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Noël CR, Mazar J, Melvin JA, Sexton JA, Cotter PA. The prodomain of the Bordetella two-partner secretion pathway protein FhaB remains intracellular yet affects the conformation of the mature C-terminal domain. Mol Microbiol 2012; 86:988-1006. [PMID: 23035892 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems use β-barrel proteins of the Omp85-TpsB superfamily to transport large exoproteins across the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. The Bordetella FHA/FhaC proteins are prototypical of TPS systems in which the exoprotein contains a large C-terminal prodomain that is removed during translocation. Although it is known that the FhaB prodomain is required for FHA function in vivo, its role in FHA maturation has remained mysterious. We show here that the FhaB prodomain is required for the extracellularly located mature C-terminal domain (MCD) of FHA to achieve its proper conformation. We show that the C-terminus of the prodomain is retained intracellularly and that sequences within the N-terminus of the prodomain are required for this intracellular localization. We also identify sequences at the C-terminus of the MCD that are required for release of mature FHA from the cell surface. Our data support a model in which the intracellularly located prodomain affects the final conformation of the extracellularly located MCD. We hypothesize that maturation triggers cleavage and degradation of the prodomain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Noël
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7290, USA
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102
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Jose J, Maas RM, Teese MG. Autodisplay of enzymes—Molecular basis and perspectives. J Biotechnol 2012; 161:92-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2011] [Revised: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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103
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Teh MY, Tran ENH, Morona R. Absence of O antigen suppresses Shigella flexneri IcsA autochaperone region mutations. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2012; 158:2835-2850. [PMID: 22936034 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.062471-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Shigella flexneri IcsA (VirG) protein is a polarly distributed autotransporter protein. IcsA functions as a virulence factor by interacting with the host actin regulatory protein N-WASP, which in turn activates the Arp2/3 complex, initiating actin polymerization. Formation of F-actin comet tails allows bacterial cell-to-cell spreading. Although various accessory proteins such as periplasmic chaperones and the β-barrel assembly machine (BAM) complex have been shown to be involved in the export of IcsA, the IcsA translocation mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. A putative autochaperone (AC) region (amino acids 634-735) located at the C-terminal end of the IcsA passenger domain, which forms part of the self-associating autotransporter (SAAT) domain, has been suggested to be required for IcsA biogenesis, as well as for N-WASP recruitment, based on mutagenesis studies. IcsA(i) proteins with linker insertion mutations within the AC region have a significant reduction in production and are defective in N-WASP recruitment when expressed in smooth LPS (S-LPS) S. flexneri. In this study, we have found that the LPS O antigen plays a role in IcsA(i) production based on the use of an rmlD (rfbD) mutant having rough LPS (R-LPS) and a novel assay in which O antigen is depleted using tunicamycin treatment and then regenerated. In addition, we have identified a new N-WASP binding/interaction site within the IcsA AC region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yan Teh
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Ngoc Hoa Tran
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Renato Morona
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
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104
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A novel virulence strategy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated by an autotransporter with arginine-specific aminopeptidase activity. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002854. [PMID: 22927813 PMCID: PMC3426542 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a major cause of infections in chronic wounds, burns and the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. The P. aeruginosa genome encodes at least three proteins exhibiting the characteristic three domain structure of autotransporters, but much remains to be understood about the functions of these three proteins and their role in pathogenicity. Autotransporters are the largest family of secreted proteins in Gram-negative bacteria, and those characterised are virulence factors. Here, we demonstrate that the PA0328 autotransporter is a cell-surface tethered, arginine-specific aminopeptidase, and have defined its active site by site directed mutagenesis. Hence, we have assigned PA0328 with the name AaaA, for arginine-specific autotransporter of P. aeruginosa. We show that AaaA provides a fitness advantage in environments where the sole source of nitrogen is peptides with an aminoterminal arginine, and that this could be important for establishing an infection, as the lack of AaaA led to attenuation in a mouse chronic wound infection which correlated with lower levels of the cytokines TNFα, IL-1α, KC and COX-2. Consequently AaaA is an important virulence factor playing a significant role in the successful establishment of P. aeruginosa infections. We present a new Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor that promotes chronic skin wound infections. We propose the name AaaA for this cell-surface tethered autotransporter. This arginine-specific aminopeptidase confers a growth advantage upon P. aeruginosa, providing a fitness advantage by creating a supply of arginine in chronic wounds where oxygen availability is limited and biofilm formation is involved. To our knowledge, this is the first mechanistic evidence linking the upregulation of genes involved in arginine metabolism with pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa, and we propose potential underlying mechanisms. The superbug P. aeruginosa is the leading cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis patients. The ineffective host immune response to bacterial colonization is likely to play a critical role in the demise of these patients, making the possibility that AaaA could interface with the innate immune system, influencing the activity of iNOS and consequently the host's defence against invading pathogens. The surface localisation of AaaA makes it accessible to inhibitors that could reduce growth of P. aeruginosa during colonisation and alter biofilm formation, potentially improving the efficacy of current antimicrobials. Indeed, structurally related aminopeptidases play a central role in several disease states (stroke, diabetes, cancer, HIV and neuropsychiatric disorders), and inhibitors alleviate symptoms.
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105
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Functional heterogeneity of the UpaH autotransporter protein from uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2012; 194:5769-82. [PMID: 22904291 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01264-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections (UTI). To cause a UTI, UPEC must adhere to the epithelial cells of the urinary tract and overcome the shear flow forces of urine. This function is mediated primarily by fimbrial adhesins, which mediate specific attachment to host cell receptors. Another group of adhesins that contributes to UPEC-mediated UTI is autotransporter (AT) proteins. AT proteins possess a range of virulence properties, such as adherence, aggregation, invasion, and biofilm formation. One recently characterized AT protein of UPEC is UpaH, a large adhesin-involved-in-diffuse-adherence (AIDA-I)-type AT protein that contributes to biofilm formation and bladder colonization. In this study we characterized a series of naturally occurring variants of UpaH. We demonstrate that extensive sequence variation exists within the passenger-encoding domain of UpaH variants from different UPEC strains. This sequence variation is associated with functional heterogeneity with respect to the ability of UpaH to mediate biofilm formation. In contrast, all of the UpaH variants examined retained a conserved ability to mediate binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Bioinformatic analysis of the UpaH passenger domain identified a conserved region (UpaH(CR)) and a hydrophobic region (UpaH(HR)). Deletion of these domains reduced biofilm formation but not the binding to ECM proteins. Despite variation in the upaH sequence, the transcription of upaH was repressed by a conserved mechanism involving the global regulator H-NS, and mutation of the hns gene relieved this repression. Overall, our findings shed new light on the regulation and functions of the UpaH AT protein.
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106
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Celik N, Webb CT, Leyton DL, Holt KE, Heinz E, Gorrell R, Kwok T, Naderer T, Strugnell RA, Speed TP, Teasdale RD, Likić VA, Lithgow T. A bioinformatic strategy for the detection, classification and analysis of bacterial autotransporters. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43245. [PMID: 22905239 PMCID: PMC3419190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are secreted proteins that are assembled into the outer membrane of bacterial cells. The passenger domains of autotransporters are crucial for bacterial pathogenesis, with some remaining attached to the bacterial surface while others are released by proteolysis. An enigma remains as to whether autotransporters should be considered a class of secretion system, or simply a class of substrate with peculiar requirements for their secretion. We sought to establish a sensitive search protocol that could identify and characterize diverse autotransporters from bacterial genome sequence data. The new sequence analysis pipeline identified more than 1500 autotransporter sequences from diverse bacteria, including numerous species of Chlamydiales and Fusobacteria as well as all classes of Proteobacteria. Interrogation of the proteins revealed that there are numerous classes of passenger domains beyond the known proteases, adhesins and esterases. In addition the barrel-domain-a characteristic feature of autotransporters-was found to be composed from seven conserved sequence segments that can be arranged in multiple ways in the tertiary structure of the assembled autotransporter. One of these conserved motifs overlays the targeting information required for autotransporters to reach the outer membrane. Another conserved and diagnostic motif maps to the linker region between the passenger domain and barrel-domain, indicating it as an important feature in the assembly of autotransporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermin Celik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Chaille T. Webb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Denisse L. Leyton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kathryn E. Holt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Eva Heinz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Rebecca Gorrell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Terry Kwok
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Thomas Naderer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Richard A. Strugnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Terence P. Speed
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rohan D. Teasdale
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Vladimir A. Likić
- The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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107
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From evolution to pathogenesis: the link between β-barrel assembly machineries in the outer membrane of mitochondria and gram-negative bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:8038-8050. [PMID: 22942688 PMCID: PMC3430219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13078038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
β-barrel proteins are the highly abundant in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria and the mitochondria in eukaryotes. The assembly of β-barrels is mediated by two evolutionary conserved machineries; the β-barrel Assembly Machinery (BAM) in Gram-negative bacteria; and the Sorting and Assembly Machinery (SAM) in mitochondria. Although the BAM and SAM have functionally conserved roles in the membrane integration and folding of β-barrel proteins, apart from the central BamA and Sam50 proteins, the remaining components of each of the complexes have diverged remarkably. For example all of the accessory components of the BAM complex characterized to date are located in the bacterial periplasm, on the same side as the N-terminal domain of BamA. This is the same side of the membrane as the substrates that are delivered to the BAM. On the other hand, all of the accessory components of the SAM complex are located on the cytosolic side of the membrane, the opposite side of the membrane to the N-terminus of Sam50 and the substrate receiving side of the membrane. Despite the accessory subunits being located on opposite sides of the membrane in each system, it is clear that each system is functionally equivalent with bacterial proteins having the ability to use the eukaryotic SAM and vice versa. In this review, we summarize the similarities and differences between the BAM and SAM complexes, highlighting the possible selecting pressures on bacteria and eukaryotes during evolution. It is also now emerging that bacterial pathogens utilize the SAM to target toxins and effector proteins to host mitochondria and this will also be discussed from an evolutionary perspective.
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108
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Leo JC, Grin I, Linke D. Type V secretion: mechanism(s) of autotransport through the bacterial outer membrane. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 367:1088-101. [PMID: 22411980 PMCID: PMC3297439 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransport in Gram-negative bacteria denotes the ability of surface-localized proteins to cross the outer membrane (OM) autonomously. Autotransporters perform this task with the help of a β-barrel transmembrane domain localized in the OM. Different classes of autotransporters have been investigated in detail in recent years; classical monomeric but also trimeric autotransporters comprise many important bacterial virulence factors. So do the two-partner secretion systems, which are a special case as the transported protein resides on a different polypeptide chain than the transporter. Despite the great interest in these proteins, the exact mechanism of the transport process remains elusive. Moreover, different periplasmic and OM factors have been identified that play a role in the translocation, making the term ‘autotransport’ debatable. In this review, we compile the wealth of details known on the mechanism of single autotransporters from different classes and organisms, and put them into a bigger perspective. We also discuss recently discovered or rediscovered classes of autotransporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack C Leo
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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109
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A structurally informed autotransporter platform for efficient heterologous protein secretion and display. Microb Cell Fact 2012; 11:85. [PMID: 22709508 PMCID: PMC3521207 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The self-sufficient autotransporter (AT) pathway, ubiquitous in Gram-negative bacteria, combines a relatively simple protein secretion mechanism with a high transport capacity. ATs consist of a secreted passenger domain and a β-domain that facilitates transfer of the passenger across the cell-envelope. They have a great potential for the extracellular expression of recombinant proteins but their exploitation has suffered from the limited structural knowledge of carrier ATs. Capitalizing on its crystal structure, we have engineered the Escherichia coli AT Hemoglobin protease (Hbp) into a platform for the secretion and surface display of heterologous proteins, using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine target ESAT6 as a model protein. Results Based on the Hbp crystal structure, five passenger side domains were selected and one by one replaced by ESAT6, whereas a β-helical core structure (β-stem) was left intact. The resulting Hbp-ESAT6 chimeras were efficiently and stably secreted into the culture medium of E. coli. On the other hand, Hbp-ESAT6 fusions containing a truncated β-stem appeared unstable after translocation, demonstrating the importance of an intact β-stem. By interrupting the cleavage site between passenger and β-domain, Hbp-ESAT6 display variants were constructed that remain cell associated and facilitate efficient surface exposure of ESAT6 as judged by proteinase K accessibility and whole cell immuno-EM analysis. Upon replacement of the passenger side domain of an alternative AT, EspC, ESAT6 was also efficiently secreted, showing the approach is more generally applicable to ATs. Furthermore, Hbp-ESAT6 was efficiently displayed in an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain upon chromosomal integration of a single encoding gene copy, demonstrating the potential of the Hbp platform for live vaccine development. Conclusions We developed the first structurally informed AT platform for efficient secretion and surface display of heterologous proteins. The platform has potential with regard to the development of recombinant live vaccines and may be useful for other biotechnological applications that require high-level secretion or display of recombinant proteins by bacteria.
