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A Copper-Responsive Two-Component System Governs Lipoprotein Remodeling in Listeria monocytogenes. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0039022. [PMID: 36622228 PMCID: PMC9879112 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00390-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial lipoproteins are membrane-associated proteins with a characteristic acylated N-terminal cysteine residue anchoring C-terminal globular domains to the membrane surface. While all lipoproteins are modified with acyl chains, the number, length, and position can vary depending on host. The acylation pattern also alters ligand recognition by the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) protein family, a signaling system that is central to bacterial surveillance and innate immunity. In select Listeria monocytogenes isolates carrying certain plasmids, copper exposure converts the lipoprotein chemotype into a weak TLR2 ligand through expression of the enzyme lipoprotein intramolecular acyltransferase (Lit). In this study, we identify the response regulator (CopR) from a heavy metal-sensing two-component system as the transcription factor that integrates external copper levels with lipoprotein structural modifications. We show that phosphorylated CopR controls the expression of three distinct transcripts within the plasmid cassette encoding Lit2, prolipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt2), putative copper resistance determinants, and itself (the CopRS two-component system). CopR recognizes a direct repeat half-site consensus motif (TCTACACA) separated by 3 bp that overlaps the -35 promoter element. Target gene expression and lipoprotein conversion were not observed in the absence of the response regulator, indicating that CopR phosphorylation is the dominant mechanism of regulation. IMPORTANCE Copper is a frontline antimicrobial used to limit bacterial growth in multiple settings. Here, we demonstrate how the response regulator CopR from a plasmid-borne two-component system in the opportunistic pathogen L. monocytogenes directly induces lipoprotein remodeling in tandem with copper resistance genes due to extracellular copper stress. Activation of CopR by phosphorylation converts the lipoprotein chemotype from a high- to low-immunostimulatory TLR2 ligand. The two-component system-mediated coregulation of copper resistance determinants, in tandem with lipoprotein biosynthesis demonstrated here in L. monocytogenes, may be a common feature of transmissible copper resistance cassettes found in other Firmicutes.
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Kaderabkova N, Bharathwaj M, Furniss RCD, Gonzalez D, Palmer T, Mavridou DA. The biogenesis of β-lactamase enzymes. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168:001217. [PMID: 35943884 PMCID: PMC10235803 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming marked a new era for modern medicine, allowing not only the treatment of infectious diseases, but also the safe performance of life-saving interventions, like surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, resistance against penicillin, as well as more complex β-lactam antibiotics, has rapidly emerged since the introduction of these drugs in the clinic, and is largely driven by a single type of extra-cytoplasmic proteins, hydrolytic enzymes called β-lactamases. While the structures, biochemistry and epidemiology of these resistance determinants have been extensively characterized, their biogenesis, a complex process including multiple steps and involving several fundamental biochemical pathways, is rarely discussed. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the journey of β-lactamases, from the moment they exit the ribosomal channel until they reach their final cellular destination as folded and active enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Kaderabkova
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Manasa Bharathwaj
- Centre to Impact AMR, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - R. Christopher D. Furniss
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Diego Gonzalez
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, 2000, Switzerland
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Microbes in Health and Disease, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Despoina A.I. Mavridou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- John Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Thoma J, Burmann BM. Architects of their own environment: How membrane proteins shape the Gram-negative cell envelope. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 128:1-34. [PMID: 35034716 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are surrounded by a complex multilayered cell envelope, consisting of an inner and an outer membrane, and separated by the aqueous periplasm, which contains a thin peptidoglycan cell wall. These bacteria employ an arsenal of highly specialized membrane protein machineries to ensure the correct assembly and maintenance of the membranes forming the cell envelope. Here, we review the diverse protein systems, which perform these functions in Escherichia coli, such as the folding and insertion of membrane proteins, the transport of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharide within the cell envelope, the targeting of phospholipids, and the regulation of mistargeted envelope components. Some of these protein machineries have been known for a long time, yet still hold surprises. Others have only recently been described and some are still missing pieces or yet remain to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Thoma
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Björn M Burmann
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
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El Rayes J, Rodríguez-Alonso R, Collet JF. Lipoproteins in Gram-negative bacteria: new insights into their biogenesis, subcellular targeting and functional roles. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 61:25-34. [PMID: 33667939 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial lipoproteins are globular proteins anchored to a membrane by a lipid moiety. By discovering new functions carried out by lipoproteins, recent research has highlighted the crucial roles played by these proteins in the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. Here, after discussing the wide range of activities carried out by lipoproteins in the model bacterium Escherichia coli, we review new insights into the essential mechanisms involved in lipoprotein maturation, sorting and targeting to their final destination. A special attention will also be given to the recent identification of lipoproteins on the surface of E. coli and of other bacteria. The renewed interest in lipoproteins is driven by the need to identify novel targets for antibiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica El Rayes
- WELBIO, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raquel Rodríguez-Alonso
- WELBIO, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-François Collet
- WELBIO, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Lipoprotein N-Acylation in Staphylococcus aureus Is Catalyzed by a Two-Component Acyl Transferase System. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01619-20. [PMID: 32723923 PMCID: PMC7387801 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01619-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although it has long been known that S. aureus forms triacylated Lpps, a lack of homologs to known N-acylation genes found in Gram-negative bacteria has until now precluded identification of the genes responsible for this Lpp modification. Here, we demonstrate N-terminal Lpp acylation and chemotype conversion to the tri-acylated state is directed by a unique acyl transferase system encoded by two noncontiguous staphylococci genes (lnsAB). Since triacylated Lpps stimulate TLR2 more weakly than their diacylated counterparts, Lpp N-acylation is an important TLR2 immunoevasion factor for determining tolerance or nontolerance in niches such as in the skin microbiota. The discovery of the LnsAB system expands the known diversity of Lpp biosynthesis pathways and acyl transfer biochemistry in bacteria, advances our understanding of Lpp structural heterogeneity, and helps differentiate commensal and noncommensal microbiota. Bacterial lipoproteins (Lpps) are a class of membrane-associated proteins universally distributed among all bacteria. A characteristic N-terminal cysteine residue that is variably acylated anchors C-terminal globular domains to the extracellular surface, where they serve numerous roles, including in the capture and transport of essential nutrients. Lpps are also ligands for the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) family, a key component of the innate immune system tasked with bacterial recognition. While Lpp function is conserved in all prokaryotes, structural heterogeneity in the N-terminal acylation state is widespread among Firmicutes and can differ between otherwise closely related species. In this study, we identify a novel two-gene system that directs the synthesis of N-acylated Lpps in the commensal and opportunistic pathogen subset of staphylococci. The two genes, which we have named the lipoprotein N-acylation transferase system (Lns), bear no resemblance to previously characterized N-terminal Lpp tailoring enzymes. LnsA (SAOUHSC_00822) is an NlpC/P60 superfamily enzyme, whereas LnsB (SAOHSC_02761) has remote homology to the CAAX protease and bacteriocin-processing enzyme (CPBP) family. Both LnsA and LnsB are together necessary and alone sufficient for N-acylation in Staphylococcus aureus and convert the Lpp chemotype from diacyl to triacyl when heterologously expressed in Listeria monocytogenes. Acquisition of lnsAB decreases TLR2-mediated detection of S. aureus by nearly 10-fold and shifts the activated TLR2 complex from TLR2/6 to TLR2/1. LnsAB thus has a dual role in attenuating TLR2 signaling in addition to a broader role in bacterial cell envelope physiology.
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Armbruster KM, Komazin G, Meredith TC. Bacterial lyso-form lipoproteins are synthesized via an intramolecular acyl chain migration. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10195-10211. [PMID: 32471867 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
All bacterial lipoproteins share a variably acylated N-terminal cysteine residue. Gram-negative bacterial lipoproteins are triacylated with a thioether-linked diacylglycerol moiety and an N-acyl chain. The latter is transferred from a membrane phospholipid donor to the α-amino terminus by the enzyme lipoprotein N-acyltransferase (Lnt), using an active-site cysteine thioester covalent intermediate. Many Gram-positive Firmicutes also have N-acylated lipoproteins, but the enzymes catalyzing N-acylation remain uncharacterized. The integral membrane protein Lit (lipoprotein intramolecular transacylase) from the opportunistic nosocomial pathogen Enterococcus faecalis synthesizes a specific lysoform lipoprotein (N-acyl S-monoacylglycerol) chemotype by an unknown mechanism that helps this bacterium evade immune recognition by the Toll-like receptor 2 family complex. Here, we used a deuterium-labeled lipoprotein substrate with reconstituted Lit to investigate intramolecular acyl chain transfer. We observed that Lit transfers the sn-2 ester-linked lipid from the diacylglycerol moiety to the α-amino terminus without forming a covalent thioester intermediate. Utilizing Mut-Seq to analyze an alanine scan library of Lit alleles, we identified two stretches of functionally important amino acid residues containing two conserved histidines. Topology maps based on reporter fusion assays and cysteine accessibility placed both histidines in the extracellular half of the cytoplasmic membrane. We propose a general acid base-promoted catalytic mechanism, invoking direct nucleophilic attack by the substrate α-amino group on the sn-2 ester to form a cyclic tetrahedral intermediate that then collapses to produce lyso-lipoprotein. Lit is a unique example of an intramolecular transacylase differentiated from that catalyzed by Lnt, and provides insight into the heterogeneity of bacterial lipoprotein biosynthetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M Armbruster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gloria Komazin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy C Meredith
