Structural and functional basis of the universal transcription factor NusG pro-pausing activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Transcriptional pauses mediate regulation of RNA biogenesis. DNA-encoded pause signals trigger pausing by stabilizing RNA polymerase (RNAP) swiveling and inhibiting DNA translocation. The N-terminal domain (NGN) of the only universal transcription factor, NusG/Spt5, modulates pausing through contacts to RNAP and DNA. Pro-pausing NusGs enhance pauses, whereas anti-pausing NusGs suppress pauses. Little is known about pausing and NusG in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We report that MtbNusG is pro-pausing. MtbNusG captures paused, swiveled RNAP by contacts to the RNAP protrusion and nontemplate-DNA wedged between the NGN and RNAP gate loop. In contrast, anti-pausing Escherichia coli (Eco) NGN contacts the MtbRNAP gate loop, inhibiting swiveling and pausing. Using CRISPR-mediated genetics, we show that pro-pausing NGN is required for mycobacterial fitness. Our results define an essential function of mycobacterial NusG and the structural basis of pro- versus anti-pausing NusG activity, with broad implications for the function of all NusG orthologs.

Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease that is responsible for major health and economic costs worldwide1. Mtb encounters diverse environments during its life cycle and responds to these changes largely by reprogramming its transcriptional output2. However, the mechanisms of Mtb transcription and how they are regulated remain poorly understood. Here we use a sequencing method that simultaneously determines both termini of individual RNA molecules in bacterial cells3 to profile the Mtb transcriptome at high resolution. Unexpectedly, we find that most Mtb transcripts are incomplete, with their 5' ends aligned at transcription start sites and 3' ends located 200-500 nucleotides downstream. We show that these short RNAs are mainly associated with paused RNA polymerases (RNAPs) rather than being products of premature termination. We further show that the high propensity of Mtb RNAP to pause early in transcription relies on the binding of the σ-factor. Finally, we show that a translating ribosome promotes transcription elongation, revealing a potential role for transcription-translation coupling in controlling Mtb gene expression. In sum, our findings depict a mycobacterial transcriptome that prominently features incomplete transcripts resulting from RNAP pausing. We propose that the pausing phase constitutes an important transcriptional checkpoint in Mtb that allows the bacterium to adapt to environmental changes and could be exploited for TB therapeutics.

Structural basis of transcriptional activation by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis intrinsic antibiotic-resistance transcription factor WhiB7.

In pathogenic mycobacteria, transcriptional responses to antibiotics result in induced antibiotic resistance. WhiB7 belongs to the Actinobacteria-specific family of Fe-S-containing transcription factors and plays a crucial role in inducible antibiotic resistance in mycobacteria. Here, we present cryoelectron microscopy structures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptional regulatory complexes comprising RNA polymerase σA-holoenzyme, global regulators CarD and RbpA, and WhiB7, bound to a WhiB7-regulated promoter. The structures reveal how WhiB7 interacts with σA-holoenzyme while simultaneously interacting with an AT-rich sequence element via its AT-hook. Evidently, AT-hooks, rare elements in bacteria yet prevalent in eukaryotes, bind to target AT-rich DNA sequences similarly to the nuclear chromosome binding proteins. Unexpectedly, a subset of particles contained a WhiB7-stabilized closed promoter complex, revealing this intermediate's structure, and we apply kinetic modeling and biochemical assays to rationalize how WhiB7 activates transcription. Altogether, our work presents a comprehensive view of how WhiB7 serves to activate gene expression leading to antibiotic resistance.

Structural basis of dual activation of cell division by the actinobacterial transcription factors WhiA and WhiB.

