1
|
Huynh DT, Jong WSP, Oudejans MAH, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Luirink J, van Ulsen P. Heterologous Display of Chlamydia trachomatis PmpD Passenger at the Surface of Salmonella OMVs. Membranes (Basel) 2023; 13:366. [PMID: 37103793 PMCID: PMC10145130 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13040366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacterial pathogen that causes most cases of sexually transmitted diseases annually. To combat the global spread of asymptomatic infection, development of effective (mucosal) vaccines that offer both systemic and local immune responses is considered a high priority. In this study, we explored the expression of C. trachomatis full-length (FL) PmpD, as well as truncated PmpD passenger constructs fused to a "display" autotransporter (AT) hemoglobin protease (HbpD) and studied their inclusion into outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. OMVs are considered safe vaccine vectors well-suited for mucosal delivery. By using E. coli AT HbpD-fusions of chimeric constructs we improved surface display and successfully generated Salmonella OMVs decorated with a secreted and immunogenic PmpD passenger fragment (aa68-629) to 13% of the total protein content. Next, we investigated whether a similar chimeric surface display strategy could be applied to other AT antigens, i.e., secreted fragments of Prn (aa35-350) of Bordetella pertussis and VacA (aa65-377) of Helicobacter pylori. The data provided information on the complexity of heterologous expression of AT antigens at the OMV surface and suggested that optimal expression strategies should be developed on an antigen-to-antigen basis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dung T. Huynh
- Abera Bioscience AB, 750 26 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Manon A. H. Oudejans
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience AB, 750 26 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang L, Driedonks TA, Jong WS, Dhakal S, Bart van den Berg van Saparoea H, Sitaras I, Zhou R, Caputo C, Littlefield K, Lowman M, Chen M, Lima G, Gololobova O, Smith B, Mahairaki V, Riley Richardson M, Mulka KR, Lane AP, Klein SL, Pekosz A, Brayton C, Mankowski JL, Luirink J, Villano JS, Witwer KW. A bacterial extracellular vesicle-based intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 protects against disease and elicits neutralizing antibodies to wild-type and Delta variants. J Extracell Vesicles 2022; 11:e12192. [PMID: 35289114 PMCID: PMC8920961 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several vaccines have been introduced to combat the coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines include mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles or adenoviral vectors that encode the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, inactivated virus, or protein subunits. Despite growing success in worldwide vaccination efforts, additional capabilities may be needed in the future to address issues such as stability and storage requirements, need for vaccine boosters, desirability of different routes of administration, and emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the Delta variant. Here, we present a novel, well-characterized SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) of Salmonella typhimurium that are decorated with the mammalian cell culture-derived Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). RBD-conjugated outer membrane vesicles (RBD-OMVs) were used to immunize the golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model of COVID-19. Intranasal immunization resulted in high titres of blood anti-RBD IgG as well as detectable mucosal responses. Neutralizing antibody activity against wild-type and Delta variants was evident in all vaccinated subjects. Upon challenge with live virus, hamsters immunized with RBD-OMV, but not animals immunized with unconjugated OMVs or a vehicle control, avoided body mass loss, had lower virus titres in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and experienced less severe lung pathology. Our results emphasize the value and versatility of OMV-based vaccine approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linglei Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Tom A.P. Driedonks
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | - Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Ioannis Sitaras
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Ruifeng Zhou
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Christopher Caputo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Maggie Lowman
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Mengfei Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Gabriela Lima
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Olesia Gololobova
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Barbara Smith
- Department of Cell BiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Vasiliki Mahairaki
- Department of Genetic Medicine and The Richman Family Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - M. Riley Richardson
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Kathleen R. Mulka
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Andrew P. Lane
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Cory Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Joseph L. Mankowski
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience ABUppsalaSweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS)Vrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jason S. Villano
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Kenneth W. Witwer
- Department of Molecular and Comparative PathobiologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of Genetic Medicine and The Richman Family Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang L, Driedonks TA, Jong WS, Dhakal S, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Sitaras I, Zhou R, Caputo C, Littlefield K, Lowman M, Chen M, Lima G, Gololobova O, Smith B, Mahairaki V, Richardson MR, Mulka KR, Lane AP, Klein SL, Pekosz A, Brayton CF, Mankowski JL, Luirink J, Villano JS, Witwer KW. A bacterial extracellular vesicle-based intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 protects against disease and elicits neutralizing antibodies to wild-type and Delta variants. bioRxiv 2022:2021.06.28.450181. [PMID: 35132418 PMCID: PMC8820665 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.28.450181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Several vaccines have been introduced to combat the coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines include mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles or adenoviral vectors that encode the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, inactivated virus, or protein subunits. Despite growing success in worldwide vaccination efforts, additional capabilities may be needed in the future to address issues such as stability and storage requirements, need for vaccine boosters, desirability of different routes of administration, and emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the Delta variant. Here, we present a novel, well-characterized SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) of Salmonella typhimurium that are decorated with the mammalian cell culture-derived Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). RBD-conjugated outer membrane vesicles (RBD-OMVs) were used to immunize the golden Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ) model of COVID-19. Intranasal immunization resulted in high titers of blood anti-RBD IgG as well as detectable mucosal responses. Neutralizing antibody activity against wild-type and Delta variants was evident in all vaccinated subjects. Upon challenge with live virus, hamsters immunized with RBD-OMV, but not animals immunized with unconjugated OMVs or a vehicle control, avoided body mass loss, had lower virus titers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and experienced less severe lung pathology. Our results emphasize the value and versatility of OMV-based vaccine approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linglei Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tom A.P. Driedonks
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Ioannis Sitaras
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruifeng Zhou
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Caputo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maggie Lowman
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mengfei Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabriela Lima
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Olesia Gololobova
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara Smith
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mahairaki
- Department of Genetic Medicine and The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - M. Riley Richardson
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen R. Mulka
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew P. Lane
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cory F. Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph L. Mankowski
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience AB, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- These authors are designated as co-corresponding authors. ; ;
| | - Jason S. Villano
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- These authors are designated as co-corresponding authors. ; ;
| | - Kenneth W. Witwer
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine and The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- These authors are designated as co-corresponding authors. ; ;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van Beek LF, Surmann K, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Houben D, Jong WSP, Hentschker C, Ederveen THA, Mitsi E, Ferreira DM, van Opzeeland F, van der Gaast-de Jongh CE, Joosten I, Völker U, Schmidt F, Luirink J, Diavatopoulos DA, de Jonge MI. Exploring metal availability in the natural niche of Streptococcus pneumoniae to discover potential vaccine antigens. Virulence 2021; 11:1310-1328. [PMID: 33017224 PMCID: PMC7550026 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1825908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prerequisite for pneumococcal transmission and disease. Current vaccines protect only against disease and colonization caused by a limited number of serotypes, consequently allowing serotype replacement and transmission. Therefore, the development of a broadly protective vaccine against colonization, transmission and disease is desired but requires a better understanding of pneumococcal adaptation to its natural niche. Hence, we measured the levels of free and protein-bound transition metals in human nasal fluid, to determine the effect of metal concentrations on the growth and proteome of S. pneumoniae. Pneumococci cultured in medium containing metal levels comparable to nasal fluid showed a highly distinct proteomic profile compared to standard culture conditions, including the increased abundance of nine conserved, putative surface-exposed proteins. AliA, an oligopeptide binding protein, was identified as the strongest protective antigen, demonstrated by the significantly reduced bacterial load in a murine colonization and a lethal mouse pneumonia model, highlighting its potential as vaccine antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucille F van Beek
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kristin Surmann
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christian Hentschker
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas H A Ederveen
- Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Mitsi
- Liverpool School of Tropical medicine, Respiratory Infection Group , Liverpool, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Daniela M Ferreira
- Liverpool School of Tropical medicine, Respiratory Infection Group , Liverpool, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Fred van Opzeeland
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christa E van der Gaast-de Jongh
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Irma Joosten
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Völker
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany
| | - Frank Schmidt
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany.,Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar , Doha, Qatar
| | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience AB , Solna, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dimitri A Diavatopoulos
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marien I de Jonge
- Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences , Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases , Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Houben D, Kuijl C, Luirink J, Jong WSP. Combining Protein Ligation Systems to Expand the Functionality of Semi-Synthetic Outer Membrane Vesicle Nanoparticles. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:890. [PMID: 32477305 PMCID: PMC7235339 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) attract increasing interest as immunostimulatory nanoparticles for the development of vaccines and therapeutic agents. We previously engineered the autotransporter protein Hemoglobin protease (Hbp) into a surface display carrier that can be expressed to high density on the surface of Salmonella OMVs. Moreover, we implemented Tag-Catcher protein ligation technology, to obtain dense display of single heterologous antigens and nanobodies on the OMVs through coupling to the distal end of the Hbp passenger domain. Here, we aimed to further expand the versatility of the Hbp platform by enabling the coupling of heterologous proteins to internal sites of the Hbp passenger. Inserted SpyTags were shown to be accessible at the Salmonella OMV surface and to efficiently couple SpyCatcher-equipped fusion proteins. Next, we combined distally placed SnoopCatcher or SnoopTag sequences with internal SpyTags in a single Hbp molecule. This allowed the coupling of two heterologous proteins to a single Hbp carrier molecule without obvious steric hindrance effects. Since coupling occurs to Hbp that is already exposed on the OMVs, there are no limitations to the size and complexity of the partner proteins. In conclusion, we constructed a versatile modular platform for the development of bivalent recombinant OMV-based vaccines and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diane Houben
- Abera Bioscience AB, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Coen Kuijl
- Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam Institute of Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience AB, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jong WSP, Vikström D, Houben D, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, de Gier JW, Luirink J. Application of an E. coli signal sequence as a versatile inclusion body tag. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:50. [PMID: 28320377 PMCID: PMC5359840 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0662-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heterologous protein production in Escherichia coli often suffers from bottlenecks such as proteolytic degradation, complex purification procedures and toxicity towards the expression host. Production of proteins in an insoluble form in inclusion bodies (IBs) can alleviate these problems. Unfortunately, the propensity of heterologous proteins to form IBs is variable and difficult to predict. Hence, fusing the target protein to an aggregation prone polypeptide or IB-tag is a useful strategy to produce difficult-to-express proteins in an insoluble form. Results When screening for signal sequences that mediate optimal targeting of heterologous proteins to the periplasmic space of E. coli, we observed that fusion to the 39 amino acid signal sequence of E. coli TorA (ssTorA) did not promote targeting but rather directed high-level expression of the human proteins hEGF, Pla2 and IL-3 in IBs. Further analysis revealed that ssTorA even mediated IB formation of the highly soluble endogenous E. coli proteins TrxA and MBP. The ssTorA also induced aggregation when fused to the C-terminus of target proteins and appeared functional as IB-tag in E. coli K-12 as well as B strains. An additive effect on IB-formation was observed upon fusion of multiple ssTorA sequences in tandem, provoking almost complete aggregation of TrxA and MBP. The ssTorA-moiety was successfully used to produce the intrinsically unstable hEGF and the toxic fusion partner SymE, demonstrating its applicability as an IB-tag for difficult-to-express and toxic proteins. Conclusions We present proof-of-concept for the use of ssTorA as a small, versatile tag for robust E. coli-based expression of heterologous proteins in IBs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-017-0662-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wouter S P Jong
- Abera Bioscience AB, 11145, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Section Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | - Jan-Willem de Gier
- Center for Biomembrane Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joen Luirink
- Abera Bioscience AB, 11145, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Section Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Glas M, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, McLaughlin SH, Roseboom W, Liu F, Koningstein GM, Fish A, den Blaauwen T, Heck AJR, de Jong L, Bitter W, de Esch IJP, Luirink J. The Soluble Periplasmic Domains of Escherichia coli Cell Division Proteins FtsQ/FtsB/FtsL Form a Trimeric Complex with Submicromolar Affinity. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:21498-509. [PMID: 26160297 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.654756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell division in Escherichia coli involves a set of essential proteins that assembles at midcell to form the so-called divisome. The divisome regulates the invagination of the inner membrane, cell wall synthesis, and inward growth of the outer membrane. One of the divisome proteins, FtsQ, plays a central but enigmatic role in cell division. This protein associates with FtsB and FtsL, which, like FtsQ, are bitopic inner membrane proteins with a large periplasmic domain (denoted FtsQp, FtsBp, and FtsLp) that is indispensable for the function of each protein. Considering the vital nature and accessible location of the FtsQBL complex, it is an attractive target for protein-protein interaction inhibitors intended to block bacterial cell division. In this study, we expressed FtsQp, FtsBp, and FtsLp individually and in combination. Upon co-expression, FtsQp was co-purified with FtsBp and FtsLp from E. coli extracts as a stable trimeric complex. FtsBp was also shown to interact with FtsQp in the absence of FtsLp albeit with lower affinity. Interactions were mapped at the C terminus of the respective domains by site-specific cross-linking. The binding affinity and 1:1:1 stoichiometry of the FtsQpBpLp complex and the FtsQpBp subcomplex were determined in complementary surface plasmon resonance, analytical ultracentrifugation, and native mass spectrometry experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Glas
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Bart van den Berg van Saparoea
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen H McLaughlin
- the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Winfried Roseboom
- the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Department of Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and
| | - Fan Liu
- the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands, and
| | - Gregory M Koningstein
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Fish
- the NKI Protein Facility, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Department of Bacterial Cell Biology, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J R Heck
- the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands, and
| | - Luitzen de Jong
- the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Department of Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iwan J P de Esch
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joen Luirink
- From the Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Glas M, Vernooij IGWH, Bitter W, den Blaauwen T, Luirink J. Fine-mapping the contact sites of the Escherichia coli cell division proteins FtsB and FtsL on the FtsQ protein. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:24340-50. [PMID: 23846696 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.485888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli cell division is effected by a large assembly of proteins called the divisome, of which a subcomplex consisting of three bitopic inner membrane proteins, FtsQ, FtsB, and FtsL, is an essential part. These three proteins, hypothesized to link cytoplasmic to periplasmic events during cell division, contain large periplasmic domains that are of major importance for function and complex formation. The essential nature of this subcomplex, its low abundance, and its multiple interactions with key divisome components in the relatively accessible periplasm make it an attractive target for the development of protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Although the crystal structure of the periplasmic domain of FtsQ has been solved, the structure of the FtsQBL complex is unknown, with only very crude indications of the interactions in this complex. In this study, we used in vivo site-specific photo cross-linking to probe the surface of the FtsQ periplasmic domain for its interaction interfaces with FtsB and FtsL. An interaction hot spot for FtsB was identified around residue Ser-250 in the C-terminal region of FtsQ and a membrane-proximal interaction region for both proteins around residue Lys-59. Sequence alignment revealed a consensus motif overlapping with the C-terminal interaction hot spot, underlining the importance of this region in FtsQ. The identification of contact sites in the FtsQBL complex will guide future development of interaction inhibitors that block cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Bart van den Berg van Saparoea
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Lubelski J, van Merkerk R, Mazurkiewicz PS, Driessen AJM. Proton motive force-dependent Hoechst 33342 transport by the ABC transporter LmrA of Lactococcus lactis. Biochemistry 2006; 44:16931-8. [PMID: 16363806 DOI: 10.1021/bi051497y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The fluorescent compound Hoechst 33342 is a substrate for many multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters and is widely used to characterize their transport activity. We have constructed mutants of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette (ABC)-type MDR transporter LmrA of Lactococcus lactis that are defective in ATP hydrolysis. These mutants and wild-type LmrA exhibited an atypical behavior in the Hoechst 33342 transport assay. In membrane vesicles, Hoechst 33342 transport was shown to be independent of the ATPase activity of LmrA, and it was not inhibited by orthovanadate but sensitive to uncouplers that collapse the proton gradient and to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of the F0F1-ATPase. In contrast, transport of Hoechst 33342 by the homologous, heterodimeric MDR transporter LmrCD showed a normal ATP dependence and was insensitive to uncouplers of the proton gradient. With intact cells, expression of LmrA resulted in an increased rate of Hoechst 33342 influx while LmrCD caused a decrease in the rate of Hoechst 33342 influx. Cellular toxicity assays using a triple knockout strain, i.e., L. lactis delta lmrA delta lmrCD, demonstrate that expression of LmrCD protects cells against the growth inhibitory effects of Hoechst 33342, while in the presence of LmrA, cells are more susceptible to Hoechst 33342. Our data demonstrate that the LmrA-mediated Hoechst 33342 transport in membrane vesicles is influenced by the transmembrane pH gradient due to a pH-dependent partitioning of Hoechst 33342 into the membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Bart van den Berg van Saparoea
- Department of Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, NL-9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Achard-Joris M, van den Berg van Saparoea HB, Driessen AJM, Bourdineaud JP. Heterologously Expressed Bacterial and Human Multidrug Resistance Proteins Confer Cadmium Resistance to Escherichia coli. Biochemistry 2005; 44:5916-22. [PMID: 15823051 DOI: 10.1021/bi047700r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human MDR1 gene is induced by cadmium exposure although no resistance to this metal is observed in human cells overexpressing hMDR1. To access the role of MDR proteins in cadmium resistance, human MDR1, Lactococcus lactis lmrA, and Oenococcus oeni omrA were expressed in an Escherichia coli tolC mutant strain which proved to be hypersensitive to cadmium. Both the human and bacterial MDR genes conferred cadmium resistance to E. coli up to 0.4 mM concentration. Protection was abolished by 100 microM verapamil. Quantification of intracellular cadmium concentration by atomic absorption spectrometry showed a reduced cadmium accumulation in cells expressing the MDR genes. Inside-out membrane vesicles of L. lactis overexpressing lmrA displayed an ATP-dependent (109)Cd(2+) uptake that was stimulated by glutathione. An evolutionary model is discussed in which MDR proteins have evolved independently from an ancestor protein displaying both organic xenobiotic- and divalent metal-extrusion abilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maud Achard-Joris
- Laboratoire d'Ecophysiologie et d'Ecotoxicologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Bordeaux 1/UMR CNRS 5805, Place du Dr. Peyneau, 33120 Arcachon, France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|