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848300.9595Thermodynamic Surface Analyses to Inform Biofilm Resistance. Biofilms are the habitat of 95% of bacteria successfully protecting bacteria from many antibiotics. However, inhibiting biofilm formation is difficult in that it is a complex system involving the physical and chemical interaction of both substrate and bacteria. Focusing on the substrate surface and potential interactions with bacteria, we examined both physical and chemical properties of substrates coated with a series of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed smooth surfaces often approximating surgical grade steel. Induced biofilm growth of five separate bacteria on copolymer samples comprising varying concentrations of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives evidenced differing degrees of biofilm resistance via optical microscopy. Using goniometric surface analyses, the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good equation was solved linear algebraically to determine the surface energy profile of each polymerized phenyl acrylate monomer derivative, two bacteria, and collagen. Based on the microscopy and surface energy profiles, a thermodynamic explanation for biofilm resistance is posited.202033205020
823910.9554Surviving bacterial sibling rivalry: inducible and reversible phenotypic switching in Paenibacillus dendritiformis. Natural habitats vary in available nutrients and room for bacteria to grow, but successful colonization can lead to overcrowding and stress. Here we show that competing sibling colonies of Paenibacillus dendritiformis bacteria survive overcrowding by switching between two distinct vegetative phenotypes, motile rods and immotile cocci. Growing colonies of the rod-shaped bacteria produce a toxic protein, Slf, which kills cells of encroaching sibling colonies. However, sublethal concentrations of Slf induce some of the rods to switch to Slf-resistant cocci, which have distinct metabolic and resistance profiles, including resistance to cell wall antibiotics. Unlike dormant spores of P. dendritiformis, the cocci replicate. If cocci encounter conditions that favor rods, they secrete a signaling molecule that induces a switch to rods. Thus, in contrast to persister cells, P. dendritiformis bacteria adapt to changing environmental conditions by inducible and reversible phenotypic switching. IMPORTANCE: In favorable environments, species may face space and nutrient limits due to overcrowding. Bacteria provide an excellent model for analyzing principles underlying overcrowding and regulation of density in nature, since their population dynamics can be easily and accurately assessed under controlled conditions. We describe a newly discovered mechanism for survival of a bacterial population during overcrowding. When competing with sibling colonies, Paenibacillus dendritiformis produces a lethal protein (Slf) that kills cells at the interface of encroaching colonies. Slf also induces a small proportion of the cells to switch from motile, rod-shaped cells to nonmotile, Slf-resistant, vegetative cocci. When crowding is reduced and nutrients are no longer limiting, the bacteria produce a signal that induces cocci to switch back to motile rods, allowing the population to spread. Genes encoding components of this phenotypic switching pathway are widespread among bacterial species, suggesting that this survival mechanism is not unique to P. dendritiformis.201121628502
50920.9550A novel toxoflavin-quenching regulation in bacteria and its application to resistance cultivars. The toxoflavin (Txn), broad host range phytotoxin produced by a variety of bacteria, including Burkholderia glumae, is a key pathogenicity factor of B. glumae in rice and field crops. Two bacteria exhibiting Txn-degrading activity were isolated from healthy rice seeds and identified as Sphingomonas adhaesiva and Agrobacterium sp. respectively. The genes stdR and stdA, encoding proteins responsible for Txn degradation of both bacterial isolates, were identical, indicating that horizontal gene transfer occurred between microbial communities in the same ecosystem. We identified a novel Txn-quenching regulation of bacteria, demonstrating that the LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR) StdR induces the expression of the stdA, which encodes a Txn-degrading enzyme, in the presence of Txn as a coinducer. Here we show that the bacterial StdR(Txn) -quenching regulatory system mimics the ToxR(Txn) -mediated biosynthetic regulation of B. glumae. Substrate specificity investigations revealed that Txn is the only coinducer of StdR and that StdA has a high degree of specificity for Txn. Rice plants expressing StdA showed Txn resistance. Collectively, bacteria mimic the mechanism of Txn biosynthesis regulation, employ it in the development of a Txn-quenching regulatory system and share it with neighbouring bacteria for survival in rice environments full of Txn.202134009736
