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Khan MZ, Hunt DM, Singha B, Kapoor Y, Singh NK, Prasad DVS, Dharmarajan S, Sowpati DT, de Carvalho LPS, Nandicoori VK. Divergent downstream biosynthetic pathways are supported by <sc>L</sc>-cysteine synthases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. eLife 2024; 12:RP91970. [PMID: 39207917 PMCID: PMC11361707 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis's (Mtb) autarkic lifestyle within the host involves rewiring its transcriptional networks to combat host-induced stresses. With the help of RNA sequencing performed under various stress conditions, we identified that genes belonging to Mtb sulfur metabolism pathways are significantly upregulated during oxidative stress. Using an integrated approach of microbial genetics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, animal experiments, chemical inhibition, and rescue studies, we investigated the biological role of non-canonical L-cysteine synthases, CysM and CysK2. While transcriptome signatures of RvΔcysM and RvΔcysK2 appear similar under regular growth conditions, we observed unique transcriptional signatures when subjected to oxidative stress. We followed pool size and labelling (34S) of key downstream metabolites, viz. mycothiol and ergothioneine, to monitor L-cysteine biosynthesis and utilization. This revealed the significant role of distinct L-cysteine biosynthetic routes on redox stress and homeostasis. CysM and CysK2 independently facilitate Mtb survival by alleviating host-induced redox stress, suggesting they are not fully redundant during infection. With the help of genetic mutants and chemical inhibitors, we show that CysM and CysK2 serve as unique, attractive targets for adjunct therapy to combat mycobacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehak Zahoor Khan
- National Institute of ImmunologyNew DelhiIndia
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
| | | | - Biplab Singha
- National Institute of ImmunologyNew DelhiIndia
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
| | - Yogita Kapoor
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)GhaziabadIndia
| | | | - D V Sai Prasad
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-PilaniHyderabadIndia
| | - Sriram Dharmarajan
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-PilaniHyderabadIndia
| | | | - Luiz Pedro S de Carvalho
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & TechnologyJupiterUnited States
| | - Vinay Kumar Nandicoori
- National Institute of ImmunologyNew DelhiIndia
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)GhaziabadIndia
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2
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Koper K, Han SW, Kothadia R, Salamon H, Yoshikuni Y, Maeda HA. Multisubstrate specificity shaped the complex evolution of the aminotransferase family across the tree of life. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405524121. [PMID: 38885378 PMCID: PMC11214133 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405524121] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aminotransferases (ATs) are an ancient enzyme family that play central roles in core nitrogen metabolism, essential to all organisms. However, many of the AT enzyme functions remain poorly defined, limiting our fundamental understanding of the nitrogen metabolic networks that exist in different organisms. Here, we traced the deep evolutionary history of the AT family by analyzing AT enzymes from 90 species spanning the tree of life (ToL). We found that each organism has maintained a relatively small and constant number of ATs. Mapping the distribution of ATs across the ToL uncovered that many essential AT reactions are carried out by taxon-specific AT enzymes due to wide-spread nonorthologous gene displacements. This complex evolutionary history explains the difficulty of homology-based AT functional prediction. Biochemical characterization of diverse aromatic ATs further revealed their broad substrate specificity, unlike other core metabolic enzymes that evolved to catalyze specific reactions today. Interestingly, however, we found that these AT enzymes that diverged over billion years share common signatures of multisubstrate specificity by employing different nonconserved active site residues. These findings illustrate that AT family enzymes had leveraged their inherent substrate promiscuity to maintain a small yet distinct set of multifunctional AT enzymes in different taxa. This evolutionary history of versatile ATs likely contributed to the establishment of robust and diverse nitrogen metabolic networks that exist throughout the ToL. The study provides a critical foundation to systematically determine diverse AT functions and underlying nitrogen metabolic networks across the ToL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaan Koper
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53706
| | - Sang-Woo Han
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju27478, South Korea
| | - Ramani Kothadia
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Hugh Salamon
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Yasuo Yoshikuni
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Global Center for Food, Land, and Water Resources, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan 060-8589
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo183-8538, Japan
| | - Hiroshi A. Maeda
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53706
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Guida M, Tammaro C, Quaranta M, Salvucci B, Biava M, Poce G, Consalvi S. Amino Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitors in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:725. [PMID: 38931847 PMCID: PMC11206623 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, an estimated 10.6 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2022, and 1.30 million died. A major concern is the emergence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, fueled by the length of anti-TB treatment and HIV comorbidity. Innovative anti-TB agents acting with new modes of action are the only solution to counteract the spread of resistant infections. To escape starvation and survive inside macrophages, Mtb has evolved to become independent of the host by synthesizing its own amino acids. Therefore, targeting amino acid biosynthesis could subvert the ability of the mycobacterium to evade the host immune system, providing innovative avenues for drug discovery. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the most recent progress in the discovery of amino acid biosynthesis inhibitors. Among the hits discovered over the past five years, tryptophan (Trp) inhibitors stand out as the most advanced and have significantly contributed to demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for future TB drug discovery. Future efforts should be directed at prioritizing the chemical optimization of these hits to enrich the TB drug pipeline with high-quality leads.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (C.T.); (M.Q.); (B.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara Consalvi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (C.T.); (M.Q.); (B.S.); (M.B.)
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4
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Block AM, Wiegert PC, Namugenyi SB, Tischler AD. Transposon sequencing reveals metabolic pathways essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011663. [PMID: 38498580 PMCID: PMC10977890 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
New drugs are needed to shorten and simplify treatment of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Metabolic pathways that M. tuberculosis requires for growth or survival during infection represent potential targets for anti-tubercular drug development. Genes and metabolic pathways essential for M. tuberculosis growth in standard laboratory culture conditions have been defined by genome-wide genetic screens. However, whether M. tuberculosis requires these essential genes during infection has not been comprehensively explored because mutant strains cannot be generated using standard methods. Here we show that M. tuberculosis requires the phenylalanine (Phe) and de novo purine and thiamine biosynthetic pathways for mammalian infection. We used a defined collection of M. tuberculosis transposon (Tn) mutants in essential genes, which we generated using a custom nutrient-rich medium, and transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) to identify multiple central metabolic pathways required for fitness in a mouse infection model. We confirmed by individual retesting and complementation that mutations in pheA (Phe biosynthesis) or purF (purine and thiamine biosynthesis) cause death of M. tuberculosis in the absence of nutrient supplementation in vitro and strong attenuation in infected mice. Our findings show that Tn-seq with defined Tn mutant pools can be used to identify M. tuberculosis genes required during mouse lung infection. Our results also demonstrate that M. tuberculosis requires Phe and purine/thiamine biosynthesis for survival in the host, implicating these metabolic pathways as prime targets for the development of new antibiotics to combat tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha M. Block
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Parker C. Wiegert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Sarah B. Namugenyi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Anna D. Tischler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Liu Y, Zhang J, Leng G, Hu J, Wang W, Deng G, Ma Y, Sha S. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1987 protein attenuates inflammatory response and consequently alters microbiota in mouse lung. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1256866. [PMID: 38029253 PMCID: PMC10646435 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1256866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Healthy lung microbiota plays an important role in preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections by activating immune cells and stimulating production of T-helper cell type 1 cytokines. The dynamic stability of lung microbiota relies mostly on lung homeostasis. In our previous studies, we found that Mtb virulence factor, Rv1987 protein, can mediate host immune response and enhance mycobacterial survival in host lung. However, the alteration of lung microbiota and the contribution of lung microbiota dysbiosis to mycobacterial evasion in this process are not clear so far. Methods M. smegmatis which does not contain the ortholog of Rv1987 protein was selected as a model strain to study the effects of Rv1987 on host lung microbiota. The lung microbiota, immune state and metabolites of mice infected by M. smegmatis overexpressing Rv1987 protein (MS1987) were detected and analyzed. Results The results showed that Rv1987 inhibited inflammatory response in mouse lung and anaerobic bacteria and Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota and Acidobacteriota bacteria were enriched in the lung tissues correspondingly. The immune alterations and microbiota dysbiosis affected host metabolic profiles, and some of significantly altered bacteria in MS1987-infected mouse lung, such as Delftia acidovorans, Ralstonia pickettii and Escherichia coli, led to anti-inflammatory responses in mouse lung. The secretory metabolites of these altered bacteria also influenced mycobacterial growth and biofilm formation directly. Conclusion All these results suggested that Rv1987 can attenuate inflammatory response and alter microbiota in the lung, which in turn facilitates mycobacterial survival in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Guangxian Leng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Junxing Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenzhen Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Guoying Deng
- Department of Microbiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yufang Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Department of Microbiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Shanshan Sha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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6
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Xu Y, Ma S, Huang Z, Wang L, Raza SHA, Wang Z. Nitrogen metabolism in mycobacteria: the key genes and targeted antimicrobials. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1149041. [PMID: 37275154 PMCID: PMC10232911 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1149041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen metabolism is an important physiological process that affects the survival and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis's utilization of nitrogen in the environment and its adaptation to the harsh environment of acid and low oxygen in macrophages are closely related to nitrogen metabolism. In addition, the dormancy state and drug resistance of M. tuberculosis are closely related to nitrogen metabolism. Although nitrogen metabolism is so important, limited research was performed on nitrogen metabolism as compared with carbon metabolism. M. tuberculosis can use a variety of inorganic or organic nitrogen sources, including ammonium salts, nitrate, glutamine, asparagine, etc. In these metabolic pathways, some enzymes encoded by key genes, such as GlnA1, AnsP2, etc, play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of TB. Although various small molecule inhibitors and drugs have been developed for different nitrogen metabolism processes, however, long-term validation is needed before their practical application. Most importantly, with the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, eradication, and control of M. tuberculosis will still be very challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Xu
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiwei Ma
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixin Huang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Longlong Wang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sayed Haidar Abbas Raza
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Nation-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Machining and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Li Q, Zhang H, Song Y, Wang M, Hua C, Li Y, Chen S, Dixon R, Li J. Alanine synthesized by alanine dehydrogenase enables ammonium-tolerant nitrogen fixation in Paenibacillus sabinae T27. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2215855119. [PMID: 36459643 PMCID: PMC9894248 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215855119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Most diazotrophs fix nitrogen only under nitrogen-limiting conditions, for example, in the presence of relatively low concentrations of NH4+ (0 to 2 mM). However, Paenibacillus sabinae T27 exhibits an unusual pattern of nitrogen regulation of nitrogen fixation, since although nitrogenase activities are high under nitrogen-limiting conditions (0 to 3 mM NH4+) and are repressed under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency (4 to 30 mM NH4+), nitrogenase activity is reestablished when very high levels of NH4+ (30 to 300 mM) are present in the medium. To further understand this pattern of nitrogen fixation regulation, we carried out transcriptome analyses of P. sabinae T27 in response to increasing ammonium concentrations. As anticipated, the nif genes were highly expressed, either in the absence of fixed nitrogen or in the presence of a high concentration of NH4+ (100 mM), but were subject to negative feedback regulation at an intermediate concentration of NH4+ (10 mM). Among the differentially expressed genes, ald1, encoding alanine dehydrogenase (ADH1), was highly expressed in the presence of a high level of NH4+ (100 mM). Mutation and complementation experiments revealed that ald1 is required for nitrogen fixation at high ammonium concentrations. We demonstrate that alanine, synthesized by ADH1 from pyruvate and NH4+, inhibits GS activity, leading to a low intracellular glutamine concentration that prevents feedback inhibition of GS and mimics nitrogen limitation, enabling activation of nif transcription by the nitrogen-responsive regulator GlnR in the presence of high levels of extracellular ammonium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Song
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chongchong Hua
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yashi Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sanfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ray Dixon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, NorwichNR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Jilun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing100193, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Parbhoo T, Mouton JM, Sampson SL. Phenotypic adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to host-associated stressors that induce persister formation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:956607. [PMID: 36237425 PMCID: PMC9551238 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.956607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis exhibits a remarkable ability to interfere with the host antimicrobial response. The pathogen exploits elaborate strategies to cope with diverse host-induced stressors by modulating its metabolism and physiological state to prolong survival and promote persistence in host tissues. Elucidating the adaptive strategies that M. tuberculosis employs during infection to enhance persistence is crucial to understanding how varying physiological states may differentially drive disease progression for effective management of these populations. To improve our understanding of the phenotypic adaptation of M. tuberculosis, we review the adaptive strategies employed by M. tuberculosis to sense and coordinate a physiological response following exposure to various host-associated stressors. We further highlight the use of animal models that can be exploited to replicate and investigate different aspects of the human response to infection, to elucidate the impact of the host environment and bacterial adaptive strategies contributing to the recalcitrance of infection.
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9
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Gibson AJ, Stiens J, Passmore IJ, Faulkner V, Miculob J, Willcocks S, Coad M, Berg S, Werling D, Wren BW, Nobeli I, Villarreal-Ramos B, Kendall SL. Defining the Genes Required for Survival of Mycobacterium bovis in the Bovine Host Offers Novel Insights into the Genetic Basis of Survival of Pathogenic Mycobacteria. mBio 2022; 13:e0067222. [PMID: 35862770 PMCID: PMC9426507 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00672-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis has severe impacts on both humans and animals. Understanding the genetic basis of survival of both Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the human-adapted species, and Mycobacterium bovis, the animal-adapted species, is crucial to deciphering the biology of both pathogens. There are several studies that identify the genes required for survival of M. tuberculosis in vivo using mouse models; however, there are currently no studies probing the genetic basis of survival of M. bovis in vivo. In this study, we utilize transposon insertion sequencing in M. bovis AF2122/97 to determine the genes required for survival in cattle. We identify genes encoding established mycobacterial virulence functions such as the ESX-1 secretion system, phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) synthesis, mycobactin synthesis, and cholesterol catabolism that are required in vivo. We show that, as in M. tuberculosis H37Rv, phoPR is required by M. bovis AF2122/97 in vivo despite the known defect in signaling through this system. Comparison to studies performed in species that are able to use carbohydrates as an energy source, such as M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis, suggests that there are differences in the requirement for genes involved in cholesterol import (mce4 operon) and oxidation (hsd). We report a good correlation with existing mycobacterial virulence functions but also find several novel virulence factors, including genes involved in protein mannosylation, aspartate metabolism, and glycerol-phosphate metabolism. These findings further extend our knowledge of the genetic basis of survival in vivo in bacteria that cause tuberculosis and provide insight for the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics. IMPORTANCE This is the first report of the genetic requirements of an animal-adapted member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in a natural host. M. bovis has devastating impacts on cattle, and bovine tuberculosis is a considerable economic, animal welfare, and public health concern. The data highlight the importance of mycobacterial cholesterol catabolism and identify several new virulence factors. Additionally, the work informs the development of novel differential diagnostics and therapeutics for TB in both human and animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Gibson
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Stiens
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian J. Passmore
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valwynne Faulkner
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Josephous Miculob
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Willcocks
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Coad
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Berg
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Werling
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan W. Wren
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Nobeli
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sharon L. Kendall
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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10
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Craggs PD, de Carvalho LPS. Bottlenecks and opportunities in antibiotic discovery against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 69:102191. [PMID: 35970040 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) persists as a major global health issue and a leading cause of death by a single infectious agent. The global burden of TB is further exacerbated by the continuing emergence and dissemination of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to multiple antibiotics. The need for novel drugs that can be used to shorten the course for current TB drug regimens as well as combat the persistent threat of antibiotic resistance has never been greater. There have been significant advances in the discovery of de novo TB treatments, with the first TB-specific drugs in 45 years approved for use. However, there are still issues that restrict the pipeline of new antitubercular chemotherapies. The rate of failure of TB drug candidates in clinical trials remains high, while the validation of new TB drug targets and subsequent identification of novel inhibitors remains modest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Craggs
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom; GSK-Francis Crick Institute Linklabs, Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz Pedro S de Carvalho
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom.
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11
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Krysenko S, Wohlleben W. Polyamine and Ethanolamine Metabolism in Bacteria as an Important Component of Nitrogen Assimilation for Survival and Pathogenicity. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:40. [PMID: 35997332 PMCID: PMC9397018 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10030040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential element required for bacterial growth. It serves as a building block for the biosynthesis of macromolecules and provides precursors for secondary metabolites. Bacteria have developed the ability to use various nitrogen sources and possess two enzyme systems for nitrogen assimilation involving glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase. Microorganisms living in habitats with changeable availability of nutrients have developed strategies to survive under nitrogen limitation. One adaptation is the ability to acquire nitrogen from alternative sources including the polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine, as well as the monoamine ethanolamine. Bacterial polyamine and monoamine metabolism is not only important under low nitrogen availability, but it is also required to survive under high concentrations of these compounds. Such conditions can occur in diverse habitats such as soil, plant tissues and human cells. Strategies of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria to survive in the presence of poly- and monoamines offer the possibility to combat pathogens by using their capability to metabolize polyamines as an antibiotic drug target. This work aims to summarize the knowledge on poly- and monoamine metabolism in bacteria and its role in nitrogen metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergii Krysenko
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Cluster of Excellence ‘Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections’, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wohlleben
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Cluster of Excellence ‘Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections’, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and are increasing in prevalence. Host risk factors for NTM infection in CF are largely unknown. We hypothesize that the airway microbiota represents a host risk factor for NTM infection. In this study, 69 sputum samples were collected from 59 people with CF; 42 samples from 32 subjects with NTM infection (14 samples collected before incident NTM infection and 28 samples collected following incident NTM infection) were compared to 27 samples from 27 subjects without NTM infection. Sputum samples were analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics. A supervised classification and correlation analysis framework (sparse partial least-squares discriminant analysis [sPLS-DA]) was used to identify correlations between the microbial and metabolomic profiles of the NTM cases compared to the NTM-negative controls. Several metabolites significantly differed in the NTM cases compared to controls, including decreased levels of tryptophan-associated and branched-chain amino acid metabolites, while compounds involved in phospholipid metabolism displayed increased levels. When the metabolome and microbiome data were integrated by sPLS-DA, the models and component ordinations showed separation between the NTM and control samples. While this study could not determine if the observed differences in sputum metabolites between the cohorts reflect metabolic changes that occurred as a result of the NTM infection or metabolic features that contributed to NTM acquisition, it is hypothesis generating for future work to investigate host and bacterial community factors that may contribute to NTM infection risk in CF. IMPORTANCE Host risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are largely unclear. The goal of this study was to help identify potential host and bacterial community risk factors for NTM infection in people with CF, using microbiome and metabolome data from CF sputum samples. The data obtained in this study identified several metabolic profile differences in sputum associated with NTM infection in CF, including 2-methylcitrate/homocitrate and selected ceramides. These findings represent potential risk factors and therapeutic targets for preventing and/or treating NTM infections in people with CF.
