Conservation and variation in superantigen structure and activity highlighted by the three-dimensional structures of two new superantigens from Streptococcus pyogenes

Bacterial superantigens (SAgs) are a structurally related group of protein toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. They a re implicated in a range of human pathologies associated with bacterial inf ection whose symptoms result from SAg-mediated stimulation of a large numbe r (2-20%) of T-cells. At the molecular level, bacterial SAgs bind to major histocompatability class II (MHC-II) molecules and disrupt the normal inter action between MHC-II and T-cell receptors (TCRs). We have determined high- resolution crystal structures of two newly identified streptococcal superan tigens, SPE-H and SMEZ-2. Both structures conform to the generic bacterial superantigen folding pattern, comprising an OB-fold N-terminal domain and a beta-grasp C-terminal domain. SPE-H and SMEZ-2 also display very similar z inc-binding sites on the outer concave surfaces of their C-terminal domains . Structural comparisons with other SAgs identify two structural sub-famili es. Sub-families are related by conserved core residues and demarcated by v ariable binding surfaces for MHC-II and TCR. SMEZ-2 is most closely related to the streptococcal SAg SPE-C,and together they constitute one structural sub-family. In contrast, SPE-H appears to be a hybrid whose N-terminal dom ain is most closely related to the SEE sub-family and whose C-terminal doma in is most closely related to the SPE-C/SMEZ-2 sub-family. MHC-II binding f or both SPE-H and SMEZ-2 is mediated by the zinc ion at their C-terminal fa ce, whereas the generic N-terminal domain MHC-II binding site found on many SAgs appears not to be present. Structural comparisons provide evidence fo r variations in TCR binding between SPE-H, SMEZ-2 and other members of the SAg family; the extreme potency of SMEZ-2 (active at 10(-15) g ml(-1) level s) is Likely to be related to its TCR binding properties. The smez gene sho ws allelic variation that maps onto a considerable proportion of the protei n surface. This allelic variation, coupled with the varied binding modes of SAgs to MHC-II and TCR, highlights the pressure on SAgs to avoid host immu ne defences. (C) 2000 Academic Press.