Membrane Permeabilization by Trypanosome Lytic Factor, a Cytolytic Human
High Density
Lipoprotein |
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Authors: | John M Harrington Sawyer Howell and Stephen L Hajduk |
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Institution: | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 |
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Abstract: | Trypanosome lytic factor (TLF) is a subclass of human high density
lipoprotein (HDL) that mediates an innate immune killing of certain mammalian
trypanosomes, most notably Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the causative
agent of a wasting disease in cattle. Mechanistically, killing is initiated in
the lysosome of the target trypanosome where the acidic pH facilitates a
membrane-disrupting activity by TLF. Here we utilize a model liposome system
to characterize the membrane binding and permeabilizing activity of TLF and
its protein constituents, haptoglobin-related protein (Hpr), apolipoprotein
L-1 (apoL-1), and apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1). We show that TLF efficiently
binds and permeabilizes unilamellar liposomes at lysosomal pH, whereas
non-lytic human HDL exhibits inefficient permeabilizing activity. Purified,
delipidated Hpr and apoL-1 both efficiently permeabilize lipid bilayers at low
pH. Trypanosome lytic factor, apoL-1, and apoA-1 exhibit specificity for
anionic membranes, whereas Hpr permeabilizes both anionic and zwitterionic
membranes. Analysis of the relative particle sizes of susceptible liposomes
reveals distinctly different membrane-active behavior for native TLF and the
delipidated protein components. We propose that lysosomal membrane damage in
TLF-susceptible trypanosomes is initiated by the stable association of the TLF
particle with the lysosomal membrane and that this is a property unique to
this subclass of human HDL.High density lipoproteins
(HDL)2 are complex yet
ordered macromolecules consisting of characteristic proteins embedded in a
phospholipid monolayer that surrounds a hydrophobic core of esterified
cholesterol and triglycerides. A subclass of HDL is responsible for an innate
immune killing of the African blood stream parasite Trypanosoma brucei
brucei
(1–3),
and very recently, has been shown to be cytotoxic to intracellular
Leishmania promastigotes
(4). The trypanolytic HDL
particle, termed trypanosome lytic factor (TLF), is characterized by the
presence of two proteins, apolipoprotein L-1 (apoL-1) and haptoglobin-related
protein (Hpr), as well as the HDL ubiquitous apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1)
(1,
5–7).
Killing of the susceptible parasite involves high affinity binding to a
cell-surface receptor, endocytosis, and trafficking of the TLF particle to the
lysosome
(8–12).
The acidic lysosomal environment facilitates a membrane-disrupting activity by
the TLF particle and subsequent cell death
(9,
13). It has been shown that
purified, delipidated apoL-1 or Hpr are sufficient for trypanosome killing.
When these proteins are incorporated into the same lipoprotein particle, a
several hundredfold increase in killing activity is exhibited
(5). In addition,
Molina-Portela et al.
(14) show that maximal
protection against T. b. brucei in a transgenic mouse model requires
the expression of human Hpr, apoL-1, and apoA-1, supporting a synergistic mode
of action.Haptoglobin-related protein evolved during primate evolution and is
restricted to apes, old world monkeys, and humans
(15). Haptoglobin-related
protein is highly similar (92%) to the acute phase serum protein haptoglobin
(Hp) (16). All mammals use Hp
as a scavenger of hemoglobin (Hb) released during hemolysis associated with
infection or trauma. Haptoglobin binds cell-free Hb with high affinity and
facilitates its removal from the circulation through a receptor-mediated
process in the liver (17).
Like Hp, Hpr binds free Hb, yet this Hpr·Hb complex is not recognized
by the requisite receptors in mammals and is thus not removed from the
circulation (18). TLF uptake
by susceptible trypanosomes requires specific binding to an Hpr·Hb
complex that facilitates trafficking of the TLF particle to the lysosome
(10). It has been proposed
that once inside the lysosomal compartment, Hpr·Hb contributes directly
to membrane disruption through the generation of oxygen radicals with the
bound Hb providing the iron necessary for Fenton chemistry
(7,
10,
19).Apolipoprotein L-1 is a unique member of the apolipoprotein L protein
family in that, unlike the remaining apoL proteins, it possesses an N-terminal
signal sequence and is thus secreted from cells. As is the case for Hpr,
apoL-1 appeared during primate evolution
(20–22).
Within the circulation of primates, apoL-1 is exclusively associated with HDL,
and the majority of the protein is in the TLF subclass
(5). The apoL family members
are all predicted to adopt amphipathic α-helical conformations,
suggesting that their physiological role involves membrane interaction
(20). Apolipoprotein L-1
shares limited homology with channel-forming colicins and, consistent with
this observation, has been shown to function as an ion channel when
incorporated into lipid bilayers
(23).The ultimate fate of TLF-targeted lysosomal membranes is not firmly
established. Several studies employing both in vivo cellular analysis
and artificial membrane systems address this point with conflicting results.
Electron microscopy studies with gold-conjugated TLF revealed accumulation of
TLF in intracellular vesicles and subsequent vesicle membrane breakdown and
appearance of gold particles in the cytoplasm
(9). Widener et al.
(10) observed efflux of
lysosomally localized large molecular mass dextrans (500 kDa) in TLF-treated
T. b. brucei. These data suggest that the lysosomal membrane
experiences large scale disruption. In contrast, Perez-Morga et al.
(23) and Vanhollebeke et
al. (24) report
uncontrollable lysosomal swelling in susceptible trypanosomes treated with
normal human serum, suggesting stability of the lamellar structure of the
lysosomal membrane after TLF attack. Swelling is attributed to apoL-1-mediated
influx of Cl– ions and concomitant osmotic flow of water into
the lysosome. However, Molina-Portela et al.
(25) observed the formation of
cation-selective pores in TLF-treated planar lipid bilayers composed of
trypanosome lipids. The diversity of activities reported for TLF and normal
human serum may reflect the packaging of multiple toxins within the same
complex that can act synergistically to provide optimal killing activity
(5,
14).Here we utilize model liposomes to monitor the membrane activity of TLF and
its protein constituents. We describe the effects of TLF, delipidated Hpr,
apoL-1, and apoA-1 on the permeability of unilamellar liposomes. Additionally,
we show that TLF, apoL-1, and apoA-1 exhibit lipid specificity and that Hpr,
apoL-1, and apoA-1 induce large scale changes in the geometry of liposomes.
These results provide a molecular basis for the recognition of lysosomal
membranes by this toxic HDL and support a multicomponent mechanism for
trypanosome killing. |
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