Molecular analysis of an A-protein secretion mutant of Aeromonas salmonicida reveals a surface layer-specific protein secretion pathway

Isolation and identification of vapA-absent Aeromonas salmonicida in diseased snakehead Channa argus in China

Aeromonas salmonicida is the typical pathogen causing furunculosis, reported widely in salmonids. Because of multiple serotypes, the control of A. salmonicida-caused disease has increasingly received much attention. Recently, A. salmonicida infection was reported in non-salmonid fish species. Here, a pathogenic A. salmonicida, named as As-s, was isolated from cultured snakehead (Channa argus) in a local fish farm in Shandong, China. As-s displayed clear hemolysis, amylase, and positive catalase activities, and grew at a wide range of temperatures (10-37 °C) and pH values (5.5-8.5). As-s was highly sensitive to cefuroxime sodium, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, piperacillin, and cefoperazone and also apparently sensitive to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and 25% cinnamaldehyde. The Virulence array protein gene cloning' results suggested that As-s has this gene compared with the other two vapA-containing strains, despite a close relationship of these strains via phylogenetic analysis. Severe ulcers on skin, muscle, and abnormal liver, and hemorrhage in pectoral/ventral fins and anal region were observed, and exophthalmos were also noticed in infected juvenile snakehead, as well as necrosis and infiltration of blood cells emerged in the internal organs using pathological section. In addition, As-s caused high mortality in snakehead, consistently with its immune gene response. This study reports the first isolation of vapA-absent A. salmonicida in snakehead.

Identification of NpdA as the protein forming the surface layer in Paracidovorax citrulli and evidence of its occurrence as a surface layer protein in diverse genera of the Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria

The phytopathogen Paracidovorax citrulli possesses an ortholog of a newly identified surface layer protein (SLP) termed NpdA but has not been reported to produce a surface layer (S-layer). This study had two objectives. First, to determine if P. citrulli formed an NpdA-based S-layer and, if so, assess the effects of S-layer formation on virulence, production of nanostructures termed nanopods, and other phenotypes. Second, to establish the distribution of npdA orthologs throughout the Pseudomonadota and examine selected candidate cultures for physical evidence of S-layer formation. Formation of an NpdA-based S-layer by P. citrulli AAC00-1 was confirmed by gene deletion mutagenesis (ΔnpdA), proteomics, and cryo-electron microscopy. There were no significant differences between the wild-type and mutant in virulence assays with detached watermelon fruit. Nanopods contiguous with S-layers of multiple biofilm cells were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Orthologs of npdA were identified in 62 Betaproteobacteria species and 49 Gammaproteobacteria species. In phylogenetic analyses, NpdA orthologs largely segregated into distinct groups. Cryo-electron microscopy imaging revealed an NpdA-like S-layer in all but one of the 16 additional cultures examined. We conclude that NpdA represents a new family of SLP, forming an S-layer in P. citrulli and other Pseudomonadota. While the S-layer did not contribute to virulence in watermelon fruit, a potential role of the P. citrulli S-layer in another dimension of pathogenesis cannot be ruled out. Lastly, formation of cell-bridging nanopods in biofilms is a new property of S-layers; it remains to be determined if nanopods can mediate intercellular movement of materials.

S-layers at second glance? Altiarchaeal grappling hooks (hami) resemble archaeal S-layer proteins in structure and sequence

The uncultivated “Candidatus Altiarchaeum hamiconexum” (formerly known as SM1 Euryarchaeon) carries highly specialized nano-grappling hooks (“hami”) on its cell surface. Until now little is known about the major protein forming these structured fibrous cell surface appendages, the genes involved or membrane anchoring of these filaments. These aspects were analyzed in depth in this study using environmental transcriptomics combined with imaging methods. Since a laboratory culture of this archaeon is not yet available, natural biofilm samples with high Ca. A. hamiconexum abundance were used for the entire analyses. The filamentous surface appendages spanned both membranes of the cell, which are composed of glycosyl-archaeol. The hami consisted of multiple copies of the same protein, the corresponding gene of which was identified via metagenome-mapped transcriptome analysis. The hamus subunit proteins, which are likely to self-assemble due to their predicted beta sheet topology, revealed no similiarity to known microbial flagella-, archaella-, fimbriae- or pili-proteins, but a high similarity to known S-layer proteins of the archaeal domain at their N-terminal region (44–47% identity). Our results provide new insights into the structure of the unique hami and their major protein and indicate their divergent evolution with S-layer proteins.

Biogenesis and functions of bacterial S-layers

The outer surface of many archaea and bacteria is coated with a proteinaceous surface layer (known as an S-layer), which is formed by the self-assembly of monomeric proteins into a regularly spaced, two-dimensional array. Bacteria possess dedicated pathways for the secretion and anchoring of the S-layer to the cell wall, and some Gram-positive species have large S-layer-associated gene families. S-layers have important roles in growth and survival, and their many functions include the maintenance of cell integrity, enzyme display and, in pathogens and commensals, interaction with the host and its immune system. In this Review, we discuss our current knowledge of S-layer and related proteins, including their structures, mechanisms of secretion and anchoring and their diverse functions.

Aeromonas flagella and colonisation mechanisms

Aeromonas species are inhabitants of aquatic environments and are able to cause disease in humans and fish among other animals. In aquaculture, they are responsible for the economically important diseases of furunculosis and motile Aeromonas septicaemia (MAS). Whereas gastroenteritis and wound infections are the major human diseases associated with the genus. As they inhabit and survive in diverse environments, aeromonads possess a wide range of colonisation factors. The motile species are able to swim in liquid environments through the action of a single polar flagellum, the flagellin subunits of which are glycosylated; although essential for function the biological role of glycan addition is yet to be determined. Approximately 60% of aeromonads possess a second lateral flagella system that is expressed in viscous environments for swarming over surfaces; both flagellar systems have been shown to be important in the initial colonisation of surfaces. Subsequently, other non-flagellar colonisation factors are employed; these can be both filamentous and non-filamentous. The aeromonads possess a number of fimbrial systems with the bundle-forming MSHA type IV pilus system, having a major role in human cell adherence. Furthermore, a series of outer-membrane proteins have also been implicated in the aeromonad adhesion process. A number of strains are also capable of cell invasion and that maybe linked with the more invasive diseases of bacteraemia or wound infections. These strains employ cell surface factors that allow the colonisation of these niches that protect them from the host's immune system such as S-layers, capsules or particular lipopolysaccharides.

Nanobiotechnology with S-layer proteins as building blocks

One of the key challenges in nanobiotechnology is the utilization of self- assembly systems, wherein molecules spontaneously associate into reproducible aggregates and supramolecular structures. In this contribution, we describe the basic principles of crystalline bacterial surface layers (S-layers) and their use as patterning elements. The broad application potential of S-layers in nanobiotechnology is based on the specific intrinsic features of the monomolecular arrays composed of identical protein or glycoprotein subunits. Most important, physicochemical properties and functional groups on the protein lattice are arranged in well-defined positions and orientations. Many applications of S-layers depend on the capability of isolated subunits to recrystallize into monomolecular arrays in suspension or on suitable surfaces (e.g., polymers, metals, silicon wafers) or interfaces (e.g., lipid films, liposomes, emulsomes). S-layers also represent a unique structural basis and patterning element for generating more complex supramolecular structures involving all major classes of biological molecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, glycans, nucleic acids, or combinations of these). Thus, S-layers fulfill key requirements as building blocks for the production of new supramolecular materials and nanoscale devices as required in molecular nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, biomimetics, and synthetic biology.

The genome of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida A449: insights into the evolution of a fish pathogen

Background

Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida is a Gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of furunculosis, a bacterial septicaemia of salmonid fish. While other species of Aeromonas are opportunistic pathogens or are found in commensal or symbiotic relationships with animal hosts, A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida causes disease in healthy fish. The genome sequence of A. salmonicida was determined to provide a better understanding of the virulence factors used by this pathogen to infect fish.

Results

The nucleotide sequences of the A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida A449 chromosome and two large plasmids are characterized. The chromosome is 4,702,402 bp and encodes 4388 genes, while the two large plasmids are 166,749 and 155,098 bp with 178 and 164 genes, respectively. Notable features are a large inversion in the chromosome and, in one of the large plasmids, the presence of a Tn21 composite transposon containing mercury resistance genes and an In2 integron encoding genes for resistance to streptomycin/spectinomycin, quaternary ammonia compounds, sulphonamides and chloramphenicol. A large number of genes encoding potential virulence factors were identified; however, many appear to be pseudogenes since they contain insertion sequences, frameshifts or in-frame stop codons. A total of 170 pseudogenes and 88 insertion sequences (of ten different types) are found in the A. salmonicida genome. Comparison with the A. hydrophila ATCC 7966^T genome reveals multiple large inversions in the chromosome as well as an approximately 9% difference in gene content indicating instances of single gene or operon loss or gain.

A limited number of the pseudogenes found in A. salmonicida A449 were investigated in other Aeromonas strains and species. While nearly all the pseudogenes tested are present in A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida strains, only about 25% were found in other A. salmonicida subspecies and none were detected in other Aeromonas species.

Conclusion

Relative to the A. hydrophila ATCC 7966^T genome, the A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida genome has acquired multiple mobile genetic elements, undergone substantial rearrangement and developed a significant number of pseudogenes. These changes appear to be a consequence of adaptation to a specific host, salmonid fish, and provide insights into the mechanisms used by the bacterium for infection and avoidance of host defence systems.

The surface (S)-layer gene cspB of Corynebacterium glutamicum is transcriptionally activated by a LuxR-type regulator and located on a 6 kb genomic island absent from the type strain ATCC 13032

The surface (S)-layer gene region of the Gram-positive bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 14067 was identified on fosmid clones, sequenced and compared with the genome sequence of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032, whose cell surface is devoid of an ordered S-layer lattice. A 5·97 kb DNA region that is absent from the C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 chromosome was identified. This region includes cspB, the structural gene encoding the S-layer protomer PS2, and six additional coding sequences. PCR experiments demonstrated that the respective DNA region is conserved in different C. glutamicum wild-type strains capable of S-layer formation. The DNA region is flanked by a 7 bp direct repeat, suggesting that illegitimate recombination might be responsible for gene loss in C. glutamicum ATCC 13032. Transfer of the cloned cspB gene restored the PS2− phenotype of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032, as confirmed by visualization of the PS2 proteins by SDS-PAGE and imaging of ordered hexagonal S-layer lattices on living C. glutamicum cells by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the promoter of the cspB gene was mapped by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR and the corresponding DNA fragment was used in DNA affinity purification assays. A 30 kDa protein specifically binding to the promoter region of the cspB gene was purified. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting of the purified protein led to the identification of the putative transcriptional regulator Cg2831, belonging to the LuxR regulatory protein family. Disruption of the cg2831 gene in C. glutamicum resulted in an almost complete loss of PS2 synthesis. These results suggested that Cg2831 is a transcriptional activator of cspB gene expression in C. glutamicum.

Functional characterization of the Erwinia chrysanthemi OutS protein, an element of a type II secretion system

Secretion of pectate lyases and a cellulase occurs in Erwinia chrysanthemi through a type II secretion machinery, the Out system. Proper insertion of the secretin OutD in the outer membrane requires the presence of OutS. OutS is an outer-membrane lipoprotein that interacts directly with OutD. Using ligand-blotting experiments, it has been shown that this interaction requires at least the 62 C-terminal amino acids of OutD. When this domain was added to the C-terminal extremity of the secreted pectate lyase PelD, the construct was stabilized by OutS but not inserted into the outer membrane. Thus, this domain is sufficient to interact with OutS but it is unable to confer the ability to be inserted into the outer membrane in the presence of OutS. A screen for outS mutants unable to secrete pectate lyases gave only mutants unable to properly localize OutD in the outer membrane and no mutant in the protection function. Thus, the interaction between OutS and OutD can probably not be abolished by the mutation of a single amino acid, and the insertion of OutD in the outer membrane may require additional proteins.

Physical map of the chromosome of Aeromonas salmonicida and genomic comparisons between Aeromonas strains

I-Ceul and Pmel physical maps of the Aeromonas salmonicida A449 chromosome were constructed using PFGE. The circular chromosome of A. salmonicida A449 was estimated to be 4658 +/- 30 kb. The approximate location of several genes, including those encoding proteins implicated in virulence, were identified. The map showed that the known virulence-factor-encoding genes were not clustered. The I-Ceul genomic digestion fingerprints of several typical and atypical strains of A. salmonicida were compared. The results confirmed the homogeneity of typical strains, which provided further support for the clonality of the population structure of this group. Extensive diversity was observed in the I-Ceul digestion fingerprint of atypical strains, although a clonality was observed in the strains isolated from diseased goldfish. The results suggest that comparison of I-Ceul digestion fingerprints could be used as a powerful taxonomic tool to subdivide the atypical strains and also help clarify some of the current confusion associated with the taxonomy of the genus Aeromonas.

The synthesis, secretion and role in virulence of the paracrystalline surface protein layers of Aeromonas salmonicida and A. hydrophila

The S-layers of the Aeromonas spp. studied to date are composed of identical protein subunits which are translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane, periplasm and outer membrane to the cell surface, where they are assembled and tethered to the cell via an interaction with the O-polysaccharide side chains of the lipopolysaccharide. Aeromonas S-layers have the ability to bind a number of host factors such as fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin as well as providing resistance to serum killing and protease digestion. Aeromonas mutants unable to produce an S-layer are altered in their ability to cause disease. In the case of Aeromonas salmonicida, the loss of ability to produce an S-layer effectively abolishes virulence. However, in the case of A. hydrophila, the reduction in virulence caused by the loss of the S-layer is less significant.

Genes involved in the biogenesis and function of type-4 fimbriae in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type-4 fimbriae are filamentous polar organelles which are found in a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria. Their biogenesis and function is proving to be extremely complex, involving the expression and coordinate regulation of a large number of genes. Type-4 fimbriae mediate attachment to host epithelial tissues and a form of surface translocation called twitching motility. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa they also appear to function as receptors for fimbrial-dependent bacteriophages. Analysis of mutants defective in fimbrial function has allowed the identification of many of the genes involved in the biogenesis of these organelles. Thus far over 30 genes have been characterized, which fall into two broad categories: those encoding regulatory networks that control the production and function of these fimbriae (and other virulence determinants such as alginate) in response to alterations in environmental conditions; and those encoding proteins involved in export and assembly of these organelles, many of which are similar to proteins involved in protein secretion and DNA uptake. These systems all appear to be closely related and to function in the assembly of surface-associated protein complexes that have been adapted to different biological functions.

An Aeromonas salmonicida gene required for the establishment of infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The asoB gene of Aeromonas salmonicida is located approximately 9 kb downstream of the structural gene (vapA) for the surface layer (A-layer). The nucleotide sequence of asoB was determined and found to encode a putative polytopic cytoplasmic membrane protein which exhibited homology to a number of bacterial transport proteins. Allele exchange mutagenesis of asoB resulted in a mutant (A449-D) which was avirulent when administered by bath immersion. However, when administered by intraperitoneal injection, A449-D is as lethal as wild type. Characterization of the phenotype of A449-D showed that there were pleiotropic effects on VapA secretion, haemolysis and outer membrane protein composition. Mobilization of cloned asoB on a broad-host-range plasmid into A449-D resulted in the complementation of VapA translocation, haemolytic activity and virulence.

The putative neuraminyllactose-binding hemagglutinin HpaA of Helicobacter pylori CCUG 17874 is a lipoprotein

The ability of certain strains of Helicobacter pylori to cause sialic acid-sensitive agglutination of erythrocytes has been attributed to the HpaA protein (D.G. Evans, T.K. Karjalainen, D. J. Evans, Jr., D. Y. Graham, and C.H. Lee, J. Bacteriol. 175:674-683, 1993), the gene for which has been cloned and sequenced. On the basis of the hydropathy plot of HpaA and the presence of a potential lipoprotein signal sequence and modification site, and because of the similarities of these features with those of the cell envelope lipoprotein Lpp20 of H. pylori, we examined the possibility that HpaA was also a lipoprotein. Posttranslational processing of the HpaA protein expressed by the cloned gene was sensitive to globomycin, an inhibitor of the lipoprotein-specific signal peptidase II. Antibodies raised to the putative sialic acid-binding region of HpaA failed to bind to the surface of H. pylori cells in immunoelectron microscopy but instead were observed to have labeled the cytoplasm when thin sections were examined. This antibody recognized a 29,000-M(r) protein in Western blots (immunoblots) of cell extracts of H. pylori and Escherichia coli cells expressing the cloned hpaA gene. Determination of the sequence of hpaA from strain CCUG 17874 indicated significant differences from that determined by Evans and coworkers in the above-mentioned study, including extension of the gene into the open reading frame 3 downstream of hpaA to produce a protein with an M(r) of 26,414. Localization of HpaA indicated that it was predominantly located in the cytoplasmic fraction of the cell in both E. coli and H. pylori. HpaA was not observed in the sarkosyl-insoluble outer membrane fraction. An isogenic mutant generated by insertional inactivation of hpaA was unaffected in its ability to bind four different human cell lines as well as fixed sections of gastric tissue and had hemagglutination properties identical to those of the wild type. The data collectively suggest that HpaA is a nonessential lipoprotein internal to the H. pylori cell and that it is not involved in adhesion.