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AIP56, a novel plasmid‐encoded virulence factor of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida with apoptogenic activity against sea bass macrophages and neutrophils
Author(s) -
do Vale Ana,
Silva Manuel T.,
dos Santos Nuno M. S.,
Nascimento Diana S.,
ReisRodrigues Pedro,
CostaRamos Carolina,
Ellis Anthony E.,
Azevedo Jorge E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04893.x
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , pasteurellosis , photobacterium , effector , innate immune system , virulence factor , bacterial outer membrane , pathogen , type three secretion system , escherichia coli , bacteria , vibrio , immune system , immunology , gene , biochemistry , genetics , pasteurella multocida
Summary A strategy used by extracellular pathogens to evade phagocytosis is the utilization of exotoxins that kill host phagocytes. We have recently shown that one major pathogenicity strategy of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida ( Phdp ), the agent of the widespread fish pasteurellosis, is the induction of extensive apoptosis of sea bass macrophages and neutrophils that results in lysis of these phagocytes by post‐apoptotic secondary necrosis. Here we show that this unique process is mediated by a novel plasmid‐encoded apoptosis inducing protein of 56 kDa (AIP56), an exotoxin abundantly secreted by all virulent, but not avirulent, Phdp strains tested. AIP56 is related to an unknown protein of the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and NleC, a Citrobacter rodentium type III secreted effector of unknown function. Passive immunization of sea bass with a rabbit anti‐AIP56 serum conferred protection against Phdp challenge, indicating that AIP56 represents a key virulence factor of that pathogen and is a candidate for the design of an anti‐pasteurellosis vaccine.