scholarly journals Small-Molecule Inhibitor of the Shigella flexneri Master Virulence Regulator VirF

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 4220-4231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerendra Koppolu ◽  
Ichie Osaka ◽  
Jeff M. Skredenske ◽  
Bria Kettle ◽  
P. Scott Hefty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Transcription Activation ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arac Family

ABSTRACTVirF is an AraC family transcriptional activator that is required for the expression of virulence genes associated with invasion and cell-to-cell spread byShigella flexneri, including multiple components of the type three secretion system (T3SS) machinery and effectors. We tested a small-molecule compound, SE-1 (formerly designated OSSL_051168), which we had identified as an effective inhibitor of the AraC family proteins RhaS and RhaR, for its ability to inhibit VirF. Cell-based reporter gene assays withEscherichia coliandShigella, as well asin vitroDNA binding assays with purified VirF, demonstrated that SE-1 inhibited DNA binding and transcription activation (likely by blocking DNA binding) by VirF. Analysis of mRNA levels using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) further demonstrated that SE-1 reduced the expression of the VirF-dependent virulence genesicsA,virB,icsB, andipaBinShigella. We also performed eukaryotic cell invasion assays and found that SE-1 reduced invasion byShigella. The effect of SE-1 on invasion required preincubation ofShigellawith SE-1, in agreement with the hypothesis that SE-1 inhibited the expression of VirF-activated genes required for the formation of the T3SS apparatus and invasion. We found that the same concentrations of SE-1 had no detectable effects on the growth or metabolism of the bacterial cells or the eukaryotic host cells, respectively, indicating that the inhibition of invasion was not due to general toxicity. Overall, SE-1 appears to inhibit transcription activation by VirF, exhibits selectivity toward AraC family proteins, and has the potential to be developed into a novel antibacterial agent.

scholarly journals The Nucleoid-Associated Protein GapR Uses Conserved Structural Elements To Oligomerize and Bind DNA

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério F. Lourenço ◽  
Saumya Saurabh ◽  
Jonathan Herrmann ◽  
Soichi Wakatsuki ◽  
Lucy Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Caulobacter Crescentus ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Dynamic ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) are DNA binding proteins critical for the organization and function of the bacterial chromosome. A newly discovered NAP in Caulobacter crescentus, GapR, is thought to facilitate the movement of the replication and transcription machines along the chromosome by stimulating type II topoisomerases to remove positive supercoiling. Here, utilizing genetic, biochemical, and biophysical studies of GapR in light of a recently published DNA-bound crystal structure of GapR, we identified the structural elements involved in oligomerization and DNA binding. Moreover, we show that GapR is maintained as a tetramer upon its dissociation from DNA and that tetrameric GapR is capable of binding DNA molecules in vitro. Analysis of protein chimeras revealed that two helices of GapR are functionally conserved in H-NS, demonstrating that two evolutionarily distant NAPs with distinct mechanisms of action utilize conserved structural elements to oligomerize and bind DNA. IMPORTANCE Bacteria organize their genetic material in a structure called the nucleoid, which needs to be compact to fit inside the cell and, at the same time, dynamic to allow high rates of replication and transcription. Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) play a pivotal role in this process, so their detailed characterization is crucial for our understanding of DNA organization into bacterial cells. Even though NAPs affect DNA-related processes differently, all of them have to oligomerize and bind DNA for their function. The significance of this study is the identification of structural elements involved in the oligomerization and DNA binding of a newly discovered NAP in C. crescentus and the demonstration that structural elements are conserved in evolutionarily distant and functionally distinct NAPs.

scholarly journals Role of Intracellular Carbon Metabolism Pathways in Shigella flexneri Virulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2746-2755 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Waligora ◽  
C. R. Fisher ◽  
N. J. Hanovice ◽  
A. Rodou ◽  
E. E. Wyckoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pentose Phosphate Pathway ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Plaque Assay ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pathway Gene

ABSTRACTShigella flexneri, which replicates in the cytoplasm of intestinal epithelial cells, can use the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas, Entner-Doudoroff, or pentose phosphate pathway for glycolytic carbon metabolism. To determine which of these pathways is used by intracellularS. flexneri, mutants were constructed and tested in a plaque assay for the ability to invade, replicate intracellularly, and spread to adjacent epithelial cells. Mutants blocked in the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway (pfkABandpykAFmutants) invaded the cells but formed very small plaques. Loss of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway geneedaresulted in small plaques, but the doubleeda eddmutant formed normal-size plaques. This suggested that the plaque defect of theedamutant was due to buildup of the toxic intermediate 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconic acid rather than a specific requirement for this pathway. Loss of the pentose phosphate pathway had no effect on plaque formation, indicating that it is not critical for intracellularS. flexneri. Supplementation of the epithelial cell culture medium with pyruvate allowed the glycolysis mutants to form larger plaques than those observed with unsupplemented medium, consistent with data from phenotypic microarrays (Biolog) indicating that pyruvate metabolism was not disrupted in these mutants. Interestingly, the wild-typeS. flexnerialso formed larger plaques in the presence of supplemental pyruvate or glucose, with pyruvate yielding the largest plaques. Analysis of the metabolites in the cultured cells showed increased intracellular levels of the added compound. Pyruvate increased the growth rate ofS. flexneriin vitro, suggesting that it may be a preferred carbon source inside host cells.

scholarly journals Hierarchies of Host Factor Dynamics at the Entry Site of Shigella flexneri during Host Cell Invasion

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 2548-2557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soudeh Ehsani ◽  
José Carlos Santos ◽  
Cristina D. Rodrigues ◽  
Ricardo Henriques ◽  
Laurent Audry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTShigella flexneri, the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, induces massive cytoskeletal rearrangement, resulting in its entry into nonphagocytic epithelial cells. The bacterium-engulfing membrane ruffles are formed by polymerizing actin, a process activated through injected bacterial effectors that target host small GTPases and tyrosine kinases. Once inside the host cell,S. flexneriescapes from the endocytic vacuole within minutes to move intra- and intercellularly. We quantified the fluorescence signals from fluorescently tagged host factors that are recruited to the site of pathogen entry and vacuolar escape. Quantitative time lapse fluorescence imaging revealed simultaneous recruitment of polymerizing actin, small GTPases of the Rho family, and tyrosine kinases. In contrast, we found that actin surrounding the vacuole containing bacteria dispersed first from the disassembling membranes, whereas other host factors remained colocalized with the membrane remnants. Furthermore, we found that the disassembly of the membrane remnants took place rapidly, within minutes after bacterial release into the cytoplasm. Superresolution visualization of galectin 3 through photoactivated localization microscopy characterized these remnants as small, specular, patchy structures between 30 and 300 nm in diameter. Using our experimental setup to track the time course of infection, we identified theS. flexnerieffector IpgB1 as an accelerator of the infection pace, specifically targeting the entry step, but not vacuolar progression or escape. Together, our studies show that bacterial entry into host cells follows precise kinetics and that this time course can be targeted by the pathogen.

scholarly journals EseE of Edwardsiella tarda Augments Secretion of Translocon Protein EseC and Expression of theescC-eseEOperon

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (8) ◽  
pp. 2336-2344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Yi ◽  
Shui Bing Xiao ◽  
Zhi Xiong Zeng ◽  
Jin Fang Lu ◽  
Lu Yi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Edwardsiella Tarda ◽  
Supernatant Fraction ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chaperone Protein ◽  
Pulldown Assay ◽  
Novel Protein

Edwardsiella tardais an important Gram-negative pathogen that employs a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver effectors into host cells to facilitate bacterial survival and replication. These effectors are translocated into host cells through a translocon complex composed of three secreted proteins, namely, EseB, EseC, and EseD. The secretion of EseB and EseD requires a chaperone protein called EscC, whereas the secretion of EseC requires the chaperone EscA. In this study, we identified a novel protein (EseE) that also regulates the secretion of EseC. AneseEdeletion mutant secreted much less EseC into supernatants, accompanied by increased EseC levels within bacterial cells. We also demonstrated that EseE interacted directly with EseC in a pulldown assay. Interestingly, EseC, EseE, and EscA were able to form a ternary complex, as revealed by pulldown and gel filtration assays. Of particular importance, the deletion ofeseEresulted in decreased levels of EseB and EseD proteins in both the bacterial pellet and supernatant fraction. Furthermore, real-time PCR assays showed that EseE positively regulated the transcription of the translocon operonescC-eseE, comprisingescC,eseB,escA,eseC,eseD, andeseE. These effects of EseE on the translocon components/operon appeared to have a functional consequence, since the ΔeseEstrain was outcompeted by wild-typeE. tardain a mixed infection in blue gourami fish. Collectively, our results demonstrate that EseE not only functions as a chaperone for EseC but also acts as a positive regulator controlling the expression of the translocon operonescC-eseE, thus contributing to the pathogenesis ofE. tardain fish.

scholarly journals Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP120 Binds a G+C-Rich Motif in Host Cell DNA and Exhibits Eukaryotic Transcriptional Activator Function

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 4370-4381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Jeeba A. Kuriakose ◽  
Tian Luo ◽  
Efren Ballesteros ◽  
Sharu Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Tandem Repeat ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Host Gene ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Ehrlichia Chaffeensis ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTEhrlichia chaffeensisis an obligately intracellular bacterium that modulates host cell gene transcription in the mononuclear phagocyte, but the host gene targets and mechanisms involved in transcriptional modulation are not well-defined. In this study, we identified a novel tandem repeat DNA-binding domain in theE. chaffeensis120-kDa tandem repeat protein (TRP120) that directly binds host cell DNA. TRP120 was observed by immunofluorescent microscopy in the nucleus ofE. chaffeensis-infected host cells and was detected in nuclear extracts by Western immunoblotting with TRP120-specific antibody. The TRP120 binding sites and associated host cell target genes were identified using high-throughput deep sequencing (Illumina) of immunoprecipitated DNA (chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput DNA sequencing). Multiple em motif elicitation (MEME) analysis of the most highly enriched TRP120-bound sequences revealed a G+C-rich DNA motif, and recombinant TRP120 specifically bound synthetic oligonucleotides containing the motif. TRP120 target gene binding sites were mapped most frequently to intersecting regions (intron/exon; 49%) but were also identified in upstream regulatory regions (25%) and downstream locations (26%). Genes targeted by TRP120 were most frequently associated with transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and apoptosis. TRP120 targeted inflammatory chemokine genes, CCL2, CCL20, and CXCL11, which were strongly upregulated duringE. chaffeensisinfection and were also upregulated by direct transfection with recombinant TRP120. This study reveals that TRP120 is a novel DNA-binding protein that is involved in a host gene transcriptional regulation strategy.

scholarly journals In situ structural analysis of the Yersinia enterocolitica injectisome

eLife ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Kudryashev ◽  
Marco Stenta ◽  
Stefan Schmelz ◽  
Marlise Amstutz ◽  
Ulrich Wiesand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Yersinia Enterocolitica ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Bacterial Cells

Injectisomes are multi-protein transmembrane machines allowing pathogenic bacteria to inject effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells, a process called type III secretion. Here we present the first three-dimensional structure of Yersinia enterocolitica and Shigella flexneri injectisomes in situ and the first structural analysis of the Yersinia injectisome. Unexpectedly, basal bodies of injectisomes inside the bacterial cells showed length variations of 20%. The in situ structures of the Y. enterocolitica and S. flexneri injectisomes had similar dimensions and were significantly longer than the isolated structures of related injectisomes. The crystal structure of the inner membrane injectisome component YscD appeared elongated compared to a homologous protein, and molecular dynamics simulations documented its elongation elasticity. The ring-shaped secretin YscC at the outer membrane was stretched by 30–40% in situ, compared to its isolated liposome-embedded conformation. We suggest that elasticity is critical for some two-membrane spanning protein complexes to cope with variations in the intermembrane distance.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExsA Regulates a Metalloprotease, ImpA, That Inhibits Phagocytosis of Macrophages

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyang Tian ◽  
Sen Cheng ◽  
Bin Xia ◽  
Yongxin Jin ◽  
Fang Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogenic

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium whose type III secretion system (T3SS) plays a critical role in acute infections. Translocation of the T3SS effectors into host cells induces cytotoxicity. In addition, the T3SS promotes the intracellular growth of P. aeruginosa during host infections. The T3SS regulon genes are regulated by an AraC-type regulator, ExsA. In this study, we found that an extracellular metalloprotease encoded by impA (PA0572) is under the regulation of ExsA. An ExsA consensus binding sequence was identified upstream of the impA gene, and direct binding of the site by ExsA was demonstrated via an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We further demonstrate that secreted ImpA cleaves the macrophage surface protein CD44, which inhibits the phagocytosis of the bacterial cells by macrophages. Combined, our results reveal a novel ExsA-regulated virulence factor that cooperatively inhibits the functions of macrophages with the T3SS.

scholarly journals The Mechanism behind Bacterial Lipoprotein Release: Phenol-Soluble Modulins Mediate Toll-Like Receptor 2 Activation via Extracellular Vesicle Release from Staphylococcus aureus

