The enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) Tir effector inhibits NF-κB activity by targeting TNFα receptor-associated factors

PLoS Pathog. 2011 Dec;7(12):e1002414. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002414. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) disease depends on the transfer of effector proteins into epithelia lining the human small intestine. EPEC E2348/69 has at least 20 effector genes of which six are located with the effector-delivery system genes on the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) Pathogenicity Island. Our previous work implied that non-LEE-encoded (Nle) effectors possess functions that inhibit epithelial anti-microbial and inflammation-inducing responses by blocking NF-κB transcription factor activity. Indeed, screens by us and others have identified novel inhibitory mechanisms for NleC and NleH, with key co-operative functions for NleB1 and NleE1. Here, we demonstrate that the LEE-encoded Translocated-intimin receptor (Tir) effector has a potent and specific ability to inhibit NF-κB activation. Indeed, biochemical, imaging and immunoprecipitation studies reveal a novel inhibitory mechanism whereby Tir interaction with cytoplasm-located TNFα receptor-associated factor (TRAF) adaptor proteins induces their proteasomal-independent degradation. Infection studies support this Tir-TRAF relationship but reveal that Tir, like NleC and NleH, has a non-essential contribution in EPEC's NF-κB inhibitory capacity linked to Tir's activity being suppressed by undefined EPEC factors. Infections in a disease-relevant intestinal model confirm key NF-κB inhibitory roles for the NleB1/NleE1 effectors, with other studies providing insights on host targets. The work not only reveals a second Intimin-independent property for Tir and a novel EPEC effector-mediated NF-κB inhibitory mechanism but also lends itself to speculations on the evolution of EPEC's capacity to inhibit NF-κB function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Infections / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genomic Islands / physiology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteolysis*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • NleB protein, E coli
  • NleH protein, E coli
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Tir protein, E coli
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • Z0986 protein, E coli
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex