A fluorescent probe response to the interaction of pyocin R1 with sensitive cells.

Additon of pyocin R1, a bacteriocin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to sensitive cells caused a fluorescence increase of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) in the cell suspension. The reaction was rapid, starting with a short time lag after adsorption of pyocin onto the cells and finishing within several minutes. The fluorescence response was attributed to the interaction of the cell body and ANS, not to that of the medium outside the cells and ANS. The maximal amplitude of fluorescence after pyocin addition was dependent on temperature, and the relation appeared to be biphasic. Similarly, Arrhenius plots of the initial rate of fluorescence change were biphasic. The transition of slopes in both cases occurred in the temperature range between 18 and 19 degrees. These results suggest that ANS interacts with lipids in the cell envelope and that pyocin causes a structural change of the cell envelope leading to increased fluorescence of ANS.     

Pyocin R1 inhibits active transport in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and depolarizes membrane potential.

Pyocin R1, a bacteriocin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inhibited active transport of proline in the presence of high concentrations of malate and magnesium salt. Pyocin R1 did not affect the respiration of sensitive cells nor induce cell lysis, but it caused a decrease in the intracellular ATP level. In addition, a passive inflow of [14C]thiocyanate anion, a probe of membrane potential, was induced by pyocin R1, showing a depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane. It is considered that membrane depolarization is a primary action of pyocin R1.     

Enhancement of divalent anion transport across the human red blood cell membrane by the water-soluble dansyl chloride derivative 2-(N-piperidine)ethylamine-1-naphthyl-5-sulfonylchloride (PENS-Cl)

Sulfate transport across the red cell membrane is enhanced by the newly synthesised, water-soluble and nonpenetrating dansyl chloride derivative 2-(N-piperidine)ethylamine-1-naphthyl-5-sulfonylchloride (PENS-Cl). The transport is only enhanced if the potentiating agent 2-(4-aminophenyl-3-sulfonic acid)-6-methylbenzothiazol-7-sulfonic acid (APMB) is present during incubation with PENS-Cl. The enhanced flux is reduced by the anion-transport inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (H2DIDS) to about the same low level as in untreated controls. In contrast to dansyl chloride, PENS-Cl does not increase cation leakage from the red cells. The effects of PENS-Cl on sulfate transport resemble those produced by dansyl chloride. However, it can be shown that PENS-Cl only reacts with one subset of sites that are modified by dansyl chloride and involved in bringing about the enhancement of sulfate transport. This subset does not include the sites accessible to dansyl chloride in the absence of APMB. It comprises only a fraction of the sites exposed to dansyl chloride in the presence of APMB. Very little labelling of proteins of the red cell membrane can be seen after exposure of ghosts to the PENS-Cl, while dansyl chloride labels all major proteins.     

Enhancement of divalent anion transport across the human red blood cell membrane by the water-soluble dansyl chloride derivative 2-(N-piperidine)ethylamine-1-naphtyl-5-sulfonylchloride (PENS-Cl)

Sulfate transport across the red cell membrane is enhanced by the newly synthesised, water-soluble and nonpenetrating dansyl chloride derivative 2-(N-piperidine)ethylamine-1-napththyl-5-sulfonylchloride (PENS-Cl). The transport is only enhanced if the potentiating agent 2-(4-aminophenyl-3-sulfonic acid)-6-methylbenzothiazol-7-sulfonic acid (APMB)is present during incubation with PENS-Cl. The enhanced flux is reduced by the anion-transport inhibitor 4,4′-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (H₂ DIDS) to about the same low level as in untreated controls. In contrast to dansyl chloride, PENS-Cl does not increase cation leakage from the red cells. The effects of PENS-Cl on sulfate transport resemble those produced by dansyl chloride. However, it can be shown that PENS-Cl only reacts with one subset of sites that are modified by dansyl chloride and involved in bringing about the enhancement of sulfate transport. This subset does not include the sites accessible to dansyl chloride in the absence of APMB. It comprises only a fraction of the sites exposed to dansyl chloride in the presence of APMB. Very little labelling of proteins of the red cell membrane can be seen after exposure of ghosts to the PENS-Cl, while dansyl chloride labels all major proteins.     

Changes in secondary structure of poliovirus ribonucleic acid.

The incorporation of the fluorescent amine, dansyl cadaverine [N(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalene sulfonamide], into the plasma membranes of intact cells was investigated. Using a fluorescent microscope, incorporation was observed when cultured mouse lymphoma (L1210) cells, cultured human fibroblasts and white cells from several sources were incubated in the presence of 0.1 mM dansyl cadaverine. While intact erythrocytes from several species did not incorporate the fluorescent amine, erythrocyte ghosts did. The uptake of dansyl cadaverine by L1210 cells was dependent upon the cell concentration, incubation time and temperature. Experiments designed to elucidate the structural requirements for fluorophor uptake demonstrated that, in addition to a hydrophobic dansyl group an extended straight hydrocarbon side chain with either an amino or hydroxyl group was necessary. The incorporated fluorophor was noncovalently associated with the cell membrane as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of membranes and extraction of dansyl cadaverine labelled cells with choroform/methanol (2:1). These results indicate that dansyl cadaverine is incorporated into plasma membranes and suggest its potential usefulness as a new fluorescent probe in cell membrane studies.     

Morphological studies on relaxed and contracted forms of purified pyocin particles

The bacteriocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pyocin, consists of a contractile sheath and inner core reminiscent of T-even coliphage tails. Contraction of the outer sheath was found to be promoted by 0.5 m magnesium chloride, 1% Formalin, low pH, sonic treatment, and freezing or thawing or both. The contraction caused by 0.5 m magnesium chloride, however, was found to be reversible and occurred upon reduction of the salt concentration from 0.5 to 0.02 m. In addition, direct assay showed that pyocin activity was nearly proportional to the percentage of only uncontracted forms. Initial studies suggested that the adsorption of purified pyocin onto cell wall fragments from the sensitive indicator strain of P. aeruginosa occurs with the relaxed particle only and not with the contracted form. However, after adsorption, contraction occurred. Various morphological structures, such as tail fibers and base-platelike appendages, were also observed. Upon contraction, six tail fibers were observed on many particles, four of which appeared to originate from the sheath and two from the inner core. Polysheaths and polycores several hundred nanometers in length were also occasionally observed.     

Phenotypic mixing of pyocin R2 and bacteriophage PS17 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.

Previous results indicate that a group of bacteriocins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, named R-type pyocins, have a structure resembling bacteriophage tails and share some serological homology with certain bacteriophages. This paper presents genetic evidence which strongly suggests that components of pyocin R2, an R-type pyocin of P. aeruginosa PAO, and tail components of bacteriophage PS17 are interchangeable. Complementation tests with pyocin R2-deficient mutants of PAO and ts mutants of PS17 revealed that various phenotypic interactions occur between the pyocin and bacteriophage in PAO cells lysogenized or infected with PS17. (i) Certain pyocin R2-deficient mutations were phenotypically suppressed in cells carrying PS17 prophage. (ii) A temperature-sensitive mutant of PS17, tsQ31, was phenotypically suppressed in PAO cells treated with mitomycin C. (iii) Phenotypically mixed phages with receptor and serological specificities of pyocin R2 were formed in PS17 lysogens of certain pyocin R2-deficient mutants.     

Biological Cost of Pyocin Production during the SOS Response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

LexA and two structurally related regulators, PrtR and PA0906, coordinate the Pseudomonas aeruginosa SOS response. RecA-mediated autocleavage of LexA induces the expression of a protective set of genes that increase DNA damage repair and tolerance. In contrast, RecA-mediated autocleavage of PrtR induces antimicrobial pyocin production and a program that lyses cells to release the newly synthesized pyocin. Recently, PrtR-regulated genes were shown to sensitize P. aeruginosa to quinolones, antibiotics that elicit a strong SOS response. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which PrtR-regulated genes determine antimicrobial resistance and genotoxic stress survival. We found that induction of PrtR-regulated genes lowers resistance to clinically important antibiotics and impairs the survival of bacteria exposed to one of several genotoxic agents. Two distinct mechanisms mediated these effects. Cell lysis genes that are induced following PrtR autocleavage reduced resistance to bactericidal levels of ciprofloxacin, and production of extracellular R2 pyocin was lethal to cells that initially survived UV light treatment. Although typically resistant to R2 pyocin, P. aeruginosa becomes transiently sensitive to R2 pyocin following UV light treatment, likely because of the strong downregulation of lipopolysaccharide synthesis genes that are required for resistance to R2 pyocin. Our results demonstrate that pyocin production during the P. aeruginosa SOS response carries both expected and unexpected costs.     

