Lipolytic activity copurified with the outer membrane of Serratia marcescens.

Lipase, nuclease, and protease activities could be shown primarily with the purified outer membrane fraction from Serratia marcescens. These activities increased and decreased in the different compartments dependent on the growth phase of the cell culture. Penicillin-hydrolyzing activity was exclusively demonstrated with the outer membrane fraction.     

Immunochemical characterization of the cell surface carbohydrate antigens of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius

Two carbohydrate antigens were isolated from the cell surface of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. One, extracted from purified cell walls with NaOH, contained glucose and phosphorus, with traces of galactosamine and glucosamine. Serological activity was detected by a 'dot blot' procedure. The second antigen, extracted from cell membranes with phenol and purified by chromatography on Sepharose 6B and an immunoadsorbent column, contained glucose, glycerol phosphate, phosphorus and fatty acids. Antigenicity of this extract could also be demonstrated by an ELISA technique.     

Molecular and functional characterisation of the Serratia marcescens outer membrane protein Omp1

Serratia marcescens outer membrane contains three different general diffusion porins: Omp1, Omp2 and Omp3. Omp1 was cloned and sequenced and it shows a great homology to the family of outer membrane porins that comprises the general porins of enteric bacteria. The gene for Omp1 was transferred into an expression plasmid and was expressed in Escherichia coli UH302 (E. coli UH302 pOM100), a porin deficient strain. Its expression confers a higher susceptibility towards different antibiotics to this strain. Omp1 was purified to homogeneity from outer membrane of E. coli UH302 pOM100. Reconstitution of the purified protein into black lipid bilayers demonstrated that it is a channel-forming component with a single-channel conductance of approximately 2 nS in 1 M KCl similar to that of other porins from enteric bacteria. Omp1 is slightly cation-selective. Its homology to already crystallised members of the family of enteric porins whose three-dimensional-structures are known and allowed the design of a topology model for Omp1. The charge distribution within a porin monomer is similar as in other general diffusion pores. The positively charged amino acids localised at the beta-strands opposite the external loop L3, which restrict the pore diameter in the porin monomer.     

Role of the outer membrane in the accumulation of quinolones by Serratia marcescens

Accumulation of four quinolones by Serratia marcescens was measured fluorometrically. The passage of quinolones through the outer membrane was studied in both lipopolysaccharide-deficient and porin-deficient mutants. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) layer formed a partially effective barrier for highly hydrophobic quinolones such as nalidixic acid. Quinolones with a low relative hydrophobicity coefficient seemed to pass preferentially through the water-filled Omp3 porin channels. Results were confirmed when Omp3 was cloned in a porin-defective Escherichia coli.     

Specific excretion of Serratia marcescens protease through the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.

A DNA fragment of Serratia marcescens directing an extracellular serine protease (Mr, 41,000) was cloned in Escherichia coli. The cloned fragment caused specific excretion of the protease into the extracellular medium through the outer membrane of E. coli host cells in parallel with their growth. No excretion of the periplasmic enzymes of host cells occurred. The cloned fragment contained a single open reading frame of 3,135 base pairs coding a protein of 1,045 amino acids (Mr 112,000). Comparison of the 5' nucleotide sequence with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protease indicated the presence of a typical signal sequence. The C-terminal amino acid of the enzyme was found at position 408, as deduced from the nucleotide sequence. Artificial frameshift mutations introduced into the coding sequence for the assumed distal polypeptide after the C terminus of the protease caused complete loss of the enzyme production. It was concluded that the Serratia serine protease is produced as a 112-kilodalton proenzyme and that its N-terminal signal peptide and a large C-terminal part are processed to cause excretion of the mature protease through the outer membrane of E. coli cells.     

Secretion of nuclease across the outer membrane of Serratia marcescens and its energy requirements.

Extracellular secretion of Serratia marcescens nuclease occurs as a two-step process via a periplasmic intermediate. Unlike other extracellular proteins secreted by gram-negative bacteria by the general secretory pathway, nuclease accumulates in the periplasm in its active form for an unusually long time before its export into the growth medium. The energy requirements for extracellular secretion of nuclease from the periplasm were investigated. Our results suggest that the second step of secretion across the outer membrane is dependent upon the external pH; acidic pH effectively but reversibly blocks extracellular secretion. However, electrochemical proton gradient, and possibly ATP hydrolysis, are not required for this step. We suggest that nuclease uses a novel mechanism for the second step of secretion in S. marcescens.     

Immunochemical characterization of synaptosomal membrane antigens from chicken brain

Quantitative microcomplement fixation assays have been used to partially characterize a set of nerve-specific membrane antigens. Their sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes suggested that most, or all, of the antigens contain protein, and the stimulatory effect of neuraminidase treatment suggested that some were glycoproteins. The antigens were found to be approximately 100 times more concentrated in neuronal tissues than in nonneural tissues, except for the adrenal, and they were found to be absent from the forebrains of nonavian species. The changes in total and specific activity have been measured during development in a number of neuronal tissues and compared with previously obtained immunohistochemical data.     

Immunochemical characterization of synaptosomal membrane antigens from chicken brain

A set of synaptic membrane antigens has been investigated in a number of tissues by indirect immunofluorescence histochemistry, using an antiserum (SPM-I) raised against a purified synaptosomal plasma membrane fraction prepared from day-old chick forebrain. The antigens were found to be present in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and none of them were restricted to the forebrain. The antigens were not detectable in nonneural tissues except for the adrenal medulla. Since the antigens could not be detected in a number of clearly defined glial cell populations or a surgically induced gliosis of the optic nerve, the antigens appear to be nerve specific. The antigens were not present in all types of neurons, thus indicating that surface membrane differences exist between different classes of neurons. Within the plasma membrane of the nerve cell the antigens were not uniformly distributed: they were present in the synaptic region and, in some nerve cells, also in axonal region but were absent from perikaryal membranes and extended regions of dendritic membranes. In the sciatic nerve the antigens were transported at the fast rate of anterograde axonal transport as well as in the retrograde direction. These results have been compared with previous attempts to detect nerve-specific membrane components by immunological means.Part of this work has been presented at American Society for Neurochemistry Meeting, New Orleans, March 1974.     

Immunochemical characterization of synaptosomal membrane antigens from chicken brain

The developmental changes in the distribution of a number of nerve specific synaptic membrane antigens have been investigated in a number of tissues using indirect immunofluorescence histochemistry. In all tissues examined, by the time synaptic contacts were made, all regions of tissue that were going to display these antigens had already done so. Areas of tissue rich in actively dividing neuroblasts or postmitotic undifferentiated neurons showed little fluorescence. Characteristic strong fluorescence was only visible where regions of differentiated synapses or axons were present. In the optic nerve, and perhaps also in the white matter of the cerebellum and the outer plexiform layer of the retina, the antigens were already present before synapse formation. After synapse formation the antigens disappeared from the outer plexiform layer of the retina and the white matter of the cerebellum and spinal cord. The amount of fluorescence was drastically reduced in the deep cerebellar nuclei but did not change appreciably in the other areas examined. The loss of these antigens occurred at a different time in each of the tissue areas, indicating that it was related to the maturation of a particular network of neurons rather than the animal as a whole. By considering the pattern of developmental change of this set of antigens, the possibility that some of them may be involved in the processes of intercellular recognition or synaptogenesis has been examined.     

一株粘质沙雷氏菌烈性噬菌体污水分离及特性

[目的]以粘质沙雷氏菌(8039)为宿主菌从医院污水中分离噬菌体并对其基本生物学特点进行研究.[方法]四步法污水分离噬菌体;单、双层平板噬菌斑实验筛选烈性噬菌体并观察噬菌斑形态;纯化后2%磷钨酸染色电镜观察;手工法提取噬菌体核酸酶切后琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析;利用双层平板噬菌斑实验测定最佳感染复数和完成一步生长实验.[结果]从医院污水中成功分离出粘质沙雷氏菌烈性噬菌体一株(SM701),该噬菌体有一个正多面体立体对称的头部,头径约64nm,无囊膜,有一长尾,无收缩尾鞘,尾长约143nm;基因组核酸能被双链DNA内切酶BamH Ⅰ及Hind Ⅲ切开,大小约57kb;噬菌斑圆形透明,直径1mm左右(培养12h,),边界清楚;当感染复数(multiplicity of infection,MOI)为10时,子代噬菌体滴度较高;按照一步生长实验结果绘制出一步生长曲线,可知感染宿主菌的潜伏期是约为30min,爆发期约100min,平均爆发量约为630[结论]按照国际病毒分类委员会分类标准,该噬菌体属于长尾噬菌体科(siphoviridae)烈性噬菌体,按照Bradley和Ackermann形态分类法属于B1亚群;噬菌斑与周围红色细菌生长区,颜色差异明显,非常便于观察和计数;噬菌体头部大小和形态与呼吸道病毒中的呼肠病毒和腺病毒最为接近;国内尚未见粘质沙雷氏菌噬菌体相关报道.     

Immunochemical identification of multiple cell surface antigens appearing during specific stages of mouse spermatogenesis

Cell surface antigens that appear in a defined temporal sequence during mouse spermatogenesis were previously detected serologically, but not identified biochemically, with four heterologous antibodies prepared against purified populations of pachytene spermatocytes (AP), round spermatids (ARS), vas deferens spermatozoa (AVDS), and mixed seminiferous cells (ASC) [Millette and Bellvé, J Cell Biol 74:86–97, 1977]. These antigens have now been identified immunochemically on nitrocellulose blots from SDS polyacrylamide gels. Three antisera (AP, ARS, and ASC) recognize a similar subset of determinants on one-dimensional immunoblots of germ cells and plasma membranes prepared from a mixed population of late spermatogenic cells. Comparisons of minor bands to reveal differences among these antisera. AVDS exhibits the least complex binding pattern. The results indicate that at least ten surface constituents appear during the pachytene stage of meiosis, coincident with a period of maximal RNA and protein synthesis [Monesi, Exp Cell Res 39:197–224, 1965]. Furthermore, two-dimensional immunoblot comparisons of plasma membranes isolated from pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids reveal differences between surface determinants detectable at these two spermatogenic stages. For example, ASC recognizes two newly described proteins that are restricted to pachytene spermatocytes (? M_r 57,000, pI 6.45) and to round spermatids (? M_r 39,500, pI 4.85), respectively.     

Further characterization of the outer membrane ofSerratia marcescens and an oxacilline-sensitive mutant: Surface carbohydrates and outer membrane lipid composition

Whole cells and isolated outer membranes ofSerratia marcescens and an oxacilline-sensitive mutant could be agglutinated only with concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin. Different amounts of carbohydrates were accessible to the lectins in the two strains, and different amounts of carbohydrate seemed to be exposed at the outer cell surface and the inner side of the outer membrane. The fatty acid composition of the isolated outer membrane revealed small but significant quantitative difference. The increased sensitivity towards various antibacterial agents was thought to be the result of an altered hydrophobic-hydrophilic interaction of the outer membrane components.     

A major outer membrane protein of Serratia marcescens which was easily solubilized and had a capacity to bind to calcium

Easily solubilized major outer membrane protein was found in Serratia marcescens. The protein was originally obtained as a membrane-associated, insoluble protein in the outer membrane when the cells were slightly disrupted. However, the amount of this protein in the outer membrane gradually decreased with the time of sonication. The decrease was not due to decomposition of the protein but to solubilization into a soluble fraction after a long period of disruption. The molecular weight of this protein was 47 kDa and it bound calcium. Another 40 kDa calcium binding protein was also found in the outer membrane of S. marcescens.     

Immunological characterization of Rhizobium leguminosarum outer membrane antigens by use of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.

