scholarly journals Study ofLegionellaEffector Domains Revealed Novel and Prevalent Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate Binding Domains

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimrod Nachmias ◽  
Tal Zusman ◽  
Gil Segal
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Phosphate Binding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Charged Amino Acids ◽  
Overlay Assay ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophilaand otherLegionellaspecies replicate intracellularly using the Icm/Dot type IV secretion system. InL. pneumophilathis system translocates >300 effectors into host cells and in theLegionellagenus thousands of effectors were identified, the function of most of which is unknown. FourteenL. pneumophilaeffectors were previously shown to specifically bind phosphoinositides (PIs) using dedicated domains. We found that PI-binding domains of effectors are usually not homologous to one another; they are relatively small and located at the effectors' C termini. We used the previously identifiedLegionellaeffector domains (LEDs) with unknown function and the above characteristics of effector PI-binding domains to discover novel PI-binding LEDs. We identified three predicted PI-binding LEDs that are present in 14 L. pneumophilaeffectors and in >200 effectors in theLegionellagenus. Using anin vitroprotein-lipid overlay assay, we found that 11 of theseL. pneumophilaeffectors specifically bind phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P), almost doubling the number ofL. pneumophilaeffectors known to bind PIs. Further, we identified in each of these newly discovered PI3P-binding LEDs conserved, mainly positively charged, amino acids that are essential for PI3P binding. Our results indicate thatLegionellaeffectors harbor unique domains, shared by many effectors, which directly mediate PI3P binding.

scholarly journals Exploitation of conserved eukaryotic host cell farnesylation machinery by an F-box effector of Legionella pneumophila

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (8) ◽  
pp. 1713-1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T.D. Price ◽  
Tasneem Al-Quadan ◽  
Marina Santic ◽  
Snake C. Jones ◽  
Yousef Abu Kwaik
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protein Farnesyltransferase ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Eukaryotic Proteins ◽  
Bacterial Effectors

Farnesylation involves covalent linkage of eukaryotic proteins to a lipid moiety to anchor them into membranes, which is essential for the biological function of Ras and other proteins. A large cadre of bacterial effectors is injected into host cells by intravacuolar pathogens through elaborate type III–VII translocation machineries, and many of these effectors are incorporated into the pathogen-containing vacuolar membrane by unknown mechanisms. The Dot/Icm type IV secretion system of Legionella pneumophila injects into host cells the F-box effector Ankyrin B (AnkB), which functions as platforms for the docking of polyubiquitinated proteins to the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) to enable intravacuolar proliferation in macrophages and amoeba. We show that farnesylation of AnkB is indispensable for its anchoring to the cytosolic face of the LCV membrane, for its biological function within macrophages and Dictyostelium discoideum, and for intrapulmonary proliferation in mice. Remarkably, the protein farnesyltransferase, RCE-1 (Ras-converting enzyme-1), and isoprenyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase host farnesylation enzymes are recruited to the LCV in a Dot/Icm-dependent manner and are essential for the biological function of AnkB. In conclusion, this study shows novel localized recruitment of the host farnesylation machinery and its anchoring of an F-box effector to the LCV membrane, and this is essential for biological function in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Promotion and Rescue of Intracellular Brucella neotomae Replication during Coinfection with Legionella pneumophila

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon-Suk Kang ◽  
James E. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Intracellular Replication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Reporter Systems ◽  
Brucella Neotomae

ABSTRACT We established a new Brucella neotomae in vitro model system for study of type IV secretion system-dependent (T4SS) pathogenesis in the Brucella genus. Importantly, B. neotomae is a rodent pathogen, and unlike B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis, B. neotomae has not been observed to infect humans. It therefore can be handled more facilely using biosafety level 2 practices. More particularly, using a series of novel fluorescent protein and lux operon reporter systems to differentially label pathogens and track intracellular replication, we confirmed T4SS-dependent intracellular growth of B. neotomae in macrophage cell lines. Furthermore, B. neotomae exhibited early endosomal (LAMP-1) and late endoplasmic reticulum (calreticulin)-associated phagosome maturation. These findings recapitulate prior observations for human-pathogenic Brucella spp. In addition, during coinfection experiments with Legionella pneumophila, we found that defective intracellular replication of a B. neotomae T4SS virB4 mutant was rescued and baseline levels of intracellular replication of wild-type B. neotomae were significantly stimulated by coinfection with wild-type but not T4SS mutant L. pneumophila. Using confocal microscopy, it was determined that intracellular colocalization of B. neotomae and L. pneumophila was required for rescue and that colocalization came at a cost to L. pneumophila fitness. These findings were not completely expected based on known temporal and qualitative differences in the intracellular life cycles of these two pathogens. Taken together, we have developed a new system for studying in vitro Brucella pathogenesis and found a remarkable T4SS-dependent interplay between Brucella and Legionella during macrophage coinfection.

scholarly journals LtpD Is a Novel Legionella pneumophila Effector That Binds Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate and Inositol Monophosphatase IMPA1

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 4261-4270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare R. Harding ◽  
Corinna Mattheis ◽  
Aurélie Mousnier ◽  
Clare V. Oates ◽  
Elizabeth L. Hartland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Replication ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3

ABSTRACTThe Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) ofLegionella pneumophilais crucial for the pathogen to survive in protozoa and cause human disease. Although more than 275 effector proteins are delivered into the host cell by the T4SS, the function of the majority is unknown. Here we have characterized the Dot/Icm effector LtpD. During infection, LtpD localized to the cytoplasmic face of the membrane of theLegionella-containing vacuole (LCV). In A549 lung epithelial cells, ectopically expressed LtpD localized to large vesicular structures that contained markers of endosomal compartments. Systematic analysis of LtpD fragments identified an internal 17-kDa fragment, LtpD471-626, which was essential for targeting ectopically expressed LtpD to vesicular structures and for the association of translocated LtpD with the LCV. LtpD471-626bound directly to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P]in vitroand colocalized with the PtdIns(3)P markers FYVE and SetA in cotransfected cells. LtpD was also found to bind the host cell enzyme inositol (myo)-1 (or 4)-monophosphatase 1, an important phosphatase involved in phosphoinositide production. Analysis of the role of LtpD in infection showed that LtpD is involved in bacterial replication in THP-1 macrophages, the larvae ofGalleria mellonella, and mouse lungs. Together, these data suggest that LtpD is a novel phosphoinositide-bindingL. pneumophilaeffector that has a role in intracellular bacterial replication.

scholarly journals The Bacterial Second Messenger Cyclic di-GMP Regulates Brucella Pathogenesis and Leads to Altered Host Immune Response

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 3458-3470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Khan ◽  
Jerome S. Harms ◽  
Fernanda M. Marim ◽  
Leah Armon ◽  
Cherisse L. Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv

Brucella species are facultative intracellular bacteria that cause brucellosis, a chronic debilitating disease significantly impacting global health and prosperity. Much remains to be learned about how Brucella spp. succeed in sabotaging immune host cells and how Brucella spp. respond to environmental challenges. Multiple types of bacteria employ the prokaryotic second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) to coordinate responses to shifting environments. To determine the role of c-di-GMP in Brucella physiology and in shaping host- Brucella interactions, we utilized c-di-GMP regulatory enzyme deletion mutants. Our results show that a Δ bpdA phosphodiesterase mutant producing excess c-di-GMP displays marked attenuation in vitro and in vivo during later infections. Although c-di-GMP is known to stimulate the innate sensor STING, surprisingly, the Δ bpdA mutant induced a weaker host immune response than did wild-type Brucella or the low-c-di-GMP guanylate cyclase Δ cgsB mutant. Proteomics analysis revealed that c-di-GMP regulates several processes critical for virulence, including cell wall and biofilm formation, nutrient acquisition, and the type IV secretion system. Finally, Δ bpdA mutants exhibited altered morphology and were hypersensitive to nutrient-limiting conditions. In summary, our results indicate a vital role for c-di-GMP in allowing Brucella to successfully navigate stressful and shifting environments to establish intracellular infection.

scholarly journals Alveolar Macrophages and Neutrophils Are the Primary Reservoirs for Legionella pneumophila and Mediate Cytosolic Surveillance of Type IV Secretion

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 4325-4336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Copenhaver ◽  
Cierra N. Casson ◽  
Hieu T. Nguyen ◽  
Thomas C. Fung ◽  
Matthew M. Duda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Alveolar Macrophages ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Pulmonary Infection ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophila, an intracellular pathogen responsible for the severe pneumonia Legionnaires' disease, uses itsdot/icm-encoded type IV secretion system (T4SS) to translocate effector proteins that promote its survival and replication into the host cell cytosol. However, by introducing bacterial products into the host cytosol,L. pneumophilaalso activates cytosolic immunosurveillance pathways, thereby triggering robust proinflammatory responses that mediate the control of infection. Thus, the pulmonary cell types thatL. pneumophilainfects not only may act as an intracellular niche that facilitates its pathogenesis but also may contribute to the immune response againstL. pneumophila. The identity of these host cells remains poorly understood. Here, we developed a strain ofL. pneumophilaproducing a fusion protein consisting of β-lactamase fused to the T4SS-translocated effector RalF, which allowed us to track cells injected by the T4SS. Our data reveal that alveolar macrophages and neutrophils both are the primary recipients of T4SS-translocated effectors and harbor viableL. pneumophiladuring pulmonary infection of mice. Moreover, both alveolar macrophages and neutrophils from infected mice produced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1α in response to T4SS-sufficient, but not T4SS-deficient,L. pneumophila. Collectively, our data suggest that alveolar macrophages and neutrophils are both an intracellular reservoir forL. pneumophilaand a source of proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to the host immune response againstL. pneumophiladuring pulmonary infection.

scholarly journals Potentiation of Cytokine-Mediated Restriction ofLegionellaIntracellular Replication by a Dot/Icm-Translocated Effector

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshegofatso Ngwaga ◽  
Alex J. Hydock ◽  
Sandhya Ganesan ◽  
Stephanie R. Shames
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Restriction ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Necrosis Factor

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophilais ubiquitous in freshwater environments, where it replicates within unicellular protozoa. However,L. pneumophilais also an accidental human pathogen that can cause Legionnaires’ disease in immunocompromised individuals by uncontrolled replication within alveolar macrophages. To replicate within eukaryotic phagocytes,L. pneumophilautilizes a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to translocate a large arsenal of over 300 effector proteins directly into host cells. In mammals, translocated effectors contribute to innate immune restriction ofL. pneumophila. We found previously that the effector LegC4 is important forL. pneumophilareplication within a natural host protist but is deleterious to replication in a mouse model of Legionnaires’ disease. In the present study, we used cultured mouse primary macrophages to investigate how LegC4 attenuatesL. pneumophilareplication. We found that LegC4 enhanced restriction ofL. pneumophilareplication within macrophages activated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon gamma (IFN-γ). In addition, expression oflegC4was sufficient to restrictLegionella longbeachaereplication within TNF- or IFN-γ-activated macrophages. Thus, this study demonstrates that LegC4 contributes toL. pneumophilaclearance from healthy hosts by potentiating cytokine-mediated host defense mechanisms.IMPORTANCELegionellaspp. are natural pathogens of protozoa and accidental pathogens of humans. Innate immunity in healthy individuals effectively controlsLegionellainfection due in part to rapid and robust production of proinflammatory cytokines resulting from detection of Dot/Icm-translocated substrates, including effectors. Here, we demonstrate that the effector LegC4 enhances proinflammatory host restriction ofLegionellaby macrophages. These data suggest that LegC4 may augment proinflammatory signaling or antimicrobial activity of macrophages, a function that has not previously been observed for another bacterial effector. Further insight into LegC4 function will likely reveal novel mechanisms to enhance immunity against pathogens.

scholarly journals Type IV Pili PromoteClostridium difficileAdherence and Persistence in a Mouse Model of Infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. McKee ◽  
Naira Aleksanyan ◽  
Elizabeth M. Garrett ◽  
Rita Tamayo
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Flagellum Biosynthesis ◽  
Mouse Model Of Infection ◽  
Null Mutants

ABSTRACTCyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that regulates the transition from motile to sessile lifestyles in numerous bacteria and controls virulence factor production in a variety of pathogens. InClostridium difficile, c-di-GMP negatively regulates flagellum biosynthesis and swimming motility and promotes the production of type IV pili (TFP), biofilm formation, and surface motilityin vitro. Flagella have been identified as colonization factors inC. difficile, but the role of TFP in adherence to host cells and in colonization of the mammalian gut is unknown. Here we show that c-di-GMP promotes adherence to epithelial cellsin vitro, which can be partly attributed to the loss of flagella. Using TFP-null mutants, we demonstrate that adherence to epithelial cells is partially mediated by TFP and that this TFP-mediated adherence requires c-di-GMP regulation. In a mouse model of colonization, the TFP-null mutants initially colonized the intestine as well as the parental strain but were cleared more quickly. Moreover, compared to the parent strain,C. difficilestrains lacking TFP were particularly deficient in association with the cecal mucosa. Together these data indicate that TFP and their positive regulation by c-di-GMP promote attachment ofC. difficileto the intestinal epithelium and contribute to persistence ofC. difficilein the host intestine.

scholarly journals Targeting of the Small GTPase Rab6A′ by the Legionella pneumophila Effector LidA

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 2226-2235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Chen ◽  
Matthias P. Machner
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Intracellular Replication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Gtpase Activating Proteins ◽  
Active Pool ◽  
Cell Cytosol

ABSTRACTWhen the bacteriumLegionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, is phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages, it delivers a large number of effector proteins through its Dot/Icm type IV secretion system into the host cell cytosol. Among those proteins is LidA, an effector that interacts with several host GTPases of the Rab family, including Rab6A′, a regulator of retrograde vesicle trafficking within eukaryotic cells. The effect of LidA on Rab6A′ function and the role of Rab6A′ forL. pneumophilagrowth within host cells has been unclear. Here, we show that LidA preferentially binds Rab6A′ in the active GTP-bound conformation. Rab6 binding occurred through the central region of LidA and followed a stoichiometry for LidA and Rab6A′ of 1:2. LidA maintained Rab6A′ in the active conformation by efficiently blocking the hydrolysis of GTP by Rab6A′, even in the presence of cellular GTPase-activating proteins, suggesting that the function of Rab6A′ must be important for efficient intracellular replication ofL. pneumophila. Accordingly, we found that production of constitutively inactive Rab6A′(T27N) but not constitutively active Rab6A′(Q72L) significantly reduced the ability ofL. pneumophilato initiate intracellular replication in human macrophages. Thus, the presence of an active pool of Rab6 within host cells early during infection is required to support efficient intracellular growth ofL. pneumophila.

scholarly journals Immunization against Anaplasma phagocytophilum Adhesin Binding Domains Confers Protection against Infection in the Mouse Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheeda A. Naimi ◽  
Jacob J. Gumpf ◽  
Ryan S. Green ◽  
Jerilyn R. Izac ◽  
Matthew P. Zellner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes granulocytic anaplasmosis, a debilitating infection that can be fatal in the immunocompromised. It also afflicts animals, including dogs, horses, and sheep. No granulocytic anaplasmosis vaccine exists. Because A. phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium, inhibiting microbe-host cell interactions that facilitate invasion can disrupt infection. The binding domains of A. phagocytophilum adhesins A. phagocytophilum invasion protein A (AipA), A. phagocytophilum surface protein (Asp14), and outer membrane protein A (OmpA) are essential for optimal bacterial entry into host cells, but their relevance to infection in vivo is undefined. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were immunized with a cocktail of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated peptides corresponding to the AipA, Asp14, and OmpA binding domains in alum followed by challenge with A. phagocytophilum. The bacterial peripheral blood burden was pronouncedly reduced in immunized mice compared to controls. Examination of pre- and postchallenge sera from these mice revealed that immunization elicited antibodies against AipA and Asp14 peptides but not OmpA peptide. Nonetheless, pooled sera from pre- and postchallenge groups, but not from control groups, inhibited A. phagocytophilum infection of HL-60 cells. Adhesin domain immunization also elicited interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing CD8-positive (CD8+) T cells. A follow-up study confirmed that immunization against only the AipA or Asp14 binding domain was sufficient to reduce the bacterial peripheral blood load in mice following challenge and elicit antibodies that inhibit A. phagocytophilum cellular infection in vitro. These data demonstrate that AipA and Asp14 are critical for A. phagocytophilum to productively infect mice, and immunization against their binding domains elicits a protective immune response.

scholarly journals A New Method To Determine In Vivo Interactomes Reveals Binding of the Legionella pneumophila Effector PieE to Multiple Rab GTPases

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Mousnier ◽  
Gunnar N. Schroeder ◽  
Charlotte A. Stoneham ◽  
Ernest C. So ◽  
James A. Garnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
New Method ◽  
Type Iv Secretion System ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, uses the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) to translocate more than 300 effectors into host cells, where they subvert host cell signaling. The function and host cell targets of most effectors remain unknown. PieE is a 69-kDa Dot/Icm effector containing three coiled-coil (CC) regions and 2 transmembrane (TM) helices followed by a fourth CC region. Here, we report that PieE dimerized by an interaction between CC3 and CC4. We found that ectopically expressed PieE localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and induced the formation of organized smooth ER, while following infection PieE localized to theLegionella-containing vacuole (LCV). To identify the physiological targets of PieE during infection, we established a new purification method for which we created an A549 cell line stably expressing theEscherichia colibiotin ligase BirA and infected the cells withL. pneumophilaexpressing PieE fused to a BirA-specific biotinylation site and a hexahistidine tag. Following tandem Ni2+nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and streptavidin affinity chromatography, the effector-target complexes were analyzed by mass spectrometry. This revealed interactions of PieE with multiple host cell proteins, including the Rab GTPases 1a, 1b, 2a, 5c, 6a, 7, and 10. Binding of the Rab GTPases, which was validated by yeast two-hybrid binding assays, was mediated by the PieE CC1 and CC2. In summary, using a novel, highly specific strategy to purify effector complexes from infected cells, which is widely applicable to other pathogens, we identified PieE as a multidomain LCV protein with promiscuous Rab GTPase-binding capacity.IMPORTANCEThe respiratory pathogenLegionella pneumophilauses the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to translocate more than 300 effector proteins into host cells. The function of most effectors in infection remains unknown. One of the bottlenecks for their characterization is the identification of target proteins. Frequently usedin vitroapproaches are not applicable to all effectors and suffer from high rates of false positives or missed interactions, as they are not performed in the context of an infection. Here, we determine key functional domains of the effector PieE and describe a new method to identify host cell targets under physiological infection conditions. Our approach, which is applicable to other pathogens, uncovered the interaction of PieE with several proteins involved in membrane trafficking, in particular Rab GTPases, revealing new details of theLegionellainfection strategy and demonstrating the potential of this method to greatly advance our understanding of the molecular basis of infection.

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