Inter-Kingdom Signaling of Stress Hormones: Sensing, Transport and Modulation of Bacterial Physiology

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have coexisted for millions of years. The hormonal communication between microorganisms and their hosts, dubbed inter-kingdom signaling, is a recent field of research. Eukaryotic signals such as hormones, neurotransmitters or immune system molecules have been shown to modulate bacterial physiology. Among them, catecholamines hormones epinephrine/norepinephrine, released during stress and physical effort, or used therapeutically as inotropes have been described to affect bacterial behaviors (i.e., motility, biofilm formation, virulence) of various Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio sp.). More recently, these molecules were also shown to influence the physiology of some Gram-positive bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis. In E. coli and S. enterica, the stress-associated mammalian hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine trigger a signaling cascade by interacting with the QseC histidine sensor kinase protein. No catecholamine sensors have been well described yet in other bacteria. This review aims to provide an up to date report on catecholamine sensors in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, their transport, and known effects on bacteria.

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Poly(Vinylamine) Derived N-Doped C-Dots with Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities

C – Journal of Carbon Research ◽

10.3390/c7020040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 40

Author(s):

Semiha Duygu Sutekin ◽

Mehtap Sahiner ◽

Selin Sagbas Suner ◽

Sahin Demirci ◽

Olgun Güven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Clotting ◽

Minimum Bactericidal Concentration ◽

Blood Compatibility ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Biofilm Inhibition ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Doped Carbon Dots ◽

Nitrogen Doped Carbon

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-doped C-dots) was synthesized by using poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) as a nitrogen source and citric acid (CA) as a carbon source via the hydrothermal method. Various weight ratios of CA and PVAm (CA:PVAm) were used to synthesize N-doped C-dots. The N-doped C-dots revealed emission at 440 nm with excitation at 360 nm and were found to increase the fluorescence intensity with an increase in the amount of PVAm. The blood compatibility studies revealed no significant hemolysis for N-doped C-dots that were prepared at different ratios of CA:PVAm for up to 500 μg/mL concentration with the hemolysis ratio of 1.96% and the minimum blood clotting index of 88.9%. N-doped C-dots were found to be more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria, with the highest potency on Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). The increase in the weight ratio of PVAm in feed during C-dots preparation from 1 to 3 leads to a decrease of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value from 6.25 to 0.75 mg/mL for B. subtilis. Antibiofilm ability of N-doped C-dots prepared by 1:3 ratio of CA:PVAm was found to reduce %biofilm inhibition and eradication- by more than half, at 0.78 mg/mL for E. coli and B. subtilis generated biofilms and almost destroyed at 25 mg/mL concentrations.

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Host Peptidic Hormones Affecting Bacterial Biofilm Formation and Virulence

Journal of Innate Immunity ◽

10.1159/000493926 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 227-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Olivier Lesouhaitier ◽

Thomas Clamens ◽

Thibaut Rosay ◽

Florie Desriac ◽

Mélissande Louis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Biofilm ◽

Critical Problem ◽

Resistant Variant ◽

Bacterial Physiology ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Biofilm Production ◽

The Impact ◽

Original Approach ◽

Antibacterial Potential

Bacterial biofilms constitute a critical problem in hospitals, especially in resuscitation units or for immunocompromised patients, since bacteria embedded in their own matrix are not only protected against antibiotics but also develop resistant variant strains. In the last decade, an original approach to prevent biofilm formation has consisted of studying the antibacterial potential of host communication molecules. Thus, some of these compounds have been identified for their ability to modify the biofilm formation of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition to their effect on biofilm production, a detailed study of the mechanism of action of these human hormones on bacterial physiology has allowed the identification of new bacterial pathways involved in biofilm formation. In this review, we focus on the impact of neuropeptidic hormones on bacteria, address some future therapeutic issues, and provide a new view of inter-kingdom communication.

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An unusual case of chest pain

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20203131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. 1290

Author(s):

Saswat Subhankar ◽

K. Madhuri ◽

Vivek D. Alone

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Chest Pain ◽

Unusual Case ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Pleural Effusions ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Competent Patient ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bones caused by pyogenic organisms. The ribs are an extremely uncommon site for osteomyelitis, occurring in less than 1% cases. The main causative organisms are Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Hemophilus influenzae. Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli have been rarely reported. Authors hereby present a case of an immune-competent patient who presented with an osteomyelitis of the ribs caused by the latter. In developing countries, tuberculosis is considered as the primary cause of osteomyelitis and pleural effusions. However, other organisms should also be considered in patients who present with fulminant infections.

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Removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solution by different bacterial genera

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1996.0243 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 89-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Hu Tai-Lee

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Solution ◽

Reactive Dyes ◽

Bacterial Biomass ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Adsorption Parameters ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Mixed Biomass ◽

Decreasing Ph

The use of biomass for the removal of reactive dyes from an aqueous solution with different bacterial genera has been investigated. Three Gram-negative bacteria: Aeromonas sp., P. luteola and E. coli, and two Gram-positive bacteria: B. subtilis and S. aureus and a mixed biomass of activated sludge are the tested biosorbents. Dead cells of Gram-negative bacteria have a higher specific adsorption capacity than the living cells. The dye removal is in the order of Aeromonoas sp. > P. luteola > E. coli. The adsorption equilibrium can be reached within one hour. Due to the positively charged cells at acidic pH, the removal of reactive dyes increases with decreasing pH. Evaluating the adsorption parameters, bacterial biomass exhibits stable adsorption characteristics, which makes it a suitable adsorbent for different dye compounds.

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Establishment of Optogenetic Modulation of cAMP for Analyzing Growth, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence Pathways of Bacteria Using a Light-Gated Cyclase

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10165535 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (16) ◽

pp. 5535

Author(s):

Manish Singh Kaushik ◽

Swaroop Ranjan Pati ◽

Shivanika Soni ◽

Ayushi Mishra ◽

Kumari Sushmita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blue Light ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Research Work ◽

Adenosine Monophosphate ◽

Camp Signaling ◽

Light Illumination ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Regulatory Pathways ◽

Bacterial Physiology ◽

E Coli

In bacteria, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling plays an essential regulatory role whose modulation via optogenetic tools would provide researchers an immense opportunity to control biological processes simply by illumination. The cAMP signaling in bacteria is a complex network of regulatory pathways, which utilizes distinct proteomic resources under different nutrient environments. We established an optogenetic modulation of cAMP and studied important cellular process of growth, biofilm formation, and virulence in the model bacterium E. coli using a light-gated adenylate cyclase (LgAC) from Beggiatoa sp. Blue light-induced activation of LgAC elevated the cAMP level in a blue light-dependent manner in E. coli. Quantitative proteomics revealed a decrease in the level of certain proteins governing growth (PTS, Adk, AckA, GlnA, and EFP), biofilm formation (IhfA, flagellin, YajQ, YeaG, and HlfC), and virulence (ClpP, YebC, KatE, BtuE, and Zur) in E. coli cells expressing LgAC upon blue light illumination. This optogenetic modulation of cAMP would be useful for deciphering cAMP-associated host–pathogen signaling of bacterial systems. Proteome knowledge established by this research work would also be useful for the scientific community while adapting LgAC-based optogenetic modulation for studying other relevant cAMP-driven bacterial physiology (e.g., energy metabolism). The systematic utilization of the established method and more extensively designed experiments regarding bacterial growth, biofilm, survival, and virulence might provide a road map for the identification of new targets for developing novel antibacterial drugs.

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Facultative Anaerobes Shape Multispecies Biofilms Composed of Meat Processing Surface Bacteria and Escherichia coli O157:H7 or Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01123-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 85 (17) ◽

Author(s):

Jeyachchandran Visvalingam ◽

Hui Wang ◽

Tim C. Ells ◽

Xianqin Yang

Keyword(s):

Food Processing ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Single Species ◽

Meat Processing ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Facultative Anaerobes ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

Multispecies Biofilms

ABSTRACT This study investigated the microbial dynamics in multispecies biofilms of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain 1934 (O157) or Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028 (ST) and 40 strains of meat processing surface bacteria (MPB). Biofilms of O157 or ST with/without MPB were developed on stainless steel coupons at 15°C for up to 6 days. Bacteria in suspensions (inoculum, days 2 and 6) and biofilms (days 2 and 6) were enumerated by plating. The composition of multispecies cultures was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In suspensions, levels of O157 and ST were ∼2 log higher in single-species than in multispecies cultures on both sampling days. ST was 3 log higher in single-species than in multispecies biofilms. A similar trend, though to a lesser extent, was observed for O157 in biofilms on day 2 but not on day 6. No difference (P > 0.05) in bacterial counts was noted for the two MPB-pathogen cocultures at any time during incubation. Bacterial diversity in multispecies cultures decreased with incubation time, irrespective of the pathogen or culture type. The changes in the relative abundance of MPB were similar for the two MPB-pathogen cocultures, though different interbacterial interactions were noted. Respective fractions of ST and O157 were 2.1% and 0.97% initially and then 0.10% and 0.07% on day 2, and 0.60% and 0.04% on day 6. The relative proportions of facultative anaerobes in both multispecies cultures were greater in both suspensions and biofilms than in the inoculum. Citrobacter, Hafnia, Aeromonas, and Carnobacterium predominated in biofilms but not always in the planktonic cultures. IMPORTANCE Results of this study demonstrate that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 can integrate into biofilms when cocultured with bacteria from meat plant processing surfaces. However, the degree of biofilm formation for both pathogens was substantially reduced in the presence of the competing microbiota, with S. Typhimurium more greatly affected than E. coli O157:H7. The expression of extracellular determinants such as curli and cellulose appears to be less important for biofilm formation of the pathogens in multispecies cultures than in monoculture. In contrast to previous reports regarding food processing surface bacteria, data collected here also demonstrate that facultative anaerobes may have a competitive edge over strict aerobes in establishing multispecies biofilms. It would be important to take into account the presence of background bacteria when evaluating the potential persistence of a pathogen in food processing facilities.

