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Williams E, Seib KL, Fairley CK, Pollock GL, Hocking JS, McCarthy JS, Williamson DA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaccines: a contemporary overview. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0009423. [PMID: 38226640 PMCID: PMC10938898 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00094-23] [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] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is an important public health issue, with an annual global incidence of 87 million. N. gonorrhoeae infection causes significant morbidity and can have serious long-term impacts on reproductive and neonatal health and may rarely cause life-threatening disease. Global rates of N. gonorrhoeae infection have increased over the past 20 years. Importantly, rates of antimicrobial resistance to key antimicrobials also continue to increase, with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae as an urgent threat to public health. This review summarizes the current evidence for N. gonorrhoeae vaccines, including historical clinical trials, key N. gonorrhoeae vaccine preclinical studies, and studies of the impact of Neisseria meningitidis vaccines on N. gonorrhoeae infection. A comprehensive survey of potential vaccine antigens, including those identified through traditional vaccine immunogenicity approaches, as well as those identified using more contemporary reverse vaccinology approaches, are also described. Finally, the potential epidemiological impacts of a N. gonorrhoeae vaccine and research priorities for further vaccine development are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Williams
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L. Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgina L. Pollock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S. Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James S. McCarthy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Comprehensive Bioinformatic Assessments of the Variability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Vaccine Candidates. mSphere 2021; 6:6/1/e00977-20. [PMID: 33536323 PMCID: PMC7860988 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00977-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A protective vaccine is the only viable way to stop the spread of gonorrhea in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. However, the notorious phase and antigenic variation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae surface proteins remains one of the challenges in vaccine development. To facilitate vaccine advancement efforts, we carried out comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of sequence variation by comparing 34 gonorrhea antigen candidates among >5,000 clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates deposited in the Neisseria PubMLST database. Eight protein antigens showed exceptional conservation by having a single allele variant distributed in >80% of isolates. An additional 18 vaccine candidates were represented by ≤3 alleles in >50% of N. gonorrhoeae isolates globally. Phylogenetic analyses highlighted closely related antigen variants and additionally showed that AniA and FetB were the closest between N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis Up to 44% of N. meningitidis alleles for both antigens have premature stop codons, suggesting differential expression. Mapping polymorphisms to the available three-dimensional structures of 12 antigens revealed low-frequency surface polymorphisms. PorB and TbpB possessed numerous high-prevalence polymorphic sites. While TbpA was also highly variable, conserved loops were nonetheless identified. A high degree of sequence conservation, the distribution of a single antigen variant among N. gonorrhoeae strains globally, or low-frequency sequence polymorphisms in surface loops make ACP, AniA, BamA, BamE, MtrE, NspA, NGO0778, NGO1251, NGO1985, OpcA, PldA, Slam2, and ZnuD promising candidates for a gonorrhea vaccine. Finally, the commonly used N. gonorrhoeae FA1090 strain emerges as a vaccine prototype, as it carries antigen sequence types identical to the most broadly distributed antigen variants.IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Gram-negative bacterium responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is categorized as a high-priority pathogen for research and development efforts. N. gonorrhoeae's "superbug" status, its high morbidity, and the serious health impact associated with gonorrhea highlight the importance of vaccine development. One of the longstanding barriers to developing an effective vaccine against N. gonorrhoeae is the remarkable variability of surface-exposed antigens. In this report, we addressed this roadblock by applying extensive bioinformatic analyses to 34 gonorrhea antigen candidates among >5,000 clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates. Our studies are important, as they reveal promising, conserved gonorrhea vaccine candidates and aid structural vaccinology. Moreover, these approaches are broadly applicable to other infectious diseases where surface antigen variability impedes successful vaccine design.
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Wang H, Zhong X, Li J, Zhu M, Wang L, Ji X, Fan J, Wang L. Cloning and Expression of H. influenzae 49247 IgA Protease in E. coli. Mol Biotechnol 2018; 60:134-140. [PMID: 29318516 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-017-0054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
IgA protease is secreted by various mucosal pathogenic bacteria which can cleave human immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) in its hinge region. In addition to be considered as a virulence factor, it's reported that IgA protease can also be used for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) treatment. Our previous study identified bacteria H. influenzae 49247 expressed high activity of IgA protease with promised application in IgAN therapy. In this study, we cloned the IgA protease gene of H. influenzae 49247 with degenerate primers. Alignment analysis indicated that H. influenzae 49247 IgA protease showed unique DNA and amino acid sequence but with typical endopeptidase domain and beta transporter domain compared with known IgA proteases from the same species. To facilitate expression and purification, the H. influenzae 49247 IgA protease gene was sub-cloned into the pET28-A(+) vector with insertion of a 6xHis tag downstream of the endopeptidase domain and upstream of the potential autocleavage site. The recombined IgA protease can be constitutively expressed in E. coli and secreted into the culture medium. With a simple nickel affinity binding, the secreted IgA protease can be purified with high purity (95%) and a molecular weight of about 130 kDa. The identity of the IgA protease was validated by the presence of 6xHis tag in the purified protein by western blotting and its ability to cleave human IgA1 molecule. Collectively, the successful cloning, expression and purification of H. influenzae 49247 IgA protease will augment its therapeutic study in IgAN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglian Wang
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xia Zhong
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianchun Li
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Menglian Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingli Ji
- College of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Junming Fan
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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The expression of soluble and active recombinant Haemophilus influenzae IgA1 protease in E. coli. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:253983. [PMID: 21151648 PMCID: PMC2995913 DOI: 10.1155/2010/253983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases from Haemophilus influenzae are extracellular proteases that specifically cleave the hinge region of human IgA1, the predominant class of immunoglobulin present on mucosal membranes. The IgA1 proteases may have the potential to cleave IgA1 complexes in the kidney and be a therapeutic agent for IgA1 nephropathy (IgAN), a disease characterized by deposition of the IgA1 antibody in the glomerulus. We have screened for the expression of recombinant H. influenzae IgA1 protease by combining various expression plasmids, IgA1 protease constructs, and E. coli strains under multiple conditions. Using the method we have developed, approximately 20–40 mg/L of soluble and active H. influenzae IgA1 protease can be produced from E. coli strain C41(DE3), a significant increase in yield compared to the yield upon expression in H. influenzae or other related bacteria.
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Brettin T, Altherr MR, Du Y, Mason RM, Friedrich A, Potter L, Langford C, Keller TJ, Jens J, Howie H, Weyand NJ, Clary S, Prichard K, Wachocki S, Sodergren E, Dillard JP, Weinstock G, So M, Arvidson CG. Expression capable library for studies of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, version 1.0. BMC Microbiol 2005; 5:50. [PMID: 16137322 PMCID: PMC1236931 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-5-50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2005] [Accepted: 09/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhea, is a serious health problem in developed as well as in developing countries, for which treatment continues to be a challenge. The recent completion of the genome sequence of the causative agent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, opens up an entirely new set of approaches for studying this organism and the diseases it causes. Here, we describe the initial phases of the construction of an expression-capable clone set representing the protein-coding ORFs of the gonococcal genome using a recombination-based cloning system. RESULTS The clone set thus far includes 1672 of the 2250 predicted ORFs of the N. gonorrhoeae genome, of which 1393 (83%) are sequence-validated. Included in this set are 48 of the 61 ORFs of the gonococcal genetic island of strain MS11, not present in the sequenced genome of strain FA1090. L-arabinose-inducible glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fusions were constructed from random clones and each was shown to express a fusion protein of the predicted size following induction, demonstrating the use of the recombination cloning system. PCR amplicons of each ORF used in the cloning reactions were spotted onto glass slides to produce DNA microarrays representing 2035 genes of the gonococcal genome. Pilot experiments indicate that these arrays are suitable for the analysis of global gene expression in gonococci. CONCLUSION This archived set of Gateway entry clones will facilitate high-throughput genomic and proteomic studies of gonococcal genes using a variety of expression and analysis systems. In addition, the DNA arrays produced will allow us to generate gene expression profiles of gonococci grown in a wide variety of conditions. Together, the resources produced in this work will facilitate experiments to dissect the molecular mechanisms of gonococcal pathogenesis on a global scale, and ultimately lead to the determination of the functions of unknown genes in the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brettin
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Michael R Altherr
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Ying Du
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
| | - Roxie M Mason
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
| | - Alexandra Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Laura Potter
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
- Leicester Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Chris Langford
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Thomas J Keller
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Jason Jens
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
| | - Heather Howie
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Nathan J Weyand
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Susan Clary
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Kimberly Prichard
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Susi Wachocki
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Erica Sodergren
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph P Dillard
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - George Weinstock
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Magdalene So
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA
| | - Cindy Grove Arvidson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
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Du Y, Arvidson CG. Identification of ZipA, a signal recognition particle-dependent protein from Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Bacteriol 2003; 185:2122-30. [PMID: 12644481 PMCID: PMC151515 DOI: 10.1128/jb.185.7.2122-2130.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A genetic screen designed to identify proteins that utilize the signal recognition particle (SRP) for targeting in Escherichia coli was used to screen a Neisseria gonorrhoeae plasmid library. Six plasmids were identified in this screen, and each is predicted to encode one or more putative cytoplasmic membrane (CM) proteins. One of these, pSLO7, has three open reading frames (ORFs), two of which have no similarity to known proteins in GenBank other than sequences from the closely related N. meningitidis. Further analyses showed that one of these, SLO7ORF3, encodes a protein that is dependent on the SRP for localization. This gene also appears to be essential in N. gonorrhoeae since it was not possible to generate null mutations in the gene. Although appearing unique to Neisseria at the DNA sequence level, SLO7ORF3 was found to share some features with the cell division gene zipA of E. coli. These features included similar chromosomal locations (with respect to linked genes) as well as similarities in the predicted protein domain structures. Here, we show that SLO7ORF3 can complement an E. coli conditional zipA mutant and therefore encodes a functional ZipA homolog in N. gonorrhoeae. This observation is significant in that it is the first ZipA homolog identified in a non-rod-shaped organism. Also interesting is that this is the fourth cell division protein (the others are FtsE, FtsX, and FtsQ) shown to utilize the SRP for localization, which may in part explain why the genes encoding the three SRP components are essential in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Du
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1101, USA
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Lobb DA, Loeman HJ, Sparrow DG, Morck DW. Bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis and an immunoglobulin G2 protease produced by Porphyromonas levii. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 1999; 63:113-8. [PMID: 10369568 PMCID: PMC1189529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Acute interdigital phlegmon (AIP) is a commonly occurring anaerobic bacterial infection in cattle. This study examined in vitro the interaction of bovine polymorphonuclear granulocytic neutrophils (PMN) from blood with bacterial species involved in AIP. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils were purified from whole bovine blood, exposed to one of the three putative etiologic agents of AIP and comparatively assessed for phagocytosis using light microscopy. Fusobacterium necrophorum and Prevotella intermedia were effectively phagocytosed by PMN, but Porphyromonas levii was phagocytosed significantly less effectively by PMN. The effect of high titre anti-P. levii bovine serum on antibody-mediated phagocytosis by PMN was also evaluated. High titre serum increased the efficiency of phagocytosis of P. levii by bovine PMN. This was independent of heat labile complement factors. Antibodies specific for P. levii were assessed for protease activity capable of cleaving bovine immunoglobulins (IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgM). Partially purified supernatant from broth cultures of P. levii were incubated with biotinylated immunoglobulins (Igs). Samples were taken from times 0 to 72 h and examined using SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot analysis. Streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase and NBT-BCIP were used to visualize the Igs for heavy and light chains as well as lower molecular weight fragments of these glycoproteins. Porphyromonas levii produced an immunoglobulin protease which readily cleaved bovine IgG into fragments, but did not act against IgM. Specifically, the enzyme may be a significant virulence factor as it may act to neutralize the antibodies demonstrated necessary for effective PMN-mediated phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Lobb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta
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Reinholdt J, Kilian M. Comparative analysis of immunoglobulin A1 protease activity among bacteria representing different genera, species, and strains. Infect Immun 1997; 65:4452-9. [PMID: 9353019 PMCID: PMC175640 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.11.4452-4459.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases cleaving human IgA1 in the hinge region are produced constitutively by a number of pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as by some members of the resident oropharyngeal flora. Whereas IgA1 proteases have been shown to interfere with the functions of IgA antibodies in vitro, the exact role of these enzymes in the relationship of bacteria to a human host capable of responding with enzyme-neutralizing antibodies is not clear. Conceivably, the role of IgA1 proteases may depend on the quantity of IgA1 protease generated as well as on the balance between secreted and cell-associated forms of the enzyme. Therefore, we have compared levels of IgA1 protease activity in cultures of 38 bacterial strains representing different genera and species as well as strains of different pathogenic potential. Wide variation in activity generation rate was found overall and within some species. High activity was not an exclusive property of bacteria with documented pathogenicity. Almost all activity of H. influenzae, N. meningitidis, and N. gonorrhoeae strains was present in the supernatant. In contrast, large proportions of the activity in Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Capnocytophaga species was cell associated at early stationary phase, suggesting that the enzyme may play the role of a surface antigen. Partial release of cell-associated activity occurred during stationary phase. Within some taxa, the degree of activity variation correlated with degree of antigenic diversity of the enzyme as determined previously. This finding may indicate that the variation observed is of biological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Reinholdt
- Department of Oral Biology, Royal Dental College, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Lomholt H. Molecular biology and vaccine aspects of bacterial immunoglobulin A1 proteases. APMIS. SUPPLEMENTUM 1996; 62:5-28. [PMID: 8944051 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.1996.tb05580.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Lomholt
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Aarhus, Denmark
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Kilian M, Reinholdt J, Lomholt H, Poulsen K, Frandsen EV. Biological significance of IgA1 proteases in bacterial colonization and pathogenesis: critical evaluation of experimental evidence. APMIS 1996; 104:321-38. [PMID: 8703438 DOI: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1996.tb00724.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
IgA1 protease activity, which allows bacteria to cleave human IgA1 in the hinge region, represents a striking example of convergent evolution of a specific property in bacteria. Although it has been known since 1979 that IgA1 protease is produced by the three leading causes of bacterial meningitis in addition to important urogenital pathogens and some members of the oropharyngeal flora, the exact role of this enzyme in bacterial pathogenesis is still incompletely understood owing to lack of a satisfactory animal model. Cleavage of IgA1 by these post-proline endopeptidases efficiently separates the monomeric antigen-binding fragments from the secondary effector functions of the IgA1 antibody molecule. Several in vivo and in vitro observations indicate that the enzymes are important for the ability of bacteria to colonize mucosal membranes in the presence of S-IgA antibodies. Furthermore, the extensive cleavage of IgA sometimes observed in vivo, suggests that IgA1 protease activity results in a local functional IgA deficiency that may facilitate colonization of other microorganisms and the penetration of potential allergens. It has been hypothesized that IgA1 protease activity of Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, under special immunological circumstances, allows these bacteria to take advantage of specific IgA1 antibodies in a strategy to evade other immune factors of the human body. The decisive factor is the balance between IgA antibodies against surface antigens of the respective bacteria and their IgA1 protease. Recent studies have shown that serine-type IgA1 proteases of H. influenzae, meningococci, and gonococci belong to a family of proteins used by a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria for colonization and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kilian
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
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Binscheck T, Bartels F, Bergel H, Bigalke H, Yamasaki S, Hayashi T, Niemann H, Pohlner J. IgA protease from Neisseria gonorrhoeae inhibits exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells like tetanus toxin. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:1770-4. [PMID: 7829513 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.4.1770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
When tetanus toxin from Clostridium tetani or IgA protease from Neisseria gonorrhoeae is translocated artificially into the cytosol of chromaffin cells, both enzymes inhibit calcium-induced exocytosis, which can be measured by changes in membrane capacitance. The block of exocytosis caused by both proteases cannot be reversed by enforced stimulation with increased calcium concentration. This effect differs from the botulinum A neurotoxin-induced block of exocytosis that can be overcome by elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration. Tetanus toxin is about 50-fold more potent than IgA protease in cells stimulated by carbachol. In this case, the release of [3H]noradrenaline was determined. Trypsin and endoprotease Glu-C are hardly effective and only at concentrations that disturb the integrity of the cells. Like tetanus toxin, IgA protease also splits synaptobrevin II, though at a different site of the molecule. However, unlike tetanus toxin, it does not cleave cellubrevin. It is concluded that the membranes of chromaffin vesicles contain synaptobrevin II, which, as in neurons, appears to play a crucial part in exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Binscheck
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical School of Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany
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Abstract
Previously it has been shown that the extracellular domain of transmembrane beta A4 amyloid precursor protein (APP) includes binding sites for zinc(II) and for molecules of the extracellular matrix such as collagen, laminin and the heparin sulfate chains of proteoglycans (HSPGs). Here we report that APP also binds copper ions. A copper type II binding site was located within residues 135-155 of the cysteine-rich domain of APP695 which is present in all eight APP splice isoforms known so far. The two essential histidines in the type II copper binding site of APP are conserved in the related protein APLP2. Copper(II) binding is shown to inhibit homophilic APP binding. The identification of a copper(II) binding site in APP suggests that APP and APLP2 may be involved in electron transfer and radical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hesse
- Center for Molecular Biology Heidelberg, University Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Mulks
- Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824
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15
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Blake MS, Eastby C. Studies on the gonococcal IgA1 protease II. Improved methods of enzyme purification and production of monoclonal antibodies to the enzyme. J Immunol Methods 1991; 144:215-21. [PMID: 1960418 DOI: 10.1016/0022-1759(91)90088-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Two types of extremely active proteases that cleave human IgA1 are produced by pathogenic Neisseria in minute concentrations. To study the antigenicity of these enzymes, a simplified method is described to purify these enzymes from large batch cultures to obtain a sufficient quantity of these IgA1 proteases to study these characteristics. In addition, we describe the production of both rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies to one of these enzymes. One such monoclonal antibody seemed directed toward the active site of the IgA1 protease and inhibited its enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Blake
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021
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Shoberg RJ, Mulks MH. Proteolysis of bacterial membrane proteins by Neisseria gonorrhoeae type 2 immunoglobulin A1 protease. Infect Immun 1991; 59:2535-41. [PMID: 1713195 PMCID: PMC258052 DOI: 10.1128/iai.59.8.2535-2541.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have been defined as having human IgA1 as their single permissive substrate. However, in recent years there have been reports of other proteins which are susceptible to the proteolytic activity of these enzymes. To examine the possibility that gonococcal membrane proteins are potential substrates for these enzymes, isolated outer and cytoplasmic membranes of N. gonorrhoeae were treated in vitro with exogenous pure IgA1 protease. Analysis of silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of outer membranes indicated that there were two outer membrane proteins of 78 and 68 kDa which were cleaved by IgA1 protease in vitro in GCM 740 (a wild-type strain) and in two isogenic IgA1 protease-negative variants. Similar results were observed with a second gonococcal strain, F62, and its isogenic IgA1 protease-negative derivative. When GCM 740 cytoplasmic membranes were treated with protease, three minor proteins of 24.5, 23.5, and 21.5 kDa were cleaved. In addition, when outer membranes of Escherichia coli DH1 were treated with IgA1 protease, several proteins were hydrolyzed. While the identities of all of these proteolyzed proteins are unknown, the data presented indicate that there are several proteins found in the isolated membranes of gram-negative bacteria which are permissive in vitro substrates for gonococcal IgA1 protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Shoberg
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824
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Abstract
Many different bacteria secrete proteases into the culture medium. Extracellular proteases produced by Gram-positive bacteria are secreted by a signal-peptide-dependent pathway and have a propeptide located between the signal peptide and the mature protein. Many extracellular proteases synthesized by Gram-negative bacteria are also produced as precursors with a signal peptide. However, at least two species of Gram-negative bacteria secrete one or more proteases via a novel signal-peptide-independent route. Most proteases secreted by Gram-negative bacteria also have a propeptide whose length and location vary according to the protease. Specific features of protease secretion pathways and the mechanisms of protease activation are discussed with particular reference to some of the best-characterized extracellular proteases produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wandersman
- Unité de Génétique Moléculaire, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Brooks
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143
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