RESUMEN

Bacterial biofilms have been implicated in several chronic infections. After initial attachment, a critical first step in biofilm formation is a cell inducing a surface-sensing response. In the Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two second messengers, cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), are produced by different surface-sensing mechanisms. However, given the disparate cellular behaviors regulated by these second messengers, how newly attached cells coordinate these pathways remains unclear. Some of the uncertainty relates to studies using different strains, experimental systems, and usually focusing on a single second messenger. In this study, we developed a tricolor reporter system to simultaneously gauge c-di-GMP and cAMP levels in single cells. Using PAO1, we show that c-di-GMP and cAMP are selectively activated in two commonly used experimental systems to study surface sensing. By further examining the conditions that differentiate a c-di-GMP or cAMP response, we demonstrate that an agarose-air interface activates cAMP signaling through type IV pili and the Pil-Chp system. However, a liquid-agarose interface favors the activation of c-di-GMP signaling. This response is dependent on flagellar motility and correlated with higher swimming speed. Collectively, this work indicates that c-di-GMP and cAMP signaling responses are dependent on the surface context.

Asunto(s)

Biopelículas , AMP Cíclico , GMP Cíclico , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/fisiología , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Transducción de Señal , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario/fisiología , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética

RESUMEN

Upon stimulation of membrane receptors, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is formed as second messenger within seconds and evokes Ca2+ signaling in many different cell types. Here, to directly stimulate NAADP signaling, MASTER-NAADP, a Membrane permeAble, STabilized, bio-rEversibly pRotected precursor of NAADP is synthesized and release of its active NAADP mimetic, benzoic acid C-nucleoside, 2'-phospho-3'F-adenosine-diphosphate, by esterase digestion is confirmed. In the presence of NAADP receptor HN1L/JPT2 (hematological and neurological expressed 1-like protein, HN1L, also known as Jupiter microtubule-associated homolog 2, JPT2), this active NAADP mimetic releases Ca2+ and increases the open probability of type 1 ryanodine receptor. When added to intact cells, MASTER-NAADP initially evokes single local Ca2+ signals of low amplitude. Subsequently, also global Ca2+ signaling is observed in T cells, natural killer cells, and Neuro2A cells. In contrast, control compound MASTER-NADP does not stimulate Ca2+ signaling. Likewise, in cells devoid of HN1L/JPT2, MASTER-NAADP does not affect Ca2+ signaling, confirming that the product released from MASTER-NAADP is a bona fide NAADP mimetic.

Asunto(s)

Señalización del Calcio , Calcio , NADP , NADP/análogos & derivados , NADP/metabolismo , Animales , Humanos , Calcio/metabolismo , Ratones , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Permeabilidad de la Membrana Celular , Canal Liberador de Calcio Receptor de Rianodina/metabolismo , Células Asesinas Naturales/metabolismo , Linfocitos T/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Purines and their derivatives control intracellular energy homeostasis and nucleotide synthesis, and act as signaling molecules. Here, we combine structural and sequence information to define a purine-binding motif that is present in sensor domains of thousands of bacterial receptors that modulate motility, gene expression, metabolism, and second-messenger turnover. Microcalorimetric titrations of selected sensor domains validate their ability to specifically bind purine derivatives, and evolutionary analyses indicate that purine sensors share a common ancestor with amino-acid receptors. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidence of physiological relevance of purine sensing in a second-messenger signaling system that modulates c-di-GMP levels.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas Bacterianas , Purinas , Transducción de Señal , Purinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Bacterias/metabolismo , Bacterias/genética , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/genética , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario

RESUMEN

SUMMARYNucleotide-derived second messengers are present in all domains of life. In prokaryotes, most of their functionality is associated with general lifestyle and metabolic adaptations, often in response to environmental fluctuations of physical parameters. In the last two decades, cyclic di-AMP has emerged as an important signaling nucleotide in many prokaryotic lineages, including Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. Its importance is highlighted by the fact that both the lack and overproduction of cyclic di-AMP affect viability of prokaryotes that utilize cyclic di-AMP, and that it generates a strong innate immune response in eukaryotes. In bacteria that produce the second messenger, most molecular targets of cyclic di-AMP are associated with cell volume control. Besides, other evidence links the second messenger to cell wall remodeling, DNA damage repair, sporulation, central metabolism, and the regulation of glycogen turnover. In this review, we take a biochemical, quantitative approach to address the main cellular processes that are directly regulated by cyclic di-AMP and show that these processes are very connected and require regulation of a similar set of proteins to which cyclic di-AMP binds. Altogether, we argue that cyclic di-AMP is a master regulator of cell volume and that other cellular processes can be connected with cyclic di-AMP through this core function. We further highlight important directions in which the cyclic di-AMP field has to develop to gain a full understanding of the cyclic di-AMP signaling network and why some processes are regulated, while others are not.

Asunto(s)

Bacterias , Bacterias/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Transducción de Señal , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Fosfatos de Dinucleósidos/metabolismo , Pared Celular/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Plants adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions by adjusting their metabolism and gene expression to maintain fitness1. In legumes, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by balancing nitrogen acquired from soil resources with nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria in root nodules2-8. Here we show that zinc, an essential plant micronutrient, acts as an intracellular second messenger that connects environmental changes to transcription factor control of metabolic activity in root nodules. We identify a transcriptional regulator, FIXATION UNDER NITRATE (FUN), which acts as a sensor, with zinc controlling the transition between an inactive filamentous megastructure and an active transcriptional regulator. Lower zinc concentrations in the nodule, which we show occur in response to higher levels of soil nitrate, dissociates the filament and activates FUN. FUN then directly targets multiple pathways to initiate breakdown of the nodule. The zinc-dependent filamentation mechanism thus establishes a concentration readout to adapt nodule function to the environmental nitrogen conditions. In a wider perspective, these results have implications for understanding the roles of metal ions in integration of environmental signals with plant development and optimizing delivery of fixed nitrogen in legume crops.

Asunto(s)

Lotus , Fijación del Nitrógeno , Proteínas de Plantas , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Factores de Transcripción , Zinc , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Lotus/genética , Lotus/metabolismo , Lotus/microbiología , Nitratos/metabolismo , Nitrógeno/metabolismo , Fijación del Nitrógeno/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Nódulos de las Raíces de las Plantas/genética , Nódulos de las Raíces de las Plantas/metabolismo , Simbiosis , Factores de Transcripción/química , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Zinc/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Monitoring changes of signaling molecules and metabolites with high temporal resolution is key to understanding dynamic biological systems. Here, we use directed evolution to develop a genetically encoded ratiometric biosensor for c-di-GMP, a ubiquitous bacterial second messenger regulating important biological processes like motility, surface attachment, virulence and persistence. The resulting biosensor, cdGreen2, faithfully tracks c-di-GMP in single cells and with high temporal resolution over extended imaging times, making it possible to resolve regulatory networks driving bimodal developmental programs in different bacterial model organisms. We further adopt cdGreen2 as a simple tool for in vitro studies, facilitating high-throughput screens for compounds interfering with c-di-GMP signaling and biofilm formation. The sensitivity and versatility of cdGreen2 could help reveal c-di-GMP dynamics in a broad range of microorganisms with high temporal resolution. Its design principles could also serve as a blueprint for the development of similar, orthogonal biosensors for other signaling molecules, metabolites and antibiotics.

Asunto(s)

Biopelículas , Técnicas Biosensibles , GMP Cíclico , Técnicas Biosensibles/métodos , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Transducción de Señal , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/genética , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario

RESUMEN

Calcium serves as a widespread second messenger in almost every human and animal cell. The regulation of various cellular processes, such as transcriptional control and the kinetics of membrane channels, is significantly influenced by intracellular calcium ions (Ca 2 + ), and linkages between Ca 2 + and other second messengers should activate signaling networks. The passage of ions across the cell membrane regulates Ca 2 + levels in pancreatic ß -cells and requires the coordinated interaction of various ion transport mechanisms and organelles. The signaling of Ca 2 + in ß -cells and its interactions with the intracellular dynamics of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is poorly understood. Therefore, the current investigation proposes a mathematical model to illustrate the spatiotemporal dynamical interaction between Ca 2 + and cAMP. In order to construct a one-dimensional mathematical model, the fundamental initial and boundary conditions derived from the physiological characteristics of the ß -cell are incorporated. The numerical results were obtained by MATLAB simulations using the finite element method and the Crank-Nicolson method. The current study aims to offer an update on regulation between Ca 2 + and cAMP signaling circuits, with a focus on interactions that occur in localized areas of the ß -cell. The model gives the individual effect of each parameter on the regulation of Ca 2 + and cAMP profiles in a ß -cell. Evidently, impairments in the regulation of messenger pathways contribute to the pathological conditions, as demonstrated by the results obtained.

Asunto(s)

Calcio , AMP Cíclico , Células Secretoras de Insulina , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Células Secretoras de Insulina/metabolismo , Humanos , Calcio/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario/fisiología , Modelos Biológicos , Animales , Señalización del Calcio/fisiología

RESUMEN

The rhizosphere system of plants hosts a diverse consortium of bacteria that confer beneficial effects on plant, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), biocontrol agents with disease-suppression activities, and symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria with the formation of root nodule. Efficient colonization in planta is of fundamental importance for promoting of these beneficial activities. However, the process of root colonization is complex, consisting of multiple stages, including chemotaxis, adhesion, aggregation, and biofilm formation. The secondary messenger, c-di-GMP (cyclic bis-(3'-5') dimeric guanosine monophosphate), plays a key regulatory role in a variety of physiological processes. This paper reviews recent progress on the actions of c-di-GMP in plant beneficial bacteria, with a specific focus on its role in chemotaxis, biofilm formation, and nodulation.

Asunto(s)

Biopelículas , Quimiotaxis , GMP Cíclico , Raíces de Plantas , Plantas , Simbiosis , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plantas/microbiología , Raíces de Plantas/microbiología , Bacterias/metabolismo , Bacterias/genética , Rizosfera , Nodulación de la Raíz de la Planta , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Bacterianos , Microbiología del Suelo

RESUMEN

AIMS: Gene therapy with cardiac phosphodiesterases (PDEs), such as phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), has recently been described to effectively prevent heart failure (HF) in mice. However, exact molecular mechanisms of its beneficial effects, apart from general lowering of cardiomyocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, have not been elucidated. Here, we studied whether gene therapy with two types of PDEs, namely PDE2A and PDE4B, can prevent pressure-overload-induced HF in mice by acting on and restoring altered cAMP compartmentation in distinct subcellular microdomains. METHODS AND RESULTS: HF was induced by transverse aortic constriction followed by tail-vein injection of adeno-associated-virus type 9 vectors to overexpress PDE2A3, PDE4B3, or luciferase for 8 weeks. Heart morphology and function was assessed by echocardiography and histology which showed that PDE2A and especially PDE4B gene therapy could attenuate cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and decline of contractile function. Live cell imaging using targeted cAMP biosensors showed that PDE overexpression restored altered cAMP compartmentation in microdomains associated with ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and caveolin-rich plasma membrane. This was accompanied by ameliorated caveolin-3 decline after PDE2A3 overexpression, reduced RyR2 phosphorylation in PDE4B3 overexpressing hearts, and antiarrhythmic effects of both PDEs measured under isoproterenol stimulation in single cells. Strong association of overexpressed PDE4B but not PDE2A with RyR2 microdomain could prevent calcium leak and arrhythmias in human-induced pluripotent stem-derived cardiomyocytes with the A2254V mutation in RyR2 causing catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that gene therapy with phosphodiesterases can prevent HF including associated cardiac remodelling and arrhythmias by restoring altered cAMP compartmentation in functionally relevant subcellular microdomains.

Asunto(s)

AMP Cíclico , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 2 , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 4 , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Terapia Genética , Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Miocitos Cardíacos , Canal Liberador de Calcio Receptor de Rianodina , Animales , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/enzimología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/genética , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/terapia , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/fisiopatología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/metabolismo , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 2/metabolismo , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 2/genética , Miocitos Cardíacos/enzimología , Miocitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Miocitos Cardíacos/patología , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 4/metabolismo , Fosfodiesterasas de Nucleótidos Cíclicos Tipo 4/genética , Canal Liberador de Calcio Receptor de Rianodina/metabolismo , Canal Liberador de Calcio Receptor de Rianodina/genética , Humanos , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Masculino , Arritmias Cardíacas/enzimología , Arritmias Cardíacas/genética , Arritmias Cardíacas/metabolismo , Arritmias Cardíacas/fisiopatología , Arritmias Cardíacas/prevención & control , Remodelación Ventricular , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/enzimología , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario/efectos de los fármacos , Función Ventricular Izquierda , Señalización del Calcio , Fosforilación , Frecuencia Cardíaca

RESUMEN

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a cause of chronic respiratory tract infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Prolonged infection allows the accumulation of mutations and horizontal gene transfer, increasing the likelihood of adaptive phenotypic traits. Adaptation is proposed to arise first in bacterial populations colonizing upper airway environments. Here, we model this process using an experimental evolution approach. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, which is not airway adapted, was serially passaged, separately, in media chemically reflective of upper or lower airway environments. To explore whether the CF environment selects for unique traits, we separately passaged PAO1 in airway-mimicking media with or without CF-specific factors. Our findings demonstrated that all airway environments-sinus and lungs, under CF and non-CF conditions-selected for loss of twitching motility, increased resistance to multiple antibiotic classes, and a hyper-biofilm phenotype. These traits conferred increased airway colonization potential in an in vivo model. CF-like conditions exerted stronger selective pressures, leading to emergence of more pronounced phenotypes. Loss of twitching was associated with mutations in type IV pili genes. Type IV pili mediate surface attachment, twitching, and induction of cAMP signalling. We additionally identified multiple evolutionary routes to increased biofilm formation involving regulation of cyclic-di-GMP signalling. These included the loss of function mutations in bifA and dipA phosphodiesterase genes and activating mutations in the siaA phosphatase. These data highlight that airway environments select for traits associated with sessile lifestyles and suggest upper airway niches support emergence of phenotypes that promote establishment of lung infection.

Asunto(s)

Adaptación Fisiológica , Biopelículas , Infecciones por Pseudomonas , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/fisiología , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/microbiología , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Pulmón/microbiología , Fimbrias Bacterianas/genética , Fimbrias Bacterianas/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Fibrosis Quística/microbiología , Ratones , Humanos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , Mutación , Fenotipo

RESUMEN

AIMS: Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important complication of reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction, extremely compromising the cardiac benefits of revascularization; however, specific and efficient treatment for cardiac I/R injury is still lacking. Isthmin-1 (ISM1) is a novel adipokine and plays indispensable roles in regulating glycolipid metabolism and cell survival. The present study aims to investigate the potential role and molecular mechanism of ISM1 in cardiac I/R injury using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac-specific ISM1 overexpression and silence were achieved using an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 system, and then these mice were subjected to I/R surgery, followed by biochemical test, echocardiography and histopathologic examinations, etc. Meanwhile, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) with ISM1 silence or overexpression also received simulated I/R (sI/R) injury to further verify its role in vitro. The potential downstream pathways and molecular targets of ISM1 were screened by RNA sequencing. We also treated injured mice and NRCMs with recombinant ISM1 (rISM1) to explore whether supplementation with ISM1 was sufficient to protect against I/R injury. Furthermore, acute myocardial infarction patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and paired healthy controls were included to reveal the clinical relevance of circulating ISM1. Cardiac-specific ISM1 silencing aggravated while ISM1 overexpression alleviated I/R-induced acute cardiac injury and cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. Mechanistically, ISM1 targeted αvß5 integrin to facilitate the nuclear accumulation of nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha, transcriptionally increased soluble guanylyl cyclase beta subunit expression, and eventually enhanced cGMP generation. Besides, we confirmed that treatment with rISM1 before or after reperfusion could confer cardioprotective effects in mice. Clinically, lower ISM1 levels post-PCI was associated with worse outcome in patients. CONCLUSION: ISM1 can protect against cardiac I/R injury through cGMP-PKG signalling pathway, and it is a promising therapeutic and predictive target of cardiac I/R injury.

Asunto(s)

GMP Cíclico , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica , Miocitos Cardíacos , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/patología , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/metabolismo , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/genética , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/prevención & control , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/fisiopatología , Miocitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Miocitos Cardíacos/patología , Humanos , Masculino , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Adipoquinas/metabolismo , Adipoquinas/genética , Función Ventricular Izquierda , Infarto del Miocardio/metabolismo , Infarto del Miocardio/patología , Infarto del Miocardio/genética , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Remodelación Ventricular , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Ratones , Proteínas de la Membrana

RESUMEN

Bis (3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger that controls several metabolic pathways in bacteria. In Streptomyces, c-di-GMP is associated with morphological differentiation, which is related to secondary metabolite production. In this study, we identified and characterized a diguanylate cyclase (DGC), CdgB, from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes 1628, which may be involved in c-di-GMP synthesis, through genetic and biochemical analyses. To further investigate the role of CdgB, the cdgB-deleted mutant strain Δ-cdgB and the cdgB-overexpressing mutant strain O-cdgB were constructed by genetic engineering. A phenotypic analysis revealed that the O-cdgB colonies exhibited reduced mycelium formation, whereas the Δ-cdgB colonies displayed wrinkled surfaces and shriveled mycelia. Notably, O-cdgB demonstrated a significant increase in the toyocamycin (TM) yield by 47.3%, from 253 to 374 mg/L, within 10 days. This increase was accompanied by a 6.7% elevation in the intracellular concentration of c-di-GMP and a higher transcriptional level of the toy cluster within four days. Conversely, Δ-cdgB showed a lower c-di-GMP concentration (reduced by 6.2%) in vivo and a reduced toyocamycin production (decreased by 28.9%, from 253 to 180 mg/L) after 10 days. In addition, S. diastatochromogenes 1628 exhibited a slightly higher inhibitory effect against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and Rhizoctonia solani compared to Δ-cdgB, but a lower inhibition rate than that of O-cdgB. The results imply that CdgB provides a foundational function for metabolism and the activation of secondary metabolism in S. diastatochromogenes 1628.

Asunto(s)

Streptomyces , Toyocamicina , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Ingeniería Genética , Streptomyces/genética

RESUMEN

The physiological and molecular responses of leukocytes are altered by organophosphate pesticides. Some reports have shown that diazinon causes immunotoxic effects; diazoxon, the oxon metabolite of diazinon, is attributed to influence the immune response by affecting the leukocyte cholinergic system. In this study, the in vitro effects of diazoxon on molecules involved in cell signaling (cAMP, IP3, DAG, JAK1, and STAT3), which play a crucial role in the activation, differentiation, and survival of leukocytes, were evaluated. Data indicate that diazoxon leads to a decrease in cAMP concentration and an increase in basal IP3 levels. However, diazoxon does not affect basal levels of JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Instead, diazoxon inhibits leukocyte responsiveness to phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin, substances that, under normal conditions, enhance JAK/STAT signaling. These findings demonstrate that diazoxon significantly affects key molecular parameters related to cell signaling.