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Schlatterer ◽  
Christian Beck ◽  
Dennis Hanzelmann ◽  
Marco Lebtig ◽  
Birgit Fehrenbacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Vesicle Release ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The innate immune system uses Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 to detect conserved bacterial lipoproteins of invading pathogens. The lipid anchor attaches lipoproteins to the cytoplasmic membrane and prevents their release from the bacterial cell envelope. How bacteria release lipoproteins and how these molecules reach TLR2 remain unknown. Staphylococcus aureus has been described to liberate membrane vesicles. The composition, mode of release, and relevance for microbe-host interaction of such membrane vesicles have remained ambiguous. We recently reported that S. aureus can release lipoproteins only when surfactant-like small peptides, the phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), are expressed. Here we demonstrate that PSM peptides promote the release of membrane vesicles from the cytoplasmic membrane of S. aureus via an increase in membrane fluidity, and we provide evidence that the bacterial turgor is the driving force for vesicle budding under hypotonic osmotic conditions. Intriguingly, the majority of lipoproteins are released by S. aureus as components of membrane vesicles, and this process depends on surfactant-like molecules such as PSMs. Vesicle disruption at high detergent concentrations promotes the capacity of lipoproteins to activate TLR2. These results reveal that vesicle release by bacterium-derived surfactants is required for TLR2-mediated inflammation. IMPORTANCE Our study highlights the roles of surfactant-like molecules in bacterial inflammation with important implications for the prevention and therapy of inflammatory disorders. It describes a potential pathway for the transfer of hydrophobic bacterial lipoproteins, the major TLR2 agonists, from the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-positive bacteria to the TLR2 receptor at the surface of host cells. Moreover, our study reveals a molecular mechanism that explains how cytoplasmic and membrane-embedded bacterial proteins can be released by bacterial cells without using any of the typical protein secretion routes, thereby contributing to our understanding of the processes used by bacteria to communicate with host organisms and the environment.

scholarly journals Surprising Dependence on Postsegregational Killing of Host Cells for Maintenance of the Large Virulence Plasmid of Shigella flexneri

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (8) ◽  
pp. 2768-2773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameera Sayeed ◽  
Therese Brendler ◽  
Michael Davis ◽  
Lucretia Reaves ◽  
Stuart Austin
Keyword(s):  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Virulence Plasmid ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Multiple Systems ◽  
Plasmid Segregation ◽  
Rare Cells ◽  
The Many ◽  
Postsegregational Killing

ABSTRACT Low-copy-number plasmids all encode multiple systems to ensure their propagation, including replication, partition (active segregation), and postsegregational killing (PSK) systems. PSK systems kill those rare cells that lose the plasmid due to replication or segregation errors. PSK systems should not be used as the principle means of maintaining the plasmid. The metabolic cost of killing the many cured cells that would arise from random plasmid segregation is far too high. Here we describe an interesting exception to this rule. Maintenance of the large virulence plasmid of Shigella flexneri is highly dependent on one of its PSK systems, mvp, at 37°C, the temperature experienced during pathogenesis. At 37°C, the plasmid is very unstable and mvp efficiently kills the resulting cured bacterial cells. This imposes a major growth disadvantage on the virulent bacterial population. The systems that normally ensure accurate plasmid replication and segregation are attenuated or overridden at 37°C. At 30°C, a temperature encountered by Shigella in the outside environment, the maintenance systems function normally and the plasmid is no longer dependent on mvp. We discuss why the virulent pathogen tolerates this self-destructive method of propagation at the temperature of infection.

scholarly journals Excreted Cytoplasmic Proteins Contribute to Pathogenicity in Staphylococcus aureus

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1672-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Ebner ◽  
Janina Rinker ◽  
Minh Thu Nguyen ◽  
Peter Popella ◽  
Mulugeta Nega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Host Matrix ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Internalization ◽  
Cytoplasmic Proteins ◽  
The Impact

Excretion of cytoplasmic proteins in pro- and eukaryotes, also referred to as “nonclassical protein export,” is a well-known phenomenon. However, comparatively little is known about the role of the excreted proteins in relation to pathogenicity. Here, the impact of two excreted glycolytic enzymes, aldolase (FbaA) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), on pathogenicity was investigated inStaphylococcus aureus. Both enzymes bound to certain host matrix proteins and enhanced adherence of the bacterial cells to host cells but caused a decrease in host cell invasion. FbaA and GAPDH also bound to the cell surfaces of staphylococcal cells by interaction with the major autolysin, Atl, that is involved in host cell internalization. Surprisingly, FbaA showed high cytotoxicity to both MonoMac 6 (MM6) and HaCaT cells, while GAPDH was cytotoxic only for MM6 cells. Finally, the contribution of external FbaA and GAPDH toS. aureuspathogenicity was confirmed in an insect infection model.

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