Interaction between Yersinia pestis Ail Outer Membrane Protein and the C-Terminal Domain of Human Vitronectin

J Phys Chem B. 2024 Apr 25;128(16):3929-3936. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00965. Epub 2024 Apr 15.

Abstract

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is capable of evading the human immune system response by recruiting the plasma circulating vitronectin proteins, which act as a shield and avoid its lysis. Vitronectin recruitment is mediated by its interaction with the bacterial transmembrane protein Ail, protruding from the Y. pestis outer membrane. By using all-atom long-scale molecular dynamic simulations of Ail embedded in a realistic model of the bacterial membrane, we have shown that vitronectin forms a stable complex, mediated by interactions between the disordered moieties of the two proteins. The main amino acids driving the complexation have also been evidenced, thus favoring the possible rational design of specific peptides which, by inhibiting vitronectin recruitment, could act as original antibacterial agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins* / chemistry
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • Virulence Factors / chemistry
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism
  • Vitronectin* / chemistry
  • Vitronectin* / metabolism
  • Yersinia pestis / chemistry
  • Yersinia pestis / metabolism

Substances

  • Vitronectin
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Ail protein, Yersinia pestis
  • Virulence Factors