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Papatheodorou P, Minton NP, Aktories K, Barth H. An Updated View on the Cellular Uptake and Mode-of-Action of Clostridioides difficile Toxins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1435:219-247. [PMID: 38175478 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42108-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Research on the human gut pathogen Clostridioides (C.) difficile and its toxins continues to attract much attention as a consequence of the threat to human health posed by hypervirulent strains. Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB) are the two major virulence determinants of C. difficile. Both are single-chain proteins with a similar multidomain architecture. Certain hypervirulent C. difficile strains also produce a third toxin, namely binary toxin CDT (C. difficile transferase). C. difficile toxins are the causative agents of C. difficile-associated diseases (CDADs), such as antibiotics-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. For that reason, considerable efforts have been expended to unravel their molecular mode-of-action and the cellular mechanisms responsible for their uptake. Many of these studies have been conducted in European laboratories. Here, we provide an update on our previous review (Papatheodorou et al. Adv Exp Med Biol, 2018) on important advances in C. difficile toxins research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Papatheodorou
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Nigel P Minton
- BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Klaus Aktories
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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2
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Varley CD, Rogers LM, Dixon BR, Bernard SC, Lacy DB, Sulpizio E, Aronoff DM, Townes JM. Persistent bacteremia and psoas abscess caused by a lethal toxin-deficient Paeniclostridiumsordellii. Anaerobe 2022; 75:102520. [PMID: 35085782 PMCID: PMC9197960 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We present a case of persistent bacteremia and psoas abscess from Paeniclostridium sordellii without severe symptoms or the classically associated toxic shock syndrome. Further laboratory evaluation demonstrated that the Paeniclostridium sordellii isolate lacked the lethal toxin gene and there was no cytotoxicity to exposed Vero cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara D Varley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Lisa M Rogers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Beverly Rea Dixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sarah C Bernard
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - D Borden Lacy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Emilio Sulpizio
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - John M Townes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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3
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Silva-Andrade C, Martin AJ, Garrido D. Comparative Genomics of Clostridium baratii Reveals Strain-Level Diversity in Toxin Abundance. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020213. [PMID: 35208668 PMCID: PMC8879937 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium baratii strains are rare opportunistic pathogens associated with botulism intoxication. They have been isolated from foods, soil and be carried asymptomatically or cause botulism outbreaks. Is not taxonomically related to Clostridium botulinum, but some strains are equipped with BoNT/F7 cluster. Despite their relationship with diseases, our knowledge regarding the genomic features and phylogenetic characteristics is limited. We analyzed the pangenome of C. baratii to understand the diversity and genomic features of this species. We compared existing genomes in public databases, metagenomes, and one newly sequenced strain isolated from an asymptomatic subject. The pangenome was open, indicating it comprises genetically diverse organisms. The core genome contained 28.49% of the total genes of the pangenome. Profiling virulence factors confirmed the presence of phospholipase C in some strains, a toxin capable of disrupting eukaryotic cell membranes. Furthermore, the genomic analysis indicated significant horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events as defined by the presence of prophage genomes. Seven strains were equipped with BoNT/F7 cluster. The active site was conserved in all strains, identifying a missing 7-aa region upstream of the active site in C. baratii genomes. This analysis could be important to advance our knowledge regarding opportunistic clostridia and better understand their contribution to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Silva-Andrade
- Laboratorio de Biología de Redes, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580000, Chile;
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Alberto J. Martin
- Laboratorio de Biología de Redes, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580000, Chile;
- Correspondence: (A.J.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniel Garrido
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
- Correspondence: (A.J.M.); (D.G.)
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Ramasamy K, Balasubramanian S, Kirkpatrick A, Szabo D, Pandranki L, Baseman JB, Kannan TR. Mycoplasma pneumoniae CARDS toxin exploits host cell endosomal acidic pH and vacuolar ATPase proton pump to execute its biological activities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11571. [PMID: 34078958 PMCID: PMC8172646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia among hospitalized children in the United States. It is also responsible for a spectrum of other respiratory tract disorders and extrapulmonary manifestations in children and adults. The main virulence factor of M. pneumoniae is a 591 amino acid multifunctional protein called Community Acquired Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) toxin. The amino terminal region of CARDS toxin (N-CARDS) retains ADP-ribosylating activity and the carboxy region (C-CARDS) contains the receptor binding and vacuolating activities. After internalization, CARDS toxin is transported in a retrograde manner from endosome through the Golgi complex into the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the mechanisms and criteria by which internalized CARDS toxin is transported and activated to execute its cytotoxic effects remain unknown. In this study, we used full-length CARDS toxin and its mutant and truncated derivatives to analyze how pharmacological drugs that alter pH of intracellular vesicles and electrical potential across vesicular membranes affect translocation of CARDS toxin in mammalian cells. Our results indicate that an acidic environment is essential for CARDS toxin retrograde transport to endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, retrograde transport facilitates toxin clipping and is required to induce vacuole formation. Additionally, toxin-mediated cell vacuolation is strictly dependent on the function of vacuolar type-ATPase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaraguruparan Ramasamy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Sowmya Balasubramanian
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Alejandra Kirkpatrick
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Daniel Szabo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Lavanya Pandranki
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Joel B Baseman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - T R Kannan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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Abstract
Large clostridial toxins (LCTs) are a family of bacterial exotoxins that infiltrate and destroy target cells. Members of the LCT family include Clostridioides difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB, Paeniclostridium sordellii toxins TcsL and TcsH, Clostridium novyi toxin TcnA, and Clostridium perfringens toxin TpeL. Since the 19th century, LCT-secreting bacteria have been isolated from the blood, organs, and wounds of diseased individuals, and LCTs have been implicated as the primary virulence factors in a variety of infections, including C. difficile infection and some cases of wound-associated gas gangrene. Clostridia express and secrete LCTs in response to various physiological signals. LCTs invade host cells by binding specific cell surface receptors, ultimately leading to internalization into acidified vesicles. Acidic pH promotes conformational changes within LCTs, which culminates in translocation of the N-terminal glycosyltransferase and cysteine protease domain across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol, leading first to cytopathic effects and later to cytotoxic effects. The focus of this review is on the role of LCTs in infection and disease, the mechanism of LCT intoxication, with emphasis on recent structural work and toxin subtyping analysis, and the genomic discovery and characterization of LCT homologues. We provide a comprehensive review of these topics and offer our perspective on emerging questions and future research directions for this enigmatic family of toxins.
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Tian S, Liu Y, Wu H, Liu H, Zeng J, Choi MY, Chen H, Gerhard R, Dong M. Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen Identifies Semaphorin 6A and 6B as Receptors for Paeniclostridium sordellii Toxin TcsL. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 27:782-792.e7. [PMID: 32302524 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The exotoxin TcsL is a major virulence factor in Paeniclostridium (Clostridium) sordellii and responsible for the high lethality rate associated with P. sordellii infection. Here, we present a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-mediated screen using a human lung carcinoma cell line and identify semaphorin (SEMA) 6A and 6B as receptors for TcsL. Disrupting SEMA6A/6B expression in several distinct human cell lines and primary human endothelial cells results in reduced TcsL sensitivity, while SEMA6A/6B over-expression increases their sensitivity. TcsL recognizes the extracellular domain (ECD) of SEMA6A/6B via a region homologous to the receptor-binding site in Clostridioides difficile toxin B (TcdB), which binds the human receptor Frizzled. Exchanging the receptor-binding interfaces between TcsL and TcdB switches their receptor-binding specificity. Finally, administration of SEMA6A-ECD proteins protects human cells from TcsL toxicity and reduces TcsL-induced damage to lung tissues and the lethality rate in mice. These findings establish SEMA6A and 6B as pathophysiologically relevant receptors for TcsL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hao Wu
- The Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ji Zeng
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mei Yuk Choi
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- The Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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7
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Cellular Uptake and Mode-of-Action of Clostridium difficile Toxins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1050:77-96. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72799-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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8
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Larabee JL, Hauck GD, Ballard JD. Cell-penetrating peptides derived from Clostridium difficile TcdB2 and a related large clostridial toxin. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1810-1819. [PMID: 29247010 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.815373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile TcdB (2366 amino acid residues) is an intracellular bacterial toxin that binds to cells and enters the cytosol where it glucosylates small GTPases. In the current study, we examined a putative cell entry region of TcdB (amino acid residues 1753-1851) for short sequences that function as cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). To screen for TcdB-derived CPPs, a panel of synthetic peptides was tested for the ability to enhance transferrin (Tf) association with cells. Four candidate CPPs were discovered, and further study on one peptide (PepB2) pinpointed an asparagine residue necessary for CPP activity. PepB2 mediated the cell entry of a wide variety of molecules including dextran, streptavidin, microspheres, and lentivirus particles. Of note, this uptake was dramatically reduced in the presence of the Na+/H+ exchange blocker and micropinocytosis inhibitor amiloride, suggesting that PepB2 invokes macropinocytosis. Moreover, we found that PepB2 had more efficient cell-penetrating activity than several other well-known CPPs (TAT, penetratin, Pep-1, and TP10). Finally, Tf assay-based screening of peptides derived from two other large clostridial toxins, TcdA and TcsL, uncovered two new TcdA-derived CPPs. In conclusion, we have identified six CPPs from large clostridial toxins and have demonstrated the ability of PepB2 to promote cell association and entry of several molecules through a putative fluid-phase macropinocytotic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L Larabee
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
| | - Garrett D Hauck
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
| | - Jimmy D Ballard
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
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9
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The Sialidase NanS Enhances Non-TcsL Mediated Cytotoxicity of Clostridium sordellii. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8060189. [PMID: 27322322 PMCID: PMC4926155 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8060189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clostridia produce an arsenal of toxins to facilitate their survival within the host environment. TcsL is one of two major toxins produced by Clostridium sordellii, a human and animal pathogen, and is essential for disease pathogenesis of this bacterium. C. sordellii produces many other toxins, but the role that they play in disease is not known, although previous work has suggested that the sialidase enzyme NanS may be involved in the characteristic leukemoid reaction that occurs during severe disease. In this study we investigated the role of NanS in C. sordellii disease pathogenesis. We constructed a nanS mutant and showed that NanS is the only sialidase produced from C. sordellii strain ATCC9714 since sialidase activity could not be detected from the nanS mutant. Complementation with the wild-type gene restored sialidase production to the nanS mutant strain. Cytotoxicity assays using sialidase-enriched culture supernatants applied to gut (Caco2), vaginal (VK2), and cervical cell lines (End1/E6E7 and Ect1/E6E7) showed that NanS was not cytotoxic to these cells. However, the cytotoxic capacity of a toxin-enriched supernatant to the vaginal and cervical cell lines was substantially enhanced in the presence of NanS. TcsL was not the mediator of the observed cytotoxicity since supernatants harvested from a TcsL-deficient strain displayed similar cytotoxicity levels to TcsL-containing supernatants. This study suggests that NanS works synergistically with an unknown toxin or toxins to exacerbate C. sordellii-mediated tissue damage in the host.
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10
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Clostridium sordellii Lethal-Toxin Autoprocessing and Membrane Localization Activities Drive GTPase Glucosylation Profiles in Endothelial Cells. mSphere 2015; 1:mSphere00012-15. [PMID: 27303685 PMCID: PMC4863631 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00012-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii is a bacterium that can infect humans and cause serious disease and death. The principle virulence factor associated with clinical symptoms is a large protein toxin known as lethal toxin. The mechanism of lethal-toxin intoxication is assumed to be similar to that of the homologous toxins from C. difficile, but very few studies have been done in the context of endothelial cells, a relevant target in C. sordellii infections. This study was designed to test the role of the lethal-toxin enzymatic activities and membrane localization in endothelial cell toxicity and host substrate modification. Clostridium sordellii infections cause gangrene and edema in humans and gastrointestinal infections in livestock. One of the principle virulence factors is TcsL, a large protein toxin which glucosylates host GTPases to cause cytopathic and cytotoxic effects. TcsL has two enzymatic domains, an N-terminal glucosyltransferase domain (GTD) and an autoprocessing domain responsible for release of the GTD within the cell. The GTD can then use its N-terminal membrane localization domain (MLD) for orientation on membranes and modification of GTPases. This study describes the use of conditionally immortalized murine pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells as a model for the study of TcsL functional activities. Point mutations that disrupt the glucosyltransferase, autoprocessing, or membrane localization activities were introduced into a recombinant version of TcsL, and the activities of these mutants were compared to those of wild-type toxin. We observed that all mutants are defective or impaired in cytotoxicity but differ in their modification of Rac1 and Ras. The data suggest a model where differences in GTPase localization dictate cellular responses to intoxication and highlight the importance of autoprocessing in the function of TcsL. IMPORTANCEClostridium sordellii is a bacterium that can infect humans and cause serious disease and death. The principle virulence factor associated with clinical symptoms is a large protein toxin known as lethal toxin. The mechanism of lethal-toxin intoxication is assumed to be similar to that of the homologous toxins from C. difficile, but very few studies have been done in the context of endothelial cells, a relevant target in C. sordellii infections. This study was designed to test the role of the lethal-toxin enzymatic activities and membrane localization in endothelial cell toxicity and host substrate modification.
