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Zhu B, Cen Z, Chen Y, Shang K, Zhai J, Han M, Wang J, Chen Z, Wei T, Han Z. α-Pyrone mediates quorum sensing through the conservon system in Nocardiopsis sp. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127767. [PMID: 38776619 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127767] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Actinobacteria produce a plethora of bioactive secondary metabolites that are often regulated by quorum-sensing signaling molecules via specific binding to their cognate TetR-type receptors. Here, we identified monocyclic α-pyrone as a new class of actinobacterial signaling molecules influencing quorum sensing process in Nocardiopsis sp. LDBS0036, primarily evidenced by a significant reduction in the production of phenazines in the pyrone-null mutant compared to the wild-type strain. Exogenous addition of the α-pyrone can partially restore the expression of some pathways to the wild strain level. Moreover, a unique multicomponent system referred to as a conservon, which is widespread in actinobacteria and generally contains four or five functionally conserved proteins, may play an important role in detecting and transmitting α-pyrone signals in LDBS0036. We found the biosynthetic gene clusters of α-pyrone and their associated conservon genes are highly conserved in Nocardiopsis, indicating the widespread prevalence and significant function of this regulate mechanism within Nocardiopsis genus. Furthermore, homologous α-pyrones from different actinobacterial species were also found to mediate interspecies communication. Our results thus provide insights into a novel quorum-sensing signaling system and imply that various modes of bacterial communication remain undiscovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Zhu
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziyun Cen
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiqiu Chen
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570100, China
| | - Kun Shang
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China
| | - Ji'an Zhai
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meigui Han
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570100, China
| | - Zhiyong Chen
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China
| | - Taoshu Wei
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhuang Han
- Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China.
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Abril AG, Calo-Mata P, Villa TG, Böhme K, Barros-Velázquez J, Sánchez-Pérez Á, Pazos M, Carrera M. Comprehensive shotgun proteomic characterization and virulence factors of seafood spoilage bacteria. Food Chem 2024; 448:139045. [PMID: 38537549 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139045] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
This article summarizes the characterization, by shotgun proteomics, of 11 bacterial strains identified as responsible for seafood spoilage. A total of 4455 peptide spectrum matches, corresponding to 4299 peptides and 3817 proteins were identified. Analyses of data determined the functional pathways they are involved in. The proteins identified were integrated into a protein-protein network that involves 371 nodes and 3016 edges. Those proteins are implicated in energy pathways, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, spermidine/putrescine metabolism. An additional 773 peptides were characterized as virulence factors, that participates in bacterial pathogenesis; while 14 peptides were defined as biomarkers, as they can be used to differentiate the bacterial species present. This report represents the most extensive proteomic repository available in the field of seafood spoilage bacteria; the data substantially advances the understanding of seafood decay, as well as provides fundamental bases for the recognition of the bacteria existent in seafood that cause spoilage during food processing/storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G Abril
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Department of Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, 15898 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Pilar Calo-Mata
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
| | - Tomás G Villa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, 15898 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Karola Böhme
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
| | - Jorge Barros-Velázquez
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
| | - Ángeles Sánchez-Pérez
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Manuel Pazos
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Department of Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain.
| | - Mónica Carrera
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Department of Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain.
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3
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Wang W, Tang H, Cui X, Wei W, Wu J, Ye BC. Engineering of a TetR family transcriptional regulator BkdR enhances heterologous spinosad production in Streptomyces albus B4 chassis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024:e0083824. [PMID: 38904409 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00838-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Precursor supply plays a significant role in the production of secondary metabolites. In Streptomyces bacteria, propionyl-, malonyl-, and methylmalonyl-CoA are the most common precursors used for polyketide biosynthesis. Although propionyl-CoA synthetases participate in the propionate assimilation pathway and directly convert propionate into propionyl-CoA, malonyl- and methylmalonyl-CoA cannot be formed using common acyl-CoA synthetases. Therefore, both acetyl- and propionyl-CoA carboxylation, catalyzed by acyl-CoA carboxylases, should be considered when engineering a microorganism chassis to increase polyketide production. In this study, we identified a transcriptional regulator of the TetR family, BkdR, in Streptomyces albus B4, which binds directly to the promoter region of the neighboring pccAB operon. This operon encodes acetyl/propionyl-CoA carboxylase and negatively regulates its transcription. In addition to acetate and propionate, the binding of BkdR to pccAB is disrupted by acetyl- and propionyl-CoA ligands. We identified a 16-nucleotide palindromic BkdR-binding motif (GTTAg/CGGTCg/TTAAC) in the intergenic region between pccAB and bkdR. When bkdR was deleted, we found an enhanced supply of malonyl- and methylmalonyl-CoA precursors in S. albus B4. In this study, spinosad production was detected in the recombinant strain after introducing the entire artificial biosynthesized gene cluster into S. albus B4. When supplemented with propionate to provide propionyl-CoA, the novel bkdR-deleted strain produced 29.4% more spinosad than the initial strain in trypticase soy broth (TSB) medium. IMPORTANCE In this study, we describe a pccAB operon involved in short-chain acyl-CoA carboxylation in S. albus B4 chassis. The TetR family regulator, BkdR, represses this operon. Our results show that BkdR regulates the precursor supply needed for heterologous spinosad biosynthesis by controlling acetyl- and propionyl-CoA assimilation. The deletion of the BkdR-encoding gene exerts an increase in heterologous spinosad yield. Our research reveals a regulatory mechanism in short-chain acyl-CoA metabolism and suggests new possibilities for S. albus chassis engineering to enhance heterologous polyketide yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzong Wang
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Tang
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingjun Cui
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenping Wei
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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4
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Peng F, Ke Z, Jin H, Wang W, Zhang H, Li Y. Structural insights into the regulation mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MftR. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23724. [PMID: 38837712 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302409rr] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen of the deadly disease tuberculosis, depends on the redox cofactor mycofactocin (MFT) to adapt to and survive under hypoxic conditions. MftR is a TetR family transcription regulator that binds upstream of the MFT gene cluster and controls MFT synthesis. To elucidate the structural basis underlying MftR regulation, we determined the crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MftR (TB-MftR). The structure revealed an interconnected hydrogen bond network in the α1-α2-α3 helices of helix-turn-helix (HTH) DNA-binding domain that is essential for nucleic acid interactions. The ligand-binding domain contains a hydrophobic cavity enclosing long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs like the key regulatory ligand oleoyl-CoA. Despite variations in ligand-binding modes, comparative analyses suggest regulatory mechanisms are largely conserved across TetR family acyl-CoA sensors. By elucidating the intricate structural mechanisms governing DNA and ligand binding by TB-MftR, our study enhances understanding of the regulatory roles of this transcription factor under hypoxic conditions, providing insights that could inform future research into Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zunhui Ke
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haoruo Jin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Medical Subcenter of HUST Analytical & Testing Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Wuhan, China
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5
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Liu Z, Gillis TG, Raman S, Cui Q. A parameterized two-domain thermodynamic model explains diverse mutational effects on protein allostery. eLife 2024; 12:RP92262. [PMID: 38836839 PMCID: PMC11152574 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92262] [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: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
New experimental findings continue to challenge our understanding of protein allostery. Recent deep mutational scanning study showed that allosteric hotspots in the tetracycline repressor (TetR) and its homologous transcriptional factors are broadly distributed rather than spanning well-defined structural pathways as often assumed. Moreover, hotspot mutation-induced allostery loss was rescued by distributed additional mutations in a degenerate fashion. Here, we develop a two-domain thermodynamic model for TetR, which readily rationalizes these intriguing observations. The model accurately captures the in vivo activities of various mutants with changes in physically transparent parameters, allowing the data-based quantification of mutational effects using statistical inference. Our analysis reveals the intrinsic connection of intra- and inter-domain properties for allosteric regulation and illustrate epistatic interactions that are consistent with structural features of the protein. The insights gained from this study into the nature of two-domain allostery are expected to have broader implications for other multi-domain allosteric proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Liu
- Department of Physics, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
| | - Thomas G Gillis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
- Department of Bacteriology, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
| | - Qiang Cui
- Department of Physics, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
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6
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Filipek J, Chalaskiewicz K, Kosmider A, Nielipinski M, Michalak A, Bednarkiewicz M, Goslawski-Zeligowski M, Prucnal F, Sekula B, Pietrzyk-Brzezinska AJ. Comprehensive structural overview of the C-terminal ligand-binding domains of the TetR family regulators. J Struct Biol 2024; 216:108071. [PMID: 38401830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2024.108071] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
TetR family regulators (TFRs) represent a large group of one-component bacterial signal transduction systems which recognize environmental signals, like the presence of antibiotics or other bactericidal compounds, and trigger the cell response by regulating the expression of genes that secure bacterial survival in harsh environmental conditions. TFRs act as homodimers, each protomer is composed of a conserved DNA-binding N-terminal domain (NTD) and a variable ligand-binding C-terminal domain (CTD). Currently, there are about 500 structures of TFRs available in the Protein Data Bank and one-fourth of them represent the structures of TFR-ligand complexes. In this review, we summarized information on the ligands interacting with TFRs and based on structural data, we compared the CTDs of the TFR family members, as well as their ligand-binding cavities. Additionally, we divided the whole TFR family, including more than half of a million sequences, into subfamilies according to calculated multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree. We also highlighted structural elements characteristic of some of the subfamilies. The presented comprehensive overview of the TFR CTDs provides good bases and future directions for further studies on TFRs that are not only important targets for battling multidrug resistance but also good candidates for many biotechnological approaches, like TFR-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Filipek
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Chalaskiewicz
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland; Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 2/22, Lodz 90-537, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kosmider
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej Nielipinski
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland; Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 2/22, Lodz 90-537, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Michalak
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Maria Bednarkiewicz
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Mieszko Goslawski-Zeligowski
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Filip Prucnal
- Biotechnology Students Association Ferment, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartosz Sekula
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 2/22, Lodz 90-537, Poland
| | - Agnieszka J Pietrzyk-Brzezinska
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 2/22, Lodz 90-537, Poland.
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Numata Y, Kikuchi Y, Sato T, Okamoto-Shibayama K, Ando Y, Miyai-Murai Y, Kokubu E, Ishihara K. Novel transcriptional regulator OxtR1 regulates potential ferrodoxin in response to oxygen stress in Treponema denticola. Anaerobe 2024; 87:102852. [PMID: 38614291 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102852] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treponema denticola has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. Previously, we reported that the potential transcriptional regulator TDE_0259 (oxtR1) is upregulated in the bacteriocin ABC transporter gene-deficient mutant. OxtR1 may regulate genes to adapt to environmental conditions during colonization; however, the exact role of the gene in T. denticola has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated its function using an oxtR1-deficient mutant. METHODS The growth rates of the wild-type and oxtR1 mutant were monitored under anaerobic conditions; their antibacterial agent susceptibility and gene expression were assessed using a liquid dilution assay and DNA microarray, respectively. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed to investigate the binding of OxtR1 to promoter regions. RESULTS The growth rate of the bacterium was accelerated by the inactivation of oxtR1, and the mutant exhibited an increased minimum inhibitory concentration against ofloxacin. We observed a relative increase in the expression of genes associated with potential ferrodoxin (TDE_0260), flavodoxin, ABC transporters, heat-shock proteins, DNA helicase, iron compounds, and lipoproteins in the mutant. OxtR1 expression increased upon oxygen exposure, and oxtR1 complementation suppressed the expression of potential ferrodoxin. Our findings also suggested that OxtR1 binds to a potential promoter region of the TDE_0259-260 operon. Moreover, the mutant showed a marginal yet significantly faster growth rate than the wild-type strain under H2O2 exposure. CONCLUSION The oxygen-sensing regulator OxtR1 plays a role in regulating the expression of a potential ferrodoxin, which may contribute to the response of T. denticola to oxygen-induced stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Numata
- Department of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Kikuchi
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 2-1-14 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan; Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Toru Sato
- Department of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Kazuko Okamoto-Shibayama
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 2-1-14 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan; Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Yutaro Ando
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 2-1-14 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan; Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Yuri Miyai-Murai
- Department of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Eitoyo Kokubu
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 2-1-14 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan; Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Ishihara
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 2-1-14 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan; Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Kanda-Misakicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan.
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8
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Chang Z, Ma Z, Su Q, Xia X, Ye W, Li R, Lu G. The Transcriptional Regulator TfmR Directly Regulates Two Pathogenic Pathways in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5887. [PMID: 38892073 PMCID: PMC11173191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is a notorious plant pathogen. Like most bacterial pathogens, Xoc has evolved a complex regulatory network to modulate the expression of various genes related to pathogenicity. Here, we have identified TfmR, a transcriptional regulator belonging to the TetR family, as a key player in the virulence mechanisms of this phytopathogenic bacterium. We have demonstrated genetically that tfmR is involved in the hypersensitive response (HR), pathogenicity, motility and extracellular polysaccharide production of this phytopathogenic bacterium. Our investigations extended to exploring TfmR's interaction with RpfG and HrpX, two prominent virulence regulators in Xanthomonas species. We found that TfmR directly binds to the promoter region of RpfG, thereby positively regulating its expression. Notably, constitutive expression of RpfG partly reinstates the pathogenicity compromised by TfmR-deletion mutants. Furthermore, our studies revealed that TfmR also exerts direct positive regulation on the expression of the T3SS regulator HrpX. Similar to RpfG, sustained expression of HrpX partially restores the pathogenicity of TfmR-deletion mutants. These findings underscore TfmR's multifaceted role as a central regulator governing key virulence pathways in Xoc. Importantly, our research sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of pathogenicity in this plant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.C.); (Q.S.); (X.X.); (W.Y.)
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biology for Crop Diseases and Insect Pests, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Zengfeng Ma
- Rice Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China;
| | - Qian Su
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.C.); (Q.S.); (X.X.); (W.Y.)
| | - Xinqi Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.C.); (Q.S.); (X.X.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wenxin Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.C.); (Q.S.); (X.X.); (W.Y.)
| | - Ruifang Li
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biology for Crop Diseases and Insect Pests, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Guangtao Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.C.); (Q.S.); (X.X.); (W.Y.)
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9
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Jian P, Liu J, Li L, Song Q, Zhang D, Zhang S, Chai C, Zhao H, Zhao G, Zhu H, Qiao J. AcrR1, a novel TetR/AcrR family repressor, mediates acid and antibiotic resistance and nisin biosynthesis in Lactococcus lactis F44. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00806-3. [PMID: 38762103 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis, widely used in the manufacture of dairy products, encounters various environmental stresses both in natural habitats and during industrial processes. It has evolved intricate machinery of stress sensing and defense to survive harsh stress conditions. Here, we identified a novel TetR/AcrR family transcription regulator, designated AcrR1, to be a repressor for acid and antibiotic tolerance that was derepressed in the presence of vancomycin or under acid stress. The survival rates of acrR1 deletion strain ΔAcrR1 under acid and vancomycin stresses were about 28.7-fold (pH 3.0, HCl), 8.57-fold (pH 4.0, lactic acid) and 2.73-fold (300 ng/mL vancomycin) as that of original strain F44. We also demonstrated that ΔAcrR1 was better able to maintain intracellular pH homeostasis and had a lower affinity to vancomycin. No evident effects of AcrR1 deletion on the growth and morphology of strain F44 were observed. Subsequently, we characterized that the transcription level of genes associated with amino acids biosynthesis, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, multiple drug resistance and DNA repair proteins significantly upregulated in ΔAcrR1 using transcriptome analysis and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) assays. Additionally, AcrR1 could repress the transcription of nisin post-translational modification gene, nisC, leading to a 16.3% increase in nisin yield after AcrR1 deletion. Our results not only refined the knowledge of the regulatory mechanism of TetR/AcrR family regulator in L. lactis, but presented a potential strategy to enhance industrial production of nisin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingqiu Jian
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaheng Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shenyi Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaofan Chai
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangrong Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongji Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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Zhu Y, Luo B, Mou X, Song Y, Zhou Y, Luo Y, Sun B, Luo Y, Tang H, Su Z, Bao R. Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulator PvrA binds simultaneously to multiple pseudo-palindromic sites for efficient transcription activation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:900-912. [PMID: 37938507 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Tetracycline repressor (TetR) family regulators (TFRs) are the largest group of DNA-binding transcription factors and are widely distributed in bacteria and archaea. TFRs play vital roles in controlling the expression of various genes and regulating diverse physiological processes. Recently, a TFR protein Pseudomonas virulence regulator A (PvrA), was identified from Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the transcriptional activator of genes involved in fatty acid utilization and bacterial virulence. Here, we show that PvrA can simultaneously bind to multiple pseudo-palindromic sites and upregulate the expression levels of target genes. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis indicates the simultaneous DNA recognition mechanism of PvrA and suggests that the bound DNA fragments consist of a distorted B-DNA double helix. The crystal structure and functional analysis of PvrA reveal a hinge region that secures the correct domain motion for recognition of the promiscuous promoter. Additionally, our results showed that mutations disrupting the regulatory hinge region have differential effects on biofilm formation and pyocyanin biosynthesis, resulting in attenuated bacterial virulence. Collectively, these findings will improve the understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of the TetR family and provide new insights into the mechanism of regulation of P. aeruginosa virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Zhu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Accurate Biotechnology (Hunan) Co., Ltd, Changsha, 410006, China
| | - Bingnan Luo
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xingyu Mou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yingjie Song
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610101, China
| | - Yonghong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Yongbo Luo
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhaoming Su
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Rui Bao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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11
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Nishikawa KK, Chen J, Acheson JF, Harbaugh SV, Huss P, Frenkel M, Novy N, Sieren HR, Lodewyk EC, Lee DH, Chávez JL, Fox BG, Raman S. Highly multiplexed design of an allosteric transcription factor to sense novel ligands. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.07.583947. [PMID: 38496486 PMCID: PMC10942455 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.07.583947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Allosteric transcription factors (aTF), widely used as biosensors, have proven challenging to design for detecting novel molecules because mutation of ligand-binding residues often disrupts allostery. We developed Sensor-seq, a high-throughput platform to design and identify aTF biosensors that bind to non-native ligands. We screened a library of 17,737 variants of the aTF TtgR, a regulator of a multidrug exporter, against six non-native ligands of diverse chemical structures - four derivatives of the cancer therapeutic tamoxifen, the antimalarial drug quinine, and the opiate analog naltrexone - as well as two native flavonoid ligands, naringenin and phloretin. Sensor-seq identified novel biosensors for each of these ligands with high dynamic range and diverse specificity profiles. The structure of a naltrexone-bound design showed shape-complementary methionine-aromatic interactions driving ligand specificity. To demonstrate practical utility, we developed cell-free detection systems for naltrexone and quinine. Sensor-seq enables rapid, scalable design of new biosensors, overcoming constraints of natural biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle K Nishikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jackie Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Justin F Acheson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Svetlana V Harbaugh
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
| | - Phil Huss
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Max Frenkel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nathan Novy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hailey R Sieren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ella C Lodewyk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Daniel H Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jorge L Chávez
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
| | - Brian G Fox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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12
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de Carvalho Matias EG, Bezerra KS, Costa AHL, Clemente Junior WS, Oliveira JIN, Ribeiro Junior LA, Galvão DS, Fulco UL. Quantum biochemical analysis of the TtgR regulator and effectors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8519. [PMID: 38609407 PMCID: PMC11015042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58441-9] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent expansion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses significant challenges in treating healthcare-associated infections. Although antibacterial resistance occurs by numerous mechanisms, active efflux of the drugs is a critical concern. A single species of efflux pump can produce a simultaneous resistance to several drugs. One of the best-studied efflux pumps is the TtgABC: a tripartite resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump implicated in the intrinsic antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E. The expression of the TtgABC gene is down-regulated by the HTH-type transcriptional repressor TtgR. In this context, by employing quantum chemistry methods based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) within the Molecular Fragmentation with Conjugate Caps (MFCC) approach, we investigate the coupling profiles of the transcriptional regulator TtgR in complex with quercetin (QUE), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, tetracycline (TAC), and chloramphenicol (CLM), two broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Our quantum biochemical computational results show the: [i] convergence radius, [ii] total binding energy, [iii] relevance (energetically) of the ligands regions, and [iv] most relevant amino acids residues of the TtgR-QUE/TAC/CLM complexes, pointing out distinctions and similarities among them. These findings improve the understanding of the binding mechanism of effectors and facilitate the development of new chemicals targeting TtgR, helping in the battle against the rise of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. These advances are crucial in the ongoing fight against rising antimicrobial drug resistance, providing hope for a future where healthcare-associated infections can be more beneficially treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G de Carvalho Matias
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - K S Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - A H Lima Costa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - W S Clemente Junior
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - J I N Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - L A Ribeiro Junior
- Institute of Physics, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70919-970, Brazil.
| | - D S Galvão
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - U L Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
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13
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Pei X, Lei Y, Zhang H. Transcriptional regulators of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Streptomyces. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:156. [PMID: 38587708 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03968-2] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In the post-genome era, great progress has been made in metabolic engineering using recombinant DNA technology to enhance the production of high-value products by Streptomyces. With the development of microbial genome sequencing techniques and bioinformatic tools, a growing number of secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthetic gene clusters in Streptomyces and their biosynthetic logics have been uncovered and elucidated. In order to increase our knowledge about transcriptional regulators in SM of Streptomyces, this review firstly makes a comprehensive summary of the characterized factors involved in enhancing SM production and awakening SM biosynthesis. Future perspectives on transcriptional regulator engineering for new SM biosynthesis by Streptomyces are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Yunyun Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Huawei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
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14
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Stevanovic M, Teuber Carvalho JP, Bittihn P, Schultz D. Dynamical model of antibiotic responses linking expression of resistance genes to metabolism explains emergence of heterogeneity during drug exposures. Phys Biol 2024; 21:036002. [PMID: 38412523 PMCID: PMC10988634 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ad2d64] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic responses in bacteria are highly dynamic and heterogeneous, with sudden exposure of bacterial colonies to high drug doses resulting in the coexistence of recovered and arrested cells. The dynamics of the response is determined by regulatory circuits controlling the expression of resistance genes, which are in turn modulated by the drug's action on cell growth and metabolism. Despite advances in understanding gene regulation at the molecular level, we still lack a framework to describe how feedback mechanisms resulting from the interdependence between expression of resistance and cell metabolism can amplify naturally occurring noise and create heterogeneity at the population level. To understand how this interplay affects cell survival upon exposure, we constructed a mathematical model of the dynamics of antibiotic responses that links metabolism and regulation of gene expression, based on the tetracycline resistancetetoperon inE. coli. We use this model to interpret measurements of growth and expression of resistance in microfluidic experiments, both in single cells and in biofilms. We also implemented a stochastic model of the drug response, to show that exposure to high drug levels results in large variations of recovery times and heterogeneity at the population level. We show that stochasticity is important to determine how nutrient quality affects cell survival during exposure to high drug concentrations. A quantitative description of how microbes respond to antibiotics in dynamical environments is crucial to understand population-level behaviors such as biofilms and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - João Pedro Teuber Carvalho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Philip Bittihn
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Schultz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
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15
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Cook GD, Stasulli NM. Employing synthetic biology to expand antibiotic discovery. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100120. [PMID: 38340893 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100120] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial pathogens are a continually growing threat as our methods for combating these infections continue to be overcome by the evolution of resistance mechanisms. Recent therapeutic methods have not staved off the concern of AMR infections, so continued research focuses on new ways of identifying small molecules to treat AMR pathogens. While chemical modification of existing antibiotics is possible, there has been rapid development of resistance by pathogens that were initially susceptible to these compounds. Synthetic biology is becoming a key strategy in trying to predict and induce novel, natural antibiotics. Advances in cloning and mutagenesis techniques applied through a synthetic biology lens can help characterize the native regulation of antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) to identify potential modifications leading to more potent antibiotic activity. Additionally, many cryptic antibiotic BGCs are derived from non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways; complex, clustered genetic sequences that give rise to amino acid-derived natural products. Synthetic biology can be applied to modify and metabolically engineer these enzyme-based systems to promote rapid and sustainable production of natural products and their variants. This review will focus on recent advances related to synthetic biology as applied to genetic pathway characterization and identification of antibiotics from naturally occurring BGCs. Specifically, we will summarize recent efforts to characterize BGCs via general genomic mutagenesis, endogenous gene expression, and heterologous gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta D Cook
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Rd, Dodds Hall 316, West Haven 06516 USA
| | - Nikolas M Stasulli
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Rd, Dodds Hall 316, West Haven 06516 USA.
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16
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Zhang J, Zhao Y, Peng Z, Yang M, Zou W, Wu X, Wang C, Si M, Chen C. The role of the transcriptional repressor CssR in Corynebacterium glutamicum in response to phenolic compounds. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27929. [PMID: 38509974 PMCID: PMC10950717 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27929] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The cssR gene (ncgl1578) of Corynebacterium glutamicum encodes a repressor of the TetR (tetracycline regulator) family. Its role in the stress response to antibiotics/heavy metals has been investigated, but how CssR functions in response to phenolic compounds in C. glutamicum has been rarely studied. In this study, we applied transcriptomic analysis, β-galactosidase analysis, qRT-PCR, and EMSAs to analyze the target genes and functions of CssR in response to phenolic compounds. Consistent with the upregulation of genes involved in the degradation of phenolic compounds, the ΔcssR mutant was more resistant to various phenolic compounds than was the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the addition of phenolic compounds induced the expression of corresponding genes (ncgl0283, ncgl1032, ncgl1111, ncgl2920, ncgl2923, and ncgl2952) in vivo. However, the DNA binding activity of CssR to the promoter of phenolic compound-degrading genes was undetected in vitro. Additionally, we also found that CssR indirectly negatively regulates the expression of cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis-related genes, which may enhance resistance to stress caused by phenolic compounds. Together, our findings demonstrate that CssR is a key regulator that copes with stress conditions induced by phenolic compounds, thus greatly expanding our understanding of the functions of TetR family transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Breeding, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding & Bioreactor, College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, Henan, China
- College of Horticulture, Agricultural University of Hebei/Key Laboratory for Vegetable Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization of Hebei/Collaborative Innovation Center of Vegetable Industry in Hebei, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaoxin Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - MingFei Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Wenyu Zou
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Xinyu Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Chenghui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Meiru Si
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, Shandong, China
| | - Can Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Breeding, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding & Bioreactor, College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, Henan, China
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17
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Xiao Y, Qin T, He S, Chen Y, Li H, He Q, Wang X, Yang S. Systematic investigation of TetR-family transcriptional regulators and their roles on lignocellulosic inhibitor acetate tolerance in Zymomonas mobilis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1385519. [PMID: 38585710 PMCID: PMC10998469 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1385519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
TetR-family transcriptional regulators are widely distributed among bacteria and involved in various cellular processes such as multidrug and inhibitor resistance. Zymomonas mobilis is a industrial bacterium for lignocellulosic ethanol production. Although TetR-family regulators and their associated RND-family efflux pumps in Z. mobilis have been identified to be differentially expressed under various inhibitors and stressful conditions, there are no systematic investigation yet. In this study, bioinformatic analyses indicated that there are three TetR-family transcriptional regulators (ZMO0281, ZMO0963, ZMO1547) and two RND-family efflux pumps (ZMO0282-0285, ZMO0964-0966) adjacent to corresponding TetR-family regulators of ZMO0281 and ZMO0963 in Z. mobilis. Genetics studies were then carried out with various mutants of TetR-family regulators constructed, and ZMO0281 was characterized to be related to acetate tolerance. Combining transcriptomics and dual-reporter gene system, this study demonstrated that three TetR-family regulators repressed their adjacent genes specifically. Moreover, TetR-family regulator ZMO0281 might also be involved in other cellular processes in the presence of acetate. In addition, the upregulation of RND-family efflux pumps due to ZMO0281 deletion might lead to an energy imbalance and decreased cell growth in Z. mobilis under acetate stress. The systematic investigation of all three TetR-family regulators and their roles on a major lignocellulosic inhibitor acetate tolerance in Z. mobilis thus not only unravels the molecular mechanisms of TetR-family regulators and their potential cross-talks on regulating RND-family efflux pumps and other genes in Z. mobilis, but also provides guidance on understanding the roles of multiple regulators of same family in Z. mobilis and other microorganisms for efficient lignocellulosic biochemical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tongjia Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
- Chinese Medicine College, Guangdong Yunfu Vocational College of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuche He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunhao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaoning He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shihui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
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18
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Li X, Tian F, Zhang B, Zhang L, Chen X, Lin X, Wang Y, Lin X, Liu Y. Quantitative proteomics analysis reveals an important role of the transcriptional regulator UidR in the bacterial biofilm formation of Aeromonas hydrophila. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1380747. [PMID: 38585655 PMCID: PMC10995333 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1380747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bacterial biofilm is a well-known characteristic that plays important roles in diverse physiological functions, whereas the current intrinsic regulatory mechanism of its formation is still largely unknown. Methods In the present study, a label-free based quantitative proteomics technology was conducted to compare the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between ΔuidR and the wild-type strain in the biofilm state. Results The results showed that the deletion of gene uidR encoding a TetR transcriptional regulator significantly increased the biofilm formation in Aeromonas hydrophila. And there was a total of 220 DEPs, including 120 up-regulated proteins and 100 down-regulated proteins between ΔuidR and the wild-type strain based on the quantitative proteomics. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that uidR may affect bacterial biofilm formation by regulating some related proteins in glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid pathway. The expressions of selected proteins involved in this pathway were further confirmed by q-PCR assay, and the results was in accordance with the quantitative proteomics data. Moreover, the deletion of four genes (AHA_3063, AHA_3062, AHA_4140 and aceB) related to the glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid pathway lead to a significant decrease in the biofilm formation. Discussion Thus, the results indicated that uidR involved in the regulatory of bacterial biofilm formation, and it may provide a potential target for the drug development and a new clue for the prevention of pathogenic A. hydrophila in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Feng Tian
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Binghui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Institute of Tobacco Science, Fujian Provincial Tobacco Company, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lishan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaomeng Chen
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoke Lin
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiangmin Lin
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanling Liu
- College of Life Sciences, College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Li X, Li Z, Wei Y, Chen Z, Xie S. Identification and characterization of the TetR family transcriptional regulator NffT in Rhizobium johnstonii. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0185123. [PMID: 38426790 PMCID: PMC10952539 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01851-23] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) by rhizobia is not only the main natural bionitrogen-source for organisms but also a green process leveraged to increase the fertility of soil for agricultural production. However, an insufficient understanding of the regulatory mechanism of SNF hinders its practical application. During SNF, nifA-fixA signaling is essential for the biosynthesis of nitrogenases and electron transfer chain proteins. In the present study, the TetR regulator NffT, whose mutation increased fixA expression, was discovered through a fixA-promoter-β-glucuronidase fusion assay performed with Rhizobium johnstonii. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that nffT deletion increased the expression of symbiotic genes including nifA and fixA in nifA-fixA signaling, and fixL, fixK, fnrN, and fixN9 in fixL-fixN signaling. nffT overexpression resulted in disordered nodules and reduced nitrogen-fixing efficiency. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that NffT directly regulated the transcription of RL0091-93, which encode an ATP-binding ABC transporter predicted to be involved in carbohydrate transport. Purified His-tagged NffT bound to a 68 bp DNA sequence located -32 to -99 bp upstream of RL0091-93 and NffT deletion significantly increased the expression of RL0091-93. nffT-promoter-β-glucuronidase fusion assay indicated that nffT expression was regulated by the cobNTS genes and cobalamin. Mutations in cobNTS significantly decreased the expression of nffT, and cobalamin restored its expression. These results revealed that NffT affects nodule development and nitrogen-fixing reaction by participating in a complex regulatory network of symbiotic and carbohydrate metabolic genes and, thus, plays a pivotal regulatory role during symbiosis of R. johnstonii-Pisum sativum.IMPORTANCESymbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) by rhizobia is a green way to maintain soil fertility without causing environmental pollution or consuming chemical energy. A detailed understanding of the regulatory mechanism of this complex process is essential for promoting sustainable agriculture. In this study, we discovered the TetR-type regulator NffT, which suppressed the expression of fixA in Rhizobium johnstonii. Furthermore, NffT was confirmed to play pleiotropic roles in R. johnstonii-Pisum sativum symbiosis; specifically, it inhibited rhizobial growth, nodule differentiation, and nitrogen-fixing reactions. We revealed that NffT indirectly affected R. johnstonii-P. sativum symbiosis by participating in a complex regulatory network of symbiotic and carbohydrate metabolic genes. Furthermore, cobalamin, a chemical molecule, was reported for the first time to be involved in TetR-type protein transcription during symbiosis. Thus, NffT identification connects SNF regulation with genetic, metabolic, and chemical signals and provides new insights into the complex regulation of SNF, laying an experimental basis for the targeted construction of rhizobial strains with highly efficient nitrogen-fixing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Li
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhangqun Li
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yajuan Wei
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zirui Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shijie Xie
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
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Pal A, Andersson DI. Bacteria can compensate the fitness costs of amplified resistance genes via a bypass mechanism. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2333. [PMID: 38485998 PMCID: PMC10940297 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46571-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic heteroresistance is a phenotype in which a susceptible bacterial population includes a small subpopulation of cells that are more resistant than the main population. Such resistance can arise by tandem amplification of DNA regions containing resistance genes that in single copy are not sufficient to confer resistance. However, tandem amplifications often carry fitness costs, manifested as reduced growth rates. Here, we investigated if and how these fitness costs can be genetically ameliorated. We evolved four clinical isolates of three bacterial species that show heteroresistance to tobramycin, gentamicin and tetracyclines at increasing antibiotic concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the main susceptible population. This led to a rapid enrichment of resistant cells with up to an 80-fold increase in the resistance gene copy number, an increased MIC, and severely reduced growth rates. When further evolved in the presence of antibiotic, these strains acquired compensatory resistance mutations and showed a reduction in copy number while maintaining high-level resistance. A deterministic model indicated that the loss of amplified units was driven mainly by their fitness costs and that the compensatory mutations did not affect the loss rate of the gene amplifications. Our findings suggest that heteroresistance mediated by copy number changes can facilitate and precede the evolution towards stable resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Pal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan I Andersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
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21
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Kremer M, Schulze S, Eisenbruch N, Nagel F, Vogt R, Berndt L, Dörre B, Palm GJ, Hoppen J, Girbardt B, Albrecht D, Sievers S, Delcea M, Baumann U, Schnetz K, Lammers M. Bacteria employ lysine acetylation of transcriptional regulators to adapt gene expression to cellular metabolism. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1674. [PMID: 38395951 PMCID: PMC10891134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli TetR-related transcriptional regulator RutR is involved in the coordination of pyrimidine and purine metabolism. Here we report that lysine acetylation modulates RutR function. Applying the genetic code expansion concept, we produced site-specifically lysine-acetylated RutR proteins. The crystal structure of lysine-acetylated RutR reveals how acetylation switches off RutR-DNA-binding. We apply the genetic code expansion concept in E. coli in vivo revealing the consequences of RutR acetylation on the transcriptional level. We propose a model in which RutR acetylation follows different kinetic profiles either reacting non-enzymatically with acetyl-phosphate or enzymatically catalysed by the lysine acetyltransferases PatZ/YfiQ and YiaC. The NAD+-dependent sirtuin deacetylase CobB reverses enzymatic and non-enzymatic acetylation of RutR playing a dual regulatory and detoxifying role. By detecting cellular acetyl-CoA, NAD+ and acetyl-phosphate, bacteria apply lysine acetylation of transcriptional regulators to sense the cellular metabolic state directly adjusting gene expression to changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kremer
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47, 50674, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schulze
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nadja Eisenbruch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Felix Nagel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert Vogt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Leona Berndt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Babett Dörre
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gottfried J Palm
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens Hoppen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Britta Girbardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dirk Albrecht
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Susanne Sievers
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mihaela Delcea
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ulrich Baumann
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Karin Schnetz
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne Zülpicher Straße 47a, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Lammers
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Synthetic and Structural Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Yu S, Ma Q, Huang J, Liu Y, Li J, Wang Y, Gong T, Zhang Q, Zou J, Li Y. SMU_1361c regulates the oxidative stress response of Streptococcus mutans. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0187123. [PMID: 38299814 PMCID: PMC10880606 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01871-23] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Dental caries is the most common chronic infectious disease around the world and disproportionately affects the marginalized socioeconomic group. Streptococcus mutans, considered a primary etiological agent of caries, depends on the coordinated physiological response to tolerate the oxidative stress generated by commensal species within dental plaque, which is a critical aspect of its pathogenicity. Here, we identified and characterized a novel tetracycline repressor family regulator, SMU_1361c, which appears to be acquired by the bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. Surprisingly, smu_1361c functions as a negative transcriptional regulator to regulate gene expression outside its operon and is involved in the oxidative stress response of S. mutans. The smu_1361c overexpression strain UA159/pDL278-1361c was more susceptible to oxidative stress and less competitive against hydrogen peroxide generated by commensal species Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that smu_1361c overexpression resulted in the significant downregulation of 22 genes, mainly belonging to three gene clusters responsible for the oxidative stress response. The conversed DNA binding motif of SMU_1361c was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I footprinting assay with purified SMU_1361c protein; therefore, smu_1361c is directly involved in gene transcription related to the oxidative stress response. Crucially, our finding provides a new understanding of how S. mutans deals with the oxidative stress that is required for pathogenesis and will facilitate the development of new and improved therapeutic approaches for dental caries.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus mutans is the major organism associated with the development of dental caries, which globally is the most common chronic disease. To persist and survive in biofilms, S. mutans must compete with commensal species that occupy the same ecological niche. Here, we uncover a novel molecular mechanism of how tetracycline repressor family regulator smu_1361c is involved in the oxidative stress response through transcriptomics analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and DNase I footprinting assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that smu_1361c mediates S. mutans sensitivity to oxidative stress and competitiveness with commensal streptococci. Therefore, this study has revealed a previously unknown regulation between smu_1361c and genes outside its operon and demonstrated the importance of smu_1361c in the oxidative stress response and the fitness of S. mutans within the plaque biofilms, which can be exploited as a new therapy to modulate ecological homeostasis and prevent dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxing Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qizhao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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23
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Rasal TA, Mallery CP, Brockley MW, Brown LC, Paczkowski JE, van Kessel JC. Ligand binding determines proteolytic stability of Vibrio LuxR/HapR quorum sensing transcription factors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.15.580527. [PMID: 38405947 PMCID: PMC10888775 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.15.580527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
In Vibrio species, quorum sensing signaling culminates in the production of a TetR-type master transcription factor collectively called the LuxR/HapR family, which regulates genes required for colonization and infection of host organisms. These proteins possess a solvent accessible putative ligand binding pocket. However, a native ligand has not been identified, and the role of ligand binding in LuxR/HapR function in Vibrionaceae is unknown. To probe the role of the ligand binding pocket, we utilize the small molecule thiophenesulfonamide inhibitor PTSP (3- p henyl-1-( t hiophen-2-yl s ulfonyl)-1 H - p yrazole) that we previously showed targets LuxR/HapR proteins. Amino acid conservation in the ligand binding pocket determines the specificity and efficacy of PTSP inhibition across Vibrio species. Here, we used structure-function analyses to identify PTSP-interacting residues in the ligand binding pocket of SmcR - the Vibrio vulnificus LuxR/HapR homolog - that are required for PTSP inhibition of SmcR activity in vivo . Forward genetic screening combined with X-ray crystallography structural determination of SmcR bound to PTSP identified substitutions at eight residues that were sufficient to reduce or eliminate PTSP-mediated SmcR inhibition. Small-angle X-ray scattering and computational modeling determined that PTSP drives allosteric unfolding at the N-terminal DNA binding domain. We discovered that SmcR is degraded by the ClpAP protease in the presence of PTSP in vivo ; substitution of key PTSP-interacting residues stabilized or increased SmcR levels in the cell. This mechanism of inhibition is observed for all thiophenesulfonamide compounds tested and against other Vibrio species. We conclude that thiophenesulfonamides specifically bind in the ligand binding pocket of LuxR/HapR proteins, promoting protein degradation and thereby suppressing downstream gene expression, implicating ligand binding as a mediator of LuxR/HapR protein stability and function to govern virulence gene expression in Vibrio pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE LuxR/HapR proteins were discovered in the 1990s as central regulators of quorum sensing gene expression and later discovered to be conserved in all studied Vibrio species. LuxR/HapR homologs regulate a wide range of genes involved in pathogenesis, including but not limited to genes involved in biofilm production and toxin secretion. As archetypal members of the broad class of TetR-type transcription factors, each LuxR/HapR protein has a predicted ligand binding pocket. However, no ligand has been identified for LuxR/HapR proteins that control their function as regulators. Here, we used LuxR/HapR-specific chemical inhibitors to determine that ligand binding drives proteolytic degradation in vivo , the first demonstration of LuxR/HapR function connected to ligand binding for this historical protein family.
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24
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Liu Z, Gillis T, Raman S, Cui Q. A parametrized two-domain thermodynamic model explains diverse mutational effects on protein allostery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.06.552196. [PMID: 37662419 PMCID: PMC10473640 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.06.552196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
New experimental findings continue to challenge our understanding of protein allostery. Recent deep mutational scanning study showed that allosteric hotspots in the tetracycline repressor (TetR) and its homologous transcriptional factors are broadly distributed rather than spanning well-defined structural pathways as often assumed. Moreover, hotspot mutation-induced allostery loss was rescued by distributed additional mutations in a degenerate fashion. Here, we develop a two-domain thermodynamic model for TetR, which readily rationalizes these intriguing observations. The model accurately captures the in vivo activities of various mutants with changes in physically transparent parameters, allowing the data-based quantification of mutational effects using statistical inference. Our analysis reveals the intrinsic connection of intra- and inter-domain properties for allosteric regulation and illustrate epistatic interactions that are consistent with structural features of the protein. The insights gained from this study into the nature of two-domain allostery are expected to have broader implications for other multidomain allosteric proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Liu
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, United States
| | - Thomas Gillis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States
| | - Qiang Cui
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, United States
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25
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d'Oelsnitz S, Stofel SK, Love JD, Ellington AD. Snowprint: a predictive tool for genetic biosensor discovery. Commun Biol 2024; 7:163. [PMID: 38336860 PMCID: PMC10858194 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05849-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioengineers increasingly rely on ligand-inducible transcription regulators for chemical-responsive control of gene expression, yet the number of regulators available is limited. Novel regulators can be mined from genomes, but an inadequate understanding of their DNA specificity complicates genetic design. Here we present Snowprint, a simple yet powerful bioinformatic tool for predicting regulator:operator interactions. Benchmarking results demonstrate that Snowprint predictions are significantly similar for >45% of experimentally validated regulator:operator pairs from organisms across nine phyla and for regulators that span five distinct structural families. We then use Snowprint to design promoters for 33 previously uncharacterized regulators sourced from diverse phylogenies, of which 28 are shown to influence gene expression and 24 produce a >20-fold dynamic range. A panel of the newly repurposed regulators are then screened for response to biomanufacturing-relevant compounds, yielding new sensors for a polyketide (olivetolic acid), terpene (geraniol), steroid (ursodiol), and alkaloid (tetrahydropapaverine) with induction ratios up to 10.7-fold. Snowprint represents a unique, protein-agnostic tool that greatly facilitates the discovery of ligand-inducible transcriptional regulators for bioengineering applications. A web-accessible version of Snowprint is available at https://snowprint.groov.bio .
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon d'Oelsnitz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
- Synthetic Biology HIVE, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Sarah K Stofel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Joshua D Love
- Independent Web Developer, Bentonville, AR, 72712, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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26
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Tan J, Lamont GJ, Sekula M, Hong H, Sloan L, Scott DA. The transcriptomic response to cannabidiol of Treponema denticola, a phytocannabinoid-resistant periodontal pathogen. J Clin Periodontol 2024; 51:222-232. [PMID: 38105008 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM The use of cannabis, which contains multiple antimicrobials, may be a risk factor for periodontitis. We hypothesized that multiple oral spirochetes would be phytocannabinoid-resistant and that cannabidiol (CBD) would act as an environmental stressor to which Treponema denticola would respond transcriptionally, thereby providing first insights into spirochetal survival strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Oral spirochete growth was monitored spectrophotometrically in the presence and absence of physiologically relevant phytocannabinoid doses, the transcriptional response to phytocannabinoid exposure determined by RNAseq, specific gene activity fluxes verified using qRT-PCR and orthologues among fully sequenced oral spirochetes identified. RESULTS Multiple strains of oral treponemes were resistant to CBD (0.1-10 μg/mL), while T. denticola ATCC 35405 was resistant to all phytocannabinoids tested (CBD, cannabinol [CBN], tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]). A total of 392 T. denticola ATCC 35405 genes were found to be CBD-responsive by RNAseq. A selected subset of these genes was independently verified by qRT-PCR. Genes found to be differentially activated by both methods included several involved in transcriptional regulation and toxin control. Suppressed genes included several involved in chemotaxis and proteolysis. CONCLUSIONS Oral spirochetes, unlike some other periodontal bacteria, are resistant to physiological doses of phytocannabinoids. Investigation of CBD-induced transcriptomic changes provided insight into the resistance mechanisms of this important periodontal pathogen. These findings should be considered in the context of the reported enhanced susceptibility to periodontitis in cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlian Tan
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Gwyneth J Lamont
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Michael Sekula
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - HeeJue Hong
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Lucy Sloan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - David A Scott
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Johnson JMB, Kunkel BN. AefR, a TetR Family Transcriptional Repressor, Regulates Several Auxin Responses in Pseudomonas syringae Strain PtoDC3000. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2024; 37:155-165. [PMID: 38079389 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-10-23-0170-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), also known as auxin, plays important roles in plant growth and development, as well as in several plant-microbe interactions. IAA also acts as a microbial signal and in many bacteria regulates metabolism, stress responses, and virulence. In the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 (PtoDC3000), exposure to IAA results in large-scale transcriptional reprogramming, including the differential expression of several known virulence genes. However, how PtoDC3000 senses and responds to IAA and what aspects of its biology are regulated by IAA is not understood. To investigate the mechanisms involved in perceiving and responding to IAA, we carried out a genetic screen for mutants with altered responses to IAA. One group of mutants of particular interest carried disruptions in the aefR gene encoding a TetR family transcriptional regulator. Gene expression analysis confirmed that the aefR mutants have altered responses to IAA. Thus, AefR is the first demonstrated auxin response regulator in PtoDC3000. We also investigated several aspects of PtoDC3000 biology that are regulated by both AefR and IAA, including antibiotic resistance, motility, and virulence. The observation that the aefR mutant has altered virulence on Arabidopsis, suggests that the sector of the IAA response regulated by aefR is important during pathogenesis. Our findings also provide evidence that AefR plays a role in coordinating changes in gene expression during the transition from early to late stages of infection. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M B Johnson
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A
| | - Barbara N Kunkel
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A
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28
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He S, Taher NM, Hvorecny KL, Ragusa MJ, Bahl CD, Hickman AB, Dyda F, Madden DR. Molecular basis for the transcriptional regulation of an epoxide-based virulence circuit in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.16.572601. [PMID: 38293063 PMCID: PMC10827105 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.16.572601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects cystic fibrosis (CF) patient airways and produces a virulence factor Cif that is associated with worse outcomes. Cif is an epoxide hydrolase that reduces cell-surface abundance of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and sabotages pro-resolving signals. Its expression is regulated by a divergently transcribed TetR family transcriptional repressor. CifR represents the first reported epoxide-sensing bacterial transcriptional regulator, but neither its interaction with cognate operator sequences nor the mechanism of activation has been investigated. Using biochemical and structural approaches, we uncovered the molecular mechanisms controlling this complex virulence operon. We present here the first molecular structures of CifR alone and in complex with operator DNA, resolved in a single crystal lattice. Significant conformational changes between these two structures suggest how CifR regulates the expression of the virulence gene cif. Interactions between the N-terminal extension of CifR with the DNA minor groove of the operator play a significant role in the operator recognition of CifR. We also determined that cysteine residue Cys107 is critical for epoxide sensing and DNA release. These results offer new insights into the stereochemical regulation of an epoxide-based virulence circuit in a critically important clinical pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susu He
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Noor M. Taher
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Kelli L. Hvorecny
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Michael J. Ragusa
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Christopher D. Bahl
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Alison B. Hickman
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Fred Dyda
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Dean R. Madden
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
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Xu Y, Yi J, Kai Y, Li B, Liu M, Zhou Q, Wang J, Liu R, Wu H. New targets of TetR-type regulator SLCG_2919 for controlling lincomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lincolnensis. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:119-127. [PMID: 37562983 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor (TF)-mediated regulatory network controlling lincomycin production in Streptomyces lincolnensis is yet to be fully elucidated despite several types of associated TFs having been reported. SLCG_2919, a tetracycline repressor (TetR)-type regulator, was the first TF to be characterized outside the lincomycin biosynthetic cluster to directly suppress the lincomycin biosynthesis in S. lincolnensis. In this study, improved genomic systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (gSELEX), an in vitro technique, was adopted to capture additional SLCG_2919-targeted sequences harboring the promoter regions of SLCG_6675, SLCG_4123-4124, SLCG_6579, and SLCG_0139-0140. The four DNA fragments were confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that the corresponding target genes SLCG_6675 (anthranilate synthase), SLCG_0139 (LysR family transcriptional regulator), SLCG_0140 (beta-lactamase), SLCG_6579 (cytochrome P450), SLCG_4123 (bifunctional DNA primase/polymerase), and SLCG_4124 (magnesium or magnesium-dependent protein phosphatase) in ΔSLCGL_2919 were differentially increased by 3.3-, 4.2-, 3.2-, 2.5-, 4.6-, and 2.2-fold relative to those in the parental strain S. lincolnensis LCGL. Furthermore, the individual inactivation of these target genes in LCGL reduced the lincomycin yield to varying degrees. This investigation expands on the known DNA targets of SLCG_2919 to control lincomycin production and lays the foundation for improving industrial lincomycin yields via genetic engineering of this regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Xu
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Yi
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanzhong Kai
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Binglin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Qihua Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingru Wang
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Ruihua Liu
- Xinyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Hang Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
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30
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Al-Tohamy A, Grove A. Targeting bacterial transcription factors for infection control: opportunities and challenges. Transcription 2023:1-28. [PMID: 38126125 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2023.2293523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising threat of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria emphasizes the need for new therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on bacterial transcription factors (TFs), which play crucial roles in bacterial pathogenesis. We discuss the regulatory roles of these factors through examples, and we outline potential therapeutic strategies targeting bacterial TFs. Specifically, we discuss the use of small molecules to interfere with TF function and the development of transcription factor decoys, oligonucleotides that compete with promoters for TF binding. We also cover peptides that target the interaction between the bacterial TF and other factors, such as RNA polymerase, and the targeting of sigma factors. These strategies, while promising, come with challenges, from identifying targets to designing interventions, managing side effects, and accounting for changing bacterial resistance patterns. We also delve into how Artificial Intelligence contributes to these efforts and how it may be exploited in the future, and we touch on the roles of multidisciplinary collaboration and policy to advance this research domain.Abbreviations: AI, artificial intelligence; CNN, convolutional neural networks; DTI: drug-target interaction; HTH, helix-turn-helix; IHF, integration host factor; LTTRs, LysR-type transcriptional regulators; MarR, multiple antibiotic resistance regulator; MRSA, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; MSA: multiple sequence alignment; NAP, nucleoid-associated protein; PROTACs, proteolysis targeting chimeras; RNAP, RNA polymerase; TF, transcription factor; TFD, transcription factor decoying; TFTRs, TetR-family transcriptional regulators; wHTH, winged helix-turn-helix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Tohamy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Anne Grove
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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31
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Chubiz LM. The Mar, Sox, and Rob Systems. EcoSal Plus 2023; 11:eesp00102022. [PMID: 37220096 PMCID: PMC10729928 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0010-2022] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Environments inhabited by Enterobacteriaceae are diverse and often stressful. This is particularly true for Escherichia coli and Salmonella during host association in the gastrointestinal systems of animals. There, E. coli and Salmonella must survive exposure to various antimicrobial compounds produced or ingested by their host. A myriad of changes to cellular physiology and metabolism are required to achieve this feat. A central regulatory network responsible for sensing and responding to intracellular chemical stressors like antibiotics are the Mar, Sox, and Rob systems found throughout the Enterobacteriaceae. Each of these distinct regulatory networks controls expression of an overlapping set of downstream genes whose collective effects result in increased resistance to a wide array of antimicrobial compounds. This collection of genes is known as the mar-sox-rob regulon. This review will provide an overview of the mar-sox-rob regulon and molecular architecture of the Mar, Sox, and Rob systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lon M. Chubiz
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Program, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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32
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Matusiak I, Strzałka A, Wadach P, Gongerowska-Jac M, Szwajczak E, Szydłowska-Helbrych A, Kepplinger B, Pióro M, Jakimowicz D. The interplay between the polar growth determinant DivIVA, the segregation protein ParA, and their novel interaction partner PapM controls the Mycobacterium smegmatis cell cycle by modulation of DivIVA subcellular distribution. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0175223. [PMID: 37966202 PMCID: PMC10714820 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01752-23] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The genus of Mycobacterium includes important clinical pathogens (M. tuberculosis). Bacteria of this genus share the unusual features of their cell cycle such as asymmetric polar cell elongation and long generation time. Markedly, control of the mycobacterial cell cycle still remains not fully understood. The main cell growth determinant in mycobacteria is the essential protein DivIVA, which is also involved in cell division. DivIVA activity is controlled by phosphorylation, but the mechanism and significance of this process are unknown. Here, we show how the previously established protein interaction partner of DivIVA in mycobacteria, the segregation protein ParA, affects the DivIVA subcellular distribution. We also demonstrate the role of a newly identified M. smegmatis DivIVA and ParA interaction partner, a protein named PapM, and we establish how their interactions are modulated by phosphorylation. Demonstrating that the tripartite interplay affects the mycobacterial cell cycle contributes to the general understanding of mycobacterial growth regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Matusiak
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Strzałka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Wadach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Gongerowska-Jac
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Bernhard Kepplinger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Monika Pióro
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Jakimowicz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
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Costafrolaz J, Panis G, Casu B, Ardissone S, Degeorges L, Pilhofer M, Viollier PH. Adaptive β-lactam resistance from an inducible efflux pump that is post-translationally regulated by the DjlA co-chaperone. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002040. [PMID: 38051727 PMCID: PMC10754441 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of multidrug resistance (MDR) determinants jeopardizes treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics. The tripartite efflux pump AcrAB-NodT confers adaptive MDR in the polarized α-proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus via transcriptional induction by first-generation quinolone antibiotics. We discovered that overexpression of AcrAB-NodT by mutation or exogenous inducers confers resistance to cephalosporin and penicillin (β-lactam) antibiotics. Combining 2-step mutagenesis-sequencing (Mut-Seq) and cephalosporin-resistant point mutants, we dissected how TipR uses a common operator of the divergent tipR and acrAB-nodT promoter for adaptive and/or potentiated AcrAB-NodT-directed efflux. Chemical screening identified diverse compounds that interfere with DNA binding by TipR or induce its dependent proteolytic turnover. We found that long-term induction of AcrAB-NodT deforms the envelope and that homeostatic control by TipR includes co-induction of the DnaJ-like co-chaperone DjlA, boosting pump assembly and/or capacity in anticipation of envelope stress. Thus, the adaptive MDR regulatory circuitry reconciles drug efflux with co-chaperone function for trans-envelope assemblies and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Costafrolaz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gaël Panis
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bastien Casu
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Ardissone
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Degeorges
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martin Pilhofer
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick H. Viollier
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine/Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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34
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Salini S, Muralikrishnan B, Bhat SG, Ghate SD, Rao RSP, Kumar RA, Kurthkoti K. Overexpression of a membrane transport system MSMEG_1381 and MSMEG_1382 confers multidrug resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Microb Pathog 2023; 185:106384. [PMID: 37838146 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106384] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading cause of human mortality worldwide, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains demands the discovery of new classes of antimycobacterial that can be employed in the therapeutic pipeline. Previously, a secondary metabolite, chrysomycin A, isolated from Streptomyces sp. OA161 displayed potent bactericidal activity against drug-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and different species of mycobacteria. The antibiotic inhibits mycobacterial topoisomerase I and DNA gyrase, leading to bacterial death, but the mechanisms that could cause resistance to this antibiotic are currently unknown. To further understand the resistance mechanism, using M. smegmatis as a model, spontaneous resistance mutants were isolated and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Mutation in a TetR family transcriptional regulator MSMEG_1380 was identified in the resistant isolates wherein the gene was adjacent to an operon encoding membrane proteins MSMEG_1381 and MSMEG_1382. Sequence analysis and modeling studies indicated that MSMEG_1381 and MSMEG_1382 are components of the Mmp family of efflux pumps and over-expression of either the operon or individual genes conferred resistance to chrysomycin A, isoniazid, and ethambutol. Our study highlights the role of membrane transporter proteins in conferring multiple drug resistance and the utility of recombinant strains overexpressing membrane transporters in the drug screening pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Salini
- Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Balaji Muralikrishnan
- Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - Sinchana G Bhat
- Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Sudeep D Ghate
- Center for Bioinformatics, NITTE Deemed to be University, Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - R Shyama Prasad Rao
- Center for Bioinformatics, NITTE Deemed to be University, Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - R Ajay Kumar
- Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Krishna Kurthkoti
- Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India.
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35
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Maity D, Singh D, Bandhu A. Mce1R of Mycobacterium tuberculosis prefers long-chain fatty acids as specific ligands: a computational study. Mol Divers 2023; 27:2523-2543. [PMID: 36385433 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The mce1 operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which codes the Mce1 transporter, facilitates the transport of fatty acids. Fatty acids are one of the major sources for carbon and energy for the pathogen during its intracellular survival and pathogenicity. The mce1 operon is transcriptionally regulated by Mce1R, a VanR-type regulator, which could bind specific ligands and control the expression of the mce1 operon accordingly. This work reports computational identification of Mce1R-specific ligands. Initially by employing cavity similarity search algorithm by the ProBis server, the cavities of the proteins similar to that of Mce1R and the bound ligands were identified from which fatty acids were selected as the potential ligands. From the earlier-generated monomeric structure, the dimeric structure of Mce1R was then modeled by the GalaxyHomomer server and validated computationally to use in molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. The fatty acid ligands were found to dock within the cavity of Mce1R and the docked complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation to explore their stabilities and other dynamic properties. The data suggest that Mce1R preferably binds to long-chain fatty acids and undergoes distinct structural changes upon binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipanwita Maity
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India
| | - Dheeraj Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India
| | - Amitava Bandhu
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India.
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36
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Enany S, Tartor YH, Kishk RM, Gadallah AM, Ahmed E, Magdeldin S. Proteomics and metabolomics analyses of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from human and animal sources. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20980. [PMID: 38017083 PMCID: PMC10684508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47976-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae), group B Streptococcus (GBS), a major cause of infection in a wide variety of diseases, have been compared in different human and animal sources. We aimed to compare the bacterial proteome and metabolome profiles of human and animal S. agalactiae strains to delineate biological interactions relevant to infection. With the innovative advancement in mass spectrometry, a comparative result between both strains provided a solid impression of different responses to the host. For instance, stress-related proteins (Asp23/Gls24 family envelope stress response protein and heat shock protein 70), which play a role in the survival of GBS under extreme environmental conditions or during treatment, are highly expressed in human and animal strains. One human strain contains ꞵ-lactamase (serine hydrolase) and biofilm regulatory protein (lytR), which are important virulence regulators and potential targets for the design of novel antimicrobials. Another human strain contains the aminoglycosides-resistance bifunctional AAC/APH (A0A0U2QMQ5) protein, which confers resistance to almost all clinically used aminoglycosides. Fifteen different metabolites were annotated between the two groups. L-aspartic acid, ureidopropionic acid, adenosine monophosphate, L-tryptophan, and guanosine monophosphate were annotated at higher levels in human strains. Butyric acid, fumaric acid, isoleucine, leucine, and hippuric acid have been found in both human and animal strains. Certain metabolites were uniquely expressed in animal strains, with fold changes greater than 2. For example, putrescine modulates biofilm formation. Overall, this study provides biological insights into the substantial possible bacterial response reflected in its macromolecular production, either at the proteomic or metabolomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shymaa Enany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt.
- Biomedical Research Department, Armed Force College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Yasmine H Tartor
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Rania M Kishk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Gadallah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Eman Ahmed
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Basic Research, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Sameh Magdeldin
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Basic Research, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
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Campolattano N, D'Abrosca G, Russo L, De Siena B, Della Gala M, De Chiara I, Marasco R, Goff A, Waddell SJ, Sacco M, Muscariello L. Insight into the on/off switch that regulates expression of the MSMEG-3762/63 efflux pump in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20332. [PMID: 37989843 PMCID: PMC10663510 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47695-4] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is one of the most difficult challenges facing tuberculosis (TB) control. Drug efflux is among the mechanisms leading to drug resistance. In our previous studies, we partially characterized the ABC-type MSMEG-3762/63 efflux pump in Mycobacterium smegmatis, which shares high percentage of identity with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1687/86c pump. MSMEG-3762/63 was shown to have extrusion activity for rifampicin and ciprofloxacin, used in first and second-line anti-TB treatments. Moreover, we described the functional role of the TetR-like MSMEG-3765 protein as a repressor of the MSMEG_3762/63/65 operon and orthologous Rv1687/86/85c in M. tuberculosis. Here we show that the operon is upregulated in the macrophage environment, supporting a previous observation of induction triggered by acid-nitrosative stress. Expression of the efflux pump was also induced by sub-inhibitory concentrations of rifampicin or ciprofloxacin. Both these drugs also prevented the binding of the MSMEG-3765 TetR repressor protein to its operator in the MSMEG_3762/63/65 operon. The hypothesis that these two drugs might be responsible for the induction of the efflux pump operon was assessed by bioinformatics analyses. Docking studies using a structural model of the regulator MSMEG-3765 showed that both antibiotics abolished the ability of this transcriptional repressor to recognize the efflux pump operon by interacting with the homodimer at different binding sites within the same binding pocket. Reduced binding of the repressor leads to induction of the efflux pump in M. smegmatis, and reduced efficacy of these two anti-mycobacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Campolattano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gianluca D'Abrosca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Barbara De Siena
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Milena Della Gala
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Ida De Chiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosangela Marasco
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Aaron Goff
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK
| | - Simon J Waddell
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK
| | - Margherita Sacco
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Lidia Muscariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy.
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38
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Schwitalla JW, Le NTH, Um S, Schalk F, Brönstrup M, Baunach M, Beemelmanns C. Heterologous expression of the cryptic mdk gene cluster and structural revision of maduralactomycin A. RSC Adv 2023; 13:34136-34144. [PMID: 38019997 PMCID: PMC10663993 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05931f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
After conducting an in silico analysis of the cryptic mdk cluster region and performing transcriptomic studies, an integrative Streptomyces BAC Vector containing the mdk gene sequence was constructed. The heterologous expression of the mdk cluster in Streptomyces albus J1074 resulted in the production of the angucyclic product, seongomycin, which allowed for the assesment of its antibacterial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities. Heterologous production was further confirmed by targeted knock-out experiments involving key regulators of the biosynthetic pathways. We were further able to revise the core structure of maduralactomycin A, using a computational approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan W Schwitalla
- Chemical Biology of Microbe-Host Interactions, Hans-Knöll Institute (HKI) Beutenbergstraße 11a 07745 Jena Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
| | - Ngoc-Thao-Hien Le
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1 B-2610 Antwerp Belgium
| | - Soohyun Um
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University Incheon 21983 South Korea
| | - Felix Schalk
- Chemical Biology of Microbe-Host Interactions, Hans-Knöll Institute (HKI) Beutenbergstraße 11a 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstrasse 7 D-38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Martin Baunach
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn Nussallee 6 53115 Bonn Germany
| | - Christine Beemelmanns
- Chemical Biology of Microbe-Host Interactions, Hans-Knöll Institute (HKI) Beutenbergstraße 11a 07745 Jena Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
- Saarland University 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
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39
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Schumacher MA, Lent N, Chen VB, Salinas R. Structures of the DarR transcription regulator reveal unique modes of second messenger and DNA binding. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7239. [PMID: 37945601 PMCID: PMC10636190 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42823-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mycobacterial repressor, DarR, a TetR family regulator (TFR), was the first transcription regulator shown to bind c-di-AMP. However, the molecular basis for this interaction and the mechanism involved in DNA binding by DarR remain unknown. Here we describe DarR-c-di-AMP and DarR-DNA structures and complementary biochemical assays. The DarR-c-di-AMP structure reveals a unique effector binding site for a TFR, located between DarR dimer subunits. Strikingly, we show this motif also binds cAMP. The location of the adenine nucleotide binding site between subunits suggests this interaction may facilitate dimerization and hence DNA binding. Indeed, biochemical assays show cAMP enhances DarR DNA binding. Finally, DarR-DNA structures reveal a distinct TFR DNA-binding mechanism involving two interacting dimers on the DNA. Thus, the combined data unveil a newly described second messenger binding motif and DNA binding mode for this important family of regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Nicholas Lent
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Vincent B Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Raul Salinas
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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40
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Nontaleerak B, Eurtivong C, Weeraphan C, Buncherd H, Chokchaichamnankit D, Srisomsap C, Svasti J, Sukchawalit R, Mongkolsuk S. The redox-sensing mechanism of Agrobacterium tumefaciens NieR as a thiol-based oxidation sensor for hypochlorite stress. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 208:211-220. [PMID: 37544488 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
NieR is a TetR family transcriptional repressor previously shown to regulate the NaOCl-inducible efflux pump NieAB in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. NieR is an ortholog of Escherichia coli NemR that specifically senses hypochlorite through the redox switch of a reversible sulfenamide bond between C106 and K175. The amino acid sequence of NieR contains only one cysteine. NieR has C104 and R166, which correspond to C106 and K175 of NemR, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the redox-sensing mechanism of NieR under NaOCl stress. C104 and R166 were subjected to mutagenesis to determine their roles. Although the substitution of R166 by alanine slightly reduced its DNA-binding activity, NieR retained its repressor function. By contrast, the DNA-binding and repression activities of NieR were completely lost when C104 was replaced by alanine. C104 substitution with serine only partially impaired the repressor function. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed an intermolecular disulfide bond between the C104 residues of NieR monomers. This study demonstrates the engagement of C104 in the mechanism of NaOCl sensing. C104 oxidation induced the formation of a disulfide-linked dimer that was likely to alter conformation, thus abolishing the DNA-binding ability of NieR and derepressing the target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benya Nontaleerak
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Chatchakorn Eurtivong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Si Ayutthaya Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Churat Weeraphan
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Hansuk Buncherd
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Medical Science Research and Innovation Institute, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | | | - Chantragan Srisomsap
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Jisnuson Svasti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Rojana Sukchawalit
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand; Program in Applied Biological Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Thailand.
| | - Skorn Mongkolsuk
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Thailand
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41
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Patil RS, Sharma S, Bhaskarwar AV, Nambiar S, Bhat NA, Koppolu MK, Bhukya H. TetR and OmpR family regulators in natural product biosynthesis and resistance. Proteins 2023. [PMID: 37874037 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26621] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review and sequence-structure analysis of transcription regulator (TR) families, TetR and OmpR/PhoB, involved in specialized secondary metabolite (SSM) biosynthesis and resistance. Transcription regulation is a fundamental process, playing a crucial role in orchestrating gene expression to confer a survival advantage in response to frequent environmental stress conditions. This process, coupled with signal sensing, enables bacteria to respond to a diverse range of intra and extracellular signals. Thus, major bacterial signaling systems use a receptor domain to sense chemical stimuli along with an output domain responsible for transcription regulation through DNA-binding. Sensory and output domains on a single polypeptide chain (one component system, OCS) allow response to stimuli by allostery, that is, DNA-binding affinity modulation upon signal presence/absence. On the other hand, two component systems (TCSs) allow cross-talk between the sensory and output domains as they are disjoint and transmit information by phosphorelay to mount a response. In both cases, however, TRs play a central role. Biosynthesis of SSMs, which includes antibiotics, is heavily regulated by TRs as it diverts the cell's resources towards the production of these expendable compounds, which also have clinical applications. These TRs have evolved to relay information across specific signals and target genes, thus providing a rich source of unique mechanisms to explore towards addressing the rapid escalation in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we focus on the TetR and OmpR family TRs, which belong to OCS and TCS, respectively. These TR families are well-known examples of regulators in secondary metabolism and are ubiquitous across different bacteria, as they also participate in a myriad of cellular processes apart from SSM biosynthesis and resistance. As a result, these families exhibit higher sequence divergence, which is also evident from our bioinformatic analysis of 158 389 and 77 437 sequences from TetR and OmpR family TRs, respectively. The analysis of both sequence and structure allowed us to identify novel motifs in addition to the known motifs responsible for TR function and its structural integrity. Understanding the diverse mechanisms employed by these TRs is essential for unraveling the biosynthesis of SSMs. This can also help exploit their regulatory role in biosynthesis for significant pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachit S Patil
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Siddhant Sharma
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Aditya V Bhaskarwar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Souparnika Nambiar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Niharika A Bhat
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Mani Kanta Koppolu
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
| | - Hussain Bhukya
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India
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42
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Alippi AM, Lamelza F, Torres Tejerizo GA, Abrahamovich E, López AC. Identification, phylogenetic analysis, and genome mining of the tetracycline-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis strain m401 reveal its potential for biotechnological and biocontrol applications. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:317-331. [PMID: 37400312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.05.002] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is an entomopathogen belonging to the Bacillus cereus clade. We isolated a tetracycline-resistant strain called m401, recovered it from honey, and identified it as Bacillus thuringiensis sv. kumamotoensis based on the average nucleotide identity calculations (ANIb) comparison and the analysis of the gyrB gene sequences of different B. thuringiensis serovars. Sequences with homology to virulence factors [cytK, nheA, nheB, nheC, hblA, hblB, hblC, hblD, entFM, and inhA] and tetracycline resistance genes [tet(45), tet(V), and tet(M)/tet(W)/tet(O)/tet(S) family] were identified in the bacterial chromosome. The prediction of plasmid-coding regions revealed homolog sequences to the MarR and TetR/AcrR family of transcriptional regulators, toxins, and lantipeptides. The genome mining analysis revealed 12 regions of biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for synthesizing secondary metabolites. We identified biosynthetic gene clusters coding for bacteriocins, siderophores, ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptide products, and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase clusters that provide evidence for the possible use of Bt m401 as a biocontrol agent. Furthermore, Bt m401 showed high inhibition against all Paenibacillus larvae genotypes tested in vitro. In conclusion, Bt m401 owns various genes involved in different biological processes, such as transductional regulators associated with antibiotic resistance, toxins, and antimicrobial peptides with potential biotechnological and biocontrol applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Alippi
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICBA), Argentina.
| | - Florencia Lamelza
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo A Torres Tejerizo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-CCT La Plata), Argentina; IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, UNLP, Calles 49 y 115 S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eliana Abrahamovich
- YPF Tecnología (Y-Tec), Av. del Petróleo S/N entre 129 y 143, 1923 Berisso, Argentina
| | - Ana C López
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-CCT La Plata), Argentina
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43
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Suissa R, Olender T, Malitsky S, Golani O, Turjeman S, Koren O, Meijler MM, Kolodkin-Gal I. Metabolic inputs in the probiotic bacterium Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus contribute to cell-wall remodeling and increased fitness. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:71. [PMID: 37752249 PMCID: PMC10522624 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00431-2] [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: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a Gram-positive beneficial bacterium that resides in the human intestinal tract and belongs to the family of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This bacterium is a widely used probiotic and was suggested to provide numerous benefits for human health. However, as in most LAB strains, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the competitiveness of probiotics under different diets remain unknown. Fermentation is a fundamental process in LAB, allowing the oxidation of simple carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, mannose) for energy production under oxygen limitation, as in the human gut. Our results indicate that fermentation reshapes the metabolome, volatilome, and proteome architecture of LGG. Furthermore, fermentation alters cell envelope remodeling and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, which leads to altered cell wall thickness, aggregation properties, and cell wall composition. In addition, fermentable sugars induced the secretion of known and novel metabolites and proteins targeting the enteric pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium. Overall, our results link simple carbohydrates with cell wall remodeling, aggregation to host tissues, and biofilm formation in probiotic strains and connect them with the production of broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronit Suissa
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Tsviya Olender
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sergey Malitsky
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofra Golani
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sondra Turjeman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Omry Koren
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
| | - Michael M Meijler
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
- The Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.
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44
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Tao X, Ouyang H, Zhou A, Wang D, Matlock H, Morgan JS, Ren AT, Mu D, Pan C, Zhu X, Han A, Zhou J. Polyethylene Degradation by a Rhodococcous Strain Isolated from Naturally Weathered Plastic Waste Enrichment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13901-13911. [PMID: 37682848 PMCID: PMC10515485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely produced synthetic polymer and the most abundant plastic waste worldwide due to its recalcitrance to biodegradation and low recycle rate. Microbial degradation of PE has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we isolated a Rhodococcus strain A34 from 609 day enriched cultures derived from naturally weathered plastic waste and identified the potential key PE degradation enzymes. After 30 days incubation with A34, 1% weight loss was achieved. Decreased PE molecular weight, appearance of C-O and C═O on PE, palmitic acid in the culture supernatant, and pits on the PE surface were observed. Proteomics analysis identified multiple key PE oxidation and depolymerization enzymes including one multicopper oxidase, one lipase, six esterase, and a few lipid transporters. Network analysis of proteomics data demonstrated the close relationships between PE degradation and metabolisms of phenylacetate, amino acids, secondary metabolites, and tricarboxylic acid cycles. The metabolic roadmap generated here provides critical insights for optimization of plastic degradation condition and assembly of artificial microbial communities for efficient plastic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Tao
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Huanrong Ouyang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Dongyu Wang
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Hagan Matlock
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Josiah S. Morgan
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Abigail T. Ren
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Dashuai Mu
- Marine
College, Shandong University, Weihai 264105, China
| | - Chongle Pan
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Xuejun Zhu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Arum Han
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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45
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Pandey M, Talwar S, Pal R, Nain V, Johri S, Singhal A, Pandey AK. Transcription factor mce3R modulates antibiotics and disease persistence in Mycobacteriumtuberculosis. Res Microbiol 2023; 174:104082. [PMID: 37244349 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an etiological agent of tuberculosis, regulate a network of pathways that help prolong the survival of Mtb inside the host. In this study, we have characterized a transcription repressor gene (mce3R) from the TetR family, that encodes for Mce3R protein in Mtb. We demonstrated that the mce3R gene is dispensable for the growth of Mtb on cholesterol. Gene expression analysis suggests that the transcription of genes belonging to the mce3R regulon is independent of the carbon source. We found that, in comparison to the wild type, the mce3R deleted strain (Δmce3R) generated more intracellular ROS and demonstrated reduced susceptibility to oxidative stress. Total lipid analysis suggests that mce3R regulon encoded proteins modulate the biosynthesis of cell wall lipids in Mtb. Interestingly, the absence of Mce3R increased the frequency of generation of antibiotic persisters in Mtb and imparted in-vivo growth advantage phenotype in guinea pigs. In conclusion, genes belonging to the mce3R regulon modulate the frequency of generation of persisters in Mtb. Hence, targeting mce3R regulon encoded proteins could potentiate the current regimen by eliminating persisters during Mtb infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manitosh Pandey
- Mycobacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India; Department of Life Science, ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sakshi Talwar
- Mycobacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Rahul Pal
- Mycobacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Vaibhav Nain
- Mycobacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Sonia Johri
- Department of Life Science, ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Singhal
- Infectious Diseases Labs (ID Labs), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A∗STAR, Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore
| | - Amit Kumar Pandey
- Mycobacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
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Sheahan ML, Coyne MJ, Flores K, Garcia-Bayona L, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Sundararajan A, Holst AQ, Barquera B, Comstock LE. A ubiquitous mobile genetic element disarms a bacterial antagonist of the gut microbiota. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.25.553775. [PMID: 37662397 PMCID: PMC10473720 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.25.553775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA transfer is ubiquitous in the gut microbiota, especially among species of Bacteroidales. In silico analyses have revealed hundreds of mobile genetic elements shared between these species, yet little is known about the phenotypes they encode, their effects on fitness, or pleiotropic consequences for the recipient's genome. Here, we show that acquisition of a ubiquitous integrative and conjugative element encoding an antagonistic system shuts down the native contact-dependent antagonistic system of Bacteroides fragilis . Despite inactivating the native antagonism system, mobile element acquisition increases fitness of the B. fragilis transconjugant over its progenitor by arming it with a new weapon. This DNA transfer causes the strain to change allegiances so that it no longer targets ecosystem members containing the same element yet is armed for communal defense.
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Hespanhol JT, Nóbrega-Silva L, Bayer-Santos E. Regulation of type VI secretion systems at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001376. [PMID: 37552221 PMCID: PMC10482370 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria live in complex polymicrobial communities and are constantly competing for resources. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread antagonistic mechanism used by Gram-negative bacteria to gain an advantage over competitors. T6SSs translocate toxic effector proteins inside target prokaryotic cells in a contact-dependent manner. In addition, some T6SS effectors can be secreted extracellularly and contribute to the scavenging scarce metal ions. Bacteria deploy their T6SSs in different situations, categorizing these systems into offensive, defensive and exploitative. The great variety of bacterial species and environments occupied by such species reflect the complexity of regulatory signals and networks that control the expression and activation of the T6SSs. Such regulation is tightly controlled at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level by abiotic (e.g. pH, iron) or biotic (e.g. quorum-sensing) cues. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge about the regulatory networks that modulate the expression and activity of T6SSs across several species, focusing on systems used for interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Takuno Hespanhol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Luize Nóbrega-Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
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48
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Li S, Li Z, Tan GY, Xin Z, Wang W. In vitro allosteric transcription factor-based biosensing. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1080-1095. [PMID: 36967257 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.001] [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] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A biosensor is an analytical device that converts a biological response into a measurable output signal. Bacterial allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) have been utilized as a novel class of recognition elements for in vitro biosensing, which circumvents the limitations of aTF-based whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) and helps to meet the increasing requirement of small-molecule biosensors for diverse applications. In this review, we summarize the recent advances related to the configuration of aTF-based biosensors in vitro. Particularly, we evaluate the advantages of aTFs for in vitro biosensing and highlight their great potential for the establishment of robust and easy-to-implement biosensing strategies. We argue that key technical innovations and generalizable workflows will enhance the pipeline for facile construction of diverse aTF-based small-molecule biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Gao-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Zhenguo Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Weishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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49
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Schlimpert S, Elliot MA. The Best of Both Worlds-Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces venezuelae as Model Species for Studying Antibiotic Production and Bacterial Multicellular Development. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0015323. [PMID: 37347176 PMCID: PMC10367585 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00153-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces bacteria have been studied for more than 80 years thanks to their ability to produce an incredible array of antibiotics and other specialized metabolites and their unusual fungal-like development. Their antibiotic production capabilities have ensured continual interest from both academic and industrial sectors, while their developmental life cycle has provided investigators with unique opportunities to address fundamental questions relating to bacterial multicellular growth. Much of our understanding of the biology and metabolism of these fascinating bacteria, and many of the tools we use to manipulate these organisms, have stemmed from investigations using the model species Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces venezuelae. Here, we explore the pioneering work in S. coelicolor that established foundational genetic principles relating to specialized metabolism and development, alongside the genomic and cell biology developments that led to the emergence of S. venezuelae as a new model system. We highlight key discoveries that have stemmed from studies of these two systems and discuss opportunities for future investigations that leverage the power and understanding provided by S. coelicolor and S. venezuelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Schlimpert
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Marie A. Elliot
- Department of Biology and M. G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Wilbanks L, Hennigan HE, Martinez-Brokaw CD, Lakkis H, Thormann S, Eggly AS, Buechel G, Parkinson EI. Synthesis of Gamma-Butyrolactone Hormones Enables Understanding of Natural Product Induction. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1624-1631. [PMID: 37338162 PMCID: PMC10368014 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria produce natural products (NPs) via biosynthetic gene clusters. Unfortunately, many biosynthetic gene clusters are silent under traditional laboratory conditions. To access novel NPs, a better understanding of their regulation is needed. γ-Butyrolactones, including the A-factor and Streptomyces coelicolor butanolides, SCBs, are a major class of Streptomyces' hormones. Study of these hormones has been limited due to challenges in accessing them in stereochemically pure forms. Herein, we describe an efficient route to (R)-paraconyl alcohol, a key intermediate for these molecules, as well as a biocatalytic method to access the exocyclic hydroxyl group that differentiates A-factor-type from SCB-type hormones. Utilizing these methods, a library of hormones have been synthesized and tested in a green fluorescent protein reporter assay for their ability to relieve repression by the repressor ScbR. This allowed the most quantitative structure-activity relationship of γ-butyrolactones and a cognate repressor to date. Bioinformatics analysis strongly suggests that many other repressors of NP biosynthesis likely bind similar molecules. This efficient, diversifiable synthesis will enable further investigation of the regulation of NP biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren
E. Wilbanks
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Haylie E. Hennigan
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | | | - Hani Lakkis
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Sarah Thormann
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Alyssa S. Eggly
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Grace Buechel
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Elizabeth I. Parkinson
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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