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Lannes-Costa PS, de Oliveira JSS, da Silva Santos G, Nagao PE. A current review of pathogenicity determinants of Streptococcus sp. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:1600-1620. [PMID: 33772968 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The genus Streptococcus comprises important pathogens, many of them are part of the human or animal microbiota. Advances in molecular genetics, taxonomic approaches and phylogenomic studies have led to the establishment of at least 100 species that have a severe impact on human health and are responsible for substantial economic losses to agriculture. The infectivity of the pathogens is linked to cell-surface components and/or secreted virulence factors. Bacteria have evolved sophisticated and multifaceted adaptation strategies to the host environment, including biofilm formation, survival within professional phagocytes, escape the host immune response, amongst others. This review focuses on virulence mechanism and zoonotic potential of Streptococcus species from pyogenic (S. agalactiae, S. pyogenes) and mitis groups (S. pneumoniae).
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Lannes-Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J S S de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G da Silva Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P E Nagao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ayinuola YA, Brito-Robinson T, Ayinuola O, Beck JE, Cruz-Topete D, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Streptococcus co-opts a conformational lock in human plasminogen to facilitate streptokinase cleavage and bacterial virulence. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100099. [PMID: 33208461 PMCID: PMC7948469 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.016262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Virulent strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (gram-positive group A Streptococcus pyogenes [GAS]) recruit host single-chain human plasminogen (hPg) to the cell surface-where in the case of Pattern D strains of GAS, hPg binds directly to the cells through a surface receptor, plasminogen-binding group A streptococcal M-protein (PAM). The coinherited Pattern D GAS-secreted streptokinase (SK2b) then accelerates cleavage of hPg at the R561-V562 peptide bond, resulting in the disulfide-linked two-chain protease, human plasmin (hPm). hPm localizes on the bacterial surface, assisting bacterial dissemination via proteolysis of host defense proteins. Studies using isolated domains from PAM and hPg revealed that the A-domain of PAM binds to the hPg kringle-2 module (K2hPg), but how this relates to the function of the full-length proteins is unclear. Herein, we use intact proteins to show that the lysine-binding site of K2hPg is a major determinant of the activation-resistant T-conformation of hPg. The binding of PAM to the lysine-binding site of K2hPg relaxes the conformation of hPg, leading to a greatly enhanced activation rate of hPg by SK2b. Domain swapping between hPg and mouse Pg emphasizes the importance of the Pg latent heavy chain (residues 1-561) in PAM binding and shows that while SK2b binds to both hPg and mouse Pg, the activation properties of streptokinase are strictly attributed to the serine protease domain (residues 562-791) of hPg. Overall, these data show that native hPg is locked in an activation-resistant conformation that is relaxed upon its direct binding to PAM, allowing hPm to form and provide GAS cells with a proteolytic surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetunde A Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Teresa Brito-Robinson
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Olawole Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Julia E Beck
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Diana Cruz-Topete
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Shaun W Lee
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.
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Awad MM, Hutton ML, Quek AJ, Klare WP, Mileto SJ, Mackin K, Ly D, Oorschot V, Bosnjak M, Jenkin G, Conroy PJ, West N, Fulcher A, Costin A, Day CJ, Jennings MP, Medcalf RL, Sanderson-Smith M, Cordwell SJ, Law RHP, Whisstock JC, Lyras D. Human Plasminogen Exacerbates Clostridioides difficile Enteric Disease and Alters the Spore Surface. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:1431-1443.e6. [PMID: 32574621 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The protease plasmin is an important wound healing factor, but it is not clear how it affects gastrointestinal infection-mediated damage, such as that resulting from Clostridioides difficile. We investigated the role of plasmin in C difficile-associated disease. This bacterium produces a spore form that is required for infection, so we also investigated the effects of plasmin on spores. METHODS C57BL/6J mice expressing the precursor to plasmin, the zymogen human plasminogen (hPLG), or infused with hPLG were infected with C difficile, and disease progression was monitored. Gut tissues were collected, and cytokine production and tissue damage were analyzed by using proteomic and cytokine arrays. Antibodies that inhibit either hPLG activation or plasmin activity were developed and structurally characterized, and their effects were tested in mice. Spores were isolated from infected patients or mice and visualized using super-resolution microscopy; the functional consequences of hPLG binding to spores were determined. RESULTS hPLG localized to the toxin-damaged gut, resulting in immune dysregulation with an increased abundance of cytokines (such as interleukin [IL] 1A, IL1B, IL3, IL10, IL12B, MCP1, MP1A, MP1B, GCSF, GMCSF, KC, TIMP-1), tissue degradation, and reduced survival. Administration of antibodies that inhibit plasminogen activation reduced disease severity in mice. C difficile spores bound specifically to hPLG and active plasmin degraded their surface, facilitating rapid germination. CONCLUSIONS We found that hPLG is recruited to the damaged gut, exacerbating C difficile disease in mice. hPLG binds to C difficile spores, and, upon activation to plasmin, remodels the spore surface, facilitating rapid spore germination. Inhibitors of plasminogen activation might be developed for treatment of C difficile or other infection-mediated gastrointestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena M Awad
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Melanie L Hutton
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Adam J Quek
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - William P Klare
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steven J Mileto
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kate Mackin
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Diane Ly
- Illawarra health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Viola Oorschot
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Marijana Bosnjak
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Grant Jenkin
- Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
| | - Paul J Conroy
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Nick West
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Alex Fulcher
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Adam Costin
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | | | | | - Robert L Medcalf
- Molecular Neurotrauma and Haemostasis, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Martina Sanderson-Smith
- Illawarra health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Stuart J Cordwell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ruby H P Law
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; South East University-Monash Joint Institute, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dena Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
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Qiu C, Yuan Y, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. A local α-helix drives structural evolution of streptococcal M-protein affinity for host human plasminogen. Biochem J 2020; 477:1613-1630. [PMID: 32270857 PMCID: PMC7663350 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasminogen-binding group A streptococcal M-protein (PAM) is a signature surface virulence factor of specific strains of Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) and is an important tight binding protein for human plasminogen (hPg). After activation of PAM-bound hPg to the protease, plasmin (hPm), GAS cells develop invasive surfaces that are critical for their pathogenicity. PAMs are helical dimers in solution, which are sensitive to temperature changes over a physiological temperature range. We previously categorized PAMs into three classes (I-III) based on the number and nature of short tandem α-helical repeats (a1 and a2) in their NH2-terminal A-domains that dictate interactions with hPg/hPm. Class II PAMs are special cases since they only contain the a2-repeat, while Class I and Class III PAMs encompass complete a1a2-repeats. All dimeric PAMs tightly associate with hPg, regardless of their categories, but monomeric Class II PAMs bind to hPg much weaker than their Class I and Class III monomeric counterparts. Additionally, since the A-domains of Class II PAMs comprise different residues from other PAMs, the issue emerges as to whether Class II PAMs utilize different amino acid side chains for interactions with hPg. Herein, through NMR-refined structural analyses, we elucidate the atomic-level hPg-binding mechanisms adopted by two representative Class II PAMs. Furthermore, we develop an evolutionary model that explains from unique structural perspectives why PAMs develop variable A-domains with regard to hPg-binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunjia Qiu
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
| | - Yue Yuan
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
| | - Shaun W. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
| | - Victoria A. Ploplis
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
| | - Francis J. Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A
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Russo BT, Ayinuola YA, Singh D, Carothers K, Fischetti VA, Flores-Mireles AL, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Liang Z, Castellino FJ. The M Protein of Streptococcus pyogenes Strain AP53 Retains Cell Surface Functional Plasminogen Binding after Inactivation of the Sortase A Gene. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:e00096-20. [PMID: 32123038 PMCID: PMC7186463 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00096-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield group A Streptococcus [GAS]) is a β-hemolytic human-selective pathogen that is responsible for a large number of morbid and mortal infections in humans. For efficient infection, GAS requires different types of surface proteins that provide various mechanisms for evading human innate immune responses, thus enhancing pathogenicity of the bacteria. Many such virulence-promoting proteins, including the major surface signature M protein, are translocated after biosynthesis through the cytoplasmic membrane and temporarily tethered to this membrane via a type 1 transmembrane domain (TMD) positioned near the COOH terminus. In these proteins, a sorting signal, LPXTG, is positioned immediately upstream of the TMD, which is cleaved by the membrane-associated transpeptidase, sortase A (SrtA), leading to the covalent anchoring of these proteins to newly emerging l-Ala-l-Ala cross-bridges of the growing peptidoglycan cell wall. Herein, we show that inactivation of the srtA gene in a skin-tropic pattern D GAS strain (AP53) results in retention of the M protein in the cell membrane. However, while the isogenic AP53 ΔsrtA strain is attenuated in overall pathogenic properties due to effects on the integrity of the cell membrane, our data show that the M protein nonetheless can extend from the cytoplasmic membrane through the cell wall and then to the surface of the bacteria and thereby retain its important properties of productively binding and activating fluid-phase host plasminogen (hPg). The studies presented herein demonstrate an underappreciated additional mechanism of cell surface display of bacterial virulence proteins via their retention in the cell membrane and extension to the GAS surface.IMPORTANCE Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen that produces many surface factors, including its signature M protein, that contribute to its pathogenicity. M proteins undergo specific membrane localization and anchoring to the cell wall via the transpeptidase sortase A. Herein, we explored the role of sortase A function on M protein localization, architecture, and function, employing, a skin-tropic GAS isolate, AP53, which expresses a human plasminogen (hPg)-binding M (PAM) Protein. We showed that PAM anchored in the cell membrane, due to the targeted inactivation of sortase A, was nonetheless exposed on the cell surface and functionally interacted with host hPg. We demonstrate that M proteins, and possibly other sortase A-processed proteins that are retained in the cell membrane, can still function to initiate pathogenic processes by this underappreciated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady T Russo
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Yetunde A Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Damini Singh
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Katelyn Carothers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Vincent A Fischetti
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ana L Flores-Mireles
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Shaun W Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhong Liang
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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