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In Silico Drug Discovery Strategies Identified ADMET Properties of Decoquinate RMB041 and Its Potential Drug Targets against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0231521. [PMID: 35352998 PMCID: PMC9045315 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02315-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly adaptive cellular response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to various antibiotics and the high costs for clinical trials, hampers the development of novel antimicrobial agents with improved efficacy and safety. Subsequently, in silico drug screening methods are more commonly being used for the discovery and development of drugs, and have been proven useful for predicting the pharmacokinetics, toxicities, and targets, of prospective new antimicrobial agents. In this investigation we used a reversed target fishing approach to determine potential hit targets and their possible interactions between M. tuberculosis and decoquinate RMB041, a propitious new antituberculosis compound. Two of the 13 identified targets, Cyp130 and BlaI, were strongly proposed as optimal drug-targets for dormant M. tuberculosis, of which the first showed the highest comparative binding affinity to decoquinate RMB041. The metabolic pathways associated with the selected target proteins were compared to previously published molecular mechanisms of decoquinate RMB041 against M. tuberculosis, whereby we confirmed disrupted metabolism of proteins, cell wall components, and DNA. We also described the steps within these pathways that are inhibited and elaborated on decoquinate RMB041’s activity against dormant M. tuberculosis. This compound has previously showed promising in vitro safety and good oral bioavailability, which were both supported by this in silico study. The pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity of this compound were predicted and investigated using the online tools pkCSM and SwissADME, and Discovery Studio software, which furthermore supports previous safety and bioavailability characteristics of decoquinate RMB041 for use as an antimycobacterial medication. IMPORTANCE This article elaborates on the mechanism of action of a novel antibiotic compound against both, active and dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and describes its pharmacokinetics (including oral bioavailability and toxicity). Information provided in this article serves useful during the search for drugs that shorten the treatment regimen for Tuberculosis and cause minimal adverse effects.
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14
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Chen X, Ye J, Lei H, Wang C. Novel Potential Diagnostic Serum Biomarkers of Metabolomics in Osteoarticular Tuberculosis Patients: A Preliminary Study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:827528. [PMID: 35402287 PMCID: PMC8992656 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.827528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarticular tuberculosis is one of the extrapulmonary tuberculosis, which is mainly caused by direct infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or secondary infection of tuberculosis in other parts. Due to the low specificity of the current detection method, it is leading to a high misdiagnosis rate and subsequently affecting the follow-up treatment and prognosis. Metabolomics is mainly used to study the changes of the body’s metabolites in different states, so it can serve as an important means in the discovery of disease-related metabolic biomarkers and the corresponding mechanism research. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to detect and analyze metabolites in the serum with osteoarticular tuberculosis patients, disease controls, and healthy controls to find novel metabolic biomarkers that could be used in the diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis. Our results showed that 68 differential metabolites (p<0.05, fold change>1.0) were obtained in osteoarticular tuberculosis serum after statistical analysis. Then, through the evaluation of diagnostic efficacy, PC[o-16:1(9Z)/18:0], PC[20:4(8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/18:0], PC[18:0/22:5(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z)], SM(d18:1/20:0), and SM[d18:1/18:1(11Z)] were found as potential biomarkers with high diagnostic efficacy. Using bioinformatics analysis, we further found that these metabolites share many lipid metabolic signaling pathways, such as choline metabolism, sphingolipid signaling, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism; these results suggest that lipid metabolism plays an important role in the pathological process of tuberculosis. This study can provide certain reference value for the study of metabolic biomarkers of osteoarticular tuberculosis and the mechanism of lipid metabolism in osteoarticular tuberculosis and even other tuberculosis diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximeng Chen
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyun Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Lei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chengbin Wang, ; Hong Lei,
| | - Chengbin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chengbin Wang, ; Hong Lei,
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15
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López-Agudelo VA, Baena A, Barrera V, Cabarcas F, Alzate JF, Beste DJV, Ríos-Estepa R, Barrera LF. Dual RNA Sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Human Splenic Macrophages Reveals a Strain-Dependent Host-Pathogen Response to Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031803. [PMID: 35163725 PMCID: PMC8836425 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), leading to pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, whereby Mtb is disseminated to many other organs and tissues. Dissemination occurs early during the disease, and bacteria can be found first in the lymph nodes adjacent to the lungs and then later in the extrapulmonary organs, including the spleen. The early global gene expression response of human tissue macrophages and intracellular clinical isolates of Mtb has been poorly studied. Using dual RNA-seq, we have explored the mRNA profiles of two closely related clinical strains of the Latin American and Mediterranean (LAM) family of Mtb in infected human splenic macrophages (hSMs). This work shows that these pathogens mediate a distinct host response despite their genetic similarity. Using a genome-scale host–pathogen metabolic reconstruction to analyze the data further, we highlight that the infecting Mtb strain also determines the metabolic response of both the host and pathogen. Thus, macrophage ontogeny and the genetic-derived program of Mtb direct the host–pathogen interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor A. López-Agudelo
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia; (V.A.L.-A.); (A.B.)
- Grupo de Bioprocesos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Andres Baena
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia; (V.A.L.-A.); (A.B.)
| | - Vianey Barrera
- Programa de Ingeniería Biológica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellín, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Felipe Cabarcas
- Grupo Sistemas Embebidos e Inteligencia Computacional (SISTEMIC), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica (CNSG), Sede de Investigación Universitaria (SIU), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Dany J. V. Beste
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;
| | - Rigoberto Ríos-Estepa
- Grupo de Bioprocesos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Luis F. Barrera
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia; (V.A.L.-A.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence:
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16
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Apiyo D, Mouton JM, Louw C, Sampson SL, Louw TM. Dynamic mathematical model development and validation of in vitro Mycobacterium smegmatis growth under nutrient- and pH-stress. J Theor Biol 2022; 532:110921. [PMID: 34582827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110921] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis can exist within a host for lengthy periods, tolerating even antibiotic challenge. This non-heritable, antibiotic tolerant "persister" state, is thought to underlie latent Tuberculosis (TB) infection and a deeper understanding thereof could inform treatment strategies. In addition to experimental studies, mathematical and computational modelling approaches are widely employed to study persistence from both an in vivo and in vitro perspective. However, specialized models (partial differential equations, agent-based, multiscale, etc.) rely on several difficult to determine parameters. In this study, a dynamic mathematical model was developed to predict the response of Mycobacterium smegmatis (a model organism for M. tuberculosis) grown in batch culture and subjected to a range of in vitro environmental stresses. Lag phase dynamics, pH variations and internal nitrogen storage were mechanistically modelled. Experimental results were used to train model parameters using global optimization, with extensive subsequent model validation to ensure extensibility to more complex modelling frameworks. This included an identifiability analysis which indicated that seven of the thirteen model parameters were uniquely identifiable. Non-identifiable parameters were critically evaluated. Model predictions compared to validation data (based on experimental results not used during training) were accurate with less than 16% maximum absolute percentage error, indicating that the model is accurate even when extrapolating to new experimental conditions. The bulk growth model can be extended to spatially heterogeneous simulations such as an agent-based model to simulate in vitro granuloma models or, eventually, in vivo conditions, where distributed environmental conditions are difficult to measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Apiyo
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - J M Mouton
- Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation (DSI/NRF) Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Louw
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - S L Sampson
- Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation (DSI/NRF) Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - T M Louw
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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17
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Borah K, Xu Y, McFadden J. Dissecting Host-Pathogen Interactions in TB Using Systems-Based Omic Approaches. Front Immunol 2021; 12:762315. [PMID: 34795672 PMCID: PMC8593131 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.762315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infectious disease that kills over a million people every year. There is an increasing burden of multi drug resistance (MDR) and extensively drug resistance (XDR) TB. New and improved therapies are urgently needed to overcome the limitations of current treatment. The causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most successful pathogens that can manipulate host cell environment for adaptation, evading immune defences, virulence, and pathogenesis of TB infection. Host-pathogen interaction is important to establish infection and it involves a complex set of processes. Metabolic cross talk between the host and pathogen is a facet of TB infection and has been an important topic of research where there is growing interest in developing therapies and drugs that target these interactions and metabolism of the pathogen in the host. Mtb scavenges multiple nutrient sources from the host and has adapted its metabolism to survive in the intracellular niche. Advancements in systems-based omic technologies have been successful to unravel host-pathogen interactions in TB. In this review we discuss the application and usefulness of omics in TB research that provides promising interventions for developing anti-TB therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Borah
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Johnjoe McFadden
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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18
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Sakallioglu IT, Barletta RG, Dussault PH, Powers R. Deciphering the mechanism of action of antitubercular compounds with metabolomics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4284-4299. [PMID: 34429848 PMCID: PMC8358470 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), one of the oldest and deadliest bacterial diseases, continues to cause serious global economic, health, and social problems. Current TB treatments are lengthy, expensive, and routinely ineffective against emerging drug resistant strains. Thus, there is an urgent need for the identification and development of novel TB drugs possessing comprehensive and specific mechanisms of action (MoAs). Metabolomics is a valuable approach to elucidating the MoA, toxicity, and potency of promising chemical leads, which is a critical step of the drug discovery process. Recent advances in metabolomics methodologies for deciphering MoAs include high-throughput screening techniques, the integration of multiple omics methods, mass spectrometry imaging, and software for automated analysis. This review describes recently introduced metabolomics methodologies and techniques for drug discovery, highlighting specific applications to the discovery of new antitubercular drugs and the elucidation of their MoAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isin T. Sakallioglu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, USA
| | - Raúl G. Barletta
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0905, USA
| | - Patrick H. Dussault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, USA
| | - Robert Powers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, USA
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19
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von Rosen T, Keller LM, Weber-Ban E. Survival in Hostile Conditions: Pupylation and the Proteasome in Actinobacterial Stress Response Pathways. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:685757. [PMID: 34179091 PMCID: PMC8223512 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.685757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria employ a multitude of strategies to cope with the challenges they face in their natural surroundings, be it as pathogens, commensals or free-living species in rapidly changing environments like soil. Mycobacteria and other Actinobacteria acquired proteasomal genes and evolved a post-translational, ubiquitin-like modification pathway called pupylation to support their survival under rapidly changing conditions and under stress. The proteasomal 20S core particle (20S CP) interacts with ring-shaped activators like the hexameric ATPase Mpa that recruits pupylated substrates. The proteasomal subunits, Mpa and pupylation enzymes are encoded in the so-called Pup-proteasome system (PPS) gene locus. Genes in this locus become vital for bacteria to survive during periods of stress. In the successful human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the 20S CP is essential for survival in host macrophages. Other members of the PPS and proteasomal interactors are crucial for cellular homeostasis, for example during the DNA damage response, iron and copper regulation, and heat shock. The multiple pathways that the proteasome is involved in during different stress responses suggest that the PPS plays a vital role in bacterial protein quality control and adaptation to diverse challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana von Rosen
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Ml Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eilika Weber-Ban
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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20
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Serafini A. Interplay between central carbon metabolism and metal homeostasis in mycobacteria and other human pathogens. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2021; 167. [PMID: 34080971 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial nutrition is a fundamental aspect of pathogenesis. While the host environment is in principle nutrient-rich, hosts have evolved strategies to interfere with nutrient acquisition by pathogens. In turn, pathogens have developed mechanisms to circumvent these restrictions. Changing the availability of bioavailable metal ions is a common strategy used by hosts to limit bacterial replication. Macrophages and neutrophils withhold iron, manganese, and zinc ions to starve bacteria. Alternatively, they can release manganese, zinc, and copper ions to intoxicate microorganisms. Metals are essential micronutrients and participate in catalysis, macromolecular structure, and signalling. This review summarises our current understanding of how central carbon metabolism in pathogens adapts to local fluctuations in free metal ion concentrations. We focus on the transcriptomics and proteomics data produced in studies of the iron-sparing response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, and consequently generate a hypothetical model linking trehalose accumulation, succinate secretion and substrate-level phosphorylation in iron-starved M. tuberculosis. This review also aims to highlight a large gap in our knowledge of pathogen physiology: the interplay between metal homeostasis and central carbon metabolism, two cellular processes which are usually studied separately. Integrating metabolism and metal biology would allow the discovery of new weaknesses in bacterial physiology, leading to the development of novel and improved antibacterial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Serafini
- Independent researcher 00012 Guidonia Montecelio, Rome, Italy
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21
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Knoll KE, Lindeque Z, Adeniji AA, Oosthuizen CB, Lall N, Loots DT. Elucidating the Antimycobacterial Mechanism of Action of Ciprofloxacin Using Metabolomics. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061158. [PMID: 34071153 PMCID: PMC8228629 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the interest of developing more effective and safer anti-tuberculosis drugs, we used a GCxGC-TOF-MS metabolomics research approach to investigate and compare the metabolic profiles of Mtb in the presence and absence of ciprofloxacin. The metabolites that best describe the differences between the compared groups were identified as markers characterizing the changes induced by ciprofloxacin. Malic acid was ranked as the most significantly altered metabolite marker induced by ciprofloxacin, indicative of an inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and glyoxylate cycle of Mtb. The altered fatty acid, myo-inositol, and triacylglycerol metabolism seen in this group supports previous observations of ciprofloxacin action on the Mtb cell wall. Furthermore, the altered pentose phosphate intermediates, glycerol metabolism markers, glucose accumulation, as well as the reduction in the glucogenic amino acids specifically, indicate a flux toward DNA (as well as cell wall) repair, also supporting previous findings of DNA damage caused by ciprofloxacin. This study further provides insights useful for designing network whole-system strategies for the identification of possible modes of action of various drugs and possibly adaptations by Mtb resulting in resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E. Knoll
- Department of Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Private Bag x6001, Box 269, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa; (K.E.K.); (Z.L.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Zander Lindeque
- Department of Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Private Bag x6001, Box 269, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa; (K.E.K.); (Z.L.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Adetomiwa A. Adeniji
- Department of Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Private Bag x6001, Box 269, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa; (K.E.K.); (Z.L.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Carel B. Oosthuizen
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (C.B.O.); (N.L.)
| | - Namrita Lall
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (C.B.O.); (N.L.)
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Du Toit Loots
- Department of Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Private Bag x6001, Box 269, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa; (K.E.K.); (Z.L.); (A.A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-(0)18-299-1818
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22
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Libardo MDJ, Duncombe CJ, Green SR, Wyatt PG, Thompson S, Ray PC, Ioerger TR, Oh S, Goodwin MB, Boshoff HIM, Barry CE. Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to indole 4-carboxamides occurs through alterations in drug metabolism and tryptophan biosynthesis. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1180-1191.e20. [PMID: 33765439 PMCID: PMC8379015 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan biosynthesis represents an important potential drug target for new anti-TB drugs. We identified a series of indole-4-carboxamides with potent antitubercular activity. In vitro, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) acquired resistance to these compounds through three discrete mechanisms: (1) a decrease in drug metabolism via loss-of-function mutations in the amidase that hydrolyses these carboxamides, (2) an increased biosynthetic rate of tryptophan precursors via loss of allosteric feedback inhibition of anthranilate synthase (TrpE), and (3) mutation of tryptophan synthase (TrpAB) that decreased incorporation of 4-aminoindole into 4-aminotryptophan. Thus, these indole-4-carboxamides act as prodrugs of a tryptophan antimetabolite, 4-aminoindole.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Daben J Libardo
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Caroline J Duncombe
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Simon R Green
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Stephen Thompson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Peter C Ray
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Thomas R Ioerger
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sangmi Oh
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael B Goodwin
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Helena I M Boshoff
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Clifton E Barry
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7935, South Africa.
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23
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Functional Characterization of the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Transporter from Mycobacterium smegmatis MC 2 155 Reveals Sodium-Driven GABA Transport. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00642-20. [PMID: 33288625 PMCID: PMC7847548 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00642-20] [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: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases its global health impact in humans. As there is transmission both to and from animals, the spread of the disease also increases its effects in a broad range of animal species. Characterizing the mycobacterial transporters involved in the uptake and/or catabolism of host-derived nutrients required by mycobacteria may identify novel drug targets against tuberculosis. Here, we identify and characterize a member of the amino acid-polyamine-organocation superfamily, a potential γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport protein, GabP, from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The protein was expressed to a level allowing its purification to homogeneity, and size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) analysis of the purified protein showed that it was dimeric. We showed that GabP transported γ-aminobutyric acid both in vitro and when overexpressed in E. coli. Additionally, transport was greatly reduced in the presence of β-alanine, suggesting it could be either a substrate or inhibitor of GabP. Using GabP reconstituted into proteoliposomes, we demonstrated that γ-aminobutyric acid uptake is driven by the sodium gradient and is stimulated by membrane potential. Molecular docking showed that γ-aminobutyric acid binds MsGabP, another Mycobacterium smegmatis putative GabP, and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis homologue in the same manner. This study represents the first expression, purification, and characterization of an active γ-aminobutyric acid transport protein from mycobacteria. IMPORTANCE The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases its global health impact in humans. As there is transmission both to and from animals, the spread of the disease also increases its effects in a broad range of animal species. Identifying new mycobacterial transporters will enhance our understanding of mycobacterial physiology and, furthermore, provides new drug targets. Our target protein is the gene product of msmeg_6196, annotated as GABA permease, from Mycobacterium smegmatis strain MC2 155. Our current study demonstrates it is a sodium-dependent GABA transporter that may also transport β-alanine. As GABA may well be an essential nutrient for mycobacterial metabolism inside the host, this could be an attractive target for the development of new drugs against tuberculosis.
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Fullam E, Young RJ. Physicochemical properties and Mycobacterium tuberculosis transporters: keys to efficacious antitubercular drugs? RSC Med Chem 2020; 12:43-56. [PMID: 34041481 PMCID: PMC8130550 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00265h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Securing novel, safe, and effective medicines to treat Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains an elusive goal, particularly influenced by the largely impervious Mtb envelope that limits exposure and thus efficacy of inhibitors at their cellular and periplasmic targets. The impact of physicochemical properties on pharmacokinetic parameters that govern oral absorption and exposure at sites of infection is considered alongside how these properties influence penetration of the Mtb envelope, with the likely influence of transporter proteins. The findings are discussed to benchmark current drugs and the emerging pipeline, whilst considering tactics for future rational and targeted design strategies, based around emerging data on Mtb transporters and their structures and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Fullam
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
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Albors-Vaquer A, Rizvi A, Matzapetakis M, Lamosa P, Coelho AV, Patel AB, Mande SC, Gaddam S, Pineda-Lucena A, Banerjee S, Puchades-Carrasco L. Active and prospective latent tuberculosis are associated with different metabolomic profiles: clinical potential for the identification of rapid and non-invasive biomarkers. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:1131-1139. [PMID: 32486916 PMCID: PMC7448900 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1760734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although 23% of world population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), only 5-10% manifest the disease. Individuals surely exposed to M. tb that remain asymptomatic are considered potential latent TB (LTB) cases. Such asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed individuals represent a reservoir for active TB cases. Although accurate discrimination and early treatment of patients with active TB and asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed individuals are necessary to control TB, identifying those individuals at risk of developing active TB still remains a tremendous clinical challenge. This study aimed to characterize the differences in the serum metabolic profile specifically associated to active TB infected individuals or to asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed population. Interestingly, significant changes in a specific set of metabolites were shared when comparing either asymptomatic house-hold contacts of active TB patients (HHC-TB) or active TB patients (A-TB) to clinically healthy controls (HC). Furthermore, this analysis revealed statistically significant lower serum levels of aminoacids such as alanine, lysine, glutamate and glutamine, and citrate and choline in patients with A-TB, when compared to HHC-TB. The predictive ability of these metabolic changes was also evaluated. Although further validation in independent cohorts and comparison with other pulmonary infectious diseases will be necessary to assess the clinical potential, this analysis enabled the discrimination between HHC-TB and A-TB patients with an AUC value of 0.904 (confidence interval 0.81-1.00, p-value < 0.0001). Overall, the strategy described in this work could provide a sensitive, specific, and minimally invasive method that could eventually be translated into a clinical tool for TB control.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Albors-Vaquer
- Drug Discovery Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A. Rizvi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | - S. C. Mande
- National Centre For Cell Science, Pune, India
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | - S. Gaddam
- Department of Immunology, Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Research Center, Hyderabad, India
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
| | - A. Pineda-Lucena
- Drug Discovery Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - S. Banerjee
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - L. Puchades-Carrasco
- Drug Discovery Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis Exploits Multiple Host Nitrogen Sources during Growth in Human Macrophages. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3580-3591.e4. [PMID: 31825837 PMCID: PMC6915324 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is crucial for the survival of this important pathogen in its primary human host cell, the macrophage, but little is known about the source(s) and their assimilation within this intracellular niche. Here, we have developed 15N-flux spectral ratio analysis (15N-FSRA) to explore Mtb’s nitrogen metabolism; we demonstrate that intracellular Mtb has access to multiple amino acids in the macrophage, including glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, alanine, glycine, and valine; and we identify glutamine as the predominant nitrogen donor. Each nitrogen source is uniquely assimilated into specific amino acid pools, indicating compartmentalized metabolism during intracellular growth. We have discovered that serine is not available to intracellular Mtb, and we show that a serine auxotroph is attenuated in macrophages. This work provides a systems-based tool for exploring the nitrogen metabolism of intracellular pathogens and highlights the enzyme phosphoserine transaminase as an attractive target for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis therapies. Mycobacterium tuberculosis utilizes multiple amino acids as nitrogen sources in human macrophages 15N-FSRA tool identified the intracellular nitrogen sources Glutamine is the predominant nitrogen donor for M. tuberculosis Serine biosynthesis is essential for the survival of intracellular M. tuberculosis
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Abstract
Multi-omics strategies are indispensable tools in the search for new anti-tuberculosis drugs. Omics methodologies, where the ensemble of a class of biological molecules are measured and evaluated together, enable drug discovery programs to answer two fundamental questions. Firstly, in a discovery biology approach, to find new targets in druggable pathways for target-based investigation, advancing from target to lead compound. Secondly, in a discovery chemistry approach, to identify the mode of action of lead compounds derived from high-throughput screens, progressing from compound to target. The advantage of multi-omics methodologies in both of these settings is that omics approaches are unsupervised and unbiased to a priori hypotheses, making omics useful tools to confirm drug action, reveal new insights into compound activity, and discover new avenues for inquiry. This review summarizes the application of Mycobacterium tuberculosis omics technologies to the early stages of tuberculosis antimicrobial drug discovery.
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López-Agudelo VA, Mendum TA, Laing E, Wu H, Baena A, Barrera LF, Beste DJV, Rios-Estepa R. A systematic evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genome-Scale Metabolic Networks. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007533. [PMID: 32542021 PMCID: PMC7316355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism underpins the pathogenic strategy of the causative agent of TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and therefore metabolic pathways have recently re-emerged as attractive drug targets. A powerful approach to study Mtb metabolism as a whole, rather than just individual enzymatic components, is to use a systems biology framework, such as a Genome-Scale Metabolic Network (GSMN) that allows the dynamic interactions of all the components of metabolism to be interrogated together. Several GSMNs networks have been constructed for Mtb and used to study the complex relationship between the Mtb genotype and its phenotype. However, the utility of this approach is hampered by the existence of multiple models, each with varying properties and performances. Here we systematically evaluate eight recently published metabolic models of Mtb-H37Rv to facilitate model choice. The best performing models, sMtb2018 and iEK1011, were refined and improved for use in future studies by the TB research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor A. López-Agudelo
- Grupo de Bioprocesos, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Tom A. Mendum
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Laing
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - HuiHai Wu
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Andres Baena
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Luis F. Barrera
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Dany J. V. Beste
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Rigoberto Rios-Estepa
- Grupo de Bioprocesos, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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Guallar-Garrido S, Campo-Pérez V, Sánchez-Chardi A, Luquin M, Julián E. Each Mycobacterium Requires a Specific Culture Medium Composition for Triggering an Optimized Immunomodulatory and Antitumoral Effect. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050734. [PMID: 32423030 PMCID: PMC7284523 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) remains the first treatment option for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC) patients. In research laboratories, M. bovis BCG is mainly grown in commercially available media supplemented with animal-derived agents that favor its growth, while biomass production for patient treatment is performed in Sauton medium which lacks animal-derived components. However, there is not a standardized formulation of Sauton medium, which could affect mycobacterial characteristics. Here, the impact of culture composition on the immunomodulatory and antitumor capacity of M. bovis BCG and Mycolicibacterium brumae, recently described as efficacious for BC treatment, has been addressed. Both mycobacteria grown in Middlebrook and different Sauton formulations, differing in the source of nitrogen and amount of carbon source, were studied. Our results indicate the relevance of culture medium composition on the antitumor effect triggered by mycobacteria, indicating that the most productive culture medium is not necessarily the formulation that provides the most favorable immunomodulatory profile and the highest capacity to inhibit BC cell growth. Strikingly, each mycobacterial species requires a specific culture medium composition to provide the best profile as an immunotherapeutic agent for BC treatment. Our results highlight the relevance of meticulousness in mycobacteria production, providing insight into the application of these bacteria in BC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Guallar-Garrido
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (S.G.-G.); (V.C.-P.); (M.L.)
| | - Víctor Campo-Pérez
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (S.G.-G.); (V.C.-P.); (M.L.)
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi
- Servei de Microscòpia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Luquin
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (S.G.-G.); (V.C.-P.); (M.L.)
| | - Esther Julián
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (S.G.-G.); (V.C.-P.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-93-5814870
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Aspartate aminotransferase Rv3722c governs aspartate-dependent nitrogen metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1960. [PMID: 32327655 PMCID: PMC7181641 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15876-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene rv3722c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential for in vitro growth, and encodes a putative pyridoxal phosphate-binding protein of unknown function. Here we use metabolomic, genetic and structural approaches to show that Rv3722c is the primary aspartate aminotransferase of M. tuberculosis, and mediates an essential but underrecognized role in metabolism: nitrogen distribution. Rv3722c deficiency leads to virulence attenuation in macrophages and mice. Our results identify aspartate biosynthesis and nitrogen distribution as potential species-selective drug targets in M. tuberculosis.
