The Leptospira interrogans LIC10774 is a multifunctional surface protein that binds calcium and interacts with host components

Author(s)

Passalia, Felipe Jose ^{[1, 2]} ; Carvalho, Eneas ^[3] ; Heinemann, Marcos Bryan ^[4] ; Vieira, Monica Larucci ^[5] ; Nascimento, Ana Lucia T. O. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Desenvolvimento Vacinas, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Programa Posgrad Interunidades Biotecnol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Inst Butantan, Lab Bacteriol, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Lab Zoonoses Bacterianas, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Minas Gerais UFMG, ICB, Dept Microbiol, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH; v. 235, MAY 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a global re-emerging zoonosis, caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Humans are infected mainly through contact with contaminated water or soil. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms of leptospirosis through the characterization of unknown outer membrane proteins may contribute to the development of new treatments, diagnostic methods and vaccines. We have identified using bioinformatics analysis a protein that is encoded by the gene LIC10774, predicted to be localized at the leptospiral outer membrane and exhibit beta-roll folding. Surface exposure was confirmed by flow cytometry, ELISA and immunofluorescence-based confocal microscopy. Through circular dichroism spectroscopy and hydrophobic dye binding we have shown that rLIC10774 binds calcium ions, which imposes changes to secondary and tertiary structures. The recombinant protein was capable of binding to several host extracellular matrix and serum components. Therefore, we describe LIC10774 as a calcium-binding protein exposed in the outer surface of pathogenic leptospires with possible multifunctional roles in adhesion to host tissues, evasion of the immune system and participation in dissemination processes during leptospirosis. In addition, we hypothesize that the calcium binding is important for temperature-dependent functional roles during leptospirosis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/00236-5 - Platelets at the interface of immunity, inflammation and hemostasis modulation in leptospirosis
• Grantee: Mônica Larucci Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50981-0 - Search for surface proteins among the genome sequences of Leptospira interrogans: functional and immunological characterization to understanding mechanisms involved in the bacterial pathogenesis
• Grantee: Ana Lucia Tabet Oller do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/01102-2 - Biochemical and immunological evaluation of hypothetical surface proteins of Leptospira interrogans
• Grantee: Felipe José Passalia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 18/07054-2 - Platelets at the interface of immunity, inflammation and hemostasis modulation in leptospirosis
• Grantee: Mônica Larucci Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers