1
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Ntui CM, Fleckenstein JM, Schubert WD. Structural and biophysical characterization of the secreted, β-helical adhesin EtpA of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287100. [PMID: 37343026 PMCID: PMC10284417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a diarrhoeal pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality especially among young children in developing countries. At present, there is no vaccine for ETEC. One candidate vaccine antigen, EtpA, is a conserved secreted adhesin that binds to the tips of flagellae to bridge ETEC to host intestinal glycans. EtpA is exported through a Gram-negative, two-partner secretion system (TPSS, type Vb) comprised of the secreted EtpA passenger (TpsA) protein and EtpB (TpsB) transporter that is integrated into the outer bacterial membrane. TpsA proteins share a conserved, N-terminal TPS domain followed by an extensive C-terminal domain with divergent sequence repeats. Two soluble, N-terminal constructs of EtpA were prepared and analysed respectively including residues 67 to 447 (EtpA67-447) and 1 to 606 (EtpA1-606). The crystal structure of EtpA67-447 solved at 1.76 Å resolution revealed a right-handed parallel β-helix with two extra-helical hairpins and an N-terminal β-strand cap. Analyses by circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed the β-helical fold and indicated high resistance to chemical and thermal denaturation as well as rapid refolding. A theoretical AlphaFold model of full-length EtpA largely concurs with the crystal structure adding an extended β-helical C-terminal domain after an interdomain kink. We propose that robust folding of the TPS domain upon secretion provides a template to extend the N-terminal β-helix into the C-terminal domains of TpsA proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford Manyo Ntui
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - James M. Fleckenstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of Ameirca
- Infectious Disease Service Saint Louis VA Health Care System, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of Ameirca
| | - Wolf-Dieter Schubert
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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2
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Beriotto I, Icke C, Sevastsyanovich YR, Rossiter AE, Romagnoli G, Savino S, Hodges FJ, Cole JA, Saul A, MacLennan CA, Cunningham AF, Micoli F, Henderson IR. Efficient Autotransporter-Mediated Extracellular Secretion of a Heterologous Recombinant Protein by Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0359422. [PMID: 37036352 PMCID: PMC10269718 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03594-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The autotransporter protein secretion system has been used previously to target the secretion of heterologous proteins to the bacterial cell surface and the extracellular milieu at the laboratory scale. The platform is of particular interest for the production of "difficult" recombinant proteins that might cause toxic effects when produced intracellularly. One such protein is IrmA. IrmA is a vaccine candidate that is produced in inclusion bodies requiring refolding. Here, we describe the use and scale-up of the autotransporter system for the secretion of an industrially relevant protein (IrmA). A plasmid expressing IrmA was constructed such that the autotransporter platform could secrete IrmA into the culture supernatant fraction. The autotransporter platform was suitable for the production and purification of IrmA with comparable physical properties to the protein produced in the cytoplasm. The production of IrmA was translated to scale-up protein production conditions resulting in a yield of 29.3 mg/L of IrmA from the culture supernatant, which is consistent with yields of current industrial processes. IMPORTANCE Recombinant protein production is an essential component of the biotechnology sector. Here, we show that the autotransporter platform is a viable method for the recombinant production, secretion, and purification of a "difficult" to produce protein on an industrially relevant scale. Use of the autotransporter platform could reduce the number of downstream processing operations required, thus accelerating the development time and reducing costs for recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Beriotto
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Christopher Icke
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Amanda E. Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Silvana Savino
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Freya J. Hodges
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeffrey A. Cole
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Calman A. MacLennan
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
- Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F. Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian R. Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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3
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Hor L, Pilapitiya A, McKenna JA, Panjikar S, Anderson MA, Desvaux M, Paxman JJ, Heras B. Crystal structure of a subtilisin-like autotransporter passenger domain reveals insights into its cytotoxic function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1163. [PMID: 36859523 PMCID: PMC9977779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36719-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters (ATs) are a large family of bacterial secreted and outer membrane proteins that encompass a wide range of enzymatic activities frequently associated with pathogenic phenotypes. We present the structural and functional characterisation of a subtilase autotransporter, Ssp, from the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens. Although the structures of subtilases have been well documented, this subtilisin-like protein is associated with a 248 residue β-helix and itself includes three finger-like protrusions around its active site involved in substrate interactions. We further reveal that the activity of the subtilase AT is required for entry into epithelial cells as well as causing cellular toxicity. The Ssp structure not only provides details about the subtilase ATs, but also reveals a common framework and function to more distantly related ATs. As such these findings also represent a significant step forward toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional divergence in the large AT superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Hor
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Akila Pilapitiya
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Santosh Panjikar
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mickaël Desvaux
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR454 MEDiS, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jason J Paxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Begoña Heras
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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4
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Ibrahim I, Ayariga JA, Xu J, Adebanjo A, Robertson BK, Samuel-Foo M, Ajayi OS. CBD resistant Salmonella strains are susceptible to epsilon 34 phage tailspike protein. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1075698. [PMID: 36960333 PMCID: PMC10028193 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1075698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance is a global public health crisis that threatens the effective control and prevention of infections. Due to the emergence of pandrug-resistant bacteria, most antibiotics have lost their efficacy. Bacteriophages or their components are known to target bacterial cell walls, cell membranes, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hydrolyze them. Bacteriophages being the natural predators of pathogenic bacteria, are inevitably categorized as "human friends", thus fulfilling the adage that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Leveraging on their lethal capabilities against pathogenic bacteria, researchers are searching for more ways to overcome the current antibiotic resistance challenge. In this study, we expressed and purified epsilon 34 phage tailspike protein (E34 TSP) from the E34 TSP gene, then assessed the ability of this bacteriophage protein in the killing of two CBD-resistant strains of Salmonella spp. We also assessed the ability of the tailspike protein to cause bacteria membrane disruption, and dehydrogenase depletion. We observed that the combined treatment of CBD-resistant strains of Salmonella with CBD and E34 TSP showed poor killing ability whereas the monotreatment with E34 TSP showed considerably higher killing efficiency. This study demonstrates that the inhibition of the bacteria by E34 TSP was due in part to membrane disruption, and dehydrogenase inactivation by the protein. The results of this work provides an interesting background to highlight the crucial role phage protein such as E34 TSP could play in pathogenic bacterial control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iddrisu Ibrahim
- The Microbiology Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Joseph Atia Ayariga
- The Industrial Hemp Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
- *Correspondence: Joseph Atia Ayariga,
| | - Junhuan Xu
- The Industrial Hemp Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Ayomide Adebanjo
- The Industrial Hemp Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Boakai K. Robertson
- The Microbiology Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Michelle Samuel-Foo
- The Industrial Hemp Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Olufemi S. Ajayi
- The Industrial Hemp Program, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
- Olufemi S. Ajayi,
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5
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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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6
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Doyle MT, Bernstein HD. Function of the Omp85 Superfamily of Outer Membrane Protein Assembly Factors and Polypeptide Transporters. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:259-279. [PMID: 35650668 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-033021-023719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The Omp85 protein superfamily is found in the outer membrane (OM) of all gram-negative bacteria and eukaryotic organelles of bacterial origin. Members of the family catalyze both the membrane insertion of β-barrel proteins and the translocation of proteins across the OM. Although the mechanism(s) by which these proteins function is unclear, striking new insights have emerged from recent biochemical and structural studies. In this review we discuss the entire Omp85 superfamily but focus on the function of the best-studied member, BamA, which is an essential and highly conserved component of the bacterial barrel assembly machinery (BAM). Because BamA has multiple functions that overlap with those of other Omp85 proteins, it is likely the prototypical member of the Omp85 superfamily. Furthermore, BamA has become a protein of great interest because of the recent discovery of small-molecule inhibitors that potentially represent an important new class of antibiotics. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Thomas Doyle
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; ,
| | - Harris D Bernstein
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; ,
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7
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Vo JL, Ortiz GCM, Totsika M, Lo AW, Hancock SJ, Whitten AE, Hor L, Peters KM, Ageorges V, Caccia N, Desvaux M, Schembri MA, Paxman JJ, Heras B. Variation of Antigen 43 self-association modulates bacterial compacting within aggregates and biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:20. [PMID: 35396507 PMCID: PMC8993888 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00284-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of aggregates and biofilms enhances bacterial colonisation and infection progression by affording protection from antibiotics and host immune factors. Despite these advantages there is a trade-off, whereby bacterial dissemination is reduced. As such, biofilm development needs to be controlled to suit adaptation to different environments. Here we investigate members from one of largest groups of bacterial adhesins, the autotransporters, for their critical role in the assembly of bacterial aggregates and biofilms. We describe the structural and functional characterisation of autotransporter Ag43 variants from different Escherichia coli pathotypes. We show that specific interactions between amino acids on the contacting interfaces of adjacent Ag43 proteins drives a common mode of trans-association that leads to cell clumping. Furthermore, subtle variation of these interactions alters aggregation kinetics and the degree of compacting within cell clusters. Together, our structure–function investigation reveals an underlying molecular basis for variations in the density of bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieanne L Vo
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Gabriela C Martínez Ortiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Makrina Totsika
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Alvin W Lo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Steven J Hancock
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew E Whitten
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| | - Lilian Hor
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Kate M Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Valentin Ageorges
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR454 MEDiS, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nelly Caccia
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR454 MEDiS, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mickaël Desvaux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR454 MEDiS, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mark A Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Jason J Paxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Begoña Heras
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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8
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Silva RP, DiVenere AM, Amengor D, Maynard JA. Antibodies binding diverse pertactin epitopes protect mice from B. pertussis infection. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101715. [PMID: 35151691 PMCID: PMC8931430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many current acellular pertussis vaccines include the antigen pertactin, which has presumptive adhesive and immunomodulatory activities, but is rapidly lost from clinical isolates after the introduction of these vaccines. To better understand the contributions of pertactin antibodies to protection and pertactin's role in pathogenesis, we isolated and characterized recombinant antibodies binding four distinct epitopes on pertactin. We demonstrate that four of these antibodies bind epitopes that are conserved across all three classical Bordetella strains, and competition assays further showed that antibodies binding these epitopes are also elicited by B. pertussis infection of baboons. Surprisingly, we found that representative antibodies binding each epitope protected mice against experimental B. pertussis infection. A cocktail of antibodies from each epitope group protected mice against a subsequent lethal dose of B. pertussis and greatly reduced lung colonization levels after sublethal challenge. Each antibody reduced B. pertussis lung colonization levels up to 100-fold when administered individually, which was significantly reduced when antibody effector functions were impaired, with no antibody mediating antibody-dependent complement-induced lysis. These data suggest that antibodies binding multiple pertactin epitopes protect primarily by the same bactericidal mechanism, which overshadows contributions from blockade of other pertactin functions. These antibodies expand the available tools to further dissect pertactin's role in infection and understand the impact of antipertactin antibodies on bacterial fitness.
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9
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Zhu S, Liuni P, Chen T, Houy C, Wilson DJ, James DA. Epitope screening using Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS): An accelerated workflow for evaluation of lead monoclonal antibodies. Biotechnol J 2021; 17:e2100358. [PMID: 34747565 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epitope mapping is an increasingly important aspect of biotherapeutic and vaccine development. Recent advances in therapeutic antibody design and production have enabled candidate mAbs to be identified at a rapidly increasing rate, resulting in a significant bottleneck in the characterization of "structural" epitopes, that are challenging to determine using existing high throughput epitope mapping tools. Here, a Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) epitope screening workflow was introduced that is well suited for accelerated characterization of epitopes with a common antigen. MAIN METHODS AND MAJOR RESULTS The method is demonstrated on set of six candidate mAbs targeting Pertactin (PRN). Using this approach, five of the six epitopes were unambiguously determined using two HDX mixing timepoints in 24 h total run time, which is equivalent to the instrument time required to map a single epitope using the conventional workflow. CONCLUSION An accelerated HDX-MS epitope screening workflow was developed. The "screening" workflow successfully characterized five (out of six attempted) novel epitopes on the PRN antigen; information that can be used to support vaccine antigenicity assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolong Zhu
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi Pasteur Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Liuni
- Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tricia Chen
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi Pasteur Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Camille Houy
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi Pasteur Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek J Wilson
- Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - D Andrew James
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi Pasteur Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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10
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The Right-Handed Parallel β-Helix Topology of Erwinia chrysanthemi Pectin Methylesterase Is Intimately Associated with Both Sequential Folding and Resistance to High Pressure. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081083. [PMID: 34439750 PMCID: PMC8392785 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081083] [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: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex topologies of large multi-domain globular proteins make the study of their folding and assembly particularly demanding. It is often characterized by complex kinetics and undesired side reactions, such as aggregation. The structural simplicity of tandem-repeat proteins, which are characterized by the repetition of a basic structural motif and are stabilized exclusively by sequentially localized contacts, has provided opportunities for dissecting their folding landscapes. In this study, we focus on the Erwinia chrysanthemi pectin methylesterase (342 residues), an all-β pectinolytic enzyme with a right-handed parallel β-helix structure. Chemicals and pressure were chosen as denaturants and a variety of optical techniques were used in conjunction with stopped-flow equipment to investigate the folding mechanism of the enzyme at 25 °C. Under equilibrium conditions, both chemical- and pressure-induced unfolding show two-state transitions, with average conformational stability (ΔG° = 35 ± 5 kJ·mol−1) but exceptionally high resistance to pressure (Pm = 800 ± 7 MPa). Stopped-flow kinetic experiments revealed a very rapid (τ < 1 ms) hydrophobic collapse accompanied by the formation of an extended secondary structure but did not reveal stable tertiary contacts. This is followed by three distinct cooperative phases and the significant population of two intermediate species. The kinetics followed by intrinsic fluorescence shows a lag phase, strongly indicating that these intermediates are productive species on a sequential folding pathway, for which we propose a plausible model. These combined data demonstrate that even a large repeat protein can fold in a highly cooperative manner.
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11
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Ma L, Caulfield A, Dewan KK, Harvill ET. Pertactin-Deficient Bordetella pertussis, Vaccine-Driven Evolution, and Reemergence of Pertussis. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:1561-1566. [PMID: 34014152 PMCID: PMC8153889 DOI: 10.3201/eid2706.203850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reemergence of pertussis (whooping cough) in highly vaccinated populations and rapid expansion of Bordetella pertussis strains lacking pertactin (PRN), a common acellular vaccine antigen, have raised the specter of vaccine-driven evolution and potential return of what was once the major killer of children. The discovery that most circulating B. pertussis strains in the United States have acquired new and independent disruptive mutations in PRN is compelling evidence of strong selective pressure. However, the other 4 antigens included in acellular vaccines do not appear to be selected against so rapidly. We consider 3 aspects of PRN that distinguish it from other vaccine antigens, which might, individually or collectively, explain why only this antigen is being precipitously eliminated. An understanding of the increase in PRN-deficient strains should provide useful information for the current search for new protective antigens and provide broader lessons for the design of improved subunit vaccines.
