scholarly journals Proteolytic Pathways of Activation and Degradation of a Bacterial Phospholipase C during Intracellular Infection by Listeria monocytogenes

1997 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 1381-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Marquis ◽  
Howard Goldfine ◽  
Daniel A. Portnoy
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Extracellular Environment ◽  
Cell Spread ◽  
Proteolytic Pathways

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that spreads cell to cell without exposure to the extracellular environment. Bacterial cell-to-cell spread is mediated in part by two secreted bacterial phospholipases C (PLC), a broad spectrum PLC (PC-PLC) and a phosphatidylinositolspecific PLC (PI-PLC). PI-PLC is secreted in an active state, whereas PC-PLC is secreted as an inactive proenzyme (proPC-PLC) whose activation is mediated in vitro by an L. monocytogenes metalloprotease (Mpl). Analysis of PI-PLC, PC-PLC, and Mpl single and double mutants revealed that Mpl also plays a role in the spread of an infection, but suggested that proPC-PLC has an Mpl-independent activation pathway. Using biochemical and microscopic approaches, we describe three intracellular proteolytic pathways regulating PCPLC activity. Initially, proPC-PLC secreted in the cytosol of infected cells was rapidly degraded in a proteasome-dependent manner. Later during infection, PCPLC colocalized with bacteria in lysosome-associated membrane protein 1–positive vacuoles. Activation of proPC-PLC in vacuoles was mediated by Mpl and an Mpl-independent pathway, the latter being sensitive to inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Lastly, proPC-PLC activation by either pathway was sensitive to bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar ATPase, suggesting that activation was dependent on acidification of the vacuolar compartment. These results are consistent with a model in which proPC-PLC activation is compartment specific and controlled by a combination of bacterial and host factors.

scholarly journals Compartmentalization of the Broad-Range Phospholipase C Activity to the Spreading Vacuole Is Critical for Listeria monocytogenes Virulence

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Marie Yeung ◽  
Yoojin Na ◽  
Amanda J. Kreuder ◽  
Hélène Marquis
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Phospholipase C ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Virulence Attenuation ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Host Cell Membranes ◽  
Cell Spread

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that multiplies in the cytosol of host cells and spreads directly from cell to cell by using an actin-based mechanism of motility. The broad-range phospholipase C (PC-PLC) of L. monocytogenes contributes to bacterial escape from vacuoles formed upon cell-to-cell spread. PC-PLC is made as an inactive proenzyme whose activation requires cleavage of an N-terminal propeptide. During infection, PC-PLC is activated specifically in acidified vacuoles. To assess the importance of compartmentalizing PC-PLC activity during infection, we created a mutant that makes constitutively active PC-PLC (the plcBΔpro mutant). Results from intracellular growth and cell-to-cell spread assays showed that the plcBΔpro mutant was sensitive to gentamicin, suggesting that unregulated PC-PLC activity causes damage to host cell membranes. This was confirmed by the observation of a twofold increase in staining of live infected cells by a non-membrane-permeant DNA fluorescent dye. However, membrane damage was not sufficient to cause cell lysis and was dependent on bacterial cell-to-cell spread, suggesting that damage was localized to bacterium-containing filopodia. Using an in vivo competitive infection assay, we observed that the plcBΔpro mutant was outcompeted up to 200-fold by the wild-type strain in BALB/c mice. Virulence attenuation was greater when mice were infected orally than when they were infected intravenously, presumably because the plcBΔpro mutant was initially outcompeted in the intestines, reducing the number of mutant bacteria reaching the liver and spleen. Together, these results emphasize the importance for L. monocytogenes virulence of compartmentalizing the activity of PC-PLC during infection.

scholarly journals Antifungal activity of dendritic cell lysosomal proteins against Cryptococcus neoformans

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin N. Nelson ◽  
Savannah G. Beakley ◽  
Sierra Posey ◽  
Brittney Conn ◽  
Emma Maritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Lysosomal Proteins

AbstractCryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening disease among immune compromised individuals that is caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous studies have shown that the fungus is phagocytosed by dendritic cells (DCs) and trafficked to the lysosome where it is killed by both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms. While certain molecules from the lysosome are known to kill or inhibit the growth of C. neoformans, the lysosome is an organelle containing many different proteins and enzymes that are designed to degrade phagocytosed material. We hypothesized that multiple lysosomal components, including cysteine proteases and antimicrobial peptides, could inhibit the growth of C. neoformans. Our study identified the contents of the DC lysosome and examined the anti-cryptococcal properties of different proteins found within the lysosome. Results showed several DC lysosomal proteins affected the growth of C. neoformans in vitro. The proteins that killed or inhibited the fungus did so in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the concentration of protein needed for cryptococcal inhibition was found to be non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells. These data show that many DC lysosomal proteins have antifungal activity and have potential as immune-based therapeutics.

