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Ren Y, Dong W, Li Y, Cao W, Xiao Z, Zhou Y, Teng Y, You X, Yang X, Huang H, Wang H. The Prediction of LptA and LptC Protein-Protein Interactions and Virtual Screening for Potential Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:1827. [PMID: 38675646 PMCID: PMC11052386 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081827] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria remains one of the most pressing challenges to global public health. Blocking the transportation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a crucial component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is considered a promising strategy for drug discovery. In the transportation process of LPS, two components of the LPS transport (Lpt) complex, LptA and LptC, are responsible for shuttling LPS across the periplasm to the outer membrane, highlighting their potential as targets for antibacterial drug development. In the current study, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) model of LptA and LptC was constructed, and a molecular screening strategy was employed to search a protein-protein interaction compound library. The screening results indicated that compound 18593 exhibits favorable binding free energy with LptA and LptC. In comparison with the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on currently known inhibitors, compound 18593 shows more stable target binding ability at the same level. The current study suggests that compound 18593 may exhibit an inhibitory effect on the LPS transport process, making it a promising hit compound for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Ren
- Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing 100081, China;
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenting Dong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Weiting Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zengshuo Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yun Teng
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuefu You
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Huoqiang Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing 100081, China;
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China
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2
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Yoon Y, Song S. Structural Insights into the Lipopolysaccharide Transport (Lpt) System as a Novel Antibiotic Target. J Microbiol 2024; 62:261-275. [PMID: 38816673 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a critical component of the extracellular leaflet within the bacterial outer membrane, forming an effective physical barrier against environmental threats in Gram-negative bacteria. After LPS is synthesized and matured in the bacterial cytoplasm and the inner membrane (IM), LPS is inserted into the outer membrane (OM) through the ATP-driven LPS transport (Lpt) pathway, which is an energy-intensive process. A trans-envelope complex that contains seven Lpt proteins (LptA-LptG) is crucial for extracting LPS from the IM and transporting it across the periplasm to the OM. The last step in LPS transport involves the mediation of the LptDE complex, facilitating the insertion of LPS into the outer leaflet of the OM. As the Lpt system plays an essential role in maintaining the impermeability of the OM via LPS decoration, the interactions between these interconnected subunits, which are meticulously regulated, may be potential targets for the development of new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this review, we aimed to provide an overview of current research concerning the structural interactions within the Lpt system and their implications to clarify the function and regulation of LPS transport in the overall process of OM biogenesis. Additionally, we explored studies on the development of therapeutic inhibitors of LPS transport, the factors that limit success, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurim Yoon
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Saemee Song
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Cina NP, Frank DW, Klug CS. Residues within the LptC transmembrane helix are critical for Escherichia coli LptB 2 FG ATPase regulation. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4879. [PMID: 38131105 PMCID: PMC10804673 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4879] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis in Gram-negative bacteria is completed at the outer leaflet of the inner membrane (IM). Following synthesis, seven LPS transport (Lpt) proteins facilitate the movement of LPS to the outer membrane (OM), an essential process that if disrupted at any stage has lethal effects on bacterial viability. LptB2 FG, the IM component of the Lpt bridge system, is a type VI ABC transporter that provides the driving force for LPS extraction from the IM and subsequent transport across a stable protein bridge to the outer leaflet of the OM. LptC is a periplasmic protein anchored to the IM by a single transmembrane (TM) helix intercalating within the lateral gate formed by LptF TM5 and LptG TM1. LptC facilitates the hand-off of LPS from LptB2 FG to the periplasmic protein LptA and has been shown to regulate the ATPase activity of LptB2 FG. Here, using an engineered chromosomal knockout system in Escherichia coli to assess the effects of LptC mutations in vivo, we identified six partial loss of function LptC mutations in the first unbiased alanine screen of this essential protein. To investigate the functional effects of these mutations, nanoDSF (differential scanning fluorimetry) and site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in combination with an in vitro ATPase assay show that specific residues in the TM helix of LptC destabilize the LptB2 FGC complex and regulate the ATPase activity of LptB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Cina
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Candice S. Klug
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
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4
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Törk L, Moffatt CB, Bernhardt TG, Garner EC, Kahne D. Single-molecule dynamics show a transient lipopolysaccharide transport bridge. Nature 2023; 623:814-819. [PMID: 37938784 PMCID: PMC10842706 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06709-x] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are surrounded by two membranes. A special feature of the outer membrane is its asymmetry. It contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet and phospholipids in the inner leaflet1-3. The proper assembly of LPS in the outer membrane is required for cell viability and provides Gram-negative bacteria intrinsic resistance to many classes of antibiotics. LPS biosynthesis is completed in the inner membrane, so the LPS must be extracted, moved across the aqueous periplasm that separates the two membranes and translocated through the outer membrane where it assembles on the cell surface4. LPS transport and assembly requires seven conserved and essential LPS transport components5 (LptA-G). This system has been proposed to form a continuous protein bridge that provides a path for LPS to reach the cell surface6,7, but this model has not been validated in living cells. Here, using single-molecule tracking, we show that Lpt protein dynamics are consistent with the bridge model. Half of the inner membrane Lpt proteins exist in a bridge state, and bridges persist for 5-10 s, showing that their organization is highly dynamic. LPS facilitates Lpt bridge formation, suggesting a mechanism by which the production of LPS can be directly coupled to its transport. Finally, the bridge decay kinetics suggest that there may be two different types of bridges, whose stability differs according to the presence (long-lived) or absence (short-lived) of LPS. Together, our data support a model in which LPS is both a substrate and a structural component of dynamic Lpt bridges that promote outer membrane assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Törk
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin B Moffatt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Thomas G Bernhardt
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan C Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Daniel Kahne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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5
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Sabnis A, Edwards AM. Lipopolysaccharide as an antibiotic target. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119507. [PMID: 37268022 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are amongst the highest priority drug-resistant pathogens, for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. Whilst antibiotic drug development is inherently challenging, this is particularly true for Gram-negative bacteria due to the presence of the outer membrane, a highly selective permeability barrier that prevents the ingress of several classes of antibiotic. This selectivity is largely due to an outer leaflet composed of the glycolipid lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is essential for the viability of almost all Gram-negative bacteria. This essentiality, coupled with the conservation of the synthetic pathway across species and recent breakthroughs in our understanding of transport and membrane homeostasis has made LPS an attractive target for novel antibiotic drug development. Several different targets have been explored and small molecules developed that show promising activity in vitro. However, these endeavours have met limited success in clinical testing and the polymyxins, discovered more than 70 years ago, remain the only LPS-targeting drugs to enter the clinic thus far. In this review, we will discuss efforts to develop therapeutic inhibitors of LPS synthesis and transport and the reasons for limited success, and explore new developments in understanding polymyxin mode of action and the identification of new analogues with reduced toxicity and enhanced activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sabnis
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Rd, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andrew M Edwards
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Rd, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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6
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Schultz KM, Schneider JR, Fischer MA, Cina NP, Riegert MO, Frank DW, Klug CS. Binding and transport of LPS occurs through the coordinated combination of an array of sites across the entire Escherichia coli LPS transport protein LptA. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4724. [PMID: 37417889 PMCID: PMC10360375 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The outer leaflet of the outer membrane (OM) of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other important pathogens is largely composed of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is essential to nearly all Gram-negative bacteria. LPS is transported to the outer leaflet of the OM through a yet unknown mechanism by seven proteins that comprise the LPS transport system. LptA, the only entirely periplasmic Lpt protein, bridges the periplasmic space between the IM LptB2 FGC and the OM LptDE complexes. LptA is postulated to protect the hydrophobic acyl chains of LPS as it crosses the hydrophilic periplasm, is essential to cell viability, and contains many conserved residues distributed across the protein. To identify which side chains are required for function of E. coli LptA in vivo, we performed a systematic, unbiased, high-throughput screen of the effect of 172 single alanine substitutions on cell viability utilizing an engineered BL21 derivative with a chromosomal knockout of the lptA gene. Remarkably, LptA is highly tolerant to amino acid substitution with alanine. Only four alanine mutants could not complement the chromosomal knockout; CD spectroscopy showed that these substitutions resulted in proteins with significantly altered secondary structure. In addition, 29 partial loss-of-function mutants were identified that led to OM permeability defects; interestingly, these sites were solely located within β-strands of the central core of the protein and each resulted in misfolding of the protein. Therefore, no single residue within LptA is responsible for LPS binding, supporting previous EPR spectroscopy data indicating that sites across the entire protein work in concert to bind and transport LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Schultz
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - John R. Schneider
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Matthew A. Fischer
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Nicholas P. Cina
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Molly O. Riegert
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Candice S. Klug
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
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7
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McDonnell RT, Patel N, Wehrspan ZJ, Elcock AH. Atomic Models of All Major Trans-Envelope Complexes Involved in Lipid Trafficking in Escherichia Coli Constructed Using a Combination of AlphaFold2, AF2Complex, and Membrane Morphing Simulations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.28.538765. [PMID: 37162969 PMCID: PMC10168319 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.28.538765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In Gram-negative bacteria, several trans-envelope complexes (TECs) have been identified that span the periplasmic space in order to facilitate lipid transport between the inner- and outer- membranes. While partial or near-complete structures of some of these TECs have been solved by conventional experimental techniques, most remain incomplete. Here we describe how a combination of computational approaches, constrained by experimental data, can be used to build complete atomic models for four TECs implicated in lipid transport in Escherichia coli . We use DeepMind's protein structure prediction algorithm, AlphaFold2, and a variant of it designed to predict protein complexes, AF2Complex, to predict the oligomeric states of key components of TECs and their likely interfaces with other components. After obtaining initial models of the complete TECs by superimposing predicted structures of subcomplexes, we use the membrane orientation prediction algorithm OPM to predict the likely orientations of the inner- and outer- membrane components in each TEC. Since, in all cases, the predicted membrane orientations in these initial models are tilted relative to each other, we devise a novel molecular mechanics-based strategy that we call "membrane morphing" that adjusts each TEC model until the two membranes are properly aligned with each other and separated by a distance consistent with estimates of the periplasmic width in E. coli . The study highlights the potential power of combining computational methods, operating within limits set by both experimental data and by cell physiology, for producing useable atomic structures of very large protein complexes.
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8
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Bilsing FL, Anlauf MT, Hachani E, Khosa S, Schmitt L. ABC Transporters in Bacterial Nanomachineries. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076227. [PMID: 37047196 PMCID: PMC10094684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the superfamily of ABC transporters are found in all domains of life. Most of these primary active transporters act as isolated entities and export or import their substrates in an ATP-dependent manner across biological membranes. However, some ABC transporters are also part of larger protein complexes, so-called nanomachineries that catalyze the vectorial transport of their substrates. Here, we will focus on four bacterial examples of such nanomachineries: the Mac system providing drug resistance, the Lpt system catalyzing vectorial LPS transport, the Mla system responsible for phospholipid transport, and the Lol system, which is required for lipoprotein transport to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. For all four systems, we tried to summarize the existing data and provide a structure-function analysis highlighting the mechanistical aspect of the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to substrate translocation.
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9
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Romano K, Hung D. Targeting LPS biosynthesis and transport in gram-negative bacteria in the era of multi-drug resistance. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119407. [PMID: 36543281 PMCID: PMC9922520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria pose a major threat to human health in an era fraught with multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Despite extensive drug discovery campaigns over the past decades, no new antibiotic target class effective against gram-negative bacteria has become available to patients since the advent of the carbapenems in 1985. Antibiotic discovery efforts against gram-negative bacteria have been hampered by limited intracellular accumulation of xenobiotics, in large part due to the impermeable cell envelope comprising lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane, as well as a panoply of efflux pumps. The biosynthesis and transport of LPS are essential to the viability and virulence of most gram-negative bacteria. Thus, both LPS biosynthesis and transport are attractive pathways to target therapeutically. In this review, we summarize the LPS biosynthesis and transport pathways and discuss efforts to find small molecule inhibitors against targets within these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.P. Romano
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D.T. Hung
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author at: The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (D.T. Hung)
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10
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Suppressor Mutations in LptF Bypass Essentiality of LptC by Forming a Six-Protein Transenvelope Bridge That Efficiently Transports Lipopolysaccharide. mBio 2023; 14:e0220222. [PMID: 36541759 PMCID: PMC9972910 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02202-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential component of the outer membrane (OM) of many Gram-negative bacteria, providing a barrier against the entry of toxic molecules. In Escherichia coli, LPS is exported to the cell surface by seven essential proteins (LptA-G) that form a transenvelope complex. At the inner membrane, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter LptB2FG associates with LptC to power LPS extraction from the membrane and transfer to the periplasmic LptA protein, which is in complex with the OM translocon LptDE. LptC interacts both with LptB2FG and LptADE to mediate the formation of the transenvelope bridge and regulates the ATPase activity of LptB2FG. A genetic screen has previously identified suppressor mutants at a residue (R212) of LptF that are viable in the absence of LptC. Here, we present in vivo evidence that the LptF R212G mutant assembles a six-protein transenvelope complex in which LptA mediates interactions with LptF and LptD in the absence of LptC. Furthermore, we present in vitro evidence that the mutant LptB2FG complexes restore the regulation of ATP hydrolysis as it occurs in the LptB2FGC complex to achieve wild-type efficient coupling of ATP hydrolysis and LPS movement. We also show the suppressor mutations restore the wild-type levels of LPS transport both in vivo and in vitro, but remarkably, without restoring the affinity of the inner membrane complex for LptA. Based on the sensitivity of lptF suppressor mutants to selected stress conditions relative to wild-type cells, we show that there are additional regulatory functions of LptF and LptC that had not been identified. IMPORTANCE The presence of an external LPS layer in the outer membrane makes Gram-negative bacteria intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics. Millions of LPS molecules are transported to the cell surface per generation by the Lpt molecular machine made, in E. coli, by seven essential proteins. LptC is the unconventional regulatory subunit of the LptB2FGC ABC transporter, involved in coordinating energy production and LPS transport. Surprisingly, despite being essential for bacterial growth, LptC can be deleted, provided that a specific residue in the periplasmic domain of LptF is mutated and LptA is overexpressed. Here, we apply biochemical techniques to investigate the suppression mechanism. The data produced in this work disclose an unknown regulatory function of LptF in the transporter that not only expands the knowledge about the Lpt complex but can also be targeted by novel LPS biogenesis inhibitors.
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11
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Bowen HG, Kenedy MR, Johnson DK, MacKerell AD, Akins DR. Identification of a novel transport system in Borrelia burgdorferi that links the inner and outer membranes. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad014. [PMID: 37385817 PMCID: PMC10353723 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad014] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, is a diderm organism that is similar to Gram-negative organisms in that it contains both an inner and outer membrane. Unlike typical Gram-negative organisms, however, B. burgdorferi lacks lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using computational genome analyses and structural modeling, we identified a transport system containing six proteins in B. burgdorferi that are all orthologs to proteins found in the lipopolysaccharide transport (LPT) system that links the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative organisms and is responsible for placing LPS on the surface of these organisms. While B. burgdorferi does not contain LPS, it does encode over 100 different surface-exposed lipoproteins and several major glycolipids, which like LPS are also highly amphiphilic molecules, though no system to transport these molecules to the borrelial surface is known. Accordingly, experiments supplemented by molecular modeling were undertaken to determine whether the orthologous LPT system identified in B. burgdorferi could transport lipoproteins and/or glycolipids to the borrelial outer membrane. Our combined observations strongly suggest that the LPT transport system does not transport lipoproteins to the surface. Molecular dynamic modeling, however, suggests that the borrelial LPT system could transport borrelial glycolipids to the outer membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Bowen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., BMSB 1053 Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
| | - Melisha R Kenedy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., BMSB 1053 Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
| | - David K Johnson
- Shenkel Structural Biology Center, Molecular Graphics and Modeling Laboratory and the Computational Biology Core, University of Kansas, 2034 Becker Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Alexander D MacKerell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore 20 North Pine Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Darrin R Akins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., BMSB 1053 Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
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12
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Wilson A, Ruiz N. The transmembrane α-helix of LptC participates in LPS extraction by the LptB 2 FGC transporter. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:61-76. [PMID: 35678757 PMCID: PMC9544173 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential component of the outer membrane of most Gram‐negative bacteria that provides resistance to various toxic compounds and antibiotics. Newly synthesized LPS is extracted from the inner membrane by the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter LptB2FGC, which places the glycolipid onto a periplasmic protein bridge that connects to the outer membrane. This ABC transporter is structurally unusual in that it associates with an additional protein, LptC. The periplasmic domain of LptC is part of the transporter's bridge while its transmembrane α‐helix intercalates into the LPS‐binding cavity of the core LptB2FG transporter. LptC’s transmembrane helix affects the in vitro ATPase activity of LptB2FG, but its role in LPS transport in cells remains undefined. Here, we describe two roles of LptC’s transmembrane helix in Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that it is required to maintain proper levels of LptC and participates in coupling the activity of the ATPase LptB to that of its transmembrane partners LptF/LptG prior to loading LPS onto the periplasmic bridge. Our data support a model in which the association of LptC’s transmembrane helix with LptFG creates a nonessential step that slows down the LPS transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Wilson
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Natividad Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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13
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Mandela E, Stubenrauch CJ, Ryoo D, Hwang H, Cohen EJ, Torres VVL, Deo P, Webb CT, Huang C, Schittenhelm RB, Beeby M, Gumbart JC, Lithgow T, Hay ID. Adaptation of the periplasm to maintain spatial constraints essential for cell envelope processes and cell viability. eLife 2022; 11:73516. [PMID: 35084330 PMCID: PMC8824477 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria consists of two membranes surrounding a periplasm and peptidoglycan layer. Molecular machines spanning the cell envelope depend on spatial constraints and load-bearing forces across the cell envelope and surface. The mechanisms dictating spatial constraints across the cell envelope remain incompletely defined. In Escherichia coli, the coiled-coil lipoprotein Lpp contributes the only covalent linkage between the outer membrane and the underlying peptidoglycan layer. Using proteomics, molecular dynamics, and a synthetic lethal screen, we show that lengthening Lpp to the upper limit does not change the spatial constraint but is accommodated by other factors which thereby become essential for viability. Our findings demonstrate E. coli expressing elongated Lpp does not simply enlarge the periplasm in response, but the bacteria accommodate by a combination of tilting Lpp and reducing the amount of the covalent bridge. By genetic screening, we identified all of the genes in E. coli that become essential in order to enact this adaptation, and by quantitative proteomics discovered that very few proteins need to be up- or down-regulated in steady-state levels in order to accommodate the longer Lpp. We observed increased levels of factors determining cell stiffness, a decrease in membrane integrity, an increased membrane vesiculation and a dependance on otherwise non-essential tethers to maintain lipid transport and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Further this has implications for understanding how spatial constraint across the envelope controls processes such as flagellum-driven motility, cellular signaling, and protein translocation
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Mandela
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - David Ryoo
- Interdisciplinary Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States
| | - Hyea Hwang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Eli J Cohen
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pankaj Deo
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chaille T Webb
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Morgan Beeby
- Department of Life Sciencesa, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Iain D Hay
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Martorana AM, Moura ECCM, Sperandeo P, Di Vincenzo F, Liang X, Toone E, Zhou P, Polissi A. Degradation of Components of the Lpt Transenvelope Machinery Reveals LPS-Dependent Lpt Complex Stability in Escherichia coli. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:758228. [PMID: 35004843 PMCID: PMC8727689 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.758228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a peculiar component of the outer membrane (OM) of many Gram-negative bacteria that renders these bacteria highly impermeable to many toxic molecules, including antibiotics. LPS is assembled at the OM by a dedicated intermembrane transport system, the Lpt (LPS transport) machinery, composed of seven essential proteins located in the inner membrane (IM) (LptB2CFG), periplasm (LptA), and OM (LptDE). Defects in LPS transport compromise LPS insertion and assembly at the OM and result in an overall modification of the cell envelope and its permeability barrier properties. LptA is a key component of the Lpt machine. It connects the IM and OM sub-complexes by interacting with the IM protein LptC and the OM protein LptD, thus enabling the LPS transport across the periplasm. Defects in Lpt system assembly result in LptA degradation whose stability can be considered a marker of an improperly assembled Lpt system. Indeed, LptA recruitment by its IM and OM docking sites requires correct maturation of the LptB2CFG and LptDE sub-complexes, respectively. These quality control checkpoints are crucial to avoid LPS mistargeting. To further dissect the requirements for the complete Lpt transenvelope bridge assembly, we explored the importance of LPS presence by blocking its synthesis using an inhibitor compound. Here, we found that the interruption of LPS synthesis results in the degradation of both LptA and LptD, suggesting that, in the absence of the LPS substrate, the stability of the Lpt complex is compromised. Under these conditions, DegP, a major chaperone–protease in Escherichia coli, is responsible for LptD but not LptA degradation. Importantly, LptD and LptA stability is not affected by stressors disturbing the integrity of LPS or peptidoglycan layers, further supporting the notion that the LPS substrate is fundamental to keeping the Lpt transenvelope complex assembled and that LptA and LptD play a major role in the stability of the Lpt system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra M Martorana
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabete C C M Moura
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Di Vincenzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Xiaofei Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Eric Toone
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Pei Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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15
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Bollati M, Gourlay LJ. Protein Crystallization of Two Recombinant Lpt Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2548:249-263. [PMID: 36151502 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2581-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The prerequisite for 3D structure determination of macromolecules via X-ray crystallography is well-ordered, diffracting crystals. Here, we report the recombinant production, biophysical/biochemical protein sample characterization, and vapor diffusion sitting drop crystallization protocols for two lipopolysaccharide transport proteins: LptH from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa-LptH) and an inactive LptC mutant (G153R) from Escherichia coli (EcLptC24-191G153R).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bollati
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics - CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Louise J Gourlay
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Baeta T, Giandoreggio-Barranco K, Ayala I, Moura ECCM, Sperandeo P, Polissi A, Simorre JP, Laguri C. The lipopolysaccharide-transporter complex LptB 2FG also displays adenylate kinase activity in vitro dependent on the binding partners LptC/LptA. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101313. [PMID: 34673027 PMCID: PMC8633020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential glycolipid that covers the surface of gram-negative bacteria. The transport of LPS involves a dedicated seven-protein transporter system called the lipopolysaccharide transport system (Lpt) machinery that physically spans the entire cell envelope. The LptB2FG complex is an ABC transporter that hydrolyzes ATP to extract LPS from the inner membrane for transport to the outer membrane. Here, we extracted LptB2FG directly from the inner membrane with its original lipid environment using styrene-maleic acid polymers. We found that styrene-maleic acid polymers–LptB2FG in nanodiscs display not only ATPase activity but also a previously uncharacterized adenylate kinase (AK) activity, as it catalyzed phosphotransfer between two ADP molecules to generate ATP and AMP. The ATPase and AK activities of LptB2FG were both stimulated by the interaction on the periplasmic side with the periplasmic LPS transport proteins LptC and LptA and inhibited by the presence of the LptC transmembrane helix. We determined that the isolated ATPase module (LptB) had weak AK activity in the absence of transmembrane proteins LptF and LptG, and one mutation in LptB that weakens its affinity for ADP led to AK activity similar to that of fully assembled complex. Thus, we conclude that LptB2FG is capable of producing ATP from ADP, depending on the assembly of the Lpt bridge, and that this AK activity might be important to ensure efficient LPS transport in the fully assembled Lpt system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Baeta
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Isabel Ayala
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Elisabete C C M Moura
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Cedric Laguri
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France.
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17
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Zhou C, Shi H, Zhang M, Zhou L, Xiao L, Feng S, Im W, Zhou M, Zhang X, Huang Y. Structural Insight into Phospholipid Transport by the MlaFEBD Complex from P. aeruginosa. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166986. [PMID: 33845086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria, which consists of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the outer leaflet and phospholipids (PLs) in the inner leaflet, plays a key role in antibiotic resistance and pathogen virulence. The maintenance of lipid asymmetry (Mla) pathway is known to be involved in PL transport and contributes to the lipid homeostasis of the OM, yet the underlying molecular mechanism and the directionality of PL transport in this pathway remain elusive. Here, we reported the cryo-EM structures of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter MlaFEBD from P. areuginosa, the core complex in the Mla pathway, in nucleotide-free (apo)-, ADP (ATP + vanadate)- and ATP (AMPPNP)-bound states as well as the structures of MlaFEB from E. coli in apo- and AMPPNP-bound states at a resolution range of 3.4-3.9 Å. The structures show that the MlaFEBD complex contains a total of twelve protein molecules with a stoichiometry of MlaF2E2B2D6, and binds a plethora of PLs at different locations. In contrast to canonical ABC transporters, nucleotide binding fails to trigger significant conformational changes of both MlaFEBD and MlaFEB in the nucleotide-binding and transmembrane domains of the ABC transporter, correlated with their low ATPase activities exhibited in both detergent micelles and lipid nanodiscs. Intriguingly, PLs or detergents appeared to relocate to the membrane-proximal end from the distal end of the hydrophobic tunnel formed by the MlaD hexamer in MlaFEBD upon addition of ATP, indicating that retrograde PL transport might occur in the tunnel in an ATP-dependent manner. Site-specific photocrosslinking experiment confirms that the substrate-binding pocket in the dimeric MlaE and the MlaD hexamer are able to bind PLs in vitro, in line with the notion that MlaFEBD complex functions as a PL transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changping Zhou
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Huigang Shi
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Manfeng Zhang
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijun Zhou
- Institute of Bio-analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, No. 200 Xiao Ling Wei Street, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Le Xiao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Shasha Feng
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, PA 18015, USA
| | - Wonpil Im
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, PA 18015, USA
| | - Min Zhou
- Institute of Bio-analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, No. 200 Xiao Ling Wei Street, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Xinzheng Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China.
| | - Yihua Huang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China.
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18
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Mass spectrometry informs the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins involved in lipid and drug transport. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 70:53-60. [PMID: 33964676 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are important macromolecules that play crucial roles in many cellular and physiological processes. Over the past two decades, the use of mass spectrometry as a biophysical tool to characterise membrane proteins has grown steadily. By capturing these dynamic complexes in the gas phase, many unknown small molecule interactions have been revealed. One particular application of this research has been the focus on antibiotic resistance with considerable efforts being made to understand underlying mechanisms. Here we review recent advances in the application of mass spectrometry that have yielded both structural and dynamic information on the interactions of antibiotics with proteins involved in bacterial cell envelope biogenesis and drug efflux.
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19
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Marinelli F, Alifano P, Landini P, Visca P. Editorial: XXXIII SIMGBM Congress 2019 - Antimicrobials and Host-Pathogen Interactions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:672517. [PMID: 33897678 PMCID: PMC8058205 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.672517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Marinelli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Paolo Landini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Roma, Italy
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20
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Structural insights into outer membrane asymmetry maintenance in Gram-negative bacteria by MlaFEDB. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 28:81-91. [PMID: 33199922 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-00532-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The highly asymmetric outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria functions in the defense against cytotoxic substances, such as antibiotics. The Mla pathway maintains outer membrane lipid asymmetry by transporting phospholipids between the inner and outer membranes. It comprises six Mla proteins, MlaFEDBCA, including the ABC transporter MlaFEDB, which functions via an unknown mechanism. Here we determine cryo-EM structures of Escherichia coli MlaFEDB in an apo state and bound to phospholipid, ADP or AMP-PNP to a resolution of 3.3-4.1 Å and establish a proteoliposome-based transport system that includes MlaFEDB, MlaC and MlaA-OmpF to monitor the transport direction of phospholipids. In vitro transport assays and in vivo membrane permeability assays combined with mutagenesis identify functional residues that not only recognize and transport phospholipids but also regulate the activity and structural stability of the MlaFEDB complex. Our results provide mechanistic insights into the Mla pathway, which could aid antimicrobial drug development.
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21
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Li P, Dong X, Wang XY, Du T, Du XJ, Wang S. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Adhesion/Invasion Related Proteins in Cronobacter sakazakii Based on Data-Independent Acquisition Coupled With LC-MS/MS. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1239. [PMID: 32582128 PMCID: PMC7296052 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is foodborne pathogen that causes serious illnesses such as necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis and septicemia in infants. However, the virulence determinants and mechanisms of pathogenicity of these species remain unclear. In this study, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on 34 C. sakazakii strains and two strains with the same sequence type (ST) but distinct adhesion/invasion capabilities were selected for identification of differentially expressed proteins using data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomic analysis. A total of 2,203 proteins were identified and quantified. Among these proteins, 210 exhibited differential expression patterns with abundance ratios ≥3 or ≤0.33 and P values ≤0.05. Among these 210 proteins, 67 were expressed higher, and 143 were expressed lower in C. sakazakii SAKA80220 (strongly adhesive/invasive strain) compared with C. sakazakii SAKA80221 (weakly adhesive/invasive strain). Based on a detailed analysis of the differentially expressed proteins, the highly expressed genes involved in flagellar assembly, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, LuxS/AI-2, energy metabolic pathways and iron-sulfur cluster may be associated with the adhesion/invasion capability of C. sakazakii. To verify the accuracy of the proteomic results, real-time qPCR was used to analyze the expression patterns of some genes at the transcriptional level, and consistent results were observed. This study, for the first time, used DIA proteomic to investigate potential adhesion/invasion related factors as a useful reference for further studies on the pathogenic mechanism of C. sakazakii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Du
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin-Jun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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22
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Moura ECCM, Baeta T, Romanelli A, Laguri C, Martorana AM, Erba E, Simorre JP, Sperandeo P, Polissi A. Thanatin Impairs Lipopolysaccharide Transport Complex Assembly by Targeting LptC-LptA Interaction and Decreasing LptA Stability. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:909. [PMID: 32477309 PMCID: PMC7237710 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is a highly selective permeability barrier due to its asymmetric structure with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet. In Escherichia coli, LPS is transported to the cell surface by the LPS transport (Lpt) system composed of seven essential proteins forming a transenvelope bridge. Transport is powered by the ABC transporter LptB2FGC, which extracts LPS from the inner membrane (IM) and transfers it, through LptC protein, to the periplasmic protein LptA. Then, LptA delivers LPS to the OM LptDE translocon for final assembly at the cell surface. The Lpt protein machinery operates as a single device, since depletion of any component leads to the accumulation of a modified LPS decorated with repeating units of colanic acid at the IM outer leaflet. Moreover, correct machine assembly is essential for LPS transit and disruption of the Lpt complex results in LptA degradation. Due to its vital role in cell physiology, the Lpt system represents a good target for antimicrobial drugs. Thanatin is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide reported to cause defects in membrane assembly and demonstrated in vitro to bind to the N-terminal β-strand of LptA. Since this region is involved in both LptA dimerization and interaction with LptC, we wanted to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition of thanatin and discriminate whether its antibacterial effect is exerted by the disruption of the interaction of LptA with itself or with LptC. For this purpose, we here implemented the Bacterial Adenylate Cyclase Two-Hybrid (BACTH) system to probe in vivo the Lpt interactome in the periplasm. With this system, we found that thanatin targets both LptC–LptA and LptA–LptA interactions, with a greater inhibitory effect on the former. We confirmed in vitro the disruption of LptC–LptA interaction using two different biophysical techniques. Finally, we observed that in cells treated with thanatin, LptA undergoes degradation and LPS decorated with colanic acid accumulates. These data further support inhibition or disruption of Lpt complex assembly as the main killing mechanism of thanatin against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabete C C M Moura
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiago Baeta
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Alessandra Romanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cedric Laguri
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Erba
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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23
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Patro LPP, Rathinavelan T. Targeting the Sugary Armor of Klebsiella Species. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:367. [PMID: 31781512 PMCID: PMC6856556 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Gram-negative Klebsiella species is an urgent global threat. The World Health Organization has listed Klebsiella pneumoniae as one of the global priority pathogens in critical need of next-generation antibiotics. Compared to other Gram-negative pathogens, K. pneumoniae accumulates a greater diversity of antimicrobial-resistant genes at a higher frequency. The evolution of a hypervirulent phenotype of K. pneumoniae is yet another concern. It has a broad ecological distribution affecting humans, agricultural animals, plants, and aquatic animals. Extracellular polysaccharides of Klebsiella, such as lipopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides, and exopolysaccharides, play crucial roles in conferring resistance against the host immune response, as well as in colonization, surface adhesion, and for protection against antibiotics and bacteriophages. These extracellular polysaccharides are major virulent determinants and are highly divergent with respect to their antigenic properties. Wzx/Wzy-, ABC-, and synthase-dependent proteinaceous nano-machineries are involved in the biosynthesis, transport, and cell surface expression of these sugar molecules. Although the proteins involved in the biosynthesis and surface expression of these sugar molecules represent potential drug targets, variation in the amino acid sequences of some of these proteins, in combination with diversity in their sugar composition, poses a major challenge to the design of a universal drug for Klebsiella infections. This review discusses the challenges in universal Klebsiella vaccine and drug development from the perspective of antigen sugar compositions and the proteins involved in extracellular antigen transport.
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24
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Cryo-EM structures of lipopolysaccharide transporter LptB 2FGC in lipopolysaccharide or AMP-PNP-bound states reveal its transport mechanism. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4175. [PMID: 31519889 PMCID: PMC6744409 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11977-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria are critical for the defence against cytotoxic substances and must be transported from the inner membrane (IM) to the outer membrane (OM) through a bridge formed by seven membrane proteins (LptBFGCADE). The IM component LptB2FG powers the process through a yet unclarified mechanism. Here we report three high-resolution cryo-EM structures of LptB2FG alone and complexed with LptC (LptB2FGC), trapped in either the LPS- or AMP-PNP-bound state. The structures reveal conformational changes between these states and substrate binding with or without LptC. We identify two functional transmembrane arginine-containing loops interacting with the bound AMP-PNP and elucidate allosteric communications between the domains. AMP-PNP binding induces an inward rotation and shift of the transmembrane helices of LptFG and LptC to tighten the cavity, with the closure of two lateral gates, to eventually expel LPS into the bridge. Functional assays reveal the functionality of the LptF and LptG periplasmic domains. Our findings shed light on the LPS transport mechanism. Seven lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport proteins (LptBFGCADE) mediate the transport of LPS from the inner to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Here the authors provide mechanistic insights into LPS recognition and transportation by determining the cryo-EM structures of the inner membrane complex LptB2FGC bound to either LPS or AMP-PNP.
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25
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The Lpt ABC transporter for lipopolysaccharide export to the cell surface. Res Microbiol 2019; 170:366-373. [PMID: 31376484 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The surface of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is covered by a tightly packed layer of lipopolysaccharide molecules which provide a barrier against many toxic compounds and antibiotics. Lipopolysaccharide, synthesized in the cytoplasm, is assembled in the periplasmic leaflet of the inner membrane where the intermembrane Lpt system mediates its transport to the cell surface. The first step of lipopolysaccharide transport is its extraction from the outer leaflet of inner membrane powered by the atypical LptB2FGC ABC transporter. Here we review latest advances leading to understanding at molecular level how lipopolysaccharide is transported irreversibly to the outer membrane.
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Lundquist KP, Gumbart JC. Presence of substrate aids lateral gate separation in LptD. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1862:183025. [PMID: 31351059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) provide the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria with a strong protective barrier. The periplasm-spanning Lpt machinery is responsible for the transport of LPS molecules across the periplasm, culminating in insertion by the outer-membrane proteins LptD and LptE. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of LPS insertion by LptDE, we performed over 14 microseconds of equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Bilayer-dependent differences in the fluctuations and secondary structure of LptD's extracellular loops are observed for a pure DMPE membrane vs. a model of the OM. Furthermore, LptD's periplasmic N-terminal domain is highly dynamic, which may help to maintain the integrity of the periplasm-spanning complex amidst relative motion of the inner-membrane and outer-membrane anchored domains. In addition, our simulations demonstrate that binding of LPS substrate activates a switching between the associated and dissociated states of two lumenal loops at the interface between the β-barrel and the N-terminal domain as well as LptD's lateral gate on the microsecond timescale, neither of which is observed for the apo state. Placement of a substrate LPS molecule also causes an increase in the average separation of the LptD lateral gate strands and a lowering of the energetic barrier to lateral gate opening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl P Lundquist
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States of America
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States of America.
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Lo Sciuto A, Martorana AM, Fernández-Piñar R, Mancone C, Polissi A, Imperi F. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LptE is crucial for LptD assembly, cell envelope integrity, antibiotic resistance and virulence. Virulence 2019; 9:1718-1733. [PMID: 30354941 PMCID: PMC7204523 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1537730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential structural component of the outer membrane (OM) of most Gram-negative bacteria. In the model organism Escherichia coli, LPS transport to the OM requires seven essential proteins (LptABCDEFG) that form a continuous bridge across the cell envelope. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa the recently-demonstrated essentiality of LptD and LptH, the P. aeruginosa LptA homologue, confirmed the crucial role of the Lpt system and, thus, of LPS in OM biogenesis in this species. Surprisingly, independent high-throughput transposon mutagenesis studies identified viable P. aeruginosa insertion mutants in the lptE gene, suggesting that it might be dispensable for bacterial growth. To test this hypothesis, we generated an lptE conditional mutant in P. aeruginosa PAO1. LptE depletion only slightly impairs P. aeruginosa growth in vitro. Conversely, LptE is important for cell envelope stability, antibiotic resistance and virulence in an insect model. Interestingly, the maturation and OM localization of LPS is only marginally affected in LptE-depleted cells, while the levels of the OM component LptD are strongly reduced. This suggests that P. aeruginosa LptE might not be directly involved in LPS transport, although it is clearly essential for the maturation and/or stability of LptD. While poor functionality of LptD caused by LptE depletion is somehow tolerated by P. aeruginosa, this has a high cost in terms of cell integrity, drug resistance and virulence, highlighting LptE function(s) as an interesting target to weaken P. aeruginosa defenses and reduce its infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Lo Sciuto
- a Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- b Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Regina Fernández-Piñar
- a Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , Rome , Italy
| | - Carmine Mancone
- c Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- b Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Francesco Imperi
- a Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , Rome , Italy
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Pankov G, Dawson A, Hunter WN. The structure of lipopolysaccharide transport protein B (LptB) from Burkholderia pseudomallei. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2019; 75:227-232. [PMID: 30950822 PMCID: PMC6450526 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x19001778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The thick outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria performs an important protective role against hostile environments, supports cell integrity, and contributes to surface adhesion and in some cases also to virulence. A major component of the OM is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a complex glycolipid attached to a core containing fatty-acyl chains. The assembly and transport of lipid A, the membrane anchor for LPS, to the OM begins when a heteromeric LptB2FG protein complex extracts lipid A from the outer leaflet of the inner membrane. This process requires energy, and upon hydrolysis of ATP one component of the heteromeric assembly, LptB, triggers a conformational change in LptFG in support of lipid A transport. A structure of LptB from the intracellular pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei is reported here. LptB forms a dimer that displays a relatively fixed structure irrespective of whether it is in complex with LptFG or in isolation. Highly conserved sequence and structural features are discussed that allow LptB to fuel the transport of lipid A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genady Pankov
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland
| | - Alice Dawson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland
| | - William N. Hunter
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland
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Dabral N, Burcham GN, Jain-Gupta N, Sriranganathan N, Vemulapalli R. Overexpression of wbkF gene in Brucella abortus RB51WboA leads to increased O-polysaccharide expression and enhanced vaccine efficacy against B. abortus 2308, B. melitensis 16M, and B. suis 1330 in a murine brucellosis model. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213587. [PMID: 30856219 PMCID: PMC6411116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus RB51 is an attenuated, stable, spontaneous rough mutant derived in the laboratory from the virulent strain B. abortus 2308. Previous studies discovered that the wboA gene, which encodes a glycosyltransferase required for synthesis of the O-polysaccharide, is disrupted in strain RB51 by an IS711 element. However, complementation of strain RB51 with a functional wboA gene (strain RB51WboA) does not confer it a smooth phenotype but results in low levels of cytoplasmic O-polysaccharide synthesis. In this study, we asked if increasing the potential availability of bactoprenol priming precursors in strain RB51WboA would increase the levels of O-polysaccharide synthesis and enhance the protective efficacy against virulent Brucella challenge. To achieve this, we overexpressed the wbkF gene, which encodes a putative undecaprenyl-glycosyltransferase involved in bactoprenol priming for O-polysaccharide polymerization, in strain RB51WboA to generate strain RB51WboAKF. In comparison to strain RB51WboA, strain RB51WboAKF expressed higher levels of O-polysaccharide, but was still attenuated and remained phenotypically rough. Mice immunized with strain RB51WboAKF developed increased levels of smooth LPS-specific serum antibodies, primarily of IgG2a and IgG3 isotype. Splenocytes from mice vaccinated with strain RB51WboAKF secreted higher levels of antigen-specific IFN-γ and TNF-α and contained more numbers of antigen-specific IFN-γ secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes when compared to those of the RB51 or RB51WboA vaccinated groups. Immunization with strain RB51WboAKF conferred enhanced protection against virulent B. abortus 2308, B. melitensis 16M and B. suis 1330 challenge when compared to the currently used vaccine strains. Our results suggest that strain RB51WboAKF has the potential to be a more efficacious vaccine than its parent strain in natural hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Dabral
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Grant N. Burcham
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Neeta Jain-Gupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nammalwar Sriranganathan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Ramesh Vemulapalli
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
In Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane protects the cell against many toxic molecules, and the peptidoglycan layer provides protection against osmotic challenges, allowing bacterial cells to survive in changing environments. Maintaining cell envelope integrity is therefore a question of life or death for a bacterial cell. Here we show that Escherichia coli cells activate the LD-transpeptidase LdtD to introduce 3-3 cross-links in the peptidoglycan layer when the integrity of the outer membrane is compromised, and this response is required to avoid cell lysis. This peptidoglycan remodeling program is a strategy to increase the overall robustness of the bacterial cell envelope in response to defects in the outer membrane. Gram-negative bacteria have a tripartite cell envelope with the cytoplasmic membrane (CM), a stress-bearing peptidoglycan (PG) layer, and the asymmetric outer membrane (OM) containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet. Cells must tightly coordinate the growth of their complex envelope to maintain cellular integrity and OM permeability barrier function. The biogenesis of PG and LPS relies on specialized macromolecular complexes that span the entire envelope. In this work, we show that Escherichia coli cells are capable of avoiding lysis when the transport of LPS to the OM is compromised, by utilizing LD-transpeptidases (LDTs) to generate 3-3 cross-links in the PG. This PG remodeling program relies mainly on the activities of the stress response LDT, LdtD, together with the major PG synthase PBP1B, its cognate activator LpoB, and the carboxypeptidase PBP6a. Our data support a model according to which these proteins cooperate to strengthen the PG in response to defective OM synthesis.
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Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane that is positioned at the frontline of the cell's interaction with the environment and that serves as a barrier against noxious molecules including many antibiotics. This protective function mainly relies on lipopolysaccharide, a complex glycolipid located in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. In this chapter we will first summarize lipopolysaccharide structure, functions and biosynthetic pathway and then we will discuss how it is transported and assembled to the cell surface. This is a remarkably complex process, as amphipathic lipopolysaccharide molecules must traverse three different cellular compartments to reach their final destination.
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Current Progress in the Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Proteins Involved in the Assembly of Lipopolysaccharide. Int J Microbiol 2018; 2018:5319146. [PMID: 30595696 PMCID: PMC6286764 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5319146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is primarily composed of the glycolipid lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which serves to form a protective barrier against hydrophobic toxins and many antibiotics. LPS is comprised of three regions: the lipid A membrane anchor, the nonrepeating core oligosaccharide, and the repeating O-antigen polysaccharide. The lipid A portion is also referred to as endotoxin as its overstimulation of the toll-like receptor 4 during systemic infection precipitates potentially fatal septic shock. Because of the importance of LPS for the viability and virulence of human pathogens, understanding how LPS is synthesized and transported to the outer leaflet of the outer membrane is important for developing novel antibiotics to combat resistant Gram-negative strains. The following review describes the current state of our understanding of the proteins responsible for the synthesis and transport of LPS with an emphasis on the contribution of protein structures to our understanding of their functions. Because the lipid A portion of LPS is relatively well conserved, a detailed description of the biosynthetic enzymes in the Raetz pathway of lipid A synthesis is provided. Conversely, less well-conserved biosynthetic enzymes later in LPS synthesis are described primarily to demonstrate conserved principles of LPS synthesis. Finally, the conserved LPS transport systems are described in detail.
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Zhang X, Li Y, Wang W, Zhang J, Lin Y, Hong B, You X, Song D, Wang Y, Jiang J, Si S. Identification of an anti-Gram-negative bacteria agent disrupting the interaction between lipopolysaccharide transporters LptA and LptC. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2018; 53:442-448. [PMID: 30476569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a serious clinical problem that causes increased morbidity and mortality. However, the slow discovery of new antibiotics is unable to meet the need for treating bacterial infections caused by drug-resistant strains. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is synthesized in the cytoplasm and transported to the cell envelope by the LPS transport (Lpt) system. LptA and LptC form a complex that transports LPS from the inner membrane to the outer membrane. METHODS This study performed a screen for agents that disrupt the transport of LPS in Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. It established a yeast two-hybrid system to detect LptA-LptC interaction and used this system to identify a compound, IMB-881, that blocks this interaction and shows antibacterial activity. RESULTS This study demonstrated that the IMB-881 compound specifically binds to LptA to disrupt LptA-LptC interaction using surface plasmon resonance assay. Overproduction of LptA protein but not that of LptC lowered the antibacterial activity of IMB-881. Strikingly, Escherichia coli cells accumulated 'extra' membrane material in the periplasm and exhibited filament morphology after treatment with IMB-881. CONCLUSION This study successfully identified, by using a yeast two-hybrid system, an antibacterial agent that likely blocks LPS transport in Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Hong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefu You
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Danqing Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanchang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Shuyi Si
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Botos I, Noinaj N, Buchanan SK. Insertion of proteins and lipopolysaccharide into the bacterial outer membrane. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018. [PMID: 28630161 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial outer membrane contains phospholipids in the inner leaflet and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet. Both proteins and LPS must be frequently inserted into the outer membrane to preserve its integrity. The protein complex that inserts LPS into the outer membrane is called LptDE, and consists of an integral membrane protein, LptD, with a separate globular lipoprotein, LptE, inserted in the barrel lumen. The protein complex that inserts newly synthesized outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) into the outer membrane is called the BAM complex, and consists of an integral membrane protein, BamA, plus four lipoproteins, BamB, C, D and E. Recent structural and functional analyses illustrate how these two complexes insert their substrates into the outer membrane by distorting the membrane component (BamA or LptD) to directly access the lipid bilayer.This article is part of the themed issue 'Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Botos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicholas Noinaj
- Markey Center for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, and the Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Susan K Buchanan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Schultz KM, Klug CS. Characterization of and lipopolysaccharide binding to the E. coli LptC protein dimer. Protein Sci 2018; 27:381-389. [PMID: 29024084 PMCID: PMC5775163 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. LPS is a large lipid containing several acyl chains as its hydrophobic base and numerous sugars as its hydrophilic core and O-antigen domains, and is an essential element of the organisms' natural defenses in adverse environmental conditions. LptC is one of seven members of the lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) protein family that functions to transport LPS from the inner membrane (IM) to the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of the bacterium. LptC is anchored to the IM and associated with the IM LptFGB2 complex. It is hypothesized that LPS binds to LptC at the IM, transfers to LptA to cross the periplasm, and is inserted by LptDE into the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. The studies described here comprehensively characterize and quantitate the binding of LPS to LptC. Site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was utilized to characterize the LptC dimer in solution and monitor spin label mobility changes at 10 sites across the protein upon addition of exogenous LPS. The results indicate that soluble LptC forms concentration-independent N-terminal dimers in solution, LptA binding does not change the conformation of the LptC dimer nor appreciably disrupt the LptC dimer in vitro, and LPS binding affects the entire LptC protein, with the center and C-terminal regions showing a greater affinity for LPS than the N-terminal domain, which has similar dissociation constants to LptA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Schultz
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsin53226
| | - Candice S. Klug
- Department of BiophysicsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsin53226
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May JM, Owens TW, Mandler MD, Simpson BW, Lazarus MB, Sherman DJ, Davis RM, Okuda S, Massefski W, Ruiz N, Kahne D. The Antibiotic Novobiocin Binds and Activates the ATPase That Powers Lipopolysaccharide Transport. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:17221-17224. [PMID: 29135241 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Novobiocin is an orally active antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase by binding the ATP-binding site in the ATPase subunit. Although effective against Gram-positive pathogens, novobiocin has limited activity against Gram-negative organisms due to the presence of the lipopolysaccharide-containing outer membrane, which acts as a permeability barrier. Using a novobiocin-sensitive Escherichia coli strain with a leaky outer membrane, we identified a mutant with increased resistance to novobiocin. Unexpectedly, the mutation that increases novobiocin resistance was not found to alter gyrase, but the ATPase that powers lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport. Co-crystal structures, biochemical, and genetic evidence show novobiocin directly binds this ATPase. Novobiocin does not bind the ATP binding site but rather the interface between the ATPase subunits and the transmembrane subunits of the LPS transporter. This interaction increases the activity of the LPS transporter, which in turn alters the permeability of the outer membrane. We propose that novobiocin will be a useful tool for understanding how ATP hydrolysis is coupled to LPS transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine M May
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Tristan W Owens
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Michael D Mandler
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Brent W Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Michael B Lazarus
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - David J Sherman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Rebecca M Davis
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Suguru Okuda
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Walter Massefski
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Natividad Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Daniel Kahne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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Sperandeo P, Martorana AM, Polissi A. The lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) machinery: A nonconventional transporter for lipopolysaccharide assembly at the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:17981-17990. [PMID: 28878019 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r117.802512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative is a unique lipid bilayer containing LPS in its outer leaflet. Because of the presence of amphipathic LPS molecules, the OM behaves as an effective permeability barrier that makes Gram-negative bacteria inherently resistant to many antibiotics. This review focuses on LPS biogenesis and discusses recent advances that have contributed to our understanding of how this complex molecule is transported across the cellular envelope and is assembled at the OM outer leaflet. Clearly, this knowledge represents an important platform for the development of novel therapeutic options to manage Gram-negative infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sperandeo
- From the Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan and
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- the Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- From the Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan and
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Laguri C, Sperandeo P, Pounot K, Ayala I, Silipo A, Bougault CM, Molinaro A, Polissi A, Simorre JP. Interaction of lipopolysaccharides at intermolecular sites of the periplasmic Lpt transport assembly. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9715. [PMID: 28852068 PMCID: PMC5575297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transport of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to the surface of the outer membrane is essential for viability of Gram-negative bacteria. Periplasmic LptC and LptA proteins of the LPS transport system (Lpt) are responsible for LPS transfer between the Lpt inner and outer membrane complexes. Here, using a monomeric E. coli LptA mutant, we first show in vivo that a stable LptA oligomeric form is not strictly essential for bacteria. The LptC-LptA complex was characterized by a combination of SAXS and NMR methods and a low resolution model of the complex was determined. We were then able to observe interaction of LPS with LptC, the monomeric LptA mutant as well as with the LptC-LptA complex. A LptC-LPS complex was built based on NMR data in which the lipid moiety of the LPS is buried at the interface of the two β-jellyrolls of the LptC dimer. The selectivity of LPS for this intermolecular surface and the observation of such cavities at homo- or heteromolecular interfaces in LptC and LptA suggests that intermolecular sites are essential for binding LPS during its transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Laguri
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France. .,CEA, DSV, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France. .,CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.
| | - Paola Sperandeo
- University of Milano, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, Milano, Italy
| | - Kevin Pounot
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CEA, DSV, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Isabel Ayala
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CEA, DSV, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Alba Silipo
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Sciences, via cinthia 4, Napoli, Italy
| | - Catherine M Bougault
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CEA, DSV, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Sciences, via cinthia 4, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- University of Milano, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, Milano, Italy.
| | - Jean-Pierre Simorre
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CEA, DSV, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France.,CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 71 avenue des Martyrs - CS10090, 38044, Grenoble cedex 9, France
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Dong H, Tang X, Zhang Z, Dong C. Structural insight into lipopolysaccharide transport from the Gram-negative bacterial inner membrane to the outer membrane. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2017; 1862:1461-1467. [PMID: 28821406 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important component of the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria, playing essential roles in protecting bacteria from harsh environments, in drug resistance and in pathogenesis. LPS is synthesized in the cytoplasm and translocated to the periplasmic side of the inner membrane (IM), where it matures. Seven lipopolysaccharide transport proteins, LptA-G, form a trans‑envelope complex that is responsible for LPS extraction from the IM and transporting it across the periplasm to the OM. The LptD/E of the complex transports LPS across the OM and inserts it into the outer leaflet of the OM. In this review we focus upon structural and mechanistic studies of LPS transport proteins, with a particular focus upon the LPS ABC transporter LptB2FG. This ATP binding cassette transporter complex consists of twelve transmembrane segments and has a unique mechanism whereby it extracts LPS from the periplasmic face of the IM through a pair of lateral gates and then powers trans‑periplasmic transport to the OM through a slide formed by either of the periplasmic domains of LptF or LptG, LptC, LptA and the N-terminal domain of LptD. The structural and functional studies of the seven lipopolysaccharide transport proteins provide a platform to explore the unusual mechanisms of LPS extraction, transport and insertion from the inner membrane to the outer membrane. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Bacterial Lipids edited by Russell E. Bishop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohao Dong
- Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Xiaodi Tang
- Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Zhengyu Zhang
- Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Changjiang Dong
- Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
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Sperandeo P, Martorana AM, Polissi A. Lipopolysaccharide biogenesis and transport at the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2016; 1862:1451-1460. [PMID: 27760389 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is an asymmetric lipid bilayer containing a unique glycolipid, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in its outer leaflet. LPS molecules confer to the OM peculiar permeability barrier properties enabling Gram-negative bacteria to exclude many toxic compounds, including clinically useful antibiotics, and to survive harsh environments. Transport of LPS poses several problems to the cells due to the amphipatic nature of this molecule. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the LPS transport machinery, discuss the challenges associated with this process and present the solutions that bacterial cells have evolved to address the problem of LPS transport and assembly at the cell surface. Finally, we discuss how knowledge on LPS biogenesis can be translated for the development of novel antimicrobial therapies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Bacterial Lipids edited by Russell E. Bishop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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41
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Benedet M, Falchi FA, Puccio S, Di Benedetto C, Peano C, Polissi A, Dehò G. The Lack of the Essential LptC Protein in the Trans-Envelope Lipopolysaccharide Transport Machine Is Circumvented by Suppressor Mutations in LptF, an Inner Membrane Component of the Escherichia coli Transporter. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161354. [PMID: 27529623 PMCID: PMC4986956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport (Lpt) system is responsible for transferring LPS from the periplasmic surface of the inner membrane (IM) to the outer leaflet of the outer membrane (OM), where it plays a crucial role in OM selective permeability. In E. coli seven essential proteins are assembled in an Lpt trans-envelope complex, which is conserved in γ-Proteobacteria. LptBFG constitute the IM ABC transporter, LptDE form the OM translocon for final LPS delivery, whereas LptC, an IM-anchored protein with a periplasmic domain, interacts with the IM ABC transporter, the periplasmic protein LptA, and LPS. Although essential, LptC can tolerate several mutations and its role in LPS transport is unclear. To get insights into the functional role of LptC in the Lpt machine we searched for viable mutants lacking LptC by applying a strong double selection for lptC deletion mutants. Genome sequencing of viable ΔlptC mutants revealed single amino acid substitutions at a unique position in the predicted large periplasmic domain of the IM component LptF (LptFSupC). In complementation tests, lptFSupC mutants suppress lethality of both ΔlptC and lptC conditional expression mutants. Our data show that mutations in a specific residue of the predicted LptF periplasmic domain can compensate the lack of the essential protein LptC, implicate such LptF domain in the formation of the periplasmic bridge between the IM and OM complexes, and suggest that LptC may have evolved to improve the performance of an ancestral six-component Lpt machine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Benedet
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica A. Falchi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Puccio
- Scuola di Dottorato in Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Segrate, Italy
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Clelia Peano
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Dehò
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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42
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Functional Interaction between the Cytoplasmic ABC Protein LptB and the Inner Membrane LptC Protein, Components of the Lipopolysaccharide Transport Machinery in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2016; 198:2192-203. [PMID: 27246575 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00329-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The assembly of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane (OM) requires the transenvelope Lpt (lipopolysaccharide transport) complex, made in Escherichia coli of seven essential proteins located in the inner membrane (IM) (LptBCFG), periplasm (LptA), and OM (LptDE). At the IM, LptBFG constitute an unusual ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter, composed by the transmembrane LptFG proteins and the cytoplasmic LptB ATPase, which is thought to extract LPS from the IM and to provide the energy for its export across the periplasm to the cell surface. LptC is a small IM bitopic protein that binds to LptBFG and recruits LptA via its N- and C-terminal regions, and its role in LPS export is not completely understood. Here, we show that the expression level of lptB is a critical factor for suppressing lethality of deletions in the C-terminal region of LptC and the functioning of a hybrid Lpt machinery that carries Pa-LptC, the highly divergent LptC orthologue from Pseudomonas aeruginosa We found that LptB overexpression stabilizes C-terminally truncated LptC mutant proteins, thereby allowing the formation of a sufficient amount of stable IM complexes to support growth. Moreover, the LptB level seems also critical for the assembly of IM complexes carrying Pa-LptC which is otherwise defective in interactions with the E. coli LptFG components. Overall, our data suggest that LptB and LptC functionally interact and support a model whereby LptB plays a key role in the assembly of the Lpt machinery. IMPORTANCE The asymmetric outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria contains in its outer leaflet an unusual glycolipid, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS largely contributes to the peculiar permeability barrier properties of the OM that prevent the entry of many antibiotics, thus making Gram-negative pathogens difficult to treat. In Escherichia coli the LPS transporter (the Lpt machine) is made of seven essential proteins (LptABCDEFG) that form a transenvelope complex. Here, we show that increased expression of the membrane-associated ABC protein LptB can suppress defects of LptC, which participates in the formation of the periplasmic bridge. This reveals functional interactions between these two components and supports a role of LptB in the assembly of the Lpt machine.
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May JM, Sherman DJ, Simpson BW, Ruiz N, Kahne D. Lipopolysaccharide transport to the cell surface: periplasmic transport and assembly into the outer membrane. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2015.0027. [PMID: 26370939 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane (OM) containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Proper assembly of the OM not only prevents certain antibiotics from entering the cell, but also allows others to be pumped out. To assemble this barrier, the seven-protein lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) system extracts LPS from the outer leaflet of the inner membrane (IM), transports it across the periplasm and inserts it selectively into the outer leaflet of the OM. As LPS is important, if not essential, in most Gram-negative bacteria, the LPS biosynthesis and biogenesis pathways are attractive targets in the development of new classes of antibiotics. The accompanying paper (Simpson BW, May JM, Sherman DJ, Kahne D, Ruiz N. 2015 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 370, 20150029. (doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0029)) reviewed the biosynthesis of LPS and its extraction from the IM. This paper will trace its journey across the periplasm and insertion into the OM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine M May
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - David J Sherman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Brent W Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Natividad Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Daniel Kahne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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44
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Maldonado RF, Sá-Correia I, Valvano MA. Lipopolysaccharide modification in Gram-negative bacteria during chronic infection. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 40:480-93. [PMID: 27075488 PMCID: PMC4931227 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 363] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of the outer membrane that plays a key role in host-pathogen interactions with the innate immune system. During infection, bacteria are exposed to a host environment that is typically dominated by inflammatory cells and soluble factors, including antibiotics, which provide cues about regulation of gene expression. Bacterial adaptive changes including modulation of LPS synthesis and structure are a conserved theme in infections, irrespective of the type or bacteria or the site of infection. In general, these changes result in immune system evasion, persisting inflammation and increased antimicrobial resistance. Here, we review the modifications of LPS structure and biosynthetic pathways that occur upon adaptation of model opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, Helicobacter pylori and Salmonella enterica) to chronic infection in respiratory and gastrointestinal sites. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of these variations and their role in the host-pathogen interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita F. Maldonado
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Isabel Sá-Correia
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Miguel A. Valvano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
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Structural and Functional Characterization of the LPS Transporter LptDE from Gram-Negative Pathogens. Structure 2016; 24:965-976. [PMID: 27161977 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2016.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Incorporation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is essential for viability, and is accomplished by a two-protein complex called LptDE. We solved crystal structures of the core LptDE complexes from Yersinia pestis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a full-length structure of the K. pneumoniae LptDE complex. Our structures adopt the same plug and 26-strand β-barrel architecture found recently for the Shigella flexneri and Salmonella typhimurium LptDE structures, illustrating a conserved fold across the family. A comparison of the only two full-length structures, SfLptDE and our KpLptDE, reveals a 21° rotation of the LptD N-terminal domain that may impart flexibility on the trans-envelope LptCAD scaffold. Utilizing mutagenesis coupled to an in vivo functional assay and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the critical role of Pro231 and Pro246 in the function of the LptD lateral gate that allows partitioning of LPS into the outer membrane.
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46
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Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria have a double-membrane cellular envelope that enables them to colonize harsh environments and prevents the entry of many clinically available antibiotics. A main component of most outer membranes is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a glycolipid containing several fatty acyl chains and up to hundreds of sugars that is synthesized in the cytoplasm. In the past two decades, the proteins that are responsible for transporting LPS across the cellular envelope and assembling it at the cell surface in Escherichia coli have been identified, but it remains unclear how they function. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in this area and present a model that explains how energy from the cytoplasm is used to power LPS transport across the cellular envelope to the cell surface.
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47
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Trapped lipopolysaccharide and LptD intermediates reveal lipopolysaccharide translocation steps across the Escherichia coli outer membrane. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11883. [PMID: 26149544 PMCID: PMC4493717 DOI: 10.1038/srep11883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a main component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which is essential for the vitality of most Gram-negative bacteria and plays a critical role for drug resistance. LptD/E complex forms a N-terminal LPS transport slide, a hydrophobic intramembrane hole and the hydrophilic channel of the barrel, for LPS transport, lipid A insertion and core oligosaccharide and O-antigen polysaccharide translocation, respectively. However, there is no direct evidence to confirm that LptD/E transports LPS from the periplasm to the external leaflet of the outer membrane. By replacing LptD residues with an unnatural amino acid p-benzoyl-L-phenyalanine (pBPA) and UV-photo-cross-linking in E.coli, the translocon and LPS intermediates were obtained at the N-terminal domain, the intramembrane hole, the lumenal gate, the lumen of LptD channel, and the extracellular loop 1 and 4, providing the first direct evidence and “snapshots” to reveal LPS translocation steps across the outer membrane.
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48
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Santambrogio C, Sperandeo P, Barbieri F, Martorana AM, Polissi A, Grandori R. An induced folding process characterizes the partial-loss of function mutant LptAI36D in its interactions with ligands. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2015; 1854:1451-7. [PMID: 26123264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential glycolipid of the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria with a tripartite structure: lipid A, oligosaccharide core and O antigen. Seven essential LPS-transport proteins (LptABCDEFG) move LPS to the cell surface. Lpt proteins are linked by structural homology, featuring a β-jellyroll domain that mediates protein-protein interactions and LPS binding. Analysis of LptA-LPS interaction by fluorescence spectroscopy is used here to evaluate the contribution of each LPS moiety in protein-ligand interactions, comparing the wild-type (wt) protein to the I36D mutant. In addition to a crucial role of lipid A, an unexpected contribution emerges for the core region in recognition and binding of Lpt proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santambrogio
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Barbieri
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Rita Grandori
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy.
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49
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Putker F, Bos MP, Tommassen J. Transport of lipopolysaccharide to the Gram-negative bacterial cell surface. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:985-1002. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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50
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Bollati M, Villa R, Gourlay LJ, Benedet M, Dehò G, Polissi A, Barbiroli A, Martorana AM, Sperandeo P, Bolognesi M, Nardini M. Crystal structure of LptH, the periplasmic component of the lipopolysaccharide transport machinery from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. FEBS J 2015; 282:1980-97. [PMID: 25735820 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main glycolipid present in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria, where it modulates OM permeability, therefore preventing many toxic compounds from entering the cell. LPS biogenesis is an essential process in Gram-negative bacteria and thus is an ideal target pathway for the development of novel specific antimicrobials. The lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) system is responsible for transporting LPS from the periplasmic surface of the inner membrane, where it is assembled, to the cell surface where it is then inserted in the OM. The Lpt system has been widely studied in Escherichia coli, where it consists of seven essential proteins located in the inner membrane (LptBCFG), in the periplasm (LptA) and in the OM (LptDE). In the present study, we focus our attention on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Lpt system. We identified an LptA orthologue, named LptH, and solved its crystal structure at a resolution of 2.75 Å. Using interspecies complementation and site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved glycine residue, we demonstrate that P. aeruginosa LptH is the genetic and functional homologue of E. coli LptA, with whom it shares the β-jellyroll fold identified also in other members of the canonical E. coli Lpt model system. Furthermore, we modeled the N-terminal β-jellyroll domain of P. aeruginosa LptD, based on the crystal structure of its homologue from Shigella flexneri, aiming to provide more general insight into the mechanism of LPS binding and transport in P. aeruginosa. Both LptH and LptD may represent new targets for the discovery of next generation antibacterial drugs, targeting specific opportunistic pathogens such as P. aeruginosa. DATABASE Coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession number PDB 4uu4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bollati
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Italy.,CNR-IBF, University of Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gianni Dehò
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Barbiroli
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutrition Sciences, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Sperandeo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Martino Bolognesi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Italy.,CNR-IBF, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Nardini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Italy
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