Cyclic di-GMP allosterically inhibits the CRP-like protein (Clp) of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri

The Global Transcription Regulator XooClp Governs Type IV Pili System-Mediated Bacterial Virulence by Directly Binding to TFP-Chp Promoters to Coordinate Virulence Associated Functions

Type IV pili (TFP) play a crucial role in the sensing of the external environment for several bacteria. This surface sensing is essential for the lifestyle transitions of several bacteria and involvement in pathogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying TFP's integration of environmental cues, particularly in regulating the TFP-Chp system and its effects on Xanthomonas physiology, social behavior, and virulence, remain poorly understood. In this study, we focused on investigating Clp, a global transcriptional regulator similar to CRP-like proteins, in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, a plant pathogen. Our findings reveal that Clp integrates environmental cues detected through diffusible signaling factor (DSF) quorum sensing into the TFP-Chp regulatory system. It accomplishes this by directly binding to TFP-Chp promoters in conjunction with intracellular levels of cyclic-di-GMP, a ubiquitous bacterial second messenger, thereby controlling TFP expression. Moreover, Clp-mediated regulation is involved in regulating several cellular processes, including the production of virulence-associated functions. Collectively, these processes contribute to host colonization and disease initiation. Our study elucidates the intricate regulatory network encompassing Clp, environmental cues, and the TFP-Chp system, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive bacterial virulence in Xanthomonas spp. These findings offer valuable knowledge regarding Xanthomonas pathogenicity and present new avenues for innovative strategies aimed at combating plant diseases caused by these bacteria. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Superoxide dismutase A (SodA) is a c-di-GMP effector protein governing oxidative stress tolerance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

C-di-GMP is a bacterial second messenger implicated in the regulation of many key functions including antibiotic tolerance and biofilm formation. Our understanding of how c-di-GMP exerts its action via receptors to modulate different biological functions is still limited. Here we used a c-di-GMP affinity pull-down assay coupled to LC-MS/MS to identify c-di-GMP-binding proteins in the opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This analysis identified Smlt3238 (SodA), a protein of the superoxide dismutase family, as a c-di-GMP-binding protein. Microscale thermophoresis showed that purified SodA protein bound c-di-GMP with an estimated dissociation constant (Kd) value of 141.5 μM. Using various in vivo and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that c-di-GMP modulates the enzyme activity of SodA directly. Circular dichroism experiments revealed that SodA protein gradually altered its basic structure with increasing levels of c-di-GMP. Phenotypic experiments conducted in the presence of a range of intracellular c-di-GMP levels showed that SodA function is modulated by c-di-GMP. The findings thus identify a novel c-di-GMP binding protein that governs oxidative stress tolerance in S. maltophilia.

PlzD modifies Vibrio vulnificus foraging behavior and virulence in response to elevated c-di-GMP

IMPORTANCE

Many free-swimming bacteria propel themselves through liquid using rotary flagella, and mounting evidence suggests that the inhibition of flagellar rotation initiates biofilm formation, a sessile lifestyle that is a nearly universal surface colonization paradigm in bacteria. In general, motility and biofilm formation are inversely regulated by the intracellular second messenger bis-(3´-5´)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Here, we identify a protein, PlzD, bearing a conserved c-di-GMP binding PilZ domain that localizes to the flagellar pole in a c-di-GMP-dependent manner and alters the foraging behavior, biofilm, and virulence characteristics of the opportunistic human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus. Our data suggest that PlzD interacts with components of the flagellar stator to decrease bacterial swimming speed and changes in swimming direction, and these activities are enhanced when cellular c-di-GMP levels are elevated. These results reveal a physical link between a second messenger (c-di-GMP) and an effector (PlzD) that promotes transition from a motile to a sessile state in V. vulnificus.

Unleashing the Influence of cAMP Receptor Protein: The Master Switch of Bacteriocin Export in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) is a Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium that produces carocin, a low-molecular-weight bacteriocin that can kill related strains in response to factors in the environment such as UV exposure or nutritional deficiency. The function of the catabolite activator protein (CAP), also known as the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), as a regulator of carocin synthesis was examined. The crp gene was knocked out as part of the investigation, and the outcomes were assessed both in vivo and in vitro. Analysis of the DNA sequence upstream of the translation initiation site of carocin S3 revealed two putative binding sites for CRP that were confirmed using a biotinylated probe pull-down experiment. This study revealed that the deletion of crp inhibited genes involved in extracellular bacteriocin export via the flagellar type III secretion system and impacted the production of many low-molecular-weight bacteriocins. The biotinylated probe pull-down test demonstrated that when UV induction was missing, CRP preferentially attached to one of the two CAP sites while binding to both when UV induction was present. In conclusion, our research aimed to simulate the signal transduction system that controls the expression of the carocin gene in response to UV induction.

Evolution of cyclic di-GMP signalling on a short and long term time scale

Diversifying radiation of domain families within specific lineages of life indicates the importance of their functionality for the organisms. The foundation for the diversifying radiation of the cyclic di-GMP signalling network that occurred within the bacterial kingdom is most likely based in the outmost adaptability, flexibility and plasticity of the system. Integrative sensing of multiple diverse extra- and intracellular signals is made possible by the N-terminal sensory domains of the modular cyclic di-GMP turnover proteins, mutations in the protein scaffolds and subsequent signal reception by diverse receptors, which eventually rewires opposite host-associated as well as environmental life styles including parallel regulated target outputs. Natural, laboratory and microcosm derived microbial variants often with an altered multicellular biofilm behaviour as reading output demonstrated single amino acid substitutions to substantially alter catalytic activity including substrate specificity. Truncations and domain swapping of cyclic di-GMP signalling genes and horizontal gene transfer suggest rewiring of the network. Presence of cyclic di-GMP signalling genes on horizontally transferable elements in particular observed in extreme acidophilic bacteria indicates that cyclic di-GMP signalling and biofilm components are under selective pressure in these types of environments. On a short and long term evolutionary scale, within a species and in families within bacterial orders, respectively, the cyclic di-GMP signalling network can also rapidly disappear. To investigate variability of the cyclic di-GMP signalling system on various levels will give clues about evolutionary forces and discover novel physiological and metabolic pathways affected by this intriguing second messenger signalling system.

Structural and functional diversity of bacterial cyclic nucleotide perception by CRP proteins

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger synthesized by most living organisms. In bacteria, it plays highly diverse roles in metabolism, host colonization, motility, and many other processes important for optimal fitness. The main route of cAMP perception is through transcription factors from the diverse and versatile CRP-FNR protein superfamily. Since the discovery of the very first CRP protein CAP in Escherichia coli more than four decades ago, its homologs have been characterized in both closely related and distant bacterial species. The cAMP-mediated gene activation for carbon catabolism by a CRP protein in the absence of glucose seems to be restricted to E. coli and its close relatives. In other phyla, the regulatory targets are more diverse. In addition to cAMP, cGMP has recently been identified as a ligand of certain CRP proteins. In a CRP dimer, each of the two cyclic nucleotide molecules makes contacts with both protein subunits and effectuates a conformational change that favors DNA binding. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on structural and physiological aspects of E. coli CAP compared with other cAMP- and cGMP-activated transcription factors, and point to emerging trends in metabolic regulation related to lysine modification and membrane association of CRP proteins.

Mutant structure of metabolic switch protein in complex with monomeric c-di-GMP reveals a potential mechanism of protein-mediated ligand dimerization

Bacterial second messengers c-di-GMP and (p)ppGpp have broad functional repertoires ranging from growth and cell cycle control to the regulation of biofilm formation and virulence. The recent identification of SmbA, an effector protein from Caulobacter crescentus that is jointly targeted by both signaling molecules, has opened up studies on how these global bacterial networks interact. C-di-GMP and (p)ppGpp compete for the same SmbA binding site, with a dimer of c-di-GMP inducing a conformational change that involves loop 7 of the protein that leads to downstream signaling. Here, we report a crystal structure of a partial loop 7 deletion mutant, SmbA_∆loop in complex with c-di-GMP determined at 1.4 Å resolution. SmbA_∆loop binds monomeric c-di-GMP indicating that loop 7 is required for c-di-GMP dimerization. Thus the complex probably represents the first step of consecutive c-di-GMP binding to form an intercalated dimer as has been observed in wild-type SmbA. Considering the prevalence of intercalated c-di-GMP molecules observed bound to proteins, the proposed mechanism may be generally applicable to protein-mediated c-di-GMP dimerization. Notably, in the crystal, SmbA_∆loop forms a 2-fold symmetric dimer via isologous interactions with the two symmetric halves of c-di-GMP. Structural comparisons of SmbA_∆loop with wild-type SmbA in complex with dimeric c-di-GMP or ppGpp support the idea that loop 7 is critical for SmbA function by interacting with downstream partners. Our results also underscore the flexibility of c-di-GMP, to allow binding to the symmetric SmbA_∆loop dimer interface. It is envisaged that such isologous interactions of c-di-GMP could be observed in hitherto unrecognized targets.

Loss of Flagella-Related Genes Enables a Nonflagellated, Fungal-Predating Bacterium To Strengthen the Synthesis of an Antifungal Weapon

Loss of flagellar genes causes a nonmotile phenotype. The genus Lysobacter consists of numerous environmentally ubiquitous, nonflagellated bacteria, including Lysobacter enzymogenes, an antifungal bacterium that is beneficial to plants. L. enzymogenes still has many flagellar genes on its genome, although this bacterium does not engage in flagella-driven motility. Here, we report that loss of certain flagellar genes allows L. enzymogenes to strengthen its evolutionarily gained capacity in fungal killing. To clarify why this bacterium loses flagellar genes during the evolutionary process, we cloned several representative flagellar genes from Xanthomonas oryzae, a flagellated, phylogenetically related species of Lysobacter, and introduced them individually into L. enzymogenes to mimic genomic reacquisition of lost flagellar genes. Heterogeneous expression of the three X. oryzae flagellar structural genes (Xo-motA, Xo-motB, Xo-fliE) and one flagellar regulatory gene (Xo-fleQ) remarkably weakened the bacterial capacity to kill fungal pathogens by impairing the synthesis of an antifungal weapon, known as the heat-stable antifungal factor (HSAF). We further investigated the underlying mechanism by selecting Xo-FleQ as the representative because it is a master transcription factor responsible for flagellar gene expression. Xo-FleQ inhibited the transcription of operon genes responsible for HSAF synthesis via direct binding of Xo-FleQ to the promoter region, thereby decreasing HSAF biosynthesis by L. enzymogenes. These observations suggest a possible genome and function coevolution event, in which an antifungal bacterium deletes certain flagellar genes in order to enhance its ability to kill fungi. IMPORTANCE It is generally recognized that flagellar genes are commonly responsible for the flagella-driven bacterial motility. Thus, finding nonflagellated bacteria partially or fully lost flagellar genes is not a surprise. However, the present study provides new insights into this common idea. We found that loss of either certain flagellar structural or regulatory genes (such as motA, motB, fliE, and fleQ) allows a nonflagellated, antifungal bacterium (L. enzymogenes) to stimulate its fungal-killing capacity, outlining a genome-function coevolution event, where an antifungal bacterium "smartly" designed its genome to "delete" crucial flagellar genes to coordinate flagellar loss and fungal predation. This unusual finding might trigger bacteriologists to reconsider previously ignored functions of the lost flagellar genes in any nonflagellated, pathogenic, or beneficial bacteria.

Nano-RNases: oligo- or dinucleases?

Diribonucleotides arise from two sources: turnover of RNA transcripts (rRNA, tRNA, mRNA, and others) and linearization of cyclic-di-nucleotide signaling molecules. In both cases, there appears to be a requirement for a dedicated set of enzymes that will cleave these diribonucleotides into mononucleotides. The first enzyme discovered to mediate this activity is oligoribonuclease (Orn) from Escherichia coli. In addition to being the enzyme that cleaves dinucleotides and potentially other short oligoribonucleotides, Orn is also the only known exoribonuclease enzyme that is essential for E. coli, suggesting that removal of the shortest RNAs is an essential cellular function. Organisms naturally lacking the orn gene encode other nanoRNases (nrn) that can complement the conditional E. coli orn mutant. This review covers the history and recent advances in our understanding of these enzymes and their substrates. In particular, we focus on (i) the sources of diribonucleotides; (ii) the discovery of exoribonucleases; (iii) the structural features of Orn, NrnA/NrnB, and NrnC; (iv) the enzymatic activity of these enzymes against diribonucleotides versus other substrates; (v) the known physiological consequences of accumulation of linear dinucleotides; and (vi) outstanding biological questions for diribonucleotides and diribonucleases.

Extracellular Amylase Is Required for Full Virulence and Regulated by the Global Posttranscriptional Regulator RsmA in Xanthomonas campestris Pathovar campestris

As with many phytopathogenic bacteria, the virulence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, the causal agent of black rot disease in cruciferous plants, relies on secretion of a suite of extracellular enzymes that includes cellulase (endoglucanase), pectinase, protease, and amylase. Although the role in virulence of a number of these enzymes has been assessed, the contribution of amylase to X. campestris pv. campestris virulence has yet to be established. In this work, we investigated both the role of extracellular amylase in X. campestris pv. campestris virulence and the control of its expression. Deletion of XC3487 (here renamed amyA_Xcc), a putative amylase-encoding gene from the genome of X. campestris pv. campestris strain 8004, resulted in a complete loss of extracellular amylase activity and significant reduction in virulence. The extracellular amylase activity and virulence of the amyA_Xcc mutant could be restored to the wild-type level by expressing amyA_Xcc in trans. These results demonstrated that amyA_Xcc is responsible for the extracellular amylase activity of X. campestris pv. campestris and indicated that extracellular amylase plays an important role in X. campestris pv. campestris virulence. We also found that the expression of amyA_Xcc is strongly induced by starch and requires activation by the global posttranscriptional regulator RsmA. RsmA binds specifically to the 5'-untranslated region of amyA_Xcc transcripts, suggesting that RsmA regulates amyA_Xcc directly at the posttranscriptional level. Unexpectedly, in addition to posttranscriptional regulation, the use of a transcriptional reporter demonstrated that RsmA also regulates amyA_Xcc expression at the transcriptional level, possibly by an indirect mechanism.

Spatial organization enhances versatility and specificity in cyclic di-GMP signaling

The second messenger cyclic di-GMP regulates a variety of processes in bacteria, many of which are centered around the decision whether to adopt a sessile or a motile life style. Regulatory circuits include pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and motility in a wide variety of bacteria, and play a key role in cell cycle progression in Caulobacter crescentus. Interestingly, multiple, seemingly independent c-di-GMP pathways have been found in several species, where deletions of individual c-di-GMP synthetases (DGCs) or hydrolases (PDEs) have resulted in distinct phenotypes that would not be expected based on a freely diffusible second messenger. Several recent studies have shown that individual signaling nodes exist, and additionally, that protein/protein interactions between DGCs, PDEs and c-di-GMP receptors play an important role in signaling specificity. Additionally, subcellular clustering has been shown to be employed by bacteria to likely generate local signaling of second messenger, and/or to increase signaling specificity. This review highlights recent findings that reveal how bacteria employ spatial cues to increase the versatility of second messenger signaling.

Clp is a "busy" transcription factor in the bacterial warrior, Lysobacter enzymogenes

Cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) is a well-characterized group of global transcription factors in bacteria. They are known to regulate numerous cellular processes by binding DNA and/or cAMP (a ligand called bacterial second messenger) to control target gene expression. Gram-negative Lysobacter enzymogenes is a soilborne, plant-beneficial bacterium without flagella that can fight against filamentous fungi and oomycete. Driven by the type IV pilus (T4P) system, this bacterium moves to nearby pathogens and uses a “mobile-attack” antifungal strategy to kill them via heat-stable antifungal factor (HSAF) and abundant lyases. This strategy is controlled by a unique “busy” transcription factor Clp, which is a CRP-like protein that is inactivated by binding of c-di-GMP, another ubiquitous second messenger of bacteria. In this review, we summarize the current progress in how Clp initiates a “mobile-attack” strategy through a series of previously uncharacterized mechanisms, including binding to DNA in a unique pattern, directly interacting with or responding to various small molecules, and interacting specifically with proteins adopting distinct structure. Together, these characteristics highlight the multifunctional roles of Clp in L. enzymogenes, a powerful bacterial warrior against fungal pathogens.

The Union Is Strength: The Synergic Action of Long Fatty Acids and a Bacteriophage against Xanthomonas campestris Biofilm

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is known as the causative agent of black rot disease, which attacks mainly crucifers, severely lowering their global productivity. One of the main virulence factors of this pathogen is its capability to penetrate and form biofilm structures in the xylem vessels. The discovery of novel approaches to crop disease management is urgent and a possible treatment could be aimed at the eradication of biofilm, although anti-biofilm approaches in agricultural microbiology are still rare. Considering the multifactorial nature of biofilm, an effective approach against Xanthomonas campestris implies the use of a multi-targeted or combinatorial strategy. In this paper, an anti-biofilm strategy based on the use of fatty acids and the bacteriophage (Xccφ1)-hydroxyapatite complex was optimized against Xanthomonas campestris mature biofilm. The synergic action of these elements was demonstrated and the efficient removal of Xanthomonas campestris mature biofilm was also proven in a flow cell system, making the proposed approach an effective solution to enhance plant survival in Xanthomonas campestris infections. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of the proposed treatment were explored.

From Input to Output: The Lap/c-di-GMP Biofilm Regulatory Circuit

Biofilms are the dominant bacterial lifestyle. The regulation of the formation and dispersal of bacterial biofilms has been the subject of study in many organisms. Over the last two decades, the mechanisms of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm formation and regulation have emerged as among the best understood of any bacterial biofilm system. Biofilm formation by P. fluorescens occurs through the localization of an adhesin, LapA, to the outer membrane via a variant of the classical type I secretion system. The decision between biofilm formation and dispersal is mediated by LapD, a c-di-GMP receptor, and LapG, a periplasmic protease, which together control whether LapA is retained or released from the cell surface. LapA localization is also controlled by a complex network of c-di-GMP-metabolizing enzymes. This review describes the current understanding of LapA-mediated biofilm formation by P. fluorescens and discusses several emerging models for the regulation and function of this adhesin.

c-di-GMP Arms an Anti-σ to Control Progression of Multicellular Differentiation in Streptomyces

Streptomyces are our primary source of antibiotics, produced concomitantly with the transition from vegetative growth to sporulation in a complex developmental life cycle. We previously showed that the signaling molecule c-di-GMP binds BldD, a master repressor, to control initiation of development. Here we demonstrate that c-di-GMP also intervenes later in development to control differentiation of the reproductive hyphae into spores by arming a novel anti-σ (RsiG) to bind and sequester a sporulation-specific σ factor (σ^WhiG). We present the structure of the RsiG-(c-di-GMP)₂-σ^WhiG complex, revealing an unusual, partially intercalated c-di-GMP dimer bound at the RsiG-σ^WhiG interface. RsiG binds c-di-GMP in the absence of σ^WhiG, employing a novel E(X)₃S(X)₂R(X)₃Q(X)₃D motif repeated on each helix of a coiled coil. Further studies demonstrate that c-di-GMP is essential for RsiG to inhibit σ^WhiG. These findings reveal a newly described control mechanism for σ-anti-σ complex formation and establish c-di-GMP as the central integrator of Streptomyces development.

Identification of c-di-GMP Signaling Components in Xanthomonas oryzae and Their Orthologs in Xanthomonads Involved in Regulation of Bacterial Virulence Expression

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes bacterial leaf blight of rice, one of the most devastating bacterial diseases of this staple crop worldwide. Xoo produces a range of virulence-related factors to facilitate its pathogenesis in rice, however, the regulatory mechanisms of Xoo virulence expression have been not fully elucidated. Recent studies have revealed that virulence factor production is regulated via cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) signaling pathway that is well-conserved in Xoo and other Xanthomonas species. A set of GGDEF, EAL, HD-GYP, and PilZ domain proteins with diverse signal sensory domains for c-di-GMP synthesis, hydrolysis, and binding is encoded in the Xoo genome. Bioinformatic, genetic, and biochemical analysis has identified an array of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs), as well as degenerate GGDEF/EAL, PilZ domain proteins along with a transcription regulator. These signaling components have been characterized to regulate various bacterial cellular processes, such as virulence, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, biofilm formation, motility, and adaptation at the transcriptional, post-translational, and protein-protein interaction levels. This review summarized the recent progress in understanding the importance and complexity of c-di-GMP signaling in regulating bacterial virulence expression, highlighting the identified key signal elements and orthologs found in Xanthomonads, discussing the diverse functions of GGDEF/EAL/HD-GYP domains, existence of a complicated multifactorial network between DGCs, PDEs, and effectors, and further exploration of the new c-di-GMP receptor domains. These findings and knowledge lay the groundwork for future experimentation to further elucidate c-di-GMP regulatory circuits involved in regulation of bacterial pathogenesis.

Signaling specificity in the c-di-GMP-dependent network regulating antibiotic synthesis in Lysobacter

Enzymes controlling intracellular second messengers in bacteria, such as c-di-GMP, often affect some but not other targets. How such specificity is achieved is understood only partially. Here, we present a novel mechanism that enables specific c-di-GMP-dependent inhibition of the antifungal antibiotic production. Expression of the biosynthesis operon for Heat-Stable Antifungal Factor, HSAF, in Lysobacter enzymogenes occurs when the transcription activator Clp binds to two upstream sites. At high c-di-GMP levels, Clp binding to the lower-affinity site is compromised, which is sufficient to decrease gene expression. We identified a weak c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase, LchP, that plays a disproportionately high role in HSAF synthesis due to its ability to bind Clp. Further, Clp binding stimulates phosphodiesterase activity of LchP. An observation of a signaling complex formed by a c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase and a c-di-GMP-binding transcription factor lends support to the emerging paradigm that such signaling complexes are common in bacteria, and that bacteria and eukaryotes employ similar solutions to the specificity problem in second messenger-based signaling systems.

Crp-Like Protein Plays Both Positive and Negative Roles in Regulating the Pathogenicity of Bacterial Pustule Pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines

The global regulator Crp-like protein (Clp) is positively involved in the production of virulence factors in some of the Xanthomonas spp. However, the functional importance of Clp in X. axonopodis pv. glycines has not been investigated previously. Here, we showed that deletion of clp led to significant reduction in the virulence of X. axonopodis pv. glycines in soybean, which was highly correlated with the drastic reductions in carbohydrates utilization, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production, biofilm formation, cell motility, and synthesis of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs). These significantly impaired properties in the clp mutant were completely rescued by a single-copy integration of the wild-type clp into the mutant chromosome via homologous recombination. Interestingly, overexpression of clp in the wild-type strain resulted in significant increases in cell motility and synthesis of the CWDEs. To our surprise, significant reductions in carbohydrates utilization, EPS production, biofilm formation, and the protease activity were observed in the wild-type strain overexpressing clp, suggesting that Clp also plays a negative role in these properties. Furthermore, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested that clp was positively regulated by the diffusible signal factor-mediated quorum-sensing system and the HrpG/HrpX cascade. Taken together, our results reveal that Clp functions as both activator and repressor in multiple biological processes in X. axonopodis pv. glycines that are essential for its full virulence.

Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA) for High-Throughput Detection of Protein-Metabolite Interactions in Bacteria

Bacteria rely on numerous nucleotide second messengers for signal transduction such as cyclic AMP, cyclic-di-GMP, and cyclic-di-AMP. Although a number of receptors responsible for known regulated phenotypes have been established, the completeness of protein receptors in any given organism remains elusive. We have developed a method called differential radial capillary action of ligand assay (DRaCALA) that allows for an unbiased, systematic high-throughput screen for the detection of ligand binding proteins encoded by a genome. DRaCALA permits interrogation of ligand binding directly to an overexpressed protein in a cell lysate and bypasses the need of protein purification. Gateway-cloning-compatible open reading frame libraries are available for a diverse range of bacterial species and permits generation of the lysates overexpressing each open reading frame. These lysates can be assessed by DRaCALA in a 96-well format to allow rapid identification of protein-ligand interactions, including previously unknown proteins. Here, we present the protocols for generating the expression library, conducting the DRaCALA screen, data analysis, and hit validation.

Agriculturally important microbial biofilms: Present status and future prospects

Microbial biofilms are a fascinating subject, due to their significant roles in the environment, industry, and health. Advances in biochemical and molecular techniques have helped in enhancing our understanding of biofilm structure and development. In the past, research on biofilms primarily focussed on health and industrial sectors; however, lately, biofilms in agriculture are gaining attention due to their immense potential in crop production, protection, and improvement. Biofilms play an important role in colonization of surfaces - soil, roots, or shoots of plants and enable proliferation in the desired niche, besides enhancing soil fertility. Although reports are available on microbial biofilms in general; scanty information is published on biofilm formation by agriculturally important microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, bacterial-fungal) and their interactions in the ecosystem. Better understanding of agriculturally important bacterial-fungal communities and their interactions can have several implications on climate change, soil quality, plant nutrition, plant protection, bioremediation, etc. Understanding the factors and genes involved in biofilm formation will help to develop more effective strategies for sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture. The present review brings together fundamental aspects of biofilms, in relation to their formation, regulatory mechanisms, genes involved, and their application in different fields, with special emphasis on agriculturally important microbial biofilms.

Bacterial pathogenesis of plants: future challenges from a microbial perspective: Challenges in Bacterial Molecular Plant Pathology

Plant infection is a complicated process. On encountering a plant, pathogenic microorganisms must first adapt to life on the epiphytic surface, and survive long enough to initiate an infection. Responsiveness to the environment is critical throughout infection, with intracellular and community-level signal transduction pathways integrating environmental signals and triggering appropriate responses in the bacterial population. Ultimately, phytopathogens must migrate from the epiphytic surface into the plant tissue using motility and chemotaxis pathways. This migration is coupled with overcoming the physical and chemical barriers to entry into the plant apoplast. Once inside the plant, bacteria use an array of secretion systems to release phytotoxins and protein effectors that fulfil diverse pathogenic functions (Fig. ) (Melotto and Kunkel, ; Phan Tran et al., ). As our understanding of the pathways and mechanisms underpinning plant pathogenicity increases, a number of central research challenges are emerging that will profoundly shape the direction of research in the future. We need to understand the bacterial phenotypes that promote epiphytic survival and surface adaptation in pathogenic bacteria. How do these pathways function in the context of the plant-associated microbiome, and what impact does this complex microbial community have on the onset and severity of plant infections? The huge importance of bacterial signal transduction to every stage of plant infection is becoming increasingly clear. However, there is a great deal to learn about how these signalling pathways function in phytopathogenic bacteria, and the contribution they make to various aspects of plant pathogenicity. We are increasingly able to explore the structural and functional diversity of small-molecule natural products from plant pathogens. We need to acquire a much better understanding of the production, deployment, functional redundancy and physiological roles of these molecules. Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are important and well-studied contributors to bacterial disease. Several key unanswered questions will shape future investigations of these systems. We need to define the mechanism of hierarchical and temporal control of effector secretion. For successful infection, effectors need to interact with host components to exert their function. Advanced biochemical, proteomic and cell biological techniques will enable us to study the function of effectors inside the host cell in more detail and on a broader scale. Population genomics analyses provide insight into evolutionary adaptation processes of phytopathogens. The determination of the diversity and distribution of type III effectors (T3Es) and other virulence genes within and across pathogenic species, pathovars and strains will allow us to understand how pathogens adapt to specific hosts, the evolutionary pathways available to them, and the possible future directions of the evolutionary arms race between effectors and molecular plant targets. Although pathogenic bacteria employ a host of different virulence and proliferation strategies, as a result of the space constraints, this review focuses mainly on the hemibiotrophic pathogens. We discuss the process of plant infection from the perspective of these important phytopathogens, and highlight new approaches to address the outstanding challenges in this important and fast-moving field.

Structures of the activator of K. pneumonia biofilm formation, MrkH, indicates PilZ domains involved in c-di-GMP and DNA binding

The pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumonia is linked to the bacteria's ability to form biofilms. Mannose-resistant Klebsiella-like (Mrk) hemagglutinins are critical for K pneumonia biofilm development, and the expression of the genes encoding these proteins is activated by a 3',5'-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP)-regulated transcription factor, MrkH. To gain insight into MrkH function, we performed structural and biochemical analyses. Data revealed MrkH to be a monomer with a two-domain architecture consisting of a PilZ C-domain connected to an N domain that unexpectedly also harbors a PilZ-like fold. Comparison of apo- and c-di-GMP-bound MrkH structures reveals a large 138° interdomain rotation that is induced by binding an intercalated c-di-GMP dimer. c-di-GMP interacts with PilZ C-domain motifs 1 and 2 (RxxxR and D/NxSxxG) and a newly described c-di-GMP-binding motif in the MrkH N domain. Strikingly, these c-di-GMP-binding motifs also stabilize an open state conformation in apo MrkH via contacts from the PilZ motif 1 to residues in the C-domain motif 2 and the c-di-GMP-binding N-domain motif. Use of the same regions in apo structure stabilization and c-di-GMP interaction allows distinction between the states. Indeed, domain reorientation by c-di-GMP complexation with MrkH, which leads to a highly compacted structure, suggests a mechanism by which the protein is activated to bind DNA. To our knowledge, MrkH represents the first instance of specific DNA binding mediated by PilZ domains. The MrkH structures also pave the way for the rational design of inhibitors that target K pneumonia biofilm formation.

Cyclic Dinucleotide-Controlled Regulatory Pathways in Streptomyces Species

The cyclic dinucleotides cyclic 3′,5′-diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and cyclic 3′,5′-diadenylate (c-di-AMP) have emerged as key components of bacterial signal transduction networks. These closely related second messengers follow the classical general principles of nucleotide signaling by integrating diverse signals into regulatory pathways that control cellular responses to changing environments. They impact distinct cellular processes, with c-di-GMP having an established role in promoting bacterial adhesion and inhibiting motility and c-di-AMP being involved in cell wall metabolism, potassium homeostasis, and DNA repair. The involvement of c-dinucleotides in the physiology of the filamentous, nonmotile streptomycetes remained obscure until recent discoveries showed that c-di-GMP controls the activity of the developmental master regulator BldD and that c-di-AMP determines the level of the resuscitation-promoting factor A(RpfA) cell wall-remodelling enzyme. Here, I summarize our current knowledge of c-dinucleotide signaling in Streptomyces species and highlight the important roles of c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP in the biology of these antibiotic-producing, multicellular bacteria.

The RpfB-Dependent Quorum Sensing Signal Turnover System Is Required for Adaptation and Virulence in Rice Bacterial Blight Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice, produces diffusible signal factor (DSF) family quorum sensing signals to regulate virulence. The biosynthesis and perception of DSF family signals require components of the rpf (regulation of pathogenicity factors) cluster. In this study, we report that RpfB plays an essential role in DSF family signal turnover in X. oryzae pv. oryzae PXO99A. The production of DSF family signals was boosted by deletion of the rpfB gene and was abolished by its overexpression. The RpfC/RpfG-mediated DSF signaling system negatively regulates rpfB expression via the global transcription regulator Clp, whose activity is reversible in the presence of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate. These findings indicate that the DSF family signal turnover system in PXO99A is generally consistent with that in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Moreover, this study has revealed several specific roles of RpfB in PXO99A. First, the rpfB deletion mutant produced high levels of DSF family signals but reduced extracellular polysaccharide production, extracellular amylase activity, and attenuated pathogenicity. Second, the rpfB/rpfC double-deletion mutant was partially deficient in xanthomonadin production. Taken together, the RpfB-dependent DSF family signal turnover system is a conserved and naturally presenting signal turnover system in Xanthomonas spp., which plays unique roles in X. oryzae pv. oryzae adaptation and pathogenesis.

Systematic Identification of Cyclic-di-GMP Binding Proteins in Vibrio cholerae Reveals a Novel Class of Cyclic-di-GMP-Binding ATPases Associated with Type II Secretion Systems

Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a ubiquitous bacterial signaling molecule that regulates a variety of complex processes through a diverse set of c-di-GMP receptor proteins. We have utilized a systematic approach to identify c-di-GMP receptors from the pathogen Vibrio cholerae using the Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA). The DRaCALA screen identified a majority of known c-di-GMP binding proteins in V. cholerae and revealed a novel c-di-GMP binding protein, MshE (VC0405), an ATPase associated with the mannose sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) type IV pilus. The known c-di-GMP binding proteins identified by DRaCALA include diguanylate cyclases, phosphodiesterases, PilZ domain proteins and transcription factors VpsT and VpsR, indicating that the DRaCALA-based screen of open reading frame libraries is a feasible approach to uncover novel receptors of small molecule ligands. Since MshE lacks the canonical c-di-GMP-binding motifs, a truncation analysis was utilized to locate the c-di-GMP binding activity to the N-terminal T2SSE_N domain. Alignment of MshE homologs revealed candidate conserved residues responsible for c-di-GMP binding. Site-directed mutagenesis of these candidate residues revealed that the Arg9 residue is required for c-di-GMP binding. The ability of c-di-GMP binding to MshE to regulate MSHA dependent processes was evaluated. The R9A allele, in contrast to the wild type MshE, was unable to complement the ΔmshE mutant for the production of extracellular MshA to the cell surface, reduction in flagella swimming motility, attachment to surfaces and formation of biofilms. Testing homologs of MshE for binding to c-di-GMP identified the type II secretion ATPase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14_29490) as a c-di-GMP receptor, indicating that type II secretion and type IV pili are both regulated by c-di-GMP.

Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a ubiquitous bacterial signaling molecule that regulates important bacterial functions, including virulence, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and cell division. The list of known c-di-GMP receptors is clearly incomplete. Here we utilized a systematic and unbiased biochemical approach to identify c-di-GMP receptors from the 3,812 genes of the Vibrio cholerae genome. Results from this analysis identified most known c-di-GMP receptors as well as MshE, a protein not known to interact with c-di-GMP. The c-di-GMP binding site was identified at the N-terminus of MshE and requires a conserved arginine residue in the 9^th position. MshE is the ATPase that powers the secretion of the MshA pili onto the surface of the bacteria. We show that c-di-GMP binding to MshE is required for MshA export and the function of the pili in attachment and biofilm formation. ATPases responsible for related processes such as type IV pili and type II secretion were also tested for c-di-GMP binding, which identified the P. aeruginosa ATPase PA14_29490 as another c-di-GMP binding protein. These findings reveal a new class of c-di-GMP receptor and raise the possibility that c-di-GMP regulate membrane complexes through direct interaction with related type II secretion and type IV pili ATPases.

DNA-binding properties of a cGMP-binding CRP homologue that controls development of metabolically dormant cysts of Rhodospirillum centenum

Rhodospirillum centenum utilizes 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) as a messenger to regulate development of desiccation-resistant cysts. In this study, we demonstrated that gcyA, gcyB and gcyC, coding for putative subunits of a guanylyl cyclase, increase expression from 8- to 500-fold when cells transition from vegetative to cyst phases of growth. This induction did not occur in a strain that is defective in cGMP synthesis or in a strain that contains a deletion of cgrA that codes for a cGMP-binding homologue of Escherichia coli catabolite repressor protein (CRP). We also demonstrated that cgrA auto-induces its own expression in the presence of cGMP, indicating that a feed-forward loop is used to ramp up cGMP production as cells undergo encystment. Inspection of an intragenic region upstream of gcyB revealed a sequence that is identical to the CRP consensus sequence from E. coli. DNase I and fluorescence anisotropy analyses demonstrated that CgrA bound to this target sequence at a protein : cGMP ratio of 1 : 2 with Kd ∼61 nM. This was in contrast to CgrA in the presence of cAMP, which exhibited Kd ∼1795 nM. CgrA thus constitutes a novel variant of CRP that utilizes cGMP to regulate production of cGMP synthase for the control of cyst development.

Application of Synthetic Peptide Arrays To Uncover Cyclic Di-GMP Binding Motifs

High levels of the universal bacterial second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) promote the establishment of surface-attached growth in many bacteria. Not only can c-di-GMP bind to nucleic acids and directly control gene expression, but it also binds to a diverse array of proteins of specialized functions and orchestrates their activity. Since its development in the early 1990s, the synthetic peptide array technique has become a powerful tool for high-throughput approaches and was successfully applied to investigate the binding specificity of protein-ligand interactions. In this study, we used peptide arrays to uncover the c-di-GMP binding site of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa protein (PA3740) that was isolated in a chemical proteomics approach. PA3740 was shown to bind c-di-GMP with a high affinity, and peptide arrays uncovered LKKALKKQTNLR to be a putative c-di-GMP binding motif. Most interestingly, different from the previously identified c-di-GMP binding motif of the PilZ domain (RXXXR) or the I site of diguanylate cyclases (RXXD), two leucine residues and a glutamine residue and not the charged amino acids provided the key residues of the binding sequence. Those three amino acids are highly conserved across PA3740 homologs, and their singular exchange to alanine reduced c-di-GMP binding within the full-length protein.

IMPORTANCE

In many bacterial pathogens the universal bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP governs the switch from the planktonic, motile mode of growth to the sessile, biofilm mode of growth. Bacteria adapt their intracellular c-di-GMP levels to a variety of environmental challenges. Several classes of c-di-GMP binding proteins have been structurally characterized, and diverse c-di-GMP binding domains have been identified. Nevertheless, for several c-di-GMP receptors, the binding motif remains to be determined. Here we show that the use of a synthetic peptide array allowed the identification of a c-di-GMP binding motif of a putative c-di-GMP receptor protein in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa. The application of synthetic peptide arrays will facilitate the search for additional c-di-GMP receptor proteins and aid in the characterization of c-di-GMP binding motifs.

The Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae PilZ Domain Proteins Function Differentially in Cyclic di-GMP Binding and Regulation of Virulence and Motility

The PilZ domain proteins have been demonstrated to be one of the major types of receptors mediating cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) signaling pathways in several pathogenic bacteria. However, little is known about the function of PilZ domain proteins in c-di-GMP regulation of virulence in the bacterial blight pathogen of rice Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Here, the roles of PilZ domain proteins PXO_00049 and PXO_02374 in c-di-GMP binding, regulation of virulence and motility, and subcellular localization were characterized in comparison with PXO_02715, identified previously as an interactor with the c-di-GMP receptor Filp to regulate virulence. The c-di-GMP binding motifs in the PilZ domains were conserved in PXO_00049 and PXO_02374 but were less well conserved in PXO_02715. PXO_00049 and PXO_02374 but not PXO_02715 proteins bound to c-di-GMP with high affinity in vitro, and the R(141) and R(10) residues in the PilZ domains of PXO_00049 and PXO_02374, respectively, were crucial for c-di-GMP binding. Gene deletion of PXO_00049 and PXO_02374 resulted in significant increases in virulence and hrp gene transcription, indicating their negative regulation of virulence via type III secretion system expression. All mutants showed significant changes in sliding motility but not exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation. In trans expression of the full-length open reading frame (ORF) of each gene in the relevant mutants led to restoration of the phenotype to wild-type levels. Moreover, PXO_00049 and PXO_02374 displayed mainly multisite subcellular localizations, whereas PXO_02715 showed nonpolar distributions in the X. oryzae pv. oryzae cells. Therefore, this study demonstrated the different functions of the PilZ domain proteins in mediation of c-di-GMP regulation of virulence and motility in X. oryzae pv. oryzae.

The Cyclic AMP-Vfr Signaling Pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Inhibited by Cyclic Di-GMP

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses numerous acute virulence factors in the initial phase of infection, and during long-term colonization it undergoes adaptations that optimize survival in the human host. Adaptive changes that often occur during chronic infection give rise to rugose small colony variants (RSCVs), which are hyper-biofilm-forming mutants that commonly possess mutations that increase production of the biofilm-promoting secondary messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). We show that RSCVs display a decreased production of acute virulence factors as a direct result of elevated c-di-GMP content. Overproduction of c-di-GMP causes a decrease in the transcription of virulence factor genes that are regulated by the global virulence regulator Vfr. The low level of Vfr-dependent transcription is caused by a low level of its coactivator, cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is decreased in response to a high level of c-di-GMP. Mutations that cause reversion of the RSCV phenotype concomitantly reactivate Vfr-cAMP signaling. Attempts to uncover the mechanism underlying the observed c-di-GMP-mediated lowering of cAMP content provided evidence that it is not caused by inhibition of adenylate cyclase production or activity and that it is not caused by activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. In addition to the studies of the RSCVs, we present evidence that the deeper layers of wild-type P. aeruginosa biofilms have high c-di-GMP levels and low cAMP levels.

IMPORTANCE

Our work suggests that cross talk between c-di-GMP and cAMP signaling pathways results in downregulation of acute virulence factors in P. aeruginosa biofilm infections. Knowledge about this cross-regulation adds to our understanding of virulence traits and immune evasion by P. aeruginosa in chronic infections and may provide new approaches to eradicate biofilm infections.

Tetrameric c-di-GMP mediates effective transcription factor dimerization to control Streptomyces development

The cyclic dinucleotide c-di-GMP is a signaling molecule with diverse functions in cellular physiology. Here, we report that c-di-GMP can assemble into a tetramer that mediates the effective dimerization of a transcription factor, BldD, which controls the progression of multicellular differentiation in sporulating actinomycete bacteria. BldD represses expression of sporulation genes during vegetative growth in a manner that depends on c-di-GMP-mediated dimerization. Structural and biochemical analyses show that tetrameric c-di-GMP links two subunits of BldD through their C-terminal domains, which are otherwise separated by ∼10 Å and thus cannot effect dimerization directly. Binding of the c-di-GMP tetramer by BldD is selective and requires a bipartite RXD-X₈-RXXD signature. The findings indicate a unique mechanism of protein dimerization and the ability of nucleotide signaling molecules to assume alternative oligomeric states to effect different functions.

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c-di-GMP controls development in the multicellular bacteria Streptomyces

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c-di-GMP developmental signaling is directly mediated by the master regulator BldD

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A heretofore unseen tetrameric form of c-di-GMP binds BldD to effect its dimerization

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BldD-(c-di-GMP) represses transcription of sporulation genes during vegetative growth

Near-infrared light responsive synthetic c-di-GMP module for optogenetic applications

Enormous potential of cell-based therapeutics is hindered by the lack of effective means to control genetically engineered cells in mammalian tissues. Here, we describe a synthetic module for remote photocontrol of engineered cells that can be adapted for such applications. The module involves photoactivated synthesis of cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP), a stable small molecule that is not produced by higher eukaryotes and therefore is suitable for orthogonal regulation. The key component of the photocontrol module is an engineered bacteriophytochrome diguanylate cyclase, which synthesizes c-di-GMP from GTP in a light-dependent manner. Bacteriophytochromes are particularly attractive photoreceptors because they respond to light in the near-infrared window of the spectrum, where absorption by mammalian tissues is minimal, and also because their chromophore, biliverdin IXα, is naturally available in mammalian cells. The second component of the photocontrol module, a c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase, maintains near-zero background levels of c-di-GMP in the absence of light, which enhances the photodynamic range of c-di-GMP concentrations. In the E. coli model used in this study, the intracellular c-di-GMP levels could be upregulated by light by >50-fold. Various c-di-GMP-responsive proteins and riboswitches identified in bacteria can be linked downstream of the c-di-GMP-mediated photocontrol module for orthogonal regulation of biological activities in mammals as well as in other organisms lacking c-di-GMP signaling. Here, we linked the photocontrol module to a gene expression output via a c-di-GMP-responsive transcription factor and achieved a 40-fold photoactivation of gene expression.

A systematic analysis of the in vitro and in vivo functions of the HD-GYP domain proteins of Vibrio cholerae

BACKGROUND

The second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) plays a central role in bacterial adaptation to extracellular stimuli, controlling processes such as motility, biofilm development, cell development and, in some pathogens, virulence. The intracellular level of c-di-GMP is controlled by the complementary activities of diguanylate cyclases containing a GGDEF domain and two classes of c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases containing an EAL or HD-GYP hydrolytic domain. Compared to the GGDEF and EAL domains, the functions of HD-GYP domain family proteins are poorly characterized. The human diarrheal pathogen Vibrio cholerae encodes nine putative HD-GYP domain proteins. To determine the contributions of HD-GYP domain proteins to c-di-GMP signaling in V. cholerae, we systematically analyzed the enzymatic functionality of each protein and their involvement in processes known to be regulated by c-di-GMP: motility, biofilm development and virulence.

RESULTS

Complementary in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that four HD-GYP domain proteins are active c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases: VC1295, VC1348, VCA0210 and VCA0681. Mutation of individual HD-GYP domain genes, as well as combinatorial mutations of multiple HD-GYP domain genes, had no effect on motility or biofilm formation of V. cholerae under the conditions tested. Furthermore, no single HD-GYP domain gene affected intestinal colonization by V. cholerae in an infant mouse model. However, inactivation of multiple HD-GYP domain genes, including the four encoding functional phosphodiesterases, significantly attenuated colonization.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the HD-GYP family of c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases impacts signaling by this second messenger during infection. Altogether, this work greatly furthers the understanding of this important family of c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes and demonstrates a role for HD-GYP domain proteins in the virulence of V. cholerae.

Engineering of Bacillus subtilis strains to allow rapid characterization of heterologous diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases

Microbial processes, including biofilm formation, motility, and virulence, are often regulated by changes in the available concentration of cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Generally, high c-di-GMP concentrations are correlated with decreased motility and increased biofilm formation and low c-di-GMP concentrations are correlated with an increase in motility and activation of virulence pathways. The study of c-di-GMP is complicated, however, by the fact that organisms often encode dozens of redundant enzymes that synthesize and hydrolyze c-di-GMP, diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs); thus, determining the contribution of any one particular enzyme is challenging. In an effort to develop a facile system to study c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes, we have engineered a suite of Bacillus subtilis strains to assess the effect of individual heterologously expressed proteins on c-di-GMP levels. As a proof of principle, we characterized all 37 known genes encoding predicted DGCs and PDEs in Clostridium difficile using parallel readouts of swarming motility and fluorescence from green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed under the control of a c-di-GMP-controlled riboswitch. We found that 27 of the 37 putative C. difficile 630 c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes had either active cyclase or phosphodiesterase activity, with agreement between our motility phenotypes and fluorescence-based c-di-GMP reporter. Finally, we show that there appears to be a threshold level of c-di-GMP needed to inhibit motility in Bacillus subtilis.

GIL, a new c-di-GMP-binding protein domain involved in regulation of cellulose synthesis in enterobacteria

In contrast to numerous enzymes involved in c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation in enterobacteria, only a handful of c-di-GMP receptors/effectors have been identified. In search of new c-di-GMP receptors, we screened the Escherichia coli ASKA overexpression gene library using the Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA) with fluorescently and radioisotope-labelled c-di-GMP. We uncovered three new candidate c-di-GMP receptors in E. coli and characterized one of them, BcsE. The bcsE gene is encoded in cellulose synthase operons in representatives of Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria. The purified BcsE proteins from E. coli, Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae bind c-di-GMP via the domain of unknown function, DUF2819, which is hereby designated GIL, GGDEF I-site like domain. The RxGD motif of the GIL domain is required for c-di-GMP binding, similar to the c-di-GMP-binding I-site of the diguanylate cyclase GGDEF domain. Thus, GIL is the second protein domain, after PilZ, dedicated to c-di-GMP-binding. We show that in S. enterica, BcsE is not essential for cellulose synthesis but is required for maximal cellulose production, and that c-di-GMP binding is critical for BcsE function. It appears that cellulose production in enterobacteria is controlled by a two-tiered c-di-GMP-dependent system involving BcsE and the PilZ domain containing glycosyltransferase BcsA.

The degenerate EAL-GGDEF domain protein Filp functions as a cyclic di-GMP receptor and specifically interacts with the PilZ-domain protein PXO_02715 to regulate virulence in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Degenerate GGDEF and EAL domain proteins represent major types of cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) receptors in pathogenic bacteria. Here, we characterized a FimX-like protein (Filp) which possesses both GGDEF and EAL domains in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice. Both in silico analysis and enzyme assays indicated that the GGDEF and EAL domains of Filp were degenerate and enzymatically inactive. However, Filp bound to c-di-GMP efficiently within the EAL domain, where Q(477), E(653), and F(654) residues were crucial for the binding. Deletion of the filp gene in X. oryzae pv. oryzae resulted in attenuated virulence in rice and reduced type III secretion system (T3SS) gene expression. Complementation analysis with different truncated proteins indicated that REC, PAS, and EAL domains but not the GGDEF domain were required for the full activity of Filp in vivo. In addition, a PilZ-domain protein (PXO_02715) was identified as a Filp interactor by yeast two-hybrid and glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays. Deletion of the PXO_02715 gene demonstrated changes in bacterial virulence and T3SS gene expression similar to Δfilp. Moreover, both mutants were impaired in their ability to induce hypersensitive response in nonhost plants. Thus, we concluded that Filp was a novel c-di-GMP receptor of X. oryzae pv. oryzae, and its function to regulate bacterial virulence expression might be via the interaction with PXO_02715.

Mechanisms and regulation of surface interactions and biofilm formation in Agrobacterium

For many pathogenic bacteria surface attachment is a required first step during host interactions. Attachment can proceed to invasion of host tissue or cells or to establishment of a multicellular bacterial community known as a biofilm. The transition from a unicellular, often motile, state to a sessile, multicellular, biofilm-associated state is one of the most important developmental decisions for bacteria. Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plant cells by transfer and integration of a segment of plasmid-encoded transferred DNA (T-DNA) into the host genome, and has also been a valuable tool for plant geneticists. A. tumefaciens attaches to and forms a complex biofilm on a variety of biotic and abiotic substrates in vitro. Although rarely studied in situ, it is hypothesized that the biofilm state plays an important functional role in the ecology of this organism. Surface attachment, motility, and cell division are coordinated through a complex regulatory network that imparts an unexpected asymmetry to the A. tumefaciens life cycle. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which A. tumefaciens associates with surfaces, and regulation of this process. We focus on the transition between flagellar-based motility and surface attachment, and on the composition, production, and secretion of multiple extracellular components that contribute to the biofilm matrix. Biofilm formation by A. tumefaciens is linked with virulence both mechanistically and through shared regulatory molecules. We detail our current understanding of these and other regulatory schemes, as well as the internal and external (environmental) cues mediating development of the biofilm state, including the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP, nutrient levels, and the role of the plant host in influencing attachment and biofilm formation. A. tumefaciens is an important model system contributing to our understanding of developmental transitions, bacterial cell biology, and biofilm formation.

E88, a new cyclic-di-GMP class I riboswitch aptamer from Clostridium tetani, has a similar fold to the prototypical class I riboswitch, Vc2, but differentially binds to c-di-GMP analogs

C-di-GMP has emerged as a ubiquitous second messenger, which regulates the transition between sessile and motile lifestyles and virulence factor expression in many pathogenic bacteria using both RNA riboswitches and protein effectors. We recently showed that two additional class I c-di-GMP riboswitch aptamers (Ct-E88 and Cb-17B) bind c-di-GMP with nanomolar affinity, and that Ct-E88 RNA binds 2'-F-c-di-GMP 422 times less tightly than class I Vc2 RNA. Based on sequence comparison, it was concluded that the global folds of Ct-E88 and Vc2 RNAs were similar and that differences in ligand binding were probably due to differences in binding site architectures. Herein, we utilized EMSA, aptamer sensing spinach modules, SAXS and 1D NMR titration to study the conformational transitions of Ct-E88. We conclude that whereas the global folds of the bound states of Vc2 and Ct-E88 RNAs are similar, the unbound states are different and this could explain differences in ligand affinities between these class I c-di-GMP riboswitches.

Cyclic di-AMP impairs potassium uptake mediated by a cyclic di-AMP binding protein in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) has been shown to play important roles as a second messenger in bacterial physiology and infections. However, understanding of how the signal is transduced is still limited. Previously, we have characterized a diadenylate cyclase and two c-di-AMP phosphodiesterases in Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive pathogen. In this study, we identified a c-di-AMP binding protein (CabP) in S. pneumoniae using c-di-AMP affinity chromatography. We demonstrated that CabP specifically bound c-di-AMP and that this interaction could not be interrupted by competition with other nucleotides, including ATP, cAMP, AMP, phosphoadenylyl adenosine (pApA), and cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). By using a bacterial two-hybrid system and genetic mutagenesis, we showed that CabP directly interacted with a potassium transporter (SPD_0076) and that both proteins were required for pneumococcal growth in media with low concentrations of potassium. Interestingly, the interaction between CabP and SPD_0076 and the efficiency of potassium uptake were impaired by elevated c-di-AMP in pneumococci. These results establish a direct c-di-AMP-mediated signaling pathway that regulates pneumococcal potassium uptake.

Cyclic di-GMP: the first 25 years of a universal bacterial second messenger

Twenty-five years have passed since the discovery of cyclic dimeric (3'→5') GMP (cyclic di-GMP or c-di-GMP). From the relative obscurity of an allosteric activator of a bacterial cellulose synthase, c-di-GMP has emerged as one of the most common and important bacterial second messengers. Cyclic di-GMP has been shown to regulate biofilm formation, motility, virulence, the cell cycle, differentiation, and other processes. Most c-di-GMP-dependent signaling pathways control the ability of bacteria to interact with abiotic surfaces or with other bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Cyclic di-GMP plays key roles in lifestyle changes of many bacteria, including transition from the motile to the sessile state, which aids in the establishment of multicellular biofilm communities, and from the virulent state in acute infections to the less virulent but more resilient state characteristic of chronic infectious diseases. From a practical standpoint, modulating c-di-GMP signaling pathways in bacteria could represent a new way of controlling formation and dispersal of biofilms in medical and industrial settings. Cyclic di-GMP participates in interkingdom signaling. It is recognized by mammalian immune systems as a uniquely bacterial molecule and therefore is considered a promising vaccine adjuvant. The purpose of this review is not to overview the whole body of data in the burgeoning field of c-di-GMP-dependent signaling. Instead, we provide a historic perspective on the development of the field, emphasize common trends, and illustrate them with the best available examples. We also identify unresolved questions and highlight new directions in c-di-GMP research that will give us a deeper understanding of this truly universal bacterial second messenger.

Cyclic di-GMP inhibits Vibrio cholerae motility by repressing induction of transcription and inducing extracellular polysaccharide production

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) controls the transition between sessility and motility in many bacterial species. This regulation is achieved by a variety of mechanisms including alteration of transcription initiation and inhibition of flagellar function. How c-di-GMP inhibits the motility of Vibrio cholerae has not been determined. FlrA, a homologue of the c-di-GMP binding Pseudomonas aeruginosa motility regulator FleQ, is the master regulator of the V. cholerae flagellar biosynthesis regulon. Here we show that binding of c-di-GMP to FlrA abrogates binding of FlrA to the promoter of the flrBC operon, deactivating expression of the flagellar biosynthesis regulon. FlrA does not regulate expression of extracellular Vibrio polysaccharide (VPS) synthesis genes. Mutation of the FlrA amino acids R135 and R176 to histidine abrogates binding of c-di-GMP to FlrA, rendering FlrA active in the presence of high levels of c-di-GMP. Surprisingly, c-di-GMP still inhibited the motility of V. cholerae only expressing the c-di-GMP blind FlrA(R176H) mutant. We determined that this flagellar transcription-independent inhibition is due to activation of VPS production by c-di-GMP. Therefore, c-di-GMP prevents motility of V. cholerae by two distinct but functionally redundant mechanisms.

Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate represses bacterial flagella synthesis by interacting with the Walker A motif of the enhancer-binding protein FleQ

The transcription factor FleQ is a bacterial AAA+ ATPase enhancer-binding protein that is the master activator of flagella gene expression in the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Homologs of FleQ are present in all Pseudomonas species and in many polarly flagellated gamma proteobacteria. Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that controls the transition between planktonic and biofilm modes of growth in bacteria in response to diverse environmental signals. C-di-GMP binds to FleQ to dampen its activity, causing down-regulation of flagella gene expression. This action is potentiated in the simultaneous presence of another protein, FleN. We explored the effect of c-di-GMP and FleN on the ATPase activity of FleQ and found that a relatively low concentration of c-di-GMP competitively inhibited FleQ ATPase activity, suggesting that c-di-GMP competes with ATP for binding to the Walker A motif of FleQ. Confirming this, a FleQ Walker A motif mutant failed to bind c-di-GMP. FleN, whose gene is regulated by FleQ, also inhibited FleQ ATPase activity, and FleQ ATPase activity was much more inhibited by c-di-GMP in the presence of FleN than in its absence. These results indicate that FleN and c-di-GMP cooperate to inhibit FleQ activity and, by extension, flagella synthesis in P. aeruginosa. The Walker A motif of FleQ is perfectly conserved, opening up the possibility that other AAA+ ATPases may respond to c-di-GMP.

Cyclic di-nucleotide signaling enters the eukaryote domain

Cyclic (c-di-GMP) is the prevalent intracellular signaling intermediate in bacteria. It triggers a spectrum of responses that cause bacteria to shift from a swarming motile phase to sessile biofilm formation. However, additional functions for c-di-GMP and roles for related molecules, such as c-di-AMP and c-AMP-GMP continue to be uncovered. The first usage of cyclic-di-nucleotide (c-di-NMP) signaling in the eukaryote domain emerged only recently. In dictyostelid social amoebas, c-di-GMP is a secreted signal that induces motile amoebas to differentiate into sessile stalk cells. In humans, c-di-NMPs, which are either produced endogenously in response to foreign DNA or by invading bacterial pathogens, trigger the innate immune system by activating the expression of interferon genes. STING, the human c-di-NMP receptor, is conserved throughout metazoa and their closest unicellular relatives, suggesting protist origins for human c-di-NMP signaling. Compared to the limited number of conserved protein domains that detect the second messengers cAMP and cGMP, the domains that detect the c-di-NMPs are surprisingly varied.

Inactivation of cyclic Di-GMP binding protein TDE0214 affects the motility, biofilm formation, and virulence of Treponema denticola

As a ubiquitous second messenger, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) has been studied in numerous bacteria. The oral spirochete Treponema denticola, a periodontal pathogen associated with human periodontitis, has a complex c-di-GMP signaling network. However, its function remains unexplored. In this report, a PilZ-like c-di-GMP binding protein (TDE0214) was studied to investigate the role of c-di-GMP in the spirochete. TDE0214 harbors a PilZ domain with two signature motifs: RXXXR and DXSXXG. Biochemical studies showed that TDE0214 binds c-di-GMP in a specific manner, with a dissociation constant (Kd) value of 1.73 μM, which is in the low range compared to those of other reported c-di-GMP binding proteins. To reveal the role of c-di-GMP in T. denticola, a TDE0214 deletion mutant (TdΔ214) was constructed and analyzed in detail. First, swim plate and single-cell tracking analyses showed that TdΔ214 had abnormal swimming behaviors: the mutant was less motile and reversed more frequently than the wild type. Second, we found that biofilm formation of TdΔ214 was substantially repressed (∼6.0-fold reduction). Finally, in vivo studies using a mouse skin abscess model revealed that the invasiveness and ability to induce skin abscesses and host humoral immune responses were significantly attenuated in TdΔ214, indicative of the impact that TDE0214 has on the virulence of T. denticola. Collectively, the results reported here indicate that TDE0214 plays important roles in motility, biofilm formation, and virulence of the spirochete. This report also paves a way to further unveil the roles of the c-di-GMP signaling network in the biology and pathogenicity of T. denticola.

The EAL domain protein YciR acts as a trigger enzyme in a c-di-GMP signalling cascade in E. coli biofilm control

C-di-GMP-which is produced by diguanylate cyclases (DGC) and degraded by specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs)-is a ubiquitous second messenger in bacterial biofilm formation. In Escherichia coli, several DGCs (YegE, YdaM) and PDEs (YhjH, YciR) and the MerR-like transcription factor MlrA regulate the transcription of csgD, which encodes a biofilm regulator essential for producing amyloid curli fibres of the biofilm matrix. Here, we demonstrate that this system operates as a signalling cascade, in which c-di-GMP controlled by the DGC/PDE pair YegE/YhjH (module I) regulates the activity of the YdaM/YciR pair (module II). Via multiple direct interactions, the two module II proteins form a signalling complex with MlrA. YciR acts as a connector between modules I and II and functions as a trigger enzyme: its direct inhibition of the DGC YdaM is relieved when it binds and degrades c-di-GMP generated by module I. As a consequence, YdaM then generates c-di-GMP and-by direct and specific interaction-activates MlrA to stimulate csgD transcription. Trigger enzymes may represent a general principle in local c-di-GMP signalling.

Cyclic di-GMP signalling and the regulation of bacterial virulence

Signal transduction pathways involving the second messenger cyclic di-GMP [bis-(3'-5')-cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate] occur widely in bacteria where they act to link perception of environmental or intracellular cues and signals to specific alterations in cellular function. Such alterations can contribute to bacterial lifestyle transitions including biofilm formation and virulence. The cellular levels of the nucleotide are controlled through the opposing activities of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The GGDEF domain of DGCs catalyses the synthesis of cyclic di-GMP from GTP, whereas EAL or HD-GYP domains in different classes of PDE catalyse cyclic di-GMP degradation to pGpG and GMP. We are now beginning to understand how alterations in cyclic di-GMP exert a regulatory action through binding to diverse receptors or effectors that include a small 'adaptor' protein domain called PilZ, transcription factors and riboswitches. The regulatory action of enzymically active cyclic di-GMP signalling proteins is, however, not restricted to an influence on the level of nucleotide. Here, I will discuss our recent findings that highlight the role that protein-protein interactions involving these signalling proteins have in regulating functions that contribute to bacterial virulence.

Selective binding of 2'-F-c-di-GMP to Ct-E88 and Cb-E43, new class I riboswitches from Clostridium tetani and Clostridium botulinum respectively

C-di-GMP is a second messenger in bacteria and partly regulates bacterial physiology by binding to class I and II riboswitches. Four class I c-di-GMP riboswitch aptamer candidates, Ct-E88, Cb-17B, Cb-E43 and Cd-630 RNAs, selected from a GEMM RNA sequence motif in the Rfam database, were expressed and experimentally verified to bind to c-di-GMP. The two newly characterized c-di-GMP riboswitches, Ct-E88 and Cb-E43, bound c-di-GMP with nanomolar Kd whereas the affinities of Cb-17B and Cd-630 for c-di-GMP were at least a 100-fold weaker. Interestingly, whereas the three riboswitches (Vc2, Et-E88 and Cb-E43) bound c-di-GMP with similar Kd values, 2'-modified analogs of c-di-GMP differentially bound to these three class I aptamers. For example, 2'-F-c-di-GMP bound Vc2 with a Kd value of 102 nM whereas the Kd value of 2'-F-c-di-GMP-Ct-E88 is 43 μM (422× higher than that for Vc2 RNA), revealing that there are differences in the binding sites of functional class I c-di-GMP riboswitches.

Intercellular and intracellular signalling systems that globally control the expression of virulence genes in plant pathogenic bacteria

Plant pathogenic bacteria utilize complex signalling systems to control the expression of virulence genes at the cellular level and within populations. Quorum sensing (QS), an important intercellular communication mechanism, is mediated by different types of small molecules, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), fatty acids and small proteins. AHL-mediated signalling systems dependent on the LuxI and LuxR family proteins play critical roles in the virulence of a wide range of Gram-negative plant pathogenic bacteria belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Xanthomonas spp. and Xylella fastidiosa, members of the Gammaproteobacteria, however, possess QS systems that are mediated by fatty acid-type diffusible signal factors (DSFs). Recent studies have demonstrated that Ax21, a 194-amino-acid protein in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, plays dual functions in activating a rice innate immune pathway through binding to the rice XA21 pattern recognition receptor and in regulating bacterial virulence and biofilm formation as a QS signal molecule. In xanthomonads, DSF-mediated QS systems are connected with the signalling pathways mediated by cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), which functions as a second messenger for the control of virulence gene expression in these bacterial pathogens.

Structure of the PilZ-FimXEAL-c-di-GMP Complex Responsible for the Regulation of Bacterial Type IV Pilus Biogenesis

Signal transduction pathways mediated by cyclic-bis(3'→5')-dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) control many important and complex behaviors in bacteria. C-di-GMP is synthesized through the action of GGDEF domains that possess diguanylate cyclase activity and is degraded by EAL or HD-GYP domains with phosphodiesterase activity. There is mounting evidence that some important c-di-GMP-mediated pathways require protein-protein interactions between members of the GGDEF, EAL, HD-GYP and PilZ protein domain families. For example, interactions have been observed between PilZ and the EAL domain from FimX of Xanthomonas citri (Xac). FimX and PilZ are involved in the regulation of type IV pilus biogenesis via interactions of the latter with the hexameric PilB ATPase associated with the bacterial inner membrane. Here, we present the crystal structure of the ternary complex made up of PilZ, the FimX EAL domain (FimXEAL) and c-di-GMP. PilZ interacts principally with the lobe region and the N-terminal linker helix of the FimXEAL. These interactions involve a hydrophobic surface made up of amino acids conserved in a non-canonical family of PilZ domains that lack intrinsic c-di-GMP binding ability and strand complementation that joins β-sheets from both proteins. Interestingly, the c-di-GMP binds to isolated FimXEAL and to the PilZ-FimXEAL complex in a novel conformation encountered in c-di-GMP-protein complexes in which one of the two glycosidic bonds is in a rare syn conformation while the other adopts the more common anti conformation. The structure points to a means by which c-di-GMP and PilZ binding could be coupled to FimX and PilB conformational states.