Role for cheR of Vibrio fischeri in the Vibrio-squid symbiosis

Upon hatching, the Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes is rapidly colonized by its symbiotic partner, the bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri . Vibrio fischeri cells present in the seawater enter the light organ of juvenile squid in a process that requires bacterial motility. In this study, we investigated the role chemotaxis may play in establishing this symbiotic colonization. Previously, we reported that V.?fischeri migrates toward numerous attractants, including N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA), a component of squid mucus. However, whether or not migration toward an attractant such as squid-derived NANA helps the bacterium to localize toward the light organ is unknown. When tested for the ability to colonize juvenile squid, a V. fischeri chemotaxis mutant defective for the methyltransferase CheR was outcompeted by the wild-type strain in co-inoculation experiments, even when the mutant was present in fourfold excess. Our results suggest that the ability to perform chemotaxis is an advantage during colonization, but not essential.     

Demonstration of the third antigenically distinct outer membrane lipoprotein (OmlA) in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 7

The gene encoding an outer membrane lipoprotein (OmlA) of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae strain WF83 (serotype 7 reference strain), designated omlA₇, was sequenced. The amino acid sequence of OmlA₇ showed 64.5 and 71.6% identity to that of OmlA from serotypes 1 (OmlA₁) and 5 (OmlA₅), respectively. The first 134 amino acids of OmlA₇ were identical to those of OmlA₅. A Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of a gene highly homologous to the omlA₇ in the reference strains of serotypes 3, 4, 6, and 7. A Western blot analysis using a specific antiserum against a recombinant OmlA₇ detected expression of the homologous proteins in the serotypes 4, 6, and 7 reference strains and a serotype 3 field strain, but not in a serotype 3 reference strain. The data demonstrate the third antigenically distinct OmlA is expressed in A. pleuropneumoniae.     

抗菌药对鲍曼不动杆菌外膜囊泡产量及主要生物学特性的影响

【背景】细菌耐药性已成为全球健康卫生和经济发展的巨大威胁。替加环素是治疗多重耐药肠杆菌所致严重感染的主要药物之一,但在2019年发现了可介导其高水平耐药的可转移替加环素耐药基因tet（X3）。外膜囊泡作为介导水平基因转移的新型方式,在介导tet（X3）水平转移中的作用目前尚无报道。【目的】以tet（X3）阳性替加环素耐药鲍曼不动杆菌34AB为对象,探究不同抗菌药物对其外膜囊泡产量及主要生物学特性的影响。【方法】采用微量肉汤稀释法测定细菌药物敏感性,超速离心法提取细菌外膜囊泡,BCA法测定外膜囊泡产量,使用马尔文纳米粒度电位仪测定外膜囊泡的粒径与电位,PCR法（定性）及RT-qPCR法（定量）检测外膜囊泡中携带的tet（X3）基因。【结果】相较于无抗生素对照组[（0.64±0.04） mg/mL],在不同抗菌药物亚抑菌浓度（1/2 MIC和1/4 MIC）处理后,34AB外膜囊泡的产量均有所增加,以头孢他啶[1/2 MIC,（2.83±0.57） mg/mL;1/4 MIC,（2.38±0.29） mg/mL]和美罗培南[1/2 MIC,（2.19±0.11） mg/mL;1/4 MIC,（1.96±0.37） mg/mL]作用最为显著（p<0.01）。同时抗菌药物作用后,各组外膜囊泡粒径和电位均有所降低,而携带的tet（X3）基因拷贝数均有所上升（2.80×10⁴-2.63×10⁷copies/μL）。【结论】抗菌药物的临床应用可能会导致耐药细菌外膜囊泡产量及携带的耐药基因丰度增加,进而增强其作为水平基因转移载体传播耐药基因的风险。     

Mutation of the sensor kinase chvG in Rhizobium leguminosarum negatively impacts cellular metabolism, outer membrane stability, and symbiosis

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) are a main strategy used by bacteria to sense and adapt to changes in their environment. In the legume symbiont Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae VF39, mutation of chvG, a histidine kinase, caused a number of pleiotropic phenotypes. ChvG mutants are unable to grow on proline, glutamate, histidine, or arginine as the sole carbon source. The chvG mutant secreted smaller amounts of acidic and neutral surface polysaccharides and accumulated abnormally large amounts of poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate. Mutation of chvG caused symbiotic defects on peas, lentils, and vetch; nodules formed by the chvG mutant were small and white and contained only a few cells that had failed to differentiate into bacteroids. Mutation of chvG also destabilized the outer membrane of R. leguminosarum, resulting in increased sensitivity to membrane stressors. Constitutive expression of ropB, the outer membrane protein-encoding gene, restored membrane stability and rescued the sensitivity phenotypes described above. Similar phenotypes have been described for mutations in other ChvG-regulated genes encoding a conserved operon of unknown function and in the fabXL genes required for synthesis of the lipid A very-long-chain fatty acid, suggesting that ChvG is a key component of the envelope stress response in Rhizobium leguminosarum. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate the important and unique role the ChvG/ChvI TCS plays in the physiology, metabolism, and symbiotic competency of R. leguminosarum.     

副溶血性弧菌外膜蛋白K的B细胞线性表位预测

目的预测副溶血性弧菌外膜蛋白K(OmpK)的B细胞线性表位。方法 NCBI下载已登录的OmpK的基因序列,对其进行生物信息学分析,应用DNAStar protean软件综合分析OmpK蛋白的二级结构、柔性、表面可能性、亲水性和抗原指数等多种参数,预测其B细胞线性表位。结果 OmpK蛋白的优势B细胞线性表位位于肽链的第7-13、25-36、63-69、140-147、182-188、234-239区段。结论预测得到OmpK蛋白的6个优势B细胞线性表位,为进而克隆表达串联表位蛋白,研制副溶血性弧菌多表位疫苗奠定基础。     

Presence of exposed phospholipids in the outer membrane of Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae 569B was found to be highly sensitive to a wide range of chemicals, particularly hydrophobic compounds and neutral and anionic detergents. The phospholipid profile of the outer membrane was similar to that reported for other Gram-negative bacteria. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained O-antigenic sugars and exhibited heterogeneity. In addition, the LPS moiety was characterized by a relatively low negative charge. Analysis by topological probes revealed the presence of a significant amount of exposed phospholipids in the outer membrane. The reduced negative charge of LPS molecules and the exposed phospholipids present in the outer membrane could be important in the increased permeation of exogenous compounds in V. cholerae.     

Flagella proteins contribute to the production of outer membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli W3110

Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that are derived from the bacterial outer membrane. OMVs contribute to bacterial cell–cell communications and host–microbe interactions by delivering components to locations outside the bacterial cell. In order to explore the molecular machinery involved in OMV biogenesis, the role of a major OMV protein was examined in the production of OMVs from E. coli W3110, which is a widely used standard E. coli K-12 strain. In addition to OmpC and OmpA, which are used as marker proteins for OMVs, an analysis of E. coli W3110 OMVs revealed that they also contain abundant levels of FliC, which is also known as flagellin. A membrane-impermeable biotin-labeling reagent did not label FliC in intact OMVs, but labeled FliC in sonically disrupted OMVs, suggesting that FliC is localized in the lumen of OMV. Compared to the parental strain expressing wild-type fliC, an E. coli strain with a fliC-null mutation produced reduced amounts of OMVs based on both protein and phosphate levels. In addition, an E. coli W3110-derived strain with a null-mutation in flgK, which encodes flagellar hook-associated protein that is essential along with FliC for flagella synthesis, also produced fewer OMVs than the parental strain. Taken together, these results indicate that the ability to form flagella, including the synthesis of flagella proteins, affects the production of E. coli W3110 OMVs.     

Characterization of chloride channels in membrane vesicles from the kidney outer medulla

Summary The basolateral membrane of the thick ascending loop of Henle (TALH) of the mammalian kidney is highly enriched in Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and has been shown by electrophysiological methods to be highly conductive to Cl^–. In order to study the Cl^– conductive pathways, membrane vesicles were isolated from the TALH-containing region of the porcine kidney, the red outer medulla, and Cl^– channel activity was determined by a³⁶Cl uptake assay where the uptake of the radioactive tracer is driven by the membrane potential (positive inside) generated by an outward Cl^– gradient. The accumulation of³⁶Cl^– inside the vesicles was found to be dependent on the intravesicular Cl^– concentration and was abolished by clamping the membrane potential with valinomycin. The latter finding indicated the involvement of conductive pathways. Cl^– channel activity was also observed using a fluorescent potential-sensitive carbocyanine dye, which detected a diffusion potential induced by an imposed inward Cl^– gradient. The anion selectivity of the channels was Cl^–>NO ₃ ^– =I^– gluconate. Among the Cl^– transport inhibitors tested, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPAB), 4,4-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DIDS), and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) showed IC₅₀ of 110, 200 and 550 m, respectively. Inhibition of³⁶Cl uptake by NPPAB and two other structural analogues was fully reversible, whereas that by DIDS was not. The nonreactive analogue of DIDS, 4,4-dinitrostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DNDS), was considerably less inhibitory than DIDS (25% inhibition at 200 m). The irreversible inhibition by DIDS was prevented by NPPAB, whereas DPC was ineffective, consistent with its low inhibitory potency. It is proposed that NPPAB and DIDS bind to the same or functionally related site on the Cl^– channel protein.     

Amino acid deprivation and central carbon metabolism regulate the production of outer membrane vesicles and tubes by Francisella

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent Gram‐negative bacterial pathogen that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. F. novicida, a model tularemia strain, produces spherical outer membrane vesicles (OMV), as well as novel tubular vesicles and extensions of the cell surface. These OMV and tubes (OMV/T) are produced in a regulated manner and contain known virulence factors. Mechanisms by which bacterial vesicles are produced and regulated are not well understood. We performed a genetic screen in F. novicida to decipher the molecular basis for regulated OMV/T formation, and identified both hypo‐ and hyper‐vesiculating mutants. Mutations in fumA and tktA, involved in central carbon metabolism, and in FTN_0908 and FTN_1037, of unknown function, resulted in severe defects in OMV/T production. Cysteine deprivation was identified as the signal that triggers OMV/T formation in F. novicida during growth in rich medium. We also found that fully virulent F. tularensis produces OMV/T in a similarly regulated manner. Further analysis revealed that OMV/T production is responsive to deprivation of essential amino acids in addition to cysteine, and that the hypo‐vesiculating mutants are defective in responding to this signal. Thus, amino acid starvation, such as encountered by Francisella during host cell invasion, regulates the production of membrane‐derived structures.     

Pentavalent outer membrane vesicles of Vibrio cholerae induce adaptive immune response and protective efficacy in both adult and passive suckling mice models

Recently, we demonstrated oral immunizations with single serotype outer membrane vesicles of Vibrio cholerae induced serogroup specific protective immunity in the RITARD model. In our present study, we advanced our research by formulating multi-serotype outer membrane vesicles, mixing the OMVs of five virulent V. cholerae strains. Four doses of oral immunization with cholera pentavalent outer membrane vesicles (CPMVs) induced V. cholerae specific B and T cell responses. CPMVs-immunized mice generated long lasting serum IgG, IgA, IgM as well as mucosal sIgA and also elicited a higher percentage of CD4+ T cell distribution in spleen. Our study revealed that in vitro CPMVs-activated dendritic cells were secreting T cell polarizing cytokines, IL-12p40, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, purified splenic CD4+ T cells of immunized mice also secreted IL-4, IL-13 and IL-17 cytokines, indicating the initiation of Th2 and Th17 cell mediated immune responses. CPMVs immunized adult female mice and their offspring were significantly protected from heterologous challenge with wild type V. cholerae. CPMVs could be exploited for the development of a novel non-living vaccine against circulating cholera in near future.     

Association of Vibrio cholerae 569B outer membrane vesicles with host cells occurs in a GM1‐independent manner

The primary virulence factor of Vibrio cholerae, cholera toxin (CT), initiates a pathway in epithelial cells that leads to the severe diarrhoea characteristic of cholera. Secreted CT binds to GM1 on the surface of host cells to facilitate internalisation. Many bacterial toxins, including CT, have been shown to be additionally delivered via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). A fraction of the closely related heat labile toxin produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli has been demonstrated to reside on the surface of OMVs, where it binds GM1 to facilitate OMV internalisation by host cells. In this work, we investigated whether OMV‐associated CT is likewise trafficked to host cells in a GM1‐dependent mechanism. We demonstrated that a majority of CT is secreted in its OMV‐associated form and is located exclusively inside the vesicle. Therefore, the toxin is unable to bind GM1 on the host cell surface, and the OMVs are trafficked to the host cells in a GM1‐independent mechanism. These findings point to a secondary, noncompeting mechanism for secretion and delivery of CT, beyond its well‐studied secretion via a Type II secretion system and underscore the importance of focusing future studies on understanding this GM1‐independent delivery mechanism to fully understand Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis.     

Effect of iron limitation on growth, siderophore production, and expression of outer membrane proteins of Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae strains secrete a phenolate-type siderophore when grown in low-iron medium. The siderophore was detected as early as 3.5 h after downshift to iron-poor medium, and it continued to accumulate in the medium as the cells entered stationary phase. Two clinical isolates and an environmental isolate were examined for the amount of siderophore produced. The environmental isolate produced more siderophore and continued to secrete it at concentrations of iron that repressed synthesis in the clinical isolates. Concomitant with production of siderophore, at least six new proteins were seen in the outer membranes of iron starved cells. One of the proteins was large (200,000 Mr [220K]) and appeared to be loosely associated with the outer membrane. The other five proteins had approximate Mr values of 77K, 76K, 75K, 73K, and 62K. The 62K protein, like the 40K major outer membrane protein, was heat modifiable. One or more of these proteins may be a component of the receptor for the iron-siderophore complex.     

Immobilization induces alterations in the outer membrane protein pattern of Yersinia ruckeri

We compared the outer membrane protein (OMP) pattern of 2-day-old immobilized Yersinia ruckericells (IC) with that of early (FC24) and late (FC48) stationary-phase planktonic counterparts. Fifty-five OMPs were identified. Principal component analysis discriminated between the protein maps of FC and IC. Some OMPs involved in bacterial adaptation were accumulated by both FC48 and IC but the expression of other proteins was controlled by the sessile mode of growth.     

Targeting and assembly of mitochondrial tail-anchored protein Tom5 to the TOM complex depend on a signal distinct from that of tail-anchored proteins dispersed in the membrane

Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are synthesized without a cleavable presequence but instead contain segments responsible for mitochondrial targeting and membrane integration within the molecule: the transmembrane segment (TMS) and N- or C-terminal flanking segment. We analyzed targeting and integration of Tom5, a C-tail anchor protein associated with the preprotein translocase of the outer membrane, to the yeast mitochondrial outer membrane in vivo using green fluorescent protein as the reporter and compared the signal with other signals for proteins dispersed in the membrane. The functional assembly of Tom5 into the TOM complex was assessed by blue native PAGE and complementation of temperature-sensitive deltatom5 cells. Correct targeting and assembly required (i). an appropriate length TMS rather than hydrophobicity, (ii). a proline residue located at correct position in the TMS and specific residues near the proline, and (iii). that, in contrast to proteins dispersed in the outer membrane, the positive C-terminal segment was dispensable. Based on these findings, we constructed green fluorescent protein fusions with a C-terminal TMS in which the deduced sequences (minimum: Ser-Pro-Met) were inserted at an appropriate position within artificial Leu-Ala repeats. They were targeted to mitochondria and complemented the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of deltatom5 yeast cells. The membrane-targeting mechanism of Tom5 appears to be distinct from that for proteins that are dispersed in the outer membrane.     

Effect of parathyroid hormone and dietary phosphate on phosphate transport in renal outer cortical and outer medullary brush-border membrane vesicles

Two distinctive sodium-dependent phosphate transport systems have been identified in early and late proximal tubules; a high-capacity process located only in outer cortical tissue, and a high affinity present in both outer cortical and outer medullary brush-border membranes (Km 0.1-0.25 mM). A third, sodium-independent, pH gradient-stimulated system (Vmax 4.7 +/- 0.3 nmol.mg-1.min-1, Km 0.15 +/- 0.002 mM) is present in the outer medulla, but absent in outer cortex. Brush-border vesicles were prepared from outer cortical and outer medullary tissue of pigs maintained on low (less than 0.05%), normal (0.4%), or high (4%) phosphate diets. Sodium-dependent phosphate uptake of the high-capacity system decreased (Vmax, 9.4 to 2.2 nmol.mg-1.min-1) from low to high phosphate diet, whereas uptake rates decreased about 50% in the high-affinity system. There were no changes in the respective Km values. The pH gradient-stimulated uptake also decreased (Vmax, 6.9 to 3.0 nmol.mg-1.min-1) with no change in mean Km value (0.15 +/- 0.001 mM) with dietary manipulation. Administration of 1 U parathyroid hormone prior to study resulted in a decrease in sodium-dependent uptake by 40-50% and in pH-dependent uptake (36%) with no change in the respective Km values. In conclusion, the antecedent dietary phosphate intake and parathyroid hormone administration appropriately alters phosphate uptake across the brush-border membrane of all three systems, sodium-dependent and pH gradient-stimulated phosphate transport.     

