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Raustad N, Dai Y, Iinishi A, Mohapatra A, Soo MW, Hay E, Hernandez GM, Geisinger E. A phosphorylation signal activates genome-wide transcriptional control by BfmR, the global regulator of Acinetobacter resistance and virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.16.599214. [PMID: 38948834 PMCID: PMC11212878 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.16.599214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii is a major threat to human health. The sensor kinase-response regulator system, BfmS-BfmR, is essential to multidrug resistance and virulence in the bacterium and represents a potential antimicrobial target. Important questions remain about how the system controls resistance and pathogenesis. Although BfmR knockout alters expression of >1000 genes, its direct regulon is undefined. Moreover, how phosphorylation controls the regulator is unclear. Here, we address these problems by combining mutagenesis, ChIP-seq, and in vitro phosphorylation to study the functions of phospho-BfmR. We show that phosphorylation is required for BfmR-mediated gene regulation, antibiotic resistance, and sepsis development in vivo. Consistent with activating the protein, phosphorylation induces dimerization and target DNA affinity. Integrated analysis of genome-wide binding and transcriptional profiles of BfmR led to additional key findings: (1) Phosphorylation dramatically expands the number of genomic sites BfmR binds; (2) DNA recognition involves a direct repeat motif widespread across promoters; (3) BfmR directly regulates 303 genes as activator (eg, capsule, peptidoglycan, and outer membrane biogenesis) or repressor (pilus biogenesis); (4) BfmR controls several non-coding sRNAs. These studies reveal the centrality of a phosphorylation signal in driving A. baumannii disease and disentangle the extensive pathogenic gene-regulatory network under its control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Raustad
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yunfei Dai
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Akira Iinishi
- Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Arpita Mohapatra
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mark W. Soo
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Everett Hay
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Edward Geisinger
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Bae JY, Yun I, Jun KI, Kim CJ, Lee M, Choi HJ. Association between Pneumonia Development and Virulence Gene Expression in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2023; 2023:8265683. [PMID: 38156310 PMCID: PMC10754638 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8265683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia's development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P=0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P=0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P < 0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P < 0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P=0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P=0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ina Yun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Il Jun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Jong Kim
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miae Lee
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zhang MN, Zhao XO, Cui Q, Zhu DM, Wisal MA, Yu HD, Kong LC, Ma HX. Famotidine Enhances Rifampicin Activity against Acinetobacter baumannii by Affecting OmpA. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0018723. [PMID: 37439688 PMCID: PMC10448789 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00187-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel antibiotic adjuvants is imminent because of the frequent emergence of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, which severely restricts the efficiency and longevity of commonly used clinical antibiotics. It is reported that famotidine, a clinical inhibitor of gastric acid secretion, enhances the antibacterial activity of rifamycin antibiotics, especially rifampicin, against Gram-negative bacteria and reverses drug resistance. Studies have shown that famotidine disrupts the cell membrane of Acinetobacter baumannii and inhibits the expression of the outer membrane protein ompA gene, while causing a dissipation of the plasma membrane potential, compensatively upregulating the pH gradient and ultimately increasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by leading to increased bacterial mortality. In addition, famotidine also inhibited the efflux pump activity and the biofilm formation of A. baumannii. In the Galleria mellonella and mouse infection models, the combination of famotidine and rifampicin increased the survival rate of infected animals and decreased the bacterial load in mouse organs. In conclusion, famotidine has the potential to be a novel rifampicin adjuvant, providing a new option for the treatment of clinical Gram-negative bacterial infections. IMPORTANCE In this study, famotidine was discovered for the first time to have potential as an antibiotic adjuvant, enhancing the antibacterial activity of rifamycin antibiotics against A. baumannii and overcoming the limitations of drug therapy. With the discovery of novel applications for the guanidine-containing medication famotidine, the viability of screening prospective antibiotic adjuvants from guanidine-based molecules was further explored. In addition, famotidine exerts activity by affecting the OmpA protein of the cell membrane, indicating that this protein might be used as a therapeutic drug target to treat A. baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-na Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao-ou Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Branch of Animal Husbandry, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Science, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Dao-mi Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Muhammad Asif Wisal
