scholarly journals Dual Substrate Specificity of anN-Acetylglucosamine Phosphotransferase System in Clostridium beijerinckii

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (21) ◽  
pp. 6712-6718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naief H. Al Makishah ◽  
Wilfrid J. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Amino Sugar ◽  
Clostridium Beijerinckii ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
In Series ◽  
And Function ◽  
Sugar Derivatives ◽  
Dual Substrate Specificity ◽  
Dual Substrate

ABSTRACTThe solventogenic clostridia have a considerable capacity to ferment carbohydrate substrates with the production of acetone and butanol, making them attractive organisms for the conversion of waste materials to valuable products. In common with other anaerobes, the clostridia show a marked dependence on the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) to accumulate sugars and sugar derivatives. In this study, we demonstrate that extracts ofClostridium beijerinckiigrown onN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) exhibit PTS activity for the amino sugar. The PTS encoded by the divergent genescbe4532(encoding the IIC and IIB domains) andcbe4533(encoding a IIA domain) was shown to transport and phosphorylate GlcNAc and also glucose. When the genes were recombined in series under the control of thelacpromoter in pUC18 and transformed into a phosphotransferase mutant (nagE) ofEscherichia colilacking GlcNAc PTS activity, the ability to take up and ferment GlcNAc was restored, and extracts of the transformant showed PEP-dependent phosphorylation of GlcNAc. The gene products also complemented anE. colimutant lacking glucose PTS activity but were unable to complement the same strain for PTS-dependent mannose utilization. Both GlcNAc and glucose induced the expression ofcbe4532andcbe4533inC. beijerinckii, and consistent with this observation, extracts of cells grown on glucose exhibited PTS activity for GlcNAc, and glucose did not strongly repress utilization of GlcNAc by growing cells. On the basis of the phylogeny and function of the encoded PTS, we propose that the genescbe4532andcbe4533should be designatednagEandnagF, respectively.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Genes Required for 5-Hydroxyuridine Synthesis in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli tRNA

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Lauhon
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wobble Position ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT In bacteria, tRNAs that decode 4-fold degenerate family codons and have uridine at position 34 of the anticodon are typically modified with either 5-methoxyuridine (mo5U) or 5-methoxycarbonylmethoxyuridine (mcmo5U). These modifications are critical for extended recognition of some codons at the wobble position. Whereas the alkylation steps of these modifications have been described, genes required for the hydroxylation of U34 to give 5-hydroxyuridine (ho5U) remain unknown. Here, a number of genes in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are identified that are required for wild-type (wt) levels of ho5U. The yrrMNO operon is identified in B. subtilis as important for the biosynthesis of ho5U. Both yrrN and yrrO are homologs to peptidase U32 family genes, which includes the rlhA gene required for ho5C synthesis in E. coli. Deletion of either yrrN or yrrO, or both, gives a 50% reduction in mo5U tRNA levels. In E. coli, yegQ was found to be the only one of four peptidase U32 genes involved in ho5U synthesis. Interestingly, this mutant shows the same 50% reduction in (m)cmo5U as that observed for mo5U in the B. subtilis mutants. By analyzing the genomic context of yegQ homologs, the ferredoxin YfhL is shown to be required for ho5U synthesis in E. coli to the same extent as yegQ. Additional genes required for Fe-S biosynthesis and biosynthesis of prephenate give the same 50% reduction in modification. Together, these data suggest that ho5U biosynthesis in bacteria is similar to that of ho5C, but additional genes and substrates are required for complete modification. IMPORTANCE Modified nucleotides in tRNA serve to optimize both its structure and function for accurate translation of the genetic code. The biosynthesis of these modifications has been fertile ground for uncovering unique biochemistry and metabolism in cells. In this work, genes that are required for a novel anaerobic hydroxylation of uridine at the wobble position of some tRNAs are identified in both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. These genes code for Fe-S cluster proteins, and their deletion reduces the levels of the hydroxyuridine by 50% in both organisms. Additional genes required for Fe-S cluster and prephenate biosynthesis and a previously described ferredoxin gene all display a similar reduction in hydroxyuridine levels, suggesting that still other genes are required for the modification.

scholarly journals Identification of a NovelN-Acetylmuramic Acid Transporter in Tannerella forsythia

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (22) ◽  
pp. 3119-3125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Ruscitto ◽  
Isabel Hottmann ◽  
Graham P. Stafford ◽  
Christina Schäffer ◽  
Christoph Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Amino Sugar ◽  
Periodontal Pathogen ◽  
Tannerella Forsythia ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sugar Transporters ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTTannerella forsythiais a Gram-negative periodontal pathogen lacking the ability to undergode novosynthesis of amino sugarsN-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) andN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) that form the disaccharide repeating unit of the peptidoglycan backbone.T. forsythiarelies on the uptake of these sugars from the environment, which is so far unexplored. Here, we identified a novel transporter system ofT. forsythiainvolved in the uptake of MurNAc across the inner membrane and characterized a homolog of theEscherichia coliMurQ etherase involved in the conversion of MurNAc-6-phosphate (MurNAc-6-P) to GlcNAc-6-P. The genes encoding these components were identified on a three-gene cluster spanning Tanf_08375 to Tanf_08385 located downstream from a putative peptidoglycan recycling locus. We show that the three genes, Tanf_08375, Tanf_08380, and Tanf_08385, encoding a MurNAc transporter, a putative sugar kinase, and a MurQ etherase, respectively, are transcriptionally linked. Complementation of the Tanf_08375 and Tanf_08380 genes together intrans, but not individually, rescued the inability of anE. colimutant deficient in the phosphotransferase (PTS) system-dependent MurNAc transporter MurP as well as that of a double mutant deficient in MurP and components of the PTS system to grow on MurNAc. In addition, complementation with this two-gene construct inE. colicaused depletion of MurNAc in the medium, further confirming this observation. Our results show that the products of Tanf_08375 and Tanf_08380 constitute a novel non-PTS MurNAc transporter system that seems to be widespread among bacteria of theBacteroidetesphylum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first identification of a PTS-independent MurNAc transporter in bacteria.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we report the identification of a novel transporter for peptidoglycan amino sugarN-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) in the periodontal pathogenT. forsythia. It has been known since the late 1980s thatT. forsythiais a MurNAc auxotroph relying on environmental sources for this essential sugar. Most sugar transporters, and the MurNAc transporter MurP in particular, require a PTS phosphorelay to drive the uptake and concurrent phosphorylation of the sugar through the inner membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. Our study uncovered a novel type of PTS-independent MurNAc transporter, and although so far, it seems to be unique toT. forsythia, it may be present in a range of bacteria both of the oral cavity and gut, especially of the phylumBacteroidetes.

The structure and function of HPr

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Bruce Waygood
Keyword(s):  
Structure And Function ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Phosphoryl Group ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Tertiary Structures ◽  
E Coli ◽  
H Nmr ◽  
Early Protein ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
And Function

Histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein, HPr, was one of the early protein tertiary structures determined by two-dimensional 1H-NMR. Tertiary structures for HPrs from Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus have been obtained by 1H NMR and the overall folding pattern of HPr is highly conserved, a beta alpha beta beta alpha beta alpha arrangement of three alpha-helices overlaying a four-stranded beta-sheet. High-resolution structures for HPrs from E. coli and B. subtilis have been obtained using 15N- and 13C-labeled proteins. The first application of NMR to the understanding of the structure and function of HPr was to describe the phosphohistidine isomer, Ndelta1-P-histidine in S. aureus phospho-HPr, and the unusual pKas of the His-15 side chain. The pKa values for the His-15 imidazole from more recent studies are 5.4 for HPr and 7.8 for phospho-HPr from E. coli, for example. A consensus description of the active site is proposed for HPr and phospho-HPr. In HPr, His-15 has a defined conformation and N-caps helix A, and is thus affected by the helix dipole. His-15 undergoes a small conformational change upon phosphorylation, a movement to allow the phosphoryl group to be positioned such that it forms hydrogen bonds with the main chain amide nitrogens of residue 16 (not conserved) and Arg-17. Interactions between residue 12 side chain (not conserved: asparagine, serine, and threonine) and His-15, and between the Arg-17 guanidinium group and the phosphoryl group, are either weak or transitory.Key words: HPr, NMR, phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system, phosphohistidine, phosphoserine.

