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Kapteijn R, Shitut S, Aschmann D, Zhang L, de Beer M, Daviran D, Roverts R, Akiva A, van Wezel GP, Kros A, Claessen D. Endocytosis-like DNA uptake by cell wall-deficient bacteria. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5524. [PMID: 36138004 PMCID: PMC9500057 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria is widely believed to occur via conjugation, transduction and transformation. These mechanisms facilitate the passage of DNA across the protective cell wall using sophisticated machinery. Here, we report that cell wall-deficient bacteria can engulf DNA and other extracellular material via an endocytosis-like process. Specifically, we show that L-forms of the filamentous actinomycete Kitasatospora viridifaciens can take up plasmid DNA, polysaccharides (dextran) and 150-nm lipid nanoparticles. The process involves invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to formation of intracellular vesicles that encapsulate extracellular material. DNA uptake is not affected by deletion of genes homologous to comEC and comEA, which are required for natural transformation in other species. However, uptake is inhibited by sodium azide or incubation at 4 °C, suggesting the process is energy-dependent. The encapsulated materials are released into the cytoplasm upon degradation of the vesicle membrane. Given that cell wall-deficient bacteria are considered a model for early life forms, our work reveals a possible mechanism for primordial cells to acquire food or genetic material before invention of the bacterial cell wall. Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria can occur through mechanisms such as conjugation, transduction and transformation, which facilitate the passage of DNA across the cell wall. Here, Kapteijn et al. show that cell wall-deficient bacteria can take up DNA and other extracellular materials via an endocytosis-like process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Kapteijn
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shraddha Shitut
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis Aschmann
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Le Zhang
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marit de Beer
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Deniz Daviran
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rona Roverts
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anat Akiva
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gilles P van Wezel
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexander Kros
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis Claessen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Michailova L, Stoitsova S, Markova N, Kussovski V, Jordanova M, Dimova I. Interaction of alveolar macrophages with Staphylococcus aureus and induction of microbial L-forms during infection in rats. Int J Med Microbiol 2000; 290:259-67. [PMID: 10959728 DOI: 10.1016/s1438-4221(00)80123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In vivo cell interactions between Staphylococcus aureus and rat alveolar macrophages were investigated after intranasal inoculation during a 30-days period of examination. Some dynamic characteristics of microorganisms in the macrophages were examined by electron microscopy and acid phosphatase cytochemistry. It was found that at earlier infection intervals (days 3 and 7) the ingested cocci were sequestered in phagosomes and phagolysosomes and later many of the microbial cells were digested. An interesting finding was the intracellular appearance of cell wall-defective forms (L-forms) of S. aureus at later intervals (days 14 and 30 after challenge). Infection kinetics were evaluated by isolation and enumeration of colony-forming units of S. aureus from bronchoalveolar fluid and by assessment of blood and bronchoalveolar total and differential leukocyte counts. The results indicate that induction and survival of S. aureus L-forms may occur spontaneously in vivo. This phenomenon could explain some of the mechanisms, provoking the latent and relapsing lung infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Michailova
- Department of Morphology of Microorganisms, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia.
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