scholarly journals Inhibition of Bacillus anthracis Spore Outgrowth by Nisin

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 4281-4288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Gut ◽  
Angela M. Prouty ◽  
Jimmy D. Ballard ◽  
Wilfred A. van der Donk ◽  
Steven R. Blanke

ABSTRACT The lantibiotic nisin has previously been reported to inhibit the outgrowth of spores from several Bacillus species. However, the mode of action of nisin responsible for outgrowth inhibition is poorly understood. By using B. anthracis Sterne 7702 as a model, nisin acted against spores with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and an IC90 of 0.57 μM and 0.90 μM, respectively. Viable B. anthracis organisms were not recoverable from cultures containing concentrations of nisin greater than the IC90. These studies demonstrated that spores lose heat resistance and become hydrated in the presence of nisin, thereby ruling out a possible mechanism of inhibition in which nisin acts to block germination initiation. Rather, germination initiation is requisite for the action of nisin. This study also revealed that nisin rapidly and irreversibly inhibits growth by preventing the establishment of oxidative metabolism and the membrane potential in germinating spores. On the other hand, nisin had no detectable effects on the typical changes associated with the dissolution of the outer spore structures (e.g., the spore coats, cortex, and exosporium). Thus, the action of nisin results in the uncoupling of two critical sequences of events necessary for the outgrowth of spores: the establishment of metabolism and the shedding of the external spore structures.

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
Y. Nakaoka ◽  
R. Tokioka ◽  
T. Shinozawa ◽  
J. Fujita ◽  
J. Usukura

Paramecium bursaria is photosensitive and accumulates in a lighted area. The cells can be deciliated by a brief suspension in dilute ethanol. Both intact and deciliated cells showed depolarization in response to light stimulation by a step-increase from dark to above 0.7 mW cm-2 (550 nm). On the other hand, after a step-increase to below 0.4 mW cm-1, intact cells showed hyperpolarization, while the deciliated cells showed no change in membrane potential. This difference in membrane potential response between ciliated and deciliated cells suggests that both somatic and ciliary structures are photosensitive. In our search for the photoreceptive molecules, a polyclonal antibody induced in rabbits against frog rhodopsin was found to cross-react with a 63x10(3) Mr protein of P. bursaria, by immunoelectrophoresis. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the antibody labeling was localized on both the ciliary and the somatic membranes. These results raise the possibility that P. bursaria may contain a rhodopsin-like protein as a photoreceptor molecule.


1968 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-202
Author(s):  
H. Kröner ◽  
W. Staib

ABSTRACT By measuring protein, RNA and DNA in skeletal muscle and spleen we were unable to demonstrate an enhanced catabolism due to cortisol. On the other hand we could demonstrate a reduced anabolism by diminished incorporation of 14C labelled leucin in protein of muscle, spleen and skin. Simultaneously an increase of ATP and an equivalent decrease of ADP were found in connective tissue, which were regarded as a consequence of reduced energy consumption. In skeletal muscle a decrease of energy consumption due to cortisol was only indirect demonstrable by reduced glycolysis when oxidative metabolism was eliminated for a short time. It seems obvious, that inhibition of protein synthesis causes the diminished energy consumption.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1312-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.O. Pereverzev ◽  
T.V. Vygodina ◽  
A.A. Konstantinov ◽  
V.P. Skulachev

Generation of Δψ (membrane potential) by cytochrome oxidase proteoliposomes oxidizing superoxide-reduced cytochrome c has been demonstrated. XO+HX (xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine) were used to produce superoxide. It was found that the generation of Δψ is completely abolished by cyanide (an uncoupler) or by superoxide dismutase, and is enhanced by nigericin. Addition of ascorbate after XO+HX causes a further increase in Δψ. On the other hand, XO+HX added after ascorbate do not affect Δψ, indicating that superoxide does not have measurable protonophorous activity. The half-maximal cytochrome c concentration for Δψ generation supported by XO+HX was found to be approx. 1 μM. These data and the results of some other researchers can be rationalized as follows: (1) O2 accepts an electron to form superoxide; (2) cytochrome c oxidizes superoxide back to O2; (3) an electron removed from the reduced cytochrome c is transferred to O2 by cytochrome oxidase in a manner that generates ΔμH+ (transmembrane difference in electrochemical H+ potential). Thus cytochrome c mediates a process of superoxide removal, resulting in regeneration of O2 and utilization of the electron involved previously in the O2 reduction. It is important that cytochrome c is not damaged during the antioxidant reaction, in contrast with many other antioxidants.


1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 249-254
Author(s):  
A.M. Silva ◽  
R.D. Miró

AbstractWe have developed a model for theH2OandOHevolution in a comet outburst, assuming that together with the gas, a distribution of icy grains is ejected. With an initial mass of icy grains of 108kg released, theH2OandOHproductions are increased up to a factor two, and the growth curves change drastically in the first two days. The model is applied to eruptions detected in theOHradio monitorings and fits well with the slow variations in the flux. On the other hand, several events of short duration appear, consisting of a sudden rise ofOHflux, followed by a sudden decay on the second day. These apparent short bursts are frequently found as precursors of a more durable eruption. We suggest that both of them are part of a unique eruption, and that the sudden decay is due to collisions that de-excite theOHmaser, when it reaches the Cometopause region located at 1.35 × 105kmfrom the nucleus.


Author(s):  
A. V. Crewe

We have become accustomed to differentiating between the scanning microscope and the conventional transmission microscope according to the resolving power which the two instruments offer. The conventional microscope is capable of a point resolution of a few angstroms and line resolutions of periodic objects of about 1Å. On the other hand, the scanning microscope, in its normal form, is not ordinarily capable of a point resolution better than 100Å. Upon examining reasons for the 100Å limitation, it becomes clear that this is based more on tradition than reason, and in particular, it is a condition imposed upon the microscope by adherence to thermal sources of electrons.


Author(s):  
K.H. Westmacott

Life beyond 1MeV – like life after 40 – is not too different unless one takes advantage of past experience and is receptive to new opportunities. At first glance, the returns on performing electron microscopy at voltages greater than 1MeV diminish rather rapidly as the curves which describe the well-known advantages of HVEM often tend towards saturation. However, in a country with a significant HVEM capability, a good case can be made for investing in instruments with a range of maximum accelerating voltages. In this regard, the 1.5MeV KRATOS HVEM being installed in Berkeley will complement the other 650KeV, 1MeV, and 1.2MeV instruments currently operating in the U.S. One other consideration suggests that 1.5MeV is an optimum voltage machine – Its additional advantages may be purchased for not much more than a 1MeV instrument. On the other hand, the 3MeV HVEM's which seem to be operated at 2MeV maximum, are much more expensive.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reimer Kornmann

Summary: My comment is basically restricted to the situation in which less-able students find themselves and refers only to literature in German. From this point of view I am basically able to confirm Marsh's results. It must, however, be said that with less-able pupils the opposite effect can be found: Levels of self-esteem in these pupils are raised, at least temporarily, by separate instruction, academic performance however drops; combined instruction, on the other hand, leads to improved academic performance, while levels of self-esteem drop. Apparently, the positive self-image of less-able pupils who receive separate instruction does not bring about the potential enhancement of academic performance one might expect from high-ability pupils receiving separate instruction. To resolve the dilemma, it is proposed that individual progress in learning be accentuated, and that comparisons with others be dispensed with. This fosters a self-image that can in equal measure be realistic and optimistic.


Author(s):  
Stefan Krause ◽  
Markus Appel

Abstract. Two experiments examined the influence of stories on recipients’ self-perceptions. Extending prior theory and research, our focus was on assimilation effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in line with a protagonist’s traits) as well as on contrast effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in contrast to a protagonist’s traits). In Experiment 1 ( N = 113), implicit and explicit conscientiousness were assessed after participants read a story about either a diligent or a negligent student. Moderation analyses showed that highly transported participants and participants with lower counterarguing scores assimilate the depicted traits of a story protagonist, as indicated by explicit, self-reported conscientiousness ratings. Participants, who were more critical toward a story (i.e., higher counterarguing) and with a lower degree of transportation, showed contrast effects. In Experiment 2 ( N = 103), we manipulated transportation and counterarguing, but we could not identify an effect on participants’ self-ascribed level of conscientiousness. A mini meta-analysis across both experiments revealed significant positive overall associations between transportation and counterarguing on the one hand and story-consistent self-reported conscientiousness on the other hand.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-93
Author(s):  
Jort de Vreeze ◽  
Christina Matschke

Abstract. Not all group memberships are self-chosen. The current research examines whether assignments to non-preferred groups influence our relationship with the group and our preference for information about the ingroup. It was expected and found that, when people are assigned to non-preferred groups, they perceive the group as different to the self, experience negative emotions about the assignment and in turn disidentify with the group. On the other hand, when people are assigned to preferred groups, they perceive the group as similar to the self, experience positive emotions about the assignment and in turn identify with the group. Finally, disidentification increases a preference for negative information about the ingroup.


1961 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 222-223
Author(s):  
Edwin G. Boring
Keyword(s):  

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