Giant Cells of Escherichia coli: a Morphological Study

Bacterial growth without division was observed in a giant cell-producing strain of Escherichia coli K-12. Giant cell production is controlled by the lon(-) (failure of cell division after irradiation) and mon(-) (formation of irregularly shaped cells) genes. Irradiation of a lon(-)mon(-) strain (P678-A(4)) with low doses of ultraviolet or ionizing radiation results in the production of large, amorphous giant cells with 500 to 1,000 times the volume of the nonirradiated parents. The concentration of NaCl in the growth medium was found to influence irradiated-cell morphology. Low concentrations (0.2% NaCl) resulted in elongated cells, whereas spherical giant cells were produced in the presence of high salt (1% NaCl) concentrations.Thin-section electron microscopy revealed an extensive network of intracellular membranes forming vacuoles, vesicles, and cisternae. These structures bear a striking resemblance to the rough and smooth membranes (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, vacuoles, etc.) found in eucaryotic cells.     

Localization of Anionic Phospholipids in Escherichia coli Cells

Cardiolipin (CL) is an anionic phospholipid with a characteristically large curvature and is of growing interest for two primary reasons: (i) it binds to and regulates many peripheral membrane proteins in bacteria and mitochondria, and (ii) it is distributed asymmetrically in rod-shaped cells and is concentrated at the poles and division septum. Despite the growing number of studies of CL, its function in bacteria remains unknown. 10-N-Nonyl acridine orange (NAO) is widely used to image CL in bacteria and mitochondria, as its interaction with CL is reported to produce a characteristic red-shifted fluorescence emission. Using a suite of biophysical techniques, we quantitatively studied the interaction of NAO with anionic phospholipids under physiologically relevant conditions. We found that NAO is promiscuous in its binding and has photophysical properties that are largely insensitive to the structure of diverse anionic phospholipids to which it binds. Being unable to rely solely on NAO to characterize the localization of CL in Escherichia coli cells, we instead used quantitative fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, and mutants deficient in specific classes of anionic phospholipids. We found CL and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentrated in the polar regions of E. coli cell membranes; depletion of CL by genetic approaches increased the concentration of PG at the poles. Previous studies suggested that some CL-binding proteins also have a high affinity for PG and display a pattern of cellular localization that is not influenced by depletion of CL. Framed within the context of these previous experiments, our results suggest that PG may play an essential role in bacterial physiology by maintaining the anionic character of polar membranes.     

大熊猫神经营养素-4基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

本通过PCR技术,直接从大熊猫基因组DNA上克隆得到其神经营养素—4的成熟肽编码序列,通过序列分析发现,该基因在进化上具有较高的保守性。将神经营养素—4成熟肽完整编码序列克隆至pGEX—4T—3表达载体,并经IPTG诱导在大肠杆菌中进行原核生物表达,获得了大熊猫重组蛋白神经营养素—4。重组表达蛋白经纯化后,进行大鼠肾上腺嗜铬瘤细胞神经营养因子的活性鉴定,发现其能够诱导神经细胞分化产生突触,具有预期的生物学活性。对大熊猫神经营养素—4的基因工程研究,为大熊猫癫痫的基因治疗奠定了基础。     

大熊猫粪源大肠杆菌耐药性及整合子研究

为了解大熊猫粪源大肠杆菌的耐药性、整合子-基因盒的分布特性,分析整合子对细菌耐药性的影响,采用Kirby-Bauer(K-B)纸片法进行了50株大肠杆菌对13种抗菌药物的药物敏感性试验;PCR-测序法检测了1、2、3型整合酶基因,进一步对阳性菌株可变区的基因盒序列鉴定分析。结果显示,菌株对13种抗菌药物表现出不同的耐药性,其中对氨苄西林、头孢唑林、四环素和复方新诺明表现出较高耐药性(耐药率为30%~68%),对其余药物耐药性较低(耐药率低于14%);50株菌中有15株(30%)含有1型整合子,未发现2型和3型整合子;15株1型整合子阳性菌中,有6株(40%)扩增出1200~2000 bp的基因盒,主要介导氨基糖苷类和磺胺-甲氧苄啶耐药的aad A和dfr A基因家族。以dfr A27+aad A2为主(检出率83.33%),1株为aac A4+aad A1+cat B2。以上说明本次检测的大熊猫粪源大肠杆菌对多种抗菌药物呈低水平耐药;1型整合子在大肠杆菌中广泛分布,整合子-基因盒是造成整合子阳性菌株耐氨基糖苷类、磺胺-甲氧苄啶类、氯霉素的主要原因。     

