scholarly journals Analysis of Escherichia coli Flagellin Gene Expression in Simulated Spaceflight Growth Conditions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle M. Hetrick ◽  
Elizabeth A. Juergensmeyer ◽  
Jeffrey O. Henderson

SummaryPopulation growth curves of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures propagated in spaceflight environments demonstrate an extended log phase duration and an increased final cell concentration compared to E. coli cultures grown on Earth. We suggest that during spaceflight, a lack of convective mixing in the growth medium alters a cell’s microenvironment such that the cell at first devotes its resources primarily to motility and later shifts most of its resources to reproduction. As flagellin is the major protein component of flagella, the motility structure of E. coli, we propose that the expression of the flagellin gene (fliC) can be used as a diagnostic marker for determining if the bacterium is in fact altering its allocation of cellular resources to motility during specific growth phases. We have used semiquantitative RT-PCR to analyze the expression of fliC in cultures grown in laboratory apparatus that simulate various aspects of the spaceflight environment. The data from this pilot study indicate that fliC expression increases initially under stationary, slow clinorotation, and fast clinorotation growth conditions, peaking at mid-exponential phase and decreasing dramatically in stationary phase. These data support the hypothesis that metabolic resources are being directed towards forming the flagellum, the bacteria motile structure, before shifting resources to growth, reproduction, and maintenance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-53
Author(s):  
Kyle M. Hetrick ◽  
Elizabeth A. Juergensmeyer ◽  
Jeffrey O. Henderson

Population growth curves of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures propagated in spaceflight environments demonstrate an extended log phase duration and an increased final cell concentration compared to E. coli cultures grown on Earth. We suggest that during spaceflight, a lack of convective mixing in the growth medium alters a cell’s microenvironment such that the cell at first devotes its resources primarily to motility and later shifts most of its resources to reproduction. As flagellin is the major protein component of flagella, the motility structure of E. coli, we propose that the expression of the flagellin gene (fliC) can be used as a diagnostic marker for determining if the bacterium is in fact altering its allocation of cellular resources to motility during specific growth phases. We have used semiquantitative RT-PCR to analyze the expression of fliC in cultures grown in laboratory apparatus that simulate various aspects of the spaceflight environment. The data from this pilot study indicate that fliC expression increases initially under stationary, slow clinorotation, and fast clinorotation growth conditions, peaking at mid-exponential phase and decreasing dramatically in stationary phase. These data support the hypothesis that metabolic resources are being directed towards forming the flagellum, the bacteria motile structure, before shifting resources to growth, reproduction, and maintenance.



2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (10) ◽  
pp. 3254-3258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Brokx ◽  
Michael Ellison ◽  
Troy Locke ◽  
Drell Bottorff ◽  
Laura Frost ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT To gain insight into the cell envelope of Escherichia coli grown under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, lipoproteins were examined by using functional genomics. The mRNA expression levels of each of these genes under three growth conditions—aerobic, anaerobic, and anaerobic with nitrate—were examined by using both Affymetrix GeneChip E. coli antisense genome arrays and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Many genes showed significant changes in expression level. The RT-PCR results were in very good agreement with the microarray data. The results of this study represent the first insights into the possible roles of unknown lipoprotein genes and broaden our understanding of the composition of the cell envelope under different environmental conditions. Additionally, these data serve as a test set for the refinement of high-throughput bioinformatic and global gene expression methods.



mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Lennon ◽  
Kimberly C. Lemmer ◽  
Jessica L. Irons ◽  
Max I. Sellman ◽  
Timothy J. Donohue ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTDksA is a global regulatory protein that, together with the alarmone ppGpp, is required for the “stringent response” to nutrient starvation in the gammaproteobacteriumEscherichia coliand for more moderate shifts between growth conditions. DksA modulates the expression of hundreds of genes, directly or indirectly. Mutants lacking a DksA homolog exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes in other gammaproteobacteria as well. Here we analyzed the DksA homolog RSP2654 in the more distantly relatedRhodobacter sphaeroides, an alphaproteobacterium. RSP2654 is 42% identical and similar in length toE. coliDksA but lacks the Zn finger motif of theE. coliDksA globular domain. Deletion of the RSP2654 gene results in defects in photosynthetic growth, impaired utilization of amino acids, and an increase in fatty acid content. RSP2654 complements the growth and regulatory defects of anE. colistrain lacking thedksAgene and modulates transcriptionin vitrowithE. coliRNA polymerase (RNAP) similarly toE. coliDksA. RSP2654 reduces RNAP-promoter complex stabilityin vitrowith RNAPs fromE. coliorR. sphaeroides, alone and synergistically with ppGpp, suggesting that even though it has limited sequence identity toE. coliDksA (DksAEc), it functions in a mechanistically similar manner. We therefore designate the RSP2654 protein DksARsp. Our work suggests that DksARsphas distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria and will be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in DksA and the mechanism of synergy between DksA and ppGpp.IMPORTANCEThe role of DksA has been analyzed primarily in the gammaproteobacteria, in which it is best understood for its role in control of the synthesis of the translation apparatus and amino acid biosynthesis. Our work suggests that DksA plays distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria, including the control of photosynthesis inRhodobacter sphaeroides. The study of DksARsp, should be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in the protein, including those that play a role in the little-understood synergy between DksA and ppGpp.



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.



2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (24) ◽  
pp. 7561-7569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliy A. Portnoy ◽  
Markus J. Herrgård ◽  
Bernhard Ø. Palsson

ABSTRACT Fermentation of glucose to d-lactic acid under aerobic growth conditions by an evolved Escherichia coli mutant deficient in three terminal oxidases is reported in this work. Cytochrome oxidases (cydAB, cyoABCD, and cbdAB) were removed from the E. coli K12 MG1655 genome, resulting in the ECOM3 (E. coli cytochrome oxidase mutant) strain. Removal of cytochrome oxidases reduced the oxygen uptake rate of the knockout strain by nearly 85%. Moreover, the knockout strain was initially incapable of growing on M9 minimal medium. After the ECOM3 strain was subjected to adaptive evolution on glucose M9 medium for 60 days, a growth rate equivalent to that of anaerobic wild-type E. coli was achieved. Our findings demonstrate that three independently adaptively evolved ECOM3 populations acquired different phenotypes: one produced lactate as a sole fermentation product, while the other two strains exhibited a mixed-acid fermentation under oxic growth conditions with lactate remaining as the major product. The homofermenting strain showed a d-lactate yield of 0.8 g/g from glucose. Gene expression and in silico model-based analyses were employed to identify perturbed pathways and explain phenotypic behavior. Significant upregulation of ygiN and sodAB explains the remaining oxygen uptake that was observed in evolved ECOM3 strains. E. coli strains produced in this study showed the ability to produce lactate as a fermentation product from glucose and to undergo mixed-acid fermentation during aerobic growth.



Author(s):  
Rachel K Streufert ◽  
Susanne E Keller ◽  
Joelle K Salazar

Growth on solid media as sessile cells is believed to increase the desiccation tolerance of Salmonella enterica . However, the reasons behind increased resistance have not been well explored. In addition, the same effect has not been examined for other foodborne pathogens such as pathogenic Escherichia coli or Listeria monocytogenes . The purpose of this research was two-fold: first, to determine the role of oxygenation during growth on the desiccation resistance of S. enterica , E. coli , and L. monocytogenes , and second, to determine the effect of sessile versus planktonic growth on the desiccation resistance of these pathogens. Three different serotypes each of Salmonella , E. coli , and L. monocytogenes were cultured in trypticase soy broth with 0.6% yeast extract (TSBYE), with (aerobic) shaking or on TSBYE with agar (TSAYE) under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions and harvested in stationary phase. After adding cell suspensions to cellulose filter disks, pathogen survival was determined by enumeration at 0 and after drying for 24 h. Results showed statistical differences in harvested initial populations prior to drying (0 h). For Salmonella , a correlation was found between high initial population and greater survival on desiccation (p = 0.05). In addition, statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between survival based on growth type were identified. However, differences found were not the same for the three pathogens, or between their serotypes. In general, Salmonella and E. coli desiccation resistance followed the pattern of aerobic agar media ≥ liquid media ≥ anaerobic agar media. For L. monocytogenes serotypes, resistance to desiccation was not statistically different based on mode of growth. These results indicate growth on solid media under aerobic conditions is not always necessary for optimal desiccation survival but may be beneficial when the desiccation resistance of the test serotype is unknown.



2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1151-1158
Author(s):  
Corey S Suelter ◽  
Nancy D Hanson

Abstract Background Virulence genes and the expression of resistance mechanisms undoubtedly play a role in the successful spread of the pandemic clone Escherichia coli ST131. Porin down-regulation is a chromosomal mechanism associated with antibiotic resistance. Translation of porin proteins can be impacted by modifications in mRNA half-life and the interaction among small RNAs (sRNAs), the porin transcript and the sRNA chaperone Hfq. Modifications in the translatability of porin proteins could impact the fitness and therefore the success of E. coli ST131 isolates in the presence of antibiotic. Objectives To identify differences in the translatability of OmpC and OmpF porins for different STs of E. coli by comparing steady-state RNA levels, mRNA half-life, regulatory sRNA expression and protein production. Methods RNA expression was evaluated using real-time RT–PCR and OmpC mRNA half-life by northern blotting. OmpC, OmpF and Hfq protein levels were evaluated by immunoblotting. Results Differences between ST131 and non-ST131 isolates included: (i) the level of OmpC RNA and protein produced with mRNA expression higher for ST131 but OmpC protein levels lower compared with non-ST131 isolates; (ii) OmpC mRNA half-life (21–30 min for ST131 isolates compared with <2–23 min for non-ST131 isolates); and (iii) levels of the sRNA MicC (2- to 120-fold for ST131 isolates compared with −4- to 70-fold for non-ST131 isolates). Conclusions Mechanisms involved in the translatability of porin proteins differed among different STs of E. coli. These differences could provide a selective advantage to ST131 E. coli when confronted with an antibiotic-rich environment.



1995 ◽  
Vol 312 (2) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Smith ◽  
A Borges ◽  
M R Ariyanayagam ◽  
A H Fairlamb

Intracellular levels of glutathione and glutathionylspermidine conjugates have been measured throughout the growth phases of Escherichia coli. Glutathionylspermidine was present in mid-log-phase cells, and under stationary and anaerobic growth conditions accounted for 80% of the total glutathione content. N1,N8-bis(glutathionyl)spermidine (trypanothione) was undetectable under all growth conditions. The catalytic constant kcat/Km of recombinant E. coli glutathione reductase for glutathionylspermidine disulphide was approx. 11,000-fold lower than that for glutathione disulphide. The much higher catalytic constant for the mixed disulphide of glutathione and glutathionylspermidine (11% that of GSSG), suggests a possible explanation for the low turnover of trypanothione disulphide by E. coli glutathione reductase, given the apparent lack of a specific glutathionylspermidine disulphide reductase in E. coli.



2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (18) ◽  
pp. 6170-6177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda D. Rankin ◽  
Diane M. Bodenmiller ◽  
Jonathan D. Partridge ◽  
Shirley F. Nishino ◽  
Jim C. Spain ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Chromatin immunoprecipitation and microarray (ChIP-chip) analysis showed that the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive repressor NsrR from Escherichia coli binds in vivo to the promoters of the tynA and feaB genes. These genes encode the first two enzymes of a pathway that is required for the catabolism of phenylethylamine (PEA) and its hydroxylated derivatives tyramine and dopamine. Deletion of nsrR caused small increases in the activities of the tynA and feaB promoters in cultures grown on PEA. Overexpression of nsrR severely retarded growth on PEA and caused a marked repression of the tynA and feaB promoters. Both the growth defect and the promoter repression were reversed in the presence of a source of NO. These results are consistent with NsrR mediating repression of the tynA and feaB genes by binding (in an NO-sensitive fashion) to the sites identified by ChIP-chip. E. coli was shown to use 3-nitrotyramine as a nitrogen source for growth, conditions which partially induce the tynA and feaB promoters. Mutation of tynA (but not feaB) prevented growth on 3-nitrotyramine. Growth yields, mutant phenotypes, and analyses of culture supernatants suggested that 3-nitrotyramine is oxidized to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetate, with growth occurring at the expense of the amino group of 3-nitrotyramine. Accordingly, enzyme assays showed that 3-nitrotyramine and its oxidation product (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetaldehyde) could be oxidized by the enzymes encoded by tynA and feaB, respectively. The results suggest that an additional physiological role of the PEA catabolic pathway is to metabolize nitroaromatic compounds that may accumulate in cells exposed to NO.



2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 1736-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Soleimani ◽  
B. Ormeci ◽  
O. B. Isgor ◽  
S. Papavinasam

Sulfide is known to be an important factor in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of metals and concrete deterioration in wastewater treatment structures and sewer pipelines. A sulfide biosensor was used to determine the effectiveness of Escherichia coli DH5α biofilm as a protective barrier against MIC. The biofilm was shown to be effective in protecting surfaces from sulfide and helping to reduce MIC using amperometric measurements. The results also indicated that the growth conditions of E. coli DH5α may have an impact on the performance of the biofilm as a sulfide barrier. The simple method provided in this work enables the comparison of several microbial biofilms and selection of the ones with potential to prevent MIC in a relatively short time.



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