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Clarke KR, Hor L, Pilapitiya A, Luirink J, Paxman JJ, Heras B. Phylogenetic Classification and Functional Review of Autotransporters. Front Immunol 2022; 13:921272. [PMID: 35860281 PMCID: PMC9289746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.921272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are the core component of a molecular nano-machine that delivers cargo proteins across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Part of the type V secretion system, this large family of proteins play a central role in controlling bacterial interactions with their environment by promoting adhesion to surfaces, biofilm formation, host colonization and invasion as well as cytotoxicity and immunomodulation. As such, autotransporters are key facilitators of fitness and pathogenesis and enable co-operation or competition with other bacteria. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of autotransporter sequences reported and a steady rise in functional studies, which further link these proteins to multiple virulence phenotypes. In this review we provide an overview of our current knowledge on classical autotransporter proteins, the archetype of this protein superfamily. We also carry out a phylogenetic analysis of their functional domains and present a new classification system for this exquisitely diverse group of bacterial proteins. The sixteen phylogenetic divisions identified establish sensible relationships between well characterized autotransporters and inform structural and functional predictions of uncharacterized proteins, which may guide future research aimed at addressing multiple unanswered aspects in this group of therapeutically important bacterial factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin R. Clarke
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lilian Hor
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Akila Pilapitiya
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joen Luirink
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jason J. Paxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Begoña Heras, ; Jason J. Paxman,
| | - Begoña Heras
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Begoña Heras, ; Jason J. Paxman,
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2
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Mrnjavac N, Vazdar M, Bertoša B. Molecular dynamics study of functionally relevant interdomain and active site interactions in the autotransporter esterase EstA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2020.1770750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mrnjavac
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Branimir Bertoša
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Ryoo D, Rydmark MO, Pang YT, Lundquist KP, Linke D, Gumbart JC. BamA is required for autotransporter secretion. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129581. [PMID: 32114025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Gram-negative bacteria, type Va and Vc autotransporters are proteins that contain both a secreted virulence factor (the "passenger" domain) and a β-barrel that aids its export. While it is known that the folding and insertion of the β-barrel domain utilize the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex, how the passenger domain is secreted and folded across the membrane remains to be determined. The hairpin model states that passenger domain secretion occurs independently through the fully-formed and membrane-inserted β-barrel domain via a hairpin folding intermediate. In contrast, the BamA-assisted model states that the passenger domain is secreted through a hybrid of BamA, the essential subunit of the BAM complex, and the β-barrel domain of the autotransporter. METHODS To ascertain the models' plausibility, we have used molecular dynamics to simulate passenger domain secretion for two autotransporters, EspP and YadA. RESULTS We observed that each protein's β-barrel is unable to accommodate the secreting passenger domain in a hairpin configuration without major structural distortions. Additionally, the force required for secretion through EspP's β-barrel is more than that through the BamA β-barrel. CONCLUSIONS Secretion of autotransporters most likely occurs through an incompletely formed β-barrel domain of the autotransporter in conjunction with BamA. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Secretion of virulence factors is a process used by practically all pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Understanding this process is a necessary step towards limiting their infectious capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ryoo
- Interdisciplinary Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States of America
| | | | - Yui Tik Pang
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States of America
| | - Karl P Lundquist
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States of America
| | - Dirk Linke
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States of America.
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Sequential Translocation of Polypeptides across the Bacterial Outer Membrane through the Trimeric Autotransporter Pathway. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01973-19. [PMID: 31641085 PMCID: PMC6805991 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01973-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are a family of bacterial outer membrane (OM) proteins that are comprised of three identical subunits. Each subunit contains an N-terminal extracellular ("passenger") domain and a short C-terminal segment that contributes four β strands to a single 12-stranded β barrel. The mechanism by which the passenger domains are translocated across the OM and the energetics of the translocation reaction are poorly understood. To address these issues, we examined the secretion of modified versions of the passenger domain of UpaG, a TAA produced by Escherichia coli CFT073. Using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system to probe passenger domain localization, we found that both intrinsically disordered polypeptides fused to the UpaG passenger domain and artificially disulfide-bonded polypeptides were secreted effectively but relatively slowly. Surprisingly, we also found that in some cases, the three nonnative passenger domain segments associated with a single trimer were secreted sequentially. Photo-cross-linking experiments indicated that incompletely assembled UpaG derivatives remained bound to the barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex until all three passenger domains were fully secreted. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the secretion of polypeptides through the TAA pathway is coordinated with the assembly of the β barrel domain and that the folding of passenger domains in the extracellular space maximizes the rate of secretion. Furthermore, our work provides evidence for an unprecedented sequential mode of protein translocation, at least under specific experimental conditions.IMPORTANCE Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are specialized bacterial outer membrane proteins consisting of three identical subunits. TAAs contain large extracellular domains that trimerize and promote virulence, but the mechanism by which they are secreted is poorly understood. We found that the extracellular domains of a native TAA were secreted rapidly but that disordered and artificially folded polypeptides fused to native passenger domains were secreted in a slow, sequential fashion. Our results strongly suggest that the efficient secretion of native extracellular domains is driven by their trimerization following export but that alternative energy sources can be harnessed to secrete nonnative polypeptides. Furthermore, we obtained evidence that TAA extracellular domains are secreted before the assembly of the linked membrane spanning domain is completed.