Asunto(s)

Leucocitos , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Leucocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Leucocitos/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario/efectos de los fármacos , Factor de Transcripción STAT3/metabolismo , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/farmacología , Janus Quinasa 1/metabolismo , Fosforilación/efectos de los fármacos , Ionomicina/farmacología , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Insecticidas/farmacología , Compuestos Organofosforados

RESUMEN

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are cyclic molecules consisting of two nucleoside monophosphates linked by two phosphodiester bonds, which act as a second messenger and bind to the interferon gene stimulating factor (STING) to activate the downstream signaling pathway and ultimately induce interferon secretion, initiating an anti-infective immune response. Cyclic dinucleotides and their analogs are lead compounds in the immunotherapy of infectious diseases and tumors, as well as immune adjuvants with promising applications. Many agonists of pathogen recognition receptors have been developed as effective adjuvants to optimize vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. In this work, the binding mechanism of human-derived interferon gene-stimulating protein and its isoforms with cyclic dinucleotides and their analogs was theoretically investigated using computer simulations and combined with experimental results in the hope of providing guidance for the subsequent synthesis of cyclic dinucleotide analogs.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas de la Membrana , Nucleótidos Cíclicos , Humanos , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Interferones , Transducción de Señal , Adyuvantes Inmunológicos

RESUMEN

CRISPR-Cas provides adaptive immunity in prokaryotes. Type III CRISPR systems detect invading RNA and activate the catalytic Cas10 subunit, which generates a range of nucleotide second messengers to signal infection. These molecules bind and activate a diverse range of effector proteins that provide immunity by degrading viral components and/or by disturbing key aspects of cellular metabolism to slow down viral replication. Here, we focus on the uncharacterised effector Csx23, which is widespread in Vibrio cholerae. Csx23 provides immunity against plasmids and phage when expressed in Escherichia coli along with its cognate type III CRISPR system. The Csx23 protein localises in the membrane using an N-terminal transmembrane α-helical domain and has a cytoplasmic C-terminal domain that binds cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA4), activating its defence function. Structural studies reveal a tetrameric structure with a novel fold that binds cA4 specifically. Using pulse EPR, we demonstrate that cA4 binding to the cytoplasmic domain of Csx23 results in a major perturbation of the transmembrane domain, consistent with the opening of a pore and/or disruption of membrane integrity. This work reveals a new class of cyclic nucleotide binding protein and provides key mechanistic detail on a membrane-associated CRISPR effector.

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Many anti-viral defence systems generate a cyclic nucleotide signal that activates cellular defences in response to infection. Type III CRISPR systems use a specialised polymerase to make cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) molecules from ATP. These can bind and activate a range of effector proteins that slow down viral replication. In this study, we focussed on the Csx23 effector from the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae ­ a trans-membrane protein that binds a cOA molecule, leading to anti-viral immunity. Structural studies revealed a new class of nucleotide recognition domain, where cOA binding is transmitted to changes in the trans-membrane domain, most likely resulting in membrane depolarisation. This study highlights the diversity of mechanisms for anti-viral defence via nucleotide signalling.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas Bacterianas , Proteínas Asociadas a CRISPR , Vibrio cholerae , Nucleótidos de Adenina/metabolismo , Proteínas Asociadas a CRISPR/metabolismo , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Nucleótidos Cíclicos , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Vibrio cholerae/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger known to orchestrate a myriad of cellular functions over a wide range of timescales. In the last 20 years, a variety of single-cell sensors have been developed to measure second messenger signals including cAMP, Ca2+, and the balance of kinase and phosphatase activities. These sensors utilize changes in fluorescence emission of an individual fluorophore or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in second messenger concentration. cAMP and kinase activity reporter probes have provided powerful tools for the study of localized signals. Studies relying on these and related probes have the potential to further revolutionize our understanding of G protein-coupled receptor signaling systems. Unfortunately, investigators have not been able to take full advantage of the potential of these probes due to the limited signal-to-noise ratio of the probes and the limited ability of standard epifluorescence and confocal microscope systems to simultaneously measure the distributions of multiple signals (e.g. cAMP, Ca2+, and changes in kinase activities) in real time. In this review, we focus on recently implemented strategies to overcome these limitations: hyperspectral imaging and adaptive thresholding approaches to track dynamic regions of interest (ROI). This combination of approaches increases signal-to-noise ratio and contrast, and allows identification of localized signals throughout cells. These in turn lead to the identification and quantification of intracellular signals with higher effective resolution. Hyperspectral imaging and dynamic ROI tracking approaches offer investigators additional tools with which to visualize and quantify multiplexed intracellular signaling systems.

Asunto(s)

Calcio , Imágenes Hiperespectrales , AMP Cíclico , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Transducción de Señal , Transferencia Resonante de Energía de Fluorescencia/métodos

RESUMEN

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are bacterial macromolecular complexes that secrete effectors into target cells or the extracellular environment, leading to the demise of adjacent cells and providing a survival advantage. Although studies have shown that the T6SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is regulated by the Quorum Sensing system and second messenger c-di-GMP, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that the c-di-GMP-binding adaptor protein PA0012 has a repressive effect on the expression of the T6SS HSI-I genes in P. aeruginosa PAO1. To probe the mechanism by which PA0012 (renamed TssZ, Type Six Secretion System -associated PilZ protein) regulates the expression of HSI-I genes, we conducted yeast two-hybrid screening and identified HinK, a LasR-type transcriptional regulator, as the binding partner of TssZ. The protein-protein interaction between HinK and TssZ was confirmed through co-immunoprecipitation assays. Further analysis suggested that the HinK-TssZ interaction was weakened at high c-di-GMP concentrations, contrary to the current paradigm wherein c-di-GMP enhances the interaction between PilZ proteins and their partners. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the non-c-di-GMP-binding mutant TssZR5A/R9A interacts directly with HinK and prevents it from binding to the promoter of the quorum-sensing regulator pqsR. The functional connection between TssZ and HinK is further supported by observations that TssZ and HinK impact the swarming motility, pyocyanin production, and T6SS-mediated bacterial killing activity of P. aeruginosa in a PqsR-dependent manner. Together, these results unveil a novel regulatory mechanism wherein TssZ functions as an inhibitor that interacts with HinK to control gene expression.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas Bacterianas , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Transcripción Genética , Sistemas de Secreción Tipo VI , Proteínas Bacterianas/química , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Ensayo de Cambio de Movilidad Electroforética , Inmunoprecipitación , Mutación , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Unión Proteica , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Piocianina/metabolismo , Percepción de Quorum , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Técnicas del Sistema de Dos Híbridos , Sistemas de Secreción Tipo VI/genética , Sistemas de Secreción Tipo VI/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Rapid conversion of force into a biological signal enables living cells to respond to mechanical forces in their environment. The force is believed to initially affect the plasma membrane and then alter the behavior of membrane proteins. Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is a mechanosensitive enzyme that is regulated by a structured membrane-lipid site comprised of cholesterol and saturated ganglioside (GM1). Here we show stretch activation of TWIK-related K+ channel (TREK-1) is mechanically evoked by PLD2 and spatial patterning involving ordered GM1 and 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) clusters in mammalian cells. First, mechanical force deforms the ordered lipids, which disrupts the interaction of PLD2 with the GM1 lipids and allows a complex of TREK-1 and PLD2 to associate with PIP2 clusters. The association with PIP2 activates the enzyme, which produces the second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) that gates the channel. Co-expression of catalytically inactive PLD2 inhibits TREK-1 stretch currents in a biological membrane. Cellular uptake of cholesterol inhibits TREK-1 currents in culture and depletion of cholesterol from astrocytes releases TREK-1 from GM1 lipids in mouse brain. Depletion of the PLD2 ortholog in flies results in hypersensitivity to mechanical force. We conclude PLD2 mechanosensitivity combines with TREK-1 ion permeability to elicit a mechanically evoked response.

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"Ouch!": you have just stabbed your little toe on the sharp corner of a coffee table. That painful sensation stems from nerve cells converting information about external forces into electric signals the brain can interpret. Increasingly, new evidence is suggesting that this process may be starting at fat-based structures within the membrane of these cells. The cell membrane is formed of two interconnected, flexible sheets of lipids in which embedded structures or molecules are free to move. This organisation allows the membrane to physically respond to external forces and, in turn, to set in motion chains of molecular events that help fine-tune how cells relay such information to the brain. For instance, an enzyme known as PLD2 is bound to lipid rafts ­ precisely arranged, rigid fatty 'clumps' in the membrane that are partly formed of cholesterol. PLD2 has also been shown to physically interact with and then activate the ion channel TREK-1, a membrane-based protein that helps to prevent nerve cells from relaying pain signals. However, the exact mechanism underpinning these interactions is difficult to study due to the nature and size of the molecules involved. To address this question, Petersen et al. combined a technology called super-resolution imaging with a new approach that allowed them to observe how membrane lipids respond to pressure and fluid shear. The experiments showed that mechanical forces disrupt the careful arrangement of lipid rafts, causing PLD2 and TREK-1 to be released. They can then move through the surrounding membrane where they reach a switch that turns on TREK-1. Further work revealed that the levels of cholesterol available to mouse cells directly influenced how the clumps could form and bind to PLD2, and in turn, dialled up and down the protective signal mediated by TREK-1. Overall, the study by Petersen et al. shows that the membrane of nerve cells can contain cholesterol-based 'fat sensors' that help to detect external forces and participate in pain regulation. By dissecting these processes, it may be possible to better understand and treat conditions such as diabetes and lupus, which are associated with both pain sensitivity and elevated levels of cholesterol in tissues.

Asunto(s)

Gangliósido G(M1) , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Ratones , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Membrana Celular , Colesterol , Mamíferos

RESUMEN

Efficient quorum sensing (QS) response is the premise for recovering the activities of stored aerobic granular sludge (AGS). This study aims to explore the crosstalk between the secondary messenger and the N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to yield protein-rich granules efficiently from stored AGS by enhancing its QS efficiency selectively. 80 nmol/L cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) with 20 nmol/L AHLs could increase the activity of isocitrate lyase activity (ICD) by 89 % and isocitrate dehydrogenase activity (ICDHc) by 113.5 %, to accelerate the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for yielding excess proteins by 166.4 %. In contrast, 80 nmol/L autoinducer-2 (AI-2) with 20 nmol/L AHLs could increase the activities of ICD and ICDHc by 485 % and 54.5 %, respectively, accelerating the glyoxylate (GCA) cycle to activate fat acid synthesis for stimulating polysaccharides (PS) secretion by 137.9 %. The strategy with c-di-GMP successfully recovers the refrigerated-stored and dried-stored AGS into proteins-rich AGS, with enriched functional strains for the PN secretion.

Asunto(s)

Acil-Butirolactonas , Homoserina/análogos & derivados , Aguas del Alcantarillado , Acil-Butirolactonas/metabolismo , Percepción de Quorum , Lactonas , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Oligoribonuclease (orn) of P. aeruginosa is a highly conserved exonuclease, which can regulate the global gene expression levels of bacteria through regulation of both the nanoRNA and c-di-GMP. NanoRNA can regulate the expression of the bacterial global genome as a transcription initiator, and c-di-GMP is the most widely second messenger in bacterial cells. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to elucidate on the regulation by orn on pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa. METHODS: P. aeruginosa with orn deletion was constructed by suicide plasmid homologous recombination method. The possible regulatory process of orn was analyzed by TMT quantitative labeling proteomics. Then experiments were conducted to verify the changes of Δorn on bacterial motility, virulence and biofilm formation. Bacterial pathogenicity was further detected in cell and animal skin trauma models. ELISA detection c-di-GMP concentration and colony aggregation and biofilm formation were observed by scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: orn deletion changed the global metabolism of P. aeruginosa and reduced intracellular energy metabolism. It leads to the disorder of the quorum sensing system, the reduction of bacterial motility and virulence factors pyocyanin and rhamnolipids. But, orn deletion enhanced pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo, a high level of c-di-GMP and biofilm development of P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: orn regulates the ability of P. aeruginosa to adapt to the external environment.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas Bacterianas , Exorribonucleasas , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Humanos , Animales , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Sistemas de Mensajero Secundario , Biopelículas , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica