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Identification of a Cytopathogenic Toxin from Sneathia amnii.

ABSTRACT: Sneathia amnii is a poorly characterized emerging pathogen that has been implicated in amnionitis and urethritis. We found that S. amnii damages fetal membranes, and we identified and purified a cytotoxic exotoxin that lyses human red blood cells and damages cells from fetal membranes. The gene appears to be cotranscribed with a second gene that encodes a protein with identity to two-partner system transporters, suggesting that it is the "A," or secreted component of a type Vb system. The toxin is 1,881 amino acids with a molecular weight of approximately 200?kDa. It binds to red blood cell membranes and forms pores with a diameter of 2.0 to 3.0 nm, resulting in osmolysis. Because it appears to be the "A" or passenger component of a two-partner system, we propose to name this novel cytotoxin/hemolysin CptA for cytopathogenic toxin component A.IMPORTANCE Sneathia amnii is a very poorly characterized emerging pathogen that can affect pregnancy outcome and cause urethritis and other infections. To date, nothing is known about its virulence factors or pathogenesis. We have identified and isolated a cytotoxin, named CptA for cytopathogenic toxin, component A, that is produced by S. amnii CptA is capable of permeabilizing chorionic trophoblasts and lysing human red blood cells and, thus, may play a role in virulence. Except for small domains conserved among two-partner secretion system passenger proteins, the cytotoxin exhibits little amino acid sequence homology to known toxins. In this study, we demonstrate the pore-forming activity of this novel toxin.

SUBMITTER: Gentile GL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7283592 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification of a Cytopathogenic Toxin from Sneathia amnii.

Gentile Gabriella L GL Rupert Amy Sanford AS Carrasco Lizette I LI Garcia Erin M EM Kumar Naren Gajenthra NG Walsh Scott W SW Jefferson Kimberly K KK

Journal of bacteriology 20200609 13

<i>Sneathia amnii</i> is a poorly characterized emerging pathogen that has been implicated in amnionitis and urethritis. We found that <i>S. amnii</i> damages fetal membranes, and we identified and purified a cytotoxic exotoxin that lyses human red blood cells and damages cells from fetal membranes. The gene appears to be cotranscribed with a second gene that encodes a protein with identity to two-partner system transporters, suggesting that it is the "A," or secreted component of a type Vb syst ...[more]

PMID: 32291280

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Project description:Bacteria of the genus Sneathia are emerging as potential pathogens of the female reproductive tract. Species of Sneathia, which were formerly grouped with Leptotrichia, can be part of the normal microbiota of the genitourinary tracts of men and women, but they are also associated with a variety of clinical conditions including bacterial vaginosis, preeclampsia, preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, post-partum bacteremia and other invasive infections. Sneathia species also exhibit a significant correlation with sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer. Because Sneathia species are fastidious and rarely cultured successfully in vitro; and the genomes of members of the genus had until now not been characterized, very little is known about the physiology or the virulence of these organisms.Here, we describe a novel species, Sneathia amnii sp. nov, which closely resembles bacteria previously designated "Leptotrichia amnionii". As part of the Vaginal Human Microbiome Project at VCU, a vaginal isolate of S. amnii sp. nov. was identified, successfully cultured and bacteriologically cloned. The biochemical characteristics and virulence properties of the organism were examined in vitro, and the genome of the organism was sequenced, annotated and analyzed. The analysis revealed a reduced circular genome of ~1.34 Mbp, containing ~1,282 protein-coding genes. Metabolic reconstruction of the bacterium reflected its biochemical phenotype, and several genes potentially associated with pathogenicity were identified.Bacteria with complex growth requirements frequently remain poorly characterized and, as a consequence, their roles in health and disease are unclear. Elucidation of the physiology and identification of genes putatively involved in the metabolism and virulence of S. amnii may lead to a better understanding of the role of this potential pathogen in bacterial vaginosis, preterm birth, and other issues associated with vaginal and reproductive health.

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Identification of a Cytopathogenic Toxin from Sneathia amnii.

Publications

Identification of a Cytopathogenic Toxin from Sneathia amnii.

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