Penicillin-binding proteins of Escherichia coli. Comparison of a strain carrying an R-factor and the parent strain.

Both from Escherichia coli K12 W3630 carrying an R-factor, R+75, and from the parent strain at least six penicillin- and cephalosporin-binding proteins were obtained as soluble forms. The molecular weights of the binding proteins of the strain carrying an R-factor were similar to those of the parent strain and not affected by the presence of an R-factor which specified the production of a beta-lactamase. Gel filtration with [14C]benzylpenicillin suggested the equimolar binding of benzylpenicillin to each binding protein. Three binding proteins of E. coli carrying R+75 and two binding proteins of the parent strain were purified by affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration. In fluorescence titration, various penicillins and cephalosporins were shown to bind to the purified binding proteins and their association constants were in the range of 0.4 to 21-10(3) M-1. The binding proteins of both strains did not react with the antibody against the beta-lactamase specified by R+75.     

Interrelation of the sensitivity of Salmonella derby cells to phage dp8 with the R plasmid of Salmonella derby

In the process of studying phage--Salmonella derby plasmid interaction effect, it has been found that the absence of the plasmid blocks the adsorption step and the step of phage penetration into the cell. However, the lytic functions and those responsible in maintenance of the lysogenic state are independent of plasmid. Probably, resistance of plasmidless cells of S. derby to extracellular dp8 phage is mediated by the absence of plasmid-borne genes in S. derby coding for membrane peptides which are indispensible for adsorption and DNA penetration into the cell.     

Mechanisms of resistance of Salmonella derby cells to streptomycin

Mechanisms of high streptomycin resistance (8000 micrograms/ml) in S. derby cells carrying R plasmids were studied. The cells were isolated from clinical materials. The findings showed that the streptomycin resistance determinant in the S. derby cells was localized on the plasmid. In cell-free extracts of the strains, there was detected no inactivation of aminoglycosides by phosphorylation, adenylation and acetylation of the antibiotic molecules. The plasmid elimination from the cells of S. derby K89 by ethidium bromide resulted in loosing of streptomycin resistance by the cells. This indirectly excluded the mechanism associated with modification of the ribosomes. Streptomycin resistance in the strains studied must be due to decreased permeability of the S. derby K89 cell envelopes for streptomycin.     

The ultrastructure of plasmid-containing and plasmid-free Salmonella derby cells

The comparative electron-microscopic study of S. derby plasmid-containing and plasmid-free cells has revealed certain differences in their structures: These structural differences are always accompanied by changes in the form and size of the cells, the form of the cell wall with the appearance of fimbria-like processes, depending on the presence or absence of S. derby R-plasmid in the cells. These differences in the morphology and ultrastructure of S. derby cells, associated with the R-plasmid, are of interest in the study of molecular mechanisms of plasmid action on the development of various forms of whole cells and individual bacterial structures, which play an important role in the cell function.     

Characterization of a HindIII-generated DNA fragment carrying the glutamine synthetase gene of Salmonella typhimurium

The glnA gene, encoding glutamine synthetase in Salmonella typhimurium, has been cloned into the plasmid pBR322. One hybrid plasmid, pJB1, containing an 8.5 kb insert generated by a HindIII digest, was analyzed using eleven different restriction enzymes. Evidence that the region controlling glutamine synthetase expression remained on the insert was obtained by showing that the regulation is normal in cells carrying plasmids with the insert in the original and reversed orientation. Several new plasmids derived from pJB1 following SalI and EcoRI digestions were examined for their ability to complement a glnA202 mutation in order to locate the DNA segment needed for glutamine synthetase expression. The results show that cells containing plasmid pJB8, which has a 21 kb deletion, produce and regulate glutamine synthetase normally, whereas cells with a plasmid (pJB11) similar to pJB8, but lacking a 0.25 kb EcoRI fragment, do not exhibit glutamine synthetase activity. The analysis of proteins produced in minicells containing pJB8 and pJB11 show that they both produce a protein that migrates with the glutamine synthetase subunit. Because pJB11 makes an inactive protein of similar size to the glutamine synthetase subunit, the 0.25 kb deletion may encode only the C-terminus of this protein. Consistent with this finding is the presence of a strong RNA polymerase-binding site on pJB8 to the right of the 0.25 kb EcoRI that could correspond to a promoter near the N-terminus of the glnA gene.     

Corynebacterium diphtheriae nontoxigenic strain carrying the gene of diphtheria toxin

Among 828 C. diphtheriae nontoxigenic cultures isolated in different region of Russia in 1994-2002, 114 cultures (13.8%) had the gene of diphtheria toxin (gene tox) and were thus called nontoxigenic tox-carrying (NTTC) strains. All NTTC strains were found to belong to biovar mitis and formed neither normal, nor "defective" diphtheria toxin. The most of NTTC strains (94%) belonged to ribotype "Moskva", not occurring among C. diphtheriae toxigenic strains. The incapacity of NNTC strains of forming diphtheria toxin was caused by mutation: the deletion of one nucleotide which led to the shift of the open reading frame and to the formation of the stop codon. The results of these studies are indicative of the fact that a sufficiently homogeneous and isolated group of C. diphtheriae nontoxigenic strains is spread in Russia. These strains carry the nonexpressing gene of diphtheria toxin and are of no epidemic importance in diphtheria infection.     

Natural plasmid pSD89 (Cmr) from Salmonella derby K89, which increases the radiation tolerance of Escherichia coli strain K-12]

Several plasmids with molecular mass of 1.3-9 MDa were found in a clinical isolate of Salmonella derby K89 by electrophoresis in agarose gel. One of these plasmids, designated pSD89 (Cmr), was derived from the K89 strain via transformation of the plasmidless recipient S. derby K82 to chloramphenicol resistance. The plasmid-carrying strain K89 and the K82 strain completely cured of plasmids were equally sensitive to the lethal action of UV light, whereas the plasmid-carrying strain was even more sensitive to ionizing radiation than the plasmidless variant. Nevertheless, transformants carrying only plasmid pSD89 (Cmr) were found to be more resistant to gamma-rays and UV light than the recipient. By using an intermediate host Escherichia coli Z80 (r-m+), plasmid pSD89 (Cmr) was introduced into different E. coli K-12 strains: polA-, recA-, uvrA-, umuC-, and the wild-type strain. A slight increase in radioresistance of E. coli wild-type cells and a significant complementation of a repair defect in recA and polA mutants, but not in uvrA and umuC, were observed.     

Location on the chromosome of the lac gene in a lactose-fermenting Salmonella litchfield strain

We present conclusive evidence for the chromosomal location of the lac gene in a lactose-fermenting Salmonella litchfield strain (AO Lac+). Two Hfr strains constructed from AO Lac+ had abilities to transfer the lac gene to S. typhimurium LT2 at relatively high frequencies. Detailed characterization of the transconjugants suggested that the lac in AO Lac+ was located on the host chromosome between galE (18 min) and trpB (34 min). Transduction experiments using P22 phage showed that the lac was cotransduced with gal, but not with trpB. These results clearly indicate that the lac gene is located at a position near 18 min of the linkage map of Salmonella.     

Immunogenic endotoxin associated protein from a rough strain of Salmonella

Abstract A multimolecular complex of polypeptides found associated with the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in Salmonella , reffered to as endotoxin-associated protein (EP), has been extracted from a rough strain of Salmonella typhimurium which does not synthesize 0 antigens. Since standard methods of extraction applicable to smooth strains of Salmonella were not successful for this rough strain, two modified procedures were developed. The resulting products were similar to smooth EP in terms of their biochemical, physical and mitogenic properties. When the immunogenicity of the rough EP was characterized by a protection assay in mice challenged with virulent Salmonella , it was found that the rough EP preparations were protective; however, they were not as active as the EP from a smooth strain of S. typhimurium .     

Immunogenic endotoxin associated protein from a rough strain of Salmonella

A multimolecular complex of polypeptides found associated with the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in Salmonella, referred to as endotoxin-associated protein (EP), has been extracted from a rough strain of Salmonella typhimurium which does not synthesize 0 antigens. Since standard methods of extraction applicable to smooth strains of Salmonella were not successful for this rough strain, two modified procedures were developed. The resulting products were similar to smooth EP in terms of their biochemical, physical and mitogenic properties. When the immunogenicity of the rough EP was characterized by a protection assay in mice challenged with virulent Salmonella, it was found that the rough EP preparations were protective; however, they were not as active as the EP from a smooth strain of S. typhimurium.     

Effect of R plasmid on cell membrane structure in Salmonella derby]

The structure of membranes of Salmonella derby cells both containing R-plasmid and free of plasmid was studied by small- and large-angle X-ray diffraction. Reflections with interplane distances of 8 and 11 A were detected, which are typical of plasmid-carrying S. derby cells. These reflections are assumed to be due to equidistant well ordered positions of the polar groups of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine molecules on membrane surface. It is also suggested that the formation of these structures is determined by peculiar hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions of the phospholipid in membranes.     