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Han-dong Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling-cong Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong-xia Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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Liu P, Chang H, Xu Q, Wang D, Tang Y, Hu X, Lin M, Liu Z. Peptide Aptamer PA3 Attenuates the Viability of Aeromonas veronii by Hindering of Small Protein B-Outer Membrane Protein A Signal Pathway. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:900234. [PMID: 35663889 PMCID: PMC9159911 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.900234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The small protein B (SmpB), previously acting as a ribosome rescue factor for translation quality control, is required for cell viability in bacteria. Here, our study reveals that SmpB possesses new function which regulates the expression of outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene as a transcription factor in Aeromonas veronii. The deletion of SmpB caused the lower transcription expression of ompA by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNase I Footprinting verified that the SmpB bound at the regions of −46 to −28 bp, −18 to +4 bp, +21 to +31 bp, and +48 to +59 bp of the predicted ompA promoter (PompA). The key sites C52AT was further identified to interact with SmpB when PompA was fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and co-transformed with SmpB expression vector for the fluorescence detection, and the result was further confirmed in microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays. Besides, the amino acid sites G11S, F26I, and K152 in SmpB were the key sites for binding to PompA. In order to further develop peptide antimicrobial agents, the peptide aptamer PA3 was screened from the peptide aptamer (PA) library by bacterial two-hybrid method. The drug sensitivity test showed that PA3 effectively inhibited the growth of A. veronii. In summary, these results demonstrated that OmpA was a good drug target for A. veronii, which was regulated by the SmpB protein and the selected peptide aptamer PA3 interacted with OmpA protein to disable SmpB-OmpA signal pathway and inhibited A. veronii, suggesting that it could be used as an antimicrobial agent for the prevention and treatment of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Center for Medical Innovation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Huimin Chang
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Qi Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanqiong Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinwen Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Min Lin
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhu Liu,
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Law SKK, Tan HS. The Role of Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Iron Acquisition as Key Virulence Mechanisms in Acinetobacter baumannii and the Corresponding Anti-virulence Strategies. Microbiol Res 2022; 260:127032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Na SH, Jeon H, Oh MH, Kim YJ, Chu M, Lee IY, Lee JC. Therapeutic Effects of Inhibitor of ompA Expression against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12257. [PMID: 34830146 PMCID: PMC8623844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is of great concern in clinical settings worldwide. It is urgent to develop new therapeutic agents against this pathogen. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potentials of compound 62520, which has been previously identified as an inhibitor of the ompA promoter activity of A. baumannii, against CRAB isolates, both in vitro and in vivo. Compound 62520 was found to inhibit the ompA expression and biofilm formation in A. baumannii ATCC 17978 at sub-inhibitory concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory properties were also observed in clinical CRAB isolates belonging to sequence type (ST) 191. Additionally, compound 62520 exhibited a bacteriostatic activity against clinical clonal complex (CC) 208 CRAB isolates, including ST191, and ESKAPE pathogens. This bacteriostatic activity was not different between STs of CRAB isolates. Bacterial clearance was observed in mice infected with bioimaging A. baumannii strain 24 h after treatment with compound 62520. Compound 62520 was shown to significantly increase the survival rates of both immunocompetent and neutropenic mice infected with A. baumannii ATCC 17978. This compound also increased the survival rates of mice infected with clinical CRAB isolate. These results suggest that compound 62520 is a promising scaffold to develop a novel therapeutic agent against CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Hyeon Na
- Division of Antimicrobial Resistance Research, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Korea;
| | - Hyejin Jeon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (H.J.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Man-Hwan Oh
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science and Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 16890, Korea;
| | - Yoo-Jeong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (H.J.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Mingi Chu
- Research Center for Eco-Friendly New Materials, Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea; (M.C.); (I.-Y.L.)
| | - Ill-Young Lee
- Research Center for Eco-Friendly New Materials, Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea; (M.C.); (I.-Y.L.)
| | - Je-Chul Lee
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (H.J.); (Y.-J.K.)
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7
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Na SH, Jeon H, Oh MH, Kim YJ, Lee JC. Screening of small molecules attenuating biofilm formation of Acinetobacter baumannii by inhibition of ompA promoter activity. J Microbiol 2021; 59:871-878. [PMID: 34449059 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-021-1394-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anti-virulence therapeutic strategies are promising alternatives against drug-resistant pathogens. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) plays a versatile role in the pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii. Therefore, OmpA is an innovative target for anti-virulence therapy against A. baumannii. This study aimed to develop a high-throughput screening (HTS) system to discover small molecules inhibiting the ompA promoter activity of A. baumannii and screen chemical compounds using the bacterial growth-based HTS system. The ompA promoter and open reading frame of nptI fusion plasmids that controlled the expression of nptI encoding resistance to kanamycin by the ompA promoter were constructed and then transformed into A. baumannii ATCC 17978. This reporter strain was applied to screen small molecules inhibiting the ompA promoter activity in a chemical library. Of the 7,520 chemical compounds, 15 exhibited ≥ 70% growth inhibition of the report strain cultured in media containing kanamycin. Three compounds inhibited the expression of ompA and OmpA in the outer membrane of A. baumannii ATCC 17978, which subsequently reduced biofilm formation. In conclusion, our reporter strain is useful for large-scale screening of small molecules inhibiting the ompA expression in A. baumannii. Hit compounds identified by the HTS system are promising scaffolds to develop novel therapeutics against A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Hyeon Na
- Division of Antimicrobial Resistance Research, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Jeon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Hwan Oh
- Department of Microbiology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Jeong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Je Chul Lee
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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Pompilio A, Scribano D, Sarshar M, Di Bonaventura G, Palamara AT, Ambrosi C. Gram-Negative Bacteria Holding Together in a Biofilm: The Acinetobacter baumannii Way. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071353. [PMID: 34206680 PMCID: PMC8304980 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are a serious public-health problem worldwide. In recent years, the rates of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria associated with biofilm-forming activity have increased worrisomely, particularly among healthcare-associated pathogens. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critically opportunistic pathogen, due to the high rates of antibiotic resistant strains causing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). The clinical isolates of A. baumannii can form biofilms on both biotic and abiotic surfaces; hospital settings and medical devices are the ideal environments for A. baumannii biofilms, thereby representing the main source of patient infections. However, the paucity of therapeutic options poses major concerns for human health infections caused by A. baumannii strains. The increasing number of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii biofilm-forming isolates in association with the limited number of biofilm-eradicating treatments intensify the need for effective antibiofilm approaches. This review discusses the mechanisms used by this opportunistic pathogen to form biofilms, describes their clinical impact, and summarizes the current and emerging treatment options available, both to prevent their formation and to disrupt preformed A. baumannii biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pompilio
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Service of Clinical Microbiology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.P.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Daniela Scribano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Dani Di Giò Foundation-Onlus, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Service of Clinical Microbiology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.P.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ambrosi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, IRCCS, 00166 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Allemailem KS, Alnuqaydan AM, Almatroudi A, Alrumaihi F, Aljaghwani A, Khalilullah H, Younus H, Khan A, Khan MA. Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy of Thymoquinone-Loaded Liposomes against Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13050677. [PMID: 34066874 PMCID: PMC8151670 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the activity of free thymoquinone (TQ) or liposomal thymoquinone (Lip-TQ) in comparison to standard antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) against the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. A liposomal formulation of TQ was prepared and characterized and its toxicity was evaluated by analyzing the hematological, liver and kidney function parameters. TQ was effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant A. baumannii as shown by the findings of drug susceptibility testing and time kill kinetics. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of TQ or Lip-TQ against A. baumannii was assessed by the survival rate and the bacterial load in the lung tissues of treated mice. The mice infected with drug-sensitive A. baumannii exhibited a 90% survival rate on day 30 post treatment with Lip-TQ at a dose of 10 mg/kg, whereas the mice treated with AMX (10 mg/kg) had a 100% survival rate. On the other hand, the mice infected with drug-resistant A. baumannii had a 70% survival rate in the group treated with Lip-TQ, whereas AMX was ineffective against drug-resistant A. baumannii and all the mice died within day 30 after the treatment. Moreover, Lip-TQ treatment effectively reduced the bacterial load in the lung tissues of the mice infected with the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant A. baumannii. Moreover, the blood of the mice treated with Lip-TQ had reduced levels of inflammation markers, leukocytes and neutrophils. The results of the present study suggest that Lip-TQ may prove to be an effective therapeutic formulation in the treatment of the drug-sensitive or drug-resistant A. baumannii infection as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled S. Allemailem
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.A.); (A.A.); (F.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmad Almatroudi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.A.); (A.A.); (F.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Faris Alrumaihi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.A.); (A.A.); (F.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Aseel Aljaghwani
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.A.); (A.A.); (F.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Habibullah Khalilullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hina Younus
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India;
| | - Arif Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Masood A. Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-507059437; Fax: +966-63801628
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Targeting Superoxide dismutase confers enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species mediated eradication of Polymyxin B induced Acinetobacter baumannii persisters. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 95:AAC.02180-20. [PMID: 33593839 PMCID: PMC8092903 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02180-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial persisters represent non-inheritable drug tolerant population that are linked to recalcitrance of infections in healthcare settings. The rise of antibiotic resistance and depletion of new antibiotics in drug discovery pipeline has made the task of persister eradication more daunting. In the present study, we report that treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii with the last resort antibiotic polymyxin B displays continuous variation in tolerance among different clinical isolates. Mechanistically, Polymyxin B persisters exhibit disruption of proton motive force led delocalisation of cell division protein to attain a growth arrested phenotype. Tolerance studies on mutant strains revealed that superoxide dismutase (sodB) activity is a major contributor in tolerance of A. baumannii to polymyxin B. Using a dual fluorescence based persister detection system, screening of various antibiotics was performed to eradicate polymyxin B induced persisters of A. baumannii Rifampicin exhibited eradication of polymyxin B tolerant population by log reduction of 6 in magnitude against different clinical isolates of A. baumannii We establish that enhanced generation of ROS by rifampicin leads to clearance of these polymyxin B persisters. It was further demonstrated, as a proof of concept, that rifampicin potentiates the killing of polymyxin B persisters in murine wound infection model. We found that the effects were linked to significant down regulation of sodB by rifampicin, which contributes to higher generation of ROS in polymyxin B tolerant cells. In view of these results, we propose that the combination of polymyxin B and rifampicin is an effective antipersister strategy in clearing polymyxin B induced A. baumannii persisters.
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Cebrero-Cangueiro T, Labrador-Herrera G, Pascual Á, Díaz C, Rodríguez-Baño J, Pachón J, Del Palacio JP, Pachón-Ibáñez ME, Conejo MC. Efficacy of Fosfomycin and Its Combination With Aminoglycosides in an Experimental Sepsis Model by Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Strains. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:615540. [PMID: 33842497 PMCID: PMC8033020 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.615540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are an increasing global threat with scarce and uncertain treatment options. In this context, combination therapies are often used for these infections. The bactericidal and synergistic activity of fosfomycin plus amikacin and gentamicin was studied trough time–kill assays against four clonally unrelated clinical isolates of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae, VIM-1, VIM-1 plus DHA-1, OXA-48 plus CTXM-15, and KPC-3, respectively. The efficacy of antimicrobials that showed synergistic activity in vitro against all the carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae were tested in monotherapy and in combination, in a murine peritoneal sepsis model. In vitro, fosfomycin plus amikacin showed synergistic and bactericidal effect against strains producing VIM-1, VIM-1 plus DHA-1, and OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15. Fosfomycin plus gentamicin had in vitro synergistic activity against the strain producing KPC-3. In vivo, fosfomycin and amikacin and its combination reduced the spleen bacterial concentration compared with controls groups in animals infected by K. pneumoniae producing VIM-1 and OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15. Moreover, amikacin alone and its combination with fosfomycin reduced the bacteremia rate against the VIM-1 producer strain. Contrary to the in vitro results, no in vivo efficacy was found with fosfomycin plus amikacin against the VIM-1 plus DHA-1 producer strain. Finally, fosfomycin plus gentamicin reduced the bacterial concentration in spleen against the KPC-3 producer strain. In conclusion, our results suggest that fosfomycin plus aminoglycosides has a dissimilar efficacy in the treatment of this severe experimental infection, when caused by different carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae strains. Fosfomycin plus amikacin or plus gentamycin may be useful to treat infections by OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 or KPC-3 producer strains, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Cebrero-Cangueiro
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Gema Labrador-Herrera
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Álvaro Pascual
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Caridad Díaz
- Fundacion Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, MEDINA Foundation, Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús Rodríguez-Baño
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Pachón
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - José P Del Palacio
