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Killing of yeast, germ-tube and mycelial forms of Candida albicans by murine effectors as measured by a radiolabel release microassay.

Candida albicans undergoes yeast to mycelial conversion under both in vivo and in vitro conditions but the relative pathogenicity of the two forms of growth is still unknown. By adapting a recently developed 51Cr radiolabel release assay, we have quantified the killing ability of different murine effector cell populations for the hyphal form of C. albicans. Up to 50% of specific 51Cr release from the mycelial form could be detected after incubation for only 1 h, with no requirement for opsonization, provided that appropriate effector: target cell ratios were used. The specific 51Cr release correlated well with viability, as assessed by dye exclusion tests, and with pathogenicity potential in cyclophosphamide-immunodepressed mice. Comparison of the activity of different murine effectors against yeast and hyphal forms showed that hyphal forms were killed by murine effectors to a similar, if not greater, extent than yeast forms. In particular, thioglycollate-induced murine polymorphonuclear neutrophils were able to kill hyphal cells extracellularly and without an opsonic requirement.

Animals↗

Isolation of Ralstonia solanacearum hrpB constitutive mutants and secretion analysis of hrpB-regulated gene products that share homology with known type III effectors and enzymes.

The Hrp type III secretion system (TTSS) is essential for the pathogenicity of the Gram-negative plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. To examine the secretion of type III effector proteins via the Hrp TTSS, a screen was done of mutants constitutively expressing the hrpB gene, which encodes an AraC-type transcriptional activator for the hrp regulon. A mutant was isolated that in an hrp-inducing medium expresses several hrpB-regulated genes 4.9-83-fold higher than the wild-type. R. solanacearum Hrp-secreted outer proteins PopA and PopC were secreted at high levels into the culture supernatants of the hrpB constitutive (hrpB(c)) mutant. Using hrpB(c) mutants, the extracellular secretion of several hrpB-regulated (hpx) gene products that share homology with known type III effectors and enzymes was examined. Hpx23, Hpx24 and Hpx25, which are similar in sequence to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato effector proteins HopPtoA1, HolPtoR and HopPtoD1, are also secreted via the Hrp TTSS in R. solanacearum. The secretion of two hpx gene products that share homology with known enzymes, glyoxalase I (Hpx19) and Nudix hydrolase (Hpx26), was also examined. Hpx19 is accumulated inside the cell, but interestingly, Hpx26 is secreted outside the cell as an Hrp-secreted outer protein, suggesting that Hpx19 functions intracellularly but Hpx26 is a novel effector protein of R. solanacearum.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Interactions between effector proteins of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system do not significantly affect several measures of disease severity in mammals.

The effector proteins of the type III secretion systems of many bacterial pathogens act in a coordinated manner to subvert host cells and facilitate the development and progression of disease. It is unclear whether interactions between the type-III-secreted proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa result in similar effects on the disease process. We have previously characterized the contributions to pathogenesis of the type-III-secreted proteins ExoS, ExoT and ExoU when secreted individually. In this study, we extend our prior work to determine whether these proteins have greater than expected effects on virulence when secreted in combination. In vitro cytotoxicity and anti-internalization activities were not enhanced when effector proteins were secreted in combinations rather than alone. Likewise in a mouse model of pneumonia, bacterial burden in the lungs, dissemination and mortality attributable to ExoS, ExoT and ExoU were not synergistically increased when combinations of these effector proteins were secreted. Because of the absence of an appreciable synergistic increase in virulence when multiple effector proteins were secreted in combination, we conclude that any cooperation between ExoS, ExoT and ExoU does not translate into a synergistically significant enhancement of disease severity as measured by these assays.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

EST mining and functional expression assays identify extracellular effector proteins from the plant pathogen Phytophthora.

Plant pathogenic microbes have the remarkable ability to manipulate biochemical, physiological, and morphological processes in their host plants. These manipulations are achieved through a diverse array of effector molecules that can either promote infection or trigger defense responses. We describe a general functional genomics approach aimed at identifying extracellular effector proteins from plant pathogenic microorganisms by combining data mining of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with virus-based high-throughput functional expression assays in plants. PexFinder, an algorithm for automated identification of extracellular proteins from EST data sets, was developed and applied to 2147 ESTs from the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans. The program identified 261 ESTs (12.2%) corresponding to a set of 142 nonredundant Pex (Phytophthora extracellular protein) cDNAs. Of these, 78 (55%) Pex cDNAs were novel with no significant matches in public databases. Validation of PexFinder was performed using proteomic analysis of secreted protein of P. infestans. To identify which of the Pex cDNAs encode effector proteins that manipulate plant processes, high-throughput functional expression assays in plants were performed on 63 of the identified cDNAs using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector carrying the potato virus X (PVX) genome. This led to the discovery of two novel necrosis-inducing cDNAs, crn1 and crn2, encoding extracellular proteins that belong to a large and complex protein family in Phytophthora. Further characterization of the crn genes indicated that they are both expressed in P. infestans during colonization of the host plant tomato and that crn2 induced defense-response genes in tomato. Our results indicate that combining data mining using PexFinder with PVX-based functional assays can facilitate the discovery of novel pathogen effector proteins. In principle, this strategy can be applied to a variety of eukaryotic plant pathogens, including oomycetes, fungi, and nematodes.

Algal Proteins↗

Cleavage of the Pseudomonas syringae type III effector AvrRpt2 requires a host factor(s) common among eukaryotes and is important for AvrRpt2 localization in the host cell.

Many phytopathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to deliver type III effector proteins into the host plant cell. The Pseudomonas syringae type III effector AvrRpt2 is cleaved at a specific site when translocated into the host cell. In this study, we first demonstrate that the factor(s) required for AvrRpt2 cleavage is present in extracts from animal and yeast cells, as well as plant cells. The cleavage factor in animal and plant cell extracts was heat labile but relatively insensitive to protease inhibitors. Second, mutational analysis of AvrRpt2 was applied to identify features important for its cleavage. In addition to two of the amino acid residues in the immediate vicinity of the cleavage site, a large part of the region C-terminal to the cleavage site was required when AvrRpt2 was cleaved in animal cell extract. Most of these features were also important when AvrRpt2 was cleaved in plant cells. Third, we investigated the effect of cleavage in interactions of AvrRpt2 with plant cells. Cleavage of AvrRpt2 appeared to be important for proper interactions with Arabidopsis cells that lack the resistance gene product corresponding to AvrRpt2, RPS2. In addition, removal of the region N-terminal to the cleavage site was important for the correct localization of the C-terminal effector region of the protein in the host cell. We speculate that the virulence function of AvrRpt2 requires removal of the N-terminal region to redirect the effector protein to a specific subcellular location in the host cell after translocation of the protein.

Animals↗

Crystallization and low-resolution structure of an effector-caspase/P35 complex: similarities and differences to an initiator-caspase/P35 complex.

The aspartate-specific caspases play a pivotal role in the execution of programmed cell death and therefore constitute important targets for the control of apoptosis. Upon ectopic expression, baculovirus P35 inhibits apoptosis in phylogenetically diverse organisms by suppressing the proteolytic activity of the cellular caspases in a cleavage-dependent mechanism. After cleavage by caspase, the P35 fragments remain bound to the target caspase, forming an inhibitory complex that sequesters the caspase from further activity. Crystals of a complex between P35 and Sf-caspase-1, an insect effector-caspase, were grown. A 5.2 A resolution structure of this inhibitory complex was determined by molecular-replacement methods. The structure reveals few regions of interaction between the two proteins, much like that observed in the structure of the recently solved human initiator-caspase/P35 complex. In the effector-caspase/P35 complex structure presented here, the P35 molecule shifts towards a loop that is conserved in effector caspases but absent in initiator caspase. This shift could strengthen interactions between the two proteins and may explain the preference of P35 for inhibiting effector-caspases.

Animals↗

Hapten specific TNP-reactive cytotoxic effector cells using epidermal cells as targets.

Epidermal spongiosis, invasion of mononuclear cells into the epidermis, and epidermal cell destruction are regular findings in allergic contact dermatitis. The mechanism(s) by which these changes occur is not known. We have examined the possibility that some of the pathological changes observed in allergic contact dermatitis could be accounted for by invasion of the epidermis by cytotoxic effector cells which recognize hapten-modified self-antigens and therein cause epidermal cell destruction. C3H and BALB/c mice were sensitized by epicutaneously applied 7% trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). 14 days later spleen cells from these mice were stimulated in vitro to trinitrophenylated- (TNP-conjugated) syngeneic spleen cells and their responses were compared to the in vitro responses of spleen cells from unsensitized mice. After 5 days of culture, effector cell activity was assayed on 51Cr-labeled TNP-conjugated syngeneic epidermal cells and on unconjugated epidermal cells. Cytotoxic activity was detected in the spleens of both mouse strains, but was greater in the C3H than the BALB/c strain. The cytotoxic effector cell activity was hapten specific in that spleen cells from TNCB sensitized mice did not cause lysis of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated epidermal cells and spleen cells from FITC sensitized mice did not cause lysis of TNP-conjugated epidermal cells. No significant cytotoxic activity was detected on unconjugated epidermal cells. These findings suggest that destruction of the epidermis in allergic contact dermatitis may be contributed to by sensitized cytotoxic effector cells.

Animals↗

Signals required for programming effector and memory development by CD8+ T cells.

Stimulation of naïve CD8+ T cells with antigen and costimulation results in proliferation and weak clonal expansion, but the cells fail to develop effector functions and are tolerant long term. Initiation of the program leading to the strong expansion and development of effector functions and memory requires a third signal that can be provided by interleukin-12 (IL-12) or interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). CD4+ T cells condition dendritic cells (DCs) to effectively present antigen to CD8+ T cells, and this conditioning involves, at least in part, CD40-dependent upregulation of the production of these signal 3 cytokines by the DCs. Upon being fully activated, the cytotoxic T lymphocytes develop activation-induced non-responsiveness (AINR), a form of split anergy characterized by an inability to produce IL-2 to support continued expansion. If antigen remains present, IL-2 provided by CD4+ T cells can reverse AINR to allow further expansion of the effector population and conversion to responsive memory cells following antigen clearance. If IL-2 or potentially other proliferative signals are not available, persistent antigen holds cells in the AINR state and prevents the development of a responsive memory population. Thus, in addition to antigen and costimulation, CD8+ T cells require cytokine signals at distinct stages of the response to be programmed for optimal generation of effector and memory populations.

Animals↗

Characterization of effector cells with anti-Candida activity obtained from murine bone marrow cells cultured in the presence of rhG-CSF: comparison between normal and CY-treated mice.

Bone marrow cells (BMC) obtained from normal and cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated mice were cultured in the presence of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and their effector cell activities inhibiting growth of C. albicans were examined. When BMC from CY-treated mice were preincubated with 0.05 ng/ml of rhG-CSF, effector cells with enhanced anti-C. albicans activity were recovered in the adherent cell population, whereas anti-C. albicans activity of BMC from normal mice was found in the non-adherent cell population. During culture without the presence of rhG-CSF, nonadherent BMC, seemingly granulocytes, from normal mice showed apoptotic change, but addition of rhGCSF clearly inhibited this change. On the other hand, when BMC from CY-treated mice were cultured with rhG-CSF, adherent cells as the main effector had the appearance of monocytes. These differences between the effectors with anti-C. albicans activity obtained from normal and CY-treated mice are discussed.

Animals↗

Colony-stimulating factor enhancement of myeloid effector cell cytotoxicity towards neuroectodermal tumour cells.

