scholarly journals Survival of the weakest in non-transitive asymmetric interactions among strains of E. coli

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Liao ◽  
Arianna Miano ◽  
Chloe B. Nguyen ◽  
Lin Chao ◽  
Jeff Hasty
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Competitive Dynamics ◽  
Hierarchical Organization ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Asymmetric Interactions

AbstractHierarchical organization in ecology, whereby interactions are nested in a manner that leads to a dominant species, naturally result in the exclusion of all but the dominant competitor. Alternatively, non-hierarchical competitive dynamics, such as cyclical interactions, can sustain biodiversity. Here, we designed a simple microbial community with three strains of E. coli that cyclically interact through (i) the inhibition of protein production, (ii) the digestion of genomic DNA, and (iii) the disruption of the cell membrane. We find that intrinsic differences in these three major mechanisms of bacterial warfare lead to an unbalanced community that is dominated by the weakest strain. We also use a computational model to describe how the relative toxin strengths, initial fractional occupancies, and spatial patterns affect the maintenance of biodiversity. The engineering of active warfare between microbial species establishes a framework for exploration of the underlying principles that drive complex ecological interactions.

scholarly journals Distinctive prokaryotic microbiomes in sympatric plant roots from a Yucatan cenote

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Escobar-Zepeda ◽  
Patricia Rosas-Escobar ◽  
Laura Marquez Valdelamar ◽  
Patricia de la Torre ◽  
Laila P. Partida-Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Prokaryotic Community ◽  
Prokaryotic Diversity ◽  
Bacterial And Archaeal Communities ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Archaeal Communities

Abstract Objective Cenotes are flooded caves in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Many cenotes are interconnected in an underground network of pools and streams forming a vast belowground aquifer across most of the peninsula. Many plants in the peninsula grow roots that reach the cenotes water and live submerged in conditions similar to hydroponics. Our objective was to study the microbial community associated with these submerged roots of the Sac Actun cenote. We accomplished this objective by profiling the root prokaryotic community using 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results We identified plant species by DNA barcoding the total genomic DNA of each root. We found a distinctive composition of the root and water bacterial and archaeal communities. Prokaryotic diversity was higher in all plant roots than in the surrounding freshwater, suggesting that plants in the cenotes may attract and select microorganisms from soil and freshwater, and may also harbor vertically transmitted lineages. The reported data are of interest for studies targeting biodiversity in general and root-microbial ecological interactions specifically.

scholarly journals Development and comparison of cell-free protein synthesis systems derived from typical bacterial chassis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liyuan Zhang ◽  
Xiaomei Lin ◽  
Ting Wang ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Yuan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Competent Cell ◽  
Free Protein ◽  
Application Range ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Cell Free Protein Synthesis

AbstractCell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems have become an ideal choice for pathway prototyping, protein production, and biosensing, due to their high controllability, tolerance, stability, and ability to produce proteins in a short time. At present, the widely used CFPS systems are mainly based on Escherichia coli strain. Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium glutamate, and Vibrio natriegens are potential chassis cells for many biotechnological applications with their respective characteristics. Therefore, to expand the platform of the CFPS systems and options for protein production, four prokaryotes, E. coli, B. subtilis, C. glutamate, and V. natriegens were selected as host organisms to construct the CFPS systems and be compared. Moreover, the process parameters of the CFPS system were optimized, including the codon usage, plasmid synthesis competent cell selection, plasmid concentration, ribosomal binding site (RBS), and CFPS system reagent components. By optimizing and comparing the main influencing factors of different CFPS systems, the systems can be optimized directly for the most influential factors to further improve the protein yield of the systems. In addition, to demonstrate the applicability of the CFPS systems, it was proved that the four CFPS systems all had the potential to produce therapeutic proteins, and they could produce the receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV-2 with functional activity. They not only could expand the potential options for in vitro protein production, but also could increase the application range of the system by expanding the cell-free protein synthesis platform.

scholarly journals DnaA, the Initiator of Escherichia coliChromosomal Replication, Is Located at the Cell Membrane

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (9) ◽  
pp. 2604-2610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Newman ◽  
Elliott Crooke
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Chromosomal Replication ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Dnaa Protein ◽  
Section Electron ◽  
Acidic Phospholipids

ABSTRACT Given the lack of a nucleus in prokaryotic cells, the significance of spatial organization in bacterial chromosome replication is only beginning to be fully appreciated. DnaA protein, the initiator of chromosomal replication in Escherichia coli, is purified as a soluble protein, and in vitro it efficiently initiates replication of minichromosomes in membrane-free DNA synthesis reactions. However, its conversion from a replicatively inactive to an active form in vitro occurs through its association with acidic phospholipids in a lipid bilayer. To determine whether the in situ residence of DnaA protein is cytoplasmic, membrane associated, or both, we examined the cellular location of DnaA using immunogold cryothin-section electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Both of these methods revealed that DnaA is localized at the cell membrane, further suggesting that initiation of chromosomal replication in E. coli is a membrane-affiliated event.

