Cloning and expression of Treponema pallidum antigens in Escherichia coli

A library of Treponema pallidum genomic DNA fragments produced by partial Sau3A digestion was established in Escherichia coli K12 using the plasmid vector pAT153. The library was screened using immune syphilitic rabbit serum and six recombinant phenotypes expressing eight treponemal polypeptides were detected. With two exceptions, all the recombinant gene products were the same size as polypeptides detected on Western immunoblots of T. pallidum. The genes encoding three novel gene products, with molecular masses in SDS-PAGE of 42, 17 and 15.5 kDa, which had not been cloned previously from T. pallidum were also identified. Monoclonal antibodies which reacted with four of the eight recombinant polypeptides were generated.     

Isolation of the outer membranes from Treponema pallidum and Treponema vincentii.

The outer membranes from Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and Treponema vincentii were isolated by a novel method. Purified outer membranes from T. pallidum and T. vincentii following sucrose gradient centrifugation banded at 7 and 31% (wt/wt) sucrose, respectively. Freeze fracture electron microscopy of purified membrane vesicles from T. pallidum and T. vincentii revealed an extremely low density of protein particles; the particle density of T. pallidum was approximately six times less than that of T. vincentii. The great majority of T. vincentii lipopolysaccharide was found in the outer membrane preparation. The T. vincentii outer membrane also contained proteins of 55 and 65 kDa. 125I-penicillin V labeling demonstrated that t. pallidum penicillin-binding proteins were found exclusively with the protoplasmic cylinders and were not detectable with purified outer membrane material, indicating the absence of inner membrane contamination. Isolated T. pallidum outer membrane was devoid of the 19-kDa 4D protein and the normally abundant 47-kDa lipoprotein known to be associated with the cytoplasmic membrane; only trace amounts of the periplasmic endoflagella were detected. Proteins associated with the T. pallidum outer membrane were identified by one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis using gold staining and immunoblotting. Small amounts of strongly antigenic 17- and 45-kDa proteins were detected and shown to correspond to previously identified lipoproteins which are found principally with the cytoplasmic membrane. Less antigenic proteins of 65, 31 (acidic pI), 31 (basic pI), and 28 kDa were identified. Compared with whole-organism preparations, the 65- and the more basic 31-kDa proteins were found to be highly enriched in the outer membrane preparation, indicating that they may represent the T. pallidum rare outer membrane proteins. Reconstitution of solubilized T. pallidum outer membrane into lipid bilayer membranes revealed porin activity with two estimated channel diameters of 0.35 and 0.68 nm based on the measured single-channel conductances in 1 M KCl of 0.40 and 0.76 nS, respectively.     

Porin activity and sequence analysis of a 31-kilodalton Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum rare outer membrane protein (Tromp1).

We have recently reported the isolation and purification of the Treponema pallidum outer membrane and the identification of its rare protein constituents, including a 31-kDa protein markedly enriched in the outer membrane preparation (D.R. Blanco, K. Reimann, J. Skare, C.I. Champion, D. Foley, M. M. Exner, R. E. W. Hancock, J. N. Miller, and M. A. Lovett, J. Bacteriol. 176:6088-6099, 1994). In this study, we report the cloning, sequencing, and expression of the structural gene which encodes the 31-kDa outer membrane protein, designated Tromp1. The deduced amino acid sequence from the tromp1 gene sequence encodes a 318-amino-acid polypeptide with a putative 40-amino-acid signal peptide. Processing of Tromp1 results in a mature protein with a predicted molecular mass of 30,415 Da and a calculated pI of 6.6. Secondary-structure predictions identified repeated stretches of amphipathic beta-sheets typical of outer membrane protein membrane-spanning sequences. A topological model of Tromp1 containing 14 transmembrane segments is proposed. Specific antiserum against a recombinant Tromp1 fusion protein was generated and was used to identify native Tromp1 in cellular fractionation. Upon Triton X-114 extraction and phase separation of T. pallidum, the 31-kDa Tromp1 protein was detected in the detergent-phase fraction but not in the protoplasmic cylinder or aqueousphase fractions, consistent with a hydrophobic outer membrane protein. Anti-Tromp1 antiserum was also used to identify native Tromp1 purified from whole T. pallidum by Triton X-100 solubilization followed by nondenaturing isoelectric focusing. Reconstitution of purified Tromp1 into planar lipid bilayers showed porin activity based on the measured single channel conductanes of 0.15 and 0.7 nS in 1 M KCl. These findings demonstrate that Tromp1 is a transmembrane outer membrane porin protein of T. pallidum.     

Sequence analysis and recombinant expression of a 28-kilodalton Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum rare outer membrane protein (Tromp2).

In this study, we report the cloning, sequencing, and expression of the gene encoding a 28-kDa Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum rare outer membrane protein (TROMP), designated Tromp2. The tromp2 gene encodes a precursor protein of 242 amino acids including a putative signal peptide of 24 amino acids ending in a type I signal peptidase cleavage site of Leu-Ala-Ala. The mature protein of 218 amino acids has a calculated molecular weight of 24,759 and a calculated pI of 7.3. The predicted secondary structure of Tromp2 shows nine transmembrane segments of amphipathic beta-sheets typical of outer membrane proteins. Recombinant Tromp2 (rTromp2) was expressed with its native signal peptide, using a tightly regulated T7 RNA polymerase expression vector. Under high-level expression conditions, rTromp2 fractionated exclusively with the Escherichia coli outer membrane. Antiserum raised against rTromp2 was generated and used to identify native Tromp2 in cellular fractionations. Following Triton X-114 extraction and phase separation of T. pallidum, the 28-kDa Tromp2 protein was detected prominently in the detergent phase. Alkali and high-salt treatment of purified outer membrane from T. pallidum, conditions which remove peripherally associated membrane proteins, demonstrated that Tromp2 is an integral membrane protein. Whole-mount immunoelectron microscopy of E. coli cells expressing rTromp2 showed specific surface antibody binding. These findings demonstrate that Tromp2 is a membrane-spanning outer membrane protein, the second such protein to be identified for T. pallidum.     

Identification and metabolic characterization of the Zea mays mitochondrial homolog of the Escherichia coli groEL protein

We have characterized an abundant mitochondrial protein from Zea mays and have shown it to be structurally and metabolically indistinguishable from a previously described Tetrahymena thermophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein, referred to as hsp60, which is homologous to the groEL protein of Escherichia coli. This Z. mays protein, which we also refer to as hsp60, was found to be antigenically quite distinct from the chloroplast Rubisco-binding protein, another groEL homolog. Using an antiserum directed against the T. thermophila hsp60, we determined that the relative concentration of Z. mays hsp60 was two to four times higher in mitochondria isolated from tissues of early developmental stages than that found in mitochondria isolated from more adult tissues. Given the known and suggested roles of the other members of the groEL family of proteins, our results suggest that the Z. mays hsp60 may play an important role in mitochondrial biogenesis during early plant development.     

Complementation of an Escherichia coli proC mutation by a gene cloned from Treponema pallidum.

Little is known concerning the biosynthetic and metabolic capabilities of the syphilis agent, Treponema pallidum, because of the inability to cultivate continuously the organism in vitro. To circumvent the problem of cultivation, researchers have used recombinant DNA technology to express treponemal protein antigens in Escherichia coli. However, with a few notable exceptions, the specific cellular roles of these cloned treponemal proteins have not been determined. In this study, a cosmid library of T. pallidum genomic DNA was constructed and amplified by repackaging infective lambda bacteriophage particles in vivo. Recombinant clones capable of complementing a null mutation in the E. coli proC gene encoding 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase (EC 1.5.1.2) were subsequently identified. The complementing activity was eventually localized to a 2.3-kilobase BglII-HindIII fragment that hybridized to the same-size fragment of a BglII-HindIII digest of T. pallidum DNA. Two proteins of 41 and 27 kilodaltons (kDa) were encoded by this fragment, as determined by maxicell analysis. Although only the 41-kDa protein could be specifically precipitated by experimental syphilitic rabbit antisera, it was the 27-kDa protein that was responsible for the proC-complementing activity. The recombinant P5C reductase differed from the native E. coli enzyme by a number of biochemical properties. The cloning of a T. pallidum gene encoding P5C reductase strongly suggests that this pathogen has the ability to synthesize proline and possibly other amino acids.     

Translocation of capsular polysaccharides in pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli requires a 60-kilodalton periplasmic protein.

An 11.6-kilobase (kb) region of a 34-kb fragment of Escherichia coli DNA that encodes the K1 capsular polysaccharide genes is necessary for translocation of the K1 polysaccharide to the bacterial cell surface. This 11.6-kb region contains a gene, kpsD, encoding a 60-kilodalton protein. The kpsD gene was localized to a 2.4-kb PstI-BamHI fragment. Cells harboring a Tn1000 insertion in kpsD did not synthesize the 60-kilodalton protein and did not express polysaccharide on the cell surface. Immunodiffusion and rocket immunoelectrophoresis of cell extracts, however, demonstrated that K1 polysaccharide was synthesized by these cells. We present evidence that the kpsD gene product is synthesized as a precursor and that the processed form is located in the periplasmic space. Analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity of a kpsD-phoA fusion demonstrated that kpsD expression was under positive regulation. A 260-base-pair AluI fragment located within the kpsD coding sequence was used as a probe and was found to hybridize to chromosomal DNA from E. coli that synthesizes the K2, K5, K7, K12, and K13 capsular polysaccharides but not K3 and K100. These results suggest that the kpsD gene product may be required for export not only of K1 but for other K antigens as well.     

Identification and characterization of the gyrB gene from Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA gyrase B subunit gene (gyrB) from Treponema pallidum has been determined. Southern blot analysis of T. pallidum chromosomal DNA indicated that this gene is present as a single copy. The organization of genes flanking the gyrB gene is unique in comparison to that of other bacteria. The gyrB gene encodes a 637 amino acid protein whose deduced sequence has a high degree of homology with type-II topoisomerase ATPase subunits (GyrB and ParE). Five type-II topoisomerase motifs, an ATP-binding site (Walker A), and amino acid residues that putatively interact with ATP, are highly conserved in the T. pallidum GyrB protein.     

Evidence for a new Escherichia coli protein resembling a lysyl-tRNA synthetase.

The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of an open reading frame adjacent to the frdA gene of Escherichia coli shows 30.5% identity with the C terminus of Escherichia coli lysyl-tRNA synthetases. The three motifs characteristic of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of class 2 are recognizable within this sequence.     

Identification and characterization of a Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum gene encoding a DNA adenine methyltransferase

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA adenine methyltransferase gene (dam) from Treponema pallidum has been determined. Southern blot analysis of T. pallidum chromosomal DNA indicated that this gene is present as a single copy. The dam gene encodes a 303 amino acid protein whose deduced sequence has significant homology with DNA (N⁶-adenine) methyltransferases. T. pallidum Dam can be assigned to group α DNA amino methyltransferases based on the order of nine conserved motifs that are present in the protein. Digests of T. pallidum chromosomal DNA performed with isoschizomer restriction endonucleases (Sau3AI, DpnI, and MboI) confirmed the presence of methylated adenine residues in GATC sequences (Dam⁺ phenotype).     

Conditions That Affect the Colorimetric Analysis of Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli and Treponema pallidum

Material extracted from the Nichols nonpathogenic strain of Treponema pallidum by phenol-water was analyzed by employing a recently reported colorimetric test for detection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The fraction isolated from T. pallidum, in combination with the reagent dye, absorbed maximally at a wavelength in the range reported to be positive for LPS. Comparison of this reaction to that of a commercial preparation of Escherichia coli LPS revealed that time and temperature of incubation of the LPS-dye complexes were important variables which had marked but different effects on the LPS of the two sources. However, with careful control of these parameters, concentration-dependent standard curves were established for LPS of both sources. Our results indicate the cell wall of T. pallidum is similar to that of gram-negative organisms.     

Purified chaperonin 60 (groEL) interacts with the nonnative states of a multitude of Escherichia coli proteins.

In vitro experiments employing the soluble proteins from Escherichia coli reveal that about half of them, in their unfolded or partially folded states, but not in their native states, can form stable binary complexes with chaperonin 60 (groEL). These complexes can be isolated by gel filtration chromatography and are efficiently discharged upon the addition of Mg.ATP. Binary complex formation is substantially reduced if chaperonin 60 is presaturated with Rubisco-I, the folding intermediate of Rubisco, but not with native Rubisco. Binary complex formation is also reduced if the transient species that interact with chaperonin 60 are permitted to progress to more stable states. This implies that the structural elements or motifs that are recognized by chaperonin 60 and that are responsible for binary complex formation are only present or accessible in the unfolded states of proteins or in certain intermediates along their respective folding pathways. Given the high-affinity binding that we have observed in the present study and the normal cellular abundance of chaperonin 60, we suspect that the folding of most proteins in E. coli does not occur in free solution spontaneously, but instead takes place while they are associated with molecular chaperones.     

Isolation and characterization of a 60-kilodalton glycoprotein esterase from liver microsomal membranes

A glycoprotein having a subunit weight of approximately 60,000 was isolated from rabbit liver microsomes. It is a predominant component of the hepatic microsomal membrane and reacts rapidly with diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP), resulting in the loss of enzymatic activity toward artificial substrates such as acyl esters of o-nitrophenols. Automated Edman degradation of this protein together with sequence analysis of peptides provided the NH2-terminal sequence of some 70 residues as follows: His-Pro-Ser- Ala-Pro-Pro-Val-Val-Asp-Thr-Val-Lys-Gly-Lys-Val- Leu-Gly-Lys-Phe-Val-Ser-Leu-Glu-Gly-Phe-Ala-Gln- Pro-Val-Ala-Val-Phe-Leu-Gly-Val-Pro-Phe-Ala-Lys- Pro-Pro-Leu-Gly-Ser-Leu-Arg-Phe-Ala-Pro-Pro-Gln- Pro-Ala-Glu-Ser-Trp-Ser-His-Val-Lys-Asn (CHO)- Thr-Thr-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Met-Cys-Ser-Ser. A carbohydrate attachment was identified at asparaginyl residue 61. The COOH-terminal peptide of the protein was isolated from two independent enzymatic digests, and its sequence was established as Arg-Glu-Thr-Glu-His-Ile-Glu-Leu. In order to isolate the DFP binding peptide, liver microsomes were labeled with [3H]DFP and the 60-kDa protein containing covalently bound DFP isolated in pure form. Following reduction and carboxymethylation, the DFP-labeled protein was fragmented with trypsin and the digest subjected to gel filtration. Digestion of the labeled peptide preparations with chymotrypsin followed by chromatography of the digest yielded two diisopropylphosphoryl (DIP) peptides. Automated Edman degradation of these peptides provided the following amino acid sequences: Gly-Glu-DIPSer- Ala-Gly-Gly-Gln-Ser-Val-Ser-Ile-Leu-Leu-Leu-Ser- Pro and Thr-Val-Ile-Gly-Asp-DIPHis-Gly-Asp-Glu-Ile-Phe. The active site serine peptide of the 60-kDa protein shows some 70% similarity to the active center region of choline esterases. While the postulated active histidyl residue in choline esterases has not been identified, it is proposed that the DFP binding histidine of the 60-kDa protein corresponds to His-438/440 of choline esterases.     

Identification, isolation, and characterization of the 42-kilodalton major outer membrane protein (MompA) from Treponema pectinovorum ATCC 33768.

The major protein present in the isolated outer membrane of Treponema pectinovorum ATCC 33768, MompA, was identified, purified, and characterized. Immuno-gold electron microscopy, using anti-MompA serum, and cell fractionation experiments confirmed the localization of MompA to the outer membrane. MompA was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to have a molecular mass of 42 kDa when heat denatured, whereas native MompA formed a number of detergent-stable forms with molecular masses of 71, 76, and 83 kDa. A temperature of 60 degrees C was required to convert the native protein to the 42-kDa form. A number of detergents and chemical agents that are capable of breaking ionic and hydrogen bonds of proteins did not convert native MompA to the 42-kDa species. The native forms of the protein were resistant to the combined action of proteinase K, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, whereas the 42-kDa form of MompA was not. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of MompA was determined to be DVTVNINSRVRPVLYTT, and database searches did not identify any homology with known protein sequences. Amino acid compositional analysis showed the protein to be rich in proline and glycine, with these amino acids accounting for 28 and 13%, respectively, of the total amino acids. Antiserum raised against the major outer membrane protein of T. denticola GM-1 and ATCC 35405 did not cross-react with MompA, and antiserum raised against MompA did not react with any cellular components of Treponema denticola, Treponema vincentii, or Treponema socranskii. A major outer membrane protein similar in molecular mass to MompA was identified in eight clinical isolates of T. pectinovorum. The major outer membrane protein produced by four of the clinical isolates reacted strongly, by Western blotting, with anti-MompA serum, whereas proteins of the other strains did not.     

Isolation and characterization of the C-terminal nuclease domain from the RecB protein of Escherichia coli.

The RecB subunit of the Escherichia coli RecBCD enzyme has been shown in previous work to have two domains: an N-terminal 100 kDa domain with ATP-dependent helicase activity, and a C-terminal 30 kDa domain. The 30 kDa domain had nuclease activity when linked to a heterologous DNA binding protein, but by itself it appeared unable to bind DNA and lacked detectable nuclease activity. We have expressed and isolated this 30 kDa domain, called RecB(N), and show that it does have nuclease activity detectable at high protein concentration in the presence of polyethylene glycol, added as a molecular crowding agent. The activity is undetectable in a mutant RecB(N)protein in which an aspartate residue has been changed to alanine. Structural analysis of the wild-type and mutant RecB(N)proteins by second derivative absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates that both are folded proteins with very similar secondary and tertiary structures. The results show that the Asp-->Ala mutation has not caused a significant structural change in the isolated domain and they support the conclusion that the C-terminal domain of RecB has the sole nuclease active site of RecBCD.