scholarly journals Structural insights into the roles of the IcmS–IcmW complex in the type IVb secretion system of Legionella pneumophila

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (51) ◽  
pp. 13543-13548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianpo Xu ◽  
Dandan Xu ◽  
Muyang Wan ◽  
Li Yin ◽  
Xiaofei Wang ◽  
...  

The type IVb secretion system (T4BSS) of Legionella pneumophila is a multiple-component apparatus that delivers ∼300 virulent effector proteins into host cells. The injected effectors modulate host cellular processes to promote bacterial infection and proliferation. IcmS and IcmW are two conserved small, acidic adaptor proteins that form a binary complex to interact with many effectors and facilitate their translocation. IcmS and IcmW can also interact with DotL, an ATPase of the type IV coupling protein complex (T4CP). However, how IcmS–IcmW recognizes effectors, and what the roles of IcmS–IcmW are in T4BSSs are unclear. In this study, we found that IcmS and IcmW form a 1:1 heterodimeric complex to bind effector substrates. Both IcmS and IcmW adopt new structural folds and have no structural similarities with known effector chaperones. IcmS has a compact global structure with an α/β fold, while IcmW adopts a fully α-folded, relatively loose architecture. IcmS stabilizes IcmW by binding to its two C-terminal α-helices. Photocrosslinking assays revealed that the IcmS–IcmW complex binds its cognate effectors via an extended hydrophobic surface, which can also interact with the C terminus of DotL. A crystal structure of the DotL–IcmS–IcmW complex reveals extensive and highly stable interactions between DotL and IcmS–IcmW. Moreover, IcmS–IcmW recruits LvgA to DotL and assembles a unique T4CP. These data suggest that IcmS–IcmW also functions as an inseparable integral component of the DotL–T4CP complex in the bacterial inner membrane. This study provides molecular insights into the dual roles of the IcmS–IcmW complex in T4BSSs.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
KwangCheol C. Jeong ◽  
Jacob Gyore ◽  
Lin Teng ◽  
Debnath Ghosal ◽  
Grant J. Jensen ◽  
...  

SummaryLegionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, survives and replicates inside amoebae and macrophages by injecting a large number of protein effectors into the host cells’ cytoplasm via the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS). Previously, we showed that the Dot/Icm T4BSS is localized to both poles of the bacterium and that polar secretion is necessary for the proper targeting of theLegionellacontaining vacuole (LCV). Here we show that polar targeting of the Dot/Icm core-transmembrane subcomplex (DotC, DotD, DotF, DotG and DotH) is mediated by two Dot/Icm proteins, DotU and IcmF, which are able to localize to the poles ofL. pneumophilaby themselves. Interestingly, DotU and IcmF are homologs of the T6SS components TssL and TssM, which are part of the T6SS membrane complex (MC). We propose thatLegionellaco-opted these T6SS components to a novel function that mediates subcellular localization and assembly of this T4SS. Finally, in depth examination of the biogenesis pathway revealed that polar targeting and assembly of theLegionellaT4BSS apparatus is mediated by an innovative “outside-inside” mechanism.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debnath Ghosal ◽  
Yi-Wei Chang ◽  
Kwang Cheol Jeong ◽  
Joseph P. Vogel ◽  
Grant J. Jensen

AbstractLegionella pneumophilasurvives and replicates inside host cells by secreting ~300 effectors through the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS). Understanding this machine’s structure is challenging because of its large number of components (27) and integration into all layers of the cell envelope. Previously we overcame this obstacle by imaging the Dot/Icm T4BSS in its native state within intact cells through electron cryotomography. Here we extend our observations by imaging a stabilized mutant that yielded a higher resolution map. We describe for the first time the presence of a well-ordered central channel that opens up into a windowed large (~32 nm wide) secretion chamber with an unusual 13-fold symmetry. We then dissect the complex by matching proteins to densities for many components, including all those with periplasmic domains. The placement of known and predicted structures of individual proteins into the map reveals the architecture of the T4BSS and provides a roadmap for further investigation of this amazing specialized secretion system.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debnath Ghosal ◽  
Yi-Wei Chang ◽  
Kwangcheol C. Jeong ◽  
Joseph P. Vogel ◽  
Grant J. Jensen

AbstractType IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are large macromolecular machines that translocate protein and DNA and are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple human diseases. Here, using electron cryotomography (ECT), we report the in situ structure of the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) utilized by the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila. This is the first structure of a type IVB secretion system, and also the first structure of any T4SS in situ. While the Dot/Icm system shares almost no sequence homology with type IVA secretion systems (T4ASSs), its overall structure shows remarkable similarities to two previously imaged T4ASSs, suggesting shared aspects of mechanism. However, compared to one of these, the negative-stain reconstruction of the purified T4ASS from the R388 plasmid, it is approximately twice as long and wide and exhibits several additional large densities, reflecting type-specific elaborations and potentially better structural preservation in situ.


eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa L Durie ◽  
Michael J Sheedlo ◽  
Jeong Min Chung ◽  
Brenda G Byrne ◽  
Min Su ◽  
...  

Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic pathogen that causes the potentially fatal pneumonia Legionnaires’ Disease. This infection and subsequent pathology require the Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System (T4SS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells. Compared to prototypical T4SSs, the Dot/Icm assembly is much larger, containing ~27 different components including a core complex reported to be composed of five proteins: DotC, DotD, DotF, DotG, and DotH. Using single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we report reconstructions of the core complex of the Dot/Icm T4SS that includes a symmetry mismatch between distinct structural features of the outer membrane cap (OMC) and periplasmic ring (PR). We present models of known core complex proteins, DotC, DotD, and DotH, and two structurally similar proteins within the core complex, DotK and Lpg0657. This analysis reveals the stoichiometry and contact interfaces between the key proteins of the Dot/Icm T4SS core complex and provides a framework for understanding a complex molecular machine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa L. Durie ◽  
Michael J. Sheedlo ◽  
Jeong Min Chung ◽  
Brenda G. Byrne ◽  
Min Su ◽  
...  

AbstractLegionella pneumophila is an opportunistic pathogen that causes the potentially fatal pneumonia Legionnaires’ Disease. This infection and subsequent pathology require the Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System (T4SS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells. Compared to prototypical T4SSs, the Dot/Icm assembly is much larger, containing ~27 different components including a core complex reported to be composed of five proteins: DotC, DotD, DotF, DotG, and DotH. Using single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we report reconstructions of the core complex of the Dot/Icm T4SS that includes a symmetry mismatch between distinct structural features of the outer membrane cap (OMC) and periplasmic ring (PR). We present models of known core complex proteins, DotC, DotD, and DotH, and two structurally similar proteins within the core complex, DotK and Lpg0657. This analysis reveals the stoichiometry and contact interfaces between the key proteins of the Dot/Icm T4SS core complex and provides a framework for understanding a complex molecular machine.


2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 7578-7587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gal Yerushalmi ◽  
Tal Zusman ◽  
Gil Segal

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, utilizes a type IVB secretion system to subvert its host cells and grow intracellularly. This type IV secretion system is composed of 25 icm (or dot) genes that probably constitute parts of a secretion complex as well as more than 30 proteins that are translocated via this system into the host cells. Three of the Icm/Dot proteins (DotD, DotC, and IcmN) contain a lipobox motif at their N terminals and are predicted to be lipoproteins. Two of these lipoproteins (DotD and DotC) were found to be essential for intracellular growth in both HL-60-derived human macrophages and in the protozoan host Acanthamoeba castellanii, while the third lipoprotein (IcmN) was found to be partially required for intracellular growth only in A. castellanii. Mutation analysis of the lipobox cysteine residue, which was shown previously to be indispensable for the lipobox function, indicated that both DotC and DotD are partially functional without this conserved residue. Cysteine mutations in both DotC and DotD or in DotC together with an icmN deletion or in DotD together with an icmN deletion were found to be additive, indicating that each of these lipoproteins performs its function independently from the others. Analysis of the transcriptional regulation of both the dotDC operon and the icmN gene revealed that both had higher levels of expression at stationary phase which were partially dependent on the LetA regulator. Our results indicate that the lipoproteins of the L. pneumophila icm (or dot) system are essential components of the secretion system and that they perform their functions independently.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (30) ◽  
pp. 8077-8082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwangcheol C. Jeong ◽  
Debnath Ghosal ◽  
Yi-Wei Chang ◽  
Grant J. Jensen ◽  
Joseph P. Vogel

A recurrent emerging theme is the targeting of proteins to subcellular microdomains within bacterial cells, particularly to the poles. In most cases, it has been assumed that this localization is critical to the protein’s function.Legionella pneumophilauses a type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) to export a large number of protein substrates into the cytoplasm of host cells. Here we show that theLegionellaexport apparatus is localized to the bacterial poles, as is consistent with many T4SS substrates being retained on the phagosomal membrane adjacent to the poles of the bacterium. More significantly, we were able to demonstrate that polar secretion of substrates is critically required forLegionella’s alteration of the host endocytic pathway, an activity required for this pathogen’s virulence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luying Liu ◽  
Craig R. Roy

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ Disease and is capable replicating inside phagocytic cells such as mammalian macrophages. The Dot/Icm type IV secretion system is a L. pneumophila virulence factor that is essential for successful intracellular replication. During infection, L. pneumophila builds a replication permissive vacuole by recruiting multiple host molecules and hijacking host cellular signaling pathways, a process mediated by the coordinated functions of multiple Dot/Icm effector proteins. RavY is a predicted Dot/Icm effector protein found to be important for optimal L. pneumophila replication inside host cells. Here, we demonstrate that RavY is a Dot/Icm-translocated effector protein that is dispensable for axenic replication of L. pneumophila , but critical for optimal intracellular replication of the bacteria. RavY is not required for avoidance of endosomal maturation, nor does RavY contribute to the recruitment of host molecules found on replication-permissive vacuoles, such as ubiquitin, RAB1a, and RTN4. Vacuoles containing L. pneumophila ravY mutants promote intracellular survival but limit replication. The replication defect of the L. pneumophila ravY mutant was complemented when the mutant was in the same vacuole as wild type L. pneumophila . Thus, RavY is an effector that is essential for promoting intracellular replication of L. pneumophila once the specialized vacuole has been established.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 617-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest C. So ◽  
Corinna Mattheis ◽  
Edward W. Tate ◽  
Gad Frankel ◽  
Gunnar N. Schroeder

The Gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila infects a wide range of different protozoa in the environment and also human alveolar macrophages upon inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Inside its hosts, it creates a defined and unique compartment, termed the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), for survival and replication. To establish the LCV, L. pneumophila uses its Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) to translocate more than 300 effector proteins into the host cell. Although it has become apparent in the past years that these effectors subvert a multitude of cellular processes and allow Legionella to take control of host cell vesicle trafficking, transcription, and translation, the exact function of the vast majority of effectors still remains unknown. This is partly due to high functional redundancy among the effectors, which renders conventional genetic approaches to elucidate their role ineffective. Here, we review the current knowledge about Legionella T4SS effectors, highlight open questions, and discuss new methods that promise to facilitate the characterization of T4SS effector functions in the future.


mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin A. McDonough ◽  
Hayley J. Newton ◽  
Scott Klum ◽  
Rachel Swiss ◽  
Hervé Agaisse ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCoxiella burnetiiis an intracellular pathogen that replicates within a lysosome-like vacuole. A Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system is used byC. burnetiito translocate effector proteins into the host cytosol that likely modulate host factor function. To identify host determinants required forC. burnetiiintracellular growth, a genome-wide screen was performed using gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Replication ofC. burnetiiwas measured by immunofluorescence microscopy in siRNA-transfected HeLa cells. Newly identified host factors included components of the retromer complex, which mediates cargo cycling between the endocytic pathway and the Golgi apparatus. Reducing the levels of the retromer cargo-adapter VPS26-VPS29-VPS35 complex or retromer-associated sorting nexins abrogatedC. burnetiireplication. Several genes, when silenced, resulted in enlarged vacuoles or an increased number of vacuoles withinC. burnetii-infected cells. Silencing of theSTX17gene encoding syntaxin-17 resulted in a striking defect in homotypic fusion of vacuoles containingC. burnetii, suggesting a role for syntaxin-17 in regulating this process. Lastly, silencing host genes needed forC. burnetiireplication correlated with defects in the translocation of Dot/Icm effectors, whereas, silencing of genes that affected vacuole morphology, but did not impact replication, did not affect Dot/Icm translocation. These data demonstrate thatC. burnetiivacuole maturation is important for creating a niche that permits Dot/Icm function. Thus, genome-wide screening has revealed host determinants involved in sequential events that occur duringC. burnetiiinfection as defined by bacterial uptake, vacuole transport and acidification, activation of the Dot/Icm system, homotypic fusion of vacuoles, and intracellular replication.IMPORTANCEQ fever in humans is caused by the bacteriumCoxiella burnetii. Infection withC. burnetiiis marked by its unique ability to replicate within a large vacuolar compartment inside cells that resembles the harsh, acidic environment of a lysosome. Central to its pathogenesis is the delivery of bacterial effector proteins into the host cell cytosol by a Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system. These proteins can interact with and manipulate host factors, thereby leading to creation and maintenance of the vacuole that the bacteria grow within. Using high-throughput genome-wide screening in human cells, we identified host factors important for several facets ofC. burnetiiinfection, including vacuole transport and membrane fusion events that promote vacuole expansion. In addition, we show that maturation of theC. burnetiivacuole is necessary for creating an environment permissive for the Dot/Icm delivery of bacterial effector proteins into the host cytosol.


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