Induction of superoxide dismutase in Escherichia coli by heat shock

The impact of heat treatment on E. coli cell physiology in rich and minimal media considering oxidative secondary stress

AIMS

This study investigates the cell physiology of thermally injured bacterial cells, with a specific focus on oxidative stress and the repair mechanisms associated with oxidative secondary stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We explored the effect of heat treatment on the activity of two protective enzymes, levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and redox potential. The findings reveal that enzyme activity slightly increased after heat treatment, gradually returning to baseline levels during subculture. The response of Escherichia coli cells to heat treatment, as assessed by the level of superoxide radicals generated and redox potential, varied based on growth conditions, namely minimal and rich media. Notably, the viability of injured cells improved when antioxidants were added to agar media, even in the presence of metabolic inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a complex system involved in repairing damage in heat-treated cells, particularly in rich media. While repairing membrane damage is crucial for cell regrowth and the electron transport system plays a critical role in the recovery process of injured cells under both tested conditions.

MetA is a "thermal fuse" that inhibits growth and protects Escherichia coli at elevated temperatures

Adaptive stress resistance in microbes is mostly attributed to the expression of stress response genes, including heat-shock proteins. Here, we report a response of E. coli to heat stress caused by degradation of an enzyme in the methionine biosynthesis pathway (MetA). While MetA degradation can inhibit growth, which by itself is detrimental for fitness, we show that it directly benefits survival at temperatures exceeding 50°C, increasing survival chances by more than 1,000-fold. Using both experiments and mathematical modeling, we show quantitatively how protein expression, degradation rates, and environmental stressors cause long-term growth inhibition in otherwise habitable conditions. Because growth inhibition can be abolished with simple mutations, namely point mutations of MetA and protease knockouts, we interpret the breakdown of methionine synthesis as a system that has evolved to halt growth at high temperatures, analogous to "thermal fuses" in engineering that shut off electricity to prevent overheating.

Superoxide Dismutase Prevents SARS-CoV-2-Induced Plasma Cell Apoptosis and Stabilizes Specific Antibody Induction

The infection of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seriously threatens human life. It is urgent to generate effective and safe specific antibodies (Abs) against the pathogenic elements of COVID-19. Mice were immunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigens: S ectodomain-1 (CoV, in short) mixed in Alum adjuvant for 2 times and boosted with CoV weekly for 6 times. A portion of mice were treated with Maotai liquor (MTL, in short) or/and heat stress (HS) together with CoV boosting. We observed that the anti-CoV Ab was successfully induced in mice that received the CoV/Alum immunization for 2 times. However, upon boosting with CoV, the CoV Ab production diminished progressively; spleen CoV Ab-producing plasma cell counts reduced, in which substantial CoV-specific Ab-producing plasma cells (sPC) were apoptotic. Apparent oxidative stress signs were observed in sPCs; the results were reproduced by exposing sPCs to CoV in the culture. The presence of MTL or/and HS prevented the CoV-induced oxidative stress in sPCs and promoted and stabilized the CoV Ab production in mice in re-exposure to CoV. In summary, CoV/Alum immunization can successfully induce CoV Ab production in mice that declines upon reexposure to CoV. Concurrent administration of MTL/HS stabilizes and promotes the CoV Ab production in mice.

Overview of the Cellular Stress Responses Involved in Fatty Acid Overproduction in E. coli

Research on microbial fatty acid metabolism started in the late 1960s, and till date, various developments have aided in elucidating the fatty acid metabolism in great depth. Over the years, synthesis of microbial fatty acid has drawn industrial attention due to its diverse applications. However, fatty acid overproduction imparts various stresses on its metabolic pathways causing a bottleneck to further increase the fatty acid yields. Numerous strategies to increase fatty acid titres in Escherichia coli by pathway modulation have already been published, but the stress generated during fatty acid overproduction is relatively less studied. Stresses like pH, osmolarity and oxidative stress, not only lower fatty acid titres, but also alter the cell membrane composition, protein expression and membrane fluidity. This review discusses an overview of fatty acid synthesis pathway and presents a panoramic view of various stresses caused due to fatty acid overproduction in E. coli. It also addresses how certain stresses like high temperature and nitrogen limitation can boost fatty acid production. This review paper also highlights the interconnections that exist between these stresses.

ANCA: Alignment-Based Network Construction Algorithm

Dynamic biological networks model changes in the network topology over time. However, often the topologies of these networks are not available at specific time points. Existing algorithms for studying dynamic networks often ignore this problem and focus only on the time points at which experimental data is available. In this paper, we develop a novel alignment based network construction algorithm, ANCA, that constructs the dynamic networks at the missing time points by exploiting the information from a reference dynamic network. Our experiments on synthetic and real networks demonstrate that ANCA predicts the missing target networks accurately, and scales to large-scale biological networks in practical time. Our analysis of an E. coli protein-protein interaction network shows that ANCA successfully identifies key temporal changes in the biological networks. Our analysis also suggests that by focusing on the topological differences in the network, our method can be used to find important genes and temporal functional changes in the biological networks.

Heat-responsive and time-resolved transcriptome and metabolome analyses of Escherichia coli uncover thermo-tolerant mechanisms

Current understanding of heat shock response has been complicated by the fact that heat stress is inevitably accompanied by changes in specific growth rates and growth stages. In this study, a chemostat culture was successfully performed to avoid the physico-chemical and biological changes that accompany heatshock, which provided a unique opportunity to investigate the full range of cellular responses to thermal stress, ranging from temporary adjustment to phenotypic adaptation at multi-omics levels. Heat-responsive and time-resolved changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of a widely used E. coli strain BL21(DE3) were explored in which the temperature was upshifted from 37 to 42 °C. Omics profiles were categorized into early (2 and 10 min), middle (0.5, 1, and 2 h), and late (4, 8, and 40 h) stages of heat stress, each of which reflected the initiation, adaptation, and phenotypic plasticity steps of the stress response. The continued heat stress modulated global gene expression by controlling the expression levels of sigma factors in different time frames, including unexpected downregulation of the second heatshock sigma factor gene (rpoE) upon the heat stress. Trehalose, cadaverine, and enterobactin showed increased production to deal with the heat-induced oxidative stress. Genes highly expressed at the late stage were experimentally validated to provide thermotolerance. Intriguingly, a cryptic capsular gene cluster showed considerably high expression level only at the late stage, and its expression was essential for cell growth at high temperature. Granule-forming and elongated cells were observed at the late stage, which was morphological plasticity occurred as a result of acclimation to the continued heat stress. Whole process of thermal adaptation along with the genetic and metabolic changes at fine temporal resolution will contribute to far-reaching comprehension of the heat shock response. Further, the identified thermotolerant genes will be useful to rationally engineer thermotolerant microorganisms.

Thermal stress responses of Sodalis glossinidius, an indigenous bacterial symbiont of hematophagous tsetse flies

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) house a taxonomically diverse microbiota that includes environmentally acquired bacteria, maternally transmitted symbiotic bacteria, and pathogenic African trypanosomes. Sodalis glossinidius, which is a facultative symbiont that resides intra and extracellularly within multiple tsetse tissues, has been implicated as a mediator of trypanosome infection establishment in the fly’s gut. Tsetse’s gut-associated population of Sodalis are subjected to marked temperature fluctuations each time their ectothermic fly host imbibes vertebrate blood. The molecular mechanisms that Sodalis employs to deal with this heat stress are unknown. In this study, we examined the thermal tolerance and heat shock response of Sodalis. When grown on BHI agar plates, the bacterium exhibited the most prolific growth at 25^oC, and did not grow at temperatures above 30^oC. Growth on BHI agar plates at 31°C was dependent on either the addition of blood to the agar or reduction in oxygen levels. Sodalis was viable in liquid cultures for 24 hours at 30^oC, but began to die upon further exposure. The rate of death increased with increased temperature. Similarly, Sodalis was able to survive for 48 hours within tsetse flies housed at 30^oC, while a higher temperature (37^oC) was lethal. Sodalis’ genome contains homologues of the heat shock chaperone protein-encoding genes dnaK, dnaJ, and grpE, and their expression was up-regulated in thermally stressed Sodalis, both in vitro and in vivo within tsetse fly midguts. Arrested growth of E. coli dnaK, dnaJ, or grpE mutants under thermal stress was reversed when the cells were transformed with a low copy plasmid that encoded the Sodalis homologues of these genes. The information contained in this study provides insight into how arthropod vector enteric commensals, many of which mediate their host’s ability to transmit pathogens, mitigate heat shock associated with the ingestion of a blood meal.

Microorganisms associated with insects must cope with fluctuating temperatures. Because symbiotic bacteria influence the biology of their host, how they respond to temperature changes will have an impact on the host and other microorganisms in the host. The tsetse fly and its symbionts represent an important model system for studying thermal tolerance because the fly feeds exclusively on vertebrate blood and is thus exposed to dramatic temperature shifts. Tsetse flies house a microbial community that can consist of symbiotic and environmentally acquired bacteria, viruses, and parasitic African trypanosomes. This work, which makes use of tsetse’s commensal endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, is significance because it represents the only examination of thermal tolerance mechanisms in a bacterium that resides indigenously within an arthropod disease vector. A better understanding of the biology of thermal tolerance in Sodalis provides insight into thermal stress survival in other insect symbionts and may yield information to help control vector-borne disease.

Structural characterization of a pathogenicity-related superoxide dismutase codified by a probably essential gene in Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Citrus canker is a plant disease caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri that affects all domestic varieties of citrus. Some annotated genes from the X. citri subsp. citri genome are assigned to an interesting class named "pathogenicity, virulence and adaptation". Amongst these is sodM, which encodes for the gene product XcSOD, one of four superoxide dismutase homologs predicted from the genome. SODs are widespread enzymes that play roles in the oxidative stress response, catalyzing the degradation of the deleterious superoxide radical. In Xanthomonas, SOD has been associated with pathogenesis as a counter measure against the plant defense response. In this work we initially present the 1.8 Å crystal structure of XcSOD, a manganese containing superoxide dismutase from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. The structure bears all the hallmarks of a dimeric member of the MnSOD family, including the conserved hydrogen-bonding network residues. Despite the apparent gene redundancy, several attempts to obtain a sodM deletion mutant were unsuccessful, suggesting the encoded protein to be essential for bacterial survival. This intriguing observation led us to extend our structural studies to the remaining three SOD homologs, for which comparative models were built. The models imply that X. citri subsp. citri produces an iron-containing SOD which is unlikely to be catalytically active along with two conventional Cu,ZnSODs. Although the latter are expected to possess catalytic activity, we propose they may not be able to replace XcSOD for reasons such as distinct subcellular compartmentalization or differential gene expression in pathogenicity-inducing conditions.

Some Like It Hot: Heat Resistance of Escherichia coli in Food

Heat treatment and cooking are common interventions for reducing the numbers of vegetative cells and eliminating pathogenic microorganisms in food. Current cooking method requires the internal temperature of beef patties to reach 71°C. However, some pathogenic Escherichia coli such as the beef isolate E. coli AW 1.7 are extremely heat resistant, questioning its inactivation by current heat interventions in beef processing. To optimize the conditions of heat treatment for effective decontaminations of pathogenic E. coli strains, sufficient estimations, and explanations are necessary on mechanisms of heat resistance of target strains. The heat resistance of E. coli depends on the variability of strains and properties of food formulations including salt and water activity. Heat induces alterations of E. coli cells including membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome and DNA, particularly on proteins including protein misfolding and aggregations. Resistant systems of E. coli act against these alterations, mainly through gene regulations of heat response including EvgA, heat shock proteins, σE and σS, to re-fold of misfolded proteins, and achieve antagonism to heat stress. Heat resistance can also be increased by expression of key proteins of membrane and stabilization of membrane fluidity. In addition to the contributions of the outer membrane porin NmpC and overcome of osmotic stress from compatible solutes, the new identified genomic island locus of heat resistant performs a critical role to these highly heat resistant strains. This review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on heat resistance of E. coli, to better understand its related mechanisms and explore more effective applications of heat interventions in food industry.

Biologically Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles Ameliorate Cold and Heat Stress-Induced Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli

Due to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have recently attracted much interest in the field of nanomedicine, especially in the areas of cancer diagnosis and photothermal therapy. Because of the enormous potential of these nanoparticles, various physical, chemical, and biological methods have been adopted for their synthesis. Synthetic antioxidants are dangerous to human health. Thus, the search for effective, nontoxic natural compounds with effective antioxidative properties is essential. Although AuNPs have been studied for use in various biological applications, exploration of AuNPs as antioxidants capable of inhibiting oxidative stress induced by heat and cold stress is still warranted. Therefore, one goal of our study was to produce biocompatible AuNPs using biological methods that are simple, nontoxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. Next, we aimed to assess the antioxidative effect of AuNPs against oxidative stress induced by cold and heat in Escherichia coli, which is a suitable model for stress responses involving AuNPs. The response of aerobically grown E. coli cells to cold and heat stress was found to be similar to the oxidative stress response. Upon exposure to cold and heat stress, the viability and metabolic activity of E. coli was significantly reduced compared to the control. In addition, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and leakage of proteins and sugars were significantly elevated, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) significantly lowered compared to in the control. Concomitantly, AuNPs ameliorated cold and heat-induced oxidative stress responses by increasing the expression of antioxidants, including glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). These consistent physiology and biochemical data suggest that AuNPs can ameliorate cold and heat stress-induced oxidative damage in E. coli. Our results indicate that AuNPs may be effective antioxidants. However, further studies are needed to confirm the role of AuNPs as antioxidative agents, as well as their mechanism of action.

Redox balance influences differentiation status of neuroblastoma in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in childhood; and patients in stage IV of the disease have a high propensity for tumor recurrence. Retinoid therapy has been utilized as a means to induce differentiation of tumor cells and to inhibit relapse. In this study, the expression of a common neuronal differentiation marker [neurofilament M (NF-M)] in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells treated with 10 μM all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) showed significantly increased expression in accordance with reduced cell number. This was accompanied by an increase in MitoSOX and DCFH2 oxidation that could be indicative of increased steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O₂^•− and H₂O₂, which correlated with increased levels of MnSOD activity and immuno-reactive protein. Furthermore PEG-catalase inhibited the DCFH2 oxidation signal to a greater extent in the ATRA-treated cells (relative to controls) at 96 h indicating that as the cells became more differentiated, steady-state levels of H₂O₂ increased in the absence of increases in peroxide-scavenging antioxidants (i.e., glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). In addition, ATRA-induced stimulation of NF-M at 48 and 72 h was enhanced by decreasing SOD activity using siRNA directed at MnSOD. Finally, treatment with ATRA for 96 h in the presence of MnSOD siRNA or PEG-catalase inhibited ATRA induced increases in NF-M expression. These results provide strong support for the hypothesis that changes in steady-state levels of O₂^•− and H₂O₂ significantly contribute to the process of ATRA-induced differentiation in neuroblastoma, and suggest that retinoid therapy for neuroblastoma could potentially be enhanced by redox-based manipulations of superoxide metabolism to improve patient outcome.

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A role for ROS is proposed for retinoid-differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.

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Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide coordinate with increased MnSOD activity.

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Hydrogen peroxide is a potential signaling molecule to promote differentiation.

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Preventing H₂O₂ degradation may improve retinoid based neuroblastoma therapies.

The DNA-Binding Protein from Starved Cells (Dps) Utilizes Dual Functions To Defend Cells against Multiple Stresses

Bacteria deficient in the DNA-binding protein from starved cells (Dps) are viable under controlled conditions but show dramatically increased mortality rates when exposed to any of a wide range of stresses, including starvation, oxidative stress, metal toxicity, or thermal stress. It remains unclear whether the protective action of Dps against specific stresses derives from its DNA-binding activity, which may exclude destructive agents from the chromosomal region, or its ferroxidase activity, which neutralizes and sequesters potentially damaging chemical species. To resolve this question, we have identified the critical residues of Escherichia coli Dps that bind to DNA and modulate iron oxidation. We uncoupled the biochemical activities of Dps, creating Dps variants and mutant E. coli strains that are defective in either DNA-binding or ferroxidase activity. Quantification of the contribution of each activity to the protection of DNA integrity and cellular viability revealed that both activities of Dps are required in order to counteract many differing stresses. These findings demonstrate that Dps plays a multipurpose role in stress protection via its dual activities, explaining how Dps can be of vital importance to bacterial viability over a wide range of stresses.

IMPORTANCE

The DNA-binding protein from starved cells (Dps) protects bacterial cells against many different types of stressors. We find that DNA binding and iron oxidation by Dps are performed completely independently of each other. Both biochemical activities are required to protect E. coli against stressors, as well as to protect DNA from oxidative damage in vitro. These results suggest that many stressors may cause both oxidative stress and direct DNA damage.

Expression of stress and virulence genes in Escherichia coli O157:H7 heat shocked in fresh dairy compost

The purpose of this study was to determine the gene expression of Escherichia coli O157:H7 heat shocked in dairy compost. A two-step real-time PCR assay was used to evaluate the expression of stress and virulence genes in E. coli O157:H7 heat shocked in compost at 47.5°C for 10 min. Heat-shocked E. coli O157:H7 in compost was isolated by using an immunomagnetic bead separation method, followed by total RNA extraction, which was then converted to cDNA by using a commercial kit. E. coli O157:H7 heat shocked in broth served as the media control. In compost, heat shock genes (clpB, dnaK, and groEL) and the alternative sigma factor (rpoH) of E. coli O157:H7 were upregulated (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of trehalose synthesis genes did not change. Virulence genes, such as stx1 and fliC, were upregulated, while genes stx2, eaeA, and hlyA were downregulated. In the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, toxin genes, mazF, hipA, and yafQ were upregulated, whereas among antitoxin genes, only dinJ was upregulated (P < 0.05). In tryptic soy broth, all heat shock genes (rpoH, clpB, dnaK, and groEL) were upregulated (P < 0.05), and most virulence genes (stx1, stx2, hlyA, and fliC) and TA genes (mazF-mazE, hipA-hipB, and yafQ-dinJ and toxin gene chpS) were down-regulated. Our results revealed various gene expression patterns when E. coli O157:H7 inoculated in compost was exposed to a sublethal temperature. Clearly, induction of the heat shock response is one of the important protective mechanisms that prolongs the survival of pathogens during the composting process. In addition, other possible mechanisms (such as the TA system) operating along with heat shock response may be responsible for the extended survival of pathogens in compost.

Metabolic Regulation and Coordination of the Metabolism in Bacteria in Response to a Variety of Growth Conditions

Living organisms have sophisticated but well-organized regulation system. It is important to understand the metabolic regulation mechanisms in relation to growth environment for the efficient design of cell factories for biofuels and biochemicals production. Here, an overview is given for carbon catabolite regulation, nitrogen regulation, ion, sulfur, and phosphate regulations, stringent response under nutrient starvation as well as oxidative stress regulation, redox state regulation, acid-shock, heat- and cold-shock regulations, solvent stress regulation, osmoregulation, and biofilm formation, and quorum sensing focusing on Escherichia coli metabolism and others. The coordinated regulation mechanisms are of particular interest in getting insight into the principle which governs the cell metabolism. The metabolism is controlled by both enzyme-level regulation and transcriptional regulation via transcription factors such as cAMP-Crp, Cra, Csr, Fis, P(II)(GlnB), NtrBC, CysB, PhoR/B, SoxR/S, Fur, MarR, ArcA/B, Fnr, NarX/L, RpoS, and (p)ppGpp for stringent response, where the timescales for enzyme-level and gene-level regulations are different. Moreover, multiple regulations are coordinated by the intracellular metabolites, where fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) play important roles for enzyme-level regulation as well as transcriptional control, while α-ketoacids such as α-ketoglutaric acid (αKG), pyruvate (PYR), and oxaloacetate (OAA) play important roles for the coordinated regulation between carbon source uptake rate and other nutrient uptake rate such as nitrogen or sulfur uptake rate by modulation of cAMP via Cya.

Proteome of Geobacter sulfurreducens in the presence of U(VI)

Geobacter species often play an important role in the in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater, but little is known about how these microbes avoid uranium toxicity. To evaluate this further, the proteome of Geobacter sulfurreducens exposed to 100 µM U(VI) acetate was compared to control cells not exposed to U(VI). Of the 1363 proteins detected from these cultures, 203 proteins had higher abundance during exposure to U(VI) compared with the control cells and 148 proteins had lower abundance. U(VI)-exposed cultures expressed lower levels of proteins involved in growth, protein and amino acid biosynthesis, as well as key central metabolism enzymes as a result of the deleterious effect of U(VI) on the growth of G. sulfurreducens. In contrast, proteins involved in detoxification, such as several efflux pumps belonging to the RND (resistance–nodulation–cell division) family, and membrane protection, and other proteins, such as chaperones and proteins involved in secretion systems, were found in higher abundance in cells exposed to U(VI). Exposing G. sulfurreducens to U(VI) resulted in a higher abundance of many proteins associated with the oxidative stress response, such as superoxide dismutase and superoxide reductase. A strain in which the gene for superoxide dismutase was deleted grew more slowly than the WT strain in the presence of U(VI), but not in its absence. The results suggested that there is no specific mechanism for uranium detoxification. Rather, multiple general stress responses are induced, which presumably enable Geobacter species to tolerate high uranium concentrations.

Regulation Systems of Bacteria such as Escherichia coli in Response to Nutrient Limitation and Environmental Stresses

An overview was made to understand the regulation system of a bacterial cell such as Escherichia coli in response to nutrient limitation such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphate, sulfur, ion sources, and environmental stresses such as oxidative stress, acid shock, heat shock, and solvent stresses. It is quite important to understand how the cell detects environmental signals, integrate such information, and how the cell system is regulated. As for catabolite regulation, F1,6B P (FDP), PEP, and PYR play important roles in enzyme level regulation together with transcriptional regulation by such transcription factors as Cra, Fis, CsrA, and cAMP-Crp. αKG plays an important role in the coordinated control between carbon (C)- and nitrogen (N)-limitations, where αKG inhibits enzyme I (EI) of phosphotransferase system (PTS), thus regulating the glucose uptake rate in accordance with N level. As such, multiple regulation systems are co-ordinated for the cell synthesis and energy generation against nutrient limitations and environmental stresses. As for oxidative stress, the TCA cycle both generates and scavenges the reactive oxygen species (ROSs), where NADPH produced at ICDH and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathways play an important role in coping with oxidative stress. Solvent resistant mechanism was also considered for the stresses caused by biofuels and biochemicals production in the cell.

Metabolic Regulation of a Bacterial Cell System with Emphasis on Escherichia coli Metabolism

It is quite important to understand the overall metabolic regulation mechanism of bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli from both science (such as biochemistry) and engineering (such as metabolic engineering) points of view. Here, an attempt was made to clarify the overall metabolic regulation mechanism by focusing on the roles of global regulators which detect the culture or growth condition and manipulate a set of metabolic pathways by modulating the related gene expressions. For this, it was considered how the cell responds to a variety of culture environments such as carbon (catabolite regulation), nitrogen, and phosphate limitations, as well as the effects of oxygen level, pH (acid shock), temperature (heat shock), and nutrient starvation.

Global metabolomic responses of Escherichia coli to heat stress

Microbial metabolomic analysis is essential for understanding responses of microorganisms to heat stress. To understand the comprehensive metabolic responses of Escherichia coli to continuous heat stress, we characterized the metabolomic variations induced by heat stress using NMR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis. We detected 15 amino acids, 10 nucleotides, 9 aliphatic organic acids, 7 amines, glucose and its derivative glucosylglyceric acid, and methanol in the E. coli extracts. Glucosylglyceric acid was reported for the first time in E. coli. We found that heat stress was an important factor influencing the metabolic state and growth process, mainly via suppressing energy associated metabolism, reducing nucleotide biosynthesis, altering amino acid metabolism and promoting osmotic regulation. Moreover, metabolic perturbation was aggravated during heat stress. However, a sign of recovery to control levels was observed after the removal of heat stress. These findings enhanced our understanding of the metabolic responses of E. coli to heat stress and demonstrated the effectiveness of the NMR-based metabolomics approach to study such a complex system.

Oxidative stress in industrial fungi

Fungi are amongst the most industrially important microorganisms in current use within the biotechnology industry. Most such fungal cultures are highly aerobic in nature, a character that has been frequently referred to in both reactor design and fungal physiology. The most fundamentally significant outcome of the highly aerobic growth environment in fermenter vessels is the need for the fungal culture to effectively combat in the intracellular environment the negative consequences of high oxygen transfer rates. The use of oxygen as the respiratory substrate is frequently reported to lead to the development of oxidative stress, mainly due to oxygen-derived free radicals, which are collectively termed as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, there has been extensive research on the occurrence, extent, and consequences of oxidative stress in microorganisms, and the underlying mechanisms through which cells prevent and repair the damage caused by ROS. In the present study, we critically review the current understanding of oxidative stress events in industrially relevant fungi. The review first describes the current state of knowledge of ROS concisely, and then the various antioxidant strategies employed by fungal cells to counteract the deleterious effects, together with their implications in fungal bioprocessing are also discussed. Finally, some recommendations for further research are made.

Proteome analysis of the Escherichia coli heat shock response under steady-state conditions

In this study a proteomic approach was used to investigate the steady-state response of Escherichia coli to temperature up-shifts in a cascade of two continuously operated bioreactors. The first reactor served as cell source with optimal settings for microbial growth, while in the second chemostat the cells were exposed to elevated temperatures. By using this reactor configuration, which has not been reported to be used for the study of bacterial stress responses so far, it is possible to study temperature stress under well-defined, steady-state conditions. Specifically the effect on the cellular adaption to temperature stress using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was examined and compared at the cultivation temperatures of 37 degrees C and 47.5 degrees C. As expected, the steady-state study with the double bioreactor configuration delivered a different protein spectrum compared to that obtained with standard batch experiments in shaking flasks and bioreactors. Setting a high cut-out spot-to-spot size ratio of 5, proteins involved in defence against oxygen stress, functional cell envelope proteins, chaperones and proteins involved in protein biosynthesis, the energy metabolism and the amino acid biosynthesis were found to be differently expressed at high cultivation temperatures. The results demonstrate the complexity of the stress response in a steady-state culture not reported elsewhere to date.

Thermal stress and the disruption of redox-sensitive signalling and transcription factor activation: possible role in radiosensitization

In spite of ongoing research efforts, the specific mechanism(s) of heat-induced alterations in the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) remain ambiguous, in part because they likely involve multiple mechanisms and potential targets. One such group of potential targets includes a class of cytoplasmic signalling and/or nuclear transcription factors known as immediate early response genes, which have been suggested to perform cytotoxic as well as cytoprotective roles during cancer therapy. One established mechanism regulating the activity of these early response elements involves changes in cellular oxidation/reduction (redox) status. After establishing common alterations in early response genes by oxidative stress and heat exposure, one could infer that heat shock may have similarities to other forms of environmental antagonists that induce oxidative stress. In this review, recent evidence supporting a mechanistic link between heat shock and oxidative stress will be summarized. In addition, the hypothesis that one mechanism whereby heat shock alters cellular responses to anticancer agents (including hyperthermic radiosensitization) is through heat-induced disruption of redox-sensitive signalling factors will be discussed.

Cell envelope perturbation induces oxidative stress and changes in iron homeostasis in Vibrio cholerae

The Vibrio cholerae type II secretion (T2S) machinery is a multiprotein complex that spans the cell envelope. When the T2S system is inactivated, cholera toxin and other exoproteins accumulate in the periplasmic compartment. Additionally, loss of secretion via the T2S system leads to a reduced growth rate, compromised outer membrane integrity, and induction of the extracytoplasmic stress factor RpoE (A. E. Sikora, S. R. Lybarger, and M. Sandkvist, J. Bacteriol. 189:8484-8495, 2007). In this study, gene expression profiling reveals that inactivation of the T2S system alters the expression of genes encoding cell envelope components and proteins involved in central metabolism, chemotaxis, motility, oxidative stress, and iron storage and acquisition. Consistent with the gene expression data, molecular and biochemical analyses indicate that the T2S mutants suffer from internal oxidative stress and increased levels of intracellular ferrous iron. By using a tolA mutant of V. cholerae that shares a similar compromised membrane phenotype but maintains a functional T2S machinery, we show that the formation of radical oxygen species, induction of oxidative stress, and changes in iron physiology are likely general responses to cell envelope damage and are not unique to T2S mutants. Finally, we demonstrate that disruption of the V. cholerae cell envelope by chemical treatment with polymyxin B similarly results in induction of the RpoE-mediated stress response, increased sensitivity to oxidants, and a change in iron metabolism. We propose that many types of extracytoplasmic stresses, caused either by genetic alterations of outer membrane constituents or by chemical or physical damage to the cell envelope, induce common signaling pathways that ultimately lead to internal oxidative stress and misregulation of iron homeostasis.

The expression of manganese superoxide dismutase gene from Nelumbo nucifera responds strongly to chilling and oxidative stresses

A manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene, NnMSD1, was identified from embryonic axes of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.). The NnMSD1 protein contains all conserved residues of the Mn-SOD protein family, including four consensus metal binding domains and a signal peptide for mitochondrial targeting. Southern blot analysis suggests the existence of two Mn-SOD genes in sacred lotus. NnMSD1 was highly expressed in developing embryonic axes during seed development, but appeared in cotyledons only at the early stage of development and became undetectable in the cotyledons during late embryogenesis. The expression of the NnMSD1 gene in germinating embryonic axes, in response to various stresses such as heat shock, chilling, and exposure to stress-related chemicals, was also studied. Heat shock strongly inhibited the expression of the NnMSD1 gene, whereas the NnMSD1 transcript level increased strongly in chilling stress treatment. An increase in expression was also highly induced by H2O2 in germinating embryonic axes. The results suggest that the expression pattern of the NnMSD1 gene differed between developing axes and cotyledons, and that the NnMSD1 gene expression responds strongly to chilling and oxidative stress.

Effect of temperature up-shift on fermentation and metabolic characteristics in view of gene expressions in Escherichia coli

Background

Escherichia coli induces heat shock genes to the temperature up-shift, and changes the metabolism by complicated mechanism. The heat shock response is of practical importance for the variety of applications such as temperature-induced heterologous protein production, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) etc. However, the effect of heat shock on the metabolic regulation is not well investigated. It is strongly desired to understand the metabolic changes and its mechanism upon heat shock in practice for the efficient metabolite production by temperature up-shift. In the present research, therefore, we investigated the effect of temperature up-shift from 37°C to 42°C on the metabolism in view of gene expressions.

Results

The results of aerobic batch and continuous cultivations of E. coli BW25113 indicate that more acetate was accumulated with lower biomass yield and less glucose consumption rate at 42°C as compared to the case at 37°C. The down- regulation of the glucose uptake rate corresponds to the down-regulation of ptsG gene expression caused by the up-regulation of mlc gene expression. In accordance with up-regulation of arcA, which may be caused by the lower oxygen solubility at 42°C, the expressions of the TCA cycle-related genes and the respiratory chain gene cyoA were down-regulated. The decreased activity of TCA cycle caused more acetate formation at higher temperature, which is not preferred in heterologous protein production etc. This can be overcome by the arcA gene knockout to some extent. The time courses of gene expressions revealed that the heat shock genes such as groEL, dnaK, htpG and ibpB as well as mlc were expressed in much the same way as that of rpoH during the first 10–20 minutes after temperature up-shift. Under microaerobic condition, the fermentation changed in such a way that formate and lactate were more produced due to up-regulation of pflA and ldhA genes while ethanol was less produced due to down-regulation of adhE gene at higher temperature as compared to the case at 37°C.

Conclusion

The present result clarified the mechanism of metabolic changes upon heat shock from 37°C to 42°C based on gene expressions of heat shock genes, global regulators, and the metabolic pathway genes. It is recommended to use arcA gene knockout mutant to prevent higher acetate production upon heat shock, where it must be noted that the cell yield may be decreased due to TCA cycle activation by arcA gene knockout.

Differential roles of p38-MAPK and JNKs in mediating early protection or apoptosis in the hyperthermic perfused amphibian heart

In the present study the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38-MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) by hyperthermia was investigated in the isolated perfused Rana ridibunda heart. Hyperthermia (42°C) was found to profoundly stimulate p38-MAPK phosphorylation within 0.5 h, with maximal values being attained at 1 h[4.503(±0.577)-fold relative to control, P&lt;0.01]. JNKs were also activated under these conditions in a sustained manner for at least 4 h[2.641(±0.217)-fold relative to control, P&lt;0.01]. Regarding their substrates, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) was maximally phosphorylated at 1 h [2.261(±0.327)-fold relative to control, P&lt;0.01] and c-Jun at a later phase [3 h: 5.367(±0.081)-fold relative to control, P&lt;0.001]. Hyperthermia-induced p38-MAPK activation was found to be dependent on the Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) and was also suppressed by catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), implicating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS were also implicated in the activation of JNKs by hyperthermia, with the Na+/K+-ATPase acting as a mediator of this effect at an early stage and the NHE1 getting involved at a later time point. Finally, JNKs were found to be the principal mediators of the apoptosis induced under hyperthermic conditions, as their inhibition abolished poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage after 4 h at 42°C. Overall, to our knowledge,this study highlights for the first time the variable mediators implicated in the transduction of the hyperthermic signal in the isolated perfused heart of an ectotherm and deciphers a potential salutary effect of p38-MAPK as well as the fundamental role of JNKs in the induced apoptosis.

Regulation of heat shock-induced apoptosis by sensitive to apoptosis gene protein

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG) protein, a novel zinc RING finger protein that protects mammalian cells from apoptosis by redox reagents, is a metal chelator and a potential reactive oxygen species scavenger, but its antioxidant properties have not been completely defined. In this report, we demonstrate that modulation of SAG expression in U937 cells regulates heat shock-induced apoptosis. When we examined the protective role of SAG against heat shock-induced apoptosis with U937 cells transfected with the cDNA for SAG, a clear inverse relationship was observed between the amount of SAG expressed in target cells and their susceptibility to apoptosis. We also observed a significant decrease in the endogenous production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative DNA damage in SAG-overexpressed cells compared to control cells on exposure to heat shock. In addition, transfection of PC3 cells with SAG small interfering RNA markedly decreased the expression of SAG, enhancing the susceptibility of heat shock-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that SAG may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by heat shock presumably through maintaining the cellular redox status.

Genome-wide transcriptional responses of Escherichia coli K-12 to continuous osmotic and heat stresses

Osmotic stress is known to increase the thermotolerance and oxidative-stress resistance of bacteria by a mechanism that is not adequately understood. We probed the cross-regulation of continuous osmotic and heat stress responses by characterizing the effects of external osmolarity (0.3 M versus 0.0 M NaCl) and temperature (43 degrees C versus 30 degrees C) on the transcriptome of Escherichia coli K-12. Our most important discovery was that a number of genes in the SoxRS and OxyR oxidative-stress regulons were up-regulated by high osmolarity, high temperature, or a combination of both stresses. This result can explain the previously noted cross-protection of osmotic stress against oxidative and heat stresses. Most of the genes shown in previous studies to be induced during the early phase of adaptation to hyperosmotic shock were found to be also overexpressed under continuous osmotic stress. However, there was a poorer overlap between the heat shock genes that are induced transiently after high temperature shifts and the genes that we found to be chronically up-regulated at 43 degrees C. Supplementation of the high-osmolarity medium with the osmoprotectant glycine betaine, which reduces the cytoplasmic K(+) pool, did not lead to a universal reduction in the expression of osmotically induced genes. This finding does not support the hypothesis that K(+) is the central osmoregulatory signal in Enterobacteriaceae.

Silencing of mitochondrial NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase by small interfering RNA enhances heat shock-induced apoptosis

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPm) produces NADPH, an essential reducing equivalent for the antioxidant system. In this report, we demonstrate that silencing of IDPm expression in HeLa cells greatly enhances apoptosis induced by heat shock. Transfection of HeLa cells with an IDPm small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly decreased activity of IDPm, enhancing the susceptibility of heat shock-induced apoptosis reflected by morphological evidence of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, cellular redox status, mitochondria redox status and function, and the modulation of apoptotic marker proteins. These results indicate that IDPm may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by heat shock and the sensitizing effect of IDPm siRNA on the apoptotic cell death of HeLa cells offers the possibility of developing a modifier of cancer therapy.

Suicide through stress: A bacterial response to sub-lethal injury in the food environment

The response of bacteria to sub-lethal injury is an important aspect of food microbiology as many inimical processes to which bacteria are subjected during processing are non-lethal. For pathogens like Salmonella and Escherichia coli, the difference in injury levels of exponential phase cells compared to their stationary phase counterparts in this regard is well recognised and evident for a variety of inimical processes. The expression of a range of stress resistance genes under the control of the sigma factor RpoS provides some explanation for the greater resistance of stationary phase cells. However in 1997 the suicide response hypothesis was put forward as an explanation for the observed response of Salmonella and E. coli to sub-lethal stresses. This hypothesis arose as an explanation for the observed protection of Salmonella and E. coli strains to heat and freeze-thaw injury by the presence of a high level of competitor organisms, a protection that had been shown to be RpoS independent. The central tenet of this theory was that under sub-lethal stress bacteria produce a burst of intracellular free radicals and it is these that lead to sub-lethal injury and/or death. Exponential phase cells because of their more active metabolism are more susceptible to this effect and suffer greater damage. This paper reviews the origins of this theory, the evidence for a free radical response and explores the potential mechanisms by which competitor cells produce a protective effect.

Photo-oxidative stress in symbiotic and aposymbiotic strains of the ciliate Paramecium bursaria

We tested the hypothesis that photo-oxidative stress is greater in symbiotic representatives of the freshwater ciliate Paramecium bursaria than in aposymbiotic (i.e., without Chlorella) ones. The level of oxidative stress was determined by assessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) with two fluorescent probes (hydroethidine and dihydrorhodamine123) by flow cytometry in exponential and stationary growth phases of both strains. Photo-oxidative stress was assessed in the laboratory after exposure of the ciliates to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR: 400-700 nm) and PAR+ultraviolet radiation (UVR: 280-400 nm). Additionally, both strains were screened for their antioxidant defenses by measuring the activity of the enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase. The results showed that aposymbiotic ciliates had higher levels of PAR-induced oxidative stress than symbiotic ones. Significant differences in PAR-induced oxidative stress were also found in both strains when comparing exponential and stationary growth phases with generally higher values in the former. After exposure to UVR, aposymbiotic ciliates in the stationary phase had the highest levels of ROS despite an increase in SOD activity. By contrast, exposure to UVR decreased catalase activity in both strains. Overall, our results suggest that in this ciliate symbiosis, the presence of symbionts minimizes photo-oxidative stress. This work represents the first assessment of photo-oxidative stress in an algal-ciliate mutualistic symbiosis.

N-t-Butyl hydroxylamine regulates heat shock-induced apoptosis in U937 cells

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Therefore, compounds that scavenge reactive oxygen species may regulate heat shock-induced cell death. Recently, it has been shown that the decomposition product of the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone, N-t-butyl hydroxylamine (NtBHA), mimics alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone and is much more potent in delaying reactive oxygen species-associated senescence. We investigated the protective role of NtBHA against heat shock-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Upon exposure to heat shock, there was a distinct difference between the untreated cells and the cells pre-treated with 0.1 mM NtBHA for 2 h in regard to apoptotic parameters, cellular redox status, and mitochondrial function. Upon exposure to heat shock, NtBHA pre-treated cells showed significant inhibition of apoptotic features such as activation of caspase-3, up-regulation of Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 compared to untreated cells. This study indicates that NtBHA may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by heat shock, presumably through scavenging of reactive oxygen species.

Mutants and isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae are diverse in their relationships between conidial pigmentation and stress tolerance

Conidial pigmentation is involved in protection against heat and UV radiation in several fungal species. In this study, we compare the tolerance of 17 color mutants of wild-type ARSEF 23 plus 13 color mutants of wild-type ARSEF 2575 of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae to wet-heat and UV-B or simulated-solar radiation. The stress tolerance of each mutant was compared with that of its wild-type parent, and with the most thermo- and UV-tolerant wild-type Metarhizium we have tested to date, M. anisopliae var. acridum (ARSEF 324). The color of each isolate or mutant was identified with the PANTONE Color Standard book [Eiseman, L., Herbert, L., 1990. The PANTONE((R)) Book of Color: over 1000 color standards: color basics and guidelines for design, fashion, furnishing... and more. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York]. In addition, the pigments of each mutant or wild-type were extracted and the UV absorbances of the extracts compared to the stress tolerance of those isolates; but no relationships were detected. Color mutants of ARSEF 23, in general, were less UV tolerant than their parent wild-type. With ARSEF 23 and its mutants, conidial pigmentation was important to conidial tolerance to UV-B and simulated-solar radiation; but color had less impact on ARSEF 2575 and its mutants. The ARSEF 2575 color mutants were less variable in UV tolerance than those of ARSEF 23, even though very similar colors occurred in the two groups of mutants. When color mutants of ARSEF 23 reverted to wild-type color they recovered wild-type levels of UV tolerance. Results of UV-B and UV-A exposures of wild-types ARSEF 23 and ARSEF 2575 conidia indicated that they are equally tolerant of UV-A, but differ in UV-B-response. For thermotolerance, several mutants were more heat tolerant than their wild-type parents. Accordingly, darker pigmentation of wild-type isolates was not important to protection against heat.

Glutathione in bacteria

Glutathione metabolism and its role in vital functions of bacterial cells are considered, as well as common features and differences between the functions of glutathione in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Particular attention is given to the recent data for the role of glutathione in bacterial redox-regulation and adaptation to stresses.

Role of antioxidant enzymes in survival of conidiospores of Aspergillus niger 26 under conditions of temperature stress

AIMS

A better understanding of the role of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the protection of Aspergillus niger spores against thermal stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Conidiospores from A. niger 26 were subjected to wide range of temperatures (30, 50, 60 and 80 degrees C). The stress response was investigated by the determination of spore germination and mycelial growth of survivors under submerged cultivation. Exposure to any temperature above the optimal value induced an increase in SOD and CAT activities. PAGE demonstrated enhanced level of Cu/ZnSOD under stress conditions. We compared the influence of heat shock and superoxide-generating agent paraquat on growth and antioxidant enzyme defence and found different response to the both type of stresses.

CONCLUSIONS

Heat stress elicits the enhanced synthesis of enzymes whose functions are to scavenge reactive oxygen species. These results suggested an association between thermal and oxidative stress.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Evidence is provided for the possibility that oxidative stress plays a major role in the effect of heat in low eucaryotes such as A. niger. This knowledge may be of importance in controlling both fermentation and pathogenicity.

