Streptococcus pneumoniae produces at least two distinct enzymes with neuraminidase activity: cloning and expression of a second neuraminidase gene in Escherichia coli

Streptococcus pneumoniae Sialidase SpNanB-Catalyzed One-Pot Multienzyme (OPME) Synthesis of 2,7-Anhydro-Sialic Acids as Selective Sialidase Inhibitors

Streptococcus pneumoniae sialidase SpNanB is an intramolecular trans-sialidase (IT-sialidase) and a virulence factor that is essential for streptococcal infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract. SpNanB catalyzes the formation of 2,7-anhydro- N-acetylneuraminic acid (2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac), a potential prebiotic that can be used as the sole carbon source of a common human gut commensal anaerobic bacterium. We report here the development of an efficient one-pot multienzyme (OPME) system for synthesizing 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac and its derivatives. Based on a crystal structure analysis, an N-cyclohexyl derivative of 2,7-anhydro-neuraminic acid was designed, synthesized, and shown to be a selective inhibitor against SpNanB and another Streptococcus pneumoniae sialidase SpNanC. This study demonstrates a new strategy of synthesizing 2,7-anhydro-sialic acids in a gram scale and the potential application of their derivatives as selective sialidase inhibitors.

Mechanisms of Severe Mortality-Associated Bacterial Co-infections Following Influenza Virus Infection

Influenza virus infection remains one of the largest disease burdens on humans. Influenza-associated bacterial co-infections contribute to severe disease and mortality during pandemic and seasonal influenza episodes. The mechanisms of severe morbidity following influenza-bacteria co-infections mainly include failure of an antibacterial immune response and pathogen synergy. Moreover, failure to resume function and tolerance might be one of the main reasons for excessive mortality. In this review, recent advances in the study of mechanisms of severe disease, caused by bacterial co-infections following influenza virus pathogenesis, are summarized. Therefore, understanding the synergy between viruses and bacteria will facilitate the design of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent mortality associated with bacterial co-infections.

Secondary bacterial infections in influenza virus infection pathogenesis

Influenza is often complicated by bacterial pathogens that colonize the nasopharynx and invade the middle ear and/or lung epithelium. Incidence and pathogenicity of influenza-bacterial coinfections are multifactorial processes that involve various pathogenic virulence factors and host responses with distinct site- and strain-specific differences. Animal models and kinetic models have improved our understanding of how influenza viruses interact with their bacterial co-pathogens and the accompanying immune responses. Data from these models indicate that considerable alterations in epithelial surfaces and aberrant immune responses lead to severe inflammation, a key driver of bacterial acquisition and infection severity following influenza. However, further experimental and analytical studies are essential to determining the full mechanistic spectrum of different viral and bacterial strains and species and to finding new ways to prevent and treat influenza-associated bacterial coinfections. Here, we review recent advances regarding transmission and disease potential of influenza-associated bacterial infections and discuss the current gaps in knowledge.

Toxin-antitoxin genes of the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae: so few and yet so many

Pneumococcal infections cause up to 2 million deaths annually and raise a large economic burden and thus constitute an important threat to mankind. Because of the increase in the antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates, there is an urgent need to find new antimicrobial approaches to triumph over pneumococcal infections. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems (TAS), which are present in most living bacteria but not in eukaryotes, have been proposed as an effective strategy to combat bacterial infections. Type II TAS comprise a stable toxin and a labile antitoxin that form an innocuous TA complex under normal conditions. Under stress conditions, TA synthesis will be triggered, resulting in the degradation of the labile antitoxin and the release of the toxin protein, which would poison the host cells. The three functional chromosomal TAS from S. pneumoniae that have been studied as well as their molecular characteristics are discussed in detail in this review. Furthermore, a meticulous bioinformatics search has been performed for 48 pneumococcal genomes that are found in public databases, and more putative TAS, homologous to well-characterized ones, have been revealed. Strikingly, several unusual putative TAS, in terms of components and genetic organizations previously not envisaged, have been discovered and are further discussed. Previously, we reported a novel finding in which a unique pneumococcal DNA signature, the BOX element, affected the regulation of the pneumococcal yefM-yoeB TAS. This BOX element has also been found in some of the other pneumococcal TAS. In this review, we also discuss possible relationships between some of the pneumococcal TAS with pathogenicity, competence, biofilm formation, persistence, and an interesting phenomenon called bistability.

Streptococcus pneumoniaeProtein Vaccine Candidates: Properties, Activities and Animal Studies

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent for community acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, acute otitis media, and meningitis. Recent emergence of multi-drug resistant clinical isolates prompts the need of effective vaccine for the prevention of disease. The licensed polysaccharide-based pneumococcal vaccines only elicit protective antibodies against the infection of serotypes that are included in the vaccine. To broaden the protection, the use of pneumococcal proteins will be a feasible and preferable alternative. This communication provides a review on the biochemical properties of these protein candidates, their immunization results in animal studies, and perspectives on the development of protein-based pneumococcal vaccine.

Insights into the interaction between influenza virus and pneumococcus

Bacterial infections following influenza are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Based on the historical importance of pneumonia as a cause of death during pandemic influenza, the increasingly likely possibility that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses will trigger the next worldwide pandemic underscores the need to understand the multiple mechanisms underlying the interaction between influenza virus and bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. There is ample evidence to support the historical view that influenza virus alters the lungs in a way that predisposes to adherence, invasion, and induction of disease by pneumococcus. Access to receptors is a key factor and may be facilitated by the virus through epithelial damage, by exposure or up-regulation of receptors, or by provoking the epithelial regeneration response to cytotoxic damage. More recent data indicate that alteration of the immune response by diminishing the ability of the host to clear pneumococcus or by amplification of the inflammatory cascade is another key factor. Identification and exploration of the underlying mechanisms responsible for this synergism will provide targets for prevention and treatment using drugs and vaccines.

Identification of amino acids essential for catalytic activity of pneumococcal neuraminidase A

We characterised pneumococcal neuraminidase A (NanA) by determining key amino acids required for the enzymatic activity of the protein. Single replacement of two residues, hypothesised to be important for the catalytic activity of neuraminidases, resulted in total loss of activity (E647 with Q or Y752 with F). The mutation of R663 to H caused substantial reduction in the catalytic ability of the enzyme. The inactive neuraminidases thus produced were protective immunogens against pneumococcal pneumonia in mice.

Respiratory viruses predisposing to bacterial infections: role of neuraminidase

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Viral-bacterial coinfections in humans are well-documented. Viral infections often lead to bacterial superinfections. In vitro and animal models for influenza, as well as molecular microbiology study of viruses and bacteria, provide an understanding of the mechanisms that explain how respiratory viruses and bacteria combine to cause disease. This article focuses on viral and bacterial combinations, particularly synergism between influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

RESULTS

Potential mechanisms for synergism between viruses and bacteria include: virus destruction of respiratory epithelium may increase bacterial adhesion; virus-induced immunosuppression may cause bacterial superinfections; and inflammatory response to viral infection may up-regulate expression of molecules that bacteria utilize as receptors. Influenza and parainfluenza viruses possess neuraminidase (NA) activity, which appears to increase bacterial adherence after viral preincubation. Experimental studies demonstrate that viral NA exposes pneumococcal receptors on host cells by removing terminal sialic acids. Other studies show that inhibition of viral NA activity reduces adherence and invasion of S. pneumoniae, independently of effects on viral replication. Clinical studies reveal that influenza vaccination reduces the incidence of secondary bacterial respiratory tract infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of viral factors (e.g. high NA activity) that increase the likely potential of epidemic/pandemic influenza strains for causing morbidity and mortality from secondary bacterial infections provides new possibilities for intervention. Additional study is needed to identify the mechanisms for the development of bacterial complications after infections with respiratory syncytial virus and other important respiratory viruses that lack NA activity. Prevention of bacterial superinfection is likely to depend on effective antiviral measures.

Structural organization of the Streptococcus pneumoniae chromosome and relatedness of penicillin-sensitive and -resistant strains in type 9V

Fragmentation of Streptococcus pneumoniae genomic DNA with low-frequency-cleavage restriction endonucleases and separation of the fragments by field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) provides a DNA-fingerprint of a strain. This method enables us to construct a physical and genetic map of the R6 laboratory strain what will be presented. The origin of replication containing several Dna boxes was located in the dnaA region. It was of interest to compare the profiles of subclones. Two clones of strain R36A (R6 and C13) were cultivated separately for more than 15,000 generations in two laboratories. FIGE profiles differed by only one band. Another R36A descendant, isolated in 1958 by Ravin, strain Rx was of interest since it was deficient in Dpn restriction enzymes and methylases and in the hex B function. Its origin was questionable; its profile is identical to others R6 descendants, demonstrating that Rx is derived from R36A. FIGE analysis was carried out on several penicillin-resistant strains of type 9V because penicillin-resistance in this type increased recently. The profiles of a collection of a number of these resistant isolates were very similar, showing that they result from a clone. The profiles of penicillin sensitive isolates of the same type are very similar to the resistant isolates. This suggests that the 9V type has spread recently from a clone, and the resistance genes have mutated and were selected when penicillin was extensively used.

Growth of Viridans streptococci on human serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein

Viridans streptococci have emerged as major opportunistic pathogens. We suggest that for these bacteria to proliferate in vivo and cause disease, they must utilize host tissue components. We have therefore examined the ability of all recognized species of viridans streptococci to liberate and utilize the constituent sugars of the glycans of the extensively sialylated human serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) as the sole source of carbohydrate to support in vitro growth. Analysis of residual glycans following bacterial growth was performed by high-pH anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Only those species which produced sialidase-namely, Streptococcus oralis, S. intermedius, and S. defectivus--grew on AGP. The extent of degradation of glycans was dependent on the particular glycosidases produced by the bacteria. S. defectivus produced only a sialidase which released the terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid residues of the glycans, and the liberated sugar was utilized. S. intermedius also produced beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, which removed galactose and N-acetylglucosamine from desialylated glycans, all of which again were utilized by the organism. S. oralis produced beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and alpha-fucosidase and novel alpha- and beta-mannosidases which were apparent only from the analysis of the residual sugars of AGP. S. oralis cleaved all the sugars from AGP except for 22% of the N-acetylglucosamine. The residual N-acetylglucosamine residues remaining were those linked to the asparagine of the peptide backbone. All the monosaccharides released by S. oralis from AGP, with the exception of fucose, were utilized. Sialidase production may be a key factor for growth of these species of viridans streptococci on glycoproteins in vivo, since they are commonly associated with extra-oral diseases, with S. oralis emerging as an important pathogen.

Surface proteins of gram-positive bacteria and mechanisms of their targeting to the cell wall envelope

The cell wall envelope of gram-positive bacteria is a macromolecular, exoskeletal organelle that is assembled and turned over at designated sites. The cell wall also functions as a surface organelle that allows gram-positive pathogens to interact with their environment, in particular the tissues of the infected host. All of these functions require that surface proteins and enzymes be properly targeted to the cell wall envelope. Two basic mechanisms, cell wall sorting and targeting, have been identified. Cell well sorting is the covalent attachment of surface proteins to the peptidoglycan via a C-terminal sorting signal that contains a consensus LPXTG sequence. More than 100 proteins that possess cell wall-sorting signals, including the M proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes, protein A of Staphylococcus aureus, and several internalins of Listeria monocytogenes, have been identified. Cell wall targeting involves the noncovalent attachment of proteins to the cell surface via specialized binding domains. Several of these wall-binding domains appear to interact with secondary wall polymers that are associated with the peptidoglycan, for example teichoic acids and polysaccharides. Proteins that are targeted to the cell surface include muralytic enzymes such as autolysins, lysostaphin, and phage lytic enzymes. Other examples for targeted proteins are the surface S-layer proteins of bacilli and clostridia, as well as virulence factors required for the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes (internalin B) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (PspA) infections. In this review we describe the mechanisms for both sorting and targeting of proteins to the envelope of gram-positive bacteria and review the functions of known surface proteins.

A role for pneumolysin but not neuraminidase in the hearing loss and cochlear damage induced by experimental pneumococcal meningitis in guinea pigs

We investigated the roles of pneumolysin and neuraminidase in the pathogenesis of deafness and cochlear damage during experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Anesthetized guinea pigs were inoculated intracranially with 7.5 log10 CFU of either (i) wild-type Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 (n = 8), (ii) PLN-A, a defined isogenic derivative of D39 deficient in pneumolysin (n = 5), or (iii) deltaNA1, a new derivative of D39 deficient in neuraminidase constructed by insertion-duplication mutagenesis of the nanA gene (n = 5). To quantify hearing loss, the auditory nerve compound action potential evoked by a tone pulse was recorded from the round window membrane of the cochlea every 3 h for 12 h. The organ of Corti was intravitally fixed for subsequent examination by high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy. All animals sustained similar meningeal inflammatory responses. PLN-A induced significantly less hearing loss than D39 over the frequency range of 3 to 10 kHz. Levels of mean hearing loss at 10 kHz 12 h postinoculation were as follows: D39, 50 dB; deltaNA1, 52 dB (P = 0.76 versus D39), and PLN-A, 12 dB (P < 0.0001 versus D39). The mean rates of hearing loss at 10 kHz were 4.4 dB/h for D39, 4.3 dB/h for deltaNA1, and just 1.0 dB/h for PLN-A (P < 0.0001 versus D39). Suppurative labyrinthitis was universal. PLN-A induced the accumulation of less protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (P = 0.04 versus D39). Infection with D39 and deltaNA1 induced significant damage to the reticular lamina, the sensory hair cells, and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. By contrast, after infection with PLN-A, the organ of Corti appeared virtually intact. Pneumolysin seems to be the principal cause of cochlear damage in this model of meningogenic deafness. No clear pathogenic role was demonstrated for neuraminidase.

Cloning and characterization of nanB, a second Streptococcus pneumoniae neuraminidase gene, and purification of the NanB enzyme from recombinant Escherichia coli

Streptococcus pneumoniae is believed to produce more than one form of neuraminidase, but there has been uncertainty as to whether this is due to posttranslational modification of a single gene product or the existence of more than one neuraminidase-encoding gene. Only one stable pneumococcal neuraminidase gene (designated nanA) has been described. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a second neuraminidase gene (designated nanB), which is located close to nanA on the pneumococcal chromosome (approximately 4.5kb downstream). nanB was located on an operon separate from that of nanA, which includes at least five other open reading frames. NanB has a predicted size of 74.5 kDa after cleavage of a 29-amino-acid signal peptide. There was negligible amino acid homology between NanA and NanB, but NanB did exhibit limited homology with the sialidase of Clostridium septicum. NanB was purified from recombinant Escherichia coli and found to have a pH optimum of 4.5, compared with 6.5 to 7.0 for NanA. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis suggested that NanB has a molecular size of approximately 65 kDa. The discrepancy between this estimate and the size predicted from the nucleotide sequence is most likely a consequence of C-terminal processing or anomalous electrophoretic behavior.

Pneumococcal virulence factors and host immune responses to them

The principal virulence determinant of most encapsulated bacterial pathogens is the possession of an extracellular capsule. This paper discusses biological aspects of the Streptococcus pneumoniae capsule, putative roles played by accessory virulence factors of this pathogen and prospects for improvement of the currently available pneumococcal vaccine. Even though the interruption of genes encoding selected proteins has been shown to attenuate virulence to some degree, the physical removal of the pneumococcal capsule or the interruption of encapsulation genes completely abolishes virulence in mice. The role of the capsule in pathogenesis is not completely clear, however, since it is not known whether this structure is important in colonization, the obligatory first step in the process. In addition, a number of proteins have been implicated as possible accessory virulence factors. These include pneumolysin, two distinct neuraminidases, an IgA1 protease and two surface proteins, pspA and psaA. While interruption of the expression of some of these proteins examined to date has been shown to attenuate virulence, so far it has not proven possible to completely abolish virulence in this fashion. Proteinaceous accessory virulence factors may prove important to the development of second-generation pneumococcal vaccines, however. Pneumococcal and other proteins conjugated to pneumococcal polysaccharides are currently being evaluated as carriers in attempts to improve the immunogenicity of polysaccharide vaccines, primarily in small children.

A neuraminidase from Streptococcus pneumoniae has the features of a surface protein

A gene from Streptococcus pneumoniae (nanA), with features entirely consistent with a neuraminidase gene, has been sequenced. High levels of neuraminidase activity were obtained after cloning of this gene, without flanking sequences, into a high-expression vector. RNA hybridization studies have shown that the gene is transcribed by a virulent pneumococcus strain. The predicted molecular weight of the protein and certain amino acid sequences are typical of other neuraminidases. NanA contains the four copies of the sequence SXDXGXTW that is present in all the bacterial neuraminidases previously described. Kyte and Doolittle analysis showed that NanA is a hydrophilic protein with hydrophobic domains at the N terminus and the C terminus. A putative signal peptide was found in the N terminus of this protein, indicating that the protein is exported from the pneumococcus. The C terminus has the features of the anchor motif found in other surface proteins from gram-positive bacteria. Electron microscopy studies showed the presence of neuraminidase associated with the cell surface of the pneumococcus.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the Actinomyces viscosus T14V sialidase gene: presence of a conserved repeating sequence among strains of Actinomyces spp

The nucleotide sequence of the Actinomyces viscosus T14V sialidase gene (nanH) and flanking regions was determined. An open reading frame of 2,703 nucleotides that encodes a predominately hydrophobic protein of 901 amino acids (M(r), 92,871) was identified. The amino acid sequence at the amino terminus of the predicted protein exhibited properties characteristic of a typical leader peptide. Five 12-amino-acid units that shared between 33 and 67% sequence identity were noted within the central domain of the protein. Each unit contained the sequence Ser-X-Asp-X-Gly-X-Thr-Trp, which is conserved among other bacterial and trypanosoma sp. sialidases. Thus, the A. viscosus T14V nanH gene and the other prokaryotic and eukaryotic sialidase genes evolved from a common ancestor. Southern hybridization analyses under conditions of high stringency revealed the existence of DNA sequences homologous to A. viscosus T14V nanH in the genomes of 18 strains of five Actinomyces species that expressed various levels of sialidase activity. The data demonstrate that the sialidase genes from divergent groups of Actinomyces spp. are highly conserved.

Changes in the structure of the cell surface carbohydrates of the chinchilla tubotympanum following Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced otitis media

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) are among the most frequently isolated pathogens in acute otitis media (AOM) and in otitis media with effusion (OME). Recently, the specific receptor for Spn has been identified as the trisaccharide unit Gal beta 1-4 GlcNAc beta 1-3 Gal beta with GlcNAc beta 1-3 Gal beta as the principal binding site. During the colonization of mucosal surfaces, pneumococci produce a variety of enzymes. This study was conducted to identify any resulting changes in the cell surface carbohydrate structure due to the action of these enzymes during pneumococcal otitis media (OM) in chinchillas. Using a lectin histochemical method with seven different lectins (SNA, LFA, WGA, Succ WGA, BSL II, PNA, ECL), the labeling pattern revealed not only the removal of the terminal sialic acid, but also the exposure of N-acetyl-glucosamine. These results suggested that Spn-produced enzymes uncover part of their own receptor structure and thus may facilitate adherence and subsequent infection.

A highly conserved repeated DNA element located in the chromosome of Streptococcus pneumoniae

We report the discovery of a group of highly conserved DNA sequences located, in those cases studied, within intergenic regions of the chromosome of the Gram positive Streptococcus pneumoniae. The S. pneumoniae genome contains about 25 of these elements called BOX. From 5' to 3', BOX elements are composed of three subunits (boxA, boxB, and boxC) which are 59, 45 and 50 nucleotides long, respectively. BOX elements containing one, two and four copies of boxB have been observed; boxB alone was also detected in one instance. These elements are unrelated to the two most thoroughly documented families of repetitive DNA sequences present in the genomes of enterobacteria. BOX sequences have the potential to form stable stem-loop structures and one of these, at least, is transcribed. Most of these elements are located in the immediate vicinity of genes whose product has been implicated at some stage in the process of genetic transformation or in virulence of S. pneumoniae. This location raises the intriguing possibility that BOX sequences are regulatory elements shared by several coordinately controlled genes, including competence-specific and virulence-related genes.

Production of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa neuraminidase is increased under hyperosmolar conditions and is regulated by genes involved in alginate expression

The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex process attributed to specific characteristics of both the host and the infecting organism. In this study, the properties of the PAO1 neuraminidase were examined to determine its potential role in facilitating Pseudomonas colonization of the respiratory epithelium. The PAO1 neuraminidase was 1000-fold more active than the Clostridium perfringens enzyme in releasing sialic acid from respiratory epithelial cells. This effect correlated with increased adherence of PAO1 to epithelial cells after exposure to PAO1 neuraminidase and was consistent with in vitro studies demonstrating Pseudomonas adherence to asialoganglioside receptors. The regulation of the neuraminidase gene nanA was examined in Pseudomonas and as cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. In hyperosmolar conditions neuraminidase expression was increased by 50% (P less than 0.0004), an effect which was OmpR dependent in E. coli. In Pseudomonas the osmotic regulation of neuraminidase production was dependent upon algR1 and algR2, genes involved in the transcriptional activation of algD, which is responsible for the mucoid phenotype of Pseudomonas and pathognomonic for chronic infection in CF. Under the hyperosmolar conditions postulated to exist in the CF lung, nanA is likely to be expressed to facilitate the initial adherence of Pseudomonas to the respiratory tract.