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12
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Dautin N. Folding Control in the Path of Type 5 Secretion. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:341. [PMID: 34064645 PMCID: PMC8151025 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The type 5 secretion system (T5SS) is one of the more widespread secretion systems in Gram-negative bacteria. Proteins secreted by the T5SS are functionally diverse (toxins, adhesins, enzymes) and include numerous virulence factors. Mechanistically, the T5SS has long been considered the simplest of secretion systems, due to the paucity of proteins required for its functioning. Still, despite more than two decades of study, the exact process by which T5SS substrates attain their final destination and correct conformation is not totally deciphered. Moreover, the recent addition of new sub-families to the T5SS raises additional questions about this secretion mechanism. Central to the understanding of type 5 secretion is the question of protein folding, which needs to be carefully controlled in each of the bacterial cell compartments these proteins cross. Here, the biogenesis of proteins secreted by the Type 5 secretion system is discussed, with a focus on the various factors preventing or promoting protein folding during biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Dautin
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, Université de Paris, LBPC-PM, CNRS, UMR7099, 75005 Paris, France;
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild pour le Développement de la Recherche Scientifique, 75005 Paris, France
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Guérin J, Buchanan SK. Protein import and export across the bacterial outer membrane. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 69:55-62. [PMID: 33901701 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial outer membrane forms an impermeable barrier to the environment, but a wide variety of substances must cross it without compromising the membrane. Perhaps, the most fascinating transport phenomenon is the import and export of very large protein toxins using relatively small β-barrel proteins residing in the outer membrane. Progress has been made on three systems in recent years that shed light on this process. In this review, we summarize bacteriocin (toxin) import using TonB-dependent transporters and protein secretion by autotransporters and two partner secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Guérin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Susan K Buchanan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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14
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Doyle MT, Bernstein HD. BamA forms a translocation channel for polypeptide export across the bacterial outer membrane. Mol Cell 2021; 81:2000-2012.e3. [PMID: 33705710 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The β-barrel assembly machine (BAM) integrates β-barrel proteins into the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria. An essential BAM subunit (BamA) catalyzes integration by promoting the formation of a hybrid-barrel intermediate state between its own β-barrel domain and that of its client proteins. Here we show that in addition to catalyzing the integration of β-barrel proteins, BamA functions as a polypeptide export channel. In vivo structural mapping via intermolecular disulfide crosslinking showed that the extracellular "passenger" domain of a member of the "autotransporter" superfamily of virulence factors traverses the OM through the BamA β-barrel lumen. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a highly conserved residue within autotransporter β-barrels is required to position the passenger inside BamA to initiate translocation and that during translocation, the passenger stabilizes the hybrid-barrel state. Our results not only establish a new function for BamA but also unify the divergent functions of BamA and other "Omp85" superfamily transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Thomas Doyle
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Harris David 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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15
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Properties of protein unfolded states suggest broad selection for expanded conformational ensembles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:23356-23364. [PMID: 32879005 PMCID: PMC7519328 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003773117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Much attention is being paid to conformational biases in the ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins. However, it is currently unknown whether or how conformational biases within the disordered ensembles of foldable proteins affect function in vivo. Recently, we demonstrated that water can be a good solvent for unfolded polypeptide chains, even those with a hydrophobic and charged sequence composition typical of folded proteins. These results run counter to the generally accepted model that protein folding begins with hydrophobicity-driven chain collapse. Here we investigate what other features, beyond amino acid composition, govern chain collapse. We found that local clustering of hydrophobic and/or charged residues leads to significant collapse of the unfolded ensemble of pertactin, a secreted autotransporter virulence protein from Bordetella pertussis, as measured by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Sequence patterns that lead to collapse also correlate with increased intermolecular polypeptide chain association and aggregation. Crucially, sequence patterns that support an expanded conformational ensemble enhance pertactin secretion to the bacterial cell surface. Similar sequence pattern features are enriched across the large and diverse family of autotransporter virulence proteins, suggesting sequence patterns that favor an expanded conformational ensemble are under selection for efficient autotransporter protein secretion, a necessary prerequisite for virulence. More broadly, we found that sequence patterns that lead to more expanded conformational ensembles are enriched across water-soluble proteins in general, suggesting protein sequences are under selection to regulate collapse and minimize protein aggregation, in addition to their roles in stabilizing folded protein structures.
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The rhizobial autotransporter determines the symbiotic nitrogen fixation activity of Lotus japonicus in a host-specific manner. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:1806-1815. [PMID: 31900357 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913349117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leguminous plants establish endosymbiotic associations with rhizobia and form root nodules in which the rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen. The host plant and intracellular rhizobia strictly control this symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We recently reported a Lotus japonicus Fix- mutant, apn1 (aspartic peptidase nodule-induced 1), that impairs symbiotic nitrogen fixation. APN1 encodes a nodule-specific aspartic peptidase involved in the Fix- phenotype in a rhizobial strain-specific manner. This host-strain specificity implies that some molecular interactions between host plant APN1 and rhizobial factors are required, although the biological function of APN1 in nodules and the mechanisms governing the interactions are unknown. To clarify how rhizobial factors are involved in strain-specific nitrogen fixation, we explored transposon mutants of Mesorhizobium loti strain TONO, which normally form Fix- nodules on apn1 roots, and identified TONO mutants that formed Fix+ nodules on apn1 The identified causal gene encodes an autotransporter, part of a protein secretion system of Gram-negative bacteria. Expression of the autotransporter gene in M. loti strain MAFF3030399, which normally forms Fix+ nodules on apn1 roots, resulted in Fix- nodules. The autotransporter of TONO functions to secrete a part of its own protein (a passenger domain) into extracellular spaces, and the recombinant APN1 protein cleaved the passenger protein in vitro. The M. loti autotransporter showed the activity to induce the genes involved in nodule senescence in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we conclude that the nodule-specific aspartic peptidase, APN1, suppresses negative effects of the rhizobial autotransporter in order to maintain effective symbiotic nitrogen fixation in root nodules.
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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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18
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FimH-based display of functional eukaryotic proteins on bacteria surfaces. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8410. [PMID: 31182802 PMCID: PMC6557881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44883-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand for recombinant proteins for analytic and therapeutic purposes is increasing; however, most currently used bacterial production systems accumulate the recombinant proteins in the intracellular space, which requires denaturating procedures for harvesting and functional testing. We here present a novel FimH-based expression system that enables display of fully functional eukaryotic proteins while preventing technical difficulties in translocating, folding, stabilizing and isolating the displayed proteins. As examples, Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and epiregulin (EPRG) were expressed as FimH fusion proteins on the surface of E. coli bacteria. The fusion proteins were functionally active and could be released from the bacterial surface by specific proteolytic cleavage into the culture supernatant allowing harvesting of the produced proteins. EGFR ligands, produced as FimH fusion proteins and released by proteolytic cleavage, bound to the EGF receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells inducing EGFR phosphorylation. In another application of the technology, GLuc-FimH expressed on the surface of bacteria was used to track tumor-infiltrating bacteria by bioluminescence imaging upon application to mice, thereby visualizing the colonization of transplanted tumors. The examples indicate that the FimH-fusion protein technology can be used in various applications that require functionally active proteins to be displayed on bacterial surfaces or released into the culture supernatant.
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Leibiger K, Schweers JM, Schütz M. Biogenesis and function of the autotransporter adhesins YadA, intimin and invasin. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 309:331-337. [PMID: 31176600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria often express numerous virulence factors. These virulence factors make them successful pathogens, by e.g. mediating attachment to host cells and thereby facilitating persistence or invasion, or by contributing to the evasion of the host immune system to allow proliferation and spread within the host and in the environment. The site of first contact of Gram negative bacteria with the host is the bacterial outer membrane (OM). Consisting of an asymmetrical lipid bilayer with phospholipids forming the inner, and lipopolysaccharides forming the outer leaflet, the OM harbors numerous integral membrane proteins that are almost exclusively β-barrel proteins. One distinct family of OM β-barrel proteins strongly linked to bacterial virulence are the autotransporter (AT) proteins. During the last years huge progress has been made to better understand the mechanisms underlying the insertion of AT proteins into the OM and also AT function for interaction with the host. This review shortly summarizes our current knowledge about outer membrane protein (OMP) and more specifically AT biogenesis and function. We focused on the AT proteins that we haved studied in most detail: i.e. the Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) and invasin of Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) as well as its homolog intimin (Int) expressed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. In addition, this review provides a short outlook about how we could possibly use this knowledge to fight infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolin Leibiger
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Malte Schweers
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Schütz
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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20
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Meuskens I, Saragliadis A, Leo JC, Linke D. Type V Secretion Systems: An Overview of Passenger Domain Functions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1163. [PMID: 31214135 PMCID: PMC6555100 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria secrete proteins for different purposes such as communication, virulence functions, adhesion to surfaces, nutrient acquisition, or growth inhibition of competing bacteria. For secretion of proteins, Gram-negative bacteria have evolved different secretion systems, classified as secretion systems I through IX to date. While some of these systems consist of multiple proteins building a complex spanning the cell envelope, the type V secretion system, the subject of this review, is rather minimal. Proteins of the Type V secretion system are often called autotransporters (ATs). In the simplest case, a type V secretion system consists of only one polypeptide chain with a β-barrel translocator domain in the membrane, and an extracellular passenger or effector region. Depending on the exact domain architecture of the protein, type V secretion systems can be further separated into sub-groups termed type Va through e, and possibly another recently identified subtype termed Vf. While this classification works well when it comes to the architecture of the proteins, this is not the case for the function(s) of the secreted passenger. In this review, we will give an overview of the functions of the passengers of the different AT classes, shedding more light on the variety of functions carried out by type V secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dirk Linke
- Department of Biosciences, Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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21
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Commonly used FRET fluorophores promote collapse of an otherwise disordered protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8889-8894. [PMID: 30992378 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813038116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimensions that unfolded proteins, including intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), adopt in the absence of denaturant remain controversial. We developed an analysis procedure for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) profiles and used it to demonstrate that even relatively hydrophobic IDPs remain nearly as expanded in water as they are in high denaturant concentrations. In contrast, as demonstrated here, most fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements have indicated that relatively hydrophobic IDPs contract significantly in the absence of denaturant. We use two independent approaches to further explore this controversy. First, using SAXS we show that fluorophores employed in FRET can contribute to the observed discrepancy. Specifically, we find that addition of Alexa-488 to a normally expanded IDP causes contraction by an additional 15%, a value in reasonable accord with the contraction reported in FRET-based studies. Second, using our simulations and analysis procedure to accurately extract both the radius of gyration (Rg) and end-to-end distance (Ree) from SAXS profiles, we tested the recent suggestion that FRET and SAXS results can be reconciled if the Rg and Ree are "uncoupled" (i.e., no longer simply proportional), in contrast to the case for random walk homopolymers. We find, however, that even for unfolded proteins, these two measures of unfolded state dimensions remain proportional. Together, these results suggest that improved analysis procedures and a correction for significant, fluorophore-driven interactions are sufficient to reconcile prior SAXS and FRET studies, thus providing a unified picture of the nature of unfolded polypeptide chains in the absence of denaturant.
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22
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Alqassim SS, Lee IG, Dominguez R. Rickettsia Sca2 Recruits Two Actin Subunits for Nucleation but Lacks WH2 Domains. Biophys J 2019; 116:540-550. [PMID: 30638962 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rickettsia ∼1800-amino-acid autotransporter protein surface cell antigen 2 (Sca2) promotes actin polymerization on the surface of the bacterium to drive its movement using an actin comet-tail mechanism. Sca2 mimics eukaryotic formins in that it promotes both actin filament nucleation and elongation and competes with capping protein to generate filaments that are long and unbranched. However, despite these functional similarities, Sca2 is structurally unrelated to eukaryotic formins and achieves these functions through an entirely different mechanism. Thus, while formins are dimeric, Sca2 functions as a monomer. However, Sca2 displays intramolecular interactions and functional cooperativity between its N- and C-terminal domains that are crucial for actin nucleation and elongation. Here, we map the interaction of N- and C- terminal fragments of Sca2 and their contribution to actin binding and nucleation. We find that both the N- and C-terminal regions of Sca2 interact with actin monomers but only weakly, whereas the full-length protein binds two actin monomers with high affinity. Moreover, deletions at both ends of the N- and C-terminal regions disrupt their ability to interact with each other, suggesting that they form a contiguous ring-like structure that wraps around two actin subunits, analogous to the formin homology-2 domain. The discovery of Sca2 as an actin nucleator followed the identification of what appeared to be a repeat of three Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome homology 2 (WH2) domains in the middle of the molecule, consistent with the presence of WH2 domains in most actin nucleators. However, we show here that contrary to previous assumptions, Sca2 does not contain WH2 domains. Instead, our analysis indicates that the region containing the putative WH2 domains is folded as a globular domain that cooperates with other parts of the Sca2 molecule for actin binding and nucleation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif S Alqassim
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - In-Gyun Lee
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Roberto Dominguez
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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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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Notari L, Martínez-Carranza M, Farías-Rico JA, Stenmark P, von Heijne G. Cotranslational Folding of a Pentarepeat β-Helix Protein. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:5196-5206. [PMID: 30539762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that many proteins start to fold cotranslationally before the entire polypeptide chain has been synthesized on the ribosome. One class of proteins that a priori would seem particularly prone to cotranslational folding is repeat proteins, that is, proteins that are built from an array of nearly identical sequence repeats. However, while the folding of repeat proteins has been studied extensively in vitro with purified proteins, only a handful of studies have addressed the issue of cotranslational folding of repeat proteins. Here, we have determined the structure and studied the cotranslational folding of a β-helix pentarepeat protein from the human pathogen Clostridium botulinum-a homolog of the fluoroquinolone resistance protein MfpA-using an assay in which the SecM translational arrest peptide serves as a force sensor to detect folding events. We find that cotranslational folding of a segment corresponding to the first four of the eight β-helix coils in the protein produces enough force to release ribosome stalling and that folding starts when this unit is ~35 residues away from the P-site, near the distal end of the ribosome exit tunnel. An additional folding transition is seen when the whole PENT moiety emerges from the exit tunnel. The early cotranslational formation of a folded unit may be important to avoid misfolding events in vivo and may reflect the minimal size of a stable β-helix since it is structurally homologous to the smallest known β-helix protein, a four-coil protein that is stable in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Notari
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gunnar von Heijne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory Stockholm University, Box 1031, SE-171 21 Solna, Sweden.
