OmpB (osmo-regulation) and icsA (cell-to-cell spread) mutants of Shigella flexneri: vaccine candidates and probes to study the pathogenesis of shigellosis

Synaptopodin is necessary for Shigella flexneri intercellular spread

For many intracellular pathogens, their virulence depends on an ability to spread between cells of an epithelial layer. For intercellular spread to occur, these pathogens deform the plasma membrane into a protrusion structure that is engulfed by the neighboring cell. Although the polymerization of actin is essential for spread, how these pathogens manipulate the actin cytoskeleton in a manner that enables protrusion formation is still incompletely understood. Here, we identify the mammalian actin binding protein synaptopodin as required for efficient intercellular spread. Using a model cytosolic pathogen, Shigella flexneri , we show that synaptopodin contributes to organization of actin around bacteria and increases the length of the actin tail at the posterior pole of the bacteria. We show that synaptopodin presence enables protrusions to form and to resolve at a greater rate, indicating that greater stability of the actin tail enables the bacteria to push against the membrane with greater force. We demonstrate that synaptopodin recruitment around bacteria requires the bacterial protein IcsA, and we show that this recruitment is further enhanced in a type 3 secretion system dependent manner. These data establish synaptopodin as required for intracellular bacteria to reprogram the actin cytoskeleton in a manner that enables efficient protrusion formation and enhance our understanding of the cellular function of synaptopodin.

Authors Summary

Intercellular spread is essential for many cytosolic dwelling pathogens during their infectious life cycle. Despite knowing the steps required for intercellular spread, relatively little is known about the host-pathogen interactions that enable these steps to occur. Here, we identify a requirement for the actin binding protein synaptopodin during intercellular spread by cytosolic bacteria. We show synaptopodin is necessary for the stability and recruitment of polymerized actin around bacteria. We also demonstrate synaptopodin is necessary to form plasma membrane structures known as protrusions that are necessary for the movement of these bacteria between cells. Thus, these findings implicate synaptopodin as an important actin-binding protein for the virulence of intracellular pathogens that require the actin cytoskeleton for their spread between cells.

Elucidation of Key Interactions between VirF and the virB Promoter in Shigella flexneri Using E. coli MarA- and GadX-Based Homology Models and In Vitro Analysis of the DNA-Binding Domains of VirF and MarA

Infection with Shigella, the organism responsible for the diarrheal disease shigellosis, leads to approximately 200,000 deaths globally annually. Virulence of this pathogen is primarily controlled by the DNA-binding transcriptional activator VirF. This AraC family protein activates transcription of two major virulence genes, virB and icsA, which lead to the pathogen's ability to invade and spread within colonic epithelial cells. While several AraC proteins have been studied, few studies of VirF's binding to its DNA promoters have been reported, and VirF's three-dimensional structure remains unsolved. Here, we used structures of two E. coli VirF homologs, GadX and MarA-marRAB, to generate homology models of the VirF DNA-binding domain in free and DNA-bound conformations. We conducted alanine scanning mutagenesis on seven residues within MarA that make base-specific interactions with its promoter, marRAB, and the corresponding residues within VirF (identified by sequence and structural homologies). In vitro DNA-binding assays studying both wild-type and mutant MarA and VirF proteins identified residues important for binding to the marRAB and virB promoters, respectively. Comparison of the effects of these DNA-binding domain mutants validated our MarA-based homology model, allowing us to identify crucial interactions between VirF and the virB promoter. Proteins with mutations to helix 3 within both MarA(W42A, R46A) and MalE-VirF(R192A, K193A) exhibited significant reductions in DNA binding, while the effects of mutations in helix 6 varied. This suggests the shared importance of helix 3 in the binding to these promoters, while helix 6 is transcription factor specific. These results can inform further development of virulence-targeting inhibitors as an alternative to traditional antimicrobial drug design. IMPORTANCE Globally, infection with Shigella flexneri is a leading cause of bacterial dysentery, particularly affecting children under the age of 5 years. The virulence of this pathogen makes it highly infectious, allowing it to spread easily within areas lacking proper sanitation or access to clean drinking water. VirF is a DNA-binding transcription factor that activates S. flexneri virulence once the bacteria infect the human colon. Development of drugs that target VirF's DNA-binding activity can be an effective treatment to combat shigellosis as an alternative or addition to traditional antibiotics. Due to the lack of structural data, analysis of VirF's DNA-binding activity is critical to the development of potent VirF inhibitors.

Localization of host endocytic and actin-associated proteins during Shigella flexneri intracellular motility and intercellular spreading

Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri), the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, uses an effector-mediated strategy to hijack host cells and cause disease. To propagate and spread within human tissues, S. flexneri bacteria commandeer the host actin cytoskeleton to generate slender actin-rich comet tails to move intracellularly, and later, plasma membrane actin-based protrusions to move directly between adjacent host cells. To facilitate intercellular bacterial spreading, large micron-sized endocytic-like membrane invaginations form at the periphery of neighboring host cells that come into contact with S. flexneri-containing membrane protrusions. While S. flexneri comet tails and membrane protrusions consist primarily of host actin cytoskeletal proteins, S. flexneri membrane invaginations remain poorly understood with only clathrin and the clathrin adapter epsin-1 localized to the structures. Tangentially, we recently reported that Listeria monocytogenes, another actin-hijacking pathogen, exploits an assortment of caveolar and actin-bundling proteins at their micron-sized membrane invaginations formed during their cell-to-cell movement. Thus, to further characterize the S. flexneri disease process, we set out to catalog the distribution of a variety of actin-associated and caveolar proteins during S. flexneri actin-based motility and cell-to-cell spreading. Here we show that actin-associated proteins found at L. monocytogenes comet tails and membrane protrusions mimic those present at S. flexneri comet tails with the exception of α-actinins 1 and 4, which were shed from S. flexneri membrane protrusions. We also demonstrate that all known host endocytic components found at L. monocytogenes membrane invaginations are also present at those formed during S. flexneri infections.

High-Throughput CRISPR Screens To Dissect Macrophage-Shigella Interactions

Shigellosis causes most diarrheal deaths worldwide, particularly affecting children. Shigella invades and replicates in the epithelium of the large intestine, eliciting inflammation and tissue destruction. To understand how Shigella rewires macrophages prior to epithelium invasion, we performed genome-wide and focused secondary CRISPR knockout and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screens in Shigella flexneri-infected human monocytic THP-1 cells. Knockdown of the Toll-like receptor 1/2 signaling pathway significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, enhanced host cell survival, and controlled intracellular pathogen growth. Knockdown of the enzymatic component of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex enhanced THP-1 cell survival. Small-molecule inhibitors blocking key components of these pathways had similar effects; these were validated with human monocyte-derived macrophages, which closely mimic the in vivo physiological state of macrophages postinfection. High-throughput CRISPR screens can elucidate how S. flexneri triggers inflammation and redirects host pyruvate catabolism for energy acquisition before killing macrophages, pointing to new shigellosis therapies.

Shigella flexneri Disruption of Cellular Tension Promotes Intercellular Spread

During infection, some bacterial pathogens invade the eukaryotic cytosol and spread between cells of an epithelial monolayer. Intercellular spread occurs when these pathogens push against the plasma membrane, forming protrusions that are engulfed by adjacent cells. Here, we show that IpaC, a Shigella flexneri type 3 secretion system protein, binds the host cell-adhesion protein β-catenin and facilitates efficient protrusion formation. S. flexneri producing a point mutant of IpaC that cannot interact with β-catenin is defective in protrusion formation and spread. Spread is restored by chemical reduction of intercellular tension or genetic depletion of β-catenin, and the magnitude of the protrusion defect correlates with membrane tension, indicating that IpaC reduces membrane tension, which facilitates protrusion formation. IpaC stabilizes adherens junctions and does not alter β-catenin localization at the membrane. Thus, Shigella, like other bacterial pathogens, reduces intercellular tension to efficiently spread between cells.

Research in a time of enteroids and organoids: how the human gut model has transformed the study of enteric bacterial pathogens

Enteric bacterial pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Studies in tissue culture and animal models shaped our initial understanding of these host-pathogen interactions. However, intrinsic shortcomings in these models limit their application, especially in translational applications like drug screening and vaccine development. Human intestinal enteroid and organoid models overcome some limitations of existing models and advance the study of enteric pathogens. In this review, we detail the use of human enteroids and organoids to investigate the pathogenesis of invasive bacteria Shigella, Listeria, and Salmonella, and noninvasive bacteria pathogenic Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, and Vibrio cholerae. We highlight how these studies confirm previously identified mechanisms and, importantly, reveal novel ones. We also discuss the challenges for model advancement, including platform engineering to integrate environmental conditions, innate immune cells and the resident microbiome, and the potential for pre-clinical testing of recently developed antimicrobial drugs and vaccines.

Localization of alpha-actinin-4 during infections by actin remodeling bacteria

Bacterial pathogens cause disease by subverting the structure and function of their target host cells. Several foodborne agents such as Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri), Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) manipulate the host actin cytoskeleton to cause diarrheal (and systemic) infections. During infections, these invasive and adherent pathogens hijack the actin filaments of their host cells and rearrange them into discrete actin-rich structures that promote bacterial adhesion (via pedestals), invasion (via membrane ruffles and endocytic cups), intracellular motility (via comet/rocket tails) and/or intercellular dissemination (via membrane protrusions and invaginations). We have previously shown that actin-rich structures generated by L. monocytogenes contain the host actin cross-linker α-actinin-4. Here we set out to examine α-actinin-4 during other key steps of the L. monocytogenes infectious cycle as well as characterize the subcellular distribution of α-actinin-4 during infections with other model actin-hijacking bacterial pathogens (S. flexneri, S. Typhimurium and EPEC). Although α-actinin-4 is absent at sites of initial L. monocytogenes invasion, we show that it is a new component of the membrane invaginations formed during secondary infections of neighboring host cells. Importantly, we reveal that α-actinin-4 also localizes to the major actin-rich structures generated during cell culture infections with S. flexneri (comet/rocket tails and membrane protrusions), S. Typhimurium (membrane ruffles) and EPEC (pedestals). Taken together, these findings suggest that α-actinin-4 is a host factor that is exploited by an assortment of actin-hijacking bacterial pathogens.

Mechanisms of bacillary dysentery: lessons learnt from infant rabbits

The bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri causes more than 250 million cases of bacillary dysentery (blood in stool) every year across the world. This human-specific disease is characterized by profuse bloody diarrhea, dramatic ulceration of the colonic epithelium and immune cell infiltration of the colonic tissue. A major challenge in understanding the mechanisms supporting bacillary dysentery is the reliance on animal models that do not fully recapitulate the symptoms observed in humans, including bloody diarrhea. Here we outline advances provided by a recently developed infant rabbit model of bacillary dysentery. The infant rabbit model defines bacillary dysentery as a critical combination of massive vascular lesions and dramatic epithelial fenestration due to intracellular infection and cell-to-cell spread, respectively. The infant rabbit model provides an unprecedented framework for understanding how the cell biology of Shigella flexneri infection relates to pathogenesis.

Transcytosis subversion by M cell-to-enterocyte spread promotes Shigella flexneri and Listeria monocytogenes intracellular bacterial dissemination

Microfold (M) cell host-pathogen interaction studies would benefit from the visual analysis of dynamic cellular and microbial interplays. We adapted a human in vitro M cell model to physiological bacterial infections, expression of fluorescent localization reporters and long-term three-dimensional time-lapse microscopy. This approach allows following key steps of M cell infection dynamics at subcellular resolution, from the apical onset to basolateral epithelial dissemination. We focused on the intracellular pathogen Shigella flexneri, classically reported to transcytose through M cells to initiate bacillary dysentery in humans, while eliciting poorly protective immune responses. Our workflow was critical to reveal that S. flexneri develops a bimodal lifestyle within M cells leading to rapid transcytosis or delayed vacuolar rupture, followed by direct actin motility-based propagation to neighboring enterocytes. Moreover, we show that Listeria monocytogenes, another intracellular pathogen sharing a tropism for M cells, disseminates in a similar manner and evades M cell transcytosis completely. We established that actin-based M cell-to-enterocyte spread is the major dissemination pathway for both pathogens and avoids their exposure to basolateral compartments in our system. Our results challenge the notion that intracellular pathogens are readily transcytosed by M cells to inductive immune compartments in vivo, providing a potential mechanism for their ability to evade adaptive immunity.

Microfold (M) epithelial cells are important for the onset of infections and induction of immune responses in many mucosal diseases. We extended a human in vitro M cell model to apical infections, expression of fluorescent host and microbial reporters and real-time fluorescence microscopy. Focusing on the human intracellular pathogen S. flexneri, responsible for bacillary dysentery, this workflow allowed us to uncover that the bacterium can subvert the immunological sampling function of M cells by promoting a cytosolic lifestyle and spreading directly to neighboring enterocytes. This mechanism was shared with the etiologic agent of listeriosis, the intracellular pathogen L. monocytogenes and allowed both pathogens to avoid exposure to underlying immune compartments. These results may provide a mechanism for the ability of intracellular pathogens to evade adaptive immunity in vivo, emphasizing the importance of advanced studies of M cell host-pathogen interactions to understand early steps of mucosal invasion and their consequences on immunity.

A tale of two bacterial enteropathogens and one multivalent vaccine

Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are among the top four enteric pathogens that cause diarrheal illness in young children in developing countries and are major etiologic agents of travellers' diarrhoea. A single vaccine that could target both of these pathogens would have significant public health impact. In this review, we highlight the many pivotal contributions of Phillippe Sansonetti to the identification of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of Shigella that paved the way for the development of rationally designed, novel vaccines candidates. The CVD developed a series of live attenuated Shigella vaccine strains based on the most prevalent serotypes associated with disease. Shigella vaccine strains were engineered to express critical ETEC antigens to form a broadly protective Shigella-ETEC multivalent vaccine.

Critical role of bacterial dissemination in an infant rabbit model of bacillary dysentery

The bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri causes 270 million cases of bacillary dysentery (blood in stool) worldwide every year, resulting in more than 200,000 deaths. A major challenge in combating bacillary dysentery is the lack of a small-animal model that recapitulates the symptoms observed in infected individuals, including bloody diarrhea. Here, we show that similar to humans, infant rabbits infected with S. flexneri experience severe inflammation, massive ulceration of the colonic mucosa, and bloody diarrhea. T3SS-dependent invasion of epithelial cells is necessary and sufficient for mediating immune cell infiltration and vascular lesions. However, massive ulceration of the colonic mucosa, bloody diarrhea, and dramatic weight loss are strictly contingent on the ability of the bacteria to spread from cell to cell. The infant rabbit model features bacterial dissemination as a critical determinant of S. flexneri pathogenesis and provides a unique small-animal model for research and development of therapeutic interventions.

Shigella Pathogenesis: New Insights through Advanced Methodologies

Shigella is a genus of Gram-negative enteropathogens that have long been, and continue to be, an important public health concern worldwide. Over the past several decades, Shigella spp. have also served as model pathogens in the study of bacterial pathogenesis, and Shigella flexneri has become one of the best-studied pathogens on a molecular, cellular, and tissue level. In the arms race between Shigella and the host immune system, Shigella has developed highly sophisticated mechanisms to subvert host cell processes in order to promote infection, escape immune detection, and prevent bacterial clearance. Here, we give an overview of Shigella pathogenesis while highlighting innovative techniques and methods whose application has significantly advanced our understanding of Shigella pathogenesis in recent years.

Human Intestinal Enteroids as a Model System of Shigella Pathogenesis

The enteric bacterium and intracellular human pathogen Shigella causes hundreds of millions of cases of the diarrheal disease shigellosis per year worldwide. Shigella is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water; upon reaching the colon, the bacteria invade colonic epithelial cells, replicate intracellularly, spread to adjacent cells, and provoke an intense inflammatory response. There is no animal model that faithfully recapitulates human disease; thus, cultured cells have been used to model Shigella pathogenesis. However, the use of transformed cells in culture does not provide the same environment to the bacteria as the normal human intestinal epithelium. Recent advances in tissue culture now enable the cultivation of human intestinal enteroids (HIEs), which are derived from human intestinal stem cells, grown ex vivo, and then differentiated into "mini-intestines." Here, we demonstrate that HIEs can be used to model Shigella pathogenesis. We show that Shigella flexneri invades polarized HIE monolayers preferentially via the basolateral surface. After S. flexneri invades HIE monolayers, S. flexneri replicates within HIE cells and forms actin tails. S. flexneri also increases the expression of HIE proinflammatory signals and the amino acid transporter SLC7A5. Finally, we demonstrate that disruption of HIE tight junctions enables S. flexneri invasion via the apical surface.

Evaluating Shigella flexneri Pathogenesis in the Human Enteroid Model

The enteric pathogen Shigella is one of the leading causes of moderate-to-severe diarrhea and death in young children in developing countries. Transformed cell lines and animal models have been widely used to study Shigella pathogenesis.

The enteric pathogen Shigella is one of the leading causes of moderate-to-severe diarrhea and death in young children in developing countries. Transformed cell lines and animal models have been widely used to study Shigella pathogenesis. In addition to altered physiology, transformed cell lines are composed of a single cell type that does not sufficiently represent the complex multicellular environment of the human colon. Most available animal models do not accurately mimic human disease. The human intestinal enteroid model, derived from LGR5⁺ stem cell-containing intestinal crypts from healthy subjects, represents a technological leap in human gastrointestinal system modeling and provides a more physiologically relevant system that includes multiple cell types and features of the human intestine. We established the utility of this model for studying basic aspects of Shigella pathogenesis and host responses. In this study, we show that Shigellaflexneri is capable of infecting and replicating intracellularly in human enteroids derived from different segments of the intestine. Apical invasion by S. flexneri is very limited but increases ∼10-fold when enteroids are differentiated to include M cells. Invasion via the basolateral surface was at least 2-log₁₀ units more efficient than apical infection. Increased secretion of interleukin-8 and higher expression levels of the mucin glycoprotein Muc2 were observed in the enteroids following S. flexneri infection. The human enteroid model promises to bridge some of the gaps between traditional cell culture, animal models, and human infection.

Identification of interactions among host and bacterial proteins and evaluation of their role early during Shigella flexneri infection

Shigella species cause diarrhoea by invading and spreading through the epithelial layer of the human colon. The infection triggers innate immune responses in the host that the bacterium combats by translocating into the host cell cytosol via a type 3 secretion system bacterial effector proteins that interfere with host processes. We previously demonstrated that interaction of the Shigella type 3 secreted effector protein IcsB with the host protein Toca-1 inhibits the innate immune response microtubule-associated protein light-chain 3 (LC3)-associated phagocytosis, and that IcsB interaction with Toca-1 is required for inhibition of this host response. Here, we show that Toca-1 in vitro precipitated not only IcsB, but also the type 3 secreted proteins OspC3, IpgD and IpaB. OspC3 and IpgD precipitation with Toca-1 was dependent on IcsB. Early during infection, most of these proteins localized near intracellular Shigella. We examined whether interactions among these proteins restrict innate host cell responses other than LC3-associated phagocytosis. In infected cells, OspC3 blocks production and secretion of the mature pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18; however, we found that interaction of OspC3 with IcsB, either directly or indirectly via Toca-1, was not required for OspC3-mediated restriction of IL-18 production. These results indicate that interactions of the host protein Toca-1 with a subset of type 3 effector proteins contribute to the established function of some, but not all involved, effector proteins.

Structural insights into the architecture of the Shigella flexneri virulence factor IcsA/VirG and motifs involved in polar distribution and secretion

IcsA/VirG is a key virulence factor of the human pathogen Shigella flexneri, acting as both an adhesin and actin-polymerizing factor during infection. We identified a soluble expression construct of the IcsA/VirG α-domain using the ESPRIT library screening system and determined its structure to 1.9Å resolution. In addition to the previously characterized autochaperone domain, our structure reveals a new domain, which shares a common fold with the autochaperone domains of various autotransporters. We further provide insight into the previously structurally uncharacterized β-helix domain that harbors the polar targeting motif and passenger-associated transport repeat. This structure is the first of any member of the recently identified passenger-associated transport repeat-containing autotransporters. Thus, it provides new insights into the overall architecture of this class of autotransporters, the function of the identified additional autochaperone domain and the structural properties of motifs involved in polar targeting and secretion of the Shigella flexneri virulence factor IcsA/VirG.

Actin-based motility of bacterial pathogens: mechanistic diversity and its impact on virulence

A diverse spectrum of intracellular bacterial pathogens that inhabit the cytosol have evolved the ability to polymerize actin on their surface to power intracellular actin-based motility (ABM). These include species of Listeria, Burkholderia and Rickettsia, as well as Shigella and Mycobacteria Here, we provide an overview of the roles of bacterial ABM in survival and virulence. Moreover, we survey the molecular mechanisms of actin polymerization in host cells and describe how bacterial pathogens mimic or harness the full diversity of these mechanisms for ABM. Finally, we present ABM through a new lens by comparing motility mechanisms between related species of Listeria, Burkholderia, and Rickettsia Through these comparisons, we hope to illuminate how exploitation of different actin polymerization mechanisms influences ABM as well as pathogenicity and virulence in humans and other animals.

Immunization of Mice with a Live Transconjugant Shigella Hybrid Strain Induced Th1 and Th17 Cell-Mediated Immune Responses and Confirmed Passive Protection Against Heterologous Shigellae

An avirulent, live transconjugant Shigella hybrid (LTSHΔstx) strain was constructed in our earlier study by introducing a plasmid vector, pPR1347, into a Shiga toxin gene deleted Shigella dysenteriae 1. Three successive oral administrations of LTSHΔstx to female adult mice produced comprehensive passive heterologous protection in their offspring against challenge with wild-type shigellae. Production of NO and different cytokines such asIL-12p70, IL-1β and IL-23 in peritoneal mice macrophages indicated that LTSHΔstx induced innate and adaptive immunity in mice. Furthermore, production of IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 in LTSH-primed splenic CD4+ T cell suggested that LTSHΔstx may induce Th1 and Th17 cell-mediated immune responses. Exponential increase of the serum IgG and IgA titre against whole shigellae was observed in immunized adult mice during and after the immunization with the highest peak on day 35. Antigen-specific sIgA was also determined from intestinal lavage of immunized mice. The stomach extracts of neonates from immunized mice, mainly containing mother's milk, contained significant levels of anti-LTSHΔstx immunoglobulin. These studies suggest that the LTSHΔstx could be a new live oral vaccine candidate against shigellosis in the near future.

The Orchestra and Its Maestro: Shigella's Fine-Tuning of the Inflammasome Platforms

Shigella spp. are the causative agents of bacillary dysentery, leading to extensive mortality and morbidity worldwide. These facultative intracellular bacteria invade the epithelium of the colon and the rectum, inducing a severe inflammatory response from which the symptoms of the disease originate. Shigella are human pathogens able to manipulate and subvert the innate immune system surveillance. Shigella dampens inflammasome activation in epithelial cells. In infected macrophages, inflammasome activation and IL-1β and IL-18 release lead to massive neutrophil recruitment and greatly contribute to inflammation. Here, we describe how Shigella hijacks and finely tunes inflammasome activation in the different cell populations involved in pathogenesis: epithelial cells, macrophages, neutrophils, DCs, and B and T lymphocytes. Shigella emerges as a "sly" pathogen that switches on/off the inflammasome mechanisms in order to optimize the interaction with the host and establish a successful infection.

Mechanism of Action and Initial, In Vitro SAR of an Inhibitor of the Shigella flexneri Virulence Regulator VirF

Shigella spp. are among the main causative agents of acute diarrheal illness and claim more than 1 million lives per year worldwide. There are multiple bacterial genes that control the pathogenesis of Shigella, but the virF gene may be the most important. This gene, located on the primary pathogenicity island of Shigella, encodes VirF, an AraC-family transcriptional activator that is responsible for initiating the pathogenesis cycle in Shigella. We have previously shown that it is possible to attenuate the virulence of Shigella flexneri via small molecule inhibition of VirF. In this study, we probed the mechanism of action of our small molecule inhibitors of VirF. To enable these studies, we have developed a homologous and efficient expression and purification system for VirF and have optimized two different in vitro VirF-DNA binding assays. We have determined that one of our HTS hit compounds inhibits VirF binding to DNA with a calculated Ki similar to the effective doses seen in our transcriptional activation and virulence screens. This is consistent with inhibition of DNA binding as the mechanism of action of this hit compound. We have also screened 15 commercially sourced analogs of this compound and deduced an initial SAR from the approximately 100-fold range in activities. Our four other HTS hit compounds do not inhibit DNA binding and yet they do block VirF activity. This suggests that multiple agents with different molecular mechanisms of inhibition of VirF could be developed. Pursuing hits with different mechanisms of action could be a powerful approach to enhance activity and to circumvent resistance that could develop to any one of these agents.

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein restricts cell-to-cell spread of Shigella flexneri at the cell periphery

Shigella spp. are intracellular bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhoeal disease in humans. Shigella utilize the host actin cytoskeleton to enter cells, move through the cytoplasm of cells and pass into adjacent cells. Ena/VASP family proteins are highly conserved proteins that participate in actin-dependent dynamic cellular processes. We tested whether Ena/VASP family members VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), Mena (mammalian-enabled) or EVL (Ena-VASP-like) contribute to Shigella flexneri spread through cell monolayers. VASP and EVL restricted cell-to-cell spread without significantly altering actin-based motility, whereas Mena had no effect on these processes. Phosphorylation of VASP on Ser153, Ser235 and Thr274 regulated its subcellular distribution and function. VASP derivatives that lack the Ena/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domain or contain a phosphoablative mutation of Ser153 were defective in restricting S. flexneri spread, indicating that the EVH1 domain and phosphorylation on Ser153 are required for this process. The EVH1 domain and Ser153 of VASP were required for VASP localization to focal adhesions, and localization of VASP to focal adhesions and/or the leading edge was required for restriction of spread. The contribution of the EVH1 domain was from both the donor and the recipient cell, whereas the contribution of Ser153 phosphorylation was only from the donor cell. Thus, unlike host proteins characterized in Shigella pathogenesis that promote bacterial spread, VASP and EVL function to limit it. The ability of VASP and EVL to limit spread highlights the critical role of focal adhesion complexes and/or the leading edge in bacterial passage between cells.

Bioimage analysis of Shigella infection reveals targeting of colonic crypts

Few studies within the pathogenic field have used advanced imaging and analytical tools to quantitatively measure pathogenicity in vivo. In this work, we present a novel approach for the investigation of host-pathogen processes based on medium-throughput 3D fluorescence imaging. The guinea pig model for Shigella flexneri invasion of the colonic mucosa was used to monitor the infectious process over time with GFP-expressing S. flexneri. A precise quantitative imaging protocol was devised to follow individual S. flexneri in a large tissue volume. An extensive dataset of confocal images was obtained and processed to extract specific quantitative information regarding the progression of S. flexneri infection in an unbiased and exhaustive manner. Specific parameters included the analysis of S. flexneri positions relative to the epithelial surface, S. flexneri density within the tissue, and volume of tissue destruction. In particular, at early time points, there was a clear association of S. flexneri with crypts, key morphological features of the colonic mucosa. Numerical simulations based on random bacterial entry confirmed the bias of experimentally measured S. flexneri for early crypt targeting. The application of a correlative light and electron microscopy technique adapted for thick tissue samples further confirmed the location of S. flexneri within colonocytes at the mouth of crypts. This quantitative imaging approach is a novel means to examine host-pathogen systems in a tailored and robust manner, inclusive of the infectious agent.

IcsA is a Shigella flexneri adhesin regulated by the type III secretion system and required for pathogenesis

Following contact with the epithelium, the enteric intracellular bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri invades epithelial cells and escapes intracellular phagosomal destruction using its type III secretion system (T3SS). The bacterium replicates within the host cell cytosol and spreads between cells using actin-based motility, which is mediated by the virulence factor IcsA (VirG). Whereas S. flexneri invasion is well characterized, adhesion mechanisms of the bacterium remain elusive. We found that IcsA also functions as an adhesin that is both necessary and sufficient to promote contact with host cells. As adhesion can be beneficial or deleterious depending on the host cell type, S. flexneri regulates IcsA-dependent adhesion. Activation of the T3SS in response to the bile salt deoxycholate triggers IcsA-dependent adhesion and enhances pathogen invasion. IcsA-dependent adhesion contributes to virulence in a mouse model of shigellosis, underscoring the importance of this adhesin to S. flexneri pathogenesis.

The CydDC Family of Transporters and Their Roles in Oxidase Assembly and Homeostasis

The CydDC complex of Escherichia coli is a heterodimeric ATP-binding cassette type transporter (ABC transporter) that exports the thiol-containing redox-active molecules cysteine and glutathione. These reductants are thought to aid redox homeostasis of the periplasm, permitting correct disulphide folding of periplasmic and secreted proteins. Loss of CydDC results in the periplasm becoming more oxidising and abolishes the assembly of functional bd-type respiratory oxidases that couple the oxidation of ubiquinol to the reduction of oxygen to water. In addition, CydDC-mediated redox control is important for haem ligation during cytochrome c assembly. Given the diverse roles for CydDC in redox homeostasis, respiratory metabolism and the maturation of virulence factors, this ABC transporter is an intriguing system for researchers interested in both the physiology of redox perturbations and the role of low-molecular-weight thiols during infection.

Live-attenuatedShigellavaccines

Several live-attenuated Shigella vaccines, with well-defined mutations in specific genes, have shown great promise in eliciting significant immune responses when given orally to volunteers. These responses have been measured by evaluating antibody-secreting cells, serum antibody levels and fecal immunoglobulin A to bacterial lipopolysaccharide and to individual bacterial invasion plasmid antigens. In this review, data collected from volunteer trials with live Shigella vaccines from three different research groups are described. The attenuating features of the bacterial strains, as well as the immune response following the use of different dosing regimens, are also described. The responses obtained with each vaccine strain are compared with data obtained from challenge trials using wild-type Shigella strains. Although the exact correlates of protection have not been found, some consensus may be derived as to what may constitute a protective immune response. Future directions in the field of live Shigella vaccines are also discussed.

Small-molecule inhibitor of the Shigella flexneri master virulence regulator VirF

VirF is an AraC family transcriptional activator that is required for the expression of virulence genes associated with invasion and cell-to-cell spread by Shigella flexneri, including multiple components of the type three secretion system (T3SS) machinery and effectors. We tested a small-molecule compound, SE-1 (formerly designated OSSL_051168), which we had identified as an effective inhibitor of the AraC family proteins RhaS and RhaR, for its ability to inhibit VirF. Cell-based reporter gene assays with Escherichia coli and Shigella, as well as in vitro DNA binding assays with purified VirF, demonstrated that SE-1 inhibited DNA binding and transcription activation (likely by blocking DNA binding) by VirF. Analysis of mRNA levels using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) further demonstrated that SE-1 reduced the expression of the VirF-dependent virulence genes icsA, virB, icsB, and ipaB in Shigella. We also performed eukaryotic cell invasion assays and found that SE-1 reduced invasion by Shigella. The effect of SE-1 on invasion required preincubation of Shigella with SE-1, in agreement with the hypothesis that SE-1 inhibited the expression of VirF-activated genes required for the formation of the T3SS apparatus and invasion. We found that the same concentrations of SE-1 had no detectable effects on the growth or metabolism of the bacterial cells or the eukaryotic host cells, respectively, indicating that the inhibition of invasion was not due to general toxicity. Overall, SE-1 appears to inhibit transcription activation by VirF, exhibits selectivity toward AraC family proteins, and has the potential to be developed into a novel antibacterial agent.

Molecular mechanisms of cell-cell spread of intracellular bacterial pathogens

Several bacterial pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella flexneri and Rickettsia spp., have evolved mechanisms to actively spread within human tissues. Spreading is initiated by the pathogen-induced recruitment of host filamentous (F)-actin. F-actin forms a tail behind the microbe, propelling it through the cytoplasm. The motile pathogen then encounters the host plasma membrane, forming a bacterium-containing protrusion that is engulfed by an adjacent cell. Over the past two decades, much progress has been made in elucidating mechanisms of F-actin tail formation. Listeria and Shigella produce tails of branched actin filaments by subverting the host Arp2/3 complex. By contrast, Rickettsia forms tails with linear actin filaments through a bacterial mimic of eukaryotic formins. Compared with F-actin tail formation, mechanisms controlling bacterial protrusions are less well understood. However, recent findings have highlighted the importance of pathogen manipulation of host cell–cell junctions in spread. Listeria produces a soluble protein that enhances bacterial protrusions by perturbing tight junctions. Shigella protrusions are engulfed through a clathrin-mediated pathway at ‘tricellular junctions’—specialized membrane regions at the intersection of three epithelial cells. This review summarizes key past findings in pathogen spread, and focuses on recent developments in actin-based motility and the formation and internalization of bacterial protrusions.

Identification of Shigella flexneri IcsA residues affecting interaction with N-WASP, and evidence for IcsA-IcsA co-operative interaction

The Shigella flexneri IcsA (VirG) protein is a polarly distributed outer membrane protein that is a fundamental virulence factor which interacts with neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP). The activated N-WASP then activates the Arp2/3 complex which initiates de novo actin nucleation and polymerisation to form F-actin comet tails and allows bacterial cell-to-cell spreading. In a previous study, IcsA was found to have three N-WASP interacting regions (IRs): IR I (aa 185-312), IR II (aa 330-382) and IR III (aa 508-730). The aim of this study was to more clearly define N-WASP interacting regions II and III by site-directed mutagenesis of specific amino acids. Mutant IcsA proteins were expressed in both smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) and rough LPS (R-LPS) S. flexneri strains and characterised for IcsA production level, N-WASP recruitment and F-actin comet tail formation. We have successfully identified new amino acids involved in N-WASP recruitment within different N-WASP interacting regions, and report for the first time using co-expression of mutant IcsA proteins, that N-WASP activation involves interactions with different regions on different IcsA molecules as shown by Arp3 recruitment. In addition, our findings suggest that autochaperone (AC) mutant protein production was not rescued by another AC region provided in trans, differing to that reported for two other autotransporters, PrtS and BrkA autotransporters.

Myosin-X facilitates Shigella-induced membrane protrusions and cell-to-cell spread

The intracellular pathogen Shigella flexneri forms membrane protrusions to spread from cell to cell. As protrusions form, myosin-X (Myo10) localizes to Shigella. Electron micrographs of immunogold-labelled Shigella-infected HeLa cells reveal that Myo10 concentrates at the bases and along the sides of bacteria within membrane protrusions. Time-lapse video microscopy shows that a full-length Myo10 GFP-construct cycles along the sides of Shigella within the membrane protrusions as these structures progressively lengthen. RNAi knock-down of Myo10 is associated with shorter protrusions with thicker stalks, and causes a >80% decrease in confluent cell plaque formation. Myo10 also concentrates in membrane protrusions formed by another intracellular bacteria, Listeria, and knock-down of Myo10 also impairs Listeria plaque formation. In Cos7 cells (contain low concentrations of Myo10), the expression of full-length Myo10 nearly doubles Shigella-induced protrusion length, and lengthening requires the head domain, as well as the tail-PH domain, but not the FERM domain. The GFP-Myo10-HMM domain localizes to the sides of Shigella within membrane protrusions and the GFP-Myo10-PH domain localizes to host cell membranes. We conclude thatMyo10 generates the force to enhance bacterial-induced protrusions by binding its head region to actin filaments and its PH tail domain to the peripheral membrane.

Absence of O antigen suppresses Shigella flexneri IcsA autochaperone region mutations

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.

Self-association of the Shigella flexneri IcsA autotransporter protein

The IcsA autotransporter protein is a major virulence factor of the human intracellular pathogen Shigella flexneri. IcsA is distributed at the poles in the outer membrane (OM) of S. flexneri and interacts with components of the host actin-polymerization machinery to facilitate intracellular actin-based motility and subsequent cell-to-cell spreading of the bacterium. We sought to characterize the biochemical properties of IcsA in the bacterial OM. Chemical cross-linking data suggested that IcsA exists in a complex in the OM. Furthermore, reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation of differentially epitope-tagged IcsA proteins indicated that IcsA is able to self-associate. The identification of IcsA linker-insertion mutants that were negatively dominant provided genetic evidence of IcsA-IcsA interactions. From these results, we propose a model whereby IcsA self-association facilitates efficient actin-based motility.

Characterization of WRSs2 and WRSs3, new second-generation virG(icsA)-based Shigella sonnei vaccine candidates with the potential for reduced reactogenicity

Live, attenuated Shigella vaccine candidates, such as Shigella sonnei strain WRSS1, Shigella flexneri 2a strain SC602, and Shigella dysenteriae 1 strain WRSd1, are attenuated principally by the loss of the VirG(IcsA) protein. These candidates have proven to be safe and immunogenic in volunteer trials and in one study, efficacious against shigellosis. One drawback of these candidate vaccines has been the reactogenic symptoms of fever and diarrhea experienced by the volunteers, that increased in a dose-dependent manner. New, second-generation virG(icsA)-based S. sonnei vaccine candidates, WRSs2 and WRSs3, are expected to be less reactogenic while retaining the ability to generate protective levels of immunogenicity seen with WRSS1. Besides the loss of VirG(IcsA), WRSs2 and WRSs3 also lack plasmid-encoded enterotoxin ShET2-1 and its paralog ShET2-2. WRSs3 further lacks MsbB2 that reduces the endotoxicity of the lipid A portion of the bacterial LPS. Studies in cell cultures and in gnotobiotic piglets demonstrate that WRSs2 and WRSs3 have the potential to cause less diarrhea due to loss of ShET2-1 and ShET2-2 as well as alleviate febrile symptoms by loss of MsbB2. In guinea pigs, WRSs2 and WRSs3 were as safe, immunogenic and efficacious as WRSS1.

A genome-scale proteomic screen identifies a role for DnaK in chaperoning of polar autotransporters in Shigella

Autotransporters are outer membrane proteins that are widely distributed among gram-negative bacteria. Like other autotransporters, the Shigella autotransporter IcsA, which is required for actin assembly during infection, is secreted at the bacterial pole. In the bacterial cytoplasm, IcsA localizes to poles and potential cell division sites independent of the cell division protein FtsZ. To identify bacterial proteins involved in the targeting of IcsA to the pole in the bacterial cytoplasm, we screened a genome-scale library of Escherichia coli proteins tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for those that displayed a localization pattern similar to that of IcsA-GFP in cells that lack functional FtsZ using a strain carrying a temperature-sensitive ftsZ allele. For each protein that mimicked the localization of IcsA-GFP, we tested whether IcsA localization was dependent on the presence of the protein. Although these approaches did not identify a polar receptor for IcsA, the cytoplasmic chaperone DnaK both mimicked IcsA localization at elevated temperatures as a GFP fusion and was required for the localization of IcsA to the pole in the cytoplasm of E. coli. DnaK was also required for IcsA secretion at the pole in Shigella flexneri. The localization of DnaK-GFP to poles and potential cell division sites was dependent on elevated growth temperature and independent of the presence of IcsA or functional FtsZ; native DnaK was found to be enhanced at midcell and the poles. A second Shigella autotransporter, SepA, also required DnaK for secretion, consistent with a role of DnaK more generally in the chaperoning of autotransporter proteins in the bacterial cytoplasm.

Contribution of the periplasmic chaperone Skp to efficient presentation of the autotransporter IcsA on the surface of Shigella flexneri

IcsA is an outer membrane protein in the autotransporter family that is required for Shigella flexneri pathogenesis. Following its secretion through the Sec translocon, IcsA is incorporated into the outer membrane in a process that depends on YaeT, a component of an outer membrane beta-barrel insertion machinery. We investigated the role of the periplasmic chaperone Skp in IcsA maturation. Skp is required for the presentation of the mature amino terminus (alpha-domain) of IcsA on the bacterial surface and contributes to cell-to-cell spread of S. flexneri in cell culture. A mutation in skp does not prevent the insertion of the beta-barrel into the outer membrane, suggesting that the primary role of Skp is the folding of the IcsA alpha-domain. In addition, the requirement for skp can be partially bypassed by disrupting icsP, an ortholog of Escherichia coli ompT, which encodes the protease that processes IcsA between the mature amino terminus and the beta-barrel outer membrane anchor. These findings are consistent with a model in which Skp plays a critical role in the chaperoning of the alpha-domain of IcsA during transit through the periplasm.

Mutagenesis of the Shigella flexneri autotransporter IcsA reveals novel functional regions involved in IcsA biogenesis and recruitment of host neural Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein

The IcsA (VirG) protein of Shigella flexneri is a polarly localized, outer membrane protein that is essential for virulence. Within host cells, IcsA activates the host actin regulatory protein, neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), which in turn recruits the Arp2/3 complex, which nucleates host actin to form F-actin comet tails and initiate bacterial motility. Linker insertion mutagenesis was undertaken to randomly introduce 5-amino-acid in-frame insertions within IcsA. Forty-seven linker insertion mutants were isolated and expressed in S. flexneri Delta icsA strains. Mutants were characterized for IcsA protein production, cell surface expression and localization, intercellular spreading, F-actin comet tail formation, and N-WASP recruitment. Using this approach, we have identified a putative autochaperone region required for IcsA biogenesis, and our data suggest an additional region, not previously identified, is required for N-WASP recruitment.

Actin-based motility of intracellular bacteria, and polarized surface distribution of the bacterial effector molecules

Several intracellular bacterial pathogens, including species of Listeria, Rickettsia, Shigella, Mycobacteria, and Burkholderia, have evolved mechanisms to exploit the actin polymerization machinery of their hosts to induce actin-based motility, enabling these pathogens to spread between host cells without exposing themselves to the extracellular milieu. Efficient cell-to-cell spread requires directional motility, which the bacteria may achieve by concentrating the effector molecules at one pole of their cell body, thereby restricting polymerization of monomeric actin into actin tails to this pole. The study of the molecular processes involved in the initiation of actin tail formation at the bacterial surface, and subsequent actin-based motility, has provided much insight into the pathogenesis of infections caused by these bacteria and into the cell biology of actin dynamics. Concomitantly, this field of research has provided an opportunity to understand the mechanisms whereby bacteria can achieve a polarized distribution of surface proteins. This review will describe the process of actin-based motility of intracellular bacteria, and the mechanisms by which bacteria can obtain a polarized distribution of their surface proteins.

