1
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Wulff TF, Hahnke K, Lécrivain AL, Schmidt K, Ahmed-Begrich R, Finstermeier K, Charpentier E. Dynamics of diversified A-to-I editing in Streptococcus pyogenes is governed by changes in mRNA stability. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae629. [PMID: 39087550 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing plays an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic cell physiology. However, our understanding of the occurrence, function and regulation of A-to-I editing in bacteria remains limited. Bacterial mRNA editing is catalysed by the deaminase TadA, which was originally described to modify a single tRNA in Escherichia coli. Intriguingly, several bacterial species appear to perform A-to-I editing on more than one tRNA. Here, we provide evidence that in the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, tRNA editing has expanded to an additional tRNA substrate. Using RNA sequencing, we identified more than 27 editing sites in the transcriptome of S. pyogenes SF370 and demonstrate that the adaptation of S. pyogenes TadA to a second tRNA substrate has also diversified the sequence context and recoding scope of mRNA editing. Based on the observation that editing is dynamically regulated in response to several infection-relevant stimuli, such as oxidative stress, we further investigated the underlying determinants of editing dynamics and identified mRNA stability as a key modulator of A-to-I editing. Overall, our findings reveal the presence and diversification of A-to-I editing in S. pyogenes and provide novel insights into the plasticity of the editome and its regulation in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Wulff
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Hahnke
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katja Schmidt
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Kolesiński P, McGowan M, Botteaux A, Smeesters PR, Ghosh P. Conservation of C4BP-binding sequence patterns in Streptococcus pyogenes M and Enn proteins. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107478. [PMID: 38879009 PMCID: PMC11292367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107478] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antigenically sequence variable M proteins of the major bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) are responsible for recruiting human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) to the bacterial surface, which enables Strep A to evade destruction by the immune system. The most sequence divergent portion of M proteins, the hypervariable region (HVR), is responsible for binding C4BP. Structural evidence points to the conservation of two C4BP-binding sequence patterns (M2 and M22) in the HVR of numerous M proteins, with this conservation applicable to vaccine immunogen design. These two patterns, however, only partially explain C4BP binding by Strep A. Here, we identified several M proteins that lack these patterns but still bind C4BP and determined the structures of two, M68 and M87 HVRs, in complex with a C4BP fragment. Mutagenesis of these M proteins led to the identification of amino acids that are crucial for C4BP binding, enabling formulation of new C4BP-binding patterns. Mutagenesis was also carried out on M2 and M22 proteins to refine or generate experimentally grounded C4BP-binding patterns. The M22 pattern was the most prevalent among M proteins, followed by the M87 and M2 patterns, while the M68 pattern was rare. These patterns, except for M68, were also evident in numerous M-like Enn proteins. Binding of C4BP via these patterns to Enn proteins was verified. We conclude that C4BP-binding patterns occur frequently in Strep A strains of differing M types, being present in their M or Enn proteins, or frequently both, providing further impetus for their use as vaccine immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kolesiński
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthew McGowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, ULB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, ULB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA.
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3
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Xie O, Davies MR, Tong SYC. Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis infection and its intersection with Streptococcus pyogenes. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024:e0017523. [PMID: 38856686 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00175-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYStreptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is an increasingly recognized cause of disease in humans. Disease manifestations range from non-invasive superficial skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis. Invasive disease is usually associated with co-morbidities, immunosuppression, and advancing age. The crude incidence of invasive disease approaches that of the closely related pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes. Genomic epidemiology using whole-genome sequencing has revealed important insights into global SDSE population dynamics including emerging lineages and spread of anti-microbial resistance. It has also complemented observations of overlapping pathobiology between SDSE and S. pyogenes, including shared virulence factors and mobile gene content, potentially underlying shared pathogen phenotypes. This review provides an overview of the clinical and genomic epidemiology, disease manifestations, treatment, and virulence determinants of human infections with SDSE with a particular focus on its overlap with S. pyogenes. In doing so, we highlight the importance of understanding the overlap of SDSE and S. pyogenes to inform surveillance and disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouli Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Disease Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
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4
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Sanford TC, Tweten RK, Abrahamsen HL. Bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins and their interaction with the human immune response. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:164-169. [PMID: 38527455 PMCID: PMC11042984 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000001010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Many cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC)-producing pathogens pose a significant threat to human health. Herein, we review the pore-dependent and -independent properties CDCs possess to assist pathogens in evading the host immune response. RECENT FINDINGS Within the last 5 years, exciting new research suggests CDCs can act to inhibit important immune functions, disrupt critical cell signaling pathways, and have tissue-specific effects. Additionally, recent studies have identified a key region of CDCs that generates robust immunity, providing resources for the development of CDC-based vaccines. SUMMARY This review provides new information on how CDCs alter host immune responses to aid bacteria in pathogenesis. These studies can assist in the design of more efficient vaccines and therapeutics against CDCs that will enhance the immune response to CDC-producing pathogens while mitigating the dampening effects CDCs have on the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan C. Sanford
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Rodney K. Tweten
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Hunter L. Abrahamsen
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
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5
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Kolesiński P, McGowan M, Botteaux A, Smeesters PR, Ghosh P. Conservation of C4BP-binding Sequence Patterns in Streptococcus pyogenes M and Enn Proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590534. [PMID: 38712057 PMCID: PMC11071373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Antigenically sequence variable M proteins of the major bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) are responsible for recruiting human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) to the bacterial surface, which enables Strep A to evade destruction by the immune system. The most sequence divergent portion of M proteins, the hypervariable region (HVR), is responsible for binding C4BP. Structural evidence points to the conservation of two C4BP-binding sequence patterns (M2 and M22) in the HVR of numerous M proteins, with this conservation applicable to vaccine immunogen design. These two patterns, however, only partially explain C4BP-binding by Strep A. Here, we identified several M proteins that lack these patterns but still bind C4BP, and determined the structures of two, M68 and M87 HVRs, in complex with a C4BP fragment. Mutagenesis of these M proteins led to identification of amino acids that are crucial for C4BP-binding, enabling formulation of new C4BP-binding patterns. Mutagenesis was also carried out on M2 and M22 proteins to refine or generate experimentally grounded C4BP-binding patterns. The M22 pattern was the most populated among M proteins, followed by the M87 and M2 patterns, while the M68 pattern was rare. These patterns, except for M68, were also evident in numerous M-like Enn proteins. Binding of C4BP via these patterns to Enn proteins was verified. We conclude that C4BP-binding patterns occur frequently in Strep A strains of differing M types, being present in their M or Enn proteins, or frequently both, providing further impetus for their use as vaccine immunogens.
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6
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Schiavolin L, Deneubourg G, Steinmetz J, Smeesters PR, Botteaux A. Group A Streptococcus adaptation to diverse niches: lessons from transcriptomic studies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:241-265. [PMID: 38140809 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2294905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen, causing diseases ranging from mild superficial infections of the skin and pharyngeal epithelium to severe systemic and invasive diseases. Moreover, post infection auto-immune sequelae arise by a yet not fully understood mechanism. The ability of GAS to cause a wide variety of infections is linked to the expression of a large set of virulence factors and their transcriptional regulation in response to various physiological environments. The use of transcriptomics, among others -omics technologies, in addition to traditional molecular methods, has led to a better understanding of GAS pathogenesis and host adaptation mechanisms. This review focusing on bacterial transcriptomic provides new insight into gene-expression patterns in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo with an emphasis on metabolic shifts, virulence genes expression and transcriptional regulators role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Schiavolin
- Microbiology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute of Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geoffrey Deneubourg
- Microbiology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute of Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jenny Steinmetz
- Microbiology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute of Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Microbiology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute of Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Microbiology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute of Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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7
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Chiang-Ni C, Chiang CY, Chen YW, Shi YA, Chao YT, Wang S, Tsai PJ, Chiu CH. RopB-regulated SpeB cysteine protease degrades extracellular vesicles-associated streptolysin O and bacterial proteins from group A Streptococcus. Virulence 2023; 14:2249784. [PMID: 37621107 PMCID: PMC10461520 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2249784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be released from gram-positive bacteria and would participate in the delivery of bacterial toxins. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) is one of the most common pathogens of monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis. Spontaneous inactivating mutation in the CovR/CovS two-component regulatory system is related to the increase of EVs production via an unknown mechanism. This study aimed to investigate whether the CovR/CovS-regulated RopB, the transcriptional regulator of GAS exoproteins, would participate in regulating EVs production. Results showed that the size, morphology, and number of EVs released from the wild-type strain and the ropB mutant were similar, suggesting RopB is not involved in controlling EVs production. Nonetheless, RopB-regulated SpeB protease degrades streptolysin O and bacterial proteins in EVs. Although SpeB has crucial roles in modulating protein composition in EVs, the SpeB-positive EVs failed to trigger HaCaT keratinocytes pyroptosis, suggesting that EVs did not deliver SpeB into keratinocytes or the amount of SpeB in EVs was not sufficient to trigger cell pyroptosis. Finally, we identified that EV-associated enolase was resistant to SpeB degradation, and therefore could be utilized as the internal control protein for verifying SLO degradation. This study revealed that RopB would participate in modulating protein composition in EVs via SpeB-dependent protein degradation and suggested that enolase is a potential internal marker for studying GAS EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Chiang-Ni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yi Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Wen Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yong-An Shi
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tzu Chao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shuying Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jane Tsai
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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8
