Tracking bacterial growth in liquid media and a new bacterial life model

By increasing viscosity of liquid media above 8.4 centipoise (cp) i.e. 0.084 g·cm~(-1)·S~(-1) individual growth and family formation of Escherichia coli was continuously observed in real-time for up to 6 h. The observations showed primarily unidirectional growth and reproduction of E. coli and suggested more than one reproduction in the observed portion of E. coli life span. A new bacterial life model is proposed: each bacterium has a stable cell polarity that ultimately transforms into two bacteria of different generations; the life cycle of a bacterium can contain more than one reproduction cycle; and the age of a bacterium should be defined by its experienced chronological time. This new bacterial life model differs from the dominant concepts of bacterial life but complies with all basic life principles based on direct observation of macroorganisms.     

人载脂蛋白AⅠ基因的克隆表达及功能

To identify, clone ,sequence and highly express the mature peptide gene of ApoA Ⅰ, total RNA was prepared from human fetal liver tissue. cDNA fragment encoding human ApoA Ⅰ was amplified by RT-PCR using specific primers, and then was inserted in pGEM-T vector. DNA sequencing indicates that the fragment is 729 base pairs in length and has 100% nucleotide homology with that of reported ApoA Ⅰ cDNA gene previously. The ApoA Ⅰ gene was cloned into pGEX 5X-1.The recombinant protein was expressed in E.coli DH5α, purified by glutathione-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography and confirmed by SDS-PAGE. It was shown that the recombinant ApoA Ⅰ was expressed in E.coli, and the target protein amounted to 36% of total bacteria proteins. Cholesteryl ester transfer experiment showed that the recombinant ApoA Ⅰ was capable of promoting transfer of CE from HDL to LDL. Western blotting showed that the protein could react specifically with anti-ApoA Ⅰ antibodies.     

Effects of quorum sensing autoinducer degradation gene on virulence and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The aiiA gene from Bacillus thuringiensis was cloned into the Pseudomonas/E. coli shuttle vector and transformed into Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. Western blotting showed that the AiiA protein was expressed in PAO1. After induction by IPTG for 6 h and 18 h, expression of the aiiA gene in PAO1 completely degraded the quorum sensing autoinducers N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs): N-oxododecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL) and N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone (BHL). The re- duced amount of AHLs in PAO1 was also correlated with decreased expression and production of several virulence factors such as elastase and pyocyanin. AiiA expression also influenced bacterial swarming motility. Most importantly, our studies indicated that aiiA played significant roles in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and dispersion, as observed by the differences of the biofilm formation on liquid and solid surfaces, and biofilm structures under a scanning electron microscope.     

Bioactive compounds from Caulerpa racemosa as a potent larvicidal and antibacterial agent

Marine algae are rich sources ofbioactive compounds capable of harboring secondary metabolites which are structurally and biologically active. In our study, the methanolic extract of marine algae Caulerpa racemosa （green algae） was employed to determine the antibacterial and larvicidal activity. The antibacterial activity showed effective inhibition against five pathogenic bacteria. A significant zone size of 16 mm was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The methanolic extract of Caulerpa racemosa showed effective larvicidal activity against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and the histopathological studies revealed the rupture in mid gut of larvae. The bioactive compounds in the crude extract were further identified as 2-（-3-bromo-1-adamantyl） acetic acid methyl ester and Chola-5, 22- dien-3-ol by GC-MS. Hence the bioactive compounds obtained from the methanolic extracts could be used for the bactericidal and larvicidal activity which will overcome the harmful impact of synthetic insecticide on environment.     

Pollen Morphology of Eight Genera of the Subtribe Mutisiinae Less. sensu Bremer （Compositae） from Asia

The pollen morphology of 28 species and one variety representing eight genera of the subtribe Mutisiinae Less. sensu Bremer （Compositae） was investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and light microscopy. The pollen grains are usually radically symmetrical, isopolar, and tricolporate. The shape varies from spheroidal to subprolate in equatorial view and is three-lobed circular in polar view. Based on exine sculpturing observed under SEM, the pollen grains can be divided into three types： （i） type Ⅰ, with macrogranulate sculpture; （ii） type Ⅱ, with a finely granulate sculpture; and （iii） type Ⅲ with spiny sculpture. The palynological data showed that the Macroclinidium Maxim. was remarkably distinguished from those of the other seven genera. The variation of pollen characteristics within the Mutisiinae in Asia is little at species level, but it proves some useful information for studying the relationships among genera and it has an important significance in further understanding the evolutionary history of Mutisiinae.     

Characterization of a novel toxin-antitoxin module, VapBC, encoded by Leptospira interrogans chromosome

Comparative genomic analysis of the coding sequences (CDSs) of Leptospira interrogans revealed a pair of closely linked genes homologous to the vapBC loci of many other bacteria with respect to both deduced amino acid sequencesand operon organizations. Expression of single vapC gene in Escherichia coli resulted in inhibition of bacterial growth,whereas co-expression of vapBC restored the growth effectively. This phenotype is typical for three other character-ized toxin-antitoxin systems of bacteria, i.e., mazEF[1], reIBE[2] and chplK[3]. The VapC proteins of bacteria and a thermophilic archeae, Solfolobus tokodaii, form a structurally distinguished group of toxin different from the other known toxins of bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of both toxins and antitoxins of all categories indicated that althought oxins were evolved from divergent sources and may or may not follow their speciation paths (as indicated by their 16s RNA seouences）, co-evolution with their antitoxins was obvious.     

Cloning and molecular characterization of a novel lectin gene from Pinellia ternata

The full-length cDNA of Pinellia ternata agglutinin (PTA) was cloned from inflorescences using RACE-PCR. Through comparative analysis of PTA gene (pta) and its deduced amino acid sequence with those of other Araceae species, pta was found to encode a precursor lectin with signal peptide and to have extensive homology with those of other Araceae species. PTA was a heterotetrameric mannose-binding lectin with three mannose-binding boxes like lectins from other Araceae and Amaryllidaceae species. Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA revealed that pta belonged to a low-copy gene family. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that pta constitutively expressed in various plant tissues including root, leaf, stem and inflorescence. The pta cDNA sequence encoding for mature PTA protein was cloned into pET-32a plasmid and the resulting plasmid, pET-32a-PTA containing Trx-PTA fusion protein, was investigated for the expression in E. coli BL21. SDS-PAGE gel analysis showed that the Trx-PTA fusion protein was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21 when induced by IPTG. Artificial diet assay revealed that PTA fusion protein had significant levels of resistance against peach potato aphids when incorporated into artificial diet at 0.1% (w/v). The cloning of the pta gene will enable us to further test its effect in depth on aphids by transferring the gene into crop plants.     

人睫状神经营养因子在大肠杆菌和毕赤酵母中的表达和生物活性测定

The recombinant human ciliary neurotrophi factor(hCNTF)expressed in E.coli aggregatedas inclusion bodies and refolding procedure was necessary to obtine the active protein.To overcome the disadvantage,we cloned hcntf gene into yeast expression plasmid pPIC9K and collected the plasmid pPIC9K-hcntf.Plasmid pPIC9K-hcntf was transformed into yeast Pichia pastoris GS115,and screened on G418-SD plates.The transformants with high copies of hcntf gene were inoculated into BMMY media and induced with 0.5% methanol.The recombinant hCNTF was secreted into the media.The amount of hCNTF in the supernatant was about 10 mg/L when incubated in the conical flasks and reached up to 60 mg/L under fed-batch condition in 15 L fermentator.The recombinant hCNTF expressed in E.coli was renatured as the control.The neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion assay showed that proteins expressed in both systems have the activity of promoting the growth of neuron axons.The phenomenon can be observed with only 3 μg hCNTF expressed in yeast present,which indicates that hCNTF was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris and has a relatively high activity.     

家蚕抗菌肽CM4对大肠杆菌超微结构影响的研究（简报）

The effect of antibacterial peptide CM4 of Bombyx mori against E. coli K12 was investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultrastructural changes of E. coli K12 were observed by the challenge of the purified antibacterial peptide CM4. The results showed that the antibacterial peptide caused a series of pathological changes on E. coli. SEM and TEM revealed aggregates of bacteria and SEM revealed wrinkled bacterial surfaces in the early stage. Thereafter, plasmolysis was observed with irregular holes appearing in the two ends of bacteria and the cytoplasmic contents of the cells leaking out. Finally, bacteria became empty vesicles and disintegrated into small fragments subsequently. Comparatively, the bacterial membrane was normal and the bacterial structure remained intact in the control group.     

Antibacterial activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles against Escherichia coli O157:H7

Aims:  To investigate antibacterial activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) and their mode of action against an important foodborne pathogen, Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Methods and Results:  ZnO NP with sizes of 70 nm and concentrations of 0, 3, 6 and 12 mmol l⁻¹ and NP-free solutions were used in antimicrobial tests against E. coli O157:H7. ZnO NP showed increasing inhibitory effects on the growth of E. coli O157:H7 as the concentrations of ZnO NP increased. A complete inhibition of microbial growth was achieved at the concentration level of 12 mmol l⁻¹ or higher. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the changes of morphology and cellular compositions of bacterial cells treated with ZnO NP and study the mode of action of ZnO NP against E. coli O157:H7. The intensity of lipid and protein bands in the Raman spectra of bacterial cells increased after exposure to ZnO NP, while no significant changes in nucleic acid bands were observed.
Conclusions:  ZnO NP were found to have antibacterial activity against E. coli O157:H7. The inhibitory effects increase as the concentration of ZnO NP increased. Results indicate that ZnO NP may distort and damage bacterial cell membrane, resulting in a leakage of intracellular contents and eventually the death of bacterial cells.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  These results suggest that ZnO NP could potentially be used as an effective antibacterial agent to protect agricultural and food safety.     

The cathelicidin-like peptide derived from panda genome is a potential antimicrobial peptide

A novel cathelicidin-like antimicrobial peptide was identified by mining genome of panda. This peptide (cathelicidin-AM) was synthesized. It showed potential antimicrobial activities against wide spectrum of microorganisms including Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, and fungi. It had similar antimicrobial abilities against both standard and clinically isolated drug-resistant strains. Cathelicidin-AM could rapidly exert its antibacterial activities. It just took less than 1 h to kill all Staphylococcus sciuri at the concentration of 2, 4 or 10 times of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) while clindamycin took 6 h. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that cathelicidin-AM killed bacteria by directly affecting bacterial cell wall and membrane. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the panda cathelicidin had the nearest evolution relationship with dog cathelicidin. The current work provides a novel cathelicidin-like peptide with strong antimicrobial abilities.     

Mechanisms of Escherichia coli photodynamic inactivation by an amphiphilic tricationic porphyrin and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl) porphyrin

The mechanistic aspects of Escherichia coli photodynamic inactivation (PDI) have been investigated in bacteria treated with 5,10,15-tris[4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl]-20-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)porphyrin iodide (A(3)B(3+)) and visible light. The photosensitization activity of A(3)B(3+) porphyrin was compared with that of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammonium phenyl)porphyrin p-tosylate (TMAP(4+)), which is an active tetracationic sensitizer to eradicate bacteria. The PDI damages on plasmid and genomic DNA were analyzed by electrophoresis. DNA photocleavage was observed after a long period of irradiation, when the bacterial cells are largely photoinactivated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed structural changes with appearance of low density areas into the cells and irregularities in cell barriers, which could affect the normal cell membrane functionality. Also, damages on the cell-wall were not detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and release of intracellular biopolymers was not found after PDI. These results indicate that the photodynamic activity of these cationic porphyrins produces DNA photodamage after a long period of irradiation. Therefore, an interference with membrane functions could be the main cause of E. coli photoinactivation upon short PDI treatments.     

抗菌肽OH-CATH对大肠杆菌Escherichia coli的作用

OH-CATH是眼镜王蛇中新发现的cathelicidin家族抗菌肽.它在1%NaCI存在的条件下对多种细菌都有较强的抗菌活性,同时,在高浓度下对人红细胞无溶血活性.OH-CATH足开发新型抗菌药物的优良模板.蜊明OH-CATH的作用机理及其对微生物的选择性,对研发以OH-CATH为先导结构的药物研发有十分重要的意义.本文利用扫描电镜以及透射电镜对OH-CATH与革兰氏阴性菌一大肠杆菌ATCC 25922相互作用的效应研究.结果揭示:OH-CATH对大肠杆菌的作用涉及到3个步骤.首先,OH-CATH借助其带正电的氨基酸残基附着到细菌带负电荷的细胞壁:然后,附着的OH-CATH在达剑一定浓度后发生聚集,以孔道彤成的方式破坏细菌的膜结构;最终,由十细菌膜的损坏,膜的渗透性被破坏,胞内内含物释放造成细菌死亡.     

家蝇幼虫抗菌肽MDL-2的电泳制备及其抗菌作用机理

通过体壁损伤和感染大肠杆菌同时诱导家蝇Musca domestica幼虫产生免疫血淋巴,经沸水浴热变性,透析浓缩处理,然后经Tricine-SDS-PAGE得到诱导前后家蝇幼虫血淋巴中蛋白差异表达条带,将该条带电泳回收,复性,抗菌活性检测等步骤,分离纯化得到抗菌肽MDL-2,其分子中富含Pro,Gly和碱性氨基酸,分子量为11 kD,对革兰氏阴性菌Escherichia coli和革兰氏阳性菌Staphylococcus aureus均有较强抗性,因此电泳制备抗菌肽的方法为此类生物微量活性物质的分离纯化提供一种行之有效的途径。通过MDL-2对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌通透性和透射电镜超微结构的图谱分析,MDL-2首先与细菌的外膜结合,然后抗菌肽形成柔性的两亲空间构象与细胞内膜作用,扰乱了膜脂分子的排列,改变了细胞膜的通透性,影响细胞膜的结构和功能,细胞膜上形成了许多孔道,同时造成细胞内的原生质扩散,并从孔道向胞外渗漏,影响了细菌的代谢系统,最终引起细胞膜破碎,细胞完全解体,从而起到抑菌杀菌作用。     

KKKKPLFGLFFGLF: A cationic peptide designed to exert antibacterial activity

With 14 residues organized as two domains linked by a single proline, the de novo peptide called K4 was designed, using Antimicrobial Peptide Database, to exert antibacterial activity. The N-terminal domain is composed of four lysines enhancing membrane interactions, and the C-terminal domain is putatively folded into a hydrophobic α-helix. Following the synthesis, the purification and the structural checking, antibacterial assays revealed a strong activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including human pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and some marine bacteria of the genus Vibrio. Scanning electron microscopy of Escherichia coli confirmed that K4 lyses bacterial cells. The cytotoxicity was tested against rabbit erythrocytes and chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). These tests revealed that K4 is non-toxic to mammalian cells for bacteriolytic concentrations. The peptide K4 could be a valuable candidate for future therapeutic applications.     

中国家蚕抗菌肽ABP-CM4在E.coli中的融合表达及活性分析

参照天然抗菌肽CM4(ABP-CM4)氨基酸序列和大肠杆菌偏爱密码子,采用rPCR法获得CM4基因后重组到表达载体pET32a上,在E.coli中融合表达。表达产物以可溶性存在,经Ni2 -NTA琼脂糖亲和层析获得融合蛋白,再经甲酸切割、亲和层析和阳离子交换层析,得到纯化的重组抗菌肽。琼脂糖扩散法和液相测定法证明了纯化的抗菌肽具有抗菌活性。     

柞蚕蛹抗菌肽D对大肠杆菌K_(12)D_(31)的作用

本文报道了不同浓度的柞蚕蛹抗菌肽D,对大肠杆菌K_(12)D_(31)的杀灭作用动力学。在LEG培养液中,抗菌从D的浓度在5微克/毫升时显效。浓度在10微克/毫升以上时,其杀菌速度大于细菌的增殖速度。固定抗菌肽浓度为10微克/毫升,细菌浓度在3×10~7个细菌/毫升,培养在磷酸钾盐缓冲液中,4小时后能全部杀灭。同样浓度细菌在LEG培养液中,4小时后细菌数下降到约为10~2个细菌/毫升,但不能全部杀灭。同时还提供了柞蚕蛹抗菌肽D和B对大肠杆菌K_(12)D_(31)作用不同时间的电镜照片。     

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of the silver ion in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

The antibacterial effect and mechanism of action of a silver ion solution that was electrically generated were investigated for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by analyzing the growth, morphology, and ultrastructure of the bacterial cells following treatment with the silver ion solution. Bacteria were exposed to the silver ion solution for various lengths of time, and the antibacterial effect of the solution was tested using the conventional plate count method and flow cytometric (FC) analysis. Reductions of more than 5 log(10) CFU/ml of both S. aureus and E. coli bacteria were confirmed after 90 min of treatment with the silver ion solution. Significant reduction of S. aureus and E. coli cells was also observed by FC analysis; however, the reduction rate determined by FC analysis was less than that determined by the conventional plate count method. These differences may be attributed to the presence of bacteria in an active but nonculturable (ABNC) state after treatment with the silver ion solution. Transmission electron microscopy showed considerable changes in the bacterial cell membranes upon silver ion treatment, which might be the cause or consequence of cell death. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that silver ions may cause S. aureus and E. coli bacteria to reach an ABNC state and eventually die.