High Vaccine Efficacy against Shigellosis of Recombinant NoninvasiveShigellaMutant That ExpressesYersiniaInvasin

Live attenuated Shigella vaccines elicit protective immune responses, but involve a potential risk of inducing a strong inflammatory reaction. The bacterial invasiveness that is crucial for Ag delivery causes inflammatory destruction of infected epithelial cells and proinflammatory cell death of infected macrophages. In this study, the noninvasive Shigella mutant DeltaipaB was equipped with Yersinia invasin protein, which has been shown to mediate bacterial invasion and targeting to M cells located in follicle-associated epithelium. Invasin-expressing DeltaipaB (DeltaipaB/inv) was internalized into epithelial cells and retained in the intraphagosomal space. DeltaipaB/inv did not induce necrotic cell death of infected macrophages nor cause symptomatic damage after intranasal vaccination of mice. DeltaipaB/inv was safer and more effective than the conventional live vaccine, DeltavirG. Infection by DeltaipaB/inv caused polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration in the lung, but did not induce production of large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines. We concluded that the low experimental morbidity and high vaccine efficacy of DeltaipaB/inv are primarily based on high protective immune responses, which may be enhanced by the polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration unaccompanied by tissue injury.

Actin-dependent movement of bacterial pathogens

Listeria, Rickettsia, Burkholderia, Shigella and Mycobacterium species subvert cellular actin dynamics to facilitate their movement within the host cytosol and to infect neighbouring cells while evading host immune surveillance and promoting their intracellular survival. 'Attaching and effacing' Escherichia coli do not enter host cells but attach intimately to the cell surface, inducing motile actin-rich pedestals, the function of which is currently unclear. The molecular basis of actin-based motility of these bacterial pathogens reveals novel insights about bacterial pathogenesis and fundamental host-cell pathways.

Autotransporter Proteins

This review focuses on the function of the Escherichia coli and Salmonella autotransporters for which a considerable amount of literature is available. Members of the serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) family are proteins from E. coli and Shigella spp., which, like the Neisseria and Haemophilus influenzae IgA1 proteases and Hap, possess a consensus serine protease motif. The largest subfamily of autotransporters is defined by the AidA conserved domain COG3468 and consists of members from a diverse range of animal and plant pathogens including E. coli, S. enterica, Yersinia pestis. This subfamily, which is composed of more than 55 proteins, possesses some of the best-characterized autotransporter proteins including the S. flexneri mediator of motility IcsA, the major phase-variable E. coli outer membrane protein antigen 43 (Ag43) and the diffuse adhering E. coli (DAEC) adhesin AIDA-I, from which this subfamily derives its name. Another member of the AIDA-I family, and one of the most studied autotransporter proteins, is IcsA. The autotransporter pathway is emerging as the most common mechanism of protein translocation across the gram-negative outer membrane.

Construction of prophylactic human papillomavirus type 16 L1 capsid protein vaccine delivered by live attenuated Shigella flexneri strain sh42

To express human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 capsid protein in the recombinant strain of Shigella and study the potential of a live attenuated Shigella-based HPV prophylactic vaccine in preventing HPV infection, the icsA/virG fragment of Shigella-based prokaryotic expression plasmid pHS3199 was constructed. HPV type 16 L1 (HPV16L1) gene was inserted into plasmid pHS3199 to form the pHS3199-HPV16L1 construct, and pHS3199-HPV16L1 was electroporated into a live attenuated Shigella strain sh42. Western blotting analysis showed that HPV16L1 could be expressed stably in the recombinant strain sh42-HPV16L1. Sereny test results were negative, which showed that the sh42-HPV16L1 lost virulence. However, the attenuated recombinant strain partially maintained the invasive property as indicated by the HeLa cell infection assay. Specific IgG, IgA antibody against HPV16L1 virus-like particles (VLPs) were detected in the sera, intestinal lavage and vaginal lavage from animals immunized by sh42-HPV16L1. The number of antibody-secreting cells in the spleen and draining lymph nodes were increased significantly compared with the control group. Sera from immunized animals inhibited murine hemagglutination induced by HPV16L1 VLPs, which indicated that the candidate vaccine could stimulate an efficient immune response in guinea pig's mucosal sites. This may be an effective strategy for the development of an HPV prophylactic oral vaccine.

Identification of a bacterial factor required for actin-based motility of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen that enters and escapes from eukaryotic cells using the power of actin polymerization. We have identified a bacterial protein (BimA) that is required for the ability of B. pseudomallei to induce the formation of actin tails. BimA contains proline-rich motifs and WH2-like domains and shares limited homology at the C-terminus with the Yersinia autosecreted adhesin YadA. BimA is located at the pole of the bacterial cell at which actin polymerization occurs and mutation of bimA abolished actin-based motility of the pathogen in J774.2 cells. Transient expression of BimA in HeLa cells resulted in F-actin clustering reminiscent of that seen on WASP overexpression. Antibody-mediated clustering of a CD32 chimera in which the cytoplasmic domain was replaced with BimA resulted in localization of the chimera to the tips of F-actin enriched membrane protrusions. We report that purified truncated BimA protein binds monomeric actin in a concentration-dependent manner in cosedimentation assays and that BimA stimulates actin polymerization in vitro in a manner independent of the cellular Arp2/3 complex.

Type V protein secretion pathway: the autotransporter story

Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane layer which constrains uptake and secretion of solutes and polypeptides. To overcome this barrier, bacteria have developed several systems for protein secretion. The type V secretion pathway encompasses the autotransporter proteins, the two-partner secretion system, and the recently described type Vc or AT-2 family of proteins. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, this family of secreted proteins has expanded continuously, due largely to the advent of the genomic age, to become the largest group of secreted proteins in gram-negative bacteria. Several of these proteins play essential roles in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections and have been characterized in detail, demonstrating a diverse array of function including the ability to condense host cell actin and to modulate apoptosis. However, most of the autotransporter proteins remain to be characterized. In light of new discoveries and controversies in this research field, this review considers the autotransporter secretion process in the context of the more general field of bacterial protein translocation and exoprotein function.