Novel shuttle plasmid vehicles for Escherichia-Streptococcus transgeneric cloning

Cnm of Streptococcus mutans is important for cell surface structure and membrane permeability

Streptococcus mutans, a Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium, is a major pathogen of dental caries. The protein Cnm of S. mutans is involved in collagen binding, but its other biological functions are unknown. In this study, a Cnm-deficient isogenic mutant and a complementation strain were generated from a Cnm-positive S. mutans strain to help determine the properties of Cnm. Initially, comparison of the cell surface structure was performed by electron microscopy, which demonstrated that Cnm appears to be localized on the cell surface and associated with a protruding cell surface structure. Deep RNA sequencing of the strains revealed that the defect in Cnm caused upregulated expression of many genes related to ABC transporters and cell-surface proteins, while a few genes were downregulated. The amount of biofilm formed by the Cnm-defective strain increased compared with the parental and complemented strains, but the biofilm structure was thinner because of elevated expression of genes encoding glucan synthesis enzymes, leading to increased production of extracellular polysaccharides. Particular antibiotics, including bacitracin and chloramphenicol, had a lower minimum inhibitory concentration for the Cnm-defective strain than particular antibiotics, including bacitracin and chloramphenicol, compared with the parental and complemented strains. Our results suggest that S. mutans Cnm is located on the cell surface, gives rise to the observed protruding cell surface, and is associated with several biological properties related to membrane permeability.

Streptococcus gordonii Poised for Glycan Feeding through a MUC5B-Discriminating, Lipoteichoic Acid-Mediated Outside-In Signaling Circuit

Many oral bacteria employ cell wall-anchored adhesins to bind to the salivary films coating the teeth and mucosal surfaces. Surface binding prevents clearance and facilitates catabolism of salivary film glycoproteins. We asked whether Streptococcus gordonii adhesin expression changes in response to surface salivary cues using a eukaryote-like, outside-in recognition and signaling circuit. To determine whether the cues were discriminated, S. gordonii was tested during cell adhesion and biofilm formation on a MUC5B-rich or lower-molecular-mass salivary fraction or an uncoated abiotic surface. Cells were recovered and analyzed for differences in gene expression and proteins in cell wall fractions. In salivary-free conditions, planktonic S. gordonii presented three prominent cell wall LPXTG-motif proteins, SGO_1487, SGO_0890, and MbpA (mucin-binding protein A; SGO_0707). During biofilm formation on MUC5B-coated surfaces, MbpA, a MUC5B-binding protein, and key genes in the tagatose and quorum-sensing pathways were strongly promoted. The response to MUC5B required the two-component system (TCS), streptococcal regulator of adhesins sensor and regulator (SraSR, SGO_1180/81), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and the homologous paired adhesins, SspA and SspB (SspAB). LTA appears to link the outside signal (MUC5B) to intramembrane SraSR. Tagatose pathway gene expression may poise cells to metabolize MUC5B glycans and, with a quorum-sensing gene (luxS), may direct formation of a consortium to facilitate glycan cross-feeding by S. gordonii. We now show that a Gram-positive bacterium discriminates specific surface environmental cues using an outside-in signaling mechanism to apparently optimize colonization of saliva-coated surfaces. IMPORTANCE All organisms throughout the tree of life sense and respond to their surface environments. To discriminate among mucosal surface environmental cues, we report that Streptococcus gordonii recognizes a high-molecular-weight mucin glycoprotein, MUC5B, using the paired adhesins SspAB and lipoteichoic acid; the latter bridges the outside signal to an intramembrane two-component system to transcriptionally regulate a MUC5B-specific adhesin and genes that may facilitate glycan catabolism.

Staphylococcal DNA Repair Is Required for Infection

To cause infection, Staphylococcus aureus must withstand damage caused by host immune defenses. However, the mechanisms by which staphylococcal DNA is damaged and repaired during infection are poorly understood. Using a panel of transposon mutants, we identified the rexBA operon as being important for the survival of Staphylococcus aureus in whole human blood. Mutants lacking rexB were also attenuated for virulence in murine models of both systemic and skin infections. We then demonstrated that RexAB is a member of the AddAB family of helicase/nuclease complexes responsible for initiating the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Using a fluorescent reporter system, we were able to show that neutrophils cause staphylococcal DNA double-strand breaks through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the respiratory burst, which are repaired by RexAB, leading to the induction of the mutagenic SOS response. We found that RexAB homologues in Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus gordonii also promoted the survival of these pathogens in human blood, suggesting that DNA double-strand break repair is required for Gram-positive bacteria to survive in host tissues. Together, these data demonstrate that DNA is a target of host immune cells, leading to double-strand breaks, and that the repair of this damage by an AddAB-family enzyme enables the survival of Gram-positive pathogens during infection.IMPORTANCE To cause infection, bacteria must survive attack by the host immune system. For many bacteria, including the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, the greatest threat is posed by neutrophils. These immune cells ingest the invading organisms and try to kill them with a cocktail of chemicals that includes reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ability of S. aureus to survive this attack is crucial for the progression of infection. However, it was not clear how the ROS damaged S. aureus and how the bacterium repaired this damage. In this work, we show that ROS cause breaks in the staphylococcal DNA, which must be repaired by a two-protein complex known as RexAB; otherwise, the bacterium is killed, and it cannot sustain infection. This provides information on the type of damage that neutrophils cause S. aureus and the mechanism by which this damage is repaired, enabling infection.

Pharmacological, Toxicological, and Dose Range Assessment of OG716, a Novel Lantibiotic for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile-Associated Infection

Lantibiotics present an attractive scaffold for the development of novel antibiotics. We report here a novel lantibiotic for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. The lead compounds were selected from a library of over 700 single- and multiple-substitution variants of the lantibiotic mutacin 1140 (MU1140). The best performers in vitro and in vivo were further used to challenge Golden Syrian hamsters orally in a Golden Syrian hamster model of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in a dose-response format, resulting in the selection of OG716 as the lead compound. This lantibiotic was characterized by a 50% effective dose of 23.85 mg/kg of body weight/day (10.97 μmol/kg/day) in this model. Upon oral administration of the maximum feasible dose (≥1,918 mg/kg/day), no observable toxicities or side effects were noted, and no effect on intestinal motility was observed. Compartmentalization to the gastrointestinal tract was confirmed. MU1140-derived variants offer a large pipeline for the development of novel antibiotics for the treatment of several indications and are particularly attractive considering their novel mechanism of action. Based on the currently available data, OG716 has an acceptable profile for further development for the treatment of CDAD.

MITE Aba12 , a Novel Mobile Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Element Identified in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978 and Its Prevalence across the Moraxellaceae Family

One of the most important weapons in the armory of Acinetobacter is its impressive genetic plasticity, facilitating rapid genetic mutations and rearrangements as well as integration of foreign determinants carried by mobile genetic elements. Of these, IS are considered one of the key forces shaping bacterial genomes and ultimately evolution. We report the identification of a novel nonautonomous IS-derived element present in multiple bacterial species from the Moraxellaceae family and its recent translocation into the hns locus in the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 genome. The latter finding adds new knowledge to only a limited number of documented examples of MITEs in the literature and underscores the plastic nature of the hns locus in A. baumannii. MITE_Aba12, and its predicted parent(s), may be a source of substantial adaptive evolution within environmental and clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and, thus, have broad implications for niche-specific adaptation.

