Phospholipase A1 modulates the cell envelope phospholipid content of Brucella melitensis, contributing to polymyxin resistance and pathogenicity

Genome-wide analysis of Brucella melitensis growth in spleen of infected mice allows rational selection of new vaccine candidates

Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) whose virulence would be controlled at the tissue level could be a crucial tool to effectively fight intracellular bacterial pathogens, because they would optimize the induction of protective immune memory while avoiding the long-term persistence of vaccine strains in the host. Rational development of these new LAVs implies developing an exhaustive map of the bacterial virulence genes according to the host organs implicated. We report here the use of transposon sequencing to compare the bacterial genes involved in the multiplication of Brucella melitensis, a major causative agent of brucellosis, in the lungs and spleens of C57BL/6 infected mice. We found 257 and 135 genes predicted to be essential for B. melitensis multiplication in the spleen and lung, respectively, with 87 genes common to both organs. We selected genes whose deletion is predicted to produce moderate or severe attenuation in the spleen, the main known reservoir of Brucella, and compared deletion mutants for these genes for their ability to protect mice against challenge with a virulent strain of B. melitensis. The protective efficacy of a deletion mutant for the plsC gene, implicated in phospholipid biosynthesis, is similar to that of the reference Rev.1 vaccine but with a shorter persistence in the spleen. Our results demonstrate that B. melitensis faces different selective pressures depending on the organ and underscore the effectiveness of functional genome mapping for the design of new safer LAV candidates.

The Brucella Cell Envelope

The cell envelope is a multilayered structure that insulates the interior of bacterial cells from an often chaotic outside world. Common features define the envelope across the bacterial kingdom, but the molecular mechanisms by which cells build and regulate this critical barrier are diverse and reflect the evolutionary histories of bacterial lineages. Intracellular pathogens of the genus Brucella exhibit marked differences in cell envelope structure, regulation, and biogenesis when compared to more commonly studied gram-negative bacteria and therefore provide an excellent comparative model for study of the gram-negative envelope. We review distinct features of the Brucella envelope, highlighting a conserved regulatory system that links cell cycle progression to envelope biogenesis and cell division. We further discuss recently discovered structural features of the Brucella envelope that ensure envelope integrity and that facilitate cell survival in the face of host immune stressors.

Integrating In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of a Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Interaction with Model Membranes of Colistin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a serious global public health concern. Infections caused by colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa) strains represent a serious threat due to their considerable morbidity and mortality rates, since most of the current empirical antibiotic therapies are ineffective against these strains. Accordingly, cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to control resistant bacteria. In this study, the interaction of a CAMP derived from cecropin D-like (∆M2) with model membranes mimicking bacterial biomembranes of wild-type (WTPa) strains of P. aeruginosa and CRPa was evaluated through in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro interaction was determined by infrared spectroscopy, whereas in silico molecular dynamics was performed to predict specific interactions between amino acids of ∆M2 and lipids of model membrane systems. Experimental analysis showed this peptide interacted with the lipids of bacterial-like model membranes of WTPa and CRPa. In both cases, an increase in the concentration of peptides induced an increase in the phase transition temperature of the lipid systems. On the other hand, the peptides in solution underwent a transition from a random to a helical secondary structure after interacting with the membranes mostly favored in the CRPa system. The α-helix structure percentage for ΔM2 interacting with WTPa and CRPa lipid systems was 6.4 and 33.2%, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics showed ∆M2 to have the most affinities toward the phospholipids palmitoyl-oleyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) that mimic membranes of WTPa and CRPa, respectively. This work provides clues for elucidating the membrane-associated mechanism of action of ∆M2 against colistin-susceptible and -resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The Phospholipid N-Methyltransferase and Phosphatidylcholine Synthase Pathways and the ChoXWV Choline Uptake System Involved in Phosphatidylcholine Synthesis Are Widely Conserved in Most, but Not All Brucella Species

The brucellae are facultative intracellular bacteria with a cell envelope rich in phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC is abundant in eukaryotes but rare in prokaryotes, and it has been proposed that Brucella uses PC to mimic eukaryotic-like features and avoid innate immune responses in the host. Two PC synthesis pathways are known in prokaryotes: the PmtA-catalyzed trimethylation of phosphatidylethanolamine and the direct linkage of choline to CDP-diacylglycerol catalyzed by the PC synthase Pcs. Previous studies have reported that B. abortus and B. melitensis possess non-functional PmtAs and that PC is synthesized exclusively via Pcs in these strains. A putative choline transporter ChoXWV has also been linked to PC synthesis in B. abortus. Here, we report that Pcs and Pmt pathways are active in B. suis biovar 2 and that a bioinformatics analysis of Brucella genomes suggests that PmtA is only inactivated in B. abortus and B. melitensis strains. We also show that ChoXWV is active in B. suis biovar 2 and conserved in all brucellae except B. canis and B. inopinata. Unexpectedly, the experimentally verified ChoXWV dysfunction in B. canis did not abrogate PC synthesis in a PmtA-deficient mutant, which suggests the presence of an unknown mechanism for obtaining choline for the Pcs pathway in Brucella. We also found that ChoXWV dysfunction did not cause attenuation in B. suis biovar 2. The results of these studies are discussed with respect to the proposed role of PC in Brucella virulence and how differential use of the Pmt and Pcs pathways may influence the interactions of these bacteria with their mammalian hosts.

Interactions of fungal phospholipase Lecitase ultra with phospholipid Langmuir monolayers - Search for substrate specificity and structural factors affecting the activity of the enzyme

Inoculation of selected microbial species into the soils is one of the most effective means of bioremediation of soils polluted by persistent organic pollutants as well as of biocontrol of plant pests. However, this procedure turns out frequently to be ineffective due to the membrane-destructive enzymes secreted to the soil by the autochthonous microorganisms. Especial role play here phospholipases and among them phospholipase A1 (PLA1), Therefore, to explain the interactions of microbial membranes and PLA1 at molecular level and to find the correlation between the composition of the membrane and its resistance to PLA1 action we applied phospholipid Langmuir monolayers as model microbial membranes. As a representative soil extracellular PLA1 we applied Lecitase ultra which is a commercially available hybrid enzyme of PLA1 activity. With the application of specific sn1-ether-sn2-ester phospholipids we proved that Lecitase ultra has solely PLA1 activity; thus, can be applied as an effective model of soil PLA1s. Our studies proved that this enzyme has vast substrate specificity and can hydrolyze structural phospholipids regardless the structure of their polar headgroup. It turned out that the hydrolysis rate was controlled by the condensation of the model membranes. These built of the phospholipids with long saturated fatty acid chains were especially resistant to the action of this enzyme, whereas these formed by the 1-saturated-2-unsaturated-sn-glycero-3-phospholipids were readily degraded. Regarding the polar headgroup we proposed the following row of substrate preference of Lecitase ultra: phosphatidylglycerols > phosphatidylcholines > phosphatidylethanolamines > cardiolipins.

Polymyxins and Bacterial Membranes: A Review of Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Resistance

Following their initial discovery in the 1940s, polymyxin antibiotics fell into disfavor due to their potential clinical toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity. However, the dry antibiotic development pipeline, together with the rising global prevalence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria have both rejuvenated clinical interest in these polypeptide antibiotics. Parallel to the revival of their use, investigations into the mechanisms of action and resistance to polymyxins have intensified. With an initial known effect on biological membranes, research has uncovered the detailed molecular and chemical interactions that polymyxins have with Gram-negative outer membranes and lipopolysaccharide structure. In addition, genetic and epidemiological studies have revealed the basis of resistance to these agents. Nowadays, resistance to polymyxins in MDR Gram-negative pathogens is well elucidated, with chromosomal as well as plasmid-encoded, transferrable pathways. The aims of the current review are to highlight the important chemical, microbiological, and pharmacological properties of polymyxins, to discuss their mechanistic effects on bacterial membranes, and to revise the current knowledge about Gram-negative acquired resistance to these agents. Finally, recent research, directed towards new perspectives for improving these old agents utilized in the 21st century, to combat drug-resistant pathogens, is summarized.

Combating biothreat pathogens: ongoing efforts for countermeasure development and unique challenges

Research to discover and develop antibacterial and antiviral drugs with potent activity against pathogens of biothreat concern presents unique methodological and process-driven challenges. Herein, we review laboratory approaches for finding new antibodies, antibiotics, and antiviral molecules for pathogens of biothreat concern. Using high-throughput screening techniques, molecules that directly inhibit a pathogen’s entry, replication, or growth can be identified. Alternatively, molecules that target host proteins can be interesting targets for development when countering biothreat pathogens, due to the modulation of the host immune response or targeting proteins that interfere with the pathways required by the pathogen for replication. Monoclonal and cocktail antibody therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration for countering anthrax and under development for treatment of Ebola virus infection are discussed. A comprehensive tabular review of current in vitro, in vivo, pharmacokinetic and efficacy datasets has been presented for biothreat pathogens of greatest concern. Finally, clinical trials and animal rule or traditional drug approval pathways are also reviewed.

