Cholesterol oxidase from Bordetella species promotes irreversible cell apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma by cholesterol oxidation.

Cholesterol oxidase (COD), an enzyme catalyzing the oxidation of cholesterol, has been applied to track the distribution of membrane cholesterol. Little investigations about the effect of COD on tumor cells have been performed. In the present study, we provided evidence that COD from Bordetella species (COD-B), induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. COD-B treatment inhibited Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in dose- and time-dependent manner, which was not reversed and was even aggravated by cholesterol addition. Further investigation indicated that COD-B treatment promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and that cholesterol addition further elevated ROS levels. Moreover, COD-B treatment resulted in JNK and p38 phosphorylation, downregulation of Bcl-2, upregulation of Bax, activated caspase-3 and cytochrome C release, which likely responded to freshly produced hydrogen peroxide that accompanied cholesterol oxidation. Catalase pretreatment could only partially prevent COD-B-induced events, suggesting that catalase inhibited H2O2-induced signal transduction but had little effect on signal pathways involved in cholesterol depletion. Our results demonstrated that COD-B led to irreversible cell apoptosis by decreasing cholesterol content and increasing ROS level. In addition, COD-B may be a promising candidate for a novel anti-tumor therapy.

Azobenzene switch with a long-lived cis-state to photocontrol the enzyme activity of a histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase.

The control of enzymes by use of an external stimulus such as light enables the temporal and spatial regulation of defined chemical reactions in a highly precise manner. In this work we investigated and characterized the reversible photocontrol of a bacterial histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase (HDAH) from Bordetella/Alcaligenes strain FB188, which holds great potential to control deacetylation reactions of a broad spectrum of substrates in biotechnological and biomedical applications. Several HDAH variants with a single surface accessible cysteine close to the active site were developed and covalently modified by a monofunctional azobenzene-based photoswitch [4-phenylazomaleinanil (4-PAM)]. The enzymatic activity of three HDAH variants (M30C, S20C and M150C) were shown to be controlled by light. The thermal cis-to-trans relaxation of azobenzene conjugated to HDAH was up to 50-fold retarded compared to unbound 4-PAM allowing light pulse switching rather than continuing irradiation to maintain the thermodynamically less stable cis-state of covalently attached 4-PAM.

Bordetella adenylate cyclase toxin mobilizes its beta2 integrin receptor into lipid rafts to accomplish translocation across target cell membrane in two steps.

Bordetella adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) binds the alpha(M)beta(2) integrin (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1, or CR3) of myeloid phagocytes and delivers into their cytosol an adenylate cyclase (AC) enzyme that converts ATP into the key signaling molecule cAMP. We show that penetration of the AC domain across cell membrane proceeds in two steps. It starts by membrane insertion of a toxin 'translocation intermediate', which can be 'locked' in the membrane by the 3D1 antibody blocking AC domain translocation. Insertion of the 'intermediate' permeabilizes cells for influx of extracellular calcium ions and thus activates calpain-mediated cleavage of the talin tether. Recruitment of the integrin-CyaA complex into lipid rafts follows and the cholesterol-rich lipid environment promotes translocation of the AC domain across cell membrane. AC translocation into cells was inhibited upon raft disruption by cholesterol depletion, or when CyaA mobilization into rafts was blocked by inhibition of talin processing. Furthermore, CyaA mutants unable to mobilize calcium into cells failed to relocate into lipid rafts, and failed to translocate the AC domain across cell membrane, unless rescued by Ca(2+) influx promoted in trans by ionomycin or another CyaA protein. Hence, by mobilizing calcium ions into phagocytes, the 'translocation intermediate' promotes toxin piggybacking on integrin into lipid rafts and enables AC enzyme delivery into host cytosol.

Mechanism of binding of the inhibitor (E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-N-hydroxyacrylamide to a histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase.

Histone deacetylases have proven to be attractive novel targets for the treatment of cancer. The first inhibitor of histone deacetylases was approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in 2006. The identification of new lead structures with improved effectiveness and fewer side effects is necessary. This report investigates the mechanism of inhibition of a histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase by stopped-flow and equilibrium titration techniques. The interaction between the inhibitor (E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-N-hydroxyacrylamide and the enzyme generates a fluorescence resonance energy transfer from the intrinsic tryptophan residues of the enzyme to the chromophore of the inhibitor. The apparent equilibrium binding constant was determined to be 1.9 muM. Several independent experimental results provide evidence of the existence of solely one HDAH conformer. The association kinetics showed two phases representing two unimolecular processes. Kinetic arguments and accurate investigation of the very fast time range suggest a fast pre-equilibrium, in which the inhibitor binds to the surface of the enzyme. In the next step, the first complex undergoes a conformational change that allows the inhibitor to translocate into the active site. Finally, the intermediate complex is stabilized by another conformational rearrangement. All kinetic data are in agreement with a reversible three-step mechanism and analyzed using a global fit, yielding the association constant of the pre-equilibrium (K(1) = 0.28 x 10(6) M(-1)) and the forward and reverse rate constants of the consecutive conformational changes (k(2) = 6.6 s(-1), k(-2) = 1.5 s(-1), k(3) = 0.8 s(-1), and k(-3) = 0.3 s(-1)).

Inhibitor-mediated stabilization of the conformational structure of a histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase.

Histone deacetylases are major regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Not unexpectedly, histone deacetylases are among the most promising targets in cancer therapy. However, despite huge efforts in histone deacetylase inhibitor design, very little is known about the impact of histone deacetylase inhibitors on enzyme stability. In this study, the conformational stability of a well-established histone deacetylase homolog with high structural similarity (histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase from Bordetella/Alcaligenes species FB188) was investigated using denaturation titrations and stopped-flow kinetics. Based on the results of these complementary approaches, we conclude that the interconversion of native histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase into its denatured form involves several intermediates possessing different enzyme activities and conformational structures. The refolding kinetics has shown to be strongly dependent on Zn(2+) and to a lesser extent on K(+), which underlines their importance not only for catalytic function but also for maintaining the correct conformational structure of the enzyme. Two main unfolding processes of histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase were differentiated. The unfolding occurring at submolar concentrations of the denaturant guanidine hydrochloride was not affected by inhibitor binding, whereas the unfolding at higher concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride was strongly affected. It was shown that the known inhibitors suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and cyclopentylpropionyl hydroxamate are capable of stabilizing the conformational structure of histone deacetylase-like amidrohydrolase. Judging from the free energies of unfolding, the protein stability was increased by 9.4 and 5.4 kJ.mol(-1) upon binding of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and cyclopentylpropionyl hydroxamate, respectively.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor assay based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are important enzymes for the transcriptional regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, in recent years HDACs occupied a major position as key targets for chemotherapeutic intervention in malignant diseases. However, progress in the development of these new chemotherapeutics is largely dependent on the existence of bioassays well-suited to inhibitor screening. Herein, we present the first nonisotopic competition binding assay for HDACs. The assay principle has been demonstrated using the well-established HDAC homolog FB188 histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase from Bordetella/Alcaligenes species FB188. The assay is based on a new fluorescent HDAC inhibitor that shows fluorescence resonance energy transfer with tryptophans upon binding to the enzyme. In a competition situation with other HDAC inhibitors the displacement of the fluorescent inhibitor is accompanied by a decrease of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The assay is well suited to kinetic studies of inhibitor binding and to HDAC inhibitor identification, e.g., in the context of high-throughput inhibitor screening in drug discovery.

An active site tyrosine residue is essential for amidohydrolase but not for esterase activity of a class 2 histone deacetylase-like bacterial enzyme.

