Salmonella ubiquitination: ARIH1 enters the fray

Ubiquitination is a post‐translational modification in which ubiquitin, a 76‐amino acid polypeptide, is covalently bound to one or more lysines of a target protein. Ubiquitination is mediated by the coordinated activity of ubiquitin activating (E1), conjugating (E2), and ligating (E3) enzymes. Ubiquitin is widely investigated for its ability to regulate key biological processes in the cell, including protein degradation and host–bacteria interactions. The determinants underlying bacterial ubiquitination, and their precise roles in host defense, have not been fully resolved. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Polajnar et al 1 discover that Ring‐between‐Ring (RBR) E3 ligase ARIH1 (also known as HHARI) is involved in formation of the ubiquitin coat surrounding cytosolic Salmonella. Evidence suggests that ARIH1, in cooperation with E3 ligases LRSAM1 and HOIP, modulates the recognition of intracellular bacteria for cell‐autonomous immunity.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Salmonella typhimurium in food: feasibility of 1-day Salmonella detection

A microtitration plate, antibody-capture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for detection of Salmonella typhimurium. The assay utilizes a monoclonal detector antibody which shows no cross-reactions with non-Salmonella species and only a slight cross-reaction with one other Salmonella serotype. By using only one cultural stage (in a nonselective, chemically defined medium) prior to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, low numbers of cells in food (10 cells 25 g-1) were detected in 19 h. Non-Salmonella competing organisms did not interfere with detection of S. typhimurium even when present in the ratio of 10(6):1 (non-Salmonella/Salmonella spp.). The assay shows the feasibility of rapid, 1-day testing for Salmonella spp. with antibody technology.     

Caspase-1 activation by Salmonella

Salmonella is an interesting example of how the selective pressure of host environments has led to the evolution of sophisticated bacterial virulence mechanisms. This microbe exploits the first-line of defence, the macrophage, as a crucial tool in the initiation of disease. After invasion of intestinal macrophages, a virulence protein secreted by Salmonella specifically induces apoptotic cell death by activating the cysteine protease caspase-1. The pro-apoptotic capability is necessary for successful pathogenesis. The study of mechanisms by which Salmonella induces programmed cell death offers new insights into how pathogens cause disease and into general mechanisms of activation of the innate immune system.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Salmonella typhimurium in food: feasibility of 1-day Salmonella detection.

A microtitration plate, antibody-capture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for detection of Salmonella typhimurium. The assay utilizes a monoclonal detector antibody which shows no cross-reactions with non-Salmonella species and only a slight cross-reaction with one other Salmonella serotype. By using only one cultural stage (in a nonselective, chemically defined medium) prior to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, low numbers of cells in food (10 cells 25 g-1) were detected in 19 h. Non-Salmonella competing organisms did not interfere with detection of S. typhimurium even when present in the ratio of 10(6):1 (non-Salmonella/Salmonella spp.). The assay shows the feasibility of rapid, 1-day testing for Salmonella spp. with antibody technology.     

IQGAP1 regulates Salmonella invasion through interactions with actin, Rac1, and Cdc42

To infect host cells, Salmonella utilizes an intricate system to manipulate the actin cytoskeleton and promote bacterial uptake. Proteins injected into the host cell by Salmonella activate the Rho GTPases, Rac1 and Cdc42, to induce actin polymerization. Following uptake, a different set of proteins inactivates Rac1 and Cdc42, returning the cytoskeleton to normal. Although the signaling pathways allowing Salmonella to invade host cells are beginning to be understood, many of the contributing factors remain to be elucidated. IQGAP1 is a multidomain protein that influences numerous cellular functions, including modulation of Rac1/Cdc42 signaling and actin polymerization. Here, we report that IQGAP1 regulates Salmonella invasion. Through its interaction with actin, IQGAP1 co-localizes with Rac1, Cdc42, and actin at sites of bacterial uptake, whereas infection promotes the interaction of IQGAP1 with both Rac1 and Cdc42. Knockdown of IQGAP1 significantly reduces Salmonella invasion and abrogates activation of Cdc42 and Rac1 by Salmonella. Overexpression of IQGAP1 significantly increases the ability of Salmonella to enter host cells and required interaction with both actin and Cdc42/Rac1. Together, these data identify IQGAP1 as a novel regulator of Salmonella invasion.