Factors affecting the activity of bovicin HC5, a bacteriocin from Streptococcus bovis HC5: release, stability and binding to target bacteria

AIMS: To determine the factors affecting the release, stability and binding of bovicin HC5 to sensitive bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Stationary phase Streptococcus bovis HC5 cultures had little cell-free bovicin HC5 activity until the final pH was <5.0, and even more bacteriocin was released by treatment with acidic NaCl (pH 2.0, 100 mmol l(-1)). Cultures grown with Tween 80 had more cell-free bovicin HC5 than untreated controls, but this nonionic detergent enhanced activity rather than release. Bovicin HC5 binding to S. bovis JB1 (a susceptible strain) was greater at pH values <6.0. Bovicin HC5 bound other sensitive Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative species. Cultures retained most of their activity for 35 days, but only if the final pH was <5.6. If the final pH was >5.6, peptidases destroyed much of the activity. CONCLUSIONS: Bovicin HC5 remains cell associated until the culture pH is <5.0, but it can be easily dissociated from the cell surface by acidic NaCl. It is highly stable in acidic environments and only binds sensitive bacteria at pH values <6.0. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Streptococcus bovis HC5 does not have generally regarded as safe status. However, bovicin HC5 has a broad spectrum of activity and sensitive bacteria do not become resistant. Based on these results, bovicin HC5 may be a useful bacteriocin model.     

Use of visual loop-mediated isotheral amplification of rimM sequence for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis are pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agents of most cases of tuberculosis (TB). Detection of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis using conventional culture- and biochemical-based assays is time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, a simple and sensitive method for rapid detection has been anxiously awaited. In the present study, a visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was designed from the rimM (encoding 16S rRNA-processing protein) gene sequence and used to rapidly detect M. tuberculosis and M. bovis from clinical samples in South China. The visual LAMP reaction was performed by adding calcein and manganous ion, allowing the results to be read by simple visual observation of color change in a closed-tube system, and which takes less than 1 h at 65 °C. The assay correctly identified 84 M. tuberculosis isolates, 3 M. bovis strains and 1 M. bovis BCG samples, but did not detect 51 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates and 8 other bacterial species. Sensitivity of this assay for detection of genomic DNA was 1 pg. Specific amplification was confirmed by the ladder-like pattern of gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme HhaI digestion. The assay successfully detected M. tuberculosis and M. bovis not only in pure bacterial culture but also in clinical samples of sputum, pleural fluid and blood. The speed, specificity, sensitivity of the rimM LAMP, the lack of a need for expensive equipment, and the visual readout show great potential for clinical detection of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.     

The novel protein BboRhop68 is expressed by intraerythrocytic stages of Babesia bovis

The apical complex of intracellular hemoparasites contains organelles like micronemes and rhoptries, specialized structures required for adherence and invasion of host cells. Several molecules discharged from rhoptries have been identified from Plasmodium spp., but only a single rhoptry associated protein-1 (RAP-1) has been characterized from Babesia bovis. In silico search of the B. bovis genome allowed to identifying a sequence homologous to the gene that encodes a P. falciparum rhoptry protein PfRhop148. The intron-less 1830 bp novel gene, predicted a 68 kDa protein, and it was highly conserved among different B. bovis strains and isolates. The deducted protein from the B. bovis T2Bo strain, named BboRhop68, showed two putative transmembrane domains, at least seven B-cell epitopes, and a well conserved DUF501 super family domain. The bborhop68 gene was amplified, analyzed and compared among different B. bovis strains and isolates showing overall high sequence conservation. A fragment of bborhop68 was expressed as a recombinant fusion protein (rBboRhop68). The mice anti-rBboRhop68 serum identified the novel protein in intraerythrocytic trophozoites and merozoites by WB and ELISA, but not in free merozoites. Sera from naturally and experimentally infected bovines also recognized BboRhop68, suggesting that it is expressed and immunogenic during B. bovis infection. Fluorescence microscopy analysis using anti-rBboRhop68 antibodies showed a rod structure associated to trophozoites and merozoites infected erythrocytes, but this pattern of reactivity was not observed in free merozoites. The BboRhop68 was also not detected in ELISA based on solubilized merozoites. Thus, at least three independent lines of evidence support differential expression of BboRhop68 in intraerythrocytic stages of B. bovis and its possible functional role immediately after B. bovis erythrocyte invasion. The results of this work suggest that BboRhop68 could be considered as a novel additional target for developing improved methods to control bovine babesiosis.     

敲除aceE基因对猪链球菌丙酮酸代谢的影响

【目的】探究缺失编码丙酮酸脱氢酶蛋白的aceE基因对猪链球菌生长特性、三羧酸循环和丙酮酸代谢的影响。【方法】通过测量菌液的OD600值,绘制野生型菌株与aceE基因缺失突变株的生长曲线;利用试剂盒测定三羧酸循环和丙酮酸代谢旁路中乙酰CoA、琥珀酸CoA、延胡索酸、草酰乙酸、丙酮酸、乳酸和ATP的含量,通过荧光定量qRT-PCR确定柠檬酸合酶基因、苹果酸脱氢酶基因、琥珀酸脱氢酶基因、异柠檬酸脱氢酶基因、丙酮酸脱羧酶基因、乳酸脱氢酶基因、乙醇脱氢酶基因和乙醛脱氢酶基因的表达水平。【结果】与野生株相比,菌株ΔaceE在平台期OD600值下降;添加1g/L乙酸盐能够显著提升菌株ΔaceE平台期OD600值。菌株ΔaceE的丙酮酸含量上升,ATP含量下降;三羧酸循环代谢中乙酰CoA、琥珀酸CoA、延胡索酸含量降低;柠檬酸合酶基因和苹果酸脱氢酶基因表达水平上升,琥珀酸脱氢酶基因和异柠檬酸脱氢酶基因表达水平下调;在丙酮酸代谢旁路中丙酮酸脱羧酶基因、乳酸脱氢酶基因、乙醇脱氢酶基因和乙醛脱氢酶基因表达水平上升。【结论】结果显示,菌株ΔaceE三羧酸循环活性降低,虽然能够通过PDH旁路将部分丙酮酸分解为乙...     

The effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on bovicin HC5 production by Streptococcus bovis HC5

Aims:  To investigate the effect of media composition and agroindustrial residues on bovicin HC5 production by Streptococcus bovis HC5.
Methods and Results:  Batch cultures of S. bovis HC5 were grown in basal medium containing different carbon and nitrogen sources. The activity of cell-free and cell-associated bovicin HC5 was determined in culture supernatants and acidic extracts obtained from cell pellets, respectively. Streptococcus bovis HC5 produced bovicin using a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. The highest specific activity was obtained in media containing 16 g l⁻¹ of glucose, after 16 h of incubation. The peak in cell-free and cell-associated bovicin HC5 activity was detected when S. bovis HC5 cultures reached stationary phase. The bovicin HC5 specific activity and bacterial cell mass increased approximately 3-fold when yeast extract and trypticase (0·5 and 1·0 g l⁻¹, respectively) were added together to the basal medium. Streptococcus bovis HC5 cultures produced bovicin HC5 in cheese whey and sugar cane juice and maximal volumetric productivity was obtained after 12 h of incubation.
Conclusions:  Streptococcus bovis HC5 is a versatile lactic acid bacterium that can utilize several carbon and nitrogen sources for bovicin HC5 production. This bacterium could be a useful model to study bacteriocin production in the rumen ecosystem.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The use of agroindustrial residues as carbon sources could have an economical impact on bovicin HC5 production. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the use of sugar cane juice for bacteriocin production by lactic acid bacteria.     

光唇鱼源无乳链球菌的分离鉴定及遗传特征

【目的】为查明浙江养殖光唇鱼大量死亡的病原,了解病原的遗传特征。【方法】本工作对患病光唇鱼进行病原分离,结合形态特征、生理生化特性和16S rRNA基因序列同源性,对分离菌株进行鉴定;采用人工回感试验确定其病原性,并对分离株的血清型、多位点序列分型(multilocus sequence typing,MLST)、毒力基因型和表面蛋白抗原基因型等遗传特征进行分析;此外,还测试了菌株的药敏特性。【结果】从患病光唇鱼体中分离得到优势菌株ACRO-0708,为革兰氏阳性球菌,不溶血,分子与生化鉴定为无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae);人工感染试验证实其对光唇鱼有较强的致病性,LD50为6.47×10~3CFU/g,属于血清型Ⅰb和MLST型ST261,毒力基因型为sip~+bibA~+cfb~+hylB~+iagA~+fbsA~+fbsB~+bac~–bca~–cylE~–scpB~–lmb~–,不携带所检测的6种表面蛋白基因。药敏试验结果显示,对青霉素、氨苄西林等8种药物较敏感,对氯霉素、复方新诺明等7种药物耐药。【结论】引起浙江养殖光唇鱼死亡的病原菌为无乳链球菌,其分子特征与水产动物主要流行的无乳链球菌株具有显著差异,生产中可选用氨苄西林、氟苯尼考等药物进行防治。     

猪链球菌生物被膜形成的耐药机制

猪链球菌病(Streptococcus suis)是一种严重影响各国养猪业发展和人类健康的人兽共患传染病,可以引起败血症、关节炎、脑膜炎等多种疾病,造成巨大的经济损失.猪链球菌生物被膜的形成是导致其致病性和耐药性增加的主要原因.为了预防和治疗猪链球菌病以及解析其耐药的可能机制,深入了解和掌握猪链球菌生物被膜的形成和耐药...     

罗非鱼源无乳链球菌肠道拮抗芽孢杆菌的筛选及其生物学特性

【目的】从健康尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)肠道中筛选一株对罗非鱼源无乳链球菌等病原菌具有拮抗功能的益生菌。【方法】取健康尼罗罗非鱼肠道,匀浆后进行10倍系列梯度稀释,然后涂布BHI平板,培养1–2d,挑取单克隆菌落。采用点种法初步筛选对罗非鱼源无乳链球菌有拮抗作用的菌株,选取其中一株拮抗效果较好的菌株LF01,通过形态学、生理生化特征以及分子生物学分析,对LF01菌株进行鉴定。然后对LF01菌株的生长特性、水解淀粉和酪蛋白能力、药物敏感特性、抗菌谱和生物安全性进行测定和分析。【结果】根据菌落形态和生长时间的差异,从健康尼罗罗非鱼肠道中筛选出64株细菌,通过拮抗试验筛选出6株具有明显拮抗效果的菌株,其中LF01菌株的拮抗效果最好。根据LF01的形态、生理生化特征和gyr A基因的进化分析,确定该菌株为贝莱斯芽孢杆菌(Bacillus velezensis)。LF01菌株的最适生长温度为30°C,最适p H值为7,最适盐度为5‰,而且该菌株具有水解淀粉和酪蛋白的功能。药敏试验结果显示,LF01菌株对多数抗生素敏感,仅对杆菌肽耐药。拮抗试验结果显示LF01株对无乳链球菌、海豚链球菌、迟缓爱德华氏菌、鮰爱德华氏菌、嗜水气单胞菌、舒氏气单胞菌、维氏气单胞菌、简氏气单胞菌、鰤鱼诺卡氏菌等病原菌均具有拮抗作用,其中对鰤鱼诺卡氏菌的拮抗作用最强,平均抑菌圈直径达28.3 mm。生物安全试验表明,LF01菌株对尼罗罗非鱼、斑马鱼(Danio rerio)和乌鳢(Channa argus)等3种鱼均无致病性,具有良好的安全性。【结论】本研究筛选了一株贝莱斯芽孢杆菌LF01株,该菌的生物安全性良好,而且可拮抗常见的水产病原菌,具有防控多种水产经济动物疾病的潜力,应用前景十分广阔。     

猪链球菌和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌多重实时荧光PCR方法的建立

【背景】猪链球菌(Streptococcus suis,SS)和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌(Pasteurella multocida,Pm)都是能引起宿主致病的人畜共患病原菌,常出现混合感染,临床诊断上易与猪瘟、猪丹毒等混淆。【目的】快速、有效鉴别猪链球菌病和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌病,建立一种能同时检测2种病原的多重实时荧光定量PCR检测方法。【方法】基于猪链球菌的gdh基因和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌的plpE基因,设计2对特异引物及TaqMan探针,以细菌16S rRNA基因设计通用引物及探针,通过对反应条件优化,建立了一种能同时检测猪链球菌和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌的多重实时荧光定量PCR检测方法。【结果】该方法能够特异性地检测猪链球菌和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌,与细菌分离后的测序结果验证完全一致。此方法对重组质粒标准品的最低检出浓度分别为4.53×10²copies/μL和3.97×10²copies/μL。重复性试验结果显示,该方法的组内和组间变异系数均小于3%。【结论】本实验所建立的方法准确、简便、可靠,能够用于2种病原菌的同时检测,为猪链球菌病和猪多杀性巴氏杆菌病的防治提供了有效的检测工具,具有重要的流行病学意义和临床应用价值。     

马源马链球菌兽疫亚种3株新疆分离株基因型的鉴定及MLST分析

【背景】马链球菌兽疫亚种(Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus,SeZ)是引起马腺疫的主要病原,还可引起猪链球菌病,加强该菌的地方株分子流行病学监测对有效防控相关疫病十分必要。【目的】对新疆地区2个马场SeZ分离株进行鉴定和药敏特性分析,并分析3株新疆分离株的分子流行与菌株的遗传进化特征。【方法】对分离纯化的3株病原菌(ZHZ113、ZHZ211和ZHZ523)进行染色观察、生化及药敏特性检测,对16S rRNA和SeM基因进行遗传进化分析,以链球菌7个管家基因arcC、nrdE、proS、spi、tdk、tpi和yqiL为目的基因对3株分离菌进行多位点序列分型(Multilocus Sequence Typing,MLST)研究。【结果】3株SeZ的药敏结果显示这3株分离菌对不同抗生素的耐药程度不同,但均对头孢西丁、庆大霉素、链霉素、红霉素、左氧氟沙星、环丙沙星、土霉素等11种药物敏感。16SrRNA基因序列分析显示这3株分离菌均属于Ⅱ群(兽疫链球菌)。3株菌的MLST分型结果分别为ST39、ST419、ST421型,其中ST419和ST42...     

Anticariogenic activity of macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) against Streptococcus mutans

The occurrence of dental caries is mainly associated with oral pathogens, especially cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. Preliminary antibacterial screening revealed that the extract of Myristica fragrans, widely cultivated for the spice and flavor of foods, possessed strong inhibitory activity against S. mutans. The anticariogenic compound was successfully isolated from the methanol extract of M. fragrans by repeated silica gel chromatography, and its structure was identified as macelignan by instrumental analysis using 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and EI-MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of macelignan against S. mutans was 3.9 microg/ml, which was much lower than those of other natural anticariogenic agents such as 15.6 microg/ml of sanguinarine, 250 microg/ml of eucalyptol, 500 microg/ml of menthol and thymol, and 1000 microg/ml of methyl salicylate. Macelignan also possessed preferential activity against other oral microorganisms such as Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei in the MIC range of 2-31.3 microg/ml. In particular, the bactericidal test showed that macelignan, at a concentration of 20 microg/ml, completely inactivated S. mutans in 1 min. The specific activity and fast-effectiveness of macelignan against oral bacteria strongly suggest that it could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in functional foods or oral care products.     

精氨酸代谢调控蛋白ArgR调控嗜热链球菌胞外多糖合成

[目的] 研究精氨酸代谢调控蛋白ArgR对嗜热链球菌胞外多糖（EPS）合成的调控作用。[方法] 利用大肠杆菌异源表达嗜热链球菌ArgR蛋白,通过尿素变性-复性和Ni²⁺亲和层析纯化。采用凝胶电泳迁移（EMSA）和生物膜层干涉（BLI）分析ArgR和eps基因簇中P_epsA启动子的相互作用和动力学信息。构建过表达和弱化argR基因菌株,利用苯酚-硫酸法测定其合成EPS差异。[结果] 大肠杆菌异源表达的ArgR为包涵体,使用尿素变性-复性纯化可获得2.95 mg/mL可溶性蛋白;EMSA和BLI结果显示ArgR和启动子P_epsA有特异性结合,且结合因解离水平低而稳定;过表达argR基因可显著降低嗜热链球菌EPS合成,而弱化argR基因则提高EPS合成。[结论] 本研究表明ArgR能特异性结合嗜热链球菌eps基因簇启动子,并负调控EPS生物合成。     

牛源无乳链球菌长尾噬菌体的特性

【目的】分离鉴定噬菌体,对其生物学特性进行研究,并筛选候选毒株为防控牛源无乳链球菌的感染提供依据。【方法】分别采用从牛奶或环境中分离、溶原菌诱导两种方法分离鉴定无乳链球菌噬菌体,利用双层琼脂平板法纯化。将新分离鉴定毒株与前期已分离鉴定的源自乳腺炎牛奶的无乳链球菌噬菌体JX01进行分析和比较,包括噬菌体透射电镜形态观察、对55株无乳链球菌和其他细菌的宿主谱鉴定、噬菌体基因Eco R I、Sal I、Xba I或Pst I的酶切图谱、最适MOI、吸附曲线和一步生长曲线、不同保存条件下的稳定性等。【结果】分离鉴定的3株噬菌体LYGO9、HZ04和p A11(诱导自牛源菌株HAJL2011070601)与JX01比对分析,结果显示,4株噬菌体均为长尾噬菌体;Eco R I、Sal I、Xba I、Pst I的酶切图谱分获4、3、3或2种带型,显示4株噬菌体为不同毒株;均特异性裂解牛源无乳链球菌,对42株牛源无乳链球菌的裂解率如下:LYGO9为28.6%(12/42)、p A11为31%(13/42)、HZ04为47.6%(20/42)、JX01为54.8%(23/42);同时,LYGO9与p A11、HZ04和JX01分别有共同宿主11、12和11株;HZ04与JX01有共同宿主18株,提示它们具有同源性。LYGO9感染宿主的潜伏期短,仅5 min,平均裂解量为30。分离株在SM液中4°C至少可保存1个月。【结论】分离鉴定的3株牛源无乳链球菌噬菌体均为长尾噬菌体,其中LYGO9潜伏期短、裂解量较大。     

肺炎链球菌与宿主炎症小体的相互作用机制

肺炎链球菌(Streptococcus pneumoniae)是一种定植于上呼吸道的革兰阳性胞外菌,是导致侵袭性肺炎的主要原因,所致疾病具有较高的发病率和死亡率。炎症小体(inflammasome)是胞浆内重要的蛋白复合体,在先天免疫应答过程中起着重要作用。大量研究表明,肺炎链球菌感染可诱导宿主炎症小体的激活、半胱天冬酶1的活化和促炎性细胞因子的分泌。在长期选择压力的作用下,肺炎链球菌的部分突变菌株可以逃避炎症小体的识别。本文就肺炎链球菌感染过程中炎症小体的激活、炎症小体在抗肺炎链球菌过程中的作用以及肺炎链球菌逃避宿主炎症小体识别的机制三方面对肺炎链球菌与炎症小体之间相互作用的研究进展进行综述。     

猪链球菌分子流行病学研究方法

猪链球菌（Streptococcus suis）是猪重要的细菌性病原,它可以导致猪的脑膜炎、败血症和关节炎等症状,给养猪业带来严重经济损失;同时该菌还可感染人,是一种人畜共患病原菌。应用分子流行病学方法,阐明猪链球菌病的流行病学特征,明确其毒力分型、时空分布、传播途径、传染源,确定传播的遗传决定因素等,将有助于猪链球菌病的防控。目前常用的分子流行病学方法主要有多位点序列分型、脉冲场凝胶电泳、全基因组测序和基于PCR的方法等。本文介绍了上述方法的原理以及在猪链球菌流行病学中的应用,并分析这几种方法的优缺点,从而为更好地揭示猪链球菌流行病学特征、制定猪链球菌病的防控策略提供参考。     

不同处理方法对肺炎链球菌基因组提取的影响

为了获得简便、高效的提取肺炎链球菌基因组DNA方法,分别采用不同处理方法(溶菌酶法和脱氧胆酸钠(DOC)法)、不同处理时间对8株不同血清型的肺炎链球菌进行破壁,同时菌株采用不同培养时间进行基因组的提取,提取基因组后利用紫外分光光度计测定样品中DNA的浓度和纯度以及琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测基因组DNA的质量。结果表明,菌株培养12~16 h、质量分数1%DOC处理2 h能提取出高质量的肺炎链球菌基因组DNA。该方法提取的肺炎链球菌基因组DNA具有质量高、完整性好的优点,为肺炎链球菌全基因组序列的测定提供了前提条件。     

无乳链球菌耐药性及分子分型方法的研究进展

无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)是链球菌属最主要的致病菌之一,又被称为B群链球菌(group B Streptococcus,GBS)。S. agalactiae致病性主要由毒力因子和表面蛋白引起,毒力因子包括荚膜多糖、溶血素、菌毛岛屿、透明质酸酶、磷酸甘油激酶和CAMP因子,表面蛋白是αC蛋白、表面免疫相关蛋白、黏附蛋白、纤维蛋白原结合蛋白、层黏连蛋白结合蛋白和纤溶酶受体蛋白。近8年的S. agalactiae耐药情况统计数据发现,S.agalactiae已对19种抗菌抗药物产生耐药,检出20个耐药基因和12种毒力因子。国内外S. agalactiae分子分型方法主要致力于血清型、多位点序列、脉冲场凝胶电泳、菌毛岛屿和细菌前噬菌体基因分型。本文阐述了S.agalactiae生物学特性、流行性致病信息、耐药性研究现状和分子分型方法研究进展,以期为进一步探明S.agalactiae耐药机制、开发治疗S. agalactiae的新型药物提供参考。