scholarly journals Cell Death in Escherichia coli dnaE(Ts) Mutants Incubated at a Nonpermissive Temperature Is Prevented by Mutation in the cydA Gene

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (7) ◽  
pp. 2147-2155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Strauss ◽  
Kemba Kelly ◽  
Toros Dincman ◽  
Damian Ekiert ◽  
Theresa Biesieda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Dna Content ◽  
Electrophoretic Pattern ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Rna And Protein Synthesis ◽  
Transformation Activity

ABSTRACT Cells of the Escherichia coli dnaE(Ts) dnaE74 and dnaE486 mutants die after 4 h of incubation at 40°C in Luria-Bertani medium. Cell death is preceded by elongation, is inhibited by chloramphenicol, tetracycline, or rifampin, and is dependent on cell density. Cells survive at 40°C when they are incubated at a high population density or at a low density in conditioned medium, but they die when the medium is supplemented with glucose and amino acids. Deletion of recA or sulA has no effect. We isolated suppressors which survived for long periods at 40°C but did not form colonies. The suppressors protected against hydroxyurea-induced killing. Sequence and complementation analysis indicated that suppression was due to mutation in the cydA gene. The DNA content of dnaE mutants increased about eightfold in 4 h at 40°C, as did the DNA content of the suppressed strains. The amount of plasmid pBR322 in a dnaE74 strain increased about fourfold, as measured on gels, and the electrophoretic pattern appeared to be normal even though the viability of the parent cells decreased 2 logs. Transformation activity also increased. 4′,6′-Diamidino-2-phenylindole staining demonstrated that there were nucleoids distributed throughout the dnaE filaments formed at 40°C, indicating that there was segregation of the newly formed DNA. We concluded that the DNA synthesized was physiologically competent, particularly since the number of viable cells of the suppressed strain increased during the first few hours of incubation. These observations support the view that E. coli senses the rate of DNA synthesis and inhibits septation when the rate of DNA synthesis falls below a critical level relative to the level of RNA and protein synthesis.

scholarly journals MazF-Mediated Cell Death in Escherichia coli: a Point of No Return

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (24) ◽  
pp. 8295-8300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahar Amitai ◽  
Yussuf Yassin ◽  
Hanna Engelberg-Kulka
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Programmed Cell Death ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Ectopic Overexpression ◽  
Point Of No Return ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Overexpression System

ABSTRACT mazEF is a stress-induced toxin-antitoxin module, located on the chromosome of Escherichia coli, that we have previously described to be responsible for programmed cell death in E. coli. mazF specifies a stable toxin, and mazE specifies a labile antitoxin. Recently, it was reported that inhibition of translation and cell growth by ectopic overexpression of the toxin MazF can be reversed by the action of the antitoxin MazE ectopically overexpressed at a later time. Based on these results, it was suggested that rather than inducing cell death, mazF induces a state of reversible bacteriostasis (K. Pederson, S. K. Christensen, and K. Gerdes, Mol. Microbiol. 45:501-510, 2002). Using a similar ectopic overexpression system, we show here that overexpression of MazE could reverse MazF lethality only over a short window of time. The size of that window depended on the nature of the medium in which MazF was overexpressed. Thus, we found “a point of no return,” which occurred sooner in minimal M9 medium than it did in the rich Luria-Bertani medium. We also describe a state in which the effect of MazF on translation could be separated from its effect on cell death: MazE overproduction could completely reverse the inhibitory effect of MazF on translation, while not affecting the bacteriocidic effect of MazF at all. Our results reported here support our view that the mazEF module mediates cell death and is part of a programmed cell death network.

scholarly journals degS Is Necessary for Virulence and Is among Extraintestinal Escherichia coli Genes Induced in Murine Peritonitis

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3088-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Redford ◽  
Paula L. Roesch ◽  
Rodney A. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Broth Culture ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Virulence Attenuation

ABSTRACT Extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains cause meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infection, and other infections outside the bowel. We examined here extraintestinal E. coli strain CFT073 by differential fluorescence induction. Pools of CFT073 clones carrying a CFT073 genomic fragment library in a promoterless gfp vector were inoculated intraperitoneally into mice; bacteria were recovered by lavage 6 h later and then subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Eleven promoters were found to be active in the mouse but not in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth culture. Three are linked to genes for enterobactin, aerobactin, and yersiniabactin. Three others are linked to the metabolic genes metA, gltB, and sucA, and another was linked to iha, a possible adhesin. Three lie before open reading frames of unknown function. One promoter is associated with degS, an inner membrane protease. Mutants of the in vivo-induced loci were tested in competition with the wild type in mouse peritonitis. Of the mutants tested, only CFT073 degS was found to be attenuated in peritoneal and in urinary tract infection, with virulence restored by complementation. CFT073 degS shows growth similar to that of the wild type at 37°C but is impaired at 43°C or in 3% ethanol LB broth at 37°C. Compared to the wild type, the mutant shows similar serum survival, motility, hemolysis, erythrocyte agglutination, and tolerance to oxidative stress. It also has the same lipopolysaccharide appearance on a silver-stained gel. The basis for the virulence attenuation is unclear, but because DegS is needed for σE activity, our findings implicate σE and its regulon in E. coli extraintestinal pathogenesis.

Differentiation of Viable and Dead Escherichia coli O157:H7 Cells on and in Apple Structures and Tissues following Chlorine Treatment

2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
SCOTT L. BURNETT ◽  
LARRY R. BEUCHAT
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sytox Green ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Nucleic Acid Stain ◽  
Protective Structures

Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to differentiate viable and nonviable cells of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on and in raw apple tissues following treatment with water and 200 or 2,000 ppm active chlorine solution. Whole unwaxed Red Delicious cultivar apples at 25°C were inoculated by dipping in a suspension of E. coli O157:H7 (8.48 log10 CFU/ml) at 4°C, followed by treatment in water or chlorine solution at 21°C for 2 min. The dead cells on and in apples were distinguished from live cells by treating tissue samples with SYTOX green nucleic acid stain. Viable and dead cells were then labeled with an antibody conjugated with a fluorescent dye (Alexa Fluor 594). The percentage of viable cells on the apple surface, as well as at various depths in surface and internal structures, was determined. The mean percentages of viable cells located at the sites after treatment with water or chlorinated water were in the following order, which also reflects the order of protection against inactivation: floral tube wall (20.5%) > lenticels (15.0%) > damaged cuticle surrounding puncture wounds (13.0%) > intact cuticle (8.1%). The location of viable cells within tissues was dependent on the structure. Except for lenticels, the percentage of viable cells increased as depth into the CSLM stacks increased, indicating that cells attached to subsurface structures were better protected against inactivation with chlorine than were cells located on exposed surfaces. Further research is warranted to investigate the efficacy of other chemical sanitizers, as well as that of surfactants and solvents in combination with sanitizers, in removing or killing E. coli O157:H7 lodged in protective structures on the surface and within tissues of apples.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens to sucrose monoesters of capric and lauric acid

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 374-380
Author(s):  
E. Skřivanová ◽  
Š. Pražáková ◽  
O. Benada ◽  
P. Hovorková ◽  
MarounekM
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Enteropathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Cytoplasmic Structures

The sucrose monoesters of capric and lauric acid were tested for their antibacterial activity towards two foodborne enteropathogenic bacteria &ndash; Escherichia coli (CCM 3954 &ndash; serotype O6 and E22 &ndash; serotype O103) and Clostridium perfringens (CNCTC 5459 and CIP 105178). Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the plating technique. Sucrose monocaprate significantly decreased the number of viable cells of E. coli at all tested concentrations (0.1&ndash;5 mg/ml). The overnight incubation of C. perfringens with the sucrose ester of lauric acid at 0.1&ndash;5 mg/ml reduced the number of viable cells below the detection limit (2 log<sub>10</sub> CFU/ml). Incubating E. coli CCM 3954 and C. perfringens CNCTC 5459 with monoesters (0.1 and 2 mg/ml) did not influence the K<sup>+</sup> permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane in cells during a 2.5-minute treatment. A 30-minute incubation of E. coli CCM 3954 and C. perfringens CNCTC 5459 with esters (0.1 and 2 mg/ml) revealed damage to cytoplasmic structures, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. &nbsp;

scholarly journals Induction of Escherichia coli Chromosomal mazEF by Stressful Conditions Causes an Irreversible Loss of Viability

