1
|
Amarasekara NR, Swamy AS, Paudel SK, Jiang W, Li K, Shen C, Zhang Y. Hypervirulent clonal complex (CC) of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh produce from urban communities. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1307610. [PMID: 38348192 PMCID: PMC10859469 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1307610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to determine the prevalence and virulome of Listeria in fresh produce distributed in urban communities. Methods A total of 432 fresh produce samples were collected from farmer's markets in Michigan and West Virginia, USA, resulting in 109 pooled samples. Listeria spp. were isolated and L. monocytogenes was subjected to genoserogrouping by PCR and genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and core-genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) were conducted for clonal identification. Results Forty-eight of 109 samples (44.0%) were contaminated with Listeria spp. L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a and 4b were recovered from radishes, potatoes, and romaine lettuce. Four clonal complexes (CC) were identified and included hypervirulent CC1 (ST1) and CC4 (ST219) of lineage I as well as CC7 (ST7) and CC11 (ST451) of lineage II. Clones CC4 and CC7 were present in the same romaine lettuce sample. CC1 carried Listeria pathogenicity island LIPI-1 and LIPI-3 whereas CC4 contained LIPI-1, LIPI-3, and LIPI-4. CC7 and CC11 had LIPI-1 only. Discussion Due to previous implication in outbreaks, L. monocytogenes hypervirulent clones in fresh produce pose a public health concern in urban communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amrita Subramanya Swamy
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Sumit Kumar Paudel
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Wentao Jiang
- Davis College, Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - KaWang Li
- Davis College, Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Cangliang Shen
- Davis College, Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Investigation of a Listeria monocytogenes Chromosomal Immigration Control Region Reveals Diverse Restriction Modification Systems with Complete Sequence Type Conservation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030699. [PMID: 36985272 PMCID: PMC10059834 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for the severe foodborne disease listeriosis. A chromosomal hotspot between lmo0301 and lmo0305 has been noted to harbor diverse restriction modification (RM) systems. Here, we analyzed 872 L. monocytogenes genomes to better understand the prevalence and types of RM systems in this region, designated the immigration control region (ICR). Type I, II, III and IV RM systems were found in 86.1% of strains inside the ICR and in 22.5% of strains flanking the ICR. ICR content was completely conserved within the same multilocus sequence typing-based sequence type (ST), but the same RM system could be identified in diverse STs. The intra-ST conservation of ICR content suggests that this region may drive the emergence of new STs and promote clone stability. Sau3AI-like, LmoJ2 and LmoJ3 type II RM systems as well as type I EcoKI-like, and type IV AspBHI-like and mcrB-like systems accounted for all RM systems in the ICR. A Sau3AI-like type II RM system with specificity for GATC was harbored in the ICR of many STs, including all strains of the ancient, ubiquitous ST1. The extreme paucity of GATC recognition sites in lytic phages may reflect ancient adaptation of these phages to preempt resistance associated with the widely distributed Sau3AI-like systems. These findings indicate that the ICR has a high propensity for RM systems which are intraclonaly conserved and may impact bacteriophage susceptibility as well as ST emergence and stability.
Collapse
|
3
|
Brown P, Kucerova Z, Gorski L, Chen Y, Ivanova M, Leekitcharoenphon P, Parsons C, Niedermeyer J, Jackson J, Kathariou S. Horizontal Gene Transfer and Loss of Serotype-Specific Genes in Listeria monocytogenes Can Lead to Incorrect Serotype Designations with a Commonly-Employed Molecular Serotyping Scheme. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0274522. [PMID: 36472431 PMCID: PMC9927564 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02745-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular foodborne pathogen capable of causing severe, invasive illness (listeriosis). Three serotypes, 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b, are leading contributors to human listeriosis, with 4b including the major hypervirulent clones. The multiplex PCR scheme developed by Doumith and collaborators employs primers targeting specific lineages (e.g., lineage II-specific lmo0737, lineage I-specific LMOf2365_2059) or serotypes (e.g., serotype 4b-specific LMOf2365_1900). The Doumith scheme (DS) is extensively employed for molecular serotyping of L. monocytogenes due to its high accuracy, relative ease, and affordability. However, for certain strains, the DS serotype designations are in conflict with those relying on antibody-based schemes or whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis. In the current study, all 27 tested serotype 4b strains with sequence type 782 (ST782) within the hypervirulent clonal complex 2 (CC2) were designated 1/2b/3b using the DS. These strains lacked the serotype 4b-specific gene LMOf2365_1900, while retaining LMOf2365_2059, which, together with prs, yields the DS 1/2b/3b profile. Furthermore, 15 serotype 1/2a strains of four STs, mostly from water, were designated 1/2b/3b using the DS. These strains lacked the lmo0737 cassette but harbored genomic islands with LMOf2365_2059, thus yielding the DS 1/2b/3b profile. Lastly, we investigated a novel, dual 1/2a-1/2b profile obtained using the DS with 21 serotype 1/2a strains of four STs harboring both the lmo0737 cassette and genomic islands with LMOf2365_2059. The findings suggest that for certain strains and clones of L. monocytogenes the DS designations should be viewed with caution and complemented with alternative tools, e.g., traditional serotyping or WGS analysis. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen responsible for severe illness (listeriosis), especially in pregnant women and their fetuses, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Three serotypes, 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b, account for most human listeriosis, with certain serotype 4b clonal complexes (CCs) overrepresented in human disease. Serotyping remains extensively employed in Listeria epidemiologic investigations, and a multiplex PCR-based serotyping scheme is widely used. However, the PCR gene targets can be lost or gained via horizontal gene transfer, leading to novel PCR profiles without known serotype designations or to incorrect serotype assignments. Thus, an entire serotype 4b clone of the hypervirulent CC2 would be misidentified as serotype 1/2b, and several strains of serotype 1/2a would be identified as serotype 1/2b. Such challenges are especially common in novel clones from underexplored habitats, e.g., wildlife and surface water. The findings suggest caution in application of molecular serotyping, while highlighting Listeria's diversity and potential for horizontal gene transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Brown
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zuzana Kucerova
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EDLB/DFWED, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa Gorski
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Produce Safety and Microbiology Unit, Albany, California, USA
| | - Yi Chen
- Division of Microbiology, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Mirena Ivanova
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Cameron Parsons
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffrey Niedermeyer
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - James Jackson
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sophia Kathariou
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu Q, Zhu X, Long Q, Yi X, Yang A, Long X, Cao D. Comparative Genomics Reveal the Utilization Ability of Variable Carbohydrates as Key Genetic Features of Listeria Pathogens in Their Pathogenic Lifestyles. Pathogens 2022; 11:1430. [PMID: 36558765 PMCID: PMC9784484 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, the only two pathogens of Listeria, can survive in various environments, having different pathogenic characteristics. However, the genetic basis of their excellent adaptability and differences in pathogenicity has still not been completely elucidated. METHODS We performed a comparative genomic analysis based on 275 L. monocytogenes, 10 L. ivanovii, and 22 non-pathogenic Listeria strains. RESULTS Core/pan-genome analysis revealed that 975 gene families were conserved in all the studied strains. Additionally, 204, 242, and 756 gene families existed uniquely in L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, and both, respectively. Functional annotation partially verified that these unique gene families were closely related to their adaptability and pathogenicity. Moreover, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of these unique gene sets showed that plenty of carbohydrate transport systems and energy metabolism enzymes were clustered in the networks. Interestingly, ethanolamine-metabolic-process-related proteins were significantly enriched in the PPI network of the unique genes of the Listeria pathogens, which can be understood as a determining factor of their pathogenicity. CONCLUSIONS The utilization capacity of multiple carbon sources of Listeria pathogens, especially ethanolamine, is the key genetic basis for their ability to adapt to various environments and pathogenic lifestyles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qunfeng Lu
- Modern Industrial College of Biomedicine and Great Health, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhu
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Clinical Pathological Diagnosis & Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- Department of Tumor Pathology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology (Hepatobiliary Diseases) of Guangxi, Baise 533000, China
| | - Qinqin Long
- Clinical Pathological Diagnosis & Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- Department of Tumor Pathology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology (Hepatobiliary Diseases) of Guangxi, Baise 533000, China
| | - Xueli Yi
- Center for Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Research, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
| | - Anni Yang
- Modern Industrial College of Biomedicine and Great Health, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
| | - Xidai Long
- Clinical Pathological Diagnosis & Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- Department of Tumor Pathology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology (Hepatobiliary Diseases) of Guangxi, Baise 533000, China
| | - Demin Cao
- Clinical Pathological Diagnosis & Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
- Department of Tumor Pathology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology (Hepatobiliary Diseases) of Guangxi, Baise 533000, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abril AG, Carrera M, Böhme K, Barros-Velázquez J, Calo-Mata P, Sánchez-Pérez A, Villa TG. Proteomic Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria and Production of Antimicrobial and Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8141. [PMID: 34360905 PMCID: PMC8348566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Some Listeria species are important human and animal pathogens that can be found in contaminated food and produce a variety of virulence factors involved in their pathogenicity. Listeria strains exhibiting multidrug resistance are known to be progressively increasing and that is why continuous monitoring is needed. Effective therapy against pathogenic Listeria requires identification of the bacterial strain involved, as well as determining its virulence factors, such as antibiotic resistance and sensitivity. The present study describes the use of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) to do a global shotgun proteomics characterization for pathogenic Listeria species. This method allowed the identification of a total of 2990 non-redundant peptides, representing 2727 proteins. Furthermore, 395 of the peptides correspond to proteins that play a direct role in Listeria pathogenicity; they were identified as virulence factors, toxins and anti-toxins, or associated with either antibiotics (involved in antibiotic-related compounds production or resistance) or resistance to toxic substances. The proteomic repository obtained here can be the base for further research into pathogenic Listeria species and facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for these pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana G. Abril
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Sur 15782, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Mónica Carrera
- Marine Research Institute (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Karola Böhme
- Agroalimentary Technological Center of Lugo, Montirón 154, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Jorge Barros-Velázquez
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Lugo, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.B.-V.); (P.C.-M.)
| | - Pilar Calo-Mata
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Lugo, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.B.-V.); (P.C.-M.)
| | - Angeles Sánchez-Pérez
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Tomás G. Villa
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Sur 15782, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guan Y, Cui Y, Qu X, Jing K. Safety and robustness aspects analysis of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus LDB-C1 based on the genome analysis and biological tests. Arch Microbiol 2021; 203:3955-3964. [PMID: 34021387 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02383-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) is a microaerophylic anaerobe, which is widely used in the production of yogurt, cheese, and other fermented dairy products. L. bulgaricus and its partner Streptococcus thermophilus were used as starter cultures of yogurt in the world for thousands of years. In our previous study, L. bulgaricus LDB-C1 was obtained from traditional fermented milk, and possessed some characteristics like high exopolysaccharide yield and good fermentation performance. The analysis of its CRISPR-Cas system, antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and mobile elements, was performed to reveal the stability of the strain LDB-C1. It was found that LDB-C1 contains a plenty of spacers in the CRISPR region, indicating it might have better performance against the infection of phages and plasmids. Furthermore, the acquired or transmittable antibiotic resistance/virulence factor genes were absent in the tested L. bulgaricus strain LDB-C1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Guan
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Cui
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaojun Qu
- Institute of Microbiology, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150010, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Jing
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sumrall ET, Keller AP, Shen Y, Loessner MJ. Structure and function of Listeria teichoic acids and their implications. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:627-637. [PMID: 31972870 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Teichoic acids (TAs) are the most abundant glycopolymers in the cell wall of Listeria, an opportunistic Gram-positive pathogen that causes severe foodborne infections. Two different structural classes of Listeria TA exist: the polyribitolphosphate-based wall teichoic acid (WTA) that is covalently anchored to the peptidoglycan, and the polyglycerolphosphate-based lipoteichoic acid (LTA) that is tethered to the cytoplasmic membrane. While TA polymers govern many important physiological processes, the diverse glycosylation patterns of WTA result in a high degree of surface variation across the species and serovars of Listeria, which in turn bestows varying effects on fitness, biofilm formation, bacteriophage susceptibility and virulence. We review the advances made over the past two decades, and our current understanding of the relationship between TA structure and function. We describe the various types of TA that have been structurally determined to date, and discuss the genetic determinants known to be involved in TA glycosylation. We elaborate on surface proteins functionally related to TA decoration, as well as the molecular and analytical tools used to probe TAs. We anticipate that the growing knowledge of the Listeria surface chemistry will also be exploited to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric T Sumrall
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja P Keller
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Glycotyping and Specific Separation of Listeria monocytogenes with a Novel Bacteriophage Protein Tool Kit. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00612-20. [PMID: 32358009 PMCID: PMC7301860 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00612-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that presents a major concern to the food industry due to its propensity to cause foodborne illness. The Listeria genus contains 15 different serovars, with most of the variance depending on the wall-associated teichoic acid glycopolymers, which confer somatic antigenicity. Strains belonging to serovars 1/2 and 4b cause the vast majority of listeriosis cases and outbreaks, meaning that regulators, as well as the food industry itself, have an interest in rapidly identifying isolates of these particular serovars in food processing environments. Current methods for phenotypic serovar differentiation are slow and lack accuracy, and the food industry could benefit from new technologies allowing serovar-specific isolation. Therefore, the novel method described here for rapid glycotype determination could present a valuable asset to detect and control this bacterium. The Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can be subdivided into at least 12 different serovars, based on the differential expression of a set of somatic and flagellar antigens. Of note, strains belonging to serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b cause the vast majority of foodborne listeriosis cases and outbreaks. The standard protocol for serovar determination involves an agglutination method using a set of sera containing cell surface-recognizing antibodies. However, this procedure is imperfect in both precision and practicality, due to discrepancies resulting from subjective interpretation. Furthermore, the exact antigenic epitopes remain unclear, due to the preparation of the absorbed sera and the complex nature of polyvalent antibody binding. Here, we present a novel method for quantitative somatic antigen differentiation using a set of recombinant affinity proteins (cell wall-binding domains and receptor-binding proteins) derived from a collection of Listeria bacteriophages. These proteins enable rapid, objective, and precise identification of the different teichoic acid glycopolymer structures, which represent the O-antigens, and allow a near-complete differentiation. This glycotyping approach confirmed serovar designations of over 60 previously characterized Listeria strains. Using select phage receptor-binding proteins coupled to paramagnetic beads, we also demonstrate the ability to specifically isolate serovar 1/2 or 4b cells from a mixed culture. In addition, glycotyping led to the discovery that strains designated serovar 4e actually possess an intermediate 4b-4d teichoic acid glycosylation pattern, underpinning the high discerning power and precision of this novel technique. IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that presents a major concern to the food industry due to its propensity to cause foodborne illness. The Listeria genus contains 15 different serovars, with most of the variance depending on the wall-associated teichoic acid glycopolymers, which confer somatic antigenicity. Strains belonging to serovars 1/2 and 4b cause the vast majority of listeriosis cases and outbreaks, meaning that regulators, as well as the food industry itself, have an interest in rapidly identifying isolates of these particular serovars in food processing environments. Current methods for phenotypic serovar differentiation are slow and lack accuracy, and the food industry could benefit from new technologies allowing serovar-specific isolation. Therefore, the novel method described here for rapid glycotype determination could present a valuable asset to detect and control this bacterium.
Collapse
|
9
|
Meireles D, Pombinho R, Carvalho F, Sousa S, Cabanes D. Listeria monocytogenes Wall Teichoic Acid Glycosylation Promotes Surface Anchoring of Virulence Factors, Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides, and Decreased Susceptibility to Antibiotics. Pathogens 2020; 9:E290. [PMID: 32316182 PMCID: PMC7238011 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), a major intracellular foodborne bacterial pathogen, comprises a thick peptidoglycan layer that serves as a scaffold for glycopolymers such as wall teichoic acids (WTAs). WTAs contain non-essential sugar substituents whose absence prevents bacteriophage binding and impacts antigenicity, sensitivity to antimicrobials, and virulence. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the triple function of Lm WTA glycosylations in the following: (1) supporting the correct anchoring of major Lm virulence factors at the bacterial surface, namely Ami and InlB; (2) promoting Lm resistance to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); and (3) decreasing Lm sensitivity to some antibiotics. We showed that while the decoration of WTAs by rhamnose in Lm serovar 1/2a and by galactose in serovar 4b are important for the surface anchoring of Ami and InlB, N-acetylglucosamine in serovar 1/2a and glucose in serovar 4b are dispensable for the surface association of InlB or InlB/Ami. We found that the absence of a single glycosylation only had a slight impact on the sensibility of Lm to AMPs and antibiotics, however the concomitant deficiency of both glycosylations (rhamnose and N-acetylglucosamine in serovar 1/2a, and galactose and glucose in serovar 4b) significantly impaired the Lm capacity to overcome the action of antimicrobials. We propose WTA glycosylation as a broad mechanism used by Lm, not only to properly anchor surface virulence factors, but also to resist AMPs and antibiotics. WTA glycosyltransferases thus emerge as promising drug targets to attenuate the virulence of bacterial pathogens, while increasing their susceptibility to host immune defenses and potentiating the action of antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Meireles
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (D.M.); (R.P.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, IBMC–Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Pombinho
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (D.M.); (R.P.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, IBMC–Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe Carvalho
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (D.M.); (R.P.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, IBMC–Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Sousa
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (D.M.); (R.P.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Cell Biology of Bacterial Infections Group, IBMC–Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Didier Cabanes
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (D.M.); (R.P.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Group of Molecular Microbiology, IBMC–Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rismondo J, Haddad TFM, Shen Y, Loessner MJ, Gründling A. GtcA is required for LTA glycosylation in Listeria monocytogenes serovar 1/2a and Bacillus subtilis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 6:100038. [PMID: 32743150 PMCID: PMC7389260 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2020.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The cell wall polymers wall teichoic acid (WTA) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are often modified with glycosyl and D-alanine residues. Recent studies have shown that a three-component glycosylation system is used for the modification of LTA in several Gram-positive bacteria including Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes. In the L. monocytogenes 1/2a strain 10403S, the cytoplasmic glycosyltransferase GtlA is thought to use UDP-galactose to produce the C55-P-galactose lipid intermediate, which is transported across the membrane by an unknown flippase. Next, the galactose residue is transferred onto the LTA backbone on the outside of the cell by the glycosyltransferase GtlB. Here we show that GtcA is necessary for the glycosylation of LTA in L. monocytogenes 10403S and B. subtilis 168 and we hypothesize that these proteins act as C55-P-sugar flippases. With this we revealed that GtcA is involved in the glycosylation of both teichoic acid polymers in L. monocytogenes 10403S, namely WTA with N-acetylglucosamine and LTA with galactose residues. These findings indicate that the L. monocytogenes GtcA protein can act on different C55-P-sugar intermediates. Further characterization of GtcA in L. monocytogenes led to the identification of residues essential for its overall function as well as residues, which predominately impact WTA or LTA glycosylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine Rismondo
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Talal F M Haddad
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sumrall ET, Shen Y, Keller AP, Rismondo J, Pavlou M, Eugster MR, Boulos S, Disson O, Thouvenot P, Kilcher S, Wollscheid B, Cabanes D, Lecuit M, Gründling A, Loessner MJ. Phage resistance at the cost of virulence: Listeria monocytogenes serovar 4b requires galactosylated teichoic acids for InlB-mediated invasion. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008032. [PMID: 31589660 PMCID: PMC6779246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is distinguished by its ability to invade and replicate within mammalian cells. Remarkably, of the 15 serovars within the genus, strains belonging to serovar 4b cause the majority of listeriosis clinical cases and outbreaks. The Listeria O-antigens are defined by subtle structural differences amongst the peptidoglycan-associated wall-teichoic acids (WTAs), and their specific glycosylation patterns. Here, we outline the genetic determinants required for WTA decoration in serovar 4b L. monocytogenes, and demonstrate the exact nature of the 4b-specific antigen. We show that challenge by bacteriophages selects for surviving clones that feature mutations in genes involved in teichoic acid glycosylation, leading to a loss of galactose from both wall teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid molecules, and a switch from serovar 4b to 4d. Surprisingly, loss of this galactose decoration not only prevents phage adsorption, but leads to a complete loss of surface-associated Internalin B (InlB),the inability to form actin tails, and a virulence attenuation in vivo. We show that InlB specifically recognizes and attaches to galactosylated teichoic acid polymers, and is secreted upon loss of this modification, leading to a drastically reduced cellular invasiveness. Consequently, these phage-insensitive bacteria are unable to interact with cMet and gC1q-R host cell receptors, which normally trigger cellular uptake upon interaction with InlB. Collectively, we provide detailed mechanistic insight into the dual role of a surface antigen crucial for both phage adsorption and cellular invasiveness, demonstrating a trade-off between phage resistance and virulence in this opportunistic pathogen. L. monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, food-borne, intracellular pathogen that causes severe infection in susceptible individuals. Interestingly, almost all infections are caused by a subset of strains belonging to certain serovars featuring a complex glycosylation pattern on their cell surface. Using an engineered bacteriophage that specifically recognizes these modifications we selected for mutants that lost these sugars. We found that the resulting strains are severely deficient in invading host cells as we observed that a major virulence factor mediating host cell entry requires galactose decoration of the cell surface for its function. Without this galactose decoration, the strain represents a serovar not associated with disease. Altogether, we show a complex interplay between bacteriophages, bacteria, and the host, demonstrating that cellular invasiveness is dependent upon a serovar-defining structure, which also serves as a phage receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric T. Sumrall
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (YS); (MJL)
| | - Anja P. Keller
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Pavlou
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel R. Eugster
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samy Boulos
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Disson
- Biology of Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U1117, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Thouvenot
- Biology of Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U1117, Paris, France
| | - Samuel Kilcher
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Wollscheid
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Cabanes
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marc Lecuit
- Biology of Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U1117, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes University, Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, APHP, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (YS); (MJL)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kuenemann MA, Spears PA, Orndorff PE, Fourches D. In silicoPredicted Glucose-1-phosphate Uridylyltransferase (GalU) Inhibitors Block a Key Pathway Required forListeriaVirulence. Mol Inform 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/minf.201800004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Melaine A. Kuenemann
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center; North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Patricia A. Spears
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Paul E. Orndorff
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Denis Fourches
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center; North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Shen Y, Boulos S, Sumrall E, Gerber B, Julian-Rodero A, Eugster MR, Fieseler L, Nyström L, Ebert MO, Loessner MJ. Structural and functional diversity in Listeria cell wall teichoic acids. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:17832-17844. [PMID: 28912268 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.813964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are the most abundant glycopolymers found on the cell wall of many Gram-positive bacteria, whose diverse surface structures play key roles in multiple biological processes. Despite recent technological advances in glycan analysis, structural elucidation of WTAs remains challenging due to their complex nature. Here, we employed a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization tandem-MS/MS and NMR to determine the structural complexity of WTAs from Listeria species. We unveiled more than 10 different types of WTA polymers that vary in their linkage and repeating units. Disparity in GlcNAc to ribitol connectivity, as well as variable O-acetylation and glycosylation of GlcNAc contribute to the structural diversity of WTAs. Notably, SPR analysis indicated that constitution of WTA determines the recognition by bacteriophage endolysins. Collectively, these findings provide detailed insight into Listeria cell wall-associated carbohydrates, and will guide further studies on the structure-function relationship of WTAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shen
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich,
| | - Samy Boulos
- the Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Eric Sumrall
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Benjamin Gerber
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Alicia Julian-Rodero
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Marcel R Eugster
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Lars Fieseler
- the ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, CH-8820 Wädenswil, and
| | - Laura Nyström
- the Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, CH-8092 Zurich
| | - Marc-Olivier Ebert
- the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladmimir-Prelog-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Loessner
- From the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, CH-8092 Zurich
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mann E, Whitfield C. A widespread three-component mechanism for the periplasmic modification of bacterial glycoconjugates. CAN J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2015-0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The diverse structures of bacterial glycoconjugates are generally established during the early stages of synthesis by the activities of nucleotide sugar-dependent glycosyltransferases active in the cytoplasm. However, in some cases, further modifications of varying complexity occur after the glycoconjugate is exported to the periplasm. These processes are distinguished by the involvement of polyprenyl monosphosphoryl donors and require glycosyltransferases possessing GT-C folds. Established prototypes are found in modifications of some bacterial lipopolysaccharides, where 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose is added to lipid A and glucose side branches are used to modify O-antigens. Here we review the current understanding of these systems and describe similarities to other periplasmic glycan modifications in bacteria and the N-glycosylation pathway for assembly of eukaryotic glycoproteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan Mann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Chris Whitfield
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Spears PA, Havell EA, Hamrick TS, Goforth JB, Levine AL, Abraham ST, Heiss C, Azadi P, Orndorff PE. Listeria monocytogenes wall teichoic acid decoration in virulence and cell-to-cell spread. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:714-30. [PMID: 26871418 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA) comprises a class of glycopolymers covalently attached to the peptidoglycan of gram positive bacteria. In Listeria monocytogenes, mutations that prevent addition of certain WTA decorating sugars are attenuating. However, the steps required for decoration and the pathogenic process interrupted are not well described. We systematically examined the requirement for WTA galactosylation in a mouse oral-virulent strain by first creating mutations in four genes whose products conferred resistance to a WTA-binding bacteriophage. WTA biochemical and structural studies indicated that galactosylated WTA was directly required for bacteriophage adsorption and that mutant WTA lacked appreciable galactose in all except one mutant - which retained a level ca. 7% of the parent. All mutants were profoundly attenuated in orally infected mice and were impaired in cell-to-cell spread in vitro. Confocal microscopy of cytosolic mutants revealed that all expressed ActA on their cell surface and formed actin tails with a frequency similar to the parent. However, the mutant tails were significantly shorter - suggesting a defect in actin based motility. Roles for the gene products in WTA galactosylation are proposed. Identification and interruption of WTA decoration pathways may provide a general strategy to discover non-antibiotic therapeutics for gram positive infections. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Spears
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Edward A Havell
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Terri S Hamrick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - John B Goforth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - Alexandra L Levine
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - S Thomas Abraham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - Christian Heiss
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Paul E Orndorff
