scholarly journals Reduction of the Temperature Sensitivity of Halomonas hydrothermalis by Iron Starvation Combined with Microaerobic Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 2156-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse P. Harrison ◽  
John E. Hallsworth ◽  
Charles S. Cockell

ABSTRACTThe limits to biological processes on Earth are determined by physicochemical parameters, such as extremes of temperature and low water availability. Research into microbial extremophiles has enhanced our understanding of the biophysical boundaries which define the biosphere. However, there remains a paucity of information on the degree to which rates of microbial multiplication within extreme environments are determined by the availability of specific chemical elements. Here, we show that iron availability and the composition of the gaseous phase (aerobic versus microaerobic) determine the susceptibility of a marine bacterium,Halomonas hydrothermalis, to suboptimal and elevated temperature and salinity by impacting rates of cell division (but not viability). In particular, iron starvation combined with microaerobic conditions (5% [vol/vol] O2, 10% [vol/vol] CO2, reduced pH) reduced sensitivity to temperature across the 13°C range tested. These data demonstrate that nutrient limitation interacts with physicochemical parameters to determine biological permissiveness for extreme environments. The interplay between resource availability and stress tolerance, therefore, may shape the distribution and ecology of microorganisms within Earth's biosphere.

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (18) ◽  
pp. 2896-2907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Haines ◽  
Nadège Arnaud-Barbe ◽  
David Poncet ◽  
Sylvie Reverchon ◽  
Julien Wawrzyniak ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIron availability functions as an environmental cue for enteropathogenic bacteria, signaling arrival within the human host. As enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) is a major cause of human diarrhea, the effect of iron on ETEC virulence factors was evaluated here. ETEC pathogenicity is directly linked to production of fimbrial colonization factors and secretion of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and/or heat-stable enterotoxin (ST). Efficient colonization of the small intestine further requires at least the flagellin binding adhesin EtpA. Under iron starvation, production of the CFA/I fimbriae was increased in the ETEC H10407 prototype strain. In contrast, LT secretion was inhibited. Furthermore, under iron starvation, gene expression of thecfa(CFA/I) andetp(EtpBAC) operons was induced, whereas transcription of toxin genes was either unchanged or repressed. Transcriptional reporter fusion experiments focusing on thecfaoperon further showed that iron starvation stimulatedcfaApromoter activity in ETEC, indicating that the impact of iron on CFA/I production was mediated by transcriptional regulation. Evaluation ofcfaApromoter activity in heterologousE. colisingle mutant knockout strains identified IscR as the regulator responsible for inducingcfafimbrial gene expression in response to iron starvation, and this was confirmed in an ETEC ΔiscRstrain. The global iron response regulator, Fur, was not implicated. IscR binding sites were identifiedin silicowithin thecfaApromoter and fixation confirmed by DNase I footprinting, indicating that IscR directly binds the promoter region to induce CFA/I.IMPORTANCEPathogenic enterobacteria modulate expression of virulence genes in response to iron availability. Although the Fur transcription factor represents the global regulator of iron homeostasis inEscherichia coli, we show that several ETEC virulence factors are modulated by iron, with expression of the major fimbriae under the control of the iron-sulfur cluster regulator, IscR. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the apo form of IscR, lacking an Fe-S cluster, is able to directly fix the corresponding promoter region. These results provide further evidence implicating IscR in bacterial virulence and suggest that IscR may represent a more general regulator mediating the iron response in enteropathogens.


2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair H. Bishop

ABSTRACT Endospores of the genus Bacillus can be triggered to germinate by a limited number of chemicals. Mandelate had powerful additive effects on the levels and rates of germination produced in non-heat-shocked spores of Bacillus anthracis strain Sterne, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis when combined with l-alanine and inosine. Mandelate had no germinant effect on its own but was active with these germinants in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 0.5 mM. The maximum rate and extent of germination were produced in B. anthracis by 100 mM l-alanine with 10 mM inosine; this was equaled by just 25% of these germinants when supplemented with 10 mM mandelate. Half the maximal germination rate was produced by 40% of the optimum germinant concentrations or 15% of them when supplemented with 0.8 mM mandelate. Germination rates in B. thuringiensis were highest around neutrality, but the potentiating effect of mandelate was maintained over a wider pH range than was germination with l-alanine and inosine alone. For all species, lactate also promoted germination in the presence of l-alanine and inosine; this was further increased by mandelate. Ammonium ions also enhanced l-alanine- and inosine-induced germination but only when mandelate was present. In spite of the structural similarities, mandelate did not compete with phenylalanine as a germinant. Mandelate appeared to bind to spores while enhancing germination. There was no effect when mandelate was used in conjunction with nonnutrient germinants. No effect was produced with spores of Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes, or C. difficile. IMPORTANCE The number of chemicals that can induce germination in the species related to Bacillus cereus has been defined for many years, and they conform to specific chemical types. Although not a germinant itself, mandelate has a structure that is different from these germination-active compounds, and its addition to this list represents a significant discovery in the fundamental biology of spore germination. This novel activity may also have important applied relevance given the impact of spores of B. cereus in foodborne disease and B. anthracis as a threat agent. The destruction of spores of B. anthracis, for example, particularly over large outdoor areas, poses significant scientific and logistical problems. The addition of mandelate and lactate to the established mixtures of l-alanine and inosine would decrease the amount of the established germinants required and increase the speed and level of germination achieved. The large-scale application of “germinate to decontaminate” strategy may thus become more practicable.


2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (14) ◽  
pp. 4340-4349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damao Wang ◽  
Do Hyoung Kim ◽  
Nari Seo ◽  
Eun Ju Yun ◽  
Hyun Joo An ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn this study, we characterized Gly5M, originating from a marine bacterium, as a novel β-1,3-1,6-endoglucanase in glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) in the Carbohydrate-Active enZyme database. Thegly5Mgene encodes Gly5M, a newly characterized enzyme from GH5 subfamily 47 (GH5_47) inSaccharophagus degradans2-40T. Thegly5Mgene was cloned and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. Through analysis of the enzymatic reaction products by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight mass spectrometry, Gly5M was identified as a novel β-1,3-endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) and bacterial β-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.75) in GH5. The β-1,3-endoglucanase and β-1,6-endoglucanase activities were detected by using laminarin (a β-1,3-glucan with β-1,6-glycosidic linkages derived from brown macroalgae) and pustulan (a β-1,6-glucan derived from fungal cell walls) as the substrates, respectively. This enzyme also showed transglycosylase activity toward β-1,3-oligosaccharides when laminarioligosaccharides were used as the substrates. Since laminarin is the major form of glucan storage in brown macroalgae, Gly5M could be used to produce glucose and laminarioligosaccharides, using brown macroalgae, for industrial purposes.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we have discovered a novel β-1,3-1,6-endoglucanase with a unique transglycosylase activity, namely, Gly5M, from a marine bacterium,Saccharophagus degradans2-40T. Gly5M was identified as the newly found β-1,3-endoglucanase and bacterial β-1,6-glucanase in GH5. Gly5M is capable of cleaving glycosidic linkages of both β-1,3-glucans and β-1,6-glucans. Gly5M also possesses a transglycosylase activity toward β-1,3-oligosacchrides. Due to the broad specificity of Gly5M, this enzyme can be used to produce glucose or high-value β-1,3- and/or β-1,6-oligosaccharides.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (36) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maylis Chapelais-Baron ◽  
Isabelle Goubet ◽  
Eric Duchaud ◽  
Eric Rosenfeld

ABSTRACT Some species of the genus Cellulophaga have been reported as having biotechnological interests and noteworthy physiological properties. We report here the draft genome sequence of Cellulophaga lytica CECT 8139, a bacterium that produces an intensely iridescent colony biofilm on agar surfaces.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Valenzuela Matus ◽  
Jorge Lino Alves ◽  
Joaquim Góis ◽  
Augusto Barata da Rocha ◽  
Rui Neto ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to prove and qualify the influence of textured surface substrates morphology and chemical composition on the growth and propagation of transplanted corals. Use additive manufacturing and silicone moulds for converting three-dimensional samples into limestone mortar with white Portland cement substrates for coral growth. Design/methodology/approach Tiles samples were designed and printed with different geometries and textures inspired by nature marine environment. Commercial coral frag tiles were analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify the main chemical elements. Raw materials and coral species were selected. New base substrates were manufactured and deployed into a closed-circuit aquarium to monitor the coral weekly evolution process and analyse the results obtained. Findings Experimental results provided positive statistical parameters for future implementation tests, concluding that the intensity of textured surface, interfered favourably in the coralline algae biofilm growth. The chemical composition and design of the substrates were determinant factors for successful coral propagation. Recesses and cavities mimic the natural rocks aspect and promoted the presence and interaction of other species that favour the richness of the ecosystem. Originality/value Additive manufacturing provided an innovative method of production for ecology restoration areas, allowing rapid prototyping of substrates with high complexity morphologies, a critical and fundamental attribute to guarantee coral growth and Crustose Coralline Algae. The result of this study showed the feasibility of this approach using three-dimensional printing technologies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (Pt_3) ◽  
pp. 1000-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azadeh Shahinpei ◽  
Mohammad Ali Amoozegar ◽  
Abbas Akhavan Sepahy ◽  
Peter Schumann ◽  
Antonio Ventosa

A novel Gram-stain-negative, slightly halophilic bacterium, designated strain GASx41T, was isolated from soil of the coastal–marine wetland Gomishan in Iran. Cells of strain GASx41T were curved, ring-like or horseshoe-shaped rods and non-motile. Strain GASx41T was strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 1–10 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 2.5–3 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 25–30 °C and pH 7.5–8.0. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain GASx41T was shown to belong to the genus Cyclobacterium within the phylum Bacteroidetes and showed closest phylogenetic similarity to ‘Cyclobacterium jeungdonense’ HMD3055 (98.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain GASx41T was 48.1 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain GASx41T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), anteiso-C15 : 0 2-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and 12 unknown lipids. The only quinone present was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). All these features confirmed the placement of isolate GASx41T within the genus Cyclobacterium . On the basis of evidence from this study, a novel species of the genus Cyclobacterium , Cyclobacterium halophilum sp. nov., is proposed, with strain GASx41T ( = IBRC-M 10761T = CECT 8341T) as the type strain.


2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (Pt_6) ◽  
pp. 1932-1937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Hee Lee ◽  
Yeoung Min Hwang ◽  
Keun Sik Baik ◽  
Kap Seong Choi ◽  
Jong-Ok Ka ◽  
...  

An orange, rod-shaped, Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic and gliding bacterial strain devoid of flagella, designated strain KYW614T, was isolated from seawater collected from Gwangyang Bay, Republic of Korea. Zeaxanthin was the major carotenoid pigment produced and flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain KYW614T belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and it was most closely related to Mesoflavibacter zeaxanthinifaciens TD-ZX30T (96.5 %, sequence similarity). The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain KYW614T were iso-C15 : 1 G (10.5 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c; 10.0 %), iso-C15 : 0 (9.5 %), C15 : 0 (7.5 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (7.4 %). MK-6 was the only isoprenoid quinone and the DNA G+C content was 32.6 mol%. Data from a polyphasic taxonomic study suggested that the isolate represents a novel species in the genus Mesoflavibacter , for which the name Mesoflavibacter aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KYW614T ( = KCTC 32269T = JCM 19524T).


mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisi Souza de Oliveira ◽  
Diogo Antonio Tschoeke ◽  
Ana Carolina Rubem Magalhães Lopes ◽  
Daniela Bueno Sudatti ◽  
Pedro Milet Meirelles ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Marine bacteria are part of the healthy microbiota associated with seaweeds, but some species, such as Vibrio spp., are frequently associated with disease outbreaks, especially in economically valuable cultures. In this context, the ability of seaweeds to recognize microbes and, when necessary, activate defense mechanisms is essential for their survival. However, studies dedicated to understanding the molecular components of the immune response in seaweeds are rare and restricted to indirect stimulus. This work provides an unprecedentedly large-scale evaluation of the transcriptional changes involved in microbe recognition, cellular signaling, and defense in the red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea in response to the marine bacterium Vibrio madracius. By expanding knowledge about seaweed-bacterium interactions and about the integrated defensive system in seaweeds, this work offers the basis for the development of tools to increase the resistance of cultured seaweeds to bacterial infections. The ability to recognize and respond to the presence of microbes is an essential strategy for seaweeds to survive in the marine environment, but understanding of molecular seaweed-microbe interactions is limited. Laurencia dendroidea clones were inoculated with the marine bacterium Vibrio madracius. The seaweed RNA was sequenced, providing an unprecedentedly high coverage of the transcriptome of Laurencia, and the gene expression levels were compared between control and inoculated samples after 24, 48, and 72 h. Transcriptomic changes in L. dendroidea in the presence of V. madracius include the upregulation of genes that participate in signaling pathways described here for the first time as a response of seaweeds to microbes. Genes coding for defense-related transcription activators, reactive oxygen species metabolism, terpene biosynthesis, and energy conversion pathways were upregulated in inoculated samples of L. dendroidea, indicating an integrated defensive system in seaweeds. This report contributes significantly to the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms involved in the highly dynamic seaweed-bacterium interactions. IMPORTANCE Marine bacteria are part of the healthy microbiota associated with seaweeds, but some species, such as Vibrio spp., are frequently associated with disease outbreaks, especially in economically valuable cultures. In this context, the ability of seaweeds to recognize microbes and, when necessary, activate defense mechanisms is essential for their survival. However, studies dedicated to understanding the molecular components of the immune response in seaweeds are rare and restricted to indirect stimulus. This work provides an unprecedentedly large-scale evaluation of the transcriptional changes involved in microbe recognition, cellular signaling, and defense in the red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea in response to the marine bacterium Vibrio madracius. By expanding knowledge about seaweed-bacterium interactions and about the integrated defensive system in seaweeds, this work offers the basis for the development of tools to increase the resistance of cultured seaweeds to bacterial infections.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linlin Zhang ◽  
Chaomin Sun

