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Bellissima F, Bonini M, Giorgi R, Baglioni P, Barresi G, Mastromei G, Perito B. Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles grafted on stone surface. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2014; 21:13278-13286. [PMID: 24151026 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microbial colonization has a relevant impact on the deterioration of stone materials with consequences ranging from esthetic to physical and chemical changes. Avoiding microbial growth on cultural stones therefore represents a crucial aspect for their long-term conservation. The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively investigated in recent years, showing that they could be successfully applied as bactericidal coatings on surfaces of different materials. In this work, we investigated the ability of AgNPs grafted to Serena stone surfaces to inhibit bacterial viability. A silane derivative, which is commonly used for stone consolidation, and Bacillus subtilis were chosen as the grafting agent and the target bacterium, respectively. Results show that functionalized AgNPs bind to stone surface exhibiting a cluster disposition that is not affected by washing treatments. The antibacterial tests on stone samples revealed a 50 to 80 % reduction in cell viability, with the most effective AgNP concentration of 6.7 μg/cm(2). To our knowledge, this is the first report on antimicrobial activity of AgNPs applied to a stone surface. The results suggest that AgNPs could be successfully used in the inhibition of microbial colonization of stone artworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bellissima
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" and CSGI, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
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Donnarumma F, Capuana M, Vettori C, Petrini G, Giannini R, Indorato C, Mastromei G. Isolation and characterisation of bacterial colonies from seeds and in vitro cultures of Fraxinus spp. from Italian sites. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2011; 13:169-76. [PMID: 21143738 DOI: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00334.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Culturable bacteria were isolated from seeds, embryos and contaminated in vitro cultures of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L., F. ornus L. and F. angustifolia L.) and were identified using morphological and molecular analyses. Fourteen morphologically distinct isolates were recovered from seeds of Fraxinus spp. 16S rDNA sequencing categorised these isolates into ten separate genera. Three strains isolated from contaminated in vitro cultures, Pantoea agglomerans, Staphylococcus succinus and Aerococcus viridans, were used for comparative analysis with isolates from seeds. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolated contaminants, including phytotoxicity of antibiotics on in vitro cultures of ash, was also investigated. Phytotoxic effects on explants immersed in ampicillin or cultured on medium containing ampicillin were negligible, however tetracycline, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics, had phytotoxic effects. We conclude that ampicillin is a suitable antibiotic to limit the growth of contaminating bacteria during the in vitro culture of ash.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Donnarumma
- Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
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Di Candilo M, Bonatti PM, Guidetti C, Focher B, Grippo C, Tamburini E, Mastromei G. Effects of selected pectinolytic bacterial strains on water-retting of hemp and fibre properties. J Appl Microbiol 2010; 108:194-203. [PMID: 19558465 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04409.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To study the effect of selected bacterial strains on hemp water-retting and properties of retted fibre. METHODS AND RESULTS The trials were performed in laboratory tanks. The traditional water-retting process, without inoculum addition, was compared to a process modified by inoculating water tanks with two selected pectinolytic bacteria: the anaerobic strain Clostridium sp. L1/6 and the aerobic strain Bacillus sp. ROO40B. Six different incubation times were compared. Half the fibre obtained from each tank was combed. Micromorphological analyses were performed by scanning electron microscopy on uncombed and combed fibres. Moreover, organoleptic and chemical analyses of uncombed fibres were performed. CONCLUSIONS The inoculum, besides speeding up the process, significantly improved the fibre quality. The fibre was not damaged by mechanical hackling, thanks to the good retting level obtained by the addition of selected strains, differently to what happened with the traditionally retted fibre. The best fibre quality was obtained after 3-4 days of retting with the addition of the bacterial inoculum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Retting is the major limitation to an efficient production of high-quality hemp fibres. The water-retting process and fibre quality were substantially improved by simultaneously inoculating water tanks with two selected pectinolytic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Di Candilo
- C.R.A. - Istituto Sperimentale per le Colture Industriali, Bologna, Italy
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Fanci R, Bartolozzi B, Sergi S, Casalone E, Pecile P, Cecconi D, Mannino R, Donnarumma F, Leon AG, Guidi S, Nicoletti P, Mastromei G, Bosi A. Molecular epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in an SCT unit. Bone Marrow Transplant 2008; 43:335-8. [PMID: 18850015 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2008.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
From May to October 2006, six severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were diagnosed in patients undergoing SCT in the SCT unit of the Careggi hospital (Florence, Italy). Four of the infected patients were treated consecutively in the same room (room N). On the hypothesis of a possible environmental source of infection, samples were collected from different sites that had potential for cross-contamination throughout the SCT unit, including the electrolytic chloroxidant disinfectant used for hand washing (Irgasan) and the disinfectant used for facilities cleaning. Four of the environmental samples were positive for P. aeruginosa: three Irgansan soap samples and a tap swab sample from the staff cleaning and dressing room. The AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) typing method employed to evaluate strain clonality showed that the isolates from the patients who had shared the same room and an isolate from Irgasan soap had a significant molecular similarity (dice index higher than 0.93). After adequate control measures, no subsequent environmental sample proved positive for P. aeruginosa. These data strongly support the hypothesis of the clonal origin of the infective strains and suggest an environmental source of infection. The AFLP method was fast enough to allow a 'real-time' monitoring of the outbreak, permitting additional preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fanci
- Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Haematology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, Florence, Italy.
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Guidi S, Fanci R, Bosi A, Casalone E, Mengoni A, Mastromei G, Pecile P, Cecconi D, Nicoletti P. EPIDEMIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE CON AFLP DI P.AERUGINOSA ISOLATI DA PAZIENTI TRAPIANTATI DI MIDOLLO OSSEO. Microbiol Med 2003. [DOI: 10.4081/mm.2003.4407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Tamburini E, Daly S, Steiner U, Vandini C, Mastromei G. Clostridium felsineum and Clostridium acetobutylicum are two distinct species that are phylogenetically closely related. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2001; 51:963-966. [PMID: 11411721 DOI: 10.1099/00207713-51-3-963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene sequences encoding the 16S rRNA of Clostridium felsineum DSM 794T and NCIMB 10690T were determined. Both sequences exhibited a relatively very low degree of similarity to the previously determined 16S rRNA gene sequence from C. felsineum DSM 794T. C. felsineum is a member of the major Clostridium cluster, cluster I, and is phylogenetically closely related to Clostridium acetobutylicum. DNA-DNA hybridization results clearly indicated that C. felsineum and C. acetobutylicum belong to distinct species.
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Abstract
Cryptic genes have been defined as phenotypically silent DNA sequences, usually not expressed during the life cycle of a microorganism, but capable of expression in a few members of a large population by mutation, recombination, insertion processes, or other genetic mechanisms. Recently, the crypticity of several genetic systems has been questioned. It appears that in many cases cryptic genes are silent only under the experimental conditions analysed and that their expression can be induced in the natural environment. Therefore, we propose that cryptic genes might not be a peculiar class of uniquely regulated genes, but rather genes encoding unusual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tamburini
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics Leo Pardi, Florence, Italy
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Abstract
The weathering of monumental stones is a complex process inserted in the more general 'matter transformation cycle' operated by physical, chemical and biological factors. The consequence of these combined actions is a loss of cohesion with dwindling and scaling of stone material and the induction of a progressive mineral matrix dissolution. In the case of calcareous stones, calcite leaching increases the material porosity and decreases its mechanical features with a general weakening of the superficial structural strength. Attempts to stop, or at least to slow down, deterioration of monumental stones has been made by conservative treatments with both inorganic or organic products. More recent studies show a new approach to hinder these phenomena by inducing a bio-mediated precipitation of calcite directly inside the stone porosity. This can be achieved either through the application of organic matrix macromolecules extracted from sea shells or of living bacteria. The effectiveness of the treatment using calcinogenic bacteria has been evaluated with laboratory tests specifically developed to evaluate the parameters such as : porosity, superficial strength and chromatic changes, influenced by the treatment itself. The results obtained seem to indicate that this type of treatment might not be suitable for monumental stone conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tiano
- CNR C.s. Cause Deperimento e Metodi Conservazione Opere Arte, Florence, Italy.