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Eugster MR, Morax LS, Hüls VJ, Huwiler SG, Leclercq A, Lecuit M, Loessner MJ. Bacteriophage predation promotes serovar diversification in Listeria monocytogenes. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:33-46. [PMID: 25825127 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen classified into distinct serovars (SVs) based on somatic and flagellar antigens. To correlate phenotype with genetic variation, we analyzed the wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation genes of SV 1/2, 3 and 7 strains, which differ in decoration of the ribitol-phosphate backbone with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and/or rhamnose. Inactivation of lmo1080 or the dTDP-l-rhamnose biosynthesis genes rmlACBD (lmo1081-1084) resulted in loss of rhamnose, whereas disruption of lmo1079 led to GlcNAc deficiency. We found that all SV 3 and 7 strains actually originate from a SV 1/2 background, as a result of small mutations in WTA rhamnosylation and/or GlcNAcylation genes. Genetic complementation of different SV 3 and 7 isolates using intact alleles fully restored a characteristic SV 1/2 WTA carbohydrate pattern, including antisera reactions and phage adsorption. Intriguingly, phage-resistant L. monocytogenes EGDe (SV 1/2a) isolates featured the same glycosylation gene mutations and were serotyped as SV 3 or 7 respectively. Again, genetic complementation restored both carbohydrate antigens and phage susceptibility. Taken together, our data demonstrate that L. monocytogenes SV 3 and 7 originate from point mutations in glycosylation genes, and we show that phage predation represents a major driving force for serovar diversification and evolution of L. monocytogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel R Eugster
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laurent S Morax
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa J Hüls
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simona G Huwiler
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Leclercq
- Institut Pasteur, French National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center for Listeria, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Marc Lecuit
- Institut Pasteur, French National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center for Listeria, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Martin J Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
The sweet tooth of bacteria: common themes in bacterial glycoconjugates. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2015; 78:372-417. [PMID: 25184559 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00007-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have been increasingly recognized as being superorganisms, living in close contact with a microbiota on all their mucosal surfaces. However, most studies on the human microbiota have focused on gaining comprehensive insights into the composition of the microbiota under different health conditions (e.g., enterotypes), while there is also a need for detailed knowledge of the different molecules that mediate interactions with the host. Glycoconjugates are an interesting class of molecules for detailed studies, as they form a strain-specific barcode on the surface of bacteria, mediating specific interactions with the host. Strikingly, most glycoconjugates are synthesized by similar biosynthesis mechanisms. Bacteria can produce their major glycoconjugates by using a sequential or an en bloc mechanism, with both mechanistic options coexisting in many species for different macromolecules. In this review, these common themes are conceptualized and illustrated for all major classes of known bacterial glycoconjugates, with a special focus on the rather recently emergent field of glycosylated proteins. We describe the biosynthesis and importance of glycoconjugates in both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria and in both Gram-positive and -negative organisms. The focus lies on microorganisms important for human physiology. In addition, the potential for a better knowledge of bacterial glycoconjugates in the emerging field of glycoengineering and other perspectives is discussed.
Collapse
|
18
|
Paul D, Steele C, Donaldson JR, Banes MM, Kumar R, Bridges SM, Arick M, Lawrence ML. Genome comparison of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4a strain HCC23 with selected lineage I and lineage II L. monocytogenes strains and other Listeria strains. GENOMICS DATA 2014; 2:219-25. [PMID: 26484097 PMCID: PMC4536003 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2014.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
More than 98% of reported human listeriosis cases are caused by specific serotypes within genetic lineages I and II. The genome sequence of Listeria monocytogenes lineage III strain HCC23 (serotype 4a) enables whole genomic comparisons across all three L. monocytogenes lineages. Protein cluster analysis indicated that strain HCC23 has the most unique protein pairs with nonpathogenic species Listeria innocua. Orthology analysis of the genome sequences of representative strains from the three L. monocytogenes genetic lineages and L. innocua (CLIP11262) identified 319 proteins unique to nonpathogenic strains HCC23 and CLIP11262 and 58 proteins unique to pathogenic strains F2365 and EGD-e. BLAST comparison of these proteins with all the sequenced L. monocytogenes and L. innocua revealed 126 proteins unique to serotype 4a and/or L. innocua; 14 proteins were only found in pathogenic serotypes. Some of the 58 proteins unique to pathogenic strains F2365 and EGD-e were previously published and are already known to contribute to listerial virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debarati Paul
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Chelsea Steele
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Janet R Donaldson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Michelle M Banes
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Ranjit Kumar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Susan M Bridges
- Department of Computer Sciences and Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Mark Arick
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing, and Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Mark L Lawrence
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Habann M, Leiman PG, Vandersteegen K, Van den Bossche A, Lavigne R, Shneider MM, Bielmann R, Eugster MR, Loessner MJ, Klumpp J. Listeriaphage A511, a model for the contractile tail machineries of SPO1-related bacteriophages. Mol Microbiol 2014; 92:84-99. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Habann
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Petr G. Leiman
- Institut de Physique des Systèmes Biologiques; EPF Lausanne; 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | | | - An Van den Bossche
- Division of Gene Technology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Division of Gene Technology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Mikhail M. Shneider
- Institut de Physique des Systèmes Biologiques; EPF Lausanne; 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; 117997 Moscow Russia
| | - Regula Bielmann
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marcel R. Eugster
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Martin J. Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Jochen Klumpp
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Winstel V, Xia G, Peschel A. Pathways and roles of wall teichoic acid glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Med Microbiol 2013; 304:215-21. [PMID: 24365646 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The thick peptidoglycan layers of Gram-positive bacteria are connected to polyanionic glycopolymers called wall teichoic acids (WTA). Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, or Enterococcus faecalis produce WTA with diverse, usually strain-specific structure. Extensive studies on S. aureus WTA mutants revealed important functions of WTA in cell division, growth, morphogenesis, resistance to antimicrobials, and interaction with host or phages. While most of the S. aureus WTA-biosynthetic genes have been identified it remained unclear for long how and why S. aureus glycosylates WTA with α- or β-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Only recently the discovery of two WTA glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, yielded fundamental insights into the roles of S. aureus WTA glycosylation. Mutants lacking WTA GlcNAc are resistant towards most of the S. aureus phages and, surprisingly, TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAc modification is essential for β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Notably, S. aureus WTA GlcNAc residues are major antigens and activate the complement system contributing to opsonophagocytosis. WTA glycosylation with a variety of sugars and corresponding glycosyltransferases were also identified in other Gram-positive bacteria, which paves the way for detailed investigations on the diverse roles of WTA modification with sugar residues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
den Bakker HC, Desjardins CA, Griggs AD, Peters JE, Zeng Q, Young SK, Kodira CD, Yandava C, Hepburn TA, Haas BJ, Birren BW, Wiedmann M. Evolutionary dynamics of the accessory genome of Listeria monocytogenes. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67511. [PMID: 23825666 PMCID: PMC3692452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne bacterial pathogen, is comprised of four phylogenetic lineages that vary with regard to their serotypes and distribution among sources. In order to characterize lineage-specific genomic diversity within L. monocytogenes, we sequenced the genomes of eight strains from several lineages and serotypes, and characterized the accessory genome, which was hypothesized to contribute to phenotypic differences across lineages. The eight L. monocytogenes genomes sequenced range in size from 2.85-3.14 Mb, encode 2,822-3,187 genes, and include the first publicly available sequenced representatives of serotypes 1/2c, 3a and 4c. Mapping of the distribution of accessory genes revealed two distinct regions of the L. monocytogenes chromosome: an accessory-rich region in the first 65° adjacent to the origin of replication and a more stable region in the remaining 295°. This pattern of genome organization is distinct from that of related bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. The accessory genome of all lineages is enriched for cell surface-related genes and phosphotransferase systems, and transcriptional regulators, highlighting the selective pressures faced by contemporary strains from their hosts, other microbes, and their environment. Phylogenetic analysis of O-antigen genes and gene clusters predicts that serotype 4 was ancestral in L. monocytogenes and serotype 1/2 associated gene clusters were putatively introduced through horizontal gene transfer in the ancestral population of L. monocytogenes lineage I and II.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henk C den Bakker
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Tomita S, Furihata K, Tanaka N, Satoh E, Nukada T, Okada S. Determination of strain-specific wall teichoic acid structures in Lactobacillus plantarum reveals diverse α-D-glucosyl substitutions and high structural uniformity of the repeating units. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2012; 158:2712-2723. [PMID: 22918894 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.060913-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The structural diversity of wall teichoic acid (WTA) was investigated using biochemical and NMR analyses among 19 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, of which seven were previously established to contain a glycerol-type backbone, whereas the remaining 12 strains possess ribitol-containing WTA. Despite the fact that the WTAs consisted of identical components, namely phosphoric acid, alditol (glycerol or ribitol) and glucose, comparative analysis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra indicated the presence of six different structures, based on the observed differences in the anomeric signals of glucose residues. To determine the six WTA structures, their repeating units were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis, followed by fractionation on HPLC, and analysis by NMR spectroscopy using synthetic molecules as a reference. The structures of the six isolates were established as 1-α-D-glucosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 1-α-D-kojibiosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 1-α-D-nigerosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 4-α-D-kojibiosylribitol 1-phosphate and 1,5-linked di-(2,4-di-α-D-glucosylribitol) phosphate. The backbone structures appeared to be 3,6'-linked poly(1-α-D-glucosyl-sn-glycerol phosphate) for the glycerol-type WTA and 1,5-linked poly(ribitol phosphate) for the ribitol-containing WTA. Moreover, in the analysis of the alkaline hydrolysates on HPLC, only single structures of repeating units were released from each WTA, indicating the high structural uniformity of the WTA in each strain. Notably, analyses of lipoteichoic acid isolated from representative strains harbouring the six different WTAs revealed the universal presence of a 1,3-linked poly(glycerol phosphate) chain, substituted at C-2 of the glycerol residues with glucose residues. These findings provide fundamental information on WTA structural variability in Lb. plantarum, which seems likely to play a pivotal role in the physiology of this bacterial species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Tomita
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan
| | - Kazuo Furihata
- Division of Agriculture and Agricultural Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Tanaka
- Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan
| | - Eiichi Satoh
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan
| | - Tomoo Nukada
- Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan
| | - Sanae Okada
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Eugster MR, Loessner MJ. Rapid analysis of Listeria monocytogenes cell wall teichoic acid carbohydrates by ESI-MS/MS. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21500. [PMID: 21738682 PMCID: PMC3127946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the application of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry for compositional characterization of wall teichoic acids (WTA), a major component of Gram-positive bacterial cell walls. Tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) of purified and chemically hydrolyzed monomeric WTA components provided sufficient information to identify WTA monomers and their specific carbohydrate constituents. A lithium matrix was used for ionization of uncharged WTA monomers, and successfully applied to analyze the WTA molecules of four Listeria strains differing in carbohydrate substitution on a conserved polyribitol-phosphate backbone structure. Carbohydrate residues such as N-acetylglucosamine or rhamnose linked to the WTA could directly be identified by ESI-MS/MS, circumventing the need for quantitative analysis by gas chromatography. The presence of a terminal N-acetylglucosamine residue tethered to the ribitol was confirmed using fluorescently labeled wheat-germ agglutinin. In conclusion, the mass spectrometry method described here will greatly facilitate compositional analysis and characterization of teichoic acids and similar macromolecules from diverse bacterial species, and represents a significant advance in the identification of serovar-specific carbohydrates and sugar molecules on bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel R. Eugster
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin J. Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wall teichoic Acid-dependent adsorption of staphylococcal siphovirus and myovirus. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:4006-9. [PMID: 21642458 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01412-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular interactions between staphylococcal phages and host cell surfaces are poorly understood. Employing Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acid mutants, we demonstrate that wall teichoic acid (WTA), but not lipoteichoic acid, serves as a receptor for staphylococcal siphovirus and myovirus, while only the siphovirus requires glycosylated WTA.
Collapse
|
25
|
Temperature-dependent requirement for catalase in aerobic growth of Listeria monocytogenes F2365. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 76:6998-7003. [PMID: 20817809 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01223-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, psychrotrophic, facultative intracellular food-borne pathogen responsible for severe illness (listeriosis). The bacteria can grow in a wide range of temperatures (1 to 45°C), and low-temperature growth contributes to the food safety hazards associated with contamination of ready-to-eat foods with this pathogen. To assess the impact of oxidative stress responses on the ability of L. monocytogenes to grow at low temperatures and to tolerate repeated freeze-thaw stress (cryotolerance), we generated and characterized a catalase-deficient mutant of L. monocytogenes F2365 harboring a mariner-based transposon insertion in the catalase gene (kat). When grown aerobically on blood-free solid medium, the kat mutant exhibited impaired growth, with the extent of impairment increasing with decreasing temperature, and no growth was detected at 4°C. Aerobic growth in liquid was impaired at 4°C, especially under aeration, but not at higher temperatures (10, 25, or 37°C). Genetic complementation of the mutant with the intact kat restored normal growth, confirming that inactivation of this gene was responsible for the growth impairment. In spite of the expected impact of oxidative stress responses on cryotolerance, cryotolerance of the kat mutant was not affected.
Collapse
|
26
|
Azizoglu RO, Kathariou S. Inactivation of a cold-induced putative rna helicase gene of Listeria monocytogenes is accompanied by failure to grow at low temperatures but does not affect freeze-thaw tolerance. J Food Prot 2010; 73:1474-9. [PMID: 20819357 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-73.8.1474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Freeze-thaw tolerance (cryotolerance) of Listeria monocytogenes is markedly influenced by temperature of growth of the bacteria, and may involve responses to low-temperature stresses encountered during freezing and thawing. A cold-sensitive mariner-based transposon mutant of L. monocytogenes F2365 was found to harbor a single insertion in LMOf2365_1746, encoding a putative RNA helicase, and earlier shown by other investigators to be induced during 4 degrees C growth of L. monocytogenes. The mutant had normal growth at 37 degrees C but completely failed to grow at either 4 or 10 degrees C, and had impaired growth and reduced swarming on soft agar at 25 degrees C. However, the mutation had no discernible influence on the ability of the bacteria to tolerate repeated freezing and thawing after growth at either 25 or 37 degrees C. The findings suggest that the transposon insertion in the putative helicase gene, in spite of the severely cold-sensitive phenotype that accompanies it, does not affect the ability of the bacteria to cope with cold-related stresses encountered during repeated freezing and thawing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reha O Azizoglu
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Faith N, Kathariou S, Cheng Y, Promadej N, Neudeck BL, Zhang Q, Luchansky J, Czuprynski C. The role of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b gtcA in gastrointestinal listeriosis in A/J mice. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2010; 6:39-48. [PMID: 18991548 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2008.0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotype 4b strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been responsible for most large outbreaks of listeriosis. In L. monocytogenes serotype 4b, gtcA and gltA have been implicated in serotype-specific glycosylation of the teichoic acid of the cell wall with galactose and glucose. In this study, we investigated the impact of mutations in gltA (resulting in absence of glucose on teichoic acid) and gtcA (resulting in absence of galactose, and markedly reduced glucose on teichoic acid) on virulence following intragastric infection of anesthetized A/J mice. The gltA mutant was not impaired in virulence in this model. In contrast, testing of gtcA mutants constructed in two different strains showed that the mutants were recovered in lower numbers than their respective parent strains from the spleen, liver, ceca, and gall bladders of intragastrically inoculated mice. Genetic complementation of the gtcA mutation partially restored gastrointestinal virulence. When mice were inoculated intravenously, the gtcA mutants were also recovered in lower numbers from the liver (for both mutant strains) and the spleen (for one mutant strain) than their respective parental strains. The mutants were also evaluated for invasion and intracellular multiplication in the Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cell line. Inactivation of gltA did not affect invasion or intracellular growth of the bacteria. In contrast, gtcA mutants showed decreased invasion, but normal multiplication in Caco-2 cells. Overall, these data demonstrate a role for gtcA in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal listeriosis in mice, and suggest that diminished ability of gtcA mutants to invade intestinal epithelial cells may be partly responsible for decreased gastrointestinal virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Faith
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Host ranges of Listeria-specific bacteriophages from the turkey processing plant environment in the United States. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008; 74:6623-30. [PMID: 18791016 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01282-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though at least 400 Listeria phages have been isolated from various sources, limited information is available on phages from the food processing plant environment. Phages in the processing plant environment may play critical roles in determining the Listeria population that becomes established in the plant. In this study, we pursued the isolation of Listeria-specific phages from environmental samples from four turkey processing plants in the United States. These environmental samples were also utilized to isolate Listeria spp. Twelve phages were isolated and classified into three groups in terms of their host range. Of these, nine (group 1) showed a wide host range, including multiple serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes, as well as other Listeria spp. (L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seeligeri, and L. ivanovii). The remaining phages mostly infected L. monocytogenes serotype 4b as well as L. innocua, L. ivanovii, and/or L. welshimeri. All but one of the strains of the serotype 4b complex (4b, 4d, 4e) from the processing plant environment could be readily infected by the wide-host-range phages isolated from the environment of the processing plants. However, many strains of other serotypes (1/2a [or 3a] and 1/2b [or 3b]), which represented the majority of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from the environmental samples, were resistant to infection by these phages. Experiments with two phage-resistant strains showed reduced phage adsorption onto the host cells. These findings suggest that phage resistance may be an important component of the ecology of L. monocytogenes in the turkey processing plants.
Collapse
|