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Abe K, Koizumi N, Nakamura S. Machine learning-based motion tracking reveals an inverse correlation between adhesivity and surface motility of the leptospirosis spirochete. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7703. [PMID: 38052837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial motility is often a crucial virulence factor for pathogenic species. A common approach to study bacterial motility is fluorescent labeling, which allows detection of individual bacterial cells in a population or in host tissues. However, the use of fluorescent labeling can be hampered by protein expression stability and/or interference with bacterial physiology. Here, we apply machine learning to microscopic image analysis for label-free motion tracking of the zoonotic bacterium Leptospira interrogans on cultured animal cells. We use various leptospiral strains isolated from a human patient or animals, as well as mutant strains. Strains associated with severe disease, and mutant strains lacking outer membrane proteins (OMPs), tend to display fast mobility and reduced adherence on cultured kidney cells. Our method does not require fluorescent labeling or genetic manipulation, and thus could be applied to study motility of many other bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Abe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Nobuo Koizumi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
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2
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Lynch MJ, Deshpande M, Kurniyati K, Zhang K, James M, Miller M, Zhang S, Passalia FJ, Wunder EA, Charon NW, Li C, Crane BR. Lysinoalanine cross-linking is a conserved post-translational modification in the spirochete flagellar hook. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad349. [PMID: 38047041 PMCID: PMC10691653 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Spirochetes cause Lyme disease, leptospirosis, syphilis, and several other human illnesses. Unlike other bacteria, spirochete flagella are enclosed within the periplasmic space where the filaments distort and push the cell body by the action of the flagellar motors. We previously demonstrated that the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (Td) and Lyme disease pathogen Borreliella burgdorferi (Bb) form covalent lysinoalanine (Lal) cross-links between conserved cysteine and lysine residues of the FlgE protein that composes the flagellar hook. In Td, Lal is unnecessary for hook assembly but is required for motility, presumably due to the stabilizing effect of the cross-link. Herein, we extend these findings to other, representative spirochete species across the phylum. We confirm the presence of Lal cross-linked peptides in recombinant and in vivo-derived samples from Treponema spp., Borreliella spp., Brachyspira spp., and Leptospira spp. As was observed with Td, a mutant strain of Bb unable to form the cross-link has greatly impaired motility. FlgE from Leptospira spp. does not conserve the Lal-forming cysteine residue which is instead substituted by serine. Nevertheless, Leptospira interrogans FlgE also forms Lal, with several different Lal isoforms being detected between Ser-179 and Lys-145, Lys-148, and Lys-166, thereby highlighting species or order-specific differences within the phylum. Our data reveal that the Lal cross-link is a conserved and necessary posttranslational modification across the spirochete phylum and may thus represent an effective target for the development of spirochete-specific antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lynch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Maithili Deshpande
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kurni Kurniyati
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Milinda James
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Michael Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Felipe J Passalia
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Nyles W Charon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Chunhao Li
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Brian R Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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3
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Azevedo IR, Amamura TA, Isaac L. Human leptospirosis: In search for a better vaccine. Scand J Immunol 2023; 98:e13316. [PMID: 39008520 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira and is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. This pathogen infects humans and other animals, responsible for the most widespread zoonosis in the world, estimated to be responsible for 60 000 deaths and 1 million cases per year. To date, commercial vaccines against human leptospirosis are available only in some countries such as Japan, China, Cuba and France. These vaccines prepared with inactivated Leptospira (bacterins) induce a short-term and serovar-specific immune response, with strong adverse side effects. To circumvent these limitations, several research groups are investigating new experimental vaccines in order to ensure that they are safe, efficient, and protect against several pathogenic Leptospira serovars, inducing sterilizing immunity. Most of these protocols use attenuated cultures, preparations after LPS removal, recombinant proteins or DNA from pathogenic Leptospira spp. The aim of this review was to highlight several promising vaccine candidates, considering their immunogenicity, presence in different pathogenic Leptospira serovars, their role in virulence or immune evasion and other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Resende Azevedo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais Akemi Amamura
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lourdes Isaac
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Kędzierska-Mieszkowska S. Sigma factors of RNA polymerase in the pathogenic spirochaete Leptospira interrogans, the causative agent of leptospirosis. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23163. [PMID: 37688587 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300252rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of σ factors in a highly invasive spirochaete Leptospira interrogans responsible for leptospirosis that affects many mammals, including humans. This disease has a significant impact on public health and the economy worldwide. In bacteria, σ factors are the key regulators of gene expression at the transcriptional level and therefore play an important role in bacterial adaptative response to different environmental stimuli. These factors form a holoenzyme with the RNA polymerase core enzyme and then direct it to specific promoters, which results in turning on selected genes. Most bacteria possess several different σ factors that enable them to maintain basal gene expression, as well as to regulate gene expression in response to specific environmental signals. Recent comparative genomics and in silico genome-wide analyses have revealed that the L. interrogans genome, consisting of two circular chromosomes, encodes a total of 14 σ factors. Among them, there is one putative housekeeping σ70 -like factor, and three types of alternative σ factors, i.e., one σ54 , one σ28 and 11 putative ECF (extracytoplasmic function) σE -type factors. Here, characteristics of these putative σ factors and their possible role in the L. interrogans gene regulation (especially in this pathogen's adaptive response to various environmental conditions, an important determinant of leptospiral virulence), are presented.
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Lynch MJ, Deshpande M, Kyrniyati K, Zhang K, James M, Miller M, Zhang S, Passalia FJ, Wunder EA, Charon NW, Li C, Crane BR. Lysinoalanine crosslinking is a conserved post-translational modification in the spirochete flagellar hook. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544825. [PMID: 37398457 PMCID: PMC10312707 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Spirochete bacteria cause Lyme disease, leptospirosis, syphilis and several other human illnesses. Unlike other bacteria, spirochete flagella are enclosed within the periplasmic space where the filaments distort and push the cell body by action of the flagellar motors. We previously demonstrated that the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (Td) catalyzes the formation of covalent lysinoalanine (Lal) crosslinks between conserved cysteine and lysine residues of the FlgE protein that composes the flagellar hook. Although not necessary for hook assembly, Lal is required for motility of Td, presumably due to the stabilizing effect of the crosslink. Herein, we extend these findings to other, representative spirochete species across the phylum. We confirm the presence of Lal crosslinked peptides in recombinant and in vivo -derived samples from Treponema spp., Borreliella spp., Brachyspira spp., and Leptospira spp.. Like with Td, a mutant strain of the Lyme disease pathogen Borreliella burgdorferi unable to form the crosslink has impaired motility. FlgE from Leptospira spp. does not conserve the Lal-forming cysteine residue which is instead substituted by serine. Nevertheless, Leptospira interrogans also forms Lal, with several different Lal isoforms being detected between Ser-179 and Lys-145, Lys-148, and Lys-166, thereby highlighting species or order-specific differences within the phylum. Our data reveals that the Lal crosslink is a conserved and necessary post-translational modification across the spirochete phylum and may thus represent an effective target for spirochete-specific antimicrobials. Significance Statement The phylum Spirochaetota contains bacterial pathogens responsible for a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, syphilis, periodontal disease, and leptospirosis. Motility of these pathogens is a major virulence factor that contributes to infectivity and host colonization. The oral pathogen Treponema denticola produces a post-translational modification (PTM) in the form of a lysinoalanine (Lal) crosslink between neighboring subunits of the flagellar hook protein FlgE. Herein, we demonstrate that representative spirochetes species across the phylum all form Lal in their flagellar hooks. T. denticola and B. burgdorferi cells incapable of forming the crosslink are non-motile, thereby establishing the general role of the Lal PTM in the unusual type of flagellar motility evolved by spirochetes.
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Diving into the complexity of the spirochetal endoflagellum. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:294-307. [PMID: 36244923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Spirochaetes, a phylum that includes medically important pathogens such as the causative agents of Lyme disease, syphilis, and leptospirosis, are in many ways highly unique bacteria. Their cell morphology, subcellular organization, and metabolism reveal atypical features. Spirochetal motility is also singular, dependent on the presence of periplasmic flagella or endoflagella, inserted subterminally at cell poles and not penetrating the outer membrane and elongating outside the cell as in enterobacteria. In this review we present a comprehensive comparative genomics analysis of endoflagellar systems in spirochetes, highlighting recent findings on the flagellar basal body and filament. Continued progress in understanding the function and architecture of spirochetal flagella is uncovering paradigm-shifting mechanisms of bacterial motility.
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Analysis of Adhesion and Surface Motility of a Spirochete Bacterium. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2646:159-168. [PMID: 36842114 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3060-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Spirochetes are Gram-negative bacteria with helical or flat wave morphology and move using flagella residing beneath the outer membrane. Most commonly, flagellated bacteria swim in liquid. Meanwhile, some species of spirochete not only swim but keep moving after adhering to solid surfaces, and such amphibious motility is believed to be significant for pathogenicity. This chapter focuses on the zoonotic spirochete Leptospira and describes the method for measuring the spirochete adhesion and surface motility.
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Abe K, Takabe K, Nakamura S. Force Measurement of Bacterial Swimming Using Optical Tweezers. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2646:169-179. [PMID: 36842115 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3060-0_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Velocity is a physical parameter most commonly used to quantify bacterial swimming. In the steady-state motion at a low Reynolds number, the swimming force can be estimated from the swimming velocity and the drag coefficient based on the assumption that the swimming force balances with the drag force exerted on the bacterium. Though the velocity-force relation provides a significant clue to understand the swimming mechanism, the odd configuration of bacteria could develop problems with the accuracy of the force estimation. This chapter describes the force measurement using optical tweezers. The method uses parameters obtained from the shape and movement of a microsphere attached to the bacteria, improving the quantitativeness of force measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Abe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Takabe
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
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Kurniyati K, Chang Y, Liu J, Li C. Transcriptional and functional characterizations of multiple flagellin genes in spirochetes. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:175-190. [PMID: 35776658 PMCID: PMC9481697 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The flagellar filament is a helical propeller for bacterial locomotion. In external flagellates, the filaments are mostly homopolymers of a single flagellin protein. By contrast, the flagellar filaments of spirochetes are mostly heteropolymers of multiple flagellin proteins. This report seeks to investigate the role of multiple flagellin proteins using the oral spirochete Treponema denticola as a model. First, biochemical and genetic studies uncover that the flagellar filaments of T. denticola mainly comprise four proteins, FlaA, FlaB1, FlaB2, and FlaB3, in a defined stoichiometry. Second, transcriptional analyses reveal that the genes encoding these four proteins are regulated by two different transcriptional factors, sigma28 and sigma70 . Third, loss-of-function studies demonstrate that each individual flagellin protein contributes to spirochete motility, but none of them is absolutely required. Last, we provide genetic and structural evidence that FlaA forms a "seam"-like structure around the core and that deletion of individual flagellin protein alters the flagellar homeostasis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that T. denticola has evolved a unique mechanism to finely regulate its flagellar filament gene expression and assembly which renders the organelle with the right number, shape, strength, and structure for its distinct motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurni Kurniyati
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of DentistryVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Yunjie Chang
- Microbial Sciences InstituteYale UniversityWest HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of Microbial PathogenesisYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Jun Liu
- Microbial Sciences InstituteYale UniversityWest HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of Microbial PathogenesisYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Chunhao Li
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of DentistryVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
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10
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Mondino S, San Martin F, Buschiazzo A. 3D cryo-electron microscopic imaging of bacterial flagella: novel structural and mechanistic insights into cell motility. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102105. [PMID: 35671822 PMCID: PMC9254593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial flagella are nanomachines that enable cells to move at high speeds. Comprising ≳25 different types of proteins, the flagellum is a large supramolecular assembly organized into three widely conserved substructures: a basal body including the rotary motor, a connecting hook, and a long filament. The whole flagellum from Escherichia coli weighs ∼20 MDa, without considering its filament portion, which is by itself a ∼1.6 GDa structure arranged as a multimer of ∼30,000 flagellin protomers. Breakthroughs regarding flagellar structure and function have been achieved in the last few years, mainly due to the revolutionary improvements in 3D cryo-electron microscopy methods. This review discusses novel structures and mechanistic insights derived from such high-resolution studies, advancing our understanding of each one of the three major flagellar segments. The rotation mechanism of the motor has been unveiled with unprecedented detail, showing a two-cogwheel machine propelled by a Brownian ratchet device. Additionally, by imaging the flagellin-like protomers that make up the hook in its native bent configuration, their unexpected conformational plasticity challenges the paradigm of a two-state conformational rearrangement mechanism for flagellin-fold proteins. Finally, imaging of the filaments of periplasmic flagella, which endow Spirochete bacteria with their singular motility style, uncovered a strikingly asymmetric protein sheath that coats the flagellin core, challenging the view of filaments as simple homopolymeric structures that work as freely whirling whips. Further research will shed more light on the functional details of this amazing nanomachine, but our current understanding has definitely come a long way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mondino
- Laboratory of Molecular & Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents IMiZA Unit, Joint International Unit, Institut Pasteur/Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, France/Uruguay
| | - Fabiana San Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular & Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents IMiZA Unit, Joint International Unit, Institut Pasteur/Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, France/Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Laboratory of Molecular & Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents IMiZA Unit, Joint International Unit, Institut Pasteur/Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, France/Uruguay; Microbiology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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11
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Fernandes LGV, Nascimento ALTO. A Novel Breakthrough in Leptospira spp. Mutagenesis: Knockout by Combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and Non-homologous End-Joining Systems. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:915382. [PMID: 35722349 PMCID: PMC9199861 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.915382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is of general concern as it is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira, although this genus also includes free-living saprophytic strains. Understanding the pathophysiology of leptospirosis is still in its infancy even after several years of its discovery, because of the lack of effective genetic tools. The use of the Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR/Cas9 system and its variations have pushed the leptospirosis research forward, relying on the simplicity of the technique. However, the lethality of double-strand breaks (DSB) induced by the RNA-guided Cas9 enzyme has limited the generation of knockout mutants. In this work, we demonstrated sustained cell viability after concurrent expression of CRISPR/Cas9 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis non-homologous end-joining components in a single-plasmid strategy in L. biflexa. Scarless mutations resulting in null phenotypes could be observed in most of the colonies recovered, with deletions in the junctional site ranging from 3 to almost 400 bp. After plasmid curing by in vitro passages in a medium without antibiotic, selected marker-free and targeted mutants could be recovered. Knockout mutants for LipL32 protein in the pathogen L. interrogans could be obtained using M. smegmatis NHEJ machinery, with deletions ranging from 10 to 345 bp. In conclusion, we now have a powerful genetic tool for generating scarless and markerless knockout mutants for both saprophytic and pathogenic strains of Leptospira.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G. V. Fernandes
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Luis G. V. Fernandes,
| | - Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Nakamura S. Motility of the Zoonotic Spirochete Leptospira: Insight into Association with Pathogenicity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031859. [PMID: 35163781 PMCID: PMC8837006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
If a bacterium has motility, it will use the ability to survive and thrive. For many pathogenic species, their motilities are a crucial virulence factor. The form of motility varies among the species. Some use flagella for swimming in liquid, and others use the cell-surface machinery to move over solid surfaces. Spirochetes are distinguished from other bacterial species by their helical or flat wave morphology and periplasmic flagella (PFs). It is believed that the rotation of PFs beneath the outer membrane causes transformation or rolling of the cell body, propelling the spirochetes. Interestingly, some spirochetal species exhibit motility both in liquid and over surfaces, but it is not fully unveiled how the spirochete pathogenicity involves such amphibious motility. This review focuses on the causative agent of zoonosis leptospirosis and discusses the significance of their motility in liquid and on surfaces, called crawling, as a virulence factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
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13
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Characterization of the Flagellar Collar Reveals Structural Plasticity Essential for Spirochete Motility. mBio 2021; 12:e0249421. [PMID: 34809456 PMCID: PMC8609358 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02494-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spirochetes are a remarkable group of bacteria with distinct morphology and periplasmic flagella that enable motility in viscous environments, such as host connective tissues. The collar, a spirochete-specific complex of the periplasmic flagellum, is required for this unique spirochete motility, yet it has not been clear how the collar assembles and enables spirochetes to transit between complex host environments. Here, we characterize the collar complex in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. We discover as well as delineate the distinct functions of two novel collar proteins, FlcB and FlcC, by combining subtractive bioinformatic, genetic, and cryo-electron tomography approaches. Our high-resolution in situ structures reveal that the multiprotein collar has a remarkable structural plasticity essential not only for assembly of flagellar motors in the highly curved membrane of spirochetes but also for generation of the high torque necessary for spirochete motility.
