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Sun Y, Wang L, Zhang M, Jie J, Guan Q, Fu J, Chu X, Chen D, Li C, Song L, Luo ZQ. Acinetobacter nosocomialis utilizes a unique type VI secretion system to promote its survival in niches with prey bacteria. mBio 2024:e0146824. [PMID: 38916378 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01468-24] [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: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria of the Acinetobacter genus pose a severe threat to human health worldwide due to their strong adaptability, tolerance, and antibiotic resistance. Most isolates of these bacteria harbor a type VI secretion system (T6SS) that allows them to outcompete co-residing microorganisms, but whether this system is involved in acquiring nutrients from preys remains less studied. In this study, we found that Ab25, a clinical isolate of Acinetobacter nosocomialis, utilizes a T6SS to kill taxonomically diverse microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. The T6SS of Ab25 is constitutively expressed, and among the three predicted effectors, T6e1, a member of the RHS effector family, contributes the most for its antimicrobial activity. T6e1 undergoes self-cleavage, and a short carboxyl fragment with nuclease activity is sufficient to kill target cells via T6SS injection. Interestingly, strain Ab25 encodes an orphan VgrG protein, which when overexpressed blocks the firing of its T6SS. In niches such as dry plastic surfaces, the T6SS promotes prey microorganism-dependent survival of Ab25. These results reveal that A. nosocomialis employs T6SSs that are highly diverse in their regulation and effector composition to gain a competitive advantage in environments with scarce nutrient supply and competing microbes.IMPORTANCEThe type VI secretion system (T6SS) plays an important role in bacterial adaptation to environmental challenges. Members of the Acinetobacter genus, particularly A. baumannii and A. nosocomialis, are notorious for their multidrug resistance and their ability to survive in harsh environments. In contrast to A. baumannii, whose T6SS has been well-studied, few research works have focused on A. nosocomialis. In this study, we found that an A. nosocomialis strain utilizes a contitutively active T6SS to kill diverse microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Although T6SS structural proteins of A. nosocomialis are similar to those of A. baumannii, the effector repertoire differs greatly. Interestingly, the T6SS of the A. nosocomialis strain codes for an ophan VgrG protein, which blocks the firing of the system when overexpressed, suggesting the existence of a new regulatory mechanism for the T6SS. Importantly, although the T6SS does not provide an advantage when the bacterium is grown in nutrient-rich medium, it allows A. nosocomialis to survive better in dry surfaces that contain co-existing bacteria. Our results suggest that killing of co-residing microorganisms may increase the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce the fitness of Acinetobacter bacteria by targeting their T6SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopy center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lidong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Jie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qingtian Guan
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaqi Fu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao Chu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunxiuli Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhao-Qing Luo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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Otto SB, Servajean R, Lemopoulos A, Bitbol AF, Blokesch M. Interactions between pili affect the outcome of bacterial competition driven by the type VI secretion system. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2403-2417.e9. [PMID: 38749426 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread, kin-discriminatory weapon capable of shaping microbial communities. Due to the system's dependency on contact, cellular interactions can lead to either competition or kin protection. Cell-to-cell contact is often accomplished via surface-exposed type IV pili (T4Ps). In Vibrio cholerae, these T4Ps facilitate specific interactions when the bacteria colonize natural chitinous surfaces. However, it has remained unclear whether and, if so, how these interactions affect the bacterium's T6SS-mediated killing. In this study, we demonstrate that pilus-mediated interactions can be harnessed by T6SS-equipped V. cholerae to kill non-kin cells under liquid growth conditions. We also show that the naturally occurring diversity of pili determines the likelihood of cell-to-cell contact and, consequently, the extent of T6SS-mediated competition. To determine the factors that enable or hinder the T6SS's targeted reduction of competitors carrying pili, we developed a physics-grounded computational model for autoaggregation. Collectively, our research demonstrates that T4Ps involved in cell-to-cell contact can impose a selective burden when V. cholerae encounters non-kin cells that possess an active T6SS. Additionally, our study underscores the significance of T4P diversity in protecting closely related individuals from T6SS attacks through autoaggregation and spatial segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon B Otto
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Richard Servajean
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Lemopoulos
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Florence Bitbol
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Blokesch
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Geller AM, Shalom M, Zlotkin D, Blum N, Levy A. Identification of type VI secretion system effector-immunity pairs using structural bioinformatics. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:702-718. [PMID: 38658795 PMCID: PMC11148199 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00035-8] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an important mediator of microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. Gram-negative bacteria use the T6SS to inject T6SS effectors (T6Es), which are usually proteins with toxic activity, into neighboring cells. Antibacterial effectors have cognate immunity proteins that neutralize self-intoxication. Here, we applied novel structural bioinformatic tools to perform systematic discovery and functional annotation of T6Es and their cognate immunity proteins from a dataset of 17,920 T6SS-encoding bacterial genomes. Using structural clustering, we identified 517 putative T6E families, outperforming sequence-based clustering. We developed a logistic regression model to reliably quantify protein-protein interaction of new T6E-immunity pairs, yielding candidate immunity proteins for 231 out of the 517 T6E families. We used sensitive structure-based annotation which yielded functional annotations for 51% of the T6E families, again outperforming sequence-based annotation. Next, we validated four novel T6E-immunity pairs using basic experiments in E. coli. In particular, we showed that the Pfam domain DUF3289 is a homolog of Colicin M and that DUF943 acts as its cognate immunity protein. Furthermore, we discovered a novel T6E that is a structural homolog of SleB, a lytic transglycosylase, and identified a specific glutamate that acts as its putative catalytic residue. Overall, this study applies novel structural bioinformatic tools to T6E-immunity pair discovery, and provides an extensive database of annotated T6E-immunity pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Geller
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maor Shalom
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David Zlotkin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Blum
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Levy
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Hernández-Martínez G, Ares MA, Rosales-Reyes R, Soria-Bustos J, Yañez-Santos JA, Cedillo ML, Girón JA, Martínez-Laguna Y, Leng F, Ibarra JA, De la Cruz MA. The nucleoid protein HU positively regulates the expression of type VI secretion systems in Enterobacter cloacae. mSphere 2024; 9:e0006024. [PMID: 38647313 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00060-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterobacter cloacae is an emerging pathogen isolated in healthcare-associated infections. A major virulence factor of this bacterium is the type VI secretion system (T6SS). The genome of E. cloacae harbors two T6SS gene clusters (T6SS-1 and T6SS-2), and the functional characterization of both systems showed that these two T6SSs are not expressed under the same conditions. Here, we report that the major histone-like protein HU positively regulates the expression of both T6SSs and, therefore, the function that each T6SS exerts in E. cloacae. Single deletions of the genes encoding the HU subunits (hupA and hupB) decreased mRNA levels of both T6SS. In contrast, the hupA hupB double mutant dramatically affected the T6SS expression, diminishing its transcription. The direct binding of HU to the promoter regions of T6SS-1 and T6SS-2 was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, single and double mutations in the hup genes affected the ability of inter-bacterial killing, biofilm formation, adherence to epithelial cells, and intestinal colonization, but these phenotypes were restored when such mutants were trans-complemented. Our data broaden our understanding of the regulation of HU-mediated T6SS in these pathogenic bacteria. IMPORTANCE T6SS is a nanomachine that functions as a weapon of bacterial destruction crucial for successful colonization in a specific niche. Enterobacter cloacae expresses two T6SSs required for bacterial competition, adherence, biofilm formation, and intestinal colonization. Expression of T6SS genes in pathogenic bacteria is controlled by multiple regulatory systems, including two-component systems, global regulators, and nucleoid proteins. Here, we reported that the HU nucleoid protein directly activates both T6SSs in E. cloacae, affecting the T6SS-related phenotypes. Our data describe HU as a new regulator involved in the transcriptional regulation of T6SS and its impact on E. cloacae pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Hernández-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel A Ares
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Roberto Rosales-Reyes
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Soria-Bustos
- Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) North, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | | | - María L Cedillo
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Jorge A Girón
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ygnacio Martínez-Laguna
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Fenfei Leng
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - J Antonio Ibarra
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel A De la Cruz
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
- Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
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Zhao Z, Ling Z, Nie X, Liu D, Chen H, Zhang S. Microbial Diversity and Community Structure of Chinese Fresh Beef during Cold Storage and Their Correlations with Off-Flavors. Foods 2024; 13:1482. [PMID: 38790782 PMCID: PMC11119422 DOI: 10.3390/foods13101482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate the diversity and dynamics of microorganisms in Chinese fresh beef (CFB) without acid discharge treatment during cold storage, high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the CFB refrigerated for 0, 3, 7, and 10 days. The results showed that the community richness of the fungi and bacteria decreased significantly. However, the diversity decreased in the early stage and increased in the later stage. At the phylum level, Ascomycota (74.1-94.1%) and Firmicutes (77.3-96.8%) were the absolutely dominant fungal and bacterial phyla. The relative abundance of both fungal and bacterial phyla displayed a trend of increasing and then decreasing. At the genus level, Candida (29.3-52.5%) and Lactococcus (19.8-59.3%) were, respectively, the dominant fungal and bacterial genera. The relative abundance of Candida showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing, while Lactococcus possessed the opposite trend. KEGG metabolic pathways analysis suggested that carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, and amino acid metabolism were the major metabolic pathways of bacteria. Bugbase prediction indicated the major microbial phenotype of bacteria in CFB during cold storage was Gram-positive (17.2-31.6%). Correlation analysis suggested that Lactococcus, Citrobacter, Proteus, and Rhodotorula might be the main microorganisms promoting the production of off-flavor substances in CFB. This study provides a theoretical basis for the preservation of Chinese fresh beef.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Zhao
- Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.L.); (H.C.); (S.Z.)
| | - Ziqing Ling
- Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.L.); (H.C.); (S.Z.)
- College of Food Science and Technology, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, China;
| | - Xin Nie
- College of Food Science and Technology, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, China;
| | - Dayu Liu
- Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.L.); (H.C.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hongfan Chen
- Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.L.); (H.C.); (S.Z.)
- College of Food Science and Technology, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, China;
| | - Shengyuan Zhang
- Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.L.); (H.C.); (S.Z.)
- College of Food Science and Technology, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, China;
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Upton C, Healey J, Rothnie AJ, Goddard AD. Insights into membrane interactions and their therapeutic potential. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 755:109939. [PMID: 38387829 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109939] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Recent research into membrane interactions has uncovered a diverse range of therapeutic opportunities through the bioengineering of human and non-human macromolecules. Although the majority of this research is focussed on fundamental developments, emerging studies are showcasing promising new technologies to combat conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's and inflammatory and immune-based disease, utilising the alteration of bacteriophage, adenovirus, bacterial toxins, type 6 secretion systems, annexins, mitochondrial antiviral signalling proteins and bacterial nano-syringes. To advance the field further, each of these opportunities need to be better understood, and the therapeutic models need to be further optimised. Here, we summarise the knowledge and insights into several membrane interactions and detail their current and potential uses therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum Upton
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Joseph Healey
- Nanosyrinx, The Venture Centre, University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7EZ, UK
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alan D Goddard
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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Ranjan M, Girija ASS, Priyadharsini VJ. Predictions of Immunodominant Epitope Peptides From the AsaA Type VI Secretion System in Acinetobacter baumannii: A Computational Approach. Cureus 2024; 16:e59618. [PMID: 38832200 PMCID: PMC11146464 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acinetobacter baumannii, designated as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), is responsible for recalcitrant infections in immunocompromised patients. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a class of macromolecular secretion machines, contributing to its virulence. The aim of this study is thus to predict the immune-dominant epitope peptides from the Acinetobacter T6SS-associated protein of A. baumannii (AsaA). Methods AsaA protein retrieval from the bacteria was carried out using computational platforms and the evaluation of antigenicity and allergenicity was performed. The T-cell epitopes of major histocompatibility complex class II binders were identified followed by molecular docking of the immune-dominant epitopes with human leukocyte antigen alleles using the ClusterPro server (https://cluspro.org/help.php). Additionally, the B-cell epitopes were predicted. Results Immune-informatic analysis showed immune-dominant peptides in the most favored regions with promising interactions with HLA alleles DP, DQ, DR, and toll-like receptor showing high binding capacity. Conclusion In the present investigation, epitope 1 (LILFLIGNY) was found to be a promising candidate for the synthesis of vaccines. However, it requires further experimentation for its immunological memory and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medha Ranjan
- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - A S Smiline Girija
- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - Vijayashree J Priyadharsini
- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
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Dessartine MM, Kosta A, Doan T, Cascales É, Côté JP. Type 1 fimbriae-mediated collective protection against type 6 secretion system attacks. mBio 2024; 15:e0255323. [PMID: 38497656 PMCID: PMC11005336 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02553-23] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial competition may rely on secretion systems such as the type 6 secretion system (T6SS), which punctures and releases toxic molecules into neighboring cells. To subsist, bacterial targets must counteract the threats posed by T6SS-positive competitors. In this study, we used a comprehensive genome-wide high-throughput screening approach to investigate the dynamics of interbacterial competition. Our primary goal was to identify deletion mutants within the well-characterized E. coli K-12 single-gene deletion library, the Keio collection, that demonstrated resistance to T6SS-mediated killing by the enteropathogenic bacterium Cronobacter malonaticus. We identified 49 potential mutants conferring resistance to T6SS and focused our interest on a deletion mutant (∆fimE) exhibiting enhanced expression of type 1 fimbriae. We demonstrated that the presence of type 1 fimbriae leads to the formation of microcolonies and thus protects against T6SS-mediated assaults. Collectively, our study demonstrated that adhesive structures such as type 1 fimbriae confer collective protective behavior against T6SS attacks.IMPORTANCEType 6 secretion systems (T6SS) are molecular weapons employed by gram-negative bacteria to eliminate neighboring microbes. T6SS plays a pivotal role as a virulence factor, enabling pathogenic gram-negative bacteria to compete with the established communities to colonize hosts and induce infections. Gaining a deeper understanding of bacterial interactions will allow the development of strategies to control the action of systems such as the T6SS that can manipulate bacterial communities. In this context, we demonstrate that bacteria targeted by T6SS attacks from the enteric pathogen Cronobacter malonaticus, which poses a significant threat to infants, can develop a collective protective mechanism centered on the production of type I fimbriae. These adhesive structures promote the aggregation of bacterial preys and the formation of microcolonies, which protect the cells from T6SS attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Marie Dessartine
- Département de biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Artemis Kosta
- Plateforme de microscopie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Doan
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Éric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Côté
- Département de biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Badten AJ, Torres AG. Burkholderia pseudomallei Complex Subunit and Glycoconjugate Vaccines and Their Potential to Elicit Cross-Protection to Burkholderia cepacia Complex. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:313. [PMID: 38543947 PMCID: PMC10975474 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12030313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia are a group of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases in at-risk populations. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei, the etiological agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, are the two clinically relevant members of the B. pseudomallei complex (Bpc). The development of vaccines against Bpc species has been accelerated in recent years, resulting in numerous promising subunits and glycoconjugate vaccines incorporating a variety of antigens. However, a second group of pathogenic Burkholderia species exists known as the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a group of opportunistic bacteria which tend to affect individuals with weakened immunity or cystic fibrosis. To date, there have been few attempts to develop vaccines to Bcc species. Therefore, the primary goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of the various subunit antigens that have been tested in Bpc species, their protective efficacy, study limitations, and known or suspected mechanisms of protection. Then, we assess the reviewed Bpc antigens for their amino acid sequence conservation to homologous proteins found in Bcc species. We propose that protective Bpc antigens with a high degree of Bpc-to-Bcc sequence conservation could serve as components of a pan-Burkholderia vaccine capable of protecting against both disease-causing groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Badten
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Khakhum N, Baruch-Torres N, Stockton JL, Chapartegui-González I, Badten AJ, Adam A, Wang T, Huerta-Saquero A, Yin YW, Torres AG. Decoration of Burkholderia Hcp1 protein to virus-like particles as a vaccine delivery platform. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0001924. [PMID: 38353543 PMCID: PMC10929448 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00019-24] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are protein-based nanoparticles frequently used as carriers in conjugate vaccine platforms. VLPs have been used to display foreign antigens for vaccination and to deliver immunotherapy against diseases. Hemolysin-coregulated proteins 1 (Hcp1) is a protein component of the Burkholderia type 6 secretion system, which participates in intracellular invasion and dissemination. This protein has been reported as a protective antigen and is used in multiple vaccine candidates with various platforms against melioidosis, a severe infectious disease caused by the intracellular pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei. In this study, we used P22 VLPs as a surface platform for decoration with Hcp1 using chemical conjugation. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally immunized with three doses of either PBS, VLPs, or conjugated Hcp1-VLPs. Immunization with Hcp1-VLPs formulation induced Hcp1-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2c, and IgA antibody responses. Furthermore, the serum from Hcp1-VLPs immunized mice enhanced the bacterial uptake and opsonophagocytosis by macrophages in the presence of complement. This study demonstrated an alternative strategy to develop a VLPs-based vaccine platform against Burkholderia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nittaya Khakhum
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Noe Baruch-Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jacob L. Stockton
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Alexander J. Badten
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Translational Sciences, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Awadalkareem Adam
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alejandro Huerta-Saquero
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Y. Whitney Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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11
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Russ L, Andreo Jimenez B, Nijhuis E, Postma J. Rhizoctonia solani disease suppression: addition of keratin-rich soil amendment leads to functional shifts in soil microbial communities. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae024. [PMID: 38499445 PMCID: PMC10959553 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae024] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Promoting soil suppressiveness against soil borne pathogens could be a promising strategy to manage crop diseases. One way to increase the suppression potential in agricultural soils is via the addition of organic amendments. This microbe-mediated phenomenon, although not fully understood, prompted our study to explore the microbial taxa and functional properties associated with Rhizoctonia solani disease suppression in sugar beet seedlings after amending soil with a keratin-rich waste stream. Soil samples were analyzed using shotgun metagenomics sequencing. Results showed that both amended soils were enriched in bacterial families found in disease suppressive soils before, indicating that the amendment of keratin-rich material can support the transformation into a suppressive soil. On a functional level, genes encoding keratinolytic enzymes were found to be abundant in the keratin-amended samples. Proteins enriched in amended soils were those potentially involved in the production of secondary metabolites/antibiotics, motility, keratin-degradation, and contractile secretion system proteins. We hypothesize these taxa contribute to the amendment-induced suppression effect due to their genomic potential to produce antibiotics, secrete effectors via the contractile secretion system, and degrade oxalate-a potential virulence factor of R. solani-while simultaneously possessing the ability to metabolize keratin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Russ
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Beatriz Andreo Jimenez
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Els Nijhuis
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joeke Postma
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Haudiquet M, Le Bris J, Nucci A, Bonnin RA, Domingo-Calap P, Rocha EPC, Rendueles O. Capsules and their traits shape phage susceptibility and plasmid conjugation efficiency. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2032. [PMID: 38448399 PMCID: PMC10918111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46147-5] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial evolution is affected by mobile genetic elements like phages and conjugative plasmids, offering new adaptive traits while incurring fitness costs. Their infection is affected by the bacterial capsule. Yet, its importance has been difficult to quantify because of the high diversity of confounding mechanisms in bacterial genomes such as anti-viral systems and surface receptor modifications. Swapping capsule loci between Klebsiella pneumoniae strains allowed us to quantify their impact on plasmid and phage infection independently of genetic background. Capsule swaps systematically invert phage susceptibility, revealing serotypes as key determinants of phage infection. Capsule types also influence conjugation efficiency in both donor and recipient cells, a mechanism shaped by capsule volume and conjugative pilus structure. Comparative genomics confirmed that more permissive serotypes in the lab correspond to the strains acquiring more conjugative plasmids in nature. The least capsule-sensitive pili (F-like) are the most frequent in the species' plasmids, and are the only ones associated with both antibiotic resistance and virulence factors, driving the convergence between virulence and antibiotics resistance in the population. These results show how traits of cellular envelopes define slow and fast lanes of infection by mobile genetic elements, with implications for population dynamics and horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Haudiquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
- Ecole Doctoral FIRE-Programme Bettencourt, CRI, Paris, France.
| | - Julie Le Bris
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Ecole Doctorale Complexité du Vivant, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Nucci
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Rémy A Bonnin
- Team Resist UMR1184 Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Inserm, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
- Service de bactériologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Université Paris Saclay, AP-HP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
- Centre National de Référence Associé de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980, Paterna, Spain
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
| | - Olaya Rendueles
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
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13
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Prentice JA, van de Weerd R, Bridges AA. Cell-lysis sensing drives biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2018. [PMID: 38443393 PMCID: PMC10914755 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46399-1] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Matrix-encapsulated communities of bacteria, called biofilms, are ubiquitous in the environment and are notoriously difficult to eliminate in clinical and industrial settings. Biofilm formation likely evolved as a mechanism to protect resident cells from environmental challenges, yet how bacteria undergo threat assessment to inform biofilm development remains unclear. Here we find that population-level cell lysis events induce the formation of biofilms by surviving Vibrio cholerae cells. Survivors detect threats by sensing a cellular component released through cell lysis, which we identify as norspermidine. Lysis sensing occurs via the MbaA receptor with genus-level specificity, and responsive biofilm cells are shielded from phage infection and attacks from other bacteria. Thus, our work uncovers a connection between bacterial lysis and biofilm formation that may be broadly conserved among microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jojo A Prentice
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert van de Weerd
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrew A Bridges
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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14
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Zhang GL, Wang ZC, Li CP, Chen DP, Li ZR, Li Y, Ouyang GP. Discovery of tryptanthrin analogues bearing F and piperazine moieties as novel phytopathogenic antibacterial and antiviral agents. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:1026-1038. [PMID: 37842924 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant bacterial infections and plant viruses seriously affect the yield and quality of crops. Based on the various activities of tryptanthrin, a series of tryptanthrin analogues bearing F and piperazine moieties were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their biological activities against three plant bacteria and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). RESULTS Bioassay results indicated that compounds 6a-6l displayed excellent antibacterial activities in vitro and 6a-6c and 6g exhibited better antiviral activities against TMV than commercial ribavirin. In particular, 6b showed the most effect on Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) of 1.26 μg mL-1 , compared with the commercial pesticide bismerthiazol (BT; EC50 = 34.3 μg mL-1 ) and thiodiazole copper (TC; EC50 = 73.3 μg mL-1 ). Meanwhile, 6a also had the best antiviral activity at 500 μg mL-1 for curative, protection, and inactivation purposes, compared with ribavirin in vivo. CONCLUSION Compound 6b could cause changes in bacterial morphology, induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, promote apoptosis of bacterial cells, inhibit the formation of biofilm, and block the growth of Xoo cells. Proteomic analysis revealed major differences in the bacterial secretory system pathways T2SS and T6SS, which inhibited membrane transport. Molecular docking revealed that 6a and 6g could interact with TMV coat protein preventing virus assembly. These results suggest that tryptanthrin analogues bearing F and piperazine moieties could be promising candidate agents for antibacterial and antiviral use in agricultural production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Long Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhen-Chao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Cheng-Peng Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Dan-Ping Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhu-Rui Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Gui-Ping Ouyang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Synthetic Drugs, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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15
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Yin R, Cheng J, Lin J. The role of the type VI secretion system in the stress resistance of plant-associated bacteria. STRESS BIOLOGY 2024; 4:16. [PMID: 38376647 PMCID: PMC10879055 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-024-00151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a powerful bacterial molecular weapon that can inject effector proteins into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, thereby participating in the competition between bacteria and improving bacterial environmental adaptability. Although most current studies of the T6SS have focused on animal bacteria, this system is also significant for the adaptation of plant-associated bacteria. This paper briefly introduces the structure and biological functions of the T6SS. We summarize the role of plant-associated bacterial T6SS in adaptability to host plants and the external environment, including resistance to biotic stresses such as host defenses and competition from other bacteria. We review the role of the T6SS in response to abiotic factors such as acid stress, oxidation stress, and osmotic stress. This review provides an important reference for exploring the functions of the T6SS in plant-associated bacteria. In addition, characterizing these anti-stress functions of the T6SS may provide new pathways toward eliminating plant pathogens and controlling agricultural losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Juanli Cheng
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinshui Lin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China.
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16
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Santos MNM, Pintor KL, Hsieh PY, Cheung YW, Sung LK, Shih YL, Lai EM. Agrobacteria deploy two classes of His-Me finger superfamily nuclease effectors exerting different antibacterial capacities against specific bacterial competitors. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1351590. [PMID: 38426053 PMCID: PMC10902643 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1351590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) assembles into a contractile nanomachine to inject effectors across bacterial membranes for secretion. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens species complex is a group of soil inhabitants and phytopathogens that deploys T6SS as an antibacterial weapon against bacterial competitors at both inter-species and intra-species levels. The A. tumefaciens strain 1D1609 genome encodes one main T6SS gene cluster and four vrgG genes (i.e., vgrGa-d), each encoding a spike protein as an effector carrier. A previous study reported that vgrGa-associated gene 2, named v2a, encodes a His-Me finger nuclease toxin (also named HNH/ENDO VII nuclease), contributing to DNase-mediated antibacterial activity. However, the functions and roles of other putative effectors remain unknown. In this study, we identified vgrGc-associated gene 2 (v2c) that encodes another His-Me finger nuclease but with a distinct Serine Histidine Histidine (SHH) motif that differs from the AHH motif of V2a. We demonstrated that the ectopic expression of V2c caused growth inhibition, plasmid DNA degradation, and cell elongation in Escherichia coli using DNAse activity assay and fluorescence microscopy. The cognate immunity protein, V3c, neutralizes the DNase activity and rescues the phenotypes of growth inhibition and cell elongation. Ectopic expression of V2c DNase-inactive variants retains the cell elongation phenotype, while V2a induces cell elongation in a DNase-mediated manner. We also showed that the amino acids of conserved SHH and HNH motifs are responsible for the V2c DNase activity in vivo and in vitro. Notably, V2c also mediated the DNA degradation and cell elongation of the target cell in the context of interbacterial competition. Importantly, V2a and V2c exhibit different capacities against different bacterial species and function synergistically to exert stronger antibacterial activity against the soft rot phytopathogen, Dickeya dadantii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Nia M. Santos
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung-Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Aquaculture Research and Development Division, Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Pei-Yu Hsieh
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Wai Cheung
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Kang Sung
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung-Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Shih
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Erh-Min Lai
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung-Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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Xiong X, Wan W, Ding B, Cai M, Lu M, Liu W. Type VI secretion system drives bacterial diversity and functions in multispecies biofilms. Microbiol Res 2024; 279:127570. [PMID: 38096690 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Type VI secretion system (T6SS) plays an essential role in interspecies interactions and provides an advantage for a strain with T6SS in multispecies biofilms. However, how T6SS drives the bacterial community structure and functions in multispecies biofilms still needs to be determined. Using gene deletion and Illumina sequencing technique, we estimated bacterial community responses in multispecies biofilms to T6SS by introducing T6SS-containing Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Results showed that the niche structure shifts of multispecies biofilms were remarkably higher in the presence of T6SS than in the absence of T6SS. The presence of T6SS significantly drove the variation in microbial composition, reduced the alpha-diversity of bacterial communities in multispecies biofilms, and separately decreased and increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Co-occurrence network analysis with inferred putative bacterial interactions indicated that P. putida KT2440 mainly displayed strong negative associations with the genera of Psychrobacter, Cellvibrio, Stenotrophomonas, and Brevundimonas. Moreover, the function redundancy index of the bacterial community was strikingly higher in the presence of T6SS than in the absence of T6SS, regardless of whether relative abundances of bacterial taxa were inhibited or promoted. Remarkably, the increased metabolic network similarity with T6SS-containing P. putida KT2440 could enhance the antibacterial activity of P. putida KT2440 on other bacterial taxa. Our findings extend knowledge of microbial adaptation strategies to potential bacterial weapons and could contribute to predicting biodiversity loss and change in ecological functions caused by T6SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Wenjie Wan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Bangjing Ding
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Mingzhu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Wenzhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
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18
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Ramamoorthy S, Pena M, Ghosh P, Liao YY, Paret M, Jones JB, Potnis N. Transcriptome profiling of type VI secretion system core gene tssM mutant of Xanthomonas perforans highlights regulators controlling diverse functions ranging from virulence to metabolism. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0285223. [PMID: 38018859 PMCID: PMC10782981 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02852-23] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE T6SS has received attention due to its significance in mediating interorganismal competition through contact-dependent release of effector molecules into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Reverse-genetic studies have indicated the role of T6SS in virulence in a variety of plant pathogenic bacteria, including the one studied here, Xanthomonas. However, it is not clear whether such effect on virulence is merely due to a shift in the microbiome-mediated protection or if T6SS is involved in a complex virulence regulatory network. In this study, we conducted in vitro transcriptome profiling in minimal medium to decipher the signaling pathways regulated by tssM-i3* in X. perforans AL65. We show that TssM-i3* regulates the expression of a suite of genes associated with virulence and metabolism either directly or indirectly by altering the transcription of several regulators. These findings further expand our knowledge on the intricate molecular circuits regulated by T6SS in phytopathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivakumar Ramamoorthy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Michelle Pena
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Palash Ghosh
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Ying-Yu Liao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mathews Paret
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey B. Jones
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Neha Potnis
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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19
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Jia F, Peng X, Yang X, Qiu S, Jia S, Ran T, Wang W, Xu D. PqqF inhibits T6SS secretion by decreasing the pH in Serratia marcescens FS14. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2024; 371:fnae047. [PMID: 38908910 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnae047] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox cofactor with numerous important physiological functions, and the type VI secretion system (T6SS) is commonly found in Gram-negative bacteria and plays important roles in physiological metabolism of the bacteria. In this study, we found that the deletion of pqqF enhanced the secretion of Hcp-1 in Serratia marcesens FS14 in M9 medium. Transcriptional analysis showed that the deletion of pqqF almost had no effect on the expression of T6SS-1. Further study revealed that the increased secretion of Hcp-1 was altered by the pH changes of the culture medium through the reaction catalyzed by the glucose dehydrogenases in FS14. Finally, we demonstrated that decreased pH of culture medium has similar inhibition effects as PQQ induced on the secretion of T6SS-1. This regulation mode on T6SS by pH in FS14 is different from previously reported in other bacteria. Therefore, our results suggest a novel pH regulation mode of T6SS in S. marcesens FS14, and would broaden our knowledge on the regulation of T6SS secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xuede Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shenshen Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shanshan Jia
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Tingting Ran
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Weiwu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Dongqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
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20
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Kjellin J, Lee D, Steinsland H, Dwane R, Barth Vedoy O, Hanevik K, Koskiniemi S. Colicins and T6SS-based competition systems enhance enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) competitiveness. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2295891. [PMID: 38149626 PMCID: PMC10761095 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2295891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diarrheal diseases are still a significant problem for humankind, causing approximately half a million deaths annually. To cause diarrhea, enteric bacterial pathogens must first colonize the gut, which is a niche occupied by the normal bacterial microbiota. Therefore, the ability of pathogenic bacteria to inhibit the growth of other bacteria can facilitate the colonization process. Although enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the major causative agents of diarrheal diseases, little is known about the competition systems found in and used by ETEC and how they contribute to the ability of ETEC to colonize a host. Here, we collected a set of 94 fully assembled ETEC genomes by performing whole-genome sequencing and mining the NCBI RefSeq database. Using this set, we performed a comprehensive search for delivered bacterial toxins and investigated how these toxins contribute to ETEC competitiveness in vitro. We found that type VI secretion systems (T6SS) were widespread among ETEC (n = 47). In addition, several closely related ETEC strains were found to encode Colicin Ia and T6SS (n = 8). These toxins provide ETEC competitive advantages during in vitro competition against other E. coli, suggesting that the role of T6SS as well as colicins in ETEC biology has until now been underappreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kjellin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Danna Lee
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Steinsland
- CISMAC, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rachel Dwane
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oda Barth Vedoy
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- National centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sanna Koskiniemi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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21
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Abby SS, Denise R, Rocha EPC. Identification of Protein Secretion Systems in Bacterial Genomes Using MacSyFinder Version 2. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2715:1-25. [PMID: 37930518 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3445-5_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein secretion systems are complex molecular machineries that translocate proteins through the outer membrane and sometimes through multiple other barriers. They have evolved by co-option of components from other envelope-associated cellular machineries, making them sometimes difficult to identify and discriminate. Here, we describe how to identify protein secretion systems in bacterial genomes using the MacSyFinder program. This flexible computational tool uses the knowledge gathered from experimental studies to identify homologous systems in genome data. It can be used with a set of predefined MacSyFinder models, "TXSScan," to identify all major secretion systems of diderm bacteria (i.e., with inner and LPS-containing outer membranes) as well as evolutionarily related cell appendages (pili and flagella). For this, it identifies and clusters co-localized genes encoding proteins of secretion systems using sequence similarity search with Hidden Markov Model (HMM) protein profiles. Finally, it checks if the clusters' genetic content and genomic organization satisfy the constraints of the model. TXSScan models can be altered in the command line or customized to search for variants of known secretion systems. Models can also be built from scratch to identify novel systems. In this chapter, we describe a complete pipeline of analysis, starting from (i) the integration of information from a reference set of experimentally studied systems, (ii) the identification of conserved proteins and the construction of their HMM protein profiles, (iii) the definition and optimization of "macsy-models," and (iv) their use and online distribution as tools to search genomic data for secretion systems of interest. MacSyFinder is available here: https://github.com/gem-pasteur/macsyfinder, and MacSyFinder models here: https://github.com/macsy-models .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie S Abby
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, Grenoble, France.
| | - Rémi Denise
- APC Microbiome Ireland & School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, France
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22
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Wang S, Mu L, Yu C, He Y, Hu X, Jiao Y, Xu Z, You S, Liu SL, Bao H. Microbial collaborations and conflicts: unraveling interactions in the gut ecosystem. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2296603. [PMID: 38149632 PMCID: PMC10761165 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2296603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiota constitutes a vast and complex community of microorganisms. The myriad of microorganisms present in the intestinal tract exhibits highly intricate interactions, which play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and balance of the gut microbial ecosystem. These interactions, in turn, influence the overall health of the host. The mammalian gut microbes have evolved a wide range of mechanisms to suppress or even eliminate their competitors for nutrients and space. Simultaneously, extensive cooperative interactions exist among different microbes to optimize resource utilization and enhance their own fitness. This review will focus on the competitive mechanisms among members of the gut microorganisms and discuss key modes of actions, including bacterial secretion systems, bacteriocins, membrane vesicles (MVs) etc. Additionally, we will summarize the current knowledge of the often-overlooked positive interactions within the gut microbiota, and showcase representative machineries. This information will serve as a reference for better understanding the complex interactions occurring within the mammalian gut environment. Understanding the interaction dynamics of competition and cooperation within the gut microbiota is crucial to unraveling the ecology of the mammalian gut microbial communities. Targeted interventions aimed at modulating these interactions may offer potential therapeutic strategies for disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lingyi Mu
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chong Yu
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuting He
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinliang Hu
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanlei Jiao
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ziqiong Xu
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shaohui You
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongxia Bao
- Genomics Research Center, Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (NKLFZCD) College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Harbin Medical University-University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Centre for Infection and Genomics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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23
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Maphosa S, Moleleki LN. A computational and secretome analysis approach reveals exclusive and shared candidate type six secretion system substrates in Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692. Microbiol Res 2024; 278:127501. [PMID: 37976736 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The type 6 secretion system (T6SS) of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) has implications for bacterial competition, virulence, and survival. For the broad host range pathogen, Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692, T6SS-mediated competition occurs in a tissue-specific manner. However, no other roles have been investigated. The aim of this study was to identify T6SS-associated proteins under virulence inducing conditions. We used Bastion tools to predict 1479 Pbr1692 secreted proteins. Sixteen percent of these overlap between type 1-4 secretion systems (T1SS-T4SS) and T6SS. Using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry of Pbr1692 T6SS active and T6SS inactive strains' secretomes cultured in minimal media supplemented with host extract, 49 T6SS-associated proteins with varied gene ontology predicted functions were identified. We report 19 and 30 T6SS primary substrates and differentially secreted proteins, respectively, in T6SS mutants versus wild type strains. Of the total 49 T6SS-associated proteins presented in this study, 25 were also predicted using the BastionX platform as T6SS exclusive and shared substrates with T1SS-T4SS. This work provides a list of Pbr1692 T6SS secreted effector candidates. These include a potential antibacterial toxin HNH endonuclease and several predicted virulence proteins, including plant cell wall degrading enzymes. A preliminary basis for potential crosstalk between GNB secretion systems is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Maphosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - L N Moleleki
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
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24
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Alcoforado Diniz J, Earl C, Hernandez RE, Hollmann B, Coulthurst SJ. Quantitative Determination of Antibacterial Activity During Bacterial Coculture. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2715:593-600. [PMID: 37930554 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3445-5_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Antibacterial activity assays are an important tool in the assessment of the ability of one bacterium to kill or inhibit the growth of another, for example, during the study of the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) and the antibacterial toxins it secretes. The method we describe here can detect the ability of a bacterial strain to kill or inhibit other bacterial cells in a contact-dependent manner when cocultured on an agar surface. It is particularly useful since it enumerates the recovery of viable target cells and thus enables quantification of the antibacterial activity. We provide a detailed description of how to measure the T6SS-dependent antibacterial activity of a bacterium such as Serratia marcescens against a competitor prokaryotic organism, Escherichia coli, and describe possible variations in the method to allow adaptation to other attacker and target organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Earl
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ruth E Hernandez
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Birte Hollmann
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Sarah J Coulthurst
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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25
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Wu P, Rao C, Liu W, Zhang Z, Nan D, Chen J, Wang M, Wen Y, Yan J, Yue J, Mao X, Li Q. Anti-Hcp1 Monoclonal Antibody Is Protective against Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection via Recognizing Amino Acids at Asp95-Leu114. Pathogens 2023; 13:43. [PMID: 38251350 PMCID: PMC10818278 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis, a severe tropical illness caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, poses significant treatment challenges due to limited therapeutic options and the absence of effective vaccines. The pathogen's intrinsic resistance to numerous antibiotics and propensity to induce sepsis during acute infections further complicate management strategies. Thus, exploring alternative methods for prevention and treatment is crucial. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged as a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This study focused on generating three mAbs (13F1, 14G11, and 15D9) targeting hemolysin-coregulated protein 1 (Hcp1), a protein involved in the type VI secretion system cluster 1 (T6SS1) of B. pseudomallei. Notably, pretreatment with 13F1 mAb significantly reduced the intracellular survival of B. pseudomallei and inhibited the formation of macrophage-derived multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs). This protective effect was also observed in vivo. We identified a sequence of amino acids (Asp95-Leu114) within Hcp1 as the likely binding site for 13F1 mAb. In summary, our findings reveal that 13F1 mAb counteracts infection by targeting Hcp1, offering potential new targets and insights for melioidosis prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Wu
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Chenglong Rao
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Wenzheng Liu
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Ziyuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Dongqi Nan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jiangao Chen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Minyang Wang
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yuan Wen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jingmin Yan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Juanjuan Yue
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Xuhu Mao
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China; (P.W.); (W.L.); (J.C.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (J.Y.)
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China
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26
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Kumari K, Aggarwal Y, Singh RP. Molecular characterization and in-depth genomic analysis to unravel the pathogenic features of an environmental isolate Enterobacter sp. S-33. Int Microbiol 2023:10.1007/s10123-023-00461-y. [PMID: 38044418 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00461-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Enterobacter species represent widely distributed opportunistic pathogens, commonly associated with plants and humans. In the present study, we performed a detailed molecular characterization as well as genomic study of a type VI secretion system (T6SS) bacterium belonging to member of the family Enterobacteriaceae and named Enterobacter sp. S-33. The comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the strain was closely related to other Enterobacter species. The complete genome of the strain with a genome size of 4.6 Mbp and GC-content of 55.63% was obtained through high-quality sequencing. The genomic analysis with online tools unravelled the various genes belonging to the bacterial secretion system, antibiotic resistance, virulence, efflux pumps, etc. The isolate showed the motility behavior that contributes to Enterobacter persistence in a stressed environment and further supports infections. PCR amplification and further sequencing confirmed the presence of drug-efflux genes acrA, acrB, and outer membrane genes, viz. OmpA, OmpC, and OmpF. The cell surface hydrophobicity and co-aggregation assay against different bacterial strains illustrated its putative pathogenic nature. Genome mining identified various biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) corresponding to non-ribosomal proteins (NRPS), siderophore, and arylpolyene production. Briefly, genome sequencing and detailed characterization of environmental Enterobacter isolate will assist in understanding the epidemiology of Enterobacter species, and the further prevention and treatment of infectious diseases caused by these broad-host range species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumari
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835215, India
| | - Yogender Aggarwal
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835215, India
| | - Rajnish Prakash Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, India.
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27
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Kost C, Patil KR, Friedman J, Garcia SL, Ralser M. Metabolic exchanges are ubiquitous in natural microbial communities. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2244-2252. [PMID: 37996708 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01511-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities drive global biogeochemical cycles and shape the health of plants and animals-including humans. Their structure and function are determined by ecological and environmental interactions that govern the assembly, stability and evolution of microbial communities. A widely held view is that antagonistic interactions such as competition predominate in microbial communities and are ecologically more important than synergistic interactions-for example, mutualism or commensalism. Over the past decade, however, a more nuanced picture has emerged, wherein bacteria, archaea and fungi exist within interactive networks in which they exchange essential and non-essential metabolites. These metabolic interactions profoundly impact not only the physiology, ecology and evolution of the strains involved, but are also central to the functioning of many, if not all, microbiomes. Therefore, we advocate for a balanced view of microbiome ecology that encompasses both synergistic and antagonistic interactions as key forces driving the structure and dynamics within microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kost
- Osnabrück University, Department of Ecology, School of Biology/Chemistry, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Kiran Raosaheb Patil
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jonathan Friedman
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Sarahi L Garcia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Markus Ralser
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany.
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
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28
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Boardman ER, Palmer T, Alcock F. Interbacterial competition mediated by the type VIIb secretion system. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001420. [PMID: 38116759 PMCID: PMC10765036 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Successful occupancy of a given niche requires the colonising bacteria to interact extensively with the biotic and abiotic environment, including other resident microbes. Bacteria have evolved a range of protein secretion machines for this purpose with eleven such systems identified to date. The type VIIb secretion system (T7SSb) is utilised by Bacillota to secrete a range of protein substrates, including antibacterial toxins targeting closely related strains, and the system as a whole has been implicated in a range of activities such as iron acquisition, intercellular signalling, host colonisation and virulence. This review covers the components and secretion mechanism of the T7SSb, the substrates of these systems and their roles in Gram-positive bacteria, with a focus on interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R. Boardman
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Felicity Alcock
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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29
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Navarro-Monserrat ED, Taylor CG. T6SS: A Key to Pseudomonas's Success in Biocontrol? Microorganisms 2023; 11:2718. [PMID: 38004732 PMCID: PMC10673566 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas have been extensively studied for their capacity to act as biological control agents of disease and pests and for their ability to enhance and promote crop production in agricultural systems. While initial research primarily focused on the human pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, recent studies indicate the significance of type VI secretion (T6SS) in other Pseudomonas strains for biocontrol purposes. This system possibly plays a pivotal role in restricting the biological activity of target microorganisms and may also contribute to the bolstering of the survival capabilities of the bacteria within their applied environment. The type VI secretion system is a phage-like structure used to translocate effectors into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic target cells. T6SSs are involved in a myriad of interactions, some of which have direct implications in the success of Pseudomonas as biocontrol agents. The prevalence of T6SSs in the genomes of Pseudomonas species is notably greater than the estimated 25% occurrence rate found in Gram-negative bacteria. This observation implies that T6SS likely plays a pivotal role in the survival and fitness of Pseudomonas. This review provides a brief overview of T6SS, its role in Pseudomonas with biocontrol applications, and future avenues of research within this subject matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher G. Taylor
- Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA;
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30
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Zhao Z, Hu Y, Hu Y, White AP, Wang Y. Features and algorithms: facilitating investigation of secreted effectors in Gram-negative bacteria. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1162-1178. [PMID: 37349207 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria deliver effector proteins through type III, IV, or VI secretion systems (T3SSs, T4SSs, and T6SSs) into host cells, causing infections and diseases. In general, effector proteins for each of these distinct secretion systems lack homology and are difficult to identify. Sequence analysis has disclosed many common features, helping us to understand the evolution, function, and secretion mechanisms of the effectors. In combination with various algorithms, the known common features have facilitated accurate prediction of new effectors. Ensemblers or integrated pipelines achieve a better prediction of performance, which combines multiple computational models or modules with multidimensional features. Natural language processing (NLP) models also show the merits, which could enable discovery of novel features and, in turn, facilitate more precise effector prediction, extending our knowledge about each secretion mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Zhao
- Youth Innovation Team of Medical Bioinformatics, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yixue Hu
- Youth Innovation Team of Medical Bioinformatics, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yueming Hu
- Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aaron P White
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Yejun Wang
- Youth Innovation Team of Medical Bioinformatics, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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Miller J, Murray PJ. Space and time on the membrane: modelling Type VI secretion system dynamics as a state-dependent random walk. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230284. [PMID: 37920566 PMCID: PMC10618060 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The type six secretion system (T6SS) is a transmembrane protein complex that mediates bacterial cell killing. The T6SS comprises three main components (transmembrane, baseplate and sheath/tube complexes) that are sequentially assembled in order to enable an attacking cell to transport payloads into neighbouring cells. A T6SS attack disrupts the function of essential cellular components of target cells, typically resulting in their death. While the assembled T6SS adopts a fixed position in the cell membrane of the attacking cell, the location of the firing site varies between firing events. In Serratia marcescens, a post-translational regulatory network regulates the assembly and firing kinetics of the T6SS in a manner that affects the attacking cell's ability to kill target cells. Moreover, when the ability of membrane complexes to reorient is reduced, an attacking cell's competitiveness is also reduced. In this study, we will develop a mathematical model that describes both the spatial motion and assembly/disassembly of a firing T6SS. The model represents the motion of a T6SS on the cell membrane as a state-dependent random walk. Using the model, we will explore how both spatial and temporal effects can combine to give rise to different firing phenotypes. Using parameters inferred from the available literature, we show that variation in estimated diffusion coefficients is sufficient to give rise to either spatially local or global firers.
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Bourigault Y, Dupont CA, Desjardins JB, Doan T, Bouteiller M, Le Guenno H, Chevalier S, Barbey C, Latour X, Cascales E, Merieau A. Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 delivers a putative type VI secretion amidase that confers biocontrol against the soft-rot pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2564-2579. [PMID: 37622480 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile nanomachine widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. The T6SS injects effectors into target cells including eukaryotic hosts and competitor microbial cells and thus participates in pathogenesis and intermicrobial competition. Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 possesses a single T6SS gene cluster that confers biocontrol properties by protecting potato tubers against the phytopathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pca). Here, we demonstrate that a functional T6SS is essential to protect potato tuber by reducing the pectobacteria population. Fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that MFE01 displays an aggressive behaviour with an offensive T6SS characterized by continuous and intense T6SS firing activity. Interestingly, we observed that T6SS firing is correlated with rounding of Pectobacterium cells, suggesting delivery of a potent cell wall targeting effector. Mutagenesis coupled with functional assays then revealed that a putative T6SS secreted amidase, Tae3Pf , is mainly responsible for MFE01 toxicity towards Pca. Further studies finally demonstrated that Tae3Pf is toxic when produced in the periplasm, and that its toxicity is counteracted by the Tai3Pf inner membrane immunity protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvann Bourigault
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Charly A Dupont
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jonas B Desjardins
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Doan
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Mathilde Bouteiller
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Hugo Le Guenno
- Plateforme de Microscopie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Sylvie Chevalier
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
| | - Corinne Barbey
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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De Silva PM, Bennett RJ, Kuhn L, Ngondo P, Debande L, Njamkepo E, Ho B, Weill FX, Marteyn BS, Jenkins C, Baker KS. Escherichia coli killing by epidemiologically successful sublineages of Shigella sonnei is mediated by colicins. EBioMedicine 2023; 97:104822. [PMID: 37806286 PMCID: PMC10579285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104822] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shigella sp. are enteric pathogens which causes >125 million cases of shigellosis annually. S. sonnei accounts for about a quarter of those cases and is increasingly prevalent in industrialising nations. Being an enteric pathogen, S. sonnei benefits from outcompeting gut commensals such as Escherichia coli to establish itself and cause disease. There are numerous mechanisms that bacterial pathogens use to outcompete its rivals including molecules called colicins. A Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) was recently described as contributing to E. coli killing in S. sonnei. METHODS We used Bulk Phenotyping of Epidemiological Replicates (BPER) which combined bacterial Genome Wide Association Studies (bGWAS) and high throughput phenotyping on a collection of S. sonnei surveillance isolates to identify the genetic features associated with E. coli killing and explore their relationship with epidemiological behaviour. We further explored the presence of colicins and T6SS components in the isolates using genomics, laboratory experimentation, and proteomics. FINDINGS Our bGWAS analysis returned known and novel colicin and colicin related genes as significantly associated with E. coli killing. In silico analyses identified key colicin clusters responsible for the killing phenotype associated with epidemiologically successful sub-lineages. The killing phenotype was not associated with the presence of a T6SS. Laboratory analyses confirmed the presence of the key colicin clusters and that killing was contact-independent. INTERPRETATION Colicins are responsible for E. coli killing by S. sonnei, not a T6SS. This phenotype contributes to shaping the observed epidemiology of S. sonnei and may contribute to its increasing prevalence globally. BPER is an epidemiologically relevant approach to phenotypic testing that enables the rapid identification of genetic drivers of phenotypic changes, and assessment of their relevance to epidemiology in natural settings. FUNDING Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership studentship, Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council (UK), French National Research Agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Malaka De Silva
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology, and Immunology, Institute for Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J Bennett
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology, and Immunology, Institute for Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lauriane Kuhn
- Plateforme protéomique Strasbourg Esplanade FR1589 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patryk Ngondo
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR9002, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lorine Debande
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR9002, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elisabeth Njamkepo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité des Bactéries pathogènes entériques, Centre National de Référence des Escherichia coli, Shigella et Salmonella, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Brian Ho
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, London, UK
| | - François-Xavier Weill
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité des Bactéries pathogènes entériques, Centre National de Référence des Escherichia coli, Shigella et Salmonella, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Benoît S Marteyn
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR9002, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Jenkins
- Gastro and Food Safety (One Health) Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, UK
| | - Kate S Baker
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology, and Immunology, Institute for Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge, UK.
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Nagano DS, Taniguchi I, Ono T, Nakamura K, Gotoh Y, Hayashi T. Systematic analysis of plasmids of the Serratia marcescens complex using 142 closed genomes. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37966169 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids play important roles in bacterial genome diversification. In the Serratia marcescens complex (SMC), a notable contribution of plasmids to genome diversification was also suggested by our recent analysis of >600 draft genomes. As accurate analyses of plasmids in draft genomes are difficult, in this study we analysed 142 closed genomes covering the entire complex, 67 of which were obtained in this study, and identified 132 plasmids (1.9-244.4 kb in length) in 77 strains. While the average numbers of plasmids in clinical and non-clinical strains showed no significant difference, strains belonging to clade 2 (one of the two hospital-adapted lineages) contained more plasmids than the others. Pangenome analysis revealed that of the 28 954 genes identified, 12.8 % were plasmid-specific, and 1.4 % were present in plasmids or chromosomes depending on the strain. In the latter group, while transposon-related genes were most prevalent (31.4 % of the function-predicted genes), genes related to antimicrobial resistance and heavy metal resistance accounted for a notable proportion (22.7 %). Mash distance-based clustering separated the 132 plasmids into 23 clusters and 50 singletons. Most clusters/singletons showed notably different GC contents compared to those of host chromosomes, suggesting their recent or relatively recent appearance in the SMC. Among the 23 clusters, 17 were found in only clinical or only non-clinical strains, suggesting the possible preference of their distribution on the environmental niches of host strains. Regarding the host strain phylogeny, 16 clusters were distributed in two or more clades, suggesting their interclade transmission. Moreover, for many plasmids, highly homologous plasmids were found in other species, indicating the broadness of their potential host ranges, beyond the genus, family, order, class or even phylum level. Importantly, highly homologous plasmids were most frequently found in Klebsiella pneumoniae and other species in the family Enterobacteriaceae, suggesting that this family, particularly K. pneumoniae, is the main source for plasmid exchanges with the SMC. These results highlight the power of closed genome-based analysis in the investigation of plasmids and provide important insights into the nature of plasmids distributed in the SMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Satie Nagano
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Itsuki Taniguchi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ono
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Keiji Nakamura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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Anand A, Falquet L, Abou-Mansour E, L'Haridon F, Keel C, Weisskopf L. Biological hydrogen cyanide emission globally impacts the physiology of both HCN-emitting and HCN-perceiving Pseudomonas. mBio 2023; 14:e0085723. [PMID: 37650608 PMCID: PMC10653877 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00857-23] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Bacteria communicate by exchanging chemical signals, some of which are volatile and can remotely reach other organisms. HCN was one of the first volatiles discovered to severely impact exposed organisms by inhibiting their respiration. Using HCN-deficient mutants in two Pseudomonas strains, we demonstrate that HCN's impact goes beyond the sole inhibition of respiration and affects both emitting and receiving bacteria in a global way, modulating their motility, biofilm formation, and production of antimicrobial compounds. Our data suggest that bacteria could use HCN not only to control their own cellular functions, but also to remotely influence the behavior of other bacteria sharing the same environment. Since HCN emission occurs in both clinically and environmentally relevant Pseudomonas, these findings are important to better understand or even modulate the expression of bacterial traits involved in both virulence of opportunistic pathogens and in biocontrol efficacy of plant-beneficial strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Anand
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Falquet
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Christoph Keel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Weisskopf
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Stockton JL, Khakhum N, Stevenson HL, Torres AG. Burkholderia pseudomallei BicA protein promotes pathogenicity in macrophages by regulating invasion, intracellular survival, and virulence. mSphere 2023; 8:e0037823. [PMID: 37768049 PMCID: PMC10597401 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00378-23] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bpm) is the causative agent of melioidosis disease. Bpm is a facultative intracellular pathogen with a complex life cycle inside host cells. Pathogenic success depends on a variety of virulence factors with one of the most critical being the type 6 secretion system (T6SS). Bpm uses the T6SS to move into neighboring cells, resulting in multinucleated giant cell (MNGC) formation, a strategy used to disseminate from cell to cell. Our prior study using a dual RNA-seq analysis to dissect T6SS-mediated virulence on intestinal epithelial cells identified BicA as a factor upregulated in a T6SS mutant. BicA regulates both type 3 secretion system (T3SS) and T6SSs; however, the extent of its involvement during disease progression is unclear. To fully dissect the role of BicA during systemic infection, we used two macrophage cell lines paired with a pulmonary in vivo challenge murine model. We found that ΔbicA has a distinct intracellular replication defect in both immortalized and primary macrophages, which begins as early as 1 h post-infection. This intracellular defect is linked with the lack of cell-to-cell dissemination and MNGC formation as well as a defect in T3SS expression. The in vitro phenotype translated in vivo as ΔbicA was attenuated in a pulmonary model of infection, demonstrating a distinct macrophage activation profile and a lack of pathological features present in the wild type. Overall, these results highlight the role of BicA in regulating intracellular virulence and demonstrate that specific regulation of secretion systems has a significant effect on host response and Bpm pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Melioidosis is an understudied tropical disease that still results in ~50% fatalities in infected patients. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bpm). Bpm is an intracellular pathogen that disseminates from the infected cell to target organs, causing disseminated disease. The regulation of secretion systems involved in entry and cell-to-cell spread is poorly understood. In this work, we characterize the role of BicA as a regulator of secretion systems during infection of macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Understanding how these virulence factors are controlled will help us determine their influence on the host cells and define the macrophage responses associated with bacterial clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L. Stockton
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nittaya Khakhum
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Heather L. Stevenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Dupont CA, Bourigault Y, Osmond T, Nier M, Barbey C, Latour X, Konto-Ghiorghi Y, Verdon J, Merieau A. Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 uses 1-undecene as aerial communication molecule. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1264801. [PMID: 37908545 PMCID: PMC10614000 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial communication is a fundamental process used to synchronize gene expression and collective behavior among the bacterial population. The most studied bacterial communication system is quorum sensing, a cell density system, in which the concentration of inductors increases to a threshold level allowing detection by specific receptors. As a result, bacteria can change their behavior in a coordinated way. While in Pseudomonas quorum sensing based on the synthesis of N-acyl homoserine lactone molecules is well studied, volatile organic compounds, although considered to be communication signals in the rhizosphere, are understudied. The Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 strain has a very active type six secretion system that can kill some competitive bacteria. Furthermore, MFE01 emits numerous volatile organic compounds, including 1-undecene, which contributes to the aerial inhibition of Legionella pneumophila growth. Finally, MFE01 appears to be deprived of N-acyl homoserine lactone synthase. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of 1-undecene in the communication of MFE01. We constructed a mutant affected in undA gene encoding the enzyme responsible for 1-undecene synthesis to provide further insight into the role of 1-undecene in MFE01. First, we studied the impacts of this mutation both on volatile organic compounds emission, using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and on L. pneumophila long-range inhibition. Then, we analyzed influence of 1-undecene on MFE01 coordinated phenotypes, including type six secretion system activity and biofilm formation. Next, to test the ability of MFE01 to synthesize N-acyl homoserine lactones in our conditions, we investigated in silico the presence of corresponding genes across the MFE01 genome and we exposed its biofilms to an N-acyl homoserine lactone-degrading enzyme. Finally, we examined the effects of 1-undecene emission on MFE01 biofilm maturation and aerial communication using an original experimental set-up. This study demonstrated that the ΔundA mutant is impaired in biofilm maturation. An exposure of the ΔundA mutant to the volatile compounds emitted by MFE01 during the biofilm development restored the biofilm maturation process. These findings indicate that P. fluorescens MFE01 uses 1-undecene emission for aerial communication, reporting for the first time this volatile organic compound as bacterial intraspecific communication signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charly A. Dupont
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Yvann Bourigault
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Théo Osmond
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Maëva Nier
- Laboratoire Ecologie and Biologie des Interactions, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Corinne Barbey
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Yoan Konto-Ghiorghi
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
| | - Julien Verdon
- Laboratoire Ecologie and Biologie des Interactions, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA UR), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale and Entente Franco-Québécoise NOR-SEVE, NORVEGE, Rouen, France
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Heiman CM, Vacheron J, Keel C. Evolutionary and ecological role of extracellular contractile injection systems: from threat to weapon. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1264877. [PMID: 37886057 PMCID: PMC10598620 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Contractile injection systems (CISs) are phage tail-related structures that are encoded in many bacterial genomes. These devices encompass the cell-based type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) as well as extracellular CISs (eCISs). The eCISs comprise the R-tailocins produced by various bacterial species as well as related phage tail-like structures such as the antifeeding prophages (Afps) of Serratia entomophila, the Photorhabdus virulence cassettes (PVCs), and the metamorphosis-associated contractile structures (MACs) of Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea. These contractile structures are released into the extracellular environment upon suicidal lysis of the producer cell and play important roles in bacterial ecology and evolution. In this review, we specifically portray the eCISs with a focus on the R-tailocins, sketch the history of their discovery and provide insights into their evolution within the bacterial host, their structures and how they are assembled and released. We then highlight ecological and evolutionary roles of eCISs and conceptualize how they can influence and shape bacterial communities. Finally, we point to their potential for biotechnological applications in medicine and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Margot Heiman
