1
|
Vadakkan K, Ngangbam AK, Sathishkumar K, Rumjit NP, Cheruvathur MK. A review of chemical signaling pathways in the quorum sensing circuit of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127861. [PMID: 37939761 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an increasingly common competitive and biofilm organism in healthcare infection with sophisticated, interlinked and hierarchic quorum systems (Las, Rhl, PQS, and IQS), creates the greatest threats to the medical industry and has rendered prevailing chemotherapy medications ineffective. The rise of multidrug resistance has evolved into a concerning and potentially fatal occurrence for human life. P. aeruginosa biofilm development is assisted by exopolysaccharides, extracellular DNA, proteins, macromolecules, cellular signaling and interaction. Quorum sensing is a communication process between cells that involves autonomous inducers and regulators. Quorum-induced infectious agent biofilms and the synthesis of virulence factors have increased disease transmission, medication resistance, infection episodes, hospitalizations and mortality. Hence, quorum sensing may be a potential therapeutical target for bacterial illness, and developing quorum inhibitors as an anti-virulent tool could be a promising treatment strategy for existing antibiotics. Quorum quenching is a prevalent technique for treating infections caused by microbes because it diminishes microbial pathogenesis and increases microbe biofilm sensitivity to antibiotics, making it a potential candidate for drug development. This paper examines P. aeruginosa quorum sensing, the hierarchy of quorum sensing mechanism, quorum sensing inhibition and quorum sensing inhibitory agents as a drug development strategy to supplement traditional antibiotic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayeen Vadakkan
- Department of Biology, St. Mary's College, Thrissur, Kerala 680020, India; Manipur International University, Imphal, Manipur 795140, India.
| | | | - Kuppusamy Sathishkumar
- Rhizosphere Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620024, India; Department of Computational Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Di Trani JM, Gheorghita AA, Turner M, Brzezinski P, Ädelroth P, Vahidi S, Howell PL, Rubinstein JL. Structure of the bc1- cbb3 respiratory supercomplex from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307093120. [PMID: 37751552 PMCID: PMC10556555 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307093120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Energy conversion by electron transport chains occurs through the sequential transfer of electrons between protein complexes and intermediate electron carriers, creating the proton motive force that enables ATP synthesis and membrane transport. These protein complexes can also form higher order assemblies known as respiratory supercomplexes (SCs). The electron transport chain of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is closely linked with its ability to invade host tissue, tolerate harsh conditions, and resist antibiotics but is poorly characterized. Here, we determine the structure of a P. aeruginosa SC that forms between the quinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cytochrome bc1) and one of the organism's terminal oxidases, cytochrome cbb3, which is found only in some bacteria. Remarkably, the SC structure also includes two intermediate electron carriers: a diheme cytochrome c4 and a single heme cytochrome c5. Together, these proteins allow electron transfer from ubiquinol in cytochrome bc1 to oxygen in cytochrome cbb3. We also present evidence that different isoforms of cytochrome cbb3 can participate in formation of this SC without changing the overall SC architecture. Incorporating these different subunit isoforms into the SC would allow the bacterium to adapt to different environmental conditions. Bioinformatic analysis focusing on structural motifs in the SC suggests that cytochrome bc1-cbb3 SCs also exist in other bacterial pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Di Trani
- Molecular Medicine program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Andreea A. Gheorghita
- Molecular Medicine program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Madison Turner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Peter Brzezinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, StockholmSE-106 91, Sweden
| | - Pia Ädelroth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, StockholmSE-106 91, Sweden
| | - Siavash Vahidi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - P. Lynne Howell
- Molecular Medicine program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - John L. Rubinstein
- Molecular Medicine program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5G 1L7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu X, Jia M, Wang J, Cheng H, Cai Z, Yu Z, Liu Y, Ma LZ, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Yang L. Cell division factor ZapE regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by impacting the pqs quorum sensing system. MLIFE 2023; 2:28-42. [PMID: 38818333 PMCID: PMC10989928 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading nosocomial pathogens that causes both severe acute and chronic infections. The strong capacity of P. aeruginosa to form biofilms can dramatically increase its antibiotic resistance and lead to treatment failure. The biofilm resident bacterial cells display distinct gene expression profiles and phenotypes compared to their free-living counterparts. Elucidating the genetic determinants of biofilm formation is crucial for the development of antibiofilm drugs. In this study, a high-throughput transposon-insertion site sequencing (Tn-seq) approach was employed to identify novel P. aeruginosa biofilm genetic determinants. When analyzing the novel biofilm regulatory genes, we found that the cell division factor ZapE (PA4438) controls the P. aeruginosa pqs quorum sensing system. The ∆zapE mutant lost fitness against the wild-type PAO1 strain in biofilms and its production of 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS) had been reduced. Further biochemical analysis showed that ZapE interacts with PqsH, which encodes the synthase that converts 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ) to PQS. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis of the ATPase active site of ZapE (K72A) abolished the positive regulation of ZapE on PQS signaling. As ZapE is highly conserved among the Pseudomonas group, our study suggests that it is a potential drug target for the control of Pseudomonas infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research CenterSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Minlu Jia
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Jing Wang
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Hang Cheng
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Zhao Cai
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Zhaoxiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yang Liu
- Medical Research CenterSouthern University of Science and Technology HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Luyan Z. Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lianhui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research CenterSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yingdan Zhang
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseaseThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Liang Yang
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseaseThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hamed MM, Abdelsamie AS, Rox K, Schütz C, Kany AM, Röhrig T, Schmelz S, Blankenfeldt W, Arce‐Rodriguez A, Borrero‐de Acuña JM, Jahn D, Rademacher J, Ringshausen FC, Cramer N, Tümmler B, Hirsch AKH, Hartmann RW, Empting M. Towards Translation of PqsR Inverse Agonists: From In Vitro Efficacy Optimization to In Vivo Proof-of-Principle. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204443. [PMID: 36596691 PMCID: PMC9929129 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic human pathogen, which is involved in a wide range of dangerous infections. It develops alarming resistances toward antibiotic treatment. Therefore, alternative strategies, which suppress pathogenicity or synergize with antibiotic treatments are in great need to combat these infections more effectively. One promising approach is to disarm the bacteria by interfering with their quorum sensing (QS) system, which regulates the release of various virulence factors as well as biofilm formation. Herein, this work reports the rational design, optimization, and in-depth profiling of a new class of Pseudomonas quinolone signaling receptor (PqsR) inverse agonists. The resulting frontrunner compound features a pyrimidine-based scaffold, high in vitro and in vivo efficacy, favorable pharmacokinetics as well as clean safety pharmacology characteristics, which provide the basis for potential pulmonary as well as systemic routes of administration. An X-ray crystal structure in complex with PqsR facilitated further structure-guided lead optimization. The compound demonstrates potent pyocyanin suppression, synergizes with aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin against PA biofilms, and is active against a panel of clinical isolates from bronchiectasis patients. Importantly, this in vitro effect translated into in vivo efficacy in a neutropenic thigh infection model in mice providing a proof-of-principle for adjunctive treatment scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M. Hamed
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Ahmed S. Abdelsamie
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial ProductsInstitute of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries ResearchNational Research CentreEl‐Buhouth St.DokkiCairo12622Egypt
| | - Katharina Rox
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of Chemical Biology (CBIO)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Inhoffenstr. 7 Braunschweig38124SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Christian Schütz
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Andreas M. Kany
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Teresa Röhrig
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Stefan Schmelz
- Department of Structure and Function of Proteins (SFPR)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Inhoffenstr. 7 Braunschweig38124SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Wulf Blankenfeldt
- Department of Structure and Function of Proteins (SFPR)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Inhoffenstr. 7 Braunschweig38124SaarbrückenGermany
- Institute for BiochemistryBiotechnology and BioinformaticsTechnische Universität BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | | | - José Manuel Borrero‐de Acuña
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnische Universität Braunschweig38106BraunschweigGermany
- Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS)Technische Universität Braunschweig38106BraunschweigGermany
- Departamento de MicrobiologíaFacultad de BiologíaUniversidad de SevillaAv. de la Reina Mercedesno. 6SevillaCP 41012Spain
| | - Dieter Jahn
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnische Universität Braunschweig38106BraunschweigGermany
- Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS)Technische Universität Braunschweig38106BraunschweigGermany
| | - Jessica Rademacher
- Department for Respiratory MedicineMedizinische Hochschule HannoverCarl‐Neuberg‐Str. 130625HannoverGermany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH)German Center for Lung Research (DZL)30625HannoverGermany
| | - Felix C. Ringshausen
- Department for Respiratory MedicineMedizinische Hochschule HannoverCarl‐Neuberg‐Str. 130625HannoverGermany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH)German Center for Lung Research (DZL)30625HannoverGermany
- European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Respiratory Diseases (ERN‐ LUNG)FrankfurtGermany
| | - Nina Cramer
- Department for Pediatric PneumologyAllergology and NeonatologyMedizinische Hochschule HannoverCarl‐Neuberg‐Str. 130625HannoverGermany
| | - Burkhard Tümmler
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH)German Center for Lung Research (DZL)30625HannoverGermany
- Department for Pediatric PneumologyAllergology and NeonatologyMedizinische Hochschule HannoverCarl‐Neuberg‐Str. 130625HannoverGermany
| | - Anna K. H. Hirsch
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland University Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Rolf W. Hartmann
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland University Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Martin Empting
- Helmholtz‐Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)Partner Site Hannover‐Braunschweig Saarbrücken66123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland University Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Resistance Is Not Futile: The Role of Quorum Sensing Plasticity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections and Its Link to Intrinsic Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061247. [PMID: 35744765 PMCID: PMC9228389 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the group-wide detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers (AI). Quorum sensing is required for virulence and biofilm formation in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In P. aeruginosa, LasR and RhlR are homologous LuxR-type soluble transcription factor receptors that bind their cognate AIs and activate the expression of genes encoding functions required for virulence and biofilm formation. While some bacterial signal transduction pathways follow a linear circuit, as phosphoryl groups are passed from one carrier protein to another ultimately resulting in up- or down-regulation of target genes, the QS system in P. aeruginosa is a dense network of receptors and regulators with interconnecting regulatory systems and outputs. Once activated, it is not understood how LasR and RhlR establish their signaling hierarchy, nor is it clear how these pathway connections are regulated, resulting in chronic infection. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of QS progression as it relates to bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance and tolerance.
Collapse
|
6
|
Targeting the Holy Triangle of Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Antibiotic Resistance in Pathogenic Bacteria. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061239. [PMID: 35744757 PMCID: PMC9228545 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic and recurrent bacterial infections are frequently associated with the formation of biofilms on biotic or abiotic materials that are composed of mono- or multi-species cultures of bacteria/fungi embedded in an extracellular matrix produced by the microorganisms. Biofilm formation is, among others, regulated by quorum sensing (QS) which is an interbacterial communication system usually composed of two-component systems (TCSs) of secreted autoinducer compounds that activate signal transduction pathways through interaction with their respective receptors. Embedded in the biofilms, the bacteria are protected from environmental stress stimuli, and they often show reduced responses to antibiotics, making it difficult to eradicate the bacterial infection. Besides reduced penetration of antibiotics through the intricate structure of the biofilms, the sessile biofilm-embedded bacteria show reduced metabolic activity making them intrinsically less sensitive to antibiotics. Moreover, they frequently express elevated levels of efflux pumps that extrude antibiotics, thereby reducing their intracellular levels. Some efflux pumps are involved in the secretion of QS compounds and biofilm-related materials, besides being important for removing toxic substances from the bacteria. Some efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) have been shown to both prevent biofilm formation and sensitize the bacteria to antibiotics, suggesting a relationship between these processes. Additionally, QS inhibitors or quenchers may affect antibiotic susceptibility. Thus, targeting elements that regulate QS and biofilm formation might be a promising approach to combat antibiotic-resistant biofilm-related bacterial infections.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ran M, Gounani Z, Yan J, Rosenholm JM, Zhang H. Ca
2+
enhanced photosensitizer/DNase I nanocomposite mediated bacterial eradication through biofilm disruption and photothermal therapy. NANO SELECT 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/nano.202200026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meixin Ran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
| | - Zahra Gounani
- Physics Faculty of Science and Engineering Åbo Akademi Turku 20500 Finland
| | - Jiaqi Yan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
| | | | - Hongbo Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University Turku 20520 Finland
| |
Collapse
|