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Talat D, Sumitomo T, Honda-Ogawa M, Takahara Y, Mori Y, Masaya Yamaguchi, Nakata M, Ibrahim MS, Kawabata S. Two-component regulatory system TCS08 of a serotype 4 strain in pneumococcal pneumonia pathogenesis. J Oral Biosci 2024:S1349-0079(24)00137-3. [PMID: 38885903 DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2024.06.001] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Streptococcus pneumoniae, a human respiratory pathogen, causes diseases with severe morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. The two-component regulatory system (TCS) is an important signaling pathway that enables regulation of gene expression in response to environmental cues, thereby allowing an organism to adapt to a variety of host niches. Here we examined the contribution of pneumococcal TCS08 to bacterial colonization, the development of pneumonia, and pulmonary dysfunction. METHODS We employed an hk08 knockout mutant (Δhk08) with a background of the TIGR4 wild-type (WT) strain to verify whether TCS08 is associated with bacterial colonization and the development of pneumonia in a murine infection model. To clarify the association of hk08 inactivation-induced phenotypic changes with their virulence, we examined pneumococcal capsule production, colony morphology, and surface-displayed protein profiles. RESULTS Pneumococcal TCS08 was involved in bacterial colonization in the respiratory tract. Interruption of the signaling pathway of TCS08 by hk08 inactivation impaired mouse survival and increased the bacterial burden within the respiratory tract. Furthermore, a histopathological examination revealed massive inflammatory cell infiltration, edema formation, and diffuse alveolar damage in the lung tissues of mice infected with Δhk08 versus the WT or complemented strain. Interestingly, virulence-associated phenotype changes, including capsule production, increased chain length, and surface-displayed protein profile, were observed in the Δhk08 strain. CONCLUSIONS The present findings indicate that TCS08 contributes to pneumococcal colonization and pulmonary dysfunction by assisting adaptation to the respiratory tract milieu, leading to the development of pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Talat
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Tomoko Sumitomo
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Department of Oral Microbiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Mariko Honda-Ogawa
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Takahara
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Orofacial Function, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Mori
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaya Yamaguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Bioinformatics Research Unit, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Bioinformatics Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Japan
| | - Masanobu Nakata
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Department of Oral Microbiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Madiha S Ibrahim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Shigetada Kawabata
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Japan.
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2
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Pettersen JS, Nielsen FD, Andreassen PR, Møller-Jensen J, Jørgensen M. A comprehensive analysis of pneumococcal two-component system regulatory networks. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae039. [PMID: 38650915 PMCID: PMC11034029 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems are key signal-transduction systems that enable bacteria to respond to a wide variety of environmental stimuli. The human pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) encodes 13 two-component systems and a single orphan response regulator, most of which are significant for pneumococcal pathogenicity. Mapping the regulatory networks governed by these systems is key to understand pneumococcal host adaptation. Here we employ a novel bioinformatic approach to predict the regulons of each two-component system based on publicly available whole-genome sequencing data. By employing pangenome-wide association studies (panGWAS) to predict genotype-genotype associations for each two-component system, we predicted regulon genes of 11 of the pneumococcal two-component systems. Through validation via next-generation RNA-sequencing on response regulator overexpression mutants, several top candidate genes predicted by the panGWAS analysis were confirmed as regulon genes. The present study presents novel details on multiple pneumococcal two-component systems, including an expansion of regulons, identification of candidate response regulator binding motifs, and identification of candidate response regulator-regulated small non-coding RNAs. We also demonstrate a use for panGWAS as a complementary tool in target gene identification via identification of genotype-to-genotype links. Expanding our knowledge on two-component systems in pathogens is crucial to understanding how these bacteria sense and respond to their host environment, which could prove useful in future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Sivkær Pettersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Damgaard Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Jakob Møller-Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Girke Jørgensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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3
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Fritsch VN, Linzner N, Busche T, Said N, Weise C, Kalinowski J, Wahl MC, Antelmann H. The MerR-family regulator NmlR is involved in the defense against oxidative stress in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mol Microbiol 2023; 119:191-207. [PMID: 36349475 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae has to cope with the strong oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl), during host-pathogen interactions. Thus, we analyzed the global gene expression profile of S. pneumoniae D39 towards HOCl stress. In the RNA-seq transcriptome, the NmlR, SifR, CtsR, HrcA, SczA and CopY regulons and the etrx1-ccdA1-msrAB2 operon were most strongly induced under HOCl stress, which participate in the oxidative, electrophile and metal stress response in S. pneumoniae. The MerR-family regulator NmlR harbors a conserved Cys52 and controls the alcohol dehydrogenase-encoding adhC gene under carbonyl and NO stress. We demonstrated that NmlR senses also HOCl stress to activate transcription of the nmlR-adhC operon. HOCl-induced transcription of adhC required Cys52 of NmlR in vivo. Using mass spectrometry, NmlR was shown to be oxidized to intersubunit disulfides or S-glutathionylated under oxidative stress in vitro. A broccoli-FLAP-based assay further showed that both NmlR disulfides significantly increased transcription initiation at the nmlR promoter by RNAP in vitro, which depends on Cys52. Phenotype analyses revealed that NmlR functions in the defense against oxidative stress and promotes survival of S. pneumoniae during macrophage infections. In conclusion, NmlR was characterized as HOCl-sensing transcriptional regulator, which activates transcription of adhC under oxidative stress by thiol switches in S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nico Linzner
- Institute of Biology-Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Busche
- Center for Biotechnology, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.,NGS Core Facility, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nelly Said
- Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Weise
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Markus C Wahl
- Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Haike Antelmann
- Institute of Biology-Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Abstract
RNases perform indispensable functions in regulating gene expression in many bacterial pathogens by processing and/or degrading RNAs. Despite the pivotal role of RNases in regulating bacterial virulence factors, the functions of RNases have not yet been studied in the major human respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Here, we sought to determine the impact of two conserved RNases, the endoribonuclease RNase Y and exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), on the physiology and virulence of S. pneumoniae serotype 2 strain D39. We report that RNase Y and PNPase are essential for pneumococcal pathogenesis, as both deletion mutants showed strong attenuation of virulence in murine models of invasive pneumonia. Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis revealed that the abundances of nearly 200 mRNA transcripts were significantly increased, whereas those of several pneumococcal small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), including the Ccn (CiaR-controlled noncoding RNA) sRNAs, were altered in the Δrny mutant relative to the wild-type strain. Additionally, lack of RNase Y resulted in pleiotropic phenotypes that included defects in pneumococcal cell morphology and growth in vitro. In contrast, Δpnp mutants showed no growth defect in vitro but differentially expressed a total of 40 transcripts, including the tryptophan biosynthesis operon genes and numerous 5' cis-acting regulatory RNAs, a majority of which were previously shown to impact pneumococcal disease progression in mice using the serotype 4 strain TIGR4. Together, our data suggest that RNase Y exerts a global impact on pneumococcal physiology, while PNPase mediates virulence phenotypes, likely through sRNA regulation. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pneumoniae is a notorious human pathogen that adapts to conditions in distinct host tissues and responds to host cell interactions by adjusting gene expression. RNases are key players that modulate gene expression by mediating the turnover of regulatory and protein-coding transcripts. Here, we characterized two highly conserved RNases, RNase Y and PNPase, and evaluated their impact on the S. pneumoniae transcriptome for the first time. We show that PNPase influences the levels of a narrow set of mRNAs but a large number of regulatory RNAs primarily implicated in virulence control, whereas RNase Y has a more sweeping effect on gene expression, altering levels of transcripts involved in diverse cellular processes, including cell division, metabolism, stress response, and virulence. This study further reveals that RNase Y regulates expression of genes governing competence by mediating the turnover of CiaR-controlled noncoding (Ccn) sRNAs.
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5
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Nakamya MF, Ayoola MB, Shack LA, Swiatlo E, Nanduri B. The Effect of Impaired Polyamine Transport on Pneumococcal Transcriptome. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101322. [PMID: 34684271 PMCID: PMC8540371 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a commensal in the nasopharynx, still claim a significant number of lives worldwide. Genome plasticity, antibiotic resistance, and limited serotype coverage of the available polysaccharide-based conjugate vaccines confounds therapeutic interventions to limit the spread of this pathogen. Pathogenic mechanisms that allow successful adaption and persistence in the host could be potential innovative therapeutic targets. Polyamines are ubiquitous polycationic molecules that regulate many cellular processes. We previously reported that deletion of polyamine transport operon potABCD, which encodes a putrescine/spermidine transporter (ΔpotABCD), resulted in an unencapsulated attenuated phenotype. Here, we characterize the transcriptome, metabolome, and stress responses of polyamine transport-deficient S. pneumoniae. Compared with the wild-type strain, the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress responses and the nucleotide sugar metabolism was reduced, while expression of genes involved in the Leloir, tagatose, and pentose phosphate pathways was higher in ΔpotABCD. A metabolic shift towards the pentose phosphate pathway will limit the synthesis of precursors of capsule polysaccharides. Metabolomics results show reduced levels of glutathione and pyruvate in the mutant. Our results also show that the potABCD operon protects pneumococci against hydrogen peroxide and nitrosative stress. Our findings demonstrate the importance of polyamine transport in pneumococcal physiology that could impact in vivo fitness. Thus, polyamine transport in pneumococci represents a novel target for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F. Nakamya
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA; (M.F.N.); (M.B.A.); (L.A.S.)
| | - Moses B. Ayoola
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA; (M.F.N.); (M.B.A.); (L.A.S.)
| | - Leslie A. Shack
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA; (M.F.N.); (M.B.A.); (L.A.S.)
| | - Edwin Swiatlo
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Bindu Nanduri
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA; (M.F.N.); (M.B.A.); (L.A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-662-325-5859; Fax: +1-662-325-1031
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6
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Chen YY, Huang CT, Li SW, Pan YJ, Lin TL, Huang YY, Li TH, Yang YC, Gong YN, Hsieh YC. Bacterial factors required for Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection with influenza A virus. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:60. [PMID: 34452635 PMCID: PMC8395381 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of post-influenza secondary bacterial infection, which results in excessive morbidity and mortality. Although 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) vaccination programs have decreased the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia, PCV13 failed to prevent serotype 3 pneumococcal disease as effectively as other vaccine serotypes. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the co-pathogenesis of influenza virus and serotype 3 pneumococci. METHODS We carried out a genome-wide screening of a serotype 3 S. pneumoniae transposon insertion mutant library in a mouse model of coinfection with influenza A virus (IAV) to identify the bacterial factors required for this synergism. RESULTS Direct, high-throughput sequencing of transposon insertion sites identified 24 genes required for both coinfection and bacterial infection alone. Targeted deletion of the putative aminotransferase (PA) gene decreased bacterial growth, which was restored by supplementation with methionine. The bacterial burden in a coinfection with the PA gene deletion mutant and IAV in the lung was lower than that in a coinfection with wild-type pneumococcus and IAV, but was significantly higher than that in an infection with the PA gene deletion mutant alone. These data suggest that IAV infection alters host metabolism to benefit pneumococcal fitness and confer higher susceptibility to pneumococcal infection. We further demonstrated that bacterial growth was increased by supplementation with methionine or IAV-infected mouse lung homogenates. CONCLUSIONS The data indicates that modulation of host metabolism during IAV infection may serve as a potential therapeutic intervention against secondary bacterial infections caused by serotype 3 pneumococci during IAV outbreaks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Yin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Tai Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shiao-Wen Li
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jiun Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Lung Lin
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yu Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hsuan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Nong Gong
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chia Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
- Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City, 333, Taiwan.
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7
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Burcham LR, Hill RA, Caulkins RC, Emerson JP, Nanduri B, Rosch JW, Fitzkee NC, Thornton JA. Streptococcus pneumoniae metal homeostasis alters cellular metabolism. Metallomics 2021; 12:1416-1427. [PMID: 32676626 DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00118j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the human nasopharyngeal mucosa and is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media, and bacterial meningitis. Metal ion homeostasis is vital to the survival of this pathogen across diverse biological sites and contributes significantly to colonization and invasive disease. Microarray and qRT-PCR analysis revealed an upregulation of an uncharacterized operon (SP1433-1438) in pneumococci subjected to metal-chelation by N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN). Supplementation of zinc, cobalt, and nickel following TPEN treatment significantly abrogated induction. BLASTP comparisons and protein topology analysis predicted this locus to encode components of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters involved in multidrug resistance (SP1434-1435) and energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters (SP1436-1438). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis identified differences in intracellular metal content in a Δ1434-8 mutant strain compared to parental T4R. Further, analysis of the secreted metabolome of WT and Δ1434-8 strains identified significant changes in pneumococcal glycolytic and amino acid metabolic pathways, indicating a shift towards mixed acid fermentation. Additionally, proteomic analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins in the Δ1434-8 mutant strain, with nearly 20% regulated by the global catabolite repressor, CcpA. Based on these findings, we propose that the transporters encoded by SP1433-1438 are involved in regulating the central metabolism of S. pneumoniae and contributing to bacterial survival during metal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey R Burcham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA
| | - Rachel C Caulkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA.
| | - Joseph P Emerson
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA
| | - Bindu Nanduri
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA
| | - Jason W Rosch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Nicholas C Fitzkee
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA
| | - Justin A Thornton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS 39762, USA.
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8
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Surabhi S, Jachmann LH, Shumba P, Burchhardt G, Hammerschmidt S, Siemens N. Hydrogen Peroxide Is Crucial for NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated IL-1β Production and Cell Death in Pneumococcal Infections of Bronchial Epithelial Cells. J Innate Immun 2021; 14:192-206. [PMID: 34515145 PMCID: PMC9149442 DOI: 10.1159/000517855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells play a crucial role in detection of the pathogens as well as in initiation of the host immune response. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a typical colonizer of the human nasopharynx, which can disseminate to the lower respiratory tract and subsequently cause severe invasive diseases such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is produced by pneumococci as a product of the pyruvate oxidase SpxB. However, its role as a virulence determinant in pneumococcal infections of the lower respiratory tract is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of pneumococcal-derived H2O2 in initiating epithelial cell death by analyzing the interplay between 2 key cell death pathways, namely, apoptosis and pyroptosis. We demonstrate that H2O2 primes as well as activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and thereby mediates IL-1β production and release. Furthermore, we show that pneumococcal H2O2 causes cell death via the activation of both apoptotic as well as pyroptotic pathways which are mediated by the activation of caspase-3/7 and caspase-1, respectively. However, H2O2-mediated IL-1β release itself occurs mainly via apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Surabhi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lana H Jachmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Patience Shumba
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerhard Burchhardt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nikolai Siemens
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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9
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Hirschmann S, Gómez-Mejia A, Kohler TP, Voß F, Rohde M, Brendel M, Hammerschmidt S. The Two-Component System 09 of Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Important for Metabolic Fitness and Resistance during Dissemination in the Host. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071365. [PMID: 34201716 PMCID: PMC8306541 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The two-component regulatory system 09 of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been shown to modulate resistance against oxidative stress as well as capsule expression. These data and the implication of TCS09 in cell wall integrity have been shown for serotype 2 strain D39. Other data have suggested strain-specific regulatory effects of TCS09. Contradictory data are known on the impact of TCS09 on virulence, but all have been explored using only the rr09-mutant. In this study, we have therefore deleted one or both components of the TCS09 (SP_0661 and SP_0662) in serotype 4 S. pneumoniae TIGR4. In vitro growth assays in chemically defined medium (CDM) using sucrose or lactose as a carbon source indicated a delayed growth of nonencapsulated tcs09-mutants, while encapsulated wild-type TIGR4 and tcs09-mutants have reduced growth in CDM with glucose. Using a set of antigen-specific antibodies, immunoblot analysis showed that only the pilus 1 backbone protein RrgB is significantly reduced in TIGR4ΔcpsΔhk09. Electron microscopy, adherence and phagocytosis assays showed no impact of TCS09 on the TIGR4 cell morphology and interaction with host cells. In contrast, in vivo infections and in particular competitive co-infection experiments demonstrated that TCS09 enhances robustness during dissemination in the host by maintaining bacterial fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hirschmann
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Mejia
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Thomas P. Kohler
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Franziska Voß
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany;
| | - Max Brendel
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (T.P.K.); (F.V.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Sultan A, Jers C, Ganief TA, Shi L, Senissar M, Køhler JB, Macek B, Mijakovic I. Phosphoproteome Study of Escherichia coli Devoid of Ser/Thr Kinase YeaG During the Metabolic Shift From Glucose to Malate. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:657562. [PMID: 33889145 PMCID: PMC8055822 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.657562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding phosphorylation-mediated regulation of metabolic enzymes, pathways, and cell phenotypes under metabolic shifts represents a major challenge. The kinases associated with most phosphorylation sites and the link between phosphorylation and enzyme activity remain unknown. In this study, we performed stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteome and phosphoproteome analysis of Escherichia coli ΔyeaG, a strain lacking a poorly characterized serine/threonine kinase YeaG, to decipher kinase-substrate interactions and the effects on metabolic phenotype during shifts from glucose to malate. The starting point of our analysis was the identification of physiological conditions under which ΔyeaG exhibits a clear phenotype. By metabolic profiling, we discovered that ΔyeaG strain has a significantly shorter lag phase than the wild type during metabolic shift from glucose to malate. Under those conditions, our SILAC analysis revealed several proteins that were differentially phosphorylated in the ΔyeaG strain. By focusing on metabolic enzymes potentially involved in central carbon metabolism, we narrowed down our search for putative YeaG substrates and identified isocitrate lyase AceA as the direct substrate of YeaG. YeaG was capable of phosphorylating AceA in vitro only in the presence of malate, suggesting that this phosphorylation event is indeed relevant for glucose to malate shift. There is currently not enough evidence to firmly establish the exact mechanism of this newly observed regulatory phenomenon. However, our study clearly exemplifies the usefulness of SILAC-based approaches in identifying proteins kinase substrates, when applied in physiological conditions relevant for the activity of the protein kinase in question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abida Sultan
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Carsten Jers
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tariq A Ganief
- Quantitative Proteomics and Proteome Center Tübingen, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lei Shi
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Meriem Senissar
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Julie Bonne Køhler
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Boris Macek
- Quantitative Proteomics and Proteome Center Tübingen, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Mijakovic
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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11
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Hirschmann S, Gómez-Mejia A, Mäder U, Karsunke J, Driesch D, Rohde M, Häussler S, Burchhardt G, Hammerschmidt S. The Two-Component System 09 Regulates Pneumococcal Carbohydrate Metabolism and Capsule Expression. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030468. [PMID: 33668344 PMCID: PMC7996280 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) are important systems that perceive and respond to various host environmental stimuli. In this study, we have explored the role of TCS09 on gene expression and phenotypic alterations in S. pneumoniae D39. Our comparative transcriptomic analyses identified 67 differently expressed genes in total. Among those, agaR and the aga operon involved in galactose metabolism showed the highest changes. Intriguingly, the encapsulated and nonencapsulated hk09-mutants showed significant growth defects under nutrient-defined conditions, in particular with galactose as a carbon source. Phenotypic analyses revealed alterations in the morphology of the nonencapsulated hk09- and tcs09-mutants, whereas the encapsulated hk09- and tcs09-mutants produced higher amounts of capsule. Interestingly, the encapsulated D39∆hk09 showed only the opaque colony morphology, while the D39∆rr09- and D39∆tcs09-mutants had a higher proportion of transparent variants. The phenotypic variations of D39ΔcpsΔhk09 and D39ΔcpsΔtcs09 are in accordance with their higher numbers of outer membrane vesicles, higher sensitivity against Triton X-100 induced autolysis, and lower resistance against oxidative stress. In conclusion, these results indicate the importance of TCS09 for pneumococcal metabolic fitness and resistance against oxidative stress by regulating the carbohydrate metabolism and thereby, most likely indirectly, the cell wall integrity and amount of capsular polysaccharide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hirschmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (J.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Mejia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (J.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Ulrike Mäder
- Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Julia Karsunke
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (J.K.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany;
| | - Susanne Häussler
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany;
| | - Gerhard Burchhardt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (J.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); (A.G.-M.); (J.K.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Ness S, Hilleringmann M. Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 1 Pilus - A Multifunctional Tool for Optimized Host Interaction. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:615924. [PMID: 33633703 PMCID: PMC7899983 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.615924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae represents a major Gram-positive human pathogen causing bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and other invasive diseases. Several pneumococcal isolates show increasing resistance rates against antibacterial agents. A variety of virulence factors promote pneumococcal pathogenicity with varying importance in different stages of host infection. Virulence related hair-like structures ("pili") are complex, surface located protein arrays supporting proper host interaction. In the last two decades different types of pneumococcal pili have been identified: pilus-1 (P1) and pilus-2 (P2) are formed by the catalytic activity of sortases that covalently assemble secreted polypeptide pilin subunits in a defined order and finally anchor the resulting pilus in the peptidoglycan. Within the long pilus fiber the presence of intramolecular isopeptide bonds confer high stability to the sequentially arranged individual pilins. This mini review will focus on S. pneumoniae TIGR4 P1 molecular architecture, the subunits it builds and provides insights into P1 sortase-mediated assembly. The complex P1 architecture (anchor-/backbone-/tip-subunits) allows the specific interaction with various target structures facilitating different steps of colonization, invasion and spreading within the host. Optimized pilin subunit confirmation supports P1 function under physiological conditions. Finally, aspects of P1- host interplay are summarized, including recent insights into P1 mechanobiology, which have important implications for P1 mediated pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Hilleringmann
- FG Protein Biochemistry & Cellular Microbiology, Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany
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13
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Lower Density and Shorter Duration of Nasopharyngeal Carriage by Pneumococcal Serotype 1 (ST217) May Explain Its Increased Invasiveness over Other Serotypes. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.00814-20. [PMID: 33293378 PMCID: PMC7733939 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00814-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a frequent colonizer of the human nasopharynx and a major cause of life-threating invasive infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Over 1 million people die every year due to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), mainly in developing countries. Serotype 1 is a common cause of IPD; however, unlike other serotypes, it is rarely found in the carrier state in the nasopharynx, which is often considered a prerequisite for disease. The aim of this study was to understand this dichotomy. We used murine models of carriage and IPD to characterize the pathogenesis of African serotype 1 (sequence type 217) pneumococcal strains obtained from the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. We found that ST217 pneumococcal strains were highly virulent in a mouse model of invasive pneumonia, but in contrast to the generally accepted assumption, can also successfully establish nasopharyngeal carriage. Interestingly, we found that cocolonizing serotypes may proliferate in the presence of serotype 1, suggesting that acquisition of serotype 1 carriage could increase the risk of developing IPD by other serotypes. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed that key virulence genes associated with inflammation and tissue invasiveness were upregulated in serotype 1. These data reveal important new insights into serotype 1 pathogenesis, with implications for carriage potential and risk of invasive disease through interactions with other cocolonizing serotypes, an often-overlooked factor in transmission and disease progression.IMPORTANCE The pneumococcus causes serious diseases such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Serotype 1 accounts for the majority of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in sub-Saharan Africa but is rarely found during nasopharyngeal carriage. Understanding the mechanisms leading to nasopharyngeal carriage and invasive disease by this serotype can help reduce its burden on health care systems worldwide. In this study, we also uncovered the potential impact of serotype 1 on disease progression of other coinfecting serotypes, which can have important implications for vaccine efficacy. Understanding the interactions between different serotypes during nasopharyngeal carriage may lead to improved intervention methods and therapies to reduce pneumococcal invasive disease levels.
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14
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Abdullah MR, Batuecas MT, Jennert F, Voß F, Westhoff P, Kohler TP, Molina R, Hirschmann S, Lalk M, Hermoso JA, Hammerschmidt S. Crystal Structure and Pathophysiological Role of the Pneumococcal Nucleoside-binding Protein PnrA. J Mol Biol 2020; 433:166723. [PMID: 33242497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotides are important for RNA and DNA synthesis and, despite a de novo synthesis by bacteria, uptake systems are crucial. Streptococcus pneumoniae, a facultative human pathogen, produces a surface-exposed nucleoside-binding protein, PnrA, as part of an ABC transporter system. Here we demonstrate the binding affinity of PnrA to nucleosides adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine and uridine by microscale thermophoresis and indicate the consumption of adenosine and guanosine by 1H NMR spectroscopy. In a series of five crystal structures we revealed the PnrA structure and provide insights into how PnrA can bind purine and pyrimidine ribonucleosides but with preference for purine ribonucleosides. Crystal structures of PnrA:nucleoside complexes unveil a clear pattern of interactions in which both the N- and C- domains of PnrA contribute. The ribose moiety is strongly recognized through a conserved network of H-bond interactions, while plasticity in loop 27-36 is essential to bind purine- or pyrimidine-based nucleosides. Further, we deciphered the role of PnrA in pneumococcal fitness in infection experiments. Phagocytosis experiments did not show a clear difference in phagocytosis between PnrA-deficient and wild-type pneumococci. In the acute pneumonia infection model the deficiency of PnrA attenuated moderately virulence of the mutant, which is indicated by a delay in the development of severe lung infections. Importantly, we confirmed the loss of fitness in co-infections, where the wild-type out-competed the pnrA-mutant. In conclusion, we present the PnrA structure in complex with individual nucleosides and show that the consumption of adenosine and guanosine under infection conditions is required for virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Abdullah
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany; Present Address: Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Germany
| | - María T Batuecas
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical Chemistry "Rocasolano", CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Franziska Jennert
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany; Present Address: Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Voß
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Philipp Westhoff
- Cellular Metabolism/Metabolomics, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany; Present Address: Biochemie der Pflanzen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rafael Molina
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical Chemistry "Rocasolano", CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain; Present Address: Structural Molecular Biology Group, Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3-B, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Hirschmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Lalk
- Cellular Metabolism/Metabolomics, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Juan A Hermoso
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical Chemistry "Rocasolano", CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany.
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