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icmT is essential for pore formation-mediated egress of Legionella pneumophila from mammalian and protozoan cells.

The final step of the intracellular life cycle of Legionella pneumophila and other intracellular pathogens is their egress from the host cell after termination of intracellular replication. We have previously isolated five spontaneous mutants of L. pneumophila that replicate intracellularly similar to the wild-type strain but are defective in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells, and the mutants have been designated rib (release of intracellular bacteria). Here, we show that the rib mutants are not defective in the activity of enzymes secreted through the type II secretion system, including phospholipase A, lysophospholipase A, and monoacylglycerol lipase, although they are potential candidates for factors that lyse host cell membranes. In addition, the pilD and lspG mutants, which are defective in the type II secretion system, are not defective in the pore-forming toxin. We show that all five rib mutants have an identical point mutation (deletion) following a stretch of poly(T) in the icmT gene. Spontaneous revertants of the rib mutants, due to an insertion of a nucleotide following the poly(T) stretch in icmT, have been isolated and shown to have regained the wild-type phenotype. We constructed an icmT insertion mutant (AA100kmT) in the chromosome of the wild-type strain by allelic exchange. The AA100kmT mutant was as defective as the rib mutant in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. Both the rib mutant and the AA100kmT mutant were complemented by the icmT gene for their phenotypic defect. rtxA, a gene that is thought to have a minor role in pore formation, was not involved in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. We conclude that the icmT gene is essential for pore formation-mediated lysis of mammalian and protozoan cells and the subsequent bacterial egress.

Acanthamoeba↗

Intracellular expression of BPTI fusion proteins and single column cleavage/affinity purification by chymotrypsin.

The novel and efficient expression system described here produces formerly poorly expressed, proteolytically unstable mutants of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). A new, single column method for the cleavage of a recombinant fusion to BPTI and affinity purification of the BPTI moiety by immobilized chymotrypsin is an integral part of the system. Wild-type and mutant BPTI molecules are expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins forming intracellular inclusion bodies. Transcription initiation is under the control of the E. coli trp promoter. The expressed protein is tripartite fusion comprising (i) a portion of the TrpLE leader peptide, (ii) a synthetic IgG binding domain derived from protein A and (iii) the BPTI variant. Solubilization of the inclusion bodies and refolding of the fusion proteins in a thiol-disulfide shuffling system yields correctly folded inhibitor molecules. In the single column purification and cleavage procedure, immobilized chymotrypsin cleaves the refolded fusion protein and releases affinity purified active BPTI mutants with correct N-termini. Mutant BPTI molecules which do not fold into active inhibitors are also stably expressed in inclusion bodies but cannot be purified by this method. Unlike previously described secretion systems for the production of BPTI, expression levels in this system appear to be independent of both the mutation in the BPTI gene and the activity of the expressed protein. Mutants poorly expressed in secretion systems can now be produced in sufficient quantities for protein folding studies and structural analysis using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein-protein interactions among Helicobacter pylori cag proteins.

Many Helicobacter pylori isolates contain a 40-kb region of chromosomal DNA known as the cag pathogenicity island (PAI). The risk for development of gastric cancer or peptic ulcer disease is higher among humans infected with cag PAI-positive H. pylori strains than among those infected with cag PAI-negative strains. The cag PAI encodes a type IV secretion system that translocates CagA into gastric epithelial cells. To identify Cag proteins that are expressed by H. pylori during growth in vitro, we compared the proteomes of a wild-type H. pylori strain and an isogenic cag PAI deletion mutant using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) in multiple pH ranges. Seven Cag proteins were identified by this approach. We then used a yeast two-hybrid system to detect potential protein-protein interactions among 14 Cag proteins. One heterotypic interaction (CagY/7 with CagX/8) and two homotypic interactions (involving H. pylori VirB11/ATPase and Cag5) were similar to interactions previously reported to occur among homologous components of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens type IV secretion system. Other interactions involved Cag proteins that do not have known homologues in other bacterial species. Biochemical analysis confirmed selected interactions involving five of the proteins that were identified by 2D-DIGE. Protein-protein interactions among Cag proteins are likely to have an important role in the assembly of the H. pylori type IV secretion apparatus.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Positive charge is an important feature of the C-terminal transport signal of the VirB/D4-translocated proteins of Agrobacterium.

Several human pathogens and the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens use a type IV secretion system for translocation of effector proteins into host cells. How effector proteins are selected for transport is unknown, but a C-terminal transport signal is present in the proteins translocated by the A. tumefaciens VirB/D4 type IV secretion system. We characterized this signal in the virulence protein VirF by alanine scanning and further site-directed mutagenesis. The Cre recombinase was used as a reporter to measure the translocation efficiency of Cre-Vir fusions from A. tumefaciens to Arabidopsis. The data unambiguously showed that positive charge is an essential characteristic of the C-terminal transport signal. We increased the sensitivity of this translocation assay by modifying the Cre-induced readout in host cells from kanamycin resistance to GFP expression. This improvement allowed us to detect translocation of the VirD2 relaxase protein in the absence of transferred DNA, showing that attachment to the transferred DNA is not essential for transport by the VirB/D4 system. We also found another translocated effector protein, namely the VirD5 protein encoded by the tumor-inducing plasmid. According to secondary structure predictions, the C termini of all VirB/D4-translocated proteins identified so far are unstructured; however, they contain a characteristic hydropathic profile. Based on sequence alignments and mutational analysis of VirF, we conclude that the C-terminal transport signal for recruitment and translocation of effector proteins by the A. tumefaciens VirB/D4 system is hydrophilic and has a net positive charge with a consensus motif of R-X(7)-R-X-R-X-R-X-X(n)>.

Arabidopsis↗

Subterfuge and manipulation: type III effector proteins of phytopathogenic bacteria.

Diverse gram-negative bacteria deliver effector proteins into the cells of their eukaryotic hosts using the type III secretion system. Collectively, these type III effector proteins function to optimize the host cell environment for bacterial growth. Type III effector proteins are essential for the virulence of Pseudomonas syringae, Xanthomonas spp., Ralstonia solanacearum and Erwinia species. Type III secretion systems are also found in nonpathogenic pseudomonads and in species of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium. We discuss the functions of type III effector proteins of plant-associated bacteria, with an emphasis on pathogens. Plant pathogens tend to carry diverse collections of type III effectors that likely share overlapping functions. Several effectors inhibit host defense responses. The eukaryotic host targets of only a few type III effector proteins are currently known. We also discuss possible mechanisms for diversification of the suite of type III effector proteins carried by a given bacterial strain.

Apoptosis↗

Gene-for-gene interactions: bacterial avirulence proteins specify plant disease resistance.

Resistance of plants to bacterial pathogens is often controlled by corresponding genes for resistance and avirulence in host and pathogen, respectively. Fifty years after discovery of the genetic basis of gene-for-gene interactions, several avirulence and plant resistance genes have been isolated and are being studied on the molecular level. Tremendous progress has been made due to a better understanding of type III secretion systems that are required for bacterial pathogenicity. We are beginning to grasp how the plant actually recognizes bacterial avirulence determinants. The current view is that the bacterium translocates avirulence proteins into the host cell by the Hrp type III secretion system and that recognition occurs in the plant cell.

Bacteria↗

LeX is expressed by principle progenitor cells in the embryonic nervous system, is secreted into their environment and binds Wnt-1.

