1
|
Peruč D, Tićac B, Broznić D, Maglica Ž, Šarolić M, Gobin I. Juniperus communis essential oil limit the biofilm formation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare on polystyrene in a temperature-dependent manner. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:141-154. [PMID: 32196364 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1741519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Formation of biofilms allows bacterial cells to survive in adverse environments. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous in aqueous environments, where they adhere to surfaces and create a biofilm. This has led to the emergence of healthcare-associated infections and the use of biomaterials in medicine. Essential oils (EO) are substances of natural origin whose effect on microorganisms has been the subject of numerous studies. Here, we investigated the effect of Juniperus communis EO on nontuberculous mycobacteria and their early and mature biofilm formation in sterilised tap water. The combination of Juniperus communis EO and increasing ambient temperature showed a synergistic effect on the reduction of biofilm formation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare on a polystyrene surface. A significant antibiofilm effect of Juniperus communis EO was also found at subinhibitory concentrations, suggesting a potential role for it as an alternative disinfectant of natural water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Peruč
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Brigita Tićac
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dalibor Broznić
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Željka Maglica
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mladenka Šarolić
- Department of Food Technology, "Marko Marulić" Polytechnic of Knin, Knin, Croatia
| | - Ivana Gobin
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Del Val C, Bondar AN. Diversity and sequence motifs of the bacterial SecA protein motor. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183319. [PMID: 32335021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SecA is an essential component of the Sec protein secretion pathway in bacteria. Secretory proteins targeted to the Sec pathway by their N-terminal signal peptide bind to SecA, which couples binding and hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate with movement of the secretory protein across the membrane-embedded SecYEG protein translocon. The phylogenetic diversity of bacteria raises the important question as to whether the region of SecA where the pre-protein binds has conserved sequence features that might impact the reaction mechanism of SecA. To address this question we established a large data set of SecA protein sequences and implemented a protocol to cluster and analyze these sequences according to features of two of the SecA functional domains, the protein binding domain and the nucleotide-binding domain 1. We identify remarkable sequence diversity of the protein binding domain, but also conserved motifs with potential role in protein binding. The N-terminus of SecA has sequence motifs that could help anchor SecA to the membrane. The overall sequence length and net estimated charge of SecA sequences depend on the organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Coral Del Val
- University of Granada, Departmrent of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, E-18071 Granada, Spain; University of Granada, Andalusian Research Institute in Data Science and Computational Intelligence, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana-Nicoleta Bondar
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics, Theoretical Molecular Biophysics, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hegde SR. Computational Identification of the Proteins Associated With Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3011. [PMID: 32038515 PMCID: PMC6988586 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With prolonged therapy and increased instances of drug resistance, tuberculosis is viewed as a serious infectious disease causing high mortality. Emerging concepts in Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenicity include biofilm formation, which endows bacterial survival in the host for a long time. To tackle chronic tuberculosis infection, a detailed understanding of the bacterial survival mechanisms is crucial. Using comparative genomics and literature mining, 115 M. tuberculosis proteins were shortlisted for their likely association with biofilm formation or quorum sensing. These include essential genes such as secA2, lpqY-sugABC, Rv1176c, and Rv0195, many of which are also known virulence factors. Furthermore, the functional relationship among these proteins was established by considering known protein-protein interactions, regulatory interactions, and gene expression correlation data/information. Graph centrality and motif analyses predicted the importance of proteins, such as Rv0081, DevR, RegX3, Rv0097, and Rv1996 in M. tuberculosis biofilm formation. Analysis of conservation across other biofilm-forming bacteria suggests that most of these genes are conserved in mycobacteria. As the processes, such as quorum sensing, leading to biofilm formation involve diverse pathways and interactions between proteins, these system-wide studies provide a novel perspective toward understanding mycobacterial persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shubhada R Hegde
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Diversity, Antimicrobial Action and Structure-Activity Relationship of Buffalo Cathelicidins. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144741. [PMID: 26675301 PMCID: PMC4684500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathelicidins are an ancient class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad spectrum bactericidal activities. In this study, we investigated the diversity and biological activity of cathelicidins of buffalo, a species known for its disease resistance. A series of new homologs of cathelicidin4 (CATHL4), which were structurally diverse in their antimicrobial domain, was identified in buffalo. AMPs of newly identified buffalo CATHL4s (buCATHL4s) displayed potent antimicrobial activity against selected Gram positive (G+) and Gram negative (G-) bacteria. These peptides were prompt to disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria and induced specific changes such as blebing, budding, and pore like structure formation on bacterial membrane. The peptides assumed different secondary structure conformations in aqueous and membrane-mimicking environments. Simulation studies suggested that the amphipathic design of buCATHL4 was crucial for water permeation following membrane disruption. A great diversity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, and ability to induce an inflammatory response indicated the pleiotropic role of cathelicidins in innate immunity of buffalo. This study suggests short buffalo cathelicidin peptides with potent bactericidal properties and low cytotoxicity have potential translational applications for the development of novel antibiotics and antimicrobial peptidomimetics.
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo CM, Chen RR, Kalhoro DH, Wang ZF, Liu GJ, Lu CP, Liu YJ. Identification of genes preferentially expressed by highly virulent piscine Streptococcus agalactiae upon interaction with macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87980. [PMID: 24498419 PMCID: PMC3912197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae, long recognized as a mammalian pathogen, is an emerging concern with regard to fish. In this study, we used a mouse model and in vitro cell infection to evaluate the pathogenetic characteristics of S. agalactiae GD201008-001, isolated from tilapia in China. This bacterium was found to be highly virulent and capable of inducing brain damage by migrating into the brain by crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The phagocytosis assays indicated that this bacterium could be internalized by murine macrophages and survive intracellularly for more than 24 h, inducing injury to macrophages. Further, selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) was used to investigate microbial gene expression associated with intracellular survival. This positive cDNA selection technique identified 60 distinct genes that could be characterized into 6 functional categories. More than 50% of the differentially expressed genes were involved in metabolic adaptation. Some genes have previously been described as associated with virulence in other bacteria, and four showed no significant similarities to any other previously described genes. This study constitutes the first step in further gene expression analyses that will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms used by S. agalactiae to survive in macrophages and to cross the BBB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ming Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong-Rong Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Zhao-Fei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guang-Jin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng-Ping Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong-Jie Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tan JL, Khang TF, Ngeow YF, Choo SW. A phylogenomic approach to bacterial subspecies classification: proof of concept in Mycobacterium abscessus. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:879. [PMID: 24330254 PMCID: PMC3878664 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacterium that is often associated with human infections. The taxonomy of this species has undergone several revisions and is still being debated. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of 12 M. abscessus strains and used phylogenomic analysis to perform subspecies classification. Results A data mining approach was used to rank and select informative genes based on the relative entropy metric for the construction of a phylogenetic tree. The resulting tree topology was similar to that generated using the concatenation of five classical housekeeping genes: rpoB, hsp65, secA, recA and sodA. Additional support for the reliability of the subspecies classification came from the analysis of erm41 and ITS gene sequences, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-based classification and strain clustering demonstrated by a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) assay and a multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). We subsequently found that the concatenation of a minimal set of three median-ranked genes: DNA polymerase III subunit alpha (polC), 4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate aldolase (Hoa) and cell division protein FtsZ (ftsZ), is sufficient to recover the same tree topology. PCR assays designed specifically for these genes showed that all three genes could be amplified in the reference strain of M. abscessus ATCC 19977T. Conclusion This study provides proof of concept that whole-genome sequence-based data mining approach can provide confirmatory evidence of the phylogenetic informativeness of existing markers, as well as lead to the discovery of a more economical and informative set of markers that produces similar subspecies classification in M. abscessus. The systematic procedure used in this study to choose the informative minimal set of gene markers can potentially be applied to species or subspecies classification of other bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsung Fei Khang
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dhama K, Mahendran M, Tiwari R, Dayal Singh S, Kumar D, Singh S, Sawant PM. Tuberculosis in Birds: Insights into the Mycobacterium avium Infections. Vet Med Int 2011; 2011:712369. [PMID: 21776352 PMCID: PMC3135220 DOI: 10.4061/2011/712369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis, a List B disease of World Organization for Animal Health, caused by M. avium or M. genavense predominantly affects poultry and pet or captive birds. Clinical manifestations in birds include emaciation, depression and diarrhea along with marked atrophy of breast muscle. Unlike tuberculosis in animals and man, lesions in lungs are rare. Tubercular nodules can be seen in liver, spleen, intestine and bone marrow. Granulomatous lesion without calcification is a prominent feature. The disease is a rarity in organized poultry sector due to improved farm practices, but occurs in zoo aviaries. Molecular techniques like polymerase chain reaction combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism and gene probes aid in rapid identification and characterization of mycobacteria subspecies, and overcome disadvantages of conventional methods which are slow, labour intensive and may at times fail to produce precise results. M. avium subsp. avium with genotype IS901+ and IS1245+ causes infections in animals and human beings too. The bacterium causes sensitivity in cattle to the tuberculin test. The paper discusses in brief the M. avium infection in birds, its importance in a zoonotic perspective, and outlines conventional and novel strategies for its diagnosis, prevention and eradication in domestic/pet birds and humans alike.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Dhama
- Avian Diseases Section, Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - Mahesh Mahendran
- Avian Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, Thiruvalla, Kerala 689 105, India
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - Shambhu Dayal Singh
- Avian Diseases Section, Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Division of Animal Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - Shoorvir Singh
- Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura 281 122, India
| | - Pradeep Mahadev Sawant
- Immunology Section, Division of Animal Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Structural analysis of biofilm formation by rapidly and slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:2091-8. [PMID: 19201956 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00166-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) such as M. abscessus, M. mucogenicum, M. chelonae, and M. fortuitum, implicated in health care-associated infections, are often isolated from potable water supplies as part of the microbial flora. To understand factors that influence growth in their environmental source, clinical RGM and slowly growing MAC isolates were grown as biofilm in a laboratory batch system. High and low nutrient levels were compared, as well as stainless steel and polycarbonate surfaces. Biofilm growth was measured after 72 h of incubation by enumeration of bacteria from disrupted biofilms and by direct quantitative image analysis of biofilm microcolony structure. RGM biofilm development was influenced more by nutrient level than by substrate material, though both affected biofilm growth for most of the isolates tested. Microcolony structure revealed that RGM develop several different biofilm structures under high-nutrient growth conditions, including pillars of various shapes (M. abscessus and M. fortuitum) and extensive cording (M. abscessus and M. chelonae). Although it is a slowly growing species in the laboratory, a clinical isolate of M. avium developed more culturable biofilm in potable water in 72 h than any of the 10 RGM examined. This indicates that M. avium is better adapted for growth in potable water systems than in laboratory incubation conditions and suggests some advantage that MAC has over RGM in low-nutrient environments.
Collapse
|
9
|
Posey JE, Shinnick TM, Quinn FD. Characterization of the twin-arginine translocase secretion system of Mycobacterium smegmatis. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:1332-40. [PMID: 16452415 PMCID: PMC1367255 DOI: 10.1128/jb.188.4.1332-1340.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The twin-arginine translocation (TAT) system secretes fully folded proteins that contain a twin-arginine motif within their signal sequence across the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria. Using a green fluorescent protein fused with a TAT signal sequence, we demonstrated that Mycobacterium smegmatis contains a TAT system. By inactivating individual genes, we showed that three genes (tatA, tatB, and tatC) are required for a functional TAT system in M. smegmatis. The tat mutants exhibited a decreased growth rate and altered colony morphology compared to the parent strain. Comparison of the secreted proteins of the deltatatC and parent strain by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed an alteration in the secretion of at least five proteins, and one of the major TAT-dependent secreted proteins was identified as beta-lactamase (BlaS). The genome of M. smegmatis was analyzed with the TATFIND program, and 49 putative TAT substrates were identified, including the succinate transporter DctP. Because disruption of the TAT secretion system has a direct effect on the physiology of M. smegmatis and homologs of the TAT proteins are also present in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TAT secretion system or its substrates may be good candidates for drug or vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James E Posey
- Division of TB Elimination, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wagner D, Sangari FJ, Parker A, Bermudez LE. fecB, a gene potentially involved in iron transport in Mycobacterium avium, is not induced within macrophages. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2005; 247:185-91. [PMID: 15935568 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2005] [Revised: 04/15/2005] [Accepted: 05/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