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14
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Phoka T, Fule L, Da Fonseca JP, Cokelaer T, Picardeau M, Patarakul K. Investigating the role of the carbon storage regulator A (CsrA) in Leptospira spp. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260981. [PMID: 34898610 PMCID: PMC8668096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon Storage Regulator A (CsrA) is a well-characterized post-transcriptional global regulator that plays a critical role in response to environmental changes in many bacteria. CsrA has been reported to regulate several metabolic pathways, motility, biofilm formation, and virulence-associated genes. The role of csrA in Leptospira spp., which are able to survive in different environmental niches and infect a wide variety of reservoir hosts, has not been characterized. To investigate the role of csrA as a gene regulator in Leptospira, we generated a L. biflexa csrA deletion mutant (ΔcsrA) and csrA overexpressing Leptospira strains. The ΔcsrA L. biflexa displayed poor growth under starvation conditions. RNA sequencing revealed that in rich medium only a few genes, including the gene encoding the flagellar filament protein FlaB3, were differentially expressed in the ΔcsrA mutant. In contrast, 575 transcripts were differentially expressed when csrA was overexpressed in L. biflexa. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the RNA-seq data in the ΔcsrA mutant, showing direct binding of recombinant CsrA to flaB3 mRNA. In the pathogen L. interrogans, we were not able to generate a csrA mutant. We therefore decided to overexpress csrA in L. interrogans. In contrast to the overexpressing strain of L. biflexa, the overexpressing L. interrogans strain had poor motility on soft agar. The overexpressing strain of L. interrogans also showed significant upregulation of the flagellin flaB1, flaB2, and flaB4. The interaction of L. interrogans rCsrA and flaB4 was confirmed by EMSA. Our results demonstrated that CsrA may function as a global regulator in Leptospira spp. under certain conditions that cause csrA overexpression. Interestingly, the mechanisms of action and gene targets of CsrA may be different between non-pathogenic and pathogenic Leptospira strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theerapat Phoka
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lenka Fule
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, French National Reference Centre for Leptospirosis, Paris, France
| | - Juliana Pipoli Da Fonseca
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics, Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Cokelaer
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics, Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique – Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, French National Reference Centre for Leptospirosis, Paris, France
| | - Kanitha Patarakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
- Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail: ,
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15
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Daroz BB, Fernandes LGV, Cavenague MF, Kochi LT, Passalia FJ, Takahashi MB, Nascimento Filho EG, Teixeira AF, Nascimento ALTO. A Review on Host- Leptospira Interactions: What We Know and Future Expectations. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:777709. [PMID: 34900757 PMCID: PMC8657130 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.777709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. It is considered a neglected infectious disease of human and veterinary concern. Our group has been investigating proteins annotated as hypothetical, predicted to be located on the leptospiral surface. Because of their location, these proteins may have the ability to interact with various host components, which could allow establishment of the infection. These proteins act as adherence factors by binding to host receptor molecules, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) components laminin and glycosaminoglycans to help bacterial colonization. Leptospira also interacts with the host fibrinolytic system, which has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for invasion mechanisms. The interaction with fibrinogen and thrombin has been shown to reduce fibrin clot formation. Additionally, the degradation of coagulation cascade components by secreted proteases or by acquired surface plasmin could also play a role in reducing clot formation, hence facilitating dissemination during infection. Interaction with host complement system regulators also plays a role in helping bacteria to evade the immune system, facilitating invasion. Interaction of Leptospira to cell receptors, such as cadherins, can contribute to investigate molecules that participate in virulence. To achieve a better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction, leptospiral mutagenesis tools have been developed and explored. This work presents several proteins that mediate binding to components of the ECM, plasma, components of the complement system and cells, to gather research achievements that can be helpful in better understanding the mechanisms of leptospiral-host interactions and discuss genetic manipulation for Leptospira spp. aimed at protein function validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda B. Daroz
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis G. V. Fernandes
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria F. Cavenague
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro T. Kochi
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe J. Passalia
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria B. Takahashi
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson G. Nascimento Filho
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline F. Teixeira
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Fule L, Halifa R, Fontana C, Sismeiro O, Legendre R, Varet H, Coppée JY, Murray GL, Adler B, Hendrixson DR, Buschiazzo A, Guo S, Liu J, Picardeau M. Role of the major determinant of polar flagellation FlhG in the endoflagella-containing spirochete Leptospira. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:1392-1406. [PMID: 34657338 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Spirochetes can be distinguished from other bacteria by their spiral-shaped morphology and subpolar periplasmic flagella. This study focused on FlhF and FlhG, which control the spatial and numerical regulation of flagella in many exoflagellated bacteria, in the spirochete Leptospira. In contrast to flhF which seems to be essential in Leptospira, we demonstrated that flhG- mutants in both the saprophyte L. biflexa and the pathogen L. interrogans were less motile than the wild-type strains in gel-like environments but not hyperflagellated as reported previously in other bacteria. Cryo-electron tomography revealed that the distance between the flagellar basal body and the tip of the cell decreased significantly in the flhG- mutant in comparison to wild-type and complemented strains. Additionally, comparative transcriptome analyses of L. biflexa flhG- and wild-type strains showed that FlhG acts as a negative regulator of transcription of some flagellar genes. We found that the L. interrogans flhG- mutant was attenuated for virulence in the hamster model. Cross-species complementation also showed that flhG is not interchangeable between species. Our results indicate that FlhF and FlhG in Leptospira contribute to governing cell motility but our data support the hypothesis that FlhF and FlhG function differently in each bacterial species, including among spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Fule
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
- Pasteur International Unit, Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay/Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ruben Halifa
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
| | - Celia Fontana
- Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale, Saint Priest, France
| | - Odile Sismeiro
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Coppée
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Gerald L Murray
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Adler
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David R Hendrixson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Pasteur International Unit, Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay/Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Shuaiqi Guo
- Microbial Sciences Institute & Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Microbial Sciences Institute & Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
- Pasteur International Unit, Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay/Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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17
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Kurilung A, Perreten V, Prapasarakul N. Comparative Genomic Analysis and a Novel Set of Missense Mutation of the Leptospira weilii Serogroup Mini From the Urine of Asymptomatic Dogs in Thailand. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:731937. [PMID: 34733249 PMCID: PMC8558515 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.731937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira weilii belongs to the pathogenic Leptospira group and is a causal agent of human and animal leptospirosis in many world regions. L. weilii can produce varied clinical presentations from asymptomatic through acute to chronic infections and occupy several ecological niches. Nevertheless, the genomic feature and genetic basis behind the host adaptability of L. weilii remain elusive due to limited information. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the complete circular genomes of two new L. weilii serogroup Mini strains (CUDO6 and CUD13) recovered from the urine of asymptomatic dogs in Thailand and then compared with the 17 genomes available for L. weilii. Variant calling analysis (VCA) was also undertaken to gain potential insight into the missense mutations, focusing on the known pathogenesis-related genes. Whole genome sequences revealed that the CUDO6 and CUD13 strains each contained two chromosomes and one plasmid, with average genome size and G+C content of 4.37 Mbp and 40.7%, respectively. Both strains harbored almost all the confirmed pathogenesis-related genes in Leptospira. Two novel plasmid sequences, pDO6 and pD13, were identified in the strains CUDO6 and CUD13. Both plasmids contained genes responsible for stress response that may play important roles in bacterial adaptation during persistence in the kidneys. The core-single nucleotide polymorphisms phylogeny demonstrated that both strains had a close genetic relationship. Amongst the 19 L. weilii strains analyzed, the pan-genome analysis showed an open pan-genome structure, correlated with their high genetic diversity. VCA identified missense mutations in genes involved in endoflagella, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure, mammalian cell entry protein, and hemolytic activities, and may be associated with host-adaptation in the strains. Missense mutations of the endoflagella genes of CUDO6 and CUD13 were associated with loss of motility. These findings extend the knowledge about the pathogenic molecular mechanisms and genomic evolution of this important zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alongkorn Kurilung
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Siriraj Metabolomics and Phenomics Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vincent Perreten
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nuvee Prapasarakul
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Diagnosis and Monitoring of Animal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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18
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Anuntakarun S, Sawaswong V, Jitvaropas R, Praianantathavorn K, Poomipak W, Suputtamongkol Y, Chirathaworn C, Payungporn S. Comparative genome characterization of Leptospira interrogans from mild and severe leptospirosis patients. Genomics Inform 2021; 19:e31. [PMID: 34638178 PMCID: PMC8510873 DOI: 10.5808/gi.21037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes from the genus Leptospira. In Thailand, Leptospira interrogans is a major cause of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis patients present with a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic, mild infections to severe illness involving organ failure. For better understanding the difference between Leptospira isolates causing mild and severe leptospirosis, illumina sequencing was used to sequence genomic DNA in both serotypes. DNA of Leptospira isolated from two patients, one with mild and another with severe symptoms, were included in this study. The paired-end reads were removed adapters and trimmed with Q30 score using Trimmomatic. Trimmed reads were constructed to contigs and scaffolds using SPAdes. Cross-contamination of scaffolds was evaluated by ContEst16s. Prokka tool for bacterial annotation was used to annotate sequences from both Leptospira isolates. Predicted amino acid sequences from Prokka were searched in EggNOG and David gene ontology database to characterize gene ontology. In addition, Leptospira from mild and severe patients, that passed the criteria e-value < 10e-5 from blastP against virulence factor database, were used to analyze with Venn diagram. From this study, we found 13 and 12 genes that were unique in the isolates from mild and severe patients, respectively. The 12 genes in the severe isolate might be virulence factor genes that affect disease severity. However, these genes should be validated in further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songtham Anuntakarun
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Vorthon Sawaswong
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Rungrat Jitvaropas
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | | | - Witthaya Poomipak
- Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Yupin Suputtamongkol
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chintana Chirathaworn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sunchai Payungporn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.,Research Unit of Systems Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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19
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Coburn J, Picardeau M, Woods CW, Veldman T, Haake DA. Pathogenesis insights from an ancient and ubiquitous spirochete. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009836. [PMID: 34673833 PMCID: PMC8530280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jenifer Coburn
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - Christopher W. Woods
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Timothy Veldman
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David A. Haake
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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20
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Phoka T, Techawiwattanaboon T, Sangjun N, Komanee P, Murray GL, Wongratanacheewin Sermswan R, Adler B, Patarakul K. Identification of in vivo expressed proteins in live attenuated lipopolysaccharide mutant that mediates heterologous protection against Leptospira spp. Vet Microbiol 2021; 262:109220. [PMID: 34509026 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis vaccines that elicit broad protection against a range of pathogenic Leptospira spp. would overcome a major drawback of currently licensed bacterin vaccines. Live attenuated vaccine produced from a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant strain of L. interrogans serovar Manilae M1352 (Live M1352) stimulated better protective efficacy than heat killed M1352 (HK M1352) against a heterologous challenge with L. interrogans serovar Pomona. To identify antigens of Live M1352 potentially responsible for cross protection, in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT), a powerful tool to identify in vivo-induced (ivi) genes expressed during infection, was employed in this study. Pooled sera from hamsters immunized with Live M1352 were sequentially adsorbed with various preparations of in vitro grown M1352. The pre-adsorbed sera were used to screen a genomic expression library of M1352. Nineteen strongly reactive clones were selected for DNA sequencing. These ivi genes are conserved in most Leptospira strains. Four selected genes including LIMLP_04965 (tolB), LIMLP_01535, LIMLP_06785 (fliI), and LIMLP_14930 were confirmed for their upregulated expression in kidneys of infected hamsters by RT-qPCR, suggesting their role in leptospiral infection. These ivi proteins represent potential targets for vaccine candidates that warrant further investigation for their protective efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theerapat Phoka
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Teerasit Techawiwattanaboon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Noppadon Sangjun
- Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pat Komanee
- Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Gerald L Murray
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia; The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Rasana Wongratanacheewin Sermswan
- Melioidosis Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Ben Adler
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kanitha Patarakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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21
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Lambert A. Leptospira spp. Toolbox for Chemotaxis Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2134:123-130. [PMID: 32632864 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0459-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A toolbox for chemotaxis assay adapted to Leptospira spp. has emerged in the recent years: soft agar assay, capillary assay, and videomicroscopy tracking. Those methods allow to demonstrate chemotaxis defect, identify diverse chemoattractants, or decipher motile behavior quantitatively. These experiments have demonstrated a role of motility and potentially chemotaxis in leptospirosis pathogenesis. We describe extensively the methods and provide the key steps to use this toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Lambert
- ERRMECe, Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, Institut des matériaux I-MAT, Université de Cergy-Pontoise, Maison Internationale de la Recherche, Neuville sur Oise, France.
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22
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Samrot AV, Sean TC, Bhavya KS, Sahithya CS, Chan-drasekaran S, Palanisamy R, Robinson ER, Subbiah SK, Mok PL. Leptospiral Infection, Pathogenesis and Its Diagnosis-A Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020145. [PMID: 33535649 PMCID: PMC7912936 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a perplexing conundrum for many. In the existing literature, the pathophysiological mechanisms pertaining to leptospirosis is still not understood in full. Considered as a neglected tropical zoonotic disease, leptospirosis is culminating as a serious problem worldwide, seemingly existing as co-infections with various other unrelated diseases, including dengue and malaria. Misdiagnosis is also common as non-specific symptoms are documented extensively in the literature. This can easily lead to death, as the severe form of leptospirosis (Weil's disease) manifests as a complex of systemic complications, especially renal failure. The virulence of Leptospira sp. is usually attributed to the outer membrane proteins, including LipL32. With an armament of virulence factors at their disposal, their ability to easily adhere, invade and replicate within cells calls for a swift refinement in research progress to establish their exact pathophysiological framework. As an effort to reconstitute the current knowledge on leptospirosis, the basis of leptospiral infection, including its risk factors, classification, morphology, transmission, pathogenesis, co-infections and clinical manifestations are highlighted in this review. The various diagnostic techniques are also outlined with emphasis on their respective pros and cons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony V. Samrot
- School of Bioscience, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor 42610, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: (A.V.S.); (P.L.M.)
| | - Tan Chuan Sean
- School of Bioscience, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor 42610, Malaysia;
| | - Karanam Sai Bhavya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 627 011, India; (K.S.B.); (C.S.S.); (S.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Chamarthy Sai Sahithya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 627 011, India; (K.S.B.); (C.S.S.); (S.C.); (R.P.)
| | - SaiPriya Chan-drasekaran
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 627 011, India; (K.S.B.); (C.S.S.); (S.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Raji Palanisamy
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 627 011, India; (K.S.B.); (C.S.S.); (S.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Emilin Renitta Robinson
- Department of Food Processing Technology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 114, India;
| | - Suresh Kumar Subbiah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Selaiyur, Tamil Nadu 600 073, India
- Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
| | - Pooi Ling Mok
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Selaiyur, Tamil Nadu 600 073, India
- Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka P.O. Box 2014, Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (A.V.S.); (P.L.M.)
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23
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Fernandes LGV, Hornsby RL, Nascimento ALTO, Nally JE. Genetic manipulation of pathogenic Leptospira: CRISPR interference (CRISPRi)-mediated gene silencing and rapid mutant recovery at 37 °C. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1768. [PMID: 33469138 PMCID: PMC7815788 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81400-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected, widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira, and is responsible for 60,000 deaths per year. Pathogenic mechanisms of leptospirosis remain poorly understood mainly because targeted mutations or gene silencing in pathogenic Leptospira continues to be inherently inefficient, laborious, costly and difficult to implement. In addition, pathogenic leptospires are highly fastidious and the selection of mutants on solid agar media can take up to 6 weeks. The catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) is an RNA-guided DNA-binding protein from the Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR/Cas system and can be used for gene silencing, in a strategy termed CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). Here, this technique was employed to silence genes encoding major outer membrane proteins of pathogenic L. interrogans. Conjugation protocols were optimized using the newly described HAN media modified for rapid mutant recovery at 37 °C in 3% CO2 within 8 days. Complete silencing of LipL32 and concomitant and complete silencing of both LigA and LigB outer membrane proteins were achieved, revealing for the first time that Lig proteins are involved in pathogenic Leptospira serum resistance. Gene silencing in pathogenic leptospires and rapid mutant recovery will facilitate novel studies to further evaluate and understand pathogenic mechanisms of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G V Fernandes
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA.
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - R L Hornsby
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - A L T O Nascimento
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - J E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
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24
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Gaultney RA, Vincent AT, Lorioux C, Coppée JY, Sismeiro O, Varet H, Legendre R, Cockram CA, Veyrier F, Picardeau M. 4-Methylcytosine DNA modification is critical for global epigenetic regulation and virulence in the human pathogen Leptospira interrogans. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:12102-12115. [PMID: 33301041 PMCID: PMC7708080 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In bacteria, DNA methylation can be facilitated by 'orphan' DNA methyltransferases lacking cognate restriction endonucleases, but whether and how these enzymes control key cellular processes are poorly understood. The effects of a specific modification, 4-methylcytosine (4mC), are even less clear, as this epigenetic marker is unique to bacteria and archaea, whereas the bulk of epigenetic research is currently performed on eukaryotes. Here, we characterize a 4mC methyltransferase from the understudied pathogen Leptospira spp. Inactivating this enzyme resulted in complete abrogation of CTAG motif methylation, leading to genome-wide dysregulation of gene expression. Mutants exhibited growth defects, decreased adhesion to host cells, higher susceptibility to LPS-targeting antibiotics, and, importantly, were no longer virulent in an acute infection model. Further investigation resulted in the discovery of at least one gene, that of an ECF sigma factor, whose transcription was altered in the methylase mutant and, subsequently, by mutation of the CTAG motifs in the promoter of the gene. The genes that comprise the regulon of this sigma factor were, accordingly, dysregulated in the methylase mutant and in a strain overexpressing the sigma factor. Our results highlight the importance of 4mC in Leptospira physiology, and suggest the same of other understudied species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antony T Vincent
- Bacterial Symbionts Evolution, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Céline Lorioux
- Unité Biologie des Spirochètes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Coppée
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Odile Sismeiro
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, USR 3756 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, USR 3756 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Frédéric J Veyrier
- Bacterial Symbionts Evolution, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada
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25
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Kędzierska-Mieszkowska S, Arent Z. AAA+ Molecular Chaperone ClpB in Leptospira interrogans: Its Role and Significance in Leptospiral Virulence and Pathogenesis of Leptospirosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6645. [PMID: 32932775 PMCID: PMC7555560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial ClpB is an ATP-dependent disaggregase that belongs to the Hsp100/Clp subfamily of the AAA+ ATPases and cooperates with the DnaK chaperone system in the reactivation of aggregated proteins, as well as promotes bacterial survival under adverse environmental conditions, including thermal and oxidative stresses. In addition, extensive evidence indicates that ClpB supports the virulence of numerous bacteria, including pathogenic spirochaete Leptospira interrogans responsible for leptospirosis in animals and humans. However, the specific function of ClpB in leptospiral virulence still remains to be fully elucidated. Interestingly, ClpB was predicted as one of the L. interrogans hub proteins interacting with human proteins, and pathogen-host protein interactions are fundamental for successful invasion of the host immune system by bacteria. The aim of this review is to discuss the most important aspects of ClpB's function in L. interrogans, including contribution of ClpB to leptospiral virulence and pathogenesis of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease with a significant impact on public health worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zbigniew Arent
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
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26
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Abe K, Kuribayashi T, Takabe K, Nakamura S. Implications of back-and-forth motion and powerful propulsion for spirochetal invasion. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13937. [PMID: 32811890 PMCID: PMC7434897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70897-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spirochete Leptospira spp. can move in liquid and on a solid surface using two periplasmic flagella (PFs), and its motility is an essential virulence factor for the pathogenic species. Mammals are infected with the spirochete through the wounded dermis, which implies the importance of behaviors on the boundary with such viscoelastic milieu; however, the leptospiral pathogenicity involving motility remains unclear. We used a glass chamber containing a gel area adjoining the leptospiral suspension to resemble host dermis exposed to contaminated water and analyzed the motility of individual cells at the liquid-gel border. Insertion of one end of the cell body to the gel increased switching of the swimming direction. Moreover, the swimming force of Leptospira was also measured by trapping single cells using an optical tweezer. It was found that they can generate [Formula: see text] 17 pN of force, which is [Formula: see text] 30 times of the swimming force of Escherichia coli. The force-speed relationship suggested the load-dependent force enhancement and showed that the power (the work per unit time) for the propulsion is [Formula: see text] 3.1 × 10-16 W, which is two-order of magnitudes larger than the propulsive power of E. coli. The powerful and efficient propulsion of Leptospira using back-and-forth movements could facilitate their invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Abe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Toshiki Kuribayashi
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Takabe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan.
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27
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Putz EJ, Nally JE. Investigating the Immunological and Biological Equilibrium of Reservoir Hosts and Pathogenic Leptospira: Balancing the Solution to an Acute Problem? Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2005. [PMID: 32922382 PMCID: PMC7456838 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a devastating zoonotic disease affecting people and animals across the globe. Pathogenic leptospires are excreted in urine of reservoir hosts which directly or indirectly leads to continued disease transmission, via contact with mucous membranes or a breach of the skin barrier of another host. Human fatalities approach 60,000 deaths per annum; though most vertebrates are susceptible to leptospirosis, complex interactions between host species and serovars of Leptospira can yield disease phenotypes that vary from asymptomatic shedding in reservoir hosts, to multi-organ failure in incidental hosts. Clinical symptoms of acute leptospirosis reflect the diverse range of pathogenic species and serovars that cause infection, the level of exposure, and the relationship of the pathogen with the given host. However, in all cases, pathogenic Leptospira are excreted into the environment via urine from reservoir hosts which are uniformly recognized as asymptomatic carriers. Therefore, the reservoir host serves as the cornerstone of persistent disease transmission. Although bacterin vaccines can be used to abate renal carriage and excretion in domestic animal species, there is an urgent need to advance our understanding of immune-mediated host–pathogen interactions that facilitate persistent asymptomatic carriage. This review summarizes the current understanding of host–pathogen interactions in the reservoir host and prioritizes research to unravel mechanisms that allow for colonization but not destruction of the host. This information is required to understand, and ultimately control, the transmission of pathogenic Leptospira.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie J Putz
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
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28
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Holzapfel M, Bonhomme D, Cagliero J, Vernel-Pauillac F, Fanton d'Andon M, Bortolussi S, Fiette L, Goarant C, Wunder EA, Picardeau M, Ko AI, Werling D, Matsui M, Boneca IG, Werts C. Escape of TLR5 Recognition by Leptospira spp.: A Rationale for Atypical Endoflagella. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2007. [PMID: 32849665 PMCID: PMC7431986 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira (L.) interrogans are invasive bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonosis. They possess two periplasmic endoflagellae that allow their motility. L. interrogans are stealth pathogens that escape the innate immune recognition of the NOD-like receptors NOD1/2, and the human Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, which senses peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. TLR5 is another receptor of bacterial cell wall components, recognizing flagellin subunits. To study the contribution of TLR5 in the host defense against leptospires, we infected WT and TLR5 deficient mice with pathogenic L. interrogans and tracked the infection by in vivo live imaging of bioluminescent bacteria or by qPCR. We did not identify any protective or inflammatory role of murine TLR5 for controlling pathogenic Leptospira. Likewise, subsequent in vitro experiments showed that infections with different live strains of L. interrogans and L. biflexa did not trigger TLR5 signaling. However, unexpectedly, heat-killed bacteria stimulated human and bovine TLR5, but did not, or barely induced stimulation via murine TLR5. Abolition of TLR5 recognition required extensive boiling time of the bacteria or proteinase K treatment, showing an unusual high stability of the leptospiral flagellins. Interestingly, after using antimicrobial peptides to destabilize live leptospires, we detected TLR5 activity, suggesting that TLR5 could participate in the fight against leptospires in humans or cattle. Using different Leptospira strains with mutations in the flagellin proteins, we further showed that neither FlaA nor Fcp participated in the recognition by TLR5, suggesting a role for the FlaB. FlaB have structural homology to Salmonella FliC, and possess conserved residues important for TLR5 activation, as shown by in silico analyses. Accordingly, we found that leptospires regulate the expression of FlaB mRNA according to the growth phase in vitro, and that infection with L. interrogans in hamsters and in mice downregulated the expression of the FlaB, but not the FlaA subunits. Altogether, in contrast to different bacteria that modify their flagellin sequences to escape TLR5 recognition, our study suggests that the peculiar central localization and stability of the FlaB monomers in the periplasmic endoflagellae, associated with the downregulation of FlaB subunits in hosts, constitute an efficient strategy of leptospires to escape the TLR5 recognition and the induced immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Holzapfel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Bonhomme
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Julie Cagliero
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle Calédonie, Immunity and Inflammation Group, Institut Pasteur International Network, Noumea, France
| | - Frédérique Vernel-Pauillac
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
| | - Martine Fanton d'Andon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
| | - Sophia Bortolussi
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Fiette
- Unité Histopathologie Humaine et Modèles Animaux, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Cyrille Goarant
- Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle Calédonie, Noumea, France
| | - Elsio A Wunder
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Albert I Ko
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Dirk Werling
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Mariko Matsui
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle Calédonie, Immunity and Inflammation Group, Institut Pasteur International Network, Noumea, France
| | - Ivo G Boneca
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Werts
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 2001 Microbiologie Intégrative et Moléculaire, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Equipe Avenir, Paris, France
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29
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Xu J, Koizumi N, Nakamura S. Crawling Motility on the Host Tissue Surfaces Is Associated With the Pathogenicity of the Zoonotic Spirochete Leptospira. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1886. [PMID: 32849465 PMCID: PMC7419657 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial motility is crucial for many pathogenic species in the process of invasion and/or dissemination. The spirochete bacteria Leptospira spp. cause symptoms, such as hemorrhage, jaundice, and nephritis, in diverse mammals including humans. Although loss-of-motility attenuate the spirochete's virulence, the mechanism of the motility-dependent pathogenicity is unknown. Here, focusing on that Leptospira spp. swim in liquid and crawl on solid surfaces, we investigated the spirochetal dynamics on the host tissues by infecting cultured kidney cells from various species with pathogenic and non-pathogenic leptospires. We found that, in the case of the pathogenic leptospires, a larger fraction of bacteria attached to the host cells and persistently traveled long distances using the crawling mechanism. Our results associate the kinetics and kinematic features of the spirochetal pathogens with their virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- Department of Animal Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuo Koizumi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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30
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Measurement of the Cell-Body Rotation of Leptospira. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32632866 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0459-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Leptospira spp. swim in liquid and crawl on surfaces with two periplasmic flagella. The periplasmic flagella attach to the protoplasmic cylinder via basal rotary motors (flagellar motors) and transform the ends of the cell body into spiral or hook shape. The rotations of the periplasmic flagella are thought to gyrate the cell body and rotate the protoplasmic cylinder for propelling the cell; however, the motility mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Since the motility is a critical virulence factor for pathogenic leptospires, the kinematic insight is valuable to understand the mechanism of infection. This chapter describes microscopic methodologies to measure the motility of Leptospira, focusing on rotation of the helical cell body.