Studies of transcriptional initiation in different bacterial clades reveal diverse molecular mechanisms regulating this first step in gene expression. The WhiA and WhiB factors are both required to express cell division genes in Actinobacteria and are essential in notable pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The WhiA/B regulons and binding sites have been elucidated in Streptomyces venezuelae (Sven), where they coordinate to activate sporulation septation. However, how these factors cooperate at the molecular level is not understood. Here we present cryoelectron microscopy structures of Sven transcriptional regulatory complexes comprising RNA polymerase (RNAP) σA-holoenzyme and WhiA and WhiB, in complex with the WhiA/B target promoter sepX. These structures reveal that WhiB binds to domain 4 of σA (σA4) of the σA-holoenzyme, bridging an interaction with WhiA while making non-specific contacts with the DNA upstream of the -35 core promoter element. The N-terminal homing endonuclease-like domain of WhiA interacts with WhiB, while the WhiA C-terminal domain (WhiA-CTD) makes base-specific contacts with the conserved WhiA GACAC motif. Notably, the structure of the WhiA-CTD and its interactions with the WhiA motif are strikingly similar to those observed between σA4 housekeeping σ-factors and the -35 promoter element, suggesting an evolutionary relationship. Structure-guided mutagenesis designed to disrupt these protein-DNA interactions reduces or abolishes developmental cell division in Sven, confirming their significance. Finally, we compare the architecture of the WhiA/B σA-holoenzyme promoter complex with the unrelated but model CAP Class I and Class II complexes, showing that WhiA/WhiB represent a new mechanism in bacterial transcriptional activation.

The antibiotic sorangicin A inhibits promoter DNA unwinding in a Mycobacterium tuberculosis rifampicin-resistant RNA polymerase.

Rifampicin (Rif) is a first-line therapeutic used to treat the infectious disease tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The emergence of Rif-resistant (RifR) Mtb presents a need for new antibiotics. Rif targets the enzyme RNA polymerase (RNAP). Sorangicin A (Sor) is an unrelated inhibitor that binds in the Rif-binding pocket of RNAP. Sor inhibits a subset of RifR RNAPs, including the most prevalent clinical RifR RNAP substitution found in Mtb infected patients (S456>L of the ß subunit). Here, we present structural and biochemical data demonstrating that Sor inhibits the wild-type Mtb RNAP by a similar mechanism as Rif: by preventing the translocation of very short RNAs. By contrast, Sor inhibits the RifR S456L enzyme at an earlier step, preventing the transition of a partially unwound promoter DNA intermediate to the fully opened DNA and blocking the template-strand DNA from reaching the active site in the RNAP catalytic center. By defining template-strand blocking as a mechanism for inhibition, we provide a mechanistic drug target in RNAP. Our finding that Sor inhibits the wild-type and mutant RNAPs through different mechanisms prompts future considerations for designing antibiotics against resistant targets. Also, we show that Sor has a better pharmacokinetic profile than Rif, making it a suitable starting molecule to design drugs to be used for the treatment of TB patients with comorbidities who require multiple medications.

Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis, an infectious disease that inflicts major health and economic costs around the world 1 . Mtb encounters a diversity of environments during its lifecycle, and responds to these changing environments by reprogramming its transcriptional output 2 . However, the transcriptomic features of Mtb remain poorly characterized. In this work, we comprehensively profile the Mtb transcriptome using the SEnd-seq method that simultaneously captures the 5' and 3' ends of RNA 3 . Surprisingly, we find that the RNA coverage for most of the Mtb transcription units display a gradual drop-off within a 200-500 nucleotide window downstream of the transcription start site, yielding a massive number of incomplete transcripts with heterogeneous 3' ends. We further show that the accumulation of these short RNAs is mainly due to the intrinsically low processivity of the Mtb transcription machinery rather than trans-acting factors such as Rho. Finally, we demonstrate that transcription-translation coupling plays a critical role in generating full-length protein-coding transcripts in Mtb. In sum, our results depict a mycobacterial transcriptome that is dominated by incomplete RNA products, suggesting a distinctive set of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that could be exploited for new therapeutics.

Immunodominant surface epitopes power immune evasion in the African trypanosome.

The African trypanosome survives the immune response of its mammalian host by antigenic variation of its major surface antigen (the variant surface glycoprotein or VSG). Here we describe the antibody repertoires elicited by different VSGs. We show that the repertoires are highly restricted and are directed predominantly to distinct epitopes on the surface of the VSGs. They are also highly discriminatory; minor alterations within these exposed epitopes confer antigenically distinct properties to these VSGs and elicit different repertoires. We propose that the patterned and repetitive nature of the VSG coat focuses host immunity to a restricted set of immunodominant epitopes per VSG, eliciting a highly stereotyped response, minimizing cross-reactivity between different VSGs and facilitating prolonged immune evasion through epitope variation.

A conserved domain in type III secretion links the cytoplasmic domain of InvA to elements of the basal body.

