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Li H, Hong L, Szymczak W, Orner E, Garber AI, Cooper VS, Chen W, De A, Tang JX, Mani S. Protocol for isolating single species of bacteria with swarming ability from human feces. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102961. [PMID: 38573864 PMCID: PMC10999858 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the specific movements of bacteria isolated from human feces can serve as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic tool for inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we present a protocol for a microbial swarming assay and to isolate the bacteria responsible for swarming activity. We describe steps for identifying bacteria using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and whole-genome sequencing. We then detail procedures for validating findings by observing the same swarming phenotype upon reperforming the swarming assay. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to De et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Lilli Hong
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Wendy Szymczak
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Erika Orner
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - Vaughn S Cooper
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Weijie Chen
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Intelligent Medicine Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Arpan De
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jay X Tang
- Brown University, Physics Department, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Sridhar Mani
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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2
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Kunzler M, Schlechter RO, Schreiber L, Remus-Emsermann MNP. Hitching a Ride in the Phyllosphere: Surfactant Production of Pseudomonas spp. Causes Co-swarming of Pantoea eucalypti 299R. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:62. [PMID: 38683223 PMCID: PMC11058625 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02381-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Here, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of surfactant-producing pseudomonads on Pantoea eucalypti 299R. We conducted a series of experiments in environments of increasing complexity. P. eucalypti 299R (Pe299R), and Pseudomonas sp. FF1 (Pff1) or Pe299R and surfactant-production deficient Pseudomonas sp. FF1::ΔviscB (Pff1ΔviscB) were co-inoculated in broth, on swarming agar plates, and on plants. In broth, there were no differences in the growth dynamics of Pe299R when growing in the presence of Pff1 or Pff1ΔviscB. By contrast, on swarming agar plates, Pe299R was able to co-swarm with Pff1 which led to a significant increase in Pe299R biomass compared to Pe299R growing with Pff1ΔviscB or in monoculture. Finally in planta, and using the single-cell bioreporter for reproductive success (CUSPER), we found a temporally distinct beneficial effect of Pff1 on co-inoculated Pe299R subpopulations that did not occur in the presence of Pff1ΔviscB. We tested three additional surfactant-producing pseudomonads and their respective surfactant knockout mutants on PE299R on swarming agar showing similar results. This led us to propose a model for the positive effect of surfactant production during leaf colonization. Our results indicate that co-motility might be common during leaf colonization and adds yet another facet to the already manyfold roles of surfactants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kunzler
- Institute for Biology - Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Straße 12-16, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rudolf O Schlechter
- Institute for Biology - Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Straße 12-16, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Schreiber
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Botany, Bonn University, Kirschallee 1-3, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mitja N P Remus-Emsermann
- Institute for Biology - Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Straße 12-16, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
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Warrell DL, Zarrella TM, Machalek C, Khare A. Interspecies surfactants serve as public goods enabling surface motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.573969. [PMID: 38260674 PMCID: PMC10802355 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.573969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In most natural environments, bacteria live in polymicrobial communities where secreted molecules from neighboring species alter bacterial behaviors including motility, but such interactions are understudied. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a motile opportunistic pathogen that exists in diverse multispecies environments such as the soil and is frequently found in human wound and respiratory tract co-infections with other bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus. Here we show that P. aeruginosa can co-opt secreted surfactants from other species for flagellar-based surface motility. We found that exogenous surfactants from S. aureus, other bacteria, and interkingdom species enabled P. aeruginosa to switch from swarming to an alternative surface spreading motility on semi-solid surfaces and allowed for the emergence of surface motility on hard agar where P. aeruginosa was otherwise unable to move. This motility was distinct from the response of other motile bacteria in the presence of exogenous surfactants. Mutant analysis indicated that this P. aeruginosa motility was similar to a previously described mucin-based motility, 'surfing', albeit with divergent regulation. Thus, our study demonstrates that secreted surfactants from the host as well as neighboring bacterial and interkingdom species act as public goods facilitating P. aeruginosa flagella-mediated surfing-like surface motility, thereby allowing it to access different environmental niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delayna L Warrell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiffany M Zarrella
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Postdoctoral Research Associate Training Program, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Current address: Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher Machalek
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anupama Khare
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Kumar SP, Uthra KT, Chitra V, Damodharan N, Pazhani GP. Challenges and mitigation strategies associated with Burkholderia cepacia complex contamination in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:159. [PMID: 38483625 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03921-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium with more than 20 opportunistic pathogenic species, most commonly found in soil and water. Due to their rapid mutation rates, these organisms are adaptable and possess high genomic plasticity. BCC can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with cystic fibrosis, chronic granulomatous disease, and neonates. BCC contamination is a significant concern in pharmaceutical manufacturing, frequently causing non-sterile product recalls. BCC has been found in purified water, cosmetics, household items, and even ultrasound gel used in veterinary practices. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and cleaning solutions have been implicated in numerous outbreaks worldwide, highlighting the risks associated with intrinsic manufacturing site contamination. Regulatory compliance, product safety, and human health protection depend on testing for BCC in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Identification challenges exist, with BCC often misidentified as other bacteria like non-lactose fermenting Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas spp., particularly in developing countries where reporting BCC in pharmaceuticals remains limited. This review comprehensively aims to address the organisms causing BCC contamination, genetic diversity, identification challenges, regulatory requirements, and mitigation strategies. Recommendations are proposed to aid pharmaceutical chemists in managing BCC-associated risks and implementing prevention strategies within manufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sethuraman Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Karupanagounder Thangaraj Uthra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India
| | - Vellapandian Chitra
- Department of Pharmacology, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Narayanasamy Damodharan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Gururaja Perumal Pazhani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India.
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Sass G, Groleau MC, Déziel E, Stevens DA. Simple method for quantification of anionic biosurfactants in aqueous solutions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1253652. [PMID: 37885452 PMCID: PMC10598384 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1253652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Biosurfactants are microbial products that have applications as cleaning agents, emulsifiers, and dispersants. Detection and quantification of biosurfactants can be done by various methods, including colorimetric tests, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to several types of detectors, and tests that take advantage of biosurfactants reducing surface tension of aqueous liquids, allowing for spreading and droplet formation of oils. We present a new and simple method for quantifying biosurfactants by their ability, on paper, to reduce surface tension of aqueous solutions, causing droplet dispersion on an oiled surface in correlation with biosurfactant content. We validated this method with rhamnolipids, surfactin, sophorolipids, and ananatoside B; all are anionic microbial surfactants. Linear ranges for quantification in aqueous solutions for all tested biosurfactants were between 10 and 500 µM. Our method showed time-dependent biosurfactant accumulation in cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PA14 and PAO1, and Burkholderia thailandensis E264. Mutants in genes responsible for surfactant production showed negligible activity on oiled paper. In summary, our simple assay provides the opportunity to quantify biosurfactant contents of aqueous solutions, for a diversity of surfactants, by means readily available in any laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sass
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Marie-Christine Groleau
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientific-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Déziel
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientific-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - David A. Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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