scholarly journals Global Transcriptional Start Site Mapping Using Differential RNA Sequencing Reveals Novel Antisense RNAs in Escherichia coli

2014 ◽  
Vol 197 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen K. Thomason ◽  
Thorsten Bischler ◽  
Sara K. Eisenbart ◽  
Konrad U. Förstner ◽  
Aixia Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Transcriptional Start Site ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Prediction Algorithm ◽  
Northern Analysis ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Antisense Rnas

While the model organismEscherichia colihas been the subject of intense study for decades, the full complement of its RNAs is only now being examined. Here we describe a survey of theE. colitranscriptome carried out using a differential RNA sequencing (dRNA-seq) approach, which can distinguish between primary and processed transcripts, and an automated prediction algorithm for transcriptional start sites (TSS). With the criterion of expression under at least one of three growth conditions examined, we predicted 14,868 TSS candidates, including 5,574 internal to annotated genes (iTSS) and 5,495 TSS corresponding to potential antisense RNAs (asRNAs). We examined expression of 14 candidate asRNAs by Northern analysis using RNA from wild-typeE. coliand from strains defective for RNases III and E, two RNases reported to be involved in asRNA processing. Interestingly, nine asRNAs detected as distinct bands by Northern analysis were differentially affected by therncandrnemutations. We also compared our asRNA candidates with previously published asRNA annotations from RNA-seq data and discuss the challenges associated with these cross-comparisons. Our global transcriptional start site map represents a valuable resource for identification of transcription start sites, promoters, and novel transcripts inE. coliand is easily accessible, together with the cDNA coverage plots, in an online genome browser.

scholarly journals Impact of Ralstonia eutropha's Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Depolymerases and Phasins on PHB Storage in Recombinant Escherichia coli

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (24) ◽  
pp. 7702-7709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Eggers ◽  
Alexander Steinbüchel
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Ralstonia Eutropha ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growth Behavior ◽  
Carbon Limitation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phb Depolymerase ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTThe model organism for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis,Ralstonia eutrophaH16, possesses multiple isoenzymes of granules coating phasins as well as of PHB depolymerases, which degrade accumulated PHB under conditions of carbon limitation. In this study, recombinantEscherichia coliBL21(DE3) strains were used to study the impact of selected PHB depolymerases ofR. eutrophaH16 on the growth behavior and on the amount of accumulated PHB in the absence or presence of phasins. For this purpose, 20 recombinantE. coliBL21(DE3) strains were constructed, which harbored a plasmid carrying thephaCABoperon fromR. eutrophaH16 to ensure PHB synthesis and a second plasmid carrying different combinations of the genes encoding a phasin and a PHB depolymerase fromR. eutrophaH16. It is shown in this study that the growth behavior of the respective recombinantE. colistrains was barely affected by the overexpression of the phasin and PHB depolymerase genes. However, the impact on the PHB contents was significantly greater. The strains expressing the genes of the PHB depolymerases PhaZ1, PhaZ2, PhaZ3, and PhaZ7 showed 35% to 94% lower PHB contents after 30 h of cultivation than the control strain. The strain harboringphaZ7reached by far the lowest content of accumulated PHB (only 2.0% [wt/wt] PHB of cell dry weight). Furthermore, coexpression of phasins in addition to the PHB depolymerases influenced the amount of PHB stored in cells of the respective strains. It was shown that the phasins PhaP1, PhaP2, and PhaP4 are not substitutable without an impact on the amount of stored PHB. In particular, the phasins PhaP2 and PhaP4 seemed to limit the degradation of PHB by the PHB depolymerases PhaZ2, PhaZ3, and PhaZ7, whereas almost no influence of the different phasins was observed ifphaZ1was coexpressed. This study represents an extensive analysis of the impact of PHB depolymerases and phasins on PHB accumulation and provides a deeper insight into the complex interplay of these enzymes.

scholarly journals A Vector Library for Silencing Central Carbon Metabolism Genes with Antisense RNAs in Escherichia coli

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 564-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobutaka Nakashima ◽  
Satoshi Ohno ◽  
Katsunori Yoshikawa ◽  
Hiroshi Shimizu ◽  
Tomohiro Tamura
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Central Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Antisense Rnas ◽  
Central Carbon ◽  
Multiple Gene Silencing