Protein type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are organic nanosyringes that achieve an energy-dependent translocation of bacterial proteins through the two membranes of Gram-negative organisms. Examples include the pathogenic systems of animals, plants and symbiotic bacteria that inject factors into eukaryotic cells, and the flagellar export system that secretes flagellin. T3SSs possess a core of several membrane-associated proteins that are conserved across all known bacterial species that use this system. The Salmonella protein InvA is one of the most highly conserved proteins of this core of critical T3SS components. The crystal structure of a C-terminal domain of InvA reveals an unexpected homology to domains that have been repeatedly found as building blocks of other elements of the T3SS apparatus. This suggests the surprising hypothesis that evolution has produced a significant component of the apparatus structure through a series of gene-duplication and gene-rearrangement events.

Fidaxomicin jams Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase motions needed for initiation via RbpA contacts.

Fidaxomicin (Fdx) is an antimicrobial RNA polymerase (RNAP) inhibitor highly effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNAP in vitro, but clinical use of Fdx is limited to treating Clostridium difficile intestinal infections due to poor absorption. To identify the structural determinants of Fdx binding to RNAP, we determined the 3.4 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of a complete M. tuberculosis RNAP holoenzyme in complex with Fdx. We find that the actinobacteria general transcription factor RbpA contacts fidaxomycin, explaining its strong effect on M. tuberculosis. Additional structures define conformational states of M. tuberculosis RNAP between the free apo-holoenzyme and the promoter-engaged open complex ready for transcription. The results establish that Fdx acts like a doorstop to jam the enzyme in an open state, preventing the motions necessary to secure promoter DNA in the active site. Our results provide a structural platform to guide development of anti-tuberculosis antimicrobials based on the Fdx binding pocket.

African trypanosomes evade immune clearance by O-glycosylation of the VSG surface coat.

The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei spp. is a paradigm for antigenic variation, the orchestrated alteration of cell surface molecules to evade host immunity. The parasite elicits robust antibody-mediated immune responses to its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat, but evades immune clearance by repeatedly accessing a large genetic VSG repertoire and 'switching' to antigenically distinct VSGs. This persistent immune evasion has been ascribed exclusively to amino-acid variance on the VSG surface presented by a conserved underlying protein architecture. We establish here that this model does not account for the scope of VSG structural and biochemical diversity. The 1.4-Å-resolution crystal structure of the variant VSG3 manifests divergence in the tertiary fold and oligomeric state. The structure also reveals an O-linked carbohydrate on the top surface of VSG3. Mass spectrometric analysis indicates that this O-glycosylation site is heterogeneously occupied in VSG3 by zero to three hexose residues and is also present in other VSGs. We demonstrate that this O-glycosylation increases parasite virulence by impairing the generation of protective immunity. These data alter the paradigm of antigenic variation by the African trypanosome, expanding VSG variability beyond amino-acid sequence to include surface post-translational modifications with immunomodulatory impact.

Rifamycin congeners kanglemycins are active against rifampicin-resistant bacteria via a distinct mechanism.

Rifamycin antibiotics (Rifs) target bacterial RNA polymerases (RNAPs) and are widely used to treat infections including tuberculosis. The utility of these compounds is threatened by the increasing incidence of resistance (RifR). As resistance mechanisms found in clinical settings may also occur in natural environments, here we postulated that bacteria could have evolved to produce rifamycin congeners active against clinically relevant resistance phenotypes. We survey soil metagenomes and identify a tailoring enzyme-rich family of gene clusters encoding biosynthesis of rifamycin congeners (kanglemycins, Kangs) with potent in vivo and in vitro activity against the most common clinically relevant RifR mutations. Our structural and mechanistic analyses reveal the basis for Kang inhibition of RifR RNAP. Unlike Rifs, Kangs function through a mechanism that includes interfering with 5'-initiating substrate binding. Our results suggest that examining soil microbiomes for new analogues of clinically used antibiotics may uncover metabolites capable of circumventing clinically important resistance mechanisms.

Structural insights into the mycobacteria transcription initiation complex from analysis of X-ray crystal structures.

The mycobacteria RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a target for antimicrobials against tuberculosis, motivating structure/function studies. Here we report a 3.2 Å-resolution crystal structure of a Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm) open promoter complex (RPo), along with structural analysis of the Msm RPo and a previously reported 2.76 Å-resolution crystal structure of an Msm transcription initiation complex with a promoter DNA fragment. We observe the interaction of the Msm RNAP α-subunit C-terminal domain (αCTD) with DNA, and we provide evidence that the αCTD may play a role in Mtb transcription regulation. Our results reveal the structure of an Actinobacteria-unique insert of the RNAP ß' subunit. Finally, our analysis reveals the disposition of the N-terminal segment of Msm σA, which may comprise an intrinsically disordered protein domain unique to mycobacteria. The clade-specific features of the mycobacteria RNAP provide clues to the profound instability of mycobacteria RPo compared with E. coli.

A common assembly module in injectisome and flagellar type III secretion sorting platforms.

Translocating proteins across the double membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, type III secretion systems (T3SS) occur in two evolutionarily related forms: injectisomes, delivering virulence factors into host cells, and the flagellar system, secreting the polymeric filament used for motility. While both systems share related elements of a cytoplasmic sorting platform that facilitates the hierarchical secretion of protein substrates, its assembly and regulation remain unclear. Here we describe a module mediating the assembly of the sorting platform in both secretion systems, and elucidate the structural basis for segregation of homologous components among these divergent T3SS subtypes sharing a common cytoplasmic milieu. These results provide a foundation for the subtype-specific assembly of T3SS sorting platforms and will support further mechanistic analysis and anti-virulence drug design.

Identification of the CysB-regulated gene, hslJ, related to the Escherichia coli novobiocin resistance phenotype.

The cysB gene product is a LysR-type regulatory protein required for expression of the cys regulon. cysB mutants of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, along with being auxotrophs for the cysteine, exhibit increased resistance to the antibiotics novobiocin (Nov) and mecillinam. In this work, by using lambdaplacMu9 insertions creating random lacZ fusions, we identify a gene, hslJ, whose expression appeared to be increased in cysB mutants and needed for Nov resistance. Measurements of the HSLJ::lacZ gene fusion expression demonstrated that the hslJ gene is negatively regulated by CysB. In addition we observe the negative autogenous control of HslJ. When the control imposed by CysB is lifted in the cysB mutant, the elevation of Nov resistance can be achieved only in the presence of wild-type hslJ allele. A double cysB hslJ mutant restores the sensitivity to Nov. Overexpression of the wild-type HslJ protein either in a cysB(+) or a cysB(-) background increases the level of Nov resistance indicating that hslJ product is indeed involved in accomplishing this phenotype. The HSLJ::OmegaKan allele encodes the C-terminaly truncated mutant protein HslJ Q121Ter which is not functional in achieving the Nov resistance but when overexpressed induces the psp operon. Finally, we found that inactivation of hslJ does not affect the increased resistance to mecillinam in cysB mutants.

A common structural motif in the binding of virulence factors to bacterial secretion chaperones.

Salmonella invasion protein A (SipA) is translocated into host cells by a type III secretion system (T3SS) and comprises two regions: one domain binds its cognate type III secretion chaperone, InvB, in the bacterium to facilitate translocation, while a second domain functions in the host cell, contributing to bacterial uptake by polymerizing actin. We present here the crystal structures of the SipA chaperone binding domain (CBD) alone and in complex with InvB. The SipA CBD is found to consist of a nonglobular polypeptide as well as a large globular domain, both of which are necessary for binding to InvB. We also identify a structural motif that may direct virulence factors to their cognate chaperones in a diverse range of pathogenic bacteria. Disruption of this structural motif leads to a destabilization of several chaperone-substrate complexes from different species, as well as an impairment of secretion in Salmonella.

The LysR-type transcriptional regulator CysB controls the repression of hslJ transcription in Escherichia coli.

The LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR) CysB is a transcription factor in Escherichia coli cells, where as a homotetramer it binds the target promoter regions and activates the genes involved in sulphur utilization and sulphonate-sulphur metabolism, while negatively autoregulating its own transcription. The hslJ gene was found to be negatively regulated by CysB and directly correlated with novobiocin resistance of the bacterium. cysB mutants showed upregulation of the hslJ : : lacZ gene fusion and exhibited increased novobiocin resistance. In this study the hslJ transcription start point and the corresponding putative sigma(70) promoter were determined. The hslJ promoter region was defined by employing different hslJ-lacZ operon fusions, and transcription of the hslJ gene was shown to be subject to both repression imposed by the CysB regulator and direct or indirect autogenous negative control. These two regulations compete to some extent but they are not mutually exclusive. CysB acts as a direct repressor of hslJ transcription and binds the hslJ promoter region that carries the putative CysB repressor site. This CysB binding, apparently responsible for repression, is enhanced in the presence of the ligand N-acetylserine (NAS), hitherto considered to be a positive cofactor in CysB-mediated gene regulations. Interallelic complementation of characterized CysB mutants I33N and S277Ter partially restored the repression of hslJ transcription and the consequent novobiocin sensitivity, but did not complement the cysteine auxotrophy.

Association of beta2-microglobulin with the alpha3 domain of H-2Db heavy chain.

MHC class I molecules are heterotrimeric complexes composed of heavy chain, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) and short peptide. This trimeric complex is generated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where a peptide loading complex (PLC) facilitates transport from the cytosol and binding of the peptide to the preassembled ER resident heavy chain/beta2m dimers. Association of mouse MHC class I heavy chain with beta2m is characterized by allelic differences in the number and/or positions of amino acid interactions. It is unclear, however, whether all alleles follow common binding patterns with minimal contributions by allele-specific contacts, or whether essential contacts with beta2m are different for each allele. While searching for the PLC binding site in the alpha3 domain of the mouse MHC class I molecule H-2Db, we unexpectedly discovered a site critical for binding mouse, but not human, beta2m. Interestingly, amino acids in the corresponding region of another MHC class I heavy chain allele do not make contacts with the mouse beta2m. Thus, there are allelic differences in the modes of binding of beta2m to the heavy chain of MHC class I.

Editing autoreactive TCR enables efficient positive selection.

Allelic exclusion is inefficient at the TCRalpha locus, allowing a sizeable portion of T cells to carry two functional TCRs. The potential danger of dual TCR expression is a rescue of autoreactive TCRs during selection in the thymus and subsequent development of autoimmunity. In this study, we examine the reason(s) for replacing an autoreactive TCR and for allowing the survival of cells carrying two TCRs. We compared development of TCR transgenic CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes in the presence or absence of MHC class II autoantigen that does not induce deletion of thymocytes. Contrary to the expected negative effect of the presence of autoantigen, approximately 100% more CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes were found in the presence of MHC class II autoantigen than in the neutral background. A further increase in the strength of autoantigenic signal via expression of a human CD4 transgene led to an additional increase in the numbers of CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes. Thus, editing autoreactive TCR results in more efficient positive selection, and this may be both a reason and a reward for risking autoimmunity.

The role of fibroblasts in thymocyte-positive selection.

Mice with fibroblast-specific expression of TAP-1 were generated by expressing the TAP-1 transgene under the control of the fibroblast-specific protein (FSP) 1 promoter/enhancer on TAP-1-deficient background. MHC class I expression in primary fibroblast cultures isolated from the resulting strain mimicked that of wild-type counterparts. MHC class I was detected in both types of fibroblasts following treatment with IFN-alphabeta. Positive selection of CD4(-)CD8(+) thymocytes was observed in neither adult nor fetal/neonatal thymus of transgenic mice. IFN-alphabeta-induced expression of MHC class I rescued positive selection of CD4(-)CD8(+) T cells in fetal thymic organ cultures, but not in adult mice. Contrary to previous suggestions, our results indicate a limited role of fibroblasts in promoting positive selection. In addition, the results suggest that positive selection may occur by a different mechanism in fetal vs adult thymus.

Growth retardation as well as spleen and thymus involution in latent TGF-beta binding protein (Ltbp)-3 null mice.

The latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP)-3 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that binds the small latent complex (SLC) of TGF-beta. Disruption of the Ltbp-3 gene by homologous recombination in mice yields mutant animals that display multiple skeletal abnormalities. In addition, these mice have retarded growth. On an inbred 129 SvEv background, half of the Ltbp-3 mutant mice die between 3 and 4 weeks after birth. These mice show severe involution of the thymus and spleen and a sharp reduction in the numbers of CD4/CD8 double positive T-cells in the thymus. The thymus and spleen defect is caused by elevated corticosterone levels in the serum and can be reversed by injection of aminoglutethimide (AMG), an inhibitor of steroid synthesis. This result indicates that the thymus and spleen defect is a secondary defect due to high corticosterone levels probably induced by stress of unknown etiology.