scholarly journals Reconstitution of the S. aureus agr quorum sensing pathway reveals a direct role for the integral membrane protease MroQ in pheromone biosynthesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aishan Zhao ◽  
Steven Parker Bodine ◽  
Qian Xie ◽  
Boyuan Wang ◽  
Geeta Ram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Pheromone Biosynthesis ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Genomic Locus ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Molecular Features

In Staphylococcus aureus, virulence is under the control of a quorum sensing (QS) circuit encoded in the accessory gene regulator (agr) genomic locus. Key to this pathogenic behavior is the production and signaling activity of a secreted pheromone, the autoinducing peptide (AIP), generated following the ribosomal synthesis and post-translational modification of a precursor polypeptide, AgrD, through two discrete cleavage steps. The integral membrane protease AgrB is known to catalyze the first processing event, generating the AIP biosynthetic intermediate, AgrD (1-32) thiolactone. However, the identity of the second protease in this biosynthetic pathway, which removes an N-terminal leader sequence, has remained ambiguous. Here, we show that MroQ, an integral membrane protease recently implicated in the agr response, is directly involved in AIP production. Genetic complementation and biochemical experiments reveal that MroQ proteolytic activity is required for AIP biosynthesis in agr specifiy groups -I and -II, but not group-III. Notably, as part of this effort, the biosynthesis and AIP-sensing arms of the QS circuit were reconstituted together in vitro. Our experiments also reveal the molecular features guiding MroQ cleavage activity, a critical factor in defining agr specificity group identity. Collectively, our study adds to the molecular understanding of the agr response and Staphylococcus aureus virulence.

scholarly journals ω-Hydroxyemodin Limits Staphylococcus aureus Quorum Sensing-Mediated Pathogenesis and Inflammation

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 2223-2235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth M. Daly ◽  
Bradley O. Elmore ◽  
Jeffrey S. Kavanaugh ◽  
Kathleen D. Triplett ◽  
Mario Figueroa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTAntibiotic-resistant pathogens are a global health threat. Small molecules that inhibit bacterial virulence have been suggested as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional antibiotics, as they may limit pathogenesis and increase bacterial susceptibility to host killing.Staphylococcus aureusis a major cause of invasive skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in both the hospital and community settings, and it is also becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. Quorum sensing (QS) mediated by the accessory gene regulator (agr) controls virulence factor production essential for causing SSTIs. We recently identified ω-hydroxyemodin (OHM), a polyhydroxyanthraquinone isolated from solid-phase cultures ofPenicillium restrictum, as a suppressor of QS and a compound sought for the further characterization of the mechanism of action. At concentrations that are nontoxic to eukaryotic cells and subinhibitory to bacterial growth, OHM preventedagrsignaling by all fourS. aureus agralleles. OHM inhibited QS by direct binding to AgrA, the response regulator encoded by theagroperon, preventing the interaction of AgrA with theagrP2 promoter. Importantly, OHM was efficacious in a mouse model ofS. aureusSSTI. Decreased dermonecrosis with OHM treatment was associated with enhanced bacterial clearance and reductions in inflammatory cytokine transcription and expression at the site of infection. Furthermore, OHM treatment enhanced the immune cell killing ofS. aureusin vitroin anagr-dependent manner. These data suggest that bacterial disarmament through the suppression ofS. aureusQS may bolster the host innate immune response and limit inflammation.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Accessory Gene Regulator (agr) Group and Function in the Proclivity towards Vancomycin Intermediate Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 1089-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Tsuji ◽  
Michael J. Rybak ◽  
Kerry L. Lau ◽  
George Sakoulas
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Unbound Fraction ◽  
Accessory Gene Regulator ◽  
Intermediate Resistance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACT Simulated therapeutic vancomycin exposures were evaluated against agr wild-type and knockout Staphylococcus aureus groups I, II, III, and IV using an in vitro pharmacodynamic model. All agr groups developed intermediate resistance to vancomycin after subtherapeutic exposure. The free unbound fraction of the area under the concentration-time curve (fAUC/MIC) required to suppress resistance was fourfold higher (P < 0.001) in agr dysfunctional strains (112 to 169) than that in parent wild-type strains (28).

scholarly journals Canine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Media Affect Bacterial Growth, Biofilm-Associated Staphylococcus aureus and AHL-Dependent Quorum Sensing

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dobroslava Bujňáková ◽  
Anna Čuvalová ◽  
Milan Čížek ◽  
Filip Humenik ◽  
Michel Salzet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Conditioned Media ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide

The present study investigated the in vitro antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-Quorum Sensing (anti-QS) activities of canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned media (cBM MSC CM) containing all secreted factors <30 K, using a disc diffusion test (DDT), spectrophotometric Crystal Violet Assay (SCVA) and Bioluminescence Assay (BA) with QS-reporter Escherichia coli JM109 pSB1142. The results show a sample-specific bacterial growth inhibition (zones varied between 7–30 mm), statistically significant modulation of biofilm-associated Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bioluminescence (0.391 ± 0.062 in the positive control to the lowest 0.150 ± 0.096 in the experimental group, cf. 11,714 ± 1362 to 7753 ± 700, given as average values of absorbance A550 ± SD versus average values of relative light units to growth RLU/A550 ± SD). The proteomic analysis performed in our previous experiment revealed the presence of several substances with documented antibacterial, antibiofilm and immunomodulatory properties (namely, apolipoprotein B and D; amyloid-β peptide; cathepsin B; protein S100-A4, galectin 3, CLEC3A, granulin, transferrin). This study highlights that cBM MSC CM may represent an important new approach to managing biofilm-associated and QS signal molecule-dependent bacterial infections. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous documentation of canine BM MSC CM associated with in vitro antibiofilm and anti-QS activity.

scholarly journals Candida albicans Impacts Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Toxin Production via Extracellular Alkalinization

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia A. Todd ◽  
Mairi C. Noverr ◽  
Brian M. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Extracellular Ph ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Alpha Toxin ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are common causes of nosocomial infections with severe morbidity and mortality. Murine polymicrobial intra-abdominal infection (IAI) with C. albicans and S. aureus results in acute mortality dependent on the secreted cytolytic effector alpha-toxin. Here, we confirmed that alpha-toxin is elevated during polymicrobial growth compared to monomicrobial growth in vitro. Therefore, this study sought to unravel the mechanism by which C. albicans drives enhanced staphylococcal alpha-toxin production. Using a combination of functional and genetic approaches, we determined that an intact agr quorum sensing regulon is necessary for enhanced alpha-toxin production during coculture and that a secreted candidal factor likely is not implicated in elevating agr activation. As the agr system is pH sensitive, we observed that C. albicans raises the pH during polymicrobial growth and that this correlates with increased agr activity and alpha-toxin production. Modulation of the pH could predictably attenuate or activate agr activity during coculture. By using a C. albicans mutant deficient in alkalinization (stp2Δ/Δ), we confirmed that modulation of the extracellular pH by C. albicans can drive agr expression and toxin production. Additionally, the use of various Candida species (C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei) demonstrated that those capable of raising the extracellular pH correlated with elevated agr activity and alpha-toxin production during coculture. Overall, we demonstrate that alkalinization of the extracellular pH by the Candida species leads to sustained activation of the staphylococcal agr system. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are commonly coisolated from central venous catheters and deep-seated infections, including intra-abdominal sepsis. Thus, they represent a significant cause of nosocomial morbidity and mortality. Yet how these organisms behave in the context of polymicrobial growth remains poorly understood. In this work, we set out to determine the mechanism by which activation of the staphylococcal agr quorum sensing system and production of its major virulence effector alpha-toxin is enhanced during coculture with C. albicans. Surprisingly, we likely ruled out that a secreted candidal factor drives this process. Instead, we demonstrated that alkalinization of the extracellular milieu by C. albicans and other Candida species correlated with elevated agr activity. Thus, we propose a mechanism where modulation of the extracellular pH by fungal opportunists can indirectly alter virulence of a bacterial pathogen. Uncovering molecular events that drive interkingdom pathogenicity mechanisms may enhance surveillance and treatment for devastating polymicrobial infections.

scholarly journals Vancomycin In Vitro Bactericidal Activity and Its Relationship to Efficacy in Clearance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 2582-2586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela A. Moise ◽  
George Sakoulas ◽  
Alan Forrest ◽  
Jerome J. Schentag
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Bactericidal Activity ◽  
Peak Plasma ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Vancomycin Therapy ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Vancomycin Mics

ABSTRACT We examined the relationship between the time to clearance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia while patients were receiving vancomycin therapy and the in vitro bactericidal activity of vancomycin. Vancomycin killing assays were performed with 34 MRSA bloodstream isolates (17 accessory gene regulator group II [agr-II] and 17 non-agr-II isolates) from 34 different patients with MRSA bacteremia for whom clinical and microbiological outcomes data were available. Vancomycin doses were prospectively adjusted to achieve peak plasma concentrations of 28 to 32 μg/ml and trough concentrations of 8 to 12 μg/ml. Bactericidal assays were performed over 24 h with ∼107 to 108 CFU/ml in broth containing 16 μg/ml vancomycin. The median time to clearance of bacteremia was 6.5 days for patients with MRSA isolates demonstrating ≥2.5 reductions in log10 CFU/ml at 24 h and >10.5 days for patients with MRSA isolates demonstrating <2.5 log10 CFU/ml by 24 h (P = 0.025). The median time to clearance was significantly longer with MRSA isolates with vancomycin MICs of 2.0 μg/ml compared to that with MRSA isolates with MICs of ≤1.0 μg/ml (P = 0.019). The bacteremia caused by MRSA isolates with absent or severely reduced delta-hemolysin expression was of a longer duration of bacteremia (10 days and 6.5 days, respectively; P = 0.27) and had a decreased probability of eradication (44% and 78%, respectively; P = 0.086). We conclude that strain-specific microbiological features of MRSA, such as increased vancomycin MICs and decreased killing by vancomycin, appear to be predictive of prolonged MRSA bacteremia while patients are receiving vancomycin therapy. Prolonged bacteremia and decreased delta-hemolysin expression may also be related. Evaluation of these properties may be useful in the consideration of antimicrobial therapies that can be used as alternatives to vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA bacteremia.

scholarly journals Proteomic and Transcriptomic Profiling of Staphylococcus aureus Surface LPXTG-proteins: Correlation with agr Genotypes and Adherence Phenotypes

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1123-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Ythier ◽  
Grégory Resch ◽  
Patrice Waridel ◽  
Alexandre Panchaud ◽  
Aurélie Gfeller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Methicillin Resistance ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Protein Domain ◽  
Accessory Gene

Staphylococcus aureus infections involve numerous adhesins and toxins, which expression depends on complex regulatory networks. Adhesins include a family of surface proteins covalently attached to the peptidoglycan via a conserved LPXTG motif. Here we determined the protein and mRNA expression of LPXTG-proteins of S. aureus Newman in time-course experiments, and their relation to fibrinogen adherence in vitro. Experiments were performed with mutants in the global accessory-gene regulator (agr), surface protein A (Spa), and fibrinogen-binding protein A (ClfA), as well as during growth in iron-rich or iron-poor media. Surface proteins were recovered by trypsin-shaving of live bacteria. Released peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometry. To unambiguously identify peptides unique to LPXTG-proteins, the analytical conditions were refined using a reference library of S. aureus LPXTG-proteins heterogeneously expressed in surrogate Lactococcus lactis. Transcriptomes were determined by microarrays. Sixteen of the 18 LPXTG-proteins present in S. aureus Newman were detected by proteomics. Nine LPXTG-proteins showed a bell-shape agr-like expression that was abrogated in agr-negative mutants including Spa, fibronectin-binding protein A (FnBPA), ClfA, iron-binding IsdA, and IsdB, immunomodulator SasH, functionally uncharacterized SasD, biofilm-related SasG and methicillin resistance-related FmtB. However, only Spa and SasH modified their proteomic and mRNA profiles in parallel in the parent and its agr- mutant, whereas all other LPXTG-proteins modified their proteomic profiles independently of their mRNA. Moreover, ClfA became highly transcribed and active in fibrinogen-adherence tests during late growth (24 h), whereas it remained poorly detected by proteomics. On the other hand, iron-regulated IsdA-B-C increased their protein expression by >10-times in iron-poor conditions. Thus, proteomic, transcriptomic, and adherence-phenotype demonstrated differential profiles in S. aureus. Moreover, trypsin peptide signatures suggested differential protein domain exposures in various environments, which might be relevant for anti-adhesin vaccines. A comprehensive understanding of the S. aureus physiology should integrate all three approaches.

scholarly journals The 5′ NAD Cap of RNAIII Modulates Toxin Production in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 202 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Gabriel Morales-Filloy ◽  
Yaqing Zhang ◽  
Gabriele Nübel ◽  
Shilpa Elizabeth George ◽  
Natalya Korn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Stability

ABSTRACT Nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD) has been found to be covalently attached to the 5′ ends of specific RNAs in many different organisms, but the physiological consequences of this modification are largely unknown. Here, we report the occurrence of several NAD-RNAs in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Most prominently, RNAIII, a central quorum-sensing regulator of this bacterium’s physiology, was found to be 5′ NAD capped in a range from 10 to 35%. NAD incorporation efficiency into RNAIII was found to depend in vivo on the −1 position of the P3 promoter. An increase in RNAIII’s NAD content led to a decreased expression of alpha- and delta-toxins, resulting in reduced cytotoxicity of the modified strains. These effects seem to be caused neither by changes in RNAIII’s secondary structure nor by a different translatability upon NAD attachment, as indicated by unaltered patterns in in vitro chemical probing and toeprinting experiments. Even though we did not observe any effect of this modification on RNAIII’s secondary structure or translatability in vitro, additional unidentified factors might account for the modulation of exotoxins in vivo. Ultimately, the study constitutes a step forward in the discovery of new roles of the NAD molecule in bacteria. IMPORTANCE Numerous organisms, including bacteria, are endowed with a 5′ NAD cap in specific RNAs. While the presence of the 5′ NAD cap modulates the stability of the modified RNA species, a significant biological function and phenotype have not been assigned so far. Here, we show the presence of a 5′ NAD cap in RNAIII from S. aureus, a dual-function regulatory RNA involved in quorum-sensing processes and regulation of virulence factor expression. We also demonstrate that altering the natural NAD modification ratio of RNAIII leads to a decrease in exotoxin production, thereby modulating the bacterium’s virulence. Our work unveils a new layer of regulation of RNAIII and the agr system that might be linked to the redox state of the NAD molecule in the cell.

scholarly journals Accessory Gene Regulator (agr) Locus in Geographically Diverse Staphylococcus aureus Isolates with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1492-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Sakoulas ◽  
George M. Eliopoulos ◽  
Robert C. Moellering ◽  
Christine Wennersten ◽  
Lata Venkataraman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Parent Strain ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Accessory Gene Regulator ◽  
Geographic Origins ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Null Strain

ABSTRACT The majority of infections with glycopeptide intermediate-level resistant Staphylococcus aureus (GISA) originate in biomedical devices, suggesting a possible increased ability of these strains to produce biofilm. Loss of function of the accessory gene regulator (agr) of S. aureus has been suggested to confer an enhanced ability to bind to polystyrene. We studied agr in GISA, hetero-GISA, and related glycopeptide-susceptible S. aureus isolates. All GISA strains from diverse geographic origins belong to agr group II. All GISA strains were defective in agr function, as demonstrated by their inability to produce delta-hemolysin. Hetero-GISA isolate A5940 demonstrated a nonsense mutation in agrA that was not present in a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-indistinguishable vancomycin-susceptible isolate from the same patient. Various other agr point mutations were noted in several clinical GISA and hetero-GISA isolates. A laboratory-generated agr-null strain demonstrated a small but reproducible increase in vancomycin heteroresistance after growth in vitro in subinhibitory concentrations of vancomycin. This was not seen in the isogenic agr group II parent strain in which agr was intact. The in vitro bactericidal activity of vancomycin was attenuated in the agr-null strain compared to the parent strain. These findings imply that compromised agr function is advantageous to clinical isolates of S. aureus toward the development of vancomycin heteroresistance, perhaps through the development of vancomycin tolerance.

What role does the quorum-sensing accessory gene regulator system play during Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia?

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 676-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley L. Painter ◽  
Aishwarya Krishna ◽  
Sivaramesh Wigneshweraraj ◽  
Andrew M. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Accessory Gene Regulator ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia

scholarly journals A Novel Aza-Derivative Inhibits agr Quorum Sensing Signaling and Synergizes Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Clindamycin

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Bernabè ◽  
Matteo Dal Pra ◽  
Vittoria Ronca ◽  
Anthony Pauletto ◽  
Giovanni Marzaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay

Increasing antibiotic resistance and diminishing pharmaceutical industry investments have increased the need for molecules that can treat infections caused by dangerous pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Quorum Sensing (QS) is a signaling mechanism that regulates bacterial virulence in pathogens. A report demonstrating that the anti-inflammatory drug Diflunisal reduces MRSA virulence factors’ expression prompted us to design, synthesize and test 16 aza-analogs as inhibitors of S. aureus virulence factors controlled by the accessory gene regulator (agr) QS system. At first, we evaluated by qRT-PCR the activity of compounds on rnaIII expression, a QS related gene. Azan-7 was the most active molecule tested and it did not show cytotoxic activity in human cell lines. Moreover, we demonstrated that it did not affect bacterial proliferation. Regulation of MRSA virulence genes by Azan-7 was investigated using qRT-PCR and RNAseq. Azan-7 significantly reduced hla, psmα, hysA, agrA, cap1A, and cap1C gene expression. In silico docking demonstrated that Azan-7 binds the response regulator AgrA. This data was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) reporting that Azan-7 binding to AgrA protein strongly reduced the AgrA-DNA complex formation at the P3 promoter region involved in the regulation of rnaIII transcription. Azan-7 inhibited MRSA-mediated haemolysis, reduced survival of the pathogen at low pH levels, and increased macrophage killing. In addition, Azan-7 enhanced MRSA susceptibility to clindamycin both in planktonic growth and biofilm. Azan-7 did not induce resistance over 10 days in culture. It was equally active against all the AgrA MRSA subtypes encountered among clinical isolates, but it was not active against Staphylococcus epidermidis, although the AgrA proteins show an approximate 80% homology. These results demonstrate that Azan-7 inhibits the expression of MRSA virulence factors by interfering in the QS and synergizes MRSA biofilm with clindamycin, indicating the compound as a promising candidate for the treatment of MRSA infections.

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