Difference between revisions of "Part:BBa K177026"

Latest revision as of 14:09, 19 May 2014

Safety Flag

The iGEM Safety and Security Committee has placed a Red Flag on this part. This part presents safety risks beyond what is normal for the Registry. Researchers who plan to acquire and use this part should take special care to ensure they use it safely and responsibly. Contact safety [AT] igem [DOT] org with any questions.

Reason: Listeriolysin and Invasin parts

If you are an iGEM team, you must submit a Check-In before acquiring and using this part! See the 2021 Safety Page for more information.

listeriolysin O 399G->C - locus from Listeria monocytogenes

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a pore-forming protein from Listeria monocytogenes which belong to hemolysin family. The toxin may be considered a virulence factor, since because of its pivotal role for the virulence of L. monocytogenes.

Crystal structure of perfringolysin which is close related to lysteriolysin O

Listeriolysin O is a thiol-activated cholesterol-dependent pore forming toxin protein - it is activated by reducing agents and inhibited by oxidizing agents. However, LLO differs from other thiol-activated toxins, since its cytolytic activity is maximized at a pH of 5.5, which occur in the phagosome It cause that LLO is selectively activated within the acidic phagosomes of cells that have phagocytosed L. monocytogenes. After LLO lyses the phagosome, the bacterium escapes into the cytosol, where it can grow intracellularly. Upon release from the phagosome, activity of the protein is reduced due to more basic environment.

Aforementioned mechanism permit bacteria to escape from phagosomes into the cytosol without damaging the plasma membrane of the infected cell. This allows the bacteria to live intracellularly, where they are protected from extracellular immune system factors such as the complement system and antibodies.

A PEST-like sequence is present in LLO and is considered essential for virulence, since mutants lacking the sequence lysed the host cell.

Add more about the biology of this part here

Safety issues

Due to involvement of listeriolysin in pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes and as it can be possible that bacteria expressing just listeriolysin may be able to invade eucaryotic cells (although literature data suggest that it requires other proteins like invasin or internalin), special safety measures should be taken in account, especially when working with bacteria transformed with this part. It includes obligatory use of laboratory gloves, and avoidance of any contact with transformed bacteria. All waste contaminated with bacteria expressing listeriolysin should be autoclaved. DNA containing listeriolysin should be also well protected because accidental transfer to other bacteria may lead to rise of potentially pathogenic organism.

Sequence and Features