Differential phosphoproteome profiling reveals a functional role for VASP in Helicobacter pylori-induced cytoskeleton turnover in gastric epithelial cells

Cell Microbiol. 2008 Nov;10(11):2285-96. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2008.01207.x. Epub 2008 Jul 14.

Abstract

Infection with Helicobacter pylori induces various gastric diseases, including ulceration, gastritis and neoplasia. As H. pylori-induced cellular mechanisms leading to these disease states are widely unclear, we analysed the phosphoproteome of H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Phosphoproteins from infected cells were enriched using affinity columns and analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Eleven novel phosphoproteins that showed differentially regulated phosphorylation levels during H. pylori infection were identified. Interestingly, the identified proteins were actin-binding, transport and folding, RNA/DNA-binding or cancer-associated proteins. We analysed functions of one identified H. pylori-regulated candidate, the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). H. pylori induced VASP phosphorylation at residues Ser157, Ser239 and Thr278, which was enhanced by the bacterial oncogene cytotoxin-associated gene A. Overexpression of a phosphorylation-resistant VASP mutant efficiently blocked host cell elongation. We identified cGMP-dependent protein kinase G-mediated Ser239 and Thr278 phosphorylation of VASP as a crucial event in H. pylori-dependent host cell elongation. These results suggest that phosphorylated VASP could be a novel target candidate for therapeutic intervention in H. pylori-related gastric diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Gastric Mucosa / cytology*
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / microbiology
  • Helicobacter Infections / metabolism*
  • Helicobacter pylori / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori
  • vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases