1
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de Oliveira Silva JV, Meneguello JE, Formagio MD, de Freitas CF, Malacarne LC, Marchiosi R, de Mendonça PDSB, Zanetti Campanerut-Sá PA, Graton Mikcha JM. Multi-targets of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy mediated by erythrosine against Staphylococcus aureus identified by proteomic approach. Photochem Photobiol 2024. [PMID: 38594817 DOI: 10.1111/php.13944] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a global challenge to the clinical field and food industry. Therefore, the development of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has become one of the valuable methods to control this pathogen. The antibacterial activity of photoinactivation by erythrosine (Ery) against S. aureus has been reported, but its modes of action are unclear. This study aimed to employ a proteomic approach to analyze modes of action of Ery-aPDT against S. aureus. We determined the antibacterial effect by Ery-aPDT assays, quantified reactive oxygen species (ROS) and injury to the cell membrane, and determined protein expression using a proteomic approach combined with bioinformatic tools. Ery-aPDT was effective in reducing S. aureus to undetectable levels. In addition, the increment of ROS accompanied the increase in the reduction of cell viability, and damage to cellular membranes was shown by sublethal injury. In proteomic analysis, we found 17 differentially expressed proteins. These proteins revealed changes mainly associated with defense to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, translation, and protein biosynthesis. Thus, these results suggest that the effectiveness of Ery-aPDT is due to multi-targets in the bacterial cell that cause the death of S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean Eduardo Meneguello
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Maíra Dante Formagio
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rogério Marchiosi
- Department of Biochemistry, State University of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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2
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Shearer HL, Pace PE, Smith LM, Fineran PC, Matthews AJ, Camilli A, Dickerhof N, Hampton MB. Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae genes associated with hypothiocyanous acid tolerance through genome-wide screening. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0020823. [PMID: 37791755 PMCID: PMC10601753 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00208-23] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a commensal bacterium and invasive pathogen that causes millions of deaths worldwide. The pneumococcal vaccine offers limited protection, and the rise of antimicrobial resistance will make treatment increasingly challenging, emphasizing the need for new antipneumococcal strategies. One possibility is to target antioxidant defenses to render S. pneumoniae more susceptible to oxidants produced by the immune system. Human peroxidase enzymes will convert bacterial-derived hydrogen peroxide to hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) at sites of colonization and infection. Here, we used saturation transposon mutagenesis and deep sequencing to identify genes that enable S. pneumoniae to tolerate HOSCN. We identified 37 genes associated with S. pneumoniae HOSCN tolerance, including genes involved in metabolism, membrane transport, DNA repair, and oxidant detoxification. Single-gene deletion mutants of the identified antioxidant defense genes sodA, spxB, trxA, and ahpD were generated and their ability to survive HOSCN was assessed. With the exception of ΔahpD, all deletion mutants showed significantly greater sensitivity to HOSCN, validating the result of the genome-wide screen. The activity of hypothiocyanous acid reductase or glutathione reductase, known to be important for S. pneumoniae tolerance of HOSCN, was increased in three of the mutants, highlighting the compensatory potential of antioxidant systems. Double deletion of the gene encoding glutathione reductase and sodA sensitized the bacteria significantly more than single deletion. The HOSCN defense systems identified in this study may be viable targets for novel therapeutics against this deadly pathogen. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen that causes pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Vaccination provides protection only against a quarter of the known S. pneumoniae serotypes, and the bacterium is rapidly becoming resistant to antibiotics. As such, new treatments are required. One strategy is to sensitize the bacteria to killing by the immune system. In this study, we performed a genome-wide screen to identify genes that help this bacterium resist oxidative stress exerted by the host at sites of colonization and infection. By identifying a number of critical pneumococcal defense mechanisms, our work provides novel targets for antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Shearer
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, Mātai Hāora - Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Paul E. Pace
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, Mātai Hāora - Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Leah M. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter C. Fineran
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Allison J. Matthews
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Camilli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nina Dickerhof
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, Mātai Hāora - Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Mark B. Hampton
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, Mātai Hāora - Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
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3
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Hernandez-Morfa M, Olivero NB, Zappia VE, Piñas GE, Reinoso-Vizcaino NM, Cian MB, Nuñez-Fernandez M, Cortes PR, Echenique J. The oxidative stress response of Streptococcus pneumoniae: its contribution to both extracellular and intracellular survival. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1269843. [PMID: 37789846 PMCID: PMC10543277 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1269843] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive, aerotolerant bacterium that naturally colonizes the human nasopharynx, but also causes invasive infections and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This pathogen produces high levels of H2O2 to eliminate other microorganisms that belong to the microbiota of the respiratory tract. However, it also induces an oxidative stress response to survive under this stressful condition. Furthermore, this self-defense mechanism is advantageous in tolerating oxidative stress imposed by the host's immune response. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies employed by the pneumococcus to survive oxidative stress. These strategies encompass the utilization of H2O2 scavengers and thioredoxins, the adaptive response to antimicrobial host oxidants, the regulation of manganese and iron homeostasis, and the intricate regulatory networks that control the stress response. Here, we have also summarized less explored aspects such as the involvement of reparation systems and polyamine metabolism. A particular emphasis is put on the role of the oxidative stress response during the transient intracellular life of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including coinfection with influenza A and the induction of antibiotic persistence in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirelys Hernandez-Morfa
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nadia B. Olivero
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Victoria E. Zappia
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - German E. Piñas
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nicolas M. Reinoso-Vizcaino
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Melina B. Cian
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariana Nuñez-Fernandez
- Centro de Química Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Paulo R. Cortes
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jose Echenique
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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4
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Green AE, Pottenger S, Monshi MS, Barton TE, Phelan M, Neill DR. Airway metabolic profiling during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection identifies branched chain amino acids as signatures of upper airway colonisation. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011630. [PMID: 37669280 PMCID: PMC10503754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and bacteraemia and is capable of remarkable phenotypic plasticity, responding rapidly to environmental change. Pneumococcus is a nasopharyngeal commensal, but is responsible for severe, acute infections following dissemination within-host. Pneumococcus is adept at utilising host resources, but the airways are compartmentalised and those resources are not evenly distributed. Challenges and opportunities in metabolite acquisition within different airway niches may contribute to the commensal-pathogen switch when pneumococcus moves from nasopharynx into lungs. We used NMR to characterise the metabolic landscape of the mouse airways, in health and during infection. Using paired nasopharynx and lung samples from naïve animals, we identified fundamental differences in metabolite bioavailability between airway niches. Pneumococcal pneumonia was associated with rapid and dramatic shifts in the lung metabolic environment, whilst nasopharyngeal carriage led to only modest change in upper airway metabolite profiles. NMR spectra derived from the nasopharynx of mice infected with closely-related pneumococcal strains that differ in their colonisation potential could be distinguished from one another using multivariate dimensionality reduction methods. The resulting models highlighted that increased branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) bioavailability in nasopharynx is a feature of infection with the high colonisation potential strain. Subsequent analysis revealed increased expression of BCAA transport genes and increased intracellular concentrations of BCAA in that same strain. Movement from upper to lower airway environments is associated with shifting challenges in metabolic resource allocation for pneumococci. Efficient biosynthesis, liberation or acquisition of BCAA is a feature of adaptation to nasopharyngeal colonisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angharad E. Green
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Pottenger
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Manal S. Monshi
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E. Barton
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Marie Phelan
- Highfield NMR Facility, Liverpool Shared Research Facilities (LIV-SRF), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Molecular, Systems and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel R. Neill
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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5
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A newly identified flavoprotein disulfide reductase Har protects Streptococcus pneumoniae against hypothiocyanous acid. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102359. [PMID: 35952759 PMCID: PMC9483559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102359] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) is an antimicrobial oxidant produced from hydrogen peroxide and thiocyanate anions by heme peroxidases in secretory fluids such as in the human respiratory tract. Some respiratory tract pathogens display tolerance to this oxidant, which suggests that there might be therapeutic value in targeting HOSCN defense mechanisms. However, surprisingly little is known about how bacteria protect themselves from HOSCN. We hypothesized that tolerant pathogens have a flavoprotein disulfide reductase that uses NAD(P)H to directly reduce HOSCN, similar to thioredoxin reductase in mammalian cells. Here, we report the discovery of a previously uncharacterized flavoprotein disulfide reductase with HOSCN reductase activity, which we term Har (hypothiocyanous acid reductase), in Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium previously found to be tolerant of HOSCN. S. pneumoniae generates large amounts of hydrogen peroxide that can be converted to HOSCN in the respiratory tract. Using deletion mutants, we demonstrate that the HOSCN reductase is dispensable for growth of S. pneumoniae in the presence of lactoperoxidase and thiocyanate. However, bacterial growth in the HOSCN-generating system was completely crippled when deletion of HOSCN reductase activity was combined with disruption of GSH import or recycling. Our findings identify a new bacterial HOSCN reductase and demonstrate a role for this protein in combination with GSH utilization to protect S. pneumoniae from HOSCN.
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6
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Zhang Y, Liang S, Pan Z, Yu Y, Yao H, Liu Y, Liu G. XRE family transcriptional regulator XtrSs modulates Streptococcus suis fitness under hydrogen peroxide stress. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:244. [PMID: 35386008 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02854-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is an important emerging zoonosis that causes economic losses in the pig industry and severe threats to public health. Transcriptional regulators play essential roles in bacterial adaptation to host environments. In this study, we identified a novel XRE family transcriptional regulator in S. suis CZ130302, XtrSs, involved in the bacterial fitness to hydrogen peroxide stress. Based on electrophoretic mobility shift and β-galactosidase activity assays, we found that XtrSs auto-regulated its own transcription and repressed the expression of its downstream gene psePs, a surface protein with unknown function in S. suis, by binding to a palindromic sequence from the promoter region. Furthermore, we proved that the deletion of the psePs gene attenuated bacterial antioxidant response. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that XtrSs and PsePs naturally co-existed as a combination in most S. suis genomes. Collectively, we demonstrated the binding characteristics of XtrSs in S. suis and provided a new insight that XtrSs played a critical role in modulating psePs to the hydrogen peroxide resistance of S. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Song Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangjin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China.
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China.
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7
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Gazioglu O, Kareem BO, Afzal M, Shafeeq S, Kuipers OP, Ulijasz AT, Andrew PW, Yesilkaya H. Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GdhA) of Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Required for High Temperature Adaptation. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0040021. [PMID: 34491792 PMCID: PMC8594611 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00400-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During its progression from the nasopharynx to other sterile and nonsterile niches of its human host, Streptococcus pneumoniae must cope with changes in temperature. We hypothesized that the temperature adaptation is an important facet of pneumococcal survival in the host. Here, we evaluated the effect of temperature on pneumococcus and studied the role of glutamate dehydrogenase (GdhA) in thermal adaptation associated with virulence and survival. Microarray analysis revealed a significant transcriptional response to changes in temperature, affecting the expression of 252 genes in total at 34°C and 40°C relative to at 37°C. One of the differentially regulated genes was gdhA, which is upregulated at 40°C and downregulated at 34°C relative to 37°C. Deletion of gdhA attenuated the growth, cell size, biofilm formation, pH survival, and biosynthesis of proteins associated with virulence in a temperature-dependent manner. Moreover, deletion of gdhA stimulated formate production irrespective of temperature fluctuation. Finally, ΔgdhA grown at 40°C was less virulent than other temperatures or the wild type at the same temperature in a Galleria mellonella infection model, suggesting that GdhA is required for pneumococcal virulence at elevated temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozcan Gazioglu
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Banaz O. Kareem
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicals and Applied Sciences, University of Charmo, Chamchamal, Iraq
| | - Muhammad Afzal
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sulman Shafeeq
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew T. Ulijasz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter W. Andrew
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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8
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Shlla B, Gazioglu O, Shafeeq S, Manzoor I, Kuipers OP, Ulijasz A, Hiller NL, Andrew PW, Yesilkaya H. The Rgg1518 transcriptional regulator is a necessary facet of sugar metabolism and virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:996-1008. [PMID: 34328238 PMCID: PMC8460608 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rggs are a group of transcriptional regulators with diverse roles in metabolism and virulence. Here, we present work on the Rgg1518/SHP1518 quorum sensing system of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The activity of Rgg1518 is induced by its cognate peptide, SHP1518. In vitro analysis showed that the Rgg1518 system is active in conditions rich in galactose and mannose, key nutrients during nasopharyngeal colonization. Rgg1518 expression is highly induced in the presence of these sugars and its isogenic mutant is attenuated in growth on galactose and mannose. When compared with other Rgg systems, Rgg1518 has the largest regulon on galactose. On galactose it controls up- or downregulation of a functionally diverse set of genes involved in galactose metabolism, capsule biosynthesis, iron metabolism, protein translation, as well as other metabolic functions, acting mainly as a repressor of gene expression. Rgg1518 is a repressor of capsule biosynthesis, and binds directly to the capsule regulatory region. Comparison with other Rggs revealed inter-regulatory interactions among Rggs. Finally, the rgg1518 mutant is attenuated in colonization and virulence in a mouse model of colonization and pneumonia. We conclude that Rgg1518 is a virulence determinant that contributes to a regulatory network composed of multiple Rgg systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Shlla
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Ozcan Gazioglu
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sulman Shafeeq
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Irfan Manzoor
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Ulijasz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - N Luisa Hiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter W Andrew
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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9
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Mraheil MA, Toque HA, La Pietra L, Hamacher J, Phanthok T, Verin A, Gonzales J, Su Y, Fulton D, Eaton DC, Chakraborty T, Lucas R. Dual Role of Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidant in Pneumococcal Pneumonia. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:962-978. [PMID: 32283950 PMCID: PMC8035917 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Significance:Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive human pathogen with increasing rates of penicillin and macrolide resistance, is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections worldwide. Pneumococci are a primary agent of severe pneumonia in children younger than 5 years and of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. A major defense mechanism toward Spn is the generation of reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), during the oxidative burst of neutrophils and macrophages. Paradoxically, Spn produces high endogenous levels of H2O2 as a strategy to promote colonization. Recent Advances: Pneumococci, which express neither catalase nor common regulators of peroxide stress resistance, have developed unique mechanisms to protect themselves from H2O2. Spn generates high levels of H2O2 as a strategy to promote colonization. Production of H2O2 moreover constitutes an important virulence phenotype and its cellular activities overlap and complement those of other virulence factors, such as pneumolysin, in modulating host immune responses and promoting organ injury. Critical Issues: This review examines the dual role of H2O2 in pneumococcal pneumonia, from the viewpoint of both the pathogen (defense mechanisms, lytic activity toward competing pathogens, and virulence) and the resulting host-response (inflammasome activation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and damage to the alveolar-capillary barrier in the lungs). Future Directions: An understanding of the complexity of H2O2-mediated host-pathogen interactions is necessary to develop novel strategies that target these processes to enhance lung function during severe pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mobarak Abu Mraheil
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Haroldo A Toque
- Vascular Biology Center and Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luigi La Pietra
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Juerg Hamacher
- Internal Medicine and Pneumology, Lindenhofspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Lungen- und Atmungsstiftung Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Internal Medicine V-Pneumology, Allergology, Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tenzing Phanthok
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alexander Verin
- Vascular Biology Center and Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joyce Gonzales
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yunchao Su
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center and Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Douglas C Eaton
- Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Lucas
- Vascular Biology Center and Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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10
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Jia M, Wei M, Zhang Y, Zheng C. Transcriptomic Analysis of Streptococcus suis in Response to Ferrous Iron and Cobalt Toxicity. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11091035. [PMID: 32887434 PMCID: PMC7563783 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen causing serious infections in swine and humans. Although metals are essential for life, excess amounts of metals are toxic to bacteria. Transcriptome-level data of the mechanisms for resistance to metal toxicity in S. suis are available for no metals other than zinc. Herein, we explored the transcriptome-level changes in S. suis in response to ferrous iron and cobalt toxicity by RNA sequencing. Many genes were differentially expressed in the presence of excess ferrous iron and cobalt. Most genes in response to cobalt toxicity showed the same expression trends as those in response to ferrous iron toxicity. qRT-PCR analysis of the selected genes confirmed the accuracy of RNA sequencing results. Bioinformatic analysis of the differentially expressed genes indicated that ferrous iron and cobalt have similar effects on the cellular processes of S. suis. Ferrous iron treatment resulted in down-regulation of several oxidative stress tolerance-related genes and up-regulation of the genes in an amino acid ABC transporter operon. Expression of several genes in the arginine deiminase system was down-regulated after ferrous iron and cobalt treatment. Collectively, our results suggested that S. suis alters the expression of multiple genes to respond to ferrous iron and cobalt toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdie Jia
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (M.J.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Man Wei
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (M.J.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yunzeng Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (M.J.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chengkun Zheng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (M.J.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1520-527-9658
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11
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Acinetobacter baumannii OxyR Regulates the Transcriptional Response to Hydrogen Peroxide. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00413-18. [PMID: 30297527 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00413-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes diverse infections, including pneumonia, bacteremia, and wound infections. Due to multiple intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial-resistance mechanisms, A. baumannii isolates are commonly multidrug resistant, and infections are notoriously difficult to treat. The World Health Organization recently highlighted carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii as a "critical priority" for the development of new antimicrobials because of the risk to human health posed by this organism. Therefore, it is important to discover the mechanisms used by A. baumannii to survive stresses encountered during infection in order to identify new drug targets. In this study, by use of in vivo imaging, we identified hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a stressor produced in the lung during A. baumannii infection and defined OxyR as a transcriptional regulator of the H2O2 stress response. Upon exposure to H2O2, A. baumannii differentially transcribes several hundred genes. However, the transcriptional upregulation of genes predicted to detoxify hydrogen peroxide is abolished in an A. baumannii strain in which the transcriptional regulator oxyR is genetically inactivated. Moreover, inactivation of oxyR in both antimicrobial-susceptible and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains impairs growth in the presence of H2O2 OxyR is a direct regulator of katE and ahpF1, which encode the major H2O2-degrading enzymes in A. baumannii, as confirmed through measurement of promoter binding by recombinant OxyR in electromobility shift assays. Finally, an oxyR mutant is less fit than wild-type A. baumannii during infection of the murine lung. This work reveals a mechanism used by this important human pathogen to survive H2O2 stress encountered during infection.
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12
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Du HH, Zhou HZ, Tang P, Huang HQ, Liu M, Hu YH. Global discovery of small RNAs in the fish pathogen Edwardsiella piscicida: key regulator of adversity and pathogenicity. Vet Res 2018; 49:120. [PMID: 30537995 PMCID: PMC6288947 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-018-0613-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, bacterial small RNA (sRNA) has been shown to be involved as a key regulator in stress responses. sRNAs of Edwardsiella piscicida, an important aquatic pathogen, are not well characterized to date. In this study, using RNA-seq technology, we globally found and identified sRNA candidates expressed from E. piscicida grown in normal LB medium, acid pressure, iron deficiency stress, and oxidation pressure. A total of 148 sRNAs were found, including 19 previously annotated sRNAs and 129 novel sRNA candidates by searching against the Rfam database. Compared in normal condition, the expression of 103 sRNAs (DEsRNA, differentially expressed sRNA) and 1615 mRNAs (DEmRNAs, differentially expressed mRNA) showed significant differences in three stress sample. Based on the prediction by IntaRNA and relational analysis between DEsRNAs and DEmRNAs, 103 DEsRNAs were predicted to regulate 769 target mRNAs. Pleiotropic function of target DEmRNAs indicated that sRNAs extensively participated in a variety of physiological processes, including response to adversity and pathogenicity, the latter was further confirmed by infection experiment. A large number transcription factors appeared in target genes of sRNAs, which suggested that sRNAs likely deeply interlaced within complex gene regulatory networks of E. piscicida. Moreover, 49 Hfq-associated sRNAs were also identified in this study. In summary, we globally discovered sRNAs for the first time in pathogenic bacteria of fish, and our findings indicated that sRNAs in E. piscicida have important roles in adaptation to environmental stress and pathogenicity. These results also provide clues for deciphering regulation mechanism of gene expression related to physiological response and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-He Du
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Hai-Zhen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650200, China
| | - Hui-Qin Huang
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China. .,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Haikou, 571101, China.
| | - Yong-Hua Hu
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China. .,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Haikou, 571101, China.
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13
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A Capsular Polysaccharide-Specific Antibody Alters Streptococcus pneumoniae Gene Expression during Nasopharyngeal Colonization of Mice. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00300-18. [PMID: 29735523 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00300-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) elicit opsonophagocytic (opsonic) antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (PPS) and reduce nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization by vaccine-included Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes. However, nonopsonic antibodies may also be important for protection against pneumococcal disease. For example, 1E2, a mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the serotype 3 (ST3) PPS (PPS3), reduced ST3 NP colonization in mice and altered ST3 gene expression in vitro Here, we determined whether 1E2 affects ST3 gene expression in vivo during colonization of mice by performing RNA sequencing on NP lavage fluid from ST3-infected mice treated with 1E2, a control MAb, or phosphate-buffered saline. Compared to the results for the controls, 1E2 significantly altered the expression of over 50 genes. It increased the expression of the piuBCDA operon, which encodes an iron uptake system, and decreased the expression of dpr, which encodes a protein critical for resistance to oxidative stress. 1E2-mediated effects on ST3 in vivo required divalent binding, as Fab fragments did not reduce NP colonization or alter ST3 gene expression. In vitro, 1E2 induced dose-dependent ST3 growth arrest and altered piuB and dpr expression, whereas an opsonic PPS3 MAb, 5F6, did not. 1E2-treated bacteria were more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and the iron-requiring antibiotic streptonigrin, suggesting that 1E2 may increase iron import and enhance sensitivity to oxidative stress. Finally, 1E2 also induced rapid capsule shedding in vitro, suggesting that this may initiate 1E2-induced changes in sensitivity to oxidative stress and gene expression. Our data reveal a novel mechanism of direct, antibody-mediated antibacterial activity that could inform new directions in antipneumococcal therapy and vaccine development.
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14
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Impact of growth pH and glucose concentrations on the CodY regulatory network in Streptococcus salivarius. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:386. [PMID: 29792173 PMCID: PMC5966866 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4781-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Streptococcus salivarius is an abundant isolate of the human oral microbiota. Since both pH and glucose availability fluctuate frequently in the oral cavity, the goal of this study was to investigate regulation by CodY, a conserved pleiotropic regulator of Gram positive bacteria, in response to these two signals. The chemostat culture system was employed to precisely control the growth parameters, and the transcriptomes of wild-type S. salivarius 57.I and its CodY-null derivative (ΔcodY) grown at pH 7 and 5.5, with limited and excessive glucose supply were determined. Results The transcriptomic analysis revealed that CodY was most active at pH 7 under conditions of glucose limitation. Based on whether a CodY binding consensus could be located in the 5′ flanking region of the identified target, the transcriptomic analysis also found that CodY shaped the transcriptome via both direct and indirect regulation. Inactivation of codY reduced the glycolytic capacity and the viability of S. salivarius at pH 5.5 or in the presence of H2O2. Studies using the Galleria mellonella larva model showed that CodY was essential for the toxicity generated from S. salivarius infection, suggesting that CodY regulation was critical for immune evasion and systemic infections. Furthermore, the CodY-null mutant strain exhibited a clumping phenotype and reduced attachment in biofilm assays, suggesting that CodY also modulates cell wall metabolism. Finally, the expression of genes belonging to the CovR regulon was affected by codY inactivation, but CodY and CovR regulated these genes in opposite directions. Conclusions Metabolic adaptation in response to nutrient availability and growth pH is tightly linked to stress responses and virulence expression in S. salivarius. The regulation of metabolism by CodY allows for the maximal utilization of available nutrients and ATP production. The counteractive regulation of the CovR regulon could fine tune the transcriptomes in response to environmental changes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4781-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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15
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Zhi X, Abdullah IT, Gazioglu O, Manzoor I, Shafeeq S, Kuipers OP, Hiller NL, Andrew PW, Yesilkaya H. Rgg-Shp regulators are important for pneumococcal colonization and invasion through their effect on mannose utilization and capsule synthesis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6369. [PMID: 29686372 PMCID: PMC5913232 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbes communicate with each other by using quorum sensing (QS) systems and modulate their collective 'behavior' for in-host colonization and virulence, biofilm formation, and environmental adaptation. The recent increase in genome data availability reveals the presence of several putative QS sensing circuits in microbial pathogens, but many of these have not been functionally characterized yet, despite their possible utility as drug targets. To increase the repertoire of functionally characterized QS systems in bacteria, we studied Rgg144/Shp144 and Rgg939/Shp939, two putative QS systems in the important human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. We find that both of these QS circuits are induced by short hydrophobic peptides (Shp) upon sensing sugars found in the respiratory tract, such as galactose and mannose. Microarray analyses using cultures grown on mannose and galactose revealed that the expression of a large number of genes is controlled by these QS systems, especially those encoding for essential physiological functions and virulence-related genes such as the capsular locus. Moreover, the array data revealed evidence for cross-talk between these systems. Finally, these Rgg systems play a key role in colonization and virulence, as deletion mutants of these QS systems are attenuated in the mouse models of colonization and pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyun Zhi
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Iman Tajer Abdullah
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq
| | - Ozcan Gazioglu
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Irfan Manzoor
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sulman Shafeeq
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - N Luisa Hiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Peter W Andrew
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
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16
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Morozov GI, Porat N, Kushnir T, Najmuldeen H, Adawi A, Chalifa-Caspi V, Benisty R, Ohayon A, Liron O, Azriel S, Malka I, Dotan S, Portnoi M, Piotrowski AA, Kafka D, Hajaj B, Fishilevich T, Shagan M, Tal M, Ellis R, Morrison DA, Mitchell AM, Mitchell TJ, Dagan R, Yesilkaya H, Nebenzahl YM. Flavin Reductase Contributes to Pneumococcal Virulence by Protecting from Oxidative Stress and Mediating Adhesion and Elicits Protection Against Pneumococcal Challenge. Sci Rep 2018; 8:314. [PMID: 29321514 PMCID: PMC5762878 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18645-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal flavin reductase (FlaR) is known to be cell-wall associated and possess age dependent antigenicity in children. This study aimed at characterizing FlaR and elucidating its involvement in pneumococcal physiology and virulence. Bioinformatic analysis of FlaR sequence identified three-conserved cysteine residues, suggesting a transition metal-binding capacity. Recombinant FlaR (rFlaR) bound Fe2+ and exhibited FAD-dependent NADP-reductase activity, which increased in the presence of cysteine or excess Fe2+ and inhibited by divalent-chelating agents. flaR mutant was highly susceptible to H2O2 compared to its wild type (WT) and complemented strains, suggesting a role for FlaR in pneumococcal oxidative stress resistance. Additionally, flaR mutant demonstrated significantly decreased mice mortality following intraperitoneal infection. Interestingly, lack of FlaR did not affect the extent of phagocytosis by primary mouse peritoneal macrophages but reduced adhesion to A549 cells compared to the WT and complemented strains. Noteworthy are the findings that immunization with rFlaR elicited protection in mice against intraperitoneal lethal challenge and anti-FlaR antisera neutralized bacterial virulence. Taken together, FlaR's roles in pneumococcal physiology and virulence, combined with its lack of significant homology to human proteins, point towards rFlaR as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giora I Morozov
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Nurith Porat
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Tatyana Kushnir
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hastyar Najmuldeen
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Asad Adawi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Vered Chalifa-Caspi
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rachel Benisty
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ariel Ohayon
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Shalhevet Azriel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Itai Malka
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | | | - Andrew A Piotrowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Barak Hajaj
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Tali Fishilevich
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Marilou Shagan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | | | - Donald A Morrison
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrea M Mitchell
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Mitchell
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ron Dagan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Yaffa Mizrachi Nebenzahl
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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