- Fundacion Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, MEDINA Foundation, Granada, Spain
| | - María E Pachón-Ibáñez
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - M Carmen Conejo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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12
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Ayerbe-Algaba R, Bayó N, Verdú E, Parra-Millán R, Seco J, Teixidó M, Pachón J, Giralt E, Smani Y. AOA-2 Derivatives as Outer Membrane Protein A Inhibitors for Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacilli Infections. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:634323. [PMID: 33643267 PMCID: PMC7907166 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.634323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we identified that a cyclic hexapeptide AOA-2 inhibited the interaction of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) like Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to host cells thereby preventing the development of infection in vitro and in a murine sepsis peritoneal model. In this work, we aimed to evaluate in vitro a library of AOA-2 derivatives in order to improve the effect of AOA-2 against GNB infections. Ten AOA-2 derivatives were synthetized for the in vitro assays. Their toxicities to human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells) for 24 h were evaluated by determining the A549 cells viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effect of these peptide derivatives and AOA-2 at 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 μg/mL on the attachment of A. baumannii ATCC 17978, P. aeruginosa PAO1 and E. coli ATCC 25922 strains to A549 cells was characterized by adherence and viability assays. None of the 10 derivatives showed toxicity to A549 cells. RW01 and RW06 have reduced more the adherence of ATCC 17978, PAO1 and ATCC 2599 strains to A549 cells when compared with the original compound AOA-2. Moreover, both peptides have increased slightly the viability of infected A549 cells by PAO1 and ATCC 25922 than those observed with AOA-2. Finally, RW01 and RW06 have potentiated the activity of colistin against ATCC 17978 strain in the same level with AOA-2. The optimization program of AOA-2 has generated two derivatives (RW01 and RW06) with best effect against interaction of GNB with host cells, specifically against P. aeruginosa and E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ayerbe-Algaba
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Nuria Bayó
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ester Verdú
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Parra-Millán
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Jesús Seco
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Teixidó
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Pachón
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ernest Giralt
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Younes Smani
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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13
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Labrador-Herrera G, Pérez-Pulido AJ, Álvarez-Marín R, Casimiro-Soriguer CS, Cebrero-Cangueiro T, Morán-Barrio J, Pachón J, Viale AM, Pachón-Ibáñez ME. Virulence role of the outer membrane protein CarO in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Virulence 2020; 11:1727-1737. [PMID: 33300460 PMCID: PMC7733888 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1855912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel approaches to treat carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections are urgently needed and anti-virulence drugs represent promising alternatives, but our knowledge on potential targets is scarce. We searched for potential A. baumannii virulence factors by whole-genome sequencing-based comparisons of CRAB clinical isolates causing bloodstream infections secondary to ventilator-associated pneumonia from demographics and clinically homogeneous patients, who received optimal treatment but with different clinical outcomes. Thus, the carO gene was interrupted in CRAB isolates from surviving patients, while it was intact in isolates from non-surviving patients, and proteomic/immunoblot techniques corroborated it. When the virulence role of A. baumannii CarO was analyzed in model systems, isogenic ΔcarO mutants and a CRAB clinical isolate with truncated CarO, showed lower ability to adhere and invade A549 cells and in vivo virulence. This unnoticed virulence role for CarO postulate this A. baumannii outer membrane protein as a potential target for new therapies against CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Labrador-Herrera
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University of Seville/CSIC/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio J Pérez-Pulido
- Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD, UPO-CSIC-JA), Faculty of Experimental Sciences (Genetics Area), Pablo de Olavide University , Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Álvarez-Marín
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University of Seville/CSIC/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos S Casimiro-Soriguer
- Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD, UPO-CSIC-JA), Faculty of Experimental Sciences (Genetics Area), Pablo de Olavide University , Seville, Spain
| | - Tania Cebrero-Cangueiro
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University of Seville/CSIC/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville , Seville, Spain
| | - Jorgelina Morán-Barrio
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR) , Rosario, Argentina
| | - Jerónimo Pachón
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University of Seville/CSIC/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Seville , Seville, Spain
| | - Alejandro M Viale
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR) , Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Eugenia Pachón-Ibáñez
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University of Seville/CSIC/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío , Seville, Spain
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14
