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Lê-Bury P, Echenique-Rivera H, Pizarro-Cerdá J, Dussurget O. Determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in blood. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae013. [PMID: 38734892 PMCID: PMC11163986 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae013] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infection is a major public health concern associated with high mortality and high healthcare costs worldwide. Bacteremia can trigger fatal sepsis whose prevention, diagnosis, and management have been recognized as a global health priority by the World Health Organization. Additionally, infection control is increasingly threatened by antimicrobial resistance, which is the focus of global action plans in the framework of a One Health response. In-depth knowledge of the infection process is needed to develop efficient preventive and therapeutic measures. The pathogenesis of bloodstream infection is a dynamic process resulting from the invasion of the vascular system by bacteria, which finely regulate their metabolic pathways and virulence factors to overcome the blood immune defenses and proliferate. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of determinants of bacterial survival and proliferation in the bloodstream and discuss their interactions with the molecular and cellular components of blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Lê-Bury
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Autoimmune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Hebert Echenique-Rivera
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Javier Pizarro-Cerdá
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Yersinia National Reference Laboratory, WHO Collaborating Research & Reference Centre for Plague FRA-146, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Dussurget
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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2
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Su MSW, Cheng YL, Lin YS, Wu JJ. Interplay between group A Streptococcus and host innate immune responses. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0005222. [PMID: 38451081 PMCID: PMC10966951 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00052-22] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYGroup A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, is a clinically well-adapted human pathogen that harbors rich virulence determinants contributing to a broad spectrum of diseases. GAS is capable of invading epithelial, endothelial, and professional phagocytic cells while evading host innate immune responses, including phagocytosis, selective autophagy, light chain 3-associated phagocytosis, and inflammation. However, without a more complete understanding of the different ways invasive GAS infections develop, it is difficult to appreciate how GAS survives and multiplies in host cells that have interactive immune networks. This review article attempts to provide an overview of the behaviors and mechanisms that allow pathogenic GAS to invade cells, along with the strategies that host cells practice to constrain GAS infection. We highlight the counteractions taken by GAS to apply virulence factors such as streptolysin O, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotidase, and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B as a hindrance to host innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Shu-Wei Su
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Shin Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Jong Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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3
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Senoo A, Hoshino M, Shiomi T, Nakakido M, Nagatoishi S, Kuroda D, Nakagawa I, Tame JRH, Caaveiro JMM, Tsumoto K. Structural basis for the recognition of human hemoglobin by the heme-acquisition protein Shr from Streptococcus pyogenes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5374. [PMID: 38438508 PMCID: PMC10912661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55734-x] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In Gram-positive bacteria, sophisticated machineries to acquire the heme group of hemoglobin (Hb) have evolved to extract the precious iron atom contained in it. In the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, the Shr protein is a key component of this machinery. Herein we present the crystal structure of hemoglobin-interacting domain 2 (HID2) of Shr bound to Hb. HID2 interacts with both, the protein and heme portions of Hb, explaining the specificity of HID2 for the heme-bound form of Hb, but not its heme-depleted form. Further mutational analysis shows little tolerance of HID2 to interfacial mutations, suggesting that its interaction surface with Hb could be a suitable candidate to develop efficient inhibitors abrogating the binding of Shr to Hb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinobu Senoo
- Laboratory of Protein Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Masato Hoshino
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshiki Shiomi
- Laboratory of Protein Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakakido
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagatoishi
- Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kuroda
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakagawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Jeremy R H Tame
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Jose M M Caaveiro
- Laboratory of Protein Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, 812-8582, Japan.
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8629, Japan.
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Macdonald R, Mahoney BJ, Soule J, Goring AK, Ford J, Loo JA, Cascio D, Clubb RT. The Shr receptor from Streptococcus pyogenes uses a cap and release mechanism to acquire heme-iron from human hemoglobin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211939120. [PMID: 36693107 PMCID: PMC9945957 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211939120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is a clinically important microbial pathogen that requires iron in order to proliferate. During infections, S. pyogenes uses the surface displayed Shr receptor to capture human hemoglobin (Hb) and acquires its iron-laden heme molecules. Through a poorly understood mechanism, Shr engages Hb via two structurally unique N-terminal Hb-interacting domains (HID1 and HID2) which facilitate heme transfer to proximal NEAr Transporter (NEAT) domains. Based on the results of X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering, NMR spectroscopy, native mass spectrometry, and heme transfer experiments, we propose that Shr utilizes a "cap and release" mechanism to gather heme from Hb. In the mechanism, Shr uses the HID1 and HID2 modules to preferentially recognize only heme-loaded forms of Hb by contacting the edges of its protoporphyrin rings. Heme transfer is enabled by significant receptor dynamics within the Shr-Hb complex which function to transiently uncap HID1 from the heme bound to Hb's β subunit, enabling the gated release of its relatively weakly bound heme molecule and subsequent capture by Shr's NEAT domains. These dynamics may maximize the efficiency of heme scavenging by S. pyogenes, enabling it to preferentially recognize and remove heme from only heme-loaded forms of Hb that contain iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsay Macdonald
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Brendan J. Mahoney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- University of California, Los Angeles-United States Department of Energy Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jess Soule
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Andrew K. Goring
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jordan Ford
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Joseph A. Loo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- University of California, Los Angeles-United States Department of Energy Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Duilio Cascio
- University of California, Los Angeles-United States Department of Energy Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Robert T. Clubb
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- University of California, Los Angeles-United States Department of Energy Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
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5
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McLaughlin RW. Robinsoniella peoriensis: an emerging pathogen with few virulence factors. INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SPANISH SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 26:135-142. [PMID: 36219351 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00281-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Robinsoniella peoriensis is a Gram-positive bacterium which is anaerobic, spore-forming, and non-motile. It was initially isolated and characterized from feces and swine manure. Strains of this species have since been identified from different mammalian and non-mammalian gastrointestinal tracts. Strains have also been isolated from a variety of human infections, such as bacteremia, bone infections, and skin structures. R. peoriensis has recently been reported as causative for pyometra, which could result in death in the absence of sufficient antimicrobial treatment. However, to the author's knowledge, there has not been a single virulence factor identified. A major challenge of modern medicine is the failure of conventional procedures to characterize the capability of an emerging pathogen to cause disease. The goal of this study is to initially characterize the pathogenicity of this bacterium using a pathogenomics approach.