Oxalomalate, a competitive inhibitor of NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, regulates heat shock-induced apoptosis

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Recently, we demonstrated that the control of cytosolic and mitochondrial redox balance and the cellular defense against oxidative damage is one of the primary functions of NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) by supplying NADPH for antioxidant systems. The protective role of ICDH against heat shock-induced apoptosis in U937 cells was investigated in the control and the cells pre-treated with oxalomalate, a competitive inhibitor of ICDH. Upon exposure to heat shock, there was a distinct difference between the control cells and the cells pre-treated with 3mM oxalomalate for 3h in regard to apoptotic parameters, cellular redox status, and mitochondrial function. The oxalomalate pre-treated cells showed significant enhancement of apoptotic features such as activation of caspase-3, up-regulation of Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 compared to the control cells upon exposure to heat shock. This study indicates that ICDH may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by heat shock presumably through maintaining the cellular redox status.

Cellular defense against heat shock-induced oxidative damage by mitochondrial NADP+ -dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Mitochondrial NADP+ -dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPm) produces NADPH, an essential reducing equivalent for the antioxidant system. The protective role of IDPm against heat shock in HEK293 cells, an embryonic kidney cell line, was investigated in control and cells transfected with the cDNA for IDPm, where IDPm activity was 6-7 fold higher than that in the control cells carrying the vector alone. Upon exposure to heat shock, the viability was lower and the protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage were higher in control cells as compared to HEK293 cells in which IDPm was over-expressed. We also observed the significant difference in the cellular redox status reflected by the endogenous production of reactive oxygen species, NADPH pool and GSH recycling between two cells. The results suggest that IDPm plays an important role as an antioxidant defense enzyme in cellular defense against heat shock through the removal of reactive oxygen species.

Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase promotes the survival of prostate cancer cells exposed to hyperthermia

It has been hypothesized that exposure of cells to hyperthermia results in an increased flux of reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily superoxide anion radicals, and that increasing antioxidant enzyme levels will result in protection of cells from the toxicity of these ROS. In this study, the prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, and its manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)-overexpressing clones were subjected to hyperthermia (43 degrees C, 1 h). Increased expression of MnSOD increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Hyperthermic exposure of PC-3 cells resulted in increased ROS production, as determined by aconitase inactivation, lipid peroxidation, and H2O2 formation with a reduction in cell survival. In contrast, PC-3 cells overexpressing MnSOD had less ROS production, less lipid peroxidation, and greater cell survival compared to PC-3 Wt cells. Since MnSOD removes superoxide, these results suggest that superoxide free radical or its reaction products are responsible for part of the cytotoxicity associated with hyperthermia and that MnSOD can reduce cellular injury and thereby enhance heat tolerance.

Thermosensitive phenotype of Escherichia coli mutant lacking NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) in Escherichia coli produces NADPH, an essential reducing equivalent for the antioxidant system. The protective role of ICDH against heat shock in E. coli was investigated in wild-type and ICDH-deficient strains. Upon exposure to heat shock, the viability was lower and the protein oxidation was higher in mutant cells as compared to wild-type cells. Induction and inactivation of antioxidant enzymes were observed after their exposure to heat shock both in wild-type and in mutant cells. However, wild-type cells maintained significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes than did mutant cells. These results suggest that ICDH plays an important role as an antioxidant enzyme in cellular defense against heat shock through the removal of reactive oxygen species as well as in the protection of other antioxidant enzymes.

The importance of RpoS in the survival of bacteria through food processing

The resistance of bacteria to environmental stresses is recognised as an increasingly important area of microbiology. In particular, the alternative sigma factor RpoS has been shown to produce greater stress resistance in stationary phase cells of Salmonella and Escherichia coli compared with those in exponential phase. Our work has shown that RpoS can be induced in exponential phase in response to a number of inimical processes used in the food industry, including changes in water activity produced using a range of humectants and preservatives. The presence of high levels of competitor cells will also lead to early induction of RpoS in Salmonella by an as yet unknown mechanism. High levels of competitor cells also provide Salmonella with an increased resistance to heat and freeze-thaw injury; the mechanism for this, however, is rpoS independent and has lead to the theory of a holistic mechanism for sub-lethal injury in respiring bacteria--the bacterial suicide response. This hypothesis predicts that sub-lethal injury occurs through the production of free radical species and not by the action of the applied inimical process per se. The demonstration of the production of a free radical burst when cells are subjected to differing types of stresses has been shown by a number of methods.

The manganese and iron superoxide dismutases protect Escherichia coli from heavy metal toxicity

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are vital components that defend against oxidative stress through decomposition of superoxide radical. Escherichia coli contains two highly homologous SODs, a manganese- and an iron-containing enzyme (Mn-SOD and Fe-SOD, respectively). In contrast, a single Mn-SOD is present in Bacillus subtilis. In E. coli, the absence of SODs was found to be associated with an increased sensitivity to cadmium, nickel and cobalt ions. Mutants lacking either sodA or sodB exhibited metal resistance to levels comparable to that of the wild-type strain. Although sod-deficient mutant cells were more resistant to zinc than their wild-type counterpart, no differences between the strains were observed in the presence of copper. In B. subtilis, the sodA mutation had no effect on cadmium and copper resistance. These results suggest that intracellular generation of superoxide by cadmium, nickel and cobalt is toxic in E. coli. They support the participation of sod genes in its protection against metal stress.

Viability of rep recA mutants depends on their capacity to cope with spontaneous oxidative damage and on the DnaK chaperone protein

Replication arrests due to the lack or the inhibition of replicative helicases are processed by recombination proteins. Consequently, cells deficient in the Rep helicase, in which replication pauses are frequent, require the RecBCD recombination complex for growth. rep recA mutants are viable and display no growth defect at 37 or 42 degrees C. The putative role of chaperone proteins in rep and rep recA mutants was investigated by testing the effects of dnaK mutations. dnaK756 and dnaK306 mutations, which allow growth of otherwise wild-type Escherichia coli cells at 40 degrees C, are lethal in rep recA mutants at this temperature. Furthermore, they affect the growth of rep mutants, and to a lesser extent, that of recA mutants. We conclude that both rep and recA mutants require DnaK for optimal growth, leading to low viability of the triple (rep recA dnaK) mutant. rep recA mutant cells form colonies at low efficiency when grown to exponential phase at 30 degrees C. Although the plating defect is not observed at a high temperature, it is not suppressed by overexpression of heat shock proteins at 30 degrees C. The plating defect of rep recA mutant cells is suppressed by the presence of catalase in the plates. The cryosensitivity of rep recA mutants therefore results from an increased sensitivity to oxidative damage upon propagation at low temperatures.