A conserved set of pilin‐like molecules controls type IV pilus dynamics and organelle‐associated functions in <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>

Winther‐Larsen, Hanne C.; Wolfgang, Matthew C.; Dunham, Stephen; Putten, Jos P. M. van; Dorward, David W.; Løvold, Cecilia; Aas, Finn Erik; Koomey, Michael

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04591.x

Cited by 100 publications

(189 citation statements)

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“…(Carbonnelle et al, 2006;Winther-Larsen et al, 2005;Wolfgang et al, 2000) have re-evaluated the requirement for the various Pil components in Tfp biogenesis. These studies have shown that in the absence of PilT, some of the 'core' components of pilus biogenesis, including PilG and PilQ, are no longer required for Tfp synthesis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida type IV pilus

et al. 2008

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Francisella tularensis causes the disease tularaemia. Type IV pili (Tfp) genes are present in the genomes of all F. tularensis subspecies. We show that the wild-type F. tularensis subsp. novicida expresses pilus fibres on its surface, and mutations in the Tfp genes pilF and pilT disrupt pilus biogenesis. Mutations in other Tfp genes (pilQ and pilG) do not eliminate pilus expression. A mutation in pilE4 eliminates pilus expression, whereas mutations in the other pilin subunits pilE1-3 and pilE5 do not, suggesting that pilE4 is the major pilus structural subunit. The virulence regulator MglA is required for pilus expression, and it regulates the transcription of a putative Tfp glycosylation gene (FTN0431). However, MglA does not regulate transcription of pilF, pilT or pilE4, and a strain lacking FTN0431 still expresses pili; thus, it is unclear how MglA regulates pilus expression. Only pilF was also required for protein secretion, while pilE4 and pilT were not, indicating that there is very little overlap of the protein secretion/Tfp functions of the pil genes. The protein secretion component pilE1 was more important for in vitro intramacrophage growth and mouse virulence than the Tfp component pilE4. Our results provide the first genetic characterization of the novel Tfp system of F. tularensis. INTRODUCTIONFrancisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium that causes tularaemia. F. tularensis is found in many different animal hosts and can be transmitted by arthropod vectors (Ellis et al., 2002). Humans can acquire the bacteria by a number of different routes, but inhalation of low doses of the organism can lead to a serious pneumonic form of disease that has a high mortality rate, and this has led to the classification of this bacterium as a category A biothreat agent (Dennis et al., 2001). F. tularensis is further divided into different subspecies (Oyston et al., 2004). F. tularensis subsp. tularensis has historically been associated with bioweapons development, and is reported to have the highest virulence for humans (McLendon et al., 2006). F. tularensis subsp. holarctica is also infectious in humans but typically with a less severe outcome (Sjostedt, 2003). An attenuated 'live vaccine strain' (LVS) was derived by repeated passage of subsp. holarctica in the laboratory; despite the unclear nature of the attenuating mutation(s) in this strain, it is frequently used as a laboratory model for tularaemia (Anthony & Kongshavn, 1987;Eigelsbach et al., 1951). F. tularensis subsp. novicida has low virulence for humans, but maintains high virulence in mice (Kieffer et al., 2003;Lauriano et al., 2004). Whole-genome sequencing has revealed that all three subspecies are closely related, with the less virulent (for humans) subsp. novicida showing less genomic decay than the more virulent subsp. holarctica and subsp. tularensis (Larsson et al., 2005;Petrosino et al., 2006;Rohmer et al., 2006).The ability of F. tularensis to survive and replicate within macrophages has been linked to its virulence (Anthony et al., 19...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida type IV pilus

et al. 2008

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“…Those data led to a focus on development of anti-P. aeruginosa vaccines containing peptides corresponding to the D region (71,72,75,162,216). Newer information showing that the minor pilins are present in sheared pilus fractions (154,416) and that the orthologous PilC1 or PilC2 (Neisseria and Kingella) and PilY1 (Pseudomonas) proteins are potentially pilus associated and required for adherence to-and manipulation of-the host (174,204,217,288,289,384) suggests that additional studies are needed to unequivocally identify all T4aP adhesins. Given the wide range of surfaces to which T4P bind, there may be multiple players that contribute to adherence under specific circumstances.…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are a number of caveats to this approach. At the moment, only major subunit structures are considered during the modelbuilding process, although it is becoming clear that minor subunits may also be part of the fiber (100,154,416). Pronounced flexibility is an inherent property of T4P, and the interactions between pilin subunits in the straightened segments of fibers used to collect diffraction or cryo-EM data may be different from those that occur in acutely bent segments.…”

