scholarly journals Expression of the psl Operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Biofilms: PslA Performs an Essential Function in Biofilm Formation

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 4407-4413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Overhage ◽  
Mirle Schemionek ◽  
Jeremy S. Webb ◽  
Bernd H. A. Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Operon Expression ◽  
Rapid Amplification

ABSTRACT The psl gene cluster, comprising 15 cotranscribed genes from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was recently identified as being involved in exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and biofilm formation. In this study, we investigated the regulation of the psl gene cluster and the function of the first gene in this cluster, the pslA gene. PslA shows strong similarities to UDP-glucose lipid carriers. An isogenic marker-free pslA deletion mutant of P. aeruginosa PAO1 deficient in attachment and biofilm formation was used for complementation studies. The expression of only the pslA gene, comprising a coding region of 1,437 bp, restored the biofilm-forming phenotype of the wild type, indicating that PslA is required for biofilm formation by nonmucoid P. aeruginosa. The promoter region of the psl gene cluster, which encodes PslA-PslO, was identified by rapid amplification of cDNA 5′ ends. Promoter assays using transcriptional fusions to lacZ and gfp indicated a constitutive expression of the psl cluster in planktonic cells and a highly regulated and localized expression in biofilms, respectively. Expression of the psl cluster in biofilms was almost exclusively found in the centers of microcolonies, as revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These data suggest that constitutive expression of the psl operon enables efficient attachment to surfaces and that regulated localized psl operon expression is required for biofilm differentiation.

Confocal and SEM imaging to demonstrate food pathogen- biofilm biocontrol by pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 5218
Author(s):  
Laxmi Mohandas ◽  
Anju T. R. ◽  
Sarita G. Bhat*
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Redox Active ◽  
Sem Imaging ◽  
The Impact

An assortment of redox-active phenazine compounds like pyocyanin with their characteristic blue-green colour are synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens, which are also considered one of the most commercially valuable microorganisms. In this study, pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1 from food sample was assessed for its antibiofilm activity by micro titer plate assay against strong biofilm producers belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium and Micrococcus. Pyocyanin inhibited biofilm activity in very minute concentrations. This was also confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Both SEM and CLSM helped to visualize the biocontrol of biofilm formation by eight pathogens. The imaging and quantification by CLSM also established the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm-biocontrol mainly in the food industry.

Alginate production affects Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development and architecture, but is not essential for biofilm formation

2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 679-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Plata Stapper ◽  
Giri Narasimhan ◽  
Dennis E. Ohman ◽  
Johnny Barakat ◽  
Morten Hentzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Alginate Production ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Biofilm Development

Extracellular polymers can facilitate the non-specific attachment of bacteria to surfaces and hold together developing biofilms. This study was undertaken to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the architecture of biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 and its alginate-overproducing (mucA22) and alginate-defective (algD) variants in order to discern the role of alginate in biofilm formation. These strains, PAO1, Alg+ PAOmucA22 and Alg− PAOalgD, tagged with green fluorescent protein, were grown in a continuous flow cell system to characterize the developmental cycles of their biofilm formation using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biofilm Image Processing (bip) and Community Statistics (comstat) software programs were used to provide quantitative measurements of the two-dimensional biofilm images. All three strains formed distinguishable biofilm architectures, indicating that the production of alginate is not critical for biofilm formation. Observation over a period of 5 days indicated a three-stage development pattern consisting of initiation, establishment and maturation. Furthermore, this study showed that phenotypically distinguishable biofilms can be quantitatively differentiated.

scholarly journals Multiple Roles of Biosurfactants in Structural Biofilm Development by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (6) ◽  
pp. 2531-2539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sünje Johanna Pamp ◽  
Tim Tolker-Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
Later Phase

ABSTRACT Recent studies have indicated that biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa play a role both in maintaining channels between multicellular structures in biofilms and in dispersal of cells from biofilms. Through the use of flow cell technology and enhanced confocal laser scanning microscopy, we have obtained results which suggest that the biosurfactants produced by P. aeruginosa play additional roles in structural biofilm development. We present genetic evidence that during biofilm development by P. aeruginosa, biosurfactants promote microcolony formation in the initial phase and facilitate migration-dependent structural development in the later phase. P. aeruginosa rhlA mutants, deficient in synthesis of biosurfactants, were not capable of forming microcolonies in the initial phase of biofilm formation. Experiments involving two-color-coded mixed-strain biofilms showed that P. aeruginosa rhlA mutants were defective in migration-dependent development of mushroom-shaped multicellular structures in the later phase of biofilm formation. Experiments involving three-color-coded mixed-strain P. aeruginosa biofilms demonstrated that the wild-type and rhlA and pilA mutant strains formed distinct subpopulations on top of each other dependent on their ability to migrate and produce biosurfactants.

scholarly journals Role of Exopolysaccharides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation and Architecture

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (15) ◽  
pp. 5238-5246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Ghafoor ◽  
Iain D. Hay ◽  
Bernd H. A. Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Biofilm Architecture

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic human pathogen and has been established as a model organism to study bacterial biofilm formation. At least three exopolysaccharides (alginate, Psl, and Pel) contribute to the formation of biofilms in this organism. Here mutants deficient in the production of one or more of these polysaccharides were generated to investigate how these polymers interactively contribute to biofilm formation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of biofilms formed in flow chambers showed that mutants deficient in alginate biosynthesis developed biofilms with a decreased proportion of viable cells than alginate-producing strains, indicating a role of alginate in viability of cells in biofilms. Alginate-deficient mutants showed enhanced extracellular DNA (eDNA)-containing surface structures impacting the biofilm architecture. PAO1 ΔpslAΔalg8overproduced Pel, and eDNA showing meshwork-like structures presumably based on an interaction between both polymers were observed. The formation of characteristic mushroom-like structures required both Psl and alginate, whereas Pel appeared to play a role in biofilm cell density and/or the compactness of the biofilm. Mutants producing only alginate, i.e., mutants deficient in both Psl and Pel production, lost their ability to form biofilms. A lack of Psl enhanced the production of Pel, and the absence of Pel enhanced the production of alginate. The function of Psl in attachment was independent of alginate and Pel. A 30% decrease in Psl promoter activity in the alginate-overproducing MucA-negative mutant PDO300 suggested inverse regulation of both biosynthesis operons. Overall, this study demonstrated that the various exopolysaccharides and eDNA interactively contribute to the biofilm architecture ofP. aeruginosa.

Archaeal biofilms: Composition of extracellular polymeric substances, exopolysaccharide synthesis and secretion in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kuschmierz ◽  
Martin Meyer ◽  
Benjamin Meyer ◽  
Sonja-Verena Albers ◽  
Christopher Bräsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Sulfolobus Acidocaldarius ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Special Focus

<p>Archaea, representatives of the third domain of life, are often referred to as “extremophiles” since most of the cultivable species are adapted to extreme environments [1]. However, environmental cultivation-independent approaches (metagenomics) revealed a wide distribution of Archaea in moderate habitats suggesting a major role in geochemical processes. Similar to Bacteria, also Archaea are believed to exist predominantly in the biofilm mode, but knowledge about archaeal biofilm formation and structure, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) composition and synthesis is scarce [2].</p> <p><em>Sulfolobus acidocaldarius</em> is a thermoacidophilic, aerobic Crenarchaeon (78°C and pH 2-3) that was isolated from acid hot springs [3]. The organism is easy to cultivate under laboratory conditions and a genetic system is established. In this study, we investigate <em>S. acidocaldarius</em> biofilms with a special focus on synthesis and transport of exopolysaccharides (PS). PS constitute a major EPS component beside proteins and eDNA, suggesting an important role in <em>Sulfolobus</em> biofilms, and changes in PS composition were observed in response to environmental stress [4]. A gene cluster encoding several glycosyltransferases (GTs) as well as membrane proteins (MPs), likely involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis, was identified in <em>S. acidocaldarius</em>. Several deletion mutants have been constructed lacking certain GT and MP encoding genes from the PS gene cluster. A combination of methods including the quantification of biofilm formation, isolation and quantification of EPS components, visualization of biofilm and PS structures via confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as molecular and biochemical techniques have been applied to compare biofilm characteristics of wildtype and mutant strains. First insight into the function of GTs and MPs will be presented and a model of PS synthesis and export will be proposed.</p> <p>[1] Schocke et al. (2019).<em> Curr. Opin. in Biotechnol.</em> 59, 71-77.</p> <p>[2] van Wolferen et al. (2018). <em>Nature Rev. Microbiol.</em> 16(11), 699-713.</p> <p>[3] Brock et al. (1972). <em>Arch. Mikrobiol.</em> 84, 54-68.</p> <p>[4] Jachlewski et al. (2015). <em>Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.</em> 3, 123.</p> <p> </p>

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa Psl Is a Galactose- and Mannose-Rich Exopolysaccharide

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (22) ◽  
pp. 8353-8356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyan Ma ◽  
Haiping Lu ◽  
April Sprinkle ◽  
Matthew R. Parsek ◽  
Daniel J. Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Lectin Staining ◽  
Polysaccharide Synthesis

ABSTRACT The Pseudomonas aeruginosa polysaccharide synthesis locus (psl) is predicted to encode an exopolysaccharide which is critical for biofilm formation. Here we used chemical composition analyses and mannose- or galactose-specific lectin staining, followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy, to show that Psl is a galactose-rich and mannose-rich exopolysaccharide.

scholarly journals Rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rn19a Modifies the Biofilm Formation over a Borosilicate Surface by Clinical Isolates

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Jair Carrazco-Palafox ◽  
Blanca Estela Rivera-Chavira ◽  
Jaime Raúl Adame-Gallegos ◽  
Luz María Rodríguez-Valdez ◽  
Erasmo Orrantia-Borunda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Dynamic Conditions ◽  
Initial Adhesion ◽  
Static Conditions

Microbial cells are reversibly associated with surfaces in the form of biofilms. Adhesion is the mechanism used by the microorganisms to bind to a surface initially; no biofilm is formed without the initial adhesion. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of the rhamnolipids of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rn19a in inhibiting the biofilms formed by the clinical isolates Escherichia coli I5, Pseudomonas aeruginosa E26, Enterococcus faecalis I27 on borosilicate coupons inside a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reactor. The isolate E26 (P. aeruginosa) did not show an adverse effect on biofilm formation by the rhamnolipid presence and showed normal growth in all the conditions tested (dynamic and static growth). The Enterococcus faecalis I27 isolate decreased its biofilm formation ability in 2.2 log CFU/cm2 in static conditions by the addition of rhamnolipids and 3.0 log units in dynamic conditions. Finally, the E. coli I5 isolate was more susceptible to the influence of the borosilicate coupon covered with rhamnolipids. E5 reduced its biofilm formation capacity by 3.0 log CFU/cm2 units at static conditions by the rhamnolipid addition and 6.0 log units at dynamic conditions. Biofilm formation was also observed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. In summary, the application of rhamnolipids may be useful to prevent the initial adhesion of bacteria to borosilicate surfaces. At a minimum, rhamnolipids effectively inhibit or diminish adhesion to surfaces by biofilm-forming isolates that do not belong to the genus Pseudomonas.

scholarly journals Cephalosporin nitric oxide-donor prodrug DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odel Soren ◽  
Ardeshir Rineh ◽  
Diogo G Silva ◽  
Yuming Cai ◽  
Robert P Howlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Nitric Oxide Donor ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

Abstract Objectives The cephalosporin nitric oxide (NO)-donor prodrug DEA-C3D (‘DiEthylAmin-Cephalosporin-3′-Diazeniumdiolate’) has been shown to initiate the dispersal of biofilms formed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1. In this study, we investigated whether DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates of P. aeruginosa and its effect in combination with two antipseudomonal antibiotics, tobramycin and colistin, in vitro. Methods β-Lactamase-triggered release of NO from DEA-C3D was confirmed using a gas-phase chemiluminescence detector. MICs for P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. A crystal violet staining technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of DEA-C3D on P. aeruginosa biofilms alone and in combination with tobramycin and colistin. Results DEA-C3D was confirmed to selectively release NO in response to contact with bacterial β-lactamase. Despite lacking direct, cephalosporin/β-lactam-based antibacterial activity, DEA-C3D was able to disperse biofilms formed by three P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Confocal microscopy revealed that DEA-C3D in combination with tobramycin produces similar reductions in biofilm to DEA-C3D alone, whereas the combination with colistin causes near complete eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro. Conclusions DEA-C3D is effective in dispersing biofilms formed by multiple clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and could hold promise as a new adjunctive therapy to patients with CF.

scholarly journals Bacterial lipopolysaccharides variably modulate in vitro biofilm formation of Candida species

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1225-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. H. N. Bandara ◽  
O. L. T. Lam ◽  
R. M. Watt ◽  
L. J. Jin ◽  
L. P. Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Biofilm Development

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bacterial endotoxin LPS on Candida biofilm formation in vitro. The effect of the LPS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Salmonella typhimurium on six different species of Candida, comprising Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and Candida dubliniensis MYA 646, was studied using a standard biofilm assay. The metabolic activity of in vitro Candida biofilms treated with LPS at 90 min, 24 h and 48 h was quantified by XTT reduction assay. Viable biofilm-forming cells were qualitatively analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize the biofilm structure. Initially, adhesion of C. albicans was significantly stimulated by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella LPS. A significant inhibition of Candida adhesion was noted for the following combinations: C. glabrata with Pseudomonas LPS, C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, and C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis or C. dubliniensis with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). After 24 h of incubation, a significant stimulation of initial colonization was noted for the following combinations: C. albicans/C. glabrata with Klebsiella LPS, C. glabrata/C. tropicalis/C. krusei with Salmonella LPS. In contrast, a significant inhibition of biofilm formation was observed in C. glabrata/C. dubliniensis/C. krusei with Pseudomonas LPS, C. krusei with Serratia LPS, C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis /C. krusei with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). On further incubation for 48 h, a significant enhancement of biofilm maturation was noted for the following combinations: C. glabrata/C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. glabrata with Salmonella LPS, and a significant retardation was noted for C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis/C. krusei with Pseudomonas LPS, C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, C. glabrata/C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. dubliniensis with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). These findings were confirmed by SEM and CLSM analyses. In general, the inhibition of the biofilm development of LPS-treated Candida spp. was accompanied by a scanty architecture with a reduced numbers of cells compared with the profuse and densely colonized control biofilms. These data are indicative that bacterial LPSs modulate in vitro Candida biofilm formation in a species-specific and time-dependent manner. The clinical and the biological relevance of these findings have yet to be explored.

Probing Enhanced Cytochrome P450 2B1/2 Activity in Rat Hepatocyte Spheroids through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanouhl S. Tzanakakis ◽  
Chang-Chun Hsiao ◽  
Taku Matsushita ◽  
Rory P. Remmel ◽  
Wei-Shou Hu
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Rat Hepatocytes ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning ◽  
Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are essential for xenobiotic metabolism. Although CYP450s are found in many tissues, CYP2B1/2 are primarily expressed in the rat liver. The constitutive expression in vivo of CYP2B1/2 is low but it is induced in the presence of various drugs such as phenobarbital (PB). In this study, CYP2B1/2 activity in cultured hepatocytes was assessed in situ with the introduction of a fluorogenic sub-strate, pentoxyresorufin. The product of 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylation (PROD), which is catalyzed specifically by CYP2B1/2, was detected using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Primary hepatocytes cultured as monolayers on collagen-coated surfaces exhibited background PROD activity and minimal PB inducibility after 4 days in culture. In contrast, rat hepatocytes organized in compacted aggregates, or spheroids, exhibited higher levels of PROD activity and retained their ability for PB induction. The results from the CLSM analysis were verified by RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting analysis. Furthermore, CLSM in conjunction with image processing techniques and three-dimensional reconstruction revealed the localization of enhanced PROD activity in the center of spheroids. The results support the use of CLSM as a powerful tool for investigating CYP2B1/2 activity in cultured rat hepatocytes.

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