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Zhu K, Song L, Wang L, Hua L, Luo Z, Wang T, Qin B, Yuan S, Gao X, Mi W, Cui S. SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 hijacking ubiquitination machinery reveals potential unique drug targeting sites. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:4164-4173. [PMID: 39309499 PMCID: PMC11413682 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.05.018] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses often manipulate ubiquitination pathways to facilitate their replication and pathogenesis. CUL2ZYG11B known as the substrate receptor of cullin-2 RING E3 ligase, is bound by SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 to increase its E3 ligase activity, leading to degradation of IFT46, a protein component of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complex B. This results in dysfunctional cilia, which explains certain symptoms that are specific to COVID-19. However, the precise molecular mechanism of how ORF10 recognizes CUL2ZYG11B remains unknown. Here, we determined the crystal structure of CUL2ZYG11B complexed with the N-terminal extension (NTE) of SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 (2.9 Å). The structure reveals that the ORF10 N-terminal heptapeptide (NTH) mimics the Gly/N-degron to bind CUL2ZYG11B. Mutagenesis studies identified key residues within ORF10 that are key players in its interaction with CUL2ZYG11B both in ITC assay and in vivo cells. In addition, we prove that enhancement of CUL2ZYG11B activity for IFT46 degradation by which ORF10-mediated correlates with the binding affinity between ORF10 and CUL2ZYG11B. Finally, we used a Global Protein Stability system to show that the NTH of ORF10 mimics the Gly/N-degron motif, thereby binding competitively to CUL2ZYG11B and inhibiting the degradation of target substrates bearing the Gly/N-degron motif. Overall, this study sheds light on how SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 exploits the ubiquitination machinery for proteasomal degradation, and offers valuable insights for optimizing PROTAC-based drug design based on NTH CUL2ZYG11B interaction, while pinpointing a promising target for the development of treatments for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixiang Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lili Song
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Linyue Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lei Hua
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Medical School, Yan'an University, Shaanxi Province, Yan'an 716000, China
| | - Ziyu Luo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Tongyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaopan Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Wenyi Mi
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Sheng Cui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China
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2
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Rozano L, Mukuka YM, Hane JK, Mancera RL. Ab Initio Modelling of the Structure of ToxA-like and MAX Fungal Effector Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076262. [PMID: 37047233 PMCID: PMC10094246 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungal diseases in crops are mediated by the release of effector proteins that facilitate infection. Characterising the structure of these fungal effectors is vital to understanding their virulence mechanisms and interactions with their hosts, which is crucial in the breeding of plant cultivars for disease resistance. Several effectors have been identified and validated experimentally; however, their lack of sequence conservation often impedes the identification and prediction of their structure using sequence similarity approaches. Structural similarity has, nonetheless, been observed within fungal effector protein families, creating interest in validating the use of computational methods to predict their tertiary structure from their sequence. We used Rosetta ab initio modelling to predict the structures of members of the ToxA-like and MAX effector families for which experimental structures are known to validate this method. An optimised approach was then used to predict the structures of phenotypically validated effectors lacking known structures. Rosetta was found to successfully predict the structure of fungal effectors in the ToxA-like and MAX families, as well as phenotypically validated but structurally unconfirmed effector sequences. Interestingly, potential new effector structural families were identified on the basis of comparisons with structural homologues and the identification of associated protein domains.
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Wang Y, Zeng M, Xia L, Valerie Olovo C, Su Z, Zhang Y. Bacterial strategies for immune systems - Role of the type VI secretion system. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109550. [PMID: 36525796 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The process of host infection by bacteria is complicated. Bacterial infections strongly induce the host immune system, which necessitates a robust clearance of the infection. However, bacteria have over time developed strategies that enable their evasion of attacks by the host immune system. One such strategy is the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a special needle-like secretion system that is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and is responsible for delivering effector proteins into the external bacterial environment or directly into the host cell cytosol. Bacterial T6SS and its secreted effector proteins play an important role in the interaction between bacteria and host immune system. They also serve as antigens that are employed in the development of vaccines for clinical trials as well as future vaccine candidates. This review focuses mainly on aspects of T6SS effectors that impact the strength of the host immune system, including inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis (silent programmed cell death). The T6SS-based vaccines are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurou Wang
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Minmin Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China; International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Chinasa Valerie Olovo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Zhaoliang Su
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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4
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Gao X, Tian H, Zhu K, Li Q, Hao W, Wang L, Qin B, Deng H, Cui S. Structural basis for Sarbecovirus ORF6 mediated blockage of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4782. [PMID: 35970938 PMCID: PMC9376891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32489-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of heavily mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) place the international community on high alert. In addition to numerous mutations that map in the spike protein of VOCs, expression of the viral accessory proteins ORF6 and ORF9b also elevate; both are potent interferon antagonists. Here, we present the crystal structures of Rae1-Nup98 in complex with the C-terminal tails (CTT) of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV ORF6 to 2.85 Å and 2.39 Å resolution, respectively. An invariant methionine (M) 58 residue of ORF6 CTT extends its side chain into a hydrophobic cavity in the Rae1 mRNA binding groove, resembling a bolt-fitting-hole; acidic residues flanking M58 form salt-bridges with Rae1. Our mutagenesis studies identify key residues of ORF6 important for its interaction with Rae1-Nup98 in vitro and in cells, of which M58 is irreplaceable. Furthermore, we show that ORF6-mediated blockade of mRNA and STAT1 nucleocytoplasmic transport correlate with the binding affinity between ORF6 and Rae1-Nup98. Finally, binding of ORF6 to Rae1-Nup98 is linked to ORF6-induced interferon antagonism. Taken together, this study reveals the molecular basis for the antagonistic function of Sarbecovirus ORF6, and implies a strategy of using ORF6 CTT-derived peptides for immunosuppressive drug development. Sarbecovirus ORF6 binds to the Rae1-Nup98 complex, a component of the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex, and has been shown to suppress interferon responses. Here, the authors provide structures of Rae1-Nup98 in complex with the C-terminal tails of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV ORF6 and provide insights into ORF6-mediated blockade of mRNA and STAT1 nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopan Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Huabin Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Kaixiang Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Qing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Hao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Linyue Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Bo Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Hongyu Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Sheng Cui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China. .,Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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5
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Arif SM, Floto RA, Blundell TL. Using Structure-guided Fragment-Based Drug Discovery to Target Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:857000. [PMID: 35433835 PMCID: PMC9006449 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.857000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is progressive genetic disease that predisposes lungs and other organs to multiple long-lasting microbial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most prevalent and deadly pathogen among these microbes. Lung function of CF patients worsens following chronic infections with P. aeruginosa and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Emergence of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa due to intrinsic and adaptive antibiotic resistance mechanisms has failed the current anti-pseudomonal antibiotics. Hence new antibacterials are urgently needed to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Structure-guided fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a powerful approach in the field of drug development that has succeeded in delivering six FDA approved drugs over the past 20 years targeting a variety of biological molecules. However, FBDD has not been widely used in the development of anti-pseudomonal molecules. In this review, we first give a brief overview of our structure-guided FBDD pipeline and then give a detailed account of FBDD campaigns to combat P. aeruginosa infections by developing small molecules having either bactericidal or anti-virulence properties. We conclude with a brief overview of the FBDD efforts in our lab at the University of Cambridge towards targeting P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Andres Floto
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine University of Cambridge, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L. Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Tom L. Blundell,
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6
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Castillo-Juárez I, Blancas-Luciano BE, García-Contreras R, Fernández-Presas AM. Antimicrobial peptides properties beyond growth inhibition and bacterial killing. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12667. [PMID: 35116194 PMCID: PMC8785659 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are versatile molecules with broad antimicrobial activity produced by representatives of the three domains of life. Also, there are derivatives of AMPs and artificial short peptides that can inhibit microbial growth. Beyond killing microbes, AMPs at grow sub-inhibitory concentrations also exhibit anti-virulence activity against critical pathogenic bacteria, including ESKAPE pathogens. Anti-virulence therapies are an alternative to antibiotics since they do not directly affect viability and growth, and they are considered less likely to generate resistance. Bacterial biofilms significantly increase antibiotic resistance and are linked to establishing chronic infections. Various AMPs can kill biofilm cells and eradicate infections in animal models. However, some can inhibit biofilm formation and promote dispersal at sub-growth inhibitory concentrations. These examples are discussed here, along with those of peptides that inhibit the expression of traits controlled by quorum sensing, such as the production of exoproteases, phenazines, surfactants, toxins, among others. In addition, specific targets that are determinants of virulence include secretion systems (type II, III, and VI) responsible for releasing effector proteins toxic to eukaryotic cells. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the anti-virulence properties of AMPs and the future directions of their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Castillo-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Blanca Esther Blancas-Luciano
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo García-Contreras
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana María Fernández-Presas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
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7
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Defending against the Type Six Secretion System: beyond Immunity Genes. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108259. [PMID: 33053336 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial type six secretion system (T6SS) delivers toxic effector proteins into neighboring cells, but bacteria must protect themselves against their own T6SS. Immunity genes are the best-characterized defenses, protecting against specific cognate effectors. However, the prevalence of the T6SS and the coexistence of species with heterologous T6SSs suggest evolutionary pressure selecting for additional defenses against it. Here we review defenses against the T6SS beyond self-associated immunity genes, such as diverse stress responses that can recognize T6SS-inflicted damage and coordinate induction of molecular armor, repair pathways, and overall survival. Some of these stress responses are required for full survival even in the presence of immunity genes. Finally, we propose that immunity gene-independent protection is, mechanistically, bacterial innate immunity and that such defenses and the T6SS have co-evolved and continue to shape one another in polymicrobial communities.
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Inhibiting Type VI Secretion System Activity with a Biomimetic Peptide Designed To Target the Baseplate Wedge Complex. mBio 2021; 12:e0134821. [PMID: 34372705 PMCID: PMC8406304 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01348-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human health is threatened by bacterial infections that are increasingly resistant to multiple drugs. A recently emerged strategy consists of disarming pathogenic bacteria by targeting and blocking their virulence factors. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread secretion nanomachine encoded and employed by pathogenic strains to establish their virulence process during host invasion. Given the conservation of T6SS in several human bacterial pathogens, the discovery of an effective broad-spectrum T6SS virulence blocker represents an attractive target for development of antivirulence therapies. Here, we identified and validated a protein-protein interaction interface, TssK-TssG, as a key factor in the assembly of the T6SS baseplate (BP) complex in the pathogen enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). In silico and biochemical studies revealed that the determinants of the interface are broadly conserved among pathogenic species, suggesting a role for this interface as a target for T6SS inhibition. Based on the high-resolution structure of the TssKFGE wedge complex, we rationally designed a biomimetic cyclic peptide (BCP) that blocks the assembly of the EAEC BP complex and inhibits the function of T6SS in bacterial cultures. Our BCP is the first compound completely designed from prior structural knowledge with anti-T6SS activity that can be used as a model to target human pathogens.
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9
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Gao X, Zhu K, Qin B, Olieric V, Wang M, Cui S. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Orf9b in complex with human TOM70 suggests unusual virus-host interactions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2843. [PMID: 33990585 PMCID: PMC8121815 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the accessory proteins are considered non-essential for coronavirus replication, accumulating evidences demonstrate they are critical to virus-host interaction and pathogenesis. Orf9b is a unique accessory protein of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. It is implicated in immune evasion by targeting mitochondria, where it associates with the versatile adapter TOM70. Here, we determined the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 orf9b in complex with the cytosolic segment of human TOM70 to 2.2 Å. A central portion of orf9b occupies the deep pocket in the TOM70 C-terminal domain (CTD) and adopts a helical conformation strikingly different from the β-sheet-rich structure of the orf9b homodimer. Interactions between orf9b and TOM70 CTD are primarily hydrophobic and distinct from the electrostatic interaction between the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) EEVD motif and the TOM70 N-terminal domain (NTD). Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we demonstrated that the orf9b dimer does not bind TOM70, but a synthetic peptide harboring a segment of orf9b (denoted C-peptide) binds TOM70 with nanomolar KD. While the interaction between C-peptide and TOM70 CTD is an endothermic process, the interaction between Hsp90 EEVD and TOM70 NTD is exothermic, which underscores the distinct binding mechanisms at NTD and CTD pockets. Strikingly, the binding affinity of Hsp90 EEVD motif to TOM70 NTD is reduced by ~29-fold when orf9b occupies the pocket of TOM70 CTD, supporting the hypothesis that orf9b allosterically inhibits the Hsp90/TOM70 interaction. Our findings shed light on the mechanism underlying SARS-CoV-2 orf9b mediated suppression of interferon responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopan Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kaixiang Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Vincent Olieric
- Swiss Light Source Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, PSI, Switzerland
| | - Meitian Wang
- Swiss Light Source Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, PSI, Switzerland
| | - Sheng Cui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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10
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Kahan R, Worm DJ, de Castro GV, Ng S, Barnard A. Modulators of protein-protein interactions as antimicrobial agents. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:387-409. [PMID: 34458791 PMCID: PMC8341153 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00205d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-Protein interactions (PPIs) are involved in a myriad of cellular processes in all living organisms and the modulation of PPIs is already under investigation for the development of new drugs targeting cancers, autoimmune diseases and viruses. PPIs are also involved in the regulation of vital functions in bacteria and, therefore, targeting bacterial PPIs offers an attractive strategy for the development of antibiotics with novel modes of action. The latter are urgently needed to tackle multidrug-resistant and multidrug-tolerant bacteria. In this review, we describe recent developments in the modulation of PPIs in pathogenic bacteria for antibiotic development, including advanced small molecule and peptide inhibitors acting on bacterial PPIs involved in division, replication and transcription, outer membrane protein biogenesis, with an additional focus on toxin-antitoxin systems as upcoming drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Kahan
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Dennis J Worm
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Guilherme V de Castro
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Simon Ng
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
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11
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Shao X, Xie Y, Zhang Y, Liu J, Ding Y, Wu M, Wang X, Deng X. Novel therapeutic strategies for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1403-1423. [PMID: 32880507 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1803274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent infections caused by the superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents are huge threats to patients with cystic fibrosis as well as those with compromised immune systems. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa has posed a major challenge to conventional antibiotics and therapeutic approaches, which show limited efficacy and cause serious side effects. The public demand for new antibiotics is enormous; yet, drug development pipelines have started to run dry with limited targets available for inventing new antibacterial drugs. Consequently, it is important to uncover potential therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED The authors review the current state of drug development strategies that are promising in terms of the development of novel and potent drugs to treat P. aeruginosa infection. EXPERT OPINION The prevention of P. aeruginosa infection is increasingly challenging. Furthermore, targeting key virulence regulators has great potential for developing novel anti-P. aeruginosa drugs. Additional promising strategies include bacteriophage therapy, immunotherapies, and antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, the authors believe that in the coming years, the overall network of molecular regulatory mechanism of P. aeruginosa virulence will be fully elucidated, which will provide more novel and promising drug targets for treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Shao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingpeng Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingchao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jingui Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yiqing Ding
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota , Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen, China
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12
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Chen L, Zou Y, Kronfl AA, Wu Y. Type VI secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with biofilm formation but not environmental adaptation. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:e991. [PMID: 31961499 PMCID: PMC7066461 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes three type VI secretion systems (T6SSs), namely H1‐, H2‐, and H3‐T6SS. P. aeruginosa hemolysin‐coregulated protein (Hcp) is the effector protein and the hallmark of T6SS. Although T6SS is ubiquitous and affects ecology and human health, its general mechanism and physiological role are still not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of the P. aeruginosa T6SS on biofilm formation and environmental adaptation. To this end, we collected P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, divided them into strong biofilm formation (SBF) and nonbiofilm formation (NBF) groups based on their biofilm‐forming ability, and compared their associated clinical characteristics. The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients infected with SBF than those infected with NBF strains. The expression levels of T6SS‐related genes (hcp1 and hcp3) and a quorum‐sensing gene (lasR) were higher in the SBF group as compared to those in the NBF group. In addition, the expression level of lasR was negatively associated with that of hcp1, but was positively associated with those of hcp2 and hcp3. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of T6SS‐ and biofilm‐associated genes in planktonic and biofilm cells of the P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, and constructed strain PAO1△clpV1 to study the adaptation characteristics of H1‐T6SS. The expression levels of hcp1, hcp2, hcp3, lasR, and other biofilm‐associated genes were significantly higher in PAO1 biofilm cells as compared to those of planktonic cells. However, except for swarming ability as a vital feature for biofilm formation, there were no significant differences in the biofilm‐forming ability and expression of biofilm‐associated genes, adherence ability, growth characteristics, resistance to acid and osmotic pressure, surface structure, and morphology between the PAO1△clpV1 and PAO1 wild‐type strains. Collectively, our results suggest that T6SS might play a role in biofilm formation and that H1‐T6SS does not contribute to environmental adaptation in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaru Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Asmaa Abbas Kronfl
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Elhosseiny NM, Elhezawy NB, Attia AS. Comparative proteomics analyses of Acinetobacter baumannii strains ATCC 17978 and AB5075 reveal the differential role of type II secretion system secretomes in lung colonization and ciprofloxacin resistance. Microb Pathog 2019; 128:20-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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14
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Shi L, Gao Z, Zhang T, Zhang H, Dong Y. Crystal structure of the type VI immunity protein Tdi1 (Atu4351) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS 2019; 75:153-158. [PMID: 30839288 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x19000815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a novel multiprotein needle-like apparatus that is distributed widely in Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteria harboring T6SSs inject various effectors into both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells for interspecies competition or virulence-related processes. The toxicities of the effectors can be neutralized by their cognate immunity proteins. Tde1 (Atu4350)-Tdi1 (Atu4351) has recently been characterized as a T6SS effector-immunity pair in the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the neutralization mechanism remains unknown. Here, the crystal structure of the immunity protein Tdi1 was determined at 2.40 Å resolution by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion method. Structural analysis suggested that it is composed of a GAD-like domain and an inserted DUF1851 domain, and both domains show low structural similarities to known structures. There is a positive groove mainly located in the GAD-like domain that may be associated with nucleotide binding. The structure provides a basis for further study of the positive groove as a potential active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Shi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Zengqiang Gao
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Dong
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
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15
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A Systematic Overview of Type II and III Toxin-Antitoxin Systems with a Focus on Druggability. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120515. [PMID: 30518070 PMCID: PMC6315513 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are known to play various roles in physiological processes, such as gene regulation, growth arrest and survival, in bacteria exposed to environmental stress. Type II TA systems comprise natural complexes consisting of protein toxins and antitoxins. Each toxin and antitoxin participates in distinct regulatory mechanisms depending on the type of TA system. Recently, peptides designed by mimicking the interfaces between TA complexes showed its potential to activate the activity of toxin by competing its binding counterparts. Type II TA systems occur more often in pathogenic bacteria than in their nonpathogenic kin. Therefore, they can be possible drug targets, because of their high abundance in some pathogenic bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, recent bioinformatic analyses have shown that type III TA systems are highly abundant in the intestinal microbiota, and recent clinical studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota is linked to inflammatory diseases, obesity and even several types of cancer. We therefore focused on exploring the putative relationship between intestinal microbiota-related human diseases and type III TA systems. In this paper, we review and discuss the development of possible druggable materials based on the mechanism of type II and type III TA system.
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