Functional Expression of Enterobacterial O-Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Enzymes in Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT The expression of heterologous bacterial glycosyltransferases is of interest for potential application in the emerging field of carbohydrate engineering in gram-positive organisms. To assess the feasibility of using enzymes from gram-negative bacteria, the functional expression of the genes wbaP (formerly rfbP), wecA (formerly rfe), and wbbO (formerly rfbF) from enterobacterial lipopolysaccharide O-polysaccharide biosynthesis pathways was examined in Bacillus subtilis. WbaP and WecA are initiation enzymes for O-polysaccharide formation, catalyzing the transfer of galactosyl 1-phosphate from UDP-galactose and N-acetylglucosaminyl 1-phosphate from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, respectively, to undecaprenylphosphate. The WecA product (undecaprenylpyrophosphoryl GlcNAc) is used as an acceptor to which the bifunctional wbbO gene product sequentially adds a galactopyranose and a galactofuranose residue from the corresponding UDP sugars to form a lipid-linked trisaccharide. Genes were cloned into the shuttle vectors pRB374 and pAW10. In B. subtilis hosts, the genes were effectively transcribed under the vegII promoter control of pRB374, but the plasmids were susceptible to rearrangements and deletion. In contrast, pAW10-based constructs, in which genes were cloned downstream of the tet resistance cassette, were stable but yielded lower levels of enzyme activity. In vitro glycosyltransferase assays were performed in Escherichia coli and B. subtilis, using membrane preparations as sources of enzymes and endogenous undecaprenylphosphate as an acceptor. Incorporation of radioactivity from UDP-α-d-14C-sugar into reaction products verified the functionality of WbaP, WecA, and WbbO in either host. Enzyme activities in B. subtilis varied between 20 and 75% of those measured in E. coli.

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Antimicrobial susceptibility of multi-drug and extensively-drug-resistant Escherichia coli to ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam: An in vitro study*

Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.0859 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 74 ◽

pp. 77-83

Author(s):

Patrycja Zalas-Więcek ◽

Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Therapeutic Options ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Extensively Drug Resistant

Aim: Escherichia coli is one of the Gram-negative bacteria, known to cause many nosocomial infections. Multi-drug (MDR) and extensively-drug resistant (XDR). E. coli are of particular note, due to significant limitations in antibiotic therapy. Ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are novel therapeutic options against Gram-negative bacteria; hence the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro activity of ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam against MDR and XDR clinical E. coli isolates. Material/Methods: The study included 100 non-replicate E. coli isolates derived from clinical samples of patients hospitalized in teaching hospitals. Bacteria were identified by applying mass spectrometry in the MALDI Biotyper system (Bruker). ESBL (blaCTX-M-1group, blaCTX-M-9group) and carbapenemase (blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-181) genes were detected using the eazyplex® SuperBug CRE test, based on a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The in vitro susceptibility to ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam was tested using validated MIC Test strips (Liofilchem). Results: All 84 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) E. coli isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam and 83 to ceftolozane-tazobactam. Among 17 E. coli isolates with resistance to at least one of the carbapenems, three (17.6%) were susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam. All 14 blaVIM gene-positive E. coli isolates were resistant to both ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam. Both antibiotics were active against blaCTX-M-9group and blaOXA-48 gene-positive E. coli isolates, but they were not active against blaCTX-M-1group and blaVIM gene-positive isolates. Conclusions: Ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are alternative, non-carbapenem therapeutic options for ESBL-positive E. coli strains, and they are promising in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant E. coli strains, but not for those carrying the metallo-β-lactamase enzymes. Both drug combinations have comparable activity against ESBL, however, lower MIC values were found for ceftazidime-avibactam.

