scholarly journals The Rickettsia conorii Autotransporter Protein Sca1 Promotes Adherence to Nonphagocytic Mammalian Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 1895-1904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. Riley ◽  
Kenneth C. Goh ◽  
Timothy M. Hermanas ◽  
Marissa M. Cardwell ◽  
Yvonne G. Y. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Heterologous Expression System ◽  
Cell Association ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

ABSTRACT The pathogenesis of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species, including R. conorii and R. rickettsii, is acutely dependent on adherence to and invasion of host cells, including cells of the mammalian endothelial system. Bioinformatic analyses of several rickettsia genomes revealed the presence of a cohort of genes designated sca genes that are predicted to encode proteins with homology to autotransporter proteins of Gram-negative bacteria. Previous work demonstrated that three members of this family, rOmpA (Sca0), Sca2, and rOmpB (Sca5) are involved in the interaction with mammalian cells; however, very little was known about the function of other conserved rickettsial Sca proteins. Here we demonstrate that sca1, a gene present in nearly all SFG rickettsia genomes, is actively transcribed and expressed in R. conorii cells. Alignment of Sca1 sequences from geographically diverse SFG Rickettsia species showed that there are high degrees of sequence identity and conservation of these sequences, suggesting that Sca1 may have a conserved function. Using a heterologous expression system, we demonstrated that production of R. conorii Sca1 in the Escherichia coli outer membrane is sufficient to mediate attachment to but not invasion of a panel of cultured mammalian epithelial and endothelial cells. Furthermore, preincubation of a recombinant Sca1 peptide with host cells blocked R. conorii cell association. Together, these results demonstrate that attachment to mammalian cells can be uncoupled from the entry process and that Sca1 is involved in the adherence of R. conorii to host cells.

scholarly journals The Sca2 Autotransporter Protein from Rickettsia conorii Is Sufficient To Mediate Adherence to and Invasion of Cultured Mammalian Cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 5272-5280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa M. Cardwell ◽  
Juan J. Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Obligate intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia must adhere to and invade the host endothelium in order to establish an infection. These processes require the interaction of rickettsial surface proteins with mammalian host cell receptors. A previous bioinformatic analysis of sequenced rickettsial species identified a family of at least 17 predicted “surface cell antigen” (sca) genes whose products resemble autotransporter proteins. Two members of this family, rOmpA and rOmpB of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have been identified as adhesion and invasion factors, respectively; however, little is known about the putative functions of the other sca gene products. An intact sca2 gene is found in the majority of pathogenic SFG rickettsiae and, due to its sequence conservation among these species, we predict that Sca2 may play an important function at the rickettsial surface. Here we have shown that sca2 is transcribed and expressed in Rickettsia conorii and have used a heterologous gain-of-function assay in E. coli to determine the putative role of Sca2. Using this system, we have demonstrated that expression of Sca2 at the outer membrane of nonadherent, noninvasive E. coli is sufficient to mediate adherence to and invasion of a panel of mammalian cells, including endothelial cells. Furthermore, soluble Sca2 protein is capable of diminishing R. conorii invasion of cultured mammalian cells. This is the first evidence that Sca2 participates in the interaction between SFG rickettsiae and host cells and suggests that in addition to other surface proteins, Sca2 may play a critical role in rickettsial pathogenesis.

Movement of spotted fever rickettsiae through tick host cells in vitro

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 810-811
Author(s):  
U. G. Munderloh ◽  
S. F. Hayes ◽  
J. Cummings ◽  
T. J. Kurtti
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Obligate Intracellular

Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are obligate intracellular prokaryotes that include tick-borne pathogens of animals and man as well as organisms that live in symbiotic association with their tick hosts. A striking feature of the behavior of pathogenic rickettsiae in the vertebrate is their ability to quickly disseminate between cells from the original site of entry shortly after infection, and before severe lesions are detected. Similarly, ticks become systemically infected with SFG rickettsiae, indicating that an efficient mechanism of dispersal also exists in the vector. This is accomplished despite the fact that rickettsiae are not motile.Kadurugamuwa et al. (1991) have used light and electron microscopy to show that Shigella flexneri utilize host cytoskeletal components to travel through cytoplasmic extensions and penetrate into neighboring cells. Using mammalian cells cultured in vitro, Heinzen et al. (1993) have demonstrated that SFG rickettsiae cause host cell actin polymerization at one rickettsial pole causing them to be propelled through the cytoplasm, and to transfer rapidly from cell to cell.

scholarly journals The Orientia tsutsugamushi ScaB Autotransporter Protein Is Required for Adhesion and Invasion of Mammalian Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen Thi Hai Nguyen ◽  
Chaewon Kim ◽  
Yuri Kim ◽  
Kyeongseok Jeon ◽  
Hong-il Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Bacterial Pathogenesis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Orientia Tsutsugamushi ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Adhesion And Invasion

Autotransporter proteins are widely present in Gram-negative bacteria. They play a pivotal role in processes related to bacterial pathogenesis, including adhesion, invasion, colonization, biofilm formation, and cellular toxicity. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, encodes six different autotransporter genes (scaA–scaF). Although four of these genes (scaA, scaC, scaD, and scaE) are present in diverse strains, scaB and scaF have been detected in only a limited number of strains. Previous studies have demonstrated that ScaA and ScaC are involved in the adherence of host cells. However, the putative function of other O. tsutsugamushi Sca proteins has not been studied yet. In this study, we show that scaB is transcribed and expressed on the surface of O. tsutsugamushi Boryong strain. Using a heterologous Escherichia coli expression system, we demonstrated that ScaB-expressing E. coli can successfully mediate adherence to and invasion into non-phagocytic cells, including epithelial and endothelial cells. In addition, pretreatment with a recombinant ScaB polypeptide inhibits the entry of O. tsutsugamushi into cultured mammalian cells. Finally, we also identified the scaB gene in the Kuroki and TA686 strains and observed high levels of sequence variation in the passenger domains. Here, we propose that the ScaB protein of O. tsutsugamushi can mediate both adhesion to and invasion into host cells in the absence of other O. tsutsugamushi genes and may play important roles in bacterial pathogenesis.

RETROSPECTIVE SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS OF SPOTTED FEVER GROUP RIKKETSIOSES IN HIGH RISK AREAS OF RICKETTSIA CONORII SUBSP. CASPIA INFECTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 354-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Chekanova ◽  
S. Zh. Netalieva ◽  
S. N. Shpynov ◽  
M. A. Babaeva ◽  
A. V. Kostarnoy
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Adenovirus Infection ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Acute Respiratory Viral Infection ◽  
Serological Diagnostics ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

723 blood sera from 537 patients of Regional Infectious Clinical Hospital, Astrakhan were obtained during high activity period of Rhipicephalus ticks (May-September 2015) and retrospectively studied for IgG/IgM to antigen of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia. IgG and/or IgM to Rickettsia conorii were detected in 145 sera from 130 patients, and antibodies to R. sibirica (group-specific) were detected in 143 sera from 145. Antibodies to R. conorii were detected for 71,4% patients with Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF), for 28,4% patients with acute respiratory viral infection, for 19,1% patients with infection of unspecified etiology and for 40% patients having symptoms of a adenovirus infection. Acute rickettsiosis, provably ASF, is serologically validated for 71 patients. Dynamic of IgM/IgG to R. conorii in sera of patients having different preliminary diagnoses is discussed. IgM to R. conorii in sera of patients having adenovirus infection symptoms were detected at a later time as compared with others. For regions of high risk of R. conorii subsp. caspia infection the differentiation of diagnostic and anamnestic specific antibodies is very important. The absence of serological and molecular biological markers in third of patients with ASF symptoms is necessary to study. Preparations and algorithms for diagnosis of SFG rickettsioses are needed to improve.

scholarly journals Evaluation of PCR-Based Assay for Diagnosis of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis in Human Serum Samples

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 759-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeon-Joo Choi ◽  
Seung-Hyun Lee ◽  
Kyung-Hee Park ◽  
Young-Sang Koh ◽  
Keun-Hwa Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Dna Fragment ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

ABSTRACT A nested PCR assay was developed for the detection of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in serum samples. The assay was based on specific primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene (rompB) of Rickettsia conorii. An SFG rickettsia-specific signal is obtained from R. akari, R. japonica, R. sibirica, and R. conorii. Other bacterial species tested did not generate any signal, attesting to the specificity of the assay. As few as seven copies of the rompB gene of R. conorii could be detected in 200 μl of serum sample. The assay was evaluated with a panel of sera obtained from patients with acute-phase febrile disease tested by immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). The SFG rickettsia-specific DNA fragment was detected in 71 out of 100 sera, which were proven to have immunoglobulin M antibodies against SFG rickettsial antigen by IFA. The results were further confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the DNA fragments. The results indicated that this PCR assay is suitable for the diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Korea.

scholarly journals Significant Growth by Rickettsia Species within Human Macrophage-Like Cells Is a Phenotype Correlated with the Ability to Cause Disease in Mammals

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
M. Nathan Kristof ◽  
Paige E. Allen ◽  
Lane D. Yutzy ◽  
Brandon Thibodaux ◽  
Christopher D. Paddock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Growth Characteristic ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Rickettsia Species

Rickettsia are significant sources of tick-borne diseases in humans worldwide. In North America, two species in the spotted fever group of Rickettsia have been conclusively associated with disease of humans: Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Rickettsia parkeri, the cause of R. parkeri rickettsiosis. Previous work in our lab demonstrated non-endothelial parasitism by another pathogenic SFG Rickettsia species, Rickettsia conorii, within THP-1-derived macrophages, and we have hypothesized that this growth characteristic may be an underappreciated aspect of rickettsial pathogenesis in mammalian hosts. In this work, we demonstrated that multiple other recognized human pathogenic species of Rickettsia, including R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, Rickettsia africae, and Rickettsiaakari can grow within target endothelial cells as well as within PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells. In contrast, Rickettsia bellii, a Rickettsia species not associated with disease of humans, and R. rickettsii strain Iowa, an avirulent derivative of pathogenic R. rickettsii, could invade both cell types but proliferate only within endothelial cells. Further analysis revealed that similar to previous studies on R. conorii, other recognized pathogenic Rickettsia species could grow within the cytosol of THP-1-derived macrophages and avoided localization with two different markers of lysosomal compartments; LAMP-2 and cathepsin D. R. bellii, on the other hand, demonstrated significant co-localization with lysosomal compartments. Collectively, these findings suggest that the ability of pathogenic rickettsial species to establish a niche within macrophage-like cells could be an important factor in their ability to cause disease in mammals. These findings also suggest that analysis of growth within mammalian phagocytic cells may be useful to predict the pathogenic potential of newly isolated and identified Rickettsia species.

scholarly journals A streamlined method for transposon mutagenesis ofRickettsia parkeriyields numerous mutations that impact infection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Lamason ◽  
Natasha M. Kafai ◽  
Matthew D. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Transposon Mutagenesis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Obligate Intracellular

AbstractThe rickettsiae are obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that exhibit a complex infectious life cycle in both arthropod and mammalian hosts. As obligate intracellular bacteria,Rickettsiaare highly adapted to living inside a variety of host cells, including vascular endothelial cells during mammalian infection. Although it is assumed that the rickettsiae produce numerous virulence factors that usurp or disrupt various host cell pathways, they have been challenging to genetically manipulate to identify the key bacterial factors that contribute to infection. Motivated to overcome this challenge, we sought to expand the repertoire of available rickettsial loss-of-function mutants, using an improvedmariner-based transposon mutagenesis scheme. Here, we present the isolation of over 100 transposon mutants in the spotted fever group speciesRickettsia parkeri. These mutants targeted genes implicated in a variety of pathways, including bacterial replication and metabolism, hypothetical proteins, the type IV secretion system, as well as factors with previously established roles in host cell interactions and pathogenesis. Given the need to identify critical virulence factors, forward genetic screens such as this will provide an excellent platform to more directly investigate rickettsial biology and pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Characterization of Mutations in therpoB Gene in Naturally Rifampin-ResistantRickettsia Species

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 2400-2403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Drancourt ◽  
Didier Raoult
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Resistant Species ◽  
Encoding Gene ◽  
Group Species

ABSTRACT Rickettsiae are gram-negative, obligately intracellular bacteria responsible for arthropod-borne spotted fevers and typhus. Experimental studies have delineated a cluster of naturally rifampin-resistant spotted fever group species. We sequenced the 4,122- to 4,125-bp RNA polymerase β-subunit-encoding gene (rpoB) from typhus and spotted fever group representatives and obtained partial sequences for all naturally rifampin-resistant species. A single point mutation resulting in a phenylalanine-to-leucine change at position 973 of theRickettsia conorii rpoB sequence and present in all the rifampin-resistant species was absent in all the rifampin-susceptible species. rpoB-based phylogenetic relationships among these rickettsial species yielded topologies which were in accordance with previously published phylogenies.

scholarly journals TheNitrosopumilus maritimusCdvB, but Not FtsZ, Assembles into Polymers

Archaea ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kian-Hong Ng ◽  
Vinayaka Srinivas ◽  
Ramanujam Srinivasan ◽  
Mohan Balasubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Heterologous Expression ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Heterologous Expression System

Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota are two major phyla of archaea which use distinct molecular apparatuses for cell division. Euryarchaea make use of the tubulin-related protein FtsZ, while Crenarchaea, which appear to lack functional FtsZ, employ the Cdv (cell division) components to divide. Ammonia oxidizing archaeon (AOA)Nitrosopumilus maritimusbelongs to another archaeal phylum, the Thaumarchaeota, which has both FtsZ and Cdv genes in the genome. Here, we used a heterologous expression system to characterize FtsZ and Cdv proteins fromN. maritimusby investigating the ability of these proteins to form polymers. We show that one of the Cdv proteins inN. maritimus, the CdvB (Nmar_0816), is capable of forming stable polymers when expressed in fission yeast. TheN. maritimusCdvB is also capable of assembling into filaments in mammalian cells. However,N. maritimusFtsZ does not assemble into polymers in our system. The ability of CdvB, but not FtsZ, to polymerize is consistent with a recent finding showing that several Cdv proteins, but not FtsZ, localize to the mid-cell site in the dividingN. maritimus. Thus, we propose that it is Cdv proteins, rather than FtsZ, that function as the cell division apparatus inN. maritimus.

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