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6
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Xu S, Liu Y, Gao J, Zhou M, Yang J, He F, Kastelic JP, Deng Z, Han B. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae Isolated From Bovine Mastitis in China. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751863. [PMID: 34745056 PMCID: PMC8570283 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) is one of the most prevalent pathogens causing bovine mastitis worldwide. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information regarding genetic diversity, complete profiles of virulence factors (VFs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes for SDSD associated with bovine mastitis in China. In this study, a total of 674 milk samples, including samples from 509 clinical and 165 subclinical mastitis cases, were collected from 17 herds in 7 provinces in China from November 2016 to June 2019. All SDSD isolates were included in phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). In addition, whole genome sequencing was performed on 12 representative SDSD isolates to screen for VFs and AMR genes and to define pan-, core and accessory genomes. The prevalence of SDSD from mastitis milk samples was 7.57% (51/674). According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, 51 SDSD isolates were divided into 4 clusters, whereas based on MLST, 51 SDSD isolates were identified as 11 sequence types, including 6 registered STs and 5 novel STs (ST521, ST523, ST526, ST527, ST529) that belonged to 2 distinct clonal complexes (CCs) and 4 singletons. Based on WGS information, 108 VFs genes in 12 isolates were determined in 11 categories. In addition, 23 AMR genes were identified in 11 categories. Pan-, core and accessory genomes were composed of 2,663, 1,633 and 699 genes, respectively. These results provided a comprehensive profiles of SDSD virulence and resistance genes as well as phylogenetic relationships among mastitis associated SDSD in North China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Xu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Man Zhou
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyue Yang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fumeng He
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - John P Kastelic
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Zhaoju Deng
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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7
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Chatterjee N, Huang YS, Lyles KV, Morgan JE, Kauvar LM, Greer SF, Eichenbaum Z. Native Human Antibody to Shr Promotes Mice Survival After Intraperitoneal Challenge With Invasive Group A Streptococcus. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:1367-1375. [PMID: 32845315 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A vaccine against group A Streptococcus (GAS) has been actively pursued for decades. The surface receptor Shr is vital in GAS heme uptake and provides an effective target for active and passive immunization. Here, we isolated human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Shr and evaluated their efficacy and mechanism. METHODS We used a single B-lymphocyte screen to discover the mAbs TRL186 and TRL96. Interactions of the mAbs with whole cells, proteins, and peptides were investigated. Growth assays and cultured phagocytes were used to study the mAbs' impact on heme uptake and bacterial killing. Efficacy was tested in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination using intraperitoneal mAb administration and GAS challenge. RESULTS Both TRL186 and TRL96 interact with whole GAS cells, recognizing the NTR and NEAT1 domains of Shr, respectively. Both mAbs promoted killing by phagocytes in vitro, but prophylactic administration of only TRL186 increased mice survival. TRL186 improved survival also in a therapeutic mode. TRL186 but not TRL96 also impeded Shr binding to hemoglobin and GAS growth on hemoglobin iron. CONCLUSIONS Interference with iron acquisition is central for TRL186 efficacy against GAS. This study supports the concept of antibody-based immunotherapy targeting the heme uptake proteins to combat streptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ya-Shu Huang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kristin V Lyles
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julie E Morgan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Susanna F Greer
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zehava Eichenbaum
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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8
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Chatterjee N, Cook LCC, Lyles KV, Nguyen HAT, Devlin DJ, Thomas LS, Eichenbaum Z. A Novel Heme Transporter from the Energy Coupling Factor Family Is Vital for Group A Streptococcus Colonization and Infections. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:e00205-20. [PMID: 32393520 PMCID: PMC7317044 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00205-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococcus (GAS) produces millions of infections worldwide, including mild mucosal infections, postinfection sequelae, and life-threatening invasive diseases. During infection, GAS readily acquires nutritional iron from host heme and hemoproteins. Here, we identified a new heme importer, named SiaFGH, and investigated its role in GAS pathophysiology. The SiaFGH proteins belong to a group of transporters with an unknown ligand from the recently described family of energy coupling factors (ECFs). A siaFGH deletion mutant exhibited high streptonigrin resistance compared to the parental strain, suggesting that iron ions or an iron complex is the likely ligand. Iron uptake and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) studies showed that the loss of siaFGH did not impact GAS import of ferric or ferrous iron, but the mutant was impaired in using hemoglobin iron for growth. Analysis