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Marri L, Daly S, Perito B, Tamburini E, Mastromei G. A putative sigma factor from Streptomyces sp. strain A21 can activate the expression of the cryptic operon bgl in Escherichia coli K-12. Mol Gen Genet 1999; 261:201-7. [PMID: 10071227 DOI: 10.1007/s004380050958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Streptomyces sp A21 is a cellulolytic strain isolated from soil which was assigned to the genus Streptomyces on the basis of distinctive morphological features. A genomic library of A21 DNA has been constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli K-12 using a high-copy-number vector. One of the recombinant plasmids activates the cryptic bgl operon when inserted into appropriate strains. The complete sequence of the 1629-bp A21 DNA fragment has been determined. The analysis revealed the presence of an ORF whose putative product shows a high degree of similarity to RNA polymerase sigma factors; we therefore designated the gene psfS (Putative sigma factor, Streptomyces). Mapping of the 5' terminus of transcript by primer extension indicated that PsfS induces transcription initiation within the bgl promoter-silencer region.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Marri
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Siena, Italy.
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Irdani T, Bogani P, Mengoni A, Mastromei G, Buiatti M. Construction of a new vector conferring methotrexate resistance in Nicotiana tabacum plants. Plant Mol Biol 1998; 37:1079-84. [PMID: 9700079 DOI: 10.1023/a:1006082815434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A new binary vector encoding for Candida albicans dihydrofolate reductase (DFR1) has been constructed and used as a dominant selectable marker for plant transformation. Transgenic tobacco plants with an increased resistance to methotrexate (Mtx) were obtained by co-transformation of tobacco leaf discs with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains carrying two new binary vectors: pTI20 and pTI18. Co-transformants of Nicotiana tabacum were directly selected for and rooted on medium containing both kanamycin (kan) and Mtx. Leaf discs of transgenic plants were assayed for capacity of regeneration at different Mtx concentrations. Analysis of transcripts was performed on total RNA extracted from two Mtx-resistant plants. The transgenic plants increased resistance to Mtx can be explained by the exceptionally low capacity of Mtx to bind C. albicans dihydrofolate reductase, accountable by the presence of two amino acid residues strategically important in Mtx binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Irdani
- Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria, Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
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Marri L, Barboni E, Irdani T, Perito B, Mastromei G. Restriction enzyme and DNA hybridization analysis of cellulolytic Streptomyces isolates of different origin. Can J Microbiol 1997; 43:395-9. [PMID: 9115095 DOI: 10.1139/m97-055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Streptomyces rochei A2 endoglucanase (eglS) and beta-glucosidase (bgs1) genes were used as probes to survey their distribution among 16 Streptomyces strains isolated from different sources and characterized for their cellulolytic activities. The eglS probe hybridized to the genomic DNA of 12 strains with a restriction pattern different from that of S. rochei A2. The DNA from all strains, except one, hybridized with the bgs1 probe and one strain showed the same restriction pattern as seen in S. rochei A2. The sequence localized by the eglS probe in S. thermoviolaceus and the one localized by the bgs1 probe in strain EC1 were cloned and expressed in E. coli in plasmids pTAE and pCSF203, respectively. The restriction maps showed that the cloned genes were identical to eglS and bgs1. The restriction enzyme analysis and genomic DNA from all the strains identified nine different groups, each characterized by a distinctive pattern and in agreement with the results of the hybridization experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Marri
- Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Università di Siena, Italy
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12
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Abstract
A gene encoding the alpha-tubulin of Candida albicans has been cloned and characterized. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals the presence of an intron within the structural gene and predicts the synthesis of a polypeptide of 448 amino acid residues. Comparison of nucleotide and amino acid sequences with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-tubulin encoding genes shows a 75% homology and about 92% similarity respectively. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, C. albicans appears to possess only one gene for alpha-tubulin which is able to functionally complement a S. cerevisiae cold-sensitive tub1 mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Daly
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- T Irdani
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics Leo Pardi, University of Florence, Italy
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Perito B, Hanhart E, Irdani T, Iqbal M, McCarthy AJ, Mastromei G. Characterization and sequence analysis of a Streptomyces rochei A2 endoglucanase-encoding gene. Gene 1994; 148:119-24. [PMID: 7523249 DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(94)90244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A 7-kb fragment of Streptomyces rochei A2 chromosomal DNA was cloned into pAT153 and shown to confer endoglucanase (EglS) activity on Escherichia coli cells. In E. coli clones, the EglS was secreted into the periplasm. Deletion analysis revealed that an 827-bp fragment was enough for the enzymatic activity. Sequence analysis showed that the 827-bp fragment codes for the catalytic domain of the enzyme. The complete sequence of the gene (eglS) is 1149-bp long. A signal peptide, a catalytic domain and a cellulose-binding domain were identified from the nucleotide sequence, and the EglS found to belong to the family H of cellulase catalytic domains. These conclusions were substantiated by determination of the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein and zymogram analysis, which revealed protein species with a molecular mass equal to that deduced from the nt sequence analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Perito
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics Leo Pardi, University of Florence, Italy
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Abstract
The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)-encoding gene (DFR1) of Candida albicans was determined. The gene contains an open reading frame of 576 nt, coding for a protein of 192 amino acid (aa) residues (calculated M(r) 22,222), that is 38.5 and 31% similar to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human enzymes, respectively. The first 36 residues, at the N terminus, of the deduced aa sequence are identical to those determined by sequencing of the purified enzyme from C. albicans. Putative transcription start points were also determined. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis of the DFR1 chromosomal region suggests the presence of a single copy of the gene per haploid genome and shows a limited variability among the different C. albicans strains tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Daly
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florence, Italy
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Franceschi M, Denaro M, Irdani T, Lorenzetti R, Mastromei G, Skarmoutsou E, Polsinelli M. A dihydrofolate reductase gene from Candida albicans: molecular cloning. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1991; 64:179-82. [PMID: 1884978 DOI: 10.1016/0378-1097(91)90591-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The dihydrofolate reductase gene from Candida albicans has been cloned and partially characterized. A genomic bank from C. albicans strain 10127/5 was constructed in Escherichia coli and screened for trimethoprim resistance. A plasmid pMF1, carrying the resistance marker was isolated and characterized by restriction mapping and Southern blotting. Cells harbouring pMF1 were as sensitive as the parental cells to a wide spectrum of antibacterial agents, except for trimethoprim; the dihydrofolate reductase activity from these cells was trimethoprim resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Franceschi
- Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Firenze, Italy
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Franceschi M, Denaro M, Irdani T, Lorenzetti R, Mastromei G, Skarmoutsou E, Polsinelli M. A dihydrofolate reductase gene fromCandida albicans:molecular cloning. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1991. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04657.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Abstract
The skin venom of the yellow bellied toad Bombina variegata pachypus has an antimicrobial activity which seems to be correlated to the presence of a 6700 mol. wt polypeptide. This polypeptide was purified by electroelution from SDS-urea-polyacrylamide gels and characterized for its antimicrobial activity. A bactericidal action was detected at concentrations with little or no cytolytic effect. The determination of the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration showed that there was activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria and also against yeasts. The skin secretions of three other anuran species (Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea and Discoglossus pictus) were examined for the presence of antimicrobial activities. Only the Hyla arborea secretion exhibited antimicrobial properties. A small amount of a 6700 mol. wt polypeptide was detected among the Hyla secreted products.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Mastromei
- Dipartimento di Biologia animale e Genetica, Universitá degli studi di Firenze, Italy
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Mastromei G, Barberio C, Pistolesi S, Polsinelli M. Isolation of Bacillus subtilis transformation-deficient mutants and mapping of competence genes. Genet Res (Camb) 1989; 54:1-5. [PMID: 2509290 DOI: 10.1017/s0016672300028305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We have isolated and characterized 48 Bacillus subtilis competence-deficient mutants. The mutants, obtained by nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis or by insertional mutagenesis with transposon Tn917, had a reduced transformation frequency and a wild-type transduction frequency. The com mutations were mapped by PBS1 transduction and at least four new com genes have been identified. The mutants were also characterized for their capacity to bind and take up the transforming DNA.