Molecular fingerprinting of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica derby isolated from tropical seafood in South India

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Derby strains isolated from different seafood were genotyped by PCR-ribotyping and ERIC-PCR assays. This study has ascertained the genetic relatedness among serovars prevalent in tropical seafood. PCR-ribotyping exhibited genetic variation in both Salmonella serovars, and ribotype profile (II) was most predominant, which was observed in 10/18 of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium and 7/17 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Derby isolates. Cluster analysis of ERIC-PCR for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium strains exhibited nine different banding patterns and four strains showed >95% genetic homology within the cluster pairs. ERIC-PCR produced more genetic variations in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium; nevertheless, both methods were found to be comparable for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Derby isolates. Discrimination index of PCR-ribotyping for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium isolates was obtained at 0.674 and index value 0.714 was observed for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Derby strains. Molecular fingerprinting investigation highlighted the hypothesis of diverse routes of Salmonella contamination in seafood as multiple clones of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Derby were detected in same or different seafood throughout the study period.     

鼠伤寒沙门菌rtsB基因缺失株的构建及其生物学特性

【背景】鼠伤寒沙门菌(Salmonella typhimurium)是一种重要的人畜共患病原菌,严重危害养殖业及人类健康。调控蛋白在病原菌的生存及感染过程中发挥重要作用。【目的】构建鼠伤寒沙门菌调控基因rtsB缺失株和互补株,分析调控蛋白RstB对鼠伤寒沙门菌生物学特性和致病性的影响。【方法】利用Red同源重组的方法构建鼠伤寒沙门菌SAT52的rtsB基因缺失株,并利用互补质粒构建互补株。然后比较分析野生株SAT52、缺失株?rtsB和互补株C?rtsB的生长特性、运动性、生物被膜形成能力、黏附入侵能力、胞内存活能力及致病性的差异。【结果】缺失rtsB基因不影响SAT52的生长速度,但导致运动能力增强,生物被膜形成能力减弱。细胞感染试验结果表明,rtsB基因有助于鼠伤寒沙门菌对Hela细胞的黏附入侵及RAW264.7细胞内的存活。动物试验结果表明rtsB基因缺失显著降低鼠伤寒沙门菌的致病力。【结论】rtsB基因在鼠伤寒沙门菌感染过程中发挥重要作用,可为阐释鼠伤寒沙门菌的致病机制提供参考。     

霍乱毒素B亚单位基因在鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中的表达

本工作成功地将霍乱毒素B亚单位(ctx B)基因插入到带有天门冬氨酸β-半醛脱氢酶基困(asd+)的pYAZ48质粒中,并将它转化至天门冬氨酸β-半醛脱氢酶突变(asd-)鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中。实验结果表明,ctx B亚单位基因能在鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中高效表达,并且表达的蛋白能分泌到细胞外。动物实验结果也表明：该疫苗菌株能在肠粘膜细胞定居;口服及全身免疫均能产生较高的抗体,并能增强动物细胞的免疫功能;对伤寒、霍乱有毒株的攻击有良好的保护效果。该系统的应用为疫苗基因工程提供了一个新的途径。     

Frameshift mutations induced by an Escherichia coli strain carrying a mutator gene, mutD5

We have studied eight frameshift mutations induced by the Escherichia coli mutator allele mutD5 in a derivative of the bacteriophage M13mp8, carrying an insertion of 91 base pairs derived from the tetR gene of pBR 322. All mutations were analyzed by the dideoxy sequencing method and were found to be deletions of a GC base pair which occurred in regions characterized by the presence of at least two GC base pairs. We have attempted to explain these results by the looping-out model, which was previously proposed to unify the results obtained with mutD5.     

Mutation of the htrB gene in a virulent Salmonella typhimurium strain by intergeneric transduction: strain construction and phenotypic characterization.

The htrB gene product of Haemophilus influenzae contributes to the toxicity of the lipooligosaccharide. The htrB gene encodes a 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid-dependent acyltransferase which is responsible for myristic acid substitutions at the hydroxy moiety of lipid A beta-hydroxymyristic acid. Mass spectroscopic analysis has demonstrated that lipid A from an H. influenzae htrB mutant is predominantly tetraacyl and similar in structure to lipid IV(A), which has been shown to be nontoxic in animal models. We sought to construct a Salmonella typhimurium htrB mutant in order to investigate the contribution of htrB to virulence in a well-defined murine typhoid model of animal pathogenesis. To this end, an r- m+ galE mutS recD strain of S. typhimurium was constructed (MGS-7) and used in inter- and intrastrain transduction experiments with both coliphage P1 and Salmonella phage P22. The Escherichia coli htrB gene containing a mini-Tn10 insertion was transduced from E. coli MLK217 into S. typhimurium MGS-7 via phage P1 and subsequently via phage P22 into the virulent Salmonella strain SL1344. All S. typhimurium transductants showed phenotypes similar to those described for the E. coli htrB mