VapC6, a ribonucleolytic toxin regulates thermophilicity in the crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus

Role of VapBC4 toxin-antitoxin system of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius in heat stress adaptation

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are important for stress adaptation in prokaryotes, including persistence, antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity, and biofilm formation. Toxins can cause cell death, reversible growth stasis, and direct inhibition of crucial cellular processes through various mechanisms, while antitoxins neutralize the effects of toxins. In bacteria, these systems have been studied in detail, whereas their function in archaea remains elusive. During heat stress, the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius exhibited an increase in the expression of several bicistronic type II vapBC TA systems, with the highest expression observed in the vapBC4 system. In the current study, we performed a comprehensive biochemical characterization of the VapBC4 TA system, establishing it as a bonafide type II toxin-antitoxin system. The VapC4 toxin is shown to have high-temperature catalyzed RNase activity specific for mRNA and rRNA, while the VapB4 antitoxin inhibits the toxic activity of VapC4 by interacting with it. VapC4 toxin expression led to heat-induced persister-like cell formation, allowing the cell to cope with the stress. Furthermore, this study explored the impact of vapBC4 deletion on biofilm formation, whereby deletion of vapC4 led to increased biofilm formation, suggesting its role in regulating biofilm formation. Thus, during heat stress, the liberated VapC4 toxin in cells could potentially signal a preference for persister cell formation over biofilm growth. Thus, our findings shed light on the diverse roles of the VapC4 toxin in inhibiting translation, inducing persister cell formation, and regulating biofilm formation in S. acidocaldarius, enhancing our understanding of TA systems in archaea.

IMPORTANCE

This research enhances our knowledge of toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems in archaea, specifically in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. TA systems are widespread in both bacterial and archaeal genomes, indicating their evolutionary importance. However, their exact functions in archaeal cellular physiology are still not well understood. This study sheds light on the complex roles of TA systems and their critical involvement in archaeal stress adaptation, including persistence and biofilm formation. By focusing on S. acidocaldarius, which lives in habitats with fluctuating temperatures that can reach up to 90°C, the study reveals the unique challenges and survival mechanisms of this organism. The detailed biochemical analysis of the VapBC4 TA system, and its crucial role during heat stress, provides insights into how extremophiles can survive in harsh conditions. The findings of this study show the various functions of the VapC4 toxin, including inhibiting translation, inducing persister-like cell formation, and regulating biofilm formation. This knowledge improves our understanding of TA systems in thermoacidophiles and has broader implications for understanding how microorganisms adapt to extreme environments.

The Toxin of VapBC-1 Toxin-Antitoxin Module from Leptospira interrogans Is a Ribonuclease That Does Not Arrest Bacterial Growth but Affects Cell Viability

Bacterial ubiquitous Toxin-Antitoxin (TA) systems are considered to be important survival mechanisms during stress conditions. In regular environmental conditions, the antitoxin blocks the toxin, whereas during imbalanced conditions, the antitoxin concentration decreases, exposing the bacteria cell to a range of toxic events. The most evident consequence of this disequilibrium is cell growth arrest, which is the reason why TAs are generally described as active in the function of bacterial growth kinetics. Virulence-associated proteins B and C (VapBC) are a family of type II TA system, in which VapC is predicted to display the toxic ribonuclease activity while VapB counteracts this activity. Previously, using in silico data, we designated four VapBC TA modules in Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni, the main etiological agent of human leptospirosis in Brazil. The present study aimed to obtain the proteins and functionally characterize the VapBC-1 module. The expression of the toxin gene vapC in E. coli did not decrease the cell growth rate in broth culture, as was expected to happen within active TA modules. However, interestingly, when the expression of the toxin was compared to that of the complexed toxin and antitoxin, cell viability was strongly affected, with a decrease of three orders of magnitude in colony forming unity (CFU). The assumption of the affinity between the toxin and the antitoxin was confirmed in vivo through the observation of their co-purification from cultivation of E. coli co-expressing vapB-vapC genes. RNAse activity assays showed that VapC-1 cleaves MS2 RNA and ribosomal RNA from L. interrogans. Our results indicate that the VapBC-1 module is a potentially functional TA system acting on targets that involve specific functions. It is very important to emphasize that the common attribution of the functionality of TA modules cannot be defined based merely on their ability to inhibit bacterial growth in a liquid medium.

Extremely thermoacidophilic archaea for metal bioleaching: What do their genomes tell Us?

Elevated temperatures favor bioleaching processes through faster kinetics, more favorable mineral chemistry, lower cooling requirements, and less surface passivation. Extremely thermoacidophilic archaea from the order Sulfolobales exhibit novel mechanisms for bioleaching metals from ores and have great potential. Genome sequences of many extreme thermoacidophiles are now available and provide new insights into their biochemistry, metabolism, physiology and ecology as these relate to metal mobilization from ores. Although there are some molecular genetic tools available for extreme thermoacidophiles, further development of these is sorely needed to advance the study and application of these archaea for bioleaching applications. The evolving landscape for bioleaching technologies at high temperatures merits a closer look through a genomic lens at what is currently possible and what lies ahead in terms of new developments and emerging opportunities. The need for critical metals and the diminishing primary deposits for copper should provide incentives for high temperature bioleaching.

Heat shock response in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and first implications for cross-stress adaptation

Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, a thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon, frequently encounters temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress, and nutrient limitations in its environment. Here, we employed a high-throughput transcriptomic analysis to examine how the gene expression of S. acidocaldarius changes when exposed to high temperatures (92 °C). The data obtained was subsequently validated using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Our particular focus was on genes that are involved in the heat shock response, type-II Toxin-Antitoxin systems, and putative transcription factors. To investigate how S. acidocaldarius adapts to multiple stressors, we assessed the expression of these selected genes under oxidative and nutrient stresses using qRT-PCR analysis. The results demonstrated that the gene thβ encoding the β subunit of the thermosome, as well as hsp14 and hsp20, play crucial roles in the majority of stress conditions. Furthermore, we observed overexpression of at least eight different TA pairs belonging to the type II TA systems under all stress conditions. Additionally, four common transcription factors: FadR, TFEβ, CRISPR loci binding protein, and HTH family protein were consistently overexpressed across all stress conditions, indicating their significant role in managing stress. Overall, this work provides the first insight into molecular players involved in the cross-stress adaptation of S. acidocaldarius.

Transcriptional and translational dynamics underlying heat shock response in the thermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

IMPORTANCE

Heat shock response is the ability to respond adequately to sudden temperature increases that could be harmful for cellular survival and fitness. It is crucial for microorganisms living in volcanic hot springs that are characterized by high temperatures and large temperature fluctuations. In this study, we investigated how S. acidocaldarius, which grows optimally at 75°C, responds to heat shock by altering its gene expression and protein production processes. We shed light on which cellular processes are affected by heat shock and propose a hypothesis on underlying regulatory mechanisms. This work is not only relevant for the organism's lifestyle, but also with regard to its evolutionary status. Indeed, S. acidocaldarius belongs to the archaea, an ancient group of microbes that is more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria. Our study thus also contributes to a better understanding of the early evolution of heat shock response.

Membrane lipid and expression responses of Saccharolobus islandicus REY15A to acid and cold stress

Archaea adjust the number of cyclopentane rings in their glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) membrane lipids as a homeostatic response to environmental stressors such as temperature, pH, and energy availability shifts. However, archaeal expression patterns that correspond with changes in GDGT composition are less understood. Here we characterize the acid and cold stress responses of the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Saccharolobus islandicus REY15A using growth rates, core GDGT lipid profiles, transcriptomics and proteomics. We show that both stressors result in impaired growth, lower average GDGT cyclization, and differences in gene and protein expression. Transcription data revealed differential expression of the GDGT ring synthase grsB in response to both acid stress and cold stress. Although the GDGT ring synthase encoded by grsB forms highly cyclized GDGTs with ≥5 ring moieties, S. islandicus grsB upregulation under acidic pH conditions did not correspond with increased abundances of highly cyclized GDGTs. Our observations highlight the inability to predict GDGT changes from transcription data alone. Broader analysis of transcriptomic data revealed that S. islandicus differentially expresses many of the same transcripts in response to both acid and cold stress. These included upregulation of several biosynthetic pathways and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and motility. Transcript responses specific to either of the two stressors tested here included upregulation of genes related to proton pumping and molecular turnover in acid stress conditions and upregulation of transposases in cold stress conditions. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the GDGT modifications and differential expression characteristic of the acid stress and cold stress responses in S. islandicus.

Transcriptome profiling of Nudix hydrolase gene deletions in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Nudix hydrolases comprise a large and ubiquitous protein superfamily that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a nucleoside diphosphate linked to another moiety X (Nudix). Sulfolobus acidocaldarius possesses four Nudix domain-containing proteins (SACI_RS00730/Saci_0153, SACI_RS02625/Saci_0550, SACI_RS00060/Saci_0013/Saci_NudT5, and SACI_RS00575/Saci_0121). Deletion strains were generated for the four individual Nudix genes and for both Nudix genes annotated to encode ADP-ribose pyrophosphatases (SACI_RS00730, SACI_RS00060) and did not reveal a distinct phenotype compared to the wild-type strain under standard growth conditions, nutrient stress or heat stress conditions. We employed RNA-seq to establish the transcriptome profiles of the Nudix deletion strains, revealing a large number of differentially regulated genes, most notably in the ΔSACI_RS00730/SACI_RS00060 double knock-out strain and the ΔSACI_RS00575 single deletion strain. The absence of Nudix hydrolases is suggested to impact transcription via differentially regulated transcriptional regulators. We observed downregulation of the lysine biosynthesis and the archaellum formation iModulons in stationary phase cells, as well as upregulation of two genes involved in the de novo NAD⁺ biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the deletion strains exhibited upregulation of two thermosome subunits (α, β) and the toxin-antitoxin system VapBC, which are implicated in the archaeal heat shock response. These results uncover a defined set of pathways that involve archaeal Nudix protein activities and assist in their functional characterization.

Interplay between transcriptional regulators and VapBC toxin-antitoxin loci during thermal stress response in extremely thermoacidophilic archaea

Thermoacidophilic archaea lack sigma factors and the large inventory of heat shock proteins (HSPs) widespread in bacterial genomes, suggesting other strategies for handling thermal stress are involved. Heat shock transcriptomes for the thermoacidophilic archaeon Saccharolobus (f. Sulfolobus) solfataricus 98/2 revealed genes that were highly responsive to thermal stress, including transcriptional regulators YtrASs (Ssol_2420) and FadRSs (Ssol_0314), as well as type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci VapBC6 (Ssol_2337, Ssol_2338) and VapBC22 (Ssol_0819, Ssol_0818). The role, if any, of type II TA loci during stress response in microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, is controversial. But, when genes encoding YtrASs , FadRSs , VapC22, VapB6, and VapC6 were systematically mutated in Sa. solfataricus 98/2, significant up-regulation of the other genes within this set was observed, implicating an interconnected regulatory network during thermal stress response. VapBC6 and VapBC22 have close homologues in other Sulfolobales, as well as in other archaea (e.g. Pyrococcus furiosus and Archaeoglobus fulgidus), and their corresponding genes were also heat shock responsive. The interplay between VapBC TA loci and heat shock regulators in Sa solfataricus 98/2 not only indicates a cellular mechanism for heat shock response that differs from bacteria but one that could have common features within the thermophilic archaea.

A Rapid Targeted Gene Inactivation Approach in Sulfolobus islandicus

Homologous recombination-based gene targeting is a powerful and classic reverse genetics approach to precisely elucidate in vivo gene functions in the organisms across all three domains of life. Gene function studies in Archaea, particularly for those flourishing in inhospitable natural environments that are anaerobic, usually hot, and acidic, have been a great challenge; however, this situation was recently overturned with the increasing availability of genetic manipulation systems in several cultivable archaeal species. In the present chapter, we describe a detailed procedure to rapidly generate gene disruption mutants in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus via a recently developed Microhomology-Mediated Gene Inactivation (MMGI) approach. We highlight crucial experimental details required to be carefully considered when using the MMGI approach for genetic manipulations. We hope this highly reproducible procedure can supplement existing genetic tools for studying the biology of archaeal order Sulfolobales.

Identification and characterization of VapBC toxin-antitoxin system in Bosea sp. PAMC 26642 isolated from Arctic lichens

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are genetic modules composed of a toxin interfering with cellular processes and its cognate antitoxin, which counteracts the activity of the toxin. TA modules are widespread in bacterial and archaeal genomes. It has been suggested that TA modules participate in the adaptation of prokaryotes to unfavorable conditions. The Bosea sp. PAMC 26642 used in this study was isolated from the Arctic lichen Stereocaulon sp. There are 12 putative type II TA loci in the genome of Bosea sp. PAMC 26642. Of these, nine functional TA systems have been shown to be toxic in Escherichia coli The toxin inhibits growth, but this inhibition is reversed when the cognate antitoxin genes are coexpressed, indicating that these putative TA loci were bona fide TA modules. Only the BoVapC1 (AXW83_01405) toxin, a homolog of VapC, showed growth inhibition specific to low temperatures, which was recovered by the coexpression of BoVapB1 (AXW83_01400). Microscopic observation and growth monitoring revealed that the BoVapC1 toxin had bacteriostatic effects on the growth of E. coli and induced morphological changes. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and northern blotting analyses showed that the BoVapC1 toxin had a ribonuclease activity on the initiator tRNA^fMet, implying that degradation of tRNA^fMet might trigger growth arrest in E. coli Furthermore, the BoVapBC1 system was found to contribute to survival against prolonged exposure at 4°C. This is the first study to identify the function of TA systems in cold adaptation.

The biology of thermoacidophilic archaea from the order Sulfolobales

Thermoacidophilic archaea belonging to the order Sulfolobales thrive in extreme biotopes, such as sulfuric hot springs and ore deposits. These microorganisms have been model systems for understanding life in extreme environments, as well as for probing the evolution of both molecular genetic processes and central metabolic pathways. Thermoacidophiles, such as the Sulfolobales, use typical microbial responses to persist in hot acid (e.g. motility, stress response, biofilm formation), albeit with some unusual twists. They also exhibit unique physiological features, including iron and sulfur chemolithoautotrophy, that differentiate them from much of the microbial world. Although first discovered >50 years ago, it was not until recently that genome sequence data and facile genetic tools have been developed for species in the Sulfolobales. These advances have not only opened up ways to further probe novel features of these microbes but also paved the way for their potential biotechnological applications. Discussed here are the nuances of the thermoacidophilic lifestyle of the Sulfolobales, including their evolutionary placement, cell biology, survival strategies, genetic tools, metabolic processes and physiological attributes together with how these characteristics make thermoacidophiles ideal platforms for specialized industrial processes.

Exposure to 1-Butanol Exemplifies the Response of the Thermoacidophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius to Solvent Stress

Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon with optimal growth at 80°C and pH 2 to 3. Due to its unique physiological properties, allowing life at environmental extremes, and the recent availability of genetic tools, this extremophile has received increasing interest for biotechnological applications. In order to elucidate the potential of tolerating process-related stress conditions, we investigated the response of S. acidocaldarius toward the industrially relevant organic solvent 1-butanol. In response to butanol exposure, biofilm formation of S. acidocaldarius was enhanced and occurred at up to 1.5% (vol/vol) 1-butanol, while planktonic growth was observed at up to 1% (vol/vol) 1-butanol. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy revealed that biofilm architecture changed with the formation of denser and higher tower-like structures. Concomitantly, changes in the extracellular polymeric substances with enhanced carbohydrate and protein content were determined in 1-butanol-exposed biofilms. Using scanning electron microscopy, three different cell morphotypes were observed in response to 1-butanol. Transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed comparing the response of planktonic and biofilm cells in the absence and presence of 1-butanol. In response to 1% (vol/vol) 1-butanol, transcript levels of genes encoding motility and cell envelope structures, as well as membrane proteins, were reduced. Cell division and/or vesicle formation were upregulated. Furthermore, changes in immune and defense systems, as well as metabolism and general stress responses, were observed. Our findings show that the extreme lifestyle of S. acidocaldarius coincided with a high tolerance to organic solvents. This study provides what may be the first insights into biofilm formation and membrane/cell stress caused by organic solvents in S. acidocaldarius IMPORTANCE Archaea are unique in terms of metabolic and cellular processes, as well as the adaptation to extreme environments. In the past few years, the development of genetic systems and biochemical, genetic, and polyomics studies has provided deep insights into the physiology of some archaeal model organisms. In this study, we used S. acidocaldarius, which is adapted to the two extremes of low pH and high temperature, to study its tolerance and robustness as well as its global cellular response toward organic solvents, as exemplified by 1-butanol. We were able to identify biofilm formation as a primary cellular response to 1-butanol. Furthermore, the triggered cell/membrane stress led to significant changes in culture heterogeneity accompanied by changes in central cellular processes, such as cell division and cellular defense systems, thus suggesting a global response for the protection at the population level.

Involvement of PIN-like domain nucleases in tRNA processing and translation regulation

Transfer RNAs require essential maturation steps to become functional. Among them, RNase P removes 5' leader sequences of pre-tRNAs. Although RNase P was long thought to occur universally as ribonucleoproteins, different types of protein-only RNase P enzymes were discovered in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Interestingly, all these enzymes belong to the super-group of PilT N-terminal-like nucleases (PIN)-like ribonucleases. This wide family of enzymes can be subdivided into major subgroups. Here, we review recent studies at both functional and mechanistic levels on three PIN-like ribonucleases groups containing enzymes connected to tRNA maturation and/or translation regulation. The evolutive distribution of these proteins containing PIN-like domains as well as their organization and fusion with various functional domains is discussed and put in perspective with the diversity of functions they acquired during evolution, for the maturation and homeostasis of tRNA and a wider array of RNA substrates. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019 © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(8):1117-1125, 2019.

Secretion and fusion of biogeochemically active archaeal membrane vesicles

Microbes belonging to the genus Metallosphaera oxidize sulfidic minerals. These organisms thrive at temperature extremes and are members of the archaeal phylum Crenarchaeota. Because they can employ a lithoautotrophic metabolism, energy availability likely limits their activity raising questions about how they conduct biogeochemical activity. Vesicles are membrane encapsulated structures produced by all biological lineages but using very different mechanisms. Across the Crenarchaeota, it has been proposed that a eukaryotic-like Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport system promotes formation of these structures but in response to unknown signals and for undefined purposes. To address such questions, Metallosphaera sedula vesicle formation and function were studied under lithoautotrophic conditions. Energy deprivation was evaluated and found to stimulate vesicle synthesis while energy excess repressed vesicle formation. Purified vesicles adhered rapidly to the primary copper ore, chalcopyrite, and formed compact monolayers. These vesicle monolayers catalyzed iron oxidation and solubilization of mineralized copper in a time-dependent process. As these activities were membrane associated, their potential transfer by vesicle fusion to M. sedula cells was examined. Fluorophore-loaded vesicles rapidly transferred fluorescence under environmentally relevant conditions. Vesicles from a related archaeal species were also capable of fusion; however, this process was species-specific as vesicles from different species were incapable of fusion. In addition, vesicles produced by a copper-resistant M. sedula cell line transferred copper extrusion capacity along with improved viability over mutant M. sedula cells lacking copper transport proteins. Membrane vesicles may therefore play a role in modulating energy-related traits in geochemical environments by fusion-mediated protein delivery.

VapC toxins drive cellular dormancy under uranium stress for the extreme thermoacidophile Metallosphaera prunae

When abruptly exposed to toxic levels of hexavalent uranium, the extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon Metallosphaera prunae, originally isolated from an abandoned uranium mine, ceased to grow, and concomitantly exhibited heightened levels of cytosolic ribonuclease activity that corresponded to substantial degradation of cellular RNA. The M. prunae transcriptome during 'uranium-shock' implicated VapC toxins as possible causative agents of the observed RNA degradation. Identifiable VapC toxins and PIN-domain proteins encoded in the M. prunae genome were produced and characterized, three of which (VapC4, VapC7, VapC8) substantially degraded M. prunae rRNA in vitro. RNA cleavage specificity for these VapCs mapped to motifs within M. prunae rRNA. Furthermore, based on frequency of cleavage sequences, putative target mRNAs for these VapCs were identified; these were closely associated with translation, transcription, and replication. It is interesting to note that Metallosphaera sedula, a member of the same genus and which has a nearly identical genome sequence but not isolated from a uranium-rich biotope, showed no evidence of dormancy when exposed to this metal. M. prunae utilizes VapC toxins for post-transcriptional regulation under uranium stress to enter a cellular dormant state, thereby providing an adaptive response to what would otherwise be a deleterious environmental perturbation.

Toxins of Prokaryotic Toxin-Antitoxin Systems with Sequence-Specific Endoribonuclease Activity

Protein translation is the most common target of toxin-antitoxin system (TA) toxins. Sequence-specific endoribonucleases digest RNA in a sequence-specific manner, thereby blocking translation. While past studies mainly focused on the digestion of mRNA, recent analysis revealed that toxins can also digest tRNA, rRNA and tmRNA. Purified toxins can digest single-stranded portions of RNA containing recognition sequences in the absence of ribosome in vitro. However, increasing evidence suggests that in vivo digestion may occur in association with ribosomes. Despite the prevalence of recognition sequences in many mRNA, preferential digestion seems to occur at specific positions within mRNA and also in certain reading frames. In this review, a variety of tools utilized to study the nuclease activities of toxins over the past 15 years will be reviewed. A recent adaptation of an RNA-seq-based technique to analyze entire sets of cellular RNA will be introduced with an emphasis on its strength in identifying novel targets and redefining recognition sequences. The differences in biochemical properties and postulated physiological roles will also be discussed.

Functional Studies of Five Toxin-Antitoxin Modules in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems, which consist of an intracellular toxin and its antidote (antitoxin), are encoded by ubiquitous genetic modules in prokaryotes. Commonly, the activity of a toxin is inhibited by its antitoxin under normal growth conditions. However, antitoxins are degraded in response to environmental stress, and toxins liberated from antitoxins consequently induce cell death or growth arrest. In free-living prokaryotes, TA systems are often present in large numbers and are considered to be associated with the adaptation of pathogenic bacteria or extremophiles to various unfavorable environments by shifting cells to a slow growth rate. Genomic analysis of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb) revealed the presence of a large number of TA systems. Accordingly, we investigated five uncharacterized TA systems (Rv2019-Rv2018, Rv3697c-Rv3697A, Rv3180c-Rv3181c, Rv0299-Rv0298, and Rv3749c-Rv3750c) of Mtb. Among these, the expression of the Rv2019 toxin inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, and M. smegmatis and this growth defect was recovered by the expression of the Rv2018 antitoxin. Interestingly, Rv3180c was toxic only in M. smegmatis, whose toxicity was neutralized by Rv3181c antitoxin. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) cleavage activity of the Rv2019 toxin. Moreover, mRNAs appeared to be substrates of Rv2019. Therefore, we concluded that the ribonuclease activity of the Rv2019 toxin triggers the growth defect in E. coli and that the Rv2018 antitoxin inhibits the ribonuclease activity of the Rv2019 toxin.

Identification of a VapBC toxin-antitoxin system in a thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB27

There are 12 putative toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci in the Thermus thermophilus HB27 genome, including four VapBC and three HicBA families. Expression of these seven putative toxin genes in Escherichia coli demonstrated that one putative VapC toxin TTC0125 and two putative HicA toxins, TTC1395 and TTC1705, inhibited cell growth, and co-expression with cognate antitoxin genes rescued growth, indicating that these genes function as TA loci. In vitro analysis with the purified TTC0125 and total RNA/mRNA from E. coli and T. thermophilus showed that TTC0125 has RNase activity to rRNA and mRNA; this activity was inhibited by the addition of the purified TTC0126. Translation inhibition assays showed that TTC0125 inhibited protein synthesis by degrading mRNA but not by inactivating ribosomes. Amino acid substitutions of 14 predicted catalytic and conserved residues in VapC toxins to Ala or Asp in TTC0125 indicated that nine residues are important for its in vivo toxin activity and in vitro RNase activity. These data demonstrate that TTC0125-TTC0126 functions as a VapBC TA module and causes growth inhibition by degrading free RNA. This is the first study to identify the function of TA systems in T. thermophilus.

Archaeal extrachromosomal genetic elements

SUMMARY

Research on archaeal extrachromosomal genetic elements (ECEs) has progressed rapidly in the past decade. To date, over 60 archaeal viruses and 60 plasmids have been isolated. These archaeal viruses exhibit an exceptional diversity in morphology, with a wide array of shapes, such as spindles, rods, filaments, spheres, head-tails, bottles, and droplets, and some of these new viruses have been classified into one order, 10 families, and 16 genera. Investigation of model archaeal viruses has yielded important insights into mechanisms underlining various steps in the viral life cycle, including infection, DNA replication and transcription, and virion egression. Many of these mechanisms are unprecedented for any known bacterial or eukaryal viruses. Studies of plasmids isolated from different archaeal hosts have also revealed a striking diversity in gene content and innovation in replication strategies. Highly divergent replication proteins are identified in both viral and plasmid genomes. Genomic studies of archaeal ECEs have revealed a modular sequence structure in which modules of DNA sequence are exchangeable within, as well as among, plasmid families and probably also between viruses and plasmids. In particular, it has been suggested that ECE-host interactions have shaped the coevolution of ECEs and their archaeal hosts. Furthermore, archaeal hosts have developed defense systems, including the innate restriction-modification (R-M) system and the adaptive CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system, to restrict invasive plasmids and viruses. Together, these interactions permit a delicate balance between ECEs and their hosts, which is vitally important for maintaining an innovative gene reservoir carried by ECEs. In conclusion, while research on archaeal ECEs has just started to unravel the molecular biology of these genetic entities and their interactions with archaeal hosts, it is expected to accelerate in the next decade.

Structural and functional studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis VapBC30 toxin-antitoxin system: implications for the design of novel antimicrobial peptides

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems play important roles in bacterial physiology, such as multidrug tolerance, biofilm formation, and arrest of cellular growth under stress conditions. To develop novel antimicrobial agents against tuberculosis, we focused on VapBC systems, which encompass more than half of TA systems in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we report that theMycobacterium tuberculosis VapC30 toxin regulates cellular growth through both magnesium and manganese ion-dependent ribonuclease activity and is inhibited by the cognate VapB30 antitoxin. We also determined the 2.7-Å resolution crystal structure of the M. tuberculosis VapBC30 complex, which revealed a novel process of inactivation of the VapC30 toxin via swapped blocking by the VapB30 antitoxin. Our study on M. tuberculosis VapBC30 leads us to design two kinds of VapB30 and VapC30-based novel peptides which successfully disrupt the toxin-antitoxin complex and thus activate the ribonuclease activity of the VapC30 toxin. Our discovery herein possibly paves the way to treat tuberculosis for next generation.

Role of an archaeal PitA transporter in the copper and arsenic resistance of Metallosphaera sedula, an extreme thermoacidophile

Thermoacidophilic archaea, such as Metallosphaera sedula, are lithoautotrophs that occupy metal-rich environments. In previous studies, an M. sedula mutant lacking the primary copper efflux transporter, CopA, became copper sensitive. In contrast, the basis for supranormal copper resistance remained unclear in the spontaneous M. sedula mutant, CuR1. Here, transcriptomic analysis of copper-shocked cultures indicated that CuR1 had a unique regulatory response to metal challenge corresponding to the upregulation of 55 genes. Genome resequencing identified 17 confirmed mutations unique to CuR1 that were likely to change gene function. Of these, 12 mapped to genes with annotated function associated with transcription, metabolism, or transport. These mutations included 7 nonsynonymous substitutions, 4 insertions, and 1 deletion. One of the insertion mutations mapped to pseudogene Msed_1517 and extended its reading frame an additional 209 amino acids. The extended mutant allele was identified as a homolog of Pho4, a family of phosphate symporters that includes the bacterial PitA proteins. Orthologs of this allele were apparent in related extremely thermoacidophilic species, suggesting M. sedula naturally lacked this gene. Phosphate transport studies combined with physiologic analysis demonstrated M. sedula PitA was a low-affinity, high-velocity secondary transporter implicated in copper resistance and arsenate sensitivity. Genetic analysis demonstrated that spontaneous arsenate-resistant mutants derived from CuR1 all underwent mutation in pitA and nonselectively became copper sensitive. Taken together, these results point to archaeal PitA as a key requirement for the increased metal resistance of strain CuR1 and its accelerated capacity for copper bioleaching.

VapC from the leptospiral VapBC toxin-antitoxin module displays ribonuclease activity on the initiator tRNA

The prokaryotic ubiquitous Toxin-Antitoxin (TA) operons encode a stable toxin and an unstable antitoxin. The most accepted hypothesis of the physiological function of the TA system is the reversible cessation of cellular growth under stress conditions. The major TA family, VapBC is present in the spirochaete Leptospira interrogans. VapBC modules are classified based on the presence of a predicted ribonucleasic PIN domain in the VapC toxin. The expression of the leptospiral VapC in E. coli promotes a strong bacterial growth arrestment, making it difficult to express the recombinant protein. Nevertheless, we showed that long term induction of expression in E. coli enabled the recovery of VapC in inclusion bodies. The recombinant protein was successfully refolded by high hydrostatic pressure, providing a new method to obtain the toxin in a soluble and active form. The structural integrity of the recombinant VapB and VapC proteins was assessed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Physical interaction between the VapC toxin and the VapB antitoxin was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro by pull down and ligand affinity blotting assays, respectively, thereby indicating the ultimate mechanism by which the activity of the toxin is regulated in bacteria. The predicted model of the leptospiral VapC structure closely matches the Shigella's VapC X-ray structure. In agreement, the ribonuclease activity of the leptospiral VapC was similar to the activity described for Shigella's VapC, as demonstrated by the cleavage of tRNAfMet and by the absence of unspecific activity towards E. coli rRNA. This finding suggests that the cleavage of the initiator transfer RNA may represent a common mechanism to a larger group of bacteria and potentially configures a mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation leading to the inhibition of global translation.

An archaeal protein evolutionarily conserved in prokaryotes is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease

A putative protease gene (tldD) was previously identified from studying tolerance of letD encoding the CcdB toxin of a toxin–antidote system of the F plasmid in Escherichia coli. While this gene is evolutionarily conserved in archaea and bacteria, the proteolytic activity of encoded proteins remained to be demonstrated experimentally. Here we studied Sso0660, an archaeal TldD homologue encoded in Sulfolobus solfataricus by overexpression of the recombinant protein and characterization of the purified enzyme. We found that the enzyme is active in degrading azocasein and FITC–BSA substrates. Protease inhibitor studies showed that EDTA and o-phenanthroline, two well-known metalloprotease inhibitors, either abolished completely or strongly inhibited the enzyme activity, and flame spectrometric analysis showed that a zinc ion is a cofactor of the protease. Furthermore, the protein forms disulfide bond via the Cys⁴¹⁶ residue, yielding protein dimer that is the active form of the enzyme. These results establish for the first time that tidD genes encode zinc-containing proteases, classifying them as a family in the metalloprotease class.

Ribonucleases in bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in bacteria and archaea and play important roles in a diverse range of cellular activities. TA systems have been broadly classified into 5 types and the targets of the toxins are diverse, but the most frequently used cellular target is mRNA. Toxins that target mRNA to inhibit translation can be classified as ribosome-dependent or ribosome-independent RNA interferases. These RNA interferases are sequence-specific endoribonucleases that cleave RNA at specific sequences. Despite limited sequence similarity, ribosome-independent RNA interferases belong to a limited number of structural classes. The MazF structural family includes MazF, Kid, ParE and CcdB toxins. MazF members cleave mRNA at 3-, 5- or 7-base recognition sequences in different bacteria and have been implicated in controlling cell death (programmed) and cell growth, and cellular responses to nutrient starvation, antibiotics, heat and oxidative stress. VapC endoribonucleases belong to the PIN-domain family and inhibit translation by either cleaving tRNA(fMet) in the anticodon stem loop, cleaving mRNA at -AUA(U/A)-hairpin-G- sequences or by sequence-specific RNA binding. VapC has been implicated in controlling bacterial growth in the intracellular environment and in microbial adaptation to nutrient limitation (nitrogen, carbon) and heat shock. ToxN shows structural homology to MazF and is also a sequence-specific endoribonuclease. ToxN confers phage resistance by causing cell death upon phage infection by cleaving cellular and phage RNAs, thereby interfering with bacterial and phage growth. Notwithstanding our recent progress in understanding ribonuclease action and function in TA systems, the environmental triggers that cause release of the toxin from its cognate antitoxin and the precise cellular function of these systems in many bacteria remain to be discovered. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Decay mechanisms.

Extreme Thermophiles: Moving beyond single-enzyme biocatalysis

Extremely thermophilic microorganisms have been sources of thermostable and thermoactive enzymes for over 30 years. However, information and insights gained from genome sequences, in conjunction with new tools for molecular genetics, have opened up exciting new possibilities for biotechnological opportunities based on extreme thermophiles that go beyond single-step biotransformations. Although the pace for discovering novel microorganisms has slowed over the past two decades, genome sequence data have provided clues to novel biomolecules and metabolic pathways, which can be mined for a range of new applications. Furthermore, recent advances in molecular genetics for extreme thermophiles have made metabolic engineering for high temperature applications a reality.

Metal resistance and lithoautotrophy in the extreme thermoacidophile Metallosphaera sedula

Archaea such as Metallosphaera sedula are thermophilic lithoautotrophs that occupy unusually acidic and metal-rich environments. These traits are thought to underlie their industrial importance for bioleaching of base and precious metals. In this study, a genetic approach was taken to investigate the specific relationship between metal resistance and lithoautotrophy during biotransformation of the primary copper ore, chalcopyrite (CuFeS(2)). In this study, a genetic system was developed for M. sedula to investigate parameters that limit bioleaching of chalcopyrite. The functional role of the M. sedula copRTA operon was demonstrated by cross-species complementation of a copper-sensitive Sulfolobus solfataricus copR mutant. Inactivation of the gene encoding the M. sedula copper efflux protein, copA, using targeted recombination compromised metal resistance and eliminated chalcopyrite bioleaching. In contrast, a spontaneous M. sedula mutant (CuR1) with elevated metal resistance transformed chalcopyrite at an accelerated rate without affecting chemoheterotrophic growth. Proteomic analysis of CuR1 identified pleiotropic changes, including altered abundance of transport proteins having AAA-ATPase motifs. Addition of the insoluble carbonate mineral witherite (BaCO(3)) further stimulated chalcopyrite lithotrophy, indicating that carbon was a limiting factor. Since both mineral types were actively colonized, enhanced metal leaching may arise from the cooperative exchange of energy and carbon between surface-adhered populations. Genetic approaches provide a new means of improving the efficiency of metal bioleaching by enhancing the mechanistic understanding of thermophilic lithoautotrophy.

Uranium extremophily is an adaptive, rather than intrinsic, feature for extremely thermoacidophilic Metallosphaera species

Thermoacidophilic archaea are found in heavy metal-rich environments, and, in some cases, these microorganisms are causative agents of metal mobilization through cellular processes related to their bioenergetics. Given the nature of their habitats, these microorganisms must deal with the potentially toxic effect of heavy metals. Here, we show that two thermoacidophilic Metallosphaera species with nearly identical (99.99%) genomes differed significantly in their sensitivity and reactivity to uranium (U). Metallosphaera prunae, isolated from a smoldering heap on a uranium mine in Thüringen, Germany, could be viewed as a "spontaneous mutant" of Metallosphaera sedula, an isolate from Pisciarelli Solfatara near Naples. Metallosphaera prunae tolerated triuranium octaoxide (U(3)O(8)) and soluble uranium [U(VI)] to a much greater extent than M. sedula. Within 15 min following exposure to "U(VI) shock," M. sedula, and not M. prunae, exhibited transcriptomic features associated with severe stress response. Furthermore, within 15 min post-U(VI) shock, M. prunae, and not M. sedula, showed evidence of substantial degradation of cellular RNA, suggesting that transcriptional and translational processes were aborted as a dynamic mechanism for resisting U toxicity; by 60 min post-U(VI) shock, RNA integrity in M. prunae recovered, and known modes for heavy metal resistance were activated. In addition, M. sedula rapidly oxidized solid U(3)O(8) to soluble U(VI) for bioenergetic purposes, a chemolithoautotrophic feature not previously reported. M. prunae, however, did not solubilize solid U(3)O(8) to any significant extent, thereby not exacerbating U(VI) toxicity. These results point to uranium extremophily as an adaptive, rather than intrinsic, feature for Metallosphaera species, driven by environmental factors.

Overview of the genetic tools in the Archaea

This section provides an overview of the genetic systems developed in the Archaea. Genetic manipulation is possible in many members of the halophiles, methanogens, Sulfolobus, and Thermococcales. We describe the selection/counterselection principles utilized in each of these groups, which consist of antibiotics and their resistance markers, and auxotrophic host strains and complementary markers. The latter strategy utilizes techniques similar to those developed in yeast. However, Archaea are resistant to many of the antibiotics routinely used for selection in the Bacteria, and a number of strategies specific to the Archaea have been developed. In addition, examples utilizing the genetic systems developed for each group will be briefly described.

Carbohydrate hydrolysis and transport in the extreme thermoacidophile Sulfolobus solfataricus

Extremely thermoacidophilic microbes, such as Sulfolobus solfataricus, are strict chemoheterotrophs despite their geologic niche. To clarify their ecophysiology, the overlapping roles of endoglucanases and carbohydrate transporters were examined during growth on soluble cellodextrins as the sole carbon and energy source. Strain-specific differences in genome structure implied a unique role for one of three endogenous endoglucanases. Plasmid-based endoglucanase expression promoted the consumption of oligosaccharides, including cellohexaose (G6) through cellonanaose (G9). Protein transporters required for cellodextrin uptake were identified through mutagenesis and complementation of an ABC transporter cassette, including a putative oligosaccharide binding protein. In addition, ablation of the binding protein compromised growth on glucose and alpha-linked oligosaccharides while inactivation of a previously described glucose transporter had no apparent impact. These data demonstrate that S. solfataricus employs a redundant mechanism for soluble cellodextrin catabolism having both substrate uptake and extracytoplasmic hydrolytic components.

Determination of ribonuclease sequence-specificity using Pentaprobes and mass spectrometry

The VapBC toxin-antitoxin (TA) family is the largest of nine identified TA families. The toxin, VapC, is a metal-dependent ribonuclease that is inhibited by its cognate antitoxin, VapB. Although the VapBCs are the largest TA family, little is known about their biological roles. Here we describe a new general method for the overexpression and purification of toxic VapC proteins and subsequent determination of their RNase sequence-specificity. Functional VapC was isolated by expression of the nontoxic VapBC complex, followed by removal of the labile antitoxin (VapB) using limited trypsin digestion. We have then developed a sensitive and robust method for determining VapC ribonuclease sequence-specificity. This technique employs the use of Pentaprobes as substrates for VapC. These are RNA sequences encoding every combination of five bases. We combine the RNase reaction with MALDI-TOF MS to detect and analyze the cleavage products and thus determine the RNA cut sites. Successful MALDI-TOF MS analysis of RNA fragments is acutely dependent on sample preparation methods. The sequence-specificity of four VapC proteins from two different organisms (VapC(PAE0151) and VapC(PAE2754) from Pyrobaculum aerophilum, and VapC(Rv0065) and VapC(Rv0617) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis) was successfully determined using the described strategy. This rapid and sensitive method can be applied to determine the sequence-specificity of VapC ribonucleases along with other RNA interferases (such as MazF) from a range of organisms.

A broadly applicable gene knockout system for the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus based on simvastatin selection

Sulfolobus species have been developed as excellent model organisms to address fundamental questions of archaeal biology. Interesting patterns of natural variation among Sulfolobus islandicus strains have been identified through genome sequencing. Experimentally testing hypotheses about the biological causes and consequences of this natural variation requires genetic tools that apply to a diversity of strains. Previously, a genetic transformation system for S. islandicus was reported, in which overexpression of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase gene on the shuttle vector pSSR allowed the selection of transformants resistant to high concentrations of the thermostable antibiotic simvastatin. Here, we developed a novel gene knockout system based on simvastatin resistance. With this system, we created via homologous recombination an in-frame, markerless deletion of the intact S. islandicus M.16.4 pyrEF genes encoding orotidine-5'-monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (OPRTase) and orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPdecase), and a disruption of the lacS gene encoding β-galactosidase. Phenotypic analyses of the mutants revealed that the pyrEF deletion mutant lost the ability to synthesize uracil, and the lacS deletion mutants exhibited a white colour after X-Gal staining, demonstrating that the β-galactosidase function was inactivated. Our data demonstrate efficient tools to generate gene knockouts in a broad range of wild-type Sulfolobus strains.

A VapBC toxin-antitoxin module is a posttranscriptional regulator of metabolic flux in mycobacteria

The largest family of toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are encoded by the vapBC operons, but their roles in bacterial physiology remain enigmatic. Microarray analysis in Mycobacterium smegmatis overexpressing VapC/VapBC revealed a high percentage of downregulated genes with annotated roles in carbon transport and metabolism, suggesting that VapC was targeting specific metabolic mRNA transcripts. To validate this hypothesis, purified VapC was used to identify the RNA cleavage site in vitro. VapC had RNase activity that was sequence specific, cleaving single-stranded RNA substrates at AUAU and AUAA in vitro and in vivo (viz., MSMEG_2121 to MSMEG_2124). A bioinformatic analysis of these regions suggested that an RNA hairpin 3' of the AUA(U/A) motif is also required for efficient cleavage. VapC-mediated regulation in vivo was demonstrated by showing that MSMEG_2124 (dhaF) and MSMEG_2121 (dhaM) were upregulated in a ΔvapBC mutant growing on glycerol. The ΔvapBC mutant had a specific rate of glycerol consumption that was 2.4-fold higher than that of the wild type during exponential growth. This increased rate of glycerol consumption was not used for generating bacterial biomass, suggesting that metabolism by the ΔvapBC mutant was uncoupled from growth. These data suggest a model in which VapC regulates the rate of glycerol utilization to match the anabolic demands of the cell, allowing for fine-tuning of the catabolic rate at a posttranscriptional level.

CopR of Sulfolobus solfataricus represents a novel class of archaeal-specific copper-responsive activators of transcription

In trace amounts, copper is essential for the function of key enzymes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Organisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms to control the cytosolic level of the metal, manage its toxicity and survive in copper-rich environments. Here we show that the Sulfolobus CopR represents a novel class of copper-responsive regulators, unique to the archaeal domain. Furthermore, by disruption of the ORF Sso2652 (copR) of the Sulfolobus solfataricus genome, we demonstrate that the gene encodes a transcriptional activator of the copper-transporting ATPase CopA gene and co-transcribed copT, encoding a putative copper-binding protein. Disruption resulted in a loss of copper tolerance in two copR-knockout mutants, while metals such as zinc, cadmium and chromium did not affect their growth. Copper sensitivity in the mutant was linked to insufficient levels of expression of CopA and CopT. The findings were further supported by time-course inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements, whereby continued accumulation of copper in the S. solfataricus mutant was observed. In contrast, copper accumulation in the wild-type stabilized after reaching approximately 6 pg (µg total protein)(-1). Complementation of the disrupted mutant with a wild-type copy of the copR gene restored the wild-type phenotype with respect to the physiological and transcriptional response to copper. These observations, taken together, lead us to propose that CopR is an activator of copT and copA transcription, and the member of a novel class of copper-responsive regulators.