scholarly journals A New Sugar for an Old Phage: a c-di-GMP-Dependent Polysaccharide Pathway Sensitizes Escherichia coli for Bacteriophage Infection

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Sellner ◽  
Rūta Prakapaitė ◽  
Margo van Berkum ◽  
Matthias Heinemann ◽  
Alexander Harms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Bacteriophage Infection

Because bacterial surface glycans are in direct contact with the environment they can provide essential protective functions during infections or against competing bacteria. But such structures are also “Achilles’ heels” since they can serve as primary receptors for bacteriophages.

scholarly journals Genetic Characterization and Immunogenicity of Coli Surface Antigen 4 from Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli when It Is Expressed in a Shigella Live-Vector Strain

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1352-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeev Altboum ◽  
Myron M. Levine ◽  
James E. Galen ◽  
Eileen M. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Electron Microscopic Examination ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Fimbrial Subunit ◽  
Mucosal Antibody

ABSTRACT The genes that encode the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) CS4 fimbriae, csaA, -B, -C, -E, and -D′, were isolated from strain E11881A. The csa operon encodes a 17-kDa major fimbrial subunit (CsaB), a 40-kDa tip-associated protein (CsaE), a 27-kDa chaperone-like protein (CsaA), a 97-kDa usher-like protein (CsaC), and a deleted regulatory protein (CsaD′). The predicted amino acid sequences of the CS4 proteins are highly homologous to structural and assembly proteins of other ETEC fimbriae, including CS1 and CS2, and to CFA/I in particular. The csaA, -B, -C, -E operon was cloned on a stabilized plasmid downstream from an osomotically regulated ompC promoter. pGA2-CS4 directs production of CS4 fimbriae in both E. coli DH5α and Shigella flexneri 2a vaccine strain CVD 1204, as detected by Western blot analysis and bacterial agglutination with anti-CS4 immune sera. Electron-microscopic examination of Shigella expressing CS4 confirmed the presence of fimbriae on the bacterial surface. Guinea pigs immunized with CVD 1204(pGA2-CS4) showed serum and mucosal antibody responses to both the Shigella vector and the ETEC fimbria CS4. Among the seven most prevalent fimbrial antigens of human ETEC, CS4 is the last to be cloned and sequenced. These findings pave the way for CS4 to be included in multivalent ETEC vaccines, including an attenuated Shigella live-vector-based ETEC vaccine.

scholarly journals A Novel Method of Serum Resistance by Escherichia coli That Causes Urosepsis

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie F. Coggon ◽  
Andrew Jiang ◽  
Kelvin G. K. Goh ◽  
Ian R. Henderson ◽  
Mark A. Schembri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Serum Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Inhibitory Antibodies

ABSTRACT Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common cause of urinary tract infection, which in some patients can develop into life-threatening urosepsis. Serum resistance is a key virulence trait of strains that cause urosepsis. Recently, we identified a novel method of serum resistance in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, where patients possessed antibodies that inhibited complement-mediated killing (instead of protecting against infection). These inhibitory antibodies were of the IgG2 subtype, specific to the O-antigen component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and coated the bacterial surface, preventing bacterial lysis by complement. As this mechanism could apply to any Gram-negative bacterial infection, we hypothesized that inhibitory antibodies may represent an uncharacterized mechanism of serum resistance in UPEC. To test this, 45 urosepsis patients with paired blood culture UPEC isolates were screened for serum titers of IgG2 specific for their cognate strain’s LPS. Eleven patients had sufficiently high titers of the antibody to inhibit serum-mediated killing of UPEC isolates by pooled healthy control sera. Depletion of IgG or removal of O-antigen restored sensitivity of the isolates to the cognate patient serum. Importantly, the isolates from these 11 patients were more sensitive to killing by serum than isolates from patients with no inhibitory antibodies. This suggests the presence of inhibitory antibodies may have allowed these strains to infect the bloodstream. The high prevalence of patients with inhibitory antibodies (24%) suggests that this phenomenon is an important mechanism of UPEC serum resistance. LPS-specific inhibitory antibodies have now been identified against three Gram-negative pathogens that cause disparate diseases. IMPORTANCE Despite improvements in the early detection and management of sepsis, morbidity and mortality are still high. Infections of the urinary tract are one of the most frequent sources of sepsis with Escherichia coli the main causative agent. Serum resistance is vital for bacteria to infect the bloodstream. Here we report a novel method of serum resistance found in patients with UPEC-mediated sepsis. Antibodies in sera usually protect against infection, but here we found that 24% of patients expressed “inhibitory antibodies” capable of preventing serum-mediated killing of their infecting isolate. Our data suggest that these antibodies would allow otherwise serum-sensitive UPEC strains to cause sepsis. The high prevalence of patients with inhibitory antibodies in this cohort suggests that this is a widespread mechanism of resistance to complement-mediated killing in urosepsis patients, invoking the potential for the application of new methods to prevent and treat sepsis.

scholarly journals Structural insights into the mechanism of c-di-GMP–bound YcgR regulating flagellar motility in Escherichia coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 295 (3) ◽  
pp. 808-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Jie Hou ◽  
Wen-Si Yang ◽  
Yuan Hong ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Da-Cheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Flagellar Motor ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Surface Attachment ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Motility Regulation ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Structural Insights

The motile-sessile transition is critical for bacterial survival and growth. Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) plays a central role in controlling this transition and regulating biofilm formation via various effectors. As an effector of c-di-GMP in Escherichia coli and related species, the PilZ domain–containing protein YcgR responds to elevated c-di-GMP concentrations and acts on the flagellar motor to suppress bacterial motility in a brakelike fashion, which promotes bacterial surface attachment. To date, several target proteins within the motor, MotA, FliG, and FliM, along with different regulatory mechanisms have been reported. However, how YcgR acts on these components remains unclear. Here, we report that activated YcgR stably binds to MotA at the MotA-FliG interface and thereby regulates bacterial swimming. Biochemical and structural analyses revealed that c-di-GMP rearranges the PilZ domain configuration, resulting in the formation of a MotA-binding patch consisting of an RXXXR motif and the C-tail helix α3. Moreover, we noted that a conserved region in the YcgR-N domain, which is independent of MotA interaction, is necessary for motility regulation. On the basis of these findings, we infer that the YcgR-N domain is required for activity on other motor proteins. We propose that activated YcgR appends to MotA via its PilZ domain and thereby interrupts the MotA-FliG interaction and simultaneously interacts with other motor proteins via its YcgR-N domain to inhibit flagellar motility. Our findings suggest that the mode of interaction between YcgR and motor proteins may be shared by other PilZ family proteins.

scholarly journals Mechanistic Understanding of the Interactions of Cationic Conjugated Oligo- and Polyelectrolytes with Wild-type and Ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Zamani ◽  
Shyambo Chatterjee ◽  
Taity Changa ◽  
Cheryl Immethun ◽  
Anandakumar Sarella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Surface Charge ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Outer Cell ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Future Design

AbstractAn in-depth understanding of cell-drug binding modes and action mechanisms can potentially guide the future design of novel drugs and antimicrobial materials and help to combat antibiotic resistance. Light-harvesting π-conjugated molecules have been demonstrated for their antimicrobial effects, but their impact on bacterial outer cell envelope needs to be studied in detail. Here, we synthesized poly(phenylene) based model cationic conjugated oligo- (2QA-CCOE, 4QA-CCOE) and polyelectrolytes (CCPE), and systematically explored their interactions with the outer cell membrane of wild-type and ampicillin (amp)-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli). Incubation of the E. coli cells in CCOE/CCPE solution inhibited the subsequent bacterial growth in LB media. About 99% growth inhibition was achieved if amp-resistant E. coli was treated for ~3–5 min, 1 h and 6 h with 100 μM of CCPE, 4QA-CCOE, and 2QA-CCOE solutions, respectively. Interestingly, these CCPE and CCOEs inhibited the growth of both wild-type and amp-resistant E. coli to a similar extent. A large surface charge reversal of bacteria upon treatment with CCPE suggested the formation of a coating of CCPE on the outer surface of bacteria; while a low reversal of bacterial surface charge suggested intercalation of CCOEs within the lipid bilayer of bacteria.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 infection of calves: infectious dose and direct contact transmission

2001 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. BESSER ◽  
B. L. RICHARDS ◽  
D. H. RICE ◽  
D. D. HANCOCK
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Faecal Excretion ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Electrophoretic Patterns ◽  
Contact Transmission

Cattle are considered to be a reservoir host of Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 and contaminated foods of bovine origin are important vehicles of human infection. In this study, the susceptibility of calves to experimental E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 infection following low oral exposures was determined. Two of 17 calves exposed to very low (<300 c.f.u.) doses, and 3 of 4 calves exposed to low (<10000 c.f.u.) doses, subsequently excreted the challenge strains in their faeces. All calves (n = 12) sharing isolation rooms with calves that excreted the challenge strain in their faeces similarly began faecal excretion of the same strains within 21 days or less. The identity between the challenge strains and the strains excreted in calf faeces was confirmed by restriction digestion electrophoretic patterns using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Calves shed E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 in their faeces after very low dose exposures at concentrations ranging from <30 to >107 c.f.u./g, and for durations similar to the values previously reported for calves challenged by larger doses. The susceptibility of calves to infection following very low exposures or direct contact with infected calves has important implications for programmes for pre-harvest control of this agent.

scholarly journals Purification and parcial characterization of a hemagglutinating factor (HAF): a possible adhesive factor of the diffuse adherent of Escherichia coli (DAEC)

1996 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yano Tomomasa ◽  
Cleide Ferreira Catani ◽  
Michiko Arita ◽  
Takeshi Honda ◽  
Toshio Miwatani
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Immunofluorescence Test ◽  
Native Form ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Adhesive Factor

The mannose-resistant hemagglutinating factor (HAF) was extracted and purified from a diffuse adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC) strain belonging to the classic enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) serotype (0128). The molecular weight of HAF was estimated to be 18 KDa by SDS-PAGE and 66 KDa by Sephadex G100, suggesting that the native form of HAF consists of 3-4 monomeric HAF. Gold immunolabeling with specific HAF antiserum revealed that the HAF is not a rigid structure like fimbriae on the bacterial surface. The immunofluorescence test using purified HAF on HeLa cells, in addition to the fact that the HAF is distributed among serotypes of EPEC, suggests that HAF is a possible adhesive factor of DAEC strains

Control of the Biofilms Formed by Curli- and Cellulose-Expressing Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Using Treatments with Organic Acids and Commercial Sanitizers

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 990-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
YOEN JU PARK ◽  
JINRU CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Organic Acids ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Steel Surfaces ◽  
Biological Protection

Biofilms are a mixture of bacteria and extracellular products secreted by bacterial cells and are of great concern to the food industry because they offer physical, mechanical, and biological protection to bacterial cells. This study was conducted to quantify biofilms formed by different Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains on polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces and to determine the effectiveness of sanitizing treatments in control of these biofilms. STEC producing various amounts of cellulose (n = 6) or curli (n = 6) were allowed to develop biofilms on polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces at 28°C for 7 days. The biofilms were treated with 2% acetic or lactic acid and manufacturer-recommended concentrations of acidic or alkaline sanitizers, and residual biofilms were quantified. Treatments with the acidic and alkaline sanitizers were more effective than those with the organic acids for removing the biofilms. Compared with their counterparts, cells expressing a greater amount of cellulose or curli formed more biofilm mass and had greater residual mass after sanitizing treatments on polystyrene than on stainless steel. Research suggests that the organic acids and sanitizers used in the present study differed in their ability to control biofilms. Bacterial surface components and cell contact surfaces can influence both biofilm formation and the efficacy of sanitizing treatments. These results provide additional information on control of biofilms formed by STEC.

scholarly journals Autodisplay: Functional Display of Active β-Lactamase on the Surface of Escherichia coli by the AIDA-I Autotransporter

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (13) ◽  
pp. 3726-3733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus T. Lattemann ◽  
Jochen Maurer ◽  
Elke Gerland ◽  
Thomas F. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Surface Display ◽  
Heterologous Proteins ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
E Coli ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Protease Treatment ◽  
Efficient Expression ◽  
Cell Envelopes

ABSTRACT Members of the protein family of immunoglobulin A1 protease-like autotransporters comprise multidomain precursors consisting of a C-terminal autotransporter domain that promotes the translocation of N-terminally attached passenger domains across the cell envelopes of gram-negative bacteria. Several autotransporter domains have recently been shown to efficiently promote the export of heterologous passenger domains, opening up an effective tool for surface display of heterologous proteins. Here we report on the autotransporter domain of the Escherichia coli adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I), which was genetically fused to the C terminus of the periplasmic enzyme β-lactamase, leading to efficient expression of the fusion protein in E. coli. The β-lactamase moiety of the fusion protein was presented on the bacterial surface in a stable manner, and the surface-located β-lactamase was shown to be enzymatically active. Enzymatic activity was completely removed by protease treatment, indicating that surface display of β-lactamase was almost quantitative. The periplasmic domain of the outer membrane protein OmpA was not affected by externally added proteases, demonstrating that the outer membranes of E. coli cells expressing the β-lactamase AIDA-I fusion protein remained physiologically intact.

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