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Mendoza ASG, Acosta MFM, Sánchez JAM, Vázquez LEC. Principles and challenges of whole cell microbial biosensors in the food industry. J Food Sci 2024; 89:5255-5269. [PMID: 39175184 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Whole cell microbial biosensors (WCMB) are mostly genetically modified microorganisms used to detect target molecules as indicators of biological and chemical contaminants as well as in the identification of compounds of interest in the food industry. The specificity and sensitivity of these biosensors are achieved through the design of genetic circuits that make use of genetic sequences such as promoters, terminators, genes encoding regulatory proteins or reporter proteins, among others. Despite the advances of WCMBs for their application, significant challenges are faced, such as cell stability, regulatory restrictions, and the need to optimize response times so that they can be a competitive detection tool in the market. This review explores the technological progress, potential and limitations of WCMBs in the food industry, starting by reviewing the operating principles of biosensors. The importance of selecting appropriate chassis cells and the integration of recognition elements and transducers to maximize their effectiveness in the detection of contaminants and compounds of interest in the food industry is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- América Selene Gaona Mendoza
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
- Food Department, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
| | - María Fernanda Mendoza Acosta
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
- Food Department, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
| | - Julio Armando Massange Sánchez
- Plant Biotechnology Unit, Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco A.C. (CIATEJ), Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Luz Edith Casados Vázquez
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
- Food Department, Life Science Division, University of Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
- CONAHCyT-University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México
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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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Muñoz-Bucio A, Arellano-Reynoso B, Sangari FJ, Sieira R, Thébault P, Espitia C, García Lobo JM, Seoane A, Suárez-Güemes F. Increased Brucella abortus asRNA_0067 expression under intraphagocytic stressors is associated with enhanced virB2 transcription. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:285. [PMID: 38816572 PMCID: PMC11139718 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens like Brucella face challenges during the intraphagocytic adaptation phase, where the modulation of gene expression plays an essential role in taking advantage of stressors to persist inside the host cell. This study aims to explore the expression of antisense virB2 RNA strand and related genes under intracellular simulation media. Sense and antisense virB2 RNA strands increased expression when nutrient deprivation and acidification were higher, being starvation more determinative. Meanwhile, bspB, one of the T4SS effector genes, exhibited the highest expression during the exposition to pH 4.5 and nutrient abundance. Based on RNA-seq analysis and RACE data, we constructed a regional map depicting the 5' and 3' ends of virB2 and the cis-encoded asRNA_0067. Without affecting the CDS or a possible autonomous RBS, we generate the deletion mutant ΔasRNA_0067, significantly reducing virB2 mRNA expression and survival rate. These results suggest that the antisense asRNA_0067 expression is promoted under exposure to the intraphagocytic adaptation phase stressors, and its deletion is associated with a lower transcription of the virB2 gene. Our findings illuminate the significance of these RNA strands in modulating the survival strategy of Brucella within the host and emphasize the role of nutrient deprivation in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Muñoz-Bucio
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Arellano-Reynoso
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Félix J Sangari
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Sieira
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-IIBBA CONICET, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435CABA, CP. 1405, Buenos Aires Argentina, Argentina
| | - Patricia Thébault
- Laboratoire Bordelais de Recherche en Informatique (LaBRI), UMR 5800, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, Université de Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Clara Espitia
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México MX, CDMX, Circuito Escolar 33, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Juan M García Lobo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Asunción Seoane
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Francisco Suárez-Güemes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico.
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Chen X, Alakavuklar MA, Fiebig A, Crosson S. Cross-regulation in a three-component cell envelope stress signaling system of Brucella. mBio 2023; 14:e0238723. [PMID: 38032291 PMCID: PMC10746171 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02387-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE As intracellular pathogens, Brucella must contend with a variety of host-derived stressors when infecting a host cell. The inner membrane, cell wall, and outer membrane, i.e. the cell envelope, of Brucella provide a critical barrier to host assault. A conserved regulatory mechanism known as two-component signaling (TCS) commonly controls transcription of genes that determine the structure and biochemical composition of the cell envelope during stress. We report the identification of previously uncharacterized TCS genes that determine Brucella ovis fitness in the presence of cell envelope disruptors and within infected mammalian host cells. Our study reveals a new molecular mechanism of TCS-dependent gene regulation, and thereby advances fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulatory processes in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingru Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Melene A. Alakavuklar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Aretha Fiebig
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Sean Crosson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Barton IS, Ren Z, Cribb CB, Pitzer JE, Baglivo I, Martin DW, Wang X, Roop RM. Brucella MucR acts as an H-NS-like protein to silence virulence genes and structure the nucleoid. mBio 2023; 14:e0220123. [PMID: 37847580 PMCID: PMC10746212 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02201-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) and H-NS-like proteins coordinate host-associated behaviors in many pathogenic bacteria, often through forming silencer/counter-silencer pairs with signal-responsive transcriptional activators to tightly control gene expression. Brucella and related bacteria do not encode H-NS or homologs of known H-NS-like proteins, and it is unclear if they have other proteins that perform analogous functions during pathogenesis. In this work, we provide compelling evidence for the role of MucR as a novel H-NS-like protein in Brucella. We show that MucR possesses many of the known functions attributed to H-NS and H-NS-like proteins, including the formation of silencer/counter-silencer pairs to control virulence gene expression and global structuring of the nucleoid. These results uncover a new role for MucR as a nucleoid structuring protein and support the importance of temporal control of gene expression in Brucella and related bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S. Barton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zhongqing Ren
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Connor B. Cribb
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joshua E. Pitzer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ilaria Baglivo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Daniel W. Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xindan Wang
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - R. Martin Roop
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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Chen X, Alakavuklar MA, Fiebig A, Crosson S. Cross regulation in a three-component cell envelope stress signaling system of Brucella. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.15.536747. [PMID: 37873345 PMCID: PMC10592609 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.15.536747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
A multi-layered structure known as the cell envelope separates the controlled interior of bacterial cells from a fluctuating physical and chemical environment. The transcription of genes that determine cell envelope structure and function is commonly regulated by two-component signaling systems (TCS), comprising a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator. To identify TCS genes that contribute to cell envelope function in the intracellular mammalian pathogen, Brucella ovis, we subjected a collection of non-essential TCS deletion mutants to compounds that disrupt cell membranes and the peptidoglycan cell wall. Our screen led to the discovery of three TCS proteins that coordinately function to confer resistance to cell envelope stressors and to support B. ovis replication in the intracellular niche. This tripartite regulatory system includes the known cell envelope regulator, CenR, and a previously uncharacterized TCS, EssR-EssS, which is widely conserved in Alphaproteobacteria. The CenR and EssR response regulators bind a shared set of sites on the B. ovis chromosomes to control transcription of an overlapping set of genes with cell envelope functions. CenR directly interacts with EssR and functions to stimulate phosphoryl transfer from the EssS kinase to EssR, while CenR and EssR control the cellular levels of each other via a post-transcriptional mechanism. Our data provide evidence for a new mode of TCS cross-regulation in which a non-cognate response regulator affects both the activity and protein levels of a cognate TCS protein pair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingru Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USA
| | - Melene A Alakavuklar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USA
| | - Aretha Fiebig
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USA
| | - Sean Crosson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USA
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The regulon of Brucella abortus two-component system BvrR/BvrS reveals the coordination of metabolic pathways required for intracellular life. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274397. [PMID: 36129877 PMCID: PMC9491525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular pathogen causing a severe zoonotic disease worldwide. The two-component regulatory system (TCS) BvrR/BvrS of B. abortus is conserved in members of the Alphaproteobacteria class. It is related to the expression of genes required for host interaction and intracellular survival. Here we report that bvrR and bvrS are part of an operon composed of 16 genes encoding functions related to nitrogen metabolism, DNA repair and recombination, cell cycle arrest, and stress response. Synteny of this genomic region within close Alphaproteobacteria members suggests a conserved role in coordinating the expression of carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways. In addition, we performed a ChIP-Seq analysis after exposure of bacteria to conditions that mimic the intracellular environment. Genes encoding enzymes at metabolic crossroads of the pentose phosphate shunt, gluconeogenesis, cell envelope homeostasis, nucleotide synthesis, cell division, and virulence are BvrR/BvrS direct targets. A 14 bp DNA BvrR binding motif was found and investigated in selected gene targets such as virB1, bvrR, pckA, omp25, and tamA. Understanding gene expression regulation is essential to elucidate how Brucella orchestrates a physiological response leading to a furtive pathogenic strategy.
