scholarly journals DNA Binding and Sensor Specificity of FarR, a Novel TetR Family Regulator Required for Induction of the Fatty Acid Efflux Pump FarE in Staphylococcus aureus

2018 ◽  
Vol 201 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Alnaseri ◽  
Robert C. Kuiack ◽  
Katherine A. Ferguson ◽  
James E. T. Schneider ◽  
David E. Heinrichs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Exogenous Fatty Acid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tetr Family Regulator

ABSTRACT Divergent genes in Staphylococcus aureus USA300 encode the efflux pump FarE and TetR family regulator FarR, which confer resistance to antimicrobial unsaturated fatty acids. To study their regulation, we constructed USA300 ΔfarER, which exhibited a 2-fold reduction in MIC of linoleic acid. farE expressed from its native promoter on pLIfarE conferred increased resistance to USA300 but not USA300 ΔfarER. Complementation of USA300 ΔfarER with pLIfarR also had no effect, whereas resistance was restored with pLIfarER or through ectopic expression of farE. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, FarR bound to three different oligonucleotide probes that each contained a TAGWTTA motif, occurring as (i) a singular motif overlapping the −10 element of the PfarR promoter, (ii) in palindrome PAL1 immediately in the 3′ direction of PfarR, or (iii) within PAL2 upstream of the predicted PfarE promoter. FarR autorepressed its expression through cooperative binding to PAL1 and the adjacent TAGWTTA motif in PfarR. Consistent with reports that S. aureus does not metabolize fatty acids through acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) intermediates, DNA binding activity of FarR was not affected by linoleoyl-CoA. Conversely, induction of farE required fatty acid kinase FakA, which catalyzes the first metabolic step in the incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into phospholipid. We conclude that FarR is needed to promote the expression of farE while strongly autorepressing its own expression, and our data are consistent with a model whereby FarR interacts with a FakA-dependent product of exogenous fatty acid metabolism to ensure that efflux only occurs when the metabolic capacity for incorporation of fatty acid into phospholipid is exceeded. IMPORTANCE Here, we describe the DNA binding and sensor specificity of FarR, a novel TetR family regulator (TFR) in Staphylococcus aureus. Unlike the majority of TFRs that have been characterized, which function to repress a divergently transcribed gene, we find that FarR is needed to promote expression of the divergently transcribed farE gene, encoding a resistance-nodulation-division (RND) family efflux pump that is induced in response to antimicrobial unsaturated fatty acids. Induction of farE was dependent on the function of the fatty acid kinase FakA, which catalyzes the first metabolic step in the incorporation of exogenous unsaturated fatty acids into phospholipid. This represents a novel example of TFR function.

scholarly journals Role of the Tet38 Efflux Pump in Staphylococcus aureus Internalization and Survival in Epithelial Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 4362-4372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. C. Truong-Bolduc ◽  
G. R. Bolduc ◽  
H. Medeiros ◽  
J. M. Vyas ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Heart Cell ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTWe previously identified the protein Tet38 as a chromosomally encoded efflux pump ofStaphylococcus aureusthat confers resistance to tetracycline and certain unsaturated fatty acids. Tet38 also contributes to mouse skin colonization. In this study, we discovered a novel regulator oftet38, named tetracycline regulator 21 (TetR21), that bound specifically to thetet38promoter and repressed pump expression. A ΔtetR21mutant showed a 5-fold increase intet38transcripts and an 8-fold increase in resistance to tetracycline and fatty acids. The global regulator MgrA bound to thetetR21promoter and indirectly repressed the expression oftet38. To further assess the full role of Tet38 inS. aureusadaptability, we tested its effect on host cell invasion using A549 (lung) and HMEC-1 (heart) cell lines. We usedS. aureusRN6390, its Δtet38, ΔtetR21, and ΔmgrAmutants, and a Δtet38 ΔtetR21double mutant. After 2 h of contact, the Δtet38mutant was internalized in 6-fold-lower numbers than RN6390 in A549 and HMEC-1 cells, and the ΔtetR21mutant was internalized in 2-fold-higher numbers than RN6390. A slight increase of 1.5-fold in internalization was found for the ΔmgrAmutant. The growth patterns of RN6390 and the ΔmgrAand ΔtetR21mutants within A549 cells were similar, while no growth was observed for the Δtet38mutant. These data indicate that the Tet38 efflux pump is regulated by TetR21 and contributes to the ability ofS. aureusto internalize and replicate within epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Exogenous Fatty Acids Remodel Staphylococcus aureus Lipid Composition through Fatty Acid Kinase

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary DeMars ◽  
Vineet K. Singh ◽  
Jeffrey L. Bose
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Mouse Skin ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus can utilize exogenous fatty acids for phospholipid synthesis. The fatty acid kinase FakA is essential for this utilization by phosphorylating exogenous fatty acids for incorporation into lipids. How FakA impacts the lipid membrane composition is unknown. In this study, we used mass spectrometry to determine the membrane lipid composition and properties of S. aureus in the absence of fakA. We found the fakA mutant to have increased abundance of lipids containing longer acyl chains. Since S. aureus does not synthesize unsaturated fatty acids, we utilized oleic acid (18:1) to track exogenous fatty acid incorporation into lipids. We observed a concentration-dependent incorporation of exogenous fatty acids into the membrane that required FakA. We also tested how FakA and exogenous fatty acids impact membrane-related physiology and identified changes in membrane potential, cellular respiration, and membrane fluidity. To mimic the host environment, we characterized the lipid composition of wild-type and fakA mutant bacteria grown in mouse skin homogenate. We show that wild-type S. aureus can incorporate exogenous unsaturated fatty acids from host tissue, highlighting the importance of FakA in the presence of host skin tissue. In conclusion, FakA is important for maintaining the composition and properties of the phospholipid membrane in the presence of exogenous fatty acids, impacting overall cell physiology. IMPORTANCE Environmental fatty acids can be harvested to supplement endogenous fatty acid synthesis to produce membranes and circumvent fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitors. However, how the inability to use these fatty acids impacts lipids is unclear. Our results reveal lipid composition changes in response to fatty acid addition and when S. aureus is unable to activate fatty acids through FakA. We identify concentration-dependent utilization of oleic acid that, when combined with previous work, provides evidence that fatty acids can serve as a signal to S. aureus. Furthermore, using mouse skin homogenates as a surrogate for in vivo conditions, we showed that S. aureus can incorporate host fatty acids. This study highlights how exogenous fatty acids impact bacterial membrane composition and function.

Enterotoxin B production by Staphylococcus aureus under controlled fatty acid nutrition induced by cerulenin

1977 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1145-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Altenbern
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Membrane Fluidity ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acid ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Aureus Strain ◽  
Enterotoxin B ◽  
Fatty Acid Supplement

Cells of Staphylococcus aureus, strain S-6, can grow in the presence of 100 μg of cerulenin/ml if the basal medium is supplemented with certain saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. The production of enterotoxin B (SEB) is markedly influenced by both the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid and by the melting point of the unsaturated fatty acid supplement. The results presented suggest that a certain degree of membrane fluidity promotes maximum SEB production and that greater or lesser degrees of membrane fluidity prohibit substantial SEB formation but fail to affect final growth density.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus aureus Fatty Acid Auxotrophs Do Not Proliferate in Mice

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 5729-5732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua B. Parsons ◽  
Matthew W. Frank ◽  
Jason W. Rosch ◽  
Charles O. Rock
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Synthesis ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Acetyl Coa Carboxylase ◽  
Acetyl Coa ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTInactivation of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase confers resistance to fatty acid synthesis inhibitors inStaphylococcus aureuson media supplemented with fatty acids. The addition ofanteiso-fatty acids (1 mM) plus lipoic acid supports normal growth of ΔaccDstrains, but supplementation with mammalian fatty acids was less efficient. Mice infected with strain RN6930 developed bacteremia, but bacteria were not detected in mice infected with its ΔaccDderivative.S. aureusbacteria lacking acetyl-CoA carboxylase can be propagatedin vitrobut were unable to proliferate in mice, suggesting that the acquisition of inactivating mutations in this enzyme is not a mechanism for the evasion of fatty acid synthesis inhibitors.

scholarly journals Oleate Hydratase (OhyA) Is a Virulence Determinant in Staphylococcus aureus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Radka ◽  
Justin L. Batte ◽  
Matthew W. Frank ◽  
Jason W. Rosch ◽  
Charles O. Rock
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Commensal Bacteria ◽  
Hydroxy Fatty Acids ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Infection Site ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oleate Hydratase

The oleate hydratase protein family was discovered in commensal bacteria that utilize host unsaturated fatty acids as the substrates to produce a spectrum of hydroxylated products. These hydroxy fatty acids are thought to act as signaling molecules that suppress the inflammatory response to create a more tolerant environment for the microbiome. S. aureus is a significant human pathogen, and defining the mechanisms used to evade the immune response is critical to understanding pathogenesis. S. aureus expresses an OhyA that produces at least three 10-hydroxy fatty acids from host unsaturated fatty acids at the infection site, and an S. aureus strain lacking the ohyA gene has compromised virulence in an immunocompetent infection model.

scholarly journals Structure and mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus oleate hydratase (OhyA)

2020 ◽  
pp. jbc.RA120.016818
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Radka ◽  
Justin L. Batte ◽  
Matthew W. Frank ◽  
Brandon M. Young ◽  
Charles O. Rock
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Catalytic Mechanism ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Binary And Ternary Complexes ◽  
Hydronium Ion ◽  
Multiple Structures ◽  
Fad Binding

FAD-dependent bacterial oleate hydratases (OhyA) catalyze the addition of water to isolated fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds.  Staphylococcus aureus uses OhyA to counteract the host innate immune response by inactivating antimicrobial unsaturated fatty acids.  Mechanistic information explaining how OhyAs catalyze regio- and stereospecific hydration is required to understand their biological functions and the potential for engineering new products.  In this study, we deduced the catalytic mechanism of OhyA from multiple structures of S. aureus OhyA in binary and ternary complexes with combinations of ligands along with biochemical analyses of relevant mutants.  The substrate-free state shows Arg81 is the gatekeeper that controls fatty acid entrance to the active site.  FAD binding engages the catalytic loop to simultaneously rotate Glu82 into its active conformation and Arg81 out of the hydrophobic substrate tunnel, allowing the fatty acid to rotate into the active site.  FAD binding also dehydrates the active site, leaving a single water molecule connected to Glu82.  This active site water is a hydronium ion based on the analysis of its hydrogen bond network in the OhyA•PEG400•FAD complex. We conclude that OhyA accelerates acid-catalyzed alkene hydration by positioning the fatty acid double bond to attack the active site hydronium ion, followed by the addition of water to the transient carbocation intermediate.  Structural transitions within S. aureus OhyA channel oleate to the active site, curl oleate around the substrate water, and stabilize the hydroxylated product to inactivate antimicrobial fatty acids.

Cell surface lipids and adhesion. II. The turnover of lipid components of the plasmalemma in relation to cell adhesion

1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-373
Author(s):  
A.S. Curtis ◽  
F.M. Shaw ◽  
V.M. Spires
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Phospholipase A2 ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Preceding Paper ◽  
Exogenous Fatty Acid ◽  
Coa Ligase

The preceding paper showed that those conditions that ought to stimulate reacylation of lysolipids in cells can increase cell adhesions. Similarly we found that conditions that would be expected to lead to the accumulation of lysolipids in the cell surface diminish cell adhesion. This paper reports on the answers to the following questions. (1) Is reacylation of lysolipids in the cells stimulated by an external supply of CoA, ATP and a fatty acid? (2) Does this reacylation lead to the incorporation of exogenous fatty acid in the plasmlemma? (3) What range of fatty acids can be incorporated into the plasmalemma and into what compounds? (4) Does the plasmalemma contain the enzyme systems to effect this turnover, namely phospholipase A2, a CoA-ligase and an appropriate acyl transferase(s)? (5) Do lysolipids accumulate in the plasmalemma under conditions which diminish cell adhesion? We find that saturated fatty acids in the range C14–C18, and some unsaturated fatty acids are incorporated into the plasmalemmae of these neural retina cells. About 20% of the plasmlemma content of fatty acids can be turned over in 30′. Incorporation is mainly into phosphatidyl choline, serine and ethanolamine in both R1 and R2 positions. The plasmalemmae contain the enzymes to effect the turnover. Isolated plasmalemmae are active in this turnover. Incubation of the plasmalemmae with phospholipase A2 leads to an accumulation of lysolipids. Very low levels of phospholipase stimulate turnover, possibly endogenous phospholipase activity is the rate-limiting step in the system. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible mechanisms by which lipids might affect adhesion.

