1
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Zhang P, Liu Z. Structural insights into the transporting and catalyzing mechanism of DltB in LTA D-alanylation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3404. [PMID: 38649359 PMCID: PMC11035591 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47783-7] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
DltB, a model member of the Membrane-Bound O-AcylTransferase (MBOAT) superfamily, plays a crucial role in D-alanylation of the lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a significant component of the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria. This process stabilizes the cell wall structure, influences bacterial virulence, and modulates the host immune response. Despite its significance, the role of DltB is not well understood. Through biochemical analysis and cryo-EM imaging, we discover that Streptococcus thermophilus DltB forms a homo-tetramer on the cell membrane. We further visualize DltB in an apo form, in complex with DltC, and in complex with its inhibitor amsacrine (m-AMSA). Each tetramer features a central hole. The C-tunnel of each protomer faces the intratetramer interface and provides access to the periphery membrane. Each protomer binds a DltC without changing the tetrameric organization. A phosphatidylglycerol (PG) molecule in the substrate-binding site may serve as an LTA carrier. The inhibitor m-AMSA bound to the L-tunnel of each protomer blocks the active site. The tetrameric organization of DltB provides a scaffold for catalyzing D-alanyl transfer and regulating the channel opening and closing. Our findings unveil DltB's dual function in the D-alanylation pathway, and provide insight for targeting DltB as a anti-virulence antibiotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingfeng Zhang
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Zheng Liu
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
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2
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Lacotte PA, Denis-Quanquin S, Chatonnat E, Le Bris J, Leparfait D, Lequeux T, Martin-Verstraete I, Candela T. The absence of surface D-alanylation, localized on lipoteichoic acid, impacts the Clostridioides difficile way of life and antibiotic resistance. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1267662. [PMID: 37965542 PMCID: PMC10642750 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1267662] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The dlt operon encodes proteins responsible for the esterification of positively charged D-alanine on the wall teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids of Gram-positive bacteria. This structural modification of the bacterial anionic surface in several species has been described to alter the physicochemical properties of the cell-wall. In addition, it has been linked to reduced sensibilities to cationic antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. Methods We studied the D-alanylation of Clostridioides difficile polysaccharides with a complete deletion of the dltDABCoperon in the 630 strain. To look for D-alanylation location, surface polysaccharides were purified and analyzed by NMR. Properties of the dltDABCmutant and the parental strains, were determined for bacterial surface's hydrophobicity, motility, adhesion, antibiotic resistance. Results We first confirmed the role of the dltDABCoperon in D-alanylation. Then, we established the exclusive esterification of D-alanine on C. difficile lipoteichoic acid. Our data also suggest that D-alanylation modifies the cell-wall's properties, affecting the bacterial surface's hydrophobicity, motility, adhesion to biotic and abiotic surfaces,and biofilm formation. In addition, our mutant exhibitedincreased sensibilities to antibiotics linked to the membrane, especially bacitracin. A specific inhibitor DLT-1 of DltA reduces the D-alanylation rate in C. difficile but the inhibition was not sufficient to decrease the antibiotic resistance against bacitracin and vancomycin. Conclusion Our results suggest the D-alanylation of C. difficile as an interesting target to tackle C. difficile infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Alexandre Lacotte
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR6047 CNRS, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, Paris, France
| | | | - Eva Chatonnat
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR6047 CNRS, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, Paris, France
| | - Julie Le Bris
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3525, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - David Leparfait
- Normandie Université, Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire et Thioorganique LCMT UMR6507, ENSICAEN, UNICAEN, CNRS, Caen, France
| | - Thierry Lequeux
- Normandie Université, Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire et Thioorganique LCMT UMR6507, ENSICAEN, UNICAEN, CNRS, Caen, France
| | - Isabelle Martin-Verstraete
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR6047 CNRS, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Candela
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Strach M, Koch F, Fiedler S, Liebeton K, Graumann PL. Protein secretion zones during overexpression of amylase within the Gram-positive cell wall. BMC Biol 2023; 21:206. [PMID: 37794427 PMCID: PMC10552229 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whereas the translocation of proteins across the cell membrane has been thoroughly investigated, it is still unclear how proteins cross the cell wall in Gram-positive bacteria, which are widely used for industrial applications. We have studied the secretion of α-amylase AmyE within two different Bacillus strains, B. subtilis and B. licheniformis. RESULTS We show that a C-terminal fusion of AmyE with the fluorescent reporter mCherry is secreted via discrete patches showing very low dynamics. These are visible at many places within the cell wall for many minutes. Expression from a high copy number plasmid was required to be able to see these structures we term "secretion zones". Zones corresponded to visualized AmyE activity on the surface of cells, showing that they release active enzymes. They overlapped with SecA signals but did not frequently co-localize with the secretion ATPase. Single particle tracking showed higher dynamics of SecA and of SecDF, involved in AmyE secretion, at the cell membrane than AmyE. These experiments suggest that SecA initially translocates AmyE molecules through the cell membrane, and then diffuses to a different translocon. Single molecule tracking of SecA suggests the existence of three distinct diffusive states of SecA, which change during AmyE overexpression, but increased AmyE secretion does not appear to overwhelm the system. CONCLUSIONS Because secretion zones were only found during the transition to and within the stationary phase, diffusion rather than passive transport based on cell wall growth from inside to outside may release AmyE and, thus, probably secreted proteins in general. Our findings suggest active transport through the cell membrane and slow, passive transition through the cell wall, at least for overexpressed proteins, in bacteria of the genus Bacillus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Strach
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Felicitas Koch
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Svenja Fiedler
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Klaus Liebeton
- BRAIN Biotech AG, Darmstädter Str. 34-36, Zwingenberg, 64673, Germany
| | - Peter L Graumann
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany.
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Chen D, Guo C, Ren C, Xia Z, Xu H, Qu H, Wa Y, Guan C, Zhang C, Qian J, Gu R. Screening of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 67 with Strong Adhesion to Caco-2 Cells and the Effects of Protective Agents on Its Adhesion Ability during Vacuum Freeze Drying. Foods 2023; 12:3604. [PMID: 37835257 PMCID: PMC10572606 DOI: 10.3390/foods12193604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion to the intestinal tract provides the foundation for Lactobacillus to exert its benefits. Vacuum freeze-drying (VFD) is currently one of the main processing methods for Lactobacillus products. Therefore, the effects of VFD on the adhesion and survival of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 67 were investigated in this study. The results show that L. plantarum 67 exhibits remarkable tolerance following successive exposure to simulated saliva, gastric juice and intestinal juice, and also has a strong adhesion ability to Caco-2 cells. The adhesion and survival rates of L. plantarum 67 significantly decreased after VFD in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), whereas they significantly increased in protective agents (PAs) (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscope observations show that L. plantarum 67 aggregated more to Caco-2 cells in PAs than in PBS, and its shape and size were protected. Proteomics detection findings indicated that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) related to adhesins and vitality and their pathways in L. plantarum 67 were significantly affected by VFD (p < 0.05). However, the expression of DEPs (such as cold shock protein, cell surface protein, adherence protein, chitin-binding domain and extracellular transglycosylase, membrane-bound protein) was improved by PAs. Compared with PBS, the PAs significantly adjusted the phosphotransferase system and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism pathways (p < 0.05). VFD decreased the adhesion and vitality of L. plantarum 67, while the PAs could exert protective effects by regulating proteins and pathways related to adhesion and vitality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Chen
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Yuhang Food Technology Co., Ltd., Yancheng 224000, China
| | - Congcong Guo
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Chenyu Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Zihan Xia
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Haiyan Xu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Hengxian Qu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Yunchao Wa
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Chengran Guan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Chenchen Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Jianya Qian
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Ruixia Gu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (D.C.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Safety Control, Yangzhou 225127, China
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Breaker RR, Harris KA, Lyon SE, Wencker FDR, Fernando CM. Evidence that OLE RNA is a component of a major stress-responsive ribonucleoprotein particle in extremophilic bacteria. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:324-340. [PMID: 37469248 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OLE RNA is a ~600-nucleotide noncoding RNA present in many Gram-positive bacteria that thrive mostly in extreme environments, including elevated temperature, salt, and pH conditions. The precise biochemical functions of this highly conserved RNA remain unknown, but it forms a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that localizes to cell membranes. Genetic disruption of the RNA or its essential protein partners causes reduced cell growth under various stress conditions. These phenotypes include sensitivity to short-chain alcohols, cold intolerance, reduced growth on sub-optimal carbon sources, and intolerance of even modest concentrations of Mg2+ . Thus, many bacterial species appear to employ OLE RNA as a component of an intricate RNP apparatus to monitor fundamental cellular processes and make physiological and metabolic adaptations. Herein we hypothesize that the OLE RNP complex is functionally equivalent to the eukaryotic TOR complexes, which integrate signals from various diverse pathways to coordinate processes central to cell growth, replication, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald R Breaker
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kimberly A Harris
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Seth E Lyon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Freya D R Wencker
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chrishan M Fernando
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Goedseels M, Michiels CW. Cell Envelope Modifications Generating Resistance to Hop Beta Acids and Collateral Sensitivity to Cationic Antimicrobials in Listeria monocytogenes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2024. [PMID: 37630584 PMCID: PMC10457916 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hop beta acids (HBAs) are characteristic compounds from the hop plant that are of interest for their strong antimicrobial activity. In this work, we report a resistance mechanism against HBA in the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Using an evolution experiment, we isolated two HBA-resistant mutants with mutations in the mprF gene, which codes for the Multiple Peptide Resistance Factor, an enzyme that confers resistance to cationic peptides and antibiotics in several Gram-positive bacteria by lysinylating membrane phospholipids. Besides the deletion of mprF, the deletion of dltA, which mediates the alanylation of teichoic acids, resulted in increased HBA resistance, suggesting that resistance may be caused by a reduction in positive charges on the cell surface. Additionally, we found that this resistance is maintained at low pH, indicating that the resistance mechanism is not solely based on electrostatic interactions of HBA with the cell surface. Finally, we showed that the HBA-resistant mutants display collateral sensitivity to the cationic antimicrobials polymyxin B and nisin, which may open perspectives for combining antimicrobials to prevent resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris W. Michiels
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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7
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Schultz BJ, Snow ED, Walker S. Mechanism of D-alanine transfer to teichoic acids shows how bacteria acylate cell envelope polymers. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1318-1329. [PMID: 37308592 PMCID: PMC10664464 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01411-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial cell envelope polymers are often modified with acyl esters that modulate physiology, enhance pathogenesis and provide antibiotic resistance. Here, using the D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid (Dlt) pathway as a paradigm, we have identified a widespread strategy for how acylation of cell envelope polymers occurs. In this strategy, a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) protein transfers an acyl group from an intracellular thioester onto the tyrosine of an extracytoplasmic C-terminal hexapeptide motif. This motif shuttles the acyl group to a serine on a separate transferase that moves the cargo to its destination. In the Dlt pathway, here studied in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus thermophilus, the C-terminal 'acyl shuttle' motif that forms the crucial pathway intermediate is found on a transmembrane microprotein that holds the MBOAT protein and the other transferase together in a complex. In other systems, found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as some archaea, the motif is fused to the MBOAT protein, which interacts directly with the other transferase. The conserved chemistry uncovered here is widely used for acylation throughout the prokaryotic world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey J Schultz
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric D Snow
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Feltracco M, Zangrando R, Barbaro E, Becagli S, Park KT, Vecchiato M, Caiazzo L, Traversi R, Severi M, Barbante C, Gambaro A. Characterization of free L- and D-amino acids in size-segregated background aerosols over the Ross Sea, Antarctica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163070. [PMID: 36990237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The study of airborne chemical markers is crucial for identifying sources of aerosols, and their atmospheric processes of transport and transformation. The investigation of free amino acids and their differentiation between the L- and D- enantiomers are even more important to understand their sources and atmospheric fate. Aerosol samples were collected with a high-volume sampler with cascade impactor at Mario Zucchelli Station (MZS) on the coast of the Ross Sea (Antarctica) for two summer campaigns (2018/19 and 2019/20). The total mean concentration of free amino acids in PM10 was 4 ± 2 pmol m-3 for both campaigns and most of free amino acids were distributed in fine particles. The coarse mode of airborne D-Alanine and dimethylsufoniopropionate in seawater showed a similar trend during both Antarctic campaigns. Thus, the study of D/L Ala ratio in fine, coarse and PM10 fractions indicated the microlayer as the local source. This paper demonstrated that free amino acids follow the trend of DMS and MSA release occurred in the Ross Sea, confirming their applicability as markers for phytoplankton bloom also in paleoclimatic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Feltracco
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy.