Insertion sequences (IS) are fundamental mediators of genome plasticity with the potential to generate phenotypic variation with significant evolutionary outcomes. Here, a recently active miniature inverted-repeat transposon element (MITE) was identified in a derivative of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978 after being subjected to stress conditions. Transposition of the novel element led to the disruption of the hns gene, resulting in a characteristic hypermotile phenotype. DNA identity shared between the terminal inverted repeats of this MITE and coresident ISAba12 elements, together with the generation of 9-bp target site duplications, provides strong evidence that ISAba12 elements were responsible for mobilization of the MITE (designated MITE_Aba12) within this strain. A wider genome-level survey identified MITE_Aba12 in 30 additional Acinetobacter genomes at various frequencies and one Moraxella osloensis genome. Ninety MITE_Aba12 copies could be identified, of which 40% had target site duplications, indicating recent transposition events. Elements ranged between 111 and 114 bp; 90% were 113 bp in length. Using the MITE_Aba12 consensus sequence, putative outward-facing Escherichia coli σ70 promoter sequences in both orientations were identified. The identification of transcripts originating from the promoter in one direction supports the proposal that the element can influence neighboring host gene transcription. The location of MITE_Aba12 varied significantly between and within genomes, preferentially integrating into AT-rich regions. Additionally, a copy of MITE_Aba12 was identified in a novel 8.5-kb composite transposon, Tn6645, in the M. osloensis CCUG 350 chromosome. Overall, this study shows that MITE_Aba12 is the most abundant nonautonomous element currently found in Acinetobacter.

IMPORTANCE One of the most important weapons in the armory of Acinetobacter is its impressive genetic plasticity, facilitating rapid genetic mutations and rearrangements as well as integration of foreign determinants carried by mobile genetic elements. Of these, IS are considered one of the key forces shaping bacterial genomes and ultimately evolution. We report the identification of a novel nonautonomous IS-derived element present in multiple bacterial species from the Moraxellaceae family and its recent translocation into the hns locus in the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 genome. The latter finding adds new knowledge to only a limited number of documented examples of MITEs in the literature and underscores the plastic nature of the hns locus in A. baumannii. MITE_Aba12, and its predicted parent(s), may be a source of substantial adaptive evolution within environmental and clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and, thus, have broad implications for niche-specific adaptation.

Membrane trafficking of the bacterial adhesin GspB and the accessory Sec transport machinery

The serine-rich repeat (SRR) glycoproteins of Gram-positive bacteria are large, cell wall-anchored adhesins that mediate binding to many host cells and proteins and are associated with bacterial virulence. SRR glycoproteins are exported to the cell surface by the accessory Sec (aSec) system comprising SecA2, SecY2, and 3-5 additional proteins (Asp1 to Asp5) that are required for substrate export. These adhesins typically have a 90-amino acid-long signal peptide containing an elongated N-region and a hydrophobic core. Previous studies of GspB (the SRR adhesin of Streptococcus gordonii) have shown that a glycine-rich motif in its hydrophobic core is essential for selective, aSec-mediated transport. However, the role of this extended N-region in transport is poorly understood. Here, using protein-lipid co-flotation assays and site-directed mutagenesis, we report that the N-region of the GspB signal peptide interacts with anionic lipids through electrostatic forces and that this interaction is necessary for GspB preprotein trafficking to lipid membranes. Moreover, we observed that protein-lipid binding is required for engagement of GspB with SecA2 and for aSec-mediated transport. We further found that SecA2 and Asp1 to Asp3 also localize selectively to liposomes that contain anionic lipids. These findings suggest that the GspB signal peptide electrostatically binds anionic lipids at the cell membrane, where it encounters SecA2. After SecA2 engagement with the signal peptide, Asp1 to Asp3 promote SecA2 engagement with the mature domain, which activates GspB translocation.

OG716: Designing a fit-for-purpose lantibiotic for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections

Lantibiotics continue to offer an untapped pipeline for the development of novel antibiotics. We report here the discovery of a novel lantibiotic for the treatment of C. difficile infection (CDI). The leads were selected from a library of over 300 multiple substitution variants of the lantibiotic Mutacin 1140 (MU1140). Top performers were selected based on testing for superior potency, solubility, manufacturability, and physicochemical and/or metabolic stability in biologically-relevant systems. The best performers in vitro were further evaluated orally in the Golden Syrian hamster model of CDAD. In vivo testing ultimately identified OG716 as the lead compound, which conferred 100% survival and no relapse at 3 weeks post infection. MU1140-derived variants are particularly attractive for further clinical development considering their novel mechanism of action.

Resistance to pentamidine is mediated by AdeAB, regulated by AdeRS, and influenced by growth conditions in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978

In recent years, effective treatment of infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii has become challenging due to the ability of the bacterium to acquire or up-regulate antimicrobial resistance determinants. Two component signal transduction systems are known to regulate expression of virulence factors including multidrug efflux pumps. Here, we investigated the role of the AdeRS two component signal transduction system in regulating the AdeAB efflux system, determined whether AdeA and/or AdeB can individually confer antimicrobial resistance, and explored the interplay between pentamidine resistance and growth conditions in A. baumannii ATCC 17978. Results identified that deletion of adeRS affected resistance towards chlorhexidine and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride, two previously defined AdeABC substrates, and also identified an 8-fold decrease in resistance to pentamidine. Examination of ΔadeA, ΔadeB and ΔadeAB cells augmented results seen for ΔadeRS and identified a set of dicationic AdeAB substrates. RNA-sequencing of ΔadeRS revealed transcription of 290 genes were ≥2-fold altered compared to the wildtype. Pentamidine shock significantly increased adeA expression in the wildtype, but decreased it in ΔadeRS, implying that AdeRS activates adeAB transcription in ATCC 17978. Investigation under multiple growth conditions, including the use of Biolog phenotypic microarrays, revealed resistance to pentamidine in ATCC 17978 and mutants could be altered by bioavailability of iron or utilization of different carbon sources. In conclusion, the results of this study provide evidence that AdeAB in ATCC 17978 can confer intrinsic resistance to a subset of dicationic compounds and in particular, resistance to pentamidine can be significantly altered depending on the growth conditions.

Mutacin 1140 Lantibiotic Variants Are Efficacious Against Clostridium difficile Infection

Lantibiotics offer an untapped pipeline for the development of novel antibiotics to treat serious Gram-positive (+) infections including Clostridium difficile. Mutacin 1140 (MU1140) is a lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus mutans and acts via a novel mechanism of action, which may limit the development of resistance. This study sought to identify a lead compound for the treatment of C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD). Compounds were selected from a saturation mutagenesis library of 418 single amino acid variants of MU1140. Compounds were produced by small scale fermentation, purified, characterized and then subjected to a panel of assays aimed at identifying the best performers. The screening assays included: in vitro susceptibility testing [MIC against Micrococcus luteus, Clostridium difficile, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycobacterium phlei, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; cytotoxicity screening on HepG2 hepatocytes; in vitro pharmacological profiling with the Safety Screen 44^TM, metabolic and chemical stability in biologically relevant fluids (FaSSGF, FaSSIF and serum); and efficacy in vivo]. Several lantibiotic compounds had better MIC against C. difficile, compared to vancomycin, but not against other bacterial species tested. The Safety Screen 44^TMin vitro pharmacological profiling assay suggested that this class of compounds has relatively low overall toxicity and that compound OG253 (MU1140, Phe1Ile) is not likely to present inadvertent off-target effects, as evidenced by a low promiscuity score. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay also indicated that this class of compounds was characterized by low toxicity; the EC₅₀ of OG253 was 636 mg/mL on HepG2 cells. The half-life in simulated gastric fluid was >240 min. for all compound tested. The stability in simulated intestinal fluid ranged between a half-life of 5 min to >240 min, and paralleled the half-life in serum. OG253 ultimately emerged as the lead compound based on superior in vivo efficacy along with an apparent lack of relapse in a hamster model of infection. The lessons learned from this report are applicable to therapeutic lanthipeptides in general and may assist in the design of novel molecules with improved pharmacological, therapeutic and physicochemical profiles. The data presented also support the continued clinical development of OG253 as a novel antibiotic against CDAD that could prevent recurrence of the infection.