Effect of iron concentration in the growth medium on the sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to pyocin S2

The iron concentration in the growth medium was found to affect the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PML1550 to pyocin S2, a bacteriocin. The efficiency of killing by pyocin S2 was very low when the indicator cells were grown in an iron-rich medium. The capacity of these cells to adsorb pyocin S2 was reduced. Cultivation under limitation of iron (1 microM or less) was necessary to produce a fully sensitive cell population. The growth under iron limitation was accompanied by the appearance of four protein components in the outer membrane of the cells. Nine mutants resistant to pyocin S2 were isolated and their outer membranes were analyzed. They all lacked one component (Fe-b protein) as well as the adsorption capacity for pyocin S2. These findings suggest a possible role of this protein as the receptor for pyocin S2.     

Relationships between branchial chloride cells and gas transfer in freshwater fish

The gill lamellar epithelium is composed of two predominant cell types, pavement cells and mitochondria-rich chloride cells. The chloride cells play a vital role in ionic regulation because they are the sites of Ca2+ and Cl- uptake from water. Consequently, lamellar chloride cell proliferation occurs in response to ionoregulatory challenges so as to increase the ion-transporting capacity of the gill. It has been argued that such chloride cell proliferation might increase the thickness of the blood-to-water diffusion barrier and thereby impede gas diffusion. This review focuses on the potential negative consequences of chloride cell proliferation on gas transfer and possible compensatory mechanisms that might minimise the extent of respiratory impairment. Two approaches were used to evoke chloride cell proliferation in rainbow trout, hormone treatment (growth hormone/cortisol) and exposure to soft water. In all cases, chloride cell proliferation was associated with a pronounced thickening of the lamellar diffusion barrier. The thickening of the diffusion barrier was associated with a significant impairment of gas transfer. Subsequent studies revealed that several compensatory physiological responses occurred concurrently with the chloride cell proliferation to alleviate or reduce the detrimental consequences of the thickened diffusion barrier. These included hyperventilation, an increased affinity of haemoglobin-oxygen binding and earlier onset of catecholamine release during acute hypoxia.     

Effect of pyocin R1 on the glucose metabolism of sensitive cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The effect of pyocin R1 on the glucose metabolism of sensitive Pseudomonas cells was investigated. Upon treatment with pyocin R1, although the rate of O2 uptake of the sensitive cells for glucose or gluconate was not very much affected at first, the final level of O2 uptake was greatly reduced. When 2-oxogluconate was used as a substrate, O2 uptake was immediately halted by pyocin. By determining the amounts of glucose, gluconate, and 2-oxogluconate before and after the reaction and the amount of O2 consumed, it was concluded that glucose was exclusively metabolized via the following pathway with quantitative accumulation of 2-oxogluconate after pyocin treatment. (Formula: see text). The possible mechanism of this change is discussed.     

Sulfhydryl groups of pyocin R1. Morphology and activity modified with sulfhydryl reagents.

Electron microscopic observation of pyocin R1 with the negative staining technique demonstrated that pyocin R1 retained its phage tail-like shape of an extended sheath even when it was inactivated by treatment with p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) or 4-(p-sulfophenylazo)-2-mercuriphenol (SAMP). Thus it was shown that the contraction and extension of the sheath does not occur reversibly on the modification of sulfhydryl groups accompanying the change of activity. The activity lost under these conditions was restored to the original level by treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Numbers of sulfhydryl groups in the pyocin R1 particle were determined to be 208 mol and 152 mol per mol (11.8 x 10(6) daltons) by spectrophotometric titration with SAMP and by membrane-filter assay with radioactive PCMB, respectively. Most of these cysteine residues appeared to be localized in the substructure other than the sheath and core. It was also shown that all of these sulfhydryl groups were not necessary for expression of its activity but a part of them were essential for adsorption to the sensitive cells.     

