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Fernandes DC, Eto SF, Baldassi AC, Balbuena TS, Charlie-Silva I, de Andrade Belo MA, Pizauro JM. Meningitis caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in Oreochromis niloticus: Proteomics and druggability of virulence factors. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109687. [PMID: 38866348 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Meningitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria is a serious public health problem, causing morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Here, we propose a novel experimental model using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to study neuroinflammation. The fish were infected with Aeromonas hydrophila, and the course of infection was monitored in the peripheral blood. Septicemia was obvious in the blood, while in the brain tissue, infection of the meninges was present. The histopathological examination showed suppurative meningitis, and the cellular immune response in the brain tissue during infection was mediated by microglia. These cells were morphologically characterized and phenotyped by MHC class II markers and CD68. The increased production of TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS supported the infiltration of these cells during the neuroinflammatory process. In the proteomic analysis of A. hydrophila isolated from brain tissue, we found chemotactic and transport proteins, proteolytic enzymes and enzymes associated with the dismutation of nitric oxide (NO), as well as motor proteins and those responsible for cell division. After characterizing the most abundant proteins during the course of infection, we investigated the druggability index of these proteins and identified promising peptide sequences as molecular targets that are similar among bacteria. Thus, these findings deepened the understanding of the pathophysiology of meningitis caused by A. hydrophila. Moreover, through the proteomics analysis, important mechanisms and pathways used by the pathogen to subvert the host response were revealed, providing insights for the development of novel antibiotics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayanne Carla Fernandes
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Silas Fernandes Eto
- Laboratory Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD) Special Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Cristina Baldassi
- Department of Technology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Santana Balbuena
- Department of Technology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ives Charlie-Silva
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - João Martins Pizauro
- Department of Technology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Chen J, Lin G, Ma K, Li Z, Liégeois S, Ferrandon D. A specific innate immune response silences the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a latent infection model in the Drosophila melanogaster host. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012252. [PMID: 38833496 PMCID: PMC11178223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial pathogenicity often depends on the route of infection. For instance, P. aeruginosa or S. marcescens cause acute systemic infections when low numbers of bacteria are injected into D. melanogaster flies whereas flies succumb much slower to the continuous ingestion of these pathogens, even though both manage to escape from the gut compartment and reach the hemocoel. Here, we have developed a latent P. aeruginosa infection model by feeding flies on the bacteria for a short period. The bacteria stably colonize internal tissues yet hardly cause any damage since latently-infected flies live almost as long as noninfected control flies. The apparently dormant bacteria display particular characteristics in terms of bacterial colony morphology, composition of the outer cell wall, and motility. The virulence of these bacteria can however be reactivated upon wounding the host. We show that melanization but not the cellular or the systemic humoral response is the predominant host defense that establishes latency and may coerce the bacteria to a dormant state. In addition, the lasting activation of the melanization responses in latently-infected flies provides a degree of protection to the host against a secondary fungal infection. Latent infection by an ingested pathogen protects against a variety of homologous or heterologous systemic secondary infectious challenges, a situation previously described for the endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria, a guard against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiying Lin
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Modèles Insectes de l’Immunité Innée, UPR 9022 du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kaiyu Ma
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Samuel Liégeois
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Modèles Insectes de l’Immunité Innée, UPR 9022 du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Ferrandon
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Modèles Insectes de l’Immunité Innée, UPR 9022 du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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3
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Wang Y, Yang X, Zhang S, Ai J, Wang J, Chen J, Zhao L, Wang W, You H. Comparative proteomics unveils the bacteriostatic mechanisms of Ga(III) on the regulation of metabolic pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Proteomics 2023; 289:105011. [PMID: 37776994 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.105011] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Gallium has a long history as a chemotherapeutic agent. The mechanisms of action of Ga(III)-based anti-infectives are different from conventional antibiotics, which primarily result from the chemical similarities of Ga(III) with Fe(III) and substitution of gallium into iron-dependent biological pathways. However, more aspects of the molecular mechanisms of Ga(III) against human pathogens, especially the effects on bacterial metabolic processes, remain to be understood. Herein, by using conventional quantitative proteomics, we identified the protein changes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in response to Ga(NO3)3 treatment. We show that Ga(III) exhibits bacteriostatic mode of action against P. aeruginosa through affecting the expressions of a number of key enzymes in the main metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, TCA cycle, amino acid metabolism, and protein and nucleic acid biosynthesis. In addition, decreased expressions of proteins associated with pathogenesis and virulence of P. aeruginosa were also identified. Moreover, the correlations between protein expressions and metabolome changes in P. aeruginosa upon Ga(III) treatment were identified and discussed. Our findings thus expand the understanding on the antimicrobial mechanisms of Ga(III) that shed light on enhanced therapeutic strategies. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mounting evidence suggest that the efficacy and resistance of clinical antibiotics are closely related to the metabolic homeostasis in bacterial pathogens. Ga(III)-based compounds have been repurposed as antibacterial therapeutic candidates against antibiotics resistant pathogens, and represent a safe and promising treatment for clinical human infections, while more thorough understandings of how bacteria respond to Ga(III) treatment are needed. In the present study, we provide evidences at the proteome level that indicate Ga(III)-induced metabolic perturbations in P. aeruginosa. We identified and discussed the interference of Ga(III) on the expressions and activities of enzymes in the main metabolic pathways in P. aeruginosa. In view of our previous report that the antimicrobial efficacy of Ga(III) could be modulated according to Ga(III)-induced metabolome changes in P. aeruginosa, our current analyses may provide theoretical basis at the proteome level for the development of efficient gallium-based therapies by exploiting bacterial metabolic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchuan Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China.
| | - Xue Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jiayi Ai
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Junteng Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, China
| | - Junxin Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Wanying Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
| | - Haoxin You
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China
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Di Bonaventura G, Picciani C, Lupetti V, Pompilio A. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Protein Patterns of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Biofilm and Planktonic Lifestyles. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020442. [PMID: 36838406 PMCID: PMC9960084 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a clinically relevant bacterial pathogen, particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Despite the well-known ability to form biofilms inherently resistant to antibiotics and host immunity, many aspects involved in S. maltophilia biofilm formation are yet to be elucidated. In the present study, a proteomic approach was used to elucidate the differential protein expression patterns observed during the planktonic-to-biofilm transition of S. maltophilia Sm126, a strong biofilm producer causing chronic infection in a CF patient, to identify determinants potentially associated with S. maltophilia biofilm formation. In all, 57 proteins were differentially (3-fold; p < 0.01) expressed in biofilm cells compared with planktonic counterparts: 38 were overexpressed, and 19 were down-expressed. It is worth noting that 34 proteins were exclusively found in biofilm, mainly associated with quorum sensing-mediated intercellular communication, augmented glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, phosphate signaling, response to nutrient starvation, and general stress. Further work is warranted to evaluate if these proteins can be suitable targets for developing anti-biofilm strategies effective against S. maltophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Carla Picciani
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Veronica Lupetti
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Arianna Pompilio
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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5
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Grace A, Sahu R, Owen DR, Dennis VA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa reference strains PAO1 and PA14: A genomic, phenotypic, and therapeutic review. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1023523. [PMID: 36312971 PMCID: PMC9607943 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1023523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous, motile, gram-negative bacterium that has been recently identified as a multi-drug resistant pathogen in critical need of novel therapeutics. Of the approximately 5,000 strains, PAO1 and PA14 are common laboratory reference strains, modeling moderately and hyper-virulent phenotypes, respectively. PAO1 and PA14 have been instrumental in facilitating the discovery of novel drug targets, testing novel therapeutics, and supplying critical genomic information on the bacterium. While the two strains have contributed to a wide breadth of knowledge on the natural behaviors and therapeutic susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa, they have demonstrated significant deviations from observations in human infections. Many of these deviations are related to experimental inconsistencies in laboratory strain environment that complicate and, at times, terminate translation from laboratory results to clinical applications. This review aims to provide a comparative analysis of the two strains and potential methods to improve their clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Grace
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Rajnish Sahu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | | | - Vida A. Dennis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
- *Correspondence: Vida A. Dennis,
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6
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Wang Y, Wang Q, Hou Y, Wang Y. Molecular cloning, characterization, and homology modeling of serine hydroxymethyltransferase from psychrophilic bacterium Psychrobacter sp. J Basic Microbiol 2022; 62:984-994. [PMID: 35762735 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) plays a significant role in the synthesis of l-serine, purine, and thymidylate, which could be extensively applied in the treatment of cancers and the development of antibiotics. In this study, cloned from Psychrobacter sp. ANT206, a novel cold-adapted SHMT gene (psshmt, 1257 bp) encoding a protein of 418 amino acids was expressed in Escherichia coli. The homology modeling result revealed that PsSHMT owned fewer Proline (Pro) residues and hydrogen bonds compared with its homologs from mesophilic E. coli and thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus. In addition, the molecular weight of the purified recombinant PsSHMT (rPsSHMT) was identified to be 45 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, approximately. The enzymatic characteristics of the cold-adapted rPsSHMT displayed that its optimum temperature and pH were 30°C and 7.5, respectively, and its enzymatic activity could be inhibited by Cu2+ , significantly. rPsSHMT also showed a high kcat value and low ΔG at low temperatures. Furthermore, arginine (Arg) could affect the activity of rPsSHMT and be vital to its active sites. The results of this study reflected that these characteristics of the cold-adapted rPsSHMT made it a remarkable candidate that could be utilized in multiple industrial fields under low temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanfu Wang
- Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Hou
- Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yatong Wang
- Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, People's Republic of China
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7
