Characterization of N-terminal structure of TLR2-activating lipoprotein in Staphylococcus aureus

J Biol Chem. 2009 Apr 3;284(14):9147-52. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M900429200. Epub 2009 Feb 13.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is known to activate mammalian immune cells through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). We recently demonstrated that a lipoprotein fraction obtained from S. aureus by Triton X-114 phase partitioning is a potent activator of TLR2. In this study, we separated TLR2-activating lipoproteins expressed in S. aureus and characterized an N-terminal structure. The lipoprotein fraction of S. aureus was prepared by glass bead disruption followed by Triton X-114 phase partitioning. The TLR2-activating molecules were mainly detected in the mass range of 30-35 kDa. Seven lipoproteins were identified by the mass spectra of their tryptic digests. Among them, three lipoproteins were separated by preparative SDS-PAGE and proved to activate TLR2. After digestion with trypsin in the presence of sodium deoxycholate, the N terminus of the lipopeptide was isolated from lipoprotein SAOUHSC_02699 by normal phase high pressure liquid chromatography and characterized as an S-(diacyloxypropyl)cystein-containing peptide using tandem mass spectra. The synthetic lipopeptide counterpart also stimulated the cells via TLR2. These results showed that the diacylated lipoprotein from S. aureus acts as a TLR2 ligand in mammalian cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lipoproteins / chemistry*
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lipoproteins
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2