is critical for V. cholerae to enhance its colonization in the intestine of adult mice. IMPORTANCE Vibrio cholerae can inhabit both marine and freshwater ecosystems and can also enter and proliferate in the intestine of different animals which consume contaminated food or water. To successfully colonize the intestines of different hosts, V. cholerae coordinates its gene expression in response to different environments. Here, we describe how V. cholerae modulates the activity of the ToxT regulon by TcpP sensing ROS signals in the intestine of adult mice to better survive in this environment. We found that the constitutively active ToxT regulon causes V. cholerae growth retardation and colonization defect in adult mice. Our work highlights the distinctive role that regulating the activity of the ToxT regulon plays for V. cholerae to achieve full survival fitness in the adult mammalian intestine.
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15
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Wang F, Feng Y, Shang Z, Lin W. A unique binding between SspA and RNAP β 'NTH across low-GC Gram-negative bacteria facilitates SspA-mediated transcription regulation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 583:86-92. [PMID: 34735884 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.10.048] [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] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Stringent starvation protein A (SspA) involved in nucleotide metabolism, acid tolerance and virulence of bacteria has been demonstrated to function as a transcription factor to regulate σ70-dependent gene transcription through interacting with σ70 region 4 and the zinc binding domain (ZBD) of E. coli RNA polymerase (EcoRNAP) β' subunit simultaneously. Despite extensive biochemical and structural analyses were reported recently, the interactions of SspA with RNAP are not comprehensively understood. Here, we reprocessed our previous cryo-EM dataset of EcoRNAP-promoter open complex with SspA (SspA-RPo) and obtained a significantly improved density map. Unexpectedly, the new map showed that SspA interacts with both N-terminal helix of β' subunit (β'ΝΤΗ) and ω subunit, which contributes to stabilize the SspA-EcoRNAP σ70 holoenzyme complex. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic tree analyses of N-terminal sequences of β' subunit from different classes of bacteria revealed that β'ΝΤΗ is highly conserved and exclusively found in low-GC-content Gram-negative bacteria that harbor SspA, implying a co-evolution of β'ΝΤΗ and SspA. The transcription assays of wild-type SspA and its mutants demonstrated the interaction between SspA and β'ΝΤΗ facilitates the transcription regulation of SspA. Together, our results provide a more comprehensive insight into the interactions between SspA and RNAP and their roles in bacterial transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, And Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Zhuo Shang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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16
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Venkat K, Hoyos M, Haycocks JR, Cassidy L, Engelmann B, Rolle-Kampczyk U, von Bergen M, Tholey A, Grainger DC, Papenfort K. A dual-function RNA balances carbon uptake and central metabolism in Vibrio cholerae. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108542. [PMID: 34612526 PMCID: PMC8672173 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) are well known to modulate gene expression by base pairing with trans‐encoded transcripts and are typically non‐coding. However, several sRNAs have been reported to also contain an open reading frame and thus are considered dual‐function RNAs. In this study, we discovered a dual‐function RNA from Vibrio cholerae, called VcdRP, harboring a 29 amino acid small protein (VcdP), as well as a base‐pairing sequence. Using a forward genetic screen, we identified VcdRP as a repressor of cholera toxin production and link this phenotype to the inhibition of carbon transport by the base‐pairing segment of the regulator. By contrast, we demonstrate that the VcdP small protein acts downstream of carbon transport by binding to citrate synthase (GltA), the first enzyme of the citric acid cycle. Interaction of VcdP with GltA results in increased enzyme activity and together VcdR and VcdP reroute carbon metabolism. We further show that transcription of vcdRP is repressed by CRP allowing us to provide a model in which VcdRP employs two different molecular mechanisms to synchronize central metabolism in V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavyaa Venkat
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Mona Hoyos
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - James Rj Haycocks
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Liam Cassidy
- Systematic Proteome Research & Bioanalytics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Tholey
- Systematic Proteome Research & Bioanalytics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - David C Grainger
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kai Papenfort
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Microverse Cluster, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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17
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Mourin M, Bhattacharjee A, Wai A, Hausner G, O'Neil J, Dibrov P. Pharmacophore-Based Screening & Modification of Amiloride Analogs for targeting the NhaP-type Cation-Proton Antiporter in Vibrio cholerae. Can J Microbiol 2021; 67:835-849. [PMID: 34224663 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2021-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Structural and mutational analysis of Vc-NhaP2 identified a putative cation binding pocket formed by antiparallel extended regions of two transmembrane segments (TMSs V/XII) along with TMS VI. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations suggested that the flexibility of TMS-V/XII is crucial for the intra-molecular conformational events in Vc-NhaP2. In this study, we developed some putative Vc-NhaP2 inhibitors from Amiloride analogs (AAs). Molecular docking of the modified AAs revealed promising binding. The four selected drugs potentially interacted with functionally important amino acid residues located on the cytoplasmic side of TMS VI, the extended chain region of TMS V and TMS XII and the loop region between TMSs VIIII and IX. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that binding of the selected drugs can potentially destabilize the Vc-NhaP2 and alters the flexibility of the functionally important TMS VI. The work presents the utility of in silico approaches for the rational identification of potential targets and drugs that could target NhaP2 cation proton antiporter to control Vibrio cholerae. The goal is to identify potential drugs that can be validated in future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muntahi Mourin
- University of Manitoba Faculty of Science, 124614, Microbiology, 66 chancellor drive, Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2;
| | - Arittra Bhattacharjee
- North South University, 54495, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh;
| | - Alvan Wai
- University of Manitoba, 8664, Winnipeg, Canada, R3T 2N2;
| | - Georg Hausner
- University of Manitoba, 8664, Buller Building 213, Buller Building 213, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2;
| | - Joe O'Neil
- University of Manitoba, 8664, Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada;
| | - Pavel Dibrov
- University of Manitoba Faculty of Science, 124614, Microbiology, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada;
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18
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Gao H, Wang H, Qin Q, Gao Y, Qiu Y, Zhang J, Li J, Lou J, Diao B, Zhang Y, Kan B. Transcriptional regulation of the mannitol phosphotransferase system operon by the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in Vibrio cholerae El Tor serogroup O1. Res Microbiol 2021; 172:103848. [PMID: 34089838 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2021.103848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP): carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) allows bacteria to use various carbohydrates as energy resources including mannitol. The mannitol-specific PTS transporter in Vibrio cholerae is encoded by the mtlADR operon. Expression of the mtl operon has been shown to be strictly regulated by CRP, MtlS, and MtlR. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of mtlADR by the ferric uptake regulator (Fur). The results showed that Fur binds to the promoter-proximal DNA region of mtlADR to repress its transcription independent of iron, in mannitol-containing growth medium. The capacity for mannitol fermentation was significantly increased in Δfur relative to that of WT for normal and iron-replete growth media. The level of organic acids produced by Δfur was significantly enhanced relative to that produced by the WT strain in the normal and iron-replete media but not in an iron-starved medium. The results provided for a deeper understanding of the regulation of mtlADR in V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Clinical Diagnostic Centre, The Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yue Gao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Yue Qiu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jing Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Baowei Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yiquan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China; Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Biao Kan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
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The Role of Replication Clamp-Loader Protein HolC of Escherichia coli in Overcoming Replication/Transcription Conflicts. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.00184-21. [PMID: 33688004 PMCID: PMC8092217 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00184-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Escherichia coli, DNA replication is catalyzed by an assembly of proteins, the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme. This complex includes the polymerase and proofreading subunits, the processivity clamp, and clamp loader complex. The holC gene encodes an accessory protein (known as χ) to the core clamp loader complex and is the only protein of the holoenzyme that binds to single-strand DNA binding protein, SSB. HolC is not essential for viability, although mutants show growth impairment, genetic instability, and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. In this study, we isolate spontaneous suppressor mutants in a ΔholC strain and identify these by whole-genome sequencing. Some suppressors are alleles of RNA polymerase, suggesting that transcription is problematic for holC mutant strains, or alleles of sspA, encoding stringent starvation protein. Using a conditional holC plasmid, we examine factors affecting transcription elongation and termination for synergistic or suppressive effects on holC mutant phenotypes. Alleles of RpoA (α), RpoB (β), and RpoC (β') RNA polymerase holoenzyme can partially suppress loss of HolC. In contrast, mutations in transcription factors DksA and NusA enhanced the inviability of holC mutants. HolC mutants showed enhanced sensitivity to bicyclomycin, a specific inhibitor of Rho-dependent termination. Bicyclomycin also reverses suppression of holC by rpoA, rpoC, and sspA An inversion of the highly expressed rrnA operon exacerbates the growth defects of holC mutants. We propose that transcription complexes block replication in holC mutants and that Rho-dependent transcriptional termination and DksA function are particularly important to sustain viability and chromosome integrity.IMPORTANCE Transcription elongation complexes present an impediment to DNA replication. We provide evidence that one component of the replication clamp loader complex, HolC, of Escherichia coli is required to overcome these blocks. This genetic study of transcription factor effects on holC growth defects implicates Rho-dependent transcriptional termination and DksA function as critical. It also implicates, for the first time, a role of SspA, stringent starvation protein, in avoidance or tolerance of replication/replication conflicts. We speculate that HolC helps avoid or resolve collisions between replication and transcription complexes, which become toxic in HolC's absence.
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20
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Alkaline pH Increases Swimming Speed and Facilitates Mucus Penetration for Vibrio cholerae. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00607-20. [PMID: 33468594 PMCID: PMC8088521 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00607-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The diarrheal disease cholera is still a burden for populations in developing countries with poor sanitation. To develop effective vaccines and prevention strategies against Vibrio cholerae, we must understand the initial steps of infection leading to the colonization of the small intestine. Intestinal mucus is the first line of defense against intestinal pathogens. It acts as a physical barrier between epithelial tissues and the lumen that enteropathogens must overcome to establish a successful infection. We investigated the motile behavior of two Vibrio cholerae strains (El Tor C6706 and Classical O395) in mucus using single-cell tracking in unprocessed porcine intestinal mucus. We determined that V. cholerae can penetrate mucus using flagellar motility and that alkaline pH increases swimming speed and, consequently, improves mucus penetration. Microrheological measurements indicate that changes in pH between 6 and 8 (the physiological range for the human small intestine) had little effect on the viscoelastic properties of mucus. Finally, we determined that acidic pH promotes surface attachment by activating the mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MshA) pilus in V. cholerae El Tor C6706 without a measurable change in the total cellular concentration of the secondary messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). Overall, our results support the hypothesis that pH is an important factor affecting the motile behavior of V. cholerae and its ability to penetrate mucus. Therefore, changes in pH along the human small intestine may play a role in determining the preferred site for V. cholerae during infection. IMPORTANCE The diarrheal disease cholera is still a burden for populations in developing countries with poor sanitation. To develop effective vaccines and prevention strategies against Vibrio cholerae, we must understand the initial steps of infection leading to the colonization of the small intestine. To infect the host and deliver the cholera toxin, V. cholerae has to penetrate the mucus layer protecting the intestinal tissues. However, the interaction of V. cholerae with intestinal mucus has not been extensively investigated. In this report, we demonstrated using single-cell tracking that V. cholerae can penetrate intestinal mucus using flagellar motility. In addition, we observed that alkaline pH improves the ability of V. cholerae to penetrate mucus. This finding has important implications for understanding the dynamics of infection, because pH varies significantly along the small intestine, between individuals, and between species. Blocking mucus penetration by interfering with flagellar motility in V. cholerae, reinforcing the mucosa, controlling intestinal pH, or manipulating the intestinal microbiome will offer new strategies to fight cholera.
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21
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Mechanisms involved in the adaptation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to the host intestinal microenvironment. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:3283-3301. [PMID: 33346356 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Host adaptation of pathogens may increase intra- and interspecies transmission. We showed previously that the passage of a clinically isolated enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 strain (125/99) through the gastrointestinal tract of mice increases its pathogenicity in the same host. In this work, we aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s) involved in the patho-adaptation of the stool-recovered (125RR) strain. We assessed the global transcription profile by microarray and found almost 100 differentially expressed genes in 125RR strain compared with 125/99 strain. We detected an overexpression of Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) proteins at the mRNA and protein levels and demonstrated increased adhesion to epithelial cell lines for the 125RR strain. Additional key attributes of the 125RR strain were: increased motility on semisolid agar, which correlated with an increased fliC mRNA level; reduced Stx2 production at the mRNA and protein levels; increased survival at pH 2.5, as determined by acid resistance assays. We tested whether the overexpression of the LEE-encoded regulator (ler) in trans in the 125/99 strain could recreate the increased pathogenicity observed in the 125RR strain. As anticipated ler overexpression led to increased expression of TTSS proteins and bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells in vitro but also increased mortality and intestinal colonization in vivo. We conclude that this host-adaptation process required changes in several mechanisms that improved EHEC O157 fitness in the new host. The research highlights some of the bacterial mechanisms required for horizontal transmission of these zoonotic pathogens between their animal and human populations.
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22
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Identification of signaling pathways, matrix-digestion enzymes, and motility components controlling Vibrio cholerae biofilm dispersal. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:32639-32647. [PMID: 33288715 PMCID: PMC7768729 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021166117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The global pathogen Vibrio cholerae alternates between free swimming and existing in sessile multicellular communities known as biofilms. Transitioning between these lifestyles is key for disease transmission. V. cholerae biofilm formation is well studied; however, almost nothing is known about how V. cholerae cells disperse from biofilms, precluding our understanding of a central pathogenicity step. Here, we conducted an imaging screen for V. cholerae mutants that failed to disperse. Our screen revealed three classes of components required for dispersal: signal transduction, matrix degradation, and motility factors. We characterized these components to reveal the sequence of molecular events that choreograph V. cholerae biofilm dispersal. Our report provides a framework for developing strategies to modulate biofilm dispersal to prevent or treat disease. Bacteria alternate between being free-swimming and existing as members of sessile multicellular communities called biofilms. The biofilm lifecycle occurs in three stages: cell attachment, biofilm maturation, and biofilm dispersal. Vibrio cholerae biofilms are hyperinfectious, and biofilm formation and dispersal are considered central to disease transmission. While biofilm formation is well studied, almost nothing is known about biofilm dispersal. Here, we conducted an imaging screen for V. cholerae mutants that fail to disperse, revealing three classes of dispersal components: signal transduction proteins, matrix-degradation enzymes, and motility factors. Signaling proteins dominated the screen and among them, we focused on an uncharacterized two-component sensory system that we term DbfS/DbfR for dispersal of biofilm sensor/regulator. Phospho-DbfR represses biofilm dispersal. DbfS dephosphorylates and thereby inactivates DbfR, which permits dispersal. Matrix degradation requires two enzymes: LapG, which cleaves adhesins, and RbmB, which digests matrix polysaccharides. Reorientation in swimming direction, mediated by CheY3, is necessary for cells to escape from the porous biofilm matrix. We suggest that these components act sequentially: signaling launches dispersal by terminating matrix production and triggering matrix digestion, and subsequent cell motility permits escape from biofilms. This study lays the groundwork for interventions aimed at modulating V. cholerae biofilm dispersal to ameliorate disease.
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Zhou Y, Lee ZL, Zhu J. On or Off: Life-Changing Decisions Made by Vibrio cholerae Under Stress. INFECTIOUS MICROBES & DISEASES 2020; 2:127-135. [PMID: 38630076 PMCID: PMC7769058 DOI: 10.1097/im9.0000000000000037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the infectious disease, cholera, is commonly found in brackish waters and infects human hosts via the fecal-oral route. V. cholerae is a master of stress resistance as V. cholerae's dynamic lifestyle across different physical environments constantly exposes it to diverse stressful circumstances. Specifically, V. cholerae has dedicated genetic regulatory networks to sense different environmental cues and respond to these signals. With frequent outbreaks costing a tremendous amount of lives and increased global water temperatures providing more suitable aquatic habitats for V. cholerae, cholera pandemics remain a probable catastrophic threat to humanity. Understanding how V. cholerae copes with different environmental stresses broadens our repertoire of measures against infectious diseases and expands our general knowledge of prokaryotic stress responses. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of how V. cholerae fights against stresses in vivo and in vitro.
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Wang F, Shi J, He D, Tong B, Zhang C, Wen A, Zhang Y, Feng Y, Lin W. Structural basis for transcription inhibition by E. coli SspA. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9931-9942. [PMID: 32785630 PMCID: PMC7515715 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stringent starvation protein A (SspA) is an RNA polymerase (RNAP)-associated protein involved in nucleotide metabolism, acid tolerance and virulence of bacteria. Despite extensive biochemical and genetic analyses, the precise regulatory role of SspA in transcription is still unknown, in part, because of a lack of structural information for bacterial RNAP in complex with SspA. Here, we report a 3.68 Å cryo-EM structure of an Escherichia coli RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo) with SspA. Unexpectedly, the structure reveals that SspA binds to the E. coli σ70-RNAP holoenzyme as a homodimer, interacting with σ70 region 4 and the zinc binding domain of EcoRNAP β′ subunit simultaneously. Results from fluorescent polarization assays indicate the specific interactions between SspA and σ70 region 4 confer its σ selectivity, thereby avoiding its interactions with σs or other alternative σ factors. In addition, results from in vitro transcription assays verify that SspA inhibits transcription probably through suppressing promoter escape. Together, the results here provide a foundation for understanding the unique physiological function of SspA in transcription regulation in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dingwei He
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bei Tong
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing 210023, China
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Staphylococcus aureus Preferentially Liberates Inorganic Phosphate from Organophosphates in Environments where This Nutrient Is Limiting. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00264-20. [PMID: 32868400 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00264-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphate is an essential nutrient that Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens must acquire from the host during infection. While inorganic monophosphate (Pi) is the preferred source of this nutrient, bacteria can also obtain it from phosphate-containing organic molecules. The Pi-responsive regulator PhoPR is necessary for S. aureus to cause infection, suggesting that Pi is not freely available during infection and that this nutrient must be obtained from other sources. However, the organophosphates from which S. aureus can obtain phosphate are unknown. We evaluated the ability of 58 phosphorus-containing molecules to serve as phosphate sources for S. aureus Forty-six of these compounds, including phosphorylated amino acids, sugars, and nucleotides, supported growth. Among the organophosphate sources was glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), which is commonly found in the mammalian host. Differing from the model organism Escherichia coli, S. aureus does not import G3P intact to obtain Pi Instead, S. aureus relies on the phosphatase PhoB to release Pi from G3P, which is subsequently imported by Pi transporters. To determine if this strategy is used by S. aureus to extract phosphate from other phosphate sources, we assessed the ability of PhoB- and Pi transporter-deficient strains to grow on the same library of phosphorus-containing molecules. Sixty percent of the substrates (28/46) relied on the PhoB/Pi transporter pathway, and an additional 10/46 (22%) were PhoB independent but still required Pi transport through the Pi transporters. Cumulatively, these results suggest that in Pi-limited environments, S. aureus preferentially generates Pi from organophosphates and then relies on Pi transporters to import this nutrient.IMPORTANCE For bacteria, the preferred form of the essential nutrient phosphate is inorganic monophosphate (Pi), but phosphate can also be extracted from a variety of phosphocompounds. Pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, experience Pi limitation within the host, suggesting that the use of alternative phosphate sources is important during infection. However, the alternative phosphate sources that can be used by S. aureus and others remain largely unexplored. We screened a library of phosphorus-containing compounds for the ability to support growth as a phosphate source. S. aureus could use a variety of phosphocompounds, including nucleotides, phosphosugars, and phosphoamino acids. Subsequent genetic analysis determined that a majority of these alternative phosphate sources are first processed extracellularly to liberate Pi, which is then imported through Pi transporters.
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Control of Francisella tularensis Virulence at Gene Level: Network of Transcription Factors. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101622. [PMID: 33096715 PMCID: PMC7588896 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene transcription is the initial step in the complex process that controls gene expression within bacteria. Transcriptional control involves the joint effort of RNA polymerases and numerous other regulatory factors. Whether global or local, positive or negative, regulators play an essential role in the bacterial cell. For instance, some regulators specifically modify the transcription of virulence genes, thereby being indispensable to pathogenic bacteria. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of important transcription factors and DNA-binding proteins described for the virulent bacterium Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. This is an unexplored research area, and the poorly described networks of transcription factors merit additional experimental studies to help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in this bacterium, and how they contribute to disease.
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Panwar H, Rokana N, Aparna SV, Kaur J, Singh A, Singh J, Singh KS, Chaudhary V, Puniya AK. Gastrointestinal stress as innate defence against microbial attack. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:1035-1061. [PMID: 32869386 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14836] [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: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been bestowed with the most difficult task of protecting the underlying biological compartments from the resident commensal flora and the potential pathogens in transit through the GI tract. It has a unique environment in which several defence tactics are at play while maintaining homeostasis and health. The GI tract shows myriad number of environmental extremes, which includes pH variations, anaerobic conditions, nutrient limitations, elevated osmolarity etc., which puts a check to colonization and growth of nonfriendly microbial strains. The GI tract acts as a highly selective barrier/platform for ingested food and is the primary playground for balance between the resident and uninvited organisms. This review focuses on antimicrobial defense mechanisms of different sections of human GI tract. In addition, the protective mechanisms used by microbes to combat the human GI defence systems are also discussed. The ability to survive this innate defence mechanism determines the capability of probiotic or pathogen strains to confer health benefits or induce clinical events respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Panwar
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - N Rokana
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - S V Aparna
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University, Mannuthy, Thrissur, India
| | - J Kaur
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - A Singh
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - J Singh
- Department of Dairy Microbiology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - K S Singh
- Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - V Chaudhary
- Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - A K Puniya
- Dairy Microbiology Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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The aerobic respiratory chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultured in artificial urine media: Role of NQR and terminal oxidases. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231965. [PMID: 32324772 PMCID: PMC7179901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative γ-proteobacterium that forms part of the normal human microbiota and it is also an opportunistic pathogen, responsible for 30% of all nosocomial urinary tract infections. P. aeruginosa carries a highly branched respiratory chain that allows the colonization of many environments, such as the urinary tract, catheters and other medical devices. P. aeruginosa respiratory chain contains three different NADH dehydrogenases (complex I, NQR and NDH-2), whose physiologic roles have not been elucidated, and up to five terminal oxidases: three cytochrome c oxidases (COx), a cytochrome bo3 oxidase (CYO) and a cyanide-insensitive cytochrome bd-like oxidase (CIO). In this work, we studied the composition of the respiratory chain of P. aeruginosa cells cultured in Luria Broth (LB) and modified artificial urine media (mAUM), to understand the metabolic adaptations of this microorganism to the growth in urine. Our results show that the COx oxidases play major roles in mAUM, while P. aeruginosa relies on CYO when growing in LB medium. Moreover, our data demonstrate that the proton-pumping NQR complex is the main NADH dehydrogenase in both LB and mAUM. This enzyme is resistant to HQNO, an inhibitory molecule produced by P. aeruginosa, and may provide an advantage against the natural antibacterial agents produced by this organism. This work offers a clear picture of the composition of this pathogen’s aerobic respiratory chain and the main roles that NQR and terminal oxidases play in urine, which is essential to understand its physiology and could be used to develop new antibiotics against this notorious multidrug-resistant microorganism.
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Dippel AB, Anderson WA, Park JH, Yildiz FH, Hammond MC. Development of Ratiometric Bioluminescent Sensors for in Vivo Detection of Bacterial Signaling. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:904-914. [PMID: 32186367 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Second messenger signaling networks allow cells to sense and adapt to changing environmental conditions. In bacteria, the nearly ubiquitous second messenger molecule cyclic di-GMP coordinates diverse processes such as motility, biofilm formation, and virulence. In bacterial pathogens, these signaling networks allow the bacteria to survive changing environmental conditions that are experienced during infection of a mammalian host. While studies have examined the effects of cyclic di-GMP levels on virulence in these pathogens, it has not been possible to visualize cyclic di-GMP levels in real time during the stages of host infection. Toward this goal, we generate the first ratiometric, chemiluminescent biosensor scaffold that selectively responds to c-di-GMP. By engineering the biosensor scaffold, a suite of Venus-YcgR-NLuc (VYN) biosensors is generated that provide extremely high sensitivity (KD < 300 pM) and large changes in the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) signal (up to 109%). As a proof-of-concept that VYN biosensors can image cyclic di-GMP in tissues, we show that the VYN biosensors function in the context of a tissue phantom model, with only ∼103-104 biosensor-expressing E. coli cells required for the measurement. Furthermore, we utilize the biosensor in vitro to assess changes in cyclic di-GMP in V. cholerae grown with different inputs found in the host environment. The VYN sensors developed here can serve as robust in vitro diagnostic tools for high throughput screening, as well as genetically encodable tools for monitoring the dynamics of c-di-GMP in live cells, and lay the groundwork for live cell imaging of c-di-GMP dynamics in bacteria within tissues and other complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Dippel
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Wyatt A. Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jin Hwan Park
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Fitnat H. Yildiz
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Ming C. Hammond
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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Espinoza-Vergara G, Hoque MM, McDougald D, Noorian P. The Impact of Protozoan Predation on the Pathogenicity of Vibrio cholerae. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:17. [PMID: 32038597 PMCID: PMC6985070 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the aquatic environment, Vibrio spp. interact with many living organisms that can serve as a replication niche, including heterotrophic protists, or protozoa. Protozoa engulf bacteria and package them into phagosomes where the cells are exposed to low pH, antimicrobial peptides, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, proteolytic enzymes, and low concentrations of essential metal ions such as iron. However, some bacteria can resist these digestive processes. For example, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio harveyi can resist intracellular digestion. In order to survive intracellularly, bacteria have acquired and/or developed specific factors that help them to resist the unfavorable conditions encountered inside of the phagosomes. Many of these intra-phagosomal factors used to kill and digest bacteria are highly conserved between eukaryotic cells and thus are also expressed by the innate immune system in the gastrointestinal tract as the first line of defense against bacterial pathogens. Since pathogenic bacteria have been shown to be hypervirulent after they have passed through protozoa, the resistance to digestion by protist hosts in their natural environment plays a key role in enhancing the infectious potential of pathogenic Vibrio spp. This review will investigate the current knowledge in interactions of bacteria with protozoa and human host to better understand the mechanisms used by both protozoa and human hosts to kill bacteria and the bacterial response to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara
- Faculty of Science, The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M Mozammel Hoque
- Faculty of Science, The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Diane McDougald
- Faculty of Science, The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Parisa Noorian
- Faculty of Science, The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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31
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Chung IY, Kim BO, Jang HJ, Cho YH. Repositioning of a mucolytic drug to a selective antibacterial against Vibrio cholerae. J Microbiol 2020; 58:61-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-9590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Transcription of cis Antisense Small RNA MtlS in Vibrio cholerae Is Regulated by Transcription of Its Target Gene, mtlA. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00178-19. [PMID: 31036726 PMCID: PMC6597380 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00178-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is a bacterial pathogen that relies on genetic tools, such as regulatory RNAs, to adapt to changing extracellular conditions. While many studies have focused on how these regulatory RNAs function, fewer have focused on how they are themselves modulated. V. cholerae expresses the noncoding RNA MtlS, which can regulate mannitol transport and use, and here we demonstrate that MtlS levels are controlled by the level of transcription occurring in the antisense direction. Our findings provide a model of regulation describing how bacteria like V. cholerae can modulate the levels of an important regulatory RNA. Our work contributes to knowledge of how bacteria deploy regulatory RNAs as an adaptive mechanism to buffer against environmental flux. Vibrio cholerae, the facultative pathogen responsible for cholera disease, continues to pose a global health burden. Its persistence can be attributed to a flexible genetic tool kit that allows for adaptation to different environments with distinct carbon sources, including the six-carbon sugar alcohol mannitol. V. cholerae takes up mannitol through the transporter protein MtlA, whose production is downregulated at the posttranscriptional level by MtlS, a cis antisense small RNA (sRNA) whose promoter lies within the mtlA open reading frame. Though it is known that mtlS expression is robust under growth conditions lacking mannitol, it has remained elusive as to what factors govern the steady-state levels of MtlS. Here, we show that manipulating mtlA transcription is sufficient to drive inverse changes in MtlS levels, likely through transcriptional interference. This work has uncovered a cis-acting sRNA whose expression pattern is predominantly controlled by transcription of the sRNA’s target gene. IMPORTANCEVibrio cholerae is a bacterial pathogen that relies on genetic tools, such as regulatory RNAs, to adapt to changing extracellular conditions. While many studies have focused on how these regulatory RNAs function, fewer have focused on how they are themselves modulated. V. cholerae expresses the noncoding RNA MtlS, which can regulate mannitol transport and use, and here we demonstrate that MtlS levels are controlled by the level of transcription occurring in the antisense direction. Our findings provide a model of regulation describing how bacteria like V. cholerae can modulate the levels of an important regulatory RNA. Our work contributes to knowledge of how bacteria deploy regulatory RNAs as an adaptive mechanism to buffer against environmental flux.
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Physiological, Structural, and Functional Analysis of the Paralogous Cation-Proton Antiporters of NhaP Type from Vibrio cholerae. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102572. [PMID: 31130620 PMCID: PMC6567090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane K+/H+ antiporters of NhaP type of Vibrio cholerae (Vc-NhaP1, 2, and 3) are critical for maintenance of K+ homeostasis in the cytoplasm. The entire functional NhaP group is indispensable for the survival of V. cholerae at low pHs suggesting their possible role in the acid tolerance response (ATR) of V. cholerae. Our findings suggest that the Vc-NhaP123 group, and especially its major component, Vc-NhaP2, might be a promising target for the development of novel antimicrobials by narrowly targeting V. cholerae and other NhaP-expressing pathogens. On the basis of Vc-NhaP2 in silico structure modeling, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and extensive mutagenesis studies, we suggest that the ion-motive module of Vc-NhaP2 is comprised of two functional regions: (i) a putative cation-binding pocket that is formed by antiparallel unfolded regions of two transmembrane segments (TMSs V/XII) crossing each other in the middle of the membrane, known as the NhaA fold; and (ii) a cluster of amino acids determining the ion selectivity.
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Huang L, Zuo Y, Jiang Q, Su Y, Qin Y, Xu X, Zhao L, Yan Q. A metabolomic investigation into the temperature-dependent virulence of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2019; 42:431-446. [PMID: 30659613 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is associated with multiple fish diseases, and temperature is one of the most important environmental factors related to its outbreak. To elucidate the influence of temperature variation on the pathogen, the global metabolomics of P. plecoglossicida (NZBD9) were analysed at the virulent (18°C) and avirulent (12°C and 28°C) temperatures. The result showed that the levels of Phosphoric acid, Tyrosine, Spermidine and Sucrose were significantly reduced,while Itaconic acid, Glucaric acid and Isomaltose were increased in P. plecoglossicida at 18°C. These metabolic adjustments assist P. plecoglossicida to survive in adverse environments, proliferate in the host, colonize and resist host immune clearance during the initial steps of infection. The results suggested that L321_03626 and L321_18122 genes played a key role in the regulation of these metabolic adaptions and thus regulated P. plecoglossicida virulence at virulent temperature, which was proved by further gene silencing and artificial infection. The present study, for the first time, determines the P. plecoglossicida metabolomic responses to temperature variation, which is helpful to explore its pathogenic mechanism and provides reference for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yanfei Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingling Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yongquan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, China
| | - Yingxue Qin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaojin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lingmin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingpi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Fisheries College, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, China
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35
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Muras V, Toulouse C, Fritz G, Steuber J. Respiratory Membrane Protein Complexes Convert Chemical Energy. Subcell Biochem 2019; 92:301-335. [PMID: 31214991 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-18768-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The invention of a biological membrane which is used as energy storage system to drive the metabolism of a primordial, unicellular organism represents a key event in the evolution of life. The innovative, underlying principle of this key event is respiration. In respiration, a lipid bilayer with insulating properties is chosen as the site for catalysis of an exergonic redox reaction converting substrates offered from the environment, using the liberated Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for the build-up of an electrochemical H+ (proton motive force, PMF) or Na+ gradient (sodium motive force, SMF) across the lipid bilayer. Very frequently , several redox reactions are performed in a consecutive manner, with the first reaction delivering a product which is used as substrate for the second redox reaction, resulting in a respiratory chain. From today's perspective, the (mostly) unicellular bacteria and archaea seem to be much simpler and less evolved when compared to multicellular eukaryotes. However, they are overwhelmingly complex with regard to the various respiratory chains which permit survival in very different habitats of our planet, utilizing a plethora of substances to drive metabolism. This includes nitrogen, sulfur and carbon compounds which are oxidized or reduced by specialized, respiratory enzymes of bacteria and archaea which lie at the heart of the geochemical N, S and C-cycles. This chapter gives an overview of general principles of microbial respiration considering thermodynamic aspects, chemical reactions and kinetic restraints. The respiratory chains of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae are discussed as models for PMF- versus SMF-generating processes, respectively. We introduce main redox cofactors of microbial respiratory enzymes, and the concept of intra-and interelectron transfer. Since oxygen is an electron acceptor used by many respiratory chains, the formation and removal of toxic oxygen radicals is described. Promising directions of future research are respiratory enzymes as novel bacterial targets, and biotechnological applications relying on respiratory complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Muras
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Charlotte Toulouse
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Günter Fritz
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Julia Steuber
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Jemielita M, Wingreen NS, Bassler BL. Quorum sensing controls Vibrio cholerae multicellular aggregate formation. eLife 2018; 7:42057. [PMID: 30582742 PMCID: PMC6351105 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria communicate and collectively regulate gene expression using a process called quorum sensing (QS). QS relies on group-wide responses to signal molecules called autoinducers. Here, we show that QS activates a new program of multicellularity in Vibrio cholerae. This program, which we term aggregation, is distinct from the canonical surface-biofilm formation program, which QS represses. Aggregation is induced by autoinducers, occurs rapidly in cell suspensions, and does not require cell division, features strikingly dissimilar from those characteristic of V. cholerae biofilm formation. Extracellular DNA limits aggregate size, but is not sufficient to drive aggregation. A mutagenesis screen identifies genes required for aggregate formation, revealing proteins involved in V. cholerae intestinal colonization, stress response, and a protein that distinguishes the current V. cholerae pandemic strain from earlier pandemic strains. We suggest that QS-controlled aggregate formation is important for V. cholerae to successfully transit between the marine niche and the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Jemielita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Ned S Wingreen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Bonnie L Bassler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, United States
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PhoPR Contributes to Staphylococcus aureus Growth during Phosphate Starvation and Pathogenesis in an Environment-Specific Manner. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00371-18. [PMID: 30061377 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00371-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial pathogens must obtain all essential nutrients, including phosphate, from the host. To optimize phosphate acquisition in diverse and dynamic environments, such as mammalian tissues, many bacteria use the PhoPR two-component system. Despite the necessity of this system for virulence in several species, PhoPR has not been studied in the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus To illuminate its role in staphylococcal physiology, we initially assessed whether PhoPR controls the expression of the three inorganic phosphate (Pi) importers (PstSCAB, NptA, and PitA) in S. aureus This analysis revealed that PhoPR is required for the expression of pstSCAB and nptA and can modulate pitA expression. Consistent with a role in phosphate homeostasis, PhoPR-mediated regulation of the transporters is influenced by phosphate availability. Further investigations revealed that PhoPR is necessary for growth under Pi-limiting conditions, and in some environments, its primary role is to induce the expression of pstSCAB or nptA Interestingly, in other environments, PhoPR is necessary for growth independent of Pi transporter expression, indicating that additional PhoPR-regulated factors promote S. aureus adaptation to low-Pi conditions. Together, these data suggest that PhoPR differentially contributes to growth in an environment-specific manner. In a systemic infection model, a mutant of S. aureus lacking PhoPR is highly attenuated. Further investigation revealed that PhoPR-regulated factors, in addition to Pi transporters, are critical for staphylococcal pathogenesis. Cumulatively, these findings point to an important role for PhoPR in orchestrating Pi acquisition as well as transporter-independent mechanisms that contribute to S. aureus virulence.