The biofilm inhibitor Carolacton inhibits planktonic growth of virulent pneumococci via a conserved target

New antibacterial compounds, preferentially exploiting novel cellular targets, are urgently needed to fight the increasing resistance of pathogens against conventional antibiotics. Here we demonstrate that Carolacton, a myxobacterial secondary metabolite previously shown to damage Streptococcus mutans biofilms, inhibits planktonic growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of serotype 19A at nanomolar concentrations. A Carolacton diastereomer is inactive in both streptococci, indicating a highly specific interaction with a conserved cellular target. S. mutans requires the eukaryotic-like serine/threonine protein kinase PknB and the cysteine metabolism regulator CysR for susceptibility to Carolacton, whereas their homologues are not needed in S. pneumoniae, suggesting a specific function for S. mutans biofilms only. A bactericidal effect of Carolacton was observed for S. pneumoniae TIGR4, with a reduction of cell numbers by 3 log units. The clinical pneumonia isolate Sp49 showed immediate growth arrest and cell lysis, suggesting a bacteriolytic effect of Carolacton. Carolacton treatment caused a reduction in membrane potential, but not membrane integrity, and transcriptome analysis revealed compensatory reactions of the cell. Our data show that Carolacton might have potential for treating pneumococcal infections.

Codon-optimized fluorescent mTFP and mCherry for microscopic visualization and genetic counterselection of streptococci and enterococci

Despite the powerful potential of fluorescent proteins for labeling bacteria, their use has been limited in multi-species oral biofilm models. Fermentative metabolism by streptococcal species that initiate biofilm colonization results in an acidic, reduced microenvironment that may limit the activities of some fluorescent proteins which are influenced by pH and oxygen availability. The need to reliably distinguish morphologically similar strains within biofilms was the impetus for this work. Teal fluorescent protein (mTFP1) and red fluorescent protein (mCherry) were chosen because their fluorescent properties made them promising candidates. Since tRNA availability has been implicated in efficient translation of sufficient quantities of protein for maximum fluorescence, a streptococcal codon optimization approach was used. DNA was synthesized to encode either protein using codons most frequently used in streptococci; each coding region was preceded by an engineered ribosomal binding site and restriction sites for cloning a promoter. Plasmids carrying this synthesized DNA under control of the Streptococcus mutans lactate dehydrogenase promoter conferred fluorescence to nine representative streptococcal and two Enterococcus faecalis strains. Further characterization in Streptococcus gordonii showed that mTFP1 and mCherry expressions could be detected in cells grown planktonically, in biofilms, or in colonies on agar when expressed on an extrachromosomal plasmid or in single copy integrated into the chromosome. This latter property facilitated counterselection of chromosomal mutations demonstrating value for bacterial strain construction. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent bacteria were distinguishable at acidic pH. These codon-optimized versions of mTFP1 and mCherry have promising potential for use in multiple experimental applications.

Cyclic di-AMP impairs potassium uptake mediated by a cyclic di-AMP binding protein in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) has been shown to play important roles as a second messenger in bacterial physiology and infections. However, understanding of how the signal is transduced is still limited. Previously, we have characterized a diadenylate cyclase and two c-di-AMP phosphodiesterases in Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive pathogen. In this study, we identified a c-di-AMP binding protein (CabP) in S. pneumoniae using c-di-AMP affinity chromatography. We demonstrated that CabP specifically bound c-di-AMP and that this interaction could not be interrupted by competition with other nucleotides, including ATP, cAMP, AMP, phosphoadenylyl adenosine (pApA), and cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). By using a bacterial two-hybrid system and genetic mutagenesis, we showed that CabP directly interacted with a potassium transporter (SPD_0076) and that both proteins were required for pneumococcal growth in media with low concentrations of potassium. Interestingly, the interaction between CabP and SPD_0076 and the efficiency of potassium uptake were impaired by elevated c-di-AMP in pneumococci. These results establish a direct c-di-AMP-mediated signaling pathway that regulates pneumococcal potassium uptake.

Two DHH subfamily 1 proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae possess cyclic di-AMP phosphodiesterase activity and affect bacterial growth and virulence

Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) and cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) are signaling molecules that play important roles in bacterial biology and pathogenesis. However, these nucleotides have not been explored in Streptococcus pneumoniae, an important bacterial pathogen. In this study, we characterized the c-di-AMP-associated genes of S. pneumoniae. The results showed that SPD_1392 (DacA) is a diadenylate cyclase that converts ATP to c-di-AMP. Both SPD_2032 (Pde1) and SPD_1153 (Pde2), which belong to the DHH subfamily 1 proteins, displayed c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase activity. Pde1 cleaved c-di-AMP into phosphoadenylyl adenosine (pApA), whereas Pde2 directly hydrolyzed c-di-AMP into AMP. Additionally, Pde2, but not Pde1, degraded pApA into AMP. Our results also demonstrated that both Pde1 and Pde2 played roles in bacterial growth, resistance to UV treatment, and virulence in a mouse pneumonia model. These results indicate that c-di-AMP homeostasis is essential for pneumococcal biology and disease.

Deletion of arcD in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 impairs its capsule and attenuates virulence

The arginine deiminase system (ADS) is associated with arginine catabolism and plays a role in virulence of several pathogenic bacteria. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, the ADS genes exist as a locus consisting of arcABCDT. A recent genome-wide mutagenesis approach revealed that both arcD and arcT are potentially essential in a chinchilla otitis media (OM) model. In the present study, we generated ΔarcD, ΔarcT, and ΔarcDT mutants by homologous recombination and evaluated their infectivity. Our results showed that only arcD, and not arcT, of an OM isolate is required during chinchilla middle ear infection. Additionally, D39 ΔarcD exhibited enhanced nasopharyngeal colonization and was attenuated in both mouse pneumonia and bacteremia models. In vitro, D39 ΔarcD displayed enhanced adherence to A549 epithelial cells and increased phagocytosis by J774A.1 macrophages compared to those with the parental strain. This mutant also exhibited an impaired capsule, as detected using electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and a capsule assay. We demonstrated that the capsule defect in the D39 ΔarcD mutant may not be associated with a deficiency in arginine but rather is likely caused by a loss of interaction between the capsule and the transmembrane protein ArcD.

Multiple alcohol dehydrogenases but no functional acetaldehyde dehydrogenase causing excessive acetaldehyde production from ethanol by oral streptococci

Ethanol consumption and poor oral hygiene are risk factors for oral and oesophageal cancers. Although oral streptococci have been found to produce excessive acetaldehyde from ethanol, little is known about the mechanism by which this carcinogen is produced. By screening 52 strains of diverse oral streptococcal species, we identified Streptococcus gordonii V2016 that produced the most acetaldehyde from ethanol. We then constructed gene deletion mutants in this strain and analysed them for alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenases by zymograms. The results showed that S. gordonii V2016 expressed three primary alcohol dehydrogenases, AdhA, AdhB and AdhE, which all oxidize ethanol to acetaldehyde, but their preferred substrates were 1-propanol, 1-butanol and ethanol, respectively. Two additional dehydrogenases, S-AdhA and TdhA, were identified with specificities to the secondary alcohol 2-propanol and threonine, respectively, but not to ethanol. S. gordonii V2016 did not show a detectable acetaldehyde dehydrogenase even though its adhE gene encodes a putative bifunctional acetaldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase. Mutants with adhE deletion showed greater tolerance to ethanol in comparison with the wild-type and mutant with adhA or adhB deletion, indicating that AdhE is the major alcohol dehydrogenase in S. gordonii. Analysis of 19 additional strains of S. gordonii, S. mitis, S. oralis, S. salivarius and S. sanguinis showed expressions of up to three alcohol dehydrogenases, but none showed detectable acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, except one strain that showed a novel ALDH. Therefore, expression of multiple alcohol dehydrogenases but no functional acetaldehyde dehydrogenase may contribute to excessive production of acetaldehyde from ethanol by certain oral streptococci.

Site-directed mutations in the lanthipeptide mutacin 1140

The oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans, strain JH1140, produces the antibiotic mutacin 1140. Mutacin 1140 belongs to a group of antibiotics called lanthipeptides. More specifically, mutacin 1140 is related to the epidermin type A(I) lanthipeptides. Mutagenesis experiments of this group of lanthipeptides have been primarily restricted to the posttranslationally modified meso-lanthionine and 3-methyllanthionine residues. Site-directed mutagenesis of the core peptide of mutacin 1140 was performed using the suicide vector pVA891. Substitutions of the N-terminal residue, the charged residue in the hinge region, and residues in ring A and intertwined rings C and D were investigated. A truncation and insertion of residues in ring A and intertwined rings C and D were also performed to determine whether or not they would alter the antimicrobial activity of the producing strain. Bioassays revealed that five of 14 mutants studied had improved antimicrobial activity against the indicator strain Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240. MICs against Streptococcus mutans UA159, Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 27336, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Clostridium difficile UK1, and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240 were determined for three mutacin 1140 variants that had the most significant increases in bioactivity in the M. luteus bioassay. This mutagenesis study of the epidermin group of lanthipeptides shows that antimicrobial activity can be significantly improved.

The vitamin B₆ biosynthesis pathway in Streptococcus pneumoniae is controlled by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and the transcription factor PdxR and has an impact on ear infection

Vitamin B₆ is an essential cofactor for a large number of enzymes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In this study, we characterized the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) biosynthesis pathway in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our results revealed that S. pneumoniae possesses a de novo vitamin B₆ biosynthesis pathway encoded by the pdxST genes. Purified PdxS functionally displayed as PLP synthase, whereas PdxT exhibited glutaminase activity in vitro. Deletion of pdxS, but not pdxT, resulted in a vitamin B₆ auxotrophic mutant. The defective growth of the ΔpdxS mutant in a vitamin B₆-depleted medium could be chemically restored in the presence of the B₆ vitamers at optimal concentrations. By analyzing PdxS expression levels, we demonstrated that the expression of pdxS was repressed by PLP and activated by a transcription factor, PdxR. A pneumococcal ΔpdxR mutant also exhibited as a vitamin B₆ auxotroph. In addition, we found that disruption of the vitamin B₆ biosynthesis pathway in S. pneumoniae caused a significant attenuation in a chinchilla middle ear infection model and a minor attenuation in a mouse pneumonia model, indicating that the impact of vitamin B₆ synthesis on virulence depends upon the bacterial infection niche.

Differential localization of the streptococcal accessory sec components and implications for substrate export

The accessory Sec system of Streptococcus gordonii is comprised of SecY2, SecA2, and five proteins (Asp1 through -5) that are required for the export of a serine-rich glycoprotein, GspB. We have previously shown that a number of the Asps interact with GspB, SecA2, or each other. To further define the roles of these Asps in export, we examined their subcellular localization in S. gordonii and in Escherichia coli expressing the streptococcal accessory Sec system. In particular, we assessed how the locations of these accessory Sec proteins were altered by the presence of other components. Using fluorescence microscopy, we found in E. coli that SecA2 localized within multiple foci at the cell membrane, regardless of whether other accessory Sec proteins were expressed. Asp2 alone localized to the cell poles but formed a similar punctate pattern at the membrane when SecA2 was present. Asp1 and Asp3 localized diffusely in the cytosol when expressed alone or with SecA2. However, these proteins redistributed to the membrane in a punctate arrangement when all of the accessory Sec components were present. Cell fractionation studies with S. gordonii further corroborated these microscopy results. Collectively, these findings indicate that Asp1 to -3 are not integral membrane proteins that form structural parts of the translocation channel. Instead, SecA2 serves as a docking site for Asp2, which in turn attracts a complex of Asp1 and Asp3 to the membrane. These protein interactions may be important for the trafficking of GspB to the cell membrane and its subsequent translocation.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase: a candidate virulence factor in Streptococcus sanguinis experimental endocarditis

Streptococcus sanguinis is the most common cause of infective endocarditis (IE). Since the molecular basis of virulence of this oral commensal bacterium remains unclear, we searched the genome of S. sanguinis for previously unidentified virulence factors. We identified a cell surface ecto-5′-nucleotidase (Nt5e), as a candidate virulence factor. By colorimetric phosphate assay, we showed that S. sanguinis Nt5e can hydrolyze extracellular adenosine triphosphate to generate adenosine. Moreover, a nt5e deletion mutant showed significantly shorter lag time (P<0.05) to onset of platelet aggregation than the wild-type strain, without affecting platelet-bacterial adhesion in vitro (P = 0.98). In the absence of nt5e, S. sanguinis caused IE (4 d) in a rabbit model with significantly decreased mass of vegetations (P<0.01) and recovered bacterial loads (log₁₀CFU, P = 0.01), suggesting that Nt5e contributes to the virulence of S. sanguinis in vivo. As a virulence factor, Nt5e may function by (i) hydrolyzing ATP, a pro-inflammatory molecule, and generating adenosine, an immunosuppressive molecule to inhibit phagocytic monocytes/macrophages associated with valvular vegetations. (ii) Nt5e-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation could also delay presentation of platelet microbicidal proteins to infecting bacteria on heart valves. Both plausible Nt5e-dependent mechanisms would promote survival of infecting S. sanguinis. In conclusion, we now show for the first time that streptococcal Nt5e modulates S. sanguinis-induced platelet aggregation and may contribute to the virulence of streptococci in experimental IE.

A Specific interaction between SecA2 and a region of the preprotein adjacent to the signal peptide occurs during transport via the accessory Sec system

The accessory Sec systems of streptococci and staphylococci mediate the transport of a family of large, serine-rich glycoproteins to the bacterial cell surface. These systems are comprised of SecA2, SecY2, and three core accessory Sec proteins (Asp1-3). In Streptococcus gordonii, transport of the serine-rich glycoprotein GspB requires both a unique 90-residue N-terminal signal peptide and an adjacent 24-residue segment (the AST domain). We used in vivo site-specific photo-cross-linking to identify proteins that interact with the AST domain during transport. To facilitate this analysis, the entire accessory Sec system of S. gordonii was expressed in Escherichia coli. The determinants of GspB trafficking to the accessory Sec system in E. coli matched those in S. gordonii, establishing the validity of this approach. When the photo-cross-linker was placed within the AST domain, the preprotein was found to cross-link to SecA2. Importantly, no cross-linking to SecA was detected. Cross-linking of the N-terminal end of the AST domain to SecA2 occurred regardless of whether Asp1-3 were present. However, cross-linking to the C-terminal end was dependent on the Asps. The combined results indicate that full engagement of the AST domain by SecA2 is modulated by one or more of the Asps, and suggest that this process is important for initiating transport.

TcyR regulates L-cystine uptake via the TcyABC transporter in Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans, a primary dental pathogen, has a remarkable capacity to scavenge nutrients from the oral biofilm for its survival. Cystine is an amino acid dimer formed by the oxidation of two cysteine residues that is required for optimal growth of S. mutans, which modulates l-cystine uptake via two recently identified transporters designated TcyABC and TcyDEFGH, which have not been fully characterized. Using a nonpolar tcyABC-deficient mutant (SmTcyABC), here, we report that l-cystine uptake is drastically diminished in the mutant, whereas its ability to grow is severely impaired under l-cystine starvation conditions, relative to wild type. A substrate competition assay showed that l-cystine uptake by the TcyABC transporter was strongly inhibited by dl-cystathionine and l-djenkolic acid and moderately inhibited by S-methyl-l-cysteine and l-cysteine. Using gene expression analysis, we observed that the tcyABC operon was upregulated under cystine starvation. TcyABC has been shown to be positively regulated by the LysR-type transcriptional regulator CysR. We identified another LysR-type transcriptional regulator that negatively regulates TcyABC with homology to the Bacillus subtilis YtlI regulator, which we termed TcyR. Our study enhances the understanding of l-cystine uptake in S. mutans, which allows survival and persistence of this pathogen in the oral biofilm.

