Peptidoglycan lytic activity of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage phiKZ gp144 lytic transglycosylase

The gp144 endolysin gene from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage phiKZ was cloned and studies of gp144 expression into Escherichia coli showed host cell lysis. The gp144 protein was purified directly from the culture supernatant and from the bacterial cell pellet and showed in vitro antibacterial lytic activity against P. aeruginosa bacteria and degraded purified peptidoglycan of Gram-negative bacteria. MS analysis identified the gp144 peptidoglycan cleavage site and confirmed a lytic transglycosylase enzyme. Studies of gp144 expression in the presence of sodium azide (NaN(3)), an inhibitor of the protein export machinery, and into an E. coli MM52 secA(ts) mutant at permissive and restrictive temperatures showed that gp144 was secreted independently of the Sec system. The solution conformation of purified gp144 analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy was 61% in alpha-helical content, and showed a 72% decrease when interacting with dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG), one of the major components of bacterial membranes and less than 10% with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) found in eukaryotic membranes. Membrane vesicles of DMPG anionic lipids containing calcein indicated that gp144 caused a rapid release of fluorescent calcein when interacting with synthetic membranes. These results indicated that gp144 from phiKZ is a lytic transglycosylase capable of interacting with and disorganizing bacterial membranes and has potential as an antipseudomonal in phage therapy.     

Rapid and quantitative automated measurement of bacteriophage activity against cystic fibrosis isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and is the main cause of respiratory infection in cystic fibrosis patients. Most strains prevalent within the UK are resistant to two or more antibiotics leading to the search for new therapeutic strategies including the use of bacteriophages. Methods and Results: The infectivity of four bacteriophages was increased using an enhancement protocol based on the use of pomegranate rind extract. Their efficacy against 14 Ps. aeruginosa strains was measured using a qualitative streak test and a novel quantitative assay based on the Bioscreen C microbial growth analyzer. Streak test analysis illustrated an increase in the lytic activity of enhanced bacteriophages, whereas Bioscreen analysis showed that both enhanced and unenhanced bacteriophages failed to meet acceptable levels of activity in c. 50% of strains tested. Conclusions: The quantitative Bioscreen C analyzer showed comparable but not identical results in phage activity and identified significant bacterial re‐growth by 20 h postinfection. Significance and Impact of the Study: With the resurgence of interest in bacteriophage therapy against infectious bacterial diseases, a rapid high throughput quantitative method for screening phage activity and bacterial resistance is required. The use of the Bioscreen C analyzer meets these criteria and was shown to be more stringent than the traditional streak test.     

铜绿假单胞菌噬菌体K5中DNA聚合酶等基因在宿主中的表达

本研究分析了铜绿假单胞菌噬菌体K5基因在宿主中的表达及其影响因素. 通过测定融合报告基因dnaP-lacZ、capP-lacZ、bapP-lacZ和rdr-lacZ编码的β 半乳糖苷酶活力,分析了噬菌体K5相关基因的表达水平,发现噬菌体K5的不同基因在宿主细胞内表达水平存在较大差异,其中噬菌体K5的DNA聚合酶基因dnaP的表达水平最高,而主要衣壳蛋白基因capP的表达水平最低. 加入噬菌体后,除二磷酸核糖核苷酸还原酶基因rnr外,其它基因的表达水平均有明显提高,说明噬菌体自身因子能够调控噬菌体部分基因在宿主细胞中的表达. 进一步分析显示,噬菌体基因在对数生长前期细胞中的表达水平显著高于平衡期. 同时,噬菌体感染对数生长前期的宿主菌,其释放量为12.8 PFU/感染中心,是平衡期释放量的9.2倍. 噬菌体以对数生长期宿主为指示菌时噬菌体的滴度为4.7×108 PFU/mL,而以平衡期宿主菌为指示菌噬菌体K5滴度仅能达到2.5×104 PFU/mL,噬菌体K5的裂解能力显著降低. 这些结果对研究噬菌体与宿主细胞的相互作用机制具有重要作用.     

A three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy structure of the bacteriophage phiKZ head

The three-dimensional structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage phiKZ head has been determined by cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to 18A resolution. The head has icosahedral symmetry measuring 1455 A in diameter along 5-fold axes and a unique portal vertex to which is attached an approximately 1800 A-long contractile tail. The 65 kDa major capsid protein, gp120, is organized into a surface lattice of hexamers, with T = 27 triangulation. The shape and size of the hexamers is similar to the hexameric building blocks of the bacteriophages T4, phi29, P22, and HK97. Pentameric vertices of the capsid are occupied by complexes composed of several special vertex proteins. The double-stranded genomic DNA is packaged into a highly condensed series of layers, separated by 24 A, that follow the contour of the inner wall of the capsid.     

Role for rpoS gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in antibiotic tolerance

The alternative sigma factor, RpoS has been described as a central regulator of many stationary phase-inducible genes and a master stress-response regulator under various stress conditions. We constructed an rpoS mutant in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and investigated the role of rpoS gene in antibiotic tolerance. The survival of the rpoS mutant cells in stationary phase was approximately 70 times lower when compared with that of the parental strain at 37 degrees C for 2 h after the addition of biapenem. For imipenem, the survival was approximately 40 times lower. Heat stress promoted an increase in the survival of the parental strain to biapenem, but the same was not found to be the case for the rpoS mutant. Our results indicate that rpoS gene is involved in tolerance to antibiotics in P. aeruginosa during the stationary phase and heat stress. However, under osmotic stress, tolerance to biapenem was not dependent on the rpoS gene.     

Saccharides of seven Pseudomonas aeruginosa immunotypes

Abstract The structures of O-specific polysaccharides obtained by mild acid degredation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from seven Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fisher's immunotypes have been studied. The polysaccharides consist mainly of monoamino and diamino sugars, frequently also carrying acidic functions. Some of the sugars were detected in nature for the O-specific polysaccharides of the immunotypes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are identical to those of the polysaccharides of the 011; 0(2a)2c; 01; 010a, 10b and 07a, 7d Lányi-Bergan serological subgroups respectively, whereas no analogues have been found for the immunotypes 1 and 7. Some cross-reactions between the LPS of different immunotypes were observed in passive haemagglutination tests; the results of inhibition of passive haemagglutination and agar gel immunoprecipitation point, however, to a specificity of the LPS. Many of the LPS of the seven Pseudomonas aeruginosa immunotypes manifest rather a high cross-protective activity in active immunization tests in mice. The nature of the cross-protective activity of the LPS is discussed.     

Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage KPP21 belonging to family Podoviridae genus N4‐like viruses isolated in Japan

Bacteriophages (phages) belonging to the family Podoviridae genus N4‐like viruses have been used as therapeutic agent in phage therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. P. aeruginosa phage KPP21 was isolated in Japan, and phylogenetically investigated the phages belonging to this viral genus. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed that phage KPP21 belongs to the family Podoviridae genus N4‐like viruses. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on putative DNA polymerase and major virion protein showed that P. aeruginosa phages belonging to the genus N4‐like viruses are separated into two lineages and that phage KPP21 is in the same clade as phage LUZ7.     

对一株铜绿假单胞菌22种耐药基因的研究

目的研究铜绿假单胞菌多重耐药情况和相关机制。方法采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）法对一株多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌进行β-内酰胺酶基因、氨基糖苷类修饰酶（AMEs）基因、喹诺酮类耐药基因、耐消毒剂基因（qacE△1-sul1）和整合酶基因检测,并对VIM基因进行了测序。结果PCR扩增结果显示该菌株aac（6′）-Ⅰb、blaCARB、gyrA、oprD2、ant（2″）-Ⅰ、qacE△1-sul1、blaIMP-I、blaTEM、blaVEB、aac（3）-Ⅱ、ant（3″）-Ⅰ、intⅠ1、blaVIM基因均为阳性,而aac（3）-Ⅰ、aac（6′）-Ⅱ、blaGES、blaGIM、blaOXA-10群、blaPER、blaSPM、blaSHV、blaDHA基因均为阴性,VIM基因扩增产物测序后经BLAST同源性分析表明为VIM-2型。结论铜绿假单胞菌存在多重耐药基因。管壁涂有季胺类、双胍类消毒剂和磺胺的II代导管的抑菌效果需重新评价。     

Specific and non-specific mouse protection induced by different chemotypes of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides

Abstract Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied by the mouse active, cross-protection test. The primary structure of O-specific polysaccharides (O-repeating units) of different chemotypes was determined and their cross-protective activity demonstrated. Low doses of LPS (0.1–1 μg) stimulated chemotype-specific protection against P. aeruginosa in mice. This immunity was associated with the primary structure of the LPS and it lasted for 14 days after the first or second immunization. High doses of LPS (10–100 μg) induced cross-protection against P. aeruginosa in mice. The cross-protective capacity was caused evidently by the secondary structure or conformation of LPS molecule, i.e. by the common conformational protective determinant. This cross-protection lasted for only 5 days after the first or second immunization.     

铜绿假单胞菌产蛋白酶的发酵条件优化

【目的】鉴定一株来源于酱油曲能够分泌蛋白酶的铜绿假单胞菌CAU342A,优化其产蛋白酶的发酵条件。【方法】采用形态学观察、16S r RNA基因序列比对和生理生化方法鉴定菌株CAU342A;通过碳源、氮源、初始pH、温度、表面活性剂及发酵时间的单因素优化和正交试验获得最适发酵条件。【结果】菌株CAU342A被鉴定为铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa),其最适发酵产酶条件为(质量体积比):3%酒糟,1.5%酵母浸提物,0.05%吐温-80,0.5%NaCl,0.7%K_2HPO_4,0.3%KH_2PO_4,0.04%MnSO_4,培养基初始pH 7.5,30°C培养72 h。在最适发酵条件下,该菌株最大产酶水平达到2 653.5 U/m L。蛋白酶酶谱分析表明该菌株能够产生至少4种具有蛋白酶活性的同工酶,其中两个主要酶谱带对应分子量分别为32 k D和50 k D。【结论】铜绿假单胞菌CAU342A高产蛋白酶,具有很大的工业应用潜力。     

Analysis of antibiotic resistance gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by quantitative real-time-PCR

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa many of the clinically relevant resistance mechanisms result from changes in gene expression as exemplified by the Mex drug efflux pumps, the AmpC beta-lactamase and the carbapenem-specific porin OprD. We used quantitative real-time-PCR to analyze the expression of these genes in susceptible and antibiotic-resistant laboratory and clinical strains. In nalB mutants, which overexpress OprM, we observed a four- to eightfold increase in the expression of mexA, mexB, and oprM genes. MexX and mexY genes were induced eight to 12 times in the presence of 2 mg L(-1) tetracycline. The mexC/oprJ and mexE/oprN gene expression levels were increased 30- to 250-fold and 100- to 760-fold in nfxB and nfxC mutants, respectively. We further found that in defined laboratory strains expression levels of ampC and oprD genes paralleled beta-lactamase activity and OprD protein levels, respectively. Our data support the use of quantitative real-time-PCR chain reaction for the analysis of the antimicrobial resistance gene expression in P. aeruginosa.     

钌化合物对铜绿假单胞菌的光动力杀伤作用

【摘 要】 目的 探讨光动力疗法（PDT）对体外培养的铜绿假单胞杆菌的杀伤效应。方法 以多重耐药铜绿假单胞杆菌（P. aeruginosa）为对象,用457 nm和532 nm的激光作为光源,对不同浓度钌化合物孵育的细菌悬液进行光照,用菌落计数法观测PDT对铜绿假单胞杆菌的杀伤作用;同时观察了铜绿假单胞菌临床耐药菌与标准菌株对相同PDT作用的敏感性差异。结果 PDT处理组具有剂量－效应关系,在光照剂量相同的情况下,457 nm激光作为光源有更好的PDT杀伤效果;对多重耐药的铜绿假单胞菌,光动力同样有效,其作用甚至强于标准株。结论 钌化合物介导的光动力作用对体外培养的铜绿假单胞杆菌具有很强的杀伤作用,其效果和剂量关系密切。     

光声光谱技术用于绿脓杆菌的鉴定

【目的】探索一种无创、快速、可靠、经济地鉴定绿脓杆菌的新方法。【方法】利用光声光谱技术分别对大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌在35°C下培养24 h后产生的挥发性代谢产物(Bacterial volatile compounds,BVCs)进行连续检测,获得各细菌挥发性气体的光声光谱图谱,并用“逆向思维”的方法对其检测结果进行分析。【结果】利用光声光谱技术对绿脓杆菌、大肠杆菌的挥发性代谢产物进行检测分析,发现绿脓杆菌产生了较高浓度的氰化氢(HCN),而大肠杆菌并未检测出HCN,据此可以对绿脓杆菌进行初步鉴定。【结论】光声光谱技术为绿脓杆菌的鉴定提供了一种简单、快速、经济的方法。为加速其在临床中的应用,提出了“三步走”方案:建立“大数据”、完善“比对算法”、创建“自动检测-比对-校对-鉴定”系统。     

Cryo-EM study of the Pseudomonas bacteriophage phiKZ

The phiKZ virus is one of the largest known bacteriophages. It infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is frequently pathogenic in humans, and, therefore, has potential for phage therapy. The phiKZ virion consists of an approximately 1450 A diameter icosahedral head and an approximately 2000 A long contractile tail. The structure of the phiKZ tail has been determined using cryo-electron microscopy. The phiKZ tail is much longer than that of bacteriophage T4. However, the helical parameters of their contractile sheaths, surrounding their tail tubes, are comparable. Although there is no recognizable sequence similarity between the phiKZ and T4 tail sheath proteins, they are similar in size and shape, suggesting that they evolved from a common ancestor. The phiKZ baseplate is significantly larger than that of T4 and has a flatter shape. Nevertheless, phiKZ, similar to T4, has a cell-puncturing device in the middle of its baseplate.     

Evidence for the location of OprM in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane

Abstract OprM with a M _r of 49 K is associated with the multidrug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Detergent fractionation of bacterial cells has demonstrated that OprM is located in the outer membrane from which it sediments with the other major outer membrane proteins. In this study we have determined the location of OprM as the P. aeruginosa outer membrane. Western immunoblots of cell fractions, obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of whole cell lysates, were probed with an OprM-specific murine polyclonal antiserum.