1
|
Monti M, Herman R, Mancini L, Capitanchik C, Davey K, Dawson CS, Ule J, Thomas GH, Willis AE, Lilley KS, Villanueva E. Interrogation of RNA-protein interaction dynamics in bacterial growth. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:573-589. [PMID: 38531971 PMCID: PMC11066096 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00031-y] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Characterising RNA-protein interaction dynamics is fundamental to understand how bacteria respond to their environment. In this study, we have analysed the dynamics of 91% of the Escherichia coli expressed proteome and the RNA-interaction properties of 271 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) at different growth phases. We find that 68% of RBPs differentially bind RNA across growth phases and characterise 17 previously unannotated proteins as bacterial RBPs including YfiF, a ncRNA-binding protein. While these new RBPs are mostly present in Proteobacteria, two of them are orthologs of human mitochondrial proteins associated with rare metabolic disorders. Moreover, we reveal novel RBP functions for proteins such as the chaperone HtpG, a new stationary phase tRNA-binding protein. For the first time, the dynamics of the bacterial RBPome have been interrogated, showcasing how this approach can reveal the function of uncharacterised proteins and identify critical RNA-protein interactions for cell growth which could inform new antimicrobial therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mie Monti
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK
| | - Reyme Herman
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Leonardo Mancini
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Charlotte Capitanchik
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, The Wohl, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Karen Davey
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, The Wohl, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Charlotte S Dawson
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jernej Ule
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, The Wohl, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Gavin H Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Anne E Willis
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Eneko Villanueva
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu Y, Ponath F, Cosi V, Vogel J. A global survey of small RNA interactors identifies KhpA and KhpB as major RNA-binding proteins in Fusobacterium nucleatum. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3950-3970. [PMID: 38281181 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae010] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The common oral microbe Fusobacterium nucleatum has recently drawn attention after it was found to colonize tumors throughout the human body. Fusobacteria are also interesting study systems for bacterial RNA biology as these early-branching species encode many small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) but lack homologs of the common RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) CsrA, Hfq and ProQ. To search for alternate sRNA-associated RBPs in F. nucleatum, we performed a systematic mass spectrometry analysis of proteins that co-purified with 19 different sRNAs. This approach revealed strong enrichment of the KH domain proteins KhpA and KhpB with nearly all tested sRNAs, including the σE-dependent sRNA FoxI, a regulator of several envelope proteins. KhpA/B act as a dimer to bind sRNAs with low micromolar affinity and influence the stability of several of their target transcripts. Transcriptome studies combined with biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that KhpA/B have several physiological functions, including being required for ethanolamine utilization. Our RBP search and the discovery of KhpA/B as major RBPs in F. nucleatum are important first steps in identifying key players of post-transcriptional control at the root of the bacterial phylogenetic tree.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhu
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg D-97080, Germany
| | - Falk Ponath
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg D-97080, Germany
| | - Valentina Cosi
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg D-97080, Germany
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg D-97080, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jenniches L, Michaux C, Popella L, Reichardt S, Vogel J, Westermann AJ, Barquist L. Improved RNA stability estimation through Bayesian modeling reveals most Salmonella transcripts have subminute half-lives. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2308814121. [PMID: 38527194 PMCID: PMC10998600 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308814121] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA decay is a crucial mechanism for regulating gene expression in response to environmental stresses. In bacteria, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are known to be involved in posttranscriptional regulation, but their global impact on RNA half-lives has not been extensively studied. To shed light on the role of the major RBPs ProQ and CspC/E in maintaining RNA stability, we performed RNA sequencing of Salmonella enterica over a time course following treatment with the transcription initiation inhibitor rifampicin (RIF-seq) in the presence and absence of these RBPs. We developed a hierarchical Bayesian model that corrects for confounding factors in rifampicin RNA stability assays and enables us to identify differentially decaying transcripts transcriptome-wide. Our analysis revealed that the median RNA half-life in Salmonella in early stationary phase is less than 1 min, a third of previous estimates. We found that over half of the 500 most long-lived transcripts are bound by at least one major RBP, suggesting a general role for RBPs in shaping the transcriptome. Integrating differential stability estimates with cross-linking and immunoprecipitation followed by RNA sequencing (CLIP-seq) revealed that approximately 30% of transcripts with ProQ binding sites and more than 40% with CspC/E binding sites in coding or 3' untranslated regions decay differentially in the absence of the respective RBP. Analysis of differentially destabilized transcripts identified a role for ProQ in the oxidative stress response. Our findings provide insights into posttranscriptional regulation by ProQ and CspC/E, and the importance of RBPs in regulating gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jenniches
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Charlotte Michaux
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Linda Popella
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Sarah Reichardt
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg97080, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Alexander J. Westermann
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg97080, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
| | - Lars Barquist
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg97080, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg97080, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ONL5L 1C6Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stenum TS, Holmqvist E. Global Identification of RNA-Binding Proteins in Bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2741:347-361. [PMID: 38217662 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3565-0_18] [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: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are at the heart of many biological processes and are therefore essential for cellular life. Following identification of single RBPs by classical genetics and molecular biology methods, approaches for RBP discovery on a systems level have recently emerged. For instance, RNA interactome capture (RIC) enables the global purification of RBPs cross-linked to polyadenylated RNA using oligo(dT) probes. RIC was originally developed for eukaryotic organisms but was recently established for capturing RBPs in bacteria. In this chapter, we provide a detailed step-by-step protocol for performing RIC in bacteria. The protocol is based on its application to Escherichia coli but should be amenable for charting other genetically tractable bacterial species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik Holmqvist
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lei JD, Li Q, Zhang SB, Lv YY, Zhai HC, Wei S, Ma PA, Hu YS. Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses revealed antifungal mechanism of trans-anethole on Aspergillus flavus growth. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:7213-7230. [PMID: 37733053 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12791-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Plant volatile compounds have great potential for preventing and controlling fungal spoilage in post-harvest grains. Recently, we have reported the antifungal effects of trans-anethole, the main volatile constituent of the Illicium verum fruit, on Aspergillus flavus. In this study, the inhibitory mechanisms of trans-anethole against the growth of A. flavus mycelia were investigated using transcriptomic and biochemical analyses. Biochemical and transcriptomic changes in A. flavus mycelia were evaluated after exposure to 0.2 μL/mL trans-anethole. Scanning electron microscopy showed that trans-anethole treatment resulted in the surface wrinkling of A. flavus mycelia, and calcofluor white staining confirmed that trans-anethole treatment disrupted the mycelial cell wall structure. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining suggested that trans-anethole induced apoptosis in A. flavus mycelia. Reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage were observed in trans-anethole-treated A. flavus mycelia using 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, respectively. 2',7'- Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate staining and biochemical assays demonstrated that trans-anethole treatment cause the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the A. flavus mycelia. Transcriptome results showed that 1673 genes were differentially expressed in A. flavus mycelia exposed to trans-anethole, which were mainly associated with multidrug transport, oxidative phosphorylation, citric acid cycle, ribosomes, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling. We propose that trans-anethole can inhibit the growth of A. flavus mycelia by disrupting the cell wall structure, blocking the multidrug transport process, disturbing the citric acid cycle, and inducing apoptosis. This study provides new insights into the inhibitory mechanism of trans-anethole on A. flavus mycelia and will be helpful for the development of natural fungicides. KEY POINTS: • Biochemical analyses of A. flavus mycelia exposed to trans-anethole were performed • Transcriptomic changes in trans-anethole-treated A. flavus mycelia were analyzed • An inhibitory mechanism of trans-anethole on the growth of A. flavus mycelia was proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Dong Lei
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiong Li
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai-Bing Zhang
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang-Yong Lv
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan-Chen Zhai
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wei
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping-An Ma
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Sen Hu
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Esteban‐Serna S, McCaughan H, Granneman S. Advantages and limitations of UV cross-linking analysis of protein-RNA interactomes in microbes. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:477-489. [PMID: 37165708 PMCID: PMC10952675 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) govern the lifespan of nearly all transcripts and play key roles in adaptive responses in microbes. A robust approach to examine protein-RNA interactions involves irradiating cells with UV light to form covalent adducts between RBPs and their cognate RNAs. Combined with RNA or protein purification, these procedures can provide global RBP censuses or transcriptomic maps for all target sequences of a single protein in living cells. The recent development of novel methods has quickly populated the RBP landscape in microorganisms. Here, we provide an overview of prominent UV cross-linking techniques which have been applied to investigate RNA interactomes in microbes. By assessing their advantages and caveats, this technical evaluation intends to guide the selection of appropriate methods and experimental design as well as to encourage the use of complementary UV-dependent techniques to inspect RNA-binding activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Esteban‐Serna
- Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Hugh McCaughan
- Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Sander Granneman
- Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| |
Collapse
|