Iron acquisition by Neisseria meningitidis in vitro

Advances in Ferritin Physiology and Possible Implications in Bacterial Infection

Due to its advantageous redox properties, iron plays an important role in the metabolism of nearly all life. However, these properties are not only a boon but also the bane of such life forms. Since labile iron results in the generation of reactive oxygen species by Fenton chemistry, iron is stored in a relatively safe form inside of ferritin. Despite the fact that the iron storage protein ferritin has been extensively researched, many of its physiological functions are hitherto unresolved. However, research regarding ferritin's functions is gaining momentum. For example, recent major discoveries on its secretion and distribution mechanisms have been made as well as the paradigm-changing finding of intracellular compartmentalization of ferritin via interaction with nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4). In this review, we discuss established knowledge as well as these new findings and the implications they may have for host-pathogen interaction during bacterial infection.

Structural rearrangement of Neisseria meningitidis transferrin binding protein A (TbpA) prior to human transferrin protein (hTf) binding

Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, responsible for human infectious disease meningitis, acquires the iron (Fe³⁺) ion needed for its survival from human transferrin protein (hTf). For this transport, transferrin binding proteins TbpA and TbpB are facilitated by the bacterium. The transfer cannot occur without TbpA, while the absence of TbpB only slows down the transfer. Thus, understanding the TbpA-hTf binding at the atomic level is crucial for the fight against bacterial meningitis infections. In this study, atomistic level of mechanism for TbpA-hTf binding is elucidated through 100 ns long all-atom classical MD simulations on free (uncomplexed) TbpA. TbpA protein underwent conformational change from ‘open’ state to ‘closed’ state, where two loop domains, loops 5 and 8, were very close to each other. This state clearly cannot accommodate hTf in the cleft between these two loops. Moreover, the helix finger domain, which might play a critical role in Fe³⁺ ion uptake, also shifted downwards leading to unfavorable Tbp-hTf binding. Results of this study indicated that TbpA must switch between ‘closed’ state to ‘open’ state, where loops 5 and 8 are far from each other creating a cleft for hTf binding. The atomistic level of understanding to conformational switch is crucial for TbpA-hTf complex inhibition strategies. Drug candidates can be designed to prevent this conformational switch, keeping TbpA locked in ‘closed’ state.

Mucin acts as a nutrient source and a signal for the differential expression of genes coding for cellular processes and virulence factors in Acinetobacter baumannii

The capacity of Acinetobacter baumannii to persist and cause infections depends on its interaction with abiotic and biotic surfaces, including those found on medical devices and host mucosal surfaces. However, the extracellular stimuli affecting these interactions are poorly understood. Based on our previous observations, we hypothesized that mucin, a glycoprotein secreted by lung epithelial cells, particularly during respiratory infections, significantly alters A. baumannii's physiology and its interaction with the surrounding environment. Biofilm, virulence and growth assays showed that mucin enhances the interaction of A. baumannii ATCC 19606T with abiotic and biotic surfaces and its cytolytic activity against epithelial cells while serving as a nutrient source. The global effect of mucin on the physiology and virulence of this pathogen is supported by RNA-Seq data showing that its presence in a low nutrient medium results in the differential transcription of 427 predicted protein-coding genes. The reduced expression of ion acquisition genes and the increased transcription of genes coding for energy production together with the detection of mucin degradation indicate that this host glycoprotein is a nutrient source. The increased expression of genes coding for adherence and biofilm biogenesis on abiotic and biotic surfaces, the degradation of phenylacetic acid and the production of an active type VI secretion system further supports the role mucin plays in virulence. Taken together, our observations indicate that A. baumannii recognizes mucin as an environmental signal, which triggers a response cascade that allows this pathogen to acquire critical nutrients and promotes host-pathogen interactions that play a role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections.

Pyrophosphate-mediated iron acquisition from transferrin in Neisseria meningitidis does not require TonB activity

The ability to acquire iron from various sources has been demonstrated to be a major determinant in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis. Outside the cells, iron is bound to transferrin in serum, or to lactoferrin in mucosal secretions. Meningococci can extract iron from iron-loaded human transferrin by the TbpA/TbpB outer membrane complex. Moreover, N. meningitidis expresses the LbpA/LbpB outer membrane complex, which can extract iron from iron-loaded human lactoferrin. Iron transport through the outer membrane requires energy provided by the ExbB-ExbD-TonB complex. After transportation through the outer membrane, iron is bound by periplasmic protein FbpA and is addressed to the FbpBC inner membrane transporter. Iron-complexing compounds like citrate and pyrophosphate have been shown to support meningococcal growth ex vivo. The use of iron pyrophosphate as an iron source by N. meningitidis was previously described, but has not been investigated. Pyrophosphate was shown to participate in iron transfer from transferrin to ferritin. In this report, we investigated the use of ferric pyrophosphate as an iron source by N. meningitidis both ex vivo and in a mouse model. We showed that pyrophosphate was able to sustain N. meningitidis growth when desferal was used as an iron chelator. Addition of a pyrophosphate analogue to bacterial suspension at millimolar concentrations supported N. meningitidis survival in the mouse model. Finally, we show that pyrophosphate enabled TonB-independent ex vivo use of iron-loaded human or bovine transferrin as an iron source by N. meningitidis. Our data suggest that, in addition to acquiring iron through sophisticated systems, N. meningitidis is able to use simple strategies to acquire iron from a wide range of sources so as to sustain bacterial survival.

Evidence of Fe3+ interaction with the plug domain of the outer membrane transferrin receptor protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: implications for Fe transport

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate pathogen that hijacks iron from the human iron transport protein, holo-transferrin (Fe(2)-Tf), by expressing TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor proteins, TbpA and TbpB. Homologous to other TonB-dependent outer membrane transporters, TbpA is thought to consist of a β-barrel with an N-terminal plug domain. Previous reports by our laboratories show that the sequence EIEYE in the plug domain is highly conserved among various bacterial species that express TbpA and plays a crucial role in iron utilization for gonococci. We hypothesize that this highly conserved EIEYE sequence in the TbpA plug, rich in hard oxygen donor groups, binds with Fe(3+) through the transport process across the outer membrane through the β-barrel. Sequestration of Fe(3+) by the TbpA-plug supports the paradigm that the ferric iron must always remain chelated and controlled throughout the transport process. In order to test this hypothesis here we describe the ability of both the recombinant wild-type plug, and three small peptides that encompass the sequence EIEYE of the plug, to bind Fe(3+). This is the first report of the expression/isolation of the recombinant wild-type TbpA plug. Although CD and SUPREX spectroscopies suggest that a non-native structure is observed for the recombinant plug, fluorescence quenching titrations indicate that the wild-type recombinant TbpA plug binds Fe (3+) with a conditional log K(d) = 7 at pH 7.5, with no evidence of binding at pH 6.3. A recombinant TbpA plug with mutated sequence (NEIEYEN → NEIAAAN) shows no evidence of Fe(3+) binding under our experimental set up. Interestingly, in silico modeling with the wild-type plug also predicts a flexible loop structure for the EIEYE sequence under native conditions which once again supports the Fe(3+) binding hypothesis. These in vitro observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the EIEYE sequence in the wild-type TbpA plug binds Fe(3+) during the outer membrane transport process in vivo.

FbpA--a bacterial transferrin with more to offer

BACKGROUND

Gram negative bacteria require iron for growth and virulence. It has been shown that certain pathogenic bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae possess a periplasmic protein called ferric binding protein (FbpA), which is a node in the transport of iron from the cell exterior to the cytosol.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

The relevant literature is reviewed which establishes the molecular mechanism of FbpA mediated iron transport across the periplasm to the inner membrane.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Here we establish that FbpA may be considered a bacterial transferrin on structural and functional grounds. Data are presented which suggest a continuum whereby FbpA may be considered as a naked iron carrier, as well as a Fe-chelate carrier, and finally a member of the larger family of periplasmic binding proteins.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

An investigation of the molecular mechanisms of action of FbpA as a member of the transferrin super family enhances our understanding of bacterial mechanisms for acquisition of the essential nutrient iron, as well as the modes of action of human transferrin, and may provide approaches to the control of pathogenic diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Transferrins: Molecular mechanisms of iron transport and disorders.

Role of citrate and phosphate anions in the mechanism of iron(III) sequestration by ferric binding protein: kinetic studies of the formation of the holoprotein of wild-type FbpA and its engineered mutants

Ferric binding protein A (FbpA) plays a central role in the iron acquisition processes of pathogenic Neisseria gonorrheae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. FbpA functions as an iron shuttle within the periplasmic space of these Gram-negative human pathogens. Iron is picked up by FbpA at the periplasmic aspect of the outer membrane with concomitant acquisition of a synergistic anion. Here we report the kinetics and mechanisms involved with loading of iron(III) into iron-free FbpA using iron(III) citrate as an iron source in the presence of excess citrate or phosphate (physiologically available anions) at pH 6.5. In the presence of excess phosphate, iron(III) citrate loads into apo-FbpA in three kinetically distinguishable steps, while in the presence of excess citrate, only two steps are discernible. A stable intermediate containing iron(III) citrate-bound FbpA is observed in each case. The observation of an additional kinetic step and moderate increase in apparent rate constants suggests an active role for phosphate in the iron insertion process. To further elucidate a mechanism for iron loading, we report on the sequestration kinetics of iron(III) citrate in the presence of phosphate with binding site mutant apo-FbpAs, H9E, E57D, E57Q, Q58A, Y195F, and Y196H. Tyrosine mutations drastically alter the kinetics and hamper iron sequestration ability. H9E, E57D, and E57Q have near native iron sequestration behavior; however, iron binding rates are altered, enabling assignment of sequential side chain interactions. Additionally, this investigation elaborates on the function of FbpA as a carrier for iron chelates as well as "naked" or free iron as originally proposed.

NalP-mediated proteolytic release of lactoferrin-binding protein B from the meningococcal cell surface

Bacteria have developed several mechanisms for iron uptake during colonization of mammalian hosts, where the availability of free iron is limiting for growth. Neisseria meningitidis expresses under iron-limiting conditions a receptor complex consisting of the lactoferrin-binding proteins A (LbpA) and LbpB to acquire iron from lactoferrin, which is abundantly present on the mucosal surfaces of the human nasopharynx. LbpA is an integral outer membrane-embedded iron transporter, whereas LbpB is a cell surface-exposed lipoprotein. In this study, we demonstrate that LbpB is also released into the culture medium. We identified NalP, an autotransporter known to be involved in the processing of other autotransporters, as the protease responsible for LbpB release. This release of LbpB reduced the complement-mediated killing of the bacteria when incubated with an LbpB-specific bactericidal antiserum. Since antibodies directed against LbpB are found in convalescent-patient sera, the release of an immunogenic protein as LbpB may represent a novel means for N. meningitidis to escape the human immune response.

Identification of TbpA residues required for transferrin-iron utilization by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires iron for survival in the human host and therefore expresses high-affinity receptors for iron acquisition from host iron-binding proteins. The gonococcal transferrin-iron uptake system is composed of two transferrin binding proteins, TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent, outer membrane transporter critical for iron acquisition, while TbpB is a surface-exposed lipoprotein that increases the efficiency of iron uptake. The precise mechanism by which TbpA mediates iron acquisition has not been elucidated; however, the process is distinct from those of characterized siderophore transporters. Similar to these TonB-dependent transporters, TbpA is proposed to have two distinct domains, a beta-barrel and a plug domain. We hypothesize that the TbpA plug coordinates iron and therefore potentially functions in multiple steps of transferrin-mediated iron acquisition. To test this hypothesis, we targeted a conserved motif within the TbpA plug domain and generated single, double, and triple alanine substitution mutants. Mutagenized TbpAs were expressed on the gonococcal cell surface and maintained wild-type transferrin binding affinity. Single alanine substitution mutants internalized iron at wild-type levels, while the double and triple mutants showed a significant decrease in iron uptake. Moreover, the triple alanine substitution mutant was unable to grow on transferrin as a sole iron source; however, expression of TbpB compensated for this defect. These data indicate that the conserved motif between residues 120 and 122 of the TbpA plug domain is critical for transferrin-iron utilization, suggesting that this region plays a role in iron acquisition that is shared by both TbpA and TbpB.

Identification of transferrin-binding domains in TbpB expressed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The transferrin iron acquisition system of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is necessary for iron uptake from transferrin in the human host and requires the participation of two distinct proteins: TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent outer membrane transporter responsible for the transport of iron into the cell. TbpB is a lipid-modified protein, for which a precise role in receptor function has not yet been elucidated. These receptor complex proteins show promise as vaccine candidates; therefore, it is important to identify surface-exposed regions of the proteins required for wild-type functions. In this study we examined TbpB, which has been reported to be surface exposed in its entirety; however, this hypothesis has never been tested experimentally. We placed the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope into TbpB with the dual purpose of examining the surface exposure of particular epitopes as well as their impact on receptor function. Nine insertion mutants were created, placing the epitope downstream of the signal peptidase II cleavage site. We report that the HA epitope is surface accessible in all mutants, indicating that the full-length TbpB is completely surface exposed. By expressing the TbpB-HA fusion proteins in N. gonorrhoeae, we were able to examine the impact of each insertion on the function of TbpB and the transferrin acquisition process. We propose that TbpB is comprised of two transferrin-binding-competent lobes, both of which are critical for efficient iron uptake from human transferrin.

Utilization of myoglobin as a heme source by Haemophilus influenzae requires binding of myoglobin to haptoglobin

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute growth requirement for heme. One potential in vivo source of heme is the protein myoglobin which is found at low levels in human serum. No tested H. influenzae strain was able to use myoglobin as a heme source. However, all strains were able to utilize the heme from myoglobin when myoglobin was complexed with haptoglobin. Utilization of the haptoglobin-myoglobin complex was shown to be mediated by the previously described hemoglobin/hemoglobin-haptoglobin-binding proteins of H. influenzae.

The gonococcal Fur-regulated tbpA and tbpB genes are expressed during natural mucosal gonococcal infection

Iron is limiting in the human host, and bacterial pathogens respond to this environment by regulating gene expression through the ferric uptake regulator protein (Fur). In vitro studies have demonstrated that Neisseria gonorrhoeae controls the expression of several critical genes through an iron- and Fur-mediated mechanism. While most in vitro experiments are designed to determine the response of N. gonorrhoeae to an exogenous iron concentration of zero, these organisms are unlikely to be exposed to such severe limitations of iron in vivo. To determine if N. gonorrhoeae expresses iron- and Fur-regulated genes in vivo during uncomplicated gonococcal infection, we examined gene expression profiles of specimens obtained from male subjects with urethral infections. RNA was isolated from urethral swab specimens and used as a template to amplify, by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), gonococcal genes known to be regulated by iron and Fur (tbpA, tbpB, and fur). The constitutively expressed gonococcal rmp gene was used as a positive control. RT-PCR analysis indicated that gonorrhea-positive specimens where rmp expression was seen were also 93% (51/55) fbpA positive, 87% (48/55) tbpA positive, and 86% (14 of 16 tested) tbpB positive. In addition, we detected a fur transcript in 79% (37 of 47 tested) of positive specimens. We also measured increases in levels of immunoglobulin G antibody against TbpA (91%) and TbpB (73%) antigens in sera from infected male subjects compared to those in uninfected controls. A positive trend between tbpA gene expression and TbpA antibody levels in sera indicated a relationship between levels of gene expression and immune response in male subjects infected with gonorrhea for the first time. These results indicate that gonococcal iron- and Fur-regulated tbpA and tbpB genes are expressed in gonococcal infection and that male subjects with mucosal gonococcal infections exhibit antibodies to these proteins.

Neisseria meningitidis accelerates ferritin degradation in host epithelial cells to yield an essential iron source

In order to colonize humans and cause disease, pathogenic bacteria must assimilate iron from their host. The vast majority of non-haem iron in humans is localized intracellularly, within the storage molecule ferritin. Despite the vast reserves of iron within ferritin, no pathogen has been demonstrated previously to exploit this molecule as an iron source. Here, we show that the Gram-negative diplococcus Neisseria meningitidis can trigger rapid redistribution and degradation of cytosolic ferritin within infected epithelial cells. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that cytosolic ferritin is aggregated and recruited to intracellular meningococci (MC). The half-life of ferritin within cultured epithelial cells was found to decrease from 20.1 to 5.3 h upon infection with MC. Supplementation of infected epithelial cells with ascorbic acid abolished ferritin redistribution and degradation and prevented intracellular MC from replicating. The lysosomal protease inhibitor leupeptin slowed ferritin turnover and also retarded MC replication. Our laboratory has shown recently that MC can interfere with transferrin uptake by infected cells (Bonnah R.A., et al., 2000, Cell Microbiol 2: 207-218) and that, perhaps as a result, the infected cells have a transcriptional profile indicative of iron starvation (Bonnah, R.A., et al., 2004, Cell Microbiol 6: 473-484). In view of these findings, we suggest that accelerated ferritin degradation occurs as a response to an iron starvation state induced by MC infection and that ferritin degradation provides intracellular MC with a critical source of iron.

Iron transport systems in Neisseria meningitidis

Acquisition of iron and iron complexes has long been recognized as a major determinant in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis. In this review, high-affinity iron uptake systems, which allow meningococci to utilize the human host proteins transferrin, lactoferrin, hemoglobin, and haptoglobin-hemoglobin as sources of essential iron, are described. Classic features of bacterial iron transport systems, such as regulation by the iron-responsive repressor Fur and TonB-dependent transport activity, are discussed, as well as more specific features of meningococcal iron transport. Our current understanding of how N. meningitidis acquires iron from the human host and the vaccine potentials of various components of these iron transport systems are also reviewed.

Specific ligand binding attributable to individual epitopes of gonococcal transferrin binding protein A

The gonococcal transferrin receptor complex comprises two iron-regulated proteins, TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is essential for transferrin-iron uptake and is a TonB-dependent integral outer membrane protein. TbpB is thought to increase the efficiency of iron uptake from transferrin and is lipid modified and surface exposed. To evaluate the structure-function relationships in one of the components of the receptor, TbpA, we created constructs that fused individual putative loops of TbpA with amino-terminal affinity tags. The recombinant proteins were then overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the fusions were recovered predominately from inclusion bodies. Inclusion body proteins were solubilized, and the epitope fusions were renatured by slow dialysis. To assess transferrin binding capabilities, the constructs were tested in a solid-phase dot blot assay followed by confirmatory quantitative chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The constructs with only loop 5 and with loops 4 and 5 demonstrated dose-dependent specific ligand binding in spite of being out of the context of the intact receptor. The immunogenicities of individual TbpA-specific epitopes were investigated by generating rabbit polyclonal antisera against the fusion proteins. Most of the fusion proteins were immunogenic under these conditions, and the resulting sera recognized full-length TbpA in immunoblots. These results suggest that individual epitopes of TbpA are both immunogenic and functional with respect to ligand binding capabilities, and the vaccine implications of these findings are discussed.

Gonococcal genes encoding transferrin-binding proteins A and B are arranged in a bicistronic operon but are subject to differential expression

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is capable of utilizing host iron-binding proteins, such as transferrin, lactoferrin, and hemoglobin, as the sole source of iron. The receptor involved in transferrin iron acquisition is composed of two distinct transferrin-binding proteins, TbpA and TbpB. The genes that encode these proteins are linked on the chromosome in the order tbpB-tbpA but are separated by an inverted repeat of unknown function. In this study, we sought to understand the transcriptional organization and regulation of the tbp genes, using a combination of lacZ transcriptional fusion analysis and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). First, we demonstrated that tbpB and tbpA are cotranscribed and coregulated from the common upstream promoter that precedes tbpB. Using beta-galactosidase activity as a surrogate for tbp-specific transcription, we found that tbpB-specific transcripts were more prevalent than tbpA-specific transcripts after 2 h of growth under iron stress conditions. We confirmed the results obtained by fusion analysis by using RT-PCR applied to native RNA isolated from wild-type gonococci. Three different varieties of RT-PCR were employed: relative, competitive, and real time quantitative. The results of all analyses indicated that tbpB-specific transcripts were approximately twofold more prevalent than tbpA-specific transcripts at steady state. In iron-stressed cultures, the ratio of tbpB- to tbpA-specific message was approximately 2; however, in iron-replete cultures, this ratio dropped to 1. Using these techniques, we also quantitated the effects of iron, external pH, and presence of ligand on tbp mRNA levels.

Identification of discrete domains within gonococcal transferrin-binding protein A that are necessary for ligand binding and iron uptake functions

The availability of free iron in vivo is strictly limited, in part by the iron-binding protein transferrin. The pathogenic Neisseria spp. can sequester iron from this protein, dependent upon two iron-repressible, transferrin-binding proteins (TbpA and TbpB). TbpA is a TonB-dependent, integral, outer membrane protein that may form a beta-barrel exposing multiple surface loops, some of which are likely to contain ligand-binding motifs. In this study we propose a topological model of gonococcal TbpA and then test some of the hypotheses set forth by the model by individually deleting three putative loops (designated loops 4, 5, and 8). Each mutant TbpA could be expressed without toxicity and was surface exposed as assessed by immunoblotting, transferrin binding, and protease accessibility. Deletion of loop 4 or loop 5 abolished transferrin binding to whole cells in solid- and liquid-phase assays, while deletion of loop 8 decreased the affinity of the receptor for transferrin without affecting the copy number. Strains expressing any of the three mutated TbpAs were incapable of growth on transferrin as a sole iron source. These data implicate putative loops 4 and 5 as critical determinants for receptor function and transferrin-iron uptake by gonococcal TbpA. The phenotype of the DeltaL8TbpA mutant suggests that high-affinity ligand interaction is required for transferrin-iron internalization.

Receptor-mediated recognition and uptake of iron from human transferrin by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis both recognize and bind the human iron-transporting glycoprotein, transferrin, via a 42-kDa cell surface protein receptor. In an iron-deficient medium, staphylococcal growth can be promoted by the addition of human diferric transferrin but not human apotransferrin. To determine whether the staphylococcal transferrin receptor is involved in the removal of iron from transferrin, we employed 6 M urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which separates human transferrin into four forms (diferric, monoferric N-lobe, and monoferric C-lobe transferrin and apotransferrin). S. aureus and S. epidermidis but not Staphylococcus saprophyticus (which lacks the transferrin receptor) converted diferric human transferrin into its apotransferrin form within 30 min. During conversion, iron was removed sequentially from the N lobe and then from the C lobe. Metabolic poisons such as sodium azide and nigericin inhibited the release of iron from human transferrin, indicating that it is an energy-requiring process. To demonstrate that this process is receptor rather than siderophore mediated, we incubated (i) washed staphylococcal cells and (ii) the staphylococcal siderophore, staphyloferrin A, with porcine transferrin, a transferrin species which does not bind to the staphylococcal receptor. While staphyloferrin A removed iron from both human and porcine transferrins, neither S. aureus nor S. epidermidis cells could promote the release of iron from porcine transferrin. In competition binding assays, both native and recombinant N-lobe fragments of human transferrin as well as a naturally occurring human transferrin variant with a mutation in the C-lobe blocked binding of 125I-labelled transferrin. Furthermore, the staphylococci removed iron efficiently from the iron-loaded N-lobe fragment of human transferrin. These data demonstrate that the staphylococci efficiently remove iron from transferrin via a receptor-mediated process and provide evidence to suggest that there is a primary receptor recognition site on the N-lobe of human transferrin.

Identification of human transferrin-binding sites within meningococcal transferrin-binding protein B

Transferrin-binding protein B (TbpB) from Neisseria meningitidis binds human transferrin (hTf) at the surface of the bacterial cell as part of the iron uptake process. To identify hTf binding sites within the meningococcal TbpB, defined regions of the molecule were produced in Escherichia coli by a translational fusion expression system and the ability of the recombinant proteins (rTbpB) to bind peroxidase-conjugated hTf was characterized by Western blot and dot blot assays. Both the N-terminal domain (amino acids [aa] 2 to 351) and the C-terminal domain (aa 352 to 691) were able to bind hTf, and by a peptide spot synthesis approach, two and five hTf binding sites were identified in the N- and C-terminal domains, respectively. The hTf binding activity of three rTbpB deletion variants constructed within the central region (aa 346 to 543) highlighted the importance of a specific peptide (aa 377 to 394) in the ligand interaction. Taken together, the results indicated that the N- and C-terminal domains bound hTf approximately 10 and 1000 times less, respectively, than the full-length rTbpB (aa 2 to 691), while the central region (aa 346 to 543) had a binding avidity in the same order of magnitude as the C-terminal domain. In contrast with the hTf binding in the N-terminal domain, which was mediated by conformational epitopes, linear determinants seemed to be involved in the hTf binding in the C-terminal domain. The host specificity for transferrin appeared to be mediated by the N-terminal domain of the meningococcal rTbpB rather than the C-terminal domain, since we report that murine Tf binds to the C-terminal domain. Antisera raised to both N- and C-terminal domains were bactericidal for the parent strain, indicating that both domains are accessible at the bacterial surface. We have thus identified hTf binding sites within each domain of the TbpB from N. meningitidis and propose that the N- and C-terminal domains together contribute to the efficient binding of TbpB to hTf with their respective affinities and specificities for determinants of their ligand.

Neisseria meningitidis tonB, exbB, and exbD genes: Ton-dependent utilization of protein-bound iron in Neisseriae

We have recently cloned and characterized the hemoglobin (Hb) receptor gene, hmbR, from Neisseria meningitidis. To identify additional proteins that are involved in Hb utilization, the N. meningitidis Hb utilization system was reconstituted in Escherichia coli. Five cosmids from N. meningitidis DNA library enabled a heme-requiring (hemA), HmbR-expressing mutant of E. coli to use Hb as both porphyrin and iron source. Nucleotide sequence analysis of DNA fragments subcloned from the Hb-complementing cosmids identified four open reading frames, three of them homologous to Pseudomonas putida, E. coli, and Haemophilus influenzae exbB, exbD, and tonB genes. The N. meningitidis TonB protein is 28.8 to 33.6% identical to other gram-negative TonB proteins, while the N. meningitidis ExbD protein shares between 23.3 and 34.3% identical amino acids with other ExbD and TolR proteins. The N. meningitidis ExbB protein was 24.7 to 36.1% homologous with other gram-negative ExbB and TolQ proteins. Complementation studies indicated that the neisserial Ton system cannot interact with the E. coli FhuA TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor. The N. meningitidis tonB mutant was unable to use Hb, Hb-haptoglobin complexes, transferrin, and lactoferrin as iron sources. Insertion of an antibiotic cassette in the 3' end of the exbD gene produced a leaky phenotype. Efficient usage of heme by N. meningitidis tonB and exbD mutants suggests the existence of a Ton-independent heme utilization mechanism. E. coli complementation studies and the analysis of N. meningitidis hmbR and hpu mutants suggested the existence of another Hb utilization mechanism in this organism.

Human immune response to epitopes on the meningococcal outer membrane class 5 protein following natural infection

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis strain. These mAbs recognized two epitopes in the class 5 outer membrane proteins (OMP), designated P5.7 and P5.Bm, and were able to kill the homologous strain through complement activation. Both epitopes were surface exposed and 68% of group B meningococcal clinical isolates had one or both epitopes present in their class 5 OMP. Antibodies to one or both epitopes were demonstrated in 17 patients with meningococcal meningitis using an ELISA inhibition assay. Of the 17 paired sera, 41% and 29% of the acute-phase sera had antibodies to the P5.7 and P5.Bm epitopes, respectively. Immunoglobulin G to P5.Bm were found in all 17 convalescent-phase sera while specific antibodies against P5.7 were only found in 6 of these sera. These results demonstrate the potential importance of the P5.Bm and P5.7 epitopes on the class 5 OMP as candidates for vaccine composition.

The hmu locus of Yersinia pestis is essential for utilization of free haemin and haem--protein complexes as iron sources

Yersinia pestis strains utilize haem and several haem-protein complexes as sole sources of iron. In this study, the haemin uptake locus (hmu) of Y. pestis KIM6+ was selected from a genomic library by transduction into an Escherichia coli siderophore synthesis (entC) mutant. Recombinant plasmids containing a common 16 kb BamHI insert were isolated that allowed E. coli entC to use haemin as an iron source. An 8.6 kb region of this insert was found to be essential for haemin utilization and encoded at least five proteins with molecular masses of 79/77, 44, 37, 35, and 30/27.5 kDa. A 10.9 kb Clal fragment containing the hmu locus showed varying degrees of homology to genomic DNA from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica, and other genera of Enterobacteriaceae. An E. coli hemA aroB strain harbouring cloned hmu genes used haemin as both an iron and porphyrin source but only on iron-poor medium, suggesting that haemin uptake is tightly iron regulated. Additionally, haemoglobin and myoglobin were used as iron sources by an E. coli entC (pHMU2.2) strain. Deletion of the hmu locus from Y. pestis KIM6+ chromosome generated a mutant that grew poorly on iron-depleted medium containing free haemin as well as mammalian haem-protein complexes including haemoglobin, haemoglobin-haptoglobin, myoglobin, haem-haemopexin, and haem-albumin unless it was complemented with cloned hmu genes.

Iron acquisition in the pathogenic Neisseria

Pathogenic Neisseria species need to obtain iron from the host to grow in vivo. Several iron-transport systems are known, and regulation of Neisseria iron-transport genes occurs via the transcriptional regulator Fur. There is evidence that the ability to transport iron is crucial to the survival of these organisms in vivo.

Binding and surface exposure characteristics of the gonococcal transferrin receptor are dependent on both transferrin-binding proteins

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is capable of iron utilization from human transferrin in a receptor-mediated event. Transferrin-binding protein 1 (Tbp1) and Tbp2 have been implicated in transferrin receptor function, but their specific roles in transferrin binding and transferrin iron utilization have not yet been defined. We utilized specific gonococcal mutants lacking Tbp1 or Tbp2 to assess the relative transferrin-binding properties of each protein independently of the other. The apparent affinities of the wild-type transferrin receptor and of Tbp1 and Tbp2 individually were much higher than previously estimated for the gonococcal receptor and similar to the estimates for the mammalian transferrin receptor. The binding parameters of both of the mutants were distinct from those of the parent, which expressed two transferrin-binding sites. Tbp2 discriminated between ferrated transferrin and apotransferrin, while Tbp1 did not. Results of transferrin-binding affinity purification, and protease accessibility experiments were consistent with the hypothesis that Tbp1 and Tbp2 interact in the wild-type strain, although both proteins were capable of binding to transferrin independently when separated in the mutants. The presence of Tbp1 partially protected Tbp2 from trypsin proteolysis, and Tbp2 also protected Tbp1 from trypsin exposure. Addition of transferrin to wild-type but not mutant cells protected Tbp1 from trypsin but increased the trypsin susceptibility of Tbp2. These observations indicate that Tbp1 and Tbp2 function together in the wild-type strain to evoke binding conformations that are distinct from those expressed by the mutants lacking either protein.

Molecular characterization of FrpB, the 70-kilodalton iron-regulated outer membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis

The structural gene encoding the 70-kDa outer membrane protein FrpB of Neisseria meningitidis was cloned and sequenced. A mutant lacking FrpB was constructed. No difference in iron utilization between the mutant and the parental strain was observed. A minor effect of the mutation on serum resistance was observed. A topology model for FrpB in the outer membrane is proposed.

Characterization of lbpA, the structural gene for a lactoferrin receptor in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae acquires iron (Fe) efficiently from lactoferrin (LF). A 103-kDa gonococcal outer membrane LF-binding protein (Lbp) was identified previously. We isolated the structural gene lbpA for Lbp1 by screening a gonococcal library for a clone that could repair an LF- receptor mutant. An mTnCm3 transposon insertion mutant of lbpA was unable to use LF-bound Fe for growth, unable to bind LF to whole cells, and unable to express Lbp1. The DNA sequence of lbpA predicted a protein that shared 94% identity with the meningococcal LF receptor protein, Lbp, and was closely related to Tbp1, one of the transferrin receptor proteins. Clinical isolates of gonococci are frequently unable to acquire Fe from LF, and LF- isolates do not have a functional LF receptor. The wild-type lbpA gene transformed most tested LF- clinical isolates to LF+, indicating that lbpA is defective in many clinical isolates.

Cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the gene encoding FrpB, a major iron-regulated, outer membrane protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

FrpB (for Fe-regulated protein B) is a 76-kDa outer membrane protein that is part of the iron regulon of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis. The frpB gene from gonococcal strain FA19 was cloned and sequenced. FrpB was homologous to several TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors of Escherichia coli as well as HemR of Yersinia enterocolitica and CopB of Moraxella catarrhalis. An omga insertion into the frpB coding sequence caused a 60% reduction in 55Fe uptake from heme, but careful analysis suggested that this effect was nonspecific. While FrpB was related to the family of TonB-dependent proteins, a function in iron uptake could not be documented.

Identification and characterization of genes encoding the human transferrin-binding proteins from Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae, a strict human pathogen, acquires iron in vivo through the direct binding and removal of iron from human transferrin by an as yet uncharacterized process at the bacterial cell surface. In this study, the tbpA and tbpB genes of H. influenzae, encoding the transferrin-binding proteins Tbp1 and Tbp2, respectively, were cloned and sequenced. Alignments of the H. influenzae Tbp1 and Tbp2 protein sequences with those of related proteins from heterologous species were analyzed. On the basis of similarities between these and previously characterized proteins, Tbp1 appears to be a member of the TonB-dependent family of outer membrane proteins while Tbp2 is lipid modified by signal peptidase II. Isogenic mutants deficient in expression of Tbp1 or Tbp2 or both proteins were prepared by insertion of the Tn903 kanamycin resistance cassette into cloned sequences and reintroduction of the interrupted sequences into the wild-type chromosome. Binding assays with the mutants showed that a significant reduction in transferrin-binding ability resulted from the loss of either of the Tbps and a complete loss of binding was evident when neither protein was expressed. Loss of either Tbp2 or both proteins correlated with an inability to grow on media supplemented with transferrin-bound iron as the sole source of iron, whereas the Tbp1+ Tbp2- mutant was able to grow only at high transferrin concentrations.

Iron piracy: acquisition of transferrin-bound iron by bacterial pathogens

The mechanism of iron utilization from transferrin has been most extensively characterized in the pathogenic Neisseria species and Haemophilus species. Two transferrin-binding proteins, Tbp1 and Tbp2, have been identified in these pathogens and are thought to be components of the transferrin receptor. Tbp1 appears to be an integral, TonB-dependent outer membrane protein while Tbp2, a lipoprotein, may be peripherally associated with the outer membrane. The relative contribution of each of these proteins to transferrin binding and utilization is discussed and a model of iron uptake from transferrin is presented. Sequence comparisons of the genes encoding neisserial transferrin-binding proteins suggest that they are probably under positive selection for variation and may have resulted from inter-species genetic exchange.

Induction of iron regulated proteins during normal growth of Neisseria meningitidis in a chemically defined medium

The expression of iron regulated proteins (IRPs) in vitro has been obtained in the past by adding iron chelators to the culture after bacterial growth, in the presence of an organic iron source. We have investigated aspects concerning full expression of the meningococcal IRPs during normal growth, in defined conditions using Catlin medium, Mueller Hinton and Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB). The expression of IRPs varied between different strains with respect to Ethylenediamine Di-ortho-Hidroxy-phenyl-acetic acid (EDDA) concentrations, and according to culture medium, and also between different lots of TSB. For each strain, a specific set of IRPs were expressed and higher EDDA concentrations, or addition of glucose, or use of different culture media did not resulted in a differential expression of IRPs. We were not able to grow N. meningitidis under normal growth conditions using Desferal. We looked for a good yield of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) expressing IRPs in iron-deficient Catlin medium containing EDDA and Hemin. Culture for 32 h at 30 degrees C after growing for 16 h at 37 degrees C supported good bacterial growth. Bacterial lysis was noted after additional 24 h at 30 degrees C. Approximately 4 times more OMVs was recoverable from a culture supernatant after 24 h at 30 degrees C than from the cells after 16 h at 37 degrees C. The IRP were as well expressed in OMVs from culture supernatant obtained after 24 h at 30 degrees C as from the cells after 16 h at 37 degrees C.

Gonococcal transferrin-binding protein 2 facilitates but is not essential for transferrin utilization

Pathogenic Neisseria species have been shown to scavenge iron from transferrin (Tf), although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Two iron-repressible proteins that exhibit Tf-binding activity have been identified. This work describes the cloning and sequencing of tbpB, a 2.1-kb gene in N. gonorrhoeae that encodes Tbp2, an 85-kDa iron-repressible lipoprotein. Transcriptional interruption of tbpB had a strong polar effect on tbpA, the structural gene for Tbp1 that is located immediately downstream from tbpB. Such tbpB mutants did not express either Tbp2 or Tbp1, did not bind Tf to whole cells, did not grow on Tf plates, and did not take up iron from Tf. A mutant in which most of tbpB was deleted, presumably leaving tbpA under transcriptional control of the tbpB promoter, was constructed. This mutant did not express Tbp2 but expressed wild-type levels of Tbp1 and possessed the phenotype of reduced binding of Tf, decreased iron uptake from Tf, but normal growth on Tf plates. Mutants expressing Tbp2 and not Tbp1 bound less Tf, did not grow on Tf plates, and did not take up iron from Tf. These results suggest that tbpB and tbpA are polycistronic. Tbp2 apparently facilitates binding of Tf but is not essential for acquisition of iron from Tf under these in vitro conditions.

Acquisition of heme iron by Neisseria meningitidis does not involve meningococcal transferrin-binding proteins

Similarities in size between hemin-binding protein 1 (HmBP1) and transferrin-binding protein 1 (TBP1) of Neisseria meningitidis suggest that these proteins are functionally homologous. However, a meningococcal mutant lacking the transferrin-binding proteins retained the capacity to acquire iron from heme and hemoglobin. In immunoblots, hyperimmune polyclonal antiserum against TBP1 did not react with HmBP1.

The ferric iron-binding protein of pathogenic Neisseria spp. functions as a periplasmic transport protein in iron acquisition from human transferrin

The ferric iron-binding protein (Fbp) expressed by pathogenic Neisseria spp. has been proposed to play a central role in the high-affinity acquisition of iron from human transferrin. The results of this investigation provide evidence that Fbp participates in this process as a functional analogue of a Gram-negative periplasmic-binding protein component, which operates as a part of a general active transport process for the receptor-mediated, high-affinity transport of iron from human transferrin. Known properties of Fbp are correlated with those of other well-characterized periplasmic-binding proteins, including structural features and the reversible binding of ligand. Predictive of a periplasmic-binding protein, which functions in the high-affinity acquisition of iron, is that Fbp is a transient participant in the process of iron acquisition from human transferrin. Evidence for this is demonstrated by results of pulse-chase experiments. Taken together, the data described here and elsewhere suggest that pathogenic Neisseria spp. use a periplasmic-binding protein-mediated active transport mechanism for the acquisition of iron from human transferrin.

Cloning and characterization of Neisseria meningitidis genes encoding the transferrin-binding proteins Tbp1 and Tbp2

Genes tbp1 and tbp2, encoding the transferrin-binding proteins Tbp1 and Tbp2, have been isolated from two strains of Neisseria meningitidis. The tbp2 and tbp1 open reading frames are tandemly arranged in the genome with an 87-bp intergenic region, and the DNA region upstream from the tbp2-coding sequence contains domains homologous to Escherichia coli promoter consensus motives. Nucleotide sequence analysis suggests the existence of a Tbp1 precursor carrying an N-terminal signal peptide with a peptidase I cleavage site and of a Tbp2 precursor with N-terminal homology to lipoproteins, including a peptidase II cleavage site. Comparison of the Tbp1 deduced amino acid (aa) sequences from both strains showed about 76% aa homology, while those of Tbp2 revealed only about 47% aa homology. These comparisons should be extended to other Neisseria strains in order to evaluate further this genetic divergence further.

Identification of two major families of transferrin receptors among Neisseria meningitidis strains based on antigenic and genomic features

The transferrin receptor or transferrin-binding proteins (Tbps) of 50 strains of Neisseria meningitidis belonging to different serogroups were examined by Western blotting using two rabbit antisera raised against Tbp purified from N. meningitidis strains B16B6 and M982. On the basis of the reactivity of Tbp2 with the antisera two patterns were observed and allowed the classification of 74% of the strains in group I (M982-like strains) and 26% in group II (B16B6-like strains). Southern blot analysis was performed on the genomic DNA of 16 meningococcal strains and showed that under stringent conditions, the tbp2 probes were specific for each group identified. Both immunological and genomic analyses have led to the identification within N. meningitidis strains of two major families distinguished on the basis of the characteristics of Tbp2 molecules, independently of serogroup, type or subtype.

Preparation and analysis of isogenic mutants in the transferrin receptor protein genes, tbpA and tbpB, from Neisseria meningitidis

Isogenic mutants were constructed in the tbpA and tbpB genes from Neisseria meningitidis strain B16B6, which code for the transferrin receptor proteins, Tbp1 and Tbp2. Insertion mutants of the tbpA and tbpB genes were obtained by shuttle mutagenesis and by in vitro cassette mutagenesis, respectively. The isogenic mutants were verified by Southern blot and Western blot analysis. Isogenic mutants deficient in Tbp1 or Tbp2 demonstrated a reduced transferrin binding activity in intact cells and total membranes but were incapable of utilizing transferrin iron for growth. Tbp1 could be isolated by affinity methods from the mutant lacking Tbp2 but isolation of Tbp2 from the mutant lacking Tbp1 required the presence of exogenous Tbp1.

Cloning and expression of a transferrin-binding protein from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

An expression library was constructed from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 7. Escherichia coli transformants expressing recombinant proteins were identified by immunoscreening with porcine convalescent serum. One transformant expressing a 60-kDa protein (60K protein) in aggregated form was identified. Serum raised against the recombinant protein recognized a polypeptide with an indistinguishable electrophoretic mobility in the A. pleuropneumoniae wild type after iron-restricted growth only. The recombinant protein bound transferrin after blotting onto nitrocellulose. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the specificity of this binding for the amino-terminal half of iron-saturated porcine transferrin was established. Also, the 60K wild-type protein bound hemin as assessed by hemin-agarose chromatography. Hemin could inhibit transferrin binding of the recombinant protein in the competitive ELISA, whereas hemoglobin and synthetic iron chelators failed to do so. Southern blot analysis of several other A. pleuropneumoniae strains indicated that highly homologous sequence is present in eight of eight isolates of serotype 7 and in some isolates of serotypes 2, 3, and 4.

Identification and cloning of a fur regulatory gene in Yersinia pestis

Yersinia pestis is one of many microorganisms responding to environmental iron concentrations by regulating the synthesis of proteins and an iron transport system(s). In a number of bacteria, expression of iron uptake systems and other virulence determinants is controlled by the Fur regulatory protein. DNA hybridization analysis revealed that both pigmented and nonpigmented cells of Y. pestis possess a DNA locus homologous to the Escherichia coli fur gene. Introduction of a Fur-regulated beta-galactosidase reporter gene into Y. pestis KIM resulted in iron-responsive beta-galactosidase activity, indicating that Y. pestis KIM expresses a functional Fur regulatory protein. A cloned 1.9-kb ClaI fragment of Y. pestis chromosomal DNA hybridized specifically to the fur gene of E. coli. The coding region of the E. coli fur gene hybridized to a 1.1-kb region at one end of the cloned Y. pestis fragment. The failure of this clone to complement an E. coli fur mutant suggests that the 1.9-kb clone does not contain a functional promoter. Subcloning of this fragment into an inducible expression vector restored Fur regulation in an E. coli fur mutant. In addition, a larger 4.8-kb Y. pestis clone containing the putative promoter region complemented the Fur- phenotype. These results suggest that Y. pestis possesses a functional Fur regulatory protein capable of interacting with the E. coli Fur system. In Y. pestis Fur may regulate the expression of iron transport systems and other virulence factors in response to iron limitation in the environment. Possible candidates for Fur regulation in Y. pestis include genes involved in ferric iron transport as well as hemin, heme/hemopexin, heme/albumin, ferritin, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin/haptoglobin utilization.

