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Bei J, Wu J, Liu J. Re-N-acetylation of group B Streptococcus type Ia capsular polysaccharide improves the immunogenicity of glycoconjugate vaccines. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 330:121848. [PMID: 38368118 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of Group B Streptococcus play a crucial role as virulence determinants and are potential candidates for antigenic components in vaccine formulations. Alkaline treatments are commonly used to extract polysaccharides owing to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness; however, they may induce the removal of N-acetyl groups from CPS. This study involved re-N-acetylation of CPS Ia to improve its biological functionality. The structural modifications and enhanced antigenicity of CPS Ia were observed after re-N-acetylation. The tetanus toxoid (TT) was conjugated with either partially de-N-acetylated or fully re-N-acetylated CPS. As a result, the conjugate containing re-N-acetylated CPS (IaReN-TT) enhanced the induction of IgG antibody levels and functional antibodies in mice. Both passive and active protection assays substantiated the superior protective efficacy of IaReN-TT, suggesting that the re-N-acetylation of CPS Ia could be a critical step in refining the immunogenic profile of glycoconjugate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Bei
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education; School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Suzhou Juwei Biotech Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jianrong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education; School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Jia Liu
- Suzhou Juwei Biotech Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215000, China
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2
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Cho HS, Choi M, Lee Y, Jeon H, Ahn B, Soundrarajan N, Hong K, Kim JH, Park C. High-Quality Nucleic Acid Isolation from Hard-to-Lyse Bacterial Strains Using PMAP-36, a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084149. [PMID: 33923762 PMCID: PMC8073543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of existing cell lysis methods to isolate nucleic acids from diverse bacteria varies depending on cell wall structures. This study tested a novel idea of using broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides to improve the lytic efficiency of hard-to-lyse bacteria and characterized their differences. The lysis conditions of Staphylococcus aureus using recombinant porcine myeloid antimicrobial peptide 36 (PMAP-36), a broad-spectrum pig cathelicidin, was optimized, and RNA isolation was performed with cultured pellets of ten bacterial species using various membranolytic proteins. Additionally, three other antimicrobial peptides, protegrin-1 (PG-1), melittin, and nisin, were evaluated for their suitability as the membranolytic agents of bacteria. However, PMAP-36 use resulted in the most successful outcomes in RNA isolation from diverse bacterial species. The amount of total RNA obtained using PMAP-36 increased by ~2-fold compared to lysozyme in Salmonella typhimurium. Streptococci species were refractory to all lytic proteins tested, although the RNA yield from PMAP-36 treatment was slightly higher than that from other methods. PMAP-36 use produced high-quality RNA, and reverse transcription PCR showed the efficient amplification of the 16S rRNA gene from all tested strains. Additionally, the results of genomic DNA isolation were similar to those of RNA isolation. Thus, our findings present an additional option for high quality and unbiased nucleic acid isolation from microbiomes or challenging bacterial strains.
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The Second Messenger c-di-AMP Regulates Diverse Cellular Pathways Involved in Stress Response, Biofilm Formation, Cell Wall Homeostasis, SpeB Expression, and Virulence in Streptococcus pyogenes. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00147-19. [PMID: 30936159 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00147-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a recently discovered second messenger in bacteria. The cellular level of c-di-AMP in Streptococcus pyogenes is predicted to be controlled by the synthase DacA and two putative phosphodiesterases, GdpP and Pde2. To investigate the role of c-di-AMP in S. pyogenes, we generated null mutants in each of these proteins by gene deletion. Unlike those in other Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, DacA in S. pyogenes was not essential for growth in rich media. The DacA null mutant presented a growth defect that manifested through an increased lag time, produced no detectable biofilm, and displayed increased susceptibility toward environmental stressors such as high salt, low pH, reactive oxygen radicals, and cell wall-targeting antibiotics, suggesting that c-di-AMP plays significant roles in crucial cellular processes involved in stress management. The Pde2 null mutant exhibited a lower growth rate and increased biofilm formation, and interestingly, these phenotypes were distinct from those of the null mutant of GdpP, suggesting that Pde2 and GdpP play distinctive roles in c-di-AMP signaling. DacA and Pde2 were critical to the production of the virulence factor SpeB and to the overall virulence of S. pyogenes, as both DacA and Pde2 null mutants were highly attenuated in a mouse model of subcutaneous infection. Collectively, these results show that c-di-AMP is an important global regulator and is required for a proper response to stress and for virulence in S. pyogenes, suggesting that its signaling pathway could be an attractive antivirulence drug target against S. pyogenes infections.
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van Hensbergen VP, Movert E, de Maat V, Lüchtenborg C, Le Breton Y, Lambeau G, Payré C, Henningham A, Nizet V, van Strijp JAG, Brügger B, Carlsson F, McIver KS, van Sorge NM. Streptococcal Lancefield polysaccharides are critical cell wall determinants for human Group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 to exert its bactericidal effects. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007348. [PMID: 30321240 PMCID: PMC6201954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (hGIIA) is an acute phase protein with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Infection models in hGIIA transgenic mice have suggested the importance of hGIIA as an innate defense mechanism against the human pathogens Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Compared to other Gram-positive bacteria, GAS is remarkably resistant to hGIIA activity. To identify GAS resistance mechanisms, we exposed a highly saturated GAS M1 transposon library to recombinant hGIIA and compared relative mutant abundance with library input through transposon-sequencing (Tn-seq). Based on transposon prevalence in the output library, we identified nine genes, including dltA and lytR, conferring increased hGIIA susceptibility. In addition, seven genes conferred increased hGIIA resistance, which included two genes, gacH and gacI that are located within the Group A Carbohydrate (GAC) gene cluster. Using GAS 5448 wild-type and the isogenic gacI mutant and gacI-complemented strains, we demonstrate that loss of the GAC N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) side chain in the ΔgacI mutant increases hGIIA resistance approximately 10-fold, a phenotype that is conserved across different GAS serotypes. Increased resistance is associated with delayed penetration of hGIIA through the cell wall. Correspondingly, loss of the Lancefield Group B Carbohydrate (GBC) rendered GBS significantly more resistant to hGIIA-mediated killing. This suggests that the streptococcal Lancefield antigens, which are critical determinants for streptococcal physiology and virulence, are required for the bactericidal enzyme hGIIA to exert its bactericidal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent P. van Hensbergen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elin Movert
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Section for Immunology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vincent de Maat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yoann Le Breton
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Gérard Lambeau
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Department of Biochemistry, Valbonne, France
| | - Christine Payré
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Department of Biochemistry, Valbonne, France
| | - Anna Henningham
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jos A. G. van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Britta Brügger
- Heidelberg University, Biochemistry Center (BZH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fredric Carlsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Section for Immunology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Section for Molecular Cell Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kevin S. McIver
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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5
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Thu Nguyen TT, Nguyen HT, Vu-Khac H, Wang PC, Chen SC. Identification of protective protein antigens for vaccination against Streptococcus dysgalactiae in cobia (Rachycentron canadum). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 80:88-96. [PMID: 29859310 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus dysgalactiae is considered a causative agent of severe infection and economic loss for the cobia industry in Taiwan. In this study, protective antigens of this pathogenic bacterium were identified and screened in cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Outer surface proteins (OMPs) of this pathogen were extracted using mutanolysin digestion. Immunogenic targets were detected by western blot and then subjected to peptide sequencing using NanoLC-MS/MS. Two surface proteins, namely phosphoenolpyruvate protein phosphotransferase (PtsA) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), showed strong reactions with cobia antisera against S. dysgalactiae. Recombinant proteins were produced in Escherichia coli cells and their protective efficacies were investigated in cobia. Fish immunised with recombinant proteins, rPtsA + ISA (ISA 763 AVG) and rGAPDH + ISA, elicited higher levels of specific antibody responses against the recombinant proteins and had high levels of lysozyme activity. Notably, vaccinated fish were protected from lethal challenge with relative percentage of survival (RPS) values for rPtsA + ISA and rGAPDH + ISA groups being 91.67% and 83.33%, while 0% RPS value was found in both ISA injected and control groups. The results presented in the study demonstrate that the GAPDH and PtsA are promising vaccine candidates for preventing S. dysgalactiae disease in cobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Thi Thu Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan
| | - Hai Trong Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan
| | - Hung Vu-Khac
- Institute of Veterinary Research and Development of Central Vietnam, km 4, 2/4 St., Vinh Hoa, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Viet Nam
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Science and Technology, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan.
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A Cell Surface Aggregation-Promoting Factor from Lactobacillus gasseri Contributes to Inhibition of Trichomonas vaginalis Adhesion to Human Vaginal Ectocervical Cells. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00907-17. [PMID: 29784856 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00907-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, is commonly symptomatic in women. The causative agent is Trichomonas vaginalis, an extracellular protozoan parasite. The host-protective mechanisms and molecules of vaginal lactobacilli that counteract this pathogen are largely unknown. This study examines the inhibition promoted by Lactobacillus gasseri against the adhesion of T. vaginalis to host cells, a critical virulence aspect of this pathogen. We observed that the vaginal strain L. gasseri ATCC 9857 is highly inhibitory by various contact-dependent mechanisms and that surface proteins are largely responsible for this inhibitory phenotype. We found that the aggregation-promoting factor APF-2 from these bacteria significantly contributes to inhibition of the adhesion of T. vaginalis to human vaginal ectocervical cells. Understanding the molecules and mechanisms used by lactobacilli to protect the host against T. vaginalis might help in the development of novel and specific therapeutic strategies that take advantage of the natural microbiota.
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7
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Identification of Group B Streptococcus Capsule Type by Use of a Dual Phenotypic/Genotypic Assay. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:2637-2650. [PMID: 28615470 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00300-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The group B streptococcus (GBS) capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is an important virulence factor which is also used for GBS typing. There are 10 CPS types (Ia, Ib, and II to IX). GBS that do not phenotypically type are considered nontypeable. All genes required for CPS synthesis are found on the GBS cps operon, which contains a highly variable CPS-determining region (cpsG-cpsK). The objective of this study was development of an assay to detect sialic acid on the GBS cell surface, followed by a genotypic PCR CPS typing assay. Sialic acid is located at the terminal end of the side chain of all known GBS CPS types. Sialic acid can be bound to commercially available lectins such as slug Limax flavus lectin. Biotinylated L. flavus-streptavidin-peroxidase complex was used in an enzyme immunoassay and dot blot assay to detect sialic acid. This was followed by a PCR typing scheme that was developed to target the serotype-determining region of the cps locus for Ia, Ib, and II to IX. Sialic acid from the CPS types Ia, Ib, and II to IX was detectable on the GBS cell surfaces of all previously identified CPS-typed GBS strains assayed. This was followed by the real-time PCR typing assay which successfully identified CPS Ia, Ib, and II to IX types. The combination of phenotypic and genotypic assays provides an accurate tool for detection of CPS expression and assignment of CPS typing. These assays have the potential to be used for CPS typing in large-scale epidemiological studies.
