scholarly journals Role of Intracellular Proteases in the Antibiotic Resistance, Motility, and Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 1128-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Fernández ◽  
Elena B. M. Breidenstein ◽  
Diana Song ◽  
Robert E. W. Hancock

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosapossesses complex regulatory networks controlling virulence and survival under adverse conditions, including antibiotic pressure, which are interconnected and share common regulatory proteins. Here, we screen a panel of 13 mutants defective in intracellular proteases and demonstrate that, in addition to the known alterations in Lon and AsrA mutants, mutation of three protease-related proteins PfpI, ClpS, and ClpP differentially affected antibiotic resistance, swarming motility, and biofilm formation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Sanz-García ◽  
Carolina Alvarez-Ortega ◽  
Jorge Olivares-Pacheco ◽  
Paula Blanco ◽  
José Luis Martínez ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT High-throughput screening of transposon insertion libraries is a useful strategy for unveiling bacterial genes whose inactivation results in an altered susceptibility to antibiotics. A potential drawback of these studies is they are usually based on just one model antibiotic for each structural family, under the assumption that the results can be extrapolated to all members of said family. To determine if this simplification is appropriate, we have analyzed the susceptibility of mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to four aminoglycosides. Our results indicate that each mutation produces different effects on susceptibility to the tested aminoglycosides, with only two mutants showing similar changes in the susceptibility to all studied aminoglycosides. This indicates that the role of a particular gene in the resistome of a given antibiotic should not be generalized to other members of the same structural family. Five aminoglycoside-hypersusceptible mutants inactivating glnD, hflK, PA2798, PA3016, and hpf were chosen for further analysis in order to elucidate if lower aminoglycoside susceptibility correlates with cross-hypersusceptibility to other antibiotics and with impaired virulence. Our results indicate that glnD inactivation leads to increased cross-susceptibility to different antibiotics. The mutant in this gene is strongly impaired in virulence traits such as pyocyanin production, biofilm formation, elastase activity, and swarming motility and the ability to kill Caenorhabditis elegans. Thus, GlnD might be an interesting target for developing antibiotic coadjuvants with antiresistance and antivirulence properties against P. aeruginosa.


2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1274-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Strehmel ◽  
Anke Neidig ◽  
Michael Nusser ◽  
Robert Geffers ◽  
Gerald Brenner-Weiss ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic human pathogen that is able to sense and adapt to numerous environmental stimuli by the use of transcriptional regulators, including two-component regulatory systems. In this study, we demonstrate that the sensor kinase PA4398 is involved in the regulation of swarming motility and biofilm formation inP. aeruginosaPA14. A PA4398−mutant strain was considerably impaired in swarming motility, while biofilm formation was increased by approximately 2-fold. The PA4398−mutant showed no changes in growth rate, rhamnolipid synthesis, or the production of the Pel exopolysaccharide but exhibited levels of the intracellular second messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) 50% higher than those in wild-type cells. The role of PA4398 in gene regulation was investigated by comparing the PA4398−mutant to the wild-type strain by using microarray analysis, which demonstrated that 64 genes were up- or downregulated more than 1.5-fold (P< 0.05) under swarming conditions. In addition, more-sensitive real-time PCR studies were performed on genes known to be involved in c-di-GMP metabolism. Among the dysregulated genes were several involved in the synthesis and degradation of c-di-GMP or in the biosynthesis, transport, or function of the iron-scavenging siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin, in agreement with the swarming phenotype observed. By analyzing additional mutants of selected pyoverdine- and pyochelin-related genes, we were able to show that not onlypvdQbut alsopvdR,fptA,pchA,pchD, andpchHare essential for the normal swarming behavior ofP. aeruginosaPA14 and may also contribute to the swarming-deficient phenotype of the PA4398−mutant in addition to elevated c-di-GMP levels.


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 4877-4881 ◽  
Author(s):  
César de la Fuente-Núñez ◽  
Fany Reffuveille ◽  
Kathryn E. Fairfull-Smith ◽  
Robert E. W. Hancock

ABSTRACTThe ability of nitric oxide (NO) to induce biofilm dispersion has been well established. Here, we investigated the effect of nitroxides (sterically hindered nitric oxide analogues) on biofilm formation and swarming motility inPseudomonas aeruginosa. A transposon mutant unable to produce nitric oxide endogenously (nirS) was deficient in swarming motility relative to the wild type and the complemented strain. Moreover, expression of thenirSgene was upregulated by 9.65-fold in wild-type swarming cells compared to planktonic cells. Wild-type swarming levels were substantially restored upon the exogenous addition of nitroxide containing compounds, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that NO is necessary for swarming motility. Here, we showed that nitroxides not only mimicked the dispersal activity of NO but also prevented biofilms from forming in flow cell chambers. In addition, anirStransposon mutant was deficient in biofilm formation relative to the wild type and the complemented strain, thus implicating NO in the formation of biofilms. Intriguingly, despite its stand-alone action in inhibiting biofilm formation and promoting dispersal, a nitroxide partially restored the ability of anirSmutant to form biofilms.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (21) ◽  
pp. 6843-6852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria G. Pederick ◽  
Bart A. Eijkelkamp ◽  
Miranda P. Ween ◽  
Stephanie L. Begg ◽  
James C. Paton ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn microaerophilic or anaerobic environments,Pseudomonas aeruginosautilizes nitrate reduction for energy production, a process dependent on the availability of the oxyanionic form of molybdenum, molybdate (MoO42−). Here, we show that molybdate acquisition inP. aeruginosaoccurs via a high-affinity ATP-binding cassette permease (ModABC). ModA is a cluster D-III solute binding protein capable of interacting with molybdate or tungstate oxyanions. Deletion of themodAgene reduces cellular molybdate concentrations and results in inhibition of anaerobic growth and nitrate reduction. Further, we show that conditions that permit nitrate reduction also cause inhibition of biofilm formation and an alteration in fatty acid composition ofP. aeruginosa. Collectively, these data highlight the importance of molybdate for anaerobic growth ofP. aeruginosaand reveal novel consequences of nitrate reduction on biofilm formation and cell membrane composition.


Author(s):  
Hyeon-Ji Hwang ◽  
Xi-Hui Li ◽  
Soo-Kyoung Kim ◽  
Joon-Hee Lee

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious pathogen with high antibiotic resistance, strong virulence, and ability to cause biofilm-mediated chronic infection. We found that these characteristics change profoundly before and after the time when anthranilate is produced as an “anthranilate peak”.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 3384-3393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dae-Gon Ha ◽  
Megan E. Richman ◽  
George A. O'Toole

ABSTRACTWe constructed a library of in-frame deletion mutants targeting each gene inPseudomonas aeruginosaPA14 predicted to participate in cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) metabolism (biosynthesis or degradation) to provide a toolkit to assist investigators studying c-di-GMP-mediated regulation by this microbe. We present phenotypic assessments of each mutant, including biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, swimming motility, swarming motility, and twitch motility, as a means to initially characterize these mutants and to demonstrate the potential utility of this library.


2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Murray ◽  
Michel Ledizet ◽  
Barbara I. Kazmierczak

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen capable of acutely infecting or persistently colonizing susceptible hosts. P. aeruginosa colonizes surfaces in vitro by either biofilm formation or swarming motility. The choice of behaviour is influenced by the physical properties of the surface and specific nutrient availability, and subject to regulatory networks that also govern type 2 and type 3 protein secretion. Biofilm formation by clinical isolates has been well-studied. However, the swarming behaviour of human isolates has not been extensively analysed. We collected isolates from 237 hospitalized patients without cystic fibrosis and analysed motility and secretion phenotypes of each isolate. We found biofilm formation and swarming to be negatively associated, while swarming was positively associated with the secretion of both proteases and type 3 exoenzymes. Most isolates were capable of type 3 secretion and biofilm formation, even though these traits are considered to favour distinct modes of pathogenesis. Our data demonstrate that while clinical isolates display diverse motility, biofilm and secretion phenotypes, many of the predicted relationships between swarming motility and other phenotypes observed in laboratory strains also hold true for bacteria isolated from human patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Xia ◽  
Mei Li ◽  
Zhenyang Tian ◽  
Gukui Chen ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic bacterial pathogen and is intrinsically resistant to a variety of antibiotics. Oligoribonuclease (Orn) is a 3′-to-5′ exonuclease that degrades nanoRNAs. The Orn controls biofilm formation by influencing the homeostasis of cyclic-di-GMP. Previously, we demonstrated that Orn contributes to the tolerance ofP. aeruginosato fluoroquinolone antibiotics by affecting the production of pyocins. In this study, we found that mutation in theorngene reduces bacterial tolerance to aminoglycoside and β-lactam antibiotics, which is mainly due to a defective response to oxidative stresses. The major catalase KatA is downregulated in theornmutant, and overexpression of thekatAgene restores the bacterial tolerance to oxidative stresses and the antibiotics. We further demonstrated that Orn influenced the translation of thekatAmRNA and narrowed down the region in thekatAmRNA that is involved in the regulation of its translation. Therefore, our results revealed a novel role of the Orn in bacterial tolerance to oxidative stresses as well as aminoglycoside and β-lactam antibiotics.