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Synthesis of Chalcones and Nucleosides Incorporating [1, 3, 4]Oxadiazolenone Core and Evaluation of their Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities

Current Bioactive Compounds ◽

10.2174/1573407214666180911130110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 665-679

Author(s):

Alok K. Srivastava ◽

Lokesh K. Pandey

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Aspergillus Niger ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Good Antibacterial Activity

Background: [1, 3, 4]oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones and nucleosides were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of a variety of benzaldehyde derivatives, obtained from oxidation of substituted 5-(3/6 substituted-4-Methylphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one and various substituted acetophenone. The resultant chalcones were coupled with penta-O-acetylglucopyranose followed by deacetylation to get [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones and nucleosides. Various analytical techniques viz IR, NMR, LC-MS and elemental analysis were used to confirm the structure of the synthesised compounds.The compounds were targeted against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for antibacterial activity and Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum for antifungal activity. Methods: A mixture of Acid hydrazides (3.0 mmol) and N, Nʹ- carbonyl diimidazole (3.3 mmol) in 15 mL of dioxane was refluxed to afford substituted [1, 3, 4]-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one. The resulted [1, 3, 4]- oxadiazole-2(3H)-one (1.42 mmol) was oxidized with Chromyl chloride (1.5 mL) in 20 mL of carbon tetra chloride and condensed with acetophenones (1.42 mmol) to get chalcones 4. The equimolar ratio of obtained chalcones 4 and β -D-1,2,3,4,6- penta-O-acetylglucopyranose in presence of iodine was refluxed to get nucleosides 5. The [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 were tested to determined minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value with the experimental procedure of Benson using disc-diffusion method. All compounds were tested at concentration of 5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, 0.62 mg/mL, 0.31 mg/mL and 0.15 mg/mL for antifungal activity against three strains of pathogenic fungi Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) and for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterium: Escherichia coli (E. coli), and two Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis). Result: The chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 were screened for antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and B. subtilis whereas antifungal activity against A. flavus, A. niger and F. oxysporum. Compounds 4a-t showed good antibacterial activity whereas compounds 5a-t containing glucose moiety showed better activity against fungi. The glucose moiety of compounds 5 helps to enter into the cell wall of fungi and control the cell growth. Conclusion: Chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 incorporating [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core were synthesized and characterized by various spectral techniques and elemental analysis. These compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity against three fungi; viz. A. flavus, A. niger and F. oxysporum. In addition to this, synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against gram negative bacteria E. Coli and gram positive bacteria S. aureus, B. subtilis. Compounds 4a-t showed good antibacterial activity whereas 5a-t showed better activity against fungi.

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Proteomic response of Escherichia coli to a membrane lytic and iron chelating truncated Amaranthus tricolor defensin

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02176-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tessa B. Moyer ◽

Ashleigh L. Purvis ◽

Andrew J. Wommack ◽

Leslie M. Hicks

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Mechanism Of Action ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Amaranthus Tricolor ◽

Core Motif ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Membrane Lysis

Abstract Background Plant defensins are a broadly distributed family of antimicrobial peptides which have been primarily studied for agriculturally relevant antifungal activity. Recent studies have probed defensins against Gram-negative bacteria revealing evidence for multiple mechanisms of action including membrane lysis and ribosomal inhibition. Herein, a truncated synthetic analog containing the γ-core motif of Amaranthus tricolor DEF2 (Atr-DEF2) reveals Gram-negative antibacterial activity and its mechanism of action is probed via proteomics, outer membrane permeability studies, and iron reduction/chelation assays. Results Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) demonstrated activity against two Gram-negative human bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Quantitative proteomics revealed changes in the E. coli proteome in response to treatment of sub-lethal concentrations of the truncated defensin, including bacterial outer membrane (OM) and iron acquisition/processing related proteins. Modification of OM charge is a common response of Gram-negative bacteria to membrane lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to reduce electrostatic interactions, and this mechanism of action was confirmed for Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) via an N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine uptake assay. Additionally, in vitro assays confirmed the capacity of Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) to reduce Fe3+ and chelate Fe2+ at cell culture relevant concentrations, thus limiting the availability of essential enzymatic cofactors. Conclusions This study highlights the utility of plant defensin γ-core motif synthetic analogs for characterization of novel defensin activity. Proteomic changes in E. coli after treatment with Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) supported the hypothesis that membrane lysis is an important component of γ-core motif mediated antibacterial activity but also emphasized that other properties, such as metal sequestration, may contribute to a multifaceted mechanism of action.