We conducted experiments to determine the optimal conditions for colony-stimulating factor-enhanced neutrophil- and mononuclear phagocyte-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) using monoclonal antibodies to disialogangliosides expressed on neuroectodermal tumour target cells. Neutrophil ADCC was most effective at effector:target ratios of 100:1, with maximal cytotoxic responses to melanoma target cells generated by 3 h. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were the most potent stimulators of neutrophil ADCC, and enhanced ADCC activity was inhibited in the presence of antibody to Fc receptor type II (FcRII). GM-CSF and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) treatment of freshly isolated monocytes inhibited antibody-independent cytotoxicity but enhanced antibody-dependent responses. After 3 d in culture with CSF, 3-10-fold enhancement of ADCC against melanoma target cells was observed at effector:target cell ratios of 10:1. Greatest stimulation of macrophage ADCC was obtained when GM-CSF, M-CSF or interleukin 3 (IL-3) were used in conjunction with a secondary stimulus. Although gamma interferon (gamma-IFN) did not augment the cytotoxic capability of GM-CSF- and IL-3-stimulated macrophages, prominent cytotoxic enhancement was seen when M-CSF-stimulated macrophages were exposed to gamma-IFN. A chimaeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody was found to be equivalent in activity to the murine antibody in neutrophil ADCC; however, in macrophage ADCC assays with submaximal effector cell stimulation, the chimaeric antibody was associated with a two-fold greater response. These studies indicate that under specific conditions, CSFs capable of increasing the number and functional activity of mature myeloid effector cells enhance antibody-dependent cytotoxicity to neuroectodermal tumour target cells.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗

Intestinal barrier dysfunction by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is mediated by two effector molecules and a bacterial surface protein.

The human intestinal pathogen, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), causes diarrhoeal disease by a mechanism that is dependent on the injection of effector proteins into the host cell. One effector, EspF, is reported to be required for EPEC to disrupt tight junction integrity of intestinal cells and increase the paracellular movement of molecules, which is likely to contribute to diarrhoea. Here, we show that not one but three EPEC-encoded factors play important roles in this process. Thus, the Map (Mitochondria-associated protein) effector is shown to: (i) be as essential as EspF for disrupting intestinal barrier function, (ii) be able to function independently of EspF, (iii) alter tight junction structure and (iv) mediate these effects in the absence of mitochondrial targeting. Additionally, the outer membrane protein Intimin is shown to be crucial for EspF and Map to disrupt the intestinal barrier function. This function of Intimin is completely independent of its interaction with its known receptor Tir, revealing a physiologically relevant requirement for Intimin interaction with alternative receptor(s). This work demonstrates that EPEC uses multiple multifunctional proteins to elicit specific responses in intestinal cells and that EPEC can control the activity of its injected effector molecules from its extracellular location.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Delineation and characterization of the actin nucleation and effector translocation activities of Salmonella SipC.

Salmonella type III secreted SipC possesses dual functions: translocation of effectors and actin modulation. The biological significance of SipC's actin nucleation activity in Salmonella-induced actin cytoskeleton rearrangements has not been studied. We report here the delineation of the actin nucleation activity from the effector translocation activity of SipC. Our data show that the central amino acid region (residues: 201-220) is essential for its actin nucleation activity and the C-terminal amino acid region (321-409) is required for translocation of effectors. A SipC nucleation-deficient mutant, which maintained its effector translocation activity, was obtained. This nucleation-deficient mutant had significantly reduced ability to induce actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, resulting in lower bacterial invasion into HeLa cells. Contrary to a previous report, we found that the purified recombinant wild-type SipC(199-409) protein is monomeric in solution by size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering assays (SEC-LS). Our data established that the actin nucleation activity of SipC plays a vital role in Salmonella-induced membrane ruffles and subsequent bacteria invasion.

Actins↗

Cholesterol binding by the bacterial type III translocon is essential for virulence effector delivery into mammalian cells.

A ubiquitous early step in infection of man and animals by enteric bacterial pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is the translocation of virulence effector proteins into mammalian cells via specialized type III secretion systems (TTSSs). Translocated effectors subvert the host cytoskeleton and stimulate signalling to promote bacterial internalization or survival. Target cell plasma membrane cholesterol is central to pathogen-host cross-talk, but the precise nature of its critical contribution remains unknown. Using in vitro cholesterol-binding assays, we demonstrate that Salmonella (SipB) and Shigella (IpaB) TTSS translocon components bind cholesterol with high affinity. Direct visualization of cell-associated fluorescently labelled SipB and parallel immunogold transmission electron microscopy revealed that cholesterol levels limit both the amount and distribution of plasma membrane-integrated translocon. Correspondingly, cholesterol depletion blocked effector translocation into cultured mammalian cells by not only the related Salmonella and Shigella TTSSs, but also the more divergent EPEC system. The data reveal that cholesterol-dependent association of the bacterial TTSS translocon with the target cell plasma membrane is essential for translocon activation and effector delivery into mammalian cells.

3T3 Cells↗

NopP, a phosphorylated effector of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, is a major determinant of nodulation of the tropical legumes Flemingia congesta and Tephrosia vogelii.

Rhizobium sp. NGR234 nodulates many plants, some of which react to proteins secreted via a type three secretion system (T3SS) in a positive- (Flemingia congesta, Tephrosia vogelii) or negative- (Crotalaria juncea, Pachyrhizus tuberosus) manner. T3SSs are devices that Gram-negative bacteria use to inject effector proteins into the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The only two rhizobial T3SS effector proteins characterized to date are NopL and NopP of NGR234. NopL can be phosphorylated by plant kinases and we show this to be true for NopP as well. Mutation of nopP leads to a dramatic reduction in nodule numbers on F. congesta and T. vogelii. Concomitant mutation of nopL and nopP further diminishes nodulation capacity to levels that, on T. vogelii, are lower than those produced by the T3SS null mutant NGR(Omega)rhcN. We also show that the T3SS of NGR234 secretes at least one additional effector, which remains to be identified. In other words, NGR234 secretes a cocktail of effectors, some of which have positive effects on nodulation of certain plants while others are perceived negatively and block nodulation. NopL and NopP are two components of this mix that extend the ability of NGR234 to nodulate certain legumes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Eukaryotic cyclophilin as a molecular switch for effector activation.

Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas syringae, deliver multiple effector proteins into plant cells during infection. It is hypothesized that certain plant and mammalian effector proteins need to traverse the type III secretion system unfolded and are delivered into host cells as inactive enzymes. We have previously identified cyclophilin as the Arabidopsis eukaryotic activator of AvrRpt2, a P. syringae effector that is a cysteine protease. Cyclophilins are general folding catalysts and possess peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. In this paper, we demonstrate the mechanism of AvrRpt2 activation by the Arabidopsis cyclophilin ROC1. ROC1 mutants lacking PPIase enzymatic activity were unable to activate AvrRpt2. Furthermore, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed a structural change in AvrRpt2 from an unfolded to a folded state in the presence of ROC1. Using in vitro binding assays, ROC1's consensus binding sequence was identified as GPxL, a motif present at four sites within AvrRpt2. The GPxL motifs are located in close proximity to AvrRpt2's catalytic triad and are required for protease activity both in vitro and in planta. These data suggest that after delivery into the plant cell during infection, cyclophilin binds AvrRpt2 at four sites and properly folds the effector protein by peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization by monoclonal antibodies of the cytotoxic effector cells in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells reactive against anchorage-dependent tumour cell lines.

The effector cells for spontaneous cytotoxicity against anchorage-dependent human or mouse tumour cell lines in a 72-h iododeoxyuridine-release assay by normal human peripheral blood cells (PBMNC) or monocyte-enriched fractions were analysed by the use of monoclonal antibodies. PBMNC or adherent or elutriated monocyte-enriched populations of PBMNC were depleted of monoclonal antibody-reactive cells by complement-dependent lysis or separated into monoclonal-antibody-positive or -negative subsets by an indirect rosetting technique followed by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation. The experimental data indicated that in both PBMNC and monocyte-enriched populations, an appreciable proportion of the effector cells with cytolytic activity against adherent human or mouse tumour target cells were positive with B73.1.1 (an antibody with a high degree of selectivity for natural killer (NK) cells), B43.4.1 (or OKM1), and with OKT11a (an antibody recognizing the receptors for sheep erythrocytes), and had the morphology of large granular cells, which have previously been shown to mediate NK activity. These effector cells were mostly negative for BRL.1, BRL.2, B52.1.1, B44.1.1, B13.4.1 and DR antigens, unlike classical monocytes. Some cells which are cytotoxic for the adherent mouse, SV-40-transformed kidney tumour line, TU-5, may bear B52.1.1 or other monocyte-like antigens. Taken together, these results indicate that, in monocyte-enriched populations, both NK cells and monocytes have cytotoxic effector activity against various human and mouse adherent target cell lines.

Animals↗

The C-terminal half of Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector AVR3a is sufficient to trigger R3a-mediated hypersensitivity and suppress INF1-induced cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana.

The RXLR cytoplasmic effector AVR3a of Phytophthora infestans confers avirulence on potato plants carrying the R3a gene. Two alleles of Avr3a encode secreted proteins that differ in only three amino acid residues, two of which are in the mature protein. Avirulent isolates carry the Avr3a allele, which encodes AVR3aKI (containing amino acids C19, K80 and I103), whereas virulent isolates express only the virulence allele avr3a, encoding AVR3aEM (S19, E80 and M103). Only the AVR3aKI protein is recognized inside the plant cytoplasm where it triggers R3a-mediated hypersensitivity. Similar to other oomycete avirulence proteins, AVR3aKI carries a signal peptide followed by a conserved motif centered on the consensus RXLR sequence that is functionally similar to a host cell-targeting signal of malaria parasites. The interaction between Avr3a and R3a can be reconstructed by their transient co-expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. We exploited the N. benthamiana experimental system to further characterize the Avr3a-R3a interaction. R3a activation by AVR3aKI is dependent on the ubiquitin ligase-associated protein SGT1 and heat-shock protein HSP90. The AVR3aKI and AVR3aEM proteins are equally stable in planta, suggesting that the difference in R3a-mediated death cannot be attributed to AVR3aEM protein instability. AVR3aKI is able to suppress cell death induced by the elicitin INF1 of P. infestans, suggesting a possible virulence function for this protein. Structure-function experiments indicated that the 75-amino acid C-terminal half of AVR3aKI, which excludes the RXLR region, is sufficient for avirulence and suppression functions, consistent with the view that the N-terminal region of AVR3aKI and other RXLR effectors is involved in secretion and targeting but is not required for effector activity. We also found that both polymorphic amino acids, K80 and I103, of mature AVR3a contribute to the effector functions.

Algal Proteins↗

A mathematical model for the influence of anionic effectors on the phosphofructokinase from rat erythrocytes.

The influence of the positive effectors AMP, sulphate, glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and the negative effector 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate on rat erythrocyte phosphofructokinase has been investigated. The kinetic data have been fitted to the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model as well as to a model based on a closed association-dissociation equilibrium. The application of the fitting procedure yeilds for both models a good corresponding between theoretical and experimental data and equal results with respect to the action of the effectors on the enzyme. The corresponding dissociation constants for the binding of the positive effectors to the active state are: AMP 35 micronM, sulphate 0.43 mM and glucose 1,6-bisphosphate 15 micronM. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate as in inhibitor stabilizes the inactive state (dissociation constant: 1.4 mM). A preliminary discrimination between the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model and the association-dissociation model has been attempted.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