scholarly journals Borrelia burgdorferi BBA74, a Periplasmic Protein Associated with the Outer Membrane, Lacks Porin-Like Properties

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (5) ◽  
pp. 2063-2068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishwaroop Mulay ◽  
Melissa J. Caimano ◽  
Dionysios Liveris ◽  
Daniel C. Desrosiers ◽  
Justin D. Radolf ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The outer membrane of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, contains very few integral membrane proteins, in contrast to other gram-negative bacteria. BBA74, a Borrelia burgdorferi plasmid-encoded protein, was proposed to be an integral outer membrane protein with putative porin function and designated as a 28-kDa outer membrane-spanning porin (Oms28). In this study, the biophysical properties of BBA74 and its subcellular localization were investigated. BBA74 is posttranslationally modified by signal peptidase I cleavage to a mature 25-kDa protein. The secondary structure of BBA74 as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy consists of at least 78% α-helix with little β-sheet structure. BBA74 in intact B. burgdorferi cells was insensitive to proteinase K digestion, and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy showed that BBA74 was not exposed on the cell surface. Triton X-114 extraction of outer membrane vesicle preparations indicated that BBA74 is not an integral membrane protein. Taken together, the data indicate that BBA74 is a periplasmic, outer membrane-associated protein that lacks properties typically associated with porins.

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 2874-2883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Bunikis ◽  
Alan G. Barbour

ABSTRACT The outer membrane of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease agent, contains lipoproteins anchored by their lipid moieties and integral proteins with membrane-spanning regions. We used the techniques of in situ proteolysis, immunofluorescence, in vitro growth inhibition, and cross-linking with formaldehyde to characterize topological relationships between P66, an integral membrane protein, and selected Osp lipoproteins of B. burgdorferi. Protease treatment of intact spirochetes cleaved P66 and Osp proteins but not the periplasmic flagellin or the BmpA protein of the cytoplasmic membrane. P66 of cells lacking OspA, OspB, and OspC was more susceptible to trypsin cleavage than was P66 of cells with these Osp proteins. A monoclonal antibody against the surface loop of P66 bound, agglutinated, and inhibited the growth of viable spirochetes lacking OspA, OspB, OspC, and OspD but not of the cells that expressed OspA, OspC, and/or OspD. When cells were fixed, the antibody bound to cells that express OspD and OspC but still not to cells with OspA. The close association of OspA and P66 was confirmed by the crosslinking of the two proteins by formaldehyde. These results show that Osp proteins, particularly OspA, limit the access of antibody or trypsin to the surface loop region of P66. The proximity and possible contact between P66 and OspA (or other Osp proteins) may hinder the effectiveness of antibodies to what otherwise would be an appropriate vaccine target.


2006 ◽  
Vol 401 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Callan ◽  
Sandra Bunning ◽  
Owen T. Jones ◽  
Stephen High ◽  
Eileithyia Swanton

TorsinA is a widely expressed AAA+ (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) ATPase of unknown function. Previous studies have described torsinA as a type II protein with a cleavable signal sequence, a single membrane spanning domain, and its C-terminus located in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) lumen. However, in the present study we show that torsinA is not in fact an integral membrane protein. Instead we find that the mature protein associates peripherally with the ER membrane, most likely through an interaction with an integral membrane protein. Consistent with this model, we provide evidence that the signal peptidase complex cleaves the signal sequence of torsinA, and we show that the region previously suggested to form a transmembrane domain is translocated into the lumen of the ER. The finding that torsinA is a peripheral, and not an integral membrane protein as previously thought, has important implications for understanding the function of this novel ATPase.


2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 3323-3334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laila Noppa ◽  
Yngve Östberg ◽  
Marija Lavrinovicha ◽  
Sven Bergström

ABSTRACT To elucidate antigens present on the bacterial surface ofBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato that may be involved in pathogenesis, we characterized a protein, P13, with an apparent molecular mass of 13 kDa. The protein was immunogenic and was expressed in large amounts during in vitro cultivation compared to other known antigens. An immunofluorescence assay, immunoelectron microscopy, and protease sensitivity assays indicated that P13 is surface exposed. The deduced sequence of the P13 peptide revealed a possible signal peptidase type I cleavage site, and computer analysis predicted that P13 is an integral membrane protein with three transmembrane-spanning domains. Mass spectrometry, in vitro translation, and N- and C-terminal amino acid sequencing analyses indicated that P13 was posttranslationally processed at both ends and modified by an unknown mechanism. Furthermore, p13 belongs to a gene family with five additional members in B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. The p13 gene is located on the linear chromosome of the bacterium, in contrast to five paralogous genes, which are located on extrachromosomal plasmids. The size of the p13 transcript was consistent with a monocistronic transcript. This new gene family may be involved in functions that are specific for this spirochete and its pathogenesis.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 2527-2536 ◽  
Author(s):  
H R Waterham ◽  
Y de Vries ◽  
K A Russel ◽  
W Xie ◽  
M Veenhuis ◽  
...  