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Uppalapati SR, Sett A, Pathania R. The Outer Membrane Proteins OmpA, CarO, and OprD of Acinetobacter baumannii Confer a Two-Pronged Defense in Facilitating Its Success as a Potent Human Pathogen. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:589234. [PMID: 33123117 PMCID: PMC7573547 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.589234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Of all the ESKAPE pathogens, carbapenem-resistant and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is the leading cause of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia. A. baumannii infections are notoriously hard to eradicate due to its propensity to rapidly acquire multitude of resistance determinants and the virulence factor cornucopia elucidated by the bacterium that help it fend off a wide range of adverse conditions imposed upon by host and environment. One such weapon in the arsenal of A. baumannii is the outer membrane protein (OMP) compendium. OMPs in A. baumannii play distinctive roles in facilitating the bacterial acclimatization to antibiotic- and host-induced stresses, albeit following entirely different mechanisms. OMPs are major immunogenic proteins in bacteria conferring bacteria host-fitness advantages including immune evasion, stress tolerance, and resistance to antibiotics and antibacterials. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of major A. baumannii OMPs and discuss their versatile role in antibiotic resistance and virulence. Specifically, we explore how OmpA, CarO, and OprD-like porins mediate antibiotic and amino acid shuttle and host virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva R Uppalapati
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Abhiroop Sett
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
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15
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Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) as a potential therapeutic target for Acinetobacter baumannii infection. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:26. [PMID: 31954394 PMCID: PMC6969976 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-0617-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an important opportunistic pathogen causing serious nosocomial infections, which is considered as the most threatening Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), a major component of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in GNB, is a key virulence factor which mediates bacterial biofilm formation, eukaryotic cell infection, antibiotic resistance and immunomodulation. The characteristics of OmpA in Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been extensively studied since 1974, but only in recent years researchers started to clarify the functions of OmpA in A. baumannii. In this review, we summarized the structure and functions of OmpA in A. baumannii (AbOmpA), collected novel therapeutic strategies against it for treating A. baumannii infection, and emphasized the feasibility of using AbOmpA as a potential therapeutic target.
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16
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Cafiso V, Stracquadanio S, Lo Verde F, Dovere V, Zega A, Pigola G, Aranda J, Stefani S. COL R Acinetobacter baumannii sRNA Signatures: Computational Comparative Identification and Biological Targets. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3075. [PMID: 32010115 PMCID: PMC6978653 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) and Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) represent a serious cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Currently, the available treatment options are very restricted and colistin-based therapies are last-line treatments of these infections, even though colistin resistant (COLR) Ab have rarely been isolated yet. In bacteria, small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) have been implicated in regulatory pathways of different biological functions, however, no knowledge exists about the sRNA role on the biological adaptation in COLRAb. Our study investigated two Italian XDR isogenic colistin-susceptible/resistant (COLS/R) Ab strain-pairs to discover new sRNA signatures. Comparative sRNA transcriptome (sRNAome) analyses were carried out by Illumina RNA-seq using both a Tru-Seq and a Short Insert library, whilst Ab ATCC 17978 and ACICU Reference Genome assembly, mapping, annotation and statistically significant differential expression (q-value ≤ 0.01) of the raw reads were performed by the Rockhopper tool. A computational filtering, sorting only similarly statistically significant differentially expressed (DE) sRNAs mapping on the same gene in both COLRAb isolates was conducted. COLR vs. COLS sRNAome, analyzed integrating the DE sRNAs obtained from the two different libraries, revealed some statistically significant DE sRNAs in COLRAb. In detail, we found: (i) two different under-expressed cis-acting sRNAs (AbsRNA1 and AbsRNA2) mapping in antisense orientation the 16S rRNA gene A1S_r01, (ii) one under-expressed cis-acting sRNA (AbsRNA3) targeting the A1S_2505 gene (hypothetical protein), (iii) one under-expressed microRNA-size small RNA fragment (AbsRNA4) and its pre-microAbsRNA4 targeting the A1S_0501 gene (hypothetical protein), (iv) as well as an over-expressed microRNA-size small RNA fragment (AbsRNA5) and its pre-microAbsRNA5 targeting the A1S_3097 gene (signal peptide). Custom TaqMan® probe-based real-time qPCRs validated the expression pattern of the selected sRNA candidates shown by RNA-seq. Furthermore, analysis on sRNA ΔA1S_r01, ΔA1S_2505 as well as the over-expressed A1S_3097 mutants revealed no effects on colistin resistance. Our study, for the first time, found the sRNAome signatures of clinical COLRAb with a computational prediction of their targets related to protein synthesis, host-microbe interaction and other different biological functions, including biofilm production, cell-cycle control, virulence, and antibiotic-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Cafiso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Stracquadanio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Flavia Lo Verde
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Veronica Dovere
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zega
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pigola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Jesús Aranda
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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