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Plainvert C, Rosinski-Chupin I, Weckel A, Lambert C, Touak G, Sauvage E, Poyart C, Glaser P, Fouet A. A Novel CovS Variant Harbored by a Colonization Strain Reduces Streptococcus pyogenes Virulence. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0003923. [PMID: 36920220 PMCID: PMC10127592 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00039-23] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus, causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from mild noninvasive to severe invasive infections. To identify possible causes of colonization-to-invasive switches, we determined the genomic sequences of 10 isolates from five pairs each composed of an invasive strain and a carriage strain originating from five infectious clusters. Among them, one pair displayed a single-nucleotide difference in covS, encoding the sensor histidine kinase of the two-component CovRS system that controls the expression of 15% of the genome. In contrast to previously described cases where the invasive strains harbor nonfunctional CovS proteins, the carriage strain possessed the mutation covST115C, leading to the replacement of the tyrosine at position 39 by a histidine. The CovSY39H mutation affected the expression of the genes from the CovR regulon in a unique fashion. Genes usually overexpressed in covS mutant strains were underexpressed and vice versa. Furthermore, the covS mutant strain barely responded to the addition of the CovS-signaling compounds Mg2+ and LL-37. The variations in the accumulation of two virulence factors paralleled the transcription modifications. In addition, the covST115C mutant strain showed less survival than its wild-type counterpart in murine macrophages. Finally, in two murine models of infection, the covS mutant strain was less virulent than the wild-type strain. Our study suggests that the CovSY39H protein compromises CovS phosphatase activity and that this yields a noninvasive strain. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus, causes a wide variety of diseases, leading to 517,000 deaths yearly. The two-component CovRS system, which responds to MgCl2 and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, controls the expression of 15% of the genome. Invasive strains may harbor nonfunctional CovS sensor proteins that lead to the derepression of most virulence genes. We isolated a colonization strain that harbors a novel covS mutation. This mutant strain harbored a transcriptome profile opposite that of other covS mutant strains, barely responded to environmental signals, and was less virulent than the wild-type strain. This supports the importance of the derepression of the expression of most virulence genes, via mutations that impact the phosphorylation of the regulator CovR, for favoring S. pyogenes invasive infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Plainvert
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
- Service de Bactériologie, CNR des Streptocoques, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Rosinski-Chupin
- Institut Pasteur, Ecologie et Evolution de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Antonin Weckel
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
| | - Clara Lambert
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
| | - Gérald Touak
- Service de Bactériologie, CNR des Streptocoques, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Sauvage
- Institut Pasteur, Ecologie et Evolution de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Claire Poyart
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
- Service de Bactériologie, CNR des Streptocoques, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Glaser
- Institut Pasteur, Ecologie et Evolution de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Fouet
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
- Service de Bactériologie, CNR des Streptocoques, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Paris, France
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9
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Langshaw EL, Reynolds S, Ozberk V, Dooley J, Calcutt A, Zaman M, Walker MJ, Batzloff MR, Davies MR, Good MF, Pandey M. Streptolysin O Deficiency in Streptococcus pyogenes M1T1 covR/S Mutant Strain Attenuates Virulence in In Vitro and In Vivo Infection Models. mBio 2023; 14:e0348822. [PMID: 36744883 PMCID: PMC9972915 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03488-22] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutation within the Streptococcus pyogenes (Streptococcus group A; Strep A) covR/S regulatory system has been associated with a hypervirulent phenotype resulting from the upregulation of several virulence factors, including the pore-forming toxin, streptolysin O (SLO). In this study, we utilized a range of covR/S mutants, including M1T1 clonal strains (5448 and a covS mutant generated through mouse passage designated 5448AP), to investigate the contribution of SLO to the pathogenesis of covR/S mutant Strep A disease. Up-regulation of slo in 5448AP resulted in increased SLO-mediated hemolysis, decreased dendritic cell (DC) viability post coculture with Strep A, and increased production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) by DCs. Mouse passage of an isogenic 5448 slo-deletion mutant resulted in recovery of several covR/S mutants within the 5448Δslo background. Passage also introduced mutations in non-covR/S genes, but these were considered to have no impact on virulence. Although slo-deficient mutants exhibited the characteristic covR/S-controlled virulence factor upregulation, these mutants caused increased DC viability with reduced inflammatory cytokine production by infected DCs. In vivo, slo expression correlated with decreased DC numbers in infected murine skin and significant bacteremia by 3 days postinfection, with severe pathology at the infection site. Conversely, the absence of slo in the infecting strain (covR/S mutant or wild-type) resulted in detection of DCs in the skin and attenuated virulence in a murine model of pyoderma. slo-sufficient and -deficient covR/S mutants were susceptible to immune clearance mediated by a combination vaccine consisting of a conserved M protein peptide and a peptide from the CXC chemokine protease SpyCEP. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for significant numbers of invasive and noninvasive infections which cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Strep A isolates with mutations in the covR/S system display greater propensity to cause severe invasive diseases, which are responsible for more than 163,000 deaths each year. This is due to the upregulation of virulence factors, including the pore-forming toxin streptolysin O. Utilizing covR/S and slo-knockout mutants, we investigated the role of SLO in virulence. We found that SLO alters interactions with host cell populations and increases Strep A viability at sterile sites of the host, such as the blood, and that its absence results in significantly less virulence. This work underscores the importance of SLO in Strep A virulence while highlighting the complex nature of Strep A pathogenesis. This improved insight into host-pathogen interactions will enable a better understanding of host immune evasion mechanisms and inform streptococcal vaccine development programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Langshaw
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simone Reynolds
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Victoria Ozberk
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica Dooley
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ainslie Calcutt
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mehfuz Zaman
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J. Walker
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Mark R. Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael F. Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Manisha Pandey
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Li Y, Ruan S, Lu F, Xie P, Liu X, Ma H. Studies on ultrasound-mediated insertion-deletion polymorphisms of DNA and underlying mechanisms based on Ames tester strains. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 92:106270. [PMID: 36543046 PMCID: PMC9794972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Low-lethality ultrasound technology has received more and more attention in regulating microorganisms of fermentation industry. Herein, two representative Ames tester strains TA97a and TA98 as model organisms were used to explore the effects of ultrasound on insertion-deletion (InDel) polymorphisms of microbial DNA and its underlying mechanisms. Results revealed that a promotion was observed in the reversion mutation of TA98 upon sonication. Sequencing results from 1752 TA98 revertants showed that there was a total of 127 InDels, of which the InDels unique to ultrasound were 36 more than that of the control. Compared with the control, ultrasound-mediated InDels of DNA displayed additional -29 bp deletion and +7 ∼ +43 bp insertions of direct repeat sequences. Combined with the analysis of transcriptomics and prediction of secondary structure of single-stranded DNA from InDels core region (No. 832 ∼ 915 bp) in hisD3052 gene of TA98 strain, ultrasound-mediated "thermal breathing" mechanism was proposed based on the formation of DNA hairpin structure with micro-homologous sequence. This finding implied that low-intensity ultrasound is expected to be developed a new low-lethal mutagenic technology for continuous mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunliang Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Institute of Food Physical Processing, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Siyu Ruan
- College of Tea and Food Science Technology, Jiangsu Polytechnic College of Agriculture and Forestry, 19 Wenchangdong Road, Jurong, Jiangsu 212400, PR China.
| | - Feng Lu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Pengfei Xie
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Xiaoshuang Liu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Haile Ma
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Institute of Food Physical Processing, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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11
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Rojas-Jaimes J, Lindo-Seminario D, Correa-Núñez G, Diringer B. Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Amblyomma scalpturatum and Amblyomma ovale collected from Tapirus terrestris and Amblyomma sabanerae collected from Chelonoidis denticulata, Madre de Dios- Peru. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:305. [PMID: 36522631 PMCID: PMC9756467 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02717-5] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are arthropods that can host and transmit pathogens to wild animals, domestic animals, and even humans. The microbiome in ticks is an endosymbiotic, pathogenic and is yet to be fully understood. RESULTS Adult male Amblyomma scalpturatum (A. scalpturatum) and Amblyomma ovale (A. ovale) ticks were collected from Tapirus terrestris (T. terrestris) captured in the rural area of San Lorenzo Village, and males Amblyomma sabanerae were collected from Chelonoidis denticulate (C. denticulate) of the Gamita Farm in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios, Peru. The Chao1 and Shannon-Weaver analyses indicated a greater bacterial richness and diversity in male A. sabanerae (Amblyomma sabanerae; 613.65-2.03) compared to male A. scalpturatum and A. ovale (A. scalpturatum and A. ovale; 102.17-0.40). Taxonomic analyses identified 478 operational taxonomic units representing 220 bacterial genera in A. sabanerae and 86 operational taxonomic units representing 28 bacterial genera in A. scalpturatum and A. ovale. Of the most prevalent genera was Francisella (73.2%) in A. sabanerae, and Acinetobacter (96.8%) in A. scalpturatum and A. ovale to be considered as the core microbiome of A. sabanerae and A. scalpturatum/A. ovale respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found a high bacterial diversity in male of A. sabanerae collected from C. denticulata showed prevalence of Francisella and prevalence of Acinetobacter in male A. scalpturatum and A. ovale collected from T. terrestris. The greatest bacterial diversity and richness was found in males A. sabanerae. This is the first bacterial metagenomic study performed in A. scalpturatum/A. ovale and A. sabanerae collected from T. terrestris and C. denticulata in the Peruvian jungle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Rojas-Jaimes
- grid.441984.40000 0000 9092 8486Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Privada del Norte, Av. El Sol 461, San Juan de Lurigancho 15434, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Germán Correa-Núñez
- grid.440598.40000 0004 4648 8611Departamento Académico de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
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12
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Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe infectious disease that results in significant mortality. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) is one of the most common bacterial pathogens of monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis. The early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is crucial; however, the typical cutaneous manifestations are not always presented in patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis, which would lead to miss- or delayed diagnosis. GAS with spontaneous inactivating mutations in the CovR/CovS two-component regulatory system is significantly associated with destructive diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome; however, no specific marker has been used to identify these invasive clinical isolates. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of using CovR/CovS-controlled phenotypes to identify CovR/CovS-inactivated isolates. Results showed that the increase of hyaluronic acid capsule production and streptolysin O expression were not consistently presented in CovS-inactivated clinical isolates. The repression of SpeB is the phenotype with 100% sensitivity of identifying in CovS-inactivated isolates among 61 clinical isolates. Nonetheless, this phenotype failed to distinguish RopB-inactivated isolates from CovS-inactivated isolates and cannot be utilized to identify CovR-inactivated mutant and RocA (Regulator of Cov)-inactivated isolates. In this study, we identified and verified that PepO, the endopeptidase which regulates SpeB expression through degrading SpeB-inducing quorum-sensing peptide, was a bacterial marker to identify isolates with defects in the CovR/CovS pathway. These results also inform the potential strategy of developing rapid detection methods to identify invasive GAS variants during infection. IMPORTANCE Necrotizing fasciitis is rapidly progressive and life-threatening; if the initial diagnosis is delayed, deep soft tissue infection can progress to massive tissue destruction and toxic shock syndrome. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) with inactivated mutations in the CovR/CovS two-component regulatory system are related to necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome; however, no bacterial marker is available to identify these invasive clinical isolates. Inactivation of CovR/CovS resulted in the increased expression of endopeptidase PepO. Our study showed that the upregulation of PepO mediates a decrease in SpeB-inducing peptide (SIP) in the covR mutant, indicating that CovR/CovS modulates SIP-dependent quorum-sensing activity through PepO. Importantly, the sensitivity and specificity of utilizing PepO to identify clinical isolates with defects in the CovR/CovS pathway, including its upstream RocA regulator, were 100%. Our results suggest that identification of invasive GAS by PepO may be a strategy for preventing severe manifestation or poor prognosis after GAS infection.
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Le YJ, He LY, Li S, Xiong CJ, Lu CH, Yang XY. Chlorogenic acid exerts antibacterial effects by affecting lipid metabolism and scavenging ROS in Streptococcus pyogenes. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2022; 369:6633658. [PMID: 35798014 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorogenic acid (CGA), one of the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet, exhibits many biological properties, including antibacterial properties. Numerous studies have investigated the antibacterial effects of CGA, however, the molecular mechanisms governing its effects against Streptococcus pyogenes have not been fully elucidated. Streptococcus pyogenes is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes a wide range of human infections and postinfectious immune-mediated disorders. In this study, we used an isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic technique to investigate the underlying mode of action of CGA against S. pyogenes. KEGG and GO analyses indicated that CGA affected the expression of protein alterations involved in multiple pathways, downregulating the expression of ribosomal proteins, and upregulating the expression of proteins associated with fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and propanoate metabolism, while activating the expression of oxidation-reduction-related proteins. Moreover, further cell-based experiments verified that CGA scavenges intracellular ROS in S. pyogenes. These results suggest that CGA may exert its antibacterial action through several actions, such as downregulating ribosomal subunits, affecting lipid metabolism, and scavenging intracellular ROS. The results of this study may help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CGA combats pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jin Le
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, China
| | - Li-Yuan He
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, China
| | - Sha Li
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, China
| | - Chun-Jiang Xiong
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, China
| | - Chun-Hua Lu
- Medical College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Yang
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, China
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The CovRS Environmental Sensor Directly Controls the ComRS Signaling System To Orchestrate Competence Bimodality in Salivarius Streptococci. mBio 2022; 13:e0312521. [PMID: 35089064 PMCID: PMC8725580 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03125-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In bacteria, phenotypic heterogeneity in an isogenic population compensates for the lack of genetic diversity and allows concomitant multiple survival strategies when choosing only one is too risky. This powerful tactic is exploited for competence development in streptococci where only a subset of the community triggers the pheromone signaling system ComR-ComS, resulting in a bimodal activation. However, the regulatory cascade and the underlying mechanisms of this puzzling behavior remained partially understood. Here, we show that CovRS, a well-described virulence regulatory system in pathogenic streptococci, directly controls the ComRS system to generate bimodality in the gut commensal Streptococcus salivarius and the closely related species Streptococcus thermophilus. Using single-cell analysis of fluorescent reporter strains together with regulatory mutants, we revealed that the intracellular concentration of ComR determines the proportion of competent cells in the population. We also showed that this bimodal activation requires a functional positive-feedback loop acting on ComS production, as well as its exportation and reinternalization via dedicated permeases. As the intracellular ComR concentration is critical in this process, we hypothesized that an environmental sensor could control its abundance. We systematically inactivated all two-component systems and identified CovRS as a direct repression system of comR expression. Notably, we showed that the system transduces its negative regulation through CovR binding to multiple sites in the comR promoter region. Since CovRS integrates environmental stimuli, we suggest that it is the missing piece of the puzzle that connects environmental conditions to (bimodal) competence activation in salivarius streptococci. IMPORTANCE Combining production of antibacterial compounds and uptake of DNA material released by dead cells, competence is one of the most efficient survival strategies in streptococci. Yet, this powerful tactic is energy consuming and reprograms the metabolism to such an extent that cell proliferation is transiently impaired. To circumvent this drawback, competence activation is restricted to a subpopulation, a process known as bimodality. In this work, we explored this phenomenon in salivarius streptococci and elucidated the molecular mechanisms governing cell fate. We also show that an environmental sensor controlling virulence in pathogenic streptococci is diverted to control competence in commensal streptococci. Together, those results showcase how bacteria can sense and transmit external stimuli to complex communication devices for fine-tuning collective behaviors.
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15
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Horstmann N, Myers KS, Tran CN, Flores AR, Shelburne III SA. CovS inactivation reduces CovR promoter binding at diverse virulence factor encoding genes in group A Streptococcus. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010341. [PMID: 35180278 PMCID: PMC8893699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of virulence gene regulator (CovR), also called caspsule synthesis regulator (CsrR), is critical to how the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus fine-tunes virulence factor production. CovR phosphorylation (CovR~P) levels are determined by its cognate sensor kinase CovS, and functional abrogating mutations in CovS can occur in invasive GAS isolates leading to hypervirulence. Presently, the mechanism of CovR-DNA binding specificity is unclear, and the impact of CovS inactivation on global CovR binding has not been assessed. Thus, we performed CovR chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis in the emm1 strain MGAS2221 and its CovS kinase deficient derivative strain 2221-CovS-E281A. We identified that CovR bound in the promoter regions of nearly all virulence factor encoding genes in the CovR regulon. Additionally, direct CovR binding was observed for numerous genes encoding proteins involved in amino acid metabolism, but we found limited direct CovR binding to genes encoding other transcriptional regulators. The consensus sequence AATRANAAAARVABTAAA was present in the promoters of genes directly regulated by CovR, and mutations of highly conserved positions within this motif relieved CovR repression of the hasA and MGAS2221_0187 promoters. Analysis of strain 2221-CovS-E281A revealed that binding of CovR at repressed, but not activated, promoters is highly dependent on CovR~P state. CovR repressed virulence factor encoding genes could be grouped dependent on how CovR~P dependent variation in DNA binding correlated with gene transcript levels. Taken together, the data show that CovR repression of virulence factor encoding genes is primarily direct in nature, involves binding to a newly-identified DNA binding motif, and is relieved by CovS inactivation. These data provide new mechanistic insights into one of the most important bacterial virulence regulators and allow for subsequent focused investigations into how CovR-DNA interaction at directly controlled promoters impacts GAS pathogenesis. Tight regulation of virulence factor production is a critical, but poorly understood aspect of bacterial pathogenesis. The OmpR/PhoB family member control of virulence regulator (CovR) is the master virulence factor controller in group A Streptococcus (GAS), a bacterium which commonly causes a diverse array of human infections. Mutations in the cognate kinase of CovR, CovS, are commonly observed among invasive GAS isolates, but the functional impact of CovS on global CovR function is unknown. Herein, we defined CovR global DNA binding locations, identified a consensus CovR binding motif, and determined how inactivation of the CovR cognate sensor kinase, CovS, impacts CovR-DNA interaction. Our findings show that CovR-repressed virulence factor encoding genes are directly regulated by CovR and that CovS inactivation markedly reduces CovR binding at CovR-repressed promoters. Given the widespread nature of CovR homologues in streptococci and other Gram-positive pathogens, these findings extend understanding of mechanisms by which OmpR/PhoB family members impact the ability of bacteria to cause serious infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Horstmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kevin S. Myers
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Chau Nguyen Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anthony R. Flores
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genomics McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Samuel A. Shelburne III
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Differences in the Accessory Genomes and Methylomes of Strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Obtained from the Respiratory Tract of Horses from Texas. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0076421. [PMID: 35019696 PMCID: PMC8754150 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00764-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (SEE) is a host-restricted equine pathogen considered to have evolved from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ). SEZ is promiscuous in host range and is commonly recovered from horses as a commensal. Comparison of a single strain each of SEE and SEZ using whole-genome sequencing, supplemented by PCR of selected genes in additional SEE and SEZ strains, was used to characterize the evolution of SEE. But the known genetic variability of SEZ warrants comparison of the whole genomes of multiple SEE and SEZ strains. To fill this knowledge gap, we utilized whole-genome sequencing to characterize the accessory genome elements (AGEs; i.e., elements present in some SEE strains but absent in SEZ or vice versa) and methylomes of 50 SEE and 50 SEZ isolates from Texas. Consistent with previous findings, AGEs consistently found in all SEE isolates were primarily from mobile genetic elements that might contribute to host restriction or pathogenesis of SEE. Fewer AGEs were identified in SEZ because of the greater genomic variability among these isolates. The global methylation patterns of SEE isolates were more consistent than those of the SEZ isolates. Among homologous genes of SEE and SEZ, differential methylation was identified only in genes of SEE encoding proteins with functions of quorum sensing, exopeptidase activity, and transitional metal ion binding. Our results indicate that effects of genetic mobile elements in SEE and differential methylation of genes shared by SEE and SEZ might contribute to the host specificity of SEE. IMPORTANCE Strangles, caused by the host-specific bacterium Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (SEE), is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease of horses worldwide. Its ancestor, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ), is frequently isolated from a wide array of hosts, including horses and humans. A comparison of the genomes of a single strain of SEE and SEZ has been reported, but sequencing of further isolates has revealed variability among SEZ strains. Thus, the importance of this study is that it characterizes genomic and methylomic differences of multiple SEE and SEZ isolates from a common geographic region (viz., Texas). Our results affirm many of the previously described differences between the genomes of SEE and SEZ, including the role of mobile genetic elements in contributing to host restriction. We also provide the first characterization of the global methylome of Streptococcus equi and evidence that differential methylation might contribute to the host restriction of SEE.
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Kant S, Pancholi V. Novel Tyrosine Kinase-Mediated Phosphorylation With Dual Specificity Plays a Key Role in the Modulation of Streptococcus pyogenes Physiology and Virulence. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:689246. [PMID: 34950110 PMCID: PMC8689070 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.689246] [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: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) genomes do not contain a gene encoding a typical bacterial-type tyrosine kinase (BY-kinase) but contain an orphan gene-encoding protein Tyr-phosphatase (SP-PTP). Hence, the importance of Tyr-phosphorylation is underappreciated and not recognized for its role in GAS pathophysiology and pathogenesis. The fact that SP-PTP dephosphorylates Abl-tyrosine kinase-phosphorylated myelin basic protein (MBP), and SP-STK (S. pyogenes Ser/Thr kinase) also autophosphorylates its Tyr101-residue prompted us to identify a putative tyrosine kinase and Tyr-phosphorylation in GAS. Upon a genome-wide search of kinases possessing a classical Walker motif, we identified a non-canonical tyrosine kinase M5005_Spy_1476, a ∼17 kDa protein (153 aa) (SP-TyK). The purified recombinant SP-TyK autophosphorylated in the presence of ATP. In vitro and in vivo phosphoproteomic analyses revealed two key phosphorylated tyrosine residues located within the catalytic domain of SP-TyK. An isogenic mutant lacking SP-TyK derived from the M1T1 strain showed a retarded growth pattern. It displayed defective cell division and long chains with multiple parallel septa, often resulting in aggregates. Transcriptomic analysis of the mutant revealed 287 differentially expressed genes responsible for GAS pathophysiology and pathogenesis. SP-TyK also phosphorylated GAS CovR, WalR, SP-STP, and SDH/GAPDH proteins with dual specificity targeting their Tyr/Ser/Thr residues as revealed by biochemical and mass-spectrometric-based phosphoproteomic analyses. SP-TyK-phosphorylated CovR bound to PcovR efficiently. The mutant displayed sustained release of IL-6 compared to TNF-α during co-culturing with A549 lung cell lines, attenuation in mice sepsis model, and significantly reduced ability to adhere to and invade A549 lung cells and form biofilms on abiotic surfaces. SP-TyK, thus, plays a critical role in fine-tuning the regulation of key cellular functions essential for GAS pathophysiology and pathogenesis through post-translational modifications and hence, may serve as a promising target for future therapeutic developments.
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18
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Streptococcus pyogenes TrxSR Two-Component System Regulates Biofilm Production in Acidic Environments. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0036021. [PMID: 34424754 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00360-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria form biofilms for their protection against environmental stress and produce virulence factors within the biofilm. Biofilm formation in acidified environments is regulated by a two-component system, as shown by studies on isogenic mutants of the sensor protein of the two-component regulatory system in Streptococcus pyogenes. In this study, we found that the LiaS histidine kinase sensor mediates biofilm production and pilus expression in an acidified environment through glucose fermentation. The liaS isogenic mutant produced biofilms in a culture acidified by hydrochloric acid but not glucose, suggesting that the acidified environment is sensed by another protein. In addition, the trxS isogenic mutant could not produce biofilms or activate the mga promoter in an acidified environment. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that TrxS regulates M protein, consistent with the transcriptional regulation of emm, which encodes M protein. Our results demonstrate that biofilm production during environmental acidification is directly under the control of TrxS.
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19
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McKenna S, Huse KK, Giblin S, Pearson M, Majid Al Shibar MS, Sriskandan S, Matthews S, Pease JE. The Role of Streptococcal Cell-Envelope Proteases in Bacterial Evasion of the Innate Immune System. J Innate Immun 2021; 14:69-88. [PMID: 34649250 PMCID: PMC9082167 DOI: 10.1159/000516956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria possess the ability to evolve varied and ingenious strategies to outwit the host immune system, instigating an evolutionary arms race. Proteases are amongst the many weapons employed by bacteria, which specifically cleave and neutralize key signalling molecules required for a coordinated immune response. In this article, we focus on a family of S8 subtilisin-like serine proteases expressed as cell-envelope proteases (CEPs) by group A and group B streptococci. Two of these proteases known as Streptococcus pyogenes CEP (SpyCEP) and C5a peptidase cleave the chemokine CXCL8 and the complement fragment C5a, respectively. Both CXCL8 and C5a are potent neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, and by neutralizing their activity, streptococci evade a key defence mechanism of innate immunity. We review the mechanisms by which CXCL8 and C5a recruit neutrophils and the characterization of SpyCEP and C5a peptidase, including both in vitro and in vivo studies. Recently described structural insights into the function of this CEP family are also discussed. We conclude by examining the progress of prototypic vaccines incorporating SpyCEP and C5a peptidase in their preparation. Since streptococci-producing SpyCEP and C5a peptidase are responsible for a considerable global disease burden, targeting these proteases by vaccination strategies or by small-molecule antagonists should provide protection from and promote the resolution of streptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie McKenna
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin Krohn Huse
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Giblin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Edward Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Murase K, Aikawa C, Nozawa T, Nakatake A, Sakamoto K, Kikuchi T, Nakagawa I. Biological Effect of Streptococcus pyogenes-Released Extracellular Vesicles on Human Monocytic Cells, Induction of Cytotoxicity, and Inflammatory Response. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:711144. [PMID: 34350134 PMCID: PMC8326760 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.711144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria naturally release spherical lipid-bilayered extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing proteins, nucleic acids, and virulence-related molecules, thus contributing to diverse biological functions including transport of virulence factors. The group A streptococcus, Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), a major human pathogen, also releases EVs; however, it remains unclear how GAS EVs interact physiologically and pathologically with host cells, and what the differences are between invasive and non-invasive strains. The proteome profile in this study revealed that GAS EVs enclosed many virulence-related proteins such as streptolysin O and NAD-glycohydrolase, facilitating their pathogenicity, and invasive GAS EVs were more abundant than non-invasive counterparts. In terms of biological effects, invasive GAS EVs showed slo-dependent cytotoxic activity and the induction of cytokine expression, contributing to GAS pathogenicity directly. Although non-invasive GAS EVs did not show cytotoxic activity, they may be utilized as a means to prevent antibacterial mechanisms such as autophagy, leading to enhancement of their own survival in the intracellular environment after the infection. These results suggest that invasive and non-invasive GAS EVs play different roles in GAS infection strategy and pathogenicity. Our findings also indicate that EVs could be a key factor for GAS pathogenicity in GAS-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Murase
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chihiro Aikawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Nozawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayako Nakatake
- HTLV-1/ATL Research Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Kuniyo Sakamoto
- HTLV-1/ATL Research Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakagawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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21
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He LY, Le YJ, Guo Z, Li S, Yang XY. The Role and Regulatory Network of the CiaRH Two-Component System in Streptococcal Species. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:693858. [PMID: 34335522 PMCID: PMC8317062 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.693858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic streptococcal species are responsible for a broad spectrum of human diseases ranging from non-invasive and localized infections to more aggressive and life-threatening diseases, which cause great economic losses worldwide. Streptococci possess a dozen two-component systems (TCSs) that play important roles in the response to different environmental changes and adjust the expression of multiple genes to successfully colonize and infect host cells. In this review, we discuss the progress in the study of a conserved TCS named CiaRH in pathogenic or opportunistic streptococci including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus suis, focusing on the function and regulatory networks of CiaRH, which will provide a promising strategy for the exploration of novel antistreptococcal therapies. This review highlights the important role of CiaRH and provides an important basis for the development of antistreptococcal drugs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yuan He
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yao-Jin Le
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhong Guo
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Sha Li
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Yang
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
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22
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Identification of Group A Streptococcus Genes Directly Regulated by CsrRS and Novel Intermediate Regulators. mBio 2021; 12:e0164221. [PMID: 34253064 PMCID: PMC8406183 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01642-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of group A Streptococcus (GAS) to its human host is mediated by two-component systems that transduce external stimuli to regulate bacterial physiology. Among such systems, CsrRS (also known as CovRS) is the most extensively characterized for its role in regulating ∼10% of the GAS genome, including several virulence genes. Here, we show that extracellular magnesium and the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 have opposing effects on the phosphorylation of the response regulator CsrR by the receptor kinase CsrS. Genetic inactivation of CsrS phosphatase or kinase activity, respectively, had similar but more pronounced effects on CsrR phosphorylation compared to growth in magnesium or LL-37. These changes in CsrR phosphorylation were correlated with the repression or activation of CsrR-regulated genes as assessed by NanoString analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) revealed CsrR occupancy at CsrRS-regulated promoters and lower-affinity associations at many other locations on the GAS chromosome. Because ChIP-seq did not detect CsrR occupancy at promoters associated with some CsrR-regulated genes, we investigated whether these genes might be controlled indirectly by intermediate regulators whose expression is modulated by CsrR. Transcriptional profiling of mutant strains deficient in the expression of either of two previously uncharacterized transcription regulators in the CsrR regulon indicated that one or both proteins participated in the regulation of 22 of the 42 CsrR-regulated promoters for which no CsrR association was detected by ChIP-seq. Taken together, these results illuminate CsrRS-mediated regulation of GAS gene expression through modulation of CsrR phosphorylation, CsrR association with regulated promoters, and the control of intermediate transcription regulators. IMPORTANCE Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is an important public health threat as a cause of sore throat, skin infections, life-threatening invasive infections, and the postinfectious complications of acute rheumatic fever, a leading cause of acquired heart disease. This work characterizes CsrRS, a GAS system for the detection of environmental signals that enables adaptation of the bacteria for survival in the human throat by regulating the production of products that allow the bacteria to resist clearance by the human immune system. CsrRS consists of two proteins: CsrS, which is on the bacterial surface to detect specific stimuli, and CsrR, which receives signals from CsrS and, in response, represses or activates the expression of genes coding for proteins that enhance bacterial survival. Some of the genes regulated by CsrR encode proteins that are themselves regulators of gene expression, thereby creating a regulatory cascade.
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Streptococcus pyogenes ("Group A Streptococcus"), a Highly Adapted Human Pathogen-Potential Implications of Its Virulence Regulation for Epidemiology and Disease Management. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060776. [PMID: 34205500 PMCID: PMC8234341 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci; GAS) is an exclusively human pathogen. It causes a variety of suppurative and non-suppurative diseases in people of all ages worldwide. Not all can be successfully treated with antibiotics. A licensed vaccine, in spite of its global importance, is not yet available. GAS express an arsenal of virulence factors responsible for pathological immune reactions. The transcription of all these virulence factors is under the control of three types of virulence-related regulators: (i) two-component systems (TCS), (ii) stand-alone regulators, and (iii) non-coding RNAs. This review summarizes major TCS and stand-alone transcriptional regulatory systems, which are directly associated with virulence control. It is suggested that this treasure of knowledge on the genetics of virulence regulation should be better harnessed for new therapies and prevention methods for GAS infections, thereby changing its global epidemiology for the better.
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The Streptococcus pyogenes signaling peptide SpoV regulates streptolysin O and enhances survival in murine blood. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00586-20. [PMID: 33722844 PMCID: PMC8117530 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00586-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a human pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases. For successful colonization within a variety of host niches, GAS must sense and respond to environmental changes. Intercellular communication mediated by peptides is one way GAS coordinates gene expression in response to diverse environmental stressors, which enhances bacterial survival and contributes to virulence. Using peptidomics we identified SpoV (Streptococcal peptide controlling virulence) in culture supernatant fluids. SpoV is a secreted peptide encoded near the gene encoding the extracellular cholesterol-dependent cytolysin streptolysin O (slo) The addition of synthetic SpoV peptide derivatives, but not control peptides, increased slo transcript abundance in an M49 isolate but not in an M3 isolate. Deletion of spoV decreased slo transcript abundance, extracellular SLO protein levels, and SLO-specific hemolytic activity. Complementation of the spoV mutant increased slo transcript abundance. Lastly, a spoV mutant was deficient in the ability to survive in murine blood compared to the parental strain. Moreover, pre-incubation of the spoV mutant with synthetic SpoV peptide derivatives increased GAS survival. Our findings show that slo expression is regulated, in part, by the GAS-specific signaling peptide SpoV.IMPORTANCEGAS secretes signaling peptides that can alter gene expression and impact virulence. We used peptidomics to identify a signaling peptide designated SpoV. Further, we showed that SpoV altered the expression of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin SLO. Peptide signaling plays an important regulatory role during disease progression among several bacterial pathogens, including GAS. The therapeutic potential of manipulating peptide-controlled regulatory networks is an attractive option for the development of novel therapeutic strategies that disrupt virulence gene expression.
