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Kjellin J, Lee D, Steinsland H, Dwane R, Barth Vedoy O, Hanevik K, Koskiniemi S. Colicins and T6SS-based competition systems enhance enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) competitiveness. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2295891. [PMID: 38149626 PMCID: PMC10761095 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2295891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diarrheal diseases are still a significant problem for humankind, causing approximately half a million deaths annually. To cause diarrhea, enteric bacterial pathogens must first colonize the gut, which is a niche occupied by the normal bacterial microbiota. Therefore, the ability of pathogenic bacteria to inhibit the growth of other bacteria can facilitate the colonization process. Although enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the major causative agents of diarrheal diseases, little is known about the competition systems found in and used by ETEC and how they contribute to the ability of ETEC to colonize a host. Here, we collected a set of 94 fully assembled ETEC genomes by performing whole-genome sequencing and mining the NCBI RefSeq database. Using this set, we performed a comprehensive search for delivered bacterial toxins and investigated how these toxins contribute to ETEC competitiveness in vitro. We found that type VI secretion systems (T6SS) were widespread among ETEC (n = 47). In addition, several closely related ETEC strains were found to encode Colicin Ia and T6SS (n = 8). These toxins provide ETEC competitive advantages during in vitro competition against other E. coli, suggesting that the role of T6SS as well as colicins in ETEC biology has until now been underappreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kjellin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Danna Lee
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Steinsland
- CISMAC, Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rachel Dwane
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oda Barth Vedoy
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- National centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sanna Koskiniemi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Arias-Cartin R, Kazemzadeh Ferizhendi K, Séchet E, Pelosi L, Loeuillet C, Pierrel F, Barras F, Bouveret E. Role of the Escherichia coli ubiquinone-synthesizing UbiUVT pathway in adaptation to changing respiratory conditions. mBio 2023; 14:e0329822. [PMID: 37283518 PMCID: PMC10470549 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03298-22] [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: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Isoprenoid quinones are essential for cellular physiology. They act as electron and proton shuttles in respiratory chains and various biological processes. Escherichia coli and many α-, β-, and γ-proteobacteria possess two types of isoprenoid quinones: ubiquinone (UQ) is mainly used under aerobiosis, while demethylmenaquinones (DMK) are mostly used under anaerobiosis. Yet, we recently established the existence of an anaerobic O2-independent UQ biosynthesis pathway controlled by ubiT, ubiU, and ubiV genes. Here, we characterize the regulation of ubiTUV genes in E. coli. We show that the three genes are transcribed as two divergent operons that are both under the control of the O2-sensing Fnr transcriptional regulator. Phenotypic analyses using a menA mutant devoid of DMK revealed that UbiUV-dependent UQ synthesis is essential for nitrate respiration and uracil biosynthesis under anaerobiosis, while it contributes, though modestly, to bacterial multiplication in the mouse gut. Moreover, we showed by genetic study and 18O2 labeling that UbiUV contributes to the hydroxylation of ubiquinone precursors through a unique O2-independent process. Last, we report the crucial role of ubiT in allowing E. coli to shift efficiently from anaerobic to aerobic conditions. Overall, this study uncovers a new facet of the strategy used by E. coli to adjust its metabolism on changing O2 levels and respiratory conditions. This work links respiratory mechanisms to phenotypic adaptation, a major driver in the capacity of E. coli to multiply in gut microbiota and of facultative anaerobic pathogens to multiply in their host. IMPORTANCE Enterobacteria multiplication in the gastrointestinal tract is linked to microaerobic respiration and associated with various inflammatory bowel diseases. Our study focuses on the biosynthesis of ubiquinone, a key player in respiratory chains, under anaerobiosis. The importance of this study stems from the fact that UQ usage was for long considered to be restricted to aerobic conditions. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism allowing UQ synthesis in the absence of O2 and searched for the anaerobic processes that UQ is fueling in such conditions. We found that UQ biosynthesis involves anaerobic hydroxylases, that is, enzymes able to insert an O atom in the absence of O2. We also found that anaerobically synthesized UQ can be used for respiration on nitrate and the synthesis of pyrimidine. Our findings are likely to be applicable to most facultative anaerobes, which count many pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio) and will help in unraveling microbiota dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Arias-Cartin
- Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, SAMe Unit, Paris, France
| | | | - Emmanuel Séchet
- Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, SAMe Unit, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Pelosi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, Grenoble, France
| | - Corinne Loeuillet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Fabien Pierrel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, Grenoble, France
| | - Frédéric Barras
- Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, SAMe Unit, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Bouveret
- Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, SAMe Unit, Paris, France
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Seawater from Bergen harbor is a reservoir of conjugative multidrug-resistance plasmids carrying genes for virulence. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114108. [PMID: 36709743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114108] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments play important roles in the dissemination of clinically-relevant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens. Limited knowledge exists about the prevalence of clinically-relevant acquired resistance genes in the marine environment, especially in Norway. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of and characterize self-transmissible resistance plasmids from Bergen harbor seawater, with exogenous-plasmid capture, using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Escherichia coli strain as a recipient. We obtained transconjugants resistant against ampicillin and cefotaxime from four of the 13 samples processed. Nine transconjugants, selected on the basis of antibiotic sensitivity patterns, were sequenced, using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore MinION platforms. Ten different plasmids (ranging from 35 kb to 136 kb) belonging to incompatibility groups IncFII/IncFIB/Col156, IncFII, IncI1 and IncB/O/K/Z were detected among these transconjugants. Plasmid p1A1 (IncFII/IncFIB/Col156, 135.7 kb) carried resistance genes blaTEM-1, dfrA17, sul1, sul2, tet(A), mph(A), aadA5, aph(3″)-Ib and aph(6)-Id, conferring resistance against six different classes of antibiotics. Plasmid p1A4 carried blaCTX-M-55, lnu(F), aadA17 and aac(3)-IId. Cephalosporinase blaCMY-2 was detected on plasmids captured from an area impacted by wastewater from a local marine aquarium. Along with ARGs, some plasmids also carried virulence factors, such as enterotoxins, adhesion factors and siderophores. Our study demonstrates the presence of clinically-important multidrug-resistance conjugative plasmids in seawater from Bergen harbor, which have the potential to be transferred to human microbiota. The results highlight the need for surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the environment, as suggested by the World Health Organization, especially in low prevalence settings like Norway.
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Abstract
Enteric bacterial infections contribute substantially to global disease burden and mortality, particularly in the developing world. In vitro 2D monolayer cultures have provided critical insights into the fundamental virulence mechanisms of a multitude of pathogens, including Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella spp., Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni, which have led to the identification of novel targets for antimicrobial therapy and vaccines. In recent years, the arsenal of experimental systems to study intestinal infections has been expanded by a multitude of more complex models, which have allowed to evaluate the effects of additional physiological and biological parameters on infectivity. Organoids recapitulate the cellular complexity of the human intestinal epithelium while 3D bioengineered scaffolds and microphysiological devices allow to emulate oxygen gradients, flow and peristalsis, as well as the formation and maintenance of stable and physiologically relevant microbial diversity. Additionally, advancements in ex vivo cultures and intravital imaging have opened new possibilities to study the effects of enteric pathogens on fluid secretion, barrier integrity and immune cell surveillance in the intact intestine. This review aims to present a balanced and updated overview of current intestinal in vitro and ex vivo methods for modeling of enteric bacterial infections. We conclude that the different paradigms are complements rather than replacements and their combined use promises to further our understanding of host-microbe interactions and their impacts on intestinal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayere Taebnia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- CONTACT Ute Römling Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Volker M. Lauschke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Volker M. Lauschke Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Recent Insights into Escherichia coli and Vibrio spp. Pathogenicity and Responses to Stress. Microorganisms 2021; 10:microorganisms10010038. [PMID: 35056488 PMCID: PMC8779644 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microorganisms is largely attributed to their tremendous capacity to successfully adapt and survive in highly adverse environments [...].
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