ygiW and qseBC are co-expressed in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and regulate biofilm growth

Biomaterials Functionalized with Inflammasome Inhibitors-Premises and Perspectives

This review aimed at searching literature for data regarding the inflammasomes' involvement in the pathogenesis of oral diseases (mainly periodontitis) and general pathologies, including approaches to control inflammasome-related pathogenic mechanisms. The inflammasomes are part of the innate immune response that activates inflammatory caspases by canonical and noncanonical pathways, to control the activity of Gasdermin D. Once an inflammasome is activated, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins, are released. Thus, inflammasomes are involved in inflammatory, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. The review also investigated novel therapies based on the use of phytochemicals and pharmaceutical substances for inhibiting inflammasome activity. Pharmaceutical substances can control the inflammasomes by three mechanisms: inhibiting the intracellular signaling pathways (Allopurinol and SS-31), blocking inflammasome components (VX-765, Emricasan and VX-740), and inhibiting cytokines mediated by the inflammasomes (Canakinumab, Anakinra and Rilonacept). Moreover, phytochemicals inhibit the inflammasomes by neutralizing reactive oxygen species. Biomaterials functionalized by the adsorption of therapeutic agents onto different nanomaterials could represent future research directions to facilitate multimodal and sequential treatment in oral pathologies.

Light regulation in critical human pathogens of clinical relevance such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

It is now clearly recognized that light modulates the physiology of many bacterial chemotrophs, either directly or indirectly. An interesting case are bacterial pathogens of clinical relevance. This work summarizes, discusses, and provides novel complementary information to what is currently known about light sensing and responses in critical human pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. These pathogens are associated with severe hospital and community infections difficult to treat due to resistance to multiple drugs. Moreover, light responses in Brucella abortus, an important animal and human pathogen, are also compiled. Evidence recovered so far indicates that light modulates aspects related to pathogenesis, persistence, and antibiotic susceptibility in these pathogens; such as motility, biofilm formation, iron uptake, tolerance to antibiotics, hemolysis and virulence. The pathogens elicit differential responses to light depending likely on their pathophysiology, ability to cause disease and characteristics of the host. The response to light is not restricted to discrete physiological traits but is global. In higher organisms, light provides spatial and temporal information. Then, it is crucial to understand what information light is providing in these bacterial pathogens. Our current hypothesis postulates that light serves as a signal that allows these pathogens to synchronize their behavior to the circadian rhythm of the host, to optimize infection. Advances on the molecular mechanism of light signal transduction and physiological responses to light, as well as in the relation between light and bacterial infection, would not only enlarge our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis but also could potentially provide alternative treatment options for infectious illnesses.

The orchestra of human bacteriome by hormones

Human microbiome interact reciprocally with the host. Recent findings showed the capability of microorganisms to response towards host signaling molecules, such as hormones. Studies confirmed the complex response of bacteria in response to hormones exposure. These hormones impact many aspects on bacteria, such as the growth, metabolism, and virulence. The effects of each hormone seem to be species-specific. The most studied hormones are cathecolamines also known as stress hormones that consists of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. These hormones affect the growth of bacteria either inhibit or enhance by acting like a siderophore. Epinephrine and norepinephrine have also been reported to activate QseBC, a quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria and eventually enhances the virulence of pathogens. Other hormones were also reported to play a role in shaping human microbiome composition and affect their behavior. Considering the complex response of bacteria on hormones, it highlights the necessity to take the impact of hormones on bacteria into account in studying human health in relation to human microbiome.

Neutrophils in the periodontium: Interactions with pathogens and roles in tissue homeostasis and inflammation

Neutrophils are of key importance in periodontal health and disease. In their absence or when they are functionally defective, as occurs in certain congenital disorders, affected individuals develop severe forms of periodontitis in early age. These observations imply that the presence of immune-competent neutrophils is essential to homeostasis. However, the presence of supernumerary or hyper-responsive neutrophils, either because of systemic priming or innate immune training, leads to imbalanced host-microbe interactions in the periodontium that culminate in dysbiosis and inflammatory tissue breakdown. These disease-provoking imbalanced interactions are further exacerbated by periodontal pathogens capable of subverting neutrophil responses to their microbial community's benefit and the host's detriment. This review attempts a synthesis of these findings for an integrated view of the neutrophils' ambivalent role in periodontal disease and, moreover, discusses how some of these concepts underpin the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat periodontal disease.

