1
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Duarte F, Teçza M, Gedi V, McGourty K, Hudson SP. C5a peptidase (ScpA) activity towards human type II and type III interferons. Cytokine 2024; 180:156652. [PMID: 38759527 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156652] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
C5a peptidase, also known as ScpA, is a surface associated serine protease derived from Streptococcus pyogenes and has been described as an important factor in streptococcus virulence, capable of cleaving complement components C5a, C3 and C3a. Although the interactions of ScpA with complement components is well studied, extensive screening of ScpA activity against other pro-inflammatory cytokines is lacking. Here, ScpA's ability to cleave human pro-inflammatory cytokines was tested, revealing its ability to cleave human IFNγ, IFNλ1, IFNλ2, C5, IL-37 but with significantly reduced activities. The functional consequence of ScpA's cleavage of IFNγ in its signalling through the Jak-Stat pathway has also been evaluated in an in vitro RPE1 cell model. These newly identified targets for ScpA highlight the complexity of streptococcus infections and indeed, the potential for ScpA to have a therapeutic role in the progression of inflammatory diseases involving these cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Duarte
- Department of Chemical Sciences, SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Malgorzata Teçza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Vinayakumar Gedi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kieran McGourty
- Department of Chemical Sciences, SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Sarah P Hudson
- Department of Chemical Sciences, SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland.
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2
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Cullen R, Teçza M, Miclot T, Behan S, Jain M, Avink MK, Cooney JC, Kagawa TF. The 1.7 Å crystal structure of the C5a peptidase from Streptococcus agalactiae (ScpB) reveals an active site competent for catalysis. Proteins 2024; 92:427-431. [PMID: 37921533 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
A 1.7 Å structure is presented for an active form of the virulence factor ScpB, the C5a peptidase from Streptococcus agalactiae. The previously reported structure of the ScpB active site mutant exhibited a large separation (~20 Å) between the catalytic His and Ser residues. Significant differences are observed in the catalytic domain between the current and mutant ScpB structures resulting with a high RMSDCα (4.6 Å). The fold of the active form of ScpB is nearly identical to ScpA (RMSDCα 0.2 Å), the C5a-peptidase from Streptococcus pyogenes. Both ScpA and ScpB have comparable activity against human C5a, indicating neither enzyme require host proteins for C5a-ase activity. These studies are a first step in resolving reported differences in the specificities of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Cullen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Malgorzata Teçza
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Tom Miclot
- Lycée Stanislas, Villers-de-Nancy, France
| | - Senan Behan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Monica Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Marjet Klein Avink
- School of Life Sciences, Engineering and Design, University of Applied Sciences, Saxion, The Netherlands
| | - Jakki C Cooney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- SSPC, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Todd F Kagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- SSPC, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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3
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Happonen L, Collin M. Immunomodulating Enzymes from Streptococcus pyogenes-In Pathogenesis, as Biotechnological Tools, and as Biological Drugs. Microorganisms 2024; 12:200. [PMID: 38258026 PMCID: PMC10818452 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A Streptococcus, is an exclusively human pathogen that causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from mild throat and skin infections to severe invasive disease. The pathogenesis of S. pyogenes infection has been extensively studied, but the pathophysiology, especially of the more severe infections, is still somewhat elusive. One key feature of S. pyogenes is the expression of secreted, surface-associated, and intracellular enzymes that directly or indirectly affect both the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Undoubtedly, S. pyogenes is one of the major bacterial sources for immunomodulating enzymes. Major targets for these enzymes are immunoglobulins that are destroyed or modified through proteolysis or glycan hydrolysis. Furthermore, several enzymes degrade components of the complement system and a group of DNAses degrade host DNA in neutrophil extracellular traps. Additional types of enzymes interfere with cellular inflammatory and innate immunity responses. In this review, we attempt to give a broad overview of the functions of these enzymes and their roles in pathogenesis. For those enzymes where experimentally determined structures exist, the structural aspects of the enzymatic activity are further discussed. Lastly, we also discuss the emerging use of some of the enzymes as biotechnological tools as well as biological drugs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotta Happonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, SE-22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mattias Collin
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, SE-22184 Lund, Sweden
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4
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Loh JM, Aghababa H, Proft T. Eluding the immune system's frontline defense: Secreted complement evasion factors of pathogenic Gram-positive cocci. Microbiol Res 2023; 277:127512. [PMID: 37826985 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127512] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The human complement system is an important part of the innate immune response in the fight against invasive bacteria. Complement responses can be activated independently by the classical pathway, the lectin pathway, or the alternative pathway, each resulting in the formation of a C3 convertase that produces the anaphylatoxin C3a and the opsonin C3b by specifically cutting C3. Other important features of complement are the production of the chemotactic C5a peptide and the generation of the membrane attack complex to lyse intruding pathogens. Invasive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and several species of the genus Streptococcus have developed a variety of complement evasion strategies to resist complement activity thereby increasing their virulence and potential to cause disease. In this review, we focus on secreted complement evasion factors that assist the bacteria to avoid opsonization and terminal pathway lysis. We also briefly discuss the potential role of complement evasion factors for the development of vaccines and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacelyn Ms Loh
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Haniyeh Aghababa
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Proft
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
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5
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Pearson M, Haslam C, Fosberry A, Jones EJ, Reglinski M, Reeves L, Edwards RJ, Lawrenson RA, Brown JC, Mossakowska D, Pease JE, Sriskandan S. Structure-activity studies of Streptococcus pyogenes enzyme SpyCEP reveal high affinity for CXCL8 in the SpyCEP C-terminal. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19052. [PMID: 37923786 PMCID: PMC10624844 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Streptococcus pyogenes cell envelope protease (SpyCEP) is vital to streptococcal pathogenesis and disease progression. Despite its strong association with invasive disease, little is known about enzymatic function beyond the ELR+ CXC chemokine substrate range. As a serine protease, SpyCEP has a catalytic triad consisting of aspartate (D151), histidine (H279), and serine (S617) residues which are all thought to be mandatory for full activity. We utilised a range of SpyCEP constructs to investigate the protein domains and catalytic residues necessary for enzyme function. We designed a high-throughput mass spectrometry assay to measure CXCL8 cleavage and applied this for the first time to study the enzyme kinetics of SpyCEP. Results revealed a remarkably low Michaelis-Menton constant (KM) of 82 nM and a turnover of 1.65 molecules per second. We found that an N-terminally-truncated SpyCEP C-terminal construct containing just the catalytic dyad of H279 and S617 was capable of cleaving CXCL8 with a similar KM of 55 nM, albeit with a reduced substrate turnover of 2.7 molecules per hour, representing a 2200-fold reduction in activity. We conclude that the SpyCEP C-terminus plays a key role in high affinity substrate recognition and binding, but that the N-terminus is required for full catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Carl Haslam
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Andrew Fosberry
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Emma J Jones
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Mark Reglinski
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Lucy Reeves
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Robert J Edwards
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Jonathan C Brown
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Danuta Mossakowska
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NY, UK
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - James Edward Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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6
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McKenna S, Aylward F, Miliara X, Lau RJ, Huemer CB, Giblin SP, Huse KK, Liang M, Reeves L, Pearson M, Xu Y, Rouse SL, Pease JE, Sriskandan S, Kagawa TF, Cooney J, Matthews S. The protease associated (PA) domain in ScpA from Streptococcus pyogenes plays a role in substrate recruitment. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2023; 1871:140946. [PMID: 37562488 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Annually, over 18 million disease cases and half a million deaths worldwide are estimated to be caused by Group A Streptococcus. ScpA (or C5a peptidase) is a well characterised member of the cell enveleope protease family, which possess a S8 subtilisin-like catalytic domain and a shared multi-domain architecture. ScpA cleaves complement factors C5a and C3a, impairing the function of these critical anaphylatoxins and disrupts complement-mediated innate immunity. Although the high resolution structure of ScpA is known, the details of how it recognises its substrate are only just emerging. Previous studies have identified a distant exosite on the 2nd fibronectin domain that plays an important role in recruitment via an interaction with the substrate core. Here, using a combination of solution NMR spectroscopy, mutagenesis with functional assays and computational approaches we identify a second exosite within the protease-associated (PA) domain. We propose a model in which the PA domain assists optimal delivery of the substrate's C terminus to the active site for cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie McKenna