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The upcycled roles of pseudoenzymes in two-component signal transduction. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 61:82-90. [PMID: 33872991 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Upon first glance at a bacterial genome, pseudoenzymes appear unremarkable due to their lack of critical motifs that facilitate catalysis. These pseudoenzymes exist within signal transduction enzymes including histidine kinases, response regulators, diguanylate cyclases, and phosphodiesterases. Here, we summarize recent studies of bacterial pseudo-histidine kinases and pseudo-response regulators that regulate cell division, capsule formation, and the circadian rhythm. These examples illuminate the mechanistic potential of catalytically dead signaling enzymes and their impact upon bacterial signal transduction. Moreover, proteins lacking characteristic catalytic features of two-component systems reveal the sophisticated underlying potential of canonical two-component systems.
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Survival Strategies of Streptococcus pyogenes in Response to Phage Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040612. [PMID: 33918348 PMCID: PMC8066415 DOI: 10.3390/v13040612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages exert strong evolutionary pressure on their microbial hosts. In their lytic lifecycle, complete bacterial subpopulations are utilized as hosts for bacteriophage replication. However, during their lysogenic lifecycle, bacteriophages can integrate into the host chromosome and alter the host’s genomic make-up, possibly resulting in evolutionary important adjustments. Not surprisingly, bacteria have evolved sophisticated immune systems to protect against phage infection. Streptococcus pyogenes isolates are frequently lysogenic and their prophages have been shown to be major contributors to the virulence of this pathogen. Most S. pyogenes phage research has focused on genomic prophages in relation to virulence, but little is known about the defensive arsenal of S. pyogenes against lytic phage infection. Here, we characterized Phage A1, an S. pyogenes bacteriophage, and investigated several mechanisms that S. pyogenes utilizes to protect itself against phage predation. We show that Phage A1 belongs to the Siphoviridae family and contains a circular double-stranded DNA genome that follows a modular organization described for other streptococcal phages. After infection, the Phage A1 genome can be detected in isolated S. pyogenes survivor strains, which enables the survival of the bacterial host and Phage A1 resistance. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the type II-A CRISPR-Cas system of S. pyogenes acquires new spacers upon phage infection, which are increasingly detectable in the absence of a capsule. Lastly, we show that S. pyogenes produces membrane vesicles that bind to phages, thereby limiting the pool of phages available for infection. Altogether, this work provides novel insight into survival strategies employed by S. pyogenes to combat phage predation.
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Hirose Y, Yamaguchi M, Sumitomo T, Nakata M, Hanada T, Okuzaki D, Motooka D, Mori Y, Kawasaki H, Coady A, Uchiyama S, Hiraoka M, Zurich RH, Amagai M, Nizet V, Kawabata S. Streptococcus pyogenes upregulates arginine catabolism to exert its pathogenesis on the skin surface. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108924. [PMID: 33789094 PMCID: PMC9214650 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway has been found in many kinds of bacteria and functions to supplement energy production and provide protection against acid stress. The Streptococcus pyogenes ADI pathway is upregulated upon exposure to various environmental stresses, including glucose starvation. However, there are several unclear points about the advantages to the organism for upregulating arginine catabolism. We show that the ADI pathway contributes to bacterial viability and pathogenesis under low-glucose conditions. S. pyogenes changes global gene expression, including upregulation of virulence genes, by catabolizing arginine. In a murine model of epicutaneous infection, S. pyogenes uses the ADI pathway to augment its pathogenicity by increasing the expression of virulence genes, including those encoding the exotoxins. We also find that arginine from stratum-corneum-derived filaggrin is a key substrate for the ADI pathway. In summary, arginine is a nutrient source that promotes the pathogenicity of S. pyogenes on the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiro Hirose
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Masaya Yamaguchi
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoko Sumitomo
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masanobu Nakata
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Tomoki Hanada
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yasushi Mori
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawasaki
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Immunology Data Integration Unit, RIKEN Medical Sciences Innovation Hub Program, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Laboratory for Skin Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Alison Coady
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Masanobu Hiraoka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Raymond H Zurich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Masayuki Amagai
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Laboratory for Skin Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shigetada Kawabata
- Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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Parise D, Teixeira Dornelles Parise M, Pinto Gomide AC, Figueira Aburjaile F, Bentes Kato R, Salgado-Albarrán M, Tauch A, Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo V, Baumbach J. The Transcriptional Regulatory Network of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020415. [PMID: 33671149 PMCID: PMC7923171 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular, pathogenic bacterium that infects several different hosts, yielding serious economic losses in livestock farming. It causes several diseases including oedematous skin disease (OSD) in buffaloes, ulcerative lymphangitis (UL) in horses, and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep, goats and humans. Despite its economic and medical-veterinary importance, our understanding concerning this organism’s transcriptional regulatory mechanisms is still limited. Here, we review the state of the art knowledge on transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of this pathogenic species, covering regulatory interactions mediated by two-component systems, transcription factors and sigma factors. Key transcriptional regulatory players involved in virulence and pathogenicity of C. pseudotuberculosis, such as the PhoPR system and DtxR, are in the focus of this review, as these regulators are promising targets for future vaccine design and drug development. We conclude that more experimental studies are needed to further understand the regulatory repertoire of this important zoonotic pathogen, and that regulators are promising targets for future vaccine design and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doglas Parise
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mariana Teixeira Dornelles Parise
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Anne Cybelle Pinto Gomide
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | | | - Rodrigo Bentes Kato
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Marisol Salgado-Albarrán
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Cuajimalpa, Mexico City 05348, Mexico
| | - Andreas Tauch
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany;
| | - Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Computational BioMedicine lab, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Chair of Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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Weckel A, Guilbert T, Lambert C, Plainvert C, Goffinet F, Poyart C, Méhats C, Fouet A. Streptococcus pyogenes infects human endometrium by limiting the innate immune response. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:130746. [PMID: 33320843 DOI: 10.1172/jci130746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a Gram-positive human-specific pathogen, yields 517,000 deaths annually worldwide, including 163,000 due to invasive infections and among them puerperal fever. Before efficient prophylactic measures were introduced, the mortality rate for mothers during childbirth was approximately 10%; puerperal fever still accounts for over 75,000 maternal deaths annually. Yet, little is known regarding the factors and mechanisms of GAS invasion and establishment in postpartum infection. We characterized the early steps of infection in an ex vivo infection model of the human decidua, the puerperal fever portal of entry. Coordinate analysis of GAS behavior and the immune response led us to demonstrate that (a) GAS growth was stimulated by tissue products; (b) GAS invaded tissue and killed approximately 50% of host cells within 2 hours, and these processes required SpeB protease and streptolysin O (SLO) activities, respectively; and (c) GAS impaired the tissue immune response. Immune impairment occurred both at the RNA level, with only partial induction of the innate immune response, and protein level, in an SLO- and SpeB-dependent manner. Our study indicates that efficient GAS invasion of the decidua and the restricted host immune response favored its propensity to develop rapid invasive infections in a gynecological-obstetrical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Weckel
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Guilbert
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
| | - Clara Lambert
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France
| | - Céline Plainvert
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Streptocoques.,Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Cochin, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris
| | - François Goffinet
- Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France.,Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, and.,Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique I, Maternité Port Royal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Claire Poyart
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Streptocoques.,Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Cochin, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris
| | - Céline Méhats
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Fouet
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Risk & Pregnancy, Port Royal Maternity, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Streptocoques
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Nakata M, Kreikemeyer B. Genetics, Structure, and Function of Group A Streptococcal Pili. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:616508. [PMID: 33633705 PMCID: PMC7900414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.616508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS) is an exclusively human pathogen. This bacterial species is responsible for a large variety of infections, ranging from purulent but mostly self-limiting oropharynx/skin diseases to streptococcal sequelae, including glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever, as well as life-threatening streptococcal toxic-shock syndrome. GAS displays a wide array of surface proteins, with antigenicity of the M protein and pili utilized for M- and T-serotyping, respectively. Since the discovery of GAS pili in 2005, their genetic features, including regulation of expression, and structural features, including assembly mechanisms and protein conformation, as well as their functional role in GAS pathogenesis have been intensively examined. Moreover, their potential as vaccine antigens has been studied in detail. Pilus biogenesis-related genes are located in a discrete section of the GAS genome encoding fibronectin and collagen binding proteins and trypsin-resistant antigens (FCT region). Based on the heterogeneity of genetic composition and DNA sequences, this region is currently classified into nine distinguishable forms. Pili and fibronectin-binding proteins encoded in the FCT region are known to be correlated with infection sites, such as the skin and throat, possibly contributing to tissue tropism. As also found for pili of other Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, GAS pilin proteins polymerize via isopeptide bonds, while intramolecular isopeptide bonds present in the pilin provide increased resistance to degradation by proteases. As supported by findings showing that the main subunit is primarily responsible for T-serotyping antigenicity, pilus functions and gene expression modes are divergent. GAS pili serve as adhesins for tonsillar tissues and keratinocyte cell lines. Of note, a minor subunit is considered to have a harpoon function by which covalent thioester bonds with host ligands are formed. Additionally, GAS pili participate in biofilm formation and evasion of the immune system in a serotype/strain-specific manner. These multiple functions highlight crucial roles of pili during the onset of GAS infection. This review summarizes the current state of the art regarding GAS pili, including a new mode of host-GAS interaction mediated by pili, along with insights into pilus expression in terms of tissue tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Nakata
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Bernd Kreikemeyer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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31
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Zondervan NA, Martins Dos Santos VAP, Suarez-Diez M, Saccenti E. Phenotype and multi-omics comparison of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus uncovers pathogenic traits and predicts zoonotic potential. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:102. [PMID: 33541265 PMCID: PMC7860044 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07388-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species can cause many different diseases, ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis. Both genera consist of commensal species that colonize the skin and nose of humans and animals, and of which some can display a pathogenic phenotype. RESULTS We compared 235 Staphylococcus and 315 Streptococcus genomes based on their protein domain content. We show the relationships between protein persistence and essentiality by integrating essentiality predictions from two metabolic models and essentiality measurements from six large-scale transposon mutagenesis experiments. We identified clusters of strains within species based on proteins associated to similar biological processes. We built Random Forest classifiers that predicted the zoonotic potential. Furthermore, we identified shared attributes between of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes that allow them to cause necrotizing fasciitis. CONCLUSIONS Differences observed in clustering of strains based on functional groups of proteins correlate with phenotypes such as host tropism, capability to infect multiple hosts and drug resistance. Our method provides a solid basis towards large-scale prediction of phenotypes based on genomic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels A Zondervan
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Vitor A P Martins Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, Netherlands
- LifeGlimmer GmBH, Markelstraße 38, 12163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Suarez-Diez
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Edoardo Saccenti
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, Netherlands.
