Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣研究进展

Ⅲ型分泌系统广泛存在于革兰氏阴性致病菌中。通过Ⅲ型分泌系统 ,耶尔森氏菌属、沙门氏菌属、福氏志贺氏菌等革兰氏阴性致病菌注射毒力因子到宿主细胞中 ,被注入的细菌毒力蛋白在宿主细胞中刺激或干扰宿主细胞的代谢过程 ,支配细菌与宿主细胞的相互作用 ,从而引起诸如鼠疫、伤寒、痢疾等许多疾病。Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣在帮助毒力蛋白分泌的过程中起到重要作用。尽管发现Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣至今已近十年 ,但其具体的功能仍不清楚。从分类、功能、与相应底物作用的特点等方面对Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣的研究进展作一简单介绍     

溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣护航蛋白VscO的基因克隆及其生物信息学分析

克隆了溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)ZJ03株Ⅲ型分泌系统(T3SS)分子伴侣护航蛋白(Chaperone escort protein)vscO基因,并对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,vscO基因全长462 bp,编码153个氨基酸,理论分子量约为18.43 kD,pI值为9.22。细胞定位分析显示vscO基因位于外周质,不存在信号肽,无跨膜区。vscO基因具有转录起始区-35区和-10区,以及翻译识别信号SD序列(Shine-Dalgarno sequence)。该氨基酸序列含有多种活性位点,如蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点等。系统进化树发现溶藻弧菌的VscO蛋白与副溶血弧菌聚为同一亚族。VscO亚基三维结构模型显示其与副溶血弧菌T3SS的YscO蛋白有相似构型。信号通路分析推测VscO位于T3SS的针状样结构上。蛋白网络互作图谱发现VscO与10种T3SS蛋白具有相邻关系。本研究结果将为溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统护航机制的研究奠定基础。     

铜绿假单胞菌popN-突变子Ⅲ型分泌水平及与蛋白酶关系的研究

铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)Ⅲ型分泌系统(typeⅢsecretion system,TTSS)是重要的细菌致病因子之一,能够将酶蛋白直接注入到宿主细胞内,导致细胞损害的发生。重点研究了TTSS中的popN基因的功能,通过构建popN-突变子,发现该突变子在非诱导条件下,能够分泌酶蛋白,显示popN基因编码的蛋白对TTSS蛋白的分泌具有负调控作用。进一步研究发现,popN-突变子在不同培养基中TTSS的分泌水平存在着显著差异,影响对popN基因的功能的判断。为了解决这一矛盾,从几个方面分析了造成表型差异的可能因素,确定蛋白酶对TTSS分泌蛋白的降解作用,是表型差异存在的主要原因,从而首次系统地阐明popN-突变子在不同培养基中都具有TTSS组成型表达的表型,对于深入研究TTSS的调控机制具有重要意义。     

细菌三型分泌系统输出蛋白分泌信号研究进展

自提出三型分泌系统的概念以来,相关分子机制的研究让人们对其有了更深入的了解。与依赖信号肽分泌途径形成鲜明对比的是,蛋白通过细菌三型分泌系统分泌或者转运时没有可识别的保守信号序列。近期对三型分泌蛋白的研究发现了多种可以引导其分泌的分泌信号。本文分别介绍了细菌三型分泌系统的种类,分泌系统分泌蛋白的种类,并着重阐述了分泌信号的分子特性及其机制,以期为新型抗菌药物的研发提供新的思路。     

铜绿假单胞菌pcr2基因功能的研究

Ⅲ型分泌系统(type Ⅲ secretion system,TTSS)是铜绿假单胞菌的重要致病因子,pcr2基因位于TTSS基因簇中popN操纵子的第三位,有关该基因的具体功能研究还是空白。首先,本研究采用定点诱变方法构建pcr2-突变体,发现TTSS表达和分泌ExoS和ExoT蛋白的能力显著下降,在HeLa细胞感染实验中,ExoS和ExoT蛋白注入细胞的数量明显低于野生型菌株。其次,我们采用细菌双杂交系统研究了Pcr2蛋白与其它蛋白结合的可能性,发现Pcr2蛋白与PscB蛋白一起能够结合PopN蛋白,同时Western blot实验发现Pcr2蛋白能够调控PopN蛋白的分泌。最后,实验发现Pcr2蛋白本身也能够分泌到细胞外,可能与TTSS分泌器的早期形成过程有关。     

分子伴侣在蛋白质折叠中的作用

分子伴侣主要由三个高度保守的蛋白质家族组成,这三个家族的成员广泛分布于原核和真核细胞中。TCP1复合物是真核细胞细胞溶质内的伴侣蛋白。分子伴侣在蛋白质折叠过程中防止多肽链形成聚集物或无活性结构,提高正确折叠率。本文重点讨论Stress-70家族蛋白质和伴侣蛋白协助蛋白质折叠过程中的协同性以及伴侣蛋白GroEL和GroES的作用机理。     

铜绿假单胞菌pcr2基因功能的研究

Ⅲ型分泌系统(type Ⅲ secretion system,TTSS)是铜绿假单胞菌的重要致病因子,pcr2基因位于TTSS基因簇中popN操纵子的第三位,有关该基因的具体功能研究还是空白。首先,本研究采用定点诱变方法构建pcr2-突变体,发现TTSS表达和分泌ExoS和ExoT蛋白的能力显著下降,在HeLa细胞感染实验中,ExoS和ExoT蛋白注入细胞的数量明显低于野生型菌株。其次,我们采用细菌双杂交系统研究了Pcr2蛋白与其它蛋白结合的可能性,发现Pcr2蛋白与PscB蛋白一起能够结合PopN蛋白,同时Western blot实验发现Pcr2蛋白能够调控PopN蛋白的分泌。最后,实验发现Pcr2蛋白本身也能够分泌到细胞外,可能与TTSS分泌器的早期形成过程有关。     

分子伴侣研究概况

分子伴侣主要是在进化上高度保守的热休克蛋白的几个家族。从细菌到哺乳动物,分子伴侣对体内蛋白质的折叠、运输和组装都起到非常重要的作用。本文简要地概述了分子伴侣的组成、它们在蛋白质折叠中的作用以及它们在生物工程下游处理过程中的应用情况。     

铜绿假单胞菌popN-突变子Ⅲ型分泌水平及与蛋白酶关系的研究

铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa) Ⅲ型分泌系统(typeⅢ secretion system,TTSS)是重要的细菌致病因子之一,能够将酶蛋白直接注入到宿主细胞内,导致细胞损害的发生。重点研究了TTSS中的popN基因的功能,通过构建popN^-突变子,发现该突变子在非诱导条件下,能够分泌酶蛋白,显示popN基因编码的蛋白对TTSS蛋白的分泌具有负调控作用。进一步研究发现,popN^-突变子在不同培养基中TTSS的分泌水平存在着显著差异,影响对popN基因的功能的判断。为了解决这一矛盾,从几个方面分析了造成表型差异的可能因素,确定蛋白酶对TTSS分泌蛋白的降解作用,是表型差异存在的主要原因,从而首次系统地阐明popN^--突变子在不同培养基中都具有TTSS组成型表达的表型,对于深入研究TTSS的调控机制具有重要意义。     

分子伴侣

分子伴侣是最近十几年才发现的一类非常保守的蛋白家庭。它与酶的作用方式类似，能和某些不同的多肽链非特异性结合，催化介导蛋白质特定构象的形成，参与体内蛋白质的折叠、装配和转运，但又不构成其结构的一部分。这类保守的蛋白家族大致可分为四类，广泛存在于生物体中。其中研究得最多的是热休克蛋白。实际上，分子伴侣是一种蛋白质分子构象的协助者，主要参与蛋白质次级结构的形成。     

Crystal structure of the Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion chaperone SycT

Several Gram-negative pathogens deploy type III secretion systems (TTSSs) as molecular syringes to inject effector proteins into host cells. Prior to secretion, some of these effectors are accompanied by specific type III secretion chaperones. The Yersinia enterocolitica TTSS chaperone SycT escorts the effector YopT, a cysteine protease that inactivates the small GTPase RhoA of targeted host cells. We solved the crystal structure of SycT at 2.5 angstroms resolution. Despite limited sequence similarity among TTSS chaperones, the SycT structure revealed a global fold similar to that exhibited by other structurally solved TTSS chaperones. The dimerization domain of SycT, however, differed from that of all other known TTSS chaperone structures. Thus, the dimerization domain of TTSS chaperones does not likely serve as a general recognition pattern for downstream processing of effector/chaperone complexes. Yersinia Yop effectors are bound to their specific Syc chaperones close to the Yop N termini, distinct from their catalytic domains. Here, we showed that the catalytically inactive YopT(C139S) is reduced in its ability to bind SycT, suggesting an ancillary interaction between YopT and SycT. This interaction could maintain the protease inactive prior to secretion or could influence the secretion competence and folding of YopT.     

Targeting exported substrates to the Yersinia TTSS: different functions for different signals?

Many Gram-negative pathogens utilize a type III secretion system (TTSS) to inject toxins into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have indicated that exported substrates are targeted to the Yersinia TTSS via the coding regions of their 5' mRNA sequences, as well as by their cognate chaperones. However, recent results from our laboratory have challenged the role of mRNA targeting signals, as we have shown that the amino termini of exported substrates are crucial for type III secretion. Here, we discuss the nature of these amino-terminal secretion signals and propose a model for the secretion of exported substrates by amino-terminal and chaperone-mediated signals. In addition, we discuss the roles of chaperones as regulators of virulence gene expression and present models suggesting that such regulation can occur independently of the delivery of their substrates to the secretion apparatus.     

Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion chaperone SycH. Recombinant expression, purification, characterisation, and crystallisation

All pathogenic Yersinia species (Y. enterocolitica, Y. pestis, and Y. pseudotuberculosis) share a type three secretion system (TTSS) that allows translocation of effector proteins into host cells. Yersinia enterocolitica SycH is a chaperone assisting the transport of the effector YopH and two regulatory components of the TTSS, YscM1 and YscM2. We have recombinantly expressed SycH in Escherichia coli. Purification of tag-free SycH to near homogeneity was achieved by combining ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Functionality of purified SycH was proven by demonstrating binding to YopH. SycH crystals were grown that diffracted to 2.94A resolution. Preliminary crystallographic data and biochemical findings suggest that SycH forms homotetramers. SycH may therefore represent a novel class of TTSS chaperones. In addition, we found that YopH was enzymatically active in the presence of SycH. This implies that the function of the secretion chaperone SycH is not to keep YopH in a globally unfolded state prior to secretion.     

Cloning and characterization of three hypothetical secretion chaperone proteins from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) causes citrus canker in plantations around the world and is of particular significance in Brazil where its incidence has risen exponentially over the past decade. Approximately one third of the predicted Xac open reading frames show no homology, or homology with very low score with that of known sequences. It is believed that Xac utilizes secretion systems to transfer virulence proteins into susceptible eukaryotic cells. This process is assisted by secretion chaperones that maintain virulence proteins partly or completely unfolded during translocation. We have cloned three of these hypothetical secretion chaperones: XAC0419 and XAC1346 from type III secretion system (TTSS) and XACb0033 from type IV secretion system (TFSS). All proteins were cloned in a pET23a vector (Novagen), expressed at 37 degrees C using a BL21(DE3)pLysS Escherichia coli strain and purified by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatographic methods. Pure proteins were characterized using spectroscopic measurements: circular dichroism, and both static and lifetime emission fluorescence in the case of XACb0033. The analyzed proteins are stable at elevated temperatures (up to 65 degrees C) and exhibit alpha-helix content from approximately 30% (XACb003) to approximately 87% (XAC1346). XACb0033 exhibits lifetimes in the fluorescence experiments that indicate different neighborhoods for its tryptophan residues. These chaperones have the characteristics of TTSS and TFSS: all are small, with a high alpha-helix content, and without ATP-binding or ATP-hydrolyzing activity.     

Role of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) protein InvB in type III secretion of SopE and SopE2, two Salmonella effector proteins encoded outside of SPI-1

Salmonella enterica subspecies 1 serovar Typhimurium encodes a type III secretion system (TTSS) within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). This TTSS injects effector proteins into host cells to trigger invasion and inflammatory responses. Effector proteins are recognized by the TTSS via signals encoded in their N termini. Specific chaperones can be involved in this process. The chaperones InvB, SicA, and SicP are encoded in SPI-1 and are required for transport of SPI-1-encoded effectors. Several key effector proteins, like SopE and SopE2, are located outside of SPI-1 but are secreted in an SPI-1-dependent manner. It has not been clear how these effector proteins are recognized by the SPI-1 TTSS. Using pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays, we found that SopE is copurified with InvB, the known chaperone for the SPI-1-encoded effector protein Sip/SspA. We also found that InvB is required for secretion and translocation of SopE and SopE2 and for stabilization of SopE2 in the bacterial cytosol. Our data demonstrate that effector proteins encoded within and outside of SPI-1 use the same chaperone for secretion via the SPI-1 TTSS.     

Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion chaperone SycH. Recombinant expression, purification, characterisation, and crystallisation

All pathogenic Yersinia species (Y. enterocolitica, Y. pestis, and Y. pseudotuberculosis) share a type three secretion system (TTSS) that allows translocation of effector proteins into host cells. Yersinia enterocolitica SycH is a chaperone assisting the transport of the effector YopH and two regulatory components of the TTSS, YscM1 and YscM2. We have recombinantly expressed SycH in Escherichia coli. Purification of tag-free SycH to near homogeneity was achieved by combining ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Functionality of purified SycH was proven by demonstrating binding to YopH. SycH crystals were grown that diffracted to 2.94 Å resolution. Preliminary crystallographic data and biochemical findings suggest that SycH forms homotetramers. SycH may therefore represent a novel class of TTSS chaperones. In addition, we found that YopH was enzymatically active in the presence of SycH. This implies that the function of the secretion chaperone SycH is not to keep YopH in a globally unfolded state prior to secretion.     

A genome-wide screen identifies a Bordetella type III secretion effector and candidate effectors in other species

Bordetella bronchiseptica utilizes a type III secretion system (TTSS) for induction of non-apoptotic cytotoxicity in host cells and modulation of host immunity. The identity of Bordetella TTSS effectors, however, has remained elusive. Here we report a genome-wide screen for TTSS effectors based on shared biophysical and functional characteristics of class I chaperones and their frequent colocalization with TTSS effectors. When applied to B. bronchiseptica, the screen identified the first TTSS chaperone-effector locus, btcA-bteA, and we experimentally confirmed its function. Expression of bteA is co-ordinated with expression of TTSS apparatus genes, BteA is secreted through the TTSS of B. bronchiseptica, it is required for cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells, and it is highly conserved in the human-adapted subspecies B. pertussis and B. parapertussis. Transfection of bteA into epithlieal cells results in rapid cell death, indicating that BteA alone is sufficient to induce potent cytotoxicity. Finally, an in vitro interaction between BteA and BtcA was demonstrated. The search for TTSS chaperones and effectors was then expanded to other bacterial genomes, including mammalian and insect pathogens, where we identified a large number of novel candidate chaperones and effectors. Although the majority of putative effectors are proteins of unknown function, several have similarities to eukaryotic protein domains or previously identified effectors from other species.     

The type III secretion chaperone LcrH co-operates with YopD to establish a negative, regulatory loop for control of Yop synthesis in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

The enteropathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a model system used to study the molecular mechanisms by which Gram-negative pathogens secrete and subsequently translocate antihost effector proteins into target eukaryotic cells by a common type III secretion system (TTSS). In this process, YopD (Yersinia outer protein D) is essential to establish regulatory control of Yop synthesis and the ensuing translocation process. YopD function depends upon the non-secreted TTSS chaperone LcrH (low-calcium response H), which is required for presecretory stabilization of YopD. However, as a new role for TTSS chaperones in virulence gene regulation has been proposed recently, we undertook a detailed analysis of LcrH. A lcrH null mutant constitutively produced Yops, even when this strain was engineered to produce wild-type levels of YopD. Furthermore, the YopD-LcrH interaction was necessary to regain the negative regulation of virulence associated genes yops). This finding was used to investigate the biological significance of several LcrH mutants with varied YopD binding potential. Mutated LcrH alleles were introduced in trans into a lcrH null mutant to assess their impact on yop regulation and the subsequent translocation of YopE, a Rho-GTPase activating protein, across the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. Two mutants, LcrHK20E, E30G, I31V, M99V, D136G and LcrHE30G lost all regulatory control, even though YopD binding and secretion and the subsequent translocation of YopE was indistinguishable from wild type. Moreover, these regulatory deficient mutants showed a reduced ability to bind YscY in the two-hybrid assay. Collectively, these findings confirm that LcrH plays an active role in yop regulation that might be mediated via an interaction with the Ysc secretion apparatus. This chaperone-substrate interaction presents an innovative means to establish a regulatory hierarchy in Yersinia infections. It also raises the question as to whether or not LcrH is a true chaperone involved in stabilization and secretion of YopD or a regulatory protein responsible for co-ordinating synthesis of Yersinia virulence determinants. We suggest that LcrH can exhibit both of these activities.