scholarly journals Identification and Functional Mapping of the Mycoplasma fermentans P29 Adhesin

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 4925-4935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer A. Leigh ◽  
Kim S. Wise
Keyword(s):  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Mycoplasma Species ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Mycoplasma Fermentans

ABSTRACT Initial adherence interactions between mycoplasmas and mammalian cells are important for host colonization and may contribute to subsequent pathogenic processes. Despite significant progress toward understanding the role of specialized, complex tip structures in the adherence of some mycoplasmas, particularly those that infect humans, less is known about adhesins through which other mycoplasmas of this host bind to diverse cell types, even though simpler surface components are likely to be involved. We show by flow cytometric analysis that a soluble recombinant fusion protein (FP29), representing the abundant P29 surface lipoprotein of Mycoplasma fermentans, binds human HeLa cells and inhibits M. fermentans binding to these cells, in both a quantitative and a saturable manner, whereas analogous fusion proteins representing other mycoplasma surface proteins did not. Constructs representing nested N- or C-terminal truncations of FP29 allowed initial mapping of this specific adherence function to a central region of the P29 sequence containing a 36-amino-acid disulfide loop. A derivative of FP29 containing a mutation converting one participating Cys to Ser, precluding intrachain disulfide bond formation, retained full activity. Together these results suggest that the direct interaction of M. fermentans with a ligand on the HeLa cell surface involves a limited segment of the P29 surface lipoprotein and requires neither the disulfide bond nor the contribution of adjacent portions of the protein. Earlier results indicating phase-variable display of monoclonal antibody surface epitopes on P29, now recognized to be outside this ligand binding region, raise the possibility that variation of mycoplasma surface architecture might alter the presentation of the binding region and the adherence phenotype. Preliminary results further indicated that FP29 could inhibit binding to HeLa cells by Mycoplasma hominis, a distinct human mycoplasma species displaying the phase-variable adhesin Vaa, but not that by Mycoplasma capricolum, an organism infecting caprine species. This result raises the additional, testable possibility that a common host cell ligand for two human mycoplasma species may be recognized through structurally dissimilar adhesins that undergo phase variation by two distinct mechanisms, governing protein expression (Vaa) or surface masking (P29).

scholarly journals p53-Independent Expression of p21CIP1/WAF1 in Plasmacytic Cells during G2 Cell Cycle Arrest Induced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 528-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Sato ◽  
Takeyoshi Koseki ◽  
Kenji Yamato ◽  
Keitarou Saiki ◽  
Kiyoshi Konishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans ◽  
Cytolethal Distending Toxin ◽  
Cycle Arrest

ABSTRACT The cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in HeLa cells. In the present study, the mechanism of CDT-induced cell cycle arrest was investigated by using HS-72 cells, a murine B-cell hybridoma cell line. Using flow cytometric analysis, we found that the recombinant CDT (rCDT) from A. actinomycetemcomitans induced G2 cell cycle arrest in HS-72 cells and that rCDT upregulated expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1/WAF1 and the tumor suppressor protein p53. HS-72 cells transfected with the E6/E7 gene of human papillomavirus type 16, which lacked rCDT-induced accumulation of p53, exhibited expression of p21CIP1/WAF1 or G2 cell cycle arrest upon exposure to rCDT. Furthermore, ectopic expression of a dominant negative p53 mutant did not inhibit rCDT-mediated p21CIP1/WAF1 expression or G2 cell cycle arrest in HS-72 cells. These results suggest that the CDT from A. actinomycetemcomitans induces p21CIP1/WAF1 expression and G2 cell cycle arrest in B-lineage cells by p53-independent pathways. Together with additional observations made with HeLa cells and COS-1 cells cultured with the rCDT from A. actinomycetemcomitans, the results of this study indicate that CDT-induced p53 accumulation may not be required for G2 cell cycle arrest and that an increased level of p21CIP1/WAF1 may be important for sustaining G2 cell cycle arrest in several mammalian cells.