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A High-Throughput Approach To Identify Compounds That Impair Envelope Integrity in Escherichia coli

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00537-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (10) ◽

pp. 5995-6002 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kristin R. Baker ◽

Bimal Jana ◽

Henrik Franzyk ◽

Luca Guardabassi

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

High Throughput ◽

High Throughput Screening ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Chromogenic Substrate ◽

Intrinsic Resistance ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Screening Platform

ABSTRACTThe envelope of Gram-negative bacteria constitutes an impenetrable barrier to numerous classes of antimicrobials. This intrinsic resistance, coupled with acquired multidrug resistance, has drastically limited the treatment options against Gram-negative pathogens. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate an assay for identifying compounds that increase envelope permeability, thereby conferring antimicrobial susceptibility by weakening of the cell envelope barrier in Gram-negative bacteria. A high-throughput whole-cell screening platform was developed to measureEscherichia colienvelope permeability to a β-galactosidase chromogenic substrate. The signal produced by cytoplasmic β-galactosidase-dependent cleavage of the chromogenic substrate was used to determine the degree of envelope permeabilization. The assay was optimized by using known envelope-permeabilizing compounds andE. coligene deletion mutants with impaired envelope integrity. As a proof of concept, a compound library comprising 36 peptides and 45 peptidomimetics was screened, leading to identification of two peptides that substantially increased envelope permeability. Compound 79 reduced significantly (from 8- to 125-fold) the MICs of erythromycin, fusidic acid, novobiocin and rifampin and displayed synergy (fractional inhibitory concentration index, <0.2) with these antibiotics by checkerboard assays in two genetically distinctE. colistrains, including the high-risk multidrug-resistant, CTX-M-15-producing sequence type 131 clone. Notably, in the presence of 0.25 μM of this peptide, both strains were susceptible to rifampin according to the resistance breakpoints (R> 0.5 μg/ml) for Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. The high-throughput screening platform developed in this study can be applied to accelerate the discovery of antimicrobial helper drug candidates and targets that enhance the delivery of existing antibiotics by impairing envelope integrity in Gram-negative bacteria.

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Interaction of Antimicrobial Peptide Temporin L with Lipopolysaccharide In Vitro and in Experimental Rat Models of Septic Shock Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01553-05 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 50 (7) ◽

pp. 2478-2486 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Andrea Giacometti ◽

Oscar Cirioni ◽

Roberto Ghiselli ◽

Federico Mocchegiani ◽

Fiorenza Orlando ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Septic Shock ◽

Antimicrobial Peptide ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Amphibian Skin ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Rat Models ◽

E Coli ◽

Tnf Α

ABSTRACT Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, despite intense efforts to improve survival. The primary lead for septic shock results from activation of host effector cells by endotoxin, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) associated with cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. For these reasons, the quest for compounds with antiendotoxin properties is actively pursued. We investigated the efficacy of the amphibian skin antimicrobial peptide temporin L in binding Escherichia coli LPS in vitro and counteracting its effects in vivo. Temporin L strongly bound to purified E. coli LPS and lipid A in vitro, as proven by fluorescent displacement assay, and readily penetrated into E. coli LPS monolayers. Furthermore, the killing activity of temporin L against E. coli was progressively inhibited by increasing concentrations of LPS added to the medium, further confirming the peptide's affinity for endotoxin. Antimicrobial assays showed that temporin L interacted synergistically with the clinically used β-lactam antibiotics piperacillin and imipenem. Therefore, we characterized the activity of temporin L when combined with imipenem and piperacillin in the prevention of lethality in two rat models of septic shock, measuring bacterial growth in blood and intra-abdominal fluid, endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in plasma, and lethality. With respect to controls and single-drug treatments, the simultaneous administration of temporin L and β-lactams produced the highest antimicrobial activities and the strongest reduction in plasma endotoxin and TNF-α levels, resulting in the highest survival rates.

