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Wang X, Ke X, Dong H, Liu Z, Zheng Y. High-efficiency bioconversion of phytosterol to bisnoralcohol by metabolically engineered Mycobacterium neoaurum in a micro-emulsion system. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400387. [PMID: 39295572 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
21-Hydroxy-20-methylpregn-4-en-3-one (4-HBC, bisnoralcohol) is a crucial intermediate for the synthesis of steroidal drugs. Significant challenges including by-products formation and poor substrate solubility were still confronted in its main synthetic route by microbial conversion from phytosterol. Construction of a direct bioconversion pathway to 4-HBC and an efficient substrate emulsion system is therefore urgently required. In this study, three novel isoenzymes of 3-ketosteroid-Δ1-dehydrogenase (KstD) and 3-ketosteroid 9α-hydroxylase (KsH) in Mycobacterium neoaurum were excavated and identified as KstD4, KstD5, and KsHA3. A strain capable of fully directing the synthesis of 4-HBC was metabolically engineered via serial genetic deletion combined with enhanced expression of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx2) and enoyl-CoA hydratase (EchA19). Moreover, a micro-emulsion system combined with soybean oil and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin improved substrate solubility and bioavailability. In batch fermentation, molar yield of 96.7% with 39.5 g L-1 4-HBC was obtained from 50 g L-1 phytosterol. Our findings demonstrate the potential for industrial-scale biosynthesis of 4-HBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Choral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Ke
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Choral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongduo Dong
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Choral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Choral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Zheng
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Choral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Bento CM, van Calster K, Piller T, Oliveira GS, de Vooght L, Cappoen D, Cos P, Gomes MS, Silva T. Characterization of novel double-reporter strains of Mycobacterium abscessus for drug discovery: a study in mScarlet. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0036224. [PMID: 39189762 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00362-24] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is an emerging pathogen that poses a severe health threat, especially in people with cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases. Available drugs are largely ineffective due to an exquisite intrinsic resistance, making Mab infections only comparable to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Current treatment is based on lengthy multidrug therapy, complicated by poor outcomes and high rates of treatment failure, recurrence, and mortality. Thus, finding new and more efficient drugs to combat this pathogen is urgent. However, drug discovery efforts targeting Mab have been limited, and traditional drug screening methods are labor-intensive, low-throughput, and do not reflect clinical effectiveness. Therefore, this work aimed to develop a new, efficient, and reliable tool for drug screening against Mab that can be used in vitro for identifying hits in a high-throughput manner and in vivo to select drug candidates for future clinical trials. We engineered two stable double-reporter strains of Mab capable of emitting strong fluorescent and luminescent signals. This is due to the expression of mScarlet protein and luciferase enzyme or the entire lux operon. Importantly, these strains maintain the same ground characteristics as the non-transformed Mab strain. We show that these new strains can be applied to various setups, from MIC determination in broth cultures and macrophage infection assays to in vivo infection (using the Galleria mellonella model). Using these strains enhances the potential for high-throughput screening of thousands of compounds in a fast and reliable way. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is currently considered an "incurable nightmare." Its intrinsic resistance, high toxicity, long duration, and low cure rates of available therapies often lead to the clinical decision not to treat. Moreover, one of the significant drawbacks of anti-Mab drug development is the lack of correlation between in vitro susceptibility and clinical efficacy. Most drug screening assays are performed on Mab growing in liquid cultures. But being an intracellular pathogen, inducing granulomas and biofilm formation, the broth culture is far from ideal as in vitro drug-testing setup. This study presents new double-reporter Mab strains that allow direct real-time bacterial detection and quantification in a non-invasive way. These strains can be applied to an extensive range of experimental settings, far surpassing the utility of single-reporter bacteria. They can be used in all steps of the pre-clinical anti-Mab drug development pipeline, constituting a highly valuable tool to increase its success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara M Bento
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação e Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Programa Doutoral em Biologia Molecular e Celular (MCBiology), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kevin van Calster
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tatiana Piller
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gabriel S Oliveira
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação e Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Linda de Vooght
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Davie Cappoen
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - M Salomé Gomes
