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Liu X, Ishak MI, Ma H, Su B, Nobbs AH. Bacterial Surface Appendages Modulate the Antimicrobial Activity Induced by Nanoflake Surfaces on Titanium. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2310149. [PMID: 38233200 PMCID: PMC7616388 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Bioinspired nanotopography is a promising approach to generate antimicrobial surfaces to combat implant-associated infection. Despite efforts to develop bactericidal 1D structures, the antibacterial capacity of 2D structures and their mechanism of action remains uncertain. Here, hydrothermal synthesis is utilized to generate two 2D nanoflake surfaces on titanium (Ti) substrates and investigate the physiological effects of nanoflakes on bacteria. The nanoflakes impair the attachment and growth of Escherichia coli and trigger the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially contributing to the killing of adherent bacteria. E. coli surface appendages type-1 fimbriae and flagella are not implicated in the nanoflake-mediated modulation of bacterial attachment but do influence the bactericidal effects of nanoflakes. An E. coli ΔfimA mutant lacking type-1 fimbriae is more susceptible to the bactericidal effects of nanoflakes than the parent strain, while E. coli cells lacking flagella (ΔfliC) are more resistant. The results suggest that type-1 fimbriae confer a cushioning effect that protects bacteria upon initial contact with the nanoflake surface, while flagella-mediated motility can lead to elevated membrane abrasion. This finding offers a better understanding of the antibacterial properties of nanoflake structures that can be applied to the design of antimicrobial surfaces for future medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiayi Liu
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1, 3NY, UK
| | - Mohd I Ishak
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1, 3NY, UK
| | - Huan Ma
- School of Chemistry, Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Bo Su
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1, 3NY, UK
| | - Angela H Nobbs
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1, 3NY, UK
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Park H, Faulkner M, Toogood HS, Chen GQ, Scrutton N. Online Omics Platform Expedites Industrial Application of Halomonas bluephagenesis TD1.0. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231171779. [PMID: 37200674 PMCID: PMC10185862 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231171779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-omic data mining has the potential to revolutionize synthetic biology especially in non-model organisms that have not been extensively studied. However, tangible engineering direction from computational analysis remains elusive due to the interpretability of large datasets and the difficulty in analysis for non-experts. New omics data are generated faster than our ability to use and analyse results effectively, resulting in strain development that proceeds through classic methods of trial-and-error without insight into complex cell dynamics. Here we introduce a user-friendly, interactive website hosting multi-omics data. Importantly, this new platform allows non-experts to explore questions in an industrially important chassis whose cellular dynamics are still largely unknown. The web platform contains a complete KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis derived from principal components analysis, an interactive bio-cluster heatmap analysis of genes, and the Halomonas TD1.0 genome-scale metabolic (GEM) model. As a case study of the effectiveness of this platform, we applied unsupervised machine learning to determine key differences between Halomonas bluephagenesis TD1.0 cultivated under varied conditions. Specifically, cell motility and flagella apparatus are identified to drive energy expenditure usage at different osmolarities, and predictions were verified experimentally using microscopy and fluorescence labelled flagella staining. As more omics projects are completed, this landing page will facilitate exploration and targeted engineering efforts of the robust, industrial chassis H bluephagenesis for researchers without extensive bioinformatics background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Park
- EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub and BBSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Matthew Faulkner
- EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub and BBSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Helen S Toogood
- EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub and BBSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nigel Scrutton
- EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub and BBSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Zhang H, Song J, Zheng Z, Li T, Shi N, Han Y, Zhang L, Yu Y, Fang H. Fungicide exposure accelerated horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes via plasmid-mediated conjugation. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119789. [PMID: 36863279 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Co-pollution of soil with pesticide residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasing due to the substantial usage of pesticides and organic fertilizers in greenhouse-based agricultural production. Non-antibiotic stresses, including those from agricultural fungicides, are potential co-selectors for the horizontal transfer of ARGs, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Intragenus and intergenus conjugative transfer systems of the antibiotic resistant plasmid RP4 were established to examine conjugative transfer frequency under stress from four widely used fungicides: triadimefon, chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, and carbendazim. The mechanisms were elucidated at the cellular and molecular levels using transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and RNA-seq techniques. The conjugative transfer frequency of plasmid RP4 between Escherichia coli strains increased with the rising exposure concentrations of chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, and carbendazim, but was suppressed between E. coli and Pseudomonas putida by a high fungicide concentration (10 µg/mL). Triadimefon did not significantly affect conjugative transfer frequency. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms revealed that: (i) chlorothalonil exposure mainly promoted generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, stimulated the SOS response, and increased cell membrane permeability, while (ii) azoxystrobin and carbendazim primarily enhanced expression of conjugation-related genes on the plasmid. These findings reveal the fungicide-triggered mechanisms associated with plasmid conjugation and highlight the potential role of non-bactericidal pesticides on the dissemination of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houpu Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, PR. China
| | - Jiajin Song
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Zhiruo Zheng
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Tongxin Li
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Nan Shi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine CA 92697, United States
| | - Yuling Han
- Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Luqing Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China
| | - Yunlong Yu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China
| | - Hua Fang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China.
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Flagellar motility mediates biofilm formation in Aeromonas dhakensis. Microb Pathog 2023; 177:106059. [PMID: 36878334 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Aeromonas dhakensis possesses dual flagellar systems for motility under different environments. Flagella-mediated motility is necessary for biofilm formation through an initial attachment of bacteria to the surface, but this has not been elucidated in A. dhakensis. This study investigates the role of polar (flaH, maf1) and lateral (lafB, lafK and lafS) flagellar genes in the biofilm formation of a clinical A. dhakensis strain WT187 isolated from burn wound infection. Five deletion mutants and corresponding complemented strains were constructed using pDM4 and pBAD33 vectors, respectively, and analyzed for motility and biofilm formation using crystal violet staining and real-time impedance-based assays. All mutants were significantly reduced in swimming (p < 0.0001), swarming (p < 0.0001) and biofilm formation using crystal violet assay (p < 0.05). Real-time impedance-based analysis revealed WT187 biofilm was formed between 6 to 21 h, consisting of early (6-10 h), middle (11-18 h), and late (19-21 h) stages. The highest cell index of 0.0746 was recorded at 22-23 h and biofilms began to disperse starting from 24 h. Mutants Δmaf1, ΔlafB, ΔlafK and ΔlafS exhibited reduced cell index values at 6-48 h when compared to WT187 which indicates less biofilm formation. Two complemented strains cmaf1 and clafB exhibited full restoration to wild-type level in swimming, swarming, and biofilm formation using crystal violet assay, hence suggesting that both maf1 and lafB genes are involved in biofilm formation through flagella-mediated motility and surface attachment. Our study shows the role of flagella in A. dhakensis biofilm formation warrants further investigations.
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Holden ER, Wickham GJ, Webber MA, Thomson NM, Trampari E. Donor plasmids for phenotypically neutral chromosomal gene insertions in Enterobacteriaceae. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2020; 166:1115-1120. [PMID: 33226934 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recombineering using bacteriophage lambda Red recombinase (λ-Red) uses homologous recombination to manipulate bacterial genomes and is commonly applied to disrupt genes to elucidate their function. This is often followed by the introduction of a wild-type copy of the gene on a plasmid to complement its function. This is often not, however, at a native copy number and the introduction of a chromosomal version of a gene can be a desirable solution to provide wild-type copy expression levels of an allele in trans. Here, we present a simple methodology based on the λ-Red-based 'gene doctoring' technique, where we developed tools used for chromosomal tagging in a conserved locus downstream of glmS and found no impact on a variety of important phenotypes. The tools described provide an easy, quick and inexpensive method of chromosomal modification for the creation of a library of insertion mutants to study gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Holden
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Gregory J Wickham
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Mark A Webber
- Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.,Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Nicholas M Thomson
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Eleftheria Trampari
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
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