Chemotaxis Allows Bacteria To Overcome Host-Generated Reactive Oxygen Species That Constrain Gland Colonization

ABSTRACT The epithelial layer of the gastrointestinal tract contains invaginations, called glands or crypts, which are colonized by symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms and may function as designated niches for certain species. Factors that control gland colonization are poorly understood, but bacterial chemotaxis aids occupation of these sites. We report here that a Helicobacter pylori cytoplasmic chemoreceptor, TlpD, is required for gland colonization in the stomach. tlpD mutants demonstrate gland colonization defects characterized by a reduction in the percentage of glands colonized but not in the number of bacteria per gland. Consistent with TlpD's reported role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) avoidance, tlpD mutants showed hallmarks of exposure to high ROS. To assess the role of host-generated ROS in TlpD-dependent gland colonization, we utilized mice that lack either the ability to generate epithelial hydrogen peroxide or immune cell superoxide. tlpD gland colonization defects were rescued to wild-type H. pylori levels in both of these mutants. These results suggest that multiple types of innate immune-generated ROS production limit gland colonization and that bacteria have evolved specific mechanisms to sense and direct their motility in response to this signal and thus spread throughout tissue.

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Chemotaxis allows bacteria to overcome host-generated reactive oxygen species that constrain gland colonization

10.1101/216515 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Kieran D. Collins ◽

Shuai Hu ◽

Helmut Grasberger ◽

John Y. Kao ◽

Karen M. Ottemann

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Bacterial Chemotaxis ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Microbial Colonization ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

H Pylori

AbstractThe epithelial layer of the gastrointestinal tract contains invaginations, called glands or crypts, which are colonized by symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms and may function as designated niches for certain species. Factors that control gland colonization are poorly understood, but bacterial chemotaxis aids occupation of these sites. We report here that a Helicobacter pylori cytoplasmic chemoreceptor, TlpD, is required for gland colonization in the stomach. tlpD mutants demonstrate gland colonization defects characterized by a reduction in the percent of glands colonized, but not in number of bacteria per gland. Consistent with TlpD’s reported role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) avoidance, tlpD mutants showed hallmarks of exposure to large amounts of ROS. To assess the role of host-generated ROS in TlpD-dependent gland colonization, we utilized mice that lack either the ability to generate epithelial hydrogen peroxide or immune cell superoxide. tlpD gland colonization defects were rescued to wild-type H. pylori levels in both of these mutants. These results suggest that multiple types of innate immune generated ROS production limit gland colonization and that bacteria have evolved specific mechanisms to migrate through this gauntlet to establish in the glands.Classification: Biological sciences; microbiologySignificance statementMicrobial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract occurs at distinct sites within the tissue including glandular structures found in the stomach and intestine. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that glands supply niches that promote chronic microbial colonization, a process that is critical for symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria to maintain themselves. In this report, we show that host-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) constrain gland colonization by the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. A bacterial cytoplasmic chemoreceptor, TlpD, allows H. pylori to avoid ROS and enhances H. pylori’s ability to colonize a broad swath of glands. We propose that hosts limit gland access and spread by producing ROS, and bacteria counter with chemotactic responses that allow navigation through this gauntlet.

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The Helicobacter pylori CZB Cytoplasmic Chemoreceptor TlpD Forms an Autonomous Polar Chemotaxis Signaling Complex That Mediates a Tactic Response to Oxidative Stress

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00071-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 198 (11) ◽

pp. 1563-1575 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Kieran D. Collins ◽

Tessa M. Andermann ◽

Jenny Draper ◽

Lisa Sanders ◽

Susan M. Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Host Cells ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Content Type ◽

Signaling Complex ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACTCytoplasmic chemoreceptors are widespread among prokaryotes but are far less understood than transmembrane chemoreceptors, despite being implicated in many processes. One such cytoplasmic chemoreceptor isHelicobacter pyloriTlpD, which is required for stomach colonization and drives a chemotaxis response to cellular energy levels. Neither the signals sensed by TlpD nor its molecular mechanisms of action are known. We report here that TlpD functions independently of the other chemoreceptors. When TlpD is the sole chemoreceptor, it is able to localize to the pole and recruits CheW, CheA, and at least two CheV proteins to this location. It loses the normal membrane association that appears to be driven by interactions with other chemoreceptors and with CheW, CheV1, and CheA. These results suggest that TlpD can form an autonomous signaling unit. We further determined that TlpD mediates a repellent chemotaxis response to conditions that promote oxidative stress, including being in the presence of iron, hydrogen peroxide, paraquat, and metronidazole. Last, we found that all testedH. pyloristrains express TlpD, whereas other chemoreceptors were present to various degrees. Our data suggest a model in which TlpD coordinates a signaling complex that responds to oxidative stress and may allowH. pylorito avoid areas of the stomach with high concentrations of reactive oxygen species.IMPORTANCEHelicobacter pylorisenses its environment with proteins called chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors integrate this sensory information to affect flagellum-based motility in a process called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis is employed during infection and presumably aidsH. pyloriin encountering and colonizing preferred niches. A cytoplasmic chemoreceptor named TlpD is particularly important in this process, and we report here that this chemoreceptor is able to operate independently of other chemoreceptors to organize a chemotaxis signaling complex and mediate a repellent response to oxidative stress conditions.H. pyloriencounters and must cope with oxidative stress during infection due to oxygen and reactive oxygen species produced by host cells. TlpD's repellent response may allow the bacteria to escape niches experiencing inflammation and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

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Leptospira interrogans Catalase Is Required for Resistance to H2O2and for Virulence

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00466-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 80 (11) ◽

pp. 3892-3899 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Azad Eshghi ◽

Kristel Lourdault ◽

Gerald L. Murray ◽

Thanatchaporn Bartpho ◽

Rasana W. Sermswan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Immune Response ◽

Innate Immune Response ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Leptospira Interrogans ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Content Type ◽

Host Innate Immune Response

ABSTRACTPathogenicLeptospiraspp. are likely to encounter higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response. In this study, we characterizedLeptospira interroganscatalase (KatE), the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies, by assessing its role in resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress and during infection in hamsters. PathogenicL. interrogansbacteria had a 50-fold-higher survival rate under H2O2-induced oxidative stress than did saprophyticL. biflexabacteria, and this was predominantly catalase dependent. We also characterized KatE, the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies. Catalase assays performed with recombinant KatE confirmed specific catalase activity, while protein fractionation experiments localized KatE to the bacterial periplasmic space. The insertional inactivation ofkatEin pathogenicLeptospirabacteria drastically diminished leptospiral viability in the presence of extracellular H2O2and reduced virulence in an acute-infection model. Combined, these results suggest thatL. interrogansKatE confersin vivoresistance to reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response.

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A Small-Molecule Modulator of Metal Homeostasis in Gram-Positive Pathogens

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.02555-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Lillian J. Juttukonda ◽

William N. Beavers ◽

Daisy Unsihuay ◽

Kwangho Kim ◽

Gleb Pishchany ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Small Molecule ◽

Metal Uptake ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Metal Homeostasis ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Content Type ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria

ABSTRACT Metals are essential nutrients that all living organisms acquire from their environment. While metals are necessary for life, excess metal uptake can be toxic; therefore, intracellular metal levels are tightly regulated in bacterial cells. Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium, relies on metal uptake and metabolism to colonize vertebrates. Thus, we hypothesized that an expanded understanding of metal homeostasis in S. aureus will lead to the discovery of pathways that can be targeted with future antimicrobials. We sought to identify small molecules that inhibit S. aureus growth in a metal-dependent manner as a strategy to uncover pathways that maintain metal homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate that VU0026921 kills S. aureus through disruption of metal homeostasis. VU0026921 activity was characterized through cell culture assays, transcriptional sequencing, compound structure-activity relationship, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays, metal binding assays, and metal level analyses. VU0026921 disrupts metal homeostasis in S. aureus, increasing intracellular accumulation of metals and leading to toxicity through mismetalation of enzymes, generation of reactive oxygen species, or disruption of other cellular processes. Antioxidants partially protect S. aureus from VU0026921 killing, emphasizing the role of reactive oxygen species in the mechanism of killing, but VU0026921 also kills S. aureus anaerobically, indicating that the observed toxicity is not solely oxygen dependent. VU0026921 disrupts metal homeostasis in multiple Gram-positive bacteria, leading to increased reactive oxygen species and cell death, demonstrating the broad applicability of these findings. Further, this study validates VU0026921 as a probe to further decipher mechanisms required to maintain metal homeostasis in Gram-positive bacteria. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is a leading agent of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in the world. S. aureus tightly controls metal homeostasis during infection, and disruption of metal uptake systems impairs staphylococcal virulence. We identified small molecules that interfere with metal handling in S. aureus to develop chemical probes to investigate metallobiology in this organism. Compound VU0026921 was identified as a small molecule that kills S. aureus both aerobically and anaerobically. The activity of VU0026921 is modulated by metal supplementation, is enhanced by genetic inactivation of Mn homeostasis genes, and correlates with increased cellular reactive oxygen species. Treatment with VU0026921 causes accumulation of multiple metals within S. aureus cells and concomitant upregulation of genes involved in metal detoxification. This work defines a small-molecule probe for further defining the role of metal toxicity in S. aureus and validates future antibiotic development targeting metal toxicity pathways.

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SrrAB Modulates Staphylococcus aureus Cell Death through Regulation ofcidABCTranscription

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00954-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 198 (7) ◽

pp. 1114-1122 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Ian H. Windham ◽

Sujata S. Chaudhari ◽

Jeffrey L. Bose ◽

Vinai C. Thomas ◽

Kenneth W. Bayles

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Cell Death ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Extracellular Dna ◽

Death Process ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Content Type ◽

Biofilm Development

ABSTRACTThe death and lysis of a subpopulation inStaphylococcus aureusbiofilm cells are thought to benefit the surviving population by releasing extracellular DNA, a critical component of the biofilm extracellular matrix. Although the means by whichS. aureuscontrols cell death and lysis is not understood, studies implicate the role of thecidABCandlrgABoperons in this process. Recently, disruption of thesrrABregulatory locus was found to cause increased cell death during biofilm development, likely as a result of the sensitivity of this mutant to hypoxic growth. In the current study, we extended these findings by demonstrating that cell death in the ΔsrrABmutant is dependent on expression of thecidABCoperon. The effect ofcidABCexpression resulted in the generation of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and was independent of acetate production. Interestingly, consistently with previous studies,cidC-encoded pyruvate oxidase was found to be important for the generation of acetic acid, which initiates the cell death process. However, these studies also revealed for the first time an important role of thecidBgene in cell death, as disruption ofcidBin the ΔsrrABmutant background decreased ROS generation and cell death in acidC-independent manner. ThecidBmutation also caused decreased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide, which suggests a complex role for this system in ROS metabolism. Overall, the results of this study provide further insight into the function of thecidABCoperon in cell death and reveal its contribution to the oxidative stress response.IMPORTANCEThe manuscript focuses on cell death mechanisms inStaphylococcus aureusand provides important new insights into the genes involved in this ill-defined process. By exploring the cause of increased stationary-phase death in anS. aureusΔsrrABregulatory mutant, we found that the decreased viability of this mutant was a consequence of the overexpression of thecidABCoperon, previously shown to be a key mediator of cell death. These investigations highlight the role of thecidBgene in the death process and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the results of this study are the first to demonstrate a positive role for CidB in cell death and to provide an important paradigm for understanding this process in all bacteria.

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Role of Bacillus subtilis DNA Glycosylase MutM in Counteracting Oxidatively Induced DNA Damage and in Stationary-Phase-Associated Mutagenesis

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00147-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 197 (11) ◽

pp. 1963-1971 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Martha Gómez-Marroquín ◽

Luz E. Vidales ◽

Bernardo N. Debora ◽

Fernando Santos-Escobar ◽

Armando Obregón-Herrera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Hydrogen Peroxide ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Stationary Phase ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Dna Glycosylase ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Content Type

ABSTRACTReactive oxygen species (ROS) promote the synthesis of the DNA lesion 8-oxo-G, whose mutagenic effects are counteracted in distinct organisms by the DNA glycosylase MutM. We report here that inBacillus subtilis,mutMis expressed during the exponential and stationary phases of growth. In agreement with this expression pattern, results of a Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of MutM in both stages of growth. In comparison with cells of a wild-type strain, cells ofB. subtilislacking MutM increased their spontaneous mutation frequency to Rifrand were more sensitive to the ROS promoter agents hydrogen peroxide and 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride (Paraquat). However, despite MutM's proven participation in preventing ROS-induced-DNA damage, the expression ofmutMwas not induced by hydrogen peroxide, mitomycin C, or NaCl, suggesting that transcription of this gene is not under the control of the RecA, PerR, or σBregulons. Finally, the role of MutM in stationary-phase-associated mutagenesis (SPM) was investigated in the strainB. subtilisYB955 (hisC952 metB5 leuC427). Results revealed that under limiting growth conditions, amutMknockout strain significantly increased the amount of stationary-phase-associatedhis,met, andleurevertants produced. In summary, our results support the notion that the absence of MutM promotes mutagenesis that allows nutritionally stressedB. subtiliscells to escape from growth-limiting conditions.IMPORTANCEThe present study describes the role played by a DNA repair protein (MutM) in protecting the soil bacteriumBacillus subtilisfrom the genotoxic effects induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) promoter agents. Moreover, it reveals that the genetic inactivation ofmutMallows nutritionally stressed bacteria to escape from growth-limiting conditions, putatively by a mechanism that involves the accumulation and error-prone processing of oxidized DNA bases.

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