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Raba DA, Rosas-Lemus M, Menzer WM, Li C, Fang X, Liang P, Tuz K, Minh DDL, Juárez O. Characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa NQR complex, a bacterial proton pump with roles in autopoisoning resistance. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:15664-15677. [PMID: 30135204 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for a large number of nosocomial infections. The P. aeruginosa respiratory chain contains the ion-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NQR). This enzyme couples the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone to the pumping of sodium ions across the cell membrane, generating a gradient that drives essential cellular processes in many bacteria. In this study, we characterized P. aeruginosa NQR (Pa-NQR) to elucidate its physiologic function. Our analyses reveal that Pa-NQR, in contrast with NQR homologues from other bacterial species, is not a sodium pump, but rather a completely new form of proton pump. Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that cation selectivity could be determined by the exit ion channels. We also show that Pa-NQR is resistant to the inhibitor 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO). HQNO is a quinolone secreted by P. aeruginosa during infection that acts as a quorum sensing agent and also has bactericidal properties against other bacteria. Using comparative analysis and computational modeling of the ubiquinone-binding site, we identified the specific residues that confer resistance toward this inhibitor. In summary, our findings indicate that Pa-NQR is a proton pump rather than a sodium pump and is highly resistant against the P. aeruginosa-produced compound HQNO, suggesting an important role in the adaptation against autotoxicity. These results provide a deep understanding of the metabolic role of NQR in P. aeruginosa and provide insight into the structural factors that determine the functional specialization in this family of respiratory complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - William M Menzer
- From the Departments of Biological Sciences and.,Chemistry, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Chen Li
- Chemistry, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Xuan Fang
- From the Departments of Biological Sciences and
| | | | - Karina Tuz
- From the Departments of Biological Sciences and
| | - David D L Minh
- Chemistry, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
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Ma J, Cai X, Bao Y, Yao H, Li G. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli preferentially utilize metabolites in urine for nucleotide biosynthesis through salvage pathways. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 308:990-999. [PMID: 30145133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth in urinary tract depends on the ability of uropathogenic E. coli to adjust metabolism in response to available nutrients, especially to synthesize metabolites that are present in urinary tract with limited concentrations. In this study, a genome-wide assay was applied and identified five nucleotide biosynthetic genes purA, guaAB and carAB that are required for optimal growth of UPEC in human urine and colonization in vivo. Subsequent functional analyses revealed that either interruption of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis or blocking of salvage pathways alone could not decrease UPEC's growth, while only simultaneous interruption of both two pathways significantly reduced UPEC's growth in urine. Evidences showed that uracil, xanthine, and hypoxanthine in human urine could support nucleotide biosynthesis through salvage pathways when the de novo pathways were interrupted. Moreover, the expression of genes involved in salvage pathways of nucleotide biosynthesis were significantly upregulated when UPEC are cultured in human urine and artificial urine medium with uracil, xanthine or hypoxanthine. Finally, animal tests showed that further deletion of genes involved in salvage nucleotide biosynthesis from mutants with defects in de novo pathways significantly reduced UPEC's colonization in host bladders and kidneys. These results indicated that UPEC preferentially utilize abundant metabolites in urine for nucleotide biosynthesis through salvage pathways, which is not like in serum, where the limiting amounts of substrates for salvage biosynthesis force invading pathogens to rely on de novo nucleotide biosynthesis. Taken together, our study implied the importance of salvage pathways of nucleotides biosynthesis for UPEC's fitness during urinary tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Ma
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, IA, USA
| | - Xuwang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yinli Bao
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, IA, USA
| | - Huochun Yao
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ganwu Li
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, IA, USA.
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Parizadeh L, Tourbiez D, Garcia C, Haffner P, Dégremont L, Le Roux F, Travers M. Ecologically realistic model of infection for exploring the host damage caused byVibrio aestuarianus. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:4343-4355. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Parizadeh
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
| | - Delphine Tourbiez
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
| | - Céline Garcia
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
| | - Philippe Haffner
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
- IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS‐Ifremer‐UM‐UPVDUniversité de Montpellier Place Eugène Bataillon ‐ CC80, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05 France
| | - Lionel Dégremont
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
| | - Frédérique Le Roux
- IfremerUnité Physiologie Fonctionnelle des Organismes Marins ZI de la Pointe du Diable, CS 10070, F‐29280 Plouzané France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06CNRS, UMR 8227, Integrative Biology of Marine Models, Station Biologique de Roscoff CS 90074, F‐29688 Roscoff Cedex France
| | - Marie‐Agnès Travers
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, SG2M‐LGPMMIfremer Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade France
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Transcription of IVIAT and Virulence Genes in Photobacterium damselae Subsp. piscicida Infecting Solea senegalensis. Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6030067. [PMID: 30002314 PMCID: PMC6163594 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6030067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp) is responsible for disease outbreaks in marine aquaculture worldwide. Solea senegalensis, a valuable fish species for aquaculture in the south of Europe, is frequently affected by this pathogen. It is well established that bacteria respond to environmental signals and, in the case of pathogens, this ability may determine the outcome of their interaction with the host. Determination of gene expression under in vivo conditions constitutes a valuable tool in the assessment of microbial pathogenesis. Considering that different hosts may represent different environments for the pathogen, expression of Phdp virulence and in vivo induced antigen (IVIAT) genes during S. senegalensis infection has been determined in the present work. Increased transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in iron acquisition (Irp1, Irp2, HutB and HutD), oxidative stress defence (AhpC and Sod), adhesion (PDP_0080), toxins (AIP56) and metabolism (Impdh, Shmt and AlaRS) were detected in Phdp infecting S. senegalensis head kidney or liver. The highest increases corresponded to genes involved in survival under iron limiting conditions and oxidative stress, indicating their essential role during infection of sole. Results obtained give insight into Phdp virulence strategies and contribute to the identification of promising targets for the control of photobacteriosis.
