Biochemical characterization of the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli LeoA protein

Microbiology (Reading). 2007 Nov;153(Pt 11):3776-3784. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.2007/009084-0.

Abstract

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes enterotoxin-induced diarrhoea and significant mortality. The molecular mechanisms underlying how the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) is secreted during infection are poorly understood. ETEC produce outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) containing LT that are endocytosed into host cells. Although OMV production and protein content may be a regulated component of ETEC pathogenesis, how LT loading into OMVs is regulated is unknown. The LeoA protein plays a role in secreting LT from the bacterial periplasm. To begin to understand the function of LeoA and its role in ETEC H10407 pathogenesis, a site-directed mutant lacking the putative GTP-binding domain was constructed. The ability of wild-type and mutant LeoA to hydrolyse GTP in vitro was quantified. This domain was found to be responsible for GTP binding; it is important to LeoA's function in LT secretion, and may play a modest role in the formation and protein content of OMVs. Deletion of leoA reduced the abundance of OmpX in outer-membrane protein preparations and of LT in OMVs. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that LeoA interacts directly with OmpA, but that the GTP-binding domain is non-essential for this interaction. Deletion of leoA rendered ETEC H10407 non-motile, through apparent periplasmic accumulation of FliC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Enterotoxins / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Periplasm / metabolism
  • Transport Vesicles
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • OMPA outer membrane proteins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • heat-labile enterotoxin, E coli
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases