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Titball RW. The Molecular Architecture and Mode of Action of Clostridium perfringens ε-Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:180. [PMID: 38668605 PMCID: PMC11053738 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040180] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens ε-toxin has long been associated with a severe enterotoxaemia of livestock animals, and more recently, was proposed to play a role in the etiology of multiple sclerosis in humans. The remarkable potency of the toxin has intrigued researchers for many decades, who suggested that this indicated an enzymatic mode of action. Recently, there have been major breakthroughs by finding that it is a pore-forming toxin which shows exquisite specificity for cells bearing the myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) receptor. This review details the molecular structures of the toxin, the evidence which identifies MAL as the receptor and the possible roles of other cell membrane components in toxin binding. The information on structure and mode of action has allowed the functions of individual amino acids to be investigated and has led to the creation of mutants with reduced toxicity that could serve as vaccines. In spite of this progress, there are still a number of key questions around the mode of action of the toxin which need to be further investigated.
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2
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Akinsemolu AA, Onyeaka H, Odion S, Adebanjo I. Exploring Bacillus subtilis: Ecology, biotechnological applications, and future prospects. J Basic Microbiol 2024:e202300614. [PMID: 38507723 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
From its early identification by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg to its current prominence in scientific research, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) has emerged as a foundational model organism in microbiology. This comprehensive review delves deep into its genetic, physiological, and biochemical intricacies, revealing a sophisticated cellular blueprint. With the incorporation of advanced techniques such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 and integrative computational methodologies, the potential applications of B. subtilis span diverse sectors. These encompass its significant contributions to biotechnology, agriculture, and medical fields and its potential for aiding environmental cleanup efforts. Yet, as we move forward, we must grapple with concerns related to safety, ethics, and the practical implementation of our lab findings in everyday scenarios. As our understanding of B. subtilis deepens, it is evident that its contributions will be central to pioneering sustainable solutions for global challenges in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenike A Akinsemolu
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- The Green Microbiology Lab, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen Onyeaka
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- The Green Microbiology Lab, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Samuel Odion
- The Green Microbiology Lab, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- The Green Institute, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Idris Adebanjo
- The Green Microbiology Lab, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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3
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Gregg BM, Matsumura T, Wentz TG, Tepp WH, Bradshaw M, Stenmark P, Johnson EA, Fujinaga Y, Pellett S. Botulinum neurotoxin X lacks potency in mice and in human neurons. mBio 2024; 15:e0310623. [PMID: 38347673 PMCID: PMC10936432 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03106-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are a class of toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) and other species of Clostridia. BoNT/X is a putative novel botulinum neurotoxin identified through genome sequencing and capable of SNARE cleavage, but its neurotoxic potential in humans and vertebrates remained unclear. The C. botulinum strain producing BoNT/X, Strain 111, encodes both a plasmid-borne bont/b2 as well as the chromosomal putative bont/x. This study utilized C. botulinum Strain 111 from Japan as well as recombinantly produced full-length BoNT/X to more fully analyze this putative pathogenic toxin. We confirmed production of full-length, catalytically active native BoNT/X by C. botulinum Strain 111, produced as a disulfide-bonded dichain polypeptide similar to other BoNTs. Both the purified native and the recombinant BoNT/X had high enzymatic activity in vitro but displayed very low potency in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cells and in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of up to 50 µg of native BoNT/X in mice did not result in botulism; however, mild local paralysis was observed after injection of 2 μg into the gastrocnemius muscle. We further demonstrate that the lack of toxicity by BoNT/X is due to inefficient neuronal cell association and entry, which can be rescued by replacing the receptor binding domain of BoNT/X with that of BoNT/A. These data demonstrate that BoNT/X is not a potent vertebrate neurotoxin like the classical seven serotypes of BoNTs. IMPORTANCE The family of botulinum neurotoxins comprises the most potent toxins known to humankind. New members of this family of protein toxins as well as more distantly related homologs are being identified. The discovery of BoNT/X via bioinformatic screen in 2017 as a putative new BoNT serotype raised concern about its potential as a pathogenic agent with no available countermeasures. This study for the first time assessed both recombinantly produced and native purified BoNT/X for its vertebrate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brieana M. Gregg
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Travis G. Wentz
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William H. Tepp
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marite Bradshaw
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric A. Johnson
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Sabine Pellett
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Tamaki Y, Harakuni T, Arakawa T. Shiga toxin type 2 B subunit protects mice against toxin challenge when leashed and bundled by a stable pentameric coiled-coil molecule. Vaccine 2024; 42:1757-1767. [PMID: 38365487 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.102] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Vaccines against Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have not yet been developed. Two immunologically distinct serotypes of Stx (Stx1 and Stx2) are the main virulence factors of STEC. Thus, blocking their B subunits (StxB) from binding to the cell surface receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) efficiently prevents the action of these toxins. We expressed Stx1B and Stx2B in E. coli inclusion bodies and reassembled them into pentamers by a stepwise dialysis. Stx1B pentamer fully protected mice against Stx1 challenge, but Stx2B pentamer failed to protect mice against Stx2 challenge. To explain those observations, we proposed that the pentamer of Stx2B readily dissociates into its constituent monomers, especially under in vivo conditions, thus being unable to induce pentamer-specific immunity. To increase pentamer stability, we fused the B subunit to a pentameric coiled-coil domain of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). This "five-to-five" fusion hybrid molecule (Stx2B-COMP) was shown to be protective against Stx2 challenge, demonstrating that the Stx2B subunit when leashed and bundled by a rigid pentameric coiled-coil domain mount a pentamer-specific immune response and efficiently neutralize the toxin both in vitro and in vivo. Our data strongly suggest that the Stx2B subunit moiety fluctuates between a pentameric and monomeric state within the fusion protein, which may increase the likelihood of the immune system recognizing the pentameric conformation for toxin neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Tamaki
- Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Harakuni
- Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Takeshi Arakawa
- Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan.
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5
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Suzuki Y, Takai S, Morizane Y, Yasuda K, Takahashi K, Ishitsuka T, Sasaki Y, Otsuka M, Kato S, Madarame H, Sugiyama M, Kawaguchi H, Kakuda T. Development of monoclonal antibodies against Rhodococcus equi virulence-associated protein N and their application to pathological diagnosis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0072923. [PMID: 37800907 PMCID: PMC10714782 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00729-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Rhodococcus equi can cause infection in ruminants, and its pathogenicity is suggested to be associated with VapN. Despite its wide distribution, no immunological diagnostic method has been developed for VapN-producing R. equi. Against this background, we attempted to develop monoclonal antibodies targeting VapN and assess their application in immunostaining. In the study, mice were immunized with recombinant VapN, and cell fusion and cloning by limiting dilution permitted the generation of three antibody-producing hybridomas. The utility of the antibodies produced from the hybridomas in immunostaining was demonstrated using an infected mouse model, and the antibodies were further applied to previously reported cases of R. equi infection in goats and cattle. Although the 4H4 antibody induced the strongest reactions, the reactivity of two other antibodies was improved by antigen retrieval. Our monoclonal antibodies will be utilized to support the definitive diagnosis of suspected R. equi infection, including cases that were previously missed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yuri Morizane
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yasuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Kei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Toko Ishitsuka
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Mikihiro Otsuka
- The Gifu Central Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoru Kato
- The Gifu Central Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroo Madarame
- Laboratory of Small Animal Clinics, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kawaguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
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6
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Williams LE, Frishman WH. Botulinum Toxin: A Potential Cardiovascular Agent? Cardiol Rev 2023:00045415-990000000-00169. [PMID: 37889014 DOI: 10.1097/crd.0000000000000582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a toxin with a wide repertoire of well-known applications in cosmetics and medicine, such as treating migraine headaches, spasticity, and achalasia, and it has generally been shown to be safe and well-tolerated. In addition to its current successes in clinical practice, studies have also demonstrated the potential of BoNT to be used as a therapeutic agent for many cardiovascular conditions. Prior investigations, as well as trials currently underway, have showcased the safety and potential efficacy of BoNT in applications such as treating ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. While further study in humans, as well as improved statistical power in efficacy studies, are needed before its prospective use as a treatment for the aforementioned conditions, one might consider BoNT a potential cardiovascular agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Williams
- From the Department of Medicine, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
| | - William H Frishman
- Departments of Medicine and Cardiology, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
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Harmsen MM, Cornelissen JC, van der Wal FJ, Bergervoet JHW, Koene M. Single-Domain Antibody Multimers for Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotypes C, D, and Their Mosaics in Endopep-MS. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:573. [PMID: 37755999 PMCID: PMC10535107 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090573] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly toxic proteins that require high-affinity immunocapture reagents for use in endopeptidase-based assays. Here, 30 novel and 2 earlier published llama single-domain antibodies (VHHs) against the veterinary-relevant BoNT serotypes C and D were yeast-produced. These VHHs recognized 10 independent antigenic sites, and many cross-reacted with the BoNT/DC and CD mosaic variants. As VHHs are highly suitable for genetically linking to increase antigen-binding affinity, 52 VHH multimers were produced and their affinity for BoNT/C, D, DC, and CD was determined. A selection of 15 multimers with high affinity (KD < 0.1 nM) was further shown to be resilient to a high salt wash that is used for samples from complex matrices and bound native BoNTs from culture supernatants as shown by Endopep-MS. High-affinity multimers suitable for further development of a highly sensitive Endopep-MS assay include four multimers that bind both BoNT/D and CD with KD of 14-99 pM, one multimer for BoNT/DC (65 pM) that also binds BoNT/C (75 pM), and seven multimers for BoNT/C (<1-19 pM), six of which also bind BoNT/DC with lower affinity (93-508 pM). In addition to application in diagnostic tests, these VHHs could be used for the development of novel therapeutics for animals or humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel M. Harmsen
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (F.J.v.d.W.)
| | - Jan C. Cornelissen
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (F.J.v.d.W.)
| | - Fimme J. van der Wal
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (F.J.v.d.W.)
| | - Jan H. W. Bergervoet
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Koene
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (F.J.v.d.W.)
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8
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Gupta S, Pellett S. Recent Developments in Vaccine Design: From Live Vaccines to Recombinant Toxin Vaccines. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:563. [PMID: 37755989 PMCID: PMC10536331 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most effective strategies to prevent pathogen-induced illness in humans. The earliest vaccines were based on live inoculations with low doses of live or related pathogens, which carried a relatively high risk of developing the disease they were meant to prevent. The introduction of attenuated and killed pathogens as vaccines dramatically reduced these risks; however, attenuated live vaccines still carry a risk of reversion to a pathogenic strain capable of causing disease. This risk is completely eliminated with recombinant protein or subunit vaccines, which are atoxic and non-infectious. However, these vaccines require adjuvants and often significant optimization to induce robust T-cell responses and long-lasting immune memory. Some pathogens produce protein toxins that cause or contribute to disease. To protect against the effects of such toxins, chemically inactivated toxoid vaccines have been found to be effective. Toxoid vaccines are successfully used today at a global scale to protect against tetanus and diphtheria. Recent developments for toxoid vaccines are investigating the possibilities of utilizing recombinant protein toxins mutated to eliminate biologic activity instead of chemically inactivated toxins. Finally, one of the most contemporary approaches toward vaccine design utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) as a vaccine candidate. This approach was used globally to protect against coronavirus disease during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2019, due to its advantages of quick production and scale-up, and effectiveness in eliciting a neutralizing antibody response. Nonetheless, mRNA vaccines require specialized storage and transport conditions, posing challenges for low- and middle-income countries. Among multiple available technologies for vaccine design and formulation, which technology is most appropriate? This review focuses on the considerable developments that have been made in utilizing diverse vaccine technologies with a focus on vaccines targeting bacterial toxins. We describe how advancements in vaccine technology, combined with a deeper understanding of pathogen-host interactions, offer exciting and promising avenues for the development of new and improved vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Pellett
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
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9
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Tian S, Zhou N. Gaining New Insights into Fundamental Biological Pathways by Bacterial Toxin-Based Genetic Screens. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:884. [PMID: 37627769 PMCID: PMC10451959 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic screen technology has been applied to study the mechanism of action of bacterial toxins-a special class of virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis caused by bacterial infections. These screens aim to identify host factors that directly or indirectly facilitate toxin intoxication. Additionally, specific properties of certain toxins, such as membrane interaction, retrograde trafficking, and carbohydrate binding, provide robust probes to comprehensively investigate the lipid biosynthesis, membrane vesicle transport, and glycosylation pathways, respectively. This review specifically focuses on recent representative toxin-based genetic screens that have identified new players involved in and provided new insights into fundamental biological pathways, such as glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, protein glycosylation, and membrane vesicle trafficking pathways. Functionally characterizing these newly identified factors not only expands our current understanding of toxin biology but also enables a deeper comprehension of fundamental biological questions. Consequently, it stimulates the development of new therapeutic approaches targeting both bacterial infectious diseases and genetic disorders with defects in these factors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nini Zhou
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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10
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Roe JM, Seely K, Bussard CJ, Eischen Martin E, Mouw EG, Bayles KW, Hollingsworth MA, Brooks AE, Dailey KM. Hacking the Immune Response to Solid Tumors: Harnessing the Anti-Cancer Capacities of Oncolytic Bacteria. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2004. [PMID: 37514190 PMCID: PMC10384176 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15072004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic bacteria are a classification of bacteria with a natural ability to specifically target solid tumors and, in the process, stimulate a potent immune response. Currently, these include species of Klebsiella, Listeria, Mycobacteria, Streptococcus/Serratia (Coley's Toxin), Proteus, Salmonella, and Clostridium. Advancements in techniques and methodology, including genetic engineering, create opportunities to "hijack" typical host-pathogen interactions and subsequently harness oncolytic capacities. Engineering, sometimes termed "domestication", of oncolytic bacterial species is especially beneficial when solid tumors are inaccessible or metastasize early in development. This review examines reported oncolytic bacteria-host immune interactions and details the known mechanisms of these interactions to the protein level. A synopsis of the presented membrane surface molecules that elicit particularly promising oncolytic capacities is paired with the stimulated localized and systemic immunogenic effects. In addition, oncolytic bacterial progression toward clinical translation through engineering efforts are discussed, with thorough attention given to strains that have accomplished Phase III clinical trial initiation. In addition to therapeutic mitigation after the tumor has formed, some bacterial species, referred to as "prophylactic", may even be able to prevent or "derail" tumor formation through anti-inflammatory capabilities. These promising species and their particularly favorable characteristics are summarized as well. A complete understanding of the bacteria-host interaction will likely be necessary to assess anti-cancer capacities and unlock the full cancer therapeutic potential of oncolytic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Roe
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
| | - Kevin Seely
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
| | - Caleb J Bussard
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80130, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth G Mouw
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
| | - Kenneth W Bayles
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Amanda E Brooks
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80130, USA
- Office of Research & Scholarly Activity, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
| | - Kaitlin M Dailey
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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11
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Lim KL, Khor WC, Ong KH, Timothy L, Aung KT. Occurrence and Patterns of Enterotoxin Genes, spa Types and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Staphylococcus aureus in Food and Food Contact Surfaces in Singapore. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1785. [PMID: 37512957 PMCID: PMC10386305 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus contamination of food and food contact surfaces is a public health concern given its virulent and antimicrobial-resistant properties worldwide. In this study, a total of 181 MSSA isolates were analyzed for SE genes, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and spa types. Overall, 24.9% of isolates were positive for SE gene detection, with sea being the most prevalent classical SE (18.8%). The most predominant sample sources for SE gene contamination were hand swabs for sea (6/48), meat dishes for seb (3/14) and seafood dishes for sec (2/24). Antimicrobial resistance was also observed at relatively high frequencies for the clinically important antibiotics penicillin G and ampicillin (both 54.7%), followed by tetracycline (14.9%) and azithromycin (8.8%). In addition, characterization of spa types revealed spa type t5078 to be the most predominant (40.3%), with significant associations between spa types t127 and t5521 and the sea gene. This study offers insights into the enterotoxin gene and antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. aureus in cooked or ready-to-eat food to inform future surveillance and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ker Li Lim
- National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, 7 International Business Park, Techquest, Singapore 609919, Singapore
| | - Wei Ching Khor
- National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, 7 International Business Park, Techquest, Singapore 609919, Singapore
| | - Kar Hui Ong
- National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, 7 International Business Park, Techquest, Singapore 609919, Singapore
| | - Lois Timothy
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Kyaw Thu Aung
- National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, 7 International Business Park, Techquest, Singapore 609919, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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12
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Márquez-López A, Fanarraga ML. AB Toxins as High-Affinity Ligands for Cell Targeting in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11227. [PMID: 37446406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer have limitations, including the development of acquired resistance. However, novel alternatives have emerged in the form of targeted therapies based on AB toxins. These biotoxins are a diverse group of highly poisonous molecules that show a nanomolar affinity for their target cell receptors, making them an invaluable source of ligands for biomedical applications. Bacterial AB toxins, in particular, are modular proteins that can be genetically engineered to develop high-affinity therapeutic compounds. These toxins consist of two distinct domains: a catalytically active domain and an innocuous domain that acts as a ligand, directing the catalytic domain to the target cells. Interestingly, many tumor cells show receptors on the surface that are recognized by AB toxins, making these high-affinity proteins promising tools for developing new methods for targeting anticancer therapies. Here we describe the structure and mechanisms of action of Diphtheria (Dtx), Anthrax (Atx), Shiga (Stx), and Cholera (Ctx) toxins, and review the potential uses of AB toxins in cancer therapy. We also discuss the main advances in this field, some successful results, and, finally, the possible development of innovative and precise applications in oncology based on engineered recombinant AB toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Márquez-López
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Mónica L Fanarraga
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
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13
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Joensuu M, Syed P, Saber SH, Lanoue V, Wallis TP, Rae J, Blum A, Gormal RS, Small C, Sanders S, Jiang A, Mahrhold S, Krez N, Cousin MA, Cooper‐White R, Cooper‐White JJ, Collins BM, Parton RG, Balistreri G, Rummel A, Meunier FA. Presynaptic targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A requires a tripartite PSG-Syt1-SV2 plasma membrane nanocluster for synaptic vesicle entry. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112095. [PMID: 37226896 PMCID: PMC10308369 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The unique nerve terminal targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is due to its capacity to bind two receptors on the neuronal plasma membrane: polysialoganglioside (PSG) and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2). Whether and how PSGs and SV2 may coordinate other proteins for BoNT/A recruitment and internalization remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the targeted endocytosis of BoNT/A into synaptic vesicles (SVs) requires a tripartite surface nanocluster. Live-cell super-resolution imaging and electron microscopy of catalytically inactivated BoNT/A wildtype and receptor-binding-deficient mutants in cultured hippocampal neurons demonstrated that BoNT/A must bind coincidentally to a PSG and SV2 to target synaptic vesicles. We reveal that BoNT/A simultaneously interacts with a preassembled PSG-synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) complex and SV2 on the neuronal plasma membrane, facilitating Syt1-SV2 nanoclustering that controls endocytic sorting of the toxin into synaptic vesicles. Syt1 CRISPRi knockdown suppressed BoNT/A- and BoNT/E-induced neurointoxication as quantified by SNAP-25 cleavage, suggesting that this tripartite nanocluster may be a unifying entry point for selected botulinum neurotoxins that hijack this for synaptic vesicle targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Parnayan Syed
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Saber H Saber
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Vanessa Lanoue
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Tristan P Wallis
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - James Rae
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Ailisa Blum
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Rachel S Gormal
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Christopher Small
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Shanley Sanders
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Anmin Jiang
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Stefan Mahrhold
- Institut für ToxikologieMedizinische Hochschule HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Nadja Krez
