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de Almeida OGG, Pereira MG, Oxaran V, De Martinis ECP, Alves VF. In silico metatranscriptomic approach for tracking biofilm-related effectors in dairies and its importance for improving food safety. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:928480. [PMID: 36147852 PMCID: PMC9487997 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.928480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sessile microorganisms are usually recalcitrant to antimicrobial treatments, and it is possible that finding biofilm-related effectors in metatranscriptomics datasets helps to understand mechanisms for bacterial persistence in diverse environments, by revealing protein-encoding genes that are expressed in situ. For this research, selected dairy-associated metatranscriptomics bioprojects were downloaded from the public databases JGI GOLD and NCBI (eight milk and 45 cheese samples), to screen for sequences encoding biofilm-related effectors. Based on the literature, the selected genetic determinants were related to adhesins, BAP, flagellum-related, intraspecific QS (AHL, HK, and RR), interspecific QS (LuxS), and QQ (AHL-acylases, AHL-lactonases). To search for the mRNA sequences encoding for those effector proteins, a custom database was built from UniprotKB, yielding 1,154,446 de-replicated sequences that were indexed in DIAMOND for alignment. The results revealed that in all the dairy-associated metatranscriptomic datasets obtained, there were reads assigned to genes involved with flagella, adhesion, and QS/QQ, but BAP-reads were found only for milk. Significant Pearson correlations (p < 0.05) were observed for transcripts encoding for flagella, RR, histidine kinases, adhesins, and LuxS, although no other significant correlations were found. In conclusion, the rationale used in this study was useful to demonstrate the presence of biofilm-associated effectors in metatranscriptomics datasets, pointing out to possible regulatory mechanisms in action in dairy-related biofilms, which could be targeted in the future to improve food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marita Gimenez Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Virginie Oxaran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
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Liu Y, Fang T, Suo Y, Gao S, Baranzoni GM, Armstrong CM. Transcriptomics of Listeria monocytogenes Treated With Olive Leaf Extract. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:782116. [PMID: 35003011 PMCID: PMC8740304 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.782116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a regulated foodborne pathogen that is known to cause listeriosis, a disease associated with high mortality rates in humans. Olive leaf extract (OLE) has been shown to act as a plant antimicrobial and inhibit the growth of pathogens, such as L. monocytogenes, although its mode of action has not been defined. To help identify the cellular mechanisms important for conveying these beneficial traits, RNA-Seq was used to study the transcriptome of L. monocytogenes upon exposure to a sublethal level of OLE. Results obtained from cells cultured both with and without OLE at two different time points (3.5-h and 24-h) revealed 661 genes that were differentially expressed. Of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, transcription was altered for 171 genes in response to the 3.5-h OLE treatment while 490 genes were altered in response to the 24-h OLE treatment. These DEGs included but were not limited to genes encoding for signal transduction, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, and the phosphotransferase system. Interestingly, several virulence-related genes were downregulated including an ABC transporter permease previously shown to negatively regulate biofilm formation, genes involved in flagella assembly and binding/entry into host cells as well as those regulating acid resistance suggesting that OLE may decrease the virulence potential of L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, quantitative reverse-transcription PCR was used to validate the data obtained via RNA-Seq. Our study provides insight into the mode of action of OLE treatment against L. monocytogenes and may aid in identifying synergetic strategies to inhibit L. monocytogenes in food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wyndmoor, PA, United States
| | - Ting Fang
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yujuan Suo
- Institute of Agro-Food Standard and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Shigang Gao
- Institute of Agro-Food Standard and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Gian Marco Baranzoni
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wyndmoor, PA, United States
| | - Cheryl M Armstrong
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wyndmoor, PA, United States
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Chiaverini A, Guidi F, Torresi M, Acciari VA, Centorotola G, Cornacchia A, Centorame P, Marfoglia C, Blasi G, Di Domenico M, Migliorati G, Roussel S, Pomilio F, Sevellec Y. Phylogenetic Analysis and Genome-Wide Association Study Applied to an Italian Listeria monocytogenes Outbreak. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:750065. [PMID: 34803971 PMCID: PMC8600327 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.750065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