LeX/SSEA1/CD15 is an extracellular matrix-associated carbohydrate expressed by ES cells and by adult neural and bone marrow stem cells. It is important for cell adhesion, compaction and FGF2 responses of early embryonic stem cells; however, its function at later stages is not clear. We now show that LeX is expressed by primary mouse neural progenitor cells, including neural stem cells, neuroblasts and glioblasts, but not by their more differentiated products. LeX distinguishes highly proliferative cells even in the primitive neuroepithelium, demonstrating heterogeneity in cell potential before radial glia arise. At later stages, LeX expressing progenitors are frequently radial in morphology. Surface LeX expression can be used to enrich neural stem and progenitor cells from different CNS regions throughout development by FACS. We found that LeX expression is particularly strong in neural regions with prolonged neurogenesis, e.g., the olfactory epithelium, hippocampus, basal forebrain and cerebellum. These regions also express high levels of the growth factors FGF8 and/or Wnt-1. We show here that LeX-containing molecules in the developing nervous system bind Wnt-1. Our findings suggest that LeX, which is present on the surface of principle neural progenitors and secreted into their extracellular niche, may bind and present growth factors important for their proliferation and self-renewal.

Animals↗

Quorum sensing controls expression of the type III secretion gene transcription and protein secretion in enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and enteropathogenic E. coli cause a characteristic histopathology in intestinal cells known as attaching and effacing. The attaching and effacing lesion is encoded by the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island, which encodes a type III secretion system, the intimin intestinal colonization factor, and the translocated intimin receptor protein that is translocated from the bacterium to the host epithelial cells. Using lacZ reporter gene fusions, we show that expression of the LEE operons encoding the type III secretion system, translocated intimin receptor, and intimin is regulated by quorum sensing in both enterohemorrhagic E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli. The luxS gene recently shown to be responsible for production of autoinducer in the Vibrio harveyi and E. coli quorum-sensing systems is responsible for regulation of the LEE operons, as shown by the mutation and complementation of the luxS gene. Regulation of intestinal colonization factors by quorum sensing could play an important role in the pathogenesis of disease caused by these organisms. These results suggest that intestinal colonization by E. coli O157:H7, which has an unusually low infectious dose, could be induced by quorum sensing of signals produced by nonpathogenic E. coli of the normal intestinal flora.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

The coiled-coil domain of EspA is essential for the assembly of the type III secretion translocon on the surface of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) utilize a type III secretion system to deliver virulence-associated effector proteins to the host cell. Four proteins, EspA, EspB, EspD, and Tir, which are integral to the formation of characteristic "attaching and effacing" (A/E) intestinal lesions, are known to be exported via the EPEC type III secretion system. Recent work demonstrated that EspA is a major component of a filamentous structure, elaborated on the surface of EPEC, which is required for translocation of EspB and Tir. The carboxyl terminus of EspA is predicted to comprise an alpha-helical region, which demonstrates heptad periodicity whereby positions a and d in the heptad repeat unit abcdefg are occupied by hydrophobic residues, indicating a propensity for coiled-coil interactions. Here we demonstrate multimeric EspA isoforms in EPEC culture supernatants and EspA:EspA interaction on solid phase. Non-conservative amino acid substitution of specific EspA heptad residues generated EPEC mutants defective in filament assembly but which retained the ability to induce A/E lesions; additional mutation totally abolished EspA filament assembly and A/E lesion formation. These results demonstrate a similarity to flagellar biosynthesis and indicate that the coiled-coil domain of EspA is required for assembly of the EspA filament-associated type III secretion translocon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Type III secretion machines: bacterial devices for protein delivery into host cells.

Several Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria have evolved a complex protein secretion system termed type III to deliver bacterial effector proteins into host cells that then modulate host cellular functions. These bacterial devices are present in both plant and animal pathogenic bacteria and are evolutionarily related to the flagellar apparatus. Although type III secretion systems are substantially conserved, the effector molecules they deliver are unique for each bacterial species. Understanding the biology of these devices may allow the development of novel prevention and therapeutic approaches for several infectious diseases.

Animals↗

Inhibitors of Helicobacter pylori ATPase Cagalpha block CagA transport and cag virulence.

With the steadily increasing occurrence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, there is a great need for new antibacterial compounds. The approach described here involves targeting virulence-related bacterial type IV secretion systems (TFSSs) with small-molecule inhibitors. The cag TFSS of Helicobacter pylori was chosen as a model, and novel inhibitors directed against the cag VirB11-type ATPase Cagalpha were identified. The cag genes encode proteins that are components of a contact-dependent secretion system used by the bacterium to translocate the effector molecule CagA into host cells. Translocated CagA is associated with severe gastritis, and carcinoma. Furthermore, functional TFSSs and immunodominant CagA play a role in interleukin (IL)-8 induction, which is an important factor for chronic inflammation. Inhibitors of Cagalpha were identified by high-throughput screening of chemical libraries that comprised 524 400 small molecules. The ATPase activity of Cagalpha was inhibited by the selected compounds in an in vitro enzymic assay using the purified enzyme. The most active compound, CHIR-1, reduced TFSS function to an extent that cellular effects on AGS cells mediated by CagA were virtually undetectable, while reduced levels of IL-8 induction were observed. Gastric colonization by CHIR-1-pre-treated bacteria was found to be impaired in a dose-dependent manner using a mouse model of infection. Small-molecule Cagalpha inhibitors, the first described inhibitors of a TFSS, are potential candidates for the development of new antibacterial compounds that may lead to alternative medical treatments. The compounds are expected to impose weak selective pressure, since they target virulence functions. Moreover, the targeted virulence protein is conserved in a variety of bacterial pathogens. Additionally, TFSS inhibitors are potent tools to study the biology of TFSSs.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium-dependent regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages by invasins SipB, SipC, and SipD and effector SopE2.

When Salmonella enterica invades mammalian cells, it activates signals leading to increased expression of inflammatory mediators. One such mediator is nitric oxide (NO), which is produced under control of the enzyme inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Induction of iNOS in response to Salmonella infection has been demonstrated, but the bacterial effector molecules that regulate expression of the enzyme have not been identified. In the study reported here, an analysis of Salmonella-dependent iNOS expression in macrophages was carried out. Wild-type Salmonella strains increased the levels of both iNOS protein and mRNA in murine macrophage cell lines in an invasion-independent fashion. Mutant strains lacking a functional pathogenicity island 1-encoded type III secretion system, as well as strains lacking the invasins SipB, SipC, and SipD, were impaired in iNOS induction. Complementation experiments indicated that all three of the invasins were required for induction of iNOS expression. These results suggested that an effector protein, translocated into macrophages via the type III secretion system in a SipB-, SipC-, and SipD-dependent manner, might be the ultimate mediator of iNOS induction. In keeping with this idea, a mutant strain deficient in SopE2, a recently described homolog of SopE, was found to be impaired in the induction of iNOS expression. These observations suggest that iNOS expression is regulated by signals activated by SopE2 (and possibly SopE) and that the role of SipB, SipC, and SipD in this process is to facilitate translocation of the relevant effector.

Animals↗

Purification of secreted recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli.

Secretion systems engineered for the expression of heterologous protein in E. coli provide several advantages for subsequent isolation of purified product. Proteins released from the periplasmic space, which represent a small fraction (i.e., 4-10%) of total cell protein, can readily be separated from other cellular proteins by centrifugation of the remaining cellular debris or cross-flow ultrafiltration. The starting material derived from secretion systems is generally of higher purity than comparable material produced from strains expressing cytoplasmically for systems exhibiting similar expression levels. The available evidence suggests that recombinant proteins derived from the periplasm are generally, but not always (44-46), soluble in a nonaggregated form. Consequently, simple purification protocols can be effectively employed for producing homogeneous product with a high yield. The majority of the secreted recombinant proteins reviewed in this chapter were purified by simple one- or two-step chromatography procedures. High-resolution techniques such as reversed phase HPLC were found necessary only in cases where the secreted polypeptides were contaminated with proteolytic degradation variants, e.g., hirudin (51) and beta-endorphin (22). The fact that a high level of biological activity has been shown to be characteristic of purified recombinant proteins secreted into the periplasmic space suggests the presence of a native conformation stabilized by the expected disulfide linkages. Intramolecular disulfide bonds most probably form either as the polypeptide is translocated through the cytoplasmic membrane into the periplasm or within the periplasmic compartment, which has a higher oxidation potential than that found in the cytoplasm (57). Studies performed with hGH (31) and muIL-2 (35) provide excellent examples of differences observed in protein folding and disulfide bond formation between heterologous proteins expressed in the cytoplasmic and periplasmic compartments. Thus, hGH and muIL-2 extracted from the cytoplasm of E. coli have been characterized as high molecular weight disulfide-bonded oligomers. It is likely that oligomerization occurs as the polypeptides are released from the reducing environment of the cytoplasm. In contrast, secreted hGH and muIL-2 extracted from the periplasm of E. coli by osmotic shock displayed the properties of a property folded native protein with correct disulfide pairing. In the case of muIL-2 only a small residual fraction (approximately 15%) of the purified secreted protein exhibited incomplete oxidation of cysteine (35). Secretion of heterologous proteins into the periplasm prevents their exposure to the action of proteases located in the cytoplasm of E. coli (58). The smaller polypeptides such as somatostatin (59), IGF-1 (46), and hEGF (54) are known to be particularly susceptible to intracellular degradation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Altered regulation of a proteinase mediated primary secretion processing system as the basic defect in cystic fibrosis.

Depsite the high incidence of cystic fibrosis there is no clear cut direction to research into the basic defect responsible for this disorder. This is, at least in part, due to the exceptional amount of irreproducibility surrounding the disease. The defective ion reabsorption in CF sweat glands may be a prototype of a generalized failure to correctly process exocrine gland primary secretions. Such a physiological defect could account for many of the clinical symptoms of CF. It is hypothesised that one or more secreted proteinase(s) may mediate the events of secretion processing. A mutation in the structural gene for such a proteinase or a regulating anti-proteinase or some enzyme carrying out a functionally important post translational modification of the proteinase would then account for the disease.

Cells, Cultured↗

Use of a recombinant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain expressing C-Raf for protection against C-Raf induced lung adenoma in mice.

BACKGROUND: Serine-threonine kinases of the Raf family (A-Raf, B-Raf, C-Raf) are central players in cellular signal transduction, and thus often causally involved in the development of cancer when mutated or over-expressed. Therefore these proteins are potential targets for immunotherapy and a possible basis for vaccine development against tumors. In this study we analyzed the functionality of a new live C-Raf vaccine based on an attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium aroA strain in two Raf dependent lung tumor mouse models. METHODS: The antigen C-Raf has been fused to the C-terminal secretion signal of Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin and expressed in secreted form by an attenuated aroA Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain via the alpha-hemolysin secretion pathway. The effect of the immunization with this recombinant C-Raf strain on wild-type C57BL/6 or lung tumor bearing transgenic BxB mice was analyzed using western blot and FACS analysis as well as specific tumor growth assays. RESULTS: C-Raf antigen was successfully expressed in secreted form by an attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium aroA strain using the E. coli hemolysin secretion system. Immunization of wild-type C57BL/6 or tumor bearing mice provoked specific C-Raf antibody and T-cell responses. Most importantly, the vaccine strain significantly reduced tumor growth in two transgenic mouse models of Raf oncogene-induced lung adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the C-Raf antigen, hemolysin secretion system and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium could form the basis for a new generation of live bacterial vaccines for the treatment of Raf dependent human malignancies.

Adenoma↗

Effect of the parasympathetic system on secretion of parathyroid hormone.

This study evaluated the effect of parasympathetic agonists and antagonists on immunoreactive (i) PTH secretion in vitro and on serum iPTH in vivo in rats. In in vitro studies pilocarpine or bethanechol significantly inhibited PTH secretion. This inhibition was blocked by the simultaneous addition of atropine to the incubation medium. In in vivo studies, the cholinergic agonists pilocarpine and bethanechol and the cholinergic antagonist atropine were administered to rats by IV infusion. Blood was obtained before and again after two hours of infusion for analysis of iPTH. Pilocarpine or bethanechol significantly decreased serum iPTH. This inhibition by either agent was blocked by the simultaneous administration of atropine. Administration of atropine alone significantly increased serum iPTH above baseline. This stimulation of basal serum iPTH by parasympathetic blockade suggests that even basal PTH secretion may be influenced by endogenous parasympathetic tone. Therefore, the following conclusions were reached: (1) parasympathetic influences inhibit PTH secretion, and (2) endogenous parasympathetic tone may be an inhibitory modulator of basal secretion of PTH.

Animals↗

Impaired renal tubular potassium secretion in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Two patients with long-standing systemic lupus erythematosus were found to have persistent hyperkalemia. The hyperkalemia could not be explained by renal insufficiency, oliguria, diminished distal sodium delivery, acidemia, or hemolysis. After sodium depletion, urinary aldosterone excretion and plasma aldosterone concentration rose appropriately. No increase in urinary potassium excretion or decrease in serum potassium concentration was noted after fludrocortisone acetate, furosemide, or acetazolamide plus sodium bicarbonate. We conclude that these patients have a primary defect in renal tubular potassium secretion that may be related to an immune complex interstitial nephritis.

Acetazolamide↗

Deletion of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 gene, spiC, in attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium VNP20009 optimizes its potential for bacterial schwannoma therapy.

UNLABELLED: Recent advances in systems biology and immunotherapy have spurred the investigation of bacteria as therapeutic vehicles for cancer treatment. Currently, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin remains the only FDA-approved bacterial cancer therapy; it is a live attenuated mycobacterium that is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder and for the prophylaxis of primary or recurrent papillary tumors following transurethral resection. Although safety concerns have been raised, attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium strains such as VNP20009 have advanced to clinical trials targeting fast-growing human tumors. Notably, this strain induces robust immunological control of slow-growing tumors such as NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) in preclinical murine models. Here, we genetically characterize VNP20009 with the goal of constructing genetically defined attenuated strains that retain its promising therapeutic features while improving safety. Specifically, we investigated the contribution of the Salmonella pathogenicity island I (SPI-1) and SPI-2 type III secretion systems to antitumor efficacy and biosafety. Mutation of the SPI-1 gene sipB, a key structural component required for SPI-1 type III secretion system function, partially reduced tumor control in NF2-SWN murine schwannoma models, suggesting that bacterial invasion alone does not fully account for antitumor activity. In contrast, deletion of the SPI-2 gene spiC, a key effector required for intracellular survival, preserved robust tumor regression in NF2-SWN murine schwannoma models while improving safety and reducing systemic toxicity. To create a genetically defined and tractable platform, we generated two attenuated strains-AST101 and AST101-ΔspiC-which retain key mutations present in VNP20009 but lack ill-characterized background mutations. In the syngeneic NF2-SWN mouse schwannoma model, both strains significantly suppressed tumor growth compared to PBS. Collectively, these findings support the development of rationally engineered Salmonella Typhimurium strains with enhanced safety and preserved antitumor efficacy. IMPORTANCE: Given long-standing safety concerns surrounding the therapeutic use of live bacteria, we constructed a ΔspiC mutant of VNP20009 and demonstrated that it provides a markedly improved safety profile while retaining antitumor efficacy in NF2-related schwannomatosis mouse schwannoma models. In addition, we created two genetically defined Salmonella Typhimurium strains, AST01 and AST01-ΔspiC, which incorporate the key-targeted mutations found in VNP20009 and VNP20009-ΔspiC, respectively. These engineered strains offer a well-defined genetic background, enabling precise investigation of the bacterial traits responsible for Salmonella Typhimurium-mediated tumor control and thus further improvement of attenuated strains optimized for bacteriotherapy of neoplasms.

Salmonella typhimurium↗