Metabolism of 6-Mercaptopurine by Resistant Escherichia coli Cells

Coggin, Joseph H. (University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.), Muriel Loosemore, and William R. Martin. Metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine by resistant Escherichia coli cells. J. Bacteriol. 92:446-454. 1966.-6-Mercaptopurine (MP) utilization as a source of purine in MP-sensitive and -resistant cultures of Escherichia coli was investigated. The label of MP-8-C(14) appeared in adenine and guanine of ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid in sensitive and resistant cultures. Studies using MP-S(35) further demonstrated that the MP moiety was degraded, as shown by a rapid decrease in radioactivity from cells upon exposure to MP for 20 min. Enzymatic analysis showed that MP was converted to 6-mercaptopurine ribonucleotide (MPRP) by extracts derived from both sensitive and resistant cells. Resistant cell preparations, however, degraded MPRP to inosine monophosphate (IMP) rapidly when compared with analogue degradation by sensitive cells. Inosineguanosine-5'-phosphate pyrophosphorylase from resistant cells did not catalyze the synthesis of IMP from hypoxanthine when the cells were cultured in the presence of MP, but these enzyme preparations actively converted guanine to guanosine monophosphate (GMP). Pyrophosphorylase derived from resistant cells cultured in medium without MP catalyzed the conversion of hypoxanthine to IMP and also guanine to GMP. These observations suggest that inosine-guanosine-5'-phosphate pyrophosphorylase is composed of two distinct enzymes. The mode of resistance to MP in E. coli is related to an enhancement of the enzymatic degradation of MPRP to the pivotal purine intermediate, IMP.     

Division Planes Alternate in Spherical Cells of Escherichia coli

In the spherical cells of Escherichia coli rodA mutants, division is initiated at a single point, from which a furrow extends progressively around the cell. Using “giant” rodA ftsA cells, we confirmed that each new division furrow is initiated at the midpoint of the previous division plane and runs perpendicular to it.     

大熊猫源大肠杆菌及肺炎克雷伯氏菌对消毒剂耐药性研究

本实验对大熊猫肠道分离的88株大肠杆菌、32株肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂BC、CTPC、CTAB及DDAC的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)值进行测定,并扩增了消毒剂的耐药基因。结果显示,大肠杆菌对季铵盐类消毒剂MIC值为:BC的MIC值介于8~128 mg/L;CTPC的MIC值在32~256 mg/L之间;CTAB的MIC值为64~512 mg/L;DDAC的MIC值介于8~128 mg/L。肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的耐药情况为:BC的MIC值介于16~512 mg/L;CTPC的MIC值在64~256 mg/L之间;CTAB的MIC值介于128~512 mg/L;DDAC的MIC值介于8~64 mg/L。可见,肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的MIC值要大于大肠杆菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的MIC值。耐药基因检测结果表明,大肠杆菌季铵盐类消毒剂的染色体型耐药基因扩增率为68.18%~98.86%,最高为sug E(98.86%),emr E最低(68.18%),没有检测出qac E、qac F、qac G,检出率最高的可移动遗传元件介导耐药基因为qac EΔ1(19.31%)。肺炎克雷伯氏菌的染色体型耐药基因检出率为13.64%~28.41%,ydg E最高(28.14%),emr E检出率最低(13.64%),可移动遗传元件介导耐药基因sug E(p)检出率最高(6.82%),qac EΔ1、qac F、qac G基因未检出。测定大熊猫源大肠杆菌及肺炎克雷伯氏菌对消毒剂的耐药性,对圈养大熊猫消毒剂的规范使用,防控大熊猫细菌性疾病以及细菌对消毒剂耐药性有着重要意义。     

大肠杆菌感受态细胞转化能力的影响因素

探讨了大肠杆菌菌株、细菌生长状态、转化溶液、抗冻剂及保存时间、质粒长度和纯度对感受态细胞转化能力的影响。结果表明,以100 mmol/L CaCl2为缓冲液,采用经活化培养的A600为0.55的TG1制备的感受态细胞,在冰上放置6h后转化,所得转化率最高,可达2×106-4×107cfu/μg DNA(pUC19)。随着质粒长度增加和纯度降低,转化率有所下降。若感受态细胞要保存备用,以15％甘油为抗冻剂优于7％DMSO,但添加抗冻剂对转化率有抑制作用。贮于甘油的感受态细胞在-70℃冻存两个月后仍有较理想的转化率。     

Synthetic Capabilities of Plasmolyzed Cells and Spheroplasts of Escherichia coli

Effects of plasmolysis and spheroplast formation on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein, and phospholipid synthesis by Escherichia coli strain THU were studied. RNA and protein synthesis were severely diminished. DNA and phospholipid synthesis were inhibited, but less so; they could be partly restored. DNA synthesis could be restored by replacing thymine in the medium with thymidine, and phospholipid synthesis, by adding back small quantities of soluble cell extract. Plasmolysis effected marked reductions in rates of growth and macro-molecule synthesis, and temporarily reduced culture viability. Plasmolysis also caused an anomalous stimulation of phospholipid synthesis. Spheroplasts and plasmolyzed cells synthesized small amounts of ribosomal RNA that sedimented normally. However, this ribosomal RNA was very inefficiently packaged to ribosome subunits. Spheroplasts were unable to carry out induced synthesis of beta-galactosidase, and plasmolyzed cells were delayed in this function. Radioautographs examined in an electron microscope showed that DNA synthesis in plasmolyzed cells and spheroplasts was performed by a substantial fraction of the culture populations. That DNA and membrane were associated in the spheroplasts used in this study was suggested by formation of M-bands containing membrane and most of the cell's DNA. The results are discussed in terms of alterations of membrane structure and conformation attending plasmolysis and spheroplasting.     

Ability of Daphnia Cell-Free Extract to Damage Escherichia coli Cells

A cell-free extract of Daphnia magna was found to lyse Escherichia coli cells as shown by leakage of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase and β-galactosidase from the bacteria. The cell-free extract was separated on Sephadex G-200, and the fractions showing an ability to lyse E. coli cels were isolated. The factor which was responsible for the lysis of the bacterial cells was probably a protein with a molecular weight of several thousands. Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions augmented the activity of the Daphnia extract on E. coli cells.     

Enhanced Acid Sensitivity of Pressure-Damaged Escherichia coli O157 Cells

Pressure-damaged Escherichia coli O157 cells were more acid sensitive than native cells and were impaired in pH homeostasis. However differences in acid sensitivity were not related to differences in cytoplasmic pH (pH_i). Cellular β-galactosidase was more acid labile in damaged cells. Sensitization to acid may thus involve loss of protective or repair functions.     

Gene Transfer to Fish Cells by Attenuated Invasive Escherichia coli

Genetic immunization has proved effective in a number of applications including vaccination of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against the fish pathogen infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. However, injection vaccines, especially in aquaculture, are not as desirable as oral or immersion dosing schemes. In this report we present evidence that attenuated invasive Escherichia coli can infect and deliver plasmid DNA to salmonid fish cells.     

Escherichia coli Cells Exposed to Streptomycin Display a Mutator Phenotype

Mistranslation mediated by the mutA and mutC tRNA alleles elicits a strong mutator phenotype (H. S. Murphy and M. Z. Humayun, J. Bacteriol. 179:7507–7514, 1997; M. M. Slupska, C. Baikalov, R. Lloyd, and J. H. Miller, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:4380–4385, 1996). Here, we show that exposure to streptomycin, an antibiotic known to promote mistranslation, induces a recA- and umuDC-independent mutator phenotype detected as enhanced mutagenesis at a 3,N⁴-ethenocytosine lesion borne on transfected M13 single-stranded DNA.     

