鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒对生物膜形成的影响

目的:鼠伤寒沙门菌在多种表面形成的生物膜对其致病性和引起食物中毒等方面起着重要作用,本研究探讨鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒对细菌在不同材质表面生物膜形成的影响。方法:用LB(Luria-Bertani,LB)培养基和TSB(Tryptose Soya Broth,TSB)培养基分别将携带pStSR100质粒的野生株在96孔板与放置无菌小圆玻片的24孔板中静态培养48 h,用结晶紫半定量法确定生物膜形成的适宜培养基。将野生株与消除质粒的突变株,用结晶紫半定量法和激光共聚焦显微镜(Confocal Laser scanning microscopy,CLSM)观察其在聚苯乙烯培养板和小圆玻片表面形成生物膜的差异。结果:用LB培养时细菌生物膜的形成能力高于用TSB培养,LB培养基更适宜生物膜形成;结晶紫半定量法结果表明野生株比突变株在小圆玻片表面形成生物膜的能力明显增强,而在聚苯乙烯培养板表面两者则无明显差异;CLSM观察发现,野生株在小圆玻片表面形成融合成片的大克隆,突变株仅形成较小克隆。结论:鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒能促进该菌在亲水性材质表面生物膜的形成,但其对该菌在疏水性材质表面生物膜的形成未见明显影响,这一新发现为进一步研究鼠伤寒沙门菌生物膜形成的调控机制,研制抗感染材料提供了理论和实验依据。     

大肠杆菌精氨酰tRNA合成酶基因（argS）的上游非编码区存在一个负调控区

含大肠杆菌精氨酰tRNA合成酶（ArgRS）基因(argS）的pUC18重组质粒,在大肠杆菌TG1转化子中能够高表达ArgRS近1000倍。为了研究大肠杆菌argS的表达调控,构建了一系列的缺失突变。分别缺失全部上游序列（argS△1）、Shine-Dalgarno（SD）区（argS△2）和缺失启动子－10区下游（相当于翻译起始位点－65nt,argS△3）前的上游序列后的变种argS都不能表达ArgRS。而缺失－122nt（距翻译起始位点－180nt,argS△8）、－70nt（距翻译起始位点－128nt,argS△7）、－52nt（距翻译起始位点－110nt,argS△6）、－35区9距翻译起始位点－94nt,argS△5）、启动子－10区（距翻译起始位点－71nt,argS△4）前的上游序列后,这些缺失突变基因的表达水平与野生型argS接近。但argS△4、argS△5、argS△6都会形成部分包涵体。通过RNA斑点杂交测定发现,argS△4、argS△5和argS△6的mRNA转录量为argS及argS△7的2到3倍。即－52nt和－70nt之间的19个碱基（AATAGTGAAAACGGCAATA)可能是大肠杆菌argS舞场康负调控区。该元件的缺失将使得ArgRS过快表达并导致部分蛋白质形成包涵体。凝胶阻滞分析也发现在细胞粗抽液中有一个因子可以专一地与这个负调控元件结合,它可能参与该基因的表达调控。精氨酸专一性地诱导argS的转录,其作用与上述转录负调控区相关。     

鼠疫菌OxyR调控子蛋白对dps的转录调控机制

[目的]利用分子生物学实验研究鼠疫菌调控子OxyR对dps的转录调控机制.[方法]提取鼠疫菌野生株(WT)和oxyR突变株(ΔoxyR)的总RNA,采用引物延伸实验研究dps的转录起始位点,并根据产物的丰度判断OxyR对dps的调控关系.进一步采用实时定量RT-PCR的方法验证OxyR对dps的调控关系.PCR扩增dps的整个启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-OxyR蛋白,通过凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)验证OxyR对dps启动子区是否具有直接的相互作用.利用大肠杆菌OxyR识别基序,预测鼠疫菌OxyR对dps启动子区的结合位点,从而得出鼠疫菌OxyR对dps的转录调控机制.[结果]鼠疫菌dps有一个转录起始位点G(-40)(翻译起始位点为+1),其转录表达受OxyR的激活;体外实验及生物信息学预测结果表明OxyR能结合到dps启动子区-111到-78之间的碱基上.[结论]OxyR能直接结合到dps启动子区而激活其转录表达.     

鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒对生物膜形成的影响

目的：鼠伤寒沙门菌在多种表面形成的生物膜对其致病性和引起食物中毒等方面起着重要作用,本研究探讨鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒对细菌在不同材质表面生物膜形成的影响。方法：用LB（Lufia—Bertani,LB）培养基和TSB（TryptoseSoyaBroth,TSB）培养基分别将携带pStSR100质粒的野生株在96孔板与放置无菌小圆玻片的24孔板中静态培养48h,用结晶紫半定量法确定生物膜形成的适宜培养基。将野生株与消除质粒的突变株,用结晶紫半定量法和激光共聚焦显微镜（ConfocalLaserscanningmicroscopy,CLSM）观察其在聚苯乙烯培养板和小圆玻片表面形成生物膜的差异。结果：用LB培养时细菌生物膜的形成能力高于用TSB培养,LB培养基更适宜生物膜形成;结晶紫半定量法结果表明野生株比突变株在小圆玻片表面形成生物膜的能力明显增强,而在聚苯乙烯培养板表面两者则无明显差异;CLSM观察发现,野生株在小圆玻片表面形成融合成片的大克隆,突变株仅形成较小克隆。结论：鼠伤寒沙门菌pStSR100质粒能促进该茵在亲水性材质表面生物膜的形成,但其对该菌在疏水性材质表面生物膜的形成未见明显影响,这一新发现为进一步研究鼠伤寒沙门菌生物膜形成的调控机制,研制抗感染材料提供了理论和实验依据。     

荧光假单胞菌2P24中PcoI-PcoR群体感应系统的自体反馈调控

荧光假单胞菌2P24的PcoI-PcoR 群体感应(QS)系统信号合成基因pcoI的表达受多种因子的调控, 其中GacS-GacA双因子调控系统在转录水平正调控信号合成基因pcoI的表达。为进一步研究QS系统调控因子, 将2P24基因组文库转入gacA缺失的pcoI基因转录报告菌株PM203 (pcoI-lacZ, gacA-), 筛选可提高pcoI表达的基因。结果表明粘粒pP32-24可显著提高pcoI转录水平, 亚克隆实验证明其中的功能基因为pcoI; 外源添加标准信号分子3-氧-己酰高丝氨酸内酯(3-oxo-C8-HSL)同样可显著提高pcoI基因的表达, 表明pcoI基因的表达对自身有正调控作用。同时构建了QS系统的另外一个组分pcoR基因的缺失突变体, pcoR基因缺失后pcoI的表达和N-乙酰高丝氨酸内酯信号分子(AHL)的产量明显低于野生菌株及其互补菌株, 并显著降低该菌株的生物膜(Biofilm)形成能力。这些结果表明菌株2P24的PcoI-PcoR QS系统中, 信号合成基因pcoI的表达受自体反馈调控, pcoR基因参与pcoI基因表达的调控以及生物膜的形成。     

鼠伤寒沙门菌baeSR基因缺失株的构建及其对抗生素敏感性分析

【背景】沙门菌的多重耐药现象日渐严重,对其耐药机理的研究尤为迫切,双组分系统与细菌耐药性密切相关。【目的】构建鼠伤寒沙门菌baeSR基因缺失株及回补株,探究双组分系统BaeSR对鼠伤寒沙门菌耐药性的影响。【方法】以鼠伤寒沙门菌体外诱导耐药株CR为研究对象,通过自杀质粒p LP12介导的同源重组方法,以氯霉素抗性标记和阿拉伯糖诱导的致死基因vmt进行正、反向双重筛选,获得基因缺失株CRΔbaeSR,并将重组表达质粒pBAD-baeSR转化于CRΔbaeSR构建回补株CR CΔbaeSR。采用微量肉汤稀释法测定11种常见代表药物对野生株、缺失株及回补株的最小抑菌浓度(Minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC),并测定3株菌的生长曲线、运动性及生物膜形成能力。【结果】与野生株相比,环丙沙星(CIP)、恩诺沙星(ENR)、沙拉沙星(SAR)、头孢噻呋(CEF)、庆大霉素(GEN)、阿米卡星(AMK)、安普霉素(APR)对缺失株的MIC值有所下降;缺失株的生长速率稍显缓慢,且最终浓度也相对较低,但并无统计学上的显著差异(P0.05);缺失株的运动性(P0.05)及生物膜形成能力(P0.01)均显著下降。【结论】鼠伤寒沙门菌baeSR基因缺失后,可通过影响其运动性及生物膜形成能力而对抗生素的敏感性产生影响。     

鼠伤寒沙门菌六型分泌系统效应蛋白Clpv对巨噬细胞极化的影响北大核心

【目的】探讨Ⅵ型分泌系统(typeⅥsecretion system,T6SS)效应蛋白Clpv在鼠伤寒沙门菌(Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium)致病过程中的功能。【方法】以鼠伤寒沙门菌SL1344基因组为模板克隆clpv基因,并比较与其他革兰氏阴性菌台湾假单胞菌(Pseudomonas taiwanensis)、植生拉乌尔菌(Raoultella planticola)、鳗利斯顿氏菌(Listonella anguillarum)、菠萝多源菌(Pantoea ananatis)、粘放线菌(Actinomyces viscosus)和大肠埃希菌(Escherichia coli)的同源性;将clpv基因克隆至pEGFP-N1载体构建重组质粒pEGFP-Clpv,利用Western blotting、实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,q-PCR)、荧光显微镜以及流式细胞术检测蛋白表达、定位及诱导小鼠巨噬细胞M1型和M2型极化水平。【结果】clpv基因全长为2637 bp,与台湾假单胞菌的同源性最高;Western blotting、qPCR和免疫荧光检测表明重组蛋白大小约120 kDa,在细胞中有明显绿色荧光并且主要定位于细胞膜;q-PCR和流式细胞术结果发现Clpv转染组巨噬细胞M1型极化显著增加(P<0.01),M2型巨噬细胞极化显著减少(P<0.01)。【结论】成功克隆表达鼠伤寒沙门菌T6SS效应蛋白Clpv,并明确其胞内表达定位以及对巨噬细胞极化的影响。     

伤寒沙门菌基因组DNA芯片的制备与基因表达谱分析应用

伤寒沙门菌是一种具有鞭毛的革兰阴性人类肠道致病菌,也是一种重要的原核生物研究用模式菌．基因组芯片能够系统、全面且高效地观察生物的基因表达及进行基因组结构比较．利用伤寒沙门菌现有的全基因组序列,以Ty2菌株的基因组为基准,选取CT18菌株和z66阳性菌株的特异性蛋白编码基因,设计特异性引物,经PCR有效扩增出4 201个基因,产物纯化后点样于多聚赖氨酸玻片制备伤寒沙门菌基因组DNA芯片,并验证了芯片样点位次与效果．通过对基因表达谱分析的各种条件进行优化,建立相应的表达谱分析方法,并用于比较伤寒沙门菌野生株在高渗、低渗条件下的基因表达差异,结果与以前的报道基本一致．结果表明,成功建立了伤寒沙门菌基因组DNA芯片及表达谱分析方法,可为有关伤寒沙门菌基因表达调控及致病性机理、进化和基因多样性等方面的深入研究提供有效的技术支持．     

假定调控蛋白STM14_3514可降低鼠伤寒沙门菌对上皮细胞的侵袭力

【目的】研究鼠伤寒沙门菌致病岛1(SPI-1)内部的假定调控蛋白STM14_3514的功能及其作用机制。【方法】以鼠伤寒沙门菌模式菌株ATCC 14028为亲本株,构建了STM14_3514基因的缺失突变体及互补菌株,通过小鼠实验、细胞侵袭实验、Western blot及实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)等实验技术,深入研究了STM14_3514基因对鼠伤寒沙门菌致病过程的影响。【结果】STM14_3514突变提高了细菌对小鼠的致病能力,突变体在小鼠肠道、肝和脾中的定殖能力均增强;细胞实验揭示,突变体致病力提升主要由于STM14_3514突变能显著增强细菌对上皮细胞的侵袭力(2倍,P0.05)。q RT-PCR及Western blot分析表明,STM14_3514显著抑制SPI-1内部主要调控因子hil A及侵袭相关基因的表达。此外,STM14_3514对hil A的抑制由Hil C介导。【结论】STM14_3514是鼠伤寒沙门菌SPI-1内部的负调控因子,能通过Hil C抑制hil A及SPI-1其他入侵基因的表达,该基因的生物学意义可能与细菌进入细胞后对SPI-1的负调控相关。     

伤寒沙门菌野生型与粗糙型菌体蛋白质的双向电泳分析与研究

了解伤寒沙门菌野生型与粗糙型菌株的菌体蛋白质组成特点,探讨伤寒沙门菌粗糙型变异的遗传学基础。分离提取伤寒沙门菌野生型与粗糙型菌株的菌体蛋白质,聚丙烯酰胺凝胶双向电泳(2D-PAGE)和考马斯亮蓝染色,计算机分析与比较两菌株的蛋白质组成特点及其相关性。伤寒沙门菌野生型与粗糙型具有相似的蛋白质电泳图谱,相似系数为78%。多数蛋白质斑点分布于pH 3.0~6.4之间,并且分子量小于30kDa。两菌株的蛋白质电泳图谱之间的主要差异共计36处,多数差异蛋白质的分子量小于20kDa。伤寒沙门菌粗糙型与野生型菌体蛋白质组成的差异显示,粗糙型变异绝不仅仅是O抗原多糖的缺失,也可发生菌体蛋白质组成的改变与缺失。伤寒沙门菌粗糙型保留了同其亲代野生型菌株一致的绝大多数菌体蛋白质组成,在2D-PAGE中形成伤寒沙门菌特征性的基本蛋白质图谱,有助于对粗糙型菌株进行蛋白质分子同源性与变异性的分析与鉴别。     