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Jeske O, Schüler M, Schumann P, Schneider A, Boedeker C, Jogler M, Bollschweiler D, Rohde M, Mayer C, Engelhardt H, Spring S, Jogler C. Planctomycetes do possess a peptidoglycan cell wall. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7116. [PMID: 25964217 PMCID: PMC4432640 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria contain a peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall, which is critical for
maintenance of shape and important for cell division. In contrast, Planctomycetes
have been proposed to produce a proteinaceous cell wall devoid of PG. The apparent
absence of PG has been used as an argument for the putative planctomycetal ancestry
of all bacterial lineages. Here we show, employing multiple bioinformatic methods,
that planctomycetal genomes encode proteins required for PG synthesis. Furthermore,
we biochemically demonstrate the presence of the sugar and the peptide components of
PG in Planctomycetes. In addition, light and electron microscopic experiments reveal
planctomycetal PG sacculi that are susceptible to lysozyme treatment. Finally,
cryo-electron tomography demonstrates that Planctomycetes possess a typical PG cell
wall and that their cellular architecture is thus more similar to that of other
Gram-negative bacteria. Our findings shed new light on the cellular architecture and
cell division of the maverick Planctomycetes. Planctomycetes appear to differ from all other bacteria in their
cellular organization and their apparent lack of a peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall. Here
Jeske et al. show that Planctomycetes do possess a typical PG cell wall and that
their cellular architecture resembles that of Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Jeske
- Independent Junior Research Group Microbial Cell Biology and Genetics, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Margarete Schüler
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Peter Schumann
- Department of Microbiology, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Alexander Schneider
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christian Boedeker
- Independent Junior Research Group Microbial Cell Biology and Genetics, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Mareike Jogler
- Independent Junior Research Group Microbial Cell Biology and Genetics, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Daniel Bollschweiler
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Streptococci, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research GmbH, Inhoffenstraße 7, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Harald Engelhardt
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Stefan Spring
- Department of Microbiology, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Christian Jogler
- Independent Junior Research Group Microbial Cell Biology and Genetics, Leibniz Institute-DSMZ, Inhoffenstraße 7b, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
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Cole JN, Henningham A, Gillen CM, Ramachandran V, Walker MJ. Human pathogenic streptococcal proteomics and vaccine development. Proteomics Clin Appl 2012; 2:387-410. [PMID: 21136841 DOI: 10.1002/prca.200780048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Gram-positive streptococci are non-motile, chain-forming bacteria commonly found in the normal oral and bowel flora of warm-blooded animals. Over the past decade, a proteomic approach combining 2-DE and MS has been used to systematically map the cellular, surface-associated and secreted proteins of human pathogenic streptococcal species. The public availability of complete streptococcal genomic sequences and the amalgamation of proteomic, genomic and bioinformatic technologies have recently facilitated the identification of novel streptococcal vaccine candidate antigens and therapeutic agents. The objective of this review is to examine the constituents of the streptococcal cell wall and secreted proteome, the mechanisms of transport of surface and secreted proteins, and describe the current methodologies employed for the identification of novel surface-displayed proteins and potential vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason N Cole
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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10
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Characterization of an N-acetylmuramic acid/N-acetylglucosamine kinase of Clostridium acetobutylicum. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:5386-92. [PMID: 21784936 DOI: 10.1128/jb.05514-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the cloning and characterization of a cytoplasmic kinase of Clostridium acetobutylicum, named MurK (for murein sugar kinase). The enzyme has a unique specificity for both amino sugars of the bacterial cell wall, N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which are phosphorylated at the 6-hydroxyl group. Kinetic analyses revealed Km values of 190 and 127 μM for MurNAc and GlcNAc, respectively, and a kcat value (65.0 s(-1)) that was 1.5-fold higher for the latter substrate. Neither the non-N-acetylated forms of the cell wall sugars, i.e., glucosamine and/or muramic acid, nor epimeric hexoses or 1,6-anhydro-MurNAc were substrates for the enzyme. MurK displays low overall amino acid sequence identity (24%) with human GlcNAc kinase and is the first characterized bacterial representative of the BcrAD/BadFG-like ATPase family. We propose a role of MurK in the recovery of muropeptides during cell wall rescue in C. acetobutylicum. The kinase was applied for high-sensitive detection of the amino sugars in cell wall preparations by radioactive phosphorylation.
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11
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Woskow SA, Kondo JK. Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes on Transfection and Transformation of Streptococcus lactis Protoplasts. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 53:2583-7. [PMID: 16347474 PMCID: PMC204149 DOI: 10.1128/aem.53.10.2583-2587.1987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
With both chymotrypsin and mutanolysin used to form protoplasts, consistent transformation frequencies of 10 to 10 transformants and transfectants per mug of DNA were achieved. The procedure was used to transform protoplasts of Streptococcus cremoris CS224 at low frequency (5 transformants per mug of DNA).
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Woskow
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-8700
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12
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Budzik JM, Oh SY, Schneewind O. Cell wall anchor structure of BcpA pili in Bacillus anthracis. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:36676-86. [PMID: 18940793 PMCID: PMC2605976 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m806796200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Assembly of pili in Gram-positive bacteria and their attachment to the cell wall envelope are mediated by sortases. In Bacillus cereus and its close relative Bacillus anthracis, the major pilin protein BcpA is cleaved between the threonine and the glycine of its C-terminal LPXTG motif sorting signal by the pilin-specific sortase D. The resulting acyl enzyme intermediate is relieved by the nucleophilic attack of the side-chain amino group of lysine within the YPKN motif of another BcpA subunit. Cell wall anchoring of assembled BcpA pili requires sortase A, which also cleaves the LPXTG sorting signal of BcpA between its threonine and glycine residues. We show here that sortases A and D require only the C-terminal sorting signal of BcpA for substrate cleavage. Unlike sortase D, which accepts the YPKN motif as a nucleophile, sortase A forms an amide bond between the BcpA C-terminal carboxyl group of threonine and the side-chain amino group of diaminopimelic acid within the cell wall peptidoglycan of bacilli. These results represent the first demonstration of a cell wall anchor structure for pili, which are deposited by sortase A into the envelope of many different microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Budzik
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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13
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Köller T, Nelson D, Nakata M, Kreutzer M, Fischetti VA, Glocker MO, Podbielski A, Kreikemeyer B. PlyC, a novel bacteriophage lysin for compartment-dependent proteomics of group A streptococci. Proteomics 2008; 8:140-8. [PMID: 18095374 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200700001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Spy) (group A streptococci) is an important and exclusively human bacterial pathogen, which uses secreted and surface-associated proteins to circumvent the innate host defense mechanisms and to adhere and internalize into host cells. Thus, investigation of the bacterial extracellular compartments, including secreted and cell wall-associated subproteomes, is crucial for understanding adherence, invasion, and internalization mechanisms as major steps of Spy pathogenesis. Here, we compared a bacteriophage encoded cell wall hydrolase, PlyC, a multimeric lysin of the C1 bacteriophage, with the established glycosidase, mutanolysin, from Streptomyces globisporus for their suitability to efficiently digest Spy cell walls and release cell wall-anchored Spy proteins for subsequent proteome research. Our results show that PlyC is superior for cell wall protein extraction compared to mutanolysin due to its higher activity and specificity as an N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase. Furthermore, our experimental design allowed us to delineate the actual localization of the proteins despite contamination with intracellular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Köller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Hospital of Rostock University, Schillingallee 70, Rostock, Germany
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14
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Beltrametti F, Barucco D, Rossi R, Selva E, Marinelli F. Protoplast Fusion and Gene Recombination in the Uncommon Actinomycete Planobispora rosea Producing GE2270. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2007; 60:447-54. [PMID: 17721003 DOI: 10.1038/ja.2007.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
An efficient method for protoplast generation for the uncommon actinomycete Planobispora rosea, the producer of the thiazolylpeptide antibiotic GE2270, was developed using a combination of hen egg white lysozyme and Streptomyces globisporus mutanolysin. This method converted more than 70% of vegetative mycelium to protoplasts, which were then regenerated with 50% efficiency in an optimized medium. When P. rosea protoplasts were efficiently fused, recombination between different antibiotic (streptomycin and gentamicin) resistance markers originated sensitive strains (str(s)gen(s)) at frequencies as high as 18% and double resistant fusants (str(r)gen(r)) at frequencies as high as 29%. Double resistant fusants showed GE2270 productivity intermediate between the productivity of the parental strains. Protoplast generation and fusion in P. rosea makes whole genome shuffling feasible as an approach to be used alternately with classical random mutagenesis in industrial strain improvement programs.
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15
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Marraffini LA, Schneewind O. Sortase C-mediated anchoring of BasI to the cell wall envelope of Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:6425-36. [PMID: 17586639 PMCID: PMC1951891 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00702-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Vegetative forms of Bacillus anthracis replicate in tissues of an infected host and precipitate lethal anthrax disease. Upon host death, bacilli form dormant spores that contaminate the environment, thereby gaining entry into new hosts where spores germinate and once again replicate as vegetative forms. We show here that sortase C, an enzyme that is required for the formation of infectious spores, anchors BasI polypeptide to the envelope of predivisional sporulating bacilli. BasI anchoring to the cell wall requires the active site cysteine of sortase C and an LPNTA motif sorting signal at the C-terminal end of the BasI precursor. The LPNTA motif of BasI is cleaved between the threonine (T) and the alanine (A) residue; the C-terminal carboxyl group of threonine is subsequently amide linked to the side chain amino group of diaminopimelic acid within the wall peptides of B. anthracis peptidoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Marraffini
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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16
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Hasona A, Zuobi-Hasona K, Crowley PJ, Abranches J, Ruelf MA, Bleiweis AS, Brady LJ. Membrane composition changes and physiological adaptation by Streptococcus mutans signal recognition particle pathway mutants. J Bacteriol 2006; 189:1219-30. [PMID: 17085548 PMCID: PMC1797365 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01146-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we presented evidence that the oral cariogenic species Streptococcus mutans remains viable but physiologically impaired and sensitive to environmental stress when genes encoding the minimal conserved bacterial signal recognition particle (SRP) elements are inactivated. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of isolated membrane fractions from strain UA159 and three mutants (Deltaffh, DeltascRNA, and DeltaftsY) grown at pH 7.0 or pH 5.0 allowed us to obtain insight into the adaptation process and the identities of potential SRP substrates. Mutant membrane preparations contained increased amounts of the chaperones DnaK and GroES and ClpP protease but decreased amounts of transcription- and translation-related proteins, the beta subunit of ATPase, HPr, and several metabolic and glycolytic enzymes. Therefore, the acid sensitivity of SRP mutants might be caused in part by diminished ATPase activity, as well as the absence of an efficient mechanism for supplying ATP quickly at the site of proton elimination. Decreased amounts of LuxS were also observed in all mutant membranes. To further define physiological changes that occur upon disruption of the SRP pathway, we studied global gene expression in S. mutans UA159 (parent strain) and AH333 (Deltaffh mutant) using microarray analysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed up-regulation of 81 genes, including genes encoding chaperones, proteases, cell envelope biosynthetic enzymes, and DNA repair and replication enzymes, and down-regulation of 35 genes, including genes concerned with competence, ribosomal proteins, and enzymes involved in amino acid and protein biosynthesis. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis of eight selected genes confirmed the microarray data. Consistent with a demonstrated defect in competence and the suggested impairment of LuxS-dependent quorum sensing, biofilm formation was significantly decreased in each SRP mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Hasona
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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17
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Marraffini LA, Dedent AC, Schneewind O. Sortases and the art of anchoring proteins to the envelopes of gram-positive bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2006; 70:192-221. [PMID: 16524923 PMCID: PMC1393253 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.70.1.192-221.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 498] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell wall envelopes of gram-positive bacteria represent a surface organelle that not only functions as a cytoskeletal element but also promotes interactions between bacteria and their environment. Cell wall peptidoglycan is covalently and noncovalently decorated with teichoic acids, polysaccharides, and proteins. The sum of these molecular decorations provides bacterial envelopes with species- and strain-specific properties that are ultimately responsible for bacterial virulence, interactions with host immune systems, and the development of disease symptoms or successful outcomes of infections. Surface proteins typically carry two topogenic sequences, i.e., N-terminal signal peptides and C-terminal sorting signals. Sortases catalyze a transpeptidation reaction by first cleaving a surface protein substrate at the cell wall sorting signal. The resulting acyl enzyme intermediates between sortases and their substrates are then resolved by the nucleophilic attack of amino groups, typically provided by the cell wall cross bridges of peptidoglycan precursors. The surface protein linked to peptidoglycan is then incorporated into the envelope and displayed on the microbial surface. This review focuses on the mechanisms of surface protein anchoring to the cell wall envelope by sortases and the role that these enzymes play in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Marraffini
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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18
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Chaffin DO, Mentele LM, Rubens CE. Sialylation of group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharide is mediated by cpsK and is required for optimal capsule polymerization and expression. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:4615-26. [PMID: 15968073 PMCID: PMC1151781 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.13.4615-4626.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several bacterial pathogens have evolved the means to escape immune detection by mimicking host cell surface carbohydrates that are crucial for self/non-self recognition. Sialic acid, a terminal residue on these carbohydrates, inhibits activation of the alternate pathway of complement by recruiting the immune modulating molecule factors H, I, and iC3b. Sialylation of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is important for virulence of group B streptococci (GBS), a significant human pathogen. We previously reported that cpsK, a gene within the cps locus of type III GBS, could complement a sialyltransferase deficient lst mutant of Haemophilus ducreyi, implicating its role in sialylation of the GBS capsule. To explore the function of cpsK in GBS capsule production, we created a mutant in cpsK. Immunoblot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using anti-type III CPS antisera demonstrated that the mutant CPS did not contain sialic acid. This was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography after mild acid hydrolysis of the CPS. Although increased CPS chain length was seen for this strain, CPS production was <20% of the parental isolate. An episomal cpsK copy restored synthesis of sialo-CPS to wild-type levels. These data support our hypothesis that cpsK encodes the GBS CPS sialyltransferase and provide further evidence that lack of CPS oligosaccharide sialylation reduces the amount of CPS expressed on the cell surface. These observations also imply that one or more of the components involved in synthesis or transport of oligosaccharide repeating units requires a sialo-oligosaccharide for complete activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O Chaffin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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19
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Marraffini LA, Schneewind O. Anchor structure of staphylococcal surface proteins. V. Anchor structure of the sortase B substrate IsdC. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:16263-71. [PMID: 15718231 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m500071200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus sortase A cleaves surface protein precursors bearing C-terminal LPXTG motif sorting signals between the threonine and glycine residues. Using lipid II precursor as cosubstrate, sortase A catalyzes the amide linkage between the carboxyl group of threonine and the amino group of pentaglycine cross-bridges, thereby tethering C-terminal ends of surface proteins to the bacterial cell wall envelope. Staphylococcal sortase B also anchors its only known substrate, the IsdC precursor with a C-terminal NPQTN motif sorting signal, to the cell wall envelope. Herein, we determined the cell wall anchor structure of IsdC. The sorting signal of IsdC is cleaved between threonine and asparagine of the NPQTN motif, and the carboxyl group of threonine is amide-linked to the amino group of pentaglycine crossbridges. In contrast to sortase A substrates, the anchor structure of IsdC displays shorter glycan strands and significantly less cell wall cross-linking. A model is proposed whereby sortases A and B recognize unique features of sorting signals and peptidoglycan substrates to deposit proteins with distinct topologies in the cell wall envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Marraffini
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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20
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Seo HJ, Kitaoka M, Ohmiya K, Hayashi K. Substrate specificity of the N,6-O-diacetylmuramidase from Streptomyces globisporus. J Biosci Bioeng 2003; 95:313-6. [PMID: 16233413 DOI: 10.1016/s1389-1723(03)80037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2002] [Accepted: 11/15/2002] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We found that the N,6-O-diacetylmuramidase from Streptomyces globisporus (M-1) hydrolyzed the cell walls from Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was only able to hydrolyze the cell walls from M. lysodeikticus. 6-O-Acetylation of the muramoyl moieties, as found in the S. aureus cell walls, did not inhibit the activity of the M-1 enzyme whereas it was sufficient to inhibit HEWL. The disaccharide GlcNAc-MurNAc was not observed in the M. lysodeikticus cell wall hydrolyzate produced by the M-1, indicating that M-1 acts on the MurNAc moiety which are linked by peptides at the lactyl groups of the MurNAc moiety. M-1 displays both N-acetylmuramidase and N,6-O-diacetylmuramidase activity and has a different substrate specificity from HEWL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jin Seo
- Enzyme Laboratory, National Food Research Institute, 2-1-12, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan
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21
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Hughes MJG, Moore JC, Lane JD, Wilson R, Pribul PK, Younes ZN, Dobson RJ, Everest P, Reason AJ, Redfern JM, Greer FM, Paxton T, Panico M, Morris HR, Feldman RG, Santangelo JD. Identification of major outer surface proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae. Infect Immun 2002; 70:1254-9. [PMID: 11854208 PMCID: PMC127763 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.3.1254-1259.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2001] [Revised: 09/25/2001] [Accepted: 12/04/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify the major outer surface proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus), a proteomic analysis was undertaken. An extract of the outer surface proteins was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The visualized spots were identified through a combination of peptide sequencing and reverse genetic methodologies. Of the 30 major spots identified as S. agalactiae specific, 27 have been identified. Six of these proteins, previously unidentified in S. agalactiae, were sequenced and cloned. These were ornithine carbamoyltransferase, phosphoglycerate kinase, nonphosphorylating glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, enolase, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase. Using a gram-positive expression system, we have overexpressed two of these proteins in an in vitro system. These recombinant, purified proteins were used to raise antisera. The identification of these proteins as residing on the outer surface was confirmed by the ability of the antisera to react against whole, live bacteria. Further, in a neonatal-animal model system, we demonstrate that some of these sera are protective against lethal doses of bacteria. These studies demonstrate the successful application of proteomics as a technique for identifying vaccine candidates.
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22
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Navarre WW, Ton-That H, Faull KF, Schneewind O. Anchor structure of staphylococcal surface proteins. II. Cooh-terminal structure of muramidase and amidase-solubilized surface protein. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:29135-42. [PMID: 9786922 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.44.29135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface proteins of the Gram-positive organism Staphylococcus aureus are anchored to the bacterial cell wall by a transpeptidation mechanism during which the polypeptide is cleaved between the threonine (T) and the glycine (G) of the LPXTG motif. The carboxyl of threonine is subsequently amide linked to the amino of the pentaglycyl cross-bridge within the staphylococcal peptidoglycan. Previous work examined the anchor structure of surface proteins solubilized from the peptidoglycan by treatment with lysostaphin or phi11 hydrolase and identified COOH-terminally linked triglycyl or L-Ala-D-iGln-L-Lys(Gly5)-D-Ala and MurNAc-[L-Ala-D-iGln-L-Lys(Gly5)-D-Ala](beta1-4)-GlcNAc, respectively. Here, we report the anchor structure of surface proteins solubilized with N-acetylmuramidase and N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase. N-Acetylmuramidase-released surface protein was linked to MurNAc-[L-Ala-D-iGln-L-Lys(Gly5)-D-Ala](beta1-4)-GlcNAc, whereas N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase treatment of the cell wall solubilized surface proteins linked to L-Ala-D-iGln-L-Lys(Gly5)-D-Ala. Most, but not all, anchor structures were cross-linked to other cell wall subunits, in which the D-alanyl at position four was amide linked to the pentaglycyl of a neighboring wall peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- W W Navarre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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23
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Gravekamp C, Rosner B, Madoff LC. Deletion of repeats in the alpha C protein enhances the pathogenicity of group B streptococci in immune mice. Infect Immun 1998; 66:4347-54. [PMID: 9712787 PMCID: PMC108525 DOI: 10.1128/iai.66.9.4347-4354.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The alpha C protein is a protective surface-associated antigen of group B streptococci (GBS). The prototype alpha C protein of GBS (strain A909) contains nine identical tandem repeats, each comprising 82 amino acids, flanked by N- and C-terminal domains. Clinical isolates of GBS show variable numbers of repeats with a normal distribution and a median of 9 to 10 repeats. Here, we show that escape mutants of GBS expressing one-repeat alpha C protein were 100-fold more pathogenic than GBS expressing wild-type nine-repeat alpha C protein in neonatal mice whose dams were immunized with antiserum elicited to nine-repeat alpha C protein (50% lethal doses of 1.6 x 10(3) and 1.8 x 10(5), respectively; P = 0.0073). There was no difference in pathogenicity in nonimmune mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition showed that nine-repeat but not one-repeat alpha C protein is readily available for antibody binding on the surface of intact GBS. Immune electron microscopy studies with antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and to the alpha C protein demonstrated localization of the nine-repeat alpha C protein and the CPS at similar distances from the cell wall. The one-repeat alpha C protein was visualized poorly and only in close proximity to the cell wall, thus suggesting that antibody binding to the protein was hindered by CPS or other cell surface components. We concluded that deletion in the repeat region of the alpha C protein enhanced the pathogenicity of GBS in immune mice by (i) loss of a protective (conformational) epitope(s) and (ii) loss of antibody binding to the alpha C protein due to a decrease in antigen size relative to cell wall components and/or CPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gravekamp
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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24
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Paoletti LC, Ross RA, Johnson KD. Cell growth rate regulates expression of group B Streptococcus type III capsular polysaccharide. Infect Immun 1996; 64:1220-6. [PMID: 8606082 PMCID: PMC173907 DOI: 10.1128/iai.64.4.1220-1226.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of group B streptococci (GBS) is an important virulence factor that also serves to protect cells from nonspecific host defense mechanisms. Expression of CPS by GBS, as with other encapsulated bacterial pathogens, is not constitutive but varies during growth in vitro and in primary cultures isolated from different sites of infection. Despite this understanding, little is known about regulation of this surface-expressed carbohydrate antigen in GBS. Here we report that expression of type III CPS by GBS strain M781 grown in continuous culture with a modified chemically defined medium is regulated by growth rate. Cells in steady state at mass doubling times (tds) of 0.8, 1.4, and 1.6 h expressed an average of sixfold more cell-associated CPS than did cells held at tds of 2.3 and 11 h. Strain M781 grown at a td of 1.4 h repeatedly produced more type III CPS than those held at a td of 11.0 h, even when limited for glucose, pyridoxamine, or thiamine. In our studies, > or = 93% of the total CPS expressed by strain M781 was cell associated. Strain M781 grown at a td of 11.0 h (i.e., lowered CPS expression) was susceptible to in vitro complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis and killing by human peripheral blood leukocytes, whereas cells grown at a td of 1.4 h (i.e., higher CPS expression) were not killed unless type III CPS-specific antibody was present. Factors that allow GBS to asymptomatically colonize women yet cause invasive infection to both mother and infant are poorly understood. Our results shed new light on parameters that regulate the pathogenic potential of GBS and may also serve as a way to discern more fully the genetics and biochemistry of GBS capsule synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Paoletti
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
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25
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Pulido-Vega B, Farrés A, Ponce-Noyola T. Protoplast formation and regeneration in Cellulomonas flavigena. J Biotechnol 1991. [DOI: 10.1016/0168-1656(91)90229-o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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26
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Petrov VV, Artzatbanov VYu, Ratner EN, Severin AI, Kulaev IS. Isolation, structural and functional characterization of Staphylococcus aureus protoplasts obtained using lysoamidase. Arch Microbiol 1991; 155:549-53. [PMID: 1953296 DOI: 10.1007/bf00245348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The action of the lysoamidase bacteriolytic complex on Staphylococcus aureus VKM B-209P cells has been studied to obtain protoplasts. The cells in the midlogarithmic phase were the most sensitive to lysoamidase action. It led to local destruction of cell wall due to hydrolysis of the peptidoglycan. Protoplast formation occurred in two steps in the presence of 1 M sucrose. First, osmotically fragile spheroplasts were formed. Then, the protoplasts were released from the destructed cell wall. The protoplast yield was about 80%. The protoplasts preserved the intact ultrastructure and were able to synthesize peptidoglycan fibrillae. Mainly the spheroplasts that maintained the cell-wall residues reversed into bacterial forms. The protoplasts had respiratory activity similar to cells. Respiration of cells and protoplasts was stimulated by various substrates. High rates of oxygen consumption were observed with alpha-glycerophosphate and ethanol as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Petrov
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow Region
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27
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Madoff LC, Michel JL, Kasper DL. A monoclonal antibody identifies a protective C-protein alpha-antigen epitope in group B streptococci. Infect Immun 1991; 59:204-10. [PMID: 1702759 PMCID: PMC257727 DOI: 10.1128/iai.59.1.204-210.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococci (GBS) are the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis in the United States, with a high rate of fatality and serious morbidity despite appropriate therapy. The C-protein antigens of GBS appear to be important in immunity to experimental infection, yet these antigens remain incompletely characterized with respect to their number, structure, and function. None of these proteins has yet been purified to homogeneity. We have developed a novel method for extraction of surface proteins from the A909 (Ia/c) strain of GBS by using mutanolysin. Antibodies raised in rabbits against these partially purified proteins conferred passive protection to lethal GBS infection in mice challenged with a GBS strain expressing C proteins with a heterologous capsule type. In addition, mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced and identified by reactivity with the mutanolysin-extracted proteins. One of these monoclonal antibodies (4G8) identifies an epitope on the alpha-antigen of the GBS C proteins (identified by protease susceptibility and mouse protection). On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, this epitope appears as a series of regularly spaced bands ranging in apparent molecular mass from 160,000 to 30,000 Da. The monoclonal antibody 4G8 induces opsonic killing of GBS and protects mice from lethal challenge with GBS. Thus, the 4G8 monoclonal antibody identifies a fully protective epitope on the C-protein alpha-antigen of GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Madoff
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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28
