Ganglioside Structure Dictates Signal Transduction by Cholera Toxin and Association with Caveolae-like Membrane Domains in Polarized Epithelia

In polarized cells, signal transduction by cholera toxin (CT) requires apical endocytosis and retrograde transport into Golgi cisternae and perhaps ER (Lencer, W.I., C. Constable, S. Moe, M. Jobling, H.M. Webb, S. Ruston, J.L. Madara, T. Hirst, and R. Holmes. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 131:951–962). In this study, we tested whether CT's apical membrane receptor ganglioside GM1 acts specifically in toxin action. To do so, we used CT and the related Escherichia coli heat-labile type II enterotoxin LTIIb. CT and LTIIb distinguish between gangliosides GM1 and GD1a at the cell surface by virtue of their dissimilar receptor-binding B subunits. The enzymatically active A subunits, however, are homologous. While both toxins bound specifically to human intestinal T84 cells (K_d ≈ 5 nM), only CT elicited a cAMP-dependent Cl⁻ secretory response. LTIIb, however, was more potent than CT in eliciting a cAMP-dependent response from mouse Y1 adrenal cells (toxic dose 10 vs. 300 pg/well). In T84 cells, CT fractionated with caveolae-like detergent-insoluble membranes, but LTIIb did not. To investigate further the relationship between the specificity of ganglioside binding and partitioning into detergent-insoluble membranes and signal transduction, CT and LTIIb chimeric toxins were prepared. Analysis of these chimeric toxins confirmed that toxin-induced signal transduction depended critically on the specificity of ganglioside structure. The mechanism(s) by which ganglioside GM1 functions in signal transduction likely depends on coupling CT with caveolae or caveolae-related membrane domains.     

Inhibition of Cholera Toxin and Other AB Toxins by Polyphenolic Compounds

Cholera toxin (CT) is an AB-type protein toxin that contains a catalytic A1 subunit, an A2 linker, and a cell-binding B homopentamer. The CT holotoxin is released into the extracellular environment, but CTA1 attacks a target within the cytosol of a host cell. We recently reported that grape extract confers substantial resistance to CT. Here, we used a cell culture system to identify twelve individual phenolic compounds from grape extract that inhibit CT. Additional studies determined the mechanism of inhibition for a subset of the compounds: two inhibited CT binding to the cell surface and even stripped CT from the plasma membrane of a target cell; two inhibited the enzymatic activity of CTA1; and four blocked cytosolic toxin activity without directly affecting the enzymatic function of CTA1. Individual polyphenolic compounds from grape extract could also generate cellular resistance to diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A, and ricin. We have thus identified individual toxin inhibitors from grape extract and some of their mechanisms of inhibition against CT.     

Activation of AMPK Inhibits Cholera Toxin Stimulated Chloride Secretion in Human and Murine Intestine

Increased intestinal chloride secretion through chloride channels, such as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is one of the major molecular mechanisms underlying enterotoxigenic diarrhea. It has been demonstrated in the past that the intracellular energy sensing kinase, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), can inhibit CFTR opening. We hypothesized that pharmacological activation of AMPK can abrogate the increased chloride flux through CFTR occurring during cholera toxin (CTX) mediated diarrhea.Chloride efflux was measured in isolated rat colonic crypts using real-time fluorescence imaging. AICAR and metformin were used to activate AMPK in the presence of the secretagogues CTX or forskolin (FSK). In order to substantiate our findings on the whole tissue level, short-circuit current (SCC) was monitored in human and murine colonic mucosa using Ussing chambers. Furthermore, fluid accumulation was measured in excised intestinal loops.CTX and forskolin (FSK) significantly increased chloride efflux in isolated colonic crypts. The increase in chloride efflux could be offset by using the AMPK activators AICAR and metformin. In human and mouse mucosal sheets, CTX and FSK increased SCC. AICAR and metformin inhibited the secretagogue induced rise in SCC, thereby confirming the findings made in isolated crypts. Moreover, AICAR decreased CTX stimulated fluid accumulation in excised intestinal segments.The present study suggests that pharmacological activation of AMPK effectively reduces CTX mediated increases in intestinal chloride secretion, which is a key factor for intestinal water accumulation. AMPK activators may therefore represent a supplemental treatment strategy for acute diarrheal illness.     

霍乱毒素B亚基基因具有自己的启动子

本研究发现并证实霍乱毒素Ｂ亚基基因上游ＸｂａＩ～ＣｌａＩ限制性片段内存在具有启动子活性的序列;在该启动子作用下,霍乱毒素Ｂ亚基表达水平可达２００ｍｇ／Ｌ,氯霉素乙酰基转移酶基因表达水平随培养条件不同在０．３～１０ｍｇ／Ｌ之间,大肠杆菌β－半乳糖苷酶基因的表达量达４１００单位／ｍｌ。在该启动子的控制下霍乱毒素Ｂ亚基基因可以高效表达,该启动子的存在可能是霍乱毒素操纵子中霍乱毒素Ｂ亚基表达量是Ａ亚基的６倍的原因。     

霍乱毒素B亚基基因具有自己的启动子

本研究发现并证实霍乱毒素B亚基基因上游Xba Ⅰ～Cla Ⅰ限制性片段内存在具有启动子活性的序列;在该启动子作用下,霍乱毒素B亚基表达水平可达200mg/L,氯霉素乙酰基转移酶基因表达水平随培养条件不同在0.3～10mg/L之间,大肠杆菌β-半乳糖苷酶基因的表达量达4100U/ml。在该启动子的控制下霍乱毒素B亚基基因可以高效表达,该启动子的存在可能是由于霍乱毒素操纵子中霍乱毒素B亚基表达量是A亚基的6倍。     

Immunity to Cholera: Relation of Fraction II of Type 2 Cholera Toxin to Vibriocidal Antibody

The nontoxic protein component in supernatant fluids of young cultures of the cholera vibrio in peptone dialysate broth contains an antigen identical in specificity to vibrio lipopolysaccharide. This material was heterogeneous after elution from diethylaminoethyl A50 Sephadex, and it contained at least five additional minor antigens. Identity was demonstrated by immunodiffusion methods, by the induction of specific vibriocidal antibody formation, and by specific interference in the vibriocidal reaction. The minor antigens appeared to be unrelated to the vibriocidal reaction. The major antigen was more highly immunogenic than lipopolysaccharide, giving higher and longer-persisting antibody titers in the rabbit, but lipopolysaccharide was the more effective interfering antigen per unit weight in the vibriocidal reaction. The nontoxicity and high immunogenic potency of the protein antigen suggest that it may be useful as an immunizing agent for the production of the antibacterial component of an effective immunity.     

Cholera Toxins: Immunogenicity of the Rabbit Ileal Loop Toxin and Related Antigens

A method of assay of immunogenic potency of the cholera gut toxin is described; it is based on the relation of dose of antigen to neutralizing antibody titer produced in the rabbit under defined conditions and allows quantification of immunogenicity as immunogenic units per milligram of protein. Evidence, based on immunogenicity and rabbit ileal loop toxicity, is presented which indicates that the positively charged fraction of liquid-culture supernatant fluid eluted in deionized water from diethylaminoethyl Sephadex, or in electrolyte from carboxymethyl Sephadex, is a complex made up of a nonantigenic toxic moiety, a nontoxic protein component which elicits the formation of toxin-neutralizing antibody, and an inactive fraction. The complex may also be dissociated in high-salt concentrations with apparent recombination of the toxic moiety with a nondialyzable constituent of peptone to give a negatively charged complex. The immunogenic component is found in nontoxic supernatant fluids of cultures grown at pH 6.5 or in media deficient in peptone. It is also present in the nontoxic fraction eluted from diethylaminoethyl Sephadex in electrolyte or in deionized water from carboxymethyl Sephadex. When separated from the positively charged toxic moiety, the net charge of the antigen is reduced as shown by immunoelectrophoresis. On primary fractionation, the antigen may be associated with a minor antigenic component of the negatively charged complex containing a major antigen eliciting vibriocidal antibody formation, but antisera to the toxin antigen preparations, either in this form or freed of antigenic contamination by recycling, do not contain vibriocidal antibody. It is suggested that this antigen be designated the T (toxin) antigen, and the antigen producing vibriocidal antibody the V antigen. These two antigens would appear to represent the major antigenic specificities associated with the antitoxic and antibacterial elements of the immune response to infection.     

霍乱毒素B亚单位在疫苗研究中的应用

CTB不同于CT,没有毒性,在体内和体外CTB具有强的免疫调节活性。越来越多的证据表明CTB在疫苗研究中发挥重要作用。深入理解CTB的免疫调节机制及其在疫苗研究中的应用,有助于设计新疫苗和改良疫苗。因此,将对CTB在疫苗研究中的应用进展进行综述。     

Expression of Cholera Toxin B Subunit in Transgenic Rice Endosperm

The synthetic cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) gene, modified according to the optimized codon usage of plant genes, was introduced into a plant expression vector and expressed under the control of the Bx17 HMW (high molecular weight) wheat endosperm-specific promoter containing an intron of the rice act1. The recombinant vector was transformed into rice plants using a biolistic-mediated transformation method. Stable integration of the synthetic CTB gene into the chromosomal DNA was confirmed by PCR amplification analysis. A high level of CTB (2.1% of total soluble protein) was expressed in the endosperm tissue of the transgenic rice plants. The synthetic CTB produced only in the rice endosperm demonstrated strong affinity for G_M1-ganglioside, thereby suggesting that the CTB subunits formed an active pentamer. The successful expression of CTB genes in transgenic plants makes it a powerful tool for the development of a plant-derived edible vaccine.     

霍乱肠毒素B亚单位在转基因番茄中表达的研究

将霍乱肠毒素B亚单位（CT－B）基因及内质网引导序列（SEKDEL）克隆到质粒pRTL2和pBI121中,分别构建植物双元表达载体pBI-CTB和pBI-CTBK,CT-B基因由Ca35S启动子控制表达。采用叶盘法经根癌农杆菌介导转化番茄（金丰1号,Jinfeng1)各表达载体得到一批转基因植株。经PCR和Southern blot分析表明CT－B基因整合到了番茄基因组中;ELISA和Western blot分析表明pBI-CTB和pBI-CTBK的转基因植株能够有效表达CT－B多肽,分别占番茄叶片可溶性蛋白的0.055%和0.084%。     

Immunization with Cholera Toxin B Subunit Induces High-Level Protection in the Suckling Mouse Model of Cholera

Cholera toxin (CT) is the primary virulence factor responsible for severe cholera. Vibrio cholerae strains unable to produce CT show severe attenuation of virulence in animals and humans. The pentameric B subunit of CT (CTB) contains the immunodominant epitopes recognized by antibodies that neutralize CT. Although CTB is a potent immunogen and a promising protective vaccine antigen in animal models, immunization of humans with detoxified CT failed to protect against cholera. We recently demonstrated however that pups reared from mice immunized intraperitoneally (IP) with 3 doses of recombinant CTB were well protected against a highly lethal challenge dose of V. cholerae N16961. The present study investigated how the route and number of immunizations with CTB could influence protective efficacy in the suckling mouse model of cholera. To this end female mice were immunized with CTB intranasally (IN), IP, and subcutaneously (SC). Serum and fecal extracts were analyzed for anti-CTB antibodies by quantitative ELISA, and pups born to immunized mothers were challenged orogastrically with a lethal dose of V. cholerae. Pups from all immunized groups were highly protected from death by 48 hours (64–100% survival). Cox regression showed that percent body weight loss at 24 hours predicted death by 48 hours, but we were unable to validate a specific amount of weight loss as a surrogate marker for protection. Although CTB was highly protective in all regimens, three parenteral immunizations showed trends toward higher survival and less weight loss at 24 hours post infection. These results demonstrate that immunization with CTB by any of several routes and dosing regimens can provide protection against live V. cholerae challenge in the suckling mouse model of cholera. Our data extend the results of previous studies and provide additional support for the inclusion of CTB in the development of a subunit vaccine against V. cholerae.     

Stabilization of the Tertiary Structure of the Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit Inhibits Toxin Dislocation and Cellular Intoxication

Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by retrograde vesicular transport. The catalytic subunit of CT (CTA1) then crosses the ER membrane and enters the cytosol in a process that involves the quality control mechanism of ER-associated degradation. The molecular details of this dislocation event have not been fully characterized. Here, we report that thermal instability in the CTA1 subunit—specifically, the loss of CTA1 tertiary structure at 37 °C—triggers toxin dislocation. Biophysical studies found that glycerol preferentially stabilized the tertiary structure of CTA1 without having any noticeable effect on the thermal stability of its secondary structure. The thermal disordering of CTA1 tertiary structure normally preceded the perturbation of its secondary structure, but in the presence of 10% glycerol the temperature-induced loss of CTA1 tertiary structure occurred at higher temperatures in tandem with the loss of CTA1 secondary structure. The glycerol-induced stabilization of CTA1 tertiary structure blocked CTA1 dislocation from the ER and instead promoted CTA1 secretion into the extracellular medium. This, in turn, inhibited CT intoxication. Glycerol treatment also inhibited the in vitro degradation of CTA1 by the core 20S proteasome. Collectively, these findings indicate that toxin thermal instability plays a key role in the intoxication process. They also suggest the stabilization of CTA1 tertiary structure is a potential goal for novel antitoxin therapeutic agents.     

霍乱毒素B亚基基因上游序列对B亚基表达水平的影响

本研究通过缺失突变和移码突变研究了ｃｔｘ Ｂ基因上游Ａ基因部分序列对ｃｔｘＢ表达水平的影响,结果表明：（１）将霍乱毒素操纵子ＸｂａＩ－ＥｃｏＲｉ片段克隆至ｐＵＣ１９,构建的质粒ｐＵＣ１９ＣＴＢ中Ａ亚基的部分序列不能翻译,该质粒转化大肠菌后的ＣＴＢ的表达产量为３０μｇ／μｌ;（２）在质粒ｐＵＣ１９ＣＴＢ的ＸｂａＩ位点引入移码突变,构建质粒ｐＭＣ０２Ｃ,使Ａ亚基基因部分序列能够翻译至自然的终止密码,Ｂ