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Babayan A, Vassilian A, Poladyan A, Trchounian K. Role of the Escherichia coli FocA and FocB formate channels in controlling proton/potassium fluxes and hydrogen production during osmotic stress in energy-limited, stationary phase fermenting cells. Biochimie 2024; 221:91-98. [PMID: 38307245 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.01.017] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Escherichia coli FocA and FocB formate channels export formate or import it for further disproportionation by the formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex to H2 and CO2. Here, we show that under pH and osmotic stress FocA and FocB play important roles in regulating proton and potassium fluxes and couple this with H2 production in stationary-phase cells. Using whole-cell assays with glucose as electron donor, a focB mutant showed a 50 % decrease in VH2, while N'N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) treatment of osmotically stressed cells underlined the role of FOF1 ATPase in H2 production. At pH 7.5 and under osmotic stress FocB contributed to the proton flux but not to the potassium flux. At pH 5.5 both formate channels contributed to the proton and potassium fluxes. Particulalry, a focA mutant had 40 % lower potassium flux whereas the proton flux increased approximately two-fold. Moreover, at pH 5.5H2 production was totally inhibited by DCCD in the focA mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that depending on external pH, the formate channels play an important role in osmoregulation by helping to balance proton/potassium fluxes and H2 production, and thus assist the proton FOF1-ATPase in maintenance of ion gradients in fermenting stationary-phase cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Babayan
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - A Vassilian
- Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - A Poladyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - K Trchounian
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia; Microbial Biotechnologies and Biofuel Innovation Center, Yerevan State University, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia.
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Mol M, Ardila MS, Mol BA, Aliyu H, Neumann A, de Maayer P. The effects of synthesis gas feedstocks and oxygen perturbation on hydrogen production by Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:125. [PMID: 38698392 PMCID: PMC11064277 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02391-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The facultatively anaerobic thermophile Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is able to produce hydrogen gas (H2) through the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. To date this process has been evaluated under controlled conditions, with gas feedstocks comprising carbon monoxide and variable proportions of air, nitrogen and hydrogen. Ultimately, an economically viable hydrogenogenic system would make use of industrial waste/synthesis gases that contain high levels of carbon monoxide, but which may also contain contaminants such as H2, oxygen (O2) and other impurities, which may be toxic to P. thermoglucosidasius. RESULTS We evaluated the effects of synthesis gas (syngas) mimetic feedstocks on WGS reaction-driven H2 gas production by P. thermoglucosidasius DSM 6285 in small-scale fermentations. Improved H2 gas production yields and faster onset towards hydrogen production were observed when anaerobic synthetic syngas feedstocks were used, at the expense of biomass accumulation. Furthermore, as the WGS reaction is an anoxygenic process, we evaluated the influence of O2 perturbation on P. thermoglucosidasius hydrogenogenesis. O2 supplementation improved biomass accumulation, but reduced hydrogen yields in accordance with the level of oxygen supplied. However, H2 gas production was observed at low O2 levels. Supplementation also induced rapid acetate consumption, likely to sustain growth. CONCLUSION The utilisation of anaerobic syngas mimetic gas feedstocks to produce H2 and the relative flexibility of the P. thermoglucosidasius WGS reaction system following O2 perturbation further supports its applicability towards more robust and continuous hydrogenogenic operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mol
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Magda Stephania Ardila
- Section II: Electrobiotechnology, Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Bronwyn Ashleigh Mol
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Habibu Aliyu
- Section II: Electrobiotechnology, Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anke Neumann
- Section II: Electrobiotechnology, Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Pieter de Maayer
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa.
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Kammel M, Erdmann C, Sawers RG. The formate-hydrogen axis and its impact on the physiology of enterobacterial fermentation. Adv Microb Physiol 2024; 84:51-82. [PMID: 38821634 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2024.02.002] [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: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Formic acid (HCOOH) and dihydrogen (H2) are characteristic products of enterobacterial mixed-acid fermentation, with H2 generation increasing in conjunction with a decrease in extracellular pH. Formate and acetyl-CoA are generated by radical-based and coenzyme A-dependent cleavage of pyruvate catalysed by pyruvate formate-lyase (PflB). Formate is also the source of H2, which is generated along with carbon dioxide through the action of the membrane-associated, cytoplasmically-oriented formate hydrogenlyase (FHL-1) complex. Synthesis of the FHL-1 complex is completely dependent on the cytoplasmic accumulation of formate. Consequently, formate determines its own disproportionation into H2 and CO2 by the FHL-1 complex. Cytoplasmic formate levels are controlled by FocA, a pentameric channel that translocates formic acid/formate bidirectionally between the cytoplasm and periplasm. Each protomer of FocA has a narrow hydrophobic pore through which neutral formic acid can pass. Two conserved amino acid residues, a histidine and a threonine, at the center of the pore control directionality of translocation. The histidine residue is essential for pH-dependent influx of formic acid. Studies with the formate analogue hypophosphite and amino acid variants of FocA suggest that the mechanisms of formic acid efflux and influx differ. Indeed, current data suggest, depending on extracellular formate levels, two separate uptake mechanisms exist, both likely contributing to maintain pH homeostasis. Bidirectional formate/formic acid translocation is dependent on PflB and influx requires an active FHL-1 complex. This review describes the coupling of formate and H2 production in enterobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kammel
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - Christopher Erdmann
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - R Gary Sawers
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany.
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Prasad SV, Fiedoruk K, Zakrzewska M, Savage PB, Bucki R. Glyoxylate Shunt and Pyruvate-to-Acetoin Shift Are Specific Stress Responses Induced by Colistin and Ceragenin CSA-13 in Enterobacter hormaechei ST89. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0121523. [PMID: 37338344 PMCID: PMC10434160 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01215-23] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceragenins, including CSA-13, are cationic antimicrobials that target the bacterial cell envelope differently than colistin. However, the molecular basis of their action is not fully understood. Here, we examined the genomic and transcriptome responses by Enterobacter hormaechei after prolonged exposure to either CSA-13 or colistin. Resistance of the E. hormaechei 4236 strain (sequence type 89 [ST89]) to colistin and CSA-13 was induced in vitro during serial passages with sublethal doses of tested agents. The genomic and metabolic profiles of the tested isolates were characterized using a combination of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), followed by metabolic mapping of differentially expressed genes using Pathway Tools software. The exposure of E. hormaechei to colistin resulted in the deletion of the mgrB gene, whereas CSA-13 disrupted the genes encoding an outer membrane protein C and transcriptional regulator SmvR. Both compounds upregulated several colistin-resistant genes, such as the arnABCDEF operon and pagE, including genes coding for DedA proteins. The latter proteins, along with beta-barrel protein YfaZ and VirK/YbjX family proteins, were the top overexpressed cell envelope proteins. Furthermore, the l-arginine biosynthesis pathway and putrescine-ornithine antiporter PotE were downregulated in both transcriptomes. In contrast, the expression of two pyruvate transporters (YhjX and YjiY) and genes involved in pyruvate metabolism, as well as genes involved in generating proton motive force (PMF), was antimicrobial specific. Despite the similarity of the cell envelope transcriptomes, distinctly remodeled carbon metabolism (i.e., toward fermentation of pyruvate to acetoin [colistin] and to the glyoxylate pathway [CSA-13]) distinguished both antimicrobials, which possibly reflects the intensity of the stress exerted by both agents. IMPORTANCE Colistin and ceragenins, like CSA-13, are cationic antimicrobials that disrupt the bacterial cell envelope through different mechanisms. Here, we examined the genomic and transcriptome changes in Enterobacter hormaechei ST89, an emerging hospital pathogen, after prolonged exposure to these agents to identify potential resistance mechanisms. Interestingly, we observed downregulation of genes associated with acid stress response as well as distinct dysregulation of genes involved in carbon metabolism, resulting in a switch from pyruvate fermentation to acetoin (colistin) and the glyoxylate pathway (CSA-13). Therefore, we hypothesize that repression of the acid stress response, which alkalinizes cytoplasmic pH and, in turn, suppresses resistance to cationic antimicrobials, could be interpreted as an adaptation that prevents alkalinization of cytoplasmic pH in emergencies induced by colistin and CSA-13. Consequently, this alteration critical for cell physiology must be compensated via remodeling carbon and/or amino acid metabolism to limit acidic by-product production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhanya V. Prasad
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Fiedoruk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zakrzewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Paul B. Savage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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Sawers RG. Perspective elucidating the physiology of a microbial cell: Neidhardt's Holy Grail. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:54-59. [PMID: 36855806 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
A living microbial cell represents a system of high complexity, integration, and extreme order. All processes within that cell interconvert free energy through a multitude of interconnected metabolic reactions that help to maintain the cell in a state of low entropy, which is a characteristic of all living systems. The study of macromolecular interactions outside this cellular environment yields valuable information about the molecular function of macromolecules but represents a system in comparative disorder. Consequently, care must always be taken in interpreting the information gleaned from such studies and must be compared with how the same macromolecules function in vivo, otherwise, discrepancies can arise. The importance of combining reductionist approaches with the study of whole-cell microbial physiology is discussed regarding the long-term aim of understanding how a cell functions in its entirety. This can only be achieved by the continued development of high-resolution structural and multi-omic technologies. It is only by studying the whole cell that we can ever hope to understand how living systems function.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Gary Sawers
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Formate hydrogenlyase, formic acid translocation and hydrogen production: dynamic membrane biology during fermentation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2023; 1864:148919. [PMID: 36152681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Formate hydrogenlyase-1 (FHL-1) is a complex-I-like enzyme that is commonly found in gram-negative bacteria. The enzyme comprises a peripheral arm and a membrane arm but is not involved in quinone reduction. Instead, FHL-1 couples formate oxidation to the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen (H2). Escherichia coli produces FHL-1 under fermentative conditions where it serves to detoxify formic acid in the environment. The membrane biology and bioenergetics surrounding E. coli FHL-1 have long held fascination. Here, we review recent work on understanding the molecular basis of formic acid efflux and influx. We also consider the structure and function of E. coli FHL-1, its relationship with formate transport, and pay particular attention to the molecular interface between the peripheral arm and the membrane arm. Finally, we highlight the interesting phenotype of genetic mutation of the ND1 Loop, which is located at that interface.
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Thermophilic Water Gas Shift Reaction at High Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Partial Pressures in Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius KP1013. FERMENTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8110596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The facultatively anaerobic Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius oxidizes carbon monoxide to produce hydrogen via the water gas shift (WGS) reaction. In the current work, we examined the influence of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) on the WGS reaction in the thermophilic P. thermoglucosidasius by cultivating two hydrogenogenic strains under varying CO and H2 compositions. Microbial growth and dynamics of the WGS reaction were monitored by evaluating parameters such as pressure, headspace composition, metabolic intermediates, pH, and optical density. Our analyses revealed that compared to the previously studied P. thermoglucosidasius strains, the strain KP1013 demonstrated higher CO tolerance and improved WGS reaction kinetics. Under anaerobic conditions, the lag phase before the WGS reaction shortened to 8 h, with KP1013 showing no hydrogen-induced product inhibition at hydrogen partial pressures up to 1.25 bar. The observed lack of product inhibition and the reduced lag phase of the WGS reaction support the possibility of establishing an industrial process for biohydrogen production with P. thermoglucosidasius.
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Kammel M, Pinske C, Sawers RG. FocA and its central role in fine-tuning pH homeostasis of enterobacterial formate metabolism. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36197793 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
During enterobacterial mixed-acid fermentation, formate is generated from pyruvate by the glycyl-radical enzyme pyruvate formate-lyase (PflB). In Escherichia coli, especially at low pH, formate is then disproportionated to CO2 and H2 by the cytoplasmically oriented, membrane-associated formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex. If electron acceptors are available, however, formate is oxidized by periplasmically oriented, respiratory formate dehydrogenases. Formate translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane is controlled by the formate channel, FocA, a member of the formate-nitrite transporter (FNT) family of homopentameric anion channels. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how FocA helps to maintain intracellular formate and pH homeostasis during fermentation. Efflux and influx of formate/formic acid are distinct processes performed by FocA and both are controlled through protein interaction between FocA's N-terminal domain with PflB. Formic acid efflux by FocA helps to maintain cytoplasmic pH balance during exponential-phase growth. Uptake of formate against the electrochemical gradient (inside negative) is energetically and mechanistically challenging for a fermenting bacterium unless coupled with proton/cation symport. Translocation of formate/formic acid into the cytoplasm necessitates an active FHL complex, whose synthesis also depends on formate. Thus, FocA, FHL and PflB function together to govern formate homeostasis. We explain how FocA achieves efflux of formic acid and propose mechanisms for pH-dependent uptake of formate both with and without proton symport. We propose that FocA displays both channel- and transporter-like behaviour. Whether this translocation behaviour is shared by other members of the FNT family is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kammel
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Constanze Pinske
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - R Gary Sawers
- Institute of Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Kammel M, Sawers RG. Distinguishing functional from structural roles of conserved pore residues during formate translocation by the FocA anion channel. Microbiologyopen 2022; 11:e1312. [PMID: 36031960 PMCID: PMC9380403 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The formate‐specific anion channel FocA of Escherichia coli belongs to the superfamily of homopentameric formate‐nitrite transporters (FNT). Minimally nine amino acid residues are conserved in the formate translocation pore of each protomer of the pentamer, including a histidine (H209) and a threonine (T91), both of which are crucial for bidirectional formate translocation through the pore. Information regarding in vivo functional or structural roles for the other seven conserved residues is limited, or nonexistent. Here, we conducted an amino acid‐exchange analysis of these seven conserved residues. Using an established formate‐responsive lacZ‐based assay to monitor changes in intracellular formate levels and anaerobic growth rate due to the inhibitory formate analog hypophosphite, we identified five of the seven residues analyzed to be important for the structural integrity of the pentamer, in particular, two highly conserved asparagine residues, N213 and N262. The remaining two conserved residues, K156 and N172, were essential for formate/hypophosphite translocation. K156 is located on the periplasmic fringe of the pore and aids the attraction of formate to the channel. Here, we show that this residue is also important for formate efflux from the cytoplasm to the periplasm, suggesting a role in formate release from the pore. N172 could be replaced by alanine with retention of low‐level bidirectional anion translocation function; however, exchange for threonine abolished anion translocation. N172 is, therefore, crucial for bidirectional formate translocation, possibly through its interaction with the conserved pore residue, T91.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kammel
- Institute for Biology/Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - R Gary Sawers
- Institute for Biology/Microbiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
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