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Induction of Yersinia enterocolitica stress proteins by phagocytosis with macrophage
T Yamamoto1, T Hanawa, S Ogata
1Department of Microbiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Yersinia enterocolitica is a facultative intracellular pathogen which invades to epithelial cells and survives in phagocytes. Since the internal environment of phagocytes should be stressful conditions for the phagocytosed Yersinia, the bacteria should respond to protect themselves from otherwise lethal results. We analyzed the stress-induced proteins which possibly contribute to survival of Yersinia within the phagocytes. Y. enterocolitica was radiolabeled during the growth in macrophage-like J774-1 cells, and the bacterial proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. At least 16 proteins were selectively induced in response to phagocytosis, and several out of 16 proteins were also induced by heat shock at 42 C or oxidative stresses in vitro. Of those, two major stress proteins were identified to be homologues of DnaK and CRPA by immunoblotting analysis. These results have indicated that Y. enterocolitica exhibits a global stress response to the hostile environment in the phagocytosed macrophage.
Insights
Yersinia enterocolitica activates stress responses within macrophages. This study identified key stress proteins like DnaK and CRPA, crucial for bacterial survival in hostile host environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cellular Biology
- Pathogen Response
Background:
- Yersinia enterocolitica is a facultative intracellular pathogen.
- Phagocyte environments pose significant stress to ingested bacteria.
- Bacterial survival mechanisms within host cells are critical to infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze stress-induced proteins in Yersinia enterocolitica during macrophage phagocytosis.
- To identify bacterial proteins contributing to survival within phagocytes.
- To understand the global stress response of Y. enterocolitica to intracellular environments.
Main Methods:
- Radiolabeling of Y. enterocolitica during growth in J774-1 macrophage cells.
- Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis for bacterial protein analysis.
- Immunoblotting to identify specific stress proteins, including DnaK and CRPA homologues.
Main Results:
- At least 16 proteins were selectively induced in Y. enterocolitica upon phagocytosis.
- Several induced proteins were also upregulated by in vitro heat shock (42°C) and oxidative stress.
- DnaK and CRPA homologues were identified as major stress proteins.
Conclusions:
- Yersinia enterocolitica mounts a global stress response to survive within macrophages.
- Specific stress proteins, including DnaK and CRPA, play a role in bacterial resilience.
- Understanding these stress responses is key to combating Yersinia infections.