1
|
Ingel B, Castro C, Burbank L, Her N, De Anda NI, Way H, Wang P, Roper MC. Xylella fastidiosa Requires the Type II Secretion System for Pathogenicity and Survival in Grapevine. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2023; 36:636-646. [PMID: 37188464 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-03-23-0027-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited bacterial pathogen that causes Pierce's disease (PD) of grapevine. In host plants, this bacterium exclusively colonizes the xylem, which is primarily non-living at maturity. Understanding how X. fastidiosa interfaces with this specialized conductive tissue is at the forefront of investigation for this pathosystem. Unlike many bacterial plant pathogens, X. fastidiosa lacks a type III secretion system and cognate effectors that aid in host colonization. Instead, X. fastidiosa utilizes plant cell-wall hydrolytic enzymes and lipases as part of its xylem colonization strategy. Several of these virulence factors are predicted to be secreted via the type II secretion system (T2SS), the main terminal branch of the Sec-dependent general secretory pathway. In this study, we constructed null mutants in xpsE and xpsG, which encode for the ATPase that drives the T2SS and the major structural pseudopilin of the T2SS, respectively. Both mutants were non-pathogenic and unable to effectively colonize Vitis vinifera grapevines, demonstrating that the T2SS is required for X. fastidiosa infection processes. Furthermore, we utilized mass spectrometry to identify type II-dependent proteins in the X. fastidiosa secretome. In vitro, we identified six type II-dependent proteins in the secretome that included three lipases, a β-1,4-cellobiohydrolase, a protease, and a conserved hypothetical protein. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Ingel
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - Claudia Castro
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - Lindsey Burbank
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Nancy Her
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - N Itzel De Anda
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - Hannah Way
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - M Caroline Roper
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ibrahim E, Mahmoud A, Jones KD, Taylor KE, Hosseney EN, Mills PL, Escudero JM. Kinetics and thermodynamics of thermal inactivation for recombinant Escherichia coli cellulases, cel12B, cel8C, and polygalacturonase, peh28; biocatalysts for biofuel precursor production. J Biochem 2021; 169:109-117. [PMID: 32810224 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass conversion using cellulases/polygalacturonases is a process that can be progressively influenced by several determinants involved in cellulose microfibril degradation. This article focuses on the kinetics and thermodynamics of thermal inactivation of recombinant Escherichia coli cellulases, cel12B, cel8C and a polygalacturonase, peh 28, derived from Pectobacterium carotovorum sub sp. carotovorum. Several consensus motifs conferring the enzymes' thermal stability in both cel12B and peh28 model structures have been detailed earlier, which were confirmed for the three enzymes through the current study of their thermal inactivation profiles over the 20-80°C range using the respective activities on carboxymethylcellulose and polygalacturonic acid. Kinetic constants and half-lives of thermal inactivation, inactivation energy, plus inactivation entropies, enthalpies and Gibbs free energies, revealed high stability, less conformational change and protein unfolding for cel12B and peh28 due to thermal denaturation compared to cel8C. The apparent thermal stability of peh28 and cel12B, along with their hydrolytic efficiency on a lignocellulosic biomass conversion as reported previously, makes these enzymes candidates for various industrial applications. Analysis of the Gibbs free energy values suggests that the thermal stabilities of cel12B and peh28 are entropy-controlled over the tested temperature range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eman Ibrahim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA.,Department of Botany and Microbiology, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Mahmoud
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Kim D Jones
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Keith E Taylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Ebtesam N Hosseney
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Patrick L Mills
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Jean M Escudero
- Department of Basic Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO 63110-1088, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pineau C, Guschinskaya N, Gonçalves IR, Ruaudel F, Robert X, Gouet P, Ballut L, Shevchik VE. Structure-function analysis of pectate lyase Pel3 reveals essential facets of protein recognition by the bacterial type 2 secretion system. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100305. [PMID: 33465378 PMCID: PMC7949064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The type II secretion system (T2SS) transports fully folded proteins of various functions and structures through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The molecular mechanisms of substrate recruitment by T2SS remain elusive but a prevailing view is that the secretion determinants could be of a structural nature. The phytopathogenic γ-proteobacteria, Pectobacterium carotovorum and Dickeya dadantii, secrete similar sets of homologous plant cell wall degrading enzymes, mainly pectinases, by similar T2SSs, called Out. However, the orthologous pectate lyases Pel3 and PelI from these bacteria, which share 67% of sequence identity, are not secreted by the counterpart T2SS of each bacterium, indicating a fine-tuned control of protein recruitment. To identify the related secretion determinants, we first performed a structural characterization and comparison of Pel3 with PelI using X-ray crystallography. Then, to assess the biological relevance of the observed structural variations, we conducted a loop-substitution analysis of Pel3 combined with secretion assays. We showed that there is not one element with a definite secondary structure but several distant and structurally flexible loop regions that are essential for the secretion of Pel3 and that these loop regions act together as a composite secretion signal. Interestingly, depending on the crystal contacts, one of these key secretion determinants undergoes disorder-to-order transitions that could reflect its transient structuration upon the contact with the appropriate T2SS components. We hypothesize that such T2SS-induced structuration of some intrinsically disordered zones of secretion substrates could be part of the recruitment mechanism used by T2SS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Pineau
- Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5240 CNRS, Villeurbanne, France; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UMR5240, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Natalia Guschinskaya
- Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5240 CNRS, Villeurbanne, France; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UMR5240, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Isabelle R Gonçalves
- Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5240 CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Florence Ruaudel
- Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5240 CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Xavier Robert
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Univ Lyon, UMR5086 CNRS, Lyon, France
| | - Patrice Gouet
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Univ Lyon, UMR5086 CNRS, Lyon, France
| | - Lionel Ballut
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Univ Lyon, UMR5086 CNRS, Lyon, France.
| | - Vladimir E Shevchik
- Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5240 CNRS, Villeurbanne, France; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UMR5240, Villeurbanne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
King MM, Kayastha BB, Franklin MJ, Patrauchan MA. Calcium Regulation of Bacterial Virulence. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1131:827-855. [PMID: 31646536 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) is a universal signaling ion, whose major informational role shaped the evolution of signaling pathways, enabling cellular communications and responsiveness to both the intracellular and extracellular environments. Elaborate Ca2+ regulatory networks have been well characterized in eukaryotic cells, where Ca2+ regulates a number of essential cellular processes, ranging from cell division, transport and motility, to apoptosis and pathogenesis. However, in bacteria, the knowledge on Ca2+ signaling is still fragmentary. This is complicated by the large variability of environments that bacteria inhabit with diverse levels of Ca2+. Yet another complication arises when bacterial pathogens invade a host and become exposed to different levels of Ca2+ that (1) are tightly regulated by the host, (2) control host defenses including immune responses to bacterial infections, and (3) become impaired during diseases. The invading pathogens evolved to recognize and respond to the host Ca2+, triggering the molecular mechanisms of adhesion, biofilm formation, host cellular damage, and host-defense resistance, processes enabling the development of persistent infections. In this review, we discuss: (1) Ca2+ as a determinant of a host environment for invading bacterial pathogens, (2) the role of Ca2+ in regulating main events of host colonization and bacterial virulence, and (3) the molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ signaling in bacterial pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M King
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Biraj B Kayastha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Michael J Franklin
- Department of Microbiology and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Marianna A Patrauchan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gu S, Shevchik VE, Shaw R, Pickersgill RW, Garnett JA. The role of intrinsic disorder and dynamics in the assembly and function of the type II secretion system. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1865:1255-1266. [PMID: 28733198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Many Gram-negative commensal and pathogenic bacteria use a type II secretion system (T2SS) to transport proteins out of the cell. These exported proteins or substrates play a major role in toxin delivery, maintaining biofilms, replication in the host and subversion of host immune responses to infection. We review the current structural and functional work on this system and argue that intrinsically disordered regions and protein dynamics are central for assembly, exo-protein recognition, and secretion competence of the T2SS. The central role of intrinsic disorder-order transitions in these processes may be a particular feature of type II secretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Gu
- Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Vladimir E Shevchik
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69622, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne F-69621, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, Lyon F-69622, France
| | - Rosie Shaw
- Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Richard W Pickersgill
- Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
| | - James A Garnett
- Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thomassin JL, Santos Moreno J, Guilvout I, Tran Van Nhieu G, Francetic O. The trans-envelope architecture and function of the type 2 secretion system: new insights raising new questions. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:211-226. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny-Lee Thomassin
- Department of structural biology and chemistry, Biochemistry of Macromolecular Interactions Unit; Institut Pasteur; 28 rue du Dr Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15 France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); ERL6002 75724 Paris France
| | - Javier Santos Moreno
- Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7) Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris France
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication and Microbial Infections; CIRB, Collège de France; 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot 75005 Paris France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1050; 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7241; 75005 Paris France
- MEMOLIFE Laboratory of Excellence and Paris Sciences et Lettres; 75005 Paris France
| | - Ingrid Guilvout
- Department of structural biology and chemistry, Biochemistry of Macromolecular Interactions Unit; Institut Pasteur; 28 rue du Dr Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15 France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); ERL6002 75724 Paris France
| | - Guy Tran Van Nhieu
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication and Microbial Infections; CIRB, Collège de France; 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot 75005 Paris France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1050; 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7241; 75005 Paris France
- MEMOLIFE Laboratory of Excellence and Paris Sciences et Lettres; 75005 Paris France
| | - Olivera Francetic
- Department of structural biology and chemistry, Biochemistry of Macromolecular Interactions Unit; Institut Pasteur; 28 rue du Dr Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15 France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); ERL6002 75724 Paris France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Type II secretion (T2S) is one means by which Gram-negative pathogens secrete proteins into the extracellular milieu and/or host organisms. Based upon recent genome sequencing, it is clear that T2S is largely restricted to the Proteobacteria, occurring in many, but not all, genera in the Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria classes. Prominent human and/or animal pathogens that express a T2S system(s) include Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Chlamydia trachomatis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Vibrio cholerae, and Yersinia enterocolitica T2S-expressing plant pathogens include Dickeya dadantii, Erwinia amylovora, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas oryzae, and Xylella fastidiosa T2S also occurs in nonpathogenic bacteria, facilitating symbioses, among other things. The output of a T2S system can range from only one to dozens of secreted proteins, encompassing a diverse array of toxins, degradative enzymes, and other effectors, including novel proteins. Pathogenic processes mediated by T2S include the death of host cells, degradation of tissue, suppression of innate immunity, adherence to host surfaces, biofilm formation, invasion into and growth within host cells, nutrient assimilation, and alterations in host ion flux. The reach of T2S is perhaps best illustrated by those bacteria that clearly use it for both environmental survival and virulence; e.g., L. pneumophila employs T2S for infection of amoebae, growth within lung cells, dampening of cytokines, and tissue destruction. This minireview provides an update on the types of bacteria that have T2S, the kinds of proteins that are secreted via T2S, and how T2S substrates promote infection.
Collapse
|
8
|
Ibrahim E, Jones KD, Taylor KE, Hosseney EN, Mills PL, Escudero JM. Molecular and biochemical characterization of recombinant cel12B, cel8C, and peh28 overexpressed in Escherichia coli and their potential in biofuel production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2017; 10:52. [PMID: 28413443 PMCID: PMC5327597 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0732-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high crystallinity of cellulosic biomass myofibrils as well as the complexity of their intermolecular structure is a significant impediment for biofuel production. Cloning of celB-, celC-encoded cellulases (cel12B and cel8C) and peh-encoded polygalacturonase (peh28) from Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) was carried out in our previous study using Escherichia coli as a host vector. The current study partially characterizes the enzymes' molecular structures as well as their catalytic performance on different substrates which can be used to improve their potential for lignocellulosic biomass conversion. RESULTS β-Jelly roll topology, (α/α)6 antiparallel helices and right-handed β-helices were the folds identified for cel12B, cel8C, and peh28, respectively, in their corresponding protein model structures. Purifications of 17.4-, 6.2-, and 6.0-fold, compared to crude extract, were achieved for cel12B and cel8C, and peh28, respectively, using specific membrane ultrafiltrations and size-exclusion chromatography. Avicel and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were substrates for cel12B, whereas for cel8C catalytic activity was only shown on CMC. The enzymes displayed significant synergy on CMC but not on Avicel when tested for 3 h at 45 °C. No observed β-glucosidase activities were identified for cel8C and cel12B when tested on p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside. Activity stimulation of 130% was observed when a recombinant β-glucosidase from Pcc was added to cel8C and cel12B as tested for 3 h at 45 °C. Optimum temperature and pH of 45 °C and 5.4, respectively, were identified for all three enzymes using various substrates. Catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) were calculated for cel12B and cel8C on CMC as 0.141 and 2.45 ml/mg/s respectively, at 45 °C and pH 5.0 and for peh28 on polygalacturonic acid as 4.87 ml/mg/s, at 40 °C and pH 5.0. Glucose and cellobiose were the end-products identified for cel8C, cel12B, and β-glucosidase acting together on Avicel or CMC, while galacturonic acid and other minor co-products were identified for peh28 action on pectin. CONCLUSIONS This study provides some insight into which parameters should be optimized when application of cel8C, cel12B, and peh28 to biomass conversion is the goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eman Ibrahim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 USA
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884 Egypt
| | - Kim D. Jones
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 USA
| | - Keith E. Taylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4 Canada
| | - Ebtesam N. Hosseney
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884 Egypt
| | - Patrick L. Mills
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 USA
| | - Jean M. Escudero
- Department of Basic Science, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO 63110-1088 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Szewczyk J, Collet JF. The Journey of Lipoproteins Through the Cell: One Birthplace, Multiple Destinations. Adv Microb Physiol 2016; 69:1-50. [PMID: 27720009 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial lipoproteins are a very diverse group of proteins characterized by the presence of an N-terminal lipid moiety that serves as a membrane anchor. Lipoproteins have a wide variety of crucial functions, ranging from envelope biogenesis to stress response. In Gram-negative bacteria, lipoproteins can be targeted to various destinations in the cell, including the periplasmic side of the cytoplasmic or outer membrane, the cell surface or the external milieu. The sorting mechanisms have been studied in detail in Escherichia coli, but exceptions to the rules established in this model bacterium exist in other bacteria. In this chapter, we will present the current knowledge on lipoprotein sorting in the cell. Our particular focus will be on the surface-exposed lipoproteins that appear to be much more common than previously assumed. We will discuss the different targeting strategies, provide numerous examples of surface-exposed lipoproteins and discuss the techniques used to assess their surface exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Szewczyk
- WELBIO, Brussels, Belgium; de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J-F Collet
- WELBIO, Brussels, Belgium; de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
East A, Mechaly A, Huysmans G, Bernarde C, Tello-Manigne D, Nadeau N, Pugsley A, Buschiazzo A, Alzari P, Bond P, Francetic O. Structural Basis of Pullulanase Membrane Binding and Secretion Revealed by X-Ray Crystallography, Molecular Dynamics and Biochemical Analysis. Structure 2016; 24:92-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2015.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
11
|
Ravichandran A, Ramachandran M, Suriyanarayanan T, Wong CC, Swarup S. Global Regulator MorA Affects Virulence-Associated Protease Secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123805. [PMID: 25894344 PMCID: PMC4404142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial invasion plays a critical role in the establishment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and is aided by two major virulence factors--surface appendages and secreted proteases. The second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is known to affect bacterial attachment to surfaces, biofilm formation and related virulence phenomena. Here we report that MorA, a global regulator with GGDEF and EAL domains that was previously reported to affect virulence factors, negatively regulates protease secretion via the type II secretion system (T2SS) in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Infection assays with mutant strains carrying gene deletion and domain mutants show that host cell invasion is dependent on the active domain function of MorA. Further investigations suggest that the MorA-mediated c-di-GMP signaling affects protease secretion largely at a post-translational level. We thus report c-di-GMP second messenger system as a novel regulator of T2SS function in P. aeruginosa. Given that T2SS is a central and constitutive pump, and the secreted proteases are involved in interactions with the microbial surroundings, our data broadens the significance of c-di-GMP signaling in P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and ecological fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayshwarya Ravichandran
- Metabolites Biology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411
| | - Malarmathy Ramachandran
- Metabolites Biology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Tanujaa Suriyanarayanan
- Metabolites Biology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27 Singapore 637551
| | - Chui Ching Wong
- Metabolites Biology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411
| | - Sanjay Swarup
- Metabolites Biology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411
- NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27 Singapore 637551
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pineau C, Guschinskaya N, Robert X, Gouet P, Ballut L, Shevchik VE. Substrate recognition by the bacterial type II secretion system: more than a simple interaction. Mol Microbiol 2014; 94:126-40. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Pineau
- Université Lyon 1; F-69622 Lyon France
- INSA-Lyon; F-69621 Villeurbanne France
- CNRS; UMR5240; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie; F-69622 Lyon France
| | - Natalia Guschinskaya
- Université Lyon 1; F-69622 Lyon France
- CNRS; UMR5240; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie; F-69622 Lyon France
| | - Xavier Robert
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography and Structural Biology of Therapeutic Targets; Molecular and Structural Bases of Infectious Diseases; CNRS; UMR5086; F-69367 Lyon France
| | - Patrice Gouet
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography and Structural Biology of Therapeutic Targets; Molecular and Structural Bases of Infectious Diseases; CNRS; UMR5086; F-69367 Lyon France
| | - Lionel Ballut
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography and Structural Biology of Therapeutic Targets; Molecular and Structural Bases of Infectious Diseases; CNRS; UMR5086; F-69367 Lyon France
| | - Vladimir E. Shevchik
- Université Lyon 1; F-69622 Lyon France
- INSA-Lyon; F-69621 Villeurbanne France
- CNRS; UMR5240; Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie; F-69622 Lyon France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Type II secretion system: A magic beanstalk or a protein escalator. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:1568-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
14
|
Yuen ASW, Kolappan S, Ng D, Craig L. Structure and secretion of CofJ, a putative colonization factor of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2013; 90:898-918. [PMID: 24106767 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) colonize the human gut, causing severe cholera-like diarrhoea. ETEC utilize a diverse array of pili and fimbriae for host colonization, including the Type IVb pilus CFA/III. The CFA/III pilus machinery is encoded on the cof operon, which is similar in gene sequence and synteny to the tcp operon that encodes another Type IVb pilus, the Vibrio cholerae toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Both pilus operons possess a syntenic gene encoding a protein of unknown function. In V. cholerae, this protein, TcpF, is a critical colonization factor secreted by the TCP apparatus. Here we show that the corresponding ETEC protein, CofJ, is a soluble protein secreted via the CFA/III apparatus. We present a 2.6 Å resolution crystal structure of CofJ, revealing a large β-sandwich protein that bears no sequence or structural homology to TcpF. CofJ has a cluster of exposed hydrophobic side-chains at one end and structural homology to the pore-forming proteins perfringolysin O and α-haemolysin. CofJ binds to lipid vesicles and epithelial cells, suggesting a role in membrane attachment during ETEC colonization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex S W Yuen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, V5A 1S6
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dalbey RE, Kuhn A. Protein Traffic in Gram-negative bacteria – how exported and secreted proteins find their way. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2012; 36:1023-45. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2012.00327.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
16
|
Douzi B, Filloux A, Voulhoux R. On the path to uncover the bacterial type II secretion system. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 367:1059-72. [PMID: 22411978 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria have evolved several secretory pathways to release enzymes or toxins into the surrounding environment or into the target cells. The type II secretion system (T2SS) is conserved in Gram-negative bacteria and involves a set of 12 to 16 different proteins. Components of the T2SS are located in both the inner and outer membranes where they assemble into a supramolecular complex spanning the bacterial envelope, also called the secreton. The T2SS substrates transiently go through the periplasm before they are translocated across the outer membrane and exposed to the extracellular milieu. The T2SS is unique in its ability to promote secretion of large and sometimes multimeric proteins that are folded in the periplasm. The present review describes recently identified protein-protein interactions together with structural and functional advances in the field that have contributed to improve our understanding on how the type II secretion apparatus assembles and on the role played by individual proteins of this highly sophisticated system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Badreddine Douzi
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (CNRS-LISM-UPR 9027), Aix-Marseille Universités, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
The type II secretion system: biogenesis, molecular architecture and mechanism. Nat Rev Microbiol 2012; 10:336-51. [PMID: 22466878 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Many gram-negative bacteria use the sophisticated type II secretion system (T2SS) to translocate a wide range of proteins from the periplasm across the outer membrane. The inner-membrane platform of the T2SS is the nexus of the system and orchestrates the secretion process through its interactions with the periplasmic filamentous pseudopilus, the dodecameric outer-membrane complex and a cytoplasmic secretion ATPase. Here, recent structural and biochemical information is reviewed to describe our current knowledge of the biogenesis and architecture of the T2SS and its mechanism of action.
Collapse
|
18
|
Reichow SL, Korotkov KV, Gonen M, Sun J, Delarosa JR, Hol WGJ, Gonen T. The binding of cholera toxin to the periplasmic vestibule of the type II secretion channel. Channels (Austin) 2011; 5:215-8. [PMID: 21406971 DOI: 10.4161/chan.5.3.15268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The type II secretion system (T2SS) is a large macromolecular complex spanning the inner and outer membranes of many gram-negative bacteria. The T2SS is responsible for the secretion of virulence factors such as cholera toxin (CT) and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, respectively. CT and LT are closely related AB5 heterohexamers, composed of one A subunit and a B-pentamer. Both CT and LT are translocated, as folded protein complexes, from the periplasm across the outer membrane through the type II secretion channel, the secretin GspD. We recently published the 19 Å structure of the V. cholerae secretin (VcGspD) in its closed state and showed by SPR measurements that the periplasmic domain of GspD interacts with the B-pentamer complex. Here we extend these studies by characterizing the binding of the cholera toxin B-pentamer to VcGspD using electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations. Our studies indicate that the pentamer is captured within the large periplasmic vestibule of VcGspD. These new results agree well with our previously published studies and are in accord with a piston-driven type II secretion mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve L Reichow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Specificity of the type II secretion systems of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae for heat-labile enterotoxin and cholera toxin. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:1902-11. [PMID: 20097854 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01542-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative type II secretion (T2S) system is a multiprotein complex mediating the release of virulence factors from a number of pathogens. While an understanding of the function of T2S components is emerging, little is known about what identifies substrates for export. To investigate T2S substrate recognition, we compared mutations affecting the secretion of two highly homologous substrates: heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and cholera toxin (CT) from Vibrio cholerae. Each toxin consists of one enzymatic A subunit and a ring of five B subunits mediating the toxin's secretion. Here, we report two mutations in LT's B subunit (LTB) that reduce its secretion from ETEC without global effects on the toxin. The Q3K mutation reduced levels of secreted LT by half, and as with CT (T. D. Connell, D. J. Metzger, M. Wang, M. G. Jobling, and R. K. Holmes, Infect. Immun. 63:4091-4098, 1995), the E11K mutation impaired LT secretion. Results in vitro and in vivo show that these mutants are not degraded more readily than wild-type LT. The Q3K mutation did not significantly affect CT B subunit (CTB) secretion from V. cholerae, and the E11A mutation altered LT and CTB secretion to various extents, indicating that these toxins are identified as secretion substrates in different ways. The levels of mutant LTB expressed in V. cholerae were low or undetectable, but each CTB mutant expressed and secreted at wild-type levels in ETEC. Therefore, ETEC's T2S system seems to accommodate mutations in CTB that impair the secretion of LTB. Our results highlight the exquisitely fine-tuned relationship between T2S substrates and their coordinate secretion machineries in different bacterial species.
Collapse
|
20
|
Genetic mapping of secretion and functional determinants of the Vibrio cholerae TcpF colonization factor. J Bacteriol 2009; 191:3665-76. [PMID: 19304855 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01724-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonization of the human small intestine by Vibrio cholerae requires the type IV toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP). TcpF, which is encoded within the tcp operon, is secreted from the bacterial cell by the TCP apparatus and is also essential for colonization. Bacteria lacking tcpF are deficient in colonization, and anti-TcpF antibodies are protective in the infant mouse cholera model. In order to elucidate the regions of the protein that are required for secretion through the TCP apparatus and for its function in colonization, random mutagenesis of tcpF was performed. Analysis of these mutants suggests that multiple regions throughout the protein influence extracellular secretion and that determinants near the C terminus are important for the function of TcpF in colonization. The TcpF proteins of certain environmental V. cholerae isolates with 31% to 66% identity to pathogenic V. cholerae TcpF showed higher similarity in regions identified as secretion determinants but diverged in regions found to be important for colonization. These environmental TcpF proteins are secreted from the pathogenic strain; however, they do not mediate colonization in the infant mouse model. Here we provide genetic evidence pointing toward regions of TcpF that influence secretion, as well as regions that play an important role in in vivo colonization.
Collapse
|
21
|
Cusano AM, Parrilli E, Duilio A, Sannia G, Marino G, Tutino ML. Secretion of psychrophilic alpha-amylase deletion mutants in Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2006; 258:67-71. [PMID: 16630257 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00193.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The nature and location of structural features responsible for the secretion of a cold-adapted alpha-amylase in the Antarctic marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 was studied by deletion mutagenesis of the wild-type enzyme and of chimerical proteins derived from the fusion of the alpha-amylase with a reporter enzyme. Domain C of the psychrophilic alpha-amylase contains secretion features involved in extracellular targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Maria Cusano
- Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Biochimica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario M.S. Angelo via Cynthia, Napoli Italia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hohlfeld S, Pattis I, Püls J, Plano GV, Haas R, Fischer W. A C-terminal translocation signal is necessary, but not sufficient for type IV secretion of theHelicobacter pyloriCagA protein. Mol Microbiol 2006; 59:1624-37. [PMID: 16469000 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05050.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Type IV secretion systems are increasingly recognized as important virulence determinants of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. While the examination of several type IV-secreted proteins suggested that their secretion depends on C-terminal signals, the nature of these signals and their conservation among different systems remain unclear. Here, we have characterized the secretion signal of the Helicobacter pylori CagA protein, which is translocated by the Cag type IV secretion apparatus into eucaryotic cells. The production of fusion proteins of CagA and green fluorescent protein (GFP) did not result in translocation of GFP to epithelial cells, but a fusion of GFP with the CagA C-terminus exerted a dominant-negative effect upon wild-type CagA translocation. We show that CagA translocation depends on the presence of its 20 C-terminal amino acids, containing an array of positively charged residues. Interestingly, these positive charges are neither necessary nor sufficient for CagA translocation, but replacing the C-terminal region of CagA with that of other type IV-secreted proteins reconstitutes CagA translocation competence. Using a novel type IV translocation assay with a phosphorylatable peptide tag, we show that removal of the N-terminal part of the CagA protein renders the protein translocation-incompetent as well. Thus, the Cag type IV secretion system seems to diverge from other systems not only with respect to its composition and architecture, but also in terms of substrate recognition and transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hohlfeld
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Pettenkoferstr. 9a, D-80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Francetić O, Pugsley AP. Towards the identification of type II secretion signals in a nonacylated variant of pullulanase from Klebsiella oxytoca. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:7045-55. [PMID: 16199575 PMCID: PMC1251600 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.20.7045-7055.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pullulanase (PulA) from the gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella oxytoca is a 116-kDa surface-anchored lipoprotein of the isoamylase family that allows growth on branched maltodextrin polymers. PulA is specifically secreted via a type II secretion system. PelBsp-PulA, a nonacylated variant of PulA made by replacing the lipoprotein signal peptide (sp) with the signal peptide of pectate lyase PelB from Erwinia chrysanthemi, was efficiently secreted into the medium. Two 80-amino-acid regions of PulA, designated A and B, were previously shown to promote secretion of beta-lactamase (BlaM) and endoglucanase CelZ fused to the C terminus. We show that A and B fused to the PelB signal peptide can also promote secretion of BlaM and CelZ but not that of nuclease NucB or several other reporter proteins. However, the deletion of most of region A or all of region B, either individually or together, had only a minor effect on PelBsp-PulA secretion. Four independent linker insertions between amino acids 234 and 324 in PelBsp-PulA abolished secretion. This part of PulA, region C, could contain part of the PulA secretion signal or be important for its correct presentation. Deletion of region C abolished PelBsp-PulA secretion without dramatically affecting its stability. PelBsp-PulA-NucB chimeras were secreted only if the PulA-NucB fusion point was located downstream from region C. The data show that at least three regions of PulA contain information that influences its secretion, depending on their context, and that some reporter proteins might contribute to the secretion of chimeras of which they are a part.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivera Francetić
