1
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Hustmyer CM, Landick R. Bacterial chromatin proteins, transcription, and DNA topology: Inseparable partners in the control of gene expression. Mol Microbiol 2024. [PMID: 38847475 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
DNA in bacterial chromosomes is organized into higher-order structures by DNA-binding proteins called nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) or bacterial chromatin proteins (BCPs). BCPs often bind to or near DNA loci transcribed by RNA polymerase (RNAP) and can either increase or decrease gene expression. To understand the mechanisms by which BCPs alter transcription, one must consider both steric effects and the topological forces that arise when DNA deviates from its fully relaxed double-helical structure. Transcribing RNAP creates DNA negative (-) supercoils upstream and positive (+) supercoils downstream whenever RNAP and DNA are unable to rotate freely. This (-) and (+) supercoiling generates topological forces that resist forward translocation of DNA through RNAP unless the supercoiling is constrained by BCPs or relieved by topoisomerases. BCPs also may enhance topological stress and overall can either inhibit or aid transcription. Here, we review current understanding of how RNAP, BCPs, and DNA topology interplay to control gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Hustmyer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Robert Landick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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2
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Lukose B, Maruno T, Faidh M, Uchiyama S, Naganathan A. Molecular and thermodynamic determinants of self-assembly and hetero-oligomerization in the enterobacterial thermo-osmo-regulatory protein H-NS. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2157-2173. [PMID: 38340344 PMCID: PMC10954469 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmentally regulated gene expression is critical for bacterial survival under stress conditions, including extremes in temperature, osmolarity and nutrient availability. Here, we dissect the thermo- and osmo-responsory behavior of the transcriptional repressor H-NS, an archetypal nucleoid-condensing sensory protein, ubiquitous in enterobacteria that infect the mammalian gut. Through experiments and thermodynamic modeling, we show that H-NS exhibits osmolarity, temperature and concentration dependent self-association, with a highly polydisperse native ensemble dominated by monomers, dimers, tetramers and octamers. The relative population of these oligomeric states is determined by an interplay between dimerization and higher-order oligomerization, which in turn drives a competition between weak homo- versus hetero-oligomerization of protein-protein and protein-DNA complexes. A phosphomimetic mutation, Y61E, fully eliminates higher-order self-assembly and preserves only dimerization while weakening DNA binding, highlighting that oligomerization is a prerequisite for strong DNA binding. We further demonstrate the presence of long-distance thermodynamic connectivity between dimerization and oligomerization sites on H-NS which influences the binding of the co-repressor Cnu, and switches the DNA binding mode of the hetero-oligomeric H-NS:Cnu complex. Our work thus uncovers important organizational principles in H-NS including a multi-layered thermodynamic control, and provides a molecular framework broadly applicable to other thermo-osmo sensory proteins that employ similar mechanisms to regulate gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bincy Lukose
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | | | - Mohammed A Faidh
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | | | - Athi N Naganathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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3
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Liu Y, Zhou M, Bu Y, Qin L, Zhang Y, Shao S, Wang Q. Lysine acetylation regulates the AT-rich DNA possession ability of H-NS. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1645-1660. [PMID: 38059366 PMCID: PMC10899749 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
H-NS, the histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein in bacteria, regulates the stability of the bacterial genome by inhibiting the transcription of horizontally transferred genes, such as the type III and type VI secretion systems (T3/T6SS). While eukaryotic histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) have been extensively studied, little is known about prokaryotic H-NS PTMs. Here, we report that the acetylation of H-NS attenuates its ability to silence horizontally transferred genes in response to amino acid nutrition and immune metabolites. Moreover, LC-MS/MS profiling showed that the acetyllysine sites of H-NS and K120 are indispensable for its DNA-binding ability. Acetylation of K120 leads to a low binding affinity for DNA and enhances T3/T6SS expression. Furthermore, acetylation of K120 impairs the AT-rich DNA recognition ability of H-NS. In addition, lysine acetylation in H-NS modulates in vivo bacterial virulence. These findings reveal the mechanism underlying H-NS PTMs and propose a novel mechanism by which bacteria counteract the xenogeneic silencing of H-NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Mengqing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yifan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Liang Qin
- New Product R&D, GenScript Biotech Corporation, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases of MOA, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuai Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases of MOA, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qiyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases of MOA, Shanghai 200237, China
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4
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Collette D, Dunlap D, Finzi L. Macromolecular Crowding and DNA: Bridging the Gap between In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17502. [PMID: 38139331 PMCID: PMC10744201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular environment is highly crowded, with up to 40% of the volume fraction of the cell occupied by various macromolecules. Most laboratory experiments take place in dilute buffer solutions; by adding various synthetic or organic macromolecules, researchers have begun to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo measurements. This is a review of the reported effects of macromolecular crowding on the compaction and extension of DNA, the effect of macromolecular crowding on DNA kinetics, and protein-DNA interactions. Theoretical models related to macromolecular crowding and DNA are briefly reviewed. Gaps in the literature, including the use of biologically relevant crowders, simultaneous use of multi-sized crowders, empirical connections between macromolecular crowding and liquid-liquid phase separation of nucleic materials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Finzi
- Department of Physics, College of Arts & Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.C.); (D.D.)
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5
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Norris V, Kayser C, Muskhelishvili G, Konto-Ghiorghi Y. The roles of nucleoid-associated proteins and topoisomerases in chromosome structure, strand segregation, and the generation of phenotypic heterogeneity in bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuac049. [PMID: 36549664 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
How to adapt to a changing environment is a fundamental, recurrent problem confronting cells. One solution is for cells to organize their constituents into a limited number of spatially extended, functionally relevant, macromolecular assemblies or hyperstructures, and then to segregate these hyperstructures asymmetrically into daughter cells. This asymmetric segregation becomes a particularly powerful way of generating a coherent phenotypic diversity when the segregation of certain hyperstructures is with only one of the parental DNA strands and when this pattern of segregation continues over successive generations. Candidate hyperstructures for such asymmetric segregation in prokaryotes include those containing the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) and the topoisomerases. Another solution to the problem of creating a coherent phenotypic diversity is by creating a growth-environment-dependent gradient of supercoiling generated along the replication origin-to-terminus axis of the bacterial chromosome. This gradient is modulated by transcription, NAPs, and topoisomerases. Here, we focus primarily on two topoisomerases, TopoIV and DNA gyrase in Escherichia coli, on three of its NAPs (H-NS, HU, and IHF), and on the single-stranded binding protein, SSB. We propose that the combination of supercoiling-gradient-dependent and strand-segregation-dependent topoisomerase activities result in significant differences in the supercoiling of daughter chromosomes, and hence in the phenotypes of daughter cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vic Norris
- University of Rouen, Laboratory of Bacterial Communication and Anti-infection Strategies, EA 4312, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan, France
| | - Clara Kayser
- University of Rouen, Laboratory of Bacterial Communication and Anti-infection Strategies, EA 4312, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan, France
| | - Georgi Muskhelishvili
- Agricultural University of Georgia, School of Natural Sciences, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Yoan Konto-Ghiorghi
- University of Rouen, Laboratory of Bacterial Communication and Anti-infection Strategies, EA 4312, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan, France
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6
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Groisman EA, Choi J. Advancing evolution: Bacteria break down gene silencer to express horizontally acquired genes. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300062. [PMID: 37533411 PMCID: PMC10530229 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300062] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer advances bacterial evolution. To benefit from horizontally acquired genes, enteric bacteria must overcome silencing caused when the widespread heat-stable nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein binds to AT-rich horizontally acquired genes. This ability had previously been ascribed to both anti-silencing proteins outcompeting H-NS for binding to AT-rich DNA and RNA polymerase initiating transcription from alternative promoters. However, we now know that pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and commensal Escherichia coli break down H-NS when this silencer is not bound to DNA. Curiously, both species use the same protease - Lon - to destroy H-NS in distinct environments. Anti-silencing proteins promote the expression of horizontally acquired genes without binding to them by displacing H-NS from AT-rich DNA, thus leaving H-NS susceptible to proteolysis and decreasing H-NS amounts overall. Conserved amino acid sequences in the Lon protease and H-NS cleavage site suggest that diverse bacteria degrade H-NS to exploit horizontally acquired genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A. Groisman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
- Yale Microbial Sciences Institute, P.O. Box 27389, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Jeongjoon Choi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
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7
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Shetty D, Kenney LJ. A pH-sensitive switch activates virulence in Salmonella. eLife 2023; 12:e85690. [PMID: 37706506 PMCID: PMC10519707 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85690] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulator SsrB acts as a switch between virulent and biofilm lifestyles of non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. During infection, phosphorylated SsrB activates genes on Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-2 (SPI-2) essential for survival and replication within the macrophage. Low pH inside the vacuole is a key inducer of expression and SsrB activation. Previous studies demonstrated an increase in SsrB protein levels and DNA-binding affinity at low pH; the molecular basis was unknown (Liew et al., 2019). This study elucidates its underlying mechanism and in vivo significance. Employing single-molecule and transcriptional assays, we report that the SsrB DNA-binding domain alone (SsrBc) is insufficient to induce acid pH-sensitivity. Instead, His12, a conserved residue in the receiver domain confers pH sensitivity to SsrB allosterically. Acid-dependent DNA binding was highly cooperative, suggesting a new configuration of SsrB oligomers at SPI-2-dependent promoters. His12 also plays a role in SsrB phosphorylation; substituting His12 reduced phosphorylation at neutral pH and abolished pH-dependent differences. Failure to flip the switch in SsrB renders Salmonella avirulent and represents a potential means of controlling virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasvit Shetty