HDACs (histone deacetylases) are considered to be among the most important enzymes that regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells acting through deacetylation of epsilon-acetyl-lysine residues within the N-terminal tail of core histones. In addition, both eukaryotic HDACs as well as their bacterial counterparts were reported to also act on non-histone targets. However, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of the biological activities of this ancient class of enzymes. In the present paper, we studied in more detail the esterase activity of HDACs, focussing on the HDAH (histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase) from Bordetella/Alcaligenes strain FB188. This enzyme was classified as a class 2 HDAC based on sequence comparison as well as functional data. Using chromogenic and fluorogenic ester substrates we show that HDACs such as FB188 HDAH indeed have esterase activity that is comparable with those of known esterases. Similar results were obtained for human HDAC1, 3 and 8. Standard HDAC inhibitors were able to block both activities with similar IC(50) values. Interestingly, HDAC inhibitors such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) also showed inhibitory activity against porcine liver esterase and Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase. The esterase and the amidohydrolase activity of FB188 HDAH both appear to have the same substrate specificity concerning the acyl moiety. Interestingly, a Y312F mutation in the active site of HDAH obstructed amidohydrolase activity but significantly improved esterase activity, indicating subtle differences in the mechanism of both catalytic activities. Our results suggest that, in principle, HDACs may have other biological roles besides acting as protein deacetylases. Furthermore, data on HDAC inhibitors affecting known esterases indicate that these molecules, which are currently among the most promising drug candidates in cancer therapy, may have a broader target profile requiring further exploration.

Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) from Bordetella hinzii: characterization and differences from ACT of Bordetella pertussis.

Bordetella hinzii is a commensal respiratory microorganism in poultry but is increasingly being recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised humans. Although associated with a variety of disease states, practically nothing is known about the mechanisms employed by this bacterium. In this study, we show by DNA sequencing and reverse transcription-PCR that both commensal and clinical strains of B. hinzii possess and transcriptionally express cyaA, the gene encoding adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) in other pathogenic Bordetella species. By Western blotting, we also found that B. hinzii produces full-length ACT protein in quantities that are comparable to those made by B. pertussis. In contrast to B. pertussis ACT, however, ACT from B. hinzii is less extractable from whole bacteria, nonhemolytic, has a 50-fold reduction in adenylate cyclase activity, and is unable to elevate cyclic AMP levels in host macrophages (nontoxic). The decrease in enzymatic activity is attributable, at least in part, to a decreased binding affinity of B. hinzii ACT for calmodulin, the eukaryotic activator of B. pertussis ACT. In addition, we demonstrate that the lack of intoxication by B. hinzii ACT may be due to the absence of expression of cyaC, the gene encoding the accessory protein required for the acylation of B. pertussis ACT. These results demonstrate the expression of ACT by B. hinzii and represent the first characterization of a potential virulence factor of this organism.

Crystal structure of a bacterial class 2 histone deacetylase homologue.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are among the most promising targets in cancer therapy. However, structural information greatly enhancing the design of HDAC inhibitors as novel chemotherapeutics has not been available on class 2 HDACs so far. Here we present the structure of the bacterial FB188 HDAH (histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase from Bordetella/Alcaligenes strain FB188) that reveals high sequential and functional homology to human class 2 HDACs. FB188 HDAH is capable to remove the acetyl moiety from acetylated histones. Several HDAC-specific inhibitors, which have been shown to inhibit tumor activity in both pre-clinical models and in clinical trials, also inhibit FB188 HDAH. We have determined the crystal structure of FB188 HDAH at a resolution of 1.6 angstroms in complex with the reaction product acetate, as well as in complex with the inhibitors suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and cyclopentyle-propionyle hydroxamic acid (CypX) at a resolution of 1.57 angstroms and 1.75 angstroms, respectively. FB188 HDAH exhibits the canonical fold of class 1 HDACs and contains a catalytic zinc ion. The highest structural diversity compared to class 1 enzymes is found in loop regions especially in the area around the entrance of the active site, indicating significant differences among the acetylated proteins binding to class 1 and 2 HDACs, respectively.

A new amidohydrolase from Bordetella or Alcaligenes strain FB188 with similarities to histone deacetylases.

