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Zhao H, Zhao S, Wang S, Liu Y. Human β-defensins: The multi-functional natural peptide. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 227:116451. [PMID: 39059771 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms and the urgent demand for new antibiotics require immediate attention. Antimicrobial peptides exhibit effectiveness against microorganisms, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The discovery of human β-defensins represents a major milestone in biomedical research, opening new avenues for scientific investigation into the innate immune system and its resistance mechanisms against pathogenic microorganisms. Multiple defensins present a promising alternative in the context of antibiotic abuse. However, obstacles to the practical application of defensins as anti-infective therapies persist due to the unique properties of human β-defensins themselves and serious pharmacological and technical challenges. To overcome these challenges, diverse delivery vehicles have been developed and progressively improved for the conjugation or encapsulation of human β-defensins. This review briefly introduces the biology of human β-defensins, focusing on their multistage structure and diverse functions. It also discusses several heterologous systems for producing human β-defensins, various delivery systems created for these peptides, and patent applications related to their utilization, concluding with a summary of current challenges and potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haile Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Shuli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Simeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China.
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Suzuki Y, Kawada-Matsuo M, Le MNT, Eng S, Hisatsune J, Sugai M, Sakaguchi T, Komatsuzawa H. The two-component regulatory systems GraRS and SrrAB mediate Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility to Pep5 produced by clinical isolate of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0030024. [PMID: 38832774 PMCID: PMC11267926 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00300-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium on the skin and in the nose that sometimes causes severe illness. Bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides, or proteins produced by bacteria are candidates for the treatment of S. aureus infection. In this study, we found that a clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis strain, KSE112, produced the lantibiotic Pep5, which showed anti-S. aureus activity. The complete nucleotide sequence of the Pep5-encoding plasmid was determined. Several S. aureus two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) are known to be involved in bacteriocin susceptibility. Therefore, susceptibility tests were performed using TCS-inactivated S. aureus mutants to determine which TCS is responsible for Pep5 susceptibility; the ΔgraRS mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to Pep5, while the ΔsrrAB mutant exhibited decreased susceptibility. GraRS is known to regulate dltABCD and mprF in concert with vraFG, and Pep5 susceptibility was significantly increased in the ΔdltABCD, ΔmprF, and ΔvraFG mutants. Regarding the ΔsrrAB mutant, cross-resistance to aminoglycosides was observed. As aminoglycoside activity is known to be affected by aerobic respiration, we focused on qoxABCD and cydAB, which are quinol oxidase genes that are necessary for aerobic respiration and have downregulated the expression in the ΔsrrAB mutant. We constructed ΔqoxABCD and ΔcydAB mutants and found that qoxABCD inactivation decreased susceptibility to Pep5 and aminoglycosides. These results indicate that reduced aerobic respiration due to the reduced qoxABCD expression in the ΔsrrAB mutant decreased Pep5 activity.IMPORTANCEThe emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, is a severe health problem worldwide. Thus, the development of novel antimicrobial agents, including bacteriocins, is needed. In this report, we found a Pep5-producing strain with anti-S. aureus activity. We determined the complete sequence of the Pep5-encoding plasmid for the first time. However, in S. aureus, GraRS and its effectors conferred decreased susceptibility to Pep5. We also revealed that another TCS, SrrAB, affects susceptibility Pep5 and other lantibiotics by controlling aerobic respiration. In our study, we investigated the efficacy of Pep5 against S. aureus and other Gram-positive bacteria and revealed that respiratory constancy regulated by TCS is required for the antimicrobial activity of nisin, nukacin, and Pep5. These findings provide important information for the clinical application of bacteriocins and suggest that they have different properties among similar pore-forming lantibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Suzuki
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Department of Virology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
| | - Miki Kawada-Matsuo
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Project Research Centre 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 Centre for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sopongselamuny Eng
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Junzo Hisatsune
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Project Research Centre for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Sugai
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi Murayama, Japan
- Project Research Centre for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takemasa Sakaguchi
- Department of Virology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Komatsuzawa
- Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
- Project Research Centre for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Liu X, de Bakker V, Heggenhougen MV, Mårli MT, Frøynes AH, Salehian Z, Porcellato D, Morales Angeles D, Veening JW, Kjos M. Genome-wide CRISPRi screens for high-throughput fitness quantification and identification of determinants for dalbavancin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus. mSystems 2024; 9:e0128923. [PMID: 38837392 PMCID: PMC11265419 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01289-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance and tolerance remain a major problem for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. Identifying genes that influence antibiotic susceptibility could open the door to novel antimicrobial strategies, including targets for new synergistic drug combinations. Here, we developed a genome-wide CRISPR interference library for Staphylococcus aureus, demonstrated its use by quantifying gene fitness in different strains through CRISPRi-seq, and used it to identify genes that modulate susceptibility to the lipoglycopeptide dalbavancin. By exposing the library to sublethal concentrations of dalbavancin using both CRISPRi-seq and direct selection methods, we not only found genes previously reported to be involved in antibiotic susceptibility but also identified genes thus far unknown to affect antibiotic tolerance. Importantly, some of these genes could not have been detected by more conventional transposon-based knockout approaches because they are essential for growth, stressing the complementary value of CRISPRi-based methods. Notably, knockdown of a gene encoding the uncharacterized protein KapB specifically sensitizes the cells to dalbavancin, but not to other antibiotics of the same class, whereas knockdown of the Shikimate pathway showed the opposite effect. The results presented here demonstrate the promise of CRISPRi-seq screens to identify genes and pathways involved in antibiotic susceptibility and pave the way to explore alternative antimicrobial treatments through these insights.IMPORTANCEAntibiotic resistance is a challenge for treating staphylococcal infections. Identifying genes that affect how antibiotics work could help create new treatments. In our study, we made a CRISPR interference library for Staphylococcus aureus and used this to find which genes are critical for growth and also mapped genes that are important for antibiotic sensitivity, focusing on the lipoglycopeptide antibiotic dalbavancin. With this method, we identified genes that altered the sensitivity to dalbavancin upon knockdown, including genes involved in different cellular functions. CRISPRi-seq offers a means to uncover untapped antibiotic targets, including those that conventional screens would disregard due to their essentiality. This paves the way for the discovery of new ways to fight infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Department of Pathogen, Biology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, , Switzerland
| | - Vincent de Bakker
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, , Switzerland
| | | | - Marita Torrissen Mårli
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
| | - Anette Heidal Frøynes
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
| | - Zhian Salehian
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
| | - Davide Porcellato
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
| | - Danae Morales Angeles
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
| | - Jan-Willem Veening
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, , Switzerland
| | - Morten Kjos
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
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Tajer L, Paillart JC, Dib H, Sabatier JM, Fajloun Z, Abi Khattar Z. Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides in the Modern Era: An Updated Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1259. [PMID: 39065030 PMCID: PMC11279074 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071259] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious global health concern, resulting in a significant number of deaths annually due to infections that are resistant to treatment. Amidst this crisis, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics (ATBs). These cationic peptides, naturally produced by all kingdoms of life, play a crucial role in the innate immune system of multicellular organisms and in bacterial interspecies competition by exhibiting broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. AMPs target bacterial pathogens through multiple mechanisms, most importantly by disrupting their membranes, leading to cell lysis. However, bacterial resistance to host AMPs has emerged due to a slow co-evolutionary process between microorganisms and their hosts. Alarmingly, the development of resistance to last-resort AMPs in the treatment of MDR infections, such as colistin, is attributed to the misuse of this peptide and the high rate of horizontal genetic transfer of the corresponding resistance genes. AMP-resistant bacteria employ diverse mechanisms, including but not limited to proteolytic degradation, extracellular trapping and inactivation, active efflux, as well as complex modifications in bacterial cell wall and membrane structures. This review comprehensively examines all constitutive and inducible molecular resistance mechanisms to AMPs supported by experimental evidence described to date in bacterial pathogens. We also explore the specificity of these mechanisms toward structurally diverse AMPs to broaden and enhance their potential in developing and applying them as therapeutics for MDR bacteria. Additionally, we provide insights into the significance of AMP resistance within the context of host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Tajer
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Department of Cell Culture, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon; (L.T.); (Z.F.)
