Processing by OmpT of fusion proteins carrying the HlyA transport signal during secretion by the Escherichia coli hemolysin transport system

Unexpected transcriptome pompT' contributes to the increased pathogenicity of a pompT mutant of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

The lambda red recombination system makes it suitable for screening virulence gene utility in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) on account of its wide applicability, simplicity and high efficiency. In APEC E058 (O2 serogroup), there are two copies of the outer membrane protease (ompT) gene, compT encoding cOmpT that is located on the chromosome and pompT encoding pOmpT that is located on a ColV plasmid. However, the relationship between pathogenesis and pompT expression in APEC E058 has yet to be elucidated. Here, we successfully constructed two pompT gene mutants: E058ΔpompT containing a chloramphenicol (cat) resistance gene and E058ΔpompT' without the cat gene. By RT-PCR and sequencing analysis, an unexpected transcriptome pompT' was detected in mutant strain E058ΔpompT' after deletion of the cat gene induced by the lambda red recombination system. Surprisingly, the pathogenicity of mutant E058ΔpompT was significantly attenuated compared to its parental strain in the chicken infection model and HD11 cell model then the pompT gene was knocked out, while the pathogenicity of the other mutant strain E058ΔpompT' had no difference. Furthermore, the presence of unexpected transcriptome pompT' influenced the bactericidal activity of SPF chicken serum and decreased the transcription level of TLR2 in the heart tissue of chickens. Our study identifies the pompT gene plays an important role in the virulence of APEC E058, and the unexpected transcriptome pompT' contributes to the increased pathogenicity of APEC E058 mutants following deletion of the cat gene induced by the lambda red recombination system, which suggests that this system still has some limitations for construction of mutant strains particularly where these are used in development of live vaccine.

Secretion of recombinant proteins from E. coli

The microorganism Escherichia coli is commonly used for recombinant protein production. Despite several advantageous characteristics like fast growth and high protein yields, its inability to easily secrete recombinant proteins into the extracellular medium remains a drawback for industrial production processes. To overcome this limitation, a multitude of approaches to enhance the extracellular yield and the secretion efficiency of recombinant proteins have been developed in recent years. Here, a comprehensive overview of secretion mechanisms for recombinant proteins from E. coli is given and divided into three main sections. First, the structure of the E. coli cell envelope and the known natural secretion systems are described. Second, the use and optimization of different one- or two-step secretion systems for recombinant protein production, as well as further permeabilization methods are discussed. Finally, the often-overlooked role of cell lysis in secretion studies and its analysis are addressed. So far, effective approaches for increasing the extracellular protein concentration to more than 10 g/L and almost 100% secretion efficiency exist, however, the large range of optimization methods and their combinations suggests that the potential for secretory protein production from E. coli has not yet been fully realized.

Maximized Autotransporter-Mediated Expression (MATE) for Surface Display and Secretion of Recombinant Proteins in Escherichia coli

A new optimized system for the surface display and secretion of recombinant proteins is described, termed MATE (maximized autotransporter-mediated expression). It is based on an artificial gene consisting of the coding region for the signal peptide of CtxB, a multiple cloning site for passenger gene insertion, flanked by coding sequences for linear epitopes for monoclonal antibodies and OmpT, and factor Xa protease cleavage sites followed by a codon-optimized DNA sequence of the linker and the β-barrel of the type V autotransporter EhaA from Escherichia coli under control of an IPTG-inducible T5 promoter. The MATE system enabled the continuous secretion of recombinant passenger mCherry via OmpT-mediated cleavage, using native OmpT protease activity in E. coli when grown at 37 °C. It is the first example to show that native OmpT activity is sufficient to facilitate the secretion of a correctly folded target protein in preparative amounts obtaining 240 µg of purified mCherry from 800 mL of crude culture supernatant. Because the release of mCherry was achieved by a simple transfer of the encoding plasmid from an OmpT-negative to an OmpT-positive strain, it bears the option to use surface display for screening purposes and secretion for production of the selected variant. A single plasmid could therefore be used for continuous secretion in OmpT-positive strains or surface display in OmpT-negative strains. In conclusion, the MATE system appears to be a versatile tool for the surface display and for the secretion of target proteins in E. coli.

