scholarly journals A partial reconstitution implicates DltD in catalyzing lipoteichoic acid d-alanylation

2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (46) ◽  
pp. 17985-17996 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. McKay Wood ◽  
John P. Santa Maria ◽  
Leigh M. Matano ◽  
Christopher R. Vickery ◽  
Suzanne Walker
Keyword(s):  
Lipoteichoic Acid ◽  
Synthetic Lethal Interaction ◽  
Synthetic Lethal ◽  
Teichoic Acids ◽  
Biochemical Assays ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Reconstituted System ◽  
Catalytic Dyad ◽  
In Cells

Modifications to the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall play important roles in antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis, but the pathway for the d-alanylation of teichoic acids (DLT pathway), a ubiquitous modification, is poorly understood. The d-alanylation machinery includes two membrane proteins of unclear function, DltB and DltD, which are somehow involved in transfer of d-alanine from a carrier protein inside the cell to teichoic acids on the cell surface. Here, we probed the role of DltD in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus using both cell-based and biochemical assays. We first exploited a known synthetic lethal interaction to establish the essentiality of each gene in the DLT pathway for d-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and confirmed this by directly detecting radiolabeled d-Ala-LTA both in cells and in vesicles prepared from mutant strains of S. aureus. We developed a partial reconstitution of the pathway by using cell-derived vesicles containing DltB, but no other components of the d-alanylation pathway, and showed that d-alanylation of previously formed lipoteichoic acid in the DltB vesicles requires the presence of purified and reconstituted DltA, DltC, and DltD, but not of the LTA synthase LtaS. Finally, based on the activity of DltD mutants in cells and in our reconstituted system, we determined that Ser-70 and His-361 are essential for d-alanylation activity, and we propose that DltD uses a catalytic dyad to transfer d-alanine to LTA. In summary, we have developed a suite of assays for investigating the bacterial DLT pathway and uncovered a role for DltD in LTA d-alanylation.

scholarly journals Potential Dual Role of West Nile Virus NS2B in Orchestrating NS3 Enzymatic Activity in Viral Replication

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Alanna C. Tseng ◽  
Vivek R. Nerurkar ◽  
Kabi R. Neupane ◽  
Helmut Kae ◽  
Pakieli H. Kaufusi
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Biochemical Assays ◽  
In Trans ◽  
Viral Polyprotein ◽  
Ns3 Protease

West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) harbors the viral triphosphatase and helicase for viral RNA synthesis and, together with NS2B, constitutes the protease responsible for polyprotein processing. NS3 is a soluble protein, but it is localized to specialized compartments at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), where its enzymatic functions are essential for virus replication. However, the mechanistic details behind the recruitment of NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we employed immunofluorescence and biochemical assays to demonstrate that NS3, when expressed individually and when cleaved from the viral polyprotein, is localized exclusively to the cytoplasm. Furthermore, NS3 appeared to be peripherally recruited to the RER and proteolytically active when NS2B was provided in trans. Thus, we provide evidence for a potential additional role for NS2B in not only serving as the cofactor for the NS3 protease, but also in recruiting NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER for proper enzymatic activity. Results from our study suggest that targeting the interaction between NS2B and NS3 in disrupting the NS3 ER localization may be an attractive avenue for antiviral drug discovery.

scholarly journals 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via a BLTR1 signaling axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Min Choi ◽  
Seung Eun Baek ◽  
Ji On Kim ◽  
Eun Yeong Jeon ◽  
Eun Jeong Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Leukotriene B4 ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Signaling Axis ◽  
Cellular Source ◽  
Leukotriene Receptor ◽  
In Cells

AbstractMonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in initiating vascular inflammation; however, its cellular source in the injured vasculatures is unclear. Given the importance of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in tissue injury, we investigated the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in MCP-1 production in response to HMGB1. In primary cultured rat aortic VSMCs stimulated with HMGB1, the expression of MCP-1 and 5-lipoxygenase (LO) was increased. The increased MCP-1 expression in HMGB1 (30 ng/ml)-stimulated cells was significantly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells as well as in cells treated with zileuton, a 5-LO inhibitor. Likewise, MCP-1 expression and production were also increased in cells stimulated with exogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4), but not exogenous LTC4. LTB4-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in cells treated with U75302, a LTB4 receptor 1 (BLTR1) inhibitor as well as in BLTR1-deficient cells, but not in 5-LO-deficient cells. Moreover, HMGB1-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in BLTR1-deficient cells or by treatment with a BLTR1 inhibitor, but not other leukotriene receptor inhibitors. In contrast to MCP-1 expression in response to LTB4, the increased MCP-1 production in HMGB1-stimulated VSMC was markedly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells, indicating a pivotal role of LTB4-BLTR1 signaling in MCP-1 expression in VSMCs. Taken together, 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via BLTR1 signaling, suggesting the LTB4-BLTR1 signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target for vascular inflammation in the injured vasculatures.

scholarly journals RND Efflux Systems Contribute to Resistance and Virulence of Aliarcobacter butzleri

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Cristiana Mateus ◽  
Ana Rita Nunes ◽  
Mónica Oleastro ◽  
Fernanda Domingues ◽  
Susana Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Ethidium Bromide ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Mutant Strains

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.

scholarly journals Glycans in autophagy, endocytosis and lysosomal functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulvio Reggiori ◽  
Hans-Joachim Gabius ◽  
Massimo Aureli ◽  
Winfried Römer ◽  
Sandro Sonnino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Code ◽  
Endogenous Lectins ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Molecular Signals ◽  
Lysosomal Proteins ◽  
In Cells

AbstractGlycans have been shown to function as versatile molecular signals in cells. This prompted us to look at their roles in endocytosis, endolysosomal system and autophagy. We start by introducing the cell biological aspects of these pathways, the concept of the sugar code, and provide an overview on the role of glycans in the targeting of lysosomal proteins and in lysosomal functions. Moreover, we review evidence on the regulation of endocytosis and autophagy by glycans. Finally, we discuss the emerging concept that cytosolic exposure of luminal glycans, and their detection by endogenous lectins, provides a mechanism for the surveillance of the integrity of the endolysosomal compartments, and serves their eventual repair or disposal.

scholarly journals Synthetic Lethal Interaction of SHOC2 Depletion with MEK Inhibition in RAS-Driven Cancers

Cell Reports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-134.e8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Sulahian ◽  
Jason J. Kwon ◽  
Katherine H. Walsh ◽  
Emma Pailler ◽  
Timothy L. Bosse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Lethal Interaction ◽  
Synthetic Lethal ◽  
Mek Inhibition

scholarly journals Genetic and Phenotypic Analyses of therdx Locus of Rhodobacter sphaeroides2.4.1

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (12) ◽  
pp. 3475-3481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hyeob Roh ◽  
Samuel Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽  
Redox Protein ◽  
Deletion Mutations ◽  
Metal Transporter ◽  
New Class ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Photosynthesis Gene

ABSTRACT Previously, we reported that rdxB, encoding a likely membrane-bound two [4Fe-4S]-containing center, is involved in the aerobic regulation of photosystem gene expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. To further investigate the role ofrdxB as well as other genes of the rdxBHISoperon on photosystem gene expression, we constructed a series of nonpolar, in-frame deletion mutations in each of the rdxgenes. Using both puc and puf operonlacZ fusions to monitor photosystem gene expression, under aerobic conditions, in each of the mutant strains revealed significant increased photosynthesis gene expression. In the case of mutations in either rdxH, rdxI, or rdxS, the aerobic induction of photosystem gene expression is believed to be indirect by virtue of a posttranscriptional effect oncbb 3 cytochrome oxidase structure and integrity. For RdxB, we suggest that this redox protein has a more direct effect on photosystem gene expression by virtue of its interaction with the cbb 3 oxidase. An associated phenotype, involving the enhanced conversion of the carotenoid spheroidene to spheroidenone, is also observed in the RdxB, -H, -I, and -S mutant strains. This phenotype is also suggested to be the result of the role of the rdxBHIS locus incbb 3 oxidase activity and/or structure. RdxI is suggested to be a new class of metal transporter of the CPx-type ATPases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document