Mechanism and impact of catecholamine conversion by Vibrio cholerae

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Bioenergetics Vol. 1860; no. 6; pp. 478 - 487
• Main Authors: Toulouse, Charlotte, Schmucker, Sonja, Metesch, Kristina, Pfannstiel, Jens, Michel, Bernd, Starke, Ines, Möller, Heiko M., Stefanski, Volker, Steuber, Julia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2019
• Subjects: Adrenaline; Adrenochrome; Na+ − NADH:quinone oxidoreductase; NQR; Superoxide; Vibrio cholerae; A; AC; NA; Vibrio cholerae; Adrenaline; Adrenochrome; Superoxide; Na+ − NADH:quinone oxidoreductase; NQR; Na(+) − NADH:quinone oxidoreductase
• ISSN: 0005-2728; 1879-2650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2019.04.003

Bacterial pathogens are influenced by signaling molecules including the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline which are host-derived hormones and neurotransmitters. Adrenaline and noradrenaline modulate growth, motility and virulence of bacteria. We show that adrenaline is converted by the pathogen Vibrio cholerae to adrenochrome in the course of respiration, and demonstrate that superoxide produced by the respiratory, Na+ − translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) acts as electron acceptor in the oxidative conversion of adrenaline to adrenochrome. Adrenochrome stimulates growth of V. cholerae, and triggers specific responses in V. cholerae and in immune cells. We performed a quantitative proteome analysis of V. cholerae grown in minimal medium with glucose as carbon source without catecholamines, or with adrenaline, noradrenaline or adrenochrome. Significant regulation of proteins participating in iron transport and iron homeostasis, in energy metabolism, and in signaling was observed upon exposure to adrenaline, noradrenaline or adrenochrome. On the host side, adrenochrome inhibited lipopolysaccharide-triggered formation of TNF-α by THP-1 monocytes, though to a lesser extent than adrenaline. It is proposed that adrenochrome produced from adrenaline by respiring V. cholerae functions as effector molecule in pathogen-host interaction. •The Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase of Vibrio cholerae promotes adrenochrome formation.•Adrenochrome stimulates growth of V. cholerae and elicits changes in its proteome.•Both adrenaline and adrenochrome modulate monocytic cytokine release.•Adrenochrome is proposed to act as effector molecule in the pathogen-host interface.