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Gil-Gil T, Laborda P, Ochoa-Sánchez LE, Martínez JL, Hernando-Amado S. Efflux in Gram-negative bacteria: what are the latest opportunities for drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:671-686. [PMID: 37199662 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2213886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The resistance-nodulation-division (RND) family is the most important group of multidrug efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria. Their inhibition increases the susceptibility of these microorganisms to antibiotics. The study of the effect of efflux pumps' overexpression on bacterial physiology in antibiotic-resistant mutants allows for the identification of exploitable weaknesses associated with resistance acquisition. AREAS COVERED The authors describe different RND multidrug efflux pumps' inhibition strategies and provide examples of inhibitors. This review also discusses inducers of the expression of efflux pumps, used in human therapy that can produce transient resistance to antibiotics in vivo. Since RND efflux pumps may have a role in bacterial virulence, the use of these systems as targets in the search of antivirulence compounds is also discussed. Finally, this review analyzes how the study of trade-offs associated with resistance acquisition mediated by efflux pumps' overexpression may guide strategies to tackle such resistance. EXPERT OPINION Increasing the knowledge of the regulation, structure and function of efflux pumps provides information for the rational design of RND efflux pump inhibitors. These inhibitors would increase bacterial susceptibility to several antibiotics and, occasionally, will reduce bacterial virulence. Furthermore, the information on the effect that efflux pumps' overexpression has on bacterial physiology may serve to develop new anti-resistance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gil-Gil
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Biociencias Moleculares, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Laborda
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Athar M, Gervasoni S, Catte A, Basciu A, Malloci G, Ruggerone P, Vargiu AV. Tripartite efflux pumps of the RND superfamily: what did we learn from computational studies? Microbiology (Reading) 2023; 169. [PMID: 36972322 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been long recognized as a priority to address for human health. Among all micro-organisms, the so-called multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, which are resistant to most, if not all drugs in our current arsenal, are particularly worrisome. The World Health Organization has prioritized the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) pathogens, which include four Gram-negative bacterial species. In these bacteria, active extrusion of antimicrobial compounds out of the cell by means of 'molecular guns' known as efflux pumps is a main determinant of MDR phenotypes. The resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) superfamily of efflux pumps connecting the inner and outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria is crucial to the onset of MDR and virulence, as well as biofilm formation. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of the interaction of antibiotics and inhibitors with these pumps is key to the design of more effective therapeutics. With the aim to contribute to this challenge, and complement and inspire experimental research, in silico studies on RND efflux pumps have flourished in recent decades. Here, we review a selection of such investigations addressing the main determinants behind the polyspecificity of these pumps, the mechanisms of substrate recognition, transport and inhibition, as well as the relevance of their assembly for proper functioning, and the role of protein-lipid interactions. The journey will end with a perspective on the role of computer simulations in addressing the challenges posed by these beautifully complex machineries and in supporting the fight against the spread of MDR bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Athar
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Silvia Gervasoni
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Andrea Catte
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Andrea Basciu
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Attilio Vittorio Vargiu
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP 8 km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
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Zhang Y, Rosado-Lugo JD, Datta P, Sun Y, Cao Y, Banerjee A, Yuan Y, Parhi AK. Evaluation of a Conformationally Constrained Indole Carboxamide as a Potential Efflux Pump Inhibitor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11. [PMID: 35740123 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11060716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa provide intrinsic antimicrobial resistance by facilitating the extrusion of a wide range of antimicrobials. Approaches for combating efflux-mediated multidrug resistance involve, in part, developing indirect antimicrobial agents capable of inhibiting efflux, thus rescuing the activity of antimicrobials previously rendered inactive by efflux. Herein, TXA09155 is presented as a novel efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) formed by conformationally constraining our previously reported EPI TXA01182. TXA09155 demonstrates strong potentiation in combination with multiple antibiotics with efflux liabilities against wild-type and multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa. At 6.25 µg/mL, TXA09155, showed ≥8-fold potentiation of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, doxycycline, minocycline, cefpirome, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. Several biophysical and genetic studies rule out membrane disruption and support efflux inhibition as the mechanism of action (MOA) of TXA09155. TXA09155 was determined to lower the frequency of resistance (FoR) to levofloxacin and enhance the killing kinetics of moxifloxacin. Most importantly, TXA09155 outperformed the levofloxacin-potentiation activity of EPIs TXA01182 and MC-04,124 against a CDC/FDA panel of MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. TXA09155 possesses favorable physiochemical and ADME properties that warrant its optimization and further development.
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Cacciotto P, Basciu A, Oliva F, Malloci G, Zacharias M, Ruggerone P, Vargiu AV. Molecular rationale for the impairment of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump by a single mutation in MexA. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:252-260. [PMID: 35024097 PMCID: PMC8717590 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Efflux pumps of the Resistance-Nodulation-cell Division (RND) superfamily contribute to intrinsic and acquired resistance in Gram-negative pathogens by expelling chemically unrelated antibiotics with high efficiency. They are tripartite systems constituted by an inner-membrane-anchored transporter, an outer membrane factor protein, and a membrane fusion protein. Multimerization of the membrane fusion protein is an essential prerequisite for full functionality of these efflux pumps. In this work, we employed complementary computational techniques to investigate the stability of a dimeric unit of MexA (the membrane fusion protein of the MexAB-OprM RND efflux pump of Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and to provide a molecular rationale for the effect of the G72S substitution, which affects MexAB-OprM functionality by impairing the assembly of MexA. Our findings indicate that: i) dimers of this protein are stable in multiple µs-long molecular dynamics simulations; ii) the mutation drastically alters the conformational equilibrium of MexA, favouring a collapsed conformation that is unlikely to form dimers or higher order assemblies. Unveiling the mechanistic aspects underlying large conformational distortions induced by minor sequence changes is informative to efforts at interfering with the activity of this elusive bacterial weapon. In this respect, our work further confirms how molecular simulations can give important contribution and useful insights to characterize the mechanism of highly complex biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Cacciotto
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Andrea Basciu
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Francesco Oliva
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Martin Zacharias
- Physics Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
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Yuan Y, Rosado-Lugo JD, Zhang Y, Datta P, Sun Y, Cao Y, Banerjee A, Parhi AK. Evaluation of Heterocyclic Carboxamides as Potential Efflux Pump Inhibitors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 11:30. [PMID: 35052908 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to rescue the activity of antimicrobials that are no longer effective against bacterial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an attractive strategy to combat antimicrobial drug resistance. Herein, novel efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) demonstrating strong potentiation in combination with levofloxacin against wild-type P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 are presented. A structure activity relationship of aryl substituted heterocyclic carboxamides containing a pentane diamine side chain is described. Out of several classes of fused heterocyclic carboxamides, aryl indole carboxamide compound 6j (TXA01182) at 6.25 µg/mL showed 8-fold potentiation of levofloxacin. TXA01182 was found to have equally synergistic activities with other antimicrobial classes (monobactam, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamide and tetracyclines) against P. aeruginosa. Several biophysical and genetic studies rule out membrane disruption and support efflux inhibition as the mechanism of action (MOA) of TXA01182. TXA01182 was determined to lower the frequency of resistance (FoR) of the partner antimicrobials and enhance the killing kinetics of levofloxacin. Furthermore, TXA01182 demonstrated a synergistic effect with levofloxacin against several multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.
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Davin-Regli A, Pages JM, Ferrand A. Clinical Status of Efflux Resistance Mechanisms in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1117. [PMID: 34572699 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10091117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic efflux is a mechanism that is well-documented in the phenotype of multidrug resistance in bacteria. Efflux is considered as an early facilitating mechanism in the bacterial adaptation face to the concentration of antibiotics at the infectious site, which is involved in the acquirement of complementary efficient mechanisms, such as enzymatic resistance or target mutation. Various efflux pumps have been described in the Gram-negative bacteria most often encountered in infectious diseases and, in healthcare-associated infections. Some are more often involved than others and expel virtually all families of antibiotics and antibacterials. Numerous studies report the contribution of these pumps in resistant strains previously identified from their phenotypes. The authors characterize the pumps involved, the facilitating antibiotics and those mainly concerned by the efflux. However, today no study describes a process for the real-time quantification of efflux in resistant clinical strains. It is currently necessary to have at hospital level a reliable and easy method to quantify the efflux in routine and contribute to a rational choice of antibiotics. This review provides a recent overview of the prevalence of the main efflux pumps observed in clinical practice and provides an idea of the prevalence of this mechanism in the multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The development of a routine diagnostic tool is now an emergency need for the proper application of current recommendations regarding a rational use of antibiotics.
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Somprasong N, Yi J, Hall CM, Webb JR, Sahl JW, Wagner DM, Keim P, Currie BJ, Schweizer HP. Conservation of Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division Efflux Pump-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Burkholderia cepacia Complex and Burkholderia pseudomallei Complex Species. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0092021. [PMID: 34181473 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00920-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) and Burkholderia pseudomallei complex (Bpc) species include pathogens that are typically multidrug resistant. Dominant intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance mechanisms are efflux mediated by pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family. From comparative bioinformatic and, in many instances, functional studies, we infer that RND pump-based resistance mechanisms are conserved in Burkholderia. We propose to use these findings as a foundation for adoption of a uniform RND efflux pump nomenclature.
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Scoffone VC, Trespidi G, Barbieri G, Irudal S, Perrin E, Buroni S. Role of RND Efflux Pumps in Drug Resistance of Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:863. [PMID: 34356783 PMCID: PMC8300704 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10070863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance represents a great concern among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), due to the recurrent and prolonged antibiotic therapy they should often undergo. Among Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) determinants, Resistance-Nodulation-cell Division (RND) efflux pumps have been reported as the main contributors, due to their ability to extrude a wide variety of molecules out of the bacterial cell. In this review, we summarize the principal RND efflux pump families described in CF pathogens, focusing on the main Gram-negative bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) for which a predominant role of RND pumps has been associated to MDR phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Camilla Scoffone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.T.); (G.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Gabriele Trespidi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.T.); (G.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.T.); (G.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Samuele Irudal
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.T.); (G.B.); (S.I.)
| | - Elena Perrin
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.T.); (G.B.); (S.I.)
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Mateus C, Nunes AR, Oleastro M, Domingues F, Ferreira S. RND Efflux Systems Contribute to Resistance and Virulence of Aliarcobacter butzleri. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:823. [PMID: 34356744 PMCID: PMC8300790 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10070823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aliarcobacter butzleri is an emergent enteropathogen that can be found in a range of environments. This bacterium presents a vast repertoire of efflux pumps, such as the ones belonging to the resistance nodulation cell division family, which may be associated with bacterial resistance, as well as virulence. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the contribution of three RND efflux systems, AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI, in the resistance and virulence of A. butzleri. Mutant strains were constructed by inactivation of the gene that encodes the inner membrane protein of these systems. The bacterial resistance profile of parental and mutant strains to several antimicrobials was assessed, as was the intracellular accumulation of the ethidium bromide dye. Regarding bacterial virulence, the role of these three efflux pumps on growth, strain fitness, motility, biofilm formation ability, survival in adverse conditions (oxidative stress and bile salts) and human serum and in vitro adhesion and invasion to Caco-2 cells was evaluated. We observed that the mutants from the three efflux pumps were more susceptible to several classes of antimicrobials than the parental strain and presented an increase in the accumulation of ethidium bromide, indicating a potential role of the efflux pumps in the extrusion of antimicrobials. The mutant strains had no bacterial growth defects; nonetheless, they presented a reduction in relative fitness. For the three mutants, an increase in the susceptibility to oxidative stress was observed, while only the mutant for AreGHI efflux pump showed a relevant role in bile stress survival. All the mutant strains showed an impairment in biofilm formation ability, were more susceptible to human serum and were less adherent to intestinal epithelial cells. Overall, the results support the contribution of the efflux pumps AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI of A. butzleri to antimicrobial resistance, as well as to bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Mateus
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.M.); (A.R.N.); (F.D.)
| | - Ana Rita Nunes
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.M.); (A.R.N.); (F.D.)
| | - Mónica Oleastro
- National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Fernanda Domingues
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.M.); (A.R.N.); (F.D.)
| | - Susana Ferreira
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.M.); (A.R.N.); (F.D.)
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Gravey F, Cattoir V, Ethuin F, Fabre L, Beyrouthy R, Bonnet R, Le Hello S, Guérin F. ramR Deletion in an Enterobacter hormaechei Isolate as a Consequence of Therapeutic Failure of Key Antibiotics in a Long-Term Hospitalized Patient. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:e00962-20. [PMID: 32778545 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00962-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome changes are central to the adaptation of bacteria, especially under antibiotic pressure. The aim of this study was to report phenotypic and genomic adaptations undergone by an Enterobacter hormaechei clinical strain that became highly resistant to key antimicrobials during a 4-month period in a patient hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). All six clinical E. hormaechei strains isolated in one ICU-hospitalized patient have been studied. MICs regarding 17 antimicrobial molecules have been measured. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined on the sequenced genomes. The expression of genes involved in antibiotic resistance among Enterobacter cloacae complex strains were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). All the strains belonged to sequence type 66 and were distant by a maximum of nine SNPs. After 3 months of hospitalization, three strains presented a significant increase in MICs for ceftazidime, cefepime, temocillin, ertapenem, tigecycline, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. Those resistant strains did not acquire additional antibiotic resistance genes but harbored a 16-bp deletion in the ramR gene. This deletion led to upregulated expression of RamA, AcrA, AcrB, and TolC and downregulated expression of OmpF. The ΔramR mutant harbored the same phenotype as the resistant clinical strains regarding tigecycline, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin. The increased expression of RamA due to partial deletion in the ramR gene led to a cross-resistance phenotype by an increase of antibiotic efflux through the AcrAB-TolC pump and a decrease of antibiotic permeability by porin OmpF. ramR appears to be an important adaptative trait for E. hormaechei strains.
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Abstract
Background Identification of antibiotic resistance genes from environmental samples has been a critical sub-domain of gene discovery which is directly connected to human health. However, it is drawing extraordinary attention in recent years and regarded as a severe threat to human health by many institutions around the world. To satisfy the needs for efficient ARG discovery, a series of online antibiotic resistance gene databases have been published. This article will conduct an in-depth analysis of CARD, one of the most widely used ARG databases. Results The decision model of CARD is based the alignment score with a single ARG type. We discover the occasions where the model is likely to make false prediction, and then propose an optimization method on top of the current CARD model. The optimization is expected to raise the coherence with BLAST homology relationships and improve the confidence for identification of ARGs using the database. Conclusions The absence of public recognized benchmark makes it challenging to evaluate the performance of ARG identification. However, possible wrong predictions and methods for resolving the problem can be inferred by computational analysis of the identification method and the underlying reference sequences. We hope our work can bring insight to the mission of precise ARG type classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobin Yao
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Siu-Ming Yiu
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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Ramaswamy VK, Vargiu AV, Malloci G, Dreier J, Ruggerone P. Molecular Determinants of the Promiscuity of MexB and MexY Multidrug Transporters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1144. [PMID: 29910784 PMCID: PMC5992780 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary multidrug transporters of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) superfamily contribute crucially to antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Compared to the most studied transporter AcrB of Escherichia coli, little is known about the molecular determinants of distinct polyspecificities of the most important RND transporters MexB and MexY of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In an effort to add knowledge on this topic, we performed an exhaustive atomic-level comparison of the main putative recognition sites (access and deep binding pockets) in these two Mex transporters. We identified an underlying link between some structural, chemical and dynamical features of the binding pockets and the physicochemical nature of the corresponding substrates recognized by either one or both pumps. In particular, mosaic-like lipophilic and electrostatic surfaces of the binding pockets provide for both proteins several multifunctional sites for diffuse binding of diverse substrates. Specific lipophilicity signatures of the weakly conserved deep pocket suggest a key role of this site as a selectivity filter as in Acr transporters. Finally, the different dynamics of the bottom-loop in MexB and MexY support its possible role in binding of large substrates. Our work represents the first comparative study of the major RND transporters in P. aeruginosa and also the first structure-based study of MexY, for which no experimental structure is available yet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Jürg Dreier
- Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
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Vargiu AV, Ramaswamy VK, Malloci G, Malvacio I, Atzori A, Ruggerone P. Computer simulations of the activity of RND efflux pumps. Res Microbiol 2018; 169:384-392. [PMID: 29407044 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The putative mechanism by which bacterial RND-type multidrug efflux pumps recognize and transport their substrates is a complex and fascinating enigma of structural biology. How a single protein can recognize a huge number of unrelated compounds and transport them through one or just a few mechanisms is an amazing feature not yet completely unveiled. The appearance of cooperativity further complicates the understanding of structure-dynamics-activity relationships in these complex machineries. Experimental techniques may have limited access to the molecular determinants and to the energetics of key processes regulating the activity of these pumps. Computer simulations are a complementary approach that can help unveil these features and inspire new experiments. Here we review recent computational studies that addressed the various molecular processes regulating the activity of RND efflux pumps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Vittorio Vargiu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