The full-length gene encoding the histone deacetylase (HDAC)-like amidohydrolase (HDAH) from Bordetella or Alcaligenes (Bordetella/Alcaligenes) strain FB188 (DSM 11172) was cloned using degenerate primer PCR combined with inverse-PCR techniques and ultimately expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed enzyme was biochemically characterized and found to be similar to the native enzyme for all properties examined. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 1,110 bp which encodes a polypeptide with a theoretical molecular mass of 39 kDa. Interestingly, peptide sequencing disclosed that the N-terminal methionine is lacking in the mature wild-type enzyme, presumably due to the action of methionyl aminopeptidase. Sequence database searches suggest that the new amidohydrolase belongs to the HDAC superfamily, with the closest homologs being found in the subfamily assigned acetylpolyamine amidohydrolases (APAH). The APAH subfamily comprises enzymes or putative enzymes from such diverse microorganisms as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Archaeoglobus fulgidus, and the actinomycete Mycoplana ramosa (formerly M. bullata). The FB188 HDAH, however, is only moderately active in catalyzing the deacetylation of acetylpolyamines. In fact, FB188 HDAH exhibits significant activity in standard HDAC assays and is inhibited by known HDAC inhibitors such as trichostatin A and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Several lines of evidence indicate that the FB188 HDAH is very similar to class 1 and 2 HDACs and contains a Zn(2+) ion in the active site which contributes significantly to catalytic activity. Initial biotechnological applications demonstrated the extensive substrate spectrum and broad optimum pH range to be excellent criteria for using the new HDAH from Bordetella/Alcaligenes strain FB188 as a biocatalyst in technical biotransformations, e.g., within the scope of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase inhibitor synthesis.

beta-Cystathionase from Bordetella avium. Role(s) of lysine 214 and cysteine residues in activity and cytotoxicity.

beta-Cystathionase (EC 4.4.1.8) from Bordetella avium is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-cystine to yield pyruvic acid, NH3, and thiocysteine. The latter compound is highly toxic toward MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cells, rat osteosarcoma cells, and other cell lines maintained in tissue culture (Gentry-Weeks, C. R., Keith, J. M., and Thompson, J. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 7298-7314). Site-directed mutagenesis has established that lysine 214 of the sequence TKYVGGHSD, is primarily responsible for internal aldimine binding of PLP in the holoenzyme. Translation of the DNA sequence of the beta-cystathionase gene (metC) from B. avium, reveals 4 cysteine residues/enzyme subunit (M(r) = 42,600), and spectrophotometric analysis with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine showed that there were no disulfide linkages in the native protein. beta-Cystathionase is inhibited by sulfhydryl-reactive agents, including N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). To elucidate the mechanism of NEM inhibition, each of the 4 cysteine residues at positions 88, 117, 279, and 309 was individually replaced by alanine or glycine. The mutant proteins C88A, C117G, C279G, and C309A were purified to homogeneity, and each was assayed for enzyme activity, PLP-binding, NEM sensitivity, and susceptibility to chymotrypsin digestion. The activities of mutant proteins C88A and C279G were comparable with that of the native enzyme, and since both forms were inhibited by NEM, neither cysteine 88 nor 279 are prerequisite for enzyme activity. By elimination, cysteine residues 117 and 309 must be the targets for alkylation, and resultant inactivation of beta-cystathionase, by the -SH reactive agent. Substitution of cysteine 117 and 309 with glycine and alanine, respectively, yielded the inactive proteins C117G and C309A. PLP was not detectable in these proteins, and their absorption spectra lacked the peak (at 420 nm) that is characteristic of internal PLP-Schiff base formation. Edman degradation revealed that C117G (M(r) approximately 36,000) also lacked the first 63 amino acids comprising the N terminus of the native protein. The beta-cystathionase mutants C117G and C309A showed enhanced susceptibility to chymotrypsin digestion. Cysteine residues 117 and 309 may reside in conformationally sensitive environments, and in the native enzyme these amino acids most probably serve a structural function. Toxicity assays performed with the various mutant proteins obtained by site-directed mutagenesis established that only catalytically active forms of beta-cystathionase were were cytotoxic for tissue culture cells.

Toxicity of Bordetella avium beta-cystathionase toward MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cells.

