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Calia G, Cestaro A, Schuler H, Janik K, Donati C, Moser M, Bottini S. Definition of the effector landscape across 13 phytoplasma proteomes with LEAPH and EffectorComb. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae087. [PMID: 39081684 PMCID: PMC11287381 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
'Candidatus Phytoplasma' genus, a group of fastidious phloem-restricted bacteria, can infect a wide variety of both ornamental and agro-economically important plants. Phytoplasmas secrete effector proteins responsible for the symptoms associated with the disease. Identifying and characterizing these proteins is of prime importance for expanding our knowledge of the molecular bases of the disease. We faced the challenge of identifying phytoplasma's effectors by developing LEAPH, a machine learning ensemble predictor composed of four models. LEAPH was trained on 479 proteins from 53 phytoplasma species, described by 30 features. LEAPH achieved 97.49% accuracy, 95.26% precision and 98.37% recall, ensuring a low false-positive rate and outperforming available state-of-the-art methods. The application of LEAPH to 13 phytoplasma proteomes yields a comprehensive landscape of 2089 putative pathogenicity proteins. We identified three classes according to different secretion models: 'classical', 'classical-like' and 'non-classical'. Importantly, LEAPH identified 15 out of 17 known experimentally validated effectors belonging to the three classes. Furthermore, to help the selection of novel candidates for biological validation, we applied the Self-Organizing Maps algorithm and developed a Shiny app called EffectorComb. LEAPH and the EffectorComb app can be used to boost the characterization of putative effectors at both computational and experimental levels, and can be employed in other phytopathological models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Calia
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
- INRAE, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06903 Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Alessandro Cestaro
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Hannes Schuler
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Competence Centre for Plant Health, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Katrin Janik
- Institute for Plant Health, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Laimburg Research Centre, 47141 Pfatten-Vadena, Italy
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Mirko Moser
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Silvia Bottini
- INRAE, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06903 Sophia-Antipolis, France
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2
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Song W, Yue Y, Zhang Q, Wang X. Copper homeostasis dysregulation in respiratory diseases: a review of current knowledge. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1243629. [PMID: 38883186 PMCID: PMC11176810 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1243629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cu is an essential micronutrient for various physiological processes in almost all human cell types. Given the critical role of Cu in a wide range of cellular processes, the local concentrations of Cu and the cellular distribution of Cu transporter proteins in the lung are essential for maintaining a steady-state internal environment. Dysfunctional Cu metabolism or regulatory pathways can lead to an imbalance in Cu homeostasis in the lungs, affecting both acute and chronic pathological processes. Recent studies have identified a new form of Cu-dependent cell death called cuproptosis, which has generated renewed interest in the role of Cu homeostasis in diseases. Cuproptosis differs from other known cell death pathways. This occurs through the direct binding of Cu ions to lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid cycle during mitochondrial respiration, leading to the aggregation of lipoylated proteins and the subsequent downregulation of Fe-S cluster proteins, which causes toxic stress to the proteins and ultimately leads to cell death. Here, we discuss the impact of dysregulated Cu homeostasis on the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic interstitial fibrosis, and lung cancer. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting Cu. This study highlights the intricate interplay between copper, cellular processes, and respiratory health. Copper, while essential, must be carefully regulated to maintain the delicate balance between necessity and toxicity in living organisms. This review highlights the need to further investigate the precise mechanisms of copper interactions with infections and immune inflammation in the context of respiratory diseases and explore the potential of therapeutic strategies for copper, cuproptosis, and other related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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3
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Lê-Bury P, Echenique-Rivera H, Pizarro-Cerdá J, Dussurget O. Determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in blood. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae013. [PMID: 38734892 PMCID: PMC11163986 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae013] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infection is a major public health concern associated with high mortality and high healthcare costs worldwide. Bacteremia can trigger fatal sepsis whose prevention, diagnosis, and management have been recognized as a global health priority by the World Health Organization. Additionally, infection control is increasingly threatened by antimicrobial resistance, which is the focus of global action plans in the framework of a One Health response. In-depth knowledge of the infection process is needed to develop efficient preventive and therapeutic measures. The pathogenesis of bloodstream infection is a dynamic process resulting from the invasion of the vascular system by bacteria, which finely regulate their metabolic pathways and virulence factors to overcome the blood immune defenses and proliferate. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in the bloodstream and discuss their interactions with the molecular and cellular components of blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Lê-Bury
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Autoimmune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Hebert Echenique-Rivera
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Javier Pizarro-Cerdá
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Yersinia National Reference Laboratory, WHO Collaborating Research & Reference Centre for Plague FRA-146, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Dussurget
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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4
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Gonzalez de Vega R, Clases D, Cunningham BA, Ganio K, Neville SL, McDevitt CA, Doble PA. Spatial distribution of trace metals and associated transport proteins during bacterial infection. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:2783-2796. [PMID: 38057634 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05068-w] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune systems alter the concentrations of trace elements in host niches in response to invading pathogens during infection. This work reports the interplay between d-block metal ions and their associated biomolecules using hyphenated elemental techniques to spatially quantify both elemental distributions and the abundance of specific transport proteins. Here, lung tissues were collected for analyses from naïve and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected mice fed on a zinc-restricted or zinc-supplemented diet. Spatiotemporal distributions of manganese (55Mn), iron (56Fe), copper (63Cu), and zinc (66Zn) were determined by quantitative laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The murine transport proteins ZIP8 and ZIP14, which are associated with zinc transport, were also imaged by incorporation of immunohistochemistry techniques into the analytical workflow. Collectively, this work demonstrates the potential of a single instrumental platform suitable for multiplex analyses of tissues and labelled antibodies to investigate complex elemental interactions at the host-pathogen interface. Further, these methods have the potential for broad application to investigations of biological pathways where concomitant measurement of elements and biomolecules is crucial to understand the basis of disease and aid in development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gonzalez de Vega
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - David Clases
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
- Nano Micro LAB, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bliss A Cunningham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Ganio
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Neville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip A Doble
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia.
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5
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Long Z, Li X, Li Z, Hu J, Qiu Y, Li S, Zhan Y, Ye F, Wang Y. Improved diagnostic markers for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in COPD patients. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1294971. [PMID: 38633749 PMCID: PMC11021593 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1294971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is steadily increasing, leading to high mortality. Although early diagnosis can significantly reduce mortality, the efficacy of current diagnostic methods is limited. Consequently, there is a need for novel approaches for early IPA detection. Methods This retrospective study involved 383 hospitalized COPD patients with GOLD stages III and IV. The IPA group (67 patients) and non-IPA group (316 patients) were identified at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between January 2016 and February 2022. We analyzed common serological indicators in our hospital to identify predictive indicators for the early diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients. Results The sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ceruloplasmin (CER) for diagnosing IPA in COPD patients were as follows: CRP (91.2%, 57.7%), ESR (77.5%, 73.0%), PCT (60.5%, 71.4%), LDH (50.0%, 88.8%), and CER (60.7%, 74.3%). Combinations of biomarkers, such as CRP-ESR, CRP-LDH, ESR-LDH, ESR-CER, and LDH-CER, showed promising diagnostic potential, with larger area under the curve (AUC) values for IPA diagnosis in COPD patients. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the diagnostic efficacy of single biomarkers and combined biomarkers. Notably, compared to those in the unassisted ventilation group, the patients in the assisted ventilation group (including noninvasive ventilation and tracheal intubation/incision-assisted ventilation group) exhibited significantly greater PCT and LDH levels, while the CER significantly decreased (p=0.021). There were no significant differences in biomarker levels between the ICU group and the non-ICU group. CRP (p<0.01), ESR (p=0.028), PCT (p<0.01), and CER (p<0.01) were positively correlated with hospitalization duration, whereas LDH was not correlated with hospitalization duration. Conclusion Our study highlights the diagnostic potential of CRP, ESR, PCT, LDH, and CER for IPA in COPD patients. CRP and LDH can also initially predict the need for assisted ventilation, while CRP can initially estimate the length of hospitalization. This study represents the first report of the potential of CER for diagnosing IPA, suggesting its significance for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Feng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Zhou Y, Zhang L. The interplay between copper metabolism and microbes: in perspective of host copper-dependent ATPases ATP7A/B. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1267931. [PMID: 38106478 PMCID: PMC10723777 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1267931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper, a vital element in various physiological processes, is transported from the gastrointestinal tract to tissues and cells through diverse copper transporters. Among these transporters, ATP7A and ATP7B play significant roles in regulating systemic copper metabolism and exhibit precise regulation in their intracellular trafficking. These transporters undergo dynamic shuttling between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane via the endocytic recycling mechanism, which involves the retromer and other associated factors. Interestingly, the antimicrobial attribute of copper implies a potential connection between microbial infection and copper metabolism. Several microbes, including Salmonella enterica, Cryptococcus, Influenza A virus (IAV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have been observed to impact the regulatory mechanisms of ATP7A/B, either directly or indirectly, as a means of survival. This review summarizes the key features and trafficking mechanisms of the copper transporters ATP7A/B, and examines the intricate interplay between microbes and copper metabolism. Ultimately, it highlights how microbes can perturb copper homeostasis through interactions with host factors, offering valuable insights into the mechanistic aspects of host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Leiliang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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7
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Dao TH, Iverson A, Neville SL, Johnson MDL, McDevitt CA, Rosch JW. The role of CopA in Streptococcus pyogenes copper homeostasis and virulence. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 240:112122. [PMID: 36639322 PMCID: PMC10161136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Maintenance of intracellular metal homeostasis during interaction with host niches is critical to the success of bacterial pathogens. To prevent infection, the mammalian innate immune response employs metal-withholding and metal-intoxication mechanisms to limit bacterial propagation. The first-row transition metal ion copper serves critical roles at the host-pathogen interface and has been associated with antimicrobial activity since antiquity. Despite lacking any known copper-utilizing proteins, streptococci have been reported to accumulate significant levels of copper. Here, we report that loss of CopA, a copper-specific exporter, confers increased sensitivity to copper in Streptococcus pyogenes strain HSC5, with prolonged exposure to physiological levels of copper resulting in reduced viability during stationary phase cultivation. This defect in stationary phase survival was rescued by supplementation with exogeneous amino acids, indicating the pathogen had altered nutritional requirements during exposure to copper stress. Furthermore, S. pyogenes HSC5 ΔcopA was substantially attenuated during murine soft-tissue infection, demonstrating the importance of copper efflux at the host-pathogen interface. Collectively, these data indicate that copper can severely reduce the viability of stationary phase S. pyogenes and that active efflux mechanisms are required to survive copper stress in vitro and during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina H Dao
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Amy Iverson
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stephanie L Neville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Michael D L Johnson
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Immunobiology, BIO5 Institute, Valley Fever Center for Excellence, and Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jason W Rosch
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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8
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Mutations in troABCD against Copper Overload in a copA Mutant of Streptococcus suis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0184122. [PMID: 36475883 PMCID: PMC9888204 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01841-22] [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: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen that is increasingly recognized as a porcine zoonotic pathogen that threatens the health of both pigs and humans. Metal homeostasis plays a critical role during the process of bacterial infection. In this study, RNA sequencing was used to identify potential candidate genes involved in the maintenance of intracellular copper homeostasis. CopA was identified as the primary copper exporter in S. suis. The copA deletion mutant strain was found to be more sensitive to copper and accumulated more intracellular copper than the wild-type (WT) parent strain. In addition, adding manganese increased the ability of S. suis to resist copper, and the manganese transporter, TroABCD, was involved in tolerance to copper. The copA deletion mutant strain accumulated less copper when supplemented with manganese. Furthermore, when cultured with copper, the double deletion mutant (ΔcopAΔtroA) exhibited improved growth compared to the copA deletion mutant strain. In addition, the double deletion mutant (ΔcopAΔtroA) accumulated less copper than the copA deletion mutant strain. These data were consistent with a model wherein defective TroABCD resulted in decreased cellular copper accumulation and protected the strain against copper poisoning. IMPORTANCE Metal homeostasis plays a critical role during the process of bacterial infection. We identified three important potential candidate genes involved in maintenance of intracellular copper homeostasis. CopA was demonstrated to be the main copper exporter in Streptococcus suis, and manganese increased the tolerance of S. suis to copper. The double deletion mutant (ΔcopAΔtroA) improved growth ability over the copA deletion mutant strain in the presence of high concentrations of copper and accumulated less copper. These findings are consistent with a model wherein defective TroABCD resulted in decreased cellular accumulation of copper and protected the strain against copper poisoning.
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Pvsn KK, Tomo S, Purohit P, Sankanagoudar S, Charan J, Purohit A, Nag V, Bhatia P, Singh K, Dutt N, Garg MK, Sharma P, Misra S, Yadav D. Comparative Analysis of Serum Zinc, Copper and Magnesium Level and Their Relations in Association with Severity and Mortality in SARS-CoV-2 Patients. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:23-30. [PMID: 35064475 PMCID: PMC8782674 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The deficiencies of trace elements and infectious diseases often coexist and exhibit complex interactions. Several trace elements such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) have immunomodulatory functions and thus influence the susceptibility to the course and outcome of a variety of viral infections. So, this present study was aimed to study relations of trace metals in association with severity and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients. A total of 150 individuals infected with COVID-19 and 50 healthy individuals were recruited. Cases were divided based on severity (mild, moderate and severe) and outcome (discharged or deceased). Serum Zn, Mg and Cu levels were analysed by direct colourimetric method. Both serum Cu and Zn levels were significantly decreased in cases when compared to those in controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.0001). Serum magnesium levels although not significant were found to be slightly decreased in controls. On comparing the trace elements between the deceased and discharged cases, a significant difference was found between serum copper and zinc levels, but for magnesium, both groups have similar levels. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve results indicate that a serum Cu/Zn ratio along with the age of patient provides some reliable information on COVID-19 course and survival odds by yielding an AUC of 95.1% with a sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 89.8%. Therefore, we would like to emphasize that measuring the serum copper and zinc along with their ratio can be used as routine investigations for COVID-19 patients in proper identification and management of severe cases in upcoming new waves of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumar Pvsn
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Sojit Tomo
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Purvi Purohit
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Shrimanjunath Sankanagoudar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Jayakaran Charan
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Abhishek Purohit
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Vijaylakshami Nag
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Pradeep Bhatia
- Department of Anaesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Naveen Dutt
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Mahendra Kumar Garg
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Sanjeev Misra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Director and CEO, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Dharamveer Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India.
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10
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Host-Mediated Copper Stress Is Not Protective against Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0249522. [PMID: 36413018 PMCID: PMC9769658 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02495-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal ions are required by all organisms for the chemical processes that support life. However, in excess they can also exert toxicity within biological systems. During infection, bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae are exposed to host-imposed metal intoxication, where the toxic properties of metals, such as copper, are exploited to aid in microbial clearance. However, previous studies investigating the antimicrobial efficacy of copper in vivo have reported variable findings. Here, we use a highly copper-sensitive strain of S. pneumoniae, lacking both copper efflux and intracellular copper buffering by glutathione, to investigate how copper stress is managed and where it is encountered during infection. We show that this strain exhibits highly dysregulated copper homeostasis, leading to the attenuation of growth and hyperaccumulation of copper in vitro. In a murine infection model, whole-tissue copper quantitation and elemental bioimaging of the murine lung revealed that infection with S. pneumoniae resulted in increased copper abundance in specific tissues, with the formation of spatially discrete copper hot spots throughout the lung. While the increased copper was able to reduce the viability of the highly copper-sensitive strain in a pneumonia model, copper levels in professional phagocytes and in a bacteremic model were insufficient to prosecute bacterial clearance. Collectively, this study reveals that host copper is redistributed to sites of infection and can impact bacterial viability in a hypersusceptible strain. However, in wild-type S. pneumoniae, the concerted actions of the copper homeostatic mechanisms are sufficient to facilitate continued viability and virulence of the pathogen. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is one of the world's foremost bacterial pathogens. Treatment of both localized and systemic pneumococcal infection is becoming complicated by increasing rates of multidrug resistance globally. Copper is a potent antimicrobial agent used by the mammalian immune system in the defense against bacterial pathogens. However, unlike other bacterial species, this copper stress is unable to prosecute pneumococcal clearance. This study determines how the mammalian host inflicts copper stress on S. pneumoniae and the bacterial copper tolerance mechanisms that contribute to maintenance of viability and virulence in vitro and in vivo. This work has provided insight into the chemical biology of the host-pneumococcal interaction and identified a potential avenue for novel antimicrobial development.
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11
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Cheng F, Peng G, Lu Y, Wang K, Ju Q, Ju Y, Ouyang M. Relationship between copper and immunity: The potential role of copper in tumor immunity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1019153. [PMID: 36419894 PMCID: PMC9676660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1019153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element in an organism, and changes in copper levels in vivo often indicate a diseased state. Copper and immunity have been discussed since the last century, with copper deficiency significantly affecting the development and function of the immune system, such as increased host susceptibility to various pathogens, decreased number and impaired function of neutrophils, reduced antibacterial activity of macrophages, decreased proliferation of splenocytes, impaired B cell ability to produce antibodies and impaired function of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and helper T cells. In the past 20 years, some studies have shown that copper ions are related to the development of many tumors, including lung cancer, acute lymphoid leukaemia, multiple myeloma and other tumors, wherein copper ion levels were significantly elevated, and current studies reveal that copper ions are involved in the development, growth and metastasis of tumors through various pathways. Moreover, recent studies have shown that copper ions can regulate the expression of PD-L1, thus, attention should be paid to the important role of copper in tumor immunity. By exploring and studying copper ions and tumor immunity, new insights into tumor immunity could be generated and novel therapeutic approaches to improve the clinical prognosis of patients can be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinuo Ju
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Country Garden School, Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongle Ju
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Manzhao Ouyang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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12
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Nyazika TK, Sibale L, Phiri J, De Ste Croix M, Jasiunaite Z, Mkandawire C, Malamba R, Kankwatira A, Manduwa M, Ferreira DM, Nyirenda TS, Oggioni MR, Mwandumba HC, Jambo KC. Intracellular survival of Streptococcus pneumoniae in human alveolar macrophages is augmented with HIV infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:992659. [PMID: 36203580 PMCID: PMC9531125 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.992659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
People Living with HIV (PLHIV) are at an increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia than HIV-uninfected adults, but the reasons for this are still not well understood. We investigated whether alveolar macrophages (AM) mediated control of pneumococcal infection is impaired in PLHIV compared to HIV-uninfected adults. We assessed anti-bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae of primary human AM obtained from PLHIV and HIV-uninfected adults. We found that pneumococcus survived intracellularly in AMs at least 24 hours post ex vivo infection, and this was more frequent in PLHIV than HIV-uninfected adults. Corroborating these findings, in vivo evidence showed that PLHIV had a higher propensity for harboring S. pneumoniae within their AMs than HIV-uninfected adults. Moreover, bacterial intracellular survival in AMs was associated with extracellular propagation of pneumococcal infection. Our data suggest that failure of AMs to eliminate S. pneumoniae intracellularly could contribute to the increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia in PLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinashe K. Nyazika
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lusako Sibale
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Joseph Phiri
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Megan De Ste Croix
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Zydrune Jasiunaite
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Mkandawire
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Rose Malamba
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Anstead Kankwatira
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Miriam Manduwa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Daniela M. Ferreira
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Tonney S. Nyirenda
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Marco R. Oggioni
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Henry C. Mwandumba
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kondwani C. Jambo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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13
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Akbari MS, Doran KS, Burcham LR. Metal Homeostasis in Pathogenic Streptococci. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081501. [PMID: 35893559 PMCID: PMC9331361 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus spp. are an important genus of Gram-positive bacteria, many of which are opportunistic pathogens that are capable of causing invasive disease in a wide range of populations. Metals, especially transition metal ions, are an essential nutrient for all organisms. Therefore, to survive across dynamic host environments, Streptococci have evolved complex systems to withstand metal stress and maintain metal homeostasis, especially during colonization and infection. There are many different types of transport systems that are used by bacteria to import or export metals that can be highly specific or promiscuous. Focusing on the most well studied transition metals of zinc, manganese, iron, nickel, and copper, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge of metal homeostasis in pathogenic Streptococci, and their role in virulence.
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14
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Focarelli F, Giachino A, Waldron KJ. Copper microenvironments in the human body define patterns of copper adaptation in pathogenic bacteria. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010617. [PMID: 35862345 PMCID: PMC9302775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential micronutrient for most organisms that is required as a cofactor for crucial copper-dependent enzymes encoded by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Evidence accumulated over several decades has shown that copper plays important roles in the function of the mammalian immune system. Copper accumulates at sites of infection, including the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and in blood and urine, and its antibacterial toxicity is directly leveraged by phagocytic cells to kill pathogens. Copper-deficient animals are more susceptible to infection, whereas those fed copper-rich diets are more resistant. As a result, copper resistance genes are important virulence factors for bacterial pathogens, enabling them to detoxify the copper insult while maintaining copper supply to their essential cuproenzymes. Here, we describe the accumulated evidence for the varied roles of copper in the mammalian response to infections, demonstrating that this metal has numerous direct and indirect effects on immune function. We further illustrate the multifaceted response of pathogenic bacteria to the elevated copper concentrations that they experience when invading the host, describing both conserved and species-specific adaptations to copper toxicity. Together, these observations demonstrate the roles of copper at the host–pathogen interface and illustrate why bacterial copper detoxification systems can be viable targets for the future development of novel antibiotic drug development programs. Copper is required by both animals and bacteria in small quantities as a micronutrient. During infection, the mammalian immune system increases the local concentration of copper, which gives rise to copper toxicity in the pathogen. In turn, bacterial pathogens possess specialized systems to resist this copper toxicity. Copper also plays important, indirect roles in the function of the immune system. In this review, we explain the diverse roles of copper in the human body with a focus on its functions within the immune system. We also describe how bacterial pathogens respond to the copper toxicity that they experience within the host during infection, illustrating both conserved copper homeostasis and detoxification systems in bacteria and species-specific adaptations that have been shown to be important to pathogenicity. The key role of copper at the host–pathogen interface and the essential requirement for pathogenic bacteria to resist copper toxicity makes the protein components that confer resistance on pathogens potential targets for future development of novel antibiotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Focarelli
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Giachino
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin John Waldron
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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15
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Genomic Analyses Identify Manganese Homeostasis as a Driver of Group B Streptococcal Vaginal Colonization. mBio 2022; 13:e0098522. [PMID: 35658538 PMCID: PMC9239048 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00985-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is associated with severe infections in utero and in newborn populations, including pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. GBS vaginal colonization of the pregnant mother is an important prerequisite for transmission to the newborn and the development of neonatal invasive disease; however, our understanding of the factors required for GBS persistence and ascension in the female reproductive tract (FRT) remains limited. Here, we utilized a GBS mariner transposon (Krmit) mutant library previously developed by our group and identified underrepresented mutations in 535 genes that contribute to survival within the vaginal lumen and colonization of vaginal, cervical, and uterine tissues. From these mutants, we identified 47 genes that were underrepresented in all samples collected, including mtsA, a component of the mtsABC locus, encoding a putative manganese (Mn2+)-dependent ATP-binding cassette transporter. RNA sequencing analysis of GBS recovered from the vaginal tract also revealed a robust increase of mtsA expression during vaginal colonization. We engineered an ΔmtsA mutant strain and found by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry that it exhibited decreased concentrations of intracellular Mn2+, confirming its involvement in Mn2+ acquisition. The ΔmtsA mutant was significantly more susceptible to the metal chelator calprotectin and to oxidative stressors, including both H2O2 and paraquat, than wild-type (WT) GBS. We further observed that the ΔmtsA mutant strain exhibited a significant fitness defect in comparison to WT GBS in vivo by using a murine model of vaginal colonization. Taken together, these data suggest that Mn2+ homeostasis is an important process contributing to GBS survival in the FRT.
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16
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Menghani SV, Cutcliffe MP, Sanchez-Rosario Y, Pok C, Watson A, Neubert MJ, Ochoa K, Wu HJJ, Johnson MDL. N, N-Dimethyldithiocarbamate Elicits Pneumococcal Hypersensitivity to Copper and Macrophage-Mediated Clearance. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0059721. [PMID: 35311543 PMCID: PMC9022595 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00597-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive, encapsulated bacterium that is a significant cause of disease burden in pediatric and elderly populations. The rise in unencapsulated disease-causing strains and antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae has increased the need for developing new antimicrobial strategies. Recent work by our laboratory has identified N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDC) as a copper-dependent antimicrobial against bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. As a bactericidal antibiotic against S. pneumoniae, DMDC's ability to work as a copper-dependent antibiotic and its ability to work in vivo warranted further investigation. Here, our group studied the mechanisms of action of DMDC under various medium and excess-metal conditions and investigated DMDC's interactions with the innate immune system in vitro and in vivo. Of note, we found that DMDC plus copper significantly increased the internal copper concentration, hydrogen peroxide stress, nitric oxide stress, and the in vitro macrophage killing efficiency and decreased capsule. Furthermore, we found that in vivo DMDC treatment increased the quantity of innate immune cells in the lung during infection. Taken together, this study provides mechanistic insights regarding DMDC's activity as an antibiotic at the host-pathogen interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay V. Menghani
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Medical Scientist Training M.D.-Ph.D. Program (MSTP), University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Madeline P. Cutcliffe
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Yamil Sanchez-Rosario
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Chansorena Pok
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Alison Watson
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Miranda J. Neubert
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Klariza Ochoa
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Hsin-Jung Joyce Wu
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Arizona Arthritis Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael D. L. Johnson
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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17
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Kaur I, Purves J, Harwood M, Ketley JM, Andrew PW, Waldron KJ, Morrissey JA. Role of horizontally transferred copper resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168:001162. [PMID: 35404222 PMCID: PMC10233261 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved mechanisms which enable them to control intracellular concentrations of metals. In the case of transition metals, such as copper, iron and zinc, bacteria must ensure enough is available as a cofactor for enzymes whilst at the same time preventing the accumulation of excess concentrations, which can be toxic. Interestingly, metal homeostasis and resistance systems have been found to play important roles in virulence. This review will discuss the copper homeostasis and resistance systems in Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and the implications that acquisition of additional copper resistance genes may have in these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inderpreet Kaur
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Joanne Purves
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Matthew Harwood
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Julian M. Ketley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Peter W. Andrew
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, University, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Kevin J. Waldron
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Catherine Cookson Building Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Julie A. Morrissey
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
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18
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Hyre A, Casanova-Hampton K, Subashchandrabose S. Copper Homeostatic Mechanisms and Their Role in the Virulence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. EcoSal Plus 2021; 9:eESP00142020. [PMID: 34125582 PMCID: PMC8669021 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0014-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential micronutrient that also exerts toxic effects at high concentrations. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on copper handling and homeostasis systems in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. We describe the mechanisms by which transcriptional regulators, efflux pumps, detoxification enzymes, metallochaperones, and ancillary copper response systems orchestrate cellular response to copper stress. E. coli and S. enterica are important pathogens of humans and animals. We discuss the critical role of copper during killing of these pathogens by macrophages and in nutritional immunity at the bacterial-pathogen-host interface. In closing, we identify opportunities to advance our understanding of the biological roles of copper in these model enteric bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Hyre
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Kaitlin Casanova-Hampton
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Sargurunathan Subashchandrabose
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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19
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Cho H, Masters T, Greenwood‐Quaintance KE, Johnson S, Jeraldo PR, Chia N, Pu M, Abdel MP, Patel R. Transcriptomic analysis of Streptococcus agalactiae periprosthetic joint infection. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1256. [PMID: 34964296 PMCID: PMC8678771 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Streptococcus agalactiae periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is not as prevalent as staphylococcal PJI, invasive S. agalactiae infection is not uncommon. Here, RNA-seq was used to perform transcriptomic analysis of S. agalactiae PJI using fluid derived from sonication of explanted arthroplasties of subjects with S. agalactiae PJI, with results compared to those of S. agalactiae strain NEM316 grown in vitro. A total of 227 genes with outlier expression were found (164 upregulated and 63 downregulated) between PJI sonicate fluid and in vitro conditions. Functional enrichment analysis showed genes involved in mobilome and inorganic ion transport and metabolism to be most enriched. Genes involved in nickel, copper, and zinc transport, were upregulated. Among known virulence factors, cyl operon genes, encoding β-hemolysin/cytolysin, were consistently highly expressed in PJI versus in vitro. The data presented provide insight into S. agalactiae PJI pathogenesis and may be a resource for identification of novel PJI therapeutics or vaccines against invasive S. agalactiae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye‐Kyung Cho
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Thao Masters
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Stephen Johnson
- Department of Health Sciences ResearchMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Patricio R. Jeraldo
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Nicholas Chia
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Meng Pu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Matthew P. Abdel
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Robin Patel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
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20
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Demonstration of N, N-Dimethyldithiocarbamate as a Copper-Dependent Antibiotic against Multiple Upper Respiratory Tract Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0077821. [PMID: 34468162 PMCID: PMC8557878 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00778-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition metals are necessary cofactors and structural elements in living systems. Exposure to high concentrations of biologically important transition metals, such as zinc and copper, results in cell toxicity. At the infection site, the immune system deploys metal sorbent proteins (e.g., lactoferrin and calprotectin) to starve pathogens of necessary metals (such as iron), while phagocytes expose engulfed pathogens to high levels of other metals, such as copper and zinc. The opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) encounters macrophages during initial and protracted infections. The pneumococcus employs a copper export pathway, which improves colonization and persistent infection of the nasopharynx and the upper respiratory tract. Because copper is tightly regulated in the host, we instead sought to leverage the localized power of nutritional immunity by identifying small molecules with copper-dependent toxicity (CDT) through a targeted screen of compounds for antibiotic efficacy. We chose to include dithiocarbamates, based on the copper synergy observed in other organisms with 1-(diethylthiocarbamoyldisulfanyl)-N,N-diethyl-methanethioamide (tetraethylthiuram disulfide, disulfiram). We observed CDT of some dithiocarbamates in S. pneumoniae. Only N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDC) was consistently toxic across a range of concentrations with copper both in vitro and in vivo against the pneumococcus. We also observed various degrees of CDT in vitro using DMDC in Staphylococcus aureus, Coccidioides posadasii, and Schistosoma mansoni. Collectively, we demonstrate that the compound DMDC is a potent bactericidal compound against S. pneumoniae with antimicrobial efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. IMPORTANCE With the rise of antibiotic resistance, approaches that add new antimicrobials to the current repertoire are vital. Here, we investigate putative and known copper ionophores in an attempt to intoxicate bacteria and use ionophore/copper synergy, and we ultimately find success with N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDC). We show that DMDC has in vitro efficacy in a copper-dependent manner and kills pathogens across three different kingdoms, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Coccidioides posadasii, and Schistosoma mansoni, and in vivo efficacy against S. pneumoniae. As such, dithiocarbamates represent a new potential class of antimicrobials and thus warrant further mechanistic investigation.
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21
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Copper Resistance Promotes Fitness of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus during Urinary Tract Infection. mBio 2021; 12:e0203821. [PMID: 34488457 PMCID: PMC8546587 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02038-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infectious conditions affecting people in the United States and around the world. Our knowledge of the host-pathogen interaction during UTI caused by Gram-positive bacterial uropathogens is limited compared to that for Gram-negative pathogens. Here, we investigated whether copper and the primary copper-containing protein, ceruloplasmin, are mobilized to urine during naturally occurring UTI caused by Gram-positive uropathogens in patients. Next, we probed the role of copper resistance in the fitness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) during experimental UTI in a murine model. Our findings demonstrate that urinary copper and ceruloplasmin content are elevated during UTI caused by Enterococcus faecalis, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus. MRSA strains successfully colonize the urinary tract of female CBA mice with selective induction of inflammation in the kidneys but not the bladder. MRSA mutants lacking CopL, a copper-binding cell surface lipoprotein, and the ACME genomic region containing copL, exhibit decreased fitness in the mouse urinary tract compared to parental strains. Copper sensitivity assays, cell-associated copper and iron content, and bioavailability of iron during copper stress demonstrate that homeostasis of copper and iron is interlinked in S. aureus. Importantly, relative fitness of the MRSA mutant lacking the ACME region is further decreased in mice that receive supplemental copper compared to the parental strain. In summary, copper is mobilized to the urinary tract during UTI caused by Gram-positive pathogens, and copper resistance is a fitness factor for MRSA during UTI. IMPORTANCE Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an extremely common infectious condition affecting people throughout the world. Increasing antibiotic resistance in pathogens causing UTI threatens our ability to continue to treat patients in the clinics. Better understanding of the host-pathogen interface is critical for development of novel interventional strategies. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of copper in host-Staphylococcus aureus interaction during UTI. Our results reveal that copper is mobilized to the urine as a host response in patients with UTI. Our findings from the murine model of UTI demonstrate that copper resistance is involved in the fitness of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) during interaction with the host. We also establish a critical link between adaptation to copper stress and iron homeostasis in S. aureus.
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22
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Whole Genome Sequencing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Clinical Isolates Reveals Variable Composite SCC mec ACME among Different STs in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091824. [PMID: 34576720 PMCID: PMC8466944 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091824] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis has been recently recognized as an emerging nosocomial pathogen. There are concerns over the increasing virulence potential of this commensal due to the capabilities of transferring mobile genetic elements to Staphylococcus aureus through staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCCmec) and the closely related arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) and the copper and mercury resistance island (COMER). The potential pathogenicity of S. epidermidis, particularly from blood stream infections, has been poorly investigated. In this study, 24 S. epidermidis isolated from blood stream infections from Oman were investigated using whole genome sequence analysis. Core genome phylogenetic trees revealed one third of the isolates belong to the multidrug resistance ST-2. Genomic analysis unraveled a common occurrence of SCCmec type IV and ACME element predominantly type I arranged in a composite island. The genetic composition of ACME was highly variable among isolates of same or different STs. The COMER-like island was absent in all of our isolates. Reduced copper susceptibility was observed among isolates of ST-2 and ACME type I, followed by ACME type V. In conclusion, in this work, we identify a prevalent occurrence of highly variable ACME elements in different hospital STs of S. epidermidis in Oman, thus strongly suggesting the hypothesis that ACME types evolved from closely related STs.
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23
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Copper intoxication in group B Streptococcus triggers transcriptional activation of the cop operon that contributes to enhanced virulence during acute infection. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0031521. [PMID: 34251869 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00315-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria can utilize Copper (Cu) as a trace element to support cellular processes; however, excess Cu can intoxicate bacteria. Here, we characterize the cop operon in group B streptococcus (GBS), and establish its role in evasion of Cu intoxication and the response to Cu stress on virulence. Growth of GBS mutants deficient in either the copA Cu exporter, or the copY repressor, were severely compromised in Cu-stress conditions. GBS survival of Cu stress reflected a mechanism of CopY de-repression of the CopA efflux system. However, neither mutant was attenuated for intracellular survival in macrophages. Analysis of global transcriptional responses to Cu by RNA-sequencing revealed a stress signature encompassing homeostasis of multiple metals. Genes induced by Cu stress included putative metal transporters for manganese import, whereas a system for iron export was repressed. In addition, copA promoted the ability of GBS to colonize the blood, liver and spleen of mice following disseminated infection. Together, these findings show that GBS copA mediates resistance to Cu intoxication, via regulation by the Cu-sensing transcriptional repressor, copY. Cu stress responses in GBS reflect a transcriptional signature that heightens virulence and represents an important part of the bacteria's ability to survive in different environments. Importance Understanding how bacteria manage cellular levels of metal ions, such as copper, helps to explain how microbial cells can survive in different stressful environments. We show how the opportunistic pathogen group B Streptococcus (GBS) achieves homeostasis of intracellular copper through the activities of the genes that comprise the cop operon, and describe how this helps GBS survive in stressful environments, including in the mammalian host during systemic disseminated infection.
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24
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Peng W, Yang X, Yan K, Chen H, Yuan F, Bei W. CopA Protects Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae against Copper Toxicity. Vet Microbiol 2021; 258:109122. [PMID: 34052743 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium causing porcine pleuropneumonia and severe economic losses in the global swine industry. The toxic trace element copper is required for many physiological and pathological processes in organisms. However, CopA, one of the most well-characterized P-type ATPases contributing to copper resistance, has not been characterized in A. pleuropneumoniae. We used quantitative PCR analysis to examine expression of the copA gene in A. pleuropneumoniae and investigated sequence conservation among serotypes and other Gram-negative bacteria. Growth characteristics were determined using growth curve analyses and spot dilution assays of the wild-type strain and a △copA mutant. We also used flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine intracellular copper content and examined the virulence of the △copA mutant in a mouse model. The copA expression was induced by copper, and its nucleotide sequence was highly conserved among different serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae. The amino acid sequence of CopA shared high identity with CopA sequences reported from several Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the △copA mutant exhibited impaired growth and had higher intracellular copper content compared with the wild-type strain when supplemented with copper. The mouse model revealed that CopA had no influence on the virulence of A. pleuropneumoniae. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that CopA is required for resistance of A. pleuropneumoniae to copper and protects A. pleuropneumoniae against copper toxicity via copper efflux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangyan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Weicheng Bei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Genetically Engineered Veterinary Vaccines, Qingdao, China; The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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25
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Nutritional immunity: the impact of metals on lung immune cells and the airway microbiome during chronic respiratory disease. Respir Res 2021; 22:133. [PMID: 33926483 PMCID: PMC8082489 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutritional immunity is the sequestration of bioavailable trace metals such as iron, zinc and copper by the host to limit pathogenicity by invading microorganisms. As one of the most conserved activities of the innate immune system, limiting the availability of free trace metals by cells of the immune system serves not only to conceal these vital nutrients from invading bacteria but also operates to tightly regulate host immune cell responses and function. In the setting of chronic lung disease, the regulation of trace metals by the host is often disrupted, leading to the altered availability of these nutrients to commensal and invading opportunistic pathogenic microbes. Similarly, alterations in the uptake, secretion, turnover and redox activity of these vitally important metals has significant repercussions for immune cell function including the response to and resolution of infection. This review will discuss the intricate role of nutritional immunity in host immune cells of the lung and how changes in this fundamental process as a result of chronic lung disease may alter the airway microbiome, disease progression and the response to infection.
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26
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Giachino A, Focarelli F, Marles-Wright J, Waldron KJ. Synthetic biology approaches to copper remediation: bioleaching, accumulation and recycling. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6021318. [PMID: 33501489 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the current aims of synthetic biology is the development of novel microorganisms that can mine economically important elements from the environment or remediate toxic waste compounds. Copper, in particular, is a high-priority target for bioremediation owing to its extensive use in the food, metal and electronic industries and its resulting common presence as an environmental pollutant. Even though microbe-aided copper biomining is a mature technology, its application to waste treatment and remediation of contaminated sites still requires further research and development. Crucially, any engineered copper-remediating chassis must survive in copper-rich environments and adapt to copper toxicity; they also require bespoke adaptations to specifically extract copper and safely accumulate it as a human-recoverable deposit to enable biorecycling. Here, we review current strategies in copper bioremediation, biomining and biorecycling, as well as strategies that extant bacteria use to enhance copper tolerance, accumulation and mineralization in the native environment. By describing the existing toolbox of copper homeostasis proteins from naturally occurring bacteria, we show how these modular systems can be exploited through synthetic biology to enhance the properties of engineered microbes for biotechnological copper recovery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giachino
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Focarelli
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Marles-Wright
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J Waldron
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
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27
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Huang M, Liu M, Liu J, Zhu D, Tang Q, Jia R, Chen S, Zhao X, Yang Q, Wu Y, Zhang S, Huang J, Ou X, Mao S, Gao Q, Sun D, Wang M, Cheng A. Functional characterization of Fur in iron metabolism, oxidative stress resistance and virulence of Riemerella anatipestifer. Vet Res 2021; 52:48. [PMID: 33741064 PMCID: PMC7976709 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00919-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is essential for most bacteria to survive, but excessive iron leads to damage by the Fenton reaction. Therefore, the concentration of intracellular free iron must be strictly controlled in bacteria. Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer), a Gram-negative bacterium, encodes the iron uptake system. However, the iron homeostasis mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, it was shown that compared with the wild type R. anatipestifer CH-1, R. anatipestifer CH-1Δfur was more sensitive to streptonigrin, and this effect was alleviated when the bacteria were cultured in iron-depleted medium, suggesting that the fur mutant led to excess iron accumulation inside cells. Similarly, compared with R. anatipestifer CH-1∆recA, R. anatipestifer CH-1∆recAΔfur was more sensitive to H2O2-induced oxidative stress when the bacteria were grown in iron-rich medium rather than iron-depleted medium. Accordingly, it was shown that R. anatipestifer CH-1∆recAΔfur produced more intracellular ROS than R. anatipestifer CH-1∆recA in iron-rich medium. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that R. anatipestifer CH-1 Fur suppressed the transcription of putative iron uptake genes through binding to their promoter regions. Finally, it was shown that compared with the wild type, R. anatipestifer CH-1Δfur was significantly attenuated in ducklings and that the colonization ability of R. anatipestifer CH-1Δfur in various tissues or organs was decreased. All these results suggested that Fur is important for iron homeostasis in R. anatipestifer and its pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiajun Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianying Tang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Xumin Ou
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Sai Mao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Qun Gao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Di Sun
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
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28
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Kelley BR, Lu J, Haley KP, Gaddy JA, Johnson JG. Metal homeostasis in pathogenic Epsilonproteobacteria: mechanisms of acquisition, efflux, and regulation. Metallomics 2021; 13:mfaa002. [PMID: 33570133 PMCID: PMC8043183 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epsilonproteobacteria are a diverse class of eubacteria within the Proteobacteria phylum that includes environmental sulfur-reducing bacteria and the human pathogens, Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori. These pathogens infect and proliferate within the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple animal hosts, including humans, and cause a variety of disease outcomes. While infection of these hosts provides nutrients for the pathogenic Epsilonproteobacteria, many hosts have evolved a variety of strategies to either sequester metals from the invading pathogen or exploit the toxicity of metals and drive their accumulation as an antimicrobial strategy. As a result, C. jejuni and H. pylori have developed mechanisms to sense changes in metal availability and regulate their physiology in order to respond to either metal limitation or accumulation. In this review, we will discuss the challenges of metal availability at the host-pathogen interface during infection with C. jejuni and H. pylori and describe what is currently known about how these organisms alter their gene expression and/or deploy bacterial virulence factors in response to these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittni R Kelley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Jacky Lu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kathryn P Haley
- Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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29
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Culbertson EM, Culotta VC. Copper in infectious disease: Using both sides of the penny. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 115:19-26. [PMID: 33423931 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The transition metal Cu is an essential micronutrient that serves as a co-factor for numerous enzymes involved in redox and oxygen chemistry. However, Cu is also a potentially toxic metal, especially to unicellular microbes that are in direct contact with their environment. Since 400 BCE, Cu toxicity has been leveraged for its antimicrobial properties and even today, Cu based materials are being explored as effective antimicrobials against human pathogens spanning bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 agent of the 2019-2020 pandemic. Given that Cu has the double-edged property of being both highly toxic and an essential micronutrient, it plays an active and complicated role at the host-pathogen interface. Humans have evolved methods of incorporating Cu into innate and adaptive immune processes and both sides of the penny (Cu toxicity and Cu as a nutrient) are employed. Here we review the evolution of Cu in biology and its multi-faceted roles in infectious disease, from the viewpoints of the microbial pathogens as well as the animal hosts they infect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward M Culbertson
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Valeria C Culotta
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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30
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Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential metal for bacterial physiology but in excess it is bacteriotoxic. To limit Cu levels in the cytoplasm, most bacteria possess a transcriptionally responsive system for Cu export. In the Gram-positive human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]), this system is encoded by the copYAZ operon. This study demonstrates that although the site of GAS infection represents a Cu-rich environment, inactivation of the copA Cu efflux gene does not reduce virulence in a mouse model of invasive disease. In vitro, Cu treatment leads to multiple observable phenotypes, including defects in growth and viability, decreased fermentation, inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapA) activity, and misregulation of metal homeostasis, likely as a consequence of mismetalation of noncognate metal-binding sites by Cu. Surprisingly, the onset of these effects is delayed by ∼4 h even though expression of copZ is upregulated immediately upon exposure to Cu. Further biochemical investigations show that the onset of all phenotypes coincides with depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH). Supplementation with extracellular GSH replenishes the intracellular pool of this thiol and suppresses all the observable effects of Cu treatment. These results indicate that GSH buffers excess intracellular Cu when the transcriptionally responsive Cu export system is overwhelmed. Thus, while the copYAZ operon is responsible for Cu homeostasis, GSH has a role in Cu tolerance and allows bacteria to maintain metabolism even in the presence of an excess of this metal ion.IMPORTANCE The control of intracellular metal availability is fundamental to bacterial physiology. In the case of copper (Cu), it has been established that rising intracellular Cu levels eventually fill the metal-sensing site of the endogenous Cu-sensing transcriptional regulator, which in turn induces transcription of a copper export pump. This response caps intracellular Cu availability below a well-defined threshold and prevents Cu toxicity. Glutathione, abundant in many bacteria, is known to bind Cu and has long been assumed to contribute to bacterial Cu handling. However, there is some ambiguity since neither its biosynthesis nor uptake is Cu-regulated. Furthermore, there is little experimental support for this physiological role of glutathione beyond measuring growth of glutathione-deficient mutants in the presence of Cu. Our work with group A Streptococcus provides new evidence that glutathione increases the threshold of intracellular Cu availability that can be tolerated by bacteria and thus advances fundamental understanding of bacterial Cu handling.
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31
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Neville SL, Eijkelkamp BA, Lothian A, Paton JC, Roberts BR, Rosch JW, McDevitt CA. Cadmium stress dictates central carbon flux and alters membrane composition in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Commun Biol 2020; 3:694. [PMID: 33214631 PMCID: PMC7678824 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01417-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal ion homeostasis is essential for all forms of life. However, the breadth of intracellular impacts that arise upon dysregulation of metal ion homeostasis remain to be elucidated. Here, we used cadmium, a non-physiological metal ion, to investigate how the bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae, resists metal ion stress and dyshomeostasis. By combining transcriptomics, metabolomics and metalloproteomics, we reveal that cadmium stress dysregulates numerous essential cellular pathways including central carbon metabolism, lipid membrane biogenesis and homeostasis, and capsule production at the transcriptional and/or functional level. Despite the breadth of cellular pathways susceptible to metal intoxication, we show that S. pneumoniae is able to maintain viability by utilizing cellular pathways that are predominately metal-independent, such as the pentose phosphate pathway to maintain energy production. Collectively, this work provides insight into the cellular processes impacted by cadmium and how resistance to metal ion toxicity is achieved in S. pneumoniae. Neville et al. investigate how Streptococcus pneumoniae mitigates metal ion stress. Despite cadmium induced dysregulation of central carbon metabolism and lipid membrane homeostasis, they find that S. pneumoniae can remain viable by selectively utilizing predominately metal-independent cellular pathways. This study provides insights into how bacteria overcome metal ion toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Neville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Bart A Eijkelkamp
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Amber Lothian
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - James C Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Blaine R Roberts
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jason W Rosch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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32
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Fooladi S, Matin S, Mahmoodpoor A. Copper as a potential adjunct therapy for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020; 40:90-91. [PMID: 33183578 PMCID: PMC7518164 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a major health problem affecting all people worldwide and has a high mortality rate especially in critically ill patients. Although much is known about its different clinical symptoms, there are significant knowledge gaps about its pathology and cellular responses to the virus. Copper plays an essential role in respiration, immune function and free-radical defense. Despite its important action in physiochemical properties, only small amount of copper is presented in biological fluid, none of which presents as free ion form that readily affirms its depletion in critically ill patients. Recent studies confirmed its anti-viral capacity. Closer understanding of copper signaling, its vulnerability, method of assessment and interpretation, administration rout and dosage opens up new perspectives regarding therapeutic copper administration against critically ill COVID-19 patients. So, it seems that physicians should consider copper insufficiency in their critically ill COVID-19 patients. However, an attention should be paid to copper toxicity and estimating the adverse responses depending on copper dose or severity of copper limitation, as well as the duration of copper misbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahnaz Fooladi
- Fellowship of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Somaieh Matin
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Ata Mahmoodpoor
- Fellowship of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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33
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Andrei A, Öztürk Y, Khalfaoui-Hassani B, Rauch J, Marckmann D, Trasnea PI, Daldal F, Koch HG. Cu Homeostasis in Bacteria: The Ins and Outs. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E242. [PMID: 32962054 PMCID: PMC7558416 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10090242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for all living organisms and used as cofactor in key enzymes of important biological processes, such as aerobic respiration or superoxide dismutation. However, due to its toxicity, cells have developed elaborate mechanisms for Cu homeostasis, which balance Cu supply for cuproprotein biogenesis with the need to remove excess Cu. This review summarizes our current knowledge on bacterial Cu homeostasis with a focus on Gram-negative bacteria and describes the multiple strategies that bacteria use for uptake, storage and export of Cu. We furthermore describe general mechanistic principles that aid the bacterial response to toxic Cu concentrations and illustrate dedicated Cu relay systems that facilitate Cu delivery for cuproenzyme biogenesis. Progress in understanding how bacteria avoid Cu poisoning while maintaining a certain Cu quota for cell proliferation is of particular importance for microbial pathogens because Cu is utilized by the host immune system for attenuating pathogen survival in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Andrei
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZBMZ, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (A.A.); (Y.O.); (J.R.); (D.M.)
- Fakultät für Biologie, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yavuz Öztürk
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZBMZ, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (A.A.); (Y.O.); (J.R.); (D.M.)
| | | | - Juna Rauch
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZBMZ, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (A.A.); (Y.O.); (J.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Dorian Marckmann
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZBMZ, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (A.A.); (Y.O.); (J.R.); (D.M.)
| | | | - Fevzi Daldal
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Hans-Georg Koch
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZBMZ, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (A.A.); (Y.O.); (J.R.); (D.M.)
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34
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Rules of Expansion: an Updated Consensus Operator Site for the CopR-CopY Family of Bacterial Copper Exporter System Repressors. mSphere 2020; 5:5/3/e00411-20. [PMID: 32461276 PMCID: PMC7253601 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00411-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many Gram-positive bacteria respond to copper stress by upregulating a copper export system controlled by a copper-sensitive repressor, CopR-CopY. The previous operator sequence for this family of proteins had been identified as TACANNTGTA. Here, using several recombinant proteins and mutations in various DNA fragments, we define those 10 bases as necessary but not sufficient for binding and in doing so, refine the cop operon operator to the 16-base sequence RNYKACANNTGTMRNY. Due to the sheer number of repressors that have been said to bind to the original 10 bases, including many antibiotic resistance repressors such as BlaI and MecI, we feel that this study highlights the need to reexamine many of these sites of the past and use added stringency for verifying operators in the future. Copper is broadly toxic to bacteria. As such, bacteria have evolved specialized copper export systems (cop operons) often consisting of a DNA-binding/copper-responsive regulator (which can be a repressor or activator), a copper chaperone, and a copper exporter. For those bacteria using DNA-binding copper repressors, few studies have examined the regulation of this operon regarding the operator DNA sequence needed for repressor binding. In Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), CopY is the copper repressor for the cop operon. Previously, homologs of pneumococcal CopY have been characterized to bind a 10-base consensus sequence T/GACANNTGTA known as the cop box. Using this motif, we sought to determine whether genes outside the cop operon are also regulated by the CopY repressor, which was previously shown in Lactococcus lactis. We found that S. pneumoniae CopY did not bind to cop operators upstream of these candidate genes in vitro. During this process, we found that the cop box sequence is necessary but not sufficient for CopY binding. Here, we propose an updated operator sequence for the S. pneumoniaecop operon to be ATTGACAAATGTAGAT binding CopY with a dissociation constant (Kd) of ∼28 nM. We demonstrate strong cross-species interaction between some CopY proteins and CopY operators, suggesting strong evolutionary conservation. Taken together with our binding studies and bioinformatics data, we propose the consensus operator RNYKACANNYGTMRNY for the bacterial CopR-CopY copper repressor homologs. IMPORTANCE Many Gram-positive bacteria respond to copper stress by upregulating a copper export system controlled by a copper-sensitive repressor, CopR-CopY. The previous operator sequence for this family of proteins had been identified as TACANNTGTA. Here, using several recombinant proteins and mutations in various DNA fragments, we define those 10 bases as necessary but not sufficient for binding and in doing so, refine the cop operon operator to the 16-base sequence RNYKACANNTGTMRNY. Due to the sheer number of repressors that have been said to bind to the original 10 bases, including many antibiotic resistance repressors such as BlaI and MecI, we feel that this study highlights the need to reexamine many of these sites of the past and use added stringency for verifying operators in the future.
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35
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Giachino A, Waldron KJ. Copper tolerance in bacteria requires the activation of multiple accessory pathways. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:377-390. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giachino
- Biosciences Institute Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Kevin J. Waldron
- Biosciences Institute Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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36
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Dalecki AG, Zorn KM, Clark AM, Ekins S, Narmore WT, Tower N, Rasmussen L, Bostwick R, Kutsch O, Wolschendorf F. High-throughput screening and Bayesian machine learning for copper-dependent inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus. Metallomics 2020; 11:696-706. [PMID: 30839007 DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00342d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One potential source of new antibacterials is through probing existing chemical libraries for copper-dependent inhibitors (CDIs), i.e., molecules with antibiotic activity only in the presence of copper. Recently, our group demonstrated that previously unknown staphylococcal CDIs were frequently present in a small pilot screen. Here, we report the outcome of a larger industrial anti-staphylococcal screen consisting of 40 771 compounds assayed in parallel, both in standard and in copper-supplemented media. Ultimately, 483 had confirmed copper-dependent IC50 values under 50 μM. Sphere-exclusion clustering revealed that these hits were largely dominated by sulfur-containing motifs, including benzimidazole-2-thiones, thiadiazines, thiazoline formamides, triazino-benzimidazoles, and pyridinyl thieno-pyrimidines. Structure-activity relationship analysis of the pyridinyl thieno-pyrimidines generated multiple improved CDIs, with activity likely dependent on ligand/ion coordination. Molecular fingerprint-based Bayesian classification models were built using Discovery Studio and Assay Central, a new platform for sharing and distributing cheminformatic models in a portable format, based on open-source tools. Finally, we used the latter model to evaluate a library of FDA-approved drugs for copper-dependent activity in silico. Two anti-helminths, albendazole and thiabendazole, scored highly and are known to coordinate copper ions, further validating the model's applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex G Dalecki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, BBRB 562, 845 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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37
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Tarrant E, P Riboldi G, McIlvin MR, Stevenson J, Barwinska-Sendra A, Stewart LJ, Saito MA, Waldron KJ. Copper stress in Staphylococcus aureus leads to adaptive changes in central carbon metabolism. Metallomics 2020; 11:183-200. [PMID: 30443649 PMCID: PMC6350627 DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00239h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Copper toxicity has been a long-term selection pressure on bacteria due to its presence in the environment and its use as an antimicrobial agent by grazing protozoa, by phagocytic cells of the immune system, and in man-made medical and commercial products. There is recent evidence that exposure to increased copper stress may have been a key driver in the evolution and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a globally important pathogen that causes significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Yet it is unclear how S. aureus physiology is affected by copper stress or how it adapts in order to be able to grow in the presence of excess copper. Here, we have determined quantitatively how S. aureus alters its proteome during growth under copper stress conditions, comparing this adaptive response in two different types of growth regime. We found that the adaptive response involves induction of the conserved copper detoxification system as well as induction of enzymes of central carbon metabolism, with only limited induction of proteins involved in the oxidative stress response. Further, we identified a protein that binds copper inside S. aureus cells when stressed by copper excess. This copper-binding enzyme, a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase essential for glycolysis, is inhibited by copper in vitro and inside S. aureus cells. Together, our data demonstrate that copper stress leads to the inhibition of glycolysis in S. aureus, and that the bacterium adapts to this stress by altering its central carbon utilisation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Tarrant
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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38
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Williams CL, Neu HM, Alamneh YA, Reddinger RM, Jacobs AC, Singh S, Abu-Taleb R, Michel SLJ, Zurawski DV, Merrell DS. Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii Copper Resistance Reveals a Role in Virulence. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:16. [PMID: 32117089 PMCID: PMC7015863 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is often highly drug-resistant and causes severe infections in compromised patients. These infections can be life threatening due to limited treatment options. Copper is inherently antimicrobial and increasing evidence indicates that copper containing formulations may serve as non-traditional therapeutics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. We previously reported that A. baumannii is sensitive to high concentrations of copper. To understand A. baumannii copper resistance at the molecular level, herein we identified putative copper resistance components and characterized 21 strains bearing mutations in these genes. Eight of the strains displayed a copper sensitive phenotype (pcoA, pcoB, copB, copA/cueO, copR/cusR, copS/cusS, copC, copD); the putative functions of these proteins include copper transport, oxidation, sequestration, and regulation. Importantly, many of these mutant strains still showed increased sensitivity to copper while in a biofilm. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed that many of these strains had defects in copper mobilization, as the mutant strains accumulated more intracellular copper than the wild-type strain. Given the crucial antimicrobial role of copper-mediated killing employed by the immune system, virulence of these mutant strains was investigated in Galleria mellonella; many of the mutant strains were attenuated. Finally, the cusR and copD strains were also investigated in the murine pneumonia model; both were found to be important for full virulence. Thus, copper possesses antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, and copper sensitivity is further increased when copper homeostasis mechanisms are interrupted. Importantly, these proteins are crucial for full virulence of A. baumannii and may represent novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin L Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Heather M Neu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yonas A Alamneh
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Ryan M Reddinger
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Anna C Jacobs
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Shweta Singh
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Rania Abu-Taleb
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Sarah L J Michel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daniel V Zurawski
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - D Scott Merrell
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
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39
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Esposito R, Vllahu M, Morello S, Baldantoni D, Bellino A, Petrella A, Eletto D, Porta A, Tosco A. Low copper availability limits Helicobacter infection in mice. FEBS J 2019; 287:2948-2960. [PMID: 31863621 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Copper is an essential element for all living organisms; however, it becomes toxic at high concentrations due to its ability to participate in many redox reactions. This vital micronutrient balance plays an important role in the battle between host and pathogen, due to its use by the host to intoxicate pathogens. In this study, we explore the effects of copper deprivation on Helicobacter infection in mice using the copper chelator tetrathiomolybdate. Our results reveal that Helicobacter infection significantly reduces copper concentration in mice stomachs without affecting its circulating levels. Moreover, in copper-deprived mice, bacteria hardly colonize the epithelium and mice show less gastric damage in comparison with the infected ones. However, when the copper chelator is administered after infection, the condition of the mouse stomachs declines. This could be explained by the lower copper availability in tetrathiomolybdate-treated mice, which would reduce macrophages' action against the pathogen. In this scenario, we observe that the protective factor trefoil factor 1 is induced upon copper-deprived conditions, probably contributing to the inefficacy of infection, whereas, when the chelator is administered after infection, the gene is already silenced by bacteria and cannot be restored. In conclusion, our data suggest that Helicobacter takes advantage of gastric copper reducing its availability for the host and that copper levels have an impact on the outcome of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megi Vllahu
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy.,PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Daniela Baldantoni
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bellino
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Eletto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Amalia Porta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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40
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Meade JC. P-type transport ATPases in Leishmania and Trypanosoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 26:69. [PMID: 31782726 PMCID: PMC6884021 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
P-type ATPases are critical to the maintenance and regulation of cellular ion homeostasis and membrane lipid asymmetry due to their ability to move ions and phospholipids against a concentration gradient by utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis. P-type ATPases are particularly relevant in human pathogenic trypanosomatids which are exposed to abrupt and dramatic changes in their external environment during their life cycles. This review describes the complete inventory of ion-motive, P-type ATPase genes in the human pathogenic Trypanosomatidae; eight Leishmania species (L. aethiopica, L. braziliensis, L. donovani, L. infantum, L. major, L. mexicana, L. panamensis, L. tropica), Trypanosoma cruzi and three Trypanosoma brucei subspecies (Trypanosoma brucei brucei TREU927, Trypanosoma brucei Lister strain 427, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense DAL972). The P-type ATPase complement in these trypanosomatids includes the P1B (metal pumps), P2A (SERCA, sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPases), P2B (PMCA, plasma membrane calcium ATPases), P2D (Na+ pumps), P3A (H+ pumps), P4 (aminophospholipid translocators), and P5B (no assigned specificity) subfamilies. These subfamilies represent the P-type ATPase transport functions necessary for survival in the Trypanosomatidae as P-type ATPases for each of these seven subfamilies are found in all Leishmania and Trypanosoma species included in this analysis. These P-type ATPase subfamilies are correlated with current molecular and biochemical knowledge of their function in trypanosomatid growth, adaptation, infectivity, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Meade
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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41
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The Use of Copper as an Antimicrobial Agent in Health Care, Including Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clin Microbiol Rev 2019; 32:32/4/e00125-18. [PMID: 31413046 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00125-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a global problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Controlling the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a major public health challenge, and antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most important global problems in current times. The antimicrobial effect of copper has been known for centuries, and ongoing research is being conducted on the use of copper-coated hard and soft surfaces for reduction of microbial contamination and, subsequently, reduction of HAIs. This review provides an overview of the historical and current evidence of the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of copper and explores its possible utility in obstetrics and gynecology.
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42
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Totten AH, Crawford CL, Dalecki AG, Xiao L, Wolschendorf F, Atkinson TP. Differential Susceptibility of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Species to Compound-Enhanced Copper Toxicity. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1720. [PMID: 31417517 PMCID: PMC6682632 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01720] [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: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Mycoplasmas represent important etiologic agents of many human diseases. Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and slow rate of novel discovery, unconventional methods of drug discovery are necessary. Copper ions are utilized in host microbial killing, and bacteria must regulate intracellular Cu concentrations to avoid toxicity. We hypothesized that human mollicutes may have susceptibility to Cu-induced toxicity, and compounds that augment copper-dependent killing. Methods Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn), Ureaplasma parvum (Up), Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), and Mycoplasma hominis (Mh) were exposed to CuSO4 to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Once inhibitory concentrations had been determined, bacteria were treated with an FDA-approved drug disulfiram (DSF), glyoxal bis(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) (GTSM), and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine), with or without Cu2+, to determine compound MICs. Results Ureaplasma species and Mh were able to tolerate 30–60 μM CuSO4, while Mpn tolerated over 10-fold higher concentrations (>1 mM). GTSM inhibited growth of all four organisms, but was unaffected by Cu2+ addition. Inhibition by GTSM was reduced by addition of the cell-impermeant Cu chelator, bathocuproine disulfonate (BCS). Neocuproine exhibited Cu-dependent growth inhibition of all organisms. DSF exhibited Cu-dependent growth inhibition against Mh at low micromolar concentrations, and at intermediate concentrations for Mpn. Conclusion MICs for CuSO4 differ widely among human mollicutes, with higher MICs for Mpn compared to Mh, Uu, and Up. DSF and Neocuproine exhibit Cu-dependent inhibition of mollicutes with copper concentrations between 25 and 50 μM. GTSM has copper-dependent anti-microbial activity at low levels of copper. Drug enhanced copper toxicity is a promising avenue for novel therapeutic development research with Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur H Totten
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Cameron L Crawford
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Alex G Dalecki
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Frank Wolschendorf
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Thomas P Atkinson
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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43
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Yang XY, Li N, Xu JY, Sun X, He QY. Lipoprotein SPD_1609 of Streptococcus pneumoniae Promotes Adherence and Invasion to Epithelial Cells Contributing to Bacterial Virulence. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1769. [PMID: 31417540 PMCID: PMC6682666 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In most bacteria, iron plays a vital role in pathogenesis processes. To support survival and infection, Streptococcus pneumoniae has evolved three ABC transporters, PiaABC, PiuABC, and PitABC. Moreover, indirect evidence supports that operon 804 may be a novel ABC transporter in S. pneumoniae. We have recently described the identification of lipoprotein SPD_1609 in operon 804; however, whether the SPD_1609 protein affects the virulence of S. pneumoniae has not yet been studied. In the present work, alignment analysis showed that lipoprotein SPD_1609 is conserved in a variety of gram-positive bacteria, and deletion of the spd_1609 gene led to a reduction in adherence and invasion of S. pneumoniae to host cells. RT-qPCR assays indicated that deletion of the spd_1609 gene resulted in decreased expression of genes involved in colonization. Furthermore, decreased virulence in a mouse bacteremia infection model caused by the loss of the lipoprotein encoded by spd_1609 was also demonstrated. Overall, these data provide insights into the functional role of lipoprotein SPD_1609 in pneumococcal pathogenesis, suggesting its possibility to be developed as a novel S. pneumoniae vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Yang
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuesong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Yu He
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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44
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Sheldon JR, Skaar EP. Metals as phagocyte antimicrobial effectors. Curr Opin Immunol 2019; 60:1-9. [PMID: 31063946 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transition metal ions are essential to bacterial pathogens and their hosts alike but are harmful in excess. In an effort to curtail the replication of intracellular bacteria, host phagocytes exploit both the essentiality and toxicity of transition metals. In the paradigmatic description of nutritional immunity, iron and manganese are withheld from phagosomes to starve microbial invaders of these nutrients. Conversely, the destructive properties of copper and zinc appear to be harnessed by phagocytes, where these metals are delivered in excess to phagosomes to intoxicate internalized bacteria. Here, we briefly summarize key players in metal withholding from intracellular pathogens, before focusing on recent findings supporting the function of copper and zinc as phagocyte antimicrobial effectors. The mechanisms of copper and zinc toxicity are explored, along with strategies employed by intracellular bacterial pathogens to avoid killing by these metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Sheldon
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.
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45
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Crawford CL, Dalecki AG, Narmore WT, Hoff J, Hargett AA, Renfrow MB, Zhang M, Kalubowilage M, Bossmann SH, Queern SL, Lapi SE, Hunter RN, Bao D, Augelli-Szafran CE, Kutsch O, Wolschendorf F. Pyrazolopyrimidinones, a novel class of copper-dependent bactericidal antibiotics against multi-drug resistant S. aureus. Metallomics 2019; 11:784-798. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00316e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pyrazolopyrimidinones traffic copper into S. aureus, depleting ATP and altering essential ion concentrations, resulting in the death of the bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex G. Dalecki
- Department of Medicine
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
| | | | - Jessica Hoff
- Department of Medicine
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
| | - Audra A. Hargett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
| | - Matthew B. Renfrow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
| | - Man Zhang
- Department of Chemistry
- Kansas State University
- Manhattan
- USA
| | | | | | - Stacy L. Queern
- Department of Radiology
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Suzanne E. Lapi
- Department of Radiology
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Robert N. Hunter
- Department of Chemistry
- Drug Discovery Division
- Southern Research
- Birmingham
- USA
| | - Donghui Bao
- Department of Chemistry
- Drug Discovery Division
- Southern Research
- Birmingham
- USA
| | | | - Olaf Kutsch
- Department of Medicine
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham
- USA
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46
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Mobile-Genetic-Element-Encoded Hypertolerance to Copper Protects Staphylococcus aureus from Killing by Host Phagocytes. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.00550-18. [PMID: 30327441 PMCID: PMC6191537 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00550-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens are exposed to toxic levels of copper during infection, and copper tolerance may be a general virulence mechanism used by bacteria to resist host defenses. In support of this, inactivation of copper exporter genes has been found to reduce the virulence of bacterial pathogens in vivo Here we investigate the role of copper hypertolerance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We show that a copper hypertolerance operon (copB-mco), carried on a mobile genetic element (MGE), is prevalent in a collection of invasive S. aureus strains and more widely among clonal complex 22, 30, and 398 strains. The copB and mco genes encode a copper efflux pump and a multicopper oxidase, respectively. Isogenic mutants lacking copB or mco had impaired growth in subinhibitory concentrations of copper. Transfer of a copB-mco-carrying plasmid to a naive clinical isolate resulted in a gain of copper hypertolerance and enhanced bacterial survival inside primed macrophages. The copB and mco genes were upregulated within infected macrophages, and their expression was dependent on the copper-sensitive operon repressor CsoR. Isogenic copB and mco mutants were impaired in their ability to persist intracellularly in macrophages and were less resistant to phagocytic killing in human blood than the parent strain. The importance of copper-regulated genes in resistance to phagocytic killing was further elaborated using mutants expressing a copper-insensitive variant of CsoR. Our findings suggest that the gain of mobile genetic elements carrying copper hypertolerance genes contributes to the evolution of virulent strains of S. aureus that are better equipped to resist killing by host immune cells.IMPORTANCE Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a substantial threat to human health worldwide and evolves rapidly by acquiring mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids. Here we investigate how the copB-mco copper hypertolerance operon carried on a mobile genetic element contributes to the virulence potential of clinical isolates of MRSA. Copper is a key component of innate immune bactericidal defenses. Here we show that copper hypertolerance genes enhance the survival of S. aureus inside primed macrophages and in whole human blood. The copB and mco genes are carried by clinical isolates responsible for invasive infections across Europe, and more broadly among three successful clonal lineages of S. aureus Our findings show that a gain of copper hypertolerance genes increases the resistance of MRSA to phagocytic killing by host immune cells and imply that acquisition of this mobile genetic element can contribute to the success of MRSA.
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47
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Abstract
Transition metals are required cofactors for many proteins that are critical for life, and their concentration within cells is carefully maintained to avoid both deficiency and toxicity. To defend against bacterial pathogens, vertebrate immune proteins sequester metals, in particular zinc, iron, and manganese, as a strategy to limit bacterial acquisition of these necessary nutrients in a process termed "nutritional immunity." In response, bacteria have evolved elegant strategies to access metals and counteract this host defense. In mammals, metal abundance can drastically shift due to changes in dietary intake or absorption from the intestinal tract, disrupting the balance between host and pathogen in the fight for metals and altering susceptibility to disease. This review describes the current understanding of how dietary metals modulate host-microbe interactions and the subsequent impact on the outcome of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Lopez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Eijkelkamp BA, Begg SL, Pederick VG, Trapetti C, Gregory MK, Whittall JJ, Paton JC, McDevitt CA. Arachidonic Acid Stress Impacts Pneumococcal Fatty Acid Homeostasis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:813. [PMID: 29867785 PMCID: PMC5958418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Free fatty acids hold dual roles during infection, serving to modulate the host immune response while also functioning directly as antimicrobials. Of particular importance are the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are not commonly found in bacterial organisms, that have been proposed to have antibacterial roles. Arachidonic acid (AA) is a highly abundant long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and we examined its effect upon Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, we observed that in a murine model of S. pneumoniae infection the concentration of AA significantly increases in the blood. The impact of AA stress upon the pathogen was then assessed by a combination of biochemical, biophysical and microbiological assays. In vitro bacterial growth and intra-macrophage survival assays revealed that AA has detrimental effects on pneumococcal fitness. Subsequent analyses demonstrated that AA exerts antimicrobial activity via insertion into the pneumococcal membrane, although this did not increase the susceptibility of the bacterium to antibiotic, oxidative or metal ion stress. Transcriptomic profiling showed that AA treatment also resulted in a dramatic down-regulation of the genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, in addition to impacts on other metabolic processes, such as carbon-source utilization. Hence, these data reveal that AA has two distinct mechanisms of perturbing the pneumococcal membrane composition. Collectively, this work provides a molecular basis for the antimicrobial contribution of AA to combat pneumococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart A Eijkelkamp
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Begg
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Victoria G Pederick
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Claudia Trapetti
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Melissa K Gregory
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jonathan J Whittall
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - James C Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Purves J, Thomas J, Riboldi GP, Zapotoczna M, Tarrant E, Andrew PW, Londoño A, Planet PJ, Geoghegan JA, Waldron KJ, Morrissey JA. A horizontally gene transferred copper resistance locus confers hyper-resistance to antibacterial copper toxicity and enables survival of community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 in macrophages. Environ Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29521441 PMCID: PMC5947656 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Excess copper is highly toxic and forms part of the host innate immune system's antibacterial arsenal, accumulating at sites of infection and acting within macrophages to kill engulfed pathogens. We show for the first time that a novel, horizontally gene transferred copper resistance locus (copXL), uniquely associated with the SCCmec elements of the highly virulent, epidemic, community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300, confers copper hyper-resistance. These genes are additional to existing core genome copper resistance mechanisms, and are not found in typical S. aureus lineages, but are increasingly identified in emerging pathogenic isolates. Our data show that CopX, a putative P1B-3 -ATPase efflux transporter, and CopL, a novel lipoprotein, confer copper hyper-resistance compared to typical S. aureus strains. The copXL genes form an operon that is tightly repressed in low copper environments by the copper regulator CsoR. Significantly, CopX and CopL are important for S. aureus USA300 intracellular survival within macrophages. Therefore, the emergence of new S. aureus clones with the copXL locus has significant implications for public health because these genes confer increased resistance to antibacterial copper toxicity, enhancing bacterial fitness by altering S. aureus interaction with innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Purves
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Jamie Thomas
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Gustavo P Riboldi
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Marta Zapotoczna
- Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma Tarrant
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Peter W Andrew
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | | | - Paul J Planet
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joan A Geoghegan
- Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin J Waldron
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Julie A Morrissey
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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50
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Cytoplasmic Copper Detoxification in Salmonella Can Contribute to SodC Metalation but Is Dispensable during Systemic Infection. J Bacteriol 2017; 199:JB.00437-17. [PMID: 28924031 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00437-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a leading cause of foodborne disease worldwide. Severe infections result from the ability of S Typhimurium to survive within host immune cells, despite being exposed to various host antimicrobial factors. SodCI, a copper-zinc-cofactored superoxide dismutase, is required to defend against phagocytic superoxide. SodCII, an additional periplasmic superoxide dismutase, although produced during infection, does not function in the host. Previous studies suggested that CueP, a periplasmic copper binding protein, facilitates acquisition of copper by SodCII. CopA and GolT, both inner membrane ATPases that pump copper from the cytoplasm to the periplasm, are a source of copper for CueP. Using in vitro SOD assays, we found that SodCI can also utilize CueP to acquire copper. However, both SodCI and SodCII have a significant fraction of activity independent of CueP and cytoplasmic copper export. We utilized a series of mouse competition assays to address the in vivo role of CueP-mediated SodC activation. A copA golT cueP triple mutant was equally as competitive as the wild type, suggesting that sufficient SodCI is active to defend against phagocytic superoxide independent of CueP and cytoplasmic copper export. We also confirmed that a strain containing a modified SodCII, which is capable of complementing a sodCI deletion, was fully virulent in a copA golT cueP background competed against the wild type. These competitions also address the potential impact of cytoplasmic copper toxicity within the phagosome. Our data suggest that Salmonella does not encounter inhibitory concentrations of copper during systemic infection.IMPORTANCESalmonella is a leading cause of gastrointestinal disease worldwide. In severe cases, Salmonella can cause life-threatening systemic infections, particularly in very young children, the elderly, or people who are immunocompromised. To cause disease, Salmonella must survive the hostile environment inside host immune cells, a location in which most bacteria are killed. Our work examines how one particular metal, copper, is acquired by Salmonella to activate a protein important for survival within immune cells. At high levels, copper itself can inhibit Salmonella Using a strain of Salmonella that cannot detoxify intracellular copper, we also addressed the in vivo role of copper as an antimicrobial agent.
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