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Related Concept Videos

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High-resolution structure of native toxin A from Clostridioides difficile.

Aria Aminzadeh1, Christian Engelbrecht Larsen2,3, Thomas Boesen2,3

  • 1Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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|November 24, 2021
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Summary

The cryo-EM structure of Clostridioides difficile toxin A (TcdA) reveals how its domains interact to prevent premature unfolding. This structure explains TcdA

Keywords:
Clostridioides difficileTcdAToxin Acryo-EMnative structure

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Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Clostridioides difficile infections are a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea.
  • Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB) are key virulence factors responsible for C. difficile disease symptoms.
  • TcdA and TcdB are large, homologous multidomain proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the native TcdA structure at neutral pH using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
  • To elucidate the conformational changes and domain dynamics of TcdA in response to environmental pH.
  • To understand the mechanisms preventing premature unfolding of TcdA's pore-forming region.

Main Methods:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) at 2.8 Å resolution.
  • Structural analysis of native TcdA at neutral pH.
  • Investigation of pH-induced conformational changes.

Main Results:

  • The cryo-EM structure of native TcdA at neutral pH was determined.
  • The CROPs domain exhibits dynamic movement upon environmental acidification.
  • Detailed interactions were revealed between the CROPs domain and the delivery/receptor-binding domain, shielding the pore-forming region.
  • The globular subdomain shields the upper part of the pore-forming region.

Conclusions:

  • The TcdA structure provides insights into preventing premature pore-forming region unfolding at neutral pH.
  • pH-induced inter-domain dynamics are crucial for TcdA function.
  • Understanding TcdA structure and dynamics can inform strategies against C. difficile infections.