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Makabe K, Nakamura T, Dhar D, Ikura T, Koide S, Kuwajima K. An Overlapping Region between the Two Terminal Folding Units of the Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) Controls Its Folding Behavior. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:1799-1813. [PMID: 29709572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Although many naturally occurring proteins consist of multiple domains, most studies on protein folding to date deal with single-domain proteins or isolated domains of multi-domain proteins. Studies of multi-domain protein folding are required for further advancing our understanding of protein folding mechanisms. Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) is a β-rich two-domain protein, in which two globular domains are connected by a rigid and stable single-layer β-sheet. Thus, OspA is particularly suited as a model system for studying the interplays of domains in protein folding. Here, we studied the equilibria and kinetics of the urea-induced folding-unfolding reactions of OspA probed with tryptophan fluorescence and ultraviolet circular dichroism. Global analysis of the experimental data revealed compelling lines of evidence for accumulation of an on-pathway intermediate during kinetic refolding and for the identity between the kinetic intermediate and a previously described equilibrium unfolding intermediate. The results suggest that the intermediate has the fully native structure in the N-terminal domain and the single layer β-sheet, with the C-terminal domain still unfolded. The observation of the productive on-pathway folding intermediate clearly indicates substantial interactions between the two domains mediated by the single-layer β-sheet. We propose that a rigid and stable intervening region between two domains creates an overlap between two folding units and can energetically couple their folding reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Makabe
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Jyonan 4-3-16, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan; Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience and Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan; Department of Functional Molecular Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience and Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Debanjan Dhar
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience and Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Teikichi Ikura
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Biomedical Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shohei Koide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, and Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kunihiro Kuwajima
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience and Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan; Department of Functional Molecular Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan; Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; School of Computational Sciences, Korea Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS), Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-722, Korea
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26
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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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Bordetella pertussis pertactin knock-out strains reveal immunomodulatory properties of this virulence factor. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:39. [PMID: 29559630 PMCID: PMC5861065 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, has resurged and presents a global health burden worldwide. B. pertussis strains unable to produce the acellular pertussis vaccine component pertactin (Prn), have been emerging and in some countries represent up to 95% of recent clinical isolates. Knowledge on the effect that Prn deficiency has on infection and immunity to B. pertussis is crucial for the development of new strategies to control this disease. Here, we characterized the effect of Prn production by B. pertussis on human and murine dendritic cell (DC) maturation as well as in a murine model for pertussis infection. We incubated human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) with multiple isogenic Prn knockout (Prn-KO) and corresponding parental B. pertussis strains constructed either in laboratory reference strains with a Tohama I background or in a recently circulating clinical isolate. Results indicate that, compared to the parental strains, Prn-KO strains induced an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by moDCs. This pro-inflammatory phenotype was also observed upon stimulation of murine bone marrow-derived DCs. Moreover, RNA sequencing analysis of lungs from mice infected with B. pertussis Prn-KO revealed increased expression of genes involved in cell death. These in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that B. pertussis strains which do not produce Prn induce a stronger pro-inflammatory response and increased cell death upon infection, suggesting immunomodulatory properties for Prn.
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Rojas-Lopez M, Zorgani MA, Kelley LA, Bailly X, Kajava AV, Henderson IR, Polticelli F, Pizza M, Rosini R, Desvaux M. Identification of the Autochaperone Domain in the Type Va Secretion System (T5aSS): Prevalent Feature of Autotransporters with a β-Helical Passenger. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2607. [PMID: 29375499 PMCID: PMC5767081 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters (ATs) belong to a family of modular proteins secreted by the Type V, subtype a, secretion system (T5aSS) and considered as an important source of virulence factors in lipopolysaccharidic diderm bacteria (archetypical Gram-negative bacteria). While exported by the Sec pathway, the ATs are further secreted across the outer membrane via their own C-terminal translocator forming a β-barrel, through which the rest of the protein, namely the passenger, can pass. In several ATs, an autochaperone domain (AC) present at the C-terminal region of the passenger and upstream of the translocator was demonstrated as strictly required for proper secretion and folding. However, considering it was functionally characterised and identified only in a handful of ATs, wariness recently fells on the commonality and conservation of this structural element in the T5aSS. To circumvent the issue of sequence divergence and taking advantage of the resolved three-dimensional structure of some ACs, identification of this domain was performed following structural alignment among all AT passengers experimentally resolved by crystallography before searching in a dataset of 1523 ATs. While demonstrating that the AC is indeed a conserved structure found in numerous ATs, phylogenetic analysis further revealed a distribution into deeply rooted branches, from which emerge 20 main clusters. Sequence analysis revealed that an AC could be identified in the large majority of SAATs (self-associating ATs) but not in any LEATs (lipase/esterase ATs) nor in some PATs (protease autotransporters) and PHATs (phosphatase/hydrolase ATs). Structural analysis indicated that an AC was present in passengers exhibiting single-stranded right-handed parallel β-helix, whatever the type of β-solenoid, but not with α-helical globular fold. From this investigation, the AC of type 1 appears as a prevalent and conserved structural element exclusively associated to β-helical AT passenger and should promote further studies about the protein secretion and folding via the T5aSS, especially toward α-helical AT passengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricarmen Rojas-Lopez
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRA, UMR454 MEDiS, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Mohamed A Zorgani
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRA, UMR454 MEDiS, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Lawrence A Kelley
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Bailly
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Andrey V Kajava
- CRBM UMR5237 CNRS, Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Mickaël Desvaux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRA, UMR454 MEDiS, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Li Z, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Li X, Ma G, Luo J, Su Z. Prevention of aggregate formation through mechanism analysis in refolding of recombinant pertactin from Escherichia coli. Process Biochem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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30
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Riback JA, Bowman MA, Zmyslowski AM, Knoverek CR, Jumper JM, Hinshaw JR, Kaye EB, Freed KF, Clark PL, Sosnick TR. Innovative scattering analysis shows that hydrophobic disordered proteins are expanded in water. Science 2017; 358:238-241. [PMID: 29026044 PMCID: PMC5959285 DOI: 10.1126/science.aan5774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A substantial fraction of the proteome is intrinsically disordered, and even well-folded proteins adopt non-native geometries during synthesis, folding, transport, and turnover. Characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is challenging, in part because of a lack of accurate physical models and the difficulty of interpreting experimental results. We have developed a general method to extract the dimensions and solvent quality (self-interactions) of IDPs from a single small-angle x-ray scattering measurement. We applied this procedure to a variety of IDPs and found that even IDPs with low net charge and high hydrophobicity remain highly expanded in water, contrary to the general expectation that protein-like sequences collapse in water. Our results suggest that the unfolded state of most foldable sequences is expanded; we conjecture that this property was selected by evolution to minimize misfolding and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Riback
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Micayla A Bowman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Adam M Zmyslowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Catherine R Knoverek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - John M Jumper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - James R Hinshaw
- Department of Chemistry and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Emily B Kaye
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Karl F Freed
- Department of Chemistry and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Patricia L Clark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Tobin R Sosnick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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31
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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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Rouse SL, Hawthorne WJ, Berry JL, Chorev DS, Ionescu SA, Lambert S, Stylianou F, Ewert W, Mackie U, Morgan RML, Otzen D, Herbst FA, Nielsen PH, Dueholm M, Bayley H, Robinson CV, Hare S, Matthews S. A new class of hybrid secretion system is employed in Pseudomonas amyloid biogenesis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:263. [PMID: 28811582 PMCID: PMC5557850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00361-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria possess specialised biogenesis machineries that facilitate the export of amyloid subunits for construction of a biofilm matrix. The secretion of bacterial functional amyloid requires a bespoke outer-membrane protein channel through which unfolded amyloid substrates are translocated. Here, we combine X-ray crystallography, native mass spectrometry, single-channel electrical recording, molecular simulations and circular dichroism measurements to provide high-resolution structural insight into the functional amyloid transporter from Pseudomonas, FapF. FapF forms a trimer of gated β-barrel channels in which opening is regulated by a helical plug connected to an extended coil-coiled platform spanning the bacterial periplasm. Although FapF represents a unique type of secretion system, it shares mechanistic features with a diverse range of peptide translocation systems. Our findings highlight alternative strategies for handling and export of amyloid protein sequences. Gram-negative bacteria assemble biofilms from amyloid fibres, which translocate across the outer membrane as unfolded amyloid precursors through a secretion system. Here, the authors characterise the structural details of the amyloid transporter FapF in Pseudomonas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Rouse
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - William J Hawthorne
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Jamie-Lee Berry
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Dror S Chorev
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sandra A Ionescu
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sebastian Lambert
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Fisentzos Stylianou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Wiebke Ewert
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Uma Mackie
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK.,Walthamstow School for Girls, London, E17 9RZ, UK
| | - R Marc L Morgan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Daniel Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Centre for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Florian-Alexander Herbst
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Morten Dueholm
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hagan Bayley
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen Hare
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK.
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Hovingh ES, van den Broek B, Kuipers B, Pinelli E, Rooijakkers SHM, Jongerius I. Acquisition of C1 inhibitor by Bordetella pertussis virulence associated gene 8 results in C2 and C4 consumption away from the bacterial surface. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006531. [PMID: 28742139 PMCID: PMC5542704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract that is re-emerging worldwide despite high vaccination coverage. The causative agent of this disease is the Gram-negative Bordetella pertussis. Knowledge on complement evasion strategies of this pathogen is limited. However, this is of great importance for future vaccine development as it has become apparent that a novel pertussis vaccine is needed. Here, we unravel the effect of Virulence associated gene 8 (Vag8) of B. pertussis on the human complement system at the molecular level. We show that both recombinant and endogenously secreted Vag8 inhibit complement deposition on the bacterial surface at the level of C4b. We reveal that Vag8 binding to human C1-inhibitor (C1-inh) interferes with the binding of C1-inh to C1s, C1r and MASP-2, resulting in the release of active proteases that subsequently cleave C2 and C4 away from the bacterial surface. We demonstrate that the depletion of these complement components in the bacterial surrounding and subsequent decreased deposition on B. pertussis leads to less complement-mediated bacterial killing. Vag8 is the first protein described that specifically prevents C1s, C1r and MASP-2 binding to C1-inh and thereby mediates complement consumption away from the bacterial surface. Unravelling the mechanism of this unique complement evasion strategy of B. pertussis is one of the first steps towards understanding the interactions between the first line of defense complement and B. pertussis. Despite wide-spread vaccination, whooping cough caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis remains a public health problem and has been re-emerging in the past decades. To this end, new vaccination strategies are being explored including the use of complement evasion molecules as vaccine candidates. Autotransporter Virulence associated gene 8 (Vag8) was previously shown to be involved in complement evasion. However, the molecular mechanism of this immune evasion was not understood. Considering knowledge on molecular mechanisms is crucial for further studies regarding vaccine development, we investigated the underlying mechanism of Vag8 induced complement evasion of B. pertussis. We show that both recombinant Vag8 as well as endogenously secreted Vag8 inhibits complement activation via the classical and lectin complement pathway at the level of C4 and C2. We identified a novel bacterial complement evasion strategy initiated by the binding of Vag8 to C1-inhibitor. This binding interferes with the interactions between C1-inhibitor and the proteases C1s, C1r and MASP-2 resulting in the release of active proteases that cleave C4 and C2 away from the bacterial surface. This environmental consumption of C4 and C2 leads to decreased complement deposition on the bacterial surface and hence inhibits complement-mediated killing of B. pertussis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise S. Hovingh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bryan van den Broek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Betsy Kuipers
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Pinelli
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H. M. Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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34
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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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35
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Novak WRP, Bhattacharyya B, Grilley DP, Weaver TM. Proteolysis of truncated hemolysin A yields a stable dimerization interface. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2017; 73:138-145. [PMID: 28291749 PMCID: PMC5349307 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x17002102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild-type and variant forms of HpmA265 (truncated hemolysin A) from Proteus mirabilis reveal a right-handed, parallel β-helix capped and flanked by segments of antiparallel β-strands. The low-salt crystal structures form a dimeric structure via the implementation of on-edge main-chain hydrogen bonds donated by residues 243-263 of adjacent monomers. Surprisingly, in the high-salt structures of two variants, Y134A and Q125A-Y134A, a new dimeric interface is formed via main-chain hydrogen bonds donated by residues 203-215 of adjacent monomers, and a previously unobserved tetramer is formed. In addition, an eight-stranded antiparallel β-sheet is formed from the flap regions of crystallographically related monomers in the high-salt structures. This new interface is possible owing to additional proteolysis of these variants after Tyr240. The interface formed in the high-salt crystal forms of hemolysin A variants may mimic the on-edge β-strand positioning used in template-assisted hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter R. P. Novak
- Department of Chemistry, Wabash College, 301 West Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville, IN 47933, USA
| | - Basudeb Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
| | - Daniel P. Grilley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
| | - Todd M. Weaver
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
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36
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Li L, Li RF, Ming ZH, Lu GT, Tang JL. Identification of a novel type III secretion-associated outer membrane-bound protein from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42724. [PMID: 28198457 PMCID: PMC5309889 DOI: 10.1038/srep42724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial pathogens employ the type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate effector proteins into eukaryotic cells to overcome host defenses. To date, most of our knowledge about the T3SS molecular architecture comes from the studies on animal pathogens. In plant pathogens, nine Hrc proteins are believed to be structural components of the T3SS, of which HrcC and HrcJ form the outer and inner rings of the T3SS, respectively. Here, we demonstrated that a novel outer membrane-bound protein (HpaM) of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is critical for the type III secretion and is structurally and functionally conserved in phytopathogenic Xanthomonas spp. We showed that the C-terminus of HpaM extends into the periplasm to interact physically with HrcJ and the middle part of HpaM interacts physically with HrcC. It is clear that the outer and inner rings compose the main basal body of the T3SS apparatus in animal pathogens. Therefore, we presume that HpaM may act as a T3SS structural component, or play a role in assisting assembling or affecting the stability of the T3SS apparatus. HpaM is a highly prevalent and specific protein in Xanthomonas spp., suggesting that the T3SS of Xanthomonas is distinctive in some aspects from other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Rui-Fang Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biology for Crop Diseases and Insect Pests, Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 174 Daxue Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Ming
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Guang-Tao Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Ji-Liang Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
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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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38
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Luczak SET, Smits SHJ, Decker C, Nagel-Steger L, Schmitt L, Hegemann JH. The Chlamydia pneumoniae Adhesin Pmp21 Forms Oligomers with Adhesive Properties. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:22806-22818. [PMID: 27551038 PMCID: PMC5077213 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.728915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae sp. are obligate intracellular pathogens that cause a variety of diseases in humans. The adhesion of Chlamydiae to the eukaryotic host cell is a pivotal step in pathogenesis. The adhesin family of polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmp) in Chlamydia pneumoniae consists of 21 members. Pmp21 binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Pmps contain large numbers of FXXN (where X is any amino acid) and GGA(I/L/V) motifs. At least two of these motifs are crucial for adhesion by certain Pmp21 fragments. Here we describe how the two FXXN motifs in Pmp21-D (D-Wt), a domain of Pmp21, influence its self-interaction, folding, and adhesive capacities. Refolded D-Wt molecules form oligomers with high sedimentation values (8-85 S). These oligomers take the form of elongated protofibrils, which exhibit Thioflavin T fluorescence, like the amyloid protein fragment β42. A mutant version of Pmp21-D (D-Mt), with FXXN motifs replaced by SXXV, shows a markedly reduced capacity to form oligomers. Secondary-structure assays revealed that monomers of both variants exist predominantly as random coils, whereas the oligomers form predominantly β-sheets. Adhesion studies revealed that oligomers of D-Wt (D-Wt-O) mediate significantly enhanced binding to human epithelial cells relative to D-Mt-O and monomeric protein species. Moreover, D-Wt-O binds EGFR more efficiently than D-Wt monomers. Importantly, pretreatment of human cells with D-Wt-O reduces infectivity upon subsequent challenge with C. pneumoniae more effectively than all other protein species. Hence, the FXXN motif in D-Wt induces the formation of β-sheet-rich oligomeric protofibrils, which are important for adhesion to, and subsequent infection of human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Decker
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitaetsstrasse 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany and
| | - Luitgard Nagel-Steger
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitaetsstrasse 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany and
- ICS-6 Research Center Juelich, 52425 Juelich, Germany
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39