Expression of Neisseria meningitidis iron-regulated outer membrane proteins, including a 70-kilodalton transferrin receptor, and their potential for use as vaccines

The iron-regulated proteins (IRPs) of five group B meningococcal strains expressing class 2 outer membrane proteins were compared with those of five strains expressing class 3 proteins. Three to four high-molecular-weight IRPs were expressed by each strain, but their molecular sizes varied between strains and were not related to class 2 or 3 protein expression. Transferrin and hemoglobin could be used as a sole iron source. By using anti-human transferrin antibodies, it was shown that meningococcal cells and purified outer membranes bound transferrin. Growth under conditions of iron limitation caused a several-fold increase in the amount of transferrin bound to the cell surface. The transferrin-binding protein was detergent solubilized from outer membranes and partially purified. The isolated protein bound human transferrin and had an apparent molecular mass of 70 kilodaltons. To evaluate the potential of vaccines containing IRPs, we prepared outer membrane vaccines from strains M986-NCV-1 (M986) (--:2a: P1.2) and 44/76-M25 (44/76) (--:15:P1.15) grown to fully express their IRPs. Both vaccines induced significant anti-IRP antibodies as measured by enzyme immunoassay and by Western immunoblot with both M986 and 44/76 outer membranes. By Western blot analysis, the M986 vaccine induced antibodies to two different IRPs, one of which was shared with 44/76. Since the IRPs are major in vivo-expressed outer membrane proteins and are required for survival in vivo, these proteins should be evaluated for their usefulness in a group B meningococcal vaccine.

Monoclonal antibodies against the 70-kilodalton iron-regulated protein of Neisseria meningitidis are bactericidal and strain specific

When grown under iron limitation, Neisseria meningitidis expresses a number of outer membrane proteins (OMPs), one of which is a 70-kilodalton (kDa) major OMP. After immunization of mice with outer membrane preparations of iron-depleted cells of strain H44/76 (B:15:P1.7,16), hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies against the 70-kDa OMP were obtained. Some of these monoclonal antibodies demonstrated strong bactericidal activity against the homologous strain H44/76 in the presence of human complement, suggesting potential application of the 70-kDa OMP as a vaccine component. However, none of the 10 selected monoclonal antibodies was able to recognize the corresponding protein from five heterologous strains of various serosubtyping characteristics. A polyclonal anti-70-kDa OMP serum also did not react with the other strains. This result shows that immunodominant surface-exposed epitopes of the meningococcal 70-kDa iron-limitation-inducible OMP are strain specific.

Genetic evidence that Neisseria gonorrhoeae produces specific receptors for transferrin and lactoferrin

Transferrin (TF) and lactoferrin (LF) are probably the major sources of iron (Fe) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in vivo. We isolated mutants of N. gonorrhoeae FA19 that were unable to grow with Fe bound to either TF (TF-) or LF (LF-) or to both TF and LF ([TF LF]-). The amount of Fe internalized by each of the mutants was reduced to background levels from the relevant iron source(s). The wild-type parent strain exhibited saturable specific binding of TF and LF; receptor activity was induced by Fe starvation. The TF(-)-specific or LF(-)-specific mutants were almost completely lacking in receptor activity for TF or LF, respectively, whereas the [TF LF]- mutants bound both TF and LF as well as the wild-type strain. All mutants utilized citrate and heme normally as Fe sources. These results demonstrate that ability to bind TF or LF is essential for gonococci to scavenge appreciable amounts of Fe from these sources in vitro. In addition, the TF and LF Fe acquisition pathways are linked by the mutual use of a nonreceptor gene product that is essential to Fe scavenging from both of these sources; this gene product is not required for Fe acquisition from other sources.

Citrate as a siderophore in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Under iron-limiting conditions, many bacteria secrete ferric iron-specific ligands, generically termed siderophores, to aid in the sequestering and transport of iron. One strain of the nitrogen-fixing soybean symbiont Bradyrhizobium japonicum, 61A152, was shown to produce a siderophore when 20 B. japonicum strains were screened with all six chemical assays commonly used to detect such production. Production by strain 61A152 was detected via the chrome azurol S assay, a general test for siderophores which is independent of siderophore structure. The iron-chelating compound was neither a catechol nor a hydroxamate and was ninhydrin negative. It was determined to be citric acid via a combination of thin-layer chromatography and high-voltage paper electrophoresis; this identification was verified by a specific enzymatic assay for citric acid. The inverse correlation which was observed between citric acid release and the iron content of the medium suggested that ferric citrate could serve as an iron source. This was confirmed via growth and transport assays. Exogenously added ferric citrate could be used to overcome iron starvation, and iron-deficient cells actively transported radiolabeled ferric citrate. These results, taken together, indicate a role for ferric citrate in the iron nutrition of this strain, which has been shown to be an efficient nitrogen-fixing strain on a variety of soybean cultivars.

Responses of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae to iron restriction: changes in the outer membrane protein profile and the removal of iron from porcine transferrin

Outer membranes from Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae grown under iron-replete and iron-restricted conditions in vitro were analysed by means of SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Iron restriction resulted in the appearance of two or more novel polypeptides in the molecular size range of 96-102 kD and an increased amount of a 79 kD polypeptide. These polypeptides were recognized by porcine immune sera indicating their production by H. pleuropneumoniae during growth in vivo. Although soluble siderophore production could not be detected, growth of the organisms on an iron-restricted medium was enhanced by the presence of porcine transferrin but not by bovine or human transferrin. The results suggest that H. pleuropneumoniae possesses a specific transferrin receptor, perhaps in the form of an iron-regulated outer membrane protein.