| | - Roberta Zangrando
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Elena Barbaro
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Silvia Becagli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Ki-Tae Park
- Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon 21990, South Korea
| | - Marco Vecchiato
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Laura Caiazzo
- ENEA Laboratory of Observations and Measurements for the Environment and Climate, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Traversi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Mirko Severi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Carlo Barbante
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
| | - Andrea Gambaro
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Via Torino, 155 - 30172 Venice Mestre (VE), Italy
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Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Skowron K, Wałecka-Zacharska E. Genomic and pathogenicity islands of Listeria monocytogenes-overview of selected aspects. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1161486. [PMID: 37388250 PMCID: PMC10300472 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1161486] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a disease characterized by a high mortality rate (up to 30%). Since the pathogen is highly tolerant to changing conditions (high and low temperature, wide pH range, low availability of nutrients), it is widespread in the environment, e.g., water, soil, or food. L. monocytogenes possess a number of genes that determine its high virulence potential, i.e., genes involved in the intracellular cycle (e.g., prfA, hly, plcA, plcB, inlA, inlB), response to stress conditions (e.g., sigB, gadA, caspD, clpB, lmo1138), biofilm formation (e.g., agr, luxS), or resistance to disinfectants (e.g., emrELm, bcrABC, mdrL). Some genes are organized into genomic and pathogenicity islands. The islands LIPI-1 and LIPI-3 contain genes related to the infectious life cycle and survival in the food processing environment, while LGI-1 and LGI-2 potentially ensure survival and durability in the production environment. Researchers constantly have been searching for new genes determining the virulence of L. monocytogenes. Understanding the virulence potential of L. monocytogenes is an important element of public health protection, as highly pathogenic strains may be associated with outbreaks and the severity of listeriosis. This review summarizes the selected aspects of L. monocytogenes genomic and pathogenicity islands, and the importance of whole genome sequencing for epidemiological purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Ewa Wałecka-Zacharska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Consumer Health, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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10
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Coupland CE, Ansell TB, Sansom MSP, Siebold C. Rocking the MBOAT: Structural insights into the membrane bound O-acyltransferase family. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 80:102589. [PMID: 37040671 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily catalyses the transfer of acyl chains to substrates implicated in essential cellular functions. Aberrant function of MBOATs is associated with various diseases and MBOATs are promising drug targets. There has been recent progress in structural characterisation of MBOATs, advancing our understanding of their functional mechanism. Integrating information across the MBOAT family, we characterise a common MBOAT fold and provide a blueprint for substrate and inhibitor engagement. This work provides context for the diverse substrates, mechanisms, and evolutionary relationships of protein and small-molecule MBOATs. Further work should aim to characterise MBOATs, as inherently lipid-associated proteins, within their membrane environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Coupland
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - T Bertie Ansell
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Christian Siebold
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.
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11
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Hossain A, Ali MA, Lin L, Luo J, You Y, Masum MMI, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Li B, An Q. Biocontrol of Soft Rot Dickeya and Pectobacterium Pathogens by Broad-Spectrum Antagonistic Bacteria within Paenibacillus polymyxa Complex. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040817. [PMID: 37110240 PMCID: PMC10142376 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymyxin-producing bacteria within the Paenibacillus polymyxa complex have broad-spectrum activities against fungi and bacteria. Their antibacterial activities against soft rot Dickeya and Pectobacterium phytopathogens containing multiple polymyxin-resistant genes were not clear. Here, we selected nine strains within the P. polymyxa complex having broad-spectrum antagonistic activities against phytopathogenic fungi and a polymyxin-resistant D. dadantii strain causing stem and root rot disease of sweet potato and did antagonistic assays on nutrient agar and sweet potato tuber slices. These strains within the P. polymyxa complex showed clear antagonistic activities against D. dadantii in vitro and in vivo. The most effective antagonistic strain P. polymyxa ShX301 showed broad-spectrum antagonistic activities against all the test Dickeya and Pectobacterium strains, completely eliminated D. dadantii from sweet potato seed tubers, and promoted the growth of sweet potato seedlings. Cell-free culture filtrate of P. polymyxa ShX301 inhibited D. dadantii growth, swimming motility, and biofilm formation and disrupted D. dadantii plasma membranes, releasing nucleic acids and proteins. Multiple lipopeptides produced by P. polymyxa ShX301 may play a major role in the bactericidal and bacteriostatic actions. This study clarifies that the antimicrobial spectrum of polymyxin-producing bacteria within the P. polymyxa complex includes the polymyxin-resistant Dickeya and Pectobacterium phytopathogens and strengthens the fact that bacteria within the P. polymyxa complex have high probability of being effective biocontrol agents and plant growth promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsana Hossain
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Plant Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Md Arshad Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li Lin
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Jinyan Luo
- Department of Plant Quarantine, Shanghai Extension and Service Center of Agriculture Technology, Shanghai 201103, China
| | - Yuxin You
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Md Mahidul Islam Masum
- Department of Plant Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Yugen Jiang
- Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Fuyang District, Hangzhou 311400, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Bin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qianli An
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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12
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Abstract
Gram-positive bacterial cells are protected from the environment by a cell envelope that is comprised of a thick layer of peptidoglycan that maintains cell shape and teichoic acid polymers whose biological function remains unclear. In Bacillus subtilis, the loss of all class A penicillin-binding proteins (aPBPs), which function in peptidoglycan synthesis, is conditionally lethal. Here, we show that this lethality is associated with an alteration of lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) and the accumulation of the major autolysin LytE in the cell wall. Our analysis provides further evidence that the length and abundance of LTAs act to regulate the cellular level and activity of autolytic enzymes, specifically LytE. Importantly, we identify a novel function for the aminoacyl-phosphatidylglycerol synthase MprF in the modulation of LTA biosynthesis in both B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. This finding has implications for our understanding of antimicrobial resistance (particularly to daptomycin) in clinically relevant bacteria and the involvement of MprF in the virulence of pathogens such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). IMPORTANCE In Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, the cell envelope is a structure that protects the cells from the environment but is also dynamic in that it must be modified in a controlled way to allow cell growth. In this study, we show that lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), which are anionic polymers attached to the membrane, have a direct role in modulating the cellular abundance of cell wall-degrading enzymes. We also find that the apparent length of the LTA is modulated by the activity of the enzyme MprF, previously implicated in modifications of the cell membrane leading to resistance to antimicrobial peptides. These findings are important contributions to our understanding of how bacteria balance cell wall synthesis and degradation to permit controlled growth and division. These results also have implications for the interpretation of antibiotic resistance, particularly for the clinical treatment of MRSA infections.
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13
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Ide N, Kawada-Matsuo M, Le MNT, Hisatsune J, Nishi H, Hara T, Kitamura N, Kashiyama S, Yokozaki M, Kawaguchi H, Ohge H, Sugai M, Komatsuzawa H. Different CprABC amino acid sequences affect nisin A susceptibility in Clostridioides difficile isolates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280676. [PMID: 36662820 PMCID: PMC9858009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical isolates of Clostridioides difficile sometimes exhibit multidrug resistance and cause diarrhea after antibiotic administration. Metronidazole and vancomycin are often used as therapeutic agents, but resistance to these antibiotics has been found clinically. Therefore, the development of alternative antimicrobial agents is needed. Nisin A, produced by Lactococcus lactis, has been demonstrated to be effective against C. difficile infection. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of 11 C. difficile clinical isolates to nisin A and found that they could be divided into 2 groups: high and low susceptibility. Since CprABC and DltDABC, which are responsible for nisin A efflux and cell surface charge, respectively, have been reported to be related to nisin A susceptibility, we investigated the expression of cprA and dltA among the 11 strains. cprA expression in all strains was induced by nisin A, but dltA expression was not. The expression levels of both genes did not correlate with nisin A susceptibility in these clinical isolates. To evaluate cell surface charge, we performed a cytochrome C binding assay and found no relationship between charge and nisin A susceptibility. Then, we determined the whole genome sequence of each clinical isolate and carried out phylogenetic analysis. The 11 isolates separated into two major clusters, which were consistent with the differences in nisin A susceptibility. Furthermore, we found common differences in several amino acids in the sequences of CprA, CprB, and CprC between the two clusters. Therefore, we speculated that the different amino acid sequences of CprABC might be related to nisin A susceptibility. In addition, C. difficile strains could be divided in the same two groups based on susceptibility to epidermin and mutacin III, which are structurally similar to nisin A. These results suggest that genotypic variations in C. difficile strains confer different susceptibilities to bacteriocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Ide
- Department of General Dentistry, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Miki Kawada-Matsuo
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mi Nguyen-Tra Le
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Junzo Hisatsune
- Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
| | - Hiromi Nishi
- Department of General Dentistry, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Toshinori Hara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Section of Clinical Laboratory, Division of Clinical Support, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Norikazu Kitamura
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
| | - Seiya Kashiyama
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Section of Clinical Laboratory, Division of Clinical Support, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Michiya Yokozaki
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kawaguchi
- Department of General Dentistry, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ohge
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Sugai
- Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Komatsuzawa
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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14
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Popp PF, Lozano-Cruz T, Dürr F, Londaitsbehere A, Hartig J, de la Mata FJ, Gómez R, Mascher T, Revilla-Guarinos A. The Novel Synthetic Antibiotic BDTL049 Based on a Dendritic System Induces Lipid Domain Formation while Escaping the Cell Envelope Stress Resistance Determinants. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:297. [PMID: 36678925 PMCID: PMC9866484 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is ever increasing and over the past-decades development of novel therapeutic counter measurements have virtually come to a halt. This circumstance calls for interdisciplinary approaches to design, evaluate and validate the mode of action of novel antibacterial compounds. Hereby, carbosilane dendritic systems that exhibit antimicrobial properties have the potential to serve as synthetic and rationally designed molecules for therapeutic use. The bow-tie type topology of BDTL049 was recently investigated against the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis, revealing strong bactericidal properties. In this study, we follow up on open questions concerning the usability of BDTL049. For this, we synthesized a fluorescent-labeled version of BDTL049 that maintained all antimicrobial features to unravel the interaction of the compound and bacterial membrane. Subsequently, we highlight the bacterial sensitivity against BDTL049 by performing a mutational study of known resistance determinants. Finally, we address the cytotoxicity of the compound in human cells, unexpectedly revealing a high sensitivity of the eukaryotic cells upon BDTL049 exposure. The insights presented here further elaborate on the unique features of BDTL049 as a promising candidate as an antimicrobial agent while not precluding that further rounds of rational designing are needed to decrease cytotoxicity to ultimately pave the way for synthetic antibiotics toward clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp F. Popp
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tania Lozano-Cruz
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Franziska Dürr
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Addis Londaitsbehere
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Johanna Hartig
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Francisco Javier de la Mata
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Gómez
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ainhoa Revilla-Guarinos
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
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15
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Schulz LM, Rothe P, Halbedel S, Gründling A, Rismondo J. Imbalance of peptidoglycan biosynthesis alters the cell surface charge of Listeria monocytogenes. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100085. [PMID: 36304571 PMCID: PMC9593813 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell wall is composed of a thick layer of peptidoglycan and cell wall polymers, which are either embedded in the membrane or linked to the peptidoglycan backbone and referred to as lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and wall teichoic acid (WTA), respectively. Modifications of the peptidoglycan or WTA backbone can alter the susceptibility of the bacterial cell towards cationic antimicrobials and lysozyme. The human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is intrinsically resistant towards lysozyme, mainly due to deacetylation and O-acetylation of the peptidoglycan backbone via PgdA and OatA. Recent studies identified additional factors, which contribute to the lysozyme resistance of this pathogen. One of these is the predicted ABC transporter, EslABC. An eslB mutant is hyper-sensitive towards lysozyme, likely due to the production of thinner and less O-acetylated peptidoglycan. Using a suppressor screen, we show here that suppression of eslB phenotypes could be achieved by enhancing peptidoglycan biosynthesis, reducing peptidoglycan hydrolysis or alterations in WTA biosynthesis and modification. The lack of EslB also leads to a higher negative surface charge, which likely stimulates the activity of peptidoglycan hydrolases and lysozyme. Based on our results, we hypothesize that the portion of cell surface exposed WTA is increased in the eslB mutant due to the thinner peptidoglycan layer and that latter one could be caused by an impairment in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) production or distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Schulz
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August University Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patricia Rothe
- FG11, Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstraße 37, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11, Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstraße 37, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August University Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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16
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Wu H, Zhang Y, Li L, Li Y, Yuan L, E Y, Qiao J. Positive regulation of the DLT operon by TCSR7 enhances acid tolerance of Lactococcus lactis F44. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:7940-7950. [PMID: 36028342 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis, a lactic acid bacterium, has been widely used in the fermented dairy products. The acid tolerance of L. lactis is of great importance to food fermentation and probiotic applications. As the first barrier of bacteria, the cell wall has a protective effect on strains under many stress conditions, whereas the regulatory mechanism has rarely been reported. Here, based on the transcription analysis of 9 cell wall or membrane-related genes of L. lactis F44 under acid stress, the transcription levels of DACB, DLTD, YLBA, HRTA, WP_080613266.1 (1610), and ERFK genes were significantly increased. We constructed 9 overexpressing strains with the cell wall or membrane-related genes, respectively. It was demonstrated that the survival rates under acid stress of DACB, DLTD, and ERFK were significantly higher than that of wild-type F44. To investigate the regulatory mechanism, a DNA pull-down assay was used to identify the transcriptional regulators of these 3 genes. It was discovered that the 2-component system (TCS) transcriptional regulator TCSR7 bound to the upstream region of DLTD involved in the teichoic acid (TA) alanylation. The combination was confirmed through an electrophoretic mobility shift assay in vitro. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR results indicated that TCSR7 upregulated the expression of DLTD gene. In addition, the transcription level of TCSR7 increased approximately 1.8-fold (log2 fold change) under acidic conditions. In summary, this study found that TCSR7 was induced by acid stress to upregulate the transcription level of the DLT operon genes, which might increase the positive charge on the cell membrane surface to increase the acid tolerance of the strain. This study lays the foundation for the regulatory mechanism of TA alanylation under acid stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; Zhejiang Shaoxing Research Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing 312300, P. R. China
| | - Yangling Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; Zhejiang Shaoxing Research Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing 312300, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yanni Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; Department of Bioengineering, School of Food Science and Bioengineering, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yue E
- Zhejiang Shaoxing Research Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing 312300, P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; Zhejiang Shaoxing Research Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing 312300, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
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17
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Bps polysaccharide of Bordetella pertussis resists antimicrobial peptides by functioning as a dual surface shield and decoy and converts Escherichia coli into a respiratory pathogen. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010764. [PMID: 35969621 PMCID: PMC9410548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections and disease caused by the obligate human pathogen Bordetella pertussis (Bp) are increasing, despite widespread vaccinations. The current acellular pertussis vaccines remain ineffective against nasopharyngeal colonization, carriage, and transmission. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that Bordetella polysaccharide (Bps), a member of the poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (PNAG/PGA) family of polysaccharides promotes respiratory tract colonization of Bp by resisting killing by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Genetic deletion of the bpsA-D locus, as well as treatment with the specific glycoside hydrolase Dispersin B, increased susceptibility to AMP-mediated killing. Bps was found to be both cell surface-associated and released during laboratory growth and mouse infections. Addition of bacterial supernatants containing Bps and purified Bps increased B. pertussis resistance to AMPs. By utilizing ELISA, immunoblot and flow cytometry assays, we show that Bps functions as a dual surface shield and decoy. Co-inoculation of C57BL/6J mice with a Bps-proficient strain enhanced respiratory tract survival of the Bps-deficient strain. In combination, the presented results highlight the critical role of Bps as a central driver of B. pertussis pathogenesis. Heterologous production of Bps in a non-pathogenic E. coli K12 strain increased AMP resistance in vitro, and augmented bacterial survival and pathology in the mouse respiratory tract. These studies can serve as a foundation for other PNAG/PGA polysaccharides and for the development of an effective Bp vaccine that includes Bps.
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18
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Nikolopoulos N, Matos RC, Courtin P, Ayala I, Akherraz H, Simorre JP, Chapot-Chartier MP, Leulier F, Ravaud S, Grangeasse C. DltC acts as an interaction hub for AcpS, DltA and DltB in the teichoic acid D-alanylation pathway of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13133. [PMID: 35907949 PMCID: PMC9338922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17434-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Teichoic acids (TA) are crucial for the homeostasis of the bacterial cell wall as well as their developmental behavior and interplay with the environment. TA can be decorated by different modifications, modulating thus their biochemical properties. One major modification consists in the esterification of TA by d-alanine, a process known as d-alanylation. TA d-alanylation is performed by the Dlt pathway, which starts in the cytoplasm and continues extracellularly after d-Ala transportation through the membrane. In this study, we combined structural biology and in vivo approaches to dissect the cytoplasmic steps of this pathway in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a bacterial species conferring health benefits to its animal host. After establishing that AcpS, DltB, DltC1 and DltA are required for the promotion of Drosophila juvenile growth under chronic undernutrition, we solved their crystal structure and/or used NMR and molecular modeling to study their interactions. Our work demonstrates that the suite of interactions between these proteins is ordered with a conserved surface of DltC1 docking sequentially AcpS, DltA and eventually DltB. Altogether, we conclude that DltC1 acts as an interaction hub for all the successive cytoplasmic steps of the TA d-alanylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Nikolopoulos
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, CNRS UMR 5086, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Renata C Matos
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Pascal Courtin
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Isabel Ayala
- Institut de Biologie Structurale, CEA, CNRS UMR 5075, Université Grenoble Alpes, 3800, Grenoble, France
| | - Houssam Akherraz
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Simorre
- Institut de Biologie Structurale, CEA, CNRS UMR 5075, Université Grenoble Alpes, 3800, Grenoble, France
| | | | - François Leulier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphanie Ravaud
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, CNRS UMR 5086, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Christophe Grangeasse
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, CNRS UMR 5086, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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19
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Wu M, Huang S, Du J, Li Y, Jiang S, Zhan L, Huang X. D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid contributes to biofilm formation and acidogenesis capacity of Streptococcusmutans. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105666. [PMID: 35811023 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105666] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND D-alanylation of Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is considered to be essential for virulence factors expression in Gram-positive microorganism. The effects of the D-alanylation of LTA on biofilm formation and acidogenesis of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) are still not clearly understood. AIM This study was designed to investigate the impact of D-alanylation of LTA on biofilm formation and acidogenesis of S. mutans and explore the related mechanisms. METHODS AND MATERIAL We compared the biofilm formation process by fluorescence microscope observation of LTA D-alanylation blocking strain with that of the wildtype strain. Auto-aggregation, cell surface charge, and polysaccharide production assays were performed to investigate the related mechanisms. pH drop assay and glycolysis pH drop-down analysis were carried out to evaluate the acidogenesis capacity of S. mutans after LTA D-alanylation blocking. To identify the biofilm formation and adhesive-related genes expressions of S. mutans mutant, qRT-PCR was performed. RESULTS After blocking off the D-alanylation of LTA, S. mutans could not form the three-dimensional structural biofilm, in which cells were scattered on the substratum as small clusters. The auto-aggregation was prompted due to the mutant strain cell morphology change (*p < 0.05). Furthermore, more negative charges were found on the mutant strain cells surfaces and fewer water-insoluble glucans were produced in mutant biofilm (*p < 0.05). The adhesion capacity of the S. mutans biofilm was impaired after LTA D-alanylation blocking (*p < 0.05). Biofilm formation and adhesive-related genes expressions decreased (*p < 0.05), especially at the early stages of biofilm formation. S. mutans mutant strains exhibited suppressed acidogenesis because its glycolytic activity was impaired. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that blocking of LTA D-alanylation disrupts normal biofilm formation in S. mutans predominantly if not entirely by altering intercellular auto-aggregation, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix formation. Moreover, our study results suggest that the LTA D-alanylation plays an important role in S. mutans acidogenesis by altering glycolytic activity. These findings add to the knowledge about mechanisms underlying biofilm formation and acid tolerance in S. mutans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjing Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial & Stomatological Key Lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shan Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial & Stomatological Key Lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Jingyun Du
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial & Stomatological Key Lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yijun Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial & Stomatological Key Lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Southern Medical University, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), China
| | - Ling Zhan
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orofacial Sciences, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Xiaojing Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial & Stomatological Key Lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
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20
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Harden MM, Anderson ME, Grossman AD. A
CRISPR
interference screen reveals a role for cell wall teichoic acids in conjugation in
Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1366-1383. [PMID: 35490406 PMCID: PMC9324163 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Conjugative elements are widespread in bacteria and include plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). They transfer from donor to recipient cells via an element‐encoded type IV secretion system. These elements interact with and utilize host functions for their lifecycles. We sought to identify essential host genes involved in the lifecycle of the integrative and conjugative element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a library of strains for inducible knockdown of essential B. subtilis genes using CRISPR interference. Each strain expressed one guide RNA in ICEBs1. We induced partial interference of essential genes and identified those that caused an acute defect in acquisition of ICEBs1 by recipient cells. This screen revealed that reducing expression of genes needed for synthesis of cell wall teichoic acids caused a decrease in conjugation. Using three different ways to reduce their synthesis, we found that wall teichoic acids were necessary in both donors and recipients for efficient conjugative transfer of ICEBs1. Further, we found that depletion of wall teichoic acids caused cells involved in ICEBs1 conjugation to die, most likely from damage to the cell envelope. Our results indicate that wall teichoic acids help protect against envelope stress caused by active conjugation machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Michael Harden
- Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Mary E. Anderson
- Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Alan D. Grossman
- Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139
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21
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Malachowa N, McGuinness W, Kobayashi SD, Porter AR, Shaia C, Lovaglio J, Smith B, Rungelrath V, Saturday G, Scott DP, Falugi F, Missiakas D, Schneewind O, DeLeo FR. Toward Optimization of a Rabbit Model of Staphylococcus aureus (USA300) Skin and Soft Tissue Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0271621. [PMID: 35389241 PMCID: PMC9045089 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02716-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus remains a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) globally. In the United States, many of these infections are caused by isolates classified as USA300. Our understanding of the success of USA300 as a human pathogen is due in part to data obtained from animal infection models, including rabbit SSTI models. These animal models have been used to study S. aureus virulence and pathogenesis and to gain an enhanced understanding of the host response to infection. Although significant knowledge has been gained, the need to use a relatively high inoculum of USA300 (1 × 108 to 5 × 108 CFU) is a caveat of these infection models. As a step toward addressing this issue, we created mutations in USA300 that mimic those found in S. aureus strains with naturally occurring rabbit tropism-namely, single nucleotide polymorphisms in dltB and/or deletion of rot. We then developed a rabbit SSTI model that utilizes an inoculum of 106 USA300 CFU to cause reproducible disease and tested whether primary SSTI protects rabbits against severe reinfection caused by the same strain. Although there was modest protection against severe reinfection, primary infection and reinfection with rabbit-tropic USA300 strains failed to increase the overall level of circulating anti-S. aureus antibodies significantly. These findings provide additional insight into the host response to S. aureus. More work is needed to further develop a low-inoculum infection model that can be used to better test the potential of new therapeutics or vaccine target antigens. IMPORTANCE Animal models of S. aureus infection are important for evaluating bacterial pathogenesis and host immune responses. These animal infection models are often used as an initial step in the testing of vaccine antigens and new therapeutics. The extent to which animal models of S. aureus infection approximate human infections remains a significant consideration for translation of results to human clinical trials. Although significant progress has been made with rabbit models of S. aureus infection, one concern is the high inoculum needed to cause reproducible disease. Here, we generated USA300 strains that have tropism for rabbits and developed a rabbit SSTI model that uses fewer CFU than previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Malachowa
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Will McGuinness
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Scott D. Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Adeline R. Porter
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Jamie Lovaglio
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Brian Smith
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Viktoria Rungelrath
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Dana P. Scott
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Fabiana Falugi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Olaf Schneewind
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Frank R. DeLeo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
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22
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Öhlmann S, Krieger AK, Gisch N, Meurer M, de Buhr N, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Schütze N, Baums CG. d-Alanylation of Lipoteichoic Acids in Streptococcus suis Reduces Association With Leukocytes in Porcine Blood. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:822369. [PMID: 35509315 PMCID: PMC9058155 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.822369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a common swine pathogen but also poses a threat to human health in causing meningitis and severe cases of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS). Therefore, it is crucial to understand how S. suis interacts with the host immune system during bacteremia. As S. suis has the ability to introduce d-alanine into its lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), we investigated the working hypothesis that cell wall modification by LTA d-alanylation influences the interaction of S. suis with porcine blood immune cells. We created an isogenic mutant of S. suis strain 10 by in-frame deletion of the d-alanine d-alanyl carrier ligase (DltA). d-alanylation of LTAs was associated with reduced phagocytosis of S. suis by porcine granulocytes, reduced deposition of complement factor C3 on the bacterial surface, increased hydrophobicity of streptococci, and increased resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). At the same time, survival of S. suis was not significantly increased by LTA d-alanylation in whole blood of conventional piglets with specific IgG. However, we found a distinct cytokine pattern as IL-1β but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were significantly reduced in blood infected with the ΔdltA mutant. In contrast to TNF-α, activation and secretion of IL-1β are inflammasome-dependent, suggesting a possible influence of LTA d-alanylation on inflammasome regulation. Especially in the absence of specific antibodies, the association of S. suis with porcine monocytes was reduced by d-alanylation of its LTAs. This dltA-dependent phenotype was also observed with a non-encapsulated dltA double mutant indicating that it is independent of capsular polysaccharides. High antibody levels caused high levels of S. suis—monocyte—association followed by inflammatory cell death and strong production of both IL-1β and TNF-α, while the influence of LTA d-alanylation of the streptococci became less visible. In summary, the results of this study expand previous findings on d-alanylation of LTAs in S. suis and suggest that this pathogen specifically modulates association with blood leukocytes through this modification of its surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Öhlmann
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Krieger
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicolas Gisch
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Priority Area Infections, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Marita Meurer
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole de Buhr
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Schütze
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Georg Baums
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christoph Georg Baums,
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23
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Pearson C, Tindall S, Potts JR, Thomas GH, van der Woude MW. Diverse functions for acyltransferase-3 proteins in the modification of bacterial cell surfaces. Microbiology (Reading) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35253642 PMCID: PMC9558356 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The acylation of sugars, most commonly via acetylation, is a widely used mechanism in bacteria that uses a simple chemical modification to confer useful traits. For structures like lipopolysaccharide, capsule and peptidoglycan, that function outside of the cytoplasm, their acylation during export or post-synthesis requires transport of an activated acyl group across the membrane. In bacteria this function is most commonly linked to a family of integral membrane proteins – acyltransferase-3 (AT3). Numerous studies examining production of diverse extracytoplasmic sugar-containing structures have identified roles for these proteins in O-acylation. Many of the phenotypes conferred by the action of AT3 proteins influence host colonisation and environmental survival, as well as controlling the properties of biotechnologically important polysaccharides and the modification of antibiotics and antitumour drugs by Actinobacteria. Herein we present the first systematic review, to our knowledge, of the functions of bacterial AT3 proteins, revealing an important protein family involved in a plethora of systems of importance to bacterial function that is still relatively poorly understood at the mechanistic level. By defining and comparing this set of functions we draw out common themes in the structure and mechanism of this fascinating family of membrane-bound enzymes, which, due to their role in host colonisation in many pathogens, could offer novel targets for the development of antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Tindall
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, UK
| | | | - Gavin H. Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, UK
- York Biomedical Institute, University of York, Heslington, UK
| | - Marjan W. van der Woude
- Hull York Medical School, Heslington, UK
- York Biomedical Institute, University of York, Heslington, UK
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24
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Liu X, An L, Ren S, Zhou Y, Peng W. Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Antibacterial Mechanism of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:883-893. [PMID: 35281570 PMCID: PMC8912936 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s350715] [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: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose As a kind of opportunist pathogen, Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) can cause nosocomial infections and easily evolve into resistant bacteria. Among these, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) exhibit significantly higher rates. Our previous study showed that Patrinia scabiosaefolia (PS) possessed strong antibacterial activity against MRSE. However, the mechanism of PS against MRSE is not clear. Methods Here, a tandem mass tag-based (TMT) proteomic analysis was performed to elucidate the potential mechanism of PS against MRSE. We compared the differential expression proteins of MRSE under PS stress. Results Based on a fold change of >1.2 or < 1/1.2 (with p value set at <0.05), a total of 248 proteins (128 up-regulated proteins, 120 down-regulated proteins) were identified. Bioinformatic analysis showed that proteins including arginine deiminase (arcA), ornithine carbamoyltransferase (arcB) and carbamate kinase (arcC), serine–tRNA ligase (serS), phenylalanine–tRNA ligase beta and subunit (pheT), DltD (dlt), d-alanyl carrier protein (dlt), accumulation-associated protein (SasG), serine-aspartate repeat-containing protein C (SdrC) and hemin transport system permease protein HrtB (VraG) played important roles in mechanism of PS against MRSE. Conclusion In summary, these results indicated that arginine deiminase pathway (ADI) pathway, protein synthesis, cell wall synthesis, biofilm formation and uptake of iron were related to mechanisms of PS against MRSE. Our findings provide an insight into the the mechanism of PS against MRSE, and may be valuable in offering new targets to develop more anti-MRSE drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xin Liu, College of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8618886056643, Email
| | - Lili An
- Dermatology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuaijun Ren
- Dermatology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Zhou
- College of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Peng
- College of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
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25
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Pang X, Wu Y, Liu X, Wu Y, Shu Q, Niu J, Chen Q, Zhang X. The Lipoteichoic Acid-Related Proteins YqgS and LafA Contribute to the Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes to Nisin. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0209521. [PMID: 35196823 PMCID: PMC8865564 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02095-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a major pathogen contributing to foodborne outbreaks with high mortality. Nisin, a natural antimicrobial, has been widely used as a food preservative. However, the mechanisms of L. monocytogenes involved in nisin resistance have not yet to be fully defined. A mariner transposon library was constructed in L. monocytogenes, leading to the identification of 99 genes associated with the innate resistance to nisin via Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) analysis. To validate the accuracy of the Tn-seq results, we constructed five mutants (ΔyqgS, ΔlafA, ΔvirR, ΔgtcA, and Δlmo1464) in L. monocytogenes. The results revealed that yqgS and lafA, the lipoteichoic acid-related genes, were essential for resistance to nisin, while the gtcA and lmo1464 mutants showed substantially enhanced nisin resistance. Densely wrinkled, collapsed surface and membrane breakdown were shown on ΔyqgS and ΔlafA mutants under nisin treatment. Deletion of yqgS and lafA altered the surface charge, and decreased the resistance to general stress conditions and cell envelope-acting antimicrobials. Furthermore, YqgS and LafA are required for biofilm formation and cell invasion of L. monocytogenes. Collectively, these results reveal novel mechanisms of nisin resistance in L. monocytogenes and may provide unique targets for the development of food-grade inhibitors for nisin-resistant foodborne pathogens. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic Gram-positive pathogen responsible for listeriosis, and is widely present in a variety of foods including ready-to-eat foods, meat, and dairy products. Nisin is the only licensed lantibiotic by the FDA for use as a food-grade inhibitor in over 50 countries. A prior study suggests that L. monocytogenes are more resistant than other Gram-positive pathogens in nisin-mediated bactericidal effects. However, the mechanisms of L. monocytogenes involved in nisin resistance have not yet to be fully defined. Here, we used a mariner transposon library to identify nisin-resistance-related genes on a genome-wide scale via transposon sequencing. We found, for the first time, that YqgS and LafA (Lipoteichoic acid-related proteins) are required for resistance to nisin. Subsequently, we investigated the roles of YqgS and LafA in L. monocytogenes stress resistance, antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Pang
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yansha Wu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiayu Liu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yajing Wu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Shu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianrui Niu
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Qihe Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinglin Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Linyi University, Linyi, China
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26
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Tzipilevich E, Pollak‐Fiyaksel O, Shraiteh B, Ben‐Yehuda S. Bacteria elicit a phage tolerance response subsequent to infection of their neighbors. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109247. [PMID: 34878184 PMCID: PMC8804946 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Appearance of plaques on a bacterial lawn is a sign of successive rounds of bacteriophage infection. Yet, mechanisms evolved by bacteria to limit plaque spread have been hardly explored. Here, we investigated the dynamics of plaque development by lytic phages infecting the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We report that plaque expansion is followed by a constriction phase owing to bacterial growth into the plaque zone. This phenomenon exposed an adaptive process, herein termed "phage tolerance response", elicited by non-infected bacteria upon sensing infection of their neighbors. The temporary phage tolerance is executed by the stress-response RNA polymerase sigma factor σX (SigX). Artificial expression of SigX prior to phage attack largely eliminates infection. SigX tolerance is primarily conferred by activation of the dlt operon, encoding enzymes that catalyze D-alanylation of cell wall teichoic acid polymers, the major attachment sites for phages infecting Gram-positive bacteria. D-alanylation impedes phage binding and hence infection, thus enabling the uninfected bacteria to form a protective shield opposing phage spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elhanan Tzipilevich
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsInstitute for Medical Research Israel‐Canada (IMRIC)The Hebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
- Present address:
Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical InstituteDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Osher Pollak‐Fiyaksel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsInstitute for Medical Research Israel‐Canada (IMRIC)The Hebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Bushra Shraiteh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsInstitute for Medical Research Israel‐Canada (IMRIC)The Hebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Sigal Ben‐Yehuda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsInstitute for Medical Research Israel‐Canada (IMRIC)The Hebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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27
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Maffei E, Harms A. Messages from the dead protect bacteria from viral attack. EMBO J 2022; 41:e110382. [PMID: 34957575 PMCID: PMC8804935 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021110382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial populations are ubiquitously threatened by viral predation. In this issue, Tzipilevich and colleagues show that bacteria killed by viruses release a danger signal that warns neighboring cells to ramp up their defenses. This "message from the dead" thereby induces phenotypic tolerance to infections and slows down viral spread in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enea Maffei
- BiozentrumUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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28
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Enhancing Extracellular Pullulanase Production in Bacillus subtilis Through dltB Disruption and Signal Peptide Optimization. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 194:1206-1220. [PMID: 34652585 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03617-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis has many attributes that make it a popular host for recombinant protein production. Although its protein production ability has been enhanced through protease gene disruption, residual proteases like quality control HtrA and HtrB can limit protein yield by degrading inadequately folded proteins present during overexpression. In this study, two strategies were employed to increase production of industrial enzyme pullulanase: enhancing extracellular pullulanase folding and optimizing its signal peptide. The hypothesis was that disruption of dltB gene of expression host B. subtilis WS9 would enhance recombinant extracellular folding by increasing cation binding to the cell's outer envelope. Consistent with this hypothesis, disrupting dltB enhanced pullulanase production by 49% in shake-flask cultures. The disruption also enhanced extracellular α-CGTase and β-CGTase production by 25% and 35%, respectively. Then, more effective signal peptide for pullulanase production was identified through high-throughput screening of 173 unique B. subtilis signal peptides. Replacing the native signal peptide of pullulanase with that encoded by ywtF increased extracellular pullulanase activity by an additional 12%. Three-liter fermenter scale-up production yielded the highest extracellular pullulanase activity reported to date: 8037.91 U·mL-1. This study highlights the usefulness of dltB deletion and signal peptide optimization in enhancing extracellular protein production.
