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Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of urinary cancer. Despite advances in treatment methods, no specific biomarkers are currently in use. Targeted and untargeted profiling of metabolites and elements of human blood serum from 100 BC patients and the same number of normal controls (NCs), with external validation, was attempted using three analytical methods, i.e., nuclear magnetic resonance, gold and silver-109 nanoparticle-based laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). All results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Four potential serum biomarkers of BC, namely, isobutyrate, pyroglutamate, choline, and acetate, were quantified with proton nuclear magnetic resonance, which had excellent predictive ability as judged by the area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.999. Two elements, Li and Fe, were also found to distinguish between cancer and control samples, as judged from ICP-OES data and AUC of 0.807 (in validation set). Twenty-five putatively identified compounds, mostly related to glycans and lipids, differentiated BC from NCs, as detected using LDI-MS. Five serum metabolites were found to discriminate between tumor grades and nine metabolites between tumor stages. The results from three different analytical platforms demonstrate that the identified distinct serum metabolites and metal elements have potential to be used for noninvasive detection, staging, and grading of BC.

Metallophilic interactions between closed-shell metal centers are exemplified by d

Kidney cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed and the most lethal urinary cancer. Despite all the efforts made, no serum-specific biomarker is currently used in the clinical management of patients with this tumor. In this study, comprehensive high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and silver-109 nanoparticle-enhanced steel target laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (109AgNPET LDI MS) approaches were conducted, in conjunction with multivariate data analysis, to discriminate the global serum metabolic profiles of kidney cancer (n = 50) and healthy volunteers (n = 49). Eight potential biomarkers have been identified using 1H NMR metabolomics and nine mass spectral features which differed significantly (p 2 > 0.7), area under the receiver operative characteristic curve (ROC) AUC > 0.96. Compared with healthy human serum, kidney cancer serum had higher levels of glucose and lower levels of choline, glycerol, glycine, lactate, leucine, myo-inositol, and 1-methylhistidine. Analysis of differences between these metabolite levels in patients with different types and grades of kidney cancer was undertaken. Our results, derived from the combination of LDI MS and 1H NMR methods, suggest that serum biomarkers identified herein appeared to have great potential for use in clinical prognosis and/or diagnosis of kidney cancer.

The microbial degradation of lignocellulose in natural ecosystems presents numerous biotechnological opportunities, including biofuel production from agricultural waste and feedstock biomass. To explore the degradation potential of specific thermophiles, we have identified and characterized extremophilic microorganisms isolated from hot springs environments that are capable of biodegrading lignin and cellulose substrates under thermoalkaline conditions, using a combination of culturing, genomics, and metabolomics techniques. Organisms that can use lignin and cellulose as a sole carbon source at 60 to 75°C were isolated from sediment slurry of thermoalkaline hot springs (71 to 81°C and pH 8 to 9) of Yellowstone National Park. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that these isolates were closely related to Geobacillus thermoleovorans. Interestingly, most of these isolates demonstrated biofilm formation on lignin, a phenotype that is correlated with increased bioconversion. Assessment of metabolite level changes in two

The microbial degradation of lignocellulose in natural ecosystems presents numerous biotechnological opportunities, including biofuel production from agricultural waste and feedstock biomass. To explore the degradation potential of specific thermophiles, we have identified and characterized extremophilic microorganisms isolated from hot springs environments that are capable of biodegrading lignin and cellulose substrates under thermoalkaline conditions, using a combination of culturing, genomics, and metabolomics techniques. Organisms that can use lignin and cellulose as a sole carbon source at 60 to 75°C were isolated from sediment slurry of thermoalkaline hot springs (71 to 81°C and pH 8 to 9) of Yellowstone National Park. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that these isolates were closely related to Geobacillus thermoleovorans. Interestingly, most of these isolates demonstrated biofilm formation on lignin, a phenotype that is correlated with increased bioconversion. Assessment of metabolite level changes in two Geobacillus isolates from two representative springs were undertaken to characterize the metabolic responses associated with growth on glucose versus lignin carbon source as a function of pH and temperature. Overall, results from this study support that thermoalkaline springs harbor G. thermoleovorans microorganisms with lignocellulosic biomass degradation capabilities and potential downstream biotechnological applications. IMPORTANCE Since lignocellulosic biomass represents a major agro-industrial waste and renewable resource, its potential to replace nonrenewable petroleum-based products for energy production is considerable. Microbial ligninolytic and cellulolytic enzymes are of high interest in biorefineries for the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass, as they can withstand the extreme conditions (e.g., high temperature and high pH) required for processing. Of great interest is the ligninolytic potential of specific Geobacillus thermoleovorans isolates to function at a broad range of pH and temperatures, since lignin is the bottleneck in the bioprocessing of lignocellulose. In this study, results obtained from G. thermoleovorans isolates originating from YNP springs are significant because very few microorganisms from alkaline thermal environments have been discovered to have lignin- and cellulose-biodegrading capabilities, and this work opens new avenues for the biotechnological valorization of lignocellulosic biomass at an industrial scale.

Environmental metabolomics has the potential to facilitate the establishment of a new suite of tools for assessing the physiological status of important wildlife species. A first step in developing such tools is to evaluate the impacts of various capture techniques on metabolic profiles as capture is necessary to obtain the biological samples required for assays. This study employed 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolite profiling of 562 blood serum samples from wild bighorn sheep to identify characteristic molecular serum makers of three capture techniques (dart, dropnet, and helicopter-based captures) to inform future sampling protocols for metabolomics studies, and to provide insights into the physiological impacts of capture. We found that different capture techniques induce distinct changes in amino acid serum profiles, the urea cycle, and glycolysis, and attribute the differences in metabolic patterns to differences in physical activity and stress caused by the different capture methods. These results suggest that when designing experiments involving the capture of wild animals, it may be prudent to employ a single capture technique to reduce confounding factors. Our results also supports administration of tranquilizers as soon as animals are restrained to mitigate short-term physiological and metabolic responses when using pursuit and physical restraint capture techniques.

Introduction Kidney cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed and the most lethal urinary cancer. Despite advances in treatment, no specific biomarker is currently in use to guide therapeutic interventions. Objectives Major aim of this work was to perform metabolomic and elemental profiling of human kidney cancer and normal tissue and to evaluate cancer biomarkers. Methods Metabolic and elemental profiling of tumor and adjacent normal human kidney tissue from 50 patients with kidney cancer was undertaken using three different analytical methods. Results Five potential tissue biomarkers of kidney cancer were identified and quantified using with high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The contents of selected chemical elements in tissues was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Eleven mass spectral features differentiating between kidney cancer and normal tissues were detected using silver-109 nanoparticle enhanced steel target laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Conclusions Our results, derived from the combination of ICP-OES, LDI MS and 1H NMR methods, suggest that tissue biomarkers identified herein appeared to have great potential for use in clinical prognosis and/or diagnosis of kidney cancer.

Macrophages (M&Phi, s) are prevalent innate immune cells, present throughout human bodily tissues where they orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses to maintain cellular homeostasis. M&Phi, s have the capacity to display a wide array of functional phenotypes due to different microenvironmental cues, particularly soluble bacterial secretory products. Recent evidence has emerged demonstrating that metabolism supports M&Phi, function and plasticity, in addition to energy and biomolecular precursor production. In this study, 1D 1H-NMR-based metabolomics was used to identify the metabolic pathways that are differentially altered following primary human monocyte-derived M&Phi, exposure to P. aeruginosa planktonic- and biofilm-conditioned media (PCM and BCM). Metabolic profiling of PCM- and BCM-exposed M&Phi, s indicated a significant increase in glycolytic metabolism, purine biosynthesis, and inositol phosphate metabolism. In addition, these metabolic patterns suggested that BCM-exposed M&Phi, s exhibit a hyperinflammatory metabolic profile with reduced glycerol metabolism and elevated catabolism of lactate and amino acids, relative to PCM-exposed M&Phi, s. Altogether, our study reveals novel findings concerning the metabolic modulation of human M&Phi, s after exposure to secretory microbial products and contributes additional knowledge to the field of immunometabolism in M&Phi, s.

Macrophages (M&Phi, s) are phagocytic immune cells that are found in nearly all human tissues, where they modulate innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis. M&Phi, s display a spectrum of functional phenotypes as a result of microenvironmental and stress-induced stimuli. Evidence has emerged demonstrating that metabolism is not only crucial for the generation of energy and biomolecular precursors, but also contributes to the function and plasticity of M&Phi, s. Here, 1D 1H NMR-based metabolomics was employed to identify metabolic pathways that are differentially modulated following primary human monocyte-derived M&Phi, activation with pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2a) stimuli relative to resting (M0) M&Phi, s. The metabolic profiling of M1 M&Phi, s indicated a substantial increase in oxidative stress as well as a decrease in mitochondrial respiration. These metabolic profiles also provide compelling evidence that M1 M&Phi, s divert metabolites from de novo glycerophospholipid synthesis to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, glycolysis and lactic acid fermentation were significantly increased in both M1 and M2a M&Phi, s. These metabolic patterns highlight robust metabolic activation markers of M&Phi, phenotypes. Overall, our study generates additional support to previous observations, presents novel findings regarding the metabolic modulation of human M&Phi, s following activation, and contributes new knowledge to the rapidly evolving field of immunometabolism.

Summary Wide-spread abundance in soil and water, coupled with high toxicity have put arsenic at the top of the list of environmental contaminants. Early studies demonstrated that both concentration and the valence state of inorganic arsenic (arsenite, As(III) vs. arsenate As(V)) can be modulated by microbes. Using genetics, transcriptomic and proteomic techniques, microbe-arsenic detoxification, respiratory As(V) reduction, and As(III) oxidation have since been examined. The effect of arsenic exposure on whole-cell intracellular microbial metabolism, however, has not been extensively studied. We combined LC-MS and 1H NMR to quantify metabolic changes in Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain 5A) upon exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of As(III). Metabolomics analysis reveals global differences in metabolite concentrations between control and As(III) exposure groups, with significant perturbations to intermediates shuttling into and cycling within the TCA cycle. These data are most consistent with the disruption of two key TCA cycle enzymes, pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Glycolysis also appeared altered following As(III) stress, with carbon accumulating as complex saccharides. These observations suggest that an important consequence of As(III) contamination in nature will be to alter microbial carbon metabolism at the microbial community level and thus has the potential to foundationally impact all biogeochemical cycles in the environment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Metabolomics aims to characterize the metabolic phenotype and metabolic pathways utilized by microorganisms or other cellular systems. A crucial component to metabolomics research as it applies to microbial metabolism is the development of robust and reproducible methods for extraction of intracellular metabolites. The goal is to extract all metabolites in a non-biased and consistent manner; however, most methods used thus far are targeted to specific metabolite classes and use harsh conditions that may contribute to metabolite degradation. Metabolite extraction methodologies need to be optimized for each microorganism of interest due to different cellular characteristics contributing to lysis resistance. METHODS: Three cell pellet wash solutions were compared for the potential to influence intracellular metabolite leakage of P. aeruginosa. We also compared four different extraction methods using (i) methanol:chloroform (2:1); (ii) 50% methanol; (iii) 100% methanol; or (iv) 100% water to extract intracellular metabolites from P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm cultures. RESULTS: Intracellular metabolite extraction efficiency was found to be dependent on the extraction method and varies between microbial modes of growth. Methods using the 60% methanol wash produced the greatest amount of intracellular material leakage. Quantification of intracellular metabolites via (1)H NMR showed that extraction protocols using 100% water or 50% methanol achieved the greatest extraction efficiencies, while addition of sonication to facilitate cell lysis to the 50% methanol extraction method resulted in at least a two-fold increase in signal intensities for approximately half of the metabolites identified. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was determined to be the most appropriate wash solution, yielding little intracellular metabolite leakage from cells. CONCLUSION: We determined that washing in 1X PBS and extracting intracellular metabolites with 50% methanol is the most appropriate metabolite extraction protocol because (a) leakage is minimal; (b) a broad range of metabolites present at sufficiently high concentrations is detectable by NMR; and (c) this method proved suitable for metabolite extraction of both planktonic and biofilm P. aeruginosa cultures.

Kidney cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers of the urinary tract in the world. Despite significant advances in kidney cancer treatment, no urine specific biomarker is currently used to guide therapeutic interventions. In an effort to address this knowledge gap, metabolic profiling of urine samples from 50 patients with kidney cancer and 50 healthy volunteers was undertaken using high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and silver-109 nanoparticle enhanced steel target laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (109AgNPET LDI MS). Twelve potential urine biomarkers of kidney cancer were identified and quantified using one-dimensional (1D) 1H NMR metabolomics. Seven mass spectral features which differed significantly in abundance (p < 0.05) between kidney cancer patients and healthy volunteers were also detected using 109AgNPET-based laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI MS). This work provides a framework to expand biomarker discovery that could be used as useful diagnostic or prognostic of kidney cancer progression.

This study aimed to characterize the impact of dietary copper on the biochemical and hepatic metabolite changes associated with fructose toxicity in a Wistar rat model of fructose-induced liver disease. Twenty-four male and 24 female, 6-week-old, Wister rats were separated into four experimental dietary treatment groups (6 males and 6 females per group), as follows: (1) a control diet: containing no fructose with adequate copper (i.e., CuA/0% Fruct); (2) a diet regimen identical to the control and supplemented with 30% w/v fructose in the animals' drinking water (CuA/30% Fruct); (3) a diet identical to the control diet but deficient in copper content (CuD/0% Fruct) and (4) a diet identical to the control diet but deficient in copper content and supplemented with 30% w/v fructose in the drinking water (CuD/30% Fruct). The animals were fed the four diet regimens for 5 weeks, followed by euthanization and assessment of histology, elemental profiles and identification and quantitation of liver metabolites. Results from 1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics revealed mechanistic insights into copper modulation of fructose hepatotoxicity through identification of distinct metabolic phenotypes that were highly correlated with diet and sex. This study also identified previously unknown sex-specific responses to both fructose supplementation and restricted copper intake, while the presence of adequate dietary copper promoted most pronounced fructose-induced metabolite changes.

This study investigated resistance against trishexylaminomelamine trisphenylguanide (THAM-3ΦG), a novel antibacterial compound with selective microbicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Resistance development was examined by culturing methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with sub-lethal doses of THAM-3ΦG. This quickly resulted in the formation of normal (WT) and small colonies (SC) of S. aureus exhibiting minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 2× and 4× greater than the original MIC. Continuous cell passaging with increasing concentrations of THAM-3ΦG resulted in an exclusively SC phenotype with MIC >64 mg/L. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis revealed three distinct metabolic profiles for THAM-3ΦG treated WT, untreated WT, and SC (both treated and untreated). The metabolome patterns of the SC sample groups match those reported for other small colony variants (SCV) of S. aureus. Supplementation of the SCV with menadione resulted in almost complete recovery of growth rate. This auxotrophism was corroborated by NMR analysis revealing the absence of menaquinone production in the SCV. In conclusion, MRSA rapidly acquires resistance to THAM-3ΦG through selection of a slow-growing menaquinone auxotroph. This study highlights the importance of evaluating and monitoring resistance to novel antibacterials during development.

Bald’s eyesalve is an Anglo-Saxon medicinal remedy that has been used through ancient times to treat eye sty infections and may represent a source of ancientbiotics. This study assessed the efficacy of Bald’s eyesalve against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including a multi-drug resistant phenotype, and identified the principal compound conveying antibacterial activity. Bald’s eyesalve formulations were produced by combining garlic, onion or leek, wine, bovine bile, and brass, with specific ingredient omissions in several formulations, followed by incubation at 4 °C for 9 days. Bald’s eyesalve formulation ES-GBBr exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Fractionation of ES-GBBr using molecular size exclusion and organic solvent partitioning isolated its antibacterial activity to the small molecule nonpolar fraction, and 1D 1H NMR revealed the identity of the antibacterial agent to be allicin. Depletion of allicin from this fraction by addition of exogenous cysteine established that all observable growth inhibition originated from allicin. Quantification of allicin demonstrated that its concentration was significantly greater in ES-GBBr compared to the ES-O formulation; however, this was not due to greater yield. The antibacterial activity of allicin against S. aureus was antagonized by other ingredients within Bald’s eyesalve, whereas they were additive or synergistic against P. aeruginosa. These results suggest that neither leek nor onion is necessary for the antibacterial efficacy of Bald’s eyesalve against S. aureus or P. aeruginosa, and while allicin was identified as the principal antibacterial agent present, its activity is influenced differentially in the presence of additional Bald’s eyesalve ingredients when used against S. aureus compared to P. aeruginosa. Ancientbiotics may provide a source of promising antibacterials; however, identifying the source of activity and assessing distinct formulations for cooperative effects are essential to using ancient remedies, such as Bald’s eyesalve, effectively against drug resistant pathogens.

Lipids composed of condensed isoprenyl units connected to glycerol backbones by ether linkages are a distinguishing feature of Archaea. Data suggesting that fatty acids with linear hydrocarbon chains are present in some Archaea have been available for decades. However, lack of genomic and biochemical evidence for the metabolic machinery required to synthesize and degrade fatty acids has left the field unclear on this potentially significant biochemical aspect. Because lipids are energy currency and cell signaling molecules, their presence in Archaea is significant for understanding archaeal biology. A recent large-scale bioinformatics analysis reignited the debate as to the importance of fatty acids in Archaea by presenting genetic evidence for the presence of enzymes required for anabolic and catabolic fatty acid metabolism across the archaeal domain. Here, we present direct biochemical evidence from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the presence of fatty acids in two members of the Crenarchaeota,Sulfolobus solfataricusandIgnicoccus hospitalis. This is the first report providing biochemical data for the existence of fatty acids in these Crenarchaeota, opening new discussions on energy balance and the potential for the discovery of new thermostable enzymes for industry.

For nearly 30 years, coenzyme M (CoM) was assumed to be present solely in methanogenic archaea. In the late 1990s, CoM was reported to play a role in bacterial propene metabolism, but no biosynthetic pathway for CoM has yet been identified in bacteria. Here, using bioinformatics and proteomic approaches in the metabolically versatile bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus Py2, we identified four putative CoM biosynthetic enzymes encoded by the xcbB1, C1, D1, and E1 genes. Only XcbB1 was homologous to a known CoM biosynthetic enzyme (ComA), indicating that CoM biosynthesis in bacteria involves enzymes different from those in archaea. We verified that the ComA homolog produces phosphosulfolactate from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), demonstrating that bacterial CoM biosynthesis is initiated similarly as the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent methanogenic archaeal pathway. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that XcbC1 and D1 are members of the aspartase/fumarase superfamily (AFS) and that XcbE1 is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-containing enzyme with homology to d-cysteine desulfhydrases. Known AFS members catalyze β-elimination reactions of succinyl-containing substrates, yielding fumarate as the common unsaturated elimination product. Unexpectedly, we found that XcbC1 catalyzes β-elimination on phosphosulfolactate, yielding inorganic phosphate and a novel metabolite, sulfoacrylic acid. Phosphate-releasing β-elimination reactions are unprecedented among the AFS, indicating that XcbC1 is an unusual phosphatase. Direct demonstration of phosphosulfolactate synthase activity for XcbB1 and phosphate β-elimination activity for XcbC1 strengthened their hypothetical assignment to a CoM biosynthetic pathway and suggested functions also for XcbD1 and E1. Our results represent a critical first step toward elucidating the CoM pathway in bacteria.

