scholarly journals Carbon starvation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms selects for dispersal insensitive mutants

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harikrishnan A. S. Nair ◽  
Sujatha Subramoni ◽  
Wee Han Poh ◽  
Nabilah Taqiah Binte Hasnuddin ◽  
Martin Tay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Relative Concentration ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Small Colony Variants ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Small Colony ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Abstract Background Biofilms disperse in response to specific environmental cues, such as reduced oxygen concentration, changes in nutrient concentration and exposure to nitric oxide. Interestingly, biofilms do not completely disperse under these conditions, which is generally attributed to physiological heterogeneity of the biofilm. However, our results suggest that genetic heterogeneity also plays an important role in the non-dispersing population of P. aeruginosa in biofilms after nutrient starvation. Results In this study, 12.2% of the biofilm failed to disperse after 4 d of continuous starvation-induced dispersal. Cells were recovered from the dispersal phase as well as the remaining biofilm. For 96 h starved biofilms, rugose small colony variants (RSCV) were found to be present in the biofilm, but were not observed in the dispersal effluent. In contrast, wild type and small colony variants (SCV) were found in high numbers in the dispersal phase. Genome sequencing of these variants showed that most had single nucleotide mutations in genes associated with biofilm formation, e.g. in wspF, pilT, fha1 and aguR. Complementation of those mutations restored starvation-induced dispersal from the biofilms. Because c-di-GMP is linked to biofilm formation and dispersal, we introduced a c-di-GMP reporter into the wild-type P. aeruginosa and monitored green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression before and after starvation-induced dispersal. Post dispersal, the microcolonies were smaller and significantly brighter in GFP intensity, suggesting the relative concentration of c-di-GMP per cell within the microcolonies was also increased. Furthermore, only the RSCV showed increased c-di-GMP, while wild type and SCV were no different from the parental strain. Conclusions This suggests that while starvation can induce dispersal from the biofilm, it also results in strong selection for mutants that overproduce c-di-GMP and that fail to disperse in response to the dispersal cue, starvation.

scholarly journals Paracetamol modulates biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex 8 strains

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andi R. Sultan ◽  
Kirby R. Lattwein ◽  
Nicole A. Lemmens-den Toom ◽  
Susan V. Snijders ◽  
Klazina Kooiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Clonal Complex ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Immune Modulator ◽  
Viability Assay ◽  
Analgesic Agents ◽  
Green Fluorescent

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus biofilms are a major problem in modern healthcare due to their resistance to immune system defenses and antibiotic treatments. Certain analgesic agents are able to modulate S. aureus biofilm formation, but currently no evidence exists if paracetamol, often combined with antibiotic treatment, also has this effect. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if paracetamol can modulate S. aureus biofilm formation. Considering that certain regulatory pathways for biofilm formation and virulence factor production by S. aureus are linked, we further investigated the effect of paracetamol on immune modulator production. The in vitro biofilm mass of 21 S. aureus strains from 9 genetic backgrounds was measured in the presence of paracetamol. Based on biofilm mass quantity, we further investigated paracetamol-induced biofilm alterations using a bacterial viability assay combined with N-Acetylglucosamine staining. Isothermal microcalorimetry was used to monitor the effect of paracetamol on bacterial metabolism within biofilms and green fluorescent protein (GFP) promoter fusion technology for transcription of staphylococcal complement inhibitor (SCIN). Clinically relevant concentrations of paracetamol enhanced biofilm formation particularly among strains belonging to clonal complex 8 (CC8), but had minimal effect on S. aureus planktonic growth. The increase of biofilm mass can be attributed to the marked increase of N-Acetylglucosamine containing components of the extracellular matrix, presumably polysaccharide intercellular adhesion. Biofilms of RN6390A (CC8) showed a significant increase in the immune modulator SCIN transcription during co-incubation with low concentrations of paracetamol. Our data indicate that paracetamol can enhance biofilm formation. The clinical relevance needs to be further investigated.

scholarly journals Mechanism of Aurora-B Degradation and Its Dependency on Intact KEN and A-Boxes: Identification of an Aneuploidy-Promoting Property

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 4977-4992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao G. Nguyen ◽  
Dharmaraj Chinnappan ◽  
Takeshi Urano ◽  
Katya Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Critical Regions