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Water-dispersible glycosylated poly(2,5′-thienylene)porphyrin-based nanoparticles for antibacterial photodynamic therapy

Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences ◽

10.1039/c8pp00470f ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 1147-1155 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rehan Khan ◽

Melis Özkan ◽

Aisan Khaligh ◽

Dönüs Tuncel

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Photodynamic Therapy ◽

Singlet Oxygen ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Water Dispersible ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

High Yields

Water-dispersible glycosylated poly(2,5′-thienylene)porphyrin-based nanoparticles have the ability to generate singlet oxygen in high yields and exhibit light-triggered antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria, E. coli as well as Gram positive bacteria, B. subtilis.

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Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Evaluation of Curcumin-Sulfanilamide Compound

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.840.265 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 840 ◽

pp. 265-269

Author(s):

Nurjanah Nurjanah ◽

Endang Saepudin

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Functional Group ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Curcuma Longa ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Ftir Spectrophotometry

Curcumin, a diarylheptanoids compound which isolated primary from Curcuma longa, exhibits a variety of exciting biological activities, including as an antibacterial agent. In the present study, a sulfanilamide-contained curcumin compound was synthesized and characterized to investigate the antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, B. subtilis and gram-negative bacteria E. coli. The characterization of the synthesized compound was determined by analysing peak absorbance, functional group, and molecular weight using mass spectroscopy, UV/Vis and FTIR spectrophotometry. Curcumin-sulfanilamide compound exhibited the best antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria compared to curcumin and the curcumin-derived compound containing isoxazole with inhibitory zone of 11 mm.

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Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Chalcones and Pyrimidine-2-ones

E-Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2005/134830 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 109-112

Author(s):

A. K. Parekh ◽

K. K. Desai

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Spectral Data ◽

Elemental Analysis ◽

Aromatic Aldehydes ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

H Nmr

Some new chalcones have been prepared by Claisen-schmidt condensation of ketone and different aromatic aldehydes. These chalcones on condensation with urea in presence of acid gave Pyrimidine-2-ones. The synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and1H NMR spectral data. They have been screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria B. subtillis & S. aureus and Gram negative bacteria E. coli & S. typhi.

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Escherichia coli tol and rcs genes participate in the complex network affecting curli synthesis

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.27913-0 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 151 (7) ◽

pp. 2487-2497 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Anne Vianney ◽

Grégory Jubelin ◽

Sophie Renault ◽

Corine Dorel ◽

Philippe Lejeune ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Regulatory Proteins ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Dominant Effect ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli

Curli are necessary for the adherence of Escherichia coli to surfaces, and to each other, during biofilm formation, and the csgBA and csgDEFG operons are both required for their synthesis. A recent survey of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms has identified tolA as a gene activated in biofilms. The tol genes play a fundamental role in maintaining the outer-membrane integrity of Gram-negative bacteria. RcsC, the sensor of the RcsBCD phosphorelay, is involved, together with RcsA, in colanic acid capsule synthesis, and also modulates the expression of tolQRA and csgDEFG. In addition, the RcsBCD phosphorelay is activated in tol mutants or when Tol proteins are overexpressed. These results led the authors to investigate the role of the tol genes in biofilm formation in laboratory and clinical isolates of E. coli. It was shown that the adherence of cells was lowered in the tol mutants. This could be the result of a drastic decrease in the expression of the csgBA operon, even though the expression of csgDEFG was slightly increased under such conditions. It was also shown that the Rcs system negatively controls the expression of the two csg operons in an RcsA-dependent manner. In the tol mutants, activation of csgDEFG occurred via OmpR and was dominant upon repression by RcsB and RcsA, while these two regulatory proteins repressed csgBA through a dominant effect on the activator protein CsgD, thus affecting curli synthesis. The results demonstrate that the Rcs system, previously known to control the synthesis of the capsule and the flagella, is an additional component involved in the regulation of curli. Furthermore, it is shown that the defect in cell motility observed in the tol mutants depends on RcsB and RcsA.

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