2024
Bacterial flagella hijack type IV pili proteins to control motility
Liu X, Tachiyama S, Zhou X, Mathias R, Bonny S, Khan M, Xin Y, Roujeinikova A, Liu J, Ottemann K. Bacterial flagella hijack type IV pili proteins to control motility. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2317452121. PMID: 38236729, PMCID: PMC10823254, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317452121.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Bacteria require phase separation for fitness in the mammalian gut
Krypotou E, Townsend G, Gao X, Tachiyama S, Liu J, Pokorzynski N, Goodman A, Groisman E. Bacteria require phase separation for fitness in the mammalian gut. Science 2023, 379: 1149-1156. PMID: 36927025, PMCID: PMC10148683, DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7229.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian gutTranscription termination factor RhoTermination factor RhoGene regulationTranscription terminationMechanisms bacteriaBacteria interactionsHuman commensalValuable targetBacteriaRhoGut microbiotaFitnessNovel clinical applicationsTherapeutic manipulationGutHuman healthCommensalRegulation
2022
Developmental Transitions Coordinate Assembly of the Coxiella burnetii Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System
Park D, Steiner S, Shao M, Roy CR, Liu J. Developmental Transitions Coordinate Assembly of the Coxiella burnetii Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System. Infection And Immunity 2022, 90: e00410-22. PMID: 36190257, PMCID: PMC9584302, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00410-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSmall cell variantLarge cell variantDot/Icm type IV secretion systemCell variantIntracellular replicationActive large cell variantHost cellsIntracellular bacterial pathogenType IV secretion systemDot/Icm T4SSObligate intracellular bacterial pathogenC. burnetiiCoxiella burnetiiBiphasic developmental cycleUnique biphasic developmental cycleInfectionNew host cellsSecretion systemBacterial pathogensInfectious formHost vacuoleBurnetiiMorphological changesCellsLater stagesA Tripartite Efflux System Affects Flagellum Stability in Helicobacter pylori
Gibson K, Chu JK, Zhu S, Nguyen D, Mrázek J, Liu J, Hoover TR. A Tripartite Efflux System Affects Flagellum Stability in Helicobacter pylori. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23: 11609. PMID: 36232924, PMCID: PMC9570263, DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911609.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTripartite efflux systemEfflux systemPeriplasmic membrane fusion proteinOuter membrane efflux proteinCryo-electron tomography studiesMembrane efflux proteinMembrane fusion proteinNumber of flagellaTransmembrane domainABC transportersUnsheathed flagellaSwimming motilityCandidate proteinsFusion proteinEfflux proteinsSame frameshift mutationFlagellaEnhanced motilityMutantsFlagellar sheathFrameshift mutationProteinIndependent variantsHomologP ringIdentification and Characterization of the Alternative σ28 Factor in Treponema denticola
Kurniyati K, Chang Y, Liu J, Li C. Identification and Characterization of the Alternative σ28 Factor in Treponema denticola. Journal Of Bacteriology 2022, 204: e00248-22. PMID: 36043861, PMCID: PMC9487585, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00248-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDependent promotersTranscription factorsSpirochete Treponema denticolaGene expressionOral spirochete Treponema denticolaCryo-electron tomography analysisFlagellin gene expressionExpression of flagellinSite-directed mutagenesisFlagellar regulationChemotaxis genesPeriplasmic flagellaRNA polymeraseFliABacterial motilityTranscriptional factorsLate promoterExternal flagellaLines of evidenceEscherichia coliPromoterT. denticolaBiochemical analysisEssential roleE. coliExploitation of a Bacterium-Encoded Lytic Transglycosylase by a Human Oral Lytic Phage To Facilitate Infection
Cen L, Chang Y, Bedree JK, Ma Y, Zhong Q, Utter DR, Dong PT, Lux R, Bor B, Liu J, McLean JS, Le S, He X. Exploitation of a Bacterium-Encoded Lytic Transglycosylase by a Human Oral Lytic Phage To Facilitate Infection. Journal Of Virology 2022, 96: e01063-22. PMID: 36000841, PMCID: PMC9472602, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01063-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLytic transglycosylaseLytic phagesPhage receptorsOral phageRemarkable host specificityHuman oral microbiomeSimilar expression levelsPeptidoglycan remodelingWhole-genome sequencingMutant backgroundBacterial physiologyHost specificityMicrobial communitiesSurface-grown cellsPhage populationsSensitive phenotypeBacterial hostsOral microbiomePeptidoglycan structureWild typeMetagenomic analysisMutantsSpontaneous mutantsXH001Frameshift mutationTranscriptome of Epibiont Saccharibacteria Nanosynbacter lyticus Strain TM7x During the Establishment of Symbiosis
Hendrickson EL, Bor B, Kerns KA, Lamont EI, Chang Y, Liu J, Cen L, Schulte F, Hardt M, Shi W, He X, McLean JS. Transcriptome of Epibiont Saccharibacteria Nanosynbacter lyticus Strain TM7x During the Establishment of Symbiosis. Journal Of Bacteriology 2022, 204: e00112-22. PMID: 35975994, PMCID: PMC9487520, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00112-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCandidate Phyla RadiationEstablishment of symbiosisStable symbiosisStress-related genesGene expressionReduced genomePeptidoglycan biosynthesisHost bacteriaHuman microbiomeBiosynthesis gene expressionMonophyletic radiationCell sizeEffector genesPartitioning genesObligate parasitesUnique organismsBiosynthetic pathwayHigher gene expressionCell shapeTransporter geneCell wallObligate epibiontsLow expressionSymbiosisCell cycleTranscriptional and functional characterizations of multiple flagellin genes in spirochetes
Kurniyati K, Chang Y, Liu J, Li C. Transcriptional and functional characterizations of multiple flagellin genes in spirochetes. Molecular Microbiology 2022, 118: 175-190. PMID: 35776658, PMCID: PMC9481697, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14959.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIn situ architecture of the lipid transport protein VPS13C at ER–lysosome membrane contacts
Cai S, Wu Y, Guillén-Samander A, Hancock-Cerutti W, Liu J, De Camilli P. In situ architecture of the lipid transport protein VPS13C at ER–lysosome membrane contacts. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 119: e2203769119. PMID: 35858323, PMCID: PMC9303930, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203769119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndoplasmic reticulumCryo-focused ion beam millingMembrane contact sitesCryo-electron tomographyFull-length structureLipid transport proteinsRod-like densitiesLysosome contactBinding partnerGenetic approachesHydrophobic grooveTransport proteinsContact sitesVps13Lipid transportAlphaFold predictionsFull-length modelHeLa cellsMembrane contactSitu architectureAdjacent membranesVPS13CProteinStructural informationEndo/lysosomesThe Bacterial Flagellar Motor: Insights Into Torque Generation, Rotational Switching, and Mechanosensing
Guo S, Liu J. The Bacterial Flagellar Motor: Insights Into Torque Generation, Rotational Switching, and Mechanosensing. Frontiers In Microbiology 2022, 13: 911114. PMID: 35711788, PMCID: PMC9195833, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.911114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchStator complexStator unitsFlagellar motorStructural biology perspectiveBacterial flagellar motorRotary nanomachineBiology perspectiveAccessory proteinsStructural insightsBacterial motilitySpecific nichesMechanistic basisHost cellsDistinct conformationsC-ringRotational switchingBacteriaAccessory moleculesMotilityFliLMechanosensingComplexesNicheStructural remodelingCytoplasmSpindle-shaped archaeal viruses evolved from rod-shaped ancestors to package a larger genome
Wang F, Cvirkaite-Krupovic V, Vos M, Beltran LC, Kreutzberger MAB, Winter JM, Su Z, Liu J, Schouten S, Krupovic M, Egelman EH. Spindle-shaped archaeal viruses evolved from rod-shaped ancestors to package a larger genome. Cell 2022, 185: 1297-1307.e11. PMID: 35325592, PMCID: PMC9018610, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.02.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFliL ring enhances the function of periplasmic flagella
Guo S, Xu H, Chang Y, Motaleb MA, Liu J. FliL ring enhances the function of periplasmic flagella. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 119: e2117245119. PMID: 35254893, PMCID: PMC8931381, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117245119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFlagellar motorBacterial motilityCryo-electron tomographyStator complexFlagellar proteinsMutant cellsPeriplasmic flagellaActive conformationSitu structureFascinating questionsSupramolecular complexesMotilityComplexesMotBOptimal functionFliLFlagellaIon fluxProteinFunctionAssemblyRemodelingCellsConformationBorreliaEditorial: Biological rotary nanomotors.
Manson MD, Nan B, Lele PP, Liu J, Duncan TM. Editorial: Biological rotary nanomotors. Frontiers In Microbiology 2022, 13: 1012681. PMID: 36212881, PMCID: PMC9532838, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1012681.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Characterization of the Flagellar Collar Reveals Structural Plasticity Essential for Spirochete Motility
Chang Y, Xu H, Motaleb MA, Liu J. Characterization of the Flagellar Collar Reveals Structural Plasticity Essential for Spirochete Motility. MBio 2021, 12: e02494-21. PMID: 34809456, PMCID: PMC8609358, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02494-21.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiPeriplasmic flagellaSpirochete motilityCryo-electron tomographySpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiRemarkable structural plasticityComplex host environmentSerious human diseasesFlagellar assemblyCollar ComplexMultiprotein complexesFlagellar collarFlagellar motorDistinct functionsDistinct morphologiesRemarkable plasticityHuman diseasesBorrelia burgdorferiHost environmentFlagellaStructural plasticityRemarkable groupMotilityProteinHost connective tissueRole of the major determinant of polar flagellation FlhG in the endoflagella‐containing spirochete Leptospira
Fule L, Halifa R, Fontana C, Sismeiro O, Legendre R, Varet H, Coppée J, Murray GL, Adler B, Hendrixson DR, Buschiazzo A, Guo S, Liu J, Picardeau M. Role of the major determinant of polar flagellation FlhG in the endoflagella‐containing spirochete Leptospira. Molecular Microbiology 2021, 116: 1392-1406. PMID: 34657338, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14831.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWild-type strainSaprophyte L. biflexaCross-species complementationComparative transcriptome analysisPathogen L. interrogansFlagellar basal bodyCryo-electron tomographySpirochete LeptospiraSpiral-shaped morphologyFlagellar genesFlhGNumerical regulationTranscriptome analysisPeriplasmic flagellaFlhFCell motilityNegative regulatorBasal bodiesBacterial speciesL. biflexaMutantsGel-like environmentL. interrogansFlagellaBacteriaBB0259 Encompasses a Peptidoglycan Lytic Enzyme Function for Proper Assembly of Periplasmic Flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi
Xu H, Hu B, Flesher DA, Liu J, Motaleb MA. BB0259 Encompasses a Peptidoglycan Lytic Enzyme Function for Proper Assembly of Periplasmic Flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi. Frontiers In Microbiology 2021, 12: 692707. PMID: 34659138, PMCID: PMC8517470, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.692707.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPeriplasmic flagellaFlagellar rodProper assemblyFlagellar hookCryo-electron tomographyPG sacculusProtein homologsΕ-ProteobacteriaPeptidoglycan sacculusLytic transglycosylaseΓ-ProteobacteriaDistinct proteinsFlgJOuter membraneFunctional flagellaFilament assemblyFunctional domainsEnzyme functionCell wallMutant strainLyme disease spirocheteFlagellaEnzyme activityAssemblySacculusInterconnecting solvent quality, transcription, and chromosome folding in Escherichia coli
Xiang Y, Surovtsev IV, Chang Y, Govers SK, Parry BR, Liu J, Jacobs-Wagner C. Interconnecting solvent quality, transcription, and chromosome folding in Escherichia coli. Cell 2021, 184: 3626-3642.e14. PMID: 34186018, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchComposition and Biophysical Properties of the Sorting Platform Pods in the Shigella Type III Secretion System
Tachiyama S, Skaar R, Chang Y, Carroll BL, Muthuramalingam M, Whittier SK, Barta ML, Picking WL, Liu J, Picking WD. Composition and Biophysical Properties of the Sorting Platform Pods in the Shigella Type III Secretion System. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2021, 11: 682635. PMID: 34150677, PMCID: PMC8211105, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.682635.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsType III secretion systemCytoplasmic sorting platformSorting platformSecretion systemTwo-hybrid analysisCryo-electron tomography dataC-terminal domainShigella type III secretion systemFull-length copiesBiophysical propertiesDistinct biophysical propertiesSpa47 ATPaseT3SS injectisomeEffector proteinsSecretion substratesDistinct complexesIntracellular nicheBasal bodiesPrimary virulence factorSpa33Host cellsHeterotrimerPrecise makeupVirulence factorsMxiKThe peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete
Davis MM, Brock AM, DeHart TG, Boribong BP, Lee K, McClune ME, Chang Y, Cramer N, Liu J, Jones CN, Jutras BL. The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete. PLOS Pathogens 2021, 17: e1009546. PMID: 33984073, PMCID: PMC8118282, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009546.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeptidoglycan-associated proteinsCell envelopeUnbiased proteomic approachCryo-electron microscopyOxidative stress responseOuter membrane vesiclesGram-negative bacteriaDps homologueEnvelope integrityProteomic approachNapA mutantOuter membraneBacterial proteinsMutant bacteriaDNA bindingCritical residuesBiological functionsLyme disease spirocheteStress responseCellular DNAMembrane vesiclesPeptidoglycanEnvelope layersBacterial pathogensCellular studiesStructural basis of bacterial flagellar motor rotation and switching
Chang Y, Carroll BL, Liu J. Structural basis of bacterial flagellar motor rotation and switching. Trends In Microbiology 2021, 29: 1024-1033. PMID: 33865677, PMCID: PMC8510993, DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.03.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research