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31
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Spirochete Flagella and Motility. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040550. [PMID: 32260454 PMCID: PMC7225975 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spirochetes can be distinguished from other flagellated bacteria by their long, thin, spiral (or wavy) cell bodies and endoflagella that reside within the periplasmic space, designated as periplasmic flagella (PFs). Some members of the spirochetes are pathogenic, including the causative agents of syphilis, Lyme disease, swine dysentery, and leptospirosis. Furthermore, their unique morphologies have attracted attention of structural biologists; however, the underlying physics of viscoelasticity-dependent spirochetal motility is a longstanding mystery. Elucidating the molecular basis of spirochetal invasion and interaction with hosts, resulting in the appearance of symptoms or the generation of asymptomatic reservoirs, will lead to a deeper understanding of host-pathogen relationships and the development of antimicrobials. Moreover, the mechanism of propulsion in fluids or on surfaces by the rotation of PFs within the narrow periplasmic space could be a designing base for an autonomously driving micro-robot with high efficiency. This review describes diverse morphology and motility observed among the spirochetes and further summarizes the current knowledge on their mechanisms and relations to pathogenicity, mainly from the standpoint of experimental biophysics.
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32
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Gibson KH, Trajtenberg F, Wunder EA, Brady MR, San Martin F, Mechaly A, Shang Z, Liu J, Picardeau M, Ko A, Buschiazzo A, Sindelar CV. An asymmetric sheath controls flagellar supercoiling and motility in the leptospira spirochete. eLife 2020; 9:e53672. [PMID: 32157997 PMCID: PMC7065911 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spirochete bacteria, including important pathogens, exhibit a distinctive means of swimming via undulations of the entire cell. Motility is powered by the rotation of supercoiled 'endoflagella' that wrap around the cell body, confined within the periplasmic space. To investigate the structural basis of flagellar supercoiling, which is critical for motility, we determined the structure of native flagellar filaments from the spirochete Leptospira by integrating high-resolution cryo-electron tomography and X-ray crystallography. We show that these filaments are coated by a highly asymmetric, multi-component sheath layer, contrasting with flagellin-only homopolymers previously observed in exoflagellated bacteria. Distinct sheath proteins localize to the filament inner and outer curvatures to define the supercoiling geometry, explaining a key functional attribute of this spirochete flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley H Gibson
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Felipe Trajtenberg
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Elsio A Wunder
- Departament of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of HealthSalvadorBrazil
| | - Megan R Brady
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Fabiana San Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Ariel Mechaly
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Zhiguo Shang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Institut PasteurParisFrance
- Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents, Department of Microbiology, Institut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Albert Ko
- Departament of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of HealthSalvadorBrazil
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents, Department of Microbiology, Institut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Charles Vaughn Sindelar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
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33
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Murillo A, Goris M, Ahmed A, Cuenca R, Pastor J. Leptospirosis in cats: Current literature review to guide diagnosis and management. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:216-228. [PMID: 32093581 PMCID: PMC11132596 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x20903601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
GLOBAL IMPORTANCE Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis worldwide. Mammals (eg, rats, horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and aquatic species, such as sea lions and northern elephant seals) can all be infected by leptospires. Infection in animals occurs through contact with urine or water contaminated with the bacteria. In people, the disease is acquired mainly from animal sources or through recreational activities in contaminated water. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE Literature on the clinical presentation of leptospirosis in cats is scarce, although it has been demonstrated that cats are susceptible to infection and are capable of developing antibodies. The prevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in cats varies from 4% to 33.3% depending on the geographical location. Urinary shedding of leptospires in naturally infected cats has been reported, with a prevalence of up to 68%. Infection in cats has been associated with the consumption of infected prey, especially rodents. Thus, outdoor cats have a higher risk of becoming infected. CLINICAL CHALLENGES Clinical presentation of this disease in cats is rare and it is not known what role cats have in the transmission of leptospirosis. Ongoing work is needed to characterise feline leptospirosis. AUDIENCE This review is aimed at all veterinarians, both general practitioners who deal with cats on a daily basis in private practice, as well as feline practitioners, since both groups face the challenge of diagnosing and treating infectious and zoonotic diseases. EVIDENCE BASE The current literature on leptospirosis in cats is reviewed. To date, few case reports have been published in the field, and information has mostly been extrapolated from infections in people and dogs. This review is expected to serve as a guide for the diagnosis and management of the disease in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Murillo
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marga Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rafaela Cuenca
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Pastor
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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34
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Abstract
Until about 15 years ago, the molecular and cellular basis for pathogenesis in leptospirosis was virtually unknown. The determination of the first full genome sequence in 2003 was followed rapidly by other whole genome sequences, whose availability facilitated the development of transposon mutagenesis and then directed mutagenesis of pathogenic Leptospira spp. The combination of genomics, transcriptomics and mutant construction and characterisation has resulted in major progress in our understanding of the taxonomy and biology of Leptospira. The most recent advances are analysed and discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Bulach
- Melbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ben Adler
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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35
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Abstract
This chapter covers the progress made in the Leptospira field since the application of mutagenesis techniques and how they have allowed the study of virulence factors and, more generally, the biology of Leptospira. The last decade has seen advances in our ability to perform molecular genetic analysis of Leptospira. Major achievements include the generation of large collections of mutant strains and the construction of replicative plasmids, enabling complementation of mutations. However, there are still no practical tools for routine genetic manipulation of pathogenic Leptospira strains, slowing down advances in pathogenesis research. This review summarizes the status of the molecular genetic toolbox for Leptospira species and highlights new challenges in the nascent field of Leptospira genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Picardeau
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France.
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36
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Fernandes LGV, Guaman LP, Vasconcellos SA, Heinemann MB, Picardeau M, Nascimento ALTO. Gene silencing based on RNA-guided catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9): a new tool for genetic engineering in Leptospira. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1839. [PMID: 30755626 PMCID: PMC6372684 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37949-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which also includes free-living saprophyte strains. Many aspects of leptospiral basic biology and virulence mechanisms remain unexplored mainly due to the lack of effective genetic tools available for these bacteria. Recently, the type II CRISPR/Cas system from Streptococcus pyogenes has been widely used as an efficient genome engineering tool in bacteria by inducing double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the desired genomic targets caused by an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease called Cas9, and the DSB repair associated machinery. In the present work, plasmids expressing heterologous S. pyogenes Cas9 in L. biflexa cells were generated, and the enzyme could be expressed with no apparent toxicity to leptospiral cells. However, L. biflexa cells were unable to repair RNA-guided Cas9-induced DSBs. Thus, we used a catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) to obtain gene silencing rather than disruption, in a strategy called CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We demonstrated complete gene silencing in L. biflexa cells when both dCas9 and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting the coding strand of the β-galactosidase gene were expressed simultaneously. Furthermore, when the system was applied for silencing the dnaK gene, no colonies were recovered, indicating that DnaK protein is essential in Leptospira. In addition, flagellar motor switch FliG gene silencing resulted in reduced bacterial motility. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work applying the CRISPRi system in Leptospira and spirochetes in general, expanding the tools available for understanding leptospiral biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G V Fernandes
- Laboratório Especial de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - L P Guaman
- Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Avenida Mariscal Sucre y Mariana de Jesús. Campus Occidental, 170105, Quito, Ecuador
| | - S A Vasconcellos
- Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas do VPS, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP, Avenida Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos B Heinemann
- Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas do VPS, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP, Avenida Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75723, Paris, France
| | - A L T O Nascimento
- Laboratório Especial de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Silva PLD, Lauretti-Ferreira F, Caldas de Lima M, Lima SS, Covarrubias AE, De Franco M, Carvalho E, Ho PL, da Costa RMA, Martins EAL, Da Silva JB. Phagocytosis of Leptospira by leukocytes from mice with different susceptibility to leptospirosis and possible role of chemokines. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:4. [PMID: 30616505 PMCID: PMC6323685 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic prokaryotic microbes of the genus Leptospira. Although there are several reports in the literature, host-pathogen interaction is still poorly understood. The role of chemokine expression is important on the chemotaxis, activation and regulation of immune cells. Recent studies have shown that their expression profiles play an important role on the severity of leptospirosis outcome. We evaluated the phagocytosis of Leptospira by spleens cells from C3H/HeJ, C3H/HePas and BALB/c mouse strains, respectively susceptible, intermediate and resistant to leptospirosis, and by RAW 264.7 macrophages. Besides, we evaluated the effects of CCL2 treatment on the phagocytosis. The cells were incubated with or without CCL2 chemokine, and infected with virulent L. interrogans sv Copenhageni. Cells and culture supernatants were collected for subsequent analysis. Results The number of leptospires was higher in BALB/c cells, CCL2 pre-treated or only infected groups, when compared to C3H/HeJ and C3H/HePas cells. Indeed, CCL2 activation did not interfere in the phagocytosis of Leptospira. Expression of chemokines CXCL5 and CCL8 levels were significantly inhibited in infected BALB/c cells when compared to the non-infected control. Conclusions Higher ability to phagocytosis and early modulation of some chemokines correlated with the resistance to leptospirosis disease. Exposure to CCL2 did not interfere on phagocytosis of Leptospira in our experimental conditions, but acted in the modulation of chemokines expression during Leptospira infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1371-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ambart E Covarrubias
- School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University San Sebastian, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Eneas Carvalho
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Lee Ho
- Seção de Vacinas Aeróbicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata M A da Costa
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Present address: Global Antibiotics Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Chemin Louis-Dunant 15, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Josefa B Da Silva
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
Bacteria, life living at microscale, can spread only by thermal fluctuation. However, the ability of directional movement, such as swimming by rotating flagella, gliding over surfaces via mobile cell-surface adhesins, and actin-dependent movement, could be useful for thriving through searching more favorable environments, and such motility is known to be related to pathogenicity. Among diverse migration mechanisms, perhaps flagella-dependent motility would be used by most species. The bacterial flagellum is a molecular nanomachine comprising a helical filament and a basal motor, which is fueled by an electrochemical gradient of cation across the cell membrane (ion motive force). Many species, such as Escherichia coli, possess flagella on the outside of the cell body, whereas flagella of spirochetes reside within the periplasmic space. Flagellar filaments or helical spirochete bodies rotate like a screw propeller, generating propulsive force. This review article describes the current knowledge of the structure and operation mechanism of the bacterial flagellum, and flagella-dependent motility in highly viscous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
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Cryo-electron tomography of periplasmic flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi reveals a distinct cytoplasmic ATPase complex. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e3000050. [PMID: 30412577 PMCID: PMC6248999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Periplasmic flagella are essential for the distinct morphology and motility of spirochetes. A flagella-specific type III secretion system (fT3SS) composed of a membrane-bound export apparatus and a cytosolic ATPase complex is responsible for the assembly of the periplasmic flagella. Here, we deployed cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to visualize the fT3SS machine in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. We show, for the first time, that the cytosolic ATPase complex is attached to the flagellar C-ring through multiple spokes to form the “spoke and hub” structure in B. burgdorferi. This structure not only strengthens structural rigidity of the round-shaped C-ring but also appears to rotate with the C-ring. Our studies provide structural insights into the unique mechanisms underlying assembly and rotation of the periplasmic flagella and may provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against several pathogenic spirochetes. Cryo-electron tomography of periplasmic flagella in the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi reveals it to have a distinct cytoplasmic ATPase complex and an atypical interaction with the flagellar C-ring. Type III secretion systems are widely utilized by gram-negative bacteria to assemble flagella or to transport virulence effectors into eukaryotic cells. The central component is known as a type III secretion machine, which consists of a membrane-bound export apparatus and a cytosolic ATPase complex. Powered by the proton motive force and ATP hydrolysis, the secretion machine is responsible for substrate recognition and export. Here, we use the Lyme disease spirochete B. burgdorferi as a model system to unveil unprecedented structural details of the intact flagellar secretion machine by high-throughput cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and subtomogram averaging. We provide the first structural evidence that the cytosolic ATPase complex is attached to the flagellar C-ring through multiple spokes to form the “spoke and hub” structure in B. burgdorferi. The novel architecture of the ATPase complex not only strengthens the flagellar C-ring but also enables an optimal translocation of substrates through the ATPase complex and the export apparatus.
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40
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Moon KH, Zhao X, Xu H, Liu J, Motaleb MA. A tetratricopeptide repeat domain protein has profound effects on assembly of periplasmic flagella, morphology and motility of the lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:634-647. [PMID: 30303576 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spirochetes possess a unique periplasmic flagellar motor component called the collar. However, little is known about the composition or function of the flagellar collar proteins. To identify a collar protein, we have inactivated almost all genes annotated as motility-related in the Borrelia burgdorferi genome and identified only FlbB, which comprises the base of the collar. Since the major components of the collar complex remained unidentified, we took advantage of a protein-protein interaction map developed in another spirochete, Treponema pallidum to identify proteins of unknown function that could be collar proteins. Subsequently, using various comprehensive approaches, we identified a tetratricopeptide repeat protein BB0236 as a potential candidate for the collar. Biochemical assays indicated that FlbB interacts with BB0236. Furthermore, ∆bb0236 mutant analyses indicated that BB0236 is crucial for collar structure assembly, cellular morphology, motility, orientation of periplasmic flagella and assembly of other flagellar structures. Moreover, using comparative motor analyses, we propose how the collar structure is assembled in B. burgdorferi. Together, our studies provide new insights into the organization and the complex assembly inherent to the unique spirochetal collar structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Hwan Moon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06536, USA
| | - Md A Motaleb
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
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Sex Matters: Male Hamsters Are More Susceptible to Lethal Infection with Lower Doses of Pathogenic Leptospira than Female Hamsters. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00369-18. [PMID: 30012637 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00369-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A somewhat contradictory published body of evidence suggests that sex impacts severity outcomes of human leptospirosis. In this study, we used an acute animal model of disease to analyze leptospirosis in male and female hamsters infected side by side with low but increasing doses of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. We found that male hamsters were considerably more susceptible to leptospirosis, given that only 6.3% survived infection, whereas 68.7% of the females survived the same infection doses. In contrast to the females, male hamsters had high burdens of L. interrogans in kidney and high histopathological scores after exposure to low infection doses (∼103 bacteria). In hamsters infected with higher doses of L. interrogans (∼104 bacteria), differences in pathogen burdens as well as cytokine and fibrosis transcript levels in kidney were not distinct between sexes. Our results indicate that male hamsters infected with L. interrogans are more susceptible to severe leptospirosis after exposure to lower infectious doses than females.
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42
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Wunder EA, Slamti L, Suwondo DN, Gibson KH, Shang Z, Sindelar CV, Trajtenberg F, Buschiazzo A, Ko AI, Picardeau M. FcpB Is a Surface Filament Protein of the Endoflagellum Required for the Motility of the Spirochete Leptospira. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:130. [PMID: 29868490 PMCID: PMC5953323 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The spirochete endoflagellum is a unique motility apparatus among bacteria. Despite its critical importance for pathogenesis, the full composition of the flagellum remains to be determined. We have recently reported that FcpA is a novel flagellar protein and a major component of the sheath of the filament of the spirochete Leptospira. By screening a library of random transposon mutants in the spirochete Leptospira biflexa, we found a motility-deficient mutant harboring a disruption in a hypothetical gene of unknown function. Here, we show that this gene encodes a surface component of the endoflagellar filament and is required for typical hook- and spiral-shaped ends of the cell body, coiled structure of the endoflagella, and high velocity phenotype. We therefore named the gene fcpB for flagellar-coiling protein B. fcpB is conserved in all members of the Leptospira genus, but not present in other organisms including other spirochetes. Complementation of the fcpB- mutant restored the wild-type morphology and motility phenotypes. Immunoblotting with anti-FcpA and anti-FcpB antisera and cryo-electron microscopy of the filament indicated that FcpB assembled onto the surface of the sheath of the filament and mostly located on the outer (convex) side of the coiled filament. We provide evidence that FcpB, together with FcpA, are Leptospira-specific novel components of the sheath of the filament, key determinants of the coiled and asymmetric structure of the endoflagella and are essential for high velocity. Defining the components of the endoflagella and their functions in these atypical bacteria should greatly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms by which these bacteria produce motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.,Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Leyla Slamti
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
| | - David N Suwondo
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kimberley H Gibson
- Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Zhiguo Shang
- Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Charles V Sindelar
- Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Felipe Trajtenberg
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Albert I Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.,Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
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43
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Isolation and Identification of Putative Protein Substrates of the AAA+ Molecular Chaperone ClpB from the Pathogenic Spirochaete Leptospira interrogans. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041234. [PMID: 29670056 PMCID: PMC5979558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial ClpB is an ATP-dependent Hsp100 chaperone that reactivates aggregated proteins in cooperation with the DnaK chaperone system and promotes survival of bacteria under stress conditions. A large number of publications also indicate that ClpB supports the virulence of bacteria, including a pathogenic spirochaete Leptospira interrogans responsible for leptospirosis in both animals and humans. However, the exact role of ClpB in bacterial pathogenicity remains poorly characterized. It can be assumed that ClpB, due to its role as the molecular chaperone, mediates refolding of essential bacterial proteins, including the known virulence factors, which may become prone to aggregation under infection-induced stresses. In this study, we identified putative substrates of ClpB from L. interrogans (ClpBLi). For this purpose, we used a proteomic approach combining the ClpB-Trap affinity pull-down assays, Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS/MS), and bioinformatics analyses. Most of the identified proteins were enzymes predominantly associated with major metabolic pathways like the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glycolysis–gluconeogenesis and amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. Based on our proteomic study, we suggest that ClpB can support the virulence of L.interrogans by protecting the conformational integrity and catalytic activity of multiple metabolic enzymes, thus maintaining energy homeostasis in pathogen cells.