| | - Jean-Christophe Paillart
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, 2 Allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Hanna Dib
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait;
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, Aix-Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Ziad Fajloun
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Department of Cell Culture, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon; (L.T.); (Z.F.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Campus Michel Slayman Ras Maska, Tripoli 1352, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Abi Khattar
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, Lebanon
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Sosa-Fajardo A, Díaz-Muñoz C, Van der Veken D, Pradal I, Verce M, Weckx S, Leroy F. Genomic exploration of the fermented meat isolate Staphylococcus shinii IMDO-S216 with a focus on competitiveness-enhancing secondary metabolites. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:575. [PMID: 38849728 PMCID: PMC11161930 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10490-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Staphylococcus shinii appears as an umbrella species encompassing several strains of Staphylococcus pseudoxylosus and Staphylococcus xylosus. Given its phylogenetic closeness to S. xylosus, S. shinii can be found in similar ecological niches, including the microbiota of fermented meats where the species may contribute to colour and flavour development. In addition to these conventional functionalities, a biopreservation potential based on the production of antagonistic compounds may be available. Such potential, however, remains largely unexplored in contrast to the large body of research that is available on the biopreservative properties of lactic acid bacteria. The present study outlines the exploration of the genetic basis of competitiveness and antimicrobial activity of a fermented meat isolate, S. shinii IMDO-S216. To this end, its genome was sequenced, de novo assembled, and annotated. RESULTS The genome contained a single circular chromosome and eight plasmid replicons. Focus of the genomic exploration was on secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters coding for ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides. One complete cluster was coding for a bacteriocin, namely lactococcin 972; the genes coding for the pre-bacteriocin, the ATP-binding cassette transporter, and the immunity protein were also identified. Five other complete clusters were identified, possibly functioning as competitiveness factors. These clusters were found to be involved in various responses such as membrane fluidity, iron intake from the medium, a quorum sensing system, and decreased sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides and competing microorganisms. The presence of these clusters was equally studied among a selection of multiple Staphylococcus species to assess their prevalence in closely-related organisms. CONCLUSIONS Such factors possibly translate in an improved adaptation and competitiveness of S. shinii IMDO-S216 which are, in turn, likely to improve its fitness in a fermented meat matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sosa-Fajardo
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cristian Díaz-Muñoz
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Van der Veken
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inés Pradal
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marko Verce
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Weckx
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Leroy
- Research Group of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (IMDO), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Enninful GN, Kuppusamy R, Tiburu EK, Kumar N, Willcox MDP. Non-canonical amino acid bioincorporation into antimicrobial peptides and its challenges. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3560. [PMID: 38262069 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3560] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance and multi-drug resistant pathogens has necessitated explorations for novel antibiotic agents as the discovery of conventional antibiotics is becoming economically less viable and technically more challenging for biopharma. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising alternative because of their particular mode of action, broad spectrum and difficulty that microbes have in becoming resistant to them. The AMPs bacitracin, gramicidin, polymyxins and daptomycin are currently used clinically. However, their susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, toxicity profile, and complexities in large-scale manufacture have hindered their development. To improve their proteolytic stability, methods such as integrating non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into their peptide sequence have been adopted, which also improves their potency and spectrum of action. The benefits of ncAA incorporation have been made possible by solid-phase peptide synthesis. However, this method is not always suitable for commercial production of AMPs because of poor yield, scale-up difficulties, and its non-'green' nature. Bioincorporation of ncAA as a method of integration is an emerging field geared towards tackling the challenges of solid-phase synthesis as a green, cheaper, and scalable alternative for commercialisation of AMPs. This review focusses on the bioincorporation of ncAAs; some challenges associated with the methods are outlined, and notes are given on how to overcome these challenges. The review focusses particularly on addressing two key challenges: AMP cytotoxicity towards microbial cell factories and the uptake of ncAAs that are unfavourable to them. Overcoming these challenges will draw us closer to a greater yield and an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to make AMPs more druggable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajesh Kuppusamy
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Naresh Kumar
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark D P Willcox
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
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Morris SM, Wiens L, Rose O, Fritz G, Rogers T, Gebhard S. Regulatory interactions between daptomycin- and bacitracin-responsive pathways coordinate the cell envelope antibiotic resistance response of Enterococcus faecalis. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:1148-1163. [PMID: 38646792 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15264] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Enterococcal infections frequently show high levels of antibiotic resistance, including to cell envelope-acting antibiotics like daptomycin (DAP). While we have a good understanding of the resistance mechanisms, less is known about the control of such resistance genes in enterococci. Previous work unveiled a bacitracin resistance network, comprised of the sensory ABC transporter SapAB, the two-component system (TCS) SapRS and the resistance ABC transporter RapAB. Interestingly, components of this system have recently been implicated in DAP resistance, a role usually regulated by the TCS LiaFSR. To better understand the regulation of DAP resistance and how this relates to mutations observed in DAP-resistant clinical isolates of enterococci, we here explored the interplay between these two regulatory pathways. Our results show that SapR regulates an additional resistance operon, dltXABCD, a known DAP resistance determinant, and show that LiaFSR regulates the expression of sapRS. This regulatory structure places SapRS-target genes under dual control, where expression is directly controlled by SapRS, which itself is up-regulated through LiaFSR. The network structure described here shows how Enterococcus faecalis coordinates its response to cell envelope attack and can explain why clinical DAP resistance often emerges via mutations in regulatory components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sali M Morris
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Laura Wiens
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Olivia Rose
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Georg Fritz
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Tim Rogers
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Fait A, Silva SF, Abrahamsson JÅH, Ingmer H. Staphylococcus aureus response and adaptation to vancomycin. Adv Microb Physiol 2024; 85:201-258. [PMID: 39059821 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2024.04.006] [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] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is an increasing challenge for the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clones have spread globally, and a growing number display decreased susceptibility to vancomycin, the favoured antibiotic for treatment of MRSA infections. These vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) or heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strains arise from accumulation of a variety of point mutations, leading to cell wall thickening and reduced vancomycin binding to the cell wall building block, Lipid II, at the septum. They display only minor changes in vancomycin susceptibility, with varying tolerance between cells in a population, and therefore, they can be difficult to detect. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of VISA and hVISA. We discuss the role of genetic strain background or epistasis for VISA development and the possibility of strains being 'transient' VISA with gene expression changes mediated by, for example, VraTSR, GraXSR, or WalRK signal transduction systems, leading to temporary vancomycin tolerance. Additionally, we address collateral susceptibility to other antibiotics than vancomycin. Specifically, we estimate how mutations in rpoB, encoding the β-subunit of the RNA polymerase, affect overall protein structure and compare changes with rifampicin resistance. Ultimately, such in-depth analysis of VISA and hVISA strains in terms of genetic and transcriptional changes, as well as changes in protein structures, may pave the way for improved detection and guide antibiotic therapy by revealing strains at risk of VISA development. Such tools will be valuable for keeping vancomycin an asset also in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaëlle Fait
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Fulaz Silva
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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Mancuso CP, Baker JS, Qu E, Tripp AD, Balogun IO, Lieberman TD. Intraspecies warfare restricts strain coexistence in human skin microbiomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.592803. [PMID: 38765968 PMCID: PMC11100718 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.592803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Determining why only a fraction of encountered or applied bacterial strains engraft in a given person's microbiome is crucial for understanding and engineering these communities1. Previous work has established that metabolism can determine colonization success in vivo2-4, but relevance of bacterial warfare in preventing engraftment has been less explored. Here, we demonstrate that intraspecies warfare presents a significant barrier to strain transmission in the skin microbiome by profiling 14,884 pairwise interactions between Staphylococcus epidermidis cultured from eighteen human subjects from six families. We find that intraspecies antagonisms are abundant; these interactions are mechanistically diverse, independent of the relatedness between strains, and consistent with rapid evolution via horizontal gene transfer. Ability to antagonize more strains is associated with reaching a higher fraction of the on-person S. epidermidis community. Moreover, antagonisms are significantly depleted among strains residing on the same person relative to random assemblages. Two notable exceptions, in which bacteria evolved to become sensitive to antimicrobials found on the same host, are explained by mutations that provide phage resistance, contextualizing the importance of warfare among other lethal selective pressures. Taken together, our results emphasize that accounting for intraspecies bacterial warfare is essential to the design of long-lasting probiotic therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Mancuso
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jacob S. Baker
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Evan Qu
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - A. Delphine Tripp
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard University; Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ishaq O. Balogun
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tami D. Lieberman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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10
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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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Ali L, Abdel Aziz MH. Crosstalk involving two-component systems in Staphylococcus aureus signaling networks. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0041823. [PMID: 38456702 PMCID: PMC11025333 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00418-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus poses a serious global threat to human health due to its pathogenic nature, adaptation to environmental stress, high virulence, and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The signaling network in S. aureus coordinates and integrates various internal and external inputs and stimuli to adapt and formulate a response to the environment. Two-component systems (TCSs) of S. aureus play a central role in this network where surface-expressed histidine kinases (HKs) receive and relay external signals to their cognate response regulators (RRs). Despite the purported high fidelity of signaling, crosstalk within TCSs, between HK and non-cognate RR, and between TCSs and other systems has been detected widely in bacteria. The examples of crosstalk in S. aureus are very limited, and there needs to be more understanding of its molecular recognition mechanisms, although some crosstalk can be inferred from similar bacterial systems that share structural similarities. Understanding the cellular processes mediated by this crosstalk and how it alters signaling, especially under stress conditions, may help decipher the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This review highlights examples of signaling crosstalk in bacteria in general and S. aureus in particular, as well as the effect of TCS mutations on signaling and crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liaqat Ali
- Fisch College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - May H. Abdel Aziz
- Fisch College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, USA
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12
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Beck C, Krusche J, Notaro A, Walter A, Kränkel L, Vollert A, Stemmler R, Wittmann J, Schaller M, Slavetinsky C, Mayer C, De Castro C, Peschel A. Wall teichoic acid substitution with glucose governs phage susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis. mBio 2024; 15:e0199023. [PMID: 38470054 PMCID: PMC11005348 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01990-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The species- and clone-specific susceptibility of Staphylococcus cells for bacteriophages is governed by the structures and glycosylation patterns of wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers. The glycosylation-dependent phage-WTA interactions in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have remained unknown. We report a new S. epidermidis WTA glycosyltransferase TagE whose deletion confers resistance to siphoviruses such as ΦE72 but enables binding of otherwise unbound podoviruses. S. epidermidis glycerolphosphate WTA was found to be modified with glucose in a tagE-dependent manner. TagE is encoded together with the enzymes PgcA and GtaB providing uridine diphosphate-activated glucose. ΦE72 transduced several other CoNS species encoding TagE homologs, suggesting that WTA glycosylation via TagE is a frequent trait among CoNS that permits interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our study unravels a crucial mechanism of phage-Staphylococcus interaction and horizontal gene transfer, and it will help in the design of anti-staphylococcal phage therapies.IMPORTANCEPhages are highly specific for certain bacterial hosts, and some can transduce DNA even across species boundaries. How phages recognize cognate host cells remains incompletely understood. Phages infecting members of the genus Staphylococcus bind to wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers with highly variable structures and glycosylation patterns. How WTA is glycosylated in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species has remained unknown. We describe that S. epidermidis glycosylates its WTA backbone with glucose, and we identify a cluster of three genes responsible for glucose activation and transfer to WTA. Their inactivation strongly alters phage susceptibility patterns, yielding resistance to siphoviruses but susceptibility to podoviruses. Many different CoNS species with related glycosylation genes can exchange DNA via siphovirus ΦE72, suggesting that glucose-modified WTA is crucial for interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our finding will help to develop antibacterial phage therapies and unravel routes of genetic exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Notaro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Kränkel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anneli Vollert
