1
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Levintov L, Vashisth H. Adenine Methylation Enhances the Conformational Flexibility of an RNA Hairpin Tetraloop. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3157-3166. [PMID: 38535997 PMCID: PMC11000223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00522] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The N6-methyladenosine modification is one of the most abundant post-transcriptional modifications in ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. Using molecular dynamics simulations and alchemical free-energy calculations, we studied the structural and energetic implications of incorporating this modification in an adenine mononucleotide and an RNA hairpin structure. At the mononucleotide level, we found that the syn configuration is more favorable than the anti configuration by 2.05 ± 0.15 kcal/mol. The unfavorable effect of methylation was due to the steric overlap between the methyl group and a nitrogen atom in the purine ring. We then probed the effect of methylation in an RNA hairpin structure containing an AUCG tetraloop, which is recognized by a "reader" protein (YTHDC1) to promote transcriptional silencing of long noncoding RNAs. While methylation had no significant conformational effect on the hairpin stem, the methylated tetraloop showed enhanced conformational flexibility compared to the unmethylated tetraloop. The increased flexibility was associated with the outward flipping of two bases (A6 and U7) which formed stacking interactions with each other and with the C8 and G9 bases in the tetraloop, leading to a conformation similar to that in the RNA/reader protein complex. Therefore, methylation-induced conformational flexibility likely facilitates RNA recognition by the reader protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev Levintov
- Department of Chemical Engineering
and Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department of Chemical Engineering
and Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
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2
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Quaiyum S, Sun J, Marchand V, Sun G, Reed CJ, Motorin Y, Dedon PC, Minnick MF, de Crécy-Lagard V. Mapping the tRNA modification landscape of Bartonella henselae Houston I and Bartonella quintana Toulouse. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1369018. [PMID: 38544857 PMCID: PMC10965804 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1369018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications play a crucial role in maintaining translational fidelity and efficiency, and they may function as regulatory elements in stress response and virulence. Despite their pivotal roles, a comprehensive mapping of tRNA modifications and their associated synthesis genes is still limited, with a predominant focus on free-living bacteria. In this study, we employed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating comparative genomics, mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing, to predict the set of tRNA modification genes responsible for tRNA maturation in two intracellular pathogens-Bartonella henselae Houston I and Bartonella quintana Toulouse, which are causative agents of cat-scratch disease and trench fever, respectively. This analysis presented challenges, particularly because of host RNA contamination, which served as a potential source of error. However, our approach predicted 26 genes responsible for synthesizing 23 distinct tRNA modifications in B. henselae and 22 genes associated with 23 modifications in B. quintana. Notably, akin to other intracellular and symbiotic bacteria, both Bartonella species have undergone substantial reductions in tRNA modification genes, mostly by simplifying the hypermodifications present at positions 34 and 37. Bartonella quintana exhibited the additional loss of four modifications and these were linked to examples of gene decay, providing snapshots of reductive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Quaiyum
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Virginie Marchand
- Université de Lorraine, UAR2008/US40 IBSLor, EpiRNA-Seq Core Facility and UMR7365 IMoPA, CNRS-Inserm, Biopôle UL, Nancy, France
| | - Guangxin Sun
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Colbie J. Reed
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Yuri Motorin
- Université de Lorraine, UAR2008/US40 IBSLor, EpiRNA-Seq Core Facility and UMR7365 IMoPA, CNRS-Inserm, Biopôle UL, Nancy, France
| | - Peter C. Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael F. Minnick
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Genetic Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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3
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Czajkowski R, Krzyżanowska DM, Sokolova D, Rąbalski Ł, Kosiński M, Jafra S, Królicka A. Genetic Loci of Plant Pathogenic Dickeya solani IPO 2222 Expressed in Contact with Weed-Host Bittersweet Nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara L.) Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2794. [PMID: 38474041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Dickeya solani, belonging to the Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae, are aggressive necrotrophs, exhibiting both a wide geographic distribution and a wide host range that includes many angiosperm orders, both dicot and monocot plants, cultivated under all climatic conditions. Little is known about the infection strategies D. solani employs to infect hosts other than potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Our earlier study identified D. solani Tn5 mutants induced exclusively by the presence of the weed host S. dulcamara. The current study assessed the identity and virulence contribution of the selected genes mutated by the Tn5 insertions and induced by the presence of S. dulcamara. These genes encode proteins with functions linked to polyketide antibiotics and polysaccharide synthesis, membrane transport, stress response, and sugar and amino acid metabolism. Eight of these genes, encoding UvrY (GacA), tRNA guanosine transglycosylase Tgt, LPS-related WbeA, capsular biosynthesis protein VpsM, DltB alanine export protein, glycosyltransferase, putative transcription regulator YheO/PAS domain-containing protein, and a hypothetical protein, were required for virulence on S. dulcamara plants. The implications of D. solani interaction with a weed host, S. dulcamara, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Czajkowski
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dorota M Krzyżanowska
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Daryna Sokolova
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 148 Academika Zabolotnoho St., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Łukasz Rąbalski
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Kosiński
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Jafra
- Laboratory of Plant Microbiology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Królicka
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
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4
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Quaiyum S, Sun J, Marchand V, Sun G, Reed CJ, Motorin Y, Dedon PC, Minnick MF, de Crécy-Lagard V. Mapping the tRNA Modification Landscape of Bartonella henselae Houston I and Bartonella quintana Toulouse. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.08.574729. [PMID: 38260440 PMCID: PMC10802484 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.08.574729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications play a crucial role in maintaining translational fidelity and efficiency, and they may function as regulatory elements in stress response and virulence. Despite their pivotal roles, a comprehensive mapping of tRNA modifications and their associated synthesis genes is still limited, with a predominant focus on free-living bacteria. In this study, we employed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating comparative genomics, mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing, to predict the set of tRNA modification genes responsible for tRNA maturation in two intracellular pathogens- Bartonella henselae Houston I and Bartonella quintana Toulouse, which are causative agents of cat-scratch disease and trench fever, respectively. This analysis presented challenges, particularly because of host RNA contamination, which served as a potential source of error. However, our approach predicted 26 genes responsible for synthesizing 23 distinct tRNA modifications in B. henselae and 22 genes associated with 23 modifications in B. quintana . Notably, akin to other intracellular and symbiotic bacteria, both Bartonella species have undergone substantial reductions in tRNA modification genes, mostly by simplifying the hypermodifications present at positions 34 and 37. B. quintana exhibited the additional loss of four modifications and these were linked to examples of gene decay, providing snapshots of reductive evolution.
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5
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Shields KE, Ranava D, Tan Y, Zhang D, Yap MNF. Epitranscriptional m6A modification of rRNA negatively impacts translation and host colonization in Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011968. [PMID: 38252661 PMCID: PMC10833563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011968] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B (MLS) are structurally distinct molecules that are among the safest antibiotics for prophylactic use and for the treatment of bacterial infections. The family of erythromycin resistance methyltransferases (Erm) invariantly install either one or two methyl groups onto the N6,6-adenosine of 2058 nucleotide (m6A2058) of the bacterial 23S rRNA, leading to bacterial cross-resistance to all MLS antibiotics. Despite extensive structural studies on the mechanism of Erm-mediated MLS resistance, how the m6A epitranscriptomic mark affects ribosome function and bacterial physiology is not well understood. Here, we show that Staphylococcus aureus cells harboring m6A2058 ribosomes are outcompeted by cells carrying unmodified ribosomes during infections and are severely impaired in colonization in the absence of an unmodified counterpart. The competitive advantage of m6A2058 ribosomes is manifested only upon antibiotic challenge. Using ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq) and a dual-fluorescence reporter to measure ribosome occupancy and translational fidelity, we found that specific genes involved in host interactions, metabolism, and information processing are disproportionally deregulated in mRNA translation. This dysregulation is linked to a substantial reduction in translational capacity and fidelity in m6A2058 ribosomes. These findings point to a general "inefficient translation" mechanism of trade-offs associated with multidrug-resistant ribosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Shields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - David Ranava
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yongjun Tan
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Program of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Mee-Ngan F. Yap
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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6
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Kohl MP, Chane-Woon-Ming B, Bahena-Ceron R, Jaramillo-Ponce J, Antoine L, Herrgott L, Romby P, Marzi S. Ribosome Profiling Methods Adapted to the Study of RNA-Dependent Translation Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2741:73-100. [PMID: 38217649 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3565-0_5] [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] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs, including regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), are instrumental in regulating gene expression in pathogenic bacteria, allowing them to adapt to various stresses encountered in their host environments. Staphylococcus aureus is a well-studied model for RNA-mediated regulation of virulence and pathogenicity, with sRNAs playing significant roles in shaping S. aureus interactions with human and animal hosts. By modulating the translation and/or stability of target mRNAs, sRNAs regulate the synthesis of virulence factors and regulatory proteins required for pathogenesis. Moreover, perturbation of the levels of RNA modifications in two other classes of noncoding RNAs, rRNAs, and tRNAs, has been proposed to contribute to stress adaptation. However, the study of how these various factors affect translation regulation has often been restricted to specific genes, using in vivo reporters and/or in vitro translation systems. Genome-wide sequencing approaches offer novel perspectives for studying RNA-dependent regulation. In particular, ribosome profiling methods provide a powerful resource for characterizing the overall landscape of translational regulation, contributing to a better understanding of S. aureus physiopathology. Here, we describe protocols that we have adapted to perform ribosome profiling in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian P Kohl
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Roberto Bahena-Ceron
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jose Jaramillo-Ponce
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Antoine
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucas Herrgott
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pascale Romby
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stefano Marzi
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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7
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Narayan G, Gracia Mazuca LA, Cho SS, Mohl JE, Koculi E. RNA Post-transcriptional Modifications of an Early-Stage Large-Subunit Ribosomal Intermediate. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2908-2915. [PMID: 37751522 PMCID: PMC11088935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00291] [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] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Protein production by ribosomes is fundamental to life, and proper assembly of the ribosome is required for protein production. The RNA, which is post-transcriptionally modified, provides the platform for ribosome assembly. Thus, a complete understanding of ribosome assembly requires the determination of the RNA post-transcriptional modifications in all of the ribosome assembly intermediates and on each pathway. There are 26 RNA post-transcriptional modifications in 23S RNA of the mature Escherichia coli (E. coli) large ribosomal subunit. The levels of these modifications have been investigated extensively only for a small number of large subunit intermediates and under a limited number of cellular and environmental conditions. In this study, we determined the level of incorporations of 2-methyl adenosine, 3-methyl pseudouridine, 5-hydroxycytosine, and seven pseudouridines in an early-stage E. coli large-subunit assembly intermediate with a sedimentation coefficient of 27S. The 27S intermediate is one of three large subunit intermediates accumulated in E. coli cells lacking the DEAD-box RNA helicase DbpA and expressing the helicase inactive R331A DbpA construct. The majority of the investigated modifications are incorporated into the 27S large subunit intermediate to similar levels to those in the mature 50S large subunit, indicating that these early modifications or the enzymes that incorporate them play important roles in the initial events of large subunit ribosome assembly.
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MESH Headings
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- RNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism
- Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/chemistry
- Ribosome Subunits, Large, Bacterial/metabolism
- Ribosome Subunits, Large, Bacterial/genetics
- DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism
- DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics
- Pseudouridine/metabolism
- Ribosomes/metabolism
- Ribosomes/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyan Narayan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Luis A Gracia Mazuca
- Bioinformatics Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Samuel S Cho
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, United States
| | - Jonathon E Mohl
- Bioinformatics Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Eda Koculi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
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8
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Broglia L, Le Rhun A, Charpentier E. Methodologies for bacterial ribonuclease characterization using RNA-seq. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad049. [PMID: 37656885 PMCID: PMC10503654 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria adjust gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through an intricate network of small regulatory RNAs and RNA-binding proteins, including ribonucleases (RNases). RNases play an essential role in RNA metabolism, regulating RNA stability, decay, and activation. These enzymes exhibit species-specific effects on gene expression, bacterial physiology, and different strategies of target recognition. Recent advances in high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approaches have provided a better understanding of the roles and modes of action of bacterial RNases. Global studies aiming to identify direct targets of RNases have highlighted the diversity of RNase activity and RNA-based mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Here, we review recent RNA-seq approaches used to study bacterial RNases, with a focus on the methods for identifying direct RNase targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Broglia
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Anaïs Le Rhun
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt University, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
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9
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Wallace VJ, Sakowski EG, Preheim SP, Prasse C. Bacteria exposed to antiviral drugs develop antibiotic cross-resistance and unique resistance profiles. Commun Biol 2023; 6:837. [PMID: 37573457 PMCID: PMC10423222 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiviral drugs are used globally as treatment and prophylaxis for long-term and acute viral infections. Even though antivirals also have been shown to have off-target effects on bacterial growth, the potential contributions of antivirals to antimicrobial resistance remains unknown. Herein we explored the ability of different classes of antiviral drugs to induce antimicrobial resistance. Our results establish the previously unrecognized capacity of antivirals to broadly alter the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Bacteria exposed to antivirals including zidovudine, dolutegravir and raltegravir developed cross-resistance to commonly used antibiotics including trimethoprim, tetracycline, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and amoxicillin. Whole genome sequencing of antiviral-resistant E. coli isolates revealed numerous unique single base pair mutations, as well as multi-base pair insertions and deletions, in genes with known and suspected roles in antimicrobial resistance including those coding for multidrug efflux pumps, carbohydrate transport, and cellular metabolism. The observed phenotypic changes coupled with genotypic results indicate that bacteria exposed to antiviral drugs with antibacterial properties in vitro can develop multiple resistance mutations that confer cross-resistance to antibiotics. Our findings underscore the potential contribution of wide scale usage of antiviral drugs to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in humans and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica J Wallace
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric G Sakowski
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Science, Mount St. Mary's University, Emmitsburg, MD, USA
| | - Sarah P Preheim
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carsten Prasse
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Developing New Tools to Fight Human Pathogens: A Journey through the Advances in RNA Technologies. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112303. [DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A long scientific journey has led to prominent technological advances in the RNA field, and several new types of molecules have been discovered, from non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to riboswitches, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and CRISPR systems. Such findings, together with the recognition of the advantages of RNA in terms of its functional performance, have attracted the attention of synthetic biologists to create potent RNA-based tools for biotechnological and medical applications. In this review, we have gathered the knowledge on the connection between RNA metabolism and pathogenesis in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We further discuss how RNA techniques have contributed to the building of this knowledge and the development of new tools in synthetic biology for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Infectious diseases are still a world-leading cause of death and morbidity, and RNA-based therapeutics have arisen as an alternative way to achieve success. There are still obstacles to overcome in its application, but much progress has been made in a fast and effective manner, paving the way for the solid establishment of RNA-based therapies in the future.
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11
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Gonçalves LG, Santos S, Gomes LP, Armengaud J, Miragaia M, Coelho AV. Skin-to-blood pH shift triggers metabolome and proteome global remodelling in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1000737. [PMID: 36246270 PMCID: PMC9554481 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1000737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the most common bacteria of the human skin microbiota. Despite its role as a commensal, S. epidermidis has emerged as an opportunistic pathogen, associated with 80% of medical devices related infections. Moreover, these bacteria are extremely difficult to treat due to their ability to form biofilms and accumulate resistance to almost all classes of antimicrobials. Thus new preventive and therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with S. epidermidis colonisation and disease are still poorly understood. A deeper understanding of the metabolic and cellular processes associated with response to environmental factors characteristic of SE ecological niches in health and disease might provide new clues on colonisation and disease processes. Here we studied the impact of pH conditions, mimicking the skin pH (5.5) and blood pH (7.4), in a S. epidermidis commensal strain by means of next-generation proteomics and 1H NMR-based metabolomics. Moreover, we evaluated the metabolic changes occurring during a sudden pH change, simulating the skin barrier break produced by a catheter. We found that exposure of S. epidermidis to skin pH induced oxidative phosphorylation and biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acids and betaine. In contrast, at blood pH, the bacterial assimilation of monosaccharides and its oxidation by glycolysis and fermentation was promoted. Additionally, several proteins related to virulence and immune evasion, namely extracellular proteases and membrane iron transporters were more abundant at blood pH. In the situation of an abrupt skin-to-blood pH shift we observed the decrease in the osmolyte betaine and changes in the levels of several metabolites and proteins involved in cellular redoxl homeostasis. Our results suggest that at the skin pH S. epidermidis cells are metabolically more active and adhesion is promoted, while at blood pH, metabolism is tuned down and cells have a more virulent profile. pH increase during commensal-to-pathogen conversion appears to be a critical environmental signal to the remodelling of the S. epidermidis metabolism toward a more pathogenic state. Targeting S. epidermidis proteins induced by pH 7.4 and promoting the acidification of the medical device surface or surrounding environment might be new strategies to treat and prevent S. epidermidis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Gafeira Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Laboratory of Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Laidson Paes Gomes
- Laboratory of Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SPI, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Maria Miragaia
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Maria Miragaia,
| | - Ana Varela Coelho
- Laboratory of Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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12
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tRNA modification profiles in obligate and moderate thermophilic bacilli. Extremophiles 2022; 26:11. [PMID: 35122547 PMCID: PMC8818000 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01258-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are the most ancient RNA molecules in the cell, modification pattern of which is linked to phylogeny. The aim of this study was to determine the tRNA modification profiles of obligate (Anoxybacillus, Geobacillus, Paragebacillus) and moderate (Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Ureibacillus, Paenibacillus) thermophilic aerobic bacilli strains to find out its linkage to phylogenetic variations between species. LC-MS was applied for the quantification of modified nucleosides using both natural and isotopically labeled standards. The presence of m2A and m7G modifications at high levels was determined in all species. Relatively high level of i6A and m5C modification was observed for Paenibacillus and Ureibacillus, respectively. The lowest level of Cm modification was found in Bacillus. The modification ms2i6A and m1G were absent in Brevibacillus and Ureibacillus, respectively, while modifications Am and m22G were observed only for Ureibacillus. While both obligate and moderate thermophilic species contain Gm, m1G and ms2i6A modifications, large quantities of them (especially Gm and ms2i6A modification) were detected in obligate thermophilic ones (Geobacillus, Paragebacillus and Anoxybacillus). The collective set of modified tRNA bases is genus-specific and linked to the phylogeny of bacilli. In addition, the dataset could be applied to distinguish obligate thermophilic bacilli from moderate ones.
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Cell-Wall-Degrading Enzymes-Related Genes Originating from Rhizoctonia solani Increase Sugar Beet Root Damage in the Presence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031366. [PMID: 35163289 PMCID: PMC8835807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sugar beet crown and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a major yield constraint. Root rot is highly increased when R. solani and Leuconostoc mesenteroides co-infect roots. We hypothesized that the absence of plant cell-wall-degrading enzymes in L. mesenteroides and their supply by R. solani during close contact, causes increased damage. In planta root inoculation with or without cell-wall-degrading enzymes showed greater rot when L. mesenteroides was combined with cellulase (22 mm rot), polygalacturonase (47 mm), and pectin lyase (57 mm) versus these enzymes (0–26 mm), R. solani (20 mm), and L. mesenteroides (13 mm) individually. Carbohydrate analysis revealed increased simpler carbohydrates (namely glucose + galactose, and fructose) in the infected roots versus mock control, possibly due to the degradation of complex cell wall carbohydrates. Expression of R. solani cellulase, polygalacturonase, and pectin lyase genes during root infection corroborated well with the enzyme data. Global mRNAseq analysis identified candidate genes and highly co-expressed gene modules in all three organisms that might be critical in host plant defense and pathogenesis. Targeting R. solani cell-wall-degrading enzymes in the future could be an effective strategy to mitigate root damage during its interaction with L. mesenteroides.
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