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Bradshaw WJ, Roberts AK, Shone CC, Acharya KR. The structure of the S-layer of Clostridium difficile. J Cell Commun Signal 2018; 12:319-331. [PMID: 29170885 PMCID: PMC5842191 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0429-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The nosocomially acquired pathogen Clostridium difficile is the primary causative agent of antibiotic associated diarrhoea and causes tens of thousands of deaths globally each year. C. difficile presents a paracrystalline protein array on the surface of the cell known as an S-layer. S-layers have been demonstrated to possess a wide range of important functions, which, combined with their inherent accessibility, makes them a promising drug target. The unusually complex S-layer of C. difficile is primarily comprised of the high- and low- molecular weight S-layer proteins, HMW SLP and LMW SLP, formed from the cleavage of the S-layer precursor protein, SlpA, but may also contain up to 28 SlpA paralogues. A model of how the S-layer functions as a whole is required if it is to be exploited in fighting the bacterium. Here, we provide a summary of what is known about the S-layer of C. difficile and each of the paralogues and, considering some of the domains present, suggest potential roles for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Bradshaw
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | | | | | - K Ravi Acharya
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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Kirk JA, Banerji O, Fagan RP. Characteristics of the Clostridium difficile cell envelope and its importance in therapeutics. Microb Biotechnol 2016; 10:76-90. [PMID: 27311697 PMCID: PMC5270738 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a challenging threat to human health. Infections occur after disruption of the normal microbiota, most commonly through the use of antibiotics. Current treatment for CDI largely relies on the broad‐spectrum antibiotics vancomycin and metronidazole that further disrupt the microbiota resulting in frequent recurrence, highlighting the need for C. difficile‐specific antimicrobials. The cell surface of C. difficile represents a promising target for the development of new drugs. C. difficile possesses a highly deacetylated peptidoglycan cell wall containing unique secondary cell wall polymers. Bound to the cell wall is an essential S‐layer, formed of SlpA and decorated with an additional 28 related proteins. In addition to the S‐layer, many other cell surface proteins have been identified, including several with roles in host colonization. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of these different C. difficile cell surface components and their viability as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Kirk
- Krebs Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Oishik Banerji
- Krebs Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Robert P Fagan
- Krebs Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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Bradshaw WJ, Roberts AK, Shone CC, Acharya KR. Cwp84, a Clostridium difficile cysteine protease, exhibits conformational flexibility in the absence of its propeptide. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2015; 71:295-303. [PMID: 25760704 PMCID: PMC4356305 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x15001065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the global healthcare problems caused by Clostridium difficile have increased at an alarming rate. A greater understanding of this antibiotic-resistant bacterium, particularly with respect to how it interacts with the host, is required for the development of novel strategies for fighting C. difficile infections. The surface layer (S-layer) of C. difficile is likely to be of significant importance to host-pathogen interactions. The mature S-layer is formed by a proteinaceous array consisting of multiple copies of a high-molecular-weight and a low-molecular-weight S-layer protein. These components result from the cleavage of SlpA by Cwp84, a cysteine protease. The structure of a truncated Cwp84 active-site mutant has recently been reported and the key features have been identified, providing the first structural insights into the role of Cwp84 in the formation of the S-layer. Here, two structures of Cwp84 after propeptide cleavage are presented and the three conformational changes that are observed are discussed. These changes result in a reconfiguration of the active site and exposure of the hydrophobic pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Bradshaw
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, England
| | | | | | - K. Ravi Acharya
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
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Bradshaw WJ, Kirby JM, Thiyagarajan N, Chambers CJ, Davies AH, Roberts AK, Shone CC, Acharya KR. The structure of the cysteine protease and lectin-like domains of Cwp84, a surface layer-associated protein from Clostridium difficile. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2014; 70:1983-93. [PMID: 25004975 PMCID: PMC4089489 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714009997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a major problem as an aetiological agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The mechanism by which the bacterium colonizes the gut during infection is poorly understood, but undoubtedly involves a myriad of components present on the bacterial surface. The mechanism of C. difficile surface-layer (S-layer) biogenesis is also largely unknown but involves the post-translational cleavage of a single polypeptide (surface-layer protein A; SlpA) into low- and high-molecular-weight subunits by Cwp84, a surface-located cysteine protease. Here, the first crystal structure of the surface protein Cwp84 is described at 1.4 Å resolution and the key structural components are identified. The truncated Cwp84 active-site mutant (amino-acid residues 33-497; C116A) exhibits three regions: a cleavable propeptide and a cysteine protease domain which exhibits a cathepsin L-like fold followed by a newly identified putative carbohydrate-binding domain with a bound calcium ion, which is referred to here as a lectin-like domain. This study thus provides the first structural insights into Cwp84 and a strong base to elucidate its role in the C. difficile S-layer maturation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Bradshaw
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, England
| | | | - Nethaji Thiyagarajan
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
| | - Christopher J. Chambers
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, England
| | - Abigail H. Davies
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, England
| | | | | | - K. Ravi Acharya
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, England
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Barbut F, Guery B, Eckert C. Comment traiter une infection digestive à Clostridium difficile en 2014 ? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13546-014-0867-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Sandolo C, Péchiné S, Le Monnier A, Hoys S, Janoir C, Coviello T, Alhaique F, Collignon A, Fattal E, Tsapis N. Encapsulation of Cwp84 into pectin beads for oral vaccination against Clostridium difficile. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2011; 79:566-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2011.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Péchiné S, Janoir C, Boureau H, Gleizes A, Tsapis N, Hoys S, Fattal E, Collignon A. Diminished intestinal colonization by Clostridium difficile and immune response in mice after mucosal immunization with surface proteins of Clostridium difficile. Vaccine 2007; 25:3946-54. [PMID: 17433506 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2006] [Revised: 01/17/2007] [Accepted: 02/20/2007] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile pathogenesis is mainly due to toxins A and B. However, the first step of pathogenesis is the colonization process. We evaluated C. difficile surface proteins as vaccine antigens to diminish intestinal colonization in a human flora-associated mouse model. First, we used the flagellar cap protein FliD of C. difficile, in order to test several immunization routes: intranasal, rectal, and intragastric. The rectal route, which is the most efficient, was used to vaccine groups of mice with different antigen combinations. After immunizations, the mice were challenged with the toxigenic C. difficile and a significant statistical difference between the control group and the immunized groups was observed in the colonization levels of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Péchiné
- Université de Paris-Sud, Faculté de Pharmacie, EA 4043, USC INRA, 5 rue JB Clement, F-92296 Châtenay-Malabry cedex, France.
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Péchiné S, Janoir C, Collignon A. Variability of Clostridium difficile surface proteins and specific serum antibody response in patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:5018-25. [PMID: 16207956 PMCID: PMC1248434 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.10.5018-5025.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogen attachment is a crucial early step in mucosal infections. This step is mediated by important virulence factors, such as surface proteins. Clostridium difficile surface proteins have been identified as (i) adhesins (the flagellar cap protein FliD; the flagellin FliC; and the cell wall protein Cwp 66 with a two domain-structure [Cw 66 N-terminal and Cwp 66 C-terminal domains]) and (ii) protease (the Cwp 84 protein). To address the roles of these proteins in the pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile and to identify vaccine antigen candidates, we analyzed the variability of the proteins and their immunogenicities in 17 patients with C. difficile-associated disease. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of amplified gene products revealed interstrain homogeneity with fliC and fliD, in contrast to cwp 66 genes. Immunoblot analysis showed that FliC and FliD were detected in the majority of isolates. The N-terminal domain of Cwp 66 and Cwp 84 were present in all strains tested, in contrast to the Cwp 66 C-terminal domain, the expression of which was heterogeneous. The 17 sera from the corresponding patients were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies directed against these proteins. Many patients developed antibodies to FliC, FliD, Cwp 84, and the Cwp 66 C-terminal domain, but not to the Cwp 66 N-terminal domain. In conclusion, this study confirms the expression of these surface proteins of C. difficile during the course of the disease. In addition, the FliC, FliD, and Cwp 84 proteins appeared to be good potential vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Péchiné
- Université de Paris-Sud, Faculté de Pharmacie, Département de Microbiologie, 5 rue JB Clément, F-92296 Chātenay-Malabry cedex, France
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