Identification and characterization of the heme-binding proteins SeShp and SeHtsA of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
The research article investigates the presence and nature of heme-binding proteins in the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus equi subspecies equi which cause infection in horses. The study identifies two proteins, designated SeShp and SeHtsA, which exhibit similar structure and function to those of Streptococcus pyogenes, suggesting that these proteins play a pivotal role in heme acquisition for S. equi.
Research Analysis
The article delves into the investigation of heme-binding proteins, which are vital for bacteria to acquire iron, in order to survive and propagate. The research focuses on one such bacteria, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, that is known to infect horses.
- An initial search in the S. equi genome database using Shp and HtsA, the heme binding proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes, revealed that S. equi also has similar proteins, which the researchers named SeShp and SeHtsA. After these proteins were identified, they were prepared and analyzed.
- The study found that purified holoSeShp and holoSeHtsA can bind to Fe(II)-protoporphyrin IX (commonly called heme) and Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX (known as hemin), respectively, in a 1:1 ratio. These proteins were referred to as hemoSeShp and hemiSeHtsA.
- Further investigation using ferricyanide demonstrated that hemoSeShp is air-stable and can be oxidized to hemiSeShp. HemiSeHtsA, in contrast, can be reduced to hemoSeHtsA which oxidizes readily.
- A key discovery was that hemoSeShp can quickly transfer its heme to the protein apoSeHtsAHis. Additionally, hemoSeShp was found to transfer its heme to both apoHtsA and apoSeHtsAHis, highlighting its potential role in heme transport and acquisition.
Conclusions of the Study
This research has expanded our understanding of the iron acquisition process in S. equi bacteria. The findings revealed that:
- The primary structures, optical properties, oxidative stability, and in vitro heme transfer reaction of SeShp and SeHtsA are very similar to those of S. pyogenes Shp and HtsA.
- These similarities suggest that the cell surface protein SeShp and lipoprotein SeHtsA are part of the machinery responsible for acquiring heme in S. equi. This indicates that these proteins play a crucial role in the survival and proliferation of the bacteria.
- The study also implies that the structure, function, and operational mechanism of the heme acquisition machinery are preserved across both S. equi and S. pyogenes species, suggesting possibilities of a common bacterial strategy for iron acquisition.
All these insights could be crucial for the development of new treatments for infections caused by S. equi and other similar pathogens, by potentially targeting these heme-binding proteins.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA. draagynfly@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
- Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
- Carrier Proteins / chemistry
- Carrier Proteins / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
- Genome, Bacterial
- Heme / metabolism
- Heme-Binding Proteins
- Hemeproteins / chemistry
- Hemeproteins / metabolism
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Binding
- Streptococcus equi / classification
- Streptococcus equi / metabolism
Grant Funding
- K22 AI057347 / NIAID NIH HHS
- P20 RR-020185 / NCRR NIH HHS
- P20 RR020185-020002 / NCRR NIH HHS
- P20 RR020185-010002 / NCRR NIH HHS
- K22 AI057347-01 / NIAID NIH HHS
- K22 AI057347-02 / NIAID NIH HHS
- P20 RR020185 / NCRR NIH HHS
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Citations
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