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Kavanova K, Kostovova I, Moravkova M, Kubasova T, Babak V, Crhanova M. Comparative Genome Analysis and Characterization of the Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from the Gastrointestinal Tract of Wild Boars in the Czech Republic. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10259-7. [PMID: 38652229 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10259-7] [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] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Probiotics are crucial components for maintaining a healthy gut microbiota in pigs, especially during the weaning period. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from the gastrointestinal tract of wild boars can serve as an abundant source of beneficial probiotic strains with suitable properties for use in pig husbandry. In this study, we analyzed and characterized 15 strains of Limosilactobacillus mucosae obtained from the gut contents of wild boars to assess their safety and suitability as probiotic candidates. The strains were compared using pan-genomic analysis with 49 L. mucosae strains obtained from the NCBI database. All isolated strains demonstrated their safety by showing an absence of transferrable antimicrobial resistance genes and hemolysin activity. Based on the presence of beneficial genes, five candidates with probiotic properties were selected and subjected to phenotypic profiling. These five selected isolates exhibited the ability to survive conditions mimicking passage through the host's digestive tract, such as low pH and the presence of bile salts. Furthermore, five selected strains demonstrated the presence of corresponding carbohydrate-active enzymes and the ability to utilize various carbohydrate substrates. These strains can enhance the digestibility of oligosaccharide or polysaccharide substrates found in food or feed, specifically resistant starch, α-galactosides, cellobiose, gentiobiose, and arabinoxylans. Based on the results obtained, the L. mucosae isolates tested in this study appear to be promising candidates for use as probiotics in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Kavanova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Iveta Kostovova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Moravkova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Kubasova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Crhanova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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2
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Little JI, Singh PK, Zhao J, Dunn S, Matz H, Donnenberg MS. Type IV pili of Enterobacteriaceae species. EcoSal Plus 2024:eesp00032023. [PMID: 38294234 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0003-2023] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Type IV pili (T4Ps) are surface filaments widely distributed among bacteria and archaea. T4Ps are involved in many cellular functions and contribute to virulence in some species of bacteria. Due to the diversity of T4Ps, different properties have been observed for homologous proteins that make up T4Ps in various organisms. In this review, we highlight the essential components of T4Ps, their functions, and similarities to related systems. We emphasize the unique T4Ps of enteric pathogens within the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella. These include the bundle-forming pilus (BFP) of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), longus (Lng) and colonization factor III (CFA/III) of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), T4P of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Colonization Factor Citrobacter (CFC) of Citrobacter rodentium, T4P of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, a ubiquitous T4P that was characterized in enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and the R64 plasmid thin pilus. Finally, we highlight areas for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janay I Little
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Pradip K Singh
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jinlei Zhao
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Shakeera Dunn
- Internal Medicine Residency, Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover, Delaware, USA
| | - Hanover Matz
- Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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3
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Mom J, Chouikha I, Valette O, Pieulle L, Pelicic V. Systematic functional analysis of the Com pilus in Streptococcus sanguinis: a minimalistic type 4 filament dedicated to DNA uptake in monoderm bacteria. mBio 2024; 15:e0266723. [PMID: 38095871 PMCID: PMC10790768 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02667-23] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Type 4 filaments (T4F) are nanomachines ubiquitous in prokaryotes, centered on filamentous polymers of type 4 pilins. T4F are exceptionally versatile and widespread virulence factors in bacterial pathogens. The mechanisms of filament assembly and the many functions they facilitate remain poorly understood because of the complexity of T4F machineries. This hinders the development of anti-T4F drugs. The significance of our research lies in characterizing the simplest known T4F-the Com pilus that mediates DNA uptake in competent monoderm bacteria-and showing that four protein components universally conserved in T4F are sufficient for filament assembly. The Com pilus becomes a model for elucidating the mechanisms of T4F assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Mom
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Iman Chouikha
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Odile Valette
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Laetitia Pieulle
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Vladimir Pelicic
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
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4
