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Dai Y, Zhou Z, Yu W, Ma Y, Kim K, Rivera N, Mohammed J, Lantelme E, Hsu-Kim H, Chilkoti A, You L. Biomolecular condensates regulate cellular electrochemical equilibria. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00909-7. [PMID: 39260373 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Control of the electrochemical environment in living cells is typically attributed to ion channels. Here, we show that the formation of biomolecular condensates can modulate the electrochemical environment in bacterial cells, which affects cellular processes globally. Condensate formation generates an electric potential gradient, which directly affects the electrochemical properties of a cell, including cytoplasmic pH and membrane potential. Condensate formation also amplifies cell-cell variability of their electrochemical properties due to passive environmental effect. The modulation of the electrochemical equilibria further controls cell-environment interactions, thus directly influencing bacterial survival under antibiotic stress. The condensate-mediated shift in intracellular electrochemical equilibria drives a change of the global gene expression profile. Our work reveals the biochemical functions of condensates, which extend beyond the functions of biomolecules driving and participating in condensate formation, and uncovers a role of condensates in regulating global cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Zhengqing Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Wen Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Yuefeng Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Kyeri Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Nelson Rivera
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Javid Mohammed
- Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Erica Lantelme
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ashutosh Chilkoti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| | - Lingchong You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA; Center for Quantitative Biodesign, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Iyer A, Frallicciardi J, le Paige UBA, Narasimhan S, Luo Y, Sieiro PA, Syga L, van den Brekel F, Tran BM, Tjioe R, Schuurman-Wolters G, Stuart MCA, Baldus M, van Ingen H, Poolman B. The Structure and Function of the Bacterial Osmotically Inducible Protein Y. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168668. [PMID: 38908784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The ability to adapt to osmotically diverse and fluctuating environments is critical to the survival and resilience of bacteria that colonize the human gut and urinary tract. Environmental stress often provides cross-protection against other challenges and increases antibiotic tolerance of bacteria. Thus, it is critical to understand how E. coli and other microbes survive and adapt to stress conditions. The osmotically inducible protein Y (OsmY) is significantly upregulated in response to hypertonicity. Yet its function remains unknown for decades. We determined the solution structure and dynamics of OsmY by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which revealed that the two Bacterial OsmY and Nodulation (BON) domains of the protein are flexibly linked under low- and high-salinity conditions. In-cell solid-state NMR further indicates that there are no gross structural changes in OsmY as a function of osmotic stress. Using cryo-electron and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, we show that OsmY attenuates plasmolysis-induced structural changes in E. coli and improves the time to growth resumption after osmotic upshift. Structure-guided mutational and functional studies demonstrate that exposed hydrophobic residues in the BON1 domain are critical for the function of OsmY. We find no evidence for membrane interaction of the BON domains of OsmY, contrary to current assumptions. Instead, at high ionic strength, we observe an interaction with the water channel, AqpZ. Thus, OsmY does not play a simple structural role in E. coli but may influence a cascade of osmoregulatory functions of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Iyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jacopo Frallicciardi
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ulric B A le Paige
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Siddarth Narasimhan
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yanzhang Luo
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patricia Alvarez Sieiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lukasz Syga
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Floris van den Brekel
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Buu Minh Tran
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rendy Tjioe
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gea Schuurman-Wolters
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marc C A Stuart
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hugo van Ingen
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Bert Poolman
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Thompson MEH, Raizada MN. The Microbiome of Fertilization-Stage Maize Silks (Style) Encodes Genes and Expresses Traits That Potentially Promote Survival in Pollen/Style Niches and Host Reproduction. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1473. [PMID: 39065240 PMCID: PMC11278993 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Within flowers, the style channel receives pollen and transmits male gametes inside elongating pollen tubes to ovules. The styles of maize/corn are called silks. Fertilization-stage silks possess complex microbiomes, which may partially derive from pollen. These microbiomes lack functional analysis. We hypothesize that fertilization-stage silk microbiomes promote host fertilization to ensure their own vertical transmission. We further hypothesize that these microbes encode traits to survive stresses within the silk (water/nitrogen limitation) and pollen (dehydration/aluminum) habitats. Here, bacteria cultured from fertilization-stage silks of 14 North American maize genotypes underwent genome mining and functional testing, which revealed osmoprotection, nitrogen-fixation, and aluminum-tolerance traits. Bacteria contained auxin biosynthesis genes, and testing confirmed indole compound secretion, which is relevant, since pollen delivers auxin to silks to stimulate egg cell maturation. Some isolates encoded biosynthetic/transport compounds known to regulate pollen tube guidance/growth. The isolates encoded ACC deaminase, which degrades the precursor for ethylene that otherwise accelerates silk senescence. The findings suggest that members of the microbiome of fertilization-stage silks encode adaptations to survive the stress conditions of silk/pollen and have the potential to express signaling compounds known to impact reproduction. Overall, whereas these microbial traits have traditionally been assumed to primarily promote vegetative plant growth, this study proposes they may also play selfish roles during host reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manish N. Raizada
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
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Ramsey K, Britt M, Maramba J, Ushijima B, Moller E, Anishkin A, Häse C, Sukharev S. The dynamic hypoosmotic response of Vibrio cholerae relies on the mechanosensitive channel MscS. iScience 2024; 27:110001. [PMID: 38868203 PMCID: PMC11167432 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae adapts to osmotic down-shifts by releasing metabolites through two mechanosensitive (MS) channels, low-threshold MscS and high-threshold MscL. To investigate each channel's contribution to the osmotic response, we generated ΔmscS, ΔmscL, and double ΔmscL ΔmscS mutants in V. cholerae O395. We characterized their tension-dependent activation in patch-clamp, and the millisecond-scale osmolyte release kinetics using a stopped-flow light scattering technique. We additionally generated numerical models describing osmolyte and water fluxes. We illustrate the sequence of events and define the parameters that characterize discrete phases of the osmotic response. Survival is correlated to the extent of cell swelling, the rate of osmolyte release, and the completeness of post-shock membrane resealing. Not only do the two channels interact functionally, but there is also an up-regulation of MscS in the ΔmscL strain, suggesting transcriptional crosstalk. The data reveal the role of MscS in the termination of the osmotic permeability response in V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Ramsey
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Madolyn Britt
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Maramba
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Blake Ushijima
- Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - Elissa Moller
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Andriy Anishkin
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Häse
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Sergei Sukharev
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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5
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Jonca J, Pirhonen M, Waleron MM, Gawor J, Mrozik A, Smoktunowicz M, Waleron K, Waleron M. Comprehensive phenomic and genomic studies of the species, Pectobacterium cacticida and proposal for reclassification as Alcorniella cacticida comb. nov. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1323790. [PMID: 38332771 PMCID: PMC10850344 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1323790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Pectobacterium cacticida was identified as the causative agent of soft rot disease in cacti. Due to a high potential of spread in the face of global warming, the species poses a significant threat to horticultural and crop industry. The aim of this study was to revise the genomic, physiology and virulence characteristics of P. cacticida and update its phylogenetic position within the Pectobacterium genus. Methods Whole genome sequences of five P. cacticida strains were obtained and subjected to comprehensive genomic and phylogenomic data analyses. We assessed the presence of virulence determinants and genes associated with host and environmental adaptation. Lipidomic analysis, as well as biochemical and phenotypic assays were performed to correlate genomic findings. Results Phylogenomic analysis revealed that P. cacticida forms a distinct lineage within the Pectobacterium genus. Genomic evaluation uncovered 516 unique proteins, most of which were involved in cellular metabolism. They included genes of carbohydrate metabolism and transport and ABC transporters. The main differing characteristics from other Pectobacterium species were the lack of a myo-inositol degradation pathway and the presence of the malonate decarboxylase gene. All tested strains were pathogenic towards Opuntia spp., chicory, Chinese cabbage, and potato, but exhibited only mild pathogenicity towards carrot. Discussion This study sheds light into the genomic characteristics of P. cacticida and highlights the pathogenic potential of the species. Unique genes found in P. cacticida genomes possibly enhance the species' survival and virulence. Based on phylogenomic analyses, we propose the reclassification of P. cacticida to a new genus, Alcorniella comb. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Jonca
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Minna Pirhonen
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michal Mateusz Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jan Gawor
- DNA Sequencing & Synthesis Facility, Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Mrozik
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Waleron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Satari L, Iglesias A, Porcar M. The Microbiome of Things: Appliances, Machines, and Devices Hosting Artificial Niche-Adapted Microbial Communities. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1507. [PMID: 37375009 PMCID: PMC10304627 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As it is the case with natural substrates, artificial surfaces of man-made devices are home to a myriad of microbial species. Artificial products are not necessarily characterized by human-associated microbiomes; instead, they can present original microbial populations shaped by specific environmental-often extreme-selection pressures. This review provides a detailed insight into the microbial ecology of a range of artificial devices, machines, and appliances, which we argue are specific microbial niches that do not necessarily fit in the "build environment" microbiome definition. Instead, we propose here the Microbiome of Things (MoT) concept analogous to the Internet of Things (IoT) because we believe it may be useful to shed light on human-made, but not necessarily human-related, unexplored microbial niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Satari
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Alba Iglesias
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Manuel Porcar
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain
- Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence SL., Parc Científic, Universitat de València, 46980 Paterna, Spain
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Ozturk TN, Coumoundouros C, Culham DE, Wood JM. Structural Determinants and Functional Significance of Dimerization for Osmosensing Transporter ProP in Escherichia coli. Biochemistry 2023; 62:118-133. [PMID: 36516499 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Osmosensing transporter ProP forestalls cellular dehydration by detecting environments with high osmotic pressure and mediating the accumulation of organic osmolytes by bacterial cells. It is composed of 12 transmembrane helices with cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. In Escherichia coli, dimers form when the C-terminal domains of ProP molecules form homodimeric, antiparallel, α-helical coiled coils. No dominant negative effect was detected when inactive and active ProP molecules formed heterodimers in vivo. Purification of ProP in detergent dodecylmaltoside yielded monomers, which were functional after reconstitution in proteoliposomes. With other evidence, this suggests that ProP monomers function independently whether in the monomeric or dimeric state. Amino acid replacements that disrupted or reversed the coiled coil did not prevent in vivo dimerization of ProP detected with a bacterial two-hybrid system. Maleimide labeling detected no osmolality-dependent variation in the reactivities of cysteine residues introduced to transmembrane helix (TM) XII. In contrast, coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations detected deformation of the lipid around TMs III and VI, on the lipid-exposed protein surface opposite to TM XII. This suggests that the dimer interface of ProP includes the surfaces of TMs III and VI, not of TM XII as previously suggested by crosslinking data. Homology modeling suggested that coiled-coil formation and dimerization via such an interface are not mutually exclusive. In previous work, alterations to the C-terminal coiled coil blocked co-localization of ProP with phospholipid cardiolipin at E. coli cell poles. Thus, dimerization may contribute to ProP targeting, adjust its lipid environment, and hence indirectly modify its osmotic stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugba N Ozturk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri63110, United States.,Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland20814, United States
| | - Chelsea Coumoundouros
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2 W1
| | - Doreen E Culham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2 W1
| | - Janet M Wood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2 W1
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Shleeva MO, Kaprelyants AS. Hypobiosis of Mycobacteria: Biochemical Aspects. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S52-S74. [PMID: 37069114 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Under suboptimal growth conditions, bacteria can transit to the dormant forms characterized by a significantly reduced metabolic activity, resistance to various stress factors, and absence of cell proliferation. Traditionally, the dormant state is associated with the formation of highly differentiated cysts and spores. However, non-spore-forming bacteria can transfer to the dormant-like hypobiotic state with the generation of less differentiated cyst-like forms (which are different from spores). This review focuses on morphological and biochemical changes occurred during formation of dormant forms of mycobacteria in particular pathogenic M. tuberculosis (Mtb) caused latent forms of tuberculosis. These forms are characterized by the low metabolic activity, the absence of cell division, resistance to some antibiotics, marked morphological changes, and loss of ability to grow on standard solid media ("non-culturable" state). Being produced in vitro, dormant Mtb retained ability to maintain latent infection in mice. After a long period of dormancy, mycobacteria retain a number of stable proteins with a potential enzymatic activity which could participate in maintaining of low-level metabolic activity in period of dormancy. Indeed, the metabolomic analysis showed significant levels of metabolites in the dormant cells even after a long period of dormancy, which may be indicative of residual metabolism in dormant mycobacteria. Special role may play intracellularly accumulated trehalose in dormant mycobacteria. Trehalose appears to stabilize dormant cells, as evidenced by the direct correlation between the trehalose content and cell viability during the long-term dormancy. In addition, trehalose can be considered as a reserve energy substrate consumed during reactivation of dormant mycobacteria due to the ATP-dependent conversion of trehalase from the latent to the active state. Another feature of dormant mycobacteria is a high representation of proteins participating in the enzymatic defense against stress factors and of low-molecular-weight compounds protecting cells in the absence of replication. Dormant mycobacteria contain a large number of hydrolyzing enzymes, which, on the one hand, ensure inactivation of biomolecules damaged by stress. On the other hand, the products of these enzymatic reactions can be used for the maintenance of energy state and vital activity of bacterial cells during their long-term survival in the dormant state, i.e., for creating a situation that we propose to refer to as the "catabolic survival". In general, dormant non-replicating mycobacterial cells can be described as morphologically altered forms that contain principal macromolecules and are stabilized and protected from the damaging factors by an arsenal of proteins and low-molecular-weight compounds. Because of the presumable occurrence of metabolic reactions in such cells, this form of survival should be referred to as hypobiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita O Shleeva
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
| | - Arseny S Kaprelyants
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
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Genomic Analysis Reveals Adaptation of Vibrio campbellii to the Hadal Ocean. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0057522. [PMID: 35916502 PMCID: PMC9397096 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00575-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Vibrio is characterized by high metabolic flexibility and genome plasticity and is widely distributed in the ocean from euphotic layers to deep-sea environments. The relationship between genome features and environmental adaptation strategies of Vibrio has been extensively investigated in coastal environments, yet very little is known about their survival strategies in oligotrophic deep-sea. In this study, we compared genomes of five Vibrio campbellii strains isolated from the Mariana and Yap Trenches at different water depths, including two epipelagic strains and three hadopelagic strains, to identify genomic characteristics that facilitate survival in the deep sea. Genome streamlining is found in pelagic strains, such as smaller genome sizes, lower G+C contents, and higher gene densities, which might be caused by long-term residence in an oligotrophic environment. Phylogenetic results showed that these five Vibrio strains are clustered into two clades according to their collection depth. Indeed, hadopelagic isolates harbor more genes involved in amino acid metabolism and transport, cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism through comparative genomics analysis. Specific macrolide export gene and more tellurite resistance genes present in hadopelagic strains by the annotation of antibiotic and metal resistance genes. In addition, several genes related to substrate degradation are enriched in hadopelagic strains, such as chitinase genes, neopullulanase genes, and biopolymer transporter genes. In contrast, epipelagic strains are unique in their capacity for assimilatory nitrate reduction. The genomic characteristics investigated here provide insights into how Vibrio adapts to the deep-sea environment through genomic evolution. IMPORTANCE With the development of deep-sea sampling technology, an increasing number of deep-sea Vibrio strains have been isolated, but the adaptation mechanism of these eutrophic Vibrio strains to the deep-sea environment is unclear. Here, our results show that the genome of pelagic Vibrio is streamlined to adapt to a long-term oligotrophic environment. Through a phylogenomic analysis, we find that genomic changes in marine Vibrio campbellii strains are related to water depth. Our data suggest that an increase in genes related to antibiotic resistance, degradation of macromolecular and refractory substrates, and utilization of rare ions is related to the adaptation of V. campbellii strains to adapt to hadal environments, and most of the increased genes were acquired by horizontal gene transfer. These findings may deepen our understanding of adaptation strategies of marine bacteria to the extreme environment in hadal zones.
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Wang H, Huang T, Liu K, Yu J, Yao G, Zhang W, Zhang H, Sun T. Protective effects of whey protein hydrolysate on Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Probio-M8 during freeze-drying and storage. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:7308-7321. [PMID: 35931487 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the potential of whey protein hydrolysate as a lyoprotectant for maintaining the cell viability of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Probio-M8 during freeze-drying and subsequent storage. The moisture content and water activity of the lyophilized samples treated by different concentrations of whey protein hydrolysate were ≤5.23 ± 0.33 g/100 g and ≤0.102 ± 0.003, respectively. During storage at 25°C and 30°C, whey protein hydrolysate had a stronger protective effect on B. lactis Probio-M8 than the same concentration of whey protein. Using the Excel tool GinaFit, we estimated the microbial inactivation kinetics during storage. Whey protein hydrolysate reduced cell damage caused by an increase in temperature. Whey protein hydrolysate could protect cells by increasing the osmotic pressure as a compatible solute. Whey protein hydrolysate improved cell membrane integrity and reduced the amounts of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde produced. The findings indicated that whey protein hydrolysate was a novel antioxidant lyoprotectant that could protect probiotics during freeze-drying and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Tian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Kailong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Guoqiang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Heping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Tiansong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
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The Wsp system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa links surface sensing and cell envelope stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117633119. [PMID: 35476526 PMCID: PMC9170161 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117633119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceBacteria must respond quickly to environmental changes to survive. One way bacteria can respond to environmental stress is by undergoing a lifestyle transition from individual, free-swimming cells to a surface-associated community called a biofilm characterized by aggregative growth. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses the Wsp chemosensory system to sense an unknown surface-associated cue. Here we show that the Wsp system senses cell envelope stress, specifically conditions that promote unfolded or misregulated periplasmic and inner membrane proteins. This work provides direct evidence that cell envelope stress is an important feature of surface sensing in P. aeruginosa.
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12
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Three Microbial Musketeers of the Seas: Shewanella baltica, Aliivibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi, and Their Adaptation to Different Salinity Probed by a Proteomic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020619. [PMID: 35054801 PMCID: PMC8775919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Osmotic changes are common challenges for marine microorganisms. Bacteria have developed numerous ways of dealing with this stress, including reprogramming of global cellular processes. However, specific molecular adaptation mechanisms to osmotic stress have mainly been investigated in terrestrial model bacteria. In this work, we aimed to elucidate the basis of adjustment to prolonged salinity challenges at the proteome level in marine bacteria. The objects of our studies were three representatives of bacteria inhabiting various marine environments, Shewanella baltica, Vibrio harveyi and Aliivibrio fischeri. The proteomic studies were performed with bacteria cultivated in increased and decreased salinity, followed by proteolytic digestion of samples which were then subjected to liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We show that bacteria adjust at all levels of their biological processes, from DNA topology through gene expression regulation and proteasome assembly, to transport and cellular metabolism. The finding that many similar adaptation strategies were observed for both low- and high-salinity conditions is particularly striking. The results show that adaptation to salinity challenge involves the accumulation of DNA-binding proteins and increased polyamine uptake. We hypothesize that their function is to coat and protect the nucleoid to counteract adverse changes in DNA topology due to ionic shifts.
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Nishiyama R, Ojima T, Ohnishi Y, Kumaki Y, Aizawa T, Inoue A. An oxidative metabolic pathway of 4-deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEHU) from alginate in an alginate-assimilating bacterium. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1254. [PMID: 34728789 PMCID: PMC8563752 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alginate-assimilating bacteria degrade alginate into an unsaturated monosaccharide, which is converted into 4-deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEHU). DEHU is reduced to 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconate by a DEHU-specific reductase using NAD(P)H. This is followed by pyruvate production via the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Previously, we identified FlRed as a DEHU reductase in an alginate-assimilating bacterium, Flavobacterium sp. strain UMI-01. Here, we showed that FlRed can also catalyze the oxidation of DEHU with NAD+, producing 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glucarate (KDGR). FlRed showed a predilection for NADH and NAD+ over NADPH and NADP+, respectively, and the Km value for NADH was approximately 2.6-fold less than that for NAD+. Furthermore, we identified two key enzymes, FlDet and FlDeg, for KDGR catabolism. FlDet was identified as an enzyme of the ribonuclease activity regulator A family, which converts KDGR to α-ketoglutaric semialdehyde (α-KGSA). FlDeg, a type II α-KGSA dehydrogenase, generated α-ketoglutaric acid by oxidizing the aldehyde group of α-KGSA using NAD(P)+. Consequently, unlike the conventional DEHU reduction pathway, DEHU can be directly converted to α-ketoglutaric acid without consuming NAD(P)H. Alginate upregulated the expression of not only FlRed and two enzymes of the DEHU-reduction pathway, but also FlDet and FlDeg. These results revealed dual pathways of DEHU metabolism involving reduction or oxidation by FlRed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Nishiyama
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido Japan
| | - Takao Ojima
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido Japan
| | - Yuki Ohnishi
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kumaki
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Aizawa
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan
| | - Akira Inoue
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido Japan
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14
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Nam Y, Goo E, Kang Y, Hwang I. Membrane Depolarization and Apoptosis-Like Cell Death in an Alkaline Environment in the Rice Pathogen Burkholderia glumae. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:755596. [PMID: 34712216 PMCID: PMC8546246 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.755596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae uses amino acids as a principal carbon source and thus produces ammonia in amino acid-rich culture medium such as Luria-Bertani (LB) broth. To counteract ammonia-mediated environmental alkaline toxicity, the bacterium produces a public good, oxalate, in a quorum sensing (QS)-dependent manner. QS mutants of B. glumae experience alkaline toxicity and may undergo cell death at the stationary phase when grown in LB medium. Here, we show that the cell-death processes of QS mutants due to alkaline environmental conditions are similar to the apoptosis-like cell death reported in other bacteria. Staining QS mutants with bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)-trimethine oxonol revealed membrane depolarization. CellROX™ staining showed excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in QS mutants. The expression of genes encoding HNH endonuclease (BGLU_1G15690), oligoribonuclease (BGLU_1G09120), ribonuclease E (BGLU_1G09400), and Hu-beta (BGLU_1G13530) was significantly elevated in QS mutants compared to that in wild-type BGR1, consistent with the degradation of cellular materials as observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A homeostatic neutral pH was not attainable by QS mutants grown in LB broth or by wild-type BGR1 grown in an artificially amended alkaline environment. At an artificially adjusted alkaline pH, wild-type BGR1 underwent apoptosis-like cell death similar to that observed in QS mutants. These results show that environmental alkaline stress interferes with homeostatic neutral cellular pH, induces membrane depolarization, and causes apoptosis-like cell death in B. glumae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewon Nam
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunhye Goo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yongsung Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ingyu Hwang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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15
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Akella R, Humphreys JM, Sekulski K, He H, Durbacz M, Chakravarthy S, Liwocha J, Mohammed ZJ, Brautigam CA, Goldsmith EJ. Osmosensing by WNK Kinases. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:1614-1623. [PMID: 33689398 PMCID: PMC8684725 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-01-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With No Lysine (K) WNK kinases regulate electro-neutral cotransporters that are controlled by osmotic stress and chloride. We showed previously that autophosphorylation of WNK1 is inhibited by chloride, raising the possibility that WNKs are activated by osmotic stress. Here we demonstrate that unphosphorylated WNK isoforms 3 and 1 autophosphorylate in response to osmotic pressure in vitro, applied with the crowding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG)400 or osmolyte ethylene glycol (EG), and that this activation is opposed by chloride. Small angle x-ray scattering of WNK3 in the presence and absence of PEG400, static light scattering in EG, and crystallography of WNK1 were used to understand the mechanism. Osmosensing in WNK3 and WNK1 appears to occur through a conformational equilibrium between an inactive, unphosphorylated, chloride-binding dimer and an autophosphorylation-competent monomer. An improved structure of the inactive kinase domain of WNK1, and a comparison with the structure of a monophosphorylated form of WNK1, suggests that large cavities, greater hydration, and specific bound water may participate in the osmosensing mechanism. Our prior work showed that osmolytes have effects on the structure of phosphorylated WNK1, suggestive of multiple stages of osmotic regulation in WNKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radha Akella
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - John M. Humphreys
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Kamil Sekulski
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Haixia He
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Mateusz Durbacz
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Srinivas Chakravarthy
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, & Physical Sciences, APS/Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne, IL 60439
| | - Joanna Liwocha
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Chad A. Brautigam
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Elizabeth J. Goldsmith
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
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16
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Alhadlaq MA, Green J, Kudhair BK. Analysis of Kytococcus sedentarius Strain Isolated from a Dehumidifier Operating in a University Lecture Theatre: Systems for Aerobic Respiration, Resisting Osmotic Stress, and Sensing Nitric Oxide. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:135-145. [PMID: 33730718 DOI: 10.1159/000512751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A strain of Kytococcus sedentarius was isolated from a dehumidifier operating in a university lecture theatre. Genome analysis and phenotypic characterisation showed that this strain, K. sedentarius MBB13, was a moderately halotolerant aerobe with a branched aerobic electron transport chain and genes that could contribute to erythromycin resistance. The major compatible solute was glycine betaine, with ectoine and proline being deployed at higher osmolarities. Actinobacteria possess multiple WhiB-like (Wbl) regulatory proteins, and K. sedentarius MBB13 has four (WhiB1, WhiB2, WhiB3, and WhiB7). Wbls are iron-sulfur proteins that regulate gene expression through interactions with RNA polymerase sigma factors and/or other regulatory proteins. Bacterial two-hybrid analyses suggested that WhiB1 and WhiB2, but not WhiB3 and WhiB7, interact with the C-terminal domain of the major sigma factor, σA; no interaction was detected between any of the Wbl proteins and the only alternative sigma factors, σB, σH, or σJ. The interaction between σA and WhiB1 or WhiB2 was disrupted in a heterologous system under growth conditions that produce nitric oxide and the iron-sulfur clusters of the isolated WhiB1 and WhiB2 proteins reacted with nitric oxide. Thus, K. sedentarius strain exhibits the major phenotypic characteristics of the type strain and a comprehensive examination of the interactions between its four Wbl proteins and four sigma factors suggested that the Wbl proteins all operate through interaction with σA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshari Ahmed Alhadlaq
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, .,Research and Laboratories Sector, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
| | - Jeffrey Green
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bassam K Kudhair
- Department of Laboratory Investigations, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
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17
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Wlodarski M, Mancini L, Raciti B, Sclavi B, Lagomarsino MC, Cicuta P. Cytosolic Crowding Drives the Dynamics of Both Genome and Cytosol in Escherichia coli Challenged with Sub-lethal Antibiotic Treatments. iScience 2020; 23:101560. [PMID: 33083729 PMCID: PMC7522891 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to their molecular mode of action, the system-level effect of antibiotics on cells is only beginning to be quantified. Molecular crowding is expected to be a relevant global regulator, which we explore here through the dynamic response phenotypes in Escherichia coli, at single-cell resolution, under sub-lethal regimes of different classes of clinically relevant antibiotics, acting at very different levels in the cell. We measure chromosomal mobility through tracking of fast (<15 s timescale) fluctuations of fluorescently tagged chromosomal loci, and we probe the fluidity of the cytoplasm by tracking cytosolic aggregates. Measuring cellular density, we show how the overall levels of macromolecular crowding affect both quantities, regardless of antibiotic-specific effects. The dominant trend is a strong correlation between the effects in different parts of the chromosome and between the chromosome and cytosol, supporting the concept of an overall global role of molecular crowding in cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Wlodarski
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Dipartimento di Fisica and I.N.F.N., Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mancini
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bianca Raciti
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bianca Sclavi
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (UMR 8113 CNRS), École Normale Supérieure, Paris-Saclay, France
| | | | - Pietro Cicuta
- IFOM Foundation FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan 20139, Italy
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18
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Ikeda T, Shinagawa T, Ito T, Ohno Y, Kubo A, Nishi J, Gotoh Y, Ogura Y, Ooka T, Hayashi T. Hypoosmotic stress induces flagellar biosynthesis and swimming motility in Escherichia albertii. Commun Biol 2020; 3:87. [PMID: 32111956 PMCID: PMC7048735 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0816-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use flagella as propellers to move to favorable environments. Escherichia albertii, a growing cause of foodborne illness and diarrhea, is reportedly non-motile and lacks flagella on its surface. Here, we report that 27 out of 59 E. albertii strains, collected mainly from humans and birds, showed swimming motility when cultured at low osmotic pressure. The biosynthesis of flagella in E. albertii cells was induced under ambient temperature and hypoosmotic pressure: conditions which resemble aquatic environments. Flagellar induction increased E. albertii survival in the intestinal epithelial cell culture containing gentamicin. Although genes involved in chemotaxis are not present in the E. albertii genome, the addition of glutamic acid, an amino acid known to regulate the internal cell osmolarity, augmented the proportion of swimming cells by 35-fold. These results suggest that flagellar biosynthesis and motility in E. albertii cells are controlled by their internal and external osmolarity. Ikeda et al. report that enteropathogen E. albertii, thought to be a non-motile microorganism, may form flagella and acquire swimming motility in a hypoosmotic environment and ambient temperatures. Further addition of glutamic acid, an amino acid known to regulate the internal cell osmolarity, augments the proportion of swimming cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Ikeda
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita-19, Nishi-12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan.
| | - Toshie Shinagawa
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital Research Institute, 2-10-50 Tanigawa, Daito, 574-0074, Japan
| | - Takuya Ito
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita-19, Nishi-12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan
| | - Yuta Ohno
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita-19, Nishi-12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan
| | - Akiko Kubo
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita-19, Nishi-12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan
| | - Junichiro Nishi
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tadasuke Ooka
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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19
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Nikitushkin VD, Trenkamp S, Demina GR, Shleeva MO, Kaprelyants AS. Metabolic profiling of dormant Mycolicibacterium smegmatis cells' reactivation reveals a gradual assembly of metabolic processes. Metabolomics 2020; 16:24. [PMID: 32025943 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-020-1645-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Under gradual acidification of the culture medium mycobacterial cells transit into a specific state characterized by low level of metabolic activity and morphological alterations. This state of non-replicative persistence (dormancy) is directly linked to physiological drug resistance, which complicates the efforts to eradicate the latent forms of TB. In order to find new anti-latent TB compounds, the metabolic processes which may occur in the state of dormancy and during the transition into the active state (reactivation) should be characterized. OBJECTIVES In the current study we analyzed the untargeted metabolomic profiles of dormant and reactivating Mycolicibacterium smegmatis cells (a model microorganism, bearing many common physiological traits of MTB), on the global scale level, since the characterization and analysis of the metabolites' dynamics would provide a comprehensive overview on global biochemical responses of the bacteria to stress conditions. METHODS The reactivation process was tracked by measuring the value of membrane potential, applying a ratio-metric approach, by the method of flow-cytometry. The crucial timepoints were selected and the bacteria were sampled to LC-MS metabolic profiling. RESULTS Reactivation of these cells after 60 days of storage revealed that this process proceeds in two stages: (I) a period, which lasts for 10 h and is characterized by a constant CFU number, unchangeable cell size, a minuscule increase of respiratory activity and a noticeable increase in membrane potential value, indicating the onset of the first metabolic processes during this time interval; the second phase (10-26 h) is characterized by acceleration of endogenous respiration, changes in the size of the cells and it finishes with the beginning of cells division. Analysis of the changes in the relative abundances of KEGG-annotated metabolites revealed that a significant number of metabolites, such as stearic acid, glycerol, D-glucose, trehalose-6-phosphate decrease their concentrations over the reactivation time, whereas in contrast, such metabolites as dodecanoic acid, mycobactin S, and other compounds of PG/AG biosynthesis are synthesized during reactivation. Differential analysis of metabolic profiles disclosed the activation of a number of metabolic pathways at the early reactivation stage: biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid and fatty acids metabolism etc. CONCLUSION: The data obtained indicate, despite the long-term storage of dormant cells in a state of minimal metabolic activity, according to metabolic profiling, they still retained a large number of metabolites. In the process of reactivation, the incremental stochastic assembly of the complete metabolic pathways occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim D Nikitushkin
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 33, Build. 2, Moscow, Russia, 119071.
| | - Sandra Trenkamp
- Metabolomic Discoveries GmbH, Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Galina R Demina
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 33, Build. 2, Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Margarita O Shleeva
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 33, Build. 2, Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Arseny S Kaprelyants
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 33, Build. 2, Moscow, Russia, 119071
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20
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Toft-Bertelsen TL, Larsen BR, MacAulay N. Sensing and regulation of cell volume - we know so much and yet understand so little: TRPV4 as a sensor of volume changes but possibly without a volume-regulatory role? Channels (Austin) 2019; 12:100-108. [PMID: 29424275 PMCID: PMC5972811 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2018.1438009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular volume changes lead to initiation of cell volume regulatory events, the molecular identity of which remains unresolved. We here discuss experimental challenges associated with investigation of volume regulation during application of large, non-physiological osmotic gradients. The TRPV4 ion channel responds to volume increase irrespectively of the molecular mechanism underlying cell swelling, and is thus considered a sensor of volume changes. Evidence pointing towards the involvement of TRPV4 in subsequent volume regulatory mechanisms is intriguing, yet far from conclusive. We here present an experimental setting with astrocytic cell swelling in the absence of externally applied osmotic gradients, and the lack of evidence for involvement of TRPV4 in this regulatory volume response. Our aim with these new data and the preceding discussion is to stimulate further experimental effort in this area of research to clarify the role of TRPV4 and other channels and transporters in regulatory volume responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian R Larsen
- a Department of Neuroscience , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Nanna MacAulay
- a Department of Neuroscience , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
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21
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Adaptation to Adversity: the Intermingling of Stress Tolerance and Pathogenesis in Enterococci. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2019; 83:83/3/e00008-19. [PMID: 31315902 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00008-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus is a diverse and rugged genus colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of humans and numerous hosts across the animal kingdom. Enterococci are also a leading cause of multidrug-resistant hospital-acquired infections. In each of these settings, enterococci must contend with changing biophysical landscapes and innate immune responses in order to successfully colonize and transit between hosts. Therefore, it appears that the intrinsic durability that evolved to make enterococci optimally competitive in the host gastrointestinal tract also ideally positioned them to persist in hospitals, despite disinfection protocols, and acquire new antibiotic resistances from other microbes. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms and regulation employed by enterococci to tolerate diverse stressors and highlight the role of stress tolerance in the biology of this medically relevant genus.
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22
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Culham DE, Marom D, Boutin R, Garner J, Ozturk TN, Sahtout N, Tempelhagen L, Lamoureux G, Wood JM. Dual Role of the C-Terminal Domain in Osmosensing by Bacterial Osmolyte Transporter ProP. Biophys J 2018; 115:2152-2166. [PMID: 30448037 PMCID: PMC6289098 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ProP is a member of the major facilitator superfamily, a proton-osmolyte symporter, and an osmosensing transporter. ProP proteins share extended cytoplasmic carboxyl terminal domains (CTDs) implicated in osmosensing. The CTDs of the best characterized, group A ProP orthologs, terminate in sequences that form intermolecular, antiparallel α-helical coiled coils (e.g., ProPEc, from Escherichia coli). Group B orthologs lack that feature (e.g., ProPXc, from Xanthomonas campestris). ProPXc was expressed and characterized in E. coli to further elucidate the role of the coiled coil in osmosensing. The activity of ProPXc was a sigmoid function of the osmolality in cells and proteoliposomes. ProPEc and ProPXc attained similar activities at the same expression level in E. coli. ProPEc transports proline and glycine betaine with comparable high affinities at low osmolality. In contrast, proline weakly inhibited high-affinity glycine-betaine uptake via ProPXc. The KM for proline uptake via ProPEc increases dramatically with the osmolality. The KM for glycine-betaine uptake via ProPXc did not. Thus, ProPXc is an osmosensing transporter, and the C-terminal coiled coil is not essential for osmosensing. The role of CTD-membrane interaction in osmosensing was examined further. As for ProPEc, the ProPXc CTD co-sedimented with liposomes comprising E. coli phospholipid. Molecular dynamics simulations illustrated association of the monomeric ProPEc CTD with the membrane surface. Comparison with the available NMR structure for the homodimeric coiled coil formed by the ProPEc-CTD suggested that membrane association and homodimeric coiled-coil formation by that peptide are mutually exclusive. The membrane fluidity in liposomes comprising E. coli phospholipid decreased with increasing osmolality in the range relevant for ProP activation. These data support the proposal that ProP activates as cellular dehydration increases cytoplasmic cation concentration, releasing the CTD from the membrane surface. For group A orthologs, this also favors α-helical coiled-coil formation that stabilizes the transporter in an active form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen E Culham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Marom
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca Boutin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Centre for Research in Molecular Modeling, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tugba Nur Ozturk
- Centre for Research in Molecular Modeling, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Physics, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Naheda Sahtout
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Tempelhagen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guillaume Lamoureux
- Centre for Research in Molecular Modeling, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Physics, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Janet M Wood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Bontemps-Gallo S, Lawrence KA, Richards CL, Gherardini FC. Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Borrelia afzelii BO23 and Borrelia garinii CIP 103362. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199641. [PMID: 29944685 PMCID: PMC6019248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the number of Lyme disease or borreliosis cases in Eurasia has been dramatically increasing. This tick-borne disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which includes B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, the main species found in North America, and B. afzelii and B. garinii, which are primarily responsible for the disease in Eurasia. Currently, research on Lyme disease has focused mainly on B. burgdorferi while B. afzelii and B. garinii, which cause disease with distinctly different symptoms, are less studied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate B. afzelii BO23 and B. garinii CIP 103362 as model organisms to study Eurasian Lyme disease. To begin our analyses, we sequenced, annotated the chromosomes of both species and compared them to B. burgdorferi strain B31. We also assayed shuttle vector, pBSV2, for transformation efficacy and demonstrated that these strains can be cultured on solid media. In addition, we characterized how physicochemical parameters (e.g., oxygen, osmolarity, oxidative stress) affect both growth and motility of the bacteria. Finally, we describe each strain's antibiotic susceptibility and accessed their ability to infect mice. In conclusion, B. afzelii BO23 was more practical for in vitro and in vivo studies than B. garinii CIP 103362.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Bontemps-Gallo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Kevin A. Lawrence
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Crystal L. Richards
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Frank C. Gherardini
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Devaux L, Sleiman D, Mazzuoli MV, Gominet M, Lanotte P, Trieu-Cuot P, Kaminski PA, Firon A. Cyclic di-AMP regulation of osmotic homeostasis is essential in Group B Streptococcus. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007342. [PMID: 29659565 PMCID: PMC5919688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotides are universally used as secondary messengers to control cellular physiology. Among these signalling molecules, cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) is a specific bacterial second messenger recognized by host cells during infections and its synthesis is assumed to be necessary for bacterial growth by controlling a conserved and essential cellular function. In this study, we sought to identify the main c-di-AMP dependent pathway in Streptococcus agalactiae, the etiological agent of neonatal septicaemia and meningitis. By conditionally inactivating dacA, the only diadenyate cyclase gene, we confirm that c-di-AMP synthesis is essential in standard growth conditions. However, c-di-AMP synthesis becomes rapidly dispensable due to the accumulation of compensatory mutations. We identified several mutations restoring the viability of a ΔdacA mutant, in particular a loss-of-function mutation in the osmoprotectant transporter BusAB. Identification of c-di-AMP binding proteins revealed a conserved set of potassium and osmolyte transporters, as well as the BusR transcriptional factor. We showed that BusR negatively regulates busAB transcription by direct binding to the busAB promoter. Loss of BusR repression leads to a toxic busAB expression in absence of c-di-AMP if osmoprotectants, such as glycine betaine, are present in the medium. In contrast, deletion of the gdpP c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase leads to hyperosmotic susceptibility, a phenotype dependent on a functional BusR. Taken together, we demonstrate that c-di-AMP is essential for osmotic homeostasis and that the predominant mechanism is dependent on the c-di-AMP binding transcriptional factor BusR. The regulation of osmotic homeostasis is likely the conserved and essential function of c-di-AMP, but each species has evolved specific c-di-AMP mechanisms of osmoregulation to adapt to its environment. Nucleotide-based second messengers play central functions in bacterial physiology and host-pathogen interactions. Among these signalling nucleotides, cyclic-di-AMP (c-di-AMP) synthesis was originally assumed to be essential for bacterial growth. In this study, we confirmed that the only di-adenylate cyclase enzyme in the opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae is essential in standard growth conditions. However, c-di-AMP synthesis becomes rapidly dispensable by accumulating spontaneous mutations in genes involved in osmotic regulation. We identified that c-di-AMP binds directly to four proteins necessary to maintain osmotic homeostasis, including three osmolyte transporters and the BusR transcriptional factor. We demonstrated that BusR negatively controls the expression of the busAB operon and that it is the main component leading to growth inhibition in the absence of c-di-AMP synthesis if osmoprotectants are present in the environment. Overall, c-di-AMP is essential to maintain osmotic homeostasis by coordinating osmolyte uptake and thus bacteria have developed specific mechanisms to keep c-di-AMP as the central regulator of osmotic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Devaux
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Dona Sleiman
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
| | - Maria-Vittoria Mazzuoli
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Myriam Gominet
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lanotte
- Université de Tours, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Bactéries et Risque Materno-Fœtal, INRA UMR1282, Tours France
- Hôpital Bretonneau, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Tours, Service de Bactériologie-Virologie, Tours France
| | - Patrick Trieu-Cuot
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Alexandre Kaminski
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Firon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, CNRS ERL 6002, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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25
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Czech L, Hermann L, Stöveken N, Richter AA, Höppner A, Smits SHJ, Heider J, Bremer E. Role of the Extremolytes Ectoine and Hydroxyectoine as Stress Protectants and Nutrients: Genetics, Phylogenomics, Biochemistry, and Structural Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9040177. [PMID: 29565833 PMCID: PMC5924519 DOI: 10.3390/genes9040177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluctuations in environmental osmolarity are ubiquitous stress factors in many natural habitats of microorganisms, as they inevitably trigger osmotically instigated fluxes of water across the semi-permeable cytoplasmic membrane. Under hyperosmotic conditions, many microorganisms fend off the detrimental effects of water efflux and the ensuing dehydration of the cytoplasm and drop in turgor through the accumulation of a restricted class of organic osmolytes, the compatible solutes. Ectoine and its derivative 5-hydroxyectoine are prominent members of these compounds and are synthesized widely by members of the Bacteria and a few Archaea and Eukarya in response to high salinity/osmolarity and/or growth temperature extremes. Ectoines have excellent function-preserving properties, attributes that have led to their description as chemical chaperones and fostered the development of an industrial-scale biotechnological production process for their exploitation in biotechnology, skin care, and medicine. We review, here, the current knowledge on the biochemistry of the ectoine/hydroxyectoine biosynthetic enzymes and the available crystal structures of some of them, explore the genetics of the underlying biosynthetic genes and their transcriptional regulation, and present an extensive phylogenomic analysis of the ectoine/hydroxyectoine biosynthetic genes. In addition, we address the biochemistry, phylogenomics, and genetic regulation for the alternative use of ectoines as nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Czech
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Lucas Hermann
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Nadine Stöveken
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
- LOEWE-Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Str. 6, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Alexandra A Richter
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Astrid Höppner
- Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitäts Str. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Sander H J Smits
- Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitäts Str. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitäts Str. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Johann Heider
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
- LOEWE-Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Str. 6, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Erhard Bremer
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
- LOEWE-Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Str. 6, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
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26
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27
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Pohorille A, Wilson MA, Shannon G. Flexible Proteins at the Origin of Life. Life (Basel) 2017; 7:E23. [PMID: 28587235 PMCID: PMC5492145 DOI: 10.3390/life7020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all modern proteins possess well-defined, relatively rigid scaffolds that provide structural preorganization for desired functions. Such scaffolds require the sufficient length of a polypeptide chain and extensive evolutionary optimization. How ancestral proteins attained functionality, even though they were most likely markedly smaller than their contemporary descendants, remains a major, unresolved question in the origin of life. On the basis of evidence from experiments and computer simulations, we argue that at least some of the earliest water-soluble and membrane proteins were markedly more flexible than their modern counterparts. As an example, we consider a small, evolved in vitro ligase, based on a novel architecture that may be the archetype of primordial enzymes. The protein does not contain a hydrophobic core or conventional elements of the secondary structure characteristic of modern water-soluble proteins, but instead is built of a flexible, catalytic loop supported by a small hydrophilic core containing zinc atoms. It appears that disorder in the polypeptide chain imparts robustness to mutations in the protein core. Simple ion channels, likely the earliest membrane protein assemblies, could also be quite flexible, but still retain their functionality, again in contrast to their modern descendants. This is demonstrated in the example of antiamoebin, which can serve as a useful model of small peptides forming ancestral ion channels. Common features of the earliest, functional protein architectures discussed here include not only their flexibility, but also a low level of evolutionary optimization and heterogeneity in amino acid composition and, possibly, the type of peptide bonds in the protein backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Pohorille
- Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA.
| | - Michael A Wilson
- Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
- SETI Institute, 189 N Bernardo Ave #200, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
| | - Gareth Shannon
- Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
- NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
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28
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Çetiner U, Rowe I, Schams A, Mayhew C, Rubin D, Anishkin A, Sukharev S. Tension-activated channels in the mechanism of osmotic fitness in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Gen Physiol 2017; 149:595-609. [PMID: 28424229 PMCID: PMC5412531 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201611699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is resistant to drastic osmotic changes because of its ability to quickly jettison small osmolytes through osmotic release channels. Çetiner et al. reveal that it uses one MscL-like and at least two types of MscS-like channels during its osmotic response. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen with an exceptional ability to adapt to a range of environments. Part of its adaptive potential is the ability to survive drastic osmolarity changes. Upon a sudden dilution of external medium, such as during exposure to rain, bacteria evade mechanical rupture by engaging tension-activated channels that act as osmolyte release valves. In this study, we compare fast osmotic permeability responses in suspensions of wild-type PA and Escherichia coli (EC) strains in stopped-flow experiments and provide electrophysiological descriptions of osmotic-release channels in PA. Using osmotic dilution experiments, we first show that PA tolerates a broader range of shocks than EC. We record the kinetics of cell equilibration reported by light scattering responses to osmotic up- and down-shocks. PA exhibits a lower water permeability and faster osmolyte release rates during large osmotic dilutions than EC, which correlates with better survival. To directly characterize the PA tension-activated channels, we generate giant spheroplasts from this microorganism and record current responses in excised patches. Unlike EC, which relies primarily on two types of channels, EcMscS and EcMscL, to generate a distinctive two-wave pressure ramp response, PA exhibits a more gradual response that is dominated by MscL-type channels. Genome analysis, cloning, and expression reveal that PA possesses one MscL-type (PaMscL) and two MscS-type (PaMscS-1 and 2) proteins. In EC spheroplasts, both PaMscS channels exhibit a slightly earlier activation by pressure compared with EcMscS. Unitary currents reveal that PaMscS-2 has a smaller conductance, higher anionic preference, stronger inactivation, and slower recovery compared with PaMscS-1. We conclude that PA relies on MscL as the major valve defining a high rate of osmolyte release sufficient to curb osmotic swelling under extreme shocks, but it still requires MscS-type channels with a strong propensity to inactivation to properly terminate massive permeability response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uğur Çetiner
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.,Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.,Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Ian Rowe
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Anthony Schams
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Christina Mayhew
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Deanna Rubin
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Andriy Anishkin
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Sergei Sukharev
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 .,Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.,Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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29
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Cui YW, Gong XY, Shi YP, Wang Z(D. Salinity effect on production of PHA and EPS byHaloferax mediterranei. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09652f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Salinity effect on production of PHA and EPS byHaloferax mediterranei.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Wei Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology
- College of Energy and Environmental Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
| | - Xiao-Yu Gong
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology
- College of Energy and Environmental Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
| | - Yun-Peng Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology
- College of Energy and Environmental Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
| | - Zhiwu (Drew) Wang
- Occoquan Laboratory
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- USA
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30
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Mumm K, Ainsaar K, Kasvandik S, Tenson T, Hõrak R. Responses of Pseudomonas putida to Zinc Excess Determined at the Proteome Level: Pathways Dependent and Independent of ColRS. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:4349-4368. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karl Mumm
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu 51010, Estonia
| | - Kadi Ainsaar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu 51010, Estonia
| | - Sergo Kasvandik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Tanel Tenson
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Rita Hõrak
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu 51010, Estonia
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31
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Trimethylated homoserine functions as the major compatible solute in the globally significant oceanic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:13191-13196. [PMID: 27799527 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1611666113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The oceanic N2-fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. form extensive surface blooms and contribute significantly to marine carbon and nitrogen cycles in the oligotrophic subtropical and tropical oceans. Trichodesmium grows in salinities from 27 to 43 parts per thousand (ppt), yet its salt acclimation strategy remains enigmatic because the genome of Trichodesmium erythraeum strain IMS101 lacks all genes for the biosynthesis of any known compatible solute. Using NMR and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy, we identified the main compatible solute in T. erythraeum strain IMS101 as the quaternary ammonium compound N,N,N-trimethyl homoserine (or homoserine betaine) and elucidated its biosynthetic pathway. The identification of this compatible solute explains how Trichodesmium spp. can thrive in the marine system at varying salinities and provides further insight into the diversity of microbial salt acclimation.
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32
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Bontemps-Gallo S, Lawrence K, Gherardini FC. Two Different Virulence-Related Regulatory Pathways in Borrelia burgdorferi Are Directly Affected by Osmotic Fluxes in the Blood Meal of Feeding Ixodes Ticks. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005791. [PMID: 27525653 PMCID: PMC4985143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is a vector-borne illness that requires the bacteria to adapt to distinctly different environments in its tick vector and various mammalian hosts. Effective colonization (acquisition phase) of a tick requires the bacteria to adapt to tick midgut physiology. Successful transmission (transmission phase) to a mammal requires the bacteria to sense and respond to the midgut environmental cues and up-regulate key virulence factors before transmission to a new host. Data presented here suggest that one environmental signal that appears to affect both phases of the infective cycle is osmolarity. While constant in the blood, interstitial fluid and tissue of a mammalian host (300 mOsm), osmolarity fluctuates in the midgut of feeding Ixodes scapularis. Measured osmolarity of the blood meal isolated from the midgut of a feeding tick fluctuates from an initial osmolarity of 600 mOsm to blood-like osmolarity of 300 mOsm. After feeding, the midgut osmolarity rebounded to 600 mOsm. Remarkably, these changes affect the two independent regulatory networks that promote acquisition (Hk1-Rrp1) and transmission (Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS) of B. burgdorferi. Increased osmolarity affected morphology and motility of wild-type strains, and lysed Hk1 and Rrp1 mutant strains. At low osmolarity, Borrelia cells express increased levels of RpoN-RpoS-dependent virulence factors (OspC, DbpA) required for the mammalian infection. Our results strongly suggest that osmolarity is an important part of the recognized signals that allow the bacteria to adjust gene expression during the acquisition and transmission phases of the infective cycle of B. burgdorferi. Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease agent, exploits a multifaceted enzootic cycle that requires a tick vector for successful transmission between mammalian hosts. Two different regulatory systems control genes that are required to complete this infective cycle. The Hk1/Rrp1 two-component system affects genes required for successful transfer between mammal and tick vector while the Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS regulatory cascade modulates genes essential for the transmission from the tick to a new vertebrate host. Data presented in this study indicate that fluctuations in osmolarity in the tick midgut directly affect these two regulatory pathways. Osmolarity in the lumen of the tick adjusts to the osmolarity of the incoming blood (blood meal) to promote water and ion flux into tick tissues. A positive water flux is essential to generate sufficient saliva for prolonged feeding. We propose that B. burgdorferi uses this physiological parameter as an important signal to adapt and regulate genes required for survival in the tick (through Hk1/Rrp1) and transmission to a new host (through Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Bontemps-Gallo
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Kevin Lawrence
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Frank C Gherardini
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
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Métris A, George SM, Ropers D. Piecewise linear approximations to model the dynamics of adaptation to osmotic stress by food-borne pathogens. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 240:63-74. [PMID: 27377009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Addition of salt to food is one of the most ancient and most common methods of food preservation. However, little is known of how bacterial cells adapt to such conditions. We propose to use piecewise linear approximations to model the regulatory adaptation of Escherichiacoli to osmotic stress. We apply the method to eight selected genes representing the functions known to be at play during osmotic adaptation. The network is centred on the general stress response factor, sigma S, and also includes a module representing the catabolic repressor CRP-cAMP. Glutamate, potassium and supercoiling are combined to represent the intracellular regulatory signal during osmotic stress induced by salt. The output is a module where growth is represented by the concentration of stable RNAs and the transcription of the osmotic gene osmY. The time course of gene expression of transport of osmoprotectant represented by the symporter proP and of the osmY is successfully reproduced by the network. The behaviour of the rpoS mutant predicted by the model is in agreement with experimental data. We discuss the application of the model to food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella; although the genes considered have orthologs, it seems that supercoiling is not regulated in the same way. The model is limited to a few selected genes, but the regulatory interactions are numerous and span different time scales. In addition, they seem to be condition specific: the links that are important during the transition from exponential to stationary phase are not all needed during osmotic stress. This model is one of the first steps towards modelling adaptation to stress in food safety and has scope to be extended to other genes and pathways, other stresses relevant to the food industry, and food-borne pathogens. The method offers a good compromise between systems of ordinary differential equations, which would be unmanageable because of the size of the system and for which insufficient data are available, and the more abstract Boolean methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Métris
- Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
| | - Susie M George
- Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
| | - Delphine Ropers
- Inria Grenoble - Rhône-Alpes Research Center, Saint Ismier, France.
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34
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Checchetto V, Segalla A, Sato Y, Bergantino E, Szabo I, Uozumi N. Involvement of Potassium Transport Systems in the Response of Synechocystis PCC 6803 Cyanobacteria to External pH Change, High-Intensity Light Stress and Heavy Metal Stress. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 57:862-877. [PMID: 26880819 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcw032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The unicellular photosynthetic cyanobacterium, able to survive in varying environments, is the only prokaryote that directly converts solar energy and CO2 into organic material and is thus relevant for primary production in many ecosystems. To maintain the intracellular and intrathylakoid ion homeostasis upon different environmental challenges, the concentration of potassium as a major intracellular cation has to be optimized by various K(+)uptake-mediated transport systems. We reveal here the specific and concerted physiological function of three K(+)transporters of the plasma and thylakoid membranes, namely of SynK (K(+)channel), KtrB (Ktr/Trk/HKT) and KdpA (Kdp) in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, under specific stress conditions. The behavior of the wild type, single, double and triple mutants was compared, revealing that only Synk contributes to heavy metal-induced stress, while only Ktr/Kdp is involved in osmotic and salt stress adaptation. With regards to pH shifts in the external medium, the Kdp/Ktr uptake systems play an important role in the adaptation to acidic pH. Ktr, by affecting the CO2 concentration mechanism via its action on the bicarbonate transporter SbtA, might also be responsible for the observed effects concerning high-light stress and calcification. In the case of illumination with high-intensity light, a synergistic action of Kdr/Ktp and SynK is required in order to avoid oxidative stress and ensure cell viability. In summary, this study dissects, using growth tests, measurement of photosynthetic activity and analysis of ultrastructure, the physiological role of three K(+)transporters in adaptation of the cyanobacteria to various environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Checchetto
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova 35121, Italy Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Anna Segalla
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Yuki Sato
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8579 Japan
| | | | - Ildiko Szabo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Nobuyuki Uozumi
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8579 Japan
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Moghaddam JA, Boehringer N, Burdziak A, Kunte HJ, Galinski EA, Schäberle TF. Different strategies of osmoadaptation in the closely related marine myxobacteria Enhygromyxa salina SWB007 and Plesiocystis pacifica SIR-1. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2016; 162:651-661. [PMID: 26842314 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Only a few myxobacteria are known to date that are classified as marine, owing to their salt dependency. In this study, the salt tolerance mechanism of these bacteria was investigated. To this end, a growth medium was designed in which the mutated Escherichia coli strain BKA13 served as sole food source for the predatory, heterotrophic myxobacteria. This enabled measurement of the osmolytes without any background and revealed that the closely related strains Enhygromyxa salina SWB007 and Plesiocystis pacifica SIR-1 developed different strategies to handle salt stress. Ple. pacifica SIR-1, which was grown between 1 and 4 % NaCl, relies solely on the accumulation of amino acids, while Enh. salina SWB007, which was grown between 0.5 and 3 % NaCl, employs, besides betaine, hydroxyectoine as the major compatible solute. In accordance with this analysis, only in the latter strain was a locus identified that codes for genes corresponding to the biosynthesis of betaine, ectoine and hydroxyectoine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nils Boehringer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Amal Burdziak
- Institute of Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Kunte
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Erwin A Galinski
- Institute of Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Till F Schäberle
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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Culham DE, Shkel IA, Record MT, Wood JM. Contributions of Coulombic and Hofmeister Effects to the Osmotic Activation of Escherichia coli Transporter ProP. Biochemistry 2016; 55:1301-13. [PMID: 26871755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Osmosensing transporters mediate osmolyte accumulation to forestall cellular dehydration as the extracellular osmolality increases. ProP is a bacterial osmolyte-H(+) symporter, a major facilitator superfamily member, and a paradigm for osmosensing. ProP activity is a sigmoid function of the osmolality. It is determined by the osmolality, not the magnitude or direction of the osmotic shift, in cells and salt-loaded proteoliposomes. The activation threshold varies directly with the proportion of anionic phospholipid in cells and proteoliposomes. The osmosensory mechanism was probed by varying the salt composition and concentration outside and inside proteoliposomes. Data analysis was based on the hypothesis that the fraction of maximal transporter activity at a particular luminal salt concentration reflects the proportion of ProP molecules in an active conformation. ProP attained the same activity at the same osmolality when diverse, membrane-impermeant salts were added to the external medium. Contributions of Coulombic and/or Hofmeister salt effects to ProP activation were examined by varying the luminal salt cation (K(+) and Na(+)) and anion (chloride, phosphate, and sulfate) composition and then systematically increasing the luminal salt concentration by increasing the external osmolality. ProP activity increased with the sixth power of the univalent cation concentration, independent of the type of anion. This indicates that salt activation of ProP is a Coulombic, cation effect resulting from salt cation accumulation and not site-specific cation binding. Possible origins of this Coulombic effect include folding or assembly of anionic cytoplasmic ProP domains, an increase in local membrane surface charge density, and/or the juxtaposition of anionic protein and membrane surfaces during activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen E Culham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph , Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Irina A Shkel
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Wisconsin , Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - M Thomas Record
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Wisconsin , Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Janet M Wood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph , Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Abstract
Escherichia coli and Salmonella encounter osmotic pressure variations in natural environments that include host tissues, food, soil, and water. Osmotic stress causes water to flow into or out of cells, changing their structure, physics, and chemistry in ways that perturb cell functions. E. coli and Salmonella limit osmotically induced water fluxes by accumulating and releasing electrolytes and small organic solutes, some denoted compatible solutes because they accumulate to high levels without disturbing cell functions. Osmotic upshifts inhibit membrane-based energy transduction and macromolecule synthesis while activating existing osmoregulatory systems and specifically inducing osmoregulatory genes. The osmoregulatory response depends on the availability of osmoprotectants (exogenous organic compounds that can be taken up to become compatible solutes). Without osmoprotectants, K+ accumulates with counterion glutamate, and compatible solute trehalose is synthesized. Available osmoprotectants are taken up via transporters ProP, ProU, BetT, and BetU. The resulting compatible solute accumulation attenuates the K+ glutamate response and more effectively restores cell hydration and growth. Osmotic downshifts abruptly increase turgor pressure and strain the cytoplasmic membrane. Mechanosensitive channels like MscS and MscL open to allow nonspecific solute efflux and forestall cell lysis. Research frontiers include (i) the osmoadaptive remodeling of cell structure, (ii) the mechanisms by which osmotic stress alters gene expression, (iii) the mechanisms by which transporters and channels detect and respond to osmotic pressure changes, (iv) the coordination of osmoregulatory programs and selection of available osmoprotectants, and (v) the roles played by osmoregulatory mechanisms as E. coli and Salmonella survive or thrive in their natural environments.
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Abstract
Bacterial cells respond to changes in the environment by adjusting their physiological reactions. In cascades of cellular responses to stresses of various origins, rapid modulation of RNA function is known to be an effective biochemical adaptation. Among many factors affecting RNA function, RNase III, a member of the phylogenetically highly conserved endoribonuclease III family, plays a key role in posttranscriptional regulatory pathways in Escherichia coli. In this review, we provide an overview of the factors affecting RNase III activity in E. coli.
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Metabolic shift of Escherichia coli under salt stress in the presence of glycine betaine. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 80:4745-56. [PMID: 24858086 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00599-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An important area of food safety focuses on bacterial survival and growth in unfavorable environments. In order to understand how bacteria adapt to stresses other than nutrient limitation in batch cultures, we need to develop mechanistic models of intracellular regulation and metabolism under stress. We studied the growth of Escherichia coli in minimal medium with added salt and different osmoprotectants. To characterize the metabolic efficiency with a robust parameter, we identified the optical density (OD) values at the inflection points of measured "OD versus time" growth curves and described them as a function of glucose concentration. We found that the metabolic efficiency parameter did not necessarily follow the trend of decreasing specific growth rate as the salt concentration increased. In the absence of osmoprotectant, or in the presence of proline, the metabolic efficiency decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. However, in the presence of choline or glycine betaine, it increased between 2 and 4.5% NaCl before declining at 5% NaCl and above. Microarray analysis of the transcriptional network and proteomics analysis with glycine betaine in the medium indicated that between 4.5 and 5% NaCl, the metabolism switched from aerobic to fermentative pathways and that the response to osmotic stress is similar to that for oxidative stress. We conclude that, although the growth rate appeared to decrease smoothly with increasing NaCl, the metabolic strategy of cells changed abruptly at a threshold concentration of NaCl.
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Stability of the osmoregulated promoter-derived proP mRNA is posttranscriptionally regulated by RNase III in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:1297-305. [PMID: 25645556 DOI: 10.1128/jb.02460-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The enzymatic activity of Escherichia coli endo-RNase III determines the stability of a subgroup of mRNA species, including bdm, betT, and proU, whose protein products are associated with the cellular response to osmotic stress. Here, we report that the stability of proP mRNA, which encodes a transporter of osmoprotectants, is controlled by RNase III in response to osmotic stress. We observed that steady-state levels of proP mRNA and ProP protein are inversely correlated with cellular RNase III activity and, in turn, affect the proline uptake capacity of the cell. In vitro and in vivo analyses of proP mRNA revealed RNase III cleavage sites in a stem-loop within the 5' untranslated region present only in proP mRNA species synthesized from the osmoregulated P1 promoter. Introduction of nucleotide substitutions in the cleavage site identified inhibited the ribonucleolytic activity of RNase III on proP mRNA, increasing the steady-state levels and half-life of the mRNA. In addition, decreased RNase III activity coincided with a significant increase in both the half-life and abundance of proP mRNA under hyperosmotic stress conditions. Analysis of the RNA bound to RNase III via in vivo cross-linking and immunoprecipitation indicated that this phenomenon is related to the decreased RNA binding capacity of RNase III. Our findings suggest the existence of an RNase III-mediated osmoregulatory network that rapidly balances the expression levels of factors associated with the cellular response to osmotic stress in E. coli. IMPORTANCE Our results demonstrate that RNase III activity on proP mRNA degradation is downregulated in Escherichia coli cells under osmotic stress. In addition, we show that the downregulation of RNase III activity is associated with decreased RNA binding capacity of RNase III under hyperosmotic conditions. In particular, our findings demonstrate a link between osmotic stress and RNase III activity, underscoring the growing importance of posttranscriptional regulation in modulating rapid physiological adjustment to environmental changes.
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Osmosensing and osmoregulation in unicellular eukaryotes. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 31:435-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-015-1811-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abstract
Bacteria use a chemical communication process called quorum sensing to monitor cell density and to alter behavior in response to fluctuations in population numbers. Previous studies with Vibrio harveyi have shown that LuxR, the master quorum-sensing regulator, activates and represses >600 genes. These include six genes that encode homologs of the Escherichia coli Bet and ProU systems for synthesis and transport, respectively, of glycine betaine, an osmoprotectant used during osmotic stress. Here we show that LuxR activates expression of the glycine betaine operon betIBA-proXWV, which enhances growth recovery under osmotic stress conditions. BetI, an autorepressor of the V. harveyi betIBA-proXWV operon, activates the expression of genes encoding regulatory small RNAs that control quorum-sensing transitions. Connecting quorum-sensing and glycine betaine pathways presumably enables V. harveyi to tune its execution of collective behaviors to its tolerance to stress.
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43
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Sim M, Lim B, Sim SH, Kim D, Jung E, Lee Y, Lee K. Two tandem RNase III cleavage sites determine betT mRNA stability in response to osmotic stress in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100520. [PMID: 24956275 PMCID: PMC4067347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While identifying genes regulated by ribonuclease III (RNase III) in Escherichia coli, we observed that steady-state levels of betT mRNA, which encodes a transporter mediating the influx of choline, are dependent on cellular concentrations of RNase III. In the present study, we also observed that steady-state levels of betT mRNA are dependent on RNase III activity upon exposure to osmotic stress, indicating the presence of cis-acting elements controlled by RNase III in betT mRNA. Primer extension analyses of betT mRNA revealed two tandem RNase III cleavage sites in its stem-loop region, which were biochemically confirmed via in vitro cleavage assays. Analyses of cleavage sites suggested the stochastic selection of cleavage sites by RNase III, and mutational analyses indicated that RNase III cleavage at either site individually is insufficient for efficient betT mRNA degradation. In addition, both the half-life and abundance of betT mRNA were significantly increased in association with decreased RNase III activity under hyper-osmotic stress conditions. Our findings demonstrate that betT mRNA stability is controlled by RNase III at the post-transcriptional level under conditions of osmotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Sim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Lim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Sim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Daeyoung Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Euihan Jung
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kangseok Lee
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
It has long been proposed that turgor pressure plays an essential role during bacterial growth by driving mechanical expansion of the cell wall. This hypothesis is based on analogy to plant cells, for which this mechanism has been established, and on experiments in which the growth rate of bacterial cultures was observed to decrease as the osmolarity of the growth medium was increased. To distinguish the effect of turgor pressure from pressure-independent effects that osmolarity might have on cell growth, we monitored the elongation of single Escherichia coli cells while rapidly changing the osmolarity of their media. By plasmolyzing cells, we found that cell-wall elastic strain did not scale with growth rate, suggesting that pressure does not drive cell-wall expansion. Furthermore, in response to hyper- and hypoosmotic shock, E. coli cells resumed their preshock growth rate and relaxed to their steady-state rate after several minutes, demonstrating that osmolarity modulates growth rate slowly, independently of pressure. Oscillatory hyperosmotic shock revealed that although plasmolysis slowed cell elongation, the cells nevertheless "stored" growth such that once turgor was reestablished the cells elongated to the length that they would have attained had they never been plasmolyzed. Finally, MreB dynamics were unaffected by osmotic shock. These results reveal the simple nature of E. coli cell-wall expansion: that the rate of expansion is determined by the rate of peptidoglycan insertion and insertion is not directly dependent on turgor pressure, but that pressure does play a basic role whereby it enables full extension of recently inserted peptidoglycan.
