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Strange N, Luu L, Ong V, Wee BA, Phillips MJA, McCaughey L, Steele JR, Barlow CK, Cranfield CG, Myers G, Mazraani R, Rock C, Timms P, Huston WM. HtrA, fatty acids, and membrane protein interplay in Chlamydia trachomatis to impact stress response and trigger early cellular exit. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0037123. [PMID: 38445896 PMCID: PMC11025325 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00371-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that undergoes a biphasic developmental cycle, consisting of intracellular reticulate bodies and extracellular infectious elementary bodies. A conserved bacterial protease, HtrA, was shown previously to be essential for Chlamydia during the reticulate body phase, using a novel inhibitor (JO146). In this study, isolates selected for the survival of JO146 treatment were found to have polymorphisms in the acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase gene (aasC). AasC encodes the enzyme responsible for activating fatty acids from the host cell or synthesis to be incorporated into lipid bilayers. The isolates had distinct lipidomes with varied fatty acid compositions. A reduction in the lipid compositions that HtrA prefers to bind to was detected, yet HtrA and MOMP (a key outer membrane protein) were present at higher levels in the variants. Reduced progeny production and an earlier cellular exit were observed. Transcriptome analysis identified that multiple genes were downregulated in the variants especially stress and DNA processing factors. Here, we have shown that the fatty acid composition of chlamydial lipids, HtrA, and membrane proteins interplay and, when disrupted, impact chlamydial stress response that could trigger early cellular exit. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is an important obligate intracellular pathogen that has a unique biphasic developmental cycle. HtrA is an essential stress or virulence protease in many bacteria, with many different functions. Previously, we demonstrated that HtrA is critical for Chlamydia using a novel inhibitor. In the present study, we characterized genetic variants of Chlamydia trachomatis with reduced susceptibility to the HtrA inhibitor. The variants were changed in membrane fatty acid composition, outer membrane proteins, and transcription of stress genes. Earlier and more synchronous cellular exit was observed. Combined, this links stress response to fatty acids, membrane proteins, and HtrA interplay with the outcome of disrupted timing of chlamydial cellular exit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Strange
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laurence Luu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanissa Ong
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bryan A. Wee
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. A. Phillips
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura McCaughey
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Joel R. Steele
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Barlow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles G. Cranfield
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Garry Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rami Mazraani
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles Rock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wilhelmina M. Huston
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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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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Dong X, Zhang W, Hou J, Ma M, Zhu C, Wang H, Hou S. Chlamydial-Secreted Protease Chlamydia High Temperature Requirement Protein A (cHtrA) Degrades Human Cathelicidin LL-37 and Suppresses Its Anti-Chlamydial Activity. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e923909. [PMID: 32634134 PMCID: PMC7366784 DOI: 10.12659/msm.923909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that can cause severe reproductive tract complications while ascending infection occurs. When spreading from cell to cell in a host, C. trachomatis utilizes various survival strategies to offset host defense mechanisms. One such strategy is to degrade host antimicrobial defense proteins before they can attack the invading C. trachomatis cells. Material/Methods We expressed and purified recombinant chlamydia high temperature requirement protein A (cHtrA) including 2 cHtrA mutants (MT-H143A and MT-S247A), and also extracted endogenous cHtrA. Proteins were identified and their purity evaluated by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The anti-chlamydial activity and degradation of 5 antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin LL-37, α-defensin-1 and -3, and β-defensin-2 and -4) by cHtrA and 2 cHtrA mutants (MT-H143A and MT-S247A) were tested by immunoassay and Western blot. Results Of the 5 antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin LL-37, α-defensin-1 and -3, and β-defensin-2 and -4) tested, cathelicidin LL-37 showed the strongest anti-chlamydial activity. Interestingly, cHtrA effectively and specifically degraded LL-37, suppressing its anti-chlamydial activity. The 2 cHtrA mutants (MT-H143A and MT-S247A) were unable to degrade LL-37. Comparison of cHtrA activity from C. trachomatis D, L2, and MoPn strains on LL-37 showed similar responses. Conclusions cHtrA may contribute to C. trachomatis pathogenicity by clearing the passage of invasion by specific LL-37 degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Dong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Wanxing Zhang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland)
| | - Jianmei Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital of Lanling County, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Miaomiao Ma
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland)
| | - Congzhong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland)