Bordetella avium is the etiological agent of an upper respiratory disease in birds which, symptomatically and pathologically, resembles bordetellosis in humans. Studies of the virulence of this organism revealed a novel cytotoxic protein, designated osteotoxin, that was lethal for MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cells, fetal bovine trabecular cells, UMR106-01(BSP) rat osteosarcoma cells, and embryonic bovine tracheal cells. The osteotoxin lacked dermonecrotic toxin activity, exhibited no cross-reactivity with antibody against B. avium dermonecrotic toxin, and was non-proteolytic. Osteotoxin (M(r) approximately 80,000 by gel filtration, pI 5.4) was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from B. avium 197. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometric analyses showed that the native protein was a homodimer and that each of the non-covalently linked subunits (M(r) approximately 41,000) contained one molecule of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Microsequencing of the first 32 amino acids from the NH2 terminus allowed the synthesis of two oligonucleotide probes, which, together with polyclonal antibody to the purified protein, facilitated cloning, sequencing, and expression of the osteotoxin gene product in Escherichia coli. The open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 396 amino acid residues (M(r) = 42,606, calculated pI 5.9), whose sequence exhibits approximately 38% identity (approximately 60% similarity) to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent beta-cystathionase(s) from E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and rat liver. The characteristic motif, TKYXXGHSD, associated with binding the cofactor in these enzymes is also present in osteotoxin. Physicochemical and enzymatic analyses established the coidentity of osteotoxin with beta-cystathionase. The region upstream of the beta-cystathionase (metC) gene in B. avium 197 lacked regulatory sequences ("Met boxes") described for metC in enteric species, and enzyme production was not repressed by methionine. Incubation of MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cells in medium containing L-[35S]cystine and purified beta-cystathionase resulted in 35S-labeling of the enzyme and at least one major MC3T3-E1 cell protein (M(r) approximately 50,000). cytotoxicity can be attributed to: 1) beta-cystathionase-catalyzed cleavage of L-cystine in the medium and formation of reactive sulfane-containing derivative(s), and 2) transfer of sulfane sulfur to metabolically sensitive or structurally important proteins in the osteogenic cells.

[IgA protease activity of microbes in the genus Bordetella]. / IgA-proteaznaia aktivnost' mikrobov roda Bordetella.

Monoclonal IgA paraproteins of subclasses 1 and 2, isolated from the sera of myeloma patients, were incubated for 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours with B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. bronchiseptica cultures, as well as Haemophilus influenzae strain. The fragmentation of IgA was studied by immunielectrophoresis with antisera to alpha-chain, to Fab alpha + Fc alpha, to Fab alpha and with antisera to light chains corresponding to the type of paraprotein. B. pertussis and B. parapertussis were found to have subclass-unspecific IgA protease which splitted off a cathode fragment, similar to Fab-fragment and, probably, corresponding to the variable domain of alpha-chain (Fv), after 48-hour incubation. Similar IgA protease was detected in H. influenzae, found to have classical IgA1 protease as well. All Bordetella species under study splitted off anode components from IgA paraproteins of both subclasses. These components, containing the determinants of heavy and light IgA chains, were either IgA - alpha I-antitrypsin complexes or some IgA fragments with high electrophoretic motility. None of the strains under study splitted monoclonal IgG.

Antineoplastic effects of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase.

Urea extracts of B. pertussis, but not B. bronchiseptica, cause large and sustained intracellular cAMP elevation in several neoplastic cell lines. These cAMP elevations are associated with growth inhibition (HL-60, Friend erythroleukemia) and a phenotypic change/differentiation (HL-60, L1210). B. pertussis extract injections prolong survival of L1210 tumor-bearing mice. Pretreatment of L1210 cells with B. pertussis extract both delays mortality and induces growth of solid tumors instead of ascites in subsequently inoculated mice. We conclude that B. pertussis adenylate cyclase is capable of invading a variety of neoplastic cells to catalyze the intracellular formation of large amounts of cAMP. These cAMP elevations are durable and promote growth arrest, differentiation, or phenotypic alterations reflected in altered biologic behavior. B. pertussis adenylate cyclase should prove to be a useful tool for manipulating cAMP levels in neoplastic cells to elucidate the role of cAMP in malignant transformation.

Repression of adenylate cyclase in the genus Bordetella.

Virulent phase I strains of Bordetella pertussis synthesize the regulatory metabolite adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP); whereas, non-virulent phase IV strains are unable to do so. These findings were confirmed and extended using additional strains of B. pertussis as well as strains of Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Levels of adenylate cyclase activity and subsequent cAMP production were found to correlate. High adenylate cyclase activity during exponential phase was followed by an accumulation of cAMP during late log and throughout stationary phase. Measurements obtained during the X- to C-mode transition process indicated that adenylate cyclase is subject to complete repression.