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Juhás M, Kučerová L, Horáček O, Janďourek O, Kubíček V, Konečná K, Kučera R, Bárta P, Janoušek J, Paterová P, Kuneš J, Doležal M, Zitko J. N-Pyrazinoyl Substituted Amino Acids as Potential Antimycobacterial Agents-The Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Enantiomers. Molecules 2020; 25:E1518. [PMID: 32230728 PMCID: PMC7181131 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), each year causing millions of deaths. In this article, we present the synthesis and biological evaluations of new potential antimycobacterial compounds containing a fragment of the first-line antitubercular drug pyrazinamide (PZA), coupled with methyl or ethyl esters of selected amino acids. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated on a variety of (myco)bacterial strains, including Mtb H37Ra, M. smegmatis, M. aurum, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungal strains, including Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. Emphasis was placed on the comparison of enantiomer activities. None of the synthesized compounds showed any significant activity against fungal strains, and their antibacterial activities were also low, the best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 31.25 µM. However, several compounds presented high activity against Mtb. Overall, higher activity was seen in derivatives containing ʟ-amino acids. Similarly, the activity seems tied to the more lipophilic compounds. The most active derivative contained phenylglycine moiety (PC-ᴅ/ʟ-Pgl-Me, MIC < 1.95 µg/mL). All active compounds possessed low cytotoxicity and good selectivity towards Mtb. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the activities of the ᴅ- and ʟ-amino acid derivatives of pyrazinamide as potential antimycobacterial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Juhás
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Lucie Kučerová
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Ondřej Horáček
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Ondřej Janďourek
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Vladimír Kubíček
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Klára Konečná
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Radim Kučera
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Pavel Bárta
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Jiří Janoušek
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Pavla Paterová
- University Hospital Hradec Králové, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
| | - Jiří Kuneš
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Martin Doležal
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Jan Zitko
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; (L.K.); (O.H.); (O.J.); (V.K.); (K.K.); (R.K.); (P.B.); (J.J.); (J.K.); (M.D.)
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Kawai Y, Mercier R, Mickiewicz K, Serafini A, Sório de Carvalho LP, Errington J. Crucial role for central carbon metabolism in the bacterial L-form switch and killing by β-lactam antibiotics. Nat Microbiol 2019; 4:1716-1726. [PMID: 31285586 PMCID: PMC6755032 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0497-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall is an essential structure for the growth of most bacteria. However, many are capable of switching into a wall-deficient L-form state, which is resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, under osmoprotective conditions, including host environments. L-form cells might have an important role in chronic or recurrent infections. Crucially, the cellular pathways involved in switching to and from the L-form state are still poorly understood. This work shows that the lack of cell wall or blocking its synthesis by β-lactam antibiotics, results in an increased flux through glycolysis. This leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the respiratory chain (RC), which prevents L-form growth. Compensation for the metabolic imbalance by slowing down glycolysis, activating gluconeogenesis, or depleting oxygen, enables L-form growth in Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. These effects do not occur in Enterococcus faecium, which lacks the RC pathway. Our results collectively show that when cell wall synthesis is blocked under aerobic and glycolytic conditions the perturbation of cellular metabolism causes cell death. We provide a mechanistic framework for many anecdotal descriptions of the optimal conditions for L-form growth and non-lytic killing by β-lactam antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikazu Kawai
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Romain Mercier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UMR 7283, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS-Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Katarzyna Mickiewicz
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Agnese Serafini
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Jeff Errington
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Mashabela GT, de Wet TJ, Warner DF. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Metabolism. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0067-2019. [PMID: 31350832 PMCID: PMC10957194 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0067-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of tuberculosis (TB), a disease which continues to overwhelm health systems in endemic regions despite the existence of effective combination chemotherapy and the widespread use of a neonatal anti-TB vaccine. For a professional pathogen, M. tuberculosis retains a surprisingly large proportion of the metabolic repertoire found in nonpathogenic mycobacteria with very different lifestyles. Moreover, evidence that additional functions were acquired during the early evolution of the M. tuberculosis complex suggests the organism has adapted (and augmented) the metabolic pathways of its environmental ancestor to persistence and propagation within its obligate human host. A better understanding of M. tuberculosis pathogenicity, however, requires the elucidation of metabolic functions under disease-relevant conditions, a challenge complicated by limited knowledge of the microenvironments occupied and nutrients accessed by bacilli during host infection, as well as the reliance in experimental mycobacteriology on a restricted number of experimental models with variable relevance to clinical disease. Here, we consider M. tuberculosis metabolism within the framework of an intimate host-pathogen coevolution. Focusing on recent advances in our understanding of mycobacterial metabolic function, we highlight unusual adaptations or departures from the better-characterized model intracellular pathogens. We also discuss the impact of these mycobacterial "innovations" on the susceptibility of M. tuberculosis to existing and experimental anti-TB drugs, as well as strategies for targeting metabolic pathways. Finally, we offer some perspectives on the key gaps in the current knowledge of fundamental mycobacterial metabolism and the lessons which might be learned from other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel T Mashabela
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Current address: Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Timothy J de Wet
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Digby F Warner
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Fieweger RA, Wilburn KM, VanderVen BC. Comparing the Metabolic Capabilities of Bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E177. [PMID: 31216777 PMCID: PMC6617402 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7060177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic mycobacteria are known for their ability to maintain persistent infections in various mammals. The canonical pathogen in this genus is Mycobacterium tuberculosis and this bacterium is particularly successful at surviving and replicating within macrophages. Here, we will highlight the metabolic processes that M. tuberculosis employs during infection in macrophages and compare these findings with what is understood for other pathogens in the M. tuberculosis complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Fieweger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
| | - Kaley M Wilburn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
| | - Brian C VanderVen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
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Agapova A, Serafini A, Petridis M, Hunt DM, Garza-Garcia A, Sohaskey CD, de Carvalho LPS. Flexible nitrogen utilisation by the metabolic generalist pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. eLife 2019; 8:e41129. [PMID: 30702426 PMCID: PMC6361586 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial metabolism is fundamental to survival and pathogenesis. We explore how Mycobacterium tuberculosis utilises amino acids as nitrogen sources, using a combination of bacterial physiology and stable isotope tracing coupled to mass spectrometry metabolomics methods. Our results define core properties of the nitrogen metabolic network from M. tuberculosis, such as: (i) the lack of homeostatic control of certain amino acid pool sizes; (ii) similar rates of utilisation of different amino acids as sole nitrogen sources; (iii) improved nitrogen utilisation from amino acids compared to ammonium; and (iv) co-metabolism of nitrogen sources. Finally, we discover that alanine dehydrogenase is involved in ammonium assimilation in M. tuberculosis, in addition to its essential role in alanine utilisation as a nitrogen source. This study represents the first in-depth analysis of nitrogen source utilisation by M. tuberculosis and reveals a flexible metabolic network with characteristics that are likely a product of evolution in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Agapova
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Agnese Serafini
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Petridis
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debbie M Hunt
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Acely Garza-Garcia
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles D Sohaskey
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, United States
| | - Luiz Pedro Sório de Carvalho
- Mycobacterial Metabolism and Antibiotic Research Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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