Legionella pneumophila Effector LpdA Is a Palmitoylated Phospholipase D Virulence Factor

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterial pathogen that thrives in alveolar macrophages, causing a severe pneumonia. The virulence of L. pneumophila depends on its Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS), which delivers more than 300 effector proteins into the host, where they rewire cellular signaling to establish a replication-permissive niche, the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). Biogenesis of the LCV requires substantial redirection of vesicle trafficking and remodeling of intracellular membranes. In order to achieve this, several T4SS effectors target regulators of membrane trafficking, while others resemble lipases. Here, we characterized LpdA, a phospholipase D effector, which was previously proposed to modulate the lipid composition of the LCV. We found that ectopically expressed LpdA was targeted to the plasma membrane and Rab4- and Rab14-containing vesicles. Subcellular targeting of LpdA required a C-terminal motif, which is posttranslationally modified by S-palmitoylation. Substrate specificity assays showed that LpdA hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol, -inositol-3- and -4-phosphate, and phosphatidylglycerol to phosphatidic acid (PA) in vitro. In HeLa cells, LpdA generated PA at vesicles and the plasma membrane. Imaging of different phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) and organelle markers revealed that while LpdA did not impact on membrane association of various PIP probes, it triggered fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Importantly, although LpdA is translocated inefficiently into cultured cells, an L. pneumophila ΔlpdA mutant displayed reduced replication in murine lungs, suggesting that it is a virulence factor contributing to L. pneumophila infection in vivo.     

Dot/Icm Effector Translocation by Legionella longbeachae Creates a Replicative Vacuole Similar to That of Legionella pneumophila despite Translocation of Distinct Effector Repertoires

Legionella organisms are environmental bacteria and accidental human pathogens that can cause severe pneumonia, termed Legionnaires'' disease. These bacteria replicate within a pathogen-derived vacuole termed the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). Our understanding of the development and dynamics of this vacuole is based on extensive analysis of Legionella pneumophila. Here, we have characterized the Legionella longbeachae replicative vacuole (longbeachae-LCV) and demonstrated that, despite important genomic differences, key features of the replicative LCV are comparable to those of the LCV of L. pneumophila (pneumophila-LCV). We constructed a Dot/Icm-deficient strain by deleting dotB and demonstrated the inability of this mutant to replicate inside THP-1 cells. L. longbeachae does not enter THP-1 cells as efficiently as L. pneumophila, and this is reflected in the observation that translocation of BlaM-RalF_LLO (where RalF_LLO is the L. longbeachae homologue of RalF) into THP-1 cells by the L. longbeachae Dot/Icm system is less efficient than that by L. pneumophila. This difference is negated in A549 cells where L. longbeachae and L. pneumophila infect with similar entry dynamics. A β-lactamase assay was employed to demonstrate the translocation of a novel family of proteins, the Rab-like effector (Rle) proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that these proteins enter the host cell during infection and display distinct subcellular localizations, with RleA and RleC present on the longbeachae-LCV. We observed that the host Rab GTPase, Rab1, and the v-SNARE Sec22b are also recruited to the longbeachae-LCV during the early stages of infection, coinciding with the LCV avoiding endocytic maturation. These studies further our understanding of the L. longbeachae replicative vacuole, highlighting phenotypic similarities to the vacuole of L. pneumophila as well as unique aspects of LCV biology.     

The Legionella pneumophila Siderophore Legiobactin Is a Polycarboxylate That Is Identical in Structure to Rhizoferrin

Legionella pneumophila, the agent of Legionnaires'' disease, secretes a siderophore (legiobactin) that promotes bacterial infection of the lung. In past work, we determined that cytoplasmic LbtA (from Legiobactin gene A) promotes synthesis of legiobactin, inner membrane LbtB aids in export of the siderophore, and outer membrane LbtU and inner membrane LbtC help mediate ferrilegiobactin uptake and assimilation. However, the past studies examined legiobactin contained within bacterial culture supernatants. By utilizing high-pressure liquid chromatography that incorporates hydrophilic interaction-based chemistry, we have now purified legiobactin from supernatants of virulent strain 130b that is suitable for detailed chemical analysis. High-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) revealed that the molecular mass of (protonated) legiobactin is 437.140 Da. On the basis of the results obtained from both MS analysis and various forms of nuclear magnetic resonance, we found that legiobactin is composed of two citric acid residues linked by a putrescine bridge and thus is identical in structure to rhizoferrin, a polycarboxylate-type siderophore made by many fungi and several unrelated bacteria. Both purified legiobactin and rhizoferrin obtained from the fungus Cunninghamella elegans were able to promote Fe³⁺ uptake by wild-type L. pneumophila as well as enhance growth of iron-starved bacteria. These results did not occur with 130b mutants lacking lbtU or lbtC, indicating that both endogenously made legiobactin and exogenously derived rhizoferrin are assimilated by L. pneumophila in an LbtU- and LbtC-dependent manner.     