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Metabolic Reprogramming of Vibrio cholerae Impaired in Respiratory NADH Oxidation Is Accompanied by Increased Copper Sensitivity. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00761-17. [PMID: 29735761 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00761-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrogenic, sodium ion-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) from Vibrio cholerae is frequent in pathogenic bacteria and a potential target for antibiotics. NQR couples the oxidation of NADH to the formation of a sodium motive force (SMF) and therefore drives important processes, such as flagellar rotation, substrate uptake, and energy-dissipating cation-proton antiport. We performed a quantitative proteome analysis of V. cholerae O395N1 compared to its variant lacking the NQR using minimal medium with glucose as the carbon source. We found 84 proteins (regulation factor of ≥2) to be changed in abundance. The loss of NQR resulted in a decrease in the abundance of enzymes of the oxidative branch of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and an increase in abundance of virulence factors AcfC and TcpA. Most unexpected, the copper resistance proteins CopA, CopG, and CueR were decreased in the nqr deletion strain. As a consequence, the mutant exhibited diminished resistance to copper compared to the reference strain, as confirmed in growth studies using either glucose or mixed amino acids as carbon sources. We propose that the observed adaptations of the nqr deletion strain represent a coordinated response which counteracts a drop in transmembrane voltage that challenges V. cholerae in its different habitats.IMPORTANCE The importance of the central metabolism for bacterial virulence has raised interest in studying catabolic enzymes not present in the host, such as NQR, as putative targets for antibiotics. Vibrio cholerae lacking the NQR, which is studied here, is a model to estimate the impact of specific NQR inhibitors on the phenotype of a pathogen. Our comparative proteomic study provides a framework to evaluate the chances of success of compounds directed against NQR with respect to their bacteriostatic or bactericidal action.
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In vivo repressed genes of Vibrio cholerae reveal inverse requirements of an H +/Cl - transporter along the gastrointestinal passage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E2376-E2385. [PMID: 29463743 PMCID: PMC5877934 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716973115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The facultative human pathogen Vibrio cholerae changes its transcriptional profile upon oral ingestion by the host to facilitate survival and colonization fitness. Here, we used a modified version of recombination-based in vivo expression technology to investigate gene silencing during the in vivo passage, which has been understudied. Using a murine model of cholera, we screened a V. cholerae transposon library composed of 10,000 randomly generated reporter fusions and identified 101 in vivo repressed (ivr) genes. Our data indicate that constitutive expression of ivr genes reduces colonization fitness, highlighting the necessity to down-regulate these genes in vivo. For example, the ivr gene clcA, encoding an H+/Cl- transporter, could be linked to the acid tolerance response against hydrochloric acid. In a chloride-dependent manner, ClcA facilitates survival under low pH (e.g., the stomach), but its presence becomes detrimental under alkaline conditions (e.g., lower gastrointestinal tract). This pH-dependent clcA expression is controlled by the LysR-type activator AphB, which acts in concert with AphA to initiate the virulence cascade in V. cholerae after oral ingestion. Thus, transcriptional networks dictating induction of virulence factors and the repression of ivr genes overlap to regulate in vivo colonization dynamics. Overall, the results presented herein highlight the impact of spatiotemporal gene silencing in vivo. The molecular characterization of the underlying mechanisms can provide important insights into in vivo physiology and virulence network regulation.
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Zhang M, Zhang X, Tong L, Wang Y, Ou D, Zhang J, Wu Q, Ye Y. Genes involved in tolerance to osmotic stress by random mutagenesis in Cronobacter malonaticus. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:3851-3858. [PMID: 29454685 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cronobacter malonaticus is one of the opportunistic food-borne pathogens in powdered infant formula and has unusual abilities to survive under environmental stresses such as osmotic conditions. However, the genes involved in osmotic stress have received little attention in C. malonaticus. Here, genes involved in osmotic stress were determined in C. malonaticus using a transposon mutagenesis approach. According to the growth of mutants (n = 215) under 5.0% NaCl concentration, the survival of 5 mutants under osmotic stress was significantly decreased compared with that of the wild type strain. Five mutating sites, including potassium efflux protein KefA, inner membrane protein YqjF, peptidylprolyl isomerase, Cys-tRNA(Pro)/Cys-tRNA(Cys) deacylase, and oligogalacturonate lyase were successfully identified. In addition, the biofilm formation of 5 mutants was determined using crystal violet staining, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the biofilms of 5 mutants significantly decreased within 72 h compared with that of wild type strain. This is the first report to determine the genes involved in osmotic tolerance in C. malonaticus. The findings provided valuable information for deep understanding of the mechanism of survival of C. malonaticus under osmotic stress, and a possible relationship between biofilm formation and tolerance to osmotic stress was also demonstrated in C. malonaticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maofeng Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiology Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Xiyan Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Liaowang Tong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Dexin Ou
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiology Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiology Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China.
| | - Yingwang Ye
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiology Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China.
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Acquisition of the Phosphate Transporter NptA Enhances Staphylococcus aureus Pathogenesis by Improving Phosphate Uptake in Divergent Environments. Infect Immun 2017; 86:IAI.00631-17. [PMID: 29084897 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00631-17] [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: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During infection, pathogens must obtain all inorganic nutrients, such as phosphate, from the host. Despite the essentiality of phosphate for all forms of life, how Staphylococcus aureus obtains this nutrient during infection is unknown. Differing from Escherichia coli, the paradigm for bacterial phosphate acquisition, which has two inorganic phosphate (Pi) importers, genomic analysis suggested that S. aureus possesses three distinct Pi transporters: PstSCAB, PitA, and NptA. While pitA and nptA are expressed in phosphate-replete media, expression of all three transporters is induced by phosphate limitation. The loss of a single transporter did not affect S. aureus However, disruption of any two systems significantly reduced Pi accumulation and growth in divergent environments. These findings indicate that PstSCAB, PitA, and NptA have overlapping but nonredundant functions, thus expanding the environments in which S. aureus can successfully obtain Pi Consistent with this idea, in a systemic mouse model of disease, loss of any one transporter did not decrease staphylococcal virulence. However, loss of NptA in conjunction with either PstSCAB or PitA significantly reduced the ability of S. aureus to cause infection. These observations suggest that Pi acquisition via NptA is particularly important for the pathogenesis of S. aureus While our analysis suggests that NptA homologs are widely distributed among bacteria, closely related less pathogenic staphylococcal species do not possess this importer. Altogether, these observations indicate that Pi uptake by S. aureus differs from established models and that acquisition of a third transporter enhances the ability of the bacterium to cause infection.
