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Hamrock FJ, Ryan D, Shaibah A, Ershova AS, Mogre A, Sulimani MM, Ben Taarit S, Reichardt S, Hokamp K, Westermann AJ, Kröger C. Global analysis of the RNA-RNA interactome in Acinetobacter baumannii AB5075 uncovers a small regulatory RNA repressing the virulence-related outer membrane protein CarO. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae668. [PMID: 39149883 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that infects critically ill patients. The emergence of antimicrobial resistant A. baumannii has exacerbated the need to characterize environmental adaptation, antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity and their genetic regulators to inform intervention strategies. Critical to adaptation to changing environments in bacteria are small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), however, the role that sRNAs play in the biology of A. baumannii is poorly understood. To assess the regulatory function of sRNAs and to uncover their RNA interaction partners, we employed an RNA proximity ligation and sequencing method (Hi-GRIL-seq) in three different environmental conditions. Forty sRNAs were ligated to sRNA-RNA chimeric sequencing reads, suggesting that sRNA-mediated gene regulation is pervasive in A. baumannii. In-depth characterization uncovered the sRNA Aar to be a post-transcriptional regulator of four mRNA targets including the transcript encoding outer membrane protein CarO. Aar initiates base-pairing with these mRNAs using a conserved seed region of nine nucleotides, sequestering the ribosome binding sites and inhibiting translation. Aar is differentially expressed in multiple stress conditions suggesting a role in fine-tuning translation of the Aar-target molecules. Our study provides mechanistic insights into sRNA-mediated gene regulation in A. baumannii and represents a valuable resource for future RNA-centric research endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fergal J Hamrock
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniel Ryan
- Department of Microbiology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ali Shaibah
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna S Ershova
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aalap Mogre
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maha M Sulimani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Safa Ben Taarit
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Reichardt
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Hokamp
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexander J Westermann
- Department of Microbiology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kröger
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Scribano D, Cheri E, Pompilio A, Di Bonaventura G, Belli M, Cristina M, Sansone L, Zagaglia C, Sarshar M, Palamara AT, Ambrosi C. Acinetobacter baumannii OmpA-like porins: functional characterization of bacterial physiology, antibiotic-resistance, and virulence. Commun Biol 2024; 7:948. [PMID: 39107399 PMCID: PMC11303520 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06645-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. The high rates of antibiotic-resistance acquisition make most antibiotics ineffective. Thus, new medical countermeasures are urgently needed. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are prime candidates for developing novel drug targets and antibacterial strategies. However, there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of A. baumannii OMPs. This study reports the impact of OmpA-like protein on bacterial physiology and virulence in A. baumannii strain AB5075. We found that PsaB (ABUW_0505) negatively correlates to stress tolerance, while ArfA (ABUW_2730) significantly affects bacterial stiffness, cell shape, and cell envelope thickness. Furthermore, we expand our knowledge on YiaD (ABUW_3045), demonstrating structural and virulence roles of this porin, in addition to meropenem resistance. This study provides solid foundations for understanding how uncharacterized OMPs contribute to A. baumannii's physiological and pathological processes, aiding the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against A. baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Scribano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Cheri
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Pompilio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Manuel Belli
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cristina
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Sansone
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Zagaglia
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ambrosi
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory of Microbiology of Chronic-Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Akgul A, Kalindamar S, Kordon AO, Abdelhamed H, Ibrahim I, Tekedar HC, Karsi A. The RNA chaperone Hfq has a multifaceted role in Edwardsiella ictaluri. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1394008. [PMID: 39099884 PMCID: PMC11294321 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1394008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium that causes enteric septicemia in catfish (ESC). The RNA chaperone Hfq (host factor for phage Qβ replication) facilitates gene regulation via small RNAs (sRNAs) in various pathogenic bacteria. Despite its significance in other bacterial species, the role of hfq in E. ictaluri remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the role of hfq in E. ictaluri by creating an hfq mutant (EiΔhfq) through in-frame gene deletion and characterization. Our findings revealed that the Hfq protein is highly conserved within the genus Edwardsiella. The deletion of hfq resulted in a significantly reduced growth rate during the late exponential phase. Additionally, EiΔhfq displayed a diminished capacity for biofilm formation and exhibited increased motility. Under acidic and oxidative stress conditions, EiΔhfq demonstrated impaired growth, and we observed elevated hfq expression when subjected to in vitro and in vivo stress conditions. EiΔhfq exhibited reduced survival within catfish peritoneal macrophages, although it had no discernible effect on the adherence and invasion of epithelial cells. The infection model revealed that hfq is needed for bacterial persistence in catfish, and its absence caused significant virulence attenuation in catfish. Finally, the EiΔhfq vaccination completely protected catfish against subsequent EiWT infection. In summary, these results underscore the pivotal role of hfq in E. ictaluri, affecting its growth, motility, biofilm formation, stress response, and virulence in macrophages and within catfish host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Attila Karsi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
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Kho ZY, Azad MAK, Zhu Y, Han ML, Zhou QT, Velkov T, Naderer T, Li J. Transcriptomic interplay between Acinetobacter baumannii , human macrophage and polymyxin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.23.576770. [PMID: 38328180 PMCID: PMC10849618 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.23.576770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Optimization of antibiotic therapy has been hindered by our dearth of understanding on the mechanism of the host-pathogen-drug interactions. Here, we employed dual RNA-sequencing to examine transcriptomic perturbations in response to polymyxin B in a co-culture infection model of Acinetobacter baumannii and human macrophages. Our findings revealed that polymyxin B treatment induced significant transcriptomic response in macrophage-interacting A. baumannii , exacerbating bacterial oxidative stress, disrupting metal homeostasis, affecting osmoadaptation, triggering stringent stress response, and influencing pathogenic factors. Moreover, infected macrophages adapt heme catabolism, coagulation cascade, and hypoxia-inducible signaling to confront bacterial invasion. Disrupting rcnB , ompW , and traR/dksA genes in A. baumannii impairs metal homeostasis, osmotic stress defense and stringent responses, thereby enhancing antibacterial killing by polymyxin. These findings shed light on the global stress adaptations at the network level during host-pathogen-drug interactions, revealing promising therapeutic targets for further investigation. IMPORTANCE In the context of the development of bacterial resistance during the course of antibiotic therapy, the role of macrophages in shaping bacterial response to antibiotic killing remains enigmatic. Herein we employed dual RNA-sequencing and an in vitro tripartite model to delve into the unexplored transcriptional networks of the Acinetobacter baumannii -macrophage-polymyxin axis. Our findings uncovered the potential synergy between macrophages and polymyxin B which appear to act in co-operation to disrupt multiple stress tolerance mechanisms in A. baumannii . Notably, we discovered the critical roles of bacterial nickel/cobalt homeostasis ( rcnB family), osmotic stress defense ( ompW family), and stringent response regulator ( traR/dksA C4-type zinc finger) in tolerating the last-line antibiotic polymyxin B. Our findings may lead to potential targets for the development of novel therapeutics against the problematic pathogen A. baumannii .