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Characterization of the β-lactamase specified by the resistance factor R-1818 in Escherichia coli K12 and other Gram-negative bacteria

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj1230501 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 123 (4) ◽

pp. 501-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

J. W. Dale

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Host Species ◽

Host Bacterium ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

R Factor ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

1. The amino acid composition of the β-lactamase from E. coli (R-1818) was determined. 2. The R-1818 β-lactamase is inhibited by formaldehyde, hydroxylamine, sodium azide, iodoacetamide, iodine and sodium chloride. 3. The Km values for benzylpenicillin, ampicillin and oxacillin have been determined by using the R-factor enzyme from different host species. The same values were obtained, irrespective of the host bacterium. 4. The molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 44600, and was the same for all host species. 5. The relationship of R-1818 and R-GN238 β-lactamases is discussed.

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Heterogeneous and Flexible Transmission ofmcr-1in Hospital-AssociatedEscherichia coli

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00943-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Yingbo Shen ◽

Zuowei Wu ◽

Yang Wang ◽

Rong Zhang ◽

Hong-Wei Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Genomic Analysis ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Colistin Resistance ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTThe recent emergence of a transferable colistin resistance mechanism, MCR-1, has gained global attention because of its threat to clinical treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the possible transmission route ofmcr-1amongEnterobacteriaceaespecies in clinical settings is largely unknown. Here, we present a comprehensive genomic analysis ofEscherichia coliisolates collected in a hospital in Hangzhou, China. We found thatmcr-1-carrying isolates from clinical infections and feces of inpatients and healthy volunteers were genetically diverse and were not closely related phylogenetically, suggesting that clonal expansion is not involved in the spread ofmcr-1. Themcr-1gene was found on either chromosomes or plasmids, but in most of theE. coliisolates,mcr-1was carried on plasmids. The genetic context of the plasmids showed considerable diversity as evidenced by the different functional insertion sequence (IS) elements, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, heavy metal resistance determinants, and Rep proteins of broad-host-range plasmids. Additionally, the genomic analysis revealed nosocomial transmission ofmcr-1and the coexistence ofmcr-1with other genes encoding β-lactamases and fluoroquinolone resistance in theE. coliisolates. These findings indicate thatmcr-1is heterogeneously disseminated in both commensal and pathogenic strains ofE. coli, suggest the high flexibility of this gene in its association with diverse genetic backgrounds of the hosts, and provide new insights into the genome epidemiology ofmcr-1among hospital-associatedE. colistrains.IMPORTANCEColistin represents one of the very few available drugs for treating infections caused by extensively multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The recently emergentmcr-1colistin resistance gene threatens the clinical utility of colistin and has gained global attention. Howmcr-1spreads in hospital settings remains unknown and was investigated by whole-genome sequencing ofmcr-1-carryingEscherichia coliin this study. The findings revealed extraordinary flexibility ofmcr-1in its spread among genetically diverseE. colihosts and plasmids, nosocomial transmission ofmcr-1-carryingE. coli, and the continuous emergence of novel Inc types of plasmids carryingmcr-1and newmcr-1variants. Additionally,mcr-1was found to be frequently associated with other genes encoding β-lactams and fluoroquinolone resistance. These findings provide important information on the transmission and epidemiology ofmcr-1and are of significant public health importance as the information is expected to facilitate the control of this significant antibiotic resistance threat.

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In Vitro Activity of Newer and Conventional Antimicrobial Agents, Including Fosfomycin and Colistin, against Selected Gram-Negative Bacilli in Kuwait

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens7030075 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 75 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Wadha Alfouzan ◽

Rita Dhar ◽

David Nicolau

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

The Other ◽

In Vitro Activity ◽

Limited Data ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Microbroth Dilution

Limited data are available on susceptibilities of these organisms to some of the recently made accessible antimicrobial agents. The in vitro activities of newer antibiotics, such as, ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) and ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) along with some “older” antibiotics, for example fosfomycin (FOS) and colistin (CL) were determined against selected strains (resistant to ≥ 3 antimicrobial agents) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute microbroth dilution. 133 isolates: 46 E. coli, 39 K. pneumoniae, and 48 P. aeruginosa were tested. Results showed that E. coli isolates with MIC50/90, 0.5/1 μ g / mL for CL; 4/32 μ g / mL for FOS; 0.25/32 μ g / mL for C/T; 0.25/8 μ g / mL for CZA, exhibited susceptibility rates of 95.7%, 97.8%, 76.1%, and 89.1%, respectively. On the other hand, K. pneumoniae strains with MIC50/90, 0.5/1 μ g / mL for CL; 256/512 μ g / mL for FOS; 2/128 μ g / mL for C/T; 0.5/128 μ g / mL for CZA showed susceptibility rates of 92.3%, 7.7%, 51.3%, and 64.1%, respectively. P. aeruginosa isolates with MIC50/90, 1/1 μ g / mL for CL; 128/128 μ g / mL for C/T; 32/64 μ g / mL for CZA presented susceptibility rates of 97.9%, 33.3%, and 39.6%, respectively. Higher MICs were demonstrated against most of the antibiotics. However, CL retained efficacy at low MICs against most of the isolates tested.

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National Surveillance of Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteremic Gram-Negative Bacteria with Emphasis on Community-Acquired Resistant Isolates: Report from the 2019 Surveillance of Multicenter Antimicrobial Resistance in Taiwan (SMART)

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01089-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Po-Yu Liu ◽

Yu-Lin Lee ◽

Min-Chi Lu ◽

Pei-Lan Shao ◽

Po-Liang Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

National Surveillance ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistant

ABSTRACT A multicenter collection of bacteremic isolates of Escherichia coli (n = 423), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 372), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 300), and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (n = 199) was analyzed for susceptibility. Xpert Carba-R assay and sequencing for mcr genes were performed for carbapenem- or colistin-resistant isolates. Nineteen (67.8%) carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (n = 28) and one (20%) carbapenem-resistant E. coli (n = 5) isolate harbored blaKPC (n = 17), blaOXA-48 (n = 2), and blaVIM (n = 1) genes.

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Metabolic phospholipid labeling of intact bacteria enables a fluorescence assay that detects compromised outer membranes

The Journal of Lipid Research ◽

10.1194/jlr.ra120000654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

pp. 870-883 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Inga Nilsson ◽

Sheng Y. Lee ◽

William S. Sawyer ◽

Christopher M. Baxter Rath ◽

Guillaume Lapointe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Metabolic Labeling ◽

Wild Type ◽

Transport Pathways ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Outer Membranes ◽

Outer Leaflet ◽

Promising Tool

Gram-negative bacteria possess an asymmetric outer membrane (OM) composed primarily of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) on the outer leaflet and phospholipids (PLs) on the inner leaflet. The loss of this asymmetry due to mutations in the LPS biosynthesis or transport pathways causes the externalization of PLs to the outer leaflet of the OM and leads to OM permeability defects. Here, we used metabolic labeling to detect a compromised OM in intact bacteria. Phosphatidylcholine synthase expression in Escherichia coli allowed for the incorporation of exogenous propargylcholine into phosphatidyl(propargyl)choline and exogenous 1-azidoethyl-choline (AECho) into phosphatidyl(azidoethyl)choline (AEPC), as confirmed by LC/MS analyses. A fluorescent copper-free click reagent poorly labeled AEPC in intact wild-type cells but readily labeled AEPC from lysed cells. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses confirmed the absence of significant AEPC labeling from intact wild-type E. coli strains and revealed significant AEPC labeling in an E. coli LPS transport mutant (lptD4213) and an LPS biosynthesis mutant (E. coli lpxC101). Our results suggest that metabolic PL labeling with AECho is a promising tool for detecting a compromised bacterial OM, revealing aberrant PL externalization, and identifying or characterizing novel cell-active inhibitors of LPS biosynthesis or transport.

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