scholarly journals The Terminal A Domain of the Fibrillar Accumulation-Associated Protein (Aap) of Staphylococcus epidermidis Mediates Adhesion to Human Corneocytes

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (22) ◽  
pp. 7007-7016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L. Macintosh ◽  
Jane L. Brittan ◽  
Ritwika Bhattacharya ◽  
Howard F. Jenkinson ◽  
Jeremy Derrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Domain Architecture ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
Artificial Joints ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Skin Colonization ◽  
Accumulation Associated Protein

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis colonizes indwelling medical devices by biofilm formation but is primarily a skin resident. In many S. epidermidis strains biofilm formation is mediated by a cell wall-anchored protein, the accumulation-associated protein (Aap). Here, we investigate the role of Aap in skin adhesion. Aap is an LPXTG protein with a domain architecture including a terminal A domain and a B-repeat region. S. epidermidis NCTC 11047 expresses Aap as localized, lateral tufts of fibrils on one subpopulation of cells (Fib+), whereas a second subpopulation does not express these fibrils of Aap (Fib−). Flow cytometry showed that 72% of NCTC 11047 cells expressed Aap and that 28% of cells did not. Aap is involved in the adhesion of Fib+ cells to squamous epithelial cells from the hand (corneocytes), as the recombinant A-domain protein partially blocked binding to corneocytes. To confirm the role of the Aap A domain in corneocyte attachment, Aap was expressed on the surface of Lactococcus lactis MG1363 as sparsely distributed, peritrichous fibrils. The expression of Aap increased corneocyte adhesion 20-fold compared to L. lactis carrying Aap without an A domain. S. epidermidis isolates from catheters, artificial joints, skin, and the nose also used the A domain of Aap to adhere to corneocytes, emphasizing the role of Aap in skin adhesion. In addition, L. lactis expressing Aap with different numbers of B repeats revealed a positive correlation between the number of B repeats and adhesion to corneocytes, suggesting an additional function for the B region in enhancing A-domain-dependent attachment to skin. Therefore, in addition to its established role in biofilm formation, Aap can also promote adhesion to corneocytes and is likely to be an important adhesin in S. epidermidis skin colonization.

scholarly journals A Single B-Repeat of Staphylococcus epidermidis Accumulation-Associated Protein Induces Protective Immune Responses in an Experimental Biomaterial-Associated Infection Mouse Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1206-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Yan ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Hongyan Ma ◽  
David Chiu ◽  
James D. Bryers
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Porous Scaffold ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protein Vaccine ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Biofilm Inhibition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accumulation Associated Protein

ABSTRACTNosocomial infections are the fourth leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, resulting in 2 million infections and ∼100,000 deaths each year. More than 60% of these infections are associated with some type of biomedical device.Staphylococcus epidermidisis a commensal bacterium of the human skin and is the most common nosocomial pathogen infecting implanted medical devices, especially those in the cardiovasculature.S. epidermidisantibiotic resistance and biofilm formation on inert surfaces make these infections hard to treat. Accumulation-associated protein (Aap), a cell wall-anchored protein ofS. epidermidis, is considered one of the most important proteins involved in the formation ofS. epidermidisbiofilm. A small recombinant protein vaccine comprising a single B-repeat domain (Brpt1.0) ofS. epidermidisRP62A Aap was developed, and the vaccine's efficacy was evaluatedin vitrowith a biofilm inhibition assay andin vivoin a murine model of biomaterial-associated infection. A high IgG antibody response againstS. epidermidisRP62A was detected in the sera of the mice after two subcutaneous immunizations with Brpt1.0 coadministered with Freund's adjuvant. Sera from Brpt1.0-immunized mice inhibitedin vitroS. epidermidisRP62A biofilm formation in a dose-dependent pattern. After receiving two immunizations, each mouse was surgically implanted with a porous scaffold disk containing 5 × 106CFU ofS. epidermidisRP62A. Weight changes, inflammatory markers, and histological assay results after challenge withS. epidermidisindicated that the mice immunized with Brpt1.0 exhibited significantly higher resistance toS. epidermidisRP62A implant infection than the control mice. Day 8 postchallenge, there was a significantly lower number of bacteria in scaffold sections and surrounding tissues and a lower residual inflammatory response to the infected scaffold disks for the Brpt1.0-immunized mice than for of the ovalbumin (Ova)-immunized mice.

scholarly journals PmtA Regulates Pyocyanin Expression and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy V. Thees ◽  
Kathryn M. Pietrosimone ◽  
Clare K. Melchiorre ◽  
Jeremiah N. Marden ◽  
Joerg Graf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Small Molecular Weight ◽  
Heavy Metal Binding ◽  
The Impact

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses a small molecular weight, cysteine-rich protein (PmtA), identified as a metallothionein (MT) protein family member. The MT family proteins have been well-characterized in eukaryotes as essential for zinc and copper homeostasis, protection against oxidative stress, and the ability to modify a variety of immune activities. Bacterial MTs share sequence homology, antioxidant chemistry, and heavy metal-binding capacity with eukaryotic MTs, however, the impact of bacterial MTs on virulence and infection have not been well-studied. In the present study, we investigated the role of PmtA in P. aeruginosa PAO1 using a PmtA-deficient strain (ΔpmtA). Here we demonstrated the virulence factor, pyocyanin, relies on the expression of PmtA. We showed that PmtA may be protective against oxidative stress, as an alternative antioxidant, glutathione, can rescue pyocyanin expression. Furthermore, the expression of phzM, which encodes a pyocyanin precursor enzyme, was decreased in the ΔpmtA mutant during early stationary phase. Upregulated pmtA expression was previously detected in confluent biofilms, which are essential for chronic infection, and we observed that the ΔpmtA mutant was disrupted for biofilm formation. As biofilms also modulate antibiotic susceptibility, we examined the ΔpmtA mutant susceptibility to antibiotics and found that the ΔpmtA mutant is more susceptible to cefepime and ciprofloxacin than the wild-type strain. Finally, we observed that the deletion of pmtA results in decreased virulence in a waxworm model. Taken together, our results support the conclusion that PmtA is necessary for the full virulence of P. aeruginosa and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

scholarly journals New N-(oxazolylmethyl)-thiazolidinedione Active against Candida albicans Biofilm: Potential Als Proteins Inhibitors

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Marc ◽  
Cătălin Araniciu ◽  
Smaranda Oniga ◽  
Laurian Vlase ◽  
Adrian Pîrnău ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
New Approach ◽  
New Class ◽  
New Compounds

C. albicans is the most frequently occurring fungal pathogen, and is becoming an increasing public health problem, especially in the context of increased microbial resistance. This opportunistic pathogen is characterized by a versatility explained mainly by its ability to form complex biofilm structures that lead to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. In this context, a review of the known C. albicans biofilm formation inhibitors were performed and a new N-(oxazolylmethyl)-thiazolidinedione scaffold was constructed. 16 new compounds were synthesized and characterized in order to confirm their proposed structures. A general antimicrobial screening against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi, was performed and revealed that the compounds do not have direct antimicrobial activity. The anti-biofilm activity evaluation confirmed the compounds act as selective inhibitors of C. albicans biofilm formation. In an effort to substantiate this biologic profile, we used in silico investigations which suggest that the compounds could act by binding, and thus obstructing the functions of, the C. albicans Als surface proteins, especially Als1, Als3, Als5 and Als6. Considering the well documented role of Als1 and Als3 in biofilm formation, our new class of compounds that target these proteins could represent a new approach in C. albicans infection prevention and management.

scholarly journals Role of the Streptococcus mutans irvA Gene in GbpC-Independent, Dextran-Dependent Aggregation and Biofilm Formation

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (22) ◽  
pp. 7037-7043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhu ◽  
Dragana Ajdić ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
David Lynch ◽  
Justin Merritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Parental Background ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Major Surface ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
Small Aggregation

