Ioanna Ramou | Vrije Universiteit Brussel (original) (raw)

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Papers by Ioanna Ramou

Research paper thumbnail of The GspLM inner membrane complex from the bacterial type II secretion system is a dimer of dimers and interacts with the system ATPase with high affinity

in-line with multi-angle laser light scattering, TMH: transmembrane helix, VHH: the variable part... more in-line with multi-angle laser light scattering, TMH: transmembrane helix, VHH: the variable part of the heavy chain only camelid antibody ABSTACT The type II secretion system (T2SS) is a multiprotein machinery spanning the diderm of gram-negative bacteria. T2SS contributes to the virulence of numerous gram-negative pathogens, including the multidrug resistant species Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Klebsiella pneumonia and Vibrio cholerae. Even though the T2SS has been studied extensively over the past three decades, our understanding of the molecular basis of its biogenesis and of its overall structure still remains unclear. Here we show that the core component of the inner membrane platform, the GspLM membrane protein complex, can be isolated as a dimer of dimers. Importantly, the complex is able to bind the T2SS ATPase, GspE, with high affinity. Finally, we have developed single domain VHH camelid antibodies (nanobodies) against the GspLM complex and have identified a nanobody that effectively prevents the cytoplasmic domain of GspL, GspL cyto , from binding to GspE. Our findings suggest that the T2SS ATPase is permanently associated with the inner membrane platform and that the GspELM complex should be considered as a key subassembly for the biogenesis of the T2SS apparatus.

Research paper thumbnail of Transitional B cells commit to marginal zone B cell fate by Taok3-mediated surface expression of ADAM10

Nature immunology, Mar 9, 2017

Notch2 and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling determine whether transitional B cells become ... more Notch2 and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling determine whether transitional B cells become marginal zone B (MZB) or follicular B (FoB) cells in the spleen, but it is unknown how these pathways are related. We generated Taok3(-/-) mice, lacking the serine/threonine kinase Taok3, and found cell-intrinsic defects in the development of MZB but not FoB cells. Type 1 transitional (T1) B cells required Taok3 to rapidly respond to ligation by the Notch ligand Delta-like 1. BCR ligation by endogenous or exogenous ligands induced the surface expression of the metalloproteinase ADAM10 on T1 B cells in a Taok3-dependent manner. T1 B cells expressing surface ADAM10 were committed to becoming MZB cells in vivo, whereas T1 B cells lacking expression of ADAM10 were not. Thus, during positive selection in the spleen, BCR signaling causes immature T1 B cells to become receptive to Notch ligands via Taok3-mediated surface expression of ADAM10.

Research paper thumbnail of The GspLM inner membrane complex from the bacterial type II secretion system is a dimer of dimers and interacts with the system ATPase with high affinity

in-line with multi-angle laser light scattering, TMH: transmembrane helix, VHH: the variable part... more in-line with multi-angle laser light scattering, TMH: transmembrane helix, VHH: the variable part of the heavy chain only camelid antibody ABSTACT The type II secretion system (T2SS) is a multiprotein machinery spanning the diderm of gram-negative bacteria. T2SS contributes to the virulence of numerous gram-negative pathogens, including the multidrug resistant species Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Klebsiella pneumonia and Vibrio cholerae. Even though the T2SS has been studied extensively over the past three decades, our understanding of the molecular basis of its biogenesis and of its overall structure still remains unclear. Here we show that the core component of the inner membrane platform, the GspLM membrane protein complex, can be isolated as a dimer of dimers. Importantly, the complex is able to bind the T2SS ATPase, GspE, with high affinity. Finally, we have developed single domain VHH camelid antibodies (nanobodies) against the GspLM complex and have identified a nanobody that effectively prevents the cytoplasmic domain of GspL, GspL cyto , from binding to GspE. Our findings suggest that the T2SS ATPase is permanently associated with the inner membrane platform and that the GspELM complex should be considered as a key subassembly for the biogenesis of the T2SS apparatus.

Research paper thumbnail of Transitional B cells commit to marginal zone B cell fate by Taok3-mediated surface expression of ADAM10

Nature immunology, Mar 9, 2017

Notch2 and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling determine whether transitional B cells become ... more Notch2 and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling determine whether transitional B cells become marginal zone B (MZB) or follicular B (FoB) cells in the spleen, but it is unknown how these pathways are related. We generated Taok3(-/-) mice, lacking the serine/threonine kinase Taok3, and found cell-intrinsic defects in the development of MZB but not FoB cells. Type 1 transitional (T1) B cells required Taok3 to rapidly respond to ligation by the Notch ligand Delta-like 1. BCR ligation by endogenous or exogenous ligands induced the surface expression of the metalloproteinase ADAM10 on T1 B cells in a Taok3-dependent manner. T1 B cells expressing surface ADAM10 were committed to becoming MZB cells in vivo, whereas T1 B cells lacking expression of ADAM10 were not. Thus, during positive selection in the spleen, BCR signaling causes immature T1 B cells to become receptive to Notch ligands via Taok3-mediated surface expression of ADAM10.

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