scholarly journals Avoidance of the Host Immune System through Phase Variation in Mycoplasma pulmonis

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 2033-2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy M. Denison ◽  
Brenda Clapper ◽  
Kevin Dybvig
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Tissue Tropism ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mycoplasma Pulmonis ◽  
Rag 1

ABSTRACT Phase-variable lipoproteins are commonly found in Mycoplasma species. Mycoplasma pulmonis contains a family of extensively studied phase- and size-variable lipoproteins encoded by the vsa locus. The Vsa surface proteins vary at a high frequency, the in vivo significance of which has yet to be determined. We investigated the role of Vsa phase variation in respect to tissue tropism and avoidance of the immune system in the mouse host. Mycoplasmas were cultured 3, 14, and 21 days postinoculation from the nose, lung, trachea, liver, and spleen of experimentally infected C57BL/6 (wild-type), C57BL/6-RAG-1−/− (RAG−/−), and C57BL/6-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)−/− (iNOS−/−) mice. In wild-type and iNOS−/− mice, a large number of Vsa variants were seen by 21 days postinoculation. In contrast, little Vsa variation occurred in all tissues of RAG−/− mice. Analysis of isolates from 14 days postinoculation revealed less variation of the Vsa proteins in iNOS−/− mice than in the wild type. Western blot analysis of isolates from each strain of mouse demonstrated that Vsa phase variation occurred independently of size variation, indicating no obvious selection pressure for size variants. Additionally, these experiments provided no evidence that mycoplasmas producing particular Vsa proteins adhered only to specific tissues. The data strongly indicate that Vsa phase variation is a mechanism for avoidance of the immune system with no obvious contribution to tissue tropism.

Use of Uranium-Labeled Antibodies for Electron Microscopic Localization of Various Antigens in Mammalian Cells

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
J. P. Petrali ◽  
E. J. Donati ◽  
L. A. Sternberger
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Specific Antiserum ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membranes ◽  
Viral Progeny ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Electron Microscopic Localization

Specific contrast is conferred to subcellular antigen by applying purified antibodies, exhaustively labeled with uranium under immunospecific protection, to ultrathin sections. Use of Seligman’s principle of bridging osmium to metal via thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) intensifies specific contrast. Ultrathin sections of osmium-fixed materials were stained on the grid by application of 1) thiosemicarbazide (TSC), 2) unlabeled specific antiserum, 3) uranium-labeled anti-antibody and 4) TCH followed by reosmication. Antigens to be localized consisted of vaccinia antigen in infected HeLa cells, lysozyme in monocytes of patients with monocytic or monomyelocytic leukemia, and fibrinogen in the platelets of these leukemic patients. Control sections were stained with non-specific antiserum (E. coli).In the vaccinia-HeLa system, antigen was localized from 1 to 3 hours following infection, and was confined to degrading virus, the inner walls of numerous organelles, and other structures in cytoplasmic foci. Surrounding architecture and cellular mitochondria were unstained. 8 to 14 hours after infection, antigen was localized on the outer walls of the viral progeny, on cytoplasmic membranes, and free in the cytoplasm. Staining of endoplasmic reticulum was intense and focal early, and weak and diffuse late in infection.

scholarly journals The mycoplasma surface proteins MIB and MIP promote the dissociation of the antibody-antigen interaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. eabf2403
Author(s):  
Pierre Nottelet ◽  
Laure Bataille ◽  
Geraldine Gourgues ◽  
Robin Anger ◽  
Carole Lartigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Mycoplasma Species ◽  
Antigen Binding ◽  
Antigen Binding Site ◽  
Fab Fragment ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Antigen Complex ◽  
Antigen Interaction ◽  
Immunoglobulin Binding

Mycoplasma immunoglobulin binding (MIB) and mycoplasma immunoglobulin protease (MIP) are surface proteins found in the majority of mycoplasma species, acting sequentially to capture antibodies and cleave off their VH domains. Cryo–electron microscopy structures show how MIB and MIP bind to a Fab fragment in a “hug of death” mechanism. As a result, the orientation of the VL and VH domains is twisted out of alignment, disrupting the antigen binding site. We also show that MIB-MIP has the ability to promote the dissociation of the antibody-antigen complex. This system is functional in cells and protects mycoplasmas from antibody-mediated agglutination. These results highlight the key role of the MIB-MIP system in immunity evasion by mycoplasmas through an unprecedented mechanism, and open exciting perspectives to use these proteins as potential tools in the antibody field.

scholarly journals Control of PKR Protein Kinase by Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural 5A Protein: Molecular Mechanisms of Kinase Regulation

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 5208-5218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gale ◽  
Collin M. Blakely ◽  
Bart Kwieciszewski ◽  
Seng-Lai Tan ◽  
Michelle Dossett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Dimerization Domain ◽  
Antiviral Effects

ABSTRACT The PKR protein kinase is a critical component of the cellular antiviral and antiproliferative responses induced by interferons. Recent evidence indicates that the nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can repress PKR function in vivo, possibly allowing HCV to escape the antiviral effects of interferon. NS5A presents a unique tool by which to study the molecular mechanisms of PKR regulation in that mutations within a region of NS5A, termed the interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR), are associated with sensitivity of HCV to the antiviral effects of interferon. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of NS5A-mediated PKR regulation and the effect of ISDR mutations on this regulatory process. We observed that the NS5A ISDR, though necessary, was not sufficient for PKR interactions; we found that an additional 26 amino acids (aa) carboxyl to the ISDR were required for NS5A-PKR complex formation. Conversely, we localized NS5A binding to within PKR aa 244 to 296, recently recognized as a PKR dimerization domain. Consistent with this observation, we found that NS5A from interferon-resistant HCV genotype 1b disrupted kinase dimerization in vivo. NS5A-mediated disruption of PKR dimerization resulted in repression of PKR function and inhibition of PKR-mediated eIF-2α phosphorylation. Introduction of multiple ISDR mutations abrogated the ability of NS5A to bind to PKR in mammalian cells and to inhibit PKR in a yeast functional assay. These results indicate that mutations within the PKR-binding region of NS5A, including those within the ISDR, can disrupt the NS5A-PKR interaction, possibly rendering HCV sensitive to the antiviral effects of interferon. We propose a model of PKR regulation by NS5A which may have implications for therapeutic strategies against HCV.

scholarly journals Heterologously Expressed Staphylococcus aureusFibronectin-Binding Proteins Are Sufficient for Invasion of Host Cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 6871-6878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhanu Sinha ◽  
Patrice Francois ◽  
Yok-Ai Que ◽  
Muzaffar Hussain ◽  
Christine Heilmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Fibronectin Receptor ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Accessible Surface

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus invasion of mammalian cells, including epithelial, endothelial, and fibroblastic cells, critically depends on fibronectin bridging between S. aureusfibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) and the host fibronectin receptor integrin α5β1 (B. Sinha et al., Cell. Microbiol. 1:101–117, 1999). However, it is unknown whether this mechanism is sufficient for S. aureus invasion. To address this question, various S. aureus adhesins (FnBPA, FnBPB, and clumping factor [ClfA]) were expressed in Staphylococcus carnosus and Lactococcus lactis subsp.cremoris. Both noninvasive gram-positive microorganisms are genetically distinct from S. aureus, lack any knownS. aureus surface protein, and do not bind fibronectin. Transformants of S. carnosus and L. lactisharboring plasmids coding for various S. aureus surface proteins (FnBPA, FnBPB, and ClfA) functionally expressed adhesins (as determined by bacterial clumping in plasma, specific latex agglutination, Western ligand blotting, and binding to immobilized and soluble fibronectin). FnBPA or FnBPB but not of ClfA conferred invasiveness to S. carnosus and L. lactis. Invasion of 293 cells by transformants was comparable to that of strongly invasive S. aureus strain Cowan 1. Binding of soluble and immobilized fibronectin paralleled invasiveness, demonstrating that the amount of accessible surface FnBPs is rate limiting. Thus, S. aureus FnBPs confer invasiveness to noninvasive, apathogenic gram-positive cocci. Furthermore, FnBP-coated polystyrene beads were internalized by 293 cells, demonstrating that FnBPs are sufficient for invasion of host cells without the need for (S. aureus-specific) coreceptors.

Characterization and primary structure of the poly(C)-binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex K protein

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-171
Author(s):  
M J Matunis ◽  
W M Michael ◽  
G Dreyfuss
Keyword(s):  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Predicted Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Hnrnp Proteins

At least 20 major proteins make up the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) in mammalian cells. Many of these proteins have distinct RNA-binding specificities. The abundant, acidic heterogeneous nuclear RNP (hnRNP) K and J proteins (66 and 64 kDa, respectively, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) are unique among the hnRNP proteins in their binding preference: they bind tenaciously to poly(C), and they are the major oligo(C)- and poly(C)-binding proteins in human HeLa cells. We purified K and J from HeLa cells by affinity chromatography and produced monoclonal antibodies to them. K and J are immunologically related and conserved among various vertebrates. Immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies shows that K and J are located in the nucleoplasm. cDNA clones for K were isolated, and their sequences were determined. The predicted amino acid sequence of K does not contain an RNP consensus sequence found in many characterized hnRNP proteins and shows no extensive homology to sequences of any known proteins. The K protein contains two internal repeats not found in other known proteins, as well as GlyArgGlyGly and GlyArgGlyGlyPhe sequences, which occur frequently in many RNA-binding proteins. Overall, K represents a novel type of hnRNA-binding protein. It is likely that K and J play a role in the nuclear metabolism of hnRNAs, particularly for pre-mRNAs that contain cytidine-rich sequences.

scholarly journals Pathogenesis of shigella diarrhea. VII. Evidence for a cell membrane toxin receptor involving β1 {arrow} 4-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine oligomers

1977 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
GT Keusch ◽  
M Jacewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Liver Cell ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cell Membranes ◽  
Proteolytic Enzymes ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Toxin Receptor ◽  
Toxin Uptake

The binding of ShigeUa dysenteriae 1 cytotoxin to HeLa cells in culture and to isolated rat liver cell membranes was studied by means of an indirect consumption assay of toxicity from the medium, or by determination of cytotoxicity to the HeLa cell monolayer. Both liver cell membranes and HeLa cells removed toxicity from the medium during incubation, in contrast to WI-38 and Y-1 mouse adrenal tumor cells, both of which neither bound nor were affected by the toxin. Uptake of toxin was directly related to concentration of membranes added, time,and temperature, and indirectly related to the ionic strength of the buffer used. The chemical nature of the membrane receptor was characterized by using three principal approaches: (a) enzymatic sensitivity; (b) competitive inhibition and (c) receptor blockade studies. The receptor was destroyed by proteolytic enzymes, phospholipases (which markedly altered the gross appearance of the membrane preparation) and by lysozyme, but not by a variety of other enzymes. Of 28 carbohydrate and glycoprotein haptens studied, including cholera toxin and ganglioside, only the chitin oligosaccharide lysozyme substrates, per N-acetylated chitotriose, chitotetraose, and chitopentaose were effective competitive inhibitors. Greatest inhibition was found with the trimer, N, N', N" triacetyl chitotriose. Of three lectins studied as possible receptor blockers, including phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and wheat germ agglutinin, only the latter, which is known to possess specific binding affinity for N, N', N" triacetyl chitotriose, was able to block toxin uptake. Evidence from all three approaches indicate, therefore, existence of a glycoprotein toxin receptor on mammalian cells, with involvement of oligomeric β1{arrow}4-1inked N-acetyl glucosamine in the receptor. This receptor is clearly distinct from the G(M1) ganglioside thought to be involved in the binding of cholera toxin to the cell membrane of a variety of cell types susceptible to its action.

