Ankyrin-mediated self-protection during cell invasion by the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

Nat Commun. 2015 Dec 2:6:8884. doi: 10.1038/ncomms9884.

Abstract

Predatory Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus are natural antimicrobial organisms, killing other bacteria by whole-cell invasion. Self-protection against prey-metabolizing enzymes is important for the evolution of predation. Initial prey entry involves the predator's peptidoglycan DD-endopeptidases, which decrosslink cell walls and prevent wasteful entry by a second predator. Here we identify and characterize a self-protection protein from B. bacteriovorus, Bd3460, which displays an ankyrin-based fold common to intracellular pathogens of eukaryotes. Co-crystal structures reveal Bd3460 complexation of dual targets, binding a conserved epitope of each of the Bd3459 and Bd0816 endopeptidases. Complexation inhibits endopeptidase activity and cell wall decrosslinking in vitro. Self-protection is vital - ΔBd3460 Bdellovibrio deleteriously decrosslink self-peptidoglycan upon invasion, adopt a round morphology, and lose predatory capacity and cellular integrity. Our analysis provides the first mechanistic examination of self-protection in Bdellovibrio, documents protection-multiplicity for products of two different genomic loci, and reveals an important evolutionary adaptation to an invasive predatory bacterial lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ankyrins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bdellovibrio / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Escherichia coli* / genetics
  • Escherichia coli* / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Ankyrins
  • Bacterial Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/5CEA
  • PDB/5CEB
  • PDB/5CEC
  • PDB/5CED
  • PDB/5CER