- Institut für ToxikologieMedizinische Hochschule HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Hugh Robson BuildingUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy CentreUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing BrainUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Ruby Cooper‐White
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- School of Chemical EngineeringThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Justin J Cooper‐White
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- School of Chemical EngineeringThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- UQ Centre for Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative EngineeringThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Brett M Collins
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Robert G Parton
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Centre for Microscopy and MicroanalysisThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Department of Virology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Andreas Rummel
- Institut für ToxikologieMedizinische Hochschule HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- School of Biomedical SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
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14
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Hughes AC, Kirkland M, Du W, Rasooly R, Hernlem B, Tam C, Zhang Y, He X. Development of Thermally Stable Nanobodies for Detection and Neutralization of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:400. [PMID: 37368700 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, sixteen unique staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-reactive nanobodies (nbs), including ten monovalent and six bivalent nbs, were developed. All characterized nbs were highly specific for SEB and did not cross-react with other staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE). Several formats of highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were established using SEB nbs and a polyclonal antibody (pAb). The lowest limit of detection (LOD) reached 50 pg/mL in PBS. When applied to an ELISA to detect SEB-spiked milk (a commonly contaminated foodstuff), a LOD as low as 190 pg/mL was obtained. The sensitivity of ELISA was found to increase concurrently with the valency of nbs used in the assay. In addition, a wide range of thermal tolerance was observed among the sixteen nbs, with a subset of nbs, SEB-5, SEB-9, and SEB-62, retaining activity even after exposure to 95 °C for 10 min, whereas the conventional monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies exhibited heat-labile properties. Several nbs demonstrated a long shelf-life, with one nb (SEB-9) retaining 93% of its activity after two weeks of storage at room temperature. In addition to their usage in toxin detection, eleven out of fifteen nbs were capable of neutralizing SEB's super-antigenic activity, demonstrated by their inhibition on IL-2 expression in an ex vivo human PBMC assay. Compared to monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, the nbs are relatively small, thermally stable, and easy to produce, making them useful in applications for sensitive, specific, and cost-effective detection and management of SEB contamination in food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Hughes
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Marina Kirkland
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Wenxian Du
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Reuven Rasooly
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Bradley Hernlem
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Christina Tam
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Yuzhu Zhang
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Xiaohua He
- Western Regional Research Center United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, USA
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15
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Yu S, Zhang L, Wang A, Jin Y, Zhou D. Nanobodies: the Potential Application in Bacterial Treatment and Diagnosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023:115640. [PMID: 37315818 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An infection caused by bacteria is one of the main factors that poses a threat to human health. A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that bacteria that cause blood infections have become increasingly drug-resistant. Therefore, it is crucial to research and develop new techniques for detecting and treating these infections. Since their discovery, nanobodies have exhibited numerous outstanding biological properties. They are easy to express, modify, and have high stability, robust permeability and low immunogenicity, all of which indicate their potential as a substitute. Nanobodies have been utilized in a variety of studies on viruses and cancer. This article primarily focuses on nanobodies and introduces their characteristics and application in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Northwest A&F University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; Department of Animal Engineering, Yangling Vocational&Technical College, Xianyang, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Yaping Jin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Northwest A&F University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Dong Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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16
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Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Toxin Routes in a Therapeutic Context. BioDrugs 2023; 37:181-203. [PMID: 36729328 PMCID: PMC9893211 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00580-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous toxins translocate to the cytosol in order to fulfil their function. This demonstrates the existence of routes for proteins from the extracellular space to the cytosol. Understanding these routes is relevant to multiple aspects related to therapeutic applications. These include the development of anti-toxin treatments, the potential use of toxins as shuttles for delivering macromolecular cargo to the cytosol or the use of drugs based on toxins. Compared with other strategies for delivery, such as chemicals as carriers for macromolecular delivery or physical methods like electroporation, toxin routes present paths into the cell that potentially cause less damage and can be specifically targeted. The efficiency of delivery via toxin routes is limited. However, low-delivery efficiencies can be entirely sufficient, if delivered cargoes possess an amplification effect or if very few molecules are sufficient for inducing the desired effects. This is known for example from RNA-based vaccines that have been developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as well as for other approved RNA-based drugs, which elicited the desired effect despite their typically low delivery efficiencies. The different mechanisms by which toxins enter cells may have implications for their technological utility. We review the mechanistic principles of the translocation pathway of toxins from the extracellular space to the cytosol, the delivery efficiencies, and therapeutic strategies or applications that exploit toxin routes for intracellular delivery.
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17
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Panditrao MV, Chung CH, Khouri JM, Barash JR, Motter RN, Dover N, Arnon SS. Dual-Toxin ("Bivalent") Infant Botulism in California, 1976-2020: Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Laboratory Aspects. J Pediatr 2023; 253:8-13. [PMID: 35977619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the consequences of infant botulism that result from Clostridium botulinum strains that produce 2 botulinum toxin serotypes, termed "bivalent." STUDY DESIGN Epidemiologic investigations used a standard questionnaire. Clostridium botulinum strains were isolated by standard methods. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes and the relative amounts of toxins produced were identified using the standard mouse bioassay. BoNT subtypes and genomic locations were identified by DNA nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS Thirty bivalent cases of infant botulism occurred in the 45 years (1976-2020), representing 2.0% of all California infant botulism cases, in the 3 geographic regions of southern California, the southern Central Valley, and mid-northern California. Toxin serotype combinations were Ba (n = 22), Bf (n = 7), and Ab (n = 1). More patients with illness caused by bivalent C botulinum Ba and Bf strains needed endotracheal intubation at hospital admission, 60.0% (18/30), than did patients with illness caused by monovalent BoNT/B strains, 34.3% (152/443). The Cbotulinum Ba and Bf strains produced BoNT/B5 and either BoNT/A4 or /F2. The Ab strain produced BoNT/A2 and /B1. All toxin gene clusters were on plasmids. CONCLUSIONS Infant botulism caused by bivalent Cbotulinum strains occurs sporadically and in diverse locations in California. Affected patients with bivalent Ba and Bf strains lacked distinguishing epidemiological features but appeared to be more severely paralyzed at hospital presentation than patients with illness caused by only BoNT/B. These bivalent strains produced BoNT subtypes A2, A4, B1, B5, and F2, and all toxin gene clusters were on plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri V Panditrao
- Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Modeling Branch, COVID-19 Response California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Connie H Chung
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Jessica M Khouri
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA.
| | - Jason R Barash
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Ruth N Motter
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Nir Dover
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Stephen S Arnon
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
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18
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Gostimir M, Liou V, Yoon MK. Safety of Botulinum Toxin A Injections for Facial Rejuvenation: A Meta-Analysis of 9,669 Patients. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2023; 39:13-25. [PMID: 35353777 DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000002169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantitatively evaluate safety profile for botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections among patients undergoing treatment for cosmetic indications is produced, with special attention to clinically relevant covariates and their relative impact on safety. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed (1996-January 2020) and Embase (1947-January 2020) to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported safety data for patients receiving BTX-A for cosmetic indications compared to placebo. A meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled risk ratios (RR) for treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and for specific adverse events. Meta-regression and additional analyses were performed for significant and/or clinically relevant covariates. RESULTS Following the review of 8,690 studies, 32 RCTs involving 9,669 patients were included. The pooled RR of any TRAE occurring after BTX-A injection compared to placebo injection was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.33-1.77; p < 0.001). Statistically significant covariates included individual injection volume and total injection volume. The type of BTX-A formulation, treatment site, total BTX-A units, and BTX-A units per injection were not significant. Specific adverse events more likely to occur following BTX-A injection rather than placebo injection included eyelid/eyebrow malposition (RR 3.55; p < 0.001), facial paresis (RR 2.42; p = 0.316), and headache (RR 1.45; p = 0.003). Injection site reactions and injection site bruising occurred at similar rates in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The overall safety profile of BTX-A is acceptable and consistent with previous publications. The authors' additional analyses provide a relative comparison of the impact of various treatment parameters on safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mišo Gostimir
- Ivey Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victor Liou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
- Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Michael K Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
- Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
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19
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Jorde I, Schreiber J, Stegemann-Koniszewski S. The Role of Staphylococcus aureus and Its Toxins in the Pathogenesis of Allergic Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010654. [PMID: 36614093 PMCID: PMC9820472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and affects more than 300 million patients. Allergic asthma affects the majority of asthmatic children as well as approximately 50% of adult asthmatics. It is characterized by a Th2-mediated immune response against aeroallergens. Many aspects of the overall pathophysiology are known, while the underlying mechanisms and predisposing factors remain largely elusive today. Over the last decade, respiratory colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a Gram-positive facultative bacterial pathogen, came into focus as a risk factor for the development of atopic respiratory diseases. More than 30% of the world’s population is constantly colonized with S. aureus in their nasopharynx. This colonization is mostly asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised patients, it can lead to serious complications including pneumonia, sepsis, or even death. S. aureus is known for its ability to produce a wide range of proteins including toxins, serine-protease-like proteins, and protein A. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of allergic asthma and to what extent it can be affected by different toxins produced by S. aureus. Intensifying this knowledge might lead to new preventive strategies for atopic respiratory diseases.
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20
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Marshall S, McGill B, Morcrette H, Winlove CP, Chimerel C, Petrov PG, Bokori-Brown M. Interaction of Clostridium perfringens Epsilon Toxin with the Plasma Membrane: The Role of Amino Acids Y42, Y43 and H162. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110757. [PMID: 36356007 PMCID: PMC9694948 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (Etx) is a pore forming toxin that causes enterotoxaemia in ruminants and may be a cause of multiple sclerosis in humans. To date, most in vitro studies of Etx have used the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line. However, studies using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells engineered to express the putative Etx receptor, myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL), suggest that amino acids important for Etx activity differ between species. In this study, we investigated the role of amino acids Y42, Y43 and H162, previously identified as important in Etx activity towards MDCK cells, in Etx activity towards CHO-human MAL (CHO-hMAL) cells, human red blood cells (hRBCs) and synthetic bilayers using site-directed mutants of Etx. We show that in CHO-hMAL cells Y42 is critical for Etx binding and not Y43 as in MDCK cells, indicating that surface exposed tyrosine residues in the receptor binding domain of Etx impact efficiency of cell binding to MAL-expressing cells in a species-specific manner. We also show that Etx mutant H162A was unable to lyse CHO-hMAL cells, lysed hRBCs, whilst it was able to form pores in synthetic bilayers, providing evidence of the complexity of Etx pore formation in different lipid environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye Marshall
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Beth McGill
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Helen Morcrette
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - C. Peter Winlove
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Catalin Chimerel
- Automation Department, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Peter G. Petrov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
- Correspondence: (P.G.P.); (M.B.-B.); Tel.: +44-1392-724139 (P.G.P.)
| | - Monika Bokori-Brown
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Correspondence: (P.G.P.); (M.B.-B.); Tel.: +44-1392-724139 (P.G.P.)
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21
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Jang JH, Kim S, Kim SG, Lee J, Lee DG, Jang J, Jeong YS, Song DH, Min JK, Park JG, Lee MS, Han BS, Son JS, Lee J, Lee NK. A Sensitive Immunodetection Assay Using Antibodies Specific to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Produced by Baculovirus Expression. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12100787. [PMID: 36290925 PMCID: PMC9599101 DOI: 10.3390/bios12100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a potent bacterial toxin that causes inflammatory stimulation and toxic shock, thus it is necessary to detect SEB in food and environmental samples. Here, we developed a sensitive immunodetection system using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Our study is the first to employ a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) to produce recombinant wild-type SEB. BEVS facilitated high-quantity and pure SEB production from suspension-cultured insect cells, and the SEB produced was characterized by mass spectrometry analysis. The SEB was stable at 4 °C for at least 2 years, maintaining its purity, and was further utilized for mouse immunization to generate mAbs. An optimal pair of mAbs non-competitive to SEB was selected for sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based immunodetection. The limit of detection of the immunodetection method was 0.38 ng/mL. Moreover, it displayed higher sensitivity in detecting SEB than commercially available immunodetection kits and retained detectability in various matrices and S. aureus culture supernatants. Thus, the results indicate that BEVS is useful for producing pure recombinant SEB with its natural immunogenic property in high yield, and that the developed immunodetection assay is reliable and sensitive for routine identification of SEB in various samples, including foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hong Jang
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Sungsik Kim
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seul-Gi Kim
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Jaemin Lee
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Dong-Gwang Lee
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jieun Jang
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Young-Su Jeong
- Agency for Defense Development, 488 Bugyuseoung-daero, Daejeon 34060, Korea
| | - Dong-Hyun Song
- Agency for Defense Development, 488 Bugyuseoung-daero, Daejeon 34060, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ki Min
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Jong-Gil Park
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Moo-Seung Lee
- Environmental Diseases Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Baek-Soo Han
- Biodefense Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jee-Soo Son
- iNtRON Biotechnology, 137 Sagimakgol-ro, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si 13202, Korea
| | - Jangwook Lee
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (N.-K.L.); Tel.: +82-42-860-4123 (J.L.); +82-42-860-4117 (N.-K.L.)
| | - Nam-Kyung Lee
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (N.-K.L.); Tel.: +82-42-860-4123 (J.L.); +82-42-860-4117 (N.-K.L.)
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22
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Fan Y, Sun Z, Conrad F, Wen W, Zhao L, Lou J, Zhou Y, Farr-Jones S, Marks JD. Multicolor fluorescence activated cell sorting to generate humanized monoclonal antibody binding seven subtypes of BoNT/F. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273512. [PMID: 36048906 PMCID: PMC9436041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Generating specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize multiple antigen variants is challenging. Here, we present a strategy to generate mAbs that bind seven subtypes of botulinum neurotoxin serotype F (BoNT/F) that differ from each other in amino acid sequence by up to 36%. Previously, we identified 28H4, a mouse mAb with poor cross-reactivity to BoNT/F1, F3, F4, and F6 and with no detectable binding to BoNT/F2, F5, or F7. Using multicolor labeling of the different BoNT/F subtypes and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of yeast displayed single-chain Fv (scFv) mutant libraries, 28H4 was evolved to a humanized mAb hu6F15.4 that bound each of seven BoNT/F subtypes with high affinity (KD 5.81 pM to 659.78 pM). In contrast, using single antigen FACS sorting, affinity was increased to the subtype used for sorting but with a decrease in affinity for other subtypes. None of the mAb variants showed any binding to other BoNT serotypes or to HEK293 or CHO cell lysates by flow cytometry, thus demonstrating stringent BoNT/F specificity. Multicolor FACS-mediated antibody library screening is thus proposed as a general method to generate multi-specific antibodies to protein subtypes such as toxins or species variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Fan
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Zhengda Sun
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Fraser Conrad
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Weihua Wen
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Lequn Zhao
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Jianlong Lou
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Yu Zhou
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Shauna Farr-Jones
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - James D. Marks
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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23
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Dried urine spot and dried blood spot sample collection for rapid and sensitive monitoring of exposure to ricin and abrin by LC–MS/MS analysis of ricinine and l-abrine. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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24
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Enterocolitis in Goats Associated With Enterotoxaemia in the Perspective of Two Toxins: Epsilon Toxin and beta-2 Toxin – An Immunohistochemical and Molecular Study. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 87:101837. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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25
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Surekha C, Srikanth R, Thupurani MK, Neelapu NRR, Peddireddy V. Antimicrobial Activities of Salacia oblonga Wall Leaf and Root Extracts Against Different Bacterial Strains and Fungal Isolates. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:204. [PMID: 35612657 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance and the hazardous nature of synthetic drugs is threatening issue in the health sector. The alternative for this problem is to focus on plants that attribute to various compounds that exhibit therapeutic properties. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Salacia oblonga leaf and root extracts against tested human pathogens. The S. oblonga extracts showed a significant zone of inhibition against bacteria and fungi. The leaf and root extracts of S. oblonga are prepared using low polar to high polar solvents in the Soxhlet apparatus and tested on the selected bacterial and fungal strains. Agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods evaluate antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of extracts. Among the extracts tested, the ethyl acetate extract of root showed more antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterial and fungal strains. The most susceptible bacterial and fungal species against ethyl acetate extract are Micrococcus luteus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Microsporum gypseum. The MIC for bacteria ranged from 13.0 to > 200 µg/ml, whereas for fungi, the MIC ranged from 25.9 to > 200 µg/ml. Ethyl acetate extract of root with 100 µg/ml concentration showed 29.1 mm and 28.7 mm zone of inhibition against bacterial strains M. luteus and M. tuberculosis, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of root with a 100 µg/ml concentration showed 15.8, 15.2, and 15.6 mm zone of inhibition against fungal isolates M. canis, T. interdigitale, and M. gypseum, respectively. The activity of root and leaf extracts increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and further, the compounds isolated from the crude extracts of leaf and root showed antimicrobial activity. Structural elucidation of isolated compounds Lambertic acid and Ferruginol was done using NMR spectroscopy. Reports indicate that Lambertic acid was isolated previously, but the isolation of hydroxy Ferruginol from S. oblonga leaf extract was reported unprecedented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Challa Surekha
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India.
