Alteration of human erythrocyte plasma membranes by perfringolysin O as revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Studies on Clostridium perfringens exotoxins V

Intercellular communication via the endo-lysosomal system: translocation of granzymes through membrane barriers

Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs) are responsible for the clearance of virally infected or neoplastic cells. CLs possess specialised lysosome-related organelles called granules which contain the granzyme family of serine proteases and perforin. Granzymes may induce apoptosis in the target cell when delivered by the pore forming protein, perforin. Here we follow the perforin-granzyme pathway from synthesis and storage in the granule, to exocytosis and finally delivery into the target cell. This review focuses on the controversial subject of perforin-mediated translocation of granzymes into the target cell cytoplasm. It remains unclear whether this occurs at the cell surface with granzymes moving through a perforin pore in the plasma membrane, or if it involves internalisation of perforin and granzymes and subsequent release from an endocytic compartment. The latter mechanism would represent an example of cross talk between the endo-lysosomal pathways of individual cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.

Chemokine production by rat macrophages stimulated with streptolysin O from Streptococcus pyogenes

The contribution of streptolysin O (SLO) from Streptococcus pyogenes to neutrophil infiltration in inflammatory lesions was determined by production of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1, -2 and -3, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha by rat macrophages stimulated with SLO in culture. Active SLO induced the production of CINCs and MIP-1alpha in dose- and time-dependent manners. These inductions were ascertained by chemokine mRNA expression in macrophages. Streptolysin S was without effect. The SLO-cholesterol complex induced the chemokine production in proportion to the residual hemolytic activity of the complex. In addition, the effects of SLO on the chemokine production were confirmed by the injection of active SLO into the preformed air pouch on the back of rats. The infiltration of neutrophils into the pouch fluid (exudate) increased steadily with a lag phase of about 2 hr. The major chemokine found in exudates was MIP-1alpha but not CINCs. In this study, it became clear that active SLO, but not the inactive one, contributed to the production of MIP-1alpha and CINCs in the conditioned medium and in exudates.

C-terminal amino acid residues are required for the folding and cholesterol binding property of perfringolysin O, a pore-forming cytolysin

Perfringolysin O (theta-toxin) is a pore-forming cytolysin whose activity is triggered by binding to cholesterol in the plasma membrane. The cholesterol binding activity is predominantly localized in the beta-sheet-rich C-terminal half. In order to determine the roles of the C-terminal amino acids in theta-toxin conformation and activity, mutants were constructed by truncation of the C terminus. While the mutant with a two-amino acid C-terminal truncation retains full activity and has similar structural features to native theta-toxin, truncation of three amino acids causes a 40% decrease in hemolytic activity due to the reduction in cholesterol binding activity with a slight change in its higher order structure. Furthermore, both mutants were found to be poor at in vitro refolding after denaturation in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride, resulting in a dramatic reduction in cholesterol binding and hemolytic activities. These activity losses were accompanied by a slight decrease in beta-sheet content. A mutant toxin with a five-amino acid truncation expressed in Escherichia coli is recovered as a further truncated form lacking the C-terminal 21 amino residues. The product retains neither cholesterol binding nor hemolytic activities and shows a highly disordered structure as detected by alterations in the circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence spectra. These results show that the C-terminal region of theta-toxin has two distinct roles; the last 21 amino acids are involved to maintain an ordered overall structure, and in addition, the last two amino acids at the C-terminal end are needed for protein folding in vitro, in order to produce the necessary conformation for optimal cholesterol binding and hemolytic activities.

Formation of ring-shaped structures on erythrocyte membranes after treatment with botulinolysin, a thiol-activated hemolysin from Clostridium botulinum

Damage to erythrocyte membranes by botulinolysin (BLY) was studied by electron microscopy, which revealed ring-shaped structures with inner diameters and widths of approximately 32 and 6.7 nm, respectively. BLY bound to membranes at 0 degrees C, but subsequent treatment with glutaraldehyde prevented ring formation during further incubation at 37 degrees C. Zn2+ ions inhibited ring formation but not binding of BLY to membranes.

Structure of a cholesterol-binding, thiol-activated cytolysin and a model of its membrane form

The mechanisms by which proteins gain entry into membranes is a fundamental problem in biology. Here, we present the first crystal structure of a thiol-activated cytolysin, perfringolysin O, a member of a large family of toxins that kill eukaryotic cells by punching holes in their membranes. The molecule adopts an unusually elongated shape rich in beta sheet. We have used electron microscopy data to construct a detailed model of the membrane channel form of the toxin. The structures reveal a novel mechanism for membrane insertion. Surprisingly, the toxin receptor, cholesterol, appears to play multiple roles: targeting, promotion of oligomerization, triggering a membrane insertion competent form, and stabilizing the membrane pore.

Clostridium perfringens invasiveness is enhanced by effects of theta toxin upon PMNL structure and function: the roles of leukocytotoxicity and expression of CD11/CD18 adherence glycoprotein

Clostridium perfringens infections are characterized by the lack of an inflammatory response at the site of infection and rapidly progressive margins of tissue necrosis. Studies presented here investigated the role of theta toxin from C. perfringens in the pathophysiology of these events. Mice passively immunized with neutralizing monoclonal antibody against theta toxin and challenged with an LD100 of log phase C. perfringens had significantly less mortality than untreated controls. Intramuscular injection of killed, washed C. perfringens in mice induced a massive time-dependent influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) into tissue; injection of either viable, washed C. perfringens or killed organisms plus theta toxin dramatically attenuated PMNL influx although PMNL accumulated in adjacent vessels. The anti-inflammatory effects could not be attributed to an absence of chemoattractants since C. perfringens proteins had chemotactic factor activity, and killed bacilli generated serum-derived chemotactic factors. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the dramatic leukocidal effects of high doses of theta toxin on PMNL. In contrast, sublethal concentrations of theta toxin primed PMNL chemiluminescence, disrupted PMNL cytoskeletal actin polymerization/disassembly, and stimulated functional upregulation of CD11b/CD18 adherence glycoprotein. In summary, these results demonstrate that theta toxin is an important virulence factor in C. perfringens infection. In a concentration-dependent fashion, theta toxin contributes to the pathogenesis of clostridial gangrene by direct destruction of host inflammatory cells and tissues, and by promoting dysregulated PMNL/endothelial cell adhesive interactions.

A ring-shaped structure with a crown formed by streptolysin O on the erythrocyte membrane

Streptolysin O (SLO) is a membrane-damaging toxin produced by most strains of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. We performed ultrastructural analysis of SLO-derived lesions on erythrocyte membranes by examining electron micrographs of negatively stained preparations. SLO formed numerous arc- and ring-shaped structures with or without holes on membranes. Rings formed on intact cell membranes had an inner diameter of ca. 24 nm and had distinct borders of ca. 4.9 nm in width, but the diameter of rings varied from 24 to 30 nm on membranes of erythrocyte ghosts. Image analysis of electron micrographs demonstrated that each ring was composed of an inner and an outer layer. Each layer contained an array of 22 to 24 SLO molecules. On the top of the ring, we found a characteristic crown that projected from the cell membrane. The crown was separated by an electron-dense layer from the basal part of the ring that was embedded in the lipid bilayer of the erythrocyte membrane. Heights of the three parts, namely, the crown (head), the space (neck), and the basal portion (base), were ca. 3.2, 1.6, and 5.0 nm, respectively, and we postulated that these parts are the constituents of a single SLO molecule. The volumes of SLO molecules in the inner and outer layers were calculated to be 77 and 88 nm3. On the basis of a model of the structure of SLO, we propose some new details of the mechanisms of hemolysis by SLO toxin.

The projection structure of perfringolysin O (Clostridium perfringens theta-toxin)

The cytolysin Perfringolysin O was applied to lipid layers and the obtained ring-shaped oligomers analyzed by electron microscopy and image processing. The final result shows the periodic repeat of 2.4 nm along the outer rim of the ring. The asymmetric protein unit, corresponding to one monomer, spans the ring from the convex to the concave surface. It shows a clear protein peak close to the outer radius and less density in the middle of the oligomer. The number of monomers in the average ring is 50, and the inner radius of the aggregate is approximately 15 nm.

Pore-forming toxins: experiments with S. aureus alpha-toxin, C. perfringens theta-toxin and E. coli haemolysin in lipid bilayers, liposomes and intact cells

Three quite different bacterial toxins (S. aureus alpha-toxin, C. perfringens theta-toxin and E. coli haemolysin) induce the leakage of phosphorylated metabolites from Lettre cells and of calcein from liposomes; in each case leakage is inhibited by Zn2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Mg2+. Inhibition is not due to displacement of toxin from the membrane, since divalent cations inhibit leakage through pre-formed pores. Electrical conductivity across phospholipid bilayers is induced by each of the three toxins; in each case the probability of channels being in the open state is reduced by divalent cations. Although the pores induced in phospholipid bilayers and liposomes vary greatly in size (theta-toxin much greater than haemolysin greater than alpha-toxin), in Lettre cells the lesions appear more uniform, suggestive of a limiting effect in cells.

Effect of perfringolysin O on the lateral diffusion constant of membrane proteins of hepatocytes as revealed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching

Perfringolysin O is a thiol-activated cytolytic exotoxin the primary receptor of which is the membrane cholesterol on the cell surface. The effect of perfringolysin O was tested in various hepatocyte preparations. (i) Smears of fresh liver exposed to a mild H2O2 (1.0 mM) injury for 10 min at 37 degrees C, develop a 'peroxide-induced autofluorescence' (PIAF) on the membrane proteins. PIAF is suitable for measuring the average lateral diffusion constant (D) of the membrane proteins by means of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique (FRAP). Incubation for 5 min with 600 or 2000 units/ml of the perfringolysin O resulted in a significant increase (32 and 46%, respectively) of D as compared to the controls of the same age group (13-14 months). Various tests like heat denaturation of cholesterol saturation of perfringolysin O before its application as well as thiol-activation of the smears with dithiothreitol revealed that the increase of D is a specific toxin effect due mot probably to the reaction of perfringolysin O with cholesterol. (ii) Isolated hepatocytes were exposed to perfringolysin O and their viability as well as the release of two cytosolic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase) were measured; 40-60 units/ml of perfringolysin O in 30 min reduced the viability of the hepatocytes to zero and caused a release of about 70% of both cytosolic enzymes. The significance of the results is discussed from the points of view of both the toxin-effect and the FRAP method.

Interactions between membranes and cytolytic peptides

The physico-chemical and biological properties of cytolytic peptides derived from diverse living entities have been discussed. The principal sources of these agents are bacteria, higher fungi, cnidarians (coelenterates) and the venoms of snakes, insects and other arthropods. Attention has been directed to instances in which cytolytic peptides obtained from phylogenetically remote as well as from related sources show similarities in nature and/or mode of action (congeneric lysins). The manner in which cytolytic peptides interact with plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells, particularly the membranes of erythrocytes, has been discussed with emphasis on melittin, thiolactivated lysins and staphylococcal alpha-toxin. These and other lytic peptides are characterized in Table III. They can be broadly categorized into: (a) those which alter permeability to allow passage of ions, this process eventuating in colloid osmotic lysis, signs of which are a pre-lytic induction or latent period, pre-lytic leakage of potassium ions, cell swelling and inhibition of lysis by sucrose. Examples of lysins in which this mechanism is involved are staphylococcal alpha-toxin, streptolysin S and aerolysin; (b) phospholipases causing enzymic degradation of bilayer phospholipids as exemplified by phospholipases C of Cl. perfringens and certain other bacteria; (c) channel-forming agents such as helianthin, gramicidin and (probably) staphylococcal delta-toxin in which toxin molecules are thought to embed themselves in the membrane to form oligomeric transmembrane channels.

Activation of phosphatidic acid metabolism of human erythrocyte membranes by perfringolysin O

The effect of perfringolysin O on the lipid metabolism of human erythrocyte membranes was investigated. Erythrocytes were prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid and [32P]inorganic phosphate. In the presence of calcium ion(5.5 mM), the effect of perfringolysin O on lipid metabolism was very similar to that of an calcium-ionophore A23187. In the absence of calcium ion, the accumulation of phosphatidic acid and its following decreasing trend were observed during the reaction with the toxin. Such changes were not caused by filipin. These results suggest that perfringolysin O causes the activation of a diglyceride-phosphatidic acid cycle, which might be involved in the calcium transport.

Interaction of streptolysin-O with biomembranes: kinetic and morphological studies on erythrocyte membranes

The kinetics of lytic events caused by the bacterial cytolytic toxin streptolysin-O (SLO) in red blood cells was examined using erythrocytes of several species of defined age and at different temperatures, by measurement of hemoglobin and ATP release. Lysis required much lower doses of SLO than hitherto described in the literature. Resistance to SLO varied within the different species, with the reaction temperature and increased with storage time (in vitro age). When erythrocytes treated with SH-activated SLO were examined in the electron microscope after negative staining or freeze-etching, ring- and arc-shaped structures were observed on the outer surface of their membranes. Identical, ring- and arc-shaped structures were also observed in SH-activated SLO solution alone. The findings indicate that SLO-SH complexes are formed upon activation and are not an SLO-cholesterol complex, as cholesterol was not detectable. These results led to a morphological model which proposes that the ring- and arc-shaped SLO complexes hitherto described are polymerized forms of single SLO molecules. A functional model which suggests a mode of action of SLO-SH complexes is also discussed. Analysis of freeze-fracture micrographs of SLO-treated erythrocytes revealed no indication of formation of membrane pores through which cell lysis could occur. Aggregation of inner membrane particles, however, indicated that the membrane integrity had been severely altered. Thus, hemoglobin and ATP most probably permeate the membrane at fragile areas.