Functional definition of LuxS, an autoinducer-2 (AI-2) synthase and its role in full virulence of Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Quorum sensing is a widespread chemical communication in response to fluctuation of bacterial population density, and has been implicated into bacterial biofilm formation and regulation of expression of virulence factors. The luxS gene product, S-ribosylhomocysteinase, catalizes the last committed step in biosynthetic pathway of autoinducer 2 (AI-2), a signaling molecule for inter-species quorum sensing. We found a luxS homologue in 05ZYH33, an epidemic strain of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) in China. A luxS null mutant (ΔluxS) of 05ZYH33 strain was obtained using an approach of homologous recombination. LuxS was determined to be required for AI-2 production in 05ZYH33 strain of S. suis 2. Inactivation of luxS gene led to a wide range of phenotypic changes including thinner capsular walls, increased tolerance to H(2)O(2), reduced adherence capacity to epithelial cells, etc. In particular, loss of LuxS impaired dramatically its full virulence of SS2 in experimental model of piglets, and functional complementation restored it nearly to the level of parent strain. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses suggested that some known virulence factors such as CPS are down-regulated in the ΔluxS mutant, which might in part explain virulence attenuation by luxS deletion. Similarly, 29 of 71 genes with different expression level were proposed to be targets candidate regulated by LuxS/AI-2-dependent quorum sensing.

A variable region within the genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae contributes to strain-strain variation in virulence

The bacterial factors responsible for the variation in invasive potential between different clones and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae are largely unknown. Therefore, the isolation of rare serotype 1 carriage strains in Indigenous Australian communities provided a unique opportunity to compare the genomes of non-invasive and invasive isolates of the same serotype in order to identify such factors. The human virulence status of non-invasive, intermediately virulent and highly virulent serotype 1 isolates was reflected in mice and showed that whilst both human non-invasive and highly virulent isolates were able to colonize the murine nasopharynx equally, only the human highly virulent isolates were able to invade and survive in the murine lungs and blood. Genomic sequencing comparisons between these isolates identified 8 regions >1 kb in size that were specific to only the highly virulent isolates, and included a version of the pneumococcal pathogenicity island 1 variable region (PPI-1v), phage-associated adherence factors, transporters and metabolic enzymes. In particular, a phage-associated endolysin, a putative iron/lead permease and an operon within PPI-1v exhibited niche-specific changes in expression that suggest important roles for these genes in the lungs and blood. Moreover, in vivo competition between pneumococci carrying PPI-1v derivatives representing the two identified versions of the region showed that the version of PPI-1v in the highly virulent isolates was more competitive than the version from the less virulent isolates in the nasopharyngeal tissue, blood and lungs. This study is the first to perform genomic comparisons between serotype 1 isolates with distinct virulence profiles that correlate between mice and humans, and has highlighted the important role that hypervariable genomic loci, such as PPI-1v, play in pneumococcal disease. The findings of this study have important implications for understanding the processes that drive progression from colonization to invasive disease and will help direct the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Properties and construction of plasmid pFW213, a shuttle vector with the oral Streptococcus origin of replication

Streptococcus parasanguinis is among the most successful colonizers of the human body. Strain FW213 harbors a 7.0-kb cryptic plasmid, pFW213, with a copy number at 5 to 10 per chromosome. Sequence and functional analyses of pFW213 revealed that the open reading frame (ORF) encoding the replication protein (Rep) is essential for the replication of pFW213, and the putative plasmid addiction system (RelB and RelE) and an ORF (ORF6) with no known function are required for its stability. The minimal replicon of pFW213 contains the rep gene and its 5'-flanking 390-bp region. Within the minimal replicon, an A/T-rich region followed by 5 contiguous 22-bp repeats was located 5' of the ATG of rep. No single-stranded replication intermediates were detected in the derivatives of pFW213, suggesting that pFW213 replicates via the theta replication mechanism. The minimal replicon was unstable in streptococcal hosts without selection, but the stability was greatly enhanced in derivatives containing the intact relBE genes. A Streptococcus-Escherichia coli shuttle vector, pCG1, was constructed with the pFW213 replicon. Plasmid pCG1 features a multiple cloning region and a spectinomycin resistance determinant that is expressed in both Streptococcus spp. and E. coli. Various streptococcal DNA fragments were cloned in pCG1, and the recombinant constructs were stably maintained in the streptococcal hosts. Since pCG1 is compatible with the most widely used streptococcal replicon, pVA380-1, pCG1 will provide a much needed tool allowing the cloning of two genes that work in concert in the same host.

Alkali production associated with malolactic fermentation by oral streptococci and protection against acid, oxidative, or starvation damage

Alkali production by oral streptococci is considered important for dental plaque ecology and caries moderation. Recently, malolactic fermentation (MLF) was identified as a major system for alkali production by oral streptococci, including Streptococcus mutans. Our major objectives in the work described in this paper were to further define the physiology and genetics of MLF of oral streptococci and its roles in protection against metabolic stress damage. L-Malic acid was rapidly fermented to L-lactic acid and CO(2) by induced cells of wild-type S. mutans, but not by deletion mutants for mleS (malolactic enzyme) or mleP (malate permease). Mutants for mleR (the contiguous regulator gene) had intermediate capacities for MLF. Loss of capacity to catalyze MLF resulted in loss of capacity for protection against lethal acidification. MLF was also found to be protective against oxidative and starvation damage. The capacity of S. mutans to produce alkali from malate was greater than its capacity to produce acid from glycolysis at low pH values of 4 or 5. MLF acted additively with the arginine deiminase system for alkali production by Streptococcus sanguinis, but not with urease of Streptococcus salivarius. Malolactic fermentation is clearly a major process for alkali generation by oral streptococci and for protection against environmental stresses.

Transport of preproteins by the accessory Sec system requires a specific domain adjacent to the signal peptide

The accessory Sec (SecA2/Y2) systems of streptococci and staphylococci are dedicated to the transport of large serine-rich repeat (SRR) glycoproteins to the bacterial cell surface. The means by which the glycosylated preproteins are selectively recognized by the accessory Sec system have not been fully characterized. In Streptococcus gordonii, the SRR glycoprotein GspB has a 90-residue amino-terminal signal sequence that is essential for transport by SecA2/Y2 but is not sufficient to mediate the transport of heterologous proteins by this specialized transporter. We now report that a preprotein must remain at least partially unfolded prior to transport by the accessory Sec system. In addition, a region of approximately 20 residues from the amino-terminal end of mature GspB (the accessory Sec transport or AST domain) is essential for SecA2/Y2-dependent transport. The replacement of several AST domain residues with glycine strongly interferes with export, which suggests that a helical conformation may be important. Analysis of GspB variants with alterations in the AST domain, in combination with the results with a SecY2 variant, indicates that the AST domain is essential both for targeting to the SecA2/Y2 translocase and for initiating translocation through the SecY2 channel. The combined results suggest a unique mechanism that ensures the transport of a single substrate by the SecA2/Y2 system.

A genetic determinant in Streptococcus gordonii Challis encodes a peptide with activity similar to that of enterococcal sex pheromone cAM373, which facilitates intergeneric DNA transfer

Enterococcus faecalis strains secrete multiple peptides representing different sex pheromones that induce mating responses by bacteria carrying specific conjugative plasmids. The pheromone cAM373, which induces a response by the enterococcal plasmid pAM373, has been of interest because a similar activity is also secreted by Streptococcus gordonii and Staphylococcus aureus. The potential to facilitate intergeneric DNA transfer from E. faecalis is of concern because of extensive multiple antibiotic resistance, including vancomycin resistance, that has emerged among enterococci in recent years. Here, we characterize the related pheromone determinant in S. gordonii and show that the peptide it encodes, gordonii-cAM373, does indeed induce transfer of plasmid DNA from E. faecalis into S. gordonii. The streptococcal determinant camG encodes a lipoprotein with a leader sequence, the last 7 residues of which represent the gordonii-cAM373 heptapeptide SVFILAA. Synthetic forms of the peptide had activity similar to that of the enterococcal cAM373 AIFILAS. The lipoprotein moiety bore no resemblance to the lipoprotein encoded by E. faecalis. We also identified determinants in S. gordonii encoding a signal peptidase and an Eep-like zinc metalloprotease (lspA and eep, respectively) similar to those involved in processing certain pheromone precursors in E. faecalis. Mutations generated in camG, lspA, and eep each resulted in the ablation of gordonii-cAM373 activity in culture supernatants. This is the first genetic analysis of a potential sex pheromone system in a commensal oral streptococcal species, which may have implications for intergeneric gene acquisition in oral biofilms.

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus mutans strains containing the cnm gene encoding a collagen-binding adhesin

OBJECTIVE

Streptococcus mutans, known to be a major pathogen of dental caries, is also considered to cause infective endocarditis. Its 120-kDa Cnm protein binds to type I collagen, which may be a potential virulence factor. In this study, we characterized S. mutans clinical strains focusing on the cnm gene encoding Cnm.

DESIGN

A total of 528 S. mutans strains isolated from Japanese, Finnish, and Thai subjects were investigated. Using molecular techniques, the distribution frequency of cnm-positive strains and location of the inserted cnm were analyzed. Furthermore, isogenic mutant strains were constructed by inactivation of the cnm gene, then their biological properties of collagen-binding and glucan-binding were evaluated. Southern hybridization of the genes encoding glucan-binding proteins was also performed.

RESULTS

The distribution frequency of cnm-positive strains from Thai subjects was 12%, similar to that previously reported for Japanese and Finnish subjects. Furthermore, the location of insertion of cnm was the same in all cnm-positive clinical isolates. As for the cnm-inactivated mutant strains constructed from 28 clinical isolates, their collagen-binding activity was negligible. In addition, glucan-binding activity in the cnm-positive clinical isolates was significantly reduced and corresponded to a lack of gbpA encoding glucan-binding protein A.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that strains with cnm genes, the most crucial factor for the collagen-binding property of S. mutans, are detectable at similar frequencies over several different geographic locations. In addition, the common properties of these strains are a high level of collagen-binding activity and tendency for a low level of glucan-binding activity.

The two-component system BfrAB regulates expression of ABC transporters in Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis

The putative two-component system BfrAB is involved in Streptococcus gordonii biofilm development. Here, we provide evidence that BfrAB regulates the expression of bfrCD and bfrEFG, which encode two ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, and bfrH, which encodes a CAAX amino-terminal protease family protein. BfrC and BfrE are ATP-binding proteins, and BfrD, BfrF and BfrG are homologous membrane-spanning polypeptides. Similarly, BfrABss, the BfrAB homologous system in Streptococcus sanguinis, controls the expression of two bfrCD-homologous operons (bfrCDss and bfrXYss), a bfrH-homologous gene (bfrH1ss) and another CAAX amino-terminal protease family protein gene (bfrH2ss). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the purified BfrA DNA-binding domain from S. gordonii binds to the promoter regions of bfrCD, bfrEFG, bfrH, bfrCDss, bfrXYss and bfrH1ss in vitro. Finally, we show that the BfrA DNA-binding domain recognizes a conserved DNA motif with a consensus sequence of TTTCTTTAGAAATATTTTAGAATT. These data suggest, therefore, that S. gordonii BfrAB controls biofilm formation by regulating multiple ABC-transporter systems.

A pneumococcal MerR-like regulator and S-nitrosoglutathione reductase are required for systemic virulence

A transcriptional regulator, NmlR(sp), has been identified in Streptococcus pneumoniae that is required for defense against nitric oxide (NO) stress. The nmlR(sp) gene is cotranscribed with adhC, which encodes an alcohol dehydrogenase that is able to reduce S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) with NADH as reductant. nmlR(sp) and adhC mutants exhibited a reduced level of NADH-GSNO oxidoreductase activity and were more susceptible to killing by NO than were wild-type cells. Comparison of the virulence of wild-type and mutant strains by use of a mouse model system showed that NmlR(sp) and AdhC do not play a key role in the adherence of pneumococci to the nasopharynx in vivo. An intraperitoneal challenge experiment revealed that both NmlR(sp) and AdhC were required for survival in blood. These data identify novel components of a NO defense system in pneumococci that are required for systemic infection.

Consequences of a sortase A mutation in Streptococcus gordonii

Sortase A (SrtA) is required for cell-wall anchoring of LPXTG-containing Gram-positive surface proteins. It was hypothesized, therefore, that disruption of the srtA gene would alter surface anchoring and functions of target LPXTG motif-bearing SspA and SspB proteins of Streptococcus gordonii. Mutant strains in srtA (V288srtA(-), DL1srtA(-)) were constructed in S. gordonii V288 (wtV288) and DL1 (wtDL1). When compared to wtV288, the V288srtA(-) mutant showed decreased biofilm formation on polystyrene, and reduced binding to immobilized purified salivary agglutinin (BIAcore analysis). The wtV288 and V288srtA(-) strains were similar in ultrastructure, but immunogold-labelled SspA/SspB surface expression was reduced on the V288srtA(-) mutant. DL1srtA(-) was also complemented to obtain DL1srtA(+). From the wild-type strains (wtV288, wtDL1), srtA(-) mutants (V288srtA(-), DL1srtA(-)), and the complemented mutant (DL1srtA(+)), cytoplasmic, cell-wall and released extracellular protein fractions were isolated. Each fraction was analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with anti-P1. Spent medium from srtA(-) mutant cells contained over-represented proteins, including SspA/SspB (P1 antigen). Mutants showed less P1 on the cell surface than wild-types, as estimated using whole-cell ELISA, and no P1 appeared in the cytoplasmic fractions. Expression of several adhesin genes (sspA/B, cshA/B, fbpA) was generally upregulated in the mutants (V288srtA(-), DL1srtA(-)), but restored to wild-type levels in DL1srtA(+). These data therefore imply that in addition to its role in processing LPXTG-containing adhesins, sortase A has the novel function of contributing to transcriptional regulation of adhesin gene expression.

The adaptive response of Streptococcus mutans towards oral care products: involvement of the ClpP serine protease

In the oral cavity a balanced physiological response is essential for Streptococcus mutans to survive various types of external challenges. In this study we examined the role of the ClpP serine protease in the response of S. mutans towards sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine. By constructing a clpP promoter-green fluorescent protein reporter strain, we showed increased fluorescence intensities under all types of stress, indicating a need for ClpP under all these challenges. We constructed a clpP knockout mutant, which proved to be more sensitive to all the challenges than the wild-type strain. This knockout strain also displayed a reduced growth rate, hyperaggregation, and increased biofilm formation. Furthermore, an increased resistance to toxic levels of hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine after pre-incubation with sublethal levels of the corresponding compounds was found in the wild-type strain but not in the knockout mutant. In conclusion, ClpP is involved in the general stress response of S. mutans and assists the bacteria to resist killing through adaptation.

Comparison of transformation protocols in Streptococcus gordonii and evaluation of native promoter strength using a multiple-copy plasmid

An active area of research in the development of Streptococcus gordonii for use as a bacterial commensal vector involves the identification and utilization of strong promoters for high-level expression of heterologous products. Escherichia coli plasmid vectors containing different streptococcal promoters often fail to become established in E. coli for unknown reasons. Therefore, it is desirable at times to transform S. gordonii, which is naturally competent, with small quantities of nascently ligated DNA without using E. coli first to amplify or screen the product. By comparing the efficiency of two methods used to induce competence in S. gordonii, it was shown that the use of a synthetic competence stimulating peptide substantially enhanced plasmid uptake by S. gordonii. We amplified the amylase-binding protein (abpA) promoter from the S. gordonii genome and, using a synthetic peptide to induce competence, directly introduced plasmid DNA containing this promoter into S. gordonii as an unamplified product of ligation. This plasmid facilitated abundant secretion of a heterologous product by S. gordonii. By assessing the levels of heterologous product secreted by two plasmid constructs, it was possible to evaluate the relative strength of two native promoters.

Mechanism of cell surface expression of the Streptococcus mitis platelet binding proteins PblA and PblB

PblA and PblB are prophage-encoded proteins of Streptococcus mitis strain SF100 that mediate binding to human platelets. The mechanism for surface expression of these proteins has been unknown, as they do not contain signal sequences or cell wall sorting motifs. We therefore assessed whether expression of these proteins was linked the lytic cycle of the prophage. Deletion of either the holin or lysin gene resulted in retention of PblA and PblB in the cytoplasm, and loss of these proteins from the cell wall. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that induction of phage replication in SF100 produced a subpopulation of cells with increased permeability. This effect was abrogated by disruption of the holin and lysin genes. Treatment of these mutants with exogenous PblA and PblB restored surface expression, apparently via binding of the proteins to cell wall choline. Loss of PblA and PblB expression was associated with decreased platelet binding in vitro, and reduced virulence in an animal model of endocarditis. Thus, expression of PblA and PblB occurs via a novel mechanism, whereby phage induction increases bacterial permeability and release of the proteins, followed by their binding to surface of viable cells. This mechanism may be important for endovascular infection.

Glycine residues in the hydrophobic core of the GspB signal sequence route export toward the accessory Sec pathway

The Streptococcus gordonii cell surface glycoprotein GspB mediates high-affinity binding to distinct sialylated carbohydrate structures on human platelets and salivary proteins. GspB is glycosylated in the cytoplasm of S. gordonii and is then transported to the cell surface via a dedicated transport system that includes the accessory Sec components SecA2 and SecY2. The means by which the GspB preprotein is selectively recognized by the accessory Sec system have not been characterized fully. GspB has a 90-residue amino-terminal signal sequence that displays a traditional tripartite structure, with an atypically long amino-terminal (N) region followed by hydrophobic (H) and cleavage regions. In this report, we investigate the relative importance of the N and H regions of the GspB signal peptide for trafficking of the preprotein. The results show that the extended N region does not prevent export by the canonical Sec system. Instead, three glycine residues in the H region not only are necessary for export via the accessory Sec pathway but also interfere with export via the canonical Sec route. Replacement of the H-region glycine residues with helix-promoting residues led to a decrease in the efficiency of SecA2-dependent transport of the preprotein and a simultaneous increase in SecA2-independent translocation. Thus, the hydrophobic core of the GspB signal sequence is responsible primarily for routing towards the accessory Sec system.

Streptococcus gordonii Hsa environmentally constrains competitive binding by Streptococcus sanguinis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite

Competition between pioneer colonizing bacteria may determine polymicrobial succession during dental plaque development, but the ecological constraints are poorly understood. For example, more Streptococcus sanguinis than Streptococcus gordonii organisms are consistently isolated from the same intraoral sites, yet S. gordonii fails to be excluded and survives as a species over time. To explain this observation, we hypothesized that S. gordonii could compete with S. sanguinis to adhere to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA), an in vitro model of the tooth surface. Both species bound similarly to sHA, yet 10- to 50-fold excess S. gordonii DL1 reduced binding of S. sanguinis SK36 by 85 to >95%. S. sanguinis, by contrast, did not significantly compete with S. gordonii to adhere. S. gordonii competed with S. sanguinis more effectively than other species of oral streptococci and depended upon the salivary film on HA. Next, putative S. gordonii adhesins were analyzed for contributions to interspecies competitive binding. Like wild-type S. gordonii, isogenic mutants with mutations in antigen I/II polypeptides (sspAB), amylase-binding proteins (abpAB), and Csh adhesins (cshAB) competed effectively against S. sanguinis. By contrast, an hsa-deficient mutant of S. gordonii showed significantly reduced binding and competitive capabilities, while these properties were restored in an hsa-complemented strain. Thus, Hsa confers a selective advantage to S. gordonii over S. sanguinis in competitive binding to sHA. Hsa expression may, therefore, serve as an environmental constraint against S. sanguinis, enabling S. gordonii to persist within the oral cavity, despite the greater natural prevalence of S. sanguinis in plaque and saliva.

Differential role of CbpA and PspA in modulation of in vitro CXC chemokine responses of respiratory epithelial cells to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Respiratory epithelial cells play an active part in the host response to respiratory pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, by releasing chemokines responsible for neutrophil recruitment. In order to investigate the role of specific pneumococcal virulence factors in eliciting CXC chemokine responses, type II pneumocytes (A549) and nasopharyngeal cells (Detroit-562) were infected with S. pneumoniae D39 or mutants lacking choline-binding protein A (CbpA), pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), or specific domains thereof. In response to wild-type D39, both A549 and Detroit-562 cells showed a significant increase in CXC chemokine mRNA and interleukin-8 protein. This response was increased twofold when a cbpA deletion mutant (DeltaCbpA) was used, suggesting that CbpA inhibits CXC chemokine induction. All three N-terminal domains of CbpA are required for this effect, as in-frame deletion of the respective region of cbpA had the same effect on the CXC chemokine response as deletion of cbpA altogether. Infection with a pspA deletion mutant (DeltaPspA) led to a twofold decrease in the CXC chemokine response of A549 but not Detroit-562 cells, compared to infection with D39 at 2 h. Thus, PspA appears to have the ability to stimulate early CXC chemokine release from A549 cells. Deletion of the region of pspA encoding the first N-terminal alpha-helical domain reduced the ability of S. pneumoniae to elicit a chemokine response to the same degree as deletion of pspA altogether. Thus, the N termini of CbpA and PspA exert differential effects on CXC chemokine induction in epithelial cells infected with S. pneumoniae.

DNA microarray for detection of macrolide resistance genes

A DNA microarray was developed to detect bacterial genes conferring resistance to macrolides and related antibiotics. A database containing 65 nonredundant genes selected from publicly available DNA sequences was constructed and used to design 100 oligonucleotide probes that could specifically detect and discriminate all 65 genes. Probes were spotted on a glass slide, and the array was reacted with DNA templates extracted from 20 reference strains of eight different bacterial species (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides fragilis) known to harbor 29 different macrolide resistance genes. Hybridization results showed that probes reacted with, and only with, the expected DNA templates and allowed discovery of three unexpected genes, including msr(SA) in B. fragilis, an efflux gene that has not yet been described for gram-negative bacteria.

Functional analysis of glucan binding protein B from Streptococcus mutans

Mutans streptococci are major etiological agents of dental caries, and several of their secreted products contribute to bacterial accumulation on teeth. Of these, Streptococcus mutans glucan binding protein B (GbpB) is a novel, immunologically dominant protein. Its biological function is unclear, although GbpB shares homology with a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase from S. agalactiae and S. pneumoniae, indicative of a role in murein biosynthesis. To determine the cellular function of GbpB, we used several approaches to inactivate the gene, analyze its expression, and identify interacting proteins. None of the transformants analyzed were true gbpB mutants, since they all contained both disrupted and wild-type gene copies, and expression of functional GbpB was always conserved. Thus, the inability to obtain viable gbpB null mutants supports the notion that gbpB is an essential gene. Northern blot and real-time PCR analyses suggested that induction of gbpB expression in response to stress was a strain-dependent phenomenon. Proteins that interacted with GbpB were identified in pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays, and these data suggest that GbpB interacts with ribosomal protein L7/L12, possibly as part of a protein complex involved in peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division.

