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Auria E, Deschamps J, Briandet R, Dupuy B. Extracellular succinate induces spatially organized biofilm formation in Clostridioides difficile. Biofilm 2023; 5:100125. [PMID: 37214349 PMCID: PMC10192414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection associated to gut microbiome dysbiosis is the leading cause for nosocomial diarrhea. The ability of C. difficile to form biofilms has been progressively linked to its pathogenesis as well as its persistence in the gut. Although C. difficile has been reported to form biofilms in an increasing number of conditions, little is known about how these biofilms are formed in the gut and what factors may trigger their formation. Here we report that succinate, a metabolite abundantly produced by the dysbiotic gut microbiota, induces in vitro biofilm formation of C. difficile strains. We characterized the morphology and spatial composition of succinate-induced biofilms, and compared to non-induced or deoxycholate (DCA) induced biofilms. Biofilms induced by succinate are significantly thicker, structurally more complex, and poorer in proteins and exopolysaccharides (EPS). We then applied transcriptomics and genetics to characterize the early stages of succinate-induced biofilm formation and we showed that succinate-induced biofilm results from major metabolic shifts and cell-wall composition changes. Similar to DCA-induced biofilms, biofilms induced by succinate depend on the presence of a rapidly metabolized sugar. Finally, although succinate can be consumed by the bacteria, we found that the extracellular succinate is in fact responsible for the induction of biofilm formation through complex regulation involving global metabolic regulators and the osmotic stress response. Thus, our work suggests that as a gut signal, succinate may drive biofilm formation and help persistence of C. difficile in the gut, increasing the risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile Auria
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR-CNRS 6047, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Julien Deschamps
- Institut Micalis, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Romain Briandet
- Institut Micalis, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Bruno Dupuy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR-CNRS 6047, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, F-75015, Paris, France
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2
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Klein R, Brehm J, Wissig J, Heermann R, Unden G. A signaling complex of adenylate cyclase CyaC of Sinorhizobium meliloti with cAMP and the transcriptional regulators Clr and CycR. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:236. [PMID: 37633907 PMCID: PMC10463352 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02989-5] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adenylate cyclases (ACs) generate the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is found in all domains of life and is involved in the regulation of various cell physiological and metabolic processes. In the plant symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, synthesis of cAMP by the membrane-bound AC CyaC responds to the redox state of the respiratory chain and the respiratory quinones. However, nothing is known about the signaling cascade that is initiated by cAMP produced by CyaC. RESULTS Here, the CRP-like transcriptional regulator Clr and the TetR-like regulator CycR (TR01819 protein) were identified to interact with CyaC using the bacterial two-hybrid system (BACTH), co-sedimentation assays, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Interaction of CycR with Clr, and of CyaC with Clr requires the presence of cAMP and of ATP, respectively, whereas that of CyaC with CycR was independent of the nucleotides. CONCLUSION The data implicate a ternary CyaC×CycR×cAMP-Clr complex, functioning as a specific signaling cascade which is formed after activation of CyaC and synthesis of cAMP. cAMP-Clr is thought to work in complex with CycR to regulate a subset of genes of the cAMP-Clr regulon in S. meliloti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Klein
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (imP), Microbiology and Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Biocenter II, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jannis Brehm
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (imP), Microbiology and Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Biocenter II, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Wissig
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (imP), Microbiology and Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Biocenter II, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ralf Heermann
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (imP), Microbiology and Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Biocenter II, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (imP), Microbiology and Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Biocenter II, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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3
