Kinetics of Folding ofEscherichia coliOmpA from Narrow to Large Pore Conformation in a Planar Bilayer†

The Role of Propionate-Induced Rearrangement of Membrane Proteins in the Formation of the Virulent Phenotype of Crohn's Disease-Associated Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli

Adhesive-invasive E. coli has been suggested to be associated with the development of Crohn's disease (CD). It is assumed that they can provoke the onset of the inflammatory process as a result of the invasion of intestinal epithelial cells and then, due to survival inside macrophages and dendritic cells, stimulate chronic inflammation. In previous reports, we have shown that passage of the CD isolate ZvL2 on minimal medium M9 supplemented with sodium propionate (PA) as a carbon source stimulates and inhibits the adherent-invasive properties and the ability to survive in macrophages. This effect was reversible and not observed for the laboratory strain K12 MG1655. We were able to compare the isogenic strain AIEC in two phenotypes-virulent (ZvL2-PA) and non-virulent (ZvL2-GLU). Unlike ZvL2-GLU, ZvL2-PA activates the production of ROS and cytokines when interacting with neutrophils. The laboratory strain does not cause a similar effect. To activate neutrophils, bacterial opsonization is necessary. Differences in neutrophil NADH oxidase activation and ζ-potential for ZvL2-GLU and ZvL2-PA are associated with changes in membrane protein abundance, as demonstrated by differential 2D electrophoresis and LC-MS. The increase in ROS and cytokine production during the interaction of ZvL2-PA with neutrophils is associated with a rearrangement of the abundance of membrane proteins, which leads to the activation of Rcs and PhoP/Q signaling pathways and changes in the composition and/or modification of LPS. Certain isoforms of OmpA may play a role in the formation of the virulent phenotype of ZvL2-PA and participate in the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils.

NlpE Is an OmpA-Associated Outer Membrane Sensor of the Cpx Envelope Stress Response

Gram-negative bacteria utilize several envelope stress responses (ESRs) to sense and respond to diverse signals within a multilayered cell envelope. The CpxRA ESR responds to multiple stresses that perturb envelope protein homeostasis. Signaling in the Cpx response is regulated by auxiliary factors, such as the outer membrane (OM) lipoprotein NlpE, an activator of the response. NlpE communicates surface adhesion to the Cpx response; however, the mechanism by which NlpE accomplishes this remains unknown. In this study, we report a novel interaction between NlpE and the major OM protein OmpA. Both NlpE and OmpA are required to activate the Cpx response in surface-adhered cells. Furthermore, NlpE senses OmpA overexpression and the NlpE C-terminal domain transduces this signal to the Cpx response, revealing a novel signaling function for this domain. Mutation of OmpA peptidoglycan-binding residues abrogates signaling during OmpA overexpression, suggesting that NlpE signaling from the OM through the cell wall is coordinated via OmpA. Overall, these findings reveal NlpE to be a versatile envelope sensor that takes advantage of its structure, localization, and cooperation with other envelope proteins to initiate adaptation to diverse signals. IMPORTANCE The envelope is not only a barrier that protects bacteria from the environment but also a crucial site for the transduction of signals critical for colonization and pathogenesis. The discovery of novel complexes between NlpE and OmpA contributes to an emerging understanding of the key contribution of OM β-barrel protein and lipoprotein complexes to envelope stress signaling. Overall, our findings provide mechanistic insight into how the Cpx response senses signals relevant to surface adhesion and biofilm growth to facilitate bacterial adaptation.

R-Type Fonticins Produced by Pragia fontium Form Large Pores with High Conductance

Fonticins are phage tail-like bacteriocins produced by the Gram-negative bacterium Pragia fontium from the family Budviciaceae. This bacterium produces contractile-type particles that adsorb on the surface of sensitive bacteria and penetrate the cell wall, probably during contraction, in a way similar to the type VI secretion system. We characterized the pore-forming activity of fonticins using both living cells and in vitro model membranes. Using a potassium leakage assay, we show that fonticins are able to permeabilize sensitive cells. On black lipid membranes, single-pore conductance is about 0.78 nS in 1 M NaCl and appears to be linearly dependent on the increasing molar strength of NaCl solution, which is a property of considerably large pores. In agreement with these findings, fonticins are not ion selective for Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^-. Polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) molecules of about 3.5 nm in diameter can enter the fonticin pore lumen, whereas the larger molecules cannot pass the pore. The size of fonticin pores was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The terminal membrane-piercing complex of the fonticin tube probably creates a selective barrier restricting passage of macromolecules. IMPORTANCE Phage tail-like bacteriocins are now the subject of research as potent antibacterial agents due to their narrow host specificity and single-hit mode of action. In this work, we focused on the structure and mode of action of fonticins. According to some theories, related particles were initially adapted for passage of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules, but fonticins changed their function during the evolution; they are able to form large pores through the bacterial envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. As various pore-forming proteins are extensively used for nanopore sequencing and stochastic sensing, we decided to investigate the pore-forming properties of fonticin protein complexes on artificial lipid membranes. Our research revealed remarkable structural properties of these particles that may have a potential application as a nanodevice.

