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MARIANA LEYSER
Porto Alegre
2023
MARIANA LEYSER
Porto Alegre
2023
INVESTIGAÇÃO DE EXPRESSÃO GÊNICA EM CÉLULAS PERSISTERS DE
Acinetobacter baumannii EM CULTIVO PLANCTÔNICO E EM BIOFILME
EXPOSTOS A MEROPENEM
BANCA EXAMINADORA:
Primeiramente agradeço a minha orientadora, Profa. Dra. Sílvia Dias de Oliveira por
sua orientação valiosa, incentivo, oportunidade e conhecimento que passou durante
todos esses anos. Sua experiência e conhecimento foram fundamentais para o
desenvolvimento deste trabalho. Ao Prof. Dr. Carlos Alexandre Sanchez Ferreira por
todos os conselhos, apoio e paciência comigo, sua presença foi essencial para o
desenvolvimento dessa pesquisa.
Sou grata à minha família pelo amor incondicional e apoio contínuo durante toda essa
jornada. Ao meu pai Filipe Leyser e Vica Lange Leyser por todo os conselhos, por
sempre acreditarem em mim e por todo o apoio, sem vocês eu não estaria onde estou.
Sou grata também aos meus avós e tias por todas as conversas, e por sempre ter um
local para me refugiar quando os momentos ficaram difíceis. E sou grata à minha mãe
Vera Marina Vargas Dias, que eu sei que está orgulhosa de mim, sendo a minha
estrela guia, mesmo de longe.
Aos meus amigos, Simone D’Ambros, Thayana Coelho Monteiro, Theylor Schumacher
Klippel muito obrigada por sempre estarem ao meu lado, compartilhando ideias,
histórias e a companhia por todo esse processo, além de todo o incentivo que vocês
sempre me proporcionaram. Gostaria ainda de agradecer ao Bruno Tarrago Santorum
pelo suporte emocional, paciência, companhia e incentivo, suas palavras de
encorajamento foram essenciais para superar os desafios ao longo do caminho.
À PUCRS por essa oportunidade de trabalho e pelo auxílio financeiro concedido para
o desenvolvimento deste trabalho.
Por fim, expresso minha gratidão a todos aqueles que acreditaram em mim e me
encorajaram a perseguir meus objetivos acadêmicos, muito obrigada a todos!
RESUMO
Fig. 2. Differential gene expression of persister cells in the planktonic culture of Acinetobacter
baumannii Acb-1 after exposure to meropenem (15 µg/mL) for 0, 96, and 144 h using
quantitative real-time PCR. ............................................................................................................... 39
Fig. 3. Differential gene expression of persister cells in biofilm of Acinetobacter baumannii Acb-
1 after exposure to meropenem (15 µg/mL) for 0, 96, and 144 h using quantitative real-time
PCR.. .................................................................................................................................................... 40
LISTA DE TABELAS
Table 2. Persister cells fractions obtained after exposure to different antibiotics in biofilm and
planktonic cultures. ............................................................................................................................ 36
LISTA DE ABREVIATURAS E SIGLAS
Capítulo 2 ........................................................................................................................ 24
3. Artigo Científico .................................................................................................................24
Capítulo 3 ........................................................................................................................ 51
4. Considerações finais ..........................................................................................................51
REFERÊNCIAS ............................................................................................................................52
ANEXO I- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO ....................................................................................................56
ANEXO II- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO ...................................................................................................57
ANEXO III- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO ..................................................................................................58
ANEXO IV- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO ..................................................................................................59
12
Capítulo 1
1. Introdução
As infecções relacionadas à assistência em saúde (IRAS) são um dos principais
problemas de saúde pública no mundo (THE WHO GUIDELINES DEVELOPMENT
GROUP et al., 2017). Em países em desenvolvimento, estima-se que em torno de
15% dos pacientes sejam acometidos com algum tipo de IRAS em algum momento
da internação, com uma mortalidade atribuída em torno de 10% (THE WHO
GUIDELINES DEVELOPMENT GROUP et al., 2017).
As evidências mostram que o ônus econômico causado por essas infecções nos
Estados Unidos é US$ 35,7 a 45 bilhões anualmente, enquanto na Europa é estimado
um custo de € 7 bilhões anual (THE WHO GUIDELINES DEVELOPMENT GROUP et
al., 2017). No Brasil, é observado um cenário semelhante, visto que um paciente que
adquire uma infecção de corrente sanguínea (IPCSL) em Unidades de Tratamento
Intensivo (UTI) custa em torno de 20,4 vezes mais que um paciente sem IRAS
(PRIMO et al., 2012). Outro estudo demonstra que pacientes hospitalizados com
IRAS no Brasil apresentam custo elevado, maior mortalidade e maior permanência
(LEAL; FREITAS-VILELA, 2021).
13
em UTI adulto, e quinto em infecções do trato urinário (ITU) (2021a). Ainda, para
IPCSL em UTI, apresentaram alta resistência a carbapenêmicos (86,7% dos isolados
testados) e 8,4% dos isolados testados foram resistentes à polimixina B e/ou colistina.
Para ITU, o cenário é similar, apresentando uma taxa de 89,4% de resistência a
carbapenêmicos e 7% de resistência à polimixina B e/ou colistina (2021a).
14
observa casos de resistência a essa classe de antimicrobianos (2021a; LIMA et al.,
2020).
15
Os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na formação e manutenção da
persistência ainda não são totalmente esclarecidos. Porém, diversos mecanismos já
foram propostos, como por exemplo, diminuição de atividade metabólica ou
transcrição/replicação de DNA, bloqueio de tradução, modulação de metabolismo de
energia, diminuição dos níveis de antibióticos intracelulares, controle da atividade de
RNA ribossomal, entre outros (PANDEY; SAHUKHAL; ELASRI, 2021; PINEL-MARIE
et al., 2021; WANG et al., 2018; WILMAERTS et al., 2019).
16
A análise proteômica de cultivo de A. baumannii Acb-1 em estado planctônico
e biofilme após exposição ao meropenem e polimixina B, separadamente, quando
comparado a cultivos não tratados, permitiu selecionar algumas proteínas que
possam estar envolvidas no processo de persistência para a cepa A. baumannii Acb-
1 (GALLO, 2017). Baseando-nos nestes dados, escolhemos analisar os seguintes
genes alvos para investigação do seu envolvimento e possível papel na
formação/manutenção de persisters: deaD, bamA, bamB, bamD, bamE, ftsH e ppiD.
1.3. DEAD-box
As proteínas de caixa de helicase DEAD (DEAD/DEAH-box helicase) são um
grupo presente em diversos organismos, desde protistas a mamíferos (IOST;
BIZEBARD; DREYFUS, 2013), realizando diversas funções. Especificamente em
bactérias, realizam funções primariamente de montagem de ribossomos e
degradação de RNAm (IOST; BIZEBARD; DREYFUS, 2013).
O DEAD-box utiliza ATP para realizar suas funções, sendo sua atividade
altamente regulada por outras proteínas, como RraA em Escherichia coli. O
mecanismo de inibição da RraA é distinto para as diferentes proteínas do grupo
(REDDER et al., 2015). O mecanismo de helicase do DEAD-box atua em sequências
não específicas de RNA dupla-fita (dsRNA) na presença de ATP (REDDER et al.,
2015). O comprimento de RNA que pode ser separado varia, porém, em geral, são
menores que 12 pares de base, embora tenha sido demonstrado que proteína DeaD
pode atuar em dsRNA de até 21 pares de base (STAMPFL et al., 2013).
Sabe-se também que DeaD tem entre suas funções o início da tradução,
principalmente quando a célula se encontra em baixas temperaturas (REDDER et al.,
2015), Neste contexto, por exemplo, rpoS codifica um fator sigma, porém o RNAm de
17
rpoS é degradado pela RNAse III em temperaturas normais ou em crescimento
exponencial. Em baixas temperaturas e em fases estacionárias, , DeaD participa da
desestruturação de uma alça em loop inibitória de rpoS, permitindo a síntese de RpoS
(RESCH et al., 2010).
18
2020). Ainda não é completamente entendido como é realizado o dobramento das
OMPs dentro do complexo BAM mas algumas características já foram elucidadas
(HAGAN; SILHAVY; KAHNE, 2011). O substrato de OMP é transportado para a
membrana externa por diversas vias, a principal é onde o precursor de OMP é
translocado pelo complexo SEC do citoplasma para o periplasma, que é transportada
via SurA até o complexo BAM (HAGAN; SILHAVY; KAHNE, 2011; ROLLAUER et al.,
2015). A segunda via, se utiliza de Skp e DegP como mediadores no periplasma
(HAGAN; SILHAVY; KAHNE, 2011; ROLLAUER et al., 2015).
