Diversity of surface structures and virulence genetic markers among enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains with and without the EAEC DNA probe sequence

The expression of surface structures and the presence of DNA sequences related to putative virulence factors were investigated in 22 enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains (EAEC). Fimbria was the most frequent (72.7%) structure identified. Only strains hybridising with the EAEC DNA probe carried aggA, but one strain produced a similar but unrelated bundle-like structure. All probe-positive and 62.5% of the probe-negative strains carried the virulence genes tested; aspU and irp2 prevailed among the former strains. The EAEC probe-positive strains were more diverse, and some of these strains, which promoted cell detachment, also carried the hly and pap sequences, thus suggesting they might represent uropathogenic E. coli.     

Expression of antigenically distinct fimbriae with hemagglutination and HeLa cell adherence properties by an enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strain belonging to the enteropathogenic serogroup

Abstract An enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC) strain (DS92), isolated from a case of infantile diarrhea, was shown to express mannose-resistant hemagglutination and HeLa cell adhering properties when grown at 37°C but not at 28°C. Cellular adherence properties of DS92, which belonged to enteropathogeci serogroup 0125, were shown to correlate well with the expression of fimbriae that were encoded by a 112 kb plasmid. The fimbriae of the EAggEC strain DS92 were composed of 20 kDa subunit proteins and were serologically distinct from fimbrial or non-fimbrial cell surface antigen(s) of other diarrheagenic E. coli strains including the reference EAggEC strain 17-2. Interestingly, the 20-kDa fimbrial protein was found to be antigenically related to 18- and 14.5-kDa cell surface proteins of two other locally isolated EAggEC strains belonging to the enteropathogenic serogroup 086.     

Human milk fractions inhibit the adherence of diffusely adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) to HeLa cells

Binding to a specific receptor is an essential step for most enteropathogens to initiate an intestinal infection. We analyzed the inhibitory effect of human milk and its protein components on adhesion of two diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains, diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), to HeLa cells. Defatted milk, whey proteins, immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin fractions, in concentrations lower than usually found in whole milk, inhibited both DAEC and EAEC adhesion, indicating that human milk components may contribute to the defense of the infants against enteropathogens.     

Genetic variation among Malaysian isolates of Salmonella typhi as detected by ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns.

Genetic variation among Malaysian isolates of Salmonella typhi was determined by analysis of ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns. Of the 20 isolates analyzed, eight different pattern combinations were detected. The amount of variation observed was also dependent upon the restriction endonuclease used; PstI produced more different patterns than did SmaI. The results suggested that disease activity was due to a number of different clones circulating simultaneously rather than a single strain. Further implications of the data are discussed.     

Amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of a specific target sequence in the gene coding for Escherichia coli verotoxin (VTe variant)

Synthetic oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to target a specific sequence in the gene coding for the A subunit of Escherichia coli verotoxin (VTe-variant, VTev). This PCR protocol permits the VTe-variant target sequence to be distinguished from closely related sequences in the same coding regions for type 1, type 2, and type 2 variant E. coli verotoxins. This procedure will be a valuable adjunct to other DNA amplification techniques currently being used for molecular epidemiological studies of verotoxigenic E. coli.     

脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1株ppk1基因致病机制初探

【目的】构建脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1(Escherichia coli,E.coli K1)株E44的聚磷酸盐激酶1(Polyphosphate kinase 1,PPK1)基因敲除株,并对其生物学功能进行初步研究,为明确ppk1基因在E.coli K1株致脑膜炎机制中的作用奠定基础。【方法】利用自杀质粒pCVD442及基因同源重组技术敲除E.coli K1株E44中的ppk1基因,构建ppk1缺失突变株Δppk1;体外比较野生株和突变株在低营养及氧化压力情况下的生存能力;考察二者对人脑微血管内皮细胞(Human brain microvascular endothelial cells,HBMEC)的黏附能力;通过测定乳酸脱氢酶(Lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)释放活性,比较野生株和突变株对HBMEC的损伤效应。【结果】PCR及序列分析证实,突变株缺失全长ppk1基因。与野生株E44相比,ppk1突变株Δppk1在低营养环境中和氧化刺激条件下的生存能力明显降低。相对于E44,Δppk1对HBMEC的黏附能力减弱。与HBMEC孵育后,突变株孵育组HBMEC的LDH释放活性明显低于野生株孵育组。【结论】ppk1对E.coli K1株E44在低营养环境中的生存、抵抗氧化压力,以及黏附HBMEC和对细胞的毒性损伤有重要作用。     

Sequence, cloning, expression and characterisation of the 81-kDa surface membrane protein (P80) of Mycoplasma agalactiae

In response to heat-stable enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, the initial rise of cytosolic Ca(2+) occurred with activation of IP(3). Chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) with EGTA and suspension of cells in Ca(2+) free buffer both demonstrated the involvement of internal stores in the rise of [Ca(2+)]i. Cells pretreated with dantrolene resulted in decrease of [Ca(2+)]i response which suggested that the rise of intracellular level of Ca(2+) was mostly due to the mobilization from IP(3) sensitive stores. When the cytosolic Ca(2+) was chelated by loading the cells with BAPTA, NAG-ST could not induce Ca(2+) entry to the cell as assessed by Mn(2+) quenching of fura-2 fluorescence which suggested that calcium influx across the plasma membrane depends upon initial rise of this bivalent cation that maintained the sustained phase of [Ca(2+)]i response. Addition of toxin to the fura-2-loaded cells, preincubated with lanthanum chloride, resulted in reduction of [Ca(2+)]i level with a short duration of irregular sustained phase further suggesting that the influx of Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane might be through the calcium channel.     

Genetic variation of the VP1 gene of the virulent duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) isolates in Shandong province of China

To investigate the relationship of the variation of virulence and the external capsid proteins of the pandemic duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) isolates, the virulence, cross neutralization assays and the complete sequence of the virion protein 1 (VP1) gene of nine virulent DHAV-1 strains, which were isolated from infected ducklings with clinical symptoms in Shandong province of China in 2007–2008, were tested. The fifth generation duck embryo allantoic liquids of the 9 isolates were tested on 12-day-old duck embryos and on 7-day-old ducklings for the median embryonal lethal doses (ELD₅₀s) and the median lethal doses (LD₅₀s), respectively. The results showed that the ELD₅₀s of embryonic duck eggs of the 9 DHAV-1 isolates were between 1.9 × 10⁶/mL to 1.44 × 10⁷/mL, while the LD₅₀s were 2.39 × 10⁵/mL to 6.15 × 10⁶/mL. Cross-neutralization tests revealed that the 9 DHAV-1 isolates were completely neutralized by the standard serum and the hyperimmune sera against the 9 DHAV-1 isolates, respectively. Compared with other virulent, moderate virulent, attenuated vaccine and mild strains, the VP1 genes of the 9 strains shared 89.8%–99.7% similarity at the nucleotide level and 92.4%–99.6% at amino acid level with other DHAV-1 strains. There were three hypervariable regions at the C-terminus (aa 158–160, 180–193 and 205–219) and other variable points in VP1 protein, but which didn’t cause virulence of DHAV-1 change.     

Cell surface presentation of recombinant (poly-) peptides including functional T-cell epitopes by the AIDA autotransporter system

For the efficient surface presentation and release of virulence factors especially pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria have developed several distinct secretion mechanisms. An increasing number of pathogens in various species employs a mechanism denoted the 'autotransporter' pathway. This pathway is characterised by an outer membrane translocator module representing the C-terminal domain of the transported protein itself. An intriguing potential application of such systems involves the transport and surface expression of recombinant proteins or peptides, like e.g. the presentation of antigens for the generation of live oral vectors as vaccine carriers. Here we report on the incorporation of heterologous (poly-) peptides in permissive sites of the translocator module of the adhesin-involved-in-diffuse-adherence (AIDA) autotransporter system. We demonstrate the presentation of the B subunit of the heat labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LTB) as well as of functional T-cell epitopes of Yersinia enterocolitica heat-shock protein 60 (Y-hsp60) on the surface of E. coli.     

中华绒螯蟹遗传变异的RAPD分析

用31个可重复性好的随机引物对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)的辽河、瓯江和长江种群进行了RAPD分析。121个扩增片段中有27个多态片段。遗传距离指数（D）表明中华绒螯蟹种内遗传变异较低(D=0.004～0.063)。3个种群中,辽河种群(D=0.018)和瓯江种群(D=0.025)遗传变异较高,而长江种群遗传变异较低(D=0.013);辽河种群和瓯江种群间遗传距离(D=0.023)小于它们与长江种群间的遗传距离(D值分别为0.028和0.032)。提示人类经济活动可能已使这2个种群发生了基因交流。     

Effect of a pyruvate kinase (pykF-gene) knockout mutation on the control of gene expression and metabolic fluxes in Escherichia coli

The metabolic regulation of Escherichia coli lacking a functional pykF gene was investigated based on gene expressions, enzyme activities, intracellular metabolite concentrations and the metabolic flux distribution obtained based on (13)C-labeling experiments. RT-PCR revealed that the glycolytic genes such as glk, pgi, pfkA and tpiA were down regulated, that ppc, pckA, maeB and mdh genes were strongly up-regulated, and that the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway genes such as zwf and gnd were significantly up-regulated in the pykF mutant. The catabolite repressor/activator gene fruR was up-regulated in the pykF mutant, but the adenylate cyclase gene cyaA was down-regulated indicating a decreased rate of glucose uptake. This was also ascertained by the degradation of ptsG mRNA, the gene for which was down-regulated in the pykF mutant. In general, the changes in enzyme activities more or less correlated with ratios of gene expression, while the changes in metabolic fluxes did not correlate with enzyme activities. For example, high flux ratios were obtained through the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway due to an increased concentration of glucose-6-phosphate rather than to favorable enzyme activity ratios. In contrast, due to decreased availability of pyruvate (and acetyl coenzyme A) in the pykF mutant compared with the wild type, low flux ratios were found through lactate and acetate forming pathways.     

Analysis of the expression of the Trichoderma harzianum ech42 gene in two isogenic clones of Escherichia coli by surface response methodology

The endochitinase gene ech42 from Trichoderma harzianum was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(D3)pLysS using a pET-19b expression system. The effect of temperature, cell concentrations and inductor concentration on protein expression were evaluated by response surface methodology. Applying a second-order model to describe the amount of endochitinase produced by two selected clones, demonstrated that different optimal conditions of expression were found among clones, indicating that the best environmental conditions for expression among the several isogenic clones differed.     

Construction of a gene of the human tumor-associated antigen VNTR(MUC1) bound to streptavidin, its expression inEscherichia coli, and the study of properties of the hybrid protein

A gene of human tumor-associated antigen VNTR(MUC1) bound to streptavidin, an expression plasmid, and a highly effective hybrid protein-producing strain were constructed. It was shown that the streptavidin leader peptide ensures effective secretion of the hybrid protein into the periplasmic space ofEscherichia coli cells. The hybrid protein was isolated in a homogeneous state and its immunogenic properties were studied.     

Allelic subtyping of the intimin locus (eae) of pathogenic Escherichia coli by fluorescent RFLP

Intimin is a highly polymorphic protein encoded by the eae gene and plays a crucial role in the attaching-effacing phenotype of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and related pathogens. We have developed a method to quickly and accurately uncover allelic variation at the eae locus through the use of fluorescent RFLP (fRFLP). Application of fRFLP to 151 eae -positive strains (including the newly described Escherichia albertii ) revealed 26 different fRFLP types that correspond to 20 of the 28 previously described eae alleles. Two sequence variants of the γ, ι, κ, and ζ alleles and three variants of ɛ were also observed. In addition to being reliable and accurate, the method can be easily adapted to accommodate new eae allelic sequences, as they become known.     

Efficient sequence analysis of the six gene products (7-74 kDa) from the Escherichia coli thiamin biosynthetic operon by tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry

The 10(5) resolving power and MS/MS capabilities of Fourier-transform mass spectrometry provide electrospray ionization mass spectra containing >100 molecular and fragment ion mass values of high accuracy. Applying these spectra to the detection and localization of errors and modifications in the DNA-derived sequences of proteins is illustrated with the thiCEFSGH thiamin biosynthesis operon from Escherichia coli. Direct fragmentation of the multiply-charged intact protein ions produces large fragment ions covering the entire sequence; further dissociation of these fragment ions provides information on their sequences. For ThiE (23 kDa), the entire sequence was verified in a single spectrum with an accurate (0.3 Da) molecular weight (Mr) value, with confirmation from MS/MS fragment masses. Those for ThiH (46 kDa) showed that the Mr value (1 Da error) represented the protein without the start Met residue. For ThiF (27 kDa), MS/MS localized a sequence discrepancy to a 34 residue peptide. The first 107 residues of ThiC (74 kDa) were shown to be correct, with C-terminal heterogeneity indicated. For ThiG (predicted Mr = 34 kDa), ESI/FTMS showed two components of 7,310.74 (ThiS) and 26,896.5 Da (ThiG); MS/MS uncovered three reading frame errors and a stop codon for the first protein. MS/MS ions are consistent with 68 fragments predicted by the corrected ThiS/ThiG DNA sequences.     

Association between HindIII (rs320) variant in the lipoprotein lipase gene and the presence of coronary artery disease and stroke among the Saudi population

Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) is known to be a key enzyme for lipid metabolism specifically in an enzymatic glycoprotein which provide tissues without fatty-acids and eliminates triglycerides (TG) by the circulation. Mutations in LPL were proven to cause alteration in fractions within lipoprotein, causing the development of atherosclerosis which predispose to weakening coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. We examined the linkage between genetic variant HindIII in LPL on lipoprotein fractions, stroke occurrences and CAD. In this case-control study, we have recruited 315 CAD cases and 205 age-matched controls. A total of 520 genomic DNA was digested with the purified PCR products for restriction fragment length polymorphism with HindIII restriction enzyme. The distribution of genotypes in a decreasing order were TT, 148 (47%), GT 135 (42.9%) and GG 32 (10.2%) in CAD groups of the study while the pattern in controls were GT 91 (44.4%), TT 86 (42%) and GG 28 (13.7%). None of all the allele or genotype frequencies were found to be significant in our study (p greater than 0.05), while the biochemical levels for both TG and LDL-c were shown to be prone in CAD patients when compare with the controls. Furthermore, the occurence of strokes were more in CAD groups vs. controls: 72 (22.9%) vs. 7 (3.4%) [p 0.000]. This could indicate the influence of HindIII variant on plasma lipid levels, and the possibility of considering it a risk factor for atherosclerosis leading to CAD and stroke occurrence.