scholarly journals Construction and Characterization of a proU-gfp Transcriptional Fusion That Measures Water Availability in a Microbial Habitat

2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 4604-4612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Axtell ◽  
Gwyn A. Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Deprivation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Transcriptional Fusion ◽  
Bacterial Biosensor ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Quantitative Manner ◽  
Microbial Habitat

ABSTRACT We constructed and characterized a transcriptional fusion that measures the availability of water to a bacterial cell. This fusion between the proU promoter from Escherichia coli and the reporter gene gfp was introduced into strains of E. coli, Pantoea agglomerans, and Pseudomonas syringae. The proU-gfp fusion in these bacterial biosensor strains responded in a quantitative manner to water deprivation caused by the presence of NaCl, Na2SO4, KCl, or polyethylene glycol (molecular weight, 8000). The fusion was induced to a detectable level by NaCl concentrations of as low as 10 mM in all three bacterial species. Water deprivation induced proU-gfp expression in both planktonic and surface-associated cells; however, it induced a higher level of expression in the surface-associated cells. Following the introduction of P. agglomerans biosensor cells onto bean leaves, the cells detected a significant decrease in water availability within only 5 min. After 30 min, the populations were exposed, on average, to a water potential equivalent to that imposed by approximately 55 mM NaCl. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a proU-gfp-based biosensor for evaluating water availability on leaves. Furthermore, the inducibility of proU-gfp in multiple bacterial species illustrates the potential for tailoring proU-gfp-based biosensors to specific habitats.

scholarly journals Discovery and Characterization of Low-Molecular Weight Inhibitors of Erwinia tracheiphila

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 989-998
Author(s):  
Cláudio M. Vrisman ◽  
Loïc Deblais ◽  
Yosra A. Helmy ◽  
Reed Johnson ◽  
Gireesh Rajashekara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacillus Species ◽  
Erwinia Tracheiphila ◽  
Static Activity ◽  
Low Toxicity

Plant pathogenic bacteria in the genus Erwinia cause economically important diseases, including bacterial wilt of cucurbits caused by Erwinia tracheiphila. Conventional bactericides are insufficient to control this disease. Using high-throughput screening, 464 small molecules (SMs) with either cidal or static activity at 100 µM against a cucumber strain of E. tracheiphila were identified. Among them, 20 SMs (SM1 to SM20), composed of nine distinct chemical moiety structures, were cidal to multiple E. tracheiphila strains at 100 µM. These lead SMs had low toxicity to human cells and honey bees at 100 µM. No phytotoxicity was observed on melon plants at 100 µM, except when SM12 was either mixed with Silwet L-77 and foliar sprayed or when delivered through the roots. Lead SMs did not inhibit the growth of beneficial Pseudomonas and Enterobacter species but inhibited the growth of Bacillus species. Nineteen SMs were cidal to Xanthomonas cucurbitae and showed >50% growth inhibition against Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans. In addition, 19 SMs were cidal or static against Erwinia amylovora in vitro. Five SMs demonstrated potential to suppress E. tracheiphila when foliar sprayed on melon plants at 2× the minimum bactericidal concentration. Thirteen SMs reduced Et load in melon plants when delivered via roots. Temperature and light did not affect the activity of SMs. In vitro cidal activity was observed after 3 to 10 h of exposure to these five SMs. Here, we report 19 SMs that provide chemical scaffolds for future development of bactericides against plant pathogenic bacterial species.

scholarly journals First Report of a Foodborne Salmonella enterica Serovar Gloucester (4:i:l,w) ST34 Strain Harboring blaCTX–M–55 and qnrS Genes Located in IS26-Mediated Composite Transposon

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Li ◽  
Rikke Heidemann Olsen ◽  
Anhua Song ◽  
Jian Xiao ◽  
Chong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Structural Unit ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Long Read ◽  
Phenotypic And Genotypic Characterization

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production and (fluoro)quinolone (FQ) resistance among Salmonella pose a public health threat. The objective of this study was the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of an ESBL-producing and nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Gloucester isolate (serotype 4:i:l,w) of sequence type 34 (ST34) from ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products in China. Whole-genome short and long read sequencing (HiSeq and MinION) results showed that it contained blaCTX–M–55, qnrS1, and tetB genes, with blaCTX–M–55 and qnrS1 located in chromosomal IS26-mediated composite transposon (IS26–qnrS1–IS3–Tn3–orf–blaCTX–M–55–ISEcp1–IS26). The same genetic structure was found in the chromosome of S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium strain and in several plasmids of Escherichia coli, indicating that the IS26-mediated composite transposon in the chromosome of S. Gloucester may originate from plasmids of E. coli and possess the ability to disseminate to Salmonella and other bacterial species. Besides, the structural unit qnrS1–IS3–Tn3–orf–blaCTX–M–55 was also observed to be linked with ISKpn19 in both the chromosomes and plasmids of various bacteria species, highlighting the contribution of the insertion sequences (IS26 and ISKpn19) to the co-dissemination of blaCTX–M–55 and qnrS1. To our knowledge, this is the first description of chromosomal blaCTX–M–55 and qnrS in S. Gloucester from RTE meat products. Our work expands the host range and provides additional evidence of the co-transfer of blaCTX–M–55 and qnrS1 among different species of Salmonella through the food chain.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of bacteria residing in the oral, gut, and fecal samples of different pheasant species

2023 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mushtaq ◽  
S. M. Bukhari ◽  
S. Ahmad ◽  
A. Khattak ◽  
M. B. Chattha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Phasianus Colchicus ◽  
Gut Content ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Staphylococcus Spp ◽  
Campylobacter Spp

Abstract There is a paucity of research conducted on microbial prevalence in pheasants. The microbiota of captive birds has zoonotic significance and must be characterize. Present study is therefore planned to assess the microbiota from oral, fecal and gut content of captive avian species. It will be helpful in characterization of harmful microbes. Different samples taken from oral, gut and feces of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), green pheasants (Phasianus versicolor), golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) and silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera). Samples were collected, diluted, and inoculated onto different agar plates (MacConkey, SS agar, MSA and nutrient agar) for cultivation of bacterial species. Colonies of E.coli, Staphylococcus spp. Brachyspira spp. and Campylobacter spp were observed based on colony morphology. Colony forming unit showed E. coli as frequently found bacteria in fecal, oral and gut contents of all the above pheasants. The overall significance difference was found among bacterial species of golden pheasants, green pheasant, ring-necked pheasant, and silver pheasants. It was concluded that E.coli is predominant isolated from heathy pheasants followed by Campylobacter, Staphylococcus and Brachyspira.

Isolation and Characterization of Levoglucosan Metabolizing Bacteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay S. Arya ◽  
Minh T. H. Hang ◽  
Mark A. Eiteman
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Expression ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequences ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Charred Wood

Bacteria were isolated from wastewater and soil containing charred wood remnants based on their ability to use levoglucosan as a sole carbon source and on their levoglucosan dehydrogenase (LGDH) activity. On the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences, these bacteria represented diverse genera of Microbacterium, Paenibacillus , Shinella , and Klebsiella . Genomic sequencing of the isolates verified that two isolates represented novel species, Paenibacillus athensensis MEC069 T and Shinella sumterensis MEC087 T , while the remaining isolates were closely related to either Microbacterium lacusdiani or Klebsiella pneumoniae . The genetic sequence of LGDH, lgdA , was found in the genomes of these four isolates as well as Pseudarthrobacter phenanthrenivorans Sphe3. The identity of the P. phenanthrenivorans LGDH was experimentally verified following recombinant expression in E. coli . Comparison of the putative genes surrounding lgdA in the isolate genomes indicated that several other gene products facilitate the bacterial catabolism of levoglucosan, including a putative sugar isomerase and several transport proteins. Importance Levoglucosan is the most prevalent soluble carbohydrate remaining after high temperature pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, but it is not fermented by typical production microbes such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . A few fungi metabolize levoglucosan via the enzyme levoglucosan kinase, while several bacteria metabolize levoglucosan via levoglucosan dehydrogenase. This study describes the isolation and characterization of four bacterial species which degrade levoglucosan. Each isolate is shown to contain several genes within an operon involved in levoglucosan degradation, furthering our understanding of bacteria which metabolize levoglucosan.

scholarly journals Characterization of Two New Aminopeptidases in Escherichia coli

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (11) ◽  
pp. 3671-3677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zheng ◽  
Richard J. Roberts ◽  
Simon Kasif ◽  
Chudi Guan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stop Codon ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Aminopeptidase Activity ◽  
Peptide Substrates ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Methionyl Aminopeptidase

ABSTRACT Two genes in the Escherichia coli genome, ypdE and ypdF, have been cloned and expressed, and their products have been purified. YpdF is shown to be a metalloenzyme with Xaa-Pro aminopeptidase activity and limited methionine aminopeptidase activity. Genes homologous to ypdF are widely distributed in bacterial species. The unique feature in the sequences of the products of these genes is a conserved C-terminal domain and a variable N-terminal domain. Full or partial deletion of the N terminus in YpdF leads to the loss of enzymatic activity. The conserved C-terminal domain is homologous to that of the methionyl aminopeptidase (encoded by map) in E. coli. However, YpdF and Map differ in their preference for the amino acid next to the initial methionine in the peptide substrates. The implication of this difference is discussed. ypdE is the immediate downstream gene of ypdF, and its start codon overlaps with the stop codon of ypdF by 1 base. YpdE is shown to be a metalloaminopeptidase and has a broad exoaminopeptidase activity.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Osmoprotectant Transporter OpuC from Pseudomonas syringae and Demonstration that Cystathionine-β-Synthase Domains Are Required for Its Osmoregulatory Function

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (19) ◽  
pp. 6901-6912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiliang Chen ◽  
Gwyn A. Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Glycine Betaine ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Functional Evaluation ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Cbs Domains ◽  
Osmoregulatory Function ◽  
Binding Component

ABSTRACT The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae may cope with osmotic stress on plants, in part, by importing osmoprotective compounds. In this study, we found that P. syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 was distinct from most bacterial species in deriving greater osmoprotection from exogenous choline than from glycine betaine. This superior osmoprotection was correlated with a higher capacity for uptake of choline than for uptake of glycine betaine. Of four putative osmoregulatory ABC transporters in DC3000, one, designated OpuC, functioned as the primary or sole transporter for glycine betaine and as one of multiple transporters for choline under high osmolarity. Surprisingly, the homolog of the well-characterized ProU transporter from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium did not function in osmoprotection. The P. syringae pv. tomato OpuC transporter was more closely related to the Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes OpuC transporters than to known osmoprotectant transporters in gram-negative bacteria based on sequence similarity and genetic arrangement. The P. syringae pv. tomato OpuC transporter had a high affinity for glycine betaine, a low affinity for choline, and a broad substrate specificity that included acetylcholine, carnitine, and proline betaine. Tandem cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domains in the ATP-binding component of OpuC were required for transporter function. The presence of these CBS domains was correlated with osmoregulatory function among the putative transporters examined in DC3000 and was found to be predictive of functional osmoregulatory transporters in other pseudomonads. These results provide the first functional evaluation of an osmoprotectant transporter in a Pseudomonas species and demonstrate the usefulness of the CBS domains as predictors of osmoregulatory activity.

scholarly journals Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing and AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Companion Animals in Korea

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Se Ra Shin ◽  
Seong Mi Noh ◽  
Woo Kyung Jung ◽  
Sook Shin ◽  
Young Kyung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
E Coli ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Single Clone

The emergence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is of great concern in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate ESC-resistant bacterial isolates from companion animals in South Korea between 2017 and 2019. Isolates with ESC resistance genes, which were identified by PCR, were assessed for genetic relatedness by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In total, 91 ESC-resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Serratia spp., and Enterobacter cloacae isolates harbored the blaTEM gene. Among other ESC resistance genes, blaCTX-M-15, blaCIT, and blaCTX-M-55 were predominantly detected in E. coli isolates, whereas blaSHV and blaDHA were more frequently detected in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. In addition, all blaEBC-positive isolates were classified as E. cloacae. From the MLST results, blaCTX-M-9-carrying ST131, blaCIT-carrying ST405, and blaCTX-M-1-carrying ST3285 strains were dominant among E. coli isolates. ST273 and ST275 strains harboring blaSHV were frequently detected in K. pneumoniae isolates. Various sequence types were obtained in E. cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolates. All isolates demonstrated unique PFGE profiles (<57–98% similarity) and were unlikely to be derived from a single clone. The present study reveals the presence and wide genetic distribution of ESC-resistant bacterial species in South Korean companion animals.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas syringaeIncreases Water Availability in Leaf Microenvironments via Production of Hygroscopic Syringafactin

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica N. Hernandez ◽  
Steven E. Lindow
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Leaf Surfaces ◽  
Leaf Apoplast

ABSTRACTThe epiphytic bacteriumPseudomonas syringaestrain B728a produces the biosurfactant syringafactin which is hygroscopic. The water absorbing potential of syringafactin is high. At high relative humidities, syringafactin attracts 250% of its weight in water but is less hygroscopic at lower relative humidities. This suggests that syringafactin’s benefit to the producing cells is strongly context-dependent. The contribution of syringafactin to the water availability around cells on different matrices was assessed by examining water availability biosensor strains that expressgfpvia the water-stress activatedproUpromoter. Wild-type cells exhibited significantly less GFP fluorescence than a syringafactin-deficient strain, on humid but dry filters as well as on leaf surfaces indicating higher water availability. When infiltrated into the leaf apoplast, wild-type cells also subsequently exhibited less GFP fluorescence than a syringafactin-deficient strain. These results suggest that the apoplast is a dry, but humid environment and that, just as on dry but humid leaf surfaces, syringafactin increases liquid water availability and reduces the water stress experienced byP. syringae.IMPORTANCEMany microorganisms, including the plant pathogenPseudomonas syringae, produce amphiphilic compounds known as biosurfactants. While biosurfactants are known to disperse hydrophobic compounds and reduce water tension, they have other properties that can benefit the cells that produce them. Leaf colonizing bacteria experience frequent water stress since liquid water is only transiently present on or in leaf sites that they colonize. The demonstration that syringafactin, a biosurfactant produced byP. syringae, is sufficiently hygroscopic to increase water availability to cells, thus relieving water stress, reveals thatP. syringaecan modify its local habitat both on leaf surfaces and in the leaf apoplast. Such habitat modification may be a common role for biosurfactants produced by other bacterial species that colonize habitats that are not always water saturated such as soil.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Characterization of Plasmid-mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes among Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Different Water Sources in Alborz Province, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Reza Ranjbar ◽  
Shahrzad Tavanania ◽  
Azar Sabokbar ◽  
Faham Khamesipour
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Nalidixic Acid ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Quinolone Resistance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Different Water Sources

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of quinolone resistance associated (qnr) antibiotic resistance among Escherichia coli strains isolated from different water sources in Alborz province, Iran.METHODS: E. coli strains were isolated and identified by standard microbiological and biochemical tests from surface water sources in Alborz province, Iran in 2013. Fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were determined using the antimicrobial susceptibility test determined by the Kirby–Bauer assay. Total genomic and plasmid DNA were extracted by boiling method. The presence of qnr genes in all nalidixic-acid and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli strains was determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR amplicons were visualized after electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide.RESULTS: One hundred E. coli strains were isolated from the water sources examined in this study. As much as 22.7% and 7.3% of the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin respectively. While qnrS, qnrB and qnrA genes were detected in 28%, 9% and 1% of fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates respectively. All fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates however did not contain any of the qnr genes.CONCLUSION: This study reflects an increasing prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains in surface water sources. Underlining the importance of surface water sources as reservoirs for dissemination of potentially pathogenic E. coli and horizontal gene transfer between other waterborne bacterial species. Other possible mechanisms of resistance should also be investigated for better characterization of quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates. Therefore, immediate measures are needed to control and treat water sources more effectively.KEYWORDS: antibiotic resistance, E. coli, qnr genes, water sources 

scholarly journals Production and Characterization of a Polyclonal Antibody of Anti-rLipL21-IgG againstLeptospirafor Early Detection of Acute Leptospirosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arivudainambi Seenichamy ◽  
Abdul Rani Bahaman ◽  
Abdul Rahim Mutalib ◽  
Siti Khairani-Bejo
Keyword(s):  
Polyclonal Antibody ◽  
Diagnostic Marker ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity

Leptospirosis is one of the zoonotic diseases in animals and humans throughout the world. LipL21 is one of the important surface-exposed lipoproteins in leptospires and the most effective cross protective immunogenic antigen. It is widely considered as a diagnostic marker for leptospirosis. In this study, we evaluated the serodiagnostic potential of LipL21 protein ofLeptospira interrogansserovar Pomona. We have successfully amplified, cloned, and expressed LipL21 inE. coliand evaluated its specificity by immunoblotting. Purified recombinant LipL21 (rLipL21) was inoculated into rabbits for the production of polyclonal antibody. Characterization of the purified IgG antibody against rLipL21 was performed by cross reactivity assay. Only sera from leptospirosis patients and rabbit hyperimmune sera recognized rLipL21 while the nonleptospirosis control sera showed no reaction in immunoblotting. We confirmed that anti-rLipL21-IgG antibody cross reacted with and detected only pathogenic leptospiral species and it did not react with nonpathogenic leptospires and other bacterial species. Results observed showed that anti-rLipL21-IgG antibody has high specificity and sensitivity to leptospires. The findings indicated that the antibody could be used in a diagnostic assay for detection of leptospires or their proteins in the early phase of infection.

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