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regine Stemmler
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute, DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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13
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Jaimes J, Patiño LH, Herrera G, Cruz C, Pérez J, Correa-Cárdenas CA, Muñoz M, Ramírez JD. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic skin microbiota modifications triggered by Leishmania infection in localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012029. [PMID: 38478569 PMCID: PMC10962849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012029] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a tropical disease characterized by cutaneous ulcers, sometimes with satellite lesions and nodular lymphangitis. Leishmania parasites, transmitted by sandfly vectors, cause this widespread public health challenge affecting millions worldwide. CL's complexity stems from diverse Leishmania species and intricate host interactions. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the spatial-temporal distribution of Leishmania species and exploring the influence of skin microbiota on disease progression. We analyzed 40 samples from CL patients at three military bases across Colombia. Using Oxford Nanopore's Heat Shock Protein 70 sequencing, we identified Leishmania species and profiled microbiota in CL lesions and corresponding healthy limbs. Illumina sequencing of 16S-rRNA and 18S-rRNA genes helped analyze prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities. Our research uncovered a spatial-temporal overlap between regions of high CL incidence and our sampling locations, indicating the coexistence of various Leishmania species. L. naiffi emerged as a noteworthy discovery. In addition, our study delved into the changes in skin microbiota associated with CL lesions sampled by scraping compared with healthy skin sampled by brushing of upper and lower limbs. We observed alterations in microbial diversity, both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, within the lesioned areas, signifying the potential role of microbiota in CL pathogenesis. The significant increase in specific bacterial families, such as Staphylococcaceae and Streptococcaceae, within CL lesions indicates their contribution to local inflammation. In essence, our study contributes to the ongoing research into CL, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to decipher the intricate interactions between Leishmaniasis and the skin microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Jaimes
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luz Helena Patiño
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cruz
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales del Ejército (GINETEJ), Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación, Dirección de Sanidad Ejército, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Julie Pérez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales del Ejército (GINETEJ), Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación, Dirección de Sanidad Ejército, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Camilo A. Correa-Cárdenas
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales del Ejército (GINETEJ), Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación, Dirección de Sanidad Ejército, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
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14
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Zhang ZJ, Wu C, Moreira R, Dorantes D, Pappas T, Sundararajan A, Lin H, Pamer EG, van der Donk WA. Activity of Gut-Derived Nisin-like Lantibiotics against Human Gut Pathogens and Commensals. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:357-369. [PMID: 38293740 PMCID: PMC10877564 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00577] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing techniques unveiled the vast potential of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) encoded in microbiomes. Class I lantibiotics such as nisin A, widely used as a food preservative, have been investigated for their efficacy in killing pathogens. However, the impact of nisin and nisin-like class I lantibiotics on commensal bacteria residing in the human gut remains unclear. Here, we report six gut-derived class I lantibiotics that are close homologues of nisin, four of which are novel. We applied an improved lantibiotic expression platform to produce and purify these lantibiotics for antimicrobial assays. We determined their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against both Gram-positive human pathogens and gut commensals and profiled the lantibiotic resistance genes in these pathogens and commensals. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies with analogs revealed key regions and residues that impact their antimicrobial properties. Our characterization and SAR studies of nisin-like lantibiotics against both pathogens and human gut commensals could shed light on the future development of lantibiotic-based therapeutics and food preservatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenrun J. Zhang
- Duchossois
Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Department
of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Chunyu Wu
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana—Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ryan Moreira
- Department
of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical
Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Darian Dorantes
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana—Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Téa Pappas
- Duchossois
Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Anitha Sundararajan
- Duchossois
Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Huaiying Lin
- Duchossois
Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Eric G. Pamer
- Duchossois
Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Departments
of Medicine and Pathology, University of
Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana—Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical
Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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15
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Hayles A, Bright R, Nguyen NH, Truong VK, Vongsvivut J, Wood J, Kidd SP, Vasilev K. Staphylococcus aureus surface attachment selectively influences tolerance against charged antibiotics. Acta Biomater 2024; 175:369-381. [PMID: 38141932 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
The threat of infection during implant placement surgery remains a considerable burden for millions of patients worldwide. To combat this threat, clinicians employ a range of anti-infective strategies and practices. One of the most common interventions is the use of prophylactic antibiotic treatment during implant placement surgery. However, these practices can be detrimental by promoting the resilience of biofilm-forming bacteria and enabling them to persist throughout treatment and re-emerge later, causing a life-threatening infection. Thus, it is of the utmost importance to elucidate the events occurring during the initial stages of bacterial surface attachment and determine whether any biological processes may be targeted to improve surgical outcomes. Using gene expression analysis, we identified a cellular mechanism of S. aureus which modifies its cell surface charge following attachment to a medical grade titanium surface. We determined the upregulation of two systems involved in the d-alanylation of teichoic acids and the lysylation of phosphatidylglycerol. We supported these molecular findings by utilizing synchrotron-sourced attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy to analyze the biomolecular properties of the S. aureus cell surface following attachment. As a direct consequence, S. aureus quickly becomes substantially more tolerant to the positively charged vancomycin, but not the negatively charged cefazolin. The present study can assist clinicians in rationally selecting the most potent antibiotic in prophylaxis treatments. Furthermore, it highlights a cellular process that could potentially be targeted by novel technologies and strategies to improve the outcome of antibiotic prophylaxis during implant placement surgery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The antibiotic tolerance of bacteria in biofilm is a well-established phenomenon. However, the physiological adaptations employed by Staphylococcus aureus to increase its antibiotic tolerance during the early stages of surface attachment are poorly understood. Using multiple techniques, including gene expression analysis and synchrotron-sourced Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy, we generated insights into the physiological response of S. aureus following attachment to a medical grade titanium surface. We showed that this phenotypic transition enables S. aureus to better tolerate the positively charged vancomycin, but not the negatively charged cefazolin. These findings shed light on the antibiotic tolerance mechanisms employed by S. aureus to survive prophylactically administered antibiotics and can help clinicians to protect patients from infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hayles
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia.
| | - Richard Bright
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia
| | - Ngoc Huu Nguyen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vi Khanh Truong
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia
| | - Jitraporn Vongsvivut
- Infrared Microspectroscopy (IRM) Beamline, ANSTO ‒ Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Jonathan Wood
- Academic Unit of STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5095, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stephen P Kidd
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Krasimir Vasilev
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia.
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16
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Puls JS, Winnerling B, Power JJ, Krüger AM, Brajtenbach D, Johnson M, Bilici K, Camus L, Fließwasser T, Schneider T, Sahl HG, Ghosal D, Kubitscheck U, Heilbronner S, Grein F. Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriocin A37 kills natural competitors with a unique mechanism of action. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae044. [PMID: 38470311 PMCID: PMC10988021 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Many bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds such as lantibiotics to gain advantage in the competitive natural environments of microbiomes. Epilancins constitute an until now underexplored family of lantibiotics with an unknown ecological role and unresolved mode of action. We discovered production of an epilancin in the nasal isolate Staphylococcus epidermidis A37. Using bioinformatic tools, we found that epilancins are frequently encoded within staphylococcal genomes, highlighting their ecological relevance. We demonstrate that production of epilancin A37 contributes to Staphylococcus epidermidis competition specifically against natural corynebacterial competitors. Combining microbiological approaches with quantitative in vivo and in vitro fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, we show that A37 enters the corynebacterial cytoplasm through a partially transmembrane-potential-driven uptake without impairing the cell membrane function. Upon intracellular aggregation, A37 induces the formation of intracellular membrane vesicles, which are heavily loaded with the compound and are essential for the antibacterial activity of the epilancin. Our work sheds light on the ecological role of epilancins for staphylococci mediated by a mode of action previously unknown for lantibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Samuel Puls
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Winnerling
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jeffrey J Power
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika M Krüger
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominik Brajtenbach
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthew Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kevser Bilici
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Camus
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Fließwasser
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanja Schneider
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Sahl
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Debnath Ghosal
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ulrich Kubitscheck
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Heilbronner
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Present address: Faculty of Biology, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 82152 München, Germany
| | - Fabian Grein
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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17
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Goormaghtigh F, Van Bambeke F. Understanding Staphylococcus aureus internalisation and induction of antimicrobial tolerance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024; 22:87-101. [PMID: 38180805 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2303018] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Staphylococcus aureus, a human commensal, is also one of the most common and serious pathogens for humans. In recent years, its capacity to survive and replicate in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells has been largely demonstrated. In these intracellular niches, bacteria are shielded from the immune response and antibiotics, turning host cells into long-term infectious reservoirs. Moreover, neutrophils carry intracellular bacteria in the bloodstream, leading to systemic spreading of the disease. Despite the serious threat posed by intracellular S. aureus to human health, the molecular mechanisms behind its intracellular survival and subsequent antibiotic treatment failure remain elusive. AREA COVERED We give an overview of the killing mechanisms of phagocytes and of the impressive arsenal of virulence factors, toxins and stress responses deployed by S. aureus as a response. We then discuss the different barriers to antibiotic activity in this intracellular niche and finally describe innovative strategies to target intracellular persisting reservoirs. EXPERT OPINION Intracellular niches represent a challenge in terms of diagnostic and treatment. Further research using ad-hoc in-vivo models and single cell approaches are needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying intracellular survival and tolerance to antibiotics in order to identify strategies to eliminate these persistent bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Goormaghtigh
- Pharmacologie cellulaire et moléculaire, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Françoise Van Bambeke
- Pharmacologie cellulaire et moléculaire, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Gouveia A, Pinto D, Vítor JMB, São-José C. Cellular and Enzymatic Determinants Impacting the Exolytic Action of an Anti-Staphylococcal Enzybiotic. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:523. [PMID: 38203699 PMCID: PMC10778630 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010523] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins are bacteriolytic enzymes that have been explored as potential weapons to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Despite several studies support the application of endolysins as enzybiotics, detailed knowledge on cellular and enzymatic factors affecting their lytic activity is still missing. The bacterial membrane proton motive force (PMF) and certain cell wall glycopolymers of Gram-positive bacteria have been implicated in some tolerance to endolysins. Here, we studied how the anti-staphylococcal endolysin Lys11, a modular enzyme with two catalytic domains (peptidase and amidase) and a cell binding domain (CBD11), responded to changes in the chemical and/or electric gradients of the PMF (ΔpH and Δψ, respectively). We show that simultaneous dissipation of both gradients enhances endolysin binding to cells and lytic activity. The collapse of ΔpH is preponderant in the stimulation of Lys11 lytic action, while the dissipation of Δψ is mainly associated with higher endolysin binding. Interestingly, this binding depends on the amidase domain. The peptidase domain is responsible for most of the Lys11 bacteriolytic activity. Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are confirmed as major determinants of endolysin tolerance, in part by severely hindering CBD11 binding activity. In conclusion, the PMF and WTA interfere differently with the endolysin functional domains, affecting both the binding and catalytic efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gouveia
- Phage Biology Research and Infection Control (PhaBRIC), Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.G.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniela Pinto
- Phage Biology Research and Infection Control (PhaBRIC), Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.G.); (D.P.)
| | - Jorge M. B. Vítor
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Carlos São-José
- Phage Biology Research and Infection Control (PhaBRIC), Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.G.); (D.P.)
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19
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Sharkey LKR, Guerillot R, Walsh CJ, Turner AM, Lee JYH, Neville SL, Klatt S, Baines SL, Pidot SJ, Rossello FJ, Seemann T, McWilliam HEG, Cho E, Carter GP, Howden BP, McDevitt CA, Hachani A, Stinear TP, Monk IR. The two-component system WalKR provides an essential link between cell wall homeostasis and DNA replication in Staphylococcus aureus. mBio 2023; 14:e0226223. [PMID: 37850732 PMCID: PMC10746227 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02262-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus uses an array of protein sensing systems called two-component systems (TCS) to sense environmental signals and adapt its physiology in response by regulating different genes. This sensory network is key to S. aureus versatility and success as a pathogen. Here, we reveal for the first time the full extent of the regulatory network of WalKR, the only staphylococcal TCS that is indispensable for survival under laboratory conditions. We found that WalKR is a master regulator of cell growth, coordinating the expression of genes from multiple, fundamental S. aureus cellular processes, including those involved in maintaining cell wall metabolism, protein biosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, and the initiation of DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam K. R. Sharkey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Romain Guerillot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Calum J. Walsh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrianna M. Turner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jean Y. H. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie L. Neville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephan Klatt
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah L. Baines
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sacha J. Pidot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fernando J. Rossello
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Torsten Seemann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Pathogen Genomics, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hamish E. G. McWilliam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ellie Cho
- Biological Optical Microscopy Platform, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen P. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin P. Howden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Pathogen Genomics, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher A. McDevitt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy P. Stinear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Pathogen Genomics, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian R. Monk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Faozia S, Hossain T, Cho KH. The Dlt and LiaFSR systems derepress SpeB production independently in the Δpde2 mutant of Streptococcus pyogenes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1293095. [PMID: 38029265 PMCID: PMC10679467 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1293095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The second messenger molecule, c-di-AMP, plays a critical role in pathogenesis and virulence in S. pyogenes. We previously reported that deleting the c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase gene pde2 severely suppresses SpeB production at the transcriptional level. We performed transposon mutagenesis to gain insight into the mechanism of how Pde2 is involved in SpeB regulation. We identified one of the genes of the dlt operon, dltX, as a suppressor of the SpeB-null phenotype of the Δpde2 mutant. The dlt operon consists of five genes, dltX, dltA, dltB, dltC, and dltD in many Gram-positive bacteria, and its function is to incorporate D-alanine into lipoteichoic acids. DltX, a small membrane protein, is a newly identified member of the operon. The in-frame deletion of dltX or insertional inactivation of dltA in the Δpde2 mutant restored SpeB production, indicating that D-alanylation is crucial for the suppressor phenotype. These mutations did not affect the growth in lab media but showed increased negative cell surface charge and enhanced sensitivity to polymyxin B. Considering that dlt mutations change cell surface charge and sensitivity to cationic antimicrobial peptides, we examined the LiaFSR system that senses and responds to cell envelope stress. The ΔliaR mutation in the Δpde2 mutant also derepressed SpeB production, like the ΔdltX mutation. LiaFSR controls speB expression by regulating the expression of the transcriptional regulator SpxA2. However, the Dlt system did not regulate spxA2 expression. The SpeB phenotype of the Δpde2ΔdltX mutant in higher salt media differed from that of the Δpde2ΔliaR mutant, suggesting a unique pathway for the Dlt system in SpeB production, possibly related to ion transport or turgor pressure regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kyu Hong Cho
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, United States
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21
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Slavetinsky J, Lehmann E, Slavetinsky C, Gritsch L, van Dalen R, Kretschmer D, Bleul L, Wolz C, Weidenmaier C, Peschel A. Wall Teichoic Acid Mediates Staphylococcus aureus Binding to Endothelial Cells via the Scavenger Receptor LOX-1. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2133-2140. [PMID: 37910786 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00252] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a major cause for endovascular infections depends on effective interactions with blood-vessel walls. We have previously shown that S. aureus uses its wall teichoic acid (WTA), a surface glycopolymer, to attach to endothelial cells. However, the endothelial WTA receptor remained unknown. We show here that the endothelial oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) interacts with S. aureus WTA and permits effective binding of S. aureus to human endothelial cells. Purified LOX-1 bound to isolated S. aureus WTA. Ectopic LOX-1 expression led to increased binding of S. aureus wild type but not of a WTA-deficient mutant to a cell line, and LOX-1 blockage prevented S. aureus binding to endothelial cells. Moreover, WTA and LOX-1 expression levels correlated with the efficacy of the S. aureus-endothelial interaction. Thus, LOX-1 is an endothelial ligand for S. aureus, whose blockage may help to prevent or treat severe endovascular infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Slavetinsky
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Esther Lehmann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Lisa Gritsch
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Dorothee Kretschmer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Lisa Bleul
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christopher Weidenmaier
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
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22
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Guo L, Wambui J, Wang C, Muchaamba F, Fernandez-Cantos MV, Broos J, Tasara T, Kuipers OP, Stephan R. Cesin, a short natural variant of nisin, displays potent antimicrobial activity against major pathogens despite lacking two C-terminal macrocycles. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0531922. [PMID: 37754751 PMCID: PMC10581189 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05319-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nisin is a widely used lantibiotic owing to its potent antimicrobial activity and its food-grade status. Its mode of action includes cell wall synthesis inhibition and pore formation, which are attributed to the lipid II binding and pore-forming domains, respectively. We discovered cesin, a short natural variant of nisin, produced by the psychrophilic anaerobe Clostridium estertheticum. Unlike other natural nisin variants, cesin lacks the two terminal macrocycles constituting the pore-forming domain. The current study aimed at heterologous expression and characterization of the antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of cesin. Following the successful heterologous expression of cesin in Lactococcus lactis, the lantibiotic demonstrated a broad and potent antimicrobial profile comparable to that of nisin. Determination of its mode of action using lipid II and lipoteichoic acid binding assays linked the potent antimicrobial activity to lipid II binding and electrostatic interactions with teichoic acids. Fluorescence microscopy showed that cesin lacks pore-forming ability in its natural form. Stability tests have shown the lantibiotic is highly stable at different pH values and temperature conditions, but that it can be degraded by trypsin. However, a bioengineered analog, cesin R15G, overcame the trypsin degradation, while keeping full antimicrobial activity. This study shows that cesin is a novel (small) nisin variant that efficiently kills target bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis without pore formation. IMPORTANCE The current increase in antibiotic-resistant pathogens necessitates the discovery and application of novel antimicrobials. In this regard, we recently discovered cesin, which is a short natural variant of nisin produced by the psychrophilic Clostridium estertheticum. However, its suitability as an antimicrobial compound was in doubt due to its structural resemblance to nisin(1-22), a bioengineered short variant of nisin with low antimicrobial activity. Here, we show by heterologous expression, purification, and characterization that the potency of cesin is not only much higher than that of nisin(1-22), but that it is even comparable to the full-length nisin, despite lacking two C-terminal rings that are essential for nisin's activity. We show that cesin is a suitable scaffold for bioengineering to improve its applicability, such as resistance to trypsin. This study demonstrates the suitability of cesin for future application in food and/or for health as a potent and stable antimicrobial compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longcheng Guo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Joseph Wambui
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chenhui Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Francis Muchaamba
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Victoria Fernandez-Cantos
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap Broos
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Oliveira F, Gaio V, Brás S, Oliveira S, França A. Host Soluble Factors Cause Changes in Staphylococcus epidermidis Antibiotic Susceptibility and Biofilm Formation Ability. Pathogens 2023; 12:1064. [PMID: 37624024 PMCID: PMC10459130 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081064] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major nosocomial pathogen with a remarkable ability to adhere to the surfaces of indwelling medical devices and form biofilms. Unlike other nosocomial pathogens, the interaction of S. epidermidis with host factors has not been the focus of substantial research. This study aimed to assess the alterations in the antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation ability of S. epidermidis in the presence of host serum factors. S. epidermidis strain RP62A was cultured in a laboratory culture medium with or without human serum/plasma, and changes in antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation, and gene expression were evaluated. The data obtained revealed that exposure to host serum factors increased the susceptibility of S. epidermidis to glycopeptide antibiotics and was also detrimental to biofilm formation. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of both dltA and fmtC genes shortly after human serum/plasma exposure. The importance of transferrin-mediated iron sequestration as a host anti-biofilm strategy against S. epidermidis was also emphasized. We have demonstrated that serum factors play a pivotal role as part of the host's anti-infective strategy against S. epidermidis infections, highlighting the importance of incorporating such factors during in vitro studies with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Oliveira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Vânia Gaio
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Brás
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sofia Oliveira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Angela França
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO—Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
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24
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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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25
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Douglas EJA, Palk N, Brignoli T, Altwiley D, Boura M, Laabei M, Recker M, Cheung GYC, Liu R, Hsieh RC, Otto M, O'Brien E, McLoughlin RM, Massey RC. Extensive remodelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. eLife 2023; 12:RP87026. [PMID: 37401629 PMCID: PMC10328498 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The bloodstream represents a hostile environment that bacteria must overcome to cause bacteraemia. To understand how the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus manages this we have utilised a functional genomics approach to identify a number of new loci that affect the ability of the bacteria to survive exposure to serum, the critical first step in the development of bacteraemia. The expression of one of these genes, tcaA, was found to be induced upon exposure to serum, and we show that it is involved in the elaboration of a critical virulence factor, the wall teichoic acids (WTA), within the cell envelope. The activity of the TcaA protein alters the sensitivity of the bacteria to cell wall attacking agents, including antimicrobial peptides, human defence fatty acids, and several antibiotics. This protein also affects the autolytic activity and lysostaphin sensitivity of the bacteria, suggesting that in addition to changing WTA abundance in the cell envelope, it also plays a role in peptidoglycan crosslinking. With TcaA rendering the bacteria more susceptible to serum killing, while simultaneously increasing the abundance of WTA in the cell envelope, it was unclear what effect this protein may have during infection. To explore this, we examined human data and performed murine experimental infections. Collectively, our data suggests that whilst mutations in tcaA are selected for during bacteraemia, this protein positively contributes to the virulence of S. aureus through its involvement in altering the cell wall architecture of the bacteria, a process that appears to play a key role in the development of bacteraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward JA Douglas
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Nathanael Palk
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Tarcisio Brignoli
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Dina Altwiley
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Marcia Boura
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Department of Life Sciences, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Mario Recker
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn CampusExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Gordon YC Cheung
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Ryan Liu
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Roger C Hsieh
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Michael Otto
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Eoin O'Brien
- Host Pathogen Interactions Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Rachel M McLoughlin
- Host Pathogen Interactions Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Ruth C Massey
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Schools of Microbiology and Medicine, University College Cork, and APC Microbiome IrelandCorkIreland
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26
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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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27
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Zeden MS, Gallagher LA, Bueno E, Nolan AC, Ahn J, Shinde D, Razvi F, Sladek M, Burke Ó, O’Neill E, Fey PD, Cava F, Thomas VC, O’Gara JP. Metabolic reprogramming and altered cell envelope characteristics in a pentose phosphate pathway mutant increases MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011536. [PMID: 37486930 PMCID: PMC10399904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Central metabolic pathways control virulence and antibiotic resistance, and constitute potential targets for antibacterial drugs. In Staphylococcus aureus the role of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) remains largely unexplored. Mutation of the 6-phosphogluconolactonase gene pgl, which encodes the only non-essential enzyme in the oxidative phase of the PPP, significantly increased MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, particularly in chemically defined media with physiologically-relevant concentrations of glucose, and reduced oxacillin (OX)-induced lysis. Expression of the methicillin-resistance penicillin binding protein 2a and peptidoglycan architecture were unaffected. Carbon tracing and metabolomics revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming in the pgl mutant including increased flux to glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and several cell envelope precursors, which was consistent with increased β-lactam resistance. Morphologically, pgl mutant cells were smaller than wild-type with a thicker cell wall and ruffled surface when grown in OX. The pgl mutation reduced resistance to Congo Red, sulfamethoxazole and oxidative stress, and increased resistance to targocil, fosfomycin and vancomycin. Levels of lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) were significantly reduced in pgl, which may limit cell lysis, while the surface charge of pgl cells was significantly more positive. A vraG mutation in pgl reversed the increased OX resistance phenotype, and partially restored wild-type surface charge, but not LTA levels. Mutations in vraF or graRS from the VraFG/GraRS complex that regulates DltABCD-mediated d-alanylation of teichoic acids (which in turn controls β-lactam resistance and surface charge), also restored wild-type OX susceptibility. Collectively these data show that reduced levels of LTAs and OX-induced lysis combined with a VraFG/GraRS-dependent increase in cell surface positive charge are accompanied by significantly increased OX resistance in an MRSA pgl mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve S. Zeden
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Laura A. Gallagher
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Emilio Bueno
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, MIMS—Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Aaron C. Nolan
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Jongsam Ahn
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Dhananjay Shinde
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Fareha Razvi
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Margaret Sladek
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Órla Burke
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eoghan O’Neill
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Fey
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Felipe Cava
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, MIMS—Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Vinai C. Thomas
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - James P. O’Gara
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Ganesan N, Mishra B, Felix L, Mylonakis E. Antimicrobial Peptides and Small Molecules Targeting the Cell Membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0003722. [PMID: 37129495 PMCID: PMC10304793 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00037-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of Staphylococcus aureus infections presents a challenge due to the high incidence, considerable virulence, and emergence of drug resistance mechanisms. The treatment of drug-resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is further complicated by the development of tolerance and persistence to antimicrobial agents in clinical use. To address these challenges, membrane disruptors, that are not generally considered during drug discovery for agents against S. aureus, should be explored. The cell membrane protects S. aureus from external stresses and antimicrobial agents, but membrane-targeting antimicrobial agents are probably less likely to promote bacterial resistance. Nontypical linear cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), highly modified AMPs such as daptomycin (lipopeptide), bacitracin (cyclic peptide), and gramicidin S (cyclic peptide), are currently in clinical use. Recent studies have demonstrated that AMPs and small molecules can penetrate the cell membrane of S. aureus, inhibit phospholipid biosynthesis, or block the passage of solutes between the periplasm and the exterior of the cell. In addition to their primary mechanism of action (MOA) that targets the bacterial membrane, AMPs and small molecules may also impact bacteria through secondary mechanisms such as targeting the biofilm, and downregulating virulence genes of S. aureus. In this review, we discuss the current state of research into cell membrane-targeting AMPs and small molecules and their potential mechanisms of action against drug-resistant physiological forms of S. aureus, including persister cells and biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narchonai Ganesan
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - LewisOscar Felix
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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29
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Patel H, Rawat S. A genetic regulatory see-saw of biofilm and virulence in MRSA pathogenesis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1204428. [PMID: 37434702 PMCID: PMC10332168 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1204428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common opportunistic human pathogens causing several infectious diseases. Ever since the emergence of the first methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain decades back, the organism has been a major cause of hospital-acquired infections (HA-MRSA). The spread of this pathogen across the community led to the emergence of a more virulent subtype of the strain, i.e., Community acquired Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Hence, WHO has declared Staphylococcus aureus as a high-priority pathogen. MRSA pathogenesis is remarkable because of the ability of this "superbug" to form robust biofilm both in vivo and in vitro by the formation of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), extracellular DNA (eDNA), wall teichoic acids (WTAs), and capsule (CP), which are major components that impart stability to a biofilm. On the other hand, secretion of a diverse array of virulence factors such as hemolysins, leukotoxins, enterotoxins, and Protein A regulated by agr and sae two-component systems (TCS) aids in combating host immune response. The up- and downregulation of adhesion genes involved in biofilm formation and genes responsible for synthesizing virulence factors during different stages of infection act as a genetic regulatory see-saw in the pathogenesis of MRSA. This review provides insight into the evolution and pathogenesis of MRSA infections with a focus on genetic regulation of biofilm formation and virulence factors secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seema Rawat
- Microbiology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
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30
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Wang M, Hu T, Lin X, Liang H, Li W, Zhao S, Zhong Y, Zhang H, Ge L, Jin X, Xiao L, Zou Y. Probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus gasseri TF08-1: A cholesterol-lowering bacterium, isolated from human gut. Enzyme Microb Technol 2023; 169:110276. [PMID: 37321015 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110276] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Lactobacillus contribute to maintain the human healthy and use for nutritional additives as probiotics. In this study, a cholesterol-lowering bacterium, Lactobacillus gasseri TF08-1, was isolated from the feces of a healthy adolescent, and its probiotic potentials were evaluated through genomic mining and in vitro test. The assembled draft genome comprised of 1,974,590 bp and was predicted total of 1,940 CDSs. The annotation of the genome revealed that L. gasseri TF08-1 harbored abundant categories of functional genes in metabolic and information processing. Moreover, strain TF08-1 has capacity to utilize D-Glucose, Sucrose, D-Maltose, Salicin, D-Xylose, D-Cellobiose, D-Mannose, and D-Trehalose, as the carbon source. The safety assessment showed strain TF08-1 contained few antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors and was only resistant to 2 antibiotics detected by antimicrobial susceptibility test. A high bile salt hydrolase activity was found and a cholesterol-reducing effect was determined in vitro, which the result showed a remarkable cholesterol removal capability of L. gasseri TF08-1 with an efficiency of 84.40 %. This study demonstrated that the strain showed great capability of exopolysaccharide production, and tolerance to acid and bile salt. Therefore, these results indicate that L. gasseri TF08-1 can be considered as a safe candidate for probiotic, especially its potential in biotherapeutic for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | | | - Xiaoqian Lin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | | | - Wenxi Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | | | - Yiyi Zhong
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI Precision Nutrition (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI Precision Nutrition (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lan Ge
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI Precision Nutrition (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Jin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Liang Xiao
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Detection and Intervention of human intestinal microbiome, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; BGI Research-Wuhan, BGI, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yuanqiang Zou
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Detection and Intervention of human intestinal microbiome, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; BGI Research-Wuhan, BGI, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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31
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Barman P, Joshi S, Sharma S, Preet S, Sharma S, Saini A. Strategic Approaches to Improvise Peptide Drugs as Next Generation Therapeutics. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023; 29:61. [PMID: 37251528 PMCID: PMC10206374 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-023-10524-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the occurrence of a wide variety of drug-resistant diseases has led to an increase in interest in alternate therapies. Peptide-based drugs as an alternate therapy hold researchers' attention in various therapeutic fields such as neurology, dermatology, oncology, metabolic diseases, etc. Previously, they had been overlooked by pharmaceutical companies due to certain limitations such as proteolytic degradation, poor membrane permeability, low oral bioavailability, shorter half-life, and poor target specificity. Over the last two decades, these limitations have been countered by introducing various modification strategies such as backbone and side-chain modifications, amino acid substitution, etc. which improve their functionality. This has led to a substantial interest of researchers and pharmaceutical companies, moving the next generation of these therapeutics from fundamental research to the market. Various chemical and computational approaches are aiding the production of more stable and long-lasting peptides guiding the formulation of novel and advanced therapeutic agents. However, there is not a single article that talks about various peptide design approaches i.e., in-silico and in-vitro along with their applications and strategies to improve their efficacy. In this review, we try to bring different aspects of peptide-based therapeutics under one article with a clear focus to cover the missing links in the literature. This review draws emphasis on various in-silico approaches and modification-based peptide design strategies. It also highlights the recent progress made in peptide delivery methods important for their enhanced clinical efficacy. The article would provide a bird's-eye view to researchers aiming to develop peptides with therapeutic applications. Graphical Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Panchali Barman
- Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (UIEAST), Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Shubhi Joshi
- Energy Research Centre, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Sheetal Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, U.T 160014 India
| | - Simran Preet
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, U.T 160014 India
| | - Shweta Sharma
- Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (UIEAST), Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Avneet Saini
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, U.T 160014 India
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Stone MC, Mychack A, Coe KA, Walker S. Combining Signal Peptidase and Lipoprotein Processing Inhibitors Overcomes Ayr Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0011523. [PMID: 37097175 PMCID: PMC10190671 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00115-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens is an ongoing public health concern. The arylomycins are a class of natural product antibiotics that target the type I signal peptidase, which carries out the terminal step in protein secretion. Here, we used transposon sequencing (Tn-Seq) to profile the effects of the optimized arylomycin derivative G0775 in Staphylococcus aureus. Our transposon libraries include both upregulation and inactivation mutants, allowing us to identify resistance mechanisms and targets for synergism. We identified several cell envelope pathways that, when inactivated, sensitize S. aureus to the arylomycin G0775. These pathways include the lipoprotein processing pathway, and we have shown that inhibitors of this pathway synergize with G0775 even though lipoprotein processing is nonessential in S. aureus. Moreover, we found that blocking this pathway completely reverses Ayr resistance, which is a major resistance mechanism to arylomycins, including G0775. Our Tn-Seq data also showed that upregulation of mprF and several other genes is protective against G0775. Because a subset of these genes was previously found in a Tn-Seq profile of the clinically important antibiotic daptomycin, we tested a set of daptomycin-nonsusceptible clinical isolates with gain-of-function mutations in mprF for susceptibility to arylomycin G0775. Despite structural and mechanistic differences between these antibiotics, we observed similar decreases in susceptibility. Taken together, our results highlight how Tn-Seq profiles that include both gene inactivation and upregulation can identify targets, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine C. Stone
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aaron Mychack
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Coe
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suzanne Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Aguglia E, Chines E, Stefani S, Cafiso V. New Antimicrobial Resistance Strategies: An Adaptive Resistance Network Conferring Reduced Glycopeptide Susceptibility in VISA. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12040783. [PMID: 37107145 PMCID: PMC10135003 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040783] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) emerges typically in the healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus and more rarely in community-acquired S. aureus (CA-MRSA). VISA is a serious concern for public health due to its association with persistent infections, the failure of vancomycin treatment, and poor clinical outcomes. Currently, the burden of VISA is somewhat high, even though vancomycin is the mainstay treatment for severe MRSA infections. The molecular mechanisms of reduced glycopeptide susceptibility in S. aureus are constantly under investigation but have still not yet been fully characterized. Methods: Our goal was to investigate the reduced glycopeptide susceptibility mechanisms emerging in a VISA CA-MRSA versus its vancomycin-susceptible (VSSA) CA-MRSA parents in a hospitalized patient undergoing glycopeptide treatment. Comparative integrated omics, Illumina MiSeq whole-genome sequencing (WGS), RNA-Seq, and bioinformatics were performed. Results: Through a comparison of VISA CA-MRSA vs. its VSSA CA-MRSA parent, mutational and transcriptomic adaptations were found in a pool of genes involved, directly or indirectly, in the biosynthesis of the glycopeptide target conferring or supporting the VISA phenotype, and its cross-resistance with daptomycin. This pool included key genes responsible for the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan precursors, i.e., D-Ala, the D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptide termini of the pentapeptide, and its incorporation in the nascent pentapeptide, as key targets of the glycopeptide resistance. Furthermore, accessory glycopeptide-target genes involved in the pathways corroborated the key adaptations, and thus, supported the acquisition of the VISA phenotype i.e., transporters, nucleotide metabolism genes, and transcriptional regulators. Finally, transcriptional changes were also found in computationally predicted cis-acting small antisense RNA triggering genes related both to the key or accessory adaptive pathways. Conclusion: Our investigation describes an adaptive resistance pathway acquired under antimicrobial therapy conferring reduced glycopeptide susceptibility in a VISA CA-MRSA due to a comprehensive network of mutational and transcriptional adaptations in genes involved in pathways responsible for the biosynthesis of glycopeptide's target or supporters of the key resistance path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Aguglia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eleonora Chines
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Viviana Cafiso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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34
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Serpi M, Pertusati F, Morozzi C, Novelli G, Giannantonio D, Duggan K, Vittorio S, Fallis IA, De Luca L, Williams D. Synthesis, molecular docking and antibacterial activity of an oxadiazole-based lipoteichoic acid inhibitor and its metabolites. J Mol Struct 2023; 1278:None. [PMID: 38312219 PMCID: PMC10836577 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.134977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Amongst drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen of great concern as it is the leading cause of life-threatening nosocomial and community acquired infections which are often associated with implanted medical devices. The biosynthesis of lipotheicoic acid (LTA) by S. aureus has been recognized as a promising antibacterial target, owing its critical role in the growth and survival of Gram-positive bacteria. Here we report for the first time the chemical synthesis and characterisation of an oxadiazole based compound (1771), previously described as an inhibitor of LTA biosynthesis by targeting Lta synthase enzyme (LtaS). To investigate its controversial mode of action, we also performed molecular docking studies, which indicated that 1771 behaves as a competitive inhibitor against LtaS. We also synthesised and evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 1771 metabolites which we have identified from its decomposition in mouse serum, proving that the biological activity was caused by intact 1771.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Serpi
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Pertusati
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Redwood Building, King Edwards VII avenue, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Morozzi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Redwood Building, King Edwards VII avenue, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Novelli
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Redwood Building, King Edwards VII avenue, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Giannantonio
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Redwood Building, King Edwards VII avenue, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Duggan
- Oral and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Vittorio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina I-98125, Italy
| | - Ian A. Fallis
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Laura De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina I-98125, Italy
| | - David Williams
- Oral and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Kumaraswamy M, Riestra A, Flores A, Uchiyama S, Dahesh S, Bondsäter G, Nilsson V, Chang M, Seo H, Sakoulas G, Nizet V. Unrecognized Potent Activities of Colistin Against Clinically Important mcr+ Enterobacteriaceae Revealed in Synergy with Host Immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.21.533661. [PMID: 36993410 PMCID: PMC10055327 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.21.533661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Colistin (COL) is a cationic cyclic peptide that disrupts negatively-charged bacterial cell membranes and frequently serves as an antibiotic of last resort to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Emergence of the horizontally transferable plasmid-borne mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) determinant and its spread to Gram-negative strains harboring extended-spectrum β-lactamase and carbapenemase resistance genes threatens futility of our chemotherapeutic arsenal. COL is widely regarded to have zero activity against mcr+ patients based on standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) performed in enriched bacteriological growth media; consequently, the drug is withheld from patients with mcr+ infections. However, these standard testing media poorly mimic in vivo physiology and omit host immune factors. Here we report previously unrecognized bactericidal activities of COL against mcr-1+ isolates of Escherichia coli (EC), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Salmonella enterica (SE) in standard tissue culture media containing the physiological buffer bicarbonate. Moreover, COL promoted serum complement deposition on the mcr-1+ Gram-negative bacterial surface and synergized potently with active human serum in pathogen killing. At COL concentrations readily achievable with standard dosing, the peptide antibiotic killed mcr-1+ EC, KP, and SE in freshly isolated human blood proved effective as monotherapy in a murine model of mcr-1+ EC bacteremia. Our results suggest that COL, currently ignored as a treatment option based on traditional AST, may in fact benefit patients with mcr-1+ Gram negative infections based on evaluations performed in a more physiologic context. These concepts warrant careful consideration in the clinical microbiology laboratory and for future clinical investigation of their merits in high risk patients with limited therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kumaraswamy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Infectious Diseases Section, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Angelica Riestra
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anabel Flores
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samira Dahesh
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gunnar Bondsäter
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Victoria Nilsson
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Melanie Chang
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hideya Seo
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - George Sakoulas
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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36
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Zeden MS, Gallagher LA, Bueno E, Nolan AC, Ahn J, Shinde D, Razvi F, Sladek M, Burke Ó, O'Neill E, Fey PD, Cava F, Thomas VC, O'Gara JP. Metabolic reprogramming and flux to cell envelope precursors in a pentose phosphate pathway mutant increases MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.03.530734. [PMID: 36945400 PMCID: PMC10028837 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.530734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Central metabolic pathways controls virulence and antibiotic resistance, and constitute potential targets for antibacterial drugs. In Staphylococcus aureus the role of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) remains largely unexplored. Mutation of the 6-phosphogluconolactonase gene pgl, which encodes the only non-essential enzyme in the oxidative phase of the PPP, significantly increased MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, particularly in chemically defined media with glucose, and reduced oxacillin (OX)-induced lysis. Expression of the methicillin-resistance penicillin binding protein 2a and peptidoglycan architecture were unaffected. Carbon tracing and metabolomics revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming in the pgl mutant including increased flux to glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and several cell envelope precursors, which was consistent with increased β-lactam resistance. Morphologically, pgl mutant cells were smaller than wild-type with a thicker cell wall and ruffled surface when grown in OX. Further evidence of the pleiotropic effect of the pgl mutation was reduced resistance to Congo Red, sulfamethoxazole and oxidative stress, and increased resistance to targocil, fosfomycin and vancomycin. Reduced binding of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to pgl was indicative of lower wall teichoic acid/lipoteichoic acid levels or altered teichoic acid structures. Mutations in the vraFG or graRS loci reversed the increased OX resistance phenotype and restored WGA binding to wild-type levels. VraFG/GraRS was previously implicated in susceptibility to cationic antimicrobial peptides and vancomycin, and these data reveal a broader role for this multienzyme membrane complex in the export of cell envelope precursors or modifying subunits required for resistance to diverse antimicrobial agents. Altogether our study highlights important roles for the PPP and VraFG/GraRS in β-lactam resistance, which will support efforts to identify new drug targets and reintroduce β-lactams in combination with adjuvants or other antibiotics for infections caused by MRSA and other β-lactam resistant pathogens. Author summary High-level resistance to penicillin-type (β-lactam) antibiotics significantly limits the therapeutic options for patients with MRSA infections necessitating the use of newer agents, for which reduced susceptibility has already been described. Here we report for the first time that the central metabolism pentose phosphate pathway controls MRSA resistance to penicillin-type antibiotics. We comprehensively demonstrated that mutation of the PPP gene pgl perturbed metabolism in MRSA leading to increased flux to cell envelope precursors to drive increased antibiotic resistance. Moreover, increased resistance was dependent on the VraRG/GraRS multienzyme membrane complex previously implicated in resistance to antimicrobial peptides and vancomycin. Our data thus provide new insights on MRSA mechanisms of β-lactam resistance, which will support efforts to expand the treatment options for infections caused by this and other antimicrobial resistant pathogens.
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37
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Staphylococcus aureus Cell Wall Phenotypic Changes Associated with Biofilm Maturation and Water Availability: A Key Contributing Factor for Chlorine Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054983. [PMID: 36902413 PMCID: PMC10003762 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are resistant to both antibiotics and disinfectants. As Staphylococci cell walls are an important defence mechanism, we sought to examine changes to the bacterial cell wall under different growth conditions. Cell walls of S. aureus grown as 3-day hydrated biofilm, 12-day hydrated biofilm, and 12-day dry surface biofilm (DSB) were compared to cell walls of planktonic organisms. Additionally, proteomic analysis using high-throughput tandem mass tag-based mass spectrometry was performed. Proteins involved in cell wall synthesis in biofilms were upregulated in comparison to planktonic growth. Bacterial cell wall width (measured by transmission electron microscopy) and peptidoglycan production (detected using a silkworm larva plasma system) increased with biofilm culture duration (p < 0.001) and dehydration (p = 0.002). Similarly, disinfectant tolerance was greatest in DSB, followed by 12-day hydrated biofilm and then 3-day biofilm, and it was least in the planktonic bacteria--suggesting that changes to the cell wall may be a key factor for S. aureus biofilm biocide resistance. Our findings shed light on possible new targets to combat biofilm-related infections and hospital dry surface biofilms.
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Douglas EJA, Palk N, Brignoli T, Altwiley D, Boura M, Laabei M, Recker M, Cheung GYC, Liu R, Hsieh RC, Otto M, Oâ Brien E, McLoughlin RM, Massey RC. Extensive re-modelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529713. [PMID: 36865143 PMCID: PMC9980097 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The bloodstream represents a hostile environment that bacteria must overcome to cause bacteraemia. To understand how the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus manages this we have utilised a functional genomics approach to identify a number of new loci that affect the ability of the bacteria to survive exposure to serum, the critical first step in the development of bacteraemia. The expression of one of these genes, tcaA , was found to be induced upon exposure to serum, and we show that it is involved in the elaboration of a critical virulence factor, the wall teichoic acids (WTA), within the cell envelope. The activity of this protein alters the sensitivity of the bacteria to cell wall attacking agents, including antimicrobial peptides, human defence fatty acids, and several antibiotics. This protein also affects the autolytic activity and lysostaphin sensitivity of the bacteria, suggesting that in addition to changing WTA abundance in the cell envelope, it also plays a role in peptidoglycan crosslinking. With TcaA rendering the bacteria more susceptible to serum killing, while simultaneously increasing the abundance of WTA in the cell envelope, it was unclear what effect this protein may have during infection. To explore this, we examined human data and performed murine experimental infections. Collectively, our data suggests that whilst mutations in tcaA are selected for during bacteraemia, this protein positively contributes to the virulence of S. aureus through its involvement in altering the cell wall architecture of the bacteria, a process that appears to play a key role in the development of bacteraemia.
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Li T, Wang Z, Guo J, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Wang J, Han B, Tao H, Liu J, Wang X. Bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents: Mechanisms, control strategies, and implications for global health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160461. [PMID: 36435256 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The spread of bacterial drug resistance has posed a severe threat to public health globally. Here, we cover bacterial resistance to current antibacterial drugs, including traditional herbal medicines, conventional antibiotics, and antimicrobial peptides. We summarize the influence of bacterial drug resistance on global health and its economic burden while highlighting the resistance mechanisms developed by bacteria. Based on the One Health concept, we propose 4A strategies to combat bacterial resistance, including prudent Application of antibacterial agents, Administration, Assays, and Alternatives to antibiotics. Finally, we identify several opportunities and unsolved questions warranting future exploration for combating bacterial resistance, such as predicting genetic bacterial resistance through the use of more effective techniques, surveying both genetic determinants of bacterial resistance and the transmission dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, No. 20, Dongda Street, Fengtai District, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
| | - Jinquan Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Hui Tao
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
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Francis D, Bhairaddy A, Joy A, Hari GV, Francis A. Secretory proteins in the orchestration of microbial virulence: The curious case of Staphylococcus aureus. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:271-350. [PMID: 36707204 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbial virulence showcases an excellent model for adaptive changes that enable an organism to survive and proliferate in a hostile environment and exploit host resources to its own benefit. In Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen of the human host, known for the diversity of the disease conditions it inflicts and the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance, virulence is a consequence of having a highly plastic genome that is amenable to quick reprogramming and the ability to express a diverse arsenal of virulence factors. Virulence factors that are secreted to the host milieu effectively manipulate the host conditions to favor bacterial survival and growth. They assist in colonization, nutrient acquisition, immune evasion, and systemic spread. The structural and functional characteristics of the secreted virulence proteins have been shaped to assist S. aureus in thriving and disseminating effectively within the host environment and exploiting the host resources to its best benefit. With the aim of highlighting the importance of secreted virulence proteins in bacterial virulence, the present chapter provides a comprehensive account of the role of the major secreted proteins of S. aureus in orchestrating its virulence in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep Francis
- Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
| | - Anusha Bhairaddy
- Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Atheene Joy
- Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Ashik Francis
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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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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Robinson LA, Collins ACZ, Murphy RA, Davies JC, Allsopp LP. Diversity and prevalence of type VI secretion system effectors in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1042505. [PMID: 36687572 PMCID: PMC9846239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1042505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a major driver of morbidity and mortality in people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a molecular nanomachine that translocates effectors across the bacterial membrane into target cells or the extracellular environment enabling intermicrobial interaction. P. aeruginosa encodes three T6SS clusters, the H1-, H2- and H3-T6SS, and numerous orphan islands. Genetic diversity of T6SS-associated effectors in P. aeruginosa has been noted in reference strains but has yet to be explored in clinical isolates. Here, we perform a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the pangenome and T6SS effector genes in 52 high-quality clinical P. aeruginosa genomes isolated from CF patients and housed in the Personalised Approach to P. aeruginosa strain repository. We confirm that the clinical CF isolate pangenome is open and principally made up of accessory and unique genes that may provide strain-specific advantages. We observed genetic variability in some effector/immunity encoding genes and show that several well-characterised vgrG and PAAR islands are absent from numerous isolates. Our analysis shows clear evidence of disruption to T6SS genomic loci through transposon, prophage, and mobile genetic element insertions. We identified an orphan vgrG island in P. aeruginosa strain PAK and five clinical isolates using in silico analysis which we denote vgrG7, predicting a gene within this cluster to encode a Tle2 lipase family effector. Close comparison of T6SS loci in clinical isolates compared to reference P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 revealed the presence of genes encoding eight new T6SS effectors with the following putative functions: cytidine deaminase, lipase, metallopeptidase, NADase, and pyocin. Finally, the prevalence of characterised and putative T6SS effectors were assessed in 532 publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes, which suggests the existence of accessory effectors. Our in silico study of the P. aeruginosa T6SS exposes a level of genetic diversity at T6SS genomic loci not seen to date within P. aeruginosa, particularly in CF isolates. As understanding the effector repertoire is key to identifying the targets of T6SSs and its efficacy, this comprehensive analysis provides a path for future experimental characterisation of these mediators of intermicrobial competition and host manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca A. Robinson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice C. Z. Collins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronan A. Murphy
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C. Davies
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luke P. Allsopp
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ersoy SC, Gonçalves B, Cavaco G, Manna AC, Sobral RG, Nast CC, Proctor RA, Chambers HF, Cheung A, Bayer AS. Influence of Sodium Bicarbonate on Wall Teichoic Acid Synthesis and β-Lactam Sensitization in NaHCO 3-Responsive and Nonresponsive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0342222. [PMID: 36377886 PMCID: PMC9769754 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03422-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains pose major treatment challenges due to their innate resistance to most β-lactams under standard in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing conditions. A novel phenotype among MRSA, termed "NaHCO3 responsiveness," where certain strains display increased susceptibility to β-lactams in the presence of NaHCO3, has been identified among a relatively large proportion of MRSA isolates. One underlying mechanism of NaHCO3 responsiveness appears to be related to decreased expression and altered functionality of several genes and proteins involved in cell wall synthesis and maturation. Here, we studied the impact of NaHCO3 on wall teichoic acid (WTA) synthesis, a process intimately linked to peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis and functionality, in NaHCO3-responsive versus -nonresponsive MRSA isolates. NaHCO3 sensitized responsive MRSA strains to cefuroxime, a specific penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2)-inhibitory β-lactam known to synergize with early WTA synthesis inhibitors (e.g., ticlopidine). Combining cefuroxime with ticlopidine with or without NaHCO3 suggested that these latter two agents target the same step in WTA synthesis. Further, NaHCO3 decreased the abundance and molecular weight of WTA only in responsive strains. Additionally, NaHCO3 stimulated increased autolysis and aberrant cell division in responsive strains, two phenotypes associated with disruption of WTA synthesis. Of note, studies of key genes involved in the WTA biosynthetic pathway (e.g., tarO, tarG, dltA, and fmtA) indicated that the inhibitory impact of NaHCO3 on WTA biosynthesis in responsive strains likely occurred posttranslationally. IMPORTANCE MRSA is generally viewed as resistant to standard β-lactam antibiotics. However, a NaHCO3-responsive phenotype is observed in a substantial proportion of clinical MRSA strains in vitro, i.e., isolates which demonstrate enhanced susceptibility to standard β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., oxacillin) in the presence of NaHCO3. This phenotype correlates with increased MRSA clearance in vivo by standard β-lactam antibiotics, suggesting that patients with infections caused by such MRSA strains might be amenable to treatment with β-lactams. The mechanism(s) behind this phenotype is not fully understood but appears to involve mecA-PBP2a production and maturation axes. Our study adds significantly to this body of knowledge in terms of additional mechanistic targets of NaHCO3 in selected MRSA strains. This investigation demonstrates that NaHCO3 has direct impacts on S. aureus wall teichoic acid biosynthesis in NaHCO3-responsive MRSA. These findings provide an additional target for new agents being designed to synergistically kill MRSA using β-lactam antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology of Bacterial Pathogens, UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Cavaco
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology of Bacterial Pathogens, UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Adhar C. Manna
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Rita G. Sobral
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology of Bacterial Pathogens, UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Nova School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Cynthia C. Nast
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Richard A. Proctor
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology/Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Ambrose Cheung
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Arnold S. Bayer
- The Lundquist Institute, Torrance, California, USA
- Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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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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Nguyen AH, Hood KS, Mileykovskaya E, Miller WR, Tran TT. Bacterial cell membranes and their role in daptomycin resistance: A review. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1035574. [PMID: 36452455 PMCID: PMC9702088 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1035574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipids play a major role in bacterial cells. Foremost, lipids are the primary constituents of the cell membrane bilayer, providing structure and separating the cell from the surrounding environment. This makes the lipid bilayer a prime target for antimicrobial peptides and membrane-acting antibiotics such as daptomycin. In response, bacteria have evolved mechanisms by which the membrane can be adapted to resist attack by these antimicrobial compounds. In this review, we focus on the membrane phospholipid changes associated with daptomycin resistance in enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and the Viridans group streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- April H. Nguyen
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kara S. Hood
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Eugenia Mileykovskaya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - William R. Miller
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Truc T. Tran
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Truc T. Tran,
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Di Carluccio C, Soriano-Maldonado P, Berni F, de Haas CJC, Temming AR, Hendriks A, Ali S, Molinaro A, Silipo A, van Sorge NM, van Raaij MJ, Codee JDC, Marchetti R. Antibody Recognition of Different Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid Glycoforms. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:1383-1392. [PMID: 36313161 PMCID: PMC9615122 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are glycopolymers decorating the surface of Gram-positive bacteria and potential targets for antibody-mediated treatments against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains. Through a combination of glycan microarray, synthetic chemistry, crystallography, NMR, and computational studies, we unraveled the molecular and structural details of fully defined synthetic WTA fragments recognized by previously described monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 4461 and 4497). Our results unveiled the structural requirements for the discriminatory recognition of α- and β-GlcNAc-modified WTA glycoforms by the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of the heavy and light chains of the mAbs. Both mAbs interacted not only with the sugar moiety but also with the phosphate groups as well as residues in the ribitol phosphate (RboP) units of the WTA backbone, highlighting their significant role in ligand specificity. Using elongated WTA fragments, containing two sugar modifications, we also demonstrated that the internal carbohydrate moiety of α-GlcNAc-modified WTA is preferentially accommodated in the binding pocket of mAb 4461 with respect to the terminal moiety. Our results also explained the recently documented cross-reactivity of mAb 4497 for β-1,3/β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified WTA, revealing that the flexibility of the RboP backbone is crucial to allow positioning of both glycans in the antibody binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Di Carluccio
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126Naples, Italy
| | - Pablo Soriano-Maldonado
- Departamento
de Estructura de Macromoléculas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesca Berni
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CCLeiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J. C. de Haas
- Medical
Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3508Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A. Robin Temming
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hendriks
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CCLeiden, The Netherlands
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126Naples, Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126Naples, Italy
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZAmsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands
Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC, 1105 AZAmsterdam, The Netherlands
- Email
for N.M.v.S.:
| | - Mark J. van Raaij
- Departamento
de Estructura de Macromoléculas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049Madrid, Spain
- Email for M.J.v.R.:
| | - Jeroen D. C. Codee
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CCLeiden, The Netherlands
- Email for J.D.C.C.:
| | - Roberta Marchetti
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126Naples, Italy
- Email for R.M.:
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47
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Zhou J, Cai Y, Liu Y, An H, Deng K, Ashraf MA, Zou L, Wang J. Breaking down the cell wall: Still an attractive antibacterial strategy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:952633. [PMID: 36212892 PMCID: PMC9544107 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.952633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of penicillin, humans have known about and explored the phenomenon of bacterial inhibition via antibiotics. However, with changes in the global environment and the abuse of antibiotics, resistance mechanisms have been selected in bacteria, presenting huge threats and challenges to the global medical and health system. Thus, the study and development of new antimicrobials is of unprecedented urgency and difficulty. Bacteria surround themselves with a cell wall to maintain cell rigidity and protect against environmental insults. Humans have taken advantage of antibiotics to target the bacterial cell wall, yielding some of the most widely used antibiotics to date. The cell wall is essential for bacterial growth and virulence but is absent from humans, remaining a high-priority target for antibiotic screening throughout the antibiotic era. Here, we review the extensively studied targets, i.e., MurA, MurB, MurC, MurD, MurE, MurF, Alr, Ddl, MurI, MurG, lipid A, and BamA in the cell wall, starting from the very beginning to the latest developments to elucidate antimicrobial screening. Furthermore, recent advances, including MraY and MsbA in peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide, and tagO, LtaS, LspA, Lgt, Lnt, Tol-Pal, MntC, and OspA in teichoic acid and lipoprotein, have also been profoundly discussed. The review further highlights that the application of new methods such as macromolecular labeling, compound libraries construction, and structure-based drug design will inspire researchers to screen ideal antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhou
- The People’s Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Cai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Haoyue An
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Kaihong Deng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Muhammad Awais Ashraf
- Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Lili Zou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Wang
- The People’s Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Wang,
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48
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Emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens from farm to table. Food Sci Biotechnol 2022; 31:1481-1499. [PMID: 36065433 PMCID: PMC9435411 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-022-01157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics have been overused and misused for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Specifically, antibiotics are frequently used as growth promoters for improving productivity and performance of food-producing animals such as pigs, cattle, and poultry. The increasing use of antibiotics has been of great concern worldwide due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Food-producing animals are considered reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and residual antibiotics that transfer from the farm through the table. The accumulation of residual antibiotics can lead to additional antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Therefore, this review evaluates the risk of carriage and spread of antibiotic resistance through food chain and the potential impact of antibiotic use in food-producing animals on food safety. This review also includes in-depth discussion of promising antibiotic alternatives such as vaccines, immune modulators, phytochemicals, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, and bacteriophages.
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Riu F, Ruda A, Ibba R, Sestito S, Lupinu I, Piras S, Widmalm G, Carta A. Antibiotics and Carbohydrate-Containing Drugs Targeting Bacterial Cell Envelopes: An Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:942. [PMID: 36015090 PMCID: PMC9414505 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain bacteria constitute a threat to humans due to their ability to escape host defenses as they easily develop drug resistance. Bacteria are classified into gram-positive and gram-negative according to the composition of the cell membrane structure. Gram-negative bacteria have an additional outer membrane (OM) that is not present in their gram-positive counterpart; the latter instead hold a thicker peptidoglycan (PG) layer. This review covers the main structural and functional properties of cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) and PG. Drugs targeting CWPs are discussed, both noncarbohydrate-related (β-lactams, fosfomycin, and lipopeptides) and carbohydrate-related (glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides). Bacterial resistance to these drugs continues to evolve, which calls for novel antibacterial approaches to be developed. The use of carbohydrate-based vaccines as a valid strategy to prevent bacterial infections is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Ruda
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.R.); (G.W.)
| | - Roberta Ibba
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Ilenia Lupinu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Sandra Piras
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Göran Widmalm
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.R.); (G.W.)
| | - Antonio Carta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
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50
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Intracellular Habitation of Staphylococcus aureus: Molecular Mechanisms and Prospects for Antimicrobial Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081804. [PMID: 36009351 PMCID: PMC9405036 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections pose a global health threat, especially with the continuous development of antibiotic resistance. As an opportunistic pathogen, MRSA infections have a high mortality rate worldwide. Although classically described as an extracellular pathogen, many studies have shown over the past decades that MRSA also has an intracellular aspect to its infectious cycle, which has been observed in vitro in both non-professional as well as professional phagocytes. In vivo, MRSA has been shown to establish an intracellular niche in liver Kupffer cells upon bloodstream infection. The staphylococci have evolved various evasion strategies to survive the antimicrobial environment of phagolysosomes and use these compartments to hide from immune cells and antibiotics. Ultimately, the host cells get overwhelmed by replicating bacteria, leading to cell lysis and bacterial dissemination. In this review, we describe the different intracellular aspects of MRSA infection and briefly mention S. aureus evasion strategies. We discuss how this intracellular niche of bacteria may assist in antibiotic tolerance development, and lastly, we describe various new antibacterial strategies that target the intracellular bacterial niche.
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