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11
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Popoff MR. Multifaceted interactions of bacterial toxins with the gastrointestinal mucosa. Future Microbiol 2011; 6:763-97. [PMID: 21797691 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.11.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The digestive tract is one of the ecosystems that harbors the largest number and greatest variety of bacteria. Among them, certain bacteria have developed various strategies, including the synthesis of virulence factors such as toxins, to interact with the intestinal mucosa, and are responsible for various pathologies. A large variety of bacterial toxins of different sizes, structures and modes of action are able to interact with the gastrointestinal mucosa. Some toxins, termed enterotoxins, directly stimulate fluid secretion in enterocytes or cause their death, whereas other toxins pass through the intestinal barrier and disseminate by the general circulation to remote organs or tissues, where they are active. After recognition of a membrane receptor on target cells, toxins can act at the cell membrane by transducing a signal across the membrane in a hormone-like manner, by pore formation or by damaging membrane compounds. Other toxins can enter the cells and modify an intracellular target leading to a disregulation of certain physiological processes or disorganization of some structural architectures and cell death. Toxins are fascinating molecules, which mimic or interfere with eukaryotic physiological processes. Thereby, they have permitted the identification and characterization of new natural hormones or regulatory pathways. Besides use as protective antigens in vaccines, toxins offer multiple possibilities in pharmacology, such as immune modulation or specific delivery of a protein of interest into target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Popoff
- Institut Pasteur, Unité des Bactéries anaérobies et Toxines, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 757245 Paris cedex 15, France.
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12
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Guttenberg G, Papatheodorou P, Genisyuerek S, Lü W, Jank T, Einsle O, Aktories K. Inositol hexakisphosphate-dependent processing of Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin and Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:14779-86. [PMID: 21385871 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.200691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin and Clostridium novyi α-toxin, which are virulence factors involved in the toxic shock and gas gangrene syndromes, are members of the family of clostridial glucosylating toxins. The toxins inactivate Rho/Ras proteins by glucosylation or attachment of GlcNAc (α-toxin). Here, we studied the activation of the autoproteolytic processing of the toxins by inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6)) and compared it with the processing of Clostridium difficile toxin B. In the presence of low concentrations of InsP(6) (<1 μM), toxin fragments consisting of the N-terminal glucosyltransferase (or GlcNAc-transferase) domains and the cysteine protease domains (CPDs) of C. sordellii lethal toxin, C. novyi α-toxin, and C. difficile toxin B were autocatalytically processed. The cleavage sites of lethal toxin (Leu-543) and α-toxin (Leu-548) and the catalytic cysteine residues (Cys-698 of lethal toxin and Cys-707 of α-toxin) were identified. Affinity of the CPDs for binding InsP(6) was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. In contrast to full-length toxin B and α-toxin, autocatalytic cleavage and InsP(6) binding of full-length lethal toxin depended on low pH (pH 5) conditions. The data indicate that C. sordellii lethal toxin and C. novyi α-toxin are InsP(6)-dependently processed. However, full-length lethal toxin, but not its short toxin fragments consisting of the glucosyltransferase domain and the CPD, requires a pH-sensitive conformational change to allow binding of InsP(6) and subsequent processing of the toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Guttenberg
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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13
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Abstract
Clostridia produce the highest number of toxins of any type of bacteria and are involved in severe diseases in humans and other animals. Most of the clostridial toxins are pore-forming toxins responsible for gangrenes and gastrointestinal diseases. Among them, perfringolysin has been extensively studied and it is the paradigm of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, whereas Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin and Clostridium septicum alpha-toxin, which are related to aerolysin, are the prototypes of clostridial toxins that form small pores. Other toxins active on the cell surface possess an enzymatic activity, such as phospholipase C and collagenase, and are involved in the degradation of specific cell-membrane or extracellular-matrix components. Three groups of clostridial toxins have the ability to enter cells: large clostridial glucosylating toxins, binary toxins and neurotoxins. The binary and large clostridial glucosylating toxins alter the actin cytoskeleton by enzymatically modifying the actin monomers and the regulatory proteins from the Rho family, respectively. Clostridial neurotoxins proteolyse key components of neuroexocytosis. Botulinum neurotoxins inhibit neurotransmission at neuromuscular junctions, whereas tetanus toxin targets the inhibitory interneurons of the CNS. The high potency of clostridial toxins results from their specific targets, which have an essential cellular function, and from the type of modification that they induce. In addition, clostridial toxins are useful pharmacological and biological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel R Popoff
- Institut Pasteur, Bactéries Anaérobies et Toxines, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
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14
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Abstract
Clostridium sordellii is a spore-forming, obligately anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium that can cause toxic shock syndrome after gynecological procedures. Although the incidence of C. sordellii infection is low, it is fatal in most cases. Since spore germination is believed to be the first step in the establishment of Bacilli and Clostridia infections, we analyzed the requirements for C. sordellii spore germination in vitro. Our data showed that C. sordellii spores require three structurally different amino acids and bicarbonate for maximum germination. Unlike the case for Bacilli species, d-alanine had no effect on C. sordellii spore germination. C. sordellii spores germinated only in a narrow pH range between 5.7 and 6.5. In contrast, C. sordellii spore germination was significantly less sensitive to temperature changes than that of the Bacilli. The analysis of the kinetics of C. sordellii spore germination showed strong allosteric behavior in the binding of l-phenylalanine and l-alanine but not in that of bicarbonate or l-arginine. By comparing germinant apparent binding affinities to their known in vivo concentrations, we postulated a mechanism for differential C. sordellii spore activation in the female reproductive tract.
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15
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Undiagnosed cases of fatal Clostridium-associated toxic shock in Californian women of childbearing age. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 201:459.e1-7. [PMID: 19628200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2008] [Revised: 03/28/2009] [Accepted: 05/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2005, 4 Clostridium sordellii-associated toxic shock fatalities were reported in young Californian women after medical abortions. The true incidence of this rare disease is unknown, and a population-based study has never been performed. Additional clostridia-associated deaths were sought to describe associated clinical characteristics. STUDY DESIGN Population-based death certificate review and a clinical case definition for clostridial-associated toxic shock identified women with likelihood of dying from a Clostridium infection. Formalin-fixed autopsy tissues underwent immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction assays. RESULTS Thirty-eight women were suspected of having C sordellii-associated death. Five tested positive for Clostridium species: 3 for Clostridium perfringens, 1 for C sordellii, and 1 for both. Deaths occurred after the medical procedures for cervical dysplasia (n = 2), surgical abortion (n = 1), stillborn delivery (n = 1), and term live birth (n = 1). None had a medical abortion. CONCLUSION C sordellii and C perfringens are associated with undiagnosed catastrophic infectious gynecologic illnesses among women of childbearing age.
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Nomura T, Kawamura I, Kohda C, Baba H, Ito Y, Kimoto T, Watanabe I, Mitsuyama M. Irreversible loss of membrane-binding activity of Listeria-derived cytolysins in non-acidic conditions: a distinct difference from allied cytolysins produced by other Gram-positive bacteria. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:2250-2258. [PMID: 17600069 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2007/005843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Listeriolysin O (LLO), a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family, is a major virulence factor of Listeria monocytogenes and contributes to bacterial escape from intracellular killing of macrophages. LLO is activated under weakly acidic conditions; however, the molecular mechanism of this pH-dependent expression of cytolytic activity of LLO is poorly understood. In this study, CDCs including LLO, ivanolysin O (ILO), seeligeriolysin O (LSO), pneumolysin (PLY), streptolysin O (SLO) and perfringolysin O (PFO) were prepared as recombinant proteins and examined for their functional changes after treatment under various pH conditions. Haemolytic and membrane cholesterol-binding activities were not affected in PLY, SLO and PFO at any pH examined. By contrast, all the Listeria-derived cytolysins, LLO, ILO and LSO, were active only at an acidic pH and rapidly inactivated under neutral or alkaline conditions. Once inactivated, LLO could not be reactivated even by a downward pH shift. The hydrophobicity of LLO treated at neutral or alkaline pH was increased. These data suggested that the pH-dependent loss of cytolytic activity appeared to be due to irreversible structural changes of domain 4 that resulted in the loss of target membrane cholesterol binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamasa Nomura
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kawamura
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Chikara Kohda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
| | - Hisashi Baba
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yutaka Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Terumi Kimoto
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Isao Watanabe
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masao Mitsuyama
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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17
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Voth DE, Ballard JD. Critical intermediate steps in Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin-induced apoptosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 363:959-64. [PMID: 17910886 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2007] [Accepted: 09/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL) inactivates small GTPases via glucosylation and induces apoptosis in mammalian cells; however, signaling events that link substrate modification with modulation of the mitochondria in these cells has not been determined. Experiments in the current study examined TcsL modulation of the Akt signaling pathway and related downstream targets. Early in TcsL intoxication, cells demonstrated a dramatic decrease in phosphorylated Akt, and this event required toxin enzymatic activity. The decrease in phosphorylated Akt was followed by caspase-dependent processing of Bcl-x(L) and Bid, revealing the connection between GTPase inactivation and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis observed in TcsL-intoxicated cells. Levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta declined during later times of TcsL intoxication, suggesting a second intermediate step in apoptosis. Collectively, these data provide insight into the cascade of signaling events that lead to apoptotic death of TcsL-intoxicated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Voth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 N.E. 10th St., BRC-362A, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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18
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Aldape MJ, Bryant AE, Stevens DL. Clostridium sordellii infection: epidemiology, clinical findings, and current perspectives on diagnosis and treatment. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 43:1436-46. [PMID: 17083018 DOI: 10.1086/508866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2006] [Accepted: 07/17/2006] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii infections pose difficult clinical challenges and are usually fatal. Most commonly, these infections occur after trauma, childbirth, and routine gynecological procedures, but they have recently been associated with medically induced abortions and injection drug use. We report 2 fatal cases, one of which was associated with minor trauma, and the other of which was associated with normal childbirth, and we summarize the clinical features of 43 additional cases of reported C. sordellii infection. Of these 45 cases, 8 (18%) were associated with normal childbirth, 5 (11%) were associated with medically induced abortion, and 2 (0.4%) were associated with spontaneous abortion. The case-fatality rate was 100% in these groups. Ten (22%) of the C. sordellii infections occurred in injection drug users, and 50% of these patients died. Other cases of C. sordellii infection (in 19 patients [43%]) occurred after trauma or surgery, mostly in healthy persons, and 53% these patients died. Overall, the mortality rate was 69% (31 of 45 patients). Eighty-five percent of all patients with fatal cases died within 2-6 days of initial infection, and nearly 80% of fatal cases developed leukemoid reactions. Rapid diagnostic tests and improved treatments are needed to reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Aldape
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, ID 83702, USA.
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19
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Voth DE, Martinez OV, Ballard JD. Variations in lethal toxin and cholesterol-dependent cytolysin production correspond to differences in cytotoxicity among strains of Clostridium sordellii. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2006; 259:295-302. [PMID: 16734793 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii is an emerging human pathogen and frequent contaminant of cadaver-derived tissue transplant material. Herein, we provide data suggesting the potential for severe C. sordellii-associated disease may be dictated by whether the specific strain produces lethal toxin (TcsL) or sordellilysin (SDL), a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin. The virulence factor profiles of 14 C. sordellii isolates were determined, and culture supernatant from six of the isolates was found to be cytotoxic to mammalian cells; yet, only one of these strains conferred cytotoxicity via production of TcsL. Cytotoxicity of TcsL- strains correlated with the production of sordellilysin, which was also recognized by an antiperfringolysin O antibody. However, supernatant from TcsL+, SDL- strains demonstrated a lower LD50 relative to TcsL-, SDL+ strains, suggesting the potential for severe C. sordellii-associated disease may be determined by the particular strain colonizing the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Voth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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20
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Boehm C, Gibert M, Geny B, Popoff MR, Rodriguez P. Modification of epithelial cell barrier permeability and intercellular junctions by Clostridium sordellii lethal toxins. Cell Microbiol 2006; 8:1070-85. [PMID: 16819961 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2006.00687.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (LT) is a glucosyltransferase which inactivates small GTPases from the Rho and Ras families. In the present work, we studied the effects of two variants, LT82 and LT9048, on the integrity of epithelial cell barrier using polarized MCCD (Mouse Cortical Collecting Duct) and MDCK (Madin-Darby Canine Kidney) cells. Our results demonstrate for the first time that LTs have very limited effects on tight junctions. In contrast, we show that both toxins modified the paracellular permeability within 2-4 h. Concomitantly LT82 and LT9048 induced a disorganization of basolateral actin filaments, without modifying apical actin. Both toxins mainly altered adherens junctions by removing E-cadherin-catenin complexes from the membrane to the cytosol. Similar effects on adherens junctions have been observed with other toxins, which directly or indirectly depolymerize actin. Thereby, Rac, a common substrate of both LTs, might play a central role in LT-dependent adherens junction alteration. Here, we show that adherens junction perturbation induced by LTs results neither from a direct effect of toxins on adherens junction proteins nor from an actin-independent Rac pathway, but rather from a Rac-dependent disorganization of basolateral actin cytoskeleton. This further supports that a dynamic equilibrium of cortical actin filaments is essential for functional E-cadherin organization in epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Boehm
- Unité des Bactéries anaérobies et Toxines, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
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21
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Fischer M, Bhatnagar J, Guarner J, Reagan S, Hacker JK, Van Meter SH, Poukens V, Whiteman DB, Iton A, Cheung M, Dassey DE, Shieh WJ, Zaki SR. Fatal toxic shock syndrome associated with Clostridium sordellii after medical abortion. N Engl J Med 2005; 353:2352-60. [PMID: 16319384 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa051620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endometritis and toxic shock syndrome associated with Clostridium sordellii have previously been reported after childbirth and, in one case, after medical abortion. We describe four deaths due to endometritis and toxic shock syndrome associated with C. sordellii that occurred within one week after medically induced abortions. Clinical findings included tachycardia, hypotension, edema, hemoconcentration, profound leukocytosis, and absence of fever. These cases indicate the need for physician awareness of this syndrome and for further study of its association with medical abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Fischer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
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22
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23
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Rupnik M, Pabst S, Rupnik M, von Eichel-Streiber C, Urlaub H, Söling HD. Characterization of the cleavage site and function of resulting cleavage fragments after limited proteolysis of Clostridium difficile toxin B (TcdB) by host cells. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2005; 151:199-208. [PMID: 15632438 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.27474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile toxin B (TcdB) is a single-stranded protein consisting of a C-terminal domain responsible for binding to the host cell membrane, a middle part involved in internalization, and the N-terminal catalytic (toxic) part. This study shows that TcdB is processed by a single proteolytic step which cleaves TcdB(10463) between Leu(543) and Gly(544) and the naturally occurring variant TcdB(8864) between Leu(544) and Gly(545). The cleavage occurs at neutral pH and is catalysed by a pepstatin-sensitive protease localized in the cytoplasm and on the cytoplasmic face of intracellular membranes. The smaller N-terminal cleavage products [63 121 Da (TcdB(10463)) and 62 761 Da (TcdB(8864))] harbour the cytotoxic and glucosyltransferase activities of the toxins. When microinjected into cultured Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, the N-terminal cleavage fragment shows full cytotoxic activity shortly after injection whereas the holotoxin initially exhibits a very low activity which, however, increases with time. Twenty minutes after the start of internalization of TcdB, the larger cleavage products [206 609 Da (TcdB(10463)) and 206 245 Da (TcdB(8864))] are found exclusively in a membrane fraction, whereas the N-terminal cleavage products appear mainly in the cytosol and associated with the membrane. This is in line with a proposed model according to which the longer, C-terminal, part of these toxins forms a channel allowing for the translocation of the toxic N-terminal part, which is subsequently cleaved off at the cytoplasmic face of an intracellular compartment, most likely endosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Rupnik
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Neurobiology, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stefan Pabst
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Neurobiology, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Henning Urlaub
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Söling
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Neurobiology, Göttingen, Germany
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24
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Mesmin B, Robbe K, Geny B, Luton F, Brandolin G, Popoff MR, Antonny B. A Phosphatidylserine-binding Site in the Cytosolic Fragment of Clostridium sordellii Lethal Toxin Facilitates Glucosylation of Membrane-bound Rac and Is Required for Cytotoxicity. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:49876-82. [PMID: 15383551 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m406903200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Large clostridial toxins glucosylate some small G proteins on a threonine residue, thereby preventing their interactions with effector molecules and regulators. We show that the glucosyltransferase domain of lethal toxin from Clostridium sordellii (LT(cyt); amino acids 1-546), which is released into the cytosol during cell infection, binds preferentially to liposomes containing phosphatidylserine as compared with other anionic lipids. The binding of LT(cyt) to phosphatidylserine increases by two orders of magnitude the rate of glucosylation of liposome-bound geranyl-geranylated Rac-GDP. Limited proteolysis and deletion studies show that the binding site for phosphatidylserine lies within the first 18 N-terminal residues of LT(cyt). Deletion of these residues abolishes the effect of phosphatidylserine on the activity of LT(cyt) on liposome-bound geranyl-geranylated Rac-GDP and prevents the morphological effects induced by LT(cyt) microinjection into various cells, but it does not affect the intrinsic activity of LT(cyt) on non-geranyl-geranylated Rac-GDP in solution. We conclude that the avidity of LT(cyt) for phosphatidylserine facilitates its targeting to the cytosolic leaflet of cell membranes and, notably, the plasma membrane, where this anionic lipid is abundant and where several targets of lethal toxin reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mesmin
- CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 660 Route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France
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25
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Voth DE, Qa'Dan M, Hamm EE, Pelfrey JM, Ballard JD. Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin is maintained in a multimeric protein complex. Infect Immun 2004; 72:3366-72. [PMID: 15155642 PMCID: PMC415707 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.6.3366-3372.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2003] [Revised: 01/05/2004] [Accepted: 03/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL) is distinct among large clostridial toxins (LCTs), as it is markedly reduced in its rate of intoxication at pH 8.0 yet is cytotoxic at pH 4.0. Results from the present study suggest that TcsL's slow rate of intoxication at pH 8.0 is linked to formation of a high-molecular-weight complex containing dissociable pH 4.0-sensitive polypeptides. The cytosolic delivery of TcsL's enzymatic domain by using a surrogate cell entry system resulted in cytopathic effect rates similar to those of other LCTs at pH 8.0, further indicating that rate-limiting steps occurred at the point of cell entry. Since these rate-limiting steps could be overcome at pH 4.0, TcsL was examined across a range of pH values and was found to dissociate into distinct 45- to 55-kDa polypeptides between pH 4.0 and pH 5.0. The polypeptides reassociated when shifted back to pH 8.0. At pH 8.0, this complex was resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and multiple proteases; however, following dissociation, the polypeptides became protease sensitive. Dissociation of TcsL, and cytotoxicity, could be blocked by preincubation with ethylene glycol bis(sulfosuccinimidylsuccinate), resulting in cross-linking of the polypeptides. TcsL was also examined at pH 8.0 by using SDS-agarose gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy and was found to exist in a higher-molecular-weight complex which resolved at a size exceeding 750 kDa and also dissociated at pH 4.0. However, this complex did not reassemble following a shift back to pH 8.0. Collectively, these data suggest that TcsL is maintained in a protease-resistant, high-molecular-weight complex, which dissociates at pH 4.0, leading to cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Voth
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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26
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Merkx-Jacques A, Obhi RK, Bethune G, Creuzenet C. The Helicobacter pylori flaA1 and wbpB genes control lipopolysaccharide and flagellum synthesis and function. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:2253-65. [PMID: 15060026 PMCID: PMC412133 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.8.2253-2265.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
flaA1 and wbpB are conserved genes with unknown biological function in Helicobacter pylori. Since both genes are predicted to be involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, flagellum assembly, or protein glycosylation, they could play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori. To determine their biological role, both genes were disrupted in strain NCTC 11637. Both mutants exhibited altered LPS, with loss of most O-antigen and core modification, and increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate compared to wild-type bacteria. These defects could be complemented in a gene-specific manner. Also, flaA1 could complement these defects in the wbpB mutant, suggesting a potential redundancy of the reductase activity encoded by both genes. Both mutants were nonmotile, although the wbpB mutant still produced flagella. The defect in the flagellum functionality of this mutant was not due to a defect in flagellin glycosylation since flagellins from wild-type strain NCTC 11637 were shown not to be glycosylated. The flaA1 mutant produced flagellins but no flagellum. Overall, the similar phenotypes observed for both mutants and the complementation of the wbpB mutant by flaA1 suggest that both genes belong to the same biosynthesis pathway. The data also suggest that flaA1 and wbpB are at the interface between several pathways that govern the expression of different virulence factors. We propose that FlaA1 and WbpB synthesize sugar derivatives dedicated to the glycosylation of proteins which are involved in LPS and flagellum production and that glycosylation regulates the activity of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Merkx-Jacques
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Spyres LM, Daniel J, Hensley A, Qa'Dan M, Ortiz-Leduc W, Ballard JD. Mutational analysis of the enzymatic domain of Clostridium difficile toxin B reveals novel inhibitors of the wild-type toxin. Infect Immun 2003; 71:3294-301. [PMID: 12761111 PMCID: PMC155706 DOI: 10.1128/iai.71.6.3294-3301.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin B (TcdB), a major Clostridium difficile virulence factor, glucosylates and inactivates the small GTP-binding proteins Rho, Rac, and Cdc42. In the present study we provide evidence that enzymatically inactive fragments of the TcdB enzymatic domain are effective intracellular inhibitors of native TcdB. Site-directed and deletion mutants of the TcdB enzymatic region (residues 1 to 556), lacking receptor binding and cell entry domains, were analyzed for attenuation of glucosyltransferase and glucosylhydrolase activity. Five of six derivatives from TcdB(1-556) were found to be devoid of enzymatic activity. In order to facilitate cell entry, mutants were genetically fused to lfn, which encodes the protective antigen binding region of anthrax toxin lethal factor and mediates the cell entry of heterologous proteins. In line with reduced enzymatic activity, the mutants also lacked cytotoxicity. Remarkably, pretreatment or cotreatment of cells with four of the mutants provided protection against the cytotoxic effects of native TcdB. Furthermore, a CHO cell line expressing enzymatically active TcdB(1-556) was also protected by the mutant-derived inhibitors, suggesting that inhibition occurred at an intracellular location. Protection also was afforded by the inhibitor to cells treated with Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL), which uses the same cosubstrate as TcdB but shares Rac only as a common substrate target. Finally, the inhibitor did not provide protection against Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin (Tcnalpha), which shares similar substrates with TcdB yet uses a different cosubstrate. This is the first report to demonstrate that the potential exists to inhibit toxins at their intracellular site of action by using inactive mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea M Spyres
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman 73019, USA
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28
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Sinave C, Le Templier G, Blouin D, Léveillé F, Deland E. Toxic shock syndrome due to Clostridium sordellii: a dramatic postpartum and postabortion disease. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 35:1441-3. [PMID: 12439811 DOI: 10.1086/344464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2002] [Accepted: 08/07/2002] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a young woman who developed Clostridium sordellii toxic shock syndrome after having had an abortion medically induced by mifepristone (RU-486; Mifeprex [Danco Laboratories]) 7 days before admission to our hospital. Although the patient was aggressively treated, death occurred <3 days after admission. It is hoped that very early recognition of this disease will decrease the mortality associated with this rarely reported ailment that occurs among young, otherwise healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sinave
- Département de Microbiologie Médicale et Infectiologie, Faculté de Médecine et Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H 5N4.
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