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Koo BM, Todor H, Sun J, van Gestel J, Hawkins JS, Hearne CC, Banta AB, Huang KC, Peters JM, Gross CA. Comprehensive double-mutant analysis of the Bacillus subtilis envelope using double-CRISPRi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.14.608006. [PMID: 39185233 PMCID: PMC11343205 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.14.608006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding bacterial gene function remains a major biological challenge. Double-mutant genetic interaction (GI) analysis addresses this challenge by uncovering the functional partners of targeted genes, allowing us to associate genes of unknown function with novel pathways and unravel connections between well-studied pathways, but is difficult to implement at the genome-scale. Here, we develop and use double-CRISPRi to systematically quantify genetic interactions at scale in the Bacillus subtilis envelope, including essential genes. We discover > 1000 known and novel genetic interactions. Our analysis pipeline and experimental follow-ups reveal the distinct roles of paralogous genes such as the mreB and mbl actin homologs, and identify new genes involved in the well-studied process of cell division. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into gene function and demonstrates the utility of double-CRISPRi for high-throughput dissection of bacterial gene networks, providing a blueprint for future studies in diverse bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung-Mo Koo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Horia Todor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jordi van Gestel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John S. Hawkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cameron C. Hearne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy B. Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kerwyn Casey Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Carol A. Gross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- California Institute of Quantitative Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Lead Contact
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Sun X, Bi X, Li G, Cui S, Xu X, Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Lv X, Liu L. Combinatorial metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for menaquinone-7 biosynthesis. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024. [PMID: 38965781 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a form of vitamin K2, supports bone health and prevents arterial calcification. Microbial fermentation for MK-7 production has attracted widespread attention because of its low cost and short production cycles. However, insufficient substrate supply, unbalanced precursor synthesis, and low catalytic efficiency of key enzymes severely limited the efficiency of MK-7 synthesis. In this study, utilizing Bacillus subtilis BSAT01 (with an initial MK-7 titer of 231.0 mg/L) obtained in our previous study, the glycerol metabolism pathway was first enhanced to increase the 3-deoxy-arabino-heptulonate 7-phosphate (DHAP) supply, which led to an increase in MK-7 titer to 259.7 mg/L. Subsequently, a combination of knockout strategies predicted by the genome-scale metabolic model etiBsu1209 was employed to optimize the central carbon metabolism pathway, and the resulting strain showed an increase in MK-7 production from 259.7 to 318.3 mg/L. Finally, model predictions revealed the methylerythritol phosphate pathway as the major restriction pathway, and the pathway flux was increased by heterologous introduction (Introduction of Dxs derived from Escherichia coli) and fusion expression (End-to-end fusion of two enzymes by a linker peptide), resulting in a strain with a titer of 451.0 mg/L in a shake flask and 474.0 mg/L in a 50-L bioreactor. This study achieved efficient MK-7 synthesis in B. subtilis, laying the foundation for large-scale MK-7 bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Sun
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xinyu Bi
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guyue Li
- Richen Bioengineering Co., Ltd., Nantong, China
| | - Shixiu Cui
- Jiaxing Institute of Future Food, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xianhao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianghua Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Jiaxing Institute of Future Food, Jiaxing, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xueqin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Enright AL, Heelan WJ, Ward RD, Peters JM. CRISPRi functional genomics in bacteria and its application to medical and industrial research. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0017022. [PMID: 38809084 PMCID: PMC11332340 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00170-22] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFunctional genomics is the use of systematic gene perturbation approaches to determine the contributions of genes under conditions of interest. Although functional genomic strategies have been used in bacteria for decades, recent studies have taken advantage of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technologies, such as CRISPRi (CRISPR interference), that are capable of precisely modulating expression of all genes in the genome. Here, we discuss and review the use of CRISPRi and related technologies for bacterial functional genomics. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of CRISPRi as well as design considerations for CRISPRi genetic screens. We also review examples of how CRISPRi screens have defined relevant genetic targets for medical and industrial applications. Finally, we outline a few of the many possible directions that could be pursued using CRISPR-based functional genomics in bacteria. Our view is that the most exciting screens and discoveries are yet to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Enright
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William J. Heelan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ryan D. Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Geyman LJ, Tanner MP, Rosario-Meléndez N, Peters JM, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0006524. [PMID: 38775491 PMCID: PMC11218623 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00065-24] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio campbellii. We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.IMPORTANCEThe genetic manipulation of bacterial genomes is an invaluable tool in experimental microbiology. The development of CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) tools has revolutionized genetics in many organisms, including bacteria. Here, we optimized the use of Mobile-CRISPRi in five Vibrio species, each of which has significant impacts on marine environments and organisms that include squid, shrimp, shellfish, finfish, corals, and multiple of which pose direct threats to human health. The Mobile-CRISPRi technology is easily adaptable, moveable from strain to strain, and enables researchers to selectively turn off gene expression. Our experiments demonstrate Mobile-CRISPRi is effective and robust at repressing gene expression of both essential and non-essential genes in Vibrio species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan J. Geyman
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Madeline P. Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Natalia Rosario-Meléndez
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark J. Mandel
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Roney IJ, Rudner DZ. Bacillus subtilis uses the SigM signaling pathway to prioritize the use of its lipid carrier for cell wall synthesis. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002589. [PMID: 38683856 PMCID: PMC11081497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) and most surface glycopolymers and their modifications are built in the cytoplasm on the lipid carrier undecaprenyl phosphate (UndP). These lipid-linked precursors are then flipped across the membrane and polymerized or directly transferred to surface polymers, lipids, or proteins. Despite its essential role in envelope biogenesis, UndP is maintained at low levels in the cytoplasmic membrane. The mechanisms by which bacteria distribute this limited resource among competing pathways is currently unknown. Here, we report that the Bacillus subtilis transcription factor SigM and its membrane-anchored anti-sigma factor respond to UndP levels and prioritize its use for the synthesis of the only essential surface polymer, the cell wall. Antibiotics that target virtually every step in PG synthesis activate SigM-directed gene expression, confounding identification of the signal and the logic of this stress-response pathway. Through systematic analyses, we discovered 2 distinct responses to these antibiotics. Drugs that trap UndP, UndP-linked intermediates, or precursors trigger SigM release from the membrane in <2 min, rapidly activating transcription. By contrasts, antibiotics that inhibited cell wall synthesis without directly affecting UndP induce SigM more slowly. We show that activation in the latter case can be explained by the accumulation of UndP-linked wall teichoic acid precursors that cannot be transferred to the PG due to the block in its synthesis. Furthermore, we report that reduction in UndP synthesis rapidly induces SigM, while increasing UndP production can dampen the SigM response. Finally, we show that SigM becomes essential for viability when the availability of UndP is restricted. Altogether, our data support a model in which the SigM pathway functions to homeostatically control UndP usage. When UndP levels are sufficiently high, the anti-sigma factor complex holds SigM inactive. When levels of UndP are reduced, SigM activates genes that increase flux through the PG synthesis pathway, boost UndP recycling, and liberate the lipid carrier from nonessential surface polymer pathways. Analogous homeostatic pathways that prioritize UndP usage are likely to be common in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J. Roney
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David Z. Rudner
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Willdigg JR, Patel Y, Arquilevich BE, Subramanian C, Frank MW, Rock CO, Helmann JD. The Bacillus subtilis cell envelope stress-inducible ytpAB operon modulates membrane properties and contributes to bacitracin resistance. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0001524. [PMID: 38323910 PMCID: PMC10955860 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00015-24] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics that inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis trigger the activation of both specific and general protective responses. σM responds to diverse antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that cell wall-inhibiting drugs, such as bacitracin and cefuroxime, induce the σM-dependent ytpAB operon. YtpA is a predicted hydrolase previously proposed to generate the putative lysophospholipid antibiotic bacilysocin (lysophosphatidylglycerol), and YtpB is the branchpoint enzyme for the synthesis of membrane-localized C35 terpenoids. Using targeted lipidomics, we reveal that YtpA is not required for the production of lysophosphatidylglycerol. Nevertheless, ytpA was critical for growth in a mutant strain defective for homeoviscous adaptation due to a lack of genes for the synthesis of branched chain fatty acids and the Des phospholipid desaturase. Consistently, overexpression of ytpA increased membrane fluidity as monitored by fluorescence anisotropy. The ytpA gene contributes to bacitracin resistance in mutants additionally lacking the bceAB or bcrC genes, which directly mediate bacitracin resistance. These epistatic interactions support a model in which σM-dependent induction of the ytpAB operon helps cells tolerate bacitracin stress, either by facilitating the flipping of the undecaprenyl phosphate carrier lipid or by impacting the assembly or function of membrane-associated complexes involved in cell wall homeostasis.IMPORTANCEPeptidoglycan synthesis inhibitors include some of our most important antibiotics. In Bacillus subtilis, peptidoglycan synthesis inhibitors induce the σM regulon, which is critical for intrinsic antibiotic resistance. The σM-dependent ytpAB operon encodes a predicted hydrolase (YtpA) and the enzyme that initiates the synthesis of C35 terpenoids (YtpB). Our results suggest that YtpA is critical in cells defective in homeoviscous adaptation. Furthermore, we find that YtpA functions cooperatively with the BceAB and BcrC proteins in conferring intrinsic resistance to bacitracin, a peptide antibiotic that binds tightly to the undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate lipid carrier that sustains peptidoglycan synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yesha Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | - Chitra Subramanian
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Matthew W. Frank
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charles O. Rock
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Ward RD, Tran JS, Banta AB, Bacon EE, Rose WE, Peters JM. Essential gene knockdowns reveal genetic vulnerabilities and antibiotic sensitivities in Acinetobacter baumannii. mBio 2024; 15:e0205123. [PMID: 38126769 PMCID: PMC10865783 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02051-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria underscores the need to define genetic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. The Gram-negative pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, is considered an urgent threat due to its propensity to evade antibiotic treatments. Essential cellular processes are the target of existing antibiotics and a likely source of new vulnerabilities. Although A. baumannii essential genes have been identified by transposon sequencing, they have not been prioritized by sensitivity to knockdown or antibiotics. Here, we take a systems biology approach to comprehensively characterize A. baumannii essential genes using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We show that certain essential genes and pathways are acutely sensitive to knockdown, providing a set of vulnerable targets for future therapeutic investigation. Screening our CRISPRi library against last-resort antibiotics uncovered genes and pathways that modulate beta-lactam sensitivity, an unexpected link between NADH dehydrogenase activity and growth inhibition by polymyxins, and anticorrelated phenotypes that may explain synergy between polymyxins and rifamycins. Our study demonstrates the power of systematic genetic approaches to identify vulnerabilities in Gram-negative pathogens and uncovers antibiotic-essential gene interactions that better inform combination therapies.IMPORTANCEAcinetobacter baumannii is a hospital-acquired pathogen that is resistant to many common antibiotic treatments. To combat resistant A. baumannii infections, we need to identify promising therapeutic targets and effective antibiotic combinations. In this study, we comprehensively characterize the genes and pathways that are critical for A. baumannii viability. We show that genes involved in aerobic metabolism are central to A. baumannii physiology and may represent appealing drug targets. We also find antibiotic-gene interactions that may impact the efficacy of carbapenems, rifamycins, and polymyxins, providing a new window into how these antibiotics function in mono- and combination therapies. Our studies offer a useful approach for characterizing interactions between drugs and essential genes in pathogens to inform future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D. Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Tran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amy B. Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emily E. Bacon
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Warren E. Rose
- Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Geyman L, Tanner M, Rosario-Melendez N, Peters J, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.17.575898. [PMID: 38293084 PMCID: PMC10827217 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.17.575898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn 7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus , and Vibrio campbellii . We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.
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Galinier A, Delan-Forino C, Foulquier E, Lakhal H, Pompeo F. Recent Advances in Peptidoglycan Synthesis and Regulation in Bacteria. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050720. [PMID: 37238589 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria must synthesize their cell wall and membrane during their cell cycle, with peptidoglycan being the primary component of the cell wall in most bacteria. Peptidoglycan is a three-dimensional polymer that enables bacteria to resist cytoplasmic osmotic pressure, maintain their cell shape and protect themselves from environmental threats. Numerous antibiotics that are currently used target enzymes involved in the synthesis of the cell wall, particularly peptidoglycan synthases. In this review, we highlight recent progress in our understanding of peptidoglycan synthesis, remodeling, repair, and regulation in two model bacteria: the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis. By summarizing the latest findings in this field, we hope to provide a comprehensive overview of peptidoglycan biology, which is critical for our understanding of bacterial adaptation and antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Galinier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Univ, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Clémentine Delan-Forino
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Univ, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Elodie Foulquier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Univ, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Hakima Lakhal
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Univ, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Frédérique Pompeo
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Univ, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France
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Thomas DR, Newton HJ. Complex Signaling Networks Control Coxiella burnetii. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0001323. [PMID: 36847508 PMCID: PMC10029709 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00013-23] [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] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent study by S. Wachter, C. L. Larson, K. Virtaneva, K. Kanakabandi, et al. (J Bacteriol 205:e00416-22, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00416-22) utilizes new technologies to examine the role of two-component systems in Coxiella burnetii. This research demonstrates that the zoonotic pathogen C. burnetii mediates complex transcriptional control, throughout different bacterial phases and environmental conditions, with relatively few regulatory elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Thomas
- Infection Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley J. Newton
- Infection Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Weaver A, Taguchi A, Dörr T. Masters of Misdirection: Peptidoglycan Glycosidases in Bacterial Growth. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0042822. [PMID: 36757204 PMCID: PMC10029718 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00428-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic composition of the peptidoglycan cell wall has been the subject of intense research for decades, yet how bacteria coordinate the synthesis of new peptidoglycan with the turnover and remodeling of existing peptidoglycan remains elusive. Diversity and redundancy within peptidoglycan synthases and peptidoglycan autolysins, enzymes that degrade peptidoglycan, have often made it challenging to assign physiological roles to individual enzymes and determine how those activities are regulated. For these reasons, peptidoglycan glycosidases, which cleave within the glycan strands of peptidoglycan, have proven veritable masters of misdirection over the years. Unlike many of the broadly conserved peptidoglycan synthetic complexes, diverse bacteria can employ unrelated glycosidases to achieve the same physiological outcome. Additionally, although the mechanisms of action for many individual enzymes have been characterized, apparent conserved homologs in other organisms can exhibit an entirely different biochemistry. This flexibility has been recently demonstrated in the context of three functions critical to vegetative growth: (i) release of newly synthesized peptidoglycan strands from their membrane anchors, (ii) processing of peptidoglycan turned over during cell wall expansion, and (iii) removal of peptidoglycan fragments that interfere with daughter cell separation during cell division. Finally, the regulation of glycosidase activity during these cell processes may be a cumulation of many factors, including protein-protein interactions, intrinsic substrate preferences, substrate availability, and subcellular localization. Understanding the true scope of peptidoglycan glycosidase activity will require the exploration of enzymes from diverse organisms with equally diverse growth and division strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Weaver
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Atsushi Taguchi
- SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tobias Dörr
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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12
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Kozaeva E, Mol V, Nikel PI, Nielsen AT. High-throughput colorimetric assays optimized for detection of ketones and aldehydes produced by microbial cell factories. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2426-2438. [PMID: 35689383 PMCID: PMC9437884 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Randomized strain and pathway engineering are critical to improving microbial cell factory performance, calling for the development of high‐throughput screening and selection systems. To facilitate this effort, we have developed two 96‐well plate format colorimetric assays for reliable quantification of various ketones and aldehydes from culture supernatants, based on either a vanillin‐acetone reaction or the 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4‐DNPH) reagent. The vanillin‐acetone assay enabled accurate and selective measurement of acetone titers up to 2 g l−1 in a minimal culture medium. The 2,4‐DNPH‐based assay can be used for a wide range of aldehydes and ketones, shown here through the optimization of conditions for 15 different compounds. Both assays were implemented to improve acetone production from different substrates by an engineered Escherichia coli strain. The fast and user‐friendly colorimetric assays proposed here open the potential for iterative rounds of (automated) strain and pathway engineering and screening, facilitating the efforts towards further boosting production titers of industrially relevant ketones and aldehydes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Kozaeva
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Viviënne Mol
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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13
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Henke NA, Göttl VL, Schmitt I, Peters-Wendisch P, Wendisch VF. A synthetic biology approach to study carotenoid production in Corynebacterium glutamicum: Read-out by a genetically encoded biosensor combined with perturbing native gene expression by CRISPRi. Methods Enzymol 2022; 671:383-419. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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14
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Zocca VFB, Corrêa GG, Lins MRDCR, de Jesus VN, Tavares LF, Amorim LADS, Kundlatsch GE, Pedrolli DB. The CRISPR toolbox for the gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:813-826. [PMID: 34719304 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1983516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR has revolutionized the way we engineer genomes. Its simplicity and modularity have enabled the development of a great number of tools to edit genomes and to control gene expression. This powerful technology was first adapted to Bacillus subtilis in 2016 and has been intensely upgraded since then. Many tools have been successfully developed to build a CRISPR toolbox for this Gram-positive model and important industrial chassis. The toolbox includes tools, such as double-strand and single-strand cutting CRISPR for point mutation, gene insertion, and gene deletion up to 38 kb. Moreover, catalytic dead Cas proteins have been used for base editing, as well as for the control of gene expression (CRISPRi and CRISPRa). Many of these tools have been used for multiplex CRISPR with the most successful one targeting up to six loci simultaneously for point mutation. However, tools for efficient multiplex CRISPR for other functionalities are still missing in the toolbox. CRISPR engineering has already resulted in efficient protein and metabolite-producing strains, demonstrating its great potential. In this review, we cover all the important additions made to the B. subtilis CRISPR toolbox since 2016, and strain developments fomented by the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitoria Fernanda Bertolazzi Zocca
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Graciely Gomes Corrêa
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Milca Rachel da Costa Ribeiro Lins
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Victor Nunes de Jesus
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Ferro Tavares
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Laura Araujo da Silva Amorim
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Engelberto Kundlatsch
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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15
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Wong F, Wilson S, Helbig R, Hegde S, Aftenieva O, Zheng H, Liu C, Pilizota T, Garner EC, Amir A, Renner LD. Understanding Beta-Lactam-Induced Lysis at the Single-Cell Level. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:712007. [PMID: 34421870 PMCID: PMC8372035 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.712007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical rupture, or lysis, of the cytoplasmic membrane is a common cell death pathway in bacteria occurring in response to β-lactam antibiotics. A better understanding of the cellular design principles governing the susceptibility and response of individual cells to lysis could indicate methods of potentiating β-lactam antibiotics and clarify relevant aspects of cellular physiology. Here, we take a single-cell approach to bacterial cell lysis to examine three cellular features—turgor pressure, mechanosensitive channels, and cell shape changes—that are expected to modulate lysis. We develop a mechanical model of bacterial cell lysis and experimentally analyze the dynamics of lysis in hundreds of single Escherichia coli cells. We find that turgor pressure is the only factor, of these three cellular features, which robustly modulates lysis. We show that mechanosensitive channels do not modulate lysis due to insufficiently fast solute outflow, and that cell shape changes result in more severe cellular lesions but do not influence the dynamics of lysis. These results inform a single-cell view of bacterial cell lysis and underscore approaches of combatting antibiotic tolerance to β-lactams aimed at targeting cellular turgor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Wong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States.,John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sean Wilson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ralf Helbig
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research and the Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Dresden, Germany
| | - Smitha Hegde
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Olha Aftenieva
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research and the Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hai Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory for Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenli Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Teuta Pilizota
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ethan C Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ariel Amir
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Lars D Renner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research and the Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Dresden, Germany
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16
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Faßhauer P, Busche T, Kalinowski J, Mäder U, Poehlein A, Daniel R, Stülke J. Functional Redundancy and Specialization of the Conserved Cold Shock Proteins in Bacillus subtilis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1434. [PMID: 34361870 PMCID: PMC8307031 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria encode so-called cold shock proteins. These proteins are characterized by a conserved protein domain. Often, the bacteria have multiple cold shock proteins that are expressed either constitutively or at low temperatures. In the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillussubtilis, two of three cold shock proteins, CspB and CspD, belong to the most abundant proteins suggesting a very important function. To get insights into the role of these highly abundant proteins, we analyzed the phenotypes of single and double mutants, tested the expression of the csp genes and the impact of CspB and CspD on global gene expression in B. subtilis. We demonstrate that the simultaneous loss of both CspB and CspD results in a severe growth defect, in the loss of genetic competence, and the appearance of suppressor mutations. Overexpression of the third cold shock protein CspC could compensate for the loss of CspB and CspD. The transcriptome analysis revealed that the lack of CspB and CspD affects the expression of about 20% of all genes. In several cases, the lack of the cold shock proteins results in an increased read-through at transcription terminators suggesting that CspB and CspD might be involved in the control of transcription termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Faßhauer
- Department of General Microbiology, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Tobias Busche
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; (T.B.); (J.K.)
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; (T.B.); (J.K.)
| | - Ulrike Mäder
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (A.P.); (R.D.)
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (A.P.); (R.D.)
| | - Jörg Stülke
- Department of General Microbiology, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
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17
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Dörr T. Understanding tolerance to cell wall-active antibiotics. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1496:35-58. [PMID: 33274447 PMCID: PMC8359209 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic tolerance-the ability of bacteria to survive for an extended time in the presence of bactericidal antibiotics-is an understudied contributor to antibiotic treatment failure. Herein, I review the manifestations, mechanisms, and clinical relevance of tolerance to cell wall-active (CWA) antibiotics, one of the most important groups of antibiotics at the forefront of clinical use. I discuss definitions of tolerance and assays for tolerance detection, comprehensively discuss the mechanism of action of β-lactams and other CWA antibiotics, and then provide an overview of how cells mitigate the potentially lethal effects of CWA antibiotic-induced cell damage to become tolerant. Lastly, I discuss evidence for a role of CWA antibiotic tolerance in clinical antibiotic treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Dörr
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, and Cornell Institute of Host–Pathogen Interactions and DiseaseCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
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18
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Zhang Y, Song X, Lai Y, Mo Q, Yuan J. High-Yielding Terpene-Based Biofuel Production in Rhodobacter capsulatus. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1545-1552. [PMID: 34101430 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00146] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Energy crisis and global climate change have driven an increased effort toward biofuel synthesis from renewable feedstocks. Herein, purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium (PNSB) of Rhodobacter capsulatus was explored as a platform for high-titer production of a terpene-based advanced biofuel-bisabolene. A multilevel engineering strategy such as promoter screening, improving the NADPH availability, strengthening the precursor supply, suppressing the side pathways, and introducing a heterologous mevalonate pathway, was used to improve the bisabolene titer in R. capsulatus. The above strategies enabled a 35-fold higher titer of bisabolene than that of the starting strain, reaching 1089.7 mg/L from glucose in a shake flask. The engineered strain produced 9.8 g/L bisabolene with a yield of >0.196 g/g-glucose under the two-phase fed-batch fermentation, which corresponds to >78% of theoretical maximum. Taken together, our work represents one of the pioneering studies to demonstrate PNSB as a promising platform for terpene-based advanced biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiaohui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yumeng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Qiwen Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jifeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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19
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Song Y, He S, Abdallah II, Jopkiewicz A, Setroikromo R, van Merkerk R, Tepper PG, Quax WJ. Engineering of Multiple Modules to Improve Amorphadiene Production in Bacillus subtilis Using CRISPR-Cas9. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:4785-4794. [PMID: 33877851 PMCID: PMC8154554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Engineering strategies to improve terpenoids' production in Bacillus subtilis mainly focus on 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway overexpression. To systematically engineer the chassis strain for higher amorphadiene (precursor of artemisinin) production, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system was established in B. subtilis to facilitate precise and efficient genome editing. Then, this system was employed to engineer three more modules to improve amorphadiene production, including the terpene synthase module, the branch pathway module, and the central metabolic pathway module. Finally, our combination of all of the useful strategies within one strain significantly increased extracellular amorphadiene production from 81 to 116 mg/L after 48 h flask fermentation without medium optimization. For the first time, we attenuated the FPP-derived competing pathway to improve amorphadiene biosynthesis and investigated how the TCA cycle affects amorphadiene production in B. subtilis. Overall, this study provides a universal strategy for further increasing terpenoids' production in B. subtilis by comprehensive and systematic metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Song
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siqi He
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ingy I. Abdallah
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department
of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria
University, 21521 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Anita Jopkiewicz
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Setroikromo
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald van Merkerk
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter G. Tepper
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim J. Quax
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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20
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams against the Fortress of the Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Bacterium. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3412-3463. [PMID: 33373523 PMCID: PMC8653850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria-whether assessed by shape, food, metabolism, or ecological niche-surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular eukaryotes. The relationship between bacteria whose ecological niche is the eukaryote, and the eukaryote, is often symbiosis or stasis. Some bacteria, however, seek advantage in this relationship. One of the most successful-to the disadvantage of the eukaryote-is the small (less than 1 μm diameter) and nearly spherical Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. For decades, successful clinical control of its infection has been accomplished using β-lactam antibiotics such as the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Over these same decades S. aureus has perfected resistance mechanisms against these antibiotics, which are then countered by new generations of β-lactam structure. This review addresses the current breadth of biochemical and microbiological efforts to preserve the future of the β-lactam antibiotics through a better understanding of how S. aureus protects the enzyme targets of the β-lactams, the penicillin-binding proteins. The penicillin-binding proteins are essential enzyme catalysts for the biosynthesis of the cell wall, and understanding how this cell wall is integrated into the protective cell envelope of the bacterium may identify new antibacterials and new adjuvants that preserve the efficacy of the β-lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
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21
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Göttl VL, Schmitt I, Braun K, Peters-Wendisch P, Wendisch VF, Henke NA. CRISPRi-Library-Guided Target Identification for Engineering Carotenoid Production by Corynebacterium glutamicum. Microorganisms 2021; 9:670. [PMID: 33805131 PMCID: PMC8064071 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium glutamicum is a prominent production host for various value-added compounds in white biotechnology. Gene repression by dCas9/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference (CRISPRi) allows for the identification of target genes for metabolic engineering. In this study, a CRISPRi-based library for the repression of 74 genes of C. glutamicum was constructed. The chosen genes included genes encoding enzymes of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, regulatory genes, as well as genes of the methylerythritol phosphate and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways. As expected, CRISPRi-mediated repression of the carotenogenesis repressor gene crtR resulted in increased pigmentation and cellular content of the native carotenoid pigment decaprenoxanthin. CRISPRi screening identified 14 genes that affected decaprenoxanthin biosynthesis when repressed. Carotenoid biosynthesis was significantly decreased upon CRISPRi-mediated repression of 11 of these genes, while repression of 3 genes was beneficial for decaprenoxanthin production. Largely, but not in all cases, deletion of selected genes identified in the CRISPRi screen confirmed the pigmentation phenotypes obtained by CRISPRi. Notably, deletion of pgi as well as of gapA improved decaprenoxanthin levels 43-fold and 9-fold, respectively. The scope of the designed library to identify metabolic engineering targets, transfer of gene repression to stable gene deletion, and limitations of the approach were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Volker F. Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology & CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; (V.L.G.); (I.S.); (K.B.); (P.P.-W.); (N.A.H.)
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22
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Parise D, Teixeira Dornelles Parise M, Pinto Gomide AC, Figueira Aburjaile F, Bentes Kato R, Salgado-Albarrán M, Tauch A, Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo V, Baumbach J. The Transcriptional Regulatory Network of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020415. [PMID: 33671149 PMCID: PMC7923171 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular, pathogenic bacterium that infects several different hosts, yielding serious economic losses in livestock farming. It causes several diseases including oedematous skin disease (OSD) in buffaloes, ulcerative lymphangitis (UL) in horses, and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep, goats and humans. Despite its economic and medical-veterinary importance, our understanding concerning this organism’s transcriptional regulatory mechanisms is still limited. Here, we review the state of the art knowledge on transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of this pathogenic species, covering regulatory interactions mediated by two-component systems, transcription factors and sigma factors. Key transcriptional regulatory players involved in virulence and pathogenicity of C. pseudotuberculosis, such as the PhoPR system and DtxR, are in the focus of this review, as these regulators are promising targets for future vaccine design and drug development. We conclude that more experimental studies are needed to further understand the regulatory repertoire of this important zoonotic pathogen, and that regulators are promising targets for future vaccine design and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doglas Parise
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mariana Teixeira Dornelles Parise
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Anne Cybelle Pinto Gomide
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | | | - Rodrigo Bentes Kato
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Marisol Salgado-Albarrán
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Cuajimalpa, Mexico City 05348, Mexico
| | - Andreas Tauch
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany;
| | - Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; (A.C.P.G.); (R.B.K.); (V.A.d.C.A.)
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; (M.T.D.P.); (M.S.-A.); (J.B.)
- Computational BioMedicine lab, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Chair of Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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23
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Jorgenson MA, Bryant JC. A genetic screen to identify factors affected by undecaprenyl phosphate recycling uncovers novel connections to morphogenesis in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:191-207. [PMID: 32979869 PMCID: PMC10568968 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Undecaprenyl phosphate (Und-P) is an essential lipid carrier that ferries cell wall intermediates across the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria. Und-P is generated by dephosphorylating undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (Und-PP). In Escherichia coli, BacA, PgpB, YbjG, and LpxT dephosphorylate Und-PP and are conditionally essential. To identify vulnerabilities that arise when Und-P metabolism is defective, we developed a genetic screen for synthetic interactions which, in combination with ΔybjG ΔlpxT ΔbacA, are lethal or reduce fitness. The screen uncovered novel connections to cell division, DNA replication/repair, signal transduction, and glutathione metabolism. Further analysis revealed several new morphogenes; loss of one of these, qseC, caused cells to enlarge and lyse. QseC is the sensor kinase component of the QseBC two-component system. Loss of QseC causes overactivation of the QseB response regulator by PmrB cross-phosphorylation. Here, we show that deleting qseB completely reverses the shape defect of ΔqseC cells, as does overexpressing rprA (a small RNA). Surprisingly, deleting pmrB only partially suppressed qseC-related shape defects. Thus, QseB is activated by multiple factors in QseC's absence and prior functions ascribed to QseBC may originate from cell wall defects. Altogether, our findings provide a framework for identifying new determinants of cell integrity that could be targeted in future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Jorgenson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Joseph C. Bryant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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24
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Pramastya H, Song Y, Elfahmi EY, Sukrasno S, Quax WJ. Positioning Bacillus subtilis as terpenoid cell factory. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:1839-1856. [PMID: 33098223 PMCID: PMC8247319 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Increasing demands for bioactive compounds have motivated researchers to employ micro‐organisms to produce complex natural products. Currently, Bacillus subtilis has been attracting lots of attention to be developed into terpenoids cell factories due to its generally recognized safe status and high isoprene precursor biosynthesis capacity by endogenous methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. In this review, we describe the up‐to‐date knowledge of each enzyme in MEP pathway and the subsequent steps of isomerization and condensation of C5 isoprene precursors. In addition, several representative terpene synthases expressed in B. subtilis and the engineering steps to improve corresponding terpenoids production are systematically discussed. Furthermore, the current available genetic tools are mentioned as along with promising strategies to improve terpenoids in B. subtilis, hoping to inspire future directions in metabolic engineering of B. subtilis for further terpenoid cell factory development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Pramastya
- University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Pharmaceutical Biology Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Y Song
- University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E Y Elfahmi
- Pharmaceutical Biology Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - S Sukrasno
- Pharmaceutical Biology Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - W J Quax
- University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Patel Y, Zhao H, Helmann JD. A regulatory pathway that selectively up-regulates elongasome function in the absence of class A PBPs. eLife 2020; 9:57902. [PMID: 32897856 PMCID: PMC7478892 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria surround themselves with peptidoglycan, an adaptable enclosure that contributes to cell shape and stability. Peptidoglycan assembly relies on penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) acting in concert with SEDS-family transglycosylases RodA and FtsW, which support cell elongation and division respectively. In Bacillus subtilis, cells lacking all four PBPs with transglycosylase activity (aPBPs) are viable. Here, we show that the alternative sigma factor σI is essential in the absence of aPBPs. Defects in aPBP-dependent wall synthesis are compensated by σI-dependent upregulation of an MreB homolog, MreBH, which localizes the LytE autolysin to the RodA-containing elongasome complex. Suppressor analysis reveals that cells unable to activate this σI stress response acquire gain-of-function mutations in the essential histidine kinase WalK, which also elevates expression of sigI, mreBH and lytE. These results reveal compensatory mechanisms that balance the directional peptidoglycan synthesis arising from the elongasome complex with the more diffusive action of aPBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesha Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Heng Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
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26
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Ganguly J, Martin‐Pascual M, van Kranenburg R. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) as transcriptional repression tool for Hungateiclostridium thermocellum DSM 1313. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:339-349. [PMID: 31802632 PMCID: PMC7017836 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hungateiclostridium thermocellum DSM 1313 has biotechnological potential as a whole-cell biocatalyst for ethanol production using lignocellulosic renewable sources. The full exploitation of H. thermocellum has been hampered due to the lack of simple and high-throughput genome engineering tools. Recently in our research group, a thermophilic bacterial CRISPR-Cas9-based system has been developed as a transcriptional suppression tool for regulation of gene expression. We applied ThermoCas9-based CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) to repress the H. thermocellum central metabolic lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) and phosphotransacetylase (pta) genes. The effects of repression on target genes were studied based on transcriptional expression and product formation. Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) under the control of native intergenic 16S/23S rRNA promoter from H. thermocellum directing the ThermodCas9 to the promoter region of both pta and ldh silencing transformants reduced expression up to 67% and 62% respectively. This resulted in 24% and 17% decrease in lactate and acetate production, correspondingly. Hence, the CRISPRi approach for H. thermocellum to downregulate metabolic genes can be used for remodelling of metabolic pathways without the requisite for genome engineering. These data established for the first time the feasibility of employing CRISPRi-mediated gene repression of metabolic genes in H. thermocellum DSM 1313.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Martin‐Pascual
- Laboratory of MicrobiologyWageningen UniversityStippeneng 46708WE WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Richard van Kranenburg
- CorbionArkelsedijk 464206AC GorinchemThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of MicrobiologyWageningen UniversityStippeneng 46708WE WageningenThe Netherlands
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27
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Batianis C, Kozaeva E, Damalas SG, Martín‐Pascual M, Volke DC, Nikel PI, Martins dos Santos VA. An expanded CRISPRi toolbox for tunable control of gene expression in Pseudomonas putida. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:368-385. [PMID: 32045111 PMCID: PMC7017828 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to its wide metabolic versatility and physiological robustness, together with amenability to genetic manipulations and high resistance to stressful conditions, Pseudomonas putida is increasingly becoming the organism of choice for a range of applications in both industrial and environmental applications. However, a range of applied synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches are still limited by the lack of specific genetic tools to effectively and efficiently regulate the expression of target genes. Here, we present a single-plasmid CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) system expressing a nuclease-deficient cas9 gene under the control of the inducible XylS/Pm expression system, along with the option of adopting constitutively expressed guide RNAs (either sgRNA or crRNA and tracrRNA). We showed that the system enables tunable, tightly controlled gene repression (up to 90%) of chromosomally expressed genes encoding fluorescent proteins, either individually or simultaneously. In addition, we demonstrate that this method allows for suppressing the expression of the essential genes pyrF and ftsZ, resulting in significantly low growth rates or morphological changes respectively. This versatile system expands the capabilities of the current CRISPRi toolbox for efficient, targeted and controllable manipulation of gene expression in P. putida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Batianis
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyWageningen & Research University6708WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina Kozaeva
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark2800Kgs. LyngbyDenmark
| | - Stamatios G. Damalas
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyWageningen & Research University6708WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - María Martín‐Pascual
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyWageningen & Research University6708WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Daniel C. Volke
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark2800Kgs. LyngbyDenmark
| | - Pablo I. Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark2800Kgs. LyngbyDenmark
| | - Vitor A.P. Martins dos Santos
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyWageningen & Research University6708WageningenThe Netherlands
- Lifeglimmer GmbH12163BerlinGermany
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BceAB-Type Antibiotic Resistance Transporters Appear To Act by Target Protection of Cell Wall Synthesis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.02241-19. [PMID: 31871088 PMCID: PMC7038271 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02241-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance against cell wall-active antimicrobial peptides in bacteria is often mediated by transporters. In low-GC-content Gram-positive bacteria, a common type of such transporters is BceAB-like systems, which frequently provide high-level resistance against peptide antibiotics that target intermediates of the lipid II cycle of cell wall synthesis. How a transporter can offer protection from drugs that are active on the cell surface, however, has presented researchers with a conundrum. Resistance against cell wall-active antimicrobial peptides in bacteria is often mediated by transporters. In low-GC-content Gram-positive bacteria, a common type of such transporters is BceAB-like systems, which frequently provide high-level resistance against peptide antibiotics that target intermediates of the lipid II cycle of cell wall synthesis. How a transporter can offer protection from drugs that are active on the cell surface, however, has presented researchers with a conundrum. Multiple theories have been discussed, ranging from removal of the peptides from the membrane and internalization of the drug for degradation to removal of the cellular target rather than the drug itself. To resolve this much-debated question, we here investigated the mode of action of the transporter BceAB of Bacillus subtilis. We show that it does not inactivate or import its substrate antibiotic bacitracin. Moreover, we present evidence that the critical factor driving transport activity is not the drug itself but instead the concentration of drug-target complexes in the cell. Our results, together with previously reported findings, lead us to propose that BceAB-type transporters act by transiently freeing lipid II cycle intermediates from the inhibitory grip of antimicrobial peptides and thus provide resistance through target protection of cell wall synthesis. Target protection has so far only been reported for resistance against antibiotics with intracellular targets, such as the ribosome. However, this mechanism offers a plausible explanation for the use of transporters as resistance determinants against cell wall-active antibiotics in Gram-positive bacteria where cell wall synthesis lacks the additional protection of an outer membrane.
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From Modules to Networks: a Systems-Level Analysis of the Bacitracin Stress Response in Bacillus subtilis. mSystems 2020; 5:5/1/e00687-19. [PMID: 32019833 PMCID: PMC7002115 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00687-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to global health, and systematic studies to understand the underlying resistance mechanisms are urgently needed. Although significant progress has been made in deciphering the mechanistic basis of individual resistance determinants, many bacterial species rely on the induction of a whole battery of resistance modules, and the complex regulatory networks controlling these modules in response to antibiotic stress are often poorly understood. In this work we combined experiments and theoretical modeling to decipher the resistance network of Bacillus subtilis against bacitracin, which inhibits cell wall biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria. We found a high level of cross-regulation between the two major resistance modules in response to bacitracin stress and quantified their effects on bacterial resistance. To rationalize our experimental data, we expanded a previously established computational model for the lipid II cycle through incorporating the quantitative action of the resistance modules. This led us to a systems-level description of the bacitracin stress response network that captures the complex interplay between resistance modules and the essential lipid II cycle of cell wall biosynthesis and accurately predicts the minimal inhibitory bacitracin concentration in all the studied mutants. With this, our study highlights how bacterial resistance emerges from an interlaced network of redundant homeostasis and stress response modules. Bacterial resistance against antibiotics often involves multiple mechanisms that are interconnected to ensure robust protection. So far, the knowledge about underlying regulatory features of those resistance networks is sparse, since they can hardly be determined by experimentation alone. Here, we present the first computational approach to elucidate the interplay between multiple resistance modules against a single antibiotic and how regulatory network structure allows the cell to respond to and compensate for perturbations of resistance. Based on the response of Bacillus subtilis toward the cell wall synthesis-inhibiting antibiotic bacitracin, we developed a mathematical model that comprehensively describes the protective effect of two well-studied resistance modules (BceAB and BcrC) on the progression of the lipid II cycle. By integrating experimental measurements of expression levels, the model accurately predicts the efficacy of bacitracin against the B. subtilis wild type as well as mutant strains lacking one or both of the resistance modules. Our study reveals that bacitracin-induced changes in the properties of the lipid II cycle itself control the interplay between the two resistance modules. In particular, variations in the concentrations of UPP, the lipid II cycle intermediate that is targeted by bacitracin, connect the effect of the BceAB transporter and the homeostatic response via BcrC to an overall resistance response. We propose that monitoring changes in pathway properties caused by a stressor allows the cell to fine-tune deployment of multiple resistance systems and may serve as a cost-beneficial strategy to control the overall response toward this stressor. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to global health, and systematic studies to understand the underlying resistance mechanisms are urgently needed. Although significant progress has been made in deciphering the mechanistic basis of individual resistance determinants, many bacterial species rely on the induction of a whole battery of resistance modules, and the complex regulatory networks controlling these modules in response to antibiotic stress are often poorly understood. In this work we combined experiments and theoretical modeling to decipher the resistance network of Bacillus subtilis against bacitracin, which inhibits cell wall biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria. We found a high level of cross-regulation between the two major resistance modules in response to bacitracin stress and quantified their effects on bacterial resistance. To rationalize our experimental data, we expanded a previously established computational model for the lipid II cycle through incorporating the quantitative action of the resistance modules. This led us to a systems-level description of the bacitracin stress response network that captures the complex interplay between resistance modules and the essential lipid II cycle of cell wall biosynthesis and accurately predicts the minimal inhibitory bacitracin concentration in all the studied mutants. With this, our study highlights how bacterial resistance emerges from an interlaced network of redundant homeostasis and stress response modules.
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30
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Modulating Pathogenesis with Mobile-CRISPRi. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00304-19. [PMID: 31481541 PMCID: PMC6805112 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00304-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditionally essential (CE) genes are required by pathogenic bacteria to establish and maintain infections. CE genes encode virulence factors, such as secretion systems and effector proteins, as well as biosynthetic enzymes that produce metabolites not found in the host environment. Due to their outsized importance in pathogenesis, CE gene products are attractive targets for the next generation of antimicrobials. However, the precise manipulation of CE gene expression in the context of infection is technically challenging, limiting our ability to understand the roles of CE genes in pathogenesis and accordingly design effective inhibitors. We previously developed a suite of CRISPR interference-based gene knockdown tools that are transferred by conjugation and stably integrate into bacterial genomes that we call Mobile-CRISPRi. Here, we show the efficacy of Mobile-CRISPRi in controlling CE gene expression in an animal infection model. We optimize Mobile-CRISPRi in Pseudomonas aeruginosa for use in a murine model of pneumonia by tuning the expression of CRISPRi components to avoid nonspecific toxicity. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate that knock down of a CE gene encoding the type III secretion system (T3SS) activator ExsA blocks effector protein secretion in culture and attenuates virulence in mice. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be a valuable tool to probe the function of CE genes across many bacterial species and pathogenesis models.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to global health. To optimize the use of our existing antibiotics and identify new targets for future inhibitors, understanding the fundamental drivers of bacterial growth in the context of the host immune response is paramount. Historically, these genetic drivers have been difficult to manipulate precisely, as they are requisite for pathogen survival. Here, we provide the first application of Mobile-CRISPRi to study conditionally essential virulence genes in mouse models of lung infection through partial gene perturbation. We envision the use of Mobile-CRISPRi in future pathogenesis models and antibiotic target discovery efforts.
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31
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Zhao H, Sachla AJ, Helmann JD. Mutations of the Bacillus subtilis YidC1 (SpoIIIJ) insertase alleviate stress associated with σM-dependent membrane protein overproduction. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008263. [PMID: 31626625 PMCID: PMC6827917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In Bacillus subtilis, the extracytoplasmic function σ factor σM regulates cell wall synthesis and is critical for intrinsic resistance to cell wall targeting antibiotics. The anti-σ factors YhdL and YhdK form a complex that restricts the basal activity of σM, and the absence of YhdL leads to runaway expression of the σM regulon and cell death. Here, we report that this lethality can be suppressed by gain-of-function mutations in yidC1 (spoIIIJ), which encodes the major YidC membrane protein insertase in B. subtilis. B. subtilis PY79 YidC1 (SpoIIIJ) contains a single amino acid substitution in a functionally important hydrophilic groove (Q140K), and this allele suppresses the lethality of high σM. Analysis of a library of YidC1 variants reveals that increased charge (+2 or +3) in the hydrophilic groove can compensate for high expression of the σM regulon. Derepression of the σM regulon induces secretion stress, oxidative stress and DNA damage responses, all of which can be alleviated by the YidC1Q140K substitution. We further show that the fitness defect caused by high σM activity is exacerbated in the absence of the SecDF protein translocase or σM-dependent induction of the Spx oxidative stress regulon. Conversely, cell growth is improved by mutation of specific σM-dependent promoters controlling operons encoding integral membrane proteins. Collectively, these results reveal how the σM regulon has evolved to up-regulate membrane-localized complexes involved in cell wall synthesis, and to simultaneously counter the resulting stresses imposed by regulon induction. Bacteria frequently produce antibiotics that inhibit the growth of competitors, and many naturally occurring antibiotics target cell wall synthesis. In Bacillus subtilis, the alternative σ factor σM is induced by cell wall antibiotics, and upregulates genes for peptidoglycan and cell envelope synthesis. However, dysregulation of the σM regulon, resulting from loss of the YhdL anti-σM protein, is lethal. We here identify charge variants of the YidC1 (SpoIIIJ) membrane protein insertase that suppress the lethal effects of high σM activity. Further analyses reveal that induction of the σM regulon leads to high level expression of membrane proteins that trigger envelope stress, and this stress is countered by specific genes in the σM regulon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Ankita J. Sachla
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Abstract
Genes necessary for the survival or reproduction of a cell are an attractive class of antibiotic targets. Studying essential genes by classical genetics, however, is inherently problematic because it is impossible to knock them out. Here, we screened a set of predicted essential genes for growth inhibition using CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) knockdown in the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae We demonstrate that CRISPRi knockdown of 37 predicted essential genes inhibits V. cholerae viability, thus validating the products of these genes as potential drug target candidates. V. cholerae was particularly vulnerable to lethal inhibition of the system for lipoprotein transport (Lol), a central hub for directing lipoproteins from the inner to the outer membrane (OM), with many of these lipoproteins coordinating their own essential processes. Lol depletion makes cells prone to plasmolysis and elaborate membrane reorganization, during which the periplasm extrudes into a mega outer membrane vesicle or "MOMV" encased by OM which dynamically emerges specifically at plasmolysis sites. Our work identifies the Lol system as an ideal drug target, whose inhibition could deplete gram-negative bacteria of numerous proteins that reside in the periplasm.
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Zhao H, Roistacher DM, Helmann JD. Deciphering the essentiality and function of the anti-σ M factors in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:482-497. [PMID: 30715747 PMCID: PMC6679829 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria use alternative sigma factors to adapt to different growth and stress conditions. The Bacillus subtilis extracytoplasmic function sigma factor SigM regulates genes for cell wall synthesis and is crucial for maintaining cell wall homeostasis under stress conditions. The activity of SigM is regulated by its anti-sigma factor, YhdL, and the accessory protein YhdK. Here, we show that dysregulation of SigM caused by the absence of either component of the anti-sigma factor complex leads to toxic levels of SigM and severe growth defects. High SigM activity results from a dysregulated positive feedback loop, and can be suppressed by overexpression of the housekeeping sigma, SigA. Using a sigM merodiploid strain, we selected for suppressor mutations that allow survival of yhdL depletion strain. The recovered suppressor mutations map to the beta and beta-prime subunits of RNA polymerase core enzyme and selectively reduce SigM activity, and in some cases increase the activity of other alternative sigma factors. This work highlights the ability of mutations in RNA polymerase that remodel the sigma-core interface to differentially affect sigma factor activity, and thereby alter the transcriptional landscape of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhao
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - John D. Helmann
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Gaballa A, Guariglia-Oropeza V, Dürr F, Butcher BG, Chen AY, Chandrangsu P, Helmann JD. Modulation of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor promoter selectivity by spacer region sequence. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:134-145. [PMID: 29069433 PMCID: PMC5758882 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteria to adapt to stress depends on the conditional expression of specific sets of genes. Bacillus subtilis encodes seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma (σ) factors that regulate functions important for survival under conditions eliciting cell envelope stress. Of these, four have been studied in detail: σM, σW, σX and σV. These four σ factors recognize overlapping sets of promoters, although the sequences that determine this overlapping recognition are incompletely understood. A major role in promoter selectivity has been ascribed to the core −10 and −35 promoter elements. Here, we demonstrate that a homopolymeric T-tract motif, proximal to the −35 element, functions in combination with the core promoter sequences to determine selectivity for ECF sigma factors. This motif is most critical for promoter activation by σV, and contributes variably to activation by σM, σX and σW. We propose that this motif, which is a feature of the deduced promoter consensus for a subset of ECF σ factors from many species, imparts intrinsic DNA curvature to influence promoter activity. The differential effect of this region among ECF σ factors thereby provides a mechanism to modulate the nature and extent of regulon overlap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Gaballa
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | | | - Franziska Dürr
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Bronwyn G Butcher
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Albert Y Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Pete Chandrangsu
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
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Abstract
Clostridioides difficile genetics has rapidly advanced in recent years thanks to the development of tools for allelic replacement and transposon mutagenesis. In this Journal of Bacteriology issue, Müh et al extend the genetics toolbox by developing a CRISPRi strategy for gene silencing in C. difficile (U.Müh, A. G. Pannullo, D. S. Weiss, and C. D. Ellermeier, 2019, J Bacteriol 201:e00711-18. . https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00711-18). The authors demonstrate the tunability and robustness of their CRISPRi system, highlight its utility in studying essential gene function, and discuss exciting new possibilities for dissecting C. difficile physiology.
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36
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Abdallah II, Pramastya H, van Merkerk R, Sukrasno, Quax WJ. Metabolic Engineering of Bacillus subtilis Toward Taxadiene Biosynthesis as the First Committed Step for Taxol Production. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:218. [PMID: 30842758 PMCID: PMC6391936 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids are natural products known for their medicinal and commercial applications. Metabolic engineering of microbial hosts for the production of valuable compounds, such as artemisinin and Taxol, has gained vast interest in the last few decades. The Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) Bacillus subtilis 168 with its broad metabolic potential is considered one of these interesting microbial hosts. In the effort toward engineering B. subtilis as a cell factory for the production of the chemotherapeutic Taxol, we expressed the plant-derived taxadiene synthase (TXS) enzyme. TXS is responsible for the conversion of the precursor geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) to taxa-4,11-diene, which is the first committed intermediate in Taxol biosynthesis. Furthermore, overexpression of eight enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway was performed to increase the flux of the GGPP precursor. This was achieved by creating a synthetic operon harboring the B. subtilis genes encoding the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway (dxs, ispD, ispF, ispH, ispC, ispE, ispG) together with ispA (encoding geranyl and farnesyl pyrophosphate synthases) responsible for providing farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). In addition, a vector harboring the crtE gene (encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, GGPPS, of Pantoea ananatis) to increase the supply of GGPP was introduced. The overexpression of the MEP pathway enzymes along with IspA and GGPPS caused an 83-fold increase in the amount of taxadiene produced compared to the strain only expressing TXS and relying on the innate pathway of B. subtilis. The total amount of taxadiene produced by that strain was 17.8 mg/l. This is the first account of the successful expression of taxadiene synthase in B. subtilis. We determined that the expression of GGPPS through the crtE gene is essential for the formation of sufficient precursor, GGPP, in B. subtilis as its innate metabolism is not efficient in producing it. Finally, the extracellular localization of taxadiene production by overexpressing the complete MEP pathway along with IspA and GGPPS presents the prospect for further engineering aiming for semisynthesis of Taxol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingy I Abdallah
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hegar Pramastya
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Pharmaceutical Biology Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ronald van Merkerk
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sukrasno
- Pharmaceutical Biology Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Wim J Quax
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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37
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Jaffe M, Dziulko A, Smith JD, St Onge RP, Levy SF, Sherlock G. Improved discovery of genetic interactions using CRISPRiSeq across multiple environments. Genome Res 2019; 29:668-681. [PMID: 30782640 PMCID: PMC6442382 DOI: 10.1101/gr.246603.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale genetic interaction (GI) screens in yeast have been invaluable for our understanding of molecular systems biology and for characterizing novel gene function. Owing in part to the high costs and long experiment times required, a preponderance of GI data has been generated in a single environmental condition. However, an unknown fraction of GIs may be specific to other conditions. Here, we developed a pooled-growth CRISPRi-based sequencing assay for GIs, CRISPRiSeq, which increases throughput such that GIs can be easily assayed across multiple growth conditions. We assayed the fitness of approximately 17,000 strains encompassing approximately 7700 pairwise interactions in five conditions and found that the additional conditions increased the number of GIs detected nearly threefold over the number detected in rich media alone. In addition, we found that condition-specific GIs are prevalent and improved the power to functionally classify genes. Finally, we found new links during respiratory growth between members of the Ras nutrient-sensing pathway and both the COG complex and a gene of unknown function. Our results highlight the potential of conditional GI screens to improve our understanding of cellular genetic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Jaffe
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Adam Dziulko
- Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, Stanford, California 94305, USA.,SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.,Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
| | - Justin D Smith
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Robert P St Onge
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Sasha F Levy
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.,Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, Stanford, California 94305, USA.,SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.,Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA.,National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - Gavin Sherlock
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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38
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Peters JM, Koo BM, Patino R, Heussler GE, Hearne CC, Qu J, Inclan YF, Hawkins JS, Lu CHS, Silvis MR, Harden MM, Osadnik H, Peters JE, Engel JN, Dutton RJ, Grossman AD, Gross CA, Rosenberg OS. Enabling genetic analysis of diverse bacteria with Mobile-CRISPRi. Nat Microbiol 2019; 4:244-250. [PMID: 30617347 PMCID: PMC6424567 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of bacteria, including human pathogens and microbiome species, lack genetic tools needed to systematically associate genes with phenotypes. This is the major impediment to understanding the fundamental contributions of genes and gene networks to bacterial physiology and human health. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi), a versatile method of blocking gene expression using a catalytically inactive Cas9 protein (dCas9) and programmable single guide RNAs, has emerged as a powerful genetic tool to dissect the functions of essential and non-essential genes in species ranging from bacteria to humans1-6. However, the difficulty of establishing effective CRISPRi systems across bacteria is a major barrier to its widespread use to dissect bacterial gene function. Here, we establish 'Mobile-CRISPRi', a suite of CRISPRi systems that combines modularity, stable genomic integration and ease of transfer to diverse bacteria by conjugation. Focusing predominantly on human pathogens associated with antibiotic resistance, we demonstrate the efficacy of Mobile-CRISPRi in gammaproteobacteria and Bacillales Firmicutes at the individual gene scale, by examining drug-gene synergies, and at the library scale, by systematically phenotyping conditionally essential genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. Mobile-CRISPRi enables genetic dissection of non-model bacteria, facilitating analyses of microbiome function, antibiotic resistances and sensitivities, and comprehensive screens for host-microorganism interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Peters
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, and Departments of Bacteriology, and of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Byoung-Mo Koo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ramiro Patino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gary E Heussler
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Cameron C Hearne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jiuxin Qu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuki F Inclan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John S Hawkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Candy H S Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melanie R Silvis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Michael Harden
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hendrik Osadnik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph E Peters
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Joanne N Engel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rachel J Dutton
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alan D Grossman
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Carol A Gross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- California Institute of Quantitative Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Oren S Rosenberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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39
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Zhao H, Roistacher DM, Helmann JD. Aspartate deficiency limits peptidoglycan synthesis and sensitizes cells to antibiotics targeting cell wall synthesis in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2018; 109:826-844. [PMID: 29995990 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan synthesis is an important target for antibiotics and relies on intermediates derived from central metabolism. As a result, alterations of metabolism may affect antibiotic sensitivity. An aspB mutant is auxotrophic for aspartate (Asp) and asparagine (Asn) and lyses when grown in Difco sporulation medium (DSM), but not in LB medium. Genetic and physiological studies, supported by amino acid analysis, reveal that cell lysis in DSM results from Asp limitation due to a relatively low Asp and high glutamate (Glu) concentrations, with Glu functioning as a competitive inhibitor of Asp uptake by the major Glu/Asp transporter GltT. Lysis can be specifically suppressed by supplementation with 2,6-diaminopimelate (DAP), which is imported by two different cystine uptake systems. These studies suggest that aspartate limitation depletes the peptidoglycan precursor meso-2,6-diaminopimelate (mDAP), inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis, upregulates the cell envelope stress response mediated by σM and eventually leads to cell lysis. Aspartate limitation sensitizes cells to antibiotics targeting late steps of PG synthesis, but not steps prior to the addition of mDAP into the pentapeptide sidechain. This work highlights the ability of perturbations of central metabolism to sensitize cells to peptidoglycan synthesis inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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40
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Gomide ACP, Ibraim IC, Alves JTC, de Sá PG, de Oliveira Silva YR, Santana MP, Silva WM, Folador EL, Mariano DCB, de Paula Castro TL, Barbosa S, Dorella FA, Carvalho AF, Pereira FL, Leal CAG, Figueiredo HCP, Azevedo V, Silva A, Folador ARC. Transcriptome analysis of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar Equi in two conditions of the environmental stress. Gene 2018; 677:349-360. [PMID: 30098432 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis has been widely studied in an effort to understand its biological evolution. Transcriptomics has revealed possible candidates for virulence and pathogenicity factors of strain 1002 (biovar Ovis). Because C. pseudotuberculosis is classified into two biovars, Ovis and Equi, it was interesting to assess the transcriptional profile of biovar Equi strain 258, the causative agent of ulcerative lymphangitis. The genome of this strain was re-sequenced; the reassembly was completed using optical mapping technology, and the sequence was subsequently re-annotated. Two growth conditions that occur during the host infection process were simulated for the transcriptome: the osmotic and acid medium. Genes that may be associated with the microorganism's resilience under unfavorable conditions were identified through RNAseq, including genes present in pathogenicity islands. The RT-qPCR was performed to confirm the results in biological triplicate for each condition for some genes. The results extend our knowledge of the factors associated with the spread and persistence of C. pseudotuberculosis during the infection process and suggest possible avenues for studies related to the development of vaccines, diagnosis, and therapies that might help minimize damage to agribusinesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Cybelle Pinto Gomide
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Izabela Coimbra Ibraim
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Jorianne T C Alves
- Laboratory of Genomic and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and System Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil, Rua Augusto Corrêa, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil
| | - Pablo Gomes de Sá
- Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Rodovia PA 140, 2428 Tomé-Açu, PA, Brazil
| | - Yuri Rafael de Oliveira Silva
- Laboratory of Genomic and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and System Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil, Rua Augusto Corrêa, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil
| | - Mariana Passos Santana
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Wanderson Marques Silva
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Los Reseros y Nicolás Repetto, Hurlingham 1686, Argentina
| | - Edson Luiz Folador
- Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Diego C B Mariano
- Department of Computer Sciences, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Luiz de Paula Castro
- Department of Biointeraction, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Vale do Canela, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Silvanira Barbosa
- Laboratory of Genomic and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and System Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil, Rua Augusto Corrêa, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Alves Dorella
- AQUACEN - National Reference Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alex F Carvalho
- AQUACEN - National Reference Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Pereira
- AQUACEN - National Reference Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Carlos A G Leal
- AQUACEN - National Reference Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Henrique C P Figueiredo
- AQUACEN - National Reference Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Artur Silva
- Laboratory of Genomic and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and System Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil, Rua Augusto Corrêa, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil.
| | - Adriana Ribeiro Carneiro Folador
- Laboratory of Genomic and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and System Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil, Rua Augusto Corrêa, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil.
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41
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Kawakami N, Fujisaki S. Undecaprenyl phosphate metabolism in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018; 82:940-946. [DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2017.1401915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Undecaprenyl phosphate (UP) is essential for the biosynthesis of bacterial extracellular polysaccharides. UP is produced by the dephosphorylation of undecaprenyl diphosphate (UPP) via de novo synthetic and recycling pathways. Gram-positive bacteria contain remarkable amounts of undecaprenol (UOH), which is phosphorylated to UP, although UOH has not been found in Gram-negative bacteria. Here, current knowledge about UPP phosphatase and UOH kinase is reviewed. Dephosphorylation of UPP is catalyzed by a BacA homologue and a type-2 phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP2) homologue. The presence of one of these UPP phosphatases is essential for bacterial growth. The catalytic center of both types of enzyme is located outside the cytoplasmic membrane. In Gram-positive bacteria, an enzyme homologous to DgkA, which is the diacylglycerol kinase of Escherichia coli, catalyzes UOH phosphorylation. The possible role of UOH and the significance of systematic construction of Staphylococcus aureus mutants to determine UP metabolism are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kawakami
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Japan
| | - Shingo Fujisaki
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Japan
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42
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Cui L, Vigouroux A, Rousset F, Varet H, Khanna V, Bikard D. A CRISPRi screen in E. coli reveals sequence-specific toxicity of dCas9. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1912. [PMID: 29765036 PMCID: PMC5954155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04209-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 screens have recently emerged as powerful tools to decipher gene functions and genetic interactions. Here we use a genome-wide library of guide RNAs to direct the catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) to block gene transcription in Escherichia coli. Using a machine-learning approach, we reveal that guide RNAs sharing specific 5-nucleotide seed sequences can produce strong fitness defects or even kill E. coli regardless of the other 15 nucleotides of guide sequence. This effect occurs at high dCas9 concentrations and can be alleviated by tuning the expression of dCas9 while maintaining strong on-target repression. Our results also highlight the fact that off-targets with as little as nine nucleotides of homology to the guide RNA can strongly block gene expression. Altogether this study provides important design rules to safely use dCas9 in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lun Cui
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Antoine Vigouroux
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
| | - François Rousset
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Hub Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Institut Pasteur - C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Varun Khanna
- Hub Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Institut Pasteur - C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, 75015, France
| | - David Bikard
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France.
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43
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Rojas-Tapias DF, Helmann JD. Induction of the Spx regulon by cell wall stress reveals novel regulatory mechanisms in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2018; 107:659-674. [PMID: 29271514 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Spx is the master regulator of the disulfide stress response in Bacillus subtilis. Intriguingly, the activation of Spx by diamide relies entirely on posttranslational regulatory events in spite of the complex transcriptional control of the spx gene. Here, we show that cell wall stress, but not membrane stress, also results in induction of the Spx regulon. Remarkably, two major differences were found regarding the mechanism of induction of Spx under cell wall stress in comparison to disulfide stress. First, transcriptional induction of the spx gene from a σM -dependent promoter is required for accumulation of Spx in response to cell wall stress. Second, activation of the Spx regulon during cell wall stress is not accompanied by oxidation of the Spx disulfide switch. Finally, we demonstrate that cells lacking Spx have increased sensitivity toward antibiotics inhibiting both early and late steps in peptidoglycan synthesis, suggesting that the Spx regulon plays an important adaptive role in the cell wall stress response. This study expands the functional role of the Spx regulon and reveals novel regulatory mechanisms that result in induction of Spx in B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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44
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Radeck J, Lautenschläger N, Mascher T. The Essential UPP Phosphatase Pair BcrC and UppP Connects Cell Wall Homeostasis during Growth and Sporulation with Cell Envelope Stress Response in Bacillus subtilis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2403. [PMID: 29259598 PMCID: PMC5723303 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell wall separates the cell from its surrounding and protects it from environmental stressors. Its integrity is maintained by a highly regulated process of cell wall biosynthesis. The membrane-located lipid II cycle provides cell wall building blocks that are assembled inside the cytoplasm to the outside for incorporation. Its carrier molecule, undecaprenyl phosphate (UP), is then recycled by dephosphorylation from undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (UPP). In Bacillus subtilis, this indispensable reaction is catalyzed by the UPP phosphatases BcrC and UppP. Here, we study the physiological function of both phosphatases with respect to morphology, cell wall homeostasis and the resulting cell envelope stress response (CESR). We demonstrate that uppP and bcrC represent a synthetic lethal gene pair, which encodes an essential physiological function. Accordingly, cell growth and morphology were severely impaired during exponential growth if the overall UPP phosphatase level was limiting. UppP, but not BcrC, was crucial for normal sporulation. Expression of bcrC, but not uppP, was upregulated in the presence of cell envelope stress conditions caused by bacitracin if UPP phosphatase levels were limited. This homeostatic feedback renders BcrC more important during growth than UppP, particularly in defense against cell envelope stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jara Radeck
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Mascher
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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45
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Zhao H, Patel V, Helmann JD, Dörr T. Don't let sleeping dogmas lie: new views of peptidoglycan synthesis and its regulation. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:847-860. [PMID: 28975672 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial cell wall synthesis is the target for some of our most powerful antibiotics and has thus been the subject of intense research focus for more than 50 years. Surprisingly, we still lack a fundamental understanding of how bacteria build, maintain and expand their cell wall. Due to technical limitations, directly testing hypotheses about the coordination and biochemistry of cell wall synthesis enzymes or architecture has been challenging, and interpretation of data has therefore often relied on circumstantial evidence and implicit assumptions. A number of recent papers have exploited new technologies, like single molecule tracking and real-time, high resolution temporal mapping of cell wall synthesis processes, to address fundamental questions of bacterial cell wall biogenesis. The results have challenged established dogmas and it is therefore timely to integrate new data and old observations into a new model of cell wall biogenesis in rod-shaped bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Vaidehi Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA
| | - Tobias Dörr
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101, USA.,Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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46
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Ghachi ME, Howe N, Auger R, Lambion A, Guiseppi A, Delbrassine F, Manat G, Roure S, Peslier S, Sauvage E, Vogeley L, Rengifo-Gonzalez JC, Charlier P, Mengin-Lecreulx D, Foglino M, Touzé T, Caffrey M, Kerff F. Crystal structure and biochemical characterization of the transmembrane PAP2 type phosphatidylglycerol phosphate phosphatase from Bacillus subtilis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:2319-2332. [PMID: 28168443 PMCID: PMC11107685 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 phosphatidic acid phosphatases (PAP2s) can be either soluble or integral membrane enzymes. In bacteria, integral membrane PAP2s play major roles in the metabolisms of glycerophospholipids, undecaprenyl-phosphate (C55-P) lipid carrier and lipopolysaccharides. By in vivo functional experiments and biochemical characterization we show that the membrane PAP2 coded by the Bacillus subtilis yodM gene is the principal phosphatidylglycerol phosphate (PGP) phosphatase of B. subtilis. We also confirm that this enzyme, renamed bsPgpB, has a weaker activity on C55-PP. Moreover, we solved the crystal structure of bsPgpB at 2.25 Å resolution, with tungstate (a phosphate analog) in the active site. The structure reveals two lipid chains in the active site vicinity, allowing for PGP substrate modeling and molecular dynamic simulation. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the residues important for substrate specificity, providing a basis for predicting the lipids preferentially dephosphorylated by membrane PAP2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem El Ghachi
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicole Howe
- Membrane Structural and Functional Biology Group, Schools of Medicine and Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Rodolphe Auger
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Alexandre Lambion
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Guiseppi
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne UMR 7283, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - François Delbrassine
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Manat
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Sophie Roure
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Sabine Peslier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne UMR 7283, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Sauvage
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Lutz Vogeley
- Membrane Structural and Functional Biology Group, Schools of Medicine and Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Juan-Carlos Rengifo-Gonzalez
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paulette Charlier
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Dominique Mengin-Lecreulx
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Maryline Foglino
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne UMR 7283, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Touzé
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France.
| | - Martin Caffrey
- Membrane Structural and Functional Biology Group, Schools of Medicine and Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Frédéric Kerff
- Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, InBioS, Université de Liège, allée du 6 Août 19, Bât B5a, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
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47
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Liu X, Gallay C, Kjos M, Domenech A, Slager J, van Kessel SP, Knoops K, Sorg RA, Zhang JR, Veening JW. High-throughput CRISPRi phenotyping identifies new essential genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mol Syst Biol 2017; 13:931. [PMID: 28490437 PMCID: PMC5448163 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20167449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome‐wide screens have discovered a large set of essential genes in the opportunistic human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, the functions of many essential genes are still unknown, hampering vaccine development and drug discovery. Based on results from transposon sequencing (Tn‐seq), we refined the list of essential genes in S. pneumoniae serotype 2 strain D39. Next, we created a knockdown library targeting 348 potentially essential genes by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and show a growth phenotype for 254 of them (73%). Using high‐content microscopy screening, we searched for essential genes of unknown function with clear phenotypes in cell morphology upon CRISPRi‐based depletion. We show that SPD_1416 and SPD_1417 (renamed to MurT and GatD, respectively) are essential for peptidoglycan synthesis, and that SPD_1198 and SPD_1197 (renamed to TarP and TarQ, respectively) are responsible for the polymerization of teichoic acid (TA) precursors. This knowledge enabled us to reconstruct the unique pneumococcal TA biosynthetic pathway. CRISPRi was also employed to unravel the role of the essential Clp‐proteolytic system in regulation of competence development, and we show that ClpX is the essential ATPase responsible for ClpP‐dependent repression of competence. The CRISPRi library provides a valuable tool for characterization of pneumococcal genes and pathways and revealed several promising antibiotic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Clement Gallay
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Morten Kjos
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Arnau Domenech
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle Slager
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan P van Kessel
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kèvin Knoops
- Molecular Cell Biology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robin A Sorg
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jing-Ren Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jan-Willem Veening
- Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands .,Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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48
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Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Chen J, Liu L. Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis fueled by systems biology: Recent advances and future directions. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:20-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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