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Frances Aylward
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Xeni Miliara
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Rikin J Lau
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Camilla Berg Huemer
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sean P Giblin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Kristin K Huse
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Mingyang Liang
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Lucy Reeves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yingqi Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sarah L Rouse
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - James E Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Todd F Kagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jakki Cooney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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7
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Christensen LF, Høie MH, Bang-Berthelsen CH, Marcatili P, Hansen EB. Comparative Structure Analysis of the Multi-Domain, Cell Envelope Proteases of Lactic Acid Bacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2256. [PMID: 37764099 PMCID: PMC10535647 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have an extracellular proteolytic system that includes a multi-domain, cell envelope protease (CEP) with a subtilisin homologous protease domain. These CEPs have different proteolytic activities despite having similar protein sequences. Structural characterization has previously been limited to CEP homologs of dairy- and human-derived LAB strains, excluding CEPs of plant-derived LAB strains. CEP structures are a challenge to determine experimentally due to their large size and attachment to the cell envelope. This study aims to clarify the prevalence and structural diversity of CEPs by using the structure prediction software AlphaFold 2. Domain boundaries are clarified based on a comparative analysis of 21 three-dimensional structures, revealing novel domain architectures of CEP homologs that are not necessarily restricted to specific LAB species or ecological niches. The C-terminal flanking region of the protease domain is divided into fibronectin type-III-like domains with various structural traits. The analysis also emphasizes the existence of two distinct domains for cell envelope attachment that are preceded by an intrinsically disordered cell wall spanning domain. The domain variants and their combinations provide CEPs with different stability, proteolytic activity, and potentially adhesive properties, making CEPs targets for steering proteolytic activity with relevance for both food development and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Friis Christensen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Magnus Haraldson Høie
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Paolo Marcatili
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Egon Bech Hansen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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8
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Gedi V, Duarte F, Patel P, Bhattacharjee P, Tecza M, McGourty K, Hudson SP. Impact of Propeptide Cleavage on the Stability and Activity of a Streptococcal Immunomodulatory C5a Peptidase for Biopharmaceutical Development. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4041-4049. [PMID: 37406301 PMCID: PMC10410607 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications of proteins can impact their therapeutic efficacy, stability, and potential for pharmaceutical development. The Group AStreptococcus pyogenesC5a peptidase (ScpA) is a multi-domain protein composed of an N-terminal signal peptide, a catalytic domain (including propeptide), three fibronectin domains, and cell membrane-associated domains. It is one of several proteins produced by Group AS. pyogenesknown to cleave components of the human complement system. After signal peptide removal, ScpA undergoes autoproteolysis and cleaves its propeptide for full maturation. The exact location and mechanism of the propeptide cleavage, and the impact of this cleavage on stability and activity, are not clearly understood, and the exact primary sequence of the final enzyme is not known. A form of ScpA with no autoproteolysis fragments of propeptide present may be more desirable for pharmaceutical development from a regulatory and a biocompatibility in the body perspective. The current study describes an in-depth structural and functional characterization of propeptide truncated variants of ScpA expressed inEscherichia colicells. All three purified ScpA variants, ScpA, 79ΔPro, and 92ΔPro, starting with N32, D79, and A92 positions, respectively, showed similar activity against C5a, which suggests a propeptide-independent activity profile of ScpA. CE-SDS and MALDI top-down sequencing analyses highlight a time-dependent propeptide autoproteolysis of ScpA at 37 °C with a distinct end point at A92 and/or D93. In comparison, all three variants of ScpA exhibit similar stability, melting temperatures, and secondary structure orientation. In summary, this work not only highlights propeptide localization but also provides a strategy to recombinantly produce a final mature and active form of ScpA without any propeptide-related fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinayakumar Gedi
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Francisco Duarte
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Pratikkumar Patel
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Promita Bhattacharjee
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Malgorzata Tecza
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Kieran McGourty
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
- SSPC
SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Sarah P. Hudson
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
- SSPC
SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
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9
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Hor L, Pilapitiya A, McKenna JA, Panjikar S, Anderson MA, Desvaux M, Paxman JJ, Heras B. Crystal structure of a subtilisin-like autotransporter passenger domain reveals insights into its cytotoxic function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1163. [PMID: 36859523 PMCID: PMC9977779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36719-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters (ATs) are a large family of bacterial secreted and outer membrane proteins that encompass a wide range of enzymatic activities frequently associated with pathogenic phenotypes. We present the structural and functional characterisation of a subtilase autotransporter, Ssp, from the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens. Although the structures of subtilases have been well documented, this subtilisin-like protein is associated with a 248 residue β-helix and itself includes three finger-like protrusions around its active site involved in substrate interactions. We further reveal that the activity of the subtilase AT is required for entry into epithelial cells as well as causing cellular toxicity. The Ssp structure not only provides details about the subtilase ATs, but also reveals a common framework and function to more distantly related ATs. As such these findings also represent a significant step forward toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional divergence in the large AT superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Hor
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Akila Pilapitiya
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Santosh Panjikar
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mickaël Desvaux
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR454 MEDiS, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jason J Paxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Begoña Heras
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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10
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Kagawa TF, Jain M, Cooney J. X-ray diffraction data for the C5a-peptidase mutant with modified activity and specificity. Data Brief 2022; 46:108778. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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11
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Auto- and Hetero-Catalytic Processing of the N-Terminal Propeptide Promotes the C-Terminal Fibronectin Type III Domain-Mediated Dimerization of a Thermostable Vpr-like Protease. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0150322. [PMID: 36250702 PMCID: PMC9642013 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01503-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial Vpr-like proteases are extracellular multidomain subtilases with diverse functions and can form oligomers, but their maturation and oligomerization mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we report a novel Vpr-like protease (BTV) from thermophilic bacterium Brevibacillus sp. WF146. The BTV precursor comprises a signal peptide, an N-terminal propeptide, a subtilisin-like catalytic domain with an inserted protease-associated (PA) domain, two tandem fibronectin type III domains (Fn1 and Fn2), and a C-terminal propeptide. The BTV proform (pro-BTV) could be autoprocessed into the mature form (mBTV) via two intermediates lacking the N- or C-terminal propeptide, respectively, and the C-terminal propeptide delays the autocatalytic maturation of the enzyme. By comparison, pro-BTV is more efficiently processed into mBTV by protease TSS from strain WF146. Purified mBTV is a Ca2+-dependent thermostable protease, showing optimal activity at 60°C and retaining more than 60% of activity after incubation at 60°C for 8 h. The PA domain is important for enzyme stability and contributes to the substrate specificity of BTV by restricting the access of protein substrates to the active site. The proform and mature form of BTV exist as a monomer and a homodimer, respectively, and the dimerization is mediated by the Fn1 and Fn2 domains. The N-terminal propeptide of BTV not only acts as intramolecular chaperone and enzymatic inhibitor but also inhibits the homodimerization of the enzyme. The removal of the N-terminal propeptide leads to a structural adjustment of the enzyme and thus promotes enzyme dimerization. IMPORTANCE Vpr-like proteases are widely distributed in bacteria and fungi and are involved in processing lantibiotics, degrading collagen, keratin, and fibrin, and pathogenesis of microbes. The dissection of the roles of individual domains in enzyme maturation and oligomerization is crucial for understanding the action mechanisms of these multidomain proteases. Our results demonstrate that hetero-catalytic maturation of the extracellular Vpr-like protease BTV of Brevibacillus sp. WF146 is more efficient than autocatalytic maturation of the enzyme. Moreover, we found that the C-terminal tandem fibronectin type III domains rather than the PA domain mediate the dimerization of mature BTV, while the N-terminal propeptide inhibits the dimerization of the BTV proform. This study provides new insight into the activation and oligomerization mechanisms of Vpr-like proteases.
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12
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Jain M, Teçza M, Kagawa TF, Cooney JC. Exosite binding modulates the specificity of the immunomodulatory enzyme ScpA, a C5a inactivating bacterial protease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4860-4869. [PMID: 36147677 PMCID: PMC9464890 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
C5a, the human complement protein is implicated in COVID-19 and sepsis. Proteolytic inactivation of C5a by ScpA involves interactions with a novel exosite. High affinity binding of C5a is shown to involve D783 of the ScpA Fn2 domain. Activity and affinity of ScpA is tuned by residues approx 50 Å from the active site. The data supports a complex dynamic process in ScpA substrate recognition.
The C5a peptidase from Streptococcus pyogenes (ScpA) is a highly specific enzyme with potential therapeutic value. ScpA is a good model for studying determinants of specificity in the multidomain immunomodulatory enzymes (IMEs), which comprise a large family of bacterial surface proteases. The surface exposed region of ScpA has 5 main domains which includes 3 C-terminal Fn3-like domains (Fn1, Fn2 and Fn3) (Kagawa et al. 2009). Progressive deletion of the Fn3-like domains from the C-ter resulted in loss of enzyme activity and showed an important role for the Fn2 domain in enzyme function. Functional investigation of specific acidic residues on the Fn2 domain identified 3 residues 30–50 Å from the catalytic site (D783, E864 and D889) which impacted to differing degrees on binding and on catalysis, supporting the presence of an exosite on the Fn2. In particular, residue D783 was observed to impact on both substrate binding affinity and the activity of ScpA. A double mutant cycle analysis showed energetic coupling between the targeted ScpA residues and residues in the core portion (residues 1–67) of the C5a substrate. The data supports the presence of a communication network between the active site and the exosite on Fn2. These findings provide a basis for rational engineering of this important enzyme family to enhance stability, activity and/or specificity.
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13
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A Novel Gelatinase from Marine Flocculibacter collagenilyticus SM1988: Characterization and Potential Application in Collagen Oligopeptide-Rich Hydrolysate Preparation. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20010048. [PMID: 35049903 PMCID: PMC8780967 DOI: 10.3390/md20010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the S8 family in the MEROPS database contains many peptidases, only a few S8 peptidases have been applied in the preparation of bioactive oligopeptides. Bovine bone collagen is a good source for preparing collagen oligopeptides, but has been so far rarely applied in collagen peptide preparation. Here, we characterized a novel S8 gelatinase, Aa2_1884, from marine bacterium Flocculibacter collagenilyticus SM1988T, and evaluated its potential application in the preparation of collagen oligopeptides from bovine bone collagen. Aa2_1884 is a multimodular S8 peptidase with a distinct domain architecture from other reported peptidases. The recombinant Aa2_1884 over-expressed in Escherichia coli showed high activity toward gelatin and denatured collagens, but no activity toward natural collagens, indicating that Aa2_1884 is a gelatinase. To evaluate the potential of Aa2_1884 in the preparation of collagen oligopeptides from bovine bone collagen, three enzymatic hydrolysis parameters, hydrolysis temperature, hydrolysis time and enzyme-substrate ratio (E/S), were optimized by single factor experiments, and the optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined to be reaction at 60 ℃ for 3 h with an E/S of 400 U/g. Under these conditions, the hydrolysis efficiency of bovine bone collagen by Aa2_1884 reached 95.3%. The resultant hydrolysate contained 97.8% peptides, in which peptides with a molecular weight lower than 1000 Da and 500 Da accounted for 55.1% and 39.5%, respectively, indicating that the hydrolysate was rich in oligopeptides. These results indicate that Aa2_1884 likely has a promising potential application in the preparation of collagen oligopeptide-rich hydrolysate from bovine bone collagen, which may provide a feasible way for the high-value utilization of bovine bone collagen.
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14
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McKenna S, Huse KK, Giblin S, Pearson M, Majid Al Shibar MS, Sriskandan S, Matthews S, Pease JE. The Role of Streptococcal Cell-Envelope Proteases in Bacterial Evasion of the Innate Immune System. J Innate Immun 2021; 14:69-88. [PMID: 34649250 PMCID: PMC9082167 DOI: 10.1159/000516956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria possess the ability to evolve varied and ingenious strategies to outwit the host immune system, instigating an evolutionary arms race. Proteases are amongst the many weapons employed by bacteria, which specifically cleave and neutralize key signalling molecules required for a coordinated immune response. In this article, we focus on a family of S8 subtilisin-like serine proteases expressed as cell-envelope proteases (CEPs) by group A and group B streptococci. Two of these proteases known as Streptococcus pyogenes CEP (SpyCEP) and C5a peptidase cleave the chemokine CXCL8 and the complement fragment C5a, respectively. Both CXCL8 and C5a are potent neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, and by neutralizing their activity, streptococci evade a key defence mechanism of innate immunity. We review the mechanisms by which CXCL8 and C5a recruit neutrophils and the characterization of SpyCEP and C5a peptidase, including both in vitro and in vivo studies. Recently described structural insights into the function of this CEP family are also discussed. We conclude by examining the progress of prototypic vaccines incorporating SpyCEP and C5a peptidase in their preparation. Since streptococci-producing SpyCEP and C5a peptidase are responsible for a considerable global disease burden, targeting these proteases by vaccination strategies or by small-molecule antagonists should provide protection from and promote the resolution of streptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie McKenna
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin Krohn Huse
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Giblin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Edward Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Teçza M, Kagawa TF, Jain M, Cooney JC. Enzyme kinetic and binding studies identify determinants of specificity for the immunomodulatory enzyme ScpA, a C5a inactivating bacterial protease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2356-2365. [PMID: 33897974 PMCID: PMC8052502 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human complement protein C5a is implicated in immunomodulatory diseases. ScpA, a C5a inactivating protease, represents a novel enzymatic approach to therapy. High-affinity ScpA specificity for C5a is driven by C5a core-exosite interactions. 3 Arginines in the C5a core, and electrostatic interactions contribute to binding. These studies are first steps in the development of novel immunomodulatory therapies.
The Streptococcal C5a peptidase (ScpA) specifically inactivates the human complement factor hC5a, a potent anaphylatoxin recently identified as a therapeutic target for treatment of COVID-19 infections. Biologics used to modulate hC5a are predominantly monoclonal antibodies. Here we present data to support an alternative therapeutic approach based on the specific inactivation of hC5a by ScpA in studies using recombinant hC5a (rhC5a). Initial characterization of ScpA confirmed activity in human serum and against rhC5a desArg (rhC5adR), the predominant hC5a form in blood. A new FRET based enzyme assay showed that ScpA cleaved rhC5a at near physiological concentrations (Km 185 nM). Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) studies established a high affinity ScpA-rhC5a interaction (KD 34 nM, KDITC 30.8 nM). SPR analyses also showed that substrate binding is dominated (88% of ΔG°bind) by interactions with the bulky N-ter cleavage product (PN, ’core’ residues 1–67) with interactions involving the C-ter R74 contributing most of the remaining ΔG°bind. Furthermore, reduced binding affinity following mutation of a subset of positively charged Arginine residues of PN and in the presence of higher salt concentrations, highlighted the importance of electrostatic interactions. These data provide the first in-depth study of the ScpA-C5a interaction and indicate that ScpA’s ability to efficiently cleave physiological concentrations of C5a is driven by electrostatic interactions between an exosite on the enzyme and the ‘core’ of C5a. The results and methods described herein will facilitate engineering of ScpA to enhance its potential as a therapeutic for excessive immune response to infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Teçza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Todd F Kagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,SSPC, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Monica Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jakki C Cooney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,SSPC, University of Limerick, Ireland
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16
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Wang G, Zhao J, Zhao Y, Wang S, Feng S, Gu G. Immunogenicity Assessment of Different Segments and Domains of Group a Streptococcal C5a Peptidase and Their Application Potential as Carrier Protein for Glycoconjugate Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020139. [PMID: 33572233 PMCID: PMC7915350 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococcal C5a peptidase (ScpA) is a highly conserved surface virulence factor present on group A streptococcus (GAS) cell surfaces. It has attracted much more attention as a promising antigenic target for GAS vaccine development due to its high antigenicity to stimulate specific and immunoprotective antibodies. In this study, a series of segments of ScpA were rationally designed according to the functional domains described in its crystal structure, efficiently prepared and immunologically evaluated so as to assess their potential as antigens for the development of subunit vaccines. Immunological studies revealed that Fn, Fn2, and rsScpA193 proteins were promising antigen candidates worthy for further exploration. In addition, the potential of Fn and Fn2 as carrier proteins to formulate effective glycoconjugate vaccine was also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Guofeng Gu
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-532-5863-1408
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17
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Hansen EB, Marcatili P. Modeled Structure of the Cell Envelope Proteinase of Lactococcus lactis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:613986. [PMID: 33415101 PMCID: PMC7783315 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.613986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell envelope proteinase (CEP) of Lactococcus lactis is a large extracellular protease covalently linked to the peptidoglycan of the cell wall. Strains of L. lactis are typically auxotrophic for several amino acids and in order to grow to high cell densities in milk they need an extracellular protease. The structure of the entire CEP enzyme is difficult to determine experimentally due to the large size and due to the attachment to the cell surface. We here describe the use of a combination of structure prediction tools to create a structural model for the entire CEP enzyme of Lactococcus lactis. The model has implications for how the bacterium interacts with casein micelles during growth in milk, and it has implications regarding the energetics of the proteolytic system. Our model for the CEP indicates that the catalytic triad is activated through a structural change caused by interaction with the substrate. The CEP of L. lactis might become a useful model for the mode of action for enzymes belonging to the large class of S8 proteinases with a PA (protease associated) domain and a downstream fibronectin like domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egon Bech Hansen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Demark
| | - Paolo Marcatili
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Demark
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18
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Naumann TA, Naldrett MJ, Price NPJ. Kilbournase, a protease-associated domain subtilase secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis. Fungal Genet Biol 2020; 141:103399. [PMID: 32387407 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Subtilases are a large family of serine proteases that occur throughout biology. A small subset contain protease-associated (PA) domains that are structurally separate from but encoded within the active site. In bacteria, subtilase PA domains function to recruit specific protein substrates. Here we demonstrate that a protease secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis, which truncates corn ChitA chitinase, is a PA domain subtilase. Protease was purified from S. maydis cultures and tryptic peptides were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Ions were mapped to two predicted PA domain subtilases. Yeast strains were engineered to express each protease. One failed to produce recombinant protein while the other secreted protease that truncated ChitA. This protease, that we named kilbournase, was purified and characterized. It cleaved multiple peptide bonds in the amino-terminal chitin binding domain of ChitA while leaving the catalytic domain intact. Kilbournase was more active on the ChitA-B73 alloform compared to ChitA-LH82 and did not cleave AtChitIV3, a homolog from Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating a high level of specificity. Truncation of corn ChitA by kilbournase resembles truncation of human C5a by Streptococcus pyogenes ScpA, arguing that PA domain proteases in bacteria and fungi may commonly target specific host proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Naumann
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agriculture Utilization Research, Peoria, IL 61604, United States.