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Herzberg MC, Erickson PR, Kane PK, Clawson DJ, Clawson CC, Hoff FA. Platelet-interactive products of Streptococcus sanguis protoplasts. Infect Immun 1990; 58:4117-25. [PMID: 2254032 PMCID: PMC313784 DOI: 10.1128/iai.58.12.4117-4125.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To isolate a more native, platelet-interactive macromolecule (class II antigen) of Streptococcus sanguis, cultured protoplasts were used as a source. Protoplasts were optimally prepared from fresh washed cells by digestion with 80 U of mutanolysin per ml for 75 min at 37 degrees C while osmotically stabilized in 26% (wt/vol) raffinose. Osmotically stabilized forms were surrounded by a 9-nm bilaminar membrane, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Protoplasts were cultured in chemically defined synthetic medium and osmotically stabilized by ammonium chloride. Spent culture media were harvested daily for 7 days. Each day, soluble proteins were isolated from media, preincubated with platelet-rich plasma, and tested for inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by S. sanguis cells. Products released from S. sanguis protoplasts and reactive with an anti-class II antigen immunoaffinity matrix were able to inhibit S. sanguis-induced platelet aggregation. As resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, anti-class II-reactive protoplast products included silver-stained bands of 67, 79, 115, 216, and 248 kDa. The 115-kDa protein fraction was isolated by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. This form of the class II antigen contained N-formylmethionine at its amino terminus. Rhamnose constituted 18.2% of the total residual dry weight and nearly half of its carbohydrate content. Diester phosphorus constituted 1% of this fraction. After trypsinization of the protoplast products from either preparation, a 65-kDa protein fragment was recovered. This protoplast protein fragment and the S. sanguis cell-derived 65-kDa class II antigen, previously implicated in the induction of platelet aggregation, were shown to be functionally and immunologically identical.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Herzberg
- Department of Preventive Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455
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29
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Wessels MR, Rubens CE, Benedí VJ, Kasper DL. Definition of a bacterial virulence factor: sialylation of the group B streptococcal capsule. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1989; 86:8983-7. [PMID: 2554337 PMCID: PMC298416 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.86.22.8983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialylation of bacterial capsules has been proposed as an important virulence factor for several species of encapsulated pathogens, including group B Streptococcus. We have constructed a transposon mutant strain of type III group B Streptococcus that expresses a capsular polysaccharide differing from the wild type only in that the mutant strain's capsule lacks sialic acid. The mutant polysaccharide is antigenically identical to the capsular polysaccharide of type 14 Streptococcus pneumoniae, as predicted by the structures of the type III group B Streptococcus and S. pneumoniae polysaccharides. Loss of capsular sialic acid was associated with loss of virulence in the mutant strain in a neonatal rat model of lethal group B Streptococcus infection. These studies demonstrate directly that capsular sialic acid is a critical virulence determinant for type III group B Streptococcus and support the general hypothesis that surface sialylation aids pathogenic microorganisms in evading host defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Wessels
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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30
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Wessels MR, Benedí WJ, Jennings HJ, Michon F, DiFabio JL, Kasper DL. Isolation and characterization of type IV group B Streptococcus capsular polysaccharide. Infect Immun 1989; 57:1089-94. [PMID: 2494110 PMCID: PMC313234 DOI: 10.1128/iai.57.4.1089-1094.1989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
An antigenically distinct serotype, type IV, has recently been added to the recognized serotypes of group B streptococci (GBS). We isolated and purified the capsular polysaccharide antigen from a prototype type IV GBS strain. The type IV capsular polysaccharide formed a precipitin line with rabbit antiserum to type IV GBS organisms but not with antiserum to organisms of GBS serotype Ia, Ib, II, or III. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition experiments showed no cross-reaction between type IV antiserum and other GBS serotypes. Capsular polysaccharide released from the bacterial cells with mutanolysin and that isolated from the culture supernatant had similar elution profiles on Sepharose CL-6B, with a Kav of 0.30 and an estimated Mr of 200,000. The purified type IV polysaccharide was found to contain galactose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) as exclusive sugars. The polysaccharide contained 23% (by weight) sialic acid and galactose, glucose, and N-acetylglucosamine in a relative ratio of (1):1.10:0.55. These results are compatible with a repeating structure of six monosaccharide residues containing galactose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, and sialic acid in a molar ratio of 2:2:1:1. Unlike type Ia, II, and III GBS polysaccharides, desialylation of the type IV polysaccharide produced an antigen which formed a line of identity with the native type IV antigen in double diffusion in agar against homologous antiserum. This result suggests that sialic acid is not as critical to the immunodeterminant structure of the type IV antigen as it is for other GBS capsular types.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Wessels
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Janusz MJ, Chetty C, Eisenberg RA, Cromartie WJ, Schwab JH. Treatment of experimental erosive arthritis in rats by injection of the muralytic enzyme mutanolysin. J Exp Med 1984; 160:1360-74. [PMID: 6387033 PMCID: PMC2187511 DOI: 10.1084/jem.160.5.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A single intravenous injection into rats of 0.4 mg of the muralytic enzyme mutanolysin, given as long as 3 d after an arthropathic dose of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers derived from group A streptococci (PG-APS), resulted in a complete resolution of acute arthritis and the prevention of chronic joint disease. When administration of mutanolysin was delayed until 14 d after the injection of PG-APS, a great reduction in the severity of chronic inflammation was still observed. Quantitation of the amount of PG-APS present in the limbs, spleen, and liver by a solid phase enzyme-linked immunoassay indicated that the tissues of mutanolysin-treated rats contained as much PG-APS as tissues of PBS-treated control rats. In addition, rats treated with mutanolysin immediately after receiving an intraperitoneal injection of PG-APS developed a transient limb edema similar to that seen in rats after the injection of PG-APS digested to a small fragment size in vitro with mutanolysin. We hypothesize that mutanolysin acts in vivo by degrading PG-APS to small fragments that persist but are no longer arthropathic.
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Linder L, Andersson C, Sund ML, Shockman GD. Protoplast formation and localization of enzymes in Streptococcus mitis. Infect Immun 1983; 40:1146-54. [PMID: 6343241 PMCID: PMC348170 DOI: 10.1128/iai.40.3.1146-1154.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 were converted to stable protoplasts by the cell wall-degrading M-1 enzyme of the mutanolysin complex isolated from Streptomyces globisporus. Over 90% of total glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2), aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1), and dextranglucosidase (EC 3.2.1.70) was recovered in the cytoplasmic fraction, whereas over 20% of total invertase (beta-fructofuranosidase: EC 3.2.1.26) was released during protoplast formation. ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3). chymotrypsin-like protease (EC 3.4.21.1), arginine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.6), and lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) were detected in Triton X-100 extracts of the cytoplasmic membrane fraction by crossed immunoelectrophoresis in combination with enzyme-staining procedures. By these methods, NADH dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.99.3), aminopeptidase, and lactate dehydrogenase were detected in the cytoplasmic fraction. Aminopeptidases in the cytoplasmic fraction differed from this activity in the membrane fractions in electrophoretic mobility and substrate specificity.
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Yeung MK, Mattingly SJ. Biosynthesis of cell wall peptidoglycan and polysaccharide antigens by protoplasts of type III group B Streptococcus. J Bacteriol 1983; 154:211-20. [PMID: 6339471 PMCID: PMC217449 DOI: 10.1128/jb.154.1.211-220.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of a nascent peptidoglycan-group-specific antigen of type III group B Streptococcus at the cell membrane level was demonstrated with an M-1 mutanolysin-prepared protoplast system. Protoplasts of group B streptococci in suitably stabilized medium (20% sucrose) readily incorporated [3H]acetate into cell surface macromolecules. Four major polysaccharides were isolated from the protoplast cultural supernatant fluid: the peptidoglycan group-specific antigen polymer, the group B-specific antigen, and the low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight forms of the type III polysaccharide antigen. Biosynthesis of all four polymers was not affected by the action of chloramphenicol, indicating protein synthesis was not required for the production of polysaccharide in this system. However, all but the low-molecular-weight type III antigen were inhibited by the action of bacitracin, suggesting that three of the polymers share a common synthesis-assembly site in the membrane. Attachment of the high-molecular-weight antigen to the nascent peptidoglycan-group B antigen complex did not occur in the protoplast system, suggesting that a more complex cell wall matrix may be necessary before linkage of the high-molecular-weight antigen takes place.
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Kondo JK, McKay LL. Mutanolysin for Improved Lysis and Rapid Protoplast Formation in Dairy Streptococci. J Dairy Sci 1982. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(82)82365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Doran TI, Mattingly SJ. Association of type- and group-specific antigens with the cell wall of serotype III group B streptococcus. Infect Immun 1982; 36:1115-22. [PMID: 7047392 PMCID: PMC551446 DOI: 10.1128/iai.36.3.1115-1122.1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The type-specific antigens (TSA) of group B streptococcus (GBS) represent the primary virulence factors for these organisms, yet little is known about their relationship to the cell surface of GBS. Crude cell walls of serotype III GBS strain 110 were purified by extraction with sodium dodecyl sulfate, LiCl, and urea, which removed essentially all of the protein associated with the cell wall as determined by amino acid analysis. Only those amino acids found in peptidoglycan were present, which included alanine, lysine, and glutamate (3.5:1:1 molar ratio). In contrast, these procedures resulted in the release of only 4.6% of the wall-associated TSA, indicating that protein was not the primary means by which TSA was bound to the cell surface. Mutanolysin (20 micrograms/ml) treatment of purified cell walls resulted in the release of 95% of the wall-associated TSA. The covalent association of TSA, the group B polysaccharide, and the peptidoglycan was demonstrated by the presence of N-acetylmuramic acid, rhamnose, alanine, glutamate, and lysine in mutanolysin-extracted TSA material purified by DEAE-Sephacel anion exchange and Sepharose 4B gel chromatography. Chemical analysis of purified cell walls revealed that group B antigen and peptidoglycan comprised 37.4 and 36.5%, respectively, whereas TSA accounted for 22.1 to 24.5% of the weight of the purified walls. Of the total 283.5 mg of TSA produced per 10-liter culture of GBS strain 110, 8.4% was released into the supernatant fluid. The remainder (249 mg) comprised the cell wall antigen. As described above, 4.6% of the cell wall antigen was extractable by nonenzymatic methods, which represented 3.8% of the total TSA, whereas 87.8% of the total TSA produced appeared to be covalently attached to the cell wall.
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Wecke J, Lahav M, Ginsburg I, Giesbrecht P. Cell wall degradation of Staphylococcus aureus by lysozyme. Arch Microbiol 1982; 131:116-23. [PMID: 7073428 DOI: 10.1007/bf01053992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to former findings lysozyme was able to attack the cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus under acid conditions. However, experiments with 14C-labelled cell walls and ribonuclease indicated that, under these conditions, lysozyme acted less as an muralytic enzyme but more as an activator of pre-existing autolytic wall enzymes. Electron microscopic studies showed that under these acid conditions the cell walls were degraded by a new mechanism (i.e. "attack from the inside"). This attack on the cell wall started asymmetrically within the region of the cross wall and induced the formation of periodically arranged lytic sites between the cytoplasmic membrane and the cell wall proper. Subsequently, a gap between the cell wall and the cytoplasmic membrane resulted and large cell wall segments became detached and suspended in the medium. The sequence of lytic events corresponded to processes known to take place during wall regeneration and wall formation. In the final stage of lysozyme action at pH 5 no cell debris but "stabilized protoplasts" were to be seen without detectable alterations of the primary shape of the cells. At the same time long extended ribbon-like structures appeared outside the bacteria. The origin as well as the chemical nature of this material is discussed. Furthermore, immunological implications are considered.
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Calandra GB, Henson CL. Mutanolysin enhancement of serogrouping of single colonies of streptococci. J Clin Microbiol 1982; 15:184-6. [PMID: 6764770 PMCID: PMC272051 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.15.1.184-186.1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Single colonies of beta-hemolytic streptococci could be grouped by antibody-coated latex bead agglutination or coagglutination with staphylococci coated with antibody after incubation of the colonies with mutanolysin. This simple and quick procedure provided an enzymatic means of enhancing the sensitivity of tests such as Phadebact and SeroSTAT.
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Siegel JL, Hurst SF, Liberman ES, Coleman SE, Bleiweis AS. Mutanolysin-induced spheroplasts of Streptococcus mutants are true protoplasts. Infect Immun 1981; 31:808-15. [PMID: 7012022 PMCID: PMC351381 DOI: 10.1128/iai.31.2.808-815.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A method is described for the preparation of protoplasts of Streptococcus mutans BHT. The muralytic enzyme mutanolysin was prepared free of contaminating proteinases and shown to completely dissolve cell walls of this strain. Whole cells were converted to stabilizable protoplasts by using the enzyme in an isotonic medium containing 40% raffinose. Experiments using [3H]thymidine and [14C]leucine as cytoplasmic pool markers revealed only minimal (10%) leakage during a 1-h incubation. Examination by electron microscopy revealed the apparent absence of structural cell wall on the enlarged spherical bodies. Quantitative chemical analyses of membranes prepared by lysing protoplasts demonstrated only very small amounts of rhamnose and trace amounts of galactose. These sugars are the principal components of the BHT cell wall polysaccharide. Also, there were only small amounts of peptidoglycan components (e.g., N-acetylglucosamine) in the purified membranes obtained by this method.
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