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Barati H, Fekrirad Z, Jalali Nadoushan M, Rasooli I. Anti-OmpA antibodies as potential inhibitors of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation, adherence to, and proliferation in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. Microb Pathog 2024; 186:106473. [PMID: 38048840 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a critical virulence factor in Acinetobacter baumannii, influencing adhesion, biofilm formation, host immune response, and host cell apoptosis. We investigated the invasion of A549 alveolar epithelial cells by A. baumannii and examined how anti-OmpA antibodies impact these interactions. OmpA was expressed and purified, inducing anti-OmpA antibodies in BALB/c mice. The potential toxicity of OmpA was evaluated in mice by analyzing histology from six organs. A549 cells were exposed to A. baumannii strains 19606 and a clinical isolate. Using cell culture and light microscopy, we scrutinized the effects of anti-OmpA sera on serum resistance, adherence, internalization, and proliferation of A. baumannii in A549 cells. The viability of A549 cells was assessed upon exposure to live A. baumannii and anti-OmpA sera. OmpA-induced antibody demonstrated potent bactericidal effects on both strains of A. baumannii. Both strains formed biofilms, which were reduced by anti-OmpA serum, along with decreased bacterial adherence, internalization, and proliferation in A549 cells. Anti-OmpA serum improved the survival of A549 cells post-infection. Pre-treatment with cytochalasin D hindered bacterial internalization, highlighting the role of actin polymerization in invasion. Microscopic examination revealed varied interactions encompassing adherence, apoptosis, membrane alterations, vacuolization, and damage. A549 cells treated with anti-OmpA serum exhibited improved structures and reduced damage. The findings indicate that A. baumannii can adhere to and proliferate within epithelial cells with OmpA playing a pivotal role in these interactions, and the complex nature of these interactions shapes the intricate course of A. baumannii infection in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammadreza Jalali Nadoushan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Molecular Microbiology Research Center and Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Iraj Rasooli
- Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Molecular Microbiology Research Center and Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
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Bae JY, Yun I, Jun KI, Kim CJ, Lee M, Choi HJ. Association between Pneumonia Development and Virulence Gene Expression in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2023; 2023:8265683. [PMID: 38156310 PMCID: PMC10754638 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8265683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia's development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P=0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P=0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P < 0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P < 0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P=0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P=0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ina Yun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Il Jun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Jong Kim
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miae Lee
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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7
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Maure A, Robino E, Van der Henst C. The intracellular life of Acinetobacter baumannii. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1238-1250. [PMID: 37487768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium responsible for nosocomial and community-acquired infections. This pathogen is globally disseminated and associated with high levels of antibiotic resistance, which makes it an important threat to human health. Recently, new evidence showed that several A. baumannii isolates can survive and proliferate within eukaryotic professional and/or nonprofessional phagocytic cells, with in vivo consequences. This review provides updated information and describes the tools that A. baumannii possesses to adhere, colonize, and replicate in host cells. Additionally, we emphasize the high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity detected amongst A. baumannii isolates and its impact on the bacterial intracellular features. We also discuss the need for standardized methods to characterize this pathogen robustly and consequently consider some strains as facultative intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maure
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne Robino
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles Van der Henst
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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8
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Jiao M, He W, Ouyang Z, Qin Q, Guo Y, Zhang J, Bai Y, Guo X, Yu Q, She J, Hwang PM, Zheng F, Wen Y. Mechanistic and structural insights into the bifunctional enzyme PaaY from Acinetobacter baumannii. Structure 2023; 31:935-947.e4. [PMID: 37329879 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
PaaY is a thioesterase that enables toxic metabolites to be degraded through the bacterial phenylacetic acid (PA) pathway. The Acinetobacter baumannii gene FQU82_01591 encodes PaaY, which we demonstrate to possess γ-carbonic anhydrase activity in addition to thioesterase activity. The crystal structure of AbPaaY in complex with bicarbonate reveals a homotrimer with a canonical γ-carbonic anhydrase active site. Thioesterase activity assays demonstrate a preference for lauroyl-CoA as a substrate. The AbPaaY trimer structure shows a unique domain-swapped C-termini, which increases the stability of the enzyme in vitro and decreases its susceptibility to proteolysis in vivo. The domain-swapped C-termini impact thioesterase substrate specificity and enzyme efficacy without affecting carbonic anhydrase activity. AbPaaY knockout reduced the growth of Acinetobacter in media containing PA, decreased biofilm formation, and impaired hydrogen peroxide resistance. Collectively, AbPaaY is a bifunctional enzyme that plays a key role in the metabolism, growth, and stress response mechanisms of A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jiao
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Wenbo He
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhenlin Ouyang
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yucheng Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yixin Bai
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaolong Guo
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qinyue Yu
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Junjun She
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Peter M Hwang
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yurong Wen
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China; The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
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9
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Shadan A, Pathak A, Ma Y, Pathania R, Singh RP. Deciphering the virulence factors, regulation, and immune response to Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1053968. [PMID: 36968113 PMCID: PMC10038080 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1053968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the virulence factors, regulation, and immune response to Acinetobacter baumannii infectionAcinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen and a major cause of hospital acquired infetions. Carbapenem resistant A. baumannii has been categorised as a Priority1 critial pathogen by the World Health Organisation. A. baumannii is responsible for infections in hospital settings, clinical sectors, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bloodstream infections with a mortality rates up to 35%. With the development of advanced genome sequencing, molecular mechanisms of manipulating bacterial genomes, and animal infection studies, it has become more convenient to identify the factors that play a major role in A. baumannii infection and its persistence. In the present review, we have explored the mechanism of infection, virulence factors, and various other factors associated with the pathogenesis of this organism. Additionally, the role of the innate and adaptive immune response, and the current progress in the development of innovative strategies to combat this multidrug-resistant pathogen is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afreen Shadan
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Avik Pathak
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
| | - Ying Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Ma, ; Ranjana Pathania, ; Rajnish Prakash Singh,
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
- *Correspondence: Ying Ma, ; Ranjana Pathania, ; Rajnish Prakash Singh,
| | - Rajnish Prakash Singh
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
- *Correspondence: Ying Ma, ; Ranjana Pathania, ; Rajnish Prakash Singh,
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10
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Sarshar M, Scribano D, Palamara AT, Ambrosi C, Masotti A. The Acinetobacter baumannii model can explain the role of small non-coding RNAs as potential mediators of host-pathogen interactions. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1088783. [PMID: 36619166 PMCID: PMC9810633 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1088783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) research has accelerated over the past decade, boosted by advances in RNA-seq technologies and methodologies for capturing both protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions. The emerging picture is that these regulatory sRNAs play important roles in controlling complex physiological processes and are required to survive the antimicrobial challenge. In recent years, the RNA content of OMVs/EVs has also gained increasing attention, particularly in the context of infection. Secreted RNAs from several bacterial pathogens have been characterized but the exact mechanisms promoting pathogenicity remain elusive. In this review, we briefly discuss how secreted sRNAs interact with targets in infected cells, thus representing a novel perspective of host cell manipulation during bacterial infection. During the last decade, Acinetobacter baumannii became clinically relevant emerging pathogens responsible for nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Therefore, we also summarize recent findings of regulation by sRNAs in A. baumannii and discuss how this emerging bacterium utilizes many of these sRNAs to adapt to its niche and become successful human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Meysam Sarshar, ; Andrea Masotti,
| | - Daniela Scribano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ambrosi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy,IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Meysam Sarshar, ; Andrea Masotti,
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11
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Synthetic Genetic Interactions Reveal a Dense and Cryptic Regulatory Network of Small Noncoding RNAs in Escherichia coli. mBio 2022; 13:e0122522. [PMID: 35920556 PMCID: PMC9426594 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01225-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, we have learned that bacterial small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) can rapidly effect changes in gene expression in response to stress. However, the broader role and impact of sRNA-mediated regulation in promoting bacterial survival has remained elusive. Indeed, there are few examples where disruption of sRNA-mediated gene regulation results in a discernible change in bacterial growth or survival. The lack of phenotypes attributable to loss of sRNA function suggests that either sRNAs are wholly dispensable or functional redundancies mask the impact of deleting a single sRNA. We investigated synthetic genetic interactions among sRNA genes in Escherichia coli by constructing pairwise deletions in 54 genes, including 52 sRNAs. Some 1,373 double deletion strains were studied for growth defects under 32 different nutrient stress conditions and revealed 1,131 genetic interactions. In one example, we identified a profound synthetic lethal interaction between ArcZ and CsrC when E. coli was grown on pyruvate, lactate, oxaloacetate, or d-/l-alanine, and we provide evidence that the expression of ppsA is dysregulated in the double deletion background, causing the conditionally lethal phenotype. This work employs a unique platform for studying sRNA-mediated gene regulation and sheds new light on the genetic network of sRNAs that underpins bacterial growth.
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12
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Franzino T, Boubakri H, Cernava T, Abrouk D, Achouak W, Reverchon S, Nasser W, Haichar FEZ. Implications of carbon catabolite repression for plant-microbe interactions. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:100272. [PMID: 35529946 PMCID: PMC9073323 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Carbon catabolite repression (CCR) plays a key role in many physiological and adaptive responses in a broad range of microorganisms that are commonly associated with eukaryotic hosts. When a mixture of different carbon sources is available, CCR, a global regulatory mechanism, inhibits the expression and activity of cellular processes associated with utilization of secondary carbon sources in the presence of the preferred carbon source. CCR is known to be executed by completely different mechanisms in different bacteria, yeast, and fungi. In addition to regulating catabolic genes, CCR also appears to play a key role in the expression of genes involved in plant-microbe interactions. Here, we present a detailed overview of CCR mechanisms in various bacteria. We highlight the role of CCR in beneficial as well as deleterious plant-microbe interactions based on the available literature. In addition, we explore the global distribution of known regulatory mechanisms within bacterial genomes retrieved from public repositories and within metatranscriptomes obtained from different plant rhizospheres. By integrating the available literature and performing targeted meta-analyses, we argue that CCR-regulated substrate use preferences of microorganisms should be considered an important trait involved in prevailing plant-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theophile Franzino
- INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation, Pathogénie, Université Lyon, 10 rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Hasna Boubakri
- Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Écologie Microbienne, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Tomislav Cernava
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/I, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Danis Abrouk
- Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Écologie Microbienne, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Wafa Achouak
- Aix Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, Lab Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere (LEMiRE), 13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Sylvie Reverchon
- INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation, Pathogénie, Université Lyon, 10 rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - William Nasser
- INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation, Pathogénie, Université Lyon, 10 rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Feth el Zahar Haichar
- INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation, Pathogénie, Université Lyon, 10 rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
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13
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Acinetobacter baumannii regulates its stress responses via the BfmRS two-component regulatory system. J Bacteriol 2021; 204:e0049421. [PMID: 34871031 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00494-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a common nosocomial pathogen that utilizes numerous mechanisms to aid its survival in both the environment and in the host. Coordination of such mechanisms requires an intricate regulatory network. We report here that A. baumannii can directly regulate several stress-related pathways via the two-component regulatory system, BfmRS. Similar to previous studies, results from transcriptomic analysis showed that mutation of the BfmR response regulator causes dysregulation of genes required for the oxidative stress response, the osmotic stress response, the misfolded protein/heat shock response, Csu pili/fimbriae production, and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis. We also found that the BfmRS system is involved in controlling siderophore biosynthesis and transport, and type IV pili production. We provide evidence that BfmR binds to various stress-related promoter regions and show that BfmR alone can directly activate transcription of some stress-related genes. Additionally, we show that the BfmS sensor kinase acts as a BfmR phosphatase to negatively regulate BfmR activity. This work highlights the importance of the BfmRS system in promoting survival of A. baumannii. Importance Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen that has extremely high rates of multidrug resistance. This organism's ability to endure stressful conditions is a key part of its ability to spread in the hospital environment and cause infections. Unlike other members of the γ-proteobacteria, A. baumannii does not encode a homolog of the RpoS sigma factor to coordinate its stress response. Here, we demonstrate that the BfmRS two-component system directly controls the expression of multiple stress resistance genes. Our findings suggest that BfmRS is central to a unique scheme of general stress response regulation by A. baumannii.
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14
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Na SH, Jeon H, Oh MH, Kim YJ, Lee JC. Screening of small molecules attenuating biofilm formation of Acinetobacter baumannii by inhibition of ompA promoter activity. J Microbiol 2021; 59:871-878. [PMID: 34449059 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-021-1394-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anti-virulence therapeutic strategies are promising alternatives against drug-resistant pathogens. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) plays a versatile role in the pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii. Therefore, OmpA is an innovative target for anti-virulence therapy against A. baumannii. This study aimed to develop a high-throughput screening (HTS) system to discover small molecules inhibiting the ompA promoter activity of A. baumannii and screen chemical compounds using the bacterial growth-based HTS system. The ompA promoter and open reading frame of nptI fusion plasmids that controlled the expression of nptI encoding resistance to kanamycin by the ompA promoter were constructed and then transformed into A. baumannii ATCC 17978. This reporter strain was applied to screen small molecules inhibiting the ompA promoter activity in a chemical library. Of the 7,520 chemical compounds, 15 exhibited ≥ 70% growth inhibition of the report strain cultured in media containing kanamycin. Three compounds inhibited the expression of ompA and OmpA in the outer membrane of A. baumannii ATCC 17978, which subsequently reduced biofilm formation. In conclusion, our reporter strain is useful for large-scale screening of small molecules inhibiting the ompA expression in A. baumannii. Hit compounds identified by the HTS system are promising scaffolds to develop novel therapeutics against A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Hyeon Na
- Division of Antimicrobial Resistance Research, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Jeon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Hwan Oh
- Department of Microbiology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Jeong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Je Chul Lee
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Zhou H, Gebhardt MJ, Czyz DM, Yao Y, Shuman HA. The gigA/gigB Genes Regulate the Growth, Stress Response, and Virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978 Strain. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:723949. [PMID: 34421881 PMCID: PMC8371402 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.723949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen of nosocomial infection. Recently, a group of genes, named “gig” (for Growth in Galleria), have been identified in a contemporary multi-drug resistant clinical isolate of A. baumannii—strain AB5075. Among these so-called gig genes, gigA and gigB were found to promote antibiotic resistance, stress survival, and virulence of AB5075 by interacting with the nitrogen phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr). This study aimed to investigate the roles of gigA/gigB, which appear to comprise a stress-signaling pathway (encoding for an atypical two-component system response regulator and a predicted anti-anti-sigma factor, respectively), and the involvement of ptsP (encoding the Enzyme I component of the PTSNtr) in the growth, stress resistance, and virulence of the widely studied A. baumannii strain ATCC 17978. Genetic analyses of strains harboring mutations of gigA and gigB were performed to investigate the roles of these genes in bacterial growth, stress resistance, evading macrophage defense, and killing of Galleria mellonella larva. In contrast with findings from strain AB5075 where gigA and gigB contribute to aminoglycoside resistance, the data presented herein indicate that the loss of gigA/gigB does not impact antibiotic resistance of strain ATCC 17978. Interestingly, however, we found that deletion of gigA/gigB in the ATCC 17978 background imparts a general growth in laboratory medium and also conferred growth and replication defects within murine macrophages and an inability to kill G. mellonella larvae. Importantly, studies as well as the loss of ptsP restored the phenotypes of the gigA/gigB mutant to that of the wild-type. The data presented herein indicate that in A. baumannii ATCC 17978, the gigA/gigB genes play a key role in both growth and virulence traits, but are dispensable for other stress-resistance survival phenotypes, including aminoglycoside resistance. Our findings thus highlight several similarities and also important differences between the gigA/gigB stress-signaling pathway in two commonly studied isolates of this troublesome pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Michael J Gebhardt
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel M Czyz
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Yake Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Howard A Shuman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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16
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Costa P, Usai G, Re A, Manfredi M, Mannino G, Bertea CM, Pessione E, Mazzoli R. Clostridium cellulovorans Proteomic Responses to Butanol Stress. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:674639. [PMID: 34367082 PMCID: PMC8336468 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.674639] [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] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination of butanol-hyperproducing and hypertolerant phenotypes is essential for developing microbial strains suitable for industrial production of bio-butanol, one of the most promising liquid biofuels. Clostridium cellulovorans is among the microbial strains with the highest potential for direct production of n-butanol from lignocellulosic wastes, a process that would significantly reduce the cost of bio-butanol. However, butanol exhibits higher toxicity compared to ethanol and C. cellulovorans tolerance to this solvent is low. In the present investigation, comparative gel-free proteomics was used to study the response of C. cellulovorans to butanol challenge and understand the tolerance mechanisms activated in this condition. Sequential Window Acquisition of all Theoretical fragment ion spectra Mass Spectrometry (SWATH-MS) analysis allowed identification and quantification of differentially expressed soluble proteins. The study data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD024183. The most important response concerned modulation of protein biosynthesis, folding and degradation. Coherent with previous studies on other bacteria, several heat shock proteins (HSPs), involved in protein quality control, were up-regulated such as the chaperones GroES (Cpn10), Hsp90, and DnaJ. Globally, our data indicate that protein biosynthesis is reduced, likely not to overload HSPs. Several additional metabolic adaptations were triggered by butanol exposure such as the up-regulation of V- and F-type ATPases (involved in ATP synthesis/generation of proton motive force), enzymes involved in amino acid (e.g., arginine, lysine, methionine, and branched chain amino acids) biosynthesis and proteins involved in cell envelope re-arrangement (e.g., the products of Clocel_4136, Clocel_4137, Clocel_4144, Clocel_4162 and Clocel_4352, involved in the biosynthesis of saturated fatty acids) and a redistribution of carbon flux through fermentative pathways (acetate and formate yields were increased and decreased, respectively). Based on these experimental findings, several potential gene targets for metabolic engineering strategies aimed at improving butanol tolerance in C. cellulovorans are suggested. This includes overexpression of HSPs (e.g., GroES, Hsp90, DnaJ, ClpC), RNA chaperone Hfq, V- and F-type ATPases and a number of genes whose function in C. cellulovorans is currently unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Costa
- Structural and Functional Biochemistry, Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering of Prokaryotes, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Usai
- Structural and Functional Biochemistry, Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering of Prokaryotes, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy.,Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Angela Re
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mannino
- Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cinzia Margherita Bertea
- Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrica Pessione
- Structural and Functional Biochemistry, Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering of Prokaryotes, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Mazzoli
- Structural and Functional Biochemistry, Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering of Prokaryotes, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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17
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Fu Y, Yu Z, Zhu L, Li Z, Yin W, Shang X, Chou SH, Tan Q, He J. The Multiple Regulatory Relationship Between RNA-Chaperone Hfq and the Second Messenger c-di-GMP. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:689619. [PMID: 34335515 PMCID: PMC8323549 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.689619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA chaperone protein Hfq is an important post-transcriptional regulator in bacteria, while c-di-GMP is a second messenger signaling molecule widely distributed in bacteria. Both factors have been found to play key roles in post-transcriptional regulation and signal transduction pathways, respectively. Intriguingly, the two factors show some common aspects in the regulation of certain physiological functions such as bacterial motility, biofilm formation, pathogenicity and so on. Therefore, there may be regulatory relationship between Hfq and c-di-GMP. For example, Hfq can directly regulate the activity of c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes or alter the c-di-GMP level through other systems, while c-di-GMP can indirectly enhance or inhibit the hfq gene expression through intermediate factors. In this article, after briefly introducing the Hfq and c-di-GMP regulatory systems, we will focus on the direct and indirect regulation reported between Hfq and c-di-GMP, aiming to compare and link the two regulatory systems to further study the complicated physiological and metabolic systems of bacteria, and to lay a solid foundation for drawing a more complete global regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Fu
- National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhaoqing Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaodong Shang
- National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan-Ho Chou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Tan
- National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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18
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Bharwad K, Ghoghari N, Rajkumar S. Crc Regulates Succinate-Mediated Repression of Mineral Phosphate Solubilization in Acinetobacter sp. SK2 by Modulating Membrane Glucose Dehydrogenase. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:641119. [PMID: 34322095 PMCID: PMC8312277 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.641119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant growth-promoting Acinetobacter sp. SK2 isolated from Vigna radiata rhizosphere was characterized for mineral phosphate solubilization (MPS). To understand the contribution of the membrane glucose dehydrogenase (mGDH) and soluble glucose dehydrogenase (sGDH) in glucose oxidation and MPS, insertional inactivation of the corresponding genes was carried out. The disruption of mGDH encoding gene gdhA resulted in complete loss of mGDH activity, which confirmed its role in periplasmic glucose oxidation and gluconate-mediated MPS phenotype. The inactivation of sGDH encoding gene gdhB resulted in loss of sGDH activity, which did not alter the MPS or mGDH activity. Thus, it was also concluded that the sGDH was dispensable in gluconate-mediated MPS. Supplementation of succinate in glucose-containing medium suppressed the activity of mGDH (and sGDH) and therefore repressed the MPS phenotype. The catabolite repression control protein (Crc) of Pseudomonas was implicated in Acinetobacter sp. for a similar function in the presence of preferred and non-preferred carbon sources. To understand the regulatory linkage between Crc and genes for glucose oxidation, crc mutants were generated. The inactivation of crc resulted in increased activity of the mGDH in glucose + succinate-grown cells, indicating derepression. An increase in phosphate solubilization up to 44% in glucose + succinate-grown crc - compared with glucose-grown cells was recorded, which was significantly repressed in the wild-type strain under similar conditions. It is therefore proposed that in Acinetobacter sp. SK2, Crc is involved in the succinate-provoked repression of the MPS phenotype. The gene expression data indicated that Hfq may also have a regulating role in preferential utilization of carbon source by perhaps modulating Crc-Hfq functionality. V. radiata plants inoculated with the wild type improved both root and shoot length by 1.3 to 1.4-fold. However, crc - increased the root and shoot length by 1.6-fold, compared with the uninoculated controls. In mimicking the soil condition (in the presence of multiple carbon sources, e.g., succinate along with glucose), the crc - strain of Acinetobacter sp. SK2 performed better in supporting the growth of V. radiata in pot experiments.
