Biological activity and identification of a peptide inhibitor of LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2

The virulence of bacterial communities may be regulated by mechanisms involving the synthesis of the quorum-sensing signal autoinducer 2 (AI-2), which allows both intra- and interspecies communication. AI-2 is produced in bacteria that express the gene luxS . In the present study, expressed and purified LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) was used to catalyze the substrate S -ribosylhomocysteine in a reaction that leads to the production of AI-2. The biological activity of the in vitro synthesized AI-2 was demonstrated in a Vibrio harveyi strain BB170 bioassay; real-time PCR results showed that biosynthesis of AI-2 can increase the virulence of SS2. Phage-encoded peptides that specifically interact with the LuxS enzyme were selected following three rounds of phage display. One such peptide inhibitor (TNRHNPHHLHHV) of LuxS was shown to partially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Furthermore, 14 peptides containing the consensus sequence HSIR showed high affinity with LuxS. The selected and characterized specific inhibitor as well as the high-affinity ligands may facilitate the identification of new vaccination targets, opening up new approaches to the development of therapeutic drugs.     

2型猪链球菌Fbps基因敲除突变体的构建及毒力分析

目的:敲除2型猪链球菌(SS2)强毒株05ZYH33中的Fbps基因,研究该基因敲除对菌株生物活性及毒力的影响,为深入探讨猪链球菌致病机制提供实验基础。方法:从05ZYH33基因组中扩增Fbps基因上、下游同源臂,从pSET1质粒中扩增氯霉素抗性基因Cm,通过重叠PCR的方法将3个片段整合后连接到温敏自杀载体pSET4s上,电转入05ZYH33感受态细胞,通过改变培养温度实现双交换和质粒丢失,最后经抗性筛选获得敲除株05ZYH33ΔFBPS,分析敲除株的生物学性状,以CD1小鼠作为体外感染模型对突变株和野生株进行毒力比较。结果:PCR分析和测序结果均显示Fbps基因敲除成功,动物实验结果显示Fbps基因敲除后05ZYH33的毒力有所下降。结论:与野生株相比,突变株对小鼠的毒力有所降低。     

Let LuxS speak up in AI-2 signaling

Quorum sensing is a process of bacterial cell-cell communication that uses small diffusible molecules to coordinate diverse behaviors in response to population density. The only quorum-sensing system shared by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria involves the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2). The AI-2 synthase LuxS is widely distributed among the Bacteria, which suggests that AI-2 is a language for interspecies communication. However, LuxS is also an integral component of the activated methyl cycle in bacteria. LuxS-based quorum sensing has been intensively studied in the past decade, mostly in relation to the AI-2 molecule and the downstream effects of luxS knockouts; few studies have focused on the gene and protein activity itself. Ongoing attempts to dissect the metabolic and signaling roles of LuxS leave little doubt that unraveling the regulation of luxS expression and cellular LuxS activity is the key to understanding LuxS-based quorum sensing.     

猪链球菌2型ABC转运蛋白gene0910敲除突变体的构建及活性分析

目的:构建猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis type 2)强毒株05ZYH3389K毒力岛上的ABC转运蛋白gene0910敲除突变体,并初步分析其活性,为进一步研究猪链球菌假想毒力因子在致病中的作用提供实验基础。方法:以猪链球菌2型05ZYH33基因组为模板,扩增gene0910两侧各约500bp左右的片段为上下游同源臂,以pSET1质粒为模板,扩增氯霉素抗性基因Cm为中间片段,采用重叠PCR方法搭建三个片段,并克隆到自杀载体pSET4S上,构建基因敲除的载体。电转化05ZYH33感受态细胞,经30℃双交换和40℃质粒丢失,最后点板法筛选出基因敲除突变体△0910。对突变株和野生株的生物学活性及小鼠的致病性进行了初步比较。结果:PCR分析和测序结果均显示gene0910完全被氯霉素抗性基因Cm所替代,基因敲除突变体构建成功。结论:突变株的生物学活性和对小鼠的致病性与野生株相比差异不显著。     

2型猪链球菌gene0969基因敲除突变体的构建及毒力分析

目的:构建2型猪链球菌强毒株05ZYH33毒力岛89K上的Ⅳ型分泌系统组分gene0969敲除突变体,初步分析其活性,为进一步研究猪链球菌假想毒力因子在致病中的作用提供实验基础。方法:以05ZYH33基因组为模板,PCR扩增gene0969基因的上下游片段;以穿梭质粒pSET1为模板,PCR扩增氯霉素抗性基因Cm;采用重叠PCR方法搭建3个片段,并克隆到自杀载体pSET4s上,构建基因敲除载体,通过同源重组构建gene0969突变体,再用小鼠感染模型对突变株和野生株的毒力进行比较。结果:获得了gene0969基因敲除突变体,并发现其毒力与野生型相比有下降趋势。结论:2型猪链球菌假想毒力因子gene0969可能与毒力有关,其作用和机制值得进一步分析。     

Identification of a key amino acid of LuxS involved in AI-2 production in Campylobacter jejuni

Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) mediated quorum sensing has been associated with the expression of virulence factors in a number of pathogenic organisms and has been demonstrated to play a role in motility and cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) production in Campylobacter jejuni. We have initiated the work to determine the molecular basis of AI-2 synthesis and the biological functions of quorum sensing in C. jejuni. In this work, two naturally occurring variants of C. jejuni 81116 were identified, one producing high-levels of AI-2 while the other is defective in AI-2 synthesis. Sequence analysis revealed a G92D mutation in the luxS gene of the defective variant. Complementation of the AI-2(-) variant with a plasmid encoded copy of the wild-type luxS gene or reversion of the G92D mutation by site-directed mutagenesis fully restored AI-2 production by the variant. These results indicate that the G92D mutation alone is responsible for the loss of AI-2 activity in C. jejuni. Kinetic analyses showed that the G92D LuxS has a ～100-fold reduced catalytic activity relative to the wild-type enzyme. Findings from this study identify a previously undescribed amino acid that is essential for AI-2 production by LuxS and provide a unique isogenic pair of naturally occurring variants for us to dissect the functions of AI-2 mediated quorum sensing in Campylobacter.     

猪链球菌2型05Z33强毒株转录调控因子Rgg基因敲除突变体的构建及毒力分析

目的:构建猪链球菌2型强毒株05ZYH33转录调控因子Rgg的基因敲除突变体,观察其生物学性状,并在动物感染实验中比较敲除株与野生株的毒力差异,为进一步研究猪链球菌转录调控因子在致病中的作用提供实验基础。方法:分别以猪链球菌2型05ZYH33基因组和pSET1质粒为模板,扩增基因SSU05_1997两侧各约500 bp的片段为上下游同源臂,氯霉素(Cm)抗性基因为中间片段,采用重叠PCR方法连接3个片段;连接产物先克隆到T载体上,再经过酶切克隆到温度敏感自杀载体pSET4S上;将构建的基因敲除载体pSET4S-1997电转化入05ZYH33感受态细胞,通过改变培养温度筛选出基因敲除突变体05Z33△rgg;对敲除株和野生株的生物学性状及小鼠和猪的致病性进行了初步比较。结果:PCR分析和测序结果均显示基因SSU05_1997完全被Cm抗性基因所替代,基因敲除突变体构建成功;05ZYH33△rgg对小鼠和猪的致病性与野生株相比无明显差异。结论:转录调控因子Rgg可能和猪链球菌2型的毒力无关。     

猪链球菌2型唾液酸合成酶neu B基因敲除突变株的构建及其生物学特性

利用同源重组基因敲除方法构建猪链球菌2型强毒株05ZYH33唾液酸合成酶neuB基因敲除突变株。PCR和Southern杂交结果均显示neuB基因在1株转化重组体中完全被壮观霉素抗性基因替代, 表明neuB基因敲除突变体构建成功。生物学特性鉴定显示, 突变体与强毒株在菌落形态、溶血活性以及染色特性方面均无明显差异; 电镜检查发现突变体表面结构组分与强毒株有显著差异, 荚膜明显变薄, 质地更加紧密; 小鼠致病性试验结果显示, 突变体毒力显著减弱。研究结果提示菌体荚膜中的唾液酸对于猪链球菌2型侵袭和致病具有重要作用。     

The impact of mutations in the quorum sensing systems of Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio harveyi on their virulence towards gnotobiotically cultured Artemia franciscana

Disruption of quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication by means of small signal molecules, has been suggested as a new anti-infective strategy for aquaculture. However, data about the impact of quorum sensing on the virulence of aquatic pathogens are scarce. In this study, a model system using gnotobiotically cultured Artemia franciscana was developed in order to determine the impact of mutations in the quorum sensing systems of Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio anguillarum and V. harveyi on their virulence. Mutations in the autoinducer 2 (AI-2) synthase gene luxS, the AI-2 receptor gene luxP or the response regulator gene luxO of the dual channel quorum sensing system of V. harveyi abolished virulence of the strain towards Artemia. Moreover, the addition of an exogenous source of AI-2 could restore the virulence of an AI-2 non-producing mutant. In contrast, none of the mutations in either the acylated homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated component of the V. harveyi system or the quorum sensing systems of Ae. hydrophila and V. anguillarum had an impact on virulence of these bacteria towards Artemia. Our results indicate that disruption of quorum sensing could be a good alternative strategy to combat infections caused by V. harveyi.     

A structural genomics approach to the study of quorum sensing: crystal structures of three LuxS orthologs.

BACKGROUND: Quorum sensing is the mechanism by which bacteria control gene expression in response to cell density. Two major quorum-sensing systems have been identified, system 1 and system 2, each with a characteristic signaling molecule (autoinducer-1, or AI-1, in the case of system 1, and AI-2 in system 2). The luxS gene is required for the AI-2 system of quorum sensing. LuxS and AI-2 have been described in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species and have been shown to be involved in the expression of virulence genes in several pathogens. RESULTS: The structure of the LuxS protein from three different bacterial species with resolutions ranging from 1.8 A to 2.4 A has been solved using an X-ray crystallographic structural genomics approach. The structure of LuxS reported here is seen to have a new alpha-beta fold. In all structures, an equivalent homodimer is observed. A metal ion identified as zinc was seen bound to a Cys-His-His triad. Methionine was found bound to the protein near the metal and at the dimer interface. CONCLUSIONS: These structures provide support for a hypothesis that explains the in vivo action of LuxS. Specifically, acting as a homodimer, the protein binds a methionine analog, S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH). The zinc atom is in position to cleave the ribose ring in a step along the synthesis pathway of AI-2.     

高致病性2型猪链球菌截短型类枯草杆菌丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的鉴定和功能研究

【目的】克隆表达高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33株的SspA截短型基因,验证其是否具有酶学活性,并构建该基因的缺失突变株细菌,探讨其在2型猪链球菌致病过程中所起的作用【。方法】构建SS2的SspA截短型基因05SSU0811原核表达质粒,表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,运用丝氨酸蛋白酶底物Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide(pNa),通过显色反应检测表达产物的酶学活性;运用同源重组技术敲除05SSU0811基因,多重交叉PCR筛选敲除株并测序鉴定,动物试验分析05SSU0811基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】成功表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,浓度约为3.5 g/L。丝氨酸蛋白酶活性测定试验证实其具有酶学活性;获得05SSU0811基因缺失突变株,小鼠攻毒试验表明,野生株攻毒的20只小鼠全部死亡,基因缺失突变株攻毒组死亡9只,死亡率45%,两组间死亡率有显著性差异。表明05SSU0811基因缺失的菌株毒力较野生株明显下降。【结论】05SSU0811基因编码的截短型丝氨酸蛋白酶仍然具有酶学活性,SS2的截短型基因SspA在高致病性2型猪链球菌的致病性方面具有一定作用。     

The role of luxS in the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora is limited to metabolism and does not involve quorum sensing

Erwinia amylovora is a gram-negative phytopathogen that causes fire blight of pome fruit and related members of the family Rosaceae. We sequenced the putative autoinducer-2 (AI-2) synthase gene luxS from E. amylovora. Diversity analysis indicated that this gene is extremely conserved among E. amylovora strains. Quorum sensing mediated by LuxS has been implicated in coordinated gene expression, growth, and virulence in other enterobacteria; however, our evidence suggests this is not the function in E. amylovora. Mutational analysis pointed to a role in colonization of apple blossoms, the primary infection court for fire blight, although little if any role in virulence on apple shoots and pear fruit was observed. Expression of key virulence genes hrpL and dspA/E was reduced in mutants of two E. amylovora strains. Stronger effects on gene expression were observed for metabolic genes involved in the activated methyl cycle with mutants having greater levels of expression. No quorum-sensing effect was observed in coculture experiments with wild-type and mutant strains either in vitro or in apple blossoms. Known receptors essential for AI-2 quorum sensing, the LuxPQ sensor kinase or the Lsr ABC-transporter, are absent in E. amylovora, further suggesting a primarily metabolic role for luxS in this bacterium.     

