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Quintero-Yanes A, Mayard A, Hallez R. The two-component system ChvGI maintains cell envelope homeostasis in Caulobacter crescentus. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010465. [PMID: 36480504 PMCID: PMC9731502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCS) are often used by bacteria to rapidly assess and respond to environmental changes. The ChvG/ChvI (ChvGI) TCS conserved in α-proteobacteria is known for regulating expression of genes related to exopolysaccharide production, virulence and growth. The sensor kinase ChvG autophosphorylates upon yet unknown signals and phosphorylates the response regulator ChvI to regulate transcription. Recent studies in Caulobacter crescentus showed that chv mutants are sensitive to vancomycin treatment and fail to grow in synthetic minimal media. In this work, we identified the osmotic imbalance as the main cause of growth impairment in synthetic minimal media. We also determined the ChvI regulon and found that ChvI regulates cell envelope architecture by controlling outer membrane, peptidoglycan assembly/recycling and inner membrane proteins. In addition, we found that ChvI phosphorylation is also activated upon antibiotic treatment with vancomycin. We also challenged chv mutants with other cell envelope related stress and found that treatment with antibiotics targeting transpeptidation of peptidoglycan during cell elongation impairs growth of the mutant. Finally, we observed that the sensor kinase ChvG relocates from a patchy-spotty distribution to distinctive foci after transition from complex to synthetic minimal media. Interestingly, this pattern of (re)location has been described for proteins involved in cell growth control and peptidoglycan synthesis upon osmotic shock. Overall, our data support that the ChvGI TCS is mainly used to monitor and respond to osmotic imbalances and damages in the peptidoglycan layer to maintain cell envelope homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Quintero-Yanes
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Mayard
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Régis Hallez
- Bacterial Cell cycle & Development (BCcD), Biology of Microorganisms Research Unit (URBM), Namur Research Institute for Life Science (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
- WELBIO, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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2
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Enriching intracellular macrolides in Escherichia coli improved the sensitivity of bioluminescent sensing systems. Talanta 2022; 249:123626. [PMID: 35696977 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123626] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A repressor protein MphR and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were used to construct a bioluminescent sensing system for macrolide analysis in Escherichia coli host cells. We deleted TolC, an efflux pump for macrolides in E. coli, to promote the intracellular accumulation of macrolides. The binding constant (K1/2) of the sensing system constructed in an E. coli strain was decreased up to 33-fold with deleted TolC, and its sensitivity to the macrolides erythromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin, and pikromycin was increased. The limit of detection of the bioluminescent sensing system for serum azithromycin was 4.1 nM. The ability to detect serum azithromycin concentrations was confirmed by analyzing photographs using ImageJ software. We also developed a novel sensing system for the immune suppressor FK506, another macrolide that is frequently prescribed. Deleting TolC also significantly improved the sensitivity of this sensing system. Bioluminescent sensing systems constructed in TolC mutants were sensitive to various macrolides, indicating their potential for clinical application with hand-held devices.
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3
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Graham CLB, Newman H, Gillett FN, Smart K, Briggs N, Banzhaf M, Roper DI. A Dynamic Network of Proteins Facilitate Cell Envelope Biogenesis in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12831. [PMID: 34884635 PMCID: PMC8657477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria must maintain the ability to modify and repair the peptidoglycan layer without jeopardising its essential functions in cell shape, cellular integrity and intermolecular interactions. A range of new experimental techniques is bringing an advanced understanding of how bacteria regulate and achieve peptidoglycan synthesis, particularly in respect of the central role played by complexes of Sporulation, Elongation or Division (SEDs) and class B penicillin-binding proteins required for cell division, growth and shape. In this review we highlight relationships implicated by a bioinformatic approach between the outer membrane, cytoskeletal components, periplasmic control proteins, and cell elongation/division proteins to provide further perspective on the interactions of these cell division, growth and shape complexes. We detail the network of protein interactions that assist in the formation of peptidoglycan and highlight the increasingly dynamic and connected set of protein machinery and macrostructures that assist in creating the cell envelope layers in Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris L. B. Graham
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Hector Newman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Francesca N. Gillett
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Katie Smart
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Nicholas Briggs
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Manuel Banzhaf
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - David I. Roper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (C.L.B.G.); (H.N.); (F.N.G.); (K.S.); (N.B.)
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4
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Jaso-Vera ME, Domínguez-Malfavón L, Curiel-Quesada E, García-Mena J. Dynamics of the canonical RNA degradosome components during glucose stress. Biochimie 2021; 187:67-74. [PMID: 34022290 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The RNA Degradosome (RNAD) is a multi-enzyme complex, which performs important functions in post-transcriptional regulation in Escherichia coli with the assistance of regulatory sRNAs and the RNA chaperone Hfq. Although the interaction of the canonical RNAD components with RNase E has been extensively studied, the dynamic nature of the interactions in vivo remains largely unknown. In this work, we explored the rearrangements upon glucose stress using fluorescence energy transfer (hetero-FRET). Results revealed differences in the proximity of the canonical components with 1% (55.5 mM) glucose concentration, with the helicase RhlB and the glycolytic enzyme Enolase exhibiting the largest changes to the C-terminus of RNase E, followed by PNPase. We quantified ptsG mRNA decay and SgrS sRNA synthesis as they mediate bacterial adaptation to glucose stress conditions. We propose that once the mRNA degradation is completed, the RhlB, Enolase and PNPase decrease their proximity to the C-terminus of RNase E. Based on the results, we present a model where the canonical components of the RNAD coalesce when the bacteria is under glucose-6-phosphate stress and associate it with RNA decay. Our results demonstrate that FRET is a helpful tool to study conformational rearrangements in enzymatic complexes in bacteria in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Emmanuel Jaso-Vera
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Cinvestav, Unidad Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, 07360, Mexico
| | - Lilianha Domínguez-Malfavón
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Unidad Iztapalapa), Ciudad de México, 09340, Mexico
| | - Everardo Curiel-Quesada
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Ciudad de México, 11340, Mexico
| | - Jaime García-Mena
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Cinvestav, Unidad Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, 07360, Mexico.
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5
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Mehla J, Liechti G, Morgenstein RM, Caufield JH, Hosseinnia A, Gagarinova A, Phanse S, Goodacre N, Brockett M, Sakhawalkar N, Babu M, Xiao R, Montelione GT, Vorobiev S, den Blaauwen T, Hunt JF, Uetz P. ZapG (YhcB/DUF1043), a novel cell division protein in gamma-proteobacteria linking the Z-ring to septal peptidoglycan synthesis. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100700. [PMID: 33895137 PMCID: PMC8163987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100700] [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: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
YhcB, a poorly understood protein conserved across gamma-proteobacteria, contains a domain of unknown function (DUF1043) and an N-terminal transmembrane domain. Here, we used an integrated approach including X-ray crystallography, genetics, and molecular biology to investigate the function and structure of YhcB. The Escherichia coli yhcB KO strain does not grow at 45 °C and is hypersensitive to cell wall–acting antibiotics, even in the stationary phase. The deletion of yhcB leads to filamentation, abnormal FtsZ ring formation, and aberrant septum development. The Z-ring is essential for the positioning of the septa and the initiation of cell division. We found that YhcB interacts with proteins of the divisome (e.g., FtsI, FtsQ) and elongasome (e.g., RodZ, RodA). Seven of these interactions are also conserved in Yersinia pestis and/or Vibrio cholerae. Furthermore, we mapped the amino acid residues likely involved in the interactions of YhcB with FtsI and RodZ. The 2.8 Å crystal structure of the cytosolic domain of Haemophilus ducreyi YhcB shows a unique tetrameric α-helical coiled-coil structure likely to be involved in linking the Z-ring to the septal peptidoglycan-synthesizing complexes. In summary, YhcB is a conserved and conditionally essential protein that plays a role in cell division and consequently affects envelope biogenesis. Based on these findings, we propose to rename YhcB to ZapG (Z-ring-associated protein G). This study will serve as a starting point for future studies on this protein family and on how cells transit from exponential to stationary survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender Mehla
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
| | - George Liechti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Henry Jackson Foundation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Randy M Morgenstein
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - J Harry Caufield
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ali Hosseinnia
- Department of Biochemistry, Research and Innovation Centre, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Alla Gagarinova
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sadhna Phanse
- Department of Biochemistry, Research and Innovation Centre, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Norman Goodacre
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mary Brockett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Henry Jackson Foundation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Neha Sakhawalkar
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mohan Babu
- Department of Biochemistry, Research and Innovation Centre, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Rong Xiao
- Nexomics Biosciences Inc., Rocky Hill, New Jersey, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Gaetano T Montelione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Sergey Vorobiev
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - John F Hunt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Uetz
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
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6
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Liu X, Biboy J, Consoli E, Vollmer W, den Blaauwen T. MreC and MreD balance the interaction between the elongasome proteins PBP2 and RodA. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009276. [PMID: 33370261 PMCID: PMC7793260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rod-shape of most bacteria is maintained by the elongasome, which mediates the synthesis and insertion of peptidoglycan into the cylindrical part of the cell wall. The elongasome contains several essential proteins, such as RodA, PBP2, and the MreBCD proteins, but how its activities are regulated remains poorly understood. Using E. coli as a model system, we investigated the interactions between core elongasome proteins in vivo. Our results show that PBP2 and RodA form a complex mediated by their transmembrane and periplasmic parts and independent of their catalytic activity. MreC and MreD also interact directly with PBP2. MreC elicits a change in the interaction between PBP2 and RodA, which is suppressed by MreD. The cytoplasmic domain of PBP2 is required for this suppression. We hypothesize that the in vivo measured PBP2-RodA interaction change induced by MreC corresponds to the conformational change in PBP2 as observed in the MreC-PBP2 crystal structure, which was suggested to be the "on state" of PBP2. Our results indicate that the balance between MreC and MreD determines the activity of PBP2, which could open new strategies for antibiotic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Science, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Biboy
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Consoli
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Science, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Science, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Li H, Gao T. MreB and MreC act as the geometric moderators of the cell wall synthetic machinery in Thermus thermophiles. Microbiol Res 2020; 243:126655. [PMID: 33279728 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
How cell morphology is maintained in thermophilic bacteria is unknown. In this study, the functions and mechanisms of the potential cell shape determinants (e.g. MreB, MreC, MreD and RodA homologues) of the model extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus were initially analyzed. Deletion of mreC, mreD or rodA only resulted in heterozygous mutants indicating that these genes are all essential. In the MreB-inhibited (by A22) strain and the heterozygous mreC, mreD or rodA mutant, cell morphologies were drastically changed, and enlarged spherical cells were eventually dead indicating that they are vital for cell shape maintenance. When fused to sGFP, MreB, MreC, MreD, RodA, and the enzymes involved in peptidoglycan synthesis (e.g. PBP2 and MurG) exhibited similar subcellular localization pattern, appearing as patches, or bands slightly angled to the cell length. The localizations and functions of all the 6 proteins required a natural peptidoglycan synthesis pattern, additionally those of MreD, RodA and MurG were dependent on MreB polymerization. Consistently, through comprehensive bacterial two-hybrid analyses, it was revealed that MreB could interact with itself, MreC, MreD, RodA and MurG, and MreC could associate with PBP2. In conclusion, in T. thermophilus, MreB, MreC, MreD, RodA and the peptidoglycan synthesis enzymes probably form a network of interactions centered with MreB and bridged with MreC, thereby maintaining cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijuan Li
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University, No. 168 South Taibai Road, Xi'an, 710065, China.