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (9) ◽  
pp. 3420-3423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana Kolodkin-Gal ◽  
Hanna Engelberg-Kulka
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Basic Characteristic ◽  
Irreversible Loss ◽  
Previous Conclusion ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Programmed Death

ABSTRACT mazEF is a stress-induced toxin-antitoxin module located on the chromosomes of many bacteria. Here we induced Escherichia coli chromosomal mazEF by various stressful conditions. We found an irreversible loss of viability, which is the basic characteristic of cell death. These results further support our previous conclusion that E. coli mazEF mediation of cell death is not a passive process, but an active and genetically “programmed” death response.

scholarly journals Plasmid DNA Supercoiling and Survival in Long-Term Cultures of Escherichia coli: Role of NaCl

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (17) ◽  
pp. 5324-5327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Conter
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Supercoiling ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Plasmid Pbr322 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Topological State ◽  
Negative Supercoiling ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT The relationship between the survival of Escherichia coli during long-term starvation in rich medium and the supercoiling of a reporter plasmid (pBR322) has been studied. In aerated continuously shaken cultures, E. coli lost the ability to form colonies earlier in rich NaCl-free Luria-Bertani medium than in NaCl-containing medium, and the negative supercoiling of plasmid pBR322 declined more rapidly in the absence of NaCl. Addition of NaCl at the 24th hour restored both viability and negative supercoiling in proportion to the concentration of added NaCl. Addition of ofloxacin, a quinolone inhibitor of gyrase, abolished rescue by added NaCl in proportion to the ofloxacin added. This observation raises the possibility that cells had the ability to recover plasmid supercoiling even if nutrients were not available and could survive during long-term starvation in a manner linked, at least in part, to the topological state of DNA and gyrase activity.

scholarly journals A Predicted ABC Transporter, FtsEX, Is Needed for Cell Division in Escherichia coli

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (3) ◽  
pp. 785-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari L. Schmidt ◽  
Nicholas D. Peterson ◽  
Ryan J. Kustusch ◽  
Mark C. Wissel ◽  
Becky Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Abc Transporter ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Division Site ◽  
Site Localization ◽  
Free Media ◽  
Mass Increase

ABSTRACT FtsE and FtsX have homology to the ABC transporter superfamily of proteins and appear to be widely conserved among bacteria. Early work implicated FtsEX in cell division in Escherichia coli, but this was subsequently challenged, in part because the division defects in ftsEX mutants are often salt remedial. Strain RG60 has an ftsE::kan null mutation that is polar onto ftsX. RG60 is mildly filamentous when grown in standard Luria-Bertani medium (LB), which contains 1% NaCl, but upon shift to LB with no NaCl growth and division stop. We found that FtsN localizes to potential division sites, albeit poorly, in RG60 grown in LB with 1% NaCl. We also found that in wild-type E. coli both FtsE and FtsX localize to the division site. Localization of FtsX was studied in detail and appeared to require FtsZ, FtsA, and ZipA, but not the downstream division proteins FtsK, FtsQ, FtsL, and FtsI. Consistent with this, in media lacking salt, FtsA and ZipA localized independently of FtsEX, but the downstream proteins did not. Finally, in the absence of salt, cells depleted of FtsEX stopped dividing before any change in growth rate (mass increase) was apparent. We conclude that FtsEX participates directly in the process of cell division and is important for assembly or stability of the septal ring, especially in salt-free media.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of Myeloperoxidase-Derived Oxidants on Escherichia coli DNA Replication

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 2655-2659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Rosen ◽  
Bryce R. Michel ◽  
Donald R. vanDevanter ◽  
James P. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Regression Line ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Chloride System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Total Dna ◽  
Cell Envelopes

ABSTRACT The microbicidal myeloperoxidase (MPO)-H2O2-chloride system strongly inhibitsEscherichia coli DNA synthesis. Also, cell envelopes from MPO-treated E. coli cells lose their ability to interact with hemimethylated DNA sequences of oriC, the chromosomal origin of replication, raising the prospect that suppression of DNA synthesis involves impairment of oriC-related functions (H. Rosen, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:10048–10052, 1990). To evaluate whether origin-specific DNA sequences play a role in the MPO effect on E. coli DNA synthesis, plasmid DNA replication was compared to total (chromosomal) DNA replication for six plasmids with three distinct origins of replication. Plasmid pCM700 replication, replicating from oriC, was as sensitive to MPO-mediated inhibition as was total (chromosomal) DNA replication. A regression line describing this relationship had a slope of 0.90, and ther 2 was 0.89. In contrast, the replication activities of three of four non-oriC plasmids, pUC19, pACYC184, and pSC101, demonstrated significant early resistance to inhibition by MPO-derived oxidants. The exception to this resistance pattern was plasmid pSP102, which has an origin derived from P1 phage. pSP102 replication declined similarly to that of total DNA synthesis. The regression line for pSP102 replication versus total DNA synthesis had a slope of 0.95, and the r 2 was 0.92. The biochemical requirements for P1-mediated replication are strikingly similar to those for oriC-mediated replication. It is proposed that one of these requirements, common to oriC and the P1 origin but not critical to the replication of the other non-oriC plasmids, is an important target for MPO-mediated oxidations that mediate the initial decline in E. colichromosomal DNA synthesis.

scholarly journals Media Optimization for Production of Recombinant Carrier Protein (CRM197) in Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-297
Author(s):  
S. Shukla ◽  
D. Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Carrier Protein ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Defined Media

Since the advent of vaccines, the mankind has benefited from the same and has been able to curb the mortality rate around the globe. Amongst different types of available vaccines, polysaccharide based vaccines are very widely used against various infectious diseases. The polysaccharide vaccines need to be conjugated with a carrier protein to make the vaccine more immunogenic. Recombinant Escherichia coli cells are the organism of choice for large scale production of a carrier protein because of its widely studied scientific aspects. In the present study, for proof of concept, the recombinant E. coli cells were cultured in Luria-Bertani media to check the expression of rCRM197. At 80L scale, it was observed that when recombinant E. coli cells were grown in a chemically defined media, it resulted in inconsistent growth and a long lag phase. When the defined media was supplemented with yeast extract, the lag phase of the culture was substantially reduced and the maximum growth of the culture was achieved. Protein expression was checked using SDS PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) and Western blot technique. The optimized media resulted in a robust fermentation process to achieve high cell density and maximum biomass for the production of recombinant protein.

scholarly journals CRISPR-Cas Controls Cryptic Prophages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sooyeon Song ◽  
Thomas K Wood
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
The Novel ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Persister Cell ◽  
Key Genes ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Cas Proteins

The bacterial archetypal adaptive immune system, CRISPR-Cas, is thought to be non-functional in the best-studied bacterium, Escherichia coli K-12. Instead, we demonstrate here that the E. coli CRISPR-Cas system is active and inhibits its nine defective (i.e., cryptic) prophages. Specifically, deactivation of CRISPR-Cas via deletion of cas2, which encodes one of the two conserved CRISPR-Cas proteins, reduces growth by 40%, increases cell death by 700%, and prevents persister cell resuscitation; hence, CRISPR-Cas serves to inhibit the remaining deleterious effects of these cryptic prophages. Consistently, seven of the 13 E. coli spacers contain matches to the cryptic prophages, and, after excision, CRISPR-Cas cleaves cryptic prophage CP4-57 and DLP-12 DNA. Moreover, we determine that the key genes in these cryptic prophages that CRISPR-Cas represses by cleaving the excised DNA include lysis protein YdfD of Qin and lysis protein RzoD of DLP-12. Therefore, we report the novel results that (i) CRISPR-Cas is active in E. coli and (ii) CRISPR-Cas is used to tame cryptic prophages; i.e., unlike with active lysogens, CRISPR-Cas and cryptic prophages may stably exist.

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