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Yoshida H, Takahashi T, Matsui H. A naturally occurring point mutation in the rocA gene of Streptococcus pyogenes confers the highly virulent phenotype. J Infect Chemother 2020; 27:578-584. [PMID: 33309630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mucoid (MTB313) and nonmucoid (MTB314) strains of group A streptococcus (GAS) emm (antiphagocytic M protein) type 1 were simultaneously isolated from a single patient suffering from streptococcal meningitis. In a CD46-expressing transgenic (CD46 Tg) mouse model of subcutaneous infection into both hind footpads with MTB313 or MTB314, MTB313 showed considerably higher virulence than MTB314. METHODS The comparative genomic analysis based on the whole-genome sequencing revealed that MTB313 possessed an amber codon within rocA (sensory transduction protein kinase), but MTB314 did not carry this stop codon. Thereafter, MAT101 was generated from MTB313 by introducing pRocA, which contained the full-length rocA from MTB314, into the cloning plasmid pLZ12-Km2. MAT100 was also generated by introducing pLZ12-Km2 into MTB313. RESULTS Although MTB313 and MAT100 showed large quantities of cell-associated hyaluronic acid (HA) in the culture pellets, MTB314 and MAT101 showed small quantities of HA production. Finally, higher mortalities were observed in the MTB313- or MAT100-infected CD46 Tg mice than the MTB314- or MAT101-infected CD46 Tg mice. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate the possibility that a spontaneous point mutation in the rocA gene led to the highly virulent phenotype of M1 GAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruno Yoshida
- Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Omura Satoshi Memorial Institute and Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Takashi Takahashi
- Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Omura Satoshi Memorial Institute and Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hidenori Matsui
- Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Omura Satoshi Memorial Institute and Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
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Matysik A, Ho FK, Ler Tan AQ, Vajjala A, Kline KA. Cellular chaining influences biofilm formation and structure in group A Streptococcus. Biofilm 2020; 2:100013. [PMID: 33447800 PMCID: PMC7798446 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2019.100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcal (GAS) biofilm formation is an important pathological feature contributing to the antibiotic tolerance and progression of various GAS infections. Although a number of bacterial factors have been described to promote in vitro GAS biofilm formation, the relevance of in vitro biofilms to host-associated biofilms requires further understanding. In this study, we demonstrate how constituents of the host environment, such as lysozyme and NaCl, can modulate GAS bacterial chain length and, in turn, shape GAS biofilm morphology and structure. Disruption of GAS chains with lysozyme results in biofilms that are more stable. Based on confocal microscopy, we attribute the increase in biofilm stability to a dense and compact three-dimensional structure produced by de-chained cells. To show that changes in biofilm stability and structure are due to the shortening of bacterial chains and not specific to the activity of lysozyme, we demonstrate that augmented chaining induced by NaCl or deletion of the autolysin gene mur1.2 produced defects in biofilm formation characterized by a loose biofilm architecture. We conclude that GAS biofilm formation can be directly influenced by host and environmental factors through the modulation of bacterial chain length, potentially contributing to persistence and colonization within the host. Further studies of in vitro biofilm models incorporating physiological constituents such as lysozyme may uncover new insights into the physiology of in vivo GAS biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Matysik
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, 637551, Singapore
| | - Foo Kiong Ho
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, 637551, Singapore
| | - Alicia Qian Ler Tan
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, 637551, Singapore
| | - Anuradha Vajjala
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, 637551, Singapore
| | - Kimberly A. Kline
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, 637551, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, Singapore, 637551
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Alves LA, Ganguly T, Harth-Chú ÉN, Kajfasz J, Lemos JA, Abranches J, Mattos-Graner RO. PepO is a target of the two-component systems VicRK and CovR required for systemic virulence of Streptococcus mutans. Virulence 2020; 11:521-536. [PMID: 32427040 PMCID: PMC7239026 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1767377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans, a cariogenic species, is often associated with cardiovascular infections. Systemic virulence of specific S. mutans serotypes has been associated with the expression of the collagen- and laminin-binding protein Cnm, which is transcriptionally regulated by VicRK and CovR. In this study, we characterized a VicRK- and CovR-regulated gene, pepO, coding for a conserved endopeptidase. Transcriptional and protein analyses revealed that pepO is highly expressed in S. mutans strains resistant to complement immunity (blood isolates) compared to oral isolates. Gel mobility assay, transcriptional, and Western blot analyses revealed that pepO is repressed by VicR and induced by CovR. Deletion of pepO in the Cnm+ strain OMZ175 (OMZpepO) or in the Cnm- UA159 (UApepO) led to an increased susceptibility to C3b deposition, and to low binding to complement proteins C1q and C4BP. Additionally, pepO mutants showed diminished ex vivo survival in human blood and impaired capacity to kill G. mellonella larvae. Inactivation of cnm in OMZ175 (OMZcnm) resulted in increased resistance to C3b deposition and unaltered blood survival, although both pepO and cnm mutants displayed attenuated virulence in G. mellonella. Unlike OMZcnm, OMZpepO could invade HCAEC endothelial cells. Supporting these phenotypes, recombinant proteins rPepO and rCnmA showed specific profiles of binding to C1q, C4BP, and to other plasma (plasminogen, fibronectin) and extracellular matrix proteins (type I collagen, laminin). Therefore this study identifies a novel VicRK/CovR-target required for immune evasion and host persistence, pepO, expanding the roles of VicRK and CovR in regulating S. mutans virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia A. Alves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School – State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Tridib Ganguly
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Érika N. Harth-Chú
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School – State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Jessica Kajfasz
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - José A. Lemos
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jacqueline Abranches
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Renata O. Mattos-Graner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School – State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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35
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Deciphering Streptococcal Biofilms. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111835. [PMID: 33233415 PMCID: PMC7700319 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococci are a diverse group of bacteria, which are mostly commensals but also cause a considerable proportion of life-threatening infections. They colonize many different host niches such as the oral cavity, the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tract. While these host compartments impose different environmental conditions, many streptococci form biofilms on mucosal membranes facilitating their prolonged survival. In response to environmental conditions or stimuli, bacteria experience profound physiologic and metabolic changes during biofilm formation. While investigating bacterial cells under planktonic and biofilm conditions, various genes have been identified that are important for the initial step of biofilm formation. Expression patterns of these genes during the transition from planktonic to biofilm growth suggest a highly regulated and complex process. Biofilms as a bacterial survival strategy allow evasion of host immunity and protection against antibiotic therapy. However, the exact mechanisms by which biofilm-associated bacteria cause disease are poorly understood. Therefore, advanced molecular techniques are employed to identify gene(s) or protein(s) as targets for the development of antibiofilm therapeutic approaches. We review our current understanding of biofilm formation in different streptococci and how biofilm production may alter virulence-associated characteristics of these species. In addition, we have summarized the role of surface proteins especially pili proteins in biofilm formation. This review will provide an overview of strategies which may be exploited for developing novel approaches against biofilm-related streptococcal infections.
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36
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Jespersen MG, Lacey JA, Tong SYC, Davies MR. Global genomic epidemiology of Streptococcus pyogenes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 86:104609. [PMID: 33147506 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the Top 10 human infectious disease killers worldwide causing a range of clinical manifestations in humans. Colonizing a range of ecological niches within its sole host, the human, is key to the ability of this opportunistic pathogen to cause direct and post-infectious manifestations. The expansion of genome sequencing capabilities and data availability over the last decade has led to an improved understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of this pathogen within a global framework where epidemiological relationships and evolutionary mechanisms may not be universal. This review uses the recent publication by Davies et al., 2019 as an updated global framework to address S. pyogenes population genomics, highlighting how genomics is being used to gain new insights into evolutionary processes, transmission pathways, and vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus G Jespersen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Doherty Department, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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37
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Bernard PE, Duarte A, Bogdanov M, Musser JM, Olsen RJ. Single Amino Acid Replacements in RocA Disrupt Protein-Protein Interactions To Alter the Molecular Pathogenesis of Group A Streptococcus. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00386-20. [PMID: 32817331 PMCID: PMC7573446 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00386-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen and major cause of disease worldwide. The molecular pathogenesis of GAS, like many pathogens, is dependent on the coordinated expression of genes encoding different virulence factors. The control of virulence regulator/sensor (CovRS) two-component system is a major virulence regulator of GAS that has been extensively studied. More recent investigations have also involved regulator of Cov (RocA), a regulatory accessory protein to CovRS. RocA interacts, in some manner, with CovRS; however, the precise molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RocA is a membrane protein containing seven transmembrane helices with an extracytoplasmically located N terminus and cytoplasmically located C terminus. For the first time, we demonstrate that RocA directly interacts with itself (RocA) and CovS, but not CovR, in intact cells. Single amino acid replacements along the entire length of RocA disrupt RocA-RocA and RocA-CovS interactions to significantly alter the GAS virulence phenotype as defined by secreted virulence factor activity in vitro and tissue destruction and mortality in vivo In summary, we show that single amino acid replacements in a regulatory accessory protein can affect protein-protein interactions to significantly alter the virulence of a major human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Bernard
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Amey Duarte
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mikhail Bogdanov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - James M Musser
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Randall J Olsen
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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38
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Buckley SJ, Davies MR, McMillan DJ. In silico characterisation of stand-alone response regulators of Streptococcus pyogenes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240834. [PMID: 33075055 PMCID: PMC7571705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial “stand-alone” response regulators (RRs) are pivotal to the control of gene transcription in response to changing cytosolic and extracellular microenvironments during infection. The genome of group A Streptococcus (GAS) encodes more than 30 stand-alone RRs that orchestrate the expression of virulence factors involved in infecting multiple tissues, so causing an array of potentially lethal human diseases. Here, we analysed the molecular epidemiology and biological associations in the coding sequences (CDSs) and upstream intergenic regions (IGRs) of 35 stand-alone RRs from a collection of global GAS genomes. Of the 944 genomes analysed, 97% encoded 32 or more of the 35 tested RRs. The length of RR CDSs ranged from 297 to 1587 nucleotides with an average nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.012, while the IGRs ranged from 51 to 666 nucleotides with average π of 0.017. We present new evidence of recombination in multiple RRs including mga, leading to mga-2 switching, emm-switching and emm-like gene chimerization, and the first instance of an isolate that encodes both mga-1 and mga-2. Recombination was also evident in rofA/nra and msmR loci with 15 emm-types represented in multiple FCT (fibronectin-binding, collagen-binding, T-antigen)-types, including novel emm-type/FCT-type pairings. Strong associations were observed between concatenated RR allele types, and emm-type, MLST-type, core genome phylogroup, and country of sampling. No strong associations were observed between individual loci and disease outcome. We propose that 11 RRs may form part of future refinement of GAS typing systems that reflect core genome evolutionary associations. This subgenomic analysis revealed allelic traits that were informative to the biological function, GAS strain definition, and regional outbreak detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Buckley
- School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark R. Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J. McMillan
- School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Wierzbicki IH, Campeau A, Dehaini D, Holay M, Wei X, Greene T, Ying M, Sands JS, Lamsa A, Zuniga E, Pogliano K, Fang RH, LaRock CN, Zhang L, Gonzalez DJ. Group A Streptococcal S Protein Utilizes Red Blood Cells as Immune Camouflage and Is a Critical Determinant for Immune Evasion. Cell Rep 2020; 29:2979-2989.e15. [PMID: 31801066 PMCID: PMC6951797 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen that evades the host immune response through the elaboration of multiple virulence factors. Although many of these factors have been studied, numerous proteins encoded by the GAS genome are of unknown function. Herein, we characterize a biomimetic red blood cell (RBC)-captured protein of unknown function—annotated subsequently as S protein—in GAS pathophysiology. S protein maintains the hydrophobic properties of GAS, and its absence reduces survival in human blood. S protein facilitates GAS coating with lysed RBCs to promote molecular mimicry, which increases virulence in vitro and in vivo. Proteomic profiling reveals that the removal of S protein from GAS alters cellular and extracellular protein landscapes and is accompanied by a decrease in the abundance of several key GAS virulence determinants. In vivo, the absence of S protein results in a striking attenuation of virulence and promotes a robust immune response and immunological memory. Wierzbicki et al. show that S protein is a major group A Streptococcus (GAS) virulence factor that facilitates bacterial coating with lysed red blood cells to promote molecular mimicry, which increases virulence in vitro and in vivo. Removal of S protein reduces the abundance of multiple virulence factors and attenuates virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor H Wierzbicki
- Department of Pharmacology and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anaamika Campeau
- Department of Pharmacology and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Diana Dehaini
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Maya Holay
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Trever Greene
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Man Ying
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jenna S Sands
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Antimicrobial Resistance Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anne Lamsa
- Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elina Zuniga
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kit Pogliano
- Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H Fang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher N LaRock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Antimicrobial Resistance Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David J Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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40
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Siggins MK, Lynskey NN, Lamb LE, Johnson LA, Huse KK, Pearson M, Banerji S, Turner CE, Woollard K, Jackson DG, Sriskandan S. Extracellular bacterial lymphatic metastasis drives Streptococcus pyogenes systemic infection. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4697. [PMID: 32943639 PMCID: PMC7498588 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Unassisted metastasis through the lymphatic system is a mechanism of dissemination thus far ascribed only to cancer cells. Here, we report that Streptococcus pyogenes also hijack lymphatic vessels to escape a local infection site, transiting through sequential lymph nodes and efferent lymphatic vessels to enter the bloodstream. Contrasting with previously reported mechanisms of intracellular pathogen carriage by phagocytes, we show S. pyogenes remain extracellular during transit, first in afferent and then efferent lymphatics that carry the bacteria through successive draining lymph nodes. We identify streptococcal virulence mechanisms important for bacterial lymphatic dissemination and show that metastatic streptococci within infected lymph nodes resist and subvert clearance by phagocytes, enabling replication that can seed intense bloodstream infection. The findings establish the lymphatic system as both a survival niche and conduit to the bloodstream for S. pyogenes, explaining the phenomenon of occult bacteraemia. This work provides new perspectives in streptococcal pathogenesis with implications for immunity. Pathogenic agents can spread from an initial to a secondary site via the lymphatics. Here, using a mouse model of infection, the authors show that S. pyogenes readily transit through sequential lymph nodes within efferent lymphatics to reach the bloodstream and drive systemic infection, while remaining extracellular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Siggins
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK. .,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK. .,NLHI, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Nicola N Lynskey
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK.,The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Lucy E Lamb
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Louise A Johnson
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Kristin K Huse
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK
| | - Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK
| | - Suneale Banerji
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Claire E Turner
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.,The Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Kevin Woollard
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology & Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - David G Jackson
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK. .,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK.
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Vijayakumar K, Manigandan V, Jeyapragash D, Bharathidasan V, Anandharaj B, Sathya M. Eucalyptol inhibits biofilm formation of Streptococcus pyogenes and its mediated virulence factors. J Med Microbiol 2020; 69:1308-1318. [PMID: 32930658 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Streptococcus pyogenes is a diverse virulent synthesis pathogen responsible for invasive systemic infections. Establishment of antibiotic resistance in the pathogen has produced a need for new antibiofilm agents to control the biofilm formation and reduce biofilm-associated resistance development.Aim. The present study investigates the in vitro antibiofilm activity of eucalyptol against S. pyogenes.Methodology. The antibiofilm potential of eucalyptol was assessed using a microdilution method and their biofilm inhibition efficacy was visualized by microscopic analysis. The biochemical assays were performed to assess the influence of eucalyptol on virulence productions. Real-time PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the expression profile of the virulence genes.Results. Eucalyptol showed significant antibiofilm potential in a dose-dependent manner without affecting bacterial growth. Eucalyptol at 300 µg ml-1 (biofilm inhibitory concentration) significantly inhibited the initial stage of biofilm formation in S. pyogenes. However, eucalyptol failed to diminish the mature biofilms of S. pyogenes at biofilm inhibitory concentration and it effectively reduced the biofilm formation on stainless steel, titanium, and silicone surfaces. The biochemical assay results revealed that eucalyptol greatly affects the cell-surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, extracellular protease, haemolysis and hyaluronic acid synthesis. Further, the gene-expression analysis results showed significant downregulation of virulence gene expression upon eucalyptol treatment.Conclusion. The present study suggests that eucalyptol applies its antibiofilm assets by intruding the initial biofilm formation of S. pyogenes. Supplementary studies are needed to understand the mode of action involved in biofilm inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuppiah Vijayakumar
- Centre of advanced study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai - 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vajravelu Manigandan
- Centre of advanced study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai - 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Danaraj Jeyapragash
- Department of Biotechnology, Karpagam academy of higher education, Eachanari, Coimbatore-641 021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Veeraiyan Bharathidasan
- Centre of advanced study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai - 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Balaiyan Anandharaj
- Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Madhavan Sathya
- Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
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42
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Dissecting Streptococcus pyogenes interaction with human. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:2023-2032. [PMID: 32504132 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01932-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a species of Gram-positive bacteria. It is also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS) that causes pathogenesis to humans only. The GAS infection has several manifestations including invasive illness. Current research has linked the molecular modes of GAS virulence with substantial sequencing determinations for the isolation of genomes. These advances help to comprehend the molecular evolution resulting in the pandemic strains. Thus, it is indispensable to reconsider the philosophy that involves GAS pathogenesis. The recent investigations involve studying GAS in the nasopharynx and its capability to cause infection or asymptomatically reside in the host. These advances have been discussed in this article with an emphasis on the natural history of GAS and the evolutionary change in the pandemic strains. In addition, this review describes the unique functions for major pathogenicity determinants to comprehend their physiological effects.
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43
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Kachroo P, Eraso JM, Olsen RJ, Zhu L, Kubiak SL, Pruitt L, Yerramilli P, Cantu CC, Ojeda Saavedra M, Pensar J, Corander J, Jenkins L, Kao L, Granillo A, Porter AR, DeLeo FR, Musser JM. New Pathogenesis Mechanisms and Translational Leads Identified by Multidimensional Analysis of Necrotizing Myositis in Primates. mBio 2020; 11:e03363-19. [PMID: 32071274 PMCID: PMC7029145 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03363-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A fundamental goal of contemporary biomedical research is to understand the molecular basis of disease pathogenesis and exploit this information to develop targeted and more-effective therapies. Necrotizing myositis caused by the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes is a devastating human infection with a high mortality rate and few successful therapeutic options. We used dual transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze the transcriptomes of S. pyogenes and host skeletal muscle recovered contemporaneously from infected nonhuman primates. The in vivo bacterial transcriptome was strikingly remodeled compared to organisms grown in vitro, with significant upregulation of genes contributing to virulence and altered regulation of metabolic genes. The transcriptome of muscle tissue from infected nonhuman primates (NHPs) differed significantly from that of mock-infected animals, due in part to substantial changes in genes contributing to inflammation and host defense processes. We discovered significant positive correlations between group A streptococcus (GAS) virulence factor transcripts and genes involved in the host immune response and inflammation. We also discovered significant correlations between the magnitude of bacterial virulence gene expression in vivo and pathogen fitness, as assessed by previously conducted genome-wide transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS). By integrating the bacterial RNA-seq data with the fitness data generated by TraDIS, we discovered five new pathogen genes, namely, S. pyogenes 0281 (Spy0281 [dahA]), ihk-irr, slr, isp, and ciaH, that contribute to necrotizing myositis and confirmed these findings using isogenic deletion-mutant strains. Taken together, our study results provide rich new information about the molecular events occurring in severe invasive infection of primate skeletal muscle that has extensive translational research implications.IMPORTANCE Necrotizing myositis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes has high morbidity and mortality rates and relatively few successful therapeutic options. In addition, there is no licensed human S. pyogenes vaccine. To gain enhanced understanding of the molecular basis of this infection, we employed a multidimensional analysis strategy that included dual RNA-seq and other data derived from experimental infection of nonhuman primates. The data were used to target five streptococcal genes for pathogenesis research, resulting in the unambiguous demonstration that these genes contribute to pathogen-host molecular interactions in necrotizing infections. We exploited fitness data derived from a recently conducted genome-wide transposon mutagenesis study to discover significant correlation between the magnitude of bacterial virulence gene expression in vivo and pathogen fitness. Collectively, our findings have significant implications for translational research, potentially including vaccine efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Kachroo
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jesus M Eraso
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Randall J Olsen
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luchang Zhu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Samantha L Kubiak
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Layne Pruitt
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Prasanti Yerramilli
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Concepcion C Cantu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Ojeda Saavedra
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Johan Pensar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Leslie Jenkins
- Comparative Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lillian Kao
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alejandro Granillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adeline R Porter
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Frank R DeLeo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - James M Musser
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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44
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Adil M, Baig MH, Rupasinghe HV. Impact of Citral and Phloretin, Alone and in Combination, on Major Virulence Traits of Streptococcus pyogenes. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234237. [PMID: 31766432 PMCID: PMC6930587 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is well documented as a multi-virulent and exclusively human pathogen. The LuxS-based signaling in these bacteria has a crucial role in causing several infections through pathways that are pathogenic. This study evaluated the individual and synergistic effects of citral and phloretin against S. pyogenes in relation to major virulence traits. The in vitro synergy of citral and phloretin was evaluated by the checkerboard method. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) values were calculated to determine the interactions between the inhibitors. The bacteria’s virulence properties were tested in the presence of the molecules, individually as well as in combination. Molecules’ cytotoxicity was tested using human tonsil epithelial cells. The synergistic effects of the molecules on the expression of biofilm and quorum sensing genes were tested using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The molecules were also tested for their impact on LuxS protein by molecular docking, modeling, and free-energy calculations. When the two molecules were assessed in combination (synergistic effect, FIC Index of 0.5), a stronger growth inhibitory activity was exhibited than the individual molecules. The cell surface hydrophobicity, as well as genes involved in quorum sensing and biofilm formation, showed greater suppression when the molecules were tested in combination. The in silico findings also suggest the inhibitory potential of the two molecules against LuxS protein. The binding orientation and the binding affinity of citral and phloretin well support the notion that there is a synergistic effect of citral and phloretin. The data reveal the combination of citral and phloretin as a potent antibacterial agent to combat the virulence of S. pyogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Adil
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada;
| | - Mohd Hassan Baig
- Department of Family Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea;
| | - H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada;
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4H7, Canada
- Correspondence:
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45
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Comparative genomics of Sphingopyxis spp. unravelled functional attributes. Genomics 2019; 112:1956-1969. [PMID: 31740292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Members of genus Sphingopyxis are known to thrive in diverse environments. Genomes of 21 Sphingopyxis strains were selected. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using GGDC, AAI and core-SNP showed agreement at sub-species level. Based on our results, we propose that both S. baekryungensis DSM16222 and Sphingopyxis sp. LPB0140 strains should not be included under genus Sphingopyxis. Core-analysis revealed, 1422 genes were shared which included essential pathways and genes for conferring adaptation against stress environment. Polyhydroxybutyrate degradation, anaerobic respiration, type IV secretion were notable abundant pathways and exopolysaccharide, hyaluronic acid production and toxin-antitoxin system were differentially present families. Interestingly, genome of S. witflariensis DSM14551, Sphingopyxis sp. MG and Sphingopyxis sp. FD7 provided a hint of probable pathogenic abilities. Protein-Protein Interactome depicted that membrane proteins and stress response has close integration with core-proteins while aromatic compounds degradation and virulence ability formed a separate network. Thus, these should be considered as strain specific attributes.
