Polarisation of type III translocation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires PcrG, PcrV and PopN

Cell-Based Assay to Determine Type 3 Secretion System Translocon Assembly in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Split Luciferase

Multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a serious threat to hospitalized patients. This organism expresses an arsenal of virulence factors that enables it to readily establish infections and disseminate in the host. The Type 3 secretion system (T3SS) and its associated effectors play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa, making them attractive targets for the development of novel therapeutic agents. The T3SS translocon, composed of PopD and PopB, is an essential component of the T3SS secretion apparatus. In the properly assembled translocon, the N-terminus of PopD protrudes into the cytoplasm of the target mammalian cell, which can be exploited as a molecular indicator of functional translocon assembly. In this article, we describe a novel whole-cell-based assay that employs the split NanoLuc luciferase detection system to provide a readout for translocon assembly. The assay demonstrates a favorable signal/noise ratio (13.6) and robustness (Z' = 0.67), making it highly suitable for high-throughput screening of small-molecule inhibitors targeting T3SS translocon assembly.

Maintenance of tRNA and elongation factors supports T3SS proteins translational elongations in pathogenic bacteria during nutrient starvation

Background

Sufficient nutrition contributes to rapid translational elongation and protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic bacteria. Fast synthesis and accumulation of type III secretion system (T3SS) proteins conduce to the invasion of pathogenic bacteria into the host cells. However, the translational elongation patterns of T3SS proteins in pathogenic bacteria under T3SS-inducing conditions remain unclear. Here, we report a mechanism of translational elongation of T3SS regulators, effectors and structural protein in four model pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas oryzae and Ralstonia solanacearum) and a clinical isolate (Pseudomonas aeruginosa UCBPP-PA14) under nutrient-limiting conditions. We proposed a luminescence reporter system to quantitatively determine the translational elongation rates (ERs) of T3SS regulators, effectors and structural protein under different nutrient-limiting conditions and culture durations.

Results

The translational ERs of T3SS regulators, effectors and structural protein in these pathogenic bacteria were negatively regulated by the nutrient concentration and culture duration. The translational ERs in 0.5× T3SS-inducing medium were the highest of all tested media. In 1× T3SS-inducing medium, the translational ERs were highest at 0 min and then rapidly decreased. The translational ERs of T3SS regulators, effectors and structural protein were inhibited by tRNA degradation and by reduced levels of elongation factors (EFs).

Conclusions

Rapid translational ER and synthesis of T3SS protein need adequate tRNAs and EFs in nutrient-limiting conditions. Numeric presentation of T3SS translation visually indicates the invasion of bacteria and provides new insights into T3SS expression that can be applied to other pathogenic bacteria.

Evolutionary Conservation, Variability, and Adaptation of Type III Secretion Systems

Type III secretion (T3S) systems are complex bacterial structures used by many pathogens to inject proteins directly into the cytosol of the host cell. These secretion machines evolved from the bacterial flagella and they have been grouped into families by phylogenetic analysis. The T3S system is composed of more than 20 proteins grouped into five complexes: the cytosolic platform, the export apparatus, the basal body, the needle, and the translocon complex. While the proteins located inside the bacterium are conserved, those exposed to the external media present high variability among families. This suggests that the T3S systems have adapted to interact with different cells or tissues in the host, and/or have been subjected to the evolutionary pressure of the host immune defenses. Such adaptation led to changes in the sequence of the T3S needle tip and translocon suggesting differences in the mechanism of assembly and structure of this complex.

Identification of Small Molecules Blocking the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III Secretion System Protein PcrV

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that employs its type III secretion system (T3SS) during the acute phase of infection to translocate cytotoxins into the host cell cytoplasm to evade the immune system. The PcrV protein is located at the tip of the T3SS, facilitates the integration of pore-forming proteins into the eukaryotic cell membrane, and is required for translocation of cytotoxins into the host cell. In this study, we used surface plasmon resonance screening to identify small molecule binders of PcrV. A follow-up structure-activity relationship analysis resulted in PcrV binders that protect macrophages in a P. aeruginosa cell-based infection assay. Treatment of P. aeruginosa infections is challenging due to acquired, intrinsic, and adaptive resistance in addition to a broad arsenal of virulence systems such as the T3SS. Virulence blocking molecules targeting PcrV constitute valuable starting points for development of next generation antibacterials to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

The PopN Gate-keeper Complex Acts on the ATPase PscN to Regulate the T3SS Secretion Switch from Early to Middle Substrates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium of which the main virulence factor is the Type III Secretion System. The ATPase of this machinery, PscN (SctN), is thought to be localized at the base of the secretion apparatus and to participate in the recognition, chaperone dissociation and unfolding of exported T3SS proteins. In this work, a protein-protein interaction ELISA revealed the interaction of PscN with a wide range of exported T3SS proteins including the needle, translocator, gate-keeper and effector. These interactions were further confirmed by Microscale Thermophoresis that also indicated a preferential interaction of PscN with secreted proteins or protein-chaperone complex rather than with chaperones alone, in line with the release of the chaperones in the bacterial cytoplasm after the dissociation from their exported proteins. Moreover, we suggest a new role of the gate-keeper complex and the ATPase in the regulation of early substrates recognition by the T3SS. This finding sheds a new light on the mechanism of secretion switching from early to middle substrates in P. aeruginosa.

A Structure-Function-Inhibition Analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion Needle Protein PscF

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS) needle comprised of multiple PscF subunits is essential for the translocation of effector toxins into human cells, facilitating the establishment and dissemination of infection. Mutations in the pscF gene provide resistance to the phenoxyacetamide (PhA) series of T3SS inhibitory chemical probes. To better understand PscF functions and interactions with PhA, alleles of pscF with 71 single mutations altering 49 of the 85 residues of the encoded protein were evaluated for their effects on T3SS phenotypes. Of these, 37% eliminated and 63% maintained secretion, with representatives of both evenly distributed across the entire protein. Mutations in 14 codons conferred a degree of PhA resistance without eliminating secretion, and all but one were in the alpha-helical C-terminal 25% of PscF. PhA-resistant mutants exhibited no cross-resistance to two T3SS inhibitors with different chemical scaffolds. Two mutations caused constitutive T3SS secretion. The pscF allele at its native locus, whether wild type (WT), constitutive, or PhA resistant, was dominant over other pscF alleles expressed from nonnative loci and promoters, but mixed phenotypes were observed in chromosomal ΔpscF strains with both WT and mutant alleles at nonnative loci. Some PhA-resistant mutants exhibited reduced translocation efficiency that was improved in a PhA dose-dependent manner, suggesting that PhA can bind to those resistant needles. In summary, these results are consistent with a direct interaction between PhA inhibitors and the T3SS needle, suggest a mechanism of blocking conformational changes, and demonstrate that PscF affects T3SS regulation, as well as carrying out secretion and translocation.IMPORTANCEP. aeruginosa effector toxin translocation into host innate immune cells is critical for the establishment and dissemination of P. aeruginosa infections. The medical need for new anti-P. aeruginosa agents is evident by the fact that P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia is associated with a high mortality rate (40 to 69%) and recurs in >30% of patients, even with standard-of-care antibiotic therapy. The results described here confirm roles for the PscF needle in T3SS secretion and translocation and suggest that it affects regulation, possibly by interaction with T3SS regulatory proteins. The results also support a model of direct interaction of the needle with PhA and suggest that, with further development, members of the PhA series may prove useful as drugs for P. aeruginosa infection.

Effects of recombinant Lactobacillus casei on growth performance, immune response and disease resistance in crucian carp, Carassius auratus

In the present study, we constructed two recombinant Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) Lc-pPG-1-AcrV (surface-displayed) and Lc-pPG-2-AcrV (secretory) constitutively expressing AcrV protein of Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii). Expression of recombinant AcrV protein was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence technique. Compared with PBS group, the final weight (FW), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed Lc-pPG-1-AcrV, Lc-pPG-2-AcrV and Lc-pPG diets after 56 days observed significantly increase (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a significantly decrease (p < 0.05). The recombinant L. casei strains were orally administrated to crucian carp, and significant increased (p < 0.05) the immunoglobulin M (IgM), elevated the acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lysozyme (LZM) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum. Moreover, leukocytes phagocytosis percentage and index of the recombinant L. casei were both enhanced. The results demonstrated that the recombinant L. casei could elicit systemic immune responses and increase the serum immunological index. The Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) levels in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine have up regulated significantly in tissues (p < 0.05), suggesting that the recombinant L. casei has the ability to induce expression of cytokines and enhance the innate immune response. Higher survival rates were exhibited that crucian carp immunized with Lc-pPG-1-AcrV (67.5%) and Lc-pPG-2-AcrV (52.5%) after challenge with A. veronii. In conclusion, these two recombinant L. casei vaccine were effective in improving crucian carp growth, immunity response and disease resistance. The recombinant L. casei strains may be a promising candidate for the development of an oral vaccine against A. veronii.

SsaV Interacts with SsaL to Control the Translocon-to-Effector Switch in the Salmonella SPI-2 Type Three Secretion System

Salmonella Typhimurium is an intracellular pathogen that uses the SPI-2 type III secretion system to deliver virulence proteins across the vacuole membrane surrounding intracellular bacteria. This involves a tightly regulated hierarchy of protein secretion controlled by two molecular switches. We found that SPI-2-encoded proteins SsaP and SsaU are involved in the first but not the second secretion switch. We identify key amino acids of the inner membrane protein SsaV that are required to interact with the so-called gatekeeper protein SsaL and show that the dissociation of SsaV-SsaL causes the second switch, leading to delivery of effector proteins. Our results provide insights into the molecular events controlling virulence-associated type III secretion and suggest a broader model describing how the process is regulated.

Nonflagellar type III secretion systems (nf T3SSs) form a cell surface needle-like structure and an associated translocon that deliver bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells. This involves a tightly regulated hierarchy of protein secretion. A switch involving SctP and SctU stops secretion of the needle protein. The gatekeeper protein SctW is required for secretion of translocon proteins and controls a second switch to start effector secretion. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium encodes two T3SSs in Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) and SPI-2. The acidic vacuole containing intracellular bacteria stimulates assembly of the SPI-2 T3SS and its translocon. Sensing the nearly neutral host cytosolic pH is required for effector translocation. Here, we investigated the involvement of SPI-2-encoded proteins SsaP (SctP), SsaU (SctU), SsaV (SctV), and SsaL (SctW) in regulation of secretion. We found that SsaP and SsaU are involved in the first but not the second secretion switch. A random-mutagenesis screen identified amino acids of SsaV that regulate translocon and effector secretion. Single substitutions in subdomain 4 of SsaV or InvA (SPI-1-encoded SctV) phenocopied mutations of their corresponding gatekeepers with respect to translocon and effector protein secretion and host cell interactions. SsaL interacted with SsaV in bacteria exposed to low ambient pH but not after the pH was raised to 7.2. We propose that SsaP and SsaU enable the apparatus to become competent for a secretion switch and facilitate the SsaL-SsaV interaction. This mediates secretion of translocon proteins until neutral pH is sensed, which causes their dissociation, resulting in arrest of translocon secretion and derepression of effector translocation.

Bacterial type III secretion system as a protein delivery tool for a broad range of biomedical applications

A protein delivery tool based on bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) has been broadly applied in biomedical researches. In this review, we summarize various applications of the T3SS-mediate protein delivery which enables translocation of proteins directly into mammalian cells without protein purification. Some of the remarkable advancements include delivery of antigens for therapeutic vaccines, nucleases for genome editing, transcription factors for cellular reprogramming and stem cells differentiation, and signaling molecules for post-translational proteomics studies. With continued improvement of the T3SS-mediated protein delivery tools, even wider application of the technology is anticipated.

Salicylidene Acylhydrazides and Hydroxyquinolines Act as Inhibitors of Type Three Secretion Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Distinct Mechanisms

Type 3 secretion systems (T3SSs) are major virulence factors in Gram-negative bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses two T3SSs, namely, an injectisome (iT3SS) translocating effector proteins in the host cell cytosol and a flagellum (fT3SS) ensuring bacterial motility. Inhibiting these systems is an appealing therapeutic strategy for acute infections. This study examines the protective effects of the salicylidene acylhydrazide INP0341 and of the hydroxyquinoline INP1750 (previously described as T3SS inhibitors in other species) toward cytotoxic effects of P. aeruginosain vitro Both compounds reduced cell necrosis and inflammasome activation induced by reference strains or clinical isolates expressing T3SS toxins or only the translocation apparatus. INP0341 inhibited iT3SS transcriptional activation, including in strains with constitutive iT3SS expression, and reduced the total expression of toxins, suggesting it targets iT3SS gene transcription. INP1750 inhibited toxin secretion and flagellar motility and impaired the activity of the YscN ATPase from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (homologous to the ATPase present in the basal body of P. aeruginosa iT3SS and fT3SS), suggesting that it rather targets a T3SS core constituent with high homology among iT3SS and fT3SS. This mode of action is similar to that previously described for INP1855, another hydroxyquinoline, against P. aeruginosa Thus, although acting by different mechanisms, INP0341 and INP1750 appear as useful inhibitors of the virulence of P. aeruginosa Hydroxyquinolines may have a broader spectrum of activity by the fact they act upon two virulence factors (iT3SS and fT3SS).

The Ruler Protein EscP of the Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Type III Secretion System Is Involved in Calcium Sensing and Secretion Hierarchy Regulation by Interacting with the Gatekeeper Protein SepL

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a multiprotein complex that plays a central role in the virulence of many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. To ensure that effector proteins are efficiently translocated into the host cell, bacteria must be able to sense their contact with the host cell. In this study, we found that EscP, which was previously shown to function as the ruler protein of the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli T3SS, is also involved in the switch from the secretion of translocator proteins to the secretion of effector proteins. In addition, we demonstrated that EscP can interact with the gatekeeper protein SepL and that the EscP-SepL complex dissociates upon a calcium concentration drop. We suggest a model in which bacterial contact with the host cell is accompanied by a drop in the calcium concentration that causes SepL-EscP complex dissociation and triggers the secretion of effector proteins.

IMPORTANCE

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, especially those of pathogenic bacteria, has serious medical and clinical implications. At the same time, the development and approval of new antibiotics have been limited for years. Recently, antivirulence drugs have received considerable attention as a novel antibiotic strategy that specifically targets bacterial virulence rather than growth, an approach that applies milder evolutionary pressure on the bacteria to develop resistance. A highly attractive target for the development of antivirulence compounds is the type III secretion system, a specialized secretory system possessed by many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens for injecting virulence factors (effectors) into host cells. In this study, we shed light on the molecular mechanism that allows bacteria to sense their contact with the host cell and to respond with the timed secretion of effector proteins. Understanding this critical step for bacterial virulence may provide a new therapeutic strategy.

Azithromycin Attenuates Pseudomonas-Induced Lung Inflammation by Targeting Bacterial Proteins Secreted in the Cultured Medium

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Azithromycin improves the related clinical outcomes, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that azithromycin downregulates P. aeruginosa-induced pro-inflammatory responses by modifying release of bacterial proteins.

Methods

We monitored inflammatory markers in lungs of CF mutant mice and their littermate controls in response to conditioned media (CM) collected from the reference P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain cultured in the presence or in the absence of azithromycin. A mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach was applied to examine whether the macrolide elicits a differential release of bacterial proteins.

Results

CM collected from azithromycin-untreated PAO1 cultures induced powerful pro-inflammatory neutrophil-dominated responses. Azithromycin attenuated the responses, mainly of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ, in CF but not in wild-type mice. Proteomic analysis showed that azithromycin upregulated an array of bacterial proteins including those associated with regulation of immune functions and with repair and resolution of inflammatory responses like the chaperone DnaK and the S-adenosylmethionine synthase, while it downregulated the extracellular heme acquisition protein HasA and the catalytic enzyme lysylendopeptidase.

Conclusion

Supernatants collected from cultures of the bacterial strain PAO1 represent a novel experimental model to trigger in vivo lung inflammatory responses that should be closer to those obtained with live bacteria, but without bacterial infection. Combined with a bactericidal effect, complex regulation of bacterial innate immune and metabolic factors released in the cultured medium by the action of the macrolide can contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Type III secretion systems: the bacterial flagellum and the injectisome

The flagellum and the injectisome are two of the most complex and fascinating bacterial nanomachines. At their core, they share a type III secretion system (T3SS), a transmembrane export complex that forms the extracellular appendages, the flagellar filament and the injectisome needle. Recent advances, combining structural biology, cryo-electron tomography, molecular genetics, in vivo imaging, bioinformatics and biophysics, have greatly increased our understanding of the T3SS, especially the structure of its transmembrane and cytosolic components, the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and functional regulation and the remarkable adaptivity of the system. This review aims to integrate these new findings into our current knowledge of the evolution, function, regulation and dynamics of the T3SS, and to highlight commonalities and differences between the two systems, as well as their potential applications.

High Throughput Combinatorial Formatting of PcrV Nanobodies for Efficient Potency Improvement

Improving potencies through concomitant blockage of multiple epitopes and avid binding by fusing multiple (different) monovalent Nanobody building blocks via linker sequences into one multivalent polypeptide chain is an elegant alternative to affinity maturation. We explored a large and random formatting library of bivalent (combinations of two identical) and biparatopic (combinations of two different) Nanobodies for functional blockade of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV. PcrV is an essential part of the P. aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS), and its oligomeric nature allows for multiple complex binding and blocking options. The library screening yielded a large number of promising biparatopic lead candidates, revealing significant (and non-trivial) preferences in terms of Nanobody building block and epitope bin combinations and orientations. Excellent potencies were confirmed upon further characterization in two different P. aeruginosa T3SS-mediated cytotoxicity assays. Three biparatopic Nanobodies were evaluated in a lethal mouse P. aeruginosa challenge pneumonia model, conferring 100% survival upon prophylactic administration and reducing lung P. aeruginosa burden by up to 2 logs. At very low doses, they protected the mice from P. aeruginosa infection-related changes in lung histology, myeloperoxidase production, and lung weight. Importantly, the most potent Nanobody still conferred protection after therapeutic administration up to 24 h post-infection. The concept of screening such formatting libraries for potency improvement is applicable to other targets and biological therapeutic platforms.

The Type III Secretion Translocation Pore Senses Host Cell Contact

Type III secretion systems (T3SS) are nano-syringes used by a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens to promote infection by directly injecting effector proteins into targeted host cells. Translocation of effectors is triggered by host-cell contact and requires assembly of a pore in the host-cell plasma membrane, which consists of two translocator proteins. Our understanding of the translocation pore, how it is assembled in the host cell membrane and its precise role in effector translocation, is extremely limited. Here we use a genetic technique to identify protein-protein contacts between pore-forming translocator proteins, as well as the T3SS needle-tip, that are critical for translocon function. The data help establish the orientation of the translocator proteins in the host cell membrane. Analysis of translocon function in mutants that break these contacts demonstrates that an interaction between the pore-forming translocator PopD and the needle-tip is required for sensing host cell contact. Moreover, tethering PopD at a dimer interface also specifically prevents host-cell sensing, arguing that the translocation pore is actively involved in detecting host cell contact. The work presented here therefore establishes a signal transduction pathway for sensing host cell contact that is initiated by a conformational change in the translocation pore, and is subsequently transmitted to the base of the apparatus via a specific contact between the pore and the T3SS needle-tip.

Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are molecular syringes used by a wide variety of Gram-negative pathogens to directly deliver proteins (effectors) into host cells, allowing the bacteria to cause disease. Injection of proteins is triggered by host-cell contact, but how the machinery to deliver effectors is assembled (the translocon), or indeed, how cell contact is perceived, is unclear. Here we identify protein-protein contacts that are critical for translocon function. Our analysis sheds light on the organization of the translocon, and reveals that host cell contact is perceived by a change in the structure of the translocation pore. This signal is then transmitted to the tip of the T3SS needle, and down to the base of the apparatus.

The NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome in innate immune detection of bacterial flagellin and type III secretion apparatus

Bacterial flagella and type III secretion system (T3SS) are evolutionarily related molecular transport machineries. Flagella mediate bacterial motility; the T3SS delivers virulence effectors to block host defenses. The inflammasome is a cytosolic multi-protein complex that activates caspase-1. Active caspase-1 triggers interleukin-1β (IL-1β)/IL-18 maturation and macrophage pyroptotic death to mount an inflammatory response. Central to the inflammasome is a pattern recognition receptor that activates caspase-1 either directly or through an adapter protein. Studies in the past 10 years have established a NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome, in which NAIPs are cytosolic receptors for bacterial flagellin and T3SS rod/needle proteins, while NLRC4 acts as an adapter for caspase-1 activation. Given the wide presence of flagella and the T3SS in bacteria, the NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome plays a critical role in anti-bacteria defenses. Here, we review the discovery of the NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome and further discuss recent advances related to its biochemical mechanism and biological function as well as its connection to human autoinflammatory disease.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Characterization of the Type III Secretion System Tip Chaperone Protein PcrG of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of death among cystic fibrosis patients. To initiate infection, P. aeruginosa assembles a protein nanomachine, the type III secretion system (T3SS), to inject bacterial proteins directly into target host cells. An important regulator of the P. aeruginosa T3SS is the chaperone protein PcrG, which forms a complex with the tip protein, PcrV. In addition to its role as a chaperone to the tip protein, PcrG also regulates protein secretion. PcrG homologues are also important in the T3SS of other pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague. The atomic structure of PcrG or any member of the family of tip protein chaperones is currently unknown. Here, we show by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that PcrG lacks a tertiary structure. However, it is not completely disordered but contains secondary structures dominated by two long α-helices from residue 16 to 41 and from residue 55 to 76. The helices of PcrG are partially formed, have similar backbone dynamics, and are flexible. NMR titrations show that the entire length of PcrG residues from position 9 to 76 is involved in binding to PcrV. PcrG adds to the growing list of partially folded or unstructured proteins with important roles in type III secretion.

Directed Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Into Cardiomyocytes by Bacterial Injection of Defined Transcription Factors

Forced expression of defined transcriptional factors has been well documented as an effective method for cellular reprogramming or directed differentiation. However, transgene expression is not amenable for therapeutic application due to potential insertional mutagenesis. Here, we have developed a bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS)-based protein delivery tool and shown its application in directing pluripotent stem cell differentiation by a controlled delivery of transcription factors relevant to early heart development. By fusing to an N-terminal secretion sequence for T3SS-dependent injection, three transcriptional factors, namely Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (abbreviated as GMT), were translocated into murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs), where the proteins are effectively targeted to the nucleus with an average intracellular half-life of 5.5 hours. Exogenous GMT protein injection activated the cardiac program, and multiple rounds of GMT protein delivery significantly improved the efficiency of ESC differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Combination of T3SS-mediated GMT delivery and Activin A treatment showed an additive effect, resulting in on average 60% of the ESCs differentiated into cardiomyocytes. ESC derived cardiomyocytes displayed spontaneous rhythmic contractile movement as well as normal hormonal responses. This work serves as a foundation for the bacterial delivery of multiple transcription factors to direct cell fate without jeopardizing genomic integrity.

Control of type III secretion activity and substrate specificity by the cytoplasmic regulator PcrG

Pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria use syringe-like type III secretion systems (T3SS) to inject effector proteins directly into targeted host cells. Effector secretion is triggered by host cell contact, and before contact is prevented by a set of conserved regulators. How these regulators interface with the T3SS apparatus to control secretion is unclear. We present evidence that the proton motive force (pmf) drives T3SS secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and that the cytoplasmic regulator PcrG interacts with distinct components of the T3SS apparatus to control two important aspects of effector secretion: (i) It coassembles with a second regulator (Pcr1) on the inner membrane T3SS component PcrD to prevent effectors from accessing the T3SS, and (ii) In conjunction with PscO, it controls protein secretion activity by modulating the ability of T3SS to convert pmf.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa injects NDK into host cells through a type III secretion system

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen possessing a type III secretion system (T3SS) which injects toxic effector proteins into mammalian host cells. In previous studies, P. aeruginosa strains lacking all of the known type III effectors were shown to cause cytotoxicity upon prolonged infection time. In this study, we report the identification of a new cytotoxin, nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), which is injected into eukaryotic cells in a T3SS-dependent manner. Injection of NDK is inhibited by the presence of previously known effectors of the T3SS, with an effectorless strain injecting the highest amount, suggesting active competition with the known T3SS effectors. NDK is shown to cause a cytotoxic response when expressed in eukaryotic cells, and P. aeruginosa strains harbouring NDK also show a greater toxicity than strains lacking it. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effect of intracellular NDK is independent of its kinase activity. In previous studies, NDK was shown to be secreted into culture supernatants via a type I secretion system and cause cytotoxicity in a kinase-dependent manner. Therefore, the current study highlights an alternative route of NDK secretion as well as two different cytotoxic mechanisms of NDK, depending on the extra- or intra-cellular location of the protein.

A statistical framework for improving genomic annotations of prokaryotic essential genes

Large-scale systematic analysis of gene essentiality is an important step closer toward unraveling the complex relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. Such analysis cannot be accomplished without unbiased and accurate annotations of essential genes. In current genomic databases, most of the essential gene annotations are derived from whole-genome transposon mutagenesis (TM), the most frequently used experimental approach for determining essential genes in microorganisms under defined conditions. However, there are substantial systematic biases associated with TM experiments. In this study, we developed a novel Poisson model–based statistical framework to simulate the TM insertion process and subsequently correct the experimental biases. We first quantitatively assessed the effects of major factors that potentially influence the accuracy of TM and subsequently incorporated relevant factors into the framework. Through iteratively optimizing parameters, we inferred the actual insertion events occurred and described each gene’s essentiality on probability measure. Evaluated by the definite mapping of essential gene profile in Escherichia coli, our model significantly improved the accuracy of original TM datasets, resulting in more accurate annotations of essential genes. Our method also showed encouraging results in improving subsaturation level TM datasets. To test our model’s broad applicability to other bacteria, we applied it to Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Francisella tularensis novicida TM datasets. We validated our predictions by literature as well as allelic exchange experiments in PAO1. Our model was correct on six of the seven tested genes. Remarkably, among all three cases that our predictions contradicted the TM assignments, experimental validations supported our predictions. In summary, our method will be a promising tool in improving genomic annotations of essential genes and enabling large-scale explorations of gene essentiality. Our contribution is timely considering the rapidly increasing essential gene sets. A Webserver has been set up to provide convenient access to this tool. All results and source codes are available for download upon publication at http://research.cchmc.org/essentialgene/.

Structure and function of the Type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous pathogen particularly because it harbors multiple virulence factors. It causes several types of infection, including dermatitis, endocarditis, and infections of the urinary tract, eye, ear, bone, joints and, of particular interest, the respiratory tract. Patients with cystic fibrosis, who are extremely susceptible to Pseudomonas infections, have a bad prognosis and high mortality. An important virulence factor of P. aeruginosa, shared with many other gram-negative bacteria, is the type III secretion system, a hollow molecular needle that transfers effector toxins directly from the bacterium into the host cell cytosol. This complex macromolecular machine works in a highly regulated manner and can manipulate the host cell in many different ways. Here we review the current knowledge of the structure of the P. aeruginosa T3SS, as well as its function and recognition by the immune system. Furthermore, we describe recent progress in the development and use of therapeutic agents targeting the T3SS.

Protein export according to schedule: architecture, assembly, and regulation of type III secretion systems from plant- and animal-pathogenic bacteria

Flagellar and translocation-associated type III secretion (T3S) systems are present in most gram-negative plant- and animal-pathogenic bacteria and are often essential for bacterial motility or pathogenicity. The architectures of the complex membrane-spanning secretion apparatuses of both systems are similar, but they are associated with different extracellular appendages, including the flagellar hook and filament or the needle/pilus structures of translocation-associated T3S systems. The needle/pilus is connected to a bacterial translocon that is inserted into the host plasma membrane and mediates the transkingdom transport of bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic cells. During the last 3 to 5 years, significant progress has been made in the characterization of membrane-associated core components and extracellular structures of T3S systems. Furthermore, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulators that control T3S gene expression and substrate specificity have been described. Given the architecture of the T3S system, it is assumed that extracellular components of the secretion apparatus are secreted prior to effector proteins, suggesting that there is a hierarchy in T3S. The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of T3S system components and associated control proteins from both plant- and animal-pathogenic bacteria.

Efficient isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion translocators and assembly of heteromeric transmembrane pores in model membranes

Translocation of bacterial toxins or effectors into host cells using the type III secretion (T3S) system is a conserved mechanism shared by many Gram-negative pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa injects different proteins across the plasma membrane of target cells, altering the normal metabolism of the host. Protein translocation presumably occurs through a proteinaceous transmembrane pore formed by two T3S secreted protein translocators, PopB and PopD. Unfolded translocators are secreted through the T3S needle prior to insertion into the target membrane. Purified PopB and PopD form pores in model membranes. However, their tendency to form heterogeneous aggregates in solution had hampered the analysis of how these proteins undergo the transition from a denatured state to a membrane-inserted state. Translocators were purified as stable complexes with the cognate chaperone PcrH and isolated from the chaperone using 6 M urea. We report here the assembly of stable transmembrane pores by dilution of urea-denatured translocators in the presence of membranes. PopB and PopD spontaneously bound liposomes containing anionic phospholipids and cholesterol in a pH-dependent manner as observed by two independent assays, time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer and sucrose-step gradient ultracentrifugation. Using Bodipy-labeled proteins, we found that PopB interacts with PopD on the membrane surface as determined by excitation energy migration and fluorescence quenching. Stable transmembrane pores are more efficiently assembled at pH <5.0, suggesting that acidic residues might be involved in the initial membrane binding and/or insertion. Altogether, the experimental setup described here represents an efficient method for the reconstitution and analysis of membrane-inserted translocators.

Multi-Functional Characteristics of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Needle-Tip Protein, PcrV; Comparison to Orthologs in other Gram-negative Bacteria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to intoxicate host cells and evade innate immunity. This virulence-related machinery consists of a molecular syringe and needle assembled on the bacterial surface, which allows delivery of T3 effector proteins into infected cells. To accomplish a one-step effector translocation, a tip protein is required at the top end of the T3 needle structure. Strains lacking expression of the functional tip protein fail to intoxicate host cells. P. aeruginosa encodes a T3S that is highly homologous to the proteins encoded by Yersinia spp. The needle-tip proteins of Yersinia, LcrV, and P. aeruginosa, PcrV, share 37% identity and 65% similarity. Other known tip proteins are AcrV (Aeromonas), IpaD (Shigella), SipD (Salmonella), BipD (Burkholderia), EspA (EPEC, EHEC), Bsp22 (Bordetella), with additional proteins identified from various Gram-negative species, such as Vibrio and Bordetella. The tip proteins can serve as a protective antigen or may be critical for sensing host cells and evading innate immune responses. Recognition of the host microenvironment transcriptionally activates synthesis of T3SS components. The machinery appears to be mechanically controlled by the assemblage of specific junctions within the apparatus. These junctions include the tip and base of the T3 apparatus, the needle proteins and components within the bacterial cytoplasm. The tip proteins likely have chaperone functions for translocon proteins, allowing the proper assembly of translocation channels in the host membrane and completing vectorial delivery of effector proteins into the host cytoplasm. Multi-functional features of the needle-tip proteins appear to be intricately controlled. In this review, we highlight the functional aspects and complex controls of T3 needle-tip proteins with particular emphasis on PcrV and LcrV.

Membrane targeting and pore formation by the type III secretion system translocon

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a complex macromolecular machinery employed by a number of Gram-negative species to initiate infection. Toxins secreted through the system are synthesized in the bacterial cytoplasm and utilize the T3SS to pass through both bacterial membranes and the periplasm, thus being introduced directly into the eukaryotic cytoplasm. A key element of the T3SS of all bacterial pathogens is the translocon, which comprises a pore that is inserted into the membrane of the target cell, allowing toxin injection. Three macromolecular partners associate to form the translocon: two are hydrophobic and one is hydrophilic, and the latter also associates with the T3SS needle. In this review, we discuss recent advances on the biochemical and structural characterization of the proteins involved in translocon formation, as well as their participation in the modification of intracellular signalling pathways upon infection. Models of translocon assembly and regulation are also discussed.

Control of effector export by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion proteins PcrG and PcrV

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a type III secretion system to inject protein effectors into a targeted host cell. Effector secretion is triggered by host cell contact. How effector secretion is prevented prior to cell contact is not well understood. In all secretion systems studied to date, the needle tip protein is required for controlling effector secretion, but the mechanism by which needle tip proteins control effector secretion is unclear. Here we present data that the P. aeruginosa needle tip protein, PcrV, controls effector secretion by assembling into a functional needle tip complex. PcrV likely does not simply obstruct the secretion channel because the pore-forming translocator proteins can still be secreted while effector secretion is repressed. This finding suggests that PcrV controls effector secretion by affecting the conformation of the apparatus, shifting it from the default, effector secretion 'on' conformation, to the effector secretion 'off' conformation. We also present evidence that PcrG, which can bind to PcrV and is also involved in controlling effector export, is cytoplasmic and that the interaction between PcrG and PcrV is not required for effector secretion control by either protein. Taken together, these data allow us to propose a working model for control of effector secretion by PcrG and PcrV.

The type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: infection by injection

The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a complex type III secretion apparatus to inject effector proteins into host cells. The configuration of this secretion machinery, the activities of the proteins that are injected by it and the consequences of this process for infection are now being elucidated. This Review summarizes our current knowledge of P. aeruginosa type III secretion, including the secretion and translocation machinery, the regulation of this machinery, and the associated chaperones and effector proteins. The features of this interesting secretion system have important implications for the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infections and for other type III secretion systems.

ExoS controls the cell contact-mediated switch to effector secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type III secretion is used by many gram-negative bacterial pathogens to directly deliver protein toxins (effectors) into targeted host cells. In all cases, secretion of effectors is triggered by host cell contact, although the mechanism is unclear. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, expression of all type III secretion-related genes is up-regulated when secretion is triggered. We were able to visualize this process using a green fluorescent protein reporter system and to use it to monitor the ability of bacteria to trigger effector secretion on cell contact. Surprisingly, the action of one of the major type III secreted effectors, ExoS, prevented triggering of type III secretion by bacteria that subsequently attached to cells, suggesting that triggering of secretion is feedback regulated. Evidence is presented that translocation (secretion of effectors across the host cell plasma membrane) of ExoS is indeed self-regulated and that this inhibition of translocation can be achieved by either of its two enzymatic activities. The translocator proteins PopB, PopD, and PcrV are secreted via the type III secretion system and are required for pore formation and translocation of effectors across the host cell plasma membrane. Here we present data that secretion of translocators is in fact not controlled by calcium, implying that triggering of effector secretion on cell contact represents a switch in secretion specificity, rather than a triggering of secretion per se. The requirement for a host cell cofactor to control effector secretion may help explain the recently observed phenomenon of target cell specificity in both the Yersinia and P. aeruginosa type III secretion systems.

Further characterization of a type III secretion system (T3SS) and of a new effector protein from a clinical isolate of Aeromonas hydrophila--part I

A type III secretion system (T3SS)-associated cytotoxin, AexT, with ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and homology to Pseudomonas aeruginosa bifuncational toxins ExoT/S, was recently identified from a fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. In this study, we reported the molecular characterization of an aexT-like toxin gene (designated as aexU) from a diarrheal isolate SSU of A. hydrophila. The aexU gene was 1539bp in length and encoded a protein of 512 amino acid (aa) residues. The NH(2)-terminus of AexU (aa residues 1-231) exhibited a 67% homology with the NH(2)-terminus of AexT from A. salmonicida. Importantly, its COOH-terminus (aa residues 232-512) had no homology with any known functional proteins in the database; however, the full-length AexU retained ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. The expression and subsequent secretion of AexU was T3SS dependent, as inactivation of the ascV gene that codes for an inner-membrane component of the T3SS channel from the wild-type (WT) bacterium, blocked translocation of AexU in HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells. We provided evidence that inactivation of acrV and axsE genes (homologs of lcrV and exsE in Yersinia species and P. aeruginosa, respectively) from A. hydrophila SSU, altered expression and/or secretion of AexU. We deleted an aexU gene from the WT, as well as from the DeltaaopB mutant, of A. hydrophila, generating a single knockout (DeltaaexU) and a double knockout mutant, DeltaaopB/DeltaaexU. Increased phagocytosis was observed in RAW264.7 murine macrophages infected with the DeltaaopB/DeltaaexU mutant, as compared to macrophages when infected with the parental DeltaaopB strain. Further, mice infected with the DeltaaexU mutant had a 60% survival rate, compared to animals infected with the WT or the DeltaaexU-complemented strain that caused 90-100% of the animals to die at a 2-3 LD(50s) dose. Immunization of mice with the recombinant AexU protected them from subsequent lethal challenge dose by the WT bacterium. Finally, we detected specific anti-AexU antibodies in the sera of mice that survived challenge by the WT bacterium, which may indicate that AexU plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Aeromonas infections.

Regulatory role of PopN and its interacting partners in type III secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The type III secretion system (T3SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a significant role in pathogenesis. We have previously identified type III secretion factor (TSF), which is required for effective secretion of the type III effector molecules, in addition to the low calcium signal. TSF includes many low-affinity high-capacity calcium binding proteins, such as serum albumin and casein. A search for the TSF binding targets on the bacterial outer membrane resulted in identification of PopN, a component of the T3SS that is readily detectable on the bacterial cell surface. PopN specifically interacts with Pcr1, and both popN and pcr1 mutants have a constitutive type III secretion phenotype, suggesting that the two proteins form a complex that functions as a T3SS repressor. Further analysis of the popN operon genes resulted in identification of protein-protein interactions between Pcr1 and Pcr4 and between Pcr4 and Pcr3, as well as between PopN and Pcr2 in the presence of PscB. Unlike popN and pcr1 mutants, pcr3 and pcr4 mutants are totally defective in type III secretion, while a pcr2 mutant exhibits reduced type III secretion. Interestingly, PopN, Pcr1, Pcr2, and Pcr4 are all secreted in a type III secretion machinery-dependent manner, while Pcr3 is not. These findings imply that these components have important regulatory roles in controlling type III secretion.

Metabolic regulation of type III secretion gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type III secretion-mediated cytotoxicity is one of the key virulence mechanisms of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prior data from several laboratories have established that metabolism is a key factor in the regulation of type III secretion gene expression in P. aeruginosa. Here we use a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)-based approach to investigate expression of type III secretion genes at a single-cell level. The data demonstrate that the metabolic state regulates the percentage of cells that are able to induce type III secretion gene expression under inducing conditions. We also present evidence that this regulation is the result of an effect of the growth conditions on the ability of P. aeruginosa to assemble a functional type III secretion apparatus. Preliminary data suggest that the metabolite that controls type III secretion gene expression is derived from acetyl-CoA and that this regulation may, in part, be mediated by changes in the intracellular concentration of cyclic-AMP.

The type III secretion system and cytotoxic enterotoxin alter the virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila

Many gram-negative bacteria use a type III secretion system (TTSS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells. Here we report the characterization of a TTSS chromosomal operon from the diarrheal isolate SSU of Aeromonas hydrophila. We deleted the gene encoding Aeromonas outer membrane protein B (AopB), which is predicted to be involved in the formation of the TTSS translocon, from wild-type (WT) A. hydrophila as well as from a previously characterized cytotoxic enterotoxin gene (act)-minus strain of A. hydrophila, thus generating aopB and act/aopB isogenic mutants. The act gene encodes a type II-secreted cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act) that has hemolytic, cytotoxic, and enterotoxic activities and induces lethality in a mouse model. These isogenic mutants (aopB, act, and act/aopB) were highly attenuated in their ability to induce cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells. The act/aopB mutant demonstrated the greatest reduction in cytotoxicity to cultured cells after 4 h of infection, as measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, and was avirulent in mice, with a 90% survival rate compared to that of animals infected with Act and AopB mutants, which caused 50 to 60% of the animals to die at a dose of three 50% lethal doses. In contrast, WT A. hydrophila killed 100% of the mice within 48 h. The effects of these mutations on cytotoxicity could be complemented with the native genes. Our studies further revealed that the production of lactones, which are involved in quorum sensing (QS), was decreased in the act (32%) and aopB (64%) mutants and was minimal (only 8%) in the act/aopB mutant, compared to that of WT A. hydrophila SSU. The effects of act and aopB gene deletions on lactone production could also be complemented with the native genes, indicating specific effects of Act and the TTSS on lactone production. Although recent studies with other bacteria have indicated TTSS regulation by QS, this is the first report describing a correlation between the TTSS and Act of A. hydrophila and the production of lactones.

ExsE, a secreted regulator of type III secretion genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type III secretion systems are toxin delivery systems that are present in a large number of pathogens. A hallmark of all type III secretion systems studied to date is that expression of one or more of their components is induced upon cell contact. It has been proposed that this induction is controlled by a negative regulator that is itself secreted by means of the type III secretion machinery. Although candidate proteins for this negative regulator have been proposed in a number of systems, for the most part, a direct demonstration of their role in regulation is lacking. Here, we report the discovery of ExsE, a negative regulator of type III secretion gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Deletion of exsE deregulates expression of the type III secretion genes. We provide evidence that ExsE is itself secreted by means of the type III secretion machinery and physically interacts with ExsC, a positive regulator of the type III secretion regulon. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ExsE is the secreted negative regulator that couples triggering of the type III secretion machinery to induction of the type III secretion genes.