Roscovitine, a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent protein kinases, reversibly inhibits chromatin condensation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

Zygote ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Krischek ◽  
Burkhard Meinecke
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Chromatin Condensation ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Histone H1 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Free Medium ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Dependent Protein

In the present study the effects of roscovitine on the in vitro nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes were investigated. Roscovitine, a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent protein kinases, prevented chromatin condensation in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was reversible and was accompanied by non-activation of p34cdc2/histone H1 kinase. It also decreased enzyme activity of MAP kinase, suggesting a correlation between histone H1 kinase activation and the onset of chromatin condensation. The addition of roscovitine (50 μM) to extracts of metaphase II oocytes revealed that the MAP kinase activity was not directly affected by roscovitine, which indicates a possible link between histone H1 and MAP kinase. Chromatin condensation occurred between 20 and 28 h of culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in inhibitor-free medium (germinal vesicle stage I, GV1: 74.6% and 13.7%, respectively). Nearly the same proportion of chromatin condensation was detected in COCs incubated initially in inhibitor-free medium for 20-28 h and subsequently in roscovitine-supplemented medium (50 μM) for a further 2-10 h (GV I: 76.2% and 18.8%, respectively). This observation indicates that roscovitine prevents chromatin condensation even after an initial inhibitor-free cultivation for 20 h. Extending this initial incubation period to ≥22 h led to an activation of histone H1 and MAP kinase and increasing proportions of oocytes exhibiting chromatin condensation in the presence of roscovitine. It is concluded that histone H1 kinase is involved in the induction of chromatin condensation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

A possible alternative mechanism of kinin generation in vivo by cathepsin L

2005 ◽  
Vol 386 (7) ◽  
pp. 699-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Puzer ◽  
Juliana Vercesi ◽  
Marcio F.M. Alves ◽  
Nilana M.T. Barros ◽  
Mariana S. Araujo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Enzyme Inhibitor ◽  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Cathepsin L ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Hypotensive Effect ◽  
Alternative Mechanism

Abstract We investigated the ability of cathepsin L to induce a hypotensive effect after intravenous injection in rats and correlated this decrease in blood pressure with kinin generation. Simultaneously with blood pressure decrease, we detected plasma kininogen depletion in the treated rats. The effect observed in vivo was abolished by pre-incubation of cathepsin L with the cysteine peptidase-specific inhibitor E-64 (1 μM) or by previous administration of the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist JE049 (4 mg/kg). A potentiation of the hypotensive effect caused by cathepsin L was observed by previous administration of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (5 mg/kg). In vitro studies indicated that cathepsin L excised bradykinin from the synthetic fluorogenic peptide Abz-MTSVIRRPPGFSPFRAPRV-NH2, based on the Met375–Val393 sequence of rat kininogen (Abz=o-aminobenzoic acid). In conclusion, our data indicate that in vivo cathepsin L releases a kinin-related peptide, and in vitro experiments suggest that the kinin generated is bradykinin. Although it is well known that cysteine proteases are strongly inhibited by kininogen, cathepsin L could represent an alternative pathway for kinin production in pathological processes.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Interactions of Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate-Early IE2 Regulatory Protein with Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers and Their Conjugation Enzyme Ubc9

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 3859-3872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hyun Ahn ◽  
Yixun Xu ◽  
Won-Jong Jang ◽  
Michael J. Matunis ◽  
Gary S. Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Hcmv Infection ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Interacting Proteins ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Yeast Two Hybrid ◽  
Vitro Binding ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Two Hybrid

ABSTRACT The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early protein IE2 is a nuclear phosphoprotein that is believed to be a key regulator in both lytic and latent infections. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO-1, SUMO-2, and SUMO-3) and a SUMO-conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) were isolated as IE2-interacting proteins. In vitro binding assays with glutathioneS-transferase (GST) fusion proteins provided evidence for direct protein-protein interaction. Mapping data showed that the C-terminal end of SUMO-1 is critical for interaction with IE2 in both yeast and in vitro binding assays. IE2 was efficiently modified by SUMO-1 or SUMO-2 in cotransfected cells and in cells infected with a recombinant adenovirus expressing HCMV IE2, although the level of modification was much lower in HCMV-infected cells. Two lysine residues at positions 175 and 180 were mapped as major alternative SUMO-1 conjugation sites in both cotransfected cells and an in vitro sumoylation assay and could be conjugated by SUMO-1 simultaneously. Although mutations of these lysine residues did not interfere with the POD (or ND10) targeting of IE2, overexpression of SUMO-1 enhanced IE2-mediated transactivation in a promoter-dependent manner in reporter assays. Interestingly, many other cellular proteins identified as IE2 interaction partners in yeast two-hybrid assays also interact with SUMO-1, suggesting that either directly bound or covalently conjugated SUMO moieties may act as a bridge for interactions between IE2 and other SUMO-1-modified or SUMO-1-interacting proteins. When we investigated the intracellular localization of SUMO-1 in HCMV-infected cells, the pattern changed from nuclear punctate to predominantly nuclear diffuse in an IE1-dependent manner at very early times after infection, but with some SUMO-1 protein now associated with IE2 punctate domains. However, at late times after infection, SUMO-1 was predominantly detected within viral DNA replication compartments containing IE2. Taken together, these results show that HCMV infection causes the redistribution of SUMO-1 and that IE2 both physically binds to and is covalently modified by SUMO moieties, suggesting possible modulation of both the function of SUMO-1 and protein-protein interactions of IE2 during HCMV infection.

scholarly journals Interleukin-22-Induced Antimicrobial Phospholipase A2 Group IIA Mediates Protective Innate Immunity of Nonhematopoietic Cells against Listeria monocytogenes

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamato Okita ◽  
Takeru Shiono ◽  
Ayano Yahagi ◽  
Satoru Hamada ◽  
Masayuki Umemura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Phospholipase A2 ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interleukin 22 ◽  
Phospholipase A2 Group Iia

Listeria monocytogenesis a bacterial pathogen which establishes intracellular parasitism in various cells, including macrophages and nonhematopoietic cells, such as hepatocytes. It has been reported that several proinflammatory cytokines have pivotal roles in innate protection againstL. monocytogenesinfection. We found that a proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 22 (IL-22), was expressed by CD3+CD4+T cells at an early stage ofL. monocytogenesinfection in mice. To assess the influence of IL-22 onL. monocytogenesinfection in hepatocytes, cells of a human hepatocellular carcinoma line, HepG2, were treated with IL-22 beforeL. monocytogenesinfectionin vitro. Gene expression analysis of the IL-22-treated HepG2 cells identified phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) as an upregulated antimicrobial molecule. Addition of recombinant PLA2G2A to the HepG2 culture significantly suppressedL. monocytogenesinfection. Culture supernatant of the IL-22-treated HepG2 cells contained bactericidal activity againstL. monocytogenes, and the activity was abrogated by a specific PLA2G2A inhibitor, demonstrating that HepG2 cells secreted PLA2G2A, which killed extracellularL. monocytogenes. Furthermore, colocalization of PLA2G2A andL. monocytogeneswas detected in the IL-22-treated infected HepG2 cells, which suggests involvement of PLA2G2A in the mechanism of intracellular killing ofL. monocytogenesby HepG2 cells. These results suggest that IL-22 induced at an early stage ofL. monocytogenesinfection enhances innate immunity againstL. monocytogenesin the liver by stimulating hepatocytes to produce an antimicrobial molecule, PLA2G2A.

scholarly journals Critical role for Epac1 in inflammatory pain controlled by GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of Epac1

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (11) ◽  
pp. 3036-3041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Singhmar ◽  
XiaoJiao Huo ◽  
Niels Eijkelkamp ◽  
Susana Rojo Berciano ◽  
Faiza Baameur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Inflammatory Pain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Mechanical Hyperalgesia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Phosphorylation Event

cAMP signaling plays a key role in regulating pain sensitivity. Here, we uncover a previously unidentified molecular mechanism in which direct phosphorylation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (EPAC1) by G protein kinase 2 (GRK2) suppresses Epac1-to-Rap1 signaling, thereby inhibiting persistent inflammatory pain. Epac1−/− mice are protected against inflammatory hyperalgesia in the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) model. Moreover, the Epac-specific inhibitor ESI-09 inhibits established CFA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia without affecting normal mechanical sensitivity. At the mechanistic level, CFA increased activity of the Epac target Rap1 in dorsal root ganglia of WT, but not of Epac1−/−, mice. Using sensory neuron-specific overexpression of GRK2 or its kinase-dead mutant in vivo, we demonstrate that GRK2 inhibits CFA-induced hyperalgesia in a kinase activity-dependent manner. In vitro, GRK2 inhibits Epac1-to-Rap1 signaling by phosphorylation of Epac1 at Ser-108 in the Disheveled/Egl-10/pleckstrin domain. This phosphorylation event inhibits agonist-induced translocation of Epac1 to the plasma membrane, thereby reducing Rap1 activation. Finally, we show that GRK2 inhibits Epac1-mediated sensitization of the mechanosensor Piezo2 and that Piezo2 contributes to inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia. Collectively, these findings identify a key role of Epac1 in chronic inflammatory pain and a molecular mechanism for controlling Epac1 activity and chronic pain through phosphorylation of Epac1 at Ser-108. Importantly, using the Epac inhibitor ESI-09, we validate Epac1 as a potential therapeutic target for chronic pain.

scholarly journals Deletion of the First Cysteine-Rich Region of the Varicella-Zoster Virus Glycoprotein E Ectodomain Abolishes the gE and gI Interaction and Differentially Affects Cell-Cell Spread and Viral Entry

2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Berarducci ◽  
Jaya Rajamani ◽  
Mike Reichelt ◽  
Marvin Sommer ◽  
Leigh Zerboni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Rich Region ◽  
Glycoprotein E ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cell Spread ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E (gE) is the most abundant glycoprotein in infected cells and, in contrast to those of other alphaherpesviruses, is essential for viral replication. The gE ectodomain contains a unique N-terminal region required for viral replication, cell-cell spread, and secondary envelopment; this region also binds to the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a proposed VZV receptor. To identify new functional domains of the gE ectodomain, the effect of mutagenesis of the first cysteine-rich region of the gE ectodomain (amino acids 208 to 236) was assessed using VZV cosmids. Deletion of this region was compatible with VZV replication in vitro, but cell-cell spread of the rOka-ΔCys mutant was reduced significantly. Deletion of the cysteine-rich region abolished the binding of the mutant gE to gI but not to IDE. Preventing gE binding to gI altered the pattern of gE expression at the plasma membrane of infected cells and the posttranslational maturation of gI and its incorporation into viral particles. In contrast, deletion of the first cysteine-rich region did not affect viral entry into human tonsil T cells in vitro or into melanoma cells infected with cell-free VZV. These experiments demonstrate that gE/gI heterodimer formation is essential for efficient cell-cell spread and incorporation of gI into viral particles but that it is dispensable for infectious varicella-zoster virion formation and entry into target cells. Blocking gE binding to gI resulted in severe impairment of VZV infection of human skin xenografts in SCIDhu mice in vivo, documenting the importance of cell fusion mediated by this complex for VZV virulence in skin.

scholarly journals Decreased susceptibility to calpains of v-FosFBR but not of v-FosFBJ or v-JunASV17 retroviral proteins compared with their cellular counterparts

1997 ◽  
Vol 323 (3) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Muriel STEFF ◽  
Serge CARILLO ◽  
Magali PARIAT ◽  
Marc PIECHACZYK
Keyword(s):  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Peptide Motifs ◽  
Interesting Possibility ◽  
Murine Sarcoma Virus ◽  
Sarcoma Virus ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Murine Sarcoma

The c-Fos and c-Jun transcription factors are rapidly turned over in vivo. One of the multiple pathways responsible for their breakdown is probably initiated by calpains, which are cytoplasmic calcium-dependent cysteine proteases. The c-fos gene has been transduced by two murine oncogenic retroviruses called Finkel-Biskis-Jenkins murine sarcoma virus (FBJ-MSV) and Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR-MSV); c-jun has been transduced by the chicken avian sarcoma virus 17 (ASV17) retrovirus. Using an in vitro degradation assay, we show that the mutated v-FosFBR, but not v-FosFBJ or v-JunASV17, is resistant to calpains. This property raises the interesting possibility that decreased sensitivity to calpains might contribute to the tumorigenic potential of FBR-MSV by allowing greater accumulation of the protein that it encodes in infected cells. It has also been demonstrated that resistance to cleavage by calpains does not result from mutations that have accumulated in the Fos moiety of the viral protein but rather from the addition of atypical peptide motifs at its both ends. This observation raises the interesting possibility that homologous regions in viral and cellular Fos either display slightly different conformations or are differentially accessible to interacting proteins.

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