Silvia Fernicola

Investigating the allosteric regulation of YfiN from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Clues from the structure of the catalytic domain

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for a plethora of biofilm mediated chronic infections among which cystic fibrosis pneumonia is the most frightening. The long-term survival strategy of P. aeruginosa in the patients lungs is based on a fine balance of virulence vs dormant states and on genetic adaptation, in order to select persistent phenotypes as the small colony variants (SCVs), which strongly correlate with antibiotic resistance and poor lung function. Recent studies have coupled SCV with increased levels of the signaling molecule cyclic di-GMP, and demonstrated the central role of the diguanylate cyclase YfiN, part of the tripartite signaling module YifBNR, in c-di-GMP dependent SCV regulation. YfiN, also called TpbB, is a multi-domain membrane enzyme connecting periplasmic stimuli to cytosolic c-di-GMP production by an allosteric inside-out signaling mechanism that, due to the lack of structural data, is still largely hypothetical. We have solved the crystal structure of the catalytic domain (GGDEF), and measured the enzymatic activity of the cytosolic portion in real-time by means of a newly developed method. Based on these results we demonstrate that, unlike other diguanylate cyclase, YfiN does not undergo product feedback inhibition, and that the presence of the HAMP domain is required for dimerization and catalysis. Coupling our structural and kinetic data with an in silico study we are now able to propose a model for the allosteric regulation of YfiN.

Probing the activity of diguanylate cyclases and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases in real-time by CD spectroscopy

Bacteria react to adverse environmental stimuli by clustering into organized communities called biofilms. A remarkably sophisticated control system based on the dinucleotide 3′–5′ cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) is involved in deciding whether to form or abandon biofilms. The ability of c-di-GMP to form self-intercalated dimers is also thought to play a role in this complex regulation. A great advantage in the quest of elucidating the catalytic properties of the enzymes involved in c-di-GMP turnover (diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases) would come from the availability of an experimental approach for in vitro quantification of c-di-GMP in real-time. Here, we show that c-di-GMP can be detected and quantified by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in the low micromolar range. The method is based on the selective ability of manganese ions to induce formation of the intercalated dimer of the c-di-GMP dinucleotide in solution, which displays an intense sigmoidal CD spectrum in the near-ultraviolet region. This characteristic spectrum originates from the stacking interaction of the four mutually intercalated guanines, as it is absent in the other cyclic dinucleotide 3′–5′ cyclic adenilic acid (c-di-AMP). Thus, near-ultraviolet CD can be used to effectively quantify in real-time the activity of diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases in solution.

Synthesis of Triazole-Linked Analogues of c‐di-GMP and Their Interactions with Diguanylate Cyclase

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a widespread second messenger that plays a key role in bacterial biofilm formation. The compounds ability to assume multiple conformations allows it to interact with a diverse set of target macromolecules. Here, we analyzed the binding mode of c-di-GMP to the allosteric inhibitory site (I-site) of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and compared it to the conformation adopted in the catalytic site of the EAL phosphodiesterases (PDEs). An array of novel molecules has been designed and synthesized by simplifying the native c-di-GMP structure and replacing the charged phosphodiester backbone with an isosteric nonhydrolyzable 1,2,3-triazole moiety. We developed the first neutral small molecule able to selectively target DGCs discriminating between the I-site of DGCs and the active site of PDEs; this molecule represents a novel tool for mechanistic studies, particularly on those proteins bearing both DGC and PDE modules, and for future optimization studies to target DGCs in vivo.

In Silico Discovery and In Vitro Validation of Catechol-Containing Sulfonohydrazide Compounds as Potent Inhibitors of the Diguanylate Cyclase PleD

UNLABELLED Biofilm formation is responsible for increased antibiotic tolerance in pathogenic bacteria. Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a widely used second-messenger signal that plays a key role in bacterial biofilm formation. c-di-GMP is synthesized by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), a conserved class of enzymes absent in mammals and hence considered attractive molecular targets for the development of antibiofilm agents. Here, the results of a virtual screening approach aimed at identifying small-molecule inhibitors of the DGC PleD from Caulobacter crescentus are described. A three-dimensional (3D) pharmacophore model, derived from the mode of binding of GTP to the active site of PleD, was exploited to screen the ZINC database of compounds. Seven virtual hits were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the activity of purified PleD by using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Two drug-like molecules with a catechol moiety and a sulfonohydrazide scaffold were shown to competitively inhibit PleD at the low-micromolar range (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] of ∼11 μM). Their predicted binding mode highlighted key structural features presumably responsible for the efficient inhibition of PleD by both hits. These molecules represent the most potent in vitro inhibitors of PleD identified so far and could therefore result in useful leads for the development of novel classes of antimicrobials able to hamper biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE Biofilm-mediated infections are difficult to eradicate, posing a threatening health issue worldwide. The capability of bacteria to form biofilms is almost universally stimulated by the second messenger c-di-GMP. This evidence has boosted research in the last decade for the development of new antibiofilm strategies interfering with c-di-GMP metabolism. Here, two potent inhibitors of c-di-GMP synthesis have been identified in silico and characterized in vitro by using the well-characterized DGC enzyme PleD from C. crescentus as a structural template and molecular target. Given that the protein residues implied as crucial for enzyme inhibition are found to be highly conserved among DGCs, the outcome of this study could pave the way for the future development of broad-spectrum antibiofilm compounds.