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Panich J, Dudebout EM, Wadhwa N, Blair D. Surfing Motility: A Novel Propulsion-Independent Mechanism for Surface Migration in Salmonella and E. coli. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.21.609010. [PMID: 39229098 PMCID: PMC11370582 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.21.609010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria migrate on surfaces using diverse mechanisms. Many flagellated species move on agar using a form of collective motility termed swarming. Swarming has been thought to require flagellar propulsion. Here, we report the rapid migration of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica on agar surfaces in the absence of active propulsion by flagella. While immotile in liquid, filament-less and rotation-defective mutants of Salmonella LT2 and E. coli migrate on surfaces at rates comparable to wild-type. In contrast to the "sliding" motility reported in many species, the surface migration here does not require but is instead inhibited by surfactant. It is thus a novel form of surface movement that we call "surfing." Surfing cells acidify the plates, and surfing is found to depend on the presence of fermentable sugar. We propose a model in which fermentation at the colony front produces osmolytes that draw water from the agar to generate a moving bulge at the margin of the expanding colony. Significance Statement Bacteria move on surfaces using a variety of mechanisms, with important implications for their growth and survival in both the clinical setting (such as on the surface of medical devices) and in the wild. Surface motility in the medically important model species S. enterica and E. coli has been extensively studied and is thought to require flagellar propulsion. Here, we show surface expansion in these species even in the absence of propulsion by the flagella. Instead, movement is tied to fermentation and surface tension: As cells ferment sugars, they create local osmolarity gradients, which generate a wave of fluid on which the cells "surf."
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Panich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- JP and EMD contributed equally to this work
| | - Eric M Dudebout
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- JP and EMD contributed equally to this work
| | - Navish Wadhwa
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Center for Biological Physics and Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - David Blair
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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2
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Jacob KM, Hernández-Villamizar S, Hammer ND, Reguera G. Mucin-induced surface dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis via quorum-sensing dependent and independent mechanisms. mBio 2024; 15:e0156224. [PMID: 38953351 PMCID: PMC11323471 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01562-24] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carriage of staphylococci spreads potentially pathogenic strains into (peri)oral regions and increases the chance of cross-infections. Some laboratory strains can also move rapidly on hydrated agar surfaces, but the biological relevance of these observations is not clear. Using soft-agar [0.3% (wt/vol)] plate assays, we demonstrate the rapid surface dispersal of (peri)oral isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and closely related laboratory strains in the presence of mucin glycoproteins. Mucin-induced dispersal was a stepwise process initiated by the passive spreading of the growing colonies followed by their rapid branching (dendrites) from the colony edge. Although most spreading strains used mucin as a growth substrate, dispersal was primarily dependent on the lubricating and hydrating properties of the mucins. Using S. aureus JE2 as a genetically tractable representative, we demonstrate that mucin-induced dendritic dispersal, but not colony spreading, is facilitated by the secretion of surfactant-active phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) in a process regulated by the agr quorum-sensing system. Furthermore, the dendritic dispersal of S. aureus JE2 colonies was further stimulated in the presence of surfactant-active supernatants recovered from the most robust (peri)oral spreaders of S. aureus and S. epidermidis. These findings suggest complementary roles for lubricating mucins and staphylococcal PSMs in the active dispersal of potentially pathogenic strains from perioral to respiratory mucosae, where gel-forming, hydrating mucins abound. They also highlight the impact that interspecies interactions have on the co-dispersal of S. aureus with other perioral bacteria, heightening the risk of polymicrobial infections and the severity of the clinical outcomes. IMPORTANCE Despite lacking classical motility machinery, nasopharyngeal staphylococci spread rapidly in (peri)oral and respiratory mucosa and cause cross-infections. We describe laboratory conditions for the reproducible study of staphylococcal dispersal on mucosa-like surfaces and the identification of two dispersal stages (colony spreading and dendritic expansion) stimulated by mucin glycoproteins. The mucin type mattered as dispersal required the surfactant activity and hydration provided by some mucin glycoproteins. While colony spreading was a passive mode of dispersal lubricated by the mucins, the more rapid and invasive form of dendritic expansion of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis required additional lubrication by surfactant-active peptides (phenol-soluble modulins) secreted at high cell densities through quorum sensing. These results highlight a hitherto unknown role for gel-forming mucins in the dispersal of staphylococcal strains associated with cross-infections and point at perioral regions as overlooked sources of carriage and infection by staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Jacob
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Neal D. Hammer
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Gemma Reguera
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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3
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Partridge JD, Harshey RM. Flagellar protein FliL: A many-splendored thing. Mol Microbiol 2024. [PMID: 39096095 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15301] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
FliL is a bacterial flagellar protein demonstrated to associate with, and regulate ion flow through, the stator complex in a diverse array of bacterial species. FliL is also implicated in additional functions such as stabilizing the flagellar rod, modulating rotor bias, sensing the surface, and regulating gene expression. How can one protein do so many things? Its location is paramount to understanding its numerous functions. This review will look at the evidence, attempt to resolve some conflicting findings, and offer new thoughts on FliL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Partridge
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Rasika M Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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4
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Zhang Y, Zhao X, Wang J, Liao L, Qin H, Zhang R, Li C, He Y, Huang S. VmsR, a LuxR-Type Regulator, Contributes to Virulence, Cell Motility, Extracellular Polysaccharide Production and Biofilm Formation in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7595. [PMID: 39062838 PMCID: PMC11277528 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147595] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
LuxR-type regulators play pivotal roles in regulating numerous bacterial processes, including bacterial motility and virulence, thereby exerting a significant influence on bacterial behavior and pathogenicity. Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, a rice pathogen, causes bacterial leaf streak. Our research has identified VmsR, which is a response regulator of the two-component system (TCS) that belongs to the LuxR family. These findings of the experiment reveal that VmsR plays a crucial role in regulating pathogenicity, motility, biofilm formation, and the production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) in Xoc GX01. Notably, our study shows that the vmsR mutant exhibits a reduced swimming motility but an enhanced swarming motility. Furthermore, this mutant displays decreased virulence while significantly increasing EPS production and biofilm formation. We have uncovered that VmsR directly interacts with the promoter regions of fliC and fliS, promoting their expression. In contrast, VmsR specifically binds to the promoter of gumB, resulting in its downregulation. These findings indicate that the knockout of vmsR has profound effects on virulence, motility, biofilm formation, and EPS production in Xoc GX01, providing insights into the intricate regulatory network of Xoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Xiyao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Jiuxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Lindong Liao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Huajun Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Rongbo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Changyu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Yongqiang He
- College of Agronomy, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (J.W.); (L.L.); (H.Q.); (R.Z.); (C.L.)
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5
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Li H, Hong L, Szymczak W, Orner E, Garber AI, Cooper VS, Chen W, De A, Tang JX, Mani S. Protocol for isolating single species of bacteria with swarming ability from human feces. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102961. [PMID: 38573864 PMCID: PMC10999858 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102961] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the specific movements of bacteria isolated from human feces can serve as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic tool for inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we present a protocol for a microbial swarming assay and to isolate the bacteria responsible for swarming activity. We describe steps for identifying bacteria using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and whole-genome sequencing. We then detail procedures for validating findings by observing the same swarming phenotype upon reperforming the swarming assay. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to De et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Lilli Hong
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Wendy Szymczak
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Erika Orner
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - Vaughn S Cooper
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Weijie Chen
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Intelligent Medicine Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Arpan De
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jay X Tang
- Brown University, Physics Department, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Sridhar Mani
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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6
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Davidson MK, Protacio RU, Helmlinger D, Wahls WP. Laboratory horror stories: Poison in the agars. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.06.597796. [PMID: 38895319 PMCID: PMC11185651 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.06.597796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a single-celled eukaryote that can be cultured as a haploid or as a diploid. Scientists employ mating, meiosis, and the plating of ascospores and cells to generate strains with novel genotypes and to discover biological processes. Our two laboratories encountered independently sudden-onset, major impediments to such research. Spore suspensions and vegetative cells no longer plated effectively on minimal media. By systematically analyzing multiple different media components from multiple different suppliers, we identified the source of the problem. Specific lots of agar, from different suppliers, were toxic. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect was attenuated on rich media. Consequently, quality control checks that use only rich media can provide false assurances on the quality of the agar. Lastly, we describe likely sources of the toxicity and we provide specific guidance for quality control measures that should be applied by all vendors as preconditions for their sale of agar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari K. Davidson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street (slot 516), Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Reine U. Protacio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street (slot 516), Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Dominique Helmlinger
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Wayne P. Wahls
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street (slot 516), Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
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7
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Pan X, Shen J, Hong Y, Wu Y, Guo D, Zhao L, Bu X, Ben L, Wang X. Comparative Analysis of Growth, Survival, and Virulence Characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Imported Meat. Microorganisms 2024; 12:345. [PMID: 38399749 PMCID: PMC10891628 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020345] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen with worldwide prevalence. Understanding the variability in the potential pathogenicity among strains of different subtypes is crucial for risk assessment. In this study, the growth, survival, and virulence characteristics of 16 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from imported meat in China (2018-2020) were investigated. The maximum specific growth rate (μmax) and lag phase (λ) were evaluated using the time-to-detection (TTD) method and the Baranyi model at different temperatures (25, 30, and 37 °C). Survival characteristics were determined by D-values and population reduction after exposure to heat (60, 62.5, and 65 °C) and acid (HCl, pH = 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5). The potential virulence was evaluated via adhesion and invasion to Caco-2 cells, motility, and lethality to Galleria mellonella. The potential pathogenicity was compared among strains of different lineages and subtypes. The results indicate that the lineage I strains exhibited a higher growth rate than the lineage II strains at three growth temperatures, particularly serotype 4b within lineage I. At all temperatures tested, serotypes 1/2a and 1/2b consistently demonstrated higher heat resistance than the other subtypes. No significant differences in the log reduction were observed between the lineage I and lineage II strains at pH 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5. However, the serotype 1/2c strains exhibited significantly low acid resistance at pH 2.5. In terms of virulence, the lineage I strains outperformed the lineage II strains. The invasion rate to Caco-2 cells and lethality to G. mellonella exhibited by the serotype 4b strains were higher than those observed in the other serotypes. This study provides meaningful insights into the growth, survival, and virulence of L. monocytogenes, offering valuable information for understanding the correlation between the pathogenicity and subtypes of L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinye Pan
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (X.P.); (Y.H.); (X.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Jinling Shen
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yi Hong
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (X.P.); (Y.H.); (X.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Yufan Wu
- Centre of Analysis and Test, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
| | - Dehua Guo
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lina Zhao
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Xiangfeng Bu
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (X.P.); (Y.H.); (X.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Leijie Ben
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (X.P.); (Y.H.); (X.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Xiang Wang
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (X.P.); (Y.H.); (X.B.); (L.B.)
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8
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Bhattacharyya S, Bhattarai N, Pfannenstiel DM, Wilkins B, Singh A, Harshey RM. A heritable iron memory enables decision-making in Escherichia coli. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309082120. [PMID: 37988472 PMCID: PMC10691332 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309082120] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of memory in bacterial decision-making is relatively unexplored. We show here that a prior experience of swarming is remembered when Escherichia coli encounters a new surface, improving its future swarming efficiency. We conducted >10,000 single-cell swarm assays to discover that cells store memory in the form of cellular iron levels. This "iron" memory preexists in planktonic cells, but the act of swarming reinforces it. A cell with low iron initiates swarming early and is a better swarmer, while the opposite is true for a cell with high iron. The swarming potential of a mother cell, which tracks with its iron memory, is passed down to its fourth-generation daughter cells. This memory is naturally lost by the seventh generation, but artificially manipulating iron levels allows it to persist much longer. A mathematical model with a time-delay component faithfully recreates the observed dynamic interconversions between different swarming potentials. We demonstrate that cellular iron levels also track with biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance, suggesting that iron memory may impact other physiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Nabin Bhattarai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Dylan M. Pfannenstiel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Brady Wilkins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE19716
| | - Rasika M. Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
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9
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Partridge JD, Dufour Y, Hwang Y, Harshey RM. Flagellar motor remodeling during swarming requires FliL. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:670-683. [PMID: 37675594 PMCID: PMC10942728 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15148] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
FliL is an essential component of the flagellar machinery in some bacteria, but a conditional one in others. The conditional role is for optimal swarming in some bacteria. During swarming, physical forces associated with movement on a surface are expected to exert a higher load on the flagellum, requiring more motor torque to move. FliL was reported to enhance motor output in several bacteria and observed to assemble as a ring around ion-conducting stators that power the motor. In this study we identify a common new function for FliL in diverse bacteria-Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Proteus mirabilis. During swarming, all these bacteria show increased cell speed and a skewed motor bias that suppresses cell tumbling. We demonstrate that these altered motor parameters, or "motor remodeling," require FliL. Both swarming and motor remodeling can be restored in an E. coli fliL mutant by complementation with fliL genes from P. mirabilis and B. subtilis, showing conservation of a swarming-associated FliL function across phyla. In addition, we demonstrate that the strong interaction we reported earlier between FliL and the flagellar MS-ring protein FliF is confined to the RBM-3 domain of FliF that links the periplasmic rod to the cytoplasmic C-ring. This interaction may explain several phenotypes associated with the absence of FliL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Partridge
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Yann Dufour
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - YuneSahng Hwang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Rasika M. Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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10
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Partridge JD, Dufour Y, Hwang Y, Harshey RM. Flagellar motor remodeling during swarming requires FliL. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.14.549092. [PMID: 37503052 PMCID: PMC10370021 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.14.549092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
FliL is an essential component of the flagellar machinery in some bacteria, but a conditional one in others. The conditional role is for optimal swarming in some bacteria. During swarming, physical forces associated with movement on a surface are expected to exert a higher load on the flagellum, requiring more motor torque to move. Bacterial physiology and morphology are also altered during swarming to cope with the challenges of surface navigation. FliL was reported to enhance motor output in several bacteria and observed to assemble as a ring around ion-conducting stators that power the motor. In this study we identify a common new function for FliL in diverse bacteria - Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus mirabilis . During swarming, all these bacteria show increased cell speed and a skewed motor bias that suppresses cell tumbling. We demonstrate that these altered motor parameters, or 'motor remodeling', require FliL. Both swarming and motor remodeling can be restored in an E. coli fliL mutant by complementation with fliL genes from P. mirabilis and B. subtilis , showing conservation of swarming-associated FliL function across phyla. In addition, we demonstrate that the strong interaction we reported earlier between FliL and the flagellar MS-ring protein FliF is confined to the RBM-3 domain of FliF that links the periplasmic rod to the cytoplasmic C-ring. This interaction may explain several phenotypes associated with the absence of FliL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Partridge
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Yann Dufour
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - YuneSahng Hwang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Rasika M Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
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11
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Sheng Q, Liu A, Yang P, Chen Z, Wang P, Sun H, Li C, McMinn A, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Su H, Chen X, Zhang Y. The FilZ Protein Contains a Single PilZ Domain and Facilitates the Swarming Motility of Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1566. [PMID: 37375068 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061566] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Swarming regulation is complicated in flagellated bacteria, especially those possessing dual flagellar systems. It remains unclear whether and how the movement of the constitutive polar flagellum is regulated during swarming motility of these bacteria. Here, we report the downregulation of polar flagellar motility by the c-di-GMP effector FilZ in the marine sedimentary bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913. Strain SM9913 possesses two flagellar systems, and filZ is located in the lateral flagellar gene cluster. The function of FilZ is negatively controlled by intracellular c-di-GMP. Swarming in strain SM9913 consists of three periods. Deletion and overexpression of filZ revealed that, during the period when strain SM9913 expands quickly, FilZ facilitates swarming. In vitro pull-down and bacterial two-hybrid assays suggested that, in the absence of c-di-GMP, FilZ interacts with the CheW homolog A2230, which may be involved in the chemotactic signal transduction pathway to the polar flagellar motor protein FliMp, to interfere with polar flagellar motility. When bound to c-di-GMP, FilZ loses its ability to interact with A2230. Bioinformatic investigation indicated that filZ-like genes are present in many bacteria with dual flagellar systems. Our findings demonstrate a novel mode of regulation of bacterial swarming motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Peiling Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Zhuowei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Haining Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Andrew McMinn
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - Yin Chen
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Yuzhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Hainan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiulan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
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12
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Hajiagha MN, Kafil HS. Efflux pumps and microbial biofilm formation. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105459. [PMID: 37271271 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm-related infections are resistant forms of pathogens that are regarded as a medical problem, particularly due to the spread of multiple drug resistance. One of the factors associated with biofilm drug resistance is the presence of various types of efflux pumps in bacteria. Efflux pumps also play a role in biofilm formation by influencing Physical-chemical interactions, mobility, gene regulation, quorum sensing (QS), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and toxic compound extrusion. According to the findings of studies based on efflux pump expression analysis, their role in the anatomical position within the biofilm will differ depending on the biofilm formation stage, encoding gene expression level, the type and concentration of substrate. In some cases, the function of the efflux pumps can overlap with each other, so it seems necessary to accurate identify the efflux pumps of biofilm-forming bacteria along with their function in this process. Such studies will help to choose treatment strategy, at least in combination with antibiotics. Furthermore, if the goal of treatment is an efflux pump manipulation, we should not limit it to inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdyeh Neghabi Hajiagha
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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13
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Bhattacharyya S, Bhattarai N, Pfannenstiel DM, Wilkins B, Singh A, Harshey RM. Iron Memory in E. coli. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.541523. [PMID: 37609133 PMCID: PMC10441380 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The importance of memory in bacterial decision-making is relatively unexplored. We show here that a prior experience of swarming is remembered when E. coli encounters a new surface, improving its future swarming efficiency. We conducted >10,000 single-cell swarm assays to discover that cells store memory in the form of cellular iron levels. This memory pre-exists in planktonic cells, but the act of swarming reinforces it. A cell with low iron initiates swarming early and is a better swarmer, while the opposite is true for a cell with high iron. The swarming potential of a mother cell, whether low or high, is passed down to its fourth-generation daughter cells. This memory is naturally lost by the seventh generation, but artificially manipulating iron levels allows it to persist much longer. A mathematical model with a time-delay component faithfully recreates the observed dynamic interconversions between different swarming potentials. We also demonstrate that iron memory can integrate multiple stimuli, impacting other bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Nabin Bhattarai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Dylan M. Pfannenstiel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Brady Wilkins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Rasika M. Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
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14
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Brito-Santana P, Duque-Pedraza JJ, Bernabéu-Roda LM, Carvia-Hermoso C, Cuéllar V, Fuentes-Romero F, Acosta-Jurado S, Vinardell JM, Soto MJ. Sinorhizobium meliloti DnaJ Is Required for Surface Motility, Stress Tolerance, and for Efficient Nodulation and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065848. [PMID: 36982921 PMCID: PMC10055731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial surface motility is a complex microbial trait that contributes to host colonization. However, the knowledge about regulatory mechanisms that control surface translocation in rhizobia and their role in the establishment of symbiosis with legumes is still limited. Recently, 2-tridecanone (2-TDC) was identified as an infochemical in bacteria that hampers microbial colonization of plants. In the alfalfa symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, 2-TDC promotes a mode of surface motility that is mostly independent of flagella. To understand the mechanism of action of 2-TDC in S. meliloti and unveil genes putatively involved in plant colonization, Tn5 transposants derived from a flagellaless strain that were impaired in 2-TDC-induced surface spreading were isolated and genetically characterized. In one of the mutants, the gene coding for the chaperone DnaJ was inactivated. Characterization of this transposant and newly obtained flagella-minus and flagella-plus dnaJ deletion mutants revealed that DnaJ is essential for surface translocation, while it plays a minor role in swimming motility. DnaJ loss-of-function reduces salt and oxidative stress tolerance in S. meliloti and hinders the establishment of efficient symbiosis by affecting nodule formation efficiency, cellular infection, and nitrogen fixation. Intriguingly, the lack of DnaJ causes more severe defects in a flagellaless background. This work highlights the role of DnaJ in the free-living and symbiotic lifestyles of S. meliloti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Brito-Santana
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
| | - Julián J Duque-Pedraza
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
| | - Lydia M Bernabéu-Roda
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Carvia-Hermoso
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
| | - Virginia Cuéllar
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Fuentes-Romero
- Facultad de Biología, Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sebastián Acosta-Jurado
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC, Junta de Andalucía, Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - José-María Vinardell
- Facultad de Biología, Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - María J Soto
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, 18008 Granada, Spain
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15
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Partridge JD, Harshey RM. Swarming Motility Assays in Salmonella. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2646:147-158. [PMID: 36842113 PMCID: PMC10942719 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3060-0_13] [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: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Salmonella enterica has six subspecies, of which the subspecies enterica is the most important for human health. The dispersal and infectivity of this species are dependent upon flagella-driven motility. Two kinds of flagella-mediated movements have been described-swimming individually in bulk liquid and swarming collectively over a surface substrate. During swarming, the bacteria acquire a distinct physiology, the most significant consequence of which is acquisition of adaptive resistance to antibiotics. Described here are protocols to cultivate, verify, and study swimming and swarming motility in S. enterica, and an additional "border-crossing" assay, where cells "primed" to swarm are presented with an environmental challenge such as antibiotics to assess their propensity to handle the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Partridge
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Rasika M Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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16
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Bhattacharyya S, Bhattacharyya M, Pfannenstiel DM, Nandi AK, Hwang Y, Ho K, Harshey RM. Efflux-linked accelerated evolution of antibiotic resistance at a population edge. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4368-4385.e6. [PMID: 36400010 PMCID: PMC9699456 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Efflux is a common mechanism of resistance to antibiotics. We show that efflux itself promotes accumulation of antibiotic-resistance mutations (ARMs). This phenomenon was initially discovered in a bacterial swarm where the linked phenotypes of high efflux and high mutation frequencies spatially segregated to the edge, driven there by motility. We have uncovered and validated a global regulatory network connecting high efflux to downregulation of specific DNA-repair pathways even in non-swarming states. The efflux-DNA repair link was corroborated in a clinical "resistome" database: genomes with mutations that increase efflux exhibit a significant increase in ARMs. Accordingly, efflux inhibitors decreased evolvability to antibiotic resistance. Swarms also revealed how bacterial populations serve as a reservoir of ARMs even in the absence of antibiotic selection pressure. High efflux at the edge births mutants that, despite compromised fitness, survive there because of reduced competition. This finding is relevant to biofilms where efflux activity is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | | | - Dylan M Pfannenstiel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Anjan K Nandi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Kolkata, India
| | - YuneSahng Hwang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Khang Ho
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Rasika M Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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17
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Sakka K, Kihira M, Kuhara W, Mochida A, Kimura T, Sakka M. Swarming behavior of a novel strain of Brevibacillus thermoruber. J Basic Microbiol 2022; 62:1475-1486. [PMID: 36190013 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200445] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Brevibacillus thermoruber strain Nabari was isolated from compost and identified based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization using B. thermoruber DSM 7064 T as the standard, despite some differences in their physiological and structural characteristics. When B. thermoruber Nabari was cultivated on various solid media containing 1.5% agar at 60°C, it rapidly propagated over the entire plate. In particular, on R2A-agar medium, it formed fine dendritic colonies. Macroscopic and microscopic observations of peripheral regions of the colonies indicated that the dendritic patterns were formed by bacterial swarming of some of the cells; large flows of bacterial cell populations were observed in the peripheral regions of the dendritic colonies. The cells were highly flagellated, but no extreme elongation of cells was observed. When B. thermoruber Nabari cells were cultivated at 37°C on R2A-agar plates, most colonies were nonmotile, but some colonies were motile. For example, a wandering colony moved on the plate and split into two, and then they collided to become one again. Additionally, a simple incubation system was devised to record the movement of colonies at high temperatures in this study while protecting the cameras from thermal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Sakka
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan.,Iga Research Center, Mie University, Iga, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Tetsuya Kimura
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | - Makiko Sakka
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan.,Kinki Kankyo Service Co. Ltd., Nabari, Japan
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18
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Mixed-species bacterial swarms show an interplay of mixing and segregation across scales. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16500. [PMID: 36192570 PMCID: PMC9529924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial swarms are a highly-researched example of natural active matter. In particular, the interplay between biological interactions and the physics underlying the swarming dynamics is of both biological and physical interest. In this paper, we study mixed swarms of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We find intricate interactions between the species, showing both cooperation and segregation across different spatial and temporal scales. On one hand, even though axenic colonies grow on disparate time scale, an order of magnitude apart, the two-species swarm together, forming a single, combined colony. However, the rapidly moving populations are locally segregated, with different characteristic speeds and lengths (or cluster sizes) that depend on the ratio between the species. Comparison with controlled mutant strains suggest that both the physical and known biological differences in species characteristics may not be enough to explain the segregation between the species in the mixed swarm. We hypothesize that the heterogeneous spatial distribution is due to some mechanism that enables bacteria to recognize their own kind, whose precise origin we could not identify.
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19
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Cai J, Hao Y, Xu R, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Zhang Y, Wang Q. Differential binding of LuxR in response to temperature gauges switches virulence gene expression in Vibrio alginolyticus. Microbiol Res 2022; 263:127114. [PMID: 35878491 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Vibrio pathogens must cope with temperature changes for proper thermo-adaptation and virulence gene expression. LuxR is a quorum-sensing (QS) master regulator of vibrios, playing roles in response to temperature alteration. However, the molecular mechanisms how LuxR is involved in adapting to different temperatures in bacteria have not been precisely elucidated. In this study, using chromatin immunoprecipitation and nucleotide sequencing (ChIP-seq), we identified 272 and 22 enriched loci harboring LuxR-binding peaks at ambient temperature (30 ˚C) and heat shock (42 ˚C) in the Vibrio alginolyticus genome, respectively. Analysis with the MEME (multiple EM for motif elicitation) algorithm indicated that the binding motifs of LuxR varied from temperatures. Three novel binding regions (the promoter of orf00292, orf00397 and fadD) of LuxR were identified and verified that the rising temperature causes the decreasing binding affinity of LuxR to these promoters. Meanwhile, the expression of orf00292, orf00397 and fadD were regulated by LuxR. Moreover, the weak binding of LuxR to the promoter of extracellular protease (Asp) was attributed to the attenuated Asp expression at thermal stress conditions. Taken together, our study demonstrated distinct binding characteristics of LuxR in response to temperature changes, thus highlighting LuxR as a thermo-sensor to switch and control virulence gene expression in V. alginolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxiao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Rongjing Xu
- Yantai Tianyuan Aquatic Co. Ltd., Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yue Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yibei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Qiyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
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20
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Worlitzer VM, Jose A, Grinberg I, Bär M, Heidenreich S, Eldar A, Ariel G, Be’er A. Biophysical aspects underlying the swarm to biofilm transition. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn8152. [PMID: 35704575 PMCID: PMC9200279 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn8152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria organize in a variety of collective states, from swarming-rapid surface exploration, to biofilms-highly dense immobile communities attributed to stress resistance. It has been suggested that biofilm and swarming are oppositely controlled, making this transition particularly interesting for understanding the ability of bacterial colonies to adapt to challenging environments. Here, the swarm to biofilm transition is studied in Bacillus subtilis by analyzing the bacterial dynamics both on the individual and collective scales. We show that both biological and physical processes facilitate the transition. A few individual cells that initiate the biofilm program cause nucleation of large, approximately scale-free, stationary aggregates of trapped swarm cells. Around aggregates, cells continue swarming almost unobstructed, while inside, trapped cells are added to the biofilm. While our experimental findings rule out previously suggested purely physical effects as a trigger for biofilm formation, they show how physical processes, such as clustering and jamming, accelerate biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco M. Worlitzer
- Department of Mathematical Modelling and Data Analysis, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin, Abbestrasse 2-12, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ajesh Jose
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Ilana Grinberg
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Markus Bär
- Department of Mathematical Modelling and Data Analysis, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin, Abbestrasse 2-12, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Heidenreich
- Department of Mathematical Modelling and Data Analysis, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin, Abbestrasse 2-12, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Avigdor Eldar
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Ariel
- Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat Gan, Israel
- Corresponding author. (G.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Avraham Be’er
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- Corresponding author. (G.A.); (A.B.)
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21
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Manieri FZ, Moreira CG. Salmonella Typhimurium O-antigen and VisP play an important role in swarming and osmotic stress response during intracellular conditions. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:557-564. [PMID: 35303296 PMCID: PMC9151935 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00701-9] [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: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella Typhimurium is a pathogen of clinical relevance and a model of study in host-pathogen interactions. The virulence and stress-related periplasmic protein VisP is important during S. Typhimurium pathogenesis. It supports bacteria invading host cells, surviving inside macrophages, swimming, and succeeding in murine colitis model, O-antigen assembly, and responding to cationic antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to investigate the role of the O-antigen molecular ruler WzzST and the periplasmic protein VisP in swarming motility and osmotic stress response. Lambda red mutagenesis was performed to generate single and double mutants, followed by swarming motility, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and growth curves. Here we demonstrate that the deletion of visP affects swarming under osmotic stress and changes the expression levels of genes responsible for chemotaxis, flagella assembly, and general stress response. The deletion of the gene encoding for the O-antigen co-polymerase wzzST increases swarming motility but not under osmotic stress. A second mutation in O-antigen co-polymerase wzzST in a ΔvisP background affected gene expression levels. The ΔvisP growth was affected by sodium and magnesium levels on N-minimum media. These data indicate that WzzST has a role in swarming the motility of S. Typhimurium, as the VisP is involved in chemotaxis and osmotic stress, specifically in response to MgCl2 and NaCl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Z Manieri
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau, km 1, s/n, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Cristiano G Moreira
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau, km 1, s/n, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil.
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22
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Jose A, Ariel G, Be'er A. Physical characteristics of mixed-species swarming colonies. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:064404. [PMID: 35854624 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.064404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In nature, bacterial collectives typically consist of multiple species, which are interacting both biochemically and physically. Nonetheless, past studies on the physical properties of swarming bacteria were focused on axenic (single-species) populations. In bacterial swarming, intricate interactions between the individuals lead to clusters, rapid jets, and vortices that depend on cell characteristics such as speed and length. In this work, we show the first results of rapidly swarming mixed-species populations of Bacillus subtilis and Serratia marcescens, two model swarm species that are known to swarm well in axenic situations. In mixed liquid cultures, both species have higher reproduction rates. We show that the mixed population swarms together well and that the fraction between the species determines all dynamical scales-from the microscopic (e.g., speed distribution), mesoscopic (vortex size), and macroscopic (colony structure and size). Understanding mixed-species swarms is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the bacterial swarming phenomenon and its biological and evolutionary implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajesh Jose
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Gil Ariel
- Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, 52000 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Avraham Be'er
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel and Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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23
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Palma V, Gutiérrez MS, Vargas O, Parthasarathy R, Navarrete P. Methods to Evaluate Bacterial Motility and Its Role in Bacterial–Host Interactions. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030563. [PMID: 35336138 PMCID: PMC8953368 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial motility is a widespread characteristic that can provide several advantages for the cell, allowing it to move towards more favorable conditions and enabling host-associated processes such as colonization. There are different bacterial motility types, and their expression is highly regulated by the environmental conditions. Because of this, methods for studying motility under realistic experimental conditions are required. A wide variety of approaches have been developed to study bacterial motility. Here, we present the most common techniques and recent advances and discuss their strengths as well as their limitations. We classify them as macroscopic or microscopic and highlight the advantages of three-dimensional imaging in microscopic approaches. Lastly, we discuss methods suited for studying motility in bacterial–host interactions, including the use of the zebrafish model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Palma
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Santiago 7830490, Chile; (V.P.); (M.S.G.); (O.V.)
| | - María Soledad Gutiérrez
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Santiago 7830490, Chile; (V.P.); (M.S.G.); (O.V.)
- Millennium Science Initiative Program, Milenium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), Moneda 1375, Santiago 8200000, Chile
| | - Orlando Vargas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Santiago 7830490, Chile; (V.P.); (M.S.G.); (O.V.)
| | - Raghuveer Parthasarathy
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA;
- Department of Physics and Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Paola Navarrete
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Santiago 7830490, Chile; (V.P.); (M.S.G.); (O.V.)
- Millennium Science Initiative Program, Milenium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), Moneda 1375, Santiago 8200000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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Gudavadze I, Florin EL. Normal capillary forces on a spherical particle protruding from a thin liquid film and its application to swarming bacteria. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.128176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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25
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Pathogenic potential of bacteria isolated from commercial biostimulants. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:162. [PMID: 35119529 PMCID: PMC8816496 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02769-1] [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: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Microbial-based products are a promising alternative to agrochemicals in sustainable agriculture. However, little is known about their impact on human health even if some of them, i.e., Bacillus and Paenibacillus species, have been increasingly implicated in different human diseases. In this study, 18 bacteria were isolated from 2 commercial biostimulants, and they were genotypically and phenotypically characterized to highlight specific virulence properties. Some isolated bacteria were identified as belonging to the genus Bacillus by BLAST and RDP analyses, a genus in-depth studied for plant growth-promoting ability. Moreover, 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis showed that seven isolates grouped with Bacillus species while two and four clustered, respectively, with Neobacillus and Peribacillus. Unusually, bacterial strains belonging to Franconibacter and Stenotrophomonas were isolated from biostimulants. Although Bacillus species are generally considered nonpathogenic, most of the species have shown to swim, swarm, and produced biofilms, that can be related to bacterial virulence. The evaluation of toxins encoding genes revealed that five isolates had the potential ability to produce the enterotoxin T. In conclusion, the pathogenic potential of microorganisms included in commercial products should be deeply verified, in our opinion. The approach proposed in this study could help in this crucial step.