Improving health from the inside: Use of engineered intestinal microorganisms as in situ cytokine delivery system

The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 and its viral homologs were chosen as model proteins for the development of drug delivery systems based on probiotic carriers like E. coli Nissle 1917, E. coli G3/10, and Saccharomyces boulardii. Exterior cytokine secretion was achieved by a modified E. coli hemolysin transporter. Release of interleukin-10 transported to the periplasm via the OmpF signal peptide was enabled by a T4 phage lysis system under control of the araC PBAD activator-promoter. The yield of interleukin-10 delivered by the phage lysis system was too low for functional analysis whereas the fusion protein secreted by the hemolysin transporter proved to be biologically inactive. Moreover, partial processing of the fusion protein by the E. coli membrane protease OmpT had no effect on the protein’s functionality. Using the α-mating factor signal sequence, the yeast S. boulardii proved to be suitable for secretory expression of biologically active viral interleukin-10.

Escherichia coli outer membrane protease OmpT confers resistance to urinary cationic peptides

Escherichia coli OmpT, located in the outer membrane, has been characterized as a plasminogen activator, with the ability to hydrolyze protamine and block its entry. In this investigation, a complex of low molecular weight cationic peptides purified from human urine by a combination of membrane ultrafiltration and weak cation exchange chromatography was characterized. The impact of OmpT on E. coli resistance to urinary cationic peptides was investigated by testing ompT knockout strains. The ompT mutants were more susceptible to urinary cationic peptides than ompT(+) strains, and this difference was abolished by complementation of the mutants with pUC19 carrying the ompT gene. The urinary protease inhibitor ulinastatin greatly decreased the resistance of the ompT(+) strains. Overall, the data indicate that OmpT may help E. coli persist longer in the urinary tract by enabling it to resist the antimicrobial activity of urinary cationic peptides.

A fusogenic peptide expressed on the surface of Salmonella enterica elicits CTL responses to a dengue virus epitope

Attenuated Salmonella strains are used widely as live carriers of antigens because they elicit both mucosal and systemic immunity against passenger antigens. However, they generally evoke poor cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses because Salmonella resides within vacuolar compartments and the passenger antigens must travel to the cytosol and be processed through the MHC class I-dependent pathway to simulate CTLs. To address this problem, we designed a fusion protein to destabilize the phagosome membrane and allow a dengue epitope to reach the cytosol. The fusion protein was displayed on the bacterial surface of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL3261 through the beta domain of the autotransporter MisL. The passenger alpha domain contained, from the N-terminus, a fusogenic sequence, the NS3 protein 298-306-amino acid CTL epitope from the dengue virus type 2, a molecular tag, and a recognition site for the protease OmpT to release it to the milieu. Display of the fusion protein on the bacterial surface was demonstrated by IFA and flow cytometry using antibodies against the molecular tag. Cleavage of the fusogenic protein-dengue peptide was demonstrated by flow cytometry using OmpT+ Escherichia coli strains. The recombinant Salmonella strains displaying the fusogenic-dengue peptide were able to lyse erythrocytes, induced specific proliferative responses, and elicited CTL responses. These results suggest that the recombinant fusion proteins containing fusogenic sequences provide a promising system to induce CTLs by live vector vaccines.

