1
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Nasseri SA, Lazarski AC, Lemmer IL, Zhang CY, Brencher E, Chen HM, Sim L, Panwar D, Betschart L, Worrall LJ, Brumer H, Strynadka NCJ, Withers SG. An alternative broad-specificity pathway for glycan breakdown in bacteria. Nature 2024; 631:199-206. [PMID: 38898276 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07574-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The vast majority of glycosidases characterized to date follow one of the variations of the 'Koshland' mechanisms1 to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds through substitution reactions. Here we describe a large-scale screen of a human gut microbiome metagenomic library using an assay that selectively identifies non-Koshland glycosidase activities2. Using this, we identify a cluster of enzymes with extremely broad substrate specificities and thoroughly characterize these, mechanistically and structurally. These enzymes not only break glycosidic linkages of both α and β stereochemistry and multiple connectivities, but also cleave substrates that are not hydrolysed by standard glycosidases. These include thioglycosides, such as the glucosinolates from plants, and pseudoglycosidic bonds of pharmaceuticals such as acarbose. This is achieved through a distinct mechanism of hydrolysis that involves oxidation/reduction and elimination/hydration steps, each catalysed by enzyme modules that are in many cases interchangeable between organisms and substrate classes. Homologues of these enzymes occur in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria associated with the gut microbiome and other body parts, as well as other environments, such as soil and sea. Such alternative step-wise mechanisms appear to constitute largely unrecognized but abundant pathways for glycan degradation as part of the metabolism of carbohydrates in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Amirhossein Nasseri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aleksander C Lazarski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Imke L Lemmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chloe Y Zhang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eva Brencher
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hong-Ming Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lyann Sim
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Deepesh Panwar
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Leo Betschart
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liam J Worrall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Harry Brumer
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natalie C J Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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2
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Muramatsu MK, Winter SE. Nutrient acquisition strategies by gut microbes. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:863-874. [PMID: 38870902 PMCID: PMC11178278 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The composition and function of the gut microbiota are intimately tied to nutrient acquisition strategies and metabolism, with significant implications for host health. Both dietary and host-intrinsic factors influence community structure and the basic modes of bacterial energy metabolism. The intestinal tract is rich in carbon and nitrogen sources; however, limited access to oxygen restricts energy-generating reactions to fermentation. By contrast, increased availability of electron acceptors during episodes of intestinal inflammation results in phylum-level changes in gut microbiota composition, suggesting that bacterial energy metabolism is a key driver of gut microbiota function. In this review article, we will illustrate diverse examples of microbial nutrient acquisition strategies in the context of habitat filters and anatomical location and the central role of energy metabolism in shaping metabolic strategies to support bacterial growth in the mammalian gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Muramatsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sebastian E Winter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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3
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Bains RK, Nasseri SA, Wardman JF, Withers SG. Advances in the understanding and exploitation of carbohydrate-active enzymes. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102457. [PMID: 38657391 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102457] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) are responsible for the biosynthesis, modification and degradation of all glycans in Nature. Advances in genomic and metagenomic methodologies, in conjunction with lower cost gene synthesis, have provided access to a steady stream of new CAZymes with both well-established and novel mechanisms. At the same time, increasing access to cryo-EM has resulted in exciting new structures, particularly of transmembrane glycosyltransferases of various sorts. This improved understanding has resulted in widespread progress in applications of CAZymes across diverse fields, including therapeutics, organ transplantation, foods, and biofuels. Herein, we highlight a few of the many important advances that have recently been made in the understanding and applications of CAZymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajneesh K Bains
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Seyed Amirhossein Nasseri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacob F Wardman
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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4
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Akintubosun MO, Higgins MA. A myo-inositol dehydrogenase involved in aminocyclitol biosynthesis of hygromycin A. Beilstein J Org Chem 2024; 20:589-596. [PMID: 38505238 PMCID: PMC10949010 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.20.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Hygromycin A is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that contains a furanose, cinnamic acid, and aminocyclitol moieties. The biosynthesis of the aminocyclitol has been proposed to proceed through six enzymatic steps from glucose 6-phosphate through myo-inositol to the final methylenedioxy-containing aminocyclitol. Although there is some in vivo evidence for this proposed pathway, biochemical support for the individual enzyme activities is lacking. In this study, we verify the activity for one enzyme in this pathway. We show that Hyg17 is a myo-inositol dehydrogenase that has a unique substrate scope when compared to other myo-inositol dehydrogenases. Furthermore, we analyze sequences from the protein family containing Hyg17 and discuss genome mining strategies that target this protein family to identify biosynthetic clusters for natural product discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Akintubosun
