1
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Ledvina HE, Whiteley AT. Conservation and similarity of bacterial and eukaryotic innate immunity. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:420-434. [PMID: 38418927 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Pathogens are ubiquitous and a constant threat to their hosts, which has led to the evolution of sophisticated immune systems in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. Bacterial immune systems encode an astoundingly large array of antiviral (antiphage) systems, and recent investigations have identified unexpected similarities between the immune systems of bacteria and animals. In this Review, we discuss advances in our understanding of the bacterial innate immune system and highlight the components, strategies and pathogen restriction mechanisms conserved between bacteria and eukaryotes. We summarize evidence for the hypothesis that components of the human immune system originated in bacteria, where they first evolved to defend against phages. Further, we discuss shared mechanisms that pathogens use to overcome host immune pathways and unexpected similarities between bacterial immune systems and interbacterial antagonism. Understanding the shared evolutionary path of immune components across domains of life and the successful strategies that organisms have arrived at to restrict their pathogens will enable future development of therapeutics that activate the human immune system for the precise treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Ledvina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Aaron T Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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2
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Krüger L, Gaskell-Mew L, Graham S, Shirran S, Hertel R, White MF. Reversible conjugation of a CBASS nucleotide cyclase regulates bacterial immune response to phage infection. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1579-1592. [PMID: 38589469 PMCID: PMC11153139 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01670-5] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Prokaryotic antiviral defence systems are frequently toxic for host cells and stringent regulation is required to ensure survival and fitness. These systems must be readily available in case of infection but tightly controlled to prevent activation of an unnecessary cellular response. Here we investigate how the bacterial cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signalling system (CBASS) uses its intrinsic protein modification system to regulate the nucleotide cyclase. By integrating a type II CBASS system from Bacillus cereus into the model organism Bacillus subtilis, we show that the protein-conjugating Cap2 (CBASS associated protein 2) enzyme links the cyclase exclusively to the conserved phage shock protein A (PspA) in the absence of phage. The cyclase-PspA conjugation is reversed by the deconjugating isopeptidase Cap3 (CBASS associated protein 3). We propose a model in which the cyclase is held in an inactive state by conjugation to PspA in the absence of phage, with conjugation released upon infection, priming the cyclase for activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Krüger
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | | | - Shirley Graham
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Sally Shirran
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Robert Hertel
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Göttingen Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Malcolm F White
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
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3
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Hanson SE, Dowdy T, Larion M, Doyle MT, Bernstein HD. The patatin-like protein PlpD forms structurally dynamic homodimers in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4389. [PMID: 38782915 PMCID: PMC11116518 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48756-6] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Members of the Omp85 superfamily of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) found in Gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts are characterized by a distinctive 16-stranded β-barrel transmembrane domain and at least one periplasmic POTRA domain. All previously studied Omp85 proteins promote critical OMP assembly and/or protein translocation reactions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PlpD is the prototype of an Omp85 protein family that contains an N-terminal patatin-like (PL) domain that is thought to be translocated across the OM by a C-terminal β-barrel domain. Challenging the current dogma, we find that the PlpD PL-domain resides exclusively in the periplasm and, unlike previously studied Omp85 proteins, PlpD forms a homodimer. Remarkably, the PL-domain contains a segment that exhibits unprecedented dynamicity by undergoing transient strand-swapping with the neighboring β-barrel domain. Our results show that the Omp85 superfamily is more structurally diverse than currently believed and suggest that the Omp85 scaffold was utilized during evolution to generate novel functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Hanson
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tyrone Dowdy
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Mioara Larion
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Matthew Thomas Doyle
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| | - Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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4
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Rechkoblit O, Sciaky D, Kreitler DF, Buku A, Kottur J, Aggarwal AK. Activation of CBASS Cap5 endonuclease immune effector by cyclic nucleotides. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:767-776. [PMID: 38321146 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01220-x] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS) is similar to the cGAS-STING system in humans, containing an enzyme that synthesizes a cyclic nucleotide on viral infection and an effector that senses the second messenger for the antiviral response. Cap5, containing a SAVED domain coupled to an HNH DNA endonuclease domain, is the most abundant CBASS effector, yet the mechanism by which it becomes activated for cell killing remains unknown. We present here high-resolution structures of full-length Cap5 from Pseudomonas syringae (Ps) with second messengers. The key to PsCap5 activation is a dimer-to-tetramer transition, whereby the binding of second messenger to dimer triggers an open-to-closed transformation of the SAVED domains, furnishing a surface for assembly of the tetramer. This movement propagates to the HNH domains, juxtaposing and converting two HNH domains into states for DNA destruction. These results show how Cap5 effects bacterial cell suicide and we provide proof-in-principle data that the CBASS can be extrinsically activated to limit bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rechkoblit
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Daniela Sciaky
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dale F Kreitler
- Center for BioMolecular Structure NSLS‑II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, USA
| | - Angeliki Buku
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jithesh Kottur
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Antiviral Research, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Aneel K Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Martínez M, Rizzuto I, Molina R. Knowing Our Enemy in the Antimicrobial Resistance Era: Dissecting the Molecular Basis of Bacterial Defense Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4929. [PMID: 38732145 PMCID: PMC11084316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094929] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and their phage adversaries are engaged in an ongoing arms race, resulting in the development of a broad antiphage arsenal and corresponding viral countermeasures. In recent years, the identification and utilization of CRISPR-Cas systems have driven a renewed interest in discovering and characterizing antiphage mechanisms, revealing a richer diversity than initially anticipated. Currently, these defense systems can be categorized based on the bacteria's strategy associated with the infection cycle stage. Thus, bacterial defense systems can degrade the invading genetic material, trigger an abortive infection, or inhibit genome replication. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of processes related to bacterial immunity has significant implications for phage-based therapies and the development of new biotechnological tools. This review aims to comprehensively cover these processes, with a focus on the most recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafael Molina
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Instituto de Química-Física Blas Cabrera, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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6
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Gomez JB, Waters CM. A Vibrio cholerae Type IV restriction system targets glucosylated 5-hydroxyl methyl cytosine to protect against phage infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588314. [PMID: 38617239 PMCID: PMC11014532 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
A major challenge faced by Vibrio cholerae is constant predation by bacteriophage (phage) in aquatic reservoirs and during infection of human hosts. To overcome phage predation, V. cholerae has evolved a myriad of phage defense systems. Although several novel defense systems have been discovered, we hypothesized more were encoded in V. cholerae given the relative paucity of phage that have been isolated which infect this species. Using a V. cholerae genomic library, we identified a Type IV restriction system consisting of two genes within a 16kB region of the Vibrio pathogenicity island-2 that we name TgvA and TgvB (Type I-embedded gmrSD-like system of VPI-2). We show that both TgvA and TgvB are required for defense against T2, T4, and T6 by targeting glucosylated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). T2 or T4 phages that lose the glucose modification are resistant to TgvAB defense but exhibit a significant evolutionary tradeoff becoming susceptible to other Type IV restriction systems that target unglucosylated 5hmC. We show that additional phage defense genes are encoded in VPI-2 that protect against other phage like T3, secΦ18, secΦ27 and λ. Our study uncovers a novel Type IV restriction system in V. cholerae, increasing our understanding of the evolution and ecology of V. cholerae while highlighting the evolutionary interplay between restriction systems and phage genome modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper B Gomez
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher M Waters
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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7
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Li Q, Wu P, Du Q, Hanif U, Hu H, Li K. cGAS-STING, an important signaling pathway in diseases and their therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e511. [PMID: 38525112 PMCID: PMC10960729 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway was discovered in 2013, great progress has been made to elucidate the origin, function, and regulating mechanism of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the past decade. Meanwhile, the triggering and transduction mechanisms have been continuously illuminated. cGAS-STING plays a key role in human diseases, particularly DNA-triggered inflammatory diseases, making it a potentially effective therapeutic target for inflammation-related diseases. Here, we aim to summarize the ancient origin of the cGAS-STING defense mechanism, as well as the triggers, transduction, and regulating mechanisms of the cGAS-STING. We will also focus on the important roles of cGAS-STING signal under pathological conditions, such as infections, cancers, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, and visceral inflammations, and review the progress in drug development targeting cGAS-STING signaling pathway. The main directions and potential obstacles in the regulating mechanism research and therapeutic drug development of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway for inflammatory diseases and cancers will be discussed. These research advancements expand our understanding of cGAS-STING, provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the roles of cGAS-STING in diseases, and open up new strategies for targeting cGAS-STING as a promising therapeutic intervention in multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Occupational DiseasesThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital)ChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiujing Du
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ullah Hanif
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Center for Immunology and HematologyState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ka Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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8
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Jenson JM, Chen ZJ. cGAS goes viral: A conserved immune defense system from bacteria to humans. Mol Cell 2024; 84:120-130. [PMID: 38181755 PMCID: PMC11168419 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.12.005] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
To survive, all organisms need the ability to accurately recognize and neutralize pathogens. As a result, many of the fundamental strategies that our innate immune system uses to fight infection have deep evolutionary roots. The innate immune sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), an enzyme that plays a critical role in our bodies by sensing and signaling in response to microbial infection, is broadly conserved and has functional homologs in many vertebrates, invertebrates, and even bacteria. In this review, we will provide an overview of cGAS and cGAS-like signaling in eukaryotes before discussing cGAS-like homologs in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Jenson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA; Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA.
| | - Zhijian J Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA; Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA.