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44
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Sasaki Y, Kawamoto A, Tahara H, Kasuga K, Sato R, Ohnishi M, Nakamura S, Koizumi N. Leptospiral flagellar sheath protein FcpA interacts with FlaA2 and FlaB1 in Leptospira biflexa. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194923. [PMID: 29634754 PMCID: PMC5892894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira spp. are spirochete bacteria that possess periplasmic flagella (PFs) underneath the outer membrane; each flagellum is attached to each end of the protoplasmic cylinder. PFs of Leptospira have a coiled shape that bends the end of the cell body. However, the molecular mechanism by which multiple flagellar proteins organize to form the distinctively curled PF of Leptospira remains unclear. Here we obtained a slow-motility mutant of L. biflexa MD4-3 by random insertion mutagenesis using a Himar1 transposon. In MD4-3, the gene encoding the flagellar sheath protein, flagellar-coiling protein A (FcpA), which was recently identified in L. interrogans, was inactivated. As with L. interrogans ΔfcpA strains, the L. biflexa ΔfcpA strain lacked a distinct curvature at both ends of the cell body, and its motility was significantly reduced as compared with that of the wild-type strain. PFs isolated from the ΔfcpA strain were straight and were thinner than those isolated from the wild-type strain. Western blot analysis revealed that flagellar proteins FlaA1, FlaA2, FlaB1, and FlaB2 were expressed in the ΔfcpA strain but the flagellar proteins, except for FlaB2 were not incorporated in its PFs. Immunoprecipitation assay using anti-FcpA antiserum demonstrated that FcpA associates with FlaA2 and FlaB1. The association between FcpA and FlaA2 was also verified using pull-down assay. The regions of FlaA2 and FlaB1 interacting with FcpA were determined using a bacterial two-hybrid assay. These results suggest that FcpA together with FlaA2, produces coiling of PF of the Leptospira, and the interaction between the sheath and core filament may be mediated by FcpA and FlaB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sasaki
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications & Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawamoto
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hajime Tahara
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kie Kasuga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Division of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Sato
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications & Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Ohnishi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Nobuo Koizumi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Ghazaei C. Pathogenic Leptospira: Advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis and virulence. Open Vet J 2018; 8:13-24. [PMID: 29445617 PMCID: PMC5806663 DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v8i1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic disease has emerged as a major public health problem, with developing countries bearing disproportionate burdens. Although the diverse range of clinical manifestations of the leptospirosis in humans is widely documented, the mechanisms through which the pathogen causes disease remain undetermined. In addition, leptospirosis is a much-neglected life-threatening disease although it is one of the most important zoonoses occurring in a diverse range of epidemiological distribution. Recent advances in molecular profiling of pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira have improved our understanding of the evolutionary factors that determine virulence and mechanisms that the bacteria employ to survive. However, a major impediment to the formulation of intervention strategies has been the limited understanding of the disease determinants. Consequently, the association of the biological mechanisms to the pathogenesis of Leptospira, as well as the functions of numerous essential virulence factors still remain implicit. This review examines recent advances in genetic screening technologies, the underlying microbiological processes, the virulence factors and associated molecular mechanisms driving pathogenesis of Leptospira species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciamak Ghazaei
- Department of Microbiology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil, Iran
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46
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Thibeaux R, Iraola G, Ferrés I, Bierque E, Girault D, Soupé-Gilbert ME, Picardeau M, Goarant C. Deciphering the unexplored Leptospira diversity from soils uncovers genomic evolution to virulence. Microb Genom 2018; 4. [PMID: 29310748 PMCID: PMC5857368 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in our understanding of the genomics of members of the genus Leptospira, little is known on how virulence has emerged in this heterogeneous bacterial genus as well as on the lifestyle of pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira outside animal hosts. Here, we isolated 12 novel species of the genus Leptospira from tropical soils, significantly increasing the number of known species to 35 and finding evidence of highly unexplored biodiversity in the genus. Extended comparative phylogenomics and pan-genome analyses at the genus level by incorporating 26 novel genomes, revealed that, the traditional leptospiral ‘pathogens’ cluster, as defined by their phylogenetic position, can be split in two groups with distinct virulence potential and accessory gene patterns. These genomic distinctions are strongly linked to the ability to cause or not severe infections in animal models and humans. Our results not only provide new insights into virulence evolution in the members of the genus Leptospira, but also lay the foundations for refining the classification of the pathogenic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Thibeaux
- 1Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Institut Pasteur International Network, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | | | - Ignacio Ferrés
- 2Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Bioinformatics Unit, Uruguay
| | - Emilie Bierque
- 1Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Institut Pasteur International Network, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Dominique Girault
- 1Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Institut Pasteur International Network, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Marie-Estelle Soupé-Gilbert
- 1Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Institut Pasteur International Network, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- 3Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie des Spirochètes, 28 rue du docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Cyrille Goarant
- 1Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Institut Pasteur International Network, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
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Dong SL, Hu WL, Ge YM, Ojcius DM, Lin X, Yan J. A leptospiral AAA+ chaperone-Ntn peptidase complex, HslUV, contributes to the intracellular survival of Leptospira interrogans in hosts and the transmission of leptospirosis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2017; 6:e105. [PMID: 29184154 PMCID: PMC5717094 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2017.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis caused by Leptospira is a zoonotic disease of global importance but it is considered as an emerging or re-emerging infectious disease in many areas in the world. Until now, the mechanisms about pathogenesis and transmission of Leptospira remains poorly understood. As eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins can be denatured in adverse environments and chaperone-protease/peptidase complexes degrade these harmful proteins, we speculate that infection may also cause leptospiral protein denaturation, and the HslU and HslV proteins of L. interrogans may compose a complex to degrade denatured proteins that enhances leptospiral survival in hosts. Here we show that leptospiral HslUV is an ATP-dependent chaperone-peptidase complex containing ATPase associated with various cellular activity (AAA+) and N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase superfamily domains, respectively, which hydrolyzed casein and chymotrypsin-like substrates, and this hydrolysis was blocked by threonine protease inhibitors. The infection of J774A.1 macrophages caused the increase of leptospiral denatured protein aggresomes, but more aggresomes accumulated in hslUV gene-deleted mutant. The abundant denatured leptospiral proteins are involved in ribosomal structure, flagellar assembly, two-component signaling systems and transmembrane transport. Compared to the wild-type strain, infection of cells in vitro with the mutant resulted in a higher number of dead leptospires, less leptospiral colony-forming units and lower growth ability, but also displayed a lower half lethal dose, attenuated histopathological injury and decreased leptospiral loading in lungs, liver, kidneys, peripheral blood and urine in hamsters. Therefore, our findings confirmed that HslUV AAA+ chaperone-Ntn peptidase complex of L. interrogans contributes to leptospiral survival in hosts and transmission of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Lei Dong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.,Division of Basic Medical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Wei-Lin Hu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.,Division of Basic Medical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yu-Mei Ge
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - David M Ojcius
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
| | - Xu'ai Lin
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.,Division of Basic Medical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.,Division of Basic Medical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
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Takabe K, Kawamoto A, Tahara H, Kudo S, Nakamura S. Implications of coordinated cell-body rotations for Leptospira motility. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 491:1040-1046. [PMID: 28780349 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The spirochete Leptospira has a coiled cell body and two periplasmic flagella (PFs) that reside beneath the outer sheath. PFs extend from each end of the cell body and are attached to the right-handed spiral protoplasmic cylinder (PC) via a connection with the flagellar motor embedded in the inner membrane. PFs bend each end of the cell body into left-handed spiral (S) or planar hook (H) shapes, allowing leptospiral cells to swim using combined anterior S-end and posterior H-end gyrations with PC rotations. As a plausible mechanism for motility, S- and H-end gyrations by PFs and PC rotations by PF countertorque imply mutual influences among the three parts. Here we show a correlation between H-end gyration and PC rotation from the time records of rotation rates and rotational directions of individual swimming cells. We then qualitatively explain the observed correlation using a simple rotation model based on the measurements of motility and intracellular arrangements of PFs revealed by cryo-electron microscopy and electron cryotomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyosuke Takabe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawamoto
- Graduate School of Frontier BioSciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hajime Tahara
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Seishi Kudo
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan.
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Takabe K, Tahara H, Islam MS, Affroze S, Kudo S, Nakamura S. Viscosity-dependent variations in the cell shape and swimming manner of Leptospira. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2017; 163:153-160. [PMID: 28036244 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spirochaetes are spiral or flat-wave-shaped Gram-negative bacteria that have periplasmic flagella between the peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane. Rotation of the periplasmic flagella transforms the cell body shape periodically, allowing the cell to swim in aqueous environments. Because the virulence of motility-deficient mutants of pathogenic species is drastically attenuated, motility is thought to be an essential virulence factor in spirochaetes. However, it remains unknown how motility practically contributes to the infection process. We show here that the cell body configuration and motility of the zoonotic spirochaete Leptospira changes depending on the viscosity of the medium. Leptospira swim and reverse the swimming direction by transforming the cell body. Motility analysis showed that the frequency of cell shape transformation was increased by increasing the viscosity of the medium. The increased cell body transformation induced highly frequent reversal of the swimming direction. A simple kinetic model based on the experimental results shows that the viscosity-induced increase in reversal limits cell migration, resulting in the accumulation of cells in high-viscosity regions. This behaviour could facilitate the colonization of the spirochaete on host tissues covered with mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyosuke Takabe
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hajime Tahara
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Md Shafiqul Islam
- Present address: Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.,Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Samia Affroze
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Seishi Kudo
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
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50
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