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA .,The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park Pennsylvania, USA
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Xia J, Feng B, Wen G, Xue W, Ma G, Zhang H, Wu S. Bacterial Lipoprotein Biosynthetic Pathway as a Potential Target for Structure-based Design of Antibacterial Agents. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:1132-1150. [PMID: 30360704 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181008143411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance is currently a serious problem for global public health. To this end, discovery of new antibacterial drugs that interact with novel targets is important. The biosynthesis of lipoproteins is vital to bacterial survival and its inhibitors have shown efficacy against a range of bacteria, thus bacterial lipoprotein biosynthetic pathway is a potential target. METHODS At first, the literature that covered the basic concept of bacterial lipoprotein biosynthetic pathway as well as biochemical characterization of three key enzymes was reviewed. Then, the recently resolved crystal structures of the three enzymes were retrieved from Protein Data Bank (PDB) and the essential residues in the active sites were analyzed. Lastly, all the available specific inhibitors targeting this pathway and their Structure-activity Relationship (SAR) were discussed. RESULTS We briefly introduce the bacterial lipoprotein biosynthetic pathway and describe the structures and functions of three key enzymes in detail. In addition, we present much knowledge on ligand recognition that may facilitate structure-based drug design. Moreover, we focus on the SAR of LspA inhibitors and discuss their potency and drug-likeness. CONCLUSION This review presents a clear background of lipoprotein biosynthetic pathway and provides practical clues for structure-based drug design. In particular, the most up-to-date knowledge on the SAR of lead compounds targeting this pathway would be a good reference for discovery of a novel class of antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bo Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Gang Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wenjie Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guixing Ma
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and SUSTech-HKU joint laboratories for matrix biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongmin Zhang
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and SUSTech-HKU joint laboratories for matrix biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Song Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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Guo MS, Updegrove TB, Gogol EB, Shabalina SA, Gross CA, Storz G. MicL, a new σE-dependent sRNA, combats envelope stress by repressing synthesis of Lpp, the major outer membrane lipoprotein. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1620-34. [PMID: 25030700 PMCID: PMC4102768 DOI: 10.1101/gad.243485.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In enteric bacteria, the transcription factor σE maintains membrane homeostasis by inducing the synthesis of membrane repair proteins as well as two small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that down-regulate membrane porin synthesis. Here, Storz and colleagues identify a third σE-dependent sRNA, MicL, transcribed from the cutC gene coding sequence. MicL represses the outer membrane lipoprotein Lpp and is responsible for the copper sensitivity phenotype previously associated with cutC loss. This discovery is critical to understanding the networks that control outer membrane homeostasis in response to stress. In enteric bacteria, the transcription factor σE maintains membrane homeostasis by inducing synthesis of proteins involved in membrane repair and two small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that down-regulate synthesis of abundant membrane porins. Here, we describe the discovery of a third σE-dependent sRNA, MicL (mRNA-interfering complementary RNA regulator of Lpp), transcribed from a promoter located within the coding sequence of the cutC gene. MicL is synthesized as a 308-nucleotide (nt) primary transcript that is processed to an 80-nt form. Both forms possess features typical of Hfq-binding sRNAs but surprisingly target only a single mRNA, which encodes the outer membrane lipoprotein Lpp, the most abundant protein of the cell. We show that the copper sensitivity phenotype previously ascribed to inactivation of the cutC gene is actually derived from the loss of MicL and elevated Lpp levels. This observation raises the possibility that other phenotypes currently attributed to protein defects are due to deficiencies in unappreciated regulatory RNAs. We also report that σE activity is sensitive to Lpp abundance and that MicL and Lpp comprise a new σE regulatory loop that opposes membrane stress. Together MicA, RybB, and MicL allow σE to repress the synthesis of all abundant outer membrane proteins in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica S Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Taylor B Updegrove
- Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Emily B Gogol
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Svetlana A Shabalina
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
| | - Carol A Gross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Gisela Storz
- Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Sakamoto C, Satou R, Tokuda H, Narita SI. Novel mutations of the LolCDE complex causing outer membrane localization of lipoproteins despite their inner membrane-retention signals. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 401:586-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.09.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2010] [Accepted: 09/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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