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Zhang T, Ray S, Melican K, Richter-Dahlfors A. The maturation of native uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilms seen through a non-interventional lens. Biofilm 2024; 8:100212. [PMID: 39114648 PMCID: PMC11305213 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are a significant global health challenge. The UPEC biofilm lifestyle is believed to play an important role in infection recurrency and treatment resistance, but our understanding of how the extracellular matrix (ECM) components curli and cellulose contribute to biofilm formation and pathogenicity is limited. Here, we study the spatial and temporal development of native UPEC biofilm using agar-based detection methods where the non-toxic, optically active fluorescent tracer EbbaBiolight 680 reports the expression and structural location of curli in real-time. An in vitro screen of the biofilm capacity of common UPEC strains reveals significant strain variability and identifies UPEC No. 12 (UPEC12) as a strong biofilm former at 28 °C and 37 °C. Non-interventional microscopy, including time-lapse and 2-photon, reveal significant horizontal and vertical heterogeneity in the UPEC12 biofilm structure. We identify region-specific expression of curli, with a shift in localization from the bottom of the flat central regions of the biofilm to the upper surface in the topographically dramatic intermediate region. When investigating if the rdar morphotype affects wettability of the biofilm surface, we found that the nano-architecture of curli guided by cellulose, rather than the rdar macrostructures, leads to increased hydrophobicity of the biofilm. By providing new insights at exceptional temporal and spatial resolution, we demonstrate how non-interventional analysis of native biofilms will facilitate the next generation of understanding into the roles of ECM components during growth of UPEC biofilms and their contribution to the pathogenesis of UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Zhang
- AIMES-Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanhita Ray
- AIMES-Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Keira Melican
- AIMES-Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Richter-Dahlfors
- AIMES-Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Green HD, Van Horn GT, Williams T, Eberly A, Morales GH, Mann R, Hauter IM, Hadjifrangiskou M, Schmitz JE. Intra-strain colony biofilm heterogeneity in uropathogenic Escherichia coli and the effect of the NlpI lipoprotein. Biofilm 2024; 8:100214. [PMID: 39184815 PMCID: PMC11344014 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100214] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilm growth facilitates the interaction of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) with the host environment. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of UPEC biofilms are composed prominently of curli amyloid fiber and cellulose polysaccharide. When the organism is propagated as a colony biofilm on agar media, these macromolecules can generate pronounced macroscopic structures. Moreover, curli/cellulose associate tightly with Congo red, generating a characteristic pink-to-red staining pattern when the media is supplemented with this dye. Among different clinical isolates of UPEC, changes in the abundance of curli/cellulose can lead to diverse colony biofilm phenotypes on a strain-by-strain basis. Nevertheless, for any given isolate, these phenotypes are classically homogenous throughout the colony biofilm. Here, we report that a subset of clinical UPEC isolates display heterogenous 'peppermint' colony biofilms, with distinct pale and red subpopulations. Through isolation of these subpopulations and whole genome sequencing, we demonstrate various emergent mutations associated with the phenomenon, including within the gene encoding the outer membrane lipoprotein nlpI. Deletion of nlpI within independent strain-backgrounds increased biofilm rugosity, while its overexpression induced the peppermint phenotype. Upregulation of EPS-associated proteins and transcripts was likewise observed in the absence of nlpI. Overall, these results demonstrate that EPS elaboration in UPEC is impacted by nlpI. More broadly, this phenomenon of intra-strain colony biofilm heterogeneity may be leveraged as a tool to identify additional members within the broad collection of genes that regulate or otherwise affect biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamilton D. Green
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Gerald T. Van Horn
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Personalized Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Timothy Williams
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Allison Eberly
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Grace H. Morales
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Robert Mann
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Indiana M. Hauter
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Maria Hadjifrangiskou
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology & Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Center for Personalized Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Schmitz
- Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology & Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Center for Personalized Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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3
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Samaniego LVB, Scandelau SL, Silva CR, Pratavieira S, de Oliveira Arnoldi Pellegrini V, Dabul ANG, Esmerino LA, de Oliveira Neto M, Hernandes RT, Segato F, Pileggi M, Polikarpov I. Thermothelomyces thermophilus exo- and endo-glucanases as tools for pathogenic E. coli biofilm degradation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22576. [PMID: 39343957 PMCID: PMC11439960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating prevalence of drug-resistant pathogens not only jeopardizes the effectiveness of existing treatments but also increases the complexity and severity of infectious diseases. Escherichia coli is one the most common pathogens across all healthcare-associated infections. Enzymatic treatment of bacterial biofilms, targeting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), can be used for EPS degradation and consequent increase in susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics. Here, we characterized three recombinant cellulases from Thermothelomyces thermophilus: a cellobiohydrolase I (TthCel7A), an endoglucanase (TthCel7B), and a cellobiohydrolase II (TthCel6A) as tools for hydrolysis of E. coli and Gluconacetobacter hansenii biofilms. Using a design mixture approach, we optimized the composition of cellulases, enhancing their synergistic activity to degrade the biofilms and significantly reducing the enzymatic dosage. In line with the crystalline and ordered structure of bacterial cellulose, the mixture of exo-glucanases (0.5 TthCel7A:0.5 TthCel6A) is effective in the hydrolysis of G. hansenii biofilm. Meanwhile, a mixture of exo- and endo-glucanases is required for the eradication of E. coli 042 and clinical E. coli biofilms with significantly different proportions of the enzymes (0.56 TthCel7B:0.44 TthCel6A and 0.6 TthCel7A:0.4 TthCel7B, respectively). X-ray diffraction pattern and crystallinity index of E. coli cellulose are comparable to those of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) substrate. Our results illustrate the complexity of E. coli biofilms and show that successful hydrolysis is achieved by a specific combination of cellulases, with consistent recurrence of TthCel7B endoglucanase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel Luis Scandelau
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, 1100 João Dagnone Avenue, São Carlos, SP, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Caroline Rosa Silva
- Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Sebastião Pratavieira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, 1100 João Dagnone Avenue, São Carlos, SP, 13563-120, Brazil
| | | | - Andrei Nicoli Gebieluca Dabul
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, 1100 João Dagnone Avenue, São Carlos, SP, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Luís Antônio Esmerino
- Microbiology Laboratory, Clinical Analysis Department, Life Sciences and Health Institute, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Mario de Oliveira Neto
- Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, District of Rubiao Jr., Botucatu, SP, 18618-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Tavanelli Hernandes
- Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, District of Rubiao Jr., Botucatu, SP, 18618-970, Brazil
| | - Fernando Segato
- Lorena School of Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Estrada Municipal do Campinho, Lorena, SP, 12602-810, Brazil
| | - Marcos Pileggi
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Structural and Molecular Biology, and Genetics Department, Life Sciences and Health Institute, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Igor Polikarpov
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, 1100 João Dagnone Avenue, São Carlos, SP, 13563-120, Brazil.
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4
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Holt JD, Schultz D, Nadell CD. Dispersal of a dominant competitor can drive multispecies coexistence in biofilms. Curr Biol 2024; 34:4129-4142.e4. [PMID: 39163856 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite competition for both space and nutrients, bacterial species often coexist within structured, surface-attached communities termed biofilms. While these communities play important, widespread roles in ecosystems and are agents of human infection, understanding how multiple bacterial species assemble to form these communities and what physical processes underpin the composition of multispecies biofilms remains an active area of research. Using a model three-species community composed of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, we show with cellular-scale resolution that biased dispersal of the dominant community member, P. aeruginosa, prevents competitive exclusion from occurring, leading to the coexistence of the three species. A P. aeruginosa bqsS deletion mutant no longer undergoes periodic mass dispersal, leading to the local competitive exclusion of E. coli. Introducing periodic, asymmetric dispersal behavior into minimal models, parameterized by only maximal growth rate and local density, supports the intuition that biased dispersal of an otherwise dominant competitor can permit coexistence generally. Colonization experiments show that WT P. aeruginosa is superior at colonizing new areas, in comparison to ΔbqsS P. aeruginosa, but at the cost of decreased local competitive ability against E. coli and E. faecalis. Overall, our experiments document how one species' modulation of a competition-dispersal-colonization trade-off can go on to influence the stability of multispecies coexistence in spatially structured ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Holt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Daniel Schultz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Carey D Nadell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
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5
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Jandl B, Dighe S, Gasche C, Makristathis A, Muttenthaler M. Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0013323. [PMID: 38995034 PMCID: PMC11391705 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00133-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe human intestinal tract harbors a profound variety of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the host and each other. It is a complex and highly dynamic environment whose homeostasis directly relates to human health. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial biofilms have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancers. This review covers the molecular composition and organization of intestinal biofilms, mechanistic aspects of biofilm signaling networks for bacterial communication and behavior, and synergistic effects in polymicrobial biofilms. It further describes the clinical relevance and diseases associated with gut biofilms, the role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance, and the intestinal host defense system and therapeutic strategies counteracting biofilms. Taken together, this review summarizes the latest knowledge and research on intestinal biofilms and their role in gut disorders and provides directions toward the development of biofilm-specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Jandl
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Satish Dighe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christoph Gasche
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Loha for Life, Center for Gastroenterology and Iron Deficiency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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6
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Lee H, Hwang SH, Shin H, Ha NC, Wang Q, Choi SH. Identification and characterization of a small molecule BFstatin inhibiting BrpR, the transcriptional regulator for biofilm formation of Vibrio vulnificus. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1468567. [PMID: 39314881 PMCID: PMC11416940 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1468567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic bacteria form biofilms that are resistant to not only host immune defenses but also antibiotics, posing a need for the development of strategies to control biofilms. In this study, to prevent biofilm formation of the fulminating foodborne pathogen Vibrio vulnificus, chemical libraries were extensively screened to identify a small molecule inhibiting the activity of BrpR, a transcriptional regulator for biofilm genes. Accordingly, the BrpR inhibitor BFstatin [N1-(2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)-N3-propylmalonamide], with a half-maximal effective concentration of 8.01 μM, was identified. BFstatin did not interfere with bacterial growth or exhibit cytotoxicity to the human epithelial cell line. BFstatin directly bound to BrpR and interrupted its binding to the target promoter DNAs of the downstream genes. Molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between BFstatin and BrpR proposed that BFstatin modifies the structure of BrpR, especially the DNA-binding domain. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that BFstatin reduces the expression of the BrpR regulon including the cabABC operon and brp locus which contribute to the production of biofilm matrix of V. vulnificus. Accordingly, BFstatin diminished the biofilm levels of V. vulnificus by inhibiting the matrix development in a concentration-dependent manner. Altogether, BFstatin could be an anti-biofilm agent targeting BrpR, thereby rendering V. vulnificus more susceptible to host immune defenses and antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojun Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ho Hwang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Shin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Chul Ha
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Qiyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sang Ho Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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7
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Winans JB, Garcia SL, Zeng L, Nadell CD. Spatial propagation of temperate phages within and among biofilms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.20.571119. [PMID: 38187755 PMCID: PMC10769212 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.571119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria form groups comprised of cells and a secreted polymeric matrix that controls their spatial organization. These groups - termed biofilms - can act as refuges from environmental disturbances and from biotic threats, including phages. Despite the ubiquity of temperate phages and bacterial biofilms, live propagation of temperate phages within biofilms has never been characterized on cellular spatial scales. Here, we leverage several approaches to track temperate phages and distinguish between lytic and lysogenic host infections. We determine that lysogeny within E. coli biofilms initially occurs within a predictable region of cell group packing architecture on the biofilm periphery. Because lysogens are generally found on the periphery of large cell groups, where lytic viral infections also reduce local biofilm cell packing density, lysogens are predisposed to disperse into the passing liquid and are over-represented in biofilms formed from the dispersal pool of the original biofilm-phage system. Comparing our results with those for virulent phages reveals that temperate phages have previously unknown advantages in propagating over long spatial and time scales within and among bacterial biofilms.
