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Corbella M, Bravo J, Demkiv AO, Calixto AR, Sompiyachoke K, Bergonzi C, Brownless ALR, Elias MH, Kamerlin SCL. Catalytic Redundancies and Conformational Plasticity Drives Selectivity and Promiscuity in Quorum Quenching Lactonases. JACS AU 2024; 4:3519-3536. [PMID: 39328773 PMCID: PMC11423328 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Several enzymes from the metallo-β-lactamase-like family of lactonases (MLLs) degrade N-acyl L-homoserine lactones (AHLs). They play a role in a microbial communication system known as quorum sensing, which contributes to pathogenicity and biofilm formation. Designing quorum quenching (QQ) enzymes that can interfere with this communication allows them to be used in a range of industrial and biomedical applications. However, tailoring these enzymes for specific communication signals requires a thorough understanding of their mechanisms and the physicochemical properties that determine their substrate specificities. We present here a detailed biochemical, computational, and structural study of GcL, which is a highly proficient and thermostable MLL with broad substrate specificity. We show that GcL not only accepts a broad range of substrates but also hydrolyzes these substrates through at least two different mechanisms. Further, the preferred mechanism appears to depend on both the substrate structure and/or the nature of the residues lining the active site. We demonstrate that other lactonases, such as AiiA and AaL, show similar mechanistic promiscuity, suggesting that this is a shared feature among MLLs. Mechanistic promiscuity has been seen previously in the lactonase/paraoxonase PON1, as well as with protein tyrosine phosphatases that operate via a dual general acid mechanism. The apparent prevalence of this phenomenon is significant from both a biochemical and protein engineering perspective: in addition to optimizing for specific substrates, it may be possible to optimize for specific mechanisms, opening new doors not just for the design of novel quorum quenching enzymes but also of other mechanistically promiscuous enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Corbella
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica (Seeió de Química
Orgànica) & Institut de Química Teòrica i
Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Martíi Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department
of Chemistry − BMC, Uppsala University, BMC Box 576, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joe Bravo
- BioTechnology
Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Andrey O. Demkiv
- Department
of Chemistry − BMC, Uppsala University, BMC Box 576, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ana Rita Calixto
- Department
of Chemistry − BMC, Uppsala University, BMC Box 576, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- LAQV,
REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade
de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Kitty Sompiyachoke
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint
Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Celine Bergonzi
- BioTechnology
Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Alfie-Louise R. Brownless
- School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Mikael H. Elias
- BioTechnology
Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint
Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Shina Caroline Lynn Kamerlin
- Department
of Chemistry − BMC, Uppsala University, BMC Box 576, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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2
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Corbella M, Bravo J, Demkiv AO, Calixto AR, Sompiyachoke K, Bergonzi C, Elias MH, Kamerlin SCL. Catalytic Redundancies and Conformational Plasticity Drives Selectivity and Promiscuity in Quorum Quenching Lactonases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592096. [PMID: 38746346 PMCID: PMC11092605 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Several enzymes from the metallo-β-lactamase-like family of lactonases (MLLs) degrade N- acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHLs). In doing so, they play a role in a microbial communication system, quorum sensing, which contributes to pathogenicity and biofilm formation. There is currently great interest in designing quorum quenching ( QQ ) enzymes that can interfere with this communication and be used in a range of industrial and biomedical applications. However, tailoring these enzymes for specific targets requires a thorough understanding of their mechanisms and the physicochemical properties that determine their substrate specificities. We present here a detailed biochemical, computational, and structural study of the MLL GcL, which is highly proficient, thermostable, and has broad substrate specificity. Strikingly, we show that GcL does not only accept a broad range of substrates but is also capable of utilizing different reaction mechanisms that are differentially used in function of the substrate structure or the remodeling of the active site via mutations. Comparison of GcL to other lactonases such as AiiA and AaL demonstrates similar mechanistic promiscuity, suggesting this is a shared feature across lactonases in this enzyme family. Mechanistic promiscuity has previously been observed in the lactonase/paraoxonase PON1, as well as with protein tyrosine phosphatases that operate via a dual general-acid mechanism. The apparent prevalence of this phenomenon is significant from both a biochemical and an engineering perspective: in addition to optimizing for specific substrates, it is possible to optimize for specific mechanisms, opening new doors not just for the design of novel quorum quenching enzymes, but also of other mechanistically promiscuous enzymes.
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3
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Yang Z, Huang Z, Wu Q, Tang X, Huang Z. Cold-Adapted Proteases: An Efficient and Energy-Saving Biocatalyst. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108532. [PMID: 37239878 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The modern biotechnology industry has a demand for macromolecules that can function in extreme environments. One example is cold-adapted proteases, possessing advantages such as maintaining high catalytic efficiency at low temperature and low energy input during production and inactivation. Meanwhile, cold-adapted proteases are characterised by sustainability, environmental protection, and energy conservation; therefore, they hold significant economic and ecological value regarding resource utilisation and the global biogeochemical cycle. Recently, the development and application of cold-adapted proteases have gained gaining increasing attention; however, their applications potential has not yet been fully developed, which has seriously restricted the promotion and application of cold-adapted proteases in the industry. This article introduces the source, related enzymology characteristics, cold resistance mechanism, and the structure-function relationship of cold-adapted proteases in detail. This is in addition to discussing related biotechnologies to improve stability, emphasise application potential in clinical medical research, and the constraints of the further developing of cold-adapted proteases. This article provides a reference for future research and the development of cold-adapted proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan for Biomass Energy and Biotechnology of Environment, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Zhendi Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Qian Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
- Key Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Xianghua Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
- Key Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Zunxi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan for Biomass Energy and Biotechnology of Environment, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
- Key Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650000, China
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Rehman ZU, Momin AA, Aldehaiman A, Irum T, Grünberg R, Arold ST. The exceptionally efficient quorum quenching enzyme LrsL suppresses Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm production. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:977673. [PMID: 36071959 PMCID: PMC9441902 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.977673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum quenching (QQ) is the enzymatic degradation of molecules used by bacteria for synchronizing their behavior within communities. QQ has attracted wide attention due to its potential to inhibit biofilm formation and suppress the production of virulence factors. Through its capacity to limit biofouling and infections, QQ has applications in water treatment, aquaculture, and healthcare. Several different QQ enzymes have been described; however, they often lack the high stability and catalytic efficiency required for industrial applications. Previously, we identified genes from genome sequences of Red Sea sediment bacteria encoding potential QQ enzymes. In this study, we report that one of them, named LrsL, is a metallo-β-lactamase superfamily QQ enzyme with outstanding catalytic features. X-ray crystallography shows that LrsL is a zinc-binding dimer. LrsL has an unusually hydrophobic substrate binding pocket that can accommodate a broad range of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) with exceptionally high affinity. In vitro, LrsL achieves the highest catalytic efficiency reported thus far for any QQ enzyme with a Kcat/KM of 3 × 107. LrsL effectively inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation without affecting bacterial growth. Furthermore, LrsL suppressed the production of exopolysaccharides required for biofilm production. These features, and its capacity to regain its function after prolonged heat denaturation, identify LrsL as a robust and unusually efficient QQ enzyme for clinical and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ur Rehman
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Environmental Science Program, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Zahid Ur Rehman, ; Stefan T. Arold,
| | - Afaque A. Momin
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Aldehaiman
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tayyaba Irum
- Services Hospital, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Raik Grünberg
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefan T. Arold
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: Zahid Ur Rehman, ; Stefan T. Arold,
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Hosny RA, Fadel MA. Detection of Quorum Sensing N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Molecules Produced by Different Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates Recovered from Poultry and Different Environmental Niches. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 193:3351-3370. [PMID: 34196919 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03605-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to detect and identify the N-acyl-homoserine lactones molecules (AHLs) produced by different resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates recovered from poultry and environmental samples using a modified validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. A total of 56 K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered, investigated for their antibiotic susceptibility, and screened for AHLs production using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 biosensor system and a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. The results revealed the detection of different short- and long-chain AHLs molecules among 39 K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from poultry and environmental samples. All environmental isolates produced nine peaks with retention times for C4-HSL, C6-HSL, C12-HSL, C8-HSL, C14-HSL, C8-oxo-HSL, C10-HSL, C6-oxo-HSL, and C7-HSL. The most quantifiable AHL signal molecules in poultry isolates were C4-HSL, C6-HSL, and C12-HSL. No statistical correlation between the AHL-producing ability of K. pneumoniae isolates and antibiotic resistance was reported. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed report on the detection and identification of AHLs in K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from poultry and environmental samples. Furthermore, it provides a new insight available tool other than LC-MS/MS for detection and identification of AHL molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reham A Hosny
- Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Mai A Fadel
- Pharmacology and Pyrogen Unit, Department of Chemistry, Toxicology and Feed Deficiency, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt
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Lazar V, Holban AM, Curutiu C, Chifiriuc MC. Modulation of Quorum Sensing and Biofilms in Less Investigated Gram-Negative ESKAPE Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:676510. [PMID: 34394026 PMCID: PMC8359898 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.676510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria have the ability to sense their versatile environment and adapt by behavioral changes both to the external reservoirs and the infected host, which, in response to microbial colonization, mobilizes equally sophisticated anti-infectious strategies. One of the most important adaptive processes is the ability of pathogenic bacteria to turn from the free, floating, or planktonic state to the adherent one and to develop biofilms on alive and inert substrata; this social lifestyle, based on very complex communication networks, namely, the quorum sensing (QS) and response system, confers them an increased phenotypic or behavioral resistance to different stress factors, including host defense mechanisms and antibiotics. As a consequence, biofilm infections can be difficult to diagnose and treat, requiring complex multidrug therapeutic regimens, which often fail to resolve the infection. One of the most promising avenues for discovering novel and efficient antibiofilm strategies is targeting individual cells and their QS mechanisms. A huge amount of data related to the inhibition of QS and biofilm formation in pathogenic bacteria have been obtained using the well-established gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa models. The purpose of this paper was to revise the progress on the development of antibiofilm and anti-QS strategies in the less investigated gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacter sp. and identify promising leads for the therapeutic management of these clinically significant and highly resistant opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Lazar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Maria Holban
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Curutiu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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Sakr MM, Elkhatib WF, Aboshanab KM, Mantawy EM, Yassien MA, Hassouna NA. In vivo evaluation of a recombinant N-acylhomoserine lactonase formulated in a hydrogel using a murine model infected with MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate, CCASUP2. AMB Express 2021; 11:109. [PMID: 34313869 PMCID: PMC8316526 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-021-01269-7] [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: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Failure in the treatment of P. aeruginosa, due to its broad spectrum of resistance, has been associated with increased patient mortality. One alternative approach for infection control is quorum quenching which was found to decrease virulence of such pathogen. In this study, the efficiency of a recombinant Ahl-1 lactonase formulated as a hydrogel was investigated to control the infection of multidrug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa infected burn using a murine model. The recombinant N-acylhomoserine lactonase (Ahl-1) was formulated as a hydrogel. To test its ability to control the infection of MDR P. aeruginosa, a thermal injury model was used. Survival rate, and systemic spread of the infection were evaluated. Histopathological examination of the animal dorsal skin was also done for monitoring the healing and cellular changes at the site of infection. Survival rate in the treated group was 100% relative to 40% in the control group. A decrease of up to 3 logs of bacterial count in the blood samples of the treated animals relative to the control group and a decrease of up to 4 logs and 2.3 logs of bacteria in lung and liver samples, respectively were observed. Histopathological examination revealed more enhanced healing process in the treated group. Accordingly, by promoting healing of infected MDR P. aeruginosa burn and by reducing systemic spread of the infection as well as decreasing mortality rate, Ahl-1 hydrogel application is a promising strategy that can be used to combat and control P. aeruginosa burn infections.
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Zhou G, Pan Q, Hu Z, Qiu J, Yu Z. Heterologous Expression and Characterization of Flavinadenine Dinucleotide Synthetase from Candida famata for Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide Production. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:229-239. [PMID: 32640951 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200708151327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is a redox-active coenzyme that regulates several important enzymatic reactions during metabolism. FAD is used in the medicinal and food industries and FAD supplements have been used to treat some inheritable diseases. FAD can be biosynthesized from flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), catalyzed by FAD synthetase (FADS). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to heterologously express the gene encoding FADS from the flavinogenic yeast Candida famata (FADSCf) for biosynthesis of FAD. METHODS The sequence encoding FADSCf was retrieved and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The structure and enzymatic properties of recombinant FADSCf were characterized. RESULTS FADSCf (279 amino acids) was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), with a theoretical molecular weight of 32299.79 Da and an isoelectric point of 6.09. Secondary structural analysis showed that the number of α-helices was 2-fold higher than the number of β-sheets, indicating that the protein was highly hydrophilic. Under fixed ATP concentration, FADSCf had a Km of 0.04737±0.03158 mM and a Vmax of 3.271±0.79 μM/min/mg. Under fixed FMN concentration, FADSCf had a Km of 0.1214±0.07464 mM and a Vmax of 2.6695±0.3715 μM/min/mg. Enzymatic reactions in vitro showed that expressed FADSCf could form 80 mM of FAD per mg of enzyme after 21 hours under the following conditions: 0.5 mM FMN, 5 mM ATP and 10 mM Mg2+. CONCLUSION Under optimized conditions (0.5 mM FMN, 5 mM ATP and 10 mM Mg2+), the production of FAD reached 80 mM per mg of FADSCf after a 21-hour reaction. Our results indicate that purified recombinant FADSCf can be used for the biosynthesis of FAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou-310014, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Pan
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou-310014, China
| | - Zeyu Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou-310014, China
| | - Juanping Qiu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou-310014, China
| | - Zhiliang Yu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou-310014, China
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AhaP, A Quorum Quenching Acylase from Psychrobacter sp. M9-54-1 That Attenuates Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio coralliilyticus Virulence. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19010016. [PMID: 33401388 PMCID: PMC7823738 DOI: 10.3390/md19010016] [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: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Psychrobacter strain M9-54-1 had been previously isolated from the microbiota of holothurians and shown to degrade quorum sensing (QS) signal molecules C6 and C10-homoserine lactone (HSL), little was known about the gene responsible for this activity. In this study, we determined the whole genome sequence of this strain and found that the full 16S rRNA sequence shares 99.78-99.66% identity with Psychrobacter pulmonis CECT 5989T and P. faecalis ISO-46T. M9-54-1, evaluated using the agar well diffusion assay method, showed high quorum quenching (QQ) activity against a wide range of synthetic N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHLs) at 4, 15, and 28 °C. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry (HPLC-MS) confirmed that QQ activity was due to an AHL-acylase. The gene encoding for QQ activity in strain M9-54-1 was identified from its genome sequence whose gene product was named AhaP. Purified AhaP degraded substituted and unsubstituted AHLs from C4- to C14-HSL. Furthermore, heterologous expression of ahaP in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 reduced the expression of the QS-controlled gene lecA, encoding for a cytotoxic galactophilic lectin and swarming motility protein. Strain M9-54-1 also reduced brine shrimp mortality caused by Vibrio coralliilyticus VibC-Oc-193, showing potential as a biocontrol agent in aquaculture.
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Abstract
Cold-active enzymes increase their catalytic efficiency at low-temperature, introducing structural flexibility at or near the active sites. Inevitably, this feat seems to be accompanied by lower thermal stability. These characteristics have made cold-active enzymes into attractive targets for the industrial applications, since they could reduce the energy cost in the reaction, attenuate side-reactions, and simply be inactivated. In addition, the increased structural flexibility could result in broad substrate specificity for various non-native substrates, which is called substrate promiscuity. In this perspective, we deal with a less addressed aspect of cold-active enzymes, substrate promiscuity, which has enormous potential for semi-synthesis or enzymatic modification of fine chemicals and drugs. Further structural and directed-evolutional studies on substrate promiscuity of cold-active enzymes will provide a new workhorse in white biotechnology.
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Dong W, Cai Y, Xu Z, Fu B, Chen Q, Cui Y, Ruan Z, Liang Y, Peng N, Zhao S. Heterologous expression of AHL lactonase AiiK by Lactobacillus casei MCJΔ1 with great quorum quenching ability against Aeromonas hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:191. [PMID: 33028330 PMCID: PMC7542731 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01448-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nowadays, microbial infections have caused increasing economic losses in aquaculture industry and deteriorated worldwide environments. Many of these infections are caused by opportunistic pathogens through cell-density mediated quorum sensing (QS). The disruption of QS, known as quorum quenching (QQ), is an effective and promising way to prevent and control pathogens, driving it be the potential bio-control agents. In our previous studies, AHL lactonase AiiK was identified with many characteristics, and constitutive expression vector pELX1 was constructed to express heterologous proteins in Lactobacillus casei MCJΔ1 (L. casei MCJΔ1). In this study, recombinant strain pELCW-aiiK/L. casei MCJΔ1 (LcAiiK) and wild-type Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) were co-cultured to test the QQ ability of LcAiiK against A. hydrophila. Results A cell wall-associated expression vector pELCW for L. casei MCJΔ1 was constructed. Localization assays revealed that the expressed AiiK was anchored at the surface layer of LcAiiK via vector pELCW-aiiK. LcAiiK (OD600 = 0.5) degraded 24.13 μM of C6-HSL at 2 h, 40.99 μM of C6-HSL at 12 h, and 46.63 μM of C6-HSL at 24 h. Over 50% LcAiiK cells maintained the pELCW-aiiK plasmid after 15 generations of cultivation without erythromycin. Furthermore, LcAiiK inhibited the swimming motility, extracellular proteolytic activity, haemolytic activity and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4. Conclusion The AHL lactonase AiiK is firstly and constitutively expressed at the surface layer of L. casei MCJΔ1. LcAiiK displayed considerable AHL lactonase activity and great QQ abilities against A. hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4 by attenuating their QS processes instead of killing them. Therefore, the LcAiiK can be exploited as an anti-pathogenic drug or a bio-control agent to control the AHL-mediated QS of pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhilong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Biao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qitong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuxin Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhiyong Ruan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, CAAS, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yunxiang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Nan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shumiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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Torracchi C JE, Morel MA, Tapia-Vázquez I, Castro-Sowinski S, Batista-García RA, Yarzábal R LA. Fighting plant pathogens with cold-active microorganisms: biopesticide development and agriculture intensification in cold climates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:8243-8256. [PMID: 32803297 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cold-adapted (CA) microorganisms (= psychrophiles or psychrotolerants) are key players of many ecological interactions in natural ecosystems. Some of them can colonize the rhizosphere of plants and cause damage to their hosts; others, on the contrary, protect plants from their pathogens through direct and indirect mechanisms, thus promoting plant growth and development. These "protective" microbes are known as biocontrol agents (BCA). BCA either limit or inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, owing to the excretion of a panoply of secondary metabolites (including soluble and volatile antibiotics, siderophores, quorum sensing interfering agents). BCA can also control plant pathogens through indirect mechanisms, including competence for nutrients and space, or else by interfering with their chemical communication. That explains why some of these BCA have been included in the formulation of commercial biopesticides, which are environmentally friendly products containing live cells used to control plant diseases and pests. At present, the development of biopesticides from mesophilic microorganisms is an established technology. Unfortunately, these biopesticides are not active at low temperatures. On the other hand, the information concerning the potential use of CA-BCA for the same goal is at its infancy. Here, we review the current knowledge concerning the isolation, identification, and characterization of CA microbes which act as antagonists of plant pathogens, including the mechanisms they deploy to antagonize plant pathogens. We also illustrate their biotechnological potential to develop CA biopesticides and discuss their utility in the context of mountainous agriculture. KEY POINTS: • Many naturally occurring cold-active microbes antagonize plant pathogens. • The mechanisms of biocontrol exerted by these microbes are either direct or indirect. • Cold-active biocontrol agents can be used to develop biopesticides. • Cold-active biopesticides are crucial for sustainably intensifying agriculture in cold climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Esteban Torracchi C
- Unidad de Salud y Bienestar, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Av. Las Américas y Calle Humboldt, Cuenca, Ecuador
- Centro de Investigación, Innovación y Transferencia de Tecnología (CIITT), Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Campus Miracielos, Ricaurte, Ecuador
| | - María A Morel
- Unidad Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Av Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Irán Tapia-Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Susana Castro-Sowinski
- Unidad Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Av Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Sección Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, UdelaR, Iguá 4225, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ramón Alberto Batista-García
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Luis Andrés Yarzábal R
- Unidad de Salud y Bienestar, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Av. Las Américas y Calle Humboldt, Cuenca, Ecuador.
- Centro de Investigación, Innovación y Transferencia de Tecnología (CIITT), Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Campus Miracielos, Ricaurte, Ecuador.
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Enzymes from Marine Polar Regions and Their Biotechnological Applications. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100544. [PMID: 31547548 PMCID: PMC6835263 DOI: 10.3390/md17100544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The microorganisms that evolved at low temperatures express cold-adapted enzymes endowed with unique catalytic properties in comparison to their mesophilic homologues, i.e., higher catalytic efficiency, improved flexibility, and lower thermal stability. Cold environments are therefore an attractive research area for the discovery of enzymes to be used for investigational and industrial applications in which such properties are desirable. In this work, we will review the literature on cold-adapted enzymes specifically focusing on those discovered in the bioprospecting of polar marine environments, so far largely neglected because of their limited accessibility. We will discuss their existing or proposed biotechnological applications within the framework of the more general applications of cold-adapted enzymes.
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14
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Chua KO, See-Too WS, Ee R, Lim YL, Yin WF, Chan KG. In silico Analysis Reveals Distribution of Quorum Sensing Genes and Consistent Presence of LuxR Solos in the Pandoraea Species. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1758. [PMID: 31447806 PMCID: PMC6691176 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common quorum sensing (QS) system in Gram-negative bacteria consists of signaling molecules called N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), which are synthesized by an enzyme AHL synthase (LuxI) and detected by a transcriptional regulator (LuxR) that are usually located in close proximity. However, many recent studies have also evidenced the presence of LuxR solos that are LuxR-related proteins in Proteobacteria that are devoid of a cognate LuxI AHL synthase. Pandoraea species are opportunistic pathogens frequently isolated from sputum specimens of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We have previously shown that P. pnomenusa strains possess QS activity. In this study, we examined the presence of QS activity in all type strains of Pandoraea species and acquired their complete genome sequences for holistic bioinformatics analyses of QS-related genes. Only four out of nine type strains (P. pnomenusa, P. sputorum, P. oxalativorans, and P. vervacti) showed QS activity, and C8-HSL was the only AHL detected. A total of 10 canonical luxIs with adjacent luxRs were predicted by bioinformatics from the complete genomes of aforementioned species and publicly available Pandoraea genomes. No orphan luxI was identified in any of the genomes. However, genes for two LuxR solos (LuxR2 and LuxR3 solos) were identified in all Pandoraea genomes (except two draft genomes with one LuxR solo gene), and P. thiooxydans was the only species that harbored no QS-related activity and genes. Except the canonical LuxR genes, LuxIs and LuxR solos of Pandoraea species were distantly related to the other well-characterized QS genes based on phylogenetic clustering. LuxR2 and LuxR3 solos might represent two novel evolutionary branches of LuxR system as they were found exclusively only in the genus. As a few luxR solos were located in close proximity with prophage sequence regions in the genomes, we thus postulated that these luxR solos could be transmitted into genus Pandoraea by transduction process mediated by bacteriophage. The bioinformatics approach developed in this study forms the basis for further characterization of closely related species. Overall, our findings improve the current understanding of QS in Pandoraea species, which is a potential pharmacological target in battling Pandoraea infections in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah-Ooi Chua
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wah-Seng See-Too
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Robson Ee
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yan-Lue Lim
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Fong Yin
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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Torres M, Dessaux Y, Llamas I. Saline Environments as a Source of Potential Quorum Sensing Disruptors to Control Bacterial Infections: A Review. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17030191. [PMID: 30934619 PMCID: PMC6471967 DOI: 10.3390/md17030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Saline environments, such as marine and hypersaline habitats, are widely distributed around the world. They include sea waters, saline lakes, solar salterns, or hypersaline soils. The bacteria that live in these habitats produce and develop unique bioactive molecules and physiological pathways to cope with the stress conditions generated by these environments. They have been described to produce compounds with properties that differ from those found in non-saline habitats. In the last decades, the ability to disrupt quorum-sensing (QS) intercellular communication systems has been identified in many marine organisms, including bacteria. The two main mechanisms of QS interference, i.e., quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) and quorum quenching (QQ), appear to be a more frequent phenomenon in marine aquatic environments than in soils. However, data concerning bacteria from hypersaline habitats is scarce. Salt-tolerant QSI compounds and QQ enzymes may be of interest to interfere with QS-regulated bacterial functions, including virulence, in sectors such as aquaculture or agriculture where salinity is a serious environmental issue. This review provides a global overview of the main works related to QS interruption in saline environments as well as the derived biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Torres
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain.
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA/CNRS/University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Yves Dessaux
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA/CNRS/University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Inmaculada Llamas
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain.
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