QseB/QseC: a two-component system globally regulating bacterial behaviors

QseB/QseC is a two-component system that is involved in the regulation of multiple bacterial behaviors by regulating quorum sensing, bacterial pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance. Thus, QseB/QseC could provide a target for new antibiotic development. Recently, QseB/QseC has been found to confer survival advantages to environmental bacteria under stress conditions. The molecular mechanistic understanding of QseB/QseC has become an active area of research and revealed some emerging themes, including a deeper understanding of QseB/QseC regulation in different pathogens and environmental bacteria, the functional difference of QseB/QseC among species, and the possibility of analyzing QseB/QseC evolution. Here, we discuss the progression of QseB/QseC studies and describe several unresolved issues and future directions. Resolving these issues is among the challenges of future QseB/QseC studies.

Nanoalumina triggers the antibiotic persistence of Escherichia coli through quorum sensing regulators lrsF and qseB

Nanomaterials with bactericidal effects might provide novel strategies against bacteria. However, some bacteria can survive despite the exposure to nanomaterials, which challenges the safety of antibacterial nanomaterials. Here, we used a high dose of antibiotics to kill the E. coli. that survived under different concentrations of nanoalumina treatment to screen persisters, and found that nanoalumina could significantly trigger persisters formation. Treatment with 50 mg/L nanoalumina for 4 h resulted in the formation of (0.084 ± 0.005) % persisters. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and toxin-antitoxin (TA) system were involved in persisters formation. Interestingly, RT-PCR analysis and knockout of the five genes related to ROS and TA confirmed that only hipB was associated with the formation of persisters, suggesting the involvement of other mechanisms. We further identified 73 differentially expressed genes by transcriptome sequencing and analyzed them with bioinformatics tools. We selected six candidate genes and verified that five of them closely related to quorum sensing (QS) that were involved in persisters formation, and further validated that the coexpression of QS factors lrsF and qseB was a novel pathway for persisters. Our findings provided a better understanding on the emergence of bacterial persistence and the microbial behavior under nanomaterials exposure.

Deletion of two-component system QseBC weakened virulence of Glaesserella parasuis in a murine acute infection model and adhesion to host cells

The widespread two-component system (TCS), QseBC, involves vital virulence regulators in Enterobacteriaceae and Pasteurellaceae. Here we studied the function of QseBC in Glaesserella parasuis. A ΔqseBC mutant was constructed using a Glaesserella parasuis serovar 11 clinical strain SC1401 by natural transformation. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate cellular adhesion, the levels of inflammation and apoptosis. The ability of ΔqseBC and ΔqseC mutant strains to adhere to PAM and MLE-12 cells was significantly reduced. Additionally, by focusing on the clinical signs, H&E, and IFA for inflammation and apoptosis, we found that the ΔqseBC mutant weakened virulence in the murine models. Together, these findings suggest that QseBC plays an important role in the virulence of Glaesserella parasuis.

The Role of the Two-Component QseBC Signaling System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC43816

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) is an evolving infectious pathogen associated with high mortality. The convergence of hypervirulence and multidrug resistance further challenges the clinical treatment options for K. pneumoniae infections. The QseBC two-component system (TCS) is a component of quorum-sensing regulatory cascade and functions as a global regulator of biofilm growth, bacterial motility, and virulence in Escherichia coli. However, the functional mechanisms of QseBC in hvKP have not been reported, and we aim to examine the role of QseBC in regulating virulence in hvKP strain ATCC43816. The CRISPR-Cas9 system was used to construct qseB, qseC, and qseBC knockout in ATCC43816. No significant alterations in the growth and antibiotic susceptibility were detected between wild-type and mutants. The deletion of qseC led to an increase of biofilm formation, resistance to serum killing, and high mortality in the G. mellonella model. RNAseq differential gene expression analysis exhibited that gene-associated biofilm formation (glgC, glgP, glgA, gcvA, bcsA, ydaM, paaF, ptsG), bacterial type VI secretion system (virB4, virB6, virB10, vgrG, hcp), and biosynthesis of siderophore (entC, entD, entE) were significantly upregulated in comparison with the wild-type control. In addition, qseB, ygiW (encode OB-family protein), and AraC family transcriptional regulator IT767_23090 genes showed highest expressions in the absence of QseC, which might be related to increased virulence. The study provided new insights into the functional importance of QseBC in regulating the virulence of hvKP.

The Hunger Games: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Exploits Human Neutrophils As an Epinephrine Source for Survival

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a gram-negative facultative anaerobe and an opportunistic oral pathogen, strongly associated with periodontitis and other inflammatory diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the periodontium resulting from the inflammatory response of the host towards the dysbiotic microbial community present at the gingival crevice. Previously, our group identified catecholamines and iron as the signals that activate the QseBC two-component system in A. actinomycetemcomitans, necessary for the organism to acquire iron as a nutrient to survive in the anaerobic environment. However, the source of catecholamines has not been identified. It has been reported that mouse neutrophils can release catecholamines. In periodontitis, large infiltration of neutrophils is found at the subgingival pocket; hence, we wanted to test the hypothesis that A. actinomycetemcomitans exploits human neutrophils as a source for catecholamines. In the present study, we showed that human neutrophils synthesize, store, and release epinephrine, one of the three main types of catecholamines. Human neutrophil challenge with A. actinomycetemcomitans induced exocytosis of neutrophil granule subtypes: secretory vesicles, specific granules, gelatinase granules, and azurophilic granules. In addition, by selectively inhibiting granule exocytosis, we present the first evidence that epinephrine is stored in azurophilic granules. Using QseC mutants, we showed that the periplasmic domain of the QseC sensor kinase is required for the interaction between A. actinomycetemcomitans and epinephrine. Finally, epinephrine-containing supernatants collected from human neutrophils promoted A. actinomycetemcomitans growth and induced the expression of the qseBC operon under anaerobic conditions. Based on our findings, we propose that A. actinomycetemcomitans promotes azurophilic granule exocytosis by neutrophils as an epinephrine source to promote bacterial survival.

Detection and genomic characterization of mcr-9 in Enterobacter hormaechei recovered from a pediatric patient in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

The emergence and spread of mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes are a global health concern.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we report the detection and genomic characterization of mcr-9 in a colistin-susceptible Enterobacter hormaechei (EH23) recovered from a pediatric patient in Lebanon.

RESULTS

EH23 was susceptible to colistin with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.25 mg/L. Studying the mcr-9 genetic environment revealed that it was chromosomal and was bracketed by IS903 and IS26. QseCB, a two-component regulatory system, mediating the inducible expression of mcr-9 gene was not detected within the mcr-9 cassette but elsewhere on the genome. EH23 was 99.96% similar based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) to another mcr-negative E. hormaechei OIPH-N069 isolate recovered from Japan. wgSNP-based phylogenetic analysis divided all mcr-9 positive E. hormaechei isolates into five clades (I to V), with isolates from the same ST being clustered together.

CONCLUSION

The silent spread of mcr-9, particularly in the globally successful ST-78 Enterobacter lineage, is worrisome and requires close monitoring in humans and animals.

Attenuation of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans virulence using curcumin-decorated nanophytosomes-mediated photo-sonoantimicrobial chemotherapy

This study aimed to focus on the simultaneous use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and sonodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (SACT), which is called photo-sonodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PSACT) to attenuate the virulence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Following the synthesis of Curcumin-decorated nanophytosomes (Cur-NPhs) as a novel photo-sonosensitizer, its particle size, polydispersity, ζ-potential surface morphology, physical stability, drug release, and entrapment efficiency were determined. In the Cur-NPhs-PSACT, the antimicrobial activities of Cur-NPhs against A. actinomycetemcomitans were investigated using cell viability, biofilm killing/degradation, metabolic activity, expression of quorum-sensing-associated qseB and qseC genes, and biofilm-associated rcpA gene under blue laser irradiation plus ultrasonic waves. Characterization tests showed the presence of a sphere-shaped vesicle and the self-closed structure of Cur-NPhs, resulting in a high drug-loading content and encapsulation efficiency. However, the antimicrobial effect of Cur-NPhs-PSACT was dose-dependent, PSACT using the high concentrations of Cur-NPhs (50 × 10^-4 g/L) showed significant reductions (P < 0.05) in cell viability (13.6 log₁₀ CFU/mL), biofilm killing/degradation (65%), metabolic activity (89.6%,), and mRNA levels of virulence determinant genes (qseB; 9.8-fold, qseC; 10.2-fold, and recA; 10.2-fold). This study concludes that the Cur-NPhs-PSACT had antimicrobial activities against A. actinomycetemcomitans by downregulating the expression of virulence genes, and may attenuate this bacterium that decreases periodontal disease severity in patients.

Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of the inhibition effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on Escherichia coli biofilm formation in co-culture

BACKGROUND

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the principal pathogen that causes biofilm formation. Biofilms are associated with infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. This study employed proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins after coculture of E. coli with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) microcapsules.

METHODS

To explore the relevant protein abundance changes after E. coli and LGG coculture, label-free quantitative proteomic analysis and qRT-PCR were applied to E. coli and LGG microcapsule groups before and after coculture, respectively.

RESULTS

The proteomic analysis characterised a total of 1655 proteins in E. coli K12MG1655 and 1431 proteins in the LGG. After coculture treatment, there were 262 differentially expressed proteins in E. coli and 291 in LGG. Gene ontology analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly related to cellular metabolism, the stress response, transcription and the cell membrane. A protein interaction network and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that the differentiated proteins were mainly involved in the protein ubiquitination pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that LGG microcapsules may inhibit E. coli biofilm formation by disrupting metabolic processes, particularly in relation to energy metabolism and stimulus responses, both of which are critical for the growth of LGG. Together, these findings increase our understanding of the interactions between bacteria under coculture conditions.

A genetic screen to identify factors affected by undecaprenyl phosphate recycling uncovers novel connections to morphogenesis in Escherichia coli

Undecaprenyl phosphate (Und-P) is an essential lipid carrier that ferries cell wall intermediates across the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria. Und-P is generated by dephosphorylating undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (Und-PP). In Escherichia coli, BacA, PgpB, YbjG, and LpxT dephosphorylate Und-PP and are conditionally essential. To identify vulnerabilities that arise when Und-P metabolism is defective, we developed a genetic screen for synthetic interactions which, in combination with ΔybjG ΔlpxT ΔbacA, are lethal or reduce fitness. The screen uncovered novel connections to cell division, DNA replication/repair, signal transduction, and glutathione metabolism. Further analysis revealed several new morphogenes; loss of one of these, qseC, caused cells to enlarge and lyse. QseC is the sensor kinase component of the QseBC two-component system. Loss of QseC causes overactivation of the QseB response regulator by PmrB cross-phosphorylation. Here, we show that deleting qseB completely reverses the shape defect of ΔqseC cells, as does overexpressing rprA (a small RNA). Surprisingly, deleting pmrB only partially suppressed qseC-related shape defects. Thus, QseB is activated by multiple factors in QseC's absence and prior functions ascribed to QseBC may originate from cell wall defects. Altogether, our findings provide a framework for identifying new determinants of cell integrity that could be targeted in future therapies.

QseBC is involved in the biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from bovine mastitis

Background

Mastitis is one of the most common infectious diseases in dairy cattle and causes significant financial losses in the dairy industry worldwide. Antibiotic therapy has been used as the most effective strategy for clinical mastitis treatment. However, due to the extensive use of antibacterial agents, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered to be one of the reasons for low cure rates in bovine mastitis. In addition, biofilms could protect bacteria by restricting antibiotic access and shielding the bacterial pathogen from mammary gland immune defences. The functional mechanisms of quorum sensing E. coli regulators B an d C (QseBC) have been well studied in E. coli model strains; however, whether QseBC regulates antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation in clinical E. coli strain has not been reported.

Methods

In this study, we performed construction of the qseBC gene mutant, complementation of the qseBC mutant, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, antibacterial activity assays, biofilm formation assays, real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) experiments and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to investigate the role of qseBC in regulating biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility in the clinical E. coli strain ECDCM2.

Results

We reported that inactivation of QseBC led to a decrease in biofilm formation capacity and an increase in antibiotic susceptibility of an E. coli strain isolated from a dairy cow that suffered from mastitis. In addition, this study indicated that QseBC increased biofilm formation by upregulating the transcription of the biofilm-associated genes bcsA, csgA, fliC, motA, wcaF and fimA and decreased antibiotic susceptibility by upregulating the transcription of the efflux-pump-associated genes marA, acrA, acrB, acrD, emrD and mdtH. We also performed EMSA assays, and the results showed that QseB can directly bind to the marA promoter.

Conclusions

The QseBC two-component system affects antibiotic sensitivity by regulating the transcription of efflux-pump-associated genes. Further, biofilm-formation-associated genes were also regulated by QseBC TCS in E. coli ECDCM2. Hence, this study might provide new clues to the prevention and treatment of infections caused by the clinical E. coli strains.

QseC Signaling in the Outbreak O104:H4 Escherichia coli Strain Combines Multiple Factors during Infection

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) from the O104:H4 specific serotype caused a large outbreak of bloody diarrhea with some complicated cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in Europe in 2011. The outbreak strain consisted in an EAEC capable to produce the Shiga toxin (Stx) subtype 2a, a characteristic from enterohemorrhagic E. coli QseBC two-component system detects AI-3/Epi/NE and mediates the chemical signaling between pathogen and mammalian host. This system coordinates a cascade of virulence genes expression in important human enteropathogens. The blocking of QseC of EAEC C227-11 (Stx⁺) strain by N-phenyl-4-{[(phenylamino) thioxomethyl]amino}-benzenesulfonamide (also known as LED209) in vivo demonstrated a lower efficiency of colonization. The periplasmic protein VisP, which is related to survival mechanisms in a colitis model of infection, bacterial membrane maintenance, and stress resistance, here presented high levels of expression during the initial infection within the host. Under acid stress conditions, visP expression levels were differentiated in an Stx-dependent way. Together, these results emphasize the important role of VisP and the histidine kinase sensor QseC in the C227-11 (Stx⁺) outbreak strain for the establishment of the infectious niche process in the C57BL/6 mouse model and of LED209 as a promising antivirulence drug strategy against these enteric pathogens.IMPORTANCE EAEC is a remarkable etiologic agent of acute and persistent diarrhea worldwide. The isolates harbor specific subsets of virulence genes and their pathogenesis needs to be better understood. Chemical signaling via histidine kinase sensor QseC has been shown as a potential target to elucidate the orchestration of the regulatory cascade of virulence factors.

MITE Aba12 , a Novel Mobile Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Element Identified in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978 and Its Prevalence across the Moraxellaceae Family

One of the most important weapons in the armory of Acinetobacter is its impressive genetic plasticity, facilitating rapid genetic mutations and rearrangements as well as integration of foreign determinants carried by mobile genetic elements. Of these, IS are considered one of the key forces shaping bacterial genomes and ultimately evolution. We report the identification of a novel nonautonomous IS-derived element present in multiple bacterial species from the Moraxellaceae family and its recent translocation into the hns locus in the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 genome. The latter finding adds new knowledge to only a limited number of documented examples of MITEs in the literature and underscores the plastic nature of the hns locus in A. baumannii. MITE_Aba12, and its predicted parent(s), may be a source of substantial adaptive evolution within environmental and clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and, thus, have broad implications for niche-specific adaptation.

Insertion sequences (IS) are fundamental mediators of genome plasticity with the potential to generate phenotypic variation with significant evolutionary outcomes. Here, a recently active miniature inverted-repeat transposon element (MITE) was identified in a derivative of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978 after being subjected to stress conditions. Transposition of the novel element led to the disruption of the hns gene, resulting in a characteristic hypermotile phenotype. DNA identity shared between the terminal inverted repeats of this MITE and coresident ISAba12 elements, together with the generation of 9-bp target site duplications, provides strong evidence that ISAba12 elements were responsible for mobilization of the MITE (designated MITE_Aba12) within this strain. A wider genome-level survey identified MITE_Aba12 in 30 additional Acinetobacter genomes at various frequencies and one Moraxella osloensis genome. Ninety MITE_Aba12 copies could be identified, of which 40% had target site duplications, indicating recent transposition events. Elements ranged between 111 and 114 bp; 90% were 113 bp in length. Using the MITE_Aba12 consensus sequence, putative outward-facing Escherichia coli σ70 promoter sequences in both orientations were identified. The identification of transcripts originating from the promoter in one direction supports the proposal that the element can influence neighboring host gene transcription. The location of MITE_Aba12 varied significantly between and within genomes, preferentially integrating into AT-rich regions. Additionally, a copy of MITE_Aba12 was identified in a novel 8.5-kb composite transposon, Tn6645, in the M. osloensis CCUG 350 chromosome. Overall, this study shows that MITE_Aba12 is the most abundant nonautonomous element currently found in Acinetobacter.

IMPORTANCE One of the most important weapons in the armory of Acinetobacter is its impressive genetic plasticity, facilitating rapid genetic mutations and rearrangements as well as integration of foreign determinants carried by mobile genetic elements. Of these, IS are considered one of the key forces shaping bacterial genomes and ultimately evolution. We report the identification of a novel nonautonomous IS-derived element present in multiple bacterial species from the Moraxellaceae family and its recent translocation into the hns locus in the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 genome. The latter finding adds new knowledge to only a limited number of documented examples of MITEs in the literature and underscores the plastic nature of the hns locus in A. baumannii. MITE_Aba12, and its predicted parent(s), may be a source of substantial adaptive evolution within environmental and clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and, thus, have broad implications for niche-specific adaptation.

Novel Role of VisP and the Wzz System during O-Antigen Assembly in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Pathogenesis

Salmonella enterica serovars are associated with diarrhea and gastroenteritis and are a helpful model for understanding host-pathogen mechanisms. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium regulates the distribution of O antigen (OAg) and presents a trimodal distribution based on Wzy polymerase and the Wzz_ST (long-chain-length OAg [L-OAg]) and Wzz_fepE (very-long-chain-length OAg [VL-OAg]) copolymerases; however, several mechanisms regulating this process remain unclear. Here, we report that LPS modifications modulate the infectious process and that OAg chain length determination plays an essential role during infection. An increase in VL-OAg is dependent on Wzy polymerase, which is promoted by a growth condition resembling the environment of Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCVs). The virulence- and stress-related periplasmic protein (VisP) participates in OAg synthesis, as a ΔvisP mutant presents a semirough OAg phenotype. The ΔvisP mutant has greatly decreased motility and J774 macrophage survival in a colitis model of infection. Interestingly, the phenotype is restored after mutation of the wzz_ST or wzz_fepE gene in a ΔvisP background. Loss of both the visP and wzz_ST genes promotes an imbalance in flagellin secretion. L-OAg may function as a shield against host immune systems in the beginning of an infectious process, and VL-OAg protects bacteria during SCV maturation and facilitates intramacrophage replication. Taken together, these data highlight the roles of OAg length in generating phenotypes during S Typhimurium pathogenesis and show the periplasmic protein VisP as a novel protein in the OAg biosynthesis pathway.

Possible Role of Escherichia coli Protein YbgI

Proteins containing the NIF3 domain are highly conserved and are found in bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea. YbgI is an Escherichia coli protein whose gene is conserved among bacteria. The structure of YbgI is known; however, the function of this protein in cells remains obscure. Our studies of E. coli cells with deleted ybgI gene suggest that YbgI is involved in formation of the bacterial cell wall.

Identification and functional characterization of type II toxin/antitoxin systems in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Type II toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems contribute to the formation of persister cells and biofilm formation for many organisms. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans thrives in the complex oral microbial community subjected to continual environmental flux. Little is known regarding the presence and function of type II TA systems in this organism or their contribution to adaptation and persistence in the biofilm. We identified 11 TA systems that are conserved across all seven serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans and represent the RelBE, MazEF and HipAB families of type II TA systems. The systems selectively responded to various environmental conditions that exist in the oral cavity. Two putative RelBE‐like TA systems, D11S_1194‐1195 and D11S_1718‐1719 were induced in response to low pH and deletion of D11S_1718‐1719 significantly reduced metabolic activity of stationary phase A. actinomycetemcomitans cells upon prolonged exposure to acidic conditions. The deletion mutant also exhibited reduced biofilm biomass when cultured under acidic conditions. The D11S_1194 and D11S_1718 toxin proteins inhibited in vitro translation of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and degraded ribosome‐associated, but not free, MS2 virus RNA. In contrast, the corresponding antitoxins (D11S_1195 and D11S_1719), or equimolar mixtures of toxin and antitoxin, had no effect on DHFR production or RNA degradation. Together, these results suggest that D11S_1194‐1195 and D11S_1718‐1719 are RelBE‐like type II TA systems that are activated under acidic conditions and may function to cleave ribosome‐associated mRNA to inhibit translation in A. actinomycetemcomitans. In vivo, these systems may facilitate A. actinomycetemcomitans adaptation and persistence in acidic local environments in the dental biofilm.

Bacterial Chat: Intestinal Metabolites and Signals in Host-Microbiota-Pathogen Interactions

Intestinal bacteria employ microbial metabolites from the microbiota and chemical signaling during cell-to-cell communication to regulate several cellular functions. Pathogenic bacteria are extremely efficient in orchestrating their response to these signals through complex signaling transduction systems. Precise coordination and interpretation of these multiple chemical cues is important within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Enteric foodborne pathogens, such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, or the surrogate murine infection model for EHEC, Citrobacter rodentium, are all examples of microorganisms that modulate the expression of their virulence repertoire in response to signals from the microbiota or the host, such as autoinducer-3 (AI-3), epinephrine (Epi), and norepinephrine (NE). The QseBC and QseEF two-component systems, shared by these pathogens, are involved in sensing these signals. We review how these signaling systems sense and relay these signals to drive bacterial gene expression; specifically, to modulate virulence. We also review how bacteria chat via chemical signals integrated with metabolite recognition and utilization to promote successful associations among enteric pathogens, the microbiota, and the host.

Survival of an Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans quorum sensing luxS mutant in the mouths of Rhesus monkeys: insights into ecological adaptation

Experiments were designed to explore a prominent autoinducer-2 (AI-2) producing gene (luxS) related to colonization and survival of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a low abundance member of the indigenous flora, that forms a key component of the dysbiotic flora in localized aggressive periodontitis. The luxS gene was disrupted in a primate strain of A. actinomycetemcomitans before implantation into the oral cavity of Rhesus monkeys (Rh). The colonization efficiency of the luxS mutant (RhAa-VS4) was compared with the parental wild-type strain (RhAa3) (positive control) and a ltxA mutant (RhAa-VS2) (negative control). The in vivo results showed that the luxS mutation had minimal impact on A. actinomycetemcomitans colonization compared with the wild-type RhAa3 strain. In vitro studies revealed that there was a significant upregulation of attachment-related genes aae, apiA, and flp in the RhAa-VS4 strain compared with RhAa3. Biofilm forming ability was also significantly increased in the RhAa-VS4 strain compared with RhAa3, whereas the AI-2 signal was ablated. The exogenous addition of the AI-2 precursor dihydroxy pentanedione allowed the RhAa-VS4 strain to achieve RhAa3 biofilm levels. This is the first primate study to test the relevance of LuxS in vivo. In vitro assessment suggests that in vivo survival of the RhAa-VS4 strain was due to the production of signaling AI-2 molecules derived from other members of the flora as well as the upregulation of genes related to attachment and biofilm formation.

What a Dinner Party! Mechanisms and Functions of Interkingdom Signaling in Host-Pathogen Associations

Chemical signaling between cells is an effective way to coordinate behavior within a community. Although cell-to-cell signaling has mostly been studied in single species, it is now appreciated that the sensing of chemical signals across kingdoms can be an important regulator of nutrient acquisition, virulence, and host defense. In this review, we focus on the role of interkingdom signaling in the interactions that occur between bacterial pathogens and their mammalian hosts. We discuss the quorum-sensing (QS) systems and other mechanisms used by these bacteria to sense, respond to, and modulate host signals that include hormones, immune factors, and nutrients. We also describe cross talk between these signaling pathways and strategies used by the host to interfere with bacterial signaling, highlighting the complex bidirectional signaling networks that are established across kingdoms.

QseBC, a two-component bacterial adrenergic receptor and global regulator of virulence in Enterobacteriaceae and Pasteurellaceae

The QseBC two-component system (TCS) is associated with quorum sensing and functions as a global regulator of virulence. Based on sequence similarity within the sensor domain and conservation of an acidic motif essential for signal recognition, QseBC is primarily distributed in the Enterobacteriaceae and Pasteurellaceae. In Escherichia coli, QseC responds to autoinducer-3 and/or epinephrine/norepinephrine. Binding of epinephrine/norepinephrine is inhibited by adrenergic antagonists; hence QseC functions as a bacterial adrenergic receptor. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans QseC is activated by a combination of epinephrine/norepinephrine and iron, whereas only iron activates the Haemophilus influenzae sensor. QseC phosphorylates QseB but there is growing evidence that QseB is activated by non-cognate sensors and regulated by dephosphorylation via QseC. Interestingly, the QseBC signaling cascades and regulons differ significantly. In enterohemorrhagic E. coli, QseC induces expression of a second adrenergic TCS and phosphorylates two non-cognate response regulators, each of which induces specific sets of virulence genes. This signaling pathway integrates with other regulatory mechanisms mediated by transcriptional regulators QseA and QseD and a fucose-sensing TCS and likely controls the level and timing of virulence gene expression. In contrast, A. actinomycetemcomitans QseC signals through QseB to regulate genes involved in anaerobic metabolism and energy production, which may prime cellular metabolism for growth in an anaerobic host niche. QseC represents a novel target for therapeutic intervention and small molecule inhibitors already show promise as broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Further characterization of QseBC signaling may identify additional differences in QseBC function and inform further development of new therapeutics to control microbial infections.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans QseBC is activated by catecholamines and iron and regulates genes encoding proteins associated with anaerobic respiration and metabolism

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans QseBC regulates its own expression and is essential for biofilm growth and virulence. However, the signal that activates the QseC sensor has not been identified and the qseBC regulon has not been defined. In this study, we show that QseC is activated by catecholamine hormones and iron but not by either component alone. Activation of QseC requires an EYRDD motif in the periplasmic domain of the sensor and site-specific mutations in EYRDD or the deletion of the periplasmic domain inhibits catecholamine/iron-dependent induction of the ygiW-qseBC operon. Catecholamine/iron-dependent induction of transcription also requires interaction of the QseB response regulator with its binding site in the ygiW-qseBC promoter. Whole genome microarrays were used to compare gene expression profiles of A. actinomycetemcomitans grown in a chemically defined medium with and without catecholamine and iron supplementation. Approximately 11.5% of the A. actinomycetemcomitans genome was differentially expressed by at least two-fold upon exposure to catecholamines and iron. The expression of ferritin was strongly induced, suggesting that intracellular iron storage capacity is increased upon QseBC activation. Consistent with this, genes encoding iron binding and transport proteins were down-regulated by QseBC. Strikingly, 57% of the QseBC up-regulated genes (56/99) encode proteins associated with anaerobic metabolism and respiration. Most of these up-regulated genes were recently reported to be induced during in vivo growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that detection of catecholamines and iron by QseBC may alter the cellular metabolism of A. actinomycetemcomitans for increased fitness and growth in an anaerobic host environment.

Transcriptional regulation of the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ygiW-qseBC operon by QseB and integration host factor proteins

The QseBC two-component system plays a pivotal role in regulating virulence and biofilm growth of the oral pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. We previously showed that QseBC autoregulates the ygiW-qseBC operon. In this study, we characterized the promoter that drives ygiW-qseBC expression. Using lacZ transcriptional fusion constructs and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we showed that ygiW-qseBC expression is driven by a promoter that initiates transcription 53 bases upstream of ygiW and identified putative cis-acting promoter elements, whose function was confirmed using site-specific mutagenesis. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, two trans-acting proteins were shown to interact with the ygiW-qseBC promoter. The QseB response regulator bound to probes containing the direct repeat sequence CTTAA-N6-CTTAA, where the CTTAA repeats flank the -35 element of the promoter. The ygiW-qseBC expression could not be detected in A. actinomycetemcomitans ΔqseB or ΔqseBC strains, but was restored to WT levels in the ΔqseBC mutant when complemented by single copy chromosomal insertion of qseBC. Interestingly, qseB partially complemented the ΔqseBC strain, suggesting that QseB could be activated in the absence of QseC. QseB activation required its phosphorylation since complementation did not occur using qseB(pho-), encoding a protein with the active site aspartate substituted with alanine. These results suggest that QseB is a strong positive regulator of ygiW-qseBC expression. In addition, integration host factor (IHF) bound to two sites in the promoter region and an additional site near the 5' end of the ygiW ORF. The expression of ygiW-qseBC was increased by twofold in ΔihfA and ΔihfB strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans, suggesting that IHF is a negative regulator of the ygiW-qseBC operon.

Integration host factor is required for replication of pYGK-derived plasmids in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

In this study, we show that integration host factor protein (IHF) is required for replication of pYGK plasmids in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. YGK plasmids were not replicated in A. actinomycetemcomitans strains lacking either the α- or β- subunit of IHF. However, the deletion mutants were complemented, and plasmid replication was restored when the promoter region and gene for either ihfA or ihfB was cloned into pYGK. We also identified two motifs that resemble the consensus IHF-binding site in a 813-bp fragment containing the pYGK origin of replication. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, purified IHFα-IHFβ protein complex was shown to bind to probes containing either of these motifs. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that plasmid replication is IHF-dependent in the family Pasteurellaceae. In addition, using site-direct mutagenesis, the XbaI and KpnI restriction sites in the suicide vector pJT1 were modified to generate plasmid pJT10. The introduction of these new unique sites in pJT10 facilitates the transfer of transcriptional or translational lacZ fusion constructs for the generation of single-copy chromosomal insertion of the reporter construct. Plasmid pJT10 and its derivatives will be useful for genetic studies in Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) and probably other genera of Pasteurellaceae, including Haemophilus, Pasteurella, and Mannheimia.