Sterically hindered phenolic derivatives: effect on the production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors, high-throughput virtual screening and ADME properties prediction

Inhibition of quorum sensing is considered to be an effective strategy of control and treatment of a wide range of acute and persistent infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium with a high adaptation potential that contributes to healthcare-associated infections. In the present study, the effects of the synthesized hybrid structures bearing sterically hindered phenolic and heterocyclic moieties in a single scaffold on the production of virulence factors by P. aeruginosa were determined. It has been shown that the obtained compounds significantly reduce both pyocyanin and alginate production and stimulate the biosynthesis of siderophores in vitro, which may be attributed to their iron-chelating properties. The results of docking-based inverse high-throughput virtual screening indicate that transcription regulator LasR and Cu-transporter OPRC could be potential molecular targets for these compounds. Investigation of the impact small molecules exert on the molecular mechanisms of the production of bacterial virulence factors may pave the way for the design and development of novel antibacterial agents.

Unveiling the Pool of Metallophores in Native Environments and Correlation with Their Potential Producers

For many organisms, metallophores are essential biogenic ligands that ensure metal scavenging and acquisition from their environment. Their identification is challenging in highly organic matter rich environments like peatlands due to low solubilization and metal scarcity and high matrix complexity. In contrast to common approaches based on sample modification by spiking of metal isotope tags, we have developed a two-dimensional (2D) Solid-phase extraction-Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS) approach for the highly sensitive (LOD 40 fmol per g of soil), high-resolution direct detection and identification of metallophores in both their noncomplexed (apo) and metal-complexed forms in native environments. The characterization of peat collected in the Bernadouze (France) peatland resulted in the identification of 53 metallophores by a database mass-based search, 36 among which are bacterial. Furthermore, the detection of the characteristic (natural) metal isotope patterns in MS resulted in the detection of both Fe and Cu potential complexes. A taxonomic-based inference method was implemented based on literature and public database (antiSMASH database version 3.0) searches, enabling to associate over 40% of the identified bacterial metallophores with potential producers. In some cases, low completeness with the MIBiG reference BCG might be indicative of alternative producers in the ecosystem. Thus, coupling of metallophore detection and producers' inference could pave a new way to investigate poorly documented environment searching for new metallophores and their producers yet unknown.

The Role of Solid Support Bound Metal Chelators on System-Dependent Synergy and Antagonism with Nisin

Active packaging can enhance the performance of natural antimicrobials in controlling food spoilage and waste, while addressing consumer demands for cleaner labels. Yet, synergies are system dependent, with some conditions counterintuitively promoting antagonistic effects. In particular, metal chelators can improve performance of certain natural antimicrobials and have been incorporated in nonmigratory metal chelating active packaging technologies. However, the influence of chelating ligand chemistry on antimicrobial efficacy has not been investigated in microbial spoilage models. The effect of three commercial chelating resins on the growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris ATCC 49025, a thermoduric acidophilic spore-former, in growth media and apple juice was investigated. Dowex MAC-3, Chelex 100, and Lewatit TP260 were used as models for metal chelating active packaging containing carboxylic acid (CA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) ligands. Diameters (CA = 472.4 ± 117.2 μm, IDA = 132.93 ± 26.71 μm, and AMPA = 498.3 ± 29.24 μm), dissociation kinetics (CA = 6.44 ± 0.109, IDA = -0.977 ± 9.94, AMPA = 7.43 ± 0.193), and metal chelating capacities (CA = 1.16 × 10^-4 mol/g, IDA = 1.52 × 10^-3  mol/g, and AMPA = 4.67 × 10^-4 mol/g) were used to distinguish differences in antimicrobial efficacies. Growth of A. acidoterrestris in acidified Potato Dextrose Broth over 24 hr with chelating resins indicated early death phase for CA and IDA resins and bactericidal for AMPA resin. However, viability in commercial apple juice with the inclusion of nisin and chelating resins was variable, with IDA resin significantly (P < 0.05) increasing viability while the effect of CA and AMPA resins remained elusive. This work emphasizes the importance of biological repeatability and correct statistical modeling in identifying conditions under which the antimicrobial intervention of nisin in real food systems, such as acidic beverages and juices, are synergistic or antagonistic. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: New technologies to control microbial food spoilage and waste need to be explored to address consumers on-going demands for reducing additive use.  Solid support bound metal chelators can both promote and control microbial growth when used in conjunction with nisin, a natural antimicrobial.  This work explores how system conditions can render a given technology either synergistic or antagonistic, and highlights the importance of sufficient biological replicates in experimental design.

Metallophore profiling of nitrogen-fixingFrankiaspp. to understand metal management in the rhizosphere of actinorhizal plants

Frankiaspp. are widespread nitrogen-fixing and metallophore releasing soil bacteria, which often live in symbiosis with a broad spectrum of hosts.

Synthesis, nature and utility of universal iron chelator - Siderophore: A review

Siderophores, the secondary metabolite of various microorganisms are ferric ion specific chelators secreted under iron stressed condition. These non-ribosomal peptides have been classified as catecholate, hydroxamate, carboxylate and mixed types. Recent studies focus on discovery of possible mammalian siderophores. The biosynthesis pathway including non-ribosomal dependent as well as non-ribosomal independent pathways are of great interest now a days. Many significant roles of siderophores such as virulence in pathogens, oxidative stress tolerance, classification of organisms etc. are being discovered. Studies on siderophore utilization in bioremediation and other heavy metal chelation have increased in past decade. The iron chelation ability of siderophores is being recently studied with regards to malignant cancerous cells. Not only this, it has been found that they possess antimicrobial properties which can be utilized against number of microbes. This review covers all recent aspects of siderophore and its applications.

Deciphering the evolutionary affiliations among bacterial strains (Pseudomonas and Frankia sp.) inhabiting same ecological niche using virtual RFLP and simulation-based approaches

To decipher an evolutionary lineage between two different but important bacterial groups, i.e., Pseudomonas strain (γ-Proteobacteria) and Frankia strain (actinobacteria) growing in the same ecological niche in and around of an actinorhizal plant Hippophae salicifolia D. Don, genetic diversity and comparative molecular phylogeny have been investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequences and computer-simulated and virtually directed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) through 10 restriction enzymes. Bayesian and coalescent analyses on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested three major groups with close proximity between Pseudomonas and Frankia isolates. This result has been further validated based on the data observed through similarity coefficient value and computational RFLP. Principal component analysis and Mandel h and k statistical analysis also confirmed and strengthen the findings. Approximately 458 aligned sequence of all the taxa were used to decipher nucleotide diversity, polymorphism and gene flow between these taxa. Thus, our results suggest for a possible co-evolution or a heterologous gene transfer of distantly related microbial forms. Further, our study also advocate for the use of computer aided, virtual RFLP analysis as a cost effective and rapid identification tool.

Heavy metal stress in alders: Tolerance and vulnerability of the actinorhizal symbiosis

Alders have already demonstrated their potential for the revegetation of both mining and industrial sites. These actinorhizal trees and shrubs and the actinobacteria Frankia associate in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis which could however be negatively affected by the presence of heavy metals, and accumulate them. In our hydroponic assay with black alders, quantification of the roots and shoots metal concentrations showed that, in the absence of stress, symbiosis increases Mo and Ni root content and simultaneously decreases Mo shoot content. Interestingly, the Mo shoot content also decreases in the presence of Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd for symbiotic alders. In symbiotic alders, Pb shoot translocation was promoted in presence of Pb. On the other hand, Cd exclusion in symbiotic root tissues was observed with Pb and Cd. In the presence of symbiosis, only Cd and Pb showed translocation into aerial tissues when present in the nutrient solution. Moreover, the translocation of Ni to shoot was prevented by symbiosis in the presence of Cd, Ni and Pb. The hydroponic experiment demonstrated that alders benefit from the symbiosis, producing more biomass (total, root and shoot) than non nodulated alders in control condition, and in the presence of metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd). Heavy metals did not reduce the nodule numbers (SNN), but the presence of Zn or Cd did reduce nodule allocation. Our study suggests that the Frankia-alder symbiosis is a promising (and a compatible) plant-microorganism association for the revegetation of contaminated sites, with minimal risk of metal dispersion.

Role of manganese in protection against oxidative stress under iron starvation in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120

The cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 was grown in presence and absence of iron to decipher the role of manganese in protection against the oxidative stress under iron starvation and growth, manganese uptake kinetics, antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, thiol content, total peroxide, proline and NADH content was investigated. Manganese supported the growth of cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 under iron deprived conditions where maximum uptake rate of manganese was observed with lower K(m) and higher V(max) values. Antioxidative enzymes were also found to be elevated in iron-starved conditions. Estimation of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage depicted the role of manganese in stabilizing the integrity of the membrane which was considered as the prime target of oxygen free radicals in oxidative stress. The levels of total peroxide, thiol, proline and NADH content, which are the representative of oxidative stress response in Anabaena 7120, were also showed increasing trends in iron starvation. Hence, the results discerned, clearly suggested the role of manganese in protection against the oxidative stress in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 under iron starvation either due to its antioxidative properties or involvement as cofactor in a number of antioxidative enzymes.

Siderophore-mediated iron uptake promotes yeast-bacterial symbiosis

In the present study, siderophore produced by the marine yeast Aureobasidium pullulans was characterized as hydroxamate by chemical and bioassays. The hydroxamate assignment was supported by the appearance of peaks at 1,647.21-1,625.99 cm(-1) and at 1,435.04 cm(-1) in the infrared spectrum. The purified siderophore exhibited specific growth-promoting activity under iron-limited conditions for siderophore auxotrophic probiotic bacteria. Cross-utilization of siderophore indicates a symbiotic relationship between the yeast A. pullulans and the selected probiotic bacterial strains. Statistical optimization of medium components for improved siderophore production in A. pullulans was depicted by response surface methodology. The shift in UV-Vis spectroscopy indicates the photoreactive property and subsequent oxidative cleavage of purified siderophore on exposure to sunlight.