scholarly journals Sxy Induces a CRP-S Regulon in Escherichia coli

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (16) ◽  
pp. 5180-5195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita Sinha ◽  
Andrew D. S. Cameron ◽  
Rosemary J. Redfield
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Competitive Fitness ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Type Iv Pilin ◽  
Transcriptional Units ◽  
Sigma H

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is not considered naturally competent, yet it has homologues of the genes that most competent bacteria use for DNA uptake and processing. In Haemophilus influenzae and Vibrio cholerae, these genes are regulated by the Sxy and cyclic AMP receptor (CRP) proteins. We used microarrays to find out whether similar regulation occurs in E. coli. Expression of sxy strongly induced 63 transcriptional units, 34 of which required CRP for transcriptional activation and had promoter sites resembling the Sxy- and CRP-dependent CRP-S motif previously characterized in H. influenzae. As previously reported, sxy expression also induced the sigma-H regulon. Flagellar operons were downregulated by sxy expression, although motility remained unaffected. The CRP-S regulon included all of E. coli's known competence gene homologues, so we investigated Sxy's effect on competence-associated phenotypes. A sxy knockout reduced both “natural” plasmid transformation and competitive fitness in long-term culture. In addition, expression of plasmid-borne sxy led to production of type IV pilin, the main subunit of the DNA uptake machinery of most bacteria. Although H. influenzae Sxy only weakly activated the E. coli Sxy regulon, induction was dramatically improved when it was coexpressed with its cognate CRP, suggesting that intimate interactions between Sxy and CRP are required for transcriptional activation at CRP-S sites.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli Competence Gene Homologs Are Essential for Competitive Fitness and the Use of DNA as a Nutrient

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (11) ◽  
pp. 3902-3910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Palchevskiy ◽  
Steven E. Finkel
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Nutrient Source ◽  
Genetic Competence ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Competitive Fitness ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon

ABSTRACT Natural genetic competence is the ability of cells to take up extracellular DNA and is an important mechanism for horizontal gene transfer. Another potential benefit of natural competence is that exogenous DNA can serve as a nutrient source for starving bacteria because the ability to “eat” DNA is necessary for competitive survival in environments containing limited nutrients. We show here that eight Escherichia coli genes, identified as homologs of com genes in Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are necessary for the use of extracellular DNA as the sole source of carbon and energy. These genes also confer a competitive advantage to E. coli during long-term stationary-phase incubation. We also show that homologs of these genes are found throughout the proteobacteria, suggesting that the use of DNA as a nutrient may be a widespread phenomenon.

scholarly journals The major subunit of widespread competence pili exhibits a novel and conserved type IV pilin fold

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (19) ◽  
pp. 6594-6604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon Sheppard ◽  
Jamie-Lee Berry ◽  
Rémi Denise ◽  
Eduardo P. C. Rocha ◽  
Steve Matthews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Unusual Structure ◽  
Widespread Distribution ◽  
Solution Structures ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Pilin Subunit ◽  
Type Iv Pilin

Type IV filaments (T4F), which are helical assemblies of type IV pilins, constitute a superfamily of filamentous nanomachines virtually ubiquitous in prokaryotes that mediate a wide variety of functions. The competence (Com) pilus is a widespread T4F, mediating DNA uptake (the first step in natural transformation) in bacteria with one membrane (monoderms), an important mechanism of horizontal gene transfer. Here, we report the results of genomic, phylogenetic, and structural analyses of ComGC, the major pilin subunit of Com pili. By performing a global comparative analysis, we show that Com pili genes are virtually ubiquitous in Bacilli, a major monoderm class of Firmicutes. This also revealed that ComGC displays extensive sequence conservation, defining a monophyletic group among type IV pilins. We further report ComGC solution structures from two naturally competent human pathogens, Streptococcus sanguinis (ComGCSS) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (ComGCSP), revealing that this pilin displays extensive structural conservation. Strikingly, ComGCSS and ComGCSP exhibit a novel type IV pilin fold that is purely helical. Results from homology modeling analyses suggest that the unusual structure of ComGC is compatible with helical filament assembly. Because ComGC displays such a widespread distribution, these results have implications for hundreds of monoderm species.

scholarly journals Proteorhodopsin Overproduction Enhances the Long-Term Viability of Escherichia coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yizhi Song ◽  
Michaël L. Cartron ◽  
Philip J. Jackson ◽  
Paul A. Davison ◽  
Mark J. Dickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Membrane Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACT Genes encoding the photoreactive protein proteorhodopsin (PR) have been found in a wide range of marine bacterial species, reflecting the significant contribution that PR makes to energy flux and carbon cycling in ocean ecosystems. PR can also confer advantages to enhance the ability of marine bacteria to survive periods of starvation. Here, we investigate the effect of heterologously produced PR on the viability of Escherichia coli. Quantitative mass spectrometry shows that E. coli, exogenously supplied with the retinal cofactor, assembles as many as 187,000 holo-PR molecules per cell, accounting for approximately 47% of the membrane area; even cells with no retinal synthesize ∼148,000 apo-PR molecules per cell. We show that populations of E. coli cells containing PR exhibit significantly extended viability over many weeks, and we use single-cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS) to detect holo-PR in 9-month-old cells. SCRS shows that such cells, even incubated in the dark and therefore with inactive PR, maintain cellular levels of DNA and RNA and avoid deterioration of the cytoplasmic membrane, a likely basis for extended viability. The substantial proportion of the E. coli membrane required to accommodate high levels of PR likely fosters extensive intermolecular contacts, suggested to physically stabilize the cell membrane and impart a long-term benefit manifested as extended viability in the dark. We propose that marine bacteria could benefit similarly from a high PR content, with a stabilized cell membrane extending survival when those bacteria experience periods of severe nutrient or light limitation in the oceans. IMPORTANCE Proteorhodopsin (PR) is part of a diverse, abundant, and widespread superfamily of photoreactive proteins, the microbial rhodopsins. PR, a light-driven proton pump, enhances the ability of the marine bacterium Vibrio strain AND4 to survive and recover from periods of starvation, and heterologously produced PR extends the viability of nutrient-limited Shewanella oneidensis. We show that heterologously produced PR enhances the viability of E. coli cultures over long periods of several weeks and use single-cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS) to detect PR in 9-month-old cells. We identify a densely packed and consequently stabilized cell membrane as the likely basis for extended viability. Similar considerations are suggested to apply to marine bacteria, for which high PR levels represent a significant investment in scarce metabolic resources. PR-stabilized cell membranes in marine bacteria are proposed to keep a population viable during extended periods of light or nutrient limitation, until conditions improve.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Is a Dominant, Antimicrobial-Resistant Clonal Group Associated with Healthcare and Elderly Hosts

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Banerjee ◽  
Brian Johnston ◽  
Christine Lohse ◽  
Stephen B. Porter ◽  
Connie Clabots ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Olmsted County ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Clonal Group ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Objective.To determine prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of infection due to Escherichia coli sequence type ST131.Design.Retrospective cohort.Setting.All healthcare settings in Olmsted County, Minnesota (eg, community hospital, tertiary care center, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory clinics).Patients.Ambulatory and hospitalized children and adults with extraintestinal E. coli isolates.Methods.We analyzed 299 consecutive, nonduplicate extraintestinal E. coli isolates submitted to Olmsted County laboratories in February and March 2011. ST131 was identified using single-nucleotide polymorphism polymerase chain reaction and further evaluated through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Associated clinical data were abstracted through medical record review.Results.Most isolates were from urine specimens (90%), outpatients (68%), and community-associated infections (61%). ST131 accounted for 27% of isolates overall and for a larger proportion of those isolates resistant to fluoroquinolones (81%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (42%), gentamicin (79%), and ceftriaxone (50%). The prevalence of ST131 increased with age (accounting for 5% of isolates from those 11–20 years of age, 26% of isolates from those 51–60 years of age, and 50% of isolates from those 91–100 years of age). ST131 accounted for a greater proportion of healthcare-associated isolates (49%) than community-associated isolates (15%) and for fully 76% of E. coli isolates from long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. Multivariable predictors of ST131 carriage included older age, LTCF residence, previous urinary tract infection, high-complexity infection, and previous use of fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and extended-spectrum cephalosporins. With multivariable adjustment, ST131-associated infection outcomes included receipt of more than 1 antibiotic (odds ratio [OR], 2.54 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.25–5.17]) and persistent or recurrent symptoms (OR, 2.53 [95% CI, 1.08–5.96]). Two globally predominant ST131 pulsotypes accounted for 45% of STB 1 isolates.Conclusions.ST131isa dominant, antimicrobial-resistant clonal group associated with healthcare settings, elderly hosts, and persistent or recurrent symptoms.

