[Recombinant fluorescent models for studying of diphtheria toxin]

The geometry of diphtheria toxoid CRM197 channel assessed by thiazolium salts and nonelectrolytes

The geometry of the channel formed by nontoxic derivative of diphtheria toxin CRM197 in lipid bilayer was determined using the dependence of single-channel conductance upon the hydrodynamic radii of different nonelectrolytes. It was found that the cis entrance of CRM197 channel on the side of membrane to which the toxoid was added at pH 4.8 and the trans entrance on the opposite side at pH 6.0 had effective radii of 3.90 and 3.48 Å, respectively. The 3-alkyloxycarbonylmethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazolium salts reversibly reduced current via CRM197 channels. The potency of the blockers increased with increasing length of alkyl chain at symmetric pH 6.0 and remained high and stable at pH 4.8 on the cis side. Comparative analysis of CRM197 and amphotericin B pore size with the inhibitory action of thiazolium salts revealed a significant increase in CRM197 pore dimension at pH 6.0. Addition of thiazolium salt with nine carbons alkyl tail increased by ∼30% the viability of human carcinoma cells A431 treated with diphtheria toxin.

EFFECT OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN T-DOMAIN ON ENDOSOMAL pH

A key step in the mode of cytotoxic action of diphtheria toxin (DT) is the transfer of its catalytic domain (Cd) from endosomes into the cytosol. The main activity in this process is performed by the transport domain (Td), but the molecular mechanism of its action remains unknown. We have previously shown that Td can have some influence on the endosomal transport of DT The aim of this work was to study the effect of diphtheria toxin on the toxin compartmentalization in the intracellular transporting pathway and endosomal pH. We used recombinant fragments of DT which differed only by the presence of Td in their structure, fused with fluorescent proteins. It was shown that the toxin fragment with Td moved slower by the pathway early-late endosomes-lysosomes, and had a slightly different pattern of colocalization with endosomal markers than DT fragment without Td. In addition, endosomes containing DT fragments with Td had a constant pH of about 6.5 from the 10th to 50th minute of observation, for the same time endosomes containing DT fragments without Td demonstrated a decrease in pH from 6.3 to 5.5. These results indicate that Td inhibits acidification of endosomal medium. One of possible explanations for this may be the effect of the ion channel formed by the T-domain on the process of the endosomal acidification. This property of Td may not only inhibit maturation of endosomes but also inhibit activation of endosomal pH-dependent proteases, and this promotes successful transport of Cd into the cell cytosol.