Spore surface proteins of Brevibacillus laterosporus are involved in insect pathogenesis

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 3:7:43805. doi: 10.1038/srep43805.

Abstract

Outer spore envelope proteins of pathogenic bacteria often present specific virulence factors and tools to evade the defence system of their hosts. Brevibacillus laterosporus, a pathogen of invertebrates and an antimicrobial-producing species, is characterised by a unique spore coat and canoe-shaped parasporal body (SC-CSPB) complex surrounding the core spore. In the present study, we identified and characterised major proteins of the SC-CSPB complex of B. laterosporus, and we investigated their entomopathogenic role. Employing a proteomic approach and a B. laterosporus-house fly study model, we found four highly conserved proteins (ExsC, CHRD, CpbA and CpbB) that function as insect virulence factors. CpbA was associated with a significantly higher mortality of flies and greater relative gene expression levels during sporulation, compared to the other SC-CSPB proteins. Taken together, we suggest that spore surface proteins are a part of a complex set of toxins and virulence factors that B. laterosporus employs in its pathogenicity against flies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
  • Brevibacillus / genetics
  • Brevibacillus / metabolism
  • Brevibacillus / pathogenicity*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Houseflies / microbiology
  • Insecta / microbiology*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proteome / genetics
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Spores, Bacterial / genetics
  • Spores, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteome
  • Virulence Factors