Streptolysin O: inhibition of the conformational change during membrane binding of the monomer prevents oligomerization and pore formation

A pore-forming protein-induced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic strategy for dynamic tracing of cell membrane repair

The plasma membrane repair holds significance for maintaining cell survival and homeostasis. To achieve the sensitive visualization of membrane repair process for revealing its mechanism, this work designs a perforation-induced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) strategy by conjugating Raman reporter (4-mercaptobenzoic acid) loaded gold nanostars with pore-forming protein streptolysin O (SLO) to induce the SERS signal on living cells. The SERS signal obviously decreases with the initiation of membrane repair and the degradation of SLO pores due to the departure of gold-nanostar-conjugated SLO. Thus, the designed strategy can dynamically visualize the complete cell membrane repair and provide a sensitive method to demonstrate the SLO endocytosis- and exocytosis-mediated repairing mechanism. Using DOX-resistant MCF-7 cells as a model, a timely repair-blocking technology for promoting the highly efficient treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells is also proposed. This work opens an avenue for probing the plasma membrane repairing mechanisms and designing the precision therapeutic schedule.

Functional and Structural Variation among Sticholysins, Pore-Forming Proteins from the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla helianthus

Venoms constitute complex mixtures of many different molecules arising from evolution in processes driven by continuous prey-predator interactions. One of the most common compounds in these venomous cocktails are pore-forming proteins, a family of toxins whose activity relies on the disruption of the plasmatic membranes by forming pores. The venom of sea anemones, belonging to the oldest lineage of venomous animals, contains a large amount of a characteristic group of pore-forming proteins known as actinoporins. They bind specifically to sphingomyelin-containing membranes and suffer a conformational metamorphosis that drives them to make pores. This event usually leads cells to death by osmotic shock. Sticholysins are the actinoporins produced by Stichodactyla helianthus. Three different isotoxins are known: Sticholysins I, II, and III. They share very similar amino acid sequence and three-dimensional structure but display different behavior in terms of lytic activity and ability to interact with cholesterol, an important lipid component of vertebrate membranes. In addition, sticholysins can act in synergy when exerting their toxin action. The subtle, but important, molecular nuances that explain their different behavior are described and discussed throughout the text. Improving our knowledge about sticholysins behavior is important for eventually developing them into biotechnological tools.

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins impair pro-inflammatory macrophage responses

Necrotizing soft tissue infections are lethal polymicrobial infections. Two key microbes that cause necrotizing soft tissue infections are Streptococcus pyogenes and Clostridium perfringens. These pathogens evade innate immunity using multiple virulence factors, including cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). CDCs are resisted by mammalian cells through the sequestration and shedding of pores during intrinsic membrane repair. One hypothesis is that vesicle shedding promotes immune evasion by concomitantly eliminating key signaling proteins present in cholesterol-rich microdomains. To test this hypothesis, murine macrophages were challenged with sublytic CDC doses. CDCs suppressed LPS or IFNγ-stimulated TNFα production and CD69 and CD86 surface expression. This suppression was cell intrinsic. Two membrane repair pathways, patch repair and intrinsic repair, might mediate TNFα suppression. However, patch repair did not correlate with TNFα suppression. Intrinsic repair partially contributed to macrophage dysfunction because TLR4 and the IFNγR were partially shed following CDC challenge. Intrinsic repair was not sufficient for suppression, because pore formation was also required. These findings suggest that even when CDCs fail to kill cells, they may impair innate immune signaling responses dependent on cholesterol-rich microdomains. This is one potential mechanism to explain the lethality of S. pyogenes and C. perfringens during necrotizing soft tissue infections.

Intrinsic repair protects cells from pore-forming toxins by microvesicle shedding

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are used by both the immune system and by pathogens to disrupt cell membranes. Cells attempt to repair this disruption in various ways, but the exact mechanism(s) that cells use are not fully understood, nor agreed upon. Current models for membrane repair include (1) patch formation (e.g., fusion of internal vesicles with plasma membrane defects), (2) endocytosis of the pores, and (3) shedding of the pores by blebbing from the cell membrane. In this study, we sought to determine the specific mechanism(s) that cells use to resist three different cholesterol-dependent PFTs: Streptolysin O, Perfringolysin O, and Intermedilysin. We found that all three toxins were shed from cells by blebbing from the cell membrane on extracellular microvesicles (MVs). Unique among the cells studied, we found that macrophages were 10 times more resistant to the toxins, yet they shed significantly smaller vesicles than the other cells. To examine the mechanism of shedding, we tested whether toxins with engineered defects in pore formation or oligomerization were shed. We found that oligomerization was necessary and sufficient for membrane shedding, suggesting that calcium influx and patch formation were not required for shedding. However, pore formation enhanced shedding, suggesting that calcium influx and patch formation enhance repair. In contrast, monomeric toxins were endocytosed. These data indicate that cells use two interrelated mechanisms of membrane repair: lipid-dependent MV shedding, which we term 'intrinsic repair', and patch formation by intracellular organelles. Endocytosis may act after membrane repair is complete by removing inactivated and monomeric toxins from the cell surface.

