scholarly journals THE OCCURRENCE OF POLYGLYCEROPHOSPHATE AS AN ANTIGENIC COMPONENT OF VARIOUS GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIAL SPECIES

1959 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maclyn McCarty
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Immunochemical Analysis ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Precipitin Reaction ◽  
Group A ◽  
And Function

A bacterial substance has been described which gives a precipitin reaction with certain antisera to Group A streptococci. The precipitating antigen is present in various Gram-positive bacteria, including most hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and aerobic sporulating bacilli. It is not present in any of the Gram-negative species examined or in pneumococci, clostridia, or corynebacteria. Analysis of purified preparations obtained from Group A streptococci indicates that the antigen is a simple polymer of glycerophosphate. The identification has been confirmed by immunochemical studies, including precipitin tests and specific inhibition with synthetic polyglycerophosphates. In addition, the infrared spectra of bacterial and synthetic polyglycerophosphate are shown to be closely similar. Immunochemical analysis suggests that the amount of polyglycerophosphate present in Group A streptococci and staphylococci is approximately 1 per cent of the dry weight of the cells. The cellular localization and function of the polyglycerophosphate have not been established.

scholarly journals The Relevance of IL-1-Signaling in the Protection against Gram-Positive Bacteria

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Angelina Midiri ◽  
Giuseppe Mancuso ◽  
Concetta Beninati ◽  
Elisabetta Gerace ◽  
Carmelo Biondo
Keyword(s):  
Host Defense ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Group B Streptococcus ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Deficient Mice

Previous studies performed using a model of group B streptococcus (GBS)-induced peritoneal inflammation indicate that the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family plays an important role in the innate host defense against this encapsulated Gram-positive bacteria. Since the role of IL-1-dependent signaling in peritoneal infections induced by other Gram-positive bacteria is unknown, in the present study we sought to investigate the contribution of IL-1R signaling in host defenses against Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus or GAS) or Staphylococcus aureus, two frequent and global human Gram-positive extracellular pathogens. We analyzed here the outcome of GAS or S. aureus infection in IL-1R-deficient mice. After inoculated intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation with group A Streptococcus or S. aureus, all the wild-type (WT) control mice survived the challenge, while, respectively, 63% or 50% of IL-1-defective mice died. Lethality was due to the ability of both bacterial species to replicate and disseminate to the target organs of IL-1R-deficient mice. Moreover, the experimental results indicate that IL-1 signaling promotes the production of leukocyte attractant chemokines CXCL-1 and CXCL-2 and recruitment of neutrophils to bacterial infection sites. Accordingly, the reduced neutrophil recruitment in IL-1R-deficient mice was linked with decreased production of neutrophil chemokines. Collectively, our findings indicate that IL-1 signaling, as previously showed in host defense against GBS, plays a fundamental role also in controlling the progression and outcome of GAS or S. aureus disease.

scholarly journals In Vitro Activities of Two Ketolides, HMR 3647 and HMR 3004, against Gram-Positive Bacteria

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 930-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumthorn Malathum ◽  
Teresa M. Coque ◽  
Kavindra V. Singh ◽  
Barbara E. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Dilution Method ◽  
Agar Dilution Method ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Group B Streptococci ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Streptococci Group B ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

ABSTRACT The in vitro activities of two new ketolides, HMR 3647 and HMR 3004, were tested by the agar dilution method against 280 strains of gram-positive bacteria with different antibiotic susceptibility profiles, including Staphylococcus aureus,Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium,Streptococcus spp. (group A streptococci, group B streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and alpha-hemolytic streptococci). Seventeen erythromycin-susceptible (Ems), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains were found to have HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 MICs 4- to 16-fold lower than those of erythromycin (MIC at which 50% of isolates were inhibited [MIC50] [HMR 3647 and HMR 3004], 0.03 μg/ml; range, 0.03 to 0.06 μg/ml; MIC50 [erythromycin], 0.25 μg/ml; range, 0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml). All methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains tested were resistant to erythromycin and had HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 MICs of >64 μg/ml. The ketolides were slightly more active against E. faecalis than against E. faecium, and MICs for individual strains varied with erythromycin susceptibility. The MIC50s of HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 against Ems enterococci (MIC ≤ 0.5 μg/ml) and those enterococcal isolates with erythromycin MICs of 1 to 16 μg/ml were 0.015 μg/ml. E. faecalis strains that had erythromycin MICs of 128 to >512 μg/ml showed HMR 3647 MICs in the range of 0.03 to 16 μg/ml and HMR 3004 MICs in the range of 0.03 to 64 μg/ml. In the group of E. faecium strains for which MICs of erythromycin were ≥512 μg/ml, MICs of both ketolides were in the range of 1 to 64 μg/ml, with almost all isolates showing ketolide MICs of ≤16 μg/ml. The ketolides were also more active than erythromycin against group A streptococci, group B streptococci,S. pneumoniae, rhodococci, leuconostocs, pediococci, lactobacilli, and diphtheroids. Time-kill studies showed bactericidal activity against one strain of S. aureus among the four strains tested. The increased activity of ketolides against gram-positive bacteria suggests that further study of these agents for possible efficacy against infections caused by these bacteria is warranted.

scholarly journals The composition and function of Enterococcus faecalis membrane vesicles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Afonina ◽  
Brenda Tien ◽  
Zeus Nair ◽  
Artur Matysik ◽  
Ling Ning Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Virulence Factor ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Unsaturated Lipids ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
And Function