Surface antigens of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae strain 248 were characterized by using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. With Western immunoblotting as the criterion, an antiserum raised against living whole cells recognized mainly flagellar antigens and the O-antigen-containing part of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immunization of mice with a peptidoglycan-outer membrane complex yielded eight monoclonal antibodies, of which three reacted with LPS and five reacted with various sets of outer membrane protein antigens. The observation that individual monoclonal antibodies react with sets of related proteins is discussed. Studies of the influence of calcium deficiency and LPS alterations on surface antigenicity showed that in normally grown wild-type cells, the O-antigenic side chain of LPS blocks binding of an antibody to a deeper-lying antigen. This antigen is accessible to antibodies in cells grown under calcium limitation as well as in O-antigen-lacking mutant cells. Two of the antigen groups which can be distinguished in cell envelopes of free-living bacteria were depleted in cell envelopes of isolated bacteroids, indicating that the monoclonal antibodies could be useful tools for studying the differentiation process from free-living bacteria to bacteroids.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Aeromanas sobria surface antigens

Abstract A panel of eight murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) was raised against the surface antigens of Aeromonas sobria isolated from a patient with diarrhoea. Antibodies to the LPS core and O-antigen and to protein antigens were generated. Three Mabs of the IgM isotype against either protein or LPS agglutinated 34/75 Aeromonas isolates from clinical and environmental sources. Similar numbers of A. hydrophila, A. sobria and A. caviae isolates were agglutinated. The Mabs were screened for their ability to inhibit A. sobria adhesion to HEp-2 cells, and haemagglutination (HA). Two Mabs directed against conformationally dependent epitopes on a 43-kDa protein blocked both functions. Of the anti-LPS Mabs one blocked adhesion only, and another blocked HA but not adhesion. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested that LPS-protein complexes may be involved in these potential virulence functions of A. sobria .     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Aeromonas sobria surface antigens

A panel of eight murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) was raised against the surface antigens of Aeromonas sobria isolated from a patient with diarrhoea. Antibodies to the LPS core and O-antigen and to protein antigens were generated. Three Mabs of the IgM isotype against either protein or LPS agglutinated 34/75 Aeromonas isolates from clinical and environmental sources. Similar numbers of A. hydrophila, A. sobria and A. caviae isolates were agglutinated. The Mabs were screened for their ability to inhibit A. sobria adhesion to HEp-2 cells, and haemagglutination (HA). Two Mabs directed against conformationally dependent epitopes on a 43-kDa protein blocked both functions. Of the anti-LPS Mabs one blocked adhesion only, and another blocked HA but not adhesion. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested that LPS-protein complexes may be involved in these potential virulence functions of A. sobria.     

Isolation of pigmented and nonpigmented mutants of Serratia marcescens with reduced cell surface hydrophobicity

Enrichment for nonhydrophobic mutants of Serratia marcescens yielded two types: (i) a nonpigmented mutant which exhibited partial hydrophobic characteristics compared with the wild type, as determined by adherence to hexadecane and polystyrene; and (ii) a pigmented, nonhydrophobic mutant whose colonies were translucent with respect to those of the wild type. The data suggest that the pronounced cell surface hydrophobicity of the wild type is mediated by a combination of several surface factors.     

Cloning of the Serratia marcescens hasF gene encoding the Has ABC exporter outer membrane component: a TolC analogue

The Serratia marcescens haemophore HasA is secreted by an ABC exporter comprising three envelope proteins. The ABC protein (ATP-binding cassette) HasD and the MFP protein (membrane fusion protein) HasE but not the outer membrane component have been isolated previously. In Escherichia coli , TolC, the outer membrane component of the haemolysin transporter, can form a hybrid exporter with HasD and HasE. This hybrid secretes HasA and the very similar metalloproteases from S. marcescens and Erwinia chrysanthemi . By analogy, the genuine exporter was predicted to secrete metalloproteases. The hasF gene was thus cloned from S. marcescens into an E. coli tolC mutant carrying hasD and hasE genes, by screening for a proteolytic phenotype on skimmed-milk plates. hasF encodes a protein sharing 74% identity with the E. coli TolC protein. Anti-TolC antibodies cross-reacted with a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 53 kDa in E. coli expressing hasF and in S. marcescens . hasF is unlinked to the has cluster and, unlike the has operon, is not iron regulated. hasF complements some of the tolC phenotypes, including drug- and detergent sensitivities and haemolysin secretion but not colicin E1 uptake. This suggests that the various functions of TolC could correspond to distinct domains on the protein.