ABSTRACT The kinase Aurora-B, a regulator of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, is highly expressed in a variety of tumors. During the cell cycle, the level of this protein is tightly controlled, and its deregulated abundance is suspected to contribute to aneuploidy. Here, we provide evidence that Aurora-B is a short-lived protein degraded by the proteasome via the anaphase-promoting cyclosome complex (APC/c) pathway. Aurora-B interacts with the APC/c through the Cdc27 subunit, Aurora-B is ubiquitinated, and its level is increased upon treatment with inhibitors of the proteasome. Aurora-B binds in vivo to the degradation-targeting proteins Cdh1 and Cdc20, the overexpression of which accelerates Aurora-B degradation. Using deletions or point mutations of the five putative degradation signals in Aurora-B, we show that degradation of this protein does not depend on its D-boxes (RXXL), but it does require intact KEN boxes and A-boxes (QRVL) located within the first 65 amino acids. Cells transfected with wild-type or A-box-mutated or KEN box-mutated Aurora-B fused to green fluorescent protein display the protein localized to the chromosomes and then to the midzone during mitosis, but the mutated forms are detected at greater intensities. Hence, we identified the degradation pathway for Aurora-B as well as critical regions for its clearance. Intriguingly, overexpression of a stable form of Aurora-B alone induces aneuploidy and anchorage-independent growth.

scholarly journals Targeting of Protein Kinase C-ϵ during Fcγ Receptor-dependent Phagocytosis Requires the ϵC1B Domain and Phospholipase C-γ1

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keylon L. Cheeseman ◽  
Takehiko Ueyama ◽  
Tanya M. Michaud ◽  
Kaori Kashiwagi ◽  
Demin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Phospholipase C ◽  
Phospholipase D ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Fcγ Receptor ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Protein kinase C-ϵ (PKC-ϵ) translocates to phagosomes and promotes uptake of IgG-opsonized targets. To identify the regions responsible for this concentration, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-protein kinase C-ϵ mutants were tracked during phagocytosis and in response to exogenous lipids. Deletion of the diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding ϵC1 and ϵC1B domains, or the ϵC1B point mutant ϵC259G, decreased accumulation at phagosomes and membrane translocation in response to exogenous DAG. Quantitation of GFP revealed that ϵC259G, ϵC1, and ϵC1B accumulation at phagosomes was significantly less than that of intact PKC-ϵ. Also, the DAG antagonist 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl glycerol (EI-150) blocked PKC-ϵ translocation. Thus, DAG binding to ϵC1B is necessary for PKC-ϵ translocation. The role of phospholipase D (PLD), phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC)-γ1, and PI-PLC-γ2 in PKC-ϵ accumulation was assessed. Although GFP-PLD2 localized to phagosomes and enhanced phagocytosis, PLD inhibition did not alter target ingestion or PKC-ϵ localization. In contrast, the PI-PLC inhibitor U73122 decreased both phagocytosis and PKC-ϵ accumulation. Although expression of PI-PLC-γ2 is higher than that of PI-PLC-γ1, PI-PLC-γ1 but not PI-PLC-γ2 consistently concentrated at phagosomes. Macrophages from PI-PLC-γ2-/-mice were similar to wild-type macrophages in their rate and extent of phagocytosis, their accumulation of PKC-ϵ at the phagosome, and their sensitivity to U73122. This implicates PI-PLC-γ1 as the enzyme that supports PKC-ϵ localization and phagocytosis. That PI-PLC-γ1 was transiently tyrosine phosphorylated in nascent phagosomes is consistent with this conclusion. Together, these results support a model in which PI-PLC-γ1 provides DAG that binds to ϵC1B, facilitating PKC-ϵ localization to phagosomes for efficient IgG-mediated phagocytosis.

scholarly journals Changes in the Min Oscillation Pattern before and after Cell Birth

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (16) ◽  
pp. 4134-4142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Juarez ◽  
William Margolin
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cell Pole ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Division Site ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Dividing Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT The Min system regulates the positioning of the cell division site in many bacteria. In Escherichia coli, MinD migrates rapidly from one cell pole to the other. In conjunction with MinC, MinD helps to prevent unwanted FtsZ rings from assembling at the poles and to stabilize their positioning at midcell. Using time-lapse microscopy of growing and dividing cells expressing a gfp-minD fusion, we show that green fluorescent protein (GFP)-MinD often paused at midcell in addition to at the poles, and the frequency of midcell pausing increased as cells grew longer and cell division approached. At later stages of septum formation, GFP-MinD often paused specifically on only one side of the septum, followed by migration to the other side of the septum or to a cell pole. About the time of septum closure, this irregular pattern often switched to a transient double pole-to-pole oscillation in the daughter cells, which ultimately became a stable double oscillation. The splitting of a single MinD zone into two depends on the developing septum and is a potential mechanism to explain how MinD is distributed equitably to both daughter cells. Septal pausing of GFP-MinD did not require MinC, suggesting that MinC-FtsZ interactions do not drive MinD-septal interactions, and instead MinD recognizes a specific geometric, lipid, and/or protein target at the developing septum. Finally, we observed regular end-to-end oscillation over very short distances along the long axes of minicells, supporting the importance of geometry in MinD localization.

