1
|
Yao H, Li G, Xiong X, Jin F, Li S, Xie X, Zhong D, Zhang R, Meng F, Yin Y, Jiao X. LygA retention on the surface of Listeria monocytogenes via its interaction with wall teichoic acid modulates bacterial homeostasis and virulence. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011482. [PMID: 37379353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA) is the abundant cell wall-associated glycopolymer in Gram-positive bacteria, playing crucial roles in surface proteins retention, bacterial homeostasis, and virulence. Hypervirulent serovar (SV) 4h Listeria monocytogenes is a newly designated serotype with only galactosylated (Gal) type II WTA. Although the surface association of some proteins relies on the WTA glycosylation, the nature and function of the noncovalent interactions between cell wall-associated proteins and WTA are less known. In this study, we found Gal-WTA plays a key role in modulating the novel glycine-tryptophan (GW) domain-containing autolysin protein LygA through direct interactions. An SV 4h strain deficient in WTA galactosylation (XYSNΔgalT) showed a dramatic reduction of LygA on the cell surface, significantly decreasing the autolytic activity, impairing the bacterial colonization in colon and brain. Notably, we demonstrated LygA binds to Gal-WTA with high affinity through the GW domain and that the extent of binding increases with the number of GW domains. Moreover, we confirmed the direct Gal-dependent binding of the GW protein Auto from the type I WTA strain, which has no interaction with l-rhamnosylated WTA, indicating that the complexity of both WTA and GW proteins can affect the coordination patterns. Altogether, our findings suggest that both the glycosylation patterns of WTA and a fixed numbers of GW domains are closely associated with the retention of LygA on the cell surface, which facilitates L. monocytogenes infection by promoting bacteria colonization in intestine and brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Guo Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xianglian Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fanxin Jin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sirui Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xinyu Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dan Zhong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Renling Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fanzeng Meng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuelan Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin'an Jiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, MOA of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Karthikeyan R, Gayathri P, Gunasekaran P, Jagannadham MV, Rajendhran J. Comprehensive proteomic analysis and pathogenic role of membrane vesicles of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b reveals proteins associated with virulence and their possible interaction with host. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 309:199-212. [PMID: 30962079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane vesicles (MVs) are produced by various Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria and play an important role in virulence. In this study, the membrane vesicles (MVs) of L. monocytogenes were isolated from the culture supernatant. High-resolution electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that L. monocytogenes MVs are spherical with a diameter of 200 to 300 nm in size. Further, comprehensive proteomic analyses of MVs and whole cells of L. monocytogenes were performed using LC/MS/MS. A total of 1355 and 312 proteins were identified in the L. monocytogenes cells and MVs, respectively. We identified that 296 proteins are found in both whole cells, and MV proteome and 16 proteins were identified only in the MVs. Also, we have identified the virulence factors such as listeriolysin O (LLO), internalin B (InlB), autolysin, p60, NLP/P60 family protein, UPF0356 protein, and PLC-A in MVs. Computational prediction of host-MV interactions revealed a total of 1841 possible interactions with the host involving 99 MV proteins and 1513 host proteins. We elucidated the possible pathway that mediates internalization of L. monocytogenes MV to host cells and the subsequent pathogenesis mechanisms. The in vitro infection assays showed that the purified MVs could induce cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. Using endocytosis inhibitors, we demonstrated that MVs are internalized via actin-mediated endocytosis. These results suggest that L. monocytogenes MVs can interact with host cell and contribute to the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raman Karthikeyan
- Department of Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pratapa Gayathri
- CSIR - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | | | | | - Jeyaprakash Rajendhran
- Department of Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Z, Meng R, Zhao X, Shi C, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Guo N. Inhibition effect of tea tree oil onListeria monocytogenesgrowth and exotoxin proteins listeriolysin O and p60 secretion. Lett Appl Microbiol 2016; 63:450-457. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.12666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Z. Liu
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - R. Meng
- Jilin Enrty-exit Inspection And Quarantine Bureau; Changchun China
| | - X. Zhao
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - C. Shi
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - X. Zhang
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Y. Zhang
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - N. Guo
- Department of Food Quality and Safety; College of Food Science and Engineering; Jilin University; Changchun China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Meng R, Zhao Z, Guo N, Liu Z, Zhao X, Li W, Li X, Shi C, Nie D, Wang W, Liu T, Ma W, Yu L, Li J. Effect of honokiol on exotoxin proteins listeriolysin O and p60 secreted by Listeria monocytogenes. J Med Microbiol 2015; 64:1474-1480. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rizeng Meng
- Public Health College, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
- Jilin Enrty-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, 130062, PR China
| | - Ziwen Zhao
- Public Health College, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Na Guo
- Public Health College, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Zonghui Liu
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Xingchen Zhao
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Wenli Li
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Xiaoxu Li
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Ce Shi
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Dandan Nie
- Jilin Enrty-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, 130062, PR China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Jilin Enrty-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, 130062, PR China
| | - Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Wenchen Ma
- Jilin Enrty-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, 130062, PR China
| | - Lu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
- Public Health College, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| | - Juan Li
- Public Health College, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Biological effects of listeriolysin O: implications for vaccination. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:360741. [PMID: 25874208 PMCID: PMC4385656 DOI: 10.1155/2015/360741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a thiol-activated cholesterol-dependent pore-forming toxin and the major virulence factor of Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Extensive research in recent years has revealed that LLO exerts a wide array of biological activities, during the infection by LM or by itself as recombinant antigen. The spectrum of biological activities induced by LLO includes cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, endoplasmic reticulum stress response, modulation of gene expression, intracellular calcium oscillations, and proinflammatory activity. In addition, LLO is a highly immunogenic toxin and the major target for innate and adaptive immune responses in different animal models and humans. Recently, the crystal structure of LLO has been published in detail. Here, we review the structure-function relationship for this fascinating microbial molecule, highlighting the potential uses of LLO in the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology, particularly in vaccination.
Collapse
|
6
|
Nakane A. [Host responses to bacterial infections]. Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi 2014; 69:479-89. [PMID: 25186639 DOI: 10.3412/jsb.69.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria and host defense system have been evolved by their offense and defense. In vivo research is crucial for elucidation of interactions between them. I have investigated their offence and defense by various standpoints using mouse models of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus infections. Herein, the results of my research including the roles of endogenous cytokines in host defense, the attenuation of host defense mechanism in obesity and diabetes, the development of vaccines against S. aureus infection by staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) family molecules, and the emesis-inducing mechanism of SEA are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akio Nakane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carvalho F, Sousa S, Cabanes D. How Listeria monocytogenes organizes its surface for virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:48. [PMID: 24809022 PMCID: PMC4010754 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for the manifestation of human listeriosis, an opportunistic foodborne disease with an associated high mortality rate. The key to the pathogenesis of listeriosis is the capacity of this bacterium to trigger its internalization by non-phagocytic cells and to survive and even replicate within phagocytes. The arsenal of virulence proteins deployed by L. monocytogenes to successfully promote the invasion and infection of host cells has been progressively unveiled over the past decades. A large majority of them is located at the cell envelope, which provides an interface for the establishment of close interactions between these bacterial factors and their host targets. Along the multistep pathways carrying these virulence proteins from the inner side of the cytoplasmic membrane to their cell envelope destination, a multiplicity of auxiliary proteins must act on the immature polypeptides to ensure that they not only maturate into fully functional effectors but also are placed or guided to their correct position in the bacterial surface. As the major scaffold for surface proteins, the cell wall and its metabolism are critical elements in listerial virulence. Conversely, the crucial physical support and protection provided by this structure make it an ideal target for the host immune system. Therefore, mechanisms involving fine modifications of cell envelope components are activated by L. monocytogenes to render it less recognizable by the innate immunity sensors or more resistant to the activity of antimicrobial effectors. This review provides a state-of-the-art compilation of the mechanisms used by L. monocytogenes to organize its surface for virulence, with special focus on those proteins that work “behind the frontline”, either supporting virulence effectors or ensuring the survival of the bacterium within its host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Carvalho
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, Unit of Infection and Immunity, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Sousa
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, Unit of Infection and Immunity, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Didier Cabanes
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, Unit of Infection and Immunity, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Soutourina OA, Monot M, Boudry P, Saujet L, Pichon C, Sismeiro O, Semenova E, Severinov K, Le Bouguenec C, Coppée JY, Dupuy B, Martin-Verstraete I. Genome-wide identification of regulatory RNAs in the human pathogen Clostridium difficile. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003493. [PMID: 23675309 PMCID: PMC3649979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an emergent pathogen, and the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. In an effort to understand the role of small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) in C. difficile physiology and pathogenesis, we used an in silico approach to identify 511 sRNA candidates in both intergenic and coding regions. In parallel, RNA–seq and differential 5′-end RNA–seq were used for global identification of C. difficile sRNAs and their transcriptional start sites at three different growth conditions (exponential growth phase, stationary phase, and starvation). This global experimental approach identified 251 putative regulatory sRNAs including 94 potential trans riboregulators located in intergenic regions, 91 cis-antisense RNAs, and 66 riboswitches. Expression of 35 sRNAs was confirmed by gene-specific experimental approaches. Some sRNAs, including an antisense RNA that may be involved in control of C. difficile autolytic activity, showed growth phase-dependent expression profiles. Expression of each of 16 predicted c-di-GMP-responsive riboswitches was observed, and experimental evidence for their regulatory role in coordinated control of motility and biofilm formation was obtained. Finally, we detected abundant sRNAs encoded by multiple C. difficile CRISPR loci. These RNAs may be important for C. difficile survival in bacteriophage-rich gut communities. Altogether, this first experimental genome-wide identification of C. difficile sRNAs provides a firm basis for future RNome characterization and identification of molecular mechanisms of sRNA–based regulation of gene expression in this emergent enteropathogen. The emergent human pathogen Clostridium difficile is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhea associated with antibiotic therapy. During the last few years, severe forms of C. difficile infections became more frequent due to the emergence of hypervirulent isolates. Despite intensive studies, many questions regarding the mechanisms controlling C. difficile virulence remain unanswered. We hypothesized that C. difficile, a member of an ancient group of bacteria, might widely use ancestral RNA–based mechanisms to control its gene expression for better adaptation to host conditions. Indeed, using next-generation sequencing technology, we identified a great number and a large diversity of potential RNA regulators in this pathogen. We obtained experimental evidence for regulatory roles of a particular class of regulatory RNAs responding to c-di-GMP, a universal bacterial signaling molecule regulating motility, biofilm formation, and virulence. We also detected abundant small RNA products of recently discovered adaptive prokaryotic immunity CRISPR-Cas systems that might be important for C. difficile survival in gut communities. Our findings suggest that small RNA molecules may play a major role in regulatory processes during C. difficile infection cycle and as such are promising targets of new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Soutourina
- Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luo X, Cai X. A Combined Use of Autolysin p60 and Listeriolysin O Antigens Induces High Protective Immune Responses Against Listeria monocytogenes Infection. Curr Microbiol 2012; 65:813-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-012-0238-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
10
|
Yeoman CJ, Yildirim S, Thomas SM, Durkin AS, Torralba M, Sutton G, Buhay CJ, Ding Y, Dugan-Rocha SP, Muzny DM, Qin X, Gibbs RA, Leigh SR, Stumpf R, White BA, Highlander SK, Nelson KE, Wilson BA. Comparative genomics of Gardnerella vaginalis strains reveals substantial differences in metabolic and virulence potential. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12411. [PMID: 20865041 PMCID: PMC2928729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gardnerella vaginalis is described as a common vaginal bacterial species whose presence correlates strongly with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Here we report the genome sequencing and comparative analyses of three strains of G. vaginalis. Strains 317 (ATCC 14019) and 594 (ATCC 14018) were isolated from the vaginal tracts of women with symptomatic BV, while Strain 409-05 was isolated from a healthy, asymptomatic individual with a Nugent score of 9. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Substantial genomic rearrangement and heterogeneity were observed that appeared to have resulted from both mobile elements and substantial lateral gene transfer. These genomic differences translated to differences in metabolic potential. All strains are equipped with significant virulence potential, including genes encoding the previously described vaginolysin, pili for cytoadhesion, EPS biosynthetic genes for biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance systems, We also observed systems promoting multi-drug and lantibiotic extrusion. All G. vaginalis strains possess a large number of genes that may enhance their ability to compete with and exclude other vaginal colonists. These include up to six toxin-antitoxin systems and up to nine additional antitoxins lacking cognate toxins, several of which are clustered within each genome. All strains encode bacteriocidal toxins, including two lysozyme-like toxins produced uniquely by strain 409-05. Interestingly, the BV isolates encode numerous proteins not found in strain 409-05 that likely increase their pathogenic potential. These include enzymes enabling mucin degradation, a trait previously described to strongly correlate with BV, although commonly attributed to non-G. vaginalis species. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our results indicate that all three strains are able to thrive in vaginal environments, and therein the BV isolates are capable of occupying a niche that is unique from 409-05. Each strain has significant virulence potential, although genomic and metabolic differences, such as the ability to degrade mucin, indicate that the detection of G. vaginalis in the vaginal tract provides only partial information on the physiological potential of the organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl J. Yeoman
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Suleyman Yildirim
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Thomas
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - A. Scott Durkin
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Manolito Torralba
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Granger Sutton
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christian J. Buhay
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yan Ding
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Shannon P. Dugan-Rocha
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Donna M. Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xiang Qin
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Gibbs
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven R. Leigh
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Stumpf
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Bryan A. White
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sarah K. Highlander
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Karen E. Nelson
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Brenda A. Wilson
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|