Osmoprotection by carnitine in a Listeria monocytogenes mutant lacking the OpuC transporter: evidence for a low affinity carnitine uptake system

Carnitine in bacterial physiology and metabolism

Carnitine is a quaternary amine compound found at high concentration in animal tissues, particularly muscle, and is most well studied for its contribution to fatty acid transport into mitochondria. In bacteria, carnitine is an important osmoprotectant, and can also enhance thermotolerance, cryotolerance and barotolerance. Carnitine can be transported into the cell or acquired from metabolic precursors, where it can serve directly as a compatible solute for stress protection or be metabolized through one of a few distinct pathways as a nutrient source. In this review, we summarize what is known about carnitine physiology and metabolism in bacteria. In particular, recent advances in the aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways as well as the use of carnitine as an electron acceptor have addressed some long-standing questions in the field.

Small-molecule modulators of Listeria monocytogenes biofilm development

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen whose ability to form disinfectant-tolerant biofilms on a variety of surfaces presents a food safety challenge for manufacturers of ready-to-eat products. We developed here a high-throughput biofilm assay for L. monocytogenes and, as a proof of principle, used it to screen an 80-compound protein kinase inhibitor library to identify molecules that perturb biofilm development. The screen yielded molecules toxic to multiple strains of Listeria at micromolar concentrations, as well as molecules that decreased (≤ 50% of vehicle control) or increased (≥ 200%) biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting planktonic cell density. Toxic molecules-including the protein kinase C antagonist sphingosine-had antibiofilm activity at sub-MIC concentrations. Structure-activity studies of the biofilm inhibitory compound palmitoyl-d,l-carnitine showed that while Listeria biofilm formation was inhibited with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 5.85 ± 0.24 μM, d,l-carnitine had no effect, whereas palmitic acid had stimulatory effects. Saturated fatty acids between C(9:0) and C(14:0) were Listeria biofilm inhibitors, whereas fatty acids of C(16:0) or longer were stimulators, showing chain length specificity. De novo-synthesized short-chain acyl carnitines were less effective biofilm inhibitors than the palmitoyl forms. These molecules, whose activities against bacteria have not been previously established, are both useful probes of L. monocytogenes biology and promising leads for the further development of antibiofilm strategies.

A PrfA-regulated bile exclusion system (BilE) is a novel virulence factor in Listeria monocytogenes

The ability to colonize the gall bladder has recently been shown to be an important feature of virulent Listeria monocytogenes (J. Hardy, K. P. Francis, M. DeBoer, P. Chu, K. Gibbs, C. H. Contag. Science 303: 851-853, 2004). We suggest that the cytotoxic effects of bile may be increased upon release from the gall bladder into the upper small intestine, and report the identification of a novel bile exclusion system which plays an essential role in intestinal colonization and virulence of L. monocytogenes. In silico analysis of the L. monocytogenes EGDe genome revealed a two-gene operon (formerly opuB) exhibiting significant sequence similarity to members of the betaine carnitine choline transporter (BCCT) family. The operon, herein designated bilE (bile Exclusion) is preceded by consensus sigmaA- and sigmaB-dependent promoter-binding sites and is transcriptionally upregulated at elevated osmolarities and reduced temperatures (stresses known to induce sigB). Furthermore, a significant reduction in the level of bilE transcription was observed in the absence of sigmaB. In addition, we demonstrate an important role for PrfA, the master regulator of virulence potential in L. monocytogenes, in coordinating bilE expression. Computational structural analysis suggests that, rather than functioning as a compatible solute uptake system as was previously believed, BilE is more likely to be an exclusion system, a conclusion substantiated by radiolabelled bile accumulation studies. In addition, functionally inactivating BilE resulted in a five-log reduction in the ability of the bacterium to tolerate lethal concentrations of bovine bile (oxgall) and also significantly increased sensitivity to physiological concentrations of human bile, a phenotype which translates to a significant reduction in virulence potential when administered to a murine model by the oral route. Thus, this novel bile exclusion locus bilE, coordinately regulated by sigmaB and PrfA, represents a new and important virulence factor in L. monocytogenes.

Molecular and physiological analysis of the role of osmolyte transporters BetL, Gbu, and OpuC in growth of Listeria monocytogenes at low temperatures

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous food-borne pathogen found widely distributed in nature as well as an undesirable contaminant in a variety of fresh and processed foods. This ubiquity can be at least partly explained by the ability of the organism to grow at high osmolarity and reduced temperatures, a consequence of its ability to accumulate osmo- and cryoprotective compounds termed osmolytes. Single and multiple deletions of the known osmolyte transporters BetL, Gbu, and OpuC significantly reduce growth at low temperatures. During growth in brain heart infusion broth at 7 degrees C, Gbu and OpuC had a more pronounced role in cryoprotection than did BetL. However, upon the addition of betaine to defined medium, the hierarchy of transporter importance shifted to Gbu > BetL > OpuC. Upon the addition of carnitine, only OpuC appeared to play a role in cryoprotection. Measurements of the accumulated osmolytes showed that betaine is preferred over carnitine, while in the absence of a functional Gbu, carnitine was accumulated to higher levels than betaine was at 7 degrees C. Transcriptional analysis of the genes encoding BetL, Gbu, and OpuC revealed that each transporter is induced to different degrees upon cold shock of L. monocytogenes LO28. Additionally, despite being transcriptionally up-regulated upon cold shock, a putative fourth osmolyte transporter, OpuB (identified by bioinformatic analysis and encoded by lmo1421 and lmo1422), showed no significant contribution to listerial chill tolerance. Growth of the quadruple mutant LO28deltaBCGB (deltabetL deltaopuC deltagbu deltaopuB) was comparable to the that of the triple mutant LO28deltaBCGsoe (deltabetL deltaopuC deltagbu) at low temperatures. Here, we conclude that betaine and carnitine transport upon low-temperature exposure is mediated via three osmolyte transporters, BetL, Gbu, and OpuC.

Influence of the sigB gene on the cold stress survival and subsequent recovery of two Listeria monocytogenes serotypes

The influence of serotype and the role of the sigB gene of Listeria monocytogenes during the survival and recovery on different substrates were determined. Wild-type and sigB mutants of two serotypes of L. monocytogenes were inoculated into buffer and onto beef steaks, and incubated at 4 degrees C for 8 weeks during which samples were removed and Listeria numbers determined. Growth kinetics of stationary phase wild-type and sigB mutant cells were compared, without prechilling and after prechilling at 4 degrees C. The two serotypes had similar survival capabilities under the conditions examined, and the sigB gene was influential in survival of chill stress, but was dependent upon additional nutritional factors. Prechilling cells prior to growth extended the lag phase of both strains, and this lag phase extension was compounded by the absence of a functional sigB gene. In conclusion, the sigB gene is involved in the survival and recovery from chill stress by the two serotypes tested. Additional factors such as previous growth conditions, nutritional requirements and serotype susceptibility are also contributory. This study adds relevant information regarding the influence of the sigB gene, in conjunction with the historical growth conditions and serotype differences. Understanding the significance of these factors may be useful in creating improved recovery systems for the detection of L. monocytogenes from at-risk foods.

Regulation of transcription of compatible solute transporters by the general stress sigma factor, sigmaB, in Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is well known for its durable physiological characteristics, which allow the organism to grow at low temperature and pH and high osmolarity. Growth under high osmolarity depends on the accumulation of compatible solutes, among which glycine betaine and carnitine are the preferred solutes for this organism. Three different transport systems, Gbu, BetL, and OpuC, have been identified in L. monocytogenes which serve to scavenge the preferred compatible solutes. The general stress response regulator sigma(B) has been shown to play an important role in osmotic adaptation in L. monocytogenes, presumably by directing transcription from one or more of the solute transport genes. In the studies presented here, we have used primer extension analyses to identify the promoter elements responsible for transcription of the opuC, gbuA, and betL genes. All three genes are osmotically inducible to some degree. betL is transcribed from a sigma(B)-independent promoter, while gbuA is transcribed from dual promoters, one of which is sigma(B) dependent. opuC is transcribed exclusively from a sigma(B)-dependent promoter. The betL promoter is similar in sequence to the sigma(B)-independent gbuAP1 promoter. Kinetic analysis of transcript accumulation after osmotic upshift demonstrated that sigma(B)-dependent transcripts from gbuAP2 and sigB accumulate for an extended period after upshift, suggesting that sigma(B) activity may provide a mechanism for sustained high-level expression during osmotic challenge. In contrast to osmotic upshift, expression from the sigma(B)-dependent opuC and gbuAP2 promoters after temperature upshift and ethanol stress was minimal, suggesting that additional mechanisms may also participate in regulating transcription from these sigma(B)-dependent promoters.