É proposto que BamB atue como suporte para auxílio do dobramento das
OMPs e possui uma função redundante a BamD, visto que uma dupla deleção leva à
morte celular (HART; SILHAVY, 2020; SELKRIG et al., 2014). É proposto que BamD,
por mais que seja uma subunidade essencial, não atua criticamente no dobramento
de OMPs, e sim possui um papel mais regulatório (HART; SILHAVY, 2020). Supõe-
se que BamD atue como um checkpoint para que BamA não se associe com
substratos defeituosos (HART; SILHAVY, 2020). O atual modelo propõe que BamBCE
possuem papeis redundantes, porém servem como facilitadores para cooperação
entre BamA e BamD, e caso as 3 subunidades sejam deletadas simultaneamente,
ocasiona morte celular (HART; SILHAVY, 2020).
19
Darobactin, pode interagir também com BamA para gerar morte seletiva de bactérias
gram-negativas (IMAI et al., 2019).
Visto que o complexo BAM possui uma atuação vital para a célula, além de seu
papel em modulação de OMPs, que já foram caracterizadas como envolvidas no
processo de persistência (SCHMITT et al., 2023), é possível que este grupo esteja
envolvido com o mesmo processo.
1.5. FtsH
A proteína FtsH faz parte de um grupo de proteases denominado AAA+, que
utilizam ATP para realizar degradação de diversas proteínas (LANGKLOTZ;
BAUMANN; NARBERHAUS, 2012). FtsH é a única deste grupo que está associada
a membrana celular e a única que é essencial para viabilidade celular (ITO; AKIYAMA,
2005).
Ainda não se conhece todas as proteínas que interagem com FtsH, porém
estudos mostram que até 21 substratos podem ser alvo de FtsH (BITTNER; ARENDS;
NARBERHAUS, 2017). Também é proposto que cada substrato possui sua via de
reconhecimento, e geralmente é caracterizada por uma sequência C ou N-terminal de
aproximadamente 20 resíduos de aminoácidos (BITTNER; WESTPHAL;
NARBERHAUS, 2015). O reconhecimento desses sítios pela FtsH é estritamente
regulado, devido à sua atuação depender de ATP e ser um processo irreversível, logo,
o reconhecimento de substratos geralmente é realizado mediante adaptadores
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017).
LpxC é uma proteína com meia-vida curta, graças ao FtsH que modula a sua
atuação (ITO; AKIYAMA, 2005). LpxC é a enzima chave na biossíntese de
lipopolisacarídeos (LPS), que junto com fosfolipídeos (PL) compõem a membrana
externa servindo como uma barreira de permeabilidade para o interior celular
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017; ITO; AKIYAMA, 2005). Visto que tanto
20
LPS como PL possuem a mesma molécula precursora, a sua síntese é sincronizada,
e LpxC é a enzima que serve como reação limitante para a formação de LPS
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017). Tanto a depleção quanto a alta
produção de LPS são tóxicas para a célula, tendo a FtsH como responsável por
manter esse balanço intracelularmente, se configurando essencial para a célula.
Também, se sabe que a concentração de LpxC é dependente caso as células se
encontrem em crescimento exponencial ou não, além da presença de (p)ppGpp
influenciar também na meia-vida da enzima (BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS,
2017).
Outro alvo do FtsH é o fator RpoH, que coordena a resposta ao choque térmico
em resposta a temperaturas muito elevadas. Assim, a regulação dos níveis de RpoH
está correlacionada com a temperatura, visto que sua expressão aumenta
exponencialmente quando a célula é exposta a temperaturas de 42°C ou mais
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017). Quando observadas culturas de E. coli
em temperaturas fisiológicas, a degradação do RpoH é realizada com assistência de
DnaK/DnaJ, sistema de chaperonas, que guiam o fator até o FtsH para ser degradado
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017). Quando existe a elevação da
temperatura, aumenta a formação de proteínas malformadas, saturando o sistema
DnaK/DnaJ-FtsH. Não ocorrendo o aumento de expressão dos genes do sistema de
chaperonas e FtsH na mesma proporção da geração e proteínas com conformação
aberrante, não há moléculas suficientes para permanecer com baixos níveis de RpoH,
que, por sua vez, fica livre para agir, configurando a resposta ao choque ao calor
(BITTNER; ARENDS; NARBERHAUS, 2017).
21
Finalmente, FtsH se apresenta como uma protease essencial para a viabilidade
celular, além de ser importante para adaptação desta em situações de estresse.
Também, existem estudos avaliando a viabilidade de utilizar esta proteína como uma
forma bactericida alternativa aos antimicrobianos (IZERT; KLIMECKA; GÓRNA,
2021).
1.6. PpiD
PpiD é considerada uma chaperona, localizada no periplasma celular, podendo
ser encontrada tanto em sua forma solúvel, quanto localizada na membrana interna
(FÜRST et al., 2018; MATERN; BARION; BEHRENS-KNEIP, 2010). Inicialmente, a
sua designação era de isomerase, visto que sua sequência aparenta possuir um
domínio tipo parvulina, porém, foi estabelecido que PpiD não apresenta atividade
catalítica, não podendo caracterizá-la como isomerase (FÜRST et al., 2018).
22
2. Objetivos
2.1. Objetivo Geral
Determinação de mecanismos envolvidos na formação de células persisters de A.
baumannii após exposição a fármacos antimicrobianos utilizados para tratamento de
infecções em humanos.
23
Capítulo 2
3. Artigo Científico
24
Different profiles of gene expression in persister cells of Acinetobacter
Mariana Leyser 1,2, Kethlen Natiele de Almeida Pereira1, Rafaela Garcia da Rocha1,
1
Laboratório de Imunologia e Microbiologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da
Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga,
2
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências
PUCRS.
*Corresponding authors:
25
Highlights
culture.
ABSTRACT
infections with considerable impact on public health and economic burden. While
and the presence of persister cells. Persisters constitute a fraction of the bacterial
bamA, bamB, bamD, bamE, ftsH, and ppiD in A. baumannii cells before and after
followed by real time PCR assay, using mRNA extracted from A. baumannii persister
cells. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: We found different gene expression levels (p-value < 0.05) in most genes
tested in planktonic culture (deaD, bamA, bamB, bamE, and ftsH), while in biofilm
26
suggest that these proteins could be part of the mechanism of A. baumannii
stress, and highlights six proteins as potential targets for drug development against
A. baumannii.
Meropenem, Polymyxin
27
1. Introduction
and mortality in hospital patients, imposing a significant economic burden and causing
pneumonia, sepsis, and wound and bloodstream infections [3–6]. The current gold
but the emergence of resistant strains has become increasingly prevalent [7–9].
although there have been reports of clinical cases displaying resistance to this agent
as well [10,11].
Therapeutic failure can also come from tolerance to antimicrobials due to the
genetically susceptible, returning to grow exponentially once the germicides have been
arise stochastically within the bacterial population and can be induced by stressor
in the context of biofilm, given that this differential environment can select, protect, and
The molecular pathways involved in the regulation and formation of persister cells
have not been completely elucidated. However, several molecular mechanisms have
been proposed and associated with this phenomenon. These mechanisms include
RNA activity [18–21]. Thus, proteins responsible for RNA activity could play an import
group of proteins involved in RNA basal metabolism, RNA degradation and ribosome
membrane proteins (OMP), may also play an important role in persistence regulation.
OMPs are responsible for protein and solute translocation, signal transduction, cellular
adhesion, and virulence factors [25]. In our previous research, we investigated the
expression of ompW and ompA in persisters and found that these genes were
Machinery (BAM) complex, which is responsible for the folding and insertion of OMPs
into the outer membrane, are also involved in these processes, even if indirectly
[27,28]. It is worth noting that FtsH is another protein involved in the membrane
shock response, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis [29,30], and its activity may have
periplasmic folding factor PpiD may indirectly contribute to the maturation of OMPs by
aiding in the folding of newly translocated proteins and participating in the network of
periplasmic chaperone activities [31]. In this context, we evaluated the mRNA levels of
membrane proteins BamA, BamB, BamD, BamE, FtsH and PppiD, as well as the
meropenem in planktonic and biofilm culture. We also assessed the persister levels
29
2. Materials and Methods
The A. baumannii Acb-1 strain used in this study was obtained from a tracheal
Laboratory of São Lucas Hospital, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, following the protocol
approved by the Ethics Committee in Research (number 483469). Acb-1 has been
microplates [32,33]. The relative quantification of proteins associated with the persister
MS/MS) [34], which provided valuable data to support the selection of target genes for
current analysis.
Persister cell levels were determined in planktonic and biofilm cultures after
described by Drescher et al. [35], with some modifications. To evaluate persister levels
in planktonically growing cells, overnight cultures in Lysogeny broth (LB) were diluted
initial cell density was determined by diluting a 100 µL-aliquot until 10-8 in 0.85% saline
and spotting 10 µL of dilution in triplicate on nutrient agar, which was then incubated
30
at 37°C for 24h. A 1 mL aliquot was collected for RNA extraction. Afterwards, the mid-
fold MIC for 96 h and 144 h, respectively. To determine the surviving fractions at 6, 24
and 48 h of polymyxin B and 48, 96, 120, 144 h of meropenem exposure, 1 mL-aliquots
were removed at each time, centrifuged at 3,483 g for 7 min, and the supernatants
discarded. The pellets were washed with 1 mL of 0.85% saline to remove antimicrobial
residues. After washing, the pellets were resuspended in 1 mL of 0.85% saline that
was diluted until 10-6, and 10 µL of each dilution were spotted on nutrient agar. Also,
for each aliquot removed to determine persister cell levels, a 1 mL- aliquot was
37°C using 6-well polystyrene plates. After this period, the culture medium containing
non-adherent cells was removed and the biofilm was washed twice with phosphate-
buffered saline (PBS). The initial biofilm population density was evaluated by adding 2
mL of 0.85% saline to each well with subsequent disruption by an ultrasonic water bath
(Ultrasonic Cleaner 1400 A, Unique, Indaiatuba, Brazil) for 10 min. For the
meropenem were added to the 24 h-biofilms and incubated at room temperature until
washed twice with PBS, and 2 mL of 0.85% saline was added. Biofilms were disrupted
by an ultrasonic water bath for 10 min. The supernatant containing dissociate adherent
cells was removed and their quantification was performed as described for the
planktonic cultures. A 1 mL-aliquot was also reserved at each time point and
31
The surviving cell fractions were calculated by dividing the number of remaining
colonies counted by the number of colonies found before the antibiotic treatment. After
microdilution [36] in the surviving cells to exclude the selection of a resistant mutant.
All assays were performed in biological and experimental triplicates, and the CFU
The RNA extraction was adapted from the protocol described by Han et al. [37]. A
1 mL-aliquot taken from the persister assay was centrifuged twice at 8,000 g for 5 min
at 4°C. The supernatant was removed and, the pellet was resuspended in 0.85%
saline. Then, the cells were treated with 700 µL of TRIzol Reagent (ThermoFisher
Scientific, Waltham, MA) and incubated in room temperature for 10 min. Following this,
400 µL of chloroform was added and mixed vigorously and incubated at room
temperature for 3 min. The sample was centrifuged at 12,000 g for 15 min at 4°C. The
The mixture was gently pipetted 20 times and then incubated at room temperature for
10 min. The samples were centrifuged at 12,000 g for 20 min at 4°C, the supernatant
was discarded, and the pellet was washed with 1 mL of 75% ethanol. Then the sample
was centrifuged again at 12,000 g for 10 min at 4°C, the ethanol was carefully removed,
and the pellet was dried at 65°C in a thermal block for 5 min. Finally, the pellet was
(ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) and incubated at room temperature for 10 min
to increase solubility.
32
RNA concentration and purity were evaluated by spectrophotometry at 260/280 nm
The samples were stored at -80°C until PCR analysis. For execution of the persister
assay three biological replicates were used for RNA extraction at each time point.