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Linda J Kenney
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalvestonUnited States
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalvestonUnited States
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8
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Cossa A, Trépout S, Wien F, Groen J, Le Brun E, Turbant F, Besse L, Pereiro E, Arluison V. Cryo soft X-ray tomography to explore Escherichia coli nucleoid remodeling by Hfq master regulator. J Struct Biol 2022; 214:107912. [PMID: 36283630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2022.107912] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial chromosomic DNA is packed within a membrane-less structure, the nucleoid, due to the association of DNA with proteins called Nucleoid Associated Proteins (NAPs). Among these NAPs, Hfq is one of the most intriguing as it plays both direct and indirect roles on DNA structure. Indeed, Hfq is best known to mediate post-transcriptional regulation by using small noncoding RNA (sRNA). Although Hfq presence in the nucleoid has been demonstrated for years, its precise role is still unclear. Recently, it has been shown in vitro that Hfq forms amyloid-like structures through its C-terminal region, hence belonging to the bridging family of NAPs. Here, using cryo soft X-ray tomography imaging of native unlabeled cells and using a semi-automatic analysis and segmentation procedure, we show that Hfq significantly remodels the Escherichia coli nucleoid. More specifically, Hfq influences nucleoid density especially during the stationary growth phase when it is more abundant. Our results indicate that Hfq could regulate nucleoid compaction directly via its interaction with DNA, but also at the post-transcriptional level via its interaction with RNAs. Taken together, our findings reveal a new role for this protein in nucleoid remodeling in vivo, that may serve in response to stress conditions and in adapting to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Cossa
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UAR2016, Inserm US43, Université Paris-Saclay, Multimodal Imaging Center, 91400 Orsay, France; Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sylvain Trépout
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UAR2016, Inserm US43, Université Paris-Saclay, Multimodal Imaging Center, 91400 Orsay, France; Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Frank Wien
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin BP48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Johannes Groen
- Mistral Beamline, Alba Light Source, Cerdanyola del Valles, 08290 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Etienne Le Brun
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Florian Turbant
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Laetitia Besse
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UAR2016, Inserm US43, Université Paris-Saclay, Multimodal Imaging Center, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Eva Pereiro
- Mistral Beamline, Alba Light Source, Cerdanyola del Valles, 08290 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Véronique Arluison
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR12, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Université Paris Cité, UFR Sciences du vivant, 75006 Paris cedex, France.
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9
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Scholz SA, Lindeboom CD, Freddolino PL. Genetic context effects can override canonical cis regulatory elements in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10360-10375. [PMID: 36134716 PMCID: PMC9561378 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent experiments have shown that in addition to control by cis regulatory elements, the local chromosomal context of a gene also has a profound impact on its transcription. Although this chromosome-position dependent expression variation has been empirically mapped at high-resolution, the underlying causes of the variation have not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that 1 kb of flanking, non-coding synthetic sequences with a low frequency of guanosine and cytosine (GC) can dramatically reduce reporter expression compared to neutral and high GC-content flanks in Escherichia coli. Natural and artificial genetic context can have a similarly strong effect on reporter expression, regardless of cell growth phase or medium. Despite the strong reduction in the maximal expression level from the fully-induced reporter, low GC synthetic flanks do not affect the time required to reach the maximal expression level after induction. Overall, we demonstrate key determinants of transcriptional propensity that appear to act as tunable modulators of transcription, independent of regulatory sequences such as the promoter. These findings provide insight into the regulation of naturally occurring genes and an independent control for optimizing expression of synthetic biology constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Scholz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chase D Lindeboom
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter L Freddolino
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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10
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Son B, Patterson-West J, Thompson CO, Iben JR, Hinton DM. Setting Up a Better Infection: Overexpression of the Early Bacteriophage T4 Gene motB During Infection Results in a More Favorable tRNA Pool for the Phage. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2022; 3:141-152. [PMID: 36196375 PMCID: PMC9527043 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2022.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND : Although many bacteriophage T4 early genes are nonessential with unknown functions, they are believed to aid in the takeover of the Escherichia coli host. Understanding the functions of these genes could be helpful to develop novel antibacterial strategies. MotB, encoded by a previously uncharacterized T4 early gene, is a DNA-binding protein that compacts the host nucleoid and alters host gene expression. METHODS : MotB structure was predicted by AlphaFold 2. RNA-seq and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses were performed to determine RNA and protein changes when motB was overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) ±5 min T4 infection. RESULTS : MotB structure is predicted to be a two-domain protein with N-terminal Kyprides-Onzonis-Woese and C-terminal oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-fold domains. In E. coli B, motB overexpression during infection does not affect T4 RNAs, but affects the expression of host genes, including the downregulation of 21 of the 84 chargeable host tRNAs. Many of these tRNAs are used less frequently by T4 or have a counterpart encoded within the T4 genome. The MS analyses indicate that the levels of multiple T4 proteins are changed by motB overexpression. CONCLUSION : Our results suggest that in this E. coli B host, motB is involved in establishing a more favorable tRNA pool for the phage during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bokyung Son
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer Patterson-West
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine O. Thompson
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James R. Iben
- Molecular Genomics Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah M. Hinton
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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11
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Spahn C, Gómez-de-Mariscal E, Laine RF, Pereira PM, von Chamier L, Conduit M, Pinho MG, Jacquemet G, Holden S, Heilemann M, Henriques R. DeepBacs for multi-task bacterial image analysis using open-source deep learning approaches. Commun Biol 2022; 5:688. [PMID: 35810255 PMCID: PMC9271087 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03634-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This work demonstrates and guides how to use a range of state-of-the-art artificial neural-networks to analyse bacterial microscopy images using the recently developed ZeroCostDL4Mic platform. We generated a database of image datasets used to train networks for various image analysis tasks and present strategies for data acquisition and curation, as well as model training. We showcase different deep learning (DL) approaches for segmenting bright field and fluorescence images of different bacterial species, use object detection to classify different growth stages in time-lapse imaging data, and carry out DL-assisted phenotypic profiling of antibiotic-treated cells. To also demonstrate the ability of DL to enhance low-phototoxicity live-cell microscopy, we showcase how image denoising can allow researchers to attain high-fidelity data in faster and longer imaging. Finally, artificial labelling of cell membranes and predictions of super-resolution images allow for accurate mapping of cell shape and intracellular targets. Our purposefully-built database of training and testing data aids in novice users' training, enabling them to quickly explore how to analyse their data through DL. We hope this lays a fertile ground for the efficient application of DL in microbiology and fosters the creation of tools for bacterial cell biology and antibiotic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Spahn
- Department of Natural Products in Organismic Interaction, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | | | - Romain F Laine
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Micrographia Bio, Translation and Innovation hub 84 Wood lane, W120BZ, London, UK
| | - Pedro M Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Lucas von Chamier
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mia Conduit
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE24AX, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana G Pinho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Guillaume Jacquemet
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioimaging, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Séamus Holden
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE24AX, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Heilemann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Ricardo Henriques
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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12
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Bacterial H-NS contacts DNA at the same irregularly spaced sites in both bridged and hemi-sequestered linear filaments. iScience 2022; 25:104429. [PMID: 35669520 PMCID: PMC9162952 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene silencing in bacteria is mediated by chromatin proteins, of which Escherichia coli H-NS is a paradigmatic example. H-NS forms nucleoprotein filaments with either one or two DNA duplexes. However, the structures, arrangements of DNA-binding domains (DBDs), and positions of DBD-DNA contacts in linear and bridged filaments are uncertain. To characterize the H-NS DBD contacts that silence transcription by RNA polymerase, we combined ·OH footprinting, molecular dynamics, statistical modeling, and DBD mapping using a chemical nuclease (Fe2+-EDTA) tethered to the DBDs (TEN-map). We find that H-NS DBDs contact DNA at indistinguishable locations in bridged or linear filaments and that the DBDs vary in orientation and position with ∼10-bp average spacing. Our results support a hemi-sequestration model of linear-to-bridged H-NS switching. Linear filaments able to inhibit only transcription initiation switch to bridged filaments able to inhibit both initiation and elongation using the same irregularly spaced DNA contacts.
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13
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Modulating binding affinity, specificity and configurations by multivalent interactions. Biophys J 2022; 121:1868-1880. [PMID: 35450827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological functions of proteins rely on their specific interactions with binding partners. Many proteins contain multiple domains, which can bind to their targets that often have more than one binding site, resulting in multivalent interactions. While it has been shown that multivalent interactions play an crucial role in modulating binding affinity and specificity, other potential effects of multivalent interactions are less explored. Here, we developed a broadly applicable transfer matrix formalism and used it to investigate the binding of two-domain ligands to targets with multiple binding sites. We show that 1) ligands with two specific binding domains can drastically boost both the binding affinity and specificity and down-shift the working concentration range, compared to single-domain ligands, 2) the presence of a positive domain-domain cooperativity or containing a non-specific binding domain can down-shift the working concentration range of ligands by increasing the binding affinity without compromising the binding specificity, 3) the configuration of the bound ligands has a strong concentration dependence, providing important insights into the physical origin of phase-separation processes taking place in living cells. In line with previous studies, our results suggest that multivalent interactions are utilized by cells for highly efficient regulation of target binding involved in a diverse range of cellular processes such as signal transduction, gene transcription, antibody-antigen recognition.
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14
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Facilitated Dissociation of Nucleoid Associated Proteins from DNA in the Bacterial Confinement. Biophys J 2022; 121:1119-1133. [PMID: 35257784 PMCID: PMC9034294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription machinery depends on the temporal formation of protein-DNA complexes. Recent experiments demonstrated that not only the formation but also the lifetime of such complexes can affect the transcriptional machinery. In parallel, in vitro single-molecule studies showed that nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) leave the DNA rapidly as the bulk concentration of the protein increases via facilitated dissociation (FD). Nevertheless, whether such a concentration-dependent mechanism is functional in a bacterial cell, in which NAP levels and the 3d chromosomal structure are often coupled, is not clear a priori. Here, by using extensive coarse-grained molecular simulations, we model the unbinding of specific and nonspecific dimeric NAPs from a high-molecular-weight circular DNA molecule in a cylindrical structure mimicking the cellular confinement of a bacterial chromosome. Our simulations confirm that physiologically relevant peak protein levels (tens of micromolar) lead to highly compact chromosomal structures. This compaction results in rapid off rates (shorter DNA residence times) for specifically DNA-binding NAPs, such as the factor for inversion stimulation, which mostly dissociate via a segmental jump mechanism. Contrarily, for nonspecific NAPs, which are more prone to leave their binding sites via 1d sliding, the off rates decrease as the protein levels increase. The simulations with restrained chromosome models reveal that chromosome compaction is in favor of faster dissociation but only for specific proteins, and nonspecific proteins are not affected by the chromosome compaction. Overall, our results suggest that the cellular concentration level of a structural DNA-binding protein can be highly intermingled with its DNA residence time.
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15
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Khina AG, Krutyakov YA. Similarities and Differences in the Mechanism of Antibacterial Action of Silver Ions and Nanoparticles. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683821060053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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16
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Long-Distance Effects of H-NS Binding in the Control of hilD Expression in the Salmonella SPI1 Locus. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0030821. [PMID: 34424033 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00308-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium utilizes a type three secretion system (T3SS) carried on the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) to invade intestinal epithelial cells and induce inflammatory diarrhea. HilA activates expression of the T3SS structural genes. Expression of hyper invasion locus A (hilA) is controlled by the transcription factors HilD, HilC, and RtsA, which act in a complex feed-forward regulatory loop. The nucleoid-associated protein H-NS is a xenogeneic silencer that has a major effect on SPI1 expression. In this work, we use genetic techniques to show that disruptions of the chromosomal region surrounding hilD have a cis effect on H-NS-mediated repression of the hilD promoter; this effect occurs asymmetrically over ∼4 kb spanning the prgH-hilD intergenic region. CAT cassettes inserted at various positions in this region are also silenced in relation to the proximity to the hilD promoter. We identify a putative H-NS nucleation site, and its mutation results in derepression of the locus. Furthermore, we genetically show that HilD abrogates H-NS-mediated silencing to activate the hilD promoter. In contrast, H-NS-mediated repression of the hilA promoter, downstream of hilD, is through its control of HilD, which directly activates hilA transcription. Likewise, activation of the prgH promoter, although in a region silenced by H-NS, is strictly dependent on HilA. In summary, we propose a model in which H-NS nucleates within the hilD promoter region to polymerize and exert its repressive effect. Thus, H-NS-mediated repression of SPI1 is primarily through the control of hilD expression, with HilD capable of overcoming H-NS to autoactivate. IMPORTANCE Members of the foodborne pathogen Salmonella rely on a type III secretion system to invade intestinal epithelial cells and initiate infection. This system was acquired through horizontal gene transfer, essentially creating the Salmonella genus. Expression of this critical virulence factor is controlled by a complex regulatory network. The nucleoid protein H-NS is a global repressor of horizontally acquired genomic loci. Here, we identify the critical site of H-NS regulation in this system and show that alterations to the DNA over a surprisingly large region affect this regulation, providing important information regarding the mechanism of H-NS action.
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17
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Son B, Patterson-West J, Arroyo-Mendoza M, Ramachandran R, Iben J, Zhu J, Rao V, Dimitriadis E, Hinton D. A phage-encoded nucleoid associated protein compacts both host and phage DNA and derepresses H-NS silencing. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9229-9245. [PMID: 34365505 PMCID: PMC8450097 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoid Associated Proteins (NAPs) organize the bacterial chromosome within the nucleoid. The interaction of the NAP H-NS with DNA also represses specific host and xenogeneic genes. Previously, we showed that the bacteriophage T4 early protein MotB binds to DNA, co-purifies with H-NS/DNA, and improves phage fitness. Here we demonstrate using atomic force microscopy that MotB compacts the DNA with multiple MotB proteins at the center of the complex. These complexes differ from those observed with H-NS and other NAPs, but resemble those formed by the NAP-like proteins CbpA/Dps and yeast condensin. Fluorescent microscopy indicates that expression of motB in vivo, at levels like that during T4 infection, yields a significantly compacted nucleoid containing MotB and H-NS. motB overexpression dysregulates hundreds of host genes; ∼70% are within the hns regulon. In infected cells overexpressing motB, 33 T4 late genes are expressed early, and the T4 early gene repEB, involved in replication initiation, is up ∼5-fold. We postulate that MotB represents a phage-encoded NAP that aids infection in a previously unrecognized way. We speculate that MotB-induced compaction may generate more room for T4 replication/assembly and/or leads to beneficial global changes in host gene expression, including derepression of much of the hns regulon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bokyung Son
- 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, USA
| | - Jennifer Patterson-West
- 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, USA
| | - Melissa Arroyo-Mendoza
- 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, USA
| | - Revathy Ramachandran
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James R Iben
- Molecular Genomics Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venigalla Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Emilios K Dimitriadis
- Trans-NIH Shared Resource on Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Deborah M Hinton
- 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, USA
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18
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Zhao X, Remington JM, Schneebeli ST, Arold ST, Li J. Molecular Basis for Environment Sensing by a Nucleoid-Structuring Bacterial Protein Filament. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:7878-7884. [PMID: 34382809 PMCID: PMC9346976 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein controls the expression of hundreds of genes in Gram-positive bacteria through its capability to coat and condense DNA. This mechanism requires the formation of superhelical H-NS protein filaments that are sensitive to temperature and salinity, allowing H-NS to act as an environment sensor. We use multiscale modeling and simulations to obtain detailed insights into the mechanism of H-NS filament's sensitivity to environmental changes. Through the simulations of the superhelical H-NS filament, we reveal how different environments induce heterogeneity of H-NS monomers. Further, we observe that transient self-association within the H-NS filament creates temperature-inducible strain and might mildly oppose DNA binding. We also probe different H-NS-DNA complex architectures and show that complexation enhances the stability of both DNA and H-NS superhelices. Overall, our results provide unprecedented molecular insights into the environmental sensing and DNA interactions of a prototypical nucleoid-structuring bacterial protein filament.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Zhao
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Vermont, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Jacob M. Remington
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Vermont, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Severin T. Schneebeli
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Vermont, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Stefan T. Arold
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Jianing Li
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Vermont, Burlington VT 05405
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19
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Singh MK, Kenney LJ. Super-resolution imaging of bacterial pathogens and visualization of their secreted effectors. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:5911101. [PMID: 32970796 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in super-resolution imaging techniques, together with new fluorescent probes have enhanced our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and their interplay within the host. In this review, we provide an overview of what these techniques have taught us about the bacterial lifestyle, the nucleoid organization, its complex protein secretion systems, as well as the secreted virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moirangthem Kiran Singh
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Linda J Kenney
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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20
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Duan B, Ding P, Navarre WW, Liu J, Xia B. Xenogeneic Silencing and Bacterial Genome Evolution: Mechanisms for DNA Recognition Imply Multifaceted Roles of Xenogeneic Silencers. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:4135-4148. [PMID: 34003286 PMCID: PMC8476142 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driving force for bacterial evolution. To avoid the deleterious effects due to the unregulated expression of newly acquired foreign genes, bacteria have evolved specific proteins named xenogeneic silencers to recognize foreign DNA sequences and suppress their transcription. As there is considerable diversity in genomic base compositions among bacteria, how xenogeneic silencers distinguish self- from nonself DNA in different bacteria remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the progress in studying the DNA binding preferences and the underlying molecular mechanisms of known xenogeneic silencer families, represented by H-NS of Escherichia coli, Lsr2 of Mycobacterium, MvaT of Pseudomonas, and Rok of Bacillus. Comparative analyses of the published data indicate that the differences in DNA recognition mechanisms enable these xenogeneic silencers to have clear characteristics in DNA sequence preferences, which are further correlated with different host genomic features. These correlations provide insights into the mechanisms of how these xenogeneic silencers selectively target foreign DNA in different genomic backgrounds. Furthermore, it is revealed that the genomic AT contents of bacterial species with the same xenogeneic silencer family proteins are distributed in a limited range and are generally lower than those species without any known xenogeneic silencers in the same phylum/class/genus, indicating that xenogeneic silencers have multifaceted roles on bacterial genome evolution. In addition to regulating horizontal gene transfer, xenogeneic silencers also act as a selective force against the GC to AT mutational bias found in bacterial genomes and help the host genomic AT contents maintained at relatively low levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Duan
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Pengfei Ding
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - William Wiley Navarre
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Bin Xia
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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21
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Norris V, Ripoll C. Generation of Bacterial Diversity by Segregation of DNA Strands. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:550856. [PMID: 33828535 PMCID: PMC8019907 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.550856] [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: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation in a bacterial population of a diversity that is coherent with present and future environments is a fundamental problem. Here, we use modeling to investigate growth rate diversity. We show that the combination of (1) association of extended assemblies of macromolecules with the DNA strands and (2) the segregation of DNA strands during cell division allows cells to generate different patterns of growth rate diversity with little effect on the overall growth rate of the population and thereby constitutes an example of “order for free” on which evolution can act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vic Norris
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment, Faculty of Science, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France
| | - Camille Ripoll
- Faculty of Science, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France
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22
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Lsr2, a nucleoid-associated protein influencing mycobacterial cell cycle. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2910. [PMID: 33536448 PMCID: PMC7858621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82295-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) are responsible for maintaining highly organized and yet dynamic chromosome structure in bacteria. The genus Mycobacterium possesses a unique set of NAPs, including Lsr2, which is a DNA-bridging protein. Importantly, Lsr2 is essential for the M. tuberculosis during infection exhibiting pleiotropic activities including regulation of gene expression (mainly as a repressor). Here, we report that deletion of lsr2 gene profoundly impacts the cell morphology of M. smegmatis, which is a model organism for studying the cell biology of M. tuberculosis and other mycobacterial pathogens. Cells lacking Lsr2 are shorter, wider, and more rigid than the wild-type cells. Using time-lapse fluorescent microscopy, we showed that fluorescently tagged Lsr2 forms large and dynamic nucleoprotein complexes, and that the N-terminal oligomerization domain of Lsr2 is indispensable for the formation of nucleoprotein complexes in vivo. Moreover, lsr2 deletion exerts a significant effect on the replication time and replisome dynamics. Thus, we propose that the Lsr2 nucleoprotein complexes may contribute to maintaining the proper organization of the newly synthesized DNA and therefore influencing mycobacterial cell cycle.
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23
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Zhao X, Shahul Hameed UF, Kharchenko V, Liao C, Huser F, Remington JM, Radhakrishnan AK, Jaremko M, Jaremko Ł, Arold ST, Li J. Molecular basis for the adaptive evolution of environment-sensing by H-NS proteins. eLife 2021; 10:57467. [PMID: 33410747 PMCID: PMC7817174 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA-binding protein H-NS is a pleiotropic gene regulator in gram-negative bacteria. Through its capacity to sense temperature and other environmental factors, H-NS allows pathogens like Salmonella to adapt their gene expression to their presence inside or outside warm-blooded hosts. To investigate how this sensing mechanism may have evolved to fit different bacterial lifestyles, we compared H-NS orthologs from bacteria that infect humans, plants, and insects, and from bacteria that live on a deep-sea hypothermal vent. The combination of biophysical characterization, high-resolution proton-less nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular simulations revealed, at an atomistic level, how the same general mechanism was adapted to specific habitats and lifestyles. In particular, we demonstrate how environment-sensing characteristics arise from specifically positioned intra- or intermolecular electrostatic interactions. Our integrative approach clarified the exact modus operandi for H-NS-mediated environmental sensing and suggested that this sensing mechanism resulted from the exaptation of an ancestral protein feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, United States
| | - Umar F Shahul Hameed
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vladlena Kharchenko
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chenyi Liao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, United States
| | - Franceline Huser
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jacob M Remington
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anand K Radhakrishnan
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Łukasz Jaremko
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefan T Arold
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Centre de Biochimie Structurale, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, United States
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24
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Chen SWW, Banneville AS, Teulon JM, Timmins J, Pellequer JL. Nanoscale surface structures of DNA bound to Deinococcus radiodurans HU unveiled by atomic force microscopy. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:22628-22638. [PMID: 33150905 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr05320a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Deinococcus radiodurans protein HU (DrHU) was shown to be critical for nucleoid activities, yet its functional and structural properties remain largely unexplored. We have applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging to study DrHU binding to pUC19-DNA in vitro and analyzed the topographic structures formed at the nanoscale. At the single-molecule level, AFM imaging allows visualization of super-helical turns on naked DNA surfaces and characterization of free DrHU molecules observed as homodimers. When enhancing the molecular surface structures of AFM images by the Laplacian weight filter, the distribution of bound DrHUs was visibly varied as a function of the DrHU/DNA molar ratio. At a low molar ratio, DrHU binding was found to reduce the volume of condensed DNA configuration by about 50%. We also show that DrHU is capable of bridging distinct DNA segments. Moreover, at a low molar ratio, the binding orientation of individual DrHU dimers could be perceived on partially "open" DNA configuration. At a high molar ratio, DrHU stiffened the DNA molecule and enlarged the spread of the open DNA configuration. Furthermore, a lattice-like pattern could be seen on the surface of DrHU-DNA complex, indicating that DrHU multimerization had occurred leading to the formation of a higher order architecture. Together, our results show that the functional plasticity of DrHU in mediating DNA organization is subject to both the conformational dynamics of DNA molecules and protein abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Wen W Chen
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), F-38000 Grenoble, France.
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25
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Regulation of gene expression by protein lysine acetylation in Salmonella. J Microbiol 2020; 58:979-987. [PMID: 33201432 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-0483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Protein lysine acetylation influences many physiological functions, such as gene regulation, metabolism, and disease in eukaryotes. Although little is known about the role of lysine acetylation in bacteria, several reports have proposed its importance in various cellular processes. Here, we discussed the function of the protein lysine acetylation and the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone-like proteins in bacteria focusing on Salmonella pathogenicity. The protein lysine residue in Salmonella is acetylated by the Pat-mediated enzymatic pathway or by the acetyl phosphate-mediated non-enzymatic pathway. In Salmonella, the acetylation of lysine 102 and lysine 201 on PhoP inhibits its protein activity and DNA-binding, respectively. Lysine acetylation of the transcriptional regulator, HilD, also inhibits pathogenic gene expression. Moreover, it has been reported that the protein acetylation patterns significantly differ in the drug-resistant and -sensitive Salmonella strains. In addition, nucleoid-associated proteins such as histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) are critical for the gene silencing in bacteria, and PTMs in H-NS also affect the gene expression. In this review, we suggest that protein lysine acetylation and the post-translational modifications of H-NS are important factors in understanding the regulation of gene expression responsible for pathogenicity in Salmonella.
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26
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Fitzgerald S, Kary SC, Alshabib EY, MacKenzie KD, Stoebel DM, Chao TC, Cameron ADS. Redefining the H-NS protein family: a diversity of specialized core and accessory forms exhibit hierarchical transcriptional network integration. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10184-10198. [PMID: 32894292 PMCID: PMC7544231 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa709] [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: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
H-NS is a nucleoid structuring protein and global repressor of virulence and horizontally-acquired genes in bacteria. H-NS can interact with itself or with homologous proteins, but protein family diversity and regulatory network overlap remain poorly defined. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis that revealed deep-branching clades, dispelling the presumption that H-NS is the progenitor of varied molecular backups. Each clade is composed exclusively of either chromosome-encoded or plasmid-encoded proteins. On chromosomes, stpA and newly discovered hlpP are core genes in specific genera, whereas hfp and newly discovered hlpC are sporadically distributed. Six clades of H-NS plasmid proteins (Hpp) exhibit ancient and dedicated associations with plasmids, including three clades with fidelity for plasmid incompatibility groups H, F or X. A proliferation of H-NS homologs in Erwiniaceae includes the first observation of potentially co-dependent H-NS forms. Conversely, the observed diversification of oligomerization domains may facilitate stable co-existence of divergent homologs in a genome. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis in Salmonella revealed regulatory crosstalk and hierarchical control of H-NS homologs. We also discovered that H-NS is both a repressor and activator of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 gene expression, and both regulatory modes are restored by Sfh (HppH) in the absence of H-NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Fitzgerald
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.,Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Stefani C Kary
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Ebtihal Y Alshabib
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.,Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Keith D MacKenzie
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.,Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Daniel M Stoebel
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Tzu-Chiao Chao
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.,Institute of Environmental Change and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Andrew D S Cameron
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.,Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
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27
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Cristofalo M, Marrano CA, Salerno D, Corti R, Cassina V, Mammola A, Gherardi M, Sclavi B, Cosentino Lagomarsino M, Mantegazza F. Cooperative effects on the compaction of DNA fragments by the nucleoid protein H-NS and the crowding agent PEG probed by Magnetic Tweezers. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129725. [PMID: 32891648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA bridging promoted by the H-NS protein, combined with the compaction induced by cellular crowding, plays a major role in the structuring of the E. coli genome. However, only few studies consider the effects of the physical interplay of these two factors in a controlled environment. METHODS We apply a single molecule technique (Magnetic Tweezers) to study the nanomechanics of compaction and folding kinetics of a 6 kb DNA fragment, induced by H-NS bridging and/or PEG crowding. RESULTS In the presence of H-NS alone, the DNA shows a step-wise collapse driven by the formation of multiple bridges, and little variations in the H-NS concentration-dependent unfolding force. Conversely, the DNA collapse force observed with PEG was highly dependent on the volume fraction of the crowding agent. The two limit cases were interpreted considering the models of loop formation in a pulled chain and pulling of an equilibrium globule respectively. CONCLUSIONS We observed an evident cooperative effect between H-NS activity and the depletion of forces induced by PEG. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our data suggest a double role for H-NS in enhancing compaction while forming specific loops, which could be crucial in vivo for defining specific mesoscale domains in chromosomal regions in response to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cristofalo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - C A Marrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - D Salerno
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - R Corti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - V Cassina
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - A Mammola
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - M Gherardi
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (MI), Italy; IFOM, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milano (MI), Italy; I.N.F.N. Sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - B Sclavi
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 7-9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - M Cosentino Lagomarsino
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (MI), Italy; IFOM, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milano (MI), Italy; I.N.F.N. Sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - F Mantegazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy.
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The Nucleoid-Associated Protein GapR Uses Conserved Structural Elements To Oligomerize and Bind DNA. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.00448-20. [PMID: 32518183 PMCID: PMC7373187 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00448-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria organize their genetic material in a structure called the nucleoid, which needs to be compact to fit inside the cell and, at the same time, dynamic to allow high rates of replication and transcription. Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) play a pivotal role in this process, so their detailed characterization is crucial for our understanding of DNA organization into bacterial cells. Even though NAPs affect DNA-related processes differently, all of them have to oligomerize and bind DNA for their function. The significance of this study is the identification of structural elements involved in the oligomerization and DNA binding of a newly discovered NAP in C. crescentus and the demonstration that structural elements are conserved in evolutionarily distant and functionally distinct NAPs. Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) are DNA binding proteins critical for the organization and function of the bacterial chromosome. A newly discovered NAP in Caulobacter crescentus, GapR, is thought to facilitate the movement of the replication and transcription machines along the chromosome by stimulating type II topoisomerases to remove positive supercoiling. Here, utilizing genetic, biochemical, and biophysical studies of GapR in light of a recently published DNA-bound crystal structure of GapR, we identified the structural elements involved in oligomerization and DNA binding. Moreover, we show that GapR is maintained as a tetramer upon its dissociation from DNA and that tetrameric GapR is capable of binding DNA molecules in vitro. Analysis of protein chimeras revealed that two helices of GapR are functionally conserved in H-NS, demonstrating that two evolutionarily distant NAPs with distinct mechanisms of action utilize conserved structural elements to oligomerize and bind DNA.
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Qin L, Bdira FB, Sterckx YGJ, Volkov AN, Vreede J, Giachin G, van Schaik P, Ubbink M, Dame RT. Structural basis for osmotic regulation of the DNA binding properties of H-NS proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2156-2172. [PMID: 31925429 PMCID: PMC7039000 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
H-NS proteins act as osmotic sensors translating changes in osmolarity into altered DNA binding properties, thus, regulating enterobacterial genome organization and genes transcription. The molecular mechanism underlying the switching process and its conservation among H-NS family members remains elusive. Here, we focus on the H-NS family protein MvaT from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and demonstrate experimentally that its protomer exists in two different conformations, corresponding to two different functional states. In the half-opened state (dominant at low salt) the protein forms filaments along DNA, in the fully opened state (dominant at high salt) the protein bridges DNA. This switching is a direct effect of ionic strength on electrostatic interactions between the oppositely charged DNA binding and N-terminal domains of MvaT. The asymmetric charge distribution and intramolecular interactions are conserved among the H-NS family of proteins. Therefore, our study establishes a general paradigm for the molecular mechanistic basis of the osmosensitivity of H-NS proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Qin
- Department of Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Fredj Ben Bdira
- Department of Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yann G J Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, University Square 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alexander N Volkov
- VIB-VUB Structural Biology Research Center, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.,Jean Jeener NMR Centre, VUB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jocelyne Vreede
- Department of Computational Chemistry, Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France
| | - Peter van Schaik
- Department of Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marcellus Ubbink
- Department of Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Remus T Dame
- Department of Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, the Netherlands
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30
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Chaparian RR, Tran MLN, Miller Conrad LC, Rusch DB, van Kessel JC. Global H-NS counter-silencing by LuxR activates quorum sensing gene expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:171-183. [PMID: 31745565 PMCID: PMC7145609 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria coordinate cellular behaviors using a cell-cell communication system termed quorum sensing. In Vibrio harveyi, the master quorum sensing transcription factor LuxR directly regulates >100 genes in response to changes in population density. Here, we show that LuxR derepresses quorum sensing loci by competing with H-NS, a global transcriptional repressor that oligomerizes on DNA to form filaments and bridges. We first identified H-NS as a repressor of bioluminescence gene expression, for which LuxR is a required activator. In an hns deletion strain, LuxR is no longer necessary for transcription activation of the bioluminescence genes, suggesting that the primary role of LuxR is to displace H-NS to derepress gene expression. Using RNA-seq and ChIP-seq, we determined that H-NS and LuxR co-regulate and co-occupy 28 promoters driving expression of 63 genes across the genome. ChIP-PCR assays show that as autoinducer concentration increases, LuxR protein accumulates at co-occupied promoters while H-NS protein disperses. LuxR is sufficient to evict H-NS from promoter DNA in vitro, which is dependent on LuxR DNA binding activity. From these findings, we propose a model in which LuxR serves as a counter-silencer at H-NS-repressed quorum sensing loci by disrupting H-NS nucleoprotein complexes that block transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minh L N Tran
- Department of Chemistry, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA
| | | | - Douglas B Rusch
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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31
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Sadoon AA, Khadka P, Freeland J, Gundampati RK, Manso RH, Ruiz M, Krishnamurthi VR, Thallapuranam SK, Chen J, Wang Y. Silver Ions Caused Faster Diffusive Dynamics of Histone-Like Nucleoid-Structuring Proteins in Live Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e02479-19. [PMID: 31953329 PMCID: PMC7054089 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02479-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity and mechanism of silver ions (Ag+) have gained broad attention in recent years. However, dynamic studies are rare in this field. Here, we report our measurement of the effects of Ag+ ions on the dynamics of histone-like nucleoid-structuring (H-NS) proteins in live bacteria using single-particle-tracking photoactivated localization microscopy (sptPALM). It was found that treating the bacteria with Ag+ ions led to faster diffusive dynamics of H-NS proteins. Several techniques were used to understand the mechanism of the observed faster dynamics. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay on purified H-NS proteins indicated that Ag+ ions weaken the binding between H-NS proteins and DNA. Isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed that DNA and Ag+ ions interact directly. Our recently developed sensing method based on bent DNA suggested that Ag+ ions caused dehybridization of double-stranded DNA (i.e., dissociation into single strands). These evidences led us to a plausible mechanism for the observed faster dynamics of H-NS proteins in live bacteria when subjected to Ag+ ions: Ag+-induced DNA dehybridization weakens the binding between H-NS proteins and DNA. This work highlighted the importance of dynamic study of single proteins in live cells for understanding the functions of antimicrobial agents in bacteria.IMPORTANCE As so-called "superbug" bacteria resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics have become a global threat to public health in recent years, noble metals, such as silver, in various forms have been attracting broad attention due to their antimicrobial activities. However, most of the studies in the existing literature have relied on the traditional bioassays for studying the antimicrobial mechanism of silver; in addition, temporal resolution is largely missing for understanding the effects of silver on the molecular dynamics inside bacteria. Here, we report our study of the antimicrobial effect of silver ions at the nanoscale on the diffusive dynamics of histone-like nucleoid-structuring (H-NS) proteins in live bacteria using single-particle-tracking photoactivated localization microscopy. This work highlights the importance of dynamic study of single proteins in live cells for understanding the functions of antimicrobial agents in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa A Sadoon
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Microelectronics-Photonics Graduate Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Thi Qar, Thi Qar, Iraq
| | - Prabhat Khadka
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Jack Freeland
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ravi Kumar Gundampati
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ryan H Manso
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Mason Ruiz
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | | | | | - Jingyi Chen
- Microelectronics-Photonics Graduate Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Microelectronics-Photonics Graduate Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
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Rihtar E, Žgur Bertok D, Podlesek Z. The Uropathogenic Specific Protein Gene usp from Escherichia coli and Salmonella bongori is a Novel Member of the TyrR and H-NS Regulons. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030330. [PMID: 32111072 PMCID: PMC7142922 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli PAIusp is a small pathogenicity island encoding usp, for the uropathogenic specific protein (Usp), a genotoxin and three associated downstream imu1-3 genes that protect the producer against its own toxin. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the presence of the PAIusp also in publically available Salmonella bongori and Salmonella enterica subps. salamae genome sequences. PAIusp is in all examined sequences integrated within the aroP-pdhR chromosomal intergenic region. The focus of this work was identification of the usp promoter and regulatory elements controlling its activity. We show that, in both E. coli and S. bongori, the divergent TyrR regulated P3 promoter of the aroP gene, encoding an aromatic amino acid membrane transporter, drives usp transcription while H-NS acts antagonistically repressing expression. Our results show that the horizontally acquired PAIusp has integrated into the TyrR regulatory network and that environmental factors such as aromatic amino acids, temperature and urea induce usp expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Rihtar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.R.); (Z.P.)
- National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Žgur Bertok
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.R.); (Z.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +368-1-423-3388; Fax: +386-1-257-3390
| | - Zdravko Podlesek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.R.); (Z.P.)
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33
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Horizontally Acquired Homologs of Xenogeneic Silencers: Modulators of Gene Expression Encoded by Plasmids, Phages and Genomic Islands. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11020142. [PMID: 32013150 PMCID: PMC7074111 DOI: 10.3390/genes11020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of mobile elements by horizontal gene transfer can play a major role in bacterial adaptation and genome evolution by providing traits that contribute to bacterial fitness. However, gaining foreign DNA can also impose significant fitness costs to the host bacteria and can even produce detrimental effects. The efficiency of horizontal acquisition of DNA is thought to be improved by the activity of xenogeneic silencers. These molecules are a functionally related group of proteins that possess affinity for the acquired DNA. Binding of xenogeneic silencers suppresses the otherwise uncontrolled expression of genes from the newly acquired nucleic acid, facilitating their integration to the bacterial regulatory networks. Even when the genes encoding for xenogeneic silencers are part of the core genome, homologs encoded by horizontally acquired elements have also been identified and studied. In this article, we discuss the current knowledge about horizontally acquired xenogeneic silencer homologs, focusing on those encoded by genomic islands, highlighting their distribution and the major traits that allow these proteins to become part of the host regulatory networks.
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34
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Guo L, Diao W, Gao C, Hu G, Ding Q, Ye C, Chen X, Liu J, Liu L. Engineering Escherichia coli lifespan for enhancing chemical production. Nat Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-019-0411-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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35
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Kenney LJ, Anand GS. EnvZ/OmpR Two-Component Signaling: An Archetype System That Can Function Noncanonically. EcoSal Plus 2020; 9:10.1128/ecosalplus.ESP-0001-2019. [PMID: 32003321 PMCID: PMC7192543 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0001-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Two-component regulatory systems represent the major paradigm for signal transduction in prokaryotes. The simplest systems are composed of a sensor kinase and a response regulator. The sensor is often a membrane protein that senses a change in environmental conditions and is autophosphorylated by ATP on a histidine residue. The phosphoryl group is transferred onto an aspartate of the response regulator, which activates the regulator and alters its output, usually resulting in a change in gene expression. In this review, we present a historical view of the archetype EnvZ/OmpR two-component signaling system, and then we provide a new view of signaling based on our recent experiments. EnvZ responds to cytoplasmic signals that arise from changes in the extracellular milieu, and OmpR acts canonically (requiring phosphorylation) to regulate the porin genes and noncanonically (without phosphorylation) to activate the acid stress response. Herein, we describe how insights gleaned from stimulus recognition and response in EnvZ are relevant to nearly all sensor kinases and response regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda J Kenney
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-Lab, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ganesh S Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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36
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Abstract
How genomes are organized within cells and how the 3D architecture of a genome influences cellular functions are significant questions in biology. A bacterial genomic DNA resides inside cells in a highly condensed and functionally organized form called nucleoid (nucleus-like structure without a nuclear membrane). The Escherichia coli chromosome or nucleoid is composed of the genomic DNA, RNA, and protein. The nucleoid forms by condensation and functional arrangement of a single chromosomal DNA with the help of chromosomal architectural proteins and RNA molecules as well as DNA supercoiling. Although a high-resolution structure of a bacterial nucleoid is yet to come, five decades of research has established the following salient features of the E. coli nucleoid elaborated below: 1) The chromosomal DNA is on the average a negatively supercoiled molecule that is folded as plectonemic loops, which are confined into many independent topological domains due to supercoiling diffusion barriers; 2) The loops spatially organize into megabase size regions called macrodomains, which are defined by more frequent physical interactions among DNA sites within the same macrodomain than between different macrodomains; 3) The condensed and spatially organized DNA takes the form of a helical ellipsoid radially confined in the cell; and 4) The DNA in the chromosome appears to have a condition-dependent 3-D structure that is linked to gene expression so that the nucleoid architecture and gene transcription are tightly interdependent, influencing each other reciprocally. Current advents of high-resolution microscopy, single-molecule analysis and molecular structure determination of the components are expected to reveal the total structure and function of the bacterial nucleoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash C. Verma
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SCV); (SLA)
| | - Zhong Qian
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sankar L. Adhya
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SCV); (SLA)
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37
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Qin L, Erkelens AM, Ben Bdira F, Dame RT. The architects of bacterial DNA bridges: a structurally and functionally conserved family of proteins. Open Biol 2019; 9:190223. [PMID: 31795918 PMCID: PMC6936261 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.190223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Every organism across the tree of life compacts and organizes its genome with architectural chromatin proteins. While eukaryotes and archaea express histone proteins, the organization of bacterial chromosomes is dependent on nucleoid-associated proteins. In Escherichia coli and other proteobacteria, the histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) acts as a global genome organizer and gene regulator. Functional analogues of H-NS have been found in other bacterial species: MvaT in Pseudomonas species, Lsr2 in actinomycetes and Rok in Bacillus species. These proteins complement hns- phenotypes and have similar DNA-binding properties, despite their lack of sequence homology. In this review, we focus on the structural and functional characteristics of these four architectural proteins. They are able to bridge DNA duplexes, which is key to genome compaction, gene regulation and their response to changing conditions in the environment. Structurally the domain organization and charge distribution of these proteins are conserved, which we suggest is at the basis of their conserved environment responsive behaviour. These observations could be used to find and validate new members of this protein family and to predict their response to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Qin
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A. M. Erkelens
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F. Ben Bdira
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R. T. Dame
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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38
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Sun Z, Cagliero C, Izard J, Chen Y, Zhou YN, Heinz WF, Schneider TD, Jin DJ. Density of σ70 promoter-like sites in the intergenic regions dictates the redistribution of RNA polymerase during osmotic stress in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:3970-3985. [PMID: 30843055 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase (RNAP), the transcription machinery, shows dynamic binding across the genomic DNA under different growth conditions. The genomic features that selectively redistribute the limited RNAP molecules to dictate genome-wide transcription in response to environmental cues remain largely unknown. We chose the bacterial osmotic stress response model to determine genomic features that direct genome-wide redistribution of RNAP during the stress. Genomic mapping of RNAP and transcriptome profiles corresponding to the different temporal states after salt shock were determined. We found rapid redistribution of RNAP across the genome, primarily at σ70 promoters. Three subsets of genes exhibiting differential salt sensitivities were identified. Sequence analysis using an information-theory based σ70 model indicates that the intergenic regions of salt-responsive genes are enriched with a higher density of σ70 promoter-like sites than those of salt-sensitive genes. In addition, the density of promoter-like sites has a positive linear correlation with RNAP binding at different salt concentrations. The RNAP binding contributed by the non-initiating promoter-like sites is important for gene transcription at high salt concentration. Our study demonstrates that hyperdensity of σ70 promoter-like sites in the intergenic regions of salt-responsive genes drives the RNAP redistribution for reprograming the transcriptome to counter osmotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Cedric Cagliero
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jerome Izard
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Yixiong Chen
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Yan Ning Zhou
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - William F Heinz
- Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Thomas D Schneider
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ding Jun Jin
