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Breidenstein A, Lamy A, Bader CP, Sun WS, Wanrooij PH, Berntsson RPA. PrgE: an OB-fold protein from plasmid pCF10 with striking differences to prototypical bacterial SSBs. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402693. [PMID: 38811160 PMCID: PMC11137577 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
A major pathway for horizontal gene transfer is the transmission of DNA from donor to recipient cells via plasmid-encoded type IV secretion systems (T4SSs). Many conjugative plasmids encode for a single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) together with their T4SS. Some of these SSBs have been suggested to aid in establishing the plasmid in the recipient cell, but for many, their function remains unclear. Here, we characterize PrgE, a proposed SSB from the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pCF10. We show that PrgE is not essential for conjugation. Structurally, it has the characteristic OB-fold of SSBs, but it has very unusual DNA-binding properties. Our DNA-bound structure shows that PrgE binds ssDNA like beads on a string supported by its N-terminal tail. In vitro studies highlight the plasticity of PrgE oligomerization and confirm the importance of the N-terminus. Unlike other SSBs, PrgE binds both double- and single-stranded DNA equally well. This shows that PrgE has a quaternary assembly and DNA-binding properties that are very different from the prototypical bacterial SSB, but also different from eukaryotic SSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Breidenstein
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anaïs Lamy
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cyrielle Pj Bader
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Wei-Sheng Sun
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Paulina H Wanrooij
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ronnie P-A Berntsson
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- https://ror.org/05kb8h459 Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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2
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Cobe BL, Dey S, Minasov G, Inniss N, Satchell KJF, Cianciotto NP. Bactericidal effectors of the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia type IV secretion system: functional definition of the nuclease TfdA and structural determination of TfcB. mBio 2024:e0119824. [PMID: 38832773 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01198-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia expresses a type IV protein secretion system (T4SS) that promotes contact-dependent killing of other bacteria and does so partly by secreting the effector TfcB. Here, we report the structure of TfcB, comprising an N-terminal domain similar to the catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolase (GH-19) chitinases and a C-terminal domain for recognition and translocation by the T4SS. Utilizing a two-hybrid assay to measure effector interactions with the T4SS coupling protein VirD4, we documented the existence of five more T4SS substrates. One of these was protein 20845, an annotated nuclease. A S. maltophilia mutant lacking the gene for 20845 was impaired for killing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the cloned 20845 gene conferred robust toxicity, with the recombinant E. coli being rescued when 20845 was co-expressed with its cognate immunity protein. The 20845 effector was an 899 amino-acid protein, comprised of a GHH-nuclease domain in its N-terminus, a large central region of indeterminant function, and a C-terminus for secretion. Engineered variants of the 20845 gene that had mutations in the predicted catalytic site did not impede E. coli, indicating that the antibacterial effect of 20845 involves its nuclease activity. Using flow cytometry with DNA staining, we determined that 20845, but not its mutant variants, confers a loss in DNA content of target bacteria. Database searches revealed that uncharacterized homologs of 20845 occur within a range of bacteria. These data indicate that the S. maltophilia T4SS promotes interbacterial competition through the action of multiple toxic effectors, including a potent, novel DNase.IMPORTANCEStenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multi-drug-resistant, Gram-negative bacterium that is an emerging pathogen of humans. Patients with cystic fibrosis are particularly susceptible to S. maltophilia infection. In hospital water systems and various types of infections, S. maltophilia co-exists with other bacteria, including other pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We previously demonstrated that S. maltophilia has a functional VirB/D4 type VI protein secretion system (T4SS) that promotes contact-dependent killing of other bacteria. Since most work on antibacterial systems involves the type VI secretion system, this observation remains noteworthy. Moreover, S. maltophilia currently stands alone as a model for a human pathogen expressing an antibacterial T4SS. Using biochemical, genetic, and cell biological approaches, we now report both the discovery of a novel antibacterial nuclease (TfdA) and the first structural determination of a bactericidal T4SS effector (TfcB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi L Cobe
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Supratim Dey
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - George Minasov
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicole Inniss
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Karla J F Satchell
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicholas P Cianciotto
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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3
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Morin C, Verma VT, Arya T, Casu B, Jolicoeur E, Ruel R, Marinier A, Sygusch J, Baron C. Structure-based design of small molecule inhibitors of the cagT4SS ATPase Cagα of Helicobacter pylori. Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 102:226-237. [PMID: 38377487 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2023-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We here describe the structure-based design of small molecule inhibitors of the type IV secretion system of Helicobacter pylori. The secretion system is encoded by the cag pathogenicity island, and we chose Cagα, a hexameric ATPase and member of the family of VirB11-like proteins, as target for inhibitor design. We first solved the crystal structure of Cagα in a complex with the previously identified small molecule inhibitor 1G2. The molecule binds at the interface between two Cagα subunits and mutagenesis of the binding site identified Cagα residues F39 and R73 as critical for 1G2 binding. Based on the inhibitor binding site we synthesized 98 small molecule derivates of 1G2 to improve binding of the inhibitor. We used the production of interleukin-8 of gastric cancer cells during H. pylori infection to screen the potency of inhibitors and we identified five molecules (1G2_1313, 1G2_1338, 1G2_2886, 1G2_2889, and 1G2_2902) that have similar or higher potency than 1G2. Differential scanning fluorimetry suggested that these five molecules bind Cagα, and enzyme assays demonstrated that some are more potent ATPase inhibitors than 1G2. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that 1G2 and its derivatives inhibit the assembly of T4SS-determined extracellular pili suggesting a mechanism for their anti-virulence effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Morin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vijay Tailor Verma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tarun Arya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Bastien Casu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Eric Jolicoeur
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Réjean Ruel
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anne Marinier
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jurgen Sygusch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Baron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
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4
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Roberts JR, Tran SC, Frick-Cheng AE, Bryant KN, Okoye CD, McDonald WH, Cover TL, Ohi MD. Subdomains of the Helicobacter pylori Cag T4SS outer membrane core complex exhibit structural independence. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302560. [PMID: 38631913 PMCID: PMC11024343 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The Helicobacter pylori Cag type IV secretion system (Cag T4SS) has an important role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The Cag T4SS outer membrane core complex (OMCC) is organized into three regions: a 14-fold symmetric outer membrane cap (OMC) composed of CagY, CagX, CagT, CagM, and Cag3; a 17-fold symmetric periplasmic ring (PR) composed of CagY and CagX; and a stalk with unknown composition. We investigated how CagT, CagM, and a conserved antenna projection (AP) region of CagY contribute to the structural organization of the OMCC. Single-particle cryo-EM analyses showed that complexes purified from ΔcagT or ΔcagM mutants no longer had organized OMCs, but the PRs remained structured. OMCCs purified from a CagY antenna projection mutant (CagY∆AP) were structurally similar to WT OMCCs, except for the absence of the α-helical antenna projection. These results indicate that CagY and CagX are sufficient for maintaining a stable PR, but the organization of the OMC requires CagY, CagX, CagM, and CagT. Our results highlight an unexpected structural independence of two major subdomains of the Cag T4SS OMCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn R Roberts
- https://ror.org/00jmfr291 Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- https://ror.org/00jmfr291 Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sirena C Tran
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Arwen E Frick-Cheng
- https://ror.org/00jmfr291 Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kaeli N Bryant
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Chiamaka D Okoye
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - W Hayes McDonald
- Proteomics Laboratory, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Timothy L Cover
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Melanie D Ohi
- https://ror.org/00jmfr291 Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- https://ror.org/00jmfr291 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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5
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Fraikin N, Couturier A, Lesterlin C. The winding journey of conjugative plasmids toward a novel host cell. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102449. [PMID: 38432159 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of plasmids by conjugation is a fundamental mechanism driving the widespread dissemination of drug resistance among bacterial populations. The successful colonization of a new host cell necessitates the plasmid to navigate through a series of sequential steps, each dependent on specific plasmid or host factors. This review explores recent advancements in comprehending the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern plasmid transmission, establishment, and long-term maintenance. Adopting a plasmid-centric perspective, we describe the critical steps and bottlenecks in the plasmid's journey toward a new host cell, encompassing exploration and contact initiation, invasion, establishment and control, and assimilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Fraikin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Agathe Couturier
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Christian Lesterlin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France.
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6
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Sit B, Lamason RL. Pathogenic Rickettsia spp. as emerging models for bacterial biology. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0040423. [PMID: 38315013 PMCID: PMC10883807 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00404-23] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of free-living bacterial models like Escherichia coli far outpaces that of obligate intracellular bacteria, which cannot be cultured axenically. All obligate intracellular bacteria are host-associated, and many cause serious human diseases. Their constant exposure to the distinct biochemical niche of the host has driven the evolution of numerous specialized bacteriological and genetic adaptations, as well as innovative molecular mechanisms of infection. Here, we review the history and use of pathogenic Rickettsia species, which cause an array of vector-borne vascular illnesses, as model systems to probe microbial biology. Although many challenges remain in our studies of these organisms, the rich pathogenic and biological diversity of Rickettsia spp. constitutes a unique backdrop to investigate how microbes survive and thrive in host and vector cells. We take a bacterial-focused perspective and highlight emerging insights that relate to new host-pathogen interactions, bacterial physiology, and evolution. The transformation of Rickettsia spp. from pathogens to models demonstrates how recalcitrant microbes may be leveraged in the lab to tap unmined bacterial diversity for new discoveries. Rickettsia spp. hold great promise as model systems not only to understand other obligate intracellular pathogens but also to discover new biology across and beyond bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Sit
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Lamason
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Murata T, Gotoh Y, Hayashi T. A comprehensive list of genes required for the efficient conjugation of plasmid Rts1 was determined by systematic deletion analysis. DNA Res 2024; 31:dsae002. [PMID: 38300630 PMCID: PMC10838148 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
While conjugation-related genes have been identified in many plasmids by genome sequencing, functional analyses have not yet been performed in most cases, and a full set of conjugation genes has been identified for only a few plasmids. Rts1, a prototype IncT plasmid, is a conjugative plasmid that was originally isolated from Proteus vulgaris. Here, we conducted a systematic deletion analysis of Rts1 to fully understand its conjugation system. Through this analysis along with complementation assays, we identified 32 genes that are required for the efficient conjugation of Rts1 from Escherichia coli to E. coli. In addition, the functions of the 28 genes were determined or predicted; 21 were involved in mating-pair formation, three were involved in DNA transfer and replication, including a relaxase gene belonging to the MOBH12 family, one was involved in coupling, and three were involved in transcriptional regulation. Among the functionally well-analysed conjugation systems, most of the 28 genes showed the highest similarity to those of the SXT element, which is an integrative conjugative element of Vibrio cholerae. The Rts1 conjugation gene set included all 23 genes required for the SXT system. Two groups of plasmids with conjugation systems nearly identical or very similar to that of Rts1 were also identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Murata
- Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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8
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Tran SC, Bryant KN, Cover TL. The Helicobacter pylori cag pathogenicity island as a determinant of gastric cancer risk. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2314201. [PMID: 38391242 PMCID: PMC10896142 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2314201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori strains can be broadly classified into two groups based on whether they contain or lack a chromosomal region known as the cag pathogenicity island (cag PAI). Colonization of the human stomach with cag PAI-positive strains is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease, compared to colonization with cag PAI-negative strains. The cag PAI encodes a secreted effector protein (CagA) and components of a type IV secretion system (Cag T4SS) that delivers CagA and non-protein substrates into host cells. Animal model experiments indicate that CagA and the Cag T4SS stimulate a gastric mucosal inflammatory response and contribute to the development of gastric cancer. In this review, we discuss recent studies defining structural and functional features of CagA and the Cag T4SS and mechanisms by which H. pylori strains containing the cag PAI promote the development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirena C Tran
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kaeli N Bryant
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Timothy L Cover
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
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9
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Luo Y, Chen Z, Lian S, Ji X, Zhu C, Zhu G, Xia P. The Love and Hate Relationship between T5SS and Other Secretion Systems in Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:281. [PMID: 38203452 PMCID: PMC10778856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have existed on Earth for billions of years, exhibiting ubiquity and involvement in various biological activities. To ensure survival, bacteria usually release and secrete effector proteins to acquire nutrients and compete with other microorganisms for living space during long-term evolution. Consequently, bacteria have developed a range of secretion systems, which are complex macromolecular transport machines responsible for transporting proteins across the bacterial cell membranes. Among them, one particular secretion system that stands out from the rest is the type V secretion system (T5SS), known as the "autotransporter". Bacterial activities mediated by T5SS include adherence to host cells or the extracellular matrix, invasion of host cells, immune evasion and serum resistance, contact-dependent growth inhibition, cytotoxicity, intracellular flow, protease activity, autoaggregation, and biofilm formation. In a bacterial body, it is not enough to rely on T5SS alone; in most cases, T5SS cooperates with other secretion systems to carry out bacterial life activities, but regardless of how good the relationship is, there is friction between the secretion systems. T5SS and T1SS/T2SS/T3SS/T6SS all play a synergistic role in the pathogenic processes of bacteria, such as nutrient acquisition, pathogenicity enhancement, and immune modulation, but T5SS indirectly inhibits the function of T4SS. This could be considered a love-hate relationship between secretion systems. This paper uses the systematic literature review methodology to review 117 journal articles published within the period from 1995 to 2024, which are all available from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and aim to elucidate the link between T5SS and other secretion systems, providing clues for future prevention and control of bacterial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ziyue Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Siqi Lian