scholarly journals Fluorescence-Based Reporter for Gauging Cyclic Di-GMP Levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 5060-5069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten T. Rybtke ◽  
Bradley R. Borlee ◽  
Keiji Murakami ◽  
Yasuhiko Irie ◽  
Morten Hentzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACTThe increased tolerance toward the host immune system and antibiotics displayed by biofilm-formingPseudomonas aeruginosaand other bacteria in chronic infections such as cystic fibrosis bronchopneumonia is of major concern. Targeting of biofilm formation is believed to be a key aspect in the development of novel antipathogenic drugs that can augment the effect of classic antibiotics by decreasing antimicrobial tolerance. The second messenger cyclic di-GMP is a positive regulator of biofilm formation, and cyclic di-GMP signaling is now regarded as a potential target for the development of antipathogenic compounds. Here we describe the development of fluorescent monitors that can gauge the cellular level of cyclic di-GMP inP. aeruginosa. We have created cyclic di-GMP level reporters by transcriptionally fusing the cyclic di-GMP-responsivecdrApromoter to genes encoding green fluorescent protein. We show that the reporter constructs give a fluorescent readout of the intracellular level of cyclic di-GMP inP. aeruginosastrains with different levels of cyclic di-GMP. Furthermore, we show that the reporters are able to detect increased turnover of cyclic di-GMP mediated by treatment ofP. aeruginosawith the phosphodiesterase inducer nitric oxide. Considering that biofilm formation is a necessity for the subsequent development of a chronic infection and therefore a pathogenicity trait, the reporters display a significant potential for use in the identification of novel antipathogenic compounds targeting cyclic di-GMP signaling, as well as for use in research aiming at understanding the biofilm biology ofP. aeruginosa.

Functional comparison of the role of dynamin 2 splice variants on GLUT-4 endocytosis in 3T3L1 adipocytes

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (5) ◽  
pp. E825-E831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee W. Kao ◽  
Chunmei Yang ◽  
Jeffrey E. Pessin
Keyword(s):  
Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Cytoplasm ◽  
Functional Specificity ◽  
Glut 4 ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Dynamin 2

Previously, we reported that expression of a dominant-interfering neuronal-specific dynamin 1 (K44A/dynamin 1) inhibited the plasma membrane internalization of GLUT-4 in 3T3L1 adipocytes (15). To investigate the role of the ubiquitously expressed isoform of dynamin, dynamin 2, on adipocyte GLUT-4 internalization, and to determine whether dynamin splice variants have functional specificity, we expressed each of the four dynamin 2 isoforms (aa, ab, ba, and bb) as either wild-type proteins or GTPase-defective mutants. When expressed as enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusions, these isoforms were found to have overlapping subcellular distributions being localized throughout the cell cytoplasm, on punctate vesicles and in a perinuclear compartment. This distribution was qualitatively similar to that of endogenous dynamin 2 and overlapped with GLUT-4 in the basal state. Expression of wild-type dynamin 2 isoforms had no effect on the basal or insulin-stimulated distribution of GLUT-4; however, expression of the dominant-interfering dynamin 2 mutants inhibited GLUT-4 endocytosis. These data demonstrate that dynamin 2 is required for GLUT-4 endocytosis in 3T3L1 adipocytes and suggest that, relative to GLUT-4 trafficking, the dynamin 2 splice variants have overlapping functions and are probably not responsible for mediating distinct GLUT-4 budding events.

scholarly journals Recombinant Lassa Virus Expressing Green Fluorescent Protein as a Tool for High-Throughput Drug Screens and Neutralizing Antibody Assays