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Hagan M, Pankov G, Gallegos-Monterrosa R, Williams DJ, Earl C, Buchanan G, Hunter WN, Coulthurst SJ. Rhs NADase effectors and their immunity proteins are exchangeable mediators of inter-bacterial competition in Serratia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6061. [PMID: 37770429 PMCID: PMC10539506 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41751-3] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial species use Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to deliver anti-bacterial effector proteins into neighbouring bacterial cells, representing an important mechanism of inter-bacterial competition. Specific immunity proteins protect bacteria from the toxic action of their own effectors, whilst orphan immunity proteins without a cognate effector may provide protection against incoming effectors from non-self competitors. T6SS-dependent Rhs effectors contain a variable C-terminal toxin domain (CT), with the cognate immunity protein encoded immediately downstream of the effector. Here, we demonstrate that Rhs1 effectors from two strains of Serratia marcescens, the model strain Db10 and clinical isolate SJC1036, possess distinct CTs which both display NAD(P)+ glycohydrolase activity but belong to different subgroups of NADase from each other and other T6SS-associated NADases. Comparative structural analysis identifies conserved functions required for NADase activity and reveals that unrelated NADase immunity proteins utilise a common mechanism of effector inhibition. By replicating a natural recombination event, we show successful functional exchange of CTs and demonstrate that Db10 encodes an orphan immunity protein which provides protection against T6SS-delivered SJC1036 NADase. Our findings highlight the flexible use of Rhs effectors and orphan immunity proteins during inter-strain competition and the repeated adoption of NADase toxins as weapons against bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hagan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Genady Pankov
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | - David J Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Christopher Earl
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Grant Buchanan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - William N Hunter
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - Sarah J Coulthurst
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
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Zhang M, Cai L, Luo X, Li X, Zhang T, Wu F, Zhang Y, Lu R. Effect of sublethal dose of chloramphenicol on biofilm formation and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1275441. [PMID: 37822746 PMCID: PMC10562556 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1275441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates are generally very sensitive to chloramphenicol. However, it is usually necessary to transfer a plasmid carrying a chloramphenicol resistance gene into V. parahaemolyticus to investigate the function of a specific gene, and the effects of chloramphenicol on bacterial physiology have not been investigated. In this work, the effects of sublethal dose of chloramphenicol on V. parahaemolyticus were investigated by combined utilization of various phenotypic assays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The results showed that the growth rate, biofilm formation capcity, c-di-GMP synthesis, motility, cytoxicity and adherence activity of V. parahaemolyticus were remarkably downregulated by the sublethal dose of chloramphenicol. The RNA-seq data revealed that the expression levels of 650 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the response to chloramphenicol stress, including antibiotic resistance genes, major virulence genes, biofilm-associated genes and putative regulatory genes. Majority of genes involved in the synthesis of polar flagellum, exopolysaccharide (EPS), mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin type IV pilus (MSHA), type III secretion systems (T3SS1 and T3SS2) and type VI secretion system 2 (T6SS2) were downregulated by the sublethal dose of chloramphenicol. Five putative c-di-GMP metabolism genes were significantly differentially expressed, which may be the reason for the decrease in intracellular c-di-GMP levels in the response of chloramphenicol stress. In addition, 23 genes encoding putative regulators were also significantly differentially expressed, suggesting that these regulators may be involved in the resistance of V. parahaemolyticus to chloramphenicol stress. This work helps us to understand how chloramphenicol effect on the physiology of V. parahaemolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Liyan Cai
- Physical Examination Center, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xi Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yiquan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Renfei Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Pedrosa-Silva F, Venancio TM. Comparative Genomics Reveals Novel Species and Insights into the Biotechnological Potential, Virulence, and Resistance of Alcaligenes. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1783. [PMID: 37761923 PMCID: PMC10530903 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcaligenes is a cosmopolitan bacterial genus that exhibits diverse properties which are beneficial to plants. However, the genomic versatility of Alcaligenes has also been associated with the ability to cause opportunistic infections in humans, raising concerns about the safety of these microorganisms in biotechnological applications. Here, we report an in-depth comparative analysis of Alcaligenes species using all publicly available genomes to investigate genes associated with species, biotechnological potential, virulence, and resistance to multiple antibiotics. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Alcaligenes consists of at least seven species, including three novel species. Pan-GWAS analysis uncovered 389 species-associated genes, including cold shock proteins (e.g., cspA) and aquaporins (e.g., aqpZ) found exclusively in the water-isolated species, Alcaligenes aquatilis. Functional annotation of plant-growth-promoting traits revealed enrichment of genes for auxin biosynthesis, siderophores, and organic acids. Genes involved in xenobiotic degradation and toxic metal tolerance were also identified. Virulome and resistome profiles provide insights into selective pressures exerted in clinical settings. Taken together, the results presented here provide the grounds for more detailed clinical and ecological studies of the genus Alcaligenes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thiago M. Venancio
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, Brazil;
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Vitt JD, Hansen EG, Garg R, Bowden SD. Bacteria intrinsic to Medicago sativa (alfalfa) reduce Salmonella enterica growth in planta. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad204. [PMID: 37669894 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine whether plant-associated bacteria (PAB) can reduce Salmonella enterica colonization and infection of alfalfa sprouts to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. METHODS We isolated PAB from alfalfa seeds and sprouts. Monoclonal isolates of the bacteria were obtained and tested for their ability to inhibit Salmonella Typhimurium growth in alfalfa sprouts over 6 days. Genome sequencing and annotation were used to construct draft genomes of the bacteria isolated in this study using Illumina sequencing platform. RESULTS We observed that a cocktail of five PAB could reduce Salmonella growth in alfalfa sprouts from ∼108 to ∼105 CFU g-1, demonstrating a protective role. Genome sequencing revealed that these bacteria were members of the Pseudomonas, Pantoea, and Priestia genus, and did not possess genes that were pathogenic to plants or animals. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates that PAB can be utilized to reduce pathogen levels in fresh produce, which may be synergistic with other technologies to improve the safety of sprouts and other fresh produce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Vitt
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Eleanore G Hansen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Raghav Garg
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Steven D Bowden
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
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Weisberg AJ, Wu Y, Chang JH, Lai EM, Kuo CH. Virulence and Ecology of Agrobacteria in the Context of Evolutionary Genomics. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 61:1-23. [PMID: 37164023 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-021622-125009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Among plant-associated bacteria, agrobacteria occupy a special place. These bacteria are feared in the field as agricultural pathogens. They cause abnormal growth deformations and significant economic damage to a broad range of plant species. However, these bacteria are revered in the laboratory as models and tools. They are studied to discover and understand basic biological phenomena and used in fundamental plant research and biotechnology. Agrobacterial pathogenicity and capability for transformation are one and the same and rely on functions encoded largely on their oncogenic plasmids. Here, we synthesize a substantial body of elegant work that elucidated agrobacterial virulence mechanisms and described their ecology. We review findings in the context of the natural diversity that has been recently unveiled for agrobacteria and emphasize their genomics and plasmids. We also identify areas of research that can capitalize on recent findings to further transform our understanding of agrobacterial virulence and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Weisberg
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;
| | - Yu Wu
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jeff H Chang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;
| | - Erh-Min Lai
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Kuo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan;
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Gu BL, She Y, Pei GK, Du Y, Yang R, Ma LX, Zhao Q, Gao SG. Systematic analysis of prophages carried by Porphyromonas gingivalis. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 113:105489. [PMID: 37572952 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
To systematically investigate the prophages carrying in Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) strains, analyze potential antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes in these prophages. We collected 90 whole genome sequences of P. gingivalis from NCBI and utilized the Prophage Hunter online software to predict prophages; Comprehensive antibiotic research database (CARD) and virulence factors database (VFDB) were adopted to analyze the ARGs and virulence factors (VFs) carried by the prophages. Sixty-nine prophages were identified among 24/90 P. gingivalis strains, including 17 active prophages (18.9%) and 52 ambiguous prophages (57.8%). The proportion of prophages carried by each P. gingivalis genome ranged from 0.5% to 6.7%. A total of 188 antibiotic resistance genes belonging to 25 phenotypes and 46 different families with six mechanisms of antibiotic resistance were identified in the 17 active prophages. Three active prophages encoded 4 virulence genes belonging to type III and type VI secretion systems. The potential hosts of these virulence genes included Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In conclusion, 26.7% P. gingivalis strains carry prophages, while the proportion of prophage genes in the P. gingivalis genome is relatively low. In addition, approximately 39.7% of the P. gingivalis prophage genes have ARGs identified, mainly against streptogramin, peptides, and aminoglycosides. Only a few prophages carry virulence genes. Prophages may play an important role in the acquisition, dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, and pathogenicity evolution in P. gingivalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Gu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Y She
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - G K Pei
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Y Du
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - R Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - L X Ma
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Q Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - S G Gao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China.
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Smith JA, Holmes DE, Woodard TL, Li Y, Liu X, Wang LY, Meier D, Schwarz IA, Lovley DR. Detrimental impact of the Geobacter metallireducens type VI secretion system on direct interspecies electron transfer. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0094123. [PMID: 37650614 PMCID: PMC10580878 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00941-23] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is important in anaerobic communities of environmental and practical significance. Other than the need for close physical contact for electrical connections, the interactions of DIET partners are poorly understood. Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) typically kill competitive microbes. Surprisingly, Geobacter metallireducens highly expressed T6SS genes when DIET-based co-cultures were initiated with Geobacter sulfurreducens. T6SS gene expression was lower when the electron shuttle anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate was added to alleviate the need for interspecies contact. Disruption of hcp, the G. metallireducens gene for the main T6SS needle-tube protein subunit, and the most highly upregulated gene in DIET-grown cells eliminated the long lag periods required for the initiation of DIET. The mutation did not aid DIET in the presence of granular-activated carbon (GAC), consistent with the fact that DIET partners do not make physical contact when electrically connected through conductive materials. The hcp-deficient mutant also established DIET quicker with Methanosarcina barkeri. However, the mutant also reduced Fe(III) oxide faster than the wild-type strain, a phenotype not expected from the loss of the T6SS. Quantitative PCR revealed greater gene transcript abundance for key components of extracellular electron transfer in the hcp-deficient mutant versus the wild-type strain, potentially accounting for the faster Fe(III) oxide reduction and impact on DIET. The results highlight that interspecies interactions beyond electrical connections may influence DIET effectiveness. The unexpected increase in the expression of genes for extracellular electron transport components when hcp was deleted emphasizes the complexities in evaluating the electromicrobiology of highly adaptable Geobacter species. IMPORTANCE Direct interspecies electron transfer is an alternative to the much more intensively studied process of interspecies H2 transfer as a mechanism for microbes to share electrons during the cooperative metabolism of energy sources. DIET is an important process in anaerobic soils and sediments generating methane, a significant greenhouse gas. Facilitating DIET can accelerate and stabilize the conversion of organic wastes to methane biofuel in anaerobic digesters. Therefore, a better understanding of the factors controlling how fast DIET partnerships are established is expected to lead to new strategies for promoting this bioenergy process. The finding that when co-cultured with G. sulfurreducens, G. metallireducens initially expressed a type VI secretion system, a behavior not conducive to interspecies cooperation, illustrates the complexity of establishing syntrophic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor L. Woodard
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Meier
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ingrid A. Schwarz
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Blondel CJ, Amaya FA, Bustamante P, Santiviago CA, Pezoa D. Identification and distribution of new candidate T6SS effectors encoded in Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 6. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1252344. [PMID: 37664116 PMCID: PMC10469887 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1252344] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contact-dependent contractile multiprotein apparatus widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria. These systems can deliver different effector proteins into target bacterial and/or eukaryotic cells, contributing to the environmental fitness and virulence of many bacterial pathogens. Salmonella harbors five different T6SSs encoded in different genomic islands. The T6SS encoded in Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 6 (SPI-6) contributes to Salmonella competition with the host microbiota and its interaction with infected host cells. Despite its relevance, information regarding the total number of effector proteins encoded within SPI-6 and its distribution among different Salmonella enterica serotypes is limited. In this work, we performed bioinformatic and comparative genomics analyses of the SPI-6 T6SS gene cluster to expand our knowledge regarding the T6SS effector repertoire and the global distribution of these effectors in Salmonella. The analysis of a curated dataset of 60 Salmonella enterica genomes from the Secret6 database revealed the presence of 23 new putative T6SS effector/immunity protein (E/I) modules. These effectors were concentrated in the variable regions 1 to 3 (VR1-3) of the SPI-6 T6SS gene cluster. VR1-2 were enriched in candidate effectors with predicted peptidoglycan hydrolase activity, while VR3 was enriched in candidate effectors of the Rhs family with C-terminal extensions with predicted DNase, RNase, deaminase, or ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. A global analysis of known and candidate effector proteins in Salmonella enterica genomes from the NCBI database revealed that T6SS effector proteins are differentially distributed among Salmonella serotypes. While some effectors are present in over 200 serotypes, others are found in less than a dozen. A hierarchical clustering analysis identified Salmonella serotypes with distinct profiles of T6SS effectors and candidate effectors, highlighting the diversity of T6SS effector repertoires in Salmonella enterica. The existence of different repertoires of effector proteins suggests that different effector protein combinations may have a differential impact on the environmental fitness and pathogenic potential of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J. Blondel
- Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando A. Amaya
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paloma Bustamante
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos A. Santiviago
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - David Pezoa
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
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Lu H, Chen L, Kong L, Huang L, Chen G. Vogesella aquatica sp. nov. and Vogesella margarita sp. nov., isolated from rivers in Southwest China. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37548641 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Eight Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile strains (DC21WT, LYT5WT, LYT10W, LYT16W, LYT22W, LYT23W, LYT24W and SH7W) were isolated from rivers in Southwest China. Comparisons based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DC21WT shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.6 %) with Vogesella mureinivorans 389T, strain LYT5WT shared 99.2 % with Vogesella fluminis Npb-07T, and the other isolated strains took Vogesella indigofera DSM 3303T as their most similar strain, respectively. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences also supported that strains V. mureinivorans 389T, V. fluminis Npb-07T and V. indigofera DSM 3303T were the closest neighbours of the isolated strains. The phylogenomic tree showed similar phylogenetic relationships among these strains. The calculated OrthoANIu and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values among strains DC21WT, LYT5WT and other related strains were less than 93.7 and 53.7 %, respectively. The calculated OrthoANIu and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values among strains LYT10W, LYT16W, LYT22W, LYT23W, LYT24W, SH7W and V. indigofera DSM 3303T ranged from 94.8 to 97.2 % and from 59.8 to 74.9 %, respectively. Although these values were located in the transition region of species demarcation, their similar phenotypic, biochemical and genotypic characteristics supported that these six strains should be assigned to the species V. indigofera. Comparative genomic analyses showed that only V. indigofera DSM 3303T harboured 19 genes encoding the Type VI secretion system. Combining above descriptions, strains DC21WT and LYT5WT should represent two independent novel species of the genus Vogesella, for which the names Vogesella aquatica sp. nov. (type strain DC21WT=GDMCC 1.3220T=KCTC 92556T) and Vogesella margarita sp. nov. (type strains LYT5WT=GDMCC 1.3213T=KCTC 92549T) are proposed, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibin Lu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Process and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Li Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Process and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Lingyang Kong
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Process and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Linpei Huang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Process and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Guangjie Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Process and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
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Hespanhol JT, Nóbrega-Silva L, Bayer-Santos E. Regulation of type VI secretion systems at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001376. [PMID: 37552221 PMCID: PMC10482370 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria live in complex polymicrobial communities and are constantly competing for resources. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread antagonistic mechanism used by Gram-negative bacteria to gain an advantage over competitors. T6SSs translocate toxic effector proteins inside target prokaryotic cells in a contact-dependent manner. In addition, some T6SS effectors can be secreted extracellularly and contribute to the scavenging scarce metal ions. Bacteria deploy their T6SSs in different situations, categorizing these systems into offensive, defensive and exploitative. The great variety of bacterial species and environments occupied by such species reflect the complexity of regulatory signals and networks that control the expression and activation of the T6SSs. Such regulation is tightly controlled at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level by abiotic (e.g. pH, iron) or biotic (e.g. quorum-sensing) cues. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge about the regulatory networks that modulate the expression and activity of T6SSs across several species, focusing on systems used for interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Takuno Hespanhol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Luize Nóbrega-Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
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49
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Schlimpert S, Elliot MA. The Best of Both Worlds-Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces venezuelae as Model Species for Studying Antibiotic Production and Bacterial Multicellular Development. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0015323. [PMID: 37347176 PMCID: PMC10367585 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00153-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces bacteria have been studied for more than 80 years thanks to their ability to produce an incredible array of antibiotics and other specialized metabolites and their unusual fungal-like development. Their antibiotic production capabilities have ensured continual interest from both academic and industrial sectors, while their developmental life cycle has provided investigators with unique opportunities to address fundamental questions relating to bacterial multicellular growth. Much of our understanding of the biology and metabolism of these fascinating bacteria, and many of the tools we use to manipulate these organisms, have stemmed from investigations using the model species Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces venezuelae. Here, we explore the pioneering work in S. coelicolor that established foundational genetic principles relating to specialized metabolism and development, alongside the genomic and cell biology developments that led to the emergence of S. venezuelae as a new model system. We highlight key discoveries that have stemmed from studies of these two systems and discuss opportunities for future investigations that leverage the power and understanding provided by S. coelicolor and S. venezuelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Schlimpert
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Marie A. Elliot
- Department of Biology and M. G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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50
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Katz A, Porte L, Weitzel T, Varela C, Muñoz-Rehbein C, Ugalde JA, Grim C, González-Escalona N, Blondel CJ, Bravo V. Whole-genome sequencing reveals changes in genomic diversity and distinctive repertoires of T3SS and T6SS effector candidates in Chilean clinical Campylobacter strains. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1208825. [PMID: 37520433 PMCID: PMC10374022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1208825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and an emerging and neglected pathogen in South America. This zoonotic pathogen colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of mammals and birds, with poultry as the most important reservoir for human infections. Apart from its high morbidity rates, the emergence of resistant strains is of global concern. The aims of this work were to determine genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence potential of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute gastrointestinal disease at 'Clinica Alemana', Santiago de Chile. The study considered the isolation of Campylobacter spp., from stool samples during a 20-month period (January 2020 to September 2021). We sequenced (NextSeq, Illumina) and performed an in-depth analysis of the genome sequences of 88 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Chile. We identified a high genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and the emergence of prevalent clonal complexes, which were not identified in our previous reports. While ~40% of strains harbored a mutation in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, no macrolide-resistance determinants were detected. Interestingly, gene clusters encoding virulence factors such as the T6SS or genes associated with long-term sequelae such as Guillain-Barré syndrome showed lineage-relatedness. In addition, our analysis revealed a high degree of variability regarding the presence of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins in comparison to type strains 81-176, F38011, and NCTC 11168 and 488. Our study provides important insights into the molecular epidemiology of this emerging foodborne pathogen. In addition, the differences observed regarding the repertoire of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins could have an impact on the pathogenic potential and transmissibility of these Latin American isolates, posing another challenge in characterizing the infection dynamics of this emergent and neglected bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Katz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Porte
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Varela
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Muñoz-Rehbein
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A. Ugalde
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher Grim
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Narjol González-Escalona
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Carlos J. Blondel
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Bravo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Aplicadas (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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