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9
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Brenzinger S, Airoldi M, Ogunleye AJ, Jugovic K, Amstalden MK, Brochado AR. The Vibrio cholerae CBASS phage defence system modulates resistance and killing by antifolate antibiotics. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:251-262. [PMID: 38172623 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01556-y] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Toxic bacterial modules such as toxin-antitoxin systems hold antimicrobial potential, though successful applications are rare. Here we show that in Vibrio cholerae the cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signalling system (CBASS), another example of a toxic module, increases sensitivity to antifolate antibiotics up to 10×, interferes with their synergy and ultimately enables bacterial lysis by these otherwise classic bacteriostatic antibiotics. Cyclic-oligonucleotide production by the CBASS nucleotidyltransferase DncV upon antifolate treatment confirms full CBASS activation under these conditions, and suggests that antifolates release DncV allosteric inhibition by folates. Consequently, the CBASS-antifolate interaction is specific to CBASS systems with closely related nucleotidyltransferases and similar folate-binding pockets. Last, antifolate resistance genes abolish the CBASS-antifolate interaction by bypassing the effects of on-target antifolate activity, thereby creating potential for their coevolution with CBASS. Altogether, our findings illustrate how toxic modules can impact antibiotic activity and ultimately confer bactericidal activity to classical bacteriostatic antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Brenzinger
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martina Airoldi
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Karl Jugovic
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Ana Rita Brochado
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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10
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Rousset F. Innate immunity: the bacterial connection. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:945-953. [PMID: 37919213 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens have fueled the diversification of intracellular defense strategies that collectively define cell-autonomous innate immunity. In bacteria, innate immunity is manifested by a broad arsenal of defense systems that provide protection against bacterial viruses, called phages. The complexity of the bacterial immune repertoire has only been realized recently and is now suggesting that innate immunity has commonalities across the tree of life: many components of eukaryotic innate immunity are found in bacteria where they protect against phages, including the cGAS-STING pathway, gasdermins, and viperins. Here, I summarize recent findings on the conservation of innate immune pathways between prokaryotes and eukaryotes and hypothesize that bacterial defense mechanisms can catalyze the discovery of novel molecular players of eukaryotic innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Rousset
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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11
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Culbertson EM, Levin TC. Eukaryotic CD-NTase, STING, and viperin proteins evolved via domain shuffling, horizontal transfer, and ancient inheritance from prokaryotes. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002436. [PMID: 38064485 PMCID: PMC10732462 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals use a variety of cell-autonomous innate immune proteins to detect viral infections and prevent replication. Recent studies have discovered that a subset of mammalian antiviral proteins have homology to antiphage defense proteins in bacteria, implying that there are aspects of innate immunity that are shared across the Tree of Life. While the majority of these studies have focused on characterizing the diversity and biochemical functions of the bacterial proteins, the evolutionary relationships between animal and bacterial proteins are less clear. This ambiguity is partly due to the long evolutionary distances separating animal and bacterial proteins, which obscures their relationships. Here, we tackle this problem for 3 innate immune families (CD-NTases [including cGAS], STINGs, and viperins) by deeply sampling protein diversity across eukaryotes. We find that viperins and OAS family CD-NTases are ancient immune proteins, likely inherited since the earliest eukaryotes first arose. In contrast, we find other immune proteins that were acquired via at least 4 independent events of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Two of these events allowed algae to acquire new bacterial viperins, while 2 more HGT events gave rise to distinct superfamilies of eukaryotic CD-NTases: the cGLR superfamily (containing cGAS) that has since diversified via a series of animal-specific duplications and a previously undefined eSMODS superfamily, which more closely resembles bacterial CD-NTases. Finally, we found that cGAS and STING proteins have substantially different histories, with STING protein domains undergoing convergent domain shuffling in bacteria and eukaryotes. Overall, our findings paint a picture of eukaryotic innate immunity as highly dynamic, where eukaryotes build upon their ancient antiviral repertoires through the reuse of protein domains and by repeatedly sampling a rich reservoir of bacterial antiphage genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward M. Culbertson
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biological Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tera C. Levin
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biological Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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12
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Nicastro GG, Burroughs AM, Iyer L, Aravind L. Functionally comparable but evolutionarily distinct nucleotide-targeting effectors help identify conserved paradigms across diverse immune systems. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11479-11503. [PMID: 37889040 PMCID: PMC10681802 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
While nucleic acid-targeting effectors are known to be central to biological conflicts and anti-selfish element immunity, recent findings have revealed immune effectors that target their building blocks and the cellular energy currency-free nucleotides. Through comparative genomics and sequence-structure analysis, we identified several distinct effector domains, which we named Calcineurin-CE, HD-CE, and PRTase-CE. These domains, along with specific versions of the ParB and MazG domains, are widely present in diverse prokaryotic immune systems and are predicted to degrade nucleotides by targeting phosphate or glycosidic linkages. Our findings unveil multiple potential immune systems associated with at least 17 different functional themes featuring these effectors. Some of these systems sense modified DNA/nucleotides from phages or operate downstream of novel enzymes generating signaling nucleotides. We also uncovered a class of systems utilizing HSP90- and HSP70-related modules as analogs of STAND and GTPase domains that are coupled to these nucleotide-targeting- or proteolysis-induced complex-forming effectors. While widespread in bacteria, only a limited subset of nucleotide-targeting effectors was integrated into eukaryotic immune systems, suggesting barriers to interoperability across subcellular contexts. This work establishes nucleotide-degrading effectors as an emerging immune paradigm and traces their origins back to homologous domains in housekeeping systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianlucca G Nicastro
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Lakshminarayan M Iyer
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - L Aravind
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, USA
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13
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Severin GB, Ramliden MS, Ford KC, Van Alst AJ, Sanath-Kumar R, Decker KA, Hsueh BY, Chen G, Yoon SH, Demey LM, O'Hara BJ, Rhoades CR, DiRita VJ, Ng WL, Waters CM. Activation of a Vibrio cholerae CBASS anti-phage system by quorum sensing and folate depletion. mBio 2023; 14:e0087523. [PMID: 37623317 PMCID: PMC10653837 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00875-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE To counteract infection with phage, bacteria have evolved a myriad of molecular defense systems. Some of these systems initiate a process called abortive infection, in which the infected cell kills itself to prevent phage propagation. However, such systems must be inhibited in the absence of phage infection to prevent spurious death of the host. Here, we show that the cyclic oligonucleotide based anti-phage signaling system (CBASS) accomplishes this by sensing intracellular folate molecules and only expressing this system in a group. These results enhance our understanding of the evolution of the seventh Vibrio cholerae pandemic and more broadly how bacteria defend themselves against phage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey B. Severin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Miriam S. Ramliden
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathryne C. Ford
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrew J. Van Alst
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Ram Sanath-Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Kaitlin A. Decker
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Brian Y. Hsueh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Gong Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soo Hun Yoon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Lucas M. Demey
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Brendan J. O'Hara
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher R. Rhoades
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Victor J. DiRita
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Wai-Leung Ng
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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14
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Slavik KM, Kranzusch PJ. CBASS to cGAS-STING: The Origins and Mechanisms of Nucleotide Second Messenger Immune Signaling. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:423-453. [PMID: 37380187 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-115636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Host defense against viral pathogens is an essential function for all living organisms. In cell-intrinsic innate immunity, dedicated sensor proteins recognize molecular signatures of infection and communicate to downstream adaptor or effector proteins to activate immune defense. Remarkably, recent evidence demonstrates that much of the core machinery of innate immunity is shared across eukaryotic and prokaryotic domains of life. Here, we review a pioneering example of evolutionary conservation in innate immunity: the animal cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway and its ancestor in bacteria, CBASS (cyclic nucleotide-based antiphage signaling system) antiphage defense. We discuss the unique mechanism by which animal cGLRs (cGAS-like receptors) and bacterial CD-NTases (cGAS/dinucleotide-cyclase in Vibrio (DncV)-like nucleotidyltransferases) in these pathways link pathogen detection with immune activation using nucleotide second messenger signals. Comparing the biochemical, structural, and mechanistic details of cGAS-STING, cGLR signaling, and CBASS, we highlight emerging questions in the field and examine evolutionary pressures that may have shaped the origins of nucleotide second messenger signaling in antiviral defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailey M Slavik
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Beckman DA, Waters CM. Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3 requires O1 antigen for infection. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0002623. [PMID: 37594274 PMCID: PMC10501212 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00026-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In its natural aquatic environment, the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the enteric disease cholera, is in constant competition with bacterial viruses known as phages. Following ICP3 infection, V. cholerae cultures that exhibited phage killing always recovered overnight, and clones isolated from these regrowth populations exhibited complete resistance to subsequent infections. Whole-genome sequencing of these resistant mutants revealed seven distinct mutations in genes encoding for enzymes involved in O1 antigen biosynthesis, demonstrating that the O1 antigen is a previously uncharacterized putative receptor of ICP3. To further elucidate the specificity of the resistance conferred by these mutations, they were challenged with the V. cholerae-specific phages ICP1 and ICP2. All seven O1 antigen mutants demonstrated pan-resistance to ICP1 but not ICP2, which utilizes the OmpU outer membrane protein as a receptor. We show that resistant mutations to ICP1 and ICP3 evolve at a significantly higher frequency than ICP2, but these mutations have a significant fitness tradeoff to V. cholerae and are unable to evolve in the presence of an antimicrobial that mimics host cell defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew A. Beckman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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16
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Culbertson EM, Levin TC. Eukaryotic antiviral immune proteins arose via convergence, horizontal transfer, and ancient inheritance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.27.546753. [PMID: 37425898 PMCID: PMC10327000 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.27.546753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Animals use a variety of cell-autonomous innate immune proteins to detect viral infections and prevent replication. Recent studies have discovered that a subset of mammalian antiviral proteins have homology to anti-phage defense proteins in bacteria, implying that there are aspects of innate immunity that are shared across the Tree of Life. While the majority of these studies have focused on characterizing the diversity and biochemical functions of the bacterial proteins, the evolutionary relationships between animal and bacterial proteins are less clear. This ambiguity is partly due to the long evolutionary distances separating animal and bacterial proteins, which obscures their relationships. Here, we tackle this problem for three innate immune families (CD-NTases [including cGAS], STINGs, and Viperins) by deeply sampling protein diversity across eukaryotes. We find that Viperins and OAS family CD-NTases are truly ancient immune proteins, likely inherited since the last eukaryotic common ancestor and possibly longer. In contrast, we find other immune proteins that arose via at least four independent events of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Two of these events allowed algae to acquire new bacterial viperins, while two more HGT events gave rise to distinct superfamilies of eukaryotic CD-NTases: the Mab21 superfamily (containing cGAS) which has diversified via a series of animal-specific duplications, and a previously undefined eSMODS superfamily, which more closely resembles bacterial CD-NTases. Finally, we found that cGAS and STING proteins have substantially different histories, with STINGs arising via convergent domain shuffling in bacteria and eukaryotes. Overall, our findings paint a picture of eukaryotic innate immunity as highly dynamic, where eukaryotes build upon their ancient antiviral repertoires through the reuse of protein domains and by repeatedly sampling a rich reservoir of bacterial anti-phage genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tera C. Levin
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biological Sciences
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17
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Yang CS, Ko TP, Chen CJ, Hou MH, Wang YC, Chen Y. Crystal structure and functional implications of cyclic di-pyrimidine-synthesizing cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5078. [PMID: 37604815 PMCID: PMC10442399 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40787-9] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purine-containing nucleotide second messengers regulate diverse cellular activities. Cyclic di-pyrimidines mediate anti-phage functions in bacteria; however, the synthesis mechanism remains elusive. Here, we determine the high-resolution structures of cyclic di-pyrimidine-synthesizing cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTases) in clade E (CdnE) in its apo, substrate-, and intermediate-bound states. A conserved (R/Q)xW motif controlling the pyrimidine specificity of donor nucleotide is identified. Mutation of Trp or Arg from the (R/Q)xW motif to Ala rewires its specificity to purine nucleotides, producing mixed purine-pyrimidine cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). Preferential binding of uracil over cytosine bases explains the product specificity of cyclic di-pyrimidine-synthesizing CdnE to cyclic di-UMP (cUU). Based on the intermediate-bound structures, a synthetic pathway for cUU containing a unique 2'3'-phosphodiester linkage through intermediate pppU[3'-5']pU is deduced. Our results provide a framework for pyrimidine selection and establish the importance of conserved residues at the C-terminal loop for the specificity determination of CD-NTases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Shin Yang
- Genomics BioSci & Tech Co. Ltd., New Taipei, 221, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ping Ko
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Jung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
- Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hui Hou
- Genomics BioSci & Tech Co. Ltd., New Taipei, 221, Taiwan
| | | | - Yeh Chen
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.
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18
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Rousset F, Sorek R. The evolutionary success of regulated cell death in bacterial immunity. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102312. [PMID: 37030143 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria employ a complex arsenal of immune mechanisms to defend themselves against phages. Recent studies demonstrate that these immune mechanisms frequently involve regulated cell death in response to phage infection. By sacrificing infected cells, this strategy prevents the spread of phages within the surrounding population. In this review, we discuss the principles of regulated cell death in bacterial defense, and show that over 70% of sequenced prokaryotes employ this strategy as part of their defensive arsenals. We highlight the modularity of defense systems involving regulated cell death, explaining how shuffling between phage-sensing and cell-killing protein domains dominates their evolution. Some of these defense systems are the evolutionary ancestors of key components of eukaryotic immunity, highlighting their importance in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of immune systems across the tree of life.
