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Identification of novel lipid modifications and intermembrane dynamics in Corynebacterium glutamicum using

Stephan Klatt1, Rajini Brammananth2, Sean O'Callaghan3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.

Journal of Lipid Research
|May 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals novel lipid compositions in Corynebacterineae cell envelopes, uncovering connections between lipid transport and synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The complex cell envelopes of Corynebacterineae, including pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nonpathogens like Corynebacterium glutamicum, are crucial for their survival and virulence.
  • The cell envelope structure consists of an asymmetric outer membrane, an arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan complex, and an inner cell membrane.
  • Understanding the lipid composition of these membranes is key to elucidating cell envelope biogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first high-resolution analysis of lipids in the inner and outer membranes of Corynebacterium glutamicum.
  • To identify and characterize the lipid subclasses and molecular species present in these membranes.
  • To investigate the impact of specific protein deletions on lipid distribution and synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was employed for lipid analysis.
  • Mass spectral library searches in MS-DIAL were used for lipid identification.
  • Differential solvent extraction was utilized to generate inner and outer membrane fractions.
  • Genetic manipulation, specifically the deletion of the TmaT protein, was performed.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive lipid profile of C. glutamicum membranes was established, identifying 28 lipid (sub)classes and over 233 molecular species.
  • New subclasses of acylated/acetylated trehalose mono/dicorynomycolic acids were discovered.
  • All identified lipid subclasses showed polarized distribution between the inner and outer membrane fractions.
  • Deletion of TmaT resulted in triacylglycerol accumulation in the inner membrane and reduced synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol and alanylated lipids.

Conclusions:

  • This research provides the first detailed lipid map of Corynebacterium glutamicum inner and outer membranes.
  • The findings highlight a previously unrecognized link between the synthesis and/or transport of diverse lipid classes.
  • The study underscores the importance of TmaT in regulating lipid homeostasis within the cell envelope.
Keywords:
bacterial membraneslipidomicsmycobacteriumtrehalose lipids

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