FecB is a protein involved in the transport of iron from ferric citrate in Escherichia coli and is present in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome sequence. Since the ability to retrieve iron from the host is crucial and may be related to virulence, we characterized the gene fecB from Mycobacterium avium, strain 101. An E. coli-mycobacterial shuttle plasmid with a fecB-promoter green fluorescence protein (gfp)-fusion was transformed into M. avium strain 104 to study the fecB-regulation. In vitro, the fecB expression in M. avium weakly correlated with the amount of iron present in the medium but the expression was maximal when there was no iron in the culture medium. In macrophages, M. avium fec B was not induced during the early phase of infection, suggesting that the iron concentration in the mycobacterial phagosome is not sufficiently low to stimulate the expression of fecB in M. avium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Wagner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vaerewijck MJM, Huys G, Palomino JC, Swings J, Portaels F. Mycobacteria in drinking water distribution systems: ecology and significance for human health. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2005; 29:911-34. [PMID: 16219512 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsre.2005.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2004] [Revised: 11/29/2004] [Accepted: 02/05/2005] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the notorious pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae, the majority of the mycobacterial species described to date are generally not considered as obligate human pathogens. The natural reservoirs of these non-primary pathogenic mycobacteria include aquatic and terrestrial environments. Under certain circumstances, e.g., skin lesions, pulmonary or immune dysfunctions and chronic diseases, these environmental mycobacteria (EM) may cause disease. EM such as M. avium, M. kansasii, and M. xenopi have frequently been isolated from drinking water and hospital water distribution systems. Biofilm formation, amoeba-associated lifestyle, and resistance to chlorine have been recognized as important factors that contribute to the survival, colonization and persistence of EM in water distribution systems. Although the presence of EM in tap water has been linked to nosocomial infections and pseudo-infections, it remains unclear if these EM provide a health risk for immunocompromised people, in particular AIDS patients. In this regard, control strategies based on maintenance of an effective disinfectant residual and low concentration of nutrients have been proposed to keep EM numbers to a minimum in water distribution systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario J M Vaerewijck
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Carter G, Wu M, Drummond DC, Bermudez LE. Characterization of biofilm formation by clinical isolates of Mycobacterium avium. J Med Microbiol 2003; 52:747-752. [PMID: 12909649 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.05224-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium is an environmental organism encountered in natural and urban water sources as well as soil. M. avium biofilm has recently been identified on sauna walls and in city water pipes and might have a role in the survival of virulent strains in the environment and in the host. To characterize the M. avium biofilm, an in vitro model was adapted wherein biofilm develops on a PVC surface. Biofilm was detected by staining with crystal violet and visualization by optical microscopy and quantified by A(570). M. avium strains MAC 101, MAC 100, MAC 104, MAC 109, MAC A5 and MAC 5501 (all isolated from the blood of AIDS patients) were used in the assays. Biofilm formation was dependent on the presence of Ca(2+), Mg(2+) or Zn(2+) ions in the water, with the maximal effect seen at a concentration of 1 micro M. The presence of 2 % glucose and peptone as sources of carbon increased the formation of biofilm, while this was partially inhibited by humic acid. Since sliding motility has been associated with the amount of glycopeptidolipid (GPL), TLC was used to determine the presence of GPL. The supernatant of a biofilm-forming culture induced formation of a stable biofilm and amikacin blocked the establishment of biofilm by M. avium strains at subinhibitory concentrations. Bacteria in the biofilm were more resistant to chlorine as well as to exposure to potassium monopersulfate and chloroheximide acetate than were planktonic bacteria. Identification of M. avium genes involved in biofilm formation and further studies of the effect of antimicrobials on the establishment of biofilm may identify approaches for inhibiting M. avium biofilm formation and colonization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Carter
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Kuzell Institute1 and Liposome Research Laboratory2, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 106 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA 4Department of Microbiology, College of Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Martin Wu
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Kuzell Institute1 and Liposome Research Laboratory2, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 106 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA 4Department of Microbiology, College of Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Daryl C Drummond
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Kuzell Institute1 and Liposome Research Laboratory2, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 106 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA 4Department of Microbiology, College of Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Luiz E Bermudez
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Kuzell Institute1 and Liposome Research Laboratory2, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 106 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA 4Department of Microbiology, College of Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The molecular aetiology of familial susceptibility to disseminated mycobacterial disease, usually involving weakly pathogenic strains of mycobacteria, has now been elucidated in more than 30 families. Mutations have been identified in five genes in the interleukin-12-dependent interferon-gamma pathway, highlighting the importance of this pathway in human mycobacterial immunity. Knowledge derived from the study of these rare patients contributes to our understanding of the immune response to common mycobacterial pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, which remain major public health problems globally. This knowledge can be applied to the rational development of novel therapies and vaccines for these important mycobacterial diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Newport
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2XY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li YJ, Petrofsky M, Bermudez LE. Mycobacterium tuberculosis uptake by recipient host macrophages is influenced by environmental conditions in the granuloma of the infectious individual and is associated with impaired production of interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Infect Immun 2002; 70:6223-30. [PMID: 12379701 PMCID: PMC130307 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.11.6223-6230.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2002] [Revised: 05/14/2002] [Accepted: 08/05/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from one individual to another usually is associated with episodes of coughing. The bacteria leave the environment of the lung cavity of the infected person and travel in droplets to reach the recipient's respiratory tract. Therefore, at the time that the bacteria encounter alveolar cells (macrophages and epithelial cells) in the new host, they express virulence determinants that are regulated by the environmental conditions in the infected person. To determine if those environmental conditions encountered in the lung cavity (hyperosmolarity, acidic pH, and low oxygen tension, among others) would influence the uptake of M. tuberculosis by the recipient's alveolar macrophages, M. tuberculosis H37Rv was incubated under several conditions for different periods of time, washed at 4 degrees C, and used to infect human monocyte-derived macrophages. While increased osmolarity had no effect on M. tuberculosis uptake compared to the uptake of bacteria grown on 7H10 Middlebrook medium, both acidic pH and anaerobiosis increased the uptake of the H37Rv strain four- to sixfold. Using anti-CD11b receptor blocking antibodies or mannoside to inhibit the uptake of M. tuberculosis by macrophages, we determined that while uptake of M. tuberculosis cultured on 7H10 medium was inhibited 77% +/- 6% in the presence of anti-CD11b antibody, the antibody had no effect on the uptake of M. tuberculosis incubated at pH 6.0 and was associated with 27% inhibition of M. tuberculosis previously exposed to anaerobic conditions. The mannose receptor was also not involved with invasion after exposure to acidic conditions, and mannoside resulted in only 32% inhibition of uptake by macrophages of M. tuberculosis exposed to anaerobiosis. Uptake by macrophages also resulted in the secretion of significantly lower amounts of interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha than that by macrophages infected with a strain cultured under laboratory conditions. M. tuberculosis cultured under the pH and oxygen concentration found in the granuloma expresses a large number of proteins that are different from the proteins expressed by bacteria grown under laboratory conditions. The results suggest that M. tuberculosis in vivo may be adapted to gain access to the intracellular environment in a very efficient fashion and may do so by using different receptors from the complement and mannose receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jun Li
- Kuzell Institute for Arthritis and Infectious Diseases, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California 94115, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Braunstein M, Brown AM, Kurtz S, Jacobs WR. Two nonredundant SecA homologues function in mycobacteria. J Bacteriol 2001; 183:6979-90. [PMID: 11717254 PMCID: PMC95544 DOI: 10.1128/jb.183.24.6979-6990.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2001] [Accepted: 09/18/2001] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper extracytoplasmic localization of proteins is an important aspect of mycobacterial physiology and the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The protein export systems of mycobacteria have remained unexplored. The Sec-dependent protein export pathway has been well characterized in Escherichia coli and is responsible for transport across the cytoplasmic membrane of proteins containing signal sequences at their amino termini. SecA is a central component of this pathway, and it is highly conserved throughout bacteria. Here we report on an unusual property of mycobacterial protein export--the presence of two homologues of SecA (SecA1 and SecA2). Using an allelic-exchange strategy in Mycobacterium smegmatis, we demonstrate that secA1 is an essential gene. In contrast, secA2 can be deleted and is the first example of a nonessential secA homologue. The essential nature of secA1, which is consistent with the conserved Sec pathway, leads us to believe that secA1 represents the equivalent of E. coli secA. The results of a phenotypic analysis of a Delta secA2 mutant of M. smegmatis are presented here and also indicate a role for SecA2 in protein export. Based on our study, it appears that SecA2 can assist SecA1 in the export of some proteins via the Sec pathway. However, SecA2 is not the functional equivalent of SecA1. This finding, in combination with the fact that SecA2 is highly conserved throughout mycobacteria, suggests a second role for SecA2. The possibility exists that another role for SecA2 is to export a specific subset of proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Braunstein
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|