Reduction of streptolysin O (SLO) pore-forming activity enhances inflammasome activation

Pore-forming toxins are utilized by bacterial and mammalian cells to exert pathogenic effects and induce cell lysis. In addition to rapid plasma membrane repair, macrophages respond to pore-forming toxins through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to IL-1β secretion and pyroptosis. The structural determinants of pore-forming toxins required for NLRP3 activation remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate using streptolysin O (SLO) that pore-formation controls IL-1β secretion and direct toxicity. An SLO mutant incapable of pore-formation did not promote direct killing, pyroptosis or IL-1β production. This indicated that pore formation is necessary for inflammasome activation. However, a partially active mutant (SLO N402C) that was less toxic to macrophages than wild-type SLO, even at concentrations that directly lysed an equivalent number of red blood cells, enhanced IL-1β production but did not alter pyroptosis. This suggests that direct lysis may attenuate immune responses by preventing macrophages from successfully repairing their plasma membrane and elaborating more robust cytokine production. We suggest that mutagenesis of pore-forming toxins represents a strategy to enhance adjuvant activity.

Oligomerization and hemolytic properties of the C-terminal domain of pyolysin, a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin

Pyolysin (PLO) belongs to the homologous family of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), which bind to cell membranes containing cholesterol to form oligomeric pores of large size. The CDC monomer structure consists of 4 domains. Among these, the C-terminal domain 4 has been implicated in membrane binding of the monomer, while the subsequent processes of oligomerization and membrane insertion have primarily been assigned to other domains of the molecule. Recombinantly expressed or proteolytic fragments that span domain 4 of the CDCs streptolysin O and perfringolysin O bind to membranes but fail to oligomerize, and they inhibit the activity of the respective wild-type toxins. We report here that the isolated domain 4 of pyolysin (PLO-D4) not only binds to membranes but also forms oligomers with itself, as well as hybrid oligomers with the full-length toxin. As expected, the pure PLO-D4 oligomers are devoid of pore-forming activity. Surprisingly, however, within hybrid oligomers, PLO-D4 not only fails to inhibit, but even amplifies the hemolytic activity of the full-length toxin, to an extent similar to that of doubling the amount of the full-length toxin alone. We propose that this amplification may be related to the kinetics of the oligomerization reaction. Overall, our findings indicate a greater role of domain 4 in the oligomerization of CDCs than previously demonstrated.

Partial oligomerization of pyolysin induced by a disulfide-tethered mutant

The bacterial toxin pyolysin (PLO) belongs to the family of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), which form large, ring-shaped oligomeric pores in cholesterol-containing membranes. Monomeric CDC molecules have a structure of four domains, with domains 2 and 3 packed against each other. After binding to target membranes containing cholesterol, toxin monomers oligomerize into pre-pore complexes. Trans-membrane pores form when the pre-pores insert into the lipid bilayer. Membrane insertion requires each subunit in the pre-pore to undergo a significant change in conformation, including the separation of domains 2 and 3. We here characterize a pyolysin mutant with an engineered disulfide bond between domains 2 and 3. The disulfide-tethered mutant binds to membranes but does not form oligomers. When mixed with wild type PLO, the two proteins form hybrid oligomers, which are reduced in size and arc-shaped rather than ring-shaped. With equimolar mixtures or the disulfide mutant in slight excess, the hybrid oligomers retain pore-forming activity, while a larger excess of the mutant suppresses pore formation. These results support a "partially cooperative" mode of protein activity, in which a limited number of functional subunits within an oligomer have to cooperate to initiate membrane insertion and pore formation.

Development of a single-gene, signature-tag-based approach in combination with alanine mutagenesis to identify listeriolysin O residues critical for the in vivo survival of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a pore-forming toxin of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family and a primary virulence factor of the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. LLO mediates rupture of phagosomal membranes, thereby releasing bacteria into the growth-permissive host cell cytosol. Several unique features of LLO allow its activity to be precisely regulated in order to facilitate phagosomal escape, intracellular growth, and cell-to-cell spread. To improve our understanding of the multifaceted contribution of LLO to the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes, we developed a screen that combined saturation mutagenesis and signature tags, termed in vivo analysis by saturation mutagenesis and signature tags (IVASS). We generated a library of LLO mutant strains, each harboring a single amino acid substitution and a signature tag, by using the previously described pPL2 integration vector. The signature tags acted as molecular barcodes, enabling high-throughput, parallel analysis of 40 mutants in a single animal and identification of attenuated mutants by negative selection. Using the IVASS technique we were able to screen over 90% of the 505 amino acids present in LLO and identified 60 attenuated mutants. Of these, 39 LLO residues were previously uncharacterized and potentially revealed novel functions of the toxin during infection. The mutants that were subsequently analyzed in vivo each conferred a 2- to 4-orders of magnitude loss in virulence compared to wild type, thereby validating the screening methods. Phenotypic analysis of the LLO mutant library using common in vitro techniques suggested that the functional contributions of some residues could only have been revealed through in vivo analysis.

Molecular basis of early epithelial response to streptococcal exotoxin: role of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins

Streptolysin O (SLO) is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) from Streptococcus pyogenes. SLO induces diverse types of Ca(2+) signalling in host cells which play a key role in membrane repair and cell fate determination. The mechanisms behind SLO-induced Ca(2+) signalling remain poorly understood. Here, we show that in NCI-H441 cells, wild-type SLO as well as non-pore-forming mutant induces long-lasting intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations via IP(3) -mediated depletion of intracellular stores and activation of store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) entry. SLO-induced activation of SOC entry was confirmed by Ca(2+) add-back experiments, pharmacologically and by overexpression as well as silencing of STIM1 and Orai1 expression. SLO also activated SOC entry in primary cultivated alveolar type II (ATII) cells but Ca(2+) oscillations were comparatively short-lived in nature. Comparison of STIM1 and Orai1 revealed a differential expression pattern in H441 and ATII cells. Overexpression of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins in ATII cells changed the short-lived oscillatory response into a long-lived one. Thus, we conclude that SLO-mediated Ca(2+) signalling involves Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores and STIM1/Orai1-dependent SOC entry. The phenotype of Ca(2+) signalling depends on STIM1 and Orai1 expression levels. Our findings suggest a new role for SOC entry-associated proteins in S. pyogenes-induced lung infection and pneumonia.

Global functional analyses of cellular responses to pore-forming toxins

Here we present the first global functional analysis of cellular responses to pore-forming toxins (PFTs). PFTs are uniquely important bacterial virulence factors, comprising the single largest class of bacterial protein toxins and being important for the pathogenesis in humans of many Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Their mode of action is deceptively simple, poking holes in the plasma membrane of cells. The scattered studies to date of PFT-host cell interactions indicate a handful of genes are involved in cellular defenses to PFTs. How many genes are involved in cellular defenses against PFTs and how cellular defenses are coordinated are unknown. To address these questions, we performed the first genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen for genes that, when knocked down, result in hypersensitivity to a PFT. This screen identifies 106 genes (∼0.5% of genome) in seven functional groups that protect Caenorhabditis elegans from PFT attack. Interactome analyses of these 106 genes suggest that two previously identified mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, one (p38) studied in detail and the other (JNK) not, form a core PFT defense network. Additional microarray, real-time PCR, and functional studies reveal that the JNK MAPK pathway, but not the p38 MAPK pathway, is a key central regulator of PFT-induced transcriptional and functional responses. We find C. elegans activator protein 1 (AP-1; c-jun, c-fos) is a downstream target of the JNK-mediated PFT protection pathway, protects C. elegans against both small-pore and large-pore PFTs and protects human cells against a large-pore PFT. This in vivo RNAi genomic study of PFT responses proves that cellular commitment to PFT defenses is enormous, demonstrates the JNK MAPK pathway as a key regulator of transcriptionally-induced PFT defenses, and identifies AP-1 as the first cellular component broadly important for defense against large- and small-pore PFTs.

The plasma membrane surrounds cells and protects their interior from the environment and from attack by disease-causing agents like bacteria and viruses. Bacteria that cause disease have discovered that an effective way to attack cells is to secrete proteins (pore-forming toxins) that breach, i.e., form holes in, the plasma membrane. How cells deal with and survive this kind of attack is poorly understood. Here, we report on the first large-scale study of the genes and mRNA transcripts that respond to pore-forming toxin attack in cells. We find that a remarkable portion, >0.5%, of the cell's genome protects it against pore-forming toxins. These data led us to look more closely at mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways as regulators of pore-forming toxin defenses. We find that half of the PFT-induced protective response is controlled by a single, conserved signaling pathway in cells, which controls a complex array of downstream targets and which protects against both large pore and small pore toxins. Our results indicate that defense against pore-forming toxins is a very ancient defense that utilizes a much more complex and extensive response in cells than previously demonstrated.

Cholesterol microcrystals and cochleate cylinders: attachment of pyolysin oligomers and domain 4

Using an established organic solvent injection procedure for the preparation of aqueous cholesterol microcrystal suspensions, it has now been shown that a new, hollow, cylindrical, tightly-coiled, multi-bilayer form of cholesterol can be generated, termed the cochleate cylinder. Cholesterol cochleate cylinders are formed in larger numbers at intermediate temperatures (40-75°C) but are not formed at 100°C. The structure of the cholesterol microcrystals and cochleate cylinders is shown in negatively stained electron micrographs. Oligomerization and attachment of pyolysin to cholesterol microcrystals and cochleate cylinders is shown, as is the attachment of the pyolysin "cholesterol-binding" domain 4 (D4) fragment. The bound D4 domain forms a linear array on the two planar surfaces and edges of the cholesterol microcrystals and a quasi helical array on the surface of the cochleate cylinders. Little evidence has been obtained to support the possibility that interaction or hetero-oligomerization can occur between intact pyolysin and the pyolysin D4 fragment on the surface of cholesterol microcrystals. Using immobilized cholesterol crystals attached to a carbon support film, single-sided linear labelling of the cholesterol surface with pyolysin D4 has been achieved, which correlates well with the images from the microcrystal suspensions and our earlier data using non-cytolytic streptolysin O mutants.

