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Goodyear MC, Cameron CE. How Proteomics Can Inform Vaccine Design for Sexually Transmitted Infections. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:e36-e39. [PMID: 38860670 PMCID: PMC11392604 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mara C Goodyear
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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2
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Favacho JDFR, Leite KK, Jacomasso T, Farias AB, Franco Filho LC, Gomes STM, dos Reis HS, Mota GD, Schluga PHDC, Tassi WS, Rampazzo RDCP, West SK, Gaydos CA, da Cunha AJLA, Costa ADT. Validation of a New Duplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA Detection in Ocular Swab Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:892. [PMID: 38732307 PMCID: PMC11083659 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is the world-leading infectious cause of preventable blindness and is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. In developing countries, diagnosis is usually based on clinical evaluation. Serological-based tests are cheaper than molecular-based ones, but the latter are more sensitive and specific. The present study developed a new duplex qPCR which concomitantly detects the C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid and the human 18S rRNA gene, with an LOD95% for C. trachomatis DNA of 13.04 genome equivalents per reaction. The new qPCR was tested using 50 samples from an endemic area and 12 from a non-endemic area that were previously characterized using direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and clinical evaluation. Among the 50 endemic samples, 3 were found to be positive by clinical evaluation (6%), 18 were found to be positive by DFA (36%), and 48 were found to be positive by qPCR (96%). Next, the new duplex qPCR was validated using 50 samples previously characterized by qPCR. Validation was carried out on a benchtop instrument (ABI7500) or on a portable point-of-care instrument (Q3-Plus), showing 95% specificity and 100% sensitivity. The ubiquitous presence of C. trachomatis DNA in samples from the endemic region confirms that constant monitoring is of paramount importance for the effective measurement of the elimination of trachoma. The newly developed duplex qPCR presented in this study, along with its validation in a portable qPCR system, constitutes important tools toward achieving this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana da Felicidade Ribeiro Favacho
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance, Ministry of Health (IEC/SVSA/MS), Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil; (L.C.F.F.); (H.S.d.R.)
| | - Keren Kariene Leite
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP), Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil (T.J.)
| | - Thiago Jacomasso
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP), Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil (T.J.)
| | - Aline Burda Farias
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP), Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil (T.J.)
| | - Luciano Chaves Franco Filho
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance, Ministry of Health (IEC/SVSA/MS), Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil; (L.C.F.F.); (H.S.d.R.)
| | - Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance, Ministry of Health (IEC/SVSA/MS), Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil; (L.C.F.F.); (H.S.d.R.)
| | - Herald Souza dos Reis
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance, Ministry of Health (IEC/SVSA/MS), Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil; (L.C.F.F.); (H.S.d.R.)
| | - Gardene Dourado Mota
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance, Ministry of Health (IEC/SVSA/MS), Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil; (L.C.F.F.); (H.S.d.R.)
| | | | - Walleyd Sami Tassi
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP), Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil (T.J.)
| | | | - Sheila Kay West
- Dana Center for Preventative Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
| | - Charlotte Ann Gaydos
- International Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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3
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Mandel CG, Sanchez SE, Monahan CC, Phuklia W, Omsland A. Metabolism and physiology of pathogenic bacterial obligate intracellular parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1284701. [PMID: 38585652 PMCID: PMC10995303 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1284701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial obligate intracellular parasites (BOIPs) represent an exclusive group of bacterial pathogens that all depend on invasion of a eukaryotic host cell to reproduce. BOIPs are characterized by extensive adaptation to their respective replication niches, regardless of whether they replicate within the host cell cytoplasm or within specialized replication vacuoles. Genome reduction is also a hallmark of BOIPs that likely reflects streamlining of metabolic processes to reduce the need for de novo biosynthesis of energetically costly metabolic intermediates. Despite shared characteristics in lifestyle, BOIPs show considerable diversity in nutrient requirements, metabolic capabilities, and general physiology. In this review, we compare metabolic and physiological processes of prominent pathogenic BOIPs with special emphasis on carbon, energy, and amino acid metabolism. Recent advances are discussed in the context of historical views and opportunities for discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron G. Mandel
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Savannah E. Sanchez
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Colleen C. Monahan
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Weerawat Phuklia
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Anders Omsland
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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4
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Martínez LE, Gómez G, Ramírez N, Franco B, Robleto EA, Pedraza-Reyes M. 8-OxoG-Dependent Regulation of Global Protein Responses Leads to Mutagenesis and Stress Survival in Bacillus subtilis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:332. [PMID: 38539865 PMCID: PMC10968225 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13030332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The guanine oxidized (GO) system of Bacillus subtilis, composed of the YtkD (MutT), MutM and MutY proteins, counteracts the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the oxidized nucleobase 8-OxoG. Here, we report that in growing B. subtilis cells, the genetic inactivation of GO system potentiated mutagenesis (HPM), and subsequent hyperresistance, contributes to the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (HPHR). The mechanism(s) that connect the accumulation of the mutagenic lesion 8-OxoG with the ability of B. subtilis to evolve and survive the noxious effects of oxidative stress were dissected. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicated that the synthesis of KatA was exacerbated, in a PerR-independent manner, and the transcriptional coupling repair factor, Mfd, contributed to HPHR and HPM of the ΔGO strain. Moreover, these phenotypes are associated with wider pleiotropic effects, as revealed by a global proteome analysis. The inactivation of the GO system results in the upregulated production of KatA, and it reprograms the synthesis of the proteins involved in distinct types of cellular stress; this has a direct impact on (i) cysteine catabolism, (ii) the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters, (iii) the reorganization of cell wall architecture, (iv) the activation of AhpC/AhpF-independent organic peroxide resistance, and (v) increased resistance to transcription-acting antibiotics. Therefore, to contend with the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects derived from the accumulation of 8-OxoG, B. subtilis activates the synthesis of proteins belonging to transcriptional regulons that respond to a wide, diverse range of cell stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissett E. Martínez
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico; (L.E.M.); (G.G.); (N.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Gerardo Gómez
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico; (L.E.M.); (G.G.); (N.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Norma Ramírez
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico; (L.E.M.); (G.G.); (N.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Bernardo Franco
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico; (L.E.M.); (G.G.); (N.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Eduardo A. Robleto
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89557, USA;
| | - Mario Pedraza-Reyes
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico; (L.E.M.); (G.G.); (N.R.); (B.F.)
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5
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Walker FC, Derré I. Contributions of diverse models of the female reproductive tract to the study of Chlamydia trachomatis-host interactions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102416. [PMID: 38103413 PMCID: PMC10922760 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted infections in humans with devastating sequelae. Understanding of disease on all scales, from molecular details to the immunology underlying pathology, is essential for identifying new ways of preventing and treating chlamydia. Infection models of various complexity are essential to understand all aspects of chlamydia pathogenesis. Cell culture systems allow for research into molecular details of infection, including characterization of the unique biphasic Chlamydia developmental cycle and the role of type-III-secreted effectors in modifying the host environment to allow for infection. Multicell type and organoid culture provide means to investigate how cells other than the infected cells contribute to the control of infection. Emerging comprehensive three-dimensional biomimetic systems may fill an important gap in current models to provide information on complex phenotypes that cannot be modeled in simpler in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest C Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Derré
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
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6
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Swoboda AR, Wood NA, Saery EA, Fisher DJ, Ouellette SP. The Periplasmic Tail-Specific Protease, Tsp, Is Essential for Secondary Differentiation in Chlamydia trachomatis. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0009923. [PMID: 37092988 PMCID: PMC10210983 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00099-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (Ctr) undergoes a complex developmental cycle in which the bacterium differentiates between two functionally and morphologically distinct forms: the elementary body (EB) and the reticulate body (RB). The EB is the smaller, infectious, nondividing form which initiates infection of a susceptible host cell, whereas the RB is the larger, non-infectious form which replicates within a membrane-bound vesicle called an inclusion. The mechanism(s) which drives differentiation between these developmental forms is poorly understood. Bulk protein turnover is likely required for chlamydial differentiation given the significant differences in the protein repertoires and functions of the EB and RB. We hypothesize that periplasmic protein turnover is also critical for the reorganization of an RB into an EB, referred to as secondary differentiation. Ct441 is a periplasmic protease ortholog of tail-specific proteases (i.e., Tsp, Prc) and is expressed in Ctr during secondary differentiation. We investigated the effect of altering Tsp expression on developmental cycle progression. Through assessment of bacterial morphology and infectious progeny production, we found that both overexpression and CRISPR interference/dCas9 (CRISPRi)-mediated knockdown of Tsp negatively impacted chlamydial development through different mechanisms. We also confirmed that catalytic activity is required for the negative effect of overexpression and confirmed the effect of the mutation in in vitro assays. Electron microscopic assessments during knockdown experiments revealed a defect in EB morphology, directly linking Tsp function to secondary differentiation. These data implicate Ct441/Tsp as a critical factor in secondary differentiation. IMPORTANCE The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of preventable infectious blindness and bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. This pathogen has a unique developmental cycle that alternates between distinct forms. However, the key processes of chlamydial development remain obscure. Uncovering the mechanisms of differentiation between its metabolically and functionally distinct developmental forms may foster the discovery of novel Chlamydia-specific therapeutics and limit development of resistant bacterial populations derived from the clinical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In this study, we investigate chlamydial tail-specific protease (Tsp) and its function in chlamydial growth and development. Our work implicates Tsp as essential to chlamydial developmental cycle progression and indicates that Tsp is a potential drug target for Chlamydia infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail R. Swoboda
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Wood
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Saery
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Derek J. Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Scot P. Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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7
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Cheong HC, Sulaiman S, Looi CY, Chang LY, Wong WF. Chlamydia Infection Remodels Host Cell Mitochondria to Alter Energy Metabolism and Subvert Apoptosis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1382. [PMID: 37374883 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia infection represents an important cause for concern for public health worldwide. Chlamydial infection of the genital tract in females is mostly asymptomatic at the early stage, often manifesting as mucopurulent cervicitis, urethritis, and salpingitis at the later stage; it has been associated with female infertility, spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and cervical cancer. As an obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia depends heavily on host cells for nutrient acquisition, energy production, and cell propagation. The current review discusses various strategies utilized by Chlamydia in manipulating the cell metabolism to benefit bacterial propagation and survival through close interaction with the host cell mitochondrial and apoptotic pathway molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Choon Cheong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Sofiah Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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8
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Luu LDW, Kasimov V, Phillips S, Myers GSA, Jelocnik M. Genome organization and genomics in Chlamydia: whole genome sequencing increases understanding of chlamydial virulence, evolution, and phylogeny. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1178736. [PMID: 37287464 PMCID: PMC10242142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1178736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia contains important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens to humans and animals, including C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Since 1998, when the first Chlamydia genome was published, our understanding of how these microbes interact, evolved and adapted to different intracellular host environments has been transformed due to the expansion of chlamydial genomes. This review explores the current state of knowledge in Chlamydia genomics and how whole genome sequencing has revolutionised our understanding of Chlamydia virulence, evolution, and phylogeny over the past two and a half decades. This review will also highlight developments in multi-omics and other approaches that have complemented whole genome sequencing to advance knowledge of Chlamydia pathogenesis and future directions for chlamydial genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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9
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Azadmanesh J, Seleem MA, Struble L, Wood NA, Fisher DJ, Lovelace JJ, Artigues A, Fenton AW, Borgstahl GEO, Ouellette SP, Conda-Sheridan M. The structure of caseinolytic protease subunit ClpP2 reveals a functional model of the caseinolytic protease system from Chlamydia trachomatis. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102762. [PMID: 36463962 PMCID: PMC9823225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (ct) is the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide and the leading cause of preventable blindness. Caseinolytic proteases (ClpP) from pathogenic bacteria are attractive antibiotic targets, particularly for bacterial species that form persister colonies with phenotypic resistance against common antibiotics. ClpP functions as a multisubunit proteolytic complex, and bacteria are eradicated when ClpP is disrupted. Although crucial for chlamydial development and the design of agents to treat chlamydia, the structures of ctClpP1 and ctClpP2 have yet to be solved. Here, we report the first crystal structure of full-length ClpP2 as an inactive homotetradecamer in a complex with a candidate antibiotic at 2.66 Å resolution. The structure details the functional domains of the ClpP2 protein subunit and includes the handle domain, which is integral to proteolytic activation. In addition, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectroscopy probed the dynamics of ClpP2, and molecular modeling of ClpP1 predicted an assembly with ClpP2. By leveraging previous enzymatic experiments, we constructed a model of ClpP2 activation and its interaction with the protease subunits ClpP1 and ClpX. The structural information presented will be relevant for future rational drug design against these targets and will lead to a better understanding of ClpP complex formation and activation within this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahaun Azadmanesh
- The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Mohamed A Seleem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Lucas Struble
- The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Nicholas A Wood
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Derek J Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Lovelace
- The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Antonio Artigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Aron W Fenton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Gloria E O Borgstahl
- The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Scot P Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Martin Conda-Sheridan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
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Zubair M, Wang J, Yu Y, Faisal M, Qi M, Shah AU, Feng Z, Shao G, Wang Y, Xiong Q. Proteomics approaches: A review regarding an importance of proteome analyses in understanding the pathogens and diseases. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1079359. [PMID: 36601329 PMCID: PMC9806867 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1079359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteomics is playing an increasingly important role in identifying pathogens, emerging and re-emerging infectious agents, understanding pathogenesis, and diagnosis of diseases. Recently, more advanced and sophisticated proteomics technologies have transformed disease diagnostics and vaccines development. The detection of pathogens is made possible by more accurate and time-constrained technologies, resulting in an early diagnosis. More detailed and comprehensive information regarding the proteome of any noxious agent is made possible by combining mass spectrometry with various gel-based or short-gun proteomics approaches recently. MALDI-ToF has been proved quite useful in identifying and distinguishing bacterial pathogens. Other quantitative approaches are doing their best to investigate bacterial virulent factors, diagnostic markers and vaccine candidates. Proteomics is also helping in the identification of secreted proteins and their virulence-related functions. This review aims to highlight the role of cutting-edge proteomics approaches in better understanding the functional genomics of pathogens. This also underlines the limitations of proteomics in bacterial secretome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zubair
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanfei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China,College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Faisal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mingpu Qi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Abid Ullah Shah
- National Research Centre of Engineering and Technology for Veterinary Biologicals, Institute of Veterinary Immunology and Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhixin Feng
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoqing Shao
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Yu Wang
| | - Qiyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China,College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China,Qiyan Xiong
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11
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Abstract
Despite having a highly reduced genome, Chlamydia trachomatis undergoes a complex developmental cycle in which the bacteria differentiate between the following two functionally and morphologically distinct forms: the infectious, nonreplicative elementary body (EB) and the noninfectious, replicative reticulate body (RB). The transitions between EBs and RBs are not mediated by division events that redistribute intracellular proteins. Rather, both primary (EB to RB) and secondary (RB to EB) differentiation likely require bulk protein turnover. One system for targeted protein degradation is the trans-translation system for ribosomal rescue, where polypeptides stalled during translation are marked with an SsrA tag encoded by a hybrid tRNA-mRNA, tmRNA. ClpX recognizes the SsrA tag, leading to ClpXP-mediated degradation. We hypothesize that ClpX functions in chlamydial differentiation through targeted protein degradation. We found that mutation of a key residue (R230A) within the specific motif in ClpX associated with the recognition of SsrA-tagged substrates resulted in abrogated secondary differentiation while not reducing chlamydial replication or developmental cycle progression as measured by transcripts. Furthermore, inhibition of trans-translation through chemical and targeted genetic approaches also impeded chlamydial development. Knockdown of tmRNA and subsequent complementation with an allele mutated in the SsrA tag closely phenocopied the overexpression of ClpXR230A, thus suggesting that ClpX recognition of SsrA-tagged substrates plays a critical function in secondary differentiation. Taken together, these data provide mechanistic insight into the requirements for transitions between chlamydial developmental forms. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and preventable infectious blindness. This unique organism undergoes developmental transitions between infectious, nondividing forms and noninfectious, dividing forms. Therefore, the chlamydial developmental cycle is an attractive target for Chlamydia-specific antibiotics, which would minimize effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics on the spread of antibiotic resistance in other organisms. However, the lack of knowledge about chlamydial development on a molecular level impedes the identification of specific, druggable targets. This work describes a mechanism through which both the fundamental processes of trans-translation and proteomic turnover by ClpXP contribute to chlamydial differentiation, a critical facet of chlamydial growth and survival. Given the almost universal presence of trans-translation and ClpX in eubacteria, this mechanism may be conserved in developmental cycles of other bacterial species. Additionally, this study expands the fields of trans-translation and Clp proteases by emphasizing the functional diversity of these systems throughout bacterial evolution.
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12
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Cortina ME, Bishop RC, DeVasure BA, Coppens I, Derré I. The inclusion membrane protein IncS is critical for initiation of the Chlamydia intracellular developmental cycle. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010818. [PMID: 36084160 PMCID: PMC9491573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
All Chlamydia species are obligate intracellular bacteria that undergo a unique biphasic developmental cycle strictly in the lumen of a membrane bound compartment, the inclusion. Chlamydia specific Type III secreted effectors, known as inclusion membrane proteins (Inc), are embedded into the inclusion membrane. Progression through the developmental cycle, in particular early events of conversion from infectious (EB) to replicative (RB) bacteria, is important for intracellular replication, but poorly understood. Here, we identified the inclusion membrane protein IncS as a critical factor for Chlamydia development. We show that a C. trachomatis conditional mutant is impaired in transition from EB to RB in human cells, and C. muridarum mutant bacteria fail to develop in a mouse model of Chlamydia infection. Thus, IncS represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention of the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections of bacterial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Cortina
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - R. Clayton Bishop
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Brittany A. DeVasure
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Derré
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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13
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Mandel C, Yang H, Buchko GW, Abendroth J, Grieshaber N, Chiarelli T, Grieshaber S, Omsland A. Expression and structure of the Chlamydia trachomatis DksA ortholog. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6564600. [PMID: 35388904 PMCID: PMC9126822 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial obligate intracellular parasite and a significant cause of human disease, including sexually transmitted infections and trachoma. The bacterial RNA polymerase-binding protein DksA is a transcription factor integral to the multicomponent bacterial stress response pathway known as the stringent response. The genome of C. trachomatis encodes a DksA ortholog (DksACt) that is maximally expressed at 15–20 h post infection, a time frame correlating with the onset of transition between the replicative reticulate body (RB) and infectious elementary body (EB) forms of the pathogen. Ectopic overexpression of DksACt in C. trachomatis prior to RB–EB transitions during infection of HeLa cells resulted in a 39.3% reduction in overall replication (yield) and a 49.6% reduction in recovered EBs. While the overall domain organization of DksACt is similar to the DksA ortholog of Escherichia coli (DksAEc), DksACt did not functionally complement DksAEc. Transcription of dksACt is regulated by tandem promoters, one of which also controls expression of nrdR, encoding a negative regulator of deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis. The phenotype resulting from ectopic expression of DksACt and the correlation between dksACt and nrdR expression is consistent with a role for DksACt in the C. trachomatis developmental cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Mandel
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Hong Yang
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Garry W Buchko
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164, USA.,Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA.,Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, WA, USA
| | - Jan Abendroth
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, WA, USA.,UCB, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, USA
| | - Nicole Grieshaber
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Travis Chiarelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Scott Grieshaber
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Anders Omsland
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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14
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Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium whose unique developmental cycle consists of an infectious elementary body and a replicative reticulate body. Progression of this developmental cycle requires temporal control of the transcriptome. In addition to the three chlamydial sigma factors (σ66, σ28, and σ54) that recognize promoter sequences of genes, chlamydial transcription factors are expected to play crucial roles in transcriptional regulation. Here, we investigate the function of GrgA, a Chlamydia-specific transcription factor, in C. trachomatis transcriptomic expression. We show that 10 to 30 min of GrgA overexpression induces 13 genes, which likely comprise the direct regulon of GrgA. Significantly, σ66-dependent genes that code for two important transcription repressors are components of the direct regulon. One of these repressors is Euo, which prevents the expression of late genes during early phases. The other is HrcA, which regulates molecular chaperone expression and controls stress response. The direct regulon also includes a σ28-dependent gene that codes for the putative virulence factor PmpI. Furthermore, overexpression of GrgA leads to decreased expression of almost all tRNAs. Transcriptomic studies suggest that GrgA, Euo, and HrcA have distinct but overlapping indirect regulons. These findings, together with temporal expression patterns of grgA, euo, and hrcA, indicate that a transcriptional regulatory network of these three transcription factors plays critical roles in C. trachomatis growth and development. IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide and is a leading cause of preventable blindness in underdeveloped areas as well as some developed countries. Chlamydia carries genes that encode a limited number of known transcription factors. While Euo is thought to be critical for early chlamydial development, the functions of GrgA and HrcA in the developmental cycle are unclear. Activation of euo and hrcA immediately following GrgA overexpression indicates that GrgA functions as a master transcriptional regulator. In addition, by broadly inhibiting tRNA expression, GrgA serves as a key regulator of chlamydial protein synthesis. Furthermore, by upregulating pmpI, GrgA may act as an upstream virulence determinant. Finally, genes coregulated by GrgA, Euo, and HrcA likely play critical roles in chlamydial growth and developmental control.
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15
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Colpaert M, Kadouche D, Ducatez M, Pillonel T, Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Cenci U, Huang B, Chabi M, Maes E, Coddeville B, Couderc L, Touzet H, Bray F, Tirtiaux C, Ball S, Greub G, Colleoni C. Conservation of the glycogen metabolism pathway underlines a pivotal function of storage polysaccharides in Chlamydiae. Commun Biol 2021; 4:296. [PMID: 33674787 PMCID: PMC7935935 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01794-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The order Chlamydiales includes obligate intracellular pathogens capable of infecting mammals, fishes and amoeba. Unlike other intracellular bacteria for which intracellular adaptation led to the loss of glycogen metabolism pathway, all chlamydial families maintained the nucleotide-sugar dependent glycogen metabolism pathway i.e. the GlgC-pathway with the notable exception of both Criblamydiaceae and Waddliaceae families. Through detailed genome analysis and biochemical investigations, we have shown that genome rearrangement events have resulted in a defective GlgC-pathway and more importantly we have evidenced a distinct trehalose-dependent GlgE-pathway in both Criblamydiaceae and Waddliaceae families. Altogether, this study strongly indicates that the glycogen metabolism is retained in all Chlamydiales without exception, highlighting the pivotal function of storage polysaccharides, which has been underestimated to date. We propose that glycogen degradation is a mandatory process for fueling essential metabolic pathways that ensure the survival and virulence of extracellular forms i.e. elementary bodies of Chlamydiales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Colpaert
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Derifa Kadouche
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Mathieu Ducatez
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ugo Cenci
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Binquan Huang
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan/School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Malika Chabi
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuel Maes
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Bernadette Coddeville
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Loïc Couderc
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Hélène Touzet
- University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, UMR 9189 - CRIStAL - Centre de Recherche en Informatique Signal et Automatique de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Bray
- University of Lille, CNRS, USR 3290-MSAP-Miniaturisation pour la Synthèse, l'Analyse et la Protéomique, Lille, France
| | - Catherine Tirtiaux
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Steven Ball
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Colleoni
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France.
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16
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Cruz-Mirón R, Ramírez-Flores CJ, Lagunas-Cortés N, Mondragón-Castelán M, Ríos-Castro E, González-Pozos S, Aguirre-García MM, Mondragón-Flores R. Proteomic characterization of the pellicle of Toxoplasma gondii. J Proteomics 2021; 237:104146. [PMID: 33588107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful intracellular parasites in the world. The dynamic, adhesion, invasion, and even replication capabilities of Toxoplasma are based on dynamic machinery located in the pellicle, a three membrane complex that surrounds the parasite. Among the proteins that carry out these processes are inner membrane complex (IMC) proteins, gliding-associated proteins (GAP), diverse myosins, actin, tubulin, and SRS proteins. Despite the importance of the pellicle, the knowledge of its composition is limited. Broad protein identification from an enriched pellicle fraction was obtained by independent digestion with trypsin and chymotrypsin and quantified by mass spectrometry. By trypsin digestion, 548 proteins were identified, while by chymotrypsin digestion, additional 22 proteins were identified. Besides, a group of "sequences related to SAG1" proteins (SRS) were detected together with unidentified new proteins. From identified SRS proteins, SRS51 was chosen for analysis and modeling as its similarities with crystallized adhesion proteins, exhibiting the presence of a spatial groove that is apparently involved in adhesion and cell invasion. As SRS proteins have been reported to be involved in the activation of the host's immune response, further studies could consider them as targets in the design of vaccines or of drugs against Toxoplasma. SIGNIFICANCE: To date, the proteomic composition of the pellicle of Toxoplasma is unknown. Most proteins reported in Toxoplasma pellicle have been poorly studied, and many others remain unidentified. Herein, a group of new SRS proteins is described. Some SRS proteins previously described from pellicle fraction have adhesion properties to the host cell membrane, so their study would provide data related to invasion mechanism and to open possibilities for considering them as targets in the design of immunoprotective strategies or the design of new pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Cruz-Mirón
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | - Carlos J Ramírez-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Noé Lagunas-Cortés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | - Mónica Mondragón-Castelán
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | | | | | - M Magdalena Aguirre-García
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Mondragón-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico.
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17
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Host and Bacterial Glycolysis during Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00545-20. [PMID: 32900818 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00545-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of noncongenital blindness and causative agent of the most common sexually transmitted infection of bacterial origin. With a reduced genome, C. trachomatis is dependent on its host for survival, in part due to a need for the host cell to compensate for incomplete bacterial metabolic pathways. However, relatively little is known regarding how C. trachomatis is able to hijack host cell metabolism. In this study, we show that two host glycolytic enzymes, aldolase A and pyruvate kinase, as well as lactate dehydrogenase, are enriched at the C. trachomatis inclusion membrane during infection. Inclusion localization was not species specific, since a similar phenotype was observed with C. muridarum Time course experiments showed that the number of positive inclusions increased throughout the developmental cycle. In addition, these host enzymes colocalized to the same inclusion, and their localization did not appear to be dependent on sustained bacterial protein synthesis or on intact host actin, vesicular trafficking, or microtubules. Depletion of the host glycolytic enzyme aldolase A resulted in decreased inclusion size and infectious progeny production, indicating a role for host glycolysis in bacterial growth. Finally, quantitative PCR analysis showed that expression of C. trachomatis glycolytic enzymes inversely correlated with host enzyme localization at the inclusion. We discuss potential mechanisms leading to inclusion localization of host glycolytic enzymes and how it could benefit the bacteria. Altogether, our findings provide further insight into the intricate relationship between host and bacterial metabolism during Chlamydia infection.
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18
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Schormann N, Campos J, Motamed R, Hayden KL, Gould JR, Green TJ, Senkovich O, Banerjee S, Ulett GC, Chattopadhyay D. Chlamydia trachomatis glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: Enzyme kinetics, high-resolution crystal structure, and plasminogen binding. Protein Sci 2020; 29:2446-2458. [PMID: 33058314 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is an evolutionarily conserved essential enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. GAPDH is also involved in a wide spectrum of non-catalytic cellular 'moonlighting' functions. Bacterial surface-associated GAPDHs engage in many host interactions that aid in colonization, pathogenesis, and virulence. We have structurally and functionally characterized the recombinant GAPDH of the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial and ocular infections. Contrary to earlier speculations, recent data confirm the presence of glucose-catabolizing enzymes including GAPDH in both stages of the biphasic life cycle of the bacterium. The high-resolution crystal structure described here provides a close-up view of the enzyme's active site and surface topology and reveals two chemically modified cysteine residues. Moreover, we show for the first time that purified C. trachomatis GAPDH binds to human plasminogen and plasmin. Based on the versatility of GAPDH's functions, data presented here emphasize the need for investigating the Chlamydiae GAPDH's involvement in biological functions beyond energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Schormann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Juan Campos
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rachael Motamed
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Katherine L Hayden
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Joseph R Gould
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Todd J Green
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Olga Senkovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Surajit Banerjee
- Northeastern Collaborative Access Team and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - Glen C Ulett
- School of Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands, Australia
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19
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The ClpX and ClpP2 Orthologs of Chlamydia trachomatis Perform Discrete and Essential Functions in Organism Growth and Development. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.02016-20. [PMID: 32873765 PMCID: PMC7468207 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02016-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of infectious blindness globally and the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection both domestically and internationally. Given the economic burden, the lack of an approved vaccine, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for treatment of infections, an understanding of chlamydial growth and development is critical for the advancement of novel targeted antibiotics. The Clp proteins comprise an important and conserved protease system in bacteria. Our work highlights the importance of the chlamydial Clp proteins to this clinically important bacterium. Additionally, our study implicates the Clp system playing an integral role in chlamydial developmental cycle progression, which may help establish models of how Chlamydia spp. and other bacteria progress through their respective developmental cycles. Our work also contributes to a growing body of Clp-specific research that underscores the importance and versatility of this system throughout bacterial evolution and further validates Clp proteins as drug targets. Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that undergoes a complex developmental cycle in which the bacterium differentiates between two functionally and morphologically distinct forms, the elementary body (EB) and reticulate body (RB), each of which expresses its own specialized repertoire of proteins. Both primary (EB to RB) and secondary (RB to EB) differentiations require protein turnover, and we hypothesize that proteases are critical for mediating differentiation. The Clp protease system is well conserved in bacteria and important for protein turnover. Minimally, the system relies on a serine protease subunit, ClpP, and an AAA+ ATPase, such as ClpX, that recognizes and unfolds substrates for ClpP degradation. In Chlamydia, ClpX is encoded within an operon 3′ to clpP2. We present evidence that the chlamydial ClpX and ClpP2 orthologs are essential to organism viability and development. We demonstrate here that chlamydial ClpX is a functional ATPase and forms the expected homohexamer in vitro. Overexpression of a ClpX mutant lacking ATPase activity had a limited impact on DNA replication or secondary differentiation but, nonetheless, reduced EB viability with observable defects in EB morphology noted. Conversely, overexpression of a catalytically inactive ClpP2 mutant significantly impacted developmental cycle progression by reducing the overall number of organisms. Blocking clpP2X transcription using CRISPR interference led to a decrease in bacterial growth, and this effect was complemented in trans by a plasmid copy of clpP2. Taken together, our data indicate that ClpX and the associated ClpP2 serve distinct functions in chlamydial developmental cycle progression and differentiation.
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20
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Faris R, Weber MM. Propagation and Purification of Chlamydia trachomatis Serovar L2 Transformants and Mutants. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3459. [PMID: 33654954 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) is an obligate intracellular pathogen that cannot be cultured axenically and must be propagated within eukaryotic host cells. There are at least 15 distinct chlamydial serovariants that belong to 2 major biovars commonly referred to as trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). The invasive chlamydia LGV serovar L2 is the most widely used experimental model for studying C.t. biology and infection and is the only strain with reliable genetic tools available. New techniques to genetically manipulate C.t. L2 have provided opportunities to make mutants using TargeTron and allelic exchange as well as strains overexpressing epitope-tagged proteins, in turn necessitating the regular purification of transformant and mutant clones. Purification of C.t. is a labor-intensive exercise and one of the most common reagents classically used in the purification process, Renografin, is no longer commercially available. A similar formulation of diatrizoate meglumine called Gastrografin is readily available and we as well as others have had great success using this in place of Renografin for chlamydial purifications. Here, we provide a detailed general protocol for infection, propagation, purification, and titering of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 with additional notes specifically pertaining to mutants or recombinant DNA carrying clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Faris
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, U.S.A
| | - Mary M Weber
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, U.S.A
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21
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Yang M, Rajeeve K, Rudel T, Dandekar T. Comprehensive Flux Modeling of Chlamydia trachomatis Proteome and qRT-PCR Data Indicate Biphasic Metabolic Differences Between Elementary Bodies and Reticulate Bodies During Infection. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2350. [PMID: 31681215 PMCID: PMC6803457 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic adaptation to the host cell is important for obligate intracellular pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Here we infer the flux differences for Ct from proteome and qRT-PCR data by comprehensive pathway modeling. We compare the comparatively inert infectious elementary body (EB) and the active replicative reticulate body (RB) systematically using a genome-scale metabolic model with 321 metabolites and 277 reactions. This did yield 84 extreme pathways based on a published proteomics dataset at three different time points of infection. Validation of predictions was done by quantitative RT-PCR of enzyme mRNA expression at three time points. Ct’s major active pathways are glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycerol-phospholipid (GPL) biosynthesis (support from host acetyl-CoA) and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), while its incomplete TCA and fatty acid biosynthesis are less active. The modeled metabolic pathways are much more active in RB than in EB. Our in silico model suggests that EB and RB utilize folate to generate NAD(P)H using independent pathways. The only low metabolic flux inferred for EB involves mainly carbohydrate metabolism. RB utilizes energy -rich compounds to generate ATP in nucleic acid metabolism. Validation data for the modeling include proteomics experiments (model basis) as well as qRT-PCR confirmation of selected metabolic enzyme mRNA expression differences. The metabolic modeling is made fully available here. Its detailed insights and models on Ct metabolic adaptations during infection are a useful modeling basis for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manli Yang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karthika Rajeeve
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Computational Biology and Structures Program, Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Di Pietro M, Filardo S, Romano S, Sessa R. Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae Interaction with the Host: Latest Advances and Future Prospective. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7050140. [PMID: 31100923 PMCID: PMC6560445 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7050140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae has gained new traction due to recent advances in molecular biology, namely the widespread use of the metagenomic analysis and the development of a stable genomic transformation system, resulting in a better understanding of Chlamydia pathogenesis. C. trachomatis, the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, is responsible of cervicitis and urethritis, and C. pneumoniae, a widespread respiratory pathogen, has long been associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases with great impact on public health. The present review summarizes the current evidence regarding the complex interplay between C. trachomatis and host defense factors in the genital micro-environment as well as the key findings in chronic inflammatory diseases associated to C. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Di Pietro
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Simone Filardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvio Romano
- Cardiology, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Rosa Sessa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
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23
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Panzetta ME, Luján AL, Bastidas RJ, Damiani MT, Valdivia RH, Saka HA. Ptr/CTL0175 Is Required for the Efficient Recovery of Chlamydia trachomatis From Stress Induced by Gamma-Interferon. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:756. [PMID: 31024512 PMCID: PMC6467971 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in humans and a frequent cause of asymptomatic, persistent infections leading to serious complications, particularly in young women. Chlamydia displays a unique obligate intracellular lifestyle involving the infectious elementary body and the replicative reticulate body. In the presence of stressors such as gamma-interferon (IFNγ) or beta-lactam antibiotics, C. trachomatis undergoes an interruption in its replication cycle and enters a viable but non-cultivable state. Upon removal of the stressors, surviving C. trachomatis resume cell division and developmental transitions. In this report, we describe a genetic screen to identify C. trachomatis mutants with defects in recovery from IFNγ- and/or penicillin-induced stress and characterized a chemically derived C. trachomatis mutant strain that exhibited a significant decrease in recovery from IFNγ- but not penicillin-induced stress. Through lateral gene transfer and targeted insertional gene inactivation we identified ptr, encoding a predicted protease, as a gene required for recovery from IFNγ-induced stress. A C. trachomatis LGV-L2 ptr-null strain displayed reduced generation of infectious progeny and impaired genome replication upon removal of IFNγ. This defect was restored by introducing a wild type copy of ptr on a plasmid, indicating that Ptr is required for a rapid growth upon removal of IFNγ. Ptr was expressed throughout the developmental cycle and localized to the inclusion lumen. Overall, our findings indicate that the putative secreted protease Ptr is required for C. trachomatis to specifically recover from IFNγ- but not penicillin-induced stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- María E Panzetta
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agustín L Luján
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.,Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Robert J Bastidas
- Center for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - María T Damiani
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.,Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Raphael H Valdivia
- Center for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Héctor A Saka
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Initial Characterization of the Two ClpP Paralogs of Chlamydia trachomatis Suggests Unique Functionality for Each. J Bacteriol 2018; 201:JB.00635-18. [PMID: 30396899 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00635-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of Chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacteria that differentiate between two distinct functional and morphological forms during their developmental cycle, elementary bodies (EBs) and reticulate bodies (RBs). EBs are nondividing small electron-dense forms that infect host cells. RBs are larger noninfectious replicative forms that develop within a membrane-bound vesicle, termed an inclusion. Given the unique properties of each developmental form of this bacterium, we hypothesized that the Clp protease system plays an integral role in proteomic turnover by degrading specific proteins from one developmental form or the other. Chlamydia spp. have five uncharacterized clp genes, clpX, clpC, two clpP paralogs, and clpB In other bacteria, ClpC and ClpX are ATPases that unfold and feed proteins into the ClpP protease to be degraded, and ClpB is a deaggregase. Here, we focused on characterizing the ClpP paralogs. Transcriptional analyses and immunoblotting determined that these genes are expressed midcycle. Bioinformatic analyses of these proteins identified key residues important for activity. Overexpression of inactive clpP mutants in Chlamydia spp. suggested independent function of each ClpP paralog. To further probe these differences, we determined interactions between the ClpP proteins using bacterial two-hybrid assays and native gel analysis of recombinant proteins. Homotypic interactions of the ClpP proteins, but not heterotypic interactions between the ClpP paralogs, were detected. Interestingly, protease activity of ClpP2, but not ClpP1, was detected in vitro This activity was stimulated by antibiotics known to activate ClpP, which also blocked chlamydial growth. Our data suggest the chlamydial ClpP paralogs likely serve distinct and critical roles in this important pathogen.IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of preventable infectious blindness and of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Chlamydiae are developmentally regulated obligate intracellular pathogens that alternate between two functional and morphologic forms, with distinct repertoires of proteins. We hypothesize that protein degradation is a critical aspect to the developmental cycle. A key system involved in protein turnover in bacteria is the Clp protease system. Here, we characterized the two chlamydial ClpP paralogs by examining their expression in Chlamydia spp., their ability to oligomerize, and their proteolytic activity. This work will help understand the evolutionarily diverse Clp proteases in the context of intracellular organisms, which may aid in the study of other clinically relevant intracellular bacteria.
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Desai M, Wurihan W, Di R, Fondell JD, Nickels BE, Bao X, Fan H. Role for GrgA in Regulation of σ 28-Dependent Transcription in the Obligate Intracellular Bacterial Pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:e00298-18. [PMID: 30061357 PMCID: PMC6153665 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00298-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis has a unique developmental cycle consisting of two contrasting cellular forms. Whereas the primary Chlamydia sigma factor, σ66, is involved in the expression of the majority of chlamydial genes throughout the developmental cycle, expression of several late genes requires the alternative sigma factor, σ28 In prior work, we identified GrgA as a Chlamydia-specific transcription factor that activates σ66-dependent transcription by binding DNA and interacting with a nonconserved region (NCR) of σ66 Here, we extend these findings by showing GrgA can also activate σ28-dependent transcription through direct interaction with σ28 We measure the binding affinity of GrgA for both σ66 and σ28, and we identify regions of GrgA important for σ28-dependent transcription. Similar to results obtained with σ66, we find that GrgA's interaction with σ28 involves an NCR located upstream of conserved region 2 of σ28 Our findings suggest that GrgA is an important regulator of both σ66- and σ28-dependent transcription in C. trachomatis and further highlight NCRs of bacterial RNA polymerase as targets for regulatory factors unique to particular organisms.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis is the number one sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. A substantial proportion of C. trachomatis-infected women develop infertility, pelvic inflammatory syndrome, and other serious complications. C. trachomatis is also a leading infectious cause of blindness in underdeveloped countries. The pathogen has a unique developmental cycle that is transcriptionally regulated. The discovery of an expanded role for the Chlamydia-specific transcription factor GrgA helps us understand the progression of the chlamydial developmental cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malhar Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wurihan Wurihan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rong Di
- Department of Plant Biology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Joseph D Fondell
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA
| | - Bryce E Nickels
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Bao
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA
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26
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Inhibition of the Protein Phosphatase CppA Alters Development of Chlamydia trachomatis. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00419-18. [PMID: 30038048 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00419-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that undergo an essential, but poorly understood, biphasic developmental cycle transitioning between the infectious elementary body and the replicative reticulate body. Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation has been increasingly recognized for its role in regulating bacterial physiology. Chlamydia spp. encode two Hanks'-type kinases in addition to a type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C; CppA) and appears capable of global protein phosphorylation. While these findings substantiate the importance of protein phosphorylation in Chlamydia, the physiological impact of protein phosphorylation remains enigmatic. In this study, we investigated the in vivo role of CppA by using recombinant protein point mutants and small-molecule inhibitors. Recombinant CppA (rCppA) amino acid point mutants based upon missense mutations identified in growth-deficient Chlamydia trachomatis strains exhibited reduced, but not a complete loss of, phosphatase activity toward p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) and phosphopeptides. To more directly explore the importance of CppA in chlamydial development, we implemented a chemical "knockout" approach using derivatives of 5,5'-methylenedisalicylic acid (MDSA). Several MDSA derivatives significantly reduced CppA activity in vitro and the growth of C. trachomatis L2, C. trachomatis D, and Chlamydia muridarum in a cell culture infection model. The inhibition of C. trachomatis L2 growth was more pronounced when treated at earlier infection time points, and the removal of the inhibitors after 12 h postinfection did not rescue progeny production. Our findings revealed that altered CppA activity reduces chlamydial growth and that CppA function is likely crucial for early differentiation events. Collectively, our findings further support the importance of the protein phosphorylation network in chlamydial development.IMPORTANCEChlamydia is a significant cause of disease in humans, including sexually transmitted infections, the ocular infection trachoma, and pneumonia. Despite the critical roles of protein phosphatases in bacterial physiology, their function in pathogenesis is less clear. Our findings demonstrate that CppA, a broad-specificity type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C), is critical for chlamydial development and further substantiate reversible phosphorylation as a key regulatory mechanism in Chlamydia Additionally, our work highlights the potential of CppA to serve as a novel target for future therapeutic strategies and supports the feasibility of designing more potent PP2C phosphatase inhibitors for Chlamydia and other pathogenic bacteria.
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27
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Skilton RJ, Wang Y, O'Neill C, Filardo S, Marsh P, Bénard A, Thomson NR, Ramsey KH, Clarke IN. The Chlamydia muridarum plasmid revisited : new insights into growth kinetics. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:25. [PMID: 29657985 PMCID: PMC5871946 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13905.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Research in chlamydial genetics is challenging because of its obligate intracellular developmental cycle.
In vivo systems exist that allow studies of different aspects of basic biology of chlamydiae, the murine
Chlamydia muridarum model is one of great importance and thus an essential research tool.
C. muridarum carries a plasmid that has a role in virulence. Our aim was to compare and contrast the
C. muridarum plasmid-free phenotype with that of a chromosomally isogenic plasmid-bearing strain, through the inclusion phase of the developmental cycle. Methods: We measured infectivity for plasmid bearing and plasmid-cured
C. muridarum by inclusion forming assays in McCoy cells and in parallel bacterial chromosome replication by quantitative PCR, throughout the developmental cycle. In addition to these studies, we have carefully monitored chlamydial inclusion formation by confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A new
E.coli/chlamydial shuttle vector (pNigg::GFP) was constructed using standard cloning technology and used to transform
C. muridarum for further phenotypic studies. Results: We have advanced the definition of the chlamydial phenotype away from the simple static observation of mature inclusions and redefined the
C. muridarum plasmid-based phenotype on growth profile and inclusion morphology. Our observations on the growth properties of plasmid-cured
C. muridarum challenge the established interpretations, especially with regard to inclusion growth kinetics. Introduction of the shuttle plasmid pNigg::GFP into plasmid-cured
C. muridarum restored the wild-type plasmid-bearing phenotype and confirmed that loss of the plasmid was the sole cause for the changes in growth and chromosomal replication. Conclusions: Accurate growth curves and sampling at multiple time points throughout the developmental cycle is necessary to define plasmid phenotypes. There are subtle but important (previously unnoticed) differences in the overall growth profile of plasmid-bearing and plasmid-free
C. muridarum. We have proven that the differences described are solely due to the plasmid pNigg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Skilton
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Yibing Wang
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Colette O'Neill
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Simone Filardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Peter Marsh
- Public Health England, Public Health Laboratory Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Angèle Bénard
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Ian N Clarke
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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28
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Soupene E, Kuypers FA. Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase CT699, lysophospholipid acyltransferase CT775, and acyl-ACP synthase CT776 provide membrane lipid diversity to Chlamydia trachomatis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15767. [PMID: 29150677 PMCID: PMC5693948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16116-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
De novo lipid synthesis and scavenging of fatty acids (FA) are processes essential for the formation of the membrane of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.). Host FA are assimilated via esterification by the bacterial acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase AasC but inhibitors of the host acyl-CoA synthetase enymes ACSL also impaired growth of C.t. in human cells. In E. coli, activity of AasC was sensitive to triacsin C and rosiglitazone G. The absence of a triacsin C-insensitive pathway and the increased inhibition by rosiglitazone G confirmed the sensitivity of the bacterial acyl-ACP synthase to these drugs in infected human cells. We found no evidence that the human ACSL enzymes are required for lipid formation by C.t. The broad substrate specificity of acyltransferase CT775 provides C.t. with the capacity to incorporate straight-chain and bacterial specific branched-chain fatty acids. CT775 accepts both acyl-ACP and acyl-CoA as acyl donors and, 1- or 2-acyl isomers of lysophosphoplipids as acyl acceptors. The enzyme responsible for remodeling of human phosphatidylserine to bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine was identified as CT699. These findings provide evidence that the pathogen has the ability to extend the lipid diversity of its membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Soupene
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, USA.
| | - Frans A Kuypers
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
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29
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Liang P, Rosas-Lemus M, Patel D, Fang X, Tuz K, Juárez O. Dynamic energy dependency of Chlamydia trachomatis on host cell metabolism during intracellular growth: Role of sodium-based energetics in chlamydial ATP generation. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:510-522. [PMID: 29123027 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.797209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular human pathogen responsible for the most prevalent sexually-transmitted infection in the world. For decades C. trachomatis has been considered an "energy parasite" that relies entirely on the uptake of ATP from the host cell. The genomic data suggest that C. trachomatis respiratory chain could produce a sodium gradient that may sustain the energetic demands required for its rapid multiplication. However, this mechanism awaits experimental confirmation. Moreover, the relationship of chlamydiae with the host cell, in particular its energy dependence, is not well understood. In this work, we are showing that C. trachomatis has an active respiratory metabolism that seems to be coupled to the sodium-dependent synthesis of ATP. Moreover, our results show that the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthesis at an early stage decreases the rate of infection and the chlamydial inclusion size. In contrast, the inhibition of the chlamydial respiratory chain at mid-stage of the infection cycle decreases the inclusion size but has no effect on infection rate. Remarkably, the addition of monensin, a Na+/H+ exchanger, completely halts the infection. Altogether, our data indicate that chlamydial development has a dynamic relationship with the mitochondrial metabolism of the host, in which the bacterium mostly depends on host ATP synthesis at an early stage, and at later stages it can sustain its own energy needs through the formation of a sodium gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingdong Liang
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Mónica Rosas-Lemus
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Dhwani Patel
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Xuan Fang
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Karina Tuz
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
| | - Oscar Juárez
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60616
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30
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Haferkamp I. Crossing the border - Solute entry into the chlamydial inclusion. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 308:41-48. [PMID: 28864236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiales comprise important human and animal pathogens as well as endosymbionts of amoebae. Generally, these obligate intracellular living bacteria are characterized by a biphasic developmental cycle, a reduced genome and a restricted metabolic capacity. Because of their metabolic impairment, Chlamydiales essentially rely on the uptake of diverse metabolites from their hosts. Chlamydiales thrive in a special compartment, the inclusion, and hence are surrounded by an additional membrane. Solutes might enter the inclusion through pores and open channels or by redirection of host vesicles, which fuse with the inclusion membrane and release their internal cargo. Recent investigations shed new light on the chlamydia-host interaction and identified an additional way for nutrient uptake into the inclusion. Proteome studies and targeting analyses identified chlamydial and host solute carriers in inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis infected cells. These transporters are involved in the provision of UDP-glucose and biotin, and probably deliver further metabolites to the inclusion. By the controlled recruitment of specific solute carriers to the inclusion, the chlamydial resident thus can actively manipulate the metabolite availability and composition in the inclusion. This review summarizes recent findings and new ideas on carrier mediated solute uptake into the chlamydial inclusion in the context of the bacterial and host metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Haferkamp
- Universität Kaiserslautern, Pflanzenphysiologie, Erwin-Schrödinger Str. 22, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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31
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Biphasic Metabolism and Host Interaction of a Chlamydial Symbiont. mSystems 2017; 2:mSystems00202-16. [PMID: 28593198 PMCID: PMC5451489 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00202-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria comprising well-known human pathogens and ubiquitous symbionts of protists, which are characterized by a unique developmental cycle. Here we comprehensively analyzed gene expression dynamics of Protochlamydia amoebophila during infection of its Acanthamoeba host by RNA sequencing. This revealed a highly dynamic transcriptional landscape, where major transcriptional shifts are conserved among chlamydial symbionts and pathogens. Our data served to propose a time-resolved model for type III protein secretion during the developmental cycle, and we provide evidence for a biphasic metabolism of P. amoebophila during infection, which involves energy parasitism and amino acids as the carbon source during initial stages and a postreplicative switch to endogenous glucose-based ATP production. This fits well with major transcriptional changes in the amoeba host, where upregulation of complex sugar breakdown precedes the P. amoebophila metabolic switch. The biphasic chlamydial metabolism represents a unique adaptation to exploit eukaryotic host cells, which likely contributed to the evolutionary success of this group of microbes. IMPORTANCE Chlamydiae are known as major bacterial pathogens of humans, causing the ancient disease trachoma, but they are also frequently found in the environment where they infect ubiquitous protists such as amoebae. All known chlamydiae require a eukaryotic host cell to thrive. Using the environmental chlamydia Protochlamydia amoebophila within its natural host, Acanthamoeba castellanii, we investigated gene expression dynamics in vivo and throughout the complete chlamydial developmental cycle for the first time. This allowed us to infer how a major virulence mechanism, the type III secretion system, is regulated and employed, and we show that the physiology of chlamydiae undergoes a complete shift regarding carbon metabolism and energy generation. This study provides comprehensive insights into the infection strategy of chlamydiae and reveals a unique adaptation to life within a eukaryotic host cell.
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Novel Detection Strategy To Rapidly Evaluate the Efficacy of Antichlamydial Agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02202-16. [PMID: 27855081 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02202-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infections present a major heath burden worldwide. The conventional method used to detect C. trachomatis is laborious. In the present study, a novel strategy was utilized to evaluate the impact of antimicrobial agents on the growth of C. trachomatis and its expression of ompA promoter-driven green fluorescence protein (GFP). We demonstrate that this GFP reporter system gives a robust fluorescent display of C. trachomatis growth in human cervical epithelial cells and, further, that GFP production directly correlates to changes in ompA expression following sufficient exposure to antimicrobials. Validation with azithromycin, the first-line macrolide drug used for the treatment of C. trachomatis infection, highlights the advantages of this method over the traditional method because of its simplicity and versatility. The results indicate both that ompA is highly responsive to antimicrobials targeting the transcription and translation of C. trachomatis and that there is a correlation between changing GFP levels and C. trachomatis growth. This proof-of-concept study also reveals that the ompA-GFP system can be easily adapted to rapidly assess antimicrobial effectiveness in a high-throughput format.
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33
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Claywell JE, Matschke LM, Fisher DJ. The Impact of Protein Phosphorylation on Chlamydial Physiology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:197. [PMID: 28066729 PMCID: PMC5177608 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia are Gram negative bacterial pathogens responsible for disease in humans and economically important domesticated animals. As obligate intracellular bacteria, they must gain entry into a host cell where they propagate within a parasitophorous organelle that serves as an interactive interface between the bacterium and the host. Nutrient acquisition, growth, and evasion of host defense mechanisms occur from this location. In addition to these cellular and bacterial dynamics, Chlamydia differentiate between two morphologically distinct forms, the elementary body and reticulate body, that are optimized for either extracellular or intracellular survival, respectively. The mechanisms regulating and mediating these diverse physiological events remain largely unknown. Reversible phosphorylation, including classical two-component signaling systems, partner switching mechanisms, and the more recently appreciated bacterial Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases and phosphatases, has gained increasing attention for its role in regulating important physiological processes in bacteria including metabolism, development, and virulence. Phosphorylation modulates these events via rapid and reversible modification of protein substrates leading to changes in enzyme activity, protein oligomerization, cell signaling, and protein localization. The characterization of several conserved chlamydial protein kinases and phosphatases along with phosphoproteome analysis suggest that Chlamydia are capable of global and growth stage-specific protein phosphorylation. This mini review will highlight the current knowledge of protein phosphorylation in Chlamydia and its potential role in chlamydial physiology and, consequently, virulence. Comparisons with other minimal genome intracellular bacterial pathogens also will be addressed with the aim of illustrating the importance of this understudied regulatory mechanism on pathogenesis and the principle questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ja E Claywell
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Lea M Matschke
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Derek J Fisher
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA
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34
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Østergaard O, Follmann F, Olsen AW, Heegaard NH, Andersen P, Rosenkrands I. Quantitative Protein Profiling of Chlamydia trachomatis Growth Forms Reveals Defense Strategies Against Tryptophan Starvation. Mol Cell Proteomics 2016; 15:3540-3550. [PMID: 27784728 PMCID: PMC5141270 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m116.061986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens in humans. The infection is often asymptomatic and can lead to chronic manifestations. The infectious elementary body and the replicating reticulate body are the two growth forms in the normal developmental cycle. Under the influence of interferon-γ, the normal cycle is disrupted because of tryptophan degradation, leading to a third persistent form, the aberrant reticulate body. For the genital strain C. trachomatis D/UW-3/CX we established a quantitative, label-free proteomic approach, and identified in total 655 out of 903 (73%) predicted proteins, allowing the first quantitative comparison of all three growth forms. Inclusion membrane proteins and proteins involved in translation were more abundant in the reticulate body (RB)1 and aberrant reticulate body (ARB) forms, whereas proteins of the type III Secretion System and the cell envelope were more abundant in the elementary body (EB) form, reflecting the need for these proteins to establish infection and for host interactions. In the interferon-γ induced ARB proteome, the tryptophan synthase subunits were identified as biomarkers with a strong increase from less than 0.05% to 9% of the total protein content, reflecting an inherent defense strategy for the pathogen to escape interferon-γ mediated immune pressure. Furthermore, the total tryptophan content in the ARB form was 1.9-fold lower compared with the EB form, and we demonstrate that modulation of the protein repertoire toward lower abundance of proteins with high tryptophan content, is a mechanism which contributes to establish and maintain chlamydial persistence. Thus, quantitative proteomics provides insights in the Chlamydia defense mechanisms to escape interferon-γ mediated immune pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Østergaard
- From the ‡Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- §Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja W Olsen
- §Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels H Heegaard
- From the ‡Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- §Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- §Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, DK 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Vromman F, Perrinet S, Gehre L, Subtil A. The DUF582 Proteins of Chlamydia trachomatis Bind to Components of the ESCRT Machinery, Which Is Dispensable for Bacterial Growth In vitro. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:123. [PMID: 27774439 PMCID: PMC5053991 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are Gram negative bacteria that develop exclusively inside eukaryotic host cells, within a membrane-bounded compartment. Members of the family Chlamydiaceae, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, are pathogenic species infecting vertebrates. They have a very reduced genome and exploit the capacities of their host for their own development, mainly through the secretion of proteins tailored to interfere with eukaryotic processes, called effector proteins. All Chlamydiaceae possess genes coding for four to five effectors that share a domain of unknown function (DUF582). Here we show that four of these effectors, which represent the conserved set in all Chlamydiaceae, accumulate in the infectious form of C. trachomatis, and are therefore likely involved in an early step of the developmental cycle. The fifth member of the family, CT621, is specific to C. trachomatis, and is secreted during the growth phase. Using a two-hybrid screen in yeast we identified an interaction between the host protein Hrs and the DUF582, which we confirmed by co-immunoprecipitations in co-transfected mammalian cells. Furthermore, we provide biochemical evidence that a second domain of one of the DUF582 proteins, CT619, binds the host protein Tsg101. Hrs and Tsg101 are both implicated in a well conserved machinery of the eukaryotic cell called the ESCRT machinery, which is involved in several cellular processes requiring membrane constriction. Using RNA interference targeting proteins implicated at different stages of ESCRT-driven processes, or inhibition by expression of a dominant negative mutant of VPS4, we demonstrated that this machinery was dispensable for bacterial entry, multiplication and differentiation into infectious progeny, and for uptake of glycogen into the parasitophorous vacuole. In light of these observations we discuss how the DUF582 proteins might target the ESCRT machinery during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Vromman
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire de l'Infection MicrobienneParis, France; CNRS UMR 3691Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Cellule Pasteur UPMCParis, France
| | - Stéphanie Perrinet
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire de l'Infection MicrobienneParis, France; CNRS UMR 3691Paris, France
| | - Lena Gehre
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire de l'Infection MicrobienneParis, France; CNRS UMR 3691Paris, France
| | - Agathe Subtil
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire de l'Infection MicrobienneParis, France; CNRS UMR 3691Paris, France
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Abstract
The lifestyle of Chlamydiae is unique: the bacteria alternate between two morphologically distinct forms, an infectious non-replicative elementary body (EB), and a replicative, non-infectious reticulate body (RB). This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the structure and function of the infectious form of the best-studied member of the phylum, the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. Once considered as an inert particle of little functional capacity, the EB is now perceived as a sophisticated entity that encounters at least three different environments during each infectious cycle. We review current knowledge on its composition and morphology, and emerging metabolic activities. These features confer resistance to the extracellular environment, the ability to penetrate a host cell and ultimately enable the EB to establish a niche enabling bacterial survival and growth. The bacterial and host molecules involved in these processes are beginning to emerge.
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