The structure of Yersinia pestis Caf1 polymer in free and adjuvant bound states

Vaccine. 2010 Aug 9;28(35):5746-54. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.05.074. Epub 2010 Jun 18.

Abstract

Caf1 of the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis is a polymeric virulence factor and vaccine component, formed from monomers by a donor strand exchange (DSE) mechanism. Here, EM images of Caf1 reveal flexible polymers up to 1.5 microm long (4MDa). The bead-like structures along the polymer are 5.8 + or - 1 nm long and correspond to single Caf1 proteins. Short polymers often form circles, presumably by DSE. We also provide the first images of proteins bound to alhydrogel adjuvant. Caf1, hemocyanin and anthrax PA are all resolved clearly and Caf1 exhibits adjuvant bound stretches with long intervening loops draped from the edges.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / ultrastructure
  • Bacterial Capsules / chemistry
  • Bacterial Capsules / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plague / prevention & control
  • Plague Vaccine / immunology
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Virulence Factors / chemistry*
  • Virulence Factors / immunology
  • Yersinia pestis / chemistry
  • Yersinia pestis / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Plague Vaccine
  • Polymers
  • Virulence Factors
  • caf1 protein, Yersinia pestis