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Wu X, Han J, Gong G, Koffas MAG, Zha J. Wall teichoic acids: physiology and applications. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 45:6019871. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are charged glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and represent one of the major components of Gram-positive cell envelope. WTAs have important physiological functions in cell division, gene transfer, surface adhesion, drug resistance and biofilm formation, and are critical virulence factors and vital determinants in mediating cell interaction with and tolerance to environmental factors. Here, we first briefly introduce WTA structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, and then summarize in detail four major physiological roles played by WTAs, i.e. WTA-mediated resistance to antimicrobials, virulence to mammalian cells, interaction with bacteriolytic enzymes and regulation of cell metabolism. We also review the applications of WTAs in these fields that are closely related to the human society, including antibacterial drug discovery targeting WTA biosynthesis, development of vaccines and antibodies regarding WTA-mediated pathogenicity, specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food using WTAs as a surface epitope and regulation of WTA-related pathways for efficient microbial production of useful compounds. We also point out major problems remaining in these fields, and discuss some possible directions in the future exploration of WTA physiology and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Jing Han
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Guoli Gong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Mattheos A G Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Zha
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
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Eskhan AO, Abu-Lail NI. Force-Averaging DLVO Model Predictions of the Adhesion Strengths Quantified for Pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe Grown under Variable pH Stresses. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:8947-8964. [PMID: 32633976 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The roles of the bacterial surface biopolymers of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe grown under variable pH conditions in governing their adhesion to a model surface of silicon nitride were investigated using atomic force microscopy under water. Our results indicated that the adhesion forces were the highest for cells cultured in media adjusted to pH 7 followed by 1.39, 1.49, 1.57, and 2.18-fold reductions at pH 6, 8, 9, and 5, respectively. Adhesion energies followed the same trends with 1.35, 1.67, 2.20, and 2.79-fold reductions in energies at pH 6, 8, 9, and 5, respectively, compared to the energy measured at pH 7. Furthermore, the structural properties of the bacterial surface biopolymer brush represented by the biopolymer brush thickness (Lo) and the molecular density (Γ) were determined by fitting a steric model of repulsion to the approach force-distance data. The Lo values followed the same trends as adhesion forces and energies, with thickness being highest at pH 7 followed by 1.82, 2.99, 3.11, and 4.66-fold reductions at pH 6, 8, 9, and 5, respectively. Γ was the highest at pH 5 and was followed by 1.26, 1.27, 1.70, and 2.82-fold reductions at pH 8, 9, 6, and 7, respectively. Our results indicated that bacterial adhesion forces and energies increased linearly with the product of Lo and Γ representing the number of biopolymers per unit length of the bacterial surface. To predict the adhesion forces and energies measured, a force-averaging model of the soft-particle analysis of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory was used. In addition to the standard parameters accounted for in the soft-particle analysis of the DLVO theory such as surface potential, hydrophobicity, and size, this averaging model incorporates in it structural bacterial parameters such as Lo and Γ as well as a surface coverage factor (ϕ) that represents the fraction of the bacterial surface covered by biopolymers. When the soft-particle analysis of DLVO was considered, repulsive hydrogen bond strengths were predicted at close distances of approach (<0.3 nm). In comparison, the force-averaging model predicted that attractive hydrogen bonds dominate the bacterial adhesion strengths quantified. The highest adhesion quantified for cells grown at pH 7 was related to longer and more spaced biopolymers, higher contents of cellular carbohydrates, and more hydrophilic biopolymers, each of which contributes to higher possibilities for hydrogen bonding formation. These results are significant in designing new strategies that aim at controlling bacterial adhesion to surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma O Eskhan
- The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Nehal I Abu-Lail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78249, United States
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Duquenoy A, Bellais S, Gasc C, Schwintner C, Dore J, Thomas V. Assessment of Gram- and Viability-Staining Methods for Quantifying Bacterial Community Dynamics Using Flow Cytometry. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1469. [PMID: 32676069 PMCID: PMC7333439 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, gut microbiota became a major field of interest with increasing reports suggesting its association with a large number of human diseases. In this context, there is a major interest to develop analysis tools allowing simple and cost-effective population pattern analysis of these complex ecosystems to follow changes over time. Whereas sequence-based metagenomics profiling is widely used for microbial ecosystems characterization, it still requires time and specific expertise for analysis. Flow cytometry overcomes these disadvantages, providing key information on communities within hours. In addition, it can potentially be used to select, isolate and cultivate specific bacteria of interest. In this study, we evaluated the culturability of strictly anaerobic bacteria that were stained with a classical Live/Dead staining, and then sorted using flow cytometry under anaerobic conditions. This sorting of “viable” fraction demonstrated that 10–80% of identified “viable” cells of pure cultures of strictly anaerobic bacteria were culturable. In addition, we tested the use of a combination of labeled vancomycin and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) lectin to discriminate Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria in complex ecosystems. After validation on both aerobic/anaerobic facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria, the staining methods were applied on complex ecosystems, revealing differences between culture conditions and demonstrating that minor pH variations have strong impacts on microbial community structure, which was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This combination of staining methods makes it possible to follow-up evolutions of complex microbial communities, supporting its future use as a rapid analysis tool in various applications. The flow cytometry staining method that was developed has the potential to facilitate the analysis of complex ecosystems by highlighting changes in bacterial communities’ dynamics. It is assumed to be applicable as an efficient and fast approach to improve the control of processes linked to a wide range of ecosystems or known communities of bacterial species in both research and industrial contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel Bellais
- Bioaster, Institut de Recherche Technologique, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Joël Dore
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, MetaGenoPolis, AgroParisTech, MICALIS, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Vincent Thomas
- Bioaster, Institut de Recherche Technologique, Paris, France
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Wu X, Zha J, Koffas MAG, Dordick JS. ReducingStaphylococcus aureusresistance to lysostaphin using CRISPR‐dCas9. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:3149-3159. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- School of Food and Biological EngineeringShaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi China
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary StudiesRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
| | - Jian Zha
- School of Food and Biological EngineeringShaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi China
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary StudiesRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
| | - Mattheos A. G. Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary StudiesRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
| | - Jonathan S. Dordick
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary StudiesRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
- Department of Biological SciencesRensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy New York
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Unprotonated Short-Chain Alkylamines Inhibit Staphylolytic Activity of Lysostaphin in a Wall Teichoic Acid-Dependent Manner. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.00693-18. [PMID: 29728390 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00693-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysostaphin (Lst) is a potent bacteriolytic enzyme that kills Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterial pathogen of humans and animals. With high activity against both planktonic cells and biofilms, Lst has the potential to be used in industrial products, such as commercial cleansers, for decontamination. However, Lst is inhibited in the presence of monoethanolamine (MEA), a chemical widely used in cleaning solutions and pharmaceuticals, and the underlying mechanism of inhibition remains unknown. In this study, we examined the cell binding and killing capabilities of Lst against S. aureus ATCC 6538 in buffered salt solution with MEA at different pH values (7.5 to 10.5) and discovered that only the unprotonated form of MEA inhibited Lst binding to the cell surface, leading to low Lst activity, despite retention of its secondary structure. This reduced enzyme activity could be largely recovered via a reduction in wall teichoic acid (WTA) biosynthesis through tunicamycin treatment, indicating that the suppression of Lst activity was dependent on the presence and amount of WTA. We propose that the decreased cell binding and killing capabilities of Lst are associated with the influence of uncharged MEA on the conformation of WTA. A similar effect was confirmed with other short-chain alkylamines. This study offers new insight into the impact of short-chain alkylamines on both Lst and WTA structure and function and provides guidance for the application of Lst in harsh environments.IMPORTANCE Lysostaphin (Lst) effectively and selectively kills Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterial culprit of many hospital- and community-acquired skin and respiratory infections and food poisoning. Lst has been investigated in animal models and clinical trials, industrial formulations, and environmental settings. Here, we studied the mechanistic basis of the inhibitory effect of alkylamines, such as monoethanolamine (MEA), a widely used chemical in commercial detergents, on Lst activity, for the potential incorporation of Lst in disinfectant solutions. We have found that protonated MEA has little influence on Lst activity, while unprotonated MEA prevents Lst from binding to S. aureus cells and hence dramatically decreases the enzyme's bacteriolytic efficacy. Following partial removal of the wall teichoic acid, an important component of the bacterial cell envelope, the inhibitory effect of unprotonated MEA on Lst is reduced. This phenomenon can be extended to other short-chain alkylamines. This mechanistic report of the impact of alkylamines on Lst functionality will help guide future applications of Lst in disinfection and decontamination of health-related commercial products.
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Wu X, Paskaleva EE, Mehta KK, Dordick JS, Kane RS. Wall Teichoic Acids Are Involved in the Medium-Induced Loss of Function of the Autolysin CD11 against Clostridium difficile. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35616. [PMID: 27759081 PMCID: PMC5069495 DOI: 10.1038/srep35616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial lysins are potent antibacterial enzymes with potential applications in the treatment of bacterial infections. Some lysins lose activity in the growth media of target bacteria, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we use CD11, an autolysin of Clostridium difficile, as a model lysin to demonstrate that the inability of this enzyme to kill C. difficile in growth medium is not associated with inhibition of the enzyme activity by medium, or the modification of the cell wall peptidoglycan. Rather, wall teichoic acids (WTAs) appear to prevent the enzyme from binding to the cells and cleaving the cell wall peptidoglycan. By partially blocking the biosynthetic pathway of WTAs with tunicamycin, cell binding improved and the lytic efficacy of CD11 was significantly enhanced. This is the first report of the mechanism of lysin inactivation in growth medium, and provides insights into understanding the behavior of lysins in complex environments, including the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US
| | - Elena E Paskaleva
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US
| | - Krunal K Mehta
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US
| | - Jonathan S Dordick
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical &Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, US
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Use of bacteriophage to target bacterial surface structures required for virulence: a systematic search for antibiotic alternatives. Curr Genet 2016; 62:753-757. [PMID: 27113766 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-016-0603-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phage) that infect pathogenic bacteria often attach to surface receptors that are coincidentally required for virulence. Receptor loss or modification through mutation renders mutants both attenuated and phage resistant. Such attenuated mutants frequently have no apparent laboratory growth defects, but in the host, they fail to exhibit properties needed to produce disease such as mucosal colonization or survival within professional phagocytic cells. The connection between attenuation and phage resistance has been exploited in experimental demonstrations of phage therapy. In such experiments, phage resistant mutants that arise naturally during therapy are inconsequential because of their attenuated status. A more contemporary approach to exploiting this connection involves identifying small effector molecules, identified in high-throughput screens, that inhibit one or more of the steps needed to produce a functioning phage receptor. Since such biosynthetic steps are unique to bacteria, inhibitors can be utilized therapeutically, in lieu of antibiotics. Also, since the inhibitor is specific to a particular bacterium or group of bacteria, no off-target resistance is generated in the host's commensal bacterial population. This brief review covers examples of how mutations that confer phage resistance produce attenuation, and how this coincidental relationship can be exploited in the search for the next generation of therapeutic agents for bacterial diseases.
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Spears PA, Havell EA, Hamrick TS, Goforth JB, Levine AL, Abraham ST, Heiss C, Azadi P, Orndorff PE. Listeria monocytogenes wall teichoic acid decoration in virulence and cell-to-cell spread. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:714-30. [PMID: 26871418 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA) comprises a class of glycopolymers covalently attached to the peptidoglycan of gram positive bacteria. In Listeria monocytogenes, mutations that prevent addition of certain WTA decorating sugars are attenuating. However, the steps required for decoration and the pathogenic process interrupted are not well described. We systematically examined the requirement for WTA galactosylation in a mouse oral-virulent strain by first creating mutations in four genes whose products conferred resistance to a WTA-binding bacteriophage. WTA biochemical and structural studies indicated that galactosylated WTA was directly required for bacteriophage adsorption and that mutant WTA lacked appreciable galactose in all except one mutant - which retained a level ca. 7% of the parent. All mutants were profoundly attenuated in orally infected mice and were impaired in cell-to-cell spread in vitro. Confocal microscopy of cytosolic mutants revealed that all expressed ActA on their cell surface and formed actin tails with a frequency similar to the parent. However, the mutant tails were significantly shorter - suggesting a defect in actin based motility. Roles for the gene products in WTA galactosylation are proposed. Identification and interruption of WTA decoration pathways may provide a general strategy to discover non-antibiotic therapeutics for gram positive infections. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Spears
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Edward A Havell
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Terri S Hamrick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - John B Goforth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - Alexandra L Levine
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - S Thomas Abraham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
| | - Christian Heiss
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Paul E Orndorff
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
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Equilibrium binding behavior of magnesium to wall teichoic acid. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:1981-7. [PMID: 25969394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan and teichoic acids are the major cell wall components of Gram-positive bacteria that obtain and sequester metal ions required for biochemical processes. The delivery of metals to the cytoplasmic membrane is aided by anionic binding sites within the peptidoglycan and along the phosphodiester polymer of teichoic acid. The interaction with metals is a delicate balance between the need for attraction and ion diffusion to the membrane. Likewise, metal chelation from the extracellular fluid must initially have strong binding energetics that weaken within the cell wall to enable ion release. We employed atomic absorption and equilibrium dialysis to measure the metal binding capacity and metal binding affinity of wall teichoic acid and Mg2+. Data show that Mg2+ binds to WTA with a 1:2Mg2+ to phosphate ratio with a binding capacity of 1.27 μmol/mg. The affinity of Mg2+ to WTA was also found to be 41×10(3) M(-1) at low metal concentrations and 1.3×10(3) M(-1) at higher Mg2+ concentrations due to weakening electrostatic effects. These values are lower than the values describing Mg2+ interactions with peptidoglycan. However, the binding capacity of WTA is 4 times larger than peptidoglycan. External WTA initially binds metals with positive cooperativity, but metal binding switches to negative cooperativity, whereas interior WTA binds metals with only negative cooperativity. The relevance of this work is to describe changes in metal binding behavior depending on environment. When metals are sparse, chelation is strong to ensure survival yet the binding weakens when essential minerals are abundant.
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Revilla-Guarinos A, Gebhard S, Mascher T, Zúñiga M. Defence against antimicrobial peptides: different strategies inFirmicutes. Environ Microbiol 2014; 16:1225-37. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Revilla-Guarinos
- Departamento de Biotecnología; Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA); Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Paterna Valencia Spain
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Department Biologie I, Mikrobiologie; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Planegg-Martinsried Germany
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Department Biologie I, Mikrobiologie; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Planegg-Martinsried Germany
| | - Manuel Zúñiga
- Departamento de Biotecnología; Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA); Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Paterna Valencia Spain
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French S, Puddephatt D, Habash M, Glasauer S. The dynamic nature of bacterial surfaces: Implications for metal–membrane interaction. Crit Rev Microbiol 2012; 39:196-217. [DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2012.702098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Hernandez-Mendoza A, Guzman-De-Peña D, González-Córdova AF, Vallejo-Córdoba B, Garcia HS. In vivo assessment of the potential protective effect ofLactobacillus caseiShirota against aflatoxin B1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1051/dst/2010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Wall teichoic acid deficiency in Staphylococcus aureus confers selective resistance to mammalian group IIA phospholipase A(2) and human beta-defensin 3. Infect Immun 2008; 76:2169-76. [PMID: 18347049 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01705-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) and membrane lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) are the major polyanionic polymers in the envelope of Staphylococcus aureus. WTAs in S. aureus play an important role in bacteriophage attachment and bacterial adherence to certain host cells, suggesting that WTAs are exposed on the cell surface and could also provide necessary binding sites for cationic antimicrobial peptides and proteins (CAMPs). Highly cationic mammalian group IIA phospholipase A(2) (gIIA PLA(2)) kills S. aureus at nanomolar concentrations by an action(s) that depends on initial electrostatic interactions, cell wall penetration, membrane phospholipid (PL) degradation, and activation of autolysins. A tagO mutant of S. aureus that lacks WTA is up to 100-fold more resistant to PL degradation and killing by gIIA PLA(2) and CAMP human beta-defensin 3 (HBD-3) but has the sensitivity of the wild type (wt) to other CAMPs, such as Magainin II amide, hNP1-3, LL-37, and lactoferrin. In contrast, there is little or no difference in either gIIA PLA(2) activity toward cell wall-depleted protoplasts of the wt and tagO strains of S. aureus or in binding of gIIA PLA(2) to wt and tagO strains. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal increased surface protrusions in the S. aureus tagO mutant that might account for reduced activity of bound gIIA PLA(2) and HBD-3 toward the tagO mutant. In summary, the absence of WTA in S. aureus causes a selective increase in bacterial resistance to gIIA PLA(2) and HBD-3, the former apparently by reducing access and/or activity of bound antibacterial enzyme to the bacterial membrane.
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Fekete A, Hoogerhout P, Zomer G, Kubler-Kielb J, Schneerson R, Robbins JB, Pozsgay V. Synthesis of octa- and dodecamers of d-ribitol-1-phosphate and their protein conjugates. Carbohydr Res 2006; 341:2037-48. [PMID: 16458277 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2005.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2005] [Revised: 10/13/2005] [Accepted: 10/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial cell-wall-associated teichoic acids contain predominantly D-ribitol residues interconnected by phosphodiester linkages. Because of their location, these antigens may be vaccine candidates as part of conjugate vaccines. Here, we describe the synthesis of extended oligomers of D-ribitol-1-phosphate linked to a spacer having an amino group at its terminus. The synthesis utilized a fully protected D-ribitol-phosphoramidite that was oligomerized in a stepwise fashion followed by deprotection. The free oligomers were connected to bovine serum albumin using oxime chemistry. Thus, the ribitol phosphate oligomers were converted into keto derivatives, and the albumin counterpart was decorated with aminooxy groups. Reaction of the functionalized saccharide and protein moieties afforded conjugates having up to 20 ribitol phosphate chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anikó Fekete
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Dr. MSC 2423 Bethesda, MD 20892-2423, USA
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Neuhaus FC, Baddiley J. A continuum of anionic charge: structures and functions of D-alanyl-teichoic acids in gram-positive bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2003; 67:686-723. [PMID: 14665680 PMCID: PMC309049 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.67.4.686-723.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 734] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Teichoic acids (TAs) are major wall and membrane components of most gram-positive bacteria. With few exceptions, they are polymers of glycerol-phosphate or ribitol-phosphate to which are attached glycosyl and D-alanyl ester residues. Wall TA is attached to peptidoglycan via a linkage unit, whereas lipoteichoic acid is attached to glycolipid intercalated in the membrane. Together with peptidoglycan, these polymers make up a polyanionic matrix that functions in (i) cation homeostasis; (ii) trafficking of ions, nutrients, proteins, and antibiotics; (iii) regulation of autolysins; and (iv) presentation of envelope proteins. The esterification of TAs with D-alanyl esters provides a means of modulating the net anionic charge, determining the cationic binding capacity, and displaying cations in the wall. This review addresses the structures and functions of D-alanyl-TAs, the D-alanylation system encoded by the dlt operon, and the roles of TAs in cell growth. The importance of dlt in the physiology of many organisms is illustrated by the variety of mutant phenotypes. In addition, advances in our understanding of D-alanyl ester function in virulence and host-mediated responses have been made possible through targeted mutagenesis of dlt. Studies of the mechanism of D-alanylation have identified two potential targets of antibacterial action and provided possible screening reactions for designing novel agents targeted to D-alanyl-TA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis C Neuhaus
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208. USA.
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Holm C, Jespersen L. A flow-cytometric gram-staining technique for milk-associated bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:2857-63. [PMID: 12732558 PMCID: PMC154518 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.5.2857-2863.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2002] [Accepted: 02/07/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A Gram-staining technique combining staining with two fluorescent stains, Oregon Green-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and hexidium iodide (HI) followed by flow-cytometric detection is described. WGA stains gram-positive bacteria while HI binds to the DNA of all bacteria after permeabilization by EDTA and incubation at 50 degrees C for 15 min. For WGA to bind to gram-positive bacteria, a 3 M potassium chloride solution was found to give the highest fluorescence intensity. A total of 12 strains representing some of the predominant bacterial species in bulk tank milk and mixtures of these were stained and analyzed by flow cytometry. Overall, the staining method showed a clear differentiation between gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial populations. For stationary-stage cultures of seven gram-positive bacteria and five gram-negative bacteria, an average of 99% of the cells were correctly interpreted. The method was only slightly influenced by the growth phase of the bacteria or conditions such as freezing at -18 degrees C for 24 h. For any of these conditions, an average of at least 95% of the cells were correctly interpreted. When stationary-stage cultures were stored at 5 degrees C for 14 days, an average of 86% of the cells were correctly interpreted. The Gram-staining technique was applied to the flow cytometry analysis of bulk tank milk inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. These results demonstrate that the technique is suitable for analyzing milk samples without precultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Holm
- Department of Veterinary and Milk Quality, Danish Dairy Board, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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17
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Taweechaisupapong S, Doyle RJ. Sensitivity of bacterial coaggregation to chelating agents. FEMS IMMUNOLOGY AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2000; 28:343-6. [PMID: 10891659 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2000.tb01496.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Coaggregation between pairs of microorganisms was found to be inhibited by chelating agents, such as acetylacetone, citrate, EDTA and carboxymethylcellulose. Assays were conducted on eight pairs of periodontopathogens and one pair consisting of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The inhibitory effects of the chelating agents were reversible except for Actinomyces naeslundii 12104, the adhesin of which was irreversibly inactivated. Even though the bacteria possessed different kinds of adhesins, their sensitivity to chelating agents appears to be a common property. Non-toxic chelating agents, such as carboxymethylcellulose and citrate, may prove to be useful anti-adhesins.
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18
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Matsuura T, Miyake Y, Nakashima S, Komatsuzawa H, Akagawa Y, Suginaka H. Isolation and characterization of teichoic acid-lake substance as an adhesin of Staphylococcus aureus to HeLa cells. Microbiol Immunol 1996; 40:247-54. [PMID: 8709859 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1996.tb03341.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A cell wall component that bound to HeLa cells (HeLa cell-binding CWC) was isolated from a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. The HeLa cell-binding CWC was resistant to heat (100 C, 1 hr) and proteases, did not stain with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 on SDS-PAGE but stained as a broad band with antiserum against the strain on Western blots. These data suggest that the HeLa cell-binding CWC is not a protein, and may be teichoic acid. Purified teichoic acid bound to HeLa cells, whereas fractions without teichoic acid did not. In Western blots, HeLa cell-binding CWC appeared as a broad band of less than 35 kDa, similar to that of purified teichoic acid. These data suggest that the HeLa cell-binding CWC obtained in this study is teichoic acid. Teichoic acid inhibited S. aureus adherence to HeLa cells and bound to the cells time and dose dependently, in a saturable and reversible manner, and therefore appears to be an adhesin of S. aureus to HeLa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Matsuura
- Department of Microbiology, Hiroshima University School of Dentistry, Japan
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Pollack JH, Neuhaus FC. Changes in wall teichoic acid during the rod-sphere transition of Bacillus subtilis 168. J Bacteriol 1994; 176:7252-9. [PMID: 7961496 PMCID: PMC197113 DOI: 10.1128/jb.176.23.7252-7259.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA) is essential for the growth of Bacillus subtilis 168. To clarify the function of this polymer, the WTAs of strains 168, 104 rodB1, and 113 tagF1 (rodC1) grown at 32 and 42 degrees C were characterized. At the restrictive temperature, the rodB1 and tagF1 (rodC1) mutants undergo a rod-to-sphere transition that is correlated with changes in the WTA content of the cell wall. The amount of WTA decreased 33% in strain 104 rodB1 and 84% in strain 113 tagF1 (rodC1) when they were grown at the restrictive temperature. The extent of alpha-D-glucosylation (0.84) was not affected by growth at the higher temperature in these strains. The degree of D-alanylation decreased from 0.22 to 0.10 in the rodB1 mutant but remained constant (0.12) in the tagF1 (rodC1) mutant at both temperatures. Under these conditions, the degree of D-alanylation in the parent strain decreased from 0.27 to 0.21. The chain lengths of WTA in strains 168 and 104 rodB1 grown at both temperatures were approximately 53 residues, with a range of 45 to 60. In contrast, although the chain length of WTA from the tagF1 (rodC1) mutant at 32 degrees C was similar to that of strains 168 and 104 rodB1, it was approximately eight residues at the restrictive temperature. The results suggested that the rodB1 mutant is partially deficient in completed poly(glycerophosphate) chains. The precise biochemical defect in this mutant remains to be determined. The results for strain 113 tagF1(rodC1) are consistent with the temperature-sensitive defect in the CDP-glycerol:poly(glycerophosphate) glycerophosphotransferase (H. M. Pooley, F.-X. Abellan, and D. Karamata, J. Bacteriol. 174:646-649, 1992).
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Pollack
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
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Ostrowska-Czubenko J. Interaction of metal ions with poly(1,3-propylene phosphate) ? a synthetic analogue of natural teichoic acids. Colloid Polym Sci 1994. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00653222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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21
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Abstract
The peptidoglycan sacculus serves as a mechanical framework for the cell walls of most eubacteria and largely determines cell shape. The notion that the structure is a rigid shell is contradicted by findings that peptidoglycan can expand and contract. Thus, the sacculus functions as an elastic, flexible, polyionic, amphoteric, restraining network.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Doyle
- Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, KY 40292
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Thwaites JJ, Surana UC, Jones AM. Mechanical properties of Bacillus subtilis cell walls: effects of ions and lysozyme. J Bacteriol 1991; 173:204-10. [PMID: 1898921 PMCID: PMC207176 DOI: 10.1128/jb.173.1.204-210.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial threads of Bacillus subtilis have been immersed in, and redrawn from, water of various pH values, in solutions of (NH4)2SO4 and NaCl of various concentrations, and in lysozyme solutions. The changes in the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and other mechanical properties of the bacterial cell wall due to these treatments were obtained. The data show that change in pH has little effect but that as the salt concentration is increased, the cell walls become more ductile. A high salt concentration (1 M NaCl) can reduce the modulus by a factor of 26 to 13.5 MPa at 81% relative humidity and the strength by a factor of only 2.5. Despite attacking the septal-wall region of the cellular filaments, lysozyme has no effect on the mechanical properties. There is no significant change in the stress relaxation behavior due to any of the treatments. The dependence of mechanical properties on the salt concentration is discussed in terms of the polyelectrolyte nature of cell walls. The evidence presented in this and the accompanying paper (J. J. Thwaites and U.C. Surana, J. Bacteriol., 173:197-203, 1991) supports the idea that the peptidoglycan in bacterial cell wall is an entanglement network with a large degree of molecular flexibility, with some order but no regular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Thwaites
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, England
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Mendelson NH, Favre D. Regulation of Bacillus subtilis macrofiber twist development by ions: effects of magnesium and ammonium. J Bacteriol 1987; 169:519-25. [PMID: 3100502 PMCID: PMC211808 DOI: 10.1128/jb.169.2.519-525.1987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The steady-state twist of Bacillus subtilis macrofibers produced by growth in complex medium was found to vary as a function of the magnesium and ammonium concentrations. Four categories of macrofiber-producing strains that differed in their response to temperature regulation of twist were studied. Macrofibers were cultured in the complex medium TB used in previous experiments and in two derivative media, T (consisting of Bacto Tryptose), in which most strains produced left-handed structures, and Be (consisting of Bacto Beef Extract), in which right-handed macrofibers arose. In nearly all cases, increasing concentrations of magnesium led to the production of macrofibers with greater right-handed twist. Some strains unable to form right-handed structures as a function of temperature could be made to do so by the addition of magnesium. Inversion from right- to left-handedness in strain FJ7 induced by temperature shift-up was blocked by the addition of magnesium. The presence of magnesium during a high-temperature pulse did not block the establishment of "memory," although it delayed the initiation of the transient inversion following return to low temperature. The twist state of macrofibers grown without a magnesium supplement was not instantaneously affected by the addition of magnesium. Such fibers were, however, protected from lysozyme attack and associated relaxation motions. Lysozyme degradation of purified cell walls (both intact and lacking teichoic acid) was also blocked by the addition of magnesium. Ammonium ions influenced macrofiber twist development towards the left-hand end of the twist spectrum. Macrofiber twist produced in mixtures of magnesium and ammonium was strain and medium dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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24
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Wódzki R. Conformation and transport properties of poly(alkylene phosphate)—A synthetic analogue of natural teichoic acids—I. Hypercoiled to extended coil state transition in poly(1,3-propylene phosphate). Eur Polym J 1986. [DOI: 10.1016/0014-3057(86)90027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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25
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Roberts MF, Jacobson GR, Scott PJ, Mimura CS, Stinson MW. 31P-NMR studies of the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans: observation of lipoteichoic acid. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1985; 845:242-8. [PMID: 3995090 DOI: 10.1016/0167-4889(85)90182-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We have used 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify phosphorus-containing compounds in whole cells of two serotype c strains of the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans. The major resonance, centered at 0 ppm in whole cells, was attributed to lipoteichoic acid on the basis of its chemical shift, insensitivity to pH changes, cellular localization and a comparison with spectra obtained with purified lipoteichoic acid from S. mutans. The linewidths of resonances observed for intact cells and purified lipoteichoic acid were moderately narrowed by increasing the ionic strength, and substantially broadened in the presence of the lectin concanavalin A. Experiments with purified lipoteichoic acid suggest that this compound in whole cells is complexed with divalent cations such as Mg2+. Intracellular pools of other phosphorus-containing metabolites were found to be low when compared to the lipoteichoic acid concentration in both starved and glycolyzing cells.
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Cheung HY, Freese E. Monovalent cations enable cell wall turnover of the turnover-deficient lyt-15 mutant of Bacillus subtilis. J Bacteriol 1985; 161:1222-5. [PMID: 3918987 PMCID: PMC215031 DOI: 10.1128/jb.161.3.1222-1225.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A lyt-15 mutant reported to be unable to turn over the cell wall exhibited the same rate of wall turnover as the standard strain if the medium contained 0.2 M NaCl, which did not affect growth. Cell wall autolysis was also optimal at 0.2 M NaCl.
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Doyle R, Keller K. Lectins in diagnostic microbiology. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 1984; 3:4-9. [PMID: 6423384 DOI: 10.1007/bf02032806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Current literature suggests that lectins are becoming valuable reagents for the laboratory identification of infectious agents. The identification of bacteria, fungi, or protozoa may be confirmed if they bind to or agglutinate with certain lectins. Assay kits utilizing specific lectin agglutination reactions, coupled with conventional enzyme determinations, have been proposed for several bacteria. Factors such as specificity, stability, assay rapidity, and costs combine to make lectins attractive diagnostic reagents. It is likely that the use of lectins in diagnostic microbiology will continue to grow.
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28
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Givan AL, Glassey K, Green RS, Lang WK, Anderson AJ, Archibald AR. Relation between wall teichoic acid content of Bacillus subtilis and efficiency of adsorption of bacteriophages SP 50 and phi 25. Arch Microbiol 1982; 133:318-22. [PMID: 6820626 DOI: 10.1007/bf00521298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Efficient adsorption of bacteriophages SP 50 and phi 25 occurred only to bacilli that contained wall teichoic acid and neither phage bound to phosphate limited bacilli that contained teichuronic acid instead of teichoic acid. Though both phages require the presence of teichoic acid, their receptors are not identical. Efficient binding of phage phi 25 required the presence of greater proportions of teichoic acid in the wall and the receptor for this phage was destroyed when bacteria or isolated walls were heated at pH 4 whereas the ability of these samples to bind phage SP 50 was unaffected by such treatment. Efficient binding of phage SP 50 was not highly dependent on the presence of glucosyl substituents on the teichoic acid. Such substituents were required for phage phi 25 binding though their anomeric configuration appeared to be unimportant since the phages bound well to both strains W23 and 168, the wall teichoic acids of which carry glucosyl substituents of opposite anomeric configuration. The differences in the nature of the receptors may be of value in the use of the phages as probes for the location and distribution of teichoic acid in the wall.
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29
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Nesbitt WE, Doyle RJ, Taylor KG. Hydrophobic interactions and the adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to hydroxylapatite. Infect Immun 1982; 38:637-44. [PMID: 6292108 PMCID: PMC347787 DOI: 10.1128/iai.38.2.637-644.1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus sanguis demonstrated a high affinity for hydrocarbon solvents. When aqueous suspensions of the organism were mixed with either hexadecane or toluene, the cells tended to bind to the nonaqueous solvent. Increases in temperature resulted in a greater affinity of cells for hexadecane. Interaction between the cells and hexadecane was also enhanced by dilute aqueous sodium chloride and by low pH (pH less than 5). The results suggest that the cell surface of S. sanguis has hydrophobic properties. Isolated cell walls also tended to partition into the nonaqueous solvent. Amino acid analyses of the walls revealed the presence of several amino acids which possess hydrophobic side chains. It is likely that the hydrophobic amino acids associated with the cell wall contribute to the hydrophobicity of intact S. sanguis. When the adherence of S. sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxylapatite was measured, it was found that hydrophobic bond-disrupting agents, such as the Li+ cation, the SCN- anion, and sodium dodecyl sulfate, were capable of inhibiting the cell-hydroxylapatite union. In addition, it was observed that both urea and tetramethylurea were inhibitors of the adherence, although the latter reagent was the superior inhibitor. The results suggest that the adherence of S. sanguis to saliva-coated smooth surfaces is at least partially dependent on the formation of hydrophobic bonds between the cell and adsorbed salivary proteins. Hydrophobic bonding may contribute to cooperative interactions involving S. sanguis and saliva-coated hydroxylapatite (Nesbitt et al., Infect. Immun. 35:157-165, 1982).
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Abstract
Isolated and purified walls of Bacillus licheniformis NCTC 6346 his contained peptidoglycan, teichoic acid, and teichuronic acid (0.36 mumol of diaminopimelic acid, 0.85 mumol of organic phosphorus, and 0.43 mumol of glucuronic acid per mg [dry weight] of walls, respectively). The walls also contained a total of 0.208 mumol of metal per mg. When these walls were subjected to metal-binding conditions (T. J. Beveridge and R. G. E. Murray, J. Bacteriol. 127:1502-1518, 1976) for nine metals, the amount of bound metal above background ranged from 0.910 mumol of Na to 0.031 mumol of Au per mg of walls. Most were in the 0.500-mumol mg-1 range. Electron-scattering profiles from unstained thin sections indicated that the metal was dispersed throughout the wall fabric. Mild alkali treatment extracted teichoic acid from the walls (97% based on phosphorus) but left the peptidoglycan and teichuronic acid intact. This treatment reduced their capacity for all metals but Au. Thin sections revealed that the wall thickness had been reduced by one-third, but metal was still dispersed throughout the wall fabric. Trichloroacetic acid treatment of the teichoic acid-less walls removed 95% of the teichuronic acid (based on glucuronic acid) but left the peptidoglycan intact (based on sedimentable diaminopimelic acid). The thickness of these walls was not further reduced, but little binding capacity remained (usually less than 10% of the original binding). The staining of these walls with Au produced a 14.4-nm repeat frequency within the peptidoglycan fabric. Sedimentation velocity experiments with the extracted teichuronic acid in the presence of metal confirmed it to be a potent metal-complexing polymer. These results indicated that teichoic and teichuronic acids are the prime sites of metal binding in B. licheniformis walls.
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31
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White TB, Doyle RJ, Streips UN. Transformation of a Bacillus subtilis L-form with bacteriophage deoxyribonucleic acid. J Bacteriol 1981; 145:878-83. [PMID: 6780533 PMCID: PMC217193 DOI: 10.1128/jb.145.2.878-883.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A stable L-form, sal-1, of Bacillus subtilis was transformed with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from bacteriophages phi 25 and phi 29 to determine whether exogenous DNA can be introduced into this organism. The viral transformation (transfection) was successful with the use of polyethylene glycol. In the presence of the fusogen, bacteriophage phi 25 DNA initiated a single cycle of infection. When compared with transfection of competent cells of Bacillus subtilis, the appearance of viral particles was delayed and their production occurred over a longer time period. L-form cells were best able to support intracellular replication of phi 25 viral particles when in balanced growth in a rich medium. The addition of polyethylene glycol also induced infection of sal-1 with whole bacteriophage phi 25 particles which could not otherwise infect the L-form and enhanced infection by intact phi 29 particles. Primary recombination was shown to be required for polyethylene glycol-mediated phi 25 transfection, but not phi 29 transfection or for whole bacteriophage phi 25 infection mediated by polyethylene glycol. Successful transfection of sal-1 suggests that the L-form may be amenable to genetic modification with exogenous DNA.
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Beveridge TJ. Ultrastructure, chemistry, and function of the bacterial wall. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 1981; 72:229-317. [PMID: 6166584 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)61198-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Doyle RJ, Matthews TH, Streips UN. Chemical basis for selectivity of metal ions by the Bacillus subtilis cell wall. J Bacteriol 1980; 143:471-80. [PMID: 6772632 PMCID: PMC294273 DOI: 10.1128/jb.143.1.471-480.1980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of equilibrium dialysis techniques established that isolated cell walls of Bacillus subtilis possess selective affinities for several cations. The binding of these cations to the cell wall was influenced by the presence of various functional groups in the peptidoglycan matrix. Selective chemical modification of the free carboxyl and amino groups showed that when amino groups were replaced by neutral, bulky, or negatively charged groups, the sites available for cation complexing generally increased. Introduction of positive charges into the wall resulted in a marked decrease in the numbers of metal binding sites and usually a decrease in the apparent association constants. Both teichoic acid and peptidoglycan contribute to the sites available for interaction with metals. Hill plots of equilibrium dialysis data suggest that metal binding to cell walls involves negative cooperativity. Competition between various metals for binding sites suggested that the cations complex with identical sites on the cell walls. When the hydrogen ion concentration was increased, the affinity of the walls for metals decreased, but the numbers of metal binding sites remained constant, suggesting that cations and protons also compete for the same sites.
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Abstract
Amine and carboxyl groups of the cell wall of Bacillus subtilis were chemically modified individually to neutralize their electrochemical charge for determination of their contribution to the metal uptake process. Mild alkali treatment removed ca. 94% of the constituent teichoic acid (expressed as inorganic phosphorus) and allowed estimation of metal interaction with phosphodiester bonds. Chemical modifications of amine functions did not reduce the metal uptake values as compared to native walls, whereas extraction of teichoic acid caused a stoichiometric reduction in levels. In contrast, alteration of carboxyl groups severely limited metal deposition of most of the metals tested. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy suggested, in this case, that the form and structure of the metal deposit could be different from that found in native walls. The observations suggest that carboxyl groups provide the major site of metal deposition in the B. subtilis wall.
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Owen P, Salton MR. Isolation and characterization of a mannan from mesosomal membrane vesicles of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1975; 406:214-34. [PMID: 1191648 DOI: 10.1016/0005-2736(75)90006-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The carbohydrate content of mesosomal membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus has been shown to be consistently higher (about four times) than that of corresponding plasma membrane preparations. Analysis of washed membrane fractions by gas-liquid chromatography indicated that mannose was the major neutral sugar of both types of membrane (accounting for 95 and 89%, respectively, of the mesosomal and plasma membrane carbohydrate). Small amounts of inositol, glucose and ribose were also detected. We have shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulphate and by precipitation and agar gel diffusion experiments with concanavalin A that a mannan is the major carbohydrate component of both types of membrane. This polymer can be selectively released from mesosomal membranes by a simple procedure involving low ionic strength-shock and heating to 80 degrees C for 1 min, and purified by ultrafiltration and ethanol precipitation. The mannan contains mannose as the only neutral carbohydrate, is not phosphorylated and does not contain significant amounts of amino sugars or uronic acids. Agar gel electrophoresis experiments, however, indicate an anionic polymer whose acidic properties are eliminated upon mild base hydrolysis. Analysis of native mannan by infrared spectroscopy reveals absorption bands attributable to ester carbonyl groups and to carboxylate ions, consistent with the presence of succinyl residues in the polymer (Owen, P. and Salton, M.R.J. (1975) Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun. 63, 875--800). A sedimentation coefficient of 1.39 S was obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation in 1.0 M NaCl and a value of one reducing equivalent per 50 mannose residues by reduction with NaB3H4. The polysaccharide was only slightly degraded (2%) by jack bean alpha-mannosidase and could precipitate 15 times its own weight of concanavalin A. The acidic polymers was also detected in the cell "periplasm" and was secreted from cells grown in defined media during the period of decelerating growth.
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Doyle RJ, Chatterjee AN, Streips UN, Young FE. Soluble macromolecular complexes involving bacterial teichoic acids. J Bacteriol 1975; 124:341-7. [PMID: 240807 PMCID: PMC235901 DOI: 10.1128/jb.124.1.341-347.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell wall and membrane teichoic acids from several bacteria formed soluble complexes with polysaccharides and bovine plasma in alkyl alcohol solutions. Polysaccharides which contain different monomeric units and anomeric configurations complexed with the teichoic acids, suggesting that the interaction is relatively nonspecific. Teichoic acids complexed glycogen or bovine plasma albumin in 50 to 97% ethanol solutions. The macromolecular association between teichoic acids and polysaccharides or proteins was independent of teichoic acid size over a threefold molecular weight range. Glycerol phosphates or an acid hydrolysate of teichoic acid would not complex to either glycogen or bovine plasma albumin in ethanol. The optimal interaction between glycogen and the Bacillus subtilis lipoteichoic acid occurred between pH 4.5 and 8.2. The ability of teichoic acids to bind polysaccharides and proteins in moderate dielectric constant solvents suggests that these polymers may serve as complexing agents for hydrophilic molecules found in membranes.
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Lambert PA, Hancock IC, Baddiley J. The interaction of magnesium ions with teichoic acid. Biochem J 1975; 149:519-24. [PMID: 994 PMCID: PMC1165657 DOI: 10.1042/bj1490519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The binding of Mg2+ to the wall teichoic acid of Lactobacillus buchneri N.C.I.B. 8007 was measured by equilibrium dialysis at controlled ionic concentration and pH. In an aqueous solution containing 10mM-NaCl at pH 5.0 one Mg2+ ion was bound for every two phosphate groups of the teichoic acid, with an apparent association constant, Kassoc. = 2.7 x 10(3) M-1. On lowering the pH below the pKa of the phosphate groups the amount of bound Mg2+ decreased concomitantly with decreasing ionization of the phosphate groups. Both the amount of Mg2+ bound to the teichoic acid and the apparent association constants were similar in the presence of 10 mM concentrations of NaCl or KCl but decreased markedly in the presence of 10 mM-CaCl2 because of competition between Ca2+ and Mg2+ for the binding sites. A similar effect was found when the concentration of NaCl was increased from 0 to 50 mM. The results are discussed in relation to the function of teichoic acid in the walls of Gram-positive bacteria.
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