Streptococcus gordonii utilizes several distinct gene functions to recruit Porphyromonas gingivalis into a mixed community

Dental plaque biofilm formation proceeds through a developmental pathway initiated by the attachment of pioneer organisms, such as Streptococcus gordonii, to tooth surfaces. Through a variety of synergistic interactions, pioneer organisms facilitate the colonization of later arrivals including Porphyromonas gingivalis, a potential periodontal pathogen. We have investigated genes of S. gordonii required to support a heterotypic biofilm community with P. gingivalis. By screening a plasmid integration library of S. gordonii, genes were identified that are crucial for the accumulation of planktonic P. gingivalis cells into a multispecies biofilm. These genes were further investigated by specific mutation and complementation analyses. The biofilm-associated genes can be grouped into broad categories based on putative function as follows: (i) intercellular or intracellular signalling (cbe and spxB), (ii) cell wall integrity and maintenance of adhesive proteins (murE, msrA and atf), (iii) extracellular capsule biosynthesis (pgsA and atf), and (iv) physiology (gdhA, ccmA and ntpB). In addition, a gene for a hypothetical protein was identified. Biofilm visualization and quantification by confocal microscopy confirmed the role of these genes in the maturation of the multispecies community, including biofilm architectural development. The results suggest that S. gordonii governs the development of heterotypic oral biofilms through multiple genetic pathways.

Determinants of the streptococcal surface glycoprotein GspB that facilitate export by the accessory Sec system

GspB is a large cell-surface glycoprotein expressed by Streptococcus gordonii M99 that mediates binding of this organism to human platelets. This adhesin is glycosylated in the cytoplasm, and is then transported to the cell surface via an accessory Sec system. To assess the structural features of GspB that are needed for export, we examined the effects of altering the carbohydrate moieties or the polypeptide backbone of GspB. Truncated, glycosylated variants of GspB were exported exclusively via the accessory Sec pathway. When glycosylation was abolished, the GspB variants were still exported by this pathway, but minor amounts could also be transported by the canonical Sec system. GspB variants with in-frame insertions or deletions in the N-terminus were not secreted, indicating that this domain is necessary for export. However, the N-terminus is not sufficient for the transport of heterologous proteins, because C-terminal fusion of passenger proteins to this domain hindered export. In contrast, fusion of GspB to a canonical signal peptide resulted in the efficient export of non-glycosylated forms of the fusion protein via the canonical Sec pathway, whereas glycosylated forms could not be exported. Thus, the carbohydrate moieties and the atypical signal sequence of GspB interfere with export via the canonical pathway, and direct GspB towards the accessory Sec system.

Molecular analysis of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of serotype specific polysaccharide in the novel serotype k strains of Streptococcus mutans

We previously reported the new serotype k of Streptococcus mutans, which, compared to serotypes c, e, and f, features a drastic reduction in the length of the glucose side chain linked to the rhamnose backbone of the serotype specific polysaccharide. The 5' region of the rgpF gene of serotype k strains contains a distinctive nucleotide sequence, which suggests that an alteration of the rgpF gene in serotype k strains may explain the shortened glucose side chain. However, in the present study, expression of the rgpF gene of MT8148 (serotype c) in serotype k isolates was not found to lead to serotype conversion. Furthermore, mRNA expression of rgpE, known to be associated with glucose side chain formation, was not detected in any of the tested serotype k isolates with an RT-PCR method. The nucleotide alignment of all genes known to be involved in the biosynthesis of serotype specific polysaccharide in serotype k strains was shown to be quite similar to that of serotype c strains, as compared to serotype e and f strains, especially in the region downstream of rgpF. Our results indicate that the common characteristics of serotype k isolates may be caused by a lack of expression of the gene involved in glucose side chain formation.

Contribution of biofilm regulatory protein A of Streptococcus mutans, to systemic virulence

Streptococcus mutans is occasionally isolated from the blood of patients with bacteremia and infective endocarditis (IE), and the possibility that it could be pathogenic for those diseases has been discussed. The initial important step for the involvement of bacterial pathogens in the virulence of IE is thought to be survival in blood for an extended period. Recently, the brpA gene encoding biofilm regulatory protein A (BrpA) of S. mutans was cloned and sequenced, after which it was shown that inactivation of brpA in an isogenic mutant strain resulted in longer chain formation than in the parental strain. In the present study, a BrpA-defective isogenic mutant strain (MT8148BRD) was constructed from strain MT8148. In an analysis of its susceptibility to phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), the phagocytosis rate of MT8148BRD was shown to be significantly lower than that of MT8148 (P < 0.01). Next, strains with various chain lengths were produced by culturing MT8148 in media with various initial pH levels, which revealed that there was a statistically negative correlation between phagocytosis susceptibility and chain length (P < 0.01). Further, MT8148BRD was found to possess higher platelet aggregation properties than MT8148 (P < 0.05). In addition, injection of MT8148BRD into the jugular vein of specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in a longer duration of bacteremia, which prolonged systemic inflammation for a longer period than in those infected with MT8148. These results indicate that S. mutans BrpA is associated with virulence in blood, due to its correlation to phagocytosis susceptibility and platelet aggregation properties.

The Streptococcus gordonii surface proteins GspB and Hsa mediate binding to sialylated carbohydrate epitopes on the platelet membrane glycoprotein Ibalpha

Platelet binding by Streptococcus gordonii strain M99 is dependent on expression of the cell wall-anchored glycoprotein GspB. This large cell surface protein is exported from the M99 cytoplasm via a dedicated transport system that includes SecA2 and SecY2. GspB is highly similar to Hsa, a protein expressed by S. gordonii Challis that has been characterized as a sialic acid binding hemagglutinin. In this study, we compared the contribution of GspB and Hsa to the adherence of S. gordonii to selected glycoproteins. Our results indicate that GspB can mediate binding to a variety of sialylated glycoproteins. GspB facilitates binding to carbohydrates bearing sialic acid in either alpha(2-3) or alpha(2-6) linkages, with a slight preference for alpha(2-3) linkages. Furthermore, GspB readily mediates binding to sialic acid residues on immobilized glycocalicin, the extracellular portion of the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha (the ligand binding subunit of the platelet von Willebrand factor receptor complex GPIb-IX-V). Although Hsa is required for the binding of S. gordonii Challis to sialic acid, most of the Hsa expressed by Challis is retained in the cytoplasm. The deficiency in export is due, at least in part, to a nonsense mutation in secA2. Hsa export can be enhanced by complementation with secA2 from M99, which also results in significantly greater binding to sialylated glycoproteins, including glycocalicin. The combined results indicate that GspB and Hsa contribute similar binding capabilities to M99 and Challis, respectively, but there may be subtle differences in the preferred epitopes to which these adhesins bind.

Essentiality of the early transcript in the replication origin of the lactococcal prolate phage c2

The genome of the prolate-headed lytic lactococcal bacteriophage c2 is organized into two divergently oriented blocks consisting of the early genes and the late genes. These blocks are separated by the noncoding origin of DNA replication. We examined the functional role of transcription of the origin in a plasmid model system. Deletion of the early promoter P(E)1 abolished origin function. Introduction of mutations into P(E)1 which did not eliminate promoter activity or replacement of P(E)1 with an unrelated but functional promoter did not abolish replication. The A-T-rich region upstream of P(E)1, which is conserved in prolate phages, was not required for plasmid replication. Replacement of the P(E)1 transcript template sequence with an unrelated sequence with a similar G+C content abolished replication, showing that the sequence encoding the transcript is essential for origin function. Truncated transcript and internal deletion constructs did not support replication except when the deletion was at the very 3' end of the DNA sequence coding for the transcript. The P(E)1 transcript could be detected for all replication-proficient constructs. Recloning in a plasmid vector allowed detection of P(E)1 transcripts from some fragments that did not support replication, indicating that stability of the transcript alone was not sufficient for replication. The data suggest that production of a transcript of a specific length and with a specific sequence or structure is essential for the function of the phage c2 origin in this model system.