scholarly journals Interrupting Biosynthesis of O Antigen or the Lipopolysaccharide Core Produces Morphological Defects in Escherichia coli by Sequestering Undecaprenyl Phosphate

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (22) ◽  
pp. 3070-3079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Jorgenson ◽  
Kevin D. Young
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Core Oligosaccharide ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Morphological Defects ◽  
Undecaprenyl Phosphate

ABSTRACTUndecaprenyl phosphate (Und-P) is a member of the family of essential polyprenyl phosphate lipid carriers and in the Gram-negative bacteriumEscherichia coliis required for synthesizing the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall, enterobacterial common antigen (ECA), O antigen, and colanic acid. Previously, we found that interruption of ECA biosynthesis indirectly alters PG synthesis by sequestering Und-P via dead-end intermediates, causing morphological defects. To determine if competition for Und-P was a more general phenomenon, we determined if O-antigen intermediates caused similar effects. Indeed, disrupting the synthesis of O antigen or the lipopolysaccharide core oligosaccharide induced cell shape deformities, which were suppressed by preventing the initiation of O-antigen biosynthesis or by manipulating Und-P metabolism. We conclude that accumulation of O-antigen intermediates alters PG synthesis by sequestering Und-P. Importantly, many previous experiments addressed the physiological functions of various oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates, but these studies employed mutants that accumulate deleterious intermediates. Thus, conclusions based on these experiments must be reevaluated to account for possible indirect effects of Und-P sequestration.IMPORTANCEBacteria use long-chain isoprenoids like undecaprenyl phosphate (Und-P) as lipid carriers to assemble numerous glycan polymers that comprise the cell envelope. In any one bacterium, multiple oligosaccharide biosynthetic pathways compete for a common pool of Und-P, which means that disruptions in one pathway may produce secondary consequences that affect the others. Using the Gram-negative bacteriumEscherichia colias a model, we demonstrate that interruption of the biogenesis of O antigen, a major outer membrane component, indirectly impairs peptidoglycan synthesis by sequestering Und-P into dead-end intermediates. These results strongly argue that the functions of many Und-P-utilizing pathways must be reevaluated, because much of our current understanding is based on experiments that did not control for these unintended secondary effects.

scholarly journals A Novel Method of Serum Resistance by Escherichia coli That Causes Urosepsis

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie F. Coggon ◽  
Andrew Jiang ◽  
Kelvin G. K. Goh ◽  
Ian R. Henderson ◽  
Mark A. Schembri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Serum Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Inhibitory Antibodies

ABSTRACT Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common cause of urinary tract infection, which in some patients can develop into life-threatening urosepsis. Serum resistance is a key virulence trait of strains that cause urosepsis. Recently, we identified a novel method of serum resistance in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, where patients possessed antibodies that inhibited complement-mediated killing (instead of protecting against infection). These inhibitory antibodies were of the IgG2 subtype, specific to the O-antigen component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and coated the bacterial surface, preventing bacterial lysis by complement. As this mechanism could apply to any Gram-negative bacterial infection, we hypothesized that inhibitory antibodies may represent an uncharacterized mechanism of serum resistance in UPEC. To test this, 45 urosepsis patients with paired blood culture UPEC isolates were screened for serum titers of IgG2 specific for their cognate strain’s LPS. Eleven patients had sufficiently high titers of the antibody to inhibit serum-mediated killing of UPEC isolates by pooled healthy control sera. Depletion of IgG or removal of O-antigen restored sensitivity of the isolates to the cognate patient serum. Importantly, the isolates from these 11 patients were more sensitive to killing by serum than isolates from patients with no inhibitory antibodies. This suggests the presence of inhibitory antibodies may have allowed these strains to infect the bloodstream. The high prevalence of patients with inhibitory antibodies (24%) suggests that this phenomenon is an important mechanism of UPEC serum resistance. LPS-specific inhibitory antibodies have now been identified against three Gram-negative pathogens that cause disparate diseases. IMPORTANCE Despite improvements in the early detection and management of sepsis, morbidity and mortality are still high. Infections of the urinary tract are one of the most frequent sources of sepsis with Escherichia coli the main causative agent. Serum resistance is vital for bacteria to infect the bloodstream. Here we report a novel method of serum resistance found in patients with UPEC-mediated sepsis. Antibodies in sera usually protect against infection, but here we found that 24% of patients expressed “inhibitory antibodies” capable of preventing serum-mediated killing of their infecting isolate. Our data suggest that these antibodies would allow otherwise serum-sensitive UPEC strains to cause sepsis. The high prevalence of patients with inhibitory antibodies in this cohort suggests that this is a widespread mechanism of resistance to complement-mediated killing in urosepsis patients, invoking the potential for the application of new methods to prevent and treat sepsis.

scholarly journals Identification and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Protein Phosphatase 2C-Like Ser/Thr Phosphatase in Escherichia coli

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krithika Rajagopalan ◽  
Elizabeth Nagle ◽  
Jonathan Dworkin
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Novel Protein

Regulatory protein phosphorylation is a conserved mechanism of signaling in all biological systems. Recent phosphoproteomic analyses of phylogenetically diverse bacteria, including the model Gram-negative bacteriumEscherichia coli, demonstrate that many proteins are phosphorylated on serine or threonine residues. In contrast to phosphorylation on histidine or aspartate residues, phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues is stable and requires the action of a partner Ser/Thr phosphatase to remove the modification. Although a number of Ser/Thr kinases have been reported inE. coli, no partner Ser/Thr phosphatases have been identified. Here, we biochemically characterize a novel Ser/Thr phosphatase that acts to dephosphorylate a Ser/Thr kinase that is encoded in the same operon.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Podophage Penshu1

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (38) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Pechacek ◽  
Myung Hwangbo ◽  
Russell Moreland ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
Jolene Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Encoding Genes

Escherichia coli 4s is a Gram-negative bacterium found in the equine intestinal ecosystem alongside diverse other coliform bacteria and bacteriophages. This announcement describes the complete genome of the T7-like E. coli 4s podophage Penshu1. From its 39,263-bp genome, 54 protein-encoding genes and a 179-bp terminal repeat were predicted.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Siphophage Snoke

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Corban ◽  
Jacob Gramer ◽  
Russell Moreland ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
Jolene Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Protein Coding Genes

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium often found in animal intestinal tracts. Here, we present the genome of the Guernseyvirinae-like E. coli 4s siphophage Snoke. The 44.4-kb genome contains 81 protein-coding genes, for which 33 functions were predicted. The capsid morphogenesis gene in Snoke contains a large intein.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Siphophage Sciku

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (38) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isla Hernandez ◽  
Micah Castillo ◽  
Russell Moreland ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
Jolene Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Protein Coding Genes ◽  
Genome Comparisons

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium that is found in humans and animals as both a commensal organism and a pathogen. This report describes the isolation of Sciku, a siphophage infecting E. coli 4s, with 73 protein-coding genes. Genome comparisons suggest that Sciku is related to phages within Guernseyvirinae.

Core oligosaccharide portion of lipopolysaccharide plays important roles on multiple antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianli Wang ◽  
Wenjian Ma ◽  
Yu Fang ◽  
Hao Liang ◽  
Huiting Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Multiple Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Core Oligosaccharide ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
The Core ◽  
K 12

Gram-negative bacteria are intrinsically resistant to antibiotics due to the presence of the cell envelope, but mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, a series of mutants that lack one or more major components associated with the cell envelope were constructed from Escherichia coli K-12 W3110. WJW02 can only synthesize Kdo 2 -lipid A which lacks the core oligosaccharide portion of lipopolysaccharide. WJW04, WJW07 and WJW08 were constructed from WJW02 by deleting the gene clusters relevant to the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharide, flagella and fimbria, respectively. WJW09, WJW010 and WJW011 cells cannot synthesize exopolysaccharide, flagella and fimbria, respectively. Comparing to the wild type W3110, mutants WJW02, WJW04, WJW07 and WJW08 cells showed decreased resistance to more than 10 different antibacterial drugs, but not the mutants WJW09, WJW010 and WJW011. This indicates that the core oligosaccharide portion of lipopolysaccharide plays important roles on multiple antibiotic resistance in E. coli and the 1 st heptose in core oligosaccharide portion is critical. Furthermore, the removal of the core oligosaccharide of LPS leads to influences on cell wall morphology, cell phenotypes, porins, efflux systems, and the respond behaviors to antibiotic stimulation. The results demonstrated the important role of lipopolysaccharide on the antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria.

scholarly journals Bacterial Metal Resistance: Coping with Copper without Cooperativity?

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas P. Greene ◽  
Vassilis Koronakis
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Rnd Transporter ◽  
Entire Cell

In Escherichia coli and other Gram-negative bacteria, tripartite efflux pumps (TEPs) span the entire cell envelope and serve to remove noxious molecules from the cell. CusBCA is a TEP responsible for copper and silver detoxification in E. coli powered by the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) transporter, CusA.

scholarly journals YtfB, an OapA Domain-Containing Protein, Is a New Cell Division Protein in Escherichia coli

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Jorgenson ◽  
Kevin D. Young
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Wall Structure ◽  
Bacterial Cell Division ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Division Protein ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein

ABSTRACT While screening the Pfam database for novel peptidoglycan (PG) binding modules, we identified the OapA domain, which is annotated as a LysM-like domain. LysM domains bind PG and mediate localization to the septal ring. In the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli , an OapA domain is present in YtfB, an inner membrane protein of unknown function but whose overproduction causes cells to filament. Together, these observations suggested that YtfB directly affects cell division, most likely through its OapA domain. Here, we show that YtfB accumulates at the septal ring and that its action requires the division-initiating protein FtsZ and, to a lesser extent, ZipA, an early recruit to the septalsome. While the loss of YtfB had no discernible impact, a mutant lacking both YtfB and DedD (a known cell division protein) grew as filamentous cells. The YtfB OapA domain by itself also localized to sites of division, and this localization was enhanced by the presence of denuded PGs. Finally, the OapA domain bound PG, though binding did not depend on the formation of denuded glycans. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that YtfB is a cell division protein whose function is related to cell wall hydrolases. IMPORTANCE All living cells must divide in order to thrive. In bacteria, this involves the coordinated activities of a large number of proteins that work in concert to constrict the cell. Knowing which proteins contribute to this process and how they function is fundamental. Here, we identify a new member of the cell division apparatus in the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli whose function is related to the generation of a transient cell wall structure. These findings deepen our understanding of bacterial cell division.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Myophage Minorna

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Rogers ◽  
Lorna Min ◽  
Heather Newkirk ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
Jolene Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Treatment Alternative ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Viable Treatment

The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli causes many diseases, and antibiotic resistance has become a problem for their treatment. Bacteriophages may present a viable treatment alternative.

scholarly journals Peptidoglycan Remodeling EnablesEscherichiacoliTo Survive Severe Outer Membrane Assembly Defect

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Morè ◽  
Alessandra M. Martorana ◽  
Jacob Biboy ◽  
Christian Otten ◽  
Matthias Winkle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Links ◽  
Peptidoglycan Layer

ABSTRACTGram-negative bacteria have a tripartite cell envelope with the cytoplasmic membrane (CM), a stress-bearing peptidoglycan (PG) layer, and the asymmetric outer membrane (OM) containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer leaflet. Cells must tightly coordinate the growth of their complex envelope to maintain cellular integrity and OM permeability barrier function. The biogenesis of PG and LPS relies on specialized macromolecular complexes that span the entire envelope. In this work, we show thatEscherichia colicells are capable of avoiding lysis when the transport of LPS to the OM is compromised, by utilizing LD-transpeptidases (LDTs) to generate 3-3 cross-links in the PG. This PG remodeling program relies mainly on the activities of the stress response LDT, LdtD, together with the major PG synthase PBP1B, its cognate activator LpoB, and the carboxypeptidase PBP6a. Our data support a model according to which these proteins cooperate to strengthen the PG in response to defective OM synthesis.IMPORTANCEIn Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane protects the cell against many toxic molecules, and the peptidoglycan layer provides protection against osmotic challenges, allowing bacterial cells to survive in changing environments. Maintaining cell envelope integrity is therefore a question of life or death for a bacterial cell. Here we show thatEscherichia colicells activate the LD-transpeptidase LdtD to introduce 3-3 cross-links in the peptidoglycan layer when the integrity of the outer membrane is compromised, and this response is required to avoid cell lysis. This peptidoglycan remodeling program is a strategy to increase the overall robustness of the bacterial cell envelope in response to defects in the outer membrane.

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