The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria contains two membranes, inner (IM) and outer (OM), and the aqueous compartment termed the periplasm that is located between the membranes. The long term goal of this grant has always been to understand the mechanisms of envelope biogenesis in molecular terms using Escherichia coli as a model system. This proposal concerns OM biogenesis and the stress responses that maintain cell envelope physiology. All of the components of the OM, phospholipids (PL), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoproteins (LP), and ?-barrel proteins (OMPs), are synthesized in the cytoplasm or the inner leaflet of the IM. We have identified most, if not al, of the essential proteins required to transport LPS and OMPs across the periplasm and assemble these molecules in the OM. Work in the previous funding period has provided functional insights into the OM components of these two assembly machines, LptDE and BamABCDE respectively, and their associated periplasmic chaperones. Models derived from this work provide experimentally testable predictions that will guide our efforts. To address the important question of PL transport to the OM, we will develop a technique, using fluorescence microscopy, to follow PL movement between membranes in living cells. This will facilitate the investigation of conditions and mutations that affect this poorly understood, essential process. We have also identified OM lipoproteins in E. coli that are surface exposed, and we will develop methods to probe the mechanism that catalyzes this process. Our interest in envelope stress responses has led to the discovery of a novel role for PldA in the biogenesis of outer membrane vesicles and we will characterize this function. We have also discovered that the Cpx response can reduce the reactive oxygen species produced by certain antibiotics, and we will test the hypothesis that it does so by increasing the synthesis and/or the assembly of cytochrome bo3. LacZ can fold in the periplasm if DsbA is removed, and we will identify the Cpx regulon member(s) that catalyzes this folding reaction, and elucidate its normal function in periplasmic physiology. These studies will provide important information regarding the structure, function, and the interactions within, and between, the cellular components that catalyze envelope biogenesis. Multi-drug resistant Gram- negative bacteria are a growing concern. Insights obtained from this work should facilitate the design of novel antibacterial agents.

Public Health Relevance

The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria serves as a barrier to protect these organisms from toxic compounds, including antibiotics. We have identified important cellular components that function to assemble and maintain this essential cellular organelle, and we wish to understand how these components work in molecular detail. Such knowledge would facilitate the development of new antibiotics that would combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in this important class of pathogens.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM034821-29
Application #
8434651
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Ainsztein, Alexandra M
Project Start
1985-04-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
29
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$657,181
Indirect Cost
$238,635
Name
Princeton University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002484665
City
Princeton
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08544
Lee, James; Sutterlin, Holly A; Wzorek, Joseph S et al. (2018) Substrate binding to BamD triggers a conformational change in BamA to control membrane insertion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:2359-2364
Grabowicz, Marcin; Silhavy, Thomas J (2017) Redefining the essential trafficking pathway for outer membrane lipoproteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:4769-4774
McCabe, Anne L; Ricci, Dante; Adetunji, Modupe et al. (2017) Conformational Changes That Coordinate the Activity of BamA and BamD Allowing ?-Barrel Assembly. J Bacteriol 199:
Grabowicz, Marcin; Silhavy, Thomas J (2017) Envelope Stress Responses: An Interconnected Safety Net. Trends Biochem Sci 42:232-242
Soltes, Garner R; Martin, Nicholas R; Park, Eunhae et al. (2017) Distinctive Roles for Periplasmic Proteases in the Maintenance of Essential Outer Membrane Protein Assembly. J Bacteriol 199:
May, Kerrie L; Silhavy, Thomas J (2017) Making a membrane on the other side of the wall. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 1862:1386-1393
Okuda, Suguru; Sherman, David J; Silhavy, Thomas J et al. (2016) Lipopolysaccharide transport and assembly at the outer membrane: the PEZ model. Nat Rev Microbiol 14:337-45
Sutterlin, Holly A; Shi, Handuo; May, Kerrie L et al. (2016) Disruption of lipid homeostasis in the Gram-negative cell envelope activates a novel cell death pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E1565-74
Lee, James; Xue, Mingyu; Wzorek, Joseph S et al. (2016) Characterization of a stalled complex on the ?-barrel assembly machine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:8717-22
Soltes, Garner R; Schwalm, Jaclyn; Ricci, Dante P et al. (2016) The Activity of Escherichia coli Chaperone SurA Is Regulated by Conformational Changes Involving a Parvulin Domain. J Bacteriol 198:921-9

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