ABSTRACTRice blast caused by the phytopathogenMagnaporthe griseaposes a serious threat to global food security and is difficult to control.Bacillusspecies have been extensively explored for the biological control of many fungal diseases. In the present study, the marine bacteriumBacillus subtilisBS155 showed a strong antifungal activity againstM. grisea. The active metabolites were isolated and identified as cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) of the fengycin family, named fengycin BS155, by the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Analyses using scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that fengycin BS155 caused morphological changes in the plasma membrane and cell wall ofM. griseahyphae. Using comparative proteomic and biochemical assays, fengycin BS155 was demonstrated to reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), induce bursts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and downregulate the expression level of ROS-scavenging enzymes. Simultaneously, fengycin BS155 caused chromatin condensation in fungal hyphal cells, which led to the upregulation of DNA repair-related protein expression and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Altogether, our results indicate that fengycin BS155 acts by inducing membrane damage and dysfunction of organelles, disrupting MMP, oxidative stress, and chromatin condensation, resulting inM. griseahyphal cell death. Therefore, fengycin BS155 and its parent bacterium are very promising candidates for the biological control ofM. griseaand the associated rice blast and should be further investigated as such.IMPORTANCERice (Oryza sativaL.) is the most important crop and a primary food source for more than half of the world's population. Notably, scientists in China have developed several types of rice that can be grown in seawater, avoiding the use of precious freshwater resources and potentially creating enough food for 200 million people. The plant-affecting fungusMagnaporthe griseais the causal agent of rice blast disease, and biological rather than chemical control of this threatening disease is highly desirable. In this work, we discovered fengycin BS155, a cyclic lipopeptide material produced by the marine bacteriumBacillus subtilisBS155, which showed strong activity againstM. grisea. Our results elucidate the mechanism of fengycin BS155-mediatedM. griseagrowth inhibition and highlight the potential ofB. subtilisBS155 as a biocontrol agent againstM. griseain rice cultivation under both fresh- and saltwater conditions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengyuan Xiu ◽  
Rui Liu ◽  
Dechao Zhang ◽  
Chaomin Sun

ABSTRACT Bacterial motility is a crucial factor during the invasion and colonization processes of pathogens, which makes it an attractive therapeutic drug target. Here, we isolated a marine bacterium (Vibrio alginolyticus strain 178) from a seamount in the tropical West Pacific that exhibits vigorous motility on agar plates and severe pathogenicity to zebrafish. We found that V. alginolyticus 178 motility was significantly suppressed by another marine bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain 176, isolated from the same niche. We isolated, purified, and characterized two different cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) from Bacillus sp. 176 using high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The two related CLPs have a pumilacidin-like structure and were both effective inhibitors of V. alginolyticus 178 motility. The CLPs differ by only one methylene group in their fatty acid chains. In addition to motility suppression, the CLPs also induced cell aggregation in the medium and reduced adherence of V. alginolyticus 178 to glass substrates. Notably, upon CLP treatment, the expression levels of two V. alginolyticus flagellar assembly genes (flgA and flgP) dropped dramatically. Moreover, the CLPs inhibited biofilm formation in several other strains of pathogenic bacteria without inducing cell death. This study indicates that CLPs from Bacillus sp. 176 show promise as antimicrobial lead compounds targeting bacterial motility and biofilm formation with a low potential for eliciting antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE Pathogenic bacteria often require motility to establish infections and subsequently spread within host organisms. Thus, motility is an attractive therapeutic target for the development of novel antibiotics. We found that cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) produced by marine bacterium Bacillus sp. strain 176 dramatically suppress the motility of the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus strain 178, reduce biofilm formation, and promote cellular aggregation without inducing cell death. These findings suggest that CLPs hold great promise as potential drug candidates targeting bacterial motility and biofilm formation with a low overall potential for triggering antibiotic resistance.


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