title: Characterization of DIP0733, a multi-functional virulence factor of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
abstract: Corynebacterium diphtheriae is typically recognized as an extracellular pathogen. However, a number of studies revealed its ability to invade epithelial cells, indicating a more complex pathogen-host interaction. The molecular mechanisms controlling and facilitating internalization of Cor. diphtheriae are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of DIP0733 as virulence factor to elucidate how it contributes to the process of pathogen-host cell interaction. Based on in vitro experiments, it was suggested recently that the DIP0733 protein might be involved in adhesion, invasion of epithelial cells and induction of apoptosis. A corresponding Cor. diphtheriae mutant strain generated in this study was attenuated in its ability to colonize and kill the host in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model system. Furthermore, the mutant showed an altered adhesion pattern and a drastically reduced ability to adhere and invade epithelial cells. Subsequent experiments showed an influence of DIP0733 on binding of Cor. diphtheriae to extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin. Furthermore, based on its fibrinogen-binding activity, DIP0733 may play a role in avoiding recognition of Cor. diphtheriae by the immune system. In summary, our findings support the idea that DIP0733 is a multi-functional virulence factor of Cor. diphtheriae.
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany Departmento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Camila Azevedo
authors: CA
authors: Antunes
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Louisy
authors: L
authors: Sanches dos Santos
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Hacker
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Köhler
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Korbinian
authors: K
authors: Bösl
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Ott
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Maria das Graças
authors: Md
authors: de Luna
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Raphael
authors: R
authors: Hirata
authors: Departmento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Vasco Ariston de Carvalho
authors: VA
authors: Azevedo
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Ana-Luíza
authors: AL
authors: Mattos-Guaraldi
authors: Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany andreas.burkovski@fau.de.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Burkovski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D002460:Cell Line; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors