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Wang FH, Wang BB, Gao J, Yang XJ, Jia YB, Tian SY, Li X, Zhang N, Zhang XC, Wei YM, Zhang J, Cai KZ. Determination of cyclic adenosine phosphate and protein content in dormant chlamydospore and nondormant chlamydospore of Arthrobotrys flagrans. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2400008. [PMID: 38548685 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202400008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Arthrobotrys flagrans, a nematode-eating fungus, is an effective component of animal parasitic nematode biocontrol agents. In the dried formulation, the majority of spores are in an endogenous dormant state. This study focuses on dormant chlamydospore and nondormant chlamydospore of A. flagrans to investigate the differences in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein content between the two types of spores. cAMP and soluble proteins were extracted from the nondormant chlamydospore and dormant chlamydospore of two isolates of A. flagrans. The cAMP Direct Immunoassay Kit and Bradford protein concentration assay kit (Coomassie brilliant blue method) were used to detect the cAMP and protein content in two types of spores. Results showed that the content of cAMP in dormant spores of both isolates was significantly higher than that in nondormant spores (p < 0.05). The protein content of dormant spores in DH055 bacteria was significantly higher than that of nondormant spores (p < 0.05). In addition, the protein content of dormant spores of the SDH035 strain was slightly higher than that of nondormant spores, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The results obtained in this study provide evidence for the biochemical mechanism of chlamydospore dormancy or the germination of the nematophagous fungus A. flagrans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Hui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Bo-Bo Wang
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Parasitology Laboratory, Yan'an, China
| | | | - Xiao-Jun Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Yi-Bo Jia
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Shu-Yue Tian
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xi-Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan-Ming Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Kui-Zheng Cai
- Department of Medical college, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
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Kohler LJ, Quirk AV, Welkos SL, Cote CK. Incorporating germination-induction into decontamination strategies for bacterial spores. J Appl Microbiol 2017; 124:2-14. [PMID: 28980459 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial spores resist environmental extremes and protect key spore macromolecules until more supportive conditions arise. Spores germinate upon sensing specific molecules, such as nutrients. Germination is regulated by specialized mechanisms or structural features of the spore that limit contact with germinants and enzymes that regulate germination. Importantly, germination renders spores more susceptible to inactivating processes such as heat, desiccation, and ultraviolet radiation, to which they are normally refractory. Thus, germination can be intentionally induced through a process called germination-induction and subsequent treatment of these germinated spores with common disinfectants or gentle heat will inactivate them. However, while the principle of germination-induction has been shown effective in the laboratory, this strategy has not yet been fully implemented in real-word scenarios. Here, we briefly review the mechanisms of bacterial spore germination and discuss the evolution of germination-induction as a decontamination strategy. Finally, we examine progress towards implementing germination-induction in three contexts: biodefense, hospital settings and food manufacture. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT This article reviews implementation of germination-induction as part of a decontamination strategy for the cleanup of bacterial spores. To our knowledge this is the first time that germination-induction studies have been reviewed in this context. This article will provide a resource which summarizes the mechanisms of germination in Clostridia and Bacillus species, challenges and successes in germination-induction, and potential areas where this strategy may be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Kohler
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, USA
| | - A V Quirk
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, USA
| | - S L Welkos
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, USA
| | - C K Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, USA
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3
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Wetzel D, Fischer RJ. Small acid-soluble spore proteins of Clostridium acetobutylicum are able to protect DNA in vitro and are specifically cleaved by germination protease GPR and spore protease YyaC. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 161:2098-109. [PMID: 26362088 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs) play an important role in protection of DNA in dormant bacterial endospores against damage by heat, UV radiation or enzymic degradation. In the genome of the strict anaerobe Clostridium acetobutylicum, five genes encoding SASPs have been annotated and here a further sixth candidate is suggested. The ssp genes are expressed in parallel dependent upon Spo0A, a master regulator of sporulation. Analysis of the transcription start points revealed a σG or a σF consensus promoter upstream of each ssp gene, confirming a forespore-specific gene expression. SASPs were termed SspA (Cac2365), SspB (Cac1522), SspD (Cac1620), SspF (Cac2372), SspH (Cac1663) and Tlp (Cac1487). Here it is shown that with the exception of Tlp, every purified recombinant SASP is able to bind DNA in vitro thereby protecting it against enzymic degradation by DNase I. Moreover, SspB and SspD were specifically cleaved by the two germination-specific proteases GPR (Cac1275) and YyaC (Cac2857), which were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and activated by an autocleavage reaction. Thus, for the first time to our knowledge, GPR-like activity and SASP specificity could be demonstrated for a YyaC-like protein. Collectively, the results assign SspA, SspB, SspD, SspF and SspH of C. acetobutylicum as members of α/β-type SASPs, whereas Tlp seems to be a non-DNA-binding spore protein of unknown function. In acetic acid-extracted proteins of dormant spores of C. acetobutylicum, SspA was identified almost exclusively, indicating its dominant biological role as a major α/β-type SASP in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Wetzel
- Abteilung für Mikrobiologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ralf-Jörg Fischer
- Abteilung für Mikrobiologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
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4
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Extremely variable conservation of γ-type small, acid-soluble proteins from spores of some species in the bacterial order Bacillales. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:1884-92. [PMID: 21317325 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00018-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-Type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) are the most abundant proteins in spores of at least some members of the bacterial order Bacillales, yet they remain an enigma from both functional and phylogenetic perspectives. Current work has shown that the γ-type SASP or their coding genes (sspE genes) are present in most spore-forming members of Bacillales, including at least some members of the Paenibacillus genus, although they are apparently absent from Clostridiales species. We have applied a new method of searching for sspE genes, which now appear to also be absent from a clade of Bacillales species that includes Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and Bacillus tusciae. In addition, no γ-type SASP were found in A. acidocaldarius spores, although several of the DNA-binding α/β-type SASP were present. These findings have elucidated the phylogenetic origin of the sspE gene, and this may help in determining the precise function of γ-type SASP.
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Salimi-Moosavi H, Lee J, DeSilva B, Doellgast G. Novel approaches using alkaline or acid/guanidine treatment to eliminate therapeutic antibody interference in the measurement of total target ligand. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2010; 51:1128-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2009.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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6
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Russell SC. Microorganism characterization by single particle mass spectrometry. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2009; 28:376-387. [PMID: 18949817 DOI: 10.1002/mas.20198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In recent years a major effort by several groups has been undertaken to identify bacteria by mass spectrometry at the single cell level. The intent of this review is to highlight the recent progress made in the application of single particle mass spectrometry to the analysis of microorganisms. A large portion of the review highlights improvements in the ionization and mass analysis of bio-aerosols, or particles that contain biologically relevant molecules such as peptides or proteins. While these are not direct applications to bacteria, the results have been central to a progression toward single cell mass spectrometry. Developments in single particle matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) are summarized. Recent applications of aerosol laser desorption/ionization (LDI) to the analysis of single microorganisms are highlighted. Successful applications of off-line and on-the-fly aerosol MALDI to microorganism detection are discussed. Limitations to current approaches and necessary future achievements are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Russell
- Department of Chemistry, California State University, Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USA.
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7
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Castanha ER, Fox A, Fox KF. Rapid discrimination of Bacillus anthracis from other members of the B. cereus group by mass and sequence of “intact” small acid soluble proteins (SASPs) using mass spectrometry. J Microbiol Methods 2006; 67:230-40. [PMID: 16730083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2006.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2006] [Accepted: 03/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The intentional contamination of buildings, e.g. anthrax in the bioterrorism attacks of 2001, demonstrated that the population can be affected rapidly and lethally if the appropriate treatment is not provided at the right time. Molecular approaches, primarily involving PCR, have proved useful in characterizing "white powders" used in these attacks as well as isolated organisms. However there is a need for a simpler approach, which does not involve temperamental reagents (e.g. enzymes and primers) which could potentially be used by first responders. It is demonstrated here that small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs), located in the core region of Bacillus spores, are reliable biomarkers for identification. The general strategy used in this study was to measure the molecular weight (MW) of an intact SASP by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) followed by generation of sequence-specific information by ESI MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry). A prominent SASP of mass 6679 was present in all B. anthracis strains. For B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains the SASP had a mass of 6712. This represents a two amino acid substitution (serine to alanine; phenylalanine to tyrosine). The only SASP present in the B. anthracis genome consistent with this sequence is encoded by the gene ssB. This protein has a predicted mass of 6810, presumably post-translational processing leads to loss of methionine (mass 131) generating a SASP of mass 6679. This study showed that intact SASPs can be used as a biomarker for identification of B. anthracis; the protocol is simple and rapid. Extrapolation of this approach might prove important for real-time biodetection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisangela R Castanha
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
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Pribil PA, Patton E, Black G, Doroshenko V, Fenselau C. Rapid characterization of Bacillus spores targeting species-unique peptides produced with an atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization source. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2005; 40:464-474. [PMID: 15712356 DOI: 10.1002/jms.816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
New and improved strategies are eagerly sought for the rapid identification of microorganisms, particularly in mixtures. Mass spectrometry remains a powerful tool for this purpose. Small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs), which are relatively abundant in Bacillus spores, represent potential biomarkers for species characterization. Despite sharing extensive sequence homology, these proteins differ sufficiently in sequence for discrimination between species. This work focuses on the differences in sequence between SASPs from various Bacillus species. Compilation of SASP sequences from protein database searches, followed by in silico trypsin digestion and analysis of the resulting fragments, identified several species-specific peptides that could be targeted for analysis using mass spectrometry. This strategy was tested and found to be successful in the characterization of Bacillus spores both from individual species and in mixtures. Analysis was performed using an ion trap mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure MALDI source. This instrumentation offers the advantage of increased speed of analysis and accurate precursor ion selection for tandem mass spectrometric analysis compared with vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and time-of-flight instruments. The identification and targeting of species-specific peptides using this type of instrumentation offers a rapid, efficient strategy for the identification of Bacillus spores and can potentially be applied to different microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Pribil
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
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Whiteaker JR, Warscheid B, Pribil P, Hathout Y, Fenselau C. Complete sequences of small acid-soluble proteins from Bacillus globigii. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2004; 39:1113-1121. [PMID: 15468161 DOI: 10.1002/jms.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Three abundant small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs) from spores of Bacillus globigii were sequenced using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with post-source decay and nanoelectrospray collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. The proteins were extracted from spores with 1 M HCl. Scanning electron micrographs of spores before and after acid extraction show that the spores retain their overall structure but have a shriveled texture following the acid treatment. Extracted SASPs were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and molecular masses of the SASPs were identified at 7068 (SASP-1), 7332 (SASP-2), and 8889 (gamma-SASP). De novo peptide sequencing was used to determine the protein sequences. The correct ordering of peptide sequences was aided by mapping overlapping enzymatic digests and by comparison with homologous SASPs from Bacillus stearothermophilus. B. globigii is used in many field tests as a surrogate for B. anthracis. Thus complete SASP sequences from B. globigii will facilitate the development of methods for rapid identification of bacteria based on mass spectrometry and the examination of taxonomic relationships between Bacillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Whiteaker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
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Whiteaker J, Karns J, Fenselau C, Perdue ML. Analysis of Bacillus anthracis Spores in Milk Using Mass Spectrometry. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2004; 1:185-94. [PMID: 15992279 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2004.1.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches for identifying biological threat agents in raw milk using spectroscopy were tested using Bacillus anthracis (BA) Sterne strain spores seeded into unpasteurized bulk tank milk. Direct filtration onto Tyvek membranes provided the optimal filtration approach from raw milk, but detection limits were not ideal. When beads coated with anti-BA antibodies were mixed with spores in raw milk, the beads were capable of concentrating the spores that could be later detected and characterized by MALDI spectroscopy based on presence of previously characterized small acid-soluble proteins (SASP's). This approach could provide a very rapid assessment of whether milk or milk products have been purposefully contaminated with BA spores. This work was fundamentally a proof-of-concept study demonstrating feasibility of the approach in milk. Other parameters could be changed to potentially lower detection limits, and additional studies are currently underway to improve the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Whiteaker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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11
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Hathout Y, Setlow B, Cabrera-Martinez RM, Fenselau C, Setlow P. Small, acid-soluble proteins as biomarkers in mass spectrometry analysis of Bacillus spores. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:1100-7. [PMID: 12571035 PMCID: PMC143666 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.2.1100-1107.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of 1 N HCl for extraction of small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) from different Bacillus spore species was examined. The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry and were found to be both qualitatively and quantitatively superior to extraction by acetonitrile-5% trifluoroacetic acid (70:30, vol/vol). Both major and minor alpha/beta- and gamma-type SASP were characterized by their molecular masses or tryptic peptide maps and by searches of both protein and unannotated genome databases. For all but 1 pair (B. cereus T and B. thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki) among the 11 variants studied the suites of SASP masses are distinctive, consistent with the use of these proteins as potential biomarkers for spore identification by mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetrib Hathout
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20704, USA.
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12
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Bagyan I, Setlow B, Setlow P. New small, acid-soluble proteins unique to spores of Bacillus subtilis: identification of the coding genes and regulation and function of two of these genes. J Bacteriol 1998; 180:6704-12. [PMID: 9852018 PMCID: PMC107777 DOI: 10.1128/jb.180.24.6704-6712.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/1998] [Accepted: 10/09/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eleven small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) which are present in spores but not in growing cells of Bacillus subtilis were identified by sequence analysis of proteins separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis of acid extracts from spores which lack the three major SASP (alpha, beta, and gamma). Six of these proteins are encoded by open reading frames identified previously or by analysis of the complete sequence of the B. subtilis genome, including two minor alpha/beta-type SASP (SspC and SspD) and a putative spore coat protein (CotK). Five proteins are encoded by short open reading frames that were not identified as coding regions in the analysis of the complete B. subtilis genomic sequence. Studies of the regulation of two of the latter genes, termed sspG and sspJ, showed that both are expressed only in sporulation. The sspG gene is transcribed in the mother cell compartment by RNA polymerase with the mother cell-specific sigma factor for RNA polymerase, sigmaK, and is cotranscribed with a downstream gene, yurS; sspG transcription also requires the DNA binding protein GerE. In contrast, sspJ is transcribed in the forespore compartment by RNA polymerase with the forespore-specific sigmaG and appears to give a monocistronic transcript. A mutation eliminating SspG had no effect on sporulation or spore properties, while loss of SspJ caused a slight decrease in the rate of spore outgrowth in an otherwise wild-type background.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Bagyan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, USA
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13
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Loshon CA, Kraus P, Setlow B, Setlow P. Effects of inactivation or overexpression of the sspF gene on properties of Bacillus subtilis spores. J Bacteriol 1997; 179:272-5. [PMID: 8982008 PMCID: PMC178689 DOI: 10.1128/jb.179.1.272-275.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of the Bacillus subtilis sspF gene had no effect on sporulation, spore resistance, or germination in a wild-type strain or one lacking DNA protective alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP). Overexpression of SspF in wild-type spores or in spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP (alpha- beta- spores) had no effect on sporulation but slowed spore outgrowth and restored a small amount of UV and heat resistance to alpha- beta- spores. In vitro analyses showed that SspF is a DNA binding protein and is cleaved by the SASP-specific protease (GPR) at a site similar to that cleaved in alpha/beta-type SASP. SspF was also degraded during spore germination and outgrowth, and this degradation was initiated by GPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Loshon
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne 21853, USA
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Carrillo-Martinez Y, Setlow P. Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a plasmid-carried gene coding for a minor small, acid-soluble protein from Bacillus megaterium spores. J Bacteriol 1993; 175:6337-40. [PMID: 8407806 PMCID: PMC206731 DOI: 10.1128/jb.175.19.6337-6340.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The gene (termed sspG) coding for a small, acid-soluble protein (SASP) from spores of Bacillus megaterium QMB1551, termed SASP-G, has been cloned, and its nucleotide sequence has been determined. SASP-G is a 42-residue protein containing 2 tryptophan and 11 lysine residues, including a hexalysine sequence, and is not homologous to any previously described SASP. The sspG gene appears to be an additional member of the sigma G regulon. No gene homologous to sspG is present in B. cereus T or B. subtilis 168. The reason for the absence of sspG from other Bacillus species appears to be that in B. megaterium, sspG is present only on a 111-kb plasmid; this plasmid is not present in B. cereus T or B. subtilis 168. The sspG gene is the first forespore-expressed gene found to be on a plasmid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Carrillo-Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-3305
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15
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KURTZMAN RH. Rupture of bacterial spores with ammonium bicarbonate subsequently removed by sublimation. Lett Appl Microbiol 1987. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.1987.tb01626.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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16
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Abstract
Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spore lipids were extracted by an improved technique, and the phospholipid and fatty acid compositions were determined. Phospholipids accounted for 65% of the total fatty acids; the neutral lipid fraction contained 15% and the remaining fatty acids were in the interphase, aqueous phase and pellet from the lipid extraction. Each phospholipid had similar fatty acid compositions as did the delipidated pellet. However, the aqueous phase and, to some extent, the interphase had unique fatty acid compositions. Also, fatty acids were found acylated to proteins, which was observed by electrophoresis of delipidated proteins from spores grown in [1-14C]palmitate. Therefore, spores contain unique non-phosphatide fatty acid components that can now be analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nikolopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612
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17
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Curiel-Quesada E, Setlow P. Cloning of a new low-molecular-weight spore-specific protein gene from Bacillus megaterium. J Bacteriol 1984; 157:751-7. [PMID: 6199341 PMCID: PMC215322 DOI: 10.1128/jb.157.3.751-757.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Three EcoRI fragments of Bacillus megaterium DNA hybridized only under nonrestrictive conditions on Southern blots to a probe containing the previously cloned gene for protein C, a small, acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) from B. megaterium. All three fragments were cloned in Escherichia coli cells in plasmid pBR325, and after being transferred to an E. coli expression vector, one of the fragments (C-3) directed the synthesis of a new small, acid-soluble spore protein (termed C-3) immunologically related to protein C. As previously observed with the protein C gene, protein C-3 gene expression in E. coli required an external promoter and suppression of termination of transcription. Protein C-3 was purified from induced E. coli cells, and its immunological properties, electrophoretic mobility, amino acid composition, and amino-terminal sequence were determined. These data indicated that protein C-3 was related, but not identical, to either protein C or the closely related protein A--two of the major small, acid-soluble spore proteins of B. megaterium. Detailed examination of acid extracts of B. megaterium spores showed that they contained a minor protein which comigrated with C-3 on acrylamide gel electrophoresis at low pH and reacted immunologically like C-3.
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Abstract
Acid-soluble spore proteins (ASSPs) comprise about 5% of the total protein of mature spores of different Bacillus subtilis strains. They consist of three abundant species, alpha, beta, and gamma, four less abundant species, and several minor species, alpha, beta, and gamma make up about 18, 18 and 36%, respectively, of the total ASSPs of strain 168, have molecular weights of 5,900, 5,9000, and 11,000, respectively, and resemble the major (A, C, and B) components of Bacillus megaterium ASSPs in several respects, including sensitivity to a specific B. megaterium spore endopeptidase. However, they have pI's of 6.58, 6.67, and 7.96, all lower than those of any of the B. megaterium ASSPs. Although strains varied in the proportions of different ASSPs, to overall patterns seen on gel electrophoresis are constant. ASSPs are located interior to the cortex, presumably in the spore cytoplasm, and are synthesized during sporulation and degraded during germination.
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20
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In vivo and in vitro synthesis of the spore-specific proteins A and C of bacillus megaterium. J Biol Chem 1980. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)43512-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Covalent structure of protein C. A second major low molecular weight protein degraded during germination of Bacillus megaterium spores. J Biol Chem 1980. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)43511-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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22
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Dignam S, Setlow P. Bacillus megaterium spore protease. Action of the enzyme on peptides containing the amino acid sequence cleaved by the enzyme in vivo. J Biol Chem 1980. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)43510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Maurizi MR, Switzer RL. Proteolysis in bacterial sporulation. CURRENT TOPICS IN CELLULAR REGULATION 1980; 16:163-224. [PMID: 6772379 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-152816-4.50010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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24
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Covalent structure of protein A. A low molecular weight protein degraded during germination of Bacillus megaterium spores. J Biol Chem 1979. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)86407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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25
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Setlow B, Setlow P. Localization of low-molecular-weight basic proteins in Bacillus megaterium spores by cross-linking with ultraviolet light. J Bacteriol 1979; 139:486-94. [PMID: 110790 PMCID: PMC216894 DOI: 10.1128/jb.139.2.486-494.1979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two low-molecular-weight basic proteins, termed A and B proteins, comprise about 15% of the protein of dormant spores of Bacillus megaterium. Irradiation of intact dormant spores with ultraviolet light results in covalent cross-linking of the A and B proteins to other spore macromolecules. The cross-linked A and B proteins are precipitated by ethanol and can be solubilized by treatment with deoxyribonuclease (75%) or ribonuclease (25%). Irradiation of complexes formed in vitro between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid and a mixture of the low-molecular-weight basic proteins from spores also resulted in cross-linking of A and B proteins to nucleic acids. The dose-response curves for formation of covalent cross-links were similar for irradiation of both a protein-DNA complex in vitro and intact spores. However, if irradiation was carried out in vitro under conditions where DNA-protein complexes were disrupted, no covalent cross-links were formed. These data suggest that significant amounts of the low-molecular-weight basic proteins unique to bacterial spores are associated with spore DNA in vivo.
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Van Etten JL, Freer SN, McCune BK. Presence of a major (storage?) protein in dormant spores of the fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae. J Bacteriol 1979; 138:650-2. [PMID: 438139 PMCID: PMC218224 DOI: 10.1128/jb.138.2.650-652.1979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 23% of the protein isolated from dormant spores of Botryodiplodia theobromae consisted of a single polypeptide; the polypeptide is probably degraded during germination.
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