Morphology of Helicobacter pylori as a result of peptidoglycan and cytoskeleton rearrangements

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium colonising the gastric mucosa. Normally, this bacterium has a spiral shape, which is crucial for proper colonisation of the stomach and cork-screwing penetration of dense mucin covering this organ. However, H. pylori may also form curved/straight rods, filamentous forms and coccoid forms. This morphological variability affects nutrient transport and respiration processes, as well as motility, the ability to form aggregates/biofilms, and resistance to adverse environmental factors. For this reason, a more accurate understanding of the molecular determinants that control the morphology of H. pylori seems to be crucial in increasing the effectiveness of antibacterial therapies directed against this microorganism. This article focuses on the molecular factors responsible for peptidoglycan and cytoskeleton rearrangements affecting H. pylori morphology and survivability. In addition, the existence of proteins associated with modifications of H. pylori morphology as potential targets in therapies reducing the virulence of this bacterium has been suggested.

In Vitro Activity of 3-Bromopyruvate, an Anticancer Compound, Against Antibiotic-Susceptible and Antibiotic-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains

“…Microscopic observations of H. pylori treated with 3-BP indicated a decrease in the number of spiral forms with an inversely proportional increase in the amount of coccoid forms during the incubation. Morphological variability in response to unfavorable environmental conditions is typical for many Gram-negative rods, including H. pylori [38]. This microorganism, in response to stressful conditions, most often undergoes a morphological transformation into spherical forms, for which increased survivability and participation in the failure of antimicrobial therapies are suggested [39,40,41].…”

Biofilm Formation as a Complex Result of Virulence and Adaptive Responses of Helicobacter pylori

“…In the initial stages of biofilm formation, H. pylori is in a spiral form [ 45 , 56 , 58 ]. This morphological form is highly mobile and associated with the colonization of new niches [ 11 , 70 ]. After effective adhesion to the surface and multiplication, a morphological transformation occurs, which is accompanied by the creation of high shapes heterogeneity (spiral, rod-shaped, curved, coccoid, and filamentous forms) [ 70 ].…”

“…This morphological form is highly mobile and associated with the colonization of new niches [ 11 , 70 ]. After effective adhesion to the surface and multiplication, a morphological transformation occurs, which is accompanied by the creation of high shapes heterogeneity (spiral, rod-shaped, curved, coccoid, and filamentous forms) [ 70 ]. However, in the case of prolonged cultivation, all cells in the biofilm finally transform to a coccoid form, for which participation in survival and higher tolerance to adverse environmental factors is indicated [ 71 , 72 ].…”

Biochemical characterization of the Helicobacter pylori bactofilin-homolog HP1542

“…In H . pylori , cell shape maintenance is apparently controlled by at least two unrelated mechanisms that operate at two levels: peptidases influence cell shape by causing peptidoglycan relaxation [22] [24] and four so called coiled-coil-rich proteins (Ccrp) depicting cytoskeleton elements influence cell shape most probably by composing an intracellular scaffold [23, 25]. In contrast to the situation in many other bacteria cell morphology in H .…”