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Marvaud JC, Bouttier S, Saunier J, Kansau I. Clostridioides difficile Flagella. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2202. [PMID: 38396876 PMCID: PMC10889297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042202] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is an important pathogen for humans with a lead in nosocomial infection, but it is also more and more common in communities. Our knowledge of the pathology has historically been focused on the toxins produced by the bacteria that remain its major virulence factors. But the dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota creating the conditions for the colonization appears to be fundamental for our understanding of the disease. Colonization implies several steps for the bacteria that do or do not use their capacity of motility with the synthesis of flagella. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of different topics on the C. difficile flagellum, ranging from its genetic organization to the vaccinal interest in it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Marvaud
- Institut MICALIS, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Equipe Bactéries Pathogènes et Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France (I.K.)
| | - Sylvie Bouttier
- Institut MICALIS, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Equipe Bactéries Pathogènes et Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France (I.K.)
| | - Johanna Saunier
- Matériaux et Santé, Faculté de pharmacie, Université Paris Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Imad Kansau
- Institut MICALIS, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Equipe Bactéries Pathogènes et Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France (I.K.)
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2
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Claushuis B, de Ru AH, Rotman SA, van Veelen PA, Dawson LF, Wren BW, Corver J, Smits WK, Hensbergen PJ. Revised Model for the Type A Glycan Biosynthetic Pathway in Clostridioides difficile Strain 630Δ erm Based on Quantitative Proteomics of cd0241- cd0244 Mutant Strains. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2665-2674. [PMID: 37965964 PMCID: PMC10714395 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00485] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial flagellum is involved in a variety of processes including motility, adherence, and immunomodulation. In the Clostridioides difficile strain 630Δerm, the main filamentous component, FliC, is post-translationally modified with an O-linked Type A glycan structure. This modification is essential for flagellar function, since motility is seriously impaired in gene mutants with improper biosynthesis of the Type A glycan. The cd0240-cd0244 gene cluster encodes the Type A biosynthetic proteins, but the role of each gene, and the corresponding enzymatic activity, have not been fully elucidated. Using quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics analyses, we determined the relative abundance of the observed glycan variations of the Type A structure in cd0241, cd0242, cd0243, and cd0244 mutant strains. Our data not only confirm the importance of CD0241, CD0242, and CD0243 but, in contrast to previous data, also show that CD0244 is essential for the biosynthesis of the Type A modification. Combined with additional bioinformatic analyses, we propose a revised model for Type A glycan biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Claushuis
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H. de Ru
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah A. Rotman
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa F. Dawson
- Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan W. Wren
- Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen Corver
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Wiep Klaas Smits
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Hensbergen
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
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3
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Hensbergen PJ, de Ru AH, Friggen AH, Corver J, Smits WK, van Veelen PA. New insights into the Type A glycan modification of Clostridioides difficile flagellar protein flagellin C by phosphoproteomics analysis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101622. [PMID: 35065968 PMCID: PMC8861647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The type A glycan modification found in human pathogen Clostridioides difficile consists of a monosaccharide (GlcNAc) that is linked to an N-methylated threonine through a phosphodiester bond. This structure has previously been described on the flagellar protein flagellin C of several C. difficile strains and is important for bacterial motility. The study of post-translational modifications often relies on some type of enrichment strategy; however, a procedure for enrichment of this modification has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we show that an approach that is commonly used in phosphoproteomics, Fe3+-immobilized metal affinity chromatography, also enriches for peptides with this unique post-translational modification. Using LC–MS/MS analyses of immobilized metal affinity chromatography–captured tryptic peptides, we observed not only type A-modified C. difficile flagellin peptides but also a variety of truncated/modified type A structures on these peptides. Using an elaborate set of mass spectrometry analyses, we demonstrate that one of these modifications consists of a type A structure containing a phosphonate (2-aminoethylphosphonate), a modification that is rarely observed and has hitherto not been described in C. difficile. In conclusion, we show that a common enrichment strategy results in reliable identification of peptides carrying a type A glycan modification, and that the results obtained can be used to advance models about its biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Hensbergen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Arnoud H de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke H Friggen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Corver
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wiep Klaas Smits
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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4
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Yakovlieva L, Fülleborn JA, Walvoort MTC. Opportunities and Challenges of Bacterial Glycosylation for the Development of Novel Antibacterial Strategies. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:745702. [PMID: 34630370 PMCID: PMC8498110 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.745702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is a ubiquitous process that is universally conserved in nature. The various products of glycosylation, such as polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, perform a myriad of intra- and extracellular functions. The multitude of roles performed by these molecules is reflected in the significant diversity of glycan structures and linkages found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Importantly, glycosylation is highly relevant for the virulence of many bacterial pathogens. Various surface-associated glycoconjugates have been identified in bacteria that promote infectious behavior and survival in the host through motility, adhesion, molecular mimicry, and immune system manipulation. Interestingly, bacterial glycosylation systems that produce these virulence factors frequently feature rare monosaccharides and unusual glycosylation mechanisms. Owing to their marked difference from human glycosylation, bacterial glycosylation systems constitute promising antibacterial targets. With the rise of antibiotic resistance and depletion of the antibiotic pipeline, novel drug targets are urgently needed. Bacteria-specific glycosylation systems are especially promising for antivirulence therapies that do not eliminate a bacterial population, but rather alleviate its pathogenesis. In this review, we describe a selection of unique glycosylation systems in bacterial pathogens and their role in bacterial homeostasis and infection, with a focus on virulence factors. In addition, recent advances to inhibit the enzymes involved in these glycosylation systems and target the bacterial glycan structures directly will be highlighted. Together, this review provides an overview of the current status and promise for the future of using bacterial glycosylation to develop novel antibacterial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubov Yakovlieva
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Julius A Fülleborn
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marthe T C Walvoort
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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5
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Brauer M, Lassek C, Hinze C, Hoyer J, Becher D, Jahn D, Sievers S, Riedel K. What's a Biofilm?-How the Choice of the Biofilm Model Impacts the Protein Inventory of Clostridioides difficile. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:682111. [PMID: 34177868 PMCID: PMC8225356 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.682111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The anaerobic pathogen Clostridioides difficile is perfectly equipped to survive and persist inside the mammalian intestine. When facing unfavorable conditions C. difficile is able to form highly resistant endospores. Likewise, biofilms are currently discussed as form of persistence. Here a comprehensive proteomics approach was applied to investigate the molecular processes of C. difficile strain 630Δerm underlying biofilm formation. The comparison of the proteome from two different forms of biofilm-like growth, namely aggregate biofilms and colonies on agar plates, revealed major differences in the formation of cell surface proteins, as well as enzymes of its energy and stress metabolism. For instance, while the obtained data suggest that aggregate biofilm cells express both flagella, type IV pili and enzymes required for biosynthesis of cell-surface polysaccharides, the S-layer protein SlpA and most cell wall proteins (CWPs) encoded adjacent to SlpA were detected in significantly lower amounts in aggregate biofilm cells than in colony biofilms. Moreover, the obtained data suggested that aggregate biofilm cells are rather actively growing cells while colony biofilm cells most likely severely suffer from a lack of reductive equivalents what requires induction of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and C. difficile’s V-type ATPase to maintain cell homeostasis. In agreement with this, aggregate biofilm cells, in contrast to colony biofilm cells, neither induced toxin nor spore production. Finally, the data revealed that the sigma factor SigL/RpoN and its dependent regulators are noticeably induced in aggregate biofilms suggesting an important role of SigL/RpoN in aggregate biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madita Brauer
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Lassek
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Hinze
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Juliane Hoyer
- Department for Microbial Proteomics, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Department for Microbial Proteomics, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dieter Jahn
- Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susanne Sievers
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Riedel
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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6
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Razim A, Pacyga K, Naporowski P, Martynowski D, Szuba A, Gamian A, Górska S. Identification of linear epitopes on the flagellar proteins of Clostridioides difficile. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9940. [PMID: 33976336 PMCID: PMC8113543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89488-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is an opportunistic anaerobic bacterium that causes severe diseases of the digestive tract of humans and animals. One of the possible methods of preventing C. difficile infection is to develop a vaccine. The most promising candidates for vaccine antigens are the proteins involved in the adhesion phenomena. Among them, the FliC and FliD are considered to be suitable candidates. In this paper, the FliC and FliD protein polypeptide epitopes were mapped in silico and by using PEPSCAN procedure. We identified four promising epitopes: 117QRMRTLS123, 205MSKAG209 of FliC and 226NKVAS230, 306TTKKPKD312 of FliD protein. We showed that 117QRMRTLS123 sequence is not only located in TLR5-binding and activating region, as previously shown, but forms an epitope recognized by C. difficile-infected patients' antibodies. 205MSKAG209 is a C. difficile-unique, immunogenic sequence that forms an exposed epitope on the polymerized flagella structure which makes it a suitable vaccine antigen. 226NKVAS230 and 306TTKKPKD312 are well exposed and possess potential protective properties according to VaxiJen analysis. Our results open the possibility to use these epitopes as suitable anti-C. difficile vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Razim
- Laboratory of Immunobiology of Microbiome, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - K Pacyga
- Laboratory of Immunobiology of Microbiome, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - P Naporowski
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - D Martynowski
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - A Szuba
- Division of Angiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.,Department of Internal Medicine, 4th Military Hospital in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - A Gamian
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - S Górska
- Laboratory of Immunobiology of Microbiome, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Wroclaw, Poland
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7
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Khairnar A, Sunsunwal S, Babu P, Ramya TNC. Novel serine/threonine-O-glycosylation with N-acetylneuraminic acid and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid by bacterial flagellin glycosyltransferases. Glycobiology 2020; 31:288-306. [PMID: 32886756 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwaa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Some bacterial flagellins are O-glycosylated on surface-exposed serine/threonine residues with nonulosonic acids such as pseudaminic acid, legionaminic acid and their derivatives by flagellin nonulosonic acid glycosyltransferases, also called motility-associated factors (Maf). We report here two new glycosidic linkages previously unknown in any organism, serine/threonine-O-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid (Ser/Thr-O-Neu5Ac) and serine/threonine-O-linked 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid or keto-deoxyoctulosonate (Ser/Thr-O-KDO), both catalyzed by Geobacillus kaustophilus Maf and Clostridium botulinum Maf. We identified these novel glycosidic linkages in recombinant G. kaustophilus and C. botulinum flagellins that were coexpressed with their cognate recombinant Maf protein in Escherichia coli strains producing the appropriate nucleotide sugar glycosyl donor. Our finding that both G. kaustophilus Maf (putative flagellin sialyltransferase) and C. botulinum Maf (putative flagellin legionaminic acid transferase) catalyzed Neu5Ac and KDO transfer on to flagellin indicates that Maf glycosyltransferases display donor substrate promiscuity. Maf glycosyltransferases have the potential to radically expand the scope of neoglycopeptide synthesis and posttranslational protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aasawari Khairnar
- Department of Protein Science and Engineering, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Sonali Sunsunwal
- Department of Protein Science and Engineering, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Ponnusamy Babu
- Glycomics and Glycoproteomics & Biologics Characterization Facility, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR, Bengaluru, UAS-GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, 560065, India
| | - T N C Ramya
- Department of Protein Science and Engineering, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India
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8
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Type III Secretion Effectors with Arginine N-Glycosyltransferase Activity. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030357. [PMID: 32131463 PMCID: PMC7142665 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Type III secretion systems are used by many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens to inject proteins, known as effectors, into the cytosol of host cells. These virulence factors interfere with a diverse array of host signal transduction pathways and cellular processes. Many effectors have catalytic activities to promote post-translational modifications of host proteins. This review focuses on a family of effectors with glycosyltransferase activity that catalyze addition of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine to specific arginine residues in target proteins, leading to reduced NF-κB pathway activation and impaired host cell death. This family includes NleB from Citrobacter rodentium, NleB1 and NleB2 from enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and SseK1, SseK2, and SseK3 from Salmonella enterica. First, we place these effectors in the general framework of the glycosyltransferase superfamily and in the particular context of the role of glycosylation in bacterial pathogenesis. Then, we provide detailed information about currently known members of this family, their role in virulence, and their targets.
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9
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Richards E, Bouché L, Panico M, Arbeloa A, Vinogradov E, Morris H, Wren B, Logan SM, Dell A, Fairweather NF. The S-layer protein of a Clostridium difficile SLCT-11 strain displays a complex glycan required for normal cell growth and morphology. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:18123-18137. [PMID: 30275012 PMCID: PMC6254364 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a bacterial pathogen that causes major health challenges worldwide. It has a well-characterized surface (S)-layer, a para-crystalline proteinaceous layer surrounding the cell wall. In many bacterial and archaeal species, the S-layer is glycosylated, but no such modifications have been demonstrated in C. difficile. Here, we show that a C. difficile strain of S-layer cassette type 11, Ox247, has a complex glycan attached via an O-linkage to Thr-38 of the S-layer low-molecular-weight subunit. Using MS and NMR, we fully characterized this glycan. We present evidence that it is composed of three domains: (i) a core peptide-linked tetrasaccharide with the sequence -4-α-Rha-3-α-Rha-3-α-Rha-3-β-Gal-peptide; (ii) a repeating pentasaccharide with the sequence -4-β-Rha-4-α-Glc-3-β-Rha-4-(α-Rib-3-)β-Rha-; and (iii) a nonreducing end-terminal 2,3 cyclophosphoryl-rhamnose attached to a ribose-branched sub-terminal rhamnose residue. The Ox247 genome contains a 24-kb locus containing genes for synthesis and protein attachment of this glycan. Mutations in genes within this locus altered or completely abrogated formation of this glycan, and their phenotypes suggested that this S-layer modification may affect sporulation, cell length, and biofilm formation of C. difficile In summary, our findings indicate that the S-layer protein of SLCT-11 strains displays a complex glycan and suggest that this glycan is required for C. difficile sporulation and control of cell shape, a discovery with implications for the development of antimicrobials targeting the S-layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Richards
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Bouché
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Panico
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Arbeloa
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Evgeny Vinogradov
- the Vaccine Program, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Howard Morris
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom,; Biopharmaspec, Suite 3.1, Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviours Road, JE2 7LA Jersey, United Kingdom, and
| | - Brendan Wren
- the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susan M Logan
- the Vaccine Program, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Anne Dell
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom,.
| | - Neil F Fairweather
- From the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom,.
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10
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Characterization of the pgf operon involved in the posttranslational modification of Streptococcus mutans surface proteins. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4705. [PMID: 29549320 PMCID: PMC5856776 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23170-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein glycosylation has been described as the most abundant and complex post-translational modification occurring in nature. Recent studies have enhanced our view of how this modification occurs in bacteria highlighting the role of protein glycosylation in various processes such as biofilm formation, virulence and host-microbe interactions. We recently showed that the collagen- and laminin-binding adhesin Cnm of the dental pathogen Streptococcus mutans is post-translationally modified by the PgfS glycosyltransferase. Following this initial identification of Cnm as a glycoprotein, we have now identified additional genes (pgfM1, pgfE and pgfM2) that are also involved in the posttranslational modification of Cnm. Similar to the previously characterized ΔpgfS strain, inactivation of pgfM1, pgfE or pgfM2 directly impacts Cnm by altering its migration pattern, proteolytic stability and function. In addition, we identified the wall-associated protein A (WapA) as an additional substrate of Pgf-dependent modification. We conclude that the pgS-pgfM1-pgfE-pgfM2 operon encodes for a protein machinery that can modify, likely through the addition of glycans, both core and non-core gene products in S. mutans.
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11
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Fulton KM, Li J, Tomas JM, Smith JC, Twine SM. Characterizing bacterial glycoproteins with LC-MS. Expert Rev Proteomics 2018; 15:203-216. [PMID: 29400572 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2018.1435276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Though eukaryotic glycoproteins have been studied since their discovery in the 1930s, the first bacterial glycoprotein was not identified until the 1970s. As a result, their role in bacterial pathogenesis is still not well understood and they remain an understudied component of bacterial virulence. In recent years, mass spectrometry has emerged as a leading technology for the study of bacterial glycoproteins, largely due to its sensitivity and versatility. Areas covered: Identification and comprehensive characterization of bacterial glycoproteins usually requires multiple complementary mass spectrometry approaches, including intact protein analysis, top-down analysis, and bottom-up methods used in combination with specialized liquid chromatography. This review provides an overview of liquid chromatography separation technologies, as well as current and emerging mass spectrometry approaches used specifically for bacterial glycoprotein identification and characterization. Expert commentary: Bacterial glycoproteins may have significant clinical utility as a result of their unique structures and exposure on the surface of the cells. Better understanding of these glycoconjugates is an essential first step towards that goal. These often unique structures, and by extension the key enzymes involved in their synthesis, represent promising targets for novel antimicrobials, while unique carbohydrate structures may be used as antigens in vaccines or as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Fulton
- a Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Jianjun Li
- a Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Juan M Tomas
- b Departament de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biologia , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Jeffrey C Smith
- c Department of Chemistry , Carleton University , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Susan M Twine
- a Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
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12
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Latousakis D, Juge N. How Sweet Are Our Gut Beneficial Bacteria? A Focus on Protein Glycosylation in Lactobacillus. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010136. [PMID: 29301365 PMCID: PMC5796085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein glycosylation is emerging as an important feature in bacteria. Protein glycosylation systems have been reported and studied in many pathogenic bacteria, revealing an important diversity of glycan structures and pathways within and between bacterial species. These systems play key roles in virulence and pathogenicity. More recently, a large number of bacterial proteins have been found to be glycosylated in gut commensal bacteria. We present an overview of bacterial protein glycosylation systems (O- and N-glycosylation) in bacteria, with a focus on glycoproteins from gut commensal bacteria, particularly Lactobacilli. These emerging studies underscore the importance of bacterial protein glycosylation in the interaction of the gut microbiota with the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Latousakis
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, The Gut Health and Food Safety Institute Strategic Programme, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
| | - Nathalie Juge
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, The Gut Health and Food Safety Institute Strategic Programme, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
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Anjuwon-Foster BR, Tamayo R. A genetic switch controls the production of flagella and toxins in Clostridium difficile. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006701. [PMID: 28346491 PMCID: PMC5386303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the human intestinal pathogen Clostridium difficile, flagella promote adherence to intestinal epithelial cells. Flagellar gene expression also indirectly impacts production of the glucosylating toxins, which are essential to diarrheal disease development. Thus, factors that regulate the expression of the flgB operon will likely impact toxin production in addition to flagellar motility. Here, we report the identification a "flagellar switch" that controls the phase variable production of flagella and glucosylating toxins. The flagellar switch, located upstream of the flgB operon containing the early stage flagellar genes, is a 154 bp invertible sequence flanked by 21 bp inverted repeats. Bacteria with the sequence in one orientation expressed flagellum and toxin genes, produced flagella, and secreted the toxins ("flg phase ON"). Bacteria with the sequence in the inverse orientation were attenuated for flagellar and toxin gene expression, were aflagellate, and showed decreased toxin secretion ("flg phase OFF"). The orientation of the flagellar switch is reversible during growth in vitro. We provide evidence that gene regulation via the flagellar switch occurs post-transcription initiation and requires a C. difficile-specific regulatory factor to destabilize or degrade the early flagellar gene mRNA when the flagellar switch is in the OFF orientation. Lastly, through mutagenesis and characterization of flagellar phase locked isolates, we determined that the tyrosine recombinase RecV, which catalyzes inversion at the cwpV switch, is also responsible for inversion at the flagellar switch in both directions. Phase variable flagellar motility and toxin production suggests that these important virulence factors have both advantageous and detrimental effects during the course of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon R. Anjuwon-Foster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Valiente E, Bouché L, Hitchen P, Faulds-Pain A, Songane M, Dawson LF, Donahue E, Stabler RA, Panico M, Morris HR, Bajaj-Elliott M, Logan SM, Dell A, Wren BW. Role of Glycosyltransferases Modifying Type B Flagellin of Emerging Hypervirulent Clostridium difficile Lineages and Their Impact on Motility and Biofilm Formation. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:25450-25461. [PMID: 27703012 PMCID: PMC5207246 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.749523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the principal cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea worldwide. The pathogen modifies its flagellin with either a type A or type B O-linked glycosylation system, which has a contributory role in pathogenesis. We study the functional role of glycosyltransferases modifying type B flagellin in the 023 and 027 hypervirulent C. difficile lineages by mutagenesis of five putative glycosyltransferases and biosynthetic genes. We reveal their roles in the biosynthesis of the flagellin glycan chain and demonstrate that flagellar post-translational modification affects motility and adhesion-related bacterial properties of these strains. We show that the glycosyltransferases 1 and 2 (GT1 and GT2) are responsible for the sequential addition of a GlcNAc and two rhamnoses, respectively, and that GT3 is associated with the incorporation of a novel sulfonated peptidyl-amido sugar moiety whose structure is reported in our accompanying paper (Bouché, L., Panico, M., Hitchen, P., Binet, D., Sastre, F., Faulds-Pain, A., Valiente, E., Vinogradov, E., Aubry, A., Fulton, K., Twine, S., Logan, S. M., Wren, B. W., Dell, A., and Morris, H. R. (2016) J. Biol. Chem. 291, 25439–25449). GT2 is also responsible for methylation of the rhamnoses. Whereas type B modification is not required for flagellar assembly, some mutations that result in truncation or abolition of the glycan reduce bacterial motility and promote autoaggregation and biofilm formation. The complete lack of flagellin modification also significantly reduces adhesion of C. difficile to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells but does not affect activation of human TLR5. Our study advances our understanding of the genes involved in flagellar glycosylation and their biological roles in emerging hypervirulent C. difficile strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Valiente
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Bouché
- the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Hitchen
- the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Faulds-Pain
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Songane
- the Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa F Dawson
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Donahue
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A Stabler
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Panico
- the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Howard R Morris
- the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.,BioPharmaSpec Ltd., Suite 3.1, Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviours Road, Jersey JE2 7LA, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Bajaj-Elliott
- the Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Susan M Logan
- the Vaccine Program, Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada, and
| | - Anne Dell
- the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan W Wren
- From the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom,
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