| | - Tianpeng Gao
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University, No. 168 South Taibai Road, Xi'an, 710065, China
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8
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Meiresonne NY, Consoli E, Mertens LM, den Blaauwen T. Detection of in vivo Protein Interactions in All Bacterial Components by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer with the Superfolder mTurquoise2 ox-mNeongreen FRET Pair. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3448. [PMID: 33654943 PMCID: PMC7853951 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol was developed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect protein-protein interactions in all compartments of Escherichia coli by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) using the Superfolder mTurquoise2 ox-mNeonGreen FRET pair (sfTq2ox-mNG). This FRET pair has more than twice the detection range for FRET interaction studies in the cytoplasm or periplasm of E. coli compared to other pairs to date. These protein-interaction studies can be performed in vivo because fluorescent proteins can be genetically encoded as fusions to proteins of interest and expressed in the cell. sfTq2ox and mNG fluorescent protein fusions are co-expressed in bacterial cells and the fluorescence emission spectra are measured. By also measuring reference spectra for the background, sfTq2ox-only and mNG-only samples, expected emission spectra can be calculated. Sensitized emission for mNG above the expected spectrum can be attributed to FRET and quantified by spectral unmixing. This bio-protocol discusses the sfTq2ox-mNG FRET pair and provides a practical guide in preparing the protein fusions, setting up and running the FRET experiments, measuring fluorescence spectra and gives the tools to analyze the collected data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Y. Meiresonne
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life
Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Consoli
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life
Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laureen M.Y. Mertens
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life
Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life
Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Ago R, Shiomi D. RodZ: a key-player in cell elongation and cell division in Escherichia coli. AIMS Microbiol 2019; 5:358-367. [PMID: 31915748 PMCID: PMC6946637 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2019.4.358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RodZ is required for determination of cell shape in rod-shaped bacterium, such as Escherichia coli. RodZ is a transmembrane protein and forms a supramolecular complex called the Rod complex with other proteins, such as MreB-actin and peptidoglycan synthesis enzymes (for e.g., PBP2). Deletion of the rodZ gene changes the cell shape from rod to round or ovoid. Another supramolecular complex called divisome that controls cell division mainly consists of FtsZ-tubulin. MreB directly interacts with FtsZ and this interaction is critical to trigger a transition from cell elongation to cell division. Recently, we found that RodZ also directly interacts with FtsZ, and RodZ recruits MreB to the divisome. Formation of the division ring, called Z ring, is delayed if RodZ does not interact with FtsZ, indicating that RodZ might facilitate the formation of the Z ring during the cell division process. In this mini-review, we have summarized the roles of RodZ in cell elongation and cell division, especially based on our recent study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Ago
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shiomi
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
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10
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Abstract
Peptidoglycan is an essential macromolecule that forms the bacterial cell wall. The recent discovery of new cell wall-polymerizing enzymes not only illuminates the basic biology and evolution of prokaryotes but also provides new targets for the development of antibacterials to combat drug-resistant pathogens.
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11
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Meiresonne NY, Consoli E, Mertens LM, Chertkova AO, Goedhart J, den Blaauwen T. Superfolder mTurquoise2 ox optimized for the bacterial periplasm allows high efficiency in vivo FRET of cell division antibiotic targets. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1025-1038. [PMID: 30648295 PMCID: PMC6850650 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are of vital importance to biomedical research. Many of the currently available fluorescent proteins do not fluoresce when expressed in non-native environments, such as the bacterial periplasm. This strongly limits the options for applications that employ multiple FPs, such as multiplex imaging and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). To address this issue, we have engineered a new cyan fluorescent protein based on mTurquoise2 (mTq2). The new variant is dubbed superfolder turquoise2ox (sfTq2ox ) and is able to withstand challenging, oxidizing environments. sfTq2ox has improved folding capabilities and can be expressed in the periplasm at higher concentrations without toxicity. This was tied to the replacement of native cysteines that may otherwise form promiscuous disulfide bonds. The improved sfTq2ox has the same spectroscopic properties as mTq2, that is, high fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield. The sfTq2ox -mNeongreen FRET pair allows the detection of periplasmic protein-protein interactions with energy transfer rates exceeding 40%. Employing the new FRET pair, we show the direct interaction of two essential periplasmic cell division proteins FtsL and FtsB and disrupt it by mutations, paving the way for in vivo antibiotic screening. SIGNIFICANCE: The periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria contains many regulatory, transport and cell wall-maintaining proteins. A preferred method to investigate these proteins in vivo is by the detection of fluorescent protein fusions. This is challenging since most fluorescent proteins do not fluoresce in the oxidative environment of the periplasm. We assayed popular fluorescent proteins for periplasmic functionality and describe key factors responsible for periplasmic fluorescence. Using this knowledge, we engineered superfolder mTurquoise2ox (sfTq2ox ), a new cyan fluorescent protein, capable of bright fluorescence in the periplasm. We show that our improvements come without a trade-off from its parent mTurquoise2. Employing sfTq2ox as FRET donor, we show the direct in vivo interaction and disruption of unique periplasmic antibiotic targets FtsB and FtsL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Y. Meiresonne