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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Alqahtany M, Khadka P, Niyonshuti I, Krishnamurthi VR, Sadoon AA, Challapalli SD, Chen J, Wang Y. Nanoscale reorganizations of histone-like nucleoid structuring proteins in Escherichia coli are caused by silver nanoparticles. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 30:385101. [PMID: 31212266 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab2a9f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ions (Ag+) have recently gained broad attention due to their antimicrobial effects against bacteria and other microbes. In this work, we demonstrate the use of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy for investigating and quantifying the antimicrobial effect of AgNPs at the molecular level. We found that subjecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to AgNPs led to nanoscale reorganization of histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) proteins, an essential nucleoid associated protein in bacteria. We observed that H-NS proteins formed denser and larger clusters at the center of the bacteria after exposure to AgNPs. We quantified the spatial reorganizations of H-NS proteins by examining the changes of various spatial parameters, including the inter-molecular distances and molecular densities. Clustering analysis based on Voronoi-tessellation were also performed to characterize the change of H-NS proteins' clustering behavior. We found that AgNP-treatment led to an increase in the fraction of H-NS proteins forming clusters. Similar effects were observed for bacteria exposed to Ag+ ions, suggesting that the release of Ag+ ions plays an important role in the toxicity of AgNPs. On the other hand, we observed that AgNPs with two surface coatings showed difference in the nanoscale reorganization of H-NS proteins, indicating that particle-specific effects also contribute to the antimicrobial activities of AgNPs. Our results suggested that H-NS proteins were significantly affected by AgNPs and Ag+ ions, which has been overlooked previously. In addition, we examined the dynamic motion of AgNPs that were attached to the surface of bacteria. We expect that the current methodology can be readily applied to broadly and quantitatively study the spatial reorganization of biological macromolecules at the scale of nanometers caused by metal nanoparticles, which are expected to shed new light on the antimicrobial mechanism of metal nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaad Alqahtany
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America. Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America
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40
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Floc'h K, Lacroix F, Servant P, Wong YS, Kleman JP, Bourgeois D, Timmins J. Cell morphology and nucleoid dynamics in dividing Deinococcus radiodurans. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3815. [PMID: 31444361 PMCID: PMC6707255 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11725-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of bacterial nucleoids originates mostly from studies of rod- or crescent-shaped bacteria. Here we reveal that Deinococcus radiodurans, a relatively large spherical bacterium with a multipartite genome, constitutes a valuable system for the study of the nucleoid in cocci. Using advanced microscopy, we show that D. radiodurans undergoes coordinated morphological changes at both the cellular and nucleoid level as it progresses through its cell cycle. The nucleoid is highly condensed, but also surprisingly dynamic, adopting multiple configurations and presenting an unusual arrangement in which oriC loci are radially distributed around clustered ter sites maintained at the cell centre. Single-particle tracking and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies of the histone-like HU protein suggest that its loose binding to DNA may contribute to this remarkable plasticity. These findings demonstrate that nucleoid organization is complex and tightly coupled to cell cycle progression in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Floc'h
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Pascale Servant
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Yung-Sing Wong
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Joanna Timmins
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000, Grenoble, France.
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41
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Gulvady R, Gao Y, Kenney LJ, Yan J. A single molecule analysis of H-NS uncouples DNA binding affinity from DNA specificity. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:10216-10224. [PMID: 30239908 PMCID: PMC6212787 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat-stable nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) plays a crucial role in gene silencing within prokaryotic cells and is important in pathogenesis. It was reported that H-NS silences nearly 5% of the genome, yet the molecular mechanism of silencing is not well understood. Here, we employed a highly-sensitive single-molecule counting approach, and measured the dissociation constant (KD) of H-NS binding to single DNA binding sites. Charged residues in the linker domain of H-NS provided the most significant contribution to DNA binding affinity. Although H-NS was reported to prefer A/T-rich DNA (a feature of pathogenicity islands) over G/C-rich DNA, the dissociation constants obtained from such sites were nearly identical. Using a hairpin unzipping assay, we were able to uncouple non-specific DNA binding steps from nucleation site binding and subsequent polymerization. We propose a model in which H-NS initially engages with non-specific DNA via reasonably high affinity (∼60 nM KD) electrostatic interactions with basic residues in the linker domain. This initial contact enables H-NS to search along the DNA for specific nucleation sites that drive subsequent polymerization and gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Gulvady
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Yunfeng Gao
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Linda J Kenney
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore.,Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL 6061, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Jie Yan
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore.,Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore.,Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore
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42
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Will WR, Whitham PJ, Reid PJ, Fang FC. Modulation of H-NS transcriptional silencing by magnesium. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:5717-5725. [PMID: 29757411 PMCID: PMC6009595 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial histone-like protein H-NS silences AT-rich DNA, binding DNA as 'stiffened' filaments or 'bridged' intrastrand loops. The switch between these modes has been suggested to depend on the concentration of divalent cations, in particular Mg2+, with elevated Mg2+ concentrations associated with a transition to bridging. Here we demonstrate that the observed binding mode is a function of the local concentration of H-NS and its cognate binding sites, as well as the affinity of the interactions between them. Mg2+ does not control a binary switch between these two modes but rather modulates the affinity of this interaction, inhibiting the DNA-binding and silencing activity of H-NS in a continuous linear fashion. The direct relationship between conditions that favor stiffening and transcriptional silencing activity suggests that although both modes can occur in the cell, stiffening is the predominant mode of binding at silenced genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Ryan Will
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Patrick J Whitham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Philip J Reid
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ferric C Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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43
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Hu L, Kong W, Yang D, Han Q, Guo L, Shi Y. Threonine Phosphorylation Fine-Tunes the Regulatory Activity of Histone-Like Nucleoid Structuring Protein in Salmonella Transcription. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1515. [PMID: 31333620 PMCID: PMC6616471 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) in enterobacteria plays an important role in facilitating chromosome organization and functions as a crucial transcriptional regulator for global gene regulation. Here, we presented an observation that H-NS of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium could undergo protein phosphorylation at threonine 13 residue (T13). Analysis of the H-NS wild-type protein and its T13E phosphomimetic substitute suggested that T13 phosphorylation lead to alterations of H-NS structure, thus reducing its dimerization to weaken its DNA binding affinity. Proteomic analysis revealed that H-NS phosphorylation exerts regulatory effects on a wide range of genetic loci including the PhoP/PhoQ-regulated genes. In this study, we investigated an effect of T13 phosphorylation of H-NS that rendered transcription upregulation of the PhoP/PhoQ-activated genes. A lower promoter binding of the T13 phosphorylated H-NS protein was correlated with a stronger interaction of the PhoP protein, i.e., a transcription activator and also a competitor of H-NS, to the PhoP/PhoQ-dependent promoters. Unlike depletion of H-NS which dramatically activated the PhoP/PhoQ-dependent transcription even in a PhoP/PhoQ-repressing condition, mimicking of H-NS phosphorylation caused a moderate upregulation. Wild-type H-NS protein produced heterogeneously could rescue the phenotype of T13E mutant and fully restored the PhoP/PhoQ-dependent transcription enhanced by T13 phosphorylation of H-NS to wild-type levels. Therefore, our findings uncover a strategy in S. typhimurium to fine-tune the regulatory activity of H-NS through specific protein phosphorylation and highlight a regulatory mechanism for the PhoP/PhoQ-dependent transcription via this post-translational modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Hu
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Wei Kong
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Dezhi Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Qiangqiang Han
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Guo
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yixin Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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44
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Liew ATF, Foo YH, Gao Y, Zangoui P, Singh MK, Gulvady R, Kenney LJ. Single cell, super-resolution imaging reveals an acid pH-dependent conformational switch in SsrB regulates SPI-2. eLife 2019; 8:e45311. [PMID: 31033442 PMCID: PMC6557628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
After Salmonella is phagocytosed, it resides in an acidic vacuole. Its cytoplasm acidifies to pH 5.6; acidification activates pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2). SPI-2 encodes a type three secretion system whose effectors modify the vacuole, driving endosomal tubulation. Using super-resolution imaging in single bacterial cells, we show that low pH induces expression of the SPI-2 SsrA/B signaling system. Single particle tracking, atomic force microscopy, and single molecule unzipping assays identified pH-dependent stimulation of DNA binding by SsrB. A so-called phosphomimetic form (D56E) was unable to bind to DNA in live cells. Acid-dependent DNA binding was not intrinsic to regulators, as PhoP and OmpR binding was not pH-sensitive. The low level of SPI-2 injectisomes observed in single cells is not due to fluctuating SsrB levels. This work highlights the surprising role that acid pH plays in virulence and intracellular lifestyles of Salmonella; modifying acid survival pathways represents a target for inhibiting Salmonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tze Fui Liew
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yong Hwee Foo
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yunfeng Gao
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Parisa Zangoui
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | | | - Ranjit Gulvady
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Linda J Kenney
- Mechanobiology Institute, T-LabNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonUnited States
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45