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Genome-wide transcription start site mapping in the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella melitensis by Capping-seq. Gene 2022; 844:146827. [PMID: 35995114 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) is an important facultative intracellular bacterium that causes global zoonotic diseases. Continuous intracellular survival and replication are the main obstruction responsible for the accessibility of prevention and treatment of brucellosis. Bacteria respond to complex environment by regulating gene expression. Many regulatory factors function at loci where RNA polymerase initiates messenger RNA synthesis. However, limited gene annotation is a current obstacle for the research on expression regulation in bacteria. To improve annotation and explore potential functional sites, we proposed a novel genome-wide method called Capping-seq for transcription start site (TSS) mapping in B. melitensis. This technique combines capture of capped primary transcripts with Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology. We identified 2,369 TSSs at single nucleotide resolution by Capping-seq. TSSs analysis of Brucella transcripts showed a preference of purine on the TSS positions. Our results revealed that -35 and -10 elements of promoter contained consensus sequences of TTGNNN and TATNNN, respectively. The 5' ends analysis showed that 57% genes are associated with more than one TSS and 47% genes contain long leader regions, suggested potential complex regulation at the 5' ends of genes in B. melitensis. Moreover, we identified 52 leaderless genes that are mainly involved in the metabolic processes. Overall, Capping-seq technology provides a unique solution for TSS determination in prokaryotes. Our findings develop a systematic insight into the primary transcriptome characterization of B. melitensis. This study represents a critical basis for investigating gene regulation and pathogenesis of Brucella.
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Shi C, Wang S, Han J, Xi L, Li M, Li Z, Zhang H. Functional insights into Brucella transcriptional regulator ArsR. Microb Pathog 2022; 168:105557. [PMID: 35623565 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
ArsR-family transcriptional factors regulates diverse physiological functions necessary for Brucella adaptation to environmental changes. However, whether the ArsR-family transcriptional regulator are related to virulence, and the precise determination of ArsR direct targets in Brucella are still unknown. Therefore, we created a 2308ΔArsR6 mutant of B. abortus 2308 (S2308). Virulence assay was performed using a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation of ArsR6 followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq). We also selected the target gene pobA (BAB2_0600), and created the mutant (2308ΔpobA). The survival capability of 2308ΔpobA strain in RAW 264.7 was detected and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were also measured. The results showed that 2308ΔArsR6 reduced survival capability in RAW 264.7. We detected 40 intergenic ChIP-seq peaks of ArsR6 binding distributed across the Brucella genome. 2308ΔpobA was significantly reduced survival capability in RAW 264.7. After the macrophages were infected with 2308ΔpobA, the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18 were decreased and were significantly lower than that for the S2308-infected group, indicating that the 2308ΔpobA could reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, the research provided new insights into the functionality of ArsR6 and great significance to clarify the function of ArsR6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxin Shi
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Provence, China
| | - Shuli Wang
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Provence, China
| | - Jincheng Han
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Provence, China
| | - Li Xi
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Provence, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Provence, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Provence, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Provence, China.
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Fan Q, Zuo J, Wang H, Grenier D, Yi L, Wang Y. Contribution of quorum sensing to virulence and antibiotic resistance in zoonotic bacteria. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 59:107965. [PMID: 35487393 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS), which is a key part of cell/cell communication, is widely distributed in microorganisms, especially in bacteria. Bacteria can produce and detect the presence of QS signal molecule, perceive the composition and density of microorganisms in their complex habitat, and then dynamically regulate their own gene expression to adapt to their environment. Among the many traits controlled by QS in pathogenic bacteria is the expression of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Many pathogenic bacteria rely on QS to govern the production of virulence factors and express drug-resistance, especially in zoonotic bacteria. The threat of antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria has called for alternative antimicrobial strategies that would mitigate the increase of classical resistance mechanism. Targeting QS has proven to be a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic for controlling infections. Here we review the QS systems in common zoonotic pathogenic bacteria and outline how QS may control the virulence and antibiotic resistance of zoonotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingying Fan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Jing Zuo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Haikun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Daniel Grenier
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale (GREB), Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Li Yi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China; College of Life Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.
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11
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Refactoring transcription factors for metabolic engineering. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 57:107935. [PMID: 35271945 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to the ability to regulate target metabolic pathways globally and dynamically, metabolic regulation systems composed of transcription factors have been widely used in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. This review introduced the categories, action principles, prediction strategies, and related databases of transcription factors. Then, the application of global transcription machinery engineering technology and the transcription factor-based biosensors and quorum sensing systems are overviewed. In addition, strategies for optimizing the transcriptional regulatory tools' performance by refactoring transcription factors are summarized. Finally, the current limitations and prospects of constructing various regulatory tools based on transcription factors are discussed. This review will provide theoretical guidance for the rational design and construction of transcription factor-based metabolic regulation systems.
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12
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Xiong X, Li B, Zhou Z, Gu G, Li M, Liu J, Jiao H. The VirB System Plays a Crucial Role in Brucella Intracellular Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413637. [PMID: 34948430 PMCID: PMC8707931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a highly prevalent zoonotic disease caused by Brucella. Brucella spp. are gram-negative facultative intracellular parasitic bacteria. Its intracellular survival and replication depend on a functional virB system, an operon encoded by VirB1–VirB12. Type IV secretion system (T4SS) encoded by the virB operon is an important virulence factor of Brucella. It can subvert cellular pathway and induce host immune response by secreting effectors, which promotes Brucella replication in host cells and induce persistent infection. Therefore, this paper summarizes the function and significance of the VirB system, focusing on the structure of the VirB system where VirB T4SS mediates biogenesis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived replicative Brucella-containing vacuole (rBCV), the effectors of T4SS and the cellular pathways it subverts, which will help better understand the pathogenic mechanism of Brucella and provide new ideas for clinical vaccine research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Xiong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Bowen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Zhixiong Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Guojing Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengjuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Jun Liu
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yujinxiang Street 573, Changchun 130122, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (H.J.)
| | - Hanwei Jiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (X.X.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (G.G.); (M.L.)
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, Chongqing 402460, China
- Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (H.J.)
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Sun J, Dong H, Peng X, Liu Y, Jiang H, Feng Y, Li Q, Zhu L, Qin Y, Ding J. Deletion of the Transcriptional Regulator MucR in Brucella canis Affects Stress Responses and Bacterial Virulence. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:650942. [PMID: 34250056 PMCID: PMC8267065 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.650942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulator MucR is related to normal growth, stress responses and Brucella virulence, and affects the expression of various virulence-related genes in smooth-type Brucella strains. However, the function of MucR in the rough-type Brucella canis remains unknown. In this study, we discovered that MucR protein was involved in resistance to heat stress, iron-limitation, and various antibiotics in B. canis. In addition, the expression level of various bacterial flagellum-related genes was altered in mucR mutant strain. Deletion of this transcriptional regulator in B. canis significantly affected Brucella virulence in RAW264.7 macrophage and mice infection model. To gain insight into the genetic basis for distinctive phenotypic properties exhibited by mucR mutant strain, RNA-seq was performed and the result showed that various genes involved in translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, signal transduction mechanisms, energy production, and conversion were significantly differently expressed in ΔmucR strain. Overall, these studies have not only discovered the phenotype of mucR mutant strain but also preliminarily uncovered the molecular mechanism between the transcriptional regulator MucR, stress response and bacterial virulence in B. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Sun
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Dong
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, China Animal Disease Control Center, Beijing, China.,Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Peng
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yufu Liu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Feng
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoling Li
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Liangquan Zhu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yuming Qin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabo Ding
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
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14
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Yang J, He C, Zhang H, Liu M, Zhao H, Ren L, Wu D, Du F, Liu B, Han X, He S, Chen Z. Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of a Genetic Marked Brucella Vaccine A19ΔvirB12 for Cattle. Front Immunol 2021; 12:679560. [PMID: 34163479 PMCID: PMC8215367 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.679560] [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: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes severe economic loss to husbandry and poses a threat to human health. The B. abortus A19 live vaccine has been extensively used to prevent bovine brucellosis in China. However, it is difficult to distinguish the serological response induced by A19 from that induced by natural infection. In this study, a novel genetically marked vaccine, A19ΔvirB12, was generated and evaluated. The results indicated that A19ΔvirB12 was able to provide effective protection against B. abortus 2308 (S2308) challenge in mice. Furthermore, the safety and protective efficacy of A19ΔvirB12 have been confirmed in natural host cattle. Additionally, the VirB12 protein allowed for serological differentiation between the S2308 challenge/natural infection and A19ΔvirB12 vaccination. However, previous studies have found that the accuracy of the serological detection based on VirB12 needs to be improved. Therefore, we attempted to identify potential supplementary antigens with differential diagnostic functions by combining label-free quantitative proteomics and protein chip technology. Twenty-six proteins identified only in S2308 were screened; among them, five proteins were considered as potential supplementary antigens. Thus, the accuracy of the differential diagnosis between A19ΔvirB12 immunization and field infection may be improved through multi-antigen detection. In addition, we explored the possible attenuation factors of Brucella vaccine strain. Nine virulence factors were downregulated in A19ΔvirB12. The downregulation pathways of A19ΔvirB12 were significantly enriched in quorum sensing, ATP-binding cassette transporter, and metabolism. Several proteins related to cell division were significantly downregulated, while some proteins involved in transcription were upregulated in S2308. In conclusion, our results contribute to the control and eradication of brucellosis and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the attenuation of A19ΔvirB12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuanyu He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,Tecon Biological Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | | | | | - Lisong Ren
- Tecon Biological Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | | | - Fangyuan Du
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Baoshan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaohu Han
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Sun He
- Tecon Biological Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | - Zeliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.,Brucellosis Prevention and Treatment Engineering Technology Research Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Zhang Q, Xing C, Kong X, Wang C, Chen X. ChIP-seq Analysis of the Global Regulator Vfr Reveals Novel Insights Into the Biocontrol Agent Pseudomonas protegens FD6. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:667637. [PMID: 34054776 PMCID: PMC8160232 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.667637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many Pseudomonas protegens strains produce the antibiotics pyoluteorin (PLT) and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), both of which have antimicrobial properties. The biosynthesis of these metabolites is typically controlled by multiple regulatory factors. Virulence factor regulator (Vfr) is a multifunctional DNA-binding regulator that modulates 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis in P. protegens FD6. However, the mechanism by which Vfr regulates this process remains unclear. In the present study, chromatin immunoprecipitation of FLAG-tagged Vfr and nucleotide sequencing analysis were used to identify 847 putative Vfr binding sites in P. protegens FD6. The consensus P. protegens Vfr binding site predicted from nucleotide sequence alignment is TCACA. The qPCR data showed that Vfr positively regulates the expression of phlF and phlG, and the expression of these genes was characterized in detail. The purified recombinant Vfr bound to an approximately 240-bp fragment within the phlF and phlG upstream regions that harbor putative Vfr consensus sequences. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we localized Vfr binding to a 25-bp fragment that contains part of the Vfr binding region. Vfr binding was eliminated by mutating the TACG and CACA sequences in phlF and phlG, respectively. Taken together, our results show that Vfr directly regulates the expression of the 2,4-DAPG operon by binding to the upstream regions of both the phlF and phlG genes. However, unlike other Vfr-targeted genes, Vfr binding to P. protegens FD6 does not require an intact binding consensus motif. Furthermore, we demonstrated that vfr expression is autoregulated in this bacterium. These results provide novel insights into the regulatory role of Vfr in the biocontrol agent P. protegens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxia Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chenglin Xing
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiangwei Kong
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xijun Chen
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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16
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Genome Scale Analysis Reveals IscR Directly and Indirectly Regulates Virulence Factor Genes in Pathogenic Yersinia. mBio 2021; 12:e0063321. [PMID: 34060331 PMCID: PMC8262890 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00633-21] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The iron-sulfur cluster coordinating transcription factor IscR is important for the virulence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and a number of other bacterial pathogens. However, the IscR regulon has not yet been defined in any organism. To determine the Yersinia IscR regulon and identify IscR-dependent functions important for virulence, we employed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of Y. pseudotuberculosis expressing or lacking iscR following iron starvation conditions, such as those encountered during infection. We found that IscR binds to the promoters of genes involved in iron homeostasis, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and cell envelope remodeling and regulates expression of these genes in response to iron depletion. Consistent with our previous work, we also found that IscR binds in vivo to the promoter of the Ysc type III secretion system (T3SS) master regulator LcrF, leading to regulation of T3SS genes. Interestingly, comparative genomic analysis suggested over 93% of IscR binding sites were conserved between Y. pseudotuberculosis and the related plague agent Yersinia pestis. Surprisingly, we found that the IscR positively regulated sufABCDSE Fe-S cluster biogenesis pathway was required for T3SS activity. These data suggest that IscR regulates the T3SS in Yersinia through maturation of an Fe-S cluster protein critical for type III secretion, in addition to its known role in activating T3SS genes through LcrF. Altogether, our study shows that iron starvation triggers IscR to coregulate multiple, distinct pathways relevant to promoting bacterial survival during infection.
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17
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Jaboulay C, Godeux AS, Doublet P, Vianney A. Regulatory Networks of the T4SS Control: From Host Cell Sensing to the Biogenesis and the Activity during the Infection. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166892. [PMID: 33636165 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Delivery of effectors, DNA or proteins, that hijack host cell processes to the benefit of bacteria is a mechanism widely used by bacterial pathogens. It is achieved by complex effector injection devices, the secretion systems, among which Type 4 Secretion Systems (T4SSs) play a key role in bacterial virulence of numerous animal and plant pathogens. Considerable progress has recently been made in the structure-function analyses of T4SSs. Nevertheless, the signals and processes that trigger machine assembly and activity during infection, as well as those involved in substrate recognition and transfer, are complex and still poorly understood. In this review, we aim at summarizing the last updates of the knowledge on signaling pathways that regulate the biogenesis and the activity of T4SSs in important bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jaboulay
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team: Legionella pathogenesis), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France.
| | - A S Godeux
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team: Horigene), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - P Doublet
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team: Legionella pathogenesis), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - A Vianney
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team: Legionella pathogenesis), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
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18
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Roop RM, Barton IS, Hopersberger D, Martin DW. Uncovering the Hidden Credentials of Brucella Virulence. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021; 85:e00021-19. [PMID: 33568459 PMCID: PMC8549849 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria in the genus Brucella are important human and veterinary pathogens. The abortion and infertility they cause in food animals produce economic hardships in areas where the disease has not been controlled, and human brucellosis is one of the world's most common zoonoses. Brucella strains have also been isolated from wildlife, but we know much less about the pathobiology and epidemiology of these infections than we do about brucellosis in domestic animals. The brucellae maintain predominantly an intracellular lifestyle in their mammalian hosts, and their ability to subvert the host immune response and survive and replicate in macrophages and placental trophoblasts underlies their success as pathogens. We are just beginning to understand how these bacteria evolved from a progenitor alphaproteobacterium with an environmental niche and diverged to become highly host-adapted and host-specific pathogens. Two important virulence determinants played critical roles in this evolution: (i) a type IV secretion system that secretes effector molecules into the host cell cytoplasm that direct the intracellular trafficking of the brucellae and modulate host immune responses and (ii) a lipopolysaccharide moiety which poorly stimulates host inflammatory responses. This review highlights what we presently know about how these and other virulence determinants contribute to Brucella pathogenesis. Gaining a better understanding of how the brucellae produce disease will provide us with information that can be used to design better strategies for preventing brucellosis in animals and for preventing and treating this disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Martin Roop
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ian S Barton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dariel Hopersberger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel W Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Cell membrane components of Brucella melitensis play important roles in the resistance of low-level rifampicin. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008888. [PMID: 33373362 PMCID: PMC7771680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens that can persistently colonize host cells and cause the zoonosis- brucellosis. The WHO recommended a treatment for brucellosis that involves a combination of doxycycline, rifampicin, or streptomycin. The aim of this study was to screen rifampicin-resistance related genes by transcriptomic analysis and gene recombination method at low rifampicin concentrations and to predict the major rifampicin- resistance pathways in Brucella spp. The results showed that the MIC value of rifampicin for B. melitensis bv.3 Ether was 0.5 μg / mL. Meanwhile, B. melitensis had an adaptive response to the resistance of low rifampicin in the early stages of growth, while the SNPs changed in the rpoB gene in the late stages of growth when incubated at 37°C with shaking. The transcriptome results of rifampicin induction showed that the functions of significant differentially expressed genes were focused on metabolic process, catalytic activity and membrane and membrane part. The VirB operon, β-resistance genes, ABC transporters, quorum-sensing genes, DNA repair- and replication -related genes were associated with rifampicin resistance when no variations of the in rpoB were detected. Among the VirB operons, VirB7-11 may play a central role in rifampicin resistance. This study provided new insights for screening rifampicin resistance-related genes and also provided basic data for the prevention and control of rifampicin-resistant Brucella isolates. Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens that can persistently colonize host cells and cause the zoonosis- brucellosis. The WHO recommended a treatment for brucellosis that involves a combination of doxycycline, rifampicin, or streptomycin. Rifampicin-resistance related genes were screened by transcriptomic analysis and gene recombination method at low rifampicin concentrations and the major rifampicin- resistance pathways in Brucella spp were predicted. The results showed that the VirB operon, β-resistance genes, ABC transporters, quorum-sensing genes, DNA repair- and replication -related genes were associated with rifampicin resistance when no variations of the in rpoB were detected. Among the VirB operons, VirB7-11 may play a central role in rifampicin resistance.
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20
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Chang SC, Lee CY. Quorum-Sensing Regulator OpaR Directly Represses Seven Protease Genes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:534692. [PMID: 33193123 PMCID: PMC7658014 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.534692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteases play a key role in numerous bacterial physiological events. Microbial proteases are used in the pharmaceutical industry and in biomedical applications. The genus Vibrio comprises protease-producing bacteria. Proteases transform polypeptides into shorter chains for easier utilization. They also function as a virulence factor in pathogens. The mechanism by which protease genes are regulated in Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an emerging world-wide human pathogen, however, still remains unclear. Quorum sensing is the communication system of bacteria. OpaR is the master quorum-sensing regulator in V. parahaemolyticus. In the present study, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and protease gene promoter-fusion reporter assays revealed that OpaR represses seven protease genes—three metalloprotease genes and four serine protease genes—which are involved in environmental survival and bacterial virulence. Furthermore, the electrophoresis mobility shift assay demonstrated that OpaR is bound directly to the promoter region of each of the seven protease genes. DNase I footprinting identified the sequence of these OpaR-binding sites. ChIP-seq analyses revealed 435 and 835 OpaR-binding sites in the late-log and stationary phases, respectively. These OpaR-binding sequences indicated a conserved OpaR-binding motif: TATTGATAAAATTATCAATA. These results advance our understanding of the protease regulation system in V. parahaemolyticus. This study is the first to reveal the OpaR motif within V. parahaemolyticus in vivo, using ChIP-seq, and to provide a database for OpaR direct regulon.
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Affiliation(s)
- San-Chi Chang
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yin Lee
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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21
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Rahbar MR, Zarei M, Jahangiri A, Khalili S, Nezafat N, Negahdaripour M, Fattahian Y, Savardashtaki A, Ghasemi Y. Non-adaptive Evolution of Trimeric Autotransporters in Brucellaceae. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:560667. [PMID: 33281759 PMCID: PMC7688925 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.560667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella species are Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogens. They are the main cause of brucellosis, which has led to a global health burden. Adherence of the pathogen to the host cells is the first step in the infection process. The bacteria can adhere to various biotic and abiotic surfaces using their outer membrane proteins. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are modular homotrimers of various length and domain complexity. They are a diverse, and widespread gene family constituting the type Vc secretion pathway. These adhesins have been established as virulence factors in Brucellaceae. To date, no comprehensive and exhaustive study has been performed on the trimeric autotransporter family in the genus. In the present study, various bioinformatics tools were used to provide a novel evolutionary insight into the sequence and structure of this protein family in Brucellaceae. To this end, a dataset of all trimeric autotransporters from the Brucella genomes was built. Analyses included but were not limited to sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree constructions, codon-based test for selection, clustering of the sequences, and structure (primary to quaternary) predictions. Batch analyzes of the dataset suggested the existence of a few structural domains within the whole population. BatA from the B. abortus 2308 genome was selected as a reference to describe the features of these structural domains. Furthermore, we examined the structural basis for the observed rigidity and resiliency of the protein structure through a molecular dynamics evaluation, which led us to deduce that the random drift results in the non-adaptive evolution of the trimeric autotransporter genes in the Brucella genus. Notably, the modifications have occurred across the genus without interference of gene transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Zarei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Jahangiri
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Yaser Fattahian
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Younes Ghasemi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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22
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Deng X, Li M, Liu L, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Guo J, Zhao T, Cao S, Li Z, Zhang H. Functional analysis of Bucella reveals transcriptional regulation of MarR. Microb Pathog 2020; 144:104201. [PMID: 32325238 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella infection. MarR-family transcription factors are closely related to diverse physiological functions necessary for many pathogens adaptation to environmental changes. However, whether the MarR-family transcription factors are involved in virulence, mediated inflammatory responses and regulated virulence gene expression in the intracellular pathogen Brucella are still unknown. Therefore, we created a 2308ΔMarR6 mutant of B. abortus 2308 (S2308). Virulence and inflammatory cytokines assays were performed using a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). We also performed chromatin immunoprecipitation of MarR6 followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq). The results showed that 2308ΔMarR6 was significantly reduced survival capability in RAW 264.7. After the macrophages were infected with 2308ΔMarR6, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were decreased and were significantly lower than that for the S2308-infected group, indicating that the 2308ΔMarR6 mutant could reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we detected 122 intergenic ChIP-seq peaks of MarR6 binding distributed across the Brucella genome. Taken together, the research has recorded valuable data about MarR6. Our findings are of great significance in elucidating the function of MarR6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingmei Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Liangbo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Jia Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Tianyi Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Shuzhu Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, Henan Province, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang Province, China.
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23
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Mao L, Qin Y, Kang J, Wu B, Huang L, Wang S, Zhang M, Zhang J, Zhang R, Yan Q. Role of LuxR-type regulators in fish pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:215-225. [PMID: 31770821 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
LuxR-type transcriptional factors are essential in many bacterial physiological processes. However, there have been no reports on their roles in Aeromonas hydrophila. In this study, six stable silent strains were constructed using shRNA. Significant decreases in the expression levels of luxR05 , luxR08 , luxR19 , luxR11 , luxR164 and luxR165 were shown in their respective strains by qRT-PCR. The luxR05 -RNAi and luxR164 -RNAi exhibit the most significant changes in sensitivity to kanamycin and gentamicin. The luxR05 -RNAi showed minimum biofilm formation and the least motility, while luxR164 -RNAi showed minimum biofilm formation, adhesion, growth and extracellular protease activity compared to the wild-type strain. In summary, the results of this paper suggest that all six luxR genes are involved in multiple physiological processes in A. hydrophila and that the roles of luxR05 and luxR164 are highly significant. The sensitivity of luxR05 -RNAi and luxR164 -RNAi to drugs may be closely related to biofilm formation. The luxR05 may play an important role in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila by regulating the movement, adhesion and biofilm formation of bacteria, whereas luxR164 may be involved in similar functions by regulating bacterial adhesion, extracellular enzyme activity and growth. These results help further our understanding of the drug resistance and pathogenesis of A. hydrophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Mao
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yingxue Qin
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianping Kang
- Fujian Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Fujian Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lixing Huang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Suyun Wang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ruixuan Zhang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingpi Yan
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Fuzhou, China
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24
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Li Z, Li M, Zhang H, Wang S, Xi L, Zhang X, Yi J, Zhang H. ChIP-seq analysis of Brucella
reveals transcriptional regulation of GntR. J Basic Microbiol 2019; 60:149-157. [DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201900458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Li
- College of Biology and Food; Shangqiu Normal University; Shangqiu China
| | - Min Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology; Shihezi University; Shihezi China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology; Shihezi University; Shihezi China
| | - Shuli Wang
- College of Biology and Food; Shangqiu Normal University; Shangqiu China
| | - Li Xi
- College of Biology and Food; Shangqiu Normal University; Shangqiu China
| | - Xiaogen Zhang
- College of Biology and Food; Shangqiu Normal University; Shangqiu China
| | - Jihan Yi
- College of Animal Science and Technology; Shihezi University; Shihezi China
| | - Huan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology; Shihezi University; Shihezi China
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25
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Liu Y, Sun J, Peng X, Dong H, Qin Y, Shen Q, Jiang H, Xu G, Feng Y, Sun S, Ding J, Chen R. Deletion of the LuxR-type regulator VjbR in Brucella canis affects expression of type IV secretion system and bacterial virulence, and the mutant strain confers protection against Brucella canis challenge in mice. Microb Pathog 2019; 139:103865. [PMID: 31715318 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens and zoonotic agents which pose a huge threat to human health and animal husbandry. The B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis cause undulant fever and influenza-like symptoms in humans. However, the effects of B. canis have not been extensively studied. The quorum sensing-dependent transcriptional regulator VjbR influences the Brucella virulence in smooth type Brucella strains, such as B. melitensis, B. abortus and rough type Brucella ovis. However, the function of VjbR in the rough-type B. canis is unknown. In the present study, we discovered that deletion of this regulator significantly affected Brucella virulence in macrophage and mice infection models. The expression levels of virB operon and the ftcR gene were significantly altered in the vjbR mutant strain. We further investigated the protective effect of different doses of the vjbR mutant in mice and the results indicated that VjbR conferred protection against the virulent B. canis strain. This study presents the first evidence that the transcriptional regulator VjbR has important function in B. canis. In addition, according to its reduced virulence and the protective immunity it induces in mice, it can be a potential live attenuated vaccine against B. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufu Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China; Zhaoqing Institute of Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Jiali Sun
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Peng
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Dong
- China Animal Disease Control Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuming Qin
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qingchun Shen
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Guanlong Xu
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Shijing Sun
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabo Ding
- Department of Inspection Technology Research, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China.
| | - Ruiai Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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