1
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Beriotto I, Icke C, Sevastsyanovich YR, Rossiter AE, Romagnoli G, Savino S, Hodges FJ, Cole JA, Saul A, MacLennan CA, Cunningham AF, Micoli F, Henderson IR. Efficient Autotransporter-Mediated Extracellular Secretion of a Heterologous Recombinant Protein by Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0359422. [PMID: 37036352 PMCID: PMC10269718 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03594-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The autotransporter protein secretion system has been used previously to target the secretion of heterologous proteins to the bacterial cell surface and the extracellular milieu at the laboratory scale. The platform is of particular interest for the production of "difficult" recombinant proteins that might cause toxic effects when produced intracellularly. One such protein is IrmA. IrmA is a vaccine candidate that is produced in inclusion bodies requiring refolding. Here, we describe the use and scale-up of the autotransporter system for the secretion of an industrially relevant protein (IrmA). A plasmid expressing IrmA was constructed such that the autotransporter platform could secrete IrmA into the culture supernatant fraction. The autotransporter platform was suitable for the production and purification of IrmA with comparable physical properties to the protein produced in the cytoplasm. The production of IrmA was translated to scale-up protein production conditions resulting in a yield of 29.3 mg/L of IrmA from the culture supernatant, which is consistent with yields of current industrial processes. IMPORTANCE Recombinant protein production is an essential component of the biotechnology sector. Here, we show that the autotransporter platform is a viable method for the recombinant production, secretion, and purification of a "difficult" to produce protein on an industrially relevant scale. Use of the autotransporter platform could reduce the number of downstream processing operations required, thus accelerating the development time and reducing costs for recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Beriotto
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Christopher Icke
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Amanda E. Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Silvana Savino
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Freya J. Hodges
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeffrey A. Cole
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Calman A. MacLennan
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health Srl, Siena, Italy
- Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F. Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian R. Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Bryant JA, Morris FC, Knowles TJ, Maderbocus R, Heinz E, Boelter G, Alodaini D, Colyer A, Wotherspoon PJ, Staunton KA, Jeeves M, Browning DF, Sevastsyanovich YR, Wells TJ, Rossiter AE, Bavro VN, Sridhar P, Ward DG, Chong ZS, Goodall EC, Icke C, Teo AC, Chng SS, Roper DI, Lithgow T, Cunningham AF, Banzhaf M, Overduin M, Henderson IR. Structure of dual BON-domain protein DolP identifies phospholipid binding as a new mechanism for protein localisation. eLife 2020; 9:62614. [PMID: 33315009 PMCID: PMC7806268 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative outer-membrane envelops the bacterium and functions as a permeability barrier against antibiotics, detergents, and environmental stresses. Some virulence factors serve to maintain the integrity of the outer membrane, including DolP (formerly YraP) a protein of unresolved structure and function. Here, we reveal DolP is a lipoprotein functionally conserved amongst Gram-negative bacteria and that loss of DolP increases membrane fluidity. We present the NMR solution structure for Escherichia coli DolP, which is composed of two BON domains that form an interconnected opposing pair. The C-terminal BON domain binds anionic phospholipids through an extensive membrane:protein interface. This interaction is essential for DolP function and is required for sub-cellular localisation of the protein to the cell division site, providing evidence of subcellular localisation of these phospholipids within the outer membrane. The structure of DolP provides a new target for developing therapies that disrupt the integrity of the bacterial cell envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Alfred Bryant
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Faye C Morris
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Knowles
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Riyaz Maderbocus
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Heinz
- Infection & Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gabriela Boelter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Dema Alodaini
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Colyer
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Wotherspoon
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Kara A Staunton
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Jeeves
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas F Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | | | - Timothy J Wells
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Vassiliy N Bavro
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Pooja Sridhar
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas G Ward
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Zhi-Soon Chong
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Emily Ca Goodall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Christopher Icke
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Alvin Ck Teo
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Shu-Sin Chng
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - David I Roper
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Infection & Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Institute of Inflammation and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Banzhaf
