1
|
Halbedel S, Wamp S, Lachmann R, Holzer A, Pietzka A, Ruppitsch W, Wilking H, Flieger A. High density genomic surveillance and risk profiling of clinical Listeria monocytogenes subtypes in Germany. Genome Med 2024; 16:115. [PMID: 39375806 PMCID: PMC11457394 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01389-2] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foodborne infections such as listeriosis caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes represent a significant public health concern, particularly when outbreaks affect many individuals over prolonged time. Systematic collection of pathogen isolates from infected patients, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenetic analyses allow recognition and termination of outbreaks after source identification and risk profiling of abundant lineages. METHODS We here present a multi-dimensional analysis of > 1800 genome sequences from clinical L. monocytogenes isolates collected in Germany between 2018 and 2021. Different WGS-based subtyping methods were used to determine the population structure with its main phylogenetic sublineages as well as for identification of disease clusters. Clinical frequencies of materno-foetal and brain infections and in vitro infection experiments were used for risk profiling of the most abundant sublineages. These sublineages and large disease clusters were further characterised in terms of their genetic and epidemiological properties. RESULTS The collected isolates covered 62% of all notified cases and belonged to 188 infection clusters. Forty-two percent of these clusters were active for > 12 months, 60% generated cases cross-regionally, including 11 multinational clusters. Thirty-seven percent of the clusters were caused by sequence type (ST) ST6, ST8 and ST1 clones. ST1 was identified as hyper- and ST8, ST14, ST29 as well as ST155 as hypovirulent, while ST6 had average virulence potential. Inactivating mutations were found in several virulence and house-keeping genes, particularly in hypovirulent STs. CONCLUSIONS Our work presents an in-depth analysis of the genomic characteristics of L. monocytogenes isolates that cause disease in Germany. It supports prioritisation of disease clusters for epidemiological investigations and reinforces the need to analyse the mechanisms underlying hyper- and hypovirulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Halbedel
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, D-38855, Germany.
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Wamp
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, D-38855, Germany
| | - Raskit Lachmann
- FG35 - Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Alexandra Holzer
- FG35 - Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Ariane Pietzka
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Beethovenstraße 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Werner Ruppitsch
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Währingerstrasse 25a, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Hendrik Wilking
- FG35 - Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Antje Flieger
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, D-38855, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tsui HCT, Joseph M, Zheng JJ, Perez AJ, Manzoor I, Rued BE, Richardson JD, Branny P, Doubravová L, Massidda O, Winkler ME. Negative regulation of MurZ and MurA underlies the essentiality of GpsB- and StkP-mediated protein phosphorylation in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:351-383. [PMID: 37452010 PMCID: PMC10530524 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
GpsB links peptidoglycan synthases to other proteins that determine the shape of the respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus; Spn) and other low-GC Gram-positive bacteria. GpsB is also required for phosphorylation of proteins by the essential StkP(Spn) Ser/Thr protein kinase. Here we report three classes of frequently arising chromosomal duplications (≈21-176 genes) containing murZ (MurZ-family homolog of MurA) or murA that suppress ΔgpsB or ΔstkP. These duplications arose from three different repeated sequences and demonstrate the facility of pneumococcus to modulate gene dosage of numerous genes. Overproduction of MurZ or MurA alone or overproduction of MurZ caused by ΔkhpAB mutations suppressed ΔgpsB or ΔstkP phenotypes to varying extents. ΔgpsB and ΔstkP were also suppressed by MurZ amino-acid changes distant from the active site, including one in commonly studied laboratory strains, and by truncation or deletion of the homolog of IreB(ReoM). Unlike in other Gram-positive bacteria, MurZ is predominant to MurA in pneumococcal cells. However, ΔgpsB and ΔstkP were not suppressed by ΔclpCP, which did not alter MurZ or MurA amounts. These results support a model in which regulation of MurZ and MurA activity, likely by IreB(Spn), is the only essential requirement for StkP-mediated protein phosphorylation in exponentially growing D39 pneumococcal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Merrin Joseph
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Jiaqi J. Zheng
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Amilcar J. Perez
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Irfan Manzoor
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Britta E. Rued
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - John D. Richardson
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Pavel Branny
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Doubravová
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Orietta Massidda
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Malcolm E. Winkler
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sutton JAF, Cooke M, Tinajero-Trejo M, Wacnik K, Salamaga B, Portman-Ross C, Lund VA, Hobbs JK, Foster SJ. The roles of GpsB and DivIVA in Staphylococcus aureus growth and division. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1241249. [PMID: 37711690 PMCID: PMC10498921 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1241249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The spheroid bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is often used as a model of morphogenesis due to its apparently simple cell cycle. S. aureus has many cell division proteins that are conserved across bacteria alluding to common functions. However, despite intensive study, we still do not know the roles of many of these components. Here, we have examined the functions of the paralogues DivIVA and GpsB in the S. aureus cell cycle. Cells lacking gpsB display a more spherical phenotype than the wild-type cells, which is associated with a decrease in peripheral cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis. This correlates with increased localization of penicillin-binding proteins at the developing septum, notably PBPs 2 and 3. Our results highlight the role of GpsB as an apparent regulator of cell morphogenesis in S. aureus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A. F. Sutton
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Cooke
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana Tinajero-Trejo
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Wacnik
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bartłomiej Salamaga
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Callum Portman-Ross
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria A. Lund
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie K. Hobbs
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J. Foster
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schulz LM, Rothe P, Halbedel S, Gründling A, Rismondo J. Imbalance of peptidoglycan biosynthesis alters the cell surface charge of Listeria monocytogenes. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100085. [PMID: 36304571 PMCID: PMC9593813 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell wall is composed of a thick layer of peptidoglycan and cell wall polymers, which are either embedded in the membrane or linked to the peptidoglycan backbone and referred to as lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and wall teichoic acid (WTA), respectively. Modifications of the peptidoglycan or WTA backbone can alter the susceptibility of the bacterial cell towards cationic antimicrobials and lysozyme. The human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is intrinsically resistant towards lysozyme, mainly due to deacetylation and O-acetylation of the peptidoglycan backbone via PgdA and OatA. Recent studies identified additional factors, which contribute to the lysozyme resistance of this pathogen. One of these is the predicted ABC transporter, EslABC. An eslB mutant is hyper-sensitive towards lysozyme, likely due to the production of thinner and less O-acetylated peptidoglycan. Using a suppressor screen, we show here that suppression of eslB phenotypes could be achieved by enhancing peptidoglycan biosynthesis, reducing peptidoglycan hydrolysis or alterations in WTA biosynthesis and modification. The lack of EslB also leads to a higher negative surface charge, which likely stimulates the activity of peptidoglycan hydrolases and lysozyme. Based on our results, we hypothesize that the portion of cell surface exposed WTA is increased in the eslB mutant due to the thinner peptidoglycan layer and that latter one could be caused by an impairment in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) production or distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Schulz
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August University Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patricia Rothe
- FG11, Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstraße 37, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11, Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstraße 37, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August University Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Section of Molecular Microbiology and Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hammond LR, Sacco MD, Khan SJ, Spanoudis C, Hough-Neidig A, Chen Y, Eswara PJ. GpsB Coordinates Cell Division and Cell Surface Decoration by Wall Teichoic Acids in Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0141322. [PMID: 35647874 PMCID: PMC9241681 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01413-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell division is a complex and highly regulated process requiring the coordination of many different proteins. Despite substantial work in model organisms, our understanding of the systems regulating cell division in noncanonical organisms, including critical human pathogens, is far from complete. One such organism is Staphylococcus aureus, a spherical bacterium that lacks known cell division regulatory proteins. Recent studies on GpsB, a protein conserved within the Firmicutes phylum, have provided insight into cell division regulation in S. aureus and other related organisms. It has been revealed that GpsB coordinates cell division and cell wall synthesis in multiple species. In S. aureus, we have previously shown that GpsB directly regulates FtsZ polymerization. In this study, using Bacillus subtilis as a tool, we isolated spontaneous suppressors that abrogate the lethality of S. aureus GpsB overproduction in B. subtilis. Through characterization, we identified several residues important for the function of GpsB. Furthermore, we discovered an additional role for GpsB in wall teichoic acid (WTA) biosynthesis in S. aureus. Specifically, we show that GpsB directly interacts with the WTA export protein TarG. We also identified a region in GpsB that is crucial for this interaction. Analysis of TarG localization in S. aureus suggests that WTA machinery is part of the divisome complex. Taken together, this research illustrates how GpsB performs an essential function in S. aureus by directly linking the tightly regulated cell cycle processes of cell division and WTA-mediated cell surface decoration. IMPORTANCE Cytokinesis in bacteria involves an intricate orchestration of several key cell division proteins and other factors involved in building a robust cell envelope. Presence of teichoic acids is a signature characteristic of the Gram-positive cell wall. By characterizing the role of Staphylococcus aureus GpsB, an essential cell division protein in this organism, we have uncovered an additional role for GpsB in wall teichoic acid (WTA) biosynthesis. We show that GpsB directly interacts with TarG of the WTA export complex. We also show that this function of GpsB may be conserved in other GpsB homologs as GpsB and the WTA exporter complex follow similar localization patterns. It has been suggested that WTA acts as a molecular signal to control the activity of autolytic enzymes, especially during the separation of conjoined daughter cells. Thus, our results reveal that GpsB, in addition to playing a role in cell division, may also help coordinate WTA biogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R. Hammond
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Michael D. Sacco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sebastian J. Khan
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Catherine Spanoudis
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Abigail Hough-Neidig
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Prahathees J. Eswara
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wamp S, Rothe P, Stern D, Holland G, Döhling J, Halbedel S. MurA escape mutations uncouple peptidoglycan biosynthesis from PrkA signaling. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010406. [PMID: 35294506 PMCID: PMC8959180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive bacteria are protected by a thick mesh of peptidoglycan (PG) completely engulfing their cells. This PG network is the main component of the bacterial cell wall, it provides rigidity and acts as foundation for the attachment of other surface molecules. Biosynthesis of PG consumes a high amount of cellular resources and therefore requires careful adjustments to environmental conditions. An important switch in the control of PG biosynthesis of Listeria monocytogenes, a Gram-positive pathogen with a high infection fatality rate, is the serine/threonine protein kinase PrkA. A key substrate of this kinase is the small cytosolic protein ReoM. We have shown previously that ReoM phosphorylation regulates PG formation through control of MurA stability. MurA catalyzes the first step in PG biosynthesis and the current model suggests that phosphorylated ReoM prevents MurA degradation by the ClpCP protease. In contrast, conditions leading to ReoM dephosphorylation stimulate MurA degradation. How ReoM controls degradation of MurA and potential other substrates is not understood. Also, the individual contribution of the ~20 other known PrkA targets to PG biosynthesis regulation is unknown. We here present murA mutants which escape proteolytic degradation. The release of MurA from ClpCP-dependent proteolysis was able to activate PG biosynthesis and further enhanced the intrinsic cephalosporin resistance of L. monocytogenes. This latter effect required the RodA3/PBP B3 transglycosylase/transpeptidase pair. One murA escape mutation not only fully rescued an otherwise non-viable prkA mutant during growth in batch culture and inside macrophages but also overcompensated cephalosporin hypersensitivity. Our data collectively indicate that the main purpose of PrkA-mediated signaling in L. monocytogenes is control of MurA stability during standard laboratory growth conditions and intracellular growth in macrophages. These findings have important implications for the understanding of PG biosynthesis regulation and β-lactam resistance of L. monocytogenes and related Gram-positive bacteria. Peptidoglycan (PG) is the main component of the bacterial cell wall and many of the PG synthesizing enzymes are antibiotic targets. We previously have discovered a new signaling route controlling PG production in the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. This route also determines the intrinsic resistance of L. monocytogenes against cephalosporins, a group of β-lactam antibiotics. Signaling involves PrkA, a membrane-embedded protein kinase, that is activated during cell wall stress to phosphorylate its target ReoM. Depending on its phosphorylation, ReoM activates or inactivates PG production by controlling the proteolytic stability of MurA, which catalyzes the first step in PG biosynthesis. MurA degradation depends on the ClpCP protease and we here have isolated murA mutations that escape this degradation. Using these mutants, we could show that regulation of PG biosynthesis through control of MurA stability is an important purpose of PrkA-mediated signaling in L. monocytogenes. Further experiments identified the transglycosylase RodA and the transpeptidase PBP B3 as additional downstream factors. Our results suggest that both proteins act together to translate the signals received by PrkA into adjustment of PG biosynthesis. These findings shed new light on the regulation of PG biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria with intrinsic β-lactam resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Wamp
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Patricia Rothe
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Daniel Stern
- ZBS3 - Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gudrun Holland
- ZBS4 - Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina Döhling
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kelliher JL, Grunenwald CM, Abrahams RR, Daanen ME, Lew CI, Rose WE, Sauer JD. PASTA kinase-dependent control of peptidoglycan synthesis via ReoM is required for cell wall stress responses, cytosolic survival, and virulence in Listeria monocytogenes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009881. [PMID: 34624065 PMCID: PMC8528326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria rely on protein phosphorylation to adapt quickly to stress, including that imposed by the host during infection. Penicillin-binding protein and serine/threonine-associated (PASTA) kinases are signal transduction systems that sense cell wall integrity and modulate multiple facets of bacterial physiology in response to cell envelope stress. The PASTA kinase in the cytosolic pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, PrkA, is required for cell wall stress responses, cytosolic survival, and virulence, yet its substrates and downstream signaling pathways remain incompletely defined. We combined orthogonal phosphoproteomic and genetic analyses in the presence of a β-lactam antibiotic to define PrkA phosphotargets and pathways modulated by PrkA. These analyses synergistically highlighted ReoM, which was recently identified as a PrkA target that influences peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, as an important phosphosubstrate during cell wall stress. We find that deletion of reoM restores cell wall stress sensitivities and cytosolic survival defects of a ΔprkA mutant to nearly wild-type levels. While a ΔprkA mutant is defective for PG synthesis during cell wall stress, a double ΔreoM ΔprkA mutant synthesizes PG at rates similar to wild type. In a mouse model of systemic listeriosis, deletion of reoM in a ΔprkA background almost fully restored virulence to wild-type levels. However, loss of reoM alone also resulted in attenuated virulence, suggesting ReoM is critical at some points during pathogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that the PASTA kinase/ReoM cell wall stress response pathway is conserved in a related pathogen, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Taken together, our phosphoproteomic analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the PASTA kinase targets of an important model pathogen and suggests that a critical role of PrkA in vivo is modulating PG synthesis through regulation of ReoM to facilitate cytosolic survival and virulence. Many antibiotics target bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, justifying continued study of this process and the ways bacteria respond to cell wall insults during infection. Penicillin-binding protein and serine/threonine-associated (PASTA) kinases are master regulators of cell wall stress responses in bacteria and are conserved in several major pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We previously showed that the PASTA kinase in L. monocytogenes, PrkA, is essential for the response to cell wall stress and for virulence. In this work, we combined proteomic and genetic approaches to identify PrkA substrates in L. monocytogenes. We show that regulation of one candidate from both screens, ReoM, increases synthesis of the cell wall component peptidoglycan and that this regulation is required for pathogenesis. We also demonstrate that the PASTA kinase-ReoM pathway regulates cell wall stress responses in another significant pathogen, methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Additionally, we uncover a PrkA-independent role for ReoM in vivo in L. monocytogenes, suggesting a need for nuanced modulation of peptidoglycan synthesis during infection. Cumulatively, this study provides new insight into how bacterial pathogens control cell wall synthesis during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Kelliher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Caroline M. Grunenwald
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Rhiannon R. Abrahams
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - McKenzie E. Daanen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Cassandra I. Lew
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Warren E. Rose
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - John-Demian Sauer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gray J, Chandry PS, Kaur M, Kocharunchitt C, Fanning S, Bowman JP, Fox EM. Colonisation dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from food production environments. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12195. [PMID: 34108547 PMCID: PMC8190317 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91503-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous bacterium capable of colonising and persisting within food production environments (FPEs) for many years, even decades. This ability to colonise, survive and persist within the FPEs can result in food product cross-contamination, including vulnerable products such as ready to eat food items. Various environmental and genetic elements are purported to be involved, with the ability to form biofilms being an important factor. In this study we examined various mechanisms which can influence colonisation in FPEs. The ability of isolates (n = 52) to attach and grow in biofilm was assessed, distinguishing slower biofilm formers from isolates forming biofilm more rapidly. These isolates were further assessed to determine if growth rate, exopolymeric substance production and/or the agr signalling propeptide influenced these dynamics and could promote persistence in conditions reflective of FPE. Despite no strong association with the above factors to a rapid colonisation phenotype, the global transcriptome suggested transport, energy production and metabolism genes were widely upregulated during the initial colonisation stages under nutrient limited conditions. However, the upregulation of the metabolism systems varied between isolates supporting the idea that L. monocytogenes ability to colonise the FPEs is strain-specific.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gray
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Werribee, VIC, Australia. .,Food Safety Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
| | | | - Mandeep Kaur
- Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chawalit Kocharunchitt
- Food Safety Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 N2E5, Ireland.,Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT5 6AG, UK
| | - John P Bowman
- Food Safety Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Edward M Fox
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Werribee, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sachla AJ, Helmann JD. Resource sharing between central metabolism and cell envelope synthesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 60:34-43. [PMID: 33581378 PMCID: PMC7988295 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.01.015] [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] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of the bacterial cell envelope requires a regulated partitioning of resources from central metabolism. Here, we consider the key metabolic junctions that provide the precursors needed to assemble the cell envelope. Peptidoglycan synthesis requires redirection of a glycolytic intermediate, fructose-6-phosphate, into aminosugar biosynthesis by the highly regulated branchpoint enzyme GlmS. MurA directs the downstream product, UDP-GlcNAc, specifically into peptidoglycan synthesis. Other shared resources required for cell envelope synthesis include the isoprenoid carrier lipid undecaprenyl phosphate and amino acids required for peptidoglycan cross-bridges. Assembly of the envelope requires a sharing of limited resources between competing cellular pathways and may additionally benefit from scavenging of metabolites released from neighboring cells or the formation of symbiotic relationships with a host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita J Sachla
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, 370 Wing Hall, Wing Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, 370 Wing Hall, Wing Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wamp S, Rutter ZJ, Rismondo J, Jennings CE, Möller L, Lewis RJ, Halbedel S. PrkA controls peptidoglycan biosynthesis through the essential phosphorylation of ReoM. eLife 2020; 9:56048. [PMID: 32469310 PMCID: PMC7286690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the main component of bacterial cell walls and the target for many antibiotics. PG biosynthesis is tightly coordinated with cell wall growth and turnover, and many of these control activities depend upon PASTA-domain containing eukaryotic-like serine/threonine protein kinases (PASTA-eSTK) that sense PG fragments. However, only a few PG biosynthetic enzymes are direct kinase substrates. Here, we identify the conserved ReoM protein as a novel PASTA-eSTK substrate in the Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Our data show that the phosphorylation of ReoM is essential as it controls ClpCP-dependent proteolytic degradation of the essential enzyme MurA, which catalyses the first committed step in PG biosynthesis. We also identify ReoY as a second novel factor required for degradation of ClpCP substrates. Collectively, our data imply that the first committed step of PG biosynthesis is activated through control of ClpCP protease activity in response to signals of PG homeostasis imbalance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Wamp
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Zoe J Rutter
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany.,Department of General Microbiology, GZMB, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claire E Jennings
- Newcastle Drug Discovery, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Möller
- ZBS 4 - Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11 - Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Reproduction in the bacterial kingdom predominantly occurs through binary fission-a process in which one parental cell is divided into two similarly sized daughter cells. How cell division, in conjunction with cell elongation and chromosome segregation, is orchestrated by a multitude of proteins has been an active area of research spanning the past few decades. Together, the monumental endeavors of multiple laboratories have identified several cell division and cell shape regulators as well as their underlying regulatory mechanisms in rod-shaped Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, which serve as model organisms for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Yet our understanding of bacterial cell division and morphology regulation is far from complete, especially in noncanonical and non-rod-shaped organisms. In this review, we focus on two proteins that are highly conserved in Gram-positive organisms, DivIVA and its homolog GpsB, and attempt to summarize the recent advances in this area of research and discuss their various roles in cell division, cell growth, and chromosome segregation in addition to their interactome and posttranslational regulation.
Collapse
|
12
|
Hauf S, Herrmann J, Miethke M, Gibhardt J, Commichau FM, Müller R, Fuchs S, Halbedel S. Aurantimycin resistance genes contribute to survival of Listeria monocytogenes during life in the environment. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1009-1024. [PMID: 30648305 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria can cope with toxic compounds such as antibiotics by inducing genes for their detoxification. A common detoxification strategy is compound excretion by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which are synthesized upon compound contact. We previously identified the multidrug resistance ABC transporter LieAB in Listeria monocytogenes, a Gram-positive bacterium that occurs ubiquitously in the environment, but also causes severe infections in humans upon ingestion. Expression of the lieAB genes is strongly induced in cells lacking the PadR-type transcriptional repressor LftR, but compounds leading to relief of this repression in wild-type cells were not known. Using RNA-Seq and promoter-lacZ fusions, we demonstrate highly specific repression of the lieAB and lftRS promoters through LftR. Screening of a natural compound library yielded the depsipeptide aurantimycin A - synthesized by the soil-dwelling Streptomyces aurantiacus - as the first known naturally occurring inducer of lieAB expression. Genetic and phenotypic experiments concordantly show that aurantimycin A is a substrate of the LieAB transporter and thus, lftRS and lieAB represent the first known genetic module conferring and regulating aurantimycin A resistance. Collectively, these genes may support the survival of L. monocytogenes when it comes into contact with antibiotic-producing bacteria in the soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Hauf
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, 38855, Germany
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University, Campus E8.1, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Marcus Miethke
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University, Campus E8.1, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Johannes Gibhardt
- Department of General Microbiology, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Fabian M Commichau
- Department of General Microbiology, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University, Campus E8.1, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- FG13 Nosocomial Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistances, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, 38855, Germany
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, Wernigerode, 38855, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cleverley RM, Rutter ZJ, Rismondo J, Corona F, Tsui HCT, Alatawi FA, Daniel RA, Halbedel S, Massidda O, Winkler ME, Lewis RJ. The cell cycle regulator GpsB functions as cytosolic adaptor for multiple cell wall enzymes. Nat Commun 2019; 10:261. [PMID: 30651563 PMCID: PMC6335420 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08056-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial growth and cell division requires precise spatiotemporal regulation of the synthesis and remodelling of the peptidoglycan layer that surrounds the cytoplasmic membrane. GpsB is a cytosolic protein that affects cell wall synthesis by binding cytoplasmic mini-domains of peptidoglycan synthases to ensure their correct subcellular localisation. Here, we describe critical structural features for the interaction of GpsB with peptidoglycan synthases from three bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and suggest their importance for cell wall growth and viability in L. monocytogenes and S. pneumoniae. We use these structural motifs to identify novel partners of GpsB in B. subtilis and extend the members of the GpsB interactome in all three bacterial species. Our results support that GpsB functions as an adaptor protein that mediates the interaction between membrane proteins, scaffolding proteins, signalling proteins and enzymes to generate larger protein complexes at specific sites in a bacterial cell cycle-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Cleverley
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Zoe J Rutter
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jeanine Rismondo
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, 38855, Wernigerode, Germany
- Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2DD, UK
| | - Federico Corona
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, 09100, Italy
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK
| | | | - Fuad A Alatawi
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK
| | - Richard A Daniel
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37, 38855, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Orietta Massidda
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, 09100, Italy
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123, Povo, Italy
| | - Malcolm E Winkler
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rismondo J, Wamp S, Aldridge C, Vollmer W, Halbedel S. Stimulation of PgdA-dependent peptidoglycanN-deacetylation by GpsB-PBP A1 inListeria monocytogenes. Mol Microbiol 2017; 107:472-487. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine Rismondo
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella; Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37; Wernigerode 38855 Germany
| | - Sabrina Wamp
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella; Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37; Wernigerode 38855 Germany
| | - Christine Aldridge
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, The Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology; Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX UK
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, The Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology; Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX UK
| | - Sven Halbedel
- FG11 Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella; Robert Koch Institute, Burgstrasse 37; Wernigerode 38855 Germany
| |
Collapse
|