The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.

The bacterial pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an atypical Gram-negative spirochete that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. In diderms, peptidoglycan (PG) is sandwiched between the inner and outer membrane of the cell envelope. In...

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Main Authors: Marisela M Davis, Aaron M Brock, Tanner G DeHart, Brittany P Boribong, Katherine Lee, Mecaila E McClune, Yunjie Chang, Nicholas Cramer, Jun Liu, Caroline N Jones, Brandon L Jutras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021-05-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009546
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spelling doaj-2ebae53d46484cf39663d89d64c6dea12021-05-29T04:31:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Pathogens1553-73661553-73742021-05-01175e100954610.1371/journal.ppat.1009546The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.Marisela M DavisAaron M BrockTanner G DeHartBrittany P BoribongKatherine LeeMecaila E McCluneYunjie ChangNicholas CramerJun LiuCaroline N JonesBrandon L JutrasThe bacterial pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an atypical Gram-negative spirochete that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. In diderms, peptidoglycan (PG) is sandwiched between the inner and outer membrane of the cell envelope. In many other Gram-negative bacteria, PG is bound by protein(s), which provide both structural integrity and continuity between envelope layers. Here, we present evidence of a peptidoglycan-associated protein (PAP) in B. burgdorferi. Using an unbiased proteomics approach, we identified Neutrophil Attracting Protein A (NapA) as a PAP. Interestingly, NapA is a Dps homologue, which typically functions to bind and protect cellular DNA from damage during times of stress. While B. burgdorferi NapA is known to be involved in the oxidative stress response, it lacks the critical residues necessary for DNA binding. Biochemical and cellular studies demonstrate that NapA is localized to the B. burgdorferi periplasm and is indeed a PAP. Cryo-electron microscopy indicates that mutant bacteria, unable to produce NapA, have structural abnormalities. Defects in cell-wall integrity impact growth rate and cause the napA mutant to be more susceptible to osmotic and PG-specific stresses. NapA-linked PG is secreted in outer membrane vesicles and augments IL-17 production, relative to PG alone. Using microfluidics, we demonstrate that NapA acts as a molecular beacon-exacerbating the pathogenic properties of B. burgdorferi PG. These studies further our understanding of the B. burgdorferi cell envelope, provide critical information that underlies its pathogenesis, and highlight how a highly conserved bacterial protein can evolve mechanistically, while maintaining biological function.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009546
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Marisela M Davis
Aaron M Brock
Tanner G DeHart
Brittany P Boribong
Katherine Lee
Mecaila E McClune
Yunjie Chang
Nicholas Cramer
Jun Liu
Caroline N Jones
Brandon L Jutras
spellingShingle Marisela M Davis
Aaron M Brock
Tanner G DeHart
Brittany P Boribong
Katherine Lee
Mecaila E McClune
Yunjie Chang
Nicholas Cramer
Jun Liu
Caroline N Jones
Brandon L Jutras
The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
PLoS Pathogens
author_facet Marisela M Davis
Aaron M Brock
Tanner G DeHart
Brittany P Boribong
Katherine Lee
Mecaila E McClune
Yunjie Chang
Nicholas Cramer
Jun Liu
Caroline N Jones
Brandon L Jutras
author_sort Marisela M Davis
title The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
title_short The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
title_full The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
title_fullStr The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
title_full_unstemmed The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
title_sort peptidoglycan-associated protein napa plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS Pathogens
issn 1553-7366
1553-7374
publishDate 2021-05-01
description The bacterial pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an atypical Gram-negative spirochete that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. In diderms, peptidoglycan (PG) is sandwiched between the inner and outer membrane of the cell envelope. In many other Gram-negative bacteria, PG is bound by protein(s), which provide both structural integrity and continuity between envelope layers. Here, we present evidence of a peptidoglycan-associated protein (PAP) in B. burgdorferi. Using an unbiased proteomics approach, we identified Neutrophil Attracting Protein A (NapA) as a PAP. Interestingly, NapA is a Dps homologue, which typically functions to bind and protect cellular DNA from damage during times of stress. While B. burgdorferi NapA is known to be involved in the oxidative stress response, it lacks the critical residues necessary for DNA binding. Biochemical and cellular studies demonstrate that NapA is localized to the B. burgdorferi periplasm and is indeed a PAP. Cryo-electron microscopy indicates that mutant bacteria, unable to produce NapA, have structural abnormalities. Defects in cell-wall integrity impact growth rate and cause the napA mutant to be more susceptible to osmotic and PG-specific stresses. NapA-linked PG is secreted in outer membrane vesicles and augments IL-17 production, relative to PG alone. Using microfluidics, we demonstrate that NapA acts as a molecular beacon-exacerbating the pathogenic properties of B. burgdorferi PG. These studies further our understanding of the B. burgdorferi cell envelope, provide critical information that underlies its pathogenesis, and highlight how a highly conserved bacterial protein can evolve mechanistically, while maintaining biological function.
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009546
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