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Yan Z, Hussain S, Wang X, Bernstein HD, Bardwell JCA. Chaperone OsmY facilitates the biogenesis of a major family of autotransporters. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1373-1387. [PMID: 31369167 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OsmY is a widely conserved but poorly understood 20 kDa periplasmic protein. Using a folding biosensor, we previously obtained evidence that OsmY has molecular chaperone activity. To discover natural OsmY substrates, we screened for proteins that are destabilized and thus present at lower steady-state levels in an osmY-null strain. The abundance of an outer membrane protein called antigen 43 was substantially decreased and its β-barrel domain was undetectable in the outer membrane of an osmY-null strain. Antigen 43 is a member of the diffuse adherence family of autotransporters. Like strains that are defective in antigen 43 production, osmY-null mutants failed to undergo cellular autoaggregation. In vitro, OsmY assisted in the refolding of the antigen 43 β-barrel domain and protected it from added protease. Finally, an osmY-null strain that expressed two members of the diffuse adherence family of autotransporters that are distantly related to antigen 43, EhaA and TibA, contained reduced levels of the proteins and failed to undergo cellular autoaggregation. Taken together, our results indicate that OsmY is involved in the biogenesis of a major subset of autotransporters, a group of proteins that play key roles in bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular & Development Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sunyia Hussain
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - James C A Bardwell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular & Development Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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6
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Abstract
Type V, or "autotransporter," secretion is a term used to refer to several simple protein export pathways that are found in a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria. Autotransporters are generally single polypeptides that consist of an extracellular ("passenger") domain and a β barrel domain that anchors the protein to the outer membrane (OM). Although it was originally proposed that the passenger domain is secreted through a channel formed solely by the covalently linked β barrel domain, experiments performed primarily on the type Va, or "classical," autotransporter pathway have challenged this hypothesis. Several lines of evidence strongly suggest that both the secretion of the passenger domain and the membrane integration of the β barrel domain are catalyzed by the barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex, a conserved hetero-oligomer that plays an essential role in the assembly of most integral OM proteins. The secretion reaction appears to be driven at least in part by the folding of the passenger domain in the extracellular space. Although many aspects of autotransporter biogenesis remain to be elucidated, it will be especially interesting to determine whether the different classes of proteins that fall under the type V rubric-most of which have not been examined in detail-are assembled by the same basic mechanism as classical autotransporters.
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7
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Peterson JH, Hussain S, Bernstein HD. Identification of a novel post-insertion step in the assembly of a bacterial outer membrane protein. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:143-159. [PMID: 30107065 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although the barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex has been shown to facilitate the insertion of β barrel proteins into the bacterial outer membrane (OM), the stage at which β barrels fold is unknown. Here, we describe insights into β barrel assembly that emerged from an analysis of a member of the autotransporter family of OM proteins (EspP) in Escherichia coli. EspP contains an extracellular 'passenger' domain that is translocated across the OM and then released from the covalently linked β barrel domain in an intra-barrel cleavage reaction. We found that the mutation of an unusual lipid-exposed lysine residue impairs a previously unidentified late folding step that follows both the membrane insertion of the β barrel domain and the secretion of the passenger domain but that precedes proteolytic maturation. Our results demonstrate that β barrel assembly can be completed at a post-insertion stage and raise the possibility that interactions with membrane lipids can promote folding in vivo. Furthermore, by showing that the passenger domain is secreted before the β barrel domain is fully assembled, our results also provide evidence against the long-standing hypothesis that autotransporters are autonomous protein secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine H Peterson
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0538, USA
| | - Sunyia Hussain
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0538, USA
| | - Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0538, USA
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8
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van Ulsen P, Zinner KM, Jong WSP, Luirink J. On display: autotransporter secretion and application. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:5061625. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter van Ulsen
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katinka M Zinner
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joen Luirink
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Abera Bioscience AB, SE-111 45 Stockholm, Sweden
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Molecular basis for the folding of β-helical autotransporter passenger domains. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1395. [PMID: 29643377 PMCID: PMC5895577 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03593-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial autotransporters comprise a C-terminal β-barrel domain, which must be correctly folded and inserted into the outer membrane to facilitate translocation of the N-terminal passenger domain to the cell exterior. Once at the surface, the passenger domains of most autotransporters are folded into an elongated β-helix. In a cellular context, key molecules catalyze the assembly of the autotransporter β-barrel domain. However, how the passenger domain folds into its functional form is poorly understood. Here we use mutational analysis on the autotransporter Pet to show that the β-hairpin structure of the fifth extracellular loop of the β-barrel domain has a crucial role for passenger domain folding into a β-helix. Bioinformatics and structural analyses, and mutagenesis of a homologous autotransporter, suggest that this function is conserved among autotransporter proteins with β-helical passenger domains. We propose that the autotransporter β-barrel domain is a folding vector that nucleates folding of the passenger domain. Autotransporter passenger domains are presented on or released from the bacterial surface upon translocation through an outer membrane β-barrel anchor. Here the authors study the two E. coli autotransporters Pet and EspP and propose that the β-barrel anchor acts as a vector to nucleate the folding of the passenger domain.
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10
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Dorji D, Mooi F, Yantorno O, Deora R, Graham RM, Mukkur TK. Bordetella Pertussis virulence factors in the continuing evolution of whooping cough vaccines for improved performance. Med Microbiol Immunol 2017; 207:3-26. [PMID: 29164393 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-017-0524-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite high vaccine coverage, whooping cough caused by Bordetella pertussis remains one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide. Introduction of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines in the 1940s and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in 1990s reduced the mortality due to pertussis. Despite induction of both antibody and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses by aP and wP vaccines, there has been resurgence of pertussis in many countries in recent years. Possible reasons hypothesised for resurgence have ranged from incompliance with the recommended vaccination programmes with the currently used aP vaccine to infection with a resurged clinical isolates characterised by mutations in the virulence factors, resulting in antigenic divergence with vaccine strain, and increased production of pertussis toxin, resulting in dampening of immune responses. While use of these vaccines provide varying degrees of protection against whooping cough, protection against infection and transmission appears to be less effective, warranting continuation of efforts in the development of an improved pertussis vaccine formulations capable of achieving this objective. Major approaches currently under evaluation for the development of an improved pertussis vaccine include identification of novel biofilm-associated antigens for incorporation in current aP vaccine formulations, development of live attenuated vaccines and discovery of novel non-toxic adjuvants capable of inducing both antibody and CMI. In this review, the potential roles of different accredited virulence factors, including novel biofilm-associated antigens, of B. pertussis in the evolution, formulation and delivery of improved pertussis vaccines, with potential to block the transmission of whooping cough in the community, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorji Dorji
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, 6102, Australia
- Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Khesar Gyalpo Medical University of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Frits Mooi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Osvaldo Yantorno
- Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Fermentaciones Industriales (CINDEFI-CONICET-CCT La Plata), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Rajendar Deora
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Ross M Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, 6102, Australia
| | - Trilochan K Mukkur
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, 6102, Australia.
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11
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Albenne C, Ieva R. Job contenders: roles of the β-barrel assembly machinery and the translocation and assembly module in autotransporter secretion. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:505-517. [PMID: 28887826 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In Gram-negative bacteria, autotransporters secrete effector protein domains that are linked to virulence. Although they were once thought to be simple and autonomous secretion machines, mounting evidence reveals that multiple factors of the bacterial envelope are necessary for autotransporter assembly. Secretion across the outer membrane of their soluble effector "passenger domain" is promoted by the assembly of an outer membrane-spanning "β-barrel domain". Both reactions require BamA, an essential component of the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM complex) that catalyzes the final reaction step by which outer membrane proteins are integrated into the lipid bilayer. A large amount of data generated in the last decade has shed key insights onto the mechanistic coordination of autotransporter β-barrel domain assembly and passenger domain secretion. These results, together with the recently solved structures of the BAM complex, offer an unprecedented opportunity to discuss a detailed model of autotransporter assembly. Importantly, some autotransporters benefit from the presence of an additional machinery, the translocation and assembly module (TAM), a two-membrane spanning complex, which contains a BamA-homologous subunit. Although it remains unclear how the BAM complex and the TAM cooperate, it is evident that multiple preparatory steps are necessary for efficient autotransporter biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Albenne
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Génétique Moléculaires, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Raffaele Ieva
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Génétique Moléculaires, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
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12
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Guérin J, Bigot S, Schneider R, Buchanan SK, Jacob-Dubuisson F. Two-Partner Secretion: Combining Efficiency and Simplicity in the Secretion of Large Proteins for Bacteria-Host and Bacteria-Bacteria Interactions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:148. [PMID: 28536673 PMCID: PMC5422565 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Initially identified in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, the two-partner secretion (TPS) pathway, also known as Type Vb secretion, mediates the translocation across the outer membrane of large effector proteins involved in interactions between these pathogens and their hosts. More recently, distinct TPS systems have been shown to secrete toxic effector domains that participate in inter-bacterial competition or cooperation. The effects of these systems are based on kin vs. non-kin molecular recognition mediated by specific immunity proteins. With these new toxin-antitoxin systems, the range of TPS effector functions has thus been extended from cytolysis, adhesion, and iron acquisition, to genome maintenance, inter-bacterial killing and inter-bacterial signaling. Basically, a TPS system is made up of two proteins, the secreted TpsA effector protein and its TpsB partner transporter, with possible additional factors such as immunity proteins for protection against cognate toxic effectors. Structural studies have indicated that TpsA proteins mainly form elongated β helices that may be followed by specific functional domains. TpsB proteins belong to the Omp85 superfamily. Open questions remain on the mechanism of protein secretion in the absence of ATP or an electrochemical gradient across the outer membrane. The remarkable dynamics of the TpsB transporters and the progressive folding of their TpsA partners at the bacterial surface in the course of translocation are thought to be key elements driving the secretion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Guérin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Bigot
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique UMR 5086-Université Lyon 1, Institute of Biology and Chemistry of ProteinsLyon, France
| | - Robert Schneider
- NMR and Molecular Interactions, Université de Lille, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8576-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et FonctionnelleLille, France
| | - Susan K Buchanan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - Françoise Jacob-Dubuisson
- Université de Lille, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 8204-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de LilleLille, France
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13
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Abstract
Type V secretion denotes a variety of secretion systems that cross the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria but that depend on the Sec machinery for transport through the inner membrane. They are possibly the simplest bacterial secretion systems, because they consist only of a single polypeptide chain (or two chains in the case of two-partner secretion). Their seemingly autonomous transport through the outer membrane has led to the term "autotransporters" for various subclasses of type V secretion. In this chapter, we review the structure and function of these transporters and review recent findings on additional factors involved in the secretion process, which have put the term "autotransporter" to debate.
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14
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Cressiot B, Braselmann E, Oukhaled A, Elcock AH, Pelta J, Clark PL. Dynamics and Energy Contributions for Transport of Unfolded Pertactin through a Protein Nanopore. ACS NANO 2015; 9:9050-61. [PMID: 26302243 PMCID: PMC4835817 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b03053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the physical parameters governing translocation of an unfolded protein across a lipid bilayer, we studied protein transport through aerolysin, a passive protein channel, at the single-molecule level. The protein model used was the passenger domain of pertactin, an autotransporter virulence protein. Transport of pertactin through the aerolysin nanopore was detected as transient partial current blockades as the unfolded protein partially occluded the aerolysin channel. We compared the dynamics of entry and transport for unfolded pertactin and a covalent end-to-end dimer of the same protein. For both the monomer and the dimer, the event frequency of current blockades increased exponentially with the applied voltage, while the duration of each event decreased exponentially as a function of the electrical potential. The blockade time was twice as long for the dimer as for the monomer. The calculated activation free energy includes a main enthalpic component that we attribute to electrostatic interactions between pertactin and the aerolysin nanopore (despite the low Debye length), plus an entropic component due to confinement of the unfolded chain within the narrow pore. Comparing our experimental results to previous studies and theory suggests that unfolded proteins cross the membrane by passing through the nanopore in a somewhat compact conformation according to the "blob" model of Daoud and de Gennes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cressiot
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Esther Braselmann
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | | | - Adrian H. Elcock
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Juan Pelta
- LAMBE UMR 8587 CNRS, University of Évry-Val-d'Essonne, Évry, France
| | - Patricia L. Clark
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
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15
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Sun F, Pang X, Xie T, Zhai Y, Wang G, Sun F. BrkAutoDisplay: functional display of multiple exogenous proteins on the surface of Escherichia coli by using BrkA autotransporter. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:129. [PMID: 26337099 PMCID: PMC4558763 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial surface display technique enables the exogenous proteins or polypeptides displayed on the bacterial surface, while maintaining their relatively independent spatial structures and biological activities. The technique makes recombinant bacteria possess the expectant functions, subsequently, directly used for many applications. Many proteins could be used to achieve bacterial surface display, among them, autotransporter, a member of the type V secretion system of gram-negative bacteria, has been extensively studied because of its modular structure and apparent simplicity. However, autotransporter has not been widely used at present due to lack of a convenient genetic vector system. With our recently characterized autotransporter BrkA (Bordetella serum-resistance killing protein A) from Bordetella pertussis, we are aiming to develop a new autotransporter-based surface display system for potential wide application. Results Here, we construct a bacterial surface display system named as BrkAutoDisplay, based on the structure of autotransporter BrkA. BrkAutoDisplay is a convenient system to host exogenous genes. In our test, this system is good to efficiently display various proteins on the outer membrane surface of Escherichia coli, including green fluorescent protein (GFP), various enzymes and single chain antibody. Moreover, the displayed GFP possesses green fluorescence, the enzymes CotA, EstPc and PalA exhibit catalytic activity 0.12, 6.88 and 0.32 mU (per 5.2 × 108 living bacteria cells) respectively, and the single chain antibody fragment (scFv) can bind with its antigen strongly. Finally, we showed that C41(DE3) is a good strain of E. coli for the successful functionality of BrkAutoDisplay. Conclusions We designed a new bacterial display system called as BrkAutoDisplay and displayed various exogenous proteins on E. coli surface. Our results indicate that BrkAutoDisplay system is worthy of further study for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, China. .,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoyun Pang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yujia Zhai
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Ganggang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Fei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, China.