scholarly journals Growth Inhibition by External Potassium of Escherichia coli Lacking PtsN (EIIANtr) Is Caused by Potassium Limitation Mediated by YcgO

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (13) ◽  
pp. 1868-1882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravish Sharma ◽  
Tomohiro Shimada ◽  
Vinod K. Mishra ◽  
Suchitra Upreti ◽  
Abhijit A. Sardesai
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
External Potassium ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein ◽  
External K

ABSTRACTThe absence of PtsN, the terminal phosphoacceptor of the phosphotransferase system comprising PtsP-PtsO-PtsN, inEscherichia coliconfers a potassium-sensitive (Ks) phenotype as the external K+concentration ([K+]e) is increased above 5 mM. A growth-inhibitory increase in intracellular K+content, resulting from hyperactivated Trk-mediated K+uptake, is thought to cause this Ks. We provide evidence that the Ksof the ΔptsNmutant is associated with K+limitation. Accordingly, the moderate Ksdisplayed by the ΔptsNmutant was exacerbated in the absence of the Trk and Kup K+uptake transporters and was associated with reduced cellular K+content. Conversely, overproduction of multiple K+uptake proteins suppressed the Ks. Expression of PtsN variants bearing the H73A, H73D, and H73E substitutions of the phosphorylation site histidine of PtsN complemented the Ks. Absence of the predicted inner membrane protein YcgO (also called CvrA) suppressed the Ks, which was correlated with elevated cellular K+content in the ΔptsNmutant, but the ΔptsNmutation did not alter YcgO levels. Heterologous overexpression ofycgOalso led to Ksthat was associated with reduced cellular K+content, exacerbated by the absence of Trk and Kup and alleviated by overproduction of Kup. Our findings are compatible with a model that postulates that Ksin the ΔptsNmutant occurs due to K+limitation resulting from activation of K+efflux mediated by YcgO, which may be additionally stimulated by [K+]e, implicating a role for PtsN (possibly its dephosphorylated form) as an inhibitor of YcgO activity.IMPORTANCEThis study examines the physiological link between the phosphotransferase system comprising PtsP-PtsO-PtsN and K+ion metabolism inE. coli. Studies on the physiological defect that renders anE. colimutant lacking PtsN to be growth inhibited by external K+indicate that growth impairment results from cellular K+limitation that is mediated by YcgO, a predicted inner membrane protein. Additional observations suggest that dephospho-PtsN may inhibit and external K+may stimulate K+limitation mediated by YcgO. It is speculated that YcgO-mediated K+limitation may be an output of a response to certain stresses, which by modulating the phosphotransfer capacity of the PtsP-PtsO-PtsN phosphorelay leads to growth cessation and stress tolerance.

scholarly journals The Intimin-Like Protein FdeC Is Regulated by H-NS and Temperature in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (23) ◽  
pp. 7337-7347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Easton ◽  
Luke P. Allsopp ◽  
Minh-Duy Phan ◽  
Danilo Gomes Moriel ◽  
Guan Kai Goh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Animal Hosts ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACTEnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC) is a Shiga-toxigenic pathogen capable of inducing severe forms of enteritis (e.g., hemorrhagic colitis) and extraintestinal sequelae (e.g., hemolytic-uremic syndrome). The molecular basis of colonization of human and animal hosts by EHEC is not yet completely understood, and an improved understanding of EHEC mucosal adherence may lead to the development of interventions that could disrupt host colonization. FdeC, also referred to by its IHE3034 locus tag ECOK1_0290, is an intimin-like protein that was recently shown to contribute to kidney colonization in a mouse urinary tract infection model. The expression of FdeC is tightly regulatedin vitro, and FdeC shows promise as a vaccine candidate against extraintestinalE. colistrains. In this study, we characterized the prevalence, regulation, and function offdeCin EHEC. We showed that thefdeCgene is conserved in both O157 and non-O157 EHEC and encodes a protein that is expressed at the cell surface and promotes biofilm formation under continuous-flow conditions in a recombinantE. colistrain background. We also identified culture conditions under which FdeC is expressed and showed that minor alterations of these conditions, such as changes in temperature, can significantly alter the level of FdeC expression. Additionally, we demonstrated that the transcription of thefdeCgene is repressed by the global regulator H-NS. Taken together, our data suggest a role for FdeC in EHEC when it grows at temperatures above 37°C, a condition relevant to its specialized niche at the rectoanal junctions of cattle.

scholarly journals Pseudouridine-FreeEscherichia coliRibosomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 200 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O'Connor ◽  
Margus Leppik ◽  
Jaanus Remme
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pseudouridine Synthase ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
And Function ◽  
Critical Regions ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

ABSTRACTPseudouridine (Ψ) is present at conserved, functionally important regions in the ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) from all three domains of life. Little, however, is known about the functions of Ψ modifications in bacterial ribosomes. AnEscherichia colistrain has been constructed in which all seven rRNA Ψ synthases have been inactivated and whose ribosomes are devoid of all Ψs. Surprisingly, this strain displays only minor defects in ribosome biogenesis and function, and cell growth is only modestly affected. This is in contrast to a strong requirement for Ψ in eukaryotic ribosomes and suggests divergent roles for rRNA Ψ modifications in these two domains.IMPORTANCEPseudouridine (Ψ) is the most abundant posttranscriptional modification in RNAs. In the ribosome, Ψ modifications are typically located at conserved, critical regions, suggesting they play an important functional role. In eukarya and archaea, rRNAs are modified by a single pseudouridine synthase (PUS) enzyme, targeted to rRNA via a snoRNA-dependent mechanism, while bacteria use multiple stand-alone PUS enzymes. Disruption of Ψ modification of rRNA in eukarya seriously impairs ribosome function and cell growth. We have constructed anE. colimultiple deletion strain lacking all Ψ modifications in rRNA. In contrast to the equivalent eukaryotic mutants, theE. colistrain is only modestly affected in growth, decoding, and ribosome biogenesis, indicating a differential requirement for Ψ modifications in these two domains.

scholarly journals Allosteric Activation of Escherichia coli Glucosamine-6-Phosphate Deaminase (NagB)In VivoJustified by Intracellular Amino Sugar Metabolite Concentrations

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (11) ◽  
pp. 1610-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura I. Álvarez-Añorve ◽  
Isabelle Gaugué ◽  
Hannes Link ◽  
Jorge Marcos-Viquez ◽  
Dana M. Díaz-Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sugar Metabolism ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Amino Sugar ◽  
Amino Sugars ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Futile Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTWe have investigated the impact of growth on glucosamine (GlcN) andN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on cellular metabolism by quantifying glycolytic metabolites inEscherichia coli. Growth on GlcNAc increased intracellular pools of both GlcNAc6P and GlcN6P 10- to 20-fold compared to growth on glucose. Growth on GlcN produced a 100-fold increase in GlcN6P but only a slight increase in GlcNAc6P. Changes to the amounts of downstream glycolytic intermediates were minor compared to growth on glucose. The enzyme glucosamine-6P deaminase (NagB) is required for growth on both GlcN and GlcNAc. It is an allosteric enzyme inE. coli, displaying sigmoid kinetics with respect to its substrate, GlcN6P, and is allosterically activated by GlcNAc6P. The high concentration of GlcN6P, accompanied by the small increase in GlcNAc6P, drivesE. coliNagB (NagBEc) into its high activity state, as observed during growth on GlcN (L. I. Álvarez-Añorve, I. Bustos-Jaimes, M. L. Calcagno, and J. Plumbridge, J Bacteriol 191:6401–6407, 2009,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JB.00633-09). The slight increase in GlcNAc6P during growth on GlcN is insufficient to displace NagC, the GlcNAc6P-responsive repressor of thenaggenes, from its binding sites, so there is only a small increase innagBexpression. We replaced the gene for the allosteric NagBEcenzyme with that of the nonallosteric,B. subtilishomologue, NagBBs. We detected no effects on growth rates or competitive fitness on glucose or the amino sugars, nor did we detect any effect on the concentrations of central metabolites, thus demonstrating the robustness of amino sugar metabolism and leaving open the question of the role of allostery in the regulation of NagB.IMPORTANCEChitin, the polymer ofN-acetylglucosamine, is an abundant biomaterial, and both glucosamine andN-acetylglucosamine are valuable nutrients for bacteria. The amino sugars are components of numerous essential macromolecules, including bacterial peptidoglycan and mammalian glycosaminoglycans. Controlling the biosynthetic and degradative pathways of amino sugar metabolism is important in all organisms to avoid loss of nitrogen and energy via a futile cycle of synthesis and breakdown. The enzyme glucosamine-6P deaminase (NagB) is central to this control, andN-acetylglucosamine-6P is the key signaling molecule regulating amino sugar utilization inEscherichia coli. Here, we investigate how the metabolic status of the bacteria impacts on the activity of NagBEcand theN-acetylglucosamine-6P-sensitive transcriptional repressor, NagC.

scholarly journals The Nitrogen Regulatory PII Protein (GlnB) andN-Acetylglucosamine 6-Phosphate Epimerase (NanE) Allosterically Activate Glucosamine 6-Phosphate Deaminase (NagB) inEscherichia coli

2017 ◽  
Vol 200 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina A. Rodionova ◽  
Norman Goodacre ◽  
Mohan Babu ◽  
Andrew Emili ◽  
Peter Uetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Amino Sugar ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sugar Utilization ◽  
Pii Protein ◽  
Bacterial Phosphotransferase System

ABSTRACTAmino sugars are good sources of both ammonia and fructose-6-phosphate, produced by the glucosamine 6-phosphate deaminase, NagB. NagB is known to be allosterically regulated byN-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcNAc-6P) and the phosphocarrier protein of the bacterial phosphotransferase system, HPr, inEscherichia coli. We provide evidence that NanE, GlcNAc-6P epimerase, and the uridylylated PII protein (U-PII) also allosterically activate NagB by direct protein-protein interactions. NanE is essential for neuraminic acid (NANA) andN-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) utilization, and PII is known to be a central metabolic nitrogen regulator. We demonstrate that uridylylated PII (but not underivatized PII) activates NagB >10-fold at low concentrations of substrate, whereas NanE increases NagB activity >2-fold. NanE activates NagB in the absence or presence of GlcNAc-6P, but HPr and U-PII activation requires the presence of GlcNAc-6P. Activation of NagB by HPr and uridylylated PII, as well as by NanE and HPr (but not by NanE and U-PII), is synergistic, and the modeling, which suggests specific residues involved in complex formation, provides possible explanations. Specific physiological functions for the regulation of NagB by its three protein activators are proposed. Each regulatory agent is suggested to mediate signal transduction in response to a different stimulus.IMPORTANCEThe regulation of amino sugar utilization is important for the survival of bacteria in a competitive environment. NagB, a glucosamine 6-phosphate deaminase inEscherichia coli, is essential for amino sugar utilization and is known to be allosterically regulated byN-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcNAc-6P) and the histidine-phosphorylatable phosphocarrier protein, HPr. We provide evidence here that NanE, GlcNAc-6P epimerase, and the uridylylated PII protein allosterically activate NagB by direct protein-protein interactions. NanE is essential forN-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) andN-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) utilization, and the PII protein is known to be a central metabolic nitrogen regulator. Regulatory links between carbon and nitrogen metabolism are important for adaptation of metabolism to different growth conditions.

scholarly journals The General Phosphotransferase System Proteins Localize to Sites of Strong Negative Curvature in Bacterial Cells

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutharsan Govindarajan ◽  
Yair Elisha ◽  
Keren Nevo-Dinur ◽  
Orna Amster-Choder
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Negative Curvature ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Negatively Curved ◽  
Subcellular Domains ◽  
Geometric Cues