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110
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Bensing BA, Yen YT, Seepersaud R, Sullam PM. A Specific interaction between SecA2 and a region of the preprotein adjacent to the signal peptide occurs during transport via the accessory Sec system. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:24438-47. [PMID: 22654116 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.378059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The accessory Sec systems of streptococci and staphylococci mediate the transport of a family of large, serine-rich glycoproteins to the bacterial cell surface. These systems are comprised of SecA2, SecY2, and three core accessory Sec proteins (Asp1-3). In Streptococcus gordonii, transport of the serine-rich glycoprotein GspB requires both a unique 90-residue N-terminal signal peptide and an adjacent 24-residue segment (the AST domain). We used in vivo site-specific photo-cross-linking to identify proteins that interact with the AST domain during transport. To facilitate this analysis, the entire accessory Sec system of S. gordonii was expressed in Escherichia coli. The determinants of GspB trafficking to the accessory Sec system in E. coli matched those in S. gordonii, establishing the validity of this approach. When the photo-cross-linker was placed within the AST domain, the preprotein was found to cross-link to SecA2. Importantly, no cross-linking to SecA was detected. Cross-linking of the N-terminal end of the AST domain to SecA2 occurred regardless of whether Asp1-3 were present. However, cross-linking to the C-terminal end was dependent on the Asps. The combined results indicate that full engagement of the AST domain by SecA2 is modulated by one or more of the Asps, and suggest that this process is important for initiating transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Bensing
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco, California 94121, USA
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111
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Ko HJ, Park E, Song J, Yang TH, Lee HJ, Kim KH, Choi IG. Functional cell surface display and controlled secretion of diverse Agarolytic enzymes by Escherichia coli with a novel ligation-independent cloning vector based on the autotransporter YfaL. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:3051-8. [PMID: 22344647 PMCID: PMC3346495 DOI: 10.1128/aem.07004-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters have been employed as the anchoring scaffold for cell surface display by replacing their passenger domains with heterologous proteins to be displayed. We adopted an autotransporter (YfaL) of Escherichia coli for the cell surface display system. The critical regions in YfaL for surface display were identified for the construction of a ligation-independent cloning (LIC)-based display system. The designed system showed no detrimental effect on either the growth of the host cell or overexpressing heterologous proteins on the cell surface. We functionally displayed monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP1) as a reporter protein and diverse agarolytic enzymes from Saccharophagus degradans 2-40, including Aga86C and Aga86E, which previously had failed to be functional expressed. The system could display different sizes of proteins ranging from 25.3 to 143 kDa. We also attempted controlled release of the displayed proteins by incorporating a tobacco etch virus protease cleavage site into the C termini of the displayed proteins. The maximum level of the displayed protein was 6.1 × 10(4) molecules per a single cell, which corresponds to 5.6% of the entire cell surface of actively growing E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeok-Jin Ko
- Computational and Synthetic Biology Laboratory, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunhye Park
- Computational and Synthetic Biology Laboratory, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joseph Song
- Computational and Synthetic Biology Laboratory, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Taek Ho Yang
- Chemical and Polymer Laboratory, R&D Center, GS Caltex Corporation, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hee Jong Lee
- Chemical and Polymer Laboratory, R&D Center, GS Caltex Corporation, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyoung Heon Kim
- Computational and Synthetic Biology Laboratory, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Geol Choi
- Computational and Synthetic Biology Laboratory, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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112
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VirK is a periplasmic protein required for efficient secretion of plasmid-encoded toxin from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Infect Immun 2012; 80:2276-85. [PMID: 22547550 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00167-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the autotransporter (AT) moniker, AT secretion appears to involve the function of periplasmic chaperones. We identified four periplasmic proteins that specifically bound to plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet), an AT produced by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). These proteins include the 17-kDa Skp chaperone and the 37-kDa VirK protein. We found that the virK gene is present in different Enterobacteriaceae. VirK bound to misfolded conformations of the Pet passenger domain, but it did not bind to the folded passenger domain or to the β domain of Pet. Assays with an EAECΔvirK mutant and its complemented version showed that, in the absence of VirK, Pet was not secreted but was instead retained in the periplasm as proteolytic fragments. In contrast, Pet was secreted from a Δskp mutant. VirK was not required for the insertion of porin proteins into the outer membrane but assisted with insertion of the Pet β domain into the outer membrane. Loss of VirK function blocked the EAEC-mediated cytotoxic effect against HEp-2 cells. Thus, VirK facilitates the secretion of the AT Pet by maintaining the passenger domain in a conformation that both avoids periplasmic proteolysis and facilitates β-domain insertion into the outer membrane.
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113
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Schumacher SD, Hannemann F, Teese MG, Bernhardt R, Jose J. Autodisplay of functional CYP106A2 in Escherichia coli. J Biotechnol 2012; 161:104-12. [PMID: 22426093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyse a wide variety of reactions, including the hydroxylation and epoxidation of CC bonds, and dealkylation reactions. There is high interest in these reactions for biotechnology and pharmaceutical processes. Many P450s require membrane surroundings and have substrates that do not cross biological membranes. To circumvent these obstacles, CYP106A2 from Bacillus megaterium was expressed on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli cells by Autodisplay. Exposure on the surface was confirmed by a protease accessibility test and flow cytometry after immunolabelling. HPLC assays showed that 0.5 ml of cells displaying the enzyme (OD₅₇₈ = 6) converted 9.13 μmol of deoxycorticosterone to 15β-OH-deoxycorticosterone within 1h. Imipramine and abietic acid were also accepted as substrates. The number of active enzyme molecules per cell was calculated to be 20,000. Surprisingly, surface-exposed CYP106A2 was active in E. coli BL21 without the external addition of the heme group. However, when CYP106A2 was expressed on the surface of an E. coli strain lacking the TolC channel protein (JW5503), enzymatic activity was almost completely abolished. The activity of CYP106A2 on the surface of E. coli JW5503 could be restored by the external addition of the heme group. This suggests, as has been reported before, that E. coli uses a TolC-dependent mechanism to export heme into the growth media, where it can be scavenged by a surface-displayed apoenzyme. Our results indicate that Autodisplay enables the functional surface display of P450 enzymes and provides a new platform to access their synthetic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D Schumacher
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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114
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From self sufficiency to dependence: mechanisms and factors important for autotransporter biogenesis. Nat Rev Microbiol 2012; 10:213-25. [PMID: 22337167 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of proteins that use the type V secretion pathway for their delivery to the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. At first glance, autotransporters look to contain all the functional elements required to promote their own secretion: an amino-terminal signal peptide to mediate translocation across the inner membrane, a central passenger domain that is the secreted functional moiety, and a channel-forming carboxyl terminus that facilitates passenger domain translocation across the outer membrane. However, recent discoveries of common structural themes, translocation intermediates and accessory interactions have challenged the perceived simplicity of autotransporter secretion. Here, we discuss how these studies have led to an improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for autotransporter biogenesis.
