Phthiocerol dimycocerosate (DIM) is a major virulence factor of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). While this lipid promotes the entry of Mtb into macrophages, which occurs via phagocytosis, its molecular mechanism of action is unknown. Here, we combined biophysical, cell biology, and modeling approaches to reveal the molecular mechanism of DIM action on macrophage membranes leading to the first step of Mtb infection. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry showed that DIM molecules are transferred from the Mtb envelope to macrophage membranes during infection. Multiscale molecular modeling and 31P-NMR experiments revealed that DIM adopts a conical shape in membranes and aggregates in the stalks formed between 2 opposing lipid bilayers. Infection of macrophages pretreated with lipids of various shapes uncovered a general role for conical lipids in promoting phagocytosis. Taken together, these results reveal how the molecular shape of a mycobacterial lipid can modulate the biological response of macrophages.
Keywords: macrophage infection; multiscale molecular dynamics; mycobacterial lipids shape; nonbilayer membrane structure; solid-state NMR.