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Schubert C, Kim NY, Unden G, Kim OB. C4-dicarboxylate metabolons: interaction of C4-dicarboxylate transporters of Escherichia coli with cytosolic enzymes. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2022; 369:6679557. [PMID: 36044995 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolons represent the structural organization of proteins for metabolic or regulatory pathways. Here the interaction of fumarase FumB, aspartase AspA, and L-tartrate dehydratase TtdAB with the C4-dicarboxylate (C4-DC) transporters DcuA, DcuB, DcuC, and the L-tartrate transporter TtdT of Escherichia coli was tested by a bacterial two-hybrid (BACTH) assay in situ, or by co-chromatography using mSPINE (membrane Streptavidin protein interaction experiment). From the general C4-DC transporters, DcuB interacted with FumB and AspA, DcuA with AspA, whereas DcuC interacted with neither FumB nor AspA. Moreover, TtdT did not interact with TtdAB. The fumB-dcuB, the dcuA-aspA, and the ttdAB-ttdT genes encoding the respective proteins co-localize on the genome and each pair of genes forms co-transcripts whereas the dcuC gene lies alone. The data suggest the formation of DcuB/FumB and DcuB/AspA metabolons for the uptake of L-malate, or L-aspartate, and their conversion to fumarate for fumarate respiration and excretion of the product succinate. The DcuA/AspA metabolon catalyzes uptake and conversion of L-Asp to fumarate coupled to succinate excretion. The DcuA/AspA metabolon provides ammonia at the same time for nitrogen assimilation (ammonia shuttle). On the other hand, TtdT and TtdAB are not organized in a metabolon. Reasons for the formation (DcuA/AspA, DcuB/FumB, DcuB/AspA) or non-formation (DcuC, TtdT and TtdAB) of metabolons are discussed based on their metabolic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schubert
- Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nam Yeun Kim
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ok Bin Kim
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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4
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Sarwar Z, Wang MX, Lundgren BR, Nomura CT. MifS, a DctB family histidine kinase, is a specific regulator of α-ketoglutarate response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2021; 166:867-879. [PMID: 32553056 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The C5-dicarboxylate α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) is a preferred nutrient source for the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, very little is known about how P. aeruginosa detects and responds to α-KG in the environment. Our laboratory has previously shown that the MifS/MifR two-component signal transduction system regulates α-KG assimilation in P. aeruginosa PAO1. In an effort to better understand how this bacterium detects α-KG, we characterized the MifS sensor histidine kinase. In this study we show that although MifS is a homologue of the C4-dicarboxylate sensor DctB, it specifically responds to the C5-dicarboxylate α-KG. MifS activity increased >10-fold in the presence of α-KG, while the related C5-dicarboxylate glutarate caused only a 2-fold increase in activity. All other dicarboxylates tested did not show any significant effect on MifS activity. Homology modelling of the MifS sensor domain revealed a substrate binding pocket for α-KG. Using protein modelling and mutational analysis, we identified nine residues that are important for α-KG response, including one residue that determines the substrate specificity of MifS. Further, we found that MifS has a novel cytoplasmic linker domain that is required for α-KG response and is probably involved in signal transduction from the sensor domain to the cytoplasmic transmitter domain. Until this study, DctB family histidine kinases were known to only respond to C4-dicarboxylates. Our work shows that MifS is a novel member of the DctB family histidine kinase that specifically responds to α-KG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaara Sarwar
- Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael X Wang
- Present address: Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry, The State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin R Lundgren
- Department of Chemistry, The State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Christopher T Nomura
- Center for Applied Microbiology, The State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA.,Department of Chemistry, The State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
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5
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Thomas GH. Microbial Musings – March 2021. Microbiology (Reading) 2021; 167. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin H. Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5YW, UK
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6
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Sánchez-Ortiz VJ, Domenzain C, Poggio S, Dreyfus G, Camarena L. The periplasmic component of the DctPQM TRAP-transporter is part of the DctS/DctR sensory pathway in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2021; 167. [PMID: 33620307 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Rhodobacter sphaeroides can use C4-dicarboxylic acids to grow heterotrophically or photoheterotropically, and it was previously demonstrated in Rhodobacter capsulatus that the DctPQM transporter system is essential to support growth using these organic acids under heterotrophic but not under photoheterotrophic conditions. In this work we show that in R. sphaeroides this transporter system is essential for photoheterotrophic and heterotrophic growth, when C4-dicarboxylic acids are used as a carbon source. We also found that over-expression of dctPQM is detrimental for photoheterotrophic growth in the presence of succinic acid in the culture medium. In agreement with this, we observed a reduction of the dctPQM promoter activity in cells growing under these conditions, indicating that the amount of DctPQM needs to be reduced under photoheterotrophic growth. It has been reported that the two-component system DctS and DctR activates the expression of dctPQM. Our results demonstrate that in the absence of DctR, dctPQM is still expressed albeit at a low level. In this work, we have found that the periplasmic component of the transporter system, DctP, has a role in both transport and in signalling the DctS/DctR two-component system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Jazmín Sánchez-Ortiz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Mexico.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Clelia Domenzain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Sebastian Poggio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Georges Dreyfus
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Laura Camarena
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
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7
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Schubert C, Zedler S, Strecker A, Unden G. L-Aspartate as a high-quality nitrogen source in Escherichia coli: Regulation of L-aspartase by the nitrogen regulatory system and interaction of L-aspartase with GlnB. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:526-538. [PMID: 33012071 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli uses the C4-dicarboxylate transporter DcuA for L-aspartate/fumarate antiport, which results in the exploitation of L-aspartate for fumarate respiration under anaerobic conditions and for nitrogen assimilation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. L-Aspartate represents a high-quality nitrogen source for assimilation. Nitrogen assimilation from L-aspartate required DcuA, and aspartase AspA to release ammonia. Ammonia is able to provide by established pathways the complete set of intracellular precursors (ammonia, L-aspartate, L-glutamate, and L-glutamine) for synthesizing amino acids, nucleotides, and amino sugars. AspA was regulated by a central regulator of nitrogen metabolism, GlnB. GlnB interacted with AspA and stimulated its L-aspartate deaminase activity (NH3 -forming), but not the reverse amination reaction. GlnB stimulation required 2-oxoglutarate and ATP, or uridylylated GlnB-UMP, consistent with the activation of nitrogen assimilation under nitrogen limitation. Binding to AspA was lost in the GlnB(Y51F) mutant of the uridylylation site. AspA, therefore, represents a new type of GlnB target that binds GlnB (with ATP and 2-oxoglutarate), or GlnB-UMP (with or without effectors), and both situations stimulate AspA deamination activity. Thus, AspA represents the central enzyme for nitrogen assimilation from L-aspartate, and AspA is integrated into the nitrogen assimilation network by the regulator GlnB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schubert
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra Zedler
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Strecker
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Microbiology and Wine Research, Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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8
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Alvarado A, Behrens W, Josenhans C. Protein Activity Sensing in Bacteria in Regulating Metabolism and Motility. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3055. [PMID: 32010106 PMCID: PMC6978683 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved complex sensing and signaling systems to react to their changing environments, most of which are present in all domains of life. Canonical bacterial sensing and signaling modules, such as membrane-bound ligand-binding receptors and kinases, are very well described. However, there are distinct sensing mechanisms in bacteria that are less studied. For instance, the sensing of internal or external cues can also be mediated by changes in protein conformation, which can either be implicated in enzymatic reactions, transport channel formation or other important cellular functions. These activities can then feed into pathways of characterized kinases, which translocate the information to the DNA or other response units. This type of bacterial sensory activity has previously been termed protein activity sensing. In this review, we highlight the recent findings about this non-canonical sensory mechanism, as well as its involvement in metabolic functions and bacterial motility. Additionally, we explore some of the specific proteins and protein-protein interactions that mediate protein activity sensing and their downstream effects. The complex sensory activities covered in this review are important for bacterial navigation and gene regulation in their dynamic environment, be it host-associated, in microbial communities or free-living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Alvarado
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wiebke Behrens
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christine Josenhans
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
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9
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Meinert C, Senger J, Witthohn M, Wübbeler JH, Steinbüchel A. Carbohydrate uptake in Advenella mimigardefordensis strain DPN7 T is mediated by periplasmic sugar oxidation and a TRAP-transport system. Mol Microbiol 2017; 104:916-930. [PMID: 28407382 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated an SBP (DctPAm ) of a tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic transport system (TRAP) in Advenella mimigardefordensis strain DPN7T . Deletion of dctPAm as well as of the two transmembrane compounds of the tripartite transporter, dctQ and dctM, impaired growth of A. mimigardefordensis strain DPN7T , if cultivated on mineral salt medium supplemented with d-glucose, d-galactose, l-arabinose, d-fucose, d-xylose or d-gluconic acid, respectively. The wild type phenotype was restored during complementation studies of A. mimigardefordensis ΔdctPAm using the broad host vector pBBR1MCS-5::dctPAm . Furthermore, an uptake assay with radiolabeled [14 C(U)]-d-glucose clearly showed that the deletion of dctPAm , dctQ and dctM, respectively, disabled the uptake of this aldoses in cells of either mutant strain. Determination of KD performing thermal shift assays showed a shift in the melting temperature of DctPAm in the presence of d-gluconic acid (KD 11.76 ± 1.3 µM) and the corresponding aldonic acids to the above-mentioned carbohydrates d-galactonate (KD 10.72 ± 1.4 µM), d-fuconic acid (KD 13.50 ± 1.6 µM) and d-xylonic acid (KD 8.44 ± 1.0 µM). The sugar (glucose) dehydrogenase activity (E.C.1.1.5.2) in the membrane fraction was shown for all relevant sugars, proving oxidation of the molecules in the periplasm, prior to transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Meinert
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, D-48149, Germany
| | - Jana Senger
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, D-48149, Germany
| | - Marco Witthohn
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, D-48149, Germany
| | - Jan Hendrik Wübbeler
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, D-48149, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinbüchel
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, D-48149, Germany.,Environmental Science Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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10
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van den Esker MH, Kovács ÁT, Kuipers OP. YsbA and LytST are essential for pyruvate utilization in Bacillus subtilis. Environ Microbiol 2016; 19:83-94. [PMID: 27422364 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The genome of Bacillus subtilis encodes homologues of the Cid/Lrg network. In other bacterial species, this network consists of holin- and antiholin-like proteins that regulate cell death by controlling murein hydrolase activity. The YsbA protein of B. subtilis is currently annotated as a putative antiholin-like protein that possibly impedes cell death, whereas YwbH is thought to act as holin-like protein. However, the actual functions of YsbA and YwbH in B. subtilis have never been characterized. Therefore, we examined the impact of these proteins on growth and cell death in B. subtilis. We did not find a connection to the regulation of programmed cell death, but instead, our experiments reveal that YsbA and its two-component regulator LytST are essential for growth on pyruvate. Moreover, deletion of ysbA and lytS significantly reduces pyruvate consumption. Our findings suggest that LytST induces ysbA transcription in the presence of pyruvate, and that YsbA is involved in pyruvate utilization presumably by functioning as pyruvate uptake system. We show that B. subtilis excretes pyruvate as overflow metabolite in rich medium, indicating that pyruvate could be a common nutrient in the environment. Hence, YsbA and LytST might play a major role in environmental growth of B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle H van den Esker
- Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Wörner S, Strecker A, Monzel C, Zeltner M, Witan J, Ebert-Jung A, Unden G. Conversion of the sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli of the DcuB/DcuS sensor complex to the C 4 -dicarboxylate responsive form by the transporter DcuB. Environ Microbiol 2016; 18:4920-4930. [PMID: 27318186 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli co-operates under aerobic conditions with the C4 -dicarboxylate transporter DctA to form the DctA/DcuS sensor complex. Under anaerobic conditions C4 -dicarboxylate transport in fumarate respiration is catalyzed by C4 -dicarboxylate/fumarate antiporter DcuB. (i) DcuB interacted with DcuS as demonstrated by a bacterial two-hybrid system (BACTH) and by co-chromatography of the solubilized membrane-proteins (mHPINE assay). (ii) In the DcuB/DcuS complex only DcuS served as the sensor since mutations in the substrate site of DcuS changed substrate specificity of sensing, and substrates maleate or 3-nitropropionate induced DcuS response without affecting the fumarate site of DcuB. (iii) The half-maximal concentration for induction of DcuS by fumarate (1 to 2 mM) and the corresponding Km for transport (50 µM) differ by a factor of 20 to 40. Therefore, the fumarate sites are different in transport and sensing. (iv) Increasing levels of DcuB converted DcuS from the permanent ON (DcuB deficient) state to the fumarate responsive form. Overall, the data show that DcuS and DcuB form a DcuB/DcuS complex representing the C4 -dicarboxylate responsive form, and that the sensory site of the complex is located in DcuS whereas DcuB is required for converting DcuS to the sensory competent state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wörner
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Strecker
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Monzel
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Zeltner
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julian Witan
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrea Ebert-Jung
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Unden G, Wörner S, Monzel C. Cooperation of Secondary Transporters and Sensor Kinases in Transmembrane Signalling: The DctA/DcuS and DcuB/DcuS Sensor Complexes of Escherichia coli. Adv Microb Physiol 2016; 68:139-67. [PMID: 27134023 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many membrane-bound sensor kinases require accessory proteins for function. The review describes functional control of membrane-bound sensors by transporters. The C4-dicarboxylate sensor kinase DcuS requires the aerobic or anaerobic C4-dicarboxylate transporters DctA or DcuB, respectively, for function and forms DctA/DcuS or DcuB/DcuS sensor complexes. Free DcuS is in the permanent (ligand independent) ON state. The DctA/DcuS and DcuB/DcuS complexes, on the other hand, control expression in response to C4-dicarboxylates. In DctA/DcuS, helix 8b of DctA and the PASC domain of DcuS are involved in interaction. The stimulus is perceived by the extracytoplasmic sensor domain (PASP) of DcuS. The signal is transmitted across the membrane by a piston-type movement of TM2 of DcuS which appears to be pulled (by analogy to the homologous citrate sensor CitA) by compaction of PASP after C4-dicarboxylate binding. In the cytoplasm, the signal is perceived by the PASC domain of DcuS. PASC inhibits together with DctA the kinase domain of DcuS which is released after C4-dicarboxylate binding. DcuS exhibits two modes for regulating expression of target genes. At higher C4-dicarboxylate levels, DcuS is part of the DctA/DcuS complex and in the C4-dicarboxylate-responsive form which stimulates expression of target genes in response to the concentration of the C4-dicarboxylates (catabolic use of C4-dicarboxylates, mode I regulation). At limiting C4-dicarboxylate concentrations (≤0.05mM), expression of DctA drops and free DcuS appears. Free DcuS is in the permanent ON state (mode II regulation) and stimulates low level (C4-dicarboxylate independent) DctA synthesis for DctA/DcuS complex formation and anabolic C4-dicarboxylate uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Unden
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - S Wörner
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - C Monzel
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Graf S, Broll C, Wissig J, Strecker A, Parowatkin M, Unden G. CitA (citrate) and DcuS (C4-dicarboxylate) sensor kinases in thermophilic Geobacillus kaustophilus and Geobacillus thermodenitrificans. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 162:127-137. [PMID: 26346610 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The thermophilic Geobacillus thermodenitrificans and Geobacillus kaustophilus are able to use citrate or C4-dicarboxylates like fumarate or succinate as the substrates for growth. The genomes of the sequenced Geobacillus strains (nine strains) each encoded a two-component system of the CitA family. The sensor kinase of G. thermodenitrificans (termed CitAGt) was able to replace CitA of Escherichia coli (CitAEc) in a heterologous complementation assay restoring expression of the CitAEc-dependent citC-lacZ reporter gene and anaerobic growth on citrate. Complementation was specific for citrate. The sensor kinase of G. kaustophilus (termed DcuSGk) was able to replace DcuSEc of E. coli. It responded in the heterologous expression system to C4-dicarboxylates and to citrate, suggesting that DcuSGk is, like DcuSEc, a C4-dicarboxylate sensor with a side-activity for citrate. DcuSGk, unlike the homologous DctS from Bacillus subtilis, required no binding protein for function in the complementation assay. Thus, the thermophilic G. thermodenitrificans and G. kaustophilus contain citrate and C4-dicarboxylate sensor kinases of the CitA and DcuS type, respectively, and retain function and substrate specificity under mesophilic growth conditions in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Graf
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Constanze Broll
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Wissig
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Strecker
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Parowatkin
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gottfried Unden
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
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14
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Sun Z, Chen Y, Yang C, Yang S, Gu Y, Jiang W. A novel three-component system-based regulatory model for D-xylose sensing and transport in Clostridium beijerinckii. Mol Microbiol 2014; 95:576-89. [PMID: 25441682 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
D-Xylose is the most abundant fermentable pentose in nature and can serve as a carbon source for many bacterial species. Since D-xylose constitutes the major component of hemicellulose, its metabolism is important for lignocellulosic biomass utilization. Here, we report a six-protein module for D-xylose signaling, uptake and regulation in solvent-producing Clostridium beijerinckii. This module consists of a novel 'three-component system' (a putative periplasmic ABC transporter substrate-binding protein XylFII and a two-component system LytS/YesN) and an ABC-type D-xylose transporter XylFGH. Interestingly, we demonstrate that, although XylFII harbors a transmembrane domain, it is not involved in D-xylose transport. Instead, XylFII acts as a signal sensor to assist the response of LytS/YesN to extracellular D-xylose, thus enabling LytS/YesN to directly activate the transcription of the adjacent xylFGH genes and thereby promote the uptake of D-xylose. To our knowledge, XylFII is a novel single transmembrane sensor that assists two-component system to respond to extracellular sugar molecules. Also of significance, this 'three-component system' is widely distributed in Firmicutes, indicating that it may play a broad role in this bacterial phylum. The results reported here provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of D-xylose sensing and transport in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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15
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Dsouza M, Taylor MW, Turner SJ, Aislabie J. Genome-based comparative analyses of Antarctic and temperate species of Paenibacillus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108009. [PMID: 25285990 PMCID: PMC4186907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctic soils represent a unique environment characterised by extremes of temperature, salinity, elevated UV radiation, low nutrient and low water content. Despite the harshness of this environment, members of 15 bacterial phyla have been identified in soils of the Ross Sea Region (RSR). However, the survival mechanisms and ecological roles of these phyla are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether strains of Paenibacillus darwinianus owe their resilience to substantial genomic changes. For this, genome-based comparative analyses were performed on three P. darwinianus strains, isolated from gamma-irradiated RSR soils, together with nine temperate, soil-dwelling Paenibacillus spp. The genome of each strain was sequenced to over 1,000-fold coverage, then assembled into contigs totalling approximately 3 Mbp per genome. Based on the occurrence of essential, single-copy genes, genome completeness was estimated at approximately 88%. Genome analysis revealed between 3,043-3,091 protein-coding sequences (CDSs), primarily associated with two-component systems, sigma factors, transporters, sporulation and genes induced by cold-shock, oxidative and osmotic stresses. These comparative analyses provide an insight into the metabolic potential of P. darwinianus, revealing potential adaptive mechanisms for survival in Antarctic soils. However, a large proportion of these mechanisms were also identified in temperate Paenibacillus spp., suggesting that these mechanisms are beneficial for growth and survival in a range of soil environments. These analyses have also revealed that the P. darwinianus genomes contain significantly fewer CDSs and have a lower paralogous content. Notwithstanding the incompleteness of the assemblies, the large differences in genome sizes, determined by the number of genes in paralogous clusters and the CDS content, are indicative of genome content scaling. Finally, these sequences are a resource for further investigations into the expression of physiological attributes that enable survival under extreme conditions and selection processes that affect prokaryotic genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Dsouza
- Centre for Microbial Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael W. Taylor
- Centre for Microbial Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susan J. Turner
- Centre for Microbial Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- BioDiscovery New Zealand Limited, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Dynamic interaction between the CpxA sensor kinase and the periplasmic accessory protein CpxP mediates signal recognition in E. coli. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107383. [PMID: 25207645 PMCID: PMC4160245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems, consisting of an inner membrane sensor kinase and a cytosolic response regulator, allow bacteria to respond to changes in the environment. Some two-component systems are additionally orchestrated by an accessory protein that integrates additional signals. It is assumed that spatial and temporal interaction between an accessory protein and a sensor kinase modifies the activity of a two-component system. However, for most accessory proteins located in the bacterial envelope the mechanistic details remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the interaction between the periplasmic accessory protein CpxP and the sensor kinase CpxA in Escherichia coli in dependency of three specific stimuli. The Cpx two-component system responds to envelope stress and plays a pivotal role for the quality control of multisubunit envelope structures, including type three secretion systems and pili of different pathogens. In unstressed cells, CpxP shuts off the Cpx response by a yet unknown mechanism. We show for the first time the physical interaction between CpxP and CpxA in unstressed cells using bacterial two-hybrid system and membrane-Strep-tagged protein interaction experiments. In addition, we demonstrate that a high salt concentration and the misfolded pilus subunit PapE displace CpxP from the sensor kinase CpxA invivo. Overall, this study provides clear evidence that CpxP modulates the activity of the Cpx system by dynamic interaction with CpxA in response to specific stresses.
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Steinmetz PA, Wörner S, Unden G. Differentiation of DctA and DcuS function in the DctA/DcuS sensor complex of Escherichia coli: function of DctA as an activity switch and of DcuS as the C4-dicarboxylate sensor. Mol Microbiol 2014; 94:218-29. [PMID: 25135747 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The C4-dicarboxylate responsiveness of the sensor kinase DcuS is only provided in concert with C4-dicarboxylate transporters DctA or DcuB. The individual roles of DctA and DcuS for the function of the DctA/DcuS sensor complex were analysed. (i) Variant DctA(S380D) in the C4-dicarboxylate site of DctA conferred C4-dicarboxylate sensitivity to DcuS in the DctA/DcuS complex, but was deficient for transport and for growth on C4-dicarboxylates. Consequently transport activity of DctA is not required for its function in the sensor complex. (ii) Effectors like fumarate induced expression of DctA/DcuS-dependent reporter genes (dcuB-lacZ) and served as substrates of DctA, whereas citrate served only as an inducer of dcuB-lacZ without affecting DctA function. (iii) Induction of dcuB-lacZ by fumarate required 33-fold higher concentrations than for transport by DctA (Km = 30 μM), demonstrating the existence of different fumarate sites for both processes. (iv) In titration experiments with increasing dctA expression levels, the effect of DctA on the C4-dicarboxylate sensitivity of DcuS was concentration dependent. The data uniformly show that C4-dicarboxylate sensing by DctA/DcuS resides in DcuS, and that DctA serves as an activity switch. Shifting of DcuS from the constitutive ON to the C4-dicarboxylate responsive state, required presence of DctA but not transport by DctA.
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Dintner S, Heermann R, Fang C, Jung K, Gebhard S. A sensory complex consisting of an ATP-binding cassette transporter and a two-component regulatory system controls bacitracin resistance in Bacillus subtilis. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:27899-910. [PMID: 25118291 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.596221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance against antimicrobial peptides in many Firmicutes bacteria is mediated by detoxification systems that are composed of a two-component regulatory system (TCS) and an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. The histidine kinases of these systems depend entirely on the transporter for sensing of antimicrobial peptides, suggesting a novel mode of signal transduction where the transporter constitutes the actual sensor. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of this unusual signaling pathway in more detail, using the bacitracin resistance system BceRS-BceAB of Bacillus subtilis as an example. To analyze the proposed communication between TCS and the ABC transporter, we characterized their interactions by bacterial two-hybrid analyses and could show that the permease BceB and the histidine kinase BceS interact directly. In vitro pulldown assays confirmed this interaction, which was found to be independent of bacitracin. Because it was unknown whether BceAB-type transporters could detect their substrate peptides directly or instead recognized the peptide-target complex in the cell envelope, we next analyzed substrate binding by the transport permease, BceB. Direct and specific binding of bacitracin by BceB was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Finally, in vitro signal transduction assays indicated that complex formation with the transporter influenced the autophosphorylation activity of the histidine kinase. Taken together, our findings clearly show the existence of a sensory complex composed of TCS and ABC transporters and provide the first functional insights into the mechanisms of stimulus perception, signal transduction, and antimicrobial resistance employed by Bce-like detoxification systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chong Fang
- From the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, and
| | - Kirsten Jung
- From the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, and Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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Mascher T. Bacterial (intramembrane-sensing) histidine kinases: signal transfer rather than stimulus perception. Trends Microbiol 2014; 22:559-65. [PMID: 24947190 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Most membrane-anchored histidine kinases (HKs) of bacterial two-component systems (2CSs) contain an extracellular input domain that is thought to be responsible for sensing an environmental cue. By contrast, intramembrane-sensing HKs (IM-HKs) lack a sensory domain and cannot perceive their stimuli directly. Instead, an N-terminal signal transfer region, consisting solely of two transmembrane helices, presumably connects the IM-HKs with accessory membrane proteins that function as the true sensors. This intermolecular signal transfer, in combination with intramolecular signal conversion, provides HKs with versatile signaling relays to connect, integrate, and amplify external signals from different sensory inputs ultimately to modulate the activity of the corresponding kinase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Mascher
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Biology I, Microbiology, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
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