1
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Krantz BA. Anthrax Toxin: Model System for Studying Protein Translocation. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168521. [PMID: 38458604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Dedicated translocase channels are nanomachines that often, but not always, unfold and translocate proteins through narrow pores across the membrane. Generally, these molecular machines utilize external sources of free energy to drive these reactions, since folded proteins are thermodynamically stable, and once unfolded they contain immense diffusive configurational entropy. To catalyze unfolding and translocate the unfolded state at appreciable timescales, translocase channels often utilize analogous peptide-clamp active sites. Here we describe how anthrax toxin has been used as a biophysical model system to study protein translocation. The tripartite bacterial toxin is composed of an oligomeric translocase channel, protective antigen (PA), and two enzymes, edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF), which are translocated by PA into mammalian host cells. Unfolding and translocation are powered by the endosomal proton gradient and are catalyzed by three peptide-clamp sites in the PA channel: the α clamp, the ϕ clamp, and the charge clamp. These clamp sites interact nonspecifically with the chemically complex translocating chain, serve to minimize unfolded state configurational entropy, and work cooperatively to promote translocation. Two models of proton gradient driven translocation have been proposed: (i) an extended-chain Brownian ratchet mechanism and (ii) a proton-driven helix-compression mechanism. These models are not mutually exclusive; instead the extended-chain Brownian ratchet likely operates on β-sheet sequences and the helix-compression mechanism likely operates on α-helical sequences. Finally, we compare and contrast anthrax toxin with other related and unrelated translocase channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Krantz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 650 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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2
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Cryo-EM structures of the translocational binary toxin complex CDTa-bound CDTb-pore from Clostridioides difficile. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6119. [PMID: 36253419 PMCID: PMC9576733 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Some bacteria express a binary toxin translocation system, consisting of an enzymatic subunit and translocation pore, that delivers enzymes into host cells through endocytosis. The most clinically important bacterium with such a system is Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium). The CDTa and CDTb proteins from its system represent important therapeutic targets. CDTb has been proposed to be a di-heptamer, but its physiological heptameric structure has not yet been reported. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of CDTa bound to the CDTb-pore, which reveals that CDTa binding induces partial unfolding and tilting of the first CDTa α-helix. In the CDTb-pore, an NSS-loop exists in 'in' and 'out' conformations, suggesting its involvement in substrate translocation. Finally, 3D variability analysis revealed CDTa movements from a folded to an unfolded state. These dynamic structural information provide insights into drug design against hypervirulent C. difficile strains.
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3
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Sun J, Thakur AK, Movileanu L. Current noise of a protein-selective biological nanopore. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2100077. [PMID: 34275190 PMCID: PMC8763983 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
1/f current noise is ubiquitous in protein pores, porins, and channels. We have previously shown that a protein-selective biological nanopore with an external protein receptor can function as a 1/f noise generator when a high-affinity protein ligand is reversibly captured by the receptor. Here, we demonstrate that the binding affinity and concentration of the ligand are key determinants for the nature of current noise. For example, 1/f was absent when a protein ligand was reversibly captured at a much lower concentration than its equilibrium dissociation constant against the receptor. Furthermore, we also analyzed the composite current noise that resulted from mixtures of low-affinity and high-affinity ligands against the same receptor. This study highlights the significance of protein recognition events in the current noise fluctuations across biological membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Sun
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
| | - Avinash Kumar Thakur
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA,The BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA,Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA,The corresponding author’s contact information: Liviu Movileanu, PhD, Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA. Phone: 315-443-8078;
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4
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Du X, Wang Y, Zhang S, Fan P, Yan S, Zhang P, Chen HY, Huang S. Microscopic Screening of Cyclodextrin Channel Blockers by DiffusiOptoPhysiology. Anal Chem 2021; 93:14161-14168. [PMID: 34641671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Blockers of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) limit bacterial virulence by blocking relevant channel proteins. However, screening of desired blockers from a large pool of candidate molecules is not a trivial task. Acknowledging its advantages of low cost, high throughput, and multiplicity, DiffusiOptoPhysiology (DOP), an emerging nanopore technique that visually monitors the states of individual channel proteins without using any electrodes, has shown its potential use in the screening of channel blockers. By taking different α-hemolysin (α-HL) mutants as model PFTs and different cyclodextrins as model blockers, we report direct screening of pore blockers solely by using fluorescence microscopy. Different combinations of pores and blockers were simultaneously evaluated on the same DOP chip and a single-molecule resolution is directly achieved. The entire chip is composed of low-cost and biocompatible materials, which is fully disposable after each use. Though only demonstrated with cyclodextrin derivatives and α-HL mutants, this proof of concept has also suggested its generality to investigate other pore-forming proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pingping Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shuanghong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Panke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hong-Yuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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5
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Liu W, Nestorovich EM. Anthrax toxin channel: What we know based on over 30 years of research. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183715. [PMID: 34332985 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Protective antigen channel is the central component of the deadly anthrax exotoxin responsible for binding and delivery of the toxin's enzymatic lethal and edema factor components into the cytosol. The channel, which is more than three times longer than the lipid bilayer membrane thickness and has a 6-Å limiting diameter, is believed to provide a sophisticated unfoldase and translocase machinery for the foreign protein transport into the host cell cytosol. The tripartite toxin can be reengineered, one component at a time or collectively, to adapt it for the targeted cancer therapeutic treatments. In this review, we focus on the biophysical studies of the protective antigen channel-forming activity, small ion transport properties, enzymatic factor translocation, and blockage comparing it with the related clostridial binary toxin channels. We address issues linked to the anthrax toxin channel structural dynamics and lipid dependence, which are yet to become generally recognized as parts of the toxin translocation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxing Liu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Ekaterina M Nestorovich
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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6
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Ma W, Yang L, Liu Y, Lei P, Zhang Y. β 2-adrenergic receptor affinity chromatography with an interaction force analysis model: A method for analysis of active compounds targeting β 2-adrenergic receptor. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1652:462371. [PMID: 34242937 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists have been reported to be highly effective bronchodilators against this disease. In this study, we successfully constructed a novel CHO-β2AR affinity chromatography (CHO-β2AR/AC), which was evaluated by infrared spectroscopic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. In addition, CHO-β2AR/AC model exhibited good selectivity and reliability with the relative standard deviation smaller than 5.6% after 30 days. Furthermore, an interaction force analysis model was developed based on CHO-β2AR/AC. The results showed that the interaction force analysis model (Φ•E•pKa) exhibited a strong correlation with equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) (r2=0.9284, p=0.002) and a good correlation with logarithm of half-maximum effective concentration (pEC50) values (r2=0.7135, p=0.034). In addition, a pool of clinically approved drugs was screened by this CHO-β2AR/AC model. Codeine wasfound to bind to and activate β2AR with KD value of 4.10 × 10-7 M, leading to increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production with EC50 of 6.49 × 10-7 M and reduction of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which in turn relaxes bronchial contraction with EC50 of 2.62 × 10-6 M. Furthermore, the KD value and pEC50 of codeine were within the 95% prediction range of the interaction force analysis model. The results indicate that the CHO-β2AR/AC with interaction force analysis model constructed in this study can be used to effectively and rapidly screen active compounds targeting β2AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| | - Liu Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Pharmacy (Mental Health), Xi'an 710100, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| | - Panpan Lei
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China; State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China.
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7
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Yamini G, Kanchi S, Kalu N, Momben Abolfath S, Leppla SH, Ayappa KG, Maiti PK, Nestorovich EM. Hydrophobic Gating and 1/ f Noise of the Anthrax Toxin Channel. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5466-5478. [PMID: 34015215 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c10490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
"Pink" or 1/f noise is a natural phenomenon omnipresent in physics, economics, astrophysics, biology, and even music and languages. In electrophysiology, the stochastic activity of a number of biological ion channels and artificial nanopores could be characterized by current noise with a 1/f power spectral density. In the anthrax toxin channel (PA63), it appears as fast voltage-independent current interruptions between conducting and nonconducting states. This behavior hampers potential development of PA63 as an ion-channel biosensor. On the bright side, the PA63 flickering represents a mesmerizing phenomenon to investigate. Notably, similar 1/f fluctuations are observed in the channel-forming components of clostridial binary C2 and iota toxins, which share functional and structural similarities with the anthrax toxin channel. Similar to PA63, they are evolved to translocate the enzymatic components of the toxins into the cytosol. Here, using high-resolution single-channel lipid bilayer experiments and all-atom molecular dynamic simulations, we suggest that the 1/f noise in PA63 occurs as a result of "hydrophobic gating" at the ϕ-clamp region, the phenomenon earlier observed in several water-filled channels "fastened" inside by the hydrophobic belts. The ϕ-clamp is a narrow "hydrophobic ring" in the PA63 lumen formed by seven or eight phenylalanine residues at position 427, conserved in the C2 and iota toxin channels, which catalyzes protein translocation. Notably, the 1/f noise remains undetected in the F427A PA63 mutant. This finding can elucidate the functional purpose of 1/f noise and its possible role in the transport of the enzymatic components of binary toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goli Yamini
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, Washington D.C., 20064, United States
| | - Subbarao Kanchi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India.,Centre for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Nnanya Kalu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, Washington D.C., 20064, United States
| | - Sanaz Momben Abolfath
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, Washington D.C., 20064, United States
| | - Stephen H Leppla
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - K Ganapathy Ayappa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Prabal K Maiti
- Centre for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Ekaterina M Nestorovich
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, Washington D.C., 20064, United States
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8
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Landenberger M, Nieland J, Roeder M, Nørgaard K, Papatheodorou P, Ernst K, Barth H. The cytotoxic effect of Clostridioides difficile pore-forming toxin CDTb. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183603. [PMID: 33689753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides (C.) difficile is clinically highly relevant and produces several AB-type protein toxins, which are the causative agents for C. difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Treatment with antibiotics can lead to C. difficile overgrowth in the gut of patients due to the disturbed microbiota. C. difficile releases large Rho/Ras-GTPase glucosylating toxins TcdA and TcdB, which are considered as the major virulence factors for C. difficile-associated diseases. In addition to TcdA and TcdB, C. difficile strains isolated from severe cases of colitis produce a third toxin called CDT. CDT is a member of the family of clostridial binary actin ADP-ribosylating toxins and consists of two separate protein components. The B-component, CDTb, binds to the receptor and forms a complex with and facilitates transport and translocation of the enzymatically active A-component, CDTa, into the cytosol of target cells by forming trans-membrane pores through which CDTa translocates. In the cytosol, CDTa ADP-ribosylates G-actin causing depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and, eventually, cell death. In the present study, we report that CDTb exhibits a cytotoxic effect in the absence of CDTa. We show that CDTb causes cell rounding and impairs cell viability and the epithelial integrity of CaCo-2 monolayers in the absence of CDTa. CDTb-induced cell rounding depended on the presence of LSR, the specific cellular receptor of CDT. The isolated receptor-binding domain of CDTb was not sufficient to cause cell rounding. CDTb-induced cell rounding was inhibited by enzymatically inactive CDTa or a pore-blocker, implying that CDTb pores in cytoplasmic membranes contribute to cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Landenberger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Julian Nieland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maurice Roeder
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katharina Nørgaard
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Katharina Ernst
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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9
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Sun J, Thakur AK, Movileanu L. Protein Ligand-Induced Amplification in the 1/ f Noise of a Protein-Selective Nanopore. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:15247-15257. [PMID: 33307706 PMCID: PMC7755739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies of transmembrane protein channels have employed noise analysis to examine their statistical current fluctuations. In general, these explorations determined a substrate-induced amplification in the Gaussian white noise of these systems at a low-frequency regime. This outcome implies a lack of slowly appearing fluctuations in the number and local mobility of diffusing charges in the presence of channel substrates. Such parameters are among the key factors in generating a low-frequency 1/f noise. Here, we show that a protein-selective biological nanopore exhibits a substrate-induced amplification in the 1/f noise. The modular composition of this biological nanopore includes a hydrophilic transmembrane protein pore fused to a water-soluble binding protein on its extramembranous side. In addition, this protein nanopore shows an open substate populated by a high-frequency current noise because of the flickering of an engineered polypeptide adaptor at the tip of the pore. However, the physical association of the protein ligand with the binding domain reversibly switches the protein nanopore from a high-frequency noise substate into a quiet substate. In the absence of the protein ligand, our nanopore shows a low-frequency white noise. Remarkably, in the presence of the protein ligand, an amplified low-frequency 1/f noise was detected in a ligand concentration-dependent fashion. This finding suggests slowly occurring equilibrium fluctuations in the density and local mobility of charge carriers under these conditions. Furthermore, we report that the excess in 1/f noise is generated by reversible switches between the noisy ligand-released substate and the quiet ligand-captured substate. Finally, quantitative aspects of the low-frequency 1/f noise are in accord with theoretical predictions of the current noise analysis of protein channel-ligand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Sun
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
| | - Avinash Kumar Thakur
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
- Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics Program, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244-4100, USA
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
- Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics Program, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244-4100, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
- The corresponding author’s contact information: Liviu Movileanu, PhD, Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA. Phone: 315-443-8078; Fax: 315-443-9103;
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10
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Omersa N, Podobnik M, Anderluh G. Inhibition of Pore-Forming Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E545. [PMID: 31546810 PMCID: PMC6784129 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Perforation of cellular membranes by pore-forming proteins can affect cell physiology, tissue integrity, or immune response. Since many pore-forming proteins are toxins or highly potent virulence factors, they represent an attractive target for the development of molecules that neutralize their actions with high efficacy. There has been an assortment of inhibitors developed to specifically obstruct the activity of pore-forming proteins, in addition to vaccination and antibiotics that serve as a plausible treatment for the majority of diseases caused by bacterial infections. Here we review a wide range of potential inhibitors that can specifically and effectively block the activity of pore-forming proteins, from small molecules to more specific macromolecular systems, such as synthetic nanoparticles, antibodies, antibody mimetics, polyvalent inhibitors, and dominant negative mutants. We discuss their mechanism of inhibition, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Omersa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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11
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Exploring the Nature of Cationic Blocker Recognition by the Anthrax Toxin Channel. Biophys J 2019; 117:1751-1763. [PMID: 31587826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Obstructing conductive pathways of the channel-forming toxins with targeted blockers is a promising drug design approach. Nearly all tested positively charged ligands have been shown to reversibly block the cation-selective channel-forming protective antigen (PA63) component of the binary anthrax toxin. The cationic ligands with more hydrophobic surfaces, particularly those carrying aromatic moieties, inhibited PA63 more effectively. To understand the physical basis of PA63 selectivity for a particular ligand, detailed information is required on how the blocker structural elements (e.g., positively charged and aromatic groups) influence the molecular kinetics of the blocker/channel binding reactions. In this study, we address this problem using the high-resolution single-channel planar lipid bilayer technique. Several structurally distinct cationic blockers, namely per-6-S-(3-amino) propyl-β-cyclodextrin, per-6-S-(3-aminomethyl) benzyl-α-cyclodextrin, per-6-S-(3-aminomethyl) benzyl-β-cyclodextrin, per-6-S-(3-aminomethyl) benzyl-γ-cyclodextrin, methyltriphenylphosphonium ion, and G0 polyamidoamine dendrimer are tested for their ability to inhibit the heptameric and octameric PA63 variants and PA63F427A mutant. The F427 residues form a hydrophobic constriction region inside the channel, known as the "ϕ-clamp." We show that the cationic blockers interact with PA63 through a combination of forces. Analysis of the binding reaction kinetics suggests the involvement of cation-π, Coulomb, and salt-concentration-independent π-π or hydrophobic interactions in the cationic cyclodextrin binding. It is possible that these blockers bind to the ϕ-clamp and are also stabilized by the Coulomb interactions of their terminal amino groups with the water-exposed negatively charged channel residues. In PA63F427A, only the suggested Coulomb component of the cyclodextrin interaction remains. Methyltriphenylphosphonium ion and G0 polyamidoamine dendrimer, despite being positively charged, interact primarily with the ϕ-clamp. We also show that seven- and eightfold symmetric cyclodextrins effectively block the heptameric and octameric forms of PA63 interchangeably, adding flexibility to the earlier formulated blocker/target symmetry match requirement.
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12
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Berezhkovskii AM, Dagdug L, Bezrukov SM. Two-site versus continuum diffusion model of blocker dynamics in a membrane channel: Comparative analysis of escape kinetics. J Chem Phys 2019. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5110489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Berezhkovskii
- Section on Molecular Transport, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Mathematical and Statistical Computing Laboratory, Office of Intramural Research, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Leonardo Dagdug
- Departamento de Fisica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, 09340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sergey M. Bezrukov
- Section on Molecular Transport, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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13
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Yamini G, Nestorovich EM. Multivalent Inhibitors of Channel-Forming Bacterial Toxins. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2019; 406:199-227. [PMID: 27469304 PMCID: PMC6814628 DOI: 10.1007/82_2016_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Rational design of multivalent molecules represents a remarkable modern tool to transform weak non-covalent interactions into strong binding by creating multiple finely-tuned points of contact between multivalent ligands and their supposed multivalent targets. Here, we describe several prominent examples where the multivalent blockers were investigated for their ability to directly obstruct oligomeric channel-forming bacterial exotoxins, such as the pore-forming bacterial toxins and B component of the binary bacterial toxins. We address problems related to the blocker/target symmetry match and nature of the functional groups, as well as chemistry and length of the linkers connecting the functional groups to their multivalent scaffolds. Using the anthrax toxin and AB5 toxin case studies, we briefly review how the oligomeric toxin components can be successfully disabled by the multivalent non-channel-blocking inhibitors, which are based on a variety of multivalent scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goli Yamini
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 20064, USA
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Stiles BG. Clostridial Binary Toxins: Basic Understandings that Include Cell Surface Binding and an Internal "Coup de Grâce". Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2019; 406:135-162. [PMID: 27380267 DOI: 10.1007/82_2016_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium species can make a remarkable number of different protein toxins, causing many diverse diseases in humans and animals. The binary toxins of Clostridium botulinum, C. difficile, C. perfringens, and C. spiroforme are one group of enteric-acting toxins that attack the actin cytoskeleton of various cell types. These enterotoxins consist of A (enzymatic) and B (cell binding/membrane translocation) components that assemble on the targeted cell surface or in solution, forming a multimeric complex. Once translocated into the cytosol via endosomal trafficking and acidification, the A component dismantles the filamentous actin-based cytoskeleton via mono-ADP-ribosylation of globular actin. Knowledge of cell surface receptors and how these usurped, host-derived molecules facilitate intoxication can lead to novel ways of defending against these clostridial binary toxins. A molecular-based understanding of the various steps involved in toxin internalization can also unveil therapeutic intervention points that stop the intoxication process. Furthermore, using these bacterial proteins as medicinal shuttle systems into cells provides intriguing possibilities in the future. The pertinent past and state-of-the-art present, regarding clostridial binary toxins, will be evident in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley G Stiles
- Biology Department, Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, 17201, USA.
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15
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Kalu N, Alcaraz A, Yamini G, Momben Abolfath S, Lucas L, Kenney C, Aguilella VM, Nestorovich EM. Effect of endosomal acidification on small ion transport through the anthrax toxin PA 63 channel. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:3481-3492. [PMID: 28963849 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Tight regulation of pH is critical for the structure and function of cells and organelles. The pH environment changes dramatically along the endocytic pathway, an internalization transport process that is 'hijacked' by many intracellularly active bacterial exotoxins, including the anthrax toxin. Here, we investigate the role of pH on single-channel properties of the anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA63 ). Using conductance and current noise analysis, blocker binding, ion selectivity, and poly(ethylene glycol) partitioning measurements, we show that the channel exists in two different open states ('maximum' and 'main') at pH ≥ 5.5, while only a maximum conductance state is detected at pH < 5.5. We describe two substantially distinct patterns of PA63 conductance dependence on KCl concentration uncovered at pH 6.5 and 4.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnanya Kalu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Antonio Alcaraz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Goli Yamini
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Laura Lucas
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Clare Kenney