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Pelicic V. Mechanism of assembly of type 4 filaments: everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask). MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169. [PMID: 36947586 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Type 4 filaments (T4F) are a superfamily of filamentous nanomachines - virtually ubiquitous in prokaryotes and functionally versatile - of which type 4 pili (T4P) are the defining member. T4F are polymers of type 4 pilins, assembled by conserved multi-protein machineries. They have long been an important topic for research because they are key virulence factors in numerous bacterial pathogens. Our poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T4F assembly is a serious hindrance to the design of anti-T4F therapeutics. This review attempts to shed light on the fundamental mechanistic principles at play in T4F assembly by focusing on similarities rather than differences between several (mostly bacterial) T4F. This holistic approach, complemented by the revolutionary ability of artificial intelligence to predict protein structures, led to an intriguing mechanistic model of T4F assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Pelicic
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283 CNRS/Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
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5
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Oliveira V, Aschtgen MS, van Erp A, Henriques-Normark B, Muschiol S. The Role of Minor Pilins in Assembly and Function of the Competence Pilus of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:808601. [PMID: 35004361 PMCID: PMC8727766 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.808601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable genomic plasticity of Streptococcus pneumoniae largely depends on its ability to undergo natural genetic transformation. To take up extracellular DNA, S. pneumoniae assembles competence pili composed of the major pilin ComGC. In addition to ComGC, four minor pilins ComGD, E, F, and G are expressed during bacterial competence, but their role in pilus biogenesis and transformation is unknown. Here, using a combination of protein-protein interaction assays we show that all four proteins can directly interact with each other. Pneumococcal ComGG stabilizes the minor pilin ComGD and ComGF and can interact with and stabilize the major pilin ComGC, thus, deletion of ComGG abolishes competence pilus assembly. We further demonstrate that minor pilins are present in sheared pili fractions and find ComGF to be incorporated along the competence pilus by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Finally, mutants of the invariant Glu5 residue (E5), ComGDE5A or ComGEE5A, but not ComGFE5A, were severely impaired in pilus formation and function. Together, our results suggest that ComGG, lacking E5, is essential for competence pilus assembly and function, and plays a central role in connecting the pneumococcal minor pilins to ComGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Anke van Erp
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Henriques-Normark
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Muschiol
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Di Giacomo S, Toussaint F, Ledesma-García L, Knoops A, Vande Capelle F, Fremaux C, Horvath P, Ladrière JM, Ait-Abderrahim H, Hols P, Mignolet J. OUP accepted manuscript. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6543703. [PMID: 35254446 PMCID: PMC9300618 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the growing human population exacerbates the need for sustainable resources. Inspiration and achievements in nutrient production or human/animal health might emanate from microorganisms and their adaptive strategies. Here, we exemplify the benefits of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for numerous biotechnological applications and showcase their natural transformability as a fast and robust method to hereditarily influence their phenotype/traits in fundamental and applied research contexts. We described the biogenesis of the transformation machinery and we analyzed the genome of hundreds of LAB strains exploitable for human needs to predict their transformation capabilities. Finally, we provide a stepwise rational path to stimulate and optimize natural transformation with standard and synthetic biology techniques. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving natural transformation will facilitate and accelerate the improvement of bacteria with properties that serve broad societal interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Giacomo
- Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms (BGM), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Toussaint
- Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms (BGM), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Laura Ledesma-García
- Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms (BGM), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Adrien Knoops
- Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms (BGM), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Florence Vande Capelle
- Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms (BGM), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Christophe Fremaux
- Health and Biosciences, IFF Danisco France SAS, CS 10010, F-86220 Dangé-Saint-Romain, France
| | - Philippe Horvath
- Health and Biosciences, IFF Danisco France SAS, CS 10010, F-86220 Dangé-Saint-Romain, France
| | - Jean-Marc Ladrière
- Health and Biosciences, IFF Danisco France SAS, CS 10010, F-86220 Dangé-Saint-Romain, France
| | | | - Pascal Hols
- Corresponding author: Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5 (box L7.07.06), B-1348 Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium. Tel: +3210478896; Fax: +3210472825; E-mail:
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7
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Lam T, Ellison CK, Eddington DT, Brun YV, Dalia AB, Morrison DA. Competence pili in Streptococcus pneumoniae are highly dynamic structures that retract to promote DNA uptake. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:381-396. [PMID: 33754381 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The competence pili of transformable Gram-positive species are phylogenetically related to the diverse and widespread class of extracellular filamentous organelles known as type IV pili. In Gram-negative bacteria, type IV pili act through dynamic cycles of extension and retraction to carry out diverse activities including attachment, motility, protein secretion, and DNA uptake. It remains unclear whether competence pili in Gram-positive species exhibit similar dynamic activity, and their mechanism of action for DNA uptake remains unclear. They are hypothesized to either (1) leave transient cavities in the cell wall that facilitate DNA passage, (2) form static adhesins to enrich DNA near the cell surface for subsequent uptake by membrane-embedded transporters, or (3) play an active role in translocating bound DNA via dynamic activity. Here, we use a recently described pilus labeling approach to demonstrate that competence pili in Streptococcus pneumoniae are highly dynamic structures that rapidly extend and retract from the cell surface. By labeling the principal pilus monomer, ComGC, with bulky adducts, we further demonstrate that pilus retraction is essential for natural transformation. Together, our results suggest that Gram-positive competence pili in other species may also be dynamic and retractile structures that play an active role in DNA uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh Lam
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Courtney K Ellison
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - David T Eddington
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yves V Brun
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.,Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ankur B Dalia
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Donald A Morrison
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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8
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Garriss G, Henriques-Normark B. Lysogeny in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1546. [PMID: 33036379 PMCID: PMC7600539 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages, are major contributors to the evolution, pathogenesis and overall biology of their host bacteria. During their life cycle, temperate bacteriophages form stable associations with their host by integrating into the chromosome, a process called lysogeny. Isolates of the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae are frequently lysogenic, and genomic studies have allowed the classification of these phages into distinct phylogenetic groups. Here, we review the recent advances in the characterization of temperate pneumococcal phages, with a focus on their genetic features and chromosomal integration loci. We also discuss the contribution of phages, and specific phage-encoded features, to colonization and virulence. Finally, we discuss interesting research perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Garriss
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Henriques-Normark
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Bioclinicum, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC) and Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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9
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Sheppard D, Berry JL, Denise R, Rocha EPC, Matthews S, Pelicic V. The major subunit of widespread competence pili exhibits a novel and conserved type IV pilin fold. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6594-6604. [PMID: 32273343 PMCID: PMC7212644 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type IV filaments (T4F), which are helical assemblies of type IV pilins, constitute a superfamily of filamentous nanomachines virtually ubiquitous in prokaryotes that mediate a wide variety of functions. The competence (Com) pilus is a widespread T4F, mediating DNA uptake (the first step in natural transformation) in bacteria with one membrane (monoderms), an important mechanism of horizontal gene transfer. Here, we report the results of genomic, phylogenetic, and structural analyses of ComGC, the major pilin subunit of Com pili. By performing a global comparative analysis, we show that Com pili genes are virtually ubiquitous in Bacilli, a major monoderm class of Firmicutes. This also revealed that ComGC displays extensive sequence conservation, defining a monophyletic group among type IV pilins. We further report ComGC solution structures from two naturally competent human pathogens, Streptococcus sanguinis (ComGCSS) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (ComGCSP), revealing that this pilin displays extensive structural conservation. Strikingly, ComGCSS and ComGCSP exhibit a novel type IV pilin fold that is purely helical. Results from homology modeling analyses suggest that the unusual structure of ComGC is compatible with helical filament assembly. Because ComGC displays such a widespread distribution, these results have implications for hundreds of monoderm species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Sheppard
- Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie-Lee Berry
- Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Rémi Denise
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3525, Paris 75015, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, Paris 75005, France
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3525, Paris 75015, France
| | - Steve Matthews
- Centre for Structural Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Vladimir Pelicic
- Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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10
