scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa Twitching Motility-Mediated Chemotaxis towards Phospholipids and Fatty Acids: Specificity and Metabolic Requirements

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (11) ◽  
pp. 4038-4049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhea M. Miller ◽  
Andrew P. Tomaras ◽  
Adam P. Barker ◽  
Dennis R. Voelker ◽  
Edward D. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Isocitrate Lyase ◽  
Malate Synthase ◽  
Glyoxylate Shunt ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Long Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Energy Taxis ◽  
Lipid Metabolism Genes

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrates type IV pilus-mediated directional twitching motility up a gradient of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Only one of four extracellular phospholipases C of P. aeruginosa (i.e., PlcB), while not required for twitching motility per se, is required for twitching-mediated migration up a gradient of PE or phosphatidylcholine. Whether other lipid metabolism genes are associated with this behavior was assessed by analysis of transcription during twitching up a PE gradient in comparison to transcription during twitching in the absence of any externally applied phospholipid. Data support the hypothesis that PE is further degraded and that the long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) moieties of PE are completely metabolized via β-oxidation and the glyoxylate shunt. It was discovered that P. aeruginosa exhibits twitching-mediated chemotaxis toward unsaturated LCFAs (e.g., oleic acid), but not saturated LCFAs (e.g., stearic acid) of corresponding lengths. Analysis of mutants that are deficient in glyoxylate shunt enzymes, specifically isocitrate lyase (ΔaceA) and malate synthase (ΔaceB), suggested that the complete metabolism of LCFAs through this pathway was required for the migration of P. aeruginosa up a gradient of PE or unsaturated LCFAs. At this point, our data suggested that this process should be classified as energy taxis. However, further evaluation of the ability of the ΔaceA and ΔaceB mutants to migrate up a gradient of PE or unsaturated LCFAs in the presence of an alternative energy source clearly indicated that metabolism of LCFAs for energy is not required for chemotaxis toward these compounds.

scholarly journals 2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2490
Author(s):  
Alyssa C. McVey ◽  
Sean Bartlett ◽  
Mahmud Kajbaf ◽  
Annalisa Pellacani ◽  
Viviana Gatta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Isocitrate Lyase ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Malate Synthase ◽  
Cell Permeability ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Glyoxylate Shunt ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents.

scholarly journals Production of succinate by engineered strains of Synechocystis PCC 6803 overexpressing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and a glyoxylate shunt

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Durall ◽  
Kateryna Kukil ◽  
Jeffrey A. Hawkes ◽  
Alessia Albergati ◽  
Peter Lindblad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase ◽  
Isocitrate Lyase ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Malate Synthase ◽  
Glyoxylate Shunt ◽  
Control Strain ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Pcc 6803

Abstract Background Cyanobacteria are promising hosts for the production of various industrially important compounds such as succinate. This study focuses on introduction of the glyoxylate shunt, which is naturally present in only a few cyanobacteria, into Synechocystis PCC 6803. In order to test its impact on cell metabolism, engineered strains were evaluated for succinate accumulation under conditions of light, darkness and anoxic darkness. Each condition was complemented by treatments with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, and acetate, both in nitrogen replete and deplete medium. Results We were able to introduce genes encoding the glyoxylate shunt, aceA and aceB, encoding isocitrate lyase and malate synthase respectively, into a strain of Synechocystis PCC 6803 engineered to overexpress phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Our results show that complete expression of the glyoxylate shunt results in higher extracellular succinate accumulation compared to the wild type control strain after incubation of cells in darkness and anoxic darkness in the presence of nitrate. Addition of the inhibitor 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone increased succinate titers in all the conditions tested when nitrate was available. Addition of acetate in the presence of the inhibitor further increased the succinate accumulation, resulting in high levels when phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase was overexpressed, compared to control strain. However, the highest succinate titer was obtained after dark incubation of an engineered strain with a partial glyoxylate shunt overexpressing isocitrate lyase in addition to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, with only 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone supplementation to the medium. Conclusions Heterologous expression of the glyoxylate shunt with its central link to the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) for acetate assimilation provides insight on the coordination of the carbon metabolism in the cell. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase plays an important role in directing carbon flux towards the TCA cycle.

scholarly journals Disparate Subcellular Localization Patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type IV Pilus ATPases Involved in Twitching Motility

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 829-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poney Chiang ◽  
Marc Habash ◽  
Lori L. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Polar Localization ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses polar type IV pili (TFP), which are responsible for adhesion to various materials and twitching motility on surfaces. Twitching occurs by alternate extension and retraction of TFP, which arise from assembly and disassembly of pilin subunits at the base of the pilus. The ATPase PilB promotes pilin assembly, while the ATPase PilT or PilU or both promote pilin dissociation. Fluorescent fusions to two of the three ATPases (PilT and PilU) were functional, as shown by complementation of the corresponding mutants. PilB and PilT fusions localized to both poles, while PilU fusions localized only to the piliated pole. To identify the portion of the ATPases required for localization, sequential C-terminal deletions of PilT and PilU were generated. The conserved His and Walker B boxes were dispensable for polar localization but were required for twitching motility, showing that localization and function could be uncoupled. Truncated fusions that retained polar localization maintained their distinctive distribution patterns. To dissect the cellular factors involved in establishing polarity, fusion protein localization was monitored with a panel of TFP mutants. The localization of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-PilT and YFP-PilU was independent of the subunit PilA, other TFP ATPases, and TFP-associated proteins previously shown to be associated with the membrane or exhibiting polar localization. In contrast, YFP-PilB exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic localization in a pilC mutant, suggesting that PilC is required for polar localization of PilB. Finally, localization studies performed with fluorescent ATPase chimeras of PilT and PilU demonstrated that information responsible for the characteristic localization patterns of the ATPases likely resides in their N termini.

scholarly journals Single-Residue Changes in the C-Terminal Disulfide-Bonded Loop of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type IV Pilin Influence Pilus Assembly and Twitching Motility

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (21) ◽  
pp. 6513-6524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanjeong Harvey ◽  
Marc Habash ◽  
Francisca Aidoo ◽  
Lori L. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Intact Protein ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Beta Turn ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Pilin Subunit ◽  
Type Iv Pilin ◽  
Intersubunit Interactions ◽  
Pilus Assembly

ABSTRACT PilA, the major pilin subunit of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV pili (T4P), is a principal structural component. PilA has a conserved C-terminal disulfide-bonded loop (DSL) that has been implicated as the pilus adhesinotope. Structural studies have suggested that DSL is involved in intersubunit interactions within the pilus fiber. PilA mutants with single-residue substitutions, insertions, or deletions in the DSL were tested for pilin stability, pilus assembly, and T4P function. Mutation of either Cys residue of the DSL resulted in pilins that were unable to assemble into fibers. Ala replacements of the intervening residues had a range of effects on assembly or function, as measured by changes in surface pilus expression and twitching motility. Modification of the C-terminal P-X-X-C type II beta-turn motif, which is one of the few highly conserved features in pilins across various species, caused profound defects in assembly and twitching motility. Expression of pilins with suspected assembly defects in a pilA pilT double mutant unable to retract T4P allowed us to verify which subunits were physically unable to assemble. Use of two different PilA antibodies showed that the DSL may be an immunodominant epitope in intact pili compared with pilin monomers. Sequence diversity of the type IVa pilins likely reflects an evolutionary compromise between retention of function and antigenic variation. The consequences of DSL sequence changes should be evaluated in the intact protein since it is technically feasible to generate DSL-mimetic peptides with mutations that will not appear in the natural repertoire due to their deleterious effects on assembly.

Increase in glyoxylate shunt enzymes during cellular morphogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus

1971 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bland ◽  
Wu-Kuang Yeh ◽  
D. White ◽  
A. Hendricks
Keyword(s):  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Isocitrate Lyase ◽  
Myxococcus Xanthus ◽  
Malate Synthase ◽  
Glyoxylate Shunt ◽  
Cellular Morphogenesis

Isocitrate lyase (EC. 4.1.3.1) and malate synthase (EC. 4.1.3.2) increase during microcyst formation in Myxococcus xanthus. The increase in activity is inhibited by chloramphenicol and actinomycin-D.

scholarly journals Mucin inhibitsPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilm formation by significantly enhancing twitching motility

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecily L. Haley ◽  
Cassandra Kruczek ◽  
Uzma Qaisar ◽  
Jane A. Colmer-Hamood ◽  
Abdul N. Hamood
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Strain Pao1 ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Dependent Effect ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Biofilm Development

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, type IV pili (TFP)-dependent twitching motility is required for development of surface-attached biofilm (SABF), yet excessive twitching motility is detrimental once SABF is established. In this study, we show that mucin significantly enhanced twitching motility and decreased SABF formation in strain PAO1 and other P. aeruginosa strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Mucin also disrupted partially established SABF. Our analyses revealed that mucin increased the amount of surface pilin and enhanced transcription of the pilin structural gene pilA. Mucin failed to enhance twitching motility in P. aeruginosa mutants defective in genes within the pilin biogenesis operons pilGHI/pilJK-chpA-E. Furthermore, mucin did not enhance twitching motility nor reduce biofilm development by chelating iron. We also examined the role of the virulence factor regulator Vfr in the effect of mucin. In the presence or absence of mucin, PAOΔvfr produced a significantly reduced SABF. However, mucin partially complemented the twitching motility defect of PAOΔvfr. These results suggest that mucin interferes with SABF formation at specific concentrations by enhancing TFP synthesis and twitching motility, that this effect, which is iron-independent, requires functional Vfr, and only part of the Vfr-dependent effect of mucin on SABF development occurs through twitching motility.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of Twitching Motility and Elastase Production by Vfr in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (13) ◽  
pp. 3605-3613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Beatson ◽  
Cynthia B. Whitchurch ◽  
Jennifer L. Sargent ◽  
Roger C. Levesque ◽  
John S. Mattick
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Allelic Deletion ◽  
Pyocyanin Production ◽  
Null Mutants

ABSTRACT Vfr, a homolog of Escherichia coli cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein, has been shown to regulate quorum sensing, exotoxin A production, and regA transcription in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We identified a twitching motility-defective mutant that carries a transposon insertion in vfr and confirmed that vfr is required for twitching motility by construction of an independent allelic deletion-replacement mutant of vfr that exhibited the same phenotype, as well as by the restoration of normal twitching motility by complementation of these mutants with wild-type vfr. Vfr-null mutants exhibited severely reduced twitching motility with barely detectable levels of type IV pili, as well as loss of elastase production and altered pyocyanin production. We also identified reduced-twitching variants of quorum-sensing mutants (PAK lasI::Tc) with a spontaneous deletion in vfr (S. A. Beatson, C. B. Whitchurch, A. B. T. Semmler, and J. S. Mattick, J. Bacteriol., 184:3598-3604, 2002), the net result of which was the loss of five residues (EQERS) from the putative cAMP-binding pocket of Vfr. This allele (VfrΔEQERS) was capable of restoring elastase and pyocyanin production to wild-type levels in vfr-null mutants but not their defects in twitching motility. Furthermore, structural analysis of Vfr and VfrΔEQERS in relation to E. coli CRP suggests that Vfr is capable of binding both cAMP and cyclic GMP whereas VfrΔEQERS is only capable of responding to cAMP. We suggest that Vfr controls twitching motility and quorum sensing via independent pathways in response to these different signals, bound by the same cyclic nucleotide monophosphate-binding pocket.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Response Regulator AlgR Is Essential for Type IV Fimbria-Mediated Twitching Motility

