Antibacterial properties of the mammalian L-amino acid oxidase IL4I1

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54589. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054589. Epub 2013 Jan 23.

Abstract

L-amino acid oxidases (LAAO) are flavoproteins that catalyze the oxidative deamination of L-amino acids to a keto-acid along with the production of H₂O₂ and ammonia. Interleukin 4 induced gene 1 (IL4I1) is a secreted LAAO expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells stimulated by microbial derived products or interferons, which is endowed with immunoregulatory properties. It is the first LAAO described in mammalian innate immune cells. In this work, we show that this enzyme blocks the in vitro and in vivo growth of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. This antibiotic effect is primarily mediated by H₂O₂ production but is amplified by basification of the medium due to the accumulation of ammonia. The depletion of phenylalanine (the primary amino acid catabolized by IL4I1) may also participate in the in vivo inhibition of staphylococci growth. Thus, IL4I1 plays a distinct role compared to other antibacterial enzymes produced by mononuclear phagocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development*
  • Escherichia coli / immunology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / immunology
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism*
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase / immunology
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Phenylalanine / immunology
  • Phenylalanine / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology

Substances

  • Phenylalanine
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • IL4I1 protein, human
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grant A1L9-SE from Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.