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Han B, Wang H, Niu X. A natural inhibitor of diapophytoene desaturase attenuates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogenicity and overcomes drug-resistance. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2583-2599. [PMID: 38604611 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16377] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE At present, the inhibition of staphyloxanthin biosynthesis has emerged as a prominent strategy in combating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Nonetheless, there remains a limited understanding regarding the bio-structural characteristics of staphyloxanthin biosynthetic enzymes, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between inhibitors and proteins. Furthermore, the functional scope of these inhibitors is relatively narrow. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In this study, we address these limitations by harnessing the power of deep learning techniques to construct the 3D structure of diapophytoene desaturase (CrtN). We perform efficient virtual screening and unveil alnustone as a potent inhibitor of CrtN. Further investigations employing molecular modelling, site-directed mutagenesis and biolayer interferometry (BLI) confirmed that alnustone binds to the catalytic active site of CrtN. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that alnustone significantly down-regulates genes associated with staphyloxanthin, histidine and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. KEY RESULTS Under the effects of alnustone, MRSA strains exhibit enhanced sensitivity to various antibiotics and the host immune system, accompanied by increased cell membrane permeability. In a mouse model of systemic MRSA infection, the combination of alnustone and antibiotics exhibited a significant therapeutic effect, leading to reduced bacterial colony counts and attenuated pathological damage. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Alnustone, as a natural inhibitor targeting CrtN, exhibits outstanding antibacterial properties that are single-targeted yet multifunctional. This finding provides a novel strategy and theoretical basis for the development of drugs targeting staphyloxanthin producing bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoqing Han
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongsu Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodi Niu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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2
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Diclofenac and Meloxicam Exhibited Anti-Virulence Activities Targeting Staphyloxanthin Production in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020277. [PMID: 36830188 PMCID: PMC9951919 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a worldwide leading versatile pathogen that causes a wide range of serious infections. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance against S. aureus resulted in an urgent need to develop new antimicrobials in the new era. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) prevalence in hospital and community settings necessitates the discovery of novel anti-pathogenic agents. Staphyloxanthin (STX) is a key virulence factor for the survival of MRSA against host innate immunity. The current work aimed to demonstrate the anti-virulence properties of meloxicam (MXM) as compared to diclofenac (DC), which was previously reported to mitigate the virulence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and test their activities in STX production. A total of 80 S. aureus clinical isolates were included, wherein a qualitative and quantitative assessment of STX inhibition by diclofenac and meloxicam was performed. The quantitative gene expression of STX biosynthetic genes (crtM, crtN and sigB) and hla (coded for α-hemolysin) as a virulence gene with and without DC and MXM was conducted, followed by molecular docking analysis for further confirmation. DC and MXM potently inhibited the synthesis of STX at 47 and 59 µg/mL to reach 79.3-98% and 80.6-96.7% inhibition, respectively. Treated cells also revealed a significant downregulation of virulence genes responsible for STX synthesis, such as crtM, crtN and global transcriptional regulator sigB along with the hla gene. Furthermore, computational studies unveiled strong interactions between the CrtM binding site and DC/MXM. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role and repurposing of DC and MXM as adjuvants to conventional antimicrobials and as an anti-virulent to combat MRSA infections.
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Sandmann G. Diversity and origin of carotenoid biosynthesis: its history of coevolution towards plant photosynthesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 232:479-493. [PMID: 34324713 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The development of photosynthesis was a highlight in the progression of bacteria. In addition to the photosystems with their structural proteins, the photosynthesis apparatus consists of different cofactors including essential carotenoids. Thus, the evolution of the carotenoid pathways in relation to the functionality of the resulting structures in photosynthesis is the focus of this review. Analysis of carotenoid pathway genes indicates early evolutionary roots in prokaryotes. The pathway complexity leading to a multitude of structures is a result of gene acquisition, including their functional modifications, emergence of novel genes and gene exchange between species. Along with the progression of photosynthesis, carotenoid pathways coevolved with photosynthesis according to their advancing functionality. Cyanobacteria, with their oxygenic photosynthesis, became a landmark for evolutionary events including carotenogenesis. Concurrent with endosymbiosis, the cyanobacterial carotenoid pathways were inherited into algal plastids. In the lineage leading to Chlorophyta and plants, carotenoids evolved to their prominent role in protection and regulation of light energy input as constituents of a highly efficient light-harvesting complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Sandmann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt/M, Max von Laue Str. 9, Frankfurt, D-60438, Germany
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4
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Staphyloxanthin inhibitory potential of thymol impairs antioxidant fitness, enhances neutrophil mediated killing and alters membrane fluidity of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111933. [PMID: 34328107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a leading pathogen responsible for mild to severe invasive infections in humans. Especially, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent in hospital and community associated infections. Staphyloxanthin is a golden yellow color eponymous pigment produced by S. aureus and provides resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and host neutrophil-based killing. In addition, this membrane pigment contributes to membrane rigidity and helps MRSA to survive under stress conditions. Targeting virulence of pathogen without exerting selection pressure is the recent approach to fight bacterial infections without developing drug resistance. The present study for the first time evaluated the staphyloxanthin inhibitory potential of thymol against MRSA. Qualitative and quantitative analyses demonstrated 90% of staphyloxanthin inhibition at 100 µg/mL concentration of thymol without alteration in growth. Molecular docking analysis and in vitro measurement of metabolic intermediates of staphyloxanthin revealed that thymol could possibly interact with CrtM to inhibit staphyloxanthin. Absorbance and infra red spectra further validated the inhibition of staphyloxanthin by thymol. In addition, thymol treatment significantly reduced the resistance of MRSA to ROS and neutrophil-based killing as exhibited by oxidant susceptibility assays and ex vivo innate immune clearance assay using human whole blood and neutrophils. Further, reduction in staphyloxanthin by thymol treatment increased the membrane fluidity and made MRSA cells more susceptible to membrane targeting antibiotic polymyxin B. Especially, thymol was found to be non-cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our study validated the antivirulence potential of thymol against MRSA by inhibiting staphyloxanthin and suggests the prospective therapeutic role of thymol to combat MRSA infections.
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5
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Liang N, Chen C, Wang Y, Ding MZ, Yao MD, Xiao WH, Yuan YJ. Exploring Catalysis Specificity of Phytoene Dehydrogenase CrtI in Carotenoid Synthesis. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1753-1762. [PMID: 32579850 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids, a variety of natural products, have significant pharmaceutical and commercial potential. Phytoene dehydrogenase (CrtI) is the rate-limit enzyme for carotenoid synthesis, whose catalysis specificity results in various carotenoids. However, the structural characteristics of CrtI for controlling the catalysis specificity on dehydrogenation steps are still unclear, which limited the development of CrtI function. Here we confirmed two mutation sites H136 and H453 in the mutant library of CrtI from Blakeslea trispora, which markedly regulated catalytic specificity. Interestingly, the sequence alignment features at H136 and H453 were consistent with the phylogenetic analysis of CrtI families. Subsequently, the functions of saturated mutants at H136 and H453 were clustered by principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means. According to the clustering results, diversiform mutants with specific dehydrogenation function provided important application value for carotenoid product customization. Meanwhile, this study also enriched the theory of enzyme evolution and guided the functional development of enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Liang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ming-Zhu Ding
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ming-Dong Yao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Wen-Hai Xiao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ying-Jin Yuan
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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6
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Ni S, Li B, Xu Y, Mao F, Li X, Lan L, Zhu J, Li J. Targeting virulence factors as an antimicrobial approach: Pigment inhibitors. Med Res Rev 2019; 40:293-338. [PMID: 31267561 DOI: 10.1002/med.21621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The fascinating and dangerous colored pathogens contain unique chemically pigmented molecules, which give varied and efficient assistance as virulence factors to the crucial reproduction and growth of microbes. Therefore, multiple novel strategies and inhibitors have been developed in recent years that target virulence factor pigments. However, despite the importance and significance of this topic, it has not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Moreover, research groups around the world have made successful progress against antibacterial infections by targeting pigment production, including our serial works on the discovery of CrtN inhibitors against staphyloxanthin production in Staphylococcus aureus. On the basis of the previous achievements and recent progress of our group in this field, this article will be the first comprehensive review of pigment inhibitors against colored pathogens, especially S. aureus infections, and this article includes design strategies, representative case studies, advantages, limitations, and perspectives to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Ni
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaokang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lefu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Material Medical, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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7
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Li B, Ni S, Chen F, Mao F, Wei H, Liu Y, Zhu J, Lan L, Li J. Discovery of Potent Benzocycloalkane Derived Diapophytoene Desaturase Inhibitors with an Enhanced Safety Profile for the Treatment of MRSA, VISA, and LRSA Infections. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:208-217. [PMID: 29377669 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Blocking the biosynthesis process of staphyloxanthin has emerged as a promising antivirulence strategy. Our previous research revealed that diapophytoene desaturase was an attractive and druggable target against infections caused by pigmented Staphylococcus aureus. Benzocycloalkane-derived compounds were effective inhibitors of diapophytoene desaturase but limited by high hERG (human Ether-a-go-go Related Gene) inhibition activity. Here, we identified a new type of benzo-hepta-containing cycloalkane derivative as diapophytoene desaturase inhibitors. Among the fifty-eight analogues, 48 (hERG inhibition activity, half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50, of 16.1 μM) and 51 (hERG inhibition activity, IC50 > 40 μM) were distinguished for effectively inhibiting the pigment production of Staphylococcus aureus Newman and three methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, and the four strains were highly sensitize to hydrogen peroxide killing without a bactericidal growth effect. In an in vivo assay, 48 and 51 displayed a comparable effect with linezolid and vancomycin in livers and hearts in mice against Staphylococcus aureus Newman and a more considerable effect against Mu50 and NRS271 with normal administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoli Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shuaishuai Ni
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Feifei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 646 Songtao Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Fei Mao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hanwen Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yifu Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Lefu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 646 Songtao Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200237, China
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8
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Ni S, Wei H, Li B, Chen F, Liu Y, Chen W, Xu Y, Qiu X, Li X, Lu Y, Liu W, Hu L, Lin D, Wang M, Zheng X, Mao F, Zhu J, Lan L, Li J. Novel Inhibitors of Staphyloxanthin Virulence Factor in Comparison with Linezolid and Vancomycin versus Methicillin-Resistant, Linezolid-Resistant, and Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Vivo. J Med Chem 2017; 60:8145-8159. [PMID: 28880552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Our previous work ( Wang et al. J. Med. Chem. 2016 , 59 , 4831 - 4848 ) revealed that effective benzocycloalkane-derived staphyloxanthin inhibitors against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections were accompanied by poor water solubility and high hERG inhibition and dosages (preadministration). In this study, 92 chroman and coumaran derivatives as novel inhibitors have been addressed for overcoming deficiencies above. Derivatives 69 and 105 displayed excellent pigment inhibitory activities and low hERG inhibition, along with improvement of solubility by salt type selection. The broad and significantly potent antibacterial spectra of 69 and 105 were displayed first with normal administration in the livers and hearts in mice against pigmented S. aureus Newman, Mu50 (vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus), and NRS271 (linezolid-resistant S. aureus), compared with linezolid and vancomycin. In summary, both 69 and 105 have the potential to be developed as good antibacterial candidates targeting virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Ni
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hanwen Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Baoli Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Feifei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Material Medical, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yifu Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenhua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yixiang Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaoxia Qiu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yanli Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Linhao Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Dazheng Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Manjiong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinyu Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Fei Mao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lefu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Material Medical, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jian Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
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9
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Dehydrosqualene Desaturase as a Novel Target for Anti-Virulence Therapy against Staphylococcus aureus. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.01224-17. [PMID: 28874472 PMCID: PMC5587911 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01224-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is a life-threatening pathogen in hospital- and community-acquired infections. The golden-colored carotenoid pigment of S. aureus, staphyloxanthin, contributes to the resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and host neutrophil-based killing. Here, we describe a novel inhibitor (NP16) of S. aureus pigment production that reduces the survival of S. aureus under oxidative stress conditions. Carotenoid components analysis, enzyme inhibition, and crtN mutational studies indicated that the molecular target of NP16 is dehydrosqualene desaturase (CrtN). S. aureus treated with NP16 showed increased susceptibility to human neutrophil killing and to innate immune clearance in a mouse infection model. Our study validates CrtN as a novel druggable target in S. aureus and presents a potent and effective lead compound for the development of virulence factor-based therapy against S. aureus. S. aureus staphyloxanthin contributes substantially to pathogenesis by interfering with host immune clearance mechanisms, but it has little impact on ex vivo survival of the bacterium. Agents blocking staphyloxanthin production may discourage the establishment and maintenance of bacterial infection without exerting selective pressure for antimicrobial resistance. Our newly discovered CrtN inhibitor, NP16, may offer an effective strategy for combating S. aureus infections.
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10
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Liang MH, Zhu J, Jiang JG. Carotenoids biosynthesis and cleavage related genes from bacteria to plants. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2017; 58:2314-2333. [PMID: 28609133 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1322552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are essential for photosynthesis and photoprotection in photosynthetic organisms and beneficial for human health. Apocarotenoids derived from carotenoid degradation can serve critical functions including hormones, volatiles, and signals. They have been used commercially as food colorants, animal feed supplements, and nutraceuticals for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes. This review focuses on the molecular evolution of carotenogenic enzymes and carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) from bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The diversity of carotenoids and apocarotenoids as well as their complicated biosynthetic pathway in different species can shed light on the history of early molecular evolution. Some carotenogenic genes (such as phytoene synthases) have high protein sequence similarity from bacteria to land plants, but some (such as phytoene desaturases, lycopene cyclases, carotenoid hydroxylases, and CCOs) have low similarity. The broad diversity of apocarotenoid volatile compounds can be attributed to large numbers of carotenoid precursors and the various cleavage sites catalyzed by CCOs enzymes. A variety of carotenogenic enzymes and CCOs indicate the functional diversification of carotenoids and apocrotenoids in different species. New carotenoids, new apocarotenoids, new carotenogenic enzymes, new CCOs, and new pathways still need to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hua Liang
- a College of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou , China.,b Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture , University of Maryland , College Park , Maryland , USA
| | - Jianhua Zhu
- b Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture , University of Maryland , College Park , Maryland , USA.,c College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha , China.,d School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology , Zhenjiang , China
| | - Jian-Guo Jiang
- a College of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou , China
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11
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Chen F, Di H, Wang Y, Cao Q, Xu B, Zhang X, Yang N, Liu G, Yang CG, Xu Y, Jiang H, Lian F, Zhang N, Li J, Lan L. Small-molecule targeting of a diapophytoene desaturase inhibits S. aureus virulence. Nat Chem Biol 2016; 12:174-9. [PMID: 26780405 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The surge of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus has created a dire need for innovative anti-infective agents that attack new targets, to overcome resistance. In S. aureus, carotenoid pigment is an important virulence factor because it shields the bacterium from host oxidant killing. Here we show that naftifine, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antifungal drug, blocks biosynthesis of carotenoid pigment at nanomolar concentrations. This effect is mediated by competitive inhibition of S. aureus diapophytoene desaturase (CrtN), an essential enzyme for carotenoid pigment synthesis. We found that naftifine attenuated the virulence of a variety of clinical S. aureus isolates, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, in mouse infection models. Specifically, we determined that naftifine is a lead compound for potent CrtN inhibitors. In sum, these findings reveal that naftifine could serve as a chemical probe to manipulate CrtN activity, providing proof of concept that CrtN is a druggable target against S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxia Di
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Youxin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiao Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Nana Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guijie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Fulin Lian
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Naixia Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lefu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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12
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Crystal structure of 1'-OH-carotenoid 3,4-desaturase from Nonlabens dokdonensis DSW-6. Enzyme Microb Technol 2015; 77:29-37. [PMID: 26138397 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The γ-carotenoids, such as myxol and saproxanthin, have a high potential to be utilized in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries for their neuro-protective and antioxidant effects. CrtD is involved in the production of γ-carotenoids by desaturating the C3'-C4' position of 1'-OH-γ-carotenoid. We determined the crystal structure of CrtD from Nonlabens dokdonensis DSW-6 (NdCrtD), the first structure of CrtD family enzymes. The NdCrtD structure was composed of two distinct domains, an FAD-binding domain and a substrate-binding domain, and the substrate-binding domain can be divided into two subdomains, a Rossmann fold-like subdomain and a lid subdomain. Although the FAD-binding domain showed a structure similar to canonical FAD-containing enzymes, the substrate-binding domain exhibited a novel structure to constitute a long and hydrophobic tunnel with a length of ∼40 Å. The molecular docking-simulation reveals that the tunnel provides an appropriate substrate-binding site for the carotenoid such as 1'-OH-γ-carotene with a length of ∼35 Å. We could predict residues related to recognize the 1'-hydroxyl group and to stabilize the hydrophobic end without hydroxyl group. Moreover, we suggest that the flexible entrance loop may undergo an open-closed formational change during the binding of the substrate.
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Steiger S, Perez-Fons L, Cutting SM, Fraser PD, Sandmann G. Annotation and functional assignment of the genes for the C30 carotenoid pathways from the genomes of two bacteria: Bacillus indicus and Bacillus firmus. Microbiology (Reading) 2015; 161:194-202. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.083519-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Steiger
- Biosynthesis Group, Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura Perez-Fons
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Simon M. Cutting
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Paul D. Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Gerhard Sandmann
- Biosynthesis Group, Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Eleanore T. Wurtzel
- The Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, The City University of New York, Bronx, New York, USA
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Furubayashi M, Li L, Katabami A, Saito K, Umeno D. Construction of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways using squalene synthase. FEBS Lett 2013; 588:436-42. [PMID: 24333579 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The first committed steps of steroid/hopanoid pathways involve squalene synthase (SQS). Here, we report the Escherichia coli production of diaponeurosporene and diapolycopene, yellow C30 carotenoid pigments, by expressing human SQS and Staphylococcus aureus dehydrosqualene (C30 carotenoid) desaturase (CrtN). We suggest that the carotenoid pigments are synthesized mainly via the desaturation of squalene rather than the direct synthesis of dehydrosqualene through the non-reductive condensation of prenyl diphosphate precursors, indicating the possible existence of a "squalene route" and a "lycopersene route" for C30 and C40 carotenoids, respectively. Additionally, this finding yields a new method of colorimetric screening for the cellular activity of squalene synthases, which are major targets for cholesterol-lowering drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Furubayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Akinori Katabami
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Kyoichi Saito
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Daisuke Umeno
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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Leejae S, Hasap L, Voravuthikunchai SP. Inhibition of staphyloxanthin biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus by rhodomyrtone, a novel antibiotic candidate. J Med Microbiol 2012; 62:421-428. [PMID: 23242641 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.047316-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphyloxanthin is the eponymous feature of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, and the pigment promotes resistance to reactive oxygen species and host neutrophil-based killing. To probe the possible use of rhodomyrtone isolated from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. leaves to inhibit pigment production in S. aureus, experiments were carried out to compare pigment production and the susceptibility of rhodomyrtone-treated S. aureus and untreated cells to oxidants in vitro. In addition, we observed the innate immune clearance of S. aureus after incubation with rhodomyrtone using an ex vivo assay system - human whole-blood survival. The results indicated that rhodomyrtone-treated S. aureus exhibited reduced pigmentation, and that rhodomyrtone treatment led to a dose-dependent increase in the susceptibility of the pathogen to H(2)O(2) and singlet oxygen killing. Consequently, the survival ability of the treated organisms decreased in freshly isolated human whole blood due to less carotenoid pigment to act as an antioxidant scavenger. Rhodomyrtone may be acting via effects on DnaK and/or σ(B), resulting in many additional effects on bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanlaya Leejae
- Department of Microbiology and Natural Products Research Center, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Laila Hasap
- Department of Microbiology and Natural Products Research Center, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Supayang Piyawan Voravuthikunchai
- Department of Microbiology and Natural Products Research Center, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
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17
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Díaz-Sánchez V, Estrada AF, Trautmann D, Limón MC, Al-Babili S, Avalos J. Analysis of al-2 mutations in Neurospora. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21948. [PMID: 21818281 PMCID: PMC3139582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The orange pigmentation of the fungus Neurospora crassa is due to the accumulation of the xanthophyll neurosporaxanthin and precursor carotenoids. Two key reactions in the synthesis of these pigments, the formation of phytoene from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and the introduction of β cycles in desaturated carotenoid products, are catalyzed by two domains of a bifunctional protein, encoded by the gene al-2. We have determined the sequence of nine al-2 mutant alleles and analyzed the carotenoid content in the corresponding strains. One of the mutants is reddish and it is mutated in the cyclase domain of the protein, and the remaining eight mutants are albino and harbor different mutations on the phytoene synthase (PS) domain. Some of the mutations are expected to produce truncated polypeptides. A strain lacking most of the PS domain contained trace amounts of a carotenoid-like pigment, tentatively identified as the squalene desaturation product diapolycopene. In support, trace amounts of this compound were also found in a knock-out mutant for gene al-2, but not in that for gene al-1, coding for the carotene desaturase. The cyclase activity of the AL-2 enzyme from two albino mutants was investigated by heterologous expression in an appropriately engineered E. coli strain. One of the AL-2 enzymes, predictably with only 20% of the PS domain, showed full cyclase activity, suggesting functional independence of both domains. However, the second mutant showed no cyclase activity, indicating that some alterations in the phytoene synthase segment affect the cyclase domain. Expression experiments showed a diminished photoinduction of al-2 transcripts in the al-2 mutants compared to the wild type strain, suggesting a synergic effect between reduced expression and impaired enzymatic activities in the generation of their albino phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Díaz-Sánchez
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Alejandro F. Estrada
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Danika Trautmann
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - M. Carmen Limón
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Javier Avalos
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
- * E-mail:
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18
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Garrido-Fernández J, Maldonado-Barragán A, Caballero-Guerrero B, Hornero-Méndez D, Ruiz-Barba JL. Carotenoid production in Lactobacillus plantarum. Int J Food Microbiol 2010; 140:34-9. [PMID: 20303609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Revised: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Eighteen strains of Lactobacillus plantarum from different origins were screened for carotenoid production, as many of them exhibited a deep yellow pigmentation when cultured as isolated colonies on MRS-agar plates. We found that most of them produced significative amounts of the yellow C(30) carotenoid 4,4'-diaponeurosporene in the range 1.8 to 54 mg/kg of dry cell weight. Although some of the strains produced just trace amounts of this carotenoid, PCR studies showed that all of them harbored the genes crtM and crtN which, inferred from homology, had been predicted in the three L. plantarum complete genome sequences currently available. Our results suggest the full functionality of a C(30) carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in this species, driven by the operon crtNM. DNA sequencing of the entire crtNM operon in the maximum carotenoid-producing strain found in this study, i.e. L. plantarum CECT7531, was accomplished. Genes crtM and crtN were annotated as dehydrosqualene synthase and dehydrosqualene desaturase, respectively, in this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Garrido-Fernández
- Departamento de Biotecnología de Alimentos, Instituto de la Grasa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Padre García Tejero, 4; Aptdo. 1078; 41012 Seville, Spain
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19
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Sandmann G. Evolution of carotene desaturation: the complication of a simple pathway. Arch Biochem Biophys 2008; 483:169-74. [PMID: 18948076 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2008.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2008] [Revised: 10/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In a series of desaturation reactions, the trienoic structures of phytoene and diapophytoene are extended to a maximum of 15 or 11 conjugated double bonds, respectively. After the cloning of several genes from bacteria and eukaryotes, the desaturation reactions were first analyzed in a heterologous host by functional genetic complementation. In addition, different desaturases were heterologously expressed and the reactions studied in vitro. This revealed that in archaea, non-photosynthetic prokaryotes and fungi the desaturases differ significantly from convergently evolved desaturases in cyanobacteria, Chlorobaculum (old name Chlorobium) species and eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms including plants. Detailed analysis of the desaturation reactions including the determination of the substrates converted by the enzymes, the intermediates and the products formed in the reactions revealed the bacterial all-trans desaturation pathway catalyzed by a single enzyme and the cyanobacterial/plant type poly-cis desaturation pathway which involves two closely related desaturases. This indicates that in the course of evolution of carotenogenesis from bacteria via cyanobacteria to plants, the simple situation of one enzyme for the entire reaction sequence from phytoene to all-trans lycopene changed to a more complex process. Three individual enzymes, newly acquired phytoene and zeta-carotene desaturases, as well as a carotene isomerase which is phylogenetically related to CrtI are involved. Only the CrtI-type enzymes seem to have the property to catalyze cis to trans conversion of carotenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Sandmann
- Biosynthesis Group, Molecular Biosciences, J.W. Goethe Universitaet, Biocampus 213, P.O. Box 111932, D-60054 Frankfurt, Germany.
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20
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Köcher S, Breitenbach J, Müller V, Sandmann G. Structure, function and biosynthesis of carotenoids in the moderately halophilic bacterium Halobacillus halophilus. Arch Microbiol 2008; 191:95-104. [PMID: 18820900 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-008-0431-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitor studies and mutant analysis revealed a C(30) pathway via 4,4'-diapophytoene and 4,4'-diaponeurosporene to 4,4'-diaponeursoporene-4-oic acid esters related to staphyloxanthin in Halobacillus halophilus. Six genes may be involved in this biosynthetic pathway and could be found in two adjacent gene clusters. Two genes of this pathway could be functionally assigned by functional pathway complementation as a 4,4'-diapophytoene synthase and a 4,4'-diapophytoene desaturase gene. These genes were organized in two operons together with two putative oxidase genes, a glycosylase and an acyl transferase ortholog. Pigment mutants were obtained by chemical mutagenesis. Carotenoid analysis showed that a white mutant accumulated 4,4'-diapophytoene due to a block in desaturation. In a yellow mutant carotenogenesis was blocked at the stage of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene and in an orange mutant at the stage of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene-4-oic acid. The protective function of these pigments could be demonstrated for H. halophilus after inhibition of carotenoid synthesis by initiation of oxidative stress. A degree of oxidative stress which still allowed 50% growth of carotenogenic cells resulted in the death of the cells devoid of colored carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Köcher
- Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, 60054, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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21
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Biosynthesis of ubiquinone compounds with conjugated prenyl side chains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008; 74:6908-17. [PMID: 18820051 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01495-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic steps from two different biosynthetic pathways were combined in Escherichia coli, directing the synthesis of a new class of biomolecules--ubiquinones with prenyl side chains containing conjugated double bonds. This was achieved by the activity of a C(30) carotenoid desaturase, CrtN, from Staphylococcus aureus, which exhibited an inherent flexibility in substrate recognition compared to other carotenoid desaturases. By utilizing the known plasticity of E. coli's native ubiquinone biosynthesis pathway and the unusual activity of CrtN, modified ubiquinone structures with prenyl side chains containing conjugated double bonds were generated. The side chains of the new structures were confirmed to have different degrees of desaturation by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. In vivo (14)C labeling and in vitro activity studies showed that CrtN desaturates octaprenyl diphosphates but not the ubiquinone compounds directly. Antioxidant properties of conjugated side chain ubiquinones were analyzed in an in vitro beta-carotene-linoleate model system and were found to be higher than the corresponding unmodified ubiquinones. These results demonstrate that by combining pathway steps from different branches of biosynthetic networks, classes of compounds not observed in nature can be synthesized and structural motifs that are functionally important can be combined or enhanced.
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Katzif S, Lee EH, Law AB, Tzeng YL, Shafer WM. CspA regulates pigment production in Staphylococcus aureus through a SigB-dependent mechanism. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:8181-4. [PMID: 16291691 PMCID: PMC1291268 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.23.8181-8184.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We report that the cold shock protein CspA of Staphylococcus aureus is required for maximal production of pigment. Results from transcriptional studies revealed that loss of CspA resulted in decreased expression of genes needed for the biosynthesis of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene and the alternative sigma factor SigB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Katzif
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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23
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Ku B, Jeong JC, Mijts BN, Schmidt-Dannert C, Dordick JS. Preparation, characterization, and optimization of an in vitro C30 carotenoid pathway. Appl Environ Microbiol 2005; 71:6578-83. [PMID: 16269684 PMCID: PMC1287715 DOI: 10.1128/aem.71.11.6578-6583.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ispA gene encoding farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase from Escherichia coli and the crtM gene encoding 4,4'-diapophytoene (DAP) synthase from Staphylococcus aureus were overexpressed and purified for use in vitro. Steady-state kinetics for FPP synthase and DAP synthase, individually and in sequence, were determined under optimized reaction conditions. For the two-step reaction, the DAP product was unstable in aqueous buffer; however, in situ extraction using an aqueous-organic two-phase system resulted in a 100% conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate into DAP. This aqueous-organic two-phase system is the first demonstration of an in vitro carotenoid synthesis pathway performed with in situ extraction, which enables quantitative conversions. This approach, if extended to a wide range of isoprenoid-based pathways, could lead to the synthesis of novel carotenoids and their derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosung Ku
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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Takaichi S, Oh-Oka H, Maoka T, Jung DO, Madigan MT. Novel carotenoid glucoside esters from alkaliphilic heliobacteria. Arch Microbiol 2003; 179:95-100. [PMID: 12560987 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-002-0504-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2002] [Revised: 10/08/2002] [Accepted: 10/28/2002] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Pigments of three species of alkaliphilic heliobacteria of the genus Heliorestis, H. daurensis, H. baculata and an undescribed species Heliorestis strain HH, were identified using spectroscopic methods. In these species, bacteriochlorophyll g esterified with farnesol was present, as for other heliobacteria. The carotenoids consisted of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene, also found in other heliobacteria, plus the novel pigments OH-diaponeurosporene glucoside esters (C16:0 and C16:1). In addition, trace amounts of biosynthetic intermediates, OH-diaponeurosporene and OH-diaponeurosporene glucoside, were found. Trace amounts of a carotenoid with 20 carbon atoms, 8,8'-diapo-zeta-carotene, were also found in these species as well as in the non-alkaliphilic heliobacteria. The non-alkaliphilic species Heliophilum fasciatum also contained trace amounts of the two OH-diaponeurosporene glucoside esters. The results are used to predict the pathway of carotenoid biosynthesis in heliobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichi Takaichi
- Biological Laboratory, Nippon Medical School, Nakahara, Kawasaki 211-0063, Japan.
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Raisig A, Sandmann G. Functional properties of diapophytoene and related desaturases of C(30) and C(40) carotenoid biosynthetic pathways. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2001; 1533:164-70. [PMID: 11566453 DOI: 10.1016/s1388-1981(01)00154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The desaturation reactions of C(30) carotenoids from diapophytoene to diaponeurosporene was investigated in vitro and by complementation in Escherichia coli. The expressed diapophytoene desaturase from Staphylococcus aureus inserts three double bonds in an FAD-dependent reaction. The enzyme is inhibited by diphenylamine. In the complementation experiment diapophytoene desaturase was able to convert C(40) phytoene to some extend but exhibited a high affinity to zeta-carotene. Comparison to the reaction of a phytoene desaturase from Rhodobacter capsulatus catalyzing a parallel three-step desaturation sequence with the corresponding C(40) carotenes revealed that this desaturase can also convert C(30) diapophytoene. Other homologous bacterial C(40) carotene desaturases could also utilize C(30) substrates, including one type of zeta-carotene desaturase which converted diaponeurosporene to diapolycopene. Further complementation experiments including the diapophytoene synthase gene from S. aureus revealed that the C(30) carotenogenic pathway is determined by this initial enzyme which is highly homologous to C(40) phytoene synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Raisig
- Biosynthesis Group, Botanical Institute 213, J.W. Goethe Universität, P.O. Box 111932, D-60054, Frankfurt, Germany
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Giachino P, Engelmann S, Bischoff M. Sigma(B) activity depends on RsbU in Staphylococcus aureus. J Bacteriol 2001; 183:1843-52. [PMID: 11222581 PMCID: PMC95078 DOI: 10.1128/jb.183.6.1843-1852.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2000] [Accepted: 12/14/2000] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Derivatives of the widely used laboratory strain Staphylococcus aureus NCTC8325, which are natural rsbU mutants, were shown to be unable to produce RsbU, a positive regulator of the alternative sigma factor sigma(B). The lack of RsbU prevented the heat-dependent production of sigma(B)-controlled transcripts and resulted in reduced H2O2 and UV tolerance, enhanced alpha-hemolysin activity, and the inability to produce the alkaline shock protein Asp23. After 48 h of growth, rsbU mutant strains failed to accumulate staphyloxanthin, the major stationary-phase carotenoid. Transcription of Asp23 was found to be exclusively controlled by sigma(B), making it an excellent target for the study of sigma(B) activity in S. aureus. Reporter gene experiments, using the firefly luciferase gene (luc+) fused to the sigma(B)-dependent promoter(s) of asp23, revealed that sigma(B) is almost inactive in 8325 derivatives. cis complementation of the 8325 derivative BB255 with the wild-type rsbU gene from strain COL produced the rsbU(+) derivative GP268, a strain possessing a sigma(B) activity profile comparable to that of the rsbU(+) wild-type strain Newman. In GP268, the heat inducibility of sigma(B)-dependent genes, Asp23 production, alpha-hemolysin activity, pigmentation, and susceptibility to H2O2 were restored to the levels observed in strain Newman, clearly demonstrating that RsbU is needed for activation of sigma(B) in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Giachino
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, CH-8028 Zürich, Switzerland
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