scholarly journals Characterization of Three New Competence-Regulated Operons in Haemophilus influenzae

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (19) ◽  
pp. 6409-6421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. VanWagoner ◽  
Paul W. Whitby ◽  
Daniel J. Morton ◽  
Thomas W. Seale ◽  
Terrence L. Stull
Keyword(s):  
Haemophilus Influenzae ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis

ABSTRACT Haemophilus influenzae is one of a growing number of bacteria in which the natural ability to uptake exogenous DNA for potential genomic transformation has been recognized. To date, several operons involved in transformation in this organism have been described. These operons are characterized by a conserved 22-bp regulatory element upstream of the first gene and are induced coincident with transfer from rich to nutrient-depleted media. The previously identified operons comprised genes encoding proteins that include members of the type II secretion system and type IV pili, shown to be essential for transformation in other bacteria, and other proteins previously identified as required for transformation in H. influenzae. In the present study, three novel competence operons were identified by comparative genomics and transcriptional analysis. These operons have been further characterized by construction of null mutants and examination of the resulting transformation phenotypes. The putative protein encoded by the HI0366 gene was shown to be essential for DNA uptake, but not binding, and is homologous to a protein shown to be required for pilus biogenesis and twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An insertion in HI0939 abolished both DNA binding and uptake. The predicted product of this gene shares characteristics with PulJ, a pseudopilin involved in pullulanase export in Klebsiella oxytoca.

scholarly journals Pilin-Like Proteins in the Extremely Thermophilic Bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB27: Implication in Competence for Natural Transformation and Links to Type IV Pilus Biogenesis

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 3695-3700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Friedrich ◽  
Judit Rumszauer ◽  
Anke Henne ◽  
Beate Averhoff
Keyword(s):  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Thermus Thermophilus ◽  
Thermophilic Bacterium ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis

ABSTRACT The extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus HB27 exhibits high frequencies of natural transformation. Although we recently reported identification of the first competence genes in Thermus, the molecular basis of DNA uptake is unknown. A pilus-like structure is assumed to be involved. Twelve genes encoding prepilin-like proteins were identified in three loci in the genome of T. thermophilus. Mutational analyses, described in this paper, revealed that one locus, which contains four genes that encode prepilin-like proteins (pilA1 to pilA4), is essential for natural transformation. Additionally, comZ, a new competence gene with no similarity to known genes, was identified. Analysis of the piliation phenotype revealed wild-type piliation of a pilA1-pilA3Δkat mutant and a comZ mutant, whereas a pilA4 mutant was found to be completely devoid of pilus structures. These findings, together with the significant similarity of PilA4 to prepilins, led to the conclusion that the T. thermophilus pilus structures are type IV pili. Furthermore, the loss of the transformation and piliation phenotype in the pilA4 mutant suggests that type IV pili are implicated in natural transformation of T. thermophilus HB27.

scholarly journals Purification and Three-Dimensional Electron Microscopy Structure of the Neisseria meningitidis Type IV Pilus Biogenesis Protein PilG

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (17) ◽  
pp. 6389-6396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Collins ◽  
Muhammad Saleem ◽  
Jeremy P. Derrick
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Type Iv Pilus ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis

ABSTRACT Type IV pili are surface-exposed retractable fibers which play a key role in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis and other gram-negative pathogens. PilG is an integral inner membrane protein and a component of the type IV pilus biogenesis system. It is related by sequence to the extensive GspF family of secretory proteins, which are involved in type II secretion processes. PilG was overexpressed and purified from Escherichia coli membranes by detergent extraction and metal ion affinity chromatography. Analysis of the purified protein by perfluoro-octanoic acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that PilG formed dimers and tetramers. A three-dimensional (3-D) electron microscopy structure of the PilG multimer was determined using single-particle averaging applied to samples visualized by negative staining. Symmetry analysis of the unsymmetrized 3-D volume provided further evidence that the PilG multimer is a tetramer. The reconstruction also revealed an asymmetric bilobed structure approximately 125 Å in length and 80 Å in width. The larger lobe within the structure was identified as the N terminus by location of Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid nanogold particles to the N-terminal polyhistidine tag. We propose that the smaller lobe corresponds to the periplasmic domain of the protein, with the narrower “waist” region being the transmembrane section. This constitutes the first report of a 3-D structure of a member of the GspF family and suggests a physical basis for the role of the protein in linking cytoplasmic and periplasmic protein components of the type II secretion and type IV pilus biogenesis systems.

scholarly journals A Vibrio vulnificus Type IV Pilin Contributes to Biofilm Formation, Adherence to Epithelial Cells, and Virulence

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 1411-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohinee N. Paranjpye ◽  
Mark S. Strom
Keyword(s):  
Vibrio Vulnificus ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Secretion Pathway ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Secreted Factors ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis ◽  
Type Iv Pilin ◽  
Group A ◽  
Prepilin Peptidase ◽  
Reduced Adherence

ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus expresses a multitude of cell-associated and secreted factors that potentially contribute to pathogenicity, although the specific roles of most of these factors have been difficult to define. Previously we have shown that a mutation in pilD (originally designated vvpD), which encodes a type IV prepilin peptidase/N-methyltransferase, abolishes expression of surface pili, suggesting that they belong to the type IV class. In addition, a pilD mutant exhibits reduced adherence to HEp-2 cells, a block in secretion of several exoenzymes that follow the type II secretion pathway, and decreased virulence. In this study, we have cloned and characterized a V. vulnificus type IV pilin (PilA) that shares extensive homology to group A type IV pilins expressed by many pathogens, including Vibrio cholerae (PilA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PilA), and Aeromonas hydrophila (TapA). The V. vulnificus pilA gene is part of an operon and is clustered with three other pilus biogenesis genes, pilBCD. Inactivation of pilA reduces the ability of V. vulnificus to form biofilms and significantly decreases adherence to HEp-2 cells and virulence in iron dextran-treated mice. Southern blot analysis demonstrates the widespread presence of both pilA and pilD in clinical as well as environmental strains of V. vulnificus.

scholarly journals Interactions between the Lipoprotein PilP and the Secretin PilQ in Neisseria meningitidis

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (15) ◽  
pp. 5716-5727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seetha V. Balasingham ◽  
Richard F. Collins ◽  
Reza Assalkhou ◽  
Håvard Homberset ◽  
Stephan A. Frye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes

ABSTRACT Neisseria meningitidis can be the causative agent of meningitis or septicemia. This bacterium expresses type IV pili, which mediate a variety of functions, including autoagglutination, twitching motility, biofilm formation, adherence, and DNA uptake during transformation. The secretin PilQ supports type IV pilus extrusion and retraction, but it also requires auxiliary proteins for its assembly and localization in the outer membrane. Here we have studied the physical properties of the lipoprotein PilP and examined its interaction with PilQ. We found that PilP was an inner membrane protein required for pilus expression and transformation, since pilP mutants were nonpiliated and noncompetent. These mutant phenotypes were restored by the expression of PilP in trans. The pilP gene is located upstream of pilQ, and analysis of their transcripts indicated that pilP and pilQ were cotranscribed. Furthermore, analysis of the level of PilQ expression in pilP mutants revealed greatly reduced amounts of PilQ only in the deletion mutant, exhibiting a polar effect on pilQ transcription. In vitro experiments using recombinant fragments of PilP and PilQ showed that the N-terminal region of PilP interacted with the middle part of the PilQ polypeptide. A three-dimensional reconstruction of the PilQ-PilP interacting complex was obtained at low resolution by transmission electron microscopy, and PilP was shown to localize around the cap region of the PilQ oligomer. These findings suggest a role for PilP in pilus biogenesis. Although PilQ does not need PilP for its stabilization or membrane localization, the specific interaction between these two proteins suggests that they might have another coordinated activity in pilus extrusion/retraction or related functions.

scholarly journals Structure of the PilM-PilN Inner Membrane Type IV Pilus Biogenesis Complex from Thermus thermophilus

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (27) ◽  
pp. 24434-24442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaykumar Karuppiah ◽  
Jeremy P. Derrick
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Thermus Thermophilus ◽  
Narrow Channel ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Type Iv Pilus ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Atp Binding Site ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis

Type IV pili are surface-exposed filaments, which extend from a variety of bacterial pathogens and play a major role in pathogenesis, motility, and DNA uptake. Here, we present the crystal structure of a complex between a cytoplasmic component of the type IV pilus biogenesis system from Thermus thermophilus, PilM, in complex with a peptide derived from the cytoplasmic portion of the inner membrane protein PilN. PilM also binds ATP, and its structure is most similar to the actin-like protein FtsA. PilN binds in a narrow channel between the 1A and 1C subdomains in PilM; the binding site is well conserved in other Gram-negative bacteria, notably Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae. We find no evidence for the catalysis of ATP hydrolysis by PilM; fluorescence data indicate that the protein is likely to be saturated by ATP at physiological concentrations. In addition, binding of the PilN peptide appears to influence the environment of the ATP binding site. This is the first reported structure of a complex between two type IV pilus biogenesis proteins. We propose a model in which PilM binds ATP and then PilN as one of the first steps in the formation of the inner membrane platform of the type IV pilus biogenesis complex.

scholarly journals Natural Transformation of Campylobacter jejuni Requires Components of a Type II Secretion System

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (18) ◽  
pp. 5408-5418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Wiesner ◽  
David R. Hendrixson ◽  
Victor J. DiRita
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Dna Transport ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System

ABSTRACT The human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is one of more than 40 naturally competent bacterial species able to import macromolecular DNA from the environment and incorporate it into their genomes. However, in C. jejuni little is known about the genes involved in this process. We used random transposon mutagenesis to identify genes that are required for the transformation of this organism. We isolated mutants with insertions in 11 different genes; most of the mutants are affected in the DNA uptake stage of transformation, whereas two mutants are affected in steps subsequent to DNA uptake, such as recombination into the chromosome or in DNA transport across the inner membrane. Several of these genes encode proteins homologous to those involved in type II secretion systems, biogenesis of type IV pili, and competence for natural transformation in gram-positive and gram-negative species. Other genes identified in our screen encode proteins unique to C. jejuni or are homologous to proteins that have not been shown to play a role in the transformation in other bacteria.

scholarly journals Type IV Pilin Proteins: Versatile Molecular Modules

2012 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 740-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen L. Giltner ◽  
Ylan Nguyen ◽  
Lori L. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Multifunctional Protein ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Type Iv Pilin ◽  
And Function ◽  
Related Proteins

SUMMARYType IV pili (T4P) are multifunctional protein fibers produced on the surfaces of a wide variety of bacteria and archaea. The major subunit of T4P is the type IV pilin, and structurally related proteins are found as components of the type II secretion (T2S) system, where they are called pseudopilins; of DNA uptake/competence systems in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive species; and of flagella, pili, and sugar-binding systems in the archaea. This broad distribution of a single protein family implies both a common evolutionary origin and a highly adaptable functional plan. The type IV pilin is a remarkably versatile architectural module that has been adopted widely for a variety of functions, including motility, attachment to chemically diverse surfaces, electrical conductance, acquisition of DNA, and secretion of a broad range of structurally distinct protein substrates. In this review, we consider recent advances in this research area, from structural revelations to insights into diversity, posttranslational modifications, regulation, and function.

scholarly journals Structure and Properties of a Natural Competence-Associated Pilin Suggest a Unique Pilus Tip-Associated DNA Receptor

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Zulkifli Salleh ◽  
Vijaykumar Karuppiah ◽  
Matthew Snee ◽  
Angela Thistlethwaite ◽  
Colin W. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Thermus Thermophilus ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Natural Competence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Lysine Residues

ABSTRACTNatural competence is the term used to describe the uptake of “naked” extracellular DNA by bacteria; it plays a significant role in horizontal genetic exchange. It is associated with type IV pili, and specialized competence pili mediate DNA uptake. Here, we show that the crystal structure of a competence-associated protein fromThermus thermophilus, ComZ, consists of a type II secretion pseudopilin-like domain, with a large β-solenoid domain inserted into the β-sheet of the pilin-like fold. ComZ binds with high affinity to another competence-associated pilin, PilA2, which lies adjacent to thecomZgene in the genome. The crystal structure of PilA2 revealed a similar type II secretion pseudopilin-like fold, with a small subdomain; docking simulations predicted that PilA2 binds between the pseudopilin-like and β-solenoid domains of ComZ. Electrophoretic shift analysis and DNase protection studies were used to show that ComZ alone and the ComZ/PilA2 complex are able to bind DNA. Protection against reductive dimethylation was used in combination with mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis to identify two lysine residues in ComZ which are involved in DNA binding. They are located between the two domains in ComZ, on the opposite side from the predicted PilA2 binding site. These results suggest a model in which PilA2 assists ComZ in forming the competence pilus tip and DNA binds to the side of the fiber. The results demonstrate how a type IV pilin can be adapted to a specific function by domain insertion and provide the first structural insights into a tip-located competence pilin.IMPORTANCEThermus thermophilusis a thermophilic bacterium which is capable of natural transformation, the uptake of external DNA with high efficiency. DNA uptake is thought to be mediated by a competence-associated pilus, which binds the DNA substrate and mediates its transfer across the outer membrane and periplasm. Here, we describe the structural and functional analysis of two pilins which are known to be essential for DNA uptake, ComZ and PilA2. ComZ adopts an unusual structure, incorporating a large β-solenoid domain into the pilin structural framework. We argue on structural grounds that this structure cannot readily be accommodated into the competence pilus fiber unless it is at the tip. We also show that ComZ binds DNA and identify two lysine residues which appear to be important for DNA binding. These results suggest a model in which ComZ and PilA2 form a tip-associated DNA receptor which mediates DNA uptake.

scholarly journals Predicting Homogeneous Pilus Structure from Monomeric Data and Sparse Constraints

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Xiao ◽  
Chuanjun Shu ◽  
Qin Yan ◽  
Xiao Sun
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Distance Information ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System ◽  
Computational Errors ◽  
Electronic Microscope

Type IV pili (T4P) and T2SS (Type II Secretion System) pseudopili are filaments extending beyond microbial surfaces, comprising homologous subunits called “pilins.” In this paper, we presented a new approach to predict pseudo atomic models of pili combining ambiguous symmetric constraints with sparse distance information obtained from experiments and based neither on electronic microscope (EM) maps nor on accuratea priorisymmetric details. The approach was validated by the reconstruction of the gonococcal (GC) pilus fromNeisseria gonorrhoeae, the type IVb toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) fromVibrio cholerae, and pseudopilus of the pullulanase T2SS (the PulG pilus) fromKlebsiella oxytoca. In addition, analyses of computational errors showed that subunits should be treated cautiously, as they are slightly flexible and not strictly rigid bodies. A global sampling in a wider range was also implemented and implied that a pilus might have more than one but fewer than many possible intact conformations.

scholarly journals Identification of neisserial DNA binding components

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (3) ◽  
pp. 852-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Lång ◽  
Kristine Haugen ◽  
Burkhard Fleckenstein ◽  
Håvard Homberset ◽  
Stephan A. Frye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Pilus Biogenesis ◽  
Null Mutants

Neisseria meningitidis, a causative agent of meningitis and septicaemia, expresses type IV pili, a feature correlating with the uptake of exogenous DNA from the environment by natural transformation. The outer membrane complex PilQ, through which pili are extruded and retracted, has previously been shown to bind DNA in its pore region. In order to further elucidate how DNA is transported across the membranes, we searched for DNA binding proteins within the meningococcal inner membrane. Inner membrane fractions from a panel of neisserial strains were subjected to a solid-phase overlay assay with DNA substrates, and MS was subsequently employed to identify proteins that bind DNA. A number of DNA binding components were detected, including the pilus biogenesis component PilG, the competence protein ComL, and the cell division ATP-binding protein FtsE, as well as two hypothetical proteins. The DNA binding activity of these components was not dependent on the presence of the neisserial DNA uptake sequence. Null mutants, corresponding to each of the proteins identified, were constructed to assess their phenotypes. Only mutants defective in pilus biogenesis were non-competent and non-piliated. The DNA binding activity of the pilus biogenesis components PilQ and PilG and the phenotypes of their respective null mutants suggest that these proteins are directly involved as players in natural transformation, and not only indirectly, through pilus biogenesis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document