Cooperation of both, the FKBP_N-like and the DSBA-like, domains is necessary for the correct function of FTS_1067 protein involved in Francisella tularensis virulence and pathogenesis.

Francisella tularensis the etiological agent of tularaemia is one of the most infectious human pathogen known. Our knowledge about its key virulence factors has increased recently but it still remains a lot to explore. One of the described essential virulence factors is membrane lipoprotein FTS_1067 (nomenclature of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica strain FSC200) with homology to the protein family of disulphide oxidoreductases DsbA. Lipoprotein consists of two different domains: the C-terminal DsbA_Com1-like domain (DSBA-like) and the N-terminal FKBP-type peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (FKBP_N-like). To uncover the biological role of these domains, we created bacterial strain with deletion of the DSBA-like domain. This defect in gene coding for lipoprotein FTS_1067 led to high in vivo attenuation associated with the ability to induce host protective immunity. Analyses performed with the truncated recombinant protein showed that the absence of DSBA-like domain revealed the loss of thiol/disulphide oxidoreductase activity and, additionally, confirmed the role of the FKBP_N-like domain in the FTS_1067 oligomerization and chaperone-like function. Finally, we verified that only full-length form of FTS_1067 recombinant protein possesses the isomerase activity. Based on our results, we proposed that for the correct FTS_1067 protein function both domains are needed.
(© FEMS 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)