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vicente M Aguilella
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
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16
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Impact of Dendrimer Terminal Group Chemistry on Blockage of the Anthrax Toxin Channel: A Single Molecule Study. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8110337. [PMID: 27854272 PMCID: PMC5127133 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8110337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly all the cationic molecules tested so far have been shown to reversibly block K⁺ current through the cation-selective PA63 channels of anthrax toxin in a wide nM-mM range of effective concentrations. A significant increase in channel-blocking activity of the cationic compounds was achieved when multiple copies of positively charged ligands were covalently linked to multivalent scaffolds, such as cyclodextrins and dendrimers. Even though multivalent binding can be strong when the individual bonds are relatively weak, for drug discovery purposes we often strive to design multivalent compounds with high individual functional group affinity toward the respective binding site on a multivalent target. Keeping this requirement in mind, here we perform a single-channel/single-molecule study to investigate kinetic parameters of anthrax toxin PA63 channel blockage by second-generation (G2) poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers functionalized with different surface ligands, including G2-NH₂, G2-OH, G2-succinamate, and G2-COONa. We found that the previously reported difference in IC50 values of the G2-OH/PA63 and G2-NH₂/PA63 binding was determined by both on- and off-rates of the reversible dendrimer/channel binding reaction. In 1 M KCl, we observed a decrease of about three folds in k o n and a decrease of only about ten times in t r e s with G2-OH compared to G2-NH₂. At the same time for both blockers, k o n and t r e s increased dramatically with transmembrane voltage increase. PAMAM dendrimers functionalized with negatively charged succinamate, but not carboxyl surface groups, still had some residual activity in inhibiting the anthrax toxin channels. At 100 mV, the on-rate of the G2-succinamate binding was comparable with that of G2-OH but showed weaker voltage dependence when compared to G2-OH and G2-NH₂. The residence time of G2-succinamate in the channel exhibited opposite voltage dependence compared to G2-OH and G2-NH₂, increasing with the cis-negative voltage increase. We also describe kinetics of the PA63 ion current modulation by two different types of the "imperfect" PAMAM dendrimers, the mixed-surface G2 75% OH 25% NH₂ dendrimer and G3-NH₂ dendron. At low voltages, both "imperfect" dendrimers show similar rate constants but significantly weaker voltage sensitivity when compared with the intact G2-NH₂ PAMAM dendrimer.
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17
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Bezrukov SM, Nestorovich EM. Inhibiting bacterial toxins by channel blockage. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftv113. [PMID: 26656888 PMCID: PMC4830228 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Emergent rational drug design techniques explore individual properties of target biomolecules, small and macromolecule drug candidates, and the physical forces governing their interactions. In this minireview, we focus on the single-molecule biophysical studies of channel-forming bacterial toxins that suggest new approaches for their inhibition. We discuss several examples of blockage of bacterial pore-forming and AB-type toxins by the tailor-made compounds. In the concluding remarks, the most effective rationally designed pore-blocking antitoxins are compared with the small-molecule inhibitors of ion-selective channels of neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Bezrukov
- Program in Physical Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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18
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Pore-forming activity of clostridial binary toxins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:512-25. [PMID: 26278641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Clostridial binary toxins (Clostridium perfringens Iota toxin, Clostridium difficile transferase, Clostridium spiroforme toxin, Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin) as Bacillus binary toxins, including Bacillus anthracis toxins consist of two independent proteins, one being the binding component which mediates the internalization into cell of the intracellularly active component. Clostridial binary toxins induce actin cytoskeleton disorganization through mono-ADP-ribosylation of globular actin and are responsible for enteric diseases. Clostridial and Bacillus binary toxins share structurally and functionally related binding components which recognize specific cell receptors, oligomerize, form pores in endocytic vesicle membrane, and mediate the transport of the enzymatic component into the cytosol. Binding components retain the global structure of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) from the cholesterol-dependent cytotoxin family such as perfringolysin. However, their pore-forming activity notably that of clostridial binding components is more related to that of heptameric PFT family including aerolysin and C. perfringens epsilon toxin. This review focuses upon pore-forming activity of clostridial binary toxins compared to other related PFTs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pore-Forming Toxins edited by Mauro Dalla Serra and Franco Gambale.
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19
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Gurnev PA, Nestorovich EM. Channel-forming bacterial toxins in biosensing and macromolecule delivery. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:2483-540. [PMID: 25153255 PMCID: PMC4147595 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6082483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To intoxicate cells, pore-forming bacterial toxins are evolved to allow for the transmembrane traffic of different substrates, ranging from small inorganic ions to cell-specific polypeptides. Recent developments in single-channel electrical recordings, X-ray crystallography, protein engineering, and computational methods have generated a large body of knowledge about the basic principles of channel-mediated molecular transport. These discoveries provide a robust framework for expansion of the described principles and methods toward use of biological nanopores in the growing field of nanobiotechnology. This article, written for a special volume on "Intracellular Traffic and Transport of Bacterial Protein Toxins", reviews the current state of applications of pore-forming bacterial toxins in small- and macromolecule-sensing, targeted cancer therapy, and drug delivery. We discuss the electrophysiological studies that explore molecular details of channel-facilitated protein and polymer transport across cellular membranes using both natural and foreign substrates. The review focuses on the structurally and functionally different bacterial toxins: gramicidin A of Bacillus brevis, α-hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus, and binary toxin of Bacillus anthracis, which have found their "second life" in a variety of developing medical and technological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip A Gurnev
- Physics Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Roeder M, Nestorovich EM, Karginov VA, Schwan C, Aktories K, Barth H. Tailored cyclodextrin pore blocker protects mammalian cells from clostridium difficile binary toxin CDT. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:2097-114. [PMID: 25029374 PMCID: PMC4113744 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6072097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Some Clostridium difficile strains produce, in addition to toxins A and B, the binary toxin Clostridium difficile transferase (CDT), which ADP-ribosylates actin and may contribute to the hypervirulence of these strains. The separate binding and translocation component CDTb mediates transport of the enzyme component CDTa into mammalian target cells. CDTb binds to its receptor on the cell surface, CDTa assembles and CDTb/CDTa complexes are internalised. In acidic endosomes, CDTb mediates the delivery of CDTa into the cytosol, most likely by forming a translocation pore in endosomal membranes. We demonstrate that a seven-fold symmetrical positively charged β-cyclodextrin derivative, per-6-S-(3-aminomethyl)benzylthio-β-cyclodextrin, which was developed earlier as a potent inhibitor of the translocation pores of related binary toxins of Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens, protects cells from intoxication with CDT. The pore blocker did not interfere with the CDTa-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of actin or toxin binding to Vero cells but inhibited the pH-dependent membrane translocation of CDTa into the cytosol. In conclusion, the cationic β-cyclodextrin could serve as the lead compound in a development of novel pharmacological strategies against the CDT-producing strains of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Roeder
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | | | - Vladimir A Karginov
- Innovative Biologics, Inc., 13455 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 200, Herndon, VA 20171, USA.
| | - Carsten Schwan
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Klaus Aktories
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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21
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Förstner P, Bayer F, Kalu N, Felsen S, Förtsch C, Aloufi A, Ng DYW, Weil T, Nestorovich EM, Barth H. Cationic PAMAM dendrimers as pore-blocking binary toxin inhibitors. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:2461-74. [PMID: 24954629 PMCID: PMC4215879 DOI: 10.1021/bm500328v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dendrimers are unique highly branched macromolecules with numerous groundbreaking biomedical applications under development. Here we identified poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as novel blockers for the pore-forming B components of the binary anthrax toxin (PA63) and Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin (C2IIa). These pores are essential for delivery of the enzymatic A components of the internalized toxins from endosomes into the cytosol of target cells. We demonstrate that at low μM concentrations cationic PAMAM dendrimers block PA63 and C2IIa to inhibit channel-mediated transport of the A components, thereby protecting HeLa and Vero cells from intoxication. By channel reconstitution and high-resolution current recording, we show that the PAMAM dendrimers obstruct transmembrane PA63 and C2IIa pores in planar lipid bilayers at nM concentrations. These findings suggest a new potential role for the PAMAM dendrimers as effective polyvalent channel-blocking inhibitors, which can protect human target cells from intoxication with binary toxins from pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Förstner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm Medical Center , D-89081 Ulm, Germany
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Abstract
Bacteria secrete and harbor in their membranes a number of pore-forming proteins. Some of these are bona fide ion channels that may respond to changes in membrane tension, voltage, or pH. Others may be large translocons used for the secretion of folded or unfolded polypeptide substrates. Additionally, many secreted toxins insert into target cell membranes and form pores that either collapse membrane electrochemical gradients or provide conduits for the delivery of virulence factors. In all cases, electrophysiological approaches have yielded much progress in past decades in understanding the functional mechanisms of these pores. By monitoring the changes in current due to ion flow through the pores, these techniques are used as high-resolution tools to gather detailed information on the kinetic and permeation properties of these proteins, including those whose physiological role is not ion flux. This review highlights some of the electrophysiological studies that have advanced the field of transport by pore-forming proteins of bacterial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne H Delcour
