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Bacterial serine proteases secreted by the autotransporter pathway: classification, specificity, and role in virulence

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Abstract

Serine proteases exist in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms and have emerged during evolution as the most abundant and functionally diverse group. In Gram-negative bacteria, there is a growing family of high molecular weight serine proteases secreted to the external milieu by a fascinating and widely employed bacterial secretion mechanism, known as the autotransporter pathway. They were initially found in Neisseria, Shigella, and pathogenic Escherichia coli, but have now also been identified in Citrobacter rodentium, Salmonella, and Edwardsiella species. Here, we focus on proteins belonging to the serine protease autotransporter of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) family. Recent findings regarding the predilection of serine proteases to host intracellular or extracellular protein-substrates involved in numerous biological functions, such as those implicated in cytoskeleton stability, autophagy or innate and adaptive immunity, have helped provide a better understanding of SPATEs’ contributions in pathogenesis. Here, we discuss their classification, substrate specificity, and potential roles in pathogenesis.

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Abbreviations

AIDA-like:

Adhesin involved in diffuse adherence-like

AIEC:

Adherent-invasive E. coli

APEC:

Avian pathogenic E. coli

DAEC:

Diffuse-adhering E. coli

EAEC:

Enteroaggregative E. coli

EHEC:

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli

EIEC:

Enteroinvasive E. coli

EPEC:

Enteropathogenic E. coli

ETEC:

Enterotoxigenic E. coli

ExPEC:

Extra-intestinal E. coli

HUS:

Hemolytic uremic syndrome

REPEC:

Rabbit pathogenic E. coli

SPATE:

Serine protease autotransporters from Enterobacteriaceae

STEC:

Shiga-toxin secreting E. coli

TA:

Trimeric autotransporters

TPS:

Two-partner secretion system

UPEC:

Uropathogenic E. coli

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the UMB ERIN-CRC sub Award SR00001795 (to F.R.) and United States Public Health Service Grants AI-033096 (to J.P.N.).

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, P.O.Box 800326, MR4 Room 4012C, 409 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    Fernando Ruiz-Perez & James P. Nataro

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Correspondence to Fernando Ruiz-Perez.

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Ruiz-Perez, F., Nataro, J.P. Bacterial serine proteases secreted by the autotransporter pathway: classification, specificity, and role in virulence. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 71, 745–770 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-013-1355-8

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