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29
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Structural, molecular docking computational studies and in-vitro evidence for antibacterial activity of mixed ligand complexes. J Mol Struct 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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30
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Erickson HP. How Teichoic Acids Could Support a Periplasm in Gram-Positive Bacteria, and Let Cell Division Cheat Turgor Pressure. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:664704. [PMID: 34040598 PMCID: PMC8141598 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.664704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasm of bacteria is maintained at a higher osmolality than the growth medium, which generates a turgor pressure. The cell membrane (CM) cannot support a large turgor, so there are two possibilities for transferring the pressure to the peptidoglycan cell wall (PGW): (1) the CM could be pressed directly against the PGW, or (2) the CM could be separated from the PGW by a periplasmic space that is isoosmotic with the cytoplasm. There is strong evidence for gram-negative bacteria that a periplasm exists and is isoosmotic with the cytoplasm. No comparable studies have been done for gram-positive bacteria. Here I suggest that a periplasmic space is probably essential in order for the periplasmic proteins to function, including especially the PBPs that remodel the peptidoglycan wall. I then present a semi-quantitative analysis of how teichoic acids could support a periplasm that is isoosmotic with the cytoplasm. The fixed anionic charge density of teichoic acids in the periplasm is ∼0.5 M, which would bring in ∼0.5 M Na+ neutralizing ions. This approximately balances the excess osmolality of the cytoplasm that would produce a turgor pressure of 19 atm. The 0.5 M fixed charge density is similar to that of proteoglycans in articular cartilage, suggesting a comparability ability to support pressure. An isoosmotic periplasm would be especially important for cell division, since it would allow CM constriction and PGW synthesis to avoid turgor pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold P Erickson
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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31
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Martínez B, Rodríguez A, Kulakauskas S, Chapot-Chartier MP. Cell wall homeostasis in lactic acid bacteria: threats and defences. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 44:538-564. [PMID: 32495833 PMCID: PMC7476776 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) encompasses industrially relevant bacteria involved in food fermentations as well as health-promoting members of our autochthonous microbiota. In the last years, we have witnessed major progresses in the knowledge of the biology of their cell wall, the outermost macrostructure of a Gram-positive cell, which is crucial for survival. Sophisticated biochemical analyses combined with mutation strategies have been applied to unravel biosynthetic routes that sustain the inter- and intra-species cell wall diversity within LAB. Interplay with global cell metabolism has been deciphered that improved our fundamental understanding of the plasticity of the cell wall during growth. The cell wall is also decisive for the antimicrobial activity of many bacteriocins, for bacteriophage infection and for the interactions with the external environment. Therefore, genetic circuits involved in monitoring cell wall damage have been described in LAB, together with a plethora of defence mechanisms that help them to cope with external threats and adapt to harsh conditions. Since the cell wall plays a pivotal role in several technological and health-promoting traits of LAB, we anticipate that this knowledge will pave the way for the future development and extended applications of LAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Martínez
- DairySafe research group. Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products. Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, IPLA-CSIC. Paseo Río Linares s/n. 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- DairySafe research group. Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products. Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, IPLA-CSIC. Paseo Río Linares s/n. 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Saulius Kulakauskas
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Proteomic Adaptation of Clostridioides difficile to Treatment with the Antimicrobial Peptide Nisin. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020372. [PMID: 33670309 PMCID: PMC7918085 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020372] [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: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea but can also result in more serious, life-threatening conditions. The incidence of C. difficile infections in hospitals is increasing, both in frequency and severity, and antibiotic-resistant C. difficile strains are advancing. Against this background antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an interesting alternative to classic antibiotics. Information on the effects of AMPs on C. difficile will not only enhance the knowledge for possible biomedical application but may also provide insights into mechanisms of C. difficile to adapt or counteract AMPs. This study applies state-of-the-art mass spectrometry methods to quantitatively investigate the proteomic response of C. difficile 630∆erm to sublethal concentrations of the AMP nisin allowing to follow the cellular stress adaptation in a time-resolved manner. The results do not only point at a heavy reorganization of the cellular envelope but also resulted in pronounced changes in central cellular processes such as carbohydrate metabolism. Further, the number of flagella per cell was increased during the adaptation process. The potential involvement of flagella in nisin adaptation was supported by a more resistant phenotype exhibited by a non-motile but hyper-flagellated mutant.
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33
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Stincone P, Comerlato CB, Brandelli A. Proteomic analysis of Listeria monocytogenes exposed to free and nanostructured antimicrobial lipopeptides. Mol Omics 2021; 17:426-437. [PMID: 33735358 DOI: 10.1039/d0mo00178c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the effect of antimicrobial lipopeptide P34 on Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated for the first time through a proteomics approach. Bacteria were treated with sub-lethal doses of peptide P34 (F-P34) and P34 encapsulated into nanoliposomes (N-P34), while empty nanoliposomes (NE) and fresh buffer were used as controls. The proteomic analysis allowed the detection of one group of proteins commonly differentially represented in response to free and encapsulated P34 exposure. A second group of proteins was found to be exclusively differentially represented after exposure with encapsulated P34 only. The antimicrobial peptide P34 caused a significant downregulation of proteins associated with the transport of manganese and the over-representation of proteins related with iron transport in L. monocytogenes. In addition, reduction of stress tolerance proteins related to the σB and VirR regulons, together with the modulation of phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase systems (PTS) for sugar transport were observed. The sugar and oligopeptide transporters regulated by antimicrobial action may influence the key virulence factor PrfA, reducing the pathogenicity of this microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Stincone
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Attieh Z, Mouawad C, Rejasse A, Jehanno I, Perchat S, Hegna IK, Økstad OA, Kallassy Awad M, Sanchis-Borja V, El Chamy L. The fliK Gene Is Required for the Resistance of Bacillus thuringiensis to Antimicrobial Peptides and Virulence in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:611220. [PMID: 33391240 PMCID: PMC7775485 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.611220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential effectors of the host innate immune system and they represent promising molecules for the treatment of multidrug resistant microbes. A better understanding of microbial resistance to these defense peptides is thus prerequisite for the control of infectious diseases. Here, using a random mutagenesis approach, we identify the fliK gene, encoding an internal molecular ruler that controls flagella hook length, as an essential element for Bacillus thuringiensis resistance to AMPs in Drosophila. Unlike its parental strain, that is highly virulent to both wild-type and AMPs deficient mutant flies, the fliK deletion mutant is only lethal to the latter's. In agreement with its conserved function, the fliK mutant is non-flagellated and exhibits highly compromised motility. However, comparative analysis of the fliK mutant phenotype to that of a fla mutant, in which the genes encoding flagella proteins are interrupted, indicate that B. thuringiensis FliK-dependent resistance to AMPs is independent of flagella assembly. As a whole, our results identify FliK as an essential determinant for B. thuringiensis virulence in Drosophila and provide new insights on the mechanisms underlying bacteria resistance to AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaynoun Attieh
- UR-EGP, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Carine Mouawad
- UR-EGP, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Agnès Rejasse
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Isabelle Jehanno
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Stéphane Perchat
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Ida K. Hegna
- Department of Pharmacy, Centre for Integrative Microbial Evolution (CIME), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A. Økstad
- Department of Pharmacy, Centre for Integrative Microbial Evolution (CIME), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Vincent Sanchis-Borja
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Laure El Chamy
- UR-EGP, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
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Sidiq KR, Chow MW, Zhao Z, Daniel RA. Alanine metabolism in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:739-757. [PMID: 33155333 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Both isomeric forms of alanine play a crucial role in bacterial growth and viability; the L-isomer of this amino acid is one of the building blocks for protein synthesis, and the D-isomer is incorporated into the bacterial cell wall. Despite a long history of genetic manipulation of Bacillus subtilis using auxotrophic markers, the genes involved in alanine metabolism have not been characterized fully. In this work, we genetically characterized the major enzymes involved in B. subtilis alanine biosynthesis and identified an alanine permease, AlaP (YtnA), which we show has a major role in the assimilation of D-alanine from the environment. Our results provide explanations for the puzzling fact that growth of B. subtilis does not result in the significant accumulation of extracellular D-alanine. Interestingly, we find that in B. subtilis, unlike E. coli where multiple enzymes have a biochemical activity that can generate alanine, the primary synthetic enzyme for alanine is encoded by alaT, although a second gene, dat, can support slow growth of an L-alanine auxotroph. However, our results also show that Dat mediates the synthesis of D-alanine and its activity is influenced by the abundance of L-alanine. This work provides valuable insights into alanine metabolism that suggests that the relative abundance of D- and L-alanine might be linked with cytosolic pool of D and L-glutamate, thereby coupling protein and cell envelope synthesis with the metabolic status of the cell. The results also suggest that, although some of the purified enzymes involved in alanine biosynthesis have been shown to catalyze reversible reactions in vitro, most of them function unidirectionally in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karzan R Sidiq
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Medical Faculty, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Man W Chow
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Medical Faculty, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Zhao Zhao
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Medical Faculty, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Richard A Daniel
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Medical Faculty, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Cell morphology maintenance in Bacillus subtilis through balanced peptidoglycan synthesis and hydrolysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17910. [PMID: 33087775 PMCID: PMC7578834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74609-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The peptidoglycan layer is responsible for maintaining bacterial cell shape and permitting cell division. Cell wall growth is facilitated by peptidoglycan synthases and hydrolases and is potentially modulated by components of the central carbon metabolism. In Bacillus subtilis, UgtP synthesises the glucolipid precursor for lipoteichoic acid and has been suggested to function as a metabolic sensor governing cell size. Here we show that ugtP mutant cells have increased levels of cell wall precursors and changes in their peptidoglycan that suggest elevated DL-endopeptidase activity. The additional deletion of lytE, encoding a DL-endopeptidase important for cell elongation, in the ugtP mutant background produced cells with severe shape defects. Interestingly, the ugtP lytE mutant recovered normal rod-shape by acquiring mutations that decreased the expression of the peptidoglycan synthase PBP1. Together our results suggest that cells lacking ugtP must re-adjust the balance between peptidoglycan synthesis and hydrolysis to maintain proper cell morphology.
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37
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Wambui J, Eshwar AK, Aalto-Araneda M, Pöntinen A, Stevens MJA, Njage PMK, Tasara T. The Analysis of Field Strains Isolated From Food, Animal and Clinical Sources Uncovers Natural Mutations in Listeria monocytogenes Nisin Resistance Genes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:549531. [PMID: 33123101 PMCID: PMC7574537 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.549531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nisin is a commonly used bacteriocin for controlling spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in food products. Strains possessing high natural nisin resistance that reduce or increase the potency of this bacteriocin against Listeria monocytogenes have been described. Our study sought to gather more insights into nisin resistance mechanisms in natural L. monocytogenes populations by examining a collection of 356 field strains that were isolated from different foods, food production environments, animals and human infections. A growth curve analysis-based approach was used to access nisin inhibition levels and assign the L. monocytogenes strains into three nisin response phenotypic categories; resistant (66%), intermediate (26%), and sensitive (8%). Using this categorization isolation source, serotype, genetic lineage, clonal complex (CC) and strain-dependent natural variation in nisin phenotypic resistance among L. monocytogenes field strains was revealed. Whole genome sequence analysis and comparison of high nisin resistant and sensitive strains led to the identification of new naturally occurring mutations in nisin response genes associated with increased nisin resistance and sensitivity in this bacterium. Increased nisin resistance was detected in strains harboring RsbUG77S and PBPB3V240F amino acid substitution mutations, which also showed increased detergent stress resistance as well as increased virulence in a zebra fish infection model. On the other hand, increased natural nisin sensitivity was detected among strains with mutations in sigB, vir, and dlt operons that also showed increased lysozyme sensitivity and lower virulence. Overall, our study identified naturally selected mutations involving pbpB3 (lm0441) as well as sigB, vir, and dlt operon genes that are associated with intrinsic nisin resistance in L. monocytogenes field strains recovered from various food and human associated sources. Finally, we show that combining growth parameter-based phenotypic analysis and genome sequencing is an effective approach that can be useful for the identification of novel nisin response associated genetic variants among L. monocytogenes field strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Wambui
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Athmanya K Eshwar
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariella Aalto-Araneda
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Pöntinen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marc J A Stevens
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick M K Njage
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kengens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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38
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Caffalette CA, Kuklewicz J, Spellmon N, Zimmer J. Biosynthesis and Export of Bacterial Glycolipids. Annu Rev Biochem 2020; 89:741-768. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-011520-104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Complex carbohydrates are essential for many biological processes, from protein quality control to cell recognition, energy storage, and cell wall formation. Many of these processes are performed in topologically extracellular compartments or on the cell surface; hence, diverse secretion systems evolved to transport the hydrophilic molecules to their sites of action. Polyprenyl lipids serve as ubiquitous anchors and facilitators of these transport processes. Here, we summarize and compare bacterial biosynthesis pathways relying on the recognition and transport of lipid-linked complex carbohydrates. In particular, we compare transporters implicated in O antigen and capsular polysaccharide biosyntheses with those facilitating teichoic acid and N-linked glycan transport. Further, we discuss recent insights into the generation, recognition, and recycling of polyprenyl lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Caffalette
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Jeremi Kuklewicz
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Nicholas Spellmon
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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39
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Caudill ER, Hernandez RT, Johnson KP, O'Rourke JT, Zhu L, Haynes CL, Feng ZV, Pedersen JA. Wall teichoic acids govern cationic gold nanoparticle interaction with Gram-positive bacterial cell walls. Chem Sci 2020; 11:4106-4118. [PMID: 34122876 PMCID: PMC8152635 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc05436g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular-level understanding of nanomaterial interactions with bacterial cell surfaces can facilitate design of antimicrobial and antifouling surfaces and inform assessment of potential consequences of nanomaterial release into the environment. Here, we investigate the interaction of cationic nanoparticles with the main surface components of Gram-positive bacteria: peptidoglycan and teichoic acids. We employed intact cells and isolated cell walls from wild type Bacillus subtilis and two mutant strains differing in wall teichoic acid composition to investigate interaction with gold nanoparticles functionalized with cationic, branched polyethylenimine. We quantified nanoparticle association with intact cells by flow cytometry and determined sites of interaction by solid-state 31P- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. We find that wall teichoic acid structure and composition were important determinants for the extent of interaction with cationic gold nanoparticles. The nanoparticles interacted more with wall teichoic acids from the wild type and mutant lacking glucose in its wall teichoic acids than those from the mutant having wall teichoic acids lacking alanine and exhibiting more restricted molecular motion. Our experimental evidence supports the interpretation that electrostatic forces contributed to nanoparticle-cell interactions and that the accessibility of negatively charged moieties in teichoic acid chains influences the degree of interaction. The approaches employed in this study can be applied to engineered nanomaterials differing in core composition, shape, or surface functional groups as well as to other types of bacteria to elucidate the influence of nanoparticle and cell surface properties on interactions with Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Caudill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1101 University Avenue Madison WI 53706 USA
| | | | - Kyle P Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN 55455 USA
| | - James T O'Rourke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1101 University Avenue Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Lingchao Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania 231 S 34th St Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Christy L Haynes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN 55455 USA
| | - Z Vivian Feng
- Chemistry Department, Augsburg University Minneapolis MN 55454 USA
| | - Joel A Pedersen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1101 University Avenue Madison WI 53706 USA
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison 660 North Part Street Madison WI 53706 USA
- Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1525 Observatory Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1415 Engineering Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
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Walter A, Unsleber S, Rismondo J, Jorge AM, Peschel A, Gründling A, Mayer C. Phosphoglycerol-type wall and lipoteichoic acids are enantiomeric polymers differentiated by the stereospecific glycerophosphodiesterase GlpQ. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4024-4034. [PMID: 32047114 PMCID: PMC7086022 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell envelope of Gram-positive bacteria generally comprises two types of polyanionic polymers linked to either peptidoglycan (wall teichoic acids; WTA) or to membrane glycolipids (lipoteichoic acids; LTA). In some bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis strain 168, both WTA and LTA are glycerolphosphate polymers yet are synthesized through different pathways and have distinct but incompletely understood morphogenetic functions during cell elongation and division. We show here that the exolytic sn-glycerol-3-phosphodiesterase GlpQ can discriminate between B. subtilis WTA and LTA. GlpQ completely degraded unsubstituted WTA, which lacks substituents at the glycerol residues, by sequentially removing glycerolphosphates from the free end of the polymer up to the peptidoglycan linker. In contrast, GlpQ could not degrade unsubstituted LTA unless it was partially precleaved, allowing access of GlpQ to the other end of the polymer, which, in the intact molecule, is protected by a connection to the lipid anchor. Differences in stereochemistry between WTA and LTA have been suggested previously on the basis of differences in their biosynthetic precursors and chemical degradation products. The differential cleavage of WTA and LTA by GlpQ reported here represents the first direct evidence that they are enantiomeric polymers: WTA is made of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate, and LTA is made of sn-glycerol-1-phosphate. Their distinct stereochemistries reflect the dissimilar physiological and immunogenic properties of WTA and LTA. It also enables differential degradation of the two polymers within the same envelope compartment in vivo, particularly under phosphate-limiting conditions, when B. subtilis specifically degrades WTA and replaces it with phosphate-free teichuronic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Walter
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Unsleber
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Maria Jorge
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Mechanisms of bactericidal action and resistance of polymyxins for Gram-positive bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:3771-3780. [PMID: 32157424 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Polymyxins are cationic antimicrobial peptides used as the last-line therapy to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. The bactericidal activity of polymyxins against Gram-negative bacteria relies on the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged polymyxins and the negatively charged lipid A of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Given that Gram-positive bacteria lack an LPS-containing outer membrane, it is generally acknowledged that polymyxins are less active against Gram-positive bacteria. However, Gram-positive bacteria produce negatively charged teichoic acids, which may act as the target of polymyxins. More and more studies suggest that polymyxins have potential as a treatment for Gram-positive bacterial infection. This mini-review discusses recent advances in the mechanism of the antibacterial activity and resistance of polymyxins in Gram-positive bacteria.Key Points• Teichoic acids play a key role in the action of polymyxins on Gram-positive bacteria.• Polymyxin kills Gram-positive bacteria by disrupting cell surface and oxidative damage.• Modification of teichoic acids and phospholipids contributes to polymyxin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria.• Polymyxins have potential as a treatment for Gram-positive bacterial infection.
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Rismondo J, Haddad TFM, Shen Y, Loessner MJ, Gründling A. GtcA is required for LTA glycosylation in Listeria monocytogenes serovar 1/2a and Bacillus subtilis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 6:100038. [PMID: 32743150 PMCID: PMC7389260 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2020.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The cell wall polymers wall teichoic acid (WTA) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are often modified with glycosyl and D-alanine residues. Recent studies have shown that a three-component glycosylation system is used for the modification of LTA in several Gram-positive bacteria including Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes. In the L. monocytogenes 1/2a strain 10403S, the cytoplasmic glycosyltransferase GtlA is thought to use UDP-galactose to produce the C55-P-galactose lipid intermediate, which is transported across the membrane by an unknown flippase. Next, the galactose residue is transferred onto the LTA backbone on the outside of the cell by the glycosyltransferase GtlB. Here we show that GtcA is necessary for the glycosylation of LTA in L. monocytogenes 10403S and B. subtilis 168 and we hypothesize that these proteins act as C55-P-sugar flippases. With this we revealed that GtcA is involved in the glycosylation of both teichoic acid polymers in L. monocytogenes 10403S, namely WTA with N-acetylglucosamine and LTA with galactose residues. These findings indicate that the L. monocytogenes GtcA protein can act on different C55-P-sugar intermediates. Further characterization of GtcA in L. monocytogenes led to the identification of residues essential for its overall function as well as residues, which predominately impact WTA or LTA glycosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine Rismondo
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Talal F M Haddad
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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Wüllner D, Haupt A, Prochnow P, Leontiev R, Slusarenko AJ, Bandow JE. Interspecies Comparison of the Bacterial Response to Allicin Reveals Species-Specific Defense Strategies. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1900064. [PMID: 31622046 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201900064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Allicin, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent from garlic, disrupts thiol and redox homeostasis, proteostasis, and cell membrane integrity. Since medicine demands antimicrobials with so far unexploited mechanisms, allicin is a promising lead structure. While progress is being made in unraveling its mode of action, little is known on bacterial adaptation strategies. Some isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli withstand exposure to high allicin concentrations due to as yet unknown mechanisms. To elucidate resistance and sensitivity-conferring cellular processes, the acute proteomic responses of a resistant P. aeruginosa strain and the sensitive species Bacillus subtilis are compared to the published proteomic response of E. coli to allicin treatment. The cellular defense strategies share functional features: proteins involved in translation and maintenance of protein quality, redox homeostasis, and cell envelope modification are upregulated. In both Gram-negative species, protein synthesis of the majority of proteins is downregulated while the Gram-positive B. subtilis responded by upregulation of multiple regulons. A comparison of the B. subtilis proteomic response to a library of responses to antibiotic treatment reveals 30 proteins specifically upregulated by allicin. Upregulated oxidative stress proteins are shared with nitrofurantoin and diamide. Microscopy-based assays further indicate that in B. subtilis cell wall integrity is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Wüllner
- Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Annika Haupt
- Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Pascal Prochnow
- Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Roman Leontiev
- Department of Plant Physiology (Bio III), RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany.,Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66041, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alan J Slusarenko
- Department of Plant Physiology (Bio III), RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia E Bandow
- Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
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Adeyemi JO, Onwudiwe DC, Ekennia AC, Okafor SN, Hosten EC. Organotin(IV) N-butyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate complexes: Synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies. J Mol Struct 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2019.04.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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45
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Gaballa A, Guariglia-Oropeza V, Dürr F, Butcher BG, Chen AY, Chandrangsu P, Helmann JD. Modulation of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor promoter selectivity by spacer region sequence. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:134-145. [PMID: 29069433 PMCID: PMC5758882 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteria to adapt to stress depends on the conditional expression of specific sets of genes. Bacillus subtilis encodes seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma (σ) factors that regulate functions important for survival under conditions eliciting cell envelope stress. Of these, four have been studied in detail: σM, σW, σX and σV. These four σ factors recognize overlapping sets of promoters, although the sequences that determine this overlapping recognition are incompletely understood. A major role in promoter selectivity has been ascribed to the core −10 and −35 promoter elements. Here, we demonstrate that a homopolymeric T-tract motif, proximal to the −35 element, functions in combination with the core promoter sequences to determine selectivity for ECF sigma factors. This motif is most critical for promoter activation by σV, and contributes variably to activation by σM, σX and σW. We propose that this motif, which is a feature of the deduced promoter consensus for a subset of ECF σ factors from many species, imparts intrinsic DNA curvature to influence promoter activity. The differential effect of this region among ECF σ factors thereby provides a mechanism to modulate the nature and extent of regulon overlap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Gaballa
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | | | - Franziska Dürr
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Bronwyn G Butcher
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Albert Y Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Pete Chandrangsu
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
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46
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Identification of Pneumococcal Factors Affecting Pneumococcal Shedding Shows that the dlt Locus Promotes Inflammation and Transmission. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01032-19. [PMID: 31213554 PMCID: PMC6581856 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01032-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a common cause of respiratory tract and invasive infection. The overall effectiveness of immunization with the organism’s capsular polysaccharide depends on its ability to block colonization of the upper respiratory tract and thereby prevent host-to-host transmission. Because of the limited coverage of current pneumococcal vaccines, we carried out an unbiased in vivo transposon mutagenesis screen to identify pneumococcal factors other than its capsular polysaccharide that affect transmission. One such candidate was expressed by the dlt locus, previously shown to add d-alanine onto the pneumococcal lipoteichoic acid present on the bacterial cell surface. This modification protects against host antimicrobials and augments host inflammatory responses. The latter increases secretions and bacterial shedding from the upper respiratory tract to allow for transmission. Thus, this study provides insight into a mechanism employed by the pneumococcus to successfully transit from one host to another. Host-to-host transmission is a necessary but poorly understood aspect of microbial pathogenesis. Herein, we screened a genomic library of mutants of the leading respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae generated by mariner transposon mutagenesis (Tn-Seq) to identify genes contributing to its exit or shedding from the upper respiratory tract (URT), the limiting step in the organism’s transmission in an infant mouse model. Our analysis focused on genes affecting the bacterial surface that directly impact interactions with the host. Among the multiple factors identified was the dlt locus, which adds d-alanine onto lipoteichoic acids (LTA) and thereby increases Toll-like receptor 2-mediated inflammation and resistance to antimicrobial peptides. The more robust proinflammatory response in the presence of d-alanylation promotes secretions that facilitate pneumococcal shedding and allows for transmission. Expression of the dlt locus is controlled by the CiaRH system, which senses cell wall stress in response to antimicrobial activity, including in response to lysozyme, the most abundant antimicrobial along the URT mucosa. Accordingly, in a lysM−/− host, there was no longer an effect of the dlt locus on pneumococcal shedding. Thus, our findings demonstrate how a pathogen senses the URT milieu and then modifies its surface characteristics to take advantage of the host response for transit to another host.
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47
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Bauman KD, Li J, Murata K, Mantovani SM, Dahesh S, Nizet V, Luhavaya H, Moore BS. Refactoring the Cryptic Streptophenazine Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Unites Phenazine, Polyketide, and Nonribosomal Peptide Biochemistry. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:724-736.e7. [PMID: 30853419 PMCID: PMC6525064 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The disconnect between the genomic prediction of secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential and the observed laboratory production profile of microorganisms is well documented. While heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) is often seen as a potential solution to bridge this gap, it is not immune to many challenges including impaired regulation, the inability to recruit essential building blocks, and transcriptional and/or translational silence of the biosynthetic genes. Here we report the discovery, cloning, refactoring, and heterologous expression of a cryptic hybrid phenazine-type BGC (spz) from the marine actinomycete Streptomyces sp. CNB-091. Overexpression of the engineered spz pathway resulted in increased production and chemical diversity of phenazine natural products belonging to the streptophenazine family, including bioactive members containing an unprecedented N-formylglycine attachment. An atypical discrete adenylation enzyme in the spz cluster is required to introduce the formylglycine moiety and represents a phylogenetically distinct class of adenylation proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D Bauman
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kazuya Murata
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Simone M Mantovani
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samira Dahesh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Collaborative to Halt Antibiotic Resistant Microbes, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hanna Luhavaya
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Bradley S Moore
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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48
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Abou-Dobara MI, Omar NF, Diab MA, El-Sonbati AZ, Morgan SM, El-Mogazy MA. Allyl rhodanine azo dye derivatives: Potential antimicrobials target d-alanyl carrier protein ligase and nucleoside diphosphate kinase. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:1667-1678. [PMID: 30187946 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
3-Allyl-5-(4-arylazo)-2-thioxothiazolidine-4-one (HLn ) ligands (where n = 1 to 3) were hypothesized to have antimicrobial activities mediated through inhibition of new antimicrobial targets. The ligands (HLn ) were synthesized and characterized by infrared (IR) and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR) spectra. The ligands (HLn ) were in silico screened to their potential inhibition to models of d-alanyl carrier protein ligase (DltA) (from Bacillus cereus, PDB code 3FCE) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) (from Staphylococcus aureus; PDB code 3Q8U). HL3 ligand has the best energy and mode of binding to both NDK and DltA, even though its binding to DltA was stronger than that to NDK. In antimicrobial activity of HL3 ligand, morphological and cytological changes in HL3 -treated bacteria agreed with the in silico results. The HL3 ligand showed significant antimicrobial activity against B. cereus, S. aureus, and Fusarium oxysporium. The HL3 -treated bacterial cells appeared malformed and incompletely separated. Its cell walls appeared electron-lucent and ruptured. They contained more mesosomes than normal cells. It was found that the HL3 ligand represented as a bactericide against B. cereus and S. aureusby blocking target DltA, and may target NDK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed I Abou-Dobara
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Noha F Omar
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Mostafa A Diab
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Adel Z El-Sonbati
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa M Morgan
- Environmental Monitoring Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Port Said, Egypt
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49
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Ultee E, Ramijan K, Dame RT, Briegel A, Claessen D. Stress-induced adaptive morphogenesis in bacteria. Adv Microb Physiol 2019; 74:97-141. [PMID: 31126537 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria thrive in virtually all environments. Like all other living organisms, bacteria may encounter various types of stresses, to which cells need to adapt. In this chapter, we describe how cells cope with stressful conditions and how this may lead to dramatic morphological changes. These changes may not only allow harmless cells to withstand environmental insults but can also benefit pathogenic bacteria by enabling them to escape from the immune system and the activity of antibiotics. A better understanding of stress-induced morphogenesis will help us to develop new approaches to combat such harmful pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline Ultee
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands; Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Karina Ramijan
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands; Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Remus T Dame
- Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ariane Briegel
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands; Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Claessen
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands; Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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50
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Mirouze N, Ferret C, Cornilleau C, Carballido-López R. Antibiotic sensitivity reveals that wall teichoic acids mediate DNA binding during competence in Bacillus subtilis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5072. [PMID: 30498236 PMCID: PMC6265299 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of investigation of genetic transformation in the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the factors responsible for exogenous DNA binding at the surface of competent cells remain to be identified. Here, we report that wall teichoic acids (WTAs), cell wall-anchored anionic glycopolymers associated to numerous critical functions in Gram-positive bacteria, are involved in this initial step of transformation. Using a combination of cell wall-targeting antibiotics and fluorescence microscopy, we show that competence-specific WTAs are produced and specifically localized in the competent cells to mediate DNA binding at the proximity of the transformation apparatus. Furthermore, we propose that TuaH, a putative glycosyl transferase induced during competence, modifies competence-induced WTAs in order to promote (directly or indirectly) DNA binding. On the basis of our results and previous knowledge in the field, we propose a model for DNA binding and transport during genetic transformation in B. subtilis. Natural genetic transformation in bacteria requires DNA binding at the surface of competent cells. Here, Mirouze et al. show that wall teichoic acids are specifically produced or modified during competence in Bacillus subtilis and promote (directly or indirectly) DNA binding at the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Mirouze
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France. .,Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91190, Gif sur Yvette, France.
| | - Cécile Ferret
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Charlène Cornilleau
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Inovarion, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Rut Carballido-López
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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