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Peptidoglycan-modifying enzyme pgp1 is required for helical cell shape and pathogenicity traits in Campylobacter jejuni

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jacob BiboyORCiD, Professor Waldemar Vollmer

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Abstract

The impact of bacterial morphology on virulence and transmission attributes of pathogens is poorly understood. The prevalent enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni displays a helical shape postulated as important for colonization and host interactions. However, this had not previously been demonstrated experimentally. C. jejuni is thus a good organism for exploring the role of factors modulating helical morphology on pathogenesis. We identified an uncharacterized gene, designated pgp1 (peptidoglycan peptidase 1), in a calcofluor white-based screen to explore cell envelope properties important for C. jejuni virulence and stress survival. Bioinformatics showed that Pgp1 is conserved primarily in curved and helical bacteria. Deletion of pgp1 resulted in a striking, rod-shaped morphology, making pgp1 the first C. jejuni gene shown to be involved in maintenance of C. jejuni cell shape. Pgp1 contributes to key pathogenic and cell envelope phenotypes. In comparison to wild type, the rod-shaped pgp1 mutant was deficient in chick colonization by over three orders of magnitude and elicited enhanced secretion of the chemokine IL-8 in epithelial cell infections. Both the pgp1 mutant and a pgp1 overexpressing strain - which similarly produced straight or kinked cells - exhibited biofilm and motility defects. Detailed peptidoglycan analyses via HPLC and mass spectrometry, as well as Pgp1 enzyme assays, confirmed Pgp1 as a novel peptidoglycan DL-carboxypeptidase cleaving monomeric tripeptides to dipeptides. Peptidoglycan from the pgp1 mutant activated the host cell receptor Nod1 to a greater extent than did that of wild type. This work provides the first link between a C. jejuni gene and morphology, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and key host-and transmission-related characteristics.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Frirdich E, Biboy J, Adams C, Lee J, Ellermeier J, Gielda LD, DiRita VJ, Girardin SE, Vollmer W, Gaynor EC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: PLoS Pathogens

Year: 2012

Volume: 8

Issue: 3

Print publication date: 01/03/2012

Date deposited: 13/06/2012

ISSN (electronic): 1553-7366

Publisher: Public Library of Science

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002602

DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002602


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Newcastle University
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Wellcome Trust
AI069383National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
MOP-68981Canadian Institutes of Health Research CIHR

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