The Macrocyclic Peptide Antibiotic Micrococcin P1 Is Secreted by the Food-Borne Bacterium Staphylococcus equorum WS 2733 and Inhibits Listeria monocytogenes on Soft Cheese

Staphylococcus equorum WS 2733 was found to produce a substance exhibiting a bacteriostatic effect on a variety of gram-positive bacteria. The metabolite was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and semipreparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Electrospray mass spectrometry confirmed the high purity of the compound and revealed a molecular mass of 1,143 Da. By two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy the substance was identified as micrococcin P₁ which is a macrocyclic peptide antibiotic that has not yet been reported for the genus Staphylococcus. A total of 95 out of 95 Listeria strains and 130 out of 135 other gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by this substance, while none of 37 gram-negative bacteria were affected. The antilisterial potential of this food-grade strain as a protective starter culture was evaluated by its in situ application in cheese-ripening experiments under laboratory conditions. A remarkable growth reduction of Listeria monocytogenes could be achieved compared to control cheese ripened with a nonbacteriocinogenic type strain of Staphylococcus equorum. In order to prove that inhibition was due to micrococcin P₁, a micrococcin-deficient mutant was constructed which did not inhibit L. monocytogenes in cheese-ripening experiments.     

Pyridinyl polythiazole class peptide antibiotic micrococcin P1, secreted by foodborne Staphylococcus equorum WS2733, is biosynthesized nonribosomally.

Recently, foodborne Staphylococcus equorum WS2733 was isolated from a French red smear cheese on account of its strong inhibitory activity against Gram-positive pathogens such as Listeria. The antagonistic substance was identified as macrocyclic peptide antibiotic micrococcin P1, which had previously not been reported for the genus Staphylococcus. Micrococcin P1, also a potent inhibitor of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is structurally related to thiostrepton, thiocillins and nosiheptide. Although all of these peptide antibiotics have been known for quite a long time, their mode of biosynthesis had not been determined in detail yet. By using degenerated PCR, a gene fragment encoding a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) could be amplified from S. equorum. The corresponding chromosomal locus was disrupted by insertional mutagenesis, and it could be shown that all mutants obtained displayed a micrococcin P1-deficient phenotype. Sequence analysis of a coherent 2.8-kb fragment revealed extensive homology to known NRPSs, and allowed the assignment of the domain organization 'condensation-adenylation-thiolation-condensation'; an arrangement predicted only for two loci within the presumably 14-modular, 1.6-MDa biosynthetic NRPS template. Biochemical characterization of the adenylation domain exhibited selectivity for the substrate amino-acid threonine. All of these data substantiate that the macrocyclic peptide antibiotic is biosynthesized nonribosomally, and provide the basis for the characterization of the entire biosynthetic gene cluster. The biosynthetic machinery of micrococcin will serve as a model system for structurally related, pharmacologically important pyridinyl polythiazole class peptide antibiotics. Furthermore, this knowledge will enable the manipulation of its NRPS template, which in turn may grant the targeted engineering of even more potent anti-listerial and anti-malaria drugs.     

Limitations in the use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model host for gram-positive bacterial infection

AIMS: To examine sensitivities of various Drosophila melanogaster strains towards human pathogenic and nonpathogenic gram-positive bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: The D. melanogaster Oregon R strain was infected by injecting the thorax with a needle containing Escherichia coli (negative control), Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (both food-borne pathogens), Listeria innocua, Bacillus subtilis, Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Lactobacillus plantarum or Pediococcus acidilactici (all nonpathogenic bacteria). Listeria monocytogenes and S. aureus killed the host rapidly compared with the negative control. Infection with L. innocua, B. subtilis or C. maltaromaticum also resulted in a high fly mortality, whereas Lact. plantarum and P. acidilactici resulted in a slightly increased mortality. Four additional D. melanogaster lines, three of which had been selected for heat, cold and desiccation resistance respectively, were subjected to infection by L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and E. coli. Mortality rates were comparable with that of the Oregon R strain. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the injection method shows the limitation of D. melanogaster as a model host for gram-positive bacteria as opportunistic infection by nonpathogenic gram-positive bacteria results in partial or high mortality. In addition, lines of fruit flies resistant to various stress exposures did not show an increased resistance to infection by gram-positive pathogens under the conditions tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates the inadequacy of D. melanogaster infected by the injection method in order to distinguish between virulent and nonvirulent gram-positive bacteria.     

Activity and purification of linenscin OC2, an antibacterial substance produced by Brevibacterium linens OC2, an orange cheese coryneform bacterium.

An orange cheese coryneform bacterium isolated from the surface of Gruyère of Comté and identified as Brevibacterium linens produces an antimicrobial substance designated linenscin OC2. This compound inhibits gram-positive food-borne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes but is not active against gram-negative bacteria. Linenscin OC2 caused viability loss and lysis of the test organism, Listeria innocua. Electron microscopy showed that linenscin OC2 induces protoplast formation and cell lysis. The native substance is resistant to proteolytic enzymes, heat, and organic solvents and stable over a wide range of pH. The molecular weight of the native linenscin OC2 was estimated by gel chromatography to be over 285,000. Linenscin OC2 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, 2-propanol extraction, and reverse-phase chromatography. Direct detection of antimicrobial activity on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel suggested an apparent molecular mass under 2,412 Da. Molecular mass was determined to be 1,196.7 Da by mass spectrometry. Amino acid composition analysis indicated that linenscin OC2 may contain 12 residues.     

Effects of nisin on growth of bacteria attached to meat

Nisin had an inhibitory effect on gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus lactis) but did not have an inhibitory effect on gram-negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) attached to meat. Nisin delayed bacterial growth on meats which were artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus for at least 1 day at room temperature. If the incubation temperature was 5 degrees C, growth of L. monocytogenes was delayed for more than 2 weeks, and growth of Staphylococcus aureus did not occur. We also found that the extractable activity of nisin decreased rapidly when the meats were incubated at ambient temperatures and that this decrease was inversely related to the observed inhibitory effect. These findings disclosed that nisin delays the growth of some gram-positive bacteria attached to meat. However, nisin alone may not be sufficient to prevent meat spoilage because of the presence of gram-negative and other nisin-resistant gram-positive bacteria.     

Effects of nisin on growth of bacteria attached to meat.

Nisin had an inhibitory effect on gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus lactis) but did not have an inhibitory effect on gram-negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) attached to meat. Nisin delayed bacterial growth on meats which were artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus for at least 1 day at room temperature. If the incubation temperature was 5 degrees C, growth of L. monocytogenes was delayed for more than 2 weeks, and growth of Staphylococcus aureus did not occur. We also found that the extractable activity of nisin decreased rapidly when the meats were incubated at ambient temperatures and that this decrease was inversely related to the observed inhibitory effect. These findings disclosed that nisin delays the growth of some gram-positive bacteria attached to meat. However, nisin alone may not be sufficient to prevent meat spoilage because of the presence of gram-negative and other nisin-resistant gram-positive bacteria.     

Identification of a phosphoenolpyruvate:fructose phosphotransferase system (fructose-1-phosphate forming) in Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium whose carbohydrate metabolic pathways are poorly understood. We provide evidence for an inducible phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):fructose phosphotransferase system (PTS) in this pathogen. The system consists of enzyme I, HPr, and a fructose-specific enzyme II complex which generates fructose-1-phosphate as the cytoplasmic product of the PTS-catalyzed vectorial phosphorylation reaction. Fructose-1-phosphate kinase then converts the product of the PTS reaction to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. HPr was shown to be phosphorylated by [32P]PEP and enzyme I as well as by [32P]ATP and a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate-activated HPr kinase like those found in other gram-positive bacteria. Enzyme I, HPr, and the enzyme II complex of the Listeria PTS exhibit enzymatic cross-reactivity with PTS enzyme constituents from Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.     

New vector for efficient allelic replacement in naturally nontransformable, low-GC-content, gram-positive bacteria

A shuttle vector designated pMAD was constructed for quickly generating gene inactivation mutants in naturally nontransformable gram-positive bacteria. This vector allows, on X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside) plates, a quick colorimetric blue-white discrimination of bacteria which have lost the plasmid, greatly facilitating clone identification during mutagenesis. The plasmid was used in Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus to efficiently construct mutants with or without an associated antibiotic resistance gene.     

Characterization of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isolated from the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

A Bacillus strain producing a bacteriocin-like substance was characterized by biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain has high sequence similarity with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The antimicrobial substance was inhibitory to pathogenic and food-spoilage bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Serratia marcescens, and Pasteurella haemolytica. It was stable over a wide temperature range, but lost activity when the temperature reached 121 degrees C/15 min. Maximum activity was observed at acidic and neutral pH values, but not at alkaline pH. The antimicrobial substance was sensitive to the proteolytic action of trypsin, papain, proteinase K, and pronase E. Except for iturins, other antimicrobial peptides have not been described for B. amyloliquefaciens. The identification of a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance active against L. monocytogenes addresses an important aspect of food protection.     