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19
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Essential gene analysis in Acinetobacter baumannii by high-density transposon mutagenesis and CRISPR interference. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0056520. [PMID: 33782056 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00565-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a poorly understood bacterium capable of life-threatening infections in hospitals. Few antibiotics remain effective against this highly resistant pathogen. Developing rationally-designed antimicrobials that can target A. baumannii requires improved knowledge of the proteins that carry out essential processes allowing growth of the organism. Unfortunately, studying essential genes has been challenging using traditional techniques, which usually require time-consuming recombination-based genetic manipulations. Here, we performed saturating mutagenesis with dual transposon systems to identify essential genes in A. baumannii and we developed a CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) system for facile analysis of these genes. We show that the CRISPRi system enables efficient transcriptional silencing in A. baumannii Using these tools, we confirmed the essentiality of the novel cell division protein AdvA and discovered a previously uncharacterized AraC-family transcription factor (ACX60_RS03245) that is necessary for growth. In addition, we show that capsule biosynthesis is a conditionally essential process, with mutations in late-acting steps causing toxicity in strain ATCC 17978 that can be bypassed by blocking early-acting steps or activating the BfmRS stress response. These results open new avenues for analysis of essential pathways in A. baumannii ImportanceNew approaches are urgently needed to control A. baumannii, one of the most drug resistant pathogens known. To facilitate the development of novel targets that allow inhibition of the pathogen, we performed a large-scale identification of genes whose products the bacterium needs for growth. We also developed a CRISPR-based gene knockdown tool that operates efficiently in A. baumannii, allowing rapid analysis of these essential genes. We used these methods to define multiple processes vital to the bacterium, including a previously uncharacterized gene-regulatory factor and export of a protective polymeric capsule. These tools will enhance our ability to investigate processes critical for the essential biology of this challenging hospital-acquired pathogen.
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20
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Acinetobacter baumannii: An Ancient Commensal with Weapons of a Pathogen. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040387. [PMID: 33804894 PMCID: PMC8063835 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is regarded as a life-threatening pathogen associated with community-acquired and nosocomial infections, mainly pneumonia. The rise in the number of A. baumannii antibiotic-resistant strains reduces effective therapies and increases mortality. Bacterial comparative genomic studies have unraveled the innate and acquired virulence factors of A. baumannii. These virulence factors are involved in antibiotic resistance, environmental persistence, host-pathogen interactions, and immune evasion. Studies on host–pathogen interactions revealed that A. baumannii evolved different mechanisms to adhere to in order to invade host respiratory cells as well as evade the host immune system. In this review, we discuss current data on A. baumannii genetic features and virulence factors. An emphasis is given to the players in host–pathogen interaction in the respiratory tract. In addition, we report recent investigations into host defense systems using in vitro and in vivo models, providing new insights into the innate immune response to A. baumannii infections. Increasing our knowledge of A. baumannii pathogenesis may help the development of novel therapeutic strategies based on anti-adhesive, anti-virulence, and anti-cell to cell signaling pathways drugs.
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21
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Zheng Z, Xie Y, Ma S, Tu J, Li J, Liang S, Xu Y, Shi C. Effect of 405-nm light-emitting diode on environmental tolerance of Cronobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula. Food Res Int 2021; 144:110343. [PMID: 34053539 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen that can survive extreme desiccation, heat, acid, and osmotic stress. This can increase the risk of infection, resulting in severe diseases, mainly in neonates. The inactivation effect of 405 ± 5-nm light-emitting diode (LED) illumination on C. sakazakii with different initial concentrations and C. sakazakii strains isolated from powdered infant formula (PIF) and baby rice cereal (BRC) were firstly evaluated. Then, the effect of 405 ± 5-nm LED on the tolerance of diverse environmental conditions of C. sakazakii in PIF was investigated. Conditions involving desiccation [PIF, Water activity (aw): 0.2-0.5], heat (45, 50, and 55 °C), acid (simulated gastric fluid: SGF, pH 4.75 ± 0.25), and bile salt (0.2%, bile salt solution) were used to study the effects of 405-nm LED on C. sakazakii resistance. The transcription levels of ten tolerance-associated genes and changes in bacterial cell membrane were examined to understand the response of C. sakazakii to LED illumination. The results showed that 405-nm LED effectively inactivated C. sakazakii ATCC 29544 with initial concentration from 8 to 1 log CFU/g in PIF and strains isolated from PIF and BRC. Moreover, 405-nm LED could decrease the tolerance of C. sakazakii in PIF to desiccation, heat treatment at 50 and 55 °C, SGF, and bile salt to different degrees, but the resistance to the heat treatment at 45 °C was not influenced by LED illumination. In addition, the transcription levels of the ten tolerance-associated genes measured in the LED-illuminated C. sakazakii cells were significantly downregulated compared with those in unilluminated controls. The damage on cell membrane was confirmed for LED-treated cells by LIVE/DEAD® assay. These results indicate that 405-nm LED illumination may be effective at reducing the environmental resistance of C. sakazakii in PIF. Furthermore, this study suggests the potential for applying 405-nm LED technology in the prevention and control of pathogens in food processing, production, and storage environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwen Zheng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yawen Xie
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sheng Ma
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Junhong Tu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sen Liang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yunfeng Xu
- College of Food and Bioengineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Chao Shi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Chen CL, Dudek A, Liang YH, Janapatla RP, Lee HY, Hsu L, Kuo HY, Chiu CH. d-mannose-sensitive pilus of Acinetobacter baumannii is linked to biofilm formation and adherence onto respiratory tract epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2021; 55:69-79. [PMID: 33610507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen. To better understand the role of CsuA/BABCDE pilus of A. baumannii in virulence, bacterial biofilm formation, adherence and carbohydrate-mediated inhibition were conducted. METHODS CsuA/BABCDE pilus-producing (abbreviated Csu pilus) operon of A. baumannii ATCC17978 was cloned for analysis of biofilm formation on an abiotic plastic plate, bacterial adherence to respiratory epithelial human A549 cells and carbohydrate-mediated inhibition. The carbohydrates used for inhibition of biofilm formation and adherence to A549 cells included monosaccharides, pyranosides, and mannose-polymers. RESULTS The Csu pilus of A. baumannii ATCC17978 was cloned and expressed into a non-pilus-producing Escherichia coli JM109, and was knocked out as well. The recombinant Csu (rCsu) pilus on E. coli JM109/rCsu pilus-producing clone observed by both electro-microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed abundant, while Csu-knockout A. baumannii ATCC17978 mutant appeared less or no pilus production. The E. coli JM109/rCsu pilus-producing clone significantly increased biofilm formation and adherence to A549 cells; however, the Csu-knockout mutant dramatically lost biofilm-making ability but, in contrast, increased adherence. Moreover, both of biofilm formation and adherence could be significantly inhibited by d-mannose and methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside in Csu pilus-producing E. coli JM109, whereas in A. baumannii ATCC17978, high concentration of carbohydrates was required for the inhibition, suggesting that Csu pilus is sensitive to d-mannose. CONCLUSION This is the first study confirming that Csu pilus of A. baumannii belongs to mannose-sensitive type 1 pilus family and contributes to biofilm formation and bacterial adherence to human epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chyi-Liang Chen
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Anna Dudek
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Liang
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Hao-Yuan Lee
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Wei Gong Memorial Hospital, Miaoli, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Long Hsu
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yueh Kuo
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chiu
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Bashiri S, Lucidi M, Visaggio D, Capecchi G, Persichetti L, Cincotti G, Visca P, Capellini G. Growth Phase- and Desiccation-Dependent Acinetobacter baumannii Morphology: An Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:1110-1119. [PMID: 33433226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a major bacterial pathogen during the past three decades. The majority of the A. baumannii infections occur in hospitals and are caused by strains endowed with high desiccation tolerance, which represents an essential feature for the adaptation to the nosocomial environment. This work aims at investigating the desiccation response of the multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strain ACICU as a function of the bacterial growth phase and oxygen availability, by correlating bacterial survival with shape alterations. The three-dimensional morphological analysis of bacteria was carried out by atomic force microscopy (AFM), following the evolution of bacterial shape descriptors, such as the area, volume, roughness of individual cell membranes, and the cell cluster roughness, which exhibited peculiar and distinctive behavior as a function of the growth conditions. AFM images of A. baumannii ACICU cells revealed the prevalence of the coccoid morphology at all growth stages, with a tendency to reduce their size in the stationary phase, accompanied by a higher survival rate to air-drying. Moreover, cells harvested from the logarithmic phase featured a larger volume and resulted to be more sensitive to desiccation compared to the cells harvested at later growth stages. In addition, oxygen deprivation caused a significant decrease in cellular size and was associated with the formation of pores in the cell membrane, accompanied by a relative reduction in culturability after desiccation. Morphological plasticity and multidrug resistance may contribute to desiccation tolerance and therefore to persistence in the hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Bashiri
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Lucidi
- Department of Engineering, University Roma Tre, via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Visaggio
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Capecchi
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Persichetti
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Cincotti
- Department of Engineering, University Roma Tre, via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capellini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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Layton E, Fairhurst AM, Griffiths-Jones S, Grencis RK, Roberts IS. Regulatory RNAs: A Universal Language for Inter-Domain Communication. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8919. [PMID: 33255483 PMCID: PMC7727864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, microRNAs (miRNAs) have roles in development, homeostasis, disease and the immune response. Recent work has shown that plant and mammalian miRNAs also mediate cross-kingdom and cross-domain communications. However, these studies remain controversial and are lacking critical mechanistic explanations. Bacteria do not produce miRNAs themselves, and therefore it is unclear how these eukaryotic RNA molecules could function in the bacterial recipient. In this review, we compare and contrast the biogenesis and functions of regulatory RNAs in eukaryotes and bacteria. As a result, we discovered several conserved features and homologous components in these distinct pathways. These findings enabled us to propose novel mechanisms to explain how eukaryotic miRNAs could function in bacteria. Further understanding in this area is necessary to validate the findings of existing studies and could facilitate the use of miRNAs as novel tools for the directed remodelling of the human microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Layton
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (E.L.); (S.G.-J.)
| | - Anna-Marie Fairhurst
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore;
| | - Sam Griffiths-Jones
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (E.L.); (S.G.-J.)
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Richard K. Grencis
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (E.L.); (S.G.-J.)
| | - Ian S. Roberts
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (E.L.); (S.G.-J.)
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CsrA Supports both Environmental Persistence and Host-Associated Growth of Acinetobacter baumannii. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00259-20. [PMID: 32989034 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00259-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic and frequently multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that primarily infects critically ill individuals. Indirect transmission from patient to patient in hospitals can drive infections, supported by this organism's abilities to persist on dry surfaces and rapidly colonize susceptible individuals. To investigate how A. baumannii survives on surfaces, we cultured A. baumannii in liquid media for several days and then analyzed isolates that lost the ability to survive drying. One of these isolates carried a mutation that affected the gene encoding the carbon storage regulator CsrA. As we began to examine the role of CsrA in A. baumannii, we observed that the growth of ΔcsrA mutant strains was inhibited in the presence of amino acids. The ΔcsrA mutant strains had a reduced ability to survive drying and to form biofilms but an improved ability to tolerate increased osmolarity compared with the wild type. We also examined the importance of CsrA for A. baumannii virulence. The ΔcsrA mutant strains had a greatly reduced ability to kill Galleria mellonella larvae, could not replicate in G. mellonella hemolymph, and also had a growth defect in human serum. Together, these results show that CsrA is essential for the growth of A. baumannii on host-derived substrates and is involved in desiccation tolerance, implying that CsrA controls key functions involved in the transmission of A. baumannii in hospitals.
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26
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Uppalapati SR, Sett A, Pathania R. The Outer Membrane Proteins OmpA, CarO, and OprD of Acinetobacter baumannii Confer a Two-Pronged Defense in Facilitating Its Success as a Potent Human Pathogen. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:589234. [PMID: 33123117 PMCID: PMC7573547 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.589234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Of all the ESKAPE pathogens, carbapenem-resistant and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is the leading cause of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia. A. baumannii infections are notoriously hard to eradicate due to its propensity to rapidly acquire multitude of resistance determinants and the virulence factor cornucopia elucidated by the bacterium that help it fend off a wide range of adverse conditions imposed upon by host and environment. One such weapon in the arsenal of A. baumannii is the outer membrane protein (OMP) compendium. OMPs in A. baumannii play distinctive roles in facilitating the bacterial acclimatization to antibiotic- and host-induced stresses, albeit following entirely different mechanisms. OMPs are major immunogenic proteins in bacteria conferring bacteria host-fitness advantages including immune evasion, stress tolerance, and resistance to antibiotics and antibacterials. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of major A. baumannii OMPs and discuss their versatile role in antibiotic resistance and virulence. Specifically, we explore how OmpA, CarO, and OprD-like porins mediate antibiotic and amino acid shuttle and host virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva R Uppalapati
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Abhiroop Sett
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
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27
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Holley CL, Ayala JC, Shafer WM. Transcriptional control of the gonococcal ompA gene by the MisR/MisS two-component regulatory system. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9425. [PMID: 32523077 PMCID: PMC7286886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66382-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea, is an exclusive human pathogen whose growing antibiotic resistance is causing worldwide concern. The increasing rise of antibiotic resistance expressed by gonococci highlights the need to find alternative approaches to current gonorrhea treatment such as vaccine development or novel therapeutics. The gonococcal OmpA protein was previously identified as a potential vaccine candidate due to its conservation and stable expression amongst strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, factors that might modulate levels of OmpA and therefore potential vaccine efficacy are unknown. Earlier work indicated that ompA is part of the MisR/MisS regulon and suggested that it was a MisR-activated gene. Herein, we confirmed MisR/MisS regulation of ompA and report that the MisR response regulator can bind upstream of the ompA translational start codon. Further, we describe the contribution of a DNA sequence upstream of the ompA promoter that is critical for MisR activation of ompA transcription. Our results provide a framework for understanding the transcription of gonococcal ompA through a regulatory system known to be important for survival of gonococci during experimental infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concerta L Holley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30032, USA
| | - Julio C Ayala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30032, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30032, USA.
- The Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30032, USA.
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30039, USA.
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28
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Allen JL, Tomlinson BR, Casella LG, Shaw LN. Regulatory networks important for survival of Acinetobacter baumannii within the host. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 55:74-80. [PMID: 32388085 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its intrinsic resistance to conventional antibiotic treatment and hypervirulence during infection. This coupled with its extraordinary capacity to survive in myriad harsh environments has led to increasing rates of infection in clinical settings. Numerous studies have characterized the virulence factors and resistance genes in A. baumannii responsible for the detrimental outcomes seen in patients; however, the role of regulatory factors in controlling the expression of these genes remains less well explored. Herein we discuss the latest and most influential findings on the regulatory network of A. baumannii, focusing on the transcription factors, two-component systems, and sRNAs. We place particular focus on those identified as being crucial for sensing and responding to continually changing environments, and influencing survival and virulence when engaging with the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie L Allen
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ISA 2015, Tampa, FL 33620-5150, USA
| | - Brooke R Tomlinson
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ISA 2015, Tampa, FL 33620-5150, USA
| | - Leila G Casella
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ISA 2015, Tampa, FL 33620-5150, USA
| | - Lindsey N Shaw
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ISA 2015, Tampa, FL 33620-5150, USA.
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29
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Mutation of the Carboxy-Terminal Processing Protease in Acinetobacter baumannii Affects Motility, Leads to Loss of Membrane Integrity, and Reduces Virulence. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050322. [PMID: 32357487 PMCID: PMC7281292 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Motility plays an essential role in the host–parasite relationship of pathogenic bacteria, and is often associated with virulence. While many pathogenic bacteria use flagella for locomotion, Acinetobacter baumannii strains do not have flagella, but have other features that aid in their motility. To study the genes involved in motility, transposon mutagenesis was performed to construct A. baumannii mutant strains. Mutant strain MR14 was found to have reduced motility, compared to wild-type ATCC 17978. NCBI BLAST analysis revealed that the Tn10 transposon in the MR14 genome is integrated into the gene that encodes for carboxy-terminal processing protease (Ctp). Additionally, MR14 exhibits a mucoidy, sticky phenotype as the result of increased extracellular DNA (eDNA) caused by bacterial autolysis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic content leaving the cell and multiple cell membrane depressions, respectively. MR14 showed higher sensitivity to environmental stressors. Mutation of the ctp gene reduced invasion and adhesion of A. baumannii to airway epithelial cells, potentially due to increased hydrophobicity. In the zebrafish model of infection, MR14 increased the survival rate by 40% compared to the wild-type. Taken together, the ctp gene in A. baumannii has a pivotal role in maintaining membrane integrity, adaptation to environmental stress, and controlling virulence.
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30
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Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) as a potential therapeutic target for Acinetobacter baumannii infection. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:26. [PMID: 31954394 PMCID: PMC6969976 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-0617-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an important opportunistic pathogen causing serious nosocomial infections, which is considered as the most threatening Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), a major component of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in GNB, is a key virulence factor which mediates bacterial biofilm formation, eukaryotic cell infection, antibiotic resistance and immunomodulation. The characteristics of OmpA in Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been extensively studied since 1974, but only in recent years researchers started to clarify the functions of OmpA in A. baumannii. In this review, we summarized the structure and functions of OmpA in A. baumannii (AbOmpA), collected novel therapeutic strategies against it for treating A. baumannii infection, and emphasized the feasibility of using AbOmpA as a potential therapeutic target.
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31
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Hfq modulates global protein pattern and stress response in Bordetella pertussis. J Proteomics 2020; 211:103559. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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32
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Shin GY, Schachterle JK, Shyntum DY, Moleleki LN, Coutinho TA, Sundin GW. Functional Characterization of a Global Virulence Regulator Hfq and Identification of Hfq-Dependent sRNAs in the Plant Pathogen Pantoea ananatis. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2075. [PMID: 31572315 PMCID: PMC6749038 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To successfully infect plant hosts, the collective regulation of virulence factors in a bacterial pathogen is crucial. Hfq is an RNA chaperone protein that facilitates the small RNA (sRNA) regulation of global gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this study, the functional role of Hfq in a broad host range phytopathogen Pantoea ananatis was determined. Inactivation of the hfq gene in P. ananatis LMG 2665T resulted in the loss of pathogenicity and motility. In addition, there was a significant reduction of quorum sensing signal molecule acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) production and biofilm formation. Differential sRNA expression analysis between the hfq mutant and wild-type strains of P. ananatis revealed 276 sRNAs affected in their abundance by the loss of hfq at low (OD600 = 0.2) and high cell (OD600 = 0.6) densities. Further analysis identified 25 Hfq-dependent sRNAs, all showing a predicted Rho-independent terminator of transcription and mapping within intergenic regions of the P. ananatis genome. These included known sRNAs such as ArcZ, FnrS, GlmZ, RprA, RyeB, RyhB, RyhB2, Spot42, and SsrA, and 16 novel P. ananatis sRNAs. The current study demonstrated that Hfq is an important component of the collective regulation of virulence factors and sets a foundation for understanding Hfq-sRNA mediated regulation in the phytopathogen P. ananatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Yoon Shin
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey K Schachterle
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Divine Y Shyntum
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lucy N Moleleki
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Teresa A Coutinho
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - George W Sundin
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Valenzuela-Valderrama M, González IA, Palavecino CE. Photodynamic treatment for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: Perspectives for the treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2019; 28:256-264. [PMID: 31505296 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multi-drug resistance for pathogenic bacteria is one of the most pressing global threats to human health in the 21st century. Hence, the availability of new treatment becomes indispensable to prevent morbidity and mortality caused by infectious agents. This article reviews the antimicrobial properties of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is based on the use of photosensitizers compounds (PSs). The PSs are non-toxic small molecules, which induce oxidative stress only under excitation with light. Then, the PDT has the advantage to be locally activated using phototherapy devices. We focus on PDT for the Klebsiella pneumoniae, as an example of Gram-negative bacteria, due to its relevance as an agent of health-associated infections (HAI) and a multi-drug resistant bacteria. K. pneumoniae is a fermentative bacillus, member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, which is most commonly associated with producing infection of the urinary tract (UTI) and pneumonia. K. pneumoniae infections may occur in deep organs such as bladder or lungs tissues; therefore, activating light must get access or penetrate tissues with sufficient power to produce effective PDT. Consequently, the rationale for selecting the most appropriate PSs, as well as photodynamic devices and photon fluence doses, were reviewed. Also, the mechanisms by which PDT activates the immune system and its importance to eradicate the infection successfully, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Valenzuela-Valderrama
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Chile; Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Enfermedades Crónicas (ACCDiS), Independencia, Santiago 8380000, Chile.
| | - Iván Alonzo González
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Chile.
| | - Christian Erick Palavecino
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Chile.
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Bharwad K, Rajkumar S. Rewiring the functional complexity between Crc, Hfq and sRNAs to regulate carbon catabolite repression in Pseudomonas. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:140. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2717-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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35
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Morris FC, Dexter C, Kostoulias X, Uddin MI, Peleg AY. The Mechanisms of Disease Caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1601. [PMID: 31379771 PMCID: PMC6650576 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram negative opportunistic pathogen that has demonstrated a significant insurgence in the prevalence of infections over recent decades. With only a limited number of “traditional” virulence factors, the mechanisms underlying the success of this pathogen remain of great interest. Major advances have been made in the tools, reagents, and models to study A. baumannii pathogenesis, and this has resulted in a substantial increase in knowledge. This article provides a comprehensive review of the bacterial virulence factors, the host immune responses, and animal models applicable for the study of this important human pathogen. Collating the most recent evidence characterizing bacterial virulence factors, their cellular targets and genetic regulation, we have encompassed numerous aspects important to the success of this pathogen, including membrane proteins and cell surface adaptations promoting immune evasion, mechanisms for nutrient acquisition and community interactions. The role of innate and adaptive immune responses is reviewed and areas of paucity in our understanding are highlighted. Finally, with the vast expansion of available animal models over recent years, we have evaluated those suitable for use in the study of Acinetobacter disease, discussing their advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye C Morris
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Carina Dexter
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Xenia Kostoulias
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Muhammad Ikhtear Uddin
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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36
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Zhang L, Yu W, Tang Y, Li H, Ma X, Liu Z. RNA chaperone hfq mediates persistence to multiple antibiotics in Aeromonas veronii. Microb Pathog 2019; 132:124-128. [PMID: 31054368 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic Aeromonas veronii results in great healthy and economic losses in fishes and human. The multiple drug tolerance of bacterial persister is the major cause for recurrent infections. Ubiquitous RNA-binding protein Hfq is liable for antibiotic tolerance and persisiter production. We showed that the hfq deletion in A. veronii retarded the growth, reduced the tolerances to diverse antibiotics, and lowered the persistence. Such effects might be mediated by the downregulations of RelE, CspD, ClpB, RpoS, OxyR, and upregulation of OppB. Our study supports the role of Hfq in persister formation and provides clues for the avoidance of recalcitrant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
| | - Wenjing Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
| | - Yanqiong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
| | - Hong Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
| | - Xiang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
| | - Zhu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, China.
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Zeidler S, Müller V. Coping with low water activities and osmotic stress in Acinetobacter baumannii: significance, current status and perspectives. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:2212-2230. [PMID: 30773801 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens are one of the most pressing challenges of contemporary health care. Acinetobacter baumannii takes a predominant position, emphasized in 2017 by the World Health Organization. The increasing emergence of MDR strains strengthens the demand for new antimicrobials. Possible targets for such compounds might be proteins involved in resistance against low water activity environments, since A. baumannii is known for its pronounced resistance against desiccation stress. Despite the importance of desiccation resistance for persistence of this pathogen in hospitals, comparable studies and precise data on this topic are rare and the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. This review aims to give an overview of the studies performed so far and the current knowledge on genes and proteins important for desiccation survival. 'Osmotic stress' is not identical to 'desiccation stress', but the two share the response of bacteria to low water activities. Osmotic stress resistance is in general studied much better, and in recent years it turned out that accumulation of compatible solutes in A. baumannii comprises some special features such as the bifunctional enzyme MtlD synthesizing the unusual solute mannitol. Furthermore, the regulatory pathways, as understood today, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Zeidler
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Volker Müller
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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38
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Cai Q, Wang G, Li Z, Zhang L, Fu Y, Yang X, Lin W, Lin X. SWATH based quantitative proteomics analysis reveals Hfq2 play an important role on pleiotropic physiological functions in Aeromonas hydrophila. J Proteomics 2019; 195:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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39
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Antibiotic Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Samples and Production of Recombinant OmpA from Resistant Strains. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.78773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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40
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Kröger C, MacKenzie KD, Alshabib EY, Kirzinger MWB, Suchan DM, Chao TC, Akulova V, Miranda-CasoLuengo AA, Monzon VA, Conway T, Sivasankaran SK, Hinton JCD, Hokamp K, Cameron ADS. The primary transcriptome, small RNAs and regulation of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:9684-9698. [PMID: 29986115 PMCID: PMC6182133 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the first high-resolution determination of transcriptome architecture in the priority pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Pooled RNA from 16 laboratory conditions was used for differential RNA-seq (dRNA-seq) to identify 3731 transcriptional start sites (TSS) and 110 small RNAs, including the first identification in A. baumannii of sRNAs encoded at the 3' end of coding genes. Most sRNAs were conserved among sequenced A. baumannii genomes, but were only weakly conserved or absent in other Acinetobacter species. Single nucleotide mapping of TSS enabled prediction of -10 and -35 RNA polymerase binding sites and revealed an unprecedented base preference at position +2 that hints at an unrecognized transcriptional regulatory mechanism. To apply functional genomics to the problem of antimicrobial resistance, we dissected the transcriptional regulation of the drug efflux pump responsible for chloramphenicol resistance, craA. The two craA promoters were both down-regulated >1000-fold when cells were shifted to nutrient limited medium. This conditional down-regulation of craA expression renders cells sensitive to chloramphenicol, a highly effective antibiotic for the treatment of multidrug resistant infections. An online interface that facilitates open data access and visualization is provided as 'AcinetoCom' (http://bioinf.gen.tcd.ie/acinetocom/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Kröger
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Keith D MacKenzie
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Ebtihal Y Alshabib
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Morgan W B Kirzinger
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Danae M Suchan
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Tzu-Chiao Chao
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
- Institute of Environmental Change and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Valentyna Akulova
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Aleksandra A Miranda-CasoLuengo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Vivian A Monzon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tyrrell Conway
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Sathesh K Sivasankaran
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jay C D Hinton
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Karsten Hokamp
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics & Microbiology, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Andrew D S Cameron
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
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Sharma A, Dubey V, Sharma R, Devnath K, Gupta VK, Akhter J, Bhando T, Verma A, Ambatipudi K, Sarkar M, Pathania R. The unusual glycine-rich C terminus of the Acinetobacter baumannii RNA chaperone Hfq plays an important role in bacterial physiology. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13377-13388. [PMID: 30002121 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative nosocomial pathogen that causes soft tissue infections in patients who spend a long time in intensive care units. This recalcitrant bacterium is very well known for developing rapid drug resistance, which is a combined outcome of its natural competence and mobile genetic elements. Successful efforts to treat these infections would be aided by additional information on the physiology of A. baumannii Toward that end, we recently reported on a small RNA (sRNA), AbsR25, in this bacterium that regulates the genes of several efflux pumps. Because sRNAs often require the RNA chaperone Hfq for assistance in binding to their cognate mRNA targets, we identified and characterized this protein in A. baumannii The homolog in A. baumannii is a large protein with an extended C terminus unlike Hfqs in other Gram-negative pathogens. The extension has a compositional bias toward glycine and, to a lower extent, phenylalanine and glutamine, suggestive of an intrinsically disordered region. We studied the importance of this glycine-rich tail using truncated versions of Hfq in biophysical assays and complementation of an hfq deletion mutant, finding that the tail was necessary for high-affinity RNA binding. Further tests implicate Hfq in important cellular processes of A. baumannii like metabolism, drug resistance, stress tolerance, and virulence. Our findings underline the importance of the glycine-rich C terminus in RNA binding, ribo-regulation, and auto-regulation of Hfq, demonstrating this hitherto overlooked protein motif to be an indispensable part of the A. baumannii Hfq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atin Sharma
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Vineet Dubey
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Rajnikant Sharma
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Kuldip Devnath
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Vivek Kumar Gupta
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Jawed Akhter
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Timsy Bhando
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Aparna Verma
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Kiran Ambatipudi
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
| | - Mihir Sarkar
- the Division of Physiology and Climatology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-Bareilly (UP) 243122, India
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India and
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42
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Elhosseiny NM, Attia AS. Acinetobacter: an emerging pathogen with a versatile secretome. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:33. [PMID: 29559620 PMCID: PMC5861075 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0030-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a notorious pathogen that has emerged as a healthcare nightmare in recent years because it causes serious infections that are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Due to its exceptional ability to acquire resistance to almost all available antibiotics, A. baumannii is currently ranked as the first pathogen on the World Health Organization’s priority list for the development of new antibiotics. The versatile range of effectors secreted by A. baumannii represents a large proportion of the virulence arsenal identified in this bacterium to date. Thus, these factors, together with the secretory machinery responsible for their extrusion into the extracellular milieu, are key targets for novel therapeutics that are greatly needed to combat this deadly pathogen. In this review, we provide a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the organization and regulatory aspects of the Acinetobacter secretion systems, with a special emphasis on their versatile substrates that could be targeted to fight the deadly infections caused by this elusive pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M Elhosseiny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Attia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
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