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Jacob KM, Reguera G. Competitive advantage of oral streptococci for colonization of the middle ear mucosa. Biofilm 2022; 4:100067. [PMID: 35146417 PMCID: PMC8818537 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
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Surveying a Swarm: Experimental Techniques to Establish and Examine Bacterial Collective Motion. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 88:e0185321. [PMID: 34878816 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01853-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival and successful spread of many bacterial species hinges on their mode of motility. One of the most distinct of these is swarming, a collective form of motility where a dense consortium of bacteria employ flagella to propel themselves across a solid surface. Surface environments pose unique challenges, derived from higher surface friction/tension and insufficient hydration. Bacteria have adapted by deploying an array of mechanisms to overcome these challenges. Beyond allowing bacteria to colonize new terrain in the absence of bulk liquid, swarming also bestows faster speeds and enhanced antibiotic resistance to the collective. These crucial attributes contribute to the dissemination, and in some cases pathogenicity, of an array of bacteria. This mini-review highlights; 1) aspects of swarming motility that differentiates it from other methods of bacterial locomotion. 2) Facilitatory mechanisms deployed by diverse bacteria to overcome different surface challenges. 3) The (often difficult) approaches required to cultivate genuine swarmers. 4) The methods available to observe and assess the various facets of this collective motion, as well as the features exhibited by the population as a whole.
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28
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Genomic and Metabolic Characteristics of the Pathogenicity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312892. [PMID: 34884697 PMCID: PMC8657582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the effectiveness of antimicrobials in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections has gradually decreased. This pathogen can be observed in several clinical cases, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, in immunocompromised hosts, such as neutropenic cancer, burns, and AIDS patients. Furthermore, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes diseases in both livestock and pets. The highly flexible and versatile genome of P. aeruginosa allows it to have a high rate of pathogenicity. The numerous secreted virulence factors, resulting from its numerous secretion systems, the multi-resistance to different classes of antibiotics, and the ability to produce biofilms are pathogenicity factors that cause numerous problems in the fight against P. aeruginosa infections and that must be better understood for an effective treatment. Infections by P. aeruginosa represent, therefore, a major health problem and, as resistance genes can be disseminated between the microbiotas associated with humans, animals, and the environment, this issue needs be addressed on the basis of an One Health approach. This review intends to bring together and describe in detail the molecular and metabolic pathways in P. aeruginosa's pathogenesis, to contribute for the development of a more targeted therapy against this pathogen.
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Colin R, Ni B, Laganenka L, Sourjik V. Multiple functions of flagellar motility and chemotaxis in bacterial physiology. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuab038. [PMID: 34227665 PMCID: PMC8632791 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most swimming bacteria are capable of following gradients of nutrients, signaling molecules and other environmental factors that affect bacterial physiology. This tactic behavior became one of the most-studied model systems for signal transduction and quantitative biology, and underlying molecular mechanisms are well characterized in Escherichia coli and several other model bacteria. In this review, we focus primarily on less understood aspect of bacterial chemotaxis, namely its physiological relevance for individual bacterial cells and for bacterial populations. As evident from multiple recent studies, even for the same bacterial species flagellar motility and chemotaxis might serve multiple roles, depending on the physiological and environmental conditions. Among these, finding sources of nutrients and more generally locating niches that are optimal for growth appear to be one of the major functions of bacterial chemotaxis, which could explain many chemoeffector preferences as well as flagellar gene regulation. Chemotaxis might also generally enhance efficiency of environmental colonization by motile bacteria, which involves intricate interplay between individual and collective behaviors and trade-offs between growth and motility. Finally, motility and chemotaxis play multiple roles in collective behaviors of bacteria including swarming, biofilm formation and autoaggregation, as well as in their interactions with animal and plant hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy Colin
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology & Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 16, Marburg D-35043, Germany
| | - Bin Ni
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology & Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 16, Marburg D-35043, Germany
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan Xilu No. 2, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Leanid Laganenka
- Institute of Microbiology, D-BIOL, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Victor Sourjik
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology & Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 16, Marburg D-35043, Germany
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30
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Abstract
Bacteria have developed a large array of motility mechanisms to exploit available resources and environments. These mechanisms can be broadly classified into swimming in aqueous media and movement over solid surfaces. Swimming motility involves either the rotation of rigid helical filaments through the external medium or gyration of the cell body in response to the rotation of internal filaments. On surfaces, bacteria swarm collectively in a thin layer of fluid powered by the rotation of rigid helical filaments, they twitch by assembling and disassembling type IV pili, they glide by driving adhesins along tracks fixed to the cell surface and, finally, non-motile cells slide over surfaces in response to outward forces due to colony growth. Recent technological advances, especially in cryo-electron microscopy, have greatly improved our knowledge of the molecular machinery that powers the various forms of bacterial motility. In this Review, we describe the current understanding of the physical and molecular mechanisms that allow bacteria to move around.
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31
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Jenni A, Knüsel S, Nagar R, Benninger M, Häner R, Ferguson MAJ, Roditi I, Menon AK, Bütikofer P. Elimination of GPI2 suppresses glycosylphosphatidylinositol GlcNAc transferase activity and alters GPI glycan modification in Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100977. [PMID: 34284059 PMCID: PMC8358704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many eukaryotic cell-surface proteins are post-translationally modified by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety that anchors them to the cell membrane. The biosynthesis of GPI anchors is initiated in the endoplasmic reticulum by transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to phosphatidylinositol. This reaction is catalyzed by GPI GlcNAc transferase, a multisubunit complex comprising the catalytic subunit Gpi3/PIG-A as well as at least five other subunits, including the hydrophobic protein Gpi2, which is essential for the activity of the complex in yeast and mammals, but the function of which is not known. To investigate the role of Gpi2, we exploited Trypanosoma brucei (Tb), an early diverging eukaryote and important model organism that initially provided the first insights into GPI structure and biosynthesis. We generated insect-stage (procyclic) trypanosomes that lack TbGPI2 and found that in TbGPI2-null parasites, (i) GPI GlcNAc transferase activity is reduced, but not lost, in contrast with yeast and human cells, (ii) the GPI GlcNAc transferase complex persists, but its architecture is affected, with loss of at least the TbGPI1 subunit, and (iii) the GPI anchors of procyclins, the major surface proteins, are underglycosylated when compared with their WT counterparts, indicating the importance of TbGPI2 for reactions that occur in the Golgi apparatus. Immunofluorescence microscopy localized TbGPI2 not only to the endoplasmic reticulum but also to the Golgi apparatus, suggesting that in addition to its expected function as a subunit of the GPI GlcNAc transferase complex, TbGPI2 may have an enigmatic noncanonical role in Golgi-localized GPI anchor modification in trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Jenni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Chemical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Knüsel
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rupa Nagar
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robert Häner
- Department for Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Roditi
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anant K Menon
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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32
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Ióca LP, Dai Y, Kunakom S, Diaz‐Espinosa J, Krunic A, Crnkovic CM, Orjala J, Sanchez LM, Ferreira AG, Berlinck RGS, Eustáquio AS. A Family of Nonribosomal Peptides Modulate Collective Behavior in
Pseudovibrio
Bacteria Isolated from Marine Sponges**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202017320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura P. Ióca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos Universidade de São Paulo São Carlos SP 13560-970 Brazil
| | - Yitao Dai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Sylvia Kunakom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Jennifer Diaz‐Espinosa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Aleksej Krunic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Camila M. Crnkovic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Jimmy Orjala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Laura M. Sanchez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Antonio G. Ferreira
- Departamento de Química Universidade Federal de São Carlos São Carlos SP 13565-905 Brazil
| | - Roberto G. S. Berlinck
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos Universidade de São Paulo São Carlos SP 13560-970 Brazil
| | - Alessandra S. Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA
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33
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Ióca LP, Dai Y, Kunakom S, Diaz-Espinosa J, Krunic A, Crnkovic CM, Orjala J, Sanchez LM, Ferreira AG, Berlinck RGS, Eustáquio AS. A Family of Nonribosomal Peptides Modulate Collective Behavior in Pseudovibrio Bacteria Isolated from Marine Sponges*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:15891-15898. [PMID: 33961724 PMCID: PMC8269750 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202017320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Although swarming motility and biofilms are opposed collective behaviors, both contribute to bacterial survival and host colonization. Pseudovibrio bacteria have attracted attention because they are part of the microbiome of healthy marine sponges. Two-thirds of Pseudovibrio genomes contain a member of a nonribosomal peptide synthetase-polyketide synthase gene cluster family, which is also found sporadically in Pseudomonas pathogens of insects and plants. After developing reverse genetics for Pseudovibrio, we isolated heptapeptides with an ureido linkage and related nonadepsipeptides we termed pseudovibriamides A and B, respectively. A combination of genetics and imaging mass spectrometry experiments showed heptapetides were excreted, promoting motility and reducing biofilm formation. In contrast to lipopeptides widely known to affect motility/biofilms, pseudovibriamides are not surfactants. Our results expand current knowledge on metabolites mediating bacterial collective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura P. Ióca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Yitao Dai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Sylvia Kunakom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jennifer Diaz-Espinosa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Aleksej Krunic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Camila M. Crnkovic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jimmy Orjala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Laura M. Sanchez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Antonio G. Ferreira
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Roberto G. S. Berlinck
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Alessandra S. Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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Pérez-Burgos M, Søgaard-Andersen L. Biosynthesis and function of cell-surface polysaccharides in the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus. Biol Chem 2021; 401:1375-1387. [PMID: 32769218 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2020-0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria, cell-surface polysaccharides fulfill important physiological functions, including interactions with the environment and other cells as well as protection from diverse stresses. The Gram-negative delta-proteobacterium Myxococcus xanthus is a model to study social behaviors in bacteria. M. xanthus synthesizes four cell-surface polysaccharides, i.e., exopolysaccharide (EPS), biosurfactant polysaccharide (BPS), spore coat polysaccharide, and O-antigen. Here, we describe recent progress in elucidating the three Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathways for EPS, BPS and spore coat polysaccharide biosynthesis and the ABC transporter-dependent pathway for O-antigen biosynthesis. Moreover, we describe the functions of these four cell-surface polysaccharides in the social life cycle of M. xanthus.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pérez-Burgos
- Department of Ecophysiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lotte Søgaard-Andersen
- Department of Ecophysiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
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35
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Analyzing the Effect of Strigolactones on the Motility Behavior of Rhizobia. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34028681 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1429-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
In the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis, strigolactones (SLs) promote root nodule formation; however, the exact mechanism underlying this positive effect remains unknown. The recent finding that an SL receptor legume mutant shows a wild-type nodulation phenotype suggests that SLs influence the symbiosis by acting on the bacterial partner. In agreement with this, the application of the synthetic SL analog GR24 on the alfalfa symbiont Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti has been shown to stimulate swarming, a specialized bacterial surface motility, which could influence infection of legumes by Rhizobia. Surface motility assays for many bacteria, and particularly for Rhizobia, are challenging. The establishment of protocols to study bacterial surface motility is key to decipher the role of SLs as rhizosphere cues for rhizobacteria. In this chapter, we describe a set of protocols implemented to study the different types of motility exhibited by S. meliloti.
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36
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The Nutrient and Energy Pathway Requirements for Surface Motility of Nonpathogenic and Uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00467-20. [PMID: 33782053 PMCID: PMC8117529 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00467-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is the causative pathogen for most uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Motility is likely to contribute to these infections, and E. coli possesses flagella-dependent swimming motility, flagella-dependent surface motility (often called swarming), and the recently observed pili-dependent surface motility. Surface motility has not been extensively studied, but for the strains that have been tested nonpathogenic E. coli (NPEC) lab strains use pili, NPEC hypermotile derivatives of these lab strains use flagella, and UPEC strains use flagella. Using a representative of these three types of strains, we showed differences in the nutritional and pathway requirements for surface motility with respect to the glucose concentration, the glycolytic pathway utilized, acetogenesis, and the TCA cycle. In addition, glucose controlled flagella synthesis for the NPEC strain, but not for the hypermotile NPEC variant or the UPEC strain. The requirements for surface motility are likely to reflect major metabolic differences between strains for the pathways and regulation of energy metabolism.IMPORTANCEUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections and are an increasing burden on the healthcare system because of recurrence and antibiotic resistance (1, 2). The most common uropathogen is E. coli (3, 4), which is responsible for about 80-90% of community acquired UTIs and 40-50% of nosocomial acquired UTIs (2). Virulence requires both pili and flagella, and either appendage can contribute to surface motility, although surface motility of uropathogenic E. coli has not been examined. We found different appendage, nutrient and pathway requirements for surface motility of a nonpathogenic E. coli lab strain and a uropathogenic E. coli We propose that these differences are the result of differences in the pathways and regulation of energy metabolism.
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37
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Chen W, Mani N, Karani H, Li H, Mani S, Tang JX. Confinement discerns swarmers from planktonic bacteria. eLife 2021; 10:e64176. [PMID: 33884952 PMCID: PMC8112864 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Powered by flagella, many bacterial species exhibit collective motion on a solid surface commonly known as swarming. As a natural example of active matter, swarming is also an essential biological phenotype associated with virulence, chemotaxis, and host pathogenesis. Physical changes like cell elongation and hyper-flagellation have been shown to accompany the swarming phenotype. Less studied, however, are the contrasts of collective motion between the swarming cells and their counterpart planktonic cells of comparable cell density. Here, we show that confining bacterial movement in circular microwells allows distinguishing bacterial swarming from collective swimming. On a soft agar plate, a novel bacterial strain Enterobacter sp. SM3 in swarming and planktonic states exhibited different motion patterns when confined to circular microwells of a specific range of sizes. When the confinement diameter was between 40 μm and 90 μm, swarming SM3 formed a single-swirl motion pattern in the microwells whereas planktonic SM3 formed multiple swirls. Similar differential behavior is observed across several other species of gram-negative bacteria. We also observed 'rafting behavior' of swarming bacteria upon dilution. We hypothesize that the rafting behavior might account for the motion pattern difference. We were able to predict these experimental features via numerical simulations where swarming cells are modeled with stronger cell-cell alignment interaction. Our experimental design using PDMS microchip disk arrays enabled us to observe bacterial swarming on murine intestinal surface, suggesting a new method for characterizing bacterial swarming under complex environments, such as in polymicrobial niches, and for in vivo swarming exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Chen
- Department of Physics, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - Neha Mani
- Department of Physics, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Hamid Karani
- Department of Physics, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - Sridhar Mani
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - Jay X Tang
- Department of Physics, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
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Ganusova EE, Vo LT, Mukherjee T, Alexandre G. Multiple CheY Proteins Control Surface-Associated Lifestyles of Azospirillum brasilense. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:664826. [PMID: 33968002 PMCID: PMC8100600 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.664826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial chemotaxis is the directed movement of motile bacteria in gradients of chemoeffectors. This behavior is mediated by dedicated signal transduction pathways that couple environment sensing with changes in the direction of rotation of flagellar motors to ultimately affect the motility pattern. Azospirillum brasilense uses two distinct chemotaxis pathways, named Che1 and Che4, and four different response regulators (CheY1, CheY4, CheY6, and CheY7) to control the swimming pattern during chemotaxis. Each of the CheY homologs was shown to differentially affect the rotational bias of the polar flagellum and chemotaxis. The role, if any, of these CheY homologs in swarming, which depends on a distinct lateral flagella system or in attachment is not known. Here, we characterize CheY homologs’ roles in swimming, swarming, and attachment to abiotic and biotic (wheat roots) surfaces and biofilm formation. We show that while strains lacking CheY1 and CheY6 are still able to navigate air gradients, strains lacking CheY4 and CheY7 are chemotaxis null. Expansion of swarming colonies in the presence of gradients requires chemotaxis. The induction of swarming depends on CheY4 and CheY7, but the cells’ organization as dense clusters in productive swarms appear to depend on functional CheYs but not chemotaxis per se. Similarly, functional CheY homologs but not chemotaxis, contribute to attachment to both abiotic and root surfaces as well as to biofilm formation, although these effects are likely dependent on additional cell surface properties such as adhesiveness. Collectively, our data highlight distinct roles for multiple CheY homologs and for chemotaxis on swarming and attachment to surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena E Ganusova
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Lam T Vo
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Tanmoy Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Gladys Alexandre
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
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Bacterial-induced pH shifts link individual cell physiology to macroscale collective behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2014346118. [PMID: 33795512 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014346118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a diverse array of signaling pathways that enable them to quickly respond to environmental changes. Understanding how these pathways reflect environmental conditions and produce an orchestrated response is an ongoing challenge. Herein, we present a role for collective modifications of environmental pH carried out by microbial colonies living on a surface. We show that by collectively adjusting the local pH value, Paenibacillus spp., specifically, regulate their swarming motility. Moreover, we show that such pH-dependent regulation can converge with the carbon repression pathway to down-regulate flagellin expression and inhibit swarming in the presence of glucose. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that the observed glucose-dependent swarming repression is not mediated by the glucose molecule per se, as commonly thought to occur in carbon repression pathways, but rather is governed by a decrease in pH due to glucose metabolism. In fact, modification of the environmental pH by neighboring bacterial species could override this glucose-dependent repression and induce swarming of Paenibacillus spp. away from a glucose-rich area. Our results suggest that bacteria can use local pH modulations to reflect nutrient availability and link individual bacterial physiology to macroscale collective behavior.
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Sucrose triggers a novel signaling cascade promoting Bacillus subtilis rhizosphere colonization. ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:2723-2737. [PMID: 33772107 PMCID: PMC8397739 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-00966-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Beneficial rhizobacteria promote plant growth and protect plants against phytopathogens. Effective colonization on plant roots is critical for the rhizobacteria to exert beneficial activities. How bacteria migrate swiftly in the soil of semisolid or solid nature remains unclear. Here we report that sucrose, a disaccharide ubiquitously deployed by photosynthetic plants for fixed carbon transport and storage, and abundantly secreted from plant roots, promotes solid surface motility (SSM) and root colonization by Bacillus subtilis through a previously uncharacterized mechanism. Sucrose induces robust SSM by triggering a signaling cascade, first through extracellular synthesis of polymeric levan, which in turn stimulates strong production of surfactin and hyper-flagellation of the cells. B. subtilis poorly colonizes the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants deficient in root-exudation of sucrose, while exogenously added sucrose selectively shapes the rhizomicrobiome associated with the tomato plant roots, promoting specifically bacilli and pseudomonad. We propose that sucrose activates a signaling cascade to trigger SSM and promote rhizosphere colonization by B. subtilis. Our findings also suggest a practicable approach to boost prevalence of beneficial Bacillus species in plant protection.
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Krüger T, Maus K, Kreß V, Meyer-Natus E, Engstler M. Single-cell motile behaviour of [Formula: see text] in thin-layered fluid collectives. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2021; 44:37. [PMID: 33755816 PMCID: PMC7987620 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-021-00052-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We describe a system for the analysis of an important unicellular eukaryotic flagellate in a confining and crowded environment. The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is arguably one of the most versatile microswimmers known. It has unique properties as a single microswimmer and shows remarkable adaptations (not only in motility, but prominently so), to its environment during a complex developmental cycle involving two different hosts. Specific life cycle stages show fascinating collective behaviour, as millions of cells can be forced to move together in extreme confinement. Our goal is to examine such motile behaviour directly in the context of the relevant environments. Therefore, for the first time, we analyse the motility behaviour of trypanosomes directly in a widely used assay, which aims to evaluate the parasites behaviour in collectives, in response to as yet unknown parameters. In a step towards understanding whether, or what type of, swarming behaviour of trypanosomes exists, we customised the assay for quantitative tracking analysis of motile behaviour on the single-cell level. We show that the migration speed of cell groups does not directly depend on single-cell velocity and that the system remains to be simplified further, before hypotheses about collective motility can be advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Krüger
- Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Katharina Maus
- Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Verena Kreß
- Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Meyer-Natus
- Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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Ageorges V, Monteiro R, Leroy S, Burgess CM, Pizza M, Chaucheyras-Durand F, Desvaux M. Molecular determinants of surface colonisation in diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC): from bacterial adhesion to biofilm formation. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 44:314-350. [PMID: 32239203 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is primarily known as a commensal colonising the gastrointestinal tract of infants very early in life but some strains being responsible for diarrhoea, which can be especially severe in young children. Intestinal pathogenic E. coli include six pathotypes of diarrhoeagenic E. coli (DEC), namely, the (i) enterotoxigenic E. coli, (ii) enteroaggregative E. coli, (iii) enteropathogenic E. coli, (iv) enterohemorragic E. coli, (v) enteroinvasive E. coli and (vi) diffusely adherent E. coli. Prior to human infection, DEC can be found in natural environments, animal reservoirs, food processing environments and contaminated food matrices. From an ecophysiological point of view, DEC thus deal with very different biotopes and biocoenoses all along the food chain. In this context, this review focuses on the wide range of surface molecular determinants acting as surface colonisation factors (SCFs) in DEC. In the first instance, SCFs can be broadly discriminated into (i) extracellular polysaccharides, (ii) extracellular DNA and (iii) surface proteins. Surface proteins constitute the most diverse group of SCFs broadly discriminated into (i) monomeric SCFs, such as autotransporter (AT) adhesins, inverted ATs, heat-resistant agglutinins or some moonlighting proteins, (ii) oligomeric SCFs, namely, the trimeric ATs and (iii) supramolecular SCFs, including flagella and numerous pili, e.g. the injectisome, type 4 pili, curli chaperone-usher pili or conjugative pili. This review also details the gene regulatory network of these numerous SCFs at the various stages as it occurs from pre-transcriptional to post-translocational levels, which remains to be fully elucidated in many cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Ageorges
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, MEDiS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ricardo Monteiro
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, MEDiS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,GSK, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sabine Leroy
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, MEDiS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Catherine M Burgess
- Food Safety Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland
| | | | - Frédérique Chaucheyras-Durand
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, MEDiS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Lallemand Animal Nutrition SAS, F-31702 Blagnac Cedex, France
| | - Mickaël Desvaux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, MEDiS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Ouali BEF, Chiou TH, Chen JW, Lin IC, Liu CC, Chiang YC, Ho TS, Wang HV. Correlation Between Pathogenic Determinants Associated with Clinically Isolated Non-Typhoidal Salmonella. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010074. [PMID: 33467782 PMCID: PMC7830680 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-typhoidal and Typhoidal Salmonella are bacterial pathogens source of worldwide and major disease burden. Virulent determinants of specific serovars belonging to non-typhoidal Salmonella have been extensively studied in different models, yet the pathogenesis of this group of bacteria and the development of clinical symptoms globally remains underexplored. Herein, we implemented microbiological and molecular procedures to investigate isolate virulence traits and molecular diversity, likely in association with disease severity. Our results show that selected clinical isolates from a tertiary referring hospital, depending on the richness of the environment and isolate serotypes, exhibited different, and sometimes controversial, virulence properties. The tested strains were susceptible to Ceftriaxone (90%) with decreasing reactivity to Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole (72%), Chloramphenicol (64%), Ampicillin (48%), Gentamicin (44%), and Ciprofloxacin (2%). Disc susceptibility results partially correlated with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); however, special attention must be given to antimicrobial treatment, as a rise in multi-resistant isolates to Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole (2/38 µg/mL), Minocycline (8 µg/mL) and Ampicillin (16 µg/mL) has been noticed, with two isolates resistant to Ceftazidime (16 µg/mL). By comparison to previous molecular epidemiology studies, the variation in the gene profiles of endemic pathogens supports the need for continuous and up-to-date microbiological and molecular reports.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsyr-Huei Chiou
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; (B.E.F.O.); (T.-H.C.); (I-C.L.)
| | - Jenn-Wei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - I-Chu Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; (B.E.F.O.); (T.-H.C.); (I-C.L.)
| | - Ching-Chuan Liu
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chung Chiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environment Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.C.); (T.-S.H.); (H.-V.W.)
| | - Tzong-Shiann Ho
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.C.); (T.-S.H.); (H.-V.W.)
| | - Hao-Ven Wang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; (B.E.F.O.); (T.-H.C.); (I-C.L.)
- Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.C.); (T.-S.H.); (H.-V.W.)
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Unique inducible filamentous motility identified in pathogenic Bacillus cereus group species. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2997-3010. [PMID: 32770116 PMCID: PMC7784679 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0728-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Active migration across semi-solid surfaces is important for bacterial success by facilitating colonization of unoccupied niches and is often associated with altered virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles. We isolated an atmospheric contaminant, subsequently identified as a new strain of Bacillus mobilis, which showed a unique, robust, rapid, and inducible filamentous surface motility. This flagella-independent migration was characterized by formation of elongated cells at the expanding edge and was induced when cells were inoculated onto lawns of metabolically inactive Campylobacter jejuni cells, autoclaved bacterial biomass, adsorbed milk, and adsorbed blood atop hard agar plates. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), bacterial membrane components, and sterile human fecal extracts were also sufficient to induce filamentous expansion. Screening of eight other Bacillus spp. showed that filamentous motility was conserved amongst B. cereus group species to varying degrees. RNA-Seq of elongated expanding cells collected from adsorbed milk and PC lawns versus control rod-shaped cells revealed dysregulation of genes involved in metabolism and membrane transport, sporulation, quorum sensing, antibiotic synthesis, and virulence (e.g., hblA/B/C/D and plcR). These findings characterize the robustness and ecological significance of filamentous surface motility in B. cereus group species and lay the foundation for understanding the biological role it may play during environment and host colonization.
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Rhodeland B, Hoeger K, Ursell T. Bacterial surface motility is modulated by colony-scale flow and granular jamming. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200147. [PMID: 32574537 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes routinely face the challenge of acquiring territory and resources on wet surfaces. Cells move in large groups inside thin, surface-bound water layers, often achieving speeds of 30 µm s-1 within this environment, where viscous forces dominate over inertial forces (low Reynolds number). The canonical Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for the study of collective migration over surfaces with groups exhibiting motility on length-scales three orders of magnitude larger than themselves within a few doubling times. Genetic and chemical studies clearly show that the secretion of endogenous surfactants and availability of free surface water are required for this fast group motility. Here, we show that: (i) water availability is a sensitive control parameter modulating an abiotic jamming-like transition that determines whether the group remains fluidized and therefore collectively motile, (ii) groups self-organize into discrete layers as they travel, (iii) group motility does not require proliferation, rather groups are pulled from the front, and (iv) flow within expanding groups is capable of moving material from the parent colony into the expanding tip of a cellular dendrite with implications for expansion into regions of varying nutrient content. Together, these findings illuminate the physical structure of surface-motile groups and demonstrate that physical properties, like cellular packing fraction and flow, regulate motion from the scale of individual cells up to length scales of centimetres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Rhodeland
- Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Kentaro Hoeger
- Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Tristan Ursell
- Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA.,Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA.,Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
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Abstract
Bacteria within a swarm move characteristically in packs, displaying an intricate swirling motion in which hundreds of dynamic rafts continuously form and dissociate as the swarm colonizes an increasing expanse of territory. The demonstrated property of E. coli to reduce its tumble bias and hence increase its run duration during swarming is expected to maintain and promote side-by-side alignment and cohesion within the bacterial packs. In this study, we observed a similar low tumble bias in five different bacterial species, both Gram positive and Gram negative, each inhabiting a unique habitat and posing unique problems to our health. The unanimous display of an altered run-tumble bias in swarms of all species examined in this investigation suggests that this behavioral adaptation is crucial for swarming. Many bacteria use flagellum-driven motility to swarm or move collectively over a surface terrain. Bacterial adaptations for swarming can include cell elongation, hyperflagellation, recruitment of special stator proteins, and surfactant secretion, among others. We recently demonstrated another swarming adaptation in Escherichia coli, wherein the chemotaxis pathway is remodeled to decrease tumble bias (increase run durations), with running speeds increased as well. We show here that the modification of motility parameters during swarming is not unique to E. coli but is shared by a diverse group of bacteria we examined—Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—suggesting that increasing run durations and speeds are a cornerstone of swarming.
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Akbari Kiarood SL, Rahnama K, Golmohammadi M, Nasrollanejad S. Quorum-quenching endophytic bacteria inhibit disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Citrus cultivars. J Basic Microbiol 2020; 60:746-757. [PMID: 32515020 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Two strains of 64 endophytic bacteria, Bacillus cereus Si-Ps1 and Pseudomonas azotoformans La-Pot3-3, isolated from Citrus sinensis and C. sinensis var. Thomson's leaves, respectively, reduced N-acyl homoserine-based quorum sensing in bioindicator strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) B728a and the biofilm production and swarming motility of field isolate Pss 3289. A homolog of aiiA gene encoding an AHL-lactonase was found in B. cereus (Si-Ps1), suggesting that this isolate can degrade the quorum-sensing signal molecules of Pss 3289. The crude extract of endophytic bacterium, B. cereus (Si-Ps1), inhibited Pss 3289 biofilm formation after 48 and 96 h by 55% and 58%, respectively. Similar reductions in biofilm formation were conferred by crude extracts of P. azotoformans (La-Pot3-3). Correspondingly, the number of planktonic cells in cultures treated with these extracts was higher than in control cultures, indicating a direct effect on biofilm formation and not on cell growth. In greenhouse assays, the virulence of Pss 3289 to different citrus cultivars was decreased when coinoculated with these endophytic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyedeh Leila Akbari Kiarood
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Kamran Rahnama
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Morteza Golmohammadi
- Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ramsar, Iran
| | - Saeid Nasrollanejad
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
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Dubey AP, Pandey P, Singh VS, Mishra MN, Singh S, Mishra R, Tripathi AK. An ECF41 family σ factor controls motility and biogenesis of lateral flagella in Azospirillum brasilense Sp245. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00231-20. [PMID: 32513682 PMCID: PMC8404707 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00231-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
ECF41 is a large family of bacterial extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. Their role in bacterial physiology or behavior, however, is not known. One of the 10 ECF σ factors encoded in the genome of Azospirillum brasilense Sp245, RpoE10, exhibits characteristic features of the typical ECF41-type σ factors. Inactivation of rpoE10 in A. brasilense Sp245 led to an increase in motility that could be complemented by the expression of rpoE10 By comparing the number of lateral flagella, transcriptome and proteome of A. brasilense Sp245 with its rpoE10::km mutant, we show here that this ECF41-type σ factor is involved in the negative regulation of swimming motility and biogenesis of lateral flagella of A. brasilense Sp245. The genome of A. brasilense Sp245 also encodes two OmpR-type regulators (LafR1 and LafR2), and three flagellins including Laf1, the major flagellin of lateral flagella. Elevated levels of laf1 transcripts and Laf1 protein in the rpoE10::km mutant indicated that RpoE10 negatively regulates the expression of Laf1. The elevated level of LafR1 in the rpoE10::km mutant indicated that LafR1 is also negatively regulated by RpoE10. The loss of motility and Laf1 in the lafR1::km mutant, complemented by lafR1 expression, showed that LafR1 is a positive regulator of Laf1 and motility in A. brasilense In addition, upregulation of laf1::lacZ and lafR1::lacZ fusions by RpoE10, and downregulation of the laf1::lacZ fusion by LafR1 suggests that RpoE10 negatively regulates swimming motility and the expression of LafR1 and Laf1. However, LafR1 positively regulates the swimming motility and Laf1 expression.Importance: Among extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors, ECF41-type σ factors are unique due to the presence of a large C-terminal extension in place of a cognate anti- σ factor, which regulates their activity. Despite wide distribution and abundance in bacterial genomes, their physiological or behavioural roles are not known. We show here an indirect negative role of an ECF41-type of σ factor in the expression of lateral flagellar genes and motility in A.brasilense This study suggests that the motility of A. brasilense might be controlled by a regulatory cascade involving RpoE10, an unknown repressor, LafR1 and lateral flagellar genes including Laf1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Prakash Dubey
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Parul Pandey
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Vijay Shankar Singh
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Mukti Nath Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Sudhir Singh
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
| | - Anil Kumar Tripathi
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India.
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Wu Z, He R, Zhang R, Yuan J. Swarming Motility Without Flagellar Motor Switching by Reversal of Swimming Direction in E. coli. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1042. [PMID: 32670212 PMCID: PMC7326100 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In a crowded environment such as a bacterial swarm, cells frequently got jammed and came to a stop, but were able to escape the traps by backing up in their moving course with a head-to-tail change (a reversal). Reversals are essential for the expansion of a bacterial swarm. Reversal for a wildtype cell usually involved polymorphic transformation of the flagellar filaments induced by directional switching of the flagellar motors. Here we discovered a new way of reversal in cells without motor switching and characterized its mechanisms. We further found that this type of reversal was not limited to swarmer cells, but also occurred for cells grown in a bulk solution. Therefore, reversal was a general way of escaping when cells got jammed in their natural complex habitats. The new way of reversal we discovered here offered a general strategy for cells to escape traps and explore their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Wu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rongjing Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Junhua Yuan
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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