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Barberio C, Delfino G, Mastromei G. A low molecular weight protein with antimicrobial activity in the cutaneous 'venom' of the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata pachypus). Toxicon 1987; 25:899-909. [PMID: 3672549 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(87)90250-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The cutaneous 'venom' was collected from dorsal skin fragments of the yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata pachypus by means of stimulation with noradrenaline. Light and electron microscope observations gave evidence that the 'venom' corresponds to the secretory products of both serous gland types (i.e. with small or large granules) characteristic of this genus, which had discharged their contents upon stimulation. The serous 'venom', when tested for antimicrobial activity, inhibited the growth of several bacterial strains. Heat treatment, dialysis, protease digestion and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed that the antimicrobial activity was thermostable and associated with a low molecular weight protein. This protein was purified and homogeneity determined by CM-cellulose chromatography and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The purified protein has a molecular weight of 6700, displays antibacterial properties and appears different from the antimicrobially active peptides previously isolated from the 'venom' of the toad.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Barberio
- Dipartimento di Biologia animale e Genetica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy
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Abstract
The synthesis of nucleases and proteins specific for competence development have been studied in four different Bacillus subtilis competence-deficient mutants. The nuclease analysis showed that two DNA-binding-deficient mutants were impaired in three nuclease activities involved in binding and entry of donor DNA. The other two strains did not show any reduction in nuclease activities. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the proteins, synthesized during competence development, revealed that all four mutants are lacking several competence-specific polypeptides. Our data show that these com mutations have a strong pleiotropic effect, which could be due to a block in the metabolic pathway leading to competence development.
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Mastromei G, Coppolecchia R, Barberio C, Polsinelli M. Effect of potassium phosphate onBacillus subtiliscompetence mutants. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1984. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb01454.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Valentini O, Biamonti G, Mastromei G, Riva S. Structural and functional heterogeneity of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins from calf thymus. Biochim Biophys Acta 1984; 782:147-55. [PMID: 6539127 DOI: 10.1016/0167-4781(84)90018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A new purification technique for 'single-stranded DNA-binding proteins' from calf thymus permits the demonstration of a considerable heterogeneity within these proteins. Several molecular species are obtained with Mr between 24.10(3) and 30.10(3) and pI values between 6 and 8, showing significant differences with regard to the following functional properties: strength of binding to single-stranded DNA; lowering of melting temperature of poly[d(A-T)]; stimulation of DNA polymerase alpha on a poly[d(A-T)] template. Analysis of trypsin digestion products demonstrates that the different molecular species share extensive primary sequence homology. Experiments with antibodies show that the different molecular species are antigenically related and that a 31 kDa protein present in low amounts in our preparations is very cross-reactive.
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Abstract
We isolated and characterized four Bacillus subtilis competence-deficient mutants. The mutants were obtained by nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis and by screening for mutants unable to be transformed both on solid and in liquid medium. Most of the mutants obtained in this way were tested for their sensitivity to the DNA-damaging agents methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, and UV light. Among the mutants which did not show an increased sensitivity to these agents, four were chosen for further characterization. Data were obtained which indicate that the mutants are reduced in chromosomal and plasmid transformation and in transfection, whereas they are not altered in transduction and in protoplast transformation. Transformation experiments carried out by mixing a culture of a mutant with a culture of a wild-type strain gave some complementation for competence with one of the strains. The mutants were also characterized for their capacity to bind, take up, and break down transforming DNA; furthermore, the four competence mutations were mapped, and the results indicate that they belong to four different genes.
