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Shapiro JA. A very brief note on why bacterial evolution has physiology. J Physiol 2024; 602:2395-2399. [PMID: 37641409 DOI: 10.1113/jp284409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of bacteria live and evolve in surface biofilms. Both growth in biofilms and horizontal transfer of DNA are regulated by quorum-sensing pheromone signals. The common regulation of bacterial surface growth and DNA transfers illustrates how physiology contributes to bacterial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Gao S, Wang Y, Yuan S, Zuo J, Jin W, Shen Y, Grenier D, Yi L, Wang Y. Cooperation of quorum sensing and central carbon metabolism in the pathogenesis of Gram-positive bacteria. Microbiol Res 2024; 282:127655. [PMID: 38402726 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS), an integral component of bacterial communication, is essential in coordinating the collective response of diverse bacterial pathogens. Central carbon metabolism (CCM), serving as the primary metabolic hub for substances such as sugars, lipids, and amino acids, plays a crucial role in the life cycle of bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria often utilize CCM to regulate population metabolism and enhance the synthesis of specific cellular structures, thereby facilitating in adaptation to the host microecological environment and expediting infection. Research has demonstrated that QS can both directly or indirectly affect the CCM of numerous pathogenic bacteria, thus altering their virulence and pathogenicity. This article reviews the interplay between QS and CCM in Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, details the molecular mechanisms by which QS modulates CCM, and lays the groundwork for investigating bacterial pathogenicity and developing innovative infection treatment drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Shuo Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Jing Zuo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Wenjie Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Yamin Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Daniel Grenier
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Li Yi
- Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China; College of Life Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471934, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China; Henan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Detection and Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Luoyang 471003, China.
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3
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Maha Swetha BR, Saravanan M, Piruthivraj P. Emerging trends in the inhibition of bacterial molecular communication: An overview. Microb Pathog 2024; 186:106495. [PMID: 38070626 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular cell-cell communication utilized by several bacteria and some fungi. It involves cell density dependent gene expression that includes extra polymeric substance production, sporulation, antibiotic production, motility, competence, symbiosis and conjugation. These expressions were carried out by different signaling molecules like acyl homo-serine lactone (AHL) and auto-inducing peptides (AIPs) which was effluxed by gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria and biofilms often exhibit high resistance to antibiotics, attributed to the presence of antibiotic efflux pumps, reduced membrane permeability, and enzymes that deactivate quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. To counteract virulence and multi-drug resistance (MDR), novel strategies such as employing quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors and quorum quenchers are employed. It targets signaling molecules with synthesis and prevents the signal from binding to receptors. In this present review, the mechanisms of QS along with inhibitors from different sources are described. These strategies potentially interfere with QS and it can be applied in different fields, mainly in hospitals and marine environments where the pathogenic infections and biofilm formation are highly involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Maha Swetha
- Department of Biotechnoloy, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Saravanan
- Department of Physics, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirapalli, 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Prakash Piruthivraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Univerisy, Chennai, 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnoloy, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
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4
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Jiang X, Kang R, Yu T, Jiang X, Chen H, Zhang Y, Li Y, Wang H. Cinnamaldehyde Targets the LytTR DNA-Binding Domain of the Response Regulator AgrA to Attenuate Biofilm Formation of Listeria monocytogenes. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0030023. [PMID: 37140461 PMCID: PMC10269664 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00300-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Agr quorum sensing (QS) system is known to contribute to biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes. Cinnamaldehyde, a natural food preservative, is considered an inhibitor of Agr-mediated QS in L. monocytogenes. However, the exact mechanism by which cinnamaldehyde acts on Agr remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects of cinnamaldehyde on the histidine kinase AgrC and the response regulator AgrA in the Agr system. AgrC kinase activity was not influenced by cinnamaldehyde, and binding between AgrC and cinnamaldehyde was not observed when microscale thermophoresis (MST) was performed, indicating that AgrC was not the target of cinnamaldehyde. AgrA is specifically bound to the agr promoter (P2) to activate the transcription of the Agr system. However, AgrA-P2 binding was prevented by cinnamaldehyde. The interaction between cinnamaldehyde and AgrA was further confirmed with MST. Two conserved amino acids, Asn-178 and Arg-179, located in the LytTR DNA-binding domain of AgrA, were identified as the key sites for cinnamaldehyde-AgrA binding by alanine mutagenesis and MST. Coincidentally, Asn-178 was also involved in the AgrA-P2 interaction. Taken together, these results suggest that cinnamaldehyde acts as a competitive inhibitor of AgrA in AgrA-P2 binding, which leads to suppressed transcription of the Agr system and reduced biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes can form biofilms on various food contact surfaces, posing a serious threat to food safety. Biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes is positively regulated by the Agr quorum sensing system. Thus, an alternative strategy for controlling L. monocytogenes biofilms is interfering with the Agr system. Cinnamaldehyde is considered an inhibitor of the L. monocytogenes Agr system; however, its exact mechanism of action is still unclear. Here, we found that AgrA (response regulator), rather than AgrC (histidine kinase), was the target of cinnamaldehyde. The conserved Asn-178 in the LytTR DNA-binding domain of AgrA was involved in cinnamaldehyde-AgrA and AgrA-P2 binding. Therefore, the occupation of Asn-178 by cinnamaldehyde suppressed transcription of the Agr system and reduced biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes. Our findings could provide a better understanding of the mechanism by which cinnamaldehyde inhibits L. monocytogenes biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Jiang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Rui Kang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Tao Yu
- School of Life Sciences & Basic Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health Risk Warning of Xinxiang City, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaojie Jiang
- School of Life Sciences & Basic Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yi Li
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hailei Wang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
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Ricci-Tam C, Kuipa S, Kostman MP, Aronson MS, Sgro AE. Microbial models of development: Inspiration for engineering self-assembled synthetic multicellularity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:50-62. [PMID: 35537929 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
While the field of synthetic developmental biology has traditionally focused on the study of the rich developmental processes seen in metazoan systems, an attractive alternate source of inspiration comes from microbial developmental models. Microbes face unique lifestyle challenges when forming emergent multicellular collectives. As a result, the solutions they employ can inspire the design of novel multicellular systems. In this review, we dissect the strategies employed in multicellular development by two model microbial systems: the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and the biofilm-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Both microbes face similar challenges but often have different solutions, both from metazoan systems and from each other, to create emergent multicellularity. These challenges include assembling and sustaining a critical mass of participating individuals to support development, regulating entry into development, and assigning cell fates. The mechanisms these microbial systems exploit to robustly coordinate development under a wide range of conditions offer inspiration for a new toolbox of solutions to the synthetic development community. Additionally, recreating these phenomena synthetically offers a pathway to understanding the key principles underlying how these behaviors are coordinated naturally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ricci-Tam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sophia Kuipa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maya Peters Kostman
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mark S Aronson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Allyson E Sgro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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6
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Lu Q, Pan K, Liu J, Zhang T, Yang L, Yi X, Zhong G. Quorum sensing system effectively enhances DegU-mediated degradation of pyrethroids by Bacillus subtilis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131586. [PMID: 37178530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of the natural environment is a growing concern that threatens all life forms, including microorganisms. Bacteria protect themselves by initiating quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell-cell communication, to generate adaptive responses to these pollutants. Bacillus subtilis has a typical QS ComQXPA system that regulates the phosphorylation of the transcription factor DegU (DegU-P), and thus can mediate the expression of various downstream genes under different stress conditions. Herein, we found that cesB, a gene of Bacillus subtilis 168, plays a key role in pyrethroid degradation, and cesB-mediated degradation could be enhanced by coordinating with the ComX communication system. Using β-cypermethrin (β-CP) as a paradigm, we demonstrated that DegU-P increased upon exposure to β-CP, thus facilitating β-CP degradation by binding to the upstream regulatory regions of cesB, leading to the activation of the expression of cesB. Further, we showed that the expression of different levels of phosphorylated DegU in a degU deletion strain resulted in varying degrees of β-CP degradation efficiency, with phosphorylated DegUH12L achieving 78.39% degradation efficiency on the first day, surpassing the 56.27% degradation efficiency in the wild type strain. Consequently, based on the conserved regulatory mechanism of ComQXPA system, we propose that DegU-P-dependent regulation serves as a conserved defense mechanism owing to its ability to fine-tune the expression of genes involved in the degradation of pollutants upon exposure to different pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keqing Pan
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liying Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Yi
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guohua Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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7
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eDNA Provides a Scaffold for Autoaggregation of B. subtilis in Bacterioplankton Suspension. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020332. [PMID: 36838297 PMCID: PMC9966259 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-binding of bacterial cells, or autoaggregation, is, together with surface colonization, one of the first steps in the formation of a mature biofilm. In this work, the autoaggregation of B. subtilis in dilute bacterial suspensions was studied. The dynamics of cell lysis, eDNA release, and bacterial autoaggregate assembly were determined and related to the spatial autocorrelation of bacterial cells in dilute planktonic bacterial suspensions. The non-random distribution of cells was associated with an eDNA network, which stabilized the initial bacterial cell-cell aggregates. Upon the addition of DNase I, the aggregates were dispersed. The release of eDNA during cell lysis allows for the entrapment of bacterial drifters at a radius several times the size of the dying bacteria. The size of bacterial aggregates increased from 2 to about 100 μm in diameter in dilute bacterial suspensions. The results suggest that B. subtilis cells form previously unnoticed continuum of autoaggregate structures during planktonic growth.
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Tripathi S, Purchase D, Govarthanan M, Chandra R, Yadav S. Regulatory and innovative mechanisms of bacterial quorum sensing-mediated pathogenicity: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:75. [PMID: 36334179 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a system of bacteria in which cells communicate with each other; it is linked to cell density in the microbiome. The high-density colony population can provide enough small molecular signals to enable a range of cellular activities, gene expression, pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance that cause damage to the hosts. QS is the basis of chronic illnesses in human due to microbial sporulation, expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation, secretion of enzymes, or production of membrane vesicles. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) among antibiotic resistance bacteria is a major public health concern. QS-mediated biofilm is a hub for ARG horizontal gene transfer. To develop innovative approach to prevent microbial pathogenesis, it is essential to understand the role of QS especially in response to environmental stressors such as exposure to antibiotics. This review provides the latest knowledge on the relationship of QS and pathogenicity and explore the novel approach to control QS via quorum quenching (QQ) using QS inhibitors (QSIs) and QQ enzymes. The state-of-the art knowledge on the role of QS and the potential of using QQ will help to overcome the threats of rapidly emerging bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Tripathi
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
| | - Diane Purchase
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Muthusamy Govarthanan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Ram Chandra
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India.
| | - Sangeeta Yadav
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India.
- Department of Botany, Vaishno Devi Prashikshan Mahavidyalaya, Gondahi, Kunda, Pratapgarh, India.
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Erega A, Stefanic P, Danevčič T, Smole Možina S, Mandic Mulec I. Impact of Bacillus subtilis Antibiotic Bacilysin and Campylobacter jejuni Efflux Pumps on Pathogen Survival in Mixed Biofilms. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0215622. [PMID: 35938811 PMCID: PMC9430781 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02156-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is typically found in an agricultural environment; in animals, such as birds, as an intestinal commensal; and also in food products, especially fresh poultry meat. Campylobacter interactions within mixed species biofilms are poorly understood, especially at the microscale. We have recently shown that the beneficial bacterium Bacillus subtilis reduces C. jejuni survival and biofilm formation in coculture by secreting the antibiotic bacillaene. We extend these studies here by providing evidence that besides bacillaene, the antagonistic effect of B. subtilis involves a nonribosomal peptide bacilysin and that the fully functional antagonism depends on the quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator ComA. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we also show that secreted antibiotics influence the distribution of C. jejuni and B. subtilis cells in the submerged biofilm and decrease the thickness of the pathogen's biofilm. Furthermore, we demonstrate that genes encoding structural or regulatory proteins of the efflux apparatus system (cmeF and cmeR), respectively, contribute to the survival of C. jejuni during interaction with B. subtilis PS-216. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a strong potential of B. subtilis PS-216 to reduce C. jejuni biofilm growth, which supports the application of the PS-216 strain to pathogen biofilm control. IMPORTANCE Campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent cause of foodborne infections worldwide, while Bacillus subtilis as a potential probiotic represents an alternative strategy to control this alimentary infection. However, only limited literature exists on the specific mechanisms that shape interactions between B. subtilis and C. jejuni in biofilms. This study shows that in the two species biofilms, B. subtilis produces two antibiotics, bacillaene and bacilysin, that inhibit C. jejuni growth. In addition, we provide the first evidence that specific pathogen efflux pumps contribute to the defense against B. subtilis attack. Specifically, the CmeDEF pump acts during the defense against bacilysin, while CmeR-dependent overexpression of CmeABC nullifies the bacillaene attack. The role of specific B. subtilis antibiotics and these polyspecific pumps, known for providing resistance against medically relevant antibiotics, has not been studied during bacterial competition in biofilms before. Hence, this work broadens our understanding of mechanisms that shape antagonisms and defense during probiotic-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Erega
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - P. Stefanic
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - T. Danevčič
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - S. Smole Možina
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - I. Mandic Mulec
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Chair of Microprocess Engineering and Technology/COMPETE, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Yu T, Jiang X, Xu X, Jiang C, Kang R, Jiang X. Andrographolide Inhibits Biofilm and Virulence in Listeria monocytogenes as a Quorum-Sensing Inhibitor. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103234. [PMID: 35630711 PMCID: PMC9145827 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen that can cause listeriosis in humans and animals. Andrographolide is known as a natural antibiotic and exhibits good antibacterial activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of andrographolide on two quorum-sensing (QS) systems, LuxS/AI-2 and Agr/AIP of L. monocytogenes, as well as QS-controlled phenotypes in this study. Our results showed that neither luxS expression nor AI-2 production was affected by andrographolide. Nevertheless, andrographolide significantly reduced the expression levels of the agr genes and the activity of the agr promoter P2. Results from the crystal violet staining method, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) demonstrated that andrographolide remarkably inhibited the biofilm-forming ability of L. monocytogenes 10403S. The preformed biofilms were eradicated when exposed to andrographolide, and reduced surviving cells were also observed in treated biofilms. L. monocytogenes treated with andrographolide exhibited decreased ability to secrete LLO and adhere to and invade Caco-2 cells. Therefore, andrographolide is a potential QS inhibitor by targeting the Agr QS system to reduce biofilm formation and virulence of L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- School of Life Sciences & Basic Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang 453000, China; (T.Y.); (X.J.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health Risk Warning of Xinxiang City, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang 453000, China
| | - Xiaojie Jiang
- School of Life Sciences & Basic Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang 453000, China; (T.Y.); (X.J.); (X.X.)
| | - Xiaobo Xu
- School of Life Sciences & Basic Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang 453000, China; (T.Y.); (X.J.); (X.X.)
| | - Congyi Jiang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (C.J.); (R.K.)
| | - Rui Kang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (C.J.); (R.K.)
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Henan Engineering Laboratory for Bioconversion Technology of Functional Microbes, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (C.J.); (R.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-03733326340
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11
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Systems view of Bacillus subtilis pellicle development. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:25. [PMID: 35414070 PMCID: PMC9005697 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00293-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we link pellicle development at the water-air interface with the vertical distribution and viability of the individual B. subtilis PS-216 cells throughout the water column. Real-time interfacial rheology and time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy were combined to correlate mechanical properties with morphological changes (aggregation status, filament formation, pellicle thickness, spore formation) of the growing pellicle. Six key events were identified in B. subtilis pellicle formation that are accompanied by a major change in viscoelastic and morphology behaviour of the pellicle. The results imply that pellicle development is a multifaceted response to a changing environment induced by bacterial growth that causes population redistribution within the model system, reduction of the viable habitat to the water-air interface, cell development, and morphogenesis. The outcome is a build-up of mechanical stress supporting structure that eventually, due to nutrient deprivation, reaches the finite thickness. After prolonged incubation, the formed pellicle collapses, which correlates with the spore releasing process. The pellicle loses the ability to support mechanical stress, which marks the end of the pellicle life cycle and entry of the system into the dormant state.
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Giannakara M, Koumandou VL. Evolution of two-component quorum sensing systems. Access Microbiol 2022; 4:000303. [PMID: 35252749 PMCID: PMC8895600 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication system that enables bacteria to coordinate their gene expression depending on their population density, via the detection of small molecules called autoinducers. In this way bacteria can act collectively to initiate processes like bioluminescence, virulence and biofilm formation. Autoinducers are detected by receptors, some of which are part of two-component signal transduction systems (TCS), which comprise of a (usually membrane-bound) sensor histidine kinase (HK) and a cognate response regulator (RR). Different QS systems are used by different bacterial taxa, and their relative evolutionary relationships have not been extensively studied. To address this, we used the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to identify all the QS HKs and RRs that are part of TCSs and examined their conservation across microbial taxa. We compared the combinations of the highly conserved domains in the different families of receptors and response regulators using the Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool (SMART) and KEGG databases, and we also carried out phylogenetic analyses for each family, and all families together. The distribution of the different QS systems across taxa, indicates flexibility in HK–RR pairing and highlights the need for further study of the most abundant systems. For both the QS receptors and the response regulators, our results indicate close evolutionary relationships between certain families, highlighting a common evolutionary history which can inform future applications, such as the design of novel inhibitors for pathogenic QS systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Giannakara
- Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Lila Koumandou
- Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Tripathi S, Chandra R, Purchase D, Bilal M, Mythili R, Yadav S. Quorum sensing - a promising tool for degradation of industrial waste containing persistent organic pollutants. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118342. [PMID: 34653589 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Restoring an environment contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is highly challenging. Biodegradation by biofilm-forming bacteria through quorum sensing (QS) is a promising treatment process to remove these pollutants and promotes eco-restoration. QS plays an important role in biofilm formation, solubilization, and biotransformation of pollutants. QS is a density-based communication between microbial cells via signalling molecules, which coordinates specific characters and helps bacteria to acclimatize against stress conditions. Genetic diversification of a biofilm offers excellent opportunities for horizontal gene transfer, improves resistance against stress, and provides a suitable environment for the metabolism of POPs. To develop this technology in industrial scale, it is important to understand the fundamentals and ubiquitous nature of QS bacteria and appreciate the role of QS in the degradation of POPs. Currently, there are knowledge gaps regarding the environmental niche, abundance, and population of QS bacteria in wastewater treatment systems. This review aims to present up-to-date and state-of-the-art information on the roles of QS and QS-mediated strategies in industrial waste treatment including biological treatments (such as activated sludge), highlighting their potentials using examples from the pulp and paper mill industry, hydrocarbon remediation and phytoremediation. The information will help to provide a throughout understanding of the potential of QS to degrade POPs and advance the use of this technology. Current knowledge of QS strategies is limited to laboratory studies, full-scale applications remain challenging and more research is need to explore QS gene expression and test in full-scale reactors for wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Tripathi
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), VidyaVihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Ram Chandra
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), VidyaVihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India.
| | - Diane Purchase
- Department of Natural Sciences, Facultyof Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, England NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Raja Mythili
- PG & Research Department of Biotechnology, Mahendra Arts & Science College, Kalppatti, Namakkal, 637503, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sangeeta Yadav
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School for Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), VidyaVihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India.
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Treinen C, Magosch O, Hoffmann M, Klausmann P, Würtz B, Pfannstiel J, Morabbi Heravi K, Lilge L, Hausmann R, Henkel M. Modeling the time course of ComX: towards molecular process control for Bacillus wild-type cultivations. AMB Express 2021; 11:144. [PMID: 34714452 PMCID: PMC8556439 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-021-01306-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild-type cultivations are of invaluable relevance for industrial biotechnology when it comes to the agricultural or food sector. Here, genetic engineering is hardly applicable due to legal barriers and consumer’s demand for GMO-free products. An important pillar for wild-type cultivations displays the genus Bacillus. One of the challenges for Bacillus cultivations is the global ComX-dependent quorum sensing system. Here, molecular process control can serve as a tool to optimize the production process without genetic engineering. To realize this approach, quantitative knowledge of the mechanism is essential, which, however, is often available only to a limited extent. The presented work provides a case study based on the production of cyclic lipopeptide surfactin, whose expression is in dependence of ComX, using natural producer B. subtilis DSM 10 T. First, a surfactin reference process with 40 g/L of glucose was performed as batch fermentation in a pilot scale bioreactor system to gain novel insights into kinetic behavior of ComX in relation to surfactin production. Interestingly, the specific surfactin productivity did not increase linearly with ComX activity. The data were then used to derive a mathematic model for the time course of ComX in dependence of existing biomass, biomass growth as well as a putative ComX-specific protease. The newly adapted model was validated and transferred to other batch fermentations, employing 20 and 60 g/L glucose. The applied approach can serve as a model system for molecular process control strategies, which can thus be extended to other quorum sensing dependent wild-type cultivations.
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Klausmann P, Lilge L, Aschern M, Hennemann K, Henkel M, Hausmann R, Morabbi Heravi K. Influence of B. subtilis 3NA mutations in spo0A and abrB on surfactin production in B. subtilis 168. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:188. [PMID: 34565366 PMCID: PMC8474915 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01679-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacillus subtilis is a well-established host for a variety of bioproduction processes, with much interest focused on the production of biosurfactants such as the cyclic lipopeptide surfactin. Surfactin production is tightly intertwined with quorum sensing and regulatory cell differentiation processes. As previous studies have shown, a non-sporulating B. subtilis strain 3NA encoding a functional sfp locus but mutations in the spo0A and abrB loci, called JABs32, exhibits noticeably increased surfactin production capabilities. In this work, the impacts of introducing JABs32 mutations in the genes spo0A, abrB and abh from 3NA into strain KM1016, a surfactin-forming derivative of B. subtilis 168, was investigated. This study aims to show these mutations are responsible for the surfactin producing performance of strain JABs32 in fed-batch bioreactor cultivations. Results Single and double mutant strains of B. subtilis KM1016 were constructed encoding gene deletions of spo0A, abrB and homologous abh. Furthermore, an elongated abrB version, called abrB*, as described for JABs32 was integrated. Single and combinatory mutant strains were analysed in respect of growth behaviour, native PsrfA promoter expression and surfactin production. Deletion of spo0A led to increased growth rates with lowered surfactin titers, while deletion or elongation of abrB resulted in lowered growth rates and high surfactin yields, compared to KM1016. The double mutant strains B. subtilis KM1036 and KM1020 encoding Δspo0A abrB* and Δspo0A ΔabrB were compared to reference strain JABs32, with KM1036 exhibiting similar production parameters and impeded cell growth and surfactin production for KM1020. Bioreactor fed-batch cultivations comparing a Δspo0A abrB* mutant of KM1016, KM681, with JABs32 showed a decrease of 32% in surfactin concentration. Conclusions The genetic differences of B. subtilis KM1016 and JABs32 give rise to new and improved fermentation methods through high cell density processes. Deletion of the spo0A locus was shown to be the reason for higher biomass concentrations. Only in combination with an elongation of abrB was this strain able to reach high surfactin titers of 18.27 g L−1 in fed-batch cultivations. This work shows, that a B. subtilis strain can be turned into a high cell density surfactin production strain by introduction of two mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Klausmann
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lars Lilge
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Moritz Aschern
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katja Hennemann
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marius Henkel
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hausmann
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kambiz Morabbi Heravi
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering (150K), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Danevčič T, Dragoš A, Spacapan M, Stefanic P, Dogsa I, Mandic-Mulec I. Surfactin Facilitates Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacillus subtilis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:657407. [PMID: 34054753 PMCID: PMC8160284 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.657407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic competence for the uptake and integration of extracellular DNA is a key process in horizontal gene transfer (HGT), one of the most powerful forces driving the evolution of bacteria. In several species, development of genetic competence is coupled with cell lysis. Using Bacillus subtilis as a model bacterium, we studied the role of surfactin, a powerful biosurfactant and antimicrobial lipopeptide, in genetic transformation. We showed that surfactin itself promotes cell lysis and DNA release, thereby promoting HGT. These results, therefore, provide evidence for a fundamental mechanism involved in HGT and significantly increase our understanding of the spreading of antibiotic resistance genes and diversification of microbial communities in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Danevčič
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mihael Spacapan
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polonca Stefanic
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Dogsa
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ines Mandic-Mulec
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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