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5001;
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Present-day rational drug design approaches are based on exploiting unique features of the target biomolecules, small- or macromolecule drug candidates and physical forces that govern their interactions. The 2013 Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded 'for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems' once again demonstrated the importance of the tailored drug discovery that reduces the role of the trial-and-error approach to a minimum. The intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis spores in 2001 via the so-called anthrax letters has led to increased efforts, politically and scientifically, to develop medical countermeasures that will protect people from the threat of anthrax bioterrorism. AREAS COVERED This article provides an overview of the recent rational drug design approaches for discovering inhibitors of anthrax toxin. The review also directs the readers to the vast literature on the recognized advances and future possibilities in the field. EXPERT OPINION Existing options to combat anthrax toxin lethality are limited. With the only anthrax toxin inhibiting therapy (protective antigen-targeting with a monoclonal antibody, raxibacumab) approved to treat inhalational anthrax, the situation, in our view, is still insecure. Further, the FDA's animal rule for drug approval, which clears compounds without validated efficacy studies on humans, creates a high level of uncertainty, especially when a well-characterized animal model does not exist. Better identification and validation of anthrax toxin therapeutic targets at the molecular level as well as elucidation of the parameters determining the corresponding therapeutic windows are still necessary for more effective therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina M Nestorovich
- The Catholic University of America, Department of Biology , Washington, DC , USA +1 202 319 6723 ;
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Cyclodextrin derivatives as anti-infectives. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2013; 13:717-25. [PMID: 24011515 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cyclodextrin derivatives can be utilized as anti-infectives with pore-forming proteins as the targets. The highly efficient selection of potent inhibitors was achieved because per-substituted cyclodextrins have the same symmetry as the target pores. Inhibitors of several bacterial toxins produced by Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum, and Clostridium difficile were identified from a library of ∼200 CD derivatives. It was demonstrated that multi-targeted inhibitors can be found using this approach and could be utilized for the development of broad-spectrum drugs against various pathogens.
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Beitzinger C, Bronnhuber A, Duscha K, Riedl Z, Huber-Lang M, Benz R, Hajós G, Barth H. Designed azolopyridinium salts block protective antigen pores in vitro and protect cells from anthrax toxin. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66099. [PMID: 23840407 PMCID: PMC3688708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several intracellular acting bacterial protein toxins of the AB-type, which are known to enter cells by endocytosis, are shown to produce channels. This holds true for protective antigen (PA), the binding component of the tripartite anthrax-toxin of Bacillus anthracis. Evidence has been presented that translocation of the enzymatic components of anthrax-toxin across the endosomal membrane of target cells and channel formation by the heptameric/octameric PA63 binding/translocation component are related phenomena. Chloroquine and some 4-aminoquinolones, known as potent drugs against Plasmodium falciparium infection of humans, block efficiently the PA63-channel in a dose dependent way. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we demonstrate that related positively charged heterocyclic azolopyridinium salts block the PA63-channel in the µM range, when both, inhibitor and PA63 are added to the same side of the membrane, the cis-side, which corresponds to the lumen of acidified endosomal vesicles of target cells. Noise-analysis allowed the study of the kinetics of the plug formation by the heterocycles. In vivo experiments using J774A.1 macrophages demonstrated that the inhibitors of PA63-channel function also efficiently block intoxication of the cells by the combination lethal factor and PA63 in the same concentration range as they block the channels in vitro. Conclusions/Significance These results strongly argue in favor of a transport of lethal factor through the PA63-channel and suggest that the heterocycles used in this study could represent attractive candidates for development of novel therapeutic strategies against anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Beitzinger
- Rudolf-Virchow-Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anika Bronnhuber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kerstin Duscha
- Rudolf-Virchow-Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Riedl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Markus Huber-Lang
- Institute of Traumatology, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Roland Benz
- Rudolf-Virchow-Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- School of Engineering and Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- * E-mail: (RB); (HB)
| | - György Hajós
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- * E-mail: (RB); (HB)
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergey M. Bezrukov
- Program in Physical Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
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