ABSTRACT Dextran-dependent aggregation (DDAG) of Streptococcus mutans is an in vitro phenomenon that is believed to represent a property of the organism that is beneficial for sucrose-dependent biofilm development. GbpC, a cell surface glucan-binding protein, is responsible for DDAG in S. mutans when cultured under defined stressful conditions. Recent reports have described a putative transcriptional regulator gene, irvA, located just upstream of gbpC, that is normally repressed by the product of an adjacent gene, irvR. When repression of irvA is relieved, there is a resulting increase in the expression of GbpC and decreases in competence and synthesis of the antibiotic mutacin I. This study examined the role of irvA in DDAG and biofilm formation by engineering strains that overexpressed irvA (IrvA+) on an extrachromosomal plasmid. The IrvA+ strain displayed large aggregation particles that did not require stressful growth conditions. A novel finding was that overexpression of irvA in a gbpC mutant background retained a measure of DDAG, albeit very small aggregation particles. Biofilms formed by the IrvA+ strain in the parental background possessed larger-than-normal microcolonies. In a gbpC mutant background, the overexpression of irvA reversed the fragile biofilm phenotype normally associated with loss of GbpC. Real-time PCR and Northern blot analyses found that expression of gbpC did not change significantly in the IrvA+ strain but expression of spaP, encoding the major surface adhesin P1, increased significantly. Inactivation of spaP eliminated the small-particle DDAG. The results suggest that IrvA promotes DDAG not only by GbpC, but also via an increase in P1.

scholarly journals Accumulation-Associated Protein Enhances Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation under Dynamic Conditions and Is Required for Infection in a Rat Catheter Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn R. Schaeffer ◽  
Keith M. Woods ◽  
G. Matt Longo ◽  
Megan R. Kiedrowski ◽  
Alexandra E. Paharik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microtiter Plates ◽  
Allelic Replacement ◽  
Abiotic Surfaces ◽  
Cell Accumulation ◽  
Accumulation Associated Protein

Biofilm formation is the primary virulence factor ofStaphylococcus epidermidis.S. epidermidisbiofilms preferentially form on abiotic surfaces and may contain multiple matrix components, including proteins such as accumulation-associated protein (Aap). Following proteolytic cleavage of the A domain, which has been shown to enhance binding to host cells, B domain homotypic interactions support cell accumulation and biofilm formation. To further define the contribution of Aap to biofilm formation and infection, we constructed anaapallelic replacement mutant and anicaADBC aapdouble mutant. When subjected to fluid shear, strains deficient in Aap production produced significantly less biofilm than Aap-positive strains. To examine thein vivorelevance of our findings, we modified our previously described rat jugular catheter model and validated the importance of immunosuppression and the presence of a foreign body to the establishment of infection. The use of our allelic replacement mutants in the model revealed a significant decrease in bacterial recovery from the catheter and the blood in the absence of Aap, regardless of the production of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), a well-characterized, robust matrix molecule. Complementation of theaapmutant with full-length Aap (containing the A domain), but not the B domain alone, increased initial attachment to microtiter plates, as did intransexpression of the A domain in adhesion-deficientStaphylococcus carnosus. These results demonstrate Aap contributes toS. epidermidisinfection, which may in part be due to A domain-mediated attachment to abiotic surfaces.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus epidermidis in Orthopedic Device Infections: The Role of Bacterial Internalization in Human Osteoblasts and Biofilm Formation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e67240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Valour ◽  
Sophie Trouillet-Assant ◽  
Jean-Philippe Rasigade ◽  
Sébastien Lustig ◽  
Emmanuel Chanard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Human Osteoblasts ◽  
Orthopedic Device

Role of proton-motive force in adhesion and biofilm formation by staphylococcus epidermidis

Microbiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-508
Author(s):  
D. V. Eroshenko ◽  
T. V. Polyudova ◽  
V. P. Korobov
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Proton Motive Force ◽  
Motive Force

scholarly journals The Teicoplanin-Associated Locus Regulator (TcaR) and the Intercellular Adhesin Locus Regulator (IcaR) Are Transcriptional Inhibitors of the ica Locus in Staphylococcus aureus

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (8) ◽  
pp. 2449-2456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly K. Jefferson ◽  
Danielle B. Pier ◽  
Donald A. Goldmann ◽  
Gerald B. Pier
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Polysaccharide Intercellular Adhesin ◽  
Topoisomerase Iv ◽  
Exogenous Factors ◽  
Dna Affinity Chromatography

ABSTRACT Infections involving Staphylococcus aureus are often more severe and difficult to treat when the organism assumes a biofilm mode of growth. The polysaccharide poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG), also known as polysaccharide intercellular adhesin, is synthesized by the products of the intercellular adhesin (ica) locus and plays a key role in biofilm formation. Numerous conditions and exogenous factors influence ica transcription and PNAG synthesis, but the regulatory factors and pathways through which these environmental stimuli act have been only partially characterized. We developed a DNA affinity chromatography system to purify potential regulatory proteins that bind to the ica promoter region. Using this technique, we isolated four proteins, including the staphylococcal gene regulator SarA, a MarR family transcriptional regulator of the teicoplanin-associated locus TcaR, DNA-binding protein II, and topoisomerase IV, that bound to the ica promoter. Site-directed deletion mutagenesis of tcaR indicated that TcaR was a negative regulator of ica transcription, but deletion of tcaR alone did not induce any changes in PNAG production or in adherence to polystyrene. We also investigated the role of IcaR, encoded within the ica locus but divergently transcribed from the biosynthetic genes. As has been shown previously in Staphylococcus epidermidis, we found that IcaR was also a negative regulator of ica transcription in S. aureus. We also demonstrate that mutation of icaR augmented PNAG production and adherence to polystyrene. Transcription of the ica locus, PNAG production, and adherence to polystyrene were further increased in a tcaR icaR double mutant. In summary, TcaR appeared to be a weak negative regulator of transcription of the ica locus, whereas IcaR was a strong negative regulator, and in their absence PNAG production and biofilm formation were enhanced.

scholarly journals Function of BriC Peptide in the Pneumococcal Competence and Virulence Portfolio

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya D. Aggarwal ◽  
Rory Eutsey ◽  
Jacob West-Roberts ◽  
Arnau Domenech ◽  
Wenjie Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Murine Model ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Colonization ◽  
Point Of Entry ◽  
Abiotic Surfaces ◽  
Biofilm Development

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. The progression to this pathogenic lifestyle is preceded by asymptomatic colonization of the nasopharynx. This colonization is associated with biofilm formation; the competence pathway influences the structure and stability of biofilms. However, the molecules that link the competence pathway to biofilm formation are unknown. Here, we describe a new competence-induced gene, called briC, and demonstrate that its product promotes biofilm development and stimulates colonization in a murine model. We show that expression of briC is induced by the master regulator of competence, ComE. Whereas briC does not substantially influence early biofilm development on abiotic surfaces, it significantly impacts later stages of biofilm development. Specifically, briC expression leads to increases in biofilm biomass and thickness at 72h. Consistent with the role of biofilms in colonization, briC promotes nasopharyngeal colonization in the murine model. The function of BriC appears to be conserved across pneumococci, as comparative genomics reveal that briC is widespread across isolates. Surprisingly, many isolates, including strains from clinically important PMEN1 and PMEN14 lineages, which are widely associated with colonization, encode a long briC promoter. This long form captures an instance of genomic plasticity and functions as a competence-independent expression enhancer that may serve as a precocious point of entry into this otherwise competence-regulated pathway. Moreover, overexpression of briC by the long promoter fully rescues the comE-deletion induced biofilm defect in vitro, and partially in vivo. These findings indicate that BriC may bypass the influence of competence in biofilm development and that such a pathway may be active in a subset of pneumococcal lineages. In conclusion, BriC is a part of the complex molecular network that connects signaling of the competence pathway to biofilm development and colonization.

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