| 1. |
- Avican, Ummehan, et al.
(författare)
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Transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis reveals new functions for the Tat pathway in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - Washington : American Society for Microbiology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 198:20, s. 2876-2886
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system mediates secretion of folded proteins that in bacteria, plants and archaea are identified via an N-terminal signal peptide. Tat systems are associated with virulence in many bacterial pathogens and our previous studies revealed that Tat deficient Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was severely attenuated for virulence. Aiming to identify Tat-dependent pathways and phenotypes of relevance for in vivo infection, we analysed the global transcriptome of parental and ∆tatC mutant strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis during exponential and stationary growth at 26oC and 37oC. The most significant changes in the transcriptome of the ∆tatC mutant were seen at 26oC during stationary phase growth and these included the altered expression of genes related to virulence, stress responses and metabolism. Subsequent phenotypic analysis based on these transcriptome changes revealed several novel Tat-dependent phenotypes including decreased YadA expression, impaired growth under iron-limiting and high copper conditions as well as acidic pH and SDS. Several functionally related Tat substrates were also verified to contribute to these phenotypes. Interestingly, the phenotypic defects observed in the Tat-deficient strain were generally more pronounced than in mutants lacking the Tat substrate predicted to contribute to that specific function. Altogether, this provides new insight into the impact of Tat deficiency on in vivo fitness and survival/replication of Y. pseudotuberculosis during infection.
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| 2. |
- Björnfot, Ann-Catrin, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Autoproteolysis of YscU of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is important for regulation of expression and secretion of Yop proteins
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 191:13, s. 4259-4267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- YscU of Yersinia can be autoproteolysed to generate a 10-kDa C-terminal polypeptide designated YscU(CC). Autoproteolysis occurs at the conserved N downward arrowPTH motif of YscU. The specific in-cis-generated point mutants N263A and P264A were found to be defective in proteolysis. Both mutants expressed and secreted Yop proteins (Yops) in calcium-containing medium (+Ca(2+) conditions) and calcium-depleted medium (-Ca(2+) conditions). The level of Yop and LcrV secretion by the N263A mutant was about 20% that of the wild-type strain, but there was no significant difference in the ratio of the different secreted Yops, including LcrV. The N263A mutant secreted LcrQ regardless of the calcium concentration in the medium, corroborating the observation that Yops were expressed and secreted in Ca(2+)-containing medium by the mutant. YscF, the type III secretion system (T3SS) needle protein, was secreted at elevated levels by the mutant compared to the wild type when bacteria were grown under +Ca(2+) conditions. YscF secretion was induced in the mutant, as well as in the wild type, when the bacteria were incubated under -Ca(2+) conditions, although the mutant secreted smaller amounts of YscF. The N263A mutant was cytotoxic for HeLa cells, demonstrating that the T3SS-mediated delivery of effectors was functional. We suggest that YscU blocks Yop release and that autoproteolysis is required to relieve this block.
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| 3. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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A conserved α-helix essential for a type VI secretion-like system of Francisella tularensis
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 191:8, s. 2431-2446
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Francisella tularensis harbors genes with similarity to genes encoding components of a type VI secretion system (T6SS) recently identified in several gram-negative bacteria. These include iglA and iglB, the homologues of which are conserved in most T6SSs. We used a yeast two-hybrid system to study the interaction of the Igl proteins of F. tularensis LVS. We identified a region of IglA, encompassing residues 33-132, necessary for efficient binding to IglB as well as for IglAB protein stability and intra-macrophage growth. In particular, residues 103-122, overlapping with a highly conserved alpha-helix, played an absolutely essential role. Point mutations within this domain caused modest defects in IglA-IglB binding in yeast, but markedly impaired intra-macrophage replication and phagosomal escape, resulting in severe attenuation of LVS in mice. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity. This interaction may be universal to T6S, since IglAB homologues of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were also shown to interact in yeast and the interaction was dependent on the preservation of the same alpha-helix. Heterologous interactions formed between non-native IglAB proteins further supported the notion of a conserved binding site. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity and the same interaction is conserved in other human pathogens.
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| 4. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E, et al.
(författare)
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Dissection of the Functions of the IglC Protein of Francisella tularensis
- 2010
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Ingår i: The challenge of highly pathogenic microorganisms. - Dordrecht : Springer. - 9789048190539 - 9789048190546 ; , s. 67-75
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Francisella tularensis harbors genes with similarity to genes encoding components of a type VI secretion system (T6SS). These include iglA and iglB, the homologues of which are conserved in T6SSs. They are part of the igl operon, also encompassing the iglC and iglD genes. We have used a yeast two-hybrid system to study the interaction of the Igl proteins of E tularensis LVS. Previously, we identified a region of IglA necessary for efficient binding to IglB as well as for IglAB protein stability and intra-macrophage growth with an essential role for a conserved alpha-helical region. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity and the same interaction is conserved in other human pathogens. Herein, the interaction of IglC with other members of the operon was investigated. It showed no binding to the other members in the yeast two-hybrid assay and we found also that two cysteine residues, C191 and C192, predicted to be putative prenylation sites, played no role for the important contribution of IglC to the intracellular replication of E tularensis although C191 was important for the stability of the protein.
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| 5. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E., et al.
(författare)
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DotU and VgrG, core components of type VI secretion systems, are essential for Francisella LVS pathogenicity
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, a disease which requires bacterial escape from phagosomes of infected macrophages. Once in the cytosol, the bacterium rapidly multiplies, inhibits activation of the inflammasome and ultimately causes death of the host cell. Of importance for these processes is a 33-kb gene cluster, the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), which is believed to encode a type VI secretion system (T6SS). In this study, we analyzed the role of the FPI-encoded proteins VgrG and DotU, which are conserved components of type VI secretion (T6S) clusters. We demonstrate that in F. tularensis LVS, VgrG was shown to form multimers, consistent with its suggested role as a trimeric membrane puncturing device in T6SSs, while the inner membrane protein DotU was shown to stabilize PdpB/IcmF, another T6SS core component. Upon infection of J774 cells, both Delta vgrG and Delta dotU mutants did not escape from phagosomes, and subsequently, did not multiply or cause cytopathogenicity. They also showed impaired activation of the inflammasome and marked attenuation in the mouse model. Moreover, all of the DotU-dependent functions investigated here required the presence of three residues that are essentially conserved among all DotU homologues. Thus, in agreement with a core function in T6S clusters, VgrG and DotU play key roles for modulation of the intracellular host response as well as for the virulence of F. tularensis.
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| 6. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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IglG and IglI of the Francisella pathogenicity island are important virulence determinants of Francisella tularensis LVS
- 2011
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 79:9, s. 3683-3696
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a disease intimately associated with the multiplication of the bacterium within host macrophages. This in turn requires the expression of Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) genes, believed to encode a type VI secretion system. While the exact functions of many of the components have yet to be revealed, some have been found to contribute to the ability of Francisella to cause systemic infection in mice as well as to prevent phagolysosomal fusion and facilitate escape into the host cytosol. Upon reaching this compartment, the bacterium rapidly multiplies, inhibits activation of the inflammasome, and ultimately causes apoptosis of the host cell. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of the FPI-encoded proteins IglG, IglI, and PdpE to the aforementioned processes in F. tularensis LVS. The ΔpdpE mutant behaved similarly to the parental strain in all investigated assays. In contrast, ΔiglG and ΔiglI mutants, although they were efficiently replicating in J774A.1 cells, both exhibited delayed phagosomal escape, conferred a delayed activation of the inflammasome, and exhibited reduced cytopathogenicity as well as marked attenuation in the mouse model. Thus, IglG and IglI play key roles for modulation of the intracellular host response and also for the virulence of F. tularensis.
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| 7. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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The role of the Francisella Tularensis pathogenicity island in type VI secretion, intracellular survival, and modulation of host cell signaling
- 2010
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Ingår i: Frontiers in microbiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-302X. ; 1, s. 136-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent gram-negative intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Essential for its virulence is the ability to multiply within host cells, in particular monocytic cells. The bacterium has developed intricate means to subvert host immune mechanisms and thereby facilitate its intracellular survival by preventing phagolysosomal fusion followed by escape into the cytosol, where it multiplies. Moreover, it targets and manipulates numerous host cell signaling pathways, thereby ameliorating the otherwise bactericidal capacity. Many of the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown but key elements, directly or indirectly responsible for many of the aforementioned mechanisms, rely on the expression of proteins encoded by the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), suggested to constitute a type VI secretion system. We here describe the current knowledge regarding the components of the FPI and the roles that have been ascribed to them.
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| 8. |
- Bröms, Jeanette E., et al.
(författare)
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Unique substrates secreted by the type VI secretion system of Francisella tularensis during intramacrophage infection
- 2012
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gram-negative bacteria have evolved sophisticated secretion machineries specialized for the secretion of macromolecules important for their life cycles. The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is the most widely spread bacterial secretion machinery and is encoded by large, variable gene clusters, often found to be essential for virulence. The latter is true for the atypical T6SS encoded by the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) of the highly pathogenic, intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis. We here undertook a comprehensive analysis of the intramacrophage secretion of the 17 FPI proteins of the live vaccine strain, LVS, of F. tularensis. All were expressed as fusions to the TEM beta-lactamase and cleavage of the fluorescent substrate CCF2-AM, a direct consequence of the delivery of the proteins into the macrophage cytosol, was followed over time. The FPI proteins IglE, IglC, VgrG, IglI, PdpE, PdpA, IglJ and IglF were all secreted, which was dependent on the core components DotU, VgrG, and IglC, as well as IglG. In contrast, the method was not directly applicable on F. novicida U112, since it showed very intense native beta-lactamase secretion due to FTN_1072. Its role was proven by ectopic expression in trans in LVS. We did not observe secretion of any of the LVS substrates VgrG, IglJ, IglF or IglI, when tested in a FTN_1072 deficient strain of F. novicida, whereas IglE, IglC, PdpA and even more so PdpE were all secreted. This suggests that there may be fundamental differences in the T6S mechanism among the Francisella subspecies. The findings further corroborate the unusual nature of the T6SS of F. tularensis since almost all of the identified substrates are unique to the species.
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| 9. |
- Edqvist, Petra, et al.
(författare)
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YscP and YscU Regulate Substrate Specificity of the Yersinia Type III Secretion System
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 185:7, s. 2259-2266
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pathogenic Yersinia species use a type III secretion system to inhibit phagocytosis by eukaryotic cells. At 37 degrees C, the secretion system is assembled, forming a needle-like structure on the bacterial cell surface. Upon eukaryotic cell contact, six effector proteins, called Yops, are translocated into the eukaryotic cell cytosol. Here, we show that a yscP mutant exports an increased amount of the needle component YscF to the bacterial cell surface but is unable to efficiently secrete effector Yops. Mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of the inner membrane protein YscU suppress the yscP phenotype by reducing the level of YscF secretion and increasing the level of Yop secretion. These results suggest that YscP and YscU coordinately regulate the substrate specificity of the Yersinia type III secretion system. Furthermore, we show that YscP and YscU act upstream of the cell contact sensor YopN as well as the inner gatekeeper LcrG in the pathway of substrate export regulation. These results further strengthen the strong evolutionary link between flagellar biosynthesis and type III synthesis.
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| 10. |
- Hedman, Johannes, et al.
(författare)
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Validation guidelines for PCR workflows in bioterrorism preparedness, food safety and forensics
- 2018
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Ingår i: Accreditation and Quality Assurance. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0949-1775 .- 1432-0517. ; 23:3, s. 133-144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the backbone of contemporary DNA/RNA analysis, ideally enabling detection of one or just a few target molecules. However, when analysing food or forensic samples the analytical procedure is often challenged by low amounts of poor quality template molecules and complex matrices. Applying optimised and validated methods in all steps of the analysis workflow, i.e. sampling, sample treatment, DNA/RNA extraction and PCR (including reverse transcription for RNA analysis), is thus necessary to ensure the reliability of analysis. In this paper, we describe how in-house validation can be performed for the different modules of the diagnostic PCR process, providing practical examples as tools for laboratories in their planning of validation studies. The focus is analysis of heterogeneous samples with interfering matrices, with relevance in food testing, forensic DNA analysis, bioterrorism preparedness and veterinary medicine. Our objective is to enable rational in-house validation for reliable and swift quality assurance when results are urgent, for example in the event of a crisis such as a foodborne outbreak or a crime requiring the analysis of a large number of diverse samples. To that end, we explain the performance characteristics associated with method validation from a PCR and biological sample matrix perspective and suggest which characteristics to investigate depending on the type of method to be validated. Also, we include a modular approach to validation within the PCR workflow, aiming at efficient validation and a flexible use of methods.
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| 11. |
- Jansson, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation and modification of lanthanum-based flocculation for isolation of bacteria from water samples
- 2018
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Ingår i: Biotechnology Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 2215-017X. ; 19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Molecular detection of pathogenic microorganisms in drinking and natural water is often challenged by low concentrations of the sought-after agents. Convenient methods to concentrate bacteria from water samples ranging from 1-10 L are highly warranted. Here we account for the evaluation of a lanthanum-based flocculation method to concentrate bacteria from water samples, applying four different bacterial species in tap water as well as river water. Our results show that the success of lanthanum-based flocculation is determined by both the bacterial species and the nature of the water sample. For tap water, satisfying flocculation efficiencies (above 60 %) were only reached for autoclaved water samples. However, the performance of the lanthanum-based flocculation method for non-autoclaved water was markedly improved by the addition of 20 mM bicarbonate to increase alkalinity. Our modified flocculation protocol may be applied as an alternative concentration method for bacteria in water samples of one liter or more.
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| 12. |
- Jansson, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of swab material on microbial surface sampling
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Microbiological Methods. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-7012. ; 176
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Efficient microbial sampling from surfaces for subsequent detection and quantification is crucial in fields such as food safety and hygiene monitoring. Cotton swabs are traditionally used for sample collection, but today there are numerous swabs of alternative material and different sizes available. Recovery efficiencies of swabs for different applications have been compared in several studies. However, the results are often contradictory. We have compared 15 different swabs made of cotton (n = 5), flocked nylon (n = 3) and foam (n = 7), for sampling of Listeria monocytogenes and mengovirus on small (4 cm2) and large (100 cm2) areas of window glass, ridged plastic and absorbing wood. Molecular quantification methods (qPCR and RT-qPCR) were applied, and all sampling and sample processing were standardized. Specific swabs gave higher DNA/RNA yields than others, depending on both the surface characteristics and the collected target. The highest DNA yields were achieved by applying Selefa or Puritan cotton swabs for Listeria sampling on 4 cm2 areas of window glass and ridged plastic. Certain foam swabs (Critical swab with medium head and Macrofoam) gave the highest yields when sampling Listeria on 4 cm2 areas of wood and on 100 cm2 areas of ridged plastic and wood. Most foam swabs, and especially Sigma Virocult, were advantageous for virus sampling, regardless of surface. Nylon-flocked swabs showed poor recovery regardless of surface characteristics. The recovery varied substantially between swabs made of the same material, suggesting that a single swab may not be representative for a certain swab material.
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| 13. |
- Kaden, Rene, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Brucella abortus : determination of survival times and evaluation of methods for detection in several matrices
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2334. ; 18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Brucella abortus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic agent, tempting for the development of a rapid diagnostic method to enable adequate treatment and prevent further spread. Enrichment of the bacteria is often used as a first step in diagnostics to increase the bacterial number above the detection limit of the real-time PCR. The enrichment of Brucella spp. takes at least 3 days, which might be avoidable if sensitive PCR methods can be used. Since many matrices contain PCR inhibitors, the limit of detection (LOD) must be determined for each separate matrix. Another aim of this study was the determination of survival of Brucella abortus in the analyzed matrices. METHODS: The LOD for the detection of B. abortus in 14 matrices, relevant for human medicine, veterinary medicine and food and feed safety, was determined to evaluate the need of a pre-enrichment step prior to real-time PCR. The survival of B. abortus in the spiked matrices was tested by plate count in a 7-day interval for 132 days. RESULTS: The limit of detection for B. abortus in most matrices was in the range of 10(3)-10(4) CFU/g for cultivation and 10(4)-10(5) CFU/g for direct real-time PCR. The survival time of B. abortus was less than 21 days in apple puree and stomach content and 28 days in water while B. abortus remained viable at day 132 in milk, blood, spinach and minced meat. CONCLUSIONS: A direct PCR analysis without enrichment of bacteria saves at least 3 days. However, the limit of detection between direct PCR and plate count differs in a 10 fold range. We conclude that this lower sensitivity is acceptable in most cases especially if quick analysis are required.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Lavander, Moa, et al.
