1
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Qin J, Hong Y, Totsika M. Determining glycosyltransferase functional order via lethality due to accumulated O-antigen intermediates, exemplified with Shigella flexneri O-antigen biosynthesis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0220323. [PMID: 38747588 PMCID: PMC11218652 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02203-23] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The O antigen (OAg) polysaccharide is one of the most diverse surface molecules of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The structural classification of OAg, based on serological typing and sequence analysis, is important in epidemiology and the surveillance of outbreaks of bacterial infections. Despite the diverse chemical structures of OAg repeating units (RUs), the genetic basis of RU assembly remains poorly understood and represents a major limitation in assigning gene functions in polysaccharide biosynthesis. Here, we describe a genetic approach to interrogate the functional order of glycosyltransferases (GTs). Using Shigella flexneri as a model, we established an initial glycosyltransferase (IT)-controlled system, which allows functional order allocation of the subsequent GT in a 2-fold manner as follows: (i) first, by reporting the growth defects caused by the sequestration of UndP through disruption of late GTs and (ii) second, by comparing the molecular sizes of stalled OAg intermediates when each putative GT is disrupted. Using this approach, we demonstrate that for RfbF and RfbG, the GT involved in the assembly of S. flexneri backbone OAg RU, RfbG, is responsible for both the committed step of OAg synthesis and the third transferase for the second L-Rha. We also show that RfbF functions as the last GT to complete the S. flexneri OAg RU backbone. We propose that this simple and effective genetic approach can be also extended to define the functional order of enzymatic synthesis of other diverse polysaccharides produced both by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.IMPORTANCEThe genetic basis of enzymatic assembly of structurally diverse O antigen (OAg) repeating units (RUs) in Gram-negative pathogens is poorly understood, representing a major limitation in our understanding of gene functions for the synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides. We present a simple genetic approach to confidently assign glycosyltransferase (GT) functions and the order in which they act during assembly of the OAg RU. We employed this approach to determine the functional order of GTs involved in Shigella flexneri OAg assembly. This approach can be generally applied in interrogating GT functions encoded by other bacterial polysaccharides to advance our understanding of diverse gene functions in the biosynthesis of polysaccharides, key knowledge in advancing biosynthetic polysaccharide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilong Qin
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yaoqin Hong
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Makrina Totsika
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Lê-Bury P, Echenique-Rivera H, Pizarro-Cerdá J, Dussurget O. Determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in blood. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae013. [PMID: 38734892 PMCID: PMC11163986 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infection is a major public health concern associated with high mortality and high healthcare costs worldwide. Bacteremia can trigger fatal sepsis whose prevention, diagnosis, and management have been recognized as a global health priority by the World Health Organization. Additionally, infection control is increasingly threatened by antimicrobial resistance, which is the focus of global action plans in the framework of a One Health response. In-depth knowledge of the infection process is needed to develop efficient preventive and therapeutic measures. The pathogenesis of bloodstream infection is a dynamic process resulting from the invasion of the vascular system by bacteria, which finely regulate their metabolic pathways and virulence factors to overcome the blood immune defenses and proliferate. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in the bloodstream and discuss their interactions with the molecular and cellular components of blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Lê-Bury
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Autoimmune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Hebert Echenique-Rivera
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Javier Pizarro-Cerdá
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Yersinia National Reference Laboratory, WHO Collaborating Research & Reference Centre for Plague FRA-146, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Dussurget
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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3
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Kyono Y, Tolwinski M, Flowers SA. Technical considerations for cost-effective transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS). Sci Rep 2024; 14:6756. [PMID: 38514891 PMCID: PMC10958030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57537-6] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS), a variant of transposon insertion sequencing commonly known as Tn-Seq, is a high-throughput assay that defines essential bacterial genes across diverse growth conditions. However, the variability between laboratory environments often requires laborious, time-consuming modifications to its protocol. In this technical study, we aimed to refine the protocol by identifying key parameters that can impact the complexity of mutant libraries. Firstly, we discovered that adjusting electroporation parameters including transposome concentration, transposome assembly conditions, and cell densities can significantly improve the recovery of viable mutants for different Escherichia coli strains. Secondly, we found that post-electroporation conditions, such as recovery time and the use of different mediums for selecting mutants may also impact the complexity of viable mutants in the library. Finally, we developed a simplified sequencing library preparation workflow based on a Nextera-TruSeq hybrid design where ~ 80% of sequenced reads correspond to transposon-DNA junctions. The technical improvements presented in our study aim to streamline TraDIS protocols, making this powerful technique more accessible for a wider scientific audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kyono
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S Wood St. #125B, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Madeline Tolwinski
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S Wood St. #125B, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Stephanie A Flowers
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S Wood St. #125B, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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4
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Phan MD, Schirra HJ, Nhu NTK, Peters KM, Sarkar S, Allsopp LP, Achard MES, Kappler U, Schembri MA. Combined functional genomic and metabolomic approaches identify new genes required for growth in human urine by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli ST131. mBio 2024; 15:e0338823. [PMID: 38353545 PMCID: PMC10936160 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03388-23] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, with ~400 million cases across the globe each year. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the major cause of UTI and increasingly associated with antibiotic resistance. This scenario has been worsened by the emergence and spread of pandemic UPEC sequence type 131 (ST131), a multidrug-resistant clone associated with extraordinarily high rates of infection. Here, we employed transposon-directed insertion site sequencing in combination with metabolomic profiling to identify genes and biochemical pathways required for growth and survival of the UPEC ST131 reference strain EC958 in human urine (HU). We identified 24 genes required for growth in HU, which mapped to diverse pathways involving small peptide, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, the stringent response pathway, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. We also discovered a role for UPEC resistance to fluoride during growth in HU, most likely associated with fluoridation of drinking water. Complementary nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics identified changes in a range of HU metabolites following UPEC growth, the most pronounced being L-lactate, which was utilized as a carbon source via the L-lactate dehydrogenase LldD. Using a mouse UTI model with mixed competitive infection experiments, we demonstrated a role for nucleotide metabolism and the stringent response in UPEC colonization of the mouse bladder. Together, our application of two omics technologies combined with different infection-relevant settings has uncovered new factors required for UPEC growth in HU, thus enhancing our understanding of this pivotal step in the UPEC infection pathway. IMPORTANCE Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) cause ~80% of all urinary tract infections (UTIs), with increasing rates of antibiotic resistance presenting an urgent threat to effective treatment. To cause infection, UPEC must grow efficiently in human urine (HU), necessitating a need to understand mechanisms that promote its adaptation and survival in this nutrient-limited environment. Here, we used a combination of functional genomic and metabolomic techniques and identified roles for the metabolism of small peptides, amino acids, nucleotides, and L-lactate, as well as the stringent response pathway, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and fluoride resistance, for UPEC growth in HU. We further demonstrated that pathways involving nucleotide metabolism and the stringent response are required for UPEC colonization of the mouse bladder. The UPEC genes and metabolic pathways identified in this study represent targets for the development of innovative therapeutics to prevent UPEC growth during human UTI, an urgent need given the rapidly rising rates of global antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Duy Phan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Horst Joachim Schirra
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate M. Peters
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sohinee Sarkar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luke P. Allsopp
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Maud E. S. Achard
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ulrike Kappler
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark A. Schembri
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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5
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Lehnert T, Gijs MAM. Microfluidic systems for infectious disease diagnostics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1441-1493. [PMID: 38372324 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00117f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms, encompassing both uni- and multicellular entities, exhibit remarkable diversity as omnipresent life forms in nature. They play a pivotal role by supplying essential components for sustaining biological processes across diverse ecosystems, including higher host organisms. The complex interactions within the human gut microbiota are crucial for metabolic functions, immune responses, and biochemical signalling, particularly through the gut-brain axis. Viruses also play important roles in biological processes, for example by increasing genetic diversity through horizontal gene transfer when replicating inside living cells. On the other hand, infection of the human body by microbiological agents may lead to severe physiological disorders and diseases. Infectious diseases pose a significant burden on global healthcare systems, characterized by substantial variations in the epidemiological landscape. Fast spreading antibiotic resistance or uncontrolled outbreaks of communicable diseases are major challenges at present. Furthermore, delivering field-proven point-of-care diagnostic tools to the most severely affected populations in low-resource settings is particularly important and challenging. New paradigms and technological approaches enabling rapid and informed disease management need to be implemented. In this respect, infectious disease diagnostics taking advantage of microfluidic systems combined with integrated biosensor-based pathogen detection offers a host of innovative and promising solutions. In this review, we aim to outline recent activities and progress in the development of microfluidic diagnostic tools. Our literature research mainly covers the last 5 years. We will follow a classification scheme based on the human body systems primarily involved at the clinical level or on specific pathogen transmission modes. Important diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, will be addressed more extensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lehnert
- Laboratory of Microsystems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | - Martin A M Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
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6
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Lehman KM, May KL, Marotta J, Grabowicz M. Genetic analysis reveals a robust and hierarchical recruitment of the LolA chaperone to the LolCDE lipoprotein transporter. mBio 2024; 15:e0303923. [PMID: 38193657 PMCID: PMC10865981 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03039-23] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) is an essential organelle of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipoproteins are key to building the OM, performing essential functions in several OM assembly machines. Lipoproteins mature in the inner membrane (IM) and are then trafficked to the OM. In Escherichia coli, the LolCDE transporter is needed to extract lipoproteins from the IM to begin trafficking. Lipoproteins are then transferred from LolCDE to the periplasmic chaperone LolA which ferries them to the OM for insertion by LolB. LolA recruitment by LolC is an essential trafficking step. Structural and biochemical studies suggested that two regions (termed Hook and Pad) within a periplasmic loop of LolC worked in tandem to recruit LolA, leading to a bipartite model for recruitment. Here, we genetically examine the LolC periplasmic loop in vivo using E. coli. Our findings challenge the bipartite interaction model. We show that while the Hook is essential for lipoprotein trafficking in vivo, lipoproteins are still efficiently trafficked when the Pad residues are inactivated. We show with AlphaFold2 multimer modeling that Hook:LolA interactions are likely universal among diverse Gram-negative bacteria. Conversely, Pad:LolA interactions vary across phyla. Our in vivo data redefine LolC:LolA recruitment into a hierarchical interaction model. We propose that the Hook is the major player in LolA recruitment, while the Pad plays an ancillary role that is important for efficiency but is ultimately dispensable. Our findings expand the understanding of a fundamental step in essential lipoprotein trafficking and have implications for efforts to develop new antibacterials that target LolCDE.IMPORTANCEResistance to current antibiotics is increasingly common. New antibiotics that target essential processes are needed to expand clinical options. For Gram-negative bacteria, their cell surface-the outer membrane (OM)-is an essential organelle and antibiotic barrier that is an attractive target for new antibacterials. Lipoproteins are key to building the OM. The LolCDE transporter is needed to supply the OM with lipoproteins and has been a focus of recent antibiotic discovery. In vitro evidence recently proposed a two-part interaction of LolC with LolA lipoprotein chaperone (which traffics lipoproteins to the OM) via "Hook" and "Pad" regions. We show that this model does not reflect lipoprotein trafficking in vivo. Only the Hook is essential for lipoprotein trafficking and is remarkably robust to mutational changes. The Pad is non-essential for lipoprotein trafficking but plays an ancillary role, contributing to trafficking efficiency. These insights inform ongoing efforts to drug LolCDE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M. Lehman
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kerrie L. May
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julianna Marotta
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcin Grabowicz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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7
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White RT, Bull MJ, Barker CR, Arnott JM, Wootton M, Jones LS, Howe RA, Morgan M, Ashcroft MM, Forde BM, Connor TR, Beatson SA. Genomic epidemiology reveals geographical clustering of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli ST131 associated with bacteraemia in Wales. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1371. [PMID: 38355632 PMCID: PMC10866875 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a significant global public health concern. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli sequence type (ST)131, a widely prevalent multidrug-resistant clone, is frequently associated with bacteraemia. This study investigates third-generation cephalosporin resistance in bloodstream infections caused by E. coli ST131. From 2013-2014 blood culture surveillance in Wales, 142 E. coli ST131 genomes were studied alongside global data. All three major ST131 clades were represented across Wales, with clade C/H30 predominant (n = 102/142, 71.8%). Consistent with global findings, Welsh strains of clade C/H30 contain β-lactamase genes from the blaCTX-M-1 group (n = 65/102, 63.7%), which confer resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. Most Welsh clade C/H30 genomes belonged to sub-clade C2/H30Rx (58.3%). A Wales-specific sub-lineage, named GB-WLS.C2, diverged around 1996-2000. An introduction to North Wales around 2002 led to a localised cluster by 2009, depicting limited genomic diversity within North Wales. This investigation emphasises the value of genomic epidemiology, allowing the detection of genetically similar strains in local areas, enabling targeted and timely public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys T White
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Health Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 5022, Porirua, New Zealand
| | - Matthew J Bull
- Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics Group, Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
- Public Health Wales Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
| | - Clare R Barker
- Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics Group, Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Julie M Arnott
- Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance & Prescribing Programme (HARP), Public Health Wales, 2 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mandy Wootton
- Public Health Wales Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
| | - Lim S Jones
- Public Health Wales Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
| | - Robin A Howe
- Public Health Wales Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
| | - Mari Morgan
- Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance & Prescribing Programme (HARP), Public Health Wales, 2 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Melinda M Ashcroft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - Thomas R Connor
- Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics Group, Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom.