| | - Michael J Naldrett
- Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, Beadle Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Neil P J Price
- Renewable Product Technology Research Unit, National Center for Agriculture Utilization Research, Peoria, IL 61604, United States
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19
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McKenna S, Malito E, Rouse SL, Abate F, Bensi G, Chiarot E, Micoli F, Mancini F, Gomes Moriel D, Grandi G, Mossakowska D, Pearson M, Xu Y, Pease J, Sriskandan S, Margarit I, Bottomley MJ, Matthews S. Structure, dynamics and immunogenicity of a catalytically inactive C XC chemokine-degrading protease SpyCEP from Streptococcus pyogenes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:650-660. [PMID: 32257048 PMCID: PMC7113628 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 18 million disease cases and half a million deaths worldwide are estimated to be caused annually by Group A Streptococcus. A vaccine to prevent GAS disease is urgently needed. SpyCEP (Streptococcus pyogenes Cell-Envelope Proteinase) is a surface-exposed serine protease that inactivates chemokines, impairing neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance, and has shown promising immunogenicity in preclinical models. Although SpyCEP structure has been partially characterized, a more complete and higher resolution understanding of its antigenic features would be desirable prior to large scale manufacturing. To address these gaps and facilitate development of this globally important vaccine, we performed immunogenicity studies with a safety-engineered SpyCEP mutant, and comprehensively characterized its structure by combining X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. We found that the catalytically-inactive SpyCEP antigen conferred protection similar to wild-type SpyCEP in a mouse infection model. Further, a new higher-resolution crystal structure of the inactive SpyCEP mutant provided new insights into this large chemokine protease comprising nine domains derived from two non-covalently linked fragments. NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation analyses revealed conformational flexibility that is likely important for optimal substrate recognition and overall function. These combined immunogenicity and structural data demonstrate that the full-length SpyCEP inactive mutant is a strong candidate human vaccine antigen. These findings show how a multi-disciplinary study was used to overcome obstacles in the development of a GAS vaccine, an approach applicable to other future vaccine programs. Moreover, the information provided may also facilitate the structure-based discovery of small-molecule therapeutics targeting SpyCEP protease inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie McKenna
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Enrico Malito
- GlaxoSmithKline, 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Sarah L. Rouse
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Danilo Gomes Moriel
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Guido Grandi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Danuta Mossakowska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB), Jagiellonian University Krakow, Gronostajowa 7a Str, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Max Pearson
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yingqi Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - James Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Shiranee Sriskandan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | | | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ, UK
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20
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Davies MR, McIntyre L, Mutreja A, Lacey JA, Lees JA, Towers RJ, Duchêne S, Smeesters PR, Frost HR, Price DJ, Holden MTG, David S, Giffard PM, Worthing KA, Seale AC, Berkley JA, Harris SR, Rivera-Hernandez T, Berking O, Cork AJ, Torres RSLA, Lithgow T, Strugnell RA, Bergmann R, Nitsche-Schmitz P, Chhatwal GS, Bentley SD, Fraser JD, Moreland NJ, Carapetis JR, Steer AC, Parkhill J, Saul A, Williamson DA, Currie BJ, Tong SYC, Dougan G, Walker MJ. Atlas of group A streptococcal vaccine candidates compiled using large-scale comparative genomics. Nat Genet 2019; 51:1035-1043. [PMID: 31133745 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-019-0417-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) is a bacterial pathogen for which a commercial vaccine for humans is not available. Employing the advantages of high-throughput DNA sequencing technology to vaccine design, we have analyzed 2,083 globally sampled GAS genomes. The global GAS population structure reveals extensive genomic heterogeneity driven by homologous recombination and overlaid with high levels of accessory gene plasticity. We identified the existence of more than 290 clinically associated genomic phylogroups across 22 countries, highlighting challenges in designing vaccines of global utility. To determine vaccine candidate coverage, we investigated all of the previously described GAS candidate antigens for gene carriage and gene sequence heterogeneity. Only 15 of 28 vaccine antigen candidates were found to have both low naturally occurring sequence variation and high (>99%) coverage across this diverse GAS population. This technological platform for vaccine coverage determination is equally applicable to prospective GAS vaccine antigens identified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK. .,School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Liam McIntyre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ankur Mutreja
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John A Lees
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Towers
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Sebastián Duchêne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Pediatrics, Queen Fabiola Childrens University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hannah R Frost
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Pediatrics, Queen Fabiola Childrens University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Price
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew T G Holden
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Sophia David
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Philip M Giffard
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Kate A Worthing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - James A Berkley
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Tania Rivera-Hernandez
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Olga Berking
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda J Cork
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rosângela S L A Torres
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Epidemiology Laboratory and Disease Control Division, Laboratório Central do Estado do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Medicine, Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard A Strugnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rene Bergmann
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - John D Fraser
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia and Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bart J Currie
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Doherty Department, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Disease Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gordon Dougan
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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21
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Structure of ScpC, a virulence protease from Streptococcus pyogenes, reveals the functional domains and maturation mechanism. Biochem J 2018; 475:2847-2860. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) causes a wide range of infections, including pharyngitis, impetigo, and necrotizing fasciitis, and results in over half a million deaths annually. GAS ScpC (SpyCEP), a 180-kDa surface-exposed, subtilisin-like serine protease, acts as an essential virulence factor that helps S. pyogenes evade the innate immune response by cleaving and inactivating C-X-C chemokines. ScpC is thus a key candidate for the development of a vaccine against GAS and other pathogenic streptococcal species. Here, we report the crystal structures of full-length ScpC wild-type, the inactive mutant, and the ScpC–AEBSF inhibitor complex. We show ScpC to be a multi-domain, modular protein consisting of nine structural domains, of which the first five constitute the PR + A region required for catalytic activity. The four unique C-terminal domains of this protein are similar to collagen-binding and pilin proteins, suggesting an additional role for ScpC as an adhesin that might mediate the attachment of S. pyogenes to various host tissues. The Cat domain of ScpC is similar to subtilisin-like proteases with significant difference to dictate its specificity toward C-X-C chemokines. We further show that ScpC does not undergo structural rearrangement upon maturation. In the ScpC–inhibitor complex, the bound inhibitor breaks the hydrogen bond between active-site residues, which is essential for catalysis. Guided by our structure, we designed various epitopes and raised antibodies capable of neutralizing ScpC activity. Collectively, our results demonstrate the structure, maturation process, inhibition, and substrate recognition of GAS ScpC, and reveal the presence of functional domains at the C-terminal region.
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22
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Song JY, Lim JH, Lim S, Yong Z, Seo HS. Progress toward a group B streptococcal vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:2669-2681. [PMID: 29995578 PMCID: PMC6314413 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1493326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a leading cause of severe invasive disease in neonate, elderly, and immunocompromised patients worldwide. Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) of GBS infections, it remains one of the most common causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, causing serious infections. Furthermore, recent studies reported an increasing number of GBS infections in pregnant women and elderly. Although IAP is effective, it has several limitations, including increasing antimicrobial resistance and late GBS infection after negative antenatal screening. Maternal immunization is the most promising and effective countermeasure against GBS infection in neonates. However, no vaccine is available to date, but two types of vaccines, protein subunit and capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccines, were investigated in clinical trials. Here, we provide an overview of the GBS vaccine development status and recent advances in the development of immunoassays to evaluate the GBS vaccine clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Young Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyang Lim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyong Lim
- Biotechnology Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhi Yong
- Biotechnology Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Seong Seo
- Biotechnology Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Schaller A, Stintzi A, Rivas S, Serrano I, Chichkova NV, Vartapetian AB, Martínez D, Guiamét JJ, Sueldo DJ, van der Hoorn RAL, Ramírez V, Vera P. From structure to function - a family portrait of plant subtilases. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 218:901-915. [PMID: 28467631 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Contents Summary 901 I. Introduction 901 II. Biochemistry and structure of plant SBTs 902 III. Phylogeny of plant SBTs and family organization 903 IV. Physiological roles of plant SBTs 905 V. Conclusions and outlook 911 Acknowledgements 912 References 912 SUMMARY: Subtilases (SBTs) are serine peptidases that are found in all three domains of life. As compared with homologs in other Eucarya, plant SBTs are more closely related to archaeal and bacterial SBTs, with which they share many biochemical and structural features. However, in the course of evolution, functional diversification led to the acquisition of novel, plant-specific functions, resulting in the present-day complexity of the plant SBT family. SBTs are much more numerous in plants than in any other organism, and include enzymes involved in general proteolysis as well as highly specific processing proteases. Most SBTs are targeted to the cell wall, where they contribute to the control of growth and development by regulating the properties of the cell wall and the activity of extracellular signaling molecules. Plant SBTs affect all stages of the life cycle as they contribute to embryogenesis, seed development and germination, cuticle formation and epidermal patterning, vascular development, programmed cell death, organ abscission, senescence, and plant responses to their biotic and abiotic environments. In this article we provide a comprehensive picture of SBT structure and function in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schaller
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, 70593, Germany
| | - Annick Stintzi
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, 70593, Germany
| | - Susana Rivas
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes, LIPM, Université de Toulouse, INRA, CNRS, Castanet-Tolosan, 31326, France
| | - Irene Serrano
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes, LIPM, Université de Toulouse, INRA, CNRS, Castanet-Tolosan, 31326, France
| | - Nina V Chichkova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Andrey B Vartapetian
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Dana Martínez
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Juan J Guiamét
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Daniela J Sueldo
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Renier A L van der Hoorn
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Vicente Ramírez
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Pablo Vera
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Valencia, 46022, Spain
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Fernández FJ, Gómez S, Vega MC. Pathogens' toolbox to manipulate human complement. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 85:98-109. [PMID: 29221973 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The surveillance and pathogen fighting functions of the complement system have evolved to protect mammals from life-threatening infections. In turn, pathogens have developed complex molecular mechanisms to subvert, divert and evade the effector functions of the complement. The study of complement immunoevasion by pathogens sheds light on their infection drivers, knowledge that is essential to implement therapies. At the same time, complement evasion also acts as a discovery ground that reveals important aspects of how complement works under physiological conditions. In recent years, complex interrelationships between infection insults and the onset of autoimmune and complement dysregulation diseases have led to propose that encounters with pathogens can act as triggering factors for disease. The correct management of these diseases involves the recognition of their triggering factors and the development and administration of complement-associated molecular therapies. Even more recently, unsuspected proteins from pathogens have been shown to possess moonlighting functions as virulence factors, raising the possibility that behind the first line of virulence factors there be many more pathogen proteins playing secondary, helping and supporting roles for the pathogen to successfully establish infections. In an era where antibiotics have a progressively reduced effect on the management and control of infectious diseases worldwide, knowledge on the mechanisms of pathogenic invasion and evasion look more necessary and pressing than ever.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Gómez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Cristina Vega
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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25
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Multi-functional mechanisms of immune evasion by the streptococcal complement inhibitor C5a peptidase. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006493. [PMID: 28806402 PMCID: PMC5555575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement cascade is crucial for clearance and control of invading pathogens, and as such is a key target for pathogen mediated host modulation. C3 is the central molecule of the complement cascade, and plays a vital role in opsonization of bacteria and recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection. Streptococcal species have evolved multiple mechanisms to disrupt complement-mediated innate immunity, among which ScpA (C5a peptidase), a C5a inactivating enzyme, is widely conserved. Here we demonstrate for the first time that pyogenic streptococcal species are capable of cleaving C3, and identify C3 and C3a as novel substrates for the streptococcal ScpA, which are functionally inactivated as a result of cleavage 7 amino acids upstream of the natural C3 convertase. Cleavage of C3a by ScpA resulted in disruption of human neutrophil activation, phagocytosis and chemotaxis, while cleavage of C3 generated abnormally-sized C3a and C3b moieties with impaired function, in particular reducing C3 deposition on the bacterial surface. Despite clear effects on human complement, expression of ScpA reduced clearance of group A streptococci in vivo in wildtype and C5 deficient mice, and promoted systemic bacterial dissemination in mice that lacked both C3 and C5, suggesting an additional complement-independent role for ScpA in streptococcal pathogenesis. ScpA was shown to mediate streptococcal adhesion to both human epithelial and endothelial cells, consistent with a role in promoting bacterial invasion within the host. Taken together, these data show that ScpA is a multi-functional virulence factor with both complement-dependent and independent roles in streptococcal pathogenesis. The complement pathway is critical in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. It consists of a self-perpetuating proteolytic cascade initiated via three distinct pathways that converge at the central complement protein, C3. Pathogens must evade complement-mediated immunity to cause disease, and inactivation of the C3 protein can dampen all effectors of this pathway. Streptococcal species are the causative agents of an array of infections ranging from the benign to lethal. Using the human pathogen Group A Streptococcus as a representative species, we show that the enzyme ScpA, which is conserved amongst the pyogenic streptococci, cleaves human C3a and also C3, releasing abnormally sized and functionally-impaired fragments. As a result, invading streptococci were less well opsonized and host immune cells not properly activated, reducing bacterial phagocytosis and clearance. Despite manifest in vitro activity against complement factors and human neutrophils, ScpA was still able to contribute to systemic bacterial spread in mice lacking C3 and C5. ScpA was also demonstrated to mediate streptococcal adhesion to both epithelial and endothelial cells, which may enhance bacterial systemic spread. Our study highlights the likely importance of both complement-independent and complement-dependent roles for ScpA in streptococcal pathogenesis.
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26
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Li H, Wang S, Zhao Y, Chen Z, Gu G, Guo Z. Mutagenesis and immunological evaluation of group A streptococcal C5a peptidase as an antigen for vaccine development and as a carrier protein for glycoconjugate vaccine design. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra07923k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A non-enzymatic recombinant ScpA mutant (H193A) was prepared and investigated to probe its application potential in the development of GAS vaccines and as a carrier protein of glycoconjugate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
| | - Subo Wang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
| | - Yisheng Zhao
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
| | - Zonggang Chen
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
| | - Guofeng Gu
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- School of Life Science
- Shandong University
- China
- Department of Chemistry
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27
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Li HJ, Tang BL, Shao X, Liu BX, Zheng XY, Han XX, Li PY, Zhang XY, Song XY, Chen XL. Characterization of a New S8 serine Protease from Marine Sedimentary Photobacterium sp. A5-7 and the Function of Its Protease-Associated Domain. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2016. [PMID: 28066343 PMCID: PMC5177683 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular proteases are important for bacterial nutrition and marine sedimentary organic nitrogen degradation. However, only a few proteases from marine sedimentary bacteria have been characterized. Some subtilases have a protease-associated (PA) domain inserted in the catalytic domain. Although structural analysis and deletion mutation suggests that the PA domain in subtilases is involved in substrate binding, direct evidence to support this function is still absent. Here, a protease, P57, secreted by Photobacterium sp. A5-7 isolated from marine sediment was characterized. P57 could hydrolyze casein, gelatin and collagen. It showed the highest activity at 40°C and pH 8.0. P57 is a new subtilase, with 63% sequence identity to the closest characterized protease. Mature P57 contains a catalytic domain and an inserted PA domain. The recombinant PA domain from P57 was shown to have collagen-binding ability, and Phe349 and Tyr432 were revealed to be key residues for collagen binding in the PA domain. This study first shows direct evidence that the PA domain of a subtilase can bind substrate, which provides a better understanding of the function of the PA domain of subtilases and bacterial extracellular proteases from marine sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and TechnologyQingdao, China
| | - Bai-Lu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xuan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Bai-Xue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xiao-Xu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Ping-Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xi-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xiu-Lan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
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28
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Good MF, Pandey M, Batzloff MR, Tyrrell GJ. Strategic development of the conserved region of the M protein and other candidates as vaccines to prevent infection with group A streptococci. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:1459-70. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1081817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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29
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Sun Z, Harris HMB, McCann A, Guo C, Argimón S, Zhang W, Yang X, Jeffery IB, Cooney JC, Kagawa TF, Liu W, Song Y, Salvetti E, Wrobel A, Rasinkangas P, Parkhill J, Rea MC, O'Sullivan O, Ritari J, Douillard FP, Paul Ross R, Yang R, Briner AE, Felis GE, de Vos WM, Barrangou R, Klaenhammer TR, Caufield PW, Cui Y, Zhang H, O'Toole PW. Expanding the biotechnology potential of lactobacilli through comparative genomics of 213 strains and associated genera. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8322. [PMID: 26415554 PMCID: PMC4667430 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactobacilli are a diverse group of species that occupy diverse nutrient-rich niches associated with humans, animals, plants and food. They are used widely in biotechnology and food preservation, and are being explored as therapeutics. Exploiting lactobacilli has been complicated by metabolic diversity, unclear species identity and uncertain relationships between them and other commercially important lactic acid bacteria. The capacity for biotransformations catalysed by lactobacilli is an untapped biotechnology resource. Here we report the genome sequences of 213 Lactobacillus strains and associated genera, and their encoded genetic catalogue for modifying carbohydrates and proteins. In addition, we describe broad and diverse presence of novel CRISPR-Cas immune systems in lactobacilli that may be exploited for genome editing. We rationalize the phylogenomic distribution of host interaction factors and bacteriocins that affect their natural and industrial environments, and mechanisms to withstand stress during technological processes. We present a robust phylogenomic framework of existing species and for classifying new species. Lactobacillus is a lactic acid bacteria and has a wide range of application from use in probiotic food production to biotherapeutics. Here, the authors sequence and compare the genomes of 213 different Lactobacillus strains and related genera, and provide new insight into phylogenomic organization and adaptive immunity elements in this bacteria family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Education Ministry of China, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Hugh M B Harris
- School of Microbiology, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337, Ireland
| | - Angela McCann
- School of Microbiology, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337, Ireland
| | - Chenyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Silvia Argimón
- College of Dentistry, New York University, New York City, New York 10010, USA
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Education Ministry of China, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Xianwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ian B Jeffery
- School of Microbiology, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337, Ireland
| | - Jakki C Cooney
- Department Life Sciences &MSSI, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Todd F Kagawa
- Department Life Sciences &MSSI, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Education Ministry of China, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Yuqin Song
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Education Ministry of China, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Elisa Salvetti
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Wrobel
- School of Microbiology, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337, Ireland
| | - Pia Rasinkangas
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | | | - Mary C Rea
- Department of Biotechnology, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Orla O'Sullivan
- Department of Biotechnology, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Jarmo Ritari
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - François P Douillard
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - R Paul Ross
- Department of Biotechnology, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Alexandra E Briner
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Giovanna E Felis
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Willem M de Vos
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.,Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6703HB, The Netherlands
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Todd R Klaenhammer
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Page W Caufield
- College of Dentistry, New York University, New York City, New York 10010, USA
| | - Yujun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Heping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Education Ministry of China, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Paul W O'Toole
- School of Microbiology, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337, Ireland
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30
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Okumura CYM, Nizet V. Subterfuge and sabotage: evasion of host innate defenses by invasive gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Annu Rev Microbiol 2014; 68:439-58. [PMID: 25002085 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-092412-155711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of a severe invasive bacterial infection in an otherwise healthy individual is one of the most striking and fascinating aspects of human medicine. A small cadre of gram-positive pathogens of the genera Streptococcus and Staphylococcus stand out for their unique invasive disease potential and sophisticated ability to counteract the multifaceted components of human innate defense. This review illustrates how these leading human disease agents evade host complement deposition and activation, impede phagocyte recruitment and activation, resist the microbicidal activities of host antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species, escape neutrophil extracellular traps, and promote and accelerate phagocyte cell death through the action of pore-forming cytolysins. Understanding the molecular basis of bacterial innate immune resistance can open new avenues for therapeutic intervention geared to disabling specific virulence factors and resensitizing the pathogen to host innate immune clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Y M Okumura
- Department of Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California 90041;
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31
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Abate F, Malito E, Falugi F, Margarit Y Ros I, Bottomley MJ. Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of SpyCEP, a candidate antigen for a vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2013; 69:1103-6. [PMID: 24100558 PMCID: PMC3792666 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309113024871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus; GAS) is an important human pathogen against which an effective vaccine does not yet exist. The S. pyogenes protein SpyCEP (S. pyogenes cell-envelope proteinase) is a surface-exposed subtilisin-like serine protease of 1647 amino acids. In addition to its auto-protease activity, SpyCEP is capable of cleaving interleukin 8 and related chemokines, contributing to GAS immune-evasion strategies. SpyCEP is immunogenic and confers protection in animal models of GAS infections. In order to structurally characterize this promising vaccine candidate, several SpyCEP protein-expression constructs were designed, cloned, produced in Escherichia coli, purified by affinity chromatography and subjected to crystallization trials. Crystals of a selenomethionyl form of a near-full-length SpyCEP ectodomain were obtained. The crystals diffracted X-rays to 3.3 Å resolution and belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a=139.2, b=120.4, c=104.3 Å, β=111°.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Abate
- Research Centre, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Enrico Malito
- Research Centre, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Fabiana Falugi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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32
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Potempa M, Potempa J. Protease-dependent mechanisms of complement evasion by bacterial pathogens. Biol Chem 2013; 393:873-88. [PMID: 22944688 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2012-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The human immune system has evolved a variety of mechanisms for the primary task of neutralizing and eliminating microbial intruders. As the first line of defense, the complement system is responsible for rapid recognition and opsonization of bacteria, presentation to phagocytes and bacterial cell killing by direct lysis. All successful human pathogens have mechanisms of circumventing the antibacterial activity of the complement system and escaping this stage of the immune response. One of the ways in which pathogens achieve this is the deployment of proteases. Based on the increasing number of recent publications in this area, it appears that proteolytic inactivation of the antibacterial activities of the complement system is a common strategy of avoiding targeting by this arm of host innate immune defense. In this review, we focus on those bacteria that deploy proteases capable of degrading complement system components into non-functional fragments, thus impairing complement-dependent antibacterial activity and facilitating pathogen survival inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Potempa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
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33
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Tan-Wilson A, Bandak B, Prabu-Jeyabalan M. The PA domain is crucial for determining optimum substrate length for soybean protease C1: structure and kinetics correlate with molecular function. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2012; 53:27-32. [PMID: 22285412 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A subtilisin-like enzyme, soybean protease C1 (EC 3.4.21.25), initiates the degradation of the β-conglycinin storage proteins in early seedling growth. Previous kinetic studies revealed a nine-residue (P5-P4') length requirement for substrate peptides to attain optimum cleavage rates. This modeling study used the crystal structure of tomato subtilase (SBT3) as a starting model to explain the length requirement. The study also correlates structure to kinetic studies that elucidated the amino acid preferences of soybean protease C1 for P1, P1' and P4' locations of the cleavage sequence. The interactions of a number of protease C1 residues with P5, P4 and P4' residues of its substrate elucidated by this analysis can explain why the enzyme only hydrolyzes peptide bonds outside of soybean storage protein's core double β-barrel cupin domains. The findings further correlate with the literature-reported hypothesis for the subtilisin-specific protease-associated (PA) domain to play a critical role. Residues of the SBT3 PA domain also interact with the P2' residue on the substrate's carboxyl side of the scissile bond, while those on protease C1 interact with its substrate's P4' residue. This stands in contrast with the subtilisin BPN' that has no PA domain, and where the enzyme makes stronger interaction with residues on the amino side of the cleaved bond. The variable patterns of interactions between the substrate models and PA domains of tomato SBT3 and soybean protease C1 illustrate a crucial role for the PA domain in molecular recognition of their substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tan-Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Binghamton, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
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34
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Xu Z, Du X, Li T, Gan F, Tang B, Tang XF. Functional insight into the C-terminal extension of halolysin SptA from haloarchaeon Natrinema sp. J7. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23562. [PMID: 21886797 PMCID: PMC3158780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Halolysin SptA from haloarchaeon Natrinema sp. J7 consists of a subtilisin-like catalytic domain and a C-terminal extension (CTE) containing two cysteine residues. In this report, we have investigated the function of the CTE using recombinant enzymes expressed in Haloferax volcanii WFD11. Deletion of the CTE greatly reduced but did not abolish protease activity, which suggests that the CTE is not essential for enzyme folding. Mutational analysis suggests that residues Cys303 and Cys338 within the CTE form a disulfide bond that make this domain resistant to autocleavage and proteolysis under hypotonic conditions. Characterization of full-length and CTE-truncation enzymes indicates the CTE not only confers extra stability to the enzyme but also assists enzyme activity on protein substrates by facilitating binding at high salinities. Interestingly, homology modeling of the CTE yields a β-jelly roll-like structure similar to those seen in Claudin-binding domain of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (clostridial C-CPE) and collagen binding domain (CBD), and the CTE also possesses collagen-binding activity, making it a potential candidate as an anchoring unit in drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tingting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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Inhibiting the C5-C5a receptor axis. Mol Immunol 2011; 48:1631-42. [PMID: 21549429 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the complement system is a major pathogenic event that drives various inflammatory responses in numerous diseases. All pathways of complement activation lead to cleavage of the C5 molecule generating the anaphylatoxin C5a and, C5b that subsequently forms the terminal complement complex (C5b-9). C5a exerts a predominant pro-inflammatory activity through interactions with the classical G-protein coupled receptor C5aR (CD88) as well as with the non-G protein coupled receptor C5L2 (GPR77), expressed on various immune and non-immune cells. C5b-9 causes cytolysis through the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), and sub-lytic MAC and soluble C5b-9 also possess a multitude of non-cytolytic immune functions. These two complement effectors, C5a and C5b-9, generated from C5 cleavage, are key components of the complement system responsible for propagating and/or initiating pathology in different diseases, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia-reperfusion injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the C5-C5a receptor axis represents an attractive target for drug development. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of different methods of inhibiting the generation of C5a and C5b-9 as well as the signalling cascade of C5a via its receptors. These include the inhibition of C5 cleavage through targeting of C5 convertases or via the C5 molecule itself, as well as blocking the activity of C5a by neutralizing antibodies and pharmacological inhibitors, or by targeting C5a receptors per se. Examples of drugs and naturally occurring compounds used are discussed in relation to disease models and clinical trials. To date, only one such compound has thus far made it to clinical medicine: the anti-C5 antibody eculizumab, for treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. However, a number of drug candidates are rapidly emerging that are currently in early-phase clinical trials. The C5-C5a axis as a target for drug development is highly promising for the treatment of currently intractable major human diseases.
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Structural basis for Ca2+-independence and activation by homodimerization of tomato subtilase 3. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:17223-8. [PMID: 19805099 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0907587106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Subtilases are serine proteases found in Archae, Bacteria, yeasts, and higher eukaryotes. Plants possess many more of these subtilisin-like endopeptidases than animals, e.g., 56 identified genes in Arabidopsis compared with only 9 in humans, indicating important roles for subtilases in plant biology. We report the first structure of a plant subtilase, SBT3 from tomato, in the active apo form and complexed with a chloromethylketone (cmk) inhibitor. The domain architecture comprises an N-terminal protease domain displaying a 132 aa protease-associated (PA) domain insertion and a C-terminal seven-stranded jelly-roll fibronectin (Fn) III-like domain. We present the first structural evidence for an explicit function of PA domains in proteases revealing a vital role in the homo-dimerization of SBT3 and in enzyme activation. Although Ca(2+)-binding sites are conserved and critical for stability in other subtilases, SBT3 was found to be Ca(2+)-free and its thermo stability is Ca(2+)-independent.
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Chemokine degradation by the Group A streptococcal serine proteinase ScpC can be reconstituted in vitro and requires two separate domains. Biochem J 2009; 422:533-42. [PMID: 19552626 DOI: 10.1042/bj20090278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common human pathogens and possesses diverse mechanisms to evade the human immune defence. One example of its immune evasion is the degradation of the chemokine IL (interleukin)-8 by ScpC, a serine proteinase that prevents the recruitment of neutrophils to an infection site. By applying the ANTIGENome technology and using human serum antibodies, we identified Spy0416, annotated as ScpC, as a prominent antigen that induces protective immune responses in animals. We demonstrate here for the first time that the recombinant form of Spy0416 is capable of IL-8 degradation in vitro in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Mutations in the conserved amino acid residues of the catalytic triad of Spy0416 completely abolished in vitro activity. However, the isolated predicted proteinase domain does not exhibit IL-8-degrading activity, but is dependent on the presence of the C-terminal region of Spy0416. Binding to IL-8 is mainly mediated by the catalytic domain. However, the C-terminal region modulates substrate binding, indicating that the proteolytic activity is amenable to regulation via the non-catalytic regions. The specificity for human substrates is not restricted to IL-8, since we also detected in vitro protease activity for another CXC chemokine GRO-alpha (growth-related oncogene alpha), but not for NAP-2 (neutrophil-activating protein 2), SDF (stromal-cell-derived factor)-1alpha, PF-4 (platelet factor 4), I-TAC (interferon-gamma-inducible T-cell alpha-chemoattractant), IP-10 (interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10) and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1). The degradation of two human CXC chemokines in vitro, the high sequence conservation, the immunogenicity of the protein in humans and the shown protection in animal studies suggest that Spy0416 is a promising vaccine candidate for the prevention of infections by S. pyogenes.
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