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yíngyún Caì ◽  
Masaharu Iwasaki ◽  
Brett Beitzel ◽  
Shuīqìng Yú ◽  
Elena Postnikova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Lassa virus (LASV), a mammarenavirus, infects an estimated 100,000–300,000 individuals yearly in western Africa and frequently causes lethal disease. Currently, no LASV-specific antivirals or vaccines are commercially available for prevention or treatment of Lassa fever, the disease caused by LASV. The development of medical countermeasure screening platforms is a crucial step to yield licensable products. Using reverse genetics, we generated a recombinant wild-type LASV (rLASV-WT) and a modified version thereof encoding a cleavable green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter for rapid and quantitative detection of infection (rLASV-GFP). Both rLASV-WT and wild-type LASV exhibited similar growth kinetics in cultured cells, whereas growth of rLASV-GFP was slightly impaired. GFP reporter expression by rLASV-GFP remained stable over several serial passages in Vero cells. Using two well-characterized broad-spectrum antivirals known to inhibit LASV infection, favipiravir and ribavirin, we demonstrate that rLASV-GFP is a suitable screening tool for the identification of LASV infection inhibitors. Building on these findings, we established a rLASV-GFP-based high-throughput drug discovery screen and an rLASV-GFP-based antibody neutralization assay. Both platforms, now available as a standard tool at the IRF-Frederick (an international resource), will accelerate anti-LASV medical countermeasure discovery and reduce costs of antiviral screens in maximum containment laboratories.

scholarly journals The sustainability of interactions between the orexin-1 receptor and β-arrestin-2 is defined by a single C-terminal cluster of hydroxy amino acids and modulates the kinetics of ERK MAPK regulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 387 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra MILASTA ◽  
Nicholas A. EVANS ◽  
Laura ORMISTON ◽  
Shelagh WILSON ◽  
Robert J. LEFKOWITZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Weak Interactions ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Erk Mapk ◽  
Hydroxy Amino ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Kinetics Of

The orexin-1 receptor interacts with β-arrestin-2 in an agonist-dependent manner. In HEK-293T cells, these two proteins became co-internalized into acidic endosomes. Truncations from the C-terminal tail did not prevent agonist-induced internalization of the orexin-1 receptor or alter the pathway of internalization, although such mutants failed to interact with β-arrestin-2 in a sustained manner or produce its co-internalization. Mutation of a cluster of three threonine and one serine residue at the extreme C-terminus of the receptor greatly reduced interaction and abolished co-internalization of β-arrestin-2–GFP (green fluorescent protein). Despite the weak interactions of this C-terminally mutated form of the receptor with β-arrestin-2, studies in wild-type and β-arrestin-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts confirmed that agonist-induced internalization of this mutant required expression of a β-arrestin. Although without effect on agonist-mediated elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels, the C-terminally mutated form of the orexin-1 receptor was unable to sustain phosphorylation of the MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) ERK1 and ERK2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2) to the same extent as the wild-type receptor. These studies indicate that a single cluster of hydroxy amino acids within the C-terminal seven amino acids of the orexin-1 receptor determine the sustainability of interaction with β-arrestin-2, and indicate an important role of β-arrestin scaffolding in defining the kinetics of orexin-1 receptor-mediated ERK MAPK activation.

scholarly journals Quorum-Sensing Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms: Their Role and Expression Patterns

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1865-1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa R. De Kievit ◽  
Richard Gillis ◽  
Steve Marx ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Barbara H. Iglewski
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Spatial Studies ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Biofilm Development

ABSTRACT Acylated homoserine lactone molecules are used by a number of gram-negative bacteria to regulate cell density-dependent gene expression by a mechanism known as quorum sensing (QS). InPseudomonas aeruginosa, QS or cell-to-cell signaling controls expression of a number of virulence factors, as well as biofilm differentiation. In this study, we investigated the role played by the las and rhl QS systems during the early stages of static biofilm formation when cells are adhering to a surface and forming microcolonies. These studies revealed a marked difference in biofilm formation between the PAO1 parent and the QS mutants when glucose, but not citrate, was used as the sole carbon source. To further elucidate the contribution of lasI andrhlI to biofilm maturation, we utilized fusions to unstable green fluorescent protein in concert with confocal microscopy to perform real-time temporal and spatial studies of these genes in a flowing environment. During the course of 8-day biofilm development,lasI expression was found to progressively decrease over time. Conversely, rhlI expression remained steady throughout biofilm development but occurred in a lower percentage of cells. Spatial analysis revealed that lasI andrhlI were maximally expressed in cells located at the substratum and that expression decreased with increasing biofilm height. Because QS was shown previously to be involved in biofilm differentiation, these findings have important implications for the design of biofilm prevention and eradication strategies.

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