1
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Popoff MR. Overview of Bacterial Protein Toxins from Pathogenic Bacteria: Mode of Action and Insights into Evolution. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:182. [PMID: 38668607 PMCID: PMC11054074 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial protein toxins are secreted by certain bacteria and are responsible for mild to severe diseases in humans and animals. They are among the most potent molecules known, which are active at very low concentrations. Bacterial protein toxins exhibit a wide diversity based on size, structure, and mode of action. Upon recognition of a cell surface receptor (protein, glycoprotein, and glycolipid), they are active either at the cell surface (signal transduction, membrane damage by pore formation, or hydrolysis of membrane compound(s)) or intracellularly. Various bacterial protein toxins have the ability to enter cells, most often using an endocytosis mechanism, and to deliver the effector domain into the cytosol, where it interacts with an intracellular target(s). According to the nature of the intracellular target(s) and type of modification, various cellular effects are induced (cell death, homeostasis modification, cytoskeleton alteration, blockade of exocytosis, etc.). The various modes of action of bacterial protein toxins are illustrated with representative examples. Insights in toxin evolution are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel R Popoff
- Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 2001 INSERM U1306, F-75015 Paris, France
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2
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Zhu Z, Hu Z, Li S, Fang R, Ono HK, Hu DL. Molecular Characteristics and Pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus Exotoxins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:395. [PMID: 38203566 PMCID: PMC10778951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010395] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus stands as one of the most pervasive pathogens given its morbidity and mortality worldwide due to its roles as an infectious agent that causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from moderately severe skin infections to fatal pneumonia and sepsis. S. aureus produces a variety of exotoxins that serve as important virulence factors in S. aureus-related infectious diseases and food poisoning in both humans and animals. For example, staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) produced by S. aureus induce staphylococcal foodborne poisoning; toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), as a typical superantigen, induces toxic shock syndrome; hemolysins induce cell damage in erythrocytes and leukocytes; and exfoliative toxin induces staphylococcal skin scalded syndrome. Recently, Panton-Valentine leucocidin, a cytotoxin produced by community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA), has been reported, and new types of SEs and staphylococcal enterotoxin-like toxins (SEls) were discovered and reported successively. This review addresses the progress of and novel insights into the molecular structure, biological activities, and pathogenicity of both the classic and the newly identified exotoxins produced by S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Zuo Hu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
| | - Shaowen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Rendong Fang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Animal Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China;
| | - Hisaya K. Ono
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
| | - Dong-Liang Hu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
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3
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Ilmain JK, Perelman SS, Panepinto MC, Irnov I, Coudray N, Samhadaneh N, Pironti A, Ueberheide B, Ekiert DC, Bhabha G, Torres VJ. Unlatching of the stem domains in the Staphylococcus aureus pore-forming leukocidin LukAB influences toxin oligomerization. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105321. [PMID: 37802313 PMCID: PMC10665946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105321] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a serious global pathogen that causes a diverse range of invasive diseases. S. aureus utilizes a family of pore-forming toxins, known as bi-component leukocidins, to evade the host immune response and promote infection. Among these is LukAB (leukocidin A/leukocidin B), a toxin that assembles into an octameric β-barrel pore in the target cell membrane, resulting in host cell death. The established cellular receptor for LukAB is CD11b of the Mac-1 complex. Here, we show that hydrogen voltage-gated channel 1 is also required for the cytotoxicity of all major LukAB variants. We demonstrate that while each receptor is sufficient to recruit LukAB to the plasma membrane, both receptors are required for maximal lytic activity. Why LukAB requires two receptors, and how each of these receptors contributes to pore-formation remains unknown. To begin to resolve this, we performed an alanine scanning mutagenesis screen to identify mutations that allow LukAB to maintain cytotoxicity without CD11b. We discovered 30 mutations primarily localized in the stem domains of LukA and LukB that enable LukAB to exhibit full cytotoxicity in the absence of CD11b. Using crosslinking, electron microscopy, and hydroxyl radical protein footprinting, we show these mutations increase the solvent accessibility of the stem domain, priming LukAB for oligomerization. Together, our data support a model in which CD11b binding unlatches the membrane penetrating stem domains of LukAB, and this change in flexibility promotes toxin oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana K Ilmain
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sofya S Perelman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria C Panepinto
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Irnov Irnov
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicolas Coudray
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nora Samhadaneh
- Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alejandro Pironti
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Damian C Ekiert
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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4
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Mayse LA, Movileanu L. Gating of β-Barrel Protein Pores, Porins, and Channels: An Old Problem with New Facets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12095. [PMID: 37569469 PMCID: PMC10418385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
β barrels are ubiquitous proteins in the outer membranes of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and Gram-negative bacteria. These transmembrane proteins (TMPs) execute a wide variety of tasks. For example, they can serve as transporters, receptors, membrane-bound enzymes, as well as adhesion, structural, and signaling elements. In addition, multimeric β barrels are common structural scaffolds among many pore-forming toxins. Significant progress has been made in understanding the functional, structural, biochemical, and biophysical features of these robust and versatile proteins. One frequently encountered fundamental trait of all β barrels is their voltage-dependent gating. This process consists of reversible or permanent conformational transitions between a large-conductance, highly permeable open state and a low-conductance, solute-restrictive closed state. Several intrinsic molecular mechanisms and environmental factors modulate this universal property of β barrels. This review article outlines the typical signatures of voltage-dependent gating. Moreover, we discuss recent developments leading to a better qualitative understanding of the closure dynamics of these TMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Mayse
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 223 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 223 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- The BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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5
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Buckley PT, Chan R, Fernandez J, Luo J, Lacey KA, DuMont AL, O'Malley A, Brezski RJ, Zheng S, Malia T, Whitaker B, Zwolak A, Payne A, Clark D, Sigg M, Lacy ER, Kornilova A, Kwok D, McCarthy S, Wu B, Morrow B, Nemeth-Seay J, Petley T, Wu S, Strohl WR, Lynch AS, Torres VJ. Multivalent human antibody-centyrin fusion protein to prevent and treat Staphylococcus aureus infections. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:751-765.e11. [PMID: 37098341 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Treating and preventing infections by antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens is a worldwide problem. Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus produce an array of virulence determinants, making it difficult to identify single targets for the development of vaccines or monoclonal therapies. We described a human-derived anti-S. aureus monoclonal antibody (mAb)-centyrin fusion protein ("mAbtyrin") that simultaneously targets multiple bacterial adhesins, resists proteolysis by bacterial protease GluV8, avoids Fc engagement by S. aureus IgG-binding proteins SpA and Sbi, and neutralizes pore-forming leukocidins via fusion with anti-toxin centyrins, while maintaining Fc- and complement-mediated functions. Compared with the parental mAb, mAbtyrin protected human phagocytes and boosted phagocyte-mediated killing. The mAbtyrin also reduced pathology, reduced bacterial burden, and protected from different types of infections in preclinical animal models. Finally, mAbtyrin synergized with vancomycin, enhancing pathogen clearance in an animal model of bacteremia. Altogether, these data establish the potential of multivalent mAbs for treating and preventing S. aureus diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T Buckley
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA.
| | - Rita Chan
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jeffrey Fernandez
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Jinquan Luo
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Keenan A Lacey
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ashley L DuMont
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Aidan O'Malley
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Randall J Brezski
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Songmao Zheng
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Malia
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Brian Whitaker
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Adam Zwolak
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Angela Payne
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Desmond Clark
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Martin Sigg
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Eilyn R Lacy
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Anna Kornilova
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Debra Kwok
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Steve McCarthy
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Bingyuan Wu
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Brian Morrow
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | | | - Ted Petley
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Sam Wu
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - William R Strohl
- Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, USA
| | | | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, Alexandria Center for Life Science, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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6
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Mishra S, Roy A, Dutta S. Cryo-EM-based structural insights into supramolecular assemblies of γ-hemolysin from S. aureus reveal the pore formation mechanism. Structure 2023:S0969-2126(23)00085-0. [PMID: 37019111 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.03.009] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
γ-Hemolysin (γ-HL) is a hemolytic and leukotoxic bicomponent β-pore-forming toxin (β-PFT), a potent virulence factor from the Staphylococcus aureus Newman strain. In this study, we performed single-particle cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) of γ-HL in a lipid environment. We observed clustering and square lattice packing of octameric HlgAB pores on the membrane bilayer and an octahedral superassembly of octameric pore complexes that we resolved at resolution of 3.5 Å. Our atomic model further demonstrated the key residues involved in hydrophobic zipping between the rim domains of adjacent octameric complexes, providing additional structural stability in PFTs post oligomerization. We also observed extra densities at the octahedral and octameric interfaces, providing insights into the plausible lipid-binding residues involved for HlgA and HlgB components. Furthermore, the hitherto elusive N-terminal region of HlgA was also resolved in our cryo-EM map, and an overall mechanism of pore formation for bicomponent β-PFTs is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Mishra
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Anupam Roy
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Somnath Dutta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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7
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Covalent interaction, solvent effects, electrochemical, and spectroscopic characterization of novel (4Z)-4-{2-[amino(hydroxy)methyl]hydrazinylidene}-2,6-di(furan-2-yl)-3-methylpiperidin-1-ol(4a) derivative- Anti-microbial activity study. J Mol Liq 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.121272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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8
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Ogata A, Hayashi K, Kitano T, Onozaki K, Itoh S, Hida S. Staphylococcal γ-hemolysins induce IL-4 production in murine basophils. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 632:107-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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9
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Ulhuq FR, Mariano G. Bacterial pore-forming toxins. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168:001154. [PMID: 35333704 PMCID: PMC9558359 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are widely distributed in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. PFTs can act as virulence factors that bacteria utilise in dissemination and host colonisation or, alternatively, they can be employed to compete with rival microbes in polymicrobial niches. PFTs transition from a soluble form to become membrane-embedded by undergoing large conformational changes. Once inserted, they perforate the membrane, causing uncontrolled efflux of ions and/or nutrients and dissipating the protonmotive force (PMF). In some instances, target cells intoxicated by PFTs display additional effects as part of the cellular response to pore formation. Significant progress has been made in the mechanistic description of pore formation for the different PFTs families, but in several cases a complete understanding of pore structure remains lacking. PFTs have evolved recognition mechanisms to bind specific receptors that define their host tropism, although this can be remarkably diverse even within the same family. Here we summarise the salient features of PFTs and highlight where additional research is necessary to fully understand the mechanism of pore formation by members of this diverse group of protein toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima R. Ulhuq
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Giuseppina Mariano
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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10
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Outram MA, Sung YC, Yu D, Dagvadorj B, Rima SA, Jones DA, Ericsson DJ, Sperschneider J, Solomon PS, Kobe B, Williams SJ. The crystal structure of SnTox3 from the necrotrophic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum reveals a unique effector fold and provides insight into Snn3 recognition and pro-domain protease processing of fungal effectors. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:2282-2296. [PMID: 34053091 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens cause disease through secreted effector proteins, which act to promote infection. Typically, the sequences of effectors provide little functional information and further targeted experimentation is required. Here, we utilized a structure/function approach to study SnTox3, an effector from the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum, which causes cell death in wheat-lines carrying the sensitivity gene Snn3. We developed a workflow for the production of SnTox3 in a heterologous host that enabled crystal structure determination and functional studies. We show this approach can be successfully applied to study effectors from other pathogenic fungi. The β-barrel fold of SnTox3 is a novel fold among fungal effectors. Structure-guided mutagenesis enabled the identification of residues required for Snn3 recognition. SnTox3 is a pre-pro-protein, and the pro-domain of SnTox3 can be cleaved in vitro by the protease Kex2. Complementing this, an in silico study uncovered the prevalence of a conserved motif (LxxR) in an expanded set of putative pro-domain-containing fungal effectors, some of which can be cleaved by Kex2 in vitro. Our in vitro and in silico study suggests that Kex2-processed pro-domain (designated here as K2PP) effectors are common in fungi and this may have broad implications for the approaches used to study their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Outram
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yi-Chang Sung
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Daniel Yu
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bayantes Dagvadorj
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Sharmin A Rima
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David A Jones
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Daniel J Ericsson
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Australian Synchrotron, Macromolecular Crystallography, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Jana Sperschneider
- Biological Data Science Institute, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Peter S Solomon
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J Williams
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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11
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Outram MA, Sung YC, Yu D, Dagvadorj B, Rima SA, Jones DA, Ericsson DJ, Sperschneider J, Solomon PS, Kobe B, Williams SJ. The crystal structure of SnTox3 from the necrotrophic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum reveals a unique effector fold and provides insight into Snn3 recognition and pro-domain protease processing of fungal effectors. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:2282-2296. [PMID: 34053091 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.27.120113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens cause disease through secreted effector proteins, which act to promote infection. Typically, the sequences of effectors provide little functional information and further targeted experimentation is required. Here, we utilized a structure/function approach to study SnTox3, an effector from the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum, which causes cell death in wheat-lines carrying the sensitivity gene Snn3. We developed a workflow for the production of SnTox3 in a heterologous host that enabled crystal structure determination and functional studies. We show this approach can be successfully applied to study effectors from other pathogenic fungi. The β-barrel fold of SnTox3 is a novel fold among fungal effectors. Structure-guided mutagenesis enabled the identification of residues required for Snn3 recognition. SnTox3 is a pre-pro-protein, and the pro-domain of SnTox3 can be cleaved in vitro by the protease Kex2. Complementing this, an in silico study uncovered the prevalence of a conserved motif (LxxR) in an expanded set of putative pro-domain-containing fungal effectors, some of which can be cleaved by Kex2 in vitro. Our in vitro and in silico study suggests that Kex2-processed pro-domain (designated here as K2PP) effectors are common in fungi and this may have broad implications for the approaches used to study their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Outram
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yi-Chang Sung
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Daniel Yu
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bayantes Dagvadorj
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Sharmin A Rima
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David A Jones
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Daniel J Ericsson
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Australian Synchrotron, Macromolecular Crystallography, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Jana Sperschneider
- Biological Data Science Institute, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Peter S Solomon
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J Williams
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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12
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Perelman SS, James DBA, Boguslawski KM, Nelson CW, Ilmain JK, Zwack EE, Prescott RA, Mohamed A, Tam K, Chan R, Narechania A, Pawline MB, Vozhilla N, Moustafa AM, Kim SY, Dittmann M, Ekiert DC, Bhabha G, Shopsin B, Planet PJ, Koralov SB, Torres VJ. Genetic variation of staphylococcal LukAB toxin determines receptor tropism. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:731-745. [PMID: 33875847 PMCID: PMC8597016 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00890-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus has evolved into diverse lineages, known as clonal complexes (CCs), which exhibit differences in the coding sequences of core virulence factors. Whether these alterations affect functionality is poorly understood. Here, we studied the highly polymorphic pore-forming toxin LukAB. We discovered that the LukAB toxin variants produced by S. aureus CC30 and CC45 kill human phagocytes regardless of whether CD11b, the previously established LukAB receptor, is present, and instead target the human hydrogen voltage-gated channel 1 (HVCN1). Biochemical studies identified the domain within human HVCN1 that drives LukAB species specificity, enabling the generation of humanized HVCN1 mice with enhanced susceptibility to CC30 LukAB and to bloodstream infection caused by CC30 S. aureus strains. Together, this work advances our understanding of an important S. aureus toxin and underscores the importance of considering genetic variation in characterizing virulence factors and understanding the tug of war between pathogens and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofya S Perelman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David B A James
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristina M Boguslawski
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chase W Nelson
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Juliana K Ilmain
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin E Zwack
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel A Prescott
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adil Mohamed
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kayan Tam
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rita Chan
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Apurva Narechania
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miranda B Pawline
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nikollaq Vozhilla
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ahmed M Moustafa
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sang Y Kim
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Office of Collaborative Sciences, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meike Dittmann
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Damian C Ekiert
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bo Shopsin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul J Planet
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sergei B Koralov
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Lee GY, Seong HJ, Sul WJ, Yang SJ. Genomic Information on Linezolid-Resistant Sequence-Type 398 Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from a Pig. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2021; 18:378-387. [PMID: 33656917 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2020.2882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequent occurrence of sequence-type 398 (ST398) livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in pigs has become a major public health concern owing to the increased zoonotic potential of the pathogen. Recently, a novel oxazolidinone resistance gene, chloramphenicol-florfenicol resistant (cfr), conferring multiresistance phenotypes to phenicols, lincosamides, oxazolidinones, pleuromutilins, and streptogramin A (PhLOPSA), has been found among ST398 LA-MRSA strains isolated from pigs. In this study, we report the first in silico genome analysis of a linezolid-resistant ST398 LA-MRSA strain, designated PJFA-521M, recovered from a pig in Korea. Genomic analyses revealed that the presence of the cfr gene was responsible for the observed linezolid resistance in the PJFA-521M strain. Moreover, newer antimicrobial resistance genes, such as the dfrG, aadE, spw, lsa(E), lnu(B), and fexA genes, were found in the PJFA-521M strain. In addition to the genetic elements for antimicrobial resistance, the carriage of various virulence genes for adherence, invasion, and immunomodulation was identified in the genome, especially within several mobile genetic elements (MGEs). The presence of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes on MGEs in the genome of a linezolid-resistant ST398 LA-MRSA should raise awareness regarding the use of other antimicrobial agents in pig farms and may also provide selective pressure for the prevalence of the cfr gene and the associated multidrug-resistant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Yong Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Korea
| | - Hoon Je Seong
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Korea
| | - Woo Jun Sul
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Yang
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Korea
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14
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Takeda K, Tanaka Y, Kaneko J. The N-terminal amino-latch region of Hlg2 component of staphylococcal bi-component γ-haemolysin is dispensable for prestem release to form β-barrel pores. J Biochem 2021; 168:349-354. [PMID: 32330256 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa052] [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: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of N-terminal regions of staphylococcal bi-component γ-haemolysin toxin components to haemolytic activity towards human erythrocyte cells was investigated in this study. A deletion construct of N-terminal amino acids 1-10 of Hlg2 (Hlg2 ΔN10), which is the S-component protein of γ-haemolysin, had little effect on its haemolytic activity, whereas N-terminal 1-11 amino acid deletion (Hlg2 ΔN11) significantly delayed haemolysis. Moreover, a deletion of N-terminal amino acids 1-17 of LukF, which is the F-component protein of γ-haemolysin, increased its haemolytic activity in combination with either the wild-type or Hlg2 ΔN10. Unlike the N-terminal amino-latch region of staphylococcal α-haemolysin, which is a single component β-barrel pore-forming toxin, the N-terminal regions present in γ-haemolysin components are dispensable for the haemolytic activity of the bi-component toxin. These results strengthen our recent proposal that staphylococcal bi-component γ-haemolysin toxin uses an N-terminal amino-latch independent molecular switch for prestem release during the formation of β-barrel pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kein Takeda
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Laboratory of Applied Biological Molecular Science, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Jun Kaneko
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
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15
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Bennett MR, Thomsen IP. Epidemiological and Clinical Evidence for the Role of Toxins in S. aureus Human Disease. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060408. [PMID: 32575633 PMCID: PMC7354447 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus asymptomatically colonizes approximately 30–50% of the population and is a leading cause of bacteremia, bone/joint infections, and skin infections in the US. S. aureus has become a major public health threat due to antibiotic resistance and an increasing number of failed vaccine attempts. To develop new anti-staphylococcal preventive therapies, it will take a more thorough understanding of the current role S. aureus virulence factors play in contributing to human disease. This review focuses on the clinical association of individual toxins with S. aureus infection as well as attempted treatment options. Further understanding of these associations will increase understanding of toxins and their importance to S. aureus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique R. Bennett
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Isaac P. Thomsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Liu J, Kozhaya L, Torres VJ, Unutmaz D, Lu M. Structure-based discovery of a small-molecule inhibitor of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus virulence. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5944-5959. [PMID: 32179646 PMCID: PMC7196633 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence and dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains poses a major threat to public health. MRSA possesses an arsenal of secreted host-damaging virulence factors that mediate pathogenicity and blunt immune defenses. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and α-toxin are exotoxins that create lytic pores in the host cell membrane. They are recognized as being important for the development of invasive MRSA infections and are thus potential targets for antivirulence therapies. Here, we report the high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of both PVL and α-toxin in their soluble, monomeric, and oligomeric membrane-inserted pore states in complex with n-tetradecylphosphocholine (C14PC). The structures revealed two evolutionarily conserved phosphatidylcholine-binding mechanisms and their roles in modulating host cell attachment, oligomer assembly, and membrane perforation. Moreover, we demonstrate that the soluble C14PC compound protects primary human immune cells in vitro against cytolysis by PVL and α-toxin and hence may serve as the basis for the development of an antivirulence agent for managing MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Public Health Research Institute, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103
| | - Lina Kozhaya
- Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 06032
| | - Victor J. Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
| | - Derya Unutmaz
- Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 06032
| | - Min Lu
- Public Health Research Institute, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, To whom correspondence should be addressed:
Public Health Research Institute, Dept. of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103. Tel.:
973-854-3260; E-mail:
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17
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Unbiased Identification of Immunogenic Staphylococcus aureus Leukotoxin B-Cell Epitopes. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00785-19. [PMID: 32014894 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00785-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Unbiased identification of individual immunogenic B-cell epitopes in major antigens of a pathogen remains a technology challenge for vaccine discovery. We therefore developed a platform for rapid phage display screening of deep recombinant libraries consisting of as few as one major pathogen antigen. Using the bicomponent pore-forming leukocidin (Luk) exotoxins of the major pathogen Staphylococcus aureus as a prototype, we randomly fragmented and separately ligated the hemolysin gamma A (HlgA) and LukS genes into a custom-built phage display system, termed pComb-Opti8. Deep sequence analysis of barcoded amplimers of the HlgA and LukS gene fragment libraries demonstrated that biopannng against a cross-reactive anti-Luk monoclonal antibody (MAb) recovered convergent molecular clones with short overlapping homologous sequences. We thereby identified an 11-amino-acid sequence that is highly conserved in four Luk toxin subunits and is ubiquitous in representation within S. aureus clinical isolates. The isolated 11-amino-acid peptide probe was predicted to retain the native three-dimensional (3D) conformation seen within the Luk holotoxin. Indeed, this peptide was recognized by the selecting anti-Luk MAb, and, using mutated peptides, we showed that a particular amino acid side chain was essential for these interactions. Furthermore, murine immunization with this peptide elicited IgG responses that were highly reactive with both the autologous synthetic peptide and the full-length Luk toxin homologues. Thus, using a gene fragment- and phage display-based pipeline, we have identified and validated immunogenic B-cell epitopes that are cross-reactive between members of the pore-forming leukocidin family. This approach could be harnessed to identify novel epitopes for a much-needed S. aureus-protective subunit vaccine.
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18
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Desikan R, Maiti PK, Ayappa KG. Predicting interfacial hot-spot residues that stabilize protein-protein interfaces in oligomeric membrane-toxin pores through hydrogen bonds and salt bridges. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:20-34. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1711806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Desikan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Prabal K. Maiti
- Centre for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - K. Ganapathy Ayappa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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19
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Molecular mechanism of leukocidin GH-integrin CD11b/CD18 recognition and species specificity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 117:317-327. [PMID: 31852826 PMCID: PMC6955338 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913690116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most virulent bacterial pathogens and, in particular, has the richest repertoire of cytotoxins: A single bacterium can secrete 6 different β-barrel pore-forming toxins, with different cell type and species specificities. Each toxin engages specific receptors on target cells, but the role the receptor plays in the pore-formation process is poorly understood. Here, we determine the crystal structures of a very potent S. aureus leukocidin (LukGH) in complex with its receptor (CD11b) from a sensitive (human) and an insensitive (murine) host, and track the receptor involvement in different steps on the pore-formation pathway. These results advance the knowledge of receptor-mediated leukocidin pore formation and open ways for antileukocidin and anti-S. aureus approaches. Host–pathogen interactions are central to understanding microbial pathogenesis. The staphylococcal pore-forming cytotoxins hijack important immune molecules but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of cytotoxin–receptor interaction and host specificity. Here we report the structures of a staphylococcal pore-forming cytotoxin, leukocidin GH (LukGH), in complex with its receptor (the α-I domain of complement receptor 3, CD11b-I), both for the human and murine homologs. We observe 2 binding interfaces, on the LukG and the LukH protomers, and show that human CD11b-I induces LukGH oligomerization in solution. LukGH binds murine CD11b-I weakly and is inactive toward murine neutrophils. Using a LukGH variant engineered to bind mouse CD11b-I, we demonstrate that cytolytic activity does not only require binding but also receptor-dependent oligomerization. Our studies provide an unprecedented insight into bicomponent leukocidin–host receptor interaction, enabling the development of antitoxin approaches and improved animal models to explore these approaches.
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20
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Rational Design of Toxoid Vaccine Candidates for Staphylococcus aureus Leukocidin AB (LukAB). Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060339. [PMID: 31207937 PMCID: PMC6628420 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections cause high mortality and morbidity in humans. Being central to its pathogenesis, S. aureus thwarts the host defense by secreting a myriad of virulence factors, including bicomponent, pore-forming leukotoxins. While all vaccine development efforts that aimed at achieving opsonophagocytic killing have failed, targeting virulence by toxoid vaccines represents a novel approach to preventing mortality and morbidity that are caused by SA. The recently discovered leukotoxin LukAB kills human phagocytes and monocytes and it is present in all known S. aureus clinical isolates. While using a structure-guided approach, we generated a library of mutations that targeted functional domains within the LukAB heterodimer to identify attenuated toxoids as potential vaccine candidates. The mutants were evaluated based on expression, solubility, yield, biophysical properties, cytotoxicity, and immunogenicity, and several fully attenuated LukAB toxoids that were capable of eliciting high neutralizing antibody titers were identified. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the lead toxoid candidate provided potent neutralization of LukAB. While the neutralization of LukAB alone was not sufficient to fully suppress leukotoxicity in supernatants of S. aureus USA300 isolates, a combination of antibodies against LukAB, α-toxin, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin completely neutralized the cytotoxicity of these strains. These data strongly support the inclusion of LukAB toxoids in a multivalent toxoid vaccine for the prevention of S. aureus disease.
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21
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Tam K, Torres VJ. Staphylococcus aureus Secreted Toxins and Extracellular Enzymes. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0039-2018. [PMID: 30873936 PMCID: PMC6422052 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0039-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a formidable pathogen capable of causing infections in different sites of the body in a variety of vertebrate animals, including humans and livestock. A major contribution to the success of S. aureus as a pathogen is the plethora of virulence factors that manipulate the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Many of these immune modulating virulence factors are secreted toxins, cofactors for activating host zymogens, and exoenzymes. Secreted toxins such as pore-forming toxins and superantigens are highly inflammatory and can cause leukocyte cell death by cytolysis and clonal deletion, respectively. Coagulases and staphylokinases are cofactors that hijack the host's coagulation system. Exoenzymes, including nucleases and proteases, cleave and inactivate various immune defense and surveillance molecules, such as complement factors, antimicrobial peptides, and surface receptors that are important for leukocyte chemotaxis. Additionally, some of these secreted toxins and exoenzymes can cause disruption of endothelial and epithelial barriers through cell lysis and cleavage of junction proteins. A unique feature when examining the repertoire of S. aureus secreted virulence factors is the apparent functional redundancy exhibited by the majority of the toxins and exoenzymes. However, closer examination of each virulence factor revealed that each has unique properties that have important functional consequences. This chapter provides a brief overview of our current understanding of the major secreted virulence factors critical for S. aureus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayan Tam
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016
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22
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Krueger E, Brown AC. Inhibition of bacterial toxin recognition of membrane components as an anti-virulence strategy. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:4. [PMID: 30820243 PMCID: PMC6380060 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, the development of new antibiotics has not kept pace with the rate at which bacteria develop resistance to these drugs. For this reason, many research groups have begun to design and study alternative therapeutics, including molecules to specifically inhibit the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Because many of these pathogenic bacteria release protein toxins, which cause or exacerbate disease, inhibition of the activity of bacterial toxins is a promising anti-virulence strategy. In this review, we describe several approaches to inhibit the initial interactions of bacterial toxins with host cell membrane components. The mechanisms by which toxins interact with the host cell membrane components have been well-studied over the years, leading to the identification of therapeutic targets, which have been exploited in the work described here. We review efforts to inhibit binding to protein receptors and essential membrane lipid components, complex assembly, and pore formation. Although none of these molecules have yet been demonstrated in clinical trials, the in vitro and in vivo results presented here demonstrate their promise as novel alternatives and/or complements to traditional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Krueger
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA
| | - Angela C. Brown
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA
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23
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Adaptation of the Staphylococcus aureus leukocidin LukGH for the rabbit host by protein engineering. Biochem J 2019; 476:275-292. [PMID: 30559327 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Host defense against Staphylococcus aureus greatly depends on bacterial clearance by phagocytic cells. LukGH (or LukAB) is the most potent staphylococcal leukocidin towards human phagocytes in vitro, but its role in pathogenesis is obscured by the lack of suitable small animal models because LukGH has limited or no cytotoxicity towards rodent and rabbit compared with human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) likely due to an impaired interaction with its cellular receptor, CD11b. We aimed at adapting LukGH for the rabbit host by improving binding to the rabbit homolog of CD11b, specifically its I-domain (CD11b-I). Targeted amino acid substitutions were introduced into the LukH polypeptide to map its receptor interaction site(s). We found that the binding affinity of LukGH variants to the human and rabbit CD11b-I correlated well with their PMN cytotoxicity. Importantly, we identified LukGH variants with significantly improved cytotoxicity towards rabbit PMNs, when expressed recombinantly (10-15-fold) or by engineered S. aureus strains. These findings support the development of small animal models of S. aureus infection with the potential for demonstrating the importance of LukGH in pathogenesis.
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24
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Nagy E, Nagy G, Power CA, Badarau A, Szijártó V. Anti-bacterial Monoclonal Antibodies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1053:119-153. [PMID: 29549638 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72077-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The failing efficacy of antibiotics and the high mortality rate among high-risk patients calls for new treatment modalities for bacterial infections. Due to the vastly divergent pathogenesis of human pathogens, each microbe requires a tailored approach. The main modes of action of anti-bacterial antibodies are virulence factor neutralization, complement-mediated bacterial lysis and enhancement of opsonophagocytic uptake and killing (OPK). Gram-positive bacteria cannot be lysed by complement and their pathogenesis often involves secreted toxins, therefore typically toxin-neutralization and OPK activity are required to prevent and ameliorate disease. In fact, the success stories in terms of approved products, in the anti-bacterial mAb field are based on toxin neutralization (Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium difficile). In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria are vulnerable to antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis, while their pathogenesis rarely relies on secreted exotoxins, and involves the pro-inflammatory endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide). Given the complexity of bacterial pathogenesis, antibody therapeutics are expected to be most efficient upon targeting more than one virulence factor and/or combining different modes of action. The improved understanding of bacterial pathogenesis combined with the versatility and maturity of antibody discovery technologies available today are pivotal for the design of novel anti-bacterial therapeutics. The intensified research generating promising proof-of-concept data, and the increasing number of clinical programs with anti-bacterial mAbs, indicate that the field is ready to fulfill its promise in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Nagy
- Arsanis Biosciences GmbH/Arsanis, Inc, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gábor Nagy
- Arsanis Biosciences GmbH/Arsanis, Inc, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Schubert E, Vetter IR, Prumbaum D, Penczek PA, Raunser S. Membrane insertion of α-xenorhabdolysin in near-atomic detail. eLife 2018; 7:38017. [PMID: 30010541 PMCID: PMC6086661 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Xenorhabdolysins (Xax) are α-pore-forming toxins (α-PFT) that form 1–1.3 MDa large pore complexes to perforate the host cell membrane. PFTs are used by a variety of bacterial pathogens to attack host cells. Due to the lack of structural information, the molecular mechanism of action of Xax toxins is poorly understood. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the XaxAB pore complex from Xenorhabdus nematophila and the crystal structures of the soluble monomers of XaxA and XaxB. The structures reveal that XaxA and XaxB are built similarly and appear as heterodimers in the 12–15 subunits containing pore, classifying XaxAB as bi-component α-PFT. Major conformational changes in XaxB, including the swinging out of an amphipathic helix are responsible for membrane insertion. XaxA acts as an activator and stabilizer for XaxB that forms the actual transmembrane pore. Based on our results, we propose a novel structural model for the mechanism of Xax intoxication. Some bacteria make toxins that punch large holes into the membranes of host cells, destroying them like a puncture destroys a football. These “pore-forming toxins” allow many bacterial species to infect a variety of organisms, from insects to humans. Some sophisticated pore-forming toxins, such as the anthrax toxin, do not only form a pore but also use it to flood lethal toxins into the cell to kill it. One bacterium called Xenorhabdus nematophila punctures the membranes of insect cells, using the same type of pore-forming toxins that other bacteria use to infect humans. Previous research has shown that two proteins – components A and B – form these pore-forming toxins. Given this two-protein formation, some scientists predicted these pore-forming toxins might act like those of the anthrax bacterium: one component forms the pore; the other component poisons the cell. But without detailed images of this pore-forming toxin’s structure, understanding exactly how these two components work together is almost impossible. To explore how components A and B operate within X. nematophila, Schubert et al. captured images of the molecular structure of the two proteins. Common methods reliant on X-rays and electron microscopes revealed the layouts of both components. By visualizing the proteins at different stages, Schubert et al. observed key structural changes that enable them to form the pore and puncture a host cell. Component A binds to component B’s back, forming a subunit – twelve to fifteen of which then conjoin as the pore-forming toxin. Schubert et al. conclude that component A stabilizes each subunit on the membrane and activates component B, which then punctures the membrane by swinging out its lower end. Unlike the anthrax pore-forming toxin, both components collaborate to form the pore complex and puncture the membrane. These results provide a foundation of knowledge about what these toxins look like and how they operate. More research building upon this structural analysis may help scientists develop antibiotics that prevent bacteria from destroying human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Schubert
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ingrid R Vetter
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Prumbaum
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Pawel A Penczek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Houston Medical School, The University of Texas, Houston, United States
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
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Sun C, Ding X, Cui H, Yang Y, Chen S, Watts A, Zhao X. In Situ Study of the Function of Bacterioruberin in the Dual-Chromophore Photoreceptor Archaerhodopsin-4. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201803195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Penn State College of Medicine; Hershey PA 17033-0850 USA
| | - Haolin Cui
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
| | - Yanan Yang
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
| | - Sijin Chen
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
| | - Anthony Watts
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3QU UK
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Physics; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200062 P. R. China
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Staphylococcus aureus Toxins and Their Molecular Activity in Infectious Diseases. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10060252. [PMID: 29921792 PMCID: PMC6024779 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism resident in the skin and nasal membranes with a dreadful pathogenic potential to cause a variety of community and hospital-acquired infections. The frequency of these infections is increasing and their treatment is becoming more difficult. The ability of S. aureus to form biofilms and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains are the main reasons determining the challenge in dealing with these infections. S. aureus' infectious capacity and its success as a pathogen is related to the expression of virulence factors, among which the production of a wide variety of toxins is highlighted. For this reason, a better understanding of S. aureus toxins is needed to enable the development of new strategies to reduce their production and consequently improve therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on understanding the toxin-based pathogenesis of S. aureus and their role on infectious diseases.
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Sun C, Ding X, Cui H, Yang Y, Chen S, Watts A, Zhao X. In Situ Study of the Function of Bacterioruberin in the Dual-Chromophore Photoreceptor Archaerhodopsin-4. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:8937-8941. [PMID: 29781190 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201803195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
While certain archaeal ion pumps have been shown to contain two chromophores, retinal and the carotenoid bacterioruberin, the functions of bacterioruberin have not been well explored. To address this research gap, recombinant archaerhodopsin-4 (aR4), either with retinal only or with both retinal and bacterioruberin chromophores, was successfully expressed together with endogenous lipids in H. salinarum L33 and MPK409 respectively. In situ solid-state NMR, supported by molecular spectroscopy and functional assays, revealed for the first time that the retinal thermal equilibrium in the dark-adapted state is modulated by bacterioruberin binding through a cluster of aromatic residues on helix E. Bacterioruberin not only stabilizes the protein trimeric structure but also affects the photocycle kinetics and the ATP formation rate. These new insights may be generalized to other receptors and proteins in which metastable thermal equilibria and functions are perturbed by ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033-0850, USA
| | - Haolin Cui
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Yang
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China
| | - Sijin Chen
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China
| | - Anthony Watts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China
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Ding X, Sun C, Cui H, Chen S, Gao Y, Yang Y, Wang J, He X, Iuga D, Tian F, Watts A, Zhao X. Functional roles of tyrosine 185 during the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle as revealed by in situ spectroscopic studies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:1006-1014. [PMID: 29800547 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tyrosine 185 (Y185), one of the aromatic residues within the retinal (Ret) chromophore binding pocket in helix F of bacteriorhodopsin (bR), is highly conserved among the microbial rhodopsin family proteins. Many studies have investigated the functions of Y185, but its underlying mechanism during the bR photocycle remains unclear. To address this research gap, in situ two-dimensional (2D) magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (ssNMR) of specifically labelled bR, combined with light-induced transient absorption change measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, titration analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, was used to elucidate the functional roles of Y185 during the bR photocycle in the native membrane environment. Different interaction modes were identified between Y185 and the Ret chromophore in the dark-adapted (inactive) state and M (active) state, indicating that Y185 may serve as a rotamer switch maintaining the protein dynamics, and plays an important role in the efficient proton-pumping mechanism in the bR purple membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, PA 17033-0850, USA
| | - Chao Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Haolin Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Sijin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Yujiao Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Yanan Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Juan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Xiao He
- Shang Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Dinu Iuga
- The UK 850 MHz Solid-State NMR Facility, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Fang Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, PA 17033-0850, USA.
| | - Anthony Watts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Xin Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
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Rouha H, Weber S, Janesch P, Maierhofer B, Gross K, Dolezilkova I, Mirkina I, Visram ZC, Malafa S, Stulik L, Badarau A, Nagy E. Disarming Staphylococcus aureus from destroying human cells by simultaneously neutralizing six cytotoxins with two human monoclonal antibodies. Virulence 2017; 9:231-247. [PMID: 29099326 PMCID: PMC5955178 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1391447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly recognized to be driven by powerful toxins. Staphylococcus aureus employs up to six pore-forming toxins to subvert the human host defense and to promote bacterial invasion: alpha-hemolysin that disrupts epithelial and endothelial barriers and five leukocidins that lyse phagocytes involved in bacterial clearance. Previously, we described two human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), ASN-1 that neutralizes alpha-hemolysin and four leukocidins (LukSF-PV, LukED, HlgAB, HlgCB), and ASN-2 that inactivates the 5th leukocidin, LukGH. In this study we tested the individual and combined effects of ASN-1 and ASN-2 in multiple in vitro models employing relevant human target cells. We found that diverse S. aureus isolates with different genetic backgrounds (based on MLST- and spa-typing) and antibiotic sensitivity (both MRSA and MSSA) displayed greatly different cytotoxin expression patterns influenced by the type of growth medium used. Both mAbs were required to fully prevent the lysis of human neutrophils exposed to the mixture of recombinant cytotoxins or native toxins present in the culture supernatants of S. aureus isolates. Flow cytometry confirmed the protective effects of ASN-1 + ASN-2 (known as ASN100) on granulocytes, monocytes, NK-cells and T-lymphocytes. ASN-1 alone preserved the integrity of a 3D-primary culture of human tracheal/bronchial mucociliary epithelial tissue infected with S. aureus. We conclude that simultaneous inhibition of alpha-hemolysin and five leukocidins by ASN100 blocks cytolytic activity of S. aureus towards human target cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Rouha
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Susanne Weber
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Philipp Janesch
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Barbara Maierhofer
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Karin Gross
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Ivana Dolezilkova
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Irina Mirkina
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Zehra C Visram
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Stefan Malafa
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Lukas Stulik
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Adriana Badarau
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
| | - Eszter Nagy
- a Arsanis Biosciences, Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Campus Vienna Biocenter , Vienna , Austria
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Uribe-Querol E, Rosales C. Control of Phagocytosis by Microbial Pathogens. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1368. [PMID: 29114249 PMCID: PMC5660709 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is a fundamental process of cells to capture and ingest foreign particles. Small unicellular organisms such as free-living amoeba use this process to acquire food. In pluricellular organisms, phagocytosis is a universal phenomenon that all cells are able to perform (including epithelial, endothelial, fibroblasts, etc.), but some specialized cells (such as neutrophils and macrophages) perform this very efficiently and were therefore named professional phagocytes by Rabinovitch. Cells use phagocytosis to capture and clear all particles larger than 0.5 µm, including pathogenic microorganisms and cellular debris. Phagocytosis involves a series of steps from recognition of the target particle, ingestion of it in a phagosome (phagocytic vacuole), maturation of this phagosome into a phagolysosome, to the final destruction of the ingested particle in the robust antimicrobial environment of the phagolysosome. For the most part, phagocytosis is an efficient process that eliminates invading pathogens and helps maintaining homeostasis. However, several pathogens have also evolved different strategies to prevent phagocytosis from proceeding in a normal way. These pathogens have a clear advantage to perpetuate the infection and continue their replication. Here, we present an overview of the phagocytic process with emphasis on the antimicrobial elements professional phagocytes use. We also summarize the current knowledge on the microbial strategies different pathogens use to prevent phagocytosis either at the level of ingestion, phagosome formation, and maturation, and even complete escape from phagosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Uribe-Querol
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Rosales
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Seyyed Mousavi MN, Mehramuz B, Sadeghi J, Alizadeh N, Oskouee MA, Kafil HS. The pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus in autoimmune diseases. Microb Pathog 2017; 111:503-507. [PMID: 28919485 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune disease are defined as the attacks on host tissue by the immune system. Several factors, e.g. genetic and environmental triggers (in particular, viruses, bacteria, and other infectious pathogens) play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Bacterial infections are related to several autoimmune diseases, e.g. chronic inflammations and demyelination. Nowadays, an estimated 20-30% of the general human population carry Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This organism can asymptomatically colonize healthy individuals. S. aureus carriers show no sign of infection and can thus spread this bacterium in the community. Several studies investigated the potential involvement of this bacterium as the etiological agents of autoimmune diseases. The present review focused on the role of S. aureus infections in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, inflammatory, and demyelinating diseases. Possible modes of the pathogenic action of bacteria are discussed in association with the ways in which S. aureus can initiate or exacerbate autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Naser Seyyed Mousavi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahareh Mehramuz
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javid Sadeghi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Naser Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahin Ahangar Oskouee
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Seilie ES, Bubeck Wardenburg J. Staphylococcus aureus pore-forming toxins: The interface of pathogen and host complexity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:101-116. [PMID: 28445785 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a prominent human pathogen capable of infecting a variety of host species and tissue sites. This versatility stems from the pathogen's ability to secrete diverse host-damaging virulence factors. Among these factors, the S. aureus pore-forming toxins (PFTs) α-toxin and the bicomponent leukocidins, have garnered much attention for their ability to lyse cells at low concentrations and modulate disease severity. Although many of these toxins were discovered nearly a century ago, their host cell specificities have only been elucidated over the past five to six years, starting with the discovery of the eukaryotic receptor for α-toxin and rapidly followed by identification of the leukocidin receptors. The identification of these receptors has revealed the species- and cell type-specificity of toxin binding, and provided insight into non-lytic effects of PFT intoxication that contribute to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sachiko Seilie
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States; Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
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Spaan AN, van Strijp JAG, Torres VJ. Leukocidins: staphylococcal bi-component pore-forming toxins find their receptors. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:435-447. [PMID: 28420883 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes disease worldwide. The emergence of strains that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics and the failure of vaccine development have resulted in a renewed interest in the pathophysiology of this bacterium. Staphylococcal leukocidins are a family of bi-component pore-forming toxins that are important virulence factors. During the past five years, cellular receptors have been identified for all of the bi-component leukocidins. The identification of the leukocidin receptors explains the cellular tropism and species specificity that is exhibited by these toxins, which has important biological consequences. In this Review, we summarize the recent discoveries that have reignited interest in these toxins and provide an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- András N Spaan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29th Street, 10016 New York, USA
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Thomsen IP, Sapparapu G, James DBA, Cassat JE, Nagarsheth M, Kose N, Putnam N, Boguslawski KM, Jones LS, Wood JB, Creech CB, Torres VJ, Crowe JE. Monoclonal Antibodies Against the Staphylococcus aureus Bicomponent Leukotoxin AB Isolated Following Invasive Human Infection Reveal Diverse Binding and Modes of Action. J Infect Dis 2017; 215:1124-1131. [PMID: 28186295 PMCID: PMC5426380 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2-component leukotoxin LukAB is critical for Staphylococcus aureus targeting and killing of human neutrophils ex vivo and is produced in the setting of human infection. We report 3 LukAB-specific human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with distinct mechanisms of toxin neutralization and in vivo efficacy. Three hybridomas secreting mAbs with anti-LukAB activity (designated SA-13, -15, and -17) were generated from B cells obtained from a 12-year-old boy with S. aureus osteomyelitis. Each of the 3 mAbs neutralized LukAB-mediated neutrophil toxicity, exhibited differing levels of potency, recognized different antigenic sites on the toxin, and displayed at least 2 distinct mechanisms for cytotoxic inhibition. SA-15 bound exclusively to the dimeric form of the toxin, suggesting that human B cells recognize epitopes on the dimerized form of LukAB during natural infection. Both SA-13 and SA-17 bound the LukA monomer and the LukAB dimer. Although all 3 mAbs potently neutralized cytotoxicity, only SA-15 and SA-17 significantly inhibited toxin association with the cell surface. Treatment with a 1:1 mixture of mAbs SA-15 and SA-17 resulted in significantly lower bacterial colony counts in heart, liver, and kidneys in a murine model of S. aureus sepsis. These data describe the isolation of diverse and efficacious antitoxin mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David B A James
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - James E Cassat
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee ; and
| | | | | | - Nicole Putnam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; and
| | | | | | | | | | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - James E Crowe
- Department of Pediatrics
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee ; and
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Janesch P, Rouha H, Weber S, Malafa S, Gross K, Maierhofer B, Badarau A, Visram ZC, Stulik L, Nagy E. Selective sensitization of human neutrophils to LukGH mediated cytotoxicity by Staphylococcus aureus and IL-8. J Infect 2017; 74:473-483. [PMID: 28237625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Staphylococcus aureus produces up to five bi-component leukocidins - LukSF-PV, gamma-hemolysins AB and CB, LukGH (LukAB) and LukED - to evade innate immunity by lysing phagocytic cells. Species specificity of these leukocidins limits the relevance of animal models, therefore we assessed their individual contribution using human neutrophils. METHODS Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were activated with stimuli relevant during bacterial infections and sensitivity to recombinant leukocidins was measured in cell-viability assays. Leukocidin receptor expression was quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS We observed greatly variable sensitivities of different PMN preparations towards LukGH. Activation of PMNs by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or S. aureus culture supernatant (CS) lacking all leukocidins resulted in higher surface expression of CD11b, the LukGH receptor, and greatly enhanced the sensitivity towards LukGH, eliminating the variability observed with unstimulated cells. In contrast, CS induced a decrease in sensitivity of PMNs to the other four leukocidins and reduced surface staining for their cognate receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2, C5aR, C5L2). Delta-toxin and peptidoglycan mimicked the effect of CS. Moreover, IL-8, an important cytokine in neutrophil activation, also selectively increased LukGH sensitivity. Deletion of lukGH, but not other leukocidin genes, prevented PMN killing upon infection with USA300 CA-MRSA. CONCLUSION Inflammatory signals enhance the susceptibility of human PMNs to lysis by LukGH rendering this toxin dominant among the S. aureus leukocidins in vitro.
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Zimmermann-Meisse G, Prévost G, Jover E. Above and beyond C5a Receptor Targeting by Staphylococcal Leucotoxins: Retrograde Transport of Panton-Valentine Leucocidin and γ-Hemolysin. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9010041. [PMID: 28117704 PMCID: PMC5308273 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Various membrane receptors associated with the innate immune response have recently been identified as mediators of the cellular action of Staphylococcus aureus leucotoxins. Two of these, the Panton–Valentine leucotoxin LukS-PV/LukF-PV and the γ-hemolysin HlgC/HlgB, bind the C5a complement-derived peptide receptor. These leucotoxins utilize the receptor to induce intracellular Ca2+ release from internal stores, other than those activated by C5a. The two leucotoxins are internalized with the phosphorylated receptor, but it is unknown whether they divert retrograde transport of the receptor or follow another pathway. Immunolabeling and confocal microscopic techniques were used to analyze the presence of leucotoxins in endosomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi. The two leucotoxins apparently followed retrograde transport similar to that of the C5a peptide-activated receptor. However, HlgC/HlgB reached the Golgi network very early, whereas LukS-PV/LukF-PV followed slower kinetics. The HlgC/HlgB leucotoxin remained in neutrophils 6 h after a 10-min incubation of the cells in the presence of the toxin with no signs of apoptosis, whereas apoptosis was observed 3 h after neutrophils were incubated with LukS-PV/LukF-PV. Such retrograde transport of leucotoxins provides a novel understanding of the cellular effects initiated by sublytic concentrations of these toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Zimmermann-Meisse
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), VBP EA7290, Institut de Bactériologie, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Gilles Prévost
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), VBP EA7290, Institut de Bactériologie, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Emmanuel Jover
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), VBP EA7290, Institut de Bactériologie, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Structure and Function of the Two-Component Cytotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus - Learnings for Designing Novel Therapeutics. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 966:15-35. [PMID: 28455832 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus can produce up to five different bi-component cytotoxins: two gamma-hemolysins HlgAB and HlgCB, and leukocidins SF-PV (Panton Valentine leukocidin), ED (LukED) and GH (LukGH, also called LukAB). Their major function in S. aureus pathogenesis is to evade innate immunity by attacking phagocytic cells and to support bacterial growth by lysing red blood cells. The five cytotoxins display different levels of amino acid sequence conservation (30-82%), but all form a remarkably similar beta-barrel type pore structure (greatly resembling the mono-component toxin alpha-hemolysin) that inserts into the target cell membrane leading to necrotic cell death. This review provides an overview of the culmination of decades of research on the structure of these toxins, their unique sequence and structural features that helps to explain the observed functional differences, such as toxin potency towards different cell types and species, receptor specificity and formation of functional non-cognate toxin pairs. The vast knowledge accumulated in this field supports novel approaches and the design of therapeutics targeting these cytotoxins to tame virulence and fight S. aureus infections.
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Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Opal SM. The role of genetics and antibodies in sepsis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2016; 4:328. [PMID: 27713886 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2016.08.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During the course of sepsis when immunosuppression predominates, the concentrations of circulating immunoglobulins (IGs) are decreased and this is associated with adverse outcomes. The production of IGs as response to invasive bacterial pathogens takes place through a complex pathway starting from the recognition of the antigen (Ag) by innate immune cells that process and present Ags to T cells. The orchestration of T-helper (Th) lymphocyte responses directs specific B cells and ends with the production of IGs by plasma cells. All molecules implicated in this process are encoded by genes bearing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Meta-analysis of case-control studies have shown that the carriage of minor frequency SNPs of CD14, TLR2 and TNF is associated with increased sepsis risk. The ambiguity of results of clinical trials studying the clinical efficacy of exogenous IG administration in sepsis suggests that efficacy of treatment should be considered after adjustment for SNPs of all implicated genes in the pathway of IG production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven M Opal
- Infectious Disease Division, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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40
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Badarau A, Rouha H, Malafa S, Battles MB, Walker L, Nielson N, Dolezilkova I, Teubenbacher A, Banerjee S, Maierhofer B, Weber S, Stulik L, Logan DT, Welin M, Mirkina I, Pleban C, Zauner G, Gross K, Jägerhofer M, Magyarics Z, Nagy E. Context matters: The importance of dimerization-induced conformation of the LukGH leukocidin of Staphylococcus aureus for the generation of neutralizing antibodies. MAbs 2016; 8:1347-1360. [PMID: 27467113 PMCID: PMC5058624 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1215791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
LukGH (LukAB) is a potent leukocidin of Staphylococcus aureus that lyses human phagocytic cells and is thought to contribute to immune evasion. Unlike the other bi-component leukocidins of S. aureus, LukGH forms a heterodimer before binding to its receptor, CD11b expressed on professional phagocytic cells, and displays significant sequence variation. We employed a high diversity human IgG1 library presented on yeast cells to discover monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) neutralizing the cytolytic activity of LukGH. Recombinant LukG and LukH monomers or a LukGH dimer were used as capture antigens in the library selections. We found that mAbs identified with LukG or LukH as bait had no or very low toxin neutralization potency. In contrast, LukGH dimer-selected antibodies proved to be highly potent, and several mAbs were able to neutralize even the most divergent LukGH variants. Based on biolayer interferometry and mesoscale discovery, the high affinity antibody binding site on the LukGH complex was absent on the individual monomers, suggesting that it was generated upon formation of the LukG-LukH dimer. X-ray crystallography analysis of the complex between the LukGH dimer and the antigen-binding fragment of a very potent mAb (PDB code 5K59) indicated that the epitope is located in the predicted cell binding region (rim domain) of LukGH. The corresponding IgG inhibited the binding of LukGH dimer to target cells. Our data suggest that knowledge of the native conformation of target molecules is essential to generate high affinity and functional mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Badarau
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Harald Rouha
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Stefan Malafa
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Srijib Banerjee
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | | | - Susanne Weber
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Lukas Stulik
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Derek T Logan
- c SARomics Biostructures AB , Medicon Village, Lund , Sweden
| | - Martin Welin
- c SARomics Biostructures AB , Medicon Village, Lund , Sweden
| | - Irina Mirkina
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Clara Pleban
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Gerhild Zauner
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Karin Gross
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | | | - Zoltán Magyarics
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
| | - Eszter Nagy
- a Arsanis Biosciences , Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna , Austria
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Reyes-Robles T, Lubkin A, Alonzo F, Lacy DB, Torres VJ. Exploiting dominant-negative toxins to combat Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:428-40. [PMID: 26882549 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201540994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a human pathogen that relies on the subversion of host phagocytes to support its pathogenic lifestyle. S. aureus strains can produce up to five beta-barrel, bi-component, pore-forming leukocidins that target and kill host phagocytes. Thus, preventing immune cell killing by these toxins is likely to boost host immunity. Here, we describe the identification of glycine-rich motifs within the membrane-penetrating stem domains of the leukocidin subunits that are critical for killing primary human neutrophils. Remarkably, leukocidins lacking these glycine-rich motifs exhibit dominant-negative inhibitory effects toward their wild-type toxin counterparts as well as other leukocidins. Biochemical and cellular assays revealed that these dominant-negative toxins work by forming mixed complexes that are impaired in pore formation. The dominant-negative leukocidins inhibited S. aureus cytotoxicity toward primary human neutrophils, protected mice from lethal challenge by wild-type leukocidin, and reduced bacterial burden in a murine model of bloodstream infection. Thus, we describe the first example of staphylococcal bi-component dominant-negative toxins and their potential as novel therapeutics to combat S. aureus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Reyes-Robles
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashira Lubkin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francis Alonzo
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - D Borden Lacy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Reyes-Robles T, Torres VJ. Staphylococcus aureus Pore-Forming Toxins. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2016; 409:121-144. [PMID: 27406190 DOI: 10.1007/82_2016_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a formidable foe equipped with an armamentarium of virulence factors to thwart host defenses and establish a successful infection. Among these virulence factors, S. aureus produces several potent secreted proteins that act as cytotoxins, predominant among them the beta-barrel pore-forming toxins. These toxins play several roles in pathogenesis, including disruption of cellular adherens junctions at epithelial barriers, alteration of intracellular signaling events, modulation of host immune responses, and killing of eukaryotic immune and non-immune cells. This chapter provides an updated overview on the S. aureus beta-barrel pore-forming cytotoxins, the identification of toxin receptors on host cells, and their roles in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Reyes-Robles
- Department of Microbiology, Microbial Pathogenesis Program, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First Avenue, Smilow Research Building, Room 1010, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, Microbial Pathogenesis Program, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First Avenue, Smilow Research Building, Room 1010, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Nocadello S, Minasov G, Shuvalova L, Dubrovska I, Sabini E, Bagnoli F, Grandi G, Anderson WF. Crystal structures of the components of the Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxin ED. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2016; 72:113-20. [PMID: 26894539 PMCID: PMC4756620 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798315023207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal leukotoxins are a family of β-barrel, bicomponent, pore-forming toxins with membrane-damaging functions. These bacterial exotoxins share sequence and structural homology and target several host-cell types. Leukotoxin ED (LukED) is one of these bicomponent pore-forming toxins that Staphylococcus aureus produces in order to suppress the ability of the host to contain the infection. The recent delineation of the important role that LukED plays in S. aureus pathogenesis and the identification of its protein receptors, combined with its presence in S. aureus methicillin-resistant epidemic strains, establish this leukocidin as a possible target for the development of novel therapeutics. Here, the crystal structures of the water-soluble LukE and LukD components of LukED have been determined. The two structures illustrate the tertiary-structural variability with respect to the other leukotoxins while retaining the conservation of the residues involved in the interaction of the protomers in the bipartite leukotoxin in the pore complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Nocadello
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - G. Minasov
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - L. Shuvalova
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - I. Dubrovska
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - E. Sabini
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - F. Bagnoli
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | - G. Grandi
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | - W. F. Anderson
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Melehani JH, Duncan JA. Inflammasome Activation Can Mediate Tissue-Specific Pathogenesis or Protection in Staphylococcus aureus Infection. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2016; 397:257-82. [PMID: 27460814 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41171-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that interacts with human hosts on a spectrum from quiet commensal to deadly pathogen. S. aureus is capable of infecting nearly every tissue in the body resulting in cellulitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, brain abscesses, bacteremia, and more. S. aureus has a wide range of factors that promote infection, and each site of infection triggers a different response in the human host. In particular, the different patterns of inflammasome activation mediate tissue-specific pathogenesis or protection in S. aureus infection. Although still a nascent field, understanding the unique host-pathogen interactions in each infection and the role of inflammasomes in mediating pathogenesis may lead to novel strategies for treating S. aureus infections. Reviews addressing S. aureus virulence and pathogenesis (Thammavongsa et al. 2015), as well as epidemiology and pathophysiology (Tong et al. 2015), have recently been published. This review will focus on S. aureus factors that activate inflammasomes and their impact on innate immune signaling and bacterial survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason H Melehani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph A Duncan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Gilbert RJC. Protein-lipid interactions and non-lamellar lipidic structures in membrane pore formation and membrane fusion. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:487-99. [PMID: 26654785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins and peptides act on their targeted lipid bilayer membranes to increase permeability. This approach to the modulation of biological function is relevant to a great number of living processes, including; infection, parasitism, immunity, apoptosis, development and neurodegeneration. While some pore-forming proteins/peptides assemble into rings of subunits to generate discrete, well-defined pore-forming structures, an increasing number is recognised to form pores via mechanisms which co-opt membrane lipids themselves. Among these, membrane attack complex-perforin/cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (MACPF/CDC) family proteins, Bax/colicin family proteins and actinoporins are especially prominent and among the mechanisms believed to apply are the formation of non-lamellar (semi-toroidal or toroidal) lipidic structures. In this review I focus on the ways in which lipids contribute to pore formation and contrast this with the ways in which lipids are co-opted also in membrane fusion and fission events. A variety of mechanisms for pore formation that involve lipids exists, but they consistently result in stable hybrid proteolipidic structures. These structures are stabilised by mechanisms in which pore-forming proteins modify the innate capacity of lipid membranes to respond to their environment, changing shape and/or phase and binding individual lipid molecules directly. In contrast, and despite the diversity in fusion protein types, mechanisms for membrane fusion are rather similar to each other, mapping out a pathway from pairs of separated compartments to fully confluent fused membranes. Fusion proteins generate metastable structures along the way which, like long-lived proteolipidic pore-forming complexes, rely on the basic physical properties of lipid bilayers. Membrane fission involves similar intermediates, in the reverse order. I conclude by considering the possibility that at least some pore-forming and fusion proteins are evolutionarily related homologues. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pore-Forming Toxins edited by Mauro Dalla Serra and Franco Gambale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J C Gilbert
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.
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46
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Flannagan RS, Heit B, Heinrichs DE. Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Macrophages and the Immune Evasion Strategies of Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens 2015; 4:826-68. [PMID: 26633519 PMCID: PMC4693167 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4040826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitually professional phagocytes, including macrophages, eradicate microbial invaders from the human body without overt signs of infection. Despite this, there exist select bacteria that are professional pathogens, causing significant morbidity and mortality across the globe and Staphylococcus aureus is no exception. S. aureus is a highly successful pathogen that can infect virtually every tissue that comprises the human body causing a broad spectrum of diseases. The profound pathogenic capacity of S. aureus can be attributed, in part, to its ability to elaborate a profusion of bacterial effectors that circumvent host immunity. Macrophages are important professional phagocytes that contribute to both the innate and adaptive immune response, however from in vitro and in vivo studies, it is evident that they fail to eradicate S. aureus. This review provides an overview of the antimicrobial mechanisms employed by macrophages to combat bacteria and describes the immune evasion strategies and some representative effectors that enable S. aureus to evade macrophage-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald S Flannagan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Bryan Heit
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
- Centre for Human Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - David E Heinrichs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
- Centre for Human Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
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47
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Melehani JH, James DBA, DuMont AL, Torres VJ, Duncan JA. Staphylococcus aureus Leukocidin A/B (LukAB) Kills Human Monocytes via Host NLRP3 and ASC when Extracellular, but Not Intracellular. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004970. [PMID: 26069969 PMCID: PMC4466499 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus infections are a growing health burden worldwide, and paramount to this bacterium’s pathogenesis is the production of virulence factors, including pore-forming leukotoxins. Leukocidin A/B (LukAB) is a recently discovered toxin that kills primary human phagocytes, though the underlying mechanism of cell death is not understood. We demonstrate here that LukAB is a major contributor to the death of human monocytes. Using a variety of in vitro and ex vivo intoxication and infection models, we found that LukAB activates Caspase 1, promotes IL-1β secretion and induces necrosis in human monocytes. Using THP1 cells as a model for human monocytes, we found that the inflammasome components NLRP3 and ASC are required for LukAB-mediated IL-1β secretion and necrotic cell death. S. aureus was shown to kill human monocytes in a LukAB dependent manner under both extracellular and intracellular ex vivo infection models. Although LukAB-mediated killing of THP1 monocytes from extracellular S. aureus requires ASC, NLRP3 and the LukAB-receptor CD11b, LukAB-mediated killing from phagocytosed S. aureus is independent of ASC or NLRP3, but dependent on CD11b. Altogether, this study provides insight into the nature of LukAB-mediated killing of human monocytes. The discovery that S. aureus LukAB provokes differential host responses in a manner dependent on the cellular contact site is critical for the development of anti-infective/anti-inflammatory therapies that target the NLRP3 inflammasome. Staphylococcus aureus infections are becoming increasingly common, aggressive, and difficult to manage clinically. S. aureus produces a number of pore-forming toxins that target and kill immune cells. In this study, we demonstrate that LukAB is primarily responsible for S. aureus-mediated targeting and killing of human monocytes. We show that the NLRP3-ASC inflammasome, a sensor of cell membrane damage and trigger of inflammation, is critical for this response. S. aureus uses LukAB to kill immune cells both through external interactions (LukAB on the cell surface) and through internal interactions (LukAB secretion after S. aureus is engulfed by the immune cell). Interestingly, we show that the mechanism by which LukAB kills immune cells in these two settings differs. This is the first report of a S. aureus toxin manipulating unique immune signaling pathways depending on the cellular site of contact. Understanding the multitude of ways by which S. aureus evades the immune response is critical for our ability to treat infections with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason H. Melehani
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David B. A. James
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ashley L. DuMont
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Victor J. Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VJT); (JAD)
| | - Joseph A. Duncan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VJT); (JAD)
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Koymans KJ, Vrieling M, Gorham RD, van Strijp JAG. Staphylococcal Immune Evasion Proteins: Structure, Function, and Host Adaptation. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2015; 409:441-489. [PMID: 26919864 DOI: 10.1007/82_2015_5017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a successful human and animal pathogen. Its pathogenicity is linked to its ability to secrete a large amount of virulence factors. These secreted proteins interfere with many critical components of the immune system, both innate and adaptive, and hamper proper immune functioning. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted in order to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction of evasion molecules with the host immune system. Structural studies have fundamentally contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms of action of the individual factors. Furthermore, such studies revealed one of the most striking characteristics of the secreted immune evasion molecules: their conserved structure. Despite high-sequence variability, most immune evasion molecules belong to a small number of structural categories. Another remarkable characteristic is that S. aureus carries most of these virulence factors on mobile genetic elements (MGE) or ex-MGE in its accessory genome. Coevolution of pathogen and host has resulted in immune evasion molecules with a highly host-specific function and prevalence. In this review, we explore how these shared structures and genomic locations relate to function and host specificity. This is discussed in the context of therapeutic options for these immune evasion molecules in infectious as well as in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten J Koymans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, G04-614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Manouk Vrieling
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, G04-614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald D Gorham
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, G04-614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, G04-614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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