scholarly journals Random and combinatorial mutagenesis for improved total production of secretory target protein in Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gonzalez-Perez ◽  
James Ratcliffe ◽  
Shu Khan Tan ◽  
Mary Chen May Wong ◽  
Yi Pei Yee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Secretion ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Secretory Protein ◽  
Target Protein ◽  
Carrier Protein ◽  
Signal Peptides ◽  
Carrier Proteins ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Combinatorial Mutagenesis

AbstractSignal peptides and secretory carrier proteins are commonly used to secrete heterologous recombinant protein in Gram-negative bacteria. The Escherichia coli osmotically-inducible protein Y (OsmY) is a carrier protein that secretes a target protein extracellularly, and we have previously applied it in the Bacterial Extracellular Protein Secretion System (BENNY) to accelerate directed evolution. In this study, we reported the first application of random and combinatorial mutagenesis on a carrier protein to enhance total secretory target protein production. After one round of random mutagenesis followed by combining the mutations found, OsmY(M3) (L6P, V43A, S154R, V191E) was identified as the best carrier protein. OsmY(M3) produced 3.1 ± 0.3 fold and 2.9 ± 0.8 fold more secretory Tfu0937 β-glucosidase than its wildtype counterpart in E. coli strains BL21(DE3) and C41(DE3), respectively. OsmY(M3) also produced more secretory Tfu0937 at different cultivation temperatures (37 °C, 30 °C and 25 °C) compared to the wildtype. Subcellular fractionation of the expressed protein confirmed the essential role of OsmY in protein secretion. Up to 80.8 ± 12.2% of total soluble protein was secreted after 15 h of cultivation. When fused to a red fluorescent protein or a lipase from Bacillus subtillis, OsmY(M3) also produced more secretory protein compared to the wildtype. In this study, OsmY(M3) variant improved the extracellular production of three proteins originating from diverse organisms and with diverse properties, clearly demonstrating its wide-ranging applications. The use of random and combinatorial mutagenesis on the carrier protein demonstrated in this work can also be further extended to evolve other signal peptides or carrier proteins for secretory protein production in E. coli.

scholarly journals Exploring the taxonomical and functional profile of As Burgas hot spring focusing on thermostable β-galactosidases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María-Eugenia DeCastro ◽  
Michael P. Doane ◽  
Elizabeth Ann Dinsdale ◽  
Esther Rodríguez-Belmonte ◽  
María-Isabel González-Siso
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Maximal Activity ◽  
Sulfur Cycle ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Complex Microbial Community ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIn the present study we investigate the microbial community inhabiting As Burgas geothermal spring, located in Ourense (Galicia, Spain). The approximately 23 Gbp of Illumina sequences generated for each replicate revealed a complex microbial community dominated by Bacteria in which Proteobacteria and Aquificae were the two prevalent phyla. An association between the two most prevalent genera, Thermus and Hydrogenobacter, was suggested by the relationship of their metabolism. The high relative abundance of sequences involved in the Calvin–Benson cycle and the reductive TCA cycle unveils the dominance of an autotrophic population. Important pathways from the nitrogen and sulfur cycle are potentially taking place in As Burgas hot spring. In the assembled reads, two complete ORFs matching GH2 beta-galactosidases were found. To assess their functional characterization, the two ORFs were cloned and overexpressed in E. coli. The pTsbg enzyme had activity towards o-Nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (ONPG) and p-Nitrophenyl-β-d-fucopyranoside, with high thermal stability and showing maximal activity at 85 °C and pH 6, nevertheless the enzyme failed to hydrolyze lactose. The other enzyme, Tsbg, was unable to hydrolyze even ONPG or lactose. This finding highlights the challenge of finding novel active enzymes based only on their sequence.

scholarly journals Induction of macrophage pyroptosis-related factors by pathogenic E. coli high pathogenicity island (HPI) in Yunnan Saba pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunlan Shan ◽  
Shushu Miao ◽  
Chaoying Liu ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Weiwei Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Pathogenicity Island ◽  
Cell Membrane Permeability ◽  
Inflammatory Factor ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Membrane Pore ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
High Pathogenicity

Abstract Background Pyroptosis plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. The molecular mechanism by which pyroptosis is induced in macrophages following infection with pathogenic E. coli high pathogenicity island (HPI) will be evaluated in our study. Results After infection with the HPI+/HPI− strains and LPS, decreased macrophage cell membrane permeability and integrity were demonstrated with propidium iodide (PI) staining and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. HPI+/HPI−-infection was accompanied by upregulated expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD, with significantly higher levels detected in the HPI+ group compared to those in the HPI− group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). HPI+ strain is more pathogenic than HPI− strain. Conclusion Our findings indicate that pathogenic E. coli HPI infection of Saba pigs causes pyroptosis of macrophages characterized by upregulated expression of pyroptosis key factors in the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway, direct cell membrane pore formation, and secretion of the inflammatory factor IL-1β and IL-18 downstream of NLRP3 and caspase-1 activation to enhance the inflammatory response.

scholarly journals Validating DNA Extraction Protocols for Bentonite Clay

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Engel ◽  
Sara Coyotzi ◽  
Melody A. Vachon ◽  
Jennifer R. McKelvie ◽  
Josh D. Neufeld
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Bentonite Clay ◽  
Dna Recovery ◽  
Blocking Agents ◽  
Clay Matrix ◽  
Microbial Dna

ABSTRACT Bentonite clay is an integral component of the engineered barrier system of deep geological repositories (DGRs) that are planned for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste. Although nucleic acid extraction and analysis can provide powerful qualitative and quantitative data reflecting the presence, abundance, and functional potential of microorganisms within DGR materials, extraction of microbial DNA from bentonite clay is challenging due to the low biomass and adsorption of nucleic acids to the charged clay matrix. In this study, we used quantitative PCR, gel fingerprinting, and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons to assess DNA extraction efficiency from natural MX-80 bentonite and the same material “spiked” with Escherichia coli genomic DNA. Extraction protocols were tested without additives and with casein and phosphate as blocking agents. Although we demonstrate improved DNA recovery by blocking agents at relatively high DNA spiking concentrations, at relatively low spiking concentrations, we detected a high proportion of contaminant nucleic acids from blocking agents that masked sample-specific microbial profile data. Because bacterial genomic DNA associated with casein preparations was insufficiently removed by UV treatment, casein is not recommended as an additive for DNA extractions from low-biomass samples. Instead, we recommend a kit-based extraction protocol for bentonite clay without additional blocking agents, as tested here and validated with multiple MX-80 bentonite samples, ensuring relatively high DNA recoveries with minimal contamination. IMPORTANCE Extraction of microbial DNA from MX-80 bentonite is challenging due to low biomass and adsorption of nucleic acid molecules to the charged clay matrix. Blocking agents improve DNA recovery, but their impact on microbial community profiles from low-biomass samples has not been characterized well. In this study, we evaluated the effect of casein and phosphate as blocking agents for quantitative recovery of nucleic acids from MX-80 bentonite. Our data justify a simplified framework for analyzing microbial community DNA associated with swelling MX-80 bentonite samples within the context of a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel. This study is among the first to demonstrate successful extraction of DNA from Wyoming MX-80 bentonite.

scholarly journals Multiple Microfermentor Battery: a Versatile Tool for Use with Automated Parallel Cultures of Microorganisms Producing Recombinant Proteins and for Optimization of Cultivation Protocols

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 5225-5231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Frachon ◽  
Vincent Bondet ◽  
Hélène Munier-Lehmann ◽  
Jacques Bellalou
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Protein ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Batch Cultures ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Versatile Tool ◽  
Labview Program ◽  
Medium Formulation ◽  
Conventional Medium

ABSTRACT A multiple microfermentor battery was designed for high-throughput recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli. This novel system comprises eight aerated glass reactors with a working volume of 80 ml and a moving external optical sensor for measuring optical densities at 600 nm (OD600) ranging from 0.05 to 100 online. Each reactor can be fitted with miniature probes to monitor temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH. Independent temperature regulation for each vessel is obtained with heating/cooling Peltier devices. Data from pH, DO, and turbidity sensors are collected on a FieldPoint (National Instruments) I/O interface and are processed and recorded by a LabVIEW program on a personal computer, which enables feedback control of the culture parameters. A high-density medium formulation was designed, which enabled us to grow E. coli to OD600 up to 100 in batch cultures with oxygen-enriched aeration. Accordingly, the biomass and the amount of recombinant protein produced in a 70-ml culture were at least equivalent to the biomass and the amount of recombinant protein obtained in a Fernbach flask with 1 liter of conventional medium. Thus, the microfermentor battery appears to be well suited for automated parallel cultures and process optimization, such as that needed for structural genomics projects.

Microbial community-based protein production from wastewater for animal feed applications

2021 ◽  
pp. 125723
Author(s):  
Ramanujam Srinivasan Vethathirri ◽  
Ezequiel Santillan ◽  
Stefan Wuertz
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Community Based

Protein expression and extraction of hard-to-produce proteins in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Hernandez Rollan ◽  
Kristoffer Bach Falkenberg ◽  
Maja Rennig ◽  
Andreas Birk Bertelsen ◽  
Morten Norholm
Keyword(s):  
Protein Production ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
E Coli ◽  
New Family ◽  
Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases ◽  
Strain Bl21 ◽  
Polysaccharide Monooxygenases

E. coli is a gram-negative bacteria used mainly in academia and in some industrial scenarios, as a protein production workhorse. This is due to its ease of manipulation and the range of genetic tools available. This protocol describes how to express proteins in the periplasm E. coli with the strain BL21 (DE3) using a T7 expression system. Specifically, it describes a series of steps and tips to express "hard-to-express" proteins in E. coli, as for instance, LPMOs. The protocol is adapted from Hemsworth, G. R., Henrissat, B., Davies, G. J., and Walton, P. H. (2014) Discovery and characterization of a new family of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases. Nat. Chem. Biol.10, 122–126. .

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