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Dineen RL, Bottacini F, O'Connell‐Motherway M, van Sinderen D. Transcriptional landscape of the pMP7017 megaplasmid and its impact on the Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 transcriptome. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14405. [PMID: 38206097 PMCID: PMC10832533 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14405] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The 190 kb megaplasmid pMP7017 of Bifidobacterium breve JCM7017 represents the first conjugative and largest plasmid characterised within this genus to date. In the current study, we adopted an integrated approach combining transcriptomics, whole genome comparative analysis and metagenomic data mining to understand the biology of pMP7017 and related megaplasmids, and to assess the impact of plasmid-carriage on the host strain. The data generated revealed variations within basic features of promoter elements which correlate with a high level of transcription on the plasmid and highlight the transcriptional activity of genes encoding both offensive and defensive adaptations, including a Type IIL restriction-modification system, an anti-restriction system and four Type II toxin-antitoxin systems. Furthermore, a highly transcribed tmRNA, which likely provides translational support to the host strain, was identified, making pMP7017 the first plasmid of the Bifidobacterium genus and the smallest plasmid known to express a tmRNA. Analyses of synteny and variability among pMP7017 and related plasmids indicate substantial diversity in gene organisation and accessory gene cargo highlighting diverse (co-)evolution and potential host-specific rearrangements and adaptations. Systematic analysis of the codon usage profile of transcriptionally active pMP7017-encoded genes suggests that pMP7017 originated from (sub)species of Bifidobacterium longum. Furthermore, mining of metagenomic data suggests the presence of pMP7017-homologues in ~10% of microbiome samples, mostly infants and/or mothers from various geographical locations. Comparative transcriptome analysis of the B. breve UCC2003 chromosome in the presence or absence of pMP7017 revealed differential expression of genes representing 8% of the total gene pool. Genes involved in genetic information processing were exclusively upregulated, while altered expression of genes involved in biofilm production and polysaccharide biosynthesis was also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Dineen
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- Department of Biological SciencesMunster Technological UniversityCorkIreland
| | | | - Douwe van Sinderen
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
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2
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Tsujino S, Masuda R, Shimizu Y, Azuma Y, Kanada Y, Fujiwara T. Phylogenetic diversity, distribution, and gene structure of the pyruvic oxime dioxygenase involved in heterotrophic nitrification. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2023; 116:1037-1055. [PMID: 37596503 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-023-01862-9] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Some heterotrophic microorganisms carry out nitrification to produce nitrite and nitrate from pyruvic oxime. Pyruvic oxime dioxygenase (POD) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of pyruvic oxime to pyruvate and nitrite from the heterotrophic nitrifying bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis. Sequence similarity searches revealed the presence of genes encoding proteins homologous to A. faecalis POD in bacteria of the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria and in fungi of the phylum Ascomycota, and their gene products were confirmed to have POD activity in recombinant experiments. Phylogenetic analysis further classified these POD homologs into three groups. Group 1 POD is mainly found in heterotrophic nitrifying Betaproteobacteria and fungi, and is assumed to be involved in heterotrophic nitrification. It is not clear whether group 2 POD, found mainly in species of the Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and group 3 POD, found simultaneously with group 1 POD, are involved in heterotrophic nitrification. The genes of bacterial group 1 POD comprised a single transcription unit with the genes related to the metabolism of aromatic compounds, and many of the genes group 2 POD consisted of a single transcription unit with the gene encoding the protein homologous to 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate synthase (DapA). LysR- or Cro/CI-type regulatory genes were present adjacent to or in the vicinity of these POD gene clusters. POD may be involved not only in nitrification, but also in certain metabolic processes whose functions are currently unknown, in coordination with members of gene clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Tsujino
- Department of Environment and Energy Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ryota Masuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Shimizu
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Yuichi Azuma
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Yutaro Kanada
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Taketomo Fujiwara
- Department of Environment and Energy Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Oh-ya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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3
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Mackie ERR, Barrow AS, Giel MC, Hulett MD, Gendall AR, Panjikar S, Soares da Costa TP. Repurposed inhibitor of bacterial dihydrodipicolinate reductase exhibits effective herbicidal activity. Commun Biol 2023; 6:550. [PMID: 37217566 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04895-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Herbicide resistance represents one of the biggest threats to our natural environment and agricultural sector. Thus, new herbicides are urgently needed to tackle the rise in herbicide-resistant weeds. Here, we employed a novel strategy to repurpose a 'failed' antibiotic into a new and target-specific herbicidal compound. Specifically, we identified an inhibitor of bacterial dihydrodipicolinate reductase (DHDPR), an enzyme involved in lysine biosynthesis in plants and bacteria, that exhibited no antibacterial activity but severely attenuated germination of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We confirmed that the inhibitor targets plant DHDPR orthologues in vitro, and exhibits no toxic effects against human cell lines. A series of analogues were then synthesised with improved efficacy in germination assays and against soil-grown A. thaliana. We also showed that our lead compound is the first lysine biosynthesis inhibitor with activity against both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species, by demonstrating its effectiveness at reducing the germination and growth of Lolium rigidum (rigid ryegrass) and Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish). These results provide proof-of-concept that DHDPR inhibition may represent a much-needed new herbicide mode of action. Furthermore, this study exemplifies the untapped potential of repurposing 'failed' antibiotic scaffolds to fast-track the development of herbicide candidates targeting the respective plant enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R R Mackie
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Andrew S Barrow
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Marie-Claire Giel
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Anthony R Gendall
- Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Santosh Panjikar
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Tatiana P Soares da Costa
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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4
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Shahab M, Danial M, Khan T, Liang C, Duan X, Wang D, Gao H, Zheng G. In Silico Identification of Lead Compounds for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa PqsA Enzyme: Computational Study to Block Biofilm Formation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030961. [PMID: 36979940 PMCID: PMC10046026 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium implicated in acute and chronic nosocomial infections and a leading cause of patient mortality. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are frequently associated with the development of biofilms, which give the bacteria additional drug resistance and increase their virulence. The goal of this study was to find strong compounds that block the Anthranilate-CoA ligase enzyme made by the pqsA gene. This would stop the P. aeruginosa quorum signaling system. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa by producing autoinducers for cell-to-cell communication that lead to the production of biofilms. Pharmacophore-based virtual screening was carried out utilizing a library of commercially accessible enzyme inhibitors. The most promising hits obtained during virtual screening were put through molecular docking with the help of MOE. The virtual screening yielded 7/160 and 10/249 hits (ZINC and Chembridge). Finally, 2/7 ZINC hits and 2/10 ChemBridge hits were selected as potent lead compounds employing diverse scaffolds due to their high pqsA enzyme binding affinity. The results of the pharmacophore-based virtual screening were subsequently verified using a molecular dynamic simulation-based study (MDS). Using MDS and post-MDS, the stability of the complexes was evaluated. The most promising lead compounds exhibited a high binding affinity towards protein-binding pocket and interacted with the catalytic dyad. At least one of the scaffolds selected will possibly prove useful for future research. However, further scientific confirmation in the form of preclinical and clinical research is required before implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahab
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Muhammad Danial
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Taimur Khan
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chaoqun Liang
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiuyuan Duan
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Daixi Wang
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hanzi Gao
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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5
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Huang YL, Hsu YL, Yu YC, Huang HY, Tsai RH, Cheng YT, Chou YL, Sun SY, Wang LA, Lin JY, Chen CC, Hung JH, Ng IS. A systematic approach to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) for the treatment of glaucoma. Biotechnol Prog 2022; 38:e3285. [PMID: 35801317 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3285] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. We have developed a novel treatment option for glaucoma based on a real-time IOP-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and packed in a therapeutic contact lens to reduce the IOP. First, 1.6 nmole nitric oxide was produced from the genetic chassis, which was optimized for isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction in a T7 expression system. For biosafety concerns to human being, the csgAD genes responsible for curli biofilm formation in E. coli were co-expressed with NOS in the designated NOSAD strain to strengthen the adherence of cells to the contact lens, thereby preventing the contamination into the eyes. Moreover, NOSAD is a diaminopimelic acid (DAP) auxotrophic strain, which cannot survive without supplementation of DAP and reached the critical consideration of biosafety to the environment. We also demonstrated that the nitric oxide diffusion was 3.6-times enhanced from penetration into the aqueous humor of porcine eyes. The deformation ratio of the contact lens was correlated to the change of IOP by using a digital image correlation (DIC) system in a porcine eye model. The novel systematic approach provides an alternative treatment for glaucoma patients in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lun Huang
- School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Hsu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chu Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yan Huang
- School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Hao Tsai
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Tien Cheng
- School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Chou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yan Sun
- School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Li-An Wang
- School of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Yi Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chung Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horung Hung
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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6
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Medeiros Filho F, do Nascimento APB, Costa MDOCE, Merigueti TC, de Menezes MA, Nicolás MF, Dos Santos MT, Carvalho-Assef APD, da Silva FAB. A Systematic Strategy to Find Potential Therapeutic Targets for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Integrated Computational Models. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:728129. [PMID: 34616771 PMCID: PMC8488468 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.728129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that has been a constant global health problem due to its ability to cause infection at different body sites and its resistance to a broad spectrum of clinically available antibiotics. The World Health Organization classified multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the top-ranked organisms that require urgent research and development of effective therapeutic options. Several approaches have been taken to achieve these goals, but they all depend on discovering potential drug targets. The large amount of data obtained from sequencing technologies has been used to create computational models of organisms, which provide a powerful tool for better understanding their biological behavior. In the present work, we applied a method to integrate transcriptome data with genome-scale metabolic networks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We submitted both metabolic and integrated models to dynamic simulations and compared their performance with published in vitro growth curves. In addition, we used these models to identify potential therapeutic targets and compared the results to analyze the assumption that computational models enriched with biological measurements can provide more selective and (or) specific predictions. Our results demonstrate that dynamic simulations from integrated models result in more accurate growth curves and flux distribution more coherent with biological observations. Moreover, identifying drug targets from integrated models is more selective as the predicted genes were a subset of those found in the metabolic models. Our analysis resulted in the identification of 26 non-host homologous targets. Among them, we highlighted five top-ranked genes based on lesser conservation with the human microbiome. Overall, some of the genes identified in this work have already been proposed by different approaches and (or) are already investigated as targets to antimicrobial compounds, reinforcing the benefit of using integrated models as a starting point to selecting biologically relevant therapeutic targets.
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7
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Hall CJ, Lee M, Boarder MP, Mangion AM, Gendall AR, Panjikar S, Perugini MA, Soares da Costa TP. Differential lysine-mediated allosteric regulation of plant dihydrodipicolinate synthase isoforms. FEBS J 2021; 288:4973-4986. [PMID: 33586321 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Lysine biosynthesis in plants occurs via the diaminopimelate pathway. The first committed and rate-limiting step of this pathway is catalysed by dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), which is allosterically regulated by the end product, l-lysine (lysine). Given that lysine is a common nutritionally limiting amino acid in cereal crops, there has been much interest in probing the regulation of DHDPS. Interestingly, knockouts in Arabidopsis thaliana of each isoform (AtDHDPS1 and AtDHDPS2) result in different phenotypes, despite the enzymes sharing > 85% protein sequence identity. Accordingly, in this study, we compared the catalytic activity, lysine-mediated inhibition and structures of both A. thaliana DHDPS isoforms. We found that although the recombinantly produced enzymes have similar kinetic properties, AtDHDPS1 is 10-fold more sensitive to lysine. We subsequently used X-ray crystallography to probe for structural differences between the apo- and lysine-bound isoforms that could account for the differential allosteric inhibition. Despite no significant changes in the overall structures of the active or allosteric sites, we noted differences in the rotamer conformation of a key allosteric site residue (Trp116) and proposed that this could result in differences in lysine dissociation. Microscale thermophoresis studies supported our hypothesis, with AtDHDPS1 having a ~ 6-fold tighter lysine dissociation constant compared to AtDHDPS2, which agrees with the lower half minimal inhibitory concentration for lysine observed. Thus, we highlight that subtle differences in protein structures, which could not have been predicted from the primary sequences, can have profound effects on the allostery of a key enzyme involved in lysine biosynthesis in plants. DATABASES: Structures described are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 6VVH and 6VVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Hall
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Mihwa Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Matthew P Boarder
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Mangion
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Anthony R Gendall
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.,Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Santosh Panjikar
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew A Perugini
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Tatiana P Soares da Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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8
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Tang Y, Xin G, Zhao LM, Huang LX, Qin YX, Su YQ, Zheng WQ, Wu B, Lin N, Yan QP. Novel insights into host-pathogen interactions of large yellow croakers ( Larimichthys crocea) and pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas plecoglossicida using time-resolved dual RNA-seq of infected spleens. Zool Res 2020; 41:314-327. [PMID: 32242645 PMCID: PMC7231473 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions are highly complex, involving large dynamic changes in gene expression during infection. These interactions are fundamental to understanding anti-infection immunity of hosts, as well as the pathogenesis of pathogens. For bacterial pathogens interacting with animal hosts, time-resolved dual RNA-seq of infected tissue is difficult to perform due to low pathogen load in infected tissue. In this study, an acute infection model of Larimichthys crocea infected by Pseudomonas plecoglossicida was established. The spleens of infected fish exhibited typical symptoms, with a maximum bacterial load at two days post-injection (dpi). Time-resolved dual RNA-seq of infected spleens was successfully applied to study host-pathogen interactions between L. crocea and P. plecoglossicida. The spleens of infected L. crocea were subjected to dual RNA-seq, and transcriptome data were compared with those of noninfected spleens or in vitro cultured bacteria. Results showed that pathogen-host interactions were highly dynamically regulated, with corresponding fluctuations in host and pathogen transcriptomes during infection. The expression levels of many immunogenes involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor, Toll-like receptor signaling, and other immune-related pathways were significantly up-regulated during the infection period. Furthermore, metabolic processes and the use of oxygen in L. crocea were strongly affected by P. plecoglossicida infection. The WGCNA results showed that the metabolic process was strongly related to the entire immune process. For P. plecoglossicida, the expression levels of motility-related genes and flagellum assembly-related genes were significantly up-regulated. The results of this study may help to elucidate the interactions between L. crocea and P. plecoglossicida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Ge Xin
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Ling-Min Zhao
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Li-Xing Huang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Ying-Xue Qin
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Yong-Quan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Aquatic Products Co., Ltd., Ningde, Fujian 352000, China
| | - Wei-Qiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Aquatic Products Co., Ltd., Ningde, Fujian 352000, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Fujian Provincial Fishery Technical Extention Center, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Fujian Provincial Fishery Technical Extention Center, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Qing-Pi Yan
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.,State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Aquatic Products Co., Ltd., Ningde, Fujian 352000, China. E-mail:
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9
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Impey RE, Hawkins DA, Sutton JM, Soares da Costa TP. Overcoming Intrinsic and Acquired Resistance Mechanisms Associated with the Cell Wall of Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E623. [PMID: 32961699 PMCID: PMC7558195 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9090623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The global increase in multi-drug-resistant bacteria is severely impacting our ability to effectively treat common infections. For Gram-negative bacteria, their intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms are heightened by their unique cell wall structure. The cell wall, while being a target of some antibiotics, represents a barrier due to the inability of most antibacterial compounds to traverse and reach their intended target. This means that its composition and resulting mechanisms of resistance must be considered when developing new therapies. Here, we discuss potential antibiotic targets within the most well-characterised resistance mechanisms associated with the cell wall in Gram-negative bacteria, including the outer membrane structure, porins and efflux pumps. We also provide a timely update on the current progress of inhibitor development in these areas. Such compounds could represent new avenues for drug discovery as well as adjuvant therapy to help us overcome antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Impey
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (R.E.I.); (D.A.H.)
| | - Daniel A. Hawkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (R.E.I.); (D.A.H.)
| | - J. Mark Sutton
- National Infection Service, Research and Development Institute, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK;
| | - Tatiana P. Soares da Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (R.E.I.); (D.A.H.)
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10
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Trouillon J, Sentausa E, Ragno M, Robert-Genthon M, Lory S, Attrée I, Elsen S. Species-specific recruitment of transcription factors dictates toxin expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2388-2400. [PMID: 31925438 PMCID: PMC7049718 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight and coordinate regulation of virulence determinants is essential for bacterial biology and involves dynamic shaping of transcriptional regulatory networks during evolution. The horizontally transferred two-partner secretion system ExlB-ExlA is instrumental in the virulence of different Pseudomonas species, ranging from soil- and plant-dwelling biocontrol agents to the major human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we identify a Cro/CI-like repressor, named ErfA, which together with Vfr, a CRP-like activator, controls exlBA expression in P. aeruginosa. The characterization of ErfA regulon across P. aeruginosa subfamilies revealed a second conserved target, the ergAB operon, with functions unrelated to virulence. To gain insights into this functional dichotomy, we defined the pan-regulon of ErfA in several Pseudomonas species and found ergAB as the sole conserved target of ErfA. The analysis of 446 exlBA promoter sequences from all exlBA+ genomes revealed a wide variety of regulatory sequences, as ErfA- and Vfr-binding sites were found to have evolved specifically in P. aeruginosa and nearly each species carries different regulatory sequences for this operon. We propose that the emergence of different regulatory cis-elements in the promoters of horizontally transferred genes is an example of plasticity of regulatory networks evolving to provide an adapted response in each individual niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Trouillon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Erwin Sentausa
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Michel Ragno
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Mylène Robert-Genthon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Stephen Lory
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Ina Attrée
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Sylvie Elsen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS ERL5261, CEA-IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble 38000, France
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11
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Impey RE, Lee M, Hawkins DA, Sutton JM, Panjikar S, Perugini MA, Soares da Costa TP. Mis-annotations of a promising antibiotic target in high-priority gram-negative pathogens. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:1453-1463. [PMID: 31943170 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance combined with the lack of new products entering the market has led to bacterial infections becoming one of the biggest threats to global health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel antibiotic targets, such as dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), an enzyme involved in the production of essential metabolites in cell wall and protein synthesis. Here, we utilised a 7-residue sequence motif to identify mis-annotation of multiple DHDPS genes in the high-priority Gram-negative bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We subsequently confirmed these mis-annotations using a combination of enzyme kinetics and X-ray crystallography. Thus, this study highlights the need to ensure genes encoding promising drug targets, like DHDPS, are annotated correctly, especially for clinically important pathogens. PDB ID: 6UE0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Impey
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mihwa Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel A Hawkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J Mark Sutton
- National Infection Service, Research and Development Institute, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Santosh Panjikar
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew A Perugini
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tatiana P Soares da Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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