ABSTRACTThe bacterial cell poles are emerging as subdomains where many cellular activities take place, but the mechanisms for polar localization are just beginning to unravel. The general phosphotransferase system (PTS) proteins, enzyme I (EI) and HPr, which control preferential use of carbon sources in bacteria, were recently shown to localize near theEscherichia colicell poles. Here, we show that EI localization does not depend on known polar constituents, such as anionic lipids or the chemotaxis receptors, and on the cell division machinery, nor can it be explained by nucleoid occlusion or localized translation. Detection of the general PTS proteins at the budding sites of endocytotic-like membrane invaginations in spherical cells and their colocalization with the negative curvature sensor protein DivIVA suggest that geometric cues underlie localization of the PTS system. Notably, the kinetics of glucose uptake by spherical and rod-shapedE. colicells are comparable, implying that negatively curved “pole-like” sites support not only the localization but also the proper functioning of the PTS system in cells with different shapes. Consistent with the curvature-mediated localization model, we observed the EI protein fromBacillus subtilisat strongly curved sites in bothB. subtilisandE. coli. Taken together, we propose that changes in cell architecture correlate with dynamic survival strategies that localize central metabolic systems like the PTS to subcellular domains where they remain active, thus maintaining cell viability and metabolic alertness.IMPORTANCEDespite their tiny size and the scarcity of membrane-bounded organelles, bacteria are capable of sorting macromolecules to distinct subcellular domains, thus optimizing functionality of vital processes. Understanding the cues that organize bacterial cells should provide novel insights into the complex organization of higher organisms. Previously, we have shown that the general proteins of the phosphotransferase system (PTS) signaling system, which governs utilization of carbon sources in bacteria, localize to the poles ofEscherichia colicells. Here, we show that geometric cues, i.e., strong negative membrane curvature, mediate positioning of the PTS proteins. Furthermore, localization to negatively curved regions seems to support the PTS functionality.

scholarly journals The Genotoxin Colibactin Shapes Gut Microbiota in Mice

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Tronnet ◽  
Pauline Floch ◽  
Laetitia Lucarelli ◽  
Deborah Gaillard ◽  
Patricia Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pregnant Mice ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT The genotoxin colibactin produced by resident bacteria of the gut microbiota may have tumorigenic effect by inducing DNA double-strand breaks in host cells. Yet, the effect of colibactin on gut microbiota composition and functions remains unknown. To address this point, we designed an experiment in which pregnant mice were colonized with the following: (i) a commensal Escherichia coli strain, (ii) a commensal E. coli strain plus a genotoxic E. coli strain, (iii) a commensal E. coli strain plus a nongenotoxic E. coli mutant strain unable to produce mature colibactin. Then, we analyzed the gut microbiota in pups at day 15 and day 35 after birth. At day 15, mice that were colonized at birth with the genotoxic strain showed lower levels of Proteobacteria and taxa belonging to the Proteobacteria, a modest effect on overall microbial diversity, and no effect on gut microbiome. At day 35, mice that received the genotoxic strain showed lower Firmicutes and taxa belonging to the Firmicutes, together with a strong effect on overall microbial diversity and higher microbial functions related to DNA repair. Moreover, the genotoxic strain strongly affected gut microbial diversity evolution of pups receiving the genotoxic strain between day 15 and day 35. Our data show that colibactin, beyond targeting the host, may also exert its genotoxic effect on the gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE Infections of genotoxic Escherichia coli spread concomitantly with urbanized progression. These bacteria may prompt cell senescence and affect DNA stability, inducing cancer via the production of colibactin, a genotoxin shown capable of affecting host DNA in eukaryotic cells. In this study, we show that the action of colibactin may also be directed against other bacteria of the gut microbiota in which genotoxic E. coli bacteria have been introduced. Indeed, the presence of genotoxic E. coli induced a change in both the structure and function of the gut microbiota. Our data indicate that genotoxic E. coli may use colibactin to compete for gut niche utilization.

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