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Xu A, Zhang X, Wang T, Xin F, Ma LZ, Zhou J, Dong W, Jiang M. Rugose small colony variant and its hyper-biofilm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Adaption, evolution, and biotechnological potential. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 53:107862. [PMID: 34718136 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of the environmental bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is its excellent ecological flexibility, which can thrive in diverse ecological niches. In different ecosystems, P. aeruginosa may use different strategies to survive, such as forming biofilms in crude oil environment, converting to mucoid phenotype in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung, or becoming persisters when treated with antibiotics. Rugose small colony variants (RSCVs) are the adaptive mutants of P. aeruginosa, which can be frequently isolated from chronic infections. During the past years, there has been a renewed interest in using P. aeruginosa as a model organism to investigate the RSCVs formation, persistence and pathogenesis, as RSCVs represent a hyper-biofilm formation, high adaptability, high-tolerance sub-population in biofilms. This review will briefly summarize recent advances regarding the phenotypic, genetic and host interaction associated with RSCVs, with an emphasis on P. aeruginosa. Meanwhile, some non-pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas fluorescence, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis will be also included. Remarkable emphasis is given on intrinsic functions of such hyper-biofilm formation characteristic as well as its potential applications in several biocatalytic transformations including wastewater treatment, microbial fermentation, and plastic degradation. Hopefully, this review will attract the interest of researchers in various fields and shape future research focused not only on evolutionary biology but also on biotechnological applications related to RSCVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China.
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Fengxue Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Luyan Z Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China.
| | - Weiliang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China.
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
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8
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Fraser-Pitt DJ, Dolan SK, Toledo-Aparicio D, Hunt JG, Smith DW, Lacy-Roberts N, Nupe Hewage PS, Stoyanova TN, Manson E, McClean K, Inglis NF, Mercer DK, O'Neil DA. Cysteamine Inhibits Glycine Utilisation and Disrupts Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:718213. [PMID: 34631600 PMCID: PMC8494450 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.718213] [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: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic human pathogen which employs a myriad of virulence factors. In people with cystic fibrosis (CF) P. aeruginosa frequently colonises the lungs and becomes a chronic infection that evolves to become less virulent over time, but often adapts to favour persistence in the host with alginate-producing mucoid, slow-growing, and antibiotic resistant phenotypes emerging. Cysteamine is an endogenous aminothiol which has been shown to prevent biofilm formation, reduce phenazine production, and potentiate antibiotic activity against P. aeruginosa, and has been investigated in clinical trials as an adjunct therapy for pulmonary exacerbations of CF. Here we demonstrate (for the first time in a prokaryote) that cysteamine prevents glycine utilisation by P. aeruginosa in common with previously reported activity blocking the glycine cleavage system in human cells. Despite the clear inhibition of glycine metabolism, cysteamine also inhibits hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production by P. aeruginosa, suggesting a direct interference in the regulation of virulence factor synthesis. Cysteamine impaired chemotaxis, lowered pyocyanin, pyoverdine and exopolysaccharide production, and reduced the toxicity of P. aeruginosa secreted factors in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Thus, cysteamine has additional potent anti-virulence properties targeting P. aeruginosa, further supporting its therapeutic potential in CF and other infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Piumi Sara Nupe Hewage
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Teodora N Stoyanova
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Erin Manson
- College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin McClean
- Proteomics Facility Services, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | - Neil F Inglis
- Proteomics Facility Services, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom
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9
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Mukhi M, Vishwanathan AS. Identifying potential inhibitors of biofilm-antagonistic proteins to promote biofilm formation: a virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations approach. Mol Divers 2021; 26:2135-2147. [PMID: 34546549 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Microbial biofilms play a critical role in environmental biotechnology and associated applications. Biofilm production can be enhanced by inhibiting the function of proteins that negatively regulate their formation. With this objective, an in silico approach was adopted to identify competitive inhibitors of eight biofilm-antagonistic proteins, namely AbrB and SinR (from Bacillus subtilis) and AmrZ, PDE (EAL), PslG, RetS, ShrA and TpbA (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Fifteen inhibitors that structurally resembled the natural ligand of each protein were shortlisted using ligand-based and structure-based virtual screening. The top four inhibitors obtained from molecular docking using Autodock Vina were further docked using SwissDock and DOCK 6.9 to obtain a consensus hit for each protein based on different scoring functions. Further analysis of the protein-ligand complexes revealed that these top inhibitors formed significant non-covalent interactions with their respective protein binding sites. The eight protein-ligand complexes were then subjected to molecular dynamics simulations for 30 ns using GROMACS. RMSD and radius of gyration values of 0.1-0.4 nm and 1.0-3.5 nm, respectively, along with hydrogen bond formation throughout the trajectory indicated that all the complexes remained stable, compact and intact during the simulation period. Binding energy values between -20 and -77 kJ/mol obtained from MM-PBSA calculations further confirmed the high affinities of the eight inhibitors for their respective receptors. The outcome of this study holds great promise to enhance biofilms that are central to biotechnological processes associated with microbial electrochemical technologies, wastewater treatment, bioremediation and the industrial production of value-added products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Mukhi
- WATER Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, 515134, India
| | - A S Vishwanathan
- WATER Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, 515134, India.
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10
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a Model To Study Chemosensory Pathway Signaling. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021; 85:85/1/e00151-20. [PMID: 33441490 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00151-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a variety of signal transduction mechanisms that generate different outputs in response to external stimuli. Chemosensory pathways are widespread in bacteria and are among the most complex signaling mechanisms, requiring the participation of at least six proteins. These pathways mediate flagellar chemotaxis, in addition to controlling alternative functions such as second messenger levels or twitching motility. The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has four different chemosensory pathways that carry out different functions and are stimulated by signal binding to 26 chemoreceptors. Recent research employing a diverse range of experimental approaches has advanced enormously our knowledge on these four pathways, establishing P. aeruginosa as a primary model organism in this field. In the first part of this article, we review data on the function and physiological relevance of chemosensory pathways as well as their involvement in virulence, whereas the different transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern pathway function are summarized in the second part. The information presented will be of help to advance the understanding of pathway function in other organisms.
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11
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Deng B, Ghatak S, Sarkar S, Singh K, Das Ghatak P, Mathew-Steiner SS, Roy S, Khanna S, Wozniak DJ, McComb DW, Sen CK. Novel Bacterial Diversity and Fragmented eDNA Identified in Hyperbiofilm-Forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rugose Small Colony Variant. iScience 2020; 23:100827. [PMID: 32058950 PMCID: PMC6997594 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms represent a major threat to health care. Rugose small colony variants (RSCV) of P. aeruginosa, isolated from chronic infections, display hyperbiofilm phenotype. RSCV biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics and host defenses. This work shows that RSCV biofilm aggregates consist of two distinct bacterial subpopulations that are uniquely organized displaying contrasting physiological characteristics. Compared with that of PAO1, the extracellular polymeric substance of RSCV PAO1ΔwspF biofilms presented unique ultrastructural characteristics. Unlike PAO1, PAO1ΔwspF released fragmented extracellular DNA (eDNA) from live cells. Fragmented eDNA, thus released, was responsible for resistance of PAO1ΔwspF biofilm to disruption by DNaseI. When added to PAO1, such fragmented eDNA enhanced biofilm formation. Disruption of PAO1ΔwspF biofilm was achieved by aurine tricarboxylic acid, an inhibitor of DNA-protein interaction. This work provides critical novel insights into the contrasting structural and functional characteristics of a hyperbiofilm-forming clinical bacterial variant relative to its own wild-type strain. Hyperbiofilm clinical isolate PAO1ΔwspF contain unique cell state and organization Bacterial cells in PAO1ΔwspF biofilm are morphologically and physiologically unique PAO1ΔwspF, unlike PAO1 that undergo explosive lysis, release eDNA from live cells Aurine tricarboxylic acid, not DNAseI as for PAO1, disrupts PAO1ΔwspF biofilm
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Deng
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
| | - Subhadip Ghatak
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Subendu Sarkar
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kanhaiya Singh
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Piya Das Ghatak
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Shomita S Mathew-Steiner
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sashwati Roy
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Savita Khanna
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Daniel J Wozniak
- Departments of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Microbiology, Infectious Disease Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - David W McComb
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chandan K Sen
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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12
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Gloag ES, Marshall CW, Snyder D, Lewin GR, Harris JS, Santos-Lopez A, Chaney SB, Whiteley M, Cooper VS, Wozniak DJ. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Interstrain Dynamics and Selection of Hyperbiofilm Mutants during a Chronic Infection. mBio 2019; 10:e01698-19. [PMID: 31409682 PMCID: PMC6692513 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01698-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic pathogens establishing new infections experience strong selection to adapt, often favoring mutants that persist. Capturing this initial dynamic is critical for identifying the first adaptations that drive pathogenesis. Here we used a porcine full-thickness burn wound model of chronic infection to study the evolutionary dynamics of diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Wounds were infected with a mixed community of six P. aeruginosa strains, including the model PA14 strain (PA14-1), and biopsies taken at 3, 14, and 28 days postinfection. Hyperbiofilm-forming rugose small-colony variants (RSCVs) were the earliest and predominant phenotypic variant. These variants were detected on day 3 and persisted, with the majority evolved from PA14-1. Whole-genome sequencing of PA14-1 RSCV isolates revealed driver mutations exclusively in the wsp pathway, conferring hyperbiofilm phenotypes. Several of the wsp mutant RSCVs also acquired CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity to prophages isolated from the P. aeruginosa wound isolate (B23-2) that was also present in the inoculum. These observations emphasize the importance of interstrain dynamics and the role of lysogenic phages in the survival of an invading pathogen. Rather than being a side effect of chronicity, the rapid rise of RSCVs in wounds is evidence of positive selection on the Wsp chemosensory system to produce mutants with elevated biofilm formation capacity. We predict that RSCVs provide a level of phenotypic diversity to the infecting bacterial community and are common, early adaptations during infections. This would likely have significant consequences for clinical outcomes.IMPORTANCE Bacteria adapt to infections by evolving variants that are more fit and persistent. These recalcitrant variants are typically observed in chronic infections. However, it is unclear when and why these variants evolve. To address these questions, we used a porcine chronic wound model to study the evolutionary dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mixed-strain infection. We isolated hyperbiofilm variants that persisted early in the infection. Interstrain interactions were also observed, where adapted variants acquired CRISPR-mediated immunity to phages. We show that when initiating infection, P. aeruginosa experiences strong positive selection for hyperbiofilm phenotypes produced by mutants of a single chemosensory system, the Wsp pathway. We predict that hyperbiofilm variants are early adaptations to infection and that interstrain interactions may influence bacterial burden and infection outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S Gloag
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher W Marshall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gina R Lewin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jacob S Harris
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alfonso Santos-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah B Chaney
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Marvin Whiteley
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Vaughn S Cooper
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel J Wozniak
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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13
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Paiardini A, Mantoni F, Giardina G, Paone A, Janson G, Leoni L, Rampioni G, Cutruzzolà F, Rinaldo S. A novel bacterial l-arginine sensor controlling c-di-GMP levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proteins 2018; 86:1088-1096. [PMID: 30040157 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Nutrients such as amino acids play key roles in shaping the metabolism of microorganisms in natural environments and in host-pathogen interactions. Beyond taking part to cellular metabolism and to protein synthesis, amino acids are also signaling molecules able to influence group behavior in microorganisms, such as biofilm formation. This lifestyle switch involves complex metabolic reprogramming controlled by local variation of the second messenger 3', 5'-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP). The intracellular levels of this dinucleotide are finely tuned by the opposite activity of dedicated diguanylate cyclases (GGDEF signature) and phosphodiesterases (EAL and HD-GYP signatures), which are usually allosterically controlled by a plethora of environmental and metabolic clues. Among the genes putatively involved in controlling c-di-GMP levels in P. aeruginosa, we found that the multidomain transmembrane protein PA0575, bearing the tandem signature GGDEF-EAL, is an l-arginine sensor able to hydrolyse c-di-GMP. Here, we investigate the basis of arginine recognition by integrating bioinformatics, molecular biophysics and microbiology. Although the role of nutrients such as l-arginine in controlling the cellular fate in P. aeruginosa (including biofilm, pathogenicity and virulence) is already well established, we identified the first l-arginine sensor able to link environment sensing, c-di-GMP signaling and biofilm formation in this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Paiardini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
| | - F Mantoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
| | - G Giardina
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
| | - A Paone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy
| | - G Janson
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy
| | - L Leoni
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre (I), Roma, Italy
| | - G Rampioni
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre (I), Roma, Italy
| | - F Cutruzzolà
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
| | - S Rinaldo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome (I), Roma, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
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