Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans Exoproteins Are Primarily Involved in Heterotrophic Processes

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.00427-15
• Publication Date: 2015-05-19T02:11:13Z
• Authors: Azad Eshghi; Elisa Pappalardo; Svenja Hester; Benjamin Thomas; Gabriela Pretre; Mathieu Picardeau
• Keywords: Leptospira interrogans; Spirochaete; Human pathogen; Virulence factor

ABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a life-threatening and emerging zoonotic disease with worldwide annual occurrence of more than 1 million cases. caused by spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira . The mechanisms manifestation in host remain elusive, roles leptospiral exoproteins these processes have yet be determined. Our aim this study was assess composition quantity pathogenic interrogans construe how proteins contribute pathogenesis. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry obtained from cultured vitro under conditions mimicking infection identified 325 exoproteins. majority are conserved nonpathogenic species biflexa , involved metabolism energy-generating functions were overrepresented displayed highest relative abundance culture supernatants. Conversely, unknown function, which represent pathogen-specific (presumably virulence mechanisms), underrepresented. Characterization various L. exoprotein mutants animal model revealed mortality rates similar those hosts infected wild-type Collectively, results indicate that primarily function heterotrophic (the organisms utilize organic substances as nutrient sources) maintain saprophytic lifestyle rather bacteria. underrepresentation homologous known factors, such toxins effectors exoproteome, also suggests manifesting likely combination primary potentially moonlight functioning