of cells growing on hemoglobin iron revealed a substantial decrease in the cellular heme content in the mutant compared to the complemented strain. The induction of the siaFGH genes in trans resulted in the induction of heme uptake. The siaFGH mutant exhibited a significant impairment in murine models of mucosal colonization and systemic infection. Together, the data show that SiaFGH is a new type of heme importer that is key for GAS use of host hemoproteins and that this system is imperative for bacterial colonization and invasive infection.IMPORTANCE ECF systems are new transporters that take up various vitamins, cobalt, or nickel with a high affinity. Here, we establish the GAS SiaFGH proteins as a new ECF module that imports heme and demonstrate its importance in virulence. SiaFGH is the first heme ECF system described in bacteria. We identified homologous systems in the genomes of related pathogens from the Firmicutes phylum. Notably, GAS and other pathogens that use a SiaFGH-type importer rely on host hemoproteins for a source of iron during infection. Hence, recognizing the function of this noncanonical ABC transporter in heme acquisition and the critical role that it plays in disease has broad implications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura C C Cook
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Department of Biology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Kristin V Lyles
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hong Anh T Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Darius J Devlin
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lamar S Thomas
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Department of Biology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Zehava Eichenbaum
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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9
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Active and passive immunizations with HtsA, a streptococcal heme transporter protein, protect mice from subcutaneous group A Streptococcus infection. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2020; 53:87-93. [PMID: 29807723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE HtsA (Streptococcus heme transporter A) is the lipoprotein component of the streptococcal heme ABC transporter (HtsABC). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the HtsA protein has immunoprotective effect against group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection in mice. METHODS The HtsA protein was purified by sequential chromatography on Ni-sepharose, DEAE-sepharose and Phenyl-sepharose, CD-1 mice were actively immunized with ALUM (control) or HtsA/ALUM, and passively immunized with control or anti-HtsA serum. Mice were challenged with GAS after immunization, and the survival rate, skin lesion size and systemic GAS dissemination were determined. RESULTS The HtsA gene was cloned, and the recombinant protein HtsA was successfully purified. HtsA has a strong antigenicity, and active immunization with the HtsA protein significantly protected mice against lethal subcutaneous GAS infection, inhibited invasion of the skin by GAS, and reduced GAS systemic dissemination in blood and organs. In addition, passive immunization with anti-HtsA serum also significantly protected mice against subcutaneous GAS infection, and inhibited invasion of the skin by GAS. CONCLUSION The results showed that both active and passive immunization with the HtsA protein protected mice against subcutaneous GAS infection, suggesting that HtsA may be a candidate of GAS vaccine to protect against GAS infection.
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10
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Transcriptomic Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Colonizing the Vaginal Mucosa Identifies hupY, an MtsR-Regulated Adhesin Involved in Heme Utilization. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00848-19. [PMID: 31239377 PMCID: PMC6593403 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00848-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonization of the host requires the ability to adapt to an environment that is often low in essential nutrients such as iron. Here we present data showing that the transcriptome of the important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes shows extensive remodeling during in vivo growth, resulting in, among many other differentially expressed genes and pathways, a significant increase in genes involved in acquiring iron from host heme. Data show that HupY, previously characterized as an adhesin in both S. pyogenes and the related pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae, binds heme and affects intracellular iron concentrations. HupY, a protein with no known heme binding domains, represents a novel heme binding protein playing an important role in bacterial iron homeostasis as well as vaginal colonization. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) is a serious human pathogen with the ability to colonize mucosal surfaces such as the nasopharynx and vaginal tract, often leading to infections such as pharyngitis and vulvovaginitis. We present genome-wide transcriptome sequencing (RNASeq) data showing the transcriptomic changes GAS undergoes during vaginal colonization. These data reveal that the regulon controlled by MtsR, a master metal regulator, is activated during vaginal colonization. This regulon includes two genes highly expressed during vaginal colonization, hupYZ. Here we show that HupY binds heme in vitro, affects intracellular concentrations of iron, and is essential for proper growth of GAS using hemoglobin or serum as the sole iron source. HupY is also important for murine vaginal colonization of both GAS and the related vaginal colonizer and pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]). These data provide essential information on the link between metal regulation and mucosal colonization in both GAS and GBS.
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11
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Macdonald R, Cascio D, Collazo MJ, Phillips M, Clubb RT. The Streptococcus pyogenes Shr protein captures human hemoglobin using two structurally unique binding domains. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:18365-18377. [PMID: 30301765 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to proliferate and mount an infection, many bacterial pathogens need to acquire iron from their host. The most abundant iron source in the body is the oxygen transporter hemoglobin (Hb). Streptococcus pyogenes, a potentially lethal human pathogen, uses the Shr protein to capture Hb on the cell surface. Shr is an important virulence factor, yet the mechanism by which it captures Hb and acquires its heme is not well-understood. Here, we show using NMR and biochemical methods that Shr binds Hb using two related modules that were previously defined as domains of unknown function (DUF1533). These hemoglobin-interacting domains (HIDs), called HID1 and HID2, are autonomously folded and independently bind Hb. The 1.5 Å resolution crystal structure of HID2 revealed that it is a structurally unique Hb-binding domain. Mutagenesis studies revealed a conserved tyrosine in both HIDs that is essential for Hb binding. Our biochemical studies indicate that HID2 binds Hb with higher affinity than HID1 and that the Hb tetramer is engaged by two Shr receptors. NMR studies reveal the presence of a third autonomously folded domain between HID2 and a heme-binding NEAT1 domain, suggesting that this linker domain may position NEAT1 near Hb for heme capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsay Macdonald
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,; UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics and
| | | | | | | | - Robert T Clubb
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,; UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics and; Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095.
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12
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Song Y, Zhang X, Cai M, Lv C, Zhao Y, Wei D, Zhu H. The Heme Transporter HtsABC of Group A Streptococcus Contributes to Virulence and Innate Immune Evasion in Murine Skin Infections. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1105. [PMID: 29887858 PMCID: PMC5981463 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) requires iron for growth, and heme is an important source of iron for GAS. Streptococcus heme transporter A (HtsA) is the lipoprotein component of the GAS heme-specific ABC transporter (HtsABC). The objective of this study is to examine the contribution of HtsABC to virulence and host interaction of hypervirulent M1T1 GAS using an isogenic htsA deletion mutant (ΔhtsA). The htsA deletion exhibited a significantly increased survival rate, reduced skin lesion size, and reduced systemic GAS dissemination in comparison to the wild type strain. The htsA deletion also decreased the GAS adhesion rate to Hep-2 cells, the survival in human blood and rat neutrophils, and increased the production of cytokine IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in air pouch exudate of a mouse model of subcutaneous infection. Complementation of ΔhtsA restored the wild type phenotype. These findings support that the htsA gene is required for GAS virulence and that the htsA deletion augments host innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingli Song
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaolan Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Minghui Cai
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunmei Lv
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Deqin Wei
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Zhang X, Lu C, Zhang F, Song Y, Cai M, Zhu H. Streptococcal heme binding protein (Shp) promotes virulence and contributes to the pathogenesis of group A Streptococcus infection. Pathog Dis 2018; 75:4002673. [PMID: 28830075 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcal heme binding protein (Shp) is involved in the process of heme acquisition in group A Streptococcus (GAS). However, no research thus far has examined the contribution of Shp to the virulence of GAS. To this end, we generated an isogenic strain lacking the shp gene (Δshp) and its complemented strain (Δshp-c) using the parent strain MGAS5005 (WT). Deletion of shp increased survival rates and neutrophil recruitment and reduced skin lesion sizes and GAS loads in the blood and the liver, lung, kidney and spleen in subcutaneous infections of mice. These results indicate that Shp significantly contributes to the skin and systemic invasion of GAS. The growth of the Δshp mutant was significantly slower than MGAS5005 and Δshp-c than in non-immune human blood and in incubation with isolated rat neutrophils. Microarray transcriptional analyses found no alteration in expression of virulence genes, indicating that the phenotype of the Δshp mutant was directly linked to the lack of Shp. The findings indicate that Shp significantly contributes to GAS skin invasion, systemic infection and virulence and that these contributions of Shp are mediated by the effects of Shp on systemic GAS growth and neutrophil responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
| | - Chunmei Lu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
| | - Fengmin Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
| | - Yingli Song
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
| | - Minghui Cai
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, 150086 Harbin, China
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Hoshino M, Nakakido M, Nagatoishi S, Aikawa C, Nakagawa I, Tsumoto K. Biophysical characterization of the interaction between heme and proteins responsible for heme transfer in Streptococcus pyogenes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:1109-1114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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15
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Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for both microbes and humans alike. For well over half a century we have known that this element, in particular, plays a pivotal role in health and disease and, most especially, in shaping host-pathogen interactions. Intracellular iron concentrations serve as a critical signal in regulating the expression not only of high-affinity iron acquisition systems in bacteria, but also of toxins and other noted virulence factors produced by some major human pathogens. While we now are aware of many strategies that the host has devised to sequester iron from invading microbes, there are as many if not more sophisticated mechanisms by which successful pathogens overcome nutritional immunity imposed by the host. This review discusses some of the essential components of iron sequestration and scavenging mechanisms of the host, as well as representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens, and highlights recent advances in the field. Last, we address how the iron acquisition strategies of pathogenic bacteria may be exploited for the development of novel prophylactics or antimicrobials.
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Vega LA, Valdes KM, Sundar GS, Belew AT, Islam E, Berge J, Curry P, Chen S, El-Sayed NM, Le Breton Y, McIver KS. The Transcriptional Regulator CpsY Is Important for Innate Immune Evasion in Streptococcus pyogenes. Infect Immun 2017; 85:e00925-16. [PMID: 27993974 PMCID: PMC5328483 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00925-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As an exclusively human pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes (the group A streptococcus [GAS]) has specifically adapted to evade host innate immunity and survive in multiple tissue niches, including blood. GAS can overcome the metabolic constraints of the blood environment and expresses various immunomodulatory factors necessary for survival and immune cell resistance. Here we present our investigation of one such factor, the predicted LysR family transcriptional regulator CpsY. The encoding gene, cpsY, was initially identified as being required for GAS survival in a transposon-site hybridization (TraSH) screen in whole human blood. CpsY is homologous with transcriptional regulators of Streptococcus mutans (MetR), Streptococcus iniae (CpsY), and Streptococcus agalactiae (MtaR) that regulate methionine transport, amino acid metabolism, resistance to neutrophil-mediated killing, and survival in vivo Our investigation indicated that CpsY is involved in GAS resistance to innate immune cells of its human host. However, GAS CpsY does not manifest the in vitro phenotypes of its homologs in other streptococcal species. GAS CpsY appears to regulate a small set of genes that is markedly different from the regulons of its homologs. The differential expression of these genes depends on the growth medium, and CpsY modestly influences their expression. The GAS CpsY regulon includes known virulence factors (mntE, speB, spd, nga [spn], prtS [SpyCEP], and sse) and cell surface-associated factors of GAS (emm1, mur1.2, sibA [cdhA], and M5005_Spy0500). Intriguingly, the loss of CpsY in GAS does not result in virulence defects in murine models of infection, suggesting that CpsY function in immune evasion is specific to the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Vega
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kayla M Valdes
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ganesh S Sundar
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ashton T Belew
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Emrul Islam
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacob Berge
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrick Curry
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Chen
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Najib M El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Yoann Le Breton
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin S McIver
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Turner AG, Ong CLY, Walker MJ, Djoko KY, McEwan AG. Transition Metal Homeostasis in Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Adv Microb Physiol 2017; 70:123-191. [PMID: 28528647 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Trace metals such as Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu are essential for various biological functions including proper innate immune function. The host immune system has complicated and coordinated mechanisms in place to either starve and/or overload invading pathogens with various metals to combat the infection. Here, we discuss the roles of Fe, Mn and Zn in terms of nutritional immunity, and also the roles of Cu and Zn in metal overload in relation to the physiology and pathogenesis of two human streptococcal species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. S. pneumoniae is a major human pathogen that is carried asymptomatically in the nasopharynx by up to 70% of the population; however, transition to internal sites can cause a range of diseases such as pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis and bacteraemia. S. pyogenes is a human pathogen responsible for diseases ranging from pharyngitis and impetigo, to severe invasive infections. Both species have overlapping capacity with respect to metal acquisition, export and regulation and how metal homeostasis relates to their virulence and ability to invade and survive within the host. It is becoming more apparent that metals have an important role to play in the control of infection, and with further investigations, it could lead to the potential use of metals in novel antimicrobial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Turner
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Cheryl-Lynn Y Ong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karrera Y Djoko
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alastair G McEwan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Choby JE, Skaar EP. Heme Synthesis and Acquisition in Bacterial Pathogens. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:3408-28. [PMID: 27019298 PMCID: PMC5125930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens require the iron-containing cofactor heme to cause disease. Heme is essential to the function of hemoproteins, which are involved in energy generation by the electron transport chain, detoxification of host immune effectors, and other processes. During infection, bacterial pathogens must synthesize heme or acquire heme from the host; however, host heme is sequestered in high-affinity hemoproteins. Pathogens have evolved elaborate strategies to acquire heme from host sources, particularly hemoglobin, and both heme acquisition and synthesis are important for pathogenesis. Paradoxically, excess heme is toxic to bacteria and pathogens must rely on heme detoxification strategies. Heme is a key nutrient in the struggle for survival between host and pathogen, and its study has offered significant insight into the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E Choby
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Brouwer S, Barnett TC, Rivera-Hernandez T, Rohde M, Walker MJ. Streptococcus pyogenes adhesion and colonization. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3739-3757. [PMID: 27312939 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a human-adapted pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of disease. GAS can cause relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat or impetigo, and less frequent but severe life-threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. GAS is an important public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main route of GAS transmission between humans is through close or direct physical contact, and particularly via respiratory droplets. The upper respiratory tract and skin are major reservoirs for GAS infections. The ability of GAS to establish an infection in the new host at these anatomical sites primarily results from two distinct physiological processes, namely bacterial adhesion and colonization. These fundamental aspects of pathogenesis rely upon a variety of GAS virulence factors, which are usually under strict transcriptional regulation. Considerable progress has been made in better understanding these initial infection steps. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of GAS adhesion and colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Brouwer
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Timothy C Barnett
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Tania Rivera-Hernandez
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre For Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark J Walker
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
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20
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Sachla AJ, Ouattara M, Romero E, Agniswamy J, Weber IT, Gadda G, Eichenbaum Z. In vitro heme biotransformation by the HupZ enzyme from Group A streptococcus. Biometals 2016; 29:593-609. [PMID: 27154580 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-016-9937-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In Group A streptococcus (GAS), the metallorepressor MtsR regulates iron homeostasis. Here we describe a new MtsR-repressed gene, which we named hupZ (heme utilization protein). A recombinant HupZ protein was purified bound to heme from Escherichia coli grown in the presence of 5-aminolevulinic acid and iron. HupZ specifically binds heme with stoichiometry of 1:1. The addition of NADPH to heme-bound HupZ (in the presence of cytochrome P450 reductase, NADPH-regeneration system and catalase) triggered progressive decrease of the HupZ Soret band and the appearance of an absorption peak at 660 nm that was resistance to hydrolytic conditions. No spectral changes were observed when ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase were used as redox partners. Differential spectroscopy with myoglobin or with the ferrous chelator, ferrozine, confirmed that carbon monoxide and free iron are produced during the reaction. ApoHupZ was crystallized as a homodimer with a split β-barrel conformation in each monomer comprising six β strands and three α helices. This structure resembles the split β-barrel domain shared by the members of a recently described family of heme degrading enzymes. However, HupZ is smaller and lacks key residues found in the proteins of the latter group. Phylogenetic analysis places HupZ on a clade separated from those for previously described heme oxygenases. In summary, we have identified a new GAS enzyme-containing split β-barrel and capable of heme biotransformation in vitro; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first enzyme among Streptococcus species with such activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita J Sachla
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA
| | - Mahamoudou Ouattara
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA
| | - Elvira Romero
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA
| | - Johnson Agniswamy
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA
| | - Irene T Weber
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA.,Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Giovanni Gadda
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA.,Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Zehava Eichenbaum
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA.
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21
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Golińska E, van der Linden M, Więcek G, Mikołajczyk D, Machul A, Samet A, Piórkowska A, Dorycka M, Heczko PB, Strus M. Virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes strains from women in peri-labor with invasive infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:747-54. [PMID: 26873375 PMCID: PMC4840219 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2593-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections constitute an important epidemiological problem. Many cases occur in women during the postnatal period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of the genes responsible for production of iron-chelating protein (perR) and superantigens (speA, speB, speC, speF, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ, and ssa) in S. pyogenes strains isolated from invasive infections in women after delivery. Furthermore, this study sought to verify whether S. pyogenes strains show special phenotypic and genotypic (sla, spy1325) characteristics that may play a decisive role in adherence to the genital tract epithelium. Moreover, the emm-types and antibiotic susceptibility were determined. We tested 30 invasive S. pyogenes strains isolated from postpartum invasive infection and 37 GAS control strains isolated from the genital tracts of asymptomatic multiparous women. The majority of the tested strains were shown to express two types of emm genes (1 and 28), though emm -12, -28, -75 and -89 were uniquely expressed in the group of strains isolated from invasive infections. A significantly higher prevalence of perR in the strains from puerperal fever was shown. Significant differences were also found between the two groups with respect to the incidence of the genes related to adherence; GAS strains originating from women with sepsis/puerperal fever showed presence of these genes less frequently than those of the control group. Although differences in frequencies of the gene coding for various superantigens were noted between the compared groups of GAS strains, they were not significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Golińska
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland
| | - M van der Linden
- Institute of Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - G Więcek
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland
| | - D Mikołajczyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland
| | - A Machul
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland
| | - A Samet
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Clinical Center in Gdansk, 7 Debinki Str., 80-952, Gdansk, Poland
| | - A Piórkowska
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Clinical Center in Gdansk, 7 Debinki Str., 80-952, Gdansk, Poland
| | - M Dorycka
- Microbiological Laboratory, Diagnostics Inc., Kracow Branch, Na Skarpie 66 axis, 31-913, Kracow, Poland
| | - P B Heczko
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland
| | - M Strus
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 18 Czysta Str., 31-121, Kracow, Poland.
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CovRS-Regulated Transcriptome Analysis of a Hypervirulent M23 Strain of Group A Streptococcus pyogenes Provides New Insights into Virulence Determinants. J Bacteriol 2015. [PMID: 26216843 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00511-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The two-component control of virulence (Cov) regulator (R)-sensor (S) (CovRS) regulates the virulence of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]). Inactivation of CovS during infection switches the pathogenicity of GAS to a more invasive form by regulating transcription of diverse virulence genes via CovR. However, the manner in which CovRS controls virulence through expression of extended gene families has not been fully determined. In the current study, the CovS-regulated gene expression profiles of a hypervirulent emm23 GAS strain (M23ND/CovS negative [M23ND/CovS(-)]) and a noninvasive isogenic strain (M23ND/CovS(+)), under different growth conditions, were investigated. RNA sequencing identified altered expression of ∼ 349 genes (18% of the chromosome). The data demonstrated that M23ND/CovS(-) achieved hypervirulence by allowing enhanced expression of genes responsible for antiphagocytosis (e.g., hasABC), by abrogating expression of toxin genes (e.g., speB), and by compromising gene products with dispensable functions (e.g., sfb1). Among these genes, several (e.g., parE and parC) were not previously reported to be regulated by CovRS. Furthermore, the study revealed that CovS also modulated the expression of a broad spectrum of metabolic genes that maximized nutrient utilization and energy metabolism during growth and dissemination, where the bacteria encounter large variations in available nutrients, thus restructuring metabolism of GAS for adaption to diverse growth environments. From constructing a genome-scale metabolic model, we identified 16 nonredundant metabolic gene modules that constitute unique nutrient sources. These genes were proposed to be essential for pathogen growth and are likely associated with GAS virulence. The genome-wide prediction of genes associated with virulence identifies new candidate genes that potentially contribute to GAS virulence. IMPORTANCE The CovRS system modulates transcription of ∼ 18% of the genes in the Streptococcus pyogenes genome. Mutations that inactivate CovR or CovS enhance the virulence of this bacterium. We determined complete transcriptomes of a naturally CovS-inactivated invasive deep tissue isolate of an emm23 strain of S. pyogenes (M23ND) and its complemented avirulent variant (CovS(+)). We identified diverse virulence genes whose altered expression revealed a genetic switching of a nonvirulent form of M23ND to a highly virulent strain. Furthermore, we also systematically uncovered for the first time the comparative levels of expression of a broad spectrum of metabolic genes, which reflected different metabolic needs of the bacterium as it invaded deeper tissue of the human host.
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Abstract
We are rapidly returning to a world in which bacterial infections are a major health issue. Pathogenic bacteria are able to colonize and cause pathology due to the possession of virulence factors such as adhesins, invasins, evasins and toxins. These are generally specifically evolved proteins with selective actions. It is, therefore, surprising that most human bacterial pathogens employ moonlighting proteins as virulence factors. Currently, >90 bacterial species employ one or more moonlighting protein families to aid colonization and induce disease. These organisms employ 90 moonlighting bacterial protein families and these include enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, hexosemonophosphate shunt, glyoxylate cycle and a range of other metabolic enzymes, proteases, transporters and, also, molecular chaperones and protein-folding catalysts. These proteins have homologues in eukaryotes and only a proportion of the moonlighting proteins employed are solely bacterial in origin. Bacterial moonlighting proteins can be divided into those with single moonlighting functions and those with multiple additional biological actions. These proteins contribute significantly to the population of virulence factors employed by bacteria and some are obvious therapeutic targets. Where examined, bacterial moonlighting proteins bind to target ligands with high affinity. A major puzzle is the evolutionary mechanism(s) responsible for bacterial protein moonlighting and a growing number of highly homologous bacterial moonlighting proteins exhibit widely different moonlighting actions, suggesting a lack in our understanding of the mechanism of evolution of protein active sites.
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Copper Tolerance and Characterization of a Copper-Responsive Operon, copYAZ, in an M1T1 Clinical Strain of Streptococcus pyogenes. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:2580-92. [PMID: 26013489 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00127-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes is associated with a breadth of clinical manifestations ranging from mild pharyngitis to severe necrotizing fasciitis. Elevated levels of intracellular copper are highly toxic to this bacterium, and thus, the microbe must tightly regulate the level of this metal ion by one or more mechanisms, which have, to date, not been clearly defined. In this study, we have identified two virulence mechanisms by which S. pyogenes protects itself against copper toxicity. We defined a set of putative genes, copY (for a regulator), copA (for a P1-type ATPase), and copZ (for a copper chaperone), whose expression is regulated by copper. Our results indicate that these genes are highly conserved among a range of clinical S. pyogenes isolates. The copY, copA, and copZ genes are induced by copper and are transcribed as a single unit. Heterologous expression assays revealed that S. pyogenes CopA can confer copper tolerance in a copper-sensitive Escherichia coli mutant by preventing the accumulation of toxic levels of copper, a finding that is consistent with a role for CopA in copper export. Evaluation of the effect of copper stress on S. pyogenes in a planktonic or biofilm state revealed that biofilms may aid in protection during initial exposure to copper. However, copper stress appears to prevent the shift from the planktonic to the biofilm state. Therefore, our results indicate that S. pyogenes may use several virulence mechanisms, including altered gene expression and a transition to and from planktonic and biofilm states, to promote survival during copper stress. IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens encounter multiple stressors at the host-pathogen interface. This study evaluates a virulence mechanism(s) utilized by S. pyogenes to combat copper at sites of infection. A better understanding of pathogen tolerance to stressors such as copper is necessary to determine how host-pathogen interactions impact bacterial survival during infections. These insights may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets that can be used to address antibiotic resistance.
