The Apicella, Gibson, Kirby and Wolfe labs have made the unique observations that Neisseria gonorrhoeae proteins undergo extensive N?-lysine acetylation and that quorum sensing coordinates this post-translational modification. Our studies have also shown that the degree of N-lysine acetylation effects survival in biofilms. Utilizing novel mass spectrometry techniques, Dr. Gibson's lab has shown that mutants of the luxS operon and ackA exhibit a significant increase in acetylated proteins. One such acetylated protein is the response regulator, MisR, which partners with its cognate sensor kinase MisS to form a two-component signal transduction system (TCS). Our data strongly suggest that MisRS senses the LuxS product. Our preliminary results suggest that the luxS operon functions as a classic quorum sensing system through MisRS and that this TCS controls genes that modulate cell division and N?-lysine acetylation. qRT-PCR studies with Ng grown in broth cultures and continuous flow biofilms demonstrate that the product of luxS significantly influences the transcription of a number of genes important in biofilm formation, including the gonococcal nuclease that remodels biofilm matrix, cell division proteins (minD and ftsZ), peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes (murD-murF), regulatory genes (metR), a SIR-2 family protein deacetylase and misRS. The hypothesis guiding this proposal is that quorum sensing and acetylation coordinately regulate biofilm formation to affect pathogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we propose the following 3 specific aims: 1) to determine the transcriptome of key Ng genes in the LuxS-regulated network of genes and the genes associated with reversible acetylation. These studies will be performed on mRNA isolated from organisms in the biofilm and planktonic states, 2) To understand the factors controlling Ng biofilm development, we will carry out comprehensive and targeted analyses designed to identify changes in the transcriptome, proteome and acetylome of Ng strain 1291 grown under defined in biofilms and planktonically and 3) Using N. gonorrhoeae grown over HPV E6/E7 transformed human cervical epithelial cells (HCEC), we will carry out an analogous study of the transcriptome, proteome and acetylome to interrogate the possible role of bacterial/eukaryotic signaling on N. gonorrhoeae biofilm development. These studies have the potential to open a new range of novel targets for antibiotics for the treatment of gonorrhea.

Public Health Relevance

Recent reports of gonococci resistant to ceftriaxone and azithromycin have led the WHO to declare a health emergency. Recently, CDC recommended that oral therapy for gonorrhea be discontinued in the USA. It is recognized that new drugs are needed for treatment of gonorrhea. The studies in this grant form the basis for targeting deacetylase and acetyltransferase as novel therapy in treatment of gonorrhea.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI108255-03
Application #
9017910
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Hiltke, Thomas J
Project Start
2014-03-05
Project End
2019-02-28
Budget Start
2016-03-01
Budget End
2017-02-28
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52246
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Riedl, Ruth A; Atkinson, Samantha N; Burnett, Colin M L et al. (2017) The Gut Microbiome, Energy Homeostasis, and Implications for Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 19:27
Nakayasu, Ernesto S; Burnet, Meagan C; Walukiewicz, Hanna E et al. (2017) Ancient Regulatory Role of Lysine Acetylation in Central Metabolism. MBio 8:
Edwards, Jennifer L; Jennings, Michael P; Apicella, Michael A et al. (2016) Is gonococcal disease preventable? The importance of understanding immunity and pathogenesis in vaccine development. Crit Rev Microbiol 42:928-41
Heath-Heckman, Elizabeth A C; Foster, Jamie; Apicella, Michael A et al. (2016) Environmental cues and symbiont microbe-associated molecular patterns function in concert to drive the daily remodelling of the crypt-cell brush border of the Euprymna scolopes light organ. Cell Microbiol 18:1642-1652
Schilling, Birgit; Christensen, David; Davis, Robert et al. (2015) Protein acetylation dynamics in response to carbon overflow in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 98:847-63
Bahra, Sarah M; Weidemann, Benjamin J; Castro, Ana N et al. (2015) Risperidone-induced weight gain is mediated through shifts in the gut microbiome and suppression of energy expenditure. EBioMedicine 2:1725-34
Craig, Andrew P; Gray, Richard T; Edwards, Jennifer L et al. (2015) The potential impact of vaccination on the prevalence of gonorrhea. Vaccine 33:4520-4525
Juneau, Richard A; Stevens, Jacqueline S; Apicella, Michael A et al. (2015) A thermonuclease of Neisseria gonorrhoeae enhances bacterial escape from killing by neutrophil extracellular traps. J Infect Dis 212:316-24
Wolfe, Alan J (2015) Glycolysis for Microbiome Generation. Microbiol Spectr 3:

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