Intracellular Targets:A-B dimeric (two domain) exotoxins: conform to general structural model
(prototype is diphtheria toxin of Corynebacterium diphtheriae):
Bipartite
structure (B, binding; A, active): One component is a binding domain
(B) associated with absorption to target cell surface and transfer of
active component (A) across cell membrane; once internalized, domain
(A) enzymatically disrupts cell function
Receptor-mediated
endocytosis (host cell uptake and internalization of exotoxin)
ADP-ribosylation
of intracellular target host molecule
Cellular Targets:
Cytolytic exotoxins (usually degradative enzymes) or cytolysins: hemolysis,
tissue necrosis, may be lethal when administered intravenously
Three Major Types
of Bacterial Cytolysins
Based on Mechanism of Action
Thiol(-SH)-activated cytolysins
(oxygen-labile) alter membrane permeability by binding to cholesterol; e.g.,
streptolysin O of Streptococcus; tetanolysin of Clostridium
Detergent-like activity on cell
membranes; rapid rate of lysis; e.g. Staphylococcus
Examples of Two-Component
(A-B) Exotoxins
with Intracellular Targets
Adenylate
cyclase toxin (Bordetella spp.):
Chromosomally-encoded
Activated
by intracellular calmodulin and, like pertussis toxin, catalyzes conversion
of ATP to cAMP
Inhibits
leukocyte chemotaxis and activity
Anthrax
toxin (Bacillus anthracis):
Plasmid-encoded
Three
separate proteins: Protective antigen (PA); Edema factor (EF); Lethal factor
(LF)
EF
+ PA = increase in cAMP level resulting in edema (fluid accumulation)
LF
+ PA = death of host cells and ultimately death of host
Binding
domain (B-subunit) binds to neuroreceptor gangliosides on cholinergic neurons
A-subunit
irreversibly inhibits release of the stimulatory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine,
at myoneural (muscle-nerve) junctions (peripheral cholinergic synapses) resulting
in a flaccid paralysis and death
Cholera
toxin (A-5B) (Vibrio cholerae):
Chromosomally-encoded
B-subunit
binds to GM1 ganglioside receptors in small intestine
Reduction
of disulfide bond in A-subunit activates A1 fragment that ADP-ribosylates
guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (Gs) by transferring
ADP-ribose from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD); the ADP-ribosylated
GTP-binding protein activates adenyl cyclase resulting in an increased cyclic
AMP (cAMP) level and a profound life-threatening diarrhea with profuse outpouring
of fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate) while blocking
the uptake of any further sodium and chloride from the lumen of the small
intestine and ultimately resulting in hypovolemic shock and death in the absence
of fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy
ADP-ribosylation
inhibits cell protein synthesis by catalyzing transfer of ADP-ribose from
NAD (nicotinimamide adenine nucleotide) to EF-2 (elongation factor - 2)
Exotoxin
A (Pseudomonas aeruginosa):
Chromosomally-encoded
Similar
or identical to diphtheria toxin
Heat-labile
enterotoxins (HLT or LT) (LT-I and LT_II) (enterotoxigenic Escherichia
coli (ETEC):
LT-I
is plasmid-encoded
LT-II
only produced by strains isolated from animals
Similar
or identical to cholera toxin
Heat-stable
enterotoxins (STa and STb) (enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC):
STa
is plasmid-encoded
STb
only produced by strains isolated from animals
Similar
to LT-I and cholera toxin, but with increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate
(cGMP) leading to hypersecretion
Pertussis
toxin (A-5B) (Bordetella pertussis):
Chromosomally-encoded
S2
(B) subunit binds glycolipid receptor on ciliated respiratory cells; S3 (B)
subunit binds to glycolipids on phagocytes
S1
(A) subunit inhibits signal transduction via ADP-ribosylation of GTP-hydrolyzing
protein (Gi) with unregulated adenylate cyclase and increased levels
of cAMP resulting in hypersecretion of respiratory secretions and mucus and
paroxysmal cough
Inhibits
leukocyte chemotaxis and activity
Shiga
toxin (A-5B) (Shigella dysenteriae):
Chromosomally-encoded
Among
most potent of all biological toxins
B-subunit
binds to Gb3 glycolipid receptor
A-subunit
prevents binding of aminoacyl-transfer RNA by cleaving 28S rRNA from 60S ribosomal
subunit resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis
Shiga-like
toxins (A-5B) (SLT-I and SLT-II in EHEC) (enterohemorrhagic E. coli
(EHEC); Shigella spp.):
Phage-encoded
SLT-I
identical to S. dysenteriae Shiga toxin with the exception of a singel
amino acid
SLT-II
has ~60% homology with Shiga toxin
B-subunit
binds to target cell glycolipid globotriaosylceramide
Similarly
to cholera toxin A subunit is cleaved; A1 fragment binds to 28S rRNA
of 60S ribodomal subunit and protein synthesis is inhibited
Tetanus
toxin (Clostridium tetani):
Plasmid-encoded
neurotoxin
Among
most potent of all biological toxins released upon lysis of bacterial cell
Binding
domain (B) binds to neuroreceptor gangliosides (GD1b)
A-subunit
(zinc endopeptidase) is internalized and migrates from peripheral nerves to
central nervous system and across synapses to pre-synaptic nerve endings (retrograde,
i.e., against the normal direction of nerve impulses) where it is accumulated
in vesicles and irreversibly blocks the release of inhibitory transmitters
resulting in continuous stimulation of muscles by excitatory transmitters
resulting in spastic paralysis (spasms of bulbar and paraspinal muscles) with
trismus (lockjaw; spasms of the masticatory muscles), risus sardonicus (spasms
of the masseter muscles) and opisthotonos (spasms of back and neck muscles)