Adhesion of Human and Animal Escherichia coli Strains in Association with Their Virulence-Associated Genes and Phylogenetic Origins

Intestinal colonization is influenced by the ability of the bacterium to inhabit a niche, which is based on the expression of colonization factors. Escherichia coli carries a broad range of virulence-associated genes (VAGs) which contribute to intestinal (inVAGs) and extraintestinal (exVAGs) infection. Moreover, initial evidence indicates that inVAGs and exVAGs support intestinal colonization. We developed new screening tools to genotypically and phenotypically characterize E. coli isolates originating in humans, domestic pigs, and 17 wild mammal and avian species. We analyzed 317 isolates for the occurrence of 44 VAGs using a novel multiplex PCR microbead assay (MPMA) and for adhesion to four epithelial cell lines using a new adhesion assay. We correlated data for the definition of new adhesion genes. inVAGs were identified only sporadically, particularly in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). The prevalence of exVAGs depended on isolation from a specific host. Human uropathogenic E. coli isolates carried exVAGs with the highest prevalence, followed by badger (Meles meles) and roe deer isolates. Adhesion was found to be very diverse. Adhesion was specific to cells, host, and tissue, though it was also unspecific. Occurrence of the following VAGs was associated with a higher rate of adhesion to one or more cell lines: afa-dra, daaD, tsh, vat, ibeA, fyuA, mat, sfa-foc, malX, pic, irp2, and papC. In summary, we established new screening methods which enabled us to characterize large numbers of E. coli isolates. We defined reservoirs for potential pathogenic E. coli. We also identified a very broad range of colonization strategies and defined potential new adhesion genes.     

Gene Silencing of Porcine MUC13 and ITGB5: Candidate Genes towards Escherichia coli F4ac Adhesion

Background

Integrin beta-5 (ITGB5) and mucin 13 (MUC13) genes are highly expressed on the apical surface of intestinal epithelia and are thought to be candidate genes for controlling the expression of the receptor for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4ac. Human MUC13 protein has an expected role in protecting intestinal mucosal surfaces and porcine ITGB5 is a newly identified potential receptor for ETEC F4ac.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To test the hypothesis that ITGB5 and MUC13 both play key roles in protection of the intestinal mucosa against pathogenic bacterium, porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were transfected with ITGB5-targeting, MUC13-targeting or negative control small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. Firstly, we measured mRNA expression levels of mucin genes (MUC4, MUC20), pro-inflammatory genes (IL8, IL1A, IL6, CXCL2), anti-inflammatory mediator SLPI, and PLAU after RNAi treatments with and without ETEC infection. Secondly, we compared the adhesions of ETEC to the pre- and post-knockdown IPEC-J2 cells of ITGB5 and MUC13, respectively. We found that ITGB5 and MUC13 knockdown both had small but significant effects in attenuating the inflammation induced by ETEC infection, and both increased bacterial adhesion in response to F4ac ETEC exposure.

Conclusions/Significance

Our current study first reported that ITGB5 and MUC13 are important adhesion molecules of mucosal epithelial signaling in response to Escherichia coli in pigs. These data suggest that both ITGB5 and MUC13 play key roles in defending the attachment and adhesion of ETEC to porcine jejunal cells and in maintaining epithelial barrier and immunity function.     

Upregulation of Intestinal Mucin Expression by the Probiotic Bacterium E. coli Nissle 1917

The probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has been reported to have various health benefits; however, very little is known about their underlying mechanisms. In this regard, the present study aimed to elucidate the effect of the bacterium on mucin production by intestinal epithelial cells. Incubation of HT-29 cells with EcN lead to a contact time-dependent rise in mRNA levels of the MUC2, MUC3, MUC5AC, and MUC5A. The expression was markedly higher with MUC5AC gene. In most cases, MUC genes expression was more pronounced in polarized cells compared to non-polarized ones. In contrast to MUC3, the basal stimulation of polarized cells brought about markedly higher levels of other tested mucins. Similar but milder results were observed when living EcN was replaced by inactivated bacteria. With exception of MUC3, the conditioned media showed no significant effect on the mRNA level of the tested mucins. The above-mentioned mRNA results were confirmed on protein level using enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). In contrast to other treatments, basal stimulation of polarized cells showed a growth phase-dependent MUC induction with more prominent effect by stationary-phase bacteria. In contrast to MUC 2 and MUC3, the induction of MUC5AC and MUC5B showed a bacterial count-dependent pattern. In conclusion, EcN was found to stimulate MUC gene expression in HT-29 intestinal cells. This stimulation was more distinct with polarized cells. Such observation may partially interpret some health benefits of the probiotic bacterium including antagonizing pathogen adhesion and protection of the intestinal mucosa.     

血管钠肽(VNP)在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化及活性分析

利钠肽家族成员在维持机体心血管平衡等方面发挥着重要的生理作用.人工设计的新型利钠肽分子血管钠肽(VNP)由C-型利钠肽和A-型利钠肽的功能结构域嵌合组成,具备两种利钠肽分子的优势功能.采用分子生物学方法,构建了BL21(DE3)/pGEX-4T-1-VNP原核表达系统,在大肠杆菌中实现了融合蛋白GST-VNP的可溶性表达.经离心、超声波破碎、GST亲和层析、G25凝胶过滤和肠激酶酶切后超滤离心便可获得电泳纯的目的产物VNP,最终每升发酵液可获得20 mg重组VNP蛋白.大鼠离体血管环张力法和去膀胱尿液收集法活性评价显示,VNP具有扩张血管和利尿双重功效.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒orf7和orf5双基因的原核表达研究

根据PRRSV已知序列设计两对引物,采用RT-PCR方法分别扩增orr7和orf5基因片段.利用EcoRI、SpeⅠ和Hind Ⅲ位点将orf7和orf5基因片段依次克隆到pMD-18T载体,构建成重组质粒pMD18NE,并比较所克隆基因序列的同源性.将串联的orf7和orf5基因亚克隆到原核表达载体pGEX-KG,构建重组原核融合表达质粒pGEX-KGNE,并转化BL21,SDS-PAGE和Western-blot分析表明orf7和orf5基因与GST获得了融合表达,并且表达的融合蛋白GST-NE具有免疫学反应活性,这为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征血清学诊断方法的建立及疫苗研究打下基础.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒orf7和orf5双基因的原核表达研究

根据PRRSV已知序列设计两对引物,采用RT-PCR方法分别扩增orf7和orf5基因片段。利用EcoRI、SpeI和HindIIl位点将orf7和orf5基因片段依次克隆到pMD-18T载体,构建成重组质粒pMDl8NE,并比较所克隆基因序列的同源性。将串联的orf7和orf5基因亚克隆到原核表达载体pGEX．KG,构建重组原核融合表达质粒pGEX．KGNE,并转化BL21,SDS．PAGE和Western．blot分析表明：orf7和orf5基因与GST获得了融合表达,并且表达的融合蛋白GST-NE具有免疫学反应活性,这为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征血清学诊断方法的建立及疫苗研究打下基础。     

大肠杆菌trpBA基因的克隆表达

目的:提高大肠杆菌中色氨酸合成酶的表达量和表达活性。方法:利用PCR方法从大肠杆菌K-12的基因组中直接克隆出紧密连锁trpB和trpA基因(简称trpBA),并将其连接到原核表达载体pet22b( )中,得到重组质粒pet22b( )-trp-BA,转化大肠杆菌BL21,IPTG诱导重组蛋白表达,表达产物经SDS-PAGE分析并用比色法测定其活性。结果:凝胶电泳可见PCR扩增产物大小约为2kb,SDS-PAGE鉴定目的蛋白的Mr分别约为29000和44000,色氨酸合成酶α、β亚基分别得到了高效表达,色氨酸合成酶活性提高到对照菌的3.7倍。结论:成功构建了重组质粒pet22b( )-trpBA,色氨酸合成酶的表达量和表达活性在大肠杆菌中得到了提高,为高产色氨酸基因工程菌的构建奠定基础。     

Identification of New Oligodendrocyte- and Myelin-Specific Genes by a Differential Screening Approach

Abstract: We have isolated several new genes that are specifically expressed by oligodendrocytes in the CNS. This was achieved by differential screening of a rat spinal cord cDNA library with probes derived from normal and from oligodendrocyte-free spinal cord mRNAs. Four of these genes are exclusively expressed by oligodendrocytes: Three of these are not related to known genes, whereas one encodes the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Four other genes are expressed by oligodendrocytes as well as by Schwann cells. One gene codes for apolipoprotein D, which is thought to be involved in lipid metabolism. A second cDNA sequence codes for the recently identified galactosylceramide-synthesizing enzyme UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyl-transferase. The third gene encodes a small protein with four putative transmembrane domains that is related to a T-lymphocyte-specific membrane protein, MAL. The fourth gene encodes the rat homologue of the stearyl-CoA-desaturase 2 (SCD2) gene, which is specifically expressed in the nervous system and involved in the synthesis and regulation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids essential for myelination. Finally, we found that a member of the β-tubulin family is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes as well as neurons. The identification of several new proteins that may play a role in myelin synthesis and sheath formation will lead to new insight into this complex mechanism.     

Activity of E. coli ClpA bound by nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates

The Escherichia coli ClpA protein is a molecular chaperone that binds and translocates protein substrates into the proteolytic cavity of the tetradecameric serine protease ClpP. In the absence of ClpP, ClpA can remodel protein complexes. In order for ClpA to bind protein substrates targeted for removal or remodeling, ClpA requires nucleoside triphosphate binding to first assemble into a hexamer. Here we report the assembly properties of ClpA in the presence of the nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates ADP, adenosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate, adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate, β,γ-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate, and adenosine diphosphate beryllium fluoride. In addition to examining the assembly of ClpA in the presence of various nucleotides and nucleotide analogues, we have also correlated the assembly state of ClpA in the presence of these nucleotides with both polypeptide binding activity and enzymatic activity, specifically ClpA-catalyzed polypeptide translocation. Here we show that all of the selected nucleotides, including ADP, promote the assembly of ClpA. However, only adenosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate and adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate promote the formation of an oligomer of ClpA that is active in polypeptide binding and translocation. These results suggest that the presence of γ phosphate may serve to switch ClpA into a conformational state with high peptide binding activity, whereas affinity is severely attenuated when ADP is bound.     

Aggregation and Adhesion Activity of Lactobacilli Isolated from Fermented Products In Vitro and In Vivo: a Potential Probiotic Strain

Approximately 25 strains of lactobacilli isolated from different dairy products and fermented vegetables were screened according to their possibility to show the high auto-aggregation and co-aggregation. The strains Lactobacillus helveticus INRA-2010-H11, Lactobacillus rhamnosus INA-5.1, and Lactobacillus acidophilus JM-2012 were determined to have the high auto-aggregation (approximately 73, 46, and 70.5% correspondingly). A high co-aggregation capacity (75.53%) for strains INRA-2010-H11 and JM-2012 was shown. The adhesion degree of INRA-2010-H11 on the surface of buccal epithelial cells was 88.23%. The study of INRA-2010-H11, JM-2012, and both strains’ mixture (1:1) adhesion capacity on the surface of epithelial HeLa cells revealed the adhesion of 1.1 × 10⁶, 6.3 × 10⁴, and 2.3 × 10⁵ CFU, respectively, from starter amount of CFU 10⁷ and 10⁸ for both strains. In vivo experiments of LAB adhesion in gastrointestinal tract of mouse revealed the presence of 2.5 × 10⁹, 1.2 × 10⁹, and 1.5 × 10⁹ CFU of LAB in control and groups of mouse, fed by INRA-2010-H11 and mixture, respectively. Feeding by investigated lactobacilli was suggested to lead to microbiota biodiversity reduction in small intestine and colon and its augmentation in stomach. Thus, INRA-2010-H11 demonstrated a high aggregation and adhesion activity so it has the potential as a good probiotic strain.     

Activity assay of His-tagged E. coli DNA photolyase by RP-HPLC and SE-HPLC

Escherichia coli DNA photolyase was expressed as C-terminal 6x histidine-fused protein. Purification of His-tagged E. coli DNA photolyase was developed using immobilized metal affinity chromatography with Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow. By one-step affinity chromatography, approximate 4.6 mg DNA photolyase was obtained from 400 ml E. coli culture. The purified His-tagged enzyme was combined with two chromophors, FADH and MTHF. Using the oligonucleotide containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer as substrate, both reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography were developed to measure the enzyme activity. The enzyme was found to be able to repair the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer with the turnover rate of 2.4 dimers/photolyase molecule/min.     

猪防御素基因PBD-I在大肠杆菌中的重组和融合表达

用RT-PCR方法获得PBD-I基因,将该基因插入原核表达载体PinPoint^TMXa-3中,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌JM109,经IPTG诱导后以融合蛋白形式表达。SDS-PAGE电泳显示PBD-I基因在目标位置17kDa处获得了表达。PBD-I基因的成功表达为进一步研究其抗菌活性、抗菌机理及应用研究形成基础。     

Extracellular serine proteases from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Screening, isolation and heterologous expression in E. coli

A large strain collection comprising antagonistic bacteria was screened for novel detergent proteases. Several strains displayed protease activity on agar plates containing skim milk but were inactive in liquid media. Encapsulation of cells in alginate beads induced protease production. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia emerged as best performer under washing conditions. For identification of wash-active proteases, four extracellular serine proteases called StmPr1, StmPr2, StmPr3 and StmPr4 were cloned. StmPr2 and StmPr4 were sufficiently overexpressed in E. coli. Expression of StmPr1 and StmPr3 resulted in unprocessed, insoluble protein. Truncation of most of the C-terminal domain which has been identified by enzyme modeling succeeded in expression of soluble, active StmPr1 but failed in case of StmPr3.From laundry application tests StmPr2 turned out to be a highly wash-active protease at 45 °C. Specific activity of StmPr2 determined with suc-l-Ala-l-Ala-l-Pro-l-Phe-p-nitroanilide as the substrate was 17 ± 2 U/mg. In addition we determined the kinetic parameters and cleavage preferences of protease StmPr2.     

BACE蛋白的表达、纯化和活性测定

在大肠杆菌中表达、纯化并重新折叠以获得有活性的酸性蛋白水解酶 (BACE蛋白 )———一种与阿尔茨海默病 (AD)发病相关的蛋白水解酶。克隆BACE活性区的表达序列到原核表达载体 pET11a中 ,经E .coliBL2 1(DE3)表达 ,从包涵体中获取蛋白质 ,电泳鉴定后经梯度反向快速折叠法重新折叠 ,柱层析分离纯化 ,得到了表达的重组可溶性BACE蛋白 ;用高效液相色谱、质谱等方法检测其对人工合成多肽底物的水解作用 ;测定了BACE蛋白的酶促动力学常数。结果表明 ,得到的重组BACE蛋白具有水解人工合成小肽底物的活性。     

A New Zebrafish Model of Oro-Intestinal Pathogen Colonization Reveals a Key Role for Adhesion in Protection by Probiotic Bacteria

The beneficial contribution of commensal bacteria to host health and homeostasis led to the concept that exogenous non-pathogenic bacteria called probiotics could be used to limit disease caused by pathogens. However, despite recent progress using gnotobiotic mammal and invertebrate models, mechanisms underlying protection afforded by commensal and probiotic bacteria against pathogens remain poorly understood. Here we developed a zebrafish model of controlled co-infection in which germ-free zebrafish raised on axenic living protozoa enabled the study of interactions between host and commensal and pathogenic bacteria. We screened enteric fish pathogens and identified Edwardsiella ictaluri as a virulent strain inducing a strong inflammatory response and rapid mortality in zebrafish larvae infected by the natural oro-intestinal route. Using mortality induced by infection as a phenotypic read-out, we pre-colonized zebrafish larvae with 37 potential probiotic bacterial strains and screened for survival upon E. ictaluri infection. We identified 3 robustly protective strains, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus and 2 Escherichia coli strains. We showed that the observed protective effect of E. coli was not correlated with a reduced host inflammatory response, nor with the release of biocidal molecules by protective bacteria, but rather with the presence of specific adhesion factors such as F pili that promote the emergence of probiotic bacteria in zebrafish larvae. Our study therefore provides new insights into the molecular events underlying the probiotic effect and constitutes a potentially high-throughput in vivo approach to the study of the molecular basis of pathogen exclusion in a relevant model of vertebrate oro-intestinal infection.     

激光诱变玫瑰孢链霉菌结合链霉素抗性筛选法选育达托霉素高产菌株

将经过20 mW激光辐照20 min的达托霉素(Daptomycin)生产菌株-玫瑰孢链霉菌(Streptomyces roseosporus)D-38的孢子悬液倾注在含有1．9λg／mL链霉素的高氏一号培养平板上。通过链霉素抗性法筛选获得了10％正变率的突变株,其中突变株LC-54摇瓶发酵单位为81．2 mg／L,比出发菌株提高了39％。     

Construction and Screening of Metagenomic Libraries Derived from Enrichment Cultures: Generation of a Gene Bank for Genes Conferring Alcohol Oxidoreductase Activity on Escherichia coli

Enrichment of microorganisms with special traits and the construction of metagenomic libraries by direct cloning of environmental DNA have great potential for identifying genes and gene products for biotechnological purposes. We have combined these techniques to isolate novel genes conferring oxidation of short-chain (C₂ to C₄) polyols or reduction of the corresponding carbonyls. In order to favor the growth of microorganisms containing the targeted genes, samples collected from four different environments were incubated in the presence of glycerol and 1,2-propanediol. Subsequently, the DNA was extracted from the four samples and used to construct complex plasmid libraries. Approximately 100,000 Escherichia coli strains of each library per test substrate were screened for the production of carbonyls from polyols on indicator agar. Twenty-four positive E. coli clones were obtained during the initial screen. Sixteen of them contained a plasmid (pAK101 to pAK116) which conferred a stable carbonyl-forming phenotype. Eight of the positive clones exhibited NAD(H)-dependent alcohol oxidoreductase activity with polyols or carbonyls as the substrates in crude extracts. Sequencing revealed that the inserts of pAK101 to pAK116 encoded 36 complete and 17 incomplete presumptive protein-encoding genes. Fifty of these genes showed similarity to sequenced genes from a broad collection of different microorganisms. The genes responsible for the carbonyl formation of E. coli were identified for nine of the plasmids (pAK101, pAK102, pAK105, pAK107 to pAK110, pAK115, and pAK116). Analyses of the amino acid sequences deduced from these genes revealed that three (orf12, orf14, and orf22) encoded novel alcohol dehydrogenases of different types, four (orf5, sucB, fdhD, and yabF) encoded novel putative oxidoreductases belonging to groups distinct from alcohol dehydrogenases, one (glpK) encoded a putative glycerol kinase, and one (orf1) encoded a protein which showed no similarity to any other known gene product.