Antimicrobial characterization and safety aspects of the bacteriocinogenic Enterococcus hirae F420 isolated from Moroccan raw goat milk

The F420 strain, isolated from raw goat milk and identified as Enterococcus hirae, was selected because of its strong activity against gram-positive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. Interestingly, the F420 strain lacks the virulence genes and decarboxylase activity of histidine, lysine, and ornithine, and it is susceptible to 11 of 14 tested antibiotics, including vancomycin. The antimicrobial compounds produced by E. hirae F420 strain showed high resistance to heat treatment and to acidic and basic pHs. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis coupled with the sequence of peptide and structural gene analysis of one of the purified enterocins showed 100% identity with enterocin P (EntP), previously described in E. faecium strains. The structural gene for EntP is located on a plasmid of 65 kb. Other enterocins with molecular mass higher than 7 kDa were also detected. This is the first report of the production of EntP by E. hirae species naturally occurring in foods. The biotechnological characteristics of the F420 strain and its enterocins indicate their potential for application in the control of L. monocytogenes and other undesirable bacteria in food systems.     

一株抑制单增李斯特菌感染的S.epidermidis G26菌株的分离筛选

本研究从BALB/c小鼠粪便中分离筛选得到一株具有抑制单增李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)感染的G26菌株。通过16S rDNA鉴定分离株G26为表皮葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus epidermidis G26)。体外试验证明G26能够显著抑制Lm生长;动物实验表明,分离株G26能够降低单增李斯特菌感染小鼠的死亡率,减少单增李斯特菌在小鼠肠道内的含量和粪便检出量。结果表明,分离株G26可以作为一种具有治疗单增李斯特菌感染作用的潜在的益生菌。     

Monoclonal antibody specific for Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, and Listeria welshimeri

Eight hundred fifty-nine murine hybridomas were produced from eight fusions, and 27 were characterized for secretion of antibodies reactive to Listeria monocytogenes. One monoclonal antibody (MAb), P5C9, reacted with all test strains of L. monocytogenes (31 of 31), L. innocua (3 of 3), and L. welshimeri (1 of 1) but not with any strains of the other four Listeria species or with any of 22 gram-positive or 11 gram-negative species of bacteria when tested in microtiter and dot blot enzyme immunoassays. Of the other 26 antibodies, 20 reacted with either L. monocytogenes Scott A or V7 and with some or all of the other six Listeria species but also cross-reacted with some or all of the non-Listeria bacteria tested. MAb P5C9 is of the immunoglobulin G1 murine subclass. In Western blot (immunoblot) analyses, this MAb reacted with a single antigen with a molecular weight of 18,500, and it is shared in common with all three reactive species, L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, and L. welshimeri. This antigen was extracted with detergent and appeared to be cell bound.     

Purification and primary structure of pediocin PA-1 produced by Pediococcus acidilactici PAC-1.0.

The plasmid-encoded bacteriocin pediocin PA-1, produced by the gram-positive bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici strain PAC-1.0, was purified to homogeneity. The purified product exhibited antibacterial activity against several gram-positive bacterial strains, including the food pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Pediocin PA-1 is a 4629-Da peptide with 44 amino acids and two disulfide bonds. The amino acid sequence and arrangement of the disulfide bonds were determined. Sequence data were used to calculate an isoelectric point of 10.0. The small and basic nature of PA-1 is comparable to several other bacteriocins produced by gram-positive bacteria. Reported sequences of other bacteriocins and of other antimicrobial peptides from diverse origins bear no resemblance to the sequence reported here.     

Factors affecting the adsorption of buchnericin LB,a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus [correction of Lactocobacillus] buchneri

Buchnericin-LB adsorbs to gram-positive but not to gram-negative bacteria. The tested gram-positive bacteria were species of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Staphylococcus; gram-negative bacteria belonged to the genera Salmonella, Escherichia, Yersinia and Pseudomonas. Buchnericin-LB adsorption depended on pH but not on time and temperature. Also some anions of salts and lipoteichoic acid reduced or inhibited its adsorption. Treatment of cells and cell walls of sensitive bacteria with detergents, organic solvents or enzymes did not affect subsequent binding of buchnericin-LB. Treatment with buchnericin-LB caused sensitive cells to lose high amounts of intracellular K+ ions and UV-absorbing materials and became more permeable to o-nitrophenol-beta-D-galactopyranoside. Buchnericin-LB (640-2560 AU/ml) decreased the colony forming units (99%) and absorbance values of Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. These results indicate that the mode of action of buchnericin-LB is bactericidal and its lethal effect is very rapid.     

Efficacy of ozonated water against various food-related microorganisms.

The antimicrobial effects of ozonated water in a recirculating concurrent reactor were evaluated against four gram-positive and four gram-negative bacteria, two yeasts, and spores of Aspergillus niger. More than 5 log units each of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli cells were killed instantaneously in ozonated water with or without addition of 20 ppm of soluble starch (SS). In ozonated water, death rates among the gram-negative bacteria--S. typhimurium, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Yersinia enterocolitica--were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Among gram-positive bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes was significantly P < 0.05) more sensitive than either Staphylococcus aureus or Enterococcus faecalis. In the presence of organic material, death rates of S. aureus compared with L. monocytogenes and E. coli compared with S. typhimurium in ozonated water were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by SS addition but were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by addition of 20 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA). More than 4.5 log units each of Candida albicans and Zygosaccharomyces bailii cells were killed instantaneously in ozonated water, whereas less than 1 log unit of Aspergillus niger spores was killed after a 5-min exposure. The average ozone output levels in the deionized water (0.188 mg/ml) or water with SS (0.198 mg/ml) did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) but were significantly lower in water containing BSA (0.149 mg/ml).     

Detection and characterization of a novel antibacterial substance produced by a Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain 1043

A novel antibacterial substance produced by a strain isolated from Bulgarian yellow cheese was characterized. The producer strain was identified by molecular typing to belong to the species Lactobacillus delbrueckii , which is a rare producer of bacteriocins. The inhibitory agent was heat stable and active against lactic acid bacteria species and several food-borne pathogens : Listeria monocytogenes , Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis . Its sensitivity to amylolitic enzymes and lipase suggested that a lipid and carbohydrate moiety could be important for the activity. The amino acid content of the purified bacteriocin was estimated to 29 amino acids. The bacteriocin was shown to be small (3·6–6 kDa) by three different methods : HPLC gel-filtration, SDS-PAGE and amino acid contents.     

单核细胞增生李斯特菌中CcpA缺失株的构建及对毒力的影响

CcpA是革兰氏阳性菌中由ccpA基因编码的介导碳分解代谢物阻遏的全局调控因子。近年来的研究表明,CcpA不仅参与CCR效应,还直接或间接参与病原细菌毒力基因的表达调控。为探讨CcpA对单核细胞增生李斯特菌（Lm）毒力的影响,应用同源重组方法构建CcpA缺失菌株。以BLAB/c小鼠为实验动物模型,检测野生株EGDe和缺失株EGDeΔccpA侵染小鼠后的半数致死剂量 LD₅₀和肝脾细菌载菌量,观察小鼠肝脏和脾脏的病理形态变化。结果显示：缺失CcpA后,Lm的LD₅₀降低了10倍,虽然肝脾细菌载菌量没有显著变化,但EGDe△ccpA对小鼠肝和脾的损害更为严重,表明CcpA缺失增强了细菌的毒力,CcpA 对Lm 毒力基因的表达可能具有间接或者直接的调控作用。     

Inhibition of food-borne bacterial pathogens by bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria isolated from meat

Ten strains of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from retail cuts of meat. These 10 strains along with 11 other bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were tested for inhibitory activity against psychotrophic pathogens, including four strains of Listeria monocytogenes, two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila, and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition due to acid, hydrogen peroxide, and lytic bacteriophage were excluded. The proteinaceous nature of the inhibitory substance was confirmed by demonstration of its sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes. Eight of the meat isolates had inhibitory activity against all four L. monocytogenes strains. Bacteriocin activity against L. monocytogenes was found in all of the strains obtained from other sources. Activity against A. hydrophila and S. aureus was also common.     

地衣芽孢杆菌类细菌素的分离、鉴定及其原核表达

目前,我国饲料中全面禁止添加抗生素,寻找新型的抗生素替代物成为科学研究的热点之一。为获得新的细菌素,本研究以大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌和单增李斯特氏菌为指示菌,通过牛津杯扩散法从羊驼粪便中筛选到高产抑菌物质的芽孢杆菌。基于菌落特征、革兰氏染色和16S rRNA的鉴定结果,将分离到的产抑菌物质菌株命名为地衣芽孢杆菌SXAU06株。采用硫酸铵沉淀、氯仿抽提、分子截留和SDS-PAGE等技术对所产抑菌物质进行分离纯化,经LC-MS/MS和生物信息学分析发现,抑菌物质为分子量约14 kDa的类细菌素,将其命名为BLIS_SXAU06。耐受性试验结果显示,BLIS_SXAU06具有耐高温、耐酸碱和耐蛋白酶K的特性。利用大肠杆菌表达系统对BLIS_SXAU06进行重组表达,所获得的重组BLIS_SXAU06具有抑制金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌和单增李斯特氏菌生长的活性。综上所述,BLIS_SXAU06具有优良的特性,可进一步在农业生产、生物医药和食品加工领域开展研究。     

Inhibition of food-borne bacterial pathogens by bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria isolated from meat.

Ten strains of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from retail cuts of meat. These 10 strains along with 11 other bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were tested for inhibitory activity against psychotrophic pathogens, including four strains of Listeria monocytogenes, two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila, and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition due to acid, hydrogen peroxide, and lytic bacteriophage were excluded. The proteinaceous nature of the inhibitory substance was confirmed by demonstration of its sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes. Eight of the meat isolates had inhibitory activity against all four L. monocytogenes strains. Bacteriocin activity against L. monocytogenes was found in all of the strains obtained from other sources. Activity against A. hydrophila and S. aureus was also common.