The cytotoxin YopT of Yersinia enterocolitica induces modification and cellular redistribution of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA

J Biol Chem. 1999 Oct 8;274(41):29289-93. doi: 10.1074/jbc.274.41.29289.

Abstract

Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica produces two virulence plasmid-encoded cytotoxins, YopE and YopT, that are translocated into target cells where they disrupt the actin cytoskeleton. Here we show that infection of cells with wild type Y. enterocolitica and a yopE mutant, but not with a yopT mutant, induces an increase in the electrophoretic mobility of the small GTPase RhoA. As tested by isoelectric focusing, YopT-dependent modification resulted in an acidic shift of RhoA. Furthermore, RhoA modification induced by YopT was accompanied by redistribution of membrane-bound RhoA toward the cytosol. Finally, a yopE mutant of Y. enterocolitica expressing the cytotoxic activity of YopT specifically disrupted RhoA-controlled actin stress fibers. These findings provide evidence for inactivation of RhoA by the translocated Y. enterocolitica cytotoxin YopT and suggest a novel inhibitory modification of RhoA by a bacterial virulence factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / pharmacology*
  • COS Cells
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Cytotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / microbiology
  • Isoelectric Focusing
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mutation
  • Virulence
  • Yersinia enterocolitica / chemistry*
  • Yersinia enterocolitica / pathogenicity
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / chemistry*

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytotoxins
  • YopT protein, Yersinia
  • yopE protein, Yersinia
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein