1
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Huang J, Zhang Y, Sheng S, Zhang LH, Xu Z. Protocol for examining the T3SS-mediated cytotoxicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the A549 cell line. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103301. [PMID: 39244755 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103301] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes a type III secretion system (T3SS) to directly inject effector proteins into host cells, leading to severe acute infections. Here, we present a protocol for detecting the T3SS-mediated cytotoxicity of P. aeruginosa using the A549 cell line. We describe the steps for the preparation of the A549 cell line and P. aeruginosa strains, cell seeding, bacterial culture, infection, and cytotoxicity assay. Additionally, we provide detailed procedures for data analysis. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Huang et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research, Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yao Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research, Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuo Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of the Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research, Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zeling Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research, Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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2
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Guan M, Zhu D, Wei J, He Z, Xiong LT, Zeng Y, Song G, Deng X, Cui ZN. Design and Synthesis of Aryl Amide Derivatives Containing Thiazole as Type III Secretion System Inhibitors against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:17210-17218. [PMID: 39056370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02277] [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: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
To identify potent inhibitors of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in the foodborne pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we synthesized 35 thiazole-containing aryl amides by merging salicylic acid with various heterocycles through active splicing. Screening for exoS promoter activity led to the discovery of a highly effective T3SS inhibitor from these 35 compounds. Through subsequent experiments, it was confirmed that compound II-22 specifically targeted the T3SS of P. aeruginosa. Additionally, compound II-22 inhibited the secretion of the effector protein ExoS by modulating the CyaB-cAMP/Vfr-ExsA and ExsCED-ExsA regulatory pathways. Furthermore, compound II-22 suppressed the transcription of genes involved in the needle complex assembly, leading to reduced bacterial virulence. Further validation through inoculation tests using Galleria mellonella larvae demonstrated the strong in vivo efficacy of compound II-22. The study also revealed that compound II-22 enhanced the bactericidal activity of antibiotics, such as CIP (ciprofloxacin) and TOB (tobramycin). These results could help develop novel antimicrobial drugs to reduce bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Guan
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Di Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Junjie Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhe He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lan-Tu Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Gaopeng Song
- College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Zi-Ning Cui
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Miki T, Uemura T, Kinoshita M, Ami Y, Ito M, Okada N, Furuchi T, Kurihara S, Haneda T, Minamino T, Kim YG. Salmonella Typhimurium exploits host polyamines for assembly of the type 3 secretion machinery. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002731. [PMID: 39102375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens utilize the factors of their hosts to infect them, but which factors they exploit remain poorly defined. Here, we show that a pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) exploits host polyamines for the functional expression of virulence factors. An STm mutant strain lacking principal genes required for polyamine synthesis and transport exhibited impaired infectivity in mice. A polyamine uptake-impaired strain of STm was unable to inject effectors of the type 3 secretion system into host cells due to a failure of needle assembly. STm infection stimulated host polyamine production by increasing arginase expression. The decline in polyamine levels caused by difluoromethylornithine, which inhibits host polyamine production, attenuated STm colonization, whereas polyamine supplementation augmented STm pathogenesis. Our work reveals that host polyamines are a key factor promoting STm infection, and therefore a promising therapeutic target for bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Miki
- Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uemura
- Laboratory of Bio-analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Miki Kinoshita
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuta Ami
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ito
- Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Okada
- Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takemitsu Furuchi
- Laboratory of Bio-analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shin Kurihara
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Haneda
- Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Minamino
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yun-Gi Kim
- Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Jiang G, Wang C, Wang Y, Wang J, Xue Y, Lin Y, Hu X, Lv Y. Exogenous putrescine plays a switch-like influence on the pH stress adaptability of biofilm-based activated sludge. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0056924. [PMID: 38916292 PMCID: PMC11267902 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00569-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial community adaptability to pH stress plays a crucial role in biofilm formation. This study aims to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of exogenous putrescine on pH stress, as well as enhance understanding and application for the technical measures and molecular mechanisms of biofilm regulation. Findings demonstrated that exogenous putrescine acted as a switch-like distributor affecting microorganism pH stress, thus promoting biofilm formation under acid conditions while inhibiting it under alkaline conditions. As pH decreases, the protonation degree of putrescine increases, making putrescine more readily adsorbed. Protonated exogenous putrescine could increase cell membrane permeability, facilitating its entry into the cell. Subsequently, putrescine consumed intracellular H+ by enhancing the glutamate-based acid resistance strategy and the γ-aminobutyric acid metabolic pathway to reduce acid stress on cells. Furthermore, putrescine stimulated ATPase expression, allowing for better utilization of energy in H+ transmembrane transport and enhancing oxidative phosphorylation activity. However, putrescine protonation was limited under alkaline conditions, and the intracellular H+ consumption further exacerbated alkali stress and inhibits cellular metabolic activity. Exogenous putrescine promoted the proportion of fungi and acidophilic bacteria under acidic stress and alkaliphilic bacteria under alkali stress while having a limited impact on fungi in alkaline biofilms. Increasing Bdellovibrio under alkali conditions with putrescine further aggravated the biofilm decomposition. This research shed light on the unclear relationship between exogenous putrescine, environmental pH, and pH stress adaptability of biofilm. By judiciously employing putrescine, biofilm formation could be controlled to meet the needs of engineering applications with different characteristics.IMPORTANCEThe objective of this study is to unravel the regulatory mechanism by which exogenous putrescine influences biofilm pH stress adaptability and understand the role of environmental pH in this intricate process. Our findings revealed that exogenous putrescine functioned as a switch-like distributor affecting the pH stress adaptability of biofilm-based activated sludge, which promoted energy utilization for growth and reproduction processes under acidic conditions while limiting biofilm development to conserve energy under alkaline conditions. This study not only clarified the previously ambiguous relationship between exogenous putrescine, environmental pH, and biofilm pH stress adaptability but also offered fresh insights into enhancing biofilm stability within extreme environments. Through the modulation of energy utilization, exerting control over biofilm growth and achieving more effective engineering goals could be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyu Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Can Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongchao Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiayi Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Yimei Xue
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuting Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Xurui Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
| | - Yahui Lv
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, China
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5
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Huang J, Xu Z, Zhou T, Zhang LH, Xu Z. Suppression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system by a novel calcium-responsive signaling pathway. iScience 2024; 27:109690. [PMID: 38660402 PMCID: PMC11039405 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109690] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Expression of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is exquisitely controlled by diverse environmental or host-related signals such as calcium (Ca2+), however, the signal transduction pathways remain largely elusive. In this study, we reported that FleR, the response regulator of the two-component system FleS/FleR, inhibits T3SS gene expression and virulence of P. aeruginosa uncoupled from its cognate histidine kinase FleS. Interestingly, FleR was found to repress T3SS gene expression under Ca2+-rich conditions independently of its DNA-binding domain. FleR activates the elevation of intracellular c-di-GMP contents and FleQ serves as the c-di-GMP effector to repress T3SS gene expression through the Gac/Rsm pathway. Remarkably, we found that AmrZ, a member of the FleR regulon, inhibits T3SS gene expression by directly targeting the promoter of exsCEBA in an expression level-dependent manner. This study revealed an intricate regulatory network that connects P. aeruginosa T3SS gene expression to the Ca2+ signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zirui Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeling Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Neve RL, Giedraitis E, Akbari MS, Cohen S, Phelan VV. Secondary metabolite profiling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates reveals rare genomic traits. mSystems 2024; 9:e0033924. [PMID: 38619244 PMCID: PMC11097636 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00339-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen with remarkable phylogenetic and phenotypic variabilities. In this work, we applied classical molecular networking analysis to secondary metabolite profiling data from seven Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, including five clinical isolates from the lung secretions of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). We provide three vignettes illustrating how secondary metabolite profiling aids in the identification of rare genomics traits in P. aeruginosa. First, we describe the identification of a previously unreported class of acyl putrescines produced by isolate mFLRO1. Secondary analysis of publicly available metabolomics data revealed that acyl putrescines are produced by <5% of P. aeruginosa strains. Second, we show that isolate SH3A does not produce di-rhamnolipids. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics revealed that SH3A cannot produce di-rhamnolipids because its genome belongs to clade 5 of the P. aeruginosa phylogenetic tree. Previous phylogenetic analysis of thousands of P. aeruginosa strains concluded that <1% of publicly available genome sequences contribute to this clade. Last, we show that isolate SH1B does not produce the phenazine pyocyanin or rhamnolipids because it has a one-base insertion frameshift mutation (678insC) in the gene rhlR, which disrupts rhl-driven quorum sensing. Secondary analysis of the tens of thousands of publicly available genomes in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the Pseudomonas Genome Database revealed that this mutation was present in only four P. aeruginosa genomes. Taken together, this study highlights that secondary metabolite profiling combined with genomic analysis can identify rare genetic traits of P. aeruginosa isolates.IMPORTANCESecondary metabolite profiling of five Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis sputum captured three traits present in <1%-5% of publicly available data, pointing to how our current library of P. aeruginosa strains may not represent the diversity within this species or the genetic variance that occurs in the CF lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Neve
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Emily Giedraitis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Madeline S. Akbari
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Shirli Cohen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Vanessa V. Phelan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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7
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Li B, Liang J, Baniasadi HR, Kurihara S, Phillips MA, Michael AJ. Functional identification of bacterial spermine, thermospermine, norspermine, norspermidine, spermidine, and N 1-aminopropylagmatine synthases. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107281. [PMID: 38588807 PMCID: PMC11107197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107281] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermine synthase is an aminopropyltransferase that adds an aminopropyl group to the essential polyamine spermidine to form tetraamine spermine, needed for normal human neural development, plant salt and drought resistance, and yeast CoA biosynthesis. We functionally identify for the first time bacterial spermine synthases, derived from phyla Bacillota, Rhodothermota, Thermodesulfobacteriota, Nitrospirota, Deinococcota, and Pseudomonadota. We also identify bacterial aminopropyltransferases that synthesize the spermine same mass isomer thermospermine, from phyla Cyanobacteriota, Thermodesulfobacteriota, Nitrospirota, Dictyoglomota, Armatimonadota, and Pseudomonadota, including the human opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most of these bacterial synthases were capable of synthesizing spermine or thermospermine from the diamine putrescine and so possess also spermidine synthase activity. We found that most thermospermine synthases could synthesize tetraamine norspermine from triamine norspermidine, that is, they are potential norspermine synthases. This finding could explain the enigmatic source of norspermine in bacteria. Some of the thermospermine synthases could synthesize norspermidine from diamine 1,3-diaminopropane, demonstrating that they are potential norspermidine synthases. Of 18 bacterial spermidine synthases identified, 17 were able to aminopropylate agmatine to form N1-aminopropylagmatine, including the spermidine synthase of Bacillus subtilis, a species known to be devoid of putrescine. This suggests that the N1-aminopropylagmatine pathway for spermidine biosynthesis, which bypasses putrescine, may be far more widespread than realized and may be the default pathway for spermidine biosynthesis in species encoding L-arginine decarboxylase for agmatine production. Some thermospermine synthases were able to aminopropylate N1-aminopropylagmatine to form N12-guanidinothermospermine. Our study reveals an unsuspected diversification of bacterial polyamine biosynthesis and suggests a more prominent role for agmatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Li
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jue Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hamid R Baniasadi
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shin Kurihara
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Margaret A Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony J Michael
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
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Vergoz D, Le H, Bernay B, Schaumann A, Barreau M, Nilly F, Desriac F, Tahrioui A, Giard JC, Lesouhaitier O, Chevalier S, Brunel JM, Muller C, Dé E. Antibiofilm and Antivirulence Properties of 6-Polyaminosteroid Derivatives against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 13:8. [PMID: 38275318 PMCID: PMC10812528 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010008] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens is a major public health problem, leading us to rethink and innovate our bacterial control strategies. Here, we explore the antibiofilm and antivirulence activities of nineteen 6-polyaminosterol derivatives (squalamine-based), presenting a modulation of their polyamine side chain on four major pathogens, i.e., carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) and P. aeruginosa (CRPA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VRE) strains. We screened the effect of these derivatives on biofilm formation and eradication. Derivatives 4e (for CRAB, VRE, and MRSA) and 4f (for all the strains) were the most potent ones and displayed activities as good as those of conventional antibiotics. We also identified 11 compounds able to decrease by more than 40% the production of pyocyanin, a major virulence factor of P. aeruginosa. We demonstrated that 4f treatment acts against bacterial infections in Galleria mellonella and significantly prolonged larvae survival (from 50% to 80%) after 24 h of CRAB, VRE, and MRSA infections. As shown by proteomic studies, 4f triggered distinct cellular responses depending on the bacterial species but essentially linked to cell envelope. Its interesting antibiofilm and antivirulence properties make it a promising a candidate for use in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Vergoz
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France; (D.V.); (H.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Hung Le
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France; (D.V.); (H.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Benoit Bernay
- Univ Caen Normandie, Proteogen Platform, US EMERODE, F-14000 Caen, France;
| | - Annick Schaumann
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France; (D.V.); (H.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Magalie Barreau
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Flore Nilly
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Florie Desriac
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Ali Tahrioui
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Olivier Lesouhaitier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Sylvie Chevalier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Cécile Muller
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-Infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, F-76000 Rouen, France; (M.B.); (F.N.); (F.D.); (A.T.); (O.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Emmanuelle Dé
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France; (D.V.); (H.L.); (A.S.)
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9
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Xie C, Gu W, Chen Z, Liang Z, Huang S, Zhang LH, Chen S. Polyamine signaling communications play a key role in regulating the pathogenicity of Dickeya fangzhongdai. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0196523. [PMID: 37874149 PMCID: PMC10715095 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01965-23] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Dickeya fangzhongdai is a newly identified plant bacterial pathogen with a wide host range. A clear understanding of the cell-to-cell communication systems that modulate the bacterial virulence is of key importance for elucidating its pathogenic mechanisms and for disease control. In this study, we present evidence that putrescine molecules from the pathogen and host plants play an essential role in regulating the bacterial virulence. The significance of this study is in (i) demonstrating that putrescine signaling system regulates D. fangzhongdai virulence mainly through modulating the bacterial motility and production of PCWD enzymes, (ii) outlining the signaling and regulatory mechanisms with which putrescine signaling system modulates the above virulence traits, and (iii) validating that D. fangzhongdai could use both arginine and ornithine pathways to synthesize putrescine signals. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that putrescine signaling system plays a key role in modulating the pathogenicity of D. fangzhongdai.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weihan Gu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongqiao Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhibin Liang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shufen Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
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Dlakić M. Discovering unknown associations between prokaryotic receptors and their ligands. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2316830120. [PMID: 37910533 PMCID: PMC10655580 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316830120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mensur Dlakić
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT59717
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Zhou J, Ma H, Zhang L. Mechanisms of Virulence Reprogramming in Bacterial Pathogens. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:561-581. [PMID: 37406345 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032521-025954] [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] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that carry a comparatively small set of genetic information, typically consisting of a few thousand genes that can be selectively activated or repressed in an energy-efficient manner and transcribed to encode various biological functions in accordance with environmental changes. Research over the last few decades has uncovered various ingenious molecular mechanisms that allow bacterial pathogens to sense and respond to different environmental cues or signals to activate or suppress the expression of specific genes in order to suppress host defenses and establish infections. In the setting of infection, pathogenic bacteria have evolved various intelligent mechanisms to reprogram their virulence to adapt to environmental changes and maintain a dominant advantage over host and microbial competitors in new niches. This review summarizes the bacterial virulence programming mechanisms that enable pathogens to switch from acute to chronic infection, from local to systemic infection, and from infection to colonization. It also discusses the implications of these findings for the development of new strategies to combat bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianuan Zhou
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China;
| | - Hongmei Ma
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China;
| | - Lianhui Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China;
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Long X, Wang X, Mao D, Wu W, Luo Y. A Novel XRE-Type Regulator Mediates Phage Lytic Development and Multiple Host Metabolic Processes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0351122. [PMID: 36445133 PMCID: PMC9769523 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03511-22] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, the leading cause of acute and chronic infections in immunocompromised patients, frequently with high morbidity and mortality rates. The xenobiotic response element (XRE) family proteins are the second most common transcriptional regulators (TRs) in P. aeruginosa. However, only a few XRE-like TRs have been reported to regulate multiple bacterial cellular processes, encompassing virulence, metabolism, antibiotic synthesis or resistance, stress responses, and phage infection, etc. Our understanding of what roles these XRE-like small regulatory proteins play in P. aeruginosa remains limited. Here, we aimed to decipher the role of a putative XRE-type transcriptional regulator (designated LfsT) from a prophage region on the chromosome of a clinical P. aeruginosa isolate, P8W. Southern blot and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays demonstrated that LfsT controlled host sensitivity to the phage PP9W2 and was essential for efficient phage replication. In addition, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and transcriptional lacZ fusion analyses indicated that LfsT repressed the lysogenic development and promoted the lytic cycle of phage PP9W2 by binding to the promoter regions of the gp71 gene (encoding a CI-like repressor) and several vital phage genes. Combined with RNA-seq and a series of phenotypic validation tests, our results showed that LfsT bound to the flexible palindromic sites within the promoters upstream of several genes in the bacterial genome, regulating fatty acid (FA) metabolism, spermidine (SPD) transport, as well as the type III secretion system (T3SS). Overall, this study reveals novel regulatory roles of LfsT in P. aeruginosa, improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind bacterium-phage interactions. IMPORTANCE This work elucidates the novel roles of a putative XRE family TR, LfsT, in the intricate regulatory systems of P. aeruginosa. We found that LfsT bound directly to the core promoter regions upstream of the start codons of numerous genes involved in various processes, including phage infection, FA metabolism, SPD transport, and the T3SS, regulating as the repressor or activator. The identified partial palindromic motif NAACN(5,8)GTTN recognized by LfsT suggests extensive effects of LfsT on gene expression by maintaining preferential binding to nucleotide sites under evolutionary pressure. In summary, these findings indicate that LfsT enhances metabolic activity in P. aeruginosa, while it reduces host resistance to the phage. This study helps us better understand the coevolution of bacteria and phages (e.g., survival comes at a cost) and provides clues for designing novel antimicrobials against P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Long
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Daqing Mao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Luo
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Lin Q, Huang J, Liu Z, Chen Q, Wang X, Yu G, Cheng P, Zhang LH, Xu Z. tRNA modification enzyme MiaB connects environmental cues to activation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011027. [PMID: 36469533 PMCID: PMC9754610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major inhabitant of numerous environmental reservoirs, is a momentous opportunistic human pathogen associated with severe infections even death in the patients suffering from immune deficiencies or metabolic diseases. Type III secretion system (T3SS) employed by P. aeruginosa to inject effector proteins into host cells is one of the pivotal virulence factors pertaining to acute infections caused by this pathogen. Previous studies showed that P. aeruginosa T3SS is regulated by various environmental cues such as calcium concentration and the host signal spermidine. However, how T3SS is regulated and expressed particularly under the ever-changing environmental conditions remains largely elusive. In this study, we reported that a tRNA modification enzyme PA3980, designated as MiaB, positively regulated T3SS gene expression in P. aeruginosa and was essential for the induced cytotoxicity of human lung epithelial cells. Further genetic assays revealed that MiaB promoted T3SS gene expression by repressing the LadS-Gac/Rsm signaling pathway and through the T3SS master regulator ExsA. Interestingly, ladS, gacA, rsmY and rsmZ in the LadS-Gac/Rsm signaling pathway seemed potential targets under the independent regulation of MiaB. Moreover, expression of MiaB was found to be induced by the cAMP-dependent global regulator Vfr as well as the spermidine transporter-dependent signaling pathway and thereafter functioned to mediate their regulation on the T3SS gene expression. Together, these results revealed a novel regulatory mechanism for MiaB, with which it integrates different environmental cues to modulate T3SS gene expression in this important bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Food Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhao Qing University, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Jiahui Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqing Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qunyi Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinbo Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Yu
- Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Cheng
- Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (L-HZ); (ZX)
| | - Zeling Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (L-HZ); (ZX)
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