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Mastromei G, Eliasson R, Reichard P. Stimulation of polyoma DNA replication in isolated nucleoprotein complexes by factors from Drosophila embryos. J Mol Biol 1981; 151:627-43. [PMID: 6276564 DOI: 10.1016/0022-2836(81)90427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Cobianchi F, Riva S, Mastromei G, Spadari S, Pedrali-Noy G, Falaschi A. Enhancement of the rate of DNA polymerase-alpha activity on duplex DNA by a DNA-binding protein and a DNA-dependent ATPase of mammalian cells. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 1979; 43 Pt 1:639-47. [PMID: 225121 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.1979.043.01.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Mastromei G, Riva S. SPP1 DNA replicative forms: growth of phage SPP1 in Bacillus subtilis mutants temperature-sensitive in DNA synthesis. Mol Gen Genet 1978; 167:157-64. [PMID: 104141 DOI: 10.1007/bf00266909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of bacteriophages SPP1 and phi 29 has been studied in several B. sutilis mutants defective in host DNA replication, under non permissive conditions. Several gene products, involved in the synthesis of host DNA, are required for phi 29 replication, while SPP1 seems to require only the host DNA polymerase III. In addition both phages are unable to grow in a dna A mutant (ribonucleotide reductase). Taking advantage of the fact that SPP1 DNA is actively replicated in several dna mutants at non-permissive temperature, we have studied the structure of the replicative intermediates of this phage in the absence of interfering host DNA synthesis. Fast sedimenting forms of SPP1 DNA can be isolated from phage infected cells and evidence of covalently joined concatemers has been obtained, suggesting the presence of terminally repeated sequences.
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Plevan P, Albertini AM, Galizzi A, Adamoli A, Mastromei G, Riva S, Cassani G. RNA polymerase from Bacillus subtilis: isolation of core and holo enzyme by DNA-cellulose chromatography. Nucleic Acids Res 1977; 4:603-23. [PMID: 405660 PMCID: PMC342466 DOI: 10.1093/nar/4.3.603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A new procedure for the purification of B. subtilis RNA polymerase, based on mild lysis of cells, low speed centrifugation, gel filtration, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose, yields three forms of enzyme referred here as enzyme A, B and C. As revealed by SDS gel electrophoresis, enzyme A has the subunit structure of core polymerase plus some small polypeptides. Its catalytic properties are similar to those of core polymerase. Enzyme B has the composition of core polymerase. Both enzymes A and B can be stimulated by the addition of beta factor. Enzyme C has the holo-enzyme composition. The pattern of sensitivity of the three forms of enzyme towards KCl are very different: enzymes A and B, even at low concentration of salt, are inhibited with all the DNA templates tested, whereas enzyme C shows a pattern of stimulation specific for each DNA tested. The transcripts of the three enzymes on phage SPP1 DNA template have been analyzed by hybridization to the separated strands. Only enzyme C selectively transcribed the H strands.
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Attolini C, Mazza G, Fortunato A, Ciarrocchi G, Mastromei G, Riva S, Falaschi A. On the identity of dnaP and dnaF genes of Bacillus subtilis. Mol Gen Genet 1976; 148:9-17. [PMID: 825719 DOI: 10.1007/bf00268540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The dnaP strains of Bacillus subtilis are altered in the initiation of DNA replication at high temperature (Riva et al., 1975). Fine mapping of the gene shows that it is located very close to the dnaF gene described by Karamata and Gross (1970) and mapped by Love et al. (1976) in the polC region. The phenotype of both mutants is indistinguishable: the DNA synthesis stops at non permissive temperature after synthesizing an amount of DNA equivalent to the completion of the rounds of replication already initiated; at permissive temperature they are abnormally sensitive to MMS and are reduced in the ability to be transformed. Both mutants are to be considered as belonging to the dnaF locus. The dnaF gene is very close to the polC gene, which specifies the DNA polymerase III of B. subtilis. The DNA polymerase III of the dnaF mutants is not temperature sensitive in vitro, however, the level of this enzyme is lower by a factor of 4 or 5 in the dnaF mutants, at the permissive temperature. Following shift of dnaF cultures to the non permissive temperature, the level of DNA polymerase III activity specifically decreases further by a factor of at least 10 in the mutant, whereas the DNA polymerase I level is unaffected. The possible roles of the dnaF gene in the control of the cellular level of the DNA polymerase III, and the possibility of a regulatory role of DNA polymerase III in the initiation of DNA replication in bacteria are discussed.
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Abstract
A Bacillus subtilis temperature-sensitive mutant (PB1653) has been isolated in which the rate of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis sharply decreases after shift to 45 degrees C. Both stable and unstable RNAs are affected by the mutation. The possibility that the block of transcription at high temperature could be due to a "stringent" effect, mediated by an increase in the concentration of "magic spot" nucleotides, has been ruled out. Treatment with chloramphenicol (or streptomycin) rapidly restores the rate of RNA synthesis at 45 degrees C. The synthesis of RNA in the mutant during the early phases of spore germination is not temperature sensitive. The phage-specific transcription during infection with SPP1 phage, at high temperature, is less affected than that of the bacterial chromosome. In vitro experiments indicate that, in the mutant at high temperature, RNA polymerase undergoes a change in template specificity. The rna-53 mutation has been located on the B. subtilis genetic map near the hisA locus.
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Riva S, van Sluis C, Mastromei G, Attolini C, Mazza G, Polsinelli M, Falaschi A. A new mutant of Bacillus subtilis altered in the initiation of chromosome replication. Mol Gen Genet 1975; 137:185-202. [PMID: 810658 DOI: 10.1007/bf00333015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have isolated a new mutant of Bacillus subtilis temperature sensitive in DNA replication; its properties are those of an initiation mutant. When liquid cultures are shifted to 48 degrees DNA replication is the first macromolecular synthesis that stops, but only after synthesis of the amount of DNA predicted for the completion of one replication round. When spores of the mutant are germinated and shifted to 48 degrees at subsequent times, one round of DNA replication is observed only when the shift occurs between 60 and 100 min; earlier shifts do not allow replication to start, later shifts allow more than one replication. The DNA replicated after a shift to high temperature is enriched in markers close to the terminus. The reinitiation of DNA replication stopped by the high temperature, takes place following a shift to a permissive temperature only if protein synthesis is allowed. Examination of DNA replication following toluene treatment shows that the elongation of DNA chains is not affected at the non-permissive temperature. This mutant is shown by PBS-1 mapping to correspond to a new gene denominated dna P, which is located between the thy A and fur A genes and is distinct from all the mapped dna and rec genes of Bacillus subtilis. The mutation confers to the cells also a deficiency in the ability to be transformed, to be transfected with SPP1 phage DNA, and to survive treatment with methyl-methane sulfonate. These deficiencies, observed at the permissive temperature, are no more temperature dependent than in the parental strain. The ability to perform homologous and heterologous transduction with PBS-1 phage and the sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation or mitomycin C are normal.
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Villani G, Mastromei G, Riva S. Membrane attachment of the chromosome in Bacillus subtilis mutants temperature-sensitive in DNA replication. Nucleic Acids Res 1974; 1:1775-82. [PMID: 4217445 PMCID: PMC343456 DOI: 10.1093/nar/1.12.1775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We have examined three mutants of Bacillussubtilis temperature sensitive in DNA initiation and one temperature sensitive in DNA elongation, in order to investigate whether these lesions can cause or can result in a detachment of the membrane-bound chromosomal region. Our results argue against any effect of the mutations examined on the association between the chromosome and the membrane.
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