| | - Huiping Wang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland)
| | - Shuping Hou
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland)
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Bugalhão JN, Mota LJ. The multiple functions of the numerous Chlamydia trachomatis secreted proteins: the tip of the iceberg. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:414-449. [PMID: 31528632 PMCID: PMC6717882 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.09.691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis serovars are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens mainly causing ocular and urogenital infections that affect millions of people worldwide and which can lead to blindness or sterility. They reside and multiply intracellularly within a membrane-bound vacuolar compartment, known as inclusion, and are characterized by a developmental cycle involving two morphologically and physiologically distinct chlamydial forms. Completion of the developmental cycle involves the secretion of > 70 C. trachomatis proteins that function in the host cell cytoplasm and nucleus, in the inclusion membrane and lumen, and in the extracellular milieu. These proteins can, for example, interfere with the host cell cytoskeleton, vesicular and non-vesicular transport, metabolism, and immune signalling. Generally, this promotes C. trachomatis invasion into, and escape from, host cells, the acquisition of nutrients by the chlamydiae, and evasion of cell-autonomous, humoral and cellular innate immunity. Here, we present an in-depth review on the current knowledge and outstanding questions about these C. trachomatis secreted proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana N Bugalhão
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Luís Jaime Mota
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
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Serum antibody response to Chlamydia trachomatis TroA and HtrA in women with tubal factor infertility. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 37:1499-1502. [PMID: 29777489 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-3276-9] [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: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Persistent genital chlamydial infection may lead to tubal factor infertility (TFI). Chlamydia trachomatis TroA and HtrA are proteins expressed during persistent chlamydial infection in vitro. We studied serum IgG antibody response against these proteins by EIA in women with TFI and in subfertile women without tubal pathology. Altogether, 22 of 258 subfertile women (8.5%) had TFI which was unilateral in 17 cases and bilateral in 5 cases. Overall, 55 (21.3%) of the 258 women had TroA and 39 (15.1%) had HtrA antibodies. Seropositivity to TroA and HtrA was more common among women with TFI than women with other causes for subfertility (45.5 vs. 19.1%, p = 0.004 for TroA; 36.4 vs. 13.1%, p = 0.004 for HtrA). Mean absorbance values and the prevalence of TroA and HtrA antibodies increased with increasing severity of TFI. On the basis of our results, TroA and HtrA serology has the potential to be further developed to a specific biomarker for C. trachomatis-related TFI.
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Zarzecka U, Modrak-Wojcik A, Bayassi M, Szewczyk M, Gieldon A, Lesner A, Koper T, Bzowska A, Sanguinetti M, Backert S, Lipinska B, Skorko-Glonek J. Biochemical properties of the HtrA homolog from bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 109:992-1005. [PMID: 29155201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The HtrA proteins due to their proteolytic, and in many cases chaperone activity, efficiently counteract consequences of stressful conditions. In the environmental bacterium and nosocomial pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia HtrA (HtrASm) is induced as a part of adaptive response to host temperature (37°C). We examined the biochemical properties of HtrASm and compared them with those of model HtrAEc from Escherichia coli. We found that HtrASm is a protease and chaperone that operates over a wide range of pH and is highly active at temperatures between 35 and 37°C. The temperature-sensitive activity corresponded well with the lower thermal stability of the protein and weaker stability of the oligomer. Interestingly, the enzyme shows slightly different substrate cleavage specificity when compared to other bacterial HtrAs. A computational model of the three-dimensional structure of HtrASm indicates differences in the S1 substrate specificity pocket and suggests weaker inter-trimer interactions when compared to HtrAEc. The observed features of HtrASm suggest that this protein may play a protective role under stressful conditions acting both as a protease and a chaperone. The optimal temperatures for the protein activity may reflect the evolutionary adaptation of S. maltophilia to life in soil or aqueous environments, where the temperatures are usually much below 37°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Zarzecka
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Anna Modrak-Wojcik
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Martyna Bayassi
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Maciej Szewczyk
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Artur Gieldon
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-952, Poland
| | - Adam Lesner
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-952, Poland
| | - Tomasz Koper
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Bzowska
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Institute of Microbiology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Steffen Backert
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Barbara Lipinska
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Joanna Skorko-Glonek
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-308, Poland.
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