Helicobacter pylori FlhA Binds the Sensor Kinase and Flagellar Gene Regulatory Protein FlgS with High Affinity

ABSTRACTFlagellar biogenesis is a complex process that involves multiple checkpoints to coordinate transcription of flagellar genes with the assembly of the flagellum. InHelicobacter pylori, transcription of the genes needed in the middle stage of flagellar biogenesis is governed by RpoN and the two-component system consisting of the histidine kinase FlgS and response regulator FlgR. In response to an unknown signal, FlgS autophosphorylates and transfers the phosphate to FlgR, initiating transcription from RpoN-dependent promoters. In the present study, export apparatus protein FlhA was examined as a potential signal protein. Deletion of its N-terminal cytoplasmic sequence dramatically decreased expression of two RpoN-dependent genes,flaBandflgE. Optical biosensing demonstrated a high-affinity interaction between FlgS and a peptide consisting of residues 1 to 25 of FlhA (FlhANT). TheKD(equilibrium dissociation constant) was 21 nM and was characterized by fast-on (kon= 2.9 × 104M−1s−1) and slow-off (koff= 6.2 × 10−4s−1) kinetics. FlgS did not bind peptides consisting of smaller fragments of the FlhANTsequence. Analysis of binding to purified fragments of FlgS demonstrated that the C-terminal portion of the protein containing the kinase domain binds FlhANT. FlhANTbinding did not stimulate FlgS autophosphorylationin vitro, suggesting that FlhA facilitates interactions between FlgS and other structures required to stimulate autophosphorylation.IMPORTANCEThe high-affinity binding of FlgS to FlhA characterized in this study points to an additional role for FlhA in flagellar assembly. Beyond its necessity for type III secretion, the N-terminal cytoplasmic sequence of FlhA is required for RpoN-dependent gene expression via interaction with the C-terminal kinase domain of FlgS.

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Basal Body Structures Differentially Affect Transcription of RpoN- and FliA-Dependent Flagellar Genes in Helicobacter pylori

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.02533-14 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 197 (11) ◽

pp. 1921-1930 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jennifer Tsang ◽

Timothy R. Hoover

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Basal Body ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Transcript Levels ◽

Content Type ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

H Pylori ◽

Flagellar Biogenesis ◽

Flagellar Genes

ABSTRACTFlagellar biogenesis inHelicobacter pyloriis regulated by a transcriptional hierarchy governed by three sigma factors, RpoD (σ80), RpoN (σ54), and FliA (σ28), that temporally coordinates gene expression with the assembly of the flagellum. Previous studies showed that loss of flagellar protein export apparatus components inhibits transcription of flagellar genes. The FlgS/FlgR two-component system activates transcription of RpoN-dependent genes though an unknown mechanism. To understand better the extent to which flagellar gene regulation is coupled to flagellar assembly, we disrupted flagellar biogenesis at various points and determined how these mutations affected transcription of RpoN-dependent (flaBandflgE) and FliA-dependent (flaA) genes. The MS ring (encoded byfliF) is one of the earliest flagellar structures assembled. Deletion offliFresulted in the elimination of RpoN-dependent transcripts and an ∼4-fold decrease inflaAtranscript levels. FliH is a cytoplasmic protein that functions with the C ring protein FliN to shuttle substrates to the export apparatus. Deletions offliHand genes encoding C ring components (fliMandfliY) decreased transcript levels offlaBandflgEbut had little or no effect on transcript levels offlaA. Transcript levels offlaBandflgEwere elevated in mutants where genes encoding rod proteins (fliEandflgBC) were deleted, while transcript levels offlaAwas reduced ∼2-fold in both mutants. We propose that FlgS responds to an assembly checkpoint associated with the export apparatus and that FliH and one or more C ring component assist FlgS in engaging this flagellar structure.IMPORTANCEThe mechanisms used by bacteria to couple transcription of flagellar genes with assembly of the flagellum are poorly understood. The results from this study identified components of theH. pyloriflagellar basal body that either positively or negatively affect expression of RpoN-dependent flagellar genes. Some of these basal body proteins may interact directly with regulatory proteins that control transcription of theH. pyloriRpoN regulon, a hypothesis that can be tested by examining protein-protein interactionsin vitro.

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Mutations to Essential Orphan Response Regulator HP1043 of Helicobacter pylori Result in Growth-Stage Regulatory Defects

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01193-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 81 (5) ◽

pp. 1439-1449 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Igor N. Olekhnovich ◽

Serhiy Vitko ◽

Olga Chertihin ◽

Raquel Hontecillas ◽

Monica Viladomiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Dna Binding ◽

Conformational Changes ◽

Growth Stage ◽

Response Regulator ◽

Proteomic Profiling ◽

Promoter Regions ◽

Content Type

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriestablishes lifelong infections of the gastric mucosa, a niche considered hostile to most microbes. While responses to gastric acidity and local inflammation are understood, little is known as to how they are integrated into homeostatic control of cell division and growth-stage gene expression. Here we investigate the essential orphan response regulator HP1043, a member of the OmpR/PhoB subfamily of transcriptional regulators that is unique to theEpsilonproteobacteriaand that lacks phosphorylation domains. To test the hypothesis that conformational changes in the homodimer might lead to defects in gene expression, we sought mutations that might alter DNA-binding efficiency. Two introduced mutations (C215S, C221S) C terminal to the DNA-binding domain of HP1043 (HP1043CC11) resulted in a 2-fold higher affinity for its own promoter by footprinting. Modeling studies with the crystal structure of HP1043 suggested that C215S might affect the helix-turn-helix domain. Genomic replacement of thehp1043allele with thehp1043CC11mutant allele resulted in a 2-fold decrease in protein levels, despite a dramatic increase in mRNA. The mutations did not affectin vitrogrowth rates or colonization efficiency in a mouse model. Proteomic profiling (CC11 mutant strain versus wild type) identified many expression differences, and quantitative PCR further revealed that 11 out of 12 examined genes had lost growth-stage regulation and that 6 of the genes contained HP1043 binding consensus sequences within the promoter regions (fur,cagA,cag23,flhA,flip, andnapA). Our studies show that mutations that affect DNA-binding affinity can be used to identify new members of the HP1043 regulon.

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Definition of the Binding Architecture to a Target Promoter of HP1043, the Essential Master Regulator of Helicobacter pylori

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22157848 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 7848

Author(s):

Annamaria Zannoni ◽

Simone Pelliciari ◽

Francesco Musiani ◽

Federica Chiappori ◽

Davide Roncarati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Response Regulator ◽

Consensus Sequence ◽

Binding Mode ◽

In Vitro Transcription ◽

Target Sequence ◽

Computational Alanine Scanning ◽

Definition Of ◽

Target Promoter

HP1043 is an essential orphan response regulator of Helicobacter pylori orchestrating multiple crucial cellular processes. Classified as a member of the OmpR/PhoB family of two-component systems, HP1043 exhibits a highly degenerate receiver domain and evolved to function independently of phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the HP1043 binding mode to a target sequence in the hp1227 promoter (Php1227). Scanning mutagenesis of HP1043 DNA-binding domain and consensus sequence led to the identification of residues relevant for the interaction of the protein with a target DNA. These determinants were used as restraints to guide a data-driven protein-DNA docking. Results suggested that, differently from most other response regulators of the same family, HP1043 binds in a head-to-head conformation to the Php1227 target promoter. HP1043 interacts with DNA largely through charged residues and contacts with both major and minor grooves of the DNA are required for a stable binding. Computational alanine scanning on molecular dynamics trajectory was performed to corroborate our findings. Additionally, in vitro transcription assays confirmed that HP1043 positively stimulates the activity of RNA polymerase.

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A Rhodobacter sphaeroides Protein Mechanistically Similar to Escherichia coli DksA Regulates Photosynthetic Growth

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.01105-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Christopher W. Lennon ◽

Kimberly C. Lemmer ◽

Jessica L. Irons ◽

Max I. Sellman ◽

Timothy J. Donohue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Structure Function ◽

Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽

Fatty Acid Content ◽

Regulatory Protein ◽

Growth Conditions ◽

Globular Domain ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli

ABSTRACTDksA is a global regulatory protein that, together with the alarmone ppGpp, is required for the “stringent response” to nutrient starvation in the gammaproteobacteriumEscherichia coliand for more moderate shifts between growth conditions. DksA modulates the expression of hundreds of genes, directly or indirectly. Mutants lacking a DksA homolog exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes in other gammaproteobacteria as well. Here we analyzed the DksA homolog RSP2654 in the more distantly relatedRhodobacter sphaeroides, an alphaproteobacterium. RSP2654 is 42% identical and similar in length toE. coliDksA but lacks the Zn finger motif of theE. coliDksA globular domain. Deletion of the RSP2654 gene results in defects in photosynthetic growth, impaired utilization of amino acids, and an increase in fatty acid content. RSP2654 complements the growth and regulatory defects of anE. colistrain lacking thedksAgene and modulates transcriptionin vitrowithE. coliRNA polymerase (RNAP) similarly toE. coliDksA. RSP2654 reduces RNAP-promoter complex stabilityin vitrowith RNAPs fromE. coliorR. sphaeroides, alone and synergistically with ppGpp, suggesting that even though it has limited sequence identity toE. coliDksA (DksAEc), it functions in a mechanistically similar manner. We therefore designate the RSP2654 protein DksARsp. Our work suggests that DksARsphas distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria and will be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in DksA and the mechanism of synergy between DksA and ppGpp.IMPORTANCEThe role of DksA has been analyzed primarily in the gammaproteobacteria, in which it is best understood for its role in control of the synthesis of the translation apparatus and amino acid biosynthesis. Our work suggests that DksA plays distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria, including the control of photosynthesis inRhodobacter sphaeroides. The study of DksARsp, should be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in the protein, including those that play a role in the little-understood synergy between DksA and ppGpp.

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Mechanistic Basis of pH-Dependent 5-Flucytosine Resistance inAspergillus fumigatus

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02593-17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Fabio Gsaller ◽

Takanori Furukawa ◽

Paul D. Carr ◽

Bharat Rash ◽

Christoph Jöchl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Regulatory Protein ◽

Transcriptional Regulators ◽

Primary Factor ◽

Ph Sensing ◽

Content Type ◽

Ph Dependent ◽

Mechanistic Basis

ABSTRACTThe antifungal drug 5-flucytosine (5FC), a derivative of the nucleobase cytosine, is licensed for the treatment of fungal diseases; however, it is rarely used as a monotherapeutic to treatAspergillusinfection. Despite being potent against other fungal pathogens, 5FC has limited activity againstAspergillus fumigatuswhen standardin vitroassays are used to determine susceptibility. However, in modifiedin vitroassays where the pH is set to pH 5, the activity of 5FC increases significantly. Here we provide evidence thatfcyB, a gene that encodes a purine-cytosine permease orthologous to known 5FC importers, is downregulated at pH 7 and is the primary factor responsible for the low efficacy of 5FC at pH 7. We also uncover two transcriptional regulators that are responsible for the repression offcyBand, consequently, mediators of 5FC resistance, the CCAAT binding complex (CBC) and the pH regulatory protein PacC. We propose that the activity of 5FC might be enhanced by the perturbation of factors that repressfcyBexpression, such as PacC or other components of the pH-sensing machinery.

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Diversification of Campylobacter jejuni Flagellar C-Ring Composition Impacts Its Structure and Function in Motility, Flagellar Assembly, and Cellular Processes

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.02286-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Louie D. Henderson ◽

Teige R. S. Matthews-Palmer ◽

Connor J. Gulbronson ◽

Deborah A. Ribardo ◽

Morgan Beeby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Campylobacter Jejuni ◽

Content Type ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Spatial Regulation ◽

Flagellar Motors ◽

Core Components ◽

Flagellar Assembly ◽

And Function ◽

Conserved Core ◽

Flagellar Biogenesis

ABSTRACT Bacterial flagella are reversible rotary motors that rotate external filaments for bacterial propulsion. Some flagellar motors have diversified by recruiting additional components that influence torque and rotation, but little is known about the possible diversification and evolution of core motor components. The mechanistic core of flagella is the cytoplasmic C ring, which functions as a rotor, directional switch, and assembly platform for the flagellar type III secretion system (fT3SS) ATPase. The C ring is composed of a ring of FliG proteins and a helical ring of surface presentation of antigen (SPOA) domains from the switch proteins FliM and one of two usually mutually exclusive paralogs, FliN or FliY. We investigated the composition, architecture, and function of the C ring of Campylobacter jejuni, which encodes FliG, FliM, and both FliY and FliN by a variety of interrogative approaches. We discovered a diversified C. jejuni C ring containing FliG, FliM, and both FliY, which functions as a classical FliN-like protein for flagellar assembly, and FliN, which has neofunctionalized into a structural role. Specific protein interactions drive the formation of a more complex heterooligomeric C. jejuni C-ring structure. We discovered that this complex C ring has additional cellular functions in polarly localizing FlhG for numerical regulation of flagellar biogenesis and spatial regulation of division. Furthermore, mutation of the C. jejuni C ring revealed a T3SS that was less dependent on its ATPase complex for assembly than were other systems. Our results highlight considerable evolved flagellar diversity that impacts motor output, biogenesis, and cellular processes in different species. IMPORTANCE The conserved core of bacterial flagellar motors reflects a shared evolutionary history that preserves the mechanisms essential for flagellar assembly, rotation, and directional switching. In this work, we describe an expanded and diversified set of core components in the Campylobacter jejuni flagellar C ring, the mechanistic core of the motor. Our work provides insight into how usually conserved core components may have diversified by gene duplication, enabling a division of labor of the ancestral protein between the two new proteins, acquisition of new roles in flagellar assembly and motility, and expansion of the function of the flagellum beyond motility, including spatial regulation of cell division and numerical control of flagellar biogenesis in C. jejuni. Our results highlight that relatively small changes, such as gene duplications, can have substantial ramifications on the cellular roles of a molecular machine.

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Infiltrated Macrophages Die of Pneumolysin-Mediated Necroptosis following Pneumococcal Myocardial Invasion

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00007-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 84 (5) ◽

pp. 1457-1469 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Ryan P. Gilley ◽

Norberto González-Juarbe ◽

Anukul T. Shenoy ◽

Luis F. Reyes ◽

Peter H. Dube ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Kinase Domain ◽

Cardiac Damage ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Hydropic Degeneration ◽

Content Type ◽

Tissue Sections ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin

Streptococcus pneumoniae(the pneumococcus) is capable of invading the heart. Herein we observed that pneumococcal invasion of the myocardium occurred soon after development of bacteremia and was continuous thereafter. Using immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM), we observed thatS. pneumoniaereplication within the heart preceded visual signs of tissue damage in cardiac tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. DifferentS. pneumoniaestrains caused distinct cardiac pathologies: strain TIGR4, a serotype 4 isolate, caused discrete pneumococcus-filled microscopic lesions (microlesions), whereas strain D39, a serotype 2 isolate, was, in most instances, detectable only using IFM and was associated with foci of cardiomyocyte hydropic degeneration and immune cell infiltration. Both strains efficiently invaded the myocardium, but cardiac damage was entirely dependent on the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin only for D39. Early microlesions caused by TIGR4 and microlesions formed by a TIGR4 pneumolysin-deficient mutant were infiltrated with CD11b+and Ly6G-positive neutrophils and CD11b+and F4/80-positive (F4/80+) macrophages. We subsequently demonstrated that macrophages in TIGR4-infected hearts died as a result of pneumolysin-induced necroptosis. The effector of necroptosis, phosphorylated mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), was detected in CD11b+and F4/80+cells associated with microlesions. Likewise, treatment of infected mice and THP-1 macrophagesin vitrowith the receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-5 promoted the formation of purulent microlesions and blocked cell death, respectively. We conclude that pneumococci that have invaded the myocardium are an important cause of cardiac damage, pneumolysin contributes to cardiac damage in a bacterial strain-specific manner, and pneumolysin kills infiltrated macrophages via necroptosis, which alters the immune response.

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Host-Derived Metabolites Modulate Transcription ofSalmonellaGenes Involved in L-Lactate Utilization during Gut Colonization

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00773-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Caroline C. Gillis ◽

Maria G. Winter ◽

Rachael B. Chanin ◽

Wenhan Zhu ◽

Luisella Spiga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Metabolism ◽

Regulatory Protein ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Lactate Oxidation ◽

Terminal Electron Acceptor ◽

Content Type ◽

Gut Colonization ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

Lactate Utilization

ABSTRACTDuringSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium infection, host inflammation alters the metabolic environment of the gut lumen to favor the outgrowth of the pathogen at the expense of the microbiota. Inflammation-driven changes in host cell metabolism lead to the release ofl-lactate and molecular oxygen from the tissue into the gut lumen.Salmonellautilizes lactate as an electron donor in conjunction with oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to support gut colonization. Here, we investigated transcriptional regulation of the respiratoryl-lactate dehydrogenase LldDin vitroand in mouse models ofSalmonellainfection. The two-component system ArcAB repressed transcription ofl-lactate utilization genes under anaerobic conditionsin vitro. The ArcAB-mediated repression oflldDtranscription was relieved under microaerobic conditions. Transcription oflldDwas induced byl-lactate but notd-lactate. A mutant lacking the regulatory protein LldR failed to inducelldDtranscription in response tol-lactate. Furthermore, thelldRmutant exhibited reduced transcription ofl-lactate utilization genes and impaired fitness in murine models of infection. These data provide evidence that the host-derived metabolites oxygen andl-lactate serve as cues forSalmonellato regulate lactate oxidation metabolism on a transcriptional level.

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Colonization and Inflammation Deficiencies in Mongolian Gerbils Infected by Helicobacter pylori Chemotaxis Mutants

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.73.3.1820-1827.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 1820-1827 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

David J. McGee ◽

Melanie L. Langford ◽

Emily L. Watson ◽

J. Elliot Carter ◽

Yu-Ting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Response Regulator ◽

Critical Role ◽

Mongolian Gerbils ◽

Wild Type ◽

In The Wild ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori causes disease in the human stomach and in mouse and gerbil stomach models. Previous results have shown that motility is critical for H. pylori to colonize mice, gerbils, and other animal models. The role of chemotaxis, however, in colonization and disease is less well understood. Two genes in the H. pylori chemotaxis pathway, cheY and tlpB, which encode the chemotaxis response regulator and a methyl-accepting chemoreceptor, respectively, were disrupted. The cheY mutation was complemented with a wild-type copy of cheY inserted into the chromosomal rdxA gene. The cheY mutant lost chemotaxis but retained motility, while all other strains were motile and chemotactic in vitro. These strains were inoculated into gerbils either alone or in combination with the wild-type strain, and colonization and inflammation were assessed. While the cheY mutant completely failed to colonize gerbil stomachs, the tlpB mutant colonized at levels similar to those of the wild type. With the tlpB mutant, there was a substantial decrease in inflammation in the gerbil stomach compared to that with the wild type. Furthermore, there were differences in the numbers of each immune cell in the tlpB-mutant-infected stomach: the ratio of lymphocytes to neutrophils was about 8 to 1 in the wild type but only about 1 to 1 in the mutant. These results suggest that the TlpB chemoreceptor plays an important role in the inflammatory response while the CheY chemotaxis regulator plays a critical role in initial colonization. Chemotaxis mutants may provide new insights into the steps involved in H. pylori pathogenesis.

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Helicobacter pylori-Induced Disruption of Monolayer Permeability and Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Polarized Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01406-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 81 (3) ◽

pp. 876-883 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Maria Fiorentino ◽

Hua Ding ◽

Thomas G. Blanchard ◽

Steven J. Czinn ◽

Marcelo B. Sztein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Tight Junction ◽

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Cytokine Secretion ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Content Type ◽

Monolayer Permeability ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriinfection of the stomach is related to the development of diverse gastric pathologies. The ability ofH. pylorito compromise epithelial junctional complexes and to induce proinflammatory cytokines is believed to contribute to pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to use anin vitrohuman gastric epithelial model to investigate the ability ofH. pylorito affect permeability and the extent and polarity of the host inflammatory response. NCI-N87 monolayers were cocultured with live or heat-killedH. pylorior culture supernatants. Epithelial barrier function was measured by transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) analysis, diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled markers, and immunostaining for tight junction proteins. Supernatants from both apical and basolateral chambers were tested for cytokine production by multiplex analysis.H. pyloricaused a significant decrease in TEER, an increased passage of markers through the infected monolayer, and severe disruption and mislocalization of ZO-1 and claudin-1 proteins. Cell viability was not altered byH. pylori, indicating that loss of barrier function could be attributed to a breakdown of tight junction integrity. Significantly high levels of cytokine secretion were induced by either viable or heat-killedH. pylori.H. pyloriaffects monolayer permeability of polarized human gastric epithelial cells. Proinflammatory cytokines were secreted in a polarized manner, mostly basolaterally. Live bacteria are required for disruption of tight junctions but not for the induction of cytokine secretion. The NCI-N87 cell line provides an excellent model for thein vitrostudy ofH. pyloripathogenesis and the epithelial cell host response to infection.

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