Molecular cloning of ompRS, a regulatory locus controlling production of outer membrane proteins in Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Summary A locus, ompRS, controlling synthesis of outer membrane proteins was cloned from Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) by complementation of an Escherichia coli ompR—envZ mutant. The Ecc ompRS locus was both structurally and functionally similar to the ompR—envZ operon controlling porin gene expression in E. coli as shown by DNA hybridization and complementation of E. coli ompR and envZ mutants. Furthermore, introduction of ompRS into E. coli (ompR—envZ) strains restored the osmoregulation of the major outer membrane protein genes ompC and ompF Maxicell analysis of ompRS-carrying plasmids suggested that proteins similar in size to the E. coli ompR and envZ gene products were encoded by the Ecc ompR and ompS genes, respectively. Introduction of an ompRS transposon mutant onto the Ecc chromosome by marker exchange mutagenesis showed that ompRS is essential for production of a major outer membrane porin in Ecc. This mutational defect could be complemented by clones carrying Ecc ompRS or E. coli ompR envZ. The lack of the porin did not, however, compromise the virulence of these Ecc mutants.     

Proteomic analysis on the expression of outer membrane proteins of Vibrio alginolyticus at different sodium concentrations

The ability of osmoregulation is crucial to marine pathogens that always face the change of osmotic pressure when they shift between natural marine water-bodies and hosts. Previous studies indicated that the expressional patterns of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) changed when Gram-negative bacteria were transferred in different environments. In the present study, proteomic methodologies were used to investigate the expressional pattern of OMPs of Vibrio alginolyticus, a universal marine pathogen, at different Na(+) concentrations. OmpW, OmpV, and Omp TolC were determined to be osmotic stress responsive proteins. Of the three proteins, importantly, OmpV and OmpW showed distinctly reverse changes to each other, indicating that the two proteins might be the two components varied with changed NaCl concentrations. In addition, our results suggest that closely related species of bacteria with available whole genomic databases should be applied after item microorganism species was used when proteins from a bacterium with unavailable whole genomic information were identified by PMF. Therefore, our results not only expand our knowledge on osmotic stress responsive proteins, but also provide valuable information for strategies on screening of these proteins.     

Role of the histidine kinase, EnvZ, in the production of outer membrane proteins in the symbiotic-pathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophilus.

We show that inactivation of envZ, the gene encoding the histidine kinase sensor protein, EnvZ, of Xenorhabdus nematophilus, affected the production of several outer membrane proteins (Opns). X. nematophilus produced five major Opns during exponential growth. Insertional inactivation of envZ led to a decrease in the production of OpnP, the OmpF-like pore-forming protein which constitutes approximately 50% of the total outer membrane protein in X. nematophilus. OpnA production was also reduced, while the remaining Opns were produced normally. During the transition to stationary phase, three new outer membrane proteins, OpnB, OpnS, and OpnX, were induced in the wild-type strain. The envZ-minus strain, ANT1, did not produce OpnB and OpnX, while OpnS was induced at markedly reduced levels. These results suggest that EnvZ was required for the high-level production of OpnP during exponential growth and may be involved in the production of OpnB, OpnS, and OpnX during stationary-phase growth. We also show that ANT1 was more pathogenic than the wild-type strain when as few as five cells were injected into the hemolymph of the larval stage of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). The larvae died before significant numbers of bacteria were detectable in the hemolymph. These results are discussed in relation to the role of EnvZ in the life cycle of X. nematophilus.     

Evidence for the presence of an atigenically distinct protein in outer membrane virulentAgrobacterium tumefaciens cells

The outer membrane of avirulent and virulentAgrobacterium tumefaciens have been studied both biochemically and immunologically. Electron microscopy revealed large hollow spheres bound by a single unit membrane similar to those reported for other Gram-negative organisms. The membranes were mainly composed of proteins, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides. No quantitative changes were observed between the virulent and the avirulent outer membrane preparations either by chemical estimation or by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, immunological studies revealed that one protein band (the slow-moving band in agar) was antigenically distinct and did not cross-react between the two strains. The possible role of this protein in the primary interaction between the pathogen and the host prior to tumor initiation is discussed.