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16
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Bernstein HD. Looks can be deceiving: recent insights into the mechanism of protein secretion by the autotransporter pathway. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:205-15. [PMID: 25881492 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters are a large superfamily of cell surface proteins produced by Gram-negative bacteria that consist of an N-terminal extracellular domain ('passenger domain') and a C-terminal β-barrel domain that resides in the outer membrane (OM). Although it was originally proposed that the passenger domain is translocated across the OM through a channel formed exclusively by the covalently linked β-barrel domain, this idea has been strongly challenged by a variety of observations. Recent experimental results have suggested a new model in which both the translocation of the passenger domain and the membrane integration of the β-barrel domain are facilitated by the Bam complex, a highly conserved heteroligomer that plays a general role in OM protein assembly. Other factors, including periplasmic chaperones and inner membrane proteins, have also recently been implicated in the biogenesis of at least some members of the autotransporter superfamily. New results have raised intriguing questions about the energetics of the secretion reaction and the relationship between the assembly of autotransporters and the assembly of other classes of OM proteins. Concomitantly, new mechanistic and structural insights have expanded the utility of the autotransporter pathway for the surface display of heterologous peptides and proteins of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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17
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Drobnak I, Braselmann E, Clark PL. Multiple driving forces required for efficient secretion of autotransporter virulence proteins. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10104-16. [PMID: 25670852 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.629170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporter (AT) proteins are a broad class of virulence proteins from Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that require their own C-terminal transmembrane domain to translocate their N-terminal passenger across the bacterial outer membrane (OM). But given the unavailability of ATP or a proton gradient across the OM, it is unknown what energy source(s) drives this process. Here we used a combination of computational and experimental approaches to quantitatively compare proposed AT OM translocation mechanisms. We show directly for the first time that when translocation was blocked an AT passenger remained unfolded in the periplasm. We demonstrate that AT secretion is a kinetically controlled, non-equilibrium process coupled to folding of the passenger and propose a model connecting passenger conformation to secretion kinetics. These results reconcile seemingly contradictory reports regarding the importance of passenger folding as a driving force for OM translocation but also reveal that another energy source is required to initiate translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Drobnak
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Esther Braselmann
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Patricia L Clark
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
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18
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Drobnak I, Braselmann E, Chaney JL, Leyton DL, Bernstein HD, Lithgow T, Luirink J, Nataro JP, Clark PL. Of linkers and autochaperones: an unambiguous nomenclature to identify common and uncommon themes for autotransporter secretion. Mol Microbiol 2014; 95:1-16. [PMID: 25345653 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Autotransporter (AT) proteins provide a diverse array of important virulence functions to Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, and have also been adapted for protein surface display applications. The 'autotransporter' moniker refers to early models that depicted these proteins facilitating their own translocation across the bacterial outer membrane. Although translocation is less autonomous than originally proposed, AT protein segments upstream of the C-terminal transmembrane β-barrel have nevertheless consistently been found to contribute to efficient translocation and/or folding of the N-terminal virulence region (the 'passenger'). However, defining the precise secretion functions of these AT regions has been complicated by the use of multiple overlapping and ambiguous terms to define AT sequence, structural, and functional features, including 'autochaperone', 'linker' and 'junction'. Moreover, the precise definitions and boundaries of these features vary among ATs and even among research groups, leading to an overall murky picture of the contributions of specific features to translocation. Here we propose a unified, unambiguous nomenclature for AT structural, functional and conserved sequence features, based on explicit criteria. Applied to 16 well-studied AT proteins, this nomenclature reveals new commonalities for translocation but also highlights that the autochaperone function is less closely associated with a conserved sequence element than previously believed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Drobnak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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19
