The Yersinia pestis siderophore, yersiniabactin, and the ZnuABC system both contribute to zinc acquisition and the development of lethal septicaemic plague in mice

Intestinal E. coli-produced yersiniabactin promotes profibrotic macrophages in Crohn's disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated fibrosis causes significant morbidity. Mechanisms are poorly understood but implicate the microbiota, especially adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC). We previously demonstrated that AIEC producing the metallophore yersiniabactin (Ybt) promotes intestinal fibrosis in an IBD mouse model. Since macrophages interpret microbial signals and influence inflammation/tissue remodeling, we hypothesized that Ybt metal sequestration disrupts this process. Here, we show that macrophages are abundant in human IBD-fibrosis tissue and mouse fibrotic lesions, where they co-localize with AIEC. Ybt induces profibrotic gene expression in macrophages via stabilization and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), a metal-dependent immune regulator. Importantly, Ybt-producing AIEC deplete macrophage intracellular zinc and stabilize HIF-1α through inhibition of zinc-dependent HIF-1α hydroxylation. HIF-1α+ macrophages localize to sites of disease activity in human IBD-fibrosis strictures and mouse fibrotic lesions, highlighting their physiological relevance. Our findings reveal microbiota-mediated metal sequestration as a profibrotic trigger targeting macrophages in the inflamed intestine.

Non-classical roles of bacterial siderophores in pathogenesis

Within host environments, iron availability is limited, which instigates competition for this essential trace element. In response, bacteria produce siderophores, secondary metabolites that scavenge iron and deliver it to bacterial cells via specific receptors. This role in iron acquisition contributes significantly to bacterial pathogenesis, thereby designating siderophores as virulence factors. While prior research has primarily focused on unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying siderophore biosynthesis, uptake, and iron sequestration, recent investigations have unveiled additional non-iron chelating functions of siderophores. These emerging roles are being consistently shown to support bacterial pathogenesis. In this review, we present the current understanding of siderophores in various roles: acquiring non-iron metal ions, supporting tolerance to metal-induced and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced stresses, mediating siderophore signalling, inducing ROS formation, and functioning in class IIb microcins. By integrating recent findings, this review aims to provide an overview of the diverse roles of siderophores in bacterial pathogenesis.

Identification and characterization of zinc importers in Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the causative agent of diphtheria, a severe respiratory disease in humans. C. diphtheriae colonizes the human upper respiratory tract, where it acquires zinc, an essential metal required for survival in the host. While the mechanisms for zinc transport by C. diphtheriae are not well characterized, four putative zinc ABC-type transporter loci were recently identified in strain 1737: iutABCD/E (iut), znuACB (znu), nikABCD1 (nik1), and nikABCD2 (nik2). A mutant deleted for all four loci (Δ4) exhibited similar growth to that of the wild-type strain in a zinc-limited medium, suggesting there are additional zinc transporters. Two additional gene loci predicted to be associated with metal import, mntABCD (mnt) and sidAB (sid), were deleted in the Δ4 mutant to construct a new mutant designated Δ6. The C. diphtheriae Δ6 mutant exhibited significantly reduced growth under zinc limitation relative to the wild type, suggesting a deficiency in zinc acquisition. Strains retaining the iut, znu, mnt, or sid loci grew to near-wild-type levels in the absence of the other five loci, indicating that each of these transporters may be involved in zinc uptake. Plasmid complementation with cloned iut, znu, mnt, or nik1 loci also enhanced the growth of the Δ6 mutant. Quantification of intracellular zinc content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was consistent with reduced zinc uptake by Δ6 relative to the wild type and further supports a zinc uptake function for the transporters encoded by iut, znu, and mnt. This study demonstrates that C. diphtheriae zinc transport is complex and involves multiple zinc uptake systems.IMPORTANCEZinc is a critical nutrient for all forms of life, including human bacterial pathogens. Thus, the tools that bacteria use to acquire zinc from host sources are crucial for pathogenesis. While potential candidates for zinc importers have been identified in Corynebacterium diphtheriae from gene expression studies, to date, no study has clearly demonstrated this function for any of the putative transporters. We show that C. diphtheriae encodes at least six loci associated with zinc import, underscoring the extent of redundancy for zinc acquisition. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a previously studied manganese-regulated importer can also function in zinc import. This study builds upon our knowledge of bacterial zinc transport mechanisms and identifies potential targets for future diphtheria vaccine candidates.

Determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in blood

Bloodstream infection is a major public health concern associated with high mortality and high healthcare costs worldwide. Bacteremia can trigger fatal sepsis whose prevention, diagnosis, and management have been recognized as a global health priority by the World Health Organization. Additionally, infection control is increasingly threatened by antimicrobial resistance, which is the focus of global action plans in the framework of a One Health response. In-depth knowledge of the infection process is needed to develop efficient preventive and therapeutic measures. The pathogenesis of bloodstream infection is a dynamic process resulting from the invasion of the vascular system by bacteria, which finely regulate their metabolic pathways and virulence factors to overcome the blood immune defenses and proliferate. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in the bloodstream and discuss their interactions with the molecular and cellular components of blood.

Chalkophore mediated respiratory oxidase flexibility controls M. tuberculosis virulence

Oxidative phosphorylation has emerged as a critical therapeutic vulnerability of M. tuberculosis, but it is unknown how M. tuberculosis and other pathogens maintain respiration during infection. M. tuberculosis synthesizes diisonitrile lipopeptide chalkophores that chelate copper tightly, but their role in host-pathogen interactions is also unknown. We demonstrate that M. tuberculosis chalkophores maintain the function of the heme-copper bcc:aa3 respiratory oxidase under copper limitation. Chalkophore deficient M. tuberculosis cannot survive, respire to oxygen, or produce ATP under copper deprivation in culture. M. tuberculosis lacking chalkophore biosynthesis is attenuated in mice, a phenotype that is severely exacerbated by loss of the CytBD alternative respiratory oxidase (encoded by cydAB), revealing a multilayered flexibility of the respiratory chain that maintains oxidative phosphorylation during infection. Taken together, these data demonstrate that chalkophores counter host inflicted copper deprivation and highlight that protection of cellular respiration is a critical virulence function in M. tuberculosis.

Zinc acquisition and its contribution to Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a World Health Organization priority pathogen and a significant clinical concern for infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts due to widespread and increasing resistance to antimicrobials. In the absence of a vaccine, there is an urgent need to identify novel targets for therapeutic development. Bacterial pathogens, including K. pneumoniae, require the d-block metal ion zinc as an essential micronutrient, which serves as a cofactor for ~6% of the proteome. During infection, zinc acquisition necessitates the use of high affinity uptake systems to overcome niche-specific zinc limitation and host-mediated nutritional immunity. Here, we report the identification of ZnuCBA and ZniCBA, two ATP-binding cassette permeases that are highly conserved in Klebsiella species and contribute to K. pneumoniae AJ218 zinc homeostasis, and the high-resolution structure of the zinc-recruiting solute-binding protein ZniA. The Znu and Zni permeases appear functionally redundant with abrogation of both systems required to reduce K. pneumoniae zinc accumulation. Disruption of both systems also exerted pleiotropic effects on the homeostasis of other d-block elements. Zinc limitation perturbed K. pneumoniae cell morphology and compromised resistance to stressors, such as salt and oxidative stress. The mutant strain lacking both systems showed significantly impaired virulence in acute lung infection models, highlighting the necessity of zinc acquisition in the virulence and pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae.

Droplet Tn-Seq identifies the primary secretion mechanism for yersiniabactin in Yersinia pestis

Nutritional immunity includes sequestration of transition metals from invading pathogens. Yersinia pestis overcomes nutritional immunity by secreting yersiniabactin to acquire iron and zinc during infection. While the mechanisms for yersiniabactin synthesis and import are well-defined, those responsible for yersiniabactin secretion are unknown. Identification of this mechanism has been difficult because conventional mutagenesis approaches are unable to inhibit trans-complementation by secreted factors between mutants. To overcome this obstacle, we utilized a technique called droplet Tn-seq (dTn-seq), which uses microfluidics to isolate individual transposon mutants in oil droplets, eliminating trans-complementation between bacteria. Using this approach, we first demonstrated the applicability of dTn-seq to identify genes with secreted functions. We then applied dTn-seq to identify an AcrAB efflux system as required for growth in metal-limited conditions. Finally, we showed this efflux system is the primary yersiniabactin secretion mechanism and required for virulence during bubonic and pneumonic plague. Together, these studies have revealed the yersiniabactin secretion mechanism that has eluded researchers for over 30 years and identified a potential therapeutic target for bacteria that use yersiniabactin for metal acquisition.

Transcriptional Response of Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 to Severe Zinc Starvation

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen that is primarily associated with severe respiratory infections in people with cystic fibrosis. These bacteria have significant intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial therapy, and there is a need for more effective treatments. Bacterial zinc uptake and homeostasis systems are attractive targets for new drugs, yet our understanding of how bacteria acquire and utilise zinc remains incomplete. Here we have used RNA-sequencing and differential gene expression analysis to investigate how B. cenocepacia H111 is able to survive in zinc poor environments, such as those expected to be encountered within the host. The data shows that 201 genes are significantly differentially expressed when zinc supply is severely limited. Included in the 85 upregulated genes, are genes encoding a putative ZnuABC high affinity zinc importer, two TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors that may facilitate zinc uptake across the outer cell membrane, and a COG0523 family zinc metallochaperone. Amongst the 116 downregulated genes, are several zinc-dependent enzymes suggesting a mechanism of zinc sparring to reduce the cells demand for zinc when bioavailability is low.

New insights into bacterial Zn homeostasis and molecular architecture of the metal resistome in soil polluted with nano zinc oxide

Accumulation of nano ZnO (nZnO) in soils could be toxic to bacterial communities through disruption of Zn homeostasis. Under such conditions, bacterial communities strive to maintain cellular Zn levels by accentuation of appropriate cellular machinery. In this study, soil was exposed to a gradient (50-1000 mg Zn kg-1) of nZnO for evaluating their effects on genes involved in Zn homeostasis (ZHG). The responses were compared with similar levels of its bulk counterpart (bZnO). It was observed that ZnO (as nZnO or bZnO) induced a plethora of influx and efflux transporters as well as metallothioneins (MTs) and metallochaperones mediated by an array of Zn sensitive regulatory proteins. Major influx system identified was the ZnuABC transporter, while important efflux transporters identified were CzcCBA, ZntA, YiiP and the major regulator was Zur. The response of communities was dose- dependent at lower concentrations (<500 mg Zn kg-1 as nZnO or bZnO). However, at 1000 mg Zn kg-1, a size-dependent threshold of gene/gene family abundances was evident. Under nZnO, a poor adaptation to toxicity induced anaerobic conditions due to deployment of major influx and secondary detoxifying systems as well as poor chelation of free Zn ions was evident. Moreover, Zn homeostasis related link with biofilm formation and virulence were accentuated under nZnO than bZnO. While these findings were verified by PCoA and Procrustes analysis, Network analysis and taxa vs ZHG associations also substantiated that a stronger Zn shunting mechanism was induced under nZnO due to higher toxicity. Molecular crosstalks with systems governing Cu and Fe homeostasis were also evident. Expression analysis of important resistance genes by qRT-PCR showed good alignment with the predictive metagenome data, thereby validating our findings. From the study it was evident that the induction of detoxifying and resistant genes was greatly lowered under nZnO, which markedly hampered Zn homeostasis among the soil bacterial communities.

Comparative metabolomic profiling of Cupriavidus necator B-4383 revealed production of cupriachelin siderophores, one with activity against Cryptococcus neoformans

Cupriavidus necator H16 is known to be a rich source of linear lipopeptide siderophores when grown under iron-depleted conditions; prior literature termed these compounds cupriachelins. These small molecules bear β-hydroxyaspartate moieties that contribute to a photoreduction of iron when bound as ferric cupriachelin. Here, we present structural assignment of cupriachelins from C. necator B-4383 grown under iron limitation. The characterization of B-4383 cupriachelins is based on MS/MS fragmentation analysis, which was confirmed by 1D- and 2D-NMR for the most abundant analog (1). The cupriachelin congeners distinguish these two strains with differences in the preferred lipid tail; however, our rigorous metabolomic investigation also revealed minor analogs with changes in the peptide core, hinting at a potential mechanism by which these siderophores may reduce biologically unavailable ferric iron (4-6). Antifungal screening of the C. necator B-4383 supernatant extract and the isolated cupriachelin analog (1) revealed inhibitory activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, with IC50 values of 16.6 and 3.2 μg/mL, respectively. This antifungal activity could be explained by the critical role of the iron acquisition pathway in the growth and pathogenesis of the C. neoformans fungal pathogen.

Overview of Yersinia pestis Metallophores: Yersiniabactin and Yersinopine

The pathogenic anaerobic bacteria Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), which is well known as the plague causative agent, has the ability to escape or inhibit innate immune system responses, which can result in host death even before the activation of adaptive responses. Bites from infected fleas in nature transmit Y. pestis between mammalian hosts causing bubonic plague. It was recognized that a host's ability to retain iron is essential in fighting invading pathogens. To proliferate during infection, Y. pestis, like most bacteria, has various iron transporters that enable it to acquire iron from its hosts. The siderophore-dependent iron transport system was found to be crucial for the pathogenesis of this bacterium. Siderophores are low-molecular-weight metabolites with a high affinity for Fe3+. These compounds are produced in the surrounding environment to chelate iron. The siderophore secreted by Y. pestis is yersiniabactin (Ybt). Another metallophore produced by this bacterium, yersinopine, is of the opine type and shows similarities with both staphylopine and pseudopaline produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. This paper sheds light on the most important aspects of the two Y. pestis metallophores as well as aerobactin a siderophore no longer secreted by this bacterium due to frameshift mutation in its genome.

Yersinia pestis and Plague: some knowns and unknowns

Since its first identification in 1894 during the third pandemic in Hong Kong, there has been significant progress of understanding the lifestyle of Yersinia pestis, the pathogen that is responsible for plague. Although we now have some understanding of the pathogen's physiology, genetics, genomics, evolution, gene regulation, pathogenesis and immunity, there are many unknown aspects of the pathogen and its disease development. Here, we focus on some of the knowns and unknowns relating to Y. pestis and plague. We notably focus on some key Y. pestis physiological and virulence traits that are important for its mammal-flea-mammal life cycle but also its emergence from the enteropathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Some aspects of the genetic diversity of Y. pestis, the distribution and ecology of plague as well as the medical countermeasures to protect our population are also provided. Lastly, we present some biosafety and biosecurity information related to Y. pestis and plague.

Localized Infections with P. aeruginosa Strains Defective in Zinc Uptake Reveal That Zebrafish Embryos Recapitulate Nutritional Immunity Responses of Higher Eukaryotes

The innate immune responses of mammals to microbial infections include strategies based on manipulating the local concentration of metals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), commonly described as nutritional immunity. To evaluate whether these strategies are also present in zebrafish embryos, we have conducted a series of heart cavity-localized infection experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains characterized by a different ability to acquire Zn. We have found that, 48 h after infection, the bacterial strains lacking critical components of the Zn importers ZnuABC and ZrmABCD have a reduced colonization capacity compared to the wild-type strain. This observation, together with the finding of a high level of expression of Zur-regulated genes, suggests the existence of antimicrobial mechanisms based on Zn sequestration. However, we have observed that strains lacking such Zn importers have a selective advantage over the wild-type strain in the early stages of infection. Analysis of the expression of the gene that encodes for a Zn efflux pump has revealed that at short times after infection, P. aeruginosa is exposed to high concentrations of Zn. At the same time, zebrafish respond to the infection by activating the expression of the Zn transporters Slc30a1 and Slc30a4, whose mammalian homologs mediate a redistribution of Zn in phagocytes aimed at intoxicating bacteria with a metal excess. These observations indicate that teleosts share similar nutritional immunity mechanisms with higher vertebrates, and confirm the usefulness of the zebrafish model for studying host-pathogen interactions.

Nutritional immunity: the battle for nutrient metals at the host-pathogen interface

Trace metals are essential micronutrients required for survival across all kingdoms of life. From bacteria to animals, metals have critical roles as both structural and catalytic cofactors for an estimated third of the proteome, representing a major contributor to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The reactivity of metal ions engenders them with the ability to promote enzyme catalysis and stabilize reaction intermediates. However, these properties render metals toxic at high concentrations and, therefore, metal levels must be tightly regulated. Having evolved in close association with bacteria, vertebrate hosts have developed numerous strategies of metal limitation and intoxication that prevent bacterial proliferation, a process termed nutritional immunity. In turn, bacterial pathogens have evolved adaptive mechanisms to survive in conditions of metal depletion or excess. In this Review, we discuss mechanisms by which nutrient metals shape the interactions between bacterial pathogens and animal hosts. We explore the cell-specific and tissue-specific roles of distinct trace metals in shaping bacterial infections, as well as implications for future research and new therapeutic development.

Bacterial Siderophores: Structure, Functions, and Role in the Pathogenesis of Infections

This review systematizes and analyzes the data published over the past decade, devoted to the study of low-molecular-weight high affinity iron chelators – siderophores. Siderophores, which are found in bacteria, fungi and mammals, are able to extract iron from insoluble inorganic compounds, and in the host organism – from complexes with proteins that perform the function of nonspecific protection of mammals from infections. The extracted iron is delivered to cells through surface protein receptors specific for each siderophore, as well as various protein transport systems that make up membranes. Siderophores play an important role in virulence in pathogenic bacteria, performing many functions in the host organism, in addition to providing microbes with iron and other biological metals. They participate in the storage of excess iron, toxic to cells, protect bacteria from reactive oxygen compounds, compete for iron with phagocytes, and have a harmful effect on host cells, acting as secreted bacterial toxin in some cases. Bacterial siderophores perform a signaling function and regulate both, their own synthesis and the synthesis of other virulence factors. Many pathogenic bacteria produce several siderophores that are active under different conditions, against various sources of iron in the host organism and at different stages of infectious process. The review presents the results of the experimental studies aimed at elucidating the structure and diverse functions of bacterial siderophores, the mechanisms of their biosynthesis and regulation of expression, as well as the role of these molecules in the physiology and virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Special emphasis is put on siderophores of bacteria causing particularly dangerous infections.

Diisonitrile Lipopeptides Mediate Resistance to Copper Starvation in Pathogenic Mycobacteria

Bacterial pathogens and their hosts engage in intense competition for critical nutrients during infection, including metals such as iron, copper, and zinc. Some metals are limited by the host, and some are deployed by the host as antimicrobials. To counter metal limitation, pathogens deploy high-affinity metal acquisition systems, best exemplified by siderophores to acquire iron. Although pathogen strategies to resist the toxic effects of high Cu have been elucidated, the role of Cu starvation and the existence of Cu acquisition systems are less well characterized. In this study, we examined the role of diisonitrile chalkophores of pathogenic mycobacteria, synthesized by the enzymes encoded by the virulence-associated nrp gene cluster, in metal acquisition. nrp gene cluster expression is strongly induced by starvation or chelation of Cu but not starvation of Zn or excess Cu. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum strains lacking the nrp-encoded nonribosomal peptide sythetase, the fadD10 adenylate-forming enzyme, or the uncharacterized upstream gene ppe1 are all sensitized to Cu, but not Zn, starvation. This low Cu sensitivity is rescued by genetic complementation or by provision of a synthetic diisonitrile chalkophore. These data demonstrate that diisonitrile lipopeptides in mycobacteria are chalkophores that facilitate survival under Cu-limiting conditions and suggest that Cu starvation is a relevant stress for M. tuberculosis in the host.

The role of bacterial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in pathogenesis and virulence: Therapeutic and vaccine potential

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily is found in all domains of life, facilitating critical biological processes through the translocation of a wide variety of substrates from, ions to proteins, across cellular membranes in an ATP-coupled process. The role of ABC transporters in eukaryotes has been well established: the facilitation of genetic diseases and multi-drug resistance (MDR) in cancer patients. In contrast, the role of ABC transporters in prokaryotes has been ambiguous due to their diverse functions and the sheer number of organisms in which they reside. This review examines the role of bacterial ABC transporters in pathogenesis and virulence, and their potential for therapeutic and vaccine application. We demonstrate how ABC transporters play a vital role in the virulence and pathogenesis of several pathogenic bacteria through the import of essential molecules, such as metal ions, amino acids, peptides, vitamins and osmoprotectants, as well as, the export of virulent determinants involved in glycoconjugate biosynthesis and Type I secretion. Furthermore, ABC exporters facilitate the persistence of pathogenic bacteria through the export of toxic xenobiotic substances, thus, contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance. We also show that ABC transporters display considerable potential for therapeutic application through immunisation and resistance reversal. In conclusion, bacterial ABC transporters play an immense role in virulence and pathogenesis and display desirable traits for clinical use, therefore, potentially aiding in the battle against MDR.

Microenvironmental Factors that Shape Bacterial Metabolites in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a significant global health problem that involves chronic intestinal inflammation and can involve severe comorbidities, including intestinal fibrosis and inflammation-associated colorectal cancer (CRC). Disease-associated alterations to the intestinal microbiota often include fecal enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae, which are strongly implicated in IBD development. This dysbiosis of intestinal flora accompanies changes in microbial metabolites, shaping host:microbe interactions and disease risk. While there have been numerous studies linking specific bacterial taxa with IBD development, our understanding of microbial function in the context of IBD is limited. Several classes of microbial metabolites have been directly implicated in IBD disease progression, including bacterial siderophores and genotoxins. Yet, our microbiota still harbors thousands of uncharacterized microbial products. In-depth discovery and characterization of disease-associated microbial metabolites is necessary to target these products in IBD treatment strategies. Towards improving our understanding of microbiota metabolites in IBD, it is important to recognize how host relevant factors influence microbiota function. For example, changes in host inflammation status, metal availability, interbacterial community structure, and xenobiotics all play an important role in shaping gut microbial ecology. In this minireview, we outline how each of these factors influences gut microbial function, with a specific focus on IBD-associated Enterobacteriaceae metabolites. Importantly, we discuss how altering the intestinal microenvironment could improve the treatment of intestinal inflammation and associated disorders, like intestinal fibrosis and CRC.

Attenuation of Yersinia pestis fyuA Mutants Caused by Iron Uptake Inhibition and Decreased Survivability in Macrophages

Yersinia pestis is the etiological agent of plague, a deadly infectious disease that has caused millions of deaths throughout history. Obtaining iron from the host is very important for bacterial pathogenicity. Y. pestis possesses many iron uptake systems. Yersiniabactin (Ybt) plays a major role in iron uptake in vivo and in vitro, and in virulence toward mice as well. FyuA, a β-barrel TonB-dependent outer membrane protein, serves as the receptor for Ybt. In this study, we examined the role of the fyuA gene in Y. pestis virulence using different challenging ways and explored the underlying mechanisms. The BALB/c mouse infection assay showed that the virulence of the mutant strains (ΔfyuA and ΔfyuAGCAdel) was lower when compared with that of the wild-type (WT) strain 201. Furthermore, the attenuation of virulence of the mutant strains via subcutaneous and intraperitoneal challenges was far greater than that via intravenous injection. Iron supplementation restored lethality during subcutaneous challenge with the two mutants. Thus, we speculated that the attenuated virulence of the mutant strains toward the mice may be caused by dysfunctional iron uptake. Moreover, ΔfyuA and ΔfyuAGCAdel strains exhibited lower survival rates in murine RAW264.7 macrophages, which might be another reason for the attenuation. We further explored the transcriptomic differences between the WT and mutant strains at different temperatures and found that the expressions of genes related to Ybt synthesis and its regulation were significantly downregulated in the mutant strains. This finding indicates that fyuA might exert a regulatory effect on Ybt. Additionally, the expressions of the components of the type III secretion system were unexpectedly upregulated in the mutants, which is inconsistent with the conventional view that the upregulation of the virulence genes enhances the virulence of the pathogens.

Siderophores: an alternative bioremediation strategy?

Siderophores are small molecular weight iron scavengers that are mainly produced by bacteria, fungi, and plants. Recently, they have attracted increasing attention because of their potential role in environmental bioremediation. Although siderophores are generally considered to exhibit high specificity for iron, they have also been reported to bind to various metal and metalloid ions. This unique ability allows siderophores to solubilise and mobilise heavy metals and metalloids from soil, thereby facilitating their bioremediation. In addition, because of their redox nature, they can mediate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thus promote the biodegradation of organic contaminants. The aim of this review is to summarise the existing knowledge on the developed strategies of siderophore-assisted bioremediation of metals, metalloids, and organic contaminants. Additionally, this review also includes the biosynthesis and classification of microbial and plant siderophores.

Siderophore-mediated zinc acquisition enhances enterobacterial colonization of the inflamed gut

Zinc is an essential cofactor for bacterial metabolism, and many Enterobacteriaceae express the zinc transporters ZnuABC and ZupT to acquire this metal in the host. However, the probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (or "Nissle") exhibits appreciable growth in zinc-limited media even when these transporters are deleted. Here, we show that Nissle utilizes the siderophore yersiniabactin as a zincophore, enabling Nissle to grow in zinc-limited media, to tolerate calprotectin-mediated zinc sequestration, and to thrive in the inflamed gut. We also show that yersiniabactin's affinity for iron or zinc changes in a pH-dependent manner, with increased relative zinc binding as the pH increases. Thus, our results indicate that siderophore metal affinity can be influenced by the local environment and reveal a mechanism of zinc acquisition available to commensal and pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae.

Vibrio neptunius Produces Piscibactin and Amphibactin and Both Siderophores Contribute Significantly to Virulence for Clams

Vibrio neptunius is an inhabitant of mollusc microbiota and an opportunistic pathogen causing disease outbreaks in marine bivalve mollusc species including oysters and clams. Virulence of mollusc pathogenic vibrios is mainly associated with the production of extracellular products. However, siderophore production is a common feature in pathogenic marine bacteria but its role in fitness and virulence of mollusc pathogens remains unknown. We previously found that V. neptunius produces amphibactin, one of the most abundant siderophores in marine microbes. In this work, synthesis of the siderophore piscibactin was identified as the second siderophore produced by V. neptunius. Single and double mutants in biosynthetic genes of each siderophore system, piscibactin and amphibactin, were constructed in V. neptunius and their role in growth ability and virulence was characterized. Although the High Pathogenicity Island encoding piscibactin is a major virulence factor in vibrios pathogenic for fish, the V. neptunius wild type did not cause mortality in turbot. The results showed that amphibactin contributes more than piscibactin to bacterial fitness in vitro. However, infection challenges showed that each siderophore system contributes equally to virulence for molluscs. The V. neptunius strain unable to produce any siderophore was severely impaired to cause vibriosis in clams. Although the inactivation of one of the two siderophore systems (either amphibactin or piscibactin) significantly reduced virulence compared to the wild type strain, the ability to produce both siderophores simultaneously maximised the degree of virulence. Evaluation of the gene expression pattern of each siderophore system showed that they are simultaneously expressed when V. neptunius is cultivated under low iron availability in vitro and ex vivo. Finally, the analysis of the distribution of siderophore systems in genomes of Vibrio spp. pathogenic for molluscs showed that the gene clusters encoding amphibactin and piscibactin are widespread in the Coralliilyticus clade. Thus, siderophore production would constitute a key virulence factor for bivalve molluscs pathogenic vibrios.

Yersiniabactin contributes to overcoming zinc restriction during Yersinia pestis infection of mammalian and insect hosts

Yersinia pestis causes human plague and colonizes both a mammalian host and a flea vector during its transmission cycle. A key barrier to bacterial infection is the host's ability to actively sequester key biometals (e.g., iron, zinc, and manganese) required for bacterial growth. This is referred to as nutritional immunity. Mechanisms to overcome nutritional immunity are essential virulence factors for bacterial pathogens. Y. pestis produces an iron-scavenging siderophore called yersiniabactin (Ybt) that is required to overcome iron-mediated nutritional immunity and cause lethal infection. Recently, Ybt has been shown to bind to zinc, and in the absence of the zinc transporter ZnuABC, Ybt improves Y. pestis growth in zinc-limited medium. These data suggest that, in addition to iron acquisition, Ybt may also contribute to overcoming zinc-mediated nutritional immunity. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model defective in iron-mediated nutritional immunity to demonstrate that Ybt contributes to virulence in an iron-independent manner. Furthermore, using a combination of bacterial mutants and mice defective in zinc-mediated nutritional immunity, we identified calprotectin as the primary barrier for Y. pestis to acquire zinc during infection and that Y. pestis uses Ybt to compete with calprotectin for zinc. Finally, we discovered that Y. pestis encounters zinc limitation within the flea midgut, and Ybt contributes to overcoming this limitation. Together, these results demonstrate that Ybt is a bona fide zinc acquisition mechanism used by Y. pestis to surmount zinc limitation during the infection of both the mammalian and insect hosts.

Strategies for Zinc Uptake in Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the Host-Pathogen Interface

As a structural, catalytic, and signaling component, zinc is necessary for the growth and development of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Zinc is also essential for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and is involved in their metabolism as well as the regulation of various virulence factors. Additionally, zinc is necessary for infection and colonization of pathogenic microorganisms in the host. Upon infection in healthy organisms, the host sequesters zinc both intracellularly and extracellularly to enhance the immune response and prevent the proliferation and infection of the pathogen. Intracellularly, the host manipulates zinc levels through Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP)/ZnT family proteins and various zinc storage proteins. Extracellularly, members of the S100 protein family, such as calgranulin C, sequester zinc to inhibit microbial growth. In the face of these nutritional limitations, bacteria rely on an efficient zinc transport system to maintain zinc supplementation for proliferation and disruption of the host defense system to establish infection. Here, we summarize the strategies for zinc uptake in conditional pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including known zinc uptake systems (ZnuABC, HmtA, and ZrmABCD) and the zinc uptake regulator (Zur). In addition, other potential zinc uptake pathways were analyzed. This review systematically summarizes the process of zinc uptake by P. aeruginosa to provide guidance for the development of new drug targets.

Antimicrobial Activity of Metals and Metalloids

Competition shapes evolution. Toxic metals and metalloids have exerted selective pressure on life since the rise of the first organisms on the Earth, which has led to the evolution and acquisition of resistance mechanisms against them, as well as mechanisms to weaponize them. Microorganisms exploit antimicrobial metals and metalloids to gain competitive advantage over other members of microbial communities. This exerts a strong selective pressure that drives evolution of resistance. This review describes, with a focus on arsenic and copper, how microorganisms exploit metals and metalloids for predation and how metal- and metalloid-dependent predation may have been a driving force for evolution of microbial resistance against metals and metalloids. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Metallo-β-lactamases in the Age of Multidrug Resistance: From Structure and Mechanism to Evolution, Dissemination, and Inhibitor Design

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major problems in current practical medicine. The spread of genes coding for resistance determinants among bacteria challenges the use of approved antibiotics, narrowing the options for treatment. Resistance to carbapenems, last resort antibiotics, is a major concern. Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) hydrolyze carbapenems, penicillins, and cephalosporins, becoming central to this problem. These enzymes diverge with respect to serine-β-lactamases by exhibiting a different fold, active site, and catalytic features. Elucidating their catalytic mechanism has been a big challenge in the field that has limited the development of useful inhibitors. This review covers exhaustively the details of the active-site chemistries, the diversity of MBL alleles, the catalytic mechanism against different substrates, and how this information has helped developing inhibitors. We also discuss here different aspects critical to understand the success of MBLs in conferring resistance: the molecular determinants of their dissemination, their cell physiology, from the biogenesis to the processing involved in the transit to the periplasm, and the uptake of the Zn(II) ions upon metal starvation conditions, such as those encountered during an infection. In this regard, the chemical, biochemical and microbiological aspects provide an integrative view of the current knowledge of MBLs.

Iron Acquisition Systems of Gram-negative Bacterial Pathogens Define TonB-Dependent Pathways to Novel Antibiotics

Iron is an indispensable metabolic cofactor in both pro- and eukaryotes, which engenders a natural competition for the metal between bacterial pathogens and their human or animal hosts. Bacteria secrete siderophores that extract Fe3+ from tissues, fluids, cells, and proteins; the ligand gated porins of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane actively acquire the resulting ferric siderophores, as well as other iron-containing molecules like heme. Conversely, eukaryotic hosts combat bacterial iron scavenging by sequestering Fe3+ in binding proteins and ferritin. The variety of iron uptake systems in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens illustrates a range of chemical and biochemical mechanisms that facilitate microbial pathogenesis. This document attempts to summarize and understand these processes, to guide discovery of immunological or chemical interventions that may thwart infectious disease.

Identification and Characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Zinc Transporters

Zinc uptake in bacteria is essential to maintain cellular homeostasis and survival. ZnuABC is an important zinc importer of numerous bacterial genera, which is expressed to restore zinc homeostasis when the cytosolic concentration decreases beyond a critical threshold. Upon zinc limitation the fast-growing nonpathogenic organism Mycobacterium smegmatis (MSMEG) as well as the ruminant pathogen M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) increases expression of genes encoding ZnuABC homologues, but also of genes encoding other transporters. This suggests an involvement of these transporters in zinc homeostasis. Here we characterized the putative zinc transporters of MSMEG (ZnuABC and ZnuABC2) and MAP (ZnuABC, MptABC, and MAP3774-76). Deletion of either ZnuABC or ZnuABC2 in MSMEG did not lead to growth defects, but to an increased expression of zinc marker genes in MSMEGΔznuABC, indicating cytosolic zinc limitation. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation proved direct binding of the global zinc regulator Zur to promoter regions of both znuABC and znuABC2. Simultaneous deletion of both transporters caused severe growth defects, which could be restored either by homologous complementation with single ZnuABC transporters or supplementation of growth media with zinc but not iron, manganese, cobalt, or magnesium. Heterologous complementation of the double mutant with MAP transporters also resulted in reconstitution of growth. Nonradioactive FluoZinTM-3AM zinc uptake assays directly revealed the competence of all transporters to import zinc. Finally, structural and phylogenetic analyses provided evidence of a novel class of ZnuABC transporters represented by the ZnuABC2 of MSMEG, which is present only in actinobacteria, mainly in the genera Nocardia, Streptomyces and fast growing Mycobacteria IMPORTANCEZinc is necessary for bacterial growth but simultaneously toxic when in excess. Hence, bacterial cells have developed systems to alter intracellular concentration. Regulation of these systems is primarily executed at transcriptional level by regulator proteins which sense femtomolar changes in the zinc level. In environmental and pathogenic mycobacteria zinc starvation induces expression of common zinc import systems such as the ZnuABC transporter, but also of other additional not yet characterized transport systems. In this study, we characterized the role of such systems in zinc transport. We showed that transport systems of both species whose transcription is induced upon zinc starvation can exchangeably restore cellular zinc homeostasis in transporter deficient mutants by transporting zinc into the cell.

Zur: Zinc-Sensing Transcriptional Regulator in a Diverse Set of Bacterial Species

Zinc (Zn) is the quintessential d block metal, needed for survival in all living organisms. While Zn is an essential element, its excess is deleterious, therefore, maintenance of its intracellular concentrations is needed for survival. The living organisms, during the course of evolution, developed proteins that can track the limitation or excess of necessary metal ions, thus providing survival benefits under variable environmental conditions. Zinc uptake regulator (Zur) is a regulatory transcriptional factor of the FUR superfamily of proteins, abundant among the bacterial species and known for its intracellular Zn sensing ability. In this study, we highlight the roles played by Zur in maintaining the Zn levels in various bacterial species as well as the fact that in recent years Zur has emerged not only as a Zn homeostatic regulator but also as a protein involved directly or indirectly in virulence of some pathogens. This functional aspect of Zur could be exploited in the ventures for the identification of newer antimicrobial targets. Despite extensive research on Zur, the insights into its overall regulon and its moonlighting functions in various pathogens yet remain to be explored. Here in this review, we aim to summarise the disparate functional aspects of Zur proteins present in various bacterial species.

Two Polyketides Intertwined in Complex Regulation: Posttranscriptional CsrA-Mediated Control of Colibactin and Yersiniabactin Synthesis in Escherichia coli

Bacteria have to process several levels of gene regulation and coordination of interconnected regulatory networks to ensure the most adequate cellular response to specific growth conditions. Especially, expression of complex and costly fitness and pathogenicity-associated traits is coordinated and tightly regulated at multiple levels. We studied the interconnected regulation of the expression of the colibactin and yersiniabactin polyketide biosynthesis machineries, which are encoded by two pathogenicity islands found in many phylogroup B2 Escherichia coli isolates. Comparative phenotypic and genotypic analyses identified the BarA-UvrY two-component system as an important regulatory element involved in colibactin and yersiniabactin expression. The carbon storage regulator (Csr) system controls the expression of a wide range of central metabolic and virulence-associated traits. The availability of CsrA, the key translational regulator of the Csr system, depends on BarA-UvrY activity. We employed reporter gene fusions to demonstrate UvrY- and CsrA-dependent expression of the colibactin and yersiniabactin determinants and confirmed a direct interaction of CsrA with the 5' untranslated leader transcripts of representative genes of the colibactin and yersiniabactin operons by RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays. This posttranscriptional regulation adds an additional level of complexity to control mechanisms of polyketide expression, which is also orchestrated at the level of ferric uptake regulator (Fur)-dependent regulation of transcription and phosphopantetheinyl transferase-dependent activation of polyketide biosynthesis. Our results emphasize the interconnection of iron- and primary metabolism-responsive regulation of colibactin and yersiniabactin expression by the fine-tuned action of different regulatory mechanisms in response to variable environmental signals as a prerequisite for bacterial adaptability, fitness, and pathogenicity in different habitats. IMPORTANCE Secondary metabolite expression is a widespread strategy among bacteria to improve their fitness in habitats where they constantly compete for resources with other bacteria. The production of secondary metabolites is associated with a metabolic and energetic burden. Colibactin and yersiniabactin are two polyketides, which are expressed in concert and promote the virulence of different enterobacterial pathogens. To maximize fitness, they should be expressed only in microenvironments in which they are required. Accordingly, precise regulation of colibactin and yersiniabactin expression is crucial. We show that the expression of these two polyketides is also interconnected via primary metabolism-responsive regulation at the posttranscriptional level by the CsrA RNA-binding protein. Our findings may help to optimize (over-)expression and further functional characterization of the polyketide colibactin. Additionally, this new aspect of concerted colibactin and yersiniabactin expression extends our knowledge of conditions that favor the expression of these virulence- and fitness-associated factors in different Enterobacterales members.

Screening for Microbial Metal-Chelating Siderophores for the Removal of Metal Ions from Solutions

To guarantee the supply of critical elements in the future, the development of new technologies is essential. Siderophores have high potential in the recovery and recycling of valuable metals due to their metal-chelating properties. Using the Chrome azurol S assay, 75 bacterial strains were screened to obtain a high-yield siderophore with the ability to complex valuable critical metal ions. The siderophore production of the four selected strains Nocardioides simplex 3E, Pseudomonas chlororaphis DSM 50083, Variovorax paradoxus EPS, and Rhodococcus erythropolis B7g was optimized, resulting in significantly increased siderophore production of N. simplex and R. erythropolis. Produced siderophore amounts and velocities were highly dependent on the carbon source. The genomes of N. simplex and P. chlororaphis were sequenced. Bioinformatical analyses revealed the occurrence of an achromobactin and a pyoverdine gene cluster in P. chlororaphis, a heterobactin and a requichelin gene cluster in R. erythropolis, and a desferrioxamine gene cluster in N. simplex. Finally, the results of the previous metal-binding screening were validated by a proof-of-concept development for the recovery of metal ions from aqueous solutions utilizing C₁₈ columns functionalized with siderophores. We demonstrated the recovery of the critical metal ions V(III), Ga(III), and In(III) from mixed metal solutions with immobilized siderophores of N. simplex and R. erythropolis.

High pathogenicity island is associated with enhanced autophagy in pathogenic Escherichia coli HPI - infected macrophages

High pathogenicity island (HPI), which is widely distributed in Escherichia coli (E. coli), can enhance the pathogenicity of E. coli. Thus the HPI positive E. coli could pose a threat to human and animal health. It remains to be elucidated how HPI affects the virulence of pathogenic E. coli. Autophagy is an important mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis and an innate immunity responses of organisms against pathogens. The interaction between pathogenic E. coli possessing HPI (E. coli HPI) and host autophagy system has not been reported. In this study, it was demonstrated that pathogenic E. coli induced autophagy in 3D4/21 macrophages and HPI was associated with enhanced autophagy through transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is an important negative regulatory pathway for autophagy. Through detecting the expression of key genes of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, it was speculated that HPI enhanced the inhibition of the signaling pathway stimulated by pathogenic E. coli. Furthermore, HPI inhibited the secretion of IFN-γ, while the presence of HPI did not significantly affect the secretion of IL-1β. This work is the first attempt to explore the interplay between HPI carried by pathogenic E. coli and host cell autophagy. The findings might enable better understanding of the contribution of HPI to pathogenicity.

Cyclic-di-GMP Regulates Autoaggregation Through the Putative Peptidoglycan Hydrolase, EagA, and Regulates Transcription of the znuABC Zinc Uptake Gene Cluster in Erwinia amylovora

Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of fire blight, an economically impactful disease that affects apple and pear production worldwide. E. amylovora pathogenesis is comprised of distinct type III secretion-dependent and biofilm-dependent stages. Alterations in the intracellular levels of cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) regulate the transition between the different stages of infection in E. amylovora. We previously reported that hyper-elevation of c-di-GMP levels in E. amylovora Ea1189, resulting from the deletion of all three c-di-GMP specific phosphodiesterase genes (Ea1189ΔpdeABC), resulted in an autoaggregation phenotype. The two major exopolysaccharides, amylovoran and cellulose, were also shown to partially contribute to autoaggregation. In this study, we aimed to identify the c-di-GMP dependent factor(s) that contributes to autoaggregation. We conducted a transposon mutant screen in Ea1189ΔpdeABC and selected for loss of autoaggregation. Our search identified a peptidoglycan hydrolase, specifically, a D, D-endopeptidase of the metallopeptidase class, EagA (Erwiniaaggregation factor A), that was found to physiologically contribute to autoaggregation in a c-di-GMP dependent manner. The production of amylovoran was also positively affected by EagA levels. An eagA deletion mutant (Ea1189ΔeagA) was significantly reduced in virulence compared to the wild type E. amylovora Ea1189. eagA is part of the znuABC zinc uptake gene cluster and is located within an operon downstream of znuA. The znuAeagA/znuCB gene cluster was transcriptionally regulated by elevated levels of c-di-GMP as well as by the zinc-dependent transcriptional repressor Zur. We also observed that with an influx of Zn²⁺ in the environment, the transcription of the znuAeagA/znuBC gene cluster is regulated by both Zur and a yet to be characterized c-di-GMP dependent pathway.

Periplasmic Targets for the Development of Effective Antimicrobials against Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a serious threat to global public health in recent years. Lack of novel antimicrobials, especially new classes of compounds, further aggravates the situation. For Gram-negative bacteria, their double layered cell envelope and an array of efflux pumps act as formidable barriers for antimicrobials to penetrate. While cytoplasmic targets are hard to reach, proteins in the periplasm are clearly more accessible, as the drug only needs to breach the outer membrane. In this review, we summarized recent efforts on the validation and testing of periplasmic proteins as potential antimicrobial targets and the development of related inhibitors that either inhibit the growth of a bacterial pathogen or reduce its virulence during interaction with host cells. We conclude that the periplasm contains a promising pool of novel antimicrobial targets that should be scrutinized more closely for the development of effective treatment against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Critical Role of Zur and SmtB in Zinc Homeostasis of Mycobacterium smegmatis

Zinc homeostasis is crucial for bacterial cells, since imbalances affect viability. However, in mycobacteria, knowledge of zinc metabolism is incomplete. Mycobacterium smegmatis (MSMEG) is an environmental, nonpathogenic Mycobacterium that is widely used as a model organism to study mycobacterial metabolism and pathogenicity. How MSMEG maintains zinc homeostasis is largely unknown. SmtB and Zur are important regulators of bacterial zinc metabolism. In mycobacteria, these regulators are encoded by an operon, whereas in other bacterial species, SmtB and Zur are encoded on separate loci. Here, we show that the smtB-zur operon is consistently present within the genus Mycobacterium but otherwise found only in Nocardia, Saccharothrix, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae By RNA deep sequencing, we determined the Zur and SmtB regulons of MSMEG and compared them with transcriptional responses after zinc starvation or excess. We found an exceptional genomic clustering of genes whose expression was strongly induced by zur deletion and zinc starvation. These genes encoded zinc importers such as ZnuABC and three additional putative zinc transporters, including the porin MspD, as well as alternative ribosomal proteins. In contrast, only a few genes were affected by deletion of smtB and zinc excess. The zinc exporter ZitA was most prominently regulated by SmtB. Moreover, transcriptional analyses in combination with promoter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed a special regulation of the smtB-zur operon itself: an apparently zinc-independent, constitutive expression of smtB-zur resulted from sensitive coregulation by both SmtB and Zur. Overall, our data revealed yet unknown peculiarities of mycobacterial zinc homeostasis.IMPORTANCE Zinc is crucial for many biological processes, as it is an essential cofactor of enzymes and a structural component of regulatory and DNA binding proteins. Hence, all living cells require zinc to maintain constant intracellular levels. However, in excess, zinc is toxic. Therefore, cellular zinc homeostasis needs to be tightly controlled. In bacteria, this is achieved by transcriptional regulators whose activity is mediated via zinc-dependent conformational changes promoting or preventing their binding to DNA. SmtB and Zur are important antagonistically acting bacterial regulators in mycobacteria. They sense changes in zinc concentrations in the femtomolar range and regulate transcription of genes for zinc acquisition, storage, and export. Here, we analyzed the role of SmtB and Zur in zinc homeostasis in Mycobacterium smegmatis Our results revealed novel insights into the transcriptional processes of zinc homeostasis in mycobacteria and their regulation.

Intracellular Accumulation of Staphylopine Can Sensitize Staphylococcus aureus to Host-Imposed Zinc Starvation by Chelation-Independent Toxicity

The host restricts the availability of zinc to prevent infection. To overcome this defense, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa rely on zincophore-dependent zinc importers. Synthesis of the zincophore staphylopine by S. aureus and its import are both necessary for the bacterium to cause infection. In this study, we sought to elucidate how loss of zincophore efflux impacts bacterial resistance to host-imposed zinc starvation. In culture and during infection, mutants lacking CntE, the staphylopine efflux pump, were more sensitive to zinc starvation imposed by the metal-binding immune effector calprotectin than those lacking the ability to import staphylopine. However, disruption of staphylopine synthesis reversed the enhanced sensitivity phenotype of the ΔcntE mutant to calprotectin, indicating that intracellular toxicity of staphylopine is more detrimental than the impaired ability to acquire zinc. Unexpectedly, intracellular accumulation of staphylopine does not increase the expression of metal importers or alter cellular metal concentrations, suggesting that, contrary to prevailing models, the toxicity associated with staphylopine is not strictly due to intracellular chelation of metals. As P. aeruginosa and other pathogens produce zincophores with similar chemistry, our observations on the crucial importance of zincophore efflux are likely to be broadly relevant.IMPORTANCEStaphylococcus aureus and many other bacterial pathogens rely on metal-binding small molecules to obtain the essential metal zinc during infection. In this study, we reveal that export of these small molecules is critical for overcoming host-imposed metal starvation during infection and prevents toxicity due to accumulation of the metal-binding molecule within the cell. Surprisingly, we found that intracellular toxicity of the molecule is not due to chelation of cellular metals.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Stable Toxin Increases the Rate of Zinc Release from Metallothionein and Is a Zinc- and Iron-Binding Peptide

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major diarrheal pathogen in children in low- to middle-income countries. Previous studies have identified heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing ETEC as one of the major diarrhea-causing pathogens in children younger than five years. In this study, we examined iron and zinc binding by both human and porcine ST variants and determined how host metallothionein could detoxify ST. We found that ST purified from ETEC culture supernatants eluted as a doublet during C18 reverse-phase chromatography. Leading edge fractions of the ST doublet were found to be devoid of iron, while trailing edge fractions of the ST doublet were found to contain measurable iron. Next, we found that purified ST could be reconstituted with iron under reducing and anaerobic conditions, and iron-bound ST attenuated the induction of cGMP in T84 epithelial cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that supernatants of ETEC 214-4 grown under increasing iron concentrations were only able to induce cGMP at iron concentrations greater than 5 μM. In vitro studies also demonstrated that ST binds zinc, and once bound, zinc removal from ST required denaturing conditions. Zinc-bound ST also failed to induce cGMP. We found that ST contributes disulfide bonds to the perceived oxidized glutathione pool, increases the rate of zinc release from metallothionein, and can be detoxified by metallothionein. Lastly, we showed ST induces transcriptional changes in genes previously shown to be regulated by deferoxamine. These studies demonstrate ST ETEC pathogenesis may be tied intimately to host mucosal metal status.IMPORTANCE Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major diarrheal pathogen in children in low- to middle-income countries, deployed military personnel, and travelers to regions of endemicity. The heat-stable toxin (ST) is a small nonimmunogenic secreted peptide with 3 disulfide bonds. It has been appreciated that dietary disulfides modulate intestinal redox potential and that ST could be detoxified using exogenous reductants. Using biochemical and spectroscopic approaches, we demonstrated that ST can separately bind iron and zinc under reducing conditions, thereby reducing ST toxicity. Moreover, we demonstrated that ST modulates the glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio and that ST should be considered a toxin oxidant. ST can be detoxified by oxidizing zinc-loaded metallothionine, causing free zinc to be released. These studies help lay a foundation to understand how diarrheal pathogens modulate intestinal redox potential and may impact how we design therapeutics and/or vaccines for the pathogens that produce them.

Bacterial siderophores in community and host interactions

Iron is an essential trace element for most organisms. A common way for bacteria to acquire this nutrient is through the secretion of siderophores, which are secondary metabolites that scavenge iron from environmental stocks and deliver it to cells via specific receptors. While there has been tremendous interest in understanding the molecular basis of siderophore synthesis, uptake and regulation, questions about the ecological and evolutionary consequences of siderophore secretion have only recently received increasing attention. In this Review, we outline how eco-evolutionary questions can complement the mechanistic perspective and help to obtain a more integrated view of siderophores. In particular, we explain how secreted diffusible siderophores can affect other community members, leading to cooperative, exploitative and competitive interactions between individuals. These social interactions in turn can spur co-evolutionary arms races between strains and species, lead to ecological dependencies between them and potentially contribute to the formation of stable communities. In brief, this Review shows that siderophores are much more than just iron carriers: they are important mediators of interactions between members of microbial assemblies and the eukaryotic hosts they inhabit.

Metal binding ability of microbial natural metal chelators and potential applications

Metallophores can chelate many different metal and metalloid ions next to iron, make them valuable for many applications.

Structure and Metal Binding Properties of Chlamydia trachomatis YtgA

The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is a globally significant cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections and the leading etiological agent of preventable blindness. The first-row transition metal iron (Fe) plays critical roles in chlamydial cell biology, and acquisition of this nutrient is essential for the survival and virulence of the pathogen. Nevertheless, how C. trachomatis acquires Fe from host cells is not well understood, since it lacks genes encoding known siderophore biosynthetic pathways, receptors for host Fe storage proteins, and the Fe acquisition machinery common to many bacteria. Recent studies have suggested that C. trachomatis directly acquires host Fe via the ATP-binding cassette permease YtgABCD. Here, we characterized YtgA, the periplasmic solute binding protein component of the transport pathway, which has been implicated in scavenging Fe(III) ions. The structure of Fe(III)-bound YtgA was determined at 2.0-Å resolution with the bound ion coordinated via a novel geometry (3 Ns, 2 Os [3N2O]). This unusual coordination suggested a highly plastic metal binding site in YtgA capable of interacting with other cations. Biochemical analyses showed that the metal binding site of YtgA was not restricted to interaction with only Fe(III) ions but could bind all transition metal ions examined. However, only Mn(II), Fe(II), and Ni(II) ions bound reversibly to YtgA, with Fe being the most abundant cellular transition metal in C. trachomatis Collectively, these findings show that YtgA is the metal-recruiting component of the YtgABCD permease and is most likely involved in the acquisition of Fe(II) and Mn(II) from host cells.IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in developed countries, with an estimated global prevalence of 4.2% in the 15- to 49-year age group. Although infection is asymptomatic in more than 80% of infected women, about 10% of cases result in serious disease. Infection by C. trachomatis is dependent on the ability to acquire essential nutrients, such as the transition metal iron, from host cells. In this study, we show that iron is the most abundant transition metal in C. trachomatis and report the structural and biochemical properties of the iron-recruiting protein YtgA. Knowledge of the high-resolution structure of YtgA will provide a platform for future structure-based antimicrobial design approaches.

Nutrient Zinc at the Host-Pathogen Interface

Zinc is an essential cofactor required for life and, as such, mechanisms exist for its homeostatic maintenance in biological systems. Despite the evolutionary distance between vertebrates and microbial life, there are parallel mechanisms to balance the essentiality of zinc with its inherent toxicity. Vertebrates regulate zinc homeostasis through a complex network of metal transporters and buffering systems that respond to changes in nutritional zinc availability or inflammation. Fine-tuning of this network becomes crucial during infections, where host nutritional immunity attempts to limit zinc availability to pathogens. However, accumulating evidence demonstrates that pathogens have evolved mechanisms to subvert host-mediated zinc withholding, and these metal homeostasis systems are important for survival within the host. We discuss here the mechanisms of vertebrate and bacterial zinc homeostasis and mobilization, as well as recent developments in our understanding of microbial zinc acquisition.

Yersiniabactin-Producing Adherent/Invasive Escherichia coli Promotes Inflammation-Associated Fibrosis in Gnotobiotic Il10-/- Mice

Fibrosis is a significant complication of intestinal disorders associated with microbial dysbiosis and pathobiont expansion, notably Crohn’s disease (CD). Mechanisms that favor fibrosis are not well understood, and therapeutic strategies are limited. Here we demonstrate that colitis-susceptible Il10-deficient mice develop inflammation-associated fibrosis when monoassociated with adherent/invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) that harbors the yersiniabactin (Ybt) pathogenicity island.

Fibrosis is a significant complication of intestinal disorders associated with microbial dysbiosis and pathobiont expansion, notably Crohn’s disease (CD). Mechanisms that favor fibrosis are not well understood, and therapeutic strategies are limited. Here we demonstrate that colitis-susceptible Il10-deficient mice develop inflammation-associated fibrosis when monoassociated with adherent/invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) that harbors the yersiniabactin (Ybt) pathogenicity island. Inactivation of Ybt siderophore production in AIEC nearly abrogated fibrosis development in inflamed mice. In contrast, inactivation of Ybt import through its cognate receptor FyuA enhanced fibrosis severity. This corresponded with increased colonic expression of profibrogenic genes prior to the development of histological disease, therefore suggesting causality. fyuA-deficient AIEC also exhibited greater localization within subepithelial tissues and fibrotic lesions that was dependent on Ybt biosynthesis and corresponded with increased fibroblast activation in vitro. Together, these findings suggest that Ybt establishes a profibrotic environment in the host in the absence of binding to its cognate receptor and indicate a direct link between intestinal AIEC and the induction of inflammation-associated fibrosis.

Identification of zinc and Zur-regulated genes in Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of diphtheria, a severe disease of the upper respiratory tract of humans. Factors required for C. diphtheriae to survive in the human host are not well defined, but likely include the acquisition of essential metals such as zinc. In C. diphtheriae, zinc-responsive global gene regulation is controlled by the Zinc Uptake Regulator (Zur), a member of the Fur-family of transcriptional regulators. In this study, we use transcriptomics to identify zinc-regulated genes in C. diphtheriae by comparing gene expression of a wild-type strain grown without and with zinc supplementation. Zur-regulated genes were identified by comparing wild-type gene expression with that of an isogenic zur mutant. We observed zinc repression of several putative surface proteins, the heme efflux system hrtBA, various ABC transporters, and the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase/polyketide synthase cluster sidAB. Furthermore, increased gene expression in response to zinc was observed for the alcohol dehydrogenase, adhA. Zinc and Zur regulation were confirmed for several genes by complementing the zur deletion and subsequent RT-qPCR analysis. We used MEME to predict Zur binding sites within the promoter regions of zinc- and Zur-regulated genes, and verified Zur binding by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Additionally, we characterized cztA (dip1101), which encodes a putative cobalt/zinc/cadmium efflux family protein. Deletion of cztA results in increased sensitivity to zinc, but not to cobalt or cadmium. This study advances our knowledge of changes to Zur-dependent global gene expression in response to zinc in C. diphtheriae. The identification of zinc-regulated ABC transporters herein will facilitate future studies to characterize zinc transport in C. diphtheriae.

Yersinia pestis and plague: an updated view on evolution, virulence determinants, immune subversion, vaccination, and diagnostics

Plague is a vector-borne disease caused by Yersinia pestis. Transmitted by fleas from rodent reservoirs, Y. pestis emerged <6000 years ago from an enteric bacterial ancestor through events of gene gain and genome reduction. It is a highly remarkable model for the understanding of pathogenic bacteria evolution, and a major concern for public health as highlighted by recent human outbreaks. A complex set of virulence determinants, including the Yersinia outer-membrane proteins (Yops), the broad-range protease Pla, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and iron capture systems play critical roles in the molecular strategies that Y. pestis employs to subvert the human immune system, allowing unrestricted bacterial replication in lymph nodes (bubonic plague) and in lungs (pneumonic plague). Some of these immunogenic proteins as well as the capsular antigen F1 are exploited for diagnostic purposes, which are critical in the context of the rapid onset of death in the absence of antibiotic treatment (less than a week for bubonic plague and <48 h for pneumonic plague). Here, we review recent research advances on Y. pestis evolution, virulence factor function, bacterial strategies to subvert mammalian innate immune responses, vaccination, and problems associated with pneumonic plague diagnosis.

Chelating Mechanisms of Transition Metals by Bacterial Metallophores “Pseudopaline and Staphylopine”: A Quantum Chemical Assessment

In bacterial pathology, metallophores fabricated by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are exported to surrounding physiological media via a specific process to sequester and import metals, resulting in enhanced virulence of the bacteria. While these mechanisms are understood at qualitative levels, our investigation presents a complementary original view based on quantum chemical computations. Further understanding of the active centers in particular was provided for pseudopaline and staphylopine metallophores, which were described chemically and with vibration spectroscopy. Then, for complexes formed with a range of transition metal divalent ions (Ni, Cu, and Zn), description and analyses of the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) are provided, highlighting a mechanism of metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), based on excited-states calculations (time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)) at the basis of the delivery of the metallic ionic species to the bacterial medium, leading eventually to its enhanced virulence. Such investigation gains importance especially in view of stepwise syntheses of metallophores in the laboratory, providing significant progress in the understanding of mechanisms underlying the enhancement of bacterial pathologies.

Two ABC Transporters and a Periplasmic Metallochaperone Participate in Zinc Acquisition in Paracoccus denitrificans

Bacteria must acquire the essential element zinc from extremely limited environments, and this function is performed largely by ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. These systems rely on a periplasmic or extracellular solute binding protein (SBP) to bind zinc specifically with a high affinity and deliver it to the membrane permease for import into the cytoplasm. However, zinc acquisition systems in bacteria may be more complex, involving multiple transporters and other periplasmic or extracellular zinc binding proteins. Here we describe the zinc acquisition functions of two zinc SBPs (ZnuA and AztC) and a novel periplasmic metallochaperone (AztD) in Paracoccus denitrificans. ZnuA was characterized in vitro and demonstrated to bind as many as 5 zinc ions with a high affinity. It does not interact with AztD, in contrast to what has been demonstrated for AztC, which is able to acquire a single zinc ion through associative transfer from AztD. Deletions of the corresponding genes singly and in combination show that either AztC or ZnuA is sufficient and essential for robust growth in zinc-limited media. Although AztD cannot support transport of zinc into the cytoplasm, it likely functions to store zinc in the periplasm for transfer through the AztABCD system.

Virulence gene profiles and molecular genetic characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from a hospital in western China

Background

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is one of the most important etiological agents of diarrheal diseases. In this study we investigated the prevalence, virulence gene profiles, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular genetic characteristics of DEC at a hospital in western China.

Methods

A total of 110 Escherichia coli clinical isolates were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from 2015 to 2016. Microbiological methods, PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility test, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing were used in this study.

Results

Molecular analysis of six DEC pathotype marker genes showed that 13 of the 110 E. coli isolates (11.82%) were DEC including nine (8.18%) diffusely adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC) and four (3.64%) enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). The adherence genes fimC and fimH were present in all DAEC and EAEC isolates. All nine DAEC isolates harbored the virulence genes fyuA and irp2 and four (44.44%) also carried the hlyA and sat genes. The virulence genes fyuA, irp2, cnf1, hlyA, and sat were found in 100%, 100%, 75%, 50%, and 50% of EAEC isolates, respectively. In addition, all DEC isolates were multidrug resistant and had high frequencies of antimicrobial resistance. Molecular genetic characterization showed that the 13 DEC isolates were divided into 11 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and 10 sequence types.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first report of DEC, including DAEC and EAEC, in western China. Our analyses identified the virulence genes present in E. coli from a hospital indicating their role in the isolated DEC strains’ pathogenesis. At the same time, the analyses revealed, the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the DEC isolates. Thus, DAEC and EAEC among the DEC strains should be considered a significant risk to humans in western China due to their evolved pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance pattern.