Opinions; interpretations; conclusions; and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the US Army.

MapB, the Brucella suis TamB homologue, is involved in cell envelope biogenesis, cell division and virulence

Brucella species are Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogens responsible for a worldwide zoonosis. The envelope of Brucella exhibits unique characteristics that make these bacteria furtive pathogens and resistant to several host defence compounds. We have identified a Brucella suis gene (mapB) that appeared to be crucial for cell envelope integrity. Indeed, the typical resistance of Brucella to both lysozyme and the cationic lipopeptide polymyxin B was markedly reduced in a ∆mapB mutant. MapB turned out to represent a TamB orthologue. This last protein, together with TamA, a protein belonging to the Omp85 family, form a complex that has been proposed to participate in the translocation of autotransporter proteins across the outer membrane (OM). Accordingly, we observed that MapB is required for proper assembly of an autotransporter adhesin in the OM, as most of the autotransporter accumulated in the mutant cell periplasm. Both assessment of the relative amounts of other specific outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and a proteome approach indicated that the absence of MapB did not lead to an extensive alteration in OMP abundance, but to a reduction in the relative amounts of a protein subset, including proteins from the Omp25/31 family. Electron microscopy revealed that ∆mapB cells exhibit multiple anomalies in cell morphology, indicating that the absence of the TamB homologue in B. suis severely affects cell division. Finally, ∆mapB cells were impaired in macrophage infection and showed an attenuated virulence phenotype in the mouse model. Collectively, our results indicate that the role of B. suis TamB homologue is not restricted to participating in the translocation of autotransporters across the OM but that it is essential for OM stability and protein composition and that it is involved in cell envelope biogenesis, a process that is inherently coordinated with cell division.

Molecular mechanisms of polymyxin resistance and detection of mcr genes

Antibiotic resistance is an ever-increasing global problem. Major commercial antibiotics often fail to fight common bacteria, and some pathogens have become multi-resistant. Polymyxins are potent bactericidal antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria. Known resistance to polymyxin includes intrinsic, mutational and adaptive mechanisms, with the recently described horizontally acquired resistance mechanisms. In this review, we present several strategies for bacteria to develop enhanced resistance to polymyxins, focusing on changes in the outer membrane, efflux and other resistance determinants. Better understanding of the genes involved in polymyxin resistance may pave the way for the development of new and effective antimicrobial agents. We also report novel in silico tested primers for PCR assay that may be able distinguish colistin-resistant isolates carrying the plasmid-encoded mcr genes and will assist in combating the spread of colistin resistance in bacteria.

Alterations of Metabolic and Lipid Profiles in Polymyxin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents a global medical challenge, and polymyxins are a key last-resort therapeutic option. Unfortunately, polymyxin resistance in P. aeruginosa has been increasingly reported. The present study was designed to define metabolic differences between paired polymyxin-susceptible and -resistant P. aeruginosa strains using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics analyses. The metabolomes of wild-type P. aeruginosa strain K ([PAK] polymyxin B MIC, 1 mg/liter) and its paired pmrB mutant strains, PAKpmrB6 and PAKpmrB12 (polymyxin B MICs of 16 mg/liter and 64 mg/liter, respectively) were characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and metabolic differences were identified through multivariate and univariate statistics. PAKpmrB6 and PAKpmrB12, which displayed lipid A modifications with 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose, showed significant perturbations in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, particularly the intermediate metabolites from 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose synthesis and the methionine salvage cycle pathways. The genomics result showed a premature termination (Y275stop) in speE (encoding spermidine synthase) in PAKpmrB6, and metabolomics data revealed a decreased intracellular level of spermidine in PAKpmrB6 compared to that in PAKpmrB12 Our results indicate that spermidine may play an important role in high-level polymyxin resistance in P. aeruginosa Interestingly, both pmrB mutants had decreased levels of phospholipids, fatty acids, and acyl-coenzyme A compared to those in the wild-type PAK. Moreover, the more resistant PAKpmrB12 mutant exhibited much lower levels of phospholipids than the PAKpmrB6 mutant, suggesting that the decreased phospholipid level was associated with polymyxin resistance. In summary, this study provides novel mechanistic information on polymyxin resistance in P. aeruginosa and highlights its impacts on bacterial metabolism.

An Optimized Synthetic-Bioinformatic Natural Product Antibiotic Sterilizes Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-Infected Wounds

The antibiotic paenimucillin A was originally identified using a culture-independent synthetic-bioinformatic natural product (syn-BNP) discovery approach. Here we report on a bioinformatics-guided survey of paenimucillin A analogs that led to the discovery of paenimucillin C. Paenimucillin C inhibits the growth of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates, as well as other Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. In a rat cutaneous wound model, it completely sterilized MDR A. baumannii wound infections with no sign of rebound. Mechanistic studies point to a membrane-associated mode of action that results in leakage of intracellular contents. IMPORTANCE Natural product-inspired antibiotics have saved millions of lives and played a critical role in modern medicine. However, the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens is outpacing the rate at which new clinically useful antibiotics are being discovered. The lack of a means to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is of particular concern. The sharp increase in cases of MDR A. baumannii infections in recent years prompted the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest_threats.html) and WHO (http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/global-priority-list-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/en/) to list this pathogen as a "serious threat" and "critical pathogen," respectively. Here we report a new antibiotic, paenimucillin C, active against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including many clinical isolates of MDR A. baumannii strains. Mechanistic studies point to membrane disruption leading to leakage of intracellular contents as its antibacterial mode of action. Paenimucillin C sterilizes MDR A. baumannii infections in a rat cutaneous wound model with no sign of rebound infection, providing a potential new therapeutic regimen.

Brucella Melitensis 16M Regulates the Effect of AIR Domain on Inflammatory Factors, Autophagy, and Apoptosis in Mouse Macrophage through the ROS Signaling Pathway

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by Brucella. Brucella can invade and persist inside host cells, which results in chronic infection. We constructed AIR interference and overexpression lentiviruses to acquire AIR interference, overexpression, and rescue stable expression cell lines. We also established a Brucella melitensis 16M-infected macrophage model, which was treated with either the vehicle control or NAC (ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Confocal laser microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, and Western blot were used to detect inflammation, cell autophagy and apoptosis-related protein expression levels, ROS levels, and the distribution of mitochondria. It was found that after interference and overexpression of AIR, ROS release was significantly changed, and mitochondria became abnormally aggregated. B. melitensis 16M activated the NLRP3/AIM2 inflammatory complex, and induced RAW264.7 cells to secrete IL-1β and IL-18 through the ROS pathway. B. melitensis 16M also altered autophagy-related gene expression, increased autophagy activity, and induced cell apoptosis through the ROS pathway. The results showed that after B. melitensis 16M infection, ROS induced apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy while AIR inhibited autophagosome maturation and autophagy initiation. Autophagy negatively regulated the activation of inflammasomes and prevented inflammation from occurring. In addition, mitophagy could promote cell apoptosis.

Bacterial Sphingomyelinases and Phospholipases as Virulence Factors

Bacterial sphingomyelinases and phospholipases are a heterogeneous group of esterases which are usually surface associated or secreted by a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These enzymes hydrolyze sphingomyelin and glycerophospholipids, respectively, generating products identical to the ones produced by eukaryotic enzymes which play crucial roles in distinct physiological processes, including membrane dynamics, cellular signaling, migration, growth, and death. Several bacterial sphingomyelinases and phospholipases are essential for virulence of extracellular, facultative, or obligate intracellular pathogens, as these enzymes contribute to phagosomal escape or phagosomal maturation avoidance, favoring tissue colonization, infection establishment and progression, or immune response evasion. This work presents a classification proposal for bacterial sphingomyelinases and phospholipases that considers not only their enzymatic activities but also their structural aspects. An overview of the main physiopathological activities is provided for each enzyme type, as are examples in which inactivation of a sphingomyelinase- or a phospholipase-encoding gene impairs the virulence of a pathogen. The identification of sphingomyelinases and phospholipases important for bacterial pathogenesis and the development of inhibitors for these enzymes could generate candidate vaccines and therapeutic agents, which will diminish the impacts of the associated human and animal diseases.