Mechanism of tetanolysin-induced membrane damage: studies with black lipid membranes

Tetanolysin produced similar rates of leakage of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes. When studied by using cholesterol-containing black lipid membranes, this hemolysin induced conductance steps with a broad frequency distribution. These findings are inconsistent with the formation of structural channels and suggest that tetanolysin acts by causing lipid perturbations.

Cytolysis by H-2-specific T killer cells. Assembly of tubular complexes on target membranes

Cloned T killer cells derived from one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions were characterized with regard to their Lyt phenotype and specificity. Two clones of Lyt-1-2+ phenotype that recognized H-2Dd were selected and examined for their cytolytic function by negative staining and thin section electron microscopy. When incubated with the H-2d target S194, they assemble two types of tubular complexes, polyperforin 1 and 2. Both structures appear to arise by polymerization of precursors that may originate in dense granules and/or Golgi of T killer cells. Polyperforins appear to be associated with vesicles that are released during the lytic reaction and transferred to target membranes as shown by immunoelectron microscopy. Since there is a close correlation between target lysis and the appearance of polyperforins on target membranes, it is suggested that polyperforins take part in the cell-mediated killing reaction. Although polyperforins are different in size and several molecular properties from complement, there are striking similarities between these circular complexes and polyperforin (C9). It is therefore possible that they belong to a closely related family of cytolytic effector molecules.

Assembly of two types of tubules with putative cytolytic function by cloned natural killer cells

The formation of ultrastructural membrane lesions of varying size during cell mediated cytolysis effected by human peripheral blood leukocytes was recently reported by Dourmashkin et al. and Henkart et al. Using cloned mouse natural killer (NK) cells as effectors and YAC-1 cells or rabbit erythrocytes as targets, we now report two types of membrane lesions with inner diameters of 16 +/- 2 nm and approximately 5 nm, respectively. These lesions arise by membrane insertion of tubular complexes that may be assembled from subunits during the cytolytic reaction. The tubules are detected on target membranes by immune electron microscopy and appear to form transmembrane channels as seen in ultrathin sections. Both tubules are partially purified by membrane extraction with SDS and gel filtration in deoxycholate containing buffer. Based on the correlation of tubule assembly and cytolysis and on their detection on target membranes, we suggest that both types of tubules may be related to cytolysis.

Approximate dimensions of membrane lesions produced by streptolysin S and streptolysin O

Membrane lesions produced by the streptococcal membranolysins streptolysin S and streptolysin O were investigated. Escape of labeled marker molecules of various sizes from resealed sheep erythrocyte ghosts treated with the toxins for 30 min allowed estimation of the sizes of the primary channels formed. Streptolysin S formed lesions ranging in size up to 45 A in diameter, and even high toxin concentrations did not result in larger channels. The lesions produced by streptolysin O exceeded 128 A in diameter. Kinetics experiments demonstrated that the primary streptolysin O lesions were formed rapidly (1-2 min), but release of marker molecules from streptolysin S-treated vesicles began only after a 5-15-min lag period. Label release from large unilamellar liposomes treated with streptolysin S suggested that membrane fluidity does not affect the size of the streptolysin S lesions.

Effects of cholesterol evulsion on susceptibility to perfringolysin O of human erythrocytes

Human erythrocytes preincubated with a phosphatidylcholine suspension (preincubated cells) showed decreased susceptibility to perfringolysin O, the decrease being strongly affected by preincubation time and temperature, and the phosphatidyl choline concentration. The binding of the toxin to the preincubated cells also decreased with the preincubation time and reached minimum at 37 degrees C for 6 h. Through this preincubation, about 30% of cholesterol was removed from cells without lysis. The susceptibility of preincubated cells to the toxin seemed to be affected by the amount of cholesterol removed from cells, but not by the cholesterol content of cell membranes. This indicates that most of the cholesterol interactive with the toxin is removable from cell membranes by preincubation with phosphatidylcholine suspension, and that the residual cholesterol is firmly constituted in the membrane structure and cannot interact with the toxin. After cholesterol evulsion by the preincubated plasma method (Murphy, J.R. (1962) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 60, 86-109 and 60, 571-578), cells also exhibited lower susceptibility to the toxin and to saponins, but higher susceptibility to lysophosphatidylcholine.