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Upender I, Yoshida O, Schrecengost A, Ranson H, Wu Q, Rowley DC, Kishore S, Cywes C, Miller EL, Whalen KE. A marine-derived fatty acid targets the cell membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0031023. [PMID: 37905811 PMCID: PMC10662121 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00310-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE With the lack of new antibiotics in the drug discovery pipeline, coupled with accelerated evolution of antibiotic resistance, new sources of antibiotics that target pathogens of clinical importance are paramount. Here, we use bacterial cytological profiling to identify the mechanism of action of the monounsaturated fatty acid (Z)-13-methyltetra-4-decenoic acid isolated from the marine bacterium Olleya marilimosa with antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria. The fatty acid antibiotic was found to rapidly destabilize the cell membrane by pore formation and membrane aggregation in Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that this fatty acid may be a promising adjuvant used in combination to enhance antibiotic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Upender
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Olivia Yoshida
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anna Schrecengost
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hilary Ranson
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Qihao Wu
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - David C. Rowley
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Shreya Kishore
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Claire Cywes
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric L. Miller
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kristen E. Whalen
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
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The pks island: a bacterial Swiss army knife? Colibactin: beyond DNA damage and cancer. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:1146-1159. [PMID: 35672224 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The structure and mode of action of colibactin with its potential involvement in cancer have been extensively studied but little is known about the intrinsic function of the biosynthetic gene cluster, coding for colibactin, as a bacterial genotoxin. Paradoxically, this pathogenicity island is also found in commensal and probiotic strains of Escherichia coli and in bacterial species colonizing olive trees and the digestive tract of bees. In this review, we summarize the available literature to address the following key questions. What does this genomic island really encode? What explains the extensive dissemination of this genetically mobile element? What do we really know about the biosynthetic and secretory pathways of colibactin? What is its inherent target/function?
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A commensal-encoded genotoxin drives restriction of Vibrio cholerae colonization and host gut microbiome remodeling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121180119. [PMID: 35254905 PMCID: PMC8931321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121180119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceIn a polymicrobial battlefield where different species compete for nutrients and colonization niches, antimicrobial compounds are the sword and shield of commensal microbes in competition with invading pathogens and each other. The identification of an Escherichia coli-produced genotoxin, colibactin, and its specific targeted killing of enteric pathogens and commensals, including Vibrio cholerae and Bacteroides fragilis, sheds light on our understanding of intermicrobial interactions in the mammalian gut. Our findings elucidate the mechanisms through which genotoxins shape microbial communities and provide a platform for probing the larger role of enteric multibacterial interactions regarding infection and disease outcomes.
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Tang JW, Liu X, Ye W, Li ZR, Qian PY. Biosynthesis and bioactivities of microbial genotoxin colibactins. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:991-1014. [PMID: 35288725 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00050k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2021Colibactin(s), a group of secondary metabolites produced by the pks island (clb cluster) of Escherichia coli, shows genotoxicity relevant to colorectal cancer and thus significantly affects human health. Over the last 15 years, substantial efforts have been exerted to reveal the molecular structure of colibactin, but progress is slow owing to its instability, low titer, and elusive and complex biosynthesis logic. Fortunately, benefiting from the discovery of the prodrug mechanism, over 40 precursors of colibactin have been reported. Some key biosynthesis genes located on the pks island have also been characterised. Using an integrated bioinformatics, metabolomics, and chemical synthesis approach, researchers have recently characterised the structure and possible biosynthesis processes of colibactin, thereby providing new insights into the unique biosynthesis logic and the underlying mechanism of the biological activity of colibactin. Early developments in the study of colibactin have been summarised in several previous reviews covering various study periods, whereas the two most recent reviews have focused primarily on the chemical synthesis of colibactin. The present review aims to provide an update on the biosynthesis and bioactivities of colibactin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Wei Tang
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Wei Ye
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Zhong-Rui Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China
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