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Rocha IV, Bezerra MF, Sobreira M, Leal NC, de Almeida AMP. Lyophilization for bacteria preservation: a promising approach for Yersinia pestis strains from an unique collection in Brazil (Fiocruz-CYP). Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:61. [PMID: 38520511 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01949-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is a highly virulent bacterium that poses a significant threat to human health. Preserving this bacterium in a viable state is crucial for research and diagnostic purposes. This paper presents and evaluates a simple lyophilization protocol for the long-term storage of Y. pestis strains from Fiocruz-CYP, aiming to explore its impact on viability and long-term stability, while replacing the currently used methodologies. The lyophilization tests were conducted using the non-virulent Y. pestis strain EV76, subjected to the lyophilization process under vacuum conditions. Viability assessment was performed to evaluate the effects of lyophilization and storage conditions on Y. pestis under multiple temperature conditions (- 80 °C, - 20 °C, 4-8 °C and room temperature). The lyophilization protocol employed in this study consistently demonstrated its efficacy in maintaining high viability rates for Y. pestis samples in a up to one year follow-up. The storage temperature that consistently exhibited the highest recovery rates was - 80 °C, followed by - 20 °C and 4-8 °C. Microscopic analysis of the post-lyophilized cultures revealed preserved morphological features, consistent with viable bacteria. The high viability rates observed in the preserved samples indicate the successful preservation of Y. pestis using this protocol. Overall, the presented lyophilization protocol provides a valuable tool for the long-term storage of Y. pestis, offering stability, viability, and functionality. By refining the currently used methods of lyophilization, this protocol can improve long-term preservation for Y. pestis strains collections, facilitating research efforts, diagnostic procedures, and the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Vasconcelos Rocha
- Department of Microbiology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Filgueira Bezerra
- Department of Microbiology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Marise Sobreira
- Department of Microbiology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Nilma Cintra Leal
- Department of Microbiology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Alzira Maria Paiva de Almeida
- Department of Microbiology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Lipopolysaccharide of the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Complex. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101410. [PMID: 34680043 PMCID: PMC8533242 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), localized in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane, serves as the major surface component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope responsible for the activation of the host's innate immune system. Variations of the LPS structure utilized by Gram-negative bacteria promote survival by providing resistance to components of the innate immune system and preventing recognition by TLR4. This review summarizes studies of the biosynthesis of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis complex LPSs, and the roles of their structural components in molecular mechanisms of yersiniae pathogenesis and immunogenesis.
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Liu MA, Morris P, Reeves PR. Wzx flippases exhibiting complex O-unit preferences require a new model for Wzx-substrate interactions. Microbiologyopen 2018; 8:e00655. [PMID: 29888516 PMCID: PMC6436433 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wzx flippase is a critical component of the O‐antigen biosynthesis pathway, being responsible for the translocation of oligosaccharide O units across the inner membrane in Gram‐negative bacteria. Recent studies have shown that Wzx has a strong preference for its cognate O unit, but the types of O‐unit structural variance that a given Wzx can accommodate are poorly understood. In this study, we identified two Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Wzx that can distinguish between different terminal dideoxyhexose sugars on a common O‐unit main‐chain, despite both being able to translocate several other structurally‐divergent O units. We also identified other Y. pseudotuberculosis Wzx that can translocate a structurally divergent foreign O unit with high efficiency, and thus exhibit an apparently relaxed substrate preference. It now appears that Wzx substrate preference is more complex than previously suggested, and that not all O‐unit residues are equally important determinants of translocation efficiency. We propose a new “Structure‐Specific Triggering” model in which Wzx translocation proceeds at a low level for a wide variety of substrates, with high‐frequency translocation only being triggered by Wzx interacting with one or more preferred O‐unit structural elements found on its cognate O unit(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paraskevi Morris
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter R Reeves
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kenyon JJ, Cunneen MM, Reeves PR. Genetics and evolution of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O-specific polysaccharides: a novel pattern of O-antigen diversity. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2017; 41:200-217. [PMID: 28364730 PMCID: PMC5399914 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
O-antigen polysaccharide is a major immunogenic feature of the lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria, and most species produce a large variety of forms that differ substantially from one another. There are 18 known O-antigen forms in the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis complex, which are typical in being composed of multiple copies of a short oligosaccharide called an O unit. The O-antigen gene clusters are located between the hemH and gsk genes, and are atypical as 15 of them are closely related, each having one of five downstream gene modules for alternative main-chain synthesis, and one of seven upstream modules for alternative side-branch sugar synthesis. As a result, many of the genes are in more than one gene cluster. The gene order in each module is such that, in general, the earlier a gene product functions in O-unit synthesis, the closer the gene is to the 5΄ end for side-branch modules or the 3΄ end for main-chain modules. We propose a model whereby natural selection could generate the observed pattern in gene order, a pattern that has also been observed in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna J. Kenyon
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology. Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Monica M. Cunneen
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Peter R. Reeves
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Ovchinnikova OG, Moryl M, Shashkov AS, Chizhov AO, Arbatsky NP, Shpirt AM, Rozalski A, Knirel YA. Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Providencia alcalifaciens O2 containing ascarylose and N-(L-alanyl)-D-glucosamine. Carbohydr Res 2015; 401:11-5. [PMID: 25464076 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The O-polysaccharide was obtained by degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Providencia alcalifaciens O2 under mild acidic conditions followed by GPC. The polysaccharide was found to contain two unusual components: 3,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexose (ascarylose, Asc) and 2-(L-alanyl)amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose (GlcNAla). Ascarylose was partially split off during lipopolysaccharide degradation and could be eliminated completely by selective acid hydrolysis, which also partially cleaved the β-GAlNAc-(1 → 6) linkage. The following structure of the branched pentasaccharide repeating unit was established by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy of the O-polysaccharide and O-deacetylated polysaccharide, as well as products of partial acid hydrolysis: α-Ascp-(1 → 4)-α-D-GlcpA-(1 → 4) → 6)-β-D-GlcpNAla-(1 → 4)-β-D-GlpA-(1 → 3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1 → ~60% OAc--3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga G Ovchinnikova
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Magdalena Moryl
- Department of Immunobiology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, University of Lodz, PL 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Alexander S Shashkov
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander O Chizhov
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay P Arbatsky
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Anna M Shpirt
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Antoni Rozalski
- Department of Immunobiology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, University of Lodz, PL 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Yuriy A Knirel
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation.
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Beczała A, Ovchinnikova OG, Datta N, Mattinen L, Knapska K, Radziejewska-Lebrecht J, Holst O, Skurnik M. Structure and genetic basis of Yersinia similis serotype O:9 O-specific polysaccharide. Innate Immun 2013; 21:3-16. [DOI: 10.1177/1753425913514783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The O-polysaccharide (OPS, O-Ag) cap of LPS is a major virulence factor of Yersinia species and also serves as a receptor for the binding of lytic bacteriophage φR1-37. Currently, the OPS-based serotyping scheme for the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis complex includes 21 known O-serotypes that follow three distinct lineages: Y. pseudotuberculosis sensu stricto, Y. similis and the Korean group of strains. Elucidation of the Y. pseudotuberculosis complex OPS structures and characterization of the OPS genetics (altogether 18 O-serotypes studied thus far) allows a better understanding of the relationships among the various O serotypes and will facilitate the analysis of the evolutionary processes giving rise to new serotypes. Here we present the characterization of the OPS structure and gene cluster of Y. similis O:9. Bacteriophage φR1-37, which uses the Y. similis O:9 OPS as a receptor, also infects a number of Y. enterocolitica serotypes, including O:3, O:5,27, O:9 and O:50. The Y. similis O:9 OPS structure resembled none of the receptor structures of the Y. enterocolitica strains, suggesting that φR1-37 can recognize several surface receptors, thus promoting broad host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Beczała
- Division of Structural Biochemistry, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Borstel, Germany
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Olga G Ovchinnikova
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Neeta Datta
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Mattinen
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katarzyna Knapska
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joanna Radziejewska-Lebrecht
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Otto Holst
- Division of Structural Biochemistry, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Borstel, Germany
| | - Mikael Skurnik
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Central Hospital Laboratory Diagnostics, Helsinki, Finland
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Skurnik M. Yersinia surface structures and bacteriophages. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 954:293-301. [PMID: 22782776 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3561-7_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Skurnik
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Kenyon JJ, De Castro C, Cunneen MM, Reeves PR, Molinaro A, Holst O, Skurnik M. The genetics and structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O:10 and its relationship with Escherichia coli O111 and Salmonella enterica O35. Glycobiology 2011; 21:1131-9. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwr006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Cunneen MM, Pacinelli E, Song WC, Reeves PR. Genetic analysis of the O-antigen gene clusters of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O:6 and O:7. Glycobiology 2011; 21:1140-6. [PMID: 21325338 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwr010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the 21 O-polysaccharide (OPS) O-antigen-based serotypes described for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, those of O:6 and O:7 are unusual in that both contain colitose (4-keto-3,6-dideoxy-d-mannose or 4-keto-3,6-dideoxy-l-xylo-hexose), which has not otherwise been reported for this species, and the O:6 OPS also contains yersiniose A (4-C[(R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-3,6-dideoxy-d-xylo-hexose), another unusual dideoxyhexose sugar. In Y. pseudotuberculosis, the genes for OPS synthesis generally cluster together between the hemH and gsk loci. Here, we present the sequences of the OPS gene clusters of Y. pseudotuberculosis O:6 and O:7, and the location of the genes required for synthesis of these OPSs, except that there is still ambiguity regarding allocation of some of the glycosyltransferase functions. The O:6 and O:7 gene clusters have much in common with each other, but differ substantially from the group of 13 gene clusters already sequenced, which share several features and sequence similarities. We also present a possible sequence of events for the derivation of the O:6 and O:7 gene clusters from the most closely related set of 13 sequenced previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica M Cunneen
- Division of Microbiology, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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10
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De Castro C, Kenyon JJ, Cunneen MM, Reeves PR, Molinaro A, Holst O, Skurnik M. Genetic characterisation and structural analysis of the O-specific polysaccharide of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O:1c. Innate Immun 2010; 17:183-90. [PMID: 20418261 DOI: 10.1177/1753425910364425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many, but not all, of the current 21 serotypes of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis have been investigated with regard to the chemical structures of their O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) and the genetic basis of their biosynthesis. Completion of the genetics and structures of the remaining serotypes will enhance our understanding of the emerging relationship between genetics and structures within this species. Here, we present a structural and genetic analysis of the Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype O:1c OPS. Our results showed that this OPS has the same backbone as Y. pseudotuberculosis O:2b, but with a 3,6-dideoxy-D-ribo-hexofuranose (paratofuranose, Parf) side-branch instead of a 3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-hexopyranose (abequopyranose, Abep). The 3'-end of the gene cluster is the same as for O:2b and has the genes for synthesis of the backbone and for processing the completed repeat unit. The 5'-end of the cluster consists of the same genes as O:1b for synthesis of Parf and a related gene for its transfer to the repeating unit backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina De Castro
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Abstract
The O antigen, consisting of many repeats of an oligosaccharide unit, is part of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. It is on the cell surface and appears to be a major target for both immune system and bacteriophages, and therefore becomes one of the most variable cell constituents. The variability of the O antigen provides the major basis for serotyping schemes of Gram-negative bacteria. The genes responsible for the synthesis of O antigen are usually in a single cluster known as O antigen gene cluster, and their location on the chromosome within a species is generally conserved. Three O antigen biosynthesis pathways including Wzx/Wzy, ABC-transporter and Synthase have been discovered. In this chapter, the traditional and molecular O serotyping schemes are compared, O antigen structures and gene clusters of well-studied species are described, processes for formation and distribution of the variety of O antigens are discussed, and finally, the role of O antigen in bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, 23 Hongda Street, TEDA, Tianjin, 300457, China.
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Cunneen MM, De Castro C, Kenyon J, Parrilli M, Reeves PR, Molinaro A, Holst O, Skurnik M. The O-specific polysaccharide structure and biosynthetic gene cluster of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O:11. Carbohydr Res 2009; 344:1533-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2009.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Revised: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 04/28/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Kondakova AN, Bystrova OV, Shaikhutdinova RZ, Ivanov SA, Dentovskaya SV, Shashkov AS, Knirel YA, Anisimov AP. Structure of the O-antigen of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O:4a revised. Carbohydr Res 2009; 344:531-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2008.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Revised: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 12/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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