- Molecular Genetics Unit, CNRS URA2172, Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris CEDEX 15, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Filloux A. The underlying mechanisms of type II protein secretion. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2004; 1694:163-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2004.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Accepted: 05/07/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
25
|
Söderberg MA, Rossier O, Cianciotto NP. The type II protein secretion system of Legionella pneumophila promotes growth at low temperatures. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:3712-20. [PMID: 15175284 PMCID: PMC419956 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.12.3712-3720.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila grows in both natural and man-made water systems and in the mammalian lung as a facultative intracellular parasite. The PilD prepilin peptidase of L. pneumophila promotes type IV pilus biogenesis and type II protein secretion. Whereas pili enhance adherence, Legionella type II secretion is critical for intracellular growth and virulence. Previously, we observed that pilD transcript levels are greater in legionellae grown at 30 versus 37 degrees C. Using a new pilD::lacZ fusion strain, we now show that pilD transcriptional initiation increases progressively as L. pneumophila is grown at 30, 25, and 17 degrees C. Legionella pilD mutants also had a dramatically reduced ability to grow in broth and to form colonies on agar at the lower temperatures. Whereas strains specifically lacking type IV pili were not defective for low-temperature growth, mutations in type II secretion (lsp) genes greatly impaired the capacity of L. pneumophila to form colonies at 25, 17, and 12 degrees C. Indeed, the lsp mutants were completely unable to grow at 12 degrees C. The growth defect of the pilD and lsp mutants was complemented by reintroduction of the corresponding intact gene. Interestingly, the lsp mutants displayed improved growth at 25 degrees C when plated next to a streak of wild-type but not mutant bacteria, implying that a secreted, diffusible factor promotes low-temperature growth. Mutants lacking either the known secreted acid phosphatases, lipases, phospholipase C, lysophospholipase A, or protease grew normally at 25 degrees C, suggesting the existence of a critical, yet-to-be-defined exoprotein(s). In summary, these data document, for the first time, that L. pneumophila replicates at temperatures below 20 degrees C and that a bacterial type II protein secretion system facilitates growth at low temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Söderberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University Medical School, 320 East Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lehtimäki S, Rantakari A, Routtu J, Tuikkala A, Li J, Virtaharju O, Palva ET, Romantschuk M, Saarilahti HT. Characterization of the hrp pathogenicity cluster of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora: high basal level expression in a mutant is associated with reduced virulence. Mol Genet Genomics 2003; 270:263-72. [PMID: 14576934 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-003-0905-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2003] [Accepted: 07/23/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Extracellularly targeted proteins are crucial for virulence of gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria. Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora employs the so-called type II (GSP) pathway to secrete a number of pectinases and cellulases, which cause the typical tissue maceration symptoms of soft-rot disease. The type III (hrp) pathway is the major virulence determinant in the genera Pseudomonas, Ralstonia and Xanthomonas, and in non-macerating species of Erwinia. The hrp cluster was recently partially characterized from E. carotovora sp. carotovora, and shown to affect virulence during early stages of infection. Here we have isolated and characterized 15 hrp genes comprising the remaining part of the cluster. The genes hrpL, hrpXY and hrpS were deduced to be transcribed as separate units, whereas the 11 remaining genes from hrpJ to hrcU form a single large operon. The hrpX gene, which codes for the sensory kinase of the two-component regulatory locus hrpXY was insertionally inactivated by placing a transposon (entranceposon) in the gene. The resulting mutant bacterium expresses the hrp genes at high basal level even in a non-inducing medium. This relative overexpression was shown to be due to the hrpX::entranceposon insertion causing enhanced transcription of the downstream hrpY gene. The hrpX(-)-hrpYC mutant bacterium exhibited a slower growth rate and the appearance of disease symptoms in infected Arabidopsis plants was delayed, as compared to the wild-type strain. The need for hrp gene expression for virulence has been documented in both non-macerating plant pathogens and in soft-rotting Erwinia sp. but this is the first demonstration that high basal-level expression of hrp -regulated genes may actually have a negative impact on disease progress in a susceptible host plant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Lehtimäki
- Division of Genetics, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, POB 56, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|