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 3314 Science and Engineering Complex, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Melanie A Higgins
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 3314 Science and Engineering Complex, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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5
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Wu Y, Bell A, Thomas GH, Bolam DN, Sargent F, Juge N, Palmer T, Severi E. Characterisation of anhydro-sialic acid transporters from mucosa-associated bacteria. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001448. [PMID: 38488830 PMCID: PMC10955332 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Sialic acid (Sia) transporters are critical to the capacity of host-associated bacteria to utilise Sia for growth and/or cell surface modification. While N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)-specific transporters have been studied extensively, little is known on transporters dedicated to anhydro-Sia forms such as 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac (2,7-AN) or 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-Neu5Ac (Neu5Ac2en). Here, we used a Sia-transport-null strain of Escherichia coli to investigate the function of members of anhydro-Sia transporter families previously identified by computational studies. First, we showed that the transporter NanG, from the Glycoside-Pentoside-Hexuronide:cation symporter family, is a specific 2,7-AN transporter, and identified by mutagenesis a crucial functional residue within the putative substrate-binding site. We then demonstrated that NanX transporters, of the Major Facilitator Superfamily, also only transport 2,7-AN and not Neu5Ac2en nor Neu5Ac. Finally, we provided evidence that SiaX transporters, of the Sodium-Solute Symporter superfamily, are promiscuous Neu5Ac/Neu5Ac2en transporters able to acquire either substrate equally well. The characterisation of anhydro-Sia transporters expands our current understanding of prokaryotic Sia metabolism within host-associated microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Wu
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Andrew Bell
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Gavin H. Thomas
- Department of Biology and York Biomedical Research Institute (YBRI), Wentworth Way, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - David N. Bolam
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Frank Sargent
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Emmanuele Severi
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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6
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Wu X, Zhang T, Zhang T, Park S. The impact of gut microbiome enterotypes on ulcerative colitis: identifying key bacterial species and revealing species co-occurrence networks using machine learning. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2292254. [PMID: 38117560 PMCID: PMC10761161 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2292254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease affecting the colon and rectum, with its pathogenesis attributed to genetic background, environmental factors, and gut microbes. This study aimed to investigate the role of enterotypes in UC by conducting a hierarchical analysis, determining differential bacteria using machine learning, and performing Species Co-occurrence Network (SCN) analysis. Fecal bacterial data were collected from UC patients, and a 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis was performed using the QIIME2 bioinformatics pipeline. Enterotype clustering was conducted at the family level, and deep neural network (DNN) classification models were trained for UC and healthy controls (HC) in each enterotype. Results from eleven 16S rRNA gut microbiome datasets revealed three enterotypes: Bacteroidaceae (ET-B), Lachnospiraceae (ET-L), and Clostridiaceae (ET-C). Ruminococcus (R. gnavus) abundance was significantly higher in UC subjects with ET-B and ET-C than in those with ET-L. R. gnavus also showed a positive correlation with Clostridia in UC SCN for ET-B and ET-C subjects, with a higher correlation in ET-C subjects. Conversely, Odoribacter (O.) splanchnicus and Bacteroides (B.) uniformis exhibited a positive correlation with tryptophan metabolism and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways, while R. gnavus showed a negative correlation. In vitro co-culture experiments with Clostridium (C.) difficile demonstrated that fecal microbiota from ET-B subjects had a higher abundance of C. difficile than ET-L subjects. In conclusion, the ET-B enterotype predisposes individuals to UC, with R. gnavus as a potential risk factor and O. splanchnicus and B. uniformis as protective bacteria, and those with UC may have ultimately become ET-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuangao Wu
- Department of Bioconvergence, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Bioconvergence, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea
| | - TianShun Zhang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Obesity/Diabetes Research Center, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea
| | - Sunmin Park
- Department of Bioconvergence, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Obesity/Diabetes Research Center, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea
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7
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Groisman EA, Choi J. Advancing evolution: Bacteria break down gene silencer to express horizontally acquired genes. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300062. [PMID: 37533411 PMCID: PMC10530229 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer advances bacterial evolution. To benefit from horizontally acquired genes, enteric bacteria must overcome silencing caused when the widespread heat-stable nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein binds to AT-rich horizontally acquired genes. This ability had previously been ascribed to both anti-silencing proteins outcompeting H-NS for binding to AT-rich DNA and RNA polymerase initiating transcription from alternative promoters. However, we now know that pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and commensal Escherichia coli break down H-NS when this silencer is not bound to DNA. Curiously, both species use the same protease - Lon - to destroy H-NS in distinct environments. Anti-silencing proteins promote the expression of horizontally acquired genes without binding to them by displacing H-NS from AT-rich DNA, thus leaving H-NS susceptible to proteolysis and decreasing H-NS amounts overall. Conserved amino acid sequences in the Lon protease and H-NS cleavage site suggest that diverse bacteria degrade H-NS to exploit horizontally acquired genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A. Groisman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
- Yale Microbial Sciences Institute, P.O. Box 27389, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Jeongjoon Choi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
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8
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Tiwari SK, van der Putten BCL, Fuchs TM, Vinh TN, Bootsma M, Oldenkamp R, La Ragione R, Matamoros S, Hoa NT, Berens C, Leng J, Álvarez J, Ferrandis-Vila M, Ritchie JM, Fruth A, Schwarz S, Domínguez L, Ugarte-Ruiz M, Bethe A, Huber C, Johanns V, Stamm I, Wieler LH, Ewers C, Fivian-Hughes A, Schmidt H, Menge C, Semmler T, Schultsz C. Genome-wide association reveals host-specific genomic traits in Escherichia coli. BMC Biol 2023; 21:76. [PMID: 37038177 PMCID: PMC10088187 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01562-w] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escherichia coli is an opportunistic pathogen which colonizes various host species. However, to what extent genetic lineages of E. coli are adapted or restricted to specific hosts and the genomic determinants of such adaptation or restriction is poorly understood. RESULTS We randomly sampled E. coli isolates from four countries (Germany, UK, Spain, and Vietnam), obtained from five host species (human, pig, cattle, chicken, and wild boar) over 16 years, from both healthy and diseased hosts, to construct a collection of 1198 whole-genome sequenced E. coli isolates. We identified associations between specific E. coli lineages and the host from which they were isolated. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified several E. coli genes that were associated with human, cattle, or chicken hosts, whereas no genes associated with the pig host could be found. In silico characterization of nine contiguous genes (collectively designated as nan-9) associated with the human host indicated that these genes are involved in the metabolism of sialic acids (Sia). In contrast, the previously described sialic acid regulon known as sialoregulon (i.e. nanRATEK-yhcH, nanXY, and nanCMS) was not associated with any host species. In vitro growth experiments with a Δnan-9 E. coli mutant strain, using the sialic acids 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) as sole carbon source, showed impaired growth behaviour compared to the wild-type. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an extensive analysis of genetic determinants which may contribute to host specificity in E. coli. Our findings should inform risk analysis and epidemiological monitoring of (antimicrobial resistant) E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet K Tiwari
- Robert Koch Institute, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Program, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Boas C L van der Putten
- Department of Global Health, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Thilo M Fuchs
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Trung N Vinh
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | | | - Rik Oldenkamp
- Department of Global Health, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roberto La Ragione
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Sebastien Matamoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ngo T Hoa
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tropical medicine and global health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- Microbiology- Parasitology Unit, Biomedical Research Center and Microbiology Department, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Joy Leng
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Julio Álvarez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jenny M Ritchie
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Angelika Fruth
- Robert Koch Institute, Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Stefan Schwarz
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- Tropical medicine and global health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- Microbiology- Parasitology Unit, Biomedical Research Center and Microbiology Department, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - María Ugarte-Ruiz
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Astrid Bethe
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Huber
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vanessa Johanns
- Robert Koch Institute, Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ivonne Stamm
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Kornwestheim, Germany
| | | | - Christa Ewers
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Giessen, Germany
| | - Amanda Fivian-Hughes
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Herbert Schmidt
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Food Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Robert Koch Institute, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Constance Schultsz
- Department of Global Health, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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9
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Kaur A, Scott NE, Herisse M, Goddard-Borger ED, Pidot S, Williams SJ. Identification of levoglucosan degradation pathways in bacteria and sequence similarity network analysis. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:155. [PMID: 37000297 PMCID: PMC10066097 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03506-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Levoglucosan is produced in the pyrolysis of cellulose and starch, including from bushfires or the burning of biofuels, and is deposited from the atmosphere across the surface of the earth. We describe two levoglucosan degrading Paenarthrobacter spp. (Paenarthrobacter nitrojuajacolis LG01 and Paenarthrobacter histidinolovorans LG02) that were isolated from soil by metabolic enrichment using levoglucosan as the sole carbon source. Genome sequencing and proteomics analysis revealed the expression of a series of genes encoding known levoglucosan degrading enzymes, levoglucosan dehydrogenase (LGDH, LgdA), 3-keto-levoglucosan β -eliminase (LgdB1) and glucose 3-dehydrogenase (LgdC), along with an ABC transporter cassette and an associated solute binding protein. However, no homologues of 3-ketoglucose dehydratase (LgdB2) were evident, while the expressed genes contained a range of putative sugar phosphate isomerases/xylose isomerases with weak similarity to LgdB2. Sequence similarity network analysis of genome neighbours of LgdA revealed that homologues of LgdB1 and LgdC are generally conserved in a range of bacteria in the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. One group of sugar phosphate isomerase/xylose isomerase homologues (named LgdB3) was identified with limited distribution that is mutually exclusive with LgdB2, and we propose that they may fulfil a similar function. LgdB1, LgdB2 and LgdB3 adopt similar predicted 3D folds, suggesting overlapping function in processing intermediates in LG metabolism. Our findings highlight diversity within the LGDH pathway, through which bacteria utilize levoglucosan as a nutrient source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arashdeep Kaur
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nichollas E Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Marion Herisse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Ethan D Goddard-Borger
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sacha Pidot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Spencer J Williams
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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10
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Crost EH, Coletto E, Bell A, Juge N. Ruminococcus gnavus: friend or foe for human health. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad014. [PMID: 37015876 PMCID: PMC10112845 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminococcus gnavus was first identified in 1974 as a strict anaerobe in the gut of healthy individuals, and for several decades, its study has been limited to specific enzymes or bacteriocins. With the advent of metagenomics, R. gnavus has been associated both positively and negatively with an increasing number of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases from inflammatory bowel diseases to neurological disorders. This prompted renewed interest in understanding the adaptation mechanisms of R. gnavus to the gut, and the molecular mediators affecting its association with health and disease. From ca. 250 publications citing R. gnavus since 1990, 94% were published in the last 10 years. In this review, we describe the biological characterization of R. gnavus, its occurrence in the infant and adult gut microbiota and the factors influencing its colonization of the gastrointestinal tract; we also discuss the current state of our knowledge on its role in host health and disease. We highlight gaps in knowledge and discuss the hypothesis that differential health outcomes associated with R. gnavus in the gut are strain and niche specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle H Crost
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Coletto
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Bell
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Rosalind Franklin Road, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
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11
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McDonald ND, Rosenberger JR, Almagro-Moreno S, Boyd EF. The Role of Nutrients and Nutritional Signals in the Pathogenesis of Vibrio cholerae. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1404:195-211. [PMID: 36792877 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-22997-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae, the agent of cholera, is a natural inhabitant of aquatic environments. Over the past decades, the importance of specific nutrients and micronutrients in the environmental survival, host colonization, and pathogenesis of this species has become increasingly clear. For instance, V. cholerae has evolved ingenious mechanisms that allow the bacterium to colonize and establish a niche in the intestine of human hosts, where it competes with commensals (gut microbiota) and other pathogenic bacteria for available nutrients. Here, we discuss the carbon and energy sources utilized by V. cholerae and what is known about the role of nutrition in V. cholerae colonization. We examine how nutritional signals affect virulence gene regulation and how interactions with intestinal commensal species can affect intestinal colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D McDonald
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - J R Rosenberger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - S Almagro-Moreno
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.,National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - E Fidelma Boyd
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
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12
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Bell A, Severi E, Owen CD, Latousakis D, Juge N. Biochemical and structural basis of sialic acid utilization by gut microbes. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102989. [PMID: 36758803 PMCID: PMC10017367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors diverse microbial communities collectively known as the gut microbiota that exert a profound impact on human health and disease. The repartition and availability of sialic acid derivatives in the gut have a significant impact on the modulation of gut microbes and host susceptibility to infection and inflammation. Although N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) is the main form of sialic acids in humans, the sialic acid family regroups more than 50 structurally and chemically distinct modified derivatives. In the GI tract, sialic acids are found in the terminal location of mucin glycan chains constituting the mucus layer and also come from human milk oligosaccharides in the infant gut or from meat-based foods in adults. The repartition of sialic acid in the GI tract influences the gut microbiota composition and pathogen colonization. In this review, we provide an update on the mechanisms underpinning sialic acid utilization by gut microbes, focusing on sialidases, transporters, and metabolic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bell
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuele Severi
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - C David Owen
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Latousakis
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom.