We report the cloning of PER6, a gene essential for peroxisome biogenesis in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The PER6 sequence predicts that its product Per6p is a 52-kDa polypeptide with the cysteine-rich C3HC4 motif. Per6p has significant overall sequence similarity with the human peroxisome assembly factor PAF-1, a protein that is defective in certain patients suffering from the peroxisomal disorder Zellweger syndrome, and with car1, a protein required for peroxisome biogenesis and caryogamy in the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina. In addition, the C3HC4 motif and two of the three membrane-spanning segments predicted for Per6p align with the C3HC4 motifs and the two membrane-spanning segments predicted for PAF-1 and car1. Like PAF-1, Per6p is a peroxisomal integral membrane protein. In methanol- or oleic acid-induced cells of per6 mutants, morphologically recognizable peroxisomes are absent. Instead, peroxisomal remnants are observed. In addition, peroxisomal matrix proteins are synthesized but located in the cytosol. The similarities between Per6p and PAF-1 in amino acid sequence and biochemical properties, and between mutants defective in their respective genes, suggest that Per6p is the putative yeast homolog of PAF-1.


1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Paterson ◽  
R A Lamb

The NH2 terminus of the F1 subunit of the paramyxovirus SV5 fusion protein (fusion related external domain; FRED) is a hydrophobic domain that is implicated as being involved in mediating membrane fusion. We have examined the ability of the FRED to function as a combined signal/anchor domain by substituting it for the natural NH2-terminal signal/anchor domain of a model type II integral membrane protein: the hybrid protein (NAF) was expressed in eukaryotic cells. The FRED was shown to act as a signal sequence, targeting NAF to the lumen of the ER, by the fact that NAF acquired N-linked carbohydrate chains. Alkali fractionation of microsomes indicated that NAF is a soluble protein in the lumen of the ER, and the results of NH2-terminal sequence analysis showed that the FRED is cleaved at a site predicted to be recognized by signal peptidase. NAF was found to be efficiently secreted (t1/2 approximately 90 min) from the cell. By using a combination of sedimentation velocity centrifugation and immunoprecipitation assays using polyclonal and conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies it was found that extracellular NAF consisted of a mixture of monomers, disulfide-linked dimers, and tetramers. The majority of the extracellular NAF molecules were not reactive with the conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies, suggesting they were not folded in a native form and that only the NAF tetramers had matured to a native conformation such that they exhibited NA activity. The available data indicate that NAF is transported intracellularly in multiple oligomeric and conformational forms.


1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Liu ◽  
D T Brown

The E2 glycoprotein of the alphavirus Sindbis is a typical type I membrane protein with a single membrane spanning domain and a cytoplasmic tail (endo domain) containing 33 amino acids. The carboxyl terminal domain of the tail has been implicated as (a) attachment site for nucleocapsid protein, and (b) signal sequence for integration of the other alpha-virus membrane proteins 6K and E1. These two functions require that the carboxyl terminus be exposed in the cell cytoplasm (a) and exposed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (b). We have investigated the orientation of this glycoprotein domain with respect to cell membranes by substituting a tyrosine for the normally occurring serine, four amino acids upstream of the carboxyl terminus. Using radioiodination of this tyrosine as an indication of the exposure of the glycoprotein tail, we have provided evidence that this domain is initially translocated into a membrane and is returned to the cytoplasm after export from the ER. This is the first demonstration of such a transient translocation of a single domain of an integral membrane protein and this rearrangement explains some important aspects of alphavirus assembly.


1997 ◽  
Vol 322 (1) ◽  
pp. 335-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle LEMIRE ◽  
Claude LAZURE ◽  
Philippe CRINE ◽  
Guy BOILEAU

Signal peptide/membrane anchor (SA) domains of type II membrane proteins initiate the translocation of downstream polypeptides across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. In contrast with signal peptides, however, SA domains are not cleaved by signal peptidase and thus anchor the protein in the membrane. In the present study we have introduced mutations in the SA domain of neprilysin (neutral endopeptidase-24.11; NEP) to identify structural elements that would favour the processing of SA domains by signal peptidase. Mutants of full-length and truncated (without cytoplasmic domain) protein were constructed by substitution of the sequences SQNS, QQTT or YPGY for VTMI starting at position 15 of the NEP SA domain. In addition, a Pro residue was substituted for Thr at position 16 of the SA domain. The rationale for the use of these sequences was decided from our previous observation that substitution in the NEP SA domain of the sequence SQNS, which is polar and has α-helix-breaking potential, could promote SA domain processing under certain conditions (Roy, Chatellard, Lemay, Crine and Boileau (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 2699Ő2704; Yang, Chatellard, Lazure, Crine and Boileau (1994) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 315, 382Ő386). The QQTT sequence is polar but, according to secondary structure predictions, is compatible with the α-helix structure of the NEP SA domain. The YPGY sequence and single Pro residue are less polar and have α-helix-breaking potential. The predicted effects of these mutations on the structure of the NEP SA domain were confirmed by CD analysis of 42-residue peptides encompassing the hydrophobic segment and flanking regions. Wild-type and mutated proteins were expressed in COS-1 cells and their fate (membrane-bound or secreted) was determined by immunoblotting and by endoglycosidase digestions. Our biochemical and structural data indicate that: (1) the cytosolic domain of NEP restricts the conformation of the SA domain because mutants not secreted in their full-length form are secreted in their truncated form; (2) α-helix-breaking residues are not a prerequisite for cleavage; (3) the presence, in close proximity to a putative signal peptidase cleavage site, of a polar sequence that maintains the α-helical structure of the SA domain is sufficient to promote cleavage. Furthermore pulseŐchase studies suggest that cleavage is performed in the ER by signal peptidase and indicate that cleavage is not a limiting step in the biosynthesis of the soluble form of the protein.


2002 ◽  
Vol 277 (51) ◽  
pp. 49767-49775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanbang Zhang ◽  
Ellen M. Howard ◽  
Paul D. Roepe

Mutations in the novel membrane protein Pfcrt were recently found to be essential for chloroquine resistance (CQR) inPlasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for most lethal human malaria (Fidock, D. A., Nomura, T., Talley, A. K., Cooper, R. A., Dzekunov, S. M., Ferdig, M. T., Ursos, L. M., Sidhu, A. B., Naude, B., Deitsch, K. W., Su, X. Z., Wootton, J. C., Roepe, P. D., and Wellems, T. E. (2000)Mol. Cell6, 861–871). Pfcrt is localized to the digestive vacuolar membrane of the intraerythrocytic parasite and may function as a transporter. Study of this putative transport function would be greatly assisted by overexpression in yeast followed by characterization of membrane vesicles. Unfortunately, the very high AT content of malarial genes precludes efficient heterologous expression. Thus, we back-translated Pfcrt to design idealized genes with preferred yeast codons, no long poly(A) sequences, and minimal stem-loop structure. We synthesized a designed gene with a two-step PCR method, fused this to N- and C-terminal sequences to aid membrane insertion and purification, and now report efficient expression of wild type and mutant Pfcrt proteins in the plasma membrane ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeandPichia pastorisyeast. To our knowledge, this is the first successful expression of a full-length malarial parasite integral membrane protein in yeast. Purified membranes and inside-out plasma membrane vesicle preparations were used to analyze wild typeversusCQR-conferring mutant Pfcrt function, which may include effects on H+transport (Dzekunov, S., Ursos, L. M. B., and Roepe, P. D. (2000)Mol. Biochem. Parasitol.110, 107–124), and to perfect a rapid purification of biotinylated Pfcrt. These data expand on the role of Pfcrt in conferring CQR and define a productive route for analysis of importantP. falciparumtransport proteins and membrane associated vaccine candidates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Staton ◽  
S. D. Carter ◽  
S. Ainsworth ◽  
J. Mullin ◽  
R. F. Smith ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD), an infectious disease of the bovine foot with a predominant treponemal etiology, is a leading cause of lameness in dairy and beef herds worldwide. BDD is poorly responsive to antimicrobial therapy and exhibits a relapsing clinical course; an effective vaccine is therefore urgently sought. Using a reverse vaccinology approach, the present study surveyed the genomes of the three BDD-associated Treponema phylogroups for putative β-barrel outer membrane proteins and considered their potential as vaccine candidates. Selection criteria included the presence of a signal peptidase I cleavage site, a predicted β-barrel fold, and cross-phylogroup homology. Four candidate genes were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), refolded, and purified. Consistent with their classification as β-barrel OMPs, circular-dichroism spectroscopy revealed the adoption of a predominantly β-sheet secondary structure. These recombinant proteins, when screened for their ability to adhere to immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) components, exhibited a diverse range of ligand specificities. All four proteins specifically and dose dependently adhered to bovine fibrinogen. One recombinant protein was identified as a candidate diagnostic antigen (disease specificity, 75%). Finally, when adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide and administered to BDD-naive calves using a prime-boost vaccination protocol, these proteins were immunogenic, eliciting specific IgG antibodies. In summary, we present the description of four putative treponemal β-barrel OMPs that exhibit the characteristics of multispecific adhesins. The observed interactions with fibrinogen may be critical to host colonization and it is hypothesized that vaccination-induced antibody blockade of these interactions will impede treponemal virulence and thus be of therapeutic value.


2010 ◽  
pp. no-no ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton V. Bryksin ◽  
Alexandra Tomova ◽  
Henry P. Godfrey ◽  
Felipe C. Cabello

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