LipL32 Is a Subsurface Lipoprotein of Leptospira interrogans: Presentation of New Data and Reevaluation of Previous Studies

PLoS One

David A. Haake¹  Marija Pinne² 

[1] Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America;Research Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States of America

关键词: Leptospira;    Outer membrane proteins;    Leptospirosis;    Leptospira interrogans;    Lipoproteins;    Enzyme-linked immunoassays;    Proteases;    Immunofluorescence;   

DOI  :  10.1371/journal.pone.0051025

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Public Library of Science

【 摘 要 】

The agents of leptospirosis, a zoonosis with worldwide distribution, are pathogenic spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira. The leptospiral life cycle involves transmission via fresh water and colonization of the renal tubules of their reservoir hosts. Infection of accidental hosts, including humans, may result in life-threatening sequelae. Bacterial outer membrane proteins (OMPs), particularly those with surface-exposed regions, play crucial roles in pathogen virulence mechanisms and adaptation to environmental conditions, including those found in the mammalian host. Therefore, elucidation and characterization of the surface-exposed OMPs of Leptospira spp. is of great interest in the leptospirosis field. A thorough, multi-pronged approach for assessing surface exposure of leptospiral OMPs is essential. Herein, we present evidence for a sub-surface location for most or all of the major leptospiral lipoprotein, LipL32, based on surface immunofluorescence utilizing three different types of antibodies and four different permeabilization methods, as well as surface proteolysis of intact and lysed leptospires. We reevaluate prior evidence presented in support of LipL32 surface-exposure and present a novel perspective on a protein whose location has been misleading researchers, due in large part to its extraordinary abundance in leptospiral cells.

【 授权许可】

CC BY