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Hör J, Garriss G, Di Giorgio S, Hack LM, Vanselow JT, Förstner KU, Schlosser A, Henriques-Normark B, Vogel J. Grad-seq in a Gram-positive bacterium reveals exonucleolytic sRNA activation in competence control. EMBO J 2020; 39:e103852. [PMID: 32227509 PMCID: PMC7196914 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA–protein interactions are the crucial basis for many steps of bacterial gene expression, including post‐transcriptional control by small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs). In stark contrast to recent progress in the analysis of Gram‐negative bacteria, knowledge about RNA–protein complexes in Gram‐positive species remains scarce. Here, we used the Grad‐seq approach to draft a comprehensive landscape of such complexes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, in total determining the sedimentation profiles of ~ 88% of the transcripts and ~ 62% of the proteins of this important human pathogen. Analysis of in‐gradient distributions and subsequent tag‐based protein capture identified interactions of the exoribonuclease Cbf1/YhaM with sRNAs that control bacterial competence for DNA uptake. Unexpectedly, the nucleolytic activity of Cbf1 stabilizes these sRNAs, thereby promoting their function as repressors of competence. Overall, these results provide the first RNA/protein complexome resource of a Gram‐positive species and illustrate how this can be utilized to identify new molecular factors with functions in RNA‐based regulation of virulence‐relevant pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Hör
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Geneviève Garriss
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor & Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Di Giorgio
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,ZB MED-Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa-Marie Hack
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jens T Vanselow
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- ZB MED-Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, TH Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Birgitta Henriques-Normark
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor & Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,SCELSE and LKC, Nanyang Technological University, NTU, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
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11
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Illikoud N, Gohier R, Werner D, Barrachina C, Roche D, Jaffrès E, Zagorec M. Transcriptome and Volatilome Analysis During Growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta in Food: Role of Food Substrate and Strain Specificity for the Expression of Spoilage Functions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2527. [PMID: 31781057 PMCID: PMC6856214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brochothrix thermosphacta is one of the main spoilers in food, responsible for meat and seafood spoilage through the production of malodorous volatile organic compounds. The molecules produced by this bacterium depend on the substrate (meat or seafood) and the storage conditions such as gas mixtures used in the packaging. It seems also that the spoilage potential is strain dependent as production of diacetyl and acetoin, two molecules responsible for seafood spoilage, varies with strains. Therefore, this suggests the involvement of different metabolic functions depending on both food substrate and strain capacities. In this study, we selected two strains with different abilities to produce diacetyl and acetoin and compared their behavior after grown in beef or cooked peeled shrimp juices. We determined the genes upregulated by both strains depending on the growth substrate and those that were specifically upregulated in only one strain. The genes upregulated by both strains in meat or in shrimp juice revealed the importance of the substrate for inducing specific metabolic pathways. The examination of genes that were specifically upregulated in only one of the two strains revealed strain features associated to specific substrates and also strain-specific regulations of metabolic pathways putatively leading to different levels of spoilage molecule production. This shows that the spoilage potential of B. thermosphacta depends on nutrients provided by food substrate and on metabolic activity potential that each strain possesses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Célia Barrachina
- MGX, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - David Roche
- Génomique Métabolique, Génoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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12
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Pelicic V. Monoderm bacteria: the new frontier for type IV pilus biology. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1674-1683. [PMID: 31556183 PMCID: PMC6916266 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the diverse world of bacterial pili, type IV pili (Tfp) are unique for two reasons: their multifunctionality and ubiquity. This latter feature offers an extraordinary possibility, that is, to perform comparative studies in evolutionarily distant species in order to improve our fragmentary understanding of Tfp biology. Regrettably, such potential has remained largely untapped, because, for 20 years, Tfp have only been characterised in diderm bacteria. However, recent studies of Tfp in monoderms have started closing the gap, revealing many interesting commonalities and a few significant differences, extending the frontiers of knowledge of Tfp biology. Here, I review the current state of the art of the Tfp field in monoderm bacteria and discuss resulting implications for our general understanding of the assembly and function of these widespread filamentous nanomachines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Pelicic
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
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13
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Càmara J, Cubero M, Martín-Galiano AJ, García E, Grau I, Nielsen JB, Worning P, Tubau F, Pallarés R, Domínguez MÁ, Kilian M, Liñares J, Westh H, Ardanuy C. Evolution of the β-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae PMEN3 clone over a 30 year period in Barcelona, Spain. J Antimicrob Chemother 2019; 73:2941-2951. [PMID: 30165641 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To analyse the epidemiology and genetic evolution of PMEN3 (Spain9V-156), a penicillin-non-susceptible clone of Streptococcus pneumoniae, causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Barcelona during 1987-2016. Methods WGS was performed on 46 representative isolates and the data were used to design additional molecular typing methods including partial MLST, PCR-RFLP and detection of surface-exposed proteins and prophages, to assign the remaining isolates to lineages. The isolates were also subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results Two hundred and twenty-seven adult cases of IPD caused by PMEN3 were identified. PMEN3 caused mainly pneumonia (84%) and the 30 day mortality rate was 23.1%. Evidence of recombination events was found, mostly in three regions, namely the capsular operon (associated with capsular switching) and adjacent regions containing pbp2x and pbp1a, the murM gene and the pbp2b-ddl region. Some of these genetic changes generated successful new variant serotype lineages, including one of serotype 11A that is not included in the current PCV13 vaccine. Other genetic changes led to increased MICs of β-lactams. Notably, most isolates also harboured prophages coding for PblB-like proteins. Despite these adaptations, the ability of this clone to cause IPD remained unchanged over time, highlighting the importance of its core genetic background. Conclusions Our study demonstrated successful adaptation of PMEN3 to persist over time despite the introduction of broader antibiotics and conjugate vaccines. In addition to enhancing understanding of the molecular evolution of PMEN3, these findings highlight the need for the development of non-serotype-based vaccines to fight pneumococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Càmara
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Cubero
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio J Martín-Galiano
- Bacterial Genetics, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Ernesto García
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imma Grau
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain.,Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesper B Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peder Worning
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fe Tubau
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Román Pallarés
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain.,Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ángeles Domínguez
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mogens Kilian
- Department of Biomedicine Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Josefina Liñares
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Henrik Westh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carmen Ardanuy
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Universitat de Barcelona-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
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14
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van den Broek MFL, De Boeck I, Kiekens F, Boudewyns A, Vanderveken OM, Lebeer S. Translating Recent Microbiome Insights in Otitis Media into Probiotic Strategies. Clin Microbiol Rev 2019; 32:e00010-18. [PMID: 31270125 PMCID: PMC6750133 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00010-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiota of the upper respiratory tract (URT) protects the host from bacterial pathogenic colonization by competing for adherence to epithelial cells and by immune response regulation that includes the activation of antimicrobial and (anti-)inflammatory components. However, environmental or host factors can modify the microbiota to an unstable community that predisposes the host to infection or inflammation. One of the URT diseases most often encountered in children is otitis media (OM). The role of pathogenic bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis in the pathogenesis of OM is well documented. Results from next-generation-sequencing (NGS) studies reveal other bacterial taxa involved in OM, such as Turicella and Alloiococcus Such studies can also identify bacterial taxa that are potentially protective against URT infections, whose beneficial action needs to be substantiated in relevant experimental models and clinical trials. Of note, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are members of the URT microbiota and associated with a URT ecosystem that is deemed healthy, based on NGS and some experimental and clinical studies. These observations have formed the basis of this review, in which we describe the current knowledge of the molecular and clinical potential of LAB in the URT, which is currently underexplored in microbiome and probiotic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne F L van den Broek
- Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology Research Group, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilke De Boeck
- Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology Research Group, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Filip Kiekens
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - An Boudewyns
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanderveken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Lebeer
- Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology Research Group, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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15
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Mobeen F, Sharma V, Prakash T. Functional signature analysis of extreme Prakriti endophenotypes in gut microbiome of western Indian rural population. Bioinformation 2019; 15:490-505. [PMID: 31485135 PMCID: PMC6704335 DOI: 10.6026/97320630015490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ayurveda is practiced in India from ancient times and stratifies the individuals based on their Prakriti constitution. Advancements in modern science have led to the association of Prakriti with molecular, biochemical, genomic and other entities. We have recently explored the gut microbiome composition and microbial signatures in healthy extreme Prakriti endo-phenotypes. However, their functional potentials are still lacking. The present study includes 63 females (29 Vata, 11 Pitta, and 23 Kapha) and 50 males (13 Vata, 18 Pitta, and 19 Kapha) samples. The predictive functional profiling and organism level functional traits of the human gut microbiome have been carried out in Prakriti groups using imputed metagenomic approach. A higher functional level redundancy is found than the taxonomy across the Prakriti groups, however the dominant taxa contributing to the functional profiles are found to be different. A high number of functional signatures specific to the Prakriti groups were identified in female datasets. Some of the functional signatures were found to be gender specific. For example, a higher abundance of microbes contributing potential pathogenic and stress tolerance related functions was found in Kapha in female and Pitta in male. The functional signatures correlated well with phenotypes and disease predisposition of Prakriti groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fauzul Mobeen
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand 175005, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vikas Sharma
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand 175005, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Tulika Prakash
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand 175005, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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16
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Structure and Properties of a Natural Competence-Associated Pilin Suggest a Unique Pilus Tip-Associated DNA Receptor. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00614-19. [PMID: 31186316 PMCID: PMC6561018 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00614-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural competence is the term used to describe the uptake of "naked" extracellular DNA by bacteria; it plays a significant role in horizontal genetic exchange. It is associated with type IV pili, and specialized competence pili mediate DNA uptake. Here, we show that the crystal structure of a competence-associated protein from Thermus thermophilus, ComZ, consists of a type II secretion pseudopilin-like domain, with a large β-solenoid domain inserted into the β-sheet of the pilin-like fold. ComZ binds with high affinity to another competence-associated pilin, PilA2, which lies adjacent to the comZ gene in the genome. The crystal structure of PilA2 revealed a similar type II secretion pseudopilin-like fold, with a small subdomain; docking simulations predicted that PilA2 binds between the pseudopilin-like and β-solenoid domains of ComZ. Electrophoretic shift analysis and DNase protection studies were used to show that ComZ alone and the ComZ/PilA2 complex are able to bind DNA. Protection against reductive dimethylation was used in combination with mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis to identify two lysine residues in ComZ which are involved in DNA binding. They are located between the two domains in ComZ, on the opposite side from the predicted PilA2 binding site. These results suggest a model in which PilA2 assists ComZ in forming the competence pilus tip and DNA binds to the side of the fiber. The results demonstrate how a type IV pilin can be adapted to a specific function by domain insertion and provide the first structural insights into a tip-located competence pilin.IMPORTANCE Thermus thermophilus is a thermophilic bacterium which is capable of natural transformation, the uptake of external DNA with high efficiency. DNA uptake is thought to be mediated by a competence-associated pilus, which binds the DNA substrate and mediates its transfer across the outer membrane and periplasm. Here, we describe the structural and functional analysis of two pilins which are known to be essential for DNA uptake, ComZ and PilA2. ComZ adopts an unusual structure, incorporating a large β-solenoid domain into the pilin structural framework. We argue on structural grounds that this structure cannot readily be accommodated into the competence pilus fiber unless it is at the tip. We also show that ComZ binds DNA and identify two lysine residues which appear to be important for DNA binding. These results suggest a model in which ComZ and PilA2 form a tip-associated DNA receptor which mediates DNA uptake.
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17
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Type IV pili (T4P) are remarkable bacterial surface appendages that carry out a range of functions. Various types of T4P have been identified in bacteria and archaea, making them almost universal structures in prokaryotes. T4P are best characterized in Gram-negative bacteria, in which pilus biogenesis and T4P-mediated functions have been studied for decades. Recent advances in microbial whole-genome sequencing have provided ample evidence for the existence of T4P also in many Gram-positive species. However, comparatively little is known, and T4P in Gram-positive bacteria are just beginning to be dissected. So far, they have mainly been studied in
Clostridium
and
Streptococcus
spp. and are involved in diverse cellular processes such as adhesion, motility, and horizontal gene transfer. Here we summarize the current understanding of T4P in Gram-positive species and their functions, with particular focus on the type IV competence pilus produced by the human pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and its role in natural transformation.
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18
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Abstract
Bacterial uptake of DNA through type IV filaments is an essential component of natural competence in numerous gram-positive and gram-negative species. Recent advances in the field have broadened our understanding of the structures used to take up extracellular DNA. Here, we review seminal experiments in the literature describing DNA binding by type IV pili, competence pili and the flp pili of Micrococcus luteus; collectively referred to here as type IV filaments. We compare the current state of the field on mechanisms of DNA uptake for these three appendage systems and describe the current mechanistic understanding of both DNA-binding and DNA-uptake by these versatile molecular machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt H Piepenbrink
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
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19
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Du X, Chen ZY, Guo D, Zhang H, Liu Y, Wang CL, Sun TT, Shi LF, Li Y, Liu F. Molecular dynamic investigate the affection of EGFR by Tubemoside. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 88:203-208. [PMID: 30716685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.01.017] [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: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tubemoside as a common traditional Chinese medicine is playing an important role in the field of prevention and treatment of lung cancer without any side effects. However, the reason and its mechanism remain unclear. In our study, the molecular dynamic simulation was used to investigate the mechanism at the molecular level. We found that the hydrogen bond network of proteins (three states of EGFR) was affected by Tubemoside. The movement and opening/closing state of protein was changed when combine with Tubemoside. The results of principal component analysis were used to prove the transform of proteins and the change of its movement. Electrostatic interactions of proteins also were studied. The numbers of active interaction sites will decrease while Tubemoside emerged in the protein, which will cause the activity change of EGFR for forming asymmetric dimers required for activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Du
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Zhi-Yong Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Dong Guo
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Chun-Liu Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Sun
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China
| | - Long-Fei Shi
- Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Jinan, 250100, PR China
| | - Ye Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, PR China.
| | - Feng Liu
- Shaanxi Buchang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710075, PR China; Shaanxi Institute of International Trade and Commerce, Xianyang, 712046, PR China.
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20
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Ronish LA, Lillehoj E, Fields JK, Sundberg EJ, Piepenbrink KH. The structure of PilA from Acinetobacter baumannii AB5075 suggests a mechanism for functional specialization in Acinetobacter type IV pili. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:218-230. [PMID: 30413536 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Type IV pili (T4P) are bacterial appendages composed of protein subunits, called pilins, noncovalently assembled into helical fibers. T4P are essential, in many bacterial species, for processes as diverse as twitching motility, natural competence, biofilm or microcolony formation, and host cell adhesion. The genes encoding type IV pili are found universally in the Gram-negative, aerobic, nonflagellated, and pathogenic coccobacillus Acinetobacter baumannii, but there is considerable variation in PilA, the major protein subunit, both in amino acid sequence and in glycosylation patterns. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of PilA from AB5075, a recently characterized, highly virulent isolate, at 1.9 Å resolution and compare it to homologues from A. baumannii strains ACICU and BIDMC57, which are C-terminally glycosylated. These structural comparisons revealed that PilAAB5075 exhibits a distinctly electronegative surface chemistry. To understand the functional consequences of this change in surface electrostatics, we complemented a ΔpilA knockout strain with divergent pilA genes from ACICU, BIDMC57, and AB5075. The resulting transgenic strains showed differential twitching motility and biofilm formation while maintaining the ability to adhere to epithelial cells. PilAAB5075 and PilAACICU, although structurally similar, promote different characteristics, favoring twitching motility and biofilm formation, respectively. These results support a model in which differences in pilus electrostatics affect the equilibrium of microcolony formation, which in turn alters the balance between motility and biofilm formation in Acinetobacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Ronish
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | - Erik Lillehoj
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - James K Fields
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Eric J Sundberg
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Kurt H Piepenbrink
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588; Departments of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588; Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588; Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588.
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21
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Brooks LRK, Mias GI. Streptococcus pneumoniae's Virulence and Host Immunity: Aging, Diagnostics, and Prevention. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1366. [PMID: 29988379 PMCID: PMC6023974 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an infectious pathogen responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Diseases caused by this bacterium are classified as pneumococcal diseases. This pathogen colonizes the nasopharynx of its host asymptomatically, but overtime can migrate to sterile tissues and organs and cause infections. Pneumonia is currently the most common pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a global health concern and vastly affects children under the age of five as well as the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. S. pneumoniae has a large selection of virulence factors that promote adherence, invasion of host tissues, and allows it to escape host immune defenses. A clear understanding of S. pneumoniae's virulence factors, host immune responses, and examining the current techniques available for diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention will allow for better regulation of the pathogen and its diseases. In terms of disease prevention, other considerations must include the effects of age on responses to vaccines and vaccine efficacy. Ongoing work aims to improve on current vaccination paradigms by including the use of serotype-independent vaccines, such as protein and whole cell vaccines. Extending our knowledge of the biology of, and associated host immune response to S. pneumoniae is paramount for our improvement of pneumococcal disease diagnosis, treatment, and improvement of patient outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavida R. K. Brooks
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - George I. Mias
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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