The Analysis of OmpA and Rz/Rz1 of Lytic Bacteriophage from Surabaya, Indonesia

A good strategy to conquer the Escherichia coli-cause food-borne disease could be bacteriophages. Porins are a type of β-barrel proteins with diffuse channels and OmpA, which has a role in hydrophilic transport, is the most frequent porin in E. coli; it was also chosen as the potential receptor of the phage. And the Rz/Rz1 was engaged in the breakup of the host bacterial external membrane. This study aimed to analyze the amino acid of OmpA and Rz/Rz1 of lytic bacteriophage from Surabaya, Indonesia. This study employed a sample of 8 bacteriophages from the previous study. The OmpA analysis method was mass spectrometry. Rz/Rz1 was analyzed using PCR, DNA sequencing, Expasy Translation, and Expasy ProtParam. The result obtained 10% to 29% sequence coverage of OmpA, carrying the ligand-binding site. The Rz/Rz1 gene shares a high percentage of 97.04% to 98.89% identities with the Siphoviridae isolate ctTwQ4, partial genome, and Myoviridae isolate cthRA4, partial genome. The Mann-Whitney statistical tests indicate the significant differences between Alanine, Aspartate, Glycine, Proline, Serine (p=0.011), Asparagine, Cysteine (p=0.009), Isoleucine (p=0.043), Lysine (p=0.034), Methionine (p=0.001), Threonine (p=0.018), and Tryptophan (p=0.007) of OmpA and Rz/Rz1. The conclusion obtained from this study is the fact that OmpA acts as Phage 1, Phage 2, Phage 3, Phage 5, and Phage 6 receptors for its peptide composition comprising the ligand binding site, and Rz/Rz1 participates in host bacteria lysis.

Selection for phage resistance reduces virulence of Shigella flexneri

There is an increasing interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections, especially using phages that select for evolutionary trade-offs between increased phage resistance and decreased fitness traits, such as virulence, in target bacteria. A vast repertoire of virulence factors allows the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri to invade human gut epithelial cells, replicate intracellularly, and evade host immunity through intercellular spread. It has been previously shown that OmpA is necessary for the intercellular spread of S. flexneri. We hypothesized that a phage which uses OmpA as a receptor to infect S. flexneri should select for phage-resistant mutants with attenuated intercellular spread. Here, we show that phage A1-1 requires OmpA as a receptor and selects for reduced virulence in S. flexneri. We characterized five phage-resistant mutants by measuring phenotypic changes in various traits: cell-membrane permeability, total lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sensitivity to antibiotics, and susceptibility to other phages. The results separated the mutants into two groups: R1 and R2 phenotypically resembled ompA knockouts, whereas R3, R4, and R5 were similar to LPS-deficient strains. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that R1 and R2 had mutations in ompA, while R3, R4, and R5 had mutations in the LPS inner-core biosynthesis genes gmhA and gmhC. Bacterial plaque assays confirmed that all the phage-resistant mutants were incapable of intercellular spread. We concluded that selection for S. flexneri resistance to phage A1-1 generally reduced virulence (i.e., intercellular spread), but this trade-off could be mediated by mutations either in ompA or in LPS-core genes that likely altered OmpA conformation.

IMPORTANCEShigella flexneri is a facultative intracellular pathogen of humans and a leading cause of bacillary dysentery. With few effective treatments and rising antibiotic resistance in these bacteria, there is increasing interest in alternatives to classical infection management of S. flexneri infections. Phage therapy poses an attractive alternative, particularly if a therapeutic phage can be found that results in an evolutionary trade-off between phage resistance and bacterial virulence. Here, we isolate a novel lytic phage from water collected in Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico, which uses the OmpA porin of S. flexneri as a receptor. We use phenotypic assays and genome sequencing to show that phage A1-1 selects for phage-resistant mutants which can be grouped into two categories: OmpA-deficient mutants and LPS-deficient mutants. Despite these underlying mechanistic differences, we confirmed that naturally occurring phage A1-1 selected for evolved phage resistance which coincided with impaired intercellular spread of S. flexneri in a eukaryotic infection model.

Colicins U and Y inhibit growth of Escherichia coli strains via recognition of conserved OmpA extracellular loop 1

Interactions of colicins U and Y with the OmpA (Outer membrane protein A) receptor molecule were studied using site-directed mutagenesis and colicin binding assay. A systematic mutagenesis of the colicin-susceptible OmpA sequence from Escherichia coli (OmpA_EC) to the colicin-resistant OmpA sequence from Serratia marcescens (OmpA_SM) was performed in regions corresponding to extracellular OmpA loops 1-4. Susceptibility to colicins U and Y was significantly affected by the OmpA mutation in loop 1. As with functional analysis, a decrease in binding capacity of His-tagged colicin U was found for recombinant OmpA with a mutated segment in loop 1 compared to control OmpA_EC. To verify the importance of the identified amino acid residues in OmpA loop 1, we introduced loop 1 from OmpA_EC into OmpA_SM, which resulted in the substantial increase of susceptibility to colicins U and Y. In addition, colicins U and Y were tested against a panel of 118 bacteriocin non-producing strains of four Escherichia species, including E. coli (39 strains), E. fergusonii (10 strains), E. hermannii (42 strains), and E. vulneris (27 strains). A majority (82%) of E. coli strains was susceptible to colicins U and Y. Interestingly, colicins U and Y also inhibited all of the 30 tested multidrug-resistant E. coli O25b-ST131 isolates. These findings, together with the fact that OmpA loop 1 is important for bacterial virulence and is evolutionary conserved, offer the potential of using colicins U and Y as specific anti-OmpA loop 1 directed antibacterial proteins.

Virulence of Erwinia amylovora, a prevalent apple pathogen: Outer membrane proteins and type III secreted effectors increase fitness and compromise plant defenses

Until now, no data are available on the outer membrane (OM) proteome of Erwinia amylovora, a Gram-negative plant pathogen, causing fire blight in most of the members of the Rosaceae family. Since the OM forms the interface between the bacterial cell and its environment it is in direct contact with the host. Additionally, the type III secretion system, embedded in the OM, is a pathogenicity factor of E. amylovora. To assess the influence of the OM composition and the secretion behavior on virulence, a 2D-DIGE analysis and gene expression profiling were performed on a high and lower virulent strain, both in vitro and in planta. Proteome data showed an increase in flagellin for the lower virulent strain in vitro, whereas, in planta several interesting proteins were identified as being differently expressed between both the strains. Further, gene expression of nearly all type III secreted effectors was elevated for the higher virulent strain, both in vitro and in planta. As a first, we report that several characteristics of virulence can be assigned to the OM proteome. Moreover, we demonstrate that secreted proteins prove to be the important factors determining differences in virulence between the strains, otherwise regarded as homogeneous on a genome level.

Dual orientation of the outer membrane lipoprotein Pal in Escherichia coli

Peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein (Pal) of Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a characteristic bacterial lipoprotein, with an N-terminal lipid moiety anchoring it to the outer membrane. Since its discovery over three decades ago, Pal has been well studied for its participation in the Tol-Pal complex which spans the periplasm and has been proposed to play important roles in bacterial survival, pathogenesis and virulence. Previous studies of Pal place the lipoprotein in the periplasm of E. coli, allowing it to interact with Tol proteins and the peptidoglycan layer. Here, we describe for the first time, a subpopulation of Pal which is present on the cell surface of E. coli. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy detect anti-Pal antibodies on the surface of intact E. coli cells. Interestingly, Pal is surface exposed in an 'all or nothing' manner, such that most of the cells contain only internal Pal, with fewer cells ( < 20  %) exhibiting surface Pal.

Recombinant outer membrane protein A induces a protective immune response against Escherichia coli infection in mice

Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an important infectious Gram-negative bacterium causing millions of death every year. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) has been suggested as a potential vaccine candidate for conferring protection against bacterial infection. In this study, a universal vaccine candidate for E. coli infection was developed and evaluated. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the OmpA protein from E. coli shares 96~100%, 90~94%, and 45% identity with Shigella, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas strains, respectively. The ompA gene was cloned from the genomic DNA of E. coli, and then the OmpA protein was expressed in BL21 (DE3) using the auto-induction method. The recombinant OmpA (rOmpA) protein had an average molecular weight of 36 kDa with the purity of 93.5%. Immunological analysis indicated that the titers of anti-rOmpA sera against rOmpA and whole cells were 1:642,000 and 1:140,000, respectively. Moreover, rOmpA not only conferred a high level of immunogenicity to protect mice against the challenge of E. coli, but also generated cross-protection against Shigella and Salmonella. The anti-rOmpA sera could enhance the phagocytic activity of neutrophils against E. coli. The survive ratios of mice immunized with rOmpA and PBS were 50% and 20% after 48 h post-challenge, indicating mice were protected from E. coli infection after immunization with rOmpA. All these results clearly indicate that rOmpA may be a promising candidate for the development of a subunit vaccine to prevent E. coli infection.

Mass spectrometry defines the C-terminal dimerization domain and enables modeling of the structure of full-length OmpA

The transmembrane domain of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) from Escherichia coli is an excellent model for structural and folding studies of β-barrel membrane proteins. However, full-length OmpA resists crystallographic efforts, and the link between its function and tertiary structure remains controversial. Here we use site-directed mutagenesis and mass spectrometry of different constructs of OmpA, released in the gas phase from detergent micelles, to define the minimal region encompassing the C-terminal dimer interface. Combining knowledge of the location of the dimeric interface with molecular modeling and ion mobility data allows us to propose a low-resolution model for the full-length OmpA dimer. Our model of the dimer is in remarkable agreement with experimental ion mobility data, with none of the unfolding or collapse observed for full-length monomeric OmpA, implying that dimer formation stabilizes the overall structure and prevents collapse of the flexible linker that connects the two domains.

Polar localization of PhoN2, a periplasmic virulence-associated factor of Shigella flexneri, is required for proper IcsA exposition at the old bacterial pole

Proper protein localization is critical for bacterial virulence. PhoN2 is a virulence-associated ATP-diphosphohydrolase (apyrase) involved in IcsA-mediated actin-based motility of S. flexneri. Herein, by analyzing a ΔphoN2 mutant of the S. flexneri strain M90T and by generating phoN2::HA fusions, we show that PhoN2, is a periplasmic protein that strictly localizes at the bacterial poles, with a strong preference for the old pole, the pole where IcsA is exposed, and that it is required for proper IcsA exposition. PhoN2-HA was found to be polarly localized both when phoN2::HA was ectopically expressed in a Escherichia coli K-12 strain and in a S. flexneri virulence plasmid-cured mutant, indicating a conserved mechanism of PhoN2 polar delivery across species and that neither IcsA nor the expression of other virulence-plasmid encoded genes are involved in this process. To assess whether PhoN2 and IcsA may interact, two-hybrid and cross-linking experiments were performed. While no evidence was found of a PhoN2-IcsA interaction, unexpectedly the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) was shown to bind PhoN2-HA through its periplasmic-exposed C-terminal domain. Therefore, to identify PhoN2 domains involved in its periplasmic polar delivery as well as in the interaction with OmpA, a deletion and a set of specific amino acid substitutions were generated. Analysis of these mutants indicated that neither the (183)PAPAP(187) motif of OmpA, nor the N-terminal polyproline (43)PPPP(46) motif and the Y155 residue of PhoN2 are involved in this interaction while P45, P46 and Y155 residues were found to be critical for the correct folding and stability of the protein. The relative rapid degradation of these amino acid-substituted recombinant proteins was found to be due to unknown S. flexneri-specific protease(s). A model depicting how the PhoN2-OmpA interaction may contribute to proper polar IcsA exposition in S. flexneri is presented.

Polyester modification of the mammalian TRPM8 channel protein: implications for structure and function

The TRPM8 ion channel is expressed in sensory neurons and is responsible for sensing environmental cues, such as cold temperatures and chemical compounds, including menthol and icilin. The channel functional activity is regulated by various physical and chemical factors and is likely to be preconditioned by its molecular composition. Our studies indicate that the TRPM8 channel forms a structural-functional complex with the polyester poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). We identified by mass spectrometry a number of PHB-modified peptides in the N terminus of the TRPM8 protein and in its extracellular S3-S4 linker. Removal of PHB by enzymatic hydrolysis and site-directed mutagenesis of both the serine residues that serve as covalent anchors for PHB and adjacent hydrophobic residues that interact with the methyl groups of the polymer resulted in significant inhibition of TRPM8 channel activity. We conclude that the TRPM8 channel undergoes posttranslational modification by PHB and that this modification is required for its normal function.

The role of short-chain conjugated poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (cPHB) in protein folding

Poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a linear polymer of R-3-hydroxybutyrate (R-3HB), is a fundamental constituent of biological cells. Certain prokaryotes accumulate PHB of very high molecular weight (10,000 to >1,000,000 residues), which is segregated within granular deposits in the cytoplasm; however, all prokaryotes and all eukaryotes synthesize PHB of medium-chain length (~100-200 residues) which resides within lipid bilayers or lipid vesicles, and PHB of short-chain length (<12 residues) which is conjugated to proteins (cPHB), primarily proteins in membranes and organelles. The physical properties of cPHB indicate it plays important roles in the targeting and folding of cPHB-proteins. Here we review the occurrence, physical properties and molecular characteristics of cPHB, and discuss its influence on the folding and structure of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Escherichia coli.

Physiological importance of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrates

Poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrates (PHB), linear polymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, are components of all biological cells in which short polymers (<200 monomer residues) are covalently attached to certain proteins and/or noncovalently associated with polyphosphates - inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), RNA, and DNA. The low concentrations, lack of unusual atoms or functional groups, and flexible backbones of this complexed PHB, referred to as cPHB, make them invisible to many analytical procedures; whereas other physical properties - water-insolubility, high intrinsic viscosity, temperature sensitivity, multiple bonding interactions with other molecules - make them requisite participants in vital physiological processes as well as contributors to the development of certain diseases.

Block and boost DNA transfer: opposite roles of OmpA in natural and artificial transformation of Escherichia coli

