scholarly journals Staphylococcus aureus Extracellular Vesicles Carry Biologically Active β-Lactamase

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 2589-2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaewook Lee ◽  
Eun-Young Lee ◽  
Si-Hyun Kim ◽  
Dae-Kyum Kim ◽  
Kyong-Su Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Protease Digestion

ABSTRACTGram-positive bacteria naturally produce extracellular vesicles. However, little is known regarding the functions of Gram-positive bacterial extracellular vesicles, especially in the bacterial community. Here, we investigated the role ofStaphylococcus aureusextracellular vesicles in interbacterial communication to cope with antibiotic stress. We found thatS. aureusliberated BlaZ, a β-lactamase protein, via extracellular vesicles. These extracellular vesicles enabled other ampicillin-susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria to survive in the presence of ampicillin. However,S. aureusextracellular vesicles did not mediate the survival of tetracycline-, chloramphenicol-, or kanamycin-susceptible bacteria. Moreover,S. aureusextracellular vesicles did not contain theblaZgene. In addition, the heat-treatedS. aureusextracellular vesicles did not mediate the survival of ampicillin-susceptible bacteria. The β-lactamase activities ofS. aureussoluble and extracellular vesicle-associated BlaZ were similar, but only the extracellular vesicle-associated BlaZ was resistant to protease digestion, which suggests that the enzymatic activity of BlaZ in extracellular vesicles is largely protected by the vesicle structure. Our observations provide evidence of the important role ofS. aureusextracellular vesicles in antibiotic resistance, which allows the polymicrobial community to continue to evolve and prosper against antibiotics.

scholarly journals Activities of Oxadiazole Antibacterials against Staphylococcus aureus and Other Gram-Positive Bacteria

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Ceballos ◽  
Choon Kim ◽  
Derong Ding ◽  
Shahriar Mobashery ◽  
Mayland Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Mrsa Strains

ABSTRACT The activities of four oxadiazoles were investigated with 210 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. MIC50 and MIC90 values of 1 to 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively, were observed. We also evaluated the activity of oxadiazole ND-421 against other staphylococci and enterococci and in the presence of oxacillin for selected MRSA strains. The MIC for ND-421 is lowered severalfold in combination with oxacillin, as they synergize. The MIC90 of ND-421 against vancomycin-resistant enterococci is ≤1 μg/ml.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicle Biogenesis and Functions in Gram-Positive Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Briaud ◽  
Ronan K. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Wall Structure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Physiology ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria

ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-derived lipid bilayers secreted by bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Bacterial membrane vesicles were discovered over 60 years ago and have been extensively studied in Gram-negative bacteria. During their production, EVs are loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, and various compounds that are subsequently released into the environment. Depending on the packaged cargo, EVs have a broad spectrum of action and are involved in pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, nutrient uptake, and nucleic acid transfer. Due to differences in cell wall structure, EVs in Gram-positive bacteria have been disregarded for decades, and our understanding of their biogenesis and host cell interaction is incomplete. Recently, studies on bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Bacillus subtilis, and Mycobacterium spp. have demonstrated EV production in Gram-positive bacteria and shown the great importance EVs have in Gram-positive bacterial physiology and disease progression. Here, we review the latest findings on the biogenesis and functions of EVs from Gram-positive bacteria and identify key areas for future research.

scholarly journals Mutations of the Listeria monocytogenes PeptidoglycanN-Deacetylase andO-Acetylase Result in Enhanced Lysozyme Sensitivity, Bacteriolysis, and Hyperinduction of Innate Immune Pathways

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 3596-3606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris S. Rae ◽  
Aimee Geissler ◽  
Paul C. Adamson ◽  
Daniel A. Portnoy
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth Defects ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Host Cell Death

ABSTRACTListeria monocytogenesis a Gram-positive intracellular pathogen that is naturally resistant to lysozyme. Recently, it was shown that peptidoglycan modification by N-deacetylation or O-acetylation confers resistance to lysozyme in various Gram-positive bacteria, includingL. monocytogenes.L. monocytogenespeptidoglycan is deacetylated by the action ofN-acetylglucosamine deacetylase (Pgd) and acetylated byO-acetylmuramic acid transferase (Oat). We characterized Pgd−, Oat−, and double mutants to determine the specific role ofL. monocytogenespeptidoglycan acetylation in conferring lysozyme sensitivity during infection of macrophages and mice. Pgd−and Pgd−Oat−double mutants were attenuated approximately 2 and 3.5 logs, respectively,in vivo. In bone-marrow derived macrophages, the mutants demonstrated intracellular growth defects and increased induction of cytokine transcriptional responses that emanated from a phagosome and the cytosol. Lysozyme-sensitive mutants underwent bacteriolysis in the macrophage cytosol, resulting in AIM2-dependent pyroptosis. Each of thein vitrophenotypes was rescued upon infection of LysM−macrophages. The addition of extracellular lysozyme to LysM−macrophages restored cytokine induction, host cell death, andL. monocytogenesgrowth inhibition. This surprising observation suggests that extracellular lysozyme can access the macrophage cytosol and act on intracellular lysozyme-sensitive bacteria.

