Extracellular secretion of STa heat-stable enterotoxin by Escherichia coli after fusion to a heterologous leader peptide

The mature 19-amino acid STa heat-stable enterotoxin of E. coli has a preceding peptide of 53 amino acids which contains two domains called Pre (aa 1–19) and Pro (aa 20–53) sequences, proposed to be essential for extracellular toxin release by this host. The Pro sequence, however, has been proven not be indispensable for this process since Pro deletion mutants secrete STa. To find out if Pre and/or other unremoved natural STa flanking sequences are responsible for toxin secretion in those mutants we genetically fused mature STa directly to the leader peptide of the periplasmic E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin B-subunit (LTB). Expression of this gene fusion resulted in extracellular secretion of biologically active STa by E. coli independently of natural STa neighboring genetic sequences. Moreover, these results suggest that STa might be able to gain access to the extracellular milieu simply upon its entry into the E. coli periplasm once guided into this compartment by the LTB leader peptide. To test if extracellular secretion in this fashion might be extended to other disulfide bond-rich small peptides, the 13 amino acid conotoxin GI and a non-enterotoxic STa-related decapeptide were cloned. None of the two peptides was found in culture supernatants, in spite of high structural homology to the toxin. Failure to be secreted most likely leads to degradation as peptides were also not detected in bacterial sonicates. We hypothesize that cysteine-rich peptides must have an amino acid length and/or number of disulfide bridges closer to those in STa for them to follow this toxin secretory pathway in E. coli.     

Role of tryptophan 26 in the NAD glycohydrolase reaction of the S-1 subunit of pertussis toxin

The gene encoding a catalytically active deletion peptide, the C180 peptide, of the S-1 subunit of pertussis toxin was engineered to facilitate mutagenesis at the Trp-26 (wild-type) coding sequence. A synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotide was inserted into the C180 gene such that all possible codons would be introduced into position 26. Seven individual mutants of the C180 peptide which possessed amino acid substitutions at residue 26 (collectively termed C180W26n peptides) were purified from periplasmic extracts of Escherichia coli. Each C180W26n peptide was present as a single major peptide that had an apparent molecular mass of between 20.9 and 24.5 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and each showed similar immunoreactivity relative to the C180 peptide. The C180W26n peptides demonstrated marked reduction of both ADP-ribosyltransferase and NAD glycohydrolase activities at 25 nM and 10 microM NAD, respectively. Kinetic analysis of the two most active mutants, C180W26F and C180W26Y, revealed that the major perturbation of NAD glycohydrolase activity was due to an increase (approximately 20-fold) in the Km for NAD between these mutants and the C180 peptide.     

Identification of an ion channel-forming motif in the primary structure of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins.

Synthetic peptides with amino acid sequences corresponding to predicted transmembrane segments of tetanus toxin were used as probes to identify a channel-forming motif. A peptide denoted TeTx II, with sequence GVVLLLEYIPEITLPVIAALSIA, forms cation-selective channels when reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers. The single channel conductance in 0.5 M NaCl or KCl is 28 +/- 3 and 24 +/- 2 pS, respectively. In contrast, a peptide with sequence NFIGALETTGVVLLLEYIPEIT, denoted as TeTx I, or a peptide with the same amino acid composition as TeTx II but with a randomized sequence, do not form channels. Conformational energy calculations show that a bundle of four amphipathic alpha-helices is a plausible structural motif underlying observable pore properties. The identified functional module may account for the channel-forming activity of both tetanus toxin and the homologous botulinum toxin A.     

Photoaffinity labeling of the thymidine triphosphate binding domain in Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I: identification of histidine-881 as the site of cross-linking

Using the technique of ultraviolet-mediated cross-linking of substrate deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) to their acceptor site [Abraham, K. I., & Modak, M. J. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1176-1182], we have labeled the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Pol I) with [alpha-32P]dTTP. Covalent cross-linking of [alpha-32P]dTTP to the Klenow fragment is shown to be at the substrate binding site by the following criteria: (a) the cross-linking reaction requires dTTP in its metal chelate form; (b) dTTP is readily competed out by other dNTPs as well as by substrate binding site directed reagents; (c) labeling with dTTP occurs at a single site as judged by peptide mapping. Under optimal conditions, a modification of approximately 20% of the enzyme was achieved. Following tryptic digestion of the [alpha-32P]dTTP-labeled Klenow fragment, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that 80% of the radioactivity was contained within a single peptide. The amino acid composition and sequence of this peptide identified it as the peptide spanning amino acid residues 876-890 in the primary sequence of E. coli Pol I. Chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion of the labeled tryptic peptide in each case yielded a single smaller fragment that was radioactive. Amino acid analysis and sequencing of these smaller peptides further narrowed the dTTP cross-linking site to within the region spanning residues 876-883. We concluded that histidine-881 is the primary attachment site for dTTP in E. coli DNA Pol I, since during amino acid sequencing analysis of all three radioactive peptides loss of the histidine residue at the expected cycle is observed.     

Amino acid sequence of neurotoxin I from Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing

The further characterization of toxin I from venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing (region, Southwestern United States) is reported. Toxin I is a single polypeptide chain of 64 amino acid residues crosslinked by four disulfide bridges. The complete amino acid sequence of toxin I was deduced from the sequence of its tryptic peptides and overlaps provided by its chymotryptic peptides. Toxin I has an amino terminal lysyl residue and a carboxyl terminal threonyl residue.The amino acid sequences of toxin I and neurotoxic variants 1, 2, and 3, likewise isolated from C. sculpturatus venom, differ at 26 positions.The sequences of toxin I from C. sculpturatus and toxins I and II from the North African scorpion, Androctonus australis Hector, are also compared.     

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a gene encoding an antiarrhythmia peptide derived from the scorpion toxin.

From a cDNA library of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch, full-length cDNAs of 351 nucleotides encoding precursors (named BmKIM) that contain signal peptides of 21 amino acid residues, a mature toxin of 61 residues with four disulfide bridges, and an extra Gly-Lys-Lys tail, were isolated. The genomic sequence of BmKIM was cloned and sequenced; it consisted of two exons disrupted by an intron of 1622 bp, the largest known in scorpion toxin genomes, inserted in the region encoding the signal peptide. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant BmKIM was toxic to both mammal and insects. This is the first report that a toxin with such high sequence homology with an insect-specific depressant toxin group exhibits toxicity to mammals. Using whole cell patch-clamp recording, it was discovered that the recombinant BmKIM inhibited the sodium current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and ventricular myocytes and protected against aconitine- induced cardiac arrhythmia.     

Structural characterization and phylogenetic relationships of myotoxin II from Atropoides (Bothrops) nummifer snake venom,a Lys49 phospholipase A(2) homologue

In order to analyze its structure-function relationships, the complete amino acid sequence of myotoxin II from Atropoides (Bothrops) nummifer from Costa Rica was determined. This toxin is a Lys49-type phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) homologue, devoid of catalytic activity, structurally belonging to class IIA. In addition to the Asp49 --> Lys change in the (inactive) catalytic center, substitutions in the calcium-binding loop suggest that its lack of enzymatic activity is due to the loss of ability to bind Ca(2+). The toxin occurs as a homodimer of basic subunits of 121 residues. Its sequence has highest similarity to Lys49 PLA(2)s from Cerrophidion, Trimeresurus, Bothrops and Agkistrodon species, which form a subfamily of proteins that diverged early from Asp49 PLA(2)s present in the same species, as shown by phylogenetic analysis. The tertiary structure of the toxin was modeled, based on the coordinates of Cerrophidion godmani myotoxin II. Its exposed C-terminal region 115-129 shows several differences in comparison to the homologous sequences of other Lys49 PLA(2)s, i.e. from Agkistrodon p. piscivorus and Bothrops asper. Region 115-129 of the latter two proteins has been implicated in myotoxic activity, on the basis of the direct membrane-damaging of their corresponding synthetic peptides. However, peptide 115-129 of A. nummifer myotoxin II did not exert toxicity upon cultured skeletal muscle cells or mature muscle in vivo. Differences in several amino acid residues, either critical for toxicity, or influencing the conformation of free peptide 115-129 from A. nummifer myotoxin II, may account for its lack of direct membrane-damaging properties.     

Expression and secretion of the S-1 subunit and C180 peptide of pertussis toxin in Escherichia coli.

The structural gene of the S-1 subunit of pertussis toxin (rS-1) and the catalytic C180 peptide of the S-1 subunit (C180 peptide) were independently subcloned downstream of the tac promoter in Escherichia coli. Both constructions included DNA encoding for the predicted leader sequence of the S-1 subunit which was inserted between the tac promoter and the structural gene. E. coli containing the plasmids encoding for rS-1 and C180 peptide produced a peptide that reacted with anti-pertussis toxin antibody and had a molecular weight corresponding to that of the cloned gene; some degradation of rS-1 was observed. Extracts of E. coli containing plasmids encoding for rS-1 and the C180 peptide possessed ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. Subcellular fractionation showed that both rS-1 and the C180 peptide were present in the periplasm, indicating that E. coli recognized the pertussis toxin peptide leader sequence. The protein sequence of the amino terminus of the C180 peptide was identical to that of authentic S-1 subunit produced by Bordetella pertussis, which showed that E. coli leader peptidase correctly processed the pertussis toxin peptide leader sequence. Two single amino acid substitutions at residue 26 (C180I-26) and residue 139 (C180S-139) which were previously shown to reduce ADP-ribosyltransferase activity were introduced into the C180 peptide. C180I-26 possessed approximately 1% of the NAD-glycohydrolase activity of the C180 peptide, suggesting that tryptophan 26 functions in the interaction of NAD with the C180 peptide. In contrast, C180S-139 possessed essentially the same level of NAD-glycohydrolase activity as the C180 peptide, suggesting that glutamic acid 139 does not function in the interaction of NAD but plays a role in a later step in the ADP-ribosyltransferase reaction.     

Defective Escherichia coli signal peptides function in yeast

To investigate structural characteristics important for eukaryotic signal peptide function in vivo, a hybrid gene with interchangeable signal peptides was cloned into yeast. The hybrid gene encoded nine residues from the amino terminus of the major Escherichia coli lipoprotein, attached to the amino terminus of the entire mature E. coli beta-lactamase sequence. To this sequence were attached sequences encoding the nonmutant E. coli lipoprotein signal peptide, or lipoprotein signal peptide mutants lacking an amino-terminal cationic charge, with shortened hydrophobic core, with altered potential helicity, or with an altered signal-peptide cleavage site. These signal-peptide mutants exhibited altered processing and secretion in E. coli. Using the GAL10 promoter, production of all hybrid proteins was induced to constitute 4-5% of the total yeast protein. Hybrid proteins with mutant signal peptides that show altered processing and secretion in E. coli, were processed and translocated to a similar degree as the non-mutant hybrid protein in yeast (approximately 36% of the total hybrid protein). Both non-mutant and mutant signal peptides appeared to be removed at the same unique site between cysteine 21 and serine 22, one residue from the E. coli signal peptidase II processing site. The mature lipo-beta-lactamase was translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane into the yeast periplasm. Thus the protein secretion apparatus in yeast recognizes the lipoprotein signal sequence in vivo but displays a specificity towards altered signal sequences which differs from that of E. coli.     

Amino Acid Sequences of Neuropeptides in the Sinus Gland of the Land Crab Cardisoma carnifex: A Novel Neuropeptide Proteolysis Site

The sinus gland is a major neurosecretory structure in Crustacea. Five peptides, labeled C, D, E, F, and I, isolated from the sinus gland of the land crab have been hypothesized to arise from the incomplete proteolysis at two internal sites on a single biosynthetic intermediate peptide "H", based on amino acid composition additivities and pulse-chase radiolabeling studies. The presence of only a single major precursor for the sinus gland peptides implies that peptide H may be synthesized on a common precursor with crustacean hyperglycemic hormone forms, "J" and "L," and a peptide, "K," similar to peptides with molt inhibiting activity. Here I report amino acid sequences of these peptides. The amino terminal sequence of the parent peptide, H, (and the homologous fragments) proved refractory to Edman degradation. Data from amino acid analysis and carboxypeptidase digestion of the naturally occurring fragments and of fragments produced by endopeptidase digestion were used together with Edman degradation to obtain the sequences. Amino acid analysis of fragments of the naturally occurring "overlap" peptides (those produced by internal cleavage at one site on H) was used to obtain the sequences across the cleavage sites. The amino acid sequence of the land crab peptide H is Arg-Ser-Ala-Asp-Gly-Phe-Gly-Arg-Met-Glu-Ser-Leu-Leu-Thr-Ser-Leu-Arg-Gly- Ser-Ala-Glu- Ser-Pro-Ala-Ala-Leu-Gly-Glu-Ala-Ser-Ala-Ala-His-Pro-Leu-Glu. In vivo cleavage at one site involves excision of arginine from the sequence Leu-Arg-Gly, whereas cleavage at the other site involves excision of serine from the sequence Glu-Ser-Leu. Proteolysis at the latter sequence has not been previously reported in intact secretory granules. The aspartate at position 4 is possibly covalently modified.     

Identification of the functional site in the mosquito larvicidal binary toxin of Bacillus sphaericus 1593M by site-directed mutagenesis

To study the mode of action of the binary toxin (51- and 42-kDa) of Bacillus sphaericus, amino acid residues were substituted at selected sites of the N- and C-terminal regions of both peptides. Bioassay results of the mutant binary toxins tested against mosquito larvae, Culex quinquefasciatus, revealed that most of the substitutions made on both peptides led to either decrease or total loss of the activity. Furthermore, receptor binding studies carried out for some of the mutants of the 42-kDa peptide showed mutations in N- and C-terminal regions of the 42-kDa peptide did not affect the binding of the binary toxin to brush border membrane vesicles of mosquito larvae. One of the mutants having a single amino acid substitution at the C-terminal region ((312)R) of the 42-kDa peptide completely abolished the biological activity, implicating the role of this residue in membrane pore formation. These results indicate the importance of the C-terminal region of the 42-kDa of binary toxin, in general, and particularly the residue (312)R for biological activity against mosquito larvae.     

Small efficient cell-penetrating peptides derived from scorpion toxin maurocalcine

Maurocalcine is the first demonstrated example of an animal toxin peptide with efficient cell penetration properties. Although it is a highly competitive cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), its relatively large size of 33 amino acids and the presence of three internal disulfide bridges may hamper its development for in vitro and in vivo applications. Here, we demonstrate that several efficient CPPs can be derived from maurocalcine by replacing Cys residues by isosteric 2-aminobutyric acid residues and sequence truncation down to peptides of up to 9 residues in length. A surprising finding is that all of the truncated maurocalcine analogues possessed cell penetration properties, indicating that the maurocalcine is a highly specialized CPP. Careful examination of the cell penetration properties of the truncated analogues indicates that several maurocalcine-derived peptides should be of great interest for cell delivery applications where peptide size matters.     

The blue copper protein gene of Alcaligenes faecalis S-6 directs secretion of blue copper protein from Escherichia coli cells.

The gene encoding a blue copper protein (a member of the pseudoazurins) of 123 amino acid residues, containing a single type I Cu2+ ion, was cloned from Alcaligenes faecalis S-6. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region, as well as the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions, was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence after Glu-24 coincided with the reported sequence of the blue protein, and its NH2-terminal sequence of 23 residues resembled a typical signal peptide. The cloned gene was expressed under the control of the tac promoter in Escherichia coli, and the correctly processed blue protein was secreted into the periplasm. The blue protein produced in E. coli possessed the activity to transfer electrons to the copper-containing nitrite reductase of A. faecalis S-6 in vitro.     

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for diphtheria toxin in the corynephage omega (tox+) genome.

A segment of corynephage omega (tox+) DNA, containing the gene for diphtheria toxin (tox) was fragmented with restriction enzymes and the fragments cloned into M13 vectors for nucleotide sequence determination. A long open reading frame was shown to encode the tox gene by comparing the predicted amino acid sequence with that of peptides derived from the mature toxin molecule. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence shows RNA polymerase and ribosome binding signals preceding a GTG codon in the open reading frame: if this is the correct starting signal for translation, then a 25 amino acid signal peptide can be predicted for the toxin molecule.     

Molecular mimicry between uveitopathogenic site of retinal S-antigen and Escherichia coli protein: induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis and lymphocyte cross-reaction

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is caused by the immunization of microgram amounts of a soluble retinal protein, known as S-antigen, in susceptible animal strains including primates. The disease serves as an animal model of ocular inflammation. We induced EAU and pinealitis in Lewis rats with small synthetic peptides, corresponding to the amino acid sequence in Escherichia coli protein, which contains six consecutive amino acids identical to a uveitopathogenic site in human S-antigen (peptide M). EAU and pinealitis induced in rats by synthetic peptide derived from E. coli was indistinguishable from those induced by native S-antigen or other uveitopathogenic synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequence of S-antigen. Furthermore, lymph node cells from animals immunized with either peptide M or peptide derived from E. coli protein showed significant proliferation in the presence of either peptide when tested in vitro for lymphocyte mitogenesis using [3H]thymidine. Thus, molecular mimicry, a process by which an immune response directed against a nonself protein cross-reacts with a normal host protein, may play a role in autoimmunity.     

Identification and amino acid sequence of the deoxynucleoside triphosphate binding site in Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I

We have labeled the large fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Pol I) with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, a substrate binding site directed reagent for DNA polymerases [Modak, M. J. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 3620-3626]. A covalent attachment of pyridoxal phosphate to Pol I results in the loss of substrate binding as well as the polymerase activity. The inactivation was found to be strictly dependent on the presence of a divalent metal ion. Four moles of pyridoxal phosphate was found to react per mole of the enzyme, while in the presence of substrate deoxynucleoside triphosphate only 3 mol of pyridoxal phosphate was bound. To identify the substrate-protected site on the enzyme, tryptic peptides from enzyme labeled with pyridoxal phosphate and tritiated borohydride, in the presence and absence of substrate, were resolved on a C-18 reverse-phase column. A single peptide containing the substrate-protected site was identified and further purified. The amino acid composition and sequence analysis of this peptide revealed it to span residues 756-775 in the primary acid sequence of Pol I. Lys-758 of this sequence was found to be the site of the pyridoxal phosphate reaction. It is therefore concluded that Lys-758 is the site of binding for the metal chelate form of nucleotide substrates in E. coli DNA polymerase I.     

Amino-acid sequence of toxin III of Naja haje.

The complete amino acid sequence of toxin III of Naja haje (72 residues) has been established mainly by use of a protein sequenator (identification of 70 residues). The two C-terminal residues have been determined by digestion with carboxypeptidases A and B. Addition of succinylated protein or peptide greatly improved the performance of the sequenator for the Edman degradation of peptides: on one peptide (39 residues) degradation went to step 34 with a protein program and on two peptides (10 and 13 residues) degradation reached the last amino acid with a peptide program (use of dimethylbenzylamine). Amino acid analysis of tryptic peptides obtained by digestion of the C-terminal cyanogen bromide peptide are in full agreement with the sequence established by automatic degradation. The sequence of toxin III of Naja haje is unique and is very similar to that of Naja nivea alpha (although there are 9 differences), of Naja melanoleuca b (11 differences) and also to that of Naja naja A (18 differences).     

Multiplicity of oligopeptide transport systems in Escherichia coli.

The ability of Escherichia coli K-12 4212 to utilize a variety of oligopeptides as sources of required amino acids was examined. Triornithine-resistant mutants of this strain were oligopeptide permease deficient (Opp-) as judged by their inability to utilize (Lys)3 and (Lys)4 as sources of lysine and their resistance to the toxic tripeptide (Val)3. These same mutants were able to grow when Met-Met-Met, Met-Gly-Met, Met-Gly-Gly, Gly-Met-Gly, Gly-Gly-Met, Gly-Met-Met, Met-Met-Gly, or Leu-Leu-Leu were supplied in place of the requisite amino acid. The system mediating the uptake of these peptides, herein designated Opr I, was not able to transport N-alpha-acetylated peptides, nor the tetrapeptides Met-Gly-Met-Met, Met-Met-Gly-Met, or Met-Met-Met-Gly. Competition experiments indicated that trimethionine and trileucine enter E. coli K-12 via either Opp or Opr I. Analogous results were found using the methionine, leucine-requiring auxotroph E. coli B163. It appears that more than one oligopeptide transport system exists in E. coli and that the system mediating peptide uptake is complex.     

Recombinant scorpion insectotoxin AaIT kills specifically insect cells but not human cells

The nucleotide sequence deduced from the amino acid sequence of the scorpion insectotoxin AaIT was chemically synthesized and was expressed in Escherichia coli. The authenticity of this in vitro expressed peptide was confirmed by N-terminal peptide sequencing. Two groups of bioassays, artificial diet incorporation assay and contact insecticidal effect assay, were carried out separately to verify the toxicity of this recombinant toxin. At the end of a 24 h experimental period, more than 60% of the testing diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae were killed in both groups with LCs0 value of 18.4 uM and 0.70 μM respectively. Cytotoxicity assay using cultured Sf9 insect cells and MCF-7 human cells demonstrated that the toxin AaIT had specific toxicity against insect cells but not human cells. Only 0.13 μM recombinant toxin was needed to kill 50% of cultured insect cells while as much as 1.3μM toxin had absolutely no effect on human cells. Insect cells produced obvious intrusions from their plasma membrane before broken up. We infer that toxin AaIT bind to a putative sodium channel in these insect cells and open the channel persistently, which would result in Na influx and finally cause destruction of insect cells.