Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III-secreted toxin ExoT inhibits host-cell division by targeting cytokinesis at multiple steps

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Oct 17;103(42):15605-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0605949103. Epub 2006 Oct 9.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that requires preexisiting epithelial injury to cause acute infections. We report that P. aeruginosa inhibits mammalian cytokinesis in a type III secretion system and exotoxin T (ExoT)-dependent manner. ExoT is a bifunctional type III secretion system effector protein that contains an N-terminal GTPase-activating protein domain and a C-terminal ADP-ribosyl transferase domain. Each of its domains inhibits cytokinesis in a kinetically, morphologically, and mechanistically distinct manner. The GTPase-activating protein-mediated inhibition of cytokinesis occurs early, likely as a consequence of its inhibitory effect on RhoA. The ADP-ribosyl transferase domain inhibits late steps of cytokinesis by blocking syntaxin-2 localization to the midbody, an event essential for completion of cytokinesis. These findings provide an example of a bacterial pathogen targeting cytokinesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokinesis / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • Syntaxin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • ExoT protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Syntaxin 1
  • ADP Ribose Transferases