1
|
Su Y, Ding T. Targeting microbial quorum sensing: the next frontier to hinder bacterial driven gastrointestinal infections. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2252780. [PMID: 37680117 PMCID: PMC10486307 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2252780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria synchronize social behaviors via a cell-cell communication and interaction mechanism termed as quorum sensing (QS). QS has been extensively studied in monocultures and proved to be intensively involved in bacterial virulence and infection. Despite the role QS plays in pathogens during laboratory engineered infections has been proved, the potential functions of QS related to pathogenesis in context of microbial consortia remain poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the basic molecular mechanisms of QS, primarily focusing on pathogenic microbes driving gastrointestinal (GI) infections. We further discuss how GI pathogens disequilibrate the homeostasis of the indigenous microbial consortia, rebuild a realm dominated by pathogens, and interact with host under worsening infectious conditions via pathogen-biased QS signaling. Additionally, we present recent applications and main challenges of manipulating QS network in microbial consortia with the goal of better understanding GI bacterial sociality and facilitating novel therapies targeting bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Su
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Ding
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kudva IT, Trachsel J, Biernbaum EN, Casey T. Novel reusable animal model for comparative evaluation of in vivo growth and protein-expression of Escherichia coli O157 strains in the bovine rumen. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268645. [PMID: 35617366 PMCID: PMC9135228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we had demonstrated that Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) strain 86–24 expresses proteins involved in survival rather than virulence in vitro in rumen fluid from dairy cattle limit fed a maintenance diet. Here, we verified if this observation would be true for different O157 strains grown in vitro in rumen fluid from, and in vivo in the rumen of, animals on contrasting maintenance (high fiber) and lactation (high energy-protein) diets usually limit fed to dairy cattle. For the in vivo studies, an economical, novel, reusable and non-terminal rumen-fistulated animal model permitting simultaneous evaluation of multiple bacterial strains in the bovine rumen was developed. All experiments were conducted in duplicate using different animals to account for host-related variations. The O157 strains included, 86–24, EDL933 and the super shed SS-17. E. coli NalR (#5735), derived from a bovine intestinal commensal E. coli, was included as a control. As expected, diet influenced ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) composition. The pH ranged from 6.2–7.0 and total VFA concentrations from 109–141 μM/ml, in animals fed the maintenance diet. In comparison, animals fed the lactation diet had a ruminal pH ranging between 5.18–6.0, and total VFA of 125–219 μM/ml. Strain dependent differences in O157 recovery from the rumen fluid of cattle fed either diet was observed, both in vitro and in vivo, with O157 strains 86–24 and EDL933 demonstrating similar survival patterns. Analysis of the O157 proteomes expressed in the rumen fluid/rumen verified previous observations of adaptive responses. Any difference in the adaptive response was mainly influenced by the animal’s diet and growth conditions (in vitro and in vivo) and not the O157 strain. These new insights into the O157 responses could help formulate modalities to control O157 across strains in cattle at all stages of husbandry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indira T. Kudva
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa
- * E-mail:
| | - Julian Trachsel
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa
| | - Erika N. Biernbaum
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), ARS Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Thomas Casey
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Styles MJ, Early SA, Tucholski T, West KHJ, Ge Y, Blackwell HE. Chemical Control of Quorum Sensing in E. coli: Identification of Small Molecule Modulators of SdiA and Mechanistic Characterization of a Covalent Inhibitor. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:3092-3103. [PMID: 33124430 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is the causative agent of severe diarrheal disease in humans. Cattle are the natural reservoir of EHEC, and approximately 75% of EHEC infections in humans stem from bovine products. Many common bacterial pathogens, including EHEC, rely on chemical communication systems, such as quorum sensing (QS), to regulate virulence and facilitate host colonization. EHEC uses SdiA from E. coli (SdiAEC), an orphan LuxR-type receptor, to sense N-acyl l-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS signals produced by other members of the bovine enteric microbiome. SdiAEC regulates two phenotypes critical for colonizing cattle: acid resistance and the formation of attaching and effacing lesions. Despite the importance of SdiAEC, there is very little known about its selectivity for different AHL signals, and no chemical inhibitors that act specifically on SdiAEC have been reported. Such compounds would represent valuable tools to study the roles of QS in EHEC virulence. To identify chemical modulators of SdiAEC and delineate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) for AHL activity in this receptor, we report herein the screening of a focused library composed largely of AHLs and AHL analogues in an SdiAEC reporter assay. We describe the identity and SARs of potent modulators of SdiAEC activity, examine the promiscuity of SdiAEC, characterize the mechanism of a covalent inhibitor, and provide phenotypic assay data to support that these compounds can control SdiAEC-dependent acid resistance in E. coli. These SdiAEC modulators could be used to advance the study of LuxR-type receptor/ligand interactions, the biological roles of orphan LuxR-type receptors, and potential QS-based therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Styles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Stephen A. Early
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Trisha Tucholski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Korbin H. J. West
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Ying Ge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Intriguing Interaction of Escherichia coli with the Host Environment and Innovative Strategies To Interfere with Colonization: a Summary of the 2019 E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System Meeting. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02085-20. [PMID: 33008822 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02085-20] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The third E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System (ECMIS) meeting was held at Ghent University in Belgium from 2 to 5 June 2019. It brought together an international group of scientists interested in mechanisms of colonization, host response, and vaccine development. ECMIS distinguishes itself from related meetings on these enteropathogens by providing a greater emphasis on animal health and disease and covering a broad range of pathotypes, including enterohemorrhagic, enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroaggregative, and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli As it is well established that the genus Shigella represents a subspecies of E. coli, these organisms along with related enteroinvasive E. coli are also included. In addition, Tannerella forsythia, a periodontal pathogen, was presented as an example of a pathogen which uses its surface glycans for mucosal interaction. This review summarizes several highlights from the 2019 meeting and major advances to our understanding of the biology of these pathogens and their impact on the host.
Collapse
|
5
|
Spangler JR, Dean SN, Leary DH, Walper SA. Response of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 to the Gram-Negative Pathogen-Associated Quorum Sensing Molecule N-3-Oxododecanoyl Homoserine Lactone. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:715. [PMID: 31024494 PMCID: PMC6459948 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial quorum sensing phenomenon has been well studied since its discovery and has traditionally been considered to include signaling pathways recognized exclusively within either Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. These groups of bacteria synthesize structurally distinct signaling molecules to mediate quorum sensing, where Gram-positive bacteria traditionally utilize small autoinducing peptides (AIPs) and Gram-negatives use small molecules such as acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs). The structural differences between the types of signaling molecules have historically implied a lack of cross-talk among Gram-positive and Gram-negative quorum sensing systems. Recent investigations, however, have demonstrated the ability for AIPs and AHLs to be produced by non-canonical organisms, implying quorum sensing systems may be more universally recognized than previously hypothesized. With that in mind, our interests were piqued by the organisms Lactobacillus plantarum, a Gram-positive commensal probiotic known to participate in AIP-mediated quorum sensing, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a characterized Gram-negative pathogen whose virulence is in part controlled by AHL-mediated quorum sensing. Both health-related organisms are known to inhabit the human gut in various instances, both are characterized to elicit distinct effects on host immunity, and some studies hint at the putative ability of L. plantarum to degrade AHLs produced by P. aeruginosa. We therefore wanted to determine if L. plantarum cultures would respond to the addition of N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3OC12) from P. aeruginosa by analyzing changes on both the transcriptome and proteome over time. Based on the observed upregulation of various two-component systems, response regulators, and native quorum sensing related genes, the resulting data provide evidence of an AHL recognition and response by L. plantarum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Spangler
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowships, NRC Research Associateship Programs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Scott N. Dean
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowships, NRC Research Associateship Programs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dagmar H. Leary
- United States Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Scott A. Walper
- United States Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Culler HF, Couto SCF, Higa JS, Ruiz RM, Yang MJ, Bueris V, Franzolin MR, Sircili MP. Role of SdiA on Biofilm Formation by Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9050253. [PMID: 29762495 PMCID: PMC5977193 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli are capable to form biofilm on biotic and abiotic surfaces, regardless of the adherence pattern displayed. Several E. coli mechanisms are regulated by Quorum sensing (QS), including virulence factors and biofilm formation. Quorum sensing is a signaling system that confers bacteria with the ability to respond to chemical molecules known as autoinducers. Suppressor of division inhibitor (SdiA) is a QS receptor present in atypical enteropathogenic E.coli (aEPEC) that detects acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) type autoinducers. However, these bacteria do not encode an AHL synthase, but they are capable of sensing AHL molecules produced by other species, establishing an inter-species bacterial communication. In this study, we performed experiments to evaluate pellicle, ring-like structure and biofilm formation on wild type, sdiA mutants and complemented strains. We also evaluated the transcription of genes involved in different stages of biofilm formation, such as bcsA, csgA, csgD, fliC and fimA. The sdiA mutants were capable of forming thicker biofilm structures and showed increased motility when compared to wild type and complemented strains. Moreover, they also showed denser pellicles and ring-like structures. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated increased csgA, csgD and fliC transcription on mutant strains. Biofilm formation, as well as csgD, csgA and fimA transcription decreased on wild type strains by the addition of AHL. These results indicate that SdiA participates on the regulation of these phenotypes in aEPEC and that AHL addition enhances the repressor effect of this receptor on the transcription of biofilm and motility related genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hebert F Culler
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Samuel C F Couto
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Juliana S Higa
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Renato M Ruiz
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Min J Yang
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Bueris
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcia R Franzolin
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo P Sircili
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shin D, Frane ND, Brecht RM, Keeler J, Nagarajan R. A Comparative Analysis of Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Synthase Assays. Chembiochem 2015; 16:2651-9. [PMID: 26456773 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing is cell-to-cell communication that allows bacteria to coordinate attacks on their hosts by inducing virulent gene expression, biofilm production, and other cellular functions, including antibiotic resistance. AHL synthase enzymes synthesize N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones, commonly referred to as autoinducers, to facilitate quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria. Studying the synthases, however, has proven to be a difficult road. Two assays, including a radiolabeled assay and a colorimetric (DCPIP) assay are well-documented in literature to study AHL synthases. In this paper, we describe additional methods that include an HPLC-based, C-S bond cleavage and coupled assays to investigate this class of enzymes. In addition, we compare and contrast each assay for both acyl-CoA- and acyl-ACP-utilizing synthases. The expanded toolkit described in this study should facilitate mechanistic studies on quorum sensing signal synthases and expedite discovery of antivirulent compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - Nicole D Frane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - Ryan M Brecht
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, PO Box 208114, New Haven, CT, 06520-8114, USA
| | - Jesse Keeler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, 83686, USA.,Loma Linda School of Medicine, Coleman Pavilion, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Connolly JPR, Finlay BB, Roe AJ. From ingestion to colonization: the influence of the host environment on regulation of the LEE encoded type III secretion system in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:568. [PMID: 26097473 PMCID: PMC4456613 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) binds to host tissue and intimately attaches to intestinal cells using a dedicated type III secretion system (T3SS). This complex multi-protein organelle is encoded within a large pathogenicity island called the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which is subject to extensive regulatory control. Over the past 15 years we have gained a wealth of knowledge concerning how the LEE is regulated transcriptionally by specific, global and phage encoded regulators. More recently, significant advances have been made in our understanding of how specific signals, including host or microbiota derived metabolic products and various nutrient sources, can affect how the LEE-encoded T3SS is regulated. In this review we discuss regulation of the LEE, focusing on how these physiologically relevant signals are sensed and how they affect the expression of this major virulence factor. The implications for understanding the disease process by specific regulatory mechanisms are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P R Connolly
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow , Glasgow, UK
| | - B Brett Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew J Roe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow , Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sabag-Daigle A, Dyszel JL, Gonzalez JF, Ali MM, Ahmer BMM. Identification of sdiA-regulated genes in a mouse commensal strain of Enterobacter cloacae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:47. [PMID: 26075189 PMCID: PMC4444967 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria determine their population density using quorum sensing. The most intensively studied mechanism of quorum sensing utilizes proteins of the LuxI family to synthesize a signaling molecule of the acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) type, and a protein of the LuxR family to bind AHL and regulate transcription. Genes regulated by quorum sensing often encode functions that are most effective when a group of bacteria are working cooperatively (e.g., luminescence, biofilm formation, host interactions). Bacteria in the Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter genera do not encode an AHL synthase but they do encode an AHL receptor of the LuxR family, SdiA. Instead of detecting their own AHL synthesis, these organisms use SdiA to detect the AHLs synthesized by other bacterial species. In this study, we used a genetic screen to identify AHL-responsive genes in a commensal Enterobacter cloacae strain that was isolated from a laboratory mouse. The genes include a putative type VI secretion system, copA (a copper transporter), and fepE (extends O-antigen chain length). A new transposon mutagenesis strategy and suicide vectors were used to construct an sdiA mutant of E. cloacae. The AHL-responsiveness of all fusions was entirely sdiA-dependent, although some genes were regulated by sdiA in the absence of AHL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anice Sabag-Daigle
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jessica L Dyszel
- Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Juan F Gonzalez
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mohamed M Ali
- Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Brian M M Ahmer
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|