Enzyme-induced Formation of Spheres from Cells and Envelopes of Escherichia coli

Normal and filamentous whole cells and isolated envelopes of Escherichia coli B were exposed to various enzymatic treatments to remove surface layers and to characterize the component(s) conferring rigidity in this organism. Modification of cell rigidity was determined by sphere formation in both whole cells and isolated envelopes. Enzymes capable of converting trypsinized normal or untreated filamentous whole cells and untreated envelopes to spheres included: lysozyme plus ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, clostridial phospholipase C, and phospholipase D from cabbage. These data suggest that there are at least two components essential for maintenance of cell rigidity in E. coli B. The first is the peptidoglycan (mucopeptide), which is susceptible to lysozyme. The second is a phospholipid which is either covalently linked to the mucopeptide or in close association with it. This phospholipase C-sensitive component is protected more completely in normal than in filamentous whole cells by a protein layer which is easily modified by trypsin treatment to allow enzymatically induced sphere formation to occur.     

Filamentous Cells of Escherichia coli Formed in the Presence of Mitomycin

The effects of mitomycin C on cell elongation of Escherichia coli B were studied. Filament formation was most marked in cultures treated with a moderate level (1 mug/ml) of the antibiotic, becoming less obvious at higher levels (10 mug/ml). Cells treated with a bacteriostatic concentration (0.1 mug/ml or less) of mitomycin C were also significantly elongated. The filamentous or elongated cells appeared to lack septa, since their spheroplasts were considerably larger than those formed from normal cells. The appearance of empty spheres also indicated some defects in the surfaces of the filamentous cells. Electron micrographs of the filaments revealed a characteristic difference in the arrangement of the nuclei in the filaments formed in the presence of low (0.1 mug/ml) and high (5 mug/ml) concentrations of mitomycin C. The filaments formed by the low level of mitomycin C had normal well-defined nuclear bodies distributed along the long axis, whereas those formed by the elevated level of the antibiotic contained smaller nuclei. The latter were characteristically confined to the center of the cells and did not extend out to the tips of the filaments.     

Molecular Cloning of Giant Panda Pituitary Prolactin cDNA and Its Expression in Escherichia coli

cDNA encoding pituitary (PRL) of giant panda was obtained using RT-PCR and expressed in E. coli. The results revealed that panda PRL cDNA encodes a precursor protein of 229 amino acids including a putative signal peptide of 30 amino acids and a mature protein of 199 residues with one potential N-glycosylation site. Sequence comparison indicated that panda PRL shares a high degree of identity to other known PRL sequences ranging from 98% with mink PRL to about 50% with rodent PRL. Six cysteine residues and 29 conserved residues distributed in four domains (PD1, PD2, PD3, and PD4) of PRL were observed through multiple sequence alignment. Fourteen key residues of binding sites 1 and 2 involved in receptor binding are conserved in panda PRL. GST fused recombinant panda PRL protein was efficiently expressed with the form of insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli BL21 transformed with a pGEX-4T-1 expression vector containing the DNA sequence encoding mature panda PRL. Western blot analysis indicated that GST-panda PRL recombinant protein could be recognized by antibody against human PRL. Our results would contribute to further elucidating the structural and functional characteristics of pituitary PRL and provide a basis for the production of recombinant panda prolactin for future use in the breeding of giant panda.     

大肠杆菌最佳感受态细胞制备的探讨

本文对４种大肠杆菌菌株在不同生长时期的转化效率分别进行了测定．结果表明,在细菌的生长繁殖过程中,其转化效率是有很大变化的．对于不同的菌株,它们获得高转化率时的活菌数不同．同时,得到了这４种大肠杆菌菌株制备最佳感受态细胞的条件．