Biology subjects

Vargas, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Vargas, J. A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Bacterial NLR-related proteins protect against phage

Bacteria use a wide range of immune systems to counter phage infection. A subset of these genes share homology with components of eukaryotic immune systems, suggesting that eukaryotes horizontally acquired certain innate immune genes from bacteria. Here we show that proteins containing a NACHT module, the central feature of the animal nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing gene family (NLRs), are found in bacteria and defend against phages. NACHT proteins are widespread in bacteria, provide immunity against both DNA and RNA phages, and display the characteristic C-terminal sensor, central NACHT, and N-terminal effector modules. Some bacterial NACHT proteins have domain architectures similar to human NLRs that are critical components of inflammasomes. Human disease-associated NLR mutations that cause stimulus-independent activation of the inflammasome also activate bacterial NACHT proteins, supporting a shared signaling mechanism. This work establishes that NACHT module-containing proteins are ancient mediators of innate immunity across the tree of life.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Structural Characterization of L-Galactose Dehydrogenase: A Key Enzyme for Vitamin C Biosynthesis

In plants, it is well-known that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can be synthesized via multiple metabolic pathways but there is still much to be learnt concerning their integration and control mechanisms. Furthermore, the structural biology of the component enzymes has been poorly exploited. Here we describe the first crystal structure for an L-galactose dehydrogenase (SoGDH from spinach), from the D-mannose/L-galactose (Smirnoff Wheeler) pathway which converts L-galactose into L-galactono-1,4-lactone. The kinetic parameters for the enzyme are similar to those from its homologue from camu-camu, a super-accumulator of vitamin C found in the Peruvian amazon. Both enzymes are monomers in solution, have a pH optimum of 7 and their activity is largely unaffected by high concentrations of ascorbic acid, suggesting the absence of a feedback mechanism acting via GDH. Previous reports may have been influenced by changes of the pH of the reaction medium as a function of ascorbic acid concentration. The structure of SoGDH is dominated by a ({beta}/)8 barrel closely related to aldehyde-keto reductases (AKRs). The structure bound to NAD+ shows that the lack of Arg279 justifies its preference for NAD+ over NADP+, as employed by many AKRs. This favours the oxidation reaction which ultimately leads to ascorbic acid accumulation. When compared with other AKRs, residue substitutions at the C-terminal end of the barrel (Tyr185, Tyr61, Ser59 and Asp128) can be identified to be likely determinants of substrate specificity. The present work contributes towards a more comprehensive understanding of structure-function relationships in the enzymes involved in vitamin C synthesis.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Amyloid aggregation of Streptococcus mutans Cnm influences its collagen-binding activity

The glycosylated collagen- and laminin-binding surface adhesin Cnm is present in approximately 20% of S. mutans clinical isolates and is associated with systemic infections and increased caries risk. Other surface-associated collagen-binding proteins of S. mutans such as P1 and WapA have been demonstrated to form an amyloid quaternary structure with functional implications within biofilms. In silico analysis predicted that the {beta}-sheet rich N-terminal collagen-binding domain (CBD) of Cnm has propensity for amyloid aggregation, whereas the threonine-rich C-terminal domain was predicted to be disorganized. In this study, thioflavin-T fluorescence and electron microscopy were used to show that Cnm forms amyloids either in its native glycosylated or recombinant non-glycosylated forms and that the CBD of Cnm is the main amyloidogenic unit of Cnm. We then performed a series of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assays to characterize the amylogenic properties of Cnm. In addition, Congo red birefringence indicated that Cnm is a major amyloidogenic protein of S. mutans biofilms. Competitive binding assays using collagen-coated microtiter plates and dental roots, a substrate rich in collagen, revealed that Cnm monomers inhibit S. mutans binding to collagenous substrates whereas Cnm amyloid aggregates lose this property. Thus, while Cnm contributes to recognition and initial binding of S. mutans to collagen-rich surfaces, Cnm amyloid aggregation appears to represent a mechanism to modulate this activity in mature biofilms. IMPORTANCEStreptococcus mutans is a keystone pathogen that promotes caries by acidifying the dental biofilm milieu. The collagen- and laminin-binding glycoprotein Cnm is a virulence factor found in about 20% of the clinical isolates of S. mutans. Expression of Cnm by S. mutans is associated with niche expansion, allowing colonization of multiple sites in the body including collagen-rich surfaces such as dentin and heart valves. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Cnm function appears to be modulated by its aggregation status. As a monomer, its primary function is to promote attachment to collagenous substrates via its collagen binding domain (CBD). However, in later stages of biofilm maturation, the same CBD of Cnm self-assembles into amyloid fibrils, losing the ability to bind to collagen and likely becoming a component of the biofilm matrix. Our findings shed light into the role of functional amyloids in S. mutans pathobiology and ecology.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Manganese uptake, mediated by SloABC and MntH, is essential for the fitness of Streptococcus mutans

Early epidemiological studies implicated manganese (Mn) as a possible caries-promoting agent while laboratory studies have indicated that manganese stimulates the expression of virulence-related factors in the dental pathogen Streptococcus mutans. To better understand the importance of manganese homeostasis to S. mutans pathophysiology, we first used RNA sequencing to obtain the global transcriptional profile of S. mutans UA159 grown under Mn-restricted conditions. Among the most highly expressed genes were the entire sloABC operon, encoding a dual iron/manganese transporter, and an uncharacterized gene, herein mntH, that codes for a protein bearing strong similarity to Nramp-type transporters. While inactivation of sloC, which encodes the lipoprotein receptor of the SloABC system, or mntH alone had no major consequence on the overall fitness of S. mutans, simultaneous inactivation of sloC and mntH ({Delta}sloC{Delta}mntH) impaired growth and survival under Mn-restricted conditions, including in human saliva or in the presence of calprotectin. Further, disruption of Mn transport resulted in diminished stress tolerance and reduced biofilm formation in the presence of sucrose. These phenotypes were markedly improved when cells were provided with excess Mn. Metal quantifications revealed that the single mutant strains contain similar intracellular levels of Mn as the parent strain, whereas Mn was nearly undetectable in the {Delta}sloC{Delta}mntH strain. Collectively, these results reveal that SloABC and MntH work independently and cooperatively to promote cell growth under Mn-restricted conditions, and that mauitanence of Mn homeostasis is essential for the expression of major virulence attributes in S. mutans.\n\nIMPORTANCEAs trace biometals such as manganese (Mn) are important for all forms of life, the ability to regulate biometals availability during infection is an essential trait of successful bacterial pathogens. Here, we showed that the caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans utilizes two Mn transport systems, namely SloABC and MntH, to acquire Mn from the environment, and that the ability to maintain the cellular levels of Mn is important for the manifestation of characteristics that associate S. mutans with dental caries. Our results indicate that the development of strategies to deprive S. mutans of Mn hold promise in the combat against this important bacterial pathogen.

microbiology↗