scholarly journals Cyanide Production by Chromobacterium piscinae Shields It from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 Predation

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonsik Mun ◽  
Heeun Kwon ◽  
Hansol Im ◽  
Seong Yeol Choi ◽  
Ajay K. Monnappa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Prey Cell ◽  
Bdellovibrio Bacteriovorus ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Attack Phase ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Predation of Chromobacterium piscinae by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 was inhibited in dilute nutrient broth (DNB) but not in HEPES. Experiments showed that the effector responsible was present in the medium, as cell-free supernatants retained the ability to inhibit predation, and that the effector was not toxic to B. bacteriovorus. Violacein, a bisindole secondary metabolite produced by C. piscinae, was not responsible. Further characterization of C. piscinae found that this species produces sufficient concentrations of cyanide (202 µM) when grown in DNB to inhibit the predatory activity of B. bacteriovorus, but that in HEPES, the cyanide concentrations were negligible (19 µM). The antagonistic role of cyanide was further confirmed, as the addition of hydroxocobalamin, which chelates cyanide, allowed predation to proceed. The activity of cyanide against B. bacteriovorus was found to be twofold, depending on the life cycle stage of this predator. For the attack-phase predatory cells, cyanide caused the cells to lose motility and tumble, while for intraperiplasmic predators, development and lysis of the prey cell were halted. These findings suggest that cyanogenesis in nature may be employed by the bacterial strains that produce this compound to prevent and reduce their predation by B. bacteriovorus. IMPORTANCE Bacterial predators actively attack, kill, and enter the periplasm of susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, where they consume the prey cell components. To date, the activity of B. bacteriovorus HD100 has been demonstrated against more than 100 human pathogens. As such, this strain and others are being considered as potential alternatives or supplements to conventional antibiotics. However, the production of secondary metabolites by prey bacteria is known to mitigate, and even abolish, predation by bacterivorous nematodes and protists. With the exception of indole, which was shown to inhibit predation, the effects of bacterial secondary metabolites on B. bacteriovorus and its activities have not been considered. Consequently, we undertook this study to better understand the mechanisms that bacterial strains employ to inhibit predation by B. bacteriovorus HD100. We report here that cyanogenic bacterial strains can inhibit predation and show that cyanide affects both attack-phase predators and those within prey, i.e., in the bdelloplast. IMPORTANCE Bacterial predators actively attack, kill, and enter the periplasm of susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, where they consume the prey cell components. To date, the activity of B. bacteriovorus HD100 has been demonstrated against more than 100 human pathogens. As such, this strain and others are being considered as potential alternatives or supplements to conventional antibiotics. However, the production of secondary metabolites by prey bacteria is known to mitigate, and even abolish, predation by bacterivorous nematodes and protists. With the exception of indole, which was shown to inhibit predation, the effects of bacterial secondary metabolites on B. bacteriovorus and its activities have not been considered. Consequently, we undertook this study to better understand the mechanisms that bacterial strains employ to inhibit predation by B. bacteriovorus HD100. We report here that cyanogenic bacterial strains can inhibit predation and show that cyanide affects both attack-phase predators and those within prey, i.e., in the bdelloplast.

Developmentally regulated protein synthesis during intraperiplasmic growth of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
M P McCann ◽  
H T Solimeo ◽  
F Cusick, Jr. ◽  
B Panunti ◽  
C McCullen
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Developmental Sequence ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Prey Cell ◽  
Bdellovibrio Bacteriovorus ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Attack Phase

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J is an obligate intraperiplasmic predator of other Gram-negative bacteria. Collision with a suitable prey cell initiates a developmental sequence ultimately resulting in the destruction of the prey cell and the production of progeny bdellovibrios. Two-dimensional gel analysis of patterns of protein synthesis at various times in a synchronously growing culture of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J revealed over 30 polypeptides whose syntheses are developmentally regulated. The majority of these polypeptides fall into nine categories: attack phase specific or one of eight different kinetic groups expressed during the intraperiplasmic growth phase. The results indicate that Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J has a complex system for regulating gene expression during its developmental cycle.Key words: gene regulation, development, two-dimensional gels, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

scholarly journals High-Throughput Analysis of Gene Function in the Bacterial PredatorBdellovibrio bacteriovorus

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles C. Duncan ◽  
Rebecca K. Gillette ◽  
Micah A. Maglasang ◽  
Elizabeth A. Corn ◽  
Albert K. Tai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
High Throughput Analysis ◽  
Bdellovibrio Bacteriovorus ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genetically Engineer ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Specific Species

ABSTRACTBdellovibrio bacteriovorusis a bacterial predator capable of killing and replicating inside most Gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Despite growing interest in this organism as a potential therapeutic, many of its genes remain uncharacterized. Here, we perform a high-throughput genetic screen withB. bacteriovorususing transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) to explore the genetic requirements of predation. Two hundred one genes were deemed essential for growth in the absence of prey, whereas over 100 genes were found to be specifically required for predative growth on the human pathogensVibrio choleraeandEscherichia coliin both planktonic and biofilm states. To further this work, we created an ordered-knockout library inB. bacteriovorusand developed new high-throughput techniques to characterize the mutants by their stage of deficiency in the predator life cycle. Using microscopy and flow cytometry, we confirmed 10 mutants defective in prey attachment and eight mutants defective in prey rounding. The majority of these genes are hypothetical and previously uncharacterized. Finally, we propose new nomenclature to groupB. bacteriovorusmutants into classes based on their stage of predation defect. These results contribute to our basic understanding of bacterial predation and may be useful for harnessingB. bacteriovorusto kill harmful pathogens in the clinical setting.IMPORTANCEBdellovibrio bacteriovorusis a predatory bacterium that can kill a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria, including many human pathogens. Given the global rise of antibiotic resistance and dearth of new antibiotics discovered in the past 30 years, this predator has potential as an alternative to traditional antibiotics. For many years,B. bacteriovorusresearch was hampered by a lack of genetic tools, and the genetic mechanisms of predation have only recently begun to be established. Here, we comprehensively identify and characterize predator genes required for killing bacterial prey, as well as genes that interfere in this process, which may allow us to design better therapeutic predators. Based on our study, we and other researchers may ultimately be able to genetically engineer strains that have improved killing rates, target specific species of prey, or preferentially target prey in the planktonic or biofilm state.

Ability of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J to Lyse Gram-Negative Food-Borne Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria

1995 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
PINA M. FRATAMICO ◽  
RICHARD C. WHITING
Keyword(s):  
Coli Strain ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Bdellovibrio Bacteriovorus ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Food Borne Pathogens ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Spoilage Bacteria ◽  
Predatory Bacteria

Bdellovibrios are a group of aerobic, predatory bacteria which attack, penetrate and grow in many species of gram-negative bacteria, causing the lysis of the invaded prey organism. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain 109J varied in its ability to lyse 32 bacterial strains comprising six genera of food-borne pathogens and spoilage organisms. The reduction in the levels of the prey bacteria ranged from 0.1 to 7.7 log-values after 7 h of incubation at 30°C. Escherichia coli strain 2239-69 (pathogenic serotype 026:H11) was lysed most effectively at temperatures between 30 and 37°C, however, lysis also occurred at 12 and 19°C when the incubation period was extended to 24 h. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus was effective in reducing the level of E. coli 2239-69 at pH 5.6 to 8.6. Increasing the Bdellovibrio: E. coli ratio resulted in a more rapid E. coli reduction. This study demonstrated the potential usefulness of bdellovibrios for the biological control of pathogenic and spoilage organisms in foods.

Antimicrobial Activity of Iron-Halide Complexes Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nusrat Abedin ◽  
Abdullah Hamed A Alshehri ◽  
Ali M A Almughrbi ◽  
Olivia Moore ◽  
Sheikh Alyza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Antimicrobial Substances ◽  
Mammalian Cell Lines

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the more serious threats to the global health. The emergence of bacteria resistant to antimicrobial substances decreases the potencies of current antibiotics. Consequently, there is an urgent and growing need for the developing of new classes of antibiotics. Three prepared novel iron complexes have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranging from 3.5 to 10 mM and 3.5 to 40 mM against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with antimicrobial resistance phenotype, respectively. Time-kill studies and quantification of the extracellular DNA confirmed the bacteriolytic mode of action of the iron-halide compounds. Additionally, the novel complexes showed significant antibiofilm activity against the tested pathogenic bacterial strains at concentrations lower than the MBC. The cytotoxic effect of the complexes on different mammalian cell lines show sub-cytotoxic values at concentrations lower than the minimum bactericidal concentrations.

scholarly journals Shadowing the Actions of a Predator: Backlit Fluorescent Microscopy Reveals Synchronous Nonbinary Septation of Predatory Bdellovibrio inside Prey and Exit through Discrete Bdelloplast Pores

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (24) ◽  
pp. 6329-6335 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Fenton ◽  
M. Kanna ◽  
R. D. Woods ◽  
S.-I. Aizawa ◽  
R. E. Sockett
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Cell Division ◽  
Prey Cell ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Predatory Bacteria ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT The Bdellovibrio are miniature “living antibiotic” predatory bacteria which invade, reseal, and digest other larger Gram-negative bacteria, including pathogens. Nutrients for the replication of Bdellovibrio bacteria come entirely from the digestion of the single invaded bacterium, now called a bdelloplast, which is bound by the original prey outer membrane. Bdellovibrio bacteria are efficient digesters of prey cells, yielding on average 4 to 6 progeny from digestion of a single prey cell of a genome size similar to that of the Bdellovibrio cell itself. The developmental intrabacterial cycle of Bdellovibrio is largely unknown and has never been visualized “live.” Using the latest motorized xy stage with a very defined z-axis control and engineered periplasmically fluorescent prey allows, for the first time, accurate return and visualization without prey bleaching of developing Bdellovibrio cells using solely the inner resources of a prey cell over several hours. We show that Bdellovibrio bacteria do not follow the familiar pattern of bacterial cell division by binary fission. Instead, they septate synchronously to produce both odd and even numbers of progeny, even when two separate Bdellovibrio cells have invaded and develop within a single prey bacterium, producing two different amounts of progeny. Evolution of this novel septation pattern, allowing odd progeny yields, allows optimal use of the finite prey cell resources to produce maximal replicated, predatory bacteria. When replication is complete, Bdellovibrio cells exit the exhausted prey and are seen leaving via discrete pores rather than by breakdown of the entire outer membrane of the prey.

scholarly journals Ultrasonic Irradiation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Preliminary Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Series of 4,6-Disubstituted-1,3,5-triazine Containing Hydrazone Derivatives

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hessa H. Al-Rasheed ◽  
Monirah Al Alshaikh ◽  
Jamal M. Khaled ◽  
Naiyf S. Alharbi ◽  
Ayman El-Faham
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Ultrasonic Irradiation ◽  
New Products ◽  
Conventional Heating ◽  
Pyridine Derivative ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Antimicrobial And Antifungal Activities

Novel series of 4,6-disubstituted-1,3,5-triazines containing hydrazone derivatives were synthesized employing ultrasonic irradiation and conventional heating. The ultrasonication gave the target products in higher yields and purity in shorter reaction time compared with the conventional method. IR, NMR (H 1 and C 13), elemental analysis, and LC-MS confirmed the structures of the new products. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities were evaluated for all the prepared compounds against some selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results showed that only two compounds 7i (pyridine derivative) and 7k (4-chlorobenzaldehyde derivative) displayed biological activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while the rest of the tested compounds did not display any antifungal activity.

Antimicrobial Activity of Gentiana lutea L. Extracts

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 339-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Šavikin ◽  
Nebojša Menković ◽  
Gordana Zdunić ◽  
Tatjana Stević ◽  
Dragoja Radanović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Gentiana Lutea ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Pure Compounds

Methanolic extracts of flowers and leaves of Gentiana lutea L., together with the isolated compounds mangiferin, isogentisin and gentiopicrin, were used to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the plant. A variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as the yeast Candida albicans has been included in this study. Both extracts and isolated compounds showed antimicrobial activity with MIC values ranging from 0.12 - 0.31 mg/ml. Our study indicated that the synergistic activity of the pure compounds may be responsible for the good antimicrobial effect of the extracts. Quantification of the secondary metabolites was performed using HPLC

scholarly journals Characterization of type IV pili in the life cycle of the predator bacterium Bdellovibrio

Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (4) ◽  
pp. 1040-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled K. Mahmoud ◽  
Susan F. Koval
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Insoluble Fraction ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Prey Cell ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Attack Phase

Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are obligate prokaryotic predators of other Gram-negative bacteria. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is the most studied organism among BALOs. It has a periplasmic life cycle with two major stages: a motile, non-replicative stage spent searching for prey (the attack phase) and a stage spent inside the periplasm of the Gram-negative prey cell (the growth phase) after forming an osmotically stable body termed the bdelloplast. Within Bdellovibrio, there are also strains exhibiting an epibiotic life cycle. The genome sequence of the type strain B. bacteriovorus HD100T revealed the presence of multiple dispersed pil genes encoding type IV pili. Type IV pili in other bacteria are involved in adherence to and invasion of host cells and therefore can be considered to play a role in invasion of prey cells by Bdellovibrio. In this study, genes involved in producing type IV pili were identified in the periplasmic strain B. bacteriovorus 109J and an epibiotic Bdellovibrio sp. strain JSS. The presence of fibres on attack-phase cells was confirmed by examining negative stains of cells fixed with 10 % buffered formalin. Fibres were at the non-flagellated pole on approximately 25 % of attack-phase cells. To confirm that these fibres were type IV pili, a truncated form of PilA lacking the first 35 amino acids was designed to facilitate purification of the protein. The truncated PilA fused to a His-tag was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) plysS. The fusion protein, accumulated in the insoluble fraction, was purified under denaturing conditions and used to produce polyclonal antisera. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that polar fibres present on the cell surface of the predator were composed of PilA, the major subunit of type IV pili. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the presence of pilin on attack-phase cells of B. bacteriovorus 109J during attachment to prey cells and just after penetration, inside the bdelloplast. Antibodies against PilA delayed and inhibited predation in co-cultures of Bdellovibrio. This study confirms that type IV pili play a role in invasion of prey cells by Bdellovibrio.

scholarly journals Cystic fibrosis pathogens survive for extended periods within cough-generated droplet nuclei

Thorax ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E Wood ◽  
Rebecca E Stockwell ◽  
Graham R Johnson ◽  
Kay A Ramsay ◽  
Laura J Sherrard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Droplet Nuclei

The airborne route is a potential pathway in the person-to-person transmission of bacterial strains among cystic fibrosis (CF) populations. In this cross-sectional study, we investigate the physical properties and survival of common non-Pseudomonas aeruginosa CF pathogens generated during coughing. We conclude that Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus are aerosolised during coughing, can travel up to 4 m and remain viable within droplet nuclei for up to 45 min. These results suggest that airborne person-to-person transmission is plausible for the CF pathogens we measured.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document