scholarly journals Self-Labeling Enzyme Tags for Analyses of Translocation of Type III Secretion System Effector Proteins

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Göser ◽  
Carina Kommnick ◽  
Viktoria Liss ◽  
Michael Hensel

ABSTRACTType III secretion systems (T3SS) are molecular machines in Gram-negative pathogens that translocate effector proteins with central roles in virulence. The analyses of the translocation, subcellular localization, and mode of action of T3SS effector proteins are of central importance for the understanding of host-pathogen interaction and pathogenesis of bacterial infections. The analysis of translocation requires dedicated techniques to address the temporal and spatial dynamics of translocation. Here we describe a novel approach to deploy self-labeling enzymes (SLE) as universal tags for localization and tracking of translocated effector proteins. Effector-SLE fusion proteins allow live-cell imaging of translocation by T3SS, superresolution microscopy, and single-molecule tracking of effector motility in living host cells. We describe the application of the approach to T3SS effector proteins for invasion and intracellular lifestyle ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium and to a T3SS effector ofYersinia enterocolitica. The novel approach enables analyses of the role of T3SS in host-pathogen interaction at the highest temporal and spatial resolution, toward understanding the molecular mechanisms of their effector proteins.IMPORTANCEType III secretion systems mediate translocation of effector proteins into mammalian cells. These proteins interfere with host cell functions, being main virulence factors of Gram-negative pathogens. Analyses of the process of translocation, the subcellular distribution, and the dynamics of effector proteins in host cells have been hampered by the lack of suitable tags and detection systems. Here we describe the use of self-labeling enzyme tags for generation of fusions with effector proteins that are translocated and functional in host cell manipulation. Self-labeling reactions with cell-permeable ligand dyes are possible prior to or after translocation. We applied the new approach to superresolution microscopy for effector protein translocation. For the first time, we show the dynamic properties of effector proteins in living host cells after translocation by intracellular bacteria. The new approach of self-labeling enzyme tags fusions will enable analyses of type III secretion system effector proteins with new dimensions of temporal and spatial resolution.

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erez Mills ◽  
Kobi Baruch ◽  
Gili Aviv ◽  
Mor Nitzan ◽  
Ilan Rosenshine

ABSTRACT Type III secretion systems (TTSSs) are employed by pathogens to translocate host cells with effector proteins, which are crucial for virulence. The dynamics of effector translocation, behavior of the translocating bacteria, translocation temporal order, and relative amounts of each of the translocated effectors are all poorly characterized. To address these issues, we developed a microscopy-based assay that tracks effector translocation. We used this assay alongside a previously described real-time population-based translocation assay, focusing mainly on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and partly comparing it to Salmonella. We found that the two pathogens exhibit different translocation behaviors: in EPEC, a subpopulation that formed microcolonies carried out most of the translocation activity, while Salmonella executed protein translocation as planktonic bacteria. We also noted variability in host cell susceptibility, with some cells highly resistant to translocation. We next extended the study to determine the translocation dynamics of twenty EPEC effectors and found that all exhibited distinct levels of translocation efficiency. Further, we mapped the global effects of key TTSS-related components on TTSS activity. Our results provide a comprehensive description of the dynamics of the TTSS activity of EPEC and new insights into the mechanisms that control the dynamics. IMPORTANCE EPEC and the closely related enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) represent a global public health problem. New strategies to combat EPEC and EHEC infections are needed, and development of such strategies requires better understanding of their virulence machinery. The TTSS is a critical virulence mechanism employed by these pathogens, and by others, including Salmonella. In this study, we aimed at elucidating new aspects of TTSS function. The results obtained provide a comprehensive description of the dynamics of TTSS activity of EPEC and new insights into the mechanisms that control these changes. This knowledge sets the stage for further analysis of the system and may accelerate the development of new ways to treat EPEC and EHEC infections. Further, the newly described microscopy-based assay can be readily adapted to study the dynamics of TTSS activity in other pathogens.


2008 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas K. J. Veenendaal ◽  
Charlotta Sundin ◽  
Ariel J. Blocker

ABSTRACT Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are essential virulence devices for many gram-negative bacteria that are pathogenic for plants, animals, and humans. They serve to translocate virulence effector proteins directly into eukaryotic host cells. T3SSs are composed of a large cytoplasmic bulb and a transmembrane region into which a needle is embedded, protruding above the bacterial surface. The emerging antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens urges the development of novel strategies to fight bacterial infections. Therapeutics that rather than kill bacteria only attenuate their virulence may reduce the frequency or progress of resistance emergence. Recently, a group of salicylidene acylhydrazides were identified as inhibitors of T3SSs in Yersinia, Chlamydia, and Salmonella species. Here we show that these are also effective on the T3SS of Shigella flexneri, where they block all related forms of protein secretion so far known, as well as the epithelial cell invasion and induction of macrophage apoptosis usually demonstrated by this bacterium. Furthermore, we show the first evidence for the detrimental effect of these compounds on T3SS needle assembly, as demonstrated by increased numbers of T3S apparatuses without needles or with shorter needles. Therefore, the compounds generate a phenocopy of T3SS export apparatus mutants but with incomplete penetrance. We discuss why this would be sufficient to almost completely block the later secretion of effector proteins and how this begins to narrow the search for the molecular target of these compounds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh S. Sharp ◽  
Arne Rietsch ◽  
Simon L. Dove

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen that employs a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cells. Using a protein depletion system, we show that the endoribonuclease RNase E positively regulates expression of the T3SS genes. We also present evidence that RNase E antagonizes the expression of genes of the type VI secretion system and limits biofilm production in P. aeruginosa. Thus, RNase E, which is thought to be the principal endoribonuclease involved in the initiation of RNA degradation in P. aeruginosa, plays a key role in controlling the production of factors involved in both acute and chronic stages of infection. Although the posttranscriptional regulator RsmA is also known to positively regulate expression of the T3SS genes, we find that RNase E does not appreciably influence the abundance of RsmA in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, we show that RNase E still exerts its effects on T3SS gene expression in cells lacking all four of the key small regulatory RNAs that function by sequestering RsmA. IMPORTANCE The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a protein complex produced by many Gram-negative pathogens. It is capable of injecting effector proteins into host cells that can manipulate cell metabolism and have toxic effects. Understanding how the T3SS is regulated is important in understanding the pathogenesis of bacteria with such systems. Here, we show that RNase E, which is typically thought of as a global regulator of RNA stability, plays a role in regulating the T3SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Depleting RNase E results in the loss of T3SS gene expression as well as a concomitant increase in biofilm formation. These observations are reminiscent of the phenotypes associated with the loss of activity of the posttranscriptional regulator RsmA. However, RNase E-mediated regulation of these systems does not involve changes in the abundance of RsmA and is independent of the known small regulatory RNAs that modulate RsmA activity.


mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Netanel Elbaz ◽  
Yaakov Socol ◽  
Naama Katsowich ◽  
Ilan Rosenshine

ABSTRACT The transition from a planktonic lifestyle to a host-attached state is often critical for bacterial virulence. Upon attachment to host cells, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) employs a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject into the host cells ∼20 effector proteins, including Tir. CesT, which is encoded from the same operon downstream of tir, is a Tir-bound chaperone that facilitates Tir translocation. Upon Tir translocation, the liberated CesT remains in the bacterial cytoplasm and antagonizes the posttranscriptional regulator CsrA, thus eliciting global regulation in the infecting pathogen. Importantly, tight control of the Tir/CesT ratio is vital, since an uncontrolled surge in free CesT levels may repress CsrA in an untimely manner, thus abrogating colonization. We investigated how fluctuations in Tir translation affect the regulation of this ratio. By creating mutations that cause the premature termination of Tir translation, we revealed that the untranslated tir mRNA becomes highly unstable, resulting in a rapid drop in cesT mRNA levels and, thus, CesT levels. This mechanism couples Tir and CesT levels to ensure a stable Tir/CesT ratio. Our results expose an additional level of regulation that enhances the efficacy of the initial interaction of EPEC with the host cell, providing a better understanding of the bacterial switch from the planktonic to the cell-adherent lifestyle. IMPORTANCE Host colonization by extracellular pathogens often entails the transition from a planktonic lifestyle to a host-attached state. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), a Gram-negative pathogen, attaches to the intestinal epithelium of the host and employs a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into the cytoplasm of infected cells. The most abundant effector protein injected is Tir, whose translocation is dependent on the Tir-bound chaperon CesT. Upon Tir injection, the liberated CesT binds to and inhibits the posttranscriptional regulator CsrA, resulting in reprogramming of gene expression in the host-attached bacteria. Thus, adaptation to the host-attached state involves dynamic remodeling of EPEC gene expression, which is mediated by the relative levels of Tir and CesT. Fluctuating from the optimal Tir/CesT ratio results in a decrease in EPEC virulence. Here we elucidate a posttranscriptional circuit that prevents sharp variations from this ratio, thus improving host colonization.


Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciara M. Shaver ◽  
Alan R. Hauser

The effector proteins of the type III secretion systems of many bacterial pathogens act in a coordinated manner to subvert host cells and facilitate the development and progression of disease. It is unclear whether interactions between the type-III-secreted proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa result in similar effects on the disease process. We have previously characterized the contributions to pathogenesis of the type-III-secreted proteins ExoS, ExoT and ExoU when secreted individually. In this study, we extend our prior work to determine whether these proteins have greater than expected effects on virulence when secreted in combination. In vitro cytotoxicity and anti-internalization activities were not enhanced when effector proteins were secreted in combinations rather than alone. Likewise in a mouse model of pneumonia, bacterial burden in the lungs, dissemination and mortality attributable to ExoS, ExoT and ExoU were not synergistically increased when combinations of these effector proteins were secreted. Because of the absence of an appreciable synergistic increase in virulence when multiple effector proteins were secreted in combination, we conclude that any cooperation between ExoS, ExoT and ExoU does not translate into a synergistically significant enhancement of disease severity as measured by these assays.


2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 5458-5470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie U. Hölzer ◽  
Markus C. Schlumberger ◽  
Daniela Jäckel ◽  
Michael Hensel

ABSTRACT The virulence of Salmonella enterica critically depends on the functions of two type III secretion systems (T3SS), with the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1)-encoded T3SS required for host cell invasion and the SPI2-T3SS enabling Salmonella to proliferate within host cells. A further T3SS is required for the assembly of the flagella. Most serovars of Salmonella also possess a lipopolysaccharide with a complex O-antigen (OAg) structure. The number of OAg units attached to the core polysaccharide varies between 16 and more than 100 repeats, with a trimodal distribution. This work investigated the correlation of the OAg length with the functions of the SPI1-T3SS and the SPI2-T3SS. We observed that the number of repeats of OAg units had no effect on bacterial motility. The interaction of Salmonella with epithelial cells was altered if the OAg structure was changed by mutations in regulators of OAg. Strains defective in synthesis of very long or long and very long OAg species showed increased translocation of a SPI1-T3SS effector protein and increased invasion. Invasion of a strain entirely lacking OAg was increased, but this mutant strain also showed increased adhesion. In contrast, translocation of a SPI2-T3SS effector protein and intracellular replication were not affected by modification of the OAg length. Mutant strains lacking the entire OAg or long and very long OAg were highly susceptible to complement killing. These observations indicate that the architecture of the outer membrane of Salmonella is balanced to permit sufficient T3SS function but also to confer optimal protection against antimicrobial defense mechanisms.


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 2191-2198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfang Li ◽  
Chao Lv ◽  
Weiyang Sun ◽  
Zhenyu Li ◽  
Xiaowei Han ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBacterial virulence factors have been increasingly regarded as attractive targets for development of novel antibacterial agents. Virulence inhibitors are less likely to generate bacterial resistance, which makes them superior to traditional antibiotics that target bacterial viability.Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium, an important food-borne human pathogen, has type III secretion system (T3SS) as its major virulence factor. T3SS secretes effector proteins to facilitate invasion into host cells. In this study, we identified several analogs of cytosporone B (Csn-B) that strongly block the secretion ofSalmonellapathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1)-associated effector proteins, without affecting the secretion of flagellar protein FliCin vitro. Csn-B and two other derivatives exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on SPI-1-mediated invasion to HeLa cells, while no significant toxicity to bacteria was observed. Nucleoid proteins Hha and H-NS bind to the promoters of SPI-1 regulator geneshilD,hilC, andrtsAto repress their expression and consequently regulate the expression of SPI-1 apparatus and effector genes. We found that Csn-B upregulated the transcription ofhhaandhns, implying that Csn-B probably affected the secretion of effectors through the Hha–H-NS regulatory pathway. In summary, this study presented an effective SPI-1 inhibitor, Csn-B, which may have potential in drug development against antibiotic-resistantSalmonella.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (7) ◽  
pp. 2411-2420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Higashide ◽  
Daoguo Zhou

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium encodes two type III secretion systems (TTSSs) within pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) and island 2 (SPI-2). These type III protein secretion and translocation systems transport a panel of bacterial effector proteins across both the bacterial and the host cell membranes to promote bacterial entry and subsequent survival inside host cells. Effector proteins contain secretion and translocation signals that are often located at their N termini. We have developed a ruffling-based translocation reporter system that uses the secretion- and translocation-deficient catalytic domain of SopE, SopE78-240, as a reporter. Using this assay, we determined that the N-terminal 45 amino acid residues of Salmonella SopA are necessary and sufficient for directing its secretion and translocation through the SPI-1 TTSS. SopA1-45, but not SopA1-44, is also able to bind to its chaperone, InvB, indicating that SPI-1 type III secretion and translocation of SopA require its chaperone.


2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 6078-6087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Peng Gao ◽  
Pin Nie ◽  
Jin Fang Lu ◽  
Lu Yi Liu ◽  
Tiao Yi Xiao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe type III secretion system (T3SS) ofEdwardsiella tardaplays an important role in infection by translocating effector proteins into host cells. EseB, a component required for effector translocation, is reported to mediate autoaggregation ofE. tarda. In this study, we demonstrate that EseB forms filamentous appendages on the surface ofE. tardaand is required for biofilm formation byE. tardain Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). Biofilm formation byE. tardain DMEM does not require FlhB, an essential component for assembling flagella. Dynamic analysis of EseB filament formation, autoaggregation, and biofilm formation shows that the formation of EseB filaments occurs prior to autoaggregation and biofilm formation. The addition of an EseB antibody toE. tardacultures before bacterial autoaggregation prevents autoaggregation and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the addition of the EseB antibody toE. tardacultures in which biofilm is already formed does not destroy the biofilm. Therefore, EseB filament-mediated bacterial cell-cell interaction is a prerequisite for autoaggregation and biofilm formation.


mSystems ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan L. Sontag ◽  
Ernesto S. Nakayasu ◽  
Roslyn N. Brown ◽  
George S. Niemann ◽  
Michael A. Sydor ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT During infection, pathogenic bacteria face an adverse environment of factors driven by both cellular and humoral defense mechanisms. To help evade the immune response and ultimately proliferate inside the host, many bacteria evolved specialized secretion systems to deliver effector proteins directly into host cells. Translocated effector proteins function to subvert host defense mechanisms. Numerous pathogenic bacteria use a specialized secretion system called type III secretion to deliver effectors into the host cell cytosol. Here, we identified 75 new host targets of Salmonella and Citrobacter effectors, which will help elucidate their mechanisms of action. Many pathogenic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae use type III secretion systems to inject virulence proteins, termed “effectors,” into the host cell cytosol. Although host-cellular activities of several effectors have been demonstrated, the function and host-targeted pathways of most of the effectors identified to date are largely undetermined. To gain insight into host proteins targeted by bacterial effectors, we performed coaffinity purification of host proteins from cell lysates using recombinant effectors from the Enterobacteriaceae intracellular pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Citrobacter rodentium. We identified 54 high-confidence host interactors for the Salmonella effectors GogA, GtgA, GtgE, SpvC, SrfH, SseL, SspH1, and SssB collectively and 21 interactors for the Citrobacter effectors EspT, NleA, NleG1, and NleK. We biochemically validated the interaction between the SrfH Salmonella protein and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) host protein kinase, which revealed a role for this effector in regulating phosphorylation levels of this enzyme, which plays a central role in signal transduction. IMPORTANCE During infection, pathogenic bacteria face an adverse environment of factors driven by both cellular and humoral defense mechanisms. To help evade the immune response and ultimately proliferate inside the host, many bacteria evolved specialized secretion systems to deliver effector proteins directly into host cells. Translocated effector proteins function to subvert host defense mechanisms. Numerous pathogenic bacteria use a specialized secretion system called type III secretion to deliver effectors into the host cell cytosol. Here, we identified 75 new host targets of Salmonella and Citrobacter effectors, which will help elucidate their mechanisms of action.


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