| | - Venkata Krishnan Ramaswamy
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Ivana Malvacio
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Alessio Atzori
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
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Vargiu AV, Ramaswamy VK, Malvacio I, Malloci G, Kleinekathöfer U, Ruggerone P. Water-mediated interactions enable smooth substrate transport in a bacterial efflux pump. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:836-845. [PMID: 29339082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efflux pumps of the Resistance-Nodulation-cell Division superfamily confer multi-drug resistance to Gram-negative bacteria. The most-studied polyspecific transporter belonging to this class is the inner-membrane trimeric antiporter AcrB of Escherichia coli. In previous studies, a functional rotation mechanism was proposed for its functioning, according to which the three monomers undergo concerted conformational changes facilitating the extrusion of substrates. However, the molecular determinants and the energetics of this mechanism still remain unknown, so its feasibility must be proven mechanistically. METHODS A computational protocol able to mimic the functional rotation mechanism in AcrB was developed. By using multi-bias molecular dynamics simulations we characterized the translocation of the substrate doxorubicin driven by conformational changes of the protein. In addition, we estimated for the first time the free energy profile associated to this process. RESULTS We provided a molecular view of the process in agreement with experimental data. Moreover, we showed that the conformational changes occurring in AcrB enable the formation of a layer of structured waters on the internal surface of the transport channel. This water layer, in turn, allows for a fairly constant hydration of the substrate, facilitating its diffusion over a smooth free energy profile. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal a new molecular mechanism of polyspecific transport whereby water contributes by screening potentially strong substrate-protein interactions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE We provided a mechanistic understanding of a fundamental process related to multi-drug transport. Our results can help rationalizing the behavior of other polyspecific transporters and designing compounds avoiding extrusion or inhibitors of efflux pumps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Vittorio Vargiu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, s.p. 8, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
| | - Venkata Krishnan Ramaswamy
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, s.p. 8, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Ivana Malvacio
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, s.p. 8, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, s.p. 8, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Ulrich Kleinekathöfer
- Department of Physics & Earth Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, s.p. 8, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
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Puzari M, Chetia P. RND efflux pump mediated antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a major issue worldwide. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 33:24. [PMID: 28044273 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-016-2190-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic failures against diseases due to resistant Gram-negative bacteria have become a major threat nowadays as confirmed by surveillance reports across the world. One of the methods of development of multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is by means of RND efflux pumps. Inhibition of these pumps might help to combat the antibiotic resistance problem, for which the structure and regulation of the pumps have to be known. Moreover, judicious antibiotic use is needed to control the situation. This paper focuses on the issue of antibiotic resistance as well as the structure, regulation and inhibition of the efflux pumps present in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minakshi Puzari
- Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, 786004, Assam, India
| | - Pankaj Chetia
- Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, 786004, Assam, India.
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De Silva M, Ning C, Ghanbar S, Zhanel G, Logsetty S, Liu S, Kumar A. Evidence that a novel quaternary compound and its organic N-chloramine derivative do not select for resistant mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Hosp Infect 2015; 91:53-8. [PMID: 26122622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is well known for causing hospital-acquired infections that are often difficult to treat because of its high intrinsic and acquired resistance to antibiotics. Resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pumps are the major contributors to the intrinsic multidrug resistance (MDR) in this organism. Various biocides used in hospital settings have been shown to select for RND-pump-overexpressing mutants of P. aeruginosa that show cross-resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. Therefore, finding biocides that do not select for multidrug-resistant mutants is important in controlling the spread of bacteria such as P. aeruginosa. AIM To evaluate the potential of a novel quaternary ammonium compound and its N-chloramine derivative in selecting for MDR mutants of P. aeruginosa. METHODS P. aeruginosa PA01 was cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compound and its N-chloramine derivative respectively, and one mutant each selected. Susceptibility of the mutants to both compounds as well as antibiotics was tested. Susceptibility of P. aeruginosa strains with deletions in RND pumps was also tested for both compounds to determine whether they are a substrate of these pumps. Expression of mexB, mexD, and mexY genes in the mutants was analysed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to determine whether the compounds can select for pump-overexpressing mutants. FINDINGS We show that whereas both compounds can be pumped by the MexCD-OprJ pump, they neither select for mutants that overexpress RND pumps nor for mutants that display cross-resistance to antibiotics. CONCLUSION These compounds are promising candidates to be used as disinfectants in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Silva
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - C Ning
- Department of Textile Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - S Ghanbar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - G Zhanel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - S Logsetty
- Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - S Liu
- Department of Textile Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - A Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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