scholarly journals Alanyl-Phosphatidylglycerol and Lysyl-Phosphatidylglycerol Are Translocated by the Same MprF Flippases and Have Similar Capacities To Protect against the Antibiotic Daptomycin in Staphylococcus aureus

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 3492-3497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph J. Slavetinsky ◽  
Andreas Peschel ◽  
Christoph M. Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wild Type Level ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membranes ◽  
Simultaneous Expression

ABSTRACTThe lysinylation of negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol by MprF proteins reduces the affinity of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) for bacterial cytoplasmic membranes and reduces the susceptibility of several Gram-positive bacterial pathogens to CAMPs. MprF ofStaphylococcus aureusencompasses a lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG) synthase and a Lys-PG flippase domain. In contrast,Clostridium perfringensencodes two MprF homologs which specifically synthesize alanyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Ala-PG) or Lys-PG, while only the Lys-PG synthase is fused to a putative flippase domain. It remains unknown whether cationic Lys-PG and zwitterionic Ala-PG differ in their capacities to be translocated by MprF flippases and if both can reduce CAMP susceptibility in Gram-positive bacteria. By expressing the MprF proteins ofC. perfringensin anS. aureus mprFdeletion mutant, we found that both lipids can be efficiently produced inS. aureus. Simultaneous expression of the Lys-PG and Ala-PG synthases led to the production of both lipids and slightly increased the overall amounts of aminoacyl phospholipids. Ala-PG production by the correspondingC. perfringensenzyme did not affect susceptibility to CAMPs such as nisin and gallidermin or to the CAMP-like antibiotic daptomycin. However, coexpression of the Ala-PG synthase with flippase domains of Lys-PG synthesizing MprF proteins led to a wild-type level of daptomycin susceptibility, indicating that Ala-PG can also protect bacterial membranes against daptomycin and suggesting that Lys-PG flippases can also translocate the related lipid Ala-PG. Thus, bacterial aminoacyl phospholipid flippases exhibit more relaxed substrate specificity and Ala-PG and Lys-PG are more similar in their capacities to modulate membrane functions than anticipated.

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

mBio ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Daptomycin versus Vancomycin in a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endophthalmitis Rabbit Model: Bactericidal Effect, Safety, and Ocular Pharmacokinetics

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 2485-2492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Lefèvre ◽  
Maher Saleh ◽  
Luc Marcellin ◽  
Audrey Subilia ◽  
Tristan Bourcier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Ocular Inflammation ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Bactericidal Efficacy ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a frequent cause of acute endophthalmitis, and infection with this virulent bacterium is often associated with a poor visual outcome. In this study, we investigated the bactericidal efficacy and the safety of intravitreal daptomycin (DAP), a lipopeptide antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria, compared with those of intravitreal vancomycin (VAN) in a methicillin-resistantS. aureusendophthalmitis rabbit model. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of daptomycin in the infected eyes were also studied. Rabbits were randomly divided into three treatment groups (n= 8) and one untreated group (n= 4), to compare the effect of single intravitreal injections of 0.2 mg and 1 mg of daptomycin (DAP 0.2 and DAP 1 groups, respectively) with that of 1 mg of intravitreal vancomycin (VAN 1 group). Vitreal aspirates were regularly collected and grading of ocular inflammation was regularly performed until euthanasia on day 7. In the DAP 0.2 group, 62.5% of the eyes were sterilized and the mean bacterial count presented a reduction of 1 log unit. In the DAP 1 and VAN 1 groups, the infection was eradicated (100% and 87.5% of eyes sterilized, respectively), with a 4-log-unit reduction of the mean bacterial count. The bactericidal efficacy in the DAP 1 group was not inferior to that in the VAN 1 group and was superior to that of the other regimens in limiting the ocular inflammation and preserving the architecture of the ocular structures (P< 0.05). The elimination half-life (t1/2β) of daptomycin was independent of the administered dose (38.8 ± 16.5 h and 40.9 ± 6.7 h, respectively, for the DAP 0.2 and DAP 1 groups) and was significantly longer than thet1/2βof vancomycin (20.5 ± 2.0 h for the VAN 1 group) (P< 0.05). This antibiotic could therefore be considered for the treatment of intraocular infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

scholarly journals Lipoproteins of Gram-Positive Bacteria: Key Players in the Immune Response and Virulence

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 891-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minh Thu Nguyen ◽  
Friedrich Götz
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Key Players ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 2 ◽  
Number Of Publications

SUMMARYSince the discovery in 1973 of the first of the bacterial lipoproteins (Lpp) inEscherichia coli, Braun's lipoprotein, the ever-increasing number of publications indicates the importance of these proteins. Bacterial Lpp belong to the class of lipid-anchored proteins that in Gram-negative bacteria are anchored in both the cytoplasmic and outer membranes and in Gram-positive bacteria are anchored only in the cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast to the case for Gram-negative bacteria, in Gram-positive bacteria lipoprotein maturation and processing are not vital. Physiologically, Lpp play an important role in nutrient and ion acquisition, allowing particularly pathogenic species to better survive in the host. Bacterial Lpp are recognized by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) of the innate immune system. The important role of Lpp in Gram-positive bacteria, particularly in the phylumFirmicutes, as key players in the immune response and pathogenicity has emerged only in recent years. In this review, we address the role of Lpp in signaling and modulating the immune response, in inflammation, and in pathogenicity. We also address the potential of Lpp as promising vaccine candidates.

scholarly journals DhhP, a Cyclic di-AMP Phosphodiesterase of Borrelia burgdorferi, Is Essential for Cell Growth and Virulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 1840-1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiping Ye ◽  
Jun-Jie Zhang ◽  
Xin Fang ◽  
Gavin B. Lawlis ◽  
Bryan Troxell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Wall Structure ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria

ABSTRACTCyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a recently discovered second messenger in bacteria. Most of work on c-di-AMP signaling has been done in Gram-positive bacteria, firmicutes, and actinobacteria, where c-di-AMP signaling pathways affect potassium transport, cell wall structure, and antibiotic resistance. Little is known about c-di-AMP signaling in other bacteria.Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is a spirochete that has a Gram-negative dual membrane. In this study, we demonstrated thatB. burgdorferiBB0619, aDHH-DHHA1 domainprotein (herein designated DhhP), functions as c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase. Recombinant DhhP hydrolyzed c-di-AMP to pApA in a Mn2+- or Mg2+-dependent manner. In contrast to c-di-AMP phosphodiesterases reported thus far, DhhP appears to be essential forB. burgdorferigrowth bothin vitroand in the mammalian host. Inactivation of the chromosomaldhhPgene could be achieved only in the presence of a plasmid-encoded inducibledhhPgene. The conditionaldhhPmutant had a dramatic increase in intracellular c-di-AMP level in comparison to the isogenic wild-type strain. Unlike what has been observed in Gram-positive bacteria, elevated cellular c-di-AMP inB. burgdorferidid not result in an increased resistance to β-lactamase antibiotics, suggesting that c-di-AMP's functions in spirochetes differ from those in Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, thedhhPmutant was defective in induction of the σSfactor, RpoS, and the RpoS-dependent outer membrane virulence factor OspC, which uncovers an important role of c-di-AMP inB. burgdorferivirulence.

scholarly journals Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Produced by Aspergillus fumigatus Protoplasts

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Rizzo ◽  
Thibault Chaze ◽  
Kildare Miranda ◽  
Robert W. Roberson ◽  
Olivier Gorgette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Wall Biogenesis

ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous compartments produced by yeast and mycelial forms of several fungal species. One of the difficulties in perceiving the role of EVs during the fungal life, and particularly in cell wall biogenesis, is caused by the presence of a thick cell wall. One alternative to have better access to these vesicles is to use protoplasts. This approach has been investigated here with Aspergillus fumigatus, one of the most common opportunistic fungal pathogens worldwide. Analysis of regenerating protoplasts by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy indicated the occurrence of outer membrane projections in association with surface components and the release of particles with properties resembling those of fungal EVs. EVs in culture supernatants were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Proteomic and glycome analysis of EVs revealed the presence of a complex array of enzymes related to lipid/sugar metabolism, pathogenic processes, and cell wall biosynthesis. Our data indicate that (i) EV production is a common feature of different morphological stages of this major fungal pathogen and (ii) protoplastic EVs are promising tools for undertaking studies of vesicle functions in fungal cells. IMPORTANCE Fungal cells use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to export biologically active molecules to the extracellular space. In this study, we used protoplasts of Aspergillus fumigatus, a major fungal pathogen, as a model to evaluate the role of EV production in cell wall biogenesis. Our results demonstrated that wall-less A. fumigatus exports plasma membrane-derived EVs containing a complex combination of proteins and glycans. Our report is the first to characterize fungal EVs in the absence of a cell wall. Our results suggest that protoplasts represent a promising model for functional studies of fungal vesicles.

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