scholarly journals Elucidation of the Monoclonal Antibody 5G8-Reactive, Virulence-Associated Lipopolysaccharide Epitope of Haemophilus influenzae and Its Role in Bacterial Resistance to Complement-Mediated Killing

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 2213-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Griffin ◽  
Andrew D. Cox ◽  
Katherine Makepeace ◽  
James C. Richards ◽  
E. Richard Moxon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Haemophilus Influenzae ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Type B ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Virulent Type ◽  
Unknown Structure

ABSTRACT The phase-variable locus lex2 is required for expression of a Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide (LPS) epitope of previously unknown structure. This epitope, which is reactive with monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5G8, has been associated with virulence of type b strains. When strain RM118 (from the same source as strain Rd), in which the lex2 locus and MAb 5G8 reactivity are absent, was transformed with lex2 DNA, transformants that were reactive with MAb 5G8 were obtained. Surprisingly, the 5G8 reactivity of these transformants was phase variable, although the lex2 locus lacked tetrameric repeats and was constitutively expressed. This phase variation was shown to be the result of phase-variable expression of phosphorylcholine (PCho) such that MAb 5G8 reacted only in the absence of PCho. Structural analysis showed that, compared to RM118, the lex2 transformant had acquired a tetrasaccharide, Gal-α1,4-Gal-β1,4-Glc-β1,4-Glc-β1,4, linked to the proximal heptose (HepI). A terminal GalNAc was detected in a minority of glycoforms. LPS derived from a mutant of RM7004, a virulent type b strain which naturally expresses lex2 and has LPS containing the same tetrasaccharide linked to HepI as the sole oligosaccharide extension from the inner core, confirmed that GalNAc is not a part of the MAb 5G8-reactive epitope. Thus, MAb 5G8 specifically binds to the structure Gal-α1,4-Gal-β1,4-Glc-β1,4-Glc-β attached via a 1,4 linkage to HepI of H. influenzae LPS, and we show that the ability to synthesize this novel tetrasaccharide was associated with enhanced bacterial resistance to complement-mediated killing.

scholarly journals Analysis of Invasive NontypeableHaemophilus influenzaeIsolates Reveals Selection for the Expression State of Particular Phase-Variable Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthetic Genes

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary N. Phillips ◽  
Charles Brizuela ◽  
Amy V. Jennison ◽  
Megan Staples ◽  
Keith Grimwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Biosynthetic Genes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Invasive Infections ◽  
Acetyl Group ◽  
Overt Disease ◽  
Expression Status

ABSTRACTNontypeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi) is a major human pathogen, responsible for several acute and chronic infections of the respiratory tract. The incidence of invasive infections caused by NTHi is increasing worldwide. NTHi is able to colonize the nasopharynx asymptomatically, and the exact change(s) responsible for transition from benign carriage to overt disease is not understood. We have previously reported that phase variation (the rapid and reversible ON-OFF switching of gene expression) of particular lipooligosaccharide (LOS) glycosyltransferases occurs during transition from colonizing the nasopharynx to invading the middle ear. Variation in the structure of the LOS is dependent on the ON/OFF expression status of each of the glycosyltransferases responsible for LOS biosynthesis. In this study, we surveyed a collection of invasive NTHi isolates for ON/OFF expression status of seven phase-variable LOS glycosyltransferases. We report that the expression state of the LOS biosynthetic genesoafAON andlic2AOFF shows a correlation with invasive NTHi isolates. We hypothesize that these gene expression changes contribute to the invasive potential of NTHi. OafA expression, which is responsible for the addition of anO-acetyl group onto the LOS, has been shown to impart a phenotype of increased serum resistance and may serve as a marker for invasive NTHi.

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