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Seixas AMM, Silva C, Marques JMM, Mateus P, Rodríguez-Ortega MJ, Feliciano JR, Leitão JH, Sousa SA. Surface-Exposed Protein Moieties of Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 in Microaerophilic and Aerobic Conditions. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:398. [PMID: 38675780 PMCID: PMC11054960 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex infections remain life-threatening to cystic fibrosis patients, and due to the limited eradication efficiency of current treatments, novel antimicrobial therapies are urgently needed. Surface proteins are among the best targets to develop new therapeutic strategies since they are exposed to the host's immune system. A surface-shaving approach was performed using Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 to quantitatively compare the relative abundance of surface-exposed proteins (SEPs) expressed by the bacterium when grown under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. After trypsin incubation of live bacteria and identification of resulting peptides by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, a total of 461 proteins with ≥2 unique peptides were identified. Bioinformatics analyses revealed a total of 53 proteins predicted as localized at the outer membrane (OM) or extracellularly (E). Additionally, 37 proteins were predicted as moonlight proteins with OM or E secondary localization. B-cell linear epitope bioinformatics analysis of the proteins predicted to be OM and E-localized revealed 71 SEP moieties with predicted immunogenic epitopes. The protegenicity higher scores of proteins BCAM2761, BCAS0104, BCAL0151, and BCAL0849 point out these proteins as the best antigens for vaccine development. Additionally, 10 of the OM proteins also presented a high probability of playing important roles in adhesion to host cells, making them potential targets for passive immunotherapeutic approaches. The immunoreactivity of three of the OM proteins identified was experimentally demonstrated using serum samples from cystic fibrosis patients, validating our strategy for identifying immunoreactive moieties from surface-exposed proteins of potential interest for future immunotherapies development.
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Affiliation(s)
- António M. M. Seixas
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Silva
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana M. M. Marques
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Mateus
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuel J. Rodríguez-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Excelencia Internacional CeiA3, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sílvia A. Sousa
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (J.M.M.M.); (P.M.); (J.R.F.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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Matos GR, Feliciano JR, Leitão JH. Non-coding regulatory sRNAs from bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:280. [PMID: 38563885 PMCID: PMC10987360 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13121-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in bacteria. Hundreds of sRNAs have been found using in silico genome analysis and experimentally based approaches in bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). However, and despite the hundreds of sRNAs identified so far, the number of functionally characterized sRNAs from these bacteria remains very limited. In this mini-review, we describe the general characteristics of sRNAs and the main mechanisms involved in their action as regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression, as well as the work done so far in the identification and characterization of sRNAs from Bcc. The number of functionally characterized sRNAs from Bcc is expected to increase and to add new knowledge on the biology of these bacteria, leading to novel therapeutic approaches to tackle the infections caused by these opportunistic pathogens, particularly severe among cystic fibrosis patients. KEY POINTS: •Hundreds of sRNAs have been identified in Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria (Bcc). •A few sRNAs have been functionally characterized in Bcc. •Functionally characterized Bcc sRNAs play major roles in metabolism, biofilm formation, and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo R Matos
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Leitão JH, Feliciano JR, Amdare N. Advances in Human Pathogen Control-A 21st Century Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1449. [PMID: 37766126 PMCID: PMC10537114 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new pathogens, coupled with the reemergence of old pathogens and the steep worldwide increase in multiple resistances to available antimicrobials, poses major challenges to human health at the global scale [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge H Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering (DBE), Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), The Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering (DBE), Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), The Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nitin Amdare
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Pita T, Feliciano JR, Leitão JH. Identification of Burkholderia cenocepacia non-coding RNAs expressed during Caenorhabditis elegans infection. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:3653-3671. [PMID: 37097504 PMCID: PMC10175445 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in bacteria. Despite the identification of hundreds of bacterial sRNAs, their roles on bacterial physiology and virulence remain largely unknown, as is the case of bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bcc is a group of opportunistic pathogens with relatively large genomes that can cause lethal lung infections amongst cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To characterise sRNAs expressed by Bcc bacteria when infecting a host, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an infection model by the epidemic CF strain B. cenocepacia J2315. A total of 108 new and 31 previously described sRNAs with a predicted Rho independent terminator were identified, most of them located on chromosome 1. RIT11b, a sRNA downregulated under C. elegans infection conditions, was shown to directly affect B. cenocepacia virulence, biofilm formation, and swimming motility. RIT11b overexpression reduced the expression of the direct targets dusA and pyrC, involved in biofilm formation, epithelial cell adherence, and chronic infections in other organisms. The in vitro direct interaction of RIT11b with the dusA and pyrC messengers was demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the functional characterization of a sRNA directly involved in B. cenocepacia virulence. KEY POINTS: • 139 sRNAs expressed by B. cenocepacia during C. elegans infection were identified • The sRNA RIT11b affects B. cenocepacia virulence, biofilm formation, and motility • RIT11b directly binds to and regulates dusA and pyrC mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Pita
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, and Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, and Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, and Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Costa JP, Pinheiro T, Martins MS, Carvalho MFNN, Feliciano JR, Leitão JH, Silva RAL, Guerreiro JF, Alves LMC, Custódio I, Cruz J, Marques F. Tuning the Biological Activity of Camphorimine Complexes through Metal Selection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081010. [PMID: 36009879 PMCID: PMC9405135 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytotoxic activity of four sets of camphorimine complexes based on the Cu(I), Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(I) metal sites were assessed against the cisplatin-sensitive A2780 and OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. The results showed that the gold complexes were ca. one order of magnitude more active than the silver complexes, which in turn were ca. one order of magnitude more active than the copper complexes. An important finding was that the cytotoxic activity of the Ag(I) and Au(I) camphorimine complexes was higher than that of cisplatin. Another relevant aspect was that the camphorimine complexes did not interact significantly with DNA, in contrast with cisplatin. The cytotoxic activity of the camphorimine complexes displayed a direct relationship with the cellular uptake by OVCAR3 cells, as ascertained by PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission). The levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation exhibited an inverse relationship with the reduction potentials for the complexes with the same metal, as assessed by cyclic voltammetry. In order to gain insight into the toxicity of the complexes, their cytotoxicity toward nontumoral cells (HDF and V79 fibroblasts) was evaluated. The in vivo cytotoxicity of complex 5 using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was also assessed. The silver camphorimine complexes displayed the highest selectivity coefficients (activity vs. toxicity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana P. Costa
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Teresa Pinheiro
- IBB—Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Maria S. Martins
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
- Departamento de Física, NOVA School of Science and Technology FCT NOVA, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - M. Fernanda N. N. Carvalho
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (M.F.N.N.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (J.H.L.)
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (J.H.L.)
| | - Rafaela A. L. Silva
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
| | - Joana F. Guerreiro
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
| | - Luís M. C. Alves
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
| | - Inês Custódio
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
- Departamento de Física, NOVA School of Science and Technology FCT NOVA, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - João Cruz
- Departamento de Física, NOVA School of Science and Technology FCT NOVA, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Fernanda Marques
- C2TN—Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal; (M.S.M.); (R.A.L.S.); (J.F.G.); (L.M.C.A.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.F.N.N.C.); (F.M.)
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Sousa SA, Feliciano JR, Pita T, Soeiro CF, Mendes BL, Alves LG, Leitão JH. Bacterial Nosocomial Infections: Multidrug Resistance as a Trigger for the Development of Novel Antimicrobials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10080942. [PMID: 34438992 PMCID: PMC8389044 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10080942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial bacterial infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, posing a huge burden to healthcare systems worldwide. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the raised hospitalization of patients and the increased use of antimicrobial agents, boosted the emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospital settings. Therefore, current available antibiotic treatments often have limited or no efficacy against nosocomial bacterial infections, and novel therapeutic approaches need to be considered. In this review, we analyze current antibacterial alternatives under investigation, focusing on metal-based complexes, antimicrobial peptides, and antisense antimicrobial therapeutics. The association of new compounds with older, commercially available antibiotics and the repurposing of existing drugs are also revised in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia A. Sousa
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (S.A.S.); (J.H.L.); Tel.: +351-218417688 (J.H.L.)
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Pita
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina F. Soeiro
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Beatriz L. Mendes
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luis G. Alves
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, 1049-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (S.A.S.); (J.H.L.); Tel.: +351-218417688 (J.H.L.)
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Sousa SA, Soares-Castro P, Seixas AMM, Feliciano JR, Balugas B, Barreto C, Pereira L, Santos PM, Leitão JH. New insights into the immunoproteome of B. cenocepacia J2315 using serum samples from cystic fibrosis patients. N Biotechnol 2019; 54:62-70. [PMID: 31465856 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are ubiquitous multidrug resistant organisms and opportunistic pathogens capable of causing life threatening lung infections among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. No effective therapies are currently available to eradicate Bcc bacteria from CF patients, as these organisms are inherently resistant to the majority of clinically available antimicrobials. An immunoproteomics approach was used to identify Bcc proteins that stimulate the humoral immune response of the CF host, using bacterial cells grown under conditions mimicking the CF lung environment and serum samples from CF patients with a clinical record of Bcc infection. 24 proteins of the Bcc strain B. cenocepacia J2315 were identified as immunoreactive, 19 here reported as immunogenic for the first time. Ten proteins were predicted as extracytoplasmic, 9 of them being conserved in Bcc genomes. The immunogenic Bcc extracytoplasmic proteins are potential targets for development of novel therapeutic strategies and diagnostic tools to protect patients against the onset of chronic Bcc lung infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia A Sousa
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Soares-Castro
- CBMA-Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - António M M Seixas
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bernardo Balugas
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Celeste Barreto
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pereira
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Santos
- CBMA-Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Gomes MC, Tasrini Y, Subramoni S, Agnoli K, Feliciano JR, Eberl L, Sokol P, O’Callaghan D, Vergunst AC. The afc antifungal activity cluster, which is under tight regulatory control of ShvR, is essential for transition from intracellular persistence of Burkholderia cenocepacia to acute pro-inflammatory infection. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007473. [PMID: 30513124 PMCID: PMC6301696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia is particularly life-threatening for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Chronic lung infections with these bacteria can rapidly develop into fatal pulmonary necrosis and septicaemia. We have recently shown that macrophages are a critical site for replication of B. cenocepacia K56-2 and the induction of fatal pro-inflammatory responses using a zebrafish infection model. Here, we show that ShvR, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator that is important for biofilm formation, rough colony morphotype and inflammation in a rat lung infection model, is also required for the induction of fatal pro-inflammatory responses in zebrafish larvae. ShvR was not essential, however, for bacterial survival and replication in macrophages. Temporal, rhamnose-induced restoration of shvR expression in the shvR mutant during intramacrophage stages unequivocally demonstrated a key role for ShvR in transition from intracellular persistence to acute fatal pro-inflammatory disease. ShvR has been previously shown to tightly control the expression of the adjacent afc gene cluster, which specifies the synthesis of a lipopeptide with antifungal activity. Mutation of afcE, encoding an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, has been shown to give similar phenotypes as the shvR mutant. We found that, like shvR, afcE is also critical for the switch from intracellular persistence to fatal infection in zebrafish. The closely related B. cenocepacia H111 has been shown to be less virulent than K56-2 in several infection models, including Galleria mellonella and rats. Interestingly, constitutive expression of shvR in H111 increased virulence in zebrafish larvae to almost K56-2 levels in a manner that absolutely required afc. These data confirm a critical role for afc in acute virulence caused by B. cenocepacia that depends on strain-specific regulatory control by ShvR. We propose that ShvR and AFC are important virulence factors of the more virulent Bcc species, either through pro-inflammatory effects of the lipopeptide AFC, or through AFC-dependent membrane properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yara Tasrini
- VBMI, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Nîmes, France
| | - Sujatha Subramoni
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kirsty Agnoli
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pamela Sokol
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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9
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Mesureur J, Feliciano JR, Wagner N, Gomes MC, Zhang L, Blanco-Gonzalez M, van der Vaart M, O'Callaghan D, Meijer AH, Vergunst AC. Correction: Macrophages, but not neutrophils, are critical for proliferation of Burkholderia cenocepacia and ensuing host-damaging inflammation. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006795. [PMID: 29261811 PMCID: PMC5738098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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10
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Alves LG, Pinheiro PF, Feliciano JR, Dâmaso DP, Leitão JH, Martins AM. Synthesis, antimicrobial activity and toxicity to nematodes of cyclam derivatives. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2017; 49:646-649. [PMID: 28315730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity and toxicity to nematodes of the cyclam salt [H2{H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam}](CH3COO)2⋅(CH3COOH)2 were evaluated. Estimated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 9, 261 and 15 µg/mL were obtained for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. For selected Candida spp., the estimated MICs obtained ranged from 32 µg/mL to 63 µg/mL. Bactericidal activity was demonstrated but the compound was not reliably fungicidal. Concentrations of the cyclam salt up to 32 µg/mL did not significantly affect survival of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; however, concentrations equal or above this value significantly affected nematode survival in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G Alves
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Pinheiro
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- iBB-Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Departamento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Torre Sul, Piso 6, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diana P Dâmaso
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; iBB-Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Departamento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Torre Sul, Piso 6, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- iBB-Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Departamento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Torre Sul, Piso 6, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ana M Martins
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
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11
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Sousa SA, Morad M, Feliciano JR, Pita T, Nady S, El-Hennamy RE, Abdel-Rahman M, Cavaco J, Pereira L, Barreto C, Leitão JH. The Burkholderia cenocepacia OmpA-like protein BCAL2958: identification, characterization, and detection of anti-BCAL2958 antibodies in serum from B. cepacia complex-infected Cystic Fibrosis patients. AMB Express 2016; 6:41. [PMID: 27325348 PMCID: PMC4916078 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-016-0212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infections by bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality among cystic fibrosis patients, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. In the present work we have studied the B. cenocepacia protein BCAL2958, a member of the OmpA-like family of proteins, demonstrated as highly immunogenic in other pathogens and capable of eliciting strong host immune responses. The encoding gene was cloned and the protein, produced as a 6× His-tagged derivative, was used to produce polyclonal antibodies. Bioinformatics analyses led to the identification of sequences encoding proteins with a similarity higher than 96 % to BCAL2958 in all the publicly available Bcc genomes. Furthermore, using the antibody it was experimentally demonstrated that this protein is produced by all the 12 analyzed strains from 7 Bcc species. In addition, results are also presented showing the presence of anti-BCAL2958 antibodies in sera from cystic fibrosis patients with a clinical record of respiratory infection by Bcc, and the ability of the purified protein to in vitro stimulate neutrophils. The widespread production of the protein by Bcc members, together with its ability to stimulate the immune system and the detection of circulating antibodies in patients with a documented record of Bcc infection strongly suggest that the protein is a potential candidate for usage in preventive therapies of infections by Bcc.
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12
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Abstract
Hfq has emerged in recent years as a master regulator of gene expression in bacteria, mainly due to its ability to mediate the interaction of small noncoding RNAs with their mRNA targets, including those related to virulence in Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we review current knowledge on the involvement of Hfq in the regulation of virulence traits related to secretion systems, alternative sigma factors, outer membrane proteins, polysaccharides and iron metabolism. Recent data from transcriptomics and proteomics studies performed for major pathogens are included. We also summarize and correlate current knowledge on how Hfq protein impacts pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R Feliciano
- iBB - Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Soraia I Guerreiro
- iBB - Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sílvia A Sousa
- iBB - Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- iBB - Instituto de Bioengenharia e Biociências, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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13
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Gil FN, Moreira-Santos M, Chelinho S, Pereira C, Feliciano JR, Leitão JH, Sousa JP, Ribeiro R, Viegas CA. Suitability of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based assay to assess the toxicity of pyrimethanil sprayed soils via surface runoff: comparison with standard aquatic and soil toxicity assays. Sci Total Environ 2015; 505:161-171. [PMID: 25461018 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study is aimed at evaluating whether a gene expression assay with the microbial eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be used as a suitable warning tool for the rapid preliminary screening of potential toxic effects on organisms due to scenarios of soil and water contamination with pyrimethanil. The assay consisted of measuring changes in the expression of the selected pyrimethanil-responsive genes ARG3 and ARG5,6 in a standardized yeast population. Evaluation was held by assessing the toxicity of surface runoff, a major route of pesticide exposure in aquatic systems due to non-point-source pollution, which was simulated with a pyrimethanil formulation at a semifield scale mimicking worst-case scenarios of soil contamination (e.g. accident or improper disposal). Yeast cells 2-h exposure to the runoff samples led to a significant 2-fold increase in the expression of both indicator genes. These results were compared with those from assays with organisms relevant for the aquatic and soil compartments, namely the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (reproduction), the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna (survival and reproduction), the benthic midge Chironomus riparius (growth), and the soil invertebrates Folsomia candida and Enchytraeus crypticus (survival and reproduction). Under the experimental conditions used to simulate accidental discharges into soil, runoff waters were highly toxic to the standard test organisms, except for C. elegans. Overall, results point out the usefulness of the yeast assay to provide a rapid preview of the toxicity level in preliminary screenings of environmental samples in situations of inadvertent high pesticide contamination. Advantages and limitations of this novel method are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima N Gil
- IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Matilde Moreira-Santos
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar & MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Chelinho
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar & MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Pereira
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar & MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana R Feliciano
- IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José P Sousa
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar & MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Ribeiro
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar & MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina A Viegas
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
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14
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Ramos CG, Grilo AM, Sousa SA, Feliciano JR, da Costa PJP, Leitão JH. Regulation of Hfq mRNA and protein levels in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the Burkholderia cenocepacia MtvR sRNA. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98813. [PMID: 24901988 PMCID: PMC4046987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are important players of gene expression regulation in bacterial pathogens. MtvR is a 136-nucleotide long sRNA previously identified in the human pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 and with homologues restricted to bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. In this work we have investigated the effects of expressing MtvR in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results are presented showing that MtvR negatively regulates the hfq mRNA levels in both bacterial species. In the case of E. coli, this negative regulation is shown to involve binding of MtvR to the 5′-UTR region of the hfqEc mRNA. Results presented also show that expression of MtvR in E. coli and P. aeruginosa originates multiple phenotypes, including reduced resistance to selected stresses, biofilm formation ability, and increased susceptibility to various antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian G. Ramos
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André M. Grilo
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sílvia A. Sousa
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo J. P. da Costa
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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15
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Sousa SA, Feliciano JR, Pinheiro PF, Leitão JH. Biochemical and functional studies on the Burkholderia cepacia complex bceN gene, encoding a GDP-D-mannose 4,6-dehydratase. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56902. [PMID: 23460819 PMCID: PMC3584063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This work reports the biochemical and functional analysis of the Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 bceN gene, encoding a protein with GDP-D-mannose 4,6-dehydratase enzyme activity (E.C.4.2.1.47). Data presented indicate that the protein is active when in the tetrameric form, catalyzing the conversion of GDP-D-mannose into GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-mannose. This sugar nucleotide is the intermediary necessary for the biosynthesis of GDP-D-rhamnose, one of the sugar residues of cepacian, the major exopolysaccharide produced by environmental and human, animal and plant pathogenic isolates of the Burkholderia cepacia complex species. Vmax and Km values of 1.5±0.2 µmol.min−1.mg−1 and 1024±123 µM, respectively, were obtained from the kinetic characterization of the B. cenocepacia J2315 BceN protein by NMR spectroscopy, at 25°C and in the presence of 1 mol MgCl2 per mol of protein. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by the substrate, with an estimated Ki of 2913±350 µM. The lack of a functional bceN gene in a mutant derived from B. cepacia IST408 slightly reduced cepacian production. However, in the B. multivorans ATCC17616 with bceN as the single gene in its genome with predicted GMD activity, a bceN mutant did not produce cepacian, indicating that this gene product is required for cepacian biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia A. Sousa
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Pinheiro
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Bioenginneering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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