Legionella pneumophila NudA Is a Nudix hydrolase and virulence factor

We studied the identity and function of the 528-bp gene immediately upstream of Legionella pneumophila F2310 ptsP (enzyme I(Ntr)). This gene, nudA, encoded for a Nudix hydrolase based on the inferred protein sequence. NudA had hydrolytic activity typical of other Nudix hydrolases, such as Escherichia coli YgdP, in that Ap(n)A's, in particular diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap(5)A), were the preferred substrates. NudA hydrolyzed Ap(5)A to ATP plus ADP. Both ptsP and nudA were cotranscribed. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis showed no PtsP-NudA interactions. Gene nudA was present in 19 of 20 different L. pneumophila strains tested and in 5 of 10 different Legionella spp. other than L. pneumophila. An in-frame nudA mutation was made in L. pneumophila F2310 to determine the phenotype. The nudA mutant was an auxotroph that grew slowly in liquid and on solid media and had a smaller colony size than its parent. In addition, the mutant was more salt resistant than its parent and grew very poorly at 25 degrees C; all of these characteristics, as well as auxotrophy and slow-growth rate, were reversed by transcomplementation with nudA. The nudA mutant was outcompeted by about fourfold by the parent in competition studies in macrophages; transcomplementation almost completely restored this defect. Competition studies in guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia showed that the nudA mutant was outcompeted by its parent in both lung and spleen. NudA is of major importance for resisting stress in L. pneumophila and is a virulence factor.     

The Dot/Icm Effector SdhA Is Necessary for Virulence of Legionella pneumophila in Galleria mellonella and A/J Mice

Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular bacterium that resides within amoebae and macrophages in a specialized compartment termed the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). As well as providing an intracellular niche for replication, the LCV helps to prevent the release of bacterial components into the cytoplasm. Recognition of these components as danger signals by the host activates immune responses leading to clearance of the bacterium. Here, we examined the role of two important virulence factors of L. pneumophila, the potent danger signal flagellin and the translocated Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system effector SdhA, which is crucial to maintain LCV integrity, in the Galleria mellonella infection model. We demonstrate that flagellin expression does not contribute to virulence, replication, or induction of clearance mechanisms. Conversely, SdhA expression is important for virulence. We found that in the absence of SdhA, the LCV in hemocytes showed signs of instability and leakage. Furthermore, in contrast to wild-type L. pneumophila, a ΔsdhA mutant caused a transient depletion of hemocytes and reduced mortality. Analysis of the ΔsdhA mutant in the A/J mouse model also showed a significant replication defect. Together, our data underline the crucial importance of SdhA in infection across different model organisms.     

Clinical Application of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Legionella Species,Legionella pneumophila,and Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1

We developed a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR assay capable of simultaneously detecting and discriminating Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, and Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in primary specimens. Evaluation of 21 clinical specimens and 115 clinical isolates demonstrated this assay to be a rapid, high-throughput diagnostic test with 100% specificity that may aid during legionellosis outbreaks and epidemiologic investigations.     

Compost facilities as a reservoir of Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species

Data on the presence of Legionellae outside the aquatic environment are scarce. Alternative ecosystems that could act as a reservoir for Legionella spp. have been investigated to identify unconventional contaminated substrates that are able to produce bioaerosols. We considered eight green waste collection sites including three composting facilities. Legionella pneumophila sg 1–15, Legionella bozemanii, Legionella cincinnatiensis, Legionella jamestowniensis, Legionella micdadei and L. oakridgensis were isolated from samples taken at six of the eight sites. The degree of contamination ranged from 10³ to 10⁸ CFU/g. Compost facilities appear to comprise an important reservoir for Legionellae.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 and 6

To better define the surface antigens of Legionella pneumophila for clinical and experimental purposes, we have produced monoclonal antibodies to L. pneumophila serogroups 1 and 6. Two hybridomas were produced in serogroup 1. One antibody, LP-I-17, recognized a serogroup-common antigen. The second antibody, LP-I-81, was specific for serogroup 1. This antibody was able to agglutinate bacterial cells belonging to the serogroup 1 reference strains. Philadelphia and Knoxville. Microagglutination assays of environmental and clinical isolates revealed a subgroup of serogroup 1 environmental isolates which were not agglutinated by LP-I-81. This subset of isolates was segregated to certain buildings in the medical complex. Immunodiffusion studies showed identity between the LP-I-81 antigen and the serogroup-specific antigen of serogroup 1 organisms. This antigen could be absorbed out of the serogroup 1 organism extract with LP-I-81-coated Staphylococcus aureus, leaving the serogroup-common antigens. Three hybridomas were produced to serogroup 6. All three produced antibodies which were serogroup 6 specific and agglutinated serogroup 6 bacteria.     

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Is a Novel Coactivator of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cytotoxin ExoU

ExoU is a potent phospholipase A₂ effector protein secreted by the type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By cleaving plasma membrane phospholipids, it causes rapid lysis of eukaryotic cells. However, ExoU does not exhibit activity on its own but instead requires eukaryotic cell cofactors for activation. Ubiquitin and ubiquitinated proteins have been shown to activate ExoU, but previous work suggested that other cofactors are also involved. In this study, we demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] is another important coactivator of ExoU. PI(4,5)P2 works synergistically with ubiquitin to greatly enhance the phospholipase A₂ activity of ExoU. Distinct residues of ExoU were critical for activation by PI(4,5)P2 and by ubiquitin, indicating that these factors activate ExoU by discrete mechanisms. In support of the biological relevance of PI(4,5)P2 coactivation, a yeast mutant with reduced PI(4,5)P2 levels was less susceptible to the cytotoxic activity of ExoU. Together, these findings further elaborate the molecular mechanism of ExoU.     

Comparative Evaluation of the Novel bioNexia Legionella Test with the BinaxNOW Legionella Card Assay and the Sofia Legionella FIA Assay for Detection of Legionella pneumophila (Serogroup 1) Antigen in Urine Samples

A new immunochromatographic test (bioNexia Legionella; bioMérieux) for the detection of Legionella pneumophila urinary antigen was evaluated in 255 urine samples. The results were compared with those obtained by the BinaxNOW and Sofia Legionella tests. The novel test compared well with those currently in use.     

Protein profiles of Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 grown in macrophages and characterization of a gene encoding a novel 24 kDa Legionella protein

Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 strain was grown in cultured macrophages of guinea pigs, hamsters, and A/J mice and the bacteria were purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation without any detergent. Patterns of the bacterial proteins were compared by SDS-PAGE with those of organisms cultured in vitro. A 24 kDa protein was a major protein of intracellularly grown bacteria: its expression was about four times as much as a 24 kDa protein of agar-grown bacteria. At least three novel proteins (100, 65, and 16 kDa) that were not found on agar-grown bacteria were also observed. In this paper, we focused on the 24 kDa major Legionella protein expressed within macrophages. Western blot and N-terminal amino acid analysis revealed that this protein is a novel protein different from Legionella proteins previously reported, including a 24 kDa macrophage infectivity potentiator protein (Mip). On the basis of amino acid sequence (MQRIKKI and IANAQGK), two kinds of oligonucleotides were synthesized and radiolabeled. Using these oligonucleotides as DNA probes, a 7.2 kb EcoRI-digested DNA fragment encoding the 24 kDa protein was cloned into λZAP II phage vector in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue. A 0.9 kb DNA fragment from the 7.2 kb fragment was further subcloned into pUC118 in E. coli CSR603 for maxicell analysis or XL1-Blue for DNA sequencing. Maxicells which carry recombinant plasmids consisting of the 0.9 kb DNA fragment and vector plasmid pUC118 expressed the 24 kDa protein. When the DNA fragment encoding the protein was sequenced, an open reading frame of 555 base pairs was identified. The inferred polypeptide had a molecular weight of 20 kDa and an estimated isoelectric point of 8.14. Both the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence were distinct from those of bacterial proteins reported previously, suggesting that the protein is a novel Legionella protein.     

