Structural basis of the interaction between the putative adhesion-involved and iron-regulated FrpD and FrpC proteins of Neisseria meningitidis

ABSTRACT The posttranslational Ca2+-dependent “clip-and-link” activity of large repeat-in-toxin (RTX) proteins starts by Ca2+-dependent structural rearrangement of a highly conserved self-processing module (SPM). Subsequently, an internal aspartate-proline (Asp-Pro) peptide bond at the N-terminal end of SPM breaks, and the liberated C-terminal aspartyl residue can react with a free ε-amino group of an adjacent lysine residue to form a new isopeptide bond. Here, we report a solution structure of the calcium-loaded SPM (Ca-SPM) derived from the FrpC protein of Neisseria meningitidis. The Ca-SPM structure defines a unique protein architecture and provides structural insight into the autocatalytic cleavage of the Asp-Pro peptide bond through a “twisted-amide” activation. Furthermore, in-frame deletion of the SPM domain from the ApxIVA protein of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae attenuated the virulence of this porcine pathogen in a pig respiratory challenge model. We hypothesize that the Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity represents an unconventional strategy for Gram-negative pathogens to adhere to the host target cell surface. IMPORTANCE The Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity of large repeat-in-toxin (RTX) proteins is an exceptional posttranslational process in which an internal domain called a self-processing module (SPM) mediates Ca2+-dependent processing of a highly specific aspartate-proline (Asp-Pro) peptide bond and covalent linkage of the released aspartyl to an adjacent lysine residue through an isopeptide bond. Here, we report the solution structures of the Ca2+-loaded SPM (Ca-SPM) defining the mechanism of the autocatalytic cleavage of the Asp414-Pro415 peptide bond of the Neisseria meningitidis FrpC exoprotein. Moreover, deletion of the SPM domain in the ApxIVA protein, the FrpC homolog of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, resulted in attenuation of virulence of the bacterium in a pig infection model, indicating that the Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity plays a role in the virulence of Gram-negative pathogens.

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Structural basis for the recognition and cleavage of abasic DNA in Neisseria meningitidis

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1206563109 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 109 (42) ◽

pp. 16852-16857 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

D. Lu ◽

J. Silhan ◽

J. T. MacDonald ◽

E. P. Carpenter ◽

K. Jensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neisseria Meningitidis ◽

Structural Basis

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Structural basis of the Neisseria meningitidis immunotypes including the L4 and L7 immunotypes

Carbohydrate Research ◽

10.1016/s0008-6215(96)00305-9 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 298 (3) ◽

pp. 191-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Grigorij Kogan ◽

Dusan Uhrín ◽

Jean-Robert Brisson ◽

Harold J. Jennings

Keyword(s):

Neisseria Meningitidis ◽

Structural Basis

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Structural basis for solute transport, nucleotide regulation, and immunological recognition of Neisseria meningitidis PorB

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.0912115107 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 107 (15) ◽

pp. 6811-6816 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

M. Tanabe ◽

C. M. Nimigean ◽

T. M. Iverson

Keyword(s):

Neisseria Meningitidis ◽

Solute Transport ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Immunological Recognition ◽

Nucleotide Regulation

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Neisseria meningitidis factor H-binding protein bound to monoclonal antibody JAR5: implications for antibody synergy

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bcj20160806 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 473 (24) ◽

pp. 4699-4713 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Enrico Malito ◽

Paola Lo Surdo ◽

Daniele Veggi ◽

Laura Santini ◽

Heather Stefek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Neisseria Meningitidis ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Factor H ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Fab Fragment ◽

Bacterial Killing ◽

Fragment Antigen Binding

Factor H-binding protein (fHbp) is an important antigen of Neisseria meningitidis that is capable of eliciting a robust protective immune response in humans. Previous studies on the interactions of fHbp with antibodies revealed that some anti-fHbp monoclonal antibodies that are unable to trigger complement-mediated bacterial killing in vitro are highly co-operative and become bactericidal if used in combination. Several factors have been shown to influence such co-operativity, including IgG subclass and antigen density. To investigate the structural basis of the anti-fHbp antibody synergy, we determined the crystal structure of the complex between fHbp and the Fab (fragment antigen-binding) fragment of JAR5, a specific anti-fHbp murine monoclonal antibody known to be highly co-operative with other monoclonal antibodies. We show that JAR5 is highly synergic with monoclonal antibody (mAb) 12C1, whose structure in complex with fHbp has been previously solved. Structural analyses of the epitopes recognized by JAR5 and 12C1, and computational modeling of full-length IgG mAbs of JAR5 and 12C1 bound to the same fHbp molecule, provide insights into the spatial orientation of Fc (fragment crystallizable) regions and into the possible implications for the susceptibility of meningococci to complement-mediated killing.

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Organization of tight junctions in the choroid plexus epithelium

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100082546 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 336-337

Author(s):

B. Van Deurs ◽

J. K. Koehler

Keyword(s):

Choroid Plexus ◽

Present Report ◽

Freeze Fracture ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Cell Junctions ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Apical Surface ◽

Choroid Plexus Epithelium ◽

Solid Nitrogen ◽

Special Composition

The choroid plexus epithelium constitutes a blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, and is involved in regulation of the special composition of the CSF. The epithelium is provided with an ouabain-sensitive Na/K-pump located at the apical surface, actively pumping ions into the CSF. The choroid plexus epithelium has been described as “leaky” with a low transepithelial resistance, and a passive transepithelial flux following a paracellular route (intercellular spaces and cell junctions) also takes place. The present report describes the structural basis for these “barrier” properties of the choroid plexus epithelium as revealed by freeze fracture.Choroid plexus from the lateral, third and fourth ventricles of rats were used. The tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde and stored in 30% glycerol. Freezing was performed either in liquid nitrogen-cooled Freon 22, or directly in a mixture of liquid and solid nitrogen prepared in a special vacuum chamber. The latter method was always used, and considered necessary, when preparations of complementary (double) replicas were made.

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High resolution spot scan imaging of frozen, hydrated actin bundles with 400kV electrons

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100122964 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 512-513

Author(s):

J. Jakana ◽

M.F. Schmid ◽

P. Matsudaira ◽

W. Chiu

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Binding Proteins ◽

Actin Binding ◽

Eukaryotic Cells ◽

Dimensional Structure ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Actin Bundle ◽

Actin Bundles ◽

3 Dimensional ◽

Macromolecular Assembly

Actin is a protein found in all eukaryotic cells. In its polymerized form, the cells use it for motility, cytokinesis and for cytoskeletal support. An example of this latter class is the actin bundle in the acrosomal process from the Limulus sperm. The different functions actin performs seem to arise from its interaction with the actin binding proteins. A 3-dimensional structure of this macromolecular assembly is essential to provide a structural basis for understanding this interaction in relationship to its development and functions.

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Electron Microscopy and image reconstruction reveal the structural basis for spectrin's elastic properties

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100122952 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 510-511

Author(s):

Amy M. McGough ◽

Robert Josephs

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Elastic Properties ◽

Conformational Changes ◽

Quaternary Structure ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Membrane Skeleton ◽

Projection Algorithm ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Iterative Approximation ◽

Membrane Skeletons

The remarkable deformability of the erythrocyte derives in large part from the elastic properties of spectrin, the major component of the membrane skeleton. It is generally accepted that spectrin's elasticity arises from marked conformational changes which include variations in its overall length (1). In this work the structure of spectrin in partially expanded membrane skeletons was studied by electron microscopy to determine the molecular basis for spectrin's elastic properties. Spectrin molecules were analysed with respect to three features: length, conformation, and quaternary structure. The results of these studies lead to a model of how spectrin mediates the elastic deformation of the erythrocyte.Membrane skeletons were isolated from erythrocyte membrane ghosts, negatively stained, and examined by transmission electron microscopy (2). Particle lengths and end-to-end distances were measured from enlarged prints using the computer program MACMEASURE. Spectrin conformation (straightness) was assessed by calculating the particles’ correlation length by iterative approximation (3). Digitised spectrin images were correlation averaged or Fourier filtered to improve their signal-to-noise ratios. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed using a suite of programs which were based on the filtered back-projection algorithm and executed on a cluster of Microvax 3200 workstations (4).

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