scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli mutants with altered rates of deletion formation.

Genetics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Whoriskey ◽  
M A Schofield ◽  
J H Miller

Abstract Using site-specific mutagenesis in vitro we constructed a genetic system to detect mutants with altered rates of deletion formation between short repeated sequences in Escherichia coli. After in vivo mutagenesis with chemical mutagens and transposons, the system allowed the identification of mutants with either increased or decreased deletion frequencies. One mutational locus, termed mutR, that results in an increase in deletion formation, was studied in detail. The mutR gene maps at 38.5 min on the E. coli genetic map. Since the precise excision of many transposable elements is also mediated at short repeated sequences, we investigated the effects of the mutant alleles, as well as recA, on precise excision of the transposon Tn9. Neither mutR nor recA affect precise excision of the transposon Tn9, from three different insertions in lacI, whereas these alleles do affect other spontaneous deletions in the same system. These results indicate that deletion events leading to precise excision occur principally via a different pathway than other random spontaneous deletions. It is suggested that, whereas precise excision occurs predominantly via a pathway involving replication enzymes (for instance template strand slippage), deletions on an F'factor are stimulated by recombination enzymes.

Genetics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 631-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
S T Lovett ◽  
P T Drapkin ◽  
V A Sutera ◽  
T J Gluckman-Peskind

Abstract In the genomes of many organisms, deletions arise between tandemly repeated DNA sequences of lengths ranging from several kilobases to only a few nucleotides. Using a plasmid-based assay for deletion of a 787-bp tandem repeat, we have found that a recA-independent mechanism contributes substantially to the deletion process of even this large region of homology. No Escherichia coli recombination gene tested, including recA, had greater than a fivefold effect on deletion rates. The recA-independence of deletion formation is also observed with constructions present on the chromosome. RecA promotes synapsis and transfer of homologous DNA strands in vitro and is indispensable for intermolecular recombination events in vivo measured after conjugation. Because deletion formation in E. coli shows little or no dependence on recA, it has been assumed that homologous recombination contributes little to the deletion process. However, we have found recA-independent deletion products suggestive of reciprocal crossovers when branch migration in the cell is inhibited by a ruvA mutation. We propose a model for recA-independent crossovers between replicating sister strands, which can also explain deletion or amplification of repeated sequences. We suggest that this process may be initiated as post-replicational DNA repair; subsequent strand misalignment at repeated sequences leads to genetic rearrangements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Shimada ◽  
Yui Yokoyama ◽  
Takumi Anzai ◽  
Kaneyoshi Yamamoto ◽  
Akira Ishihama

AbstractOutside a warm-blooded animal host, the enterobacterium Escherichia coli K-12 is also able to grow and survive in stressful nature. The major organic substance in nature is plant, but the genetic system of E. coli how to utilize plant-derived materials as nutrients is poorly understood. Here we describe the set of regulatory targets for uncharacterized IclR-family transcription factor YiaJ on the E. coli genome, using gSELEX screening system. Among a total of 18 high-affinity binding targets of YiaJ, the major regulatory target was identified to be the yiaLMNOPQRS operon for utilization of ascorbate from fruits and galacturonate from plant pectin. The targets of YiaJ also include the genes involved in the utilization for other plant-derived materials as nutrients such as fructose, sorbitol, glycerol and fructoselysine. Detailed in vitro and in vivo analyses suggest that L-ascorbate and α-D-galacturonate are the effector ligands for regulation of YiaJ function. These findings altogether indicate that YiaJ plays a major regulatory role in expression of a set of the genes for the utilization of plant-derived materials as nutrients for survival. PlaR was also suggested to play protecting roles of E. coli under stressful environments in nature, including the formation of biofilm. We then propose renaming YiaJ to PlaR (regulator of plant utilization).


2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 6405-6410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul R. Raya ◽  
Peter Varey ◽  
Rebecca A. Oot ◽  
Michael R. Dyen ◽  
Todd R. Callaway ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Bacteriophage CEV1 was isolated from sheep resistant to Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization. In vitro, CEV1 efficiently infected E. coli O157:H7 grown both aerobically and anaerobically. In vivo, sheep receiving a single oral dose of CEV1 showed a 2-log-unit reduction in intestinal E. coli O157:H7 levels within 2 days compared to levels in the controls.


1987 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Charlier ◽  
R Sanchez

In contrast with most aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the lysyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli is coded for by two genes, the normal lysS gene and the inducible lysU gene. During its purification from E. coli K12, lysyl-tRNA synthetase was monitored by its aminoacylation and adenosine(5′)tetraphospho(5′)adenosine (Ap4A) synthesis activities. Ap4A synthesis was measured by a new assay using DEAE-cellulose filters. The heterogeneity of lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) was revealed on hydroxyapatite; we focused on the first peak, LysRS1, because of its higher Ap4A/lysyl-tRNA activity ratio at that stage. Additional differences between LysRS1 and LysRS2 (major peak on hydroxyapatite) were collected. LysRS1 was eluted from phosphocellulose in the presence of the substrates, whereas LysRS2 was not. Phosphocellulose chromatography was used to show the increase of LysRS1 in cells submitted to heat shock. Also, the Mg2+ optimum in the Ap4A-synthesis reaction is much higher for LysRS1. LysRS1 showed a higher thermostability, which was specifically enhanced by Zn2+. These results in vivo and in vitro strongly suggest that LysRS1 is the heat-inducible lysU-gene product.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 2343-2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Komp Lindgren ◽  
Linda L. Marcusson ◽  
Dorthe Sandvang ◽  
Niels Frimodt-Møller ◽  
Diarmaid Hughes

ABSTRACT Resistance to fluoroquinolones in urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli is associated with multiple mutations, typically those that alter DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV and those that regulate AcrAB-TolC-mediated efflux. We asked whether a fitness cost is associated with the accumulation of these multiple mutations. Mutants of the susceptible E. coli UTI isolate Nu14 were selected through three to five successive steps with norfloxacin. Each selection was performed with the MIC of the selected strain. After each selection the MIC was measured; and the regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE, previously associated with resistance mutations, and all of marOR and acrR were sequenced. The first selection step yielded mutations in gyrA, gyrB, and marOR. Subsequent selection steps yielded mutations in gyrA, parE, and marOR but not in gyrB, parC, or acrR. Resistance-associated mutations were identified in almost all isolates after selection steps 1 and 2 but in less than 50% of isolates after subsequent selection steps. Selected strains were competed in vitro, in urine, and in a mouse UTI infection model against the starting strain, Nu14. First-step mutations were not associated with significant fitness costs. However, the accumulation of three or more resistance-associated mutations was usually associated with a large reduction in biological fitness, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, in some lineages a partial restoration of fitness was associated with the accumulation of additional mutations in late selection steps. We suggest that the relative biological costs of multiple mutations may influence the evolution of E. coli strains that develop resistance to fluoroquinolones.


1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Belyaeva ◽  
L Griffiths ◽  
S Minchin ◽  
J Cole ◽  
S Busby

The Escherichia coli cysG promoter has been subcloned and shown to function constitutively in a range of different growth conditions. Point mutations identify the -10 hexamer and an important 5′-TGN-3′ motif immediately upstream. The effects of different deletions suggest that specific sequences in the -35 region are not essential for the activity of this promoter in vivo. This conclusion was confirmed by in vitro run-off transcription assays. The DNAase I footprint of RNA polymerase at the cysG promoter reveals extended protection upstream of the transcript start, and studies with potassium permanganate as a probe suggest that the upstream region is distorted in open complexes. Taken together, the results show that the cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended -10’ class of promoters, and the base sequence is similar to that of the P1 promoter of the E. coli galactose operon, another promoter in this class. In vivo, messenger initiated at the cysG promoter appears to be processed by cleavage at a site 41 bases downstream from the transcript start point.


2020 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 15550-15558
Author(s):  
Amégninou Agban ◽  
Yao Hoekou ◽  
Passimna Pissang ◽  
Tchadjobo Tchacondo ◽  
Komlan Batawila

Objectif : L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer in vitro l’activité antimicrobienne des extraits de feuilles et tige de Jatropha multifida sur la croissance de Candida albicans, Escherichia coli et Staphylococcus aureus, puis d’évaluer in vivo la toxicité de cette plante. Méthodologie et résultats : Les méthodes de diffusion en milieu gélosé et de microdilution en milieu liquide ont été utilisées pour évaluer l’effet antimicrobien. Une étude en subaigüe était réalisée afin d’explorer les effets toxiques de l’extrait aqueux des feuilles. Les résultats des tests antimicrobiens montrent une activité des extraits de feuilles et tige de J. multifida sur la croissance des souches utilisées avec des diamètres de zones d’inhibition allant de 8 à 25 mm et des concentrations minimales inhibitrices (CMI) variant de 0,039 mg/mL à 1,25 mg/mL à l’exception des souches de E. coli qui sont résistantes aux extraits de la tige. L’administration en subaigüe de l’extrait aqueux des feuilles de J. multifida à la dose de 600 mg/kg entraîne une perte significative de poids chez les souris. Conclusion et applications des résultats : Les extraits aqueux, éthanolique et hydroéthanolique des feuilles et tige de J. multifida possèdent d’activité antimicrobienne et pourraient être utilisés dans le traitement des Candidoses à C. albicans et des infections à S. aureus. Mais l’essai de toxicité subaigüe montre que l’extrait aqueux de la plante serait toxique. Des études toxicologiques approfondies restent donc nécessaires sur ces extraits afin de mieux élucider leur inocuité. Mots-clés : Jatropha multifida, extraits de feuilles et de tige, activités antifongique et antibactérienne, toxicité. Agban et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2020 Evaluation du potentiel antimicrobien et de la toxicité des extraits de Jatropha multifida Linn, (Euphorbiaceae) 15551 Evaluation of antimicrobial potential and toxicity of Jatropha multifida Linn, (Euphorbiaceae) extracts ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial activity of leaves and stem of Jatropha multifida extracts against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and then to evaluate in vivo the toxicity of this plant. Methodology and Results: The agar well-diffusion and the NCCLS broth microdilution methods were used to assess the antimicrobial effect. A subacute study was carried out to explore the toxic effects of the aqueous extract of the leaves. The results of the antimicrobial tests show an activity of the extracts of leaves and stems of J. multifida on the growth of the strains used with diameters of inhibitory zones ranging from 8 to 25 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varying from 0.039 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL exception E. coli strains which are resistant to extracts from the stem. Subacute administration of the aqueous extract of the leaves of J. multifida at a dose of 600 mg/kg leads to a significant loss of weight in the mice. Conclusion and application of findings : The aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves and stem of J. multifida have antimicrobial activity and could be used in the treatment of Candidiasis and bacterial infections due respectively to C. albicans and S. aureus. But the subacute toxicity test shows that the aqueous extract of the plant would be toxic. Extensive toxicological studies therefore remain necessary on these extracts in order to better elucidate their safety. Keywords: Jatropha multifida extracts of leaves and stem, antifungal and antibacterial activities, toxicity


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
Joanna Kaczorowska ◽  
Eoghan Casey ◽  
Gabriele A. Lugli ◽  
Marco Ventura ◽  
David J. Clarke ◽  
...  

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Shigella ssp. infections are associated with high rates of mortality, especially in infants in developing countries. Due to increasing levels of global antibiotic resistance exhibited by many pathogenic organisms, alternative strategies to combat such infections are urgently required. In this study, we evaluated the stability of five coliphages (four Myoviridae and one Siphoviridae phage) over a range of pH conditions and in simulated gastric conditions. The Myoviridae phages were stable across the range of pH 2 to 7, while the Siphoviridae phage, JK16, exhibited higher sensitivity to low pH. A composite mixture of these five phages was tested in vivo in a Galleria mellonella model. The obtained data clearly shows potential in treating E. coli infections prophylactically.


2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
BYENG R. MIN ◽  
WILLIAM E. PINCHAK ◽  
ROBIN C. ANDERSON ◽  
TODD R. CALLAWAY

The effect of commercially available chestnut and mimosa tannins in vitro (experiment 1) or in vivo (experiment 2) on the growth or recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7 or generic fecal E. coli was evaluated. In experiment 1, the mean growth rate of E. coli O157:H7, determined via the measurement of optical density at 600 nm during anaerobic culture in tryptic soy broth at 37°C, was reduced (P < 0.05) with as little as 400 μg of either tannin extract per ml of culture fluid. The addition of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,200 μg of tannins per ml significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the specific bacterial growth rate when compared with the nontannin control. The specific growth rate decreased with increasing dose levels up to 800 μg of tannins per ml. Bacterial growth inhibition effects in chestnut tannins were less pronounced than in mimosa tannins. Chestnut tannin extract addition ranged from 0 to 1,200 μg/ml, and a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed in cultures incubated for 6 h against the recovery of viable cells, determined via the plating of each strain onto MacConkey agar, of E. coli O157:H7 strains 933 and 86-24, but not against strain 6058. Similar tests with mimosa tannin extract showed a linear effect (P < 0.05) against the recovery of E. coli O157:H7 strain 933 only. The bactericidal effect observed in cultures incubated for 24 h with the tannin preparations was similar, although it was less than that observed from cultures incubated for 6 h. When chestnut tannins (15 g of tannins per day) were infused intraruminally to steers fed a Bermuda grass hay diet in experiment 2, fecal E. coli shedding was lower on days 3 (P < 0.03), 12 (P = 0.08), and 15 (P < 0.001) when compared with animals that were fed a similar diet without tannin supplementation. It was concluded that dietary levels and sources of tannins potentially reduce the shedding of E. coli from the gastrointestinal tract.


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