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação e Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tânia Silva
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação e Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Pichler V, Dalkilic L, Shoaib G, Shapira T, Rankine-Wilson L, Boudehen YM, Chao JD, Sexton D, Prieto M, Quon BS, Tocheva EI, Kremer L, Hsiao W, Av-Gay Y. The diversity of clinical Mycobacterium abscessus isolates in morphology, glycopeptidolipids and infection rates in a macrophage model. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 39158416 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause severe lung infections, particularly in individuals with cystic fibrosis. MABS colonies can exhibit either a smooth (S) or rough (R) morphotype, influenced by the presence or absence of glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) on their surface, respectively. Despite the clinical significance of these morphotypes, the relationship between GPL levels, morphotype and the pathogenesis of MABS infections remains poorly understood.Gap statement. The mechanisms and implications of GPL production and morphotypes in clinical MABS infections are unclear. There is a gap in understanding their correlation with infectivity and pathogenicity, particularly in patients with underlying lung disease.Aim. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between MABS morphology, GPL and infectivity by analysing strains from cystic fibrosis patients' sputum samples.Methodology. MABS was isolated from patient sputum samples and categorized by morphotype, GPL profile and replication rate in macrophages. A high-content ex vivo infection model using THP-1 cells assessed the infectivity of both clinical and laboratory strains.Results. Our findings revealed that around 50 % of isolates displayed mixed morphologies. GPL analysis confirmed a consistent relationship between GPL content and morphotype that was only found in smooth isolates. Across morphotype groups, no differences were observed in vitro, yet clinical R strains were observed to replicate at higher levels in the THP-1 infection model. Moreover, the proportion of infected macrophages was notably higher among clinical R strains compared to their S counterparts at 72 h post-infection. Clinical variants also infected THP-1 cells at significantly higher rates compared to laboratory strains, highlighting the limited translatability of lab strain infection data to clinical contexts.Conclusion. Our study confirmed the general correlation between morphotype and GPL levels in smooth strains yet unveiled more variability within morphotype groups than previously recognized, particularly during intracellular infection. As the R morphotype is the highest clinical concern, these findings contribute to the expanding knowledge base surrounding MABS infections, offering insights that can steer diagnostic methodologies and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Pichler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- INSERM, IRIM, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Lara Dalkilic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ghazaleh Shoaib
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tirosh Shapira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Leah Rankine-Wilson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Joseph D Chao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Danielle Sexton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Miguel Prieto
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bradley S Quon
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elitza I Tocheva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - William Hsiao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Yossef Av-Gay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Batani G, Vezzani G, Lashchuk S, Allaoui A, Cardamone D, Raso MM, Boero E, Roscioli E, Ridelfi M, Gasperini G, Pizza M, Rossi O, Berlanda Scorza F, Micoli F, Rappuoli R, Sala C. Development of a visual Adhesion/Invasion Inhibition Assay to assess the functionality of Shigella-specific antibodies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374293. [PMID: 38680489 PMCID: PMC11045934 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shigella is the etiologic agent of a bacillary dysentery known as shigellosis, which causes millions of infections and thousands of deaths worldwide each year due to Shigella's unique lifestyle within intestinal epithelial cells. Cell adhesion/invasion assays have been extensively used not only to identify targets mediating host-pathogen interaction, but also to evaluate the ability of Shigella-specific antibodies to reduce virulence. However, these assays are time-consuming and labor-intensive and fail to assess differences at the single-cell level. Objectives and methods Here, we developed a simple, fast and high-content method named visual Adhesion/Invasion Inhibition Assay (vAIA) to measure the ability of anti-Shigellaantibodies to inhibit bacterial adhesion to and invasion of epithelial cells by using the confocal microscope Opera Phenix. Results We showed that vAIA performed well with a pooled human serum from subjects challenged with S. sonnei and that a specific anti-IpaD monoclonal antibody effectively reduced bacterial virulence in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion vAIA can therefore inform on the functionality of polyclonal and monoclonal responses thereby supporting the discovery of pathogenicity mechanisms and the development of candidate vaccines and immunotherapies. Lastly, this assay is very versatile and may be easily applied to other Shigella species or serotypes and to different pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampiero Batani
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Vezzani
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Sabrina Lashchuk
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Abdelmounaaim Allaoui
- The Microbiology Laboratory, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Ben, Guerir, Morocco
| | - Dario Cardamone
- Data Science for Health Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Elena Boero
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Roscioli
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Ridelfi
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Gasperini
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Pizza
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Omar Rossi
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Micoli
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sala
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
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Sao Emani C, Reiling N. The efflux pumps Rv1877 and Rv0191 play differential roles in the protection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against chemical stress. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1359188. [PMID: 38516013 PMCID: PMC10956863 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1359188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background It was previously shown that GlnA3sc enabled Streptomyces coelicolor to survive in excess polyamines. However, subsequent studies revealed that Rv1878, the corresponding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) ortholog, was not essential for the detoxification of spermine (Spm), in M.tb. On the other hand, the multi-drug efflux pump Rv1877 was previously shown to enable export of a wide range of compounds, while Rv0191 was shown to be more specific to chloramphenicol. Rationale Therefore, we first wanted to determine if detoxification of Spm by efflux can be achieved by any efflux pump, or if that was dependent upon the function of the pump. Next, since Rv1878 was found not to be essential for the detoxification of Spm, we sought to follow-up on the investigation of the physiological role of Rv1878 along with Rv1877 and Rv0191. Approach To evaluate the specificity of efflux pumps in the mycobacterial tolerance to Spm, we generated unmarked ∆rv1877 and ∆rv0191 M.tb mutants and evaluated their susceptibility to Spm. To follow up on the investigation of any other physiological roles they may have, we characterized them along with the ∆rv1878 M.tb mutant. Results The ∆rv1877 mutant was sensitive to Spm stress, while the ∆rv0191 mutant was not. On the other hand, the ∆rv1878 mutant grew better than the wild-type during iron starvation yet was sensitive to cell wall stress. The proteins Rv1877 and Rv1878 seemed to play physiological roles during hypoxia and acidic stress. Lastly, the ∆rv0191 mutant was the only mutant that was sensitive to oxidative stress. Conclusion The multidrug MFS-type efflux pump Rv1877 is required for Spm detoxification, as opposed to Rv0191 which seems to play a more specific role. Moreover, Rv1878 seems to play a role in the regulation of iron homeostasis and the reconstitution of the cell wall of M.tb. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the ∆rv0191 mutant to oxidative stress, suggests that Rv0191 may be responsible for the transport of low molecular weight thiols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Sao Emani
- Microbial Interface Biology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Norbert Reiling
- Microbial Interface Biology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
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6
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Ke X, Cui JH, Ren QJ, Zheng T, Wang XX, Liu ZQ, Zheng YG. Rerouting phytosterol degradation pathway for directed androst-1,4-diene-3,17-dione microbial bioconversion. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:186. [PMID: 38300290 PMCID: PMC10834601 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12847-z] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Steroid-based drugs are now mainly produced by the microbial transformation of phytosterol, and a two-step bioprocess is adopted to reach high space-time yields, but byproducts are frequently observed during the bioprocessing. In this study, the catabolic switch between the C19- and C22-steroidal subpathways was investigated in resting cells of Mycobacterium neoaurum NRRL B-3805, and a dose-dependent transcriptional response toward the induction of phytosterol with increased concentrations was found in the putative node enzymes including ChoM2, KstD1, OpccR, Sal, and Hsd4A. Aldolase Sal presented a dominant role in the C22 steroidal side-chain cleavage, and the byproduct was eliminated after sequential deletion of opccR and sal. Meanwhile, the molar yield of androst-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) was increased from 59.4 to 71.3%. With the regard of insufficient activity of rate-limiting enzymes may also cause byproduct accumulation, a chromosomal integration platform for target gene overexpression was established supported by a strong promoter L2 combined with site-specific recombination in the engineered cell. Rate-limiting steps of ADD bioconversion were further characterized and overcome. Overexpression of the kstD1 gene further strengthened the bioconversion from AD to ADD. After subsequential optimization of the bioconversion system, the directed biotransformation route was developed and allowed up to 82.0% molar yield with a space-time yield of 4.22 g·L-1·day-1. The catabolic diversion elements and the genetic overexpression tools as confirmed and developed in present study offer new ideas of M. neoaurum cell factory development for directed biotransformation for C19- and C22-steroidal drug intermediates from phytosterol. KEY POINTS: • Resting cells exhibited a catabolic switch between the C19- and C22-steroidal subpathways. • The C22-steroidal byproduct was eliminated after sequential deletion of opccR and sal. • Rate-limiting steps were overcome by promoter engineering and chromosomal integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Ke
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Hao Cui
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Jie Ren
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zheng
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Xin Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Guo Zheng
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
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Boudehen YM, Tasrini Y, Aguilera-Correa JJ, Alcaraz M, Kremer L. Silencing essential gene expression in Mycobacterium abscessus during infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0283623. [PMID: 37831478 PMCID: PMC10714871 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02836-23] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium abscessus represents the most common rapidly growing mycobacterial pathogen in cystic fibrosis and is extremely difficult to eradicate. Essential genes are required for growth, often participate in pathogenesis, and encode valid drug targets for further chemotherapeutic developments. However, assessing the function of essential genes in M. abscessus remains challenging due to the limited spectrum of efficient genetic tools. Herein, we generated a Tet-OFF-based system allowing to knock down the expression of mmpL3, encoding the mycolic acid transporter in mycobacteria. Using this conditional mutant, we confirm the essentiality of mmpL3 in planktonic cultures, in biofilms, and during infection in zebrafish embryos. Thus, in this study, we developed a robust and reliable method to silence the expression of any M. abscessus gene during host infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves-Marie Boudehen
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yara Tasrini
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - John Jairo Aguilera-Correa
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Matthéo Alcaraz
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- INSERM, IRIM, Montpellier, France
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8
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Aguilera-Correa JJ, Boudehen YM, Kremer L. Characterization of Mycobacterium abscessus colony-biofilms based on bi-dimensional images. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0040223. [PMID: 37565746 PMCID: PMC10508158 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00402-23] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus biofilm aggregates have been shown in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients and are often tolerant to drugs. Herein, we analyzed bi-dimensional images of either fluorescent or Congo red-stained M. abscessus colony-biofilms grown on a membrane to monitor growth and shape of M. abscessus smooth and rough variants. These colony-biofilms responded differently to rifabutin and bedaquiline, thus highlighting the importance of the morphotype to properly address antibiotic treatment in patients with biofilm-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Jairo Aguilera-Correa
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yves-Marie Boudehen
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- INSERM, IRIM, Montpellier, France
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9
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Finin P, Khan RMN, Oh S, Boshoff HIM, Barry CE. Chemical approaches to unraveling the biology of mycobacteria. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:420-435. [PMID: 37207631 PMCID: PMC10201459 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.014] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), perhaps more than any other organism, is intrinsically appealing to chemical biologists. Not only does the cell envelope feature one of the most complex heteropolymers found in nature1 but many of the interactions between Mtb and its primary host (we humans) rely on lipid and not protein mediators.2,3 Many of the complex lipids, glycolipids, and carbohydrates biosynthesized by the bacterium still have unknown functions, and the complexity of the pathological processes by which tuberculosis (TB) disease progress offers many opportunities for these molecules to influence the human response. Because of the importance of TB in global public health, chemical biologists have applied a wide-ranging array of techniques to better understand the disease and improve interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Finin
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - R M Naseer Khan
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sangmi Oh
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Helena I M Boshoff
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clifton E Barry
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Chengalroyen MD, Mason MK, Borsellini A, Tassoni R, Abrahams GL, Lynch S, Ahn YM, Ambler J, Young K, Crowley BM, Olsen DB, Warner DF, Barry III CE, Boshoff HIM, Lamers MH, Mizrahi V. DNA-Dependent Binding of Nargenicin to DnaE1 Inhibits Replication in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:612-625. [PMID: 35143160 PMCID: PMC8922275 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Natural products provide a rich source of potential antimicrobials for treating infectious diseases for which drug resistance has emerged. Foremost among these diseases is tuberculosis. Assessment of the antimycobacterial activity of nargenicin, a natural product that targets the replicative DNA polymerase of Staphylococcus aureus, revealed that it is a bactericidal genotoxin that induces a DNA damage response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and inhibits growth by blocking the replicative DNA polymerase, DnaE1. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that binding of nargenicin to Mtb DnaE1 requires the DNA substrate such that nargenicin is wedged between the terminal base pair and the polymerase and occupies the position of both the incoming nucleotide and templating base. Comparative analysis across three bacterial species suggests that the activity of nargenicin is partly attributable to the DNA binding affinity of the replicative polymerase. This work has laid the foundation for target-led drug discovery efforts focused on Mtb DnaE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D. Chengalroyen
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Mandy K. Mason
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Alessandro Borsellini
- Cell
and Chemical Biology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Raffaella Tassoni
- Cell
and Chemical Biology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Garth L. Abrahams
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
- Tuberculosis
Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease,
National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United
States
| | - Sasha Lynch
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Yong-Mo Ahn
- Tuberculosis
Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease,
National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United
States
| | - Jon Ambler
- Wellcome
Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Katherine Young
- Infectious
Disease, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19446, United States
| | - Brendan M. Crowley
- Discovery
Chemistry, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19446, United States
| | - David B. Olsen
- Infectious
Disease, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19446, United States
| | - Digby F. Warner
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Clifton E. Barry III
- Tuberculosis
Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease,
National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United
States
| | - Helena I. M. Boshoff
- Tuberculosis
Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease,
National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United
States
| | - Meindert H. Lamers
- Cell
and Chemical Biology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Valerie Mizrahi
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence
for Biomedical TB Research, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular
Medicine and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, South Africa
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Horváti K, Fodor K, Pályi B, Henczkó J, Balka G, Gyulai G, Kiss É, Biri-Kovács B, Senoner Z, Bősze S. Novel Assay Platform to Evaluate Intracellular Killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: In Vitro and In Vivo Validation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:750496. [PMID: 34867981 PMCID: PMC8632718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.750496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main hallmarks of tuberculosis (TB) is the ability of the causative agent to transform into a stage of dormancy and the capability of long persistence in the host phagocytes. It is believed that approximately one-third of the population of the world is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and 5%-10% of these individuals can develop clinical manifestations of active TB even decades after the initial infection. In this latent, intracellular form, the bacillus is shielded by an extremely robust cell wall and becomes phenotypically resistant to most antituberculars. Therefore, there is a clear rationale to develop novel compounds or carrier-conjugated constructs of existing drugs that are effective against the intracellular form of the bacilli. In this paper, we describe an experimental road map to define optimal candidates against intracellular Mtb and potential compounds effective in the therapy of latent TB. To validate our approach, isoniazid, a first-line antitubercular drug was employed, which is active against extracellular Mtb in the submicromolar range, but ineffective against the intracellular form of the bacteria. Cationic peptide conjugates of isoniazid were synthesized and employed to study the host-directed drug delivery. To measure the intracellular killing activity of the compounds, Mtb-infected MonoMac-6 human monocytic cells were utilized. We have assessed the antitubercular activity, cytotoxicity, membrane interactions in combination with internalization efficacy, localization, and penetration ability on interface and tissue-mimicking 3D models. Based on these in vitro data, most active compounds were further evaluated in vivo in a murine model of TB. Intraperitoneal infectious route was employed to induce a course of slowly progressive and systemic disease. The well-being of the animals, monitored by the body weight, allows a prolonged experimental setup and provides a great opportunity to test the long-term activity of the drug candidates. Having shown the great potency of this simple and suitable experimental design for antimicrobial research, the proposed novel assay platform could be used in the future to develop further innovative and highly effective antituberculars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kata Horváti
- Eötvös Loránd Kutatási Hálózat-Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELKH-ELTE) Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kinga Fodor
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Protection, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Henczkó
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergő Gyulai
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kiss
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Szilvia Bősze
- Eötvös Loránd Kutatási Hálózat-Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELKH-ELTE) Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
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