Characterization of the dermal lesions induced by a purified protein from toxigenic Pasteurella multocida

Pasteurella multocida: from zoonosis to cellular microbiology

In a world where most emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature and our contacts with both domestic and wild animals abound, there is growing awareness of the potential for human acquisition of animal diseases. Like other Pasteurellaceae, Pasteurella species are highly prevalent among animal populations, where they are often found as part of the normal microbiota of the oral, nasopharyngeal, and upper respiratory tracts. Many Pasteurella species are opportunistic pathogens that can cause endemic disease and are associated increasingly with epizootic outbreaks. Zoonotic transmission to humans usually occurs through animal bites or contact with nasal secretions, with P. multocida being the most prevalent isolate observed in human infections. Here we review recent comparative genomics and molecular pathogenesis studies that have advanced our understanding of the multiple virulence mechanisms employed by Pasteurella species to establish acute and chronic infections. We also summarize efforts being explored to enhance our ability to rapidly and accurately identify and distinguish among clinical isolates and to control pasteurellosis by improved development of new vaccines and treatment regimens.

Pasteurella multocida toxin interaction with host cells: entry and cellular effects

The mitogenic dermonecrotic toxin from Pasteurella multocida (PMT) is a 1285-residue multipartite protein that belongs to the A-B family of bacterial protein toxins. Through its G-protein-deamidating activity on the α subunits of heterotrimeric G(q)-, G(i)- and G(12/13)-proteins, PMT potently stimulates downstream mitogenic, calcium, and cytoskeletal signaling pathways. These activities lead to pleiotropic effects in different cell types, which ultimately result in cellular proliferation, while inhibiting cellular differentiation, and account for the myriad of physiological outcomes observed during infection with toxinogenic strains of P. multocida.

Cellular and molecular action of the mitogenic protein-deamidating toxin from Pasteurella multocida

The mitogenic toxin from Pasteurella multocida (PMT) is a member of the dermonecrotic toxin family, which includes toxins from Bordetella, Escherichia coli and Yersinia. Members of the dermonecrotic toxin family modulate G-protein targets in host cells through selective deamidation and/or transglutamination of a critical active site Gln residue in the G-protein target, which results in the activation of intrinsic GTPase activity. Structural and biochemical data point to the uniqueness of PMT among these toxins in its structure and action. Whereas the other dermonecrotic toxins act on small Rho GTPases, PMT acts on the α subunits of heterotrimeric G(q) -, G(i) - and G(12/13) -protein families. To date, experimental evidence supports a model in which PMT potently stimulates various mitogenic and survival pathways through the activation of G(q) and G(12/13) signaling, ultimately leading to cellular proliferation, whilst strongly inhibiting pathways involved in cellular differentiation through the activation of G(i) signaling. The resulting cellular outcomes account for the global physiological effects observed during infection with toxinogenic P. multocida, and hint at potential long-term sequelae that may result from PMT exposure.

Pasteurella multocida Toxin Increases Endothelial Permeability via Rho Kinase and Myosin Light Chain Phosphatase

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) has been shown to induce actin reorganization through activation of the GTPase Rho. Here we investigated the involvement of the Rho target proteins Rho kinase and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase in the PMT-induced increase in endothelial permeability and the underlying actin reorganization of endothelial cells. Stimulation of endothelial layers with PMT enhanced transendothelial permeability >10-fold, and this was abolished by pretreatment with the specific Rho inactivator C3 transferase from Clostridium botulinum. The PMT-induced increase in endothelial permeability was associated with 1) inactivation of MLC phosphatase, 2) an increase in MLC phosphorylation, and 3) endothelial cell retraction and actin stress fiber formation. PMT-stimulated actin reorganization could be prevented by 1) pretreatment of cells with C3 transferase, 2) microinjection of the Rho binding domain and the pleckstrin homology domain of Rho kinase, and 3) microinjection of constitutively active MLC phosphatase. Together, these results suggest that PMT activates Rho/Rho kinase, which inactivates MLC phosphatase. The resulting increase in MLC phosphorylation causes endothelial cell retraction and a rise in endothelial permeability.

Immunity induced in rats vaccinated with toxoid prepared from heat-labile toxin produced by Pasteurella multocida serogroup D

Rats were vaccinated with a toxoid (D-toxoid) prepared from purified heat-labile toxin (D-toxin) produced by Pasteurella multocida serogroup D. Vaccination of rats with D-toxoid prevented death and other effects of D-toxin (hepatic necrosis, development of elevated leukocyte counts, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, and elevated complement titers) that occurred in phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-vaccinated control rats.