scholarly journals Exogenous Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Impact Membrane Remodeling and Affect Virulence Phenotypes among Pathogenic Vibrio Species

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna R. Moravec ◽  
Andrew W. Siv ◽  
Chelsea R. Hobby ◽  
Emily N. Lindsay ◽  
Layla V. Norbash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Membrane Permeability ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Exogenous Fatty Acid ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The pathogenic Vibrio species (V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) represent a constant threat to human health, causing foodborne and skin wound infections as a result of ingestion of or exposure to contaminated water and seafood. Recent studies have highlighted Vibrio's ability to acquire fatty acids from environmental sources and assimilate them into cell membranes. The possession and conservation of such machinery provokes consideration of fatty acids as important factors in the pathogenic lifestyle of Vibrio species. The findings here link exogenous fatty acid exposure to changes in bacterial membrane phospholipid structure, permeability, phenotypes associated with virulence, and consequent stress responses that may impact survival and persistence of pathogenic Vibrio species. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (ranging in carbon length and unsaturation) supplied in growth medium were assimilated into bacterial phospholipids, as determined by thin-layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The incorporation of fatty acids variably affected membrane permeability, as judged by uptake of the hydrophobic compound crystal violet. For each species, certain fatty acids were identified as affecting resistance to antimicrobial peptide treatment. Significant fluctuations were observed with regard to both motility and biofilm formation following growth in the presence of individual PUFAs. Our results illustrate the important and complex roles of exogenous fatty acids in the membrane physiology and virulence of a bacterial genus that inhabits aquatic and host environments containing an abundance of diverse fatty acids. IMPORTANCE Bacterial responses to fatty acids include, but are not limited to, degradation for metabolic gain, modification of membrane lipids, alteration of protein function, and regulation of gene expression. Vibrio species exhibit significant diversity with regard to the machinery known to participate in the uptake and incorporation of fatty acids into their membranes. Both aquatic and host niches occupied by Vibrio are rife with various free fatty acids and fatty acid-containing lipids. The roles of fatty acids in the environmental survival and pathogenesis of bacteria have begun to emerge and are expected to expand significantly. The current study demonstrates the responsiveness of V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus to exogenous PUFAs. In addition to phospholipid remodeling, PUFA assimilation impacts membrane permeability, motility, biofilm formation, and resistance to polymyxin B.

scholarly journals Clinical Relevance of Type II Fatty Acid Synthesis Bypass in Staphylococcus aureus

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine Gloux ◽  
Mélanie Guillemet ◽  
Charles Soler ◽  
Claire Morvan ◽  
David Halpern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Synthesis ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Impact Resistance ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Triclosan Resistance

ABSTRACT The need for new antimicrobials to treat bacterial infections has led to the use of type II fatty acid synthesis (FASII) enzymes as front-line targets. However, recent studies suggest that FASII inhibitors may not work against the opportunist pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, as environmental fatty acids favor emergence of multi-anti-FASII resistance. As fatty acids are abundant in the host and one FASII inhibitor, triclosan, is widespread, we investigated whether fatty acid pools impact resistance in clinical and veterinary S. aureus isolates. Simple addition of fatty acids to the screening medium led to a 50% increase in triclosan resistance, as tested in 700 isolates. Moreover, nonculturable triclosan-resistant fatty acid auxotrophs, which escape detection under routine conditions, were uncovered in primary patient samples. FASII bypass in selected isolates correlated with polymorphisms in the acc and fabD loci. We conclude that fatty-acid-dependent strategies to escape FASII inhibition are common among S. aureus isolates and correlate with anti-FASII resistance and emergence of nonculturable variants.

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