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8
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Schaible GA, Jay ZJ, Cliff J, Schulz F, Gauvin C, Goudeau D, Malmstrom RR, Ruff SE, Edgcomb V, Hatzenpichler R. Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria are genetically heterogeneous consortia with metabolically differentiated cells. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002638. [PMID: 38990824 PMCID: PMC11239054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Consortia of multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) are currently the only known example of bacteria without a unicellular stage in their life cycle. Because of their recalcitrance to cultivation, most previous studies of MMB have been limited to microscopic observations. To study the biology of these unique organisms in more detail, we use multiple culture-independent approaches to analyze the genomics and physiology of MMB consortia at single-cell resolution. We separately sequenced the metagenomes of 22 individual MMB consortia, representing 8 new species, and quantified the genetic diversity within each MMB consortium. This revealed that, counter to conventional views, cells within MMB consortia are not clonal. Single consortia metagenomes were then used to reconstruct the species-specific metabolic potential and infer the physiological capabilities of MMB. To validate genomic predictions, we performed stable isotope probing (SIP) experiments and interrogated MMB consortia using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). By coupling FISH with bioorthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), we explored their in situ activity as well as variation of protein synthesis within cells. We demonstrate that MMB consortia are mixotrophic sulfate reducers and that they exhibit metabolic differentiation between individual cells, suggesting that MMB consortia are more complex than previously thought. These findings expand our understanding of MMB diversity, ecology, genomics, and physiology, as well as offer insights into the mechanisms underpinning the multicellular nature of their unique lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A. Schaible
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Zackary J. Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - John Cliff
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Frederik Schulz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Colin Gauvin
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Danielle Goudeau
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Rex R. Malmstrom
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - S. Emil Ruff
- Ecosystems Center and Bay Paul Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Virginia Edgcomb
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
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9
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Krasteva PV. Bacterial synthase-dependent exopolysaccharide secretion: a focus on cellulose. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102476. [PMID: 38688160 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are a prevalent multicellular life form in which individual members can undergo significant functional differentiation and are typically embedded in a complex extracellular matrix of proteinaceous fimbriae, extracellular DNA, and exopolysaccharides (EPS). Bacteria have evolved at least four major mechanisms for EPS biosynthesis, of which the synthase-dependent systems for bacterial cellulose secretion (Bcs) represent not only key biofilm determinants in a wide array of environmental and host-associated microbes, but also an important model system for the studies of processive glycan polymerization, cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP)-dependent synthase regulation, and biotechnological polymer applications. The secreted cellulosic chains can be decorated with additional chemical groups or can pack with various degrees of crystallinity depending on dedicated enzymatic complexes and/or cytoskeletal scaffolds. Here, I review recent progress in our understanding of synthase-dependent EPS biogenesis with a focus on common and idiosyncratic molecular mechanisms across diverse cellulose secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya V Krasteva
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Pessac F-33600, France; 'Structural Biology of Biofilms' Group, European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), Pessac F-33600, France.
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10
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Long J, Yang C, Liu J, Ma C, Jiao M, Hu H, Xiong J, Zhang Y, Wei W, Yang H, He Y, Zhu M, Yu Y, Fu L, Chen H. Tannic acid inhibits Escherichia coli biofilm formation and underlying molecular mechanisms: Biofilm regulator CsgD. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116716. [PMID: 38735084 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilms often engender persistent infections, heightened antibiotic resistance, and the recurrence of infections. Therefor, infections related to bacterial biofilms are often chronic and pose challenges in terms of treatment. The main transcription regulatory factor, CsgD, activates csgABC-encoded curli to participate in the composition of extracellular matrix, which is an important skeleton for biofilm development in enterobacteriaceae. In our previous study, a wide range of natural bioactive compounds that exhibit strong affinity to CsgD were screened and identified via molecular docking. Tannic acid (TA) was subsequently chosen, based on its potent biofilm inhibition effect as observed in crystal violet staining. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of TA on the biofilm formation of clinically isolated Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results demonstrated a significant inhibition of E. coli Ec032 biofilm formation by TA, while not substantially affecting the biofilm of the ΔcsgD strain. Moreover, deletion of the csgD gene led to a reduction in Ec032 biofilm formation, alongside diminished bacterial motility and curli synthesis inhibition. Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR revealed that TA repressed genes associated with the csg operon and other biofilm-related genes. In conclusion, our results suggest that CsgD is one of the key targets for TA to inhibit E. coli biofilm formation. This work preliminarily elucidates the molecular mechanisms of TA inhibiting E. coli biofilm formation, which could provide a lead structure for the development of future antibiofilm drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinying Long
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Can Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - JingJing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Chengjun Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Min Jiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Huiming Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Wei Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Traditional Chinese Veterinary Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Hongzao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Traditional Chinese Veterinary Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Yuzhang He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Maixun Zhu
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Yuandi Yu
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Lizhi Fu
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China.
| | - Hongwei Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China; Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; Traditional Chinese Veterinary Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China.
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11
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Cifuente JO, Colleoni C, Kalscheuer R, Guerin ME. Architecture, Function, Regulation, and Evolution of α-Glucans Metabolic Enzymes in Prokaryotes. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4863-4934. [PMID: 38606812 PMCID: PMC11046441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria have acquired sophisticated mechanisms for assembling and disassembling polysaccharides of different chemistry. α-d-Glucose homopolysaccharides, so-called α-glucans, are the most widespread polymers in nature being key components of microorganisms. Glycogen functions as an intracellular energy storage while some bacteria also produce extracellular assorted α-glucans. The classical bacterial glycogen metabolic pathway comprises the action of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and glycogen synthase, whereas extracellular α-glucans are mostly related to peripheral enzymes dependent on sucrose. An alternative pathway of glycogen biosynthesis, operating via a maltose 1-phosphate polymerizing enzyme, displays an essential wiring with the trehalose metabolism to interconvert disaccharides into polysaccharides. Furthermore, some bacteria show a connection of intracellular glycogen metabolism with the genesis of extracellular capsular α-glucans, revealing a relationship between the storage and structural function of these compounds. Altogether, the current picture shows that bacteria have evolved an intricate α-glucan metabolism that ultimately relies on the evolution of a specific enzymatic machinery. The structural landscape of these enzymes exposes a limited number of core catalytic folds handling many different chemical reactions. In this Review, we present a rationale to explain how the chemical diversity of α-glucans emerged from these systems, highlighting the underlying structural evolution of the enzymes driving α-glucan bacterial metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier O. Cifuente
- Instituto
Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of
the Basque Country, E-48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Christophe Colleoni
- University
of Lille, CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF -Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale
et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rainer Kalscheuer
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcelo E. Guerin
- Structural
Glycobiology Laboratory, Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Spanish
National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 4-8, Tower R, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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12
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Shange MG, Khumalo NL, Mohomane SM, Motaung TE. Factors Affecting Silica/Cellulose Nanocomposite Prepared via the Sol-Gel Technique: A Review. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1937. [PMID: 38730744 PMCID: PMC11084941 DOI: 10.3390/ma17091937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Cellulose/silica nanocomposites, synthesised through the sol-gel technique, have garnered significant attention for their unique properties and diverse applications. The distinctive characteristics of these nanocomposites are influenced by a range of factors, including the cellulose-to-silica ratio, precursor concentration, pH, catalysts, solvent selection, temperature, processing techniques, and agitation. These variables play a pivotal role in determining the nanocomposites' structure, morphology, and mechanical properties, facilitating tailoring for specific applications. Studies by Raabe et al. and Barud et al. demonstrated well-deposited silica nanoparticles within the interstitial spaces of cellulosic fibres, achieved through TEOS precursor hydrolysis and the subsequent condensation of hydroxyl groups on the cellulose fibre surface. The introduction of TEOS established a robust affinity between the inorganic filler and the polymer matrix, emphasising the substantial impact of TEOS concentration on the size and morphology of silica nanoparticles in the final composites. The successful functionalisation of cellulose fibres with the TEOS precursor via the sol-gel method was reported, resulting in reduced water uptake and enhanced mechanical strength due to the strong chemical interaction between silica and cellulose. In research conducted by Feng et al., the silica/cellulose composite exhibited reduced weight loss compared to the pristine cellulose matrix, with the integration of silica leading to an elevated temperature of composite degradation. Additionally, Ahmad et al. investigated the effects of silica addition to cellulose acetate (CA) and polyethylene glycol membranes, noting an increase in Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break with silica incorporation. However, concentrations exceeding 4% (w/v) resulted in significant phase separations, leading to a decline in mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musawenkosi G. Shange
- Department of Chemistry, KwaDlangezwa Campus, University of Zululand, Empangeni 3886, South Africa; (M.G.S.); (N.L.K.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Nduduzo L. Khumalo
- Department of Chemistry, KwaDlangezwa Campus, University of Zululand, Empangeni 3886, South Africa; (M.G.S.); (N.L.K.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Samson M. Mohomane
- Department of Chemistry, KwaDlangezwa Campus, University of Zululand, Empangeni 3886, South Africa; (M.G.S.); (N.L.K.); (S.M.M.)
| | - Tshwafo E. Motaung
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Preller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, City of Tshwane 0003, South Africa
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13
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Zhong X, Nicolardi S, Ouyang R, Wuhrer M, Du C, van Wezel G, Vijgenboom E, Briegel A, Claessen D. CslA and GlxA from Streptomyces lividans form a functional cellulose synthase complex. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0208723. [PMID: 38557137 PMCID: PMC11022532 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02087-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Filamentous growth of streptomycetes coincides with the synthesis and deposition of an uncharacterized protective glucan at hyphal tips. Synthesis of this glucan depends on the integral membrane protein CslA and the radical copper oxidase GlxA, which are part of a presumably large multiprotein complex operating at growing tips. Here, we show that CslA and GlxA interact by forming a protein complex that is sufficient to synthesize cellulose in vitro. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the purified complex produces cellulose chains with a degree of polymerization of at least 80 residues. Truncation analyses demonstrated that the removal of a significant extracellular segment of GlxA had no impact on complex formation, but significantly diminished activity of CslA. Altogether, our work demonstrates that CslA and GlxA form the active core of the cellulose synthase complex and provide molecular insights into a unique cellulose biosynthesis system that is conserved in streptomycetes. IMPORTANCE Cellulose stands out as the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth. While the synthesis of this polysaccharide has been extensively studied in plants and Gram-negative bacteria, the mechanisms in Gram-positive bacteria have remained largely unknown. Our research unveils a novel cellulose synthase complex formed by the interaction between the cellulose synthase-like protein CslA and the radical copper oxidase GlxA from Streptomyces lividans, a soil-dwelling Gram-positive bacterium. This discovery provides molecular insights into the distinctive cellulose biosynthesis machinery. Beyond expanding our understanding of cellulose biosynthesis, this study also opens avenues for exploring biotechnological applications and ecological roles of cellulose in Gram-positive bacteria, thereby contributing to the broader field of microbial cellulose biosynthesis and biofilm research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zhong
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Nicolardi
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ruochen Ouyang
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chao Du
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gilles van Wezel
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik Vijgenboom
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ariane Briegel
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Claessen
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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14
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Brannon JR, Reasoner SA, Bermudez TA, Comer SL, Wiebe MA, Dunigan TL, Beebout CJ, Ross T, Bamidele A, Hadjifrangiskou M. Mapping niche-specific two-component system requirements in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0223623. [PMID: 38385738 PMCID: PMC10986536 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02236-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory systems allow pathogens to differentiate between different niches and respond to stimuli within them. A major mechanism through which bacteria sense and respond to stimuli in their surroundings is two-component systems (TCSs). TCSs allow for the detection of multiple stimuli to lead to a highly controlled and rapid change in gene expression. Here, we provide a comprehensive list of TCSs important for the pathogenesis of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC accounts for >75% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) worldwide. UTIs are most prevalent among people assigned female at birth, with the vagina becoming colonized by UPEC in addition to the gut and the bladder. In the bladder, adherence to the urothelium triggers E. coli invasion of bladder cells and an intracellular pathogenic cascade. Intracellular E. coli are safely hidden from host neutrophils, competition from the microbiota, and antibiotics that kill extracellular E. coli. To survive in these intimately connected, yet physiologically diverse niches E. coli must rapidly coordinate metabolic and virulence systems in response to the distinct stimuli encountered in each environment. We hypothesized that specific TCSs allow UPEC to sense these diverse environments encountered during infection with built-in redundant safeguards. Here, we created a library of isogenic TCS deletion mutants that we leveraged to map distinct TCS contributions to infection. We identify-for the first time-a comprehensive panel of UPEC TCSs that are critical for infection of the genitourinary tract and report that the TCSs mediating colonization of the bladder, kidneys, or vagina are distinct.IMPORTANCEWhile two-component system (TCS) signaling has been investigated at depth in model strains of Escherichia coli, there have been no studies to elucidate-at a systems level-which TCSs are important during infection by pathogenic Escherichia coli. Here, we report the generation of a markerless TCS deletion library in a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolate that can be leveraged for dissecting the role of TCS signaling in different aspects of pathogenesis. We use this library to demonstrate, for the first time in UPEC, that niche-specific colonization is guided by distinct TCS groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Brannon
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Seth A. Reasoner
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tomas A. Bermudez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah L. Comer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michelle A. Wiebe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Taryn L. Dunigan
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Connor J. Beebout
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tamia Ross
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adebisi Bamidele
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Maria Hadjifrangiskou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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15
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Obando MC, Serra DO. Dissecting cell heterogeneities in bacterial biofilms and their implications for antibiotic tolerance. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102450. [PMID: 38422558 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms consist of large, self-formed aggregates where resident bacteria can exhibit very different physiological states and phenotypes. This heterogeneity of cell types is crucial for many structural and functional emergent properties of biofilms. Consequently, it becomes essential to understand what drives cells to differentiate and how they achieve it within the three-dimensional landscape of the biofilms. Here, we discuss recent advances in comprehending two forms of cell heterogeneity that, while recognized to coexist within biofilms, have proven challenging to distinguish. These two forms include cell heterogeneity arising as a consequence of bacteria physiologically responding to resource gradients formed across the biofilms and cell-to-cell phenotypic heterogeneity, which emerges locally within biofilm subzones among neighboring bacteria due to stochastic variations in gene expression. We describe the defining features and concepts related to both forms of cell heterogeneity and discuss their implications, with a particular focus on antibiotic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra C Obando
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Fisiología de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Diego O Serra
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Fisiología de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
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16
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Böhning J, Tarafder AK, Bharat TA. The role of filamentous matrix molecules in shaping the architecture and emergent properties of bacterial biofilms. Biochem J 2024; 481:245-263. [PMID: 38358118 PMCID: PMC10903470 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Numerous bacteria naturally occur within spatially organised, multicellular communities called biofilms. Moreover, most bacterial infections proceed with biofilm formation, posing major challenges to human health. Within biofilms, bacterial cells are embedded in a primarily self-produced extracellular matrix, which is a defining feature of all biofilms. The biofilm matrix is a complex, viscous mixture primarily composed of polymeric substances such as polysaccharides, filamentous protein fibres, and extracellular DNA. The structured arrangement of the matrix bestows bacteria with beneficial emergent properties that are not displayed by planktonic cells, conferring protection against physical and chemical stresses, including antibiotic treatment. However, a lack of multi-scale information at the molecular level has prevented a better understanding of this matrix and its properties. Here, we review recent progress on the molecular characterisation of filamentous biofilm matrix components and their three-dimensional spatial organisation within biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Böhning
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Abul K. Tarafder
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Tanmay A.M. Bharat
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
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17
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Siri M, Mangiarotti A, Vázquez-Dávila M, Bidan CM. Curli Amyloid Fibers in Escherichia coli Biofilms: The Influence of Water Availability on their Structure and Functional Properties. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300234. [PMID: 37776075 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli biofilms consist of bacteria embedded in a self-produced matrix mainly made of protein fibers and polysaccharides. The curli amyloid fibers found in the biofilm matrix are promising versatile building blocks to design sustainable bio-sourced materials. To exploit this potential, it is crucial to understand i) how environmental cues during biofilm growth influence the molecular structure of these amyloid fibers, and ii) how this translates at higher length scales. To explore these questions, the effect of water availability during biofilm growth on the conformation and functions of curli is studied. Microscopy and spectroscopy are used to characterize the amyloid fibers purified from biofilms grown on nutritive substrates with different water contents, and micro-indentation to measure the rigidity of the respective biofilms. The purified curli amyloid fibers present differences in the yield, structure, and functional properties upon biofilm growth conditions. Fiber packing and β-sheets content correlate with their hydrophobicity and chemical stability, and with the rigidity of the biofilms. This study highlights how E. coli biofilm growth conditions impact curli structure and functions contributing to macroscopic materials properties. These fundamental findings infer an alternative strategy to tune curli structure, which will ultimately benefit engineering hierarchical and functional curli-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Siri
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Agustín Mangiarotti
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mónica Vázquez-Dávila
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Cécile M Bidan
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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18
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Santos N, Brandstetter H, Dall E. Arabidopsis thaliana Phytocystatin 6 Forms Functional Oligomer and Amyloid Fibril States. Biochemistry 2023; 62:3420-3429. [PMID: 37989209 PMCID: PMC10702442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Cystatins encode a high functional variability not only because of their ability to inhibit different classes of proteases but also because of their propensity to form oligomers and amyloid fibrils. Phytocystatins, essential regulators of protease activity in plants, specifically inhibit papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) and legumains through two distinct cystatin domains. Mammalian cystatins can form amyloid fibrils; however, the potential for amyloid fibril formation of phytocystatins remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that Arabidopsis thaliana phytocystatin 6 (AtCYT6) exists as a mixture of monomeric, dimeric, and oligomeric forms in solution. Noncovalent oligomerization was facilitated by the N-terminal cystatin domain, while covalent dimerization occurred through disulfide bond formation in the interdomain linker. The noncovalent dimeric form of AtCYT6 retained activity against its target proteases, papain and legumain, albeit with reduced inhibitory potency. Additionally, we observed the formation of amyloid fibrils by AtCYT6 under acidic pH conditions and upon heating. The amyloidogenic potential could be attributed to the AtCYT6's N-terminal domain (AtCYT6-NTD). Importantly, AtCYT6 amyloid fibrils harbored inhibitory activities against both papain and legumain. These findings shed light on the oligomerization and amyloidogenic behavior of AtCYT6, expanding our understanding of phytocystatin biology and its potential functional implications for plant protease regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiá
P. Santos
- Department of Biosciences and Medical
Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences and Medical
Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Elfriede Dall
- Department of Biosciences and Medical
Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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19
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Schaible GA, Jay ZJ, Cliff J, Schulz F, Gauvin C, Goudeau D, Malmstrom RR, Emil Ruff S, Edgcomb V, Hatzenpichler R. Multicellular magnetotactic bacterial consortia are metabolically differentiated and not clonal. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.27.568837. [PMID: 38076927 PMCID: PMC10705294 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.27.568837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Consortia of multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) are currently the only known example of bacteria without a unicellular stage in their life cycle. Because of their recalcitrance to cultivation, most previous studies of MMB have been limited to microscopic observations. To study the biology of these unique organisms in more detail, we use multiple culture-independent approaches to analyze the genomics and physiology of MMB consortia at single cell resolution. We separately sequenced the metagenomes of 22 individual MMB consortia, representing eight new species, and quantified the genetic diversity within each MMB consortium. This revealed that, counter to conventional views, cells within MMB consortia are not clonal. Single consortia metagenomes were then used to reconstruct the species-specific metabolic potential and infer the physiological capabilities of MMB. To validate genomic predictions, we performed stable isotope probing (SIP) experiments and interrogated MMB consortia using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). By coupling FISH with bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) we explored their in situ activity as well as variation of protein synthesis within cells. We demonstrate that MMB consortia are mixotrophic sulfate reducers and that they exhibit metabolic differentiation between individual cells, suggesting that MMB consortia are more complex than previously thought. These findings expand our understanding of MMB diversity, ecology, genomics, and physiology, as well as offer insights into the mechanisms underpinning the multicellular nature of their unique lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A. Schaible
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
| | - Zackary J. Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
| | - John Cliff
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354
| | - Frederik Schulz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720
| | - Colin Gauvin
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
| | - Danielle Goudeau
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720
| | - Rex R. Malmstrom
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720
| | - S. Emil Ruff
- Ecosystems Center and Bay Paul Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
| | | | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
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20
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Yaeger LN, French S, Brown ED, Côté JP, Burrows LL. Central metabolism is a key player in E. coli biofilm stimulation by sub-MIC antibiotics. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011013. [PMID: 37917668 PMCID: PMC10645362 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure of Escherichia coli to sub-inhibitory antibiotics stimulates biofilm formation through poorly characterized mechanisms. Using a high-throughput Congo Red binding assay to report on biofilm matrix production, we screened ~4000 E. coli K12 deletion mutants for deficiencies in this biofilm stimulation response. We screened using three different antibiotics to identify core components of the biofilm stimulation response. Mutants lacking acnA, nuoE, or lpdA failed to respond to sub-MIC cefixime and novobiocin, implicating central metabolism and aerobic respiration in biofilm stimulation. These genes are members of the ArcA/B regulon-controlled by a respiration-sensitive two-component system. Mutants of arcA and arcB had a 'pre-activated' phenotype, where biofilm formation was already high relative to wild type in vehicle control conditions, and failed to increase further with the addition of sub-MIC cefixime. Using a tetrazolium dye and an in vivo NADH sensor, we showed spatial co-localization of increased metabolic activity with sub-lethal concentrations of the bactericidal antibiotics cefixime and novobiocin. Supporting a role for respiratory stress, the biofilm stimulation response to cefixime and novobiocin was inhibited when nitrate was provided as an alternative electron acceptor. Deletion of a gene encoding part of the machinery for respiring nitrate abolished its ameliorating effects, and nitrate respiration increased during growth with sub-MIC cefixime. Finally, in probing the generalizability of biofilm stimulation, we found that the stimulation response to translation inhibitors, unlike other antibiotic classes, was minimally affected by nitrate supplementation, suggesting that targeting the ribosome stimulates biofilm formation in distinct ways. By characterizing the biofilm stimulation response to sub-MIC antibiotics at a systems level, we identified multiple avenues for design of therapeutics that impair bacterial stress management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke N. Yaeger
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shawn French
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric D. Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Philippe Côté
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lori L. Burrows
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Franco EM, Alves LA, Naveed H, Freitas VAA, Bastos DC, Mattos-Graner RO. Amyloid Fibrils Produced by Streptococcus sanguinis Contribute to Biofilm Formation and Immune Evasion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15686. [PMID: 37958670 PMCID: PMC10647432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial surface proteins assembled into amyloids contribute to biofilm formation and host immune evasion. Streptococcus sanguinis, a pioneer colonizer of teeth commonly involved in cardiovascular infections, expresses about thirty-three proteins anchored to the cell wall by sortase A. Here, we characterized the production of amyloid in S. sanguinis strains differing in biofilm and immune evasion phenotypes and investigated the role of sortase A in amyloidogenesis. Amyloid was identified in biofilms formed by nine strains, using Congo red (CR) staining and cross-polarized light microscopy. Additionally, EGCG, an amyloid inhibitor, impaired biofilm maturation in a strain-specific fashion. The amounts of amyloid-like components quantified in culture fluids of nine strains using thioflavin T and fluorimetry negatively correlated with bacterial binding to complement-activating proteins (SAP, C1q), C3b deposition and rates of opsonophagocytosis in PMNs, implying amyloid production in immune evasion. The deletion of the sortase A gene (srtA) in strain SK36 compromised amyloid production and sucrose-independent biofilm maturation. The srtA mutant further showed increased susceptibility to C3b deposition and altered interactions with PMNs as well as reduced persistence in human blood. These findings highlight the contribution of amyloids to biofilm formation and host immune evasion in S. sanguinis strains, further indicating the participation of sortase A substrates in amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo M. Franco
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil; (E.M.F.); (L.A.A.); (H.N.); (V.A.A.F.)
| | - Lívia A. Alves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil; (E.M.F.); (L.A.A.); (H.N.); (V.A.A.F.)
- School of Dentistry, Cruzeiro do Sul University (UNICSUL), São Paulo 01506-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Hassan Naveed
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil; (E.M.F.); (L.A.A.); (H.N.); (V.A.A.F.)
| | - Victor A. A. Freitas
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil; (E.M.F.); (L.A.A.); (H.N.); (V.A.A.F.)
| | - Débora C. Bastos
- Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil;
- São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Campinas 13045-755, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata O. Mattos-Graner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil; (E.M.F.); (L.A.A.); (H.N.); (V.A.A.F.)
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22
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Boubsi F, Hoff G, Arguelles Arias A, Steels S, Andrić S, Anckaert A, Roulard R, Rigolet A, van Wuytswinkel O, Ongena M. Pectic homogalacturonan sensed by Bacillus acts as host associated cue to promote establishment and persistence in the rhizosphere. iScience 2023; 26:107925. [PMID: 37790276 PMCID: PMC10543691 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus velezensis isolates are among the most promising plant-associated beneficial bacteria used as biocontrol agents. However, various aspects of the chemical communication between the plant and these beneficials, determining root colonization ability, remain poorly described. Here we investigated the molecular basis of such interkingdom interaction occurring upon contact between Bacillus velezensis and its host via the sensing of pectin backbone homogalacturonan (HG). We showed that B. velezensis stimulates key developmental traits via a dynamic process involving two conserved pectinolytic enzymes. This response integrates transcriptional changes leading to the switch from planktonic to sessile cells, a strong increase in biofilm formation, and an accelerated sporulation dynamics while conserving the potential to efficiently produce specialized secondary metabolites. As a whole, we anticipate that this response of Bacillus to cell wall-derived host cues contributes to its establishment and persistence in the competitive rhizosphere niche and ipso facto to its activity as biocontrol agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Boubsi
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Grégory Hoff
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Anthony Arguelles Arias
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Steels
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Sofija Andrić
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Adrien Anckaert
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Romain Roulard
- UMRT INRAe 1158 Plant Biology and Innovation, University of Picardie Jules Verne, UFR des Sciences, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - Augustin Rigolet
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Olivier van Wuytswinkel
- UMRT INRAe 1158 Plant Biology and Innovation, University of Picardie Jules Verne, UFR des Sciences, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - Marc Ongena
- Microbial Processes and Interactions, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
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23
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Cordisco E, Zanor MI, Moreno DM, Serra DO. Selective inhibition of the amyloid matrix of Escherichia coli biofilms by a bifunctional microbial metabolite. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:81. [PMID: 37857690 PMCID: PMC10587114 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00449-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The propensity of bacteria to grow collectively in communities known as biofilms and their ability to overcome clinical treatments in this condition has become a major medical problem, emphasizing the need for anti-biofilm strategies. Antagonistic microbial interactions have extensively served as searching platforms for antibiotics, but their potential as sources for anti-biofilm compounds has barely been exploited. By screening for microorganisms that in agar-set pairwise interactions could antagonize Escherichia coli's ability to form macrocolony biofilms, we found that the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis strongly inhibits the synthesis of amyloid fibers -known as curli-, which are the primary extracellular matrix (ECM) components of E. coli biofilms. We identified bacillaene, a B. subtilis hybrid non-ribosomal peptide/polyketide metabolite, previously described as a bacteriostatic antibiotic, as the effector molecule. We found that bacillaene combines both antibiotic and anti-curli functions in a concentration-dependent order that potentiates the ecological competitiveness of B. subtilis, highlighting bacillaene as a metabolite naturally optimized for microbial inhibition. Our studies revealed that bacillaene inhibits curli by directly impeding the assembly of the CsgB and CsgA curli subunits into amyloid fibers. Moreover, we found that curli inhibition occurs despite E. coli attempts to reinforce its protective ECM by inducing curli genes via a RpoS-mediated competition sensing response trigged by the threatening presence of B. subtilis. Overall, our findings illustrate the relevance of exploring microbial interactions not only for finding compounds with unknown and unique activities, but for uncovering additional functions of compounds previously categorized as antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Cordisco
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Fisiología de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, (2000), Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Inés Zanor
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo y Señalización en Plantas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, (2000), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Diego Martín Moreno
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, (2000) Rosario, Argentina. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Suipacha 531, (2000), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Diego Omar Serra
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Fisiología de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Predio CONICET Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, (2000), Rosario, Argentina.
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24
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Chowdhury F, Findlay BL. Fitness Costs of Antibiotic Resistance Impede the Evolution of Resistance to Other Antibiotics. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1834-1845. [PMID: 37726252 PMCID: PMC10581211 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health, claiming the lives of millions every year. With a nearly dry antibiotic development pipeline, novel strategies are urgently needed to combat resistant pathogens. One emerging strategy is the use of sequential antibiotic therapy, postulated to reduce the rate at which antibiotic resistance evolves. Here, we use the soft agar gradient evolution (SAGE) system to carry out high-throughput in vitro bacterial evolution against antibiotic pressure. We find that evolution of resistance to the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CHL) severely affects bacterial fitness, slowing the rate at which resistance to the antibiotics nitrofurantoin and streptomycin emerges. In vitro acquisition of compensatory mutations in the CHL-resistant cells markedly improves fitness and nitrofurantoin adaptation rates but fails to restore rates to wild-type levels against streptomycin. Genome sequencing reveals distinct evolutionary paths to resistance in fitness-impaired populations, suggesting resistance trade-offs in favor of mitigation of fitness costs. We show that the speed of bacterial fronts in SAGE plates is a reliable indicator of adaptation rates and evolutionary trajectories to resistance. Identification of antibiotics whose mutational resistance mechanisms confer stable impairments may help clinicians prescribe sequential antibiotic therapies that are less prone to resistance evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan
R. Chowdhury
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Brandon L. Findlay
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
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25
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Kim JS, Lim MC, Kim SM, Lee JY. Extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes as a biofilm control strategy for food-related microorganisms. Food Sci Biotechnol 2023; 32:1745-1761. [PMID: 37780595 PMCID: PMC10533455 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-023-01373-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm is one of the major problems in food industries and is difficult to be removed or prevented by conventional sanitizers. In this review, we discussed the extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes as a strategy to control biofilms of foodborne pathogenic and food-contaminating bacteria. The biofilms can be degraded by using the enzymes targeting proteins, polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, or lipids which mainly constitute the extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms. However, the efficacy of enzymes varies by the growth medium, bacterial species, strains, or counterpart microorganisms due to a high variation in the composition of extracellular polymeric substances. Several studies demonstrated that the combined treatment using conventional sanitizers or multiple enzymes can synergistically enhance the biofilm removal efficacies. In this review, the application of the immobilized enzymes on solid substrates is also discussed as a potential strategy to prevent biofilm formation on food contact surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Sung Kim
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365 Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113 Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Cheol Lim
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365 Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113 Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Min Kim
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365 Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, 567, Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 54896 Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Young Lee
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365 Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16419 Republic of Korea
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26
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Obeng N, Czerwinski A, Schütz D, Michels J, Leipert J, Bansept F, García García MJ, Schultheiß T, Kemlein M, Fuß J, Tholey A, Traulsen A, Sondermann H, Schulenburg H. Bacterial c-di-GMP has a key role in establishing host-microbe symbiosis. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1809-1819. [PMID: 37653009 PMCID: PMC10522488 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Most microbes evolve faster than their hosts and should therefore drive evolution of host-microbe interactions. However, relatively little is known about the characteristics that define the adaptive path of microbes to host association. Here we identified microbial traits that mediate adaptation to hosts by experimentally evolving the free-living bacterium Pseudomonas lurida with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as its host. After ten passages, we repeatedly observed the evolution of beneficial host-specialist bacteria, with improved persistence in the nematode being associated with increased biofilm formation. Whole-genome sequencing revealed mutations that uniformly upregulate the bacterial second messenger, cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP). We subsequently generated mutants with upregulated c-di-GMP in different Pseudomonas strains and species, which consistently increased host association. Comparison of pseudomonad genomes from various environments revealed that c-di-GMP underlies adaptation to a variety of hosts, from plants to humans. This study indicates that c-di-GMP is fundamental for establishing host association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Obeng
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna Czerwinski
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniel Schütz
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Michels
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Leipert
- Department of Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - María J García García
- CSSB Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thekla Schultheiß
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Melinda Kemlein
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Janina Fuß
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andreas Tholey
- Department of Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arne Traulsen
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Holger Sondermann
- CSSB Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
- Section of Biology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.
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27
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Khan F, Jeong GJ, Tabassum N, Kim YM. Functional diversity of c-di-GMP receptors in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:259. [PMID: 37749602 PMCID: PMC10519070 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic bis-(3', 5')-dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is ubiquitous in many bacterial species, where it functions as a nucleotide-based secondary messenger and is a vital regulator of numerous biological processes. Due to its ubiquity, most bacterial species possess a wide range of downstream receptors that has a binding affinity to c-di-GMP and elicit output responses. In eukaryotes, several enzymes and riboswitches operate as receptors that interact with c-di-GMP and transduce cellular or environmental signals. This review examines the functional variety of receptors in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems that exhibit distinct biological responses after interacting with c-di-GMP. Evolutionary relationships and similarities in distance among the c-di-GMP receptors in various bacterial species were evaluated to understand their specificities. Furthermore, residues of receptors involved in c-di-GMP binding are summarized. This review facilitates the understanding of how distinct receptors from different origins bind c-di-GMP equally well, yet fulfill diverse biological roles at the interspecies, intraspecies, and interkingdom levels. Furthermore, it also highlights c-di-GMP receptors as potential therapeutic targets, particularly those found in pathogenic microorganisms. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlurrahman Khan
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
- Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
| | - Geum-Jae Jeong
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Nazia Tabassum
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
- Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mog Kim
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
- Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
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28
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Buchmann D, Schwabe M, Weiss R, Kuss AW, Schaufler K, Schlüter R, Rödiger S, Guenther S, Schultze N. Natural phenolic compounds as biofilm inhibitors of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli - the role of similar biological processes despite structural diversity. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1232039. [PMID: 37731930 PMCID: PMC10507321 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1232039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens such as Escherichia coli have become increasingly difficult to treat and therefore alternative treatment options are needed. Targeting virulence factors like biofilm formation could be one such option. Inhibition of biofilm-related structures like curli and cellulose formation in E. coli has been shown for different phenolic natural compounds like epigallocatechin gallate. This study demonstrates this effect for other structurally unrelated phenolics, namely octyl gallate, scutellarein and wedelolactone. To verify whether these structurally different compounds influence identical pathways of biofilm formation in E. coli a broad comparative RNA-sequencing approach was chosen with additional RT-qPCR to gain initial insights into the pathways affected at the transcriptomic level. Bioinformatical analysis of the RNA-Seq data was performed using DESeq2, BioCyc and KEGG Mapper. The comparative bioinformatics analysis on the pathways revealed that, irrespective of their structure, all compounds mainly influenced similar biological processes. These pathways included bacterial motility, chemotaxis, biofilm formation as well as metabolic processes like arginine biosynthesis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Overall, this work provides the first insights into the potential mechanisms of action of novel phenolic biofilm inhibitors and highlights the complex regulatory processes of biofilm formation in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buchmann
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Schwabe
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Romano Weiss
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Andreas W. Kuss
- Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Rabea Schlüter
- Imaging Center of the Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Rödiger
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Sebastian Guenther
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nadin Schultze
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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29
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Perry EK, Tan MW. Bacterial biofilms in the human body: prevalence and impacts on health and disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1237164. [PMID: 37712058 PMCID: PMC10499362 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1237164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms can be found in most environments on our planet, and the human body is no exception. Consisting of microbial cells encased in a matrix of extracellular polymers, biofilms enable bacteria to sequester themselves in favorable niches, while also increasing their ability to resist numerous stresses and survive under hostile circumstances. In recent decades, biofilms have increasingly been recognized as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of chronic infections. However, biofilms also occur in or on certain tissues in healthy individuals, and their constituent species are not restricted to canonical pathogens. In this review, we discuss the evidence for where, when, and what types of biofilms occur in the human body, as well as the diverse ways in which they can impact host health under homeostatic and dysbiotic states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Man-Wah Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
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30
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Dayton H, Kiss J, Wei M, Chauhan S, LaMarre E, Cornell WC, Morgan CJ, Janakiraman A, Min W, Tomer R, Price-Whelan A, Nirody JA, Dietrich LE. Cell arrangement impacts metabolic activity and antibiotic tolerance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.20.545666. [PMID: 37645902 PMCID: PMC10462148 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.20.545666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Cells must access resources to survive, and the anatomy of multicellular structures influences this access. In diverse multicellular eukaryotes, resources are provided by internal conduits that allow substances to travel more readily through tissue than they would via diffusion. Microbes growing in multicellular structures, called biofilms, are also affected by differential access to resources and we hypothesized that this is influenced by the physical arrangement of the cells. In this study, we examined the microanatomy of biofilms formed by the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and discovered that clonal cells form striations that are packed lengthwise across most of a mature biofilm's depth. We identified mutants, including those defective in pilus function and in O-antigen attachment, that show alterations to this lengthwise packing phenotype. Consistent with the notion that cellular arrangement affects access to resources within the biofilm, we found that while the wild type shows even distribution of tested substrates across depth, the mutants show accumulation of substrates at the biofilm boundaries. Furthermore, we found that altered cellular arrangement within biofilms affects the localization of metabolic activity, the survival of resident cells, and the susceptibility of subpopulations to antibiotic treatment. Our observations provide insight into cellular features that determine biofilm microanatomy, with consequences for physiological differentiation and drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Dayton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Julie Kiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Mian Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Shradha Chauhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Emily LaMarre
- Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016
| | | | - Chase J. Morgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Anuradha Janakiraman
- Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016
| | - Wei Min
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Raju Tomer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Alexa Price-Whelan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
| | - Jasmine A Nirody
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
| | - Lars E.P. Dietrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
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31
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McLeod D, Wei L, Li Z. A standard 96-well based high throughput microfluidic perfusion biofilm reactor for in situ optical analysis. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 25:26. [PMID: 37493818 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00668-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm infections represent a major public health threat due to their high tolerance to antimicrobials and the lack of specific anti-biofilm drugs. To develop such drugs, it is crucial to have high-throughput biofilm growth systems that can emulate in vivo conditions without the cost and complexity of animal models. However, no current biofilm reactor can provide in vivo-like conditions in a high throughput standard microtiter format. This paper demonstrates a novel high-throughput (HT) microfluidic perfusion biofilm reactor (HT-μPBR) compatible with a standard 96-well microtiter plate for in situ optical analysis. A snap-on liquid-tight cover for standard microtiter plates was designed and fabricated with fluidic channels to provide closed-loop recirculating perfusion. Our system takes steps toward providing in vivo-like conditions with controlled shear stress and nutrient delivery. We describe the system fabrication and usage in optical analysis of biomass and viability of Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilms. The HT-μPBR was set to perfuse at 1 mL/min corresponding to an average shear rate of approximately [Formula: see text] on the bottom surface of a single well. Biofilms were detected on well plate bottoms and measured using a fluorescence microscope and plate reader to determine biomass and viability. Samples cultured in the HT-μPBR showed increased biomass while maintaining viability after 24 h. The HT-μPBR can further be combined with HT antibiotic susceptibility testing and additional optical techniques such as time-lapse imaging to improve understanding of the drug reaction mechanism as well as the optimization of drug combinations and delivery profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- David McLeod
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC, USA.
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Osland AM, Oastler C, Konrat K, Nesse LL, Brook E, Richter AM, Gosling RJ, Arvand M, Vestby LK. Evaluation of Disinfectant Efficacy against Biofilm-Residing Wild-Type Salmonella from the Porcine Industry. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1189. [PMID: 37508285 PMCID: PMC10376135 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica is a causative pathogen of Salmonellosis, a zoonosis causing global disease and financial losses every year. Pigs may be carriers of Salmonella and contribute to the spread to humans and food products. Salmonella may persist as biofilms. Biofilms are bacterial aggregates embedded in a self-produced matrix and are known to withstand disinfectants. We studied the effect of glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid, two active substances frequently used in disinfectant formulations in the pig industry, on representative biofilm-residing wild-type Salmonella collected from pig housings in the United Kingdom (UK). We screened biofilm production of strains using the microtiter plate (MTP) assay and Congo Red Coomassie Blue (CRCB) agar method. Previously published stainless-steel coupon (SSCA), polyvinylchloride coupon (PCA), and glass bead (GBA) assays were used for disinfection studies. The mean reduction in the tested wild-type strains met the criterion of ≥4 log10 CFU at a disinfectant concentration of 0.05% with SSCA and GBA, and 0.005% with PCA for peracetic acid, along with 0.5% for glutaraldehyde with all three assays on the mean. At these concentrations, both tested disinfectants are suitable for disinfection of pig housings against Salmonella. When evaluating the efficacy of disinfectants, biofilms should be included, as higher disinfectant concentrations are necessary compared to planktonic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Mohr Osland
- Department of Analysis and Diagnostics, Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI),1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Claire Oastler
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Katharina Konrat
- Hospital Hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control, Department Infectious Diseases Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Live L Nesse
- Department of Food Safety and Animal Health, Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI), 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Emma Brook
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Anja M Richter
- Hospital Hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control, Department Infectious Diseases Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rebecca J Gosling
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
- Health and Safety Executive, The Science and Research Centre, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Mardjan Arvand
- Hospital Hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control, Department Infectious Diseases Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lene K Vestby
- Department of Analysis and Diagnostics, Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI),1433 Ås, Norway
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Guo XK, Wang J, van Hensbergen VP, Liu J, Xu H, Hu X. Interactions between host and intestinal crypt-resided biofilms are controlled by epithelial fucosylation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112754. [PMID: 37405914 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As highly organized consortia of bacteria, biofilms have long been implicated in aggravating inflammation. However, our understanding regarding in vivo host-biofilm interactions in the complex tissue environments remains limited. Here, we show a unique pattern of crypt occupation by mucus-associated biofilms during the early stage of colitis, which is genetically dependent on bacterial biofilm-forming capacity and restricted by host epithelial α1,2-fucosylation. α1,2-Fucosylation deficiency leads to markedly augmented crypt occupation by biofilms originated from pathogenic Salmonella Typhimurium or indigenous Escherichia coli, resulting in exacerbated intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically, α1,2-fucosylation-mediated restriction of biofilms relies on interactions between bacteria and liberated fucose from biofilm-occupied mucus. Fucose represses biofilm formation and biofilm-related genes in vitro and in vivo. Finally, fucose administration ameliorates experimental colitis, suggesting therapeutic potential of fucose for biofilm-related disorders. This work illustrates host-biofilm interactions during gut inflammation and identifies fucosylation as a physiological strategy for restraining biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Kun Guo
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Jiali Wang
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Vincent P van Hensbergen
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jintao Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
| | - Huji Xu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; School of Clinical Medicine and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Brannon JR, Reasoner SA, Bermudez TA, Dunigan TL, Wiebe MA, Beebout CJ, Ross T, Bamidele A, Hadjifrangiskou M. Mapping Niche-specific Two-Component System Requirements in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541942. [PMID: 37292752 PMCID: PMC10245908 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sensory systems allow pathogens to differentiate between different niches and respond to stimuli within them. A major mechanism through which bacteria sense and respond to stimuli in their surroundings is two-component systems (TCSs). TCSs allow for the detection of multiple stimuli to lead to a highly controlled and rapid change in gene expression. Here, we provide a comprehensive list of TCSs important for the pathogenesis of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC accounts for >75% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) worldwide. UTIs are most prevalent among people assigned female at birth, with the vagina becoming colonized by UPEC in addition to the gut and the bladder. In the bladder, adherence to the urothelium triggers E. coli invasion of bladder cells and an intracellular pathogenic cascade. Intracellular E. coli are safely hidden from host neutrophils, competition from the microbiota, and antibiotics that kill extracellular E. coli. To survive in these intimately connected, yet physiologically diverse niches E. coli must rapidly coordinate metabolic and virulence systems in response to the distinct stimuli encountered in each environment. We hypothesized that specific TCSs allow UPEC to sense these diverse environments encountered during infection with built-in redundant safeguards. Here, we created a library of isogenic TCS deletion mutants that we leveraged to map distinct TCS contributions to infection. We identify - for the first time - a comprehensive panel of UPEC TCSs that are critical for infection of the genitourinary tract and report that the TCSs mediating colonization of the bladder, kidneys, or vagina are distinct.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Brannon
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Seth A. Reasoner
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tomas A. Bermudez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Taryn L. Dunigan
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michelle A. Wiebe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Connor J. Beebout
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tamia Ross
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Adebisi Bamidele
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maria Hadjifrangiskou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Molecular Pathogenesis, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Wang J, Wu J, Li J, Kong R, Li X, Wang X. Simulation of various biofilm fractal morphologies by agent-based model. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 227:113352. [PMID: 37196464 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are clusters of bacteria wrapped in extracellular matrix and polymers. The study of biofilm morphological transformation has been around for a long time and has attracted widespread attention. In this paper, we present a model for biofilm growth based on the interaction force, in which bacteria are treated as tiny particles and locations of particles are updated by calculating the repulsive forces among particles. We adapt a continuity equation to indicate nutrient concentration variation in the substrate. Based on the above, we study the morphological transformation of biofilms. We find that nutrient concentration and nutrient diffusion rate dominate different biofilm morphological transition processes, in which biofilms would grow into fractal morphology under the conditions of low nutrient concentration and nutrient diffusivity. At the same time, we expand our model by introducing a second particle to mimic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms. We find that the interaction between different particles can lead to phase separation patterns between cells and EPSs, and the adhesion effect of EPS can attenuate this phenomenon. In contrast to single particle system models, branches are inhibited due to EPS filling in dual particle system models, and this invalidation is boosted by the enhancement of the depletion effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiankun Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jin Wu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jin Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Rui Kong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xianyong Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 02138 Cambridge, MA, USA.
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36
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Wang T, Shen P, He Y, Zhang Y, Liu J. Spatial transcriptome uncovers rich coordination of metabolism in E. coli K12 biofilm. Nat Chem Biol 2023:10.1038/s41589-023-01282-w. [PMID: 37055614 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01282-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities often display region-specific properties, which give rise to complex interactions and emergent behaviors that are critical to the homeostasis and stress response of the communities. However, systems-level understanding of these properties still remains elusive. In this study, we established RAINBOW-seq and profiled the transcriptome of Escherichia coli biofilm communities with high spatial resolution and high gene coverage. We uncovered three modes of community-level coordination, including cross-regional resource allocation, local cycling and feedback signaling, which were mediated by strengthened transmembrane transport and spatially specific activation of metabolism. As a consequence of such coordination, the nutrient-limited region of the community maintained an unexpectedly high level of metabolism, enabling it to express many signaling genes and functionally unknown genes with potential sociality functions. Our work provides an extended understanding of the metabolic interplay in biofilms and presents a new approach of investigating complex interactions in bacterial communities on the systems level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmin Wang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Shen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yihui He
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuzhen Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jintao Liu
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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37
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Pecoraro C, Carbone D, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Diana P. Recent Developments in the Inhibition of Bacterial Adhesion as Promising Anti-Virulence Strategy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054872. [PMID: 36902301 PMCID: PMC10002502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by antimicrobial-resistant strains have become a serious threat to global health, with a high social and economic impact. Multi-resistant bacteria exhibit various mechanisms at both the cellular and microbial community levels. Among the different strategies proposed to fight antibiotic resistance, we reckon that the inhibition of bacterial adhesion to host surfaces represents one of the most valid approaches, since it hampers bacterial virulence without affecting cell viability. Many different structures and biomolecules involved in the adhesion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens can be considered valuable targets for the development of promising tools to enrich our arsenal against pathogens.
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38
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Oliveira F, Silva E, Matias A, Silva JM, Reis RL, Duarte ARC. Menthol-based deep eutectic systems as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents for wound healing. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 182:106368. [PMID: 36572356 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Effective antimicrobial treatment has been identified as a serious and unmet medical need. Herein, we present a strategy based on deep eutectic systems (DES) to overcome current limitations, answering the need not only to effectively kill bacterial agents but also to avoid their adhesion and proliferation, which is associated with biofilm formation and have a crucial impact on bacterial virulence. To achieve such a goal, natural deep eutectic systems (NADES) based on menthol (Me) and saturated free fatty acids (FFA) were produced, fully physicochemical characterized, and its bioactive properties were described. The antimicrobial potential of menthol-based NADES with FFA, namely, myristic acid (MA), lauric acid (LA), and stearic acid (SA) were investigated towards a broad panel of microorganisms. The obtained data indicates that NADES possess effective antimicrobial properties towards the Gram-positive bacterial and fungal strains tested. Among the tested formulations, Me:LA at a molar ratio of 4:1 molar was used to carry out a biofilm detachment/removal assay due to is superior microbiological properties. This formulation was able to effectively lead to biofilm removal/dispersion of not only methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans, but also Escherichia coli, without the need of any additional physical force or antibiotic. Furthermore, since microbial invasion and biofilm formation is highly undesired in wound healing, namely in chronic wound healing, the wound healing properties of these eutectic formulations was also investigated. The results suggest that these NADES can cope with microbial invasion and biofilm detachment while not compromising normal keratinocyte proliferation and migration verified in wound healing and epidermis repair, while also contributing to the reduction of cell stress and inflammation via the control of ROS production. In conclusion, these results provide the indication that NADES based on Me and FFA holds great interest as antimicrobial agents for preventive and therapeutic applications in various clinical settings, including wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Oliveira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco; ICVS/3B's PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Matias
- Nutraceuticals and Bioactives Process Technology Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Joana M Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco; ICVS/3B's PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco; ICVS/3B's PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita C Duarte
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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Öztürk FY, Darcan C, Kariptaş E. The Determination, Monitoring, Molecular Mechanisms and Formation of Biofilm in E. coli. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:259-277. [PMID: 36577889 PMCID: PMC9943865 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00895-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are cell assemblies embedded in an exopolysaccharide matrix formed by microorganisms of a single or many different species. This matrix in which they are embedded protects the bacteria from external influences and antimicrobial effects. The biofilm structure that microorganisms form to protect themselves from harsh environmental conditions and survive is found in nature in many different environments. These environments where biofilm formation occurs have in common that they are in contact with fluids. The gene expression of bacteria in complex biofilm differs from that of bacteria in the planktonic state. The differences in biofilm cell expression are one of the effects of community life. Means of quorum sensing, bacteria can act in coordination with each other. At the same time, while biofilm formation provides many benefits to bacteria, it has positive and negative effects in many different areas. Depending on where they occur, biofilms can cause serious health problems, contamination risks, corrosion, and heat and efficiency losses. However, they can also be used in water treatment plants, bioremediation, and energy production with microbial fuel cells. In this review, the basic steps of biofilm formation and biofilm regulation in the model organism Escherichia coli were discussed. Finally, the methods by which biofilm formation can be detected and monitored were briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fırat Yavuz Öztürk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Faculty of Arts and Science, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey.
| | - Cihan Darcan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Faculty of Arts and Science, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey
| | - Ergin Kariptaş
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Samsun University, Samsun, Turkey
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He X, Ding H, Gao Z, Zhang X, Wu R, Li K. Variations in the motility and biofilm formation abilities of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during noodle processing. Food Res Int 2023; 168:112670. [PMID: 37120241 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Motility and biofilm formation help to protect bacteria from host immune responses and facilitate tolerance of environmental stimuli to improve their adaptability. However, few reports have investigated the adaptability of bacteria that live in food substrates undergoing food processing-induced stress. In this study, variations in the surface morphology, bacterial count, motility, and biofilm formation abilities of Escherichia coli O157:H7 NCTC12900 were investigated during noodle processing, including the kneading, squeezing, resting, and sheeting phases. The results showed that bacterial surface morphology, count, and motility were impaired in the squeezing phase, whereas biofilm biomass continuously increased across all processing phases. Twenty-one genes and sRNAs were measured using RT-qPCR to reveal the mechanisms underlying these changes. Of these, the genes adrA, csrA, flgM, flhD, fliM, ydaM, and the sRNA McaS were significantly upregulated, whereas the genes fliA, fliG, and the sRNAs CsrC, DsrA, GcvB, and OxyS were evidently repressed. According to the correlation matrix results based on the reference gene adrA, we found that csrA, GcvB, McaS, and OxyS were the most relevant genes and sRNAs for biofilm formation and motility. For each of them, their overexpressions was found to inhibit bacterial motility and biofilm formation to varying degrees during noodle processing. Among these, 12900/pcsrA had the highest inhibitory potential against motility, yielding a minimum of 11.2 mm motility diameter in the resting phase. Furthermore, 12900/pOxyS showed the most significant inhibitory effect against biofilm formation, yielding a minimum biofilm formation value of 5% of that exhibited the wild strain in the sheeting phase. Therefore, we prospect to find an effective and feasible novel approach to weaken bacterial survival during food processing by regulating the genes or sRNAs related to motility and biofilm formation.
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Sano K, Kobayashi H, Chuta H, Matsuyoshi N, Kato Y, Ogasawara H. CsgI (YccT) Is a Novel Inhibitor of Curli Fimbriae Formation in Escherichia coli Preventing CsgA Polymerization and Curli Gene Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054357. [PMID: 36901788 PMCID: PMC10002515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Curli fimbriae are amyloids-found in bacteria (Escherichia coli)-that are involved in solid-surface adhesion and bacterial aggregation during biofilm formation. The curli protein CsgA is coded by a csgBAC operon gene, and the transcription factor CsgD is essential to induce its curli protein expression. However, the complete mechanism underlying curli fimbriae formation requires elucidation. Herein, we noted that curli fimbriae formation was inhibited by yccT-i.e., a gene that encodes a periplasmic protein of unknown function regulated by CsgD. Furthermore, curli fimbriae formation was strongly repressed by CsgD overexpression caused by a multicopy plasmid in BW25113-the non-cellulose-producing strain. YccT deficiency prevented these CsgD effects. YccT overexpression led to intracellular YccT accumulation and reduced CsgA expression. These effects were addressed by deleting the N-terminal signal peptide of YccT. Localization, gene expression, and phenotypic analyses revealed that YccT-dependent inhibition of curli fimbriae formation and curli protein expression was mediated by the two-component regulatory system EnvZ/OmpR. Purified YccT inhibited CsgA polymerization; however, no intracytoplasmic interaction between YccT and CsgA was detected. Thus, YccT-renamed CsgI (curli synthesis inhibitor)-is a novel inhibitor of curli fimbriae formation and has a dual role as an OmpR phosphorylation modulator and CsgA polymerization inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Sano
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduated School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kobayashi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduated School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Chuta
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduated School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Nozomi Matsuyoshi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduated School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Yuki Kato
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduated School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ogasawara
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Division of Gene Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Academic Assembly School of Humanities and Social Sciences Institute of Humanities, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
- Institute for Fiber Engineering (IFES), Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research (ICCER), Shinshu University, Tokida 3-15-1, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Renaissance Center for Applied Microbiology, Shinshu University, Nagano-shi, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-268-21-5803
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42
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Sarlet A, Ruffine V, Blank KG, Bidan CM. Influence of Metal Cations on the Viscoelastic Properties of Escherichia coli Biofilms. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:4667-4676. [PMID: 36777596 PMCID: PMC9910073 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms frequently cause complications in various areas of human life, e.g., in medicine and in the food industry. More recently, biofilms are discussed as new types of living materials with tunable mechanical properties. In particular, Escherichia coli produces a matrix composed of amyloid-forming curli and phosphoethanolamine-modified cellulose fibers in response to suboptimal environmental conditions. It is currently unknown how the interaction between these fibers contributes to the overall mechanical properties of the formed biofilms and if extrinsic control parameters can be utilized to manipulate these properties. Using shear rheology, we show that biofilms formed by the E. coli K-12 strain AR3110 stiffen by a factor of 2 when exposed to the trivalent metal cations Al(III) and Fe(III), while no such response is observed for the bivalent cations Zn(II) and Ca(II). Strains producing only one matrix component did not show any stiffening response to either cation or even a small softening. No stiffening response was further observed when strains producing only one type of fiber were co-cultured or simply mixed after biofilm growth. These results suggest that the E. coli biofilm matrix is a uniquely structured composite material when both matrix fibers are produced from the same bacterium. While the exact interaction mechanism between curli, phosphoethanolamine-modified cellulose, and trivalent metal cations is currently not known, our results highlight the potential of using extrinsic parameters to understand and control the interplay between biofilm structure and mechanical properties. This will ultimately aid in the development of better strategies for controlling biofilm growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Sarlet
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476Potsdam, Germany
| | - Valentin Ruffine
- Mechano(bio)chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kerstin G. Blank
- Mechano(bio)chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476Potsdam, Germany
- Institute
of Experimental Physics, Johannes Kepler
University, Altenberger
Str. 69, 4040Linz, Austria
| | - Cécile M. Bidan
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476Potsdam, Germany
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43
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Winans JB, Wucher BR, Nadell CD. Multispecies biofilm architecture determines bacterial exposure to phages. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001913. [PMID: 36548227 PMCID: PMC9778933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous ecological interactions among microbes-for example, competition for space and resources, or interaction among phages and their bacterial hosts-are likely to occur simultaneously in multispecies biofilm communities. While biofilms formed by just a single species occur, multispecies biofilms are thought to be more typical of microbial communities in the natural environment. Previous work has shown that multispecies biofilms can increase, decrease, or have no measurable impact on phage exposure of a host bacterium living alongside another species that the phages cannot target. The reasons underlying this variability are not well understood, and how phage-host encounters change within multispecies biofilms remains mostly unexplored at the cellular spatial scale. Here, we study how the cellular scale architecture of model 2-species biofilms impacts cell-cell and cell-phage interactions controlling larger scale population and community dynamics. Our system consists of dual culture biofilms of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae under exposure to T7 phages, which we study using microfluidic culture, high-resolution confocal microscopy imaging, and detailed image analysis. As shown previously, sufficiently mature biofilms of E. coli can protect themselves from phage exposure via their curli matrix. Before this stage of biofilm structural maturity, E. coli is highly susceptible to phages; however, we show that these bacteria can gain lasting protection against phage exposure if they have become embedded in the bottom layers of highly packed groups of V. cholerae in co-culture. This protection, in turn, is dependent on the cell packing architecture controlled by V. cholerae biofilm matrix secretion. In this manner, E. coli cells that are otherwise susceptible to phage-mediated killing can survive phage exposure in the absence of de novo resistance evolution. While co-culture biofilm formation with V. cholerae can confer phage protection to E. coli, it comes at the cost of competing with V. cholerae and a disruption of normal curli-mediated protection for E. coli even in dual species biofilms grown over long time scales. This work highlights the critical importance of studying multispecies biofilm architecture and its influence on the community dynamics of bacteria and phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B. Winans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Benjamin R. Wucher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Carey D. Nadell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
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44
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Eckert JA, Rosenberg M, Rhen M, Choong FX, Richter-Dahlfors A. An optotracer-based antibiotic susceptibility test specifically targeting the biofilm lifestyle of Salmonella. Biofilm 2022; 4:100083. [PMID: 36117547 PMCID: PMC9474290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a medical threat of global dimensions. Proper antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for drug development, patient diagnosis and treatment is crucial to counteract ineffective drug use and resistance development. Despite the important role of bacterial biofilms in chronic and device-associated infections, the efficacy of antibiotics is determined using planktonic cultures. To address the need for antibiotics targeting bacteria in the biofilm lifestyle, we here present an optotracing-based biofilm-AST using Salmonella as model. Our non-disruptive method enables real-time recording of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, providing specific detection of the biofilm lifestyle. Biofilm formation prior to antibiotic challenge can thus be confirmed and pre-treatment data collected. By introducing Kirby-Bauer discs, we performed a broad screen of the effects of antibiotics representing multiple classes, and identified compounds with ECM inhibitory as well as promoting effects. These compounds were further tested in agar-based dose-response biofilm-AST assays. By quantifying the ECM based on the amount of curli, and by visualizing the biofilm size and morphology, we achieved new information directly reflecting the treated biofilm. This verified the efficacy of several antibiotics that were effective in eradicating pre-formed biofilms, and it uncovered intriguing possible resistance mechanisms initiated in response to treatments. By providing deeper insights into the resistances and susceptibilities of microbes, expanded use of the biofilm-AST will contribute to more effective treatments of infections and reduced resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes A Eckert
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ming Rosenberg
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rhen
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ferdinand X Choong
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Richter-Dahlfors
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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45
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Abdian PL, Malori MS, Caramelo JJ, Checchi AM, Russo DM, Zorreguieta A, Berretta MF, Benintende G. Fusion of a bacterial cadherin-like domain and green fluorescent protein as a specific probe to study biofilm matrix formation in Rhizobium spp. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36748557 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rhizobium adhering proteins or 'Raps' are secreted proteins identified in a very restricted group of rhizobial strains, specifically those belonging to R. leguminosarum and R. etli. The distinctive feature of members of the Rap family is the presence of one or two cadherin-like domains or CHDLs that are also present in numerous extracellular bacterial and archaeal proteins and were proposed to confer carbohydrate binding ability. We have previously made an in-depth characterization of RapA2, a calcium-binding lectin, composed by two CHDLs, involved in biofilm matrix remodelling in R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841. In this study, CHDLs derived from RapA2 were analysed in detail, finding significant structural and functional differences despite their considerable sequence similarity. Only the carboxy-terminal CHDL retained properties similar to those displayed by RapA2. Our findings were used to obtain a novel fluorescent probe to study biofilm matrix development by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and also to shed some light on the role of the ubiquitous CHDL domains in bacterial secreted proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L Abdian
