The stability and activity of recombinant Helicobacter pylori HtrA under stress conditions

The bifunctional protein HtrA displays chaperone and protease activities, enabling bacteria to cope with environmental stress conditions such as heat shock or extreme pH by orchestrating protein folding or degradation. Recently, we added a novel aspect to HtrA functions by identifying HtrA of the human pathogen and class I carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (Hp) as a secreted virulence factor that cleaves the cell adhesion molecule and tumor suppressor E-cadherin. In this study, we analyzed the structural integrity and activity of oligomeric HtrA from Hp under stress conditions. Examining different parameters, HtrA oligomers were investigated by casein zymography and HtrA activity was further analyzed in in vitro cleavage assays using E-cadherin as a substrate. HtrA showed temperature-dependent disintegration of oligomers. Denaturing agents targeting hydrogen bonds within HtrA destabilized HtrA oligomers while reducing agents disrupting disulfide bonds had no effect. Optimal proteolytic activity was dependent on a neutral pH; however, addition of mono- and divalent salts or reducing agents did not interfere with proteolytic activity. These data indicate the HtrA is active under stress conditions which might support Hp colonizing in the gastric environment.