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xingduo Ji
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chunhong Zhu
- Jiangsu Institute of Poultry Science, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Guoqiang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Pengpeng Xia
- College of Veterinary Medicine (Institute of Comparative Medicine), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.L.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (G.Z.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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10
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Christie PJ. Illuminating type IV secretion-mediated DNA trafficking through long filaments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2318508120. [PMID: 38019843 PMCID: PMC10722965 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318508120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX 77030
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11
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Kishida K, Li YG, Ogawa-Kishida N, Khara P, Al Mamun AAM, Bosserman RE, Christie PJ. Chimeric systems composed of swapped Tra subunits between distantly-related F plasmids reveal striking plasticity among type IV secretion machines. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570194. [PMID: 38106057 PMCID: PMC10723329 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are a versatile family of macromolecular translocators, collectively able to recruit diverse DNA and protein substrates and deliver them to a wide range of cell types. Presently, there is little understanding of how T4SSs recognize substrate repertoires and form productive contacts with specific target cells. Although T4SSs are composed of a number of conserved subunits and adopt certain conserved structural features, they also display considerable compositional and structural diversity. Here, we explored the structural bases underlying the functional versatility of T4SSs through systematic deletion and subunit swapping between two conjugation systems encoded by the distantly-related IncF plasmids, pED208 and F. We identified several regions of intrinsic flexibility among the encoded T4SSs, as evidenced by partial or complete functionality of chimeric machines. Swapping of VirD4-like TraD type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) yielded functional chimeras, indicative of relaxed specificity at the substrate - TraD and TraD - T4SS interfaces. Through mutational analyses, we further delineated domains of the TraD T4CPs contributing to recruitment of cognate vs heterologous DNA substrates. Remarkably, swaps of components comprising the outer membrane core complexes, a few F-specific subunits, or the TraA pilins supported DNA transfer in the absence of detectable pilus production. Among sequenced enterobacterial species in the NCBI database, we identified many strains that harbor two or more F-like plasmids and many F plasmids lacking one or more T4SS components required for self-transfer. We confirmed that host cells carrying co-resident, non-selftransmissible variants of pED208 and F elaborate chimeric T4SSs, as evidenced by transmission of both plasmids. We propose that T4SS plasticity enables the facile assembly of functional chimeras, and this intrinsic flexibility at the structural level can account for functional diversification of this superfamily over evolutionary time and, on a more immediate time-scale, to proliferation of transfer-defective MGEs in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Natsumi Ogawa-Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Pratick Khara
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Abu Amar M Al Mamun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. Bosserman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
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Wang B, Finazzo M, Artsimovitch I. Machine Learning Suggests That Small Size Helps Broaden Plasmid Host Range. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2044. [PMID: 38002987 PMCID: PMC10670969 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112044] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids mediate gene exchange across taxonomic barriers through conjugation, shaping bacterial evolution for billions of years. While plasmid mobility can be harnessed for genetic engineering and drug-delivery applications, rapid plasmid-mediated spread of resistance genes has rendered most clinical antibiotics useless. To solve this urgent and growing problem, we must understand how plasmids spread across bacterial communities. Here, we applied machine-learning models to identify features that are important for extending the plasmid host range. We assembled an up-to-date dataset of more than thirty thousand bacterial plasmids, separated them into 1125 clusters, and assigned each cluster a distribution possibility score, taking into account the host distribution of each taxonomic rank and the sampling bias of the existing sequencing data. Using this score and an optimized plasmid feature pool, we built a model stack consisting of DecisionTreeRegressor, EvoTreeRegressor, and LGBMRegressor as base models and LinearRegressor as a meta-learner. Our mathematical modeling revealed that sequence brevity is the most important determinant for plasmid spread, followed by P-loop NTPases, mobility factors, and β-lactamases. Ours and other recent results suggest that small plasmids may broaden their range by evading host defenses and using alternative modes of transfer instead of autonomous conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | | | - Irina Artsimovitch
- Department of Microbiology and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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