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115
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Designer proteins: applications of genetic code expansion in cell biology. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2012; 13:168-82. [DOI: 10.1038/nrm3286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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116
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Renn JP, Junker M, Besingi RN, Braselmann E, Clark PL. ATP-independent control of autotransporter virulence protein transport via the folding properties of the secreted protein. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 19:287-96. [PMID: 22209629 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporter (AT) proteins are the largest class of extracellular virulence proteins secreted from Gram-negative bacteria. The mechanism by which AT proteins cross the bacterial outer membrane (OM), in the absence of ATP or another external energy source, is unknown. Here we demonstrate a linear correlation between localized regions of stability (ΔG(folding)) in the mature virulence protein (the AT "passenger") and OM secretion efficiency. Destabilizing the C-terminal β-helical domain of a passenger reduced secretion efficiency. In contrast, destabilizing the globular N-terminal domain of a passenger produced a linearly correlated increase in secretion efficiency. Thus, C-terminal passenger stability facilitates OM secretion, whereas N-terminal stability hinders it. The contributions of regional passenger stability to OM secretion demonstrate a crucial role for the passenger itself in directing its secretion, suggesting a novel type of ATP-independent, folding-driven transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Renn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670, USA
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117
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Leyton DL, Sevastsyanovich YR, Browning DF, Rossiter AE, Wells TJ, Fitzpatrick RE, Overduin M, Cunningham AF, Henderson IR. Size and conformation limits to secretion of disulfide-bonded loops in autotransporter proteins. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:42283-42291. [PMID: 22006918 PMCID: PMC3234927 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.306118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of virulence factors typified by a channel-forming C terminus that facilitates translocation of the functional N-terminal passenger domain across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This final step in the secretion of autotransporters requires a translocation-competent conformation for the passenger domain that differs markedly from the structure of the fully folded secreted protein. The nature of the translocation-competent conformation remains controversial, in particular whether the passenger domain can adopt secondary structural motifs, such as disulfide-bonded segments, while maintaining a secretion-competent state. Here, we used the endogenous and closely spaced cysteine residues of the plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli to investigate the effect of disulfide bond-induced folding on translocation of an autotransporter passenger domain. We reveal that rigid structural elements within disulfide-bonded segments are resistant to autotransporter-mediated secretion. We define the size limit of disulfide-bonded segments tolerated by the autotransporter system demonstrating that, when present, cysteine pairs are intrinsically closely spaced to prevent congestion of the translocator pore by large disulfide-bonded regions. These latter data strongly support the hairpin mode of autotransporter biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisse L Leyton
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Douglas F Browning
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E Rossiter
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Wells
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca E Fitzpatrick
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Henderson
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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118
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The translocation domain in trimeric autotransporter adhesins is necessary and sufficient for trimerization and autotransportation. J Bacteriol 2011; 194:827-38. [PMID: 22155776 DOI: 10.1128/jb.05322-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) comprise one of the secretion pathways of the type V secretion system. The mechanism of their translocation across the outer membrane remains unclear, but it most probably occurs by the formation of a hairpin inside the β-barrel translocation unit, leading to transportation of the passenger domain from the C terminus to the N terminus through the lumen of the β-barrel. We further investigated the phenomenon of autotransportation and the rules that govern it. We showed by coexpressing different Escherichia coli immunoglobulin-binding (Eib) proteins that highly similar TAAs could form stochastically mixed structures (heterotrimers). We further investigated this phenomenon by coexpressing two more distantly related TAAs, EibA and YadA. These, however, did not form heterotrimers; indeed, coexpression was lethal to the cells, leading to elimination of one or another of the genes. However, substituting in either protein the barrel of the other one so that the barrels were identical led to formation of heterotrimers as for Eibs. Our work shows that trimerization of the β-barrel, but not the passenger domain, is necessary and sufficient for TAA secretion while the passenger domain is not.
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119
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Mil-Homens D, Fialho AM. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins in members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex: a multifunctional family of proteins implicated in virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2011; 1:13. [PMID: 22919579 PMCID: PMC3417366 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2011.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are multimeric surface proteins exclusively found in bacteria. They are involved in various biological traits of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria including adherence, biofilm formation, invasion, survival within eukaryotic cells, serum resistance, and cytotoxicity. TAAs have a modular architecture composed by a conserved membrane-anchored C-terminal domain and a variable number of stalk and head domains. In this study, a bioinformatic approach has been used to analyze the distribution and architecture of TAAs among Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) genomes. Fifteen genomes were probed revealing a total of 74 encoding sequences. Compared with other bacterial species, the Bcc genomes contain a large number of TAAs (two genes to up to eight genes, such as in B. cenocepacia). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the TAAs grouped into at least eight distinct clusters. TAAs with serine-rich repeats are clearly well separated from others, thereby representing a different evolutionary lineage. Comparative gene mapping across Bcc genomes reveals that TAA genes are inserted within conserved synteny blocks. We further focused our analysis on the epidemic strain B. cenocepacia J2315 in which seven TAAs were annotated. Among these, three TAA-encoding genes (BCAM019, BCAM0223, and BCAM0224) are organized into a cluster and are candidates for multifunctional virulence factors. Here we review the current insights into the functional role of BCAM0224 as a model locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Mil-Homens
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Center for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico Lisbon, Portugal
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120
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Outer membrane targeting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteins shows variable dependence on the components of Bam and Lol machineries. mBio 2011; 2:mBio.00246-11. [PMID: 22147293 PMCID: PMC3230066 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00246-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In Gram-negative bacteria, the Lol and Bam machineries direct the targeting of lipidated and nonlipidated proteins, respectively, to the outer membrane (OM). Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with depleted levels of specific Bam and Lol proteins, we demonstrated a variable dependence of different OM proteins on these targeting pathways. Reduction in the level of BamA significantly affected the ability of the β-barrel membrane protein OprF to localize to the OM, while the targeting of three secretins that are functionally related OM proteins was less affected (PilQ and PscC) or not at all affected (XcpQ). Depletion of LolB affected all lipoproteins examined and had a variable effect on the nonlipidated proteins. While the levels of OprF, PilQ, and PscC were significantly reduced by LolB depletion, XcpQ was unaffected and was correctly localized to the OM. These results suggest that certain β-barrel proteins such as OprF primarily utilize the complete Bam machinery. The Lol machinery participates in the OM targeting of secretins to variable degrees, likely through its involvement in the assembly of lipidated Bam components. XcpQ, but not PilQ or PscC, was shown to assemble spontaneously into liposomes as multimers. This work raises the possibility that there is a gradient of utilization of Bam and Lol insertion and targeting machineries. Structural features of individual proteins, including their β-barrel content, may determine the propensity of these proteins for folding (or misfolding) during periplasmic transit and OM insertion, thereby influencing the extent of utilization of the Bam targeting machinery, respectively. Targeting of lipidated and nonlipidated proteins to the outer membrane (OM) compartment in Gram-negative bacteria involves the transfer across the periplasm utilizing the Lol and Bam machineries, respectively. We show that depletion of Bam and Lol components in Pseudomonas aeruginosa does not lead to a general OM protein translocation defect, but the severity (and therefore, Lol and Bam dependence), varies with individual proteins. XcpQ, the secretin component of the type II secretion apparatus, is translocated into the OM without the assistance of Bam or Lol machineries. The hypothesis that XcpQ, after secretion across the cytoplasmic membrane, does not utilize the OM targeting machineries was supported by demonstrating that in vitro-synthesized XcpQ (but not the other P. aeruginosa secretins) can spontaneously incorporate into lipid vesicles. Therefore, the requirement for ancillary factors appears to be, in certain instances, dictated by the intrinsic properties of individual OM proteins, conceivably reflecting their propensities to misfold during periplasmic transit.
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121
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Tame JR. Autotransporter protein secretion. Biomol Concepts 2011; 2:525-36. [DOI: 10.1515/bmc.2011.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractAutotransporter proteins are a large family of virulence factors secreted from Gram-negative bacteria by a unique mechanism. First described in the 1980s, these proteins have a C-terminal region that folds into a β-barrel in the bacterial outer membrane. The so-called passenger domain attached to this barrel projects away from the cell surface and may be liberated from the cell by self-cleavage or surface proteases. Although the majority of passenger domains have a similar β-helical structure, they carry a variety of subdomains, allowing them to carry out widely differing functions related to pathogenesis. Considerable biochemical and structural characterisation of the barrel domain has shown that ‘autotransporters’ in fact require a conserved and essential protein complex in the outer membrane for correct folding. Although the globular domains of this complex projecting into the periplasmic space have also been structurally characterised, the overall secretion pathway of the autotransporters remains highly puzzling. It was presumed for many years that the passenger domain passed through the centre of the barrel domain to reach the cell surface, driven at least in part by folding. This picture is complicated by conflicting data, and there is currently little hard information on the true nature of the secretion intermediates. As well as their medical importance therefore, autotransporters are proving to be an excellent system to study the folding and membrane insertion of outer membrane proteins in general. This review focuses on structural aspects of autotransporters; their many functions in pathogenesis are beyond its scope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R.H. Tame
- 1Yokohama City University, Suehiro 1-7-29, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
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122
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Fan E, Fiedler S, Jacob-Dubuisson F, Müller M. Two-partner secretion of gram-negative bacteria: a single β-barrel protein enables transport across the outer membrane. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:2591-9. [PMID: 22134917 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.293068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of protein secretion by pathogenic bacteria remain poorly understood. In gram-negative bacteria, the two-partner secretion pathway exports large, mostly virulence-related "TpsA" proteins across the outer membrane via their dedicated "TpsB" transporters. TpsB transporters belong to the ubiquitous Omp85 superfamily, whose members are involved in protein translocation across, or integration into, cellular membranes. The filamentous hemagglutinin/FhaC pair of Bordetella pertussis is a model two-partner secretion system. We have reconstituted the TpsB transporter FhaC into proteoliposomes and demonstrate that FhaC is the sole outer membrane protein required for translocation of its cognate TpsA protein. This is the first in vitro system for analyzing protein secretion across the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Our data also provide clear evidence for the protein translocation function of Omp85 transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enguo Fan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zentrum für Biochemie und Molekulare Zellforschung, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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123
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Molecular basis for the activation of a catalytic asparagine residue in a self-cleaving bacterial autotransporter. J Mol Biol 2011; 415:128-42. [PMID: 22094314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters are secreted proteins produced by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. They consist of a membrane-embedded β-domain and an extracellular passenger domain that is sometimes cleaved and released from the cell surface. We solved the structures of three noncleavable mutants of the autotransporter EspP to examine how it promotes asparagine cyclization to cleave its passenger. We found that cyclization is facilitated by multiple factors. The active-site asparagine is sterically constrained to conformations favorable for cyclization, while electrostatic interactions correctly orient the carboxamide group for nucleophilic attack. During molecular dynamics simulations, water molecules were observed to enter the active site and to form hydrogen bonds favorable for increasing the nucleophilicity of the active-site asparagine. When the activated asparagine attacks its main-chain carbonyl carbon, the resulting oxyanion is stabilized by a protonated glutamate. Upon cleavage, this proton could be transferred to the leaving amine group, helping overcome a significant energy barrier. Together, these findings provide insight into factors important for asparagine cyclization, a mechanism broadly used for protein cleavage.
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124
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Khan S, Mian HS, Sandercock LE, Chirgadze NY, Pai EF. Crystal structure of the passenger domain of the Escherichia coli autotransporter EspP. J Mol Biol 2011; 413:985-1000. [PMID: 21964244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters represent a large superfamily of known and putative virulence factors produced by Gram-negative bacteria. They consist of an N-terminal "passenger domain" responsible for the specific effector functions of the molecule and a C-terminal "β-domain" responsible for translocation of the passenger across the bacterial outer membrane. Here, we present the 2.5-Å crystal structure of the passenger domain of the extracellular serine protease EspP, produced by the pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 and a member of the serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs). Like the previously structurally characterized SPATE passenger domains, the EspP passenger domain contains an extended right-handed parallel β-helix preceded by an N-terminal globular domain housing the catalytic function of the protease. Of note, however, is the absence of a second globular domain protruding from this β-helix. We describe the structure of the EspP passenger domain in the context of previous results and provide an alternative hypothesis for the function of the β-helix within SPATEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekeb Khan
- Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
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125
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Molecular characterization of UpaB and UpaC, two new autotransporter proteins of uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073. Infect Immun 2011; 80:321-32. [PMID: 21930758 DOI: 10.1128/iai.05322-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the primary cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the developed world. The major factors associated with virulence of UPEC are fimbrial adhesins, which mediate specific attachment to host receptors and trigger innate host responses. Another group of adhesins is represented by the autotransporter (AT) subgroup of proteins. The genome-sequenced prototype UPEC strain CFT073 contains 11 putative AT-encoding genes. In this study, we have performed a detailed molecular characterization of two closely related AT adhesins from CFT073: UpaB (c0426) and UpaC (c0478). PCR screening revealed that the upaB and upaC AT-encoding genes are common in E. coli. The upaB and upaC genes were cloned and characterized in a recombinant E. coli K-12 strain background. This revealed that they encode proteins located at the cell surface but possess different functional properties: UpaB mediates adherence to several ECM proteins, while UpaC expression is associated with increased biofilm formation. In CFT073, upaB is expressed while upaC is transcriptionally repressed by the global regulator H-NS. In competitive colonization experiments employing the mouse UTI model, CFT073 significantly outcompeted its upaB (but not upaC) isogenic mutant strain in the bladder. This attenuated phenotype was also observed in single-challenge experiments, where deletion of the upaB gene in CFT073 significantly reduced early colonization of the bladder.
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126
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Saur A, Oreshkova N, Soprova Z, Jong WS, Sani M, Peters PJ, Luirink J, van Ulsen P. Autotransporter ?-Domains Have a Specific Function in Protein Secretion beyond Outer-Membrane Targeting. J Mol Biol 2011; 412:553-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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127
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Roy K, Kansal R, Bartels SR, Hamilton DJ, Shaaban S, Fleckenstein JM. Adhesin degradation accelerates delivery of heat-labile toxin by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:29771-9. [PMID: 21757737 PMCID: PMC3191018 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.251546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many enteric pathogens, including enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), produce one or more serine proteases that are secreted via the autotransporter (or type V) bacterial secretion pathway. These molecules have collectively been referred to as SPATE proteins (serine protease autotransporter of the Enterobacteriaceae). EatA, an autotransporter previously identified in ETEC, possesses a functional serine protease motif within its secreted amino-terminal passenger domain. Although this protein is expressed by many ETEC strains and is highly immunogenic, its precise function is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that EatA degrades a recently characterized adhesin, EtpA, resulting in modulation of bacterial adhesion and accelerated delivery of the heat-labile toxin, a principal ETEC virulence determinant. Antibodies raised against the passenger domain of EatA impair ETEC delivery of labile toxin to epithelial cells suggesting that EatA may be an effective target for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rita Kansal
- Research Services, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, and
| | | | | | - Salwa Shaaban
- the Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Sueif University, 62514 Beni-Sueif, Egypt
| | - James M. Fleckenstein
- From the Departments of Medicine
- Molecular Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163
- the Medicine and
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128
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Ricci DP, Silhavy TJ. The Bam machine: a molecular cooper. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1818:1067-84. [PMID: 21893027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial outer membrane (OM) is an exceptional biological structure with a unique composition that contributes significantly to the resiliency of Gram-negative bacteria. Since all OM components are synthesized in the cytosol, the cell must efficiently transport OM-specific lipids and proteins across the cell envelope and stably integrate them into a growing membrane. In this review, we discuss the challenges associated with these processes and detail the elegant solutions that cells have evolved to address the topological problem of OM biogenesis. Special attention will be paid to the Bam machine, a highly conserved multiprotein complex that facilitates OM β-barrel folding. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein Folding in Membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante P Ricci
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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129
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Structures and functions of autotransporter proteins in microbial pathogens. Int J Med Microbiol 2011; 301:461-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2011] [Revised: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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130
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Dautin N, Bernstein HD. Residues in a conserved α-helical segment are required for cleavage but not secretion of an Escherichia coli serine protease autotransporter passenger domain. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:3748-56. [PMID: 21642456 PMCID: PMC3147522 DOI: 10.1128/jb.05070-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of virulence factors produced by Gram-negative bacteria that are comprised of an N-terminal extracellular domain (passenger domain) and a C-terminal β barrel domain (β domain) that resides in the outer membrane (OM). The β domain promotes the translocation of the passenger domain across the OM by an unknown mechanism. Available evidence indicates that an α-helical segment that spans the passenger domain-β domain junction is embedded inside the β domain at an early stage of assembly. Following its secretion, the passenger domain of the serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) and the pertactin family of Bordetella pertussis autotransporters is released from the β domain through an intrabarrel autoproteolytic cleavage of the α-helical segment. Although the mutation of conserved residues that surround the cleavage site has been reported to impair both the translocation and cleavage of the passenger domain of a SPATE called Tsh, we show here that the mutation of the same residues in another SPATE (EspP) affects only passenger domain cleavage. Our results strongly suggest that the conserved residues are required to position the α-helical segment for the cleavage reaction and are not required to promote passenger domain secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harris D. Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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131
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Lazar Adler NR, Stevens JM, Stevens MP, Galyov EE. Autotransporters and Their Role in the Virulence of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:151. [PMID: 21811486 PMCID: PMC3139927 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are closely related Gram-negative bacteria responsible for the infectious diseases melioidosis and glanders, respectively. Autotransporters (ATs) comprise a large and diverse family of secreted and outer membrane proteins that includes virulence-associated invasins, adhesins, proteases, and actin-nucleating factors. The B. pseudomallei K96243 genome contains 11 predicted ATs, eight of which share homologs in the B. mallei ATCC 23344 genome. This review distils key findings from in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies on the ATs of B. pseudomallei and B. mallei. To date, the best characterized of the predicted ATs of B. pseudomallei and B. mallei is BimA, a predicted trimeric AT mediating actin-based motility which varies in sequence and mode of action between Burkholderia species. Of the remaining eight predicted B. pseudomallei trimeric autotransporters, five of which are also present in B. mallei, two (BoaA and BoaB), have been implicated in bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. Several predicted Burkholderia ATs are recognized by human humoral and cell-mediated immunity, indicating that they are expressed during infection and may be useful for diagnosis and vaccine-mediated protection. Further studies on the mode of secretion and functions of Burkholderia ATs will facilitate the rational design of control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie R Lazar Adler
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester Leicester, UK
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132
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L. Hagan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Thomas J. Silhavy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544;
| | - Daniel Kahne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; ,
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133
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Sequential and spatially restricted interactions of assembly factors with an autotransporter beta domain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:E383-91. [PMID: 21646511 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1103827108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are bacterial virulence factors that consist of an N-terminal extracellular ("passenger") domain and a C-terminal β barrel domain ("β domain") that resides in the outer membrane. Here we used an in vivo site-specific photocrosslinking approach to gain insight into the mechanism by which the β domain is integrated into the outer membrane and the relationship between β domain assembly and passenger domain secretion. We found that periplasmic chaperones and specific components of the β barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex interact with the β domain of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter extracellular serine protease P (EspP) in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion. Although the chaperone Skp initially interacted with the entire β domain, BamA, BamB, and BamD subsequently interacted with discrete β domain regions. BamB and BamD remained bound to the β domain longer than BamA and therefore appeared to function at a later stage of assembly. Interestingly, we obtained evidence that the completion of β domain assembly is regulated by an intrinsic checkpoint mechanism that requires the completion of passenger domain secretion. In addition to leading to a detailed model of autotransporter biogenesis, our results suggest that the lipoprotein components of the Bam complex play a direct role in the membrane integration of β barrel proteins.
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134
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Chin JW. Reprogramming the genetic code. EMBO J 2011; 30:2312-24. [PMID: 21602790 PMCID: PMC3116288 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Chin
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
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135
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Wilhelm S, Rosenau F, Kolmar H, Jaeger KE. Autotransporters with GDSL Passenger Domains: Molecular Physiology and Biotechnological Applications. Chembiochem 2011; 12:1476-85. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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136
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Abstract
It has been known for many years that the small lipoprotein Lpp, which is the most abundant protein in E. coli, exists in two forms. The 'bound' form of the protein is tethered to the outer membrane (OM) by its N-terminal lipid moiety and covalently attached to the cell wall by its C-terminal lysine residue. The exact location of the 'free' form, however, has never been determined. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Cowles et al. demonstrate that the free form of Lpp is an integral OM protein whose C-terminus is exposed on the cell surface. The new study provides the first example of a lipoprotein that has a dual localization and adds to a growing body of evidence that lipoproteins can span the OM despite the lack of an obvious transmembrane segment. Furthermore, the new results raise intriguing questions about the assembly of both lipoproteins and other types of OM proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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137
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Chou C, Uprety R, Davis L, Chin JW, Deiters A. Genetically encoding an aliphatic diazirine for protein photocrosslinking. Chem Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1039/c0sc00373e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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138
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Disulfide bond-mediated passenger domain stalling as a structural probe of autotransporter outer membrane secretion in vivo. Methods Enzymol 2011; 492:233-51. [PMID: 21333794 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381268-1.00030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters (ATs) are the largest class of extracellular virulence proteins secreted by Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, but the details of their outer membrane (OM) secretion mechanism remain unclear. Recently, a novel strategy has been developed to study OM secretion of AT proteins by introducing pairs of cysteine (Cys) residues into the central passenger domain sequence. Upon oxidation in the periplasm, these Cys residues form a long loop that stalls AT OM secretion. This Cys-loop stalling technique has been used to investigate such questions as the directionality of AT OM secretion and the extent of AT passenger domain folding during secretion. Here, we will describe how to use the Cys-loop approach to produce disulfide-bonded, stalled AT OM secretion intermediates, and how these stalled "snapshots" can be used to investigate structural aspects of the AT OM secretion mechanism.
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139
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van Ulsen P. Protein folding in bacterial adhesion: secretion and folding of classical monomeric autotransporters. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 715:125-42. [PMID: 21557061 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-0940-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial adhesins mediate the attachment of bacteria to their niches, such as the tissue of an infected host. Adhesins have to be transported across the cell envelope to become active and during this secretion process they fold into their final conformation. This chapter focuses on the biogenesis of the classical monomeric autotransporter proteins, which are the most ubiquitous class of secreted proteins in Gram-negative bacteria. They may function as adhesins, but other functions are also known. Autotransporter proteins have a modular structure and consist of an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal translocator domain with in between the secreted passenger domain that harbours the functions. The signal peptide directs the transport across the inner membrane to the periplasm via the Sec machinery. The translocator domain inserts into the outer membrane and facilitates the transport of the passenger to the cell surface. In this chapter, I will review our current knowledge of the secretion of classical monomeric autotransporters and the methods that have been used to assess their folding during the translocation, both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter van Ulsen
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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140
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Structure and Biology of Trimeric Autotransporter Adhesins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 715:143-58. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-0940-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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141
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Soprova Z, Sauri A, van Ulsen P, Tame JRH, den Blaauwen T, Jong WSP, Luirink J. A conserved aromatic residue in the autochaperone domain of the autotransporter Hbp is critical for initiation of outer membrane translocation. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:38224-33. [PMID: 20923769 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.180505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are bacterial virulence factors that share a common mechanism by which they are transported to the cell surface. They consist of an N-terminal passenger domain and a C-terminal β-barrel, which has been implicated in translocation of the passenger across the outer membrane (OM). The mechanism of passenger translocation and folding is still unclear but involves a conserved region at the C terminus of the passenger domain, the so-called autochaperone domain. This domain functions in the stepwise translocation process and in the folding of the passenger domain after translocation. In the autotransporter hemoglobin protease (Hbp), the autochaperone domain consists of the last rung of the β-helix and a capping domain. To examine the role of this region, we have mutated several conserved aromatic residues that are oriented toward the core of the β-helix. We found that non-conservative mutations affected secretion with Trp(1015) in the cap region as the most critical residue. Substitution at this position yielded a DegP-sensitive intermediate that is located at the periplasmic side of the OM. Further analysis revealed that Trp(1015) is most likely required for initiation of processive folding of the β-helix at the cell surface, which drives sequential translocation of the Hbp passenger across the OM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zora Soprova
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, VU University, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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142
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Jong WSP, Saurí A, Luirink J. Extracellular production of recombinant proteins using bacterial autotransporters. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2010; 21:646-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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143
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Lehr U, Schütz M, Oberhettinger P, Ruiz-Perez F, Donald JW, Palmer T, Linke D, Henderson IR, Autenrieth IB. C-terminal amino acid residues of the trimeric autotransporter adhesin YadA of Yersinia enterocolitica are decisive for its recognition and assembly by BamA. Mol Microbiol 2010; 78:932-46. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07377.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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144
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Secretion of a bacterial virulence factor is driven by the folding of a C-terminal segment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:17739-44. [PMID: 20876094 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1009491107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are bacterial virulence factors consisting of an N-terminal "passenger domain" that is secreted in a C- to-N-terminal direction and a C-terminal "β domain" that resides in the outer membrane (OM). Although passenger domain secretion does not appear to use ATP, the energy source for this reaction is unknown. Here, we show that efficient secretion of the passenger domain of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter EspP requires the stable folding of a C-terminal ≈17-kDa passenger domain segment. We found that mutations that perturb the folding of this segment do not affect its translocation across the OM but impair the secretion of the remainder of the passenger domain. Interestingly, an examination of kinetic folding mutants strongly suggested that the ≈17-kDa segment folds in the extracellular space. By mutagenizing the ≈17-kDa segment, we also fortuitously isolated a unique translocation intermediate. Analysis of this intermediate suggests that a heterooligomer that facilitates the membrane integration of OM proteins (the Bam complex) also promotes the surface exposure of the ≈17-kDa segment. Our results provide direct evidence that protein folding can drive translocation and help to clarify the mechanism of autotransporter secretion.
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145
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Comparative analysis of the biochemical and functional properties of C-terminal domains of autotransporters. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:5588-602. [PMID: 20802036 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00432-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters (ATs) are the largest group of proteins secreted by Gram-negative bacteria and include many virulence factors from human pathogens. ATs are synthesized as large precursors with a C-terminal domain that is inserted in the outer membrane (OM) and is essential for the translocation of an N-terminal passenger domain to the extracellular milieu. Several mechanisms have been proposed for AT secretion. Self-translocation models suggest transport across a hydrophilic channel formed by an internal pore of the β-barrel or by the oligomerization of C-terminal domains. Alternatively, an assisted-translocation model suggests that transport employs a conserved machinery of the bacterial OM such as the Bam complex. In this work we have investigated AT secretion by carrying out a comparative study to analyze the conserved biochemical and functional features of different C-terminal domains selected from ATs of gammaproteobacteria, betaproteobacteria, alphaproteobacteria, and epsilonproteobacteria. Our results indicate that C-terminal domains having an N-terminal α-helix and a β-barrel constitute functional transport units for the translocation of peptides and immunoglobulin domains with disulfide bonds. In vivo and in vitro analyses show that multimerization is not a conserved feature in AT C-terminal domains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the deletion of the conserved α-helix severely impairs β-barrel folding and OM insertion and thereby blocks passenger domain secretion. These observations suggest that the AT β-barrel without its α-helix cannot form a stable hydrophilic channel in the OM for protein translocation. The implications of our data for an understanding of AT secretion are discussed.
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146
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Molecular basis for the structural stability of an enclosed β-barrel loop. J Mol Biol 2010; 402:475-89. [PMID: 20655928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Revised: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We present molecular dynamics simulation studies of the structural stability of an enclosed loop in the β domain of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter EspP. Our investigation revealed that, in addition to its excellent resistance to thermal perturbations, EspP loop 5 (L5) also has remarkable mechanical stability against pulling forces along the membrane norm. These findings are consistent with the experimental report that EspP L5 helps to maintain the permeability barrier in the outer membrane. In contrast to the major secondary structure elements of globular proteins such as ubiquitin, whose resistance to thermal and mechanical perturbations depends mainly on backbone hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, the structural stability of EspP L5 can be attributed mainly to geometric constraints and side-chain interactions dominated by hydrogen bonds. Examination of B-factors from available high-resolution structures of membrane-embedded β barrels indicates that most of the enclosed loops have stable structures. This finding suggests that loops stabilized by geometric constraints and side-chain interactions might be used more generally to restrict β-barrel channels for various functional purposes.
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147
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Importance of conserved residues of the serine protease autotransporter beta-domain in passenger domain processing and beta-barrel assembly. Infect Immun 2010; 78:3516-28. [PMID: 20515934 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00390-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease autotransporters of the family Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) comprise a family of virulence proteins secreted by enteric Gram-negative bacteria via the autotransporter secretion pathway. A SPATE polypeptide contains a C-terminal translocator domain that inserts into the bacterial outer membrane as a beta-barrel structure and mediates secretion of the passenger domain to the extracellular environment. In the present study, we examined the role of conserved residues located in the SPATE beta-barrel-forming region in passenger domain secretion. Thirty-nine fully conserved residues in Tsh were mutated by single-residue substitution, and defects in their secretion phenotypes were assessed by cell fractionation and immunochemistry. A total of 22 single mutants exhibited abnormal phenotypes in different cellular compartments. Most mutants affecting secretion are charged residues with side chains pointing into the beta-barrel interior. Seven mutants showed notable abnormalities in processing (constructs with the E1231A, E1249A, and R1374A mutations) and beta-barrel assembly or insertion into the outer membrane (constructs with the G1158Y, F1360A, Y1375A, and F1377A mutations). The phenotypes of the beta-barrel assembly/insertion mutants and the presence of a processed Tsh passenger domain in the periplasm support the possibility that the translocator domain must undergo extensive folding prior to insertion into the outer membrane. Results from double-mutation experiments further demonstrate that F1360 and F1377 affect beta-barrel insertion/assembly at different times. In light of these new data, a more refined model for the mechanism of SPATE secretion is presented.
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148
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Dautin N. Serine protease autotransporters of enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs): biogenesis and function. Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:1179-206. [PMID: 22069633 PMCID: PMC3153244 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2061179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2010] [Revised: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine Protease Autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) constitute a large family of proteases secreted by Escherichia coli and Shigella. SPATEs exhibit two distinct proteolytic activities. First, a C-terminal catalytic site triggers an intra-molecular cleavage that releases the N-terminal portion of these proteins in the extracellular medium. Second, the secreted N-terminal domains of SPATEs are themselves proteases; each contains a canonical serine-protease catalytic site. Some of these secreted proteases are toxins, eliciting various effects on mammalian cells. Here, we discuss the biogenesis of SPATEs and their function as toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Dautin
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue N.E., Washington, DC, 20064, USA.
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149
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Wells TJ, Totsika M, Schembri MA. Autotransporters of Escherichia coli: a sequence-based characterization. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2010; 156:2459-2469. [PMID: 20447993 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.039024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autotransporter (AT) proteins are found in all Escherichia coli pathotypes and are often associated with virulence. In this study we took advantage of the large number of available E. coli genome sequences to perform an in-depth bioinformatic analysis of AT-encoding genes. Twenty-eight E. coli genome sequences were probed using an iterative approach, which revealed a total of 215 AT-encoding sequences that represented three major groups of distinct domain architecture: (i) serine protease AT proteins, (ii) trimeric AT adhesins and (iii) AIDA-I-type AT proteins. A number of subgroups were identified within each broad category, and most subgroups contained at least one characterized AT protein; however, seven subgroups contained no previously described proteins. The AIDA-I-type AT proteins represented the largest and most diverse group, with up to 16 subgroups identified from sequence-based comparisons. Nine of the AIDA-I-type AT protein subgroups contained at least one protein that possessed functional properties associated with aggregation and/or biofilm formation, suggesting a high degree of redundancy for this phenotype. The Ag43, YfaL/EhaC, EhaB/UpaC and UpaG subgroups were found in nearly all E. coli strains. Among the remaining subgroups, there was a tendency for AT proteins to be associated with individual E. coli pathotypes, suggesting that they contribute to tissue tropism or symptoms specific to different disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Wells
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Makrina Totsika
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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150
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The role of SurA factor in outer membrane protein transport and virulence. Int J Med Microbiol 2010; 300:421-8. [PMID: 20447864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2010.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Revised: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli periplasmic chaperone and peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) SurA is a major factor in the biogenesis of β-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and as such plays an integral role in cell envelope homeostasis and cell envelope functions. Recently, the biological importance of SurA was further substantiated by the finding that SurA also affects pathogenicity, being required for full virulence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella spp. Moreover, given the conservation of the protein, SurA likely plays similar roles in other Gram-negative bacteria and may hence prove a valuable drug target against Gram-negative pathogens. While our understanding on how SurA promotes transport and folding of β-barrel OMPs, how it provides support to virulence, and how it functions at a molecular level is still limited, major contributions have recently been made on our way to find answers to these questions. This review is a compilation of our current state of knowledge on E. coli SurA function and a discussion of recent findings with a particular emphasis on the pleiotropic contributions of SurA to pathogenicity.
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