Pro-autophagic signal induction by bacterial pore-forming toxins

Pore-forming toxins (PFT) comprise a large, structurally heterogeneous group of bacterial protein toxins. Nucleated target cells mount complex responses which allow them to survive moderate membrane damage by PFT. Autophagy has recently been implicated in responses to various PFT, but how this process is triggered is not known, and the significance of the phenomenon is not understood. Here, we show that S. aureus α-toxin, Vibrio cholerae cytolysin, streptolysin O and E. coli haemolysin activate two pathways leading to autophagy. The first pathway is triggered via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is a major energy sensor which induces autophagy by inhibiting the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) in response to a drop of the cellular ATP/AMP-ratio, as is also observed in response to membrane perforation. The second pathway is activated by the conserved eIF2α-kinase GCN2, which causes global translational arrest and promotes autophagy in response to starvation. The latter could be accounted for by impaired amino acid transport into target cells. Notably, PKR, an eIF2α-kinase which has been implicated in autophagy induction during viral infection, was also activated upon membrane perforation, and evidence was obtained that phosphorylation of eIF2α is required for the accumulation of autophagosomes in α-toxin-treated cells. Treatment with 3-methyl-adenine inhibited autophagy and disrupted the ability of cells to recover from sublethal attack by S. aureus α-toxin. We propose that PFT induce pro-autophagic signals through membrane perforation–dependent nutrient and energy depletion, and that an important function of autophagy in this context is to maintain metabolic homoeostasis.

The cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family of gram-positive bacterial toxins

The cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are a family of beta-barrel pore-forming toxins secreted by Gram-positive bacteria. These toxins are produced as water-soluble monomeric proteins that after binding to the target cell oligomerize on the membrane surface forming a ring-like pre-pore complex, and finally insert a large beta-barrel into the membrane (about 250 A in diameter). Formation of such a large transmembrane structure requires multiple and coordinated conformational changes. The presence of cholesterol in the target membrane is absolutely required for pore-formation, and therefore it was long thought that cholesterol was the cellular receptor for these toxins. However, not all the CDCs require cholesterol for binding. Intermedilysin, secreted by Streptoccocus intermedius only binds to membranes containing a protein receptor, but forms pores only if the membrane contains sufficient cholesterol. In contrast, perfringolysin O, secreted by Clostridium perfringens, only binds to membranes containing substantial amounts of cholesterol. The mechanisms by which cholesterol regulates the cytolytic activity of the CDCs are not understood at the molecular level. The C-terminus of perfringolysin O is involved in cholesterol recognition, and changes in the conformation of the loops located at the distal tip of this domain affect the toxin-membrane interactions. At the same time, the distribution of cholesterol in the membrane can modulate toxin binding. Recent studies support the concept that there is a dynamic interplay between the cholesterol-binding domain of the CDCs and the excess of cholesterol molecules in the target membrane.

Pore-forming toxins activate MAPK p38 by causing loss of cellular potassium

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 has emerged as a survival protein in cells that are attacked by bacterial toxins forming small membrane pores. Activation of p38 by pore forming toxins (PFT) has been attributed to osmotic stress, but here we show that loss of K+ is likely to be the critical parameter. Several lines of evidence support this conclusion: first, osmoprotection did not prevent p38-phosphorylation in alpha-toxin-loaded cells. Second, treatment of cells with a K+ ionophore, or simple incubation in K+-free medium sufficed to cause robust p38-phosphorylation. Third, media containing high [K+] prevented p38-activation by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin, Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC), Streptolysin O (SLO), or Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA), but did not impair activation by H2O2. Fourth, potential roles of LPS, TLR4, or calcium-influx were ruled out. Therefore, we propose that PFT trigger the p38 MAPK-pathway by causing loss of cellular K+.

Expression and purification of a Plasmodium vivax antigen - PvTARAg55 tryptophan- and alanine-rich antigen and its immunological responses in human subjects

Despite the immense global efforts, the malaria vaccine is not yet available and requires the identification of newer target molecules. Since tryptophan-rich proteins of P. yoelii have been proposed as vaccine candidates, we describe here the expression, purification and immunological characterization of a 55kDa Plasmodium vivax tryptophan- and alanine-rich antigen (PvTARAg55). This protein consists of 480 aa residues with a calculated molecular mass of 55.0kDa. It shows 42% aa sequence identity (64% homology) with PyPAg1 of P. yoelii and shares positional conservation of tryptophan residues. Sequence analysis of PvTARAg55 from different P. vivax isolates revealed that typtophan-rich domain which contains most of the B-cell epitopes was highly conserved in the parasite population while the alanine-rich domain showed polymorphism. Exon-2 covering major part (420 aa) of the protein including both the domains was PCR amplified, cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein purified to its homogeneity. Majority of P. vivax-infected individuals (82.5%, n=40) produced antibodies against this antigen. Proliferative responses to the recombinant PvTARAg55 were observed in 60% (n=20) of individuals who had recently been exposed to the P. vivax infection. Measurement of Th1- (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-12) and Th2-type (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine production in response to this recombinant antigen revealed a mixed type T-cell response with a Th2 response being more pronounced. These results demonstrate that PvTARAg55 elicits high humoral and cellular immune responses thus establishes its immunogenecity in humans.

