Serine protease autotransporters from Shigella flexneri and pathogenic Escherichia coli target a broad range of leukocyte glycoproteins

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Aug 2;108(31):12881-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1101006108. Epub 2011 Jul 18.

Abstract

The serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) are secreted by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria through the autotransporter pathway. We previously classified SPATE proteins into two classes: cytotoxic (class 1) and noncytotoxic (class 2). Here, we show that Pic, a class 2 SPATE protein produced by Shigella flexneri 2a, uropathogenic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains, targets a broad range of human leukocyte adhesion proteins. Substrate specificity was restricted to glycoproteins rich in O-linked glycans, including CD43, CD44, CD45, CD93, CD162 (PSGL-1; P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1), and the surface-attached chemokine fractalkine, all implicated in leukocyte trafficking, migration, and inflammation. N-terminal sequencing of proteolytic products revealed Pic (protease involved in colonization) cleavage sites to occur before Thr or Ser residues. The purified carbohydrate sLewis-X implied in inflammation and malignancy inhibited cleavage of PSGL-1 by Pic. Exposure of human leukocytes to purified Pic resulted in polymorphonuclear cell activation, but impaired chemotaxis and transmigration; Pic-treated T cells underwent programmed cell death. We also show that the Pic-related protease Tsh/Hbp, implicated in extraintestinal infections, exhibited a spectrum of substrates similar to those cleaved by Pic. In the guinea pig keratoconjunctivitis model, a Shigella pic mutant induced greater inflammation than its parent strain. We suggest that the class-2 SPATEs represent unique immune-modulating bacterial virulence factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology*
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / microbiology
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Leukocytes / microbiology
  • Leukosialin / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Neutrophil Activation
  • Phylogeny
  • Receptors, Complement / metabolism
  • Serine Proteases / classification
  • Serine Proteases / genetics
  • Serine Proteases / metabolism*
  • Shigella flexneri / enzymology*
  • Shigella flexneri / physiology
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Chemokine CX3CL1
  • Glycoproteins
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Leukosialin
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • P-selectin ligand protein
  • Receptors, Complement
  • complement 1q receptor
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens
  • Pic protein, Shigella flexneri
  • Serine Proteases