Recent studies have identified Cytolysin-Mediated Translocation (CMT), a novel translocation pathway in the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes that utilizes the pore-forming cytolysin Streptolysin O (SLO) to translocate the S. pyogenes NAD-glycohydrolase (SPN) into the host cell cytosol. However, how SLO functions to translocate SPN and how SPN contributes to pathogenesis are unknown. A central question is how the CMT pathway generates a polarized distribution of the effector molecule where the majority of the SPN exported from the bacterium by the non-specialized general secretory (Sec) pathway is destined for the host cell cytosol, and is not released into the extracellular milieu. Valuable insight has come from our recent studies that have defined a domain in SLO that is essential for effector translocation, but is dispensable for formation of transmembrane pores. We have also shown that interactions between SPN and the soluble SLO monomer are not readily detectable, that CMT has the ability to discriminate between Sec substrates, routing SPN into the host cell cytosol, while directing others into the extracellular spaces, and that production of SPN requires a putative chaperone protein we have named IPS (Immunity Factor for SPN). These studies establish several important points: 1.) that pore formation by itself is not sufficient for CMT; 2.) that CMT is driven by specific protein-protein interactions involving SLO; 3.) that these interactions likely involve multimeric and not monomeric SLO; and 4.) that these interactions are either with SPN itself and/or the components of an export channel. This Project will explore the nature of these interactions and will examine the role of SPN's enzymatic activities in pathogenesis. Understanding these issues will be important for the identification of additional effector proteins and for evaluating whether CMT contributes to the virulence of other Gram-positive pathogens.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI064721-01
Application #
6911148
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IDM-N (02))
Program Officer
Rubin, Fran A
Project Start
2005-02-01
Project End
2010-01-31
Budget Start
2005-02-01
Budget End
2006-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$344,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Chandrasekaran, Sukantha; Caparon, Michael G (2016) The NADase-Negative Variant of the Streptococcus pyogenes Toxin NAD? Glycohydrolase Induces JNK1-Mediated Programmed Cellular Necrosis. MBio 7:e02215-15
Cusumano, Zachary T; Caparon, Michael G (2015) Citrulline protects Streptococcus pyogenes from acid stress using the arginine deiminase pathway and the F1Fo-ATPase. J Bacteriol 197:1288-96
Mozola, Cara C; Caparon, Michael G (2015) Dual modes of membrane binding direct pore formation by Streptolysin O. Mol Microbiol 97:1036-50
Chandrasekaran, Sukantha; Caparon, Michael G (2015) The Streptococcus pyogenes?NAD(+) glycohydrolase modulates epithelial cell PARylation and HMGB1 release. Cell Microbiol 17:1376-90
Port, Gary C; Paluscio, Elyse; Caparon, Michael G (2015) Complete Genome Sequences of emm6 Streptococcus pyogenes JRS4 and Parental Strain D471. Genome Announc 3:
Mozola, Cara C; Magassa, N'Goundo; Caparon, Michael G (2014) A novel cholesterol-insensitive mode of membrane binding promotes cytolysin-mediated translocation by Streptolysin O. Mol Microbiol 94:675-87
Cusumano, Zachary T; Watson Jr, Michael E; Caparon, Michael G (2014) Streptococcus pyogenes arginine and citrulline catabolism promotes infection and modulates innate immunity. Infect Immun 82:233-42
Port, Gary C; Paluscio, Elyse; Caparon, Michael G (2013) Complete Genome Sequence of emm Type 14 Streptococcus pyogenes Strain HSC5. Genome Announc 1:
Chandrasekaran, Sukantha; Ghosh, Joydeep; Port, Gary C et al. (2013) Analysis of polymorphic residues reveals distinct enzymatic and cytotoxic activities of the Streptococcus pyogenes NAD+ glycohydrolase. J Biol Chem 288:20064-75
Smith, Craig L; Ghosh, Joydeep; Elam, Jennifer Stine et al. (2011) Structural basis of Streptococcus pyogenes immunity to its NAD+ glycohydrolase toxin. Structure 19:192-202

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