ABSTRACTWe describe here the construction of a series of 71 vectors to silence central carbon metabolism genes inEscherichia coli. The vectors inducibly express antisense RNAs called paired-terminus antisense RNAs, which have a higher silencing efficacy than ordinary antisense RNAs. By measuring mRNA amounts, measuring activities of target proteins, or observing specific phenotypes, it was confirmed that all the vectors were able to silence the expression of target genes efficiently. Using this vector set, each of the central carbon metabolism genes was silenced individually, and the accumulation of metabolites was investigated. We were able to obtain accurate information on ways to increase the production of pyruvate, an industrially valuable compound, from the silencing results. Furthermore, the experimental results of pyruvate accumulation were compared toin silicopredictions, and both sets of results were consistent. Compared to the gene disruption approach, the silencing approach has an advantage in that anyE. colistrain can be used and multiple gene silencing is easily possible in any combination.

scholarly journals Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Strains Associated with Persistent and Transient Bovine Mastitis and the Role of Colanic Acid

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Lippolis ◽  
Devin B. Holman ◽  
Brian W. Brunelle ◽  
Tyler C. Thacker ◽  
Bradley L. Bearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Persistent Infection ◽  
Bovine Mastitis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Colanic Acid

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliis a leading cause of bacterial mastitis in dairy cattle. It is most often transient in nature, causing an infection that lasts 2 to 3 days. However,E. colihas been shown to cause a persistent infection in a minority of cases. Mechanisms that allow for a persistentE. coliinfection are not fully understood. The goal of this work was to determine differences betweenE. colistrains originally isolated from dairy cattle with transient and persistent mastitis. Using RNA sequencing, we show gene expression differences in nearly 200 genes when bacteria from the two clinical phenotypes are compared. We sequenced the genomes of theE. colistrains and report genes unique to the two phenotypes. Differences in thewcaoperon, which encodes colanic acid, were identified by DNA as well as RNA sequencing and differentiated the two phenotypes. Previous work demonstrated thatE. colistrains that cause persistent infections were more motile than those that cause transient infections. Deletion of genes in thewcaoperon from a persistent-infection strain resulted in a reduction of motility as measured in swimming and swarming assays. Furthermore, colanic acid has been shown to protect bacteria from complement-mediated killing. We show that transient-infectionE. colistrains were more sensitive to complement-mediated killing. The deletion of genes from thewcaoperon caused a persistent-infectionE. colistrain to become sensitive to complement-mediated killing. This work identifies important differences betweenE. colistrains that cause persistent and transient mammary infections in dairy cattle.

scholarly journals Isolation of a Gene Responsible for the Oxidation oftrans-Anethole topara-Anisaldehyde by Pseudomonas putida JYR-1 and Its Expression in Escherichia coli

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 5238-5246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongfei Han ◽  
Ji-Young Ryu ◽  
Robert A. Kanaly ◽  
Hor-Gil Hur
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pseudomonas Putida ◽  
Hypothetical Protein ◽  
Aldehyde Group ◽  
Agrobacterium Vitis ◽  
T7 Promoter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Isoeugenol Monooxygenase

ABSTRACTA plasmid, pTA163, inEscherichia colicontained an approximately 34-kb gene fragment fromPseudomonas putidaJYR-1 that included the genes responsible for the metabolism oftrans-anethole to protocatechuic acid. Three Tn5-disrupted open reading frame 10 (ORF 10) mutants of plasmid pTA163 lost their abilities to catalyzetrans-anethole. Heterologously expressed ORF 10 (1,047 nucleotides [nt]) under a T7 promoter inE. colicatalyzed oxidative cleavage of a propenyl group oftrans-anethole to an aldehyde group, resulting in the production ofpara-anisaldehyde, and this gene was designatedtao(trans-anetholeoxygenase). The deduced amino acid sequence of TAO had the highest identity (34%) to a hypothetical protein ofAgrobacterium vitisS4 and likely contained a flavin-binding site. Preferred incorporation of an oxygen molecule from water intop-anisaldehyde using18O-labeling experiments indicated stereo preference of TAO for hydrolysis of the epoxide group. Interestingly, unlike the narrow substrate range of isoeugenol monooxygenase fromPseudomonas putidaIE27 andPseudomonas nitroreducensJin1, TAO fromP. putidaJYR-1 catalyzed isoeugenol,O-methyl isoeugenol, and isosafrole, all of which contain the 2-propenyl functional group on the aromatic ring structure. Addition of NAD(P)H to the ultrafiltered cell extracts ofE. coli(pTA163) increased the activity of TAO. Due to the relaxed substrate range of TAO, it may be utilized for the production of various fragrance compounds from plant phenylpropanoids in the future.

scholarly journals Autotransporter Protein-Encoding Genes of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Are Found in both Typical and Atypical Enteropathogenic E. coli Strains

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afonso G. Abreu ◽  
Vanessa Bueris ◽  
Tatiane M. Porangaba ◽  
Marcelo P. Sircili ◽  
Fernando Navarro-Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Markers ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Encoding Genes ◽  
Specific Virulence

ABSTRACTAutotransporter (AT) protein-encoding genes of diarrheagenicEscherichia coli(DEC) pathotypes (cah,eatA,ehaABCDJ,espC,espI,espP,pet,pic,sat, andtibA) were detected in typical and atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) in frequencies between 0.8% and 39.3%. Although these ATs have been described in particular DEC pathotypes, their presence in EPEC indicates that they should not be considered specific virulence markers.

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 5995-6002 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A Rhodobacter sphaeroides Protein Mechanistically Similar to Escherichia coli DksA Regulates Photosynthetic Growth

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Lennon ◽  
Kimberly C. Lemmer ◽  
Jessica L. Irons ◽  
Max I. Sellman ◽  
Timothy J. Donohue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽  
Fatty Acid Content ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Globular Domain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTDksA is a global regulatory protein that, together with the alarmone ppGpp, is required for the “stringent response” to nutrient starvation in the gammaproteobacteriumEscherichia coliand for more moderate shifts between growth conditions. DksA modulates the expression of hundreds of genes, directly or indirectly. Mutants lacking a DksA homolog exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes in other gammaproteobacteria as well. Here we analyzed the DksA homolog RSP2654 in the more distantly relatedRhodobacter sphaeroides, an alphaproteobacterium. RSP2654 is 42% identical and similar in length toE. coliDksA but lacks the Zn finger motif of theE. coliDksA globular domain. Deletion of the RSP2654 gene results in defects in photosynthetic growth, impaired utilization of amino acids, and an increase in fatty acid content. RSP2654 complements the growth and regulatory defects of anE. colistrain lacking thedksAgene and modulates transcriptionin vitrowithE. coliRNA polymerase (RNAP) similarly toE. coliDksA. RSP2654 reduces RNAP-promoter complex stabilityin vitrowith RNAPs fromE. coliorR. sphaeroides, alone and synergistically with ppGpp, suggesting that even though it has limited sequence identity toE. coliDksA (DksAEc), it functions in a mechanistically similar manner. We therefore designate the RSP2654 protein DksARsp. Our work suggests that DksARsphas distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria and will be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in DksA and the mechanism of synergy between DksA and ppGpp.IMPORTANCEThe role of DksA has been analyzed primarily in the gammaproteobacteria, in which it is best understood for its role in control of the synthesis of the translation apparatus and amino acid biosynthesis. Our work suggests that DksA plays distinct and important physiological roles in alphaproteobacteria, including the control of photosynthesis inRhodobacter sphaeroides. The study of DksARsp, should be useful for understanding structure-function relationships in the protein, including those that play a role in the little-understood synergy between DksA and ppGpp.

scholarly journals Vibrio cholerae Triggers SOS and Mutagenesis in Response to a Wide Range of Antibiotics: a Route towards Multiresistance

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 2438-2441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Baharoglu ◽  
Didier Mazel
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Regulated Promoters

ABSTRACTAntibiotic resistance development has been linked to the bacterial SOS stress response. InEscherichia coli, fluoroquinolones are known to induce SOS, whereas other antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol, do not. Here we address whether various antibiotics induce SOS inVibrio cholerae. Reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions were used to measure the response of SOS-regulated promoters to subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. We show that unlike the situation withE. coli, all these antibiotics induce SOS inV. cholerae.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in the Beef Cattle Production and Processing Continuum

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 713-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Schmidt ◽  
Getahun E. Agga ◽  
Joseph M. Bosilevac ◽  
Dayna M. Brichta-Harhay ◽  
Steven D. Shackelford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Generation Cephalosporin ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACTSpecific concerns have been raised that third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCr)Escherichia coli, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant (COTr)E. coli, 3GCrSalmonella enterica, and nalidixic acid-resistant (NALr)S. entericamay be present in cattle production environments, persist through beef processing, and contaminate final products. The prevalences and concentrations of these organisms were determined in feces and hides (at feedlot and processing plant), pre-evisceration carcasses, and final carcasses from three lots of fed cattle (n= 184). The prevalences and concentrations were further determined for strip loins from 103 of the carcasses. 3GCrSalmonellawas detected on 7.6% of hides during processing and was not detected on the final carcasses or strip loins. NALrS. entericawas detected on only one hide. 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. coliwere detected on 100.0% of hides during processing. Concentrations of 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. colion hides were correlated with pre-evisceration carcass contamination. 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. coliwere each detected on only 0.5% of final carcasses and were not detected on strip loins. Five hundred and 42 isolates were screened for extraintestinal pathogenicE. coli(ExPEC) virulence-associated markers. Only two COTrE. coliisolates from hides were ExPEC, indicating that fed cattle products are not a significant source of ExPEC causing human urinary tract infections. The very low prevalences of these organisms on final carcasses and their absence on strip loins demonstrate that current sanitary dressing procedures and processing interventions are effective against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

scholarly journals Single Clinical Isolates from Acute Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Are Representative of Dominant In Situ Populations

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Willner ◽  
Serene Low ◽  
Jason A. Steen ◽  
Narelle George ◽  
Graeme R. Nimmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Strain Diversity ◽  
Amplicon Pyrosequencing ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACTUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most commonly acquired bacterial infections in humans, and uropathogenicEscherichia colistrains are responsible for over 80% of all cases. The standard method for identification of uropathogens in clinical laboratories is cultivation, primarily using solid growth media under aerobic conditions, coupled with morphological and biochemical tests of typically a single isolate colony. However, these methods detect only culturable microorganisms, and characterization is phenotypic in nature. Here, we explored the genotypic identity of communities in acute uncomplicated UTIs from 50 individuals by using culture-independent amplicon pyrosequencing and whole-genome and metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Genus-level characterization of the UTI communities was achieved using the 16S rRNA gene (V8 region). Overall UTI community richness was very low in comparison to other human microbiomes. We strain-typedEscherichia-dominated UTIs using amplicon pyrosequencing of the fimbrial adhesin gene,fimH. There were nine highly abundantfimHtypes, and each UTI sample was dominated by a single type. Molecular analysis of the corresponding clinical isolates revealed that in the majority of cases the isolate was representative of the dominant taxon in the community at both the genus and the strain level. Shotgun sequencing was performed on a subset of eightE. coliurine UTI and isolate pairs. The majority of UTI microbial metagenomic sequences mapped to isolate genomes, confirming the results obtained using phylogenetic markers. We conclude that for the majority of acute uncomplicatedE. coli-mediated UTIs, single cultured isolates are diagnostic of the infection.IMPORTANCEIn clinical practice, the diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) are based on analysis of a single bacterial isolate cultured from urine, and it is assumed that this isolate represents the dominant UTI pathogen. However, these methods detect only culturable bacteria, and the existence of multiple pathogens as well as strain diversity within a single infection is not examined. Here, we explored bacteria present in acute uncomplicated UTIs using culture-independent sequence-based methods.Escherichia coliwas the most common organism identified, and analysis ofE. colidominant UTI samples and their paired clinical isolates revealed that in the majority of infections the cultured isolate was representative of the dominant taxon at both the genus and the strain level. Our data demonstrate that in most cases single cultured isolates are diagnostic of UTI and are consistent with the notion of bottlenecks that limit strain diversity during UTI pathogenesis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document