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19
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Wang L, Zhang L. The arms race between bacteria CBASS and bacteriophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1224341. [PMID: 37575224 PMCID: PMC10419184 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1224341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bacterial Cyclic oligonucleotide-Based Anti-phage Signaling System (CBASS) is an innate immune system that induces cell suicide to defend against phage infections. This system relies on cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTase) to synthesize cyclic oligonucleotides (cOs) and CD-NTase-associated proteins (Caps) to execute cell death through DNA cleavage, membrane damage, and NAD depletion, thereby inhibiting phage replication. Ancillary proteins expressed in CBASS, in combination with CD-NTase, ensure the normal synthesis of cOs and prepare CD-NTase for full activation by binding to phage genomes, proteins, or other unknown products. To counteract cell death induced by CBASS, phage genes encode immune evasion proteins that curb Cap recognition of cOs, allowing for phage replication, assembly, and propagation in bacterial cells. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of CBASS immunity, comparing it with different bacterial immune systems and highlighting the interplay between CBASS and phage. Additionally, it explores similar immune escape methods based on shared proteins and action mechanisms between prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Leiliang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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20
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Tak U, Walth P, Whiteley AT. Bacterial cGAS-like enzymes produce 2',3'-cGAMP to activate an ion channel that restricts phage replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.24.550367. [PMID: 37546940 PMCID: PMC10402079 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.24.550367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian innate immune system uses cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) to synthesize the cyclic dinucleotide 2',3'-cGAMP during antiviral and antitumor immune responses. 2',3'-cGAMP is a nucleotide second messenger that initiates inflammatory signaling by binding to and activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) receptor. Bacteria also encode cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTases) that produce nucleotide second messengers to initiate antiviral (antiphage) signaling. Bacterial CD-NTases produce a wide range of cyclic oligonucleotides but have not been documented to produce 2',3'-cGAMP. Here we discovered bacterial CD-NTases that produce 2',3'-cGAMP to restrict phage replication. Bacterial 2',3'-cGAMP binds to CD-NTase associated protein 14 (Cap14), a transmembrane protein of unknown function. Using electrophysiology, we show that Cap14 is a chloride-selective ion channel that is activated by 2',3'-cGAMP binding. Cap14 adopts a modular architecture, with an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a C-terminal nucleotide-binding SAVED domain. Domain-swapping experiments demonstrated the Cap14 transmembrane region could be substituted with a nuclease, thereby generating a biosensor that is selective for 2',3'-cGAMP. This study reveals that 2',3'-cGAMP signaling extends beyond metazoa to bacteria. Further, our findings suggest that transmembrane proteins of unknown function in bacterial immune pathways may broadly function as nucleotide-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Tak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Peace Walth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Aaron T. Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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21
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Beckman DA, Waters CM. Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3 requires O1 antigen for infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.31.526503. [PMID: 36778411 PMCID: PMC9915646 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In its natural aquatic environment, the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the enteric disease cholera, is in constant competition with bacterial viruses known as phages. Following ICP3 infection, V. cholerae cultures that exhibited phage killing always recovered overnight, and clones isolated from these regrowth populations exhibited complete resistance to subsequent infections. Whole genome sequencing of these resistant mutants revealed seven distinct mutations in genes encoding for enzymes involved in O1 antigen biosynthesis, demonstrating that the O1 antigen is a previously uncharacterized putative receptor of ICP3. To further elucidate the specificity of the resistance conferred by these mutations, they were challenged with the V. cholerae-specific phages ICP1 and ICP2. All seven O1 antigen mutants demonstrated pan-resistance to ICP1 but not ICP2, which utilizes the OmpU outer membrane protein as a receptor. We show that resistant mutations to ICP1 and ICP3 evolve at a significantly higher frequency than ICP2, but these mutations have a significant fitness tradeoff to V. cholerae and are unable to evolve in the presence of an antimicrobial that mimics host cell defensins.
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22
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Mayo-Muñoz D, Pinilla-Redondo R, Birkholz N, Fineran PC. A host of armor: Prokaryotic immune strategies against mobile genetic elements. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112672. [PMID: 37347666 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotic adaptation is strongly influenced by the horizontal acquisition of beneficial traits via mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as viruses/bacteriophages and plasmids. However, MGEs can also impose a fitness cost due to their often parasitic nature and differing evolutionary trajectories. In response, prokaryotes have evolved diverse immune mechanisms against MGEs. Recently, our understanding of the abundance and diversity of prokaryotic immune systems has greatly expanded. These defense systems can degrade the invading genetic material, inhibit genome replication, or trigger abortive infection, leading to population protection. In this review, we highlight these strategies, focusing on the most recent discoveries. The study of prokaryotic defenses not only sheds light on microbial evolution but also uncovers novel enzymatic activities with promising biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mayo-Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Rafael Pinilla-Redondo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Section of Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nils Birkholz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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23
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Kibby EM, Conte AN, Burroughs AM, Nagy TA, Vargas JA, Whalen LA, Aravind L, Whiteley AT. Bacterial NLR-related proteins protect against phage. Cell 2023; 186:2410-2424.e18. [PMID: 37160116 PMCID: PMC10294775 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria use a wide range of immune pathways to counter phage infection. A subset of these genes shares homology with components of eukaryotic immune systems, suggesting that eukaryotes horizontally acquired certain innate immune genes from bacteria. Here, we show that proteins containing a NACHT module, the central feature of the animal nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing gene family (NLRs), are found in bacteria and defend against phages. NACHT proteins are widespread in bacteria, provide immunity against both DNA and RNA phages, and display the characteristic C-terminal sensor, central NACHT, and N-terminal effector modules. Some bacterial NACHT proteins have domain architectures similar to the human NLRs that are critical components of inflammasomes. Human disease-associated NLR mutations that cause stimulus-independent activation of the inflammasome also activate bacterial NACHT proteins, supporting a shared signaling mechanism. This work establishes that NACHT module-containing proteins are ancient mediators of innate immunity across the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Kibby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Amy N Conte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Toni A Nagy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Jose A Vargas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Lindsay A Whalen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - L Aravind
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Aaron T Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
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24
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Hengge R, Pruteanu M, Stülke J, Tschowri N, Turgay K. Recent advances and perspectives in nucleotide second messenger signaling in bacteria. MICROLIFE 2023; 4:uqad015. [PMID: 37223732 PMCID: PMC10118264 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Nucleotide second messengers act as intracellular 'secondary' signals that represent environmental or cellular cues, i.e. the 'primary' signals. As such, they are linking sensory input with regulatory output in all living cells. The amazing physiological versatility, the mechanistic diversity of second messenger synthesis, degradation, and action as well as the high level of integration of second messenger pathways and networks in prokaryotes has only recently become apparent. In these networks, specific second messengers play conserved general roles. Thus, (p)ppGpp coordinates growth and survival in response to nutrient availability and various stresses, while c-di-GMP is the nucleotide signaling molecule to orchestrate bacterial adhesion and multicellularity. c-di-AMP links osmotic balance and metabolism and that it does so even in Archaea may suggest a very early evolutionary origin of second messenger signaling. Many of the enzymes that make or break second messengers show complex sensory domain architectures, which allow multisignal integration. The multiplicity of c-di-GMP-related enzymes in many species has led to the discovery that bacterial cells are even able to use the same freely diffusible second messenger in local signaling pathways that can act in parallel without cross-talking. On the other hand, signaling pathways operating with different nucleotides can intersect in elaborate signaling networks. Apart from the small number of common signaling nucleotides that bacteria use for controlling their cellular "business," diverse nucleotides were recently found to play very specific roles in phage defense. Furthermore, these systems represent the phylogenetic ancestors of cyclic nucleotide-activated immune signaling in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regine Hengge
- Corresponding author. Institut für Biologie/Mikrobiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13 – Haus 22, 10115 Berlin, Germany. Tel: +49-30-2093-49686; Fax: +49-30-2093-49682; E-mail:
| | | | - Jörg Stülke
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Natalia Tschowri
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz-Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kürşad Turgay
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz-Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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25
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Morehouse BR. Phage defense origin of animal immunity. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 73:102295. [PMID: 37011504 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
The innate immune system is the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. Many of the features of eukaryotic innate immunity have long been viewed as lineage-specific innovations, evolved to deal with the challenges and peculiarities of multicellular life. However, it has become increasingly apparent that in addition to evolving their own unique antiviral immune strategies, all lifeforms have some shared defense strategies in common. Indeed, critical fixtures of animal innate immunity bear striking resemblance in both structure and function to the multitude of diverse bacteriophage (phage) defense pathways discovered hidden in plain sight within the genomes of bacteria and archaea. This review will highlight many surprising examples of the recently revealed connections between prokaryotic and eukaryotic antiviral immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Morehouse
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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26
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Jenson JM, Li T, Du F, Ea CK, Chen ZJ. Ubiquitin-like conjugation by bacterial cGAS enhances anti-phage defence. Nature 2023; 616:326-331. [PMID: 36848932 PMCID: PMC10097602 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05862-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
cGAS is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme that has a pivotal role in immune defence against infection1-3. In vertebrate animals, cGAS is activated by DNA to produce cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP)4,5, which leads to the expression of antimicrobial genes6,7. In bacteria, cyclic dinucleotide (CDN)-based anti-phage signalling systems (CBASS) have been discovered8-11. These systems are composed of cGAS-like enzymes and various effector proteins that kill bacteria on phage infection, thereby stopping phage spread. Of the CBASS systems reported, approximately 39% contain Cap2 and Cap3, which encode proteins with homology to ubiquitin conjugating (E1/E2) and deconjugating enzymes, respectively8,12. Although these proteins are required to prevent infection of some bacteriophages8, the mechanism by which the enzymatic activities exert an anti-phage effect is unknown. Here we show that Cap2 forms a thioester bond with the C-terminal glycine of cGAS and promotes conjugation of cGAS to target proteins in a process that resembles ubiquitin conjugation. The covalent conjugation of cGAS increases the production of cGAMP. Using a genetic screen, we found that the phage protein Vs.4 antagonized cGAS signalling by binding tightly to cGAMP (dissociation constant of approximately 30 nM) and sequestering it. A crystal structure of Vs.4 bound to cGAMP showed that Vs.4 formed a hexamer that was bound to three molecules of cGAMP. These results reveal a ubiquitin-like conjugation mechanism that regulates cGAS activity in bacteria and illustrates an arms race between bacteria and viruses through controlling CDN levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Jenson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tuo Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fenghe Du
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chee-Kwee Ea
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zhijian J Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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27
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Ledvina HE, Ye Q, Gu Y, Sullivan AE, Quan Y, Lau RK, Zhou H, Corbett KD, Whiteley AT. An E1-E2 fusion protein primes antiviral immune signalling in bacteria. Nature 2023; 616:319-325. [PMID: 36755092 PMCID: PMC10292035 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
In all organisms, innate immune pathways sense infection and rapidly activate potent immune responses while avoiding inappropriate activation (autoimmunity). In humans, the innate immune receptor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) detects viral infection to produce the nucleotide second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which initiates stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent antiviral signalling1. Bacteria encode evolutionary predecessors of cGAS called cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases2 (CD-NTases), which detect bacteriophage infection and produce diverse nucleotide second messengers3. How bacterial CD-NTase activation is controlled remains unknown. Here we show that CD-NTase-associated protein 2 (Cap2) primes bacterial CD-NTases for activation through a ubiquitin transferase-like mechanism. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Cap2-CD-NTase complex reveals Cap2 as an all-in-one ubiquitin transferase-like protein, with distinct domains resembling eukaryotic E1 and E2 proteins. The structure captures a reactive-intermediate state with the CD-NTase C terminus positioned in the Cap2 E1 active site and conjugated to AMP. Cap2 conjugates the CD-NTase C terminus to a target molecule that primes the CD-NTase for increased cGAMP production. We further demonstrate that a specific endopeptidase, Cap3, balances Cap2 activity by cleaving CD-NTase-target conjugates. Our data demonstrate that bacteria control immune signalling using an ancient, minimized ubiquitin transferase-like system and provide insight into the evolution of the E1 and E2 machinery across domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Ledvina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yajie Gu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ashley E Sullivan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Yun Quan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca K Lau
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Huilin Zhou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Aaron T Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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28
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Specific recognition of cyclic oligonucleotides by Cap4 for phage infection. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 237:123656. [PMID: 36796558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Under selective pressure, bacteria have evolved diverse defense systems against phage infections. The SMODS-associated and fused to various effector domains (SAVED)-domain containing proteins were identified as major downstream effectors in cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS) for bacterial defense. Recent study structurally characterizes a cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferase (CD-NTase)-associated protein 4 from Acinetobacter baumannii (AbCap4) in complex with 2'3'3'-cyclic AMP-AMP-AMP (cAAA). However, the homologue Cap4 from Enterobacter cloacae (EcCap4) is activated by 3'3'3'-cyclic AMP-AMP-GMP (cAAG). To elucidate the ligand specificity of Cap4 proteins, we determined the crystal structures of full-length wild-type and K74A mutant of EcCap4 to 2.18 and 2.42 Å resolution, respectively. The DNA endonuclease domain of EcCap4 shares similar catalytic mechanism with type II restriction endonuclease. Mutating the key residue K74 in the conserved DXn(D/E)XK motif completely abolishes its DNA degradation activity. The potential ligand-binding cavity of EcCap4 SAVED domain is located adjacent to its N-terminal domain, significantly differing from the centrally located cavity of AbCap4 SAVED domain which recognizes cAAA. Based on structural and bioinformatic analysis, we found that Cap4 proteins can be classified into two types: the type I Cap4, like AbCap4, recognize cAAA and the type II Cap4, like EcCap4, bind cAAG. Several conserved residues identified at the surface of potential ligand-binding pocket of EcCap4 SAVED domain are confirmed by ITC experiment for their direct binding roles for cAAG. Changing Q351, T391 and R392 to alanine abolished the binding of cAAG by EcCap4 and significantly reduced the anti-phage ability of the E. cloacae CBASS system constituting EcCdnD (CD-NTase in clade D) and EcCap4. In summary, we revealed the molecular basis for specific cAAG recognition by the C-terminal SAVED domain of EcCap4 and demonstrates the structural differences for ligand discrimination among different SAVED-domain containing proteins.
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29
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Wilburn KM, Blaylock JB, Metcalfe KC, Hsueh BY, Tew DJ, Waters CM. Development of a 3’3’‐cyclic GMP‐AMP Enzyme Linked Immunoassay Reveals Phage Infection Reduces DncV Activity. Isr J Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee M. Wilburn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA 48824
- 5180 Biomedical and Physical Sciences 567 Wilson Road East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Julianna B. Blaylock
- ELISA Research & Development Cayman Chemical Company, Inc. Ann Arbor Michigan USA 48108
| | - Kerry C. Metcalfe
- ELISA Research & Development Cayman Chemical Company, Inc. Ann Arbor Michigan USA 48108
| | - Brian Y. Hsueh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA 48824
- 5180 Biomedical and Physical Sciences 567 Wilson Road East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Daniel J. Tew
- ELISA Research & Development Cayman Chemical Company, Inc. Ann Arbor Michigan USA 48108
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA 48824
- 5180 Biomedical and Physical Sciences 567 Wilson Road East Lansing MI 48824 USA
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30
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Lu Z, Fu Y, Zhou X, Du H, Chen Q. Cyclic dinucleotides mediate bacterial immunity by dinucleotide cyclase in Vibrio. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1065945. [PMID: 36619988 PMCID: PMC9813507 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1065945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) recognizes cytosolic DNA and synthesizes the second messenger, cGAMP, thus activating the adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and initiating the innate immune responses against microbial infections. cGAS-STING pathway has been crucially implicated in autoimmune diseases, cellular senescence, and cancer immunotherapy, while the cGAS-like receptors in bacteria can protect it against viral infections. Dinucleotide cyclase in Vibrio (DncV) is a dinucleotide cyclase originally identified in Vibrio cholerae. The synthesis of cyclic nucleotides by DncV, including c-di-GMP, c-di-AMP, and cGAMP mediates bacterial colonization, cell membrane formation, and virulence. DncV is a structural and functional homolog of the mammalian cytoplasmic DNA sensor, cGAS, implicating cGAS-STING signaling cascades may have originated in the bacterial immune system. Herein, we summarize the roles of DncV in bacterial immunity, which are expected to provide insights into the evolution of cGAS-STING signaling.
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31
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Patel DJ, Yu Y, Jia N. Bacterial origins of cyclic nucleotide-activated antiviral immune signaling. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4591-4610. [PMID: 36460008 PMCID: PMC9772257 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Second-messenger-mediated signaling by cyclic oligonucleotides (cOs) composed of distinct base, ring size, and 3'-5'/2'-5' linkage combinations constitutes the initial trigger resulting in activation of signaling pathways that have an impact on immune-mediated antiviral defense against invading viruses and phages. Bacteria and archaea have evolved CRISPR, CBASS, Pycsar, and Thoeris surveillance complexes that involve cO-mediated activation of effectors resulting in antiviral defense through either targeted nuclease activity, effector oligomerization-mediated depletion of essential cellular metabolites or disruption of host cell membrane functions. Notably, antiviral defense capitalizes on an abortive infection mechanism, whereby infected cells die prior to completion of the phage replication cycle. In turn, phages have evolved small proteins that target and degrade/sequester cOs, thereby suppressing host immunity. This review presents a structure-based mechanistic perspective of recent advances in the field of cO-mediated antiviral defense, in particular highlighting the ancient evolutionary adaptation by metazoans of bacterial cell-autonomous innate immune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - You Yu
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ning Jia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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32
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Ragavendran PV, Tripathi V, Gandotra S. Structure prediction-based insights into the patatin family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36748562 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite its genome sequencing more than two decades ago, the majority of the genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain functionally uncharacterized. Patatins are one such class of proteins that, despite undergoing an expansion in this pathogenic species compared to their non-pathogenic cousins, remain largely unstudied. Recent advances in protein structure prediction using machine learning tools such as AlphaFold2 have provided high-confidence predicted structures for all M. tuberculosis proteins. Here we present detailed analyses of the patatin family of M. tuberculosis using AlphaFold-predicted structures, providing insights into likely modes of regulation, membrane interaction and substrate binding. Regulatory domains within this family of proteins include cyclic nucleotide binding, lid-like domains and other helical domains. Using structural homologues, we identified the likely membrane localization mechanisms and substrate-binding sites. These analyses reveal diversity in their regulatory capacity, mechanisms of membrane binding and likely length of fatty acid substrates. Together, this analysis suggests unique roles for the eight predicted patatins of M. tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P V Ragavendran
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
| | - Vaishnavi Tripathi
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sheetal Gandotra
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh- 201 002, India.,Immunology and Infectious Disease, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India
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33
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Lau RK, Enustun E, Gu Y, Nguyen JV, Corbett KD. A conserved signaling pathway activates bacterial CBASS immune signaling in response to DNA damage. EMBO J 2022; 41:e111540. [PMID: 36156805 PMCID: PMC9670203 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To protect themselves from the constant threat of bacteriophage (phage) infection, bacteria have evolved diverse immune systems including restriction-modification, CRISPR-Cas, and many others. Here, we describe the discovery of a two-protein transcriptional regulator module associated with hundreds of CBASS immune systems and demonstrate that this module drives the expression of its associated CBASS system in response to DNA damage. We show that the helix-turn-helix transcriptional repressor CapH binds the promoter region of its associated CBASS system to repress transcription until it is cleaved by the metallopeptidase CapP. CapP is activated in vitro by single-stranded DNA, and in cells by DNA-damaging drugs. Together, CapH and CapP drive increased expression of their associated CBASS system in response to DNA damage. We identify CapH- and CapP-related proteins associated with diverse known and putative bacterial immune systems including DISARM and Pycsar antiphage operons. Overall, our data highlight a mechanism by which bacterial immune systems can sense and respond to a universal signal of cell stress, potentially enabling multiple immune systems to mount a coordinated defensive response against an invading pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Lau
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Eray Enustun
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Yajie Gu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Justin V Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
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34
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Gibson JA, Gebhardt MJ, Santos RERS, Dove SL, Watnick PI. Sequestration of a dual function DNA-binding protein by Vibrio cholerae CRP. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210115119. [PMID: 36343262 PMCID: PMC9674212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210115119] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the mechanism by which the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) regulates global gene transcription has been intensively studied for decades, new discoveries remain to be made. Here, we report that, during rapid growth, CRP associates with both the well-conserved, dual-function DNA-binding protein peptidase A (PepA) and the cell membrane. These interactions are not present under nutrient-limited growth conditions, due to post-translational modification of three lysines on a single face of CRP. Although coincident DNA binding is rare, dissociation from CRP results in increased PepA occupancy at many chromosomal binding sites and differential regulation of hundreds of genes, including several encoding cyclic dinucleotide phosphodiesterases. We show that PepA represses biofilm formation and activates motility/chemotaxis. We propose a model in which membrane-bound CRP interferes with PepA DNA binding. Under nutrient limitation, PepA is released. Together, CRP and free PepA activate a transcriptional response that impels the bacterium to seek a more hospitable environment. This work uncovers a function for CRP in the sequestration of a regulatory protein. More broadly, it describes a paradigm of bacterial transcriptome modulation through metabolically regulated association of transcription factors with the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A. Gibson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Michael J. Gebhardt
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Renato E. R. S. Santos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Simon L. Dove
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Paula I. Watnick
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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35
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Abstract
Advances in our understanding of prokaryotic antiphage defense mechanisms in the past few years have revealed a multitude of new cyclic nucleotide signaling molecules that play a crucial role in switching infected cells into an antiviral state. Defense pathways including type III CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats), CBASS (cyclic nucleotide-based antiphage signaling system), PYCSAR (pyrimidine cyclase system for antiphage resistance), and Thoeris all use cyclic nucleotides as second messengers to activate a diverse range of effector proteins. These effectors typically degrade or disrupt key cellular components such as nucleic acids, membranes, or metabolites, slowing down viral replication kinetics at great cost to the infected cell. Mechanisms to manipulate the levels of cyclic nucleotides are employed by cells to regulate defense pathways and by viruses to subvert them. Here we review the discovery and mechanism of the key pathways, signaling molecules and effectors, parallels and differences between the systems, open questions, and prospects for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Januka S Athukoralage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Malcolm F White
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom;
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36
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Hsueh BY, Severin GB, Elg CA, Waldron EJ, Kant A, Wessel AJ, Dover JA, Rhoades CR, Ridenhour BJ, Parent KN, Neiditch MB, Ravi J, Top EM, Waters CM. Phage defence by deaminase-mediated depletion of deoxynucleotides in bacteria. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1210-1220. [PMID: 35817890 PMCID: PMC9830645 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae biotype El Tor is perpetuating the longest cholera pandemic in recorded history. The genomic islands VSP-1 and VSP-2 distinguish El Tor from previous pandemic V. cholerae strains. Using a co-occurrence analysis of VSP genes in >200,000 bacterial genomes we built gene networks to infer biological functions encoded in these islands. This revealed that dncV, a component of the cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signalling system (CBASS) anti-phage defence system, co-occurs with an uncharacterized gene vc0175 that we rename avcD for anti-viral cytodine deaminase. We show that AvcD is a deoxycytidylate deaminase and that its activity is post-translationally inhibited by a non-coding RNA named AvcI. AvcID and bacterial homologues protect bacterial populations against phage invasion by depleting free deoxycytidine nucleotides during infection, thereby decreasing phage replication. Homologues of avcD exist in all three domains of life, and bacterial AvcID defends against phage infection by combining traits of two eukaryotic innate viral immunity proteins, APOBEC and SAMHD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Y Hsueh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Geoffrey B Severin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Clinton A Elg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Evan J Waldron
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abhiruchi Kant
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Alex J Wessel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - John A Dover
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Christopher R Rhoades
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin J Ridenhour
- Department of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Kristin N Parent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew B Neiditch
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Janani Ravi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Eva M Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Christopher M Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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37
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Rangarajan AA, Waters CM. Double take: A dual-functional Hypr GGDEF synthesizes both cyclic di-GMP and cyclic GMP—AMP to control predation in Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010263. [PMID: 35862299 PMCID: PMC9302825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aathmaja Anandhi Rangarajan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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38
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Liang Q, Richey ST, Ur SN, Ye Q, Lau RK, Corbett KD. Structure and activity of a bacterial defense-associated 3'-5' exonuclease. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4374. [PMID: 35762727 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4374] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The widespread CBASS (cyclic oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling system) immune systems in bacteria protect their hosts from bacteriophage infection by triggering programmed cell death. CBASS systems all encode a cyclic oligonucleotide synthase related to eukaryotic cGAS but use diverse regulators and effector proteins including nucleases, phospholipases, and membrane-disrupting proteins to effect cell death. Cap18 is a predicted 3'-5' exonuclease associated with hundreds of CBASS systems, whose structure, biochemical activities, and biological roles remain unknown. Here we show that Cap18 is a DEDDh-family exonuclease related to the bacterial exonucleases RNase T and Orn and has nonspecific 3'-5' DNA exonuclease activity. Cap18 is commonly found in CBASS systems with associated CapW or CapH+CapP transcription factors, suggesting that it may coordinate with these proteins to regulate CBASS transcription in response to DNA damage. These data expand the repertoire of enzymatic activities associated with bacterial CBASS systems and provide new insights into the regulation of these important bacterial immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishan Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sara T Richey
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sarah N Ur
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Rebecca K Lau
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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39
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Pombo JP, Ebenberger SP, Müller AM, Wolinski H, Schild S. Impact of Gene Repression on Biofilm Formation of Vibrio cholerae. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:912297. [PMID: 35722322 PMCID: PMC9201469 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.912297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent of cholera, is a facultative intestinal pathogen which can also survive in aquatic ecosystems in the form of biofilms, surface-associated microbial aggregates embedded in an extracellular matrix, which protects them from predators and hostile environmental factors. Biofilm-derived bacteria and biofilm aggregates are considered a likely source for cholera infections, underscoring the importance of V. cholerae biofilm research not just to better understand bacterial ecology, but also cholera pathogenesis in the human host. While several studies focused on factors induced during biofilm formation, genes repressed during this persistence stage have been fairly neglected. In order to complement these previous studies, we used a single cell-based transcriptional reporter system named TetR-controlled recombination-based in-biofilm expression technology (TRIBET) and identified 192 genes to be specifically repressed by V. cholerae during biofilm formation. Predicted functions of in-biofilm repressed (ibr) genes range from metabolism, regulation, surface association, transmembrane transport as well as motility and chemotaxis. Constitutive (over)-expression of these genes affected static and dynamic biofilm formation of V. cholerae at different stages. Notably, timed expression of one candidate in mature biofilms induced their rapid dispersal. Thus, genes repressed during biofilm formation are not only dispensable for this persistence stage, but their presence can interfere with ordered biofilm development. This work thus contributes new insights into gene silencing during biofilm formation of V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao P. Pombo
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Anna M. Müller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Heimo Wolinski
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence Biohealth – University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Schild
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence Biohealth – University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
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40
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Aravind L, Iyer LM, Burroughs AM. Discovering Biological Conflict Systems Through Genome Analysis: Evolutionary Principles and Biochemical Novelty. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2022; 5:367-391. [PMID: 35609893 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122220-101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Biological replicators, from genes within a genome to whole organisms, are locked in conflicts. Comparative genomics has revealed a staggering diversity of molecular armaments and mechanisms regulating their deployment, collectively termed biological conflict systems. These encompass toxins used in inter- and intraspecific interactions, self/nonself discrimination, antiviral immune mechanisms, and counter-host effectors deployed by viruses and intragenomic selfish elements. These systems possess shared syntactical features in their organizational logic and a set of effectors targeting genetic information flow through the Central Dogma, certain membranes, and key molecules like NAD+. These principles can be exploited to discover new conflict systems through sensitive computational analyses. This has led to significant advances in our understanding of the biology of these systems and furnished new biotechnological reagents for genome editing, sequencing, and beyond. We discuss these advances using specific examples of toxins, restriction-modification, apoptosis, CRISPR/second messenger-regulated systems, and other enigmatic nucleic acid-targeting systems. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science, Volume 5 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;
| | - Lakshminarayan M Iyer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;
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41
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Blankenchip CL, Nguyen JV, Lau RK, Ye Q, Gu Y, Corbett KD. Control of bacterial immune signaling by a WYL domain transcription factor. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5239-5250. [PMID: 35536256 PMCID: PMC9122588 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use diverse immune systems to defend themselves from ubiquitous viruses termed bacteriophages (phages). Many anti-phage systems function by abortive infection to kill a phage-infected cell, raising the question of how they are regulated to avoid cell killing outside the context of infection. Here, we identify a transcription factor associated with the widespread CBASS bacterial immune system, that we term CapW. CapW forms a homodimer and binds a palindromic DNA sequence in the CBASS promoter region. Two crystal structures of CapW suggest that the protein switches from an unliganded, DNA binding-competent state to a ligand-bound state unable to bind DNA. We show that CapW strongly represses CBASS gene expression in uninfected cells, and that phage infection causes increased CBASS expression in a CapW-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, this CapW-dependent increase in CBASS expression is not required for robust anti-phage activity, suggesting that CapW may mediate CBASS activation and cell death in response to a signal other than phage infection. Our results parallel concurrent reports on the structure and activity of BrxR, a transcription factor associated with the BREX anti-phage system, suggesting that CapW and BrxR are members of a family of universal defense signaling proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea L Blankenchip
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Justin V Nguyen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca K Lau
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yajie Gu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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42
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Patatin-like phospholipase CapV in Escherichia coli - morphological and physiological effects of one amino acid substitution. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:39. [PMID: 35546554 PMCID: PMC9095652 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In rod-shaped bacteria, morphological plasticity occurs in response to stress, which blocks cell division to promote filamentation. We demonstrate here that overexpression of the patatin-like phospholipase variant CapVQ329R, but not CapV, causes pronounced sulA-independent pyridoxine-inhibited cell filamentation in the Escherichia coli K-12-derivative MG1655 associated with restriction of flagella production and swimming motility. Conserved amino acids in canonical patatin-like phospholipase A motifs, but not the nucleophilic serine, are required to mediate CapVQ329R phenotypes. Furthermore, CapVQ329R production substantially alters the lipidome and colony morphotype including rdar biofilm formation with modulation of the production of the biofilm activator CsgD, and affects additional bacterial traits such as the efficiency of phage infection and antimicrobial susceptibility. Moreover, genetically diverse commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains and Salmonella typhimurium responded with cell filamentation and modulation in colony morphotype formation to CapVQ329R expression. In conclusion, this work identifies the CapV variant CapVQ329R as a pleiotropic regulator, emphasizes a scaffold function for patatin-like phospholipases, and highlights the impact of the substitution of a single conserved amino acid for protein functionality and alteration of host physiology.
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43
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Hobbs SJ, Wein T, Lu A, Morehouse BR, Schnabel J, Leavitt A, Yirmiya E, Sorek R, Kranzusch PJ. Phage anti-CBASS and anti-Pycsar nucleases subvert bacterial immunity. Nature 2022; 605:522-526. [PMID: 35395152 PMCID: PMC9117128 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04716-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signalling system (CBASS) and the pyrimidine cyclase system for antiphage resistance (Pycsar) are antiphage defence systems in diverse bacteria that use cyclic nucleotide signals to induce cell death and prevent viral propagation1,2. Phages use several strategies to defeat host CRISPR and restriction-modification systems3-10, but no mechanisms are known to evade CBASS and Pycsar immunity. Here we show that phages encode anti-CBASS (Acb) and anti-Pycsar (Apyc) proteins that counteract defence by specifically degrading cyclic nucleotide signals that activate host immunity. Using a biochemical screen of 57 phages in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, we discover Acb1 from phage T4 and Apyc1 from phage SBSphiJ as founding members of distinct families of immune evasion proteins. Crystal structures of Acb1 in complex with 3'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP define a mechanism of metal-independent hydrolysis 3' of adenosine bases, enabling broad recognition and degradation of cyclic dinucleotide and trinucleotide CBASS signals. Structures of Apyc1 reveal a metal-dependent cyclic NMP phosphodiesterase that uses relaxed specificity to target Pycsar cyclic pyrimidine mononucleotide signals. We show that Acb1 and Apyc1 block downstream effector activation and protect from CBASS and Pycsar defence in vivo. Active Acb1 and Apyc1 enzymes are conserved in phylogenetically diverse phages, demonstrating that cleavage of host cyclic nucleotide signals is a key strategy of immune evasion in phage biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Hobbs
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tanita Wein
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Allen Lu
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin R Morehouse
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia Schnabel
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Azita Leavitt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Erez Yirmiya
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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44
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Bacterial origins of human cell-autonomous innate immune mechanisms. Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 22:629-638. [PMID: 35396464 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00705-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cell-autonomous innate immune system enables animal cells to resist viral infection. This system comprises an array of sensors that, after detecting viral molecules, activate the expression of antiviral proteins and the interferon response. The repertoire of immune sensors and antiviral proteins has long been considered to be derived from extensive evolutionary innovation in vertebrates, but new data challenge this dogma. Recent studies show that central components of the cell-autonomous innate immune system have ancient evolutionary roots in prokaryotic genes that protect bacteria from phages. These include the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing pathogen receptors, the viperin family of antiviral proteins, SAMHD1-like nucleotide-depletion enzymes, gasdermin proteins and key components of the RNA interference pathway. This Perspective details current knowledge of the elements of antiviral immunity that are conserved from bacteria to humans, and presents possible evolutionary scenarios to explain the observed conservation.
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45
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Jaskólska M, Adams DW, Blokesch M. Two defence systems eliminate plasmids from seventh pandemic Vibrio cholerae. Nature 2022; 604:323-329. [PMID: 35388218 PMCID: PMC7613841 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer can trigger rapid shifts in bacterial evolution. Driven by a variety of mobile genetic elements-in particular bacteriophages and plasmids-the ability to share genes within and across species underpins the exceptional adaptability of bacteria. Nevertheless, invasive mobile genetic elements can also present grave risks to the host; bacteria have therefore evolved a vast array of defences against these elements1. Here we identify two plasmid defence systems conserved in the Vibrio cholerae El Tor strains responsible for the ongoing seventh cholera pandemic2-4. These systems, termed DdmABC and DdmDE, are encoded on two major pathogenicity islands that are a hallmark of current pandemic strains. We show that the modules cooperate to rapidly eliminate small multicopy plasmids by degradation. Moreover, the DdmABC system is widespread and can defend against bacteriophage infection by triggering cell suicide (abortive infection, or Abi). Notably, we go on to show that, through an Abi-like mechanism, DdmABC increases the burden of large low-copy-number conjugative plasmids, including a broad-host IncC multidrug resistance plasmid, which creates a fitness disadvantage that counterselects against plasmid-carrying cells. Our results answer the long-standing question of why plasmids, although abundant in environmental strains, are rare in pandemic strains; have implications for understanding the dissemination of antibiotic resistance plasmids; and provide insights into how the interplay between two defence systems has shaped the evolution of the most successful lineage of pandemic V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Jaskólska
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Station 19, EPFL-SV-UPBLO, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David W Adams
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Station 19, EPFL-SV-UPBLO, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Melanie Blokesch
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Station 19, EPFL-SV-UPBLO, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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46
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Zhuang J, Xie L, Zheng L. A Glimpse of Programmed Cell Death Among Bacteria, Animals, and Plants. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:790117. [PMID: 35223864 PMCID: PMC8866957 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.790117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) in animals mainly refers to lytic and non-lytic forms. Disruption and integrity of the plasma membrane are considered as hallmarks of lytic and apoptotic cell death, respectively. These lytic cell death programs can prevent the hosts from microbial pathogens. The key to our understanding of these cases is pattern recognition receptors, such as TLRs in animals and LRR-RLKs in plants, and nod-like receptors (NLRs). Herein, we emphatically discuss the biochemical and structural studies that have clarified the anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic functions of Bcl-2 family proteins during intrinsic apoptosis and how caspase-8 among apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis sets the switchable threshold and integrates innate immune signaling, and that have compared the similarity and distinctness of the apoptosome, necroptosome, and inflammasome. We recapitulate that the necroptotic MLKL pore, pyroptotic gasdermin pore, HR-inducing resistosome, and mitochondrial Bcl-2 family all can form ion channels, which all directly boost membrane disruption. Comparing the conservation and unique aspects of PCD including ferrroptosis among bacteria, animals, and plants, the commonly shared immune domains including TIR-like, gasdermin-like, caspase-like, and MLKL/CC-like domains act as arsenal modules to restructure the diverse architecture to commit PCD suicide upon stresses/stimuli for host community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhuang,
| | - Li Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Luping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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47
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Cai H, Meignin C, Imler JL. cGAS-like receptor-mediated immunity: the insect perspective. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:183-189. [PMID: 35149240 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway plays a central role in the detection of DNA in the cytosol of mammalian cells and activation of immunity. Although the early evolutionary origin of this pathway in animals has been noted, its ancestral functions have remained elusive so far. We review here new findings in invertebrates establishing a role in sensing and signaling infection, triggering potent transcriptional responses, in addition to autophagy. Results from flies and moths/butterflies point to the importance of STING signaling in antiviral immunity in insects. The recent characterization of cGAS-like receptors in Drosophila reveals the plasticity of this family of pattern-recognition receptors, able to accommodate ligands different from DNA and to produce cyclic dinucleotides beyond 2'3'-cGAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Carine Meignin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France.
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48
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Duncan-Lowey B, Kranzusch PJ. CBASS phage defense and evolution of antiviral nucleotide signaling. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:156-163. [PMID: 35123147 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS) immunity is a widespread form of antiphage defense in bacteria and archaea. Each CBASS operon encodes a cGAS/DncV-like Nucleotidyltransferase (CD-NTase) enzyme that synthesizes a nucleotide second messenger in response to viral infection. An associated Cap effector protein then binds the nucleotide signal and executes cell death to destroy the host cell and block phage propagation. Here we build upon recent advances to establish rules controlling each step of CBASS activation and antiphage defense. Comparative analysis of CBASS, CRISPR, Pycsar, and cGAS-STING immunity provides insight into the evolution of phage defense and animal innate immunity and highlights new questions emerging in the role of nucleotide second messenger signaling in host-virus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Duncan-Lowey
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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49
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Liu N, Pang X, Zhang H, Ji P. The cGAS-STING Pathway in Bacterial Infection and Bacterial Immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 12:814709. [PMID: 35095914 PMCID: PMC8793285 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.814709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), along with the adaptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING), are crucial components of the innate immune system, and their study has become a research hotspot in recent years. Many biochemical and structural studies that have collectively elucidated the mechanism of activation of the cGAS-STING pathway with atomic resolution have provided insights into the roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in innate immunity and clues to the origin and evolution of the modern cGAS-STING signaling pathway. The cGAS-STING pathway has been identified to protect the host against viral infection. After detecting viral dsDNA, cGAS synthesizes a second messenger to activate STING, eliciting antiviral immune responses by promoting the expression of interferons (IFNs) and hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Recently, the cGAS-STING pathway has also been found to be involved in response to bacterial infections, including bacterial pneumonia, melioidosis, tuberculosis, and sepsis. However, compared with its functions in viral infection, the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in bacterial infection is more complex and diverse since the protective and detrimental effects of type I IFN (IFN-I) on the host depend on the bacterial species and infection mode. Besides, STING activation can also affect infection prognosis through other mechanisms in different bacterial infections, independent of the IFN-I response. Interestingly, the core protein components of the mammalian cGAS-STING signaling pathway have been found in the bacterial defense system, suggesting that this widespread signaling pathway may have originated in bacteria. Here, we review recent findings related to the structures of major molecules involved in the cGAS-STING pathway and the effects of the cGAS-STING pathway in various bacterial infections and bacterial immunity, which may pave the way for the development of new antibacterial drugs that specifically kill bacteria without harmful effects on the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanxin Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Pang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Ji
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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50
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Braun F, Recalde A, Bähre H, Seifert R, Albers SV. Putative Nucleotide-Based Second Messengers in the Archaeal Model Organisms Haloferax volcanii and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:779012. [PMID: 34880846 PMCID: PMC8646023 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.779012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on nucleotide-based second messengers began in 1956 with the discovery of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (3′,5′-cAMP) by Earl Wilbur Sutherland and his co-workers. Since then, a broad variety of different signaling molecules composed of nucleotides has been discovered. These molecules fulfill crucial tasks in the context of intracellular signal transduction. The vast majority of the currently available knowledge about nucleotide-based second messengers originates from model organisms belonging either to the domain of eukaryotes or to the domain of bacteria, while the archaeal domain is significantly underrepresented in the field of nucleotide-based second messenger research. For several well-stablished eukaryotic and/or bacterial nucleotide-based second messengers, it is currently not clear whether these signaling molecules are present in archaea. In order to shed some light on this issue, this study analyzed cell extracts of two major archaeal model organisms, the euryarchaeon Haloferax volcanii and the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, using a modern mass spectrometry method to detect a broad variety of currently known nucleotide-based second messengers. The nucleotides 3′,5′-cAMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (3′,5′-cGMP), 5′-phosphoadenylyl-3′,5′-adenosine (5′-pApA), diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) as well as the 2′,3′-cyclic isomers of all four RNA building blocks (2′,3′-cNMPs) were present in both species. In addition, H. volcanii cell extracts also contain cyclic cytosine monophosphate (3′,5′-cCMP), cyclic uridine monophosphate (3′,5′-cUMP) and cyclic diadenosine monophosphate (3′,5′-c-di-AMP). The widely distributed bacterial second messengers cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (3′,5′-c-di-GMP) and guanosine (penta-)/tetraphosphate [(p)ppGpp] could not be detected. In summary, this study gives a comprehensive overview on the presence of a large set of currently established or putative nucleotide-based second messengers in an eury- and a crenarchaeal model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Braun
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alejandra Recalde
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heike Bähre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Roland Seifert
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Sonja-Verena Albers
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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