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Andryukov BG, Karpenko AA, Lyapun IN. Learning from Nature: Bacterial Spores as a Target for Current Technologies in Medicine (Review). Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2021; 12:105-122. [PMID: 34795986 PMCID: PMC8596247 DOI: 10.17691/stm2020.12.3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The capability of some representatives of Clostridium spp. and Bacillus spp. genera to form spores in extreme external conditions long ago became a subject of medico-biological investigations. Bacterial spores represent dormant cellular forms of gram-positive bacteria possessing a high potential of stability and the capability to endure extreme conditions of their habitat. Owing to these properties, bacterial spores are recognized as the most stable systems on the planet, and spore-forming microorganisms became widely spread in various ecosystems. Spore-forming bacteria have been attracted increased interest for years due to their epidemiological danger. Bacterial spores may be in the quiescent state for dozens or hundreds of years but after they appear in the favorable conditions of a human or animal organism, they turn into vegetative forms causing an infectious process. The greatest threat among the pathogenic spore-forming bacteria is posed by the causative agents of anthrax (B. anthracis), food toxicoinfection (B. cereus), pseudomembranous colitis (C. difficile), botulism (C. botulinum), gas gangrene (C. perfringens). For the effective prevention of severe infectious diseases first of all it is necessary to study the molecular structure of bacterial spores and the biochemical mechanisms of sporulation and to develop innovative methods of detection and disinfection of dormant cells. There is another side of the problem: the necessity to investigate exo- and endospores from the standpoint of obtaining similar artificially synthesized models in order to use them in the latest medical technologies for the development of thermostable vaccines, delivery of biologically active substances to the tissues and intracellular structures. In recent years, bacterial spores have become an interesting object for the exploration from the point of view of a new paradigm of unicellular microbiology in order to study microbial heterogeneity by means of the modern analytical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Andryukov
- Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology; G.P. Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 1 Selskaya St., Vladivostok, 690087, Russia; Professor, Department of Fundamental Sciences; Far Eastern Federal University, 10 Village Ayaks, Island Russkiy, Vladivostok, 690922, Russia
| | - A A Karpenko
- Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Cell Biophysics; A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevskogo St., Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| | - I N Lyapun
- Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology G.P. Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 1 Selskaya St., Vladivostok, 690087, Russia
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Hou L, Song Y, Xiao Y, Wu R, Wang L. Ratiometric fluorescence detection of dipicolinic acid based on Microporous Ln/melamine-terephthaladehyde schiff base networks complex. Talanta 2019; 209:120534. [PMID: 31892026 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanide-based fluorescence sensor in the detection of major Anthrax biomarker dipicolinic acid (DPA) is attracting wide attention. In this work, we proposed a new strategy for ratiometric fluorescence detection of DPA based on microporous Ln/melamine-terephthaladehyde Schiff base networks (Ln/MTSNW) complex for the first time. The microporous MTSNW was prepared by amine-aldehyde condensation between melamine and terephthaladehyde and presented lamellar and octahedral structure. Lanthanide ions, Eu3+ or Tb3+ were coordinated with N atoms of MTSNW to form Ln/MTSNW complex. The microporous Ln/MTSNW complex not only provided large surface area to improve the sensitivity of DPA detection, but also constructed ratiometric fluorescence sensors to eliminate environmental effects and instrument fluctuation. DPA was a highly efficient antenna molecule for Eu3+ and Tb3+ and transferred the energy to Eu3+ or Tb3+ to sensitize their fluorescence. The Ln/MTSNW complex were uniformly and stably dispersed in aqueous solution for DPA detection with a linear range from 15 nM to 7 μM and low detection limit of 5.2 nM for Eu/MTSNW and a linear range from 4 nM to 2.5 μM and low detection limit of 1.4 nM for Tb/MTSNW. Due to the simple preparation of Ln/MTSNW complex and low technical requirement, the ratiometric fluorescence DPA sensor based on Ln/MTSNW complex might show great potential in practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Hou
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecule, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Jiangxi Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, 99 Ziyang Road, Nanchang, 330022, China; Jiangxi Ji'an Hydrology Bureau, 3 Bamboo Lane Road, Ji'an, 343100, China
| | - Yonghai Song
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecule, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Jiangxi Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, 99 Ziyang Road, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Yingjie Xiao
- Jiangxi Ji'an Hydrology Bureau, 3 Bamboo Lane Road, Ji'an, 343100, China
| | - Rong Wu
- Jiangxi Ji'an Hydrology Bureau, 3 Bamboo Lane Road, Ji'an, 343100, China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecule, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Jiangxi Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, 99 Ziyang Road, Nanchang, 330022, China.