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (16) ◽  
pp. 4544-4554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia B. Whitchurch ◽  
Tatiana E. Erova ◽  
Jacqui A. Emery ◽  
Jennifer L. Sargent ◽  
Jonathan M. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
And Function ◽  
Alginate Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT The response regulator AlgR is required for both alginate biosynthesis and type IV fimbria-mediated twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, the roles of AlgR signal transduction and phosphorylation in twitching motility and biofilm formation were examined. The predicted phosphorylation site of AlgR (aspartate 54) and a second aspartate (aspartate 85) in the receiver domain of AlgR were mutated to asparagine, and mutant algR alleles were introduced into the chromosome of P. aeruginosa strains PAK and PAO1. Assays of these mutants demonstrated that aspartate 54 but not aspartate 85 of AlgR is required for twitching motility and biofilm initiation. However, strains expressing AlgR D85N were found to be hyperfimbriate, indicating that both aspartate 54 and aspartate 85 are involved in fimbrial biogenesis and function. algD mutants were observed to have wild-type twitching motility, indicating that AlgR control of twitching motility is not mediated via its role in the control of alginate biosynthesis. In vitro phosphorylation assays showed that AlgR D54N is not phosphorylated by the enteric histidine kinase CheA. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of AlgR most likely occurs at aspartate 54 and that aspartate 54 and aspartate 85 of AlgR are required for the control of the molecular events governing fimbrial biogenesis, twitching motility, and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ribbon-Helix-Helix DNA-Binding Protein AlgZ (AmrZ) Controls Twitching Motility and Biogenesis of Type IV Pili

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia J. Baynham ◽  
Deborah M. Ramsey ◽  
Borys V. Gvozdyev ◽  
Ellen M. Cordonnier ◽  
Daniel J. Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Dna Binding Protein ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Cell Extracts

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is commonly found in water and soil. In order to colonize surfaces with low water content, P. aeruginosa utilizes a flagellum-independent form of locomotion called twitching motility, which is dependent upon the extension and retraction of type IV pili. This study demonstrates that AlgZ, previously identified as a DNA-binding protein absolutely required for transcription of the alginate biosynthetic operon, is required for twitching motility. AlgZ may be required for the biogenesis or function of type IV pili in twitching motility. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of an algZ deletion in nonmucoid PAO1 failed to detect surface pili. To examine expression and localization of PilA (the major pilin subunit), whole-cell extracts and cell surface pilin preparations were analyzed by Western blotting. While the PilA levels present in whole-cell extracts were similar for wild-type P. aeruginosa and P. aeruginosa with the algZ deletion, the amount of PilA on the surface of the cells was drastically reduced in the algZ mutant. Analysis of algZ and algD mutants indicates that the DNA-binding activity of AlgZ is essential for the regulation of twitching motility and that this is independent of the role of AlgZ in alginate expression. These data show that AlgZ DNA-binding activity is required for twitching motility independently of its role in alginate production and that this involves the surface localization of type IV pili. Given this new role in twitching motility, we propose that algZ (PA3385) be designated amrZ (alginate and motility regulator Z).

scholarly journals A global genomic approach uncovers novel components for twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Nolan ◽  
Cynthia B. Whitchurch ◽  
Lars Barquist ◽  
Marilyn Katrib ◽  
Christine J. Boinett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Cell Adherence ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Genomic Approach ◽  
Implanted Medical Devices ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa is an extremely successful pathogen able to cause both acute and chronic infections in a range of hosts, utilizing a diverse arsenal of cell-associated and secreted virulence factors. A major cell-associated virulence factor, the Type IV pilus (T4P), is required for epithelial cell adherence and mediates a form of surface translocation termed twitching motility, which is necessary to establish a mature biofilm and actively expand these biofilms. P. aeruginosa twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion is a coordinated, multicellular behaviour, allowing cells to rapidly colonize surfaces, including implanted medical devices. Although at least 44 proteins are known to be involved in the biogenesis, assembly and regulation of the T4P, with additional regulatory components and pathways implicated, it is unclear how these components and pathways interact to control these processes. In the current study, we used a global genomics-based random-mutagenesis technique, transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS), coupled with a physical segregation approach, to identify all genes implicated in twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion in P. aeruginosa. Our approach allowed identification of both known and novel genes, providing new insight into the complex molecular network that regulates this process in P. aeruginosa. Additionally, our data suggests a differential effect on twitching motility by flagellum components based upon their cellular location. Overall the success of our TraDIS approach supports the use of this global genomic technique for investigating virulence genes in bacterial pathogens.

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