DNA methylation dynamic in male rat germ cells during gametogenesis.

In mammals, a near complete resetting of DNA methylation (DNAme) is observed during germline establishment. This wave of epigenetic reprogramming is sensitive to the environment, which could impair the establishment of an optimal state of the gamete epigenome, hence proper embryo development. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of DNAme dynamics during spermatogenesis, especially in rats, the model of choice for toxicological studies. Using a combination of cell sorting and DNA methyl-seq capture, we generated a stage-specific mapping of DNAme in nine populations of differentiating germ cells from perinatal life to spermiogenesis. DNAme was found to reach its lowest level at gestational day 18, the last demethylated coding regions being associated with negative regulation of cell movement. The following de novo DNAme displayed three different kinetics with common and distinct genomic enrichments, suggesting a non-random process. DNAme variations were also detected at key steps of chromatin remodeling during spermiogenesis, revealing potential sensitivity. These methylome datasets for coding sequences during normal spermatogenesis in rat provide an essential reference for studying epigenetic-related effects of disease or environmental factors on the male germline.

Discovery and Development of TMPRSS6 Inhibitors Modulating Hepcidin Levels in Human Hepatocytes.

Iron overload disorders are characterized by the body's inability to regulate iron absorption and its storage which can lead to organ failures. Accumulated evidence has revealed that hepcidin, the master regulator of iron homeostasis, is negatively modulated by TMPRSS6 (matriptase-2), a liver-specific type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP). Here, we report that treatment with a peptidomimetic inhibitor affecting TMPRSS6 activity increases hepcidin production in hepatic cells. Moreover, similar effects were observed when using non-peptidic inhibitors obtained through optimization of hits from high-throughput screening. Using HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes, we show that TMPRSS6 inhibitors block TMPRSS6-dependent hemojuvelin cleavage and increase HAMP expression and levels of secreted hepcidin.

Transcriptome analysis reveals TMPRSS6 isoforms with distinct functionalities.

TMPRSS6 (matriptase-2) is a type II transmembrane serine protease involved in iron homoeostasis. At the cell surface of hepatocytes, TMPRSS6 cleaves haemojuvelin (HJV) and regulates the BMP/SMAD signalling pathway leading to production of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron absorption. Although four TMPRSS6 human isoforms and three mice Tmprss6 isoforms are annotated in databases (Ensembl and RefSeq), their relative expression or activity has not been studied. Analyses of RNA-seq data and RT-PCR from human tissues reveal that TMPRSS6 isoform 1 (TMPRSS6-1) and 3 are mostly expressed in human testis while TMPRSS6-2 and TMPRSS6-4 are the main transcripts expressed in human liver, testis and pituitary. Furthermore, we confirm the existence and analyse the relative expression of three annotated mice Tmprss6 isoforms. Using heterologous expression in HEK293 and Hep3B cells, we show that all human TMPRSS6 isoforms reach the cell surface but only TMPRSS6-1 undergoes internalization. Moreover, truncated TMPRSS6-3 or catalytically altered TMPRSS6-4 interact with HJV and prevent its cleavage by TMPRSS6-2, suggesting their potential role as dominant negative isoforms. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of understanding the precise function of each TMPRSS6 isoforms both in human and in mouse.

Diversity of family GH46 chitosanases in Kitasatospora setae KM-6054.

The genome of Kitasatospora setae KM-6054, a soil actinomycete, has three genes encoding chitosanases belonging to GH46 family. The genes (csn1-3) were cloned in Streptomyces lividans and the corresponding enzymes were purified from the recombinant cultures. The csn2 clone yielded two proteins (Csn2BH and Csn2H) differing by the presence of a carbohydrate-binding domain. Sequence analysis showed that Csn1 and Csn2H were canonical GH46 chitosanases, while Csn3 resembled chitosanases from bacilli. The activity of the four chitosanases was tested in a variety of conditions and on diverse chitosan forms, including highly N-deacetylated chitosan or chitosan complexed with humic or polyphosphoric acid. Kinetic parameters were also determined. These tests unveiled the biochemical diversity among these chitosanases and the peculiarity of Csn3 compared with the other three enzymes. The observed biochemical diversity is discussed based on structural 3D models and sequence alignment. This is a first study of all the GH46 chitosanases produced by a single microbial strain.

Antibiofilm and antibacterial effects of specific chitosan molecules on Staphylococcus aureus isolates associated with bovine mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major pathogens causing bovine intramammary infections (IMIs) and mastitis. Mastitis is the primary cause for the use of antibiotics in dairy farms but therapeutic failure is often observed. One of the reasons for the lack of effectiveness of antibiotic therapy despite the observed susceptibility of bacterial isolates in vitro are bacterial biofilms. In this study, we used chitosan of well-defined molecular weight (0.4-0.6, 1.3, 2.6 and 4.0 kDa) and investigated their antibiofilm and antibacterial activities in in vitro and in vivo models related to S. aureus IMIs. A chitosan of at least 6 units of glucosamine was necessary for maximum antibacterial activity. The 2.6 and 4.0 kDa forms were able to prevent biofilm production by the biofilm hyperproducer strain S. aureus 2117 and a bovine MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). The intramammary administration of the 2.6 kDa chitosan showed no adverse effects in mice or in cows, as opposed to the slight inflammatory effect observed in mammary glands with the 4.0 kDa derivative. The 2.6 kDa chitosan killed bacteria embedded in pre-established biofilms in a dose-dependent manner with a >3 log10 reduction in CFU at 4 mg/ml. Also, the 2.6 kDa chitosan could prevent the persistence of the internalized MRSA into the mammary epithelial cell line MAC-T. An in vitro checkerboard assay showed that the 2.6 kDa chitosan produced a synergy with the macrolide class of antibiotics (e.g., tilmicosin) and reduced the MIC of both molecules by 2-8 times. Finally, the intramammary administration of the 2.6 kDa chitosan alone (P<0.01) or in combination with tilmicosin (P<0.0001) reduced the colonization of mammary glands in a murine IMI model. Our results suggest that the use of chitosan alone or in combination with a low dose of a macrolide could help reduce antibiotic use in dairy farms.

NMR line shape analysis of a multi-state ligand binding mechanism in chitosanase.

Chitosan interaction with chitosanase was examined through analysis of spectral line shapes in the NMR HSQC titration experiments. We established that the substrate, chitosan hexamer, binds to the enzyme through the three-state induced-fit mechanism with fast formation of the encounter complex followed by slow isomerization of the bound-state into the final conformation. Mapping of the chemical shift perturbations in two sequential steps of the mechanism highlighted involvement of the substrate-binding subsites and the hinge region in the binding reaction. Equilibrium parameters of the three-state model agreed with the overall thermodynamic dissociation constant determined by ITC. This study presented the first kinetic evidence of the induced-fit mechanism in the glycoside hydrolases.

Modulating the selectivity of matriptase-2 inhibitors with unnatural amino acids.

Matriptase-2, a type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP), is expressed in the liver and regulates iron homeostasis via the cleavage of hemojuvelin. Matriptase-2 emerges as an attractive target for the treatment of conditions associated with iron overload, such as hemochromatosis or beta-thalassemia. Starting from the crystal structure of its closest homolog matriptase, we constructed a homology model of matriptase-2 in order to further optimize the selectivity of serine trap peptidomimetic inhibitors for matriptase-2 vs matriptase. Careful modifications of the P4, P3 and P2 positions with the help of unnatural amino acids led to a thorough understanding of Structure-Activity Relationship and a >60-fold increase in selectivity for matriptase-2 vs matriptase. Additionally, the introduction of unnatural amino acids led to significant increases in plasma stability. Such compounds represent useful pharmacological tools to test matriptase-2 inhibition in a context of iron overload.

Diversity of integrating conjugative elements in actinobacteria: Coexistence of two mechanistically different DNA-translocation systems.

Conjugation is certainly the most widespread and promiscuous mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. During conjugation, DNA translocation across membranes of two cells forming a mating pair is mediated by two types of mobile genetic elements: conjugative plasmids and integrating conjugative elements (ICEs). The vast majority of conjugative plasmids and ICEs employ a sophisticated protein secretion apparatus called type IV secretion system to transfer to a recipient cell. Yet another type of conjugative DNA translocation machinery exists and to date appears to be unique to conjugative plasmids and ICEs of the Actinomycetales order, a sub-group of high G + C Gram-positive bacteria. This conjugative system is reminiscent of the machinery that allows segregation of chromosomal DNA during bacterial cell division and sporulation, and relies on a single FtsK-homolog protein to translocate double-stranded DNA molecules to the recipient cell. Recent thorough sequence analyses reveal that while this latter strategy appears to be used by the majority of ICEs in Actinomycetales, the former is also predicted to be important in exchange of genetic material in actinobacteria.

Uncovering the prevalence and diversity of integrating conjugative elements in actinobacteria.

