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Volume 158,
Issue 4,
2012
Volume 158, Issue 4, 2012
- Cell and Molecular Biology of Microbes
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The effect of iron availability on transcription of the Neisseria meningitidis fHbp gene varies among clonal complexes
More LessFactor H binding protein (fHbp) is a major antigenic component of novel vaccines designed to protect against meningococcal disease. Prediction of the potential coverage of these vaccines is difficult, as fHbp is antigenically variable and levels of expression differ among isolates. Transcriptional regulation of the fHbp gene is poorly understood, although evidence suggests that oxygen availability is involved. In this study iron accessibility was found to affect fHbp transcription. However, regulation differed among meningococcal clonal complexes (ccs). For the majority of isolates, increased iron concentrations upregulated transcription. This effect was enhanced by the presence of a 181 bp insertion element upstream of fHbp, associated with isolates belonging to cc4 and cc5. Conversely, meningococci belonging to cc32 showed iron-repressed control of fHbp, as regulation was dominated by cotranscription with the iron-repressed upstream gene cbbA. These results highlight the complexity of fHbp regulation and demonstrate that control of transcription can vary among genetic lineages.
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Deletion of the murein hydrolase CbpD reduces transformation efficiency in Streptococcus thermophilus
More LessRecently it has been shown that Streptococcus thermophilus is competent for natural genetic transformation. This property is widespread among streptococci and may include all members of the genus. Upon entering the competent state, streptococci start transcribing a number of competence-specific genes whose products are required for binding, uptake and processing of transforming DNA. In addition to the core competence genes, competent streptococci express a number of accessory genes that are dispensable for transformation in the laboratory, but presumably play an important role under natural conditions. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of these accessory genes encodes a competence-specific murein hydrolase termed CbpD. Experimental evidence indicates that pneumococcal CbpD is part of a predatory mechanism that lyses noncompetent sister cells or members of closely related species in order to release homologous DNA that can be taken up by the competent attacker cells. Competent S. thermophilus LMG18311 cells produce a CbpD-like protein, Stu0039, which might have the same or a similar function. In the present study we have characterized this protein and shown that it is a murein hydrolase with a novel type of cell surface-binding domain. Furthermore, we show that Stu0039 is rapidly inactivated by H2O2 produced during aerobic growth of S. thermophilus. We propose that this inactivation mechanism has evolved for self-protection purposes to prevent extensive autolysis in a competent population. Interestingly, in contrast to pneumococcal CbpD, which does not affect the transformation properties of the producer strain, deletion of Stu0039 reduces the transformability of S. thermophilus.
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Identification of a novel nanoRNase in Bartonella
In Escherichia coli, only one essential oligoribonuclease (Orn) can degrade oligoribonucleotides of five residues and shorter in length (nanoRNA). In Bacillus subtilis, NrnA and NrnB, which do not show any sequence similarity to Orn, have been identified as functional analogues of Orn. Sequence comparisons did not identify orn, nrnA or nrnB homologues in the genomes of the Chlamydia/Cyanobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria family members. Screening a genomic library from Bartonella birtlesii, a member of the Alphaproteobacteria, for genes that can complement a conditional orn mutant in E. coli, we identified BA0969 (NrnC) as a functional analogue of Orn. NrnC is highly conserved (more than 80 % identity) in the Bartonella genomes sequenced to date. Biochemical characterization showed that this protein exhibits oligo RNA degradation activity (nanoRNase activity). Like Orn from E. coli, NrnC is inhibited by micromolar amounts of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphate in vitro. NrnC homologues are widely present in genomes of Alphaproteobacteria. Knock down of nrnC decreases the growth ability of Bartonella henselae, demonstrating the importance of nanoRNase activity in this bacterium.
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The PhzI/PhzR quorum-sensing system is required for pyrrolnitrin and phenazine production, and exhibits cross-regulation with RpoS in Pseudomonas chlororaphis PA23
More LessThe aim of the current study was to determine how quorum sensing (QS) affects the production of secondary metabolites in Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain PA23. A phzR mutant (PA23phzR) and an N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-deficient strain (PA23-6863) were generated that no longer inhibited the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in vitro. Both strains exhibited reduced pyrrolnitrin (PRN), phenazine (PHZ) and protease production. Moreover, phzA–lacZ and prnA–lacZ transcription was significantly reduced in PA23phzR and PA23-6863. As the majority of secondary metabolites are produced at the onset of stationary phase, we investigated whether cross-regulation occurs between QS and RpoS. Analysis of transcriptional fusions revealed that RpoS has a positive and negative effect on phzI and phzR, respectively. In a reciprocal manner, RpoS is positively regulated by QS. Characterization of a phzRrpoS double mutant showed reduced antifungal activity as well as PRN and PHZ production, similar to the QS-deficient strains. Furthermore, phzR but not rpoS was able to complement the phzRrpoS double mutant for the aforementioned traits, indicating that the Phz QS system is a central regulator of PA23-mediated antagonism. Finally, we discovered that QS and RpoS have opposing effects on PA23 biofilm formation. While both QS-deficient strains produced little biofilm, the rpoS mutant showed enhanced biofilm production compared with PA23. Collectively, our findings indicate that QS controls diverse aspects of PA23 physiology, including secondary metabolism, RpoS and biofilm formation. As such, QS is expected to play a crucial role in PA23 biocontrol and persistence in the environment.
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The Pseudomonas aeruginosa rmlBDAC operon, encoding dTDP-l-rhamnose biosynthetic enzymes, is regulated by the quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator RhlR and the alternative sigma factor σS
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces as biosurfactants rhamnolipids, containing one (mono-rhamnolipid) or two (di-rhamnolipid) l-rhamnose molecules. The rhamnosyltransferase RhlB catalyses the synthesis of mono-rhamnolipid using as precursors dTDP-l-rhamnose and 3-(3-hydroxyalkanoyloxy)alkanoic acids (HAAs) produced by RhlA, while the rhamnosyltransferase RhlC synthesizes di-rhamnolipid using mono-rhamnolipid and dTDP-l-rhamnose as substrates. The Las and Rhl quorum-sensing systems coordinately regulate the production of these surfactants, as well as that of other exoproducts involved in bacterial virulence, at the transcriptional level in a cell density-dependent manner. In this work we study the transcriptional regulation of the rmlBDAC operon, encoding the enzymes involved in the production of dTDP-l-rhamnose, the substrate of both rhamnosyltransferases, RhlB and RhlC, and also a component of P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide. Here we show that the rmlBDAC operon possesses three promoters. One of these transcriptional start sites (P2) is responsible for most of its expression and is dependent on the stationary phase sigma factor σS and on RhlR/C4-HSL through its binding to an atypical ‘las box’.
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Mechanism of methionine synthase overexpression in chaperonin-depleted Escherichia coli
More LessThe chaperonin GroE (GroEL and the co-chaperonin GroES) is the only chaperone system that is essential for the viability of Escherichia coli. GroE is absolutely required for the folding of at least 57 proteins in E. coli, referred to as class IV substrates, and assists in the folding of many more. Although GroE is mainly involved in protein folding, when it is depleted, the expression levels of about a hundred further proteins can be seen to increase, most prominently methionine synthase (MetE). Here we investigate the mechanism of metE overexpression in GroE-depleted cells. Gene fusion experiments in which the metE transcriptional region was fused to an assayable reporter showed that addition of a GroE-independent MetK homologue [MetK synthesizes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the metJ corepressor] to the system (E. coli MetK depends on GroE for folding) almost fully suppressed the increased expression. An analysis of deletion mutants in the metE promoter, and overexpression and disruption of the metR gene, showed that the absence of MetJ binding and increased levels of the activator MetR resulted in the overexpression of MetE. We conclude that the need of metE for metK, and the need of metK for GroE, can explain the overexpression of methionine synthase in GroE-depleted cells.
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Interplay between the transcription factors acting on the GATA- and GABA-responsive elements of Saccharomyces cerevisiae UGA promoters
More Lessγ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport and catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are subject to a complex transcriptional control that depends on the nutritional status of the cells. The expression of the genes that form the UGA regulon is inducible by GABA and sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR). GABA induction of these genes is mediated by Uga3 and Dal81 transcription factors, whereas GATA factors are responsible for NCR. Here, we show how members of the UGA regulon share the activation mechanism. Our results show that both Uga3 and Dal81 interact with UGA genes in a GABA-dependent manner, and that they depend on each other for the interaction with their target promoters and the transcriptional activation. The typical DNA-binding domain Zn(II)2-Cys6 of Dal81 is unnecessary for its activity and Uga3 acts as a bridge between Dal81 and DNA. Both the trans-activation activity of the GATA factor Gln3 and the repressive activity of the GATA factor Dal80 are exerted by their interaction with UGA promoters in response to GABA, indicating that Uga3, Dal81, Gln3 and Dal80 all act in concert to induce the expression of UGA genes. So, an interplay between the factors responsible for GABA induction and those responsible for NCR in the regulation of the UGA genes is proposed here.
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Genetic and biochemical characteristics of the histone-like protein DR0199 in Deinococcus radiodurans
Bacterial histone-like proteins are important for nucleoid structure, cell growth, DNA replication, recombination and gene regulation. In this study, we focused on the role of DR0199 (the EbfC orthologue), a newly identified member of the nucleoid-associated protein family in Deinococcus radiodurans. The survival fraction of DR0199-null mutant decreased by tenfold after treatment with 50 mM H2O2, nearly sixfold at a 10 kGy dose of gamma ray and nearly eightfold at a UV exposure of 1000 J m−2 compared with wild-type cells. The results of fluorescence labelling assays indicated that DR0199 protein localized in the nucleoid area of cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that D. radiodurans DR0199 is a DNA-binding protein. Furthermore, DNA protection assays suggested that DR0199 shields DNA from hydroxyl radical- and DNase I-mediated cleavage. The supercoiling of relaxed plasmid DNA in the presence of topoisomerase I revealed that DR0199 constrains DNA supercoils in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that DR0199 is a protein with DNA-protective properties and histone-like features that are involved in protecting D. radiodurans DNA from damage.
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Identification of lactose phosphotransferase systems in Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323 required for lactose utilization
More LessImproving the annotation of sugar catabolism-related genes requires functional characterization. Our objective was to identify the genes necessary for lactose utilization by Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323 (NCK334). The mechanism of lactose transport in many lactobacilli is a lactose/galactose-specific permease, yet no orthologue was found in NCK334. Characterization of an EI knockout strain [EI (enzyme I) is required for phosphotransferase system transporter (PTS) function] demonstrated that L. gasseri requires PTS(s) to utilize lactose. In order to determine which PTS(s) were necessary for lactose utilization, we compared transcript expression profiles in response to lactose for the 15 complete PTSs identified in the NCK334 genome. PTS 6CB (LGAS_343) and PTS 8C (LGAS_497) were induced in the presence of lactose 107- and 53-fold, respectively. However, L. gasseri ATCC 33323 PTS 6CB, PTS 8C had a growth rate similar to that of the wild-type on semisynthetic deMan, Rogosa, Sharpe (MRS) medium with lactose. Expression profiles of L. gasseri ATCC 33323 PTS 6CB, PTS 8C in response to lactose identified PTS 9BC (LGAS_501) as 373-fold induced, whereas PTS 9BC was not induced in NCK334. Elimination of growth on lactose required the inactivation of both PTS 6CB and PTS 9BC. Among the six candidate phospho-β-galactosidase genes present in the NCK334 genome, LGAS_344 was found to be induced 156-fold in the presence of lactose. In conclusion, we have determined that: (1) NCK334 uses a PTS to import lactose; (2) PTS 6CB and PTS 8C gene expression is strongly induced by lactose; and (3) elimination of PTS 6CB and PTS 9BC is required to prevent growth on lactose.
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Roles of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in the resistance to oxidative stress in Lactobacillus casei
More LessThe Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota used in this study has in the genome four putative thioredoxin genes designated trxA1, trxA2, trxA3 and trxA4, and one putative thioredoxin reductase gene designated trxB. To elucidate the roles of the thioredoxins and the thioredoxin reductase against oxidative stress in L. casei, we constructed gene disruption mutants, in which each of the genes trxA1, trxA2 and trxB, or both trxA1 and trxA2 were disrupted, and we characterized their growth and response to oxidative stresses. In aerobic conditions, the trxA1 (MS108) and the trxA2 (MS109) mutants had moderate growth defects, and the trxA1 trxA2 double mutant (MS110) had a severe growth defect, which was characterized by elongation of doubling time and a lower final turbidity level. Furthermore, the trxB mutant (MS111), which is defective in thioredoxin reductase, lost the ability to grow under aerobic conditions, although it grew partially under anaerobic conditions. The growth of these mutants, however, could be substantially restored by the addition of dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione. In addition, MS110 and MS111 were more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and disulfide stress than the wild-type. In particular, the stress sensitivity of MS111 was significantly increased. On the other hand, transcription of all these genes was only weakly affected by these oxidative stresses. Taken together, these results suggest that the thioredoxin–thioredoxin reductase system is the major thiol/disulfide redox system and is essential to allow the facultative anaerobe L. casei to grow under aerobic conditions.
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Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of the cell envelope stress response and the role of LisRK and CesRK in Listeria monocytogenes
The Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the environment and capable of causing food-borne infections in susceptible individuals. In this study, we investigated the cell envelope stress response in L. monocytogenes. Whole-genome transcriptional profiling was performed to investigate the response upon exposure to the cell wall antibiotic cefuroxime. Differential expression (at least twofold) of 558 genes was observed, corresponding to 20 % of the L. monocytogenes genome. The majority of genes that were strongly induced by cefuroxime exposure have cell-envelope-related functions, including the dlt operon and the gene encoding penicillin-binding protein PBPD2. A large overlap was observed between the cefuroxime stimulon and genes known to be induced in L. monocytogenes in blood and during intracellular infection, indicating that the cell envelope stress response is active at various stages of the infectious process. We analysed the roles of the two-component systems LisRK and CesRK in the cell envelope response, showing that activation of the most highly cefuroxime-induced genes was LisR- and CesR-dependent. In addition, multiple VirRS- and LiaSR-regulated genes were found to be induced in response to cefuroxime exposure. In total, 53 % of the genes upregulated at least fourfold by cefuroxime exposure are under positive control by one of the four two-component systems. Using genetic analyses, we showed that several genes of the cefuroxime stimulon contribute to the innate resistance of L. monocytogenes to cefuroxime and tolerance to other cell-envelope-perturbing conditions. Collectively, these findings demonstrate central roles for two-component systems in orchestrating the cell envelope stress response in L. monocytogenes.
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NdnR is an NAD-responsive transcriptional repressor of the ndnR operon involved in NAD de novo biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum
More LessThe Corynebacterium glutamicum ndnR gene, which is chromosomally located in a gene cluster involved in NAD de novo biosynthesis, negatively regulates expression of the cluster genes, i.e. nadA, nadC, nadS and ndnR itself. Although ndnR encodes a member of the recently identified NrtR family of transcriptional regulators, whether or not the NdnR protein directly regulates these NAD biosynthesis genes remains to be verified. Here, two NdnR binding sites in the promoter region of the ndnR-nadA-nadC-nadS operon in C. glutamicum were confirmed by in vitro DNA binding assay and analysis of in vivo expression of the chromosomally integrated ndnR promoter–lacZ reporter fusion. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the NdnR protein binds to the 5′-upstream region of ndnR, and that the binding is significantly enhanced by NAD. Mutation in two 21 bp NdnR binding motifs in the ndnR promoter region inhibited the binding of NdnR in vitro. The mutation also enhanced the promoter activity in cells cultured in the presence of nicotinate, which is utilized in NAD biosynthesis, resulting in the loss of the repression in response to an exogenous NAD precursor; this is consistent with the effect of deletion of ndnR reported in our previous study. These results indicate that NAD acts as a co-repressor for the NdnR protein that directly regulates the ndnR operon involved in NAD de novo biosynthesis; the NAD–NdnR regulatory system likely plays an important role in the control of NAD homeostasis in C. glutamicum.
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- Environmental and Evolutionary Microbiology
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Short-term modifications in the distal gut microbiota of weaning mice induced by a high-fat diet
The gut microbiota has been shown to be involved in host energy homeostasis and diet-induced metabolic disorders. To gain insight into the relationships among diet, microbiota and the host, we evaluated the effects of a high-fat (HF) diet on the gut bacterial community in weaning mice. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control diet or a diet enriched with soy oil for 1 and 2 weeks. Administration of the HF diet caused an increase in plasma total cholesterol levels, while no significant differences in body weight gain were observed between the two diets. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles indicated considerable variations in the caecal microbial communities of mice on the HF diet, as compared with controls. Two DGGE bands with reduced intensities in HF-fed mice were identified as representing Lactobacillus gasseri and an uncultured Bacteroides species, whereas a band of increased intensity was identified as representing a Clostridium populeti-related species upon sequencing. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed a statistically significant 1-log decrease in L. gasseri cell numbers after HF feeding, and revealed a significantly lower level of Bifidobacterium spp. in the control groups after 1 and 2 weeks compared with that in the HF groups. These alterations of intestinal microbiota were not associated with caecum inflammation, as assessed by histological analysis. The observed shifts of specific bacterial populations within the gut may represent an early consequence of increased dietary fat.
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- Genes and Genomes
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Multilocus sequence phylogenetic analysis of Avibacterium
More LessThis study examined 49 field isolates of the genus Avibacterium, with the 49 being allocated to 36 epidemiologically unrelated groups and one isolate from each group being examined in detail. In addition, six type and reference strains were investigated. Phylogenetic analysis of partially sequenced recN, rpoB, infB, pgi and sodA genes confirmed the existence of the species Avibacterium paragallinarum, while a species complex encompassing Avibacterium volantium, Avibacterium avium, Avibacterium gallinarum, Avibacterium endocarditis and Avibacterium sp. A could not be resolved. All isolates shared at least one identical sequence in one gene, indicating low diversity or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between isolates. Such HGT between isolates of defined species and unclassified isolates combined with high sequence similarity can be explained as the result of an ongoing speciation process. The alternative explanation is that Av. volantium, Av. avium and Avibacterium sp. A were misclassified originally. Except for Av. paragallinarum, identification of species of Avibacterium seems problematic, even by DNA sequencing, as shown in the present investigation. The results indicate that Avibacterium probably contains only two or three species. Until the taxonomic revision is completed we recommend that isolates that do not fit with named species by genotype and phenotype be designated Avibacterium sp.
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Ribosomal multilocus sequence typing: universal characterization of bacteria from domain to strain
No single genealogical reconstruction or typing method currently encompasses all levels of bacterial diversity, from domain to strain. We propose ribosomal multilocus sequence typing (rMLST), an approach which indexes variation of the 53 genes encoding the bacterial ribosome protein subunits (rps genes), as a means of integrating microbial genealogy and typing. As with multilocus sequence typing (MLST), rMLST employs curated reference sequences to identify gene variants efficiently and rapidly. The rps loci are ideal targets for a universal characterization scheme as they are: (i) present in all bacteria; (ii) distributed around the chromosome; and (iii) encode proteins which are under stabilizing selection for functional conservation. Collectively, the rps loci exhibit variation that resolves bacteria into groups at all taxonomic and most typing levels, providing significantly more resolution than 16S small subunit rRNA gene phylogenies. A web-accessible expandable database, comprising whole-genome data from more than 1900 bacterial isolates, including 28 draft genomes assembled de novo from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) sequence read archive, has been assembled. The rps gene variation catalogued in this database permits rapid and computationally non-intensive identification of the phylogenetic position of any bacterial sequence at the domain, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species and strain levels. The groupings generated with rMLST data are consistent with current nomenclature schemes and independent of the clustering algorithm used. This approach is applicable to the other domains of life, potentially providing a rational and universal approach to the classification of life that is based on one of its fundamental features, the translation mechanism.
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The mating-related loci sexM and sexP of the zygomycetous fungus Mucor mucedo and their transcriptional regulation by trisporoid pheromones
More LessThe putative mating type locus of mucoralean fungi consists of a single high mobility group (HMG)-domain transcription factor gene, sexM or sexP, flanked by genes for an RNA helicase and a triosephosphate transporter. We used degenerate primers derived from the amino acid sequence of the RNA helicase to sequence a fragment of this gene from Mucor mucedo. This fragment was extended by inverse PCR to obtain the complete sequences of the sex loci from both mating types of M. mucedo. The sex loci in M. mucedo reflect the general picture obtained previously for Phycomyces blakesleeanus, presenting a single HMG-domain transcription factor gene, sexM and sexP in the minus and plus mating types, respectively. These are located next to a gene for RNA helicase. Transcriptional analysis by quantitative real-time PCR showed that only transcription of sexM is considerably stimulated by adding trisporoid pheromones, thus mimicking sexual stimulation, whereas sexP is only slightly affected. These differences in regulation between sexM and sexP are supported by the observation that the promoter sequences controlling these genes show no similarities. The protein structures themselves are considerably different. The SexM, but not the SexP protein harbours a nuclear localization sequence. The SexM protein is indeed transported to nuclei. This was shown by means of a GFP fusion construct that was used to study the localization of SexM in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fusion protein is highly enriched in nuclei.
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Localization and molecular characterization of putative O antigen gene clusters of Providencia species
Enterobacteria of the genus Providencia are opportunistic human pathogens associated with urinary tract and wound infections, as well as enteric diseases. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O antigen confers major antigenic variability upon the cell surface and is used for serotyping of Gram-negative bacteria. Recently, Providencia O antigen structures have been extensively studied, but no data on the location and organization of the O antigen gene cluster have been reported. In this study, the four Providencia genome sequences available were analysed, and the putative O antigen gene cluster was identified in the polymorphic locus between the cpxA and yibK genes. This finding provided the necessary information for designing primers, and cloning and sequencing the O antigen gene clusters from five more Providencia alcalifaciens strains. The gene functions predicted in silico were in agreement with the known O antigen structures; furthermore, annotation of the genes involved in the three-step synthesis of GDP-colitose (gmd, colD and colC) was supported by cloning and biochemical characterization of the corresponding enzymes. In one strain (P. alcalifaciens O39), no polysaccharide product of the gene cluster in the cpxA–yibK locus was found, and hence genes for synthesis of the existing O antigen are located elsewhere in the genome. In addition to the putative O antigen synthesis genes, homologues of wza, wzb, wzc and (in three strains) wzi, required for the surface expression of capsular polysaccharides, were found upstream of yibK in all species except Providencia rustigianii, suggesting that the LPS of these species may be attributed to the so-called K LPS (KLPS). The data obtained open a way for development of a PCR-based typing method for identification of Providencia isolates.
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- Microbial Pathogenicity
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Identification and functional analysis of the cyclopropane fatty acid synthase of Brucella abortus
The brucellae are facultative intracellular pathogens of mammals that are transmitted by contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. Several major lipidic components of the brucella cell envelope are imperfectly recognized by innate immunity, thus contributing to virulence. These components carry large proportions of acyl chains of lactobacillic acid, a long chain cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA). CFAs result from addition of a methylene group to unsaturated acyl chains and contribute to resistance to acidity, dryness and high osmolarity in many bacteria and to virulence in mycobacteria. We examined the role of lactobacillic acid in Brucella abortus virulence by creating a mutant in ORF BAB1_0476, the putative CFA synthase gene. The mutant did not incorporate [14C]methyl groups into lipids, lacked CFAs and synthesized the unsaturated precursors, proving that BAB1_0476 actually encodes a CFA synthase. BAB1_0476 promoter–luxAB fusion studies showed that CFA synthase expression was promoted by acid pH and high osmolarity. The mutant was not attenuated in macrophages or mice, strongly suggesting that CFAs are not essential for B. abortus intracellular life. However, when the mutant was tested under high osmolarity on agar and acid pH, two conditions likely to occur on contaminated materials and fomites, they showed reduced ability to grow or survive. Since CFA synthesis entails high ATP expenses and brucellae produce large proportions of lactobacillic acyl chains, we speculate that the CFA synthase has been conserved because it is useful for survival extracellularly, thus facilitating persistence in contaminated materials and transmission to new hosts.
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Fur-dependent MrkHI regulation of type 3 fimbriae in Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43
More LessType 3 fimbriae play a crucial role in Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm formation, but the mechanism of the regulation of the type 3 fimbrial operon is largely unknown. In K. pneumoniae CG43, three regulatory genes, mrkH, mrkI and mrkJ, are located downstream of the type 3 fimbrial genes mrkABCDF. The production of the major pilin MrkA is abolished by the deletion of mrkH or mrkI but slightly increased by the deletion of mrkJ. Additionally, quantitative RT-PCR and a promoter–reporter assay of mrkHI verified that the transcription of mrkHI was activated by MrkI, suggesting autoactivation of mrkHI transcription. In addition, sequence analysis of the mrkH promoter region revealed a putative ferric uptake regulator (Fur) box. Deletion of fur decreased the transcription of mrkH, mrkI and mrkA. The expression of type 3 fimbriae and bacterial biofilm formation were also reduced by the deletion of fur. Moreover, a recombinant Fur was found to be able to bind both promoters, with higher affinity for P mrkH than P mrkA , implying that Fur controls type 3 fimbriae expression via MrkHI. We also proved that iron availability can influence type 3 fimbriae activity.
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A novel host-responsive sensor mediates virulence and type III secretion during Pseudomonas aeruginosa–host cell interactions
More LessSensitive sensory mechanisms are instrumental in affording Pseudomonas aeruginosa the capacity to establish diverse yet severe human infections, which can manifest themselves in long-term untreatable disease. The ability of P. aeruginosa to tightly regulate gene expression and virulence factor production, in response to activation of these sensory components, enables the pathogen to sustain infection despite the host immune response and aggressive antibiotic treatment. Although a number of factors are recognized as playing a role in early infection, very little is known regarding the sensors involved in this process. In this study, we identified P. aeruginosa PA3191 as a novel host-responsive sensor that plays a key role during P. aeruginosa–host interactions and is required for optimum colonization and dissemination in a mouse model of infection. We demonstrated that PA3191 contributed to modulation of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in response to host cells and T3SS-inducing conditions in vitro. PA3191 (designated GtrS) acted in concert with the response regulator GltR to regulate the OprB transport system and subsequently carbon metabolism. Through this signal transduction pathway, T3SS activation was mediated via the RsmAYZ regulatory cascade and involved the global anaerobic response regulator Anr.
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Volume 73 (1972)
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Volume 72 (1972)
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Volume 71 (1972)
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Volume 70 (1972)
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Volume 69 (1971)
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Volume 68 (1971)
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Volume 67 (1971)
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Volume 66 (1971)
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Volume 65 (1971)
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Volume 64 (1970)
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Volume 63 (1970)
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Volume 62 (1970)
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Volume 61 (1970)
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Volume 60 (1970)
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Volume 59 (1969)
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Volume 58 (1969)
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Volume 57 (1969)
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Volume 56 (1969)
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Volume 55 (1969)
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Volume 54 (1968)
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Volume 53 (1968)
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Volume 52 (1968)
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Volume 51 (1968)
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Volume 50 (1968)
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Volume 49 (1967)
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Volume 48 (1967)
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Volume 47 (1967)
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Volume 46 (1967)
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Volume 45 (1966)
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Volume 44 (1966)
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Volume 43 (1966)
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Volume 42 (1966)
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Volume 41 (1965)
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Volume 40 (1965)
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Volume 39 (1965)
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Volume 38 (1965)
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Volume 37 (1964)
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Volume 36 (1964)
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Volume 35 (1964)
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Volume 34 (1964)
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Volume 33 (1963)
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Volume 32 (1963)
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Volume 31 (1963)
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Volume 30 (1963)
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Volume 29 (1962)
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Volume 28 (1962)
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Volume 27 (1962)
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Volume 26 (1961)
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Volume 25 (1961)
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Volume 24 (1961)
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Volume 23 (1960)
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Volume 22 (1960)
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Volume 21 (1959)
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Volume 20 (1959)
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Volume 19 (1958)
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Volume 18 (1958)
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Volume 17 (1957)
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Volume 16 (1957)
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Volume 15 (1956)
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Volume 14 (1956)
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Volume 13 (1955)
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Volume 12 (1955)
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Volume 11 (1954)
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Volume 10 (1954)
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Volume 9 (1953)
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Volume 8 (1953)
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Volume 7 (1952)
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Volume 6 (1952)
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Volume 5 (1951)
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Volume 4 (1950)
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Volume 3 (1949)
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Volume 2 (1948)
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Volume 1 (1947)
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