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45
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Degnan PH, Barry NA, Mok KC, Taga ME, Goodman AL. Human gut microbes use multiple transporters to distinguish vitamin B₁₂ analogs and compete in the gut. Cell Host Microbe 2014; 15:47-57. [PMID: 24439897 PMCID: PMC3923405 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Genomic and metagenomic sequencing efforts, including human microbiome projects, reveal that microbes often encode multiple systems that appear to accomplish the same task. Whether these predictions reflect actual functional redundancies is unclear. We report that the prominent human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron employs three functional, homologous vitamin B₁₂ transporters that in at least two cases confer a competitive advantage in the presence of distinct B₁₂ analogs (corrinoids). In the mammalian gut, microbial fitness can be determined by the presence or absence of a single transporter. The total number of distinct corrinoid transporter families in the human gut microbiome likely exceeds those observed in B. thetaiotaomicron by an order of magnitude. These results demonstrate that human gut microbes use elaborate mechanisms to capture and differentiate corrinoids in vivo and that apparent redundancies observed in these genomes can instead reflect hidden specificities that determine whether a microbe will colonize its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H Degnan
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Microbial Diversity Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
| | - Natasha A Barry
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Microbial Diversity Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
| | - Kenny C Mok
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michiko E Taga
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Andrew L Goodman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Microbial Diversity Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536, USA.
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Hampel KJ, LaBauve AE, Meadows JA, Fitzsimmons LF, Nock AM, Wargo MJ. Characterization of the GbdR regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:7-15. [PMID: 24097953 PMCID: PMC3911141 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01055-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa displays tremendous metabolic diversity, controlled in part by the abundance of transcription regulators in the genome. We have been investigating P. aeruginosa's response to the host, particularly changes regulated by the host-derived quaternary amines choline and glycine betaine (GB). We previously identified GbdR as an AraC family transcription factor that directly regulates choline acquisition from host phospholipids (via binding to plcH and pchP promoters), is required for catabolism of the choline metabolite GB, and is an activator that induces transcription in response to GB or dimethylglycine. Our goal was to characterize the GbdR regulon in P. aeruginosa by using genetics and chemical biology in combination with transcriptomics and in vitro DNA-binding assays. Here we show that GbdR activation regulates transcription of 26 genes from 12 promoters, 11 of which have measureable binding to GbdR in vitro. The GbdR regulon includes the genes encoding GB, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, glycine, and serine catabolic enzymes and the BetX and CbcXWV quaternary amine transport proteins. We characterized the GbdR consensus binding site and used it to identify that the recently characterized acetylcholine esterase gene, choE (PA4921), is also regulated by GbdR. The regulon member not directly controlled by GbdR is the secreted lipase gene lipA, which was also the only regulon member repressed under GbdR-activating conditions. Determination of the GbdR regulon provides deeper understanding of how GbdR links bacterial metabolism and virulence. Additionally, identification of two uncharacterized regulon members suggests roles for these proteins in response to choline metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken J. Hampel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Annette E. LaBauve
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- The Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jamie A. Meadows
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Liam F. Fitzsimmons
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Adam M. Nock
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Matthew J. Wargo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- The Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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Sheidy DT, Zielke RA. Analysis and expansion of the role of the Escherichia coli protein ProQ. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79656. [PMID: 24205389 PMCID: PMC3808355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The decrease in proline transport by the proline porter ProP in a ΔproQ strain has been well documented; however, the reason for this phenotype remains undefined. Previous studies have speculated that ProQ facilitates translation of proP mRNA. Here, we demonstrate that ProQ is enriched in the polysome fractions of sucrose gradient separations of E. coli lysates and the 30S fractions of lysates separated under conditions causing ribosomal subunit dissociation. Thus, ProQ is a bona fide ribosome associated protein. Analysis of proQ constructs lacking predicted structural domains implicates the N-terminal domain in ribosome association. Association with the ribosome appears to be mediated by an interaction with the mRNA being translated, as limited treatment of lysates with Micrococcal Nuclease maintains ribosome integrity but disrupts ProQ localization with polysomes. ProQ also fails to robustly bind to mRNA-free 70S ribosomes in vitro. Interestingly, deletion of proP does not disrupt the localization of ProQ with translating ribosomes, and deletion of proP in combination with the proU operon has no effect on ProQ localization. We also demonstrate that ProQ is necessary for robust biofilm formation, and this phenotype is independent of ProP. Binding studies were carried out using tryptophan fluorescence and in vitro transcribed proP mRNAs. proP is transcribed from two differentially regulated promoters, and ProQ interacts with proP mRNA transcribed from both promoters, as well as a control mRNA with similar affinities. In total, these data suggest that ProQ is positioned to function as a novel translational regulator, and its cellular role extends beyond its effects on proline uptake by ProP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. Sheidy
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ryszard A. Zielke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
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Wargo MJ. Homeostasis and catabolism of choline and glycine betaine: lessons from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:2112-20. [PMID: 23354714 PMCID: PMC3623244 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03565-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most sequenced bacteria possess mechanisms to import choline and glycine betaine (GB) into the cytoplasm. The primary role of choline in bacteria appears to be as the precursor to GB, and GB is thought to primarily act as a potent osmoprotectant. Choline and GB may play accessory roles in shaping microbial communities, based on their limited availability and ability to enhance survival under stress conditions. Choline and GB enrichment near eukaryotes suggests a role in the chemical relationships between these two kingdoms, and some of these interactions have been experimentally demonstrated. While many bacteria can convert choline to GB for osmoprotection, a variety of soil- and water-dwelling bacteria have catabolic pathways for the multistep conversion of choline, via GB, to glycine and can thereby use choline and GB as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen. In these choline catabolizers, the GB intermediate represents a metabolic decision point to determine whether GB is catabolized or stored as an osmo- and stress protectant. This minireview focuses on this decision point in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which aerobically catabolizes choline and can use GB as an osmoprotectant and a nutrient source. P. aeruginosa is an experimentally tractable and ecologically relevant model to study the regulatory pathways controlling choline and GB homeostasis in choline-catabolizing bacteria. The study of P. aeruginosa associations with eukaryotes and other bacteria also makes this a powerful model to study the impact of choline and GB, and their associated regulatory and catabolic pathways, on host-microbe and microbe-microbe relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Wargo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and The Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA.
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49
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A versatile proline/alanine transporter in the unicellular pathogen Leishmania donovani regulates amino acid homoeostasis and osmotic stress responses. Biochem J 2013; 449:555-66. [PMID: 22994895 DOI: 10.1042/bj20121262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Unlike all other organisms, parasitic protozoa of the family Trypanosomatidae maintain a large cellular pool of proline that, together with the alanine pool, serve as alternative carbon sources as well as reservoirs of organic osmolytes. These reflect adaptation to their insect vectors whose haemolymphs are exceptionally rich in the two amino acids. In the present study we identify and characterize a new neutral amino acid transporter, LdAAP24, that translocates proline and alanine across the Leishmania donovani plasma membrane. This transporter fulfils multiple functions: it is the sole supplier for the intracellular pool of proline and contributes to the alanine pool; it is essential for cell volume regulation after osmotic stress; and it regulates the transport and homoeostasis of glutamate and arginine, none of which are its substrates. Notably, we provide evidence that proline and alanine exhibit different roles in the parasitic response to hypotonic shock; alanine affects swelling, whereas proline influences the rate of volume recovery. On the basis of our data we suggest that LdAAP24 plays a key role in parasite adaptation to its varying environments in host and vector, a phenomenon essential for successful parasitism.
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50
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Mirabella A, Yañez Villanueva RM, Delrue RM, Uzureau S, Zygmunt MS, Cloeckaert A, De Bolle X, Letesson JJ. The two-component system PrlS/PrlR of Brucella melitensis is required for persistence in mice and appears to respond to ionic strength. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2012; 158:2642-2651. [PMID: 22859617 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.060863-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial adaptation to environmental conditions is essential to ensure maximal fitness in the face of several stresses. In this context, two-component systems (TCSs) represent a predominant signal transduction mechanism, allowing an appropriate response to be mounted when a stimulus is sensed. As facultative intracellular pathogens, Brucella spp. face various environmental conditions, and an adequate response is required for a successful infection process. Recently, bioinformatic analysis of Brucella genomes predicted a set of 15 bona fide TCS pairs, among which some have been previously investigated. In this report, we characterized a new TCS locus called prlS/R, for probable proline sensor-regulator. It encodes a hybrid histidine kinase (PrlS) with an unusual Na(+)/solute symporter N-terminal domain and a transcriptional regulator (belonging to the LuxR family) (PrlR). In vitro, Brucella spp. with a functional PrlR/S system form bacterial aggregates, which seems to be an adaptive response to a hypersaline environment, while a prlS/R mutant does not. We identified ionic strength as a possible signal sensed by this TCS. Finally, this work correlates the absence of a functional PrlR/S system with the lack of hypersaline-induced aggregation in particular marine Brucella spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Mirabella
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Rosse-Mary Yañez Villanueva
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Rose-May Delrue
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Sophie Uzureau
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Michel S Zygmunt
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37000 Tours, France.,INRA, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Axel Cloeckaert
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37000 Tours, France.,INRA, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Xavier De Bolle
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Jean-Jacques Letesson
- Unité de Recherche en Biologie des Microorganismes (URBM), NARILIS, University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
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