Engineered Clays as Sustainable Oil Dispersants in the Presence of Model Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria: The Role of Bacterial Sequestration and Biofilm Formation

The diversity of indole concerning its production and functional role has increased in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The bacterial species produce indole and use it as a signaling molecule at interspecies, intraspecies, and even at an interkingdom level for controlling the capability of drug resistance, level of virulence, and biofilm formation. Numerous indole derivatives have been found to play an important role in the different systems and are reported to occur in various bacteria, plants, human, and plant pathogens. Indole and its derivatives have been recognized for a defensive role against pests and insects in the plant kingdom. These indole derivatives are produced as a result of the breakdown of glucosinolate products at the time of insect attack or physical damages. Apart from the defensive role of these products, in plants, they also exhibit several other secondary responses that may contribute directly or indirectly to the growth and development. The present review summarized recent signs of progress on the functional properties of indole and its derivatives in different plant systems. The molecular mechanism involved in the defensive role played by indole as well as its’ derivative in the plants has also been explained. Furthermore, the perspectives of indole and its derivatives (natural or synthetic) in understanding the involvement of these compounds in diverse plants have also been discussed.

Download Full-text

The Potential Role of Bacteriophages in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060675 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 675

Author(s):

Saartje Uyttebroek ◽

Jolien Onsea ◽

Willem-Jan Metsemakers ◽

Lieven Dupont ◽

David Devolder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Potential Role ◽

Phage Therapy ◽

Well Being ◽

Treatment Alternative ◽

Surgical Interventions ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Promising Treatment

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common condition affecting 5–12% of the general population worldwide. In a limited number of cases, the disease is recalcitrant to medical and surgical interventions, causing a major impact on physical, social and emotional well-being and increasing pressure on healthcare systems. Biofilm formation and dysbiosis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa play a role in the pathogenesis of recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis. In these cases, a promising treatment alternative is the application of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect and lyse bacteria. In this review, we appraise the evidence for the use of bacteriophages in the treatment of recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis. Additionally, (dis)advantages of bacteriophages and considerations for implementation of phage therapy in otorhinolaryngology practice will be discussed.

Download Full-text

Comparative Proteomics of Marinobacter sp. TT1 Reveals Corexit Impacts on Hydrocarbon Metabolism, Chemotactic Motility, and Biofilm Formation

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9010003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

Saskia Rughöft ◽

Nico Jehmlich ◽

Tony Gutierrez ◽

Sara Kleindienst

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Oil Spills ◽

Carbon Sources ◽

Comparative Proteomics ◽

Hydrocarbon Biodegradation ◽

Solvent Tolerance ◽

Marine Microorganisms ◽

Degrading Bacteria ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

First Time

The application of chemical dispersants during marine oil spills can affect the community composition and activity of marine microorganisms. Several studies have indicated that certain marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, such as Marinobacter spp., can be inhibited by chemical dispersants, resulting in lower abundances and/or reduced biodegradation rates. However, a major knowledge gap exists regarding the mechanisms underlying these physiological effects. Here, we performed comparative proteomics of the Deepwater Horizon isolate Marinobacter sp. TT1 grown under different conditions. Strain TT1 received different carbon sources (pyruvate vs. n-hexadecane) with and without added dispersant (Corexit EC9500A). Additional treatments contained crude oil in the form of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) or chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF; with Corexit). For the first time, we identified the proteins associated with alkane metabolism and alginate biosynthesis in strain TT1, report on its potential for aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation and present a protein-based proposed metabolism of Corexit components as carbon substrates. Our findings revealed that Corexit exposure affects hydrocarbon metabolism, chemotactic motility, biofilm formation, and induces solvent tolerance mechanisms, like efflux pumps, in strain TT1. This study provides novel insights into dispersant impacts on microbial hydrocarbon degraders that should be taken into consideration for future oil spill response actions.

Download Full-text

RND Efflux Systems Contribute to Resistance and Virulence of Aliarcobacter butzleri

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10070823 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 823

Author(s):

Cristiana Mateus ◽

Ana Rita Nunes ◽

Mónica Oleastro ◽

Fernanda Domingues ◽

Susana Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Human Serum ◽

Ethidium Bromide ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Resistance ◽

Efflux Pumps ◽

Bacterial Virulence ◽

Relative Fitness ◽

Mutant Strains

Aliarcobacter butzleri is an emergent enteropathogen that can be found in a range of environments. This bacterium presents a vast repertoire of efflux pumps, such as the ones belonging to the resistance nodulation cell division family, which may be associated with bacterial resistance, as well as virulence. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the contribution of three RND efflux systems, AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI, in the resistance and virulence of A. butzleri. Mutant strains were constructed by inactivation of the gene that encodes the inner membrane protein of these systems. The bacterial resistance profile of parental and mutant strains to several antimicrobials was assessed, as was the intracellular accumulation of the ethidium bromide dye. Regarding bacterial virulence, the role of these three efflux pumps on growth, strain fitness, motility, biofilm formation ability, survival in adverse conditions (oxidative stress and bile salts) and human serum and in vitro adhesion and invasion to Caco-2 cells was evaluated. We observed that the mutants from the three efflux pumps were more susceptible to several classes of antimicrobials than the parental strain and presented an increase in the accumulation of ethidium bromide, indicating a potential role of the efflux pumps in the extrusion of antimicrobials. The mutant strains had no bacterial growth defects; nonetheless, they presented a reduction in relative fitness. For the three mutants, an increase in the susceptibility to oxidative stress was observed, while only the mutant for AreGHI efflux pump showed a relevant role in bile stress survival. All the mutant strains showed an impairment in biofilm formation ability, were more susceptible to human serum and were less adherent to intestinal epithelial cells. Overall, the results support the contribution of the efflux pumps AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI of A. butzleri to antimicrobial resistance, as well as to bacterial virulence.

Download Full-text

Role of DegQ in differential stability of flagellin subunits in Vibrio vulnificus

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes ◽

10.1038/s41522-021-00206-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

You-Chul Jung ◽

Mi-Ae Lee ◽

Han-Shin Kim ◽

Kyu-Ho Lee

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Vibrio Vulnificus ◽

Differential Regulation ◽

Specific Manner ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Differential Stability ◽

Methionine Residues

AbstractBiofilm formation of Vibrio vulnificus is initiated by adherence of flagellated cells to surfaces, and then flagellum-driven motility is not necessary during biofilm maturation. Once matured biofilms are constructed, cells become flagellated and swim to disperse from biofilms. As a consequence, timely regulations of the flagellar components’ expression are crucial to complete a biofilm life-cycle. In this study, we demonstrated that flagellins’ production is regulated in a biofilm stage-specific manner, via activities of a protease DegQ and a chaperone FlaJ. Among four flagellin subunits for V. vulnificus filament, FlaC had the highest affinities to hook-associated proteins, and is critical for maturating flagellum, showed the least susceptibility to DegQ due to the presence of methionine residues in its DegQ-sensitive domains, ND1 and CD0. Therefore, differential regulation by DegQ and FlaJ controls the cytoplasmic stability of flagellins, which further determines the motility-dependent, stage-specific development of biofilms.

Download Full-text

The role of galU and galE of Haemophilus parasuis SC096 in serum resistance and biofilm formation

Veterinary Microbiology ◽

10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.08.006 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 162 (1) ◽

pp. 278-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Yi Zou ◽

Saixiang Feng ◽

Chenggang Xu ◽

Bin Zhang ◽

Suming Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Serum Resistance ◽

Haemophilus Parasuis

Download Full-text

The Role of Exopolysaccharides in Oral Biofilms

Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.1177/0022034519845001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (7) ◽

pp. 739-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. Cugini ◽

M. Shanmugam ◽

N. Landge ◽

N. Ramasubbu

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Colonization ◽

Super Resolution ◽

Extracellular Proteins ◽

Extracellular Polysaccharides ◽

Oral Biofilms ◽

The Matrix ◽

Oral Microbes ◽

Biofilm Development

The oral cavity contains a rich consortium of exopolysaccharide-producing microbes. These extracellular polysaccharides comprise a major component of the oral biofilm. Together with extracellular proteins, DNA, and lipids, they form the biofilm matrix, which contributes to bacterial colonization, biofilm formation and maintenance, and pathogenesis. While a number of oral microbes have been studied in detail with regard to biofilm formation and pathogenesis, the exopolysaccharides have been well characterized for only select organisms, namely Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Studies on the exopolysaccharides of other oral organisms, however, are in their infancy. In this review, we present the current research on exopolysaccharides of oral microbes regarding their biosynthesis, regulation, contributions to biofilm formation and stability of the matrix, and immune evasion. In addition, insight into the role of exopolysaccharides in biofilms is highlighted through the evaluation of emerging techniques such as pH probing of biofilm colonies, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance for macromolecular interactions within biofilms, and super-resolution microscopy analysis of biofilm development. Finally, exopolysaccharide as a potential nutrient source for species within a biofilm is discussed.

Download Full-text