Eukaryotic catecholamine hormones influence the chemotactic control of Vibrio campbellii by binding to the coupling protein CheW

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118227119
• Publication Date: 2022-03-02T16:33:22Z
• Authors: Angela Weigert Muñoz; Elisabeth Hoyer; Kilian Schumacher; Marianne Grognot; Katja M. Taute; Stephan M. Hacker; Stephan A. Sieber; Kirsten Jung
• Keywords: Proteomics; 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Chemotactic Factors; Chemotaxis; Iron; Catechols; Biological Sciences; ddc:; 03 medical and health sciences; Catecholamines; Bacterial Proteins; Molecular Probes; Protein Binding; Signal Transduction; Vibrio

Significance

Host-emitted stress hormones significantly influence the growth and behavior of various bacterial species; however, their cellular targets have so far remained elusive. Here, we used customized probes and quantitative proteomics to identify the target of epinephrine and the α-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine in live cells of the aquatic pathogen Vibrio campbellii . Consequently, we have discovered the coupling protein CheW, which is in the center of the chemotaxis signaling network, as a target of both molecules. We not only demonstrate direct ligand binding to CheW but also elucidate how this affects chemotactic control. These findings are pivotal for further research on hormone-specific effects on bacterial behavior.