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.,Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Browning DF, Bavro VN, Mason JL, Sevastsyanovich YR, Rossiter AE, Jeeves M, Wells TJ, Knowles TJ, Cunningham AF, Donald JW, Palmer T, Overduin M, Henderson IR. Cross-species chimeras reveal BamA POTRA and β-barrel domains must be fine-tuned for efficient OMP insertion. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:646-59. [PMID: 25943387 PMCID: PMC4950039 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BAM is a conserved molecular machine, the central component of which is BamA. Orthologues of BamA are found in all Gram-negative bacteria, chloroplasts and mitochondria where it is required for the folding and insertion of β-barrel containing integral outer membrane proteins (OMPs) into the outer membrane. BamA binds unfolded β-barrel precursors via the five polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains at its N-terminus. The C-terminus of BamA folds into a β-barrel domain, which tethers BamA to the outer membrane and is involved in OMP insertion. BamA orthologues are found in all Gram-negative bacteria and appear to function in a species-specific manner. Here we investigate the nature of this species-specificity by examining whether chimeric Escherichia coli BamA fusion proteins, carrying either the β-barrel or POTRA domains from various BamA orthologues, can functionally replace E. coli BamA. We demonstrate that the β-barrel domains of many BamA orthologues are functionally interchangeable. We show that defects in the orthologous POTRA domains can be rescued by compensatory mutations within the β-barrel. These data reveal that the POTRA and barrel domains must be precisely aligned to ensure efficient OMP insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Vassiliy N Bavro
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jessica L Mason
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Amanda E Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mark Jeeves
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Timothy J Wells
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Timothy J Knowles
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - James W Donald
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Tracy Palmer
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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4
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Wells TJ, Whitters D, Sevastsyanovich YR, Heath JN, Pravin J, Goodall M, Browning DF, O'Shea MK, Cranston A, De Soyza A, Cunningham AF, MacLennan CA, Henderson IR, Stockley RA. Increased severity of respiratory infections associated with elevated anti-LPS IgG2 which inhibits serum bactericidal killing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 211:1893-904. [PMID: 25113975 PMCID: PMC4144740 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20132444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An antibody directed against the O-antigen of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS can block complement-mediated bacterial killing and contributes to the severity of respiratory infection. Although specific antibody induced by pathogens or vaccines is a key component of protection against infectious threats, some viruses, such as dengue, induce antibody that enhances the development of infection. In contrast, antibody-dependent enhancement of bacterial infection is largely unrecognized. Here, we demonstrate that in a significant portion of patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection, antibody can protect the bacterium from complement-mediated killing. Strains that resist antibody-induced, complement-mediated killing produce lipopolysaccharide containing O-antigen. The inhibition of antibody-mediated killing is caused by excess production of O-antigen–specific IgG2 antibodies. Depletion of IgG2 to O-antigen restores the ability of sera to kill strains with long-chain O-antigen. Patients with impaired serum-mediated killing of P. aeruginosa by IgG2 have poorer respiratory function than infected patients who do not produce inhibitory antibody. We suggest that excessive binding of IgG2 to O-antigen shields the bacterium from other antibodies that can induce complement-mediated killing of bacteria. As there is significant sharing of O-antigen structure between different Gram-negative bacteria, this IgG2-mediated impairment of killing may operate in other Gram-negative infections. These findings have marked implications for our understanding of protection generated by natural infection and for the design of vaccines, which should avoid inducing such blocking antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Wells
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Deborah Whitters
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Lung Investigation Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, England, UK
| | - Yanina R Sevastsyanovich
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Jennifer N Heath
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - John Pravin
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Margaret Goodall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Douglas F Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Matthew K O'Shea
- The University of Oxford, The Jenner Institute, Oxford OX3 7DQ, England, UK
| | - Amy Cranston
- Sir William Leech Centre for Respiratory Research Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust, Newcastle NE7 7DN, England, UK
| | - Anthony De Soyza
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University and Adult Bronchiectasis service Freeman Hospital, Newcastle NE7 7DN, England, UK
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Calman A MacLennan
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Immunity and Infection, School Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Robert A Stockley
- Lung Investigation Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, England, UK
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5
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Browning DF, Matthews SA, Rossiter AE, Sevastsyanovich YR, Jeeves M, Mason JL, Wells TJ, Wardius CA, Knowles TJ, Cunningham AF, Bavro VN, Overduin M, Henderson IR. Mutational and topological analysis of the Escherichia coli BamA protein. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84512. [PMID: 24376817 PMCID: PMC3871556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The multi-protein β-barrel assembly machine (BAM) of Escherichia coli is responsible for the folding and insertion of β-barrel containing integral outer membrane proteins (OMPs) into the bacterial outer membrane. An essential component of this complex is the BamA protein, which binds unfolded β-barrel precursors via the five polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains in its N-terminus. The C-terminus of BamA contains a β-barrel domain, which tethers BamA to the outer membrane and is also thought to be involved in OMP insertion. Here we mutagenize BamA using linker scanning mutagenesis and demonstrate that all five POTRA domains are essential for BamA protein function in our experimental system. Furthermore, we generate a homology based model of the BamA β-barrel and test our model using insertion mutagenesis, deletion analysis and immunofluorescence to identify β-strands, periplasmic turns and extracellular loops. We show that the surface-exposed loops of the BamA β-barrel are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F. Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DFB); (IRH)
| | - Sophie A. Matthews
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E. Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yanina R. Sevastsyanovich
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Jeeves
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica L. Mason
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Wells
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine A. Wardius
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Knowles
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F. Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vassiliy N. Bavro
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R. Henderson
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DFB); (IRH)
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6
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Browning DF, Wells TJ, França FLS, Morris FC, Sevastsyanovich YR, Bryant JA, Johnson MD, Lund PA, Cunningham AF, Hobman JL, May RC, Webber MA, Henderson IR. Laboratory adapted Escherichia coli K-12 becomes a pathogen of Caenorhabditis elegans upon restoration of O antigen biosynthesis. Mol Microbiol 2013; 87:939-50. [PMID: 23350972 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli has been the leading model organism for many decades. It is a fundamental player in modern biology, facilitating the molecular biology revolution of the last century. The acceptance of E. coli as model organism is predicated primarily on the study of one E. coli lineage; E. coli K-12. However, the antecedents of today's laboratory strains have undergone extensive mutagenesis to create genetically tractable offspring but which resulted in loss of several genetic traits such as O antigen expression. Here we have repaired the wbbL locus, restoring the ability of E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 to express the O antigen. We demonstrate that O antigen production results in drastic alterations of many phenotypes and the density of the O antigen is critical for the observed phenotypes. Importantly, O antigen production enables laboratory strains of E. coli to enter the gut of the Caenorhabditis elegans worm and to kill C. elegans at rates similar to pathogenic bacterial species. We demonstrate C. elegans killing is a feature of other commensal E. coli. We show killing is associated with bacterial resistance to mechanical shear and persistence in the C. elegans gut. These results suggest C. elegans is not an effective model of human-pathogenic E. coli infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F Browning
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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7
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Sevastsyanovich YR, Leyton DL, Wells TJ, Wardius CA, Tveen-Jensen K, Morris FC, Knowles TJ, Cunningham AF, Cole JA, Henderson IR. A generalised module for the selective extracellular accumulation of recombinant proteins. Microb Cell Fact 2012; 11:69. [PMID: 22640772 PMCID: PMC3419692 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is widely believed that laboratory strains of Escherichia coli, including those used for industrial production of proteins, do not secrete proteins to the extracellular milieu. Results Here, we report the development of a generalised module, based on an E. coli autotransporter secretion system, for the production of extracellular recombinant proteins. We demonstrate that a wide variety of structurally diverse proteins can be secreted as soluble proteins when linked to the autotransporter module. Yields were comparable to those achieved with other bacterial secretion systems. Conclusions The advantage of this module is that it relies on a relatively simple and easily manipulated secretion system, exhibits no apparent limitation to the size of the secreted protein and can deliver proteins to the extracellular environment at levels of purity and yields sufficient for many biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina R Sevastsyanovich
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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8
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Leyton DL, Sevastsyanovich YR, Browning DF, Rossiter AE, Wells TJ, Fitzpatrick RE, Overduin M, Cunningham AF, Henderson IR. Size and conformation limits to secretion of disulfide-bonded loops in autotransporter proteins. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:42283-42291. [PMID: 22006918 PMCID: PMC3234927 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.306118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporters are a superfamily of virulence factors typified by a channel-forming C terminus that facilitates translocation of the functional N-terminal passenger domain across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This final step in the secretion of autotransporters requires a translocation-competent conformation for the passenger domain that differs markedly from the structure of the fully folded secreted protein. The nature of the translocation-competent conformation remains controversial, in particular whether the passenger domain can adopt secondary structural motifs, such as disulfide-bonded segments, while maintaining a secretion-competent state. Here, we used the endogenous and closely spaced cysteine residues of the plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli to investigate the effect of disulfide bond-induced folding on translocation of an autotransporter passenger domain. We reveal that rigid structural elements within disulfide-bonded segments are resistant to autotransporter-mediated secretion. We define the size limit of disulfide-bonded segments tolerated by the autotransporter system demonstrating that, when present, cysteine pairs are intrinsically closely spaced to prevent congestion of the translocator pore by large disulfide-bonded regions. These latter data strongly support the hairpin mode of autotransporter biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisse L Leyton
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Douglas F Browning
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E Rossiter
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Wells
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca E Fitzpatrick
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Overduin
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Henderson
- School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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9
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Leyton DL, De Luna MDG, Sevastsyanovich YR, Tveen Jensen K, Browning DF, Scott-Tucker A, Henderson IR. The unusual extended signal peptide region is not required for secretion and function of an Escherichia coli autotransporter. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2010; 311:133-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02081.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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10
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Sevastsyanovich YR, Krasowiak R, Bingle LEH, Haines AS, Sokolov SL, Kosheleva IA, Leuchuk AA, Titok MA, Smalla K, Thomas CM. Diversity of IncP-9 plasmids of Pseudomonas. Microbiology (Reading) 2008; 154:2929-2941. [PMID: 18832300 PMCID: PMC2885752 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2008/017939-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2008] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
IncP-9 plasmids are important vehicles for degradation and resistance genes that contribute to the adaptability of Pseudomonas species in a variety of natural habitats. The three completely sequenced IncP-9 plasmids, pWW0, pDTG1 and NAH7, show extensive homology in replication, partitioning and transfer loci (an approximately 25 kb region) and to a lesser extent in the remaining backbone segments. We used PCR, DNA sequencing, hybridization and phylogenetic analyses to investigate the genetic diversity of 30 IncP-9 plasmids as well as the possibility of recombination between plasmids belonging to this family. Phylogenetic analysis of rep and oriV sequences revealed nine plasmid subgroups with 7-35 % divergence between them. Only one phenotypic character was normally associated with each subgroup, except for the IncP-9beta cluster, which included naphthalene- and toluene-degradation plasmids. The PCR and hybridization analysis using pWW0- and pDTG1-specific primers and probes targeting selected backbone loci showed that members of different IncP-9 subgroups have considerable similarity in their overall organization, supporting the existence of a conserved ancestral IncP-9 sequence. The results suggested that some IncP-9 plasmids are the product of recombination between plasmids of different IncP-9 subgroups but demonstrated clearly that insertion of degradative transposons has occurred on multiple occasions, indicating that association of this phenotype with these plasmids is not simply the result of divergent evolution from a single successful ancestral degradative plasmid.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Krasowiak
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lewis E. H. Bingle
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Anthony S. Haines
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sergey L. Sokolov
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino 142290, Russia
| | - Irina A. Kosheleva
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino 142290, Russia
| | - Anastassia A. Leuchuk
- Genetics Department, Biology Faculty, Belarus State University, 6 Kurchatova St, Minsk 220064, Belarus
| | - Marina A. Titok
- Genetics Department, Biology Faculty, Belarus State University, 6 Kurchatova St, Minsk 220064, Belarus
| | - Kornelia Smalla
- Julius Kühn Institute – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI), Messeweg 11/12, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
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11
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Sevastsyanovich YR, Titok MA, Krasowiak R, Bingle LEH, Thomas CM. Ability of IncP-9 plasmid pM3 to replicate in Escherichia coli is dependent on both rep and par functions. Mol Microbiol 2005; 57:819-33. [PMID: 16045624 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04732.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
IncP-9 plasmids are common in Pseudomonas species and can be transferred to other Gram-negative eubacteria but tend not to be stably maintained outside their natural host genus. A 1.3 kb ori V-rep fragment from IncP-9 plasmid pM3 was sufficient for autonomous replication in Pseudomonas putida but not in Escherichia coli. Replication of ori V-rep in E. coli was restored when additional rep was provided in trans, suggesting that the replication defect resulted from insufficient rep expression from its natural promoter. A promoter deficiency in E. coli was confirmed by reporter gene assays, transcriptional start point mapping and mutation of the promoter recognition elements. Dissection of the pM3 mini-replicon, pMT2, showed that this replication deficiency in E. coli is suppressed by additional determinants from its par operon: ParB, which can be supplied in trans, and its target, the par operon promoter, required in cis to ori V-rep. We propose that ParB binding to its target either changes plasmid DNA and thus promoter conformation or by spreading or looping contacts RNAP at the rep promoter so that rep expression is sufficient to activate ori V.
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