The timing of whole-plant senescence influences important agricultural traits such as yield and grain protein content. Post-transcriptional regulation by plant RNA-binding proteins is essential for proper control of gene expression, development, and stress responses. Here, we report the three-dimensional solution NMR structure and nucleic acid-binding properties of the barley glycine-rich RNA-binding protein HvGR-RBP1, whose transcript has been identified as being45-fold up-regulated in early-as compared to late-senescing near-isogenic barley germplasm. NMR analysis reveals that HvGR-RBP1 is a multidomain protein comprising a well-folded N-terminal RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) and a structurally disordered C-terminal glycine-rich domain. Chemical shift differences observed in 2D (1)H-(15)N correlation (HSQC) NMR spectra of full-length HvGR-RBP1 and N-HvGR-RBP1 (RRM domain only) suggest that the two domains can interact both in-trans and intramolecularly, similar to what is observed in the tobacco NtGR-RBP1 protein. Further, we show that the RRM domain of HvGR-RBP1 binds single-stranded DNA nucleotide fragments containing the consensus nucleotide sequence 5'-TTCTGX-3' with low micromolar affinity in vitro. We also demonstrate that the C-terminal glycine-rich (HvGR) domain of Hv-GR-RBP1 can interact nonspecifically with ssRNA in vitro. Structural similarities with other plant glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins suggest that HvGR-RBP1 may be multifunctional. Based on gene expression analysis following cold stress in barley and E. coli growth studies following cold shock treatment, we conclude that HvGR-RBP1 functions in a manner similar to cold-shock proteins and harbors RNA chaperone activity. HvGR-RBP1 is therefore not only involved in the regulation of barley development including senescence, but also functions in plant responses to environmental stress.

Interspecies interactions are the basis of microbial community formation and infectious diseases. Systems biology enables the construction of complex models describing such interactions, leading to a better understanding of disease states and communities. However, before interactions between complex organisms can be understood, metabolic and energetic implications of simpler real-world host-microbe systems must be worked out. To this effect, untargeted metabolomics experiments were conducted and integrated with proteomics data to characterize key molecular-level interactions between two hyperthermophilic microbial species, both of which have reduced genomes. Metabolic changes and transfer of metabolites between the archaea Ignicoccus hospitalis and Nanoarcheum equitans were investigated using integrated LC-MS and NMR metabolomics. The study of such a system is challenging, as no genetic tools are available, growth in the laboratory is challenging, and mechanisms by which they interact are unknown. Together with information about relative enzyme levels obtained from shotgun proteomics, the metabolomics data provided useful insights into metabolic pathways and cellular networks of I. hospitalis that are impacted by the presence of N. equitans, including arginine, isoleucine, and CTP biosynthesis. On the organismal level, the data indicate that N. equitans exploits metabolites generated by I. hospitalis to satisfy its own metabolic needs. This finding is based on N. equitans's consumption of a significant fraction of the metabolite pool in I. hospitalis that cannot solely be attributed to increased biomass production for N. equitans. Combining LC-MS and NMR metabolomics datasets improved coverage of the metabolome and enhanced the identification and quantitation of cellular metabolites.

The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus acquires heme iron from hemoglobin (Hb) via the action of a series of iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins. The cell wall anchored IsdB protein is recognized as the predominant Hb receptor, and is comprised of two NEAr transporter (NEAT) domains that act in concert to bind, extract, and transfer heme from Hb to downstream Isd proteins. Structural details of the NEAT 2 domain of IsdB have been investigated, but the molecular coordination between NEAT 2 and NEAT 1 to extract heme from hemoglobin has yet to be characterized. To obtain a more complete understanding of IsdB structure and function, we have solved the 3D solution structure of the NEAT 1 domain of IsdB (IsdB(N1)) spanning residues 125-272 of the full-length protein by NMR. The structure reveals a canonical NEAT domain fold and has particular structural similarity to the NEAT 1 and NEAT 2 domains of IsdH, which also interact with Hb. IsdB(N1) is also comprised of a short N-terminal helix, which has not been previously observed in other NEAT domain structures. Interestingly, the Hb binding region (loop 2 of IsdB(N1)) is disordered in solution. Analysis of Hb binding demonstrates that IsdB(N1) can bind metHb weakly and the affinity of this interaction is further increased by the presence of IsdB linker domain. IsdB(N1) loop 2 variants reveal that phenylalanine 164 (F164) of IsdB is necessary for Hb binding and rapid heme transfer from metHb to IsdB. Together, these findings provide a structural role for IsdB(N1) in enhancing the rate of extraction of metHb heme by the IsdB NEAT 2 domain.

Wound bioburden in the form of colonizing biofilms is a major contributor to nonhealing wounds. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobe commonly found in chronic wounds; however, much remains unknown about the basic physiology of this opportunistic pathogen, especially with regard to the biofilm phenotype. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of S. aureus biofilms have suggested that S. aureus biofilms exhibit an altered metabolic state relative to the planktonic phenotype. Herein, comparisons of extracellular and intracellular metabolite profiles detected by (1)H NMR were conducted for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) S. aureus strains grown as biofilm and planktonic cultures. Principal component analysis distinguished the biofilm phenotype from the planktonic phenotype, and factor loadings analysis identified metabolites that contributed to the statistical separation of the biofilm from the planktonic phenotype, suggesting that key features distinguishing biofilm from planktonic growth include selective amino acid uptake, lipid catabolism, butanediol fermentation, and a shift in metabolism from energy production to assembly of cell-wall components and matrix deposition. These metabolite profiles provide a basis for the development of metabolite biomarkers that distinguish between biofilm and planktonic phenotypes in S. aureus and have the potential for improved diagnostic and therapeutic use in chronic wounds.

Leaf senescence is an important process in the developmental life of all plant species. Senescence efficiency influences important agricultural traits such as grain protein content and plant growth, which are often limited by nitrogen use. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating this highly orchestrated process. To enhance our understanding of leaf senescence and its regulation, we have undertaken the structural and functional characterization of previously unknown proteins that are involved in the control of senescence in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Previous microarray analysis highlighted several barley genes whose transcripts are differentially expressed during senescence, including a specific gene which is greater than 40-fold up-regulated in the flag leaves of early- as compared to late-senescing near-isogenic barley lines at 14 and 21 days past flowering (anthesis). From inspection of its amino acid sequence, this gene is predicted to encode a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein herein referred to as HvGR-RBP1. HvGR-RBP1 has been expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and preliminary NMR data analysis has revealed that its glycine-rich C-terminal region [residues: 93–162] is structurally disordered whereas its N-terminal region [residues: 1–92] forms a well-folded domain. Herein, we report the complete 1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments of backbone and sidechain atoms, and the secondary structural topology of the N-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain of HvGR-RBP1, as a first step to unraveling its structural and functional role in the regulation of barley leaf senescence.

Background Studies of interspecies interactions are inherently difficult due to the complex mechanisms which enable these relationships. A model system for studying interspecies interactions is the marine hyperthermophiles Ignicoccus hospitalis and Nanoarchaeum equitans. Recent independently-conducted ‘omics’ analyses have generated insights into the molecular factors modulating this association. However, significant questions remain about the nature of the interactions between these archaea. Methods We jointly analyzed multiple levels of omics datasets obtained from published, independent transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics analyses. DAVID identified functionally-related groups enriched when I. hospitalis is grown alone or in co-culture with N. equitans. Enriched molecular pathways were subsequently visualized using interaction maps generated using STRING. Results Key findings of our multi-level omics analysis indicated that I. hospitalis provides precursors to N. equitans for energy metabolism. Analysis indicated an overall reduction in diversity of metabolic precursors in the I. hospitalis–N. equitans co-culture, which has been connected to the differential use of ribosomal subunits and was previously unnoticed. We also identified differences in precursors linked to amino acid metabolism, NADH metabolism, and carbon fixation, providing new insights into the metabolic adaptions of I. hospitalis enabling the growth of N. equitans. Conclusions This multi-omics analysis builds upon previously identified cellular patterns while offering new insights into mechanisms that enable the I. hospitalis–N. equitans association. General significance Our study applies statistical and visualization techniques to a mixed-source omics dataset to yield a more global insight into a complex system, that was not readily discernable from separate omics studies.

Hyperthermophilic archaeal viruses, including Sulfolobus spindle-shaped viruses (SSVs) such as SSV-1 and SSV-Ragged Hills, exhibit remarkable morphology and genetic diversity. However, they remain poorly understood, in part because their genomes exhibit limited or unrecognizable sequence similarity to genes with known function. Here we report structural and functional studies of E73, a 73-residue homodimeric protein encoded within the SSV-Ragged Hills genome. Despite lacking significant sequence similarity, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure reveals clear similarity to ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) domains present in numerous proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. In vitro double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding experiments confirm the ability of E73 to bind dsDNA in a nonspecific manner with micromolar affinity, and characterization of the K11E variant confirms the location of the predicted DNA binding surface. E73 is distinct, however, from known RHH domains. The RHH motif is elaborated upon by the insertion of a third helix that is tightly integrated into the structural domain, giving rise to the "RH3" fold. Within the homodimer, this helix results in the formation of a conserved, symmetric cleft distal to the DNA binding surface, where it may mediate protein-protein interactions or contribute to the high thermal stability of E73. Analysis of backbone amide dynamics by NMR provides evidence of a rigid core, fast picosecond to nanosecond time scale NH bond vector motions for residues located within the antiparallel β-sheet region of the proposed DNA-binding surface, and slower microsecond to millisecond time scale motions for residues in the α1-α2 loop. The roles of E73 and its SSV homologues in the viral life cycle are discussed.

Interspecies interactions are the basis of microbial community formation and infectious diseases. Systems biology enables the construction of complex models describing such interactions, leading to a better understanding of disease states and communities. However, before interactions between complex organisms can be understood, metabolic and energetic implications of simpler real-world host-microbe systems must be worked out. To this effect, untargeted metabolomics experiments were conducted and integrated with proteomics data to characterize key molecular-level interactions between two hyperthermophilic microbial species, both of which have reduced genomes. Metabolic changes and transfer of metabolites between the archaea Ignicoccus hospitalis and Nanoarcheum equitans were investigated using integrated LC-MS and NMR metabolomics. The study of such a system is challenging, as no genetic tools are available, growth in the laboratory is challenging, and mechanisms by which they interact are unknown. Together with information about relative enzyme levels obtained from shotgun proteomics, the metabolomics data provided useful insights into metabolic pathways and cellular networks of I. hospitalis that are impacted by the presence of N. equitans, including arginine, isoleucine, and CTP biosynthesis. On the organismal level, the data indicate that N. equitans exploits metabolites generated by I. hospitalis to satisfy its own metabolic needs. This finding is based on N. equitans’s consumption of a significant fraction of the metabolite pool in I. hospitalis that cannot solely be attributed to increased biomass production for N. equitans. Combining LC-MS and NMR metabolomics datasets improved coverage of the metabolome and enhanced the identification and quantitation of cellular metabolites.

Chronic, non-healing wounds contribute significantly to the suffering of patients with co-morbidities in the clinical population with mild to severely compromised immune systems. Normal wound healing proceeds through a well-described process. However, in chronic wounds this process seems to become dysregulated at the transition between resolution of inflammation and re-epithelialization. Bioburden in the form of colonizing bacteria is a major contributor to the delayed headlining in chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers. However how the microbiome influences the wound metabolic landscape is unknown. Here, we have used a Systems Biology approach to determine the biochemical associations between the taxonomic and metabolomic profiles of wounds colonized by bacteria. Pressure ulcer biopsies were harvested from primary chronic wounds and bisected into top and bottom sections prior to analysis of microbiome by pyrosequencing and analysis of metabolome using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Bacterial taxonomy revealed that wounds were colonized predominantly by three main phyla, but differed significantly at the genus level. While taxonomic profiles demonstrated significant variability between wounds, metabolic profiles shared significant similarity based on the depth of the wound biopsy. Biochemical association between taxonomy and metabolic landscape indicated significant wound-to-wound similarity in metabolite enrichment sets and metabolic pathway impacts, especially with regard to amino acid metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a statistically robust correlation between bacterial colonization and metabolic landscape within the chronic wound environment.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes skin and severe infections in mammals. Critical to S. aureus growth is its ability to scavenge iron from host cells. To this effect, S. aureus has evolved a sophisticated pathway to acquire heme from hemoglobin (Hb) as a preferred iron source. The pathway is comprised of nine iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins involved in heme capture, transport, and degradation. A key protein of the heme acquisition pathway is the surface-anchored hemoglobin receptor protein IsdB, which is comprised of two NEAr transporter (NEAT) domains that act in concert to bind Hb and extract heme for subsequent transfer to downstream acquisition pathway proteins. Despite significant advances in the structural knowledge of other Isd proteins, the structural mechanisms and molecular basis of the IsdB-mediated heme acquisition process are not well understood. In order to provide more insights into the mode of function of IsdB, we have initiated NMR structural studies of the first NEAT domain of IsdB (IsdB(N1)). Herein, we report the near complete (1)H, (13)C and (15)N resonance assignments of backbone and side chain atoms, and the secondary structural topology of the 148-residue IsdB NEAT 1 domain. The NMR results are consistent with the presence of eight β-strands and one α-helix characteristic of an immunoglobulin-like fold observed in other NEAT domain family proteins. This work provides a solid framework to obtain atomic-level insights toward understanding how IsdB mediates IsdB-Hb protein-protein interactions critical for heme capture and transfer.

Leaf senescence is an important process in the developmental life of all plant species. Senescence efficiency influences important agricultural traits such as grain protein content and plant growth, which are often limited by nitrogen use. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating this highly orchestrated process. To enhance our understanding of leaf senescence and its regulation, we have undertaken the structural and functional characterization of previously unknown proteins that are involved in the control of senescence in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Previous microarray analysis highlighted several barley genes whose transcripts are differentially expressed during senescence, including a specific gene which is greater than 40-fold up-regulated in the flag leaves of early- as compared to late-senescing near-isogenic barley lines at 14 and 21 days past flowering (anthesis). From inspection of its amino acid sequence, this gene is predicted to encode a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein herein referred to as HvGR-RBP1. HvGR-RBP1 has been expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and preliminary NMR data analysis has revealed that its glycine-rich C-terminal region [residues: 93-162] is structurally disordered whereas its N-terminal region [residues: 1-92] forms a well-folded domain. Herein, we report the complete (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N resonance assignments of backbone and sidechain atoms, and the secondary structural topology of the N-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain of HvGR-RBP1, as a first step to unraveling its structural and functional role in the regulation of barley leaf senescence.

Backbone amide dynamics of the Escherichia coli tryptophan repressor protein (WT-TrpR) and two functionally distinct variants, L75F-TrpR and A77V-TrpR, in their holo (l-tryptophan corepressor-bound) form have been characterized using (15)N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation. The three proteins possess very similar structures, ruling out major conformational differences as the source of their functional differences, and suggest that changes in protein flexibility are at the origin of their distinct functional properties. Comparison of site specific (15)N-T(1), (15)N-T(2), (15)N-{(1)H} nuclear Overhauser effect, reduced spectral density, and generalized order (S(2)) parameters indicates that backbone dynamics in the three holo-repressors are overall very similar with a few notable and significant exceptions for backbone atoms residing within the proteins' DNA-binding domain. We find that flexibility is highly restricted for amides in core α-helices (i.e., helices A-C and F), and a comparable "stiffening" is observed for residues in the DNA recognition helix (helix E) of the helix D-turn-helix E (HTH) DNA-binding domain of the three holo-repressors. Unexpectedly, amides located in helix D and in adjacent turn regions remain flexible. These data support the concept that residual flexibility in TrpR is essential for repressor function, DNA binding, and molecular recognition of target operators. Comparison of the (15)N NMR relaxation parameters of the holo-TrpRs with those of the apo-TrpRs indicates that the single-point amino acid substitutions, L75F and A77V, perturb the flexibility of backbone amides of TrpR in very different ways and are most pronounced in the apo forms of the three repressors. Finally, we present these findings in the context of other DNA-binding proteins and the role of protein flexibility in molecular recognition.

Backbone amide dynamics studies were conducted on a temperature-sensitive mutant (L75F-TrpR) of the tryptophan repressor protein (TrpR) of Escherichia coli in its apo (i.e., no l-tryptophan corepressor-bound) form. The (15)N NMR relaxation profiles of apo-L75F-TrpR were analyzed and compared to those of wild-type (WT) and super-repressor mutant (A77V) TrpR proteins, also in their apo forms. The (15)N NMR relaxation data ((15)N-T(1), (15)N-T(2), and heteronuclear (15)N-{(1)H}-nOe) recorded on all three aporepressors at a magnetic field strength of 600 MHz ((1)H Larmor frequency) were analyzed to extract dynamics parameters, including diffusion tensor ratios (D(∥)/D(⊥)), correlation times (τ(m)) for overall reorientations of the proteins in solution, reduced spectral density terms [J(eff)(0), J(0.87ω(H)), J(ω(N))], and generalized order parameters (S(2)), which report on protein internal motions on the picosecond to nanosecond and slower microsecond to millisecond chemical exchange time scales. Our results indicate that all three aporepressors exhibit comparable D(∥)/D(⊥) ratios and characteristic time constants, τ(m), for overall global reorientation, indicating that in solution, all three apoproteins display very similar overall shape, structure, and rotational diffusion properties. Comparison of (15)N NMR relaxation data, reduced spectral density profiles, and generalized S(2) order parameters indicated that these parameters are quite uniform for backbone amides positioned within the four (A-C and F) core α-helices of all three aporepressors. In contrast, small but noticeable differences in internal dynamics were observed for backbone amides located within the helix D-turn-helix E DNA-binding domain of the apo-TrpR proteins. The significance of these dynamics differences in terms of the biophysical characteristics and ligand binding properties of the three apo-TrpR proteins is discussed.

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has proved extremely versatile over the past 25 yr for the isolation and purification of peptides varying widely in their sources, quantity and complexity. This article covers the major modes of HPLC utilized for peptides (size-exclusion, ion-exchange, and reversed-phase), as well as demonstrating the potential of a novel mixed-mode hydrophilic interaction/cation-exchange approach developed in this laboratory. In addition to the value of these HPLC modes for peptide separations, the value of various HPLC techniques for structural characterization of peptides and proteins will be addressed, e.g., assessment of oligomerization state of peptides/proteins by size-exclusion chromatography and monitoring the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of amphipathic α-helical peptides, a vital precursor for the development of novel antimicrobial peptides. The value of capillary electrophoresis for peptide separations is also demonstrated. Preparative reversed-phase chromatography purification protocols for sample loads of up to 200 mg on analytical columns and instrumentation are introduced for both peptides and recombinant proteins.

The overall research goal of these NMR dynamic studies is to enhance our knowledge of the dynamical properties of the tryptophan repressor (TrpR) protein and to establish the origin of flexibility changes that take place in TrpR mutants which exhibit conservative single point amino acid replacements that lead to altered L-trp and/or DNA binding properties.A second objective is to understand how differential flexibility modulates L-tryptophan (L-trp) co-repressor binding to TrpR, and may be at the origin of the non-local long-range effects observed in the temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of the tryptophan repressor protein, L75F-TrpR, which cannot simply be rationalized by small structural changes in the 3D fold of L75F-TrpR when compared to the 3D structure of wild-type (WT) TrpR.We have undertaken 15N NMR relaxation studies to investigate the motional properties of backbone amides in the apo and L-trp bound (holo) forms of L75F-TrpR in solution and to compare the dynamical properties of mutant TrpR to that of wild type repressor. We have identified interesting differences between the flexibility profile of WT-TrpR vs. L75F-TrpR. The overall picture that emerges is that although both proteins exhibit similar ps-ns motion patterns for many residues in the core helices (i.e. helices A, B, C, and F) differences are detected in the DNA binding region (i.e. helix D-turn-helix E motif).