Identification of the O-linked sialyloligosaccharides of glycophorin A as the erythrocyte receptors for S-fimbriated Escherichia coli

The essential malaria protein PfCyRPA targets glycans to invade erythrocytes

Plasmodium falciparum is a human-adapted apicomplexan parasite that causes the most dangerous form of malaria. P. falciparum cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) is an invasion complex protein essential for erythrocyte invasion. The precise role of PfCyRPA in this process has not been resolved. Here, we show that PfCyRPA is a lectin targeting glycans terminating with α2-6-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). PfCyRPA has a >50-fold binding preference for human, α2-6-linked Neu5Ac over non-human, α2-6-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid. PfCyRPA lectin sites were predicted by molecular modeling and validated by mutagenesis studies. Transgenic parasite lines expressing endogenous PfCyRPA with single amino acid exchange mutants indicated that the lectin activity of PfCyRPA has an important role in parasite invasion. Blocking PfCyRPA lectin activity with small molecules or with lectin-site-specific monoclonal antibodies can inhibit blood-stage parasite multiplication. Therefore, targeting PfCyRPA lectin activity with drugs, immunotherapy, or a vaccine-primed immune response is a promising strategy to prevent and treat malaria.

Dietary Fiber to Starch Ratio Affects Bovine Milk Oligosaccharide Profiles

Background

Bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMOs) have several demonstrated and hypothesized benefits including roles in cognitive development and antipathogenic activities, making them promising ingredients for infant formulas and nutraceutical applications. BMO extraction from bovine milk is challenged by low concentrations relative to nonbioactive simple sugars like lactose. BMO abundances are known to vary with a cow's lactation stage, breed, and parity, but these characteristics are difficult to modify in existing dairy herds. In contrast, diet modification is an accessible target, and is already known to influence milk yield, lipid content, protein levels, and monosaccharide compositions.

Objectives

To determine the impact of a low starch high fiber versus a high starch low fiber diet on overall BMO profiles and individual BMO abundances in Holstein dairy cattle.

Methods

Milk samples were collected from 59 midlactation Holsteins in a crossover study featuring dietary modification with either a low starch high fiber or high starch low fiber feed. BMO profiles were evaluated by nano-LC quadrupole time-of-flight tandem MS, and differences in BMO abundances between diets were evaluated using linear mixed effects modeling.

Results

A total of 19 BMOs were identified across the sample set, including 4 large fucosylated compounds. Seven BMOs were found to have significantly more positive percent changes in yield-adjusted abundance from the pre-experiment baseline period for milk samples collected during feeding with the low starch high fiber diet compared with the high starch low fiber diet.

Conclusions

Consuming the low starch high fiber diet promoted greater overall BMO production than the high starch low fiber diet in a population of midlactation Holsteins. Additionally, this study afforded the opportunity to investigate the impact of other factors potentially influencing BMO abundances, furthering understanding of how dairy herd management practices can positively impact milk composition and support the potential use of BMOs as functional ingredients.

A one-year study of human milk oligosaccharide profiles in the milk of healthy UK mothers and their relationship to maternal FUT2 genotype

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are indigestible carbohydrates with prebiotic, pathogen decoy and immunomodulatory activities that are theorized to substantially impact infant health. The objective of this study was to monitor HMO concentrations over 1 year to develop a long-term longitudinal dataset. HMO concentrations in the breast milk of healthy lactating mothers of the Cambridge Baby Growth and Breastfeeding Study (CBGS-BF) were measured at birth, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postpartum. HMO quantification was conducted by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection using a newly validated "dilute-and-shoot" method. This technique minimizes sample losses and expedites throughput, making it particularly suitable for the analysis of large sample sets. Varying patterns of individual HMO concentrations were observed with changes in lactation timepoint and maternal secretor status, with the most prominent temporal changes occurring during the first 3 months. These data provide valuable information for the development of human milk banks in view of targeted distribution of donor milk based on infant age. Maternal FUT2 genotype was determined based on identification at single-nucleotide polymorphism rs516246 and compared with the genotype expected based on phenotypic markers in the HMO profile. Surprisingly, two mothers genotyped as secretors produced milk that displayed very low levels of 2'-fucosylated moieties. This unexpected discrepancy between genotype and phenotype suggests that differential enzyme expression may cause substantial variation in HMO profiles between genotypically similar mothers, and current genotypic methods of secretor status determination may require validation with HMO markers from milk analysis.

Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli

Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) present a major clinical problem that has emerged in the past years. Most of the infections are hospital or community-acquired and involve patients with a compromised immune system. The infective agents belong to a large number of strains of different serotypes that do not cross react. The seriousness of the infection is due to the fact that most of the infecting bacteria are highly antibiotic resistant. Here, we discuss the bacterial factors responsible for pathogenesis and potential means to combat the infections.

Bacterial virulence phenotypes of Escherichia coli and host susceptibility determine risk for urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains. In contrast to many enteric E. coli pathogroups, no genetic signature has been identified for UPEC strains. We conducted a high-resolution comparative genomic study using E. coli isolates collected from the urine of women suffering from frequent recurrent UTIs. These isolates were genetically diverse and varied in their urovirulence, that is, their ability to infect the bladder in a mouse model of cystitis. We found no set of genes, including previously defined putative urovirulence factors (PUFs), that were predictive of urovirulence. In addition, in some patients, the E. coli strain causing a recurrent UTI had fewer PUFs than the supplanted strain. In competitive experimental infections in mice, the supplanting strain was more efficient at colonizing the mouse bladder than the supplanted strain. Despite the lack of a clear genomic signature for urovirulence, comparative transcriptomic and phenotypic analyses revealed that the expression of key conserved functions during culture, such as motility and metabolism, could be used to predict subsequent colonization of the mouse bladder. Together, our findings suggest that UTI risk and outcome may be determined by complex interactions between host susceptibility and the urovirulence potential of diverse bacterial strains.

Adhesive Pili in UTI Pathogenesis and Drug Development

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, affecting 150 million people each year worldwide. High recurrence rates and increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens are making it imperative to develop alternative strategies for the treatment and prevention of this common infection. In this Review, we discuss how understanding the: (i) molecular and biophysical basis of host-pathogen interactions; (ii) consequences of the molecular cross-talk at the host pathogen interface in terms of disease progression; and (iii) pathophysiology of UTIs is leading to efforts to translate this knowledge into novel therapeutics to treat and prevent these infections.

Structural and Functional Analysis of Murine Polyomavirus Capsid Proteins Establish the Determinants of Ligand Recognition and Pathogenicity

Murine polyomavirus (MuPyV) causes tumors of various origins in newborn mice and hamsters. Infection is initiated by attachment of the virus to ganglioside receptors at the cell surface. Single amino acid exchanges in the receptor-binding pocket of the major capsid protein VP1 are known to drastically alter tumorigenicity and spread in closely related MuPyV strains. The virus represents a rare example of differential receptor recognition directly influencing viral pathogenicity, although the factors underlying these differences remain unclear. We performed structural and functional analyses of three MuPyV strains with strikingly different pathogenicities: the low-tumorigenicity strain RA, the high-pathogenicity strain PTA, and the rapidly growing, lethal laboratory isolate strain LID. Using ganglioside deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts, we show that addition of specific gangliosides restores infectability for all strains, and we uncover a complex relationship between virus attachment and infection. We identify a new infectious ganglioside receptor that carries an additional linear [α-2,8]-linked sialic acid. Crystal structures of all three strains complexed with representative oligosaccharides from the three main pathways of ganglioside biosynthesis provide the molecular basis of receptor recognition. All strains bind to a range of sialylated glycans featuring the central [α-2,3]-linked sialic acid present in the established receptors GD1a and GT1b, but the presence of additional sialic acids modulates binding. An extra [α-2,8]-linked sialic acid engages a protein pocket that is conserved among the three strains, while another, [α-2,6]-linked branching sialic acid lies near the strain-defining amino acids but can be accommodated by all strains. By comparing electron density of the oligosaccharides within the binding pockets at various concentrations, we show that the [α-2,8]-linked sialic acid increases the strength of binding. Moreover, the amino acid exchanges have subtle effects on their affinity for the validated receptor GD1a. Our results indicate that both receptor specificity and affinity influence MuPyV pathogenesis.

Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens, and all of them share one crucial step in their life cycle—the attachment to their host cell via cellular receptors, which are usually proteins or carbohydrates. This step is decisive for the selection of target cells and virus entry. In this study, we investigated murine polyomavirus (MuPyV), which attaches to host gangliosides with its major capsid protein, VP1. We have solved the crystal structures of VP1 in complex with previously known interaction partners as well as with the ganglioside GT1a, which we have identified as a novel functional receptor for MuPyV. Earlier studies have shown that different strains with singular amino acid exchanges in the receptor binding pocket of VP1 display altered pathogenicity and viral spread. Our investigations show that, while these exchanges do not abolish binding or significantly alter interaction modes to our investigated carbohydrates, they have subtle effects on glycan affinity. The combination of receptor specificity, abundance, and affinity reveals a much more intricate regulation of pathogenicity than previously believed. Our results exemplify how delicate changes to the receptor binding pocket of MuPyV VP1 are able to drastically alter virus behavior. This system provides a unique example to study how the first step in the life cycle of a virus can dictate its biological properties.

Fimbriae: Classification and Biochemistry

Proteinaceous, nonflagellar surface appendages constitute a variety of structures, including those known variably as fimbriae or pili. Constructed by distinct assembly pathways resulting in diverse morphologies, fimbriae have been described to mediate functions including adhesion, motility, and DNA transfer. As these structures can represent major diversifying elements among Escherichia and Salmonella isolates, multiple fimbrial classification schemes have been proposed and a number of mechanistic insights into fimbrial assembly and function have been made. Herein we describe the classifications and biochemistry of fimbriae assembled by the chaperone/usher, curli, and type IV pathways.

Virulence factors of uropathogenic E. coli and their interaction with the host

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) belong to the most common infectious diseases worldwide. The most frequently isolated pathogen from uncomplicated UTIs is Escherichia coli. To establish infection in the urinary tract, E. coli has to overcome several defence strategies of the host, including the urine flow, exfoliation of urothelial cells, endogenous antimicrobial factors and invading neutrophils. Thus, uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) harbour a number of virulence and fitness factors enabling the bacterium to resist and overcome these different defence mechanisms. There is no particular factor which allows the identification of UPEC among the commensal faecal flora apart from the ability to enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. Many of potential virulence or fitness factors occur moreover with high redundancy. Fimbriae are inevitable for adherence to and invasion into the host cells; the type 1 pilus is an established virulence factor in UPEC and indispensable for successful infection of the urinary tract. Flagella and toxins promote bacterial dissemination, while different iron-acquisition systems allow bacterial survival in the iron-limited environment of the urinary tract. The immune response to UPEC is primarily mediated by toll-like receptors recognising lipopolysaccharide, flagella and other structures on the bacterial surface. UPEC have the capacity to subvert this immune response of the host by means of actively impacting on pro-inflammatory signalling pathways, or by physical masking of immunogenic structures. The large repertoire of bacterial virulence and fitness factors in combination with host-related differences results in a complex interaction between host and pathogen in the urinary tract.

Regioselective chemoenzymatic synthesis of ganglioside disialyl tetrasaccharide epitopes

A novel chemoenzymatic approach for the synthesis of disialyl tetrasaccharide epitopes found as the terminal oligosaccharides of GD1α, GT1aα, and GQ1bα is described. It relies on chemical manipulation of enzymatically generated trisaccharides as conformationally constrained acceptors for regioselective enzymatic α2-6-sialylation. This strategy provides a new route for easy access to disialyl tetrasaccharide epitopes and their derivatives.

Chaperone-usher fimbriae of Escherichia coli

Chaperone-usher (CU) fimbriae are adhesive surface organelles common to many Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli genomes contain a large variety of characterised and putative CU fimbrial operons, however, the classification and annotation of individual loci remains problematic. Here we describe a classification model based on usher phylogeny and genomic locus position to categorise the CU fimbrial types of E. coli. Using the BLASTp algorithm, an iterative usher protein search was performed to identify CU fimbrial operons from 35 E. coli (and one Escherichia fergusonnii) genomes representing different pathogenic and phylogenic lineages, as well as 132 Escherichia spp. plasmids. A total of 458 CU fimbrial operons were identified, which represent 38 distinct fimbrial types based on genomic locus position and usher phylogeny. The majority of fimbrial operon types occupied a specific locus position on the E. coli chromosome; exceptions were associated with mobile genetic elements. A group of core-associated E. coli CU fimbriae were defined and include the Type 1, Yad, Yeh, Yfc, Mat, F9 and Ybg fimbriae. These genes were present as intact or disrupted operons at the same genetic locus in almost all genomes examined. Evaluation of the distribution and prevalence of CU fimbrial types among different pathogenic and phylogenic groups provides an overview of group specific fimbrial profiles and insight into the ancestry and evolution of CU fimbriae in E. coli.

Fimbrial adhesins from extraintestinal Escherichia coli

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) represent an important subclass of E. coli that cause a wide spectrum of diseases in human and animal hosts. Fimbriae are key virulence factors of ExPEC strains. These long surface located rod-shaped organelles mediate receptor-specific attachment to host tissue surfaces (tissue tropism). Some ExPEC fimbriae have additional functions such as the promotion of biofilm formation, cell aggregation and adherence to abiotic surfaces. Here we review the structure, function and contribution to virulence of fimbriae associated with ExPEC strains.

The SfaXII protein from newborn meningitis E. coli is involved in regulation of motility and type 1 fimbriae expression

The genomes of pathogenic Escherichia coli may contain several different fimbrial operons. How bacteria regulate and coordinate the choice of fimbrial expression under different circumstances remains largely unanswered. In this report we have investigated the role of the sfaX(II) gene associated to the Sfa(II) fimbrial determinant in the E. coli isolate IHE3034. sfaX(II) belongs to a subfamily of genes, the 17k Da genes, located near different fimbrial operons in uropathogenic and newborn meningitis E. coli (NMEC) strains. Using the NMEC isolate IHE3034 and non-pathogenic E. coli strains we found that the sfaX(II) gene had an inhibitory effect on type 1 fimbriae expression. Down-regulation of type 1 fimbriae was exerted at transcriptional level both by inhibiting expression from the fimA promoter and by reducing the frequency of OFF-to-ON switching. The effect of sfaX(II) on expression of the recombinase FimB that catalyzes OFF-to-ON switching might explain the described reduction in percentage of ON cells. Moreover, expression of the sfaX(II) gene strongly influenced motility and flagella production of the NMEC isolate IHE3034. We propose that the sfaX(II) gene, and presumably other members in the 17 kDa gene family, may play a role in the control of virulence related gene expression in pathogenic E. coli.

Hsa, an adhesin of Streptococcus gordonii DL1, binds to alpha2-3-linked sialic acid on glycophorin A of the erythrocyte membrane

Bacterial recognition of host sialic acid-containing receptors plays an important role in microbial colonization of the human oral cavity. The aggregation of human platelets by Streptococcus gordonii DL1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. In addition, we consider that hemagglutination of this organism may act as an additive factor to increase the severity of this disease. We previously reported that this interaction requires the bacterial expression of a 203-kDa protein (Hsa), which has sialic acid-binding activity. In the present study, we confirmed that erythrocyte surface sialoglycoproteins are the receptors for Hsa. We examined the effects of proteinase K, chymotrypsin, phospholipase C, and alpha(2-3) or alpha(2-3, 6, 8) neuraminidase on hemagglutination activity and found that the interaction occurs between Hsa and alpha2-3-linked sialic acid-containing proteins of erythrocytes. We expressed recombinant NR2, which is the putative binding domain of Hsa, fused with GST in Escherichia coli BL21. Dot-blot analysis demonstrated that GST-HsaNR2 binds both glycophorin A (GPA) and band 3. Moreover, GPA and a small amount of band 3 were detected by GST pull-down assays. These findings indicate that S. gordonii Hsa specifically binds to GPA and band 3, alpha2-3-linked sialic acid membrane glycoproteins.

Adherence, anti-adherence, and oligosaccharides preventing pathogens from sticking to the host

For many pathogenic bacteria, infections are initiated only after the organism has first adhered to the host cell surface. If adherence can be inhibited, then the subsequent infection can also be inhibited. This approach forms the basis of anti-adherence strategies, which have been devised to prevent a variety of bacterial infections. In this chapter, the molecular basis by which respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal tract pathogens adhere to host cells will be described. The five general types of anti-adherence agents will also be reviewed. The most well-studied are the receptor analogs, which include oligosaccharides produced synthetically or derived from natural sources, including milk, berries, and other plants. Their ability to inhibit pathogen adherence may lead to development of novel, food-grade anti-infective agents that are inexpensive and safe.

Evolution of the chaperone/usher assembly pathway: fimbrial classification goes Greek

Many Proteobacteria use the chaperone/usher pathway to assemble proteinaceous filaments on the bacterial surface. These filaments can curl into fimbrial or nonfimbrial surface structures (e.g., a capsule or spore coat). This article reviews the phylogeny of operons belonging to the chaperone/usher assembly class to explore the utility of establishing a scheme for subdividing them into clades of phylogenetically related gene clusters. Based on usher amino acid sequence comparisons, our analysis shows that the chaperone/usher assembly class is subdivided into six major phylogenetic clades, which we have termed alpha-, beta-, gamma-, kappa-, pi-, and sigma-fimbriae. Members of each clade share related operon structures and encode fimbrial subunits with similar protein domains. The proposed classification system offers a simple and convenient method for assigning newly discovered chaperone/usher systems to one of the six major phylogenetic groups.

Structural and biological properties of the carbohydrate units of nervous tissue glycoproteins

We have identified structures in nervous tissue glycoproteins that are novel for glycoproteins in general or enriched in nervous tissue or cells of neural origin. These include: (alpha 2-8)-linked polysialic acid units, the linear form of poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycans, the sialylated X antigen determinant NeuAc(alpha 2-3)-Gal(beta 1-4) [Fuc(alpha 1-3)]GlcNAc, a series of Man-O-Ser(Thr)-linked glycans, and the O-glycosidically linked disaccharide unit Gal(alpha 1-3)GalNAc. The polysialic and poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycans are also developmentally regulated. The polysialic acid units in the cell adhesion molecule N-CAM. The poly-N-acetyllactosamine units occur in the adhesion molecule NILE (which is immunologically similar to Ng-CAM and L1) and in some other components revealed by a cell surface-labelling method specific for these glycans. The mannose-linked glycans occur in a chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan involved in neuron-glia interactions. Other biological interactions of the carbohydrates include their serving as bacterial receptors in meningitis, their serving as models for molecular mimicry by the capsules of meningitis-causing bacteria, and the role of some structures as antigens in autoimmune conditions. At the molecular level, two types of mechanisms are suggested for the glycans in molecular interactions: they may function either as mediators of interactions by serving as specific recognition ligands, or as modulators of the interactions determined by polypeptides or other molecules.

Role of P-fimbrial-mediated adherence in pyelonephritis and persistence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in the mammalian kidney

P fimbria, a mannose-resistant adhesin of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), has been shown to be associated with acute pyelonephritis. The pap gene cluster encodes the proteins required for P-fimbrial biogenesis, including papG, which encodes the tip adhesin. The three most studied PapG molecular variants, which are shown to bind distinct isoreceptors, are PapGI, -II, and -III. PapGII preferentially binds globoside, or GbO4, a glycolipid isoreceptor of the human kidney. Studies using different animal models of ascending urinary tract infection (UTI) have demonstrated a variable role for P fimbriae, and specifically PapGII-mediated adherence, in renal colonization. The disparities in the results obtained from those studies are likely to be attributed to the differences in animal models and UPEC strains utilized. One explanation that is discussed in detail is the contribution of multiple fimbriae of UPEC that potentially mediate adherence to the mammalian kidney. Overall, P fimbriae appear to play some role in mediating adherence to uroepithelial cells in vivo and establishing an inflammatory response during renal colonization, thus contributing to kidney damage during acute pyelonephritis. To verify that P fimbriae contribute to the pathogenesis of UPEC during ascending UTI (and in particular acute pyelonephritis), future studies should be conducted to satisfy fully all three tenets of the molecular Koch's postulates, including complementation of a mutated allele.

SabA is the H. pylori hemagglutinin and is polymorphic in binding to sialylated glycans

Adherence of Helicobacter pylori to inflamed gastric mucosa is dependent on the sialic acid–binding adhesin (SabA) and cognate sialylated/fucosylated glycans on the host cell surface. By in situ hybridization, H. pylori bacteria were observed in close association with erythrocytes in capillaries and post-capillary venules of the lamina propria of gastric mucosa in both infected humans and Rhesus monkeys. In vivo adherence of H. pylori to erythrocytes may require molecular mechanisms similar to the sialic acid–dependent in vitro agglutination of erythrocytes (i.e., sialic acid–dependent hemagglutination). In this context, the SabA adhesin was identified as the sialic acid–dependent hemagglutinin based on sialidase-sensitive hemagglutination, binding assays with sialylated glycoconjugates, and analysis of a series of isogenic sabA deletion mutants. The topographic presentation of binding sites for SabA on the erythrocyte membrane was mapped to gangliosides with extended core chains. However, receptor mapping revealed that the NeuAcα2–3Gal-disaccharide constitutes the minimal sialylated binding epitope required for SabA binding. Furthermore, clinical isolates demonstrated polymorphism in sialyl binding and complementation analysis of sabA mutants demonstrated that polymorphism in sialyl binding is an inherent property of the SabA protein itself. Gastric inflammation is associated with periodic changes in the composition of mucosal sialylation patterns. We suggest that dynamic adaptation in sialyl-binding properties during persistent infection specializes H. pylori both for individual variation in mucosal glycosylation and tropism for local areas of inflamed and/or dysplastic tissue.

Helicobacter pylori infections are very common worldwide and cause chronic inflammation in the stomach (gastritis), which may progress to peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer. In the gastric epithelium, H. pylori infections induce expression of inflammation-associated “sialylated” carbohydrates. The ability to bind to the glycosylated epithelial cells is considered to be essential for H. pylori to cause persistent infection and disease. Here the authors show that during established infection, H. pylori also binds to red blood cells in gastric mucosal blood vessels in both infected humans and Rhesus monkeys. The authors found that “sialic acid–binding adhesin” (SabA), is the bacterial surface protein that mediates binding of H. pylori to red blood cells. Furthermore, they show that clinical H. pylori isolates demonstrate “polymorphism” in their abilities to bind various sialylated carbohydrates, and that the variation in binding properties depends on the sialic acid–binding adhesin protein itself. This variability may adapt the binding properties of H. pylori both to individual hosts and the changing epithelial glycosylation patterns during chronic inflammation. Continuous adaptation to inflamed tissue during persistent infections is probably a general feature of microbial pathogens, although their binding properties have not yet been explored in detail.

The major subunit, CfaB, of colonization factor antigen i from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is a glycosphingolipid binding protein

Bacterial adherence to mucosal surfaces is an important virulence trait of pathogenic bacteria. Adhesion of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to the intestine is mediated by a number of antigenically distinct colonization factors (CFs). One of the most common CFs is CFA/I. This has a fimbrial structure composed of a major repeating subunit, CfaB, and a single tip subunit, CfaE. The potential carbohydrate recognition by CFA/I was investigated by binding CFA/I-fimbriated bacteria and purified CFA/I fimbriae to a large number of variant glycosphingolipids separated on thin-layer chromatograms. For both fimbriated bacteria and purified fimbriae, specific interactions could be identified with a number of nonacid glycosphingolipids. These included glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide with phytosphingosine and/or hydroxy fatty acids, neolactotetraosylceramide, gangliotriaosylceramide, gangliotetraosylceramide, the H5 type 2 pentaglycosylceramide, the Lea-5 glycosphingolipid, the Lex-5 glycosphingolipid, and the Ley-6 glycosphingolipid. These glycosphingolipids were also recognized by recombinant E. coli expressing CFA/I in the absence of tip protein CfaE, as well as by purified fimbriae from the same strain. This demonstrates that the glycosphingolipid-binding capacity of CFA/I resides in the major CfaB subunit.

Sticky fibers and uropathogenesis: bacterial adhesins in the urinary tract

Adhesins mediate the introduction of bacteria to the host in the sometimes life-long relationship of uropathogenic Esherichia coli (UPEC) and the human urinary tract. As a class of extracellular proteins, adhesins enable bacteria to adhere to and, in some cases, invade host tissue; adhesins render UPEC virulent and permit host colonization. Adhesin receptor interactions at the host interface determine tissue tropism and disease progression in that niche, with each adhesin preferring unique sites within the urinary tract. This review focuses on known adhesins implicated in uropathogenesis, the structural basis of tissue tropism, postinvasion intracellular replication, current therapeutic design strategies, and newly discovered fimbrial gene clusters that may play a role in urinary tract infections.

Characterization of a sialidase (neuraminidase) isolated fromClostridium chauvoei (Jakari strain)

A sialidase from Clostridium chauvoei (Jakari strain), an indigenous bacterial strain that causes blackleg in Nigerian cattle and other ruminants was isolated and partially purified by chromatography on DEAE cellulose, hydroxyapatite and phenyl agarose columns. The enzyme migrated as a 65-kDa protein after electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels. It was optimally active at pH 4.5 and 40 degrees C with an activation energy (Ea) of 13.40 kJ mol(-1). It had Km and Vmax values of 170 microM and 200 micromole h(-1) mg(-1) respectively with fetuin as substrate. When sialyllactose (Neu5Ac2,3 lactose) was used as substrate the Km and Vmax values were 8 microM and 5 micromoles min(-1) mg(-1) respectively. The Clostridium chauvoei sialidase cleaved sialic acids from RBC ghosts of sheep, horse, goat, cattle, pig and mice as well as mouse brain cells, albeit at different rates. The enzyme was activated by Ca2+ and Mg2+ and inhibited by the group-specific reagents diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP) and N-ethylmalemide (NEM). The sialidase inhibitors, 2,3 didehydroneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2,3en) and paranitrophenyl oxamic acid (pNPO) inhibited the enzyme competitively with Ki values of 40 and 30 microM respectively.

Glycopeptide derived from hen egg ovomucin has the ability to bind enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Ovomucin glycopeptide (OGP) was prepared by size exclusion chromatography after Pronase digestion of hen egg ovomucin, and the binding of OGP to foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus,Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus) was investigaed. Binding assays with biotinylated bacteria as probes in microtiter plates showed that OGP bound to only E. coli O157:H7 among these foodborne pathogens. Periodate treatment markedly reduced the binding ability, indicating that E. coli O157:H7 bound to carbohydrate moieties of OGP. Lectin blot analysis with Maackia amurensis (MAA) and Sambucus nigra (SNA), which are specific for oligosaccharides containing sialic acid, revealed their binding sites in OGP were similar to the E. coli O157:H7 binding sites that were probed with biotinylated E. coli O157:H7 after Western blotting of OGP. Sialydase treatment of OGP abolished its ability to bind E. coli O157:H7, demonstrating that sialic acid played an important role in the binding. These results suggest that OGP has E. coli O157:H7-specific binding sites that consist of sialic acid. On the basis of these properties, OGP has the potential to be an ingredient with a protective effect against E. coli O157:H7 infection and to be a novel probe for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in the food hygiene field.

Identification of target tissue glycosphingolipid receptors for uropathogenic, F1C-fimbriated Escherichia coli and its role in mucosal inflammation

Bacterial adherence to mucosal cells is a key virulence trait of pathogenic bacteria. The type 1 fimbriae and the P-fimbriae of Escherichia coli have both been described to be important for the establishment of urinary tract infections. While P-fimbriae recognize kidney glycosphingolipids carrying the Galalpha4Gal determinant, type 1 fimbriae bind to the urothelial mannosylated glycoproteins uroplakin Ia and Ib. The F1C fimbriae are one additional type of fimbria correlated with uropathogenicity. Although it was identified 20 years ago its receptor has remained unidentified. Here we report that F1C-fimbriated bacteria selectively interact with two minor glycosphingolipids isolated from rat, canine, and human urinary tract. Binding-active compounds were isolated and characterized as galactosylceramide, and globotriaosylceramide, both with phytosphingosine and hydroxy fatty acids. Comparison with reference glycosphingolipids revealed that the receptor specificity is dependent on the ceramide composition. Galactosylceramide was present in the bladder, urethers, and kidney while globotriaosylceramide was present only in the kidney. Using a functional assay, we demonstrate that binding of F1C-fimbriated Escherichia coli to renal cells induces interleukin-8 production, thus suggesting a role for F1C-mediated attachment in mucosal defense against bacterial infections.

Group A streptococci bind to mucin and human pharyngeal cells through sialic acid-containing receptors

The first step in the colonization of group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) is adherence to pharyngeal epithelial cells. Prior to adherence to their target tissue, the first barrier that the streptococci encounter is the mucous layer of the respiratory tract. The present study was undertaken to characterize the interaction between mucin, the major glycoprotein component of mucus, and streptococci. We report here that S. pyogenes is able to bind to bovine submaxillary mucin in solid-phase microtiter plate assays. Western blots probed with (125)I-labeled mucin and a panel of monoclonal antibodies revealed that the streptococcal M protein is one of two cell wall-associated proteins responsible for this binding. The binding was further localized to the N-terminal portion of the M molecule. Further analysis revealed that the M protein binds to the sialic acid moieties on mucin, and this interaction seems to be based on M-protein conformation rather than specific amino acid sequences. We found that sialic acid also plays a critical role in the adherence of an M6 streptococcal strain to the Detroit 562 human pharyngeal cell line and have identified alpha2-6-linked sialic acid as an important sialylated linkage for M-protein recognition. Western blot analysis of extracted pharyngeal cell membrane proteins identified three potential sialic acid-containing receptors for the M protein. The results are the first to show that sialic acid not only is involved in the binding of the streptococci to mucin but also plays an important role in adherence of group A streptococci to the pharyngeal cell surface.

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori adherence by a peptide derived from neuraminyl lactose binding adhesin

Helicobacterpylori, like many other gut colonizing bacteria, binds to sialic acid rich macromolecules present on the gastric epithelium. NLBH (neuraminyl lactose binding haemagglutinin) a 32 kDa adhesin located on the surface of H. pylori has been shown to have specific affinity towards NeuAcalpha2,3Galbeta1,4Gluc(3'SL). This sialic acid moiety is over-expressed in an atrophic stomach undergoing parietal cell depletion. Antibodies against a lysine rich peptide fragment of NLBH inhibit agglutination of human erythrocytes. This lysine rich sequence from NLBH was proposed to be the receptor-binding site. In order to elucidate the binding of NLBH to gastric epithelium, a peptide (D-P-K-R-T-I-Q-K-K-S) was synthesized. A series of experiments were performed involving adherence inhibition assays, 2D-NMR, molecular modelling and measurement of modulation in acid secretion. Results indicated that the peptide fragment could be involved in receptor recognition, which is important for the binding of H. pylori to gastric epithelium. The binding is possibly through hydrogen bonding. Two lysines and a threonine residue seem to be within the hydrogen bonding distance of NeuAcalpha2,3Galbeta1,4Gluc. Further, in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the role of the peptide on acid secretion by parietal cells isolated from human fundal biopsies. Interestingly, the peptide increases acid secretion only in H. pylori negative and in treated patients but not in H. pylori positive patients. This highlights the role of NLBH in acid secretion and could be of some consequence in the prognosis of the disease.

Biological activities of bovine glycomacropeptide

Biological activity of bovine kappa-caseino glycomacropeptide (GMP) has received much attention in recent years. Research has focused on the ability of GMP to bind cholera and Escherichia coli enterotoxins, inhibit bacterial and viral adhesion, suppress gastric secretions, promote bifidobacterial growth and modulate immune system responses. Of these, protection against toxins, bacteria, and viruses and modulation of the immune system are the most promising applications.

New fimbrial gene cluster of S-fimbrial adhesin family

Fimbrial adhesins that mediate attachment to host cells are produced by most virulent Escherichia coli isolates. These virulence factors play an important role in the initial stages of bacterial colonization and also in determination of the host and tissue specificity. Isolates belonging to serotype O78 are known to cause a large variety of clinical syndromes in farm animals and humans and have been shown to produce several types of adherence fimbriae. We studied the fimbrial adhesin from an avian septicemic E. coli isolate of serotype O78. Analysis of the genetic organization of the fac (fimbria of avian E. coli) gene cluster indicates that it belongs to the S-fimbrial adhesin family. Seven open reading frames coding for major and minor structural subunits were identified, and most of them showed a high degree of homology to the corresponding Sfa and Foc determinants. The least-conserved open reading frame was facS, encoding a protein known to play an important role in determining adherence specificity in other S-fimbrial gene clusters.

Receptor structure for F1C fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

F1C fimbriae are correlated with uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Although F1C fimbriae mediate binding to kidney tubular cells, their receptor is not known. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time specific carbohydrate residues as receptor structure for F1C-fimbria-expressing E. coli. The binding of the F1C fimbriated recombinant E. coli strain HB101(pPIL110-54) and purified F1C fimbriae to reference glycolipids of different carbohydrate compositions was evaluated by using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) overlay and solid-phase binding assays. TLC fimbrial overlay analysis revealed the binding ability of purified F1C fimbriae only to glucosylceramide (GlcCer), beta1-linked galactosylceramide 2 (GalCer2) with nonhydroxy fatty acids, lactosylceramide, globotriaosylceramide, paragloboside (nLc(4)Cer), lactotriaosylceramide, gangliotriaosylceramide (asialo-GM(2) [GgO(3)Cer]) and gangliotetraosylceramide (asialo-GM(1) [GgO(4)Cer]). The binding of purified F1C fimbriae as well as F1C fimbriated recombinant E. coli strain HB101(pPIL110-54) was optimal to microtiter plates coated with asialo-GM(2) (GgO(3)Cer). The bacterial interaction with asialo-GM(1) (GgO(4)Cer) and asialo-GM(2) (GgO(3)Cer) was strongly inhibited only by disaccharide GalNAcbeta1-4Galbeta linked to bovine serum albumin. We observed no binding to globotetraosylceramide or Forssman antigen (Gb(5)Cer) glycosphingolipids or to sialic-acid-containing gangliosides. It was demonstrated that the presence of a GalCer or GlcCer residue alone is not sufficient for optimal binding, and additional carbohydrate residues are required for high-affinity adherence. Indeed, the binding efficiency of F1C fimbriated recombinant bacteria increased by 19-fold when disaccharide sequence GalNAcbeta1-4Galbeta is linked to glucosylceramide as in asialo-GM(2) (GgO(3)Cer). Thus, it is suggested that the disaccharide sequence GalNAcbeta1-4Galbeta of asialo-GM(2) (GgO(3)Cer) which is positioned internally in asialo-GM(1) (GgO(4)Cer) is the high-affinity binding epitope for the F1C fimbriae of uropathogenic E. coli.

Helicobacter pylori and neutrophils: sialic acid-dependent binding to various isolated glycoconjugates

Helicobacter pylori has been shown to agglutinate erythrocytes in a sialic acid-dependent manner. However, very few studies have examined relevant target cells in the human stomach. Neutrophils are required for the onset of gastritis, and the inflammatory reaction may be induced on contact between bacteria and neutrophils. In the present work, glycolipids and glycoproteins were isolated from neutrophils and were studied for binding by overlay with radiolabeled bacteria on thin-layer chromatograms and on membrane blots. There was a complex pattern of binding bands. The only practical binding activity found was sialic acid dependent, since treatment of glycoconjugates with neuraminidase or mild periodate eliminated binding. As shown before for binding to erythrocytes and other glycoconjugates, bacterial cells grown on agar bound to many glycoconjugates, while growth in broth resulted in bacteria that would bind only to polyglycosylceramides, which are highly heterogeneous and branched poly-N-acetyllactosamine-containing glycolipids. Approximately seven positive bands were found for glycoproteins, and the traditional ganglioside fraction showed a complex, slow-moving interval with very strong sialic-acid-dependent binding, probably explained by Fuc substitutions on GlcNAc.

S-fimbriae from Escherichia coli bind to soluble glycoproteins from human milk

BACKGROUND

Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains, expressing S-fimbriae, belong to the most common gram-negative pathogens that cause sepsis and meningitis in neonates. The attachment of S-fimbriae to the cell surface is mediated by membrane glycoconjugates, which often carry N-acetylneuraminic acid.

METHODS

Binding studies were performed with glycoproteins from the whey fraction of human milk to investigate whether they exert a potential inhibitory effect on bacterial adhesion. Whey glycoproteins were separated according to their molecular weight by fast protein liquid chromatography gel filtration. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with isolated S-fimbriae from recombinant E. coli strain HB 101 (pANN 801-4).

RESULTS

S-fimbriae recognized four whey proteins with a molecular mass of more than 200 kDa, 170 to 150 kDa, and 80 kDa. Their glycosylation pattern was investigated using the lectins Sambucus nigra, Maackia amurensis, Galanthus nivalis, and Arachis hypogaea. Thus the presence of N- and O-glycans in these proteins was confirmed. The preferential binding to N-acetylneuraminic acid containing glycoproteins was demonstrated by a complete abolishment of these reactions by incubation with acidic lactose-derived oligosaccharides. However, the cleavage of N-acetylneuraminic acid from glycoproteins by mild acid hydrolysis revealed a second binding site for S-fimbriae on milk proteins of a similar molecular weight range. Terminal galactose in human milk glycoconjugates were thought to react with S-fimbriae as well.

CONCLUSION

These data further support the opinion that glycoproteins from human milk are potential receptor analogues for certain bacteria that may prevent microbial adhesion to the epithelial cell surface.

Roles of PilC and PilE proteins in pilus-mediated adherence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis to human erythrocytes and endothelial and epithelial cells

Unlike other type 4 pili, the neisserial pili consist of at least two distinct proteins, the highly variable major subunit PilE forming the pilus fiber and the tip-associated adhesin PilC. PilC protein purified either from gonococci or from Escherichia coli interacted with different human epithelial cell lines, primary epithelial and endothelial cells. The binding of PilC protein efficiently prevented the attachment of piliated Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis to these cell types. Fluorescent beads coated with pili prepared from piliated wild-type N. gonorrhoeae also adhered to these cells, in contrast to beads coated with pili prepared from a piliated PilC-deficient mutant. In the latter case, the binding of fluorescent beads was restored after pretreatment of the pilus-loaded beads with purified PilC. Piliated wild-type N. gonorrhoeae, the piliated PilC-deficient mutant, and N. gonorrhoeae pili assembled in Pseudomonas aeruginosa agglutinated human erythrocytes, while nonpiliated gonococci did not. Consistently, purified PilC did not agglutinate or bind to human erythrocytes, suggesting that N. gonorrhoeae PilE is responsible for pilus-mediated hemagglutination.

Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to respiratory epithelial cells is inhibited by sialylated oligosaccharides

To study carbohydrate-mediated adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to the human airway, we measured binding of live S. pneumoniae organisms to a cultured cell line derived from the lining of the conjunctiva and to primary monolayers of human bronchial epithelial cells in the presence and absence of oligosaccharide inhibitors. Both encapsulated and nonencapsulated strains of S. pneumoniae grown to mid-logarithmic phase in suspension culture adhered to cultured primary respiratory epithelial cells and the conjunctival cell line. Adherence of nine clinically prevalent S. pneumoniae capsular types studied was inhibited preferentially by sialylated oligosaccharides that terminate with the disaccharide NeuAc alpha2-3(or 6)Galbeta1. Adherence of some strains also was weakly inhibited by oligosaccharides that terminate with lactosamine (Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1). When sialylated oligosaccharides were covalently coupled to human serum albumin at a density of approximately 20 oligosaccharides per molecule of protein, the molar inhibitory potency of the oligosaccharide inhibitor was enhanced 500-fold. The above-mentioned experiments reveal a previously unreported dependence upon sialylated carbohydrate ligands for adherence of S. pneumoniae to human upper airway epithelial cells. Enhanced inhibitory potencies of polyvalent over monovalent forms of oligosaccharide inhibitors of adherence suggest that the putative adhesin(s) that recognizes the structure NeuAc alpha2-3(or 6)Galbeta1 is arranged on the bacterial surface in such a manner that it may be cross-linked by oligosaccharides covalently linked to human serum albumin.

Children with Hirschsprung's disease have an abnormal colonic mucus defensive barrier independent of the bowel innervation status

The mucus gel layer in the colon plays an important role in the defensive mechanisms against pathogenic organisms. Mucin glycoproteins or mucins are the major component of this gel. We studied the mucins in patients who had Hirschsprung's disease (HD) by colonic mucosal organ culture with radioactive mucin precursors [35S]-sulphate and [3H]-glucosamine. The secreted and cellular mucus fractions were collected after 24-hour incubation, and mucins were purified by gel filtration. The ratio of incorporation of the precursors and their turnover were quantified. Purified mucins were tested against wheat germ agglutinin for total mucin turnover. We used nine aganglionic bowel samples, 10 ganglionic bowel samples from HD patients, and 13 age-matched normal controls. There were no significant differences in the three groups in ratio of incorporation. The turnover with both radioactive precursors was reduced in both aganglionic and ganglionic bowel of HD, these differences were significant in [35S]-sulphate incorporation in the cellular fraction, ganglionic bowel being most affected. Total mucin turnover, as assessed by reactivity with wheat germ aggultinin, was reduced in both HD groups, being significant in the cellular fraction, aganglionic bowel being the most affected. These results signify an abnormal mucus defensive barrier in the colon of HD patients, even in the ganglionic bowel, which is thought to be normal and is retained at the definitive pull-through operation. This abnormality may be an etiological factor in the pathogenesis of enterocolitis of HD.

Identification and characterization of S fimbria-binding sialoglycoproteins on brain microvascular endothelial cells

We have previously shown that S-fimbriated Escherichia coli binds brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) via a lectin-like activity of SfaS adhesin specific for NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose; however, BMEC molecules bearing these epitopes have not been identified. In the present study, we showed that the expression of S fimbriae conferred a three-fold increase in adhesion of E. coli to cow, human, and rat BMEC but did not enhance E. coli adhesion to systemic vascular endothelial cells such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human aortic arterial endothelial cells. Two BMEC-binding molecules for S fimbriae were identified as 65 (major)- and 130 (minor)-kDa sialoglycoproteins by S fimbria immunoblotting and were purified from bovine BMEC by wheat germ agglutinin and Maackia amurensis lectin (specific to NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose) affinity chromatography. The 65-kDa BMEC glycoprotein showed effective inhibition of S fimbria-mediated binding of E. coli to BMEC. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the mixture of 65- and 130-kDa proteins reacted to 65-kDa protein present only on BMEC, not on systemic vascular endothelial cells. Immunoprecipitation of biotinylated BMEC membrane proteins and immunocytochemistry studies of BMEC with anti-S fimbria-binding protein antibodies revealed that the 65-kDa protein is a surface protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 65- and 130-kDa proteins showed no significant sequence homology with any other known proteins. These findings suggest that 65- and 130-kDa proteins represent novel sialoglycoproteins involved in the binding of S-fimbriated E. coli to BMEC.

Occurrence of S and F1C/S-related fimbrial determinants and their expression in Escherichia coli strains isolated from extraintestinal infections

The presence of S and F1C/S-related fimbrial determinants was determined in 462 E. coli strains obtained from different extraintestinal infections and in 162 control isolates of E. coli by using two different DNA probes: an oligonucleotide probe consisting of three oligonucleotides that bind specifically to the S adhesin gene and a polynucleotide probe which is not able to distinguish between S, F1C, and S-related sequences. The expression of S and F1C phenotypes was tested by dot enzyme immunoassay with the corresponding monoclonal antibodies. S fimbriae genotypes were observed more frequently in septic (25%) and urinary (12%) isolates of E. coli than in faecal and water isolates (1%) and often occurred together with O2, O6, O18 and O83 antigens. F1C/S-related fimbrial DNA was detected with a higher frequency in UTI isolates (26%) than in septic (16%) and faecal (10%) isolates and was most frequently associated with O4, O6, and O75 serotypes. Since the production of S and F1C fimbriae was comparatively rare in all clinical and control isolates of E. coli, DNA hybridization assays which allow the sensitive and specific detection of fimbrial determinants even in the absence of their expression are preferable to phenotypic assays.

Identification of the N-acetylneuraminyllactose-specific laminin-binding protein of Helicobacter pylori

The interaction of the gastroduodenal pathogen Helicobacter pylori with the glycoprotein laminin was investigated. Binding of 125I-radiolabelled laminin in a liquid-phase assay by both hemagglutinating and poorly hemagglutinating strains was rapid, saturable, specific, partially reversible, of high affinity, and insensitive to pH. Inhibition of laminin binding by fetuin, but not asialofetuin, and reduced bacterial binding to periodate- or sialidase-treated laminin indicated that glycosylation, particularly sialylation, was important for laminin binding by H. pylori. Inhibition experiments with monosaccharides, disaccharides, and trisaccharides showed that the strains bound to a region spanning a trisaccharide. In particular, inhibition and displacement studies showed that binding to the trisaccharide N-acetylneuraminyl-alpha(2-3)-lactose [NeuAc(2-3)Lac] was preferential to that to the NeuAc(2-6)Lac isomer. Complete inhibition of laminin binding by both hemagglutinating and poorly hemagglutinating strains was achieved only when isolated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as an inhibitor in combination with heat or protease treatment of H. pylori cells, thereby confirming the involvement of both LPS and a protein adhesin in laminin binding. Further inhibition experiments indicated that the protein receptor, rather than LPS, on H. pylori bound NeuAc(2-3)Lac. By using a Western blotting procedure, a 25-kDa outer membrane protein was identified as mediating laminin binding by both hemagglutinating and poorly hemagglutinating H. pylori strains. The specificity of binding was confirmed by complete inhibition of laminin binding by the 25-kDa protein with NeuAc(2-3)Lac. The data collectively suggest that a 25-kDa outer membrane protein acts in a lectin-like manner with LPS to mediate attachment of H. pylori to laminin.

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori binding to gastrointestinal epithelial cells by sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides

Helicobacterpylori, the ulcer pathogen residing in the human stomach, binds to epithelial cells of the gastric antrum. We have examined binding of 13 bacterial isolates to epithelial cell lines by use of a sensitive microtiter plate method in which measurement of bacterial urease activity provides the means for quantitation of bound organisms. Several established human gastrointestinal carcinoma cell lines grown as monolayers were compared for suitability in these assays, and the duodenum-derived cell line HuTu-80 was selected for testing bacterial binding inhibitors. When bacteria are pretreated with oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, a complex picture of bacterial-epithelial adherence specificities emerges. Among the monovalent inhibitors tested, 3'-sialyllactose (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-4Glc; 3'SL) was the most active oligosaccharide, inhibiting adherence for recent clinical isolates of H. pylori with a millimolar 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Its alpha2-6 isomer (6'SL) was less active. Most of the recent clinical isolates examined were inhibited by sialyllactose, whereas long-passaged isolates were insensitive. Among the long-passaged bacterial strains whose binding was not inhibited by 3'SL was the strain ATCC 43504, also known as NCTC 11637 and CCUG 17874, in which the proposed sialyllactose adhesin was recently reported to lack surface expression (P. G. O'Toole, L. Janzon, P. Doig, J. Huang, M. Kostrzynska, and T. H. Trust, J. Bacteriol. 177:6049-6057, 1995). Pretreatment of the epithelial monolayer with neuraminidase reduced the extent of binding by those bacteria that are sensitive to inhibition by 3'SL. Other potent inhibitors of bacterial binding are the glycoproteins alpha1-acid glycoprotein, fetuin, porcine gastric and bovine submaxillary mucins, and the glycolipid sulfatide, all of which present multivalent sialylated and/or sulfated galactosyl residues under the conditions of the binding assay. Consistent with this pattern, a multivalent neoglycoconjugate containing 20 mol of 3'SL per mol of human serum albumin inhibited bacterial binding with micromolar IC50. The H. pylori isolate most sensitive to inhibition by 3'SL was least sensitive to inhibition by sulfatide, gastric mucin, and other sulfated oligosaccharides. Bacteria that have been allowed to bind epithelial cells are also effectively detached by 3'SL. These results describe a heterogeneous adherence repertoire for these bacteria, but they also confirm the critical role of the 3'SL structure on human gastric epithelial cells as an adherence ligand for recent isolates of H. pylori.

Sialic acids in molecular and cellular interactions

Sialic acids (Sias) are terminal components of many glycoproteins and glycolipids especially of higher animals. In this exposed position they contribute significantly to the structural properties of these molecules, both in solution and on cell surfaces. Therefore, it is not surprising that Sias are important regulators of cellular and molecular interactions, in which they play a dual role. They can either mask recognition sites or serve as recognition determinants. Whereas the role of Sias in masking and in binding of pathogens to host cells has been documented over many years, their role in nonpathological cellular interaction has only been shown recently. The aim of this chapter is to summarize our knowledge about Sias in masking, for example, galactose residues, and to review the progress made during the past few years with respect to Sias as recognition determinants in the adhesion of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, and particularly as binding sites for endogenous cellular interaction molecules. Finally, perspectives for future research on these topics are discussed.

Adhesion of Helicobacter pylori strains to alpha-2,3-linked sialic acids

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer. Adhesion properties of H. pylori to various structures have been described in the literature, including evidence for sialic acid-binding. To study the specificity and frequency of sialic acid-binding, fourteen H. pylori strains were investigated using haemagglutination with derivatized erythrocytes carrying sialic acids only on defined glycans and using haemagglutination inhibition assays. From these studies H. pylori strains can be grouped into sialic acid-dependent and sialic acid-independent classes. The sialic acid-dependent strains require alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid for haemagglutination. The potential roles of sialic acid-dependent adhesions for H. pylori-related infections are discussed.

Molecular and structural aspects of fimbriae biosynthesis and assembly in Escherichia coli

Fimbriae are long filamentous polymeric protein structures located at the surface of bacterial cells. They enable the bacteria to bind to specific receptor structures and thereby to colonise specific surfaces. Fimbriae consist of so-called major and minor subunits, which form, in a specific order, the fimbrial structure. In this review emphasis is put on the genetic organisation, regulation and especially on the biosynthesis of fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains, and more in particular on K88 and related fimbriae, with ample reference to well-studied P and type 1 fimbriae. The biosynthesis of these fimbriae requires two specific and unique proteins, a periplasmic chaperone and an outer membrane located molecular usher ('doorkeeper'). Molecular and structural aspects of the secretion of fimbrial subunits across the cytoplasmic membrane, the interaction of these subunits with periplasmic molecular chaperone, their translocation to the inner site of the outer membrane and their interaction with the usher protein, as well as the (ordered) translocation of the subunits across the outer membrane and their assembly into a growing fimbrial structure will be described. A model for K88 fimbriae is presented.

Purification of a galactosyl-alpha 1-4-galactose-binding adhesin from the gram-positive meningitis-associated bacterium Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis causes meningitis, sepsis, and other serious infections in newborn and young pigs and in adult humans. The Gal alpha 1-4Gal-binding adhesin of S. suis was purified to homogeneity by ultrasonic treatment, fractional ammonium sulfate precipitation, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Pigeon ovomucoid, a glycoprotein with Gal alpha 1-4Gal terminals, was used to detect the adhesin by blotting. The purified adhesin appeared as single band of an apparent size of 18 kDa and of a pI of 6.4; no disulfide bridges were present. The amount of adhesin as revealed by pigeon ovomucoid binding correlated with the hemagglutination activity of different S. suis strains. The purified adhesin bound to latex particles induced hemagglutination which was specifically inhibited with the same inhibitors as hemagglutination by the intact bacteria, thus demonstrating that the purified protein was the Gal alpha 1-4Gal-recognizing adhesin of S. suis. Two adhesin variants (PN and PO) with differing Gal alpha 1-4Gal binding specificity had the similar electrophoretic mobilities and the same N-terminal peptide sequences, indicating that they were closely related. This represents the first isolation of an adhesin with well-defined cell surface carbohydrate binding activity from Gram-positive bacteria associated with meningitis.