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab mutants affecting oligomer formation are non-toxic to Manduca sexta larvae

Pore-forming toxins are biological weapons produced by a variety of living organisms, particularly bacteria but also by insects, reptiles, and invertebrates. These proteins affect the cell membrane of their target, disrupting permeability and leading eventually to cell death. The pore-forming toxins typically transform from soluble, monomeric proteins to oligomers that form transmembrane channels. The Cry toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis are widely used as insecticides. These proteins have been recognized as pore-forming toxins, and their primary action is to lyse midgut epithelial cells in their target insect. To exert their toxic effect, a prepore oligomeric intermediate is formed leading finally to membrane-inserted oligomeric pores. To understand the role of Cry oligomeric pre-pore formation in the insecticidal activity we isolated point mutations that affected toxin oligomerization but not their binding with the cadherin-like, Bt-R(1) receptor. We show the helix alpha-3 in domain I contains sequences that could form coiled-coil structures important for oligomerization. Some single point mutants in this helix bound Bt-R(1) receptors with similar affinity as the wild-type toxin, but were affected in oligomerization and were severally impaired in pore formation and toxicity against Manduca sexta larvae. These data indicate the pre-pore oligomer and the toxin pore formation play a major role in the intoxication process of Cry1Ab toxin in insect larvae.

Structures of perfringolysin O suggest a pathway for activation of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), a large family of bacterial toxins, are secreted as water-soluble monomers and yet are capable of generating oligomeric pores in membranes. Previous work has demonstrated that large scale structural rearrangements occur during this transition but the detailed mechanism by which these changes take place remains a puzzle. Despite evidence of structural and functional couplings between domains 3 and 4, the crystal structure of the CDC, perfringolysin O (PFO), shows the two domains do not make direct contact. Here, we present crystal structures of PFO that demonstrate movements of domain 4 are sufficient to trigger conformational changes that are transmitted through the molecule to the distant domain 3. These coupled movements result in a loss of many contacts between domain 3 and rest of the molecule that would eventually lead to the exposure of transmembrane regions in preparation for membrane insertion. The structures reveal a detailed molecular pathway that may be the basis for the allosteric transition that occurs on initial membrane binding leading to the exposure of membrane-spanning regions in a domain distant from the initial site of interaction.

The cholesterol-dependent cytolysin listeriolysin O aggregates rafts via oligomerization

The pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO) is the main virulence factor of Listeria monocytogenes. LLO is known to act as a pseudo cytokine/chemokine, which induces a broad spectrum of host responses that ultimately influences the outcome of listeriosis. In the present study we demonstrate that LLO is a potent aggregator of lipid rafts. LLO was found to aggregate the raft associated molecules GM1, the GPI-anchored proteins CD14 and CD16 as well as the tyrosine kinase Lyn. Abrogation of the cytolytic activity of LLO by cholesterol pretreatment was found not to interfere with LLO's ability to aggregate rafts or trigger tyrosine phosphorylation in cells. However, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the oligomerization of LLO was found to inhibit rafts' aggregation as well as the induction of tyrosine phosphorylation. This implies that rafts aggregation by LLO which is independent of cytolytic activity, is due to the oligomerization of its membrane bound toxin monomers. Thus, LLO most likely induces signalling through the coaggregation of rafts' associated receptors, kinases and adaptors.

Pore-forming protein toxins: from structure to function

Pore-forming protein toxins (PFTs) are one of Nature's most potent biological weapons. An essential feature of their toxicity is the remarkable property that PFTs can exist either in a stable water-soluble state or as an integral membrane pore. In order to convert from the water-soluble to the membrane state, the toxin must undergo large conformational changes. There are now more than a dozen PFTs for which crystal structures have been determined and the nature of the conformational changes they must undergo is beginning to be understood. Although they differ markedly in their primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures, nearly all can be classified into one of two families based on the types of pores they are thought to form: alpha-PFTs or beta-PFTs. Recent work suggests a number of common features in the mechanism of membrane insertion may exist for each class.

Identification, expression, localization and serological characterization of a tryptophan-rich antigen from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax

Plasmodium vivax is most common but non-cultivable human malaria parasite which is poorly characterized at the molecular level. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a P. vivax Tryptophan-Rich Antigen (PvTRAg) which contains unusually high (8.28%) tryptophan residues and is expressed by all blood stages of the parasite. The pvtrag gene comprises a 978bp open reading frame interrupted by two introns. The first intron is located in the 5'-untranslated region while the second one is positioned 174bp downstream to the ATG codon. The encoded approximately 40kDa protein contains a transmembrane domain near the N-terminus followed by a tryptophan-rich domain with significantly high surface probability and antigenic index. It is localized in the parasite cytoplasm as well as in the cytoplasm of the parasitized erythrocyte. The purified E. coli expressed recombinant PvTRAg protein showed a very high seropositivity rate for the presence of antibodies amongst the P. vivax patients, indicating that the antigen generates significant humoral immune response during the natural course of P. vivax infection. Analysis of various field isolates revealed that the tryptophan-rich domain is highly conserved except for three-point mutations. The PvTRAg could be a potential vaccine candidate since similar tryptophan-rich antigens of P. yoelii have shown protection against malaria in murine model.

The streptococcal exotoxin streptolysin O activates mast cells to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase- and protein kinase C-dependent pathways

Streptolysin O (SLO), a major virulence factor of pyogenic streptococci, binds to cholesterol in the membranes of eukaryotic cells and oligomerizes to form large transmembrane pores. While high toxin doses are rapidly cytocidal, low doses are tolerated because a limited number of lesions can be resealed. Here, we report that at sublethal doses, SLO activates primary murine bone marrow-derived mast cells to degranulate and to rapidly induce or enhance the production of several cytokine mRNAs, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Mast cell-derived TNF-alpha plays an important protective role in murine models of acute inflammation, and the production of this cytokine was analyzed in more detail. Release of biologically active TNF-alpha peaked approximately 4 h after stimulation with SLO. Production of TNF-alpha was blunted upon depletion of protein kinase C by pretreatment of the cells with phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate. Transient permeabilization of mast cells with SLO also led to the activation of the stress-activated protein kinases p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase markedly reduced production of TNF-alpha. In contrast, secretion of preformed granule constituents triggered by membrane permeabilization was not dependent on p38 MAP kinase or on protein kinase C. Thus, transcriptional activation of mast cells following transient permeabilization might contribute to host defense against infections via the beneficial effects of TNF-alpha. However, hyperstimulation of mast cells might also lead to overproduction of TNF-alpha, which would then promote the development of toxic streptococcal syndromes.

Characterisation of mouse monoclonal antibodies for pneumolysin: fine epitope mapping and V gene usage

Pneumolysin (PLY) is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae, the main cause of community-acquired pneumonia. We have applied a set of diverse molecular methodologies (PCR-derived PLY peptides, biopanning of a library of phage-displayed random nonapeptides, indirect ELISA and competition tests with soluble peptides) to achieve concordant complementary observations in order to obtain a fine epitope mapping of three mouse monoclonal antibodies (PLY-4, PLY-7 and PLY-8) for PLY. PLY-4 seems to recognise a conformation-dependent epitope with a core reactivity involving R232. The epitopes recognised by PLY-7 and PLY-8 are within the sequences (401)GQDLTAH(407) and (450)KRTISIWGT(458), respectively. PLY-7 also recognises suilysin (SLY), in which the homologous reactive amino acid stretch is (429)GVNLTSH(435). In a homology model of PLY with the crystal structure of perfringolysin O (PFO), R232 is part of a well-exposed contorted loop on the edge of the concave and convex faces of domain 1. The sequences reactive with PLY-7 and PLY-8 would conform one of the loops at the bottom of domain 4 and a beta strand of one of the two beta sheets of this domain, respectively. Western blot analyses carried out with anti-PLY rabbit IgG and polyclonal mouse serum identified stretches comprising residues 40-98, 199-248, 352-414 and 415-471 of PLY as immunogenic and antigenic; altogether with their recognition by the monoclonal antibodies herein considered, these results stress the immunological significance of domains 1 and 4 of the PLY molecule. PLY-4, PLY-7 and PLY-8 share the same Vkappa chain; this chain and that of the PLY-5 monoclonal antibody are essentially in germline configuration, whereas the VH regions of these monoclonals come from diverse gene segments and are mutated.

Assembly and topography of the prepore complex in cholesterol-dependent cytolysins

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins are a family of poreforming proteins that have been shown to be virulence factors for a large number of pathogenic bacteria. The mechanism of pore formation for these toxins involves a complex series of events that are known to include binding, oligomerization, and insertion of a transmembrane beta-barrel. Several features of this mechanism remain poorly understood and controversial. Whereas a prepore mechanism has been proposed for perfringolysin O, a very different mechanism has been proposed for the homologous member of the family, streptolysin O. To distinguish between the two models, a novel approach that directly measures the dimension of transmembranes pores was used. Pore formation itself was examined for both cytolysins by encapsulating fluorescein-labeled peptides and proteins of different sizes into liposomes. When these liposomes were re-suspended in a solution containing anti-fluorescein antibodies, toxin-mediated pore formation was monitored directly by the quenching of fluorescein emission as the encapsulated molecules were released, and the dyes were bound by the antibodies. The analysis of pore formation determined using this approach reveals that only large pores are produced by perfringolysin O and streptolysin O during insertion (and not small pores that grow in size). These results are consistent only with the formation of a prepore complex intermediate prior to insertion of the transmembrane beta-barrel into the bilayer. Fluorescence quenching experiments also revealed that PFO in the prepore complex contacts the membrane via domain 4, and that the individual transmembrane beta-hairpins in domain 3 are not exposed to the nonpolar core of the bilayer at this intermediate stage.

Mechanism of activation of ERK and H-K-ATPase by isoproterenol in rat cortical collecting duct

Isoproterenol stimulates H-K-ATPase activity in rat cortical collecting duct beta-intercalated cells through a PKA-dependent pathway. This study aimed at determining the signaling pathway underlying this effect. H-K-ATPase activity was determined in microdissected collecting ducts preincubated with or without specific inhibitors or antibodies against intracellular signaling proteins. Transient cell membrane permeabilization with streptolysin-O allowed intracellular access to antibodies. Isoproterenol increased phosphorylation of ERK in a PKA-dependent manner, and inhibition of the ERK phosphorylation prevented the stimulation of H-K-ATPase. Antibodies against the monomeric G protein Ras or the kinase Raf-1 curtailed the stimulation of H-K-ATPase by isoproterenol, whereas antibodies against the related proteins Rap-1 and B-Raf had no effect. Pertussis toxin and inhibition of tyrosine kinases with genistein also curtailed isoproterenol-induced stimulation of H-K-ATPase. It is proposed that activation of PKA by isoproterenol induces the phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptors and the switch from G(s) to G(i) coupling. In turn, betagamma-subunits released from G(i) would activate a tyrosine kinase-Ras-Raf-1 pathway, leading to the activation of ERK1/2 and of H-K-ATPase.

Controlling pore assembly of staphylococcal gamma-haemolysin by low temperature and by disulphide bond formation in double-cysteine LukF mutants

Staphylococcal LukF and Hlg2 are water-soluble monomers of gamma-haemolysin that assemble into oligomeric pores on the erythrocyte membranes. Here, we have created double-cysteine LukF mutants, in which single disulphide bonds connect either the prestem domain and the cap domain (V12C-T136C, Cap-Stem), or two beta-strands within the prestem domain (T117C-T136C, Stem-Stem) to control pore assembly of gamma-haemolysin at intermediate stages. The disulphide-trapped mutants were inactive in erythrocyte lysis, but gained full haemolytic activity if the disulphide bonds were reduced. The disulphide bonds blocked neither the membrane binding ability nor the intermediate prepore oligomerization, but efficiently inhibited the transition from prepores to pores. The prepores of Cap-Stem were dissociated into monomers in 1% SDS. In contrast, the prepores of Stem-Stem were stable in SDS and had ring-shaped structures similar to those of wild-type LukF, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The transition of both mutants from prepores to pores could even be achieved by reducing disulphide bonds at low temperature (2 degrees C), whereas prepore oligomerization was effectively inhibited by low temperature. Finally, real-time transition of Stem-Stem from prepores to pores on ghost cells, visualized using a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator (Rhod2), was shown by the sequential appearance of fluorescence spots, indicating pore-opening events. Taken together, these data indicate that the prepores are legitimate intermediates during gamma-haemolysin pore assembly, and that conformational changes around residues 117 and 136 of the prestem domain are essential for pore formation, but not for membrane binding or prepore oligomerization. We propose a mechanism for gamma-haemolysin pore assembly based on the demonstrated intermediates.

Protein kinase A-independent activation of ERK and H,K-ATPase by cAMP in native kidney cells: role of Epac I

This study aimed at determining the signaling pathways underlying calcitonin- and isoproterenol-induced stimulation of H,K-ATPase in rat renal collecting duct. H,K-ATPase activity was determined in microdissected collecting ducts preincubated with or without either specific inhibitors or antibodies directed against intracellular signaling proteins. Transient cell membrane permeabilization with streptolysin-O allowed intracellular access of antibodies. The stimulation of H,K-ATPase by calcitonin and isoproterenol was mimicked by cAMP analogues and was abolished by adenylyl cyclase inhibition. Protein kinase A inhibition abolished isoproterenol but not calcitonin effect on H,K-ATPase. Calcitonin increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a protein kinase A-independent manner, and the inhibition of the ERK phosphorylation prevented the stimulation of H,K-ATPase by calcitonin. Antibodies directed against either the cAMP-activated guanine-nucleotide exchange factor Epac I, the monomeric G protein Rap-1 or the kinase Raf-B, curtailed the stimulation of H,K-ATPase by calcitonin, whereas antibodies against the related monomeric G protein Ras or kinase Raf-1 had no effect. In conclusion, calcitonin stimulates H,K-ATPase through a cAMP/Epac I/Rap-1/Raf-B/ERK cascade.

Resealing of large transmembrane pores produced by streptolysin O in nucleated cells is accompanied by NF-kappaB activation and downstream events

Streptolysin O (SLO), archetype of a cholesterol-binding bacterial cytolysin, forms large pores in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. We have recently reported that when a limited number of pores are generated in a cell, they can be sealed in a Ca++-dependent process. Here, we show that resealing is followed by the release of IL-6 and IL-8 from keratinocytes and from endothelial cells, both relevant targets for SLO attack. Production of cytokines by these cells was preceded by activation of transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB, which thus emerges as a common denominator of stress responses to various pore-forming agents, including alpha-toxin of Staphylococcus aureus and complement. Furthermore, we show that activation and cytokine release in response to an agent that forms a pore in the plasma membrane do not depend on paracrine effects, because supernatants of cells perforated by SLO did not activate bystander cells. The study provides definitive evidence that a transient transmembrane pore suffices to trigger productive transcriptional activation in a target cell.

The family of thiol-activated, cholesterol-binding cytolysins

Several species of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic grampositive bacteria within the genera Streptococcus, Clostridium and Bacillus secrete cytolytic proteins that belong to a single, highly homologous family. The most widely known members of this family are streptolysin O, listeriolysin, perfringolysin, and pneumolysin. These toxins specifically require membrane cholesterol but, apparently, do not depend on any other specific cell surface receptor, so that they are able to lyse the cytoplasmic membranes of virtually any animal cell. Upon binding as monomers, they oligomerize to form large pores with up to 30 nm internal diameter. These are the largest pores known, permitting permeation not only of ions and small metabolites but also of macromolecules. The latter property renders these toxins useful tools in cell biology. While several of these cytolysins have been shown to be determinants of bacterial pathogenicity, their biological roles may vary, as do the lifestyles of the bacteria secreting them. A unique function is surely fulfilled by listeriolysin O, which helps the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes escape from phagolysosomes and then spread to adjacent host cells.

Functional assembly of two membrane-binding domains in listeriolysin O, the cytolysin of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a major virulence factor secreted by the pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes and acts as pore-forming cytolysin. Based on sequence similarities between LLO and perfringolysin (PFO), the cytolysin from Clostridium perfringens of known crystallographic structure, two truncated LLO proteins were produced: LLO-d123, comprising the first three predicted domains, and LLO-d4, the last C-terminal domain. The two proteins were efficiently secreted into the culture supernatant of L. monocytogenes and were able to bind to cell membranes. Strikingly, when expressed simultaneously, the two secreted domains LLO-d123 and LLO-d4 reassembled into a haemolytically active form. Two in-frame linker insertions were generated in the hinge region between the d123 and d4 domains. In both cases, the insertion created a major cleavage site for proteolytic degradation and abolished cytolytic activity, which might suggest that the region connecting d123 and d4 participates in the interaction between the two portions of the monomer.

Streptolysin O: the C-terminal, tryptophan-rich domain carries functional sites for both membrane binding and self-interaction but not for stable oligomerization

Streptolysin O belongs to the class of thiol-activated toxins, which are single chain, four-domain proteins that bind to membranes containing cholesterol and then assemble to form large oligomeric pores. Membrane binding involves a conserved tryptophan-rich sequence motif located within the C-terminally located domain 4. In contrast, sites involved in oligomerization and pore formation have been assigned to domains 1 and 3, respectively. We here examined the functional properties of domain 4, which was recombinantly expressed with an N-terminal histidine tag for purification and an additional cysteine residue for covalent labeling. The fluorescently labeled fragment readily bound to membranes, but it did not form oligomers nor lyse cell membranes. Moreover, the labeled fragment did not detectably become incorporated into hybrid oligomers when combined with lytically active full-length toxin. However, when present in large excess over the active toxin, the domain 4 fragment effected reduction of hemolytic activity and of functional pore size, which indicates interference with oligomerization of the lytically active species. Our findings support the notion that domain 4 of the streptolysin O molecule may fold autonomously, is essential for membrane binding and is capable not of irreversible but of reversible association with the entire toxin molecule.

Membrane-permeabilizing polypeptides of amoebae – constituents of an archaic antimicrobial system

Amoebae may be viewed as primitive, actively phagocytosing eukaryotic cells, many of which use bacteria as a major nutrient source. At a very archaic level, amoebae exert mechanisms which kill bacteria comparable to those found in phagocytic cells of higher organisms. Accordingly, it is tempting to suggest that the ancestors of effector cells of the innate immune system were bacteria-feeding amoebae and that their molecular armament is ancient. Here, we summarize the characteristics of antimicrobial and cytolytic 77-residue polypeptides from the protozoon Entamoeba histolytica for which correlates were found in effector cells of the mammalian immune systems. Based on the current knowledge about these small membrane-destabilizing proteins of phylogenetically extremely diverse origin, we discuss similarities and differences in their structure and activities.

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin: assembly and membrane insertion of the oligomeric pore are tightly linked and are not detectably restricted by membrane fluidity

Hemolytic strains of Vibrio cholerae secrete a cytolysin that, upon binding as a monomer, forms pentameric pores in animal cell membranes. Pore formation is inhibited at low temperature and in the absence of cholesterol. We here posed the following questions: firstly, can oligomerization be observed in the absence of pore formation? Secondly, is membrane fluidity responsible for the effect of temperature or of cholesterol upon pore formation? The first issue was approached by chemical cross-linking, by electrophoretic heteromer analysis, and by electron microscopy. None of these methods yielded any evidence of a non-lytic pre-pore oligomer. The second question was addressed by the use of two susceptible liposome models, consisting of cholesterol admixed to bovine brain lipids and to asolectin, respectively. The two liposome species clearly differed in membrane fluidity as judged by diphenylhexatriene fluorescence polarization. Nevertheless, their permeabilization by the cytolysin decreased with temperature in a closely parallel fashion, virtually vanishing at 5 degrees C. Omission of cholesterol from the liposomes uniformly led to an increase in membrane fluidity but prevented permeabilization by the cytolysin. The effects of temperature and of cholesterol upon cytolysin activity are thus not mediated by fluidization of the target membrane. The findings of our study distinguish V. cholerae cytolysin from several previously characterized pore-forming toxins.

Mechanism of membrane insertion of a multimeric beta-barrel protein: perfringolysin O creates a pore using ordered and coupled conformational changes

Perfringolysin O, a bacterial cytolytic toxin, forms unusually large pores in cholesterol-containing membranes by the spontaneous insertion of two of its four domains into the bilayer. By monitoring the kinetics of domain-specific conformational changes and pore formation using fluorescence spectroscopy, the temporal sequence of domain-membrane interactions has been established. One membrane-exposed domain does not penetrate deeply into the bilayer and is not part of the actual pore, but is responsible for membrane recognition. This domain must bind to the membrane before insertion of the other domain into the bilayer is initiated. The two domains are conformationally coupled, even though they are spatially separated. Thus, cytolytic pore formation is accomplished by a novel mechanism of ordered conformational changes and interdomain communication.