Genome-wide screening identified SEC61A1 as an essential factor for mycolactone-dependent apoptosis in human premonocytic THP-1 cells

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 Aug 8;16(8):e0010672. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010672. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Buruli ulcer is a chronic skin disease caused by a toxic lipid mycolactone produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which induces local skin tissue destruction and analgesia. However, the cytotoxicity pathway induced by mycolactone remains largely unknown. Here we investigated the mycolactone-induced cell death pathway by screening host factors using a genome-scale lenti-CRISPR mutagenesis assay in human premonocytic THP-1 cells. As a result, 884 genes were identified as candidates causing mycolactone-induced cell death, among which SEC61A1, the α-subunit of the Sec61 translocon complex, was the highest scoring. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of SEC61A1 in THP-1 cells suppressed mycolactone-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, especially eIF2α phosphorylation, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Although previous studies have reported that mycolactone targets SEC61A1 based on mutation screening and structural analysis in several cell lines, we have reconfirmed that SEC61A1 is a mycolactone target by genome-wide screening in THP-1 cells. These results shed light on the cytotoxicity of mycolactone and suggest that the inhibition of mycolactone activity or SEC61A1 downstream cascades will be a novel therapeutic modality to eliminate the harmful effects of mycolactone in addition to the 8-week antibiotic regimen of rifampicin and clarithromycin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Buruli Ulcer* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Macrolides / metabolism
  • Mycobacterium ulcerans* / metabolism
  • THP-1 Cells

Substances

  • Macrolides
  • mycolactone

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI (grant numbers JP16K09808 and JP19K07557 (AK and MG)), Takeda Science Foundation (AK), GSK Japan Research Grant 2020 (AK) and AMED (grant number 18jm0510004h0001 (KS)). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.