Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to autophagy in human cells relies on multiple interacting parasite loci

IMPORTANCE

Autophagy is a process used by cells to recycle organelles and macromolecules and to eliminate intracellular pathogens. Previous studies have shown that some stains of Toxoplasma gondii are resistant to autophagy-dependent growth restriction, while others are highly susceptible. Although it is known that autophagy-mediated control requires activation by interferon gamma, the basis for why parasite strains differ in their susceptibility is unknown. Our findings indicate that susceptibility involves at least five unlinked parasite genes on different chromosomes, including several secretory proteins targeted to the parasite-containing vacuole and exposed to the host cell cytosol. Our findings reveal that susceptibility to autophagy-mediated growth restriction relies on differential recognition of parasite proteins exposed at the host-pathogen interface, thus identifying a new mechanism for cell-autonomous control of intracellular pathogens.

Autophagy gene-dependent intracellular immunity triggered by interferon-γ

Genes required for the lysosomal degradation pathway of autophagy play key roles in topologically distinct and physiologically important cellular processes. Some functions of ATG genes are independent of their role in degradative autophagy. One of the first described of these ATG gene-dependent, but degradative autophagy independent, processes is the requirement for a subset of ATG genes in interferon-γ (IFNγ)-induced inhibition of norovirus and Toxoplasma gondii replication. Herein, we identified additional genes that are required for, or that negatively regulate, this innate immune effector pathway. Enzymes in the UFMylation pathway negatively regulated IFNγ-induced inhibition of norovirus replication via effects of Ern1. IFNγ-induced inhibition of norovirus replication required Gate-16 (also termed GabarapL2), Wipi2b, Atg9a, Cul3, and Klhl9 but not Becn1 (encoding Beclin 1), Atg14, Uvrag, or Sqstm1. The phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate and ATG16L1-binding domains of WIPI2B, as well as the ATG5-binding domain of ATG16L1, were required for IFNγ-induced inhibition of norovirus replication. Other members of the Cul3, Atg8, and Wipi2 gene families were not required, demonstrating exquisite specificity within these gene families for participation in IFNγ action. The generality of some aspects of this mechanism was demonstrated by a role for GATE-16 and WIPI2 in IFNγ-induced control of Toxoplasma gondii infection in human cells. These studies further delineate the genes and mechanisms of an ATG gene-dependent programmable form of cytokine-induced innate intracellular immunity. IMPORTANCE Interferon-γ (IFNγ) is a critical mediator of cell-intrinsic immunity to intracellular pathogens. Understanding the complex cellular mechanisms supporting robust interferon-γ-induced host defenses could aid in developing new therapeutics to treat infections. Here, we examined the impact of autophagy genes in the interferon-γ-induced host response. We demonstrate that genes within the autophagy pathway including Wipi2, Atg9, and Gate-16, as well as ubiquitin ligase complex genes Cul3 and Klhl9 are required for IFNγ-induced inhibition of murine norovirus (norovirus hereinafter) replication in mouse cells. WIPI2 and GATE-16 were also required for IFNγ-mediated restriction of parasite growth within the Toxoplasma gondii parasitophorous vacuole in human cells. Furthermore, we found that perturbation of UFMylation pathway components led to more robust IFNγ-induced inhibition of norovirus via regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Enhancing or inhibiting these dynamic cellular components could serve as a strategy to control intracellular pathogens and maintain an effective immune response.

Structural insights into the substrate specificity of SP_0149, the substrate-binding protein of a methionine ABC transporter from Streptococcus pneumoniae

Successful pathogenesis is a cumulative effect of the virulence factors of a pathogen and its capability to efficiently utilize the available nutrients from the host. Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, may either reside asymptomatically as a nasopharyngeal commensal inside the human host or cause lethal diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. S. pneumoniae is known to acquire methionine (Met) from its host through a Met importer. Here, the crystal structure of the substrate-binding protein (SBP; SP_0149) of an ABC importer with Met bound is reported at a resolution of 1.95 Å. The three-dimensional structure of SBP shows that it is composed of two distinct domains, each consisting of a mixed β-sheet flanked by helices. The substrate, Met, is bound in the central part of the interface between the two domains. The overall structure of SP_0149 resembles those of SBPs from other reported bacterial Met and Gly-Met dipeptide transporters. However, a detailed analysis of these structures shows notable variations in the amino-acid composition of the substrate-binding pockets of the SP_0149-Met and GmpC-Gly-Met structures. In particular, SP_0149 harbors Thr212 and Tyr114, whereas the corresponding residues in GmpC are Gly and Val. This difference is likely to be the underlying basis for their differential substrate specificity. In summary, the structure of the SP_0149-Met complex provides insights into the transport function of SP_0149 and its interactions with methionine. It opens up avenues for the rational design of inhibitors of SP_0149 through a structure-mediated approach.

Na+ influx via Orai1 inhibits intracellular ATP-induced mTORC2 signaling to disrupt CD4 T cell gene expression and differentiation

T cell effector functions require sustained calcium influx. However, the signaling and phenotypic consequences of non-specific sodium permeation via calcium channels remain unknown. α-SNAP is a crucial component of Orai1 channels, and its depletion disrupts the functional assembly of Orai1 multimers. Here we show that α-SNAP hypomorph, hydrocephalus with hopping gait, Napa^hyh/hyh mice harbor significant defects in CD4 T cell gene expression and Foxp3 regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. Mechanistically, TCR stimulation induced rapid sodium influx in Napa^hyh/hyh CD4 T cells, which reduced intracellular ATP, [ATP]_i. Depletion of [ATP]_i inhibited mTORC2 dependent NFκB activation in Napa^hyh/hyh cells but ablation of Orai1 restored it. Remarkably, TCR stimulation in the presence of monensin phenocopied the defects in Napa^hyh/hyh signaling and Treg differentiation, but not IL-2 expression. Thus, non-specific sodium influx via bonafide calcium channels disrupts unexpected signaling nodes and may provide mechanistic insights into some divergent phenotypes associated with Orai1 function.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25155.001

Cloning, overexpression, purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray studies of SP_0149, the substrate binding protein of an ABC transporter from Streptococcus pneumoniae

A truncated (29 residues from the N-terminus) and N-terminal His-tagged form of SP_0149 from pneumococcal strain ATCC BAA-334 was overexpressed and purified to homogeneity using affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. Diffraction quality crystals were grown at 293 K using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.3 Å resolution from a single-crystal that belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with the unit-cell parameters a=54.56, b=75.61, c=75.52 Å. The calculated values of the Matthews coefficient assuming one molecule (with calculated molecular weight of 30 400 Da) in the crystal asymmetric unit and the corresponding solvent content were 2.56 Å3 Da(-1) and 52.0%, respectively.

Dependence of incoherent system response on object contrast

A relationship between the image contrast and the object contrast for a general periodic or a truncated periodic object is derived. The result is illustrated for a periodic object of rectangular wave profile. It has been shown that for a truncated sine wave object the image contrast bears a nonlinear relationship to the object contrast. The contrast dependence of the measured or the apparent transfer function defined as the ratio of the image contrast to object contrast has been investigated.