scholarly journals Impaired competence in flagellar mutants ofBacillus subtilisis connected to the regulatory network governed by DegU

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Hölscher ◽  
Tina Schiklang ◽  
Anna Dragoš ◽  
Anne-Kathrin Dietel ◽  
Christian Kost ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Regulator ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
Transformation Frequency ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Bacterial Differentiation

SummaryThe competent state is a developmentally distinct phase, in which bacteria are able to take up and integrate exogenous DNA into their genome.Bacillus subtilisis one of the naturally competent bacterial species and the domesticated laboratory strain 168 is easily transformable. In this study, we report a reduced transformation frequency ofB. subtilismutants lacking functional and structural flagellar components. This includeshag, the gene encoding the flagellin protein forming the filament of the flagellum. We confirm that the observed decrease of the transformation frequency is due to reduced expression of competence genes, particularly of the main competence regulatorcomK. The impaired competence is due to an increase in the phosphorylated form of the response regulator DegU, which is involved in regulation of both flagellar motility and competence. Altogether, our study identified a close link between motility and natural competence inB. subtilissuggesting that hindrance in motility has great impact on differentiation of this bacterium not restricted only to the transition towards sessile growth stage.Originality-Significance statementUnderstanding how versatile bacterial phenotypes influence each other is important for our basic understanding of microbial ecology. Our research highlights the novel intertwinement of bacterial differentiation and reveal how lack of single cell motility adjusts DNA exchange among bacterial strains.

scholarly journals The Conservation of Low Complexity Regions in Bacterial Proteins Depends on the Pathogenicity of the Strain and Subcellular Location of the Protein

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Pablo Mier ◽  
Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Subcellular Location ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Extracellular Proteins ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Bacterial Proteins ◽  
Protein Subcellular Location

Low complexity regions (LCRs) in proteins are characterized by amino acid frequencies that differ from the average. These regions evolve faster and tend to be less conserved between homologs than globular domains. They are not common in bacteria, as compared to their prevalence in eukaryotes. Studying their conservation could help provide hypotheses about their function. To obtain the appropriate evolutionary focus for this rapidly evolving feature, here we study the conservation of LCRs in bacterial strains and compare their high variability to the closeness of the strains. For this, we selected 20 taxonomically diverse bacterial species and obtained the completely sequenced proteomes of two strains per species. We calculated all orthologous pairs for each of the 20 strain pairs. Per orthologous pair, we computed the conservation of two types of LCRs: compositionally biased regions (CBRs) and homorepeats (polyX). Our results show that, in bacteria, Q-rich CBRs are the most conserved, while A-rich CBRs and polyA are the most variable. LCRs have generally higher conservation when comparing pathogenic strains. However, this result depends on protein subcellular location: LCRs accumulate in extracellular and outer membrane proteins, with conservation increased in the extracellular proteins of pathogens, and decreased for polyX in the outer membrane proteins of pathogens. We conclude that these dependencies support the functional importance of LCRs in host–pathogen interactions.

scholarly journals Isolation and efficacy of two bacterial strains antagonists of Erwinia amylovora and Pectobacterium carotovorum

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M’hamed BENADA ◽  
Boualem BOUMAAZA ◽  
Sofiane BOUDALIA ◽  
Omar KHALADI
Keyword(s):  
Fire Blight ◽  
Erwinia Amylovora ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Soft Rot ◽  
Causal Agent ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Pectobacterium Carotovorum ◽  
Bacterial Strains

Abstract Background The development of ecofriendly tools against plant diseases is an important issue in crop protection. Screening and selection process of bacterial strains antagonists of 2 pathogenic bacterial species that limit very important crops, Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of the fire blight disease, and Pectobacterium carotovorum, the causal agent of bacterial potato soft rot, were reported. Bacterial colonies were isolated from different ecological niches, where both pathogens were found: rhizosphere of potato tubers and fruits and leaves of pear trees from the northwest region of Algeria. Direct and indirect confrontation tests against strains of E. amylovora and P. carotovorum were performed. Results Results showed a significant antagonistic activity against both phytopathogenic species, using direct confrontation method and supernatants of cultures (p<0.005). In vitro assays showed growth inhibitions of both phytopathogenic species. Furthermore, results revealed that the strains of S. plymuthica had a better inhibitory effect than the strains of P. fluorescens against both pathogens. In vivo results on immature pear fruits showed a significant decrease in the progression of the fire blight symptoms, with a variation in the infection index from one antagonistic strain to another between 31.3 and 50%, and slice of potato showed total inhibition of the pathogen (P. carotovorum) by the antagonistic strains of Serratia plymuthica (p<0.005). Conclusion This study highlighted that the effective bacteria did not show any infection signs towards plant tissue, and considered as a potential strategy to limit the fire blight and soft rot diseases.

In vitro evaluation of the effect of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine on oral microorganisms

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Cogo ◽  
Michelle Franz Montan ◽  
Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi ◽  
Eduardo D. Andrade ◽  
Pedro Luiz Rosalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Susceptibility Tests

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine on the viability of some oral bacterial species. It also evaluated the ability of these bacteria to metabolize those substances. Single-species biofilms of Streptococcus gordonii , Porphyromonas gingivalis , or Fusobacterium nucleatum and dual-species biofilms of S. gordonii – F. nucleatum and F. nucleatum – P. gingivalis were grown on hydroxyapatite discs. Seven species were studied as planktonic cells, including Streptococcus oralis , Streptococcus mitis , Propionibacterium acnes , Actinomyces naeslundii , and the species mentioned above. The viability of planktonic cells and biofilms was analyzed by susceptibility tests and time-kill assays, respectively, against different concentrations of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to quantify nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine concentrations in the culture media after the assays. Susceptibility tests and viability assays showed that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine cannot reduce or stimulate bacterial growth. High-performance liquid chromatography results showed that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine concentrations were not altered after bacteria exposure. These findings indicate that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine, in the concentrations used, cannot affect significantly the growth of these oral bacterial strains. Moreover, these species do not seem to metabolize these substances.

scholarly journals IC138 Defines a Subdomain at the Base of the I1 Dynein That Regulates Microtubule Sliding and Flagellar Motility

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3055-3063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raqual Bower ◽  
Kristyn VanderWaal ◽  
Eileen O'Toole ◽  
Laura Fox ◽  
Catherine Perrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Double Mutant ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Null Allele ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Radial Spoke ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Dynein Arms ◽  
Image Averaging

To understand the mechanisms that regulate the assembly and activity of flagellar dyneins, we focused on the I1 inner arm dynein (dynein f) and a null allele, bop5-2, defective in the gene encoding the IC138 phosphoprotein subunit. I1 dynein assembles in bop5-2 axonemes but lacks at least four subunits: IC138, IC97, LC7b, and flagellar-associated protein (FAP) 120—defining a new I1 subcomplex. Electron microscopy and image averaging revealed a defect at the base of the I1 dynein, in between radial spoke 1 and the outer dynein arms. Microtubule sliding velocities also are reduced. Transformation with wild-type IC138 restores assembly of the IC138 subcomplex and rescues microtubule sliding. These observations suggest that the IC138 subcomplex is required to coordinate I1 motor activity. To further test this hypothesis, we analyzed microtubule sliding in radial spoke and double mutant strains. The results reveal an essential role for the IC138 subcomplex in the regulation of I1 activity by the radial spoke/phosphorylation pathway.

scholarly journals Polymeric Nanoparticles Active against Dual-Species Bacterial Biofilms

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4958
Author(s):  
Jessa Marie V. Makabenta ◽  
Jungmi Park ◽  
Cheng-Hsuan Li ◽  
Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay ◽  
Ahmed Nabawy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Bacterial Strains

Biofilm infections are a global public health threat, necessitating new treatment strategies. Biofilm formation also contributes to the development and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. Biofilm-associated chronic infections typically involve colonization by more than one bacterial species. The co-existence of multiple species of bacteria in biofilms exacerbates therapeutic challenges and can render traditional antibiotics ineffective. Polymeric nanoparticles offer alternative antimicrobial approaches to antibiotics, owing to their tunable physico-chemical properties. Here, we report the efficacy of poly(oxanorborneneimide) (PONI)-based antimicrobial polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) against multi-species bacterial biofilms. PNPs showed good dual-species biofilm penetration profiles as confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity was observed, with reduction in both bacterial viability and overall biofilm mass. Further, PNPs displayed minimal fibroblast toxicity and high antimicrobial activity in an in vitro co-culture model comprising fibroblast cells and dual-species biofilms of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study highlights a potential clinical application of the presented polymeric platform.

scholarly journals ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC RHIZOME EXTRACT OF ALPINIA CALCARATA ROSC. (ZINGIBERACEAE)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-66
Author(s):  
Arumugasamy K ◽  
Nantha Kumar R ◽  
Abdul Kaffoor H ◽  
Shalimol A
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Bacterial Activity ◽  
Proteus Vulgaris ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Zone Of Inhibition

The methanolic rhizome extract of A. calcarata was evaluated for its antibacterial activities against five bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella paratyphi, Bacillus thurungiensis and Staphylococcus faccealis. The extract has inhibited all the tested bacterial species with different manner at various concentration. However the higher level zone of inhibition in 400 (mg/ml) is significant against all the above said bacterial strains of these Salmonella paratyphi. Based on the present study it can be conculuded that the plant rhizome possess potent anti bacterial activity.

scholarly journals Improvement Salt Tolerance of Safflower Plants by Endophytic Bacteria

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 38-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khulod A. Hemida ◽  
Amany M.M. Reyad
Keyword(s):  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Endophytic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Plant Salt Tolerance

Salinity is one of the most dangerous environmental limiting factors of the plant productivity. A wide range of adaptation strategies is required to overcome salinity stress. However, such strategies seem to be long drawn and cost-intensive. It has been confirmed in recent years that plant growth promoting endophytes (PGPEs) that have the ability to further build a symbiotic association with their host to improve host plant salt tolerance. In our investigation try to improve plant salt tolerance using different species of endophytic bacteria. From the total eight endophytic bacterial species were isolated from root, stem, and leaf of Carthamustinctorius (safflower) plant, two isolates were capable of using 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) as a sole nitrogen source, and they are of positive results for (ACC) deaminase activity and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. The bacterial isolates were identified using 16S ribosomal DNA technique as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus aerius and had accession numbers MG708176 and MG711593 respectively, by submitting their sequences in GenBank database. This study showed that the bacterial strains B. cereus and B. aerius are valuable biological plant growth promoters that could enhance salt tolerance in Safflower plants under 100, 200, and 300mMNaCl levels resulting in an increase in plant growth and ascorbate-glutathione redox cycle, in comparison with the non-inoculated controls. Our findings reported that the co-inoculation of the two selected endophytic bacteria strains were successfully isolated from Safflower seedlings significantly alleviated the harmful effects of salt stress, promoted plant growth and biomass yield.

scholarly journals Cost-Effective Fabrication, Antibacterial Application and Cell Viability Studies of Modified Nonwoven Cotton Fabric

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahat Nawaz ◽  
Sayed Tayyab Raza Naqvi ◽  
Batool Fatima ◽  
Nazia Zulfiqar ◽  
Muhammad Umer Farooq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cotton Fabric ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Enterobacter Aerogenes ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Toxicity Assay

Abstract Nonwoven cotton fabric has been fabricated and designed for antibacterial applications using low cost and ecofriendly precursors. The treatment of fabric with alkali leads to formation of active sites. The surfaces were dip coated with silver nanaoparticles and chitosan. The surface was chlorinated in next step to transform amide (N-H) groups in chitosan into N-halamine (N-Cl). The modified and unmodified surfaces of the nonwoven cotton fabric have been characterized by FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The active chlorine loading is measured with iodine/ sodium thiosulphate. The antimicrobial activity and cell toxicity assay were carried out with and without modifications of nonwoven cotton fabric. The antimicrobial efficacies of loaded fabric were evaluated against four bacterial species (Micrococcus lutes, Staphylococcus aurea, Enterobacter aerogenes, and E.coli). It was found that modified fabric exhibited superior efficiency against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains as compared to their bulk counterparts upon exposure without destroying and affecting fabric nature. The overall process is economical for commercial purposes. The modified fabric can be used for antimicrobial, health, and food packaging industries, and in other biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Screening commercial teat disinfectants against bacteria isolated from bovine milk using disk diffusion

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Rose Fitzpatrick ◽  
Mary Garvey ◽  
Kieran Jordan ◽  
Jim Flynn ◽  
Bernadette O'Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Disk Diffusion ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Disk Diffusion Method ◽  
Associated Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Inhibition ◽  
Milk Samples

Background and Aim: Teat disinfection is an important tool in reducing the incidence of bovine mastitis. Identifying the potential mastitis-causing bacterial species in milk can be the first step in choosing the correct teat disinfectant product. The objective of this study was to screen commercial teat disinfectants for inhibition against mastitis-associated bacteria isolated from various types of milk samples. Materials and Methods: Twelve commercially available teat disinfectant products were tested, against 12 mastitis-associated bacteria strains isolated from bulk tank milk samples and bacterial strains isolated from clinical (n=2) and subclinical (n=3) quarter foremilk samples using the disk diffusion method. Results: There was a significant variation (7-30 mm) in bacterial inhibition between teat disinfection products, with products containing a lactic acid combination (with chlorhexidine or salicylic acid) resulting in the greatest levels of bacterial inhibition against all tested bacteria (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, combined ingredients in teat disinfection products had greater levels of bacterial inhibition than when the ingredients were used individually. The disk diffusion assay is a suitable screening method to effectively differentiate the bacterial inhibition of different teat disinfectant products.

scholarly journals Plasticity in oligomerization, operator architecture, and DNA binding in the mode of action of a bacterial B12-based photoreceptor

2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (46) ◽  
pp. 17888-17905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Fernández-Zapata ◽  
Ricardo Pérez-Castaño ◽  
Juan Aranda ◽  
Francesco Colizzi ◽  
María Carmen Polanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Molten Globule ◽  
Thermus Thermophilus ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Dna Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Computational Analyses

Newly discovered bacterial photoreceptors called CarH sense light by using 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl). They repress their own expression and that of genes for carotenoid synthesis by binding in the dark to operator DNA as AdoCbl-bound tetramers, whose light-induced disassembly relieves repression. High-resolution structures of Thermus thermophilus CarHTt have provided snapshots of the dark and light states and have revealed a unique DNA-binding mode whereby only three of four DNA-binding domains contact an operator comprising three tandem direct repeats. To gain further insights into CarH photoreceptors and employing biochemical, spectroscopic, mutational, and computational analyses, here we investigated CarHBm from Bacillus megaterium. We found that apoCarHBm, unlike monomeric apoCarHTt, is an oligomeric molten globule that forms DNA-binding tetramers in the dark only upon AdoCbl binding, which requires a conserved W-X9-EH motif. Light relieved DNA binding by disrupting CarHBm tetramers to dimers, rather than to monomers as with CarHTt. CarHBm operators resembled that of CarHTt, but were larger by one repeat and overlapped with the −35 or −10 promoter elements. This design persisted in a six-repeat, multipartite operator we discovered upstream of a gene encoding an Spx global redox-response regulator whose photoregulated expression links photooxidative and general redox responses in B. megaterium. Interestingly, CarHBm recognized the smaller CarHTt operator, revealing an adaptability possibly related to the linker bridging the DNA- and AdoCbl-binding domains. Our findings highlight a remarkable plasticity in the mode of action of B12-based CarH photoreceptors, important for their biological functions and development as optogenetic tools.

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