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Roman-Hernandez G, Peterson JH, Bernstein HD. Reconstitution of bacterial autotransporter assembly using purified components. eLife 2014; 3:e04234. [PMID: 25182416 PMCID: PMC4174580 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of bacterial virulence factors consisting of an N-terminal extracellular (‘passenger’) domain and a C-terminal β barrel (‘β’) domain that resides in the outer membrane (OM). The mechanism by which the passenger domain is secreted is poorly understood. Here we show that a conserved OM protein insertase (the Bam complex) and a molecular chaperone (SurA) are both necessary and sufficient to promote the complete assembly of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter EspP in vitro. Our results indicate that the membrane integration of the β domain is the rate-limiting step in autotransporter assembly and that passenger domain translocation does not require the input of external energy. Furthermore, experiments using nanodiscs strongly suggest that autotransporter assembly is catalyzed by a single copy of the Bam complex. Finally, we describe a method to purify a highly active form of the Bam complex that should facilitate the elucidation of its function. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04234.001 Disease-causing bacteria release molecules called virulence factors to help them infect their host. These virulence factors need to pass through the membrane that surrounds the cell. Indeed, some bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, have two membranes, so some virulence factors need to pass through an extra membrane. One group of virulence factors found in E. coli are called autotransporters. These proteins have two sections: the passenger domain, which is the main part of the virulence factor, and the β domain, which anchors the autotransporter in the outer membrane. Once the passenger domain is outside the cell, the link to the β domain can be broken to release the virulence factor. However, we do not know how the passenger domain passes through the outer membrane. By studying an E. coli autotransporter called EspP, Roman-Hernandez et al. have now identified the other proteins that are required for the β domain to insert into an artificial membrane, and allow the passenger domain to pass through the membrane. These other proteins are a group of proteins called the Bam complex and a chaperone protein called SurA. The experiments also show that an external source of energy is not needed to drive this process, and they suggest that the passenger domain moves through a hole in the outer membrane formed by the β domain and/or the Bam complex. Roman-Hernandez et al. also developed a new way to purify the Bam complex that should help all researchers working on this set of proteins. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04234.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle Roman-Hernandez
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Janine H Peterson
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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20
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Schüürmann J, Quehl P, Festel G, Jose J. Bacterial whole-cell biocatalysts by surface display of enzymes: toward industrial application. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:8031-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5897-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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21
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van Ulsen P, Rahman SU, Jong WS, Daleke-Schermerhorn MH, Luirink J. Type V secretion: From biogenesis to biotechnology. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:1592-611. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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22
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Gawarzewski I, DiMaio F, Winterer E, Tschapek B, Smits SH, Jose J, Schmitt L. Crystal structure of the transport unit of the autotransporter adhesin involved in diffuse adherence from Escherichia coli. J Struct Biol 2014; 187:20-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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A mortise-tenon joint in the transmembrane domain modulates autotransporter assembly into bacterial outer membranes. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4239. [PMID: 24967730 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial autotransporters comprise a 12-stranded membrane-embedded β-barrel domain, which must be folded in a process that entraps segments of an N-terminal passenger domain. This first stage of autotransporter folding determines whether subsequent translocation can deliver the N-terminal domain to its functional form on the bacterial cell surface. Here, paired glycine-aromatic 'mortise and tenon' motifs are shown to join neighbouring β-strands in the C-terminal barrel domain, and mutations within these motifs slow the rate and extent of passenger domain translocation to the surface of bacterial cells. In line with this, biophysical studies of the autotransporter Pet show that the conserved residues significantly quicken completion of the folding reaction and promote stability of the autotransporter barrel domain. Comparative genomics demonstrate conservation of glycine-aromatic residue pairings through evolution as a previously unrecognized feature of all autotransporter proteins.
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24
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The antigen 43 structure reveals a molecular Velcro-like mechanism of autotransporter-mediated bacterial clumping. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 111:457-62. [PMID: 24335802 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1311592111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation and biofilm formation are critical mechanisms for bacterial resistance to host immune factors and antibiotics. Autotransporter (AT) proteins, which represent the largest group of outer-membrane and secreted proteins in Gram-negative bacteria, contribute significantly to these phenotypes. Despite their abundance and role in bacterial pathogenesis, most AT proteins have not been structurally characterized, and there is a paucity of detailed information with regard to their mode of action. Here we report the structure-function relationships of Antigen 43 (Ag43a), a prototypic self-associating AT protein from uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The functional domain of Ag43a displays a twisted L-shaped β-helical structure firmly stabilized by a 3D hydrogen-bonded scaffold. Notably, the distinctive Ag43a L shape facilitates self-association and cell aggregation. Combining all our data, we define a molecular "Velcro-like" mechanism of AT-mediated bacterial clumping, which can be tailored to fit different bacterial lifestyles such as the formation of biofilms.
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25
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Nicolay T, Vanderleyden J, Spaepen S. Autotransporter-based cell surface display in Gram-negative bacteria. Crit Rev Microbiol 2013; 41:109-23. [PMID: 23855358 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2013.804032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cell surface display of proteins can be used for several biotechnological applications such as the screening of protein libraries, whole cell biocatalysis and live vaccine development. Amongst all secretion systems and surface appendages of Gram-negative bacteria, the autotransporter secretion pathway holds great potential for surface display because of its modular structure and apparent simplicity. Autotransporters are polypeptides made up of an N-terminal signal peptide, a secreted or surface-displayed passenger domain and a membrane-anchored C-terminal translocation unit. Genetic replacement of the passenger domain allows for the surface display of heterologous passengers. An autotransporter-based surface expression module essentially consists of an application-dependent promoter system, a signal peptide, a passenger domain of interest and the autotransporter translocation unit. The passenger domain needs to be compatible with surface translocation although till now no general rules have been determined to test this compatibility. The autotransporter technology for surface display of heterologous passenger domains is critically discussed for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon Nicolay
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics , Leuven , Belgium
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26
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Grijpstra J, Arenas J, Rutten L, Tommassen J. Autotransporter secretion: varying on a theme. Res Microbiol 2013; 164:562-82. [PMID: 23567321 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2013.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters are widely distributed among Gram-negative bacteria. They can have a large variety of functions and many of them have a role in virulence. They are synthesized as large precursors with an N-terminal signal sequence that mediates transport across the inner membrane via the Sec machinery and a translocator domain that mediates the transport of the connected passenger domain across the outer membrane to the bacterial cell surface. Like integral outer membrane proteins, the translocator domain folds in a β-barrel structure and requires the Bam machinery for its insertion into the outer membrane. After transport across the outer membrane, the passenger may stay connected via the translocator domain to the bacterial cell surface or it is proteolytically released into the extracellular milieu. Based on the size of the translocator domain and its position relative to the passenger in the precursor, autotransporters are divided into four sub-categories. We review here the current knowledge of the biogenesis, structure and function of various autotransporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Grijpstra
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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27
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Mechanistic link between β barrel assembly and the initiation of autotransporter secretion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E938-47. [PMID: 23431155 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1219076110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are bacterial virulence factors that contain an N-terminal extracellular ("passenger") domain and a C-terminal β barrel ("β") domain that anchors the protein to the outer membrane. The β domain is required for passenger domain secretion, but its exact role in autotransporter biogenesis is unclear. Here we describe insights into the function of the β domain that emerged from an analysis of mutations in the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter EspP. We found that the G1066A and G1081D mutations slightly distort the structure of the β domain and delay the initiation of passenger domain translocation. Site-specific photocrosslinking experiments revealed that the mutations slow the insertion of the β domain into the outer membrane, but do not delay the binding of the β domain to the factor that mediates the insertion reaction (the Bam complex). Our results demonstrate that the β domain does not simply target the passenger domain to the outer membrane, but promotes translocation when it reaches a specific stage of assembly. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that the Bam complex catalyzes the membrane integration of β barrel proteins in a multistep process that can be perturbed by minor structural defects in client proteins.
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28
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Celik N, Webb CT, Leyton DL, Holt KE, Heinz E, Gorrell R, Kwok T, Naderer T, Strugnell RA, Speed TP, Teasdale RD, Likić VA, Lithgow T. A bioinformatic strategy for the detection, classification and analysis of bacterial autotransporters. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43245. [PMID: 22905239 PMCID: PMC3419190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are secreted proteins that are assembled into the outer membrane of bacterial cells. The passenger domains of autotransporters are crucial for bacterial pathogenesis, with some remaining attached to the bacterial surface while others are released by proteolysis. An enigma remains as to whether autotransporters should be considered a class of secretion system, or simply a class of substrate with peculiar requirements for their secretion. We sought to establish a sensitive search protocol that could identify and characterize diverse autotransporters from bacterial genome sequence data. The new sequence analysis pipeline identified more than 1500 autotransporter sequences from diverse bacteria, including numerous species of Chlamydiales and Fusobacteria as well as all classes of Proteobacteria. Interrogation of the proteins revealed that there are numerous classes of passenger domains beyond the known proteases, adhesins and esterases. In addition the barrel-domain-a characteristic feature of autotransporters-was found to be composed from seven conserved sequence segments that can be arranged in multiple ways in the tertiary structure of the assembled autotransporter. One of these conserved motifs overlays the targeting information required for autotransporters to reach the outer membrane. Another conserved and diagnostic motif maps to the linker region between the passenger domain and barrel-domain, indicating it as an important feature in the assembly of autotransporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermin Celik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Chaille T. Webb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Denisse L. Leyton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kathryn E. Holt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Eva Heinz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Rebecca Gorrell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Terry Kwok
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Thomas Naderer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Richard A. Strugnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Terence P. Speed
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rohan D. Teasdale
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Vladimir A. Likić
- The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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29
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Fairman JW, Dautin N, Wojtowicz D, Liu W, Noinaj N, Barnard TJ, Udho E, Przytycka TM, Cherezov V, Buchanan SK. Crystal structures of the outer membrane domain of intimin and invasin from enterohemorrhagic E. coli and enteropathogenic Y. pseudotuberculosis. Structure 2012; 20:1233-43. [PMID: 22658748 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2012] [Revised: 04/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Intimins and invasins are virulence factors produced by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. They contain C-terminal extracellular passenger domains that are involved in adhesion to host cells and N-terminal β domains that are embedded in the outer membrane. Here, we identify the domain boundaries of an E. coli intimin β domain and use this information to solve its structure and the β domain structure of a Y. pseudotuberculosis invasin. Both β domain structures crystallized as monomers and reveal that the previous range of residues assigned to the β domain also includes a protease-resistant domain that is part of the passenger. Additionally, we identify 146 nonredundant representative members of the intimin/invasin family based on the boundaries of the highly conserved intimin and invasin β domains. We then use this set of sequences along with our structural data to find and map the evolutionarily constrained residues within the β domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Fairman
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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30
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From self sufficiency to dependence: mechanisms and factors important for autotransporter biogenesis. Nat Rev Microbiol 2012; 10:213-25. [PMID: 22337167 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of proteins that use the type V secretion pathway for their delivery to the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. At first glance, autotransporters look to contain all the functional elements required to promote their own secretion: an amino-terminal signal peptide to mediate translocation across the inner membrane, a central passenger domain that is the secreted functional moiety, and a channel-forming carboxyl terminus that facilitates passenger domain translocation across the outer membrane. However, recent discoveries of common structural themes, translocation intermediates and accessory interactions have challenged the perceived simplicity of autotransporter secretion. Here, we discuss how these studies have led to an improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for autotransporter biogenesis.
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31
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Saurí A, ten Hagen-Jongman CM, van Ulsen P, Luirink J. Estimating the Size of the Active Translocation Pore of an Autotransporter. J Mol Biol 2012; 416:335-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Revised: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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32
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Leyton DL, Sevastsyanovich YR, Browning DF, Rossiter AE, Wells TJ, Fitzpatrick RE, Overduin M, Cunningham AF, Henderson IR. Size and conformation limits to secretion of disulfide-bonded loops in autotransporter proteins. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:42283-42291. [PMID: 22006918 PMCID: PMC3234927 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.306118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of virulence factors typified by a channel-forming C terminus that facilitates translocation of the functional N-terminal passenger domain across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This final step in the secretion of autotransporters requires a translocation-competent conformation for the passenger domain that differs markedly from the structure of the fully folded secreted protein. The nature of the translocation-competent conformation remains controversial, in particular whether the passenger domain can adopt secondary structural motifs, such as disulfide-bonded segments, while maintaining a secretion-competent state. Here, we used the endogenous and closely spaced cysteine residues of the plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli to investigate the effect of disulfide bond-induced folding on translocation of an autotransporter passenger domain. We reveal that rigid structural elements within disulfide-bonded segments are resistant to autotransporter-mediated secretion. We define the size limit of disulfide-bonded segments tolerated by the autotransporter system demonstrating that, when present, cysteine pairs are intrinsically closely spaced to prevent congestion of the translocator pore by large disulfide-bonded regions. These latter data strongly support the hairpin mode of autotransporter biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisse L Leyton
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Douglas F Browning
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E Rossiter
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Wells
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca E Fitzpatrick
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Henderson
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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33
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Molecular basis for the activation of a catalytic asparagine residue in a self-cleaving bacterial autotransporter. J Mol Biol 2011; 415:128-42. [PMID: 22094314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Autotransporters are secreted proteins produced by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. They consist of a membrane-embedded β-domain and an extracellular passenger domain that is sometimes cleaved and released from the cell surface. We solved the structures of three noncleavable mutants of the autotransporter EspP to examine how it promotes asparagine cyclization to cleave its passenger. We found that cyclization is facilitated by multiple factors. The active-site asparagine is sterically constrained to conformations favorable for cyclization, while electrostatic interactions correctly orient the carboxamide group for nucleophilic attack. During molecular dynamics simulations, water molecules were observed to enter the active site and to form hydrogen bonds favorable for increasing the nucleophilicity of the active-site asparagine. When the activated asparagine attacks its main-chain carbonyl carbon, the resulting oxyanion is stabilized by a protonated glutamate. Upon cleavage, this proton could be transferred to the leaving amine group, helping overcome a significant energy barrier. Together, these findings provide insight into factors important for asparagine cyclization, a mechanism broadly used for protein cleavage.
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34
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Saur A, Oreshkova N, Soprova Z, Jong WS, Sani M, Peters PJ, Luirink J, van Ulsen P. Autotransporter ?-Domains Have a Specific Function in Protein Secretion beyond Outer-Membrane Targeting. J Mol Biol 2011; 412:553-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Sequential and spatially restricted interactions of assembly factors with an autotransporter beta domain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:E383-91. [PMID: 21646511 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1103827108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are bacterial virulence factors that consist of an N-terminal extracellular ("passenger") domain and a C-terminal β barrel domain ("β domain") that resides in the outer membrane. Here we used an in vivo site-specific photocrosslinking approach to gain insight into the mechanism by which the β domain is integrated into the outer membrane and the relationship between β domain assembly and passenger domain secretion. We found that periplasmic chaperones and specific components of the β barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex interact with the β domain of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 autotransporter extracellular serine protease P (EspP) in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion. Although the chaperone Skp initially interacted with the entire β domain, BamA, BamB, and BamD subsequently interacted with discrete β domain regions. BamB and BamD remained bound to the β domain longer than BamA and therefore appeared to function at a later stage of assembly. Interestingly, we obtained evidence that the completion of β domain assembly is regulated by an intrinsic checkpoint mechanism that requires the completion of passenger domain secretion. In addition to leading to a detailed model of autotransporter biogenesis, our results suggest that the lipoprotein components of the Bam complex play a direct role in the membrane integration of β barrel proteins.
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