大肠杆菌O138 O-抗原基因簇的破译及Gne的生物信息学鉴定

利用鸟枪法对大肠杆菌E .coliO138O 抗原基因簇进行测序 ,序列全长 14 139bp ,用生物信息学的方法进行序列分析 ,共发现 11个基因 ,分别为鼠李糖合成酶基因 (rmlB ,rmlD ,rmlA ,rmlC)、UDP GalNAcA合成酶基因 (gne ,gna)、糖基转移酶基因 (3个 )、O 抗原转运酶基因 (wzx)和O 抗原聚合酶基因 (wzy)。发现一种稀有单糖UDP Gal NAcA的合成途径 ,对合成该糖的第一种酶Gne进行了生物信息学鉴定 ,另外用PCR方法筛选出了针对大肠杆菌O138的特异基因     

大肠杆菌O11 O-抗原基因簇序列的破译及特异分子标识的鉴定

大肠杆菌O11是一种可在人畜间交叉传染的强致病菌,具有潜在流行性爆发的危险。现完成了O11 O-抗原基因簇的破译,筛选和鉴定了多种特异分子标识,并实现了对大肠杆菌O11的快速、灵敏和准确的分子分型检测。利用鸟枪法测定大肠杆菌O11 O-抗原基因簇的序列全长为14180bp,生物信息学方法分析序列结构,共发现12个基因:GDP-L型岩藻糖合成途径基因(gmd,fcl,gmm,manC,manB)、UDP-N乙酰葡萄糖C4异构酶基因(gne)、O-抗原转运酶基因(wzx)、O-抗原聚合酶基因(wzy)和4个糖基转移酶基因;用PCR方法筛选出2个针对大肠杆菌O11的特异基因和4对特异引物,并进行环境样品检测实验鉴定了该PCR检测方法的灵敏度;设计并筛选出8条针对大肠杆菌O11的特异探针。     

大肠杆菌O150 O-抗原基因簇的破译和dTDP-鼠李糖合成酶基因的鉴定

利用鸟枪法对大肠杆菌O150 O-抗原基因簇进行测序,序列全长13551bp,用生物信息学的方法进行序列分析,共发现11个基因,分别为鼠李糖合成酶基因(rmlB、rmlD、rmlA、rmlC)糖基转移酶基因(3个)、O-抗原转运酶基因(wzx)和O-抗原聚合酶基因(wzy),另外还有两个基因功能未知。用PCR的方法筛选出了针对大肠杆菌O150的特异基因,可以用于基因芯片或PCR方法对大肠杆菌O150的快速检测。另外,通过进化分析发现大肠杆菌O150的O-抗原基因簇中携带有典型的大肠杆菌鼠李糖合成酶基因,并且这些基因参与了O-抗原基因簇间的重组以形成新的基因簇的过程。     

Identification of Escherichia coli O172 O-antigen gene cluster and development of a serogroup-specific PCR assay

AIM: To characterize the locus for O-antigen biosynthesis from Escherichia coli O172 type strain and to develop a rapid, specific and sensitive PCR-based method for identification and detection of E. coli O172. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA of O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O172 was amplified by long-range PCR method using primers based on housekeeping genes galF and gnd Shot gun bank was constructed and high quality sequencing was performed. The putative genes for synthesis of UDP-FucNAc, O-unit flippase, O-antigen polymerase and glycosyltransferases were assigned by the homology search. The evolutionary relationship between O-antigen gene clusters of E. coli O172 and E. coli O26 is shown by sequence comparison. Genes specific to E. coli O172 strains were identified by PCR assays using primers based on genes for O-unit flippase, O-antigen polymerase and glycosyltransferases. The specificity of PCR assays was tested using all E. coli and Shigella O-antigen type strains, as well as 24 clinical E. coli isolates. The sensitivity of PCR assays was determined, and the detection limits were 1 pg microl(-1) chromosomal DNA, 0.2 CFU g(-1) pork and 0.2 CFU ml(-1) water. The total time required from beginning to end of the procedure was within 16 h. CONCLUSION: The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O172 was identified and PCR assays based on O-antigen specific genes showed high specificity and sensitivity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: An O-antigen gene cluster was identified by sequencing. The specific genes were determined for E. coli O172. The sensitivity of O-antigen specific PCR assay was tested. Although Shiga toxin-producing O172 strains were not yet isolated from clinical specimens, they may emerge as pathogens.     

大肠杆菌O23 O-抗原基因簇序列的破译及UDP-N-乙酰葡萄糖-C4异构酶的鉴定

采用鸟枪法破译大肠杆菌O23标准株的O-抗原基因簇序列,并用生物信息学的方法进行了基因注释和分析;采用基因缺失和互补的方法鉴定了O23的UDP-GlcNAc C4异构酶(Gne);用同源建模的方法构建了O23 Gne的高级结构并对其活性位点进行了分析;分析了不同血清型大肠杆菌O-抗原基因簇中gne基因的多样性;根据O23O-抗原基因簇中的特异基因筛选出了可用于大肠杆菌O23快速检测的特异DNA序列。     

Genetic and structural analyses of Escherichia coli O107 and O117 O-antigens

The O-antigen, consisting of many repeats of an oligosaccharide, is an essential component of the lipopolysaccharide on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. The O-antigen is one of the most variable cell constituents, and different O-antigen forms are almost entirely due to genetic variations in O-antigen gene clusters. In this paper, we present structural and genetic evidence for a close relationship between Escherichia coli O107 and E. coli O117 O antigens. The O-antigen of E. coli O107 has a pentasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure: →4)-β- d -Gal p NAc-(1→3)-α- l -Rha p -(1→4)-α- d -Glc p NAc-(1→4)-β- d -Gal p -(1→3)-α- d -Gal p NAc-(1→, which differs from the known repeating unit of E. coli O117 only in the substitution of d -GlcNAc for d -Glc. The O-antigen gene clusters of E. coli O107 and O117 share 98.6% overall DNA identity and contain the same set of genes in the same organization. It is proposed that one cluster was evolved from another via mutations, and the substitution of a few amino acids residues in predicted glycosyltransferases resulted in the functional change of one such protein for transferring different sugars in O107 ( d -GlcNAc) and O117 ( d -Glc), leading to different O-antigen structures. This is an example of the O-antigen alteration caused by nucleotide mutations, which is less commonly reported for O-antigen variations.     

大肠杆菌O54 O-抗原基因簇的破译及进化分析

破译了大肠杆菌O5 4O 抗原基因簇的序列 ,序列全长 1 4 0 6 2bp。用生物信息学方法分析序列并鉴定基因 ,共确定 1 0个基因 ,包括鼠李糖合成酶基因BDA和C(rmlBDA和rmlC) ,糖基转移酶基因 ,O 抗原转运酶基因 ,O 抗原聚合酶基因和合成磷酸丝氨酸侧链的基因及 1个不能确定功能的开放阅读框。对rmlC的 (G C) %含量 ,稀有密码子含量及进化分析都表明大肠杆菌O5 4O 抗原基因簇是在近期通过rmlC介导的重组形成 ,而且大肠杆菌O5 4和鲍氏志贺氏菌 9型的亲缘关系很近。对UTP 葡萄糖 1 磷酸 尿苷转移酶基因 (galF)和 6 磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶基因(gnd)的进化分析揭示志贺氏菌属与大肠杆菌属在进化上属于同一个属。用PCR方法筛选出了针对大肠杆菌O5 4的特异基因 ,用于基因芯片或PCR方法对大肠杆菌O5 4的快速检测。     

大肠杆菌O141 O-抗原基因簇的破译及进化分析

对大肠杆菌O141 O-抗原基因簇进行测序,序列全长15601bp,用生物信息学的方法进行序列分析,共发现12个基因：鼠李糖合成酶基因(rmlB,rmlD,rmlA,rmlC)、甘露糖合成酶基因(manB,manC),糖基转移酶基因(orf6,orf7,orf9,orf10)、O-抗原转运酶基因(wzx)和O-抗原聚合酶基因(wzy)。用PCR的方法筛选出了针对大肠杆菌O141的特异基因,可以用于基因芯片或PCR方法对大肠杆菌O141的快速检测。通过对大肠杆菌O141的O-抗原基因簇及甘露糖和鼠李糖合成酶基因的进化分析发现：大肠杆菌O141 O-抗原基因簇是低GC含量的片段,仅O-抗原特异的基因才出现在O-抗原基因簇;并且这些基因可能介导了O-抗原基因簇间的重组及以O141 O-抗原基因簇的形成。     

Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O19ab

The O-polysaccharide (O-antigen) of Escherichia coli O19ab was studied by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the linear pentasaccharide repeating unit was established:→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→2)-α-d-Glcp-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc6Ac-(1→where the degree of O-acetylation of GlcNAc is ∼33%. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O19ab was sequenced. The gene functions were tentatively assigned by comparison with sequences in the available databases and found to be in full agreement with the E. coli O19ab-antigen structure.     

Determination of specificities of rabbit antisera against the O-antigenic polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O126

Abstract Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O126 were serologically characterized by ELISA. The antibody specificities were determined by studying the inhibitory effects of the methyl glycosides of both anomeric configurations of the constituent monosaccharides and the oligosaccharides derived from the O-antigenic polysaccharides of E. coli O126. It was found that, amongst the monosaccharides, β- d -N-acetyl glucosamine was the most effective inhibitory sugar in the O126 polysaccharide and the major specificity of the polyclonal antibodies was found to be directed against the trisaccharide having the structure α- D -Gal p (1 → 3)-β- D -Glc pNAc(1→2)- D -Man p.     

大肠杆菌和志贺氏菌O-抗原糖基转移酶与聚合酶的生物信息学研究

利用生物信息学手段对大肠杆菌和志贺氏菌的 1 1 0个O 抗原糖基转移酶与 39个O 抗原聚合酶的序列进行分析 ,探讨这两种酶的序列和结构特点。统计了其序列一致性 ,密码子使用和 (G C) %含量的特点 ;讨论了O 抗原糖基转移酶和聚合酶对底物的特异性 ;推测了 6组糖基转移酶的功能 ;通过对蛋白拓扑结构的预测 ,发现O 抗原聚合酶中广泛存在一个位于细胞周质中的亲水环 (Loop) ,是可能的功能区域 ;通过对蛋白高级结构的预测 ,发现O 抗原糖基转移酶属于两个不同的蛋白超家族。     

sucAB and sucCD are mutually essential genes in Escherichia coli

sucAB and sucCD of Escherichia coli encode enzymes that generate succinyl-CoA from 2-oxoglutarate and succinate, respectively. Their mutual essentiality was studied. sucAB and sucCD could be deleted individually, but not simultaneously. The mutual essentiality of sucAB and sucCD was further confirmed by the conditional expression of sucABCD, sucAB, and sucCD under the control of a P(BAD) in E. coli MG1655, E. coli MG1655 (DeltasucCD), and E. coli MG1655 (DeltasucAB), respectively. These strains grew well in Luria-Bertani medium containing 0.1% arabinose, but not in the absence of arabinose unless the medium was supplemented with succinyl-CoA. Our results indicate that either sucAB or sucCD is enough to produce succinyl-CoA that is essential for cell viability.     

Structural analysis of the O-antigen polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O152

The structure of the O-antigen polysaccharide (PS) from Escherichia coli O152 has been determined. Component analysis together with 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy were used to elucidate the structure. Inter-residue correlations were determined by 1H,31P COSY, 1H,1H NOESY and 1H,13C heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation experiments. The PS is composed of pentasaccharide repeating units with the following structure: [structure: see text]. The structure is similar to that of the O-antigen polysaccharide from E. coli O173. The cross-reactivity between E. coli O152 and E. coli O3 may be explained by structural similarities in the branching region of their O-antigen polysaccharides.     

Detection of Escherichia coli serogroup O103 by real-time polymerase chain reaction

AIMS: The aims of the study were to identify the specific genes of O-antigen gene cluster from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O103 and to provide the basis for a specific real-time PCR test for rapid detection of E. coli O103. METHODS AND RESULTS: The published primers complementary to JUMPstart and gnd gene, the conserved flanking sequences of O-antigen genes clusters in E. coli and related species, were used to amplify the 12-kbp O103 O-antigen biosynthesis locus of STEC O103. A DNA library representative of this cluster allowed two O103-specific probes to be identified in the flippase (wzx) and UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (galE) genes. Two specific O103 serotyping real-time PCR tests based on these two genes were successfully developed. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that the O-antigen gene cluster sequences of E. coli allow rapidly a specific O-antigen real-time PCR assay to be designed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings increase the number of real-time PCR-assays available to replace the classical O-serotyping among E. coli O-antigen.     

O-antigen structure and gene clusters of Escherichia coli O51 and Salmonellaenterica O57; another instance of identical O-antigens in the two species

The O-polysaccharides were released by mild acid hydrolysis from the lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli O51 and Salmonella enterica O57 and found to possess the same structure, which was established by sugar analysis and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy: The O-antigen gene clusters of E. coli O51 and S. enterica O57 were sequenced and found to contain the same genes with a high-level similarity. All genes expected for the synthesis of the O-antigen were identified based on their similarity to genes from available databases.     

Identification of EaeA protein in the outer membrane of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli O45 from pigs

Abstract We have previously reported that the production of attaching and effacing lesions by Escherichia coli O45 isolates from pigs is associated with the eaeA ( E. coli attaching and effacing) gene. In the present study, expression of the EaeA protein, the eaeA gene product, among swine O45 E. coli isolates was examined. The majority (20/22) of attaching and effacing positive, eaeA⁺ E. coli O45 isolates, but none of ten attaching and effacing negative, eaeA⁻ or eaeA⁺ isolates, expressed a 97-kDa outer membrane protein as revealed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis. Amino-terminal amino acid sequencing demonstrated a high homology between this 97-kDa protein of swine E. coli O45 and the EaeA protein (intimin) of human enteropathogenic E. coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli . In addition, a serological relationship between the EaeA proteins of swine O45, rabbit (RDEC-1) and human (E2348/69) attaching and effacing E. coli strains was observed. Our results indicate an association between expression of the EaeA protein and attaching and efficacing activity among O45 E. coli isolates. The data also suggest an antigenic relatedness of the EaeA proteins of swine, rabbit, and human attaching and effacing E. coli .     

Inducible stx2 phages are lysogenized in the enteroaggregative and other phenotypic Escherichia coli O86:HNM isolated from patients

We characterized two Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O86:HNM isolates from a patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or bloody diarrhea. Both of them did not possess the eaeA gene. However, the isolate from a HUS patient carried genetic markers of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and showed aggregative adherence pattern to HEp-2 cells. The other isolate from bloody diarrhea, which was negative with EAEC markers, was diffusely adhered to HEp-2 cells. The stx2 gene in both E. coli O86:HNM strains was encoded in each infectious phage, which was partially homologous to that of strain EDL933, a STEC O157:H7. These results will help to explain the genotypic divergences of STEC.     

Molecular cloning and expression in Escherichia coli K-12 of chromosomal genes determining the O antigen of an E. coli O2: K1 strain

Abstract: The rfb gene cluster which determines the biosynthesis of the O2 O antigen has been cloned from an Escherichia coli O2: K1 strain isolated from a case of septicaemia in chickens. The region required for expression of the O antigen in E. coli K-12 was localised to a 10.7 to 14.15-kb segment which was shown to be chromosomal in origin with a close linkage to the gnd and his genetic loci.     

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy sheep of different populations in São Paulo, Brazil

Aims:  Sheep are important carriers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in several countries. However, there are a few reports about ovine STEC in American continent.
Methods and Results:  About 86 E. coli strains previously isolated from 172 healthy sheep from different farms were studied. PCR was used for detection of stx ₁, stx ₂, eae, ehxA and saa genes and for the identification of intimin subtypes. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)–PCR was performed to investigate the variants of stx ₁ and stx ₂, and the flagellar antigen ( fli C) genes in nonmotile isolates. Five isolates were eae ⁺ and stx ⁻, and belonged to serotypes O128:H2/β-intimin (2), O145:H2/γ, O153:H7/β and O178:H7/ε. Eighty-one STEC isolates were recovered, and the stx genotypes identified were stx _1c stx _2d-O118 (46·9%), stx _1c (27·2%), stx _2d-O118 (23·4%), and stx _1c stx _2dOX3a (2·5%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed 27 profiles among 53 STEC and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolates.
Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that healthy sheep in São Paulo, Brazil, can be carriers of potential human pathogenic STEC and atypical EPEC.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  As some of the STEC serotypes presently found have been involved with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in other countries, the important role of sheep as sources of STEC infection in our settings should not be disregarded.     

Detection of virulence‐associated genes characteristic of intestinal Escherichia coli pathotypes,including the enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative O104:H4, in bovines from Germany and Spain

Cattle are reservoirs of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; however, their role in the epidemiology of other pathogenic E. coli remains undefined. A new set of quantitative real‐time PCR assays for the direct detection and quantification of nine virulence‐associated genes (VAGs) characteristic of the most important human E. coli pathotypes and four serotype‐related genes (wzx_O104, fliC_H4, rbf_O157, fliC_H7) that can be used as a surveillance tool for detection of pathogenic strains was developed. A total of 970 cattle fecal samples were collected in slaughterhouses in Germany and Spain, pooled into 134 samples and analyzed with this tool. stx1, eae and invA were more prevalent in Spanish samples whereas bfpA, stx2, ehxA, elt, est and the rbf_O157/fliC_H7 combination were observed in similar proportions in both countries. Genes characteristic of the hybrid O104:H4 strain of the 2011 German outbreak (stx2/aggR/wzx_O104/fliC_H4) were simultaneously detected in six fecal pools from one German abattoir located near the outbreak epicenter. Although no isolate harboring the full stx2/aggR/wzx_O104/fliC_H4 combination was cultured, sequencing of the aggR positive PCR products revealed 100% homology to the aggR from the outbreak strain. Concomitant detection by this direct approach of VAGs from a novel human pathogenic E. coli strain in cattle samples implies that the E. coli gene pool in these animals can be implicated in de novo formation of such highly‐virulent strains. The application of this set of qPCRs in surveillance studies could be an efficient early‐warning tool for the emergence of zoonotic E. coli in livestock.