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46
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Jain I, Danger JL, Burgess C, Uppal T, Sumby P. The group A Streptococcus accessory protein RocA: regulatory activity, interacting partners and influence on disease potential. Mol Microbiol 2019; 113:190-207. [PMID: 31660653 PMCID: PMC7028121 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes diseases that range from mild (e.g. pharyngitis) to severely invasive (e.g. necrotizing fasciitis). Strain‐ and serotype‐specific differences influence the ability of isolates to cause individual diseases. At the center of this variability is the CovR/S two‐component system and the accessory protein RocA. Through incompletely defined mechanisms, CovR/S and RocA repress the expression of more than a dozen immunomodulatory virulence factors. Alleviation of this repression is selected for during invasive infections, leading to the recovery of covR, covS or rocA mutant strains. Here, we investigated how RocA promotes CovR/S activity, identifying that RocA is a pseudokinase that interacts with CovS. Disruption of CovS kinase or phosphatase activities abolishes RocA function, consistent with RocA acting through the modulation of CovS activity. We also identified, in conflict with a previous study, that the RocA regulon includes the secreted protease‐encoding gene speB. Finally, we discovered an inverse correlation between the virulence of wild‐type, rocA mutant, covS mutant and covR mutant strains during invasive infection and their fitness in an ex vivo upper respiratory tract model. Our data inform on mechanisms that control GAS disease potential and provide an explanation for observed strain‐ and serotype‐specific variability in RocA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Jain
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Jessica L Danger
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Cameron Burgess
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Timsy Uppal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Paul Sumby
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
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47
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Bernard PE, Kachroo P, Eraso JM, Zhu L, Madry JE, Linson SE, Ojeda Saavedra M, Cantu C, Musser JM, Olsen RJ. Polymorphisms in Regulator of Cov Contribute to the Molecular Pathogenesis of Serotype M28 Group A Streptococcus. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2019; 189:2002-2018. [PMID: 31369755 PMCID: PMC6892226 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCSs) are signal transduction proteins that enable bacteria to respond to external stimuli by altering the global transcriptome. Accessory proteins interact with TCSs to fine-tune their activity. In group A Streptococcus (GAS), regulator of Cov (RocA) is an accessory protein that functions with the control of virulence regulator/sensor TCS, which regulates approximately 15% of the GAS transcriptome. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of serotype M28 GAS strains collected from invasive infections in humans identified a higher number of missense (amino acid-altering) and nonsense (protein-truncating) polymorphisms in rocA than expected. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in RocA alter the global transcriptome and virulence of serotype M28 GAS. We used naturally occurring clinical isolates with rocA polymorphisms (n = 48), an isogenic rocA deletion mutant strain, and five isogenic rocA polymorphism mutant strains to perform genome-wide transcript analysis (RNA sequencing), in vitro virulence factor assays, and mouse and nonhuman primate pathogenesis studies to test this hypothesis. Results demonstrated that polymorphisms in rocA result in either a subtle transcriptome change, causing a wild-type-like virulence phenotype, or a substantial transcriptome change, leading to a significantly increased virulence phenotype. Each polymorphism had a unique effect on the global GAS transcriptome. Taken together, our data show that naturally occurring polymorphisms in one gene encoding an accessory protein can significantly alter the global transcriptome and virulence phenotype of GAS, an important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Bernard
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Priyanka Kachroo
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Jesus M Eraso
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Luchang Zhu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Jessica E Madry
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah E Linson
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Matthew Ojeda Saavedra
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Concepcion Cantu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - James M Musser
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Randall J Olsen
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
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48
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Gao NJ, Al-Bassam MM, Poudel S, Wozniak JM, Gonzalez DJ, Olson J, Zengler K, Nizet V, Valderrama JA. Functional and Proteomic Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Virulence Upon Loss of Its Native Cas9 Nuclease. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1967. [PMID: 31507572 PMCID: PMC6714885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The public health impact of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) as a top 10 cause of infection-related mortality in humans contrasts with its benefit to biotechnology as the main natural source of Cas9 nuclease, the key component of the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing platform. Despite widespread knowledge acquired in the last decade on the molecular mechanisms by which GAS Cas9 achieves precise DNA targeting, the functions of Cas9 in the biology and pathogenesis of its native organism remain unknown. In this study, we generated an isogenic serotype M1 GAS mutant deficient in Cas9 protein and compared its behavior and phenotypes to the wild-type parent strain. Absence of Cas9 was linked to reduced GAS epithelial cell adherence, reduced growth in human whole blood ex vivo, and attenuation of virulence in a murine necrotizing skin infection model. Virulence defects of the GAS Δcas9 strain were explored through quantitative proteomic analysis, revealing a significant reduction in the abundance of key GAS virulence determinants. Similarly, deletion of cas9 affected the expression of several known virulence regulatory proteins, indicating that Cas9 impacts the global architecture of GAS gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina J Gao
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mahmoud M Al-Bassam
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Saugat Poudel
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jacob M Wozniak
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - David J Gonzalez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Joshua Olson
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Karsten Zengler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - J Andrés Valderrama
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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49
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Lynskey NN, Velarde JJ, Finn MB, Dove SL, Wessels MR. RocA Binds CsrS To Modulate CsrRS-Mediated Gene Regulation in Group A Streptococcus. mBio 2019; 10:e01495-19. [PMID: 31311885 PMCID: PMC6635533 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01495-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The orphan regulator RocA plays a critical role in the colonization and pathogenesis of the obligate human pathogen group A Streptococcus Despite multiple lines of evidence supporting a role for RocA as an auxiliary regulator of the control of virulence two-component regulatory system CsrRS (or CovRS), the mechanism of action of RocA remains unknown. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo techniques, we now find that RocA interacts with CsrS in the streptococcal membrane via its N-terminal region, which contains seven transmembrane domains. This interaction is essential for RocA-mediated regulation of CsrRS function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that RocA forms homodimers via its cytoplasmic domain. The serotype-specific RocA truncation in M3 isolates alters this homotypic interaction, resulting in protein aggregation and impairment of RocA-mediated regulation. Taken together, our findings provide insight into the molecular requirements for functional interaction of RocA with CsrS to modulate CsrRS-mediated gene regulation.IMPORTANCE Bacterial two-component regulatory systems, comprising a membrane-bound sensor kinase and cytosolic response regulator, are critical in coordinating the bacterial response to changing environmental conditions. More recently, auxiliary regulators which act to modulate the activity of two-component systems, allowing integration of multiple signals and fine-tuning of bacterial responses, have been identified. RocA is a regulatory protein encoded by all serotypes of the important human pathogen group A Streptococcus Although RocA is known to exert its regulatory activity via the streptococcal two-component regulatory system CsrRS, the mechanism by which it functions was unknown. Based on new experimental evidence, we propose a model whereby RocA interacts with CsrS in the streptococcal cell membrane to enhance CsrS autokinase activity and subsequent phosphotransfer to the response regulator CsrR, which mediates transcriptional repression of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola N Lynskey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jorge J Velarde
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meredith B Finn
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simon L Dove
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael R Wessels
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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50
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The Role of Streptococcal and Staphylococcal Exotoxins and Proteases in Human Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060332. [PMID: 31212697 PMCID: PMC6628391 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are critical clinical conditions characterized by extensive necrosis of any layer of the soft tissue and systemic toxicity. Group A streptococci (GAS) and Staphylococcus aureus are two major pathogens associated with monomicrobial NSTIs. In the tissue environment, both Gram-positive bacteria secrete a variety of molecules, including pore-forming exotoxins, superantigens, and proteases with cytolytic and immunomodulatory functions. The present review summarizes the current knowledge about streptococcal and staphylococcal toxins in NSTIs with a special focus on their contribution to disease progression, tissue pathology, and immune evasion strategies.
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