Single-domain llama antibodies as specific intracellular inhibitors of SpvB, the actin ADP-ribosylating toxin of Salmonella typhimurium

FASEB J. 2011 Feb;25(2):526-34. doi: 10.1096/fj.10-162958. Epub 2010 Oct 12.

Abstract

ADP-ribosylation of host cell proteins is a common mode of cell intoxication by pathogenic bacterial toxins. Antibodies induced by immunization with inactivated ADP-ribosylating toxins provide efficient protection in case of some secreted toxins, e.g., diphtheria and pertussis toxins. However, other ADP-ribosylating toxins, such as Salmonella SpvB toxin, are secreted directly from the Salmonella-containing vacuole into the cytosol of target cells via the SPI-2 encoded bacterial type III secretion system, and thus are inaccessible to conventional antibodies. Small-molecule ADP-ribosylation inhibitors are fraught with potential side effects caused by inhibition of endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferases. Here, we report the development of a single-domain antibody from an immunized llama that blocks the capacity of SpvB to ADP-ribosylate actin at a molar ratio of 1:1. The single-domain antibody, when expressed as an intrabody, effectively protected cells from the cytotoxic activity of a translocation-competent chimeric C2IN-C/SpvB toxin. Transfected cells were also protected against cytoskeletal alterations induced by wild-type SpvB-expressing strains of Salmonella. This proof of principle paves the way for developing new antidotes against intracellular toxins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases / metabolism*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Camelids, New World / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Salmonella typhimurium / immunology
  • Salmonella typhimurium / metabolism*
  • Vero Cells
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Virulence Factors
  • ADP Ribose Transferases