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMyZA), G.V. al IABiMo, INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros s/n, 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Soledad Malori
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julio J Caramelo
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Abi Maglio Checchi
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMyZA), G.V. al IABiMo, INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros s/n, 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela M Russo
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Angeles Zorreguieta
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA CONICET, Patricias Argentinas 435, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo F Berretta
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMyZA), G.V. al IABiMo, INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros s/n, 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Benintende
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMyZA), G.V. al IABiMo, INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros s/n, 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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46
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Holden ER, Yasir M, Turner AK, Charles IG, Webber MA. Comparison of the genetic basis of biofilm formation between Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Microb Genom 2022; 8:mgen000885. [PMID: 36326671 PMCID: PMC9836088 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria can form biofilms, which typically have a life cycle from cells initially attaching to a surface before aggregation and growth produces biomass and an extracellular matrix before finally cells disperse. To maximize fitness at each stage of this life cycle and given the different events taking place within a biofilm, temporal regulation of gene expression is essential. We recently described the genes required for optimal fitness over time during biofilm formation in Escherichia coli using a massively parallel transposon mutagenesis approach called TraDIS-Xpress. We have now repeated this study in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to determine the similarities and differences in biofilm formation through time between these species. A core set of pathways involved in biofilm formation in both species included matrix production, nucleotide biosynthesis, flagella assembly and LPS biosynthesis. We also identified several differences between the species, including a divergent impact of the antitoxin TomB on biofilm formation in each species. We observed deletion of tomB to be detrimental throughout the development of the E. coli biofilms but increased biofilm biomass in S. Typhimurium. We also found a more pronounced role for genes involved in respiration, specifically the electron transport chain, on the fitness of mature biofilms in S. Typhimurium than in E. coli and this was linked to matrix production. This work deepens understanding of the core requirements for biofilm formation in the Enterobacteriaceae whilst also identifying some genes with specialised roles in biofilm formation in each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R. Holden
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Muhammad Yasir
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - A. Keith Turner
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Ian G. Charles
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Mark A. Webber
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK,*Correspondence: Mark A. Webber,
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47
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Stepanov D, Buchmann D, Schultze N, Wolber G, Schaufler K, Guenther S, Belik V. A Combined Bayesian and Similarity-Based Approach for Predicting E. coli Biofilm Inhibition by Phenolic Natural Compounds. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:2255-2265. [PMID: 36107719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Screening for biofilm inhibition by purified natural compounds is difficult due to compounds' chemical diversity and limited commercial availability, combined with time- and cost-intensiveness of the laboratory process. In silico prediction of chemical and biological properties of molecules is a widely used technique when experimental data availability is of concern. At the same time, the performance of predictive models directly depends on the amount and quality of experimental data. Driven by the interest in developing a model for prediction of the antibiofilm effect of phenolic natural compounds such as flavonoids, we performed experimental assessment of antibiofilm activity of 320 compounds from this subset of chemicals. The assay was performed once on two Escherichia coli strains on agar in 24-well microtiter plates. The inhibition was assessed visually by detecting morphological changes in macrocolonies. Using the data obtained, we subsequently trained a Bayesian logistic regression model for prediction of biofilm inhibition, which was combined with a similarity-based method in order to increase the overall sensitivity (at the cost of accuracy). The quality of the predictions was subsequently validated by experimental assessment in three independent experiments with two resistant E. coli strains of 23 compounds absent in the initial data set. The validation demonstrated that the model may successfully predict the targeted effect as compared to the baseline accuracy. Using a randomly selected database of commercially available natural phenolics, we obtained approximately 6.0% of active compounds, whereas using our prediction-based substance selection, the percentage of phenolics found to be active increased to 34.8%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Stepanov
- Department of Biology, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Buchmann
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nadin Schultze
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Department of Biology, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Guenther
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Vitaly Belik
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, System Modeling Group, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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48
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Yarmola E, Ishkov IP, di Cologna NM, Menashe M, Whitener RL, Long JR, Abranches J, Hagen SJ, Brady LJ. Amyloid Aggregates Are Localized to the Nonadherent Detached Fraction of Aging Streptococcus mutans Biofilms. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0166122. [PMID: 35950854 PMCID: PMC9431626 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01661-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of bacterial species recognized to utilize purposeful amyloid aggregation within biofilms continues to grow. The oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans produces several amyloidogenic proteins, including adhesins P1 (also known as AgI/II, PAc) and WapA, whose truncation products, namely, AgII and AgA, respectively, represent the amyloidogenic moieties. Amyloids demonstrate common biophysical properties, including recognition by Thioflavin T (ThT) and Congo red (CR) dyes that bind to the cross β-sheet quaternary structure of amyloid aggregates. Previously, we observed amyloid formation to occur only after 60 h or more of S. mutans biofilm growth. Here, we extend those findings to investigate where amyloid is detected within 1- and 5-day-old biofilms, including within tightly adherent compared with those in nonadherent fractions. CR birefringence and ThT uptake demonstrated amyloid within nonadherent material removed from 5-day-old cultures but not within 1-day-old or adherent samples. These experiments were done in conjunction with confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence staining with AgII- and AgA-reactive antibodies, including monoclonal reagents shown to discriminate between monomeric protein and amyloid aggregates. These results also localized amyloid primarily to the nonadherent fraction of biofilms. Lastly, we show that the C-terminal region of P1 loses adhesive function following amyloidogenesis and is no longer able to competitively inhibit binding of S. mutans to its physiologic substrate, salivary agglutinin. Taken together, our results provide new evidence that amyloid aggregation negatively impacts the functional activity of a widely studied S. mutans adhesin and are consistent with a model in which amyloidogenesis of adhesive proteins facilitates the detachment of aging biofilms. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus mutans is a keystone pathogen and causative agent of human dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, the most prevalent infectious disease in the world. Like many pathogens, S. mutans causes disease in biofilms, which for dental decay begins with bacterial attachment to the salivary pellicle coating the tooth surface. Some strains of S. mutans are also associated with bacterial endocarditis. Amyloid aggregation was initially thought to represent only a consequence of protein mal-folding, but now, many microorganisms are known to produce functional amyloids with biofilm environments. In this study, we learned that amyloid formation diminishes the activity of a known S. mutans adhesin and that amyloid is found within the nonadherent fraction of older biofilms. This finding suggests that the transition from adhesin monomer to amyloid facilitates biofilm detachment. Knowing where and when S. mutans produces amyloid will help in developing therapeutic strategies to control tooth decay and other biofilm-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yarmola
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ivan P. Ishkov
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Megan Menashe
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert L. Whitener
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Joanna R. Long
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Stephen J. Hagen
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - L. Jeannine Brady
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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49
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Highly Virulent and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 58 from a Sausage in Germany. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081006. [PMID: 35892394 PMCID: PMC9331442 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have previously described the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in human and veterinary medical settings, livestock, and, to a lesser extent, in the environment and food. While they mostly analyzed foodborne E. coli regarding phenotypic and sometimes genotypic antibiotic resistance and basic phylogenetic classification, we have limited understanding of the in vitro and in vivo virulence characteristics and global phylogenetic contexts of these bacteria. Here, we investigated in-depth an E. coli strain (PBIO3502) isolated from a pork sausage in Germany in 2021. Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed sequence type (ST)58, which has an internationally emerging high-risk clonal lineage. In addition to its MDR phenotype that mostly matched the genotype, PBIO3502 demonstrated pronounced virulence features, including in vitro biofilm formation, siderophore secretion, serum resilience, and in vivo mortality in Galleria mellonella larvae. Along with the genomic analysis indicating close phylogenetic relatedness of our strain with publicly available, clinically relevant representatives of the same ST, these results suggest the zoonotic and pathogenic character of PBIO3502 with the potential to cause infection in humans and animals. Additionally, our study highlights the necessity of the One Health approach while integrating human, animal, and environmental health, as well as the role of meat products and food chains in the putative transmission of MDR pathogens.
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50
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Tyrikos-Ergas T, Gim S, Huang JY, Pinzón Martín S, Varón Silva D, Seeberger PH, Delbianco M. Synthetic phosphoethanolamine-modified oligosaccharides reveal the importance of glycan length and substitution in biofilm-inspired assemblies. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3954. [PMID: 35804023 PMCID: PMC9270332 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31633-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilm matrices are nanocomposites of proteins and polysaccharides with remarkable mechanical properties. Efforts understanding and tuning the protein component have been extensive, whereas the polysaccharide part remained mostly overlooked. The discovery of phosphoethanolamine (pEtN) modified cellulose in E. coli biofilms revealed that polysaccharide functionalization alters the biofilm properties. To date, the pattern of pEtN cellulose and its mode of interactions with proteins remains elusive. Herein, we report a model system based on synthetic epitomes to explore the role of pEtN in biofilm-inspired assemblies. Nine pEtN-modified oligosaccharides were synthesized with full control over the length, degree and pattern of pEtN substitution. The oligomers were co-assembled with a representative peptide, triggering the formation of fibers in a length dependent manner. We discovered that the pEtN pattern modulates the adhesion of biofilm-inspired matrices, while the peptide component controls its stiffness. Unnatural oligosaccharides tune or disrupt the assembly morphology, revealing interesting targets for polysaccharide engineering to develop tunable bio-inspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Tyrikos-Ergas
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Soeun Gim
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jhih-Yi Huang
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Pinzón Martín
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Varón Silva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Delbianco
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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