Nadeem Aftab, Berg Alexandra, Pace Hudson, Alam Athar, Toh Eric, Ådén Jörgen, Zlatkov Nikola, Myint Si Lhyam, Persson Karina, Gröbner Gerhard, Sjöstedt Anders, Bally Marta, Barandun Jonas, Uhlin Bernt Eric, Wai Sun Nyunt
Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Elife. 2022 Feb 8;11:e73439. doi: 10.7554/eLife.73439.
The α-pore-forming toxins (α-PFTs) from pathogenic bacteria damage host cell membranes by pore formation. We demonstrate a remarkable, hitherto unknown mechanism by an α-PFT protein from . As part of the MakA/B/E tripartite toxin, MakA is involved in membrane pore formation similar to other α-PFTs. In contrast, MakA in isolation induces tube-like structures in acidic endosomal compartments of epithelial cells in vitro. The present study unravels the dynamics of tubular growth, which occurs in a pH-, lipid-, and concentration-dependent manner. Within acidified organelle lumens or when incubated with cells in acidic media, MakA forms oligomers and remodels membranes into high-curvature tubes leading to loss of membrane integrity. A 3.7 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of MakA filaments reveals a unique protein-lipid superstructure. MakA forms a pinecone-like spiral with a central cavity and a thin annular lipid bilayer embedded between the MakA transmembrane helices in its active α-PFT conformation. Our study provides insights into a novel tubulation mechanism of an α-PFT protein and a new mode of action by a secreted bacterial toxin.
来自致病细菌的α-孔形成毒素(α-PFTs)通过形成孔道来损伤宿主细胞膜。我们展示了一种来自[具体来源未给出]的α-PFT蛋白的显著的、迄今未知的机制。作为MakA/B/E三方毒素的一部分,MakA与其他α-PFTs类似,参与膜孔的形成。相比之下,单独的MakA在体外能在上皮细胞的酸性内体区室中诱导形成管状结构。本研究揭示了管状结构生长的动力学过程,其以pH值、脂质和浓度依赖的方式发生。在酸化的细胞器腔室内或与处于酸性培养基中的细胞一起孵育时,MakA形成寡聚体,并将膜重塑为高曲率的管子,导致膜完整性丧失。MakA细丝的3.7 Å冷冻电子显微镜结构揭示了一种独特的蛋白质-脂质超结构。MakA形成一种具有中心腔的松果状螺旋结构,并且在其活性α-PFT构象中,在MakA跨膜螺旋之间嵌入了一层薄的环形脂质双层。我们的研究为α-PFT蛋白的一种新型成管机制以及分泌型细菌毒素的一种新作用模式提供了见解。