The genes were selected from proteomic data of persister cells obtained
previously from our research group [34]. Transcriptional analysis was performed using
reverse transcription followed by real time PCR. Firstly, 1 μg of purified total RNA was
used as a template for reverse transcriptase utilizing the High-Capacity cDNA Reverse
Transcription Kit (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). The target genes selected
for analysis were deaD, bamA, bamB, bamD, bamE, ftsH, and ppiD. Gene-specific
primers were designed based on the Acb1 strain genome, available in Genbank under
the accession number RDOH00000000.1, using the primer-Blast algorithm. The levels
of gene expression were normalized using the single copy housekeeping gene rpoB
as reference [38]. The qPCR assay was performed using the PowerUp™ SYBR™
Green Master Mix (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) in the StepOne™ Real-
Time PCR System (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). Gene expression was
evaluated at 0, 96, and 144 h for planktonic persister cells and at 0, 48, and 96 h for
biofilm assays. Only the samples exposed to meropenem were analyzed. For each of
the three time points analyzed, all RNA replicates were subjected to qPCR.
33
Table 1. Primers used in this study.
Target
Primer Sequence Product length (bp) Reference
gene
bamA- F TTAGCGGTCGGTTATTCGCA
393 This study
bamA- R TGCCTTACCACCATTTGCCA
bamB- F ACCATCGCCAGTGAGTCTTG
284 This study
bamB- R CTTCTGGACGCTTGGTGCTA
bamD- F TGGTGCTTCAACAGGTGTGT
512 This study
bamD- R TTCGTCGCTTCCCAAGTAGC
bamE- F ACTCGTGCTGACGTTATTCGT
254 This study
bamE- R CTGCGGGGATTTTCGCTTTT
deaD- F GCGTTTCATCAGCCAACCAG
273 This study
deaD- R TGGACGAAGCTGACCGTATG
ftsH- F AGCAAGTCACGATTGACGGT
557 This study
ftsH- R ACCCACACCCACGAACATTT
ppiD- F ACACCAGCCGCATGATAGTC
365 This study
ppiD- R ATTGAAGCGGAGACTCAGGC
rpoB- F GAGTCTAATGGCGGTGGTTC
[39]
rpoB- R ATTGCTTCATCTGCTGGTTG
The data obtained were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9.0 software.
Descriptive statistics were performed, and the data were subjected to analysis of
variance (one-way ANOVA), after which the Tukey test was employed to confirm the
34
differences in each variable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant
3. Results
ensure the presence of persister cells and rule out the possibility of selecting antibiotic-
resistant mutants, cells were subjected to a new susceptibility test afterwards, and no
differences were observed comparing with the previous MIC, confirming the presence
of persister cells.
persister cells that reached 0.0204% of the initial population after 144 h (Table 2). The
killing curves depicting this phenomenon can be observed in Fig. 1. The exposure to
in Fig 1.
(Table 2). This observation is consistent with previous studies, which have also
reported that biofilm cultures retain a larger fraction of persister cells [32].
35
Table 2. Persister cells fractions obtained after exposure to different antibiotics in
6h - - 0.008
24 h - - 0.120
96 h 0.351 1.689 -
120 h 0.034 - -
144 h 0.020 - -
Fig. 1. Killing curves of Acinetobacter baumannii Acb-1 after exposure to: (•)
meropenem (15 µg/mL) in planktonic culture for up to 144 h, (■) polymyxin B (15
µg/mL) in planktonic culture for up to 48 h, and (▲) meropenem (15 µg/mL) in biofilm
culture for up to 96 h. Each data point represents mean and standard deviation (error
36
3.2. Differential gene expression in planktonic culture
h and subsequent up-regulation (2.41-fold) at 144 h (Fig. 2A). Conversely, bamA and
subsequent down-regulation (0.34-fold and 0.84 respectively) (Fig. 2B and 2E), but at
h and a significant upregulation at 144 h (1.51-fold) when compared to the 96-h time
exposure (Fig. 2C). bamD and ppiD showed no differential expression (Fig. 2D and
37
38
Fig. 2. Differential gene expression of persister cells in the planktonic culture of
Acinetobacter baumannii Acb-1 after exposure to meropenem (15 µg/mL) for 0, 96,
and 144 h using quantitative real-time PCR. The gene rpoB was used as the
housekeeping control and six genes already evaluated by proteome analysis were
evaluated: (A) deaD, (B) bamA, (C) bamB, (D) bamD, (E) bamE, (F) ftsH, and (G) ppiD.
The y-axis represents the fold difference of each gene relative to the threshold cycle
(CT) values (2-(ΔΔCT)). The values represent the means of three experimental replicates
obtained from two biological replicates (n=6). A one-way ANOVA was performed, and
follows: *= p-value <0.05, **= p-value <0.01 and, and n.s.= not significant.
the evaluated genes did not show significant differential expression. Unlike what was
(Fig. 3D). ftsH displayed an up-regulation (10.6-fold) at 48 h (Fig. 3F), but it was
39
Fig. 3. Differential gene expression of persister cells in biofilm of Acinetobacter
baumannii Acb-1 after exposure to meropenem (15 µg/mL) for 0, 96, and 144 h using
quantitative real-time PCR. The analyzed genes were as follows: (A) deaD, (B) bamA,
(C) bamB, (D) bamD, (E) bamE, (F) ftsH, and (G) ppiD. The gene rpoB was used as
control. The y-axis represents the fold difference of each gene relative to the threshold
40
cycle (CT) values (2-(ΔΔCT)). The values represent the means of three experimental
replicates obtained from two biological replicates (n=6). A one-way ANOVA was
performed, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. The significance level
is indicated as follows: *= p-value <0.05, **= p-value <0.01 and, and n.s.= not
significant.
4. Discussion
The molecular mechanisms underlying persister cells are still not completely
understood, however, important progress has been made. Studies have showed that
proteins involved in translation and RNA metabolism may play a role in persister cell
has been proposed [40]. Additionally, there is ongoing discussion about the potential
upregulation of OMP genes in persister cells [26]. Given that proteins which are
measure the expression of genes that might be involved in these processes. Using the
literature and the current advances in the area, along with a previous proteomic
analysis of the A. baumannii strain Acb-1 (data not shown), six genes were selected.
Comparing the killing curves (Fig. 1) of Acb-1 following meropenem and polymyxin
population growth after 6 h, corroborating what has been observed previously with
41
different A. baumannii strains [34]. The surviving cells observed are bona-fide
when contrasting planktonic and biofilm cultures, the latter showed a higher count of
persister cells. These findings are likely attributed to the distinct environment
established by biofilm cultures, which promote, protect, and select for persisters
[14,16]. The biofilm, with its nutrient levels, aeration, and pH gradients, potentially acts
incorporates several mechanisms that can limit the antimicrobial action, including
The observed differential expression of the deaD gene (Fig. 2A) can be due to
several reasons. DEAD-box helicases, especially DeaD, are known to have diverse
DeaD has also been implicated in cold-shock response and growth at low
upregulation at 144 h (Fig. 2A), may be explained by several scenarios. In the initial
96 h, with bacteria experiencing antibiotic stress, A. baumannii may tightly control the
expression of deaD due to its ATP-dependent nature and short mRNA half-life [24].
This could result in a depletion of mRNA levels, while the active protein remains
and constitutes part of the degradosome, which is essential for the bacterial
42
upregulation of deaD at 144 h may be necessary to maintain enough levels of the
DeaD protein in persister cells, which exhibit distinct gene expression patterns
The BAM complex, composed of four lipoproteins (BamBCDE) and one OMP
(BamA), plays a crucial role in the folding and insertion of OMPs [43,44]. The current
model suggests that BamD may regulate the engagement of OMP with the complex,
while BamA is primarily responsible for the folding process [43]. The functions of the
other three proteins in the complex, BamB, BamC, and BamE, are still under debate,
with possibly redundant activities, as single deletions of these proteins only lead to
minor folding errors in OMPs [43,44]. In this study, we observed an increase in mRNA
expression for most of the Bam genes evaluated (Fig 2B, C, E). The up-regulation of
bamAE was observed at 96 h (Fig. 2B and E), while bamB was overexpressed at 144
h (Fig. 2C). On the other hand, bamD showed a down-regulation in biofilm culture (Fig.
3D), but did not show significant changes in the planktonic culture (Fig 2D). These
findings suggest that the Bam complex may play a role in the persister phenotype.
These results also corroborate Schmitt et al. findings, who reported an up-regulation
of ompA and ompW genes, which are closely associated with the Bam complex, after
understand the delayed response observed in bamB, with its up-regulation occurring
only at 144 h (Fig. 2C). Additionally, the reason for the lack of differential expression
of bamD in the planktonic culture (Fig. 2D) and its down-regulation in biofilm (Fig. 3D)
FtsH is a member of the ATPases family (AAA+ proteases), which utilize ATP to
degrade several proteins [45]. It is considered a universal protease with several known
43
targets, including LpxC, RpoH, and YfgM [46]. These substrates play roles in stress
response, and YfgM, which acts in intra and extra cytoplasmic stress response [46].
Given the known function of FtsH and our observations in this study, we propose that
FtsH may play an important role in the stress response associated with the persister
h (Fig. 2F), suggesting that maintaining the activity of proteins and substrates involved
in initiating and sustaining a stress response is crucial within the cell. On the other
hand, in the biofilm, where cells, persisters or not, have mechanisms that provide
protection [17], the stress response may not be as severe as in planktonic state. This
further analysis is required to fully understand the implications of these findings. Taken
together, our data suggest that FtsH may play a significant role in the stress response
translocation of proteins by the SecYEG complex. It also forms a complex with YfgM
[47,48], which serves as a substrate for FtsH and is involved in the stress response
[46]. Additionally, PpiD plays a role in the proper folding of certain OMPs [47]. However,
expression in any of the samples analyzed (Fig 2G and 3G). This indicates that the
expression of ppiD remains relatively stable under the conditions tested and may not
maintenance.
44
Planktonic cultures (Fig. 2) presented a more heterogeneous profile of differential
gene expression compared to biofilms (Fig. 3). This difference can be due to several
reasons. In biofilm state, cells are protected by the extracellular environment, which
can shield them from several stressful conditions [16]. The presence of extracellular
the potential interference caused by its components [14,16,17]. Due to the protective
nature of the biofilm environment, cells may have a reduced need for an extensive
stress response compared to planktonic cultures, or at least, when faced with the
in this study. However, it should be noted that some studies have shown up-regulation
up-regulated in biofilms [50]. Furthermore, in the persister phenotype, the biofilm state
may employ distinct pathways to maintain the viability of cells in the presence of
mechanisms involved.
5. Conclusion
Our study revealed that deaD, the bam complex, and ftsH may contribute to the
expressed in planktonic state did not necessarily show the same pattern in biofilm,
45
the mechanisms underlying persister formation, which could pave the way for the
Funding
This study was supported by the State of Rio Grande do Sul, through Fundação
Ethical approval
Not required.
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or
personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the study reported in this
paper.
Acknowledgments
analysis, Brenda Landvoigt Schmitt, Vanessa Fey, and Maila Pacheco Dias for
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article; further
46
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50
Capítulo 3
4. Considerações finais
Previamente, em uma quantificação diferencial por meio de análise proteômica em
células persisters em A. baumannii, observamos que estas proteínas DeaD, BamA,
BamB, BamD, BamE, FtsH e PpiD foram significativamente mais detectadas nestas
variantes fenotípicas. Desta forma, conduzimos a avaliação da expressão dos genes
codificadores para estas proteínas em células persisters em A. baumannii, tendo
observado que DeaD, o complexo BAM e FtsH podem estar envolvidos no fenótipo de
persistência neste microrganismo. O envolvimento destas proteínas no estresse
mediado pela exposição a antibiótico está em consonância com o papel já descrito na
resposta e tolerância a diferentes formas de estresse, tais como: choque térmico,
estresse osmótico, estresse ácido, e adaptação à fase estacionária.
Ainda são necessários novos estudos para entender as possíveis vias nas quais
estes genes podem estar atuando no processo de persistência, bem como confirmar
diretamente o envolvimento dos alvos do estudo em células persisters. Também, é
necessário avaliar os mecanismos moleculares de persistência em biofilme, visto que
os alvos selecionados não aparentam ter envolvimento expressivo. É necessário
ainda avaliar a expressão de deaD, bamA, bamB, bamD, bamE, ftsH e ppiD após
tratamento com polimixina B, e ainda avaliar outros alvos que foram apontados pela
análise proteômica.
Por fim, estudos como este permitem avaliar possíveis alvos para o
desenvolvimento de novos antimicrobianos e no uso racional dos antimicrobianos
atualmente em uso, além de avançar o conhecimento dos mecanismos moleculares
envolvidos na seleção e indução persisters.
51
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ANEXO I- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO
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ANEXO II- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO
57
ANEXO III- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO
58
ANEXO IV- ARTIGO CIENTÍFICO
59
60