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Sheldon JR, Heinrichs DE. Recent developments in understanding the iron acquisition strategies of gram positive pathogens. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:592-630. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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26
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Henningham A, Döhrmann S, Nizet V, Cole JN. Mechanisms of group A Streptococcus resistance to reactive oxygen species. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:488-508. [PMID: 25670736 PMCID: PMC4487405 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuu009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), is an exclusively human Gram-positive bacterial pathogen ranked among the ‘top 10’ causes of infection-related deaths worldwide. GAS commonly causes benign and self-limiting epithelial infections (pharyngitis and impetigo), and less frequent severe invasive diseases (bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis). Annually, GAS causes 700 million infections, including 1.8 million invasive infections with a mortality rate of 25%. In order to establish an infection, GAS must counteract the oxidative stress conditions generated by the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the infection site by host immune cells such as neutrophils and monocytes. ROS are the highly reactive and toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2•−), hydroxyl radicals (OH•) and singlet oxygen (O2*), which can damage bacterial nucleic acids, proteins and cell membranes. This review summarizes the enzymatic and regulatory mechanisms utilized by GAS to thwart ROS and survive under conditions of oxidative stress. This review discusses the mechanisms utilized by the bacterial pathogen group A Streptococcus to detoxify reactive oxygen species and survive in the human host under conditions of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Henningham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA The School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia The Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Simon Döhrmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Jason N Cole
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA The School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia The Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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27
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Abstract
Gram-positive Streptococcus species are responsible for millions of cases of meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, endocarditis, erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis. Iron is essential for the growth and survival of Streptococcus in the host environment. Streptococcus species have developed various mechanisms to uptake iron from an environment with limited available iron. Streptococcus can directly extract iron from host iron-containing proteins such as ferritin, transferrin, lactoferrin and hemoproteins, or indirectly by relying on the employment of specialized secreted hemophores (heme chelators) and small siderophore molecules (high affinity ferric chelators). This review presents the most recent discoveries in the iron acquisition system of Streptococcus species - the transporters as well as the regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiguang Ge
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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28
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Henningham A, Yamaguchi M, Aziz RK, Kuipers K, Buffalo CZ, Dahesh S, Choudhury B, Van Vleet J, Yamaguchi Y, Seymour LM, Ben Zakour NL, He L, Smith HV, Grimwood K, Beatson SA, Ghosh P, Walker MJ, Nizet V, Cole JN. Mutual exclusivity of hyaluronan and hyaluronidase in invasive group A Streptococcus. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:32303-32315. [PMID: 25266727 PMCID: PMC4231703 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.602847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent analysis of group A Streptococcus (GAS) invasive infections in Australia has shown a predominance of M4 GAS, a serotype recently reported to lack the antiphagocytic hyaluronic acid (HA) capsule. Here, we use molecular genetics and bioinformatics techniques to characterize 17 clinical M4 isolates associated with invasive disease in children during this recent epidemiology. All M4 isolates lacked HA capsule, and whole genome sequence analysis of two isolates revealed the complete absence of the hasABC capsule biosynthesis operon. Conversely, M4 isolates possess a functional HA-degrading hyaluronate lyase (HylA) enzyme that is rendered nonfunctional in other GAS through a point mutation. Transformation with a plasmid expressing hasABC restored partial encapsulation in wild-type (WT) M4 GAS, and full encapsulation in an isogenic M4 mutant lacking HylA. However, partial encapsulation reduced binding to human complement regulatory protein C4BP, did not enhance survival in whole human blood, and did not increase virulence of WT M4 GAS in a mouse model of systemic infection. Bioinformatics analysis found no hasABC homologs in closely related species, suggesting that this operon was a recent acquisition. These data showcase a mutually exclusive interaction of HA capsule and active HylA among strains of this leading human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Henningham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Masaya Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ramy K Aziz
- Systems Biology Research Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cosmo Z Buffalo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Samira Dahesh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Biswa Choudhury
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Jeremy Van Vleet
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Yuka Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Lisa M Seymour
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nouri L Ben Zakour
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lingjun He
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182
| | - Helen V Smith
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Keith Grimwood
- Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia, and
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California 92123
| | - Jason N Cole
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia,.
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29
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Eichenbaum Z. The streptococcal hemoprotein receptor: a moonlighting protein or a virulence factor? Virulence 2012; 3:553-5. [PMID: 23154285 DOI: 10.4161/viru.22440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The β-hemolytic group A streptococcus (GAS) is a major pathogen that readily uses hemoglobin to satisfy its requirements for iron. The streptococcal hemoprotein receptor in GAS plays a central role in heme utilization and binds fibronectin and laminin in vitro. Shr inactivation attenuates the virulent M1T1 GAS strain in two murine infection models and reduces bacterial growth in blood and binding to laminin. Shr impact on the globally disseminated M1T1 strain underscores the importance of heme uptake in GAS pathogenesis and raises the possibility of targeting heme-uptake proteins in the development of new methods to combat GAS infections.
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