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Zha S, Liu S, Su W, Shi W, Xiao G, Yan M, Liu G. Laboratory simulation reveals significant impacts of ocean acidification on microbial community composition and host-pathogen interactions between the blood clam and Vibrio harveyi. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 71:393-398. [PMID: 29056489 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that climate change may promote the outbreaks of diseases in the sea through altering the host susceptibility, the pathogen virulence, and the host-pathogen interaction. However, the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on the pathogen components of bacterial community and the host-pathogen interaction of marine bivalves are still poorly understood. Therefore, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and host-pathogen interaction analysis between blood clam (Tegillarca granosa) and Vibrio harveyi were conducted in the present study to gain a better understanding of the ecological impacts of ocean acidification. The results obtained revealed a significant impact of ocean acidification on the composition of microbial community at laboratory scale. Notably, the abundance of Vibrio, a major group of pathogens to many marine organisms, was significantly increased under ocean acidification condition. In addition, the survival rate and haemolytic activity of V. harveyi were significantly higher in the presence of haemolymph of OA treated T. granosa, indicating a compromised immunity of the clam and enhanced virulence of V. harveyi under future ocean acidification scenarios. Conclusively, the results obtained in this study suggest that future ocean acidification may increase the risk of Vibrio pathogen infection for marine bivalve species, such as blood clams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjie Zha
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Saixi Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wenhao Su
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Guoqiang Xiao
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Maocang Yan
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Guangxu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
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Byer T, Wang J, Zhang MG, Vather N, Blachman A, Visser B, Liu JM. MtlR negatively regulates mannitol utilization by Vibrio cholerae. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2017; 163:1902-1911. [PMID: 29076803 PMCID: PMC5845740 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoenopyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) enables Vibrio cholerae – and other bacteria – to recognize and transport exogenous carbon sources for energy, including the six-carbon sugar alcohol, mannitol. The mannitol-specific PTS transporter is encoded by mtlA and its expression is expected to be regulated by the putative repressor encoded by the mtlR gene. Here, we show that mtlR overexpression inhibits V. cholerae growth in medium supplied with mannitol as the sole carbon source and represses MtlA-mediated biofilm formation. We demonstrate that when V. cholerae is grown in non-mannitol medium, knocking out mtlR leads to both increased MtlA protein and mtlA mRNA levels, with these increases being especially pronounced in non-glucose sugars. We propose that in non-mannitol, non-glucose growth conditions, MtlR is a major regulator of mtlA transcription. Surprisingly, with regard to mtlR expression, transcript and protein levels are highest in mannitol medium, conditions where mtlA expression should not be repressed. We further show that MtlR levels increase during growth of the bacteria and linger in cells switched from mannitol to non-mannitol medium. Our data suggests an expression paradigm for mtlA where MtlR acts as a transcriptional repressor responsible for calibrating MtlA levels during environmental transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner Byer
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Jessica Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Mark G Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Naomi Vather
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Anna Blachman
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Bryan Visser
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Jane M Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
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Dibrov P, Dibrov E, Pierce GN. Na+-NQR (Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) as a novel target for antibiotics. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2017; 41:653-671. [PMID: 28961953 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent breakthrough in structural studies on Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) from the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae creates a perspective for the systematic design of inhibitors for this unique enzyme, which is the major Na+ pump in aerobic pathogens. Widespread distribution of Na+-NQR among pathogenic species, its key role in energy metabolism, its relation to virulence in different species as well as its absence in eukaryotic cells makes this enzyme especially attractive as a target for prospective antibiotics. In this review, the major biochemical, physiological and, especially, the pharmacological aspects of Na+-NQR are discussed to assess its 'target potential' for drug development. A comparison to other primary bacterial Na+ pumps supports the contention that NQR is a first rate prospective target for a new generation of antimicrobials. A new, narrowly targeted furanone inhibitor of NQR designed in our group is presented as a molecular platform for the development of anti-NQR remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dibrov
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Elena Dibrov
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Grant N Pierce
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Canada
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Matson JS, Livny J, DiRita VJ. A putative Vibrio cholerae two-component system controls a conserved periplasmic protein in response to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186199. [PMID: 29020117 PMCID: PMC5636140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemic pathogen Vibrio cholerae senses and responds to different external stresses it encounters in the aquatic environment and in the human host. One stress that V. cholerae encounters in the host is exposure to antimicrobial peptides on mucosal surfaces. We used massively parallel cDNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to quantitatively identify the transcriptome of V. cholerae grown in the presence and absence of sub-lethal concentrations of the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B. We evaluated the transcriptome of both wild type V. cholerae and a mutant carrying a deletion of vc1639, a putative sensor kinase of an uncharacterized two-component system, under these conditions. In addition to many previously uncharacterized pathways responding with elevated transcript levels to polymyxin B exposure, we confirmed the predicted elevated transcript levels of a previously described LPS modification system in response to polymyxin B exposure. Additionally, we identified the V. cholerae homologue of visP (ygiW) as a regulatory target of VC1639. VisP is a conserved periplasmic protein implicated in lipid A modification in Salmonellae. This study provides the first systematic analysis of the transcriptional response of Vibrio cholerae to polymyxin B, raising important questions for further study regarding mechanisms used by V. cholerae to sense and respond to envelope stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyl S. Matson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical School, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan Livny
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Victor J. DiRita
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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Cuthbert BJ, Ross W, Rohlfing AE, Dove SL, Gourse RL, Brennan RG, Schumacher MA. Dissection of the molecular circuitry controlling virulence in Francisella tularensis. Genes Dev 2017; 31:1549-1560. [PMID: 28864445 PMCID: PMC5630020 DOI: 10.1101/gad.303701.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, the etiological agent of tularemia, is one of the most infectious bacteria known. Because of its extreme pathogenicity, F. tularensis is classified as a category A bioweapon by the US government. F. tularensis virulence stems from genes encoded on the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI). An unusual set of Francisella regulators-the heteromeric macrophage growth locus protein A (MglA)-stringent starvation protein A (SspA) complex and the DNA-binding protein pathogenicity island gene regulator (PigR)-activates FPI transcription and thus is essential for virulence. Intriguingly, the second messenger, guanosine-tetraphosphate (ppGpp), which is produced during infection, is also involved in coordinating Francisella virulence; however, its role has been unclear. Here we identify MglA-SspA as a novel ppGpp-binding complex and describe structures of apo- and ppGpp-bound MglA-SspA. We demonstrate that MglA-SspA, which binds RNA polymerase (RNAP), also interacts with the C-terminal domain of PigR, thus anchoring the (MglA-SspA)-RNAP complex to the FPI promoter. Furthermore, we show that MglA-SspA must be bound to ppGpp to mediate high-affinity interactions with PigR. Thus, these studies unveil a novel pathway different from those described previously for regulation of transcription by ppGpp. The data also indicate that F. tularensis pathogenesis is controlled by a highly interconnected molecular circuitry in which the virulence machinery directly senses infection via a small molecule stress signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie J Cuthbert
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Wilma Ross
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Amy E Rohlfing
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Simon L Dove
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Richard L Gourse
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Richard G Brennan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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