scholarly journals Determinants of Copper Resistance in Acidithiobacillus Ferrivorans ACH Isolated from the Chilean Altiplano

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Sergio Barahona ◽  
Juan Castro-Severyn ◽  
Cristina Dorador ◽  
Claudia Saavedra ◽  
Francisco Remonsellez

The use of microorganisms in mining processes is a technology widely employed around the world. Leaching bacteria are characterized by having resistance mechanisms for several metals found in their acidic environments, some of which have been partially described in the Acidithiobacillus genus (mainly on ferrooxidans species). However, the response to copper has not been studied in the psychrotolerant Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans strains. Therefore, we propose to elucidate the response mechanisms of A. ferrivorans ACH to high copper concentrations (0–800 mM), describing its genetic repertoire and transcriptional regulation. Our results show that A. ferrivorans ACH can grow in up to 400 mM of copper. Moreover, we found the presence of several copper-related makers, belonging to cop and cus systems, as well as rusticyanins and periplasmatic acop protein in the genome. Interestingly, the ACH strain is the only one in which we find three copies of copB and copZ genes. Moreover, transcriptional expression showed an up-regulation response (acop, copZ, cusA, rusA, and rusB) to high copper concentrations. Finally, our results support the important role of these genes in A. ferrivorans copper stress resistance, promoting the use of the ACH strain in industrial leaching under low temperatures, which could decrease the activation times of oxidation processes and the energy costs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Alquethamy ◽  
Marjan Khorvash ◽  
Victoria Pederick ◽  
Jonathan Whittall ◽  
James Paton ◽  
...  

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as one of the leading causative agents of nosocomial infections. Due to its high level of intrinsic and adapted antibiotic resistance, treatment failure rates are high, which allows this opportunistic pathogen to thrive during infection in immune-compromised patients. A. baumannii can cause infections within a broad range of host niches, with pneumonia and bacteraemia being associated with the greatest levels of morbidity and mortality. Although its resistance to antibiotics is widely studied, our understanding of the mechanisms required for dealing with environmental stresses related to virulence and hospital persistence, such as copper toxicity, is limited. Here, we performed an in silico analysis of the A. baumannii copper resistome, examining its regulation under copper stress. Using comparative analyses of bacterial P-type ATPases, we propose that A. baumannii encodes a member of a novel subgroup of P1B-1 ATPases. Analyses of three putative inner membrane copper efflux systems identified the P1B-1 ATPase CopA as the primary mediator of cytoplasmic copper resistance in A. baumannii. Using a murine model of A. baumannii pneumonia, we reveal that CopA contributes to the virulence of A. baumannii. Collectively, this study advances our understanding of how A. baumannii deals with environmental copper toxicity, and it provides novel insights into how A. baumannii combats adversities encountered as part of the host immune defence.


FEBS Letters ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 508 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Do-Young Kim ◽  
Won-Yong Song ◽  
Young-Yell Yang ◽  
Youngsook Lee

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Baker ◽  
Sutthirat Sitthisak ◽  
Mrittika Sengupta ◽  
Miranda Johnson ◽  
R. K. Jayaswal ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Copper is an important cofactor for many enzymes; however, high levels of copper are toxic. Therefore, bacteria must ensure there is sufficient copper for use as a cofactor but, more importantly, must limit free intracellular levels to prevent toxicity. In this study, we have used DNA microarray to identify Staphylococcus aureus copper-responsive genes. Transcriptional profiling of S. aureus SH1000 grown in excess copper identified a number of genes which fall into four groups, suggesting that S. aureus has four main mechanisms for adapting to high levels of environmental copper, as follows: (i) induction of direct copper homeostasis mechanisms; (ii) increased oxidative stress resistance; (iii) expression of the misfolded protein response; and (iv) repression of a number of transporters and global regulators such as Agr and Sae. Our experimental data confirm that resistance to oxidative stress and particularly to H2O2 scavenging is an important S. aureus copper resistance mechanism. Our previous studies have demonstrated that Eap and Emp proteins, which are positively regulated by Agr and Sae, are required for biofilm formation under low-iron growth conditions. Our transcriptional analysis has confirmed that sae, agr, and eap are repressed under high-copper conditions and that biofilm formation is indeed repressed under high-copper conditions. Therefore, our results may provide an explanation for how copper films can prevent biofilm formation on catheters.


2013 ◽  
Vol 825 ◽  
pp. 206-209
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Almarcegui ◽  
Claudio Navarro ◽  
Alberto Paradela ◽  
Diego von Bernath ◽  
Carlos A. Jerez

The presence in At. ferrooxidans of canonical copper resistance determinants does not explain the extremely high copper concentrations this microorganism is able to tolerate. This suggests that At. ferrooxidans may have additional copper resistance mechanisms. New possible copper resistance determinants were searched by using 2D-PAGE and real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results showed the up-regulation of RND-type Cus systems and different RND-type efflux pumps in At. ferrooxidans grown in the presence of copper, suggesting that these proteins may be implied in resistance to this metal. Furthermore, the up-regulation of putative periplasmatic disulfide isomerases was also seen in the presence of copper. These proteins are most likely involved in the formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds in proteins in the periplasm. Copper ions catalyze the formation of incorrect disulfide bonds in proteins. However, the up-regulated disulfide isomerases found could restore native disufide bonds allowing cell survival. In conclusion, At. ferrooxidans may resist high copper concentrations by using additional copper resistance strategies in which cell envelope proteins are very important. This knowledge could be used to select the best fit members of the bioleaching community to attain more efficient industrial biomining processes.


2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (23) ◽  
pp. 6287-6290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas B. Pontel ◽  
Alejandro Pezza ◽  
Fernando C. Soncini

ABSTRACT Salmonella ΔcuiD strains form mucoid colonies on copper-containing solid media. We show here that this multiaggregative behavior is caused by the Rcs-dependent induction of colanic acid extracellular polysaccharide. Deletion of cps operon genes in a ΔcuiD strain increased the sensitivity to copper, indicating a role for colanic acid in copper resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 3982
Author(s):  
Karolina Kotecka ◽  
Adam Kawalek ◽  
Kamil Kobylecki ◽  
Aneta Agnieszka Bartosik

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a facultative human pathogen, causing acute and chronic infections that are especially dangerous for immunocompromised patients. The eradication of P. aeruginosa is difficult due to its intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, high adaptability, and genetic plasticity. The bacterium possesses multilevel regulatory systems engaging a huge repertoire of transcriptional regulators (TRs). Among these, the MarR family encompasses a number of proteins, mainly acting as repressors, which are involved in response to various environmental signals. In this work, we aimed to decipher the role of PA3458, a putative MarR-type TR from P. aeruginosa. Transcriptional profiling of P. aeruginosa PAO1161 overexpressing PA3458 showed changes in the mRNA level of 133 genes; among them, 100 were down-regulated, suggesting the repressor function of PA3458. Concomitantly, ChIP-seq analysis identified more than 300 PA3458 binding sites in P. aeruginosa. The PA3458 regulon encompasses genes involved in stress response, including the PA3459–PA3461 operon, which is divergent to PA3458. This operon encodes an asparagine synthase, a GNAT-family acetyltransferase, and a glutamyl aminopeptidase engaged in the production of N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide (NAGGN), which is a potent bacterial osmoprotectant. We showed that PA3458-mediated control of PA3459–PA3461 expression is required for the adaptation of P. aeruginosa growth in high osmolarity. Overall, our data indicate that PA3458 plays a role in osmoadaptation control in P. aeruginosa.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Klaudia Staszak ◽  
Izabela Makałowska

This review summarizes the knowledge about retrogenes in the context of cancer and evolution. The retroposition, in which the processed mRNA from parental genes undergoes reverse transcription and the resulting cDNA is integrated back into the genome, results in additional copies of existing genes. Despite the initial misconception, retroposition-derived copies can become functional, and due to their role in the molecular evolution of genomes, they have been named the “seeds of evolution”. It is convincing that retrogenes, as important elements involved in the evolution of species, also take part in the evolution of neoplastic tumors at the cell and species levels. The occurrence of specific “resistance mechanisms” to neoplastic transformation in some species has been noted. This phenomenon has been related to additional gene copies, including retrogenes. In addition, the role of retrogenes in the evolution of tumors has been described. Retrogene expression correlates with the occurrence of specific cancer subtypes, their stages, and their response to therapy. Phylogenetic insights into retrogenes show that most cancer-related retrocopies arose in the lineage of primates, and the number of identified cancer-related retrogenes demonstrates that these duplicates are quite important players in human carcinogenesis.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 671
Author(s):  
Federica Giacometti ◽  
Hesamaddin Shirzad-Aski ◽  
Susana Ferreira

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem and there has been growing concern associated with its widespread along the animal–human–environment interface. The farm-to-fork continuum was highlighted as a possible reservoir of AMR, and a hotspot for the emergence and spread of AMR. However, the extent of the role of non-antibiotic antimicrobials and other food-related stresses as selective factors is still in need of clarification. This review addresses the use of non-antibiotic stressors, such as antimicrobials, food-processing treatments, or even novel approaches to ensure food safety, as potential drivers for resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. The co-selection and cross-adaptation events are covered, which may induce a decreased susceptibility of foodborne bacteria to antibiotics. Although the available studies address the complexity involved in these phenomena, further studies are needed to help better understand the real risk of using food-chain-related stressors, and possibly to allow the establishment of early warnings of potential resistance mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Ye Zeng ◽  
Bingmei M. Fu

Anti-angiogenic therapies (AATs) have been widely used for cancer treatment. But the beneficial effects of AATs are short, because AAT-induced tumor revascularization facilitates the tumor relapse. In this mini-review, we described different forms of tumor neovascularization and revascularization including sprouting angiogenesis, vessel co-option, intussusceptive angiogenesis, and vasculogenic mimicry, all of which are closely mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, matrix metalloproteinases, and exosomes. We also summarized the current findings for the resistance mechanisms of AATs including enhancement in pro-angiogenic cytokines, heterogeneity in tumor-associated endothelial cells (ECs), crosstalk between tumor cells and ECs, masking of extracellular vesicles, matrix stiffness and contributions from fibroblasts, macrophages and adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment. We highlighted the revascularization following AATs, particularly the role of exosome stimulating factors such as hypoxia and miRNA, and that of exosomal cargos such as cytokines, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs from the tumor ECs in angiogenesis and revascularization. Finally, we proposed that renormalization of tumor ECs would be a more efficient cancer therapy than the current AATs.


1965 ◽  
Vol 162 (989) ◽  
pp. 555-566 ◽  

Growth in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of copper enhances the tendency of yeast to flocculate. Many yeasts will not flocculate unless calcium is included in the growth medium and Guinness strain 522 used in the present work required a relatively large amount. Single cell cultures may undergo variation during subculture, resulting in the production of a large number of variants (Chester 1963). The cells of these variants differ considerably in their ability to adhere together. Flocculation variants of strain 522 differed among themselves in the amount of calcium necessary for flocculation, the most flocculent variants requiring least calcium. Washed cells of the more flocculent yeasts removed more calcium from a calcium chloride solution than did those with lesser powers of adhesion. In a copper medium con­taining calcium the more flocculent variants replaced the less flocculent. Calcium protected cells from copper and the more flocculent variants enjoyed most protection. All variants acquired resistance to copper during growth in the copper medium. Despite the selection of the more flocculent yeasts during growth in liquid medium, their copper resistance was less than that of the less flocculent yeasts. When calcium was added to the liquid copper medium, cultures developed less resistance. It is concluded that the less flocculent cells, having less protection by calcium, were exposed to what was effectively a greater concentration of copper and therefore became more resistant. This greater resistance did not enable these cells to compete with the flocculent cells in liquid cultures.


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