LuxS-based signaling affects Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation

Streptococcus mutans is implicated as a major etiological agent in human dental caries, and one of the important virulence properties of this organism is its ability to form biofilms (dental plaque) on tooth surfaces. We examined the role of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) on S. mutans biofilm formation by constructing a GS-5 luxS-null mutant. Biofilm formation by the luxS mutant in 0.5% sucrose defined medium was found to be markedly attenuated compared to the wild type. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed that biofilms of the luxS mutant formed larger clumps in sucrose medium compared to the parental strain. Therefore, the expression of glucosyltransferase genes was examined and the gtfB and gtfC genes, but not the gtfD gene, in the luxS mutant were upregulated in the mid-log growth phase. Furthermore, we developed a novel two-compartment system to monitor AI-2 production by oral streptococci and periodontopathic bacteria. The biofilm defect of the luxS mutant was complemented by strains of S. gordonii, S. sobrinus, and S. anginosus; however, it was not complemented by S. oralis, S. salivarius, or S. sanguinis. Biofilm formation by the luxS mutant was also complemented by Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 but not by a P. gingivalis luxS mutant. These results suggest that the regulation of the glucosyltransferase genes required for sucrose-dependent biofilm formation is regulated by AI-2. Furthermore, these results provide further confirmation of previous proposals that quorum sensing via AI-2 may play a significant role in oral biofilm formation.     

Variable Responses to Carbon Utilization between Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of a Human Carrier Strain of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is a foodborne pathogen that causes typhoid fever and infects only humans. The ability of S. Typhi to survive outside the human host remains unclear, particularly in human carrier strains. In this study, we have investigated the catabolic activity of a human carrier S. Typhi strain in both planktonic and biofilm cells using the high-throughput Biolog Phenotype MicroArray, Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) biofilm inoculator (96-well peg lid) and whole genome sequence data. Additional strains of S. Typhi were tested to further validate the variation of catabolism in selected carbon substrates in the different bacterial growth phases. The analyzes of the carbon utilization data indicated that planktonic cells of the carrier strain, S. Typhi CR0044 could utilize a broader range of carbon substrates compared to biofilm cells. Pyruvic acid and succinic acid which are related to energy metabolism were actively catabolised in the planktonic stage compared to biofilm stage. On the other hand, glycerol, L-fucose, L-rhamnose (carbohydrates) and D-threonine (amino acid) were more actively catabolised by biofilm cells compared to planktonic cells. Notably, dextrin and pectin could induce strong biofilm formation in the human carrier strain of S. Typhi. However, pectin could not induce formation of biofilm in the other S. Typhi strains. Phenome data showed the utilization of certain carbon substrates which was supported by the presence of the catabolism-associated genes in S. Typhi CR0044. In conclusion, the findings showed the differential carbon utilization between planktonic and biofilm cells of a S. Typhi human carrier strain. The differences found in the carbon utilization profiles suggested that S. Typhi uses substrates mainly found in the human biliary mucus glycoprotein, gallbladder, liver and cortex of the kidney of the human host. The observed diversity in the carbon catabolism profiles among different S. Typhi strains has suggested the possible involvement of various metabolic pathways that might be related to the virulence and pathogenesis of this host-restricted human pathogen. The data serve as a caveat for future in-vivo studies to investigate the carbon metabolic activity to the pathogenesis of S. Typhi.     

LuxS-Based Signaling Affects Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation

Streptococcus mutans is implicated as a major etiological agent in human dental caries, and one of the important virulence properties of this organism is its ability to form biofilms (dental plaque) on tooth surfaces. We examined the role of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) on S. mutans biofilm formation by constructing a GS-5 luxS-null mutant. Biofilm formation by the luxS mutant in 0.5% sucrose defined medium was found to be markedly attenuated compared to the wild type. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed that biofilms of the luxS mutant formed larger clumps in sucrose medium compared to the parental strain. Therefore, the expression of glucosyltransferase genes was examined and the gtfB and gtfC genes, but not the gtfD gene, in the luxS mutant were upregulated in the mid-log growth phase. Furthermore, we developed a novel two-compartment system to monitor AI-2 production by oral streptococci and periodontopathic bacteria. The biofilm defect of the luxS mutant was complemented by strains of S. gordonii, S. sobrinus, and S. anginosus; however, it was not complemented by S. oralis, S. salivarius, or S. sanguinis. Biofilm formation by the luxS mutant was also complemented by Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 but not by a P. gingivalis luxS mutant. These results suggest that the regulation of the glucosyltransferase genes required for sucrose-dependent biofilm formation is regulated by AI-2. Furthermore, these results provide further confirmation of previous proposals that quorum sensing via AI-2 may play a significant role in oral biofilm formation.     

Complementation of Sulfolobus solfataricus PBL2025 with an α-mannosidase: effects on surface attachment and biofilm formation

Compared to Sulfolobus solfataricus P2, the S. solfataricus mutant PBL2025 misses 50 genes (SSO3004-3050), including genes coding for a multitude of enzymes possibly involved in sugar degradation or metabolism. We complemented PBL2025 with two of the missing proteins, the α-mannosidase (SSO3006, Ssα-man) and the β-galactosidase LacS (SSO3019), and performed comparative fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to analyze the recombinant strains. We demonstrated that the Ssα-man complemented strain resembled the S. solfataricus P2 behavior with respect to attachment of cells to glass and growth of cells in static biofilms. During expression of the Ssα-man, but not LacS, glucose and mannose-containing extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) levels changed in the recombinant strain during surface attachment and biofilm formation. These results suggest that the Ssα-man might be involved in the modulation of the EPS composition and/or in the de-mannosylation of the glycan tree, which is attached to extracellular glycosylated proteins in S. solfataricus. On the other hand, LacS expression in PBL2025 reduced the carbohydrate content of the isolated total EPS implying a role in the modulation of the produced EPS during static biofilm formation. These are the first enzymes identified as playing a role in archaeal EPS formation.     

Identification of the genes involved in Riemerella anatipestifer biofilm formation by random transposon mutagenesis

Riemerella anatipestifer causes epizootics of infectious disease in poultry that result in serious economic losses to the duck industry. Our previous studies have shown that some strains of R. anatipestifer can form a biofilm, and this may explain the intriguing persistence of R. anatipestifer on duck farms post infection. In this study we used strain CH3, a strong producer of biofilm, to construct a library of random Tn4351 transposon mutants in order to investigate the genetic basis of biofilm formation by R. anatipestifer on abiotic surfaces. A total of 2,520 mutants were obtained and 39 of them showed a reduction in biofilm formation of 47%-98% using crystal violet staining. Genetic characterization of the mutants led to the identification of 33 genes. Of these, 29 genes are associated with information storage and processing, as well as basic cellular processes and metabolism; the function of the other four genes is currently unknown. In addition, a mutant strain BF19, in which biofilm formation was reduced by 98% following insertion of the Tn4351 transposon at the dihydrodipicolinate synthase (dhdps) gene, was complemented with a shuttle plasmid pCP-dhdps. The complemented mutant strain was restored to give 92.6% of the biofilm formation of the wild-type strain CH3, which indicates that the dhdp gene is associated with biofilm formation. It is inferred that such complementation applies also to other mutant strains. Furthermore, some biological characteristics of biofilm-defective mutants were investigated, indicating that the genes deleted in the mutant strains function in the biofilm formation of R. anatipestifer. Deletion of either gene will stall the biofilm formation at a specific stage thus preventing further biofilm development. In addition, the tested biofilm-defective mutants had different adherence capacity to Vero cells. This study will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms of biofilm development by R. anatipestifer and to study the pathogenesis of R. anatipestifer further.     

Bap, a Staphylococcus aureus surface protein involved in biofilm formation

Identification of new genes involved in biofilm formation is needed to understand the molecular basis of strain variation and the pathogenic mechanisms implicated in chronic staphylococcal infections. A biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus isolate was used to generate biofilm-negative transposon (Tn917) insertion mutants. Two mutants were found with a significant decrease in attachment to inert surfaces (early adherence), intercellular adhesion, and biofilm formation. The transposon was inserted at the same locus in both mutants. This locus (bap [for biofilm associated protein]) encodes a novel cell wall associated protein of 2,276 amino acids (Bap), which shows global organizational similarities to surface proteins of gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi) and gram-positive (Enteroccocus faecalis) microorganisms. Bap's core region represents 52% of the protein and consists of 13 successive nearly identical repeats, each containing 86 amino acids. bap was present in a small fraction of bovine mastitis isolates (5% of the 350 S. aureus isolates tested), but it was absent from the 75 clinical human S. aureus isolates analyzed. All staphylococcal isolates harboring bap were highly adherent and strong biofilm producers. In a mouse infection model bap was involved in pathogenesis, causing a persistent infection.