2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (15) ◽  
pp. 5238-5246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Ghafoor ◽  
Iain D. Hay ◽  
Bernd H. A. Rehm

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic human pathogen and has been established as a model organism to study bacterial biofilm formation. At least three exopolysaccharides (alginate, Psl, and Pel) contribute to the formation of biofilms in this organism. Here mutants deficient in the production of one or more of these polysaccharides were generated to investigate how these polymers interactively contribute to biofilm formation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of biofilms formed in flow chambers showed that mutants deficient in alginate biosynthesis developed biofilms with a decreased proportion of viable cells than alginate-producing strains, indicating a role of alginate in viability of cells in biofilms. Alginate-deficient mutants showed enhanced extracellular DNA (eDNA)-containing surface structures impacting the biofilm architecture. PAO1 ΔpslAΔalg8overproduced Pel, and eDNA showing meshwork-like structures presumably based on an interaction between both polymers were observed. The formation of characteristic mushroom-like structures required both Psl and alginate, whereas Pel appeared to play a role in biofilm cell density and/or the compactness of the biofilm. Mutants producing only alginate, i.e., mutants deficient in both Psl and Pel production, lost their ability to form biofilms. A lack of Psl enhanced the production of Pel, and the absence of Pel enhanced the production of alginate. The function of Psl in attachment was independent of alginate and Pel. A 30% decrease in Psl promoter activity in the alginate-overproducing MucA-negative mutant PDO300 suggested inverse regulation of both biosynthesis operons. Overall, this study demonstrated that the various exopolysaccharides and eDNA interactively contribute to the biofilm architecture ofP. aeruginosa.


mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kewei Li ◽  
Chang Xu ◽  
Yongxin Jin ◽  
Ziyu Sun ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTDuring initial colonization and chronic infection, pathogenic bacteria encounter distinct host environments. Adjusting gene expression accordingly is essential for the pathogenesis.Pseudomonas aeruginosahas evolved complicated regulatory networks to regulate different sets of virulence factors to facilitate colonization and persistence. The type III secretion system (T3SS) and motility are associated with acute infections, while biofilm formation and the type VI secretion system (T6SS) are associated with chronic persistence. To identify novel regulatory genes required for pathogenesis, we screened aP. aeruginosatransposon (Tn) insertion library and foundsuhBto be an essential gene for the T3SS gene expression. The expression ofsuhBwas upregulated in a mouse acute lung infection model, and loss ofsuhBresulted in avirulence. Suppression of T3SS gene expression in thesuhBmutant is linked to a defective translation of the T3SS master regulator, ExsA. Further studies demonstrated thatsuhBmutation led to the upregulation of GacA and its downstream small RNAs, RsmY and RsmZ, triggering T6SS expression and biofilm formation while inhibiting the T3SS. Our results demonstrate that anin vivo-inducible gene,suhB, reciprocally regulates genes associated with acute and chronic infections and plays an essential role in the pathogenesis ofP. aeruginosa.IMPORTANCEA variety of bacterial pathogens, such asPseudomonas aeruginosa, cause acute and chronic infections in humans. During infections, pathogens produce different sets of virulence genes for colonization, tissue damage, and dissemination and for countering host immune responses. Complex regulatory networks control the delicate tuning of gene expression in response to host environments to enable the survival and growth of invading pathogens. Here we identifiedsuhBas a critical gene for the regulation of virulence factors inP. aeruginosa. The expression ofsuhBwas upregulated during acute infection in an animal model, and mutation ofsuhBrenderedP. aeruginosaavirulent. Moreover, we demonstrate that SuhB is required for the activation of virulence factors associated with acute infections while suppressing virulence factors associated with chronic infections. Our report provides new insights into the multilayered regulatory network of virulence genes inP. aeruginosa.


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