1
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Vasenina A, Fu Y, O'Toole GA, Mucha PJ. Local control: a hub-based model for the c-di-GMP network. mSphere 2024; 9:e0017824. [PMID: 38591888 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00178-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens encodes >50 proteins predicted to play a role in bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP)-mediated biofilm formation. We built a network representation of protein-protein interactions and extracted key information via multidimensional scaling (i.e., principal component analysis) of node centrality measures, which measure features of proteins in a network. Proteins of different domain types (diguanylate cyclase, dual domain, phosphodiesterase, PilZ) exhibit unique network behavior and can be accurately classified by their network centrality values (i.e., roles in the network). The predictive power of protein-protein interactions in biofilm formation indicates the possibility of localized pools of c-di-GMP. A regression model showed a statistically significant impact of protein-protein interactions on the extent of biofilm formation in various environments. These results highlight the importance of a localized c-di-GMP signaling, extend our understanding of signaling by this second messenger beyond the current "Bow-tie Model," support a newly proposed "Hub Model," and suggest future avenues of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Vasenina
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - George A O'Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Peter J Mucha
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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2
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Zhan X, Zhang K, Wang C, Fan Q, Tang X, Zhang X, Wang K, Fu Y, Liang H. A c-di-GMP signaling module controls responses to iron in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1860. [PMID: 38424057 PMCID: PMC10904736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46149-3] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) serves as a bacterial second messenger that modulates various processes including biofilm formation, motility, and host-microbe symbiosis. Numerous studies have conducted comprehensive analysis of c-di-GMP. However, the mechanisms by which certain environmental signals such as iron control intracellular c-di-GMP levels are unclear. Here, we show that iron regulates c-di-GMP levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by modulating the interaction between an iron-sensing protein, IsmP, and a diguanylate cyclase, ImcA. Binding of iron to the CHASE4 domain of IsmP inhibits the IsmP-ImcA interaction, which leads to increased c-di-GMP synthesis by ImcA, thus promoting biofilm formation and reducing bacterial motility. Structural characterization of the apo-CHASE4 domain and its binding to iron allows us to pinpoint residues defining its specificity. In addition, the cryo-electron microscopy structure of ImcA in complex with a c-di-GMP analog (GMPCPP) suggests a unique conformation in which the compound binds to the catalytic pockets and to the membrane-proximal side located at the cytoplasm. Thus, our results indicate that a CHASE4 domain directly senses iron and modulates the crosstalk between c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueliang Zhan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Kuo Zhang
- College of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenchen Wang
- College of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiao Fan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Xiujia Tang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yang Fu
- College of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haihua Liang
- College of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
- University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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3
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Van Loon JC, Whitfield GB, Wong N, O'Neal L, Henrickson A, Demeler B, O'Toole GA, Parsek MR, Howell PL. Binding of GTP to BifA is required for the production of Pel-dependent biofilms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0033123. [PMID: 38197635 PMCID: PMC10882990 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00331-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The Pel exopolysaccharide is one of the most mechanistically conserved and phylogenetically diverse bacterial biofilm matrix determinants. Pel is a major contributor to the structural integrity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, and its biosynthesis is regulated by the binding of cyclic-3',5'-dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) to the PelD receptor. c-di-GMP is synthesized from two molecules of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) by diguanylate cyclases with GGDEF domains and degraded by phosphodiesterases with EAL or HD-GYP domains. As the P. aeruginosa genome encodes 43 c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes, one way signaling specificity can be achieved is through direct interaction between specific enzyme-receptor pairs. Here, we show that the inner membrane hybrid GGDEF-EAL enzyme, BifA, directly interacts with PelD via its cytoplasmic HAMP, GGDEF, and EAL domains. Despite having no catalytic function, the degenerate active site motif of the BifA GGDEF domain (GGDQF) has retained the ability to bind GTP with micromolar affinity. Mutations that abolish GTP binding result in increased biofilm formation but stable global c-di-GMP levels. Our data suggest that BifA forms a dimer in solution and that GTP binding induces conformational changes in dimeric BifA that enhance the BifA-PelD interaction and stimulate its phosphodiesterase activity, thus reducing c-di-GMP levels and downregulating Pel biosynthesis. Structural comparisons between the dimeric AlphaFold2 model of BifA and the structures of other hybrid GGDEF-EAL proteins suggest that the regulation of BifA by GTP may occur through a novel mechanism.IMPORTANCEc-di-GMP is the most common cyclic dinucleotide used by bacteria to regulate phenotypes such as motility, biofilm formation, virulence factor production, cell cycle progression, and cell differentiation. While the identification and initial characterization of c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes are well established, our understanding of how these enzymes are regulated to provide signaling specificity remains understudied. Here we demonstrate that the inactive GGDEF domain of BifA binds GTP and regulates the adjacent phosphodiesterase EAL domain, ultimately downregulating Pel-dependent P. aeruginosa biofilm formation through an interaction with PelD. This discovery adds to the growing body of literature regarding how hybrid GGDEF-EAL enzymes are regulated and provides additional precedence for studying how direct interactions between c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes and effectors result in signaling specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime C. Van Loon
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory B. Whitfield
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Wong
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindsey O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amy Henrickson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - G. A. O'Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Matthew R. Parsek
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - P. Lynne Howell
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Feng Q, Zhou J, Zhang L, Fu Y, Yang L. Insights into the molecular basis of c-di-GMP signalling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:20-38. [PMID: 36539391 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2154140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause severe infections in immunocompromized people or cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Because of its remarkable ability to invade the host and withstand the bacteriocidal effect of most conventional antibiotics, the infection caused by P. aeruginosa has become a major concern for human health. The switch from acute to chronic infection is governed by the second messenger bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine mono-phosphate (c-di-GMP) in P. aeruginosa, and c-di-GMP is now recognized to regulate many important biological processes in pathogenesis. The c-di-GMP signalling mechanisms in P. aeruginosa have been studied extensively in the past decade, revealing complicated c-di-GMP metabolism and signalling network. In this review, the underlying mechanisms of this signalling network will be discussed, mainly focussing on how environmental cues regulate c-di-GMP signalling, protein-protein interaction mediated functional regulation, heterogeneity of c-di-GMP and cross talk between c-di-GMP signalling and other signalling systems. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the complex c-di-GMP signalling network would be beneficial for developing therapeutic approaches and antibacterial agents to combat the threat from P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishun Feng
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jianuan Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Lianhui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yang Fu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
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5
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Nie H, Nie L, Xiao Y, Song M, Zhou T, He J, Chen W, Huang Q. The phosphodiesterase DibA interacts with the c-di-GMP receptor LapD and specifically regulates biofilm in Pseudomonas putida. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:1-17. [PMID: 37927230 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP is synthesized by diguanylate cyclase and degraded by c-di-GMP-specific phosphodiesterase. The genome of Pseudomonas putida contains dozens of genes encoding diguanylate cyclase/phosphodiesterase, but the phenotypical-genotypical correlation and functional mechanism of these genes are largely unknown. Herein, we characterize the function and mechanism of a P. putida phosphodiesterase named DibA. DibA consists of a PAS domain, a GGDEF domain, and an EAL domain. The EAL domain is active and confers DibA phosphodiesterase activity. The GGDEF domain is inactive, but it promotes the phosphodiesterase activity of the EAL domain via binding GTP. Regarding phenotypic regulation, DibA modulates the cell surface adhesin LapA level in a c-di-GMP receptor LapD-dependent manner, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation. Moreover, DibA interacts and colocalizes with LapD in the cell membrane, and the interaction between DibA and LapD promotes the PDE activity of DibA. Besides, except for interacting with DibA and LapD itself, LapD is found to interact with 11 different potential diguanylate cyclases/phosphodiesterases in P. putida, including the conserved phosphodiesterase BifA. Overall, our findings demonstrate the functional mechanism by which DibA regulates biofilm formation and expand the understanding of the LapD-mediated c-di-GMP signaling network in P. putida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Nie
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Nie
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujie Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Miaomiao Song
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tiantian Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinzhi He
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenli Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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6
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Kalia VC, Patel SKS, Lee JK. Bacterial biofilm inhibitors: An overview. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115389. [PMID: 37634478 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria that cause infectious diseases adopt biofilms as one of their most prevalent lifestyles. Biofilms enable bacteria to tolerate environmental stress and evade antibacterial agents. This bacterial defense mechanism has rendered the use of antibiotics ineffective for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, many highly drug-resistant microbes have rapidly emerged owing to such treatments. Different signaling mechanisms regulate bacterial biofilm formation, including cyclic dinucleotide (c-di-GMP), small non-coding RNAs, and quorum sensing (QS). A cell density-dependent phenomenon, QS is associated with c-di-GMP (a global messenger), which regulates gene expression related to adhesion, extracellular matrix production, the transition from the planktonic to biofilm stage, stability, pathogenicity, virulence, and acquisition of nutrients. The article aims to provide information on inhibiting biofilm formation and disintegrating mature/preformed biofilms. This treatment enables antimicrobials to target the free-living/exposed bacterial cells at lower concentrations than those needed to treat bacteria within the biofilm. Therefore, a complementary action of antibiofilm and antimicrobial agents can be a robust strategic approach to dealing with infectious diseases. Taken together, these molecules have broad implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Chandra Kalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanjay K S Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Kul Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Kaleta MF, Sauer K. MoaB1 Homologs Contribute to Biofilm Formation and Motility by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0000423. [PMID: 37098964 PMCID: PMC10210980 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00004-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
moaB homologs, encoding the molybdopterin biosynthetic protein B1, have been reported to be expressed under anoxic conditions and during biofilm growth in various microorganisms; however, little is known about MoaB's function. Here, we demonstrate that in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MoaB1 (PA3915) contributes to biofilm-related phenotypes. Specifically, moaB1 expression is induced in biofilms, and insertional inactivation of moaB1 reduced biofilm biomass accumulation and pyocyanin production while enhancing swarming motility, and pyoverdine abundance without affecting attachment, swimming motility, or c-di-GMP levels. Inactivation of the highly conserved E. coli homolog of moaB1, moaBEc, likewise coincided with reduced biofilm biomass accumulation. In turn, heterologous expression of moaBEc restored biofilm formation and swarming motility by the P. aeruginosa moaB1 mutant to wild-type levels. Moreover, MoaB1 was found to interact with other conserved biofilm-associated proteins, PA2184 and PA2146, as well as the sensor-kinase SagS. However, despite the interaction, MoaB1 failed to restore SagS-dependent expression of brlR encoding the transcriptional regulator BrlR, and inactivation of moaB1 or moaBEc had no effect on the antibiotic susceptibility phenotype of biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa and E. coli, respectively. While our findings did not establish a link between MoaB1 and molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis, they suggest that MoaB1 homologs contribute to biofilm-associated phenotypes across species boundaries, possibly hinting at the existence of a previously undescribed conserved biofilm pathway. IMPORTANCE Proteins contributing to the biogenesis of molybdenum cofactors have been characterized; however, the role of the molybdopterin biosynthetic protein B1 (MoaB1) has remained elusive, and solid evidence to support its role in biosynthesis of molybdenum cofactor is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MoaB1 (PA3915) contributes to biofilm-related phenotypes in a manner that does not support a role of MoaB1 in the biosynthesis of molybdenum cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F. Kaleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Karin Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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8
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Yahya AH, Harston SR, Colton WL, Cabeen MT. Distinct Screening Approaches Uncover PA14_36820 and RecA as Negative Regulators of Biofilm Phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0377422. [PMID: 36971546 PMCID: PMC10100956 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03774-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly infects hospitalized patients and the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis. This species is known for forming biofilms, which are communities of bacterial cells held together and encapsulated by a self-produced extracellular matrix. The matrix provides extra protection to the constituent cells, making P. aeruginosa infections challenging to treat. We previously identified a gene, PA14_16550, which encodes a DNA-binding TetR-type repressor and whose deletion reduced biofilm formation. Here, we assessed the transcriptional impact of the 16550 deletion and found six differentially regulated genes. Among them, our results implicated PA14_36820 as a negative regulator of biofilm matrix production, while the remaining 5 had modest effects on swarming motility. We also screened a transposon library in a biofilm-impaired ΔamrZ Δ16550 strain for restoration of matrix production. Surprisingly, we found that disruption or deletion of recA increased biofilm matrix production, both in biofilm-impaired and wild-type strains. Because RecA functions both in recombination and in the DNA damage response, we asked which function of RecA is important with respect to biofilm formation by using point mutations in recA and lexA to specifically disable each function. Our results implied that loss of either function of RecA impacts biofilm formation, suggesting that enhanced biofilm formation may be one physiological response of P. aeruginosa cells to loss of either RecA function. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious human pathogen well known for forming biofilms, communities of bacteria that protect themselves within a self-secreted matrix. Here, we sought to find genetic determinants that impacted biofilm matrix production in P. aeruginosa strains. We identified a largely uncharacterized protein (PA14_36820) and, surprisingly, RecA, a widely conserved bacterial DNA recombination and repair protein, as negatively regulating biofilm matrix production. Because RecA has two main functions, we used specific mutations to isolate each function and found that both functions influenced matrix production. Identifying negative regulators of biofilm production may suggest future strategies to reduce the formation of treatment-resistant biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal H. Yahya
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sophie R. Harston
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - William L. Colton
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Matthew T. Cabeen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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9
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A Library of Promoter- gfp Fusion Reporters for Studying Systematic Expression Pattern of Cyclic-di-GMP Metabolism-Related Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0189122. [PMID: 36744921 PMCID: PMC9973039 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01891-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an environmental microorganism and is a model organism for biofilm research. Cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial second messenger that plays critical roles in biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa contains approximately 40 genes that encode enzymes that participate in the metabolism of c-di-GMP (biosynthesis or degradation), yet it lacks tools that aid investigation of the systematic expression pattern of those genes. In this study, we constructed a promoter-gfp fusion reporter library that consists of 41 reporter plasmids. Each plasmid contains a promoter of corresponding c-di-GMP metabolism-related (CMR) genes from P. aeruginosa reference strain PAO1; thus, each promoter-gfp fusion reporter can be used to detect the promoter activity as well as the transcription of corresponding gene. The promoter activity was tested in P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Among the 41 genes, the promoters of 26 genes showed activity in both P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The library was applied to determine the influence of different temperatures, growth media, and subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on the transcriptional profile of the 41 CMR genes in P. aeruginosa. The results showed that different growth conditions did affect the transcription of different genes, while the promoter activity of a few genes was kept at the same level under several different growth conditions. In summary, we provide a promoter-gfp fusion reporter library for systematic monitoring or study of the regulation of CMR genes in P. aeruginosa. In addition, the functional promoters can also be used as a biobrick for synthetic biology studies. IMPORTANCE The opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa can cause acute and chronic infections in humans, and it is one of the main pathogens in nosocomial infections. Biofilm formation is one of the most important causes for P. aeruginosa persistence in hosts and evasion of immune and antibiotic attacks. c-di-GMP is a critical second messenger to control biofilm formation. In P. aeruginosa reference strain PAO1, 41 genes are predicted to participate in the making and breaking of this dinucleotide. A major missing piece of information in this field is the systematic expression profile of those genes in response to changing environment. Toward this goal, we constructed a promoter-gfp transcriptional fusion reporter library that consists of 41 reporter plasmids, each of which contains a promoter of corresponding c-di-GMP metabolism-related genes in P. aeruginosa. This library provides a helpful tool to understand the complex regulation network related to c-di-GMP and to discover potential therapeutic targets.
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10
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Yao Y, Xi N, Hai E, Zhang X, Guo J, Lin Z, Huang W. PA0575 (RmcA) interacts with other c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2023; 68:232-241. [PMID: 35732459 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
As a central signaling molecule, c-di-GMP (bis-(3,5)-cyclic diguanosine monophosphate) is becoming the focus for research in bacteria physiology. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 genome contains highly complicated c-di-GMP metabolizing genes and a number of these proteins have been identified and investigated. Especially, a sophisticated network of these proteins is emerging. In current study, mainly through Bacteria-2-Hybrid assay, we found PA0575 (RmcA), a GGDEF-EAL dual protein, to interact with two other dual proteins of PA4601 (MorA) and PA4959 (FimX). These observations imply the intricacy of c-di-GMP metabolizing protein interactions. Our work thus provides one piece of data to increase the understandings to c-di-GMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiang Yao
- School of Basic Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ningxia Medical University
| | - Naren Xi
- School of Basic Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ningxia Medical University
| | - E Hai
- School of Basic Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ningxia Medical University
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Research Center of Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University
| | - Jiayi Guo
- Research Center of Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University
| | - Weidong Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ningxia Medical University
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11
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Identification of Cyclic-di-GMP-Modulating Protein Residues by Bidirectionally Evolving a Social Behavior in Pseudomonas fluorescens. mSystems 2022; 7:e0073722. [PMID: 36190139 PMCID: PMC9600634 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00737-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the intracellular cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) pool is central to the formation of structured bacterial communities. Genome annotations predict the presence of dozens of conserved c-di-GMP catalytic enzymes in many bacterial species, but the functionality and regulatory control of the vast majority remain underexplored. Here, we begin to fill this gap by utilizing an experimental evolution system in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1, which repeatedly produces a unique social behavior through bidirectional transitions between two distinct phenotypes converging on c-di-GMP modulation. Parallel evolution of 33 lineages captured 147 unique mutations among 191 evolved isolates in genes that are empirically demonstrated, bioinformatically predicted, or previously unknown to impact the intracellular pool of c-di-GMP. Quantitative chemistry confirmed that each mutation causing the phenotypic shift either amplifies or reduces c-di-GMP production. We identify missense or in-frame deletion mutations in numerous diguanylate cyclase genes that largely fall outside the conserved catalytic domain. We also describe a novel relationship between a regulatory component of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis and c-di-GMP production, and predict functions of several other unexpected proteins that clearly impact c-di-GMP production. Sequential mutations that continuously disrupt or recover c-di-GMP production across discrete functional elements suggest a complex and underappreciated interconnectivity within the c-di-GMP regulome of P. fluorescens. IMPORTANCE Microbial communities comprise densely packed cells where competition for space and resources is fierce. Aging colonies of Pseudomonas fluorescens are known to repeatedly produce mutants with two distinct phenotypes that physically work together to spread away from the overcrowded population. We demonstrate that the mutants with one phenotype produce high levels of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) and those with the second phenotype produce low levels. C-di-GMP is an intracellular signaling molecule which regulates many bacterial traits that cause tremendous clinical and environmental problems. Here, we analyze 147 experimentally selected mutations, which manifest either of the two phenotypes, to identify key residues in diverse proteins that force or shut down c-di-GMP production. Our data indicate that the intracellular pool of c-di-GMP is modulated through the catalytic activities of many independent c-di-GMP enzymes, which appear to be in tune with several proteins with no known links to c-di-GMP modulation.
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12
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Eilers K, Kuok Hoong Yam J, Morton R, Mei Hui Yong A, Brizuela J, Hadjicharalambous C, Liu X, Givskov M, Rice SA, Filloux A. Phenotypic and integrated analysis of a comprehensive Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 library of mutants lacking cyclic-di-GMP-related genes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:949597. [PMID: 35935233 PMCID: PMC9355167 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.949597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that is able to survive and adapt in a multitude of niches as well as thrive within many different hosts. This versatility lies within its large genome of ca. 6 Mbp and a tight control in the expression of thousands of genes. Among the regulatory mechanisms widespread in bacteria, cyclic-di-GMP signaling is one which influences all levels of control. c-di-GMP is made by diguanylate cyclases and degraded by phosphodiesterases, while the intracellular level of this molecule drives phenotypic responses. Signaling involves the modification of enzymes' or proteins' function upon c-di-GMP binding, including modifying the activity of regulators which in turn will impact the transcriptome. In P. aeruginosa, there are ca. 40 genes encoding putative DGCs or PDEs. The combined activity of those enzymes should reflect the overall c-di-GMP concentration, while specific phenotypic outputs could be correlated to a given set of dgc/pde. This notion of specificity has been addressed in several studies and different strains of P. aeruginosa. Here, we engineered a mutant library for the 41 individual dgc/pde genes in P. aeruginosa PAO1. In most cases, we observed a significant to slight variation in the global c-di-GMP pool of cells grown planktonically, while several mutants display a phenotypic impact on biofilm including initial attachment and maturation. If this observation of minor changes in c-di-GMP level correlating with significant phenotypic impact appears to be true, it further supports the idea of a local vs global c-di-GMP pool. In contrast, there was little to no effect on motility, which differs from previous studies. Our RNA-seq analysis indicated that all PAO1 dgc/pde genes were expressed in both planktonic and biofilm growth conditions and our work suggests that c-di-GMP networks need to be reconstructed for each strain separately and cannot be extrapolated from one to another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Eilers
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joey Kuok Hoong Yam
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Richard Morton
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adeline Mei Hui Yong
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jaime Brizuela
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Universitair Medische Centra, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Corina Hadjicharalambous
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xianghui Liu
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Givskov
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Scott A. Rice
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Westmead and Microbiomes for One Systems Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alain Filloux
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Ma LZ, Wang D, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Wozniak DJ. Regulation of Biofilm Exopolysaccharide Biosynthesis and Degradation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:413-433. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-041320-111355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities enmeshed in a matrix of macromolecules, termed as biofilms, are the natural setting of bacteria. Exopolysaccharide is a critical matrix component of biofilms. Here, we focus on biofilm matrix exopolysaccharides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This opportunistic pathogen can adapt to a wide range of environments and can form biofilms or aggregates in a variety of surfaces or environments, such as the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, catheters, wounds, and contact lenses. The ability to synthesize multiple exopolysaccharides is one of the advantages that facilitate bacterial survival in different environments. P. aeruginosa can produce several exopolysaccharides, including alginate, Psl, Pel, and lipopolysaccharide. In this review, we highlight the roles of each exopolysaccharide in P. aeruginosa biofilm development and how bacteria coordinate the biosynthesis of multiple exopolysaccharides and bacterial motility. In addition, we present advances in antibiofilm strategies targeting matrix exopolysaccharides, with a focus on glycoside hydrolases. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyan Z. Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Daniel J. Wozniak
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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14
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Liu C, Sun D, Liu J, Chen Y, Zhou X, Ru Y, Zhu J, Liu W. cAMP and c-di-GMP synergistically support biofilm maintenance through the direct interaction of their effectors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1493. [PMID: 35315431 PMCID: PMC8938473 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29240-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide second messengers, such as cAMP and c-di-GMP, regulate many physiological processes in bacteria, including biofilm formation. There is evidence of cross-talk between pathways mediated by c-di-GMP and those mediated by the cAMP receptor protein (CRP), but the mechanisms are often unclear. Here, we show that cAMP-CRP modulates biofilm maintenance in Shewanella putrefaciens not only via its known effects on gene transcription, but also through direct interaction with a putative c-di-GMP effector on the inner membrane, BpfD. Binding of cAMP-CRP to BpfD enhances the known interaction of BpfD with protease BpfG, which prevents proteolytic processing and release of a cell surface-associated adhesin, BpfA, thus contributing to biofilm maintenance. Our results provide evidence of cross-talk between cAMP and c-di-GMP pathways through direct interaction of their effectors, and indicate that cAMP-CRP can play regulatory roles at the post-translational level. Nucleotide second messengers, such as cAMP and c-di-GMP, regulate many physiological processes in bacteria, including biofilm formation. Here, the authors provide evidence of cross-talk between cAMP and c-di-GMP pathways through direct interaction of their effectors, showing that the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) can play regulatory roles at the post-translational level.
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15
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Biofilm Maintenance as an Active Process: Evidence that Biofilms Work Hard to Stay Put. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0058721. [PMID: 35311557 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00587-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation represents a critical strategy whereby bacteria can tolerate otherwise damaging environmental stressors and antimicrobial insults. While the mechanisms bacteria use to establish a biofilm and disperse from these communities have been well-studied, we have only a limited understanding of the mechanisms required to maintain these multicellular communities. Indeed, until relatively recently, it was not clear that maintaining a mature biofilm could be considered an active, regulated process with dedicated machinery. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model system, we review evidence from recent studies that support the model that maintenance of these persistent, surface-attached communities is indeed an active process. Biofilm maintenance mechanisms include transcriptional regulation and second messenger signaling (including the production of extracellular polymeric substances). We also discuss energy-conserving pathways that play a key role in the maintenance of these communities. We hope to highlight the need for further investigation to uncover novel biofilm maintenance pathways and suggest the possibility that such pathways can serve as novel antibiofilm targets.
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16
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Wang TY, Guo R, Hu LL, Liu JJ, Lu HT. Mass Spectrometry-Based Targeted Metabolomics Revealed the Regulatory Roles of Magnesium on Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli by Targeting Functional Metabolites. JOURNAL OF ANALYSIS AND TESTING 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41664-021-00208-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Lee CK, Schmidt WC, Webster SS, Chen JW, O'Toole GA, Wong GCL. Broadcasting of amplitude- and frequency-modulated c-di-GMP signals facilitates cooperative surface commitment in bacterial lineages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112226119. [PMID: 35064082 PMCID: PMC8795499 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112226119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Work on surface sensing in bacterial biofilms has focused on how cells transduce sensory input into cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) signaling, low and high levels of which generally correlate with high-motility planktonic cells and low-motility biofilm cells, respectively. Using Granger causal inference methods, however, we find that single-cell c-di-GMP increases are not sufficient to imply surface commitment. Tracking entire lineages of cells from the progenitor cell onward reveals that c-di-GMP levels can exhibit increases but also undergo oscillations that can propagate across 10 to 20 generations, thereby encoding more complex instructions for community behavior. Principal component and factor analysis of lineage c-di-GMP data shows that surface commitment behavior correlates with three statistically independent composite features, which roughly correspond to mean c-di-GMP levels, c-di-GMP oscillation period, and surface motility. Surface commitment in young biofilms does not correlate to c-di-GMP increases alone but also to the emergence of high-frequency and small-amplitude modulation of elevated c-di-GMP signal along a lineage of cells. Using this framework, we dissect how increasing or decreasing signal transduction from wild-type levels, by varying the interaction strength between PilO, a component of a principal surface sensing appendage system, and SadC, a key hub diguanylate cyclase that synthesizes c-di-GMP, impacts frequency and amplitude modulation of c-di-GMP signals and cooperative surface commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin K Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - William C Schmidt
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Shanice S Webster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Jonathan W Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - George A O'Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Gerard C L Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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18
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Park S, Sauer K. Controlling Biofilm Development Through Cyclic di-GMP Signaling. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:69-94. [PMID: 36258069 PMCID: PMC9891824 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) second messenger represents a signaling system that regulates many bacterial behaviors and is of key importance for driving the lifestyle switch between motile loner cells and biofilm formers. This review provides an up-to-date summary of c-di-GMP pathways connected to biofilm formation by the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa. Emphasis will be on the timing of c-di-GMP production over the course of biofilm formation, to highlight non-uniform and hierarchical increases in c-di-GMP levels, as well as biofilm growth conditions that do not conform with our current model of c-di-GMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC), Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Karin Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA.
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC), Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA.
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19
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H-NOX proteins in the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Biosci Rep 2021; 42:230559. [PMID: 34939646 PMCID: PMC8738867 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212014] [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: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a toxic gas encountered by bacteria as a product of their own metabolism or as a result of a host immune response. Non-toxic concentrations of NO have been shown to initiate changes in bacterial behaviors such as the transition between planktonic and biofilm-associated lifestyles. The heme nitric oxide/oxygen binding proteins (H-NOX) are a widespread family of bacterial heme-based NO sensors that regulate biofilm formation in response to NO. The presence of H-NOX in several human pathogens combined with the importance of planktonic–biofilm transitions to virulence suggests that H-NOX sensing may be an important virulence factor in these organisms. Here we review the recent data on H-NOX NO signaling pathways with an emphasis on H-NOX homologs from pathogens and commensal organisms. The current state of the field is somewhat ambiguous regarding the role of H-NOX in pathogenesis. However, it is clear that H-NOX regulates biofilm in response to environmental factors and may promote persistence in the environments that serve as reservoirs for these pathogens. Finally, the evidence that large subgroups of H-NOX proteins may sense environmental signals besides NO is discussed within the context of a phylogenetic analysis of this large and diverse family.
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20
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Kosina SM, Rademacher P, Wetmore KM, de Raad M, Zemla M, Zane GM, Zulovich JJ, Chakraborty R, Bowen BP, Wall JD, Auer M, Arkin AP, Deutschbauer AM, Northen TR. Biofilm Interaction Mapping and Analysis (BIMA) of Interspecific Interactions in Pseudomonas Co-culture Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:757856. [PMID: 34956122 PMCID: PMC8696352 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.757856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas species are ubiquitous in nature and include numerous medically, agriculturally and technologically beneficial strains of which the interspecific interactions are of great interest for biotechnologies. Specifically, co-cultures containing Pseudomonas stutzeri have been used for bioremediation, biocontrol, aquaculture management and wastewater denitrification. Furthermore, the use of P. stutzeri biofilms, in combination with consortia-based approaches, may offer advantages for these processes. Understanding the interspecific interaction within biofilm co-cultures or consortia provides a means for improvement of current technologies. However, the investigation of biofilm-based consortia has been limited. We present an adaptable and scalable method for the analysis of macroscopic interactions (colony morphology, inhibition, and invasion) between colony-forming bacterial strains using an automated printing method followed by analysis of the genes and metabolites involved in the interactions. Using Biofilm Interaction Mapping and Analysis (BIMA), these interactions were investigated between P. stutzeri strain RCH2, a denitrifier isolated from chromium (VI) contaminated soil, and 13 other species of pseudomonas isolated from non-contaminated soil. One interaction partner, Pseudomonas fluorescens N1B4 was selected for mutant fitness profiling of a DNA-barcoded mutant library; with this approach four genes of importance were identified and the effects on interactions were evaluated with deletion mutants and mass spectrometry based metabolomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M. Kosina
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Peter Rademacher
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kelly M. Wetmore
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Markus de Raad
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Marcin Zemla
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Grant M. Zane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | | | - Romy Chakraborty
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin P. Bowen
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Judy D. Wall
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Manfred Auer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Adam P. Arkin
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Adam M. Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Trent R. Northen
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
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21
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Xuan TF, Wang ZQ, Liu J, Yu HT, Lin QW, Chen WM, Lin J. Design and Synthesis of Novel c-di-GMP G-Quadruplex Inducers as Bacterial Biofilm Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11074-11089. [PMID: 34323486 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The formation of biofilms by clinical pathogens typically leads to chronic and recurring antibiotic-resistant infections. High cellular levels of cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), a ubiquitous secondary messenger of bacteria, have been proven to be associated with a sessile biofilm lifestyle of pathogens. A promising antibiofilm strategy involving the induction of c-di-GMP to form dysfunctional G-quadruplexes, thereby blocking the c-di-GMP-mediated biofilm regulatory pathway, was proposed in this study. In this new strategy, a series of novel c-di-GMP G-quadruplex inducers were designed and synthesized for development of therapeutic biofilm inhibitors. Compound 5h exhibited favorable c-di-GMP G-quadruplex-inducing activity and 62.18 ± 6.76% biofilm inhibitory activity at 1.25 μM without any DNA intercalation effect. Moreover, the favorable performance of 5h in interfering with c-di-GMP-related biological functions, including bacterial motility and bacterial extracellular polysaccharide secretion, combined with the reporter strain and transcriptome analysis results confirmed the c-di-GMP signaling-related action mechanism of 5h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Fei Xuan
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Qiang Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Tao Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Qian-Wen Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Min Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P. R. China
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22
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Hausmann S, Gonzalez D, Geiser J, Valentini M. The DEAD-box RNA helicase RhlE2 is a global regulator of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lifestyle and pathogenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6925-6940. [PMID: 34151378 PMCID: PMC8266600 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA helicases perform essential housekeeping and regulatory functions in all domains of life by binding and unwinding RNA molecules. The bacterial RhlE-like DEAD-box RNA helicases are among the least well studied of these enzymes. They are widespread especially among Proteobacteria, whose genomes often encode multiple homologs. The significance of the expansion and diversification of RhlE-like proteins for bacterial fitness has not yet been established. Here, we study the two RhlE homologs present in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that, in the course of evolution, RhlE1 and RhlE2 have diverged in their biological functions, molecular partners and RNA-dependent enzymatic activities. Whereas RhlE1 is mainly needed for growth in the cold, RhlE2 also acts as global post-transcriptional regulator, affecting the level of hundreds of cellular transcripts indispensable for both environmental adaptation and virulence. The global impact of RhlE2 is mediated by its unique C-terminal extension, which supports the RNA unwinding activity of the N-terminal domain as well as an RNA-dependent interaction with the RNase E endonuclease and the cellular RNA degradation machinery. Overall, our work reveals how the functional and molecular divergence between two homologous RNA helicases can contribute to bacterial fitness and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Hausmann
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Diego Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Johan Geiser
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martina Valentini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Banerjee P, Sahoo PK, Sheenu, Adhikary A, Ruhal R, Jain D. Molecular and structural facets of c-di-GMP signalling associated with biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101001. [PMID: 34311995 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen and is the primary cause of nosocomial infections. Biofilm formation by this organism results in chronic and hard to eradicate infections. The intracellular signalling molecule bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a secondary messenger in bacterial cells crucial for motile to sessile transition. The signalling pathway components encompass two classes of enzymes with antagonistic activities, the diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that regulate the cellular levels of c-di-GMP at distinct stages of biofilm initiation, maturation and dispersion. This review summarizes the structural analysis and functional studies of the DGCs and PDEs involved in biofilm regulation in P. aeruginosa. In addition, we also describe the effector proteins that sense the perturbations in c-di-GMP levels to elicit a functional output. Finally, we discuss possible mechanisms that allow the dynamic levels of c-di-GMP to regulate cognate cellular response. Uncovering the details of the regulation of the c-di-GMP signalling pathway is vital for understanding the behaviour of the pathogen and characterization of novel targets for anti-biofilm interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyajit Banerjee
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India; Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar Sahoo
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sheenu
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Anirban Adhikary
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Rohit Ruhal
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Deepti Jain
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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24
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Kakkar A, Verma RK, Samal B, Chatterjee S. Interplay between the cyclic di-GMP network and the cell-cell signalling components coordinates virulence-associated functions in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:5433-5462. [PMID: 34240791 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes a serious disease of rice known as bacterial leaf blight. Several virulence-associated functions have been characterized in Xoo. However, the role of important second messenger c-di-GMP signalling in the regulation of virulence-associated functions still remains elusive in this phytopathogen. In this study we have performed an investigation of 13 c-di-GMP modulating deletion mutants to understand their contribution in Xoo virulence and lifestyle transition. We show that four Xoo proteins, Xoo2331, Xoo2563, Xoo2860 and Xoo2616, are involved in fine-tuning the in vivo c-di-GMP abundance and also play a role in the regulation of virulence-associated functions. We have further established the importance of the GGDEF domain of Xoo2563, a previously characterized c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase, in the virulence-associated functions of Xoo. Interestingly the strain harbouring the GGDEF domain deletion (ΔXoo2563GGDEF ) exhibited EPS deficiency and hypersensitivity to streptonigrin, indicative of altered iron metabolism. This is in contrast to the phenotype exhibited by an EAL overexpression strain wherein, the ΔXoo2563GGDEF exhibited other phenotypes, similar to the strain overexpressing the EAL domain. Taken together, our results indicate a complex interplay of c-di-GMP signalling with the cell-cell signalling to coordinate virulence-associated function in Xoo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Kakkar
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Uppal, Hyderabad, 500039, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Raj Kumar Verma
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Uppal, Hyderabad, 500039, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Biswajit Samal
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Uppal, Hyderabad, 500039, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, 576104, India
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Heterogenous Susceptibility to R-Pyocins in Populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sourced from Cystic Fibrosis Lungs. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.00458-21. [PMID: 33947755 PMCID: PMC8262887 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00458-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriocins are proteinaceous antimicrobials produced by bacteria that are active against other strains of the same species. R-type pyocins are phage tail-like bacteriocins produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Due to their antipseudomonal activity, R-pyocins have potential as therapeutics in infection. P. aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen and is particularly problematic for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). P. aeruginosa organisms from CF lung infections develop increasing resistance to antibiotics, making new treatment approaches essential. P. aeruginosa populations become phenotypically and genotypically diverse during infection; however, little is known of the efficacy of R-pyocins against heterogeneous populations. R-pyocins vary by subtype (R1 to R5), distinguished by binding to different residues on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Each type varies in killing spectrum, and each strain produces only one R-type. To evaluate the prevalence of different R-types, we screened P. aeruginosa strains from the International Pseudomonas Consortium Database (IPCD) and from our biobank of CF strains. We found that (i) R1-types were the most prevalent R-type among strains from respiratory sources, (ii) a large number of strains lack R-pyocin genes, and (iii) isolates collected from the same patient have the same R-type. We then assessed the impact of intrastrain diversity on R-pyocin susceptibility and found a heterogenous response to R-pyocins within populations, likely due to differences in the LPS core. Our work reveals that heterogeneous populations of microbes exhibit variable susceptibility to R-pyocins and highlights that there is likely heterogeneity in response to other types of LPS-binding antimicrobials, including phage.IMPORTANCE R-pyocins have potential as alternative therapeutics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic infection; however, little is known about the efficacy of R-pyocins in heterogeneous bacterial populations. P. aeruginosa is known to become resistant to multiple antibiotics and to evolve phenotypic and genotypic diversity over time; thus, it is particularly difficult to eradicate in chronic cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections. In this study, we found that P. aeruginosa populations from CF lungs maintain the same R-pyocin genotype but exhibit heterogeneity in susceptibility to R-pyocins from other strains. Our findings suggest there is heterogeneity in response to other types of LPS-binding antimicrobials, such as phage, highlighting the necessity of further studying the potential of LPS-binding antimicrobial particles as alternative therapies in chronic infections.
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De Smet J, Wagemans J, Hendrix H, Staes I, Visnapuu A, Horemans B, Aertsen A, Lavigne R. Bacteriophage-mediated interference of the c-di-GMP signalling pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:967-978. [PMID: 33314648 PMCID: PMC8085984 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
C-di-GMP is a key signalling molecule which impacts bacterial motility and biofilm formation and is formed by the condensation of two GTP molecules by a diguanylate cyclase. We here describe the identification and characterization of a family of bacteriophage-encoded peptides that directly impact c-di-GMP signalling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These phage proteins target Pseudomonas diguanylate cyclase YfiN by direct protein interaction (termed YIPs, YfiN Interacting Peptides). YIPs induce an increase of c-di-GMP production in the host cell, resulting in a decrease in motility and an increase in biofilm mass in P. aeruginosa. A dynamic analysis of the biofilm morphology indicates a denser biofilm structure after induction of the phage protein. This intracellular signalling interference strategy by a lytic phage constitutes an unexplored phage-based mechanism of metabolic regulation and could potentially serve as inspiration for the development of molecules that interfere with biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa and other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen De Smet
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyDepartment of BiosystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
- Present address:
Lab4FoodDepartment of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S)KU Leuven Campus GeelGeel2440Belgium
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyDepartment of BiosystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Hanne Hendrix
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyDepartment of BiosystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Ines Staes
- Laboratory of Food MicrobiologyDepartment of Microbial and Molecular SystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Annegrete Visnapuu
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyDepartment of BiosystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Benjamin Horemans
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Abram Aertsen
- Laboratory of Food MicrobiologyDepartment of Microbial and Molecular SystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyDepartment of BiosystemsKU LeuvenHeverlee3001Belgium
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27
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Yan W, Wei Y, Fan S, Yu C, Tian F, Wang Q, Yang F, Chen H. Diguanylate Cyclase GdpX6 with c-di-GMP Binding Activity Involved in the Regulation of Virulence Expression in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030495. [PMID: 33652966 PMCID: PMC7996900 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a secondary messenger present in bacteria. The GGDEF-domain proteins can participate in the synthesis of c-di-GMP as diguanylate cyclase (DGC) or bind with c-di-GMP to function as a c-di-GMP receptor. In the genome of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice, there are 11 genes that encode single GGDEF domain proteins. The GGDEF domain protein, PXO_02019 (here GdpX6 [GGDEF-domain protein of Xoo6]) was characterized in the present study. Firstly, the DGC and c-di-GMP binding activity of GdpX6 was confirmed in vitro. Mutation of the crucial residues D403 residue of the I site in GGDEF motif and E411 residue of A site in GGDEF motif of GdpX6 abolished c-di-GMP binding activity and DGC activity of GdpX6, respectively. Additionally, deletion of gdpX6 significantly increased the virulence, swimming motility, and decreased sliding motility and biofilm formation. In contrast, overexpression of GdpX6 in wild-type PXO99A strain decreased the virulence and swimming motility, and increased sliding motility and biofilm formation. Mutation of the E411 residue but not D403 residue of the GGDEF domain in GdpX6 abolished its biological functions, indicating the DGC activity to be imperative for its biological functions. Furthermore, GdpX6 exhibited multiple subcellular localization in bacterial cells, and D403 or E411 did not contribute to the localization of GdpX6. Thus, we concluded that GdpX6 exhibits DGC activity to control the virulence, swimming and sliding motility, and biofilm formation in Xoo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
- The MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Yiming Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Susu Fan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China;
| | - Chao Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Fang Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Qi Wang
- The MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Fenghuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-62896063
| | - Huamin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (W.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Y.); (F.T.); (H.C.)
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28
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Hengge R. High-Specificity Local and Global c-di-GMP Signaling. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:993-1003. [PMID: 33640237 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The striking multiplicity, signal input diversity, and output specificity of c-di-GMP signaling proteins in many bacteria has brought second messenger signaling back onto the agenda of contemporary microbiology. How can several signaling pathways act in parallel in a specific manner if all of them use the same diffusible second messenger present at a certain global cellular concentration? Recent research has now shown that bacteria achieve this by flexibly combining modes of local and global c-di-GMP signaling in complex signaling networks. Three criteria have to be met to define local c-di-GMP signaling: specific knockout phenotypes, direct interactions between proteins involved, and actual cellular c-di-GMP levels remaining below the Kd of effectors. Adaptive changes in signaling network architecture can further enhance signaling flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regine Hengge
- Institut für Biologie/Mikrobiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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29
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Schulze A, Mitterer F, Pombo JP, Schild S. Biofilms by bacterial human pathogens: Clinical relevance - development, composition and regulation - therapeutical strategies. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2021; 8:28-56. [PMID: 33553418 PMCID: PMC7841849 DOI: 10.15698/mic2021.02.741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Notably, bacterial biofilm formation is increasingly recognized as a passive virulence factor facilitating many infectious disease processes. In this review we will focus on bacterial biofilms formed by human pathogens and highlight their relevance for diverse diseases. Along biofilm composition and regulation emphasis is laid on the intensively studied biofilms of Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus spp., which are commonly used as biofilm model organisms and therefore contribute to our general understanding of bacterial biofilm (patho-)physiology. Finally, therapeutical intervention strategies targeting biofilms will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Schulze
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
- A.S. and F.M. contributed equally to this work
| | - Fabian Mitterer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
- A.S. and F.M. contributed equally to this work
| | - Joao P. Pombo
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Schild
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence Biohealth – University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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30
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Seder N, Abu Bakar MH, Abu Rayyan WS. Transcriptome Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Following the Exposure to Malaysian Stingless Bee Honey. Adv Appl Bioinform Chem 2021; 14:1-11. [PMID: 33488102 PMCID: PMC7814656 DOI: 10.2147/aabc.s292143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malaysian stingless bee honey (Trigona) has been aroused as a potential antimicrobial compound with antibiofilm activity. The capability of the gram-negative bacillus P. aeruginosa to sustain a fatal infection is encoded in the bacterium genome. Methods In the current study, a transcriptome investigation was performed to explore the mechanism underlying the biofilm dispersal of P. aeruginosa after the exposure to Trigona honey. Results Microarray analysis of the Pseudomonas biofilm treated by 20% Trigona honey has revealed a down-regulation of 3478 genes among the 6085 screened genes. Specifically, around 13.5% of the down-regulated genes were biofilm-associated genes. The mapping of the biofilm-associated pathways has shown an ultimate decrease in the expression levels of the D-GMP signaling pathway and diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) genes responsible for c-di-GMP formation. Conclusion We predominantly report the lowering of c-di-GMP through the down-regulation of DGC genes as the main mechanism of biofilm inhibition by Trigona honey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrin Seder
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Sultan Zain Al Abidin, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 21300, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hilmi Abu Bakar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Sultan Zain Al Abidin, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 21300, Malaysia
| | - Walid Salem Abu Rayyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
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31
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Wang S, Zhi L, Shan W, Lu H, Xu Q, Li J. Correlation of extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community structure in denitrification biofilm exposed to adverse conditions. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:1889-1903. [PMID: 32700468 PMCID: PMC7533329 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial community may respond to different adverse conditions and result in the variation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in denitrification biofilm; this study discovered the role of EPS in accordance with the analysis of cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and electron equilibrium (EE) under low organic loading rate, shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. Good nitrate removal performance could be achieved under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions; however, owing to the low organic loading rate, the carbon source was preferentially utilized for biomass growth. Tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) contents progressively increased and facilitated cell adhesion and biofilm formation. The stable TB protein (TB-PN) content in TB-EPS built a cross-linked network to maintain internal biofilm structure and led to the rapid biosynthesis of polysaccharides, which could further enhance microbial adhesion and improve nitrate removal. C-di-GMP played an important role in biomass retention and biofilm formation, based on the correlation analysis of c-di-GMP and EPS. TB polysaccharide (TB-PS) contents presented a significant positive correlation with c-di-GMP content, microbial adhesion and biofilm stabilization was further enhanced through c-di-GMP regulation. In addition, a remarkable negative correlation between electron deletion rate (EDR) and TB-PN and TB-PS was discovered, and TB-PS was required to serve as energy source to enhance denitrification according to EE analysis. Surprisingly, dynamic microbial community was observed due to the drastic community succession under low temperature conditions, and the discrepancy between the dominant species for denitrification was found under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. The notable increase in bacterial strains Simlicispira, Pseudomonas and Chryseobacterium was conducive to biofilm formation and denitrification under shock organic loading rate, while Dechloromonas and Zoogloea dramatically enriched for nitrate removal under low temperature conditions. The high abundance of Dechloromonas improved the secretion of EPS through the downstream signal transduction, and the c-di-GMP conserved in Pseudomonas concurrently facilitated to enhance exopolysaccharide production to shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic BiotechnologySchool of Environment and Civil EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction TechnologyJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
- Jiangsu College of Water Treatment Technology and Material Collaborative Innovation CenterSuzhou215009China
- Department of Civil EngineeringSchulich School of EngineeringUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryT2N 1N4Canada
| | - Liling Zhi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic BiotechnologySchool of Environment and Civil EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
| | - Wei Shan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic BiotechnologySchool of Environment and Civil EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and EngineeringSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Qiao Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic BiotechnologySchool of Environment and Civil EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
| | - Ji Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic BiotechnologySchool of Environment and Civil EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction TechnologyJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
- Jiangsu College of Water Treatment Technology and Material Collaborative Innovation CenterSuzhou215009China
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32
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Balabanova L, Shkryl Y, Slepchenko L, Cheraneva D, Podvolotskaya A, Bakunina I, Nedashkovskaya O, Son O, Tekutyeva L. Genomic Features of a Food-Derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain PAEM and Biofilm-Associated Gene Expression under a Marine Bacterial α-Galactosidase. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207666. [PMID: 33081309 PMCID: PMC7593944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The biofilm-producing strains of P. aeruginosa colonize various surfaces, including food products and industry equipment that can cause serious human and animal health problems. The biofilms enable microorganisms to evolve the resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants. Analysis of the P. aeruginosa strain (serotype O6, sequence type 2502), isolated from an environment of meat processing (PAEM) during a ready-to-cook product storage (−20 °C), showed both the mosaic similarity and differences between free-living and clinical strains by their coding DNA sequences. Therefore, a cold shock protein (CspA) has been suggested for consideration of the evolution probability of the cold-adapted P. aeruginosa strains. In addition, the study of the action of cold-active enzymes from marine bacteria against the food-derived pathogen could contribute to the methods for controlling P. aeruginosa biofilms. The genes responsible for bacterial biofilm regulation are predominantly controlled by quorum sensing, and they directly or indirectly participate in the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, which are the main element of the intercellular matrix. The levels of expression for 14 biofilm-associated genes of the food-derived P. aeruginosa strain PAEM in the presence of different concentrations of the glycoside hydrolase of family 36, α-galactosidase α-PsGal, from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. KMM 701 were determined. The real-time PCR data clustered these genes into five groups according to the pattern of positive or negative regulation of their expression in response to the action of α-galactosidase. The results revealed a dose-dependent mechanism of the enzymatic effect on the PAEM biofilm synthesis and dispersal genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Balabanova
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (L.S.); (D.C.); (I.B.); (O.N.)
- Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security, School of Economics and Management, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.P.); (O.S.); (L.T.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yuri Shkryl
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (Y.S.)
| | - Lubov Slepchenko
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (L.S.); (D.C.); (I.B.); (O.N.)
- Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security, School of Economics and Management, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.P.); (O.S.); (L.T.)
| | - Daria Cheraneva
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (L.S.); (D.C.); (I.B.); (O.N.)
| | - Anna Podvolotskaya
- Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security, School of Economics and Management, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.P.); (O.S.); (L.T.)
| | - Irina Bakunina
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (L.S.); (D.C.); (I.B.); (O.N.)
| | - Olga Nedashkovskaya
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (L.S.); (D.C.); (I.B.); (O.N.)
| | - Oksana Son
- Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security, School of Economics and Management, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.P.); (O.S.); (L.T.)
| | - Liudmila Tekutyeva
- Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security, School of Economics and Management, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.P.); (O.S.); (L.T.)
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33
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Richter AM, Possling A, Malysheva N, Yousef KP, Herbst S, von Kleist M, Hengge R. Local c-di-GMP Signaling in the Control of Synthesis of the E. coli Biofilm Exopolysaccharide pEtN-Cellulose. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4576-4595. [PMID: 32534064 PMCID: PMC7397504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In many bacteria, the biofilm-promoting second messenger c-di-GMP is produced and degraded by multiple diguanylate cyclases (DGC) and phosphodiesterases (PDE), respectively. High target specificity of some of these enzymes has led to theoretical concepts of "local" c-di-GMP signaling. In Escherichia coli K-12, which has 12 DGCs and 13 PDEs, a single DGC, DgcC, is specifically required for the biosynthesis of the biofilm exopolysaccharide pEtN-cellulose without affecting the cellular c-di-GMP pool, but the mechanistic basis of this target specificity has remained obscure. DGC activity of membrane-associated DgcC, which is demonstrated in vitro in nanodiscs, is shown to be necessary and sufficient to specifically activate cellulose biosynthesis in vivo. DgcC and a particular PDE, PdeK (encoded right next to the cellulose operon), directly interact with cellulose synthase subunit BcsB and with each other, thus establishing physical proximity between cellulose synthase and a local source and sink of c-di-GMP. This arrangement provides a localized, yet open source of c-di-GMP right next to cellulose synthase subunit BcsA, which needs allosteric activation by c-di-GMP. Through mathematical modeling and simulation, we demonstrate that BcsA binding from the low cytosolic c-di-GMP pool in E. coli is negligible, whereas a single c-di-GMP molecule that is produced and released in direct proximity to cellulose synthase increases the probability of c-di-GMP binding to BcsA several hundred-fold. This local c-di-GMP signaling could provide a blueprint for target-specific second messenger signaling also in other bacteria where multiple second messenger producing and degrading enzymes exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja M Richter
- Institute of Biology/Microbiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Department of Materials and the Environment, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -Prüfung, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Possling
- Institute of Biology/Microbiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadezhda Malysheva
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; MF1 Bioinformatics, Robert-Koch-Institut, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kaveh P Yousef
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Herbst
- Institute of Biology/Microbiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max von Kleist
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; MF1 Bioinformatics, Robert-Koch-Institut, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Regine Hengge
- Institute of Biology/Microbiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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34
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Feng Q, Ahator SD, Zhou T, Liu Z, Lin Q, Liu Y, Huang J, Zhou J, Zhang LH. Regulation of Exopolysaccharide Production by ProE, a Cyclic-Di-GMP Phosphodiesterase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1226. [PMID: 32582123 PMCID: PMC7290235 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous second messenger c-di-GMP is involved in regulation of multiple biological functions including the important extracellular matrix exopolysaccharides (EPS). But how c-di-GMP metabolic proteins influence EPS and their enzymatic properties are not fully understood. Here we showed that deletion of proE, which encodes a protein with GGDEF-EAL hybrid domains, significantly increased the transcriptional expression of the genes encoding EPS production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and changed the bacterial colony morphology. Our data showed that ProE is a very active phosphodiesterase (PDE), with a high enzyme activity in degradation of c-di-GMP. Interestingly, the optimal activity of ProE was found in the presence of Co2+, unlike other PDEs that commonly rely on Mg2+ or Mn2+ for best performance. Furthermore, we identified three widely conserved novel residues that are critical for the function of ProE through site-directed mutagenesis. Subsequent study showed that ProE, together with other three key PDEs, i.e., RbdA, BifA, and DipA regulate the EPS production in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Moreover, by using the GFP-fusion approach, we observed that these four EPS associated-PDEs showed a polar localization pattern in general. Taken together, our data unveil the molecular mechanisms of ProE in regulation of EPS production, and provide a new insight on its enzymatic properties in degradation of c-di-GMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishun Feng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephen Dela Ahator
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqing Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiqi Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianuan Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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35
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Ma GL, Chandra H, Liang ZX. Taming the flagellar motor of pseudomonads with a nucleotide messenger. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:2496-2513. [PMID: 32329141 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonads rely on the flagellar motor to rotate a polar flagellum for swimming and swarming, and to sense surfaces for initiating the motile-to-sessile transition to adopt a surface-dwelling lifestyle. Deciphering the function and regulation of the flagellar motor is of paramount importance for understanding the behaviours of environmental and pathogenic pseudomonads. Recent studies disclosed the preeminent role played by the messenger c-di-GMP in controlling the real-time performance of the flagellar motor in pseudomonads. The studies revealed that c-di-GMP controls the dynamic exchange of flagellar stator units to regulate motor torque/speed and modulates the frequency of flagellar motor switching via the chemosensory signalling pathways. Apart from being a rotary motor, the flagellar motor is emerging as a mechanosensor that transduces surface-induced mechanical signals into an increase of cellular c-di-GMP concentration to initiate the cellular programs required for long-term colonization. Collectively, the studies generate long-awaited mechanistic insights into how c-di-GMP regulates bacterial motility and the motile-to-sessile transition. The new findings also raise the fundamental questions of how cellular c-di-GMP concentrations are dynamically coupled to flagellar output and the proton-motive force, and how c-di-GMP signalling is coordinated spatiotemporally to fine-tune flagellar response and the behaviour of pseudomonads in solutions and on surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Lei Ma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, S637551, Singapore
| | - Hartono Chandra
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, S637551, Singapore
| | - Zhao-Xun Liang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, S637551, Singapore.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, S637551, Singapore
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36
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Cai YM, Hutchin A, Craddock J, Walsh MA, Webb JS, Tews I. Differential impact on motility and biofilm dispersal of closely related phosphodiesterases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6232. [PMID: 32277108 PMCID: PMC7148300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the transition between planktonic and biofilm lifestyles is modulated by the intracellular secondary messenger cyclic dimeric-GMP (c-di-GMP) in response to environmental conditions. Here, we used gene deletions to investigate how the environmental stimulus nitric oxide (NO) is linked to biofilm dispersal, focusing on biofilm dispersal phenotype from proteins containing putative c-di-GMP turnover and Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) sensory domains. We document opposed physiological roles for the genes ΔrbdA and Δpa2072 that encode proteins with identical domain structure: while ΔrbdA showed elevated c-di-GMP levels, restricted motility and promoted biofilm formation, c-di-GMP levels were decreased in Δpa2072, and biofilm formation was inhibited, compared to wild type. A second pair of genes, ΔfimX and ΔdipA, were selected on the basis of predicted impaired c-di-GMP turnover function: ΔfimX showed increased, ΔdipA decreased NO induced biofilm dispersal, and the genes effected different types of motility, with reduced twitching for ΔfimX and reduced swimming for ΔdipA. For all four deletion mutants we find that NO-induced biomass reduction correlates with increased NO-driven swarming, underlining a significant role for this motility in biofilm dispersal. Hence P. aeruginosa is able to differentiate c-di-GMP output using structurally highly related proteins that can contain degenerate c-di-GMP turnover domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Cai
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Andrew Hutchin
- Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK.,Structure and Function of Biological Membranes Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Jack Craddock
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Martin A Walsh
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK.,Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Jeremy S Webb
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Ivo Tews
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. .,Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
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37
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Nicastro GG, Kaihami GH, Pulschen AA, Hernandez-Montelongo J, Boechat AL, de Oliveira Pereira T, Rosa CGT, Stefanello E, Colepicolo P, Bordi C, Baldini RL. c-di-GMP-related phenotypes are modulated by the interaction between a diguanylate cyclase and a polar hub protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3077. [PMID: 32080219 PMCID: PMC7033161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59536-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
c-di-GMP is a major player in the switch between biofilm and motile lifestyles. Several bacteria exhibit a large number of c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins, thus a fine-tuning of this nucleotide levels may occur. It is hypothesized that some c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins would provide the global c-di-GMP levels inside the cell whereas others would maintain a localized pool, with the resulting c-di-GMP acting at the vicinity of its production. Although attractive, this hypothesis has yet to be demonstrated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found that the diguanylate cyclase DgcP interacts with the cytosolic region of FimV, a polar peptidoglycan-binding protein involved in type IV pilus assembly. Moreover, DgcP is located at the cell poles in wild type cells but scattered in the cytoplasm of cells lacking FimV. Overexpression of dgcP leads to the classical phenotypes of high c-di-GMP levels (increased biofilm and impaired motilities) in the wild-type strain, but not in a ΔfimV background. Therefore, our findings suggest that DgcP activity is regulated by FimV. The polar localization of DgcP might contribute to a local c-di-GMP pool that can be sensed by other proteins at the cell pole, bringing to light a specialized function for a specific diguanylate cyclase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianlucca G Nicastro
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gilberto H Kaihami
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André A Pulschen
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jacobo Hernandez-Montelongo
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin", Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciencias Matemáticas y Físicas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ana Laura Boechat
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Caio Gomes Tavares Rosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliezer Stefanello
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pio Colepicolo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Regina L Baldini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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38
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Limoli DH, Warren EA, Yarrington KD, Donegan NP, Cheung AL, O'Toole GA. Interspecies interactions induce exploratory motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. eLife 2019; 8:47365. [PMID: 31713513 PMCID: PMC6910820 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes often live in multispecies communities where interactions among community members impact both the individual constituents and the surrounding environment. Here, we developed a system to visualize interspecies behaviors at initial encounters. By imaging two prevalent pathogens known to be coisolated from chronic illnesses, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, we observed P. aeruginosa can modify surface motility in response to secreted factors from S. aureus. Upon sensing S. aureus, P. aeruginosa transitioned from collective to single-cell motility with an associated increase in speed and directedness – a behavior we refer to as ‘exploratory motility’. Explorer cells moved preferentially towards S. aureus and invaded S. aureus colonies through the action of the type IV pili. These studies reveal previously undescribed motility behaviors and lend insight into how P. aeruginosa senses and responds to other species. Identifying strategies to harness these interactions may open avenues for new antimicrobial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique H Limoli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Warren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Kaitlin D Yarrington
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Niles P Donegan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Ambrose L Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - George A O'Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
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39
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Noirot-Gros MF, Forrester S, Malato G, Larsen PE, Noirot P. CRISPR interference to interrogate genes that control biofilm formation in Pseudomonas fluorescens. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15954. [PMID: 31685917 PMCID: PMC6828691 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52400-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilm formation involves signaling and regulatory pathways that control the transition from motile to sessile lifestyle, production of extracellular polymeric matrix, and maturation of the biofilm 3D structure. Biofilms are extensively studied because of their importance in biomedical, ecological and industrial settings. Gene inactivation is a powerful approach for functional studies but it is often labor intensive, limiting systematic gene surveys to the most tractable bacterial hosts. Here, we adapted the CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system for use in diverse strain isolates of P. fluorescens, SBW25, WH6 and Pf0-1. We found that CRISPRi is applicable to study complex phenotypes such as cell morphology, motility and biofilm formation over extended periods of time. In SBW25, CRISPRi-mediated silencing of genes encoding the GacA/S two-component system and regulatory proteins associated with the cylic di-GMP signaling messenger produced swarming and biofilm phenotypes similar to those obtained after gene inactivation. Combined with detailed confocal microscopy of biofilms, our study also revealed novel phenotypes associated with extracellular matrix biosynthesis as well as the potent inhibition of SBW25 biofilm formation mediated by the PFLU1114 operon. We conclude that CRISPRi is a reliable and scalable approach to investigate gene networks in the diverse P. fluorescens group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Forrester
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439, United States
| | - Grace Malato
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439, United States
| | - Peter E Larsen
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, United States
| | - Philippe Noirot
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439, United States
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40
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Diguanylate Cyclases and Phosphodiesterases Required for Basal-Level c-di-GMP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Revealed by Systematic Phylogenetic and Transcriptomic Analyses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01194-19. [PMID: 31444209 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01194-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is an important second messenger involved in bacterial switching from motile to sessile lifestyles. In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at least 40 genes are predicted to encode proteins for the making and breaking of this signal molecule. However, there is still paucity of information concerning the systemic expression pattern of these genes and the functions of uncharacterized genes. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of genes from P. aeruginosa that were predicted to have a GGDEF domain and found five genes (PA5487, PA0285, PA0290, PA4367, and PA5017) with highly conserved distribution across 52 public complete pseudomonad genomes. PA5487 was further characterized as a typical diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and was named dgcH A systemic analysis of the gene expression data revealed that the expression of dgcH is highly invariable and that dgcH probably functions as a conserved gene to maintain the basal level of c-di-GMP, as reinforced by gene expression analyses. The other four conserved genes also had an expression pattern similar to that of dgcH The functional analysis suggested that PA0290 encoded a DGC, while the others functioned as phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Our data revealed that there are five DGC and PDE genes that maintain the basal level of c-di-GMP in P. aeruginosa IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in animals, humans, and plants. The formation of biofilms by P. aeruginosa is the central mode of action to persist in hosts and evade immune and antibiotic attacks. Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is an important second messenger involved in the regulation of biofilm formation. In P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain, there are around 40 genes that encode enzymes for making and breaking this dinucleotide. A major missing piece of information in this field is the phylogeny and expression profile of those genes. Here, we took a systemic approach to investigate this mystery. We found that among 40 c-di-GMP metabolizing genes, 5 have well-conserved phylogenetic distribution and invariable expression profiles, suggesting that there are enzymes required for the basal level of c-di-GMP in P. aeruginosa This study thus provides putative therapeutic targets against P. aeruginosa infections.
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41
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Ethanol Decreases Pseudomonas aeruginosa Flagellar Motility through the Regulation of Flagellar Stators. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00285-19. [PMID: 31109994 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00285-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa frequently encounters microbes that produce ethanol. Low concentrations of ethanol reduced P. aeruginosa swim zone area by up to 45% in soft agar. The reduction of swimming by ethanol required the flagellar motor proteins MotAB and two PilZ domain proteins (FlgZ and PilZ). PilY1 and the type 4 pilus alignment complex (comprising PilMNOP) were previously implicated in MotAB regulation in surface-associated cells and were required for ethanol-dependent motility repression. As FlgZ requires the second messenger bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) to represses motility, we screened mutants lacking genes involved in c-di-GMP metabolism and found that mutants lacking diguanylate cyclases SadC and GcbA were less responsive to ethanol. The double mutant was resistant to its effects. As published previously, ethanol also represses swarming motility, and the same genes required for ethanol effects on swimming motility were required for its regulation of swarming. Microscopic analysis of single cells in soft agar revealed that ethanol effects on swim zone area correlated with ethanol effects on the portion of cells that paused or stopped during the time interval analyzed. Ethanol increased c-di-GMP in planktonic wild-type cells but not in ΔmotAB or ΔsadC ΔgcbA mutants, suggesting c-di-GMP plays a role in the response to ethanol in planktonic cells. We propose that ethanol produced by other microbes induces a regulated decrease in P. aeruginosa motility, thereby promoting P. aeruginosa colocalization with ethanol-producing microbes. Furthermore, some of the same factors involved in the response to surface contact are involved in the response to ethanol.IMPORTANCE Ethanol is an important biologically active molecule produced by many bacteria and fungi. It has also been identified as a potential marker for disease state in cystic fibrosis. In line with previous data showing that ethanol promotes biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, here we report that ethanol reduces swimming motility using some of the same proteins involved in surface sensing. We propose that these data may provide insight into how microbes, via their metabolic byproducts, can influence P. aeruginosa colocalization in the context of infection and in other polymicrobial settings.
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42
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Flagellar Stators Stimulate c-di-GMP Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00741-18. [PMID: 30642992 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00741-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Flagellar motility is critical for surface attachment and biofilm formation in many bacteria. A key regulator of flagellar motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microbes is cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP). High levels of this second messenger repress motility and stimulate biofilm formation. c-di-GMP levels regulate motility in P. aeruginosa in part by influencing the localization of its two flagellar stator sets, MotAB and MotCD. Here, we show that while c-di-GMP can influence stator localization, stators can in turn impact c-di-GMP levels. We demonstrate that the swarming motility-driving stator MotC physically interacts with the transmembrane region of the diguanylate cyclase SadC. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this interaction is capable of stimulating SadC activity. We propose a model by which the MotCD stator set interacts with SadC to stimulate c-di-GMP production under conditions not permissive to motility. This regulation implies a positive-feedback loop in which c-di-GMP signaling events cause MotCD stators to disengage from the motor; then disengaged stators stimulate c-di-GMP production to reinforce a biofilm mode of growth. Our studies help to define the bidirectional interactions between c-di-GMP and the flagellar machinery.IMPORTANCE The ability of bacterial cells to control motility during early steps in biofilm formation is critical for the transition to a nonmotile, biofilm lifestyle. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated the ability of c-di-GMP to control motility via a number of mechanisms, including through controlling transcription of motility-related genes and modulating motor function. Here, we provide evidence that motor components can in turn impact c-di-GMP levels. We propose that communication between motor components and the c-di-GMP synthesis machinery allows the cell to have a robust and sensitive switching mechanism to control motility during early events in biofilm formation.
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43
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Hou L, Debru A, Chen Q, Bao Q, Li K. AmrZ Regulates Swarming Motility Through Cyclic di-GMP-Dependent Motility Inhibition and Controlling Pel Polysaccharide Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1847. [PMID: 31474950 PMCID: PMC6707383 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Swarming is a surface-associated motile behavior that plays an important role in the rapid spread, colonization, and subsequent establishment of bacterial communities. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, swarming is dependent upon a functional flagella and aided by the production of biosurfactants. AmrZ, a conserved transcription factor across pseudomonads, has been shown to be a global regulator of multiple genes important for virulence and ecological fitness. In this study, we expand this concept of global control to swarming motility by showing that deletion of amrZ results in a severe defect in swarming, while multicopy expression of this gene stimulates swarming of P. aeruginosa. Mechanistic studies showed that the swarming defect of an amrZ mutant does not involve changes of biosurfactant production but is associated with flagellar malfunction. The ∆amrZ mutant exhibits increased levels of the second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) compared to the wild-type strain, under swarming conditions. We found that the diguanylate cyclase GcbA was the main contributor to the increased accumulation of c-di-GMP observed in the ∆amrZ mutant and was a strong inhibitor of flagellar-dependent motility. Our results revealed that the GcbA-dependent inhibition of motility required the presence of two c-di-GMP receptors containing a PilZ domain: FlgZ and PA14_56180. Furthermore, the ∆amrZ mutant exhibits enhanced production of Pel polysaccharide. Epistasis analysis revealed that GcbA and the Pel polysaccharide act independently to limit swarming in ΔamrZ. Our results support a role for AmrZ in controlling swarming motility, yet another social behavior besides biofilm formation that is crucial for the ability of P. aeruginosa to colonize a variety of surfaces. The central role of AmrZ in controlling these behaviors makes it a good target for the development of treatments directed to combat P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Scientific Research Center of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Alexander Debru
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qiyu Bao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kewei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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44
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Xin L, Zeng Y, Sheng S, Chea RA, Liu Q, Li HY, Yang L, Xu L, Chiam KH, Liang ZX. Regulation of flagellar motor switching by c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:13789-13799. [PMID: 31350333 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) plays a prominent role in regulating flagellum-dependent motility in the single-flagellated pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa The c-di-GMP-mediated signaling pathways and mechanisms that control flagellar output remain to be fully unveiled. Studying surface-tethered and free-swimming P. aeruginosa PAO1 cells, we found that the overexpression of an exogenous diguanylate cyclase (DGC) raises the global cellular c-di-GMP concentration and thereby inhibits flagellar motor switching and decreases motor speed, reducing swimming speed and reversal frequency, respectively. We noted that the inhibiting effect of c-di-GMP on flagellar motor switching, but not motor speed, is exerted through the c-di-GMP-binding adaptor protein MapZ and associated chemotactic pathways. Among the 22 putative c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases, we found that three of them (DipA, NbdA, and RbdA) can significantly inhibit flagellar motor switching and swimming directional reversal in a MapZ-dependent manner. These results disclose a network of c-di-GMP-signaling proteins that regulate chemotactic responses and flagellar motor switching in P. aeruginosa and establish MapZ as a key signaling hub that integrates inputs from different c-di-GMP-signaling pathways to control flagellar output and bacterial motility. We rationalized these experimental findings by invoking a model that postulates the regulation of flagellar motor switching by subcellular c-di-GMP pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyi Xin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Yukai Zeng
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), S138671, Singapore
| | - Shuo Sheng
- Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Rachel Andrea Chea
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Qiong Liu
- Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hoi Yeung Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore.,Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, S637551, Singapore.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Linghui Xu
- Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | | | - Zhao-Xun Liang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore .,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
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45
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Armbruster CR, Lee CK, Parker-Gilham J, de Anda J, Xia A, Zhao K, Murakami K, Tseng BS, Hoffman LR, Jin F, Harwood CS, Wong GCL, Parsek MR. Heterogeneity in surface sensing suggests a division of labor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations. eLife 2019; 8:e45084. [PMID: 31180327 PMCID: PMC6615863 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The second messenger signaling molecule cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) drives the transition between planktonic and biofilm growth in many bacterial species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has two surface sensing systems that produce c-di-GMP in response to surface adherence. Current thinking in the field is that once cells attach to a surface, they uniformly respond by producing c-di-GMP. Here, we describe how the Wsp system generates heterogeneity in surface sensing, resulting in two physiologically distinct subpopulations of cells. One subpopulation has elevated c-di-GMP and produces biofilm matrix, serving as the founders of initial microcolonies. The other subpopulation has low c-di-GMP and engages in surface motility, allowing for exploration of the surface. We also show that this heterogeneity strongly correlates to surface behavior for descendent cells. Together, our results suggest that after surface attachment, P. aeruginosa engages in a division of labor that persists across generations, accelerating early biofilm formation and surface exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Calvin K Lee
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | | | - Jaime de Anda
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Aiguo Xia
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the MicroscaleUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Kun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and TechnologyTianjin UniversityTianjinChina
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and EngineeringTianjin UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Keiji Murakami
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesTokushima University Graduate SchoolTokushimaJapan
| | - Boo Shan Tseng
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NevadaLas VegasUnited States
| | - Lucas R Hoffman
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Fan Jin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the MicroscaleUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
- Institute of Synthetic BiologyShenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
| | | | - Gerard CL Wong
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Matthew R Parsek
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Integrative Microbiology Research CentreSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Li H, Xue D, Tian F, Yuan X, Yang F, Chen H, Hutchins W, Yang CH, He C. Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Response Regulator TriP Regulates Virulence and Exopolysaccharide Production Via Interacting With c-di-GMP Phosphodiesterase PdeR. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2019; 32:729-739. [PMID: 30589364 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-09-18-0260-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PdeR, a response regulator of the two-component system (TCS) with the cognate histidine kinase PdeK, has been shown to be an active phosphodiesterase (PDE) for intracellular cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) turnover and positively regulates the virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal pathogen of bacterial blight of rice. To further reveal the key components and pathways involved in the PdeR-mediated c-di-GMP regulation of virulence, 16 PdeR-interacting proteins were identified, using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay. Among them, PXO_04421 (named as TriP, a putative transcriptional regulator interacting with PdeR) was verified via Y2H and glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays, and its regulatory functions in bacterial virulence and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production were assessed by biochemical and genetic analysis. The REC domain of TriP specifically interacted with the EAL domain of PdeR. TriP promoted the PDE activity of PdeR to degrade c-di-GMP in the presence of PdeK. In-frame deletion in triP abolished the polar localization of PdeR in the cell. Notably, the ∆triP mutant showed significantly reduced virulence on susceptible rice leaves and impaired EPS production compared with wild type, whereas the double mutant ∆triP∆pdeR, like ∆pdeR, caused shorter lesion lengths and produced less EPS than ∆triP. In addition, cross-complementation showed in trans expression of pdeR in ∆triP restored its EPS production to near wild-type levels but not vice versa. Taken together, our results suggest that TriP is a novel regulator that is epistatic to PdeR in positively regulating virulence expression in X. oryzae pv. oryzae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Li
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- 2 Jingtang Port Office of Hebei Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Tangshan 063611, China
| | - Dingrong Xue
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fang Tian
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaochen Yuan
- 3 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, U.S.A
| | - Fenghuan Yang
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huamin Chen
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | | | - Ching-Hong Yang
- 3 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, U.S.A
| | - Chenyang He
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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47
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Dingemans J, Al-Feghali RE, Lau GW, Sauer K. Controlling chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections by strategically interfering with the sensory function of SagS. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1211-1228. [PMID: 30710463 PMCID: PMC6488366 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The hybrid sensor SagS plays a central role in the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, by enabling the switch from the planktonic to the biofilm mode of growth and by facilitating the transition of biofilm cells to a highly tolerant state. In this study, we examined the importance of the SagS key amino acid residues associated with biofilm formation (L154) and antibiotic tolerance (D105) in P. aeruginosa virulence. Recombinant P. aeruginosa ΔsagS and ΔsagS chromosomally expressing wild-type sagS, or its two variants D105A and L154A, were tested for their potential to form biofilms and cause virulence in plants and mouse models of acute and chronic pneumonia. Although mutation of sagS did not alter P. aeruginosa virulence during acute infections, a significant difference in pathogenicity of sagS mutants was observed during chronic infections, with the L154A variant showing reduced bacterial loads in the chronic pneumonia model, while interference with the D105 residue enhanced the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa biofilms during tobramycin treatment. Our findings suggest that interference with the biofilm or tolerance regulatory circuits of SagS affects P. aeruginosa pathogenicity in chronic but not acute infections, and reveal SagS to be a promising new target to treat P. aeruginosa biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Dingemans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.,Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Al-Feghali
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.,Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Gee W. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States
| | - Karin Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.,Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.,Corresponding author: Karin Sauer, Binghamton University, Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC), 2401 ITC Building, 85 Murray Hill Road, Binghamton, NY 13902, Phone (607) 777-3157, Fax: (607) 777-6521,
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48
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Abstract
Complex chemosensory systems control multiple biological functions in bacteria, such as chemotaxis, gene regulation, and cell cycle progression. Many species contain more than one chemosensory system per genome, but little is known about their potential interplay. In this study, we reveal cross talk between two chemosensory pathways that modulate chemotaxis and biofilm formation in Comamonas testosteroni We demonstrate that some chemoreceptors that govern chemotaxis also contribute to biofilm formation and these chemoreceptors can physically interact with components of both pathways. Finally, we show that the chemotaxis histidine kinase CheA can phosphorylate not only its cognate response regulator CheY2 but also one of the response regulators from the pathway mediating biofilm formation, FlmD. The phosphoryl group transfer from CheA to CheY2 is much faster than that from CheA to FlmD, which is consistent with chemotaxis being a fast response and biofilm formation being a much slower developmental process. We propose that cross talk between chemosensory pathways may play a role in coordination of complex behaviors in bacteria.IMPORTANCE In many bacteria, two or more homologous chemosensory pathways control several cellular functions, such as motility and gene regulation, in response to changes in the cell's microenvironment. Cross talk between signal transduction systems is poorly understood; while generally it is considered to be undesired, in some instances it might be beneficial for coregulation of complex behaviors. We demonstrate that several receptors from the pathway controlling motility can physically interact with downstream components of the pathway controlling biofilm formation. We further show that a kinase from the pathway controlling motility can also phosphorylate a response regulator from the pathway controlling biofilm formation. We propose that cross talk between two chemosensory pathways might be involved in coordination of two types of cell behavior-chemotaxis and biofilm formation.
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49
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Richter AM, Fazli M, Schmid N, Shilling R, Suppiger A, Givskov M, Eberl L, Tolker-Nielsen T. Key Players and Individualists of Cyclic-di-GMP Signaling in Burkholderia cenocepacia. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3286. [PMID: 30687272 PMCID: PMC6335245 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 is an opportunistic pathogen associated with chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Biofilm formation, motility and virulence of B. cenocepacia are regulated by the second messenger cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). In the present study, we analyzed the role of all 25 putative c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins of B. cenocepacia H111 with respect to motility, colony morphology, pellicle formation, biofilm formation, and virulence. We found that RpfR is a key regulator of c-di-GMP signaling in B. cenocepacia, affecting a broad spectrum of phenotypes under various environmental conditions. In addition, we identified Bcal2449 as a regulator of B. cenocepacia virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae. While Bcal2449 consists of protein domains that may catalyze both c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation, only the latter was essential for larvae killing, suggesting that a decreased c-di-GMP level mediated by the Bcal2449 protein is required for virulence of B. cenocepacia. Finally, our work suggests that some individual proteins play a role in regulating exclusively motility (CdpA), biofilm formation (Bcam1160) or both (Bcam2836).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja M Richter
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mustafa Fazli
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadine Schmid
- Department of Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Shilling
- Department of Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Suppiger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Givskov
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tim Tolker-Nielsen
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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50
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Phosphodiesterase EdpX1 Promotes Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Virulence, Exopolysaccharide Production, and Biofilm Formation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.01717-18. [PMID: 30217836 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01717-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice, there are over 20 genes encoding GGDEF, EAL, and HD-GYP domains, which are potentially involved in the metabolism of second messenger c-di-GMP. In this study, we focused on the characterization of an EAL domain protein, EdpX1. Deletion of the edpX1 gene resulted in a 2-fold increase in the intracellular c-di-GMP levels, which were restored to the wild-type levels in the complemented ΔedpX1(pB-edpX1) strain, demonstrating that EdpX1 is an active phosphodiesterase (PDE) in X. oryzae pv. oryzae. In addition, colorimetric assays further confirmed the PDE activity of EdpX1 by showing that the E153A mutation at the EAL motif strongly reduced its activity. Virulence assays on the leaves of susceptible rice showed that the ΔedpX1 mutant was severely impaired in causing disease symptoms. In trans expression of wild-type edpX1, but not edpX1 E153A, was able to complement the weakened virulence phenotype. These results indicated that an active EAL domain is required for EdpX1 to regulate the virulence of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. We then demonstrated that the ΔedpX1 mutant was defective in secreting exopolysaccharide (EPS) and forming biofilms. The expression of edpX1 in the ΔedpX1 mutant, but not edpX1 E153A, restored the defective phenotypes to near-wild-type levels. In addition, we observed that EdpX1-green fluorescent protein (EdpX1-GFP) exhibited multiple subcellular localization foci, and this pattern was dependent on its transmembrane (TM) region, which did not seem to directly contribute to the regulatory function of EdpX1. Thus, we concluded that EdpX1 exhibits PDE activity to control c-di-GMP levels, and its EAL domain is necessary and sufficient for its regulation of virulence in X. oryzae pv. oryzae.IMPORTANCE Bacteria utilize c-di-GMP as a second messenger to regulate various biological functions. The synthesis and degradation of c-di-GMP are catalyzed by GGDEF domains and an EAL or HD-GYP domain, respectively. Multiple genes encoding these domains are often found in one bacterial strain. For example, in the genome of X. oryzae pv. oryzae PXO99A, 26 genes encoding proteins containing these domains were identified. Therefore, to fully appreciate the complexity and specificity of c-di-GMP signaling in X. oryzae pv. oryzae, the enzymatic activities and regulatory functions of each GGDEF, EAL, and HD-GYP domain protein need to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that the EAL domain protein EdpX1 is a major PDE to regulate diverse virulence phenotypes through the c-di-GMP signaling pathway.
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