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Scholz SA, Diao R, Wolfe MB, Fivenson EM, Lin XN, Freddolino PL. High-Resolution Mapping of the Escherichia coli Chromosome Reveals Positions of High and Low Transcription. Cell Syst 2019; 8:212-225.e9. [PMID: 30904377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on targeted gene integrations in bacteria have demonstrated that chromosomal location can substantially affect a gene's expression level. However, these studies have only provided information on a small number of sites. To measure position effects on transcriptional propensity at high resolution across the genome, we built and analyzed a library of over 144,000 genome-integrated, standardized reporters in a single mixed population of Escherichia coli. We observed more than 20-fold variations in transcriptional propensity across the genome when the length of the chromosome was binned into broad 4 kbp regions; greater variability was observed over smaller regions. Our data reveal peaks of high transcriptional propensity centered on ribosomal RNA operons and core metabolic genes, while prophages and mobile genetic elements were enriched in less transcribable regions. In total, our work supports the hypothesis that E. coli has evolved gene-independent mechanisms for regulating expression from specific regions of its genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Scholz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
| | - Rucheng Diao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
| | - Michael B Wolfe
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
| | - Elayne M Fivenson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Nina Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
| | - Peter L Freddolino
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
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46
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Shahul Hameed UF, Liao C, Radhakrishnan AK, Huser F, Aljedani SS, Zhao X, Momin AA, Melo FA, Guo X, Brooks C, Li Y, Cui X, Gao X, Ladbury JE, Jaremko Ł, Jaremko M, Li J, Arold ST. H-NS uses an autoinhibitory conformational switch for environment-controlled gene silencing. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2666-2680. [PMID: 30597093 PMCID: PMC6411929 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As an environment-dependent pleiotropic gene regulator in Gram-negative bacteria, the H-NS protein is crucial for adaptation and toxicity control of human pathogens such as Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae or enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Changes in temperature affect the capacity of H-NS to form multimers that condense DNA and restrict gene expression. However, the molecular mechanism through which H-NS senses temperature and other physiochemical parameters remains unclear and controversial. Combining structural, biophysical and computational analyses, we show that human body temperature promotes unfolding of the central dimerization domain, breaking up H-NS multimers. This unfolding event enables an autoinhibitory compact H-NS conformation that blocks DNA binding. Our integrative approach provides the molecular basis for H-NS-mediated environment-sensing and may open new avenues for the control of pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar F Shahul Hameed
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Chenyi Liao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Anand K Radhakrishnan
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Franceline Huser
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Safia S Aljedani
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Xiaochuan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Afaque A Momin
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Fernando A Melo
- Department of Physics (IBILCE), São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Xianrong Guo
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Imaging and Characterization Core Lab, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Claire Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Yu Li
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xuefeng Cui
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xin Gao
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - John E Ladbury
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Łukasz Jaremko
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Stefan T Arold
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
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47
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Predicting the mechanism and rate of H-NS binding to AT-rich DNA. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006845. [PMID: 30845209 PMCID: PMC6424460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria contain several nucleoid-associated proteins that organize their genomic DNA into the nucleoid by bending, wrapping or bridging DNA. The Histone-like Nucleoid Structuring protein H-NS found in many Gram-negative bacteria is a DNA bridging protein and can structure DNA by binding to two separate DNA duplexes or to adjacent sites on the same duplex, depending on external conditions. Several nucleotide sequences have been identified to which H-NS binds with high affinity, indicating H-NS prefers AT-rich DNA. To date, highly detailed structural information of the H-NS DNA complex remains elusive. Molecular simulation can complement experiments by modelling structures and their time evolution in atomistic detail. In this paper we report an exploration of the different binding modes of H-NS to a high affinity nucleotide sequence and an estimate of the associated rate constant. By means of molecular dynamics simulations, we identified three types of binding for H-NS to AT-rich DNA. To further sample the transitions between these binding modes, we performed Replica Exchange Transition Interface Sampling, providing predictions of the mechanism and rate constant of H-NS binding to DNA. H-NS interacts with the DNA through a conserved QGR motif, aided by a conserved arginine at position 93. The QGR motif interacts first with phosphate groups, followed by the formation of hydrogen bonds between acceptors in the DNA minor groove and the sidechains of either Q112 or R114. After R114 inserts into the minor groove, the rest of the QGR motif follows. Full insertion of the QGR motif in the minor groove is stable over several tens of nanoseconds, and involves hydrogen bonds between the bases and both backbone and sidechains of the QGR motif. The rate constant for the process of H-NS binding to AT-rich DNA resulting in full insertion of the QGR motif is in the order of 106 M−1s−1, which is rate limiting compared to the non-specific association of H-NS to the DNA backbone at a rate of 108 M−1s−1. The Histone-like Nucleoid Structuring protein (H-NS) occurs in enterobacteria, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, and structures DNA by forming filaments along DNA duplexes. Several nucleotide sequences have been identified to which H-NS binds with high affinity. Yet, obtaining highly detailed structural information of the H-NS DNA complex has proven to be a major challenge, which has not been yet resolved. By employing molecular dynamics simulations we were able to provide high resolution insights into the mechanism of DNA binding by H-NS. We identified various ways in which H-NS can bind to DNA. In all binding events, a conserved region in the protein initiates the association of H-NS to DNA. Our results show that H-NS binds in the minor groove of AT-rich DNA via a series of intermediate steps. Using advanced molecular simulation methods we predicted that the process of H-NS binding to the DNA backbone to full insertion into the minor groove occurs in the order of a million times per second, which is slower than the non-specific association of H-NS to the DNA backbone.
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48
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Kapshikar RM, Gowrishankar J. Direct inhibition of transcription in vitro by the isolated N-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli nucleoid-associated protein H-NS and by its paralogue Hha. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2019; 165:463-474. [PMID: 30724731 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
H-NS is an abundant nucleoid-associated protein in the enterobacteria that mediates both chromatin compaction and transcriptional silencing of numerous genes, especially those that have been acquired by horizontal transfer or that are involved in virulence functions. With two dimerization domains (N-terminal and central) and a C-terminal DNA-binding domain, the 15 kDa H-NS polypeptide can assemble as long polymeric filaments on DNA, and mutations in any of the three domains confer a dominant-negative phenotype in vivo by a subunit-poisoning mechanism. Here we confirm that several of these mutants [L26P, I119T and a truncation beyond residue 92(Δ93)] are also dominant-negative in vitro, in that they reverse the inhibition imposed by native H-NS in two different transcription assay formats (initiation+elongation, or elongation alone). On the other hand, another dominant-negative truncation mutant Δ64 (which possesses only the protein's N-terminal domain) per se completely and unexpectedly inhibited transcription in both assay formats. The Hha protein, which is a paralogue of H-NS and resembles its isolated N-terminal domain, also behaved like Δ64 as an inhibitor of transcription in vitro. We propose that under certain growth conditions, Escherichia coli RNA polymerase may be the direct inhibitory target of Hha, and that this effect is experimentally mimicked by the isolated N-terminal domain of H-NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajvardhan M Kapshikar
- 1Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India.,2Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - J Gowrishankar
- 1Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
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49
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Kenney LJ. The role of acid stress in Salmonella pathogenesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2019; 47:45-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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50
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Große C, Poehlein A, Blank K, Schwarzenberger C, Schleuder G, Herzberg M, Nies DH. The third pillar of metal homeostasis inCupriavidus metalliduransCH34: preferences are controlled by extracytoplasmic function sigma factors. Metallomics 2019; 11:291-316. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00299a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
InC. metallidurans, a network of 11 extracytoplasmic function sigma factors forms the third pillar of metal homeostasis acting in addition to the metal transportome and metal repositories as the first and second pillar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Große
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Göttingen Genomics Laboratory
- Georg-August-University Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8
- 37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Kathrin Blank
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
| | - Claudia Schwarzenberger
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
| | - Grit Schleuder
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
| | - Martin Herzberg
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
| | - Dietrich H. Nies
- Molecular Microbiology
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
- Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3
- 06099 Halle (Saale)
- Germany
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