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13
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Dudek B, Rybka J, Bugla-Płoskońska G, Korzeniowska-Kowal A, Futoma-Kołoch B, Pawlak A, Gamian A. Biological functions of sialic acid as a component of bacterial endotoxin. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1028796. [PMID: 36338080 PMCID: PMC9631793 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1028796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin, LPS) is an important Gram-negative bacteria antigen. LPS of some bacteria contains sialic acid (Neu5Ac) as a component of O-antigen (O-Ag), in this review we present an overview of bacteria in which the presence of Neu5Ac has been confirmed in their outer envelope and the possible ways that bacteria can acquire Neu5Ac. We explain the role of Neu5Ac in bacterial pathogenesis, and also involvement of Neu5Ac in bacterial evading the host innate immunity response and molecular mimicry phenomenon. We also highlight the role of sialic acid in the mechanism of bacterial resistance to action of serum complement. Despite a number of studies on involvement of Neu5Ac in bacterial pathogenesis many aspects of this phenomenon are still not understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Dudek
- Department of Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
- *Correspondence: Bartłomiej Dudek,
| | - Jacek Rybka
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | | | - Andrzej Gamian
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Andrzej Gamian,
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14
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Degradation of gene silencer is essential for expression of foreign genes and bacterial colonization of the mammalian gut. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210239119. [PMID: 36161931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210239119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer drives bacterial evolution. To confer new properties, horizontally acquired genes must overcome gene silencing by nucleoid-associated proteins, such as the heat-stable nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein. Enteric bacteria possess proteins that displace H-NS from foreign genes, form nonfunctional oligomers with H-NS, and degrade H-NS, raising the question of whether any of these mechanisms play a role in overcoming foreign gene silencing in vivo. To answer this question, we mutagenized the hns gene and identified a variant specifying an H-NS protein that binds foreign DNA and silences expression of the corresponding genes, like wild-type H-NS, but resists degradation by the Lon protease. Critically, Escherichia coli expressing this variant alone fails to produce curli, which are encoded by foreign genes and required for biofilm formation, and fails to colonize the murine gut. Our findings establish that H-NS proteolysis is a general mechanism of derepressing foreign genes and essential for colonization of mammalian hosts.
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15
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Sokolovskaya OM, Tan MW, Wolan DW. Sialic acid diversity in the human gut: Molecular impacts and tools for future discovery. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102397. [PMID: 35653953 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of structurally related sugars that are prevalent in mucosal surfaces, including the human intestine. In the gut, sialic acids have diverse biological roles at the interface of the host epithelium and the microbiota. N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), the best studied sialic acid, is a nutrient source for bacteria and, when displayed on the cell surface, a binding site for host immune factors, viruses, and bacterial toxins. Neu5Ac is extensively modified by host and microbial enzymes, and the impacts of Neu5Ac derivatives on host-microbe interactions, and generally on human and microbial biology, remain underexplored. In this mini-review, we highlight recent reports describing how host and microbial proteins differentiate Neu5Ac and its derivatives, draw attention to gaps in knowledge related to sialic acid biology, and suggest cutting-edge methodologies that may expand our appreciation and understanding of Neu5Ac in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M Sokolovskaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Man-Wah Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Dennis W Wolan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States.
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16
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Tomás-Martínez S, Chen LM, Neu TR, Weissbrodt DG, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Catabolism of sialic acids in an environmental microbial community. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6571932. [PMID: 35446356 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of nine-carbon negatively charged carbohydrates. In animals, they are abundant on mucosa surfaces as terminal carbohydrates of mucin glycoproteins. Some commensal and pathogenic bacteria are able to release, take up, and catabolize sialic acids. Recently, sialic acids have been discovered to be widespread among most microorganisms. Although the catabolism of sialic acids has been intensively investigated in the field of host-microbe interactions, very limited information is available on microbial degradation of sialic acids produced by environmental microorganisms. In this study, the catabolic pathways of sialic acids within an microbial community dominated by 'Candidatus Accumulibacter' was evaluated. Protein alignment tools were used to detect the presence of the different proteins involved in the utilization of sialic acids in the flanking populations detected by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed the ability of Clostridium to release sialic acids from the glycan chains by the action of a sialidase. Clostridium and Chryseobacterium can take up free sialic acids and utilize them as nutrient. Interestingly, these results display similarities with the catabolism of sialic acids by the gut microbiota. This study points at the importance of sialic acids in environmental communities in the absence of eukaryotic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Tomás-Martínez
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Le Min Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas R Neu
- Microbiology of Interfaces, Department River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ, Brueckstrasse 3A, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - David G Weissbrodt
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
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17
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Coletto E, Latousakis D, Pontifex MG, Crost EH, Vaux L, Perez Santamarina E, Goldson A, Brion A, Hajihosseini MK, Vauzour D, Savva GM, Juge N. The role of the mucin-glycan foraging Ruminococcus gnavus in the communication between the gut and the brain. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2073784. [PMID: 35579971 PMCID: PMC9122312 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2073784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminococcus gnavus is a prevalent member of the human gut microbiota, which is over-represented in inflammatory bowel disease and neurological disorders. We previously showed that the ability of R. gnavus to forage on mucins is strain-dependent and associated with sialic acid metabolism. Here, we showed that mice monocolonized with R. gnavus ATCC 29149 (Rg-mice) display changes in major sialic acid derivatives in their cecum content, blood, and brain, which is accompanied by a significant decrease in the percentage of sialylated residues in intestinal mucins relative to germ-free (GF) mice. Changes in metabolites associated with brain function such as tryptamine, indolacetate, and trimethylamine N-oxide were also detected in the cecal content of Rg-mice when compared to GF mice. Next, we investigated the effect of R. gnavus monocolonization on hippocampus cell proliferation and behavior. We observed a significant decrease of PSA-NCAM immunoreactive granule cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of Rg-mice as compared to GF mice and recruitment of phagocytic microglia in the vicinity. Behavioral assessments suggested an improvement of the spatial working memory in Rg-mice but no change in other cognitive functions. These results were also supported by a significant upregulation of genes involved in proliferation and neuroplasticity. Collectively, these data provide first insights into how R. gnavus metabolites may influence brain regulation and function through modulation of granule cell development and synaptic plasticity in the adult hippocampus. This work has implications for further understanding the mechanisms underpinning the role of R. gnavus in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Coletto
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Dimitrios Latousakis
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Matthew G Pontifex
- Norwich Medical School, Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Emmanuelle H Crost
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Laura Vaux
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Estella Perez Santamarina
- Norwich Medical School, Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrew Goldson
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Arlaine Brion
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Mohammad K Hajihosseini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - David Vauzour
- Norwich Medical School, Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - George M Savva
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
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18
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Soares CO, Grosso AS, Ereño-Orbea J, Coelho H, Marcelo F. Molecular Recognition Insights of Sialic Acid Glycans by Distinct Receptors Unveiled by NMR and Molecular Modeling. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:727847. [PMID: 34869580 PMCID: PMC8634706 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.727847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
All cells are decorated with a highly dense and complex structure of glycan chains, which are mostly attached to proteins and lipids. In this context, sialic acids are a family of nine-carbon acidic monosaccharides typically found at the terminal position of glycan chains, modulating several physiological and pathological processes. Sialic acids have many structural and modulatory roles due to their negative charge and hydrophilicity. In addition, the recognition of sialic acid glycans by mammalian cell lectins, such as siglecs, has been described as an important immunological checkpoint. Furthermore, sialic acid glycans also play a pivotal role in host-pathogen interactions. Various pathogen receptors exposed on the surface of viruses and bacteria are responsible for the binding to sialic acid sugars located on the surface of host cells, becoming a critical point of contact in the infection process. Understanding the molecular mechanism of sialic acid glycans recognition by sialic acid-binding proteins, present on the surface of pathogens or human cells, is essential to realize the biological mechanism of these events and paves the way for the rational development of strategies to modulate sialic acid-protein interactions in diseases. In this perspective, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, assisted with molecular modeling protocols, is a versatile and powerful technique to investigate the structural and dynamic aspects of glycoconjugates and their interactions in solution at the atomic level. NMR provides the corresponding ligand and protein epitopes, essential for designing and developing potential glycan-based therapies. In this review, we critically discuss the current state of knowledge about the structural features behind the molecular recognition of sialic acid glycans by different receptors, naturally present on human cells or pathogens, disclosed by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Oliveira Soares
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Grosso
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - June Ereño-Orbea
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Bizkaia Technology Park, Bilbao, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Helena Coelho
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Filipa Marcelo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
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19
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Schaapkens X, van Sluis RN, Bobylev EO, Reek JNH, Mooibroek TJ. A Water Soluble Pd 2 L 4 Cage for Selective Binding of Neu5Ac. Chemistry 2021; 27:13719-13724. [PMID: 34486179 PMCID: PMC8518546 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and its derivatives are involved in many biological processes including cell-cell recognition and infection by influenza. Molecules that can recognize Neu5Ac might thus be exploited to intervene in or monitor such events. A key obstacle in this development is the sparse availability of easily prepared molecules that bind to this carbohydrate in its natural solvent; water. Here, we report that the carbohydrate binding pocket of an organic soluble [Pd2 L4 ]4+ cage could be equipped with guanidinium-terminating dendrons to give the water soluble [Pd2 L4 ][NO3 ]16 cage 7. It was shown by means of NMR spectroscopy that 7 binds selectively to anionic monosaccharides and strongest to Neu5Ac with Ka =24 M-1 . The cage had low to no affinity for the thirteen neutral saccharides studied. Aided by molecular modeling, the selectivity for anionic carbohydrates such as Neu5Ac could be rationalized by the presence of charge assisted hydrogen bonds and/or the presence of a salt bridge with a guanidinium solubilizing arm of 7. Establishing that a simple coordination cage such as 7 can already selectively bind to Neu5Ac in water paves the way to improve the stability, affinity and/or selectivity properties of M2 L4 cages for carbohydrates and other small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xander Schaapkens
- Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Roy N. van Sluis
- Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Eduard O. Bobylev
- Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Joost N. H. Reek
- Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Tiddo J. Mooibroek
- Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 9041098 XHAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
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20
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Currie MJ, Manjunath L, Horne CR, Rendle PM, Subramanian R, Friemann R, Fairbanks AJ, Muscroft-Taylor AC, North RA, Dobson RCJ. N-acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase uses a novel substrate-assisted mechanism to catalyze amino sugar epimerization. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101113. [PMID: 34437902 PMCID: PMC8482478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are five known general catalytic mechanisms used by enzymes to catalyze carbohydrate epimerization. The amino sugar epimerase N-acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase (NanE) has been proposed to use a deprotonation-reprotonation mechanism, with an essential catalytic lysine required for both steps. However, the structural determinants of this mechanism are not clearly established. We characterized NanE from Staphylococcus aureus using a new coupled assay to monitor NanE catalysis in real time and found that it has kinetic constants comparable with other species. The crystal structure of NanE from Staphylococcus aureus, which comprises a triosephosphate isomerase barrel fold with an unusual dimeric architecture, was solved with both natural and modified substrates. Using these substrate-bound structures, we identified the following active-site residues lining the cleft at the C-terminal end of the β-strands: Gln11, Arg40, Lys63, Asp124, Glu180, and Arg208, which were individually substituted and assessed in relation to the mechanism. From this, we re-evaluated the central role of Glu180 in this mechanism alongside the catalytic lysine. We observed that the substrate is bound in a conformation that ideally positions the C5 hydroxyl group to be activated by Glu180 and donate a proton to the C2 carbon. Taken together, we propose that NanE uses a novel substrate-assisted proton displacement mechanism to invert the C2 stereocenter of N-acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate. Our data and mechanistic interpretation may be useful in the development of inhibitors of this enzyme or in enzyme engineering to produce biocatalysts capable of changing the stereochemistry of molecules that are not amenable to synthetic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Currie
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Lavanyaa Manjunath
- Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, NCBS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Christopher R Horne
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Phillip M Rendle
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Ramaswamy Subramanian
- Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, NCBS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rosmarie Friemann
- Fujirebio Diagnostics, Gothenburg, Sweden; Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Antony J Fairbanks
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Andrew C Muscroft-Taylor
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Rachel A North
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Renwick C J Dobson
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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21
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Severi E, Rudden M, Bell A, Palmer T, Juge N, Thomas GH. Multiple evolutionary origins reflect the importance of sialic acid transporters in the colonization potential of bacterial pathogens and commensals. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34184979 PMCID: PMC8461474 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Located at the tip of cell surface glycoconjugates, sialic acids are at the forefront of host-microbe interactions and, being easily liberated by sialidase enzymes, are used as metabolites by numerous bacteria, particularly by pathogens and commensals living on or near diverse mucosal surfaces. These bacteria rely on specific transporters for the acquisition of host-derived sialic acids. Here, we present the first comprehensive genomic and phylogenetic analysis of bacterial sialic acid transporters, leading to the identification of multiple new families and subfamilies. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that sialic acid-specific transport has evolved independently at least eight times during the evolution of bacteria, from within four of the major families/superfamilies of bacterial transporters, and we propose a robust classification scheme to bring together a myriad of different nomenclatures that exist to date. The new transporters discovered occur in diverse bacteria, including Spirochaetes, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia, many of which are species that have not been previously recognized to have sialometabolic capacities. Two subfamilies of transporters stand out in being fused to the sialic acid mutarotase enzyme, NanM, and these transporter fusions are enriched in bacteria present in gut microbial communities. Our analysis supports the increasing experimental evidence that competition for host-derived sialic acid is a key phenotype for successful colonization of complex mucosal microbiomes, such that a strong evolutionary selection has occurred for the emergence of sialic acid specificity within existing transporter architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuele Severi
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.,Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Andrew Bell
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
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22
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The metalloprotein YhcH is an anomerase providing N-acetylneuraminate aldolase with the open form of its substrate. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100699. [PMID: 33895133 PMCID: PMC8141875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetylneuraminate (Neu5Ac), an abundant sugar present in glycans in vertebrates and some bacteria, can be used as an energy source by several prokaryotes, including Escherichia coli. In solution, more than 99% of Neu5Ac is in cyclic form (≈92% beta-anomer and ≈7% alpha-anomer), whereas <0.5% is in the open form. The aldolase that initiates Neu5Ac metabolism in E. coli, NanA, has been reported to act on the alpha-anomer. Surprisingly, when we performed this reaction at pH 6 to minimize spontaneous anomerization, we found NanA and its human homolog NPL preferentially metabolize the open form of this substrate. We tested whether the E. coli Neu5Ac anomerase NanM could promote turnover, finding it stimulated the utilization of both beta and alpha-anomers by NanA in vitro. However, NanM is localized in the periplasmic space and cannot facilitate Neu5Ac metabolism by NanA in the cytoplasm in vivo. We discovered that YhcH, a cytoplasmic protein encoded by many Neu5Ac catabolic operons and belonging to a protein family of unknown function (DUF386), also facilitated Neu5Ac utilization by NanA and NPL and displayed Neu5Ac anomerase activity in vitro. YhcH contains Zn, and its accelerating effect on the aldolase reaction was inhibited by metal chelators. Remarkably, several transition metals accelerated Neu5Ac anomerization in the absence of enzyme. Experiments with E. coli mutants indicated that YhcH expression provides a selective advantage for growth on Neu5Ac. In conclusion, YhcH plays the unprecedented role of providing an aldolase with the preferred unstable open form of its substrate.
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23
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Hammond AJ, Binsker U, Aggarwal SD, Ortigoza MB, Loomis C, Weiser JN. Neuraminidase B controls neuraminidase A-dependent mucus production and evasion. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009158. [PMID: 33819312 PMCID: PMC8049478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) to nasal mucus leads to entrapment and clearance via mucociliary activity during colonization. To identify Spn factors allowing for evasion of mucus binding, we used a solid-phase adherence assay with immobilized mucus of human and murine origin. Spn bound large mucus particles through interactions with carbohydrate moieties. Mutants lacking neuraminidase A (nanA) or neuraminidase B (nanB) showed increased mucus binding that correlated with diminished removal of terminal sialic acid residues on bound mucus. The non-additive activity of the two enzymes raised the question why Spn expresses two neuraminidases and suggested they function in the same pathway. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated expression of nanA depends on the enzymatic function of NanB. As transcription of nanA is increased in the presence of sialic acid, our findings suggest that sialic acid liberated from host glycoconjugates by the secreted enzyme NanB induces the expression of the cell-associated enzyme NanA. The absence of detectable mucus desialylation in the nanA mutant, in which NanB is still expressed, suggests that NanA is responsible for the bulk of the modification of host glycoconjugates. Thus, our studies describe a functional role for NanB in sialic acid sensing in the host. The contribution of the neuraminidases in vivo was then assessed in a murine model of colonization. Although mucus-binding mutants showed an early advantage, this was only observed in a competitive infection, suggesting a complex role of neuraminidases. Histologic examination of the upper respiratory tract demonstrated that Spn stimulates mucus production in a neuraminidase-dependent manner. Thus, an increase production of mucus containing secretions appears to be balanced, in vivo, by decreased mucus binding. We postulate that through the combined activity of its neuraminidases, Spn evades mucus binding and mucociliary clearance, which is needed to counter neuraminidase-mediated stimulation of mucus secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria J. Hammond
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ulrike Binsker
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Surya D. Aggarwal
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mila Brum Ortigoza
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Cynthia Loomis
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey N. Weiser
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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Kuritani Y, Sato K, Dohra H, Umemura S, Kitaoka M, Fushinobu S, Yoshida N. Conversion of levoglucosan into glucose by the coordination of four enzymes through oxidation, elimination, hydration, and reduction. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20066. [PMID: 33208778 PMCID: PMC7676230 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77133-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Levoglucosan (LG) is an anhydrosugar produced through glucan pyrolysis and is widely found in nature. We previously isolated an LG-utilizing thermophile, Bacillus smithii S-2701M, and suggested that this bacterium may have a metabolic pathway from LG to glucose, initiated by LG dehydrogenase (LGDH). Here, we completely elucidated the metabolic pathway of LG involving three novel enzymes in addition to LGDH. In the S-2701M genome, three genes expected to be involved in the LG metabolism were found in the vicinity of the LGDH gene locus. These four genes including LGDH gene (lgdA, lgdB1, lgdB2, and lgdC) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to obtain functional recombinant proteins. Thin layer chromatography analyses of the reactions with the combination of the four enzymes elucidated the following metabolic pathway: LgdA (LGDH) catalyzes 3-dehydrogenation of LG to produce 3-keto-LG, which undergoes β-elimination of 3-keto-LG by LgdB1, followed by hydration to produce 3-keto-D-glucose by LgdB2; next, LgdC reduces 3-keto-D-glucose to glucose. This sequential reaction mechanism resembles that proposed for an enzyme belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 4, and results in the observational hydrolysis of LG into glucose with coordination of the four enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Kuritani
- Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, 432-8561, Japan
| | - Kohei Sato
- Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, 432-8561, Japan
| | - Hideo Dohra
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | | | - Motomitsu Kitaoka
- Faculty of Agriculture, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Shinya Fushinobu
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Yoshida
- Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, 432-8561, Japan.
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