| | - Racha Srikanth
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Murali Krishna Thupurani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya (Deemed to be University), Kishanpura, Hanamkonda, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Nageswara Rao Reddy Neelapu
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Vidyullatha Peddireddy
- Department of Microbiology and Food Science & Technology, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), 530045, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary & Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Jant-Pali, Mahendergarh, Haryana, 123031, India
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26
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Gao P, Wu C, Zhang J, Wang S, Huang Y, Dong Y, Liu T, Ye C, Xu X, Xin W. Evaluation and Optimization of Microdrop Digital PCR for Detection of Serotype A and B Clostridium botulinum. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:860992. [PMID: 35615503 PMCID: PMC9125207 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.860992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is the causative pathogen of botulism. Laboratory detection of C. botulinum is essential for clinical therapy treatment of botulism due to the difficulty in diagnosis, especially in infant botulism. The extreme toxicity of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) requires a sensitive detection method. Due to the detection limit of real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR), a more sensitive detection method, micro-drop digital PCR (ddPCR) was applied in C. botulinum main serotypes A and B. The following performance criteria were evaluated by ddPCR: analytical sensitivity; repeatability; and diagnostic specificity. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.84 and 0.88 copies/μl for BoNT A and B genes, respectively, by ddPCR with high specificity, compared to 5.04×102 and 6.91×102 copies/μl by q-PCR. It was increased 10 times compared with q-PCR in spiked stool samples. This improvement in sensitivity was especially important in clinical samples as more positive samples were detected by digital PCR compared with q-PCR. Meanwhile, enrichment time for low bacteria content samples was shortened by four hours both in serotypes A and B C. botulinum by ddPCR compared with q-PCR, which are important for laboratory diagnosis and epidemiology work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengya Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Changde Wu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Criminal Investigation School, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yinping Dong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changyun Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xuefang Xu
| | - Wenwen Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Wenwen Xin
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27
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High Cell Density Cultivation Process for the Expression of Botulinum Neurotoxin a Receptor Binding Domain. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14040281. [PMID: 35448890 PMCID: PMC9031141 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14040281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain of botulinum neurotoxin (HC fragment), is a promising botulism vaccine candidate. In the current study, fermentation strategies were evaluated to upscale HC fragment expression. A simple translation of the growth conditions from shake flasks to a batch fermentation process resulted in limited culture growth and protein expression (OD of 11 and volumetric protein yields of 123 mg/L). Conducting fed-batch fermentation with rich media and continuous nutrient supplementation significantly improved culture growth (OD of 40.3) and protein expression (1093 mg/L). A further increase in HC fragment yield was achieved by high cell density cultivation (HCDC). The bacterium was grown in a defined medium and with a combined bolus/continuous feed of nutrients to maintain desired oxygen levels and prevent acetate accumulation. The final OD of the process was 260, and the volumetric yield of the HC fragment was 2065 mg/L, which reflects improvement by an order of magnitude. Purified HC fragments, produced by HCDC, exhibited typical biochemical and protective characteristics in mice. Taken together, the advancements achieved in this study promote large-scale production of the HC fragment in E. coli for use in anti-botulism vaccines.
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28
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Gregory KS, Mojanaga OO, Liu SM, Acharya KR. Crystal Structures of Botulinum Neurotoxin Subtypes A4 and A5 Cell Binding Domains in Complex with Receptor Ganglioside. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020129. [PMID: 35202156 PMCID: PMC8876736 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) cause the potentially fatal neuroparalytic disease botulism that arises due to proteolysis of a SNARE protein. Each BoNT is comprised of three domains: a cell binding domain (HC), a translocation domain (HN), and a catalytic (Zn2+ endopeptidase) domain (LC). The HC is responsible for neuronal specificity by targeting both a protein and ganglioside receptor at the neuromuscular junction. Although highly toxic, some BoNTs are commercially available as therapeutics for the treatment of a range of neuromuscular conditions. Here we present the crystal structures of two BoNT cell binding domains, HC/A4 and HC/A5, in a complex with the oligosaccharide of ganglioside, GD1a and GM1b, respectively. These structures, along with a detailed comparison with the previously reported apo-structures, reveal the conformational changes that occur upon ganglioside binding and the interactions involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle S. Gregory
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; (K.S.G.); (O.O.M.)
| | - Otsile O. Mojanaga
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; (K.S.G.); (O.O.M.)
| | - Sai Man Liu
- Protein Sciences Department, Ipsen Bioinnovation Limited, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK;
| | - K. Ravi Acharya
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; (K.S.G.); (O.O.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)1225-386238
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29
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Chen P, Bai Y, Tang S, Wang N, He Y, Huang K, Huang J, Ying B, Cao Y. Homogeneous Binary Visual and Fluorescence Detection of Tetanus Toxoid in Clinical Samples Based on Enzyme-Free Parallel Hybrid Chain Reaction. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:1710-1717. [PMID: 35119287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report a simple aptamer-based toxoid test with both fluorescence and binary visual readouts. This test is established based on our recent finding that CdTe quantum dots could differentiate DNA templated Cu NPs from Cu2+. Through the further integration with enzyme-free triple parallel hybridization chain reaction, cation exchange reaction, and inkjet printing, we demonstrated specific detection of tetanus toxoid with a limit-of-detection (LOD) of 0.25 fg/mL using fluorescence readout. Using color- and distance-based binary visual readouts, we were able to achieve LODs of 10 fg/mL and 1 fg/mL, respectively. The quantitative test results for tetanus toxoid using both fluorescence and visual readouts were successfully validated in 84 clinical serum samples. Moreover, our strategy also enabled accurate monitoring of tetanus toxoid levels in patients before and after drug treatment. On the basis of our clinical test results, we recommend a cutoff value of 5 fg/mL for tetanus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piaopiao Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yunjin Bai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shiyuan Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Disaster Medical Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Nian Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yaqin He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ke Huang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610068, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Med+X Center for Manufacturing, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institute, Department of Urology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Disaster Medical Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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30
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Tian LL, Li CH, Ye QC, Li YF, Huang CZ, Zhan L, Wang DM, Zhen SJ. A centrifugal microfluidic chip for point-of-care testing of staphylococcal enterotoxin B in complex matrices. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:1380-1385. [PMID: 35018396 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05599b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a typical biological toxin that causes food poisoning. Currently reported SEB detection methods have the drawbacks of sophisticated sample preparation and being time-consuming and labor-intensive. Herein, we propose a strategy based on an immune sandwich structure operating on a centrifugal microfluidic chip for point-of-care testing (POCT) of SEB. The fluorescent microparticle-labeled primary antibody (CM-EUs-Ab1), capture antibody (CAb), and goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (SAb) were modified on the bond area, T-area, and C-area, respectively. When SEB was added, it first reacted with the CM-EUs-Ab1 through the specific recognition between SEB and the Ab1. Then, under capillarity, the conjugates of SEB and the CM-EUs-Ab1 were captured by the CAb when they flowed to the T-area, and the remaining CM-EUs-Ab1 bound with the SAb in the C-area. Finally, this chip was put into a dry fluorescence detection analyzer for centrifugation and on-site detection of SEB. The fluorescence intensity ratio of the T-area to the C-area was positively correlated with the concentration of SEB. The resulting linear range was 0.1-250 ng mL-1, and the limit of detection (3σ/k) was 68 pg mL-1. This POCT platform only needs 20 μL of sample and can realize the full process of detection within 12 min. This chip also exhibits good stability for 35 days. Additionally, the proposed method has been successfully utilized for the detection of SEB in urine, milk, and juice without any pre-treatment of the samples. Thus, this platform is expected to be applied to food safety testing and clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li Tian
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Chun Hong Li
- Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical System (Southwest University), Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Qi Chao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Yuan Fang Li
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Cheng Zhi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical System (Southwest University), Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical System (Southwest University), Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Dong Mei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Shu Jun Zhen
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
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31
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BoNT/A in the Urinary Bladder-More to the Story than Silencing of Cholinergic Nerves. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010053. [PMID: 35051030 PMCID: PMC8780360 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A) is an FDA and NICE approved second-line treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) in patients either not responsive or intolerant to anti-cholinergic drugs. BoNT/A acts to weaken muscle contraction by blocking release of the neurotransmitter acetyl choline (ACh) at neuromuscular junctions. However, this biological activity does not easily explain all the observed effects in clinical and non-clinical studies. There are also conflicting reports of expression of the BoNT/A protein receptor, SV2, and intracellular target protein, SNAP-25, in the urothelium and bladder. This review presents the current evidence of BoNT/A’s effect on bladder sensation, potential mechanisms by which it might exert these effects and discusses recent advances in understanding the action of BoNT in bladder tissue.
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32
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O'Neil PT, Vasquez-Montes V, Swint-Kruse L, Baldwin MR, Ladokhin AS. Spectroscopic evidence of tetanus toxin translocation domain bilayer-induced refolding and insertion. Biophys J 2021; 120:4763-4776. [PMID: 34555358 PMCID: PMC8595737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) is an A-B toxin with three functional domains: endopeptidase, translocation (HCT), and receptor binding. Endosomal acidification triggers HCT to interact with and insert into the membrane, translocating the endopeptidase across the bilayer. Although the function of HCT is well defined, the mechanism by which it accomplishes this task is unknown. To gain insight into the HCT membrane interaction on both local and global scales, we utilized an isolated, beltless HCT variant (bHCT), which retained the ability to release potassium ions from vesicles. To examine which bHCT residues interact with the membrane, we widely sampled the surface of bHCT using 47 single-cysteine variants labeled with the environmentally sensitive fluorophore NBD. At neutral pH, no interaction was observed for any variant. In contrast, all NBD-labeled positions reported environmental change in the presence of acidic pH and membranes containing anionic lipids. We then examined the conformation of inserted bHCT using circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence. Upon entering the membrane, bHCT retained predominantly α-helical secondary structure, whereas the tertiary structure exhibited substantial refolding. The use of lipid-attached quenchers revealed that at least one of the three tryptophan residues penetrated deep into the hydrocarbon core of the membrane, suggesting formation of a bHCT transmembrane conformation. The possible conformational topology was further explored with the hydropathy analysis webtool MPEx, which identified a large, potential α-helical transmembrane region. Altogether, the spectroscopic evidence supports a model in which, upon acidification, the majority of TeNT bHCT entered the membrane with a concurrent change in tertiary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierce T O'Neil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Victor Vasquez-Montes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Liskin Swint-Kruse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Michael R Baldwin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Alexey S Ladokhin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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33
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Bacillus thuringiensis: From biopesticides to anticancer agents. Biochimie 2021; 192:83-90. [PMID: 34653542 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a ubiquitous bacterium that produces several proteins that are toxic to different invertebrates such as insects, nematodes, mites, and also some protozoans. Among these, Cry and Cyt proteins are most explored as biopesticides for their action against agricultural pests and vectors of human diseases. In 2000, a group of researchers from Japan isolated parasporal inclusion proteins from B. thuringiensis, and reported their cytotoxic action against human leukemia. Later, other proteins with similar antitumor properties were also isolated from this bacterium and these cytotoxic proteins with specific activity against human cancer cells were named parasporins. At present, nineteen different parasporins are registered and classified in six families. These parasporins have been described to have specific in vitro antitumor activity against several cancer cell lines. The antitumor activity makes parasporins possible candidates as anticancer agents. Various research groups around the world are involved in isolating and characterizing in vitro antitumor activity of these proteins and many articles reporting such activities in detail have been published. However, there are virtually no data regarding the antitumor activity of parasporins in vivo. This review summarizes the properties of these potentially useful antitumor agents of natural origin, focusing on their in vivo activity thus also highlighting the importance of testing these proteins in animal models for a possible application in clinical oncology.