From May 2015 to March 2016, a severe outbreak due to Listeria monocytogenes ST7 strain occurred in Central Italy and caused 24 confirmed clinical cases. The epidemic strain was deeply investigated using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. In the interested area, the foodborne outbreak investigation identified a meat food-producing plant contaminated by the outbreak strain, carried by pork-ready-to-eat products. In the same region, in March 2018, the epidemic strain reemerged causing one listeriosis case in a 10-month-old child. The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogeny of the epidemic and reemergent strains over time and to compare them with a closer ST7 clone, detected during the outbreak and with different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles, in order to identify genomic features linked to the persistence and the reemergence of the outbreak. An approach combining phylogenetic analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed that the epidemic and reemergent clones were genetically closer to the ST7 clone with different PFGE profiles and strictly associated with the pork production chain. The repeated detection of both clones was probably correlated with (i) the presence of truly persistent clones and the repeated introduction of new ones and (ii) the contribution of prophage genes in promoting the persistence of the epidemic clones. Despite that no significant genomic differences were detected between the outbreak and the reemergent strain, the two related clones detected during the outbreak can be differentiated by transcriptional factor and phage genes associated with the phage LP-114.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Chiaverini
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Guidi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Marina Torresi
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Vicdalia Aniela Acciari
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Centorotola
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cornacchia
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Centorame
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cristina Marfoglia
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuliana Blasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- National Reference Centre for Whole Genome Sequencing of Microbial Pathogens Database and Bioinformatic Analysis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giacomo Migliorati
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Sophie Roussel
- Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, Université PARIS-EST, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Yann Sevellec
- Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, Université PARIS-EST, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Nowak J, Visnovsky SB, Pitman AR, Cruz CD, Palmer J, Fletcher GC, Flint S. Biofilm Formation by Listeria monocytogenes 15G01, a Persistent Isolate from a Seafood-Processing Plant, Is Influenced by Inactivation of Multiple Genes Belonging to Different Functional Groups. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e02349-20. [PMID: 33741610 PMCID: PMC8117777 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02349-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous foodborne pathogen that results in a high rate of mortality in sensitive and immunocompromised people. Contamination of food with L. monocytogenes is thought to occur during food processing, most often as a result of the pathogen producing a biofilm that persists in the environment and acting as the source for subsequent dispersal of cells onto food. A survey of seafood-processing plants in New Zealand identified the persistent strain 15G01, which has a high capacity to form biofilms. In this study, a transposon library of L. monocytogenes 15G01 was screened for mutants with altered biofilm formation, assessed by a crystal violet assay, to identify genes involved in biofilm formation. This screen identified 36 transposants that showed a significant change in biofilm formation compared to the wild type. The insertion sites were in 27 genes, 20 of which led to decreased biofilm formation and seven to an increase. Two insertions were in intergenic regions. Annotation of the genes suggested that they are involved in diverse cellular processes, including stress response, autolysis, transporter systems, and cell wall/membrane synthesis. Analysis of the biofilms produced by the transposants using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy showed notable differences in the structure of the biofilms compared to the wild type. In particular, inactivation of uvrB and mltD produced coccoid-shaped cells and elongated cells in long chains, respectively, and the mgtB mutant produced a unique biofilm with a sandwich structure which was reversed to the wild-type level upon magnesium addition. The mltD transposant was successfully complemented with the wild-type gene, whereas the phenotypes were not or only partially restored for the remaining mutants.IMPORTANCE The major source of contamination of food with Listeria monocytogenes is thought to be due to biofilm formation and/or persistence in food-processing plants. By establishing as a biofilm, L. monocytogenes cells become harder to eradicate due to their increased resistance to environmental threats. Understanding the genes involved in biofilm formation and their influence on biofilm structure will help identify new ways to eliminate harmful biofilms in food processing environments. To date, multiple genes have been identified as being involved in biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study identified four genes associated with biofilm formation by a persistent strain. Extensive microscopic analysis illustrated the effect of the disruption of mgtB, clsA, uvrB, and mltD and the influence of magnesium on the biofilm structure. The results strongly suggest an involvement in biofilm formation for the four genes and provide a basis for further studies to analyze gene regulation to assess the specific role of these biofilm-associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Nowak
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sandra B Visnovsky
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Andrew R Pitman
- The Foundation for Arable Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Cristina D Cruz
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jon Palmer
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Graham C Fletcher
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Steve Flint
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Giaouris E, Heir E, Desvaux M, Hébraud M, Møretrø T, Langsrud S, Doulgeraki A, Nychas GJ, Kačániová M, Czaczyk K, Ölmez H, Simões M. Intra- and inter-species interactions within biofilms of important foodborne bacterial pathogens. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:841. [PMID: 26347727 PMCID: PMC4542319 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A community-based sessile life style is the normal mode of growth and survival for many bacterial species. Under such conditions, cell-to-cell interactions are inevitable and ultimately lead to the establishment of dense, complex and highly structured biofilm populations encapsulated in a self-produced extracellular matrix and capable of coordinated and collective behavior. Remarkably, in food processing environments, a variety of different bacteria may attach to surfaces, survive, grow, and form biofilms. Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus are important bacterial pathogens commonly implicated in outbreaks of foodborne diseases, while all are known to be able to create biofilms on both abiotic and biotic surfaces. Particularly challenging is the attempt to understand the complexity of inter-bacterial interactions that can be encountered in such unwanted consortia, such as competitive and cooperative ones, together with their impact on the final outcome of these communities (e.g., maturation, physiology, antimicrobial resistance, virulence, dispersal). In this review, up-to-date data on both the intra- and inter-species interactions encountered in biofilms of these pathogens are presented. A better understanding of these interactions, both at molecular and biophysical levels, could lead to novel intervention strategies for controlling pathogenic biofilm formation in food processing environments and thus improve food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstathios Giaouris
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Myrina, Lemnos Island, Greece
| | - Even Heir
- Nofima, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Mickaël Desvaux
- INRA, UR454 Microbiologie, Centre Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Michel Hébraud
- INRA, UR454 Microbiologie, Centre Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Trond Møretrø
- Nofima, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Solveig Langsrud
- Nofima, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Agapi Doulgeraki
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology of Foods, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Foods, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George-John Nychas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology of Foods, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Foods, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Katarzyna Czaczyk
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Hülya Ölmez
- TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, Food Institute, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Manuel Simões
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Winkelströter LK, Teixeira FBDR, Silva EP, Alves VF, De Martinis ECP. Unraveling microbial biofilms of importance for food microbiology. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2014; 68:35-46. [PMID: 24370864 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-013-0347-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of biofilms is a relevant risk factors in the food industry due to the potential contamination of food products with pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. The majority of bacteria are able to adhere and to form biofilms, where they can persist and survive for days to weeks or even longer, depending on the microorganism and the environmental conditions. The biological cycle of biofilms includes several developmental phases such as: initial attachment, maturation, maintenance, and dispersal. Bacteria in biofilms are generally well protected against environmental stress, consequently, extremely difficult to eradicate and detect in food industry. In the present manuscript, some techniques and compounds used to control and to prevent the biofilm formation are presented and discussed. Moreover, a number of novel techniques have been recently employed to detect and evaluate bacteria attached to surfaces, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA microarray and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Better knowledge on the architecture, physiology and molecular signaling in biofilms can contribute for preventing and controlling food-related spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. The present study highlights basic and applied concepts important for understanding the role of biofilms in bacterial survival, persistence and dissemination in food processing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane Kretli Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Av. do Café s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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