scholarly journals Competition-based screening helps to secure the evolutionary stability of a defensive microbiome

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah F. Worsley ◽  
Tabitha M. Innocent ◽  
Neil A. Holmes ◽  
Mahmoud M. Al-Bassam ◽  
Morten Schiøtt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Stable Isotope Probing ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Bacterial Competition ◽  
Public Resources ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Plausible Mechanism ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Background The cuticular microbiomes of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants pose a conundrum in microbiome biology because they are freely colonisable, and yet the prevalence of the vertically transmitted bacteria Pseudonocardia, which contributes to the control of Escovopsis fungus garden disease, is never compromised by the secondary acquisition of other bacterial strains. Game theory suggests that competition-based screening can allow the selective recruitment of antibiotic-producing bacteria from the environment, by providing abundant resources to foment interference competition between bacterial species and by using Pseudonocardia to bias the outcome of competition in favour of antibiotic producers. Results Here, we use RNA-stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) to confirm that Acromyrmex ants can maintain a range of microbial symbionts on their cuticle by supplying public resources. We then used RNA sequencing, bioassays, and competition experiments to show that vertically transmitted Pseudonocardia strains produce antibacterials that differentially reduce the growth rates of other microbes, ultimately biassing the bacterial competition to allow the selective establishment of secondary antibiotic-producing strains while excluding non-antibiotic-producing strains that would parasitise the symbiosis. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that competition-based screening is a plausible mechanism for maintaining the integrity of the co-adapted mutualism between the leaf-cutting ant farming symbiosis and its defensive microbiome. Our results have broader implications for explaining the stability of other complex symbioses involving horizontal acquisition.

scholarly journals Competition-based screening secures the evolutionary stability of a defensive microbiome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah F. Worsley ◽  
Tabitha M. Innocent ◽  
Neil A. Holmes ◽  
Mahmoud M. Al-Bassam ◽  
Barrie Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Evolutionary Stability ◽  
Stable Isotope Probing ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Microbial Symbionts

AbstractCuticular microbiomes of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants are exceptional because they are freely colonizable, and yet the prevalence of Pseudonocardia, a native vertically transmitted symbiont that controls Escovopsis fungus-garden disease, is never compromised. Game theory suggests that competition-based screening can allow the selective recruitment of antibiotic-producing bacteria from the environment, by fomenting and biasing competition for abundant host resources. Mutual symbiont aggression benefits the host and also maintains native symbiont viability. Here we use RNA-stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) to confirm predictions that Acromyrmex cuticles can maintain a range of microbial symbionts. We then used dual-RNA-sequencing and bioassays to show that vertically transmitted Pseudonocardia strains produce antibacterials that differentially reduce the growth rates of other microbes, ultimately eliminating non-antibiotic-producing strains that might parasitize the symbiosis while still allowing antibiotic-producing Streptomyces strains to survive. Open cuticular microbiomes can thus maintain a specific co-evolved mutualism by restricting access for other bacterial strains.

scholarly journals Green, Yellow, and Red Fluorescent Proteins as Markers for Bacterial Isolates from Mosquito Midguts

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Ephantus Muturi ◽  
Jose Ramirez ◽  
Chang-Hyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
La Crosse Virus ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Aerococcus Viridans ◽  
Red Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Behavior

The growing awareness that microbial symbionts residing in mosquito midguts can interrupt transmission of vector-borne diseases has stimulated interest in understanding their potential role in mosquito biology. Fluorescent proteins are powerful molecular markers that provide for detailed analysis of the function and behavior of specific midgut bacterial isolates without disturbing the normal gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to label bacterial isolates from the midgut of Ochlerotatus triseriatus, the primary vector of La Crosse virus, with green, yellow, and red fluorescent proteins (GFP, YFP, RFP) via electroporation. We also assessed the stability of GFP-, YFP-, and RFP-bearing plasmids and their effect on bacterial growth. Seven of eleven bacterial species could not be labeled despite several attempts. Labeling of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae was successfully achieved with all three fluorescent proteins. In contrast, labeling of Aerococcus viridans was achieved with GFP only and labeling of Aeromonas hydrophila was achieved with GFP and YFP only. The stability of GFP plasmid varied among bacterial species with A. hydrophila followed by E. cloacae having the most stable GFP label. In contrast, YFP and RFP plasmids were very stable in all bacterial species possessing these labels. GFP plasmid reduced the growth of labeled strains relative to wild type but this effect was not evident in YFP and RFP plasmids. These findings suggest that some mosquito midgut bacterial isolates can effectively be labeled with GFP, YFP and RFP plasmids allowing non-destructive studies on their functions within the vector.

scholarly journals The Conservation of Low Complexity Regions in Bacterial Proteins Depends on the Pathogenicity of the Strain and Subcellular Location of the Protein

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Pablo Mier ◽  
Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Subcellular Location ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Extracellular Proteins ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Bacterial Proteins ◽  
Protein Subcellular Location

Low complexity regions (LCRs) in proteins are characterized by amino acid frequencies that differ from the average. These regions evolve faster and tend to be less conserved between homologs than globular domains. They are not common in bacteria, as compared to their prevalence in eukaryotes. Studying their conservation could help provide hypotheses about their function. To obtain the appropriate evolutionary focus for this rapidly evolving feature, here we study the conservation of LCRs in bacterial strains and compare their high variability to the closeness of the strains. For this, we selected 20 taxonomically diverse bacterial species and obtained the completely sequenced proteomes of two strains per species. We calculated all orthologous pairs for each of the 20 strain pairs. Per orthologous pair, we computed the conservation of two types of LCRs: compositionally biased regions (CBRs) and homorepeats (polyX). Our results show that, in bacteria, Q-rich CBRs are the most conserved, while A-rich CBRs and polyA are the most variable. LCRs have generally higher conservation when comparing pathogenic strains. However, this result depends on protein subcellular location: LCRs accumulate in extracellular and outer membrane proteins, with conservation increased in the extracellular proteins of pathogens, and decreased for polyX in the outer membrane proteins of pathogens. We conclude that these dependencies support the functional importance of LCRs in host–pathogen interactions.

scholarly journals Polyhydroxyalkanoate Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery: Interaction with Lung Surfactant

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Olga Cañadas ◽  
Andrea García-García ◽  
M. Auxiliadora Prieto ◽  
Jesús Pérez-Gil
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Drug Delivery Systems ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Lung Surfactant ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Pulmonary Drug Delivery ◽  
Epifluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Energy Storage Materials ◽  
The Stability

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters produced intracellularly by many bacterial species as energy storage materials, which are used in biomedical applications, including drug delivery systems, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we evaluated the potential application of this nanomaterial as a basis of inhaled drug delivery systems. To that end, we assessed the possible interaction between PHA nanoparticles (NPs) and pulmonary surfactant using dynamic light scattering, Langmuir balances, and epifluorescence microscopy. Our results demonstrate that NPs deposited onto preformed monolayers of DPPC or DPPC/POPG bind these surfactant lipids. This interaction facilitated the translocation of the nanomaterial towards the aqueous subphase, with the subsequent loss of lipid from the interface. NPs that remained at the interface associated with liquid expanded (LE)/tilted condensed (TC) phase boundaries, decreasing the size of condensed domains and promoting the intermixing of TC and LE phases at submicroscopic scale. This provided the stability necessary for attaining high surface pressures upon compression, countering the destabilization induced by lipid loss. These effects were observed only for high NP loads, suggesting a limit for the use of these NPs in pulmonary drug delivery.

scholarly journals Isolation and efficacy of two bacterial strains antagonists of Erwinia amylovora and Pectobacterium carotovorum

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M’hamed BENADA ◽  
Boualem BOUMAAZA ◽  
Sofiane BOUDALIA ◽  
Omar KHALADI
Keyword(s):  
Fire Blight ◽  
Erwinia Amylovora ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Soft Rot ◽  
Causal Agent ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Pectobacterium Carotovorum ◽  
Bacterial Strains

Abstract Background The development of ecofriendly tools against plant diseases is an important issue in crop protection. Screening and selection process of bacterial strains antagonists of 2 pathogenic bacterial species that limit very important crops, Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of the fire blight disease, and Pectobacterium carotovorum, the causal agent of bacterial potato soft rot, were reported. Bacterial colonies were isolated from different ecological niches, where both pathogens were found: rhizosphere of potato tubers and fruits and leaves of pear trees from the northwest region of Algeria. Direct and indirect confrontation tests against strains of E. amylovora and P. carotovorum were performed. Results Results showed a significant antagonistic activity against both phytopathogenic species, using direct confrontation method and supernatants of cultures (p<0.005). In vitro assays showed growth inhibitions of both phytopathogenic species. Furthermore, results revealed that the strains of S. plymuthica had a better inhibitory effect than the strains of P. fluorescens against both pathogens. In vivo results on immature pear fruits showed a significant decrease in the progression of the fire blight symptoms, with a variation in the infection index from one antagonistic strain to another between 31.3 and 50%, and slice of potato showed total inhibition of the pathogen (P. carotovorum) by the antagonistic strains of Serratia plymuthica (p<0.005). Conclusion This study highlighted that the effective bacteria did not show any infection signs towards plant tissue, and considered as a potential strategy to limit the fire blight and soft rot diseases.

scholarly journals Computational Studies of 4-Formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone and Structural and Biological Studies of Its Ni(II) and Cu(II) Complexes

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Mydhili P. Sripathi ◽  
Sireesha Berely ◽  
Chittireddy Venkata Ramana Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Molar Conductance ◽  
Computational Studies ◽  
Hydrolytic Cleavage ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Intercalative Mode ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
The Stability

To understand the stability, chelation behaviour, and biological activity of 4-Formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone (H4FPT), it is important to recognize its interactive geometry. Hence, computational studies on geometrically optimized structures of thione and thiol forms of H4FPT were performed. Binary metal complexes of the ligand, H4FPT (L) with the Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions (M), were synthesized and characterized by various spectroanalytical techniques as elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, LC-MS, TGA, IR, UV-Visible, ESR, and powder XRD. Elemental analysis, LC-MS, and TGA studies indicate 1:2 (ML2) composition for mononuclear Ni(II) complex and 1:1 (ML) composition for dinuclear Cu(II) complex. Electronic absorption titrations, fluorescence quenching studies, and viscosity measurements suggest intercalative mode of binding of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). These complexes also promote hydrolytic cleavage of plasmid pBR322. The ligand (H4FPT) and its complexes showed moderate-to-good activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The DPPH radical scavenging studies showed antioxidant nature of both complexes.

scholarly journals Temporal Stability and Biodiversity of Two Complex Antilisterial Cheese-Ripening Microbial Consortia

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 4012-4018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Maoz ◽  
Ralf Mayr ◽  
Siegfried Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Cheese Ripening ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT The temporal stability and diversity of bacterial species composition as well as the antilisterial potential of two different, complex, and undefined microbial consortia from red-smear soft cheeses were investigated. Samples were collected twice, at 6-month intervals, from each of two food producers, and a total of 400 bacterial isolates were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. Coryneform bacteria represented the majority of the isolates, with certain species being predominant. In addition, Marinolactobacillus psychrotolerans, Halomonas venusta, Halomonas variabilis, Halomonas sp. (106 to 107 CFU per g of smear), and an unknown, gram-positive bacterium (107 to 108 CFU per g of smear) are described for the first time in such a consortium. The species composition of one consortium was quite stable over 6 months, but the other consortium revealed less diversity of coryneform species as well as less stability. While the first consortium had a stable, extraordinarily high antilisterial potential in situ, the antilisterial activity of the second consortium was lower and decreased with time. The cause for the antilisterial activity of the two consortia remained unknown but is not due to the secretion of soluble, inhibitory substances by the individual components of the consortium. Our data indicate that the stability over time and a potential antilisterial activity are individual characteristics of the ripening consortia which can be monitored and used for safe food production without artificial preservatives.

In vitro evaluation of the effect of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine on oral microorganisms

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Cogo ◽  
Michelle Franz Montan ◽  
Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi ◽  
Eduardo D. Andrade ◽  
Pedro Luiz Rosalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Susceptibility Tests

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine on the viability of some oral bacterial species. It also evaluated the ability of these bacteria to metabolize those substances. Single-species biofilms of Streptococcus gordonii , Porphyromonas gingivalis , or Fusobacterium nucleatum and dual-species biofilms of S. gordonii – F. nucleatum and F. nucleatum – P. gingivalis were grown on hydroxyapatite discs. Seven species were studied as planktonic cells, including Streptococcus oralis , Streptococcus mitis , Propionibacterium acnes , Actinomyces naeslundii , and the species mentioned above. The viability of planktonic cells and biofilms was analyzed by susceptibility tests and time-kill assays, respectively, against different concentrations of nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to quantify nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine concentrations in the culture media after the assays. Susceptibility tests and viability assays showed that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine cannot reduce or stimulate bacterial growth. High-performance liquid chromatography results showed that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine concentrations were not altered after bacteria exposure. These findings indicate that nicotine, cotinine, and caffeine, in the concentrations used, cannot affect significantly the growth of these oral bacterial strains. Moreover, these species do not seem to metabolize these substances.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Lipases from Wild Microbial Strains as Biocatalysts in Biodiesel Production

Separations ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Luna ◽  
Diego Luna ◽  
Felipa Bautista ◽  
Juan Calero ◽  
Antonio Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Purification Process ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Mild Conditions ◽  
New Type ◽  
Microbial Strains ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Microbial Strain ◽  
Biodiesel Industry

In this study, the evaluation of the catalytic behavior of several wild bacterial strains in the 1,3-selective ethanolysis of triglycerides with ethanol to produce a new type of biodiesel (Ecodiesel) that integrates glycerol as monoacylglycerols was carried out. The Ecodiesel production not only avoids the elimination of glycerol, which is largely generated as a by-product in the biodiesel industry, but also results in an increase in the biofuel yield. The wild microbial strain samples were obtained from several lipophilic organisms. In addition to evaluate the enzymatic extracts, the minimum grade of purification of the strains, necessary to obtain similar results to those attained with commercial lipases was studied. This purification treatment included a dialysis followed by a lyophilization process. Such extracts were directly used as biocatalysts in the transesterification reaction of sunflower oil with ethanol, attaining much better results (yield close to 100%) than those obtained with strains which were not submitted to the purification process (yields lower than 10%). Furthermore, the results here obtained are similar to those obtained with commercial lipases but were achieved under mild conditions and lower reaction time (2 h). In addition, the stability of the enzymatic extracts was corroborated by subsequent reactions, showing no loss of activity. Thus, this study brings to light that enzymatic extracts obtained by a very simple purification process can be economically competitive with the conventional biodiesel production methods.

scholarly journals Polymeric Nanoparticles Active against Dual-Species Bacterial Biofilms

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4958
Author(s):  
Jessa Marie V. Makabenta ◽  
Jungmi Park ◽  
Cheng-Hsuan Li ◽  
Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay ◽  
Ahmed Nabawy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Bacterial Strains

Biofilm infections are a global public health threat, necessitating new treatment strategies. Biofilm formation also contributes to the development and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. Biofilm-associated chronic infections typically involve colonization by more than one bacterial species. The co-existence of multiple species of bacteria in biofilms exacerbates therapeutic challenges and can render traditional antibiotics ineffective. Polymeric nanoparticles offer alternative antimicrobial approaches to antibiotics, owing to their tunable physico-chemical properties. Here, we report the efficacy of poly(oxanorborneneimide) (PONI)-based antimicrobial polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) against multi-species bacterial biofilms. PNPs showed good dual-species biofilm penetration profiles as confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity was observed, with reduction in both bacterial viability and overall biofilm mass. Further, PNPs displayed minimal fibroblast toxicity and high antimicrobial activity in an in vitro co-culture model comprising fibroblast cells and dual-species biofilms of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study highlights a potential clinical application of the presented polymeric platform.

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