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Braselmann E, Chaney JL, Champion MM, Clark PL. DegP Chaperone Suppresses Toxic Inner Membrane Translocation Intermediates. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162922. [PMID: 27626276 PMCID: PMC5023192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria includes a variety of molecular chaperones that shepherd the folding and targeting of secreted proteins. A central player of this quality control network is DegP, a protease also suggested to have a chaperone function. We serendipitously discovered that production of the Bordetella pertussis autotransporter virulence protein pertactin is lethal in Escherichia coli ΔdegP strains. We investigated specific contributions of DegP to secretion of pertactin as a model system to test the functions of DegP in vivo. The DegP chaperone activity was sufficient to restore growth during pertactin production. This chaperone dependency could be relieved by changing the pertactin signal sequence: an E. coli signal sequence leading to co-translational inner membrane (IM) translocation was sufficient to suppress lethality in the absence of DegP, whereas an E. coli post-translational signal sequence was sufficient to recapitulate the lethal phenotype. These results identify a novel connection between the DegP chaperone and the mechanism used to translocate a protein across the IM. Lethality coincided with loss of periplasmic proteins, soluble σE, and proteins regulated by this essential stress response. These results suggest post-translational IM translocation can lead to the formation of toxic periplasmic folding intermediates, which DegP can suppress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Braselmann
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Julie L. Chaney
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Matthew M. Champion
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Patricia L. Clark
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
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40
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Abstract
Studying protein folding and protein design in globular proteins presents significant challenges because of the two related features, topological complexity and co-operativity. In contrast, tandem-repeat proteins have regular and modular structures composed of linearly arrayed motifs. This means that the biophysics of even giant repeat proteins is highly amenable to dissection and to rational design. Here we discuss what has been learnt about the folding mechanisms of tandem-repeat proteins. The defining features that have emerged are: (i) accessibility of multiple distinct routes between denatured and native states, both at equilibrium and under kinetic conditions; (ii) different routes are favoured for folding compared with unfolding; (iii) unfolding energy barriers are broad, reflecting stepwise unravelling of an array repeat by repeat; (iv) highly co-operative unfolding at equilibrium and the potential for exceptionally high thermodynamic stabilities by introducing consensus residues; (v) under force, helical-repeat structures are very weak with non-co-operative unfolding leading to elasticity and buffering effects. This level of understanding should enable us to create repeat proteins with made-to-measure folding mechanisms, in which one can dial into the sequence the order of repeat folding, number of pathways taken, step size (co-operativity) and fine-structure of the kinetic energy barriers.
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41
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A Nonoligomerizing Mutant Form of Helicobacter pylori VacA Allows Structural Analysis of the p33 Domain. Infect Immun 2016; 84:2662-70. [PMID: 27382020 PMCID: PMC4995914 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00254-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori secretes a pore-forming VacA toxin that has structural features and activities substantially different from those of other known bacterial toxins. VacA can assemble into multiple types of water-soluble flower-shaped oligomeric structures, and most VacA activities are dependent on its capacity to oligomerize. The 88-kDa secreted VacA protein can undergo limited proteolysis to yield two domains, designated p33 and p55. The p33 domain is required for membrane channel formation and intracellular toxic activities, and the p55 domain has an important role in mediating VacA binding to cells. Previous studies showed that the p55 domain has a predominantly β-helical structure, but no structural data are available for the p33 domain. We report here the purification and analysis of a nonoligomerizing mutant form of VacA secreted by H. pylori The nonoligomerizing 88-kDa mutant protein retains the capacity to enter host cells but lacks detectable toxic activity. Analysis of crystals formed by the monomeric protein reveals that the β-helical structure of the p55 domain extends into the C-terminal portion of p33. Fitting the p88 structural model into an electron microscopy map of hexamers formed by wild-type VacA (predicted to be structurally similar to VacA membrane channels) reveals that p55 and the β-helical segment of p33 localize to peripheral arms but do not occupy the central region of the hexamers. We propose that the amino-terminal portion of p33 is unstructured when VacA is in a monomeric form and that it undergoes a conformational change during oligomer assembly.
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Leo JC, Oberhettinger P, Yoshimoto S, Udatha DBRKG, Morth JP, Schütz M, Hori K, Linke D. Secretion of the Intimin Passenger Domain Is Driven by Protein Folding. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:20096-112. [PMID: 27466361 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.731497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Intimin is an essential adhesin of attaching and effacing organisms such as entropathogenic Escherichia coli It is also the prototype of type Ve secretion or inverse autotransport, where the extracellular C-terminal region or passenger is exported with the help of an N-terminal transmembrane β-barrel domain. We recently reported a stalled secretion intermediate of intimin, where the passenger is located in the periplasm but the β-barrel is already inserted into the membrane. Stalling of this mutant is due to the insertion of an epitope tag at the very N terminus of the passenger. Here, we examined how this insertion disrupts autotransport and found that it causes misfolding of the N-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain D00. We could also stall the secretion by making an internal deletion in D00, and introducing the epitope tag into the second Ig-like domain, D0, also resulted in reduced passenger secretion. In contrast to many classical autotransporters, where a proximal folding core in the passenger is required for secretion, the D00 domain is dispensable, as the passenger of an intimin mutant lacking D00 entirely is efficiently exported. Furthermore, the D00 domain is slightly less stable than the D0 and D1 domains, unfolding at ∼200 piconewtons (pN) compared with ∼250 pN for D0 and D1 domains as measured by atomic force microscopy. Our results support a model where the secretion of the passenger is driven by sequential folding of the extracellular Ig-like domains, leading to vectorial transport of the passenger domain across the outer membrane in an N to C direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack C Leo
- From the Evolution and Genetics, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Philipp Oberhettinger
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University Clinics Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shogo Yoshimoto
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan, and
| | - D B R K Gupta Udatha
- From the Evolution and Genetics, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Monika Schütz
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University Clinics Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katsutoshi Hori
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan, and
| | - Dirk Linke
- From the Evolution and Genetics, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway,
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43
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Baclayon M, Ulsen PV, Mouhib H, Shabestari MH, Verzijden T, Abeln S, Roos WH, Wuite GJL. Mechanical Unfolding of an Autotransporter Passenger Protein Reveals the Secretion Starting Point and Processive Transport Intermediates. ACS NANO 2016; 10:5710-9. [PMID: 27219538 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b07072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The backbone of secreted autotransporter passenger proteins generally attains a stable β-helical structure. The secretion of passengers across the outer membrane was proposed to be driven by sequential folding of this structure at the cell surface. This mechanism would require a relatively stable intermediate as starting point. Here, we investigated the mechanics of secreted truncated versions of the autotransporter hemoglobin protease (Hbp) of Escherichia coli using atomic force microscopy. The data obtained reveal a β-helical structure at the C terminus that is very stable. In addition, several other distinct metastable intermediates are found which are connected during unfolding by multiroute pathways. Computational analysis indicates that these intermediates correlate to the β-helical rungs in the Hbp structure which are clamped by stacked aromatic residues. Our results suggest a secretion mechanism that is initiated by a stable C-terminal structure and driven forward by several folding intermediates that build up the β-helical backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Baclayon
- Physics of Living Systems & LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Molecular Microbiology & Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Halima Mouhib
- Computer Science & Bioinformatics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Maryam Hashemi Shabestari
- Physics of Living Systems & LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Verzijden
- Computer Science & Bioinformatics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Abeln
- Computer Science & Bioinformatics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Physics of Living Systems & LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen , 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs J L Wuite
- Physics of Living Systems & LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Foegeding NJ, Caston RR, McClain MS, Ohi MD, Cover TL. An Overview of Helicobacter pylori VacA Toxin Biology. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8060173. [PMID: 27271669 PMCID: PMC4926140 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8060173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The VacA toxin secreted by Helicobacter pylori enhances the ability of the bacteria to colonize the stomach and contributes to the pathogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma and peptic ulcer disease. The amino acid sequence and structure of VacA are unrelated to corresponding features of other known bacterial toxins. VacA is classified as a pore-forming toxin, and many of its effects on host cells are attributed to formation of channels in intracellular sites. The most extensively studied VacA activity is its capacity to stimulate vacuole formation, but the toxin has many additional effects on host cells. Multiple cell types are susceptible to VacA, including gastric epithelial cells, parietal cells, T cells, and other types of immune cells. This review focuses on the wide range of VacA actions that are detectable in vitro, as well as actions of VacA in vivo that are relevant for H. pylori colonization of the stomach and development of gastric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora J Foegeding
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Rhonda R Caston
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Mark S McClain
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Melanie D Ohi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Timothy L Cover
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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45
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Monitoring of an antigen manufacturing process. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2016; 39:855-69. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1565-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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46
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Hutton RD, Wilkinson J, Faccin M, Sivertsson EM, Pelizzola A, Lowe AR, Bruscolini P, Itzhaki LS. Mapping the Topography of a Protein Energy Landscape. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:14610-25. [PMID: 26561984 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein energy landscapes are highly complex, yet the vast majority of states within them tend to be invisible to experimentalists. Here, using site-directed mutagenesis and exploiting the simplicity of tandem-repeat protein structures, we delineate a network of these states and the routes between them. We show that our target, gankyrin, a 226-residue 7-ankyrin-repeat protein, can access two alternative (un)folding pathways. We resolve intermediates as well as transition states, constituting a comprehensive series of snapshots that map early and late stages of the two pathways and show both to be polarized such that the repeat array progressively unravels from one end of the molecule or the other. Strikingly, we find that the protein folds via one pathway but unfolds via a different one. The origins of this behavior can be rationalized using the numerical results of a simple statistical mechanics model that allows us to visualize the equilibrium behavior as well as single-molecule folding/unfolding trajectories, thereby filling in the gaps that are not accessible to direct experimental observation. Our study highlights the complexity of repeat-protein folding arising from their symmetrical structures; at the same time, however, this structural simplicity enables us to dissect the complexity and thereby map the precise topography of the energy landscape in full breadth and remarkable detail. That we can recapitulate the key features of the folding mechanism by computational analysis of the native structure alone will help toward the ultimate goal of designed amino-acid sequences with made-to-measure folding mechanisms-the Holy Grail of protein folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Hutton
- Hutchison/MRC Research Centre , Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - James Wilkinson
- Hutchison/MRC Research Centre , Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - Mauro Faccin
- ICTEAM, Université Catholique de Lovain , Euler Building 4, Avenue Lemaître, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Elin M Sivertsson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge , Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Alessandro Pelizzola
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, CNISM, and Center for Computational Studies, Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, I-10129 Torino, Italy.,INFN, Sezione di Torino , via Pietro Giuria 1, I-10125 Torino, Italy.,Human Genetics Foundation (HuGeF) , Via Nizza 52, I-10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Alan R Lowe
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology and London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London and Birkbeck College , London WC1E 7HX, U.K
| | - Pierpaolo Bruscolini
- Departamento de Física Teórica and Instituto de Biocomputacíon y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza , c/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura S Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge , Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
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47
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Abstract
The autotransporter and two-partner secretion (TPS) pathways are used by E. coli and many other Gram-negative bacteria to delivervirulence factors into the extracellular milieu.Autotransporters arecomprised of an N-terminal extracellular ("passenger") domain and a C-terminal β barrel domain ("β domain") that anchors the protein to the outer membrane and facilitates passenger domain secretion. In the TPS pathway, a secreted polypeptide ("exoprotein") is coordinately expressed with an outer membrane protein that serves as a dedicated transporter. Bothpathways are often grouped together under the heading "type V secretion" because they have many features in common and are used for the secretion of structurally related polypeptides, but it is likely that theyhave distinct evolutionary origins. Although it was proposed many years ago that autotransporterpassenger domains are transported across the outer membrane through a channel formed by the covalently linked β domain, there is increasing evidence that additional factors are involved in the translocation reaction. Furthermore, details of the mechanism of protein secretion through the TPS pathway are only beginning to emerge. In this chapter I discussour current understanding ofboth early and late steps in the biogenesis of polypeptides secreted through type V pathways and current modelsofthe mechanism of secretion.
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48
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Chahales P, Thanassi DG. Structure, Function, and Assembly of Adhesive Organelles by Uropathogenic Bacteria. Microbiol Spectr 2015; 3:10.1128/microbiolspec.UTI-0018-2013. [PMID: 26542038 PMCID: PMC4638162 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.uti-0018-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria assemble a wide range of adhesive proteins, termed adhesins, to mediate binding to receptors and colonization of surfaces. For pathogenic bacteria, adhesins are critical for early stages of infection, allowing the bacteria to initiate contact with host cells, colonize different tissues, and establish a foothold within the host. The adhesins expressed by a pathogen are also critical for bacterial-bacterial interactions and the formation of bacterial communities, including biofilms. The ability to adhere to host tissues is particularly important for bacteria that colonize sites such as the urinary tract, where the flow of urine functions to maintain sterility by washing away non-adherent pathogens. Adhesins vary from monomeric proteins that are directly anchored to the bacterial surface to polymeric, hair-like fibers that extend out from the cell surface. These latter fibers are termed pili or fimbriae, and were among the first identified virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Studies since then have identified a range of both pilus and non-pilus adhesins that contribute to bacterial colonization of the urinary tract, and have revealed molecular details of the structures, assembly pathways, and functions of these adhesive organelles. In this review, we describe the different types of adhesins expressed by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive uropathogens, what is known about their structures, how they are assembled on the bacterial surface, and the functions of specific adhesins in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Chahales
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - David G Thanassi
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
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49
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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: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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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50
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Wimmer MR, Woods CN, Adamczak KJ, Glasgow EM, Novak WRP, Grilley DP, Weaver TM. Sequential unfolding of the hemolysin two-partner secretion domain from Proteus mirabilis. Protein Sci 2015; 24:1841-55. [PMID: 26350294 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein secretion is a major contributor to Gram-negative bacterial virulence. Type Vb or two-partner secretion (TPS) pathways utilize a membrane bound β-barrel B component (TpsB) to translocate large and predominantly virulent exoproteins (TpsA) through a nucleotide independent mechanism. We focused our studies on a truncated TpsA member termed hemolysin A (HpmA265), a structurally and functionally characterized TPS domain from Proteus mirabilis. Contrary to the expectation that the TPS domain of HpmA265 would denature in a single cooperative transition, we found that the unfolding follows a sequential model with three distinct transitions linking four states. The solvent inaccessible core of HpmA265 can be divided into two different regions. The C-proximal region contains nonpolar residues and forms a prototypical hydrophobic core as found in globular proteins. The N-proximal region of the solvent inaccessible core, however, contains polar residues. To understand the contributions of the hydrophobic and polar interiors to overall TPS domain stability, we conducted unfolding studies on HpmA265 and site-specific mutants of HpmA265. By correlating the effect of individual site-specific mutations with the sequential unfolding results we were able to divide the HpmA265 TPS domain into polar core, nonpolar core, and C-terminal subdomains. Moreover, the unfolding studies provide quantitative evidence that the folding free energy for the polar core subdomain is more favorable than for the nonpolar core and C-terminal subdomains. This study implicates the hydrogen bonds shared among these conserved internal residues as a primary means for stabilizing the N-proximal polar core subdomain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Wimmer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
| | - Christopher N Woods
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
| | - Kyle J Adamczak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
| | - Evan M Glasgow
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
| | - Walter R P Novak
- Department of Chemistry, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 47933
| | - Daniel P Grilley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
| | - Todd M Weaver
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
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