823430.9543Contradictory roles for antibody and complement in the interaction of Brucella abortus with its host. The ability of serum complement to kill bacteria has been linked to host resistance to Gram-negative bacteria. A mechanism for killing extracellular organisms during early invasion, following release from infected phagocytic cells, or during bacteremia would contribute to a host's ability to resist disease. In fact, the ability of serum complement to kill bacteria has been linked to disease resistance. Brucella abortus are Gram-negative intracellular pathogens. Resistance to these bacteria involves the coordinated activities of the cellular and humoral immune systems. The existence of serum-resistant forms of B. abortus has been established, and it has been shown that these bacteria can resist the killing action of complement even in the presence of specific antibody. Antibody is usually necessary for complement-mediated killing of smooth (virulent) forms of Gram-negative bacteria. An anomolous situation exists with some isolates of smooth B. abortus. Sera containing high titers of specific antibody do not support killing unless they are diluted. In the bovine, this phenomenon is associated with IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies. This finding may account for the lack of positive correlation between antibody levels and resistance to disease, which has led, perhaps wrongly, to the idea that antibody and complement are not important in resistance to brucellosis. Available evidence suggests that antibody may have contradictory roles in the interactions between a host and bacteria. Avirulent (rough) forms of the organism would be rapidly killed by complement shortly after invasion, but serum-resistant smooth forms of the organism would survive and invade resident phagocytic cells. During the process of invasion and phagocytosis, the bacteria would initiate an immune response. With time, some B. abortus organisms would be released from infected phagocytic cells. In the early stages of this process, the bacteria would encounter IgM antibody and low concentrations of IgG antibody. These would cause complement-mediated killing, and infection would be restricted to resident phagocytic cells. However, the immune response to B. abortus antigens would be intensified, and IgG antibody levels would increase. High concentrations of antibody do no support complement-mediated killing of extracellular B. abortus, but the bacteria would be opsonized by antibody and complement component fragments. This would lead to increased phagocytosis of extracellular B. abortus as they appear, and concomitant extension of disease. Because of high levels of antibody would block complement-mediated killing of B. abortus, resistance to disease at this point would be dependent on cell-mediated immunity.19958845060
842540.9537Carotenoid biosynthesis in extremophilic Deinococcus-Thermus bacteria. Bacteria from the phylum Deinococcus-Thermus are known for their resistance to extreme stresses including radiation, oxidation, desiccation and high temperature. Cultured Deinococcus-Thermus bacteria are usually red or yellow pigmented because of their ability to synthesize carotenoids. Unique carotenoids found in these bacteria include deinoxanthin from Deinococcus radiodurans and thermozeaxanthins from Thermus thermophilus. Investigations of carotenogenesis will help to understand cellular stress resistance of Deinococcus-Thermus bacteria. Here, we discuss the recent progress toward identifying carotenoids, carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes and pathways in some species of Deinococcus-Thermus extremophiles. In addition, we also discuss the roles of carotenoids in these extreme bacteria.201020832321
936450.9536Predictable properties of fitness landscapes induced by adaptational tradeoffs. Fitness effects of mutations depend on environmental parameters. For example, mutations that increase fitness of bacteria at high antibiotic concentration often decrease fitness in the absence of antibiotic, exemplifying a tradeoff between adaptation to environmental extremes. We develop a mathematical model for fitness landscapes generated by such tradeoffs, based on experiments that determine the antibiotic dose-response curves of Escherichia coli strains, and previous observations on antibiotic resistance mutations. Our model generates a succession of landscapes with predictable properties as antibiotic concentration is varied. The landscape is nearly smooth at low and high concentrations, but the tradeoff induces a high ruggedness at intermediate antibiotic concentrations. Despite this high ruggedness, however, all the fitness maxima in the landscapes are evolutionarily accessible from the wild type. This implies that selection for antibiotic resistance in multiple mutational steps is relatively facile despite the complexity of the underlying landscape.202032423531
53960.9534A role of ygfZ in the Escherichia coli response to plumbagin challenge. Plumbagin is found in many herbal plants and inhibits the growth of various bacteria. Escherichia coli strains are relatively resistant to this drug. The mechanism of resistance is not clear. Previous findings showed that plumbagin treatment triggered up-regulation of many genes in E. coli including ahpC, mdaB, nfnB, nfo, sodA, yggX and ygfZ. By analyzing minimal inhibition concentration and inhibition zones of plumbagin in various gene-disruption mutants, ygfZ and sodA were found critical for the bacteria to resist plumbagin toxicity. We also found that the roles of YgfZ and SodA in detoxifying plumbagin are independent of each other. This is because of the fact that ectopically expressed SodA reduced the superoxide stress but not restore the resistance of bacteria when encountering plumbagin at the absence of ygfZ. On the other hand, an ectopically expressed YgfZ was unable to complement and failed to rescue the plumbagin resistance when sodA was perturbed. Furthermore, mutagenesis analysis showed that residue Cys228 within YgfZ fingerprint region was critical for the resistance of E. coli to plumbagin. By solvent extraction and HPLC analysis to follow the fate of the chemical, it was found that plumbagin vanished apparently from the culture of YgfZ-expressing E. coli. A less toxic form, methylated plumbagin, which may represent one of the YgfZ-dependent metabolites, was found in the culture supernatant of the wild type E. coli but not in the ΔygfZ mutant. Our results showed that the presence of ygfZ is not only critical for the E coli resistance to plumbagin but also facilitates the plumbagin degradation.201021059273
57070.9533Genetic instability and methylation tolerance in colon cancer. Microsatellite instability was first identified in colon cancer and later shown to be due to mutations in genes responsible for correction of DNA mismatches. Several human mismatch correction genes that are homologous to those of yeast and bacteria have been identified and are mutated in families affected by the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) syndrome. Similar alterations have been also found in some sporadic colorectal cancers. The mismatch repair pathway corrects DNA replication errors and repair-defective colorectal carcinoma cell lines exhibit a generalized mutator phenotype. An additional consequence of mismatch repair defects is cellular resistance, or tolerance, to certain DNA damaging agents.19968967715
61580.9533Escherichia coli RclA is a highly active hypothiocyanite reductase. Hypothiocyanite and hypothiocyanous acid (OSCN(-)/HOSCN) are pseudohypohalous acids released by the innate immune system which are capable of rapidly oxidizing sulfur-containing amino acids, causing significant protein aggregation and damage to invading bacteria. HOSCN is abundant in saliva and airway secretions and has long been considered a highly specific antimicrobial that is nearly harmless to mammalian cells. However, certain bacteria, commensal and pathogenic, are able to escape damage by HOSCN and other harmful antimicrobials during inflammation, which allows them to continue to grow and, in some cases, cause severe disease. The exact genes or mechanisms by which bacteria respond to HOSCN have not yet been elucidated. We have found, in Escherichia coli, that the flavoprotein RclA, previously implicated in reactive chlorine resistance, reduces HOSCN to thiocyanate with near-perfect catalytic efficiency and strongly protects E. coli against HOSCN toxicity. This is notable in E. coli because this species thrives in the chronically inflamed environment found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and is able to compete with and outgrow other important commensal organisms, suggesting that HOSCN may be a relevant antimicrobial in the gut, which has not previously been explored. RclA is conserved in a variety of epithelium-colonizing bacteria, implicating its HOSCN reductase activity in a variety of host-microbe interactions. We show that an rclA mutant of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri is sensitive to HOSCN and that RclA homologs from Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron all have potent protective activity against HOSCN when expressed in E. coli.202235867824
58290.9533Sulfane Sulfur Is a Strong Inducer of the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Regulator MarR in Escherichia coli. Sulfane sulfur, including persulfide and polysulfide, is produced from the metabolism of sulfur-containing organic compounds or from sulfide oxidation. It is a normal cellular component, participating in signaling. In bacteria, it modifies gene regulators to activate the expression of genes involved in sulfur metabolism. However, to determine whether sulfane sulfur is a common signal in bacteria, additional evidence is required. The ubiquitous multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family of regulators controls the expression of numerous genes, but the intrinsic inducers are often elusive. Recently, two MarR family members, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MexR and Staphylococcus aureus MgrA, have been reported to sense sulfane sulfur. Here, we report that Escherichia coli MarR, the prototypical member of the family, also senses sulfane sulfur to form one or two disulfide or trisulfide bonds between two dimers. Although the tetramer with two disulfide bonds does not bind to its target DNA, our results suggest that the tetramer with one disulfide bond does bind to its target DNA, with reduced affinity. An MarR-repressed mKate reporter is strongly induced by polysulfide in E. coli. Further investigation is needed to determine whether sulfane sulfur is a common signal of the family members, but three members sense cellular sulfane sulfur to turn on antibiotic resistance genes. The findings offer additional support for a general signaling role of sulfane sulfur in bacteria.202134829649
8865100.9532Resistance of Dickeya solani strain IPO 2222 to lytic bacteriophage ΦD5 results in fitness tradeoffs for the bacterium during infection. Resistance to bacteriophage infections protects bacteria in phage-replete environments, enabling them to survive and multiply in the presence of their viral predators. However, such resistance may confer costs for strains, reducing their ecological fitness as expressed as competitiveness for resources or virulence or both. There is limited knowledge about such costs paid by phage-resistant plant pathogenic bacteria in their natural habitats. This study analyzed the costs of phage resistance paid by the phytopathogenic pectinolytic bacterium Dickeya solani both in vitro and in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants. Thirteen Tn5 mutants of D. solani IPO 2222 were identified that exhibited resistance to infection by lytic bacteriophage vB_Dsol_D5 (ΦD5). The genes disrupted in these mutants encoded proteins involved in the synthesis of bacterial envelope components (viz. LPS, EPS and capsule). Although phage resistance did not affect most of the phenotypes of ΦD5-resistant D. solani such as growth rate, production of effectors, swimming and swarming motility, use of various carbon and nitrogen sources and biofilm formation evaluated in vitro, all phage resistant mutants were significantly compromised in their ability to survive on leaf surfaces as well as to grow within and cause disease symptoms in potato plants.202235750797
201110.9531Hyaluronic Acid--an "Old" Molecule with "New" Functions: Biosynthesis and Depolymerization of Hyaluronic Acid in Bacteria and Vertebrate Tissues Including during Carcinogenesis. Hyaluronic acid is an evolutionarily ancient molecule commonly found in vertebrate tissues and capsules of some bacteria. Here we review modern data regarding structure, properties, and biological functions of hyaluronic acid in mammals and Streptococcus spp. bacteria. Various aspects of biogenesis and degradation of hyaluronic acid are discussed, biosynthesis and degradation metabolic pathways for glycosaminoglycan together with involved enzymes are described, and vertebrate and bacterial hyaluronan synthase genes are characterized. Special attention is given to the mechanisms underlying the biological action of hyaluronic acid as well as the interaction between polysaccharide and various proteins. In addition, all known signaling pathways involving hyaluronic acid are outlined. Impaired hyaluronic acid metabolism, changes in biopolymer molecular weight, hyaluronidase activity, and enzyme isoforms often accompany carcinogenesis. The interaction between cells and hyaluronic acid from extracellular matrix that may be important during malignant change is discussed. An expected role for high molecular weight hyaluronic acid in resistance of naked mole rat to oncologic diseases and the protective role of hyaluronic acid in bacteria are discussed.201526555463
241120.9530A color-based competition assay for studying bacterial stress responses in Micrococcus luteus. Competition assays measure differences between populations of bacteria after stress adaptation, populations of different bacteria and mutations in antibiotic resistance genes. We have developed a competition-based assay to evaluate if genes upregulated under starvation are important for bacterial survival. Stress responses are critical for survival in non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria alike including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Enterococcus fecaelis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Unfortunately, most stress-survival proteins are poorly understood because suitable model bacteria and techniques are limited. To address this problem, we have engineered Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665 (M. luteus) for competition assays by inactivating the sarcinaxanthin biosynthesis gene crtE (ΔcrtE), changing M. luteus colonies from yellow to white. This change allows easy identification in mixed cultures. The crtE knockout is relatively neutral for growth in complex and minimal acetate media and shows a measured fitness of one in competition with yellow wild-type bacteria. The ΔcrtE M. luteus competition assay identified a competition defect in a M. luteus strain when a specific universal stress protein was inactivated, suggesting a negative survival phenotype for this protein. We anticipate this competition assay can identify defects in other gene knockouts and mutational studies in M. luteus and will enhance our understanding of bacterial survival mechanisms.201930865770
77130.9529A pathogen-inducible patatin-like lipid acyl hydrolase facilitates fungal and bacterial host colonization in Arabidopsis. Genes and proteins related to patatin, the major storage protein of potato tubers, have been identified in many plant species and shown to be induced by a variety of environmental stresses. The Arabidopsis patatin-like gene family (PLPs) comprises nine members, two of which (PLP2 and PLP7) are strongly induced in leaves challenged with fungal and bacterial pathogens. Here we show that accumulation of PLP2 protein in response to Botrytis cinerea or Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (avrRpt2) is dependent on jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling, but is not dependent on salicylic acid. Expression of a PLP2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein and analysis of recombinant PLP2 indicates that PLP2 encodes a cytoplasmic lipid acyl hydrolase with wide substrate specificity. Transgenic plants with altered levels of PLP2 protein were generated and assayed for pathogen resistance. Plants silenced for PLP2 expression displayed enhanced resistance to B. cinerea, whereas plants overexpressing PLP2 were much more sensitive to this necrotrophic fungus. We also established a positive correlation between the level of PLP2 expression in transgenic plants and cell death or damage in response to paraquat treatment or infection by avirulent P. syringae. Interestingly, repression of PLP2 expression increased resistance to avirulent bacteria, while PLP2-overexpressing plants multiplied avirulent bacteria close to the titers reached by virulent bacteria. Collectively, the data indicate that PLP2-encoded lipolytic activity can be exploited by pathogens with different lifestyles to facilitate host colonization. In particular PLP2 potentiates plant cell death inflicted by Botrytis and reduces the efficiency of the hypersensitive response in restricting the multiplication of avirulent bacteria. Both effects are possibly mediated by providing fatty acid precursors of bioactive oxylipins.200516297072
8829140.9529VtaA8 and VtaA9 from Haemophilus parasuis delay phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages. Haemophilus parasuis, a member of the family Pasteurellaceae, is a common inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs and the etiological agent of Glässer's disease. As other virulent Pasteurellaceae, H. parasuis can prevent phagocytosis, but the bacterial factors involved in this virulence mechanism are not known. In order to identify genes involved in phagocytosis resistance, we constructed a genomic library of the highly virulent reference strain Nagasaki and clones were selected by increased survival after incubation with porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM). Two clones containing two virulent-associated trimeric autotransporter (VtaA) genes, vtaA8 and vtaA9, respectively, were selected by this method. A reduction in the interaction of the two clones with the macrophages was detected by flow cytometry. Monoclonal antibodies were produced and used to demonstrate the presence of these proteins on the bacterial surface of the corresponding clone, and on the H. parasuis phagocytosis-resistant strain PC4-6P. The effect of VtaA8 and VtaA9 in the trafficking of the bacteria through the endocytic pathway was examined by fluorescence microscopy and a delay was detected in the localization of the vtaA8 and vtaA9 clones in acidic compartments. These results are compatible with a partial inhibition of the routing of the bacteria via the degradative phagosome. Finally, antibodies against a common epitope in VtaA8 and VtaA9 were opsonic and promoted phagocytosis of the phagocytosis-resistant strain PC4-6P by PAM. Taken together, these results indicate that VtaA8 and VtaA9 are surface proteins that play a role in phagocytosis resistance of H. parasuis.201222839779
723150.9528Ail and PagC-related proteins in the entomopathogenic bacteria of Photorhabdus genus. Among pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, the proteins of the Ail/OmpX/PagC family form a steadily growing family of outer membrane proteins with diverse biological properties, potentially involved in virulence such as human serum resistance, adhesion and entry into eukaryotic culture cells. We studied the proteins Ail/OmpX/PagC in the bacterial Photorhabdus genus. The Photorhabdus bacteria form symbiotic complexes with nematodes of Heterorhabditis species, associations which are pathogenic to insect larvae. Our phylogenetic analysis indicated that in Photorhabdus asymbiotica and Photorhabdus luminescens only Ail and PagC proteins are encoded. The genomic analysis revealed that the Photorhabdus ail and pagC genes were present in a unique copy, except two ail paralogs from P. luminescens. These genes, referred to as ail1Pl and ail2Pl, probably resulted from a recent tandem duplication. Surprisingly, only ail1Pl expression was directly controlled by PhoPQ and low external Mg2+ conditions. In P. luminescens, the magnesium-sensing two-component regulatory system PhoPQ regulates the outer membrane barrier and is required for pathogenicity against insects. In order to characterize Ail functions in Photorhabdus, we showed that only ail2Pl and pagCPl had the ability, when expressed into Escherichia coli, to confer resistance to complement in human serum. However no effect in resistance to antimicrobial peptides was found. Thus, the role of Ail and PagC proteins in Photorhabdus life cycle is discussed.201425333642
8195160.9527Comparative proteomics reveals essential mechanisms for osmotolerance in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. Plant growth-promoting bacteria are a promising alternative to improve agricultural sustainability. Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is an osmotolerant bacterium able to colonize several plant species, including sugarcane, coffee, and rice. Despite its biotechnological potential, the mechanisms controlling such osmotolerance remain unclear. The present study investigated the key mechanisms of resistance to osmotic stress in G. diazotrophicus. The molecular pathways regulated by the stress were investigated by comparative proteomics, and proteins essential for resistance were identified by knock-out mutagenesis. Proteomics analysis led to identify regulatory pathways for osmotic adjustment, de novo saturated fatty acids biosynthesis, and uptake of nutrients. The mutagenesis analysis showed that the lack of AccC protein, an essential component of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis, severely affected G. diazotrophicus resistance to osmotic stress. Additionally, knock-out mutants for nutrients uptake (Δtbdr and ΔoprB) and compatible solutes synthesis (ΔmtlK and ΔotsA) became more sensitive to osmotic stress. Together, our results identified specific genes and mechanisms regulated by osmotic stress in an osmotolerant bacterium, shedding light on the essential role of cell envelope and extracytoplasmic proteins for osmotolerance.202133035671
9735170.9526Arms race and fluctuating selection dynamics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria coevolving with phage OMKO1. Experimental evolution studies have examined coevolutionary dynamics between bacteria and lytic phages, where two models for antagonistic coevolution dominate: arms-race dynamics (ARD) and fluctuating-selection dynamics (FSD). Here, we tested the ability for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to coevolve with phage OMKO1 during 10 passages in the laboratory, whether ARD versus FSD coevolution occurred, and how coevolution affected a predicted phenotypic trade-off between phage resistance and antibiotic sensitivity. We used a unique "deep" sampling design, where 96 bacterial clones per passage were obtained from the three replicate coevolving communities. Next, we examined phenotypic changes in growth ability, susceptibility to phage infection and resistance to antibiotics. Results confirmed that the bacteria and phages coexisted throughout the study with one community undergoing ARD, whereas the other two showed evidence for FSD. Surprisingly, only the ARD bacteria demonstrated the anticipated trade-off. Whole genome sequencing revealed that treatment populations of bacteria accrued more de novo mutations, relative to a control bacterial population. Additionally, coevolved bacteria presented mutations in genes for biosynthesis of flagella, type-IV pilus and lipopolysaccharide, with three mutations fixing contemporaneously with the occurrence of the phenotypic trade-off in the ARD-coevolved bacteria. Our study demonstrates that both ARD and FSD coevolution outcomes are possible in a single interacting bacteria-phage system and that occurrence of predicted phage-driven evolutionary trade-offs may depend on the genetics underlying evolution of phage resistance in bacteria. These results are relevant for the ongoing development of lytic phages, such as OMKO1, in personalized treatment of human patients, as an alternative to antibiotics.202236168737
6170180.9525Resistance and susceptibility of mice to bacterial infection. IV. Functional specificity in natural resistance to facultative intracellular bacteria. The effect of opsonic antibody on resistance of susceptibility of three strains of mice, C57Bl/10, BALB/c, and CBA to the intracellular bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Brucella abortus was tested. Bacteria were opsonized by serum treatment before their injection into mice, or the mice were preimmunized by injection with alcohol killed bacteria which induces antibody without macrophage activation. Antibody did not increase the rate of clearance of Listeria from the bloodstream, nor did it affect the subsequent growth of that organism in the spleen and liver. Blood clearance of S. typhimurium and of B. abortus was increased by preopsonization with specific antibody, indicating that opsonins were a limiting factor in resistance to these two bacteria. However, neither opsonization before infection nor immunization with alcohol killed vaccines had any effect on the strain distribution of resistance/susceptibility, which differs for each of the three intracellular pathogens. Thus, even in the presence of adequate opsonization the three strains of mice showed different patterns of resistance/susceptibility to Listeria, S. typhimurium, and B. abortus. This implies that each has a unique cellular mechanism of early nonspecific resistance.19836413682
571190.9525Alternative periplasmic copper-resistance mechanisms in Gram negative bacteria. Bacteria have evolved different systems to tightly control both cytosolic and envelope copper concentration to fulfil their requirements and at the same time, avoid copper toxicity. We have previously demonstrated that, as in Escherichia coli, the Salmonella cue system protects the cytosol from copper excess. On the other hand, and even though Salmonella lacks the CusCFBA periplasmic copper efflux system, it can support higher copper concentrations than E. coli under anaerobic conditions. Here we show that the Salmonella cue regulon is also responsible for the control of copper toxicity in anaerobiosis. We establish that resistance in this condition requires a novel CueR-controlled gene named cueP. A DeltacueP mutant is highly susceptible to copper in the absence of oxygen, but shows a faint phenotype in aerobic conditions unless other copper-resistance genes are also deleted, resembling the E. coli CusCFBA behaviour. Species that contain a cueP homologue under CueR regulation have no functional CusR/CusS-dependent Cus-coding operon. Conversely, species that carry a CusR/CusS-regulated cus operon have no cueP homologues. Even more, we show that the CueR-controlled cueP expression increases copper resistance of a Deltacus E. coli. We posit that CueP can functionally replace the Cus complex for periplasmic copper resistance, in particular under anaerobic conditions.200919538445