Cytotoxicity of pyocin S2 to tumor and normal cells and its interaction with cell surfaces

Cytotoxicity and adsorption of pyocin S2 produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa M47 (PAO 3047) to virally transformed mammalian cells, human malignant cells and normal cells in the same species were studied. Pyocin S2 inhibited the growth of not only tumor cells (XC, TSV-5, mKS-A TU-7, HeLa-S3 and AS-II cells) but also normal cells (BALB/3T3 and BHK 21 cells). The inhibitory effects on the cells increased with an increase of pyocin S2 activity. On the other hand, there were some tumor cells (155-4 T2 and HGC-27 cells) and normal cells (normal rat kidney and human embryo lung cells) which were resistant to pyocin S2. The pyosin S2 activity was neutralized by the cell membrane preparations from pyosin S2-sensitive cells, but not by those from pyocin-resistant cells. This neutralization ability was inhibited by high concentrations of D-galactose, $\text{N-}\text{acetyl-}\text{D}\text{-galactosamine and}\text{N-}\text{acetyl}$ neuraminic acid and completely destroyed by periodate and neuraminidase. The inhibition by the saccharides was concentration dependent. These results suggest that the toxicity of pyocin S2 to several mammalian cells is due to the presence of the binding site for pyocin S2 in the cell membrane and further, that the carbohydrate moiety, especially of D-galactose, $\text{N-}\text{acetyl-}\text{D}\text{-galactosamine}$ and sialic acid, may play an important role as an initial binding site for pyocin S2.     

Genetic determinant of pyocin R2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO. II. Physical characterization of pyocin R2 genes using R-prime plasmids constructed from R68.45

The chromosome segment which contains the genes responsible for production of pyocin R2 in P. aeruginosa PAO was defined physically using R-prime plasmids constructed in vivo from R68.45. The previous conclusion from genetic mapping that the cluster of pyocin R2 genes is located in between trpC and trpE genes was confirmed by deletion mapping of various R prime plasmids bearing the trpC gene. The pyocin R2 gene cluster was further localized on two contiguous HindIII fragments of 16 kb and 8.0 kb. PML14 strain, in which R-type pyocin genes were completely deleted, had only one 11 kb HindIII fragment instead. Heteroduplexes between this 11 kb fragment with the two HindIII fragments of PAO revealed that the cluster of pyocin R2 genes was an insertion 13 kb long.     

The R-type pyocin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is related to P2 phage, and the F-type is related to lambda phage

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces three types of bacteriocins: R-, F- and S-type pyocins. The S-type pyocin is a colicin-like protein, whereas the R-type pyocin resembles a contractile but non-flexible tail structure of bacteriophage, and the F-type a flexible but non-contractile one. As genetically related phages exist for each type, these pyocins have been thought to be variations of defective phage. In the present study, the nucleotide sequence of R2 pyocin genes, along with those for F2 pyocin, which are located downstream of the R2 gene cluster on the chromosome of P. aeruginosa PAO1, was analysed in order to elucidate the relationship between the pyocins and bacteriophages. The results clearly demonstrated that the R-type pyocin is derived from a common ancestral origin with P2 phage and the F-type from lambda phage. This notion was supported by identification of a lysis gene cassette similar to those for bacteriophages. The gene organization of the R2 and F2 pyocin gene cluster, however, suggested that both pyocins are not simple defective phages, but are phage tails that have been evolutionarily specialized as bacteriocins. A systematic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of P. aeruginosa strains that produce various subtypes of R and F pyocins revealed that the genes for every subtype are located between trpE and trpG in the same or very similar gene organization as for R2 and F2 pyocins, but with alterations in genes that determine the receptor specificity.     

Purification, measurement, and tissue distribution of a dansyl-derivatized glycopeptide from low-molecular weight follicle-stimulating hormone-inhibitor-containing fractions of porcine follicular fluid

We have used dansyl chloride (5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl choloride) to form dansyl derivatives of amine-containing compounds in follicular fluid or highly purified fractions containing a low molecular weight (MW) inhibitor of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) binding to receptor (FSH-BI). This approach allowed sensitive detection of the derivatives based on their fluorescent properties. By taking advantage of the hydrophobic nature of the dansyl group, a dansyl derivative (RF = 0.15) identified in low MW FSH-BI preparations was purified from porcine follicular fluid. Based on chromatographic criteria using four different systems (thin-layer chromatography [TLC] and high performance liquid chromatography), the derivatized factor (D15) that was purified appeared to be homogeneous. A direct, chemical assay was developed for quantification of D15 from follicular fluid or tissue extracts. The highest concentration (153 ng/mg) of D15 was found in ovarian tissue of adult rats, lesser amounts were observed in kidney and liver tissues (93 and 62 ng/mg, respectively) and even less in diaphram and heart tissues (5 and 0.5 ng/mg, respectively). High concentrations of D15 were observed in derivatized extracts of tests from immature rats in which approximately twice as much D15 was found in Leydig cells (241 ng/mg) as in seminiferous tubules (136 ng/mg). In porcine ovarian tissue, granulosa cells from large follicles and corpora lutea (69 and 91 ng/mg, respectively) contained at least 4-fold higher concentrations than follicle wall tissue (14 ng/ml). Relative concentrations of D15 material were also determined in pools of bovine follicular fluid previously shown to contain low MW FSH-BI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bactericidal activity of the tail of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage PS17.

The tail of bacteriophage PS17 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown to be bactericidal, and its properties were compared with those of pyocin R1. Temperature-sensitive mutants were isolated from PS17, and the products at nonpermissive temperature were morphologically characterized. Bactericidal substances were found in the lysates of such mutants that were defective in the head formation but not in the tail formation. Phage tails were purified from the lysate of one such mutant, and its chemical and biological properties were studied. Isolated tails killed sensitive cells by a single-hit process and repressed the uptake of leucine in sensitive cells. These results were consistent with the previous findings on the serological and morphological relationship between PS17 and pyocin R1. However, certain differences were also shown between them in shape and protein composition.     

Defective pyocin particles produced by some mutant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, defective in the production of active R-type pyocins, were isolated from pyocinogenic strains and their products were characterized. Polysheath-like structures were found in induced lysates of 29 out of 42 mutants. Two mutants (strain P15-16 and M189) were found to produce special defective particles, which were characterized in detail. The other 11 mutants did not produce significant amounts of any structure visible under an electron microscope. Serum blocking powers were found in lysates from P15-16 and M189 to significant amounts. Defective particle produced by strain P15-16 lacked the sheath component, whereas M189 had morphological defects at the junction between sheath and baseplate, and also in the architecture of baseplate. Both defective particles could adsorb to the surface of bacteria, that were sensitive to pyocin, at the tip of their fibers without killing cells. All M189 particles attached to the bacteria had the extended sheaths. Therefore, attachment to the bacteria by fibers is not sufficient to kill cells, and contraction of sheath must occur after the initial adsorption by fibers for pyocin to express its biological activity. Defective particles of strain P15-16, which was derived from strain P15 (a pyocin R1 producer), could be converted to active forms by an in vitro complementation reaction with extracts from certain mutants originated from strain PAO (a pyocin R2 producer). This result indicated the exchangeability of components between R-type pyocins belonging to the different groups.     

Interaction of actin with dansyl-tropomyosin

5-[Dimethylamino]naphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride (dansyl chloride) reacts with rabbit skeletal muscle tropomyosin (TM) to yield a highly fluorescent product, DNS-TM. The extent of modification of TM can be regulated over a wide range, 0.3-15.5 dansyl groups per TM, depending upon the temperature and duration of the reaction. However, under all conditions employed, about 15 different fluorescent tryptic peptides of TM were produced. DNS-TM undergoes end-to-end polymerization at low ionic strengths, but to a somewhat lesser extent than unlabelled TM does. DNS-TM also binds muscle F-actin. This interaction may be followed fluorimetrically by observing a blue-shift in emission maximum, an increase in fluorescence intensity or an increase in fluorescence polarization of the DNS-TM complex with F-actin.     

Purification and properties of an S-type pyocin, pyocin AP41

Pyocin AP41, a protease-sensitive bacteriocin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAF41, was purified to a homogeneous state and characterized. The molecular weight of this pyocin was about 95,000 as determined by the combination of gel filtration and sedimentation velocity analysis. This pyocin was a complex of two kinds of polypeptides. Highly purified preparations showed two protein bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and their apparent molecular weights were 90,000 and 6,000 to 7,000, respectively. Two proteins could be separated by gel filtration in the presence of 6 M urea. Amino acid compositions of these components were determined. The large component had pyocin activity similar to the complex, whereas the small component did not. Sensitive cells were killed by this pyocin only under growing conditions and with single-hit kinetics. The pyocin-treated cells lysed in about 30 min with concomitant production of their resident pyocins or phages. The induced production of resident pyocins caused by pyocin AP41 depended on a recA gene function.