Global transcriptional analysis of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 after inactivation of flagella biosynthesis regulator FlhF
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ABSTRACT: Campylobacter jejuni produces a single flagellum on one or both poles of the cell, the polar flagella not only confer the bacterium darting motility but also involved in its virulence and metabolic processes. FlhF is a lately defined flagella biosynthesis regulator, but how it regulates flagella assembly isn’t clear at present. Previous research had indicated FlhF was associated with gene expression, to understanding its role in flagella system and its correlation with C. jejuni virulence, the global gene expression profiles of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 after inactivation of FlhF was analyzed. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ten genes were significantly differentially expressed with 6 down-regulated and 4 up-regulated, these genes are involved in diverse cellular functions including bacterial chemotaxis, flagellar assembly and two-component system, significance analysis revealed that the pathway of flagellar assembly was remarkable affected. Further studies were focused on the flagella system, FlhF was found play a global role as 63% (41/65) of the flagella genes were down-regulated, it influences flagella gene transcription from the early stage, this effect persists during the synthesis process and has a remarkable impact on the late part. The results above expand our cognition of this regulator, and also helpful for comprehensively and systematically reveal its role in flagella system.
Project description:We examined two variants of the genome-sequenced strain, Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168, which show marked differences in their virulence properties including colonization of poultry, invasion of Caco-2 cells, and motility. Transcript profiles obtained from whole genome DNA microarrays and proteome analyses demonstrated that these differences are reflected in late flagellar structural components and in virulence factors including those involved in flagellar glycosylation, and cytolethal distending toxin production. We identified putative s28 and s54 promoters for many of the affected genes, and found that greater differences in expression were observed for s28-controlled genes. Inactivation of the gene encoding s28, fliA, resulted in an unexpected increase in transcripts with s54 promoters, as well as decreased transcription of s28-regulated genes. This was unlike the transcription profile observed for the attenuated C. jejuni variant, suggesting that the reduced virulence of this organism was not entirely due to impaired function of s28. However, inactivation of flhA, an important component of the flagellar export apparatus, resulted in expression patterns similar to that of the attenuated variant. These findings indicate that the flagellar regulatory system plays an important role in campylobacter pathogenesis and that flhA is a key element involved in the coordinate regulation of late flagellar genes and of virulence factors in C. jejuni. Furthermore, we provide a model for flagellar regulation, which forms a foundation for the study of the unique regulatory networks in this important human pathogen. Keywords: parallel sample
Project description:For the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the presence of N-glycosylated proteins on the surface of two flagella is crucial for both cell-cell interaction during mating and flagellar surface adhesion. However, it is not known whether only the presence or also the composition of N-glycans attached to respective proteins is important for these processes. To this end, we tested several C. reinhardtii insertional mutants and a CRIPSR/Cas9 knockout mutant of xylosyltransferase 1A, all possessing altered N-glycan compositions. Taking advantage of atomic force microscopy and micropipette force measurements, our data revealed that reduction in N-glycan complexity impedes the adhesion force required for binding the flagella to surfaces as demonstrated by force spectroscopy and impairs polystyrene bead binding and transport. Notably, assembly, Intraflagellar Transport and FMG-1B transport into flagella are not affected by altered N-glycosylation. Thus, we conclude that proper N-glycosylation of flagellar proteins is crucial for adhering C. reinhardtii cells onto surfaces, indicating that N-glycans mediate surface adhesion via direct surface contact. Data deposited here include IS-CID data verifying altered N-glycan patterns in flagella of mutants analysed (Ursgal-SugarPy-flagella-IM-results.xls) as well as the N-glycoproteomic characterization of the novel CRISPRXylT1A mutant (Ursgal-SugarPy-CIRSPR-mutant-results.xls). Regarding the latter, PRM measurements verifying the knock out of XylT1A are also deposited here (Results_PRM-measurement_quantification_GT.xls). Further, label free quantification data on isolated flagella of original IM strains verifying that altered N-glycosylation does not impact flagellar protein localization can be found within this dataset (Flagella_IM-WT_ normalized_5_proteins.pdResult).
Project description:Major foodborne bacterial pathogens, such as Campylobacter jejuni, have devised complex strategies to establish and foster intestinal infections. For more than two decades researchers have used immortalized cell lines derived from human intestinal tissue to dissect C. jejuni-host cell interactions. Known from these studies is that C. jejuni virulence is multifactorial, requiring a coordinated response to produce virulence factors that facilitate the bacterium’s host-cell interactions. This study was initiated to identify C. jejuni proteins that contribute to adaptation to the host cell environment and cellular invasion. We demonstrated that C. jejuni responds to INT 407 and Caco-2 cells in a similar fashion at the cellular and molecular levels. Active protein synthesis was found to be required for C. jejuni to maximally invade these host cells. Proteomic and transcriptomic approaches were then used to define the protein and gene expression profiles of C. jejuni co-cultured with cells. By focusing on those genes showing increased expression by C. jejuni when co-cultured with epithelial cells, we discovered that C. jejuni quickly adapts to co-culture with epithelial cells by synthesizing gene products that enable it to acquire specific amino acids for growth, scavenge for inorganic molecules including iron, resist reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and promote bacteria-host cell interactions. Based on these findings, we selected a subset of the genes involved in chemotaxis and the regulation of flagellar assembly and generated C. jejuni deletion mutants for phenotypic analysis. Binding and internalization assays revealed significant differences in the interaction of C. jejuni chemotaxis and flagellar regulatory mutants. The identification of genes involved in C. jejuni adaptation to culture with host cells provides new insights into the infection process.
Project description:Cj0440c encodes a putative transcriptional regulator. To determine the role of Cj0440c in C.jejuni, we knocked out Cj0440c in the wild-type strain (S) to obtain the Cj0440c mutants (SM). Then we compared the transcriptome of the Cj0440c mutant with that of the parent strain using DNA microarray. These comparisons identified 19 genes that showed aM-bM-^IM-%2-fold change in expression in SM. The differentially expressed genes in SM encode proteins involved in flagellar biosynthesis, O-linked glycosylation and hypothetical proteins with unknown fuctions. Cj0440c may regulate flagellar structural element expression or as a compenent of flagellar complex co-expressed with other flagellar genes. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that inactivation of Cj0440c affected corresponding phenotypes of C.jejuni, including broken flagella, weaker motility and reduced colonization ability in chickens. These findings indicate that Cj0440c governs the expression of multiple genes related to flagellar biosynthesis and O-linked glycosylation. This study provides favorable evidence for completing the information of the Campylobacter jejuni genome. An eight chip study using total RNA recoverd from four separate wild-type cultures of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC111168 (S) and four separate cultures of a mutant strain, Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168 delta- Cj0440c (SM), in which Cj0440c is deleted. Each chip measures the expression level of 1634 genes from Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168.
Project description:Cj0440c, a putative transcriptional regulator, was over-expressed in the high-level erythromycin-resistant (Eryr) Campylobacter jejuni strains. To determine the role of Cj0440c on the development and fitness of erythromycin resistance in C. jejuni, we knocked out Cj0440c in Eryr strain (R) to obtain the Cj0440c mutants (RM). Then we compared the transcriptome of the Cj0440c mutant with that of the parent strain using DNA microarray. These comparisons identified 9 genes that showed a M-bM-^IM-%2-fold change in expression in RM. The differentially expressed genes in RM are related to flagellar biosynthesis and unknown functions. What's more, katA, encoding catalase, down-regulated in RM. Cj0440c may progress flagellar genes expression, help to escape drug pressure and disseminate and colonize smoothly, and Cj0440c in Eryr Campylobacter may protect bacteria from harmful oxygen stress from the host immune system, other microorganism in host intestinal and its own products. These findings indicate that Cj0440c is essential for the fitness (growth) of resistant C. jejuni by controlling the expression of several genes involved in flagellar assembly and catalase, enhancing cell motility for colonization and invasion under the pressure of drug. This study widened our understanding on the molecular mechanism of resistance and provides scientific reference for drug research and application. An eight-chip study using total RNA recoverd from four separate resistant-type cultures of Erythrocin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 111168 (R) and four separate cultures of a mutant strain, erythrocin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 delta- Cj0440c (RM), in which Cj0440c is deleted. Each chip measures the expression level of 1634 genes from Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168.
Project description:Cj0440c, a putative transcriptional regulator, was over-expressed in the high-level erythromycin-resistant (Eryr) Campylobacter jejuni strains. To determine the role of Cj0440c on the development and fitness of erythromycin resistance in C. jejuni, we knocked out Cj0440c in Eryr strain (R) to obtain the Cj0440c mutants (RM). Then we compared the transcriptome of the Cj0440c mutant with that of the parent strain using DNA microarray. These comparisons identified 9 genes that showed a ≥2-fold change in expression in RM. The differentially expressed genes in RM are related to flagellar biosynthesis and unknown functions. What's more, katA, encoding catalase, down-regulated in RM. Cj0440c may progress flagellar genes expression, help to escape drug pressure and disseminate and colonize smoothly, and Cj0440c in Eryr Campylobacter may protect bacteria from harmful oxygen stress from the host immune system, other microorganism in host intestinal and its own products. These findings indicate that Cj0440c is essential for the fitness (growth) of resistant C. jejuni by controlling the expression of several genes involved in flagellar assembly and catalase, enhancing cell motility for colonization and invasion under the pressure of drug. This study widened our understanding on the molecular mechanism of resistance and provides scientific reference for drug research and application.
Project description:Aberrant sperm flagella impair sperm motility and cause male infertility, yet the genes which have been identified in multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) can only explain the pathogenic mechanisms of MMAF in a small number of cases. Here, we identify and functionally characterize homozygous loss-of-function mutations of QRICH2 in two infertile males with MMAF from two consanguineous families. Remarkably, Qrich2 knock-out (KO) male mice constructed by CRISPR-Cas9 technology present MMAF phenotypes and sterility. To elucidate the mechanisms of Qrich2 functioning in sperm flagellar formation, we perform proteomic analysis on the testes of KO and wild-type mice. Furthermore, in vitro experiments indicate that QRICH2 is involved in sperm flagellar development through stabilizing and enhancing the expression of proteins related to flagellar development. Our findings strongly suggest that the genetic mutations of human QRICH2 can lead to male infertility with MMAF and that QRICH2 is essential for sperm flagellar formation.
Project description:Spirochetes are long, thin, motile, helical or flat wave bacteria that are unique among the prokaryotes by having flagella or axial filaments confined to an internal periplasmic space. These flagella are complex organelles that can play major roles in bacterial pathogenicity and are used as propellers allowing bacteria to move through liquids, viscous environments or along surfaces. While most bacteria species use transcriptional regulatory cascades to regulate the synthesis and assembly of their flagella, spirochetes employ an unusual post-transcriptional mechanism. Using next generation sequencing, we characterized a natural mutant of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii lacking the flagellar export apparatus protein FliH. The mutant was non-motile, uncoiled and straight compared to the wild-type spirochetes. The B. hermsii fliH mutant produced only a residual amount of the major flagellin protein FlaB, which was correlated with a reduced number of periplasmic flagella. The amounts of flaB transcript were comparable in the fliH mutant and the wild-type strain. The synthesis of FlaB, the motility and the infectivity of the fliH mutant were rescued by trans-complementation. This report reveals a new function for FliH, and we propose that this regulator of the flagellar export apparatus influences the post-transcriptional processing of the flagella, motility and virulence of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii. Spirochetes are bacteria characterized in part by rotating periplasmic flagella that impart their flat-wave morphology and motility. While other bacteria rely on a transcriptional cascade to regulate the expression of motility genes, spirochetes employ posttranscriptional mechanism(s) that are only partially known. In the present study, we characterize a non-motile mutant of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii that was straight, non-motile and deficient in flagella. We used next generation DNA sequencing of the mutant’s genome, which when compared to the wild-type genome identified a 142 bp deletion in the chromosomal gene encoding the flagellar export apparatus protein FliH. Immunoblot and transcriptome analyses showed that the mutant phenotype was linked to the posttranscriptional deficiency in the synthesis of the major flagellar filament core protein FlaB. The turnover of the residual pool of FlaB produced by the fliH mutant was comparable to the wild-type spirochete while the amount of FlaA was similar to the wild-type level. The non-motile mutant was not infectious in mice and its inoculation did not induce an antibody response. Trans-complementation of the mutant with an intact fliH gene restored the synthesis of FlaB, a normal morphology, motility and infectivity in mice. Therefore, we propose that the flagellar export apparatus protein regulates motility of B. hermsii at the posttranscriptional level by influencing the synthesis of FlaB. Borrelia hermsii wild type vs. motility mutant
Project description:Cj0440c encodes a putative transcriptional regulator. To determine the role of Cj0440c in C.jejuni, we knocked out Cj0440c in the wild-type strain (S) to obtain the Cj0440c mutants (SM). Then we compared the transcriptome of the Cj0440c mutant with that of the parent strain using DNA microarray. These comparisons identified 19 genes that showed a≥2-fold change in expression in SM. The differentially expressed genes in SM encode proteins involved in flagellar biosynthesis, O-linked glycosylation and hypothetical proteins with unknown fuctions. Cj0440c may regulate flagellar structural element expression or as a compenent of flagellar complex co-expressed with other flagellar genes. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that inactivation of Cj0440c affected corresponding phenotypes of C.jejuni, including broken flagella, weaker motility and reduced colonization ability in chickens. These findings indicate that Cj0440c governs the expression of multiple genes related to flagellar biosynthesis and O-linked glycosylation. This study provides favorable evidence for completing the information of the Campylobacter jejuni genome.
Project description:DksA is well-known for its regulatory role in the transcription of ribosomal RNA and genes involved in amino acid synthesis in many bacteria. DksA is also reported to control expression of virulence genes in pathogenic bacteria. Here, we elucidated the roles of the DksA-like protein (CJJ81176_0160, Cj0125c) in the pathogenesis of Campylobacter jejuni. Like in other bacteria, transcription of stable RNA was repressed by DksA under stressful conditions in C. jejuni. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of C. jejuni 81-176 and its isogenic dksA mutant showed differential expression of many genes involved in iron-related metabolism, flagellar synthesis and amino acid metabolism. Also the dksA mutant of C. jejuni demonstrated a decreased ability to invade into intestinal cells and to induce release of interleukin-8 from intestinal cells. These results suggest the DksA-like protein plays an important regulatory role in the physiology and virulence of C. jejuni. Keywords: dksA mutation of Campylobacter jejuni