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Torgeman A, Diamant E, Dor E, Schwartz A, Baruchi T, Ben David A, Zichel R. A Rabbit Model for the Evaluation of Drugs for Treating the Chronic Phase of Botulism. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13100679. [PMID: 34678971 PMCID: PMC8537128 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antitoxin, the only licensed drug therapy for botulism, neutralizes circulating botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). However, antitoxin is no longer effective when a critical amount of BoNT has already entered its target nerve cells. The outcome is a chronic phase of botulism that is characterized by prolonged paralysis. In this stage, blocking toxin activity within cells by next-generation intraneuronal anti-botulinum drugs (INABDs) may shorten the chronic phase of the disease and accelerate recovery. However, there is a lack of adequate animal models that simulate the chronic phase of botulism for evaluating the efficacy of INABDs. Herein, we report the development of a rabbit model for the chronic phase of botulism, induced by intoxication with a sublethal dose of BoNT. Spirometry monitoring enabled us to detect deviations from normal respiration and to quantitatively define the time to symptom onset and disease duration. A 0.85 rabbit intramuscular median lethal dose of BoNT/A elicited the most consistent and prolonged disease duration (mean = 11.8 days, relative standard deviation = 27.9%) that still enabled spontaneous recovery. Post-exposure treatment with antitoxin at various time points significantly shortened the disease duration, providing a proof of concept that the new model is adequate for evaluating novel therapeutics for botulism.
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Neutralizing Concentrations of Anti-Botulinum Toxin Antibodies Positively Correlate with Mouse Neutralization Assay Results in a Guinea Pig Model. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090671. [PMID: 34564675 PMCID: PMC8471557 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are some of the most toxic proteins known and can induce respiratory failure requiring long-term intensive care. Treatment of botulism includes the administration of antitoxins. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) hold considerable promise as BoNT therapeutics and prophylactics, due to their potency and safety. A three-mAb combination has been developed that specifically neutralizes BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A), and a separate three mAb combination has been developed that specifically neutralizes BoNT serotype B (BoNT/B). A six mAb cocktail, designated G03-52-01, has been developed that combines the anti-BoNT/A and anti-BoNT/B mAbs. The pharmacokinetics and neutralizing antibody concentration (NAC) of G03-52-01 has been determined in guinea pigs, and these parameters were correlated with protection against an inhalation challenge of BoNT/A1 or BoNT/B1. Previously, it was shown that each antibody demonstrated a dose-dependent mAb serum concentration and reached maximum circulating concentrations within 48 h after intramuscular (IM) or intraperitoneal (IP) injection and that a single IM injection of G03-52-01 administered 48 h pre-exposure protected guinea pigs against an inhalation challenge of up to 93 LD50s of BoNT/A1 and 116 LD50s of BoNT/B1. The data presented here advance our understanding of the relationship of the neutralizing NAC to the measured circulating antibody concentration and provide additional support that a single IM or intravenous (IV) administration of G03-52-01 will provide pre-exposure prophylaxis against botulism from an aerosol exposure of BoNT/A and BoNT/B.
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Small Molecule Receptor Binding Inhibitors with In Vivo Efficacy against Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotypes A and E. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168577. [PMID: 34445283 PMCID: PMC8395308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most poisonous substances in nature. Currently, the only therapy for botulism is antitoxin. This therapy suffers from several limitations and hence new therapeutic strategies are desired. One of the limitations in discovering BoNT inhibitors is the absence of an in vitro assay that correlates with toxin neutralization in vivo. In this work, a high-throughput screening assay for receptor-binding inhibitors against BoNT/A was developed. The assay is composed of two chimeric proteins: a receptor-simulating protein, consisting of the fourth luminal loop of synaptic vesicle protein 2C fused to glutathione-S-transferase, and a toxin-simulating protein, consisting of the receptor-binding domain of BoNT/A fused to beta-galactosidase. The assay was applied to screen the LOPAC1280 compound library. Seven selected compounds were evaluated in mice exposed to a lethal dose of BoNT/A. The compound aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) conferred 92% protection, whereas significant delayed time to death (p < 0.005) was observed for three additional compounds. Remarkably, ATA was also fully protective in mice challenged with a lethal dose of BoNT/E, which also uses the SV2 receptor. This study demonstrates that receptor-binding inhibitors have the potential to serve as next generation therapeutics for botulism, and therefore the assay developed may facilitate discovery of new anti-BoNT countermeasures.
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Responsive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Biofilm-infection Control. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2610-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Pillai CA, Manickam G, Thirunavukkarasu N, Pillai SP, Morse SA, Avila JR, Hodge DR, Anderson K, Sharma S. Evaluation of an Electrochemiluminescence Assay for the Rapid Detection of Abrin Toxin. Health Secur 2021; 19:431-441. [PMID: 34227874 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2020.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we detail a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of an immunoassay for the rapid detection of abrin using the Meso Scale Diagnostics Sector PR2 Model 1800. For the assay evaluation, we used inclusivity and exclusivity panels comprised of extracts of 11 Abrus precatorius cultivars and 35 near-neighbor plants, 65 lectins, 26 white powders, 11 closely related toxins and proteins, and a pool of 30 BioWatch filter extracts. The results show that the Meso Scale Diagnostics abrin detection assay exhibits good sensitivity and specificity with a limit of detection of 4 ng/mL. However, the dynamic range of the assay for the quantitation of abrin was limited. We observed a hook effect at higher abrin concentrations, which can lead to potential false negative results. A modification of the assay protocol that incorporates extra wash steps can decrease the hook effect and the potential for false negative results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Pillai
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Gowri Manickam
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Segaran P Pillai
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Stephen A Morse
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Julie R Avila
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - David R Hodge
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Kevin Anderson
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
| | - Shashi Sharma
- Christine A. Pillai and Gowri Manickam, PhD, are ORISE Fellow Research Scientists; Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD, is a Microbiologist; and Shashi Sharma, PhD, is Principal Investigator; all at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Molecular Methods Development Branch, Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD. Segaran P. Pillai, PhD, FAAM, SM(NRCM), SM(ASCP), is Director, Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Stephen A. Morse, PhD, MSPH, is Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Select Agents and Toxins, IHRC, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Julie R. Avila, MS, is Scientific Associate, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. David R. Hodge, PhD, and Kevin Anderson, PhD, are Program Managers; both in the Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
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Candalija A, Scior T, Rackwitz HR, Ruiz-Castelan JE, Martinez-Laguna Y, Aguilera J. Interaction between a Novel Oligopeptide Fragment of the Human Neurotrophin Receptor TrkB Ectodomain D5 and the C-Terminal Fragment of Tetanus Neurotoxin. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133988. [PMID: 34208805 PMCID: PMC8272241 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents experimental evidence and computed molecular models of a potential interaction between receptor domain D5 of TrkB with the carboxyl-terminal domain of tetanus neurotoxin (Hc-TeNT). Computational simulations of a novel small cyclic oligopeptide are designed, synthesized, and tested for possible tetanus neurotoxin-D5 interaction. A hot spot of this protein-protein interaction is identified in analogy to the hitherto known crystal structures of the complex between neurotrophin and D5. Hc-TeNT activates the neurotrophin receptors, as well as its downstream signaling pathways, inducing neuroprotection in different stress cellular models. Based on these premises, we propose the Trk receptor family as potential proteic affinity receptors for TeNT. In vitro, Hc-TeNT binds to a synthetic TrkB-derived peptide and acts similar to an agonist ligand for TrkB, resulting in phosphorylation of the receptor. These properties are weakened by the mutagenesis of three residues of the predicted interaction region in Hc-TeNT. It also competes with Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a native binder to human TrkB, for the binding to neural membranes, and for uptake in TrkB-positive vesicles. In addition, both molecules are located together in vivo at neuromuscular junctions and in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Candalija
- Molecular Biology Department, Institut de Neruociènces and Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.A.)
| | - Thomas Scior
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, BUAP, Puebla 72000, Mexico; (J.E.R.-C.); (Y.M.-L.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +52-222-229-5500 (ext. 7529)
| | - Hans-Richard Rackwitz
- Peptide Specialities Laboratory, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Univerisity Campus, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | | | | | - José Aguilera
- Molecular Biology Department, Institut de Neruociènces and Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.A.)
- Center for Biomedical Research Network on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Garrigues L, Do TD, Bideaux C, Guillouet SE, Meynial-Salles I. Insights into Clostridium tetani: From genome to bioreactors. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 54:107781. [PMID: 34029623 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Tetanus vaccination is of major importance for public health in most countries in the world. The World Health Organization indicated that 15,000 tetanus cases were reported in 2018 (Organization, World Health, 2019). Currently, vaccine manufacturers use tetanus toxin produced by Clostridium tetani fermentation in complex media. The complex components, commonly derived from animal sources, introduce potential variability in cultures. To achieve replicable fermentation and to avoid toxic or allergic reactions from animal-source compounds, several studies have tried to switch from complex to chemically defined media without affecting toxin titers. The present review introduces the current knowledge on i) C. tetani strain diversity, whole-genome sequences and metabolic networks; ii) toxin regulation and synthesis; and iii) culture media, cultivation processes and growth requirements. We critically reviewed the reported data on metabolism in C. tetani and completed comparative genomic and proteomic analyses with other Clostridia species. We integrated genomic data based on whole-genome sequence annotation, supplemented with cofactor specificities determined by protein sequence identity, in a new map of C. tetani central metabolism. This is the first data review that integrates insights from omics experiments on C. tetani. The overview of C. tetani physiology described here could provide support for the design of new chemically defined media devoid of complex sources for toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Garrigues
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Thuy Duong Do
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Carine Bideaux
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
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Masters AM, Palmer DG. Confirmation of botulism diagnosis in Australian bird samples by ELISA and RT rtPCR. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:684-694. [PMID: 33955287 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211014486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a sandwich ELISA that detects Clostridium botulinum C and D toxins and reverse-transcription real-time PCRs (RT-rtPCRs) that detect botulinum C and D toxin genes, respectively, to replace the mouse bioassay. The toxin genes were closely associated with the toxin molecules and used as surrogates for the presence of toxin. Samples (638) from 103 clinical cases of birds (302) with suspected botulinum toxicity came from wild birds and poultry (9 cases). Samples tested included blood serum, other body fluids, various tissues, gut contents, maggots, water, and sediment. Botulism was diagnosed in 34 cases (all of which had positive samples in the ELISA, the C toxin gene RT-rtPCR, or both assays). Botulism was suspected in 16 cases (each of which had 1 positive sample either in the ELISA or the C toxin gene RT-rtPCR). In the remaining 53 cases, no samples were positive, but botulism could not be excluded in 32 of these cases, whereas there was no indication of botulism or another diagnosis in 21 cases. The D toxin gene was not detected in any of the clinical samples. No C or D toxin genes were detected in 71 pooled cloacal swabs from 213 healthy migratory birds. The use of an ELISA that detects botulinum C and D toxins in combination with a RT-rtPCR for the botulinum C toxin gene can help confirm the diagnosis of botulism in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Masters
- DPIRD Diagnostics & Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia, South Perth, Australia
| | - Dieter G Palmer
- DPIRD Diagnostics & Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia, South Perth, Australia
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Leka O, Wu Y, Li X, Kammerer RA. Crystal structure of the catalytic domain of botulinum neurotoxin subtype A3. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100684. [PMID: 33891946 PMCID: PMC8135040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most widely used therapeutic proteins; however, only two subtypes within the seven serotypes, BoNT/A1 and BoNT/B1, are currently used for medical and cosmetic applications. Distinct catalytic properties, substrate specificities, and duration of enzymatic activities potentially make other subtypes very attractive candidates to outperform conventional BoNTs in particular therapeutic applications. For example, BoNT/A3 has a significantly shorter duration of action than other BoNT/A subtypes. Notably, BoNT/A3 is the subtype with the least conserved catalytic domain among BoNT/A subtypes. This suggests that the sequence differences, many of which concern the α-exosite, contribute to the observed functional differences in toxin persistence by affecting the binding of the substrate SNAP-25 and/or the stability of the catalytic domain fold. To identify the molecular determinants accounting for the differences in the persistence observed for BoNT/A subtypes, we determined the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of BoNT/A3 (LC/A3). The structure of LC/A3 was found to be very similar to that of LC/A1, suggesting that the overall mode of SNAP-25 binding is common between these two proteins. However, circular dichroism (CD) thermal unfolding experiments demonstrated that LC/A3 is significantly less stable than LC/A1, implying that this might contribute to the reduced toxin persistence of BoNT/A3. These findings could be of interest in developing next-generation therapeutic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oneda Leka
- The Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Yufan Wu
- The Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Xiaodan Li
- The Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Richard A Kammerer
- The Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
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Amezcua M, Cruz RS, Ku A, Moran W, Ortega ME, Salzameda NT. Discovery of Dipeptides as Potent Botulinum Neurotoxin A Light-Chain Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:295-301. [PMID: 33603978 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The botulinum neurotoxin, the caustic agent that causes botulism, is the most lethal toxin known to man. The neurotoxin composed of a heavy chain (HC) and a light chain (LC) enters neurons and cleaves SNARE proteins, leading to flaccid paralysis, which, in severe occurrences, can result in death. A therapeutic target for botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) intoxication is the LC, a zinc metalloprotease that directly cleaves SNARE proteins. Herein we report dipeptides containing an aromatic connected to the N-terminus via a sulfonamide and a hydroxamic acid at the C-terminus as BoNT/A LC inhibitors. On the basis of a structure-activity relationship study, 33 was discovered to inhibit the BoNT/A LC with an IC50 of 21 nM. X-ray crystallography analysis of 30 and 33 revealed that the dipeptides inhibit through a competitive mechanism and identified several key intermolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Amezcua
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
| | - Ricardo S. Cruz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
| | - Alex Ku
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
| | - Wilfred Moran
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
| | - Marcos E. Ortega
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
| | - Nicholas T. Salzameda
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, California 92831, United States
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Livet S, Worbs S, Volland H, Simon S, Dorner MB, Fenaille F, Dorner BG, Becher F. Development and Evaluation of an Immuno-MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Approach for Quantification of the Abrin Toxin in Complex Food Matrices. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13010052. [PMID: 33450857 PMCID: PMC7828309 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxin abrin found in the seeds of Abrus precatorius has attracted much attention regarding criminal and terroristic misuse over the past decade. Progress in analytical methods for a rapid and unambiguous identification of low abrin concentrations in complex matrices is essential. Here, we report on the development and evaluation of a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry approach for the fast, sensitive and robust abrin isolectin identification, differentiation and quantification in complex food matrices. The method combines immunoaffinity-enrichment with specific abrin antibodies, accelerated trypsin digestion and the subsequent MALDI-TOF analysis of abrin peptides using labeled peptides for quantification purposes. Following the optimization of the workflow, common and isoform-specific peptides were detected resulting in a ~38% sequence coverage of abrin when testing ng-amounts of the toxin. The lower limit of detection was established at 40 ng/mL in milk and apple juice. Isotope-labeled versions of abundant peptides with high ionization efficiency were added. The quantitative evaluation demonstrated an assay variability at or below 22% with a linear range up to 800 ng/mL. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry allows for a simple and fast (<5 min) analysis of abrin peptides, without a time-consuming peptide chromatographic separation, thus constituting a relevant alternative to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Livet
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris Saclay, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (S.L.); (H.V.); (S.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (M.B.D.); (B.G.D.)
| | - Hervé Volland
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris Saclay, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (S.L.); (H.V.); (S.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris Saclay, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (S.L.); (H.V.); (S.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Martin B. Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (M.B.D.); (B.G.D.)
| | - François Fenaille
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris Saclay, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (S.L.); (H.V.); (S.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Brigitte G. Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (M.B.D.); (B.G.D.)
| | - François Becher
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris Saclay, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (S.L.); (H.V.); (S.S.); (F.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-69-08-13-15
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Stojanovic M, Lukic I, Marinkovic E, Kovacevic A, Miljkovic R, Tobias J, Schabussova I, Zlatović M, Barisani-Asenbauer T, Wiedermann U, Inic-Kanada A. Cross-Reactive Effects of Vaccines: Heterologous Immunity between Tetanus and Chlamydia. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040719. [PMID: 33271962 PMCID: PMC7712554 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines can have heterologous effects on the immune system, i.e., effects other than triggering an immune response against the disease targeted by the vaccine. We investigated whether monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for tetanus could cross-react with Chlamydia and confer heterologous protection against chlamydial infection. The capability of two tetanus-specific mAbs, namely mAb26 and mAb51, to prevent chlamydial infection has been assessed: (i) in vitro, by performing a neutralization assay using human conjunctival epithelial (HCjE) cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar B, and (ii) in vivo, by using a guinea pig model of Chlamydiacaviae-induced inclusion conjunctivitis. The mAb26 has been superior in comparison with mAb51 in the prevention of chlamydial infection in HCjE cells. The mAb26 has conferred ≈40% inhibition of the infection, compared to less than 5% inhibition in the presence of the mAb51. In vivo, mAb26 significantly diminished ocular pathology intensity in guinea pigs infected with C. caviae compared to either the mAb51-treated or sham-treated guinea pigs. Our data provide insights that tetanus immunization generates antibodies which induce heterologous chlamydial immunity and promote protection beyond the intended target pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijana Stojanovic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Sera–TORLAK, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.S.); (I.L.); (E.M.); (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Ivana Lukic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Sera–TORLAK, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.S.); (I.L.); (E.M.); (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Emilija Marinkovic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Sera–TORLAK, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.S.); (I.L.); (E.M.); (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Ana Kovacevic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Sera–TORLAK, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.S.); (I.L.); (E.M.); (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Radmila Miljkovic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Sera–TORLAK, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.S.); (I.L.); (E.M.); (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Joshua Tobias
- Center for Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.T.); (I.S.); (T.B.-A.); (U.W.)
| | - Irma Schabussova
- Center for Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.T.); (I.S.); (T.B.-A.); (U.W.)
| | - Mario Zlatović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Talin Barisani-Asenbauer
- Center for Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.T.); (I.S.); (T.B.-A.); (U.W.)
| | - Ursula Wiedermann
- Center for Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.T.); (I.S.); (T.B.-A.); (U.W.)
| | - Aleksandra Inic-Kanada
- Center for Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.T.); (I.S.); (T.B.-A.); (U.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40160-33-154
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Jorde I, Hildebrand CB, Kershaw O, Lücke E, Stegemann-Koniszewski S, Schreiber J. Modulation of Allergic Sensitization and Allergic Inflammation by Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin B in an Ovalbumin Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2020; 11:592186. [PMID: 33193436 PMCID: PMC7649385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.592186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The superantigen Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) enterotoxin B (SEB) has been proposed a central player in the associations between S. aureus nasal colonization and the development of allergic asthma. Previously, SEB has been shown to aggravate allergic sensitization and allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in experimental mouse models. Aiming at understanding the underlying immunological mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that intranasal (i.n.) SEB-treatment divergently modulates AAI depending on the timing and intensity of the SEB-encounter. In an ovalbumin-mediated mouse model of AAI, we treated mice i.n. with 50 ng or 500 ng SEB either together with the allergic challenge or prior to the peripheral sensitization. We observed SEB to affect different hallmark parameters of AAI depending on the timing and the dose of treatment. SEB administered i.n. together with the allergic challenge significantly modulated respiratory leukocyte accumulation, intensified lymphocyte activation and, at the higher dose, induced a strong type-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokine response and alleviated airway hyperreactivity in AAI. SEB administered i.n. prior to the allergic sensitization at the lower dose significantly boosted the specific IgE response while administration of the higher dose led to a significantly reduced recruitment of immune cells, including eosinophils, to the respiratory tract and to a significantly dampened Th-2 cytokine response without inducing a Th-1 or pro-inflammatory response. We show a remarkably versatile potential for SEB to either aggravate or alleviate different parameters of allergic sensitization and AAI. Our study thereby not only highlights the complexity of the associations between S. aureus and allergic asthma but possibly even points at prophylactic and therapeutic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Jorde
- Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Magdeburg/Medical Faculty, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I³), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christina B Hildebrand
- Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Magdeburg/Medical Faculty, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I³), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Olivia Kershaw
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Lücke
- Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Magdeburg/Medical Faculty, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I³), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Stegemann-Koniszewski
- Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Magdeburg/Medical Faculty, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I³), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jens Schreiber
- Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Magdeburg/Medical Faculty, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I³), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Abstract
Chemical inactivation is a clinically effective mechanism to detoxify protein toxins to produce vaccines against microbial infections and to serve as a platform for production of conjugate polysaccharide vaccines. This method is widely used for the production of protein toxin vaccines, including tetanus toxoid. However, chemical modification alters the protein structure with unknown effects on antigenicity. Here, a recombinant full-length tetanus toxin (TT) is engineered with 8 mutations (8MTT) that inactivate three toxin functions: catalysis, translocation, and receptor binding. 8MTT is nontoxic and elicits a potent immune response in outbred mice. 8MTT also represents a malleable platform for the production of conjugate vaccines, which can facilitate a rapid vaccine response against emerging microbial pathogens. Chemically inactivated tetanus toxoid (CITT) is clinically effective and widely used. However, CITT is a crude nonmalleable vaccine that contains hundreds of Clostridium tetani proteins, and the active component is present in variable and sometimes minor percentages of vaccine mass. Recombinant production of a genetically inactivated tetanus vaccine offers an opportunity to replace and improve the current tetanus vaccine. Previous studies showed the feasibility of engineering full-length tetanus toxin (TT) in Escherichia coli. In the present study, full-length TT was engineered with eight individual amino acid mutations (8MTT) to inactivate catalysis, translocation, and host receptor-binding functions, retaining 99.4% amino acid identity to native tetanus toxin. 8MTT purified as a 150-kDa single-chain protein, which trypsin nicked to a 100-kDa heavy chain and 50-kDa light chain. The 8MTT was not toxic for outbred mice and was >50 million-fold less toxic than native TT. Relative to CITT, 8MTT vaccination elicited a strong immune response and showed good vaccine potency against TT challenge. The strength of the immune response to both vaccines varied among individual outbred mice. These data support 8MTT as a candidate vaccine against tetanus and a malleable candidate conjugate vaccine platform to enhance the immune response to polysaccharides and other macromolecular molecules to facilitate a rapid response to emerging microbial pathogens.
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Thompson JC, Dao WT, Ku A, Rodriguez-Beltran SL, Amezcua M, Palomino AY, Lien T, Salzameda NT. Synthesis and activity of isoleucine sulfonamide derivatives as novel botulinum neurotoxin serotype A light chain inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115659. [PMID: 32828426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is the most lethal protein known to man causing the deadly disease botulinum. The neurotoxin, composed of a heavy (HC) and light (LC) chain, work in concert to cause muscle paralysis. A therapeutic strategy to treat individuals infected with the neurotoxin is inhibiting the catalytic activity of the BoNT LC. We report the synthesis, inhibition study and computational docking analysis of novel small molecule BoNT/A LC inhibitors. A structure activity relationship study resulted in the discovery of d-isoleucine functionalized with a hydroxamic acid on the C-terminal and a biphenyl with chlorine at C- 2 connected by a sulfonamide linker at the N-terminus. This compound has a measured IC50 of 0.587 µM for the BoNT/A LC. Computational docking analysis indicates the sulfonamide linker adopts a geometry that is advantageous for binding to the BoNT LC active site. In addition, Arg363 is predicted to be involved in key binding interactions with the scaffold in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan C Thompson
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Wendy T Dao
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Alex Ku
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Sandra L Rodriguez-Beltran
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Martin Amezcua
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Alejandra Y Palomino
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Thanh Lien
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA
| | - Nicholas T Salzameda
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA.
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Abstract
How protein toxins translocate their catalytic domain across a cell membrane is the least understood step in toxin action. This study utilized a reporter, β-lactamase, that was genetically fused to full-length, nontoxic tetanus toxin (βlac-TT) in discovery-based live-cell assays to study LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for K768 in LC translocation. K768 was located between α15 and α16 (termed the cis-loop). Cellular assays showed that K768 did not interfere with other toxin functions, including cell binding, intracellular trafficking, and pore formation. The equivalent K768 is conserved among the clostridial neurotoxin family of proteins as a conserved structural motif. The cis-loop appears to contribute to LC translocation. The clostridial neurotoxins (CNTs) comprise tetanus toxin (TT) and botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT [BT]) serotypes (A to G and X) and several recently identified CNT-like proteins, including BT/En and the mosquito BoNT-like toxin Pmp1. CNTs are produced as single proteins cleaved to a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) connected by an interchain disulfide bond. LC is a zinc metalloprotease (cleaving soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors [SNAREs]), while HC contains an N-terminal translocation domain (HCN) and a C-terminal receptor binding domain (HCC). HCN-mediated LC translocation is the least understood function of CNT action. Here, β-lactamase (βlac) was used as a reporter in discovery-based live-cell assays to characterize TT-mediated LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for a charged loop (767DKE769) connecting α15 and α16 (cis-loop) within HCN in LC translocation; aliphatic substitution inhibited LC translocation but not other toxin functions such as cell binding, intracellular trafficking, or HCN-mediated pore formation. K768 was conserved among the CNTs. In molecular simulations of the HCN with a membrane, the cis-loop did not bind with the cell membrane. Taken together, the results of these studies implicate the cis-loop in LC translocation, independently of pore formation. IMPORTANCE How protein toxins translocate their catalytic domain across a cell membrane is the least understood step in toxin action. This study utilized a reporter, β-lactamase, that was genetically fused to full-length, nontoxic tetanus toxin (βlac-TT) in discovery-based live-cell assays to study LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for K768 in LC translocation. K768 was located between α15 and α16 (termed the cis-loop). Cellular assays showed that K768 did not interfere with other toxin functions, including cell binding, intracellular trafficking, and pore formation. The equivalent K768 is conserved among the clostridial neurotoxin family of proteins as a conserved structural motif. The cis-loop appears to contribute to LC translocation.
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Clostridium perfringens Epsilon-Toxin Impairs the Barrier Function in MDCK Cell Monolayers in a Ca 2+-Dependent Manner. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050286. [PMID: 32365779 PMCID: PMC7291203 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epsilon-toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens significantly contributes to the pathogeneses of enterotoxemia in ruminants and multiple sclerosis in humans. Epsilon-toxin forms a heptameric oligomer in the host cell membrane, promoting cell disruption. Here, we investigate the effect of epsilon-toxin on epithelial barrier functions. Epsilon-toxin impairs the barrier integrity of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, as demonstrated by decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), increased paracellular flux marker permeability, and the decreased cellular localization of junctional proteins, such as occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1. U73122, an endogenous phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, inhibited the decrease in TEER and the increase in the permeability of flux marker induced by epsilon-toxin. The application of epsilon-toxin to MDCK cells resulted in the biphasic formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). U73122 blocked the formation of DAG and IP3 induced by the toxin. Epsilon-toxin also specifically activated endogenous PLC-γ1. Epsilon-toxin dose-dependently increased the cytosolic calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). The toxin-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was inhibited by U73122. Cofilin is a key regulator of actin cytoskeleton turnover and tight-junction (TJ) permeability regulation. Epsilon-toxin caused cofilin dephosphorylation. These results demonstrate that epsilon-toxin induces Ca2+ influx through activating the phosphorylation of PLC-γ1 and then causes TJ opening accompanied by cofilin dephosphorylation.
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