Abstract Increasing the speed, specificity, sensitivity, and accessibility of mycobacteria detection tools are important challenges for tuberculosis (TB) research and diagnosis. In this regard, previously reported fluorogenic trehalose analogues have shown potential, but their green‐emitting dyes may limit sensitivity and applications in complex settings. Here, we describe a trehalose‐based fluorogenic probe featuring a molecular rotor turn‐on fluorophore with bright far‐red emission (RMR‐Tre). RMR‐Tre, which exploits the unique biosynthetic enzymes and environment of the mycobacterial outer membrane to achieve fluorescence activation, enables fast, no‐wash, low‐background fluorescence detection of live mycobacteria. Aided by the red‐shifted molecular rotor fluorophore, RMR‐Tre exhibited up to a 100‐fold enhancement inM. tuberculosislabeling compared to existing fluorogenic trehalose probes. We show that RMR‐Tre reports onM. tuberculosisdrug resistance in a facile assay, demonstrating its potential as a TB diagnostic tool. 
                        more » 
                        « less   
                    
                            
                            Indole‐3‐Glycerol Phosphate Synthase From Mycobacterium tuberculosis : A Potential New Drug Target
                        
                    
    
            Abstract Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the pathogenMycobacterium tuberculosis, affects millions of people worldwide. Several TB drugs have lost efficacy due to emerging drug resistance and new anti‐TB targets are needed. Recent research suggests that indole‐3‐glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) inM. tuberculosis(MtIGPS) could be such a target. IGPS is a (β/α)8‐barrel enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 1‐(o‐carboxyphenylamino)‐1‐deoxyribulose 5’‐phosphate (CdRP) into indole‐glycerol‐phosphate (IGP) in the bacterial tryptophan biosynthetic pathway.M. tuberculosisover expresses the tryptophan pathway genes during an immune response and inhibition ofMtIGPS allows CD4 T‐cells to more effectively fight againstM. tuberculosis. Here we review the published data onMtIGPS expression, kinetics, mechanism, and inhibition. We also discussMtIGPS crystal structures and compare them to other IGPS structures to reveal potential structure‐function relationships of interest for the purposes of drug design and biocatalyst engineering. 
        more » 
        « less   
        
    
                            - Award ID(s):
- 2030879
- PAR ID:
- 10303564
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ChemBioChem
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1439-4227
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
- 
            
- 
            Shin, Sunny (Ed.)ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB) is notoriously difficult to treat, likely due to the complex host-pathogen interactions driven by pathogen heterogeneity. An understudied area of TB pathogenesis is host responses toMycobacterium tuberculosisbacteria (Mtb) that are limited in zinc ions. This distinct population resides in necrotic granulomas and sputum and could be the key player in tuberculosis pathogenicity. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that macrophages differentiate between Mtb grown under zinc limitation or in the standard zinc-replete medium. Using several macrophage infection models, such as murine RAW 264.7 and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), as well as human THP-1-derived macrophages, we show that macrophages infected with zinc-limited Mtb have increased bacterial burden compared with macrophages infected with zinc-replete Mtb. We further demonstrate that macrophage infection with zinc-limited Mtb trigger higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause more macrophage death. Furthermore, the increased ROS production is linked to the increased phagocytosis of zinc-limited Mtb, whereas cell death is not. Finally, transcriptional analysis of RAW 264.7 macrophages demonstrates that macrophages have more robust pro-inflammatory responses when infected with zinc-limited Mtb than zinc-replete Mtb. Together, our findings suggest that Mtb’s access to zinc affects their interaction with macrophages and that zinc-limited Mtb may be influencing TB progression. Therefore, zinc availability in bacterial growth medium should be considered in TB drug and vaccine developments.more » « less
- 
            Champion, Patricia A (Ed.)ABSTRACT Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteriumMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb). While eukaryotic species employ several specialized RNA polymerases (Pols) to fulfill the RNA synthesis requirements of the cell, bacterial species use a single RNA polymerase (RNAP). To contribute to the foundational understanding of how Mtb and the related non-pathogenic mycobacterial species,Mycobacterium smegmatis(Msm), perform the essential function of RNA synthesis, we performed a series ofin vitrotranscription experiments to define the unique enzymatic properties of Mtb and Msm RNAPs. In this study, we characterize the mechanism of nucleotide addition used by these bacterial RNAPs with comparisons to previously characterized eukaryotic Pols I, II, and III. We show that Mtb RNAP and Msm RNAP demonstrate similar enzymatic properties and nucleotide addition kinetics to each other but diverge significantly from eukaryotic Pols. We also show that Mtb RNAP and Msm RNAP uniquely bind a nucleotide analog with significantly higher affinity than canonical nucleotides, in contrast to eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. This affinity for analogs may reveal a vulnerability for selective inhibition of the pathogenic bacterial enzyme.IMPORTANCETuberculosis, caused by the bacteriumMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), remains a severe global health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that tuberculosis is second only to COVID-19 as the most lethal infection worldwide, with more annual deaths than HIV and AIDS (WHO.int). The first-line treatment for tuberculosis, Rifampin (or Rifampicin), specifically targets the Mtb RNA polymerase. This drug has been used for decades, leading to increased numbers of multi-drug-resistant infections (Stephanie,et al). To effectively treat tuberculosis, there is an urgent need for new therapeutics that selectively target vulnerabilities of the bacteria and not the host. Characterization of the differences between Mtb enzymes and host enzymes is critical to inform these ongoing drug design efforts.more » « less
- 
            Abstract Bifunctional catalase‐peroxidase (KatG) features a posttranslational methionine‐tyrosine‐tryptophan (MYW) crosslinked cofactor crucial for its catalase function, enabling pathogens to neutralize hydrogen peroxide during infection. We discovered the presence of indole nitrogen‐linked hydroperoxyl adduct (MYW‐OOH) inMycobacterium tuberculosisKatG in the solution state under ambient conditions, suggesting its natural occurrence. By isolating predominantly MYW‐OOH‐containing KatG protein, we investigated the chemical stability and functional impact of MYW‐OOH. We discovered that MYW‐OOH inhibits catalase activity, presenting a unique temporary lock. Exposure to peroxide or increased temperature removes the hydroperoxyl adduct from the protein cofactor, converting MYW‐OOH to MYW and restoring the detoxifying ability of the enzyme against hydrogen peroxide. Thus, theN‐linked hydroperoxyl group is releasable. KatG with MYW‐OOH represents a catalase dormant, but primed, state of the enzyme. These findings provide insight into chemical strategies targeting the bifunctional enzyme KatG in pathogens, highlighting the role ofN‐linked hydroperoxyl modifications in enzymatic function.more » « less
- 
            Glass, Jennifer B (Ed.)ABSTRACT Azospirillum brasilenseis plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria that produces the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to induce changes in plant root architecture. The major pathway for IAA biosynthesis inA. brasilenseconverts tryptophan into indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P) and then, through the rate-limiting enzyme, indole-3-pyruvate decarboxylase (IpdC), into IAA. Here, we characterize the potential role for IAA biosynthesis in the physiology of these bacteria by characterizing the expression pattern of theipdCpromoter, analyzing anA. brasilense ipdCmutant using multiple physiological assays and characterizing the effect of I3P, which likely accumulates in the absence ofipdCand affects bacterial physiology. We found that theipdCmutant derivative has a reduced growth rate and an altered physiology, including reduced translation activity as well as a more depolarized membrane potential compared to the parent strain. Similar effects could be recapitulated in the parent strain by exposing these cells to increasing concentrations of I3P, as well as other indole intermediates of IAA biosynthesis. Our results also indicate a protective role for IAA against the harmful effects of indole derivatives, with exogenous IAA restoring the membrane potential of cells exposed to indole derivatives for prolonged periods. These protective effects appeared to restore cell physiology, including in the wheat rhizosphere. Together, our data suggest that the IAA biosynthesis pathway plays a major role inA. brasilensephysiology by maintaining membrane potential homeostasis and regulating translation, likely to mitigate the potential membrane-damaging effects of indoles that accumulate during growth under stressful conditions.IMPORTANCEIAA is widely synthesized in bacteria, particularly in soil and rhizosphere bacteria, where it functions as a phytohormone to modulate plant root architecture. IAA as a secondary metabolite has been shown to serve as a signaling molecule in several bacterial species, but the role of IAA biosynthesis in the physiology of the producing bacterium remains seldom explored. Results obtained here suggest that IAA serves to protectA. brasilensefrom the toxic effect of indoles, including metabolite biosynthetic precursors of IAA, on membrane potential homeostasis. Given the widespread production of IAA in soil bacteria, this protective effect of IAA may be conserved in diverse soil bacteria.more » « less
 An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government 
				
			 
					 
					