Utilization of Escherichia coli outer-membrane endoprotease OmpT variants as processing enzymes for production of peptides from designer fusion proteins

Escherichia coli outer-membrane endoprotease OmpT has suitable properties for processing fusion proteins to produce peptides and proteins. However, utilization of this protease for such production has been restricted due to its generally low cleavage efficiency at Arg (or Lys)-Xaa, where Xaa is a nonbasic N-terminal amino acid of a target polypeptide. The objective of this study was to generate a specific and efficient OmpT protease and to utilize it as a processing enzyme for producing various peptides and proteins by converting its substrate specificity. Since OmpT Asp(97) is proposed to interact with the P1' amino acid of its substrates, OmpT variants with variations at Asp(97) were constructed by replacing this amino acid with 19 natural amino acids to alter the cleavage specificity at Arg (P1)-Xaa (P1'). The variant OmpT that had a methionine at this position, but not the wild-type OmpT, efficiently cleaved a fusion protein containing the amino acid sequence -Arg-Arg-Arg-Ala-Arg downward arrow motilin, in which motilin is a model peptide with a phenylalanine at the N terminus. The OmpT variants with leucine and histidine at position 97 were useful in releasing human adrenocorticotropic hormone (1-24) (serine at the N terminus) and human calcitonin precursor (cysteine at the N terminus), respectively, from fusion proteins. Motilin was produced by this method and was purified up to 99.0% by two chromatographic steps; the yield was 160 mg/liter of culture. Our novel method in which the OmpT variants are used could be employed for production of various peptides and proteins.

Improvement of downstream processing of recombinant proteins by means of genetic engineering methods

The rapid advancement of genetic engineering has allowed to produce an impressive number of proteins on a scale which would not have been achieved by classical biotechnology. At the beginning of this development research was focussed on elucidating the mechanisms of protein overexpression. The appearance of inclusion bodies may illustrate the success. In the meantime, genetic engineering is not only expected to achieve overexpression, but to improve the whole process of protein production. For downstream processing of recombinant proteins, the synthesis of fusion proteins is of primary importance. Fusion with certain proteins or peptides may protect the target protein from proteolytic degradation and may alter its solubility. Intracellular proteins may be translocated by means of fusions with signal peptides. Affinity tags as fusion complements may render protein separation and purification highly selective. These methods as well as similar ones for improving the downstream processing of proteins will be discussed on the basis of recent literature.

Display and release of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein using the autotransporter MisL of Salmonella enterica

The Salmonella enterica MisL (protein of membrane insertion and secretion) is an autotransporter with high homology to AIDA-I (adhesin involved in diffuse adherence) of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Considering that it has been reported that the MisL beta translocator domain is able to display heterologous passenger peptides to the bacterial surface, we developed a system to display proteins and release them to the external environment by means of proteolytic cleavage. Plasmids were constructed encoding 8 or 53 repeats of the NANP (Asp-Ala-Asp-Pro) tetrapeptide, which is the main B cell epitope of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoitic protein (CSP), fused to the the MisL beta-domain and including the recognition cleavage sequence from the E. coli OmpT surface protease. E. coli XL-10Gold and BL21(DE3) (OmpT positive and negative, respectively) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL3261 (Aro A(-)) were transformed with the plasmids and, both expression and localization of the fusion proteins were assessed by Western blot, indirect immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, using a monoclonal antibody against (NANP)(3). Higher expression of the (NANP)(8) and (NANP)(53) fusion proteins was demonstrated on the bacterial surface of the OmpT negative E. coli strains and the (NANP)(53) in the culture supernatant of E. coli XL-10Gold indicating a protease mediated cleavage. The flow cytometry analysis suggested 71 and 98% cleavage efficiency for the (NANP)(8) and (NANP)(53), respectively, in E. coli XL-10Gold. Similar results were obtained in S. enterica serovar Typhimurium SL3261, suggesting the involvement of other proteases related to OmpT. These results demonstrate that MisL may be used for the autodisplay and release of passenger proteins in attenuated Salmonella or E. coli strains, which may have several applications in vaccine design.

Can a 'flawless' live vector vaccine strain be engineered?

The efficiency of any live bacterial vector vaccine hinges on its ability to present sufficient foreign antigen to the human immune system to initiate the desired protective immune response(s). However, synthesis of sufficient levels of heterologous antigen can result in an increase in metabolic burden with an accompanying decrease in the fitness of the live vector, which can ultimately lower desired immune responses to both live vector and heterologous antigen. Here, we explore the underlying mechanisms of metabolic load and propose ways of minimizing such burdens to enhance the fitness and immunogenicity of Salmonella-based live vector vaccines.

Display of green fluorescent protein on Escherichia coli cell surface

In this study, expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) on the external surface of Escherichia coli was achieved by construction of a fusion protein between Lpp-OmpA hybrid and a GFP variant, GFPmut2. The GFP was fused in frame to the carboxyl-terminus of Lpp-OmpA fusion previously shown to direct various other heterologous proteins to E. coli cell surface. Western blot analysis of membrane fractions identified the Lpp-OmpA-GFP fusion protein with the expected size (43 kDa). Immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, protease and extracellular pH sensitivity assays further confirmed that GFP is anchored on the outer membrane. The GFP displayed on the E. coli outer surface retained its fluorescence and was not susceptible to the indigenous outer membrane protease OmpT even though there are two putative OmpT proteolytic sites present in GFP. Optimization of the expression conditions was conducted using fluorometry, eliminating cumbersome immuno-labeling procedures. Surface-displayed GFP could be used in a variety of applications including screening of polypeptide libraries, development of live vaccines, construction of whole cell allosteric biosensors, and signal transduction studies.

Autodisplay: one-component system for efficient surface display and release of soluble recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli

The immunoglobulin A protease family of secreted proteins are derived from self-translocating polyprotein precursors which contain C-terminal domains promoting the translocation of the N-terminally attached passenger domains across gram-negative bacterial outer membranes. Computer predictions identified the C-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) as a member of the autotransporter family. A model of the beta-barrel structure, proposed to be responsible for outer membrane translocation, served as a basis for the construction of fusion proteins containing heterologous passengers. Autotransporter-mediated surface display (autodisplay) was investigated for the cholera toxin B subunit and the peptide antigen tag PEYFK. Up to 5% of total cellular protein was detectable in the outer membrane as passenger autotransporter fusion protein synthesized under control of the constitutive P(TK) promoter. Efficient presentation of the passenger domains was demonstrated in the outer membrane protease T-deficient (ompT) strain E. coli UT5600 and the ompT dsbA double mutant JK321. Surface exposure was ascertained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunogold electron microscopy using antisera specific for the passenger domains. In strain UT2300 (ompT+), the passenger domains were released from the cell surface by the OmpT protease at a novel specific cleavage site, R / V. Autodisplay represents a useful tool for future protein translocation studies with interesting biotechnological possibilities.

Development of antigen-delivery systems, based on the Escherichia coli hemolysin secretion pathway

We describe the development of plasmid vectors carrying the expression sites, an hlyA cassette and the secretion genes of Escherichia coli hemolysin. These allow the synthesis and secretion of heterologous microbial antigens in E. coli and attenuated Salmonella aroA strains. Genes or gene fragments encoding microbial antigens are inserted in-frame into a residual part of the hlyA gene which essentially encodes the HlyA secretion signal (HlyAs). In general, the fused genes, carrying the hlyAs sequence at the 3' terminus, are efficiently expressed, and the synthesized antigens are secreted into the culture supernatant of the producing strain. Attenuated Salmonella strains synthesizing either HlyAs-fused listeriolysin or p60 of Listeria monocytogenes were constructed by this procedure and shown to provide protective immunity against L. monocytogenes in mice. The most effective protection was obtained when these microbial antigens were secreted by the attenuated Salmonella strains. We further present new approaches which may allow the application of this antigen-delivery system to any microbial antigen.

Secretion of active beta-lactamase to the medium mediated by the Escherichia coli haemolysin transport pathway

An in frame gene fusion containing the coding region for mature beta-lactamase and the 3'-end of hylA encoding the haemolysin secretion signal, was constructed under the control of a lac promoter. The resulting 53 kDa hybrid protein was specifically secreted to the external medium in the presence of the haemolysin translocator proteins, HlyB and HlyD. The specific activity of the beta-lactamase portion of the secreted protein (measured by the hydrolysis of penicillin G), approximately 1 U/microgram protein, was close to that of authentic, purified TEM-beta-lactamase. This is an important example of a hybrid protein that is enzymatically active, and secreted via the haemolysin pathway. Previous studies have indicated that haemolysin is secreted directly into the medium, bypassing the periplasm, to which beta-lactamase is normally targeted. This study indicated, therefore, that normal folding of an active beta-lactamase, can occur, at least when fused to the HlyA C-terminus, without the necessity of entering the periplasm. Despite the secretion of approximately 5 micrograms/ml levels of the active beta-lactamase fusion into the medium, there was maximally only a 50% detectable increase in the LD50 for resistance to ampicillin at the individual cell level. This result suggests that, normally, resistance to ampicillin requires a high concentration of the enzyme close to killing targets, i.e. in the periplasm, in order to achieve significant levels of protection.

A novel activity of OmpT. Proteolysis under extreme denaturing conditions

A novel property of the bacterial outer membrane protein T, OmpT, has been discovered. It is active under extreme denaturing conditions. This finding emerged during characterization of a protease associated with the degradation of recombinant proteins expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. These inclusion body proteins are stable to proteolytic degradation until they are solubilized by denaturation. The protease that degrades them under denaturing conditions was identified as OmpT on the basis of substrate specificity, inhibitor profile, and confirmation that its N-terminal sequence is identical with that of OmpT. A previously unknown property of this enzyme, OmpT's preference for denatured substrates, may provide a clue to its physiological function. To facilitate further characterization of this proteolytic activity, we have optimized a system to extract and assay OmpT under denaturing conditions using a soluble substrate, rabbit muscle creatine kinase.

Recombinant antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugates for diagnosis of human IgGs: application to anti-HBsAg detection

We have designed an expression vector permitting the production in the periplasm of Escherichia coli of a fusion protein comprising a dimer of bacterial alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) and two Fab or scFv fragments of a monoclonal antibody directed against human IgG. Each hybrid protein expressed both high specificity for the antigen and full PhoA activity. We show that crude periplasmic extracts containing these conjugates can be used as such in enzyme immunoassays for the detection of human IgG, as exemplified in the case of anti-hepatitis B immunoglobulin.

Selection for transport competence of C-terminal polypeptides derived from Escherichia coli hemolysin: the shortest peptide capable of autonomous HlyB/HlyD-dependent secretion comprises the C-terminal 62 amino acids of HlyA

Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA) is secreted by a specific export machinery which recognizes a topogenic secretion signal located at the C-terminal end of HlyA. This signal sequence has been variously defined as comprising from 27 to about 300 amino acids at the C-terminus of HlyA. We have used here a combined genetic and immunological approach to select for C-terminal HlyA peptides that are still secretion-component. A deletion library of HlyA mutant proteins was generated in vitro by successive degradation of hylA from the 5' end with exonuclease III. Secretion competence was tested by immunoblotting of the supernatant of each clone with an antiserum raised against a C-terminal portion of hemolysin. It was found that the hemolysin secretion system has no apparent size limitation for HlyA proteins over a range from 1024 to 62 amino acids. The smallest autonomously secretable peptide isolated in this selection procedure consists of the C-terminal 62 amino acids of HlyA. This sequence is shared by all secretion-competent, truncated HlyA proteins, which suggests that secretion of the E. coli hemolysin is strictly post-translational. The capacity of the hemolysin secretion machinery was found to be unsaturated by the steady-state level of its natural HlyA substrate and large amounts of truncated HlyA derivatives could still be secreted in addition to full-length HlyA.