Sigma(B)-dependent expression patterns of compatible solute transporter genes opuCA and lmo1421 and the conjugated bile salt hydrolase gene bsh in Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that can persist and grow under a wide variety of environmental conditions including low pH and high osmolarity. The alternative sigma factor sigma(B) contributes to L. monocytogenes survival under extreme conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify and confirm specific sigma(B)-dependent genes in L. monocytogenes and to characterize their expression patterns under various stress conditions. opuCA, lmo1421 and bsh were identified as putative sigma(B)-dependent genes based on the presence of a predicted sigma(B)-dependent promoter sequence upstream of each gene. opuCA and lmo1421 encode known and putative compatible solute transporter proteins, respectively, and bsh encodes a conjugated bile salt hydrolase (BSH). Reporter fusions and semi-quantitative RT-PCR techniques were used to confirm sigma(B)-dependent regulation of these stress-response genes and to determine their expression patterns in response to environmental stresses. RT-PCR demonstrated that opuCA, lmo1421 and bsh transcript levels are reduced in stationary-phase L. monocytogenes deltasigB cells relative to levels present in wild-type cells. Furthermore, BSH activity is abolished in a L. monocytogenes deltasigB strain. RT-PCR confirmed growth-phase-dependent expression of opuCA, with highest levels of expression in stationary-phase cells. The L. monocytogenes wild-type strain exhibited two- and threefold induction of opuCA expression and seven- and fivefold induction of lmo1421 expression following 10 and 15 min exposure to 0.5 M KCl, respectively, as determined by RT-PCR, suggesting rapid induction of sigma(B) activity in exponential-phase L. monocytogenes upon exposure to salt stress. Single-copy chromosomal opuCA-gus reporter fusions also showed significant induction of opuCA expression following exposure of exponential-phase cells to increased salt concentrations (0.5 M NaCl or 0.5 M KCl). In conjunction with recent findings that indicate a role for opuCA and bsh in L. monocytogenes virulence, the data presented here provide further evidence of specific sigma(B)-mediated contributions to both environmental stress resistance and intra-host survival in L. monocytogenes.

Role of sigmaB in regulating the compatible solute uptake systems of Listeria monocytogenes: osmotic induction of opuC is sigmaB dependent

The regulation of the compatible solute transport systems in Listeria monocytogenes by the stress-inducible sigma factor sigma(B) was investigated. Using wild-type strain 10403S and an otherwise isogenic strain carrying an in-frame deletion in sigB, we have examined the role of sigma(B) in regulating the ability of cells to utilize betaine and carnitine during growth under conditions of hyperosmotic stress. Cells lacking sigma(B) were defective for the utilization of carnitine but retained the ability to utilize betaine as an osmoprotectant. When compatible solute transport studies were performed, the initial rates of uptake of both betaine and carnitine were found to be reduced in the sigB mutant; carnitine transport was almost abolished, whereas betaine transport was reduced to approximately 50% of that of the parent strain. Analysis of the cytoplasmic pools of compatible solutes during balanced growth revealed that both carnitine and betaine steady-state pools were reduced in the sigB mutant. Transcriptional reporter fusions to the opuC (which encodes an ABC carnitine transporter) and betL (which encodes an a secondary betaine transporter) operons were generated by using a promoterless copy of the gus gene from Escherichia coli. Measurement of beta-glucuronidase activities directed by opuC-gus and betL-gus revealed that transcription of opuC is largely sigma(B) dependent, consistent with the existence of a potential sigma(B) consensus promoter motif upstream from opuCA. The transcription of betL was found to be sigB independent. Reverse transcriptase PCR experiments confirmed these data and indicated that the transcription of all three known compatible solute uptake systems (opuC, betL, and gbu), as well as a gene that is predicted to encode a compatible solute transporter subunit (lmo1421) is induced in response to elevated osmolarity. The osmotic induction of opuCA and lmo1421 was found to be strongly sigma(B) dependent. Together these observations suggest that sigma(B) plays a major role in the regulation of carnitine utilization by L. monocytogenes but is not essential for betaine utilization by this pathogen.

Three transporters mediate uptake of glycine betaine and carnitine by Listeria monocytogenes in response to hyperosmotic stress

The uptake and accumulation of the potent osmolytes glycine betaine and carnitine enable the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to proliferate in environments of elevated osmotic stress, often rendering salt-based food preservation inadequate. To date, three osmolyte transport systems are known to operate in L. monocytogenes: glycine betaine porter I (BetL), glycine betaine porter II (Gbu), and a carnitine transporter OpuC. We investigated the specificity of each transporter towards each osmolyte by creating mutant derivatives of L. monocytogenes 10403S that possess each of the transporters in isolation. Kinetic and steady-state osmolyte accumulation data together with growth rate experiments demonstrated that osmotically activated glycine betaine transport is readily and effectively mediated by Gbu and BetL and to a lesser extent by OpuC. Osmotically stimulated carnitine transport was demonstrated for OpuC and Gbu regardless of the nature of stressing salt. BetL can mediate weak carnitine uptake in response to NaCl stress but not KCl stress. No other transporter in L. monocytogenes 10403S appears to be involved in osmotically stimulated transport of either osmolyte, since a triple mutant strain yielded neither transport nor accumulation of glycine betaine or carnitine and could not be rescued by either osmolyte when grown under elevated osmotic stress.