AI-3 synthesis is not dependent on luxS in Escherichia coli

The quorum-sensing (QS) signal autoinducer-2 (AI-2) has been proposed to promote interspecies signaling in a broad range of bacterial species. AI-2 is spontaneously derived from 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione that, along with homocysteine, is produced by cleavage of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and S-ribosylhomocysteine by the Pfs and LuxS enzymes. Numerous phenotypes have been attributed to AI-2 QS signaling using luxS mutants. We have previously reported that the luxS mutation also affects the synthesis of the AI-3 autoinducer that activates enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli virulence genes. Here we show that several species of bacteria synthesize AI-3, suggesting a possible role in interspecies bacterial communication. The luxS mutation leaves the cell with only one pathway, involving oxaloacetate and l-glutamate, for de novo synthesis of homocysteine. The exclusive use of this pathway for homocysteine production appears to alter metabolism in the luxS mutant, leading to decreased levels of AI-3. The addition of aspartate and expression of an aromatic amino acid transporter, as well as a tyrosine-specific transporter, restored AI-3-dependent phenotypes in an luxS mutant. The defect in AI-3 production, but not in AI-2 production, in the luxS mutant was restored by expressing the Pseudomonas aeruginosa S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase that synthesizes homocysteine directly from SAH. Furthermore, phenotype microarrays revealed that the luxS mutation caused numerous metabolic deficiencies, while AI-3 signaling had little effect on metabolism. This study examines how AI-3 production is affected by the luxS mutation and explores the roles of the LuxS/AI-2 system in metabolism and QS.     

粤蓝链霉菌榴菌素生物合成基因orf20的功能

【目的】在大肠杆菌中,转录因子SoxR作为胞内氧化还原感应器,参与抗氧化胁迫的全局性调控。粤蓝链霉菌榴菌素生物合成基因簇内存在一个类soxR基因orf20,但其生理功能仍不清楚。【方法】将orf20基因在大肠杆菌中进行表达,分析携带重组质粒的大肠杆菌对百草枯抗性的变化。同时通过修改后的PCR-targeting方法构建粤蓝链霉菌orf20删除的突变株,分析突变株的表型变化和对百草枯抗性水平的变化。【结果】重组ORF20在羧基端含有组氨酸标签,并在大肠杆菌中获得可溶性表达,携带重组质粒pET28b-orf20的大肠杆菌对百草枯的抗性水平显著提高。粤蓝链霉菌orf20删除突变株仍具有产孢能力,生长特性没有改变,对百草枯的抗性水平也没有变化,但榴菌素的产量大幅提高,是野生株的3.3倍。【结论】在大肠杆菌中,orf20基因的编码产物能够被百草枯激活,替代SoxR参与抗氧化胁迫的调控。在粤蓝链霉菌中,orf20基因不参与抗氧化胁迫,而对榴菌素的产生有负调控效应。     

高致病性2型猪链球菌plcR基因敲除株的构建及其相关生物学特性的研究

【目的】构建高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33菌株plcR基因敲除株,通过比较突变株与野生株生物学特性的差异,研究plcR基因在2型猪链球菌致病过程中的作用。【方法】利用同源重组技术敲除plcR基因,多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR鉴定并测序验证。比较野生株与突变株基本生物学特性的差异,小鼠攻毒实验分析plcR基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】经RT-PCR证实05SSU0241与05SSU0242共转录,通过多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR证实成功构建plcR基因缺失突变株,基本生物学特性显示突变株的生长速率、菌落形态、溶血活性均无显著改变,小鼠致病性试验结果显示,野生株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为70%,突变株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为40%,毒力较野生株显著降低。【结论】plcR基因作为2型猪链球菌有毒株基因组中特有的外源基因,在细菌致病过程中具有重要作用。