Dynamics of the adhesion complex of the human pathogens Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacterial wall-less human pathogen and the etiological agent of atypical pneumonia and tracheobronchitis in both adults and children. M. pneumoniae infectivity, gliding motility and adherence to host target respiratory epithelial cells are mediated by adhesin proteins P1 and P40/P90 forming a transmembrane complex that binds to sialylated oligosaccharides human cell ligands. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of P1 bound to the Fab fragment of monoclonal antibody P1/MCA4, which stops gliding and induces detachment of motile M. pneumoniae cells. On the contrary, polyclonal antibodies generated against the N-domain of P1 or against the whole ectodomain of P40/P90 have little or no effects on adhesion or motility. The epitope of P1/MCA4, centred on loop Thr1426-Asp1438 in the small C-terminal domain of P1, is inaccessible to antibodies in the "open" conformation of the adhesion complex, when ready for attachment to sialylated oligosaccharides. Mutations in the highly conserved Engelman motifs found in the transmembrane helix of P40/P90 also alter adhesion and motility. During the attachment/detachment cycle of the adhesion complex, the C-terminal domain of P1 experiences large conformational rearrangements that are hindered by the antibodies against the domain. Interfering with the gliding of mycoplasma cells suggests new ways to confront M. pneumoniae infections.