Our previous work established that DNA is naturally transferable on agar plates through a new transformation system which is regulated by the stationary phase master regulator RpoS in Escherichia coli. In this transformation system, neither additional Ca²⁺ nor heat shock is required. Instead, transformation is stimulated by agar. The membrane protein OmpA, a gated pore permeable to ions and larger solutes, serves as a receptor for DNA transfer during bacteriophage infection and conjugation. However, it remains unknown how DNA transfers across membranes and whether OmpA is involved in transformation of E. coli. Here, we explored potential roles of OmpA in natural and chemical transformation of E. coli. We observed that ompA inactivation significantly improved natural transformation on agar plates, indicating that OmpA blocks DNA transfer. Transformation promotion by ompA inactivation also occurred on soft plates, indicating that OmpA blocks DNA transfer independent of agar. By contrast, compared with the wild-type strain, chemical transformation of the ompA mutant was lower, indicating that OmpA has a role in DNA transfer. Inactivation of ompA also reduced chemical transformation in solution containing less Ca²⁺ or with a shortened time for heat shock, suggesting that the promotion effect of OmpA on DNA transfer does not solely rely on Ca²⁺ or heat shock. We conclude that OmpA plays opposite roles in natural and chemical transformation: it blocks DNA uptake on agar plates but promotes DNA transfer in the liquid Ca²⁺ solution. Considering that no single factor was identified to reverse the function of OmpA, we propose that multiple factors may cooperate in the functional reversal of OmpA during natural and artificial transformation of E. coli. Finally, we observed that ompA transcription was not affected by the expression of RpoS, excluding the possibility that RpoS regulates DNA transfer by suppressing ompA transcription.

OmpA can form folded and unfolded oligomers

The monomeric outer membrane protein OmpA from Escherichia coli has long served as a model protein for studying the folding and membrane insertion of β-barrel membrane proteins. Here we report that when OmpA is refolded in limiting amounts of surfactant (close to the cmc), it has a high propensity to form folded and unfolded oligomers. The oligomers exist both in a folded and (partially) unfolded form which both dissociate under denaturing conditions. Oligomerization does not require the involvement of the periplasmic domain and is not strongly affected by ionic strength. The folded dimers can be isolated and show native-like secondary structure; they are resistant to proteolytic attack and do not dissociate in high surfactant concentrations, indicating high kinetic stability once formed. Remarkably, OmpA also forms significant amounts of higher order structures when refolding in the presence of lipid vesicles. We suggest that oligomerization occurs by domain swapping favored by the high local concentration of OmpA molecules congregating on the same micelle or vesicle. In this model, the unfolded oligomer is stabilized by a small number of intermolecular β-strand contacts and subsequently folds to a more stable state where these intermolecular contacts are consolidated in a native-like fashion by contacts between complementary β-strands from different molecules. Our model is supported by the ability of complementary fragments to associate with each other in vitro. Oligomerization is probably avoided in the cell by the presence of cellular chaperones which maintain the protein in a monomeric state.

Hydrophobic mismatch and lipid sorting near OmpA in mixed bilayers: atomistic and coarse-grained simulations

To understand the effects of lipid composition on membrane protein function in a mixture as complex as a biomembrane, one must know whether the lipid composition local to the protein differs from the mean lipid composition. In this study, we simulated the transmembrane domain of a β-barrel protein, OmpA, in mixtures of lipids of different tail lengths under conditions of negative hydrophobic mismatch, i.e., local bilayer thinning. We modeled the influence of OmpA on the local lipid composition both at a coarse-grained (CG) resolution using conventional molecular dynamics, and at an atomistic resolution within the semi-grand canonical ensemble using mutation moves to rapidly approach an equilibrium lateral distribution of lipids. Moderate enrichment of the shorter tail component (either DDPC in DDPC/DMPC mixtures or DMPC in DMPC/DSPC mixtures) extending 2-3 nm away from the protein surface was observed with both the atomistic and CG models. The similarity in trends suggests that the more computationally economical CG models capture the essential features of lipid sorting induced by hydrophobic mismatch.

Insights into the structure and assembly of Escherichia coli outer membrane protein A

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Escherichia coli is a paradigm for the biogenesis of outer membrane proteins; however, the structure and assembly of OmpA have remained controversial. A review of studies to date supports the hypothesis that native OmpA is a single-domain large pore, while a two-domain narrow-pore structure is a folding intermediate or minor conformer. The in vitro refolding of OmpA to the large-pore conformation requires isolation of the protein from outer membranes with retention of an intact disulfide bond followed by sufficient incubation in lipids at temperatures of ≥ 26 °C to overcome the high energy of activation for refolding. The in vivo maturation of the protein involves covalent modification of serines in the eighth β-barrel of the N-terminal domain by oligo-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrates as the protein is escorted across the cytoplasm by SecB for post-translational secretion across the secretory translocase in the inner membrane. After cleavage of the signal sequence, protein chaperones, such as Skp, DegP and SurA, guide OmpA across the periplasm to the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex in the outer membrane. During this passage, a disulfide bond is formed between C290 and C302 by DsbA, and the hydrophobicity of segments of the C-terminal domain, which are destined for incorporation as β-barrels in the outer membrane bilayer, is increased by covalent attachment of oligo-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrates. With the aid of the BAM complex, OmpA is then assembled into the outer membrane as a single-domain large pore.

Alternative folding pathways of the major porin OprF of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OprF is the major porin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and allows very slow, nonspecific, diffusion of solutes. The low permeability of this porin channel is a major factor that enhances other types of resistance mechanisms and often creates strong multidrug resistance in this nosocomial pathogen. We have previously shown that the low permeability is caused by the folding of OprF into two conformers: a majority, two-domain closed-channel conformer containing the N-terminal transmembrane β-barrel and the C-terminal periplasmic, globular domain; and a minority, one-domain open-channel conformer comprising < 5% of the protein population. Our analysis of the bifurcate folding pathway using site-directed mutagenesis showed that slowing down the folding of the two-domain conformer increases the fraction of the open, one-domain conformer. Use of outer membrane protein assembly machinery mutants showed that the absence of the Skp chaperone led to an increased proportion of open conformers. As many environmental pathogens causing nosocomial infections appear to have outer membrane protein (OmpA)/OprF homologs as the major porin, efforts to understand the low permeability of these 'slow porins' are important in our fight against these organisms.

Cross-linking measurements of in vivo protein complex topologies

Identification and measurement of in vivo protein interactions pose critical challenges in the goal to understand biological systems. The measurement of structures and topologies of proteins and protein complexes as they exist in cells is particularly challenging, yet critically important to improve understanding of biological function because proteins exert their intended function only through the structures and interactions they exhibit in vivo. In the present study, protein interactions in E. coli cells were identified in our unbiased cross-linking approach, yielding the first in vivo topological data on many interactions and the largest set of identified in vivo cross-linked peptides produced to date. These data show excellent agreement with protein and complex crystal structures where available. Furthermore, our unbiased data provide novel in vivo topological information that can impact understanding of biological function, even for cases where high resolution structures are not yet available.

Gating of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels activated by cold and chemical agonists in planar lipid bilayers

The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) ion channel is a major sensor of environmental cold temperatures. It is activated by cold and chemical agonists, such as menthol and icilin. The activation of these channels both by cold and cooling agents requires the presence of the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P(2)]. The mechanism of TRPM8 activation by physical and chemical factors is unknown, and the involvement of cellular signaling pathways has been considered. Here we have characterized the gating mechanism of the rat TRPM8 reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers and its activation by different stimuli. In this system, the influence of cellular signaling pathways can be excluded. We found that TRPM8 activated by cold exhibits steep temperature dependence [temperature coefficient (Q(10)) of ∼40], and the channel openings are accompanied by large changes in entropy and enthalpy, suggesting a substantial conformation change. TRPM8 channel behavior upon menthol and icilin activation was distinguishable, and the effect of icilin depended on the presence of calcium on the intracellular side of the protein. Here we also demonstrate that PI(4,5)P(2) is the prime factor that impacts the gating of TRPM8 and that other phosphoinositides are less efficient in supporting channel activity. Menthol increases the potency of PI(4,5)P(2) to activate the channels and increases binding of phosphoinositides to the full-length channel protein. Our data demonstrate conclusively that TRPM8 is gated by cold and its chemical agonists directly, and that dependence of its gating on PI(4,5)P(2) is a result of direct specific interactions with the lipid.

Factors affecting the folding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprF porin into the one-domain open conformer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprF is a largely monomeric outer membrane protein that allows the slow, nonspecific transmembrane diffusion of solutes. This protein folds into two different conformers, with the majority conformer folding into a two-domain conformation that has no porin activity and the minority conformer into a one-domain conformation with high porin activity and presumably consisting of a large β barrel. We examined the factors that control the divergent folding pathways of OprF. OprF contains four Cys residues in the linker region connecting the N-terminal β-barrel domain and the C-terminal globular domain in the majority conformer. Prevention of disulfide bond formation either by expression of OprF in an Escherichia coli dsbA strain grown with dithiothreitol or by replacement of all Cys residues with serine (CS OprF) increased the specific pore-forming activity of OprF significantly. Replacement of Phe160 with Ile at the end of the β-barrel termination signal as well as replacement of Lys164 in the linker region with Gly, Cys, or Glu increased porin activity 2-fold. Improving a potential β-barrel termination signal in the periplasmic domain by replacement of Asp211 with asparagine also increased porin activity. The porin activity could be improved about 5-fold by the combination of these replacements. OprF mutants with higher porin activity were shown to contain more one-domain conformers by surface labeling of the A312C residue in intact cells, as this residue is located in the periplasmic domain in the two-domain conformers. Finally, when the OprF protein was expressed in an E. coli strain lacking the periplasmic chaperone Skp, the CS OprF protein exhibited increased pore-forming activity.

High intrinsic levels of resistance to many antimicrobial agents, seen in Gram-negative bacterial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species, are largely due to the extremely low permeability of their major porin OprF and OmpA. Because this low permeability is caused by the fact that these proteins mostly fold into a two-domain conformer without pores, knowledge as to what conditions increase the production of the pore-forming minority conformer may lead to dramatic improvements in the treatment of infections by these bacteria. We have found several factors that increase the proportion of the pore-forming conformer up to 5-fold. Although these studies were done with Escherichia coli, they may serve as the starting point for the design of strategies for improvement of antimicrobial therapy for these difficult-to-treat pathogens, some strains of which have now attained the “pan-resistant” status.

Characteristics of Bacteroides fragilis lacking the major outer membrane protein, OmpA

OmpA1 is the major outer membrane protein of the Gram-negative anaerobic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis. We identified three additional conserved ompA homologues (ompA2-ompA4) and three less homologous ompA-like genes (ompAs 5, 6 and 7) in B. fragilis. We constructed an ompA1 disruption mutant in B. fragilis 638R (WAL6 OmegaompA1) using insertion-mediated mutagenesis. WAL6 OmegaompA1 formed much smaller colonies and had smaller, rounder forms on Gram stain analysis than the parental strain or other unrelated disruption mutants. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis (with anti-OmpA1 IgY) of the OMP patterns of WAL6 OmegaompA1 grown in both high- and low-salt media did not reveal any other OmpA proteins even under osmotic stress. An ompA1 deletant (WAL186DeltaompA1) was constructed using a two-step double-crossover technique, and an ompA 'reinsertant', WAL360+ompA1, was constructed by reinserting the ompA gene into WAL186DeltaompA1. WAL186DeltaompA1 was significantly more sensitive to exposure to SDS, high salt and oxygen than the parental (WAL108) or reinsertant (WAL360+ompA1) strain. No significant change was seen in MICs of a variety of antimicrobials for either WAL6 OmegaompA1 or WAL186DeltaompA1 compared to WAL108. RT-PCR revealed that all of the ompA genes are transcribed in the parental strain and in the disruption mutant, but, as expected, ompA1 is not transcribed in WAL186DeltaompA1. Unexpectedly, ompA4 is also not transcribed in WAL186DeltaompA1. A predicted structure indicated that among the four OmpA homologues, the barrel portion is more conserved than the loops, except for specific conserved patches on loop 1 and loop 3. The presence of multiple copies of such similar genes in one organism would suggest a critical role for this protein in B. fragilis.

Effects of tryptophan microenvironment, soluble domain, and vesicle size on the thermodynamics of membrane protein folding: lessons from the transmembrane protein OmpA

Refolding curves of the integral membrane protein outer membrane protein A (OmpA) were measured to determine the conformational stabilities of this model system for membrane protein folding. Wild-type OmpA exhibits a free energy of unfolding (DeltaG degrees H2O) of 10.5 kcal/mol. Mutants, containing a single tryptophan residue at the native positions 7, 15, 57, 102, or 143, are less stable than wild-type OmpA, with DeltaG degrees H2O values of 6.7, 4.8, 2.4, 4.7, and 2.8 kcal/mol, respectively. The trend observed here is discussed in terms of noncovalent interactions, including aromatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. The effect of the soluble tail on the conformational stability of the transmembrane domain of OmpA was also investigated via truncated single-Trp mutants; DeltaG degrees H2O values for four of the five truncated mutants are greater by >2.7 kcal/mol relative to the full-length versions, suggesting that the absence of the soluble domain may destabilize the unfolded transmembrane domain. Finally, dynamic light scattering experiments were performed to measure the effects of urea and protein on vesicle size and stability. Urea concentrations greater than 1 M cause an increase in vesicle size, and these diameters are unaltered in the presence of protein. These dynamic light scattering results complement the fluorescence studies and illustrate the important effects of vesicle size on protein conformational stability.

A multidomain outer membrane protein from Pasteurella multocida: Modelling and simulation studies of PmOmpA

PmOmpA is a two-domain outer membrane protein from Pasteurella multocida. The N-terminal domain of PmOmpA is a homologue of the transmembrane beta-barrel domain of OmpA from Escherichia coli, whilst the C-terminal domain of PmOmpA is a homologue of the extra-membrane Neisseria meningitidis RmpM C-terminal domain. This enables a model of a complete two domain PmOmpA to be constructed and its conformational dynamics explored via MD simulations of the protein embedded within two different phospholipid bilayers (DMPC and DMPE). The conformational stability of the transmembrane beta-barrel is similar to that of a homology model of OprF from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bilayer simulations. There is a degree of water penetration into the interior of the beta-barrel, suggestive of a possible transmembrane pore. Although the PmOmpA model is stable over 20 ns simulations, retaining its secondary structure and fold integrity throughout, substantial flexibility is observed in a short linker region between the N- and the C-terminal domains. At low ionic strength, the C-terminal domain moves to interact electrostatically with the lipid bilayer headgroups. This study demonstrates that computational approaches may be applied to more complex, multi-domain outer membrane proteins, rather than just to transmembrane beta-barrels, opening the possibility of in silico proteomics approaches to such proteins.

Chromosomal His-tagging: An alternative approach to membrane protein purification

Membrane proteins are of keen interest to structural biologists, as they are known to act as receptors, adhesins, sensors, transporters, and signal-transducers of living cells. During the past few decades, the efforts made to study the bacterial membrane proteins have been impaired by the problems encountered during the production and purification of native proteins. Herein we demonstrate that the Campylobacter jejuni CadF protein, which was isolated using a novel purification strategy, exhibits biological activity as evidenced by channel activity in lipid bilayers. CadF, an E. coli OmpA-like protein, facilitates the binding of C. jejuni to the extracellular matrix component, fibronectin.

Proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli biofilms reveals the overexpression of the outer membrane protein OmpA

Bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation on the surface of urinary catheters is a common cause of nosocomial infection, and as such is a major impediment to their long-term use. Understanding the mechanisms of biofilm formation on urinary catheters is critical to their control and will aid the future development of materials used in their manufacture. In this report we have used proteomic analysis coupled with immunoassays to show that the major outer membrane protein (OmpA) of Escherichia coli is overexpressed during biofilm formation. A series of synthetic hydrogels being developed for potential use as catheter coatings were used as the substrata and OmpA expression was increased in biofilms on all these surfaces, as well as being a feature of both a laboratory and a clinical strain of E. coli. Up-regulation of OmpA may, therefore, be a common feature of E. coli biofilms. These findings present OmpA as a potential target for biofilm inhibition and may contribute to the rational design of biofilm inhibiting hydrogel coatings for urinary catheters.

Probing folded and unfolded states of outer membrane protein a with steady-state and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements on each of five native tryptophan residues in full-length and truncated variants of E. coli outer-membrane protein A (OmpA) have been made in folded and denatured states. Tryptophan singlet excited-state lifetimes are multiexponential and vary among the residues. In addition, substantial increases in excited-state lifetimes accompany OmpA folding, with longer lifetimes in micelles than in phospholipid bilayers. This finding suggests that the Trp environments of OmpA folded in micelles and phospholipid bilayers are different. Measurements of Trp fluorescence decay kinetics with full-length OmpA folded in brominated lipid vesicles reveal that W102 is the most distant fluorophore from the hydrocarbon core, while W7 is the closest. Steady-state and time-resolved polarized fluorescence measurements indicate reduced Trp mobility when OmpA is folded in a micelle, and even lower mobility when the protein is folded in a bilayer. The fluorescence properties of truncated OmpA, in which the soluble periplasmic domain is removed, only modestly differ from those of the full-length form, suggesting similar folded structures for the two forms under these conditions.

Pore characteristics of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae outer membrane protein P5 in planar lipid bilayers

The structure of outer membrane protein P5 of NTHi, a homolog of Escherichia coli OmpA, was investigated by observing its pore characteristics in planar lipid bilayers. Recombinant NTHi P5 was overexpressed in E. coli and purified using ionic detergent, LDS-P5, or nonionic detergent, OG-P5. LDS-P5 and OG-P5 could not be distinguished by their migration on SDS-PAGE gels; however, when incorporated into planar bilayers of DPhPC between symmetric aqueous solutions of 1 M KCl at 22 degrees C, LDS-P5 formed narrow pores (58 +/- 6 pS) with low open probability, whereas OG-P5 formed large pores (1.1 +/- 0.1 nS) with high open probability (0.99). LDS-P5 narrow pores were gradually and irreversibly transformed into large pores, indistinguishable from those formed by OG-P5, at temperatures >or=40 degrees C; the process took 4-6 h at 40 degrees C or 35-45 min at 42 degrees C. Large pores were stable to changes in temperatures; however, large pores were rapidly converted to narrow pores when exposed to LDS at room temperatures, indicating acute sensitivity of this conformer to ionic detergent. These studies suggest that narrow pores are partially denatured forms and support the premise that the native conformation of NTHi P5 is that of a large monomeric pore.

Expression and purification of native and truncated forms of CadF, an outer membrane protein of Campylobacter

Campylobacter is now recognized as the most common bacterial agent of gastroenteritis. The adhesion of bacteria to intestinal cells is a major step in human colonization. The binding of Campylobacter jejuni cells to fibronectin (Fn), a component of the extra cellular matrix, is mediated by a 37,000 outer membrane protein termed CadF for Campylobacter adhesion to Fn. CadF protein is very hard to purify from Campylobacter membranes. In order to study the conformation of this protein, we set out to clone, express, purify, and re-fold the CadF protein. The nucleotide sequence encoding the N-terminal domain of the CadF protein was cloned in a pET-based expression vector. The recombinant protein was further produced in Escherichia coli, purified from inclusion bodies, and refolded. More specifically, the purification experiments were set-up as follows: (i) protein aggregates were collected from cell-lysates, solubilized in urea and enriched by ion-exchange chromatography; (ii) refolding was achieved by drop-by-drop dilution method in detergent containing buffer and monitored by CD measurements; (iii) the protein was finally purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography. In spite of our success in purifying the N-terminal domain of the CadF protein, repeated attempts to express and purify the entire cadF gene in E. coli failed. Using a novel approach, we found it possible to express the entire cadF gene fused to a hexa-histidine encoding nucleotide sequence in C. jejuni. This allowed the expression, synthesis, and purification of the recombinant CadF-His tagged protein from C. jejuni by nickel affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration chromatography. In summary, we developed a novel strategy to produce significant quantities of a recombinant N-terminal portion of the CadF protein (46.5 microg/mg of bacterial dry weight) and of the native CadF protein (3.5 microg/mg of bacterial dry weight) for further studies.