scholarly journals Replication of plasmids derived from Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages in starved Escherichia coli

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 220-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożena Nejman ◽  
Beata Nadratowska-Wesołowska ◽  
Agnieszka Szalewska-Pałasz ◽  
Alicja Węgrzyn ◽  
Grzegorz Węgrzyn
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Stringent Response ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Replication Initiation ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Dna Replication Initiation

The pathogenicity of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) depends on the expression of stx genes that are located on lambdoid prophages. Effective toxin production occurs only after prophage induction, and one may presume that replication of the phage genome is important for an increase in the dosage of stx genes, positively influencing their expression. We investigated the replication of plasmids derived from Shiga toxin (Stx)-converting bacteriophages in starved E. coli cells, as starvation conditions may be common in the intestine of infected humans. We found that, unlike plasmids derived from bacteriophage λ, the Shiga toxin phage-derived replicons did not replicate in amino acid-starved relA + and relA − cells (showing the stringent and relaxed responses to starvation, respectively). The presence of the stable fraction of the replication initiator O protein was detected in all tested replicons. However, while ppGpp, the stringent response effector, inhibited the activities of the λ P R promoter and its homologues from Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages, these promoters, except for λ P R, were only weakly stimulated by the DksA protein. We suggest that this less efficient (relative to λ) positive regulation of transcription responsible for transcriptional activation of the origin contributes to the inhibition of DNA replication initiation of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages in starved host cells, even in the absence of ppGpp (as in starved relA − hosts). Possible clinical implications of these results are discussed.

scholarly journals In Vivo Titration of Mitomycin C Action by Four Escherichia coli Genomic Regions on Multicopy Plasmids

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (7) ◽  
pp. 2259-2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wei ◽  
Amy C. Vollmer ◽  
Robert A. LaRossa
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Mitomycin C ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Potent Inducer ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genomic Regions

ABSTRACT Mitomycin C (MMC), a DNA-damaging agent, is a potent inducer of the bacterial SOS response; surprisingly, it has not been used to select resistant mutants from wild-type Escherichia coli. MMC resistance is caused by the presence of any of four distinctE. coli genes (mdfA, gyrl, rob, andsdiA) on high-copy-number vectors. mdfAencodes a membrane efflux pump whose overexpression results in broad-spectrum chemical resistance. The gyrI (also called sbmC) gene product inhibits DNA gyrase activity in vitro, while the rob protein appears to function in transcriptional activation of efflux pumps. SdiA is a transcriptional activator of ftsQAZ genes involved in cell division.

scholarly journals Fitness, Stress Resistance, and Extraintestinal Virulence in Escherichia coli

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (8) ◽  
pp. 2733-2742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Bleibtreu ◽  
Pierre-Alexis Gros ◽  
Cédric Laouénan ◽  
Olivier Clermont ◽  
Hervé Le Nagard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Competitive Fitness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Stress Response ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTThe extraintestinal virulence ofEscherichia coliis dependent on numerous virulence genes. However, there is growing evidence for a role of the metabolic properties and stress responses of strains in pathogenesis. We assessed the respective roles of these factors in strain virulence by developing phenotypic assays for measuringin vitroindividual and competitive fitness and the general stress response, which we applied to 82 commensal and extraintestinal pathogenicE. colistrains previously tested in a mouse model of sepsis. Individual fitness properties, in terms of maximum growth rates in various media (Luria-Bertani broth with and without iron chelator, minimal medium supplemented with gluconate, and human urine) and competitive fitness properties, estimated as the mean relative growth rate per generation in mixed cultures with a reference fluorescentE. colistrain, were highly diverse between strains. The activity of the main general stress response regulator, RpoS, as determined by iodine staining of the colonies, H2O2resistance, andrpoSsequencing, was also highly variable. No correlation between strain fitness and stress resistance and virulence in the mouse model was found, except that the maximum growth rate in urine was higher for virulent strains. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of virulence factors was the only independent factor explaining the virulence in mice. At the species level, growth capacity and stress resistance are heterogeneous properties that do not contribute significantly to the intrinsic virulence of the strains.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Responses of Escherichia coli K-12 and O157:H7 Associated with Lettuce Leaves

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 1752-1764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan C. Fink ◽  
Elaine P. Black ◽  
Zhe Hou ◽  
Masayuki Sugawara ◽  
Michael J. Sadowsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Leaf Surface ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Leaf Surfaces ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACTAn increasing number of outbreaks of gastroenteritis recently caused byEscherichia coliO157:H7 have been linked to the consumption of leafy green vegetables. Although it is known thatE. colisurvives and grows in the phyllosphere of lettuce plants, the molecular mechanisms by which this bacterium associates with plants are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to identifyE. coligenes relevant to its interaction, survival, or attachment to lettuce leaf surfaces, comparingE. coliK-12, a model system, andE. coliO157:H7, a pathogen associated with a large number of outbreaks. Using microarrays, we found that upon interaction with intact leaves, 10.1% and 8.7% of the 3,798 shared genes were differentially expressed in K-12 and O157:H7, respectively, whereas 3.1% changed transcript levels in both. The largest group of genes downregulated consisted of those involved in energy metabolism, includingtnaA(33-fold change), encoding a tryptophanase that converts tryptophan into indole. Genes involved in biofilm modulation (bhsAandybiM) and curli production (csgAandcsgB) were significantly upregulated inE. coliK-12 and O157:H7. BothcsgAandbhsA(ycfR) mutants were impaired in the long-term colonization of the leaf surface, but onlycsgAmutants had diminished ability in short-term attachment experiments. Our data suggested that the interaction ofE. coliK-12 and O157:H7 with undamaged lettuce leaves likely is initiated via attachment to the leaf surface using curli fibers, a downward shift in their metabolism, and the suppression of biofilm formation.

Community spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis: a long-term study in Japan

2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 1038-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Chong ◽  
Shinji Shimoda ◽  
Hiroko Yakushiji ◽  
Yoshikiyo Ito ◽  
Toshihiro Miyamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Proteus Mirabilis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Few Data

Community-acquired infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, particularly CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli, are a rising concern worldwide. There are few data from Japan on the acquisition of ESBLs in the community or the influx of these bacteria into hospitals. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of ESBL carriage in outpatients, in order to estimate the spread of ESBLs in community settings. We analysed bacterial isolates from outpatient samples at our institution over a 9-year period from 2003 to 2011, with respect to epidemiological data on ESBL-producing bacteria and their genotypic features. Out of 5137 isolates, 321 (6.3 %) were ESBL producers, including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. The detection rates of the ESBL-producing isolates gradually increased and reached 14.3, 8.7 and 19.6 % for E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis strains, respectively, in 2011. Genotyping analysis showed that many of the strains produced multiple β-lactamases, including TEM, SHV and CTX-M, rather than just CTX-M. The CTX-M-9 group was dominant among the CTX-M genotypes; further, the CTX-M-1 and M-2 groups were also detected (~30 %). This is believed to be the first report from Japan showing a definite increase in ESBL detection in outpatients. In addition, our findings suggest the simultaneous community spread of diverse ESBL genotypes, not an expansion of particular ESBL genes.

scholarly journals Long-Term Persistence and Leaching of Escherichia coli in Temperate Maritime Soils

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 1449-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona P. Brennan ◽  
Vincent O'Flaherty ◽  
Gaelene Kramers ◽  
Jim Grant ◽  
Karl G. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Natural Rainfall ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
Effect Of Treatment

ABSTRACT Enteropathogen contamination of groundwater, including potable water sources, is a global concern. The spreading on land of animal slurries and manures, which can contain a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, is considered a major contributor to this contamination. Some of the pathogenic microorganisms applied to soil have been observed to leach through the soil into groundwater, which poses a risk to public health. There is a critical need, therefore, for characterization of pathogen movement through the vadose zone for assessment of the risk to groundwater quality due to agricultural activities. A lysimeter experiment was performed to investigate the effect of soil type and condition on the fate and transport of potential bacterial pathogens, using Escherichia coli as a marker, in four Irish soils (n = 9). Cattle slurry (34 tonnes per ha) was spread on intact soil monoliths (depth, 1 m; diameter, 0.6 m) in the spring and summer. No effect of treatment or the initial soil moisture on the E. coli that leached from the soil was observed. Leaching of E. coli was observed predominantly from one soil type (average, 1.11 � 0.77 CFU ml−1), a poorly drained Luvic Stagnosol, under natural rainfall conditions, and preferential flow was an important transport mechanism. E. coli was found to have persisted in control soils for more than 9 years, indicating that autochthonous E. coli populations are capable of becoming naturalized in the low-temperature environments of temperate maritime soils and that they can move through soil. This may compromise the use of E. coli as an indicator of fecal pollution of waters in these regions.

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