icmT Is Essential for Pore Formation-Mediated Egress of Legionella pneumophila from Mammalian and Protozoan Cells

The final step of the intracellular life cycle of Legionella pneumophila and other intracellular pathogens is their egress from the host cell after termination of intracellular replication. We have previously isolated five spontaneous mutants of L. pneumophila that replicate intracellularly similar to the wild-type strain but are defective in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells, and the mutants have been designated rib (release of intracellular bacteria). Here, we show that the rib mutants are not defective in the activity of enzymes secreted through the type II secretion system, including phospholipase A, lysophospholipase A, and monoacylglycerol lipase, although they are potential candidates for factors that lyse host cell membranes. In addition, the pilD and lspG mutants, which are defective in the type II secretion system, are not defective in the pore-forming toxin. We show that all five rib mutants have an identical point mutation (deletion) following a stretch of poly(T) in the icmT gene. Spontaneous revertants of the rib mutants, due to an insertion of a nucleotide following the poly(T) stretch in icmT, have been isolated and shown to have regained the wild-type phenotype. We constructed an icmT insertion mutant (AA100kmT) in the chromosome of the wild-type strain by allelic exchange. The AA100kmT mutant was as defective as the rib mutant in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. Both the rib mutant and the AA100kmT mutant were complemented by the icmT gene for their phenotypic defect. rtxA, a gene that is thought to have a minor role in pore formation, was not involved in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. We conclude that the icmT gene is essential for pore formation-mediated lysis of mammalian and protozoan cells and the subsequent bacterial egress.     

Plasmid profiles of clinical and environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1

Clinical and environmental Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates from a single water source in Columbus, Ohio, exhibited five different plasmid profiles. The multiplicity of plasmid profiles observed within a single geographic area and a skewed distribution of isolates bearing these plasmid profiles within this area suggest that plasmid analyses will be useful in the study of the epidemiology of Legionnaires disease and the environmental distribution of legionellae.     

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Enolase Is a Surface Protein That Binds Plasminogen and Mediates Interaction of Yeast Forms with Host Cells

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is a disseminated, systemic disorder that involves the lungs and other organs. The ability of the pathogen to interact with host components, including extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, is essential to further colonization, invasion, and growth. Previously, enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) was characterized as a fibronectin binding protein in P. brasiliensis. Interaction of surface-bound enolase with plasminogen has been incriminated in tissue invasion for pathogenesis in several pathogens. In this paper, enolase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein (recombinant P. brasiliensis enolase [rPbEno]). The P. brasiliensis native enolase (PbEno) was detected at the fungus surface and cytoplasm by immunofluorescence with an anti-rPbEno antibody. Immobilized purified rPbEno bound plasminogen in a specific, concentration-dependent fashion. Both native enolase and rPbEno activated conversion of plasminogen to plasmin through tissue plasminogen activator. The association between PbEno and plasminogen was lysine dependent. In competition experiments, purified rPbEno, in its soluble form, inhibited plasminogen binding to fixed P. brasiliensis, suggesting that this interaction required surface-localized PbEno. Plasminogen-coated P. brasiliensis yeast cells were capable of degrading purified fibronectin, providing in vitro evidence for the generation of active plasmin on the fungus surface. Exposure of epithelial cells and phagocytes to enolase was associated with an increased expression of surface sites of adhesion. In fact, the association of P. brasiliensis with epithelial cells and phagocytes was increased in the presence of rPbEno. The expression of PbEno was upregulated in yeast cells derived from mouse-infected tissues. These data indicate that surface-associated PbEno may contribute to the pathogenesis of P. brasiliensis.Microbial adhesion to host tissues is the initial event of most infectious process (39). Interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins has been correlated with the invasive abilities of different organisms (28, 40). ECM underlines epithelial and endothelial cells and surrounds connective tissues, and its major components are the collagens, laminin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans (52). After adherence, the next step must be to overcome the barriers imposed by epithelial tissues and ECM. The proteolytic activity achieved by subversion of host proteases by pathogens, such as plasmin, has been shown to be important during the process of many types of infections (47, 51).Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a human systemic mycosis that constitutes a major health problem in South America (44). Clinical manifestations of PCM are related to chronic granulomatous reactions with involvement of the lungs and the reticuloendothelial system, as well as mucocutaneous areas and other organs (22). In the soil, the fungus grows as saprobic mycelium, resulting in the formation of infectious propagules. After penetrating the host, the fungus differentiates into its yeast form, a fundamental step for the successful establishment of the disease (46).Although P. brasiliensis is not traditionally considered a typical intracellular pathogen, independent studies have demonstrated that P. brasiliensis yeast cells have the capacity to adhere and invade host cells (4, 24, 31). P. brasiliensis may actively penetrate the mucocutaneous surface and parasitize epithelial cells, thus evading the host defenses and reaching deeper tissues.Fungal ECM-binding adhesins have been characterized in different models, including P. brasiliensis. Vicentini et al. (49) showed specific binding of the protein gp43 to laminin, which is correlated to the adhesiveness of the fungus in vitro as well as to an enhancement of pathogenic potential. We have been systematically searching for new adhesion proteins in P. brasiliensis that have the potential to play roles in the fungal virulence, and proteins such as P. brasiliensis malate synthase (PbMLS) (34), PbDfg5p (defective for filamentous growth protein) (10), triosephosphate isomerase (PbTPI) (41), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (PbGAPDH) (4) were found to associate with ECM components. In particular, enolase from P. brasiliensis (PbEno) is a fibronectin-binding protein, as characterized by affinity ligand assays (17).The importance of plasminogen in infectious diseases is supported by the fact that many pathogens manifest the ability to bind plaminogen (47, 13). Plasminogen is a single-chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 92 kDa. Its protein structure comprises an N-terminal preactivation peptide, five consecutive disulfide-bonded triple-loop kringle domains, and a serine-protease domain containing the catalytic triad (48). The kringle domains of plasminogen mediate its attachment to cells surfaces by binding proteins with accessible carboxyl-terminal or internal lysine residues. The plasminogen system displays a unique role in the host defense by dissolving fibrin clots and serving as an essential component to maintain homeostasis (43). Activation of the fibrinolytic system is dependent on the conversion of plasminogen to the serine-protease plasmin by the physiological activators urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) (9). Plasmin is involved in fibrinolysis homeostasis and degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. The mammalian plasminogen-plasmin proteolytic system plays a crucial role in extracellular matrix degradation which is exploited by invasive pathogens, including fungi (25, 47). Microbe-derived plasminogen conversion to plasmin may promote dissemination of the pathogen within the host (1).Among several proteins, enolase has been found to play a major role in microbial recruitment of plasminogen (32). By serving as a key surface receptor for plasminogen recruitment, enolase has been shown to function as mediator of microbial virulence (6, 15). The potential of P. brasiliensis to recruit human plasminogen for invasion and virulence has not been studied until now. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that P. brasiliensis is capable of recruiting plasminogen and activating the plasminogen fribrinolytic system in a process, at least in part, mediated by the cell wall-localized enolase. Furthermore, recombinant PbEno (rPbEno) promoted an increase in the adhesion/invasion of P. brasiliensis in in vitro models of infection, a process that seems to be associated with the enolase ability of modifying the surface of host cells. These data suggest that PbEno may play a role in mediating the P. brasiliensis recruitment of plasminogen as well as in attachment and internalization of the fungus to host tissues, potentially playing a role in the establishment of PCM.     

Immunological and biochemical relationships among flagella isolated from Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 2, and 3.

Flagella were isolated from virulent Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 2, and 3. Antiserum made against purified serogroups 1 flagellin agglutinated live, flagellated serogroups 1, 2, and 3 but not heat-killed or nonflagellated bacteria. A single line of identity was seen in immunodiffusion slides between the flagella isolated from the three serogroups and antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroups 1, 2, and 3. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining showed that antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroup 1 organisms reacted with flagella on serogroup 1, 2, and 3 bacteria. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining was also showed that antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroup 1 L. pneumophila did not react with the serogroup-specific cell surface antigen, thus demonstrating that the flagella- and the serogroup-specific antigen are separate antigens. The amino acid content of the flagella from the three serogroups was essentially the same, with aspartate, glutamate, alanine, and threonine comprising 41% of the total. Thirty-five percent of the amino acids were hydrophobic, and there were not detectable amounts of cysteine, tryptophan, or tyrosine.