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Metryka O, Wasilkowski D, Dulski M, Adamczyk-Habrajska M, Augustyniak M, Mrozik A. Metallic nanoparticle actions on the outer layer structure and properties of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 354:141691. [PMID: 38484999 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Although the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles (NPs) penetrating inside the cell is widely recognised, the toxicity of large NPs (>10 nm) that cannot be translocated across bacterial membranes remains unclear. Therefore, this study was performed to elucidate the direct effects of Ag-NPs, Cu-NPs, ZnO-NPs and TiO2-NPs on relative membrane potential, permeability, hydrophobicity, structural changes within chemical compounds at the molecular level and the distribution of NPs on the surfaces of the bacteria Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Overall analysis of the results indicated the different impacts of individual NPs on the measured parameters in both strains depending on their type and concentration. B. cereus proved to be more resistant to the action of NPs than S. epidermidis. Generally, Cu-NPs showed the most substantial toxic effect on both strains; however, Ag-NPs exhibited negligible toxicity. All NPs had a strong affinity for cell surfaces and showed strain-dependent characteristic dispersion. ATR-FTIR analysis explained the distinctive interactions of NPs with bacterial functional groups, leading to macromolecular structural modifications. The results presented provide new and solid evidence for the current understanding of the interactions of metallic NPs with bacterial membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Metryka
- Doctoral School, University of Silesia, Bankowa 14, 40-032, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Daniel Wasilkowski
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032, Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Dulski
- Institute of Materials Science, Silesian Center for Education and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pulku Piechoty 1A, 41-500, Chorzów, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Adamczyk-Habrajska
- Institute of Materials Science, Silesian Center for Education and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pulku Piechoty 1A, 41-500, Chorzów, Poland
| | - Maria Augustyniak
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032, Katowice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Mrozik
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032, Katowice, Poland.
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Mytych JS, Pan Z, Lopez-Davis C, Redinger N, Lawrence C, Ziegler J, Popescu NI, James JA, Farris AD. Peptidoglycan from Bacillus anthracis Inhibits Human Macrophage Efferocytosis in Part by Reducing Cell Surface Expression of MERTK and TIM-3. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:269-280. [PMID: 38517345 PMCID: PMC10985058 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis peptidoglycan (PGN) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall and a key pathogen-associated molecular pattern contributing to anthrax pathology, including organ dysfunction and coagulopathy. Increases in apoptotic leukocytes are a late-stage feature of anthrax and sepsis, suggesting there is a defect in apoptotic clearance. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that B. anthracis PGN inhibits the capacity of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MΦ) to efferocytose apoptotic cells. Exposure of CD163+CD206+ MΦ to PGN for 24 h impaired efferocytosis in a manner dependent on human serum opsonins but independent of complement component C3. PGN treatment reduced cell surface expression of the proefferocytic signaling receptors MERTK, TYRO3, AXL, integrin αVβ5, CD36, and TIM-3, whereas TIM-1, αVβ3, CD300b, CD300f, STABILIN-1, and STABILIN-2 were unaffected. ADAM17 is a major membrane-bound protease implicated in mediating efferocytotic receptor cleavage. We found multiple ADAM17-mediated substrates increased in PGN-treated supernatant, suggesting involvement of membrane-bound proteases. ADAM17 inhibitors TAPI-0 and Marimastat prevented TNF release, indicating effective protease inhibition, and modestly increased cell-surface levels of MerTK and TIM-3 but only partially restored efferocytic capacity by PGN-treated MΦ. We conclude that human serum factors are required for optimal recognition of PGN by human MΦ and that B. anthracis PGN inhibits efferocytosis in part by reducing cell surface expression of MERTK and TIM-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. Mytych
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Zijian Pan
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Charmaine Lopez-Davis
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Nancy Redinger
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Christina Lawrence
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Jadith Ziegler
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Narcis I. Popescu
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Judith A. James
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - A. Darise Farris
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
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3
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Bhetuwal BR, Wu F, Acharya PP, Thapa P, Zhu J. Synthesis of 2-Amino-2-deoxy-β-d-mannosides via Stereoselective Anomeric O-Alkylation of 2 N,3 O-Oxazolidinone-Protected d-Mannosamine: Synthesis of the Trisaccharide Repeating Unit of Streptococcus pneumoniae 19F Polysaccharide. Org Lett 2023; 25:4214-4218. [PMID: 37257021 PMCID: PMC10330879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cesium carbonate-mediated stereoselective anomeric O-alkylation of a 2N,3O-oxazolidinone-protected d-mannosamine with sugar-derived primary or secondary alkyl triflates afforded the corresponding 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-mannosides in moderate to good yields and excellent stereoselectivity. The oxazolidinone ring can be opened with aqueous alkali hydroxide to liberate the amine functionality. This method has been successfully applied to the synthesis of the trisaccharide repeating unit of Streptococcus pneumoniae 19F polysaccharide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishwa Raj Bhetuwal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Fenglang Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Padam Prasad Acharya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Prakash Thapa
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Jianglong Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
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4
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Tomatsidou A, Krunic M, Missiakas D. Contribution of TagA-Like Glycosyltransferases to the Assembly of the Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide in Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0025322. [PMID: 35997505 PMCID: PMC9487633 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00253-22] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis elaborates a secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) made of 6 to 12 trisaccharide units. Pyruvyl and acetyl substitutions of the distal unit are prerequisites for the noncovalent retention of 22 secreted Bacillus S-layer (Bsl)-associated proteins bearing an S-layer homology (SLH) domain. Surface display of Bsl proteins contributes to cell separation as well as virulence. Earlier work suggested that TagO initiates the synthesis of SCWP while GneY and GneZ, two UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerases, synthesize ManNAc that is later incorporated in the repeat unit (→4)-ManNAc-(β1→4)-GlcNAc-(β1→6)-GlcNAc-(α1→). In organisms that synthesize wall teichoic acid, TagA catalysts have been shown to form the glycosidic bond ManNAc-(β1→4)-GlcNAc. Here, we show that genes bas2675 and bas5272, predicted to encode glycosyltransferases of the WecB/TagA/CpsF family (PFAM03808; CAZy GT26), are required for B. anthracis SCWP synthesis and S-layer assembly. Similar to tagO or gneY gneZ mutants, B. anthracis strains depleted of tagA1 (bas5272) cannot maintain cell shape, support vegetative growth, or synthesize SCWP. Expression of tagA2 (bas2675), or Staphylococcus aureus tagA on a plasmid, rescues the nonviable tagA1 mutant. We propose that TagA1 and TagA2 fulfill overlapping and key glycosyltransferase functions for the synthesis of repeat units of the SCWP of B. anthracis. IMPORTANCE Glycosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the transfer of sugar moieties from activated donor molecules to acceptor molecules to form glycosidic bonds using a retaining or inverting mechanism. Based on the structural relatedness of their catalytic and carbohydrate-binding modules, GTs have been grouped into 115 families in the Carbohydrate-Active EnZyme (CAZy) database. For complex products, the functional assignment of GTs remains highly challenging without the knowledge of the chemical structure of the assembled polymer. Here, we propose that two uncharacterized GTs of B. anthracis belonging to the WecB/TagA/CpsF family incorporate ManNAc in repeat units of the secondary cell wall polymer of bacilli species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Tomatsidou
- Department of Microbiology, Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, The University of Chicago, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Maria Krunic
- Department of Microbiology, Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, The University of Chicago, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Dominique Missiakas
- Department of Microbiology, Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, The University of Chicago, Lemont, Illinois, USA
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5
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LytR-CpsA-Psr Glycopolymer Transferases: Essential Bricks in Gram-Positive Bacterial Cell Wall Assembly. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020908. [PMID: 33477538 PMCID: PMC7831098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria contain a variety of glycopolymers (CWGPs), a significant proportion of which are covalently linked to the peptidoglycan (PGN) scaffolding structure. Prominent CWGPs include wall teichoic acids of Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcal capsules, mycobacterial arabinogalactan, and rhamnose-containing polysaccharides of lactic acid bacteria. CWGPs serve important roles in bacterial cellular functions, morphology, and virulence. Despite evident differences in composition, structure and underlaying biosynthesis pathways, the final ligation step of CWGPs to the PGN backbone involves a conserved class of enzymes-the LytR-CpsA-Psr (LCP) transferases. Typically, the enzymes are present in multiple copies displaying partly functional redundancy and/or preference for a distinct CWGP type. LCP enzymes require a lipid-phosphate-linked glycan precursor substrate and catalyse, with a certain degree of promiscuity, CWGP transfer to PGN of different maturation stages, according to in vitro evidence. The prototype attachment mode is that to the C6-OH of N-acetylmuramic acid residues via installation of a phosphodiester bond. In some cases, attachment proceeds to N-acetylglucosamine residues of PGN-in the case of the Streptococcus agalactiae capsule, even without involvement of a phosphate bond. A novel aspect of LCP enzymes concerns a predicted role in protein glycosylation in Actinomyces oris. Available crystal structures provide further insight into the catalytic mechanism of this biologically important class of enzymes, which are gaining attention as new targets for antibacterial drug discovery to counteract the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.
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Chateau A, Van der Verren SE, Remaut H, Fioravanti A. The Bacillus anthracis Cell Envelope: Composition, Physiological Role, and Clinical Relevance. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1864. [PMID: 33255913 PMCID: PMC7759979 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a highly resilient and deadly disease caused by the spore-forming bacterial pathogen Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium presents a complex and dynamic composition of its cell envelope, which changes in response to developmental and environmental conditions and host-dependent signals. Because of their easy to access extracellular locations, B. anthracis cell envelope components represent interesting targets for the identification and development of novel therapeutic and vaccine strategies. This review will focus on the novel insights regarding the composition, physiological role, and clinical relevance of B. anthracis cell envelope components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chateau
- Avignon Université, INRAE, UMR SQPOV, F-84914 Avignon, France;
| | - Sander E. Van der Verren
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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7
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Chateau A, Oh SY, Tomatsidou A, Brockhausen I, Schneewind O, Missiakas D. Distinct Pathways Carry Out α and β Galactosylation of Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide in Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:e00191-20. [PMID: 32457049 PMCID: PMC7348550 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00191-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax disease, elaborates a secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) that is required for the retention of surface layer (S-layer) and S-layer homology (SLH) domain proteins. Genetic disruption of the SCWP biosynthetic pathway impairs growth and cell division. B. anthracis SCWP is comprised of trisaccharide repeats composed of one ManNAc and two GlcNAc residues with O-3-α-Gal and O-4-β-Gal substitutions. UDP-Gal, synthesized by GalE1, is the substrate of galactosyltransferases that modify the SCWP repeat. Here, we show that the gtsE gene, which encodes a predicted glycosyltransferase with a GT-A fold, is required for O-4-β-Gal modification of trisaccharide repeats. We identify a DXD motif critical for GtsE activity. Three distinct genes, gtsA, gtsB, and gtsC, are required for O-3-α-Gal modification of trisaccharide repeats. Based on the similarity with other three-component glycosyltransferase systems, we propose that GtsA transfers Gal from cytosolic UDP-Gal to undecaprenyl phosphate (C55-P), GtsB flips the C55-P-Gal intermediate to the trans side of the membrane, and GtsC transfers Gal onto trisaccharide repeats. The deletion of galE1 does not affect growth in vitro, suggesting that galactosyl modifications are dispensable for the function of SCWP. The deletion of gtsA, gtsB, or gtsC leads to a loss of viability, yet gtsA and gtsC can be deleted in strains lacking galE1 or gtsE We propose that the loss of viability is caused by the accumulation of undecaprenol-bound precursors and present an updated model for SCWP assembly in B. anthracis to account for the galactosylation of repeat units.IMPORTANCE Peptidoglycan is a conserved extracellular macromolecule that protects bacterial cells from turgor pressure. Peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria serves as a scaffold for the attachment of polymers that provide defined bacterial interactions with their environment. One such polymer, B. anthracis SCWP, is pyruvylated at its distal end to serve as a receptor for secreted proteins bearing the S-layer homology domain. Repeat units of SCWP carry three galactoses in B. anthracis Glycosylation is a recurring theme in nature and often represents a means to mask or alter conserved molecular signatures from intruders such as bacteriophages. Several glycosyltransferase families have been described based on bioinformatics prediction, but few have been studied. Here, we describe the glycosyltransferases that mediate the galactosylation of B. anthracis SCWP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chateau
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - So Young Oh
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Anastasia Tomatsidou
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Inka Brockhausen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Dominique Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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8
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Caro-Astorga J, Álvarez-Mena A, Hierrezuelo J, Guadix JA, Heredia-Ponce Z, Arboleda-Estudillo Y, González-Munoz E, de Vicente A, Romero D. Two genomic regions encoding exopolysaccharide production systems have complementary functions in B. cereus multicellularity and host interaction. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1000. [PMID: 31969664 PMCID: PMC6976573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57970-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial physiology and adaptation are influenced by the exopolysaccharides (EPS) they produce. These polymers are indispensable for the assembly of the biofilm extracellular matrix in multiple bacterial species. In a previous study, we described the profound gene expression changes leading to biofilm assembly in B. cereus ATCC14579 (CECT148). We found that a genomic region putatively dedicated to the synthesis of a capsular polysaccharide (eps2) was overexpressed in a biofilm cell population compared to in a planktonic population, while we detected no change in the transcript abundance from another genomic region (eps1) also likely to be involved in polysaccharide production. Preliminary biofilm assays suggested a mild role for the products of the eps2 region in biofilm formation and no function for the products of the eps1 region. The aim of this work was to better define the roles of these two regions in B. cereus multicellularity. We demonstrate that the eps2 region is indeed involved in bacterial adhesion to surfaces, cell-to-cell interaction, cellular aggregation and biofilm formation, while the eps1 region appears to be involved in a kind of social bacterial motility. Consistent with these results, we further demonstrate using bacterial-host cell interaction experiments that the eps2 region is more relevant to the adhesion to human epithelial cells and the zebrafish intestine, suggesting that this region encodes a bacterial factor that may potentiate gut colonization and enhance pathogenicity against humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Caro-Astorga
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Ana Álvarez-Mena
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Jesús Hierrezuelo
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Guadix
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga - IBIMA, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071, Málaga, Spain
- Centro Andaluz de Nanomedicina y Biotecnología (BIONAND), Junta de Andalucía, Universidad de Málaga, C/ Severo Ochoa 35, 29590, Campanillas (Málaga), Spain
| | - Zahira Heredia-Ponce
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Yohanna Arboleda-Estudillo
- LARCEL, Andalusian Laboratory of Cell Reprogramming, Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, 29590, Málaga, Spain
| | - Elena González-Munoz
- LARCEL, Andalusian Laboratory of Cell Reprogramming, Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, 29590, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio de Vicente
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Diego Romero
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora" -Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar Louis Pasteur 31 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos), 29071, Málaga, Spain.
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9
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Hager FF, Sützl L, Stefanović C, Blaukopf M, Schäffer C. Pyruvate Substitutions on Glycoconjugates. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4929. [PMID: 31590345 PMCID: PMC6801904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoconjugates are the most diverse biomolecules of life. Mostly located at the cell surface, they translate into cell-specific "barcodes" and offer a vast repertoire of functions, including support of cellular physiology, lifestyle, and pathogenicity. Functions can be fine-tuned by non-carbohydrate modifications on the constituting monosaccharides. Among these modifications is pyruvylation, which is present either in enol or ketal form. The most commonly best-understood example of pyruvylation is enol-pyruvylation of N-acetylglucosamine, which occurs at an early stage in the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall component peptidoglycan. Ketal-pyruvylation, in contrast, is present in diverse classes of glycoconjugates, from bacteria to algae to yeast-but not in humans. Mild purification strategies preventing the loss of the acid-labile ketal-pyruvyl group have led to a collection of elucidated pyruvylated glycan structures. However, knowledge of involved pyruvyltransferases creating a ring structure on various monosaccharides is scarce, mainly due to the lack of knowledge of fingerprint motifs of these enzymes and the unavailability of genome sequences of the organisms undergoing pyruvylation. This review compiles the current information on the widespread but under-investigated ketal-pyruvylation of monosaccharides, starting with different classes of pyruvylated glycoconjugates and associated functions, leading to pyruvyltransferases, their specificity and sequence space, and insight into pyruvate analytics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona F Hager
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Leander Sützl
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Food Biotechnology Laboratory, Muthgasse 11, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Cordula Stefanović
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Markus Blaukopf
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
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10
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Ehling-Schulz M, Lereclus D, Koehler TM. The Bacillus cereus Group: Bacillus Species with Pathogenic Potential. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0032-2018. [PMID: 31111815 PMCID: PMC6530592 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0032-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus cereus group includes several Bacillus species with closely related phylogeny. The most well-studied members of the group, B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, are known for their pathogenic potential. Here, we present the historical rationale for speciation and discuss shared and unique features of these bacteria. Aspects of cell morphology and physiology, and genome sequence similarity and gene synteny support close evolutionary relationships for these three species. For many strains, distinct differences in virulence factor synthesis provide facile means for species assignment. B. anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. Some B. cereus strains are commonly recognized as food poisoning agents, but strains can also cause localized wound and eye infections as well as systemic disease. Certain B. thuringiensis strains are entomopathogens and have been commercialized for use as biopesticides, while some strains have been reported to cause infection in immunocompromised individuals. In this article we compare and contrast B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, including ecology, cell structure and development, virulence attributes, gene regulation and genetic exchange systems, and experimental models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ehling-Schulz
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Didier Lereclus
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Theresa M Koehler
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston, Houston, TX 77030
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11
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Maes E, Sadovskaya I, Lévêque M, Elass-Rochard E, Payré B, Grard T, Théodorou V, Guérardel Y, Mercier-Bonin M. Structure and biological activities of a hexosamine-rich cell wall polysaccharide isolated from the probiotic Lactobacillus farciminis. Glycoconj J 2019; 36:39-55. [PMID: 30637506 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-018-09854-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lactobacillus farciminis CIP 103136 is a bacterial strain with recognized probiotic properties. However, the mechanisms underlying such properties have only been partially elucidated. In this study, we isolated and purified a cell-wall associated polysaccharide (CWPS), and evaluated its biological role in vitro. The structure of CWPS and responses from stimulation of (i) human macrophage-like THP-1 cells, (ii) human embryonal kidney (HEK293) cells stably transfected with Toll-like receptors (TLR2 or TLR4) and (iii) human colonocyte-like T84 intestinal epithelial cells, upon exposure to CWPS were studied. The structure of the purified CWPS from L. farciminis CIP 103136 was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), MALDI-TOF-TOF MS, and methylation analyses in its native form and following Smith degradation. It was shown to be a novel branched polysaccharide, composed of linear backbone of trisaccharide repeating units of: [→6αGlcpNAc1 → 4βManpNAc1 → 4βGlcpNAc1→] highly substituted with single residues of αGlcp, αGalp and αGlcpNAc. Subsequently, the lack of pro- or anti-inflammatory properties of CWPS was established on macrophage-like THP-1 cells. In addition, CWPS failed to modulate cell signaling pathways dependent of TLR2 and TLR4 in transfected HEK-cells. Finally, in T84 cells, CWPS neither influenced intestinal barrier integrity under basal conditions nor prevented TNF-α/IFN-γ cytokine-mediated epithelium impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Maes
- CNRS UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Univ Lille, 59 000, Lille, France
| | - Irina Sadovskaya
- Equipe Biochimie des Produits Aquatiques BPA, Institut Régional Charles Violette EA 7394, USC Anses-ULCO, Université du Littoral-Côte d'Opale, Bassin Napoléon, 62327, Boulogne-sur-mer cedex, France
| | - Mathilde Lévêque
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Elisabeth Elass-Rochard
- CNRS UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Univ Lille, 59 000, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Payré
- Faculté de Médecine Rangueil, Centre de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie (CMEAB), Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Thierry Grard
- Equipe Biochimie des Produits Aquatiques BPA, Institut Régional Charles Violette EA 7394, USC Anses-ULCO, Université du Littoral-Côte d'Opale, Bassin Napoléon, 62327, Boulogne-sur-mer cedex, France
| | - Vassilia Théodorou
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Yann Guérardel
- CNRS UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Univ Lille, 59 000, Lille, France
| | - Muriel Mercier-Bonin
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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12
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Chateau A, Schneewind O, Missiakas D. Extraction and Purification of Wall-Bound Polymers of Gram-Positive Bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1954:47-57. [PMID: 30864123 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9154-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The envelope of gram-positive bacteria encompasses the cell wall, a rigid exoskeleton comprised of peptidoglycan that provides protection against lysis and governs bacterial cell shapes. Peptidoglycan also serves as the site of attachment for proteins and nonproteinaceous polymers that interact with the bacterial environment. Nonproteinaceous molecules include teichoic acids, capsular polysaccharides, and secondary cell wall polysaccharides (SCWP). Treatment of gram-positive bacterial cells with proteases, nucleases, and detergents results in the isolation of "murein sacculi" (i.e., peptidoglycan with bound carbohydrate polymers). Incubation of sacculi with acid or base releases carbohydrate polymers that can be purified for further biochemical characterization. This protocol describes the hydrofluoric acid extraction and purification of the secondary cell wall polymer of Bacillus anthracis that is also found in the envelope of the other members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chateau
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dominique Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Chapman RN, Liu L, Boons GJ. 4,6- O-Pyruvyl Ketal Modified N-Acetylmannosamine of the Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide of Bacillus anthracis Is the Anchoring Residue for Its Surface Layer Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:17079-17085. [PMID: 30452253 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b08857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) of Bacillus anthracis plays a key role in the organization of the cell envelope of vegetative cells and is intimately involved in host-guest interactions. Genetic studies have indicated that it anchors S-layer and S-layer-associated proteins, which are involved in multiple vital biological functions, to the cell surface of B. anthracis. Phenotypic observations indicate that specific functional groups of the terminal unit of SCWP, including 4,6- O-pyruvyl ketal and acetyl esters, are important for binding of these proteins. These observations are based on genetic manipulations and have not been corroborated by direct binding studies. To address this issue, a synthetic strategy was developed that could provide a range of pyruvylated oligosaccharides derived from B. anthracis SCWP bearing base-labile acetyl esters and free amino groups. The resulting oligosaccharides were used in binding studies with a panel of S-layer and S-layer-associated proteins, which identified structural features of SCWP important for binding. A single pyruvylated ManNAc monosaccharide exhibited strong binding to all proteins, making it a promising structure for S-layer protein manipulation. The acetyl esters and free amine of SCWP did not significantly impact binding, and this observation is contrary to a proposed model in which SCWP acetylation is a prerequisite for association of some but not all S-layer and S-layer-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N Chapman
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States.,Department of Chemistry , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Lin Liu
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States.,Department of Chemistry , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States.,Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research , Utrecht University , Universiteitsweg 99 , 3584 CG Utrecht , The Netherlands
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14
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Hager FF, López-Guzmán A, Krauter S, Blaukopf M, Polter M, Brockhausen I, Kosma P, Schäffer C. Functional Characterization of Enzymatic Steps Involved in Pyruvylation of Bacterial Secondary Cell Wall Polymer Fragments. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1356. [PMID: 29997588 PMCID: PMC6030368 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Various mechanisms of protein cell surface display have evolved during bacterial evolution. Several Gram-positive bacteria employ S-layer homology (SLH) domain-mediated sorting of cell-surface proteins and concomitantly engage a pyruvylated secondary cell-wall polymer as a cell-wall ligand. Specifically, pyruvate ketal linked to β-D-ManNAc is regarded as an indispensable epitope in this cell-surface display mechanism. That secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) pyruvylation and SLH domain-containing proteins are functionally coupled is supported by the presence of an ortholog of the predicted pyruvyltransferase CsaB in bacterial genomes, such as those of Bacillus anthracis and Paenibacillus alvei. The P. alvei SCWP, consisting of pyruvylated disaccharide repeats [→4)-β-D-GlcNAc-(1→3)-4,6-Pyr-β-D-ManNAc-(1→] serves as a model to investigate the widely unexplored pyruvylation reaction. Here, we reconstituted the underlying enzymatic pathway in vitro in combination with synthesized compounds, used mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for product characterization, and found that CsaB-catalyzed pyruvylation of β-D-ManNAc occurs at the stage of the lipid-linked repeat. We produced the P. alvei TagA (PAV_RS07420) and CsaB (PAV_RS07425) enzymes as recombinant, tagged proteins, and using a synthetic 11-phenoxyundecyl-diphosphoryl-α-GlcNAc acceptor, we uncovered that TagA is an inverting UDP-α-D-ManNAc:GlcNAc-lipid carrier transferase, and that CsaB is a pyruvyltransferase, with synthetic UDP-α-D-ManNAc and phosphoenolpyruvate serving as donor substrates. Next, to substitute for the UDP-α-D-ManNAc substrate, the recombinant UDP-GlcNAc-2-epimerase MnaA (PAV_RS07610) of P. alvei was included in this in vitro reconstitution system. When all three enzymes, their substrates and the lipid-linked GlcNAc primer were combined in a one-pot reaction, a lipid-linked SCWP repeat precursor analog was obtained. This work highlights the biochemical basis of SCWP biosynthesis and bacterial pyruvyl transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona F Hager
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arturo López-Guzmán
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Krauter
- Division of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Blaukopf
- Division of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Polter
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Inka Brockhausen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Kosma
- Division of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Schäffer
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the anthrax agent, is a member of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group, which includes invasive pathogens of mammals or insects as well as nonpathogenic environmental strains. The genes for anthrax pathogenesis are located on two large virulence plasmids. Similar virulence plasmids have been acquired by other B. cereus strains and enable the pathogenesis of anthrax-like diseases. Among the virulence factors of B. anthracis is the S-layer-associated protein BslA, which endows bacilli with invasive attributes for mammalian hosts. BslA surface display and function are dependent on the bacterial S-layer, whose constituents assemble by binding to the secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) via S-layer homology (SLH) domains. B. anthracis and other pathogenic B. cereus isolates harbor genes for the secretion of S-layer proteins, for S-layer assembly, and for synthesis of the SCWP. We review here recent insights into the assembly and function of the S-layer and the SCWP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60649.,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60649.,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
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16
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Chateau A, Lunderberg JM, Oh SY, Abshire T, Friedlander A, Quinn CP, Missiakas DM, Schneewind O. Galactosylation of the Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide of Bacillus anthracis and Its Contribution to Anthrax Pathogenesis. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:e00562-17. [PMID: 29229702 PMCID: PMC5809694 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00562-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax disease, elaborates a secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) that is essential for bacterial growth and cell division. B. anthracis SCWP is comprised of trisaccharide repeats with the structure, [→4)-β-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-GlcNAc(O3-α-Gal)-(1→6)-α-GlcNAc(O3-α-Gal, O4-β-Gal)-(1→]6-12 The genes whose products promote the galactosylation of B. anthracis SCWP are not yet known. We show here that the expression of galE1, encoding a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase necessary for the synthesis of UDP-galactose, is required for B. anthracis SCWP galactosylation. The galE1 mutant assembles surface (S) layer and S layer-associated proteins that associate with ketal-pyruvylated SCWP via their S layer homology domains similarly to wild-type B. anthracis, but the mutant displays a defect in γ-phage murein hydrolase binding to SCWP. Furthermore, deletion of galE1 diminishes the capsulation of B. anthracis with poly-d-γ-glutamic acid (PDGA) and causes a reduction in bacterial virulence. These data suggest that SCWP galactosylation is required for the physiologic assembly of the B. anthracis cell wall envelope and for the pathogenesis of anthrax disease.IMPORTANCE Unlike virulent Bacillus anthracis isolates, B. anthracis strain CDC684 synthesizes secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) trisaccharide repeats without galactosyl modification, exhibits diminished growth in vitro in broth cultures, and is severely attenuated in an animal model of anthrax. To examine whether SCWP galactosylation is a requirement for anthrax disease, we generated variants of B. anthracis strains Sterne 34F2 and Ames lacking UDP-glucose 4-epimerase by mutating the genes galE1 and galE2 We identified galE1 as necessary for SCWP galactosylation. Deletion of galE1 decreased the poly-d-γ-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsulation of the vegetative form of B. anthracis and increased the bacterial inoculum required to produce lethal disease in mice, indicating that SCWP galactosylation is indeed a determinant of anthrax disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chateau
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Justin Mark Lunderberg
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - So Young Oh
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Teresa Abshire
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Arthur Friedlander
- Headquarters, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Conrad P Quinn
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dominique M Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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17
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Structural and immunochemical relatedness suggests a conserved pathogenicity motif for secondary cell wall polysaccharides in Bacillus anthracis and infection-associated Bacillus cereus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183115. [PMID: 28832613 PMCID: PMC5568421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis (Ba) and human infection-associated Bacillus cereus (Bc) strains Bc G9241 and Bc 03BB87 have secondary cell wall polysaccharides (SCWPs) comprising an aminoglycosyl trisaccharide repeat: →4)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→6)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→, substituted at GlcNAc residues with both α- and β-Galp. In Bc G9241 and Bc 03BB87, an additional α-Galp is attached to O-3 of ManNAc. Using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and immunochemical methods, we compared these structures to SCWPs from Bc biovar anthracis strains isolated from great apes displaying “anthrax-like” symptoms in Cameroon (Bc CA) and Côte d’Ivoire (Bc CI). The SCWPs of Bc CA/CI contained the identical HexNAc trisaccharide backbone and Gal modifications found in Ba, together with the α-Gal-(1→3) substitution observed previously at ManNAc residues only in Bc G9241/03BB87. Interestingly, the great ape derived strains displayed a unique α-Gal-(1→3)-α-Gal-(1→3) disaccharide substitution at some ManNAc residues, a modification not found in any previously examined Ba or Bc strain. Immuno-analysis with specific polyclonal anti-Ba SCWP antiserum demonstrated a reactivity hierarchy: high reactivity with SCWPs from Ba 7702 and Ba Sterne 34F2, and Bc G9241 and Bc 03BB87; intermediate reactivity with SCWPs from Bc CI/CA; and low reactivity with the SCWPs from structurally distinct Ba CDC684 (a unique strain producing an SCWP lacking all Gal substitutions) and non-infection-associated Bc ATCC10987 and Bc 14579 SCWPs. Ba-specific monoclonal antibody EAII-6G6-2-3 demonstrated a 10–20 fold reduced reactivity to Bc G9241 and Bc 03BB87 SCWPs compared to Ba 7702/34F2, and low/undetectable reactivity to SCWPs from Bc CI, Bc CA, Ba CDC684, and non-infection-associated Bc strains. Our data indicate that the HexNAc motif is conserved among infection-associated Ba and Bc isolates (regardless of human or great ape origin), and that the number, positions and structures of Gal substitutions confer unique antigenic properties. The conservation of this structural motif could open a new diagnostic route in detection of pathogenic Bc strains.
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18
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Harvey DJ. Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2011-2012. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2017; 36:255-422. [PMID: 26270629 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This review is the seventh update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2012. General aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and applications to various structural types constitute the remainder. The main groups of compound are oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:255-422, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Department of Biochemistry, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
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19
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Genes Required for Bacillus anthracis Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide Synthesis. J Bacteriol 2016; 199:JB.00613-16. [PMID: 27795328 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00613-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) is thought to be essential for vegetative growth and surface (S)-layer assembly in Bacillus anthracis; however, the genetic determinants for the assembly of its trisaccharide repeat structure are not known. Here, we report that WpaA (BAS0847) and WpaB (BAS5274) share features with membrane proteins involved in the assembly of O-antigen lipopolysaccharide in Gram-negative bacteria and propose that WpaA and WpaB contribute to the assembly of the SCWP in B. anthracis Vegetative forms of the B. anthracis wpaA mutant displayed increased lengths of cell chains, a cell separation defect that was attributed to mislocalization of the S-layer-associated murein hydrolases BslO, BslS, and BslT. The wpaB mutant was defective in vegetative replication during early logarithmic growth and formed smaller colonies. Deletion of both genes, wpaA and wpaB, did not yield viable bacilli, and when depleted of both wpaA and wpaB, B. anthracis could not maintain cell shape, support vegetative growth, or assemble SCWP. We propose that WpaA and WpaB fulfill overlapping glycosyltransferase functions of either polymerizing repeat units or transferring SCWP polymers to linkage units prior to LCP-mediated anchoring of the polysaccharide to peptidoglycan. IMPORTANCE The secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) is essential for Bacillus anthracis growth, cell shape, and division. SCWP is comprised of trisaccharide repeats (→4)-β-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-GlcNAc-(1→6)-α-GlcNAc-(1→) with α-Gal and β-Gal substitutions; however, the genetic determinants and enzymes for SCWP synthesis are not known. Here, we identify WpaA and WpaB and report that depletion of these factors affects vegetative growth, cell shape, and S-layer assembly. We hypothesize that WpaA and WpaB are involved in the assembly of SCWP prior to transfer of this polymer onto peptidoglycan.
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20
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Schäffer C, Messner P. Emerging facets of prokaryotic glycosylation. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 41:49-91. [PMID: 27566466 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation of proteins is one of the most prevalent post-translational modifications occurring in nature, with a wide repertoire of biological implications. Pathways for the main types of this modification, the N- and O-glycosylation, can be found in all three domains of life-the Eukarya, Bacteria and Archaea-thereby following common principles, which are valid also for lipopolysaccharides, lipooligosaccharides and glycopolymers. Thus, studies on any glycoconjugate can unravel novel facets of the still incompletely understood fundamentals of protein N- and O-glycosylation. While it is estimated that more than two-thirds of all eukaryotic proteins would be glycosylated, no such estimate is available for prokaryotic glycoproteins, whose understanding is lagging behind, mainly due to the enormous variability of their glycan structures and variations in the underlying glycosylation processes. Combining glycan structural information with bioinformatic, genetic, biochemical and enzymatic data has opened up an avenue for in-depth analyses of glycosylation processes as a basis for glycoengineering endeavours. Here, the common themes of glycosylation are conceptualised for the major classes of prokaryotic (i.e. bacterial and archaeal) glycoconjugates, with a special focus on glycosylated cell-surface proteins. We describe the current knowledge of biosynthesis and importance of these glycoconjugates in selected pathogenic and beneficial microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, Institute of Biologically Inspired Materials, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Messner
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, Institute of Biologically Inspired Materials, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
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21
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Lunderberg JM, Liszewski Zilla M, Missiakas D, Schneewind O. Bacillus anthracis tagO Is Required for Vegetative Growth and Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide Synthesis. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:3511-20. [PMID: 26324447 PMCID: PMC4621081 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00494-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Bacillus anthracis elaborates a linear secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) that retains surface (S)-layer and associated proteins via their S-layer homology (SLH) domains. The SCWP is comprised of trisaccharide repeats [→4)-β-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-GlcNAc-(1→6)-α-GlcNAc-(1→] and tethered via acid-labile phosphodiester bonds to peptidoglycan. Earlier work identified UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerases GneY (BAS5048) and GneZ (BAS5117), which act as catalysts of ManNAc synthesis, as well as a polysaccharide deacetylase (BAS5051), as factors contributing to SCWP synthesis. Here, we show that tagO (BAS5050), which encodes a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:undecaprenyl-P N-acetylglucosaminyl 1-P transferase, the enzyme that initiates the synthesis of murein linkage units, is required for B. anthracis SCWP synthesis and S-layer assembly. Similar to gneY-gneZ mutants, B. anthracis strains lacking tagO cannot maintain cell shape or support vegetative growth. In contrast, mutations in BAS5051 do not affect B. anthracis cell shape, vegetative growth, SCWP synthesis, or S-layer assembly. These data suggest that TagO-mediated murein linkage unit assembly supports SCWP synthesis and attachment to the peptidoglycan via acid-labile phosphodiester bonds. Further, B. anthracis variants unable to synthesize SCWP trisaccharide repeats cannot sustain cell shape and vegetative growth. IMPORTANCE Bacillus anthracis elaborates an SCWP to support vegetative growth and envelope assembly. Here, we show that some, but not all, SCWP synthesis is dependent on tagO-derived murein linkage units and subsequent attachment of SCWP to peptidoglycan. The data implicate secondary polymer modifications of peptidoglycan and subcellular distributions as a key feature of the cell cycle in Gram-positive bacteria and establish foundations for work on the molecular functions of the SCWP and on inhibitors with antibiotic attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mark Lunderberg
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Megan Liszewski Zilla
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dominique Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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22
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Allievi MC, Palomino MM, Prado Acosta M, Lanati L, Ruzal SM, Sánchez-Rivas C. Contribution of S-layer proteins to the mosquitocidal activity of Lysinibacillus sphaericus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111114. [PMID: 25354162 PMCID: PMC4213006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysinibacillus sphaericus strains belonging the antigenic group H5a5b produce spores with larvicidal activity against larvae of Culex mosquitoes. C7, a new isolated strain, which presents similar biochemical characteristics and Bin toxins in their spores as the reference strain 2362, was, however, more active against larvae of Culex mosquitoes. The contribution of the surface layer protein (S-layer) to this behaviour was envisaged since this envelope protein has been implicated in the pathogenicity of several bacilli, and we had previously reported its association to spores. Microscopic observation by immunofluorescence detection with anti S-layer antibody in the spores confirms their attachment. S-layers and BinA and BinB toxins formed high molecular weight multimers in spores as shown by SDS-PAGE and western blot detection. Purified S-layer from both L. sphaericus C7 and 2362 strain cultures was by itself toxic against Culex sp larvae, however, that from C7 strain was also toxic against Aedes aegypti. Synergistic effect between purified S-layer and spore-crystal preparations was observed against Culex sp. and Aedes aegypti larvae. This effect was more evident with the C7 strain. In silico analyses of the S-layer sequence suggest the presence of chitin-binding and hemolytic domains. Both biochemical characteristics were detected for both S-layers strains that must justify their contribution to pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Claudia Allievi
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Palomino
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Prado Acosta
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Lanati
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sandra Mónica Ruzal
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carmen Sánchez-Rivas
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Toby IT, Widmer J, Dyer DW. Divergence of protein-coding capacity and regulation in the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group. BMC Bioinformatics 2014; 15 Suppl 11:S8. [PMID: 25350501 PMCID: PMC4251056 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-15-s11-s8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group contains ubiquitous facultative anaerobic soil-borne Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli. Molecular phylogeny and comparative genome sequencing have suggested that these organisms should be classified as a single species. While clonal in nature, there do not appear to be species-specific clonal lineages, excepting B. anthracis, in spite of the wide array of phenotypes displayed by these organisms. RESULTS We compared the protein-coding content of 201 B. cereus sensu lato genomes to characterize differences and understand the consequences of these differences on biological function. From this larger group we selected a subset consisting of 25 whole genomes for deeper analysis. Cluster analysis of orthologous proteins grouped these genomes into five distinct clades. Each clade could be characterized by unique genes shared among the group, with consequences for the phenotype of each clade. Surprisingly, this population structure recapitulates our recent observations on the divergence of the generalized stress response (SigB) regulons in these organisms. Divergence of the SigB regulon among these organisms is primarily due to the placement of SigB-dependent promoters that bring genes from a common gene pool into/out of the SigB regulon. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our observations suggest the hypothesis that the evolution of these closely related bacteria is a consequence of two distinct processes. Horizontal gene transfer, gene duplication/divergence and deletion dictate the underlying coding capacity in these genomes. Regulatory divergence overlays this protein coding reservoir and shapes the expression of both the unique and shared coding capacity of these organisms, resulting in phenotypic divergence. Data from other organisms suggests that this is likely a common pattern in prokaryotic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inimary T Toby
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, BRC-1106, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jonah Widmer
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, BRC-1106, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - David W Dyer
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, BRC-1106, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Identification of pBC218/pBC210 Genes of Bacillus cereus G9241 in Five Florida Soils Using qPCR. INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARLY RESEARCH NOTICES 2014; 2014:197234. [PMID: 27350995 PMCID: PMC4897429 DOI: 10.1155/2014/197234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of the virulent plasmid pBC210 of B. cereus that carries several B. anthracis genes and has been implicated in lethal anthrax-like pulmonary disease is unknown. We screened our collection of 103 B. cereus isolates and 256 soil samples using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay that targeted three open reading frames putatively unique to pBC210. When tested with DNA from 2 B. cereus strains carrying pBC210, and 64 Gram-positive and 55 Gram-negative bacterial species, the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity. None of the DNA from the B. cereus isolates yielded positive amplicons but DNA extracted from five soils collected in Florida gave positive results for all three target sequences of pBC210. While screening confirms that pBC210 is uncommon in B. cereus, this study is the first to report that pBC210 is present in Florida soils. This study improves our knowledge of the distribution of pBC210 in soils and, of public health importance, the potential threat of B. cereus isolates carrying the toxin-carrying plasmid. We demonstrated that sequences of pBC210 can be found in a larger geographical area than previously thought and that finding more B. cereus carrying the virulent plasmid is a possibility in the future.
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25
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Abstract
Prokaryotic glycosylation fulfills an important role in maintaining and protecting the structural integrity and function of the bacterial cell wall, as well as serving as a flexible adaption mechanism to evade environmental and host-induced pressure. The scope of bacterial and archaeal protein glycosylation has considerably expanded over the past decade(s), with numerous examples covering the glycosylation of flagella, pili, glycosylated enzymes, as well as surface-layer proteins. This article addresses structure, analysis, function, genetic basis, biosynthesis, and biomedical and biotechnological applications of cell-envelope glycoconjugates, S-layer glycoprotein glycans, and "nonclassical" secondary-cell wall polysaccharides. The latter group of polymers mediates the important attachment and regular orientation of the S-layer to the cell wall. The structures of these glycopolymers reveal an enormous diversity, resembling the structural variability of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and capsular polysaccharides. While most examples are presented for Gram-positive bacteria, the S-layer glycan of the Gram-negative pathogen Tannerella forsythia is also discussed. In addition, archaeal S-layer glycoproteins are briefly summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Messner
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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26
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GneZ, a UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase, is required for S-layer assembly and vegetative growth of Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:2969-78. [PMID: 24914184 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01829-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, forms an S-layer atop its peptidoglycan envelope and displays S-layer proteins and Bacillus S-layer-associated (BSL) proteins with specific functions to support cell separation of vegetative bacilli and growth in infected mammalian hosts. S-layer and BSL proteins bind via the S-layer homology (SLH) domain to the pyruvylated secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) with the repeat structure [→4)-β-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-GlcNAc-(1→6)-α-GlcNAc-(1→]n, where α-GlcNAc and β-GlcNAc are substituted with two and one galactosyl residues, respectively. B. anthracis gneY (BAS5048) and gneZ (BAS5117) encode nearly identical UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase enzymes that catalyze the reversible conversion of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-ManNAc. UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase enzymes have been shown to be required for the attachment of the phage lysin PlyG with the bacterial envelope and for bacterial growth. Here, we asked whether gneY and gneZ are required for the synthesis of the pyruvylated SCWP and for S-layer assembly. We show that gneZ, but not gneY, is required for B. anthracis vegetative growth, rod cell shape, S-layer assembly, and synthesis of pyruvylated SCWP. Nevertheless, inducible expression of gneY alleviated all the defects associated with the gneZ mutant. In contrast to vegetative growth, neither germination of B. anthracis spores nor the formation of spores in mother cells required UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase activity.
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27
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Adamo R. Glycan surface antigens fromBacillus anthracisas vaccine targets: current status and future perspectives. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 13:895-907. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.924404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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28
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Differentiation of Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis on the basis of the csaB gene reflects host source. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:3860-3. [PMID: 23563945 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00591-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
csaB gene analysis clustered 198 strains of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis into two groups related to mammalian and insect hosts, respectively. Mammal-related group I strains also have more S-layer homology (SLH) protein genes than group II strains. This indicates that csaB-based differentiation reflects selective pressure from animal hosts.
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29
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Ganguly J, Low LY, Kamal N, Saile E, Forsberg LS, Gutierrez-Sanchez G, Hoffmaster AR, Liddington R, Quinn CP, Carlson RW, Kannenberg EL. The secondary cell wall polysaccharide of Bacillus anthracis provides the specific binding ligand for the C-terminal cell wall-binding domain of two phage endolysins, PlyL and PlyG. Glycobiology 2013; 23:820-32. [PMID: 23493680 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwt019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endolysins are bacteriophage enzymes that lyse their bacterial host for phage progeny release. They commonly contain an N-terminal catalytic domain that hydrolyzes bacterial peptidoglycan (PG) and a C-terminal cell wall-binding domain (CBD) that confers enzyme localization to the PG substrate. Two endolysins, phage lysin L (PlyL) and phage lysin G (PlyG), are specific for Bacillus anthracis. To date, the cell wall ligands for their C-terminal CBD have not been identified. We recently described structures for a number of secondary cell wall polysaccharides (SCWPs) from B. anthracis and B. cereus strains. They are covalently bound to the PG and are comprised of a -ManNAc-GlcNAc-HexNAc- backbone with various galactosyl or glucosyl substitutions. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) showed that the endolysins PlyL and PlyG bind to the SCWP from B. anthracis (SCWPBa) with high affinity (i.e. in the μM range with dissociation constants ranging from 0.81 × 10(-6) to 7.51 × 10(-6) M). In addition, the PlyL and PlyG SCWPBa binding sites reside with their C-terminal domains. The dissociation constants for the interactions of these endolysins and their derived C-terminal domains with the SCWPBa were in the range reported for other protein-carbohydrate interactions. Our findings show that the SCWPBa is the ligand that confers PlyL and PlyG lysin binding and localization to the PG. PlyL and PlyG also bound the SCWP from B. cereus G9241 with comparable affinities to SCWPBa. No detectable binding was found to the SCWPs from B. cereus ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) 10987 and ATCC 14579, thus demonstrating specificity of lysin binding to SCWPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhuma Ganguly
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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30
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Lunderberg JM, Nguyen-Mau SM, Richter GS, Wang YT, Dworkin J, Missiakas DM, Schneewind O. Bacillus anthracis acetyltransferases PatA1 and PatA2 modify the secondary cell wall polysaccharide and affect the assembly of S-layer proteins. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:977-89. [PMID: 23243307 PMCID: PMC3571321 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01274-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The envelope of Bacillus anthracis encompasses a proteinaceous S-layer with two S-layer proteins (Sap and EA1). Protein assembly in the envelope of B. anthracis requires S-layer homology domains (SLH) within S-layer proteins and S-layer-associated proteins (BSLs), which associate with the secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP), an acetylated carbohydrate that is tethered to peptidoglycan. Here, we investigated the contributions of two putative acetyltransferases, PatA1 and PatA2, on SCWP acetylation and S-layer assembly. We show that mutations in patA1 and patA2 affect the chain lengths of B. anthracis vegetative forms and perturb the deposition of the BslO murein hydrolase at cell division septa. The patA1 and patA2 mutants are defective for the assembly of EA1 in the envelope but retain the ability of S-layer formation with Sap. SCWP isolated from the patA1 patA2 mutant lacked acetyl moieties identified in wild-type polysaccharide and failed to associate with the SLH domains of EA1. A model is discussed whereby patA1- and patA2-mediated acetylation of SCWP enables the deposition of EA1 as well as BslO near the septal region of the B. anthracis envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Mark Lunderberg
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sao-Mai Nguyen-Mau
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - G. Stefan Richter
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ya-Ting Wang
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jonathan Dworkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dominique M. Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olaf Schneewind
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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31
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Wang YT, Oh SY, Hendrickx APA, Lunderberg JM, Schneewind O. Bacillus cereus G9241 S-layer assembly contributes to the pathogenesis of anthrax-like disease in mice. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:596-605. [PMID: 23204457 PMCID: PMC3554013 DOI: 10.1128/jb.02005-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus G9241, the causative agent of anthrax-like disease, harbors virulence plasmids encoding anthrax toxins as well as hyaluronic acid (HA) and B. cereus exopolysaccharide (BPS) capsules. B. cereus G9241 also harbors S-layer genes, including homologs of Bacillus anthracis surface array protein (Sap), extractable antigen 1 (EA1), and the S-layer-associated proteins (BSLs). In B. anthracis, S-layer proteins and BSLs attach via their S-layer homology domains (SLH) to the secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) in a manner requiring csaB, a predicted ketalpyruvate transferase. Here we used a genetic approach to analyze B. cereus G9241 S-layer assembly and function. Variants lacking the csaB gene synthesized SCWP but failed to retain Sap, EA1, and BSLs in the bacterial envelope. The B. cereus G9241 csaB mutant assembled capsular polysaccharides but displayed an increase in chain length relative to the wild-type strain. This phenotype is likely due to its inability to deposit BslO murein hydrolase at divisional septa. During growth under capsule-inducing conditions, B. cereus G9241 assembled BSLs (BslA and BslO) and the Sap S-layer protein, but not EA1, in the envelope. Finally, csaB-mediated assembly of S-layer proteins and BSLs in B. cereus G9241 contributes to the pathogenesis of anthrax-like disease in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Wang
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
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32
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Balomenou S, Fouet A, Tzanodaskalaki M, Couture-Tosi E, Bouriotis V, Boneca IG. Distinct functions of polysaccharide deacetylases in cell shape, neutral polysaccharide synthesis and virulence ofBacillus anthracis. Mol Microbiol 2013; 87:867-83. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mary Tzanodaskalaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; 70013; Heraklion; Crete; Greece
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33
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Scott E, Dyer DW. Divergence of the SigB regulon and pathogenesis of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:564. [PMID: 23088190 PMCID: PMC3485630 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group currently includes seven species (B. cereus, B. anthracis, B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides, B. thuringiensis, B. weihenstephanensis and B. cytotoxicus) that recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses suggest are likely a single species, despite their varied phenotypes. Although horizontal gene transfer and insertion-deletion events are clearly important for promoting divergence among these genomes, recent studies have demonstrated that a major basis for phenotypic diversity in these organisms may be differential regulation of the highly similar gene content shared by these organisms. To explore this hypothesis, we used an in silico approach to evaluate the relationship of pathogenic potential and the divergence of the SigB-dependent general stress response within the B. cereus sensu lato group, since SigB has been demonstrated to support pathogenesis in Bacillus, Listeria and Staphylococcus species. Results During the divergence of these organisms from a common “SigB-less” ancestor, the placement of SigB promoters at varied locations in the B. cereus sensu lato genomes predict alternative structures for the SigB regulon in different organisms. Predicted promoter changes suggesting differential transcriptional control of a common gene pool predominate over evidence of indels or horizontal gene transfer for explaining SigB regulon divergence. Conclusions Four lineages of the SigB regulon have arisen that encompass different gene contents and suggest different strategies for supporting pathogenesis. This is consistent with the hypothesis that divergence within the B. cereus sensu lato group rests in part on alternative strategies for regulation of a common gene pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73117, USA
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Mo KF, Li X, Li H, Low LY, Quinn CP, Boons GJ. Endolysins of Bacillus anthracis bacteriophages recognize unique carbohydrate epitopes of vegetative cell wall polysaccharides with high affinity and selectivity. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:15556-62. [PMID: 22935003 PMCID: PMC3489029 DOI: 10.1021/ja3069962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages express endolysins which are the enzymes that hydrolyze peptidoglycan resulting in cell lysis and release of bacteriophages. Endolysins have acquired stringent substrate specificities, which have been attributed to cell wall binding domains (CBD). Although it has been realized that CBDs of bacteriophages that infect Gram-positive bacteria target cell wall carbohydrate structures, molecular mechanisms that confer selectivity are not understood. A range of oligosaccharides, derived from the secondary cell wall polysaccharides of Bacillus anthracis, has been chemically synthesized. The compounds contain an α-d-GlcNAc-(1→4)-β-d-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GlcNAc backbone that is modified by various patterns of α-d-Gal and β-d-Gal branching points. The library of compounds could readily be prepared by employing a core trisaccharide modified by the orthogonal protecting groups N(α)-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonate (Fmoc), 2-methylnaphthyl ether (Nap), levulinoyl ester (Lev) and dimethylthexylsilyl ether (TDS) at key branching points. Dissociation constants for the binding the cell wall binding domains of the endolysins PlyL and PlyG were determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). It was found that the pattern of galactosylation greatly influenced binding affinities, and in particular a compound having a galactosyl moiety at C-4 of the nonreducing GlcNAc moiety bound in the low micromolar range. It is known that secondary cell wall polysaccharides of various bacilli may have both common and variable structural features and in particular differences in the pattern of galactosylation have been noted. Therefore, it is proposed that specificity of endolysins for specific bacilli is achieved by selective binding to a uniquely galactosylated core structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-For Mo
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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35
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Forsberg LS, Abshire TG, Friedlander A, Quinn CP, Kannenberg EL, Carlson RW. Localization and structural analysis of a conserved pyruvylated epitope in Bacillus anthracis secondary cell wall polysaccharides and characterization of the galactose-deficient wall polysaccharide from avirulent B. anthracis CDC 684. Glycobiology 2012; 22:1103-17. [PMID: 22556058 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cws080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis CDC 684 is a naturally occurring, avirulent variant and close relative of the highly pathogenic B. anthracis Vollum. Bacillus anthracis CDC 684 contains both virulence plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2, yet is non-pathogenic in animal models, prompting closer scrutiny of the molecular basis of attenuation. We structurally characterized the secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) of B. anthracis CDC 684 (Ba684) using chemical and NMR spectroscopy analysis. The SCWP consists of a HexNAc trisaccharide backbone having identical structure as that of B. anthracis Pasteur, Sterne and Ames, →4)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1 → 4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1 → 6)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→. Remarkably, although the backbone is fully polymerized, the SCWP is the devoid of all galactosyl side residues, a feature which normally comprises 50% of the glycosyl residues on the highly galactosylated SCWPs from pathogenic strains. This observation highlights the role of defective wall assembly in virulence and indicates that polymerization occurs independently of galactose side residue attachment. Of particular interest, the polymerized Ba684 backbone retains the substoichiometric pyruvate acetal, O-acetate and amino group modifications found on SCWPs from normal B. anthracis strains, and immunofluorescence analysis confirms that SCWP expression coincides with the ability to bind the surface layer homology (SLH) domain containing S-layer protein extractable antigen-1. Pyruvate was previously demonstrated as part of a conserved epitope, mediating SLH-domain protein attachment to the underlying peptidoglycan layer. We find that a single repeating unit, located at the distal (non-reducing) end of the Ba684 SCWP, is structurally modified and that this modification is present in identical manner in the SCWPs of normal B. anthracis strains. These polysaccharides terminate in the sequence: (S)-4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1 → 4)-[3-O-acetyl]-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1 → 6)-α-d-GlcpNH(2)-(1→.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Scott Forsberg
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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36
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Broach B, Gu X, Bar-Peled M. Biosynthesis of UDP-glucuronic acid and UDP-galacturonic acid in Bacillus cereus subsp. cytotoxis NVH 391-98. FEBS J 2011; 279:100-12. [PMID: 22023070 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08402.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The food borne pathogen Bacillus cereus produces uronic acid-containing glycans that are secreted in a shielding biofilm environment, and certain alkaliphilic Bacillus deposit uronate-glycan polymers in the cell wall when adapting to alkaline environments. The source of these acidic sugars is unknown and, in the present study, we describe the functional identification of an operon in Bacillus cerues subsp. cytotoxis NVH 391-98 that comprises genes involved in the synthesis of UDP-uronic acids in Bacillus spp. Within the operon, a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase converts UDP-glucose in the presence of NAD(+) to UDP-glucuronic acid and NADH, and a UDP-GlcA 4-epimerase (UGlcAE) converts UDP-glucuronic acid to UDP-galacturonic acid. Interestingly, in vitro, both enzymes can utilize the TDP-sugar forms as well, albeit at lower catalytic efficiency. Unlike most of the very few bacterial 4-epimerases that have been characterized, which are promiscuous, the B. cereus UGlcAE enzyme is very specific and cannot use UDP-glucose, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, UDP-N-acetylglucosaminuronic acid or UDP-xylose as substrates. Size exclusion chromatography suggests that UGlcAE is active as a monomer, unlike the dimeric form of plant enzymes; the Bacillus UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase is also found as a monomer. Phylogenic analysis further suggests that the Bacillus UGlcAE may have evolved separately from other bacterial and plant epimerases. Our results provide insight into the formation and function of uronic acid-containing glycans in the lifecycle of B. cereus and related species containing homologous operons, as well as a basis for determining the importance of these acidic glycans. We also discuss the ability to target UGlcAE as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Broach
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Wright AM, Beres SB, Consamus EN, Long SW, Flores AR, Barrios R, Richter GS, Oh SY, Garufi G, Maier H, Drews AL, Stockbauer KE, Cernoch P, Schneewind O, Olsen RJ, Musser JM. Rapidly progressive, fatal, inhalation anthrax-like infection in a human: case report, pathogen genome sequencing, pathology, and coordinated response. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2011; 135:1447-59. [PMID: 21882964 DOI: 10.5858/2011-0362-sair.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Ten years ago a bioterrorism event involving Bacillus anthracis spores captured the nation's interest, stimulated extensive new research on this pathogen, and heightened concern about illegitimate release of infectious agents. Sporadic reports have described rare, fulminant, and sometimes fatal cases of pneumonia in humans and nonhuman primates caused by strains of Bacillus cereus , a species closely related to Bacillus anthracis. OBJECTIVES To describe and investigate a case of rapidly progressive, fatal, anthrax-like pneumonia and the overwhelming infection caused by a Bacillus species of uncertain provenance in a patient residing in rural Texas. DESIGN We characterized the genome of the causative strain within days of its recovery from antemortem cultures using next-generation sequencing and performed immunohistochemistry on tissues obtained at autopsy with antibodies directed against virulence proteins of B anthracis and B cereus. RESULTS We discovered that the infection was caused by a previously unknown strain of B cereus that was closely related to, but genetically distinct from, B anthracis . The strain contains a plasmid similar to pXO1, a genetic element encoding anthrax toxin and other known virulence factors. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that several homologs of B anthracis virulence proteins were made in infected tissues, likely contributing to the patient's death. CONCLUSIONS Rapid genome sequence analysis permitted us to genetically define this strain, rule out the likelihood of bioterrorism, and contribute effectively to the institutional response to this event. Our experience strongly reinforced the critical value of deploying a well-integrated, anatomic, clinical, and genomic strategy to respond rapidly to a potential emerging, infectious threat to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Wright
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas, USA
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Candela T, Maes E, Garénaux E, Rombouts Y, Krzewinski F, Gohar M, Guérardel Y. Environmental and biofilm-dependent changes in a Bacillus cereus secondary cell wall polysaccharide. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:31250-62. [PMID: 21784857 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.249821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial species from the Bacillus genus, including Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis, synthesize secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP) covalently associated to the peptidoglycan through a phospho-diester linkage. Although such components were observed in a wide panel of B. cereus and B. anthracis strains, the effect of culture conditions or of bacterial growth state on their synthesis has never been addressed. Herein we show that B. cereus ATCC 14579 can synthesize not only one, as previously reported, but two structurally unrelated secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP) polysaccharides. The first of these SCWP, →4)[GlcNAc(β1-3)]GlcNAc(β1-6)[Glc(β1-3)][ManNAc(α1-4)]GalNAc(α1-4)ManNAc(β1→, although presenting an original sequence, fits to the already described the canonical sequence motif of SCWP. In contrast, the second polysaccharide was made up by a totally original sequence, →6)Gal(α1-2)(2-R-hydroxyglutar-5-ylamido)Fuc2NAc4N(α1-6)GlcNAc(β1→, which no equivalent has ever been identified in the Bacillus genus. In addition, we established that the syntheses of these two polysaccharides were differently regulated. The first one is constantly expressed at the surface of the bacteria, whereas the expression of the second is tightly regulated by culture conditions and growth states, planktonic, or biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Candela
- Université de Lille1, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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