Section: Type IV Pilus Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Type IV Pilin Proteins: Versatile Molecular Modules

Giltner

Nguyen

Burrows

2012

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

398

519

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SUMMARYType IV pili (T4P) are multifunctional protein fibers produced on the surfaces of a wide variety of bacteria and archaea. The major subunit of T4P is the type IV pilin, and structurally related proteins are found as components of the type II secretion (T2S) system, where they are called pseudopilins; of DNA uptake/competence systems in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive species; and of flagella, pili, and sugar-binding systems in the archaea. This broad distribution of a single protein family implies both a common evolutionary origin and a highly adaptable functional plan. The type IV pilin is a remarkably versatile architectural module that has been adopted widely for a variety of functions, including motility, attachment to chemically diverse surfaces, electrical conductance, acquisition of DNA, and secretion of a broad range of structurally distinct protein substrates. In this review, we consider recent advances in this research area, from structural revelations to insights into diversity, posttranslational modifications, regulation, and function.

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“…The Tfp filament is composed of helical polymers of pilin subunits (Craig et al, 2006;Parge et al, 1995) and minor proteins (Carbonnelle et al, 2005;Winther-Larsen et al, 2005). Tfp participate in important biological processes such as DNA uptake/genetic exchange, twitching motility, attachment, and host cell signalling (Mattick, 2002;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of type IV pilus retraction on the architecture of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae-infected cell cortex

et al. 2009

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Early in infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae can be observed to attach to the epithelial cell surface as microcolonies and induce dramatic changes to the host cell cortex. We tested the hypothesis that type IV pili (Tfp) retraction plays a role in the ultrastructure of both the host cell cortex and the bacterial microcolony. Using serial ultrathin sectioning, transmission electron microscopy and 3D reconstruction of serial 2D images, we have obtained what we believe to be the first 3D reconstructions of the N. gonorrhoeae-host cell interface, and determined the architecture of infected cell microvilli as well as the attached microcolony. Tfp connect both wild-type (wt) and Tfp retraction-deficient bacteria with each other, and with the host cell membrane. Tfp fibres and microvilli form a lattice in the wt microcolony and at its periphery. Wt microcolonies induce microvilli formation and increases of surface area, leading to an approximately ninefold increase in the surface area of the host cell membrane at the site of attachment. In contrast, Tfp retractiondeficient microcolonies do not affect these parameters. Wt microcolonies had a symmetrical, dome-shaped structure with a circular 'footprint', while Tfp retraction-deficient microcolonies were notably less symmetrical. These findings support a major role for Tfp retraction in microvilli and microcolony architecture. They are consistent with the biophysical attributes of Tfp and the effects of Tfp retraction on epithelial cell signalling. INTRODUCTIONNeisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus, or GC) remains a significant public health concern. The Gram-negative diplococcus causes a million cases of gonorrhoea annually in Western Europe and North America, and over 62 million cases worldwide (World Health Organization). Humans are the only known reservoir for GC. The exquisite tropism of GC for man and the ability of GC to establish a carrier state (Turner et al., 2002) reflect a highly evolved relationship between pathogen and host.Gonococcal attachment is promoted by type IV pili (Tfp), peritrichous fibres that are 6 nm in width and up to several micrometres in length. The Tfp filament is composed of helical polymers of pilin subunits (Craig et al., 2006;Parge et al., 1995) and minor proteins (Carbonnelle et al., 2005;Winther-Larsen et al., 2005). Tfp participate in important biological processes such as DNA uptake/genetic exchange, twitching motility, attachment, and host cell signalling (Mattick, 2002;. These activities require, or are enhanced by, the retraction of Tfp fibres (Wolfgang et al., 2000).Gonococcal Tfp retraction is an activity that requires PilT, the Tfp retraction motor subunit (Wolfgang et al., 1998). Retracting Tfp generate strong 'pull' forces, ranging from 50 picoNewtons (pN) to 1 nanoNewton (nN) (Biais et al., 2008;Opitz et al., 2009). Repeated cycles of Tfp extension, substrate attachment and Tfp retraction allow GC to crawl over surfaces and aggregate into microcolonies. Tfp retraction from bacteria in a microcolony allows the community to craw...

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A conserved set of pilin‐like molecules controls type IV pilus dynamics and organelle‐associated functions in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Cited by 100 publications

References 58 publications

Characterization of the Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida type IV pilus

Characterization of the Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida type IV pilus

Type IV Pilin Proteins: Versatile Molecular Modules

Influence of type IV pilus retraction on the architecture of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae-infected cell cortex

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