AbstractMembrane vesicles (MVs) contribute to various biological processes in bacteria, including virulence factor delivery, host immune evasion, and cross-species communication. MVs are frequently being discharged from the surface of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria during growth. In some Gram-positive bacteria, genes affecting MV biogenesis have been identified, but the mechanism of MV formation is unknown. In Enterococcus faecalis, a causative agent of life-threatening bacteraemia and endocarditis, neither mechanisms of MV formation nor their role in virulence has been examined. Since MVs of many bacterial species are implicated in host-pathogen interactions, biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and virulence factor secretion in other species, we sought to identify, describe, and functionally characterize MVs from E. faecalis. Here we show that E. faecalis releases MVs that possess unique lipid and protein profiles, distinct from the intact cell membrane, and are enriched in lipoproteins. MVs of E. faecalis are specifically enriched in unsaturated lipids that might provide membrane flexibility to enable MV formation, providing the first insights into the mechanism of MV formation in this Gram-positive organism.

scholarly journals A Two-Component Regulatory System Impacts Extracellular Membrane-Derived Vesicle Production in Group A Streptococcus

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Resch ◽  
James Anthony Tsatsaronis ◽  
Anaïs Le Rhun ◽  
Gerald Stübiger ◽  
Manfred Rohde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACT Export of macromolecules via extracellular membrane-derived vesicles (MVs) plays an important role in the biology of Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria have also recently been reported to produce MVs; however, the composition and mechanisms governing vesiculogenesis in Gram-positive bacteria remain undefined. Here, we describe MV production in the Gram-positive human pathogen group A streptococcus (GAS), the etiological agent of necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. M1 serotype GAS isolates in culture exhibit MV structures both on the cell wall surface and in the near vicinity of bacterial cells. A comprehensive analysis of MV proteins identified both virulence-associated protein substrates of the general secretory pathway in addition to “anchorless surface proteins.” Characteristic differences in the contents, distributions, and fatty acid compositions of specific lipids between MVs and GAS cell membrane were also observed. Furthermore, deep RNA sequencing of vesicular RNAs revealed that GAS MVs contained differentially abundant RNA species relative to bacterial cellular RNA. MV production by GAS strains varied in a manner dependent on an intact two-component system, CovRS, with MV production negatively regulated by the system. Modulation of MV production through CovRS was found to be independent of both GAS cysteine protease SpeB and capsule biosynthesis. Our data provide an explanation for GAS secretion of macromolecules, including RNAs, lipids, and proteins, and illustrate a regulatory mechanism coordinating this secretory response. IMPORTANCE Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually. Establishment of GAS infection is dependent on a suite of proteins exported via the general secretory pathway. Here, we show that GAS naturally produces extracellular vesicles with a unique lipid composition that are laden with proteins and RNAs. Interestingly, both virulence-associated proteins and RNA species were found to be differentially abundant in vesicles relative to the bacteria. Furthermore, we show that genetic disruption of the virulence-associated two-component regulator CovRS leads to an increase in vesicle production. This study comprehensively describes the protein, RNA, and lipid composition of GAS-secreted MVs and alludes to a regulatory system impacting this process.

scholarly journals Structure and function of proteins of the phosphotransferase system and of 6-phospho-β-glycosidases in Gram-positive bacteria

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 149-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hengstenberg ◽  
Detlef Kohlbrecher ◽  
Ellen Witt ◽  
Regina Kruse ◽  
Ingo Christiansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structure And Function ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Motility and adhesion through type IV pili in Gram-positive bacteria

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1659-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt H. Piepenbrink ◽  
Eric J. Sundberg
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Cellular Adhesion ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Current State ◽  
Highly Hydrophobic

Type IV pili are hair-like bacterial surface appendages that play a role in diverse processes such as cellular adhesion, colonization, twitching motility, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. These extracellular fibers are composed exclusively or primarily of many copies of one or more pilin proteins, tightly packed in a helix so that the highly hydrophobic amino-terminus of the pilin is buried in the pilus core. Type IV pili have been characterized extensively in Gram-negative bacteria, and recent advances in high-throughput genomic sequencing have revealed that they are also widespread in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of type IV pilus systems in Gram-positive bacterial species and discuss them in the broader context of eubacterial type IV pili.

scholarly journals Structure and function of proteins involved in sugar transport by the PTS of Gram-positive bacteria

1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hengstenberg ◽  
Bernd Reiche ◽  
Reinhard Eisermann ◽  
Roland Fischer ◽  
Ursula Keßler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Transport ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Enterococcus faecalis and pathogenic streptococciinactivate daptomycin by releasing phospholipids

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth V. K. Ledger ◽  
Vera Pader ◽  
Andrew M. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Defence Mechanism ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Group A ◽  
Partial Inactivation ◽  
Lipopeptide Antibiotic

SummaryDaptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with activity against Gram-positive bacteria. We have shown previously thatStaphylococcus aureuscan survive daptomycin exposure by releasing membrane phospholipids that inactivate the antibiotic. To determine whether other pathogens possess this defence mechanism, phospholipid release and daptomycin activity were measured after incubation ofStaphylococcus epidermidis, Group A or B streptococci,Streptococcus gordoniiorEnterococcus faecaliswith the antibiotic. All bacteria released phospholipid in response to daptomycin, which resulted in at least partial inactivation of the antibiotic. However,E. faecalisshowed the highest levels of lipid release and daptomycin inactivation. As shown previously forS. aureus, phospholipid release byE. faecaliswas inhibited by the lipid biosynthesis inhibitor platensimycin. In conclusion, several pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria, includingE. faecalis, inactivate daptomycin by releasing phospholipids, which may contribute to the failure of daptomycin to resolve infections caused by these pathogens.

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