- Public Health Genomics Programme, Public Health Wales, 2 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4BZ, United Kingdom.
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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8
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Hickson SM, Hoehensteiger JK, Mayer-Coverdale J, Torres VVL, Feng W, Monteith JN, Henderson IR, McCarthy KL, Wells TJ. Antibody-Mediated Serum Resistance Protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa During Bloodstream Infections. J Infect Dis 2024:jiad457. [PMID: 38235716 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad457] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent pathogen isolated from bacterial bloodstream infection (BSI) and is associated with high mortality. To survive in the blood, P aeruginosa must resist the bactericidal action of complement (ie, serum killing). Antibodies usually promote serum killing through the classical complement pathway; however, "cloaking antibodies" (cAbs) have been described, which paradoxically protect bacteria from serum killing. The relevance of cAbs in P aeruginosa BSI is unknown. METHODS Serum and P aeruginosa were collected from a cohort of 100 patients with BSI. Isolates were tested for sensitivity to healthy control serum (HCS). cAb prevalence was determined in sera. Patient sera were mixed with HCS to determine if killing of the matched isolate was inhibited. RESULTS Overall, 36 patients had elevated titers of cAbs, and 34 isolates were sensitive to HCS killing. Fifteen patients had cAbs and HCS-sensitive isolates; of these patients, 14 had serum that protected their matched bacteria from HCS killing. Patients with cAbs were less likely to be neutropenic or have comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS cAbs are prevalent in patients with P aeruginosa BSI and allow survival of otherwise serum-sensitive bacteria in the bloodstream. Generation of cAbs may be a risk factor for the development of BSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Hickson
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Johanna Mayer-Coverdale
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Von Vergel L Torres
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Wenkang Feng
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Joshua N Monteith
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kate L McCarthy
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Timothy J Wells
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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9
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Hawas S, Vagenas D, Haque A, Totsika M. Bladder-draining lymph nodes support germinal center B cell responses during urinary tract infection in mice. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0031723. [PMID: 37882531 PMCID: PMC10652902 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00317-23] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are both common and exhibit high recurrence rates in women. UTI healthcare costs are increasing due to the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, necessitating alternative approaches for infection control. Here, we directly observed host adaptive immune responses in acute UTI. We employed a mouse model in which wild-type C57BL/6J mice were transurethrally inoculated with a clinically relevant MDR UTI strain of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Firstly, we noted that rag1-/- C57BL/6J mice harbored larger bacterial burdens than wild-type counterparts, consistent with a role for adaptive immunity in UTI control. Consistent with this, UTI triggered in the bladders of wild-type mice early increases of myeloid cells, including CD11chi conventional dendritic cells, suggesting possible involvement of these professional antigen-presenting cells. Importantly, germinal center B cell responses developed by 4 weeks post-infection in bladder-draining lymph nodes of wild-type mice and, although modest in magnitude and transient in nature, could not be boosted with a second UTI. Thus, our data reveal for the first time in a mouse model that UPEC UTI induces local B cell immune responses in bladder-draining lymph nodes, which could potentially serve to control infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Hawas
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dimitrios Vagenas
- Research Methods Group, School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ashraful Haque
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Makrina Totsika
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Lehman KM, May KL, Marotta J, Grabowicz M. Genetic analysis reveals a robust and hierarchical recruitment of the LolA chaperone to the LolCDE lipoprotein transporter. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.08.566237. [PMID: 37986794 PMCID: PMC10659402 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.08.566237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) is an essential organelle of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipoproteins are key to building the OM, performing essential functions in several OM assembly machines. Lipoproteins mature in the inner membrane (IM) and are then trafficked to the OM. In Escherichia coli, the LolCDE transporter is needed to extract lipoproteins from the IM to begin trafficking. Lipoproteins are then transferred from LolCDE to the periplasmic chaperone LolA which ferries them to the OM for insertion by LolB. LolA recruitment by LolC is an essential trafficking step. Structural and biochemical studies suggested that two regions (termed Hook and Pad) within a periplasmic loop of LolC worked in tandem to recruit LolA, leading to a bipartite model for recruitment. Here, we genetically examine the LolC periplasmic loop in vivo using E. coli. Our findings challenge the bipartite interaction model. We show that while the Hook is essential for lipoprotein trafficking in vivo, lipoproteins are still efficiently trafficked when the Pad residues are inactivated. We show with AlphaFold2 multimer modeling that Hook:LolA interactions are likely universal among diverse Gram-negative bacteria. Conversely, Pad:LolA interactions vary across phyla. Our in vivo data redefine LolC:LolA recruitment into a hierarchical interaction model. We propose that the Hook is the major player in LolA recruitment, while the Pad plays an ancillary role that is important for efficiency but is ultimately dispensable. Our findings expand the understanding of a fundamental step in essential lipoprotein trafficking and have implications for efforts to develop new antibacterials that target LolCDE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M. Lehman
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Kelly M. Lehman and Kerrie L. May contributed equally to this work. Author order was determined alphabetically
| | - Kerrie L. May
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Kelly M. Lehman and Kerrie L. May contributed equally to this work. Author order was determined alphabetically
| | - Julianna Marotta
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcin Grabowicz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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11
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Olivera-Ardid S, Bello-Gil D, Perez-Cruz M, Costa C, Camoez M, Dominguez MA, Ferrero-Alves Y, Vaquero JM, Khasbiullina N, Shilova NV, Bovin NV, Mañez R. Removal of natural anti-αGal antibodies elicits protective immunity against Gram-negative bacterial infections. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1232924. [PMID: 37662909 PMCID: PMC10471972 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1232924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of bacterial infections occurs when blocking or inhibitory antibodies facilitate the infectivity of pathogens. In humans, antibodies involved in ADE of bacterial infections may include those naturally produced against Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ (αGal). Here, we investigate whether eliminating circulating anti-αGal antibodies using a soluble αGal glycopolymer confers protection against Gram-negative bacterial infections. We demonstrated that the in vivo intra-corporeal removal of anti-αGal antibodies in α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT-KO) mice was associated with protection against mortality from Gram-negative sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The improved survival of GalT-KO mice was associated with an increased killing capacity of serum against Escherichia coli isolated after CLP and reduced binding of IgG1 and IgG3 to the bacteria. Additionally, inhibition of anti-αGal antibodies from human serum in vitro increases the bactericidal killing of E. coli O86:B7 and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the case of E. coli O86:B7, there was also an improvement in bacteria opsonophagocytosis by macrophages. Both lytic mechanisms were related to a decreased binding of IgG2 to the bacteria. Our results show that protective immunity against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens can be elicited, and infectious diseases caused by these bacteria can be prevented by removing natural anti-αGal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Olivera-Ardid
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Daniel Bello-Gil
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Magdiel Perez-Cruz
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Cristina Costa
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Mariana Camoez
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - M. Angeles Dominguez
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Yara Ferrero-Alves
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Vaquero
- Flow Cytometry Platform, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Nailya Khasbiullina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezhda V. Shilova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nicolai V. Bovin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rafael Mañez
- Infectious Pathology and Transplantation Division, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Intensive Care Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
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12
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Lian ZJ, Phan MD, Hancock SJ, Nhu NTK, Paterson DL, Schembri MA. Genetic basis of I-complex plasmid stability and conjugation. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010773. [PMID: 37347771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are major drivers of increasing antibiotic resistance, necessitating an urgent need to understand their biology. Here we describe a detailed dissection of the molecular components controlling the genetics of I-complex plasmids, a group of antibiotic resistance plasmids found frequently in pathogenic Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae that cause significant human disease. We show these plasmids cluster into four distinct subgroups, with the prototype IncI1 plasmid R64 subgroup displaying low nucleotide sequence conservation to other I-complex plasmids. Using pMS7163B, an I-complex plasmid distantly related to R64, we performed a high-resolution transposon-based genetic screen and defined genes involved in replication, stability, and conjugative transfer. We identified the replicon and a partitioning system as essential for replication/stability. Genes required for conjugation included the type IV secretion system, relaxosome, and several uncharacterised genes located in the pMS7163B leading transfer region that exhibited an upstream strand-specific transposon insertion bias. The overexpression of these genes severely impacted host cell growth or reduced fitness during mixed competitive growth, demonstrating that their expression must be controlled to avoid deleterious impacts. These genes were present in >80% of all I-complex plasmids and broadly conserved across multiple plasmid incompatibility groups, implicating an important role in plasmid dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Jie Lian
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Minh-Duy Phan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Steven J Hancock
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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13
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Alobaidallah MSA, García V, De Mets R, Wellner SM, Thomsen LE, Herrero-Fresno A, Olsen JE. Uncovering the Important Genetic Factors for Growth during Cefotaxime-Gentamicin Combination Treatment in blaCTX-M-1 Encoding Escherichia coli. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:993. [PMID: 37370312 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12060993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the rapid spread of CTX-M type ESBLs, the rate of resistance to third-generation cephalosporin has increased among Gram-negative bacteria, especially in Escherichia coli, and there is a need to find ways to re-sensitize ESBL E. coli to cephalosporin treatment. A previous study showed that genes involved in protein synthesis were significantly up-regulated in the presence of subinhibitory concentration of cefotaxime (CTX) in a CTX-M-1-producing E. coli. In this study, the interaction between CTX and gentamicin (GEN), targeting protein synthesis, was evaluated in MG1655/pTF2, and the MIC of CTX was strongly reduced (128-fold) in the presence of this combnation therapy. Since the underlying mechanism behind this synergy is not known, we constructed a saturated transposon mutant library in MG1655/pTF2::blaCTX-M-1 containing 315,925 unique transposon insertions to measure mutant depletion upon exposure to CTX, GEN, and combination treatment of CTX and GEN by Transposon Directed Insertion-site Sequencing (TraDIS). We identified 57 genes that were depleted (log2FC ≤ -2 and with q.value ≤ 0.01) during exposure to CTX, 18 for GEN, and 31 for combination treatment of CTX and GEN. For validation, we deleted eight genes that were either uniquely identified in combination treatment, overlapped with monotherapy of GEN, or were shared between combination treatment and monotherapy with CTX and GEN. Of these genes, we found that the inactivation of dnaK, mnmA, rsgA, and ybeD increased the efficacy of both CTX and GEN treatment, the inactivation of cpxR and yafN increased the efficacy of only CTX, and the inactivation of mnmA, rsgA, and ybeD resulted in increased synergy between CTX and GEN. Thus, the study points to putative targets for helper drugs that can restore susceptibility to these important drugs, and it indicates that genes involved in protein synthesis are essential for the synergy between these two drugs. In summary, the study identified mutants that sensitize ESBL-producing E. coli to CTX and a combination of CTX and GEN, and it increased our understanding of the mechanism behind synergy between β-lactam and aminoglycoside drugs. This forms a framework for developing new strategies to combat infections caused by resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosaed Saleh A Alobaidallah
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah 21423, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah 22384, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vanesa García
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Escherichia coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Richard De Mets
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Core Facility for Integrated Microscopy, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandra M Wellner
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Line E Thomsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ana Herrero-Fresno
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - John Elmerdahl Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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14
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Negeri AA, Mamo H, Gahlot DK, Gurung JM, Seyoum ET, Francis MS. Characterization of plasmids carrying bla CTX-M genes among extra-intestinal Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8595. [PMID: 37237011 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35402-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
CTX-Ms are encoded by blaCTX-M genes and are widely distributed extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). They are the most important antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanism to β-lactam antibiotics in the Enterobacteriaceae. However, the role of transmissible AMR plasmids in the dissemination of blaCTX-M genes has scarcely been studied in Africa where the burden of AMR is high and rapidly spreading. In this study, AMR plasmid transmissibility, replicon types and addiction systems were analysed in CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Ethiopia with a goal to provide molecular insight into mechanisms underlying such high prevalence and rapid dissemination. Of 100 CTX-Ms-producing isolates obtained from urine (84), pus (10) and blood (6) from four geographically distinct healthcare settings, 75% carried transmissible plasmids encoding for CTX-Ms, with CTX-M-15 being predominant (n = 51). Single IncF plasmids with the combination of F-FIA-FIB (n = 17) carried the bulk of blaCTX-M-15 genes. In addition, IncF plasmids were associated with multiple addiction systems, ISEcp1 and various resistance phenotypes for non-cephalosporin antibiotics. Moreover, IncF plasmid carriage is associated with the international pandemic E. coli ST131 lineage. Furthermore, several CTX-M encoding plasmids were associated with serum survival of the strains, but less so with biofilm formation. Hence, both horizontal gene transfer and clonal expansion may contribute to the rapid and widespread distribution of blaCTX-M genes among E. coli populations in Ethiopian clinical settings. This information is relevant for local epidemiology and surveillance, but also for global understanding of the successful dissemination of AMR gene carrying plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Aseffa Negeri
- National Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology Reference Laboratory, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hassen Mamo
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dharmender K Gahlot
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jyoti M Gurung
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eyasu Tigabu Seyoum
- Global One Health Initiative of the Ohio State University, East African Regional Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Matthew S Francis
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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15
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Mu A, Klare WP, Baines SL, Ignatius Pang CN, Guérillot R, Harbison-Price N, Keller N, Wilksch J, Nhu NTK, Phan MD, Keller B, Nijagal B, Tull D, Dayalan S, Chua HHC, Skoneczny D, Koval J, Hachani A, Shah AD, Neha N, Jadhav S, Partridge SR, Cork AJ, Peters K, Bertolla O, Brouwer S, Hancock SJ, Álvarez-Fraga L, De Oliveira DMP, Forde B, Dale A, Mujchariyakul W, Walsh CJ, Monk I, Fitzgerald A, Lum M, Correa-Ospina C, Roy Chowdhury P, Parton RG, De Voss J, Beckett J, Monty F, McKinnon J, Song X, Stephen JR, Everest M, Bellgard MI, Tinning M, Leeming M, Hocking D, Jebeli L, Wang N, Ben Zakour N, Yasar SA, Vecchiarelli S, Russell T, Zaw T, Chen T, Teng D, Kassir Z, Lithgow T, Jenney A, Cole JN, Nizet V, Sorrell TC, Peleg AY, Paterson DL, Beatson SA, Wu J, Molloy MP, Syme AE, Goode RJA, Hunter AA, Bowland G, West NP, Wilkins MR, Djordjevic SP, Davies MR, Seemann T, Howden BP, Pascovici D, Tyagi S, Schittenhelm RB, De Souza DP, McConville MJ, Iredell JR, Cordwell SJ, Strugnell RA, Stinear TP, Schembri MA, Walker MJ. Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1530. [PMID: 36934086 PMCID: PMC10024524 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37200-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Even in the setting of optimal resuscitation in high-income countries severe sepsis and septic shock have a mortality of 20-40%, with antibiotic resistance dramatically increasing this mortality risk. To develop a reference dataset enabling the identification of common bacterial targets for therapeutic intervention, we applied a standardized genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic technological framework to multiple clinical isolates of four sepsis-causing pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Exposure to human serum generated a sepsis molecular signature containing global increases in fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, consistent with cell envelope remodelling and nutrient adaptation for osmoprotection. In addition, acquisition of cholesterol was identified across the bacterial species. This detailed reference dataset has been established as an open resource to support discovery and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Mu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - William P Klare
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah L Baines
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - C N Ignatius Pang
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Bioinformatics Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Romain Guérillot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nichaela Harbison-Price
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nadia Keller
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jonathan Wilksch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Minh-Duy Phan
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bernhard Keller
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brunda Nijagal
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dedreia Tull
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Saravanan Dayalan
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hwa Huat Charlie Chua
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dominik Skoneczny
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason Koval
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anup D Shah
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitika Neha
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Snehal Jadhav
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sally R Partridge
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital/ Westmead Institute, and Sydney ID, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda J Cork
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kate Peters
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Olivia Bertolla
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephan Brouwer
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Steven J Hancock
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura Álvarez-Fraga
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David M P De Oliveira
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brian Forde
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Dale
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Warasinee Mujchariyakul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Calum J Walsh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Monk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Mabel Lum
- Bioplatforms Australia Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolina Correa-Ospina
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Piklu Roy Chowdhury
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert G Parton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James De Voss
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James Beckett
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Francois Monty
- Australian Genome Research Facility Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica McKinnon
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaomin Song
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - John R Stephen
- Australian Genome Research Facility Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marie Everest
- Australian Genome Research Facility Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matt I Bellgard
- Office of eResearch, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Center for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Matthew Tinning
- Australian Genome Research Facility Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Leeming
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dianna Hocking
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Leila Jebeli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nancy Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nouri Ben Zakour
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital/ Westmead Institute, and Sydney ID, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Serhat A Yasar
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stefano Vecchiarelli
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tonia Russell
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thiri Zaw
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tyrone Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Don Teng
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zena Kassir
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Centre to Impact AMR and Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Jenney
- Centre to Impact AMR and Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason N Cole
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital/ Westmead Institute, and Sydney ID, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR and Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott A Beatson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jemma Wu
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark P Molloy
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna E Syme
- Melbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert J A Goode
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam A Hunter
- Center for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Grahame Bowland
- Center for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicholas P West
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven P Djordjevic
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Torsten Seemann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dana Pascovici
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sonika Tyagi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David P De Souza
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Iredell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital/ Westmead Institute, and Sydney ID, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart J Cordwell
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Strugnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Timothy P Stinear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark J Walker
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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16
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Genome-wide screen in human plasma identifies multifaceted complement evasion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011023. [PMID: 36696456 PMCID: PMC9901815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen, is a leading cause of bacteremia with a high mortality rate. We recently reported that P. aeruginosa forms a persister-like sub-population of evaders in human plasma. Here, using a gain-of-function transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) screen in plasma, we identified and validated previously unknown factors affecting bacterial persistence in plasma. Among them, we identified a small periplasmic protein, named SrgA, whose expression leads to up to a 100-fold increase in resistance to killing. Additionally, mutants in pur and bio genes displayed higher tolerance and persistence, respectively. Analysis of several steps of the complement cascade and exposure to an outer-membrane-impermeable drug, nisin, suggested that the mutants impede membrane attack complex (MAC) activity per se. Electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed the formation of polyphosphate (polyP) granules upon incubation in plasma of different size in purD and wild-type strains, implying the bacterial response to a stress signal. Indeed, inactivation of ppk genes encoding polyP-generating enzymes lead to significant elimination of persisting bacteria from plasma. Through this study, we shed light on a complex P. aeruginosa response to the plasma conditions and discovered the multifactorial origin of bacterial resilience to MAC-induced killing.
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17
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O’Boyle N, Douce GR, Farrell G, Rattray NJW, Schembri MA, Roe AJ, Connolly JPR. Distinct ecological fitness factors coordinated by a conserved Escherichia coli regulator during systemic bloodstream infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2212175120. [PMID: 36574699 PMCID: PMC9910484 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212175120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacterial pathogens to adapt to host niches is driven by the carriage and regulation of genes that benefit pathogenic lifestyles. Genes that encode virulence or fitness-enhancing factors must be regulated in response to changing host environments to allow rapid response to challenges presented by the host. Furthermore, this process can be controlled by preexisting transcription factors (TFs) that acquire new roles in tailoring regulatory networks, specifically in pathogens. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. The highly conserved Escherichia coli TF YhaJ exhibits distinct genome-binding dynamics and transcriptome control in pathotypes that occupy different host niches, such as uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Here, we report that this important regulator is required for UPEC systemic survival during murine bloodstream infection (BSI). This advantage is gained through the coordinated regulation of a small regulon comprised of both virulence and metabolic genes. YhaJ coordinates activation of both Type 1 and F1C fimbriae, as well as biosynthesis of the amino acid tryptophan, by both direct and indirect mechanisms. Deletion of yhaJ or the individual genes under its control leads to attenuated survival during BSI. Furthermore, all three systems are up-regulated in response to signals derived from serum or systemic host tissue, but not urine, suggesting a niche-specific regulatory trigger that enhances UPEC fitness via pleiotropic mechanisms. Collectively, our results identify YhaJ as a pathotype-specific regulatory aide, enhancing the expression of key genes that are collectively required for UPEC bloodstream pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky O’Boyle
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, CorkT12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Gillian R. Douce
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Farrell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, GlasgowG4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. W. Rattray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, GlasgowG4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Roe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - James P. R. Connolly
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-TyneNE2 4HH, United Kingdom
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18
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Essential Paralogous Proteins as Potential Antibiotic Multitargets in Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0204322. [PMID: 36445138 PMCID: PMC9769728 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02043-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance threatens our current standards of care for the treatment and prevention of infectious disease. Antibiotics that have multiple targets have a lower propensity for the development of antibiotic resistance than those that have single targets and therefore represent an important tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. In this work, groups of essential paralogous proteins were identified in the important Gram-negative pathogen Escherichia coli that could represent novel targets for multitargeting antibiotics. These groups include targets from a broad range of essential macromolecular and biosynthetic pathways, including cell wall synthesis, membrane biogenesis, transcription, translation, DNA replication, fatty acid biosynthesis, and riboflavin and isoprenoid biosynthesis. Importantly, three groups of clinically validated antibiotic multitargets were identified using this method: the two subunits of the essential topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, and one pair of penicillin-binding proteins. An additional eighteen protein groups represent potentially novel multitargets that could be explored in drug discovery efforts aimed at developing compounds having multiple targets in E. coli and other bacterial pathogens. IMPORTANCE Many types of bacteria have gained resistance to existing antibiotics used in medicine today. Therefore, new antibiotics with novel mechanisms must continue to be developed. One tool to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance is for a single drug to target multiple processes in a bacterium so that more than one change must arise for resistance to develop. The work described here provides a comprehensive search for proteins in the bacterium Escherichia coli that could be targets for such multitargeting antibiotics. Several groups of proteins that are already targets of clinically used antibiotics were identified, indicating that this approach can uncover clinically relevant antibiotic targets. In addition, eighteen currently unexploited groups of proteins were identified, representing new multitargets that could be explored in antibiotic research and development.
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19
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Kou TS, Wu JH, Chen XW, Chen ZG, Zheng J, Peng B. Exogenous glycine promotes oxidation of glutathione and restores sensitivity of bacterial pathogens to serum-induced cell death. Redox Biol 2022; 58:102512. [PMID: 36306677 PMCID: PMC9615314 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic strains of bacteria are often highly adept at evading serum-induced cell death, which is an essential complement-mediated component of the innate immune response. This phenomenon, known as serum-resistance, is poorly understood, and as a result, no effective clinical tools are available to restore serum-sensitivity to pathogenic bacteria. Here, we provide evidence that exogenous glycine reverses defects in glycine, serine and threonine metabolism associated with serum resistance, restores susceptibility to serum-induced cell death, and alters redox balance and glutathione (GSH) metabolism. More specifically, in Vibrio alginolyticus and Escherichia coli, exogenous glycine promotes oxidation of GSH to GSH disulfide (GSSG), disrupts redox balance, increases oxidative stress and reduces membrane integrity, leading to increased binding of complement. Antioxidant or ROS scavenging agents abrogate this effect and agents that generate or potentiate oxidation stimulate serum-mediated cell death. Analysis of several clinical isolates of E. coli demonstrates that glutathione metabolism is repressed in serum-resistant bacteria. These data suggest a novel mechanism underlying serum-resistance in pathogenic bacteria, characterized by an induced shift in the GSH/GSSG ratio impacting redox balance. The results could potentially lead to novel approaches to manage infections caused by serum-resistant bacteria both in aquaculture and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-shun Kou
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Jia-han Wu
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xuan-wei Chen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhuang-gui Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Bo Peng
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China,Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Naini A, Bartetzko MP, Sanapala SR, Broecker F, Wirtz V, Lisboa MP, Parameswarappa SG, Knopp D, Przygodda J, Hakelberg M, Pan R, Patel A, Chorro L, Illenberger A, Ponce C, Kodali S, Lypowy J, Anderson AS, Donald RGK, von Bonin A, Pereira CL. Semisynthetic Glycoconjugate Vaccine Candidates against Escherichia coli O25B Induce Functional IgG Antibodies in Mice. JACS AU 2022; 2:2135-2151. [PMID: 36186572 PMCID: PMC9516715 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a major health concern due to emerging antibiotic resistance. Along with O1A, O2, and O6A, E. coli O25B is a major serotype within the ExPEC group, which expresses a unique O-antigen. Clinical studies with a glycoconjugate vaccine of the above-mentioned O-types revealed O25B as the least immunogenic component, inducing relatively weak IgG titers. To evaluate the immunological properties of semisynthetic glycoconjugate vaccine candidates against E. coli O25B, we here report the chemical synthesis of an initial set of five O25B glycan antigens differing in length, from one to three repeat units, and frameshifts of the repeat unit. The oligosaccharide antigens were conjugated to the carrier protein CRM197. The resulting semisynthetic glycoconjugates induced functional IgG antibodies in mice with opsonophagocytic activity against E. coli O25B. Three of the oligosaccharide-CRM197 conjugates elicited functional IgGs in the same order of magnitude as a conventional CRM197 glycoconjugate prepared with native O25B O-antigen and therefore represent promising vaccine candidates for further investigation. Binding studies with two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) revealed nanomolar anti-O25B IgG responses with nanomolar K D values and with varying binding epitopes. The immunogenicity and mAb binding data now allow for the rational design of additional synthetic antigens for future preclinical studies, with expected further improvements in the functional antibody responses. Moreover, acetylation of a rhamnose residue was shown to be likely dispensable for immunogenicity, as a deacylated antigen was able to elicit strong functional IgG responses. Our findings strongly support the feasibility of a semisynthetic glycoconjugate vaccine against E. coli O25B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Naini
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Peter Bartetzko
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Someswara Rao Sanapala
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Broecker
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Victoria Wirtz
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marilda P. Lisboa
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Knopp
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jessica Przygodda
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Hakelberg
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosalind Pan
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Axay Patel
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Laurent Chorro
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Arthur Illenberger
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Christopher Ponce
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Srinivas Kodali
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Jacqueline Lypowy
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | | | - Robert G. K. Donald
- Pfizer
Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Arne von Bonin
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Claney L. Pereira
- Vaxxilon
Deutschland GmbH, Part of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Magnusstr. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
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21
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Deletion of a previously uncharacterized lipoprotein lirL confers resistance to an inhibitor of type II signal peptidase in Acinetobacter baumannii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2123117119. [PMID: 36099298 PMCID: PMC9499571 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123117119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting bacterial lipoprotein biosynthesis in Enterobacteriaceae is an attractive antibacterial strategy to target multidrug resistance, and mechanisms of resistance to prolipoprotein signal peptidase (LspA) inhibitors in Escherichia coli are relatively well understood. In contrast, it has been challenging to understand the mechanisms of resistance to LspA inhibitors in Acinetobacter baumannii due to the substantially lower inhibitor potencies and the lack of a homologous lpp gene. By increasing the antibacterial potency of the LspA inhibitor, globomycin, against wild-type A. baumannii, we were able to examine resistance to LspA inhibitors, resulting in the identification of a previously uncharacterized highly abundant lipoprotein, LspA inhibitor resistance lipoprotein. This study reveals insights into resistance mechanisms of A. baumannii against inhibitors of bacterial lipoprotein biosynthesis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a clinically important, predominantly health care–associated gram-negative bacterium with high rates of emerging resistance worldwide. Given the urgent need for novel antibacterial therapies against A. baumannii, we focused on inhibiting lipoprotein biosynthesis, a pathway that is essential for envelope biogenesis in gram-negative bacteria. The natural product globomycin, which inhibits the essential type II signal peptidase prolipoprotein signal peptidase (LspA), is ineffective against wild-type A. baumannii clinical isolates due to its poor penetration through the outer membrane. Here, we describe a globomycin analog, G5132, that is more potent against wild-type and clinical A. baumannii isolates. Mutations leading to G5132 resistance in A. baumannii map to the signal peptide of a single hypothetical gene, which we confirm encodes an alanine-rich lipoprotein and have renamed lirL (prolipoprotein signal peptidase inhibitor resistance lipoprotein). LirL is a highly abundant lipoprotein primarily localized to the inner membrane. Deletion of lirL leads to G5132 resistance, inefficient cell division, increased sensitivity to serum, and attenuated virulence. Signal peptide mutations that confer resistance to G5132 lead to the accumulation of diacylglyceryl-modified LirL prolipoprotein in untreated cells without significant loss in cell viability, suggesting that these mutations overcome a block in lipoprotein biosynthetic flux by decreasing LirL prolipoprotein substrate sensitivity to processing by LspA. This study characterizes a lipoprotein that plays a critical role in resistance to LspA inhibitors and validates lipoprotein biosynthesis as a antibacterial target in A. baumannii.
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22
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Genome-wide analysis of fitness factors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli in a pig urinary tract infection model. Microbiol Res 2022; 265:127202. [PMID: 36167007 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in animals and humans. We applied Transposon-Directed Insertion Site sequencing (TraDIS) to determine the fitness genes in two well-characterized UPEC strains, UTI89 and CFT073, in order to identify fitness factors during UTI in a pig model. This novel animal model better reflects the course of UTI in humans than the commonly used mouse model, and facilitates the differentiation between sessile and planktonic UPEC populations. A total of 854 and 483 genes in UTI89 and CFT073, respectively, were predicted to contribute to growth in pig urine, and 1257 and 764, were scored as required for colonization of the bladder. The combined list of fitness genes for growth in urine and cystitis contained 741 (UTI89) and 439 (CFT073) genes. The essential genes for growth on LB agar media supplemented with kanamycin and the fitness factors during growth in human urine were also analyzed in CFT073. A total of 457 essential genes were identified and the pool of fitness genes for growth in human urine included 215 genes. The gene rfaG, which is involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, was included in all the fitness-gene-lists and was further confirmed to be relevant for all the conditions tested regardless of the host and the strain. Thus, this gene may represent a promising target for the development of new therapeutic strategies against UTI UPEC-associated. Besides this important observation, the study revealed strain-specific differences in gene-essentiality as well as in the fitness-gene-repertoire for growth in human urine and UTI of the pig model, and it identified novel factors required for UPEC-induced UTIs.
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23
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Highly Virulent and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 58 from a Sausage in Germany. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081006. [PMID: 35892394 PMCID: PMC9331442 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have previously described the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in human and veterinary medical settings, livestock, and, to a lesser extent, in the environment and food. While they mostly analyzed foodborne E. coli regarding phenotypic and sometimes genotypic antibiotic resistance and basic phylogenetic classification, we have limited understanding of the in vitro and in vivo virulence characteristics and global phylogenetic contexts of these bacteria. Here, we investigated in-depth an E. coli strain (PBIO3502) isolated from a pork sausage in Germany in 2021. Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed sequence type (ST)58, which has an internationally emerging high-risk clonal lineage. In addition to its MDR phenotype that mostly matched the genotype, PBIO3502 demonstrated pronounced virulence features, including in vitro biofilm formation, siderophore secretion, serum resilience, and in vivo mortality in Galleria mellonella larvae. Along with the genomic analysis indicating close phylogenetic relatedness of our strain with publicly available, clinically relevant representatives of the same ST, these results suggest the zoonotic and pathogenic character of PBIO3502 with the potential to cause infection in humans and animals. Additionally, our study highlights the necessity of the One Health approach while integrating human, animal, and environmental health, as well as the role of meat products and food chains in the putative transmission of MDR pathogens.
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24
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Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is an essential organelle that acts as a formidable barrier to antibiotics. Increasingly prevalent resistance to existing drugs has exacerbated the need for antibiotic discovery efforts targeting the OM. Acylated proteins, known as lipoproteins, are essential in every pathway needed to build the OM. The central role of OM lipoproteins makes their biogenesis a uniquely attractive therapeutic target, but it also complicates in vivo identification of on-pathway inhibitors, as inhibition of OM lipoprotein biogenesis broadly disrupts OM assembly. Here, we use genetics to probe the eight essential proteins involved in OM lipoprotein maturation and trafficking. We define a biological signature consisting of three simple assays that can characteristically identify OM lipoprotein biogenesis defects in vivo. We find that several known chemical inhibitors of OM lipoprotein biogenesis conform to the biological signature. We also examine MAC13243, a proposed inhibitor of OM lipoprotein biogenesis, and find that it fails to conform to the biological signature. Indeed, we demonstrate that MAC13243 activity relies entirely on a target outside of the OM lipoprotein biogenesis pathway. Hence, our signature offers simple tools to easily assess whether antibiotic lead compounds target an essential pathway that is the hub of OM assembly.
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25
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Hancock SJ, Lo AW, Ve T, Day CJ, Tan L, Mendez AA, Phan MD, Nhu NTK, Peters KM, Richards AC, Fleming BA, Chang C, Ngu DHY, Forde BM, Haselhorst T, Goh KGK, Beatson SA, Jennings MP, Mulvey MA, Kobe B, Schembri MA. Ucl fimbriae regulation and glycan receptor specificity contribute to gut colonisation by extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010582. [PMID: 35700218 PMCID: PMC9236248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) belong to a critical priority group of antibiotic resistant pathogens. ExPEC establish gut reservoirs that seed infection of the urinary tract and bloodstream, but the mechanisms of gut colonisation remain to be properly understood. Ucl fimbriae are attachment organelles that facilitate ExPEC adherence. Here, we investigated cellular receptors for Ucl fimbriae and Ucl expression to define molecular mechanisms of Ucl-mediated ExPEC colonisation of the gut. We demonstrate differential expression of Ucl fimbriae in ExPEC sequence types associated with disseminated infection. Genome editing of strains from two common sequence types, F11 (ST127) and UTI89 (ST95), identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the ucl promoter that changes fimbriae expression via activation by the global stress-response regulator OxyR, leading to altered gut colonisation. Structure-function analysis of the Ucl fimbriae tip-adhesin (UclD) identified high-affinity glycan receptor targets, with highest affinity for sialyllacto-N-fucopentose VI, a structure likely to be expressed on the gut epithelium. Comparison of the UclD adhesin to the homologous UcaD tip-adhesin from Proteus mirabilis revealed that although they possess a similar tertiary structure, apart from lacto-N-fucopentose VI that bound to both adhesins at low-micromolar affinity, they recognize different fucose- and glucose-containing oligosaccharides. Competitive surface plasmon resonance analysis together with co-structural investigation of UcaD in complex with monosaccharides revealed a broad-specificity glycan binding pocket shared between UcaD and UclD that could accommodate these interactions. Overall, our study describes a mechanism of adaptation that augments establishment of an ExPEC gut reservoir to seed disseminated infections, providing a pathway for the development of targeted anti-adhesion therapeutics. ExPEC infection of the urinary tract and bloodstream is frequently seeded from an intestinal reservoir, necessitating an understanding of the mechanisms that promote gut colonisation. Here we employed molecular and structural approaches to define the regulation and function of ExPEC Ucl fimbriae as a gut colonisation factor. We describe how mutations in the non-coding regulatory region of the ucl promoter cause increased Ucl fimbriae expression and promote enhanced gut colonisation via tuned induction by a global regulator that senses oxygen stress. We further define the glycan receptor targets of Ucl fimbriae and characterise the structural features of the Ucl adhesin that facilitate these interactions. These findings explain how ExPEC can adapt to survival in the gut to seed extra-intestinal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Hancock
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alvin W. Lo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Ve
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Day
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lendl Tan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alejandra A. Mendez
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Minh-Duy Phan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate M. Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda C. Richards
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Brittany A. Fleming
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Chyden Chang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dalton H. Y. Ngu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brian M. Forde
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kelvin G. K. Goh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott A. Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael P. Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Mulvey
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark A. Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Popella L, Jung J, Do PT, Hayward RJ, Barquist L, Vogel J. Comprehensive analysis of PNA-based antisense antibiotics targeting various essential genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6435-6452. [PMID: 35687096 PMCID: PMC9226493 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that target mRNAs of essential bacterial genes exhibit specific bactericidal effects in several microbial species, but our mechanistic understanding of PNA activity and their target gene spectrum is limited. Here, we present a systematic analysis of PNAs targeting 11 essential genes with varying expression levels in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). We demonstrate that UPEC is susceptible to killing by peptide-conjugated PNAs, especially when targeting the widely-used essential gene acpP. Our evaluation yields three additional promising target mRNAs for effective growth inhibition, i.e.dnaB, ftsZ and rpsH. The analysis also shows that transcript abundance does not predict target vulnerability and that PNA-mediated growth inhibition is not universally associated with target mRNA depletion. Global transcriptomic analyses further reveal PNA sequence-dependent but also -independent responses, including the induction of envelope stress response pathways. Importantly, we show that 9mer PNAs are generally as effective in inhibiting bacterial growth as their 10mer counterparts. Overall, our systematic comparison of a range of PNAs targeting mRNAs of different essential genes in UPEC suggests important features for PNA design, reveals a general bacterial response to PNA conjugates and establishes the feasibility of using PNA antibacterials to combat UPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Popella
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Jung
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Phuong Thao Do
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Regan J Hayward
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lars Barquist
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
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27
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Abstract
Many antibiotic resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains belong to clones defined by their multilocus sequence type (ST), with ST131 being the most dominant. Although we have a good understanding of resistance development to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins by ST131, our understanding of the virulence repertoire that has contributed to its global dissemination is limited. Here we show that the genes encoding Afa/Dr fimbriae, a group of adhesins strongly associated with UPEC that cause gestational pyelonephritis and recurrent cystitis, are found in approximately one third of all ST131 strains. Sequence comparison of the AfaE adhesin protein revealed a unique allelic variant carried by 82.9% of afa-positive ST131 strains. We identify the afa regulatory region as a hotspot for the integration of insertion sequence (IS) elements, all but one of which alter afa transcription. Close investigation demonstrated that the integration of an IS1 element in the afa regulatory region leads to increased expression of Afa/Dr fimbriae, promoting enhanced adhesion to kidney epithelial cells and suggesting a mechanism for altered virulence. Finally, we provide evidence for a more widespread impact of IS1 on ST131 genome evolution, suggesting that IS dynamics contribute to strain level microevolution that impacts ST131 fitness. IMPORTANCE E. coli ST131 is the most common antibiotic resistant UPEC clone associated with human urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Understanding the features of ST131 that have driven its global dissemination remains a critical priority if we are to counter its increasing antibiotic resistance. Here, we utilized a large collection of ST131 isolates to investigate the prevalence, regulation, and function of Afa/Dr fimbriae, a well-characterized UPEC colonization and virulence factor. We show that the afa genes are found frequently in ST131 and demonstrate how the integration of IS elements in the afa regulatory region modulates Afa expression, presenting an example of altered virulence capacity. We also exploit a curated set of ST131 genomes to map the integration of the antibiotic resistance-associated IS1 element in the ST131 pangenome, providing evidence for its widespread impact on ST131 genome evolution.
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Torres-Puig S, García V, Stærk K, Andersen TE, Møller-Jensen J, Olsen JE, Herrero-Fresno A. “Omics” Technologies - What Have They Told Us About Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Fitness and Virulence During Urinary Tract Infection? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:824039. [PMID: 35237532 PMCID: PMC8882828 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.824039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the main etiological agent of urinary tract infection (UTI), a widespread infectious disease of great impact on human health. This is further emphasized by the rapidly increase in antimicrobial resistance in UPEC, which compromises UTI treatment. UPEC biology is highly complex since uropathogens must adopt extracellular and intracellular lifestyles and adapt to different niches in the host. In this context, the implementation of forefront ‘omics’ technologies has provided substantial insight into the understanding of UPEC pathogenesis, which has opened the doors for new therapeutics and prophylactics discovery programs. Thus, ‘omics’ technologies applied to studies of UPEC during UTI, or in models of UTI, have revealed extensive lists of factors that are important for the ability of UPEC to cause disease. The multitude of large ‘omics’ datasets that have been generated calls for scrutinized analysis of specific factors that may be of interest for further development of novel treatment strategies. In this review, we describe main UPEC determinants involved in UTI as estimated by ‘omics’ studies, and we compare prediction of factors across the different ‘omics’ technologies, with a focus on those that have been confirmed to be relevant under UTI-related conditions. We also discuss current challenges and future perspectives regarding analysis of data to provide an overview and better understanding of UPEC mechanisms involved in pathogenesis which should assist in the selection of target sites for future prophylaxis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Torres-Puig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vanesa García
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Escherichia coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Lugo, Spain
| | - Kristian Stærk
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas E. Andersen
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jakob Møller-Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - John E. Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ana Herrero-Fresno
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Ana Herrero-Fresno,
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29
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Masoura M, Milner MT, Overton TW, Gkatzionis K, Lund PA. Use of Transposon Directed Insertion-Site Sequencing to Probe the Antibacterial Mechanism of a Model Honey on E. coli K-12. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:803307. [PMID: 35111142 PMCID: PMC8803141 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.803307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an ever-growing health concern worldwide that has created renewed interest in the use of traditional anti-microbial treatments, including honey. However, understanding the underlying mechanism of the anti-microbial action of honey has been hampered due to the complexity of its composition. High throughput genetic tools could assist in understanding this mechanism. In this study, the anti-bacterial mechanism of a model honey, made of sugars, hydrogen peroxide, and gluconic acid, was investigated using genome-wide transposon mutagenesis combined with high-throughput sequencing (TraDIS), with the strain Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 as the target organism. We identified a number of genes which when mutated caused a severe loss of fitness when cells were exposed to the model honey. These genes encode membrane proteins including those involved in uptake of essential molecules, and components of the electron transport chain. They are enriched for pathways involved in intracellular homeostasis and redox activity. Genes involved in assembly and activity of formate dehydrogenase O (FDH-O) were of particular note. The phenotypes of mutants in a subset of the genes identified were confirmed by phenotypic screening of deletion strains. We also found some genes which when mutated led to enhanced resistance to treatment with the model honey. This study identifies potential synergies between the main honey stressors and provides insights into the global antibacterial mechanism of this natural product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masoura
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew T. Milner
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tim W. Overton
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Gkatzionis
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Lemnos, Greece
| | - Peter A. Lund
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Peter A. Lund,
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30
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Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:325-345. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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García V, Grønnemose RB, Torres-Puig S, Kudirkiene E, Piantelli M, Ahmed S, Andersen TE, Møller-Jensen J, Olsen JE, Herrero-Fresno A. Genome-wide analysis of fitness-factors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli during growth in laboratory media and during urinary tract infections. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34928200 PMCID: PMC8767336 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000719] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) UTI89 is a well-characterized strain, which has mainly been used to study UPEC virulence during urinary tract infection (UTI). However, little is known on UTI89 key fitness-factors during growth in lab media and during UTI. Here, we used a transposon-insertion-sequencing approach (TraDIS) to reveal the UTI89 essential-genes for in vitro growth and fitness-gene-sets for growth in Luria broth (LB) and EZ-MOPS medium without glucose, as well as for human bacteriuria and mouse cystitis. A total of 293 essential genes for growth were identified and the set of fitness-genes was shown to differ depending on the growth media. A modified, previously validated UTI murine model, with administration of glucose prior to infection was applied. Selected fitness-genes for growth in urine and mouse-bladder colonization were validated using deletion-mutants. Novel fitness-genes, such as tusA, corA and rfaG; involved in sulphur-acquisition, magnesium-uptake, and LPS-biosynthesis, were proved to be important during UTI. Moreover, rfaG was confirmed as relevant in both niches, and therefore it may represent a target for novel UTI-treatment/prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa García
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Laboratorio de Referencia de Escherichia coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Lugo, Spain
| | - Rasmus B Grønnemose
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sergi Torres-Puig
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Egle Kudirkiene
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mateo Piantelli
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Shahana Ahmed
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas E Andersen
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jakob Møller-Jensen
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - John E Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ana Herrero-Fresno
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Sande C, Whitfield C. Capsules and Extracellular Polysaccharides in Escherichia coli and Salmonella. EcoSal Plus 2021; 9:eESP00332020. [PMID: 34910576 PMCID: PMC11163842 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0033-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates produce a range of different polysaccharide structures that play important roles in their biology. E. coli isolates often possess capsular polysaccharides (K antigens), which form a surface structural layer. These possess a wide range of repeat-unit structures. In contrast, only one capsular polymer (Vi antigen) is found in Salmonella, and it is confined to typhoidal serovars. In both genera, capsules are vital virulence determinants and are associated with the avoidance of host immune defenses. Some isolates of these species also produce a largely secreted exopolysaccharide called colanic acid as part of their complex Rcs-regulated phenotypes, but the precise function of this polysaccharide in microbial cell biology is not fully understood. E. coli isolates produce two additional secreted polysaccharides, bacterial cellulose and poly-N-acetylglucosamine, which play important roles in biofilm formation. Cellulose is also produced by Salmonella isolates, but the genes for poly-N-acetylglucosamine synthesis appear to have been lost during its evolution toward enhanced virulence. Here, we discuss the structures, functions, relationships, and sophisticated assembly mechanisms for these important biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Sande
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Whitfield
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Plasmid-mediated ciprofloxacin resistance imparts a selective advantage on Escherichia coli ST131. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0214621. [PMID: 34780264 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02146-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli ST131 is a recently emerged antibiotic resistant clone responsible for high rates of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Despite its global dominance, the precise mechanisms that have driven the rapid dissemination of ST131 remain unknown. Here, we show that the plasmid-associated resistance gene encoding the AAC(6')-Ib-cr enzyme that inactivates the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin is present in >70% of strains from the most rapidly expanding subgroup of multidrug resistant ST131. Using a series of genome-edited and plasmid-cured isogenic strains, we demonstrate that the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene confers a selective advantage on ST131 in the presence of ciprofloxacin, even in strains containing chromosomal GyrA and ParC FQ-resistance mutations. Further, we identify a pattern of emerging carbapenem resistance in other common E. coli clones carrying both aac(6')-Ib-cr and chromosomal FQ-resistance mutations, suggesting this dual resistance combination may also impart a selective advantage on these non-ST131 antibiotic resistant lineages.
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Beyrouthy R, Sabença C, Robin F, Poeta P, Igrejas G, Bonnet R. Successful Dissemination of Plasmid-Mediated Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Enterobacterales over Humans to Wild Fauna. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071471. [PMID: 34361907 PMCID: PMC8305760 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071471] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria remains poorly understood in the wild ecosystem and at the interface of habitats. Here, we explored the spread of Escherichia coli containing IncI1-ST3 plasmid encoding resistance gene cefotaximase-Munich-1 (blaCTX-M-1) in human-influenced habitats and wild fauna using a genomic approach. Methods. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), single-nucleotide polymorphism comparison, synteny-based analysis and data mining approaches were used to analyse a dataset of genomes and circularised plasmids. Results. CTX-M-1 E. coli sequence types (STs) were preferentially associated with ecosystems. Few STs were shared by distinct habitats. IncI1-ST3-blaCTX-M-1 plasmids are disseminated among all E. coli phylogroups. The main divergences in plasmids were located in a shuffling zone including blaCTX-M-1 inserted in a conserved site. This insertion hot spot exhibited diverse positions and orientations in a zone-modulating conjugation, and the resulting synteny was associated with geographic and biological sources. Conclusions. The ecological success of IncI1-ST3-blaCTX-M-1 appears less linked to the spread of their bacterial recipients than to their ability to transfer in a broad spectrum of bacterial lineages. This feature is associated with the diversity of their shuffling conjugation region that contain blaCTX-M-1. These might be involved in the resistance to antimicrobials, but also in their spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racha Beyrouthy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, (UMR1071), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (USC-2018), Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (R.B.); (F.R.)
- Centre National de Référence de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Carolina Sabença
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trá-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (C.S.); (P.P.)
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Frédéric Robin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, (UMR1071), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (USC-2018), Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (R.B.); (F.R.)
- Centre National de Référence de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Patricia Poeta
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trá-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (C.S.); (P.P.)
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), University NOVA of Lisbon, 2825-168 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Giberto Igrejas
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), University NOVA of Lisbon, 2825-168 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Richard Bonnet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, (UMR1071), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (USC-2018), Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (R.B.); (F.R.)
- Centre National de Référence de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-473754920
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35
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Abstract
Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major public health burden due to high mortality rates and the cost of treatment. The impact of BSI is further compounded by a rise in antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative species associated with these infections. Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter hormaechei, Citrobacter freundii, and Acinetobacter baumannii are all common causes of BSI, which can be recapitulated in a murine model. The objective of this study was to characterize infection kinetics and bacterial replication rates during bacteremia for these six pathogens to gain a better understanding of bacterial physiology during infection. Temporal observations of bacterial burdens of the tested species demonstrated varied abilities to establish colonization in the spleen, liver, or kidney. K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens expanded rapidly in the liver and kidney, respectively. Other organisms, such as C. freundii and E. hormaechei, were steadily cleared from all three target organs throughout the infection. In situ replication rates measured by whole-genome sequencing of bacterial DNA recovered from murine spleens demonstrated that each species was capable of sustained replication at 24 h postinfection, and several species demonstrated <60-min generation times. The relatively short generation times observed in the spleen were in contrast to an overall decrease in bacterial burden for some species, suggesting that the rate of immune-mediated clearance exceeded replication. Furthermore, bacterial generation times measured in the murine spleen approximated those measured during growth in human serum cultures. Together, these findings provide insight into the infection kinetics of six medically important species during bacteremia.
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36
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Phan MD, Bottomley AL, Peters KM, Harry EJ, Schembri MA. Uncovering novel susceptibility targets to enhance the efficacy of third-generation cephalosporins against ESBL-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1415-1423. [PMID: 32073605 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are a major cause of urinary tract infection (UTI), one of the most common infectious diseases in humans. UPEC are increasingly associated with resistance to multiple antibiotics. This includes resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, a common class of antibiotics frequently used to treat UTI. METHODS We employed a high-throughput genome-wide screen using saturated transposon mutagenesis and transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS) together with phenotypic resistance assessment to identify key genes required for survival of the MDR UPEC ST131 strain EC958 in the presence of the third-generation cephalosporin cefotaxime. RESULTS We showed that blaCMY-23 is the major ESBL gene in EC958 responsible for mediating resistance to cefotaxime. Our screen also revealed that mutation of genes involved in cell division and the twin-arginine translocation pathway sensitized EC958 to cefotaxime. The role of these cell-division and protein-secretion genes in cefotaxime resistance was confirmed through the construction of mutants and phenotypic testing. Mutation of these genes also sensitized EC958 to other cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS This work provides an exemplar for the application of TraDIS to define molecular mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics. The identification of mutants that sensitize UPEC to cefotaxime, despite the presence of a cephalosporinase, provides a framework for the development of new approaches to treat infections caused by MDR pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Duy Phan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amy L Bottomley
- The ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kate M Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Harry
- The ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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37
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Larivière D, Wickham L, Keiler K, Nekrutenko A. Reproducible and accessible analysis of transposon insertion sequencing in Galaxy for qualitative essentiality analyses. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:168. [PMID: 34090324 PMCID: PMC8178898 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02184-4] [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: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant progress has been made in advancing and standardizing tools for human genomic and biomedical research. Yet, the field of next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis for microorganisms (including multiple pathogens) remains fragmented, lacks accessible and reusable tools, is hindered by local computational resource limitations, and does not offer widely accepted standards. One such "problem areas" is the analysis of Transposon Insertion Sequencing (TIS) data. TIS allows probing of almost the entire genome of a microorganism by introducing random insertions of transposon-derived constructs. The impact of the insertions on the survival and growth under specific conditions provides precise information about genes affecting specific phenotypic characteristics. A wide array of tools has been developed to analyze TIS data. Among the variety of options available, it is often difficult to identify which one can provide a reliable and reproducible analysis. RESULTS Here we sought to understand the challenges and propose reliable practices for the analysis of TIS experiments. Using data from two recent TIS studies, we have developed a series of workflows that include multiple tools for data de-multiplexing, promoter sequence identification, transposon flank alignment, and read count repartition across the genome. Particular attention was paid to quality control procedures, such as determining the optimal tool parameters for the analysis and removal of contamination. CONCLUSIONS Our work provides an assessment of the currently available tools for TIS data analysis. It offers ready to use workflows that can be invoked by anyone in the world using our public Galaxy platform ( https://usegalaxy.org ). To lower the entry barriers, we have also developed interactive tutorials explaining details of TIS data analysis procedures at https://bit.ly/gxy-tis .
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Larivière
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Galaxy Project
| | - Laura Wickham
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kenneth Keiler
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anton Nekrutenko
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
- The Galaxy Project, .
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38
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Abd El Ghany M, Barquist L, Clare S, Brandt C, Mayho M, Joffre´ E, Sjöling Å, Turner AK, Klena JD, Kingsley RA, Hill-Cawthorne GA, Dougan G, Pickard D. Functional analysis of colonization factor antigen I positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli identifies genes implicated in survival in water and host colonization. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000554. [PMID: 34110281 PMCID: PMC8461466 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000554] [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: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing the colonization pili CFA/I are common causes of diarrhoeal infections in humans. Here, we use a combination of transposon mutagenesis and transcriptomic analysis to identify genes and pathways that contribute to ETEC persistence in water environments and colonization of a mammalian host. ETEC persisting in water exhibit a distinct RNA expression profile from those growing in richer media. Multiple pathways were identified that contribute to water survival, including lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and stress response regulons. The analysis also indicated that ETEC growing in vivo in mice encounter a bottleneck driving down the diversity of colonizing ETEC populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataz Abd El Ghany
- The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Lars Barquist
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Simon Clare
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cordelia Brandt
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Mayho
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Enrique Joffre´
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Sjöling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A. Keith Turner
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - John D. Klena
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert A. Kingsley
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Gordon Dougan
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Derek Pickard
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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39
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Elhenawy W, Hordienko S, Gould S, Oberc AM, Tsai CN, Hubbard TP, Waldor MK, Coombes BK. High-throughput fitness screening and transcriptomics identify a role for a type IV secretion system in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease-associated Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2032. [PMID: 33795670 PMCID: PMC8016931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22306-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) are pathogenic bacteria frequently isolated from patients who have Crohn's disease (CD). Despite the phenotypic differences between AIEC and commensal E. coli, comparative genomic approaches have been unable to differentiate these two groups, making the identification of key virulence factors a challenge. Here, we conduct a high-resolution, in vivo genetic screen to map AIEC genes required for intestinal colonization of mice. In addition, we use in vivo RNA-sequencing to define the host-associated AIEC transcriptome. We identify diverse metabolic pathways required for efficient gut colonization by AIEC and show that a type IV secretion system (T4SS) is required to form biofilms on the surface of epithelial cells, thereby promoting AIEC persistence in the gut. E. coli isolated from CD patients are enriched for a T4SS, suggesting a possible connection to disease activity. Our findings establish the T4SS as a principal AIEC colonization factor and highlight the use of genome-wide screens in decoding the infection biology of CD-associated bacteria that otherwise lack a defined genetic signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Elhenawy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Hordienko
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Gould
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander M Oberc
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Caressa N Tsai
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Troy P Hubbard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew K Waldor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian K Coombes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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40
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Rodríguez-Rojas A, Baeder DY, Johnston P, Regoes RR, Rolff J. Bacteria primed by antimicrobial peptides develop tolerance and persist. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009443. [PMID: 33788905 PMCID: PMC8041211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of innate immune defenses. Because of the antibiotic crisis, AMPs have also come into focus as new drugs. Here, we explore whether prior exposure to sub-lethal doses of AMPs increases bacterial survival and abets the evolution of resistance. We show that Escherichia coli primed by sub-lethal doses of AMPs develop tolerance and increase persistence by producing curli or colanic acid, responses linked to biofilm formation. We develop a population dynamic model that predicts that priming delays the clearance of infections and fuels the evolution of resistance. The effects we describe should apply to many AMPs and other drugs that target the cell surface. The optimal strategy to tackle tolerant or persistent cells requires high concentrations of AMPs and fast and long-lasting expression. Our findings also offer a new understanding of non-inherited drug resistance as an adaptive response and could lead to measures that slow the evolution of resistance. Animals and plants defend themselves with ancient molecules called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against pathogens. As more and more bacterial diseases have become drug resistant, these AMPs are considered as promising alternatives. In natural situation such as on the skin, bacteria are often exposed to low concentrations of AMPs that do no kill. Here we show that the bacterium Escherichia coli when exposed to such low concentrations becomes recalcitrant to killing concentrations of the same AMPs. We report the ways in which the bacteria alter their surface to do so. We then use a mathematical model to show that these effects caused by low concentrations can drive the evolution of resistance. From the perspective of an organism using AMPs in self-defense, the best option is to deploy high concentrations of AMPs for long. Our findings also offer a new understanding of similar drug resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Johnston
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland R. Regoes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (RRR); (JR)
| | - Jens Rolff
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail: (RRR); (JR)
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41
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Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Bacterial Disease: Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Treatment. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00054-21. [PMID: 33558319 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00054-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of viral disease has been demonstrated for infections caused by flaviviruses and influenza viruses; however, antibodies that enhance bacterial disease are relatively unknown. In recent years, a few studies have directly linked antibodies with exacerbation of bacterial disease. This ADE of bacterial disease has been observed in mouse models and human patients with bacterial infections. This antibody-mediated enhancement of bacterial infection is driven by various mechanisms that are disparate from those found in viral ADE. This review aims to highlight and discuss historic evidence, potential molecular mechanisms, and current therapies for ADE of bacterial infection. Based on specific case studies, we report how plasmapheresis has been successfully used in patients to ameliorate infection-related symptomatology associated with bacterial ADE. A greater understanding and appreciation of bacterial ADE of infection and disease could lead to better management of infections and inform current vaccine development efforts.
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42
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Kowarik M, Wetter M, Haeuptle MA, Braun M, Steffen M, Kemmler S, Ravenscroft N, De Benedetto G, Zuppiger M, Sirena D, Cescutti P, Wacker M. The development and characterization of an E. coli O25B bioconjugate vaccine. Glycoconj J 2021; 38:421-435. [PMID: 33730261 PMCID: PMC8260533 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-09985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) cause a wide range of clinical diseases such as bacteremia and urinary tract infections. The increase of multidrug resistant ExPEC strains is becoming a major concern for the treatment of these infections and E. coli has been identified as a critical priority pathogen by the WHO. Therefore, the development of vaccines has become increasingly important, with the surface lipopolysaccharide constituting a promising vaccine target. This study presents genetic and structural analysis of clinical urine isolates from Switzerland belonging to the serotype O25. Approximately 75% of these isolates were shown to correspond to the substructure O25B only recently described in an emerging clone of E. coli sequence type 131. To address the high occurrence of O25B in clinical isolates, an O25B glycoconjugate vaccine was prepared using an E. coli glycosylation system. The O antigen cluster was integrated into the genome of E. coli W3110, thereby generating an E. coli strain able to synthesize the O25B polysaccharide on a carrier lipid. The polysaccharide was enzymatically conjugated to specific asparagine side chains of the carrier protein exotoxin A (EPA) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the PglB oligosaccharyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni. Detailed characterization of the O25B-EPA conjugate by use of physicochemical methods including NMR and GC-MS confirmed the O25B polysaccharide structure in the conjugate, opening up the possibility to develop a multivalent E. coli conjugate vaccine containing O25B-EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kowarik
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland. .,LimmaTech Biologics AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Michael Wetter
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Micha A Haeuptle
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Molecular Partners AG, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Martin Braun
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,LimmaTech Biologics AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Michael Steffen
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,LimmaTech Biologics AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kemmler
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Numab Therapeutics AG, Einsiedlerstrasse 34, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Neil Ravenscroft
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Gianluigi De Benedetto
- Dip. di Scienze della Vita, University di Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Matthias Zuppiger
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,LimmaTech Biologics AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Sirena
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,LimmaTech Biologics AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,GlycoEra AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Paola Cescutti
- Dip. di Scienze della Vita, University di Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael Wacker
- GlycoVaxyn AG, Grabenstrasse 3, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Wacker Biotech Consulting AG, Heuelstrasse 22, 8800, Thalwil, Switzerland
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43
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Multidrug Resistance Dissemination in Escherichia coli Isolated from Wild Animals: Bacterial Clones and Plasmid Complicity. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives. Epidemiological data concerning third-generation cephalosporin (3GC) resistance in wild fauna are scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize the resistance genes, their genetic context, and clonal relatedness in 17 Escherichia coli resistant to 3GC isolated from wild animals. Methods. The isolates were characterized by short-read whole genome sequencing, and long-read sequencing was used for the hybrid assembly of plasmid sequences. Results. The 3GC resistance gene most identified in the isolates was the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-encoding gene blaCTX-M-1 (82.3%), followed by blaCTX-M-32 (5.9%), blaCTX-M-14 (5.9%), and blaSHV-12 (5.9%). E. coli isolates mainly belonged to the sequence types (STs) rarely reported from humans. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based typing showed that most E. coli genomes from wild animals (wild boars, birds of prey, and buzzards) formed clonal clusters (<5 SNPs), showing a clonal dissemination crossing species boundaries. blaCTX-M-1-harboring IncI1-ST3 plasmid was the predominant ESBL-encoding plasmid (76.4%) in wild animal isolates. Plasmid comparison revealed a 110-kb self-transferable plasmid consisting of a conserved backbone and two variable regions involved in antimicrobial resistance and in interaction with recipient cells during conjugation. Conclusion. Our results highlighted the unexpected clonal dissemination of blaCTX-M-1-encoding clones and the complicity of IncI1-ST3 plasmid in the spread of blaCTX-M-1 within wild fauna.
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44
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Rousset F, Cabezas-Caballero J, Piastra-Facon F, Fernández-Rodríguez J, Clermont O, Denamur E, Rocha EPC, Bikard D. The impact of genetic diversity on gene essentiality within the Escherichia coli species. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:301-312. [PMID: 33462433 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-00839-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria from the same species can differ widely in their gene content. In Escherichia coli, the set of genes shared by all strains, known as the core genome, represents about half the number of genes present in any strain. Although recent advances in bacterial genomics have unravelled genes required for fitness in various experimental conditions, most studies have focused on single model strains. As a result, the impact of the species' genetic diversity on core processes of the bacterial cell remains largely under-investigated. Here, we have developed a CRISPR interference platform for high-throughput gene repression that is compatible with most E. coli isolates and closely related species. We have applied it to assess the importance of ~3,400 nearly ubiquitous genes in three growth conditions in 18 representative E. coli strains spanning most common phylogroups and lifestyles of the species. Our screens revealed extensive variations in gene essentiality between strains and conditions. Investigation of the genetic determinants for these variations highlighted the importance of epistatic interactions with mobile genetic elements. In particular, we have shown how prophage-encoded defence systems against phage infection can trigger the essentiality of persistent genes that are usually non-essential. This study provides broad insights into the evolvability of gene essentiality and argues for the importance of studying various isolates from the same species under diverse conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Rousset
- Synthetic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Erick Denamur
- Université de Paris, IAME, INSERM UMR1137, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3525, Paris, France.
| | - David Bikard
- Synthetic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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45
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Luo H, Lin Y, Liu T, Lai FL, Zhang CT, Gao F, Zhang R. DEG 15, an update of the Database of Essential Genes that includes built-in analysis tools. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:D677-D686. [PMID: 33095861 PMCID: PMC7779065 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Essential genes refer to genes that are required by an organism to survive under specific conditions. Studies of the minimal-gene-set for bacteria have elucidated fundamental cellular processes that sustain life. The past five years have seen a significant progress in identifying human essential genes, primarily due to the successful use of CRISPR/Cas9 in various types of human cells. DEG 15, a new release of the Database of Essential Genes (www.essentialgene.org), has provided major advancements, compared to DEG 10. Specifically, the number of eukaryotic essential genes has increased by more than fourfold, and that of prokaryotic ones has more than doubled. Of note, the human essential-gene number has increased by more than tenfold. Moreover, we have developed built-in analysis modules by which users can perform various analyses, such as essential-gene distributions between bacterial leading and lagging strands, sub-cellular localization distribution, enrichment analysis of gene ontology and KEGG pathways, and generation of Venn diagrams to compare and contrast gene sets between experiments. Additionally, the database offers customizable BLAST tools for performing species- and experiment-specific BLAST searches. Therefore, DEG comprehensively harbors updated human-curated essential-gene records among prokaryotes and eukaryotes with built-in tools to enhance essential-gene analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Fei-Liao Lai
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chun-Ting Zhang
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ren Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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46
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Huang WC, Hashimoto M, Shih YL, Wu CC, Lee MF, Chen YL, Wu JJ, Wang MC, Lin WH, Hong MY, Teng CH. Peptidoglycan Endopeptidase Spr of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Contributes to Kidney Infections and Competitive Fitness During Bladder Colonization. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:586214. [PMID: 33391204 PMCID: PMC7774453 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.586214] [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: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common pathogen of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Antibiotic therapy is the conventional measure to manage such infections. However, the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance has reduced the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. Given that the bacterial factors required for the full virulence of the pathogens are potential therapeutic targets, identifying such factors may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies against UPEC UTIs. The peptidoglycan (PG) endopeptidase Spr (also named MepS) is required for PG biogenesis in E. coli. In the present study, we found that Spr deficiency attenuated the ability of UPEC to infect kidneys and induced a fitness defect during bladder colonization in a mouse model of UTI. Based on the liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS)/MS analysis of the bacterial envelope, spr deletion changed the levels of some envelope-associated proteins, suggesting that Spr deficiency interfere with the components of the bacterial structure. Among the proteins, FliC was significantly downregulated in the spr mutant, which is resulted in reduced motility. Lack of Spr might hinder the function of the flagellar transcriptional factor FlhDC to decrease FliC expression. The motility downregulation contributed to the reduced fitness in urinary tract colonization. Additionally, spr deletion compromised the ability of UPEC to evade complement-mediated attack and to resist intracellular killing of phagocytes, consequently decreasing UPEC bloodstream survival. Spr deficiency also interfered with the UPEC morphological switch from bacillary to filamentous shapes during UTI. It is known that bacterial filamentation protects UPEC from phagocytosis by phagocytes. In conclusion, Spr deficiency was shown to compromise multiple virulence properties of UPEC, leading to attenuation of the pathogen in urinary tract colonization and bloodstream survival. These findings indicate that Spr is a potential antimicrobial target for further studies attempting to develop novel strategies in managing UPEC UTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chun Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Masayuki Hashimoto
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Shih
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Wu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Feng Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lei Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Jong Wu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hung Lin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yuan Hong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hao Teng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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47
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Mapping the Transcriptional and Fitness Landscapes of a Pathogenic E. coli Strain: The Effects of Organic Acid Stress under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions. Genes (Basel) 2020; 12:genes12010053. [PMID: 33396416 PMCID: PMC7824302 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Several methods are available to probe cellular responses to external stresses at the whole genome level. RNAseq can be used to measure changes in expression of all genes following exposure to stress, but gives no information about the contribution of these genes to an organism’s ability to survive the stress. The relative contribution of each non-essential gene in the genome to the fitness of the organism under stress can be obtained using methods that use sequencing to estimate the frequencies of members of a dense transposon library grown under different conditions, for example by transposon-directed insertion sequencing (TraDIS). These two methods thus probe different aspects of the underlying biology of the organism. We were interested to determine the extent to which the data from these two methods converge on related genes and pathways. To do this, we looked at a combination of biologically meaningful stresses. The human gut contains different organic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by fermentation of carbon compounds, and Escherichia coli is exposed to these in its passage through the gut. Their effect is likely to depend on both the ambient pH and the level of oxygen present. We, therefore, generated RNAseq and TraDIS data on a uropathogenic E. coli strain grown at either pH 7 or pH 5.5 in the presence or absence of three SCFAs (acetic, propionic and butyric), either aerobically or anaerobically. Our analysis identifies both known and novel pathways as being likely to be important under these conditions. There is no simple correlation between gene expression and fitness, but we found a significant overlap in KEGG pathways that are predicted to be enriched following analysis of the data from the two methods, and the majority of these showed a fitness signature that would be predicted from the gene expression data, assuming expression to be adaptive. Genes which are not in the E. coli core genome were found to be particularly likely to show a positive correlation between level of expression and contribution to fitness.
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48
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Leo V, Tran E, Morona R. Polysaccharide co-polymerase WzzB/WzzE chimeras reveal transmembrane 2 region of WzzB is important for interaction with WzyB. J Bacteriol 2020; 203:JB.00598-20. [PMID: 33361196 PMCID: PMC8095455 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00598-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteria to synthesise complex polysaccharide chains at a controlled number of repeating units has wide implications for a range of biological activities that include: symbiosis, biofilm formation and immune system avoidance. Complex polysaccharide chains such as the O antigen (Oag) component of lipopolysaccharide and the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) are synthesised by the most common polysaccharide synthesis pathway used in bacteria, known as the Wzy-dependent pathway. The Oag and ECA are polymerized into chains via the inner membrane proteins WzyB and WzyE, respectively, while the respective co-polymerases WzzB and WzzE modulate the number of repeat units in the chains or "the modal length" of the polysaccharide via a hypothesised interaction. Our data shows for the first time "cross-talk" between Oag and ECA synthesis in that WzzE is able to partially regulate Oag modal length via a potential interaction with WzyB. To investigate this, one or both of the transmembrane regions (TM1 and TM2) of WzzE and WzzB were swapped creating six chimera proteins. Several chimeric proteins showed significant increases Oag modal length control, while others reduced control. Additionally, co-purification experiments show an interaction between WzyB and WzzB for the first time without the use of a chemical cross-linker, and a novel interaction between WzyB and WzzE. These results suggest the TM2 region of Wzz proteins plays a critical role in Oag and ECA modal length control, presumably via the interaction with respective Wzy proteins, thus providing insight into the complex mechanism underlying the control of polysaccharide biosynthesis.ImportanceBacteria synthesise complex polysaccharide chains at a controlled number of repeating units, this has wide implications for a range of bacterial activities involved in virulence. Examples of complex polysaccharide chains include, the O antigen (Oag) component of lipopolysaccharide and the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA), both of these examples are predominantly synthesised by their own independent Wzy-dependent pathway. Our data show for the first time "cross-talk" between Oag and ECA synthesis and identifies novel physical protein-protein interactions between proteins in these systems. These findings further the understanding of how the system functions to control polysaccharide chain length which has great implications for novel biotechnologies and/or the combat of bacterial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Leo
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Tran
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Renato Morona
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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49
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Bogema DR, McKinnon J, Liu M, Hitchick N, Miller N, Venturini C, Iredell J, Darling AE, Roy Chowdury P, Djordjevic SP. Whole-genome analysis of extraintestinal Escherichia coli sequence type 73 from a single hospital over a 2 year period identified different circulating clonal groups. Microb Genom 2020; 6. [PMID: 30810518 PMCID: PMC7067039 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence type (ST)73 has emerged as one of the most frequently isolated extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli. To examine the localized diversity of ST73 clonal groups, including their mobile genetic element profile, we sequenced the genomes of 16 multiple-drug resistant ST73 isolates from patients with urinary tract infection from a single hospital in Sydney, Australia, between 2009 and 2011. Genome sequences were used to generate a SNP-based phylogenetic tree to determine the relationship of these isolates in a global context with ST73 sequences (n=210) from public databases. There was no evidence of a dominant outbreak strain of ST73 in patients from this hospital, rather we identified at least eight separate groups, several of which reoccurred, over a 2 year period. The inferred phylogeny of all ST73 strains (n=226) including the ST73 clone D i2 reference genome shows high bootstrap support and clusters into four major groups that correlate with serotype. The Sydney ST73 strains carry a wide variety of virulence-associated genes, but the presence of iss, pic and several iron-acquisition operons was notable.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Bogema
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia.,The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - J McKinnon
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - M Liu
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - N Hitchick
- San Pathology, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia
| | - N Miller
- San Pathology, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia
| | - C Venturini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - J Iredell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - A E Darling
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - P Roy Chowdury
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - S P Djordjevic
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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50
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Ma J, Cheng Z, Bai Q, Zhao K, Pan Z, Yao H. Screening virulence factors of porcine extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (an emerging pathotype) required for optimal growth in swine blood. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2005-2016. [PMID: 32969570 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Porcine extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is occurring with increasing frequency in China, which causes acute septicemia and sudden death in pigs leading to significant economic losses. Bacterial survival and even proliferation within host bloodstream are a common manifestation of a number of bacterial septicemias, including porcine ExPEC diseases. However, the underlying pathogenesis for this novel pathotype of ExPEC has not been explored deeply. Here, we used a conjunction with transposon mutagenesis to identify the mechanisms of bacterial fitness involved in optimal growth of porcine ExPEC in swine serum ex vivo under static culture. Our work identified 28 genes involved in nucleotide biosynthesis, extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis, regulators Fur and FNR, acid/zinc resistance, and Deley-Douderoff carbon metabolism that are required for the serum fitness. Subsequent functional analyses revealed that either interruption of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis or blocking of several extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis including O2-antigen, Lipid A-core, and ECA significantly affect porcine ExPEC's growth in swine serum and proliferation in host bloodstream. Furthermore, the reasonable regulations of iron and anaerobic metabolisms in response to host stimuli by global regulators Fur and FNR also play key roles during systemic infection of porcine ExPEC. These findings provide compelling evidences that de novo nucleotide biosynthesis may enable porcine ExPEC to adapt to swine blood-specific nutrient availability, and the effective assembly of O-antigen, lipid A-core, and ECA is required to resist the bactericidal activity of swine serum. These studies contribute to better understand the underlying mechanisms employed by porcine ExPEC to survive, grow in the swine bloodstream, and cause disease. These related factors may serve as therapeutic targets for countering or preventing ExPEC serum resistance in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Ma
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhixin Cheng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiankun Bai
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Kejie Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Pan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
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