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Abstract
Bacterial endospores possess multiple integument layers, one of which is the cortex peptidoglycan wall. The cortex is essential for the maintenance of spore core dehydration and dormancy and contains structural modifications that differentiate it from vegetative cell peptidoglycan and determine its fate during spore germination. Following the engulfment stage of sporulation, the cortex is synthesized within the intermembrane space surrounding the forespore. Proteins responsible for cortex synthesis are produced in both the forespore and mother cell compartments. While some of these proteins also contribute to vegetative cell wall synthesis, others are sporulation specific. In order for the bacterial endospore to germinate and resume metabolism, the cortex peptidoglycan must first be degraded through the action of germination-specific lytic enzymes. These enzymes are present, yet inactive, in the dormant spore and recognize the muramic-δ-lactam modification present in the cortex. Germination-specific lytic enzymes across Bacillaceae and Clostridiaceae share this specificity determinant, which ensures that the spore cortex is hydrolyzed while the vegetative cell wall remains unharmed. Bacillus species tend to possess two redundant enzymes, SleB and CwlJ, capable of sufficient cortex degradation, while the clostridia have only one, SleC. Additional enzymes are often present that cannot initiate the cortex degradation process, but which can increase the rate of release of small fragments into the medium. Between the two families, the enzymes also differ in the enzymatic activities they possess and the mechanisms acting to restrict their activation until germination has been initiated.
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Stelder SK, Benito de Moya C, Hoefsloot HCJ, de Koning LJ, Brul S, de Koster CG. Stoichiometry, Absolute Abundance, and Localization of Proteins in the Bacillus cereus Spore Coat Insoluble Fraction Determined Using a QconCAT Approach. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:903-917. [PMID: 29260567 PMCID: PMC5799878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Spores of Bacillus cereus pose a threat to food
safety due to their high resistance to the heat or acid treatments
commonly used to make food microbiologically safe. Spores may survive
these treatments and later resume growth either on foodstuffs or,
after ingestion, upon entering the gut they are capable of producing
toxins, which cause either vomiting or diarrhea. The outer layers
of the spore, the spore coat and exosporium, consist primarily of
proteins that may serve as potential biomarkers for detection. The
major morphogenetic protein CotE is important for correct assembly
and attachment of the outermost layer, the exosporium, and by extension
retention of many proteins. However, characterization of the proteins
affected by deletion of CotE has been limited to electrophoretic patterns.
Here we report the effect of CotE deletion on the insoluble fraction
of the spore proteome through liquid chromatography–Fourier
transform tandem mass spectrometry (LC–FTMS/MS) analysis. A total of 560 proteins have been identified in both mutant
and wild-type spore coat isolates. A further 163 proteins were identified
exclusively in wild-type spore isolates indicating that they are dependent
on CotE for their association with the spore. Several of these are
newly confirmed as associated with the exosporium, namely BC_2569
(BclF), BC_3345, BC_2427, BC_2878, BC_0666, BC_2984, BC_3481, and
BC_2570. A total of 153 proteins were only identified in ΔCotE
spore isolates. This was observed for proteins that are known or likely
to be interacting with or are encased by CotE. Crucial spore proteins
were quantified using a QconCAT reference standard, the first time
this was used in a biochemically heterogeneous system. This allowed
us to determine the absolute abundance of 21 proteins, which spanned
across three orders of magnitude and together covered 5.66% ±
0.51 of the total spore weight. Applying the QconCAT methodology to
the ΔCotE mutant allowed us to quantify 4.13% ± 0.14 of
the spore total weight and revealed a reduction in abundance for most
known exosporium associated proteins upon CotE deletion. In contrast,
several proteins, either known or likely to be interacting with or
encased by CotE (i.e., GerQ), were more abundant. The results obtained
provide deeper insight into the layered spore structure such as which
proteins are exposed on the outside of the spore. This information
is important for developing detection methods for targeting spores
in a food safety setting. Furthermore, protein stoichiometry and determination
of the abundance of germination mediating enzymes provides useful
information for germination and outgrowth model development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha K Stelder
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Celia Benito de Moya
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Huub C J Hoefsloot
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leo J de Koning
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stanley Brul
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chris G de Koster
- Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety, ‡Mass Spectrometry of Biomacromolecules, and §Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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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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Terry C, Jiang S, Radford DS, Wan Q, Tzokov S, Moir A, Bullough PA. Molecular tiling on the surface of a bacterial spore - the exosporium of the Bacillus anthracis/cereus/thuringiensis group. Mol Microbiol 2017; 104:539-552. [PMID: 28214340 PMCID: PMC5434927 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria of the genera Bacillus and Clostridium form highly resistant spores, which in the case of some pathogens act as the infectious agents. An exosporium forms the outermost layer of some spores; it plays roles in protection, adhesion, dissemination, host targeting in pathogens and germination control. The exosporium of the Bacillus cereus group, including the anthrax pathogen, contains a 2D‐crystalline basal layer, overlaid by a hairy nap. BclA and related proteins form the hairy nap, and require ExsFA (BxpB) for their localization on the basal layer. Until now, the identity of the main structural protein components of the basal layer was unknown. We demonstrate here that ExsY forms one of the essential components. Through heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, we also demonstrate that ExsY can self‐assemble into ordered 2D arrays that mimic the structure of the exosporium basal layer. Self‐assembly is likely to play an important role in the construction of the exosporium. The ExsY array is stable to heat and chemical denaturants, forming a robust layer that would contribute to overall spore resistance. Our structural analysis also provides novel insight into the location of other molecular components anchored onto the exosporium, such as BclA and ExsFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Terry
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Shuo Jiang
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David S Radford
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Qiang Wan
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Svetomir Tzokov
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anne Moir
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Per A Bullough
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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The Exosporium Layer of Bacterial Spores: a Connection to the Environment and the Infected Host. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 79:437-57. [PMID: 26512126 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00050-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of what we know regarding bacterial spore structure and function has been learned from studies of the genetically well-characterized bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Molecular aspects of spore structure, assembly, and function are well defined. However, certain bacteria produce spores with an outer spore layer, the exosporium, which is not present on B. subtilis spores. Our understanding of the composition and biological functions of the exosporium layer is much more limited than that of other aspects of the spore. Because the bacterial spore surface is important for the spore's interactions with the environment, as well as being the site of interaction of the spore with the host's innate immune system in the case of spore-forming bacterial pathogens, the exosporium is worthy of continued investigation. Recent exosporium studies have focused largely on members of the Bacillus cereus family, principally Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus. Our understanding of the composition of the exosporium, the pathway of its assembly, and its role in spore biology is now coming into sharper focus. This review expands on a 2007 review of spore surface layers which provided an excellent conceptual framework of exosporium structure and function (A. O. Henriques and C. P. Moran, Jr., Annu Rev Microbiol 61:555-588, 2007, http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.micro.61.080706.093224). That review began a process of considering outer spore layers as an integrated, multilayered structure rather than simply regarding the outer spore components as independent parts.
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Sporulation Temperature Reveals a Requirement for CotE in the Assembly of both the Coat and Exosporium Layers of Bacillus cereus Spores. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 82:232-43. [PMID: 26497467 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02626-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus cereus spore surface layers consist of a coat surrounded by an exosporium. We investigated the interplay between the sporulation temperature and the CotE morphogenetic protein in the assembly of the surface layers of B. cereus ATCC 14579 spores and on the resulting spore properties. The cotE deletion affects the coat and exosporium composition of the spores formed both at the suboptimal temperature of 20°C and at the optimal growth temperature of 37°C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ΔcotE spores had a fragmented and detached exosporium when formed at 37°C. However, when produced at 20°C, ΔcotE spores showed defects in both coat and exosporium attachment and were susceptible to lysozyme and mutanolysin. Thus, CotE has a role in the assembly of both the coat and exosporium, which is more important during sporulation at 20°C. CotE was more represented in extracts from spores formed at 20°C than at 37°C, suggesting that increased synthesis of the protein is required to maintain proper assembly of spore surface layers at the former temperature. ΔcotE spores formed at either sporulation temperature were impaired in inosine-triggered germination and resistance to UV-C and H2O2 and were less hydrophobic than wild-type (WT) spores but had a higher resistance to wet heat. While underscoring the role of CotE in the assembly of B. cereus spore surface layers, our study also suggests a contribution of the protein to functional properties of additional spore structures. Moreover, it also suggests a complex relationship between the function of a spore morphogenetic protein and environmental factors such as the temperature during spore formation.
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Huang T, Yu X, Gelbič I, Guan X. RAP-PCR fingerprinting reveals time-dependent expression of development-related genes following differentiation process of Bacillus thuringiensis. Can J Microbiol 2015; 61:683-90. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2015-0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression profiles are important data to reveal the functions of genes putatively involved in crucial biological processes. RNA arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP-PCR) and specifically primed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were combined to screen differentially expressed genes following development of a commercial Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain 8010 (serotype 3a3b). Six differentially expressed transcripts (RAP1 to RAP6) were obtained. RAP1 encoded a putative triple helix repeat-containing collagen or an exosporium protein H related to spore pathogenicity. RAP2 was homologous to a ClpX protease and an ATP-dependent protease La (LonB), which likely acted as virulence factors. RAP3 was homologous to a beta subunit of propionyl-CoA carboxylase required for the development of Myxococcus xanthus. RAP4 had homology to a quinone oxidoreductase involved in electron transport and ATP formation. RAP5 showed significant homology to a uridine kinase that mediates phosphorylation of uridine and azauridine. RAP6 shared high sequence identity with 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate-hydroxymethyltransferase (also known as ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase or PanB) involved in the operation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The findings described here would help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation process of B. thuringiensis and unravel novel pathogenic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianpei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002 Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Fujian–Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, 350002 Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002 Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ivan Gelbič
- Biological Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Xiong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002 Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Fujian–Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, 350002 Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
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Apertures in the Clostridium sporogenes spore coat and exosporium align to facilitate emergence of the vegetative cell. Food Microbiol 2015; 51:45-50. [PMID: 26187826 PMCID: PMC4521118 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium sporogenes forms highly heat resistant endospores, enabling this bacterium to survive adverse conditions. Subsequently, spores may germinate, giving rise to vegetative cells that multiply and lead to food spoilage. Electron microscopy was used to visualise changes in spore structures during germination, emergence and outgrowth. C. sporogenes spores were surrounded by an exosporium that was oval in shape and typically 3 μm in length. An aperture of 0.3–0.4 μm was observed at one end of the exosporium. The rupture of the spore coats occurs adjacent to the opening in the exosporium. The germinated cell emerges through this hole in the spore coat and then through the pre-existing aperture in the exosporium, before eventually being released, leaving behind a largely intact exosporium with an enlarged aperture (0.7–1.0 μm) and coat shell. The formation of this aperture, its function and its alignment with the spore coat is discussed. Electron microscopy was used to study structures of Clostridium sporogenes spores. Spore exosporia possessed either a terminal aperture or a lipped protrusion. Cells emerged through the preformed aperture or sporiduct of the spore. Apertures in the spore coat and exosporium were aligned, and may be predetermined.
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Abhyankar W, Hossain AH, Djajasaputra A, Permpoonpattana P, Ter Beek A, Dekker HL, Cutting SM, Brul S, de Koning LJ, de Koster CG. In Pursuit of Protein Targets: Proteomic Characterization of Bacterial Spore Outer Layers. J Proteome Res 2013; 12:4507-21. [DOI: 10.1021/pr4005629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patima Permpoonpattana
- School
of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Simon M. Cutting
- School
of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
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From C, van der Voort M, Abee T, Granum PE. Characterization of a spore-specific protein of the Bacillus cereus group. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2012; 331:152-9. [PMID: 22458449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02562.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bc1245 is a monocistronic chromosomal gene of Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 encoding a putative protein of 143 amino acids identified in this study to have a spore-related function in B. cereus. Bc1245 is highly conserved in the genome of members of the B. cereus group, indicating an important function of the gene in this group of bacteria. Quantitative PCR revealed that bc1245 is transcribed late in sporulation (upon formation of phase-bright spores) and at the same time as the mother cell-specific transcription factor σ(K) . The σ(K) regulon includes structural components of the spore (such as coat proteins), and it is therefore plausible that bc1245 might encode a structural outer spore protein. This was confirmed by detection of BC1245 in exosporium extracts from B. cereus by immunoblotting against BC1245 antiserum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie From
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Food Safety, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Løvdal IS, From C, Madslien EH, Romundset KCS, Klufterud E, Rosnes JT, Granum PE. Role of the gerA operon in L-alanine germination of Bacillus licheniformis spores. BMC Microbiol 2012; 12:34. [PMID: 22420404 PMCID: PMC3359204 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genome of Bacillus licheniformis DSM 13 harbours three neighbouring open reading frames showing protein sequence similarities to the proteins encoded from the Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis 168 gerA operon, GerAA, GerAB and GerAC. In B. subtilis, these proteins are assumed to form a germinant receptor involved in spore germination induced by the amino acid L-alanine. RESULTS In this study we show that disruption of the gerAA gene in B. licheniformis MW3 hamper L-alanine and casein hydrolysate-triggered spore germination, measured by absorbance at 600 nm and confirmed by phase contrast microscopy. This ability was restored by complementation with a plasmid-borne copy of the gerA locus. Addition of D-alanine in the casein hydrolysate germination assay abolished germination of both B. licheniformis MW3 and the complementation mutant. Germination of both B. licheniformis MW3 and the gerA disruption mutant was induced by the non-nutrient germinant Ca2+-Dipicolinic acid. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the B. licheniformis MW3 gerA locus is involved in germination induced by L-alanine and potentially other components present in casein hydrolysate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene S Løvdal
- Nofima AS, Department of Process Technology, Måltidets hus, Richard Johnsens gate 4, P Box 8034, N-4068 Stavanger, Norway
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