Moiety Of LPS Research Articles

Structures, Interactions and Activity of the N-Terminal Truncated Variants of Antimicrobial Peptide Thanatin.

Gram-negative bacteria are intrinsically more resistant to many frontline antibiotics, which is attributed to the permeability barrier of the outer membrane, drug efflux pumps and porins. Consequently, discovery of new small molecules antibiotics to kill drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria presents a significant challenge. Thanatin, a 21-residue insect-derived antimicrobial peptide, is known for its potent activity against Enterobacter Gram-negative bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. Here, we investigated a 15-residue N-terminal truncated analog PM15 (P1IIYCNRRTGKCQRM15) of thanatin to determine modes of action and antibacterial activity. PM15 and the P1 to Y and A substituted variants PM15Y and PM15A delineated interactions and permeabilization of the LPS-outer membrane. In antibacterial assays, PM15 and the analogs showed growth inhibition of strains of Gram-negative bacteria that is largely dependent on the composition of the culture media. Atomic-resolution structures of PM15 and PM15Y in free solution and in complex with LPS micelle exhibited persistent β-hairpin structures similar to native thanatin. However, in complex with LPS, the structures of peptides are more compact, with extensive packing interactions among residues across the two anti-parallel strands of the β-hairpin. The docked complex of PM15/LPS revealed a parallel orientation of the peptide that may be sustained by potential ionic and van der Waals interactions with the lipid A moiety of LPS. Further, PM15 and PM15Y bind to LptAm, a monomeric functional variant of LptA, the periplasmic component of the seven-protein (A-G) complex involved in LPS transport. Taken together, the structures, target interactions and antibacterial effect of PM15 presented in the current study could be useful in designing thanatin-based peptide analogs.

A novel colistin adjuvant identified by virtual screening for ArnT inhibitors.

BackgroundColistin is a last-resort treatment option for many MDR Gram-negative bacteria. The covalent addition of l-aminoarabinose to the lipid A moiety of LPS is the main colistin resistance mechanism in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.ObjectivesIdentification (by in silico screening of a chemical library) of potential inhibitors of ArnT, which catalyses the last committed step of lipid A aminoarabinosylation, and their validation in vitro as colistin adjuvants.MethodsThe available ArnT crystal structure was used for a docking-based virtual screening of an in-house library of natural products. The resulting putative ArnT inhibitors were tested in growth inhibition assays using a reference colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa strain. The most promising compound was further characterized for its range of activity, specificity and cytotoxicity. Additionally, the effect of the compound on lipid A aminoarabinosylation was verified by MS analyses of lipid A.ResultsA putative ArnT inhibitor (BBN149) was discovered by molecular docking and demonstrated to specifically potentiate colistin activity in colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, without relevant effect on colistin-susceptible strains. BBN149 also showed adjuvant activity against colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and low toxicity to bronchial epithelial cells. Lipid A aminoarabinosylation was reduced in BBN149-treated cells, although only partially.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that in silico screening targeting ArnT can successfully identify inhibitors of colistin resistance and provides a promising lead compound for the development of colistin adjuvants for the treatment of MDR bacterial infections.

A comparative study of the complete lipopolysaccharide structures and biosynthesis loci of Bordetella avium, B. hinzii, and B. trematum

A dozen species of human and animal pathogens have been described to date in the Bordetella genus, with the majority being respiratory tract pathogens. Bordetella avium lipopolysaccharides have been shown to be important virulence factors for this bird pathogen. B. hinzii is closely related to the B. avium species, but has also been isolated from humans. B. trematum is associated to ear and blood infections in humans. Its lipid A structure, the biological active moiety of LPS, was found to be closely related to those of B. avium and B. hinzii. It is important to unveil the subtle structural modifications orchestrated during the LPS biosynthetic pathway to better understand host adaptation. The present data are also important in the context of deciphering the virulence pathways of this important genus containing the major pathogens B. pertussis and B. parapertussis, responsible for whooping cough. We recently reported the isolated lipid A structures of the three presented species, following the previously identified O-chain structures. In the present study, we provide details on the free and O-chain-linked core oligosaccharides which were required to characterize the complete LPS structures. Data are presented here in relation to relevant biosynthesis genes. The present characterization of the three species is well illustrated by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry experiments, and data were obtained mainly on native LPS molecules for the first time.

Pathogen-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-Associated Molecules That Affect the Host Immune System: An Overview.

Recently, the interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and parasites has rapidly increased. Many of these pathogens actively modulate the immune responses of their host and there is accumulating evidence that pathogen-derived EV contribute to this process. The effects of pathogen-derived EV on the host immune system have been attributed to proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and glycans contained in, or present on these EV. For example, toxins in bacterial EV can modulate pathogen clearance and antigen presentation, while EV-associated polysaccharides are potential vaccine targets because they induce protective immune responses. Furthermore, parasite EV-associated microRNA may increase parasite survival via host gene repression, and the lipid A moiety of LPS in bacteria-derived EV induces strong pro-inflammatory responses. Research on pathogen EV-associated molecules may pave new avenues to combat infectious diseases by immune intervention. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of EV-associated molecules released by extracellular pathogens and their effects on the host immune system. The current focus and future hotspots of this rapidly expanding field will be highlighted and discussed.

Endotoxin-neutralizing activity and mechanism of action of a cationic α-helical antimicrobial octadecapeptide derived from α-amylase of rice

We have previously reported that AmyI-1-18, an octadecapeptide derived from α-amylase (AmyI-1) of rice, is a novel cationic α-helical peptide that exhibited antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Propionibacterium acnes, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. In this study, to further investigate the potential functions of AmyI-1-18, we examined its inhibitory ability against the endotoxic activities of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs, smooth and Rc types) and lipid A from Escherichia coli. AmyI-1-18 inhibited the production of endotoxin-induced nitric oxide (NO), an inflammatory mediator, in mouse macrophages (RAW264) in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of a chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay illustrated that the ability [50% effective concentration (EC50): 0.17μM] of AmyI-1-18 to neutralize lipid A was similar to its ability (EC50: 0.26μM) to neutralize LPS, suggesting that AmyI-1-18 specifically binds to the lipid A moiety of LPS. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the interaction between AmyI-1-18 and LPS or lipid A also suggested that AmyI-1-18 directly binds to the lipid A moiety of LPS because the dissociation constant (KD) of AmyI-1-18 with lipid A is 5.6×10−10M, which is similar to that (4.3×10−10M) of AmyI-1-18 with LPS. In addition, AmyI-1-18 could block the binding of LPS-binding protein to LPS, although its ability was less than that of polymyxin B. These results suggest that AmyI-1-18 expressing antimicrobial and endotoxin-neutralizing activities is useful as a safe and potent host defense peptide against pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria in many fields of healthcare.

Differential requirements of MyD88 and TRIF pathways in TLR4-mediated immune responses in murine B cells

LPS stimulates the TLR4/Myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2) complex and promotes a variety of immune responses in B cells. TLR4 has two main signaling pathways, MyD88 and Toll/IL-1R (TIR)-domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) pathways, but relatively few studies have examined these pathways in B cells. In this study, we investigated MyD88- or TRIF-dependent LPS responses in B cells by utilizing their knockout mice. Compared with wild-type (WT) B cells, MyD88−/− B cells were markedly impaired in up-regulation of CD86 and proliferation induced by lipid A moiety of LPS. TRIF−/− B cells were also impaired in these responses compared with WT B cells, but showed better responses than MyD88−/− B cells. Regarding class switch recombination (CSR) elicited by lipid A plus IL-4, MyD88−/− B cells showed similar patterns of CSR to WT B cells. However, TRIF−/− B cells showed the impaired in the CSR. Compared with WT and MyD88−/− B cells, TRIF−/− B cells exhibited reduced cell division, fewer IgG1+ cells per division, and decreased activation-induced cytidine deaminase (Aicda) mRNA expression in response to lipid A plus IL-4. Finally, IgG1 production to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-LPS immunization was impaired in TRIF−/− mice, while MyD88−/− mice exhibited increased IgG1 production. Thus, MyD88 and TRIF pathways differently regulate TLR4-induced immune responses in B cells.

The Immunobiology of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonists

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is a structural component of the gram-negative outer membrane. The lipid A moiety of LPS binds to the LPS receptor complex expressed by leukocytes, endothelial cells, and parenchymal cells and is the primary component of gram-negative bacteria that is recognized by the immune system. Activation of the LPS receptor complex by native lipid A induces robust cytokine production, leukocyte activation, and inflammation, which is beneficial for clearing bacterial infections at the local level but can cause severe systemic inflammation and shock at higher challenge doses. Interestingly, prior exposure to LPS renders the host resistant to shock caused by subsequent LPS challenge, a phenomenon known as endotoxin tolerance. Treatment with lipid A has also been shown to augment the host response to infection and to serve as a potent vaccine adjuvant. However, the adverse effects associated with the pronounced inflammatory response limit the use of native lipid A as a clinical immunomodulator. More recently, analogs of lipid A have been developed that possess attenuated proinflammatory activity but retain attractive immunomodulatory properties. The lipid A analog monophosphoryl lipid A exhibits approximately 1/1,000th of the toxicity of native lipid A but retains potent immunoadjuvant activity. As such, monophosphoryl lipid A is currently used as an adjuvant in several human vaccine preparations. Because of the potency of lipid A analogs as immunoadjuvants, numerous laboratories are actively working to identify and develop new lipid A mimetics and to optimize their efficacy and safety. Based on those characteristics, lipid A analogs represent an attractive family of immunomodulators.

Both LCCL-domains of human CRISPLD2 have high affinity for lipid A

The LCCL-domain is a recently defined protein module present in diverse extracellular multidomain proteins. Practically nothing is known about the molecular function of these domains; based on functional features of proteins harboring LCCL-domains it has been suggested that these domains might function as lipopolysaccharide-binding domains. Here we show that the two LCCL-domains of human CRISPLD2 protein, a lipopolysaccharide-binding serum protein involved in defense against endotoxin shock, have higher affinity for the lipid A, the toxic moiety of lipopolysaccharides than for ipopolysaccharide. Our observation that the LCCL-domains of CRISPLD2 are specific for the toxic lipid A moiety of the endotoxin suggests that it may block the interaction between endotoxins and the host endotoxin receptors without interfering with the development of antibacterial immunity against the polysaccharide moiety of LPS. We suggest that the anti-inflammatory function of CRISPLD2 protein may account for its role in various pathological and developmental processes.

Characterization of the immunostimulatory activity and safety of a vaccine adjuvant de-O-acylated lipooligosaccharide (P4520)

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a constituent of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria elicits strong immunopathological reactions observed during bacterial infection, and the lipid A moiety of LPS is responsible for the immunostimulatory activity. Lipid A exerts its biological activity by sending signals via toll-like receptor 4 present on immune cells. Many natural and synthetic analogues of lipid A have been developed as vaccine adjuvant. In this study, we evaluated the immunostimulatory activities of de-O-acylated lipooligosaccharide (deacyl-LOS) on murine and human immune cells in comparison with monophosphoryl lipid A. The results indicated that deacyl-LOS is more potent than MPL in inducing cytokine secretion and activation of monocytes and dendritic cells, which was confirmed to be mediated by TLR4. It also induced allogeneic T cell responses and activated B cell proliferation. The acute toxicity test showed that deacyl-LOS did not cause any pathological effects or death at 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg per kg body weight in mice. These data suggest a potential of deacyl-LOS as a safe and effective vaccine adjuvant.

595 ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IS A PROTECTIVE ENZYME DURING LIVER FIBROGENESIS

Background and Aim: Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels serve as a marker for many liver diseases. Recent studies indicate that AP may act as a protective enzyme by dephosphorylation of LPS because dephosphorylation blocks toxicity of this product. Gut-derived LPS is known to aggravate liver damage and fibrosis and we hypothesized that higher levels of AP may represent a physiological response upon higher levels of this toxin during fibrosis. We therefore studied hepatic expression levels and effects of intestinal AP during fibrogenesis. Methods: Intestinal AP knock-out C57BL/6 mice (iAP KO) were examined at 6 weeks of age and compared to age-matched wildtype. Liver fibrogenesis was induced by CCl4 administration to Balb/c mice for 1 day (acute studies) or 8 weeks (chronic studies). The latter group received saline or calf-intestinal AP (5 units, i.v.), from week 6 to 8 (3x/week, n = 6/group). Results: iAP KO mice displayed higher intrahepatic expression levels of fibrogenic markers (PAR-1, Collagen I) paralleled by an increase in macrophages of the pro-fibrotic M2 phenotype relative to WT. So, lack of intestinal AP stimulates fibrogenesis within the liver. We subsequently examined intrahepatic AP expression in normal mice, after CCl4-induced acute liver damage and after chronic CCL4 administration, characterized by liver fibrosis. Results show a gradual increase in intrahepatic AP-activity from normal to fibrotic animals. Histochemical analysis revealed that this APactivity is able to dephosphorylate the lipid A moiety of LPS. We further explored the role of AP by injecting iAP to mice with CCL4-induced fibrosis. Data show a reduced hepatic AP activity, paralleled by significant lower expression levels of desmin and significant lower accumulation of M2 macrophages in iAP-treated mice compared to control. Conclusions: Based on the increased hepatic fibrogenic activity in intestinal AP-KO mice, and the attenuated fibrogenesis in fibrotic mice receiving intestinal AP, we conclude that iAP attenuates fibrosis. The enhanced expression of AP in fibrotic livers and the demonstration that this AP activity is able to dephosphorylate LPS, suggests that endogenous AP serves as a protective enzyme after liver damage. Enhanced AP activity during disease may therefore reflect a physiological response to LPS.

Glycyrrhizin and isoliquiritigenin suppress the LPS sensor Toll-like receptor 4/MD-2 complex signaling in a different manner

Recent evidences suggest that the extracts of plant products are able to modulate innate immune responses. A saponin GL and a chalcone ILG are representative components of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which attenuate inflammatory responses mediated by TLRs. Here, we show that GL and ILG suppress different steps of the LPS sensor TLR4/MD-2 complex signaling at the receptor level. Extract of G. uralensis suppressed IL-6 and TNF-α production induced by lipid A moiety of LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Among various G. uralensis-related components of saponins and flavanones/chalcones, GL and ILG could suppress IL-6 production induced by lipid A in dose-dependent manners in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, elevation of plasma TNF-α in LPS-injected mice was attenuated by passive administration of GL or ILG. GL and ILG inhibited lipid A-induced NF-κB activation in Ba/F3 cells expressing TLR4/MD-2 and CD14 and BMMs. These components also inhibited activation of MAPKs, including JNK, p38, and ERK in BMMs. In addition, GL and ILG inhibited NF-κB activation and IL-6 production induced by paclitaxel, a nonbacterial TLR4 ligand. Interestingly, GL attenuated the formation of the LPS-TLR4/MD-2 complexes, resulting in inhibition of homodimerization of TLR4. Although ILG did not affect LPS binding to TLR4/MD-2, it could inhibit LPS-induced TLR4 homodimerization. These results imply that GL and ILG modulate the TLR4/MD-2 complex at the receptor level, leading to suppress LPS-induced activation of signaling cascades and cytokine production, but their effects are exerted at different steps of TLR4/MD-2 signaling.

The RP105/MD-1 complex is indispensable for TLR4/MD-2-dependent proliferation and IgM-secreting plasma cell differentiation of marginal zone B cells

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells mount rapid T-cell-independent (T-I) immune responses against microbial components such as LPS. While Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is essential for LPS responses, MZ B cells uniquely express high levels of another LPS sensor Radioprotective 105 (RP105). However, little is known about how RP105 is used by MZ B cells. In this study, we investigated TLR4- or RP105-dependent MZ B cell responses by utilizing agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to each receptor. Cross-linking TLR4 and RP105 at the same time with the mAbs induced robust IgM-secreting plasma cell generation as lipid A moiety of LPS. In contrast, stimulation with either mAb alone did not elicit such responses. RP105-deficient MZ B cells failed to produce IgM-secreting plasma cells in response to lipid A. TLR4 or lipid A stimulation of MZ B cells up-regulated their B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1) and X-box-binding protein 1 (Xbp-1) mRNA expression. RP105 stimulation alone did not give these responses and in fact decreased TLR4-mediated their expression. Compared with wild-type (WT) MZ B cells, RP105-deficient MZ B cells exhibited increased levels of Blimp-1 and Xbp-1 mRNA expression in response to lipid A. Lipid A or TLR4 plus RP105 stimulation induced massive proliferation and expression of Bcl-xL and c-Myc in WT but not RP105-deficient MZ B cells. These responses contributed to TLR4-mediated anti-apoptotic responses in MZ B cells. Thus, RP105 contributes in a unique way to the TLR4-dependent survival, proliferation and plasma cell generation of MZ B cells.

Interaction of the HIV-1 gp120 Viral Protein V3 Loop with Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide: A PATTERN RECOGNITION INHIBITION

HIV-1 represents an elusive target for therapeutic compounds due to its high rate of mutation. Targeting structural patterns instead of a constantly changing specific three-dimensional structure may represent an approach that is less sensitive to viral mutations. The V3 loop of gp120 of HIV-1, which is responsible for binding of viral gp120 to CCR5 or CXCR4 coreceptors, has already been identified as an effective target for the inhibition of viral entry. The peptide derived from the V3 loop of gp120 specifically interacts with the lipid A moiety of LPS, as does the full gp120 protein. NMR analysis of V3 in complex with LPS shows formation of an amphipathic turn. The interaction between LPS and V3 relies on the structural pattern, comprising a combination of hydrophobic and charge interactions, similar to the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and LPS. LPS inhibited binding of gp120 to the surface of target T cells. Nonendotoxic LPS antagonists inhibited viral infection, demonstrating the possibility for the development of an inhibitor of HIV-1 attachment to T cells based on the recognition of a conserved structural pattern.

ITRAQ-coupled 2-D LC-MS/MS analysis of membrane protein profile in Escherichia coli incubated with apidaecin IB.

Apidaecins are a series of proline-rich, 18- to 20-residue antimicrobial peptides produced by insects. They are predominantly active against the Gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies mainly focused on the identification of their internal macromolecular targets, few addressed on the action of apidaecins on the molecules, especially proteins, of bacterial cell membrane. In this study, iTRAQ-coupled 2-D LC-MS/MS technique was utilized to identify altered membrane proteins of Escherichia coli cells incubated with one isoform of apidaecins—apidaecin IB. Cell division protease ftsH, an essential regulator in maintenance of membrane lipid homeostasis, was found to be overproduced in cells incubated with apidaecin IB. Its over-expression intensified the degradation of cytoplasmic protein UDP-3-O-acyl-N- acetylglucosamine deacetylase, which catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the lipid A moiety of LPS, and thus leaded to the further unbalanced biosynthesis of LPS and phospholipids. Our findings suggested a new antibacterial mechanism of apidaecins and perhaps, by extension, for other proline-rich antimicrobial peptides.

Deactivation of the lipopolysaccharide antagonist eritoran (E5564) by high-density lipoprotein-associated apolipoproteins

Lipid A, the active moiety of LPS, exerts its effects through interaction with TLR4, triggering a signalling cascade that results in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Eritoran is a lipid A analogue that competes with LPS for binding to TLR4; however, after intravenous administration, it undergoes a time-dependent deactivation as a consequence of binding to high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). The site of eritoran association with HDL remains unknown. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine if HDL-associated apolipoproteins A1, A2, serum amyloid A (SAA) and C1, inhibit the ability of eritoran to block LPS-induced TNF-α release from whole blood. Eritoran activity after LPS stimulation in human whole blood was assessed in the presence of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) containing different apos. In rHDL, the major apolipoproteins in both the healthy and septic state, A1 and SAA, caused a significant reduction in eritoran antagonistic activity and had a greater effect than minor apolipoproteins A2 and C1. Apolipoproteins associated with HDL are likely to facilitate eritoran deactivation. Apolipoproteins A1 and SAA should be of particular focus as they are the major apos found on HDL in both the healthy and septic state. Further evaluation of the physical association between apolipoproteins and eritoran should be explored.

High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Binding to Lipopolysaccharide Facilitates Transfer of Lipopolysaccharide to CD14 and Enhances Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated TNF-α Production in Human Monocytes

LPS-binding protein (LBP) is a central mediator that transfers LPS to CD14 to initiate TLR4-mediated proinflammatory response. However, a possibility of another LPS transfer molecule has been suggested because LBP-deficient mice showed almost normal inflammatory response after LPS injection. In this study, we describe the novel finding that high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) recently identified as a mediator of sepsis has a function of LPS transfer for a proinflammatory response. We used ELISA and surface plasmon resonance to show that HMGB1 binds LPS in a concentration-dependent manner and that the binding is stronger to lipid A moiety than to the polysaccharide moiety of LPS. This binding was inhibited by LBP and polymyxin B. Using native PAGE and fluorescence-based LPS transfer analyses, we show that HMGB1 can catalytically disaggregate and transfer LPS to both soluble CD14 protein and to human PBMCs in a dose-dependent manner. However, this effect was dramatically reduced to the baseline level when HMGB1 was heat inactivated. Furthermore, a mixture of HMGB1 and LPS treatment results in a higher increase in TNF-alpha production in human PBMCs and peripheral blood monocytes than LPS or HMGB1 treatment alone or their summation. Thus, we propose that HMGB1 plays an important role in Gram-negative sepsis by catalyzing movement of LPS monomers from LPS aggregates to CD14 to initiate a TLR4-mediated proinflammatory response.

Structural investigations into the interaction of hemoglobin and part structures with bacterial endotoxins

An understanding of details of the interaction mechanisms of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) with the oxygen transport protein hemoglobin is still lacking, despite its high biological relevance. Here, a biophysical investigation into the endotoxin:hemoglobin interaction is presented which comprises the use of various rough mutant LPS as well as free lipid A; in addition to the complete hemoglobin molecule from fetal sheep extract, also the partial structure alpha-chain and the heme-free sample are studied. The investigations comprise the determination of the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase behaviour of the acyl chains of LPS, the ultrastructure (type of aggregate structure and morphology) of the endotoxins, and the incorporation of the hemoglobins into artificial immune cell membranes and into LPS. Our data suggest a model for the interaction between Hb and LPS in which hemoglobins do not react strongly with the hydrophilic or with the hydrophobic moiety of LPS, but with the complete endotoxin aggregate. Hb is able to incorporate into LPS with the longitudinal direction parallel to the lipid A double-layer. Although this does not lead to a strong disturbance of the LPS acyl chain packing, the change of the curvature leads to a slightly conical molecular shape with a change of the three-dimensional arrangement from unilamellar into cubic LPS aggregates. Our previous results show that cubic LPS structures exhibit strong endotoxic activity. The property of Hb on the physical state of LPS described here may explain the observation of an increase in LPS-mediating endotoxicity due to the action of Hb.

Biophysical analysis of the interaction of granulysin-derived peptides with enterobacterial endotoxins

To combat infections by Gram-negative bacteria, it is not only necessary to kill the bacteria but also to neutralize pathogenicity factors such as endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). The development of antimicrobial peptides based on mammalian endotoxin-binding proteins is a promising tool in the fight against bacterial infections, and septic shock syndrome. Here, synthetic peptides derived from granulysin (Gra-pep) were investigated in microbiological and biophysical assays to understand their interaction with LPS. We analyzed the influence of the binding of Gra-pep on (1) the acyl chain melting of the hydrophobic moiety of LPS, lipid A, by Fourier-transform spectroscopy, (2) the aggregate structure of LPS by small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and 3) the enthalpy change by isothermal titration calorimetry. In addition, the influence of Gra-pep on the incorporation of LPS and LPS-LBP (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein) complexes into negatively charged liposomes was monitored. Our findings demonstrate a characteristic change in the aggregate structure of LPS into multilamellar stacks in the presence of Gra-pep, but little or no change of acyl chain fluidity. Neutralization of LPS by Gra-pep is not due to a scavenging effect in solution, but rather proceeds after incorporation into target membranes, suggesting a requisite membrane-bound step.

Screening of LPS-specific peptides from a phage display library using epoxy beads

The selection of identical or highly homologous peptides from phage display combinatorial peptide libraries has been unsuccessful in biopanning experiments using microtiter plates. In the present study, by biopanning on LPS-conjugated epoxy beads, we repeatedly enriched clones encoding AWLPWAK and NLQEFLF. These peptides were found to interact with the polysaccharide moiety of LPS, which is highly variable among gram negative bacterial species. In addition, phages encoding these peptides preferentially bound to the LPS of Salmonella family. AWLPWAK-conjugated beads absorbed Salmonella enteritidis from solution and showed a preference for S. enteritidis over Escherichia coli. In summary, this study shows for the first time that a peptide screened from phage displays of combinatorial peptide libraries can be synthesized on beads and be used practically to concentrate bacterial cells from solution.

The pmrF polymyxin-resistance operon of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is upregulated by the PhoP-PhoQ two-component system but not by PmrA-PmrB, and is not required for virulence

The Yersinia pseudotuberculosis chromosome contains a seven-gene polycistronic unit (the pmrF operon) whose products share extensive homologies with their pmrF counterparts in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium), another Gram-negative bacterial enteropathogen. This gene cluster is essential for addition of 4-aminoarabinose to the lipid moiety of LPS, as demonstrated by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of lipid A from both wild-type and pmrF-mutated strains. As in S. typhimurium, 4-aminoarabinose substitution of lipid A contributes to in vitro resistance of Y. pseudotuberculosis to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B. Whereas pmrF expression in S. typhimurium is mediated by both the PhoP-PhoQ and PmrA-PmrB two-component regulatory systems, it appears to be PmrA-PmrB-independent in Y. pseudotuberculosis, with the response regulator PhoP interacting directly with the pmrF operon promoter region. This result reveals that the ubiquitous PmrA-PmrB regulatory system controls different regulons in distinct bacterial species. In addition, pmrF inactivation in Y. pseudotuberculosis has no effect on bacterial virulence in the mouse, again in contrast to the situation in S. typhimurium. The marked differences in pmrF operon regulation in these two phylogenetically close bacterial species may be related to their dissimilar lifestyles.