(författare)
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Proteolytic Cleavage of the FlhB Homologue YscU of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Is Essential for Bacterial Survival
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 184:16, s. 4500-4509
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pathogenic Yersinia species employ a type III secretion system (TTSS) to target antihost factors, Yop proteins, into eukaryotic cells. The secretion machinery is constituted of ca. 20 Ysc proteins, nine of which show significant homology to components of the flagellar TTSS. A key event in flagellar assembly is the switch from secreting-assembling hook substrates to filament substrates, a switch regulated by FlhB and FliK. The focus of this study is the FlhB homologue YscU, a bacterial inner membrane protein with a large cytoplasmic C-terminal domain. Our results demonstrate that low levels of YscU were required for functional Yop secretion, whereas higher levels of YscU lowered both Yop secretion and expression. Like FlhB, YscU was cleaved into a 30-kDa N-terminal and a 10-kDa C-terminal part. Expression of the latter in a wild-type strain resulted in elevated Yop secretion. The site of cleavage was at a proline residue, within the strictly conserved amino acid sequence NPTH. A YscU protein with an in-frame deletion of NPTH was cleaved at a different position and was nonfunctional with respect to Yop secretion. Variants of YscU with single substitutions in the conserved NPTH sequence--i.e., N263A, P264A, or T265A--were not cleaved but retained function in Yop secretion. Elevated expression of these YscU variants did, however, result in severe growth inhibition. From this we conclude that YscU cleavage is not a prerequisite for Yop secretion but is rather required to maintain a nontoxic fold.
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| 16. |
- Lavander, Moa, et al.
(författare)
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The Twin Arginine Translocation System is Essential for Virulence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
- 2006
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 74:3, s. 1768-1776
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Yersinia species pathogenic to humans have been extensively characterized with respect to type III secretion and its essential role in virulence. This study concerns the twin arginine translocation (Tat) pathway utilized by gram-negative bacteria to secrete folded proteins across the bacterial inner membrane into the periplasmic compartment. We have shown that the Yersinia Tat system is functional and required for motility and contributes to acid resistance. A Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutant strain with a disrupted Tat system (tatC) was, however, not affected in in vitro growth or more susceptible to high osmolarity, oxidative stress, or high temperature, nor was it impaired in type III secretion. Interestingly, the tatC mutant was severely attenuated via both the oral and intraperitoneal routes in the systemic mouse infection model and highly impaired in colonization of lymphoid organs like Peyer's patches and the spleen. Our work highlights that Tat secretion plays a key role in the virulence of Y. pseudotuberculosis.
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| 17. |
- Lavander, Moa, et al.
(författare)
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Twin arginine translocation in Yersinia
- 2007
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Ingår i: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. - New York, NY : Springer. - 0065-2598 .- 2214-8019. ; 603, s. 258-267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bacteria utilise Twin arginine translocation (Tat) to deliver folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Disruption of Tat typically results in pleiotropic effects on e.g. growth, stress resistance, bacterial membrane biogenesis, motility and cell morphology. Further, Tat is coupled to virulence in a range of pathogenic bacteria, including species of Pseudomonas, Legionella, Agrobacterium and Mycobacterium. We have investigated this, for Yersinia, previously unexplored system, and have shown that the Tat pathway is functional and absolutely required for virulence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. A range of putative Yersinia Tat substrates have been predicted in silico, which together with the Tat system itself may be interesting targets for future development of antimicrobial treatments. Here we present a brief review of bacterial Tat and discuss our results concerning this system in Yersinia.
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| 18. |
- Lavander, Moa
(författare)
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Virulence mechanisms of pathogenic Yersinia : aspects of type III secretion and twin arginine translocation
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The pathogenic bacteria Yersinia pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis are related to the degree where the former is considered a subspecies of the latter, and still they cause disease of little resemblance in humans. Y. pestis is the causative agent of lethal bubonic and pneumonic plague, while Y. pseudotuberculosis manifests itself as mild gastroenteritis. An important virulence determinant for these species is their ability to secrete and inject toxins (Yop effectors) into immune cells of the infected host, in a bacterium-cell contact dependent manner. This ability depends on the extensively studied type III secretion system, a highly complex multicomponent structure resembling a needle. The induction of Yop secretion is a strictly controlled event. The two structural type III secretion components YscU and YscP are here shown to play a crucial role in this process, which is suggested to require an YscP mediated conformational change of the C-terminus of YscU. Proteolytic cleavage of YscU within this domain is further revealed to be a prerequisite for functional Yop secretion. The needle subcomponent itself, YscF, is recognised as a regulatory element that controls the induction of Yop effectors and their polarised delivery into target cells. Potentially, the needle might act as a sensor that transmits the inducing signal (i.e. target cell contact) to activate the type III secretion system. Secondly a, for Yersinia, previously unexplored system, the Twin arginine translocation (Tat) pathway, is shown to be functional and absolutely required for virulence of Y. pseudotuberculosis. A range of putative Yersinia Tat substrates were predicted in silico, which together with the Tat system itself may be interesting targets for future development of antimicrobial treatments.
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| 19. |
- Persson, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Validation of an optimised method for quantitative detection of hepatitis E virus in pork sausage
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonosis that can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products. Several methods for detecting the virus in food have been described, but there are still few robust data on qualitative and quantitative performance characteristics. In this study, we developed an optimised workflow for quantitative detection of HEV in pork sausage based on a combination of previously existing protocols. The protocol uses sample disruption and phase separation with tri-reagent and 1-bromo-3-chloropropane, followed by RNA concentration with isopropanol precipitation. We validated the protocol for use on reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and reverse transcription droplet digital (RT-ddPCR). The 95% limit of detection and limit of quantification was 200 copies/g for both RT-qPCR and RT-ddPCR. The RT-ddPCR technology has previously shown promise as a more precise alternative to RT-qPCR. However, we found no evidence for improved performance using RT-ddPCR instead of RT-qPCR in this method. Furthermore, we also evaluated different combinations of RNA concentration methods and PCR detection strategies. This showed that isopropanol precipitation of viral RNA was more than twice as efficient as magnetic silica bead-based extraction when an inhibitor tolerant RT-PCR detection strategy was used. In conclusion, we present an efficient and well-characterised method for quantitative detection of HEV in pork sausage. Such methods are valuable to provide high quality data for risk assessments and food monitoring.
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| 20. |
- Sun, Kun, et al.
(författare)
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Screening for inhibition of Vibrio cholerae VipA-VipB interaction identifies small-molecule compounds active against type VI secretion
- 2014
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Ingår i: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. - 0066-4804 .- 1098-6596. ; 58:7, s. 4123-4130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is the most prevalent bacterial secretion system and an important virulence mechanism utilized by Gram-negative bacteria, either to target eukaryotic cells or to combat other microbes. The components show much variability, but some appear essential for the function, and two homologues, denoted VipA and VipB in Vibrio cholerae, have been identified in all T6SSs described so far. Secretion is dependent on binding of an alpha-helical region of VipA to VipB, and in the absence of this binding, both components are degraded within minutes and secretion is ceased. The aim of the study was to investigate if this interaction could be blocked, and we hypothesized that such inhibition would lead to abrogation of T6S. A library of 9,600 small-molecule compounds was screened for their ability to block the binding of VipA-VipB in a bacterial two-hybrid system (B2H). After excluding compounds that showed cytotoxicity toward eukaryotic cells, that inhibited growth of Vibrio, or that inhibited an unrelated B2H interaction, 34 compounds were further investigated for effects on the T6SS-dependent secretion of hemolysin-coregulated protein (Hcp) or of phospholipase A(1) activity. Two compounds, KS100 and KS200, showed intermediate or strong effects in both assays. Analogues were obtained, and compounds with potent inhibitory effects in the assays and desirable physicochemical properties as predicted by in silico analysis were identified. Since the compounds specifically target a virulence mechanism without affecting bacterial replication, they have the potential to mitigate the virulence with minimal risk for development of resistance.
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