Horizontal gene transfer greatly facilitates rapid genetic adaptation of bacteria to shifts in environmental conditions and colonization of new niches by allowing one-step acquisition of novel functions. Conjugation is a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer mediated by conjugative plasmids and integrating conjugative elements (ICEs). While in most bacterial conjugative systems DNA translocation requires the assembly of a complex type IV secretion system (T4SS), in Actinobacteria a single DNA FtsK/SpoIIIE-like translocation protein is required. To date, the role and diversity of ICEs in Actinobacteria have received little attention. Putative ICEs were searched for in 275 genomes of Actinobacteria using HMM-profiles of proteins involved in ICE maintenance and transfer. These exhaustive analyses revealed 144 putative FtsK/SpoIIIE-type ICEs and 17 putative T4SS-type ICEs. Grouping of the ICEs based on the phylogenetic analyses of maintenance and transfer proteins revealed extensive exchanges between different sub-families of ICEs. 17 ICEs were found in Actinobacteria from the genus Frankia, globally important nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that establish root nodule symbioses with actinorhizal plants. Structural analysis of ICEs from Frankia revealed their unexpected diversity and a vast array of predicted adaptive functions. Frankia ICEs were found to excise by site-specific recombination from their host's chromosome in vitro and in planta suggesting that they are functional mobile elements whether Frankiae live as soil saprophytes or plant endosymbionts. Phylogenetic analyses of proteins involved in ICEs maintenance and transfer suggests that active exchange between ICEs cargo-borne and chromosomal genes took place within the Actinomycetales order. Functionality of Frankia ICEs in vitro as well as in planta lets us anticipate that conjugation and ICEs could allow the development of genetic manipulation tools for this challenging microorganism and for many other Actinobacteria.

Sequence analysis of rpoB and rpoD gene fragments reveals the phylogenetic diversity of actinobacteria of genus Frankia.

Partial rpoD, rpoB, and 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from databases and (or) amplified from 12 strains of Frankia. These strains belonged to either Cluster 1 (Alnus-, Myrica-, Comptonia-, and Casuarina-infective strains) or Cluster 3 (Elaeagnus-infective strain). An rpoD gene-based PCR approach was designed to allow the detection of frankiae in complex samples. Additionally, partial gene sequences obtained using 2 rpoB gene primer sets (named rpoB-1 and rpoB-2) were used to generate phylogenetic eurograms to find a molecular tool able to assess biodiversity among Frankia strains. The rpoB-2 primer set allowed separation of closely related strains and groupings representative of host plant compatibility groups. One exception to this was for strains ACN10a and ACN14a, isolated from the same geographical location. Results obtained showed that rpoB-2 is a tool of great interest to evaluate relatedness of Frankia strains, and assess biodiversity in this genus. Additionally, since rpoB-2 phylogenetic profiles of the Frankia strains studied reflected the species of host plants they were isolated from, the study of rpoB (a house-keeping gene) shows promise for future ecological studies on these symbioses.

Properties of CsnR, the transcriptional repressor of the chitosanase gene, csnA, of Streptomyces lividans.

A palindromic sequence is present in the intergenic region preceding the chitosanase gene csnA (SSPG_06922) of Streptomyces lividans TK24. This sequence was also found in front of putative chitosanase genes in several other actinomycete genomes and upstream genes encoding putative transcriptional regulators of the ROK family, including csnR (SSPG_04872) in S. lividans. The latter was examined as a possible transcriptional regulator (CsnR) of chitosanase gene expression. In vitro, purified CsnR bound strongly to the palindromic sequences of the csnA and csnR genes (equilibrium dissociation constant [K(D)] = 0.032 and 0.040 nM, respectively). Binding was impaired in the presence of chitosan oligosaccharides and d-glucosamine, and chitosan dimer was found to be the best effector, as determined by an equilibrium competition experiment and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) determination, while glucose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, and galactosamine had no effect. In vivo, comparison of the S. lividans wild type and ΔCsnR strains using ß-lactamase reporter genes showed that CsnR represses the expression of csnA and of its own gene, which was confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). CsnR is localized at the beginning of a gene cluster, possibly an operon, the organization of which is conserved through many actinomycete genomes. The CsnR-mediated chitosanase regulation mechanism seems to be widespread among actinomycetes.

Chitosanase from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2): biochemical properties and role in protection against antibacterial effect of chitosan.

Chitosan, an N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, has attracted much attention as an antimicrobial agent against fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Chitosanases, the glycoside hydrolases responsible for chitosan depolymerisation, are intensively studied as tools for biotechnological transformation of chitosan. The chitosanase CsnA (SCO0677) from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was purified and characterized. CsnA belongs to the GH46 family of glycoside hydrolases. However, it is secreted efficiently by the Tat translocation pathway despite its similarity to the well-studied chitosanase from Streptomyces sp. N174 (CsnN174), which is preferentially secreted through the Sec pathway. Melting point determination, however, revealed substantial differences between these chitosanases, both in the absence and in the presence of chitosan. We further assessed the role of CsnA as a potential protective enzyme against the antimicrobial effect of chitosan. A Streptomyces lividans TK24 strain in which the csnA gene was inactivated by gene disruption was more sensitive to chitosan than the wild-type strain or a chitosanase-overproducing strain. This is the first genetic evidence for the involvement of chitosanases in the protection of bacteria against the antimicrobial effect of chitosan.

Inhibition of the exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase CsxA by a glucosamine-configured castanospermine and an amino-australine analogue.

The synthesis of amino-derivatives of castanospermine and australine and their characterisation as inhibitors of the exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase CsxA through enzyme kinetics and X-ray structural analysis is described.

Evidence that family 35 carbohydrate binding modules display conserved specificity but divergent function.

Enzymes that hydrolyze complex carbohydrates play important roles in numerous biological processes that result in the maintenance of marine and terrestrial life. These enzymes often contain noncatalytic carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) that have important substrate-targeting functions. In general, there is a tight correlation between the ligands recognized by bacterial CBMs and the substrate specificity of the appended catalytic modules. Through high-resolution structural studies, we demonstrate that the architecture of the ligand binding sites of 4 distinct family 35 CBMs (CBM35s), appended to 3 plant cell wall hydrolases and the exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase CsxA, which contributes to the detoxification and metabolism of an antibacterial fungal polysaccharide, is highly conserved and imparts specificity for glucuronic acid and/or Delta4,5-anhydrogalaturonic acid (Delta4,5-GalA). Delta4,5-GalA is released from pectin by the action of pectate lyases and as such acts as a signature molecule for plant cell wall degradation. Thus, the CBM35s appended to the 3 plant cell wall hydrolases, rather than targeting the substrates of the cognate catalytic modules, direct their appended enzymes to regions of the plant that are being actively degraded. Significantly, the CBM35 component of CsxA anchors the enzyme to the bacterial cell wall via its capacity to bind uronic acid sugars. This latter observation reveals an unusual mechanism for bacterial cell wall enzyme attachment. This report shows that the biological role of CBM35s is not dictated solely by their carbohydrate specificities but also by the context of their target ligands.

Accessory active site residues of Streptomyces sp. N174 chitosanase: variations on a common theme in the lysozyme superfamily.

The chitosanase from Streptomyces sp. N174 (CsnN174) is an inverting glycoside hydrolase belonging to family 46. Previous studies identified Asp40 as the general base residue. Mutation of Asp40 into glycine revealed an unexpectedly high residual activity. D40G mutation did not affect the stereochemical mechanism of catalysis or the mode of interaction with substrate. To explain the D40G residual activity, putative accessory catalytic residues were examined. Mutation of Glu36 was highly deleterious in a D40G background. Possibly, the D40G mutation reconfigured the catalytic center in a way that allowed Glu36 to be positioned favorably to perform catalysis. Thr45 was also found to be essential. Thr45 is thought to orientate the nucleophilic water molecule in a position to attack the glycosidic link. The finding that expression of heterologous CsnN174 in Escherichia coli protects cells against the antimicrobial effect of chitosan, allowed the selection of active chitosanase variants after saturation mutagenesis. Thr45 could be replaced only by serine, indicating the importance of the hydroxyl group. The newly identified accessory catalytic residues, Glu36 and Thr45 are located on a three-strand beta sheet highly conserved in GH19, 22, 23, 24 and 46, all members of the 'lysozyme superfamily'. Structural comparisons reveal that each family has its catalytic residues located among a small number of critical positions in this beta sheet. The position of Glu36 in CsnN174 is equivalent to general base residue in GH19 chitinases, whereas Thr45 is located similarly to the catalytic residue Asp52 of GH22 lysozyme. These examples reinforce the evolutionary link among these five GH families.

The structural basis of substrate recognition in an exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase involved in chitosan hydrolysis.

Family 2 of the glycoside hydrolase classification is one of the largest families. Structurally characterized members of this family include enzymes with beta-galactosidase activity (Escherichia coli LacZ), beta-glucuronidase activity (Homo sapiens GusB), and beta-mannosidase activity (Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron BtMan2A). Here, we describe the structure of a family 2 glycoside hydrolase, CsxA, from Amycolatopsis orientalis that has exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase (exo-chitosanase) activity. Analysis of a product complex (1.85 A resolution) reveals a unique negatively charged pocket that specifically accommodates the nitrogen of nonreducing end glucosamine residues, allowing this enzyme to discriminate between glucose and glucosamine. This also provides structural evidence for the role of E541 as the catalytic nucleophile and D469 as the catalytic acid/base. The structures of an E541A mutant in complex with a natural beta-1,4-D-glucosamine tetrasaccharide substrate and both E541A and D469A mutants in complex with a pNP-beta-D-glucosaminide synthetic substrate provide insight into interactions in the +1 subsite of this enzyme. Overall, a comparison with the active sites of other GH2 enzymes highlights the unique architecture of the CsxA active site, which imparts specificity for its cationic substrate.

Cytosine deaminase as a negative selection marker for gene disruption and replacement in the genus Streptomyces and other actinobacteria.

We developed a novel negative selection system for actinobacteria based on cytosine deaminase (CodA). We constructed vectors that include a synthetic gene encoding the CodA protein from Escherichia coli optimized for expression in Streptomyces species. Gene disruption and the introduction of an unmarked in-frame deletion were successfully achieved with these vectors.

Quantitative fluorometric analysis of the protective effect of chitosan on thermal unfolding of catalytically active native and genetically-engineered chitosanases.

We have taken advantage of the intrinsic fluorescence properties of chitosanases to rapidly and quantitatively evaluate the protective effect of chitosan against thermal denaturation of chitosanases. The studies were done using wild type chitosanases N174 produced by Streptomyces sp. N174 and SCO produced by Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). In addition, two mutants of N174 genetically engineered by single amino acid substitutions (A104L and K164R) and one "consensus" (N174-CONS) chitosanase designed by multiple amino acid substitutions of N174 were analyzed. Chitosan used had a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 220 kDa and was 85% deacetylated. Results showed a pH and concentration-dependent protective effect of chitosan in all the cases. However, the extent of thermal protection varied depending on chitosanases, suggesting that key amino acid residues contributed to resistance to heat denaturation. The transition temperatures (T(m)) of N174 were 54 degrees C and 69.5 degrees C in the absence and presence (6 g/l) of chitosan, respectively. T(m) were increased by 11.6 degrees C (N174-CONS), 13.8 degrees C (CSN-A104L), 15.6 degrees C (N174-K164R) and 25.2 degrees C (SCO) in the presence of chitosan (6 g/l). The thermal protective effect was attributed to an enzyme-ligand thermostabilization mechanism since it was not mimicked by the presence of anionic (carboxymethyl cellulose, heparin) or cationic (polyethylene imine) polymers, polyhydroxylated (glycerol, sorbitol) compounds or inorganic salts. Furthermore, the data from fluorometry experiments were in agreement with those obtained by analysis of reaction time-courses performed at 61 degrees C in which case CSN-A104L was rapidly inactivated whereas N174, N174-CONS and N174-K164R remained active over a reaction time of 90 min. This study presents evidence that (1) the fluorometric determination of T(m) in the presence of chitosan is a reliable technique for a rapid assessment of the thermal behavior of chitosanases, (2) it is applicable to structure-function studies of mutant chitosanases and, (3) it can be useful to provide an insight into the mechanism by which mutations can influence chitosanase stability.

Determining the functionality of putative Tat-dependent signal peptides in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) by using two different reporter proteins.

The availability of the complete genome sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) has allowed the prediction of the Tat-exported proteins of this Gram-positive bacterium. To predict secreted proteins that potentially use the Tat pathway for their secretion, the TATscan program was developed. This program identified 129 putative Tat substrates. To test the validity of these predictions, nine signal sequences, including three which were not identified by existing prediction programs, were selected and fused to the structural xlnC gene in place of its native signal sequence. Xylanase C (XlnC) is a cofactorless enzyme which is secreted in an active form exclusively through the Tat-dependent pathway by Streptomyces lividans. Among the nine chosen signal sequences, seven were shown to be Tat-dependent, one was Sec-dependent and one was probably not a signal sequence. The seven Tat-dependent signal sequences comprised two lipoprotein signal sequences and three sequences not predicted by previous programs. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the precursor-processing rate in the seven transformants was generally slower than wild-type XlnC, indicating that these signal peptides were not equivalent in secretion. This suggested that there might be some incompatibility between the signal peptide and the reporter protein fused to it. To test this possibility, the signal peptides were fused to a cofactorless chitosanase (SCO0677), a Tat-dependent protein validated in this work but structurally different from XlnC. With some fluctuations, similar results were obtained with this enzyme, indicating that the type of folding of the reporter protein had little effect on the Tat secretion process.