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
| | - Elisa Consoli
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
| | - Laureen M.Y. Mertens
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
| | - Anna O. Chertkova
- Molecular Cytology and van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced MicroscopySwammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Molecular Cytology and van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced MicroscopySwammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology & Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamScience Park 904Amsterdam1098 XHThe Netherlands
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12
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Liu X, Meiresonne NY, Bouhss A, den Blaauwen T. FtsW activity and lipid II synthesis are required for recruitment of MurJ to midcell during cell division in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2018; 109:855-884. [PMID: 30112777 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the unique cell shape-determining component of the bacterial envelope, and is a key target for antibiotics. PG synthesis requires the transmembrane movement of the precursor lipid II, and MurJ has been shown to provide this activity in Escherichia coli. However, how MurJ functions in vivo has not been reported. Here we show that MurJ localizes both in the lateral membrane and at midcell, and is recruited to midcell simultaneously with late-localizing divisome proteins and proteins MraY and MurG. MurJ septal localization is dependent on the presence of a complete and active divisome, lipid II synthesis and PBP3/FtsW activities. Inactivation of MurJ, either directly by mutation or through binding with MTSES, did not affect the midcell localization of MurJ. Our study visualizes MurJ localization in vivo and reveals a possible mechanism of MurJ recruitment during cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- Bacterial Cell Biology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Y Meiresonne
- Bacterial Cell Biology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Bouhss
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Laboratoire Structure-Activité des Biomolécules Normales et Pathologiques (SABNP), Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay, 91025, Evry, France
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Pende N, Wang J, Weber PM, Verheul J, Kuru E, Rittmann SKMR, Leisch N, VanNieuwenhze MS, Brun YV, den Blaauwen T, Bulgheresi S. Host-Polarized Cell Growth in Animal Symbionts. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1039-1051.e5. [PMID: 29576473 PMCID: PMC6611161 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
To determine the fundamentals of cell growth, we must extend cell
biological studies to non-model organisms. Here, we investigated the growth
modes of the only two rods known to widen instead of elongating,
Candidatus Thiosymbion oneisti and Thiosymbion
hypermnestrae. These bacteria are attached by one pole to the surface of their
respective nematode hosts. By incubating live Ca. T. oneisti
and T. hypermnestrae with a peptidoglycan metabolic probe, we observed that the
insertion of new cell wall starts at the poles and proceeds inward,
concomitantly with FtsZ-based membrane constriction. Remarkably, in
Ca. T. hypermnestrae, the proximal, animal-attached pole
grows before the distal, free pole, indicating that the peptidoglycan synthesis
machinery is host oriented. Immunostaining of the symbionts with an antibody
against the actin homolog MreB revealed that it was arranged
medially—that is, parallel to the cell long axis—throughout the
symbiont life cycle. Given that depolymerization of MreB abolished newly
synthesized peptidoglycan insertion and impaired divisome assembly, we conclude
that MreB function is required for symbiont widening and division. In
conclusion, our data invoke a reassessment of the localization and function of
the bacterial actin homolog. Pende et al. show that cell growth is host oriented in two marine
nematode-attached bacteria. In contrast to what is observed in model rods, the
actin homolog MreB of the symbionts is arranged parallel to the cell long axis
throughout the cell cycle. This medial MreB ring is essential for symbiont
growth and division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Pende
- University of Vienna, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, Archaeal Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jinglan Wang
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philipp M Weber
- University of Vienna, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, Archaeal Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jolanda Verheul
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erkin Kuru
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School NRB, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon K-M R Rittmann
- University of Vienna, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, Archaeal Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaus Leisch
- University of Vienna, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, Archaeal Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Yves V Brun
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Silvia Bulgheresi
- University of Vienna, Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, Archaeal Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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14
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Arora D, Chawla Y, Malakar B, Singh A, Nandicoori VK. The transpeptidase PbpA and noncanonical transglycosylase RodA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis play important roles in regulating bacterial cell lengths. J Biol Chem 2018. [PMID: 29530985 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.811190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a complex structure that protects the pathogen in hostile environments. Peptidoglycan (PG), which helps determine the morphology of the cell envelope, undergoes substantial remodeling under stress. This meshwork of linear chains of sugars, cross-linked through attached peptides, is generated through the sequential action of enzymes termed transglycosylases and transpeptidases. The Mtb genome encodes two classical transglycosylases and four transpeptidases, the functions of which are not fully elucidated. Here, we present work on the yet uncharacterized transpeptidase PbpA and a nonclassical transglycosylase RodA. We elucidate their roles in regulating in vitro growth and in vivo survival of pathogenic mycobacteria. We find that RodA and PbpA are required for regulating cell length, but do not affect mycobacterial growth. Biochemical analyses show PbpA to be a classical transpeptidase, whereas RodA is identified to be a member of an emerging class of noncanonical transglycosylases. Phosphorylation of RodA at Thr-463 modulates its biological function. In a guinea pig infection model, RodA and PbpA are found to be required for both bacterial survival and formation of granuloma structures, thus underscoring the importance of these proteins in mediating mycobacterial virulence in the host. Our results emphasize the fact that whereas redundant enzymes probably compensate for the absence of RodA or PbpA during in vitro growth, the two proteins play critical roles for the survival of the pathogen inside its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Arora
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067 India and
| | - Yogesh Chawla
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067 India and
| | - Basanti Malakar
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067 India and
| | - Archana Singh
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, 110025 New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Nandicoori
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067 India and
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15
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Ikebe R, Kuwabara Y, Chikada T, Niki H, Shiomi D. The periplasmic disordered domain of RodZ promotes its self-interaction in Escherichia coli. Genes Cells 2018; 23:307-317. [PMID: 29480545 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rod shape of bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli is mainly regulated by a supramolecular complex called elongasome including MreB actin. Deletion of the mreB gene in rod-shaped bacterium E. coli results in round-shaped cells. RodZ was isolated as a determinant of rod shape in E. coli, Caulobacter crescentus and Bacillus subtilis and it has been shown to be an interaction partner and a regulator of assembly of MreB through its cytoplasmic domain. As opposed to functions of the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of RodZ, functions of the C-terminal periplasmic domain including a disordered region are still unclear. To understand it, we adopted an in vivo photo-cross-linking assay to analyze interaction partners to identify proteins which interact with RodZ via its periplasmic domain, finding that the RodZ self-interacts in the periplasmic disordered domain. Self-interaction of RodZ was affected by MreB actin. Deletion of this region resulted in aberrant cell shape. Our results suggest that MreB binding to the cytoplasmic domain of RodZ causes structural changes in the disordered periplasmic domain of RodZ. We also found that the disordered domain of RodZ contributes to fine-tune rod shape in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Ikebe
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Kuwabara
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taiki Chikada
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironori Niki
- Microbial Genetics Laboratory, Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shiomi
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Meiresonne NY, Alexeeva S, van der Ploeg R, den Blaauwen T. Detection of Protein Interactions in the Cytoplasm and Periplasm of Escherichia coli by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e2697. [PMID: 34179246 PMCID: PMC8203949 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol was developed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect protein-protein interactions in Escherichia coli by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The described assay allows for the previously impossible in vivo screening of periplasmic protein-protein interactions. In FRET, excitation of a donor fluorescent molecule results in the transfer of energy to an acceptor fluorescent molecule, which will then emit light if the distance between them is within the 1-10 nm range. Fluorescent proteins can be genetically encoded as fusions to proteins of interest and expressed in the cell and therefore FRET protein-protein interaction experiments can be performed in vivo. Donor and acceptor fluorescent protein fusions are constructed for bacterial proteins that are suspected to interact. These fusions are co-expressed in bacterial cells and the fluorescence emission spectra are measured by subsequently exciting the donor and the acceptor channel. A partial overlap between the emission spectrum of the donor and the excitation spectrum of the acceptor is a prerequisite for FRET. Donor excitation can cross-excite the acceptor for a known percentage even in the absence of FRET. By measuring reference spectra for the background, donor-only and acceptor-only samples, expected emission spectra can be calculated. Sensitized emission for the acceptor on top of the expected spectrum can be attributed to FRET and can be quantified by spectral unmixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Y. Meiresonne
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Alexeeva
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René van der Ploeg
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Meiresonne NY, van der Ploeg R, Hink MA, den Blaauwen T. Activity-Related Conformational Changes in d,d-Carboxypeptidases Revealed by In Vivo Periplasmic Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Assay in Escherichia coli. mBio 2017; 8:e01089-17. [PMID: 28900026 PMCID: PMC5596342 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01089-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the mechanisms of β-lactam antibiotic resistance requires the activity of d,d-carboxypeptidases (d,d-CPases) involved in peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, making them putative targets for new antibiotic development. The activity of PG-synthesizing enzymes is often correlated with their association with other proteins. The PG layer is maintained in the periplasm between the two membranes of the Gram-negative cell envelope. Because no methods existed to detect in vivo interactions in this compartment, we have developed and validated a Förster resonance energy transfer assay. Using the fluorescent-protein donor-acceptor pair mNeonGreen-mCherry, periplasmic protein interactions were detected in fixed and in living bacteria, in single samples or in plate reader 96-well format. We show that the d,d-CPases PBP5, PBP6a, and PBP6b of Escherichia coli change dimer conformation between resting and active states. Complementation studies and changes in localization suggest that these d,d-CPases are not redundant but that their balanced activity is required for robust PG synthesis.IMPORTANCE The periplasmic space between the outer and the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains many essential regulatory, transport, and cell wall-synthesizing and -hydrolyzing proteins. To date, no assay is available to determine protein interactions in this compartment. We have developed a periplasmic protein interaction assay for living and fixed bacteria in single samples or 96-well-plate format. Using this assay, we were able to demonstrate conformation changes related to the activity of proteins that could not have been detected by any other living-cell method available. The assay uniquely expands our toolbox for antibiotic screening and mode-of-action studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Y Meiresonne
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René van der Ploeg
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A Hink
- Molecular Cytology and van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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van Gijtenbeek LA, Kok J. Illuminating Messengers: An Update and Outlook on RNA Visualization in Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1161. [PMID: 28690601 PMCID: PMC5479882 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To be able to visualize the abundance and spatiotemporal features of RNAs in bacterial cells would permit obtaining a pivotal understanding of many mechanisms underlying bacterial cell biology. The first methods that allowed observing single mRNA molecules in individual cells were introduced by Bertrand et al. (1998) and Femino et al. (1998). Since then, a plethora of techniques to image RNA molecules with the aid of fluorescence microscopy has emerged. Many of these approaches are useful for the large eukaryotic cells but their adaptation to study RNA, specifically mRNA molecules, in bacterial cells progressed relatively slow. Here, an overview will be given of fluorescent techniques that can be used to reveal specific RNA molecules inside fixed and living single bacterial cells. It includes a critical evaluation of their caveats as well as potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieke A van Gijtenbeek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Kok
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
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19
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Laddomada F, Miyachiro MM, Dessen A. Structural Insights into Protein-Protein Interactions Involved in Bacterial Cell Wall Biogenesis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2016; 5:antibiotics5020014. [PMID: 27136593 PMCID: PMC4929429 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics5020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell wall is essential for survival, and proteins that participate in its biosynthesis have been the targets of antibiotic development efforts for decades. The biosynthesis of its main component, the peptidoglycan, involves the coordinated action of proteins that are involved in multi-member complexes which are essential for cell division (the “divisome”) and/or cell wall elongation (the “elongasome”), in the case of rod-shaped cells. Our knowledge regarding these interactions has greatly benefitted from the visualization of different aspects of the bacterial cell wall and its cytoskeleton by cryoelectron microscopy and tomography, as well as genetic and biochemical screens that have complemented information from high resolution crystal structures of protein complexes involved in divisome or elongasome formation. This review summarizes structural and functional aspects of protein complexes involved in the cytoplasmic and membrane-related steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, with a particular focus on protein-protein interactions whereby disruption could lead to the development of novel antibacterial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Laddomada
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble F-38044, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), IBS, Grenoble F-38044, France.
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), IBS, Grenoble F-38044, France.
| | - Mayara M Miyachiro
- Brazilian National Laboratory for Biosciences (LNBio), CNPEM, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-100, Brazil.
| | - Andréa Dessen
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble F-38044, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), IBS, Grenoble F-38044, France.
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), IBS, Grenoble F-38044, France.
- Brazilian National Laboratory for Biosciences (LNBio), CNPEM, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-100, Brazil.
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20
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Abstract
Nearly all bacteria contain a peptidoglycan cell wall. The peptidoglycan precursor molecule is LipidII, containing the basic peptidoglycan building block attached to a lipid. Although the suitability of LipidII as an antibacterial target has long been recognized, progress on elucidating the role(s) of LipidII in bacterial cell biology has been slow. The focus of this review is on exciting new developments, both with respect to antibacterials targeting LipidII as well as the emerging role of LipidII in organizing the membrane and cell wall synthesis. It appears that on both sides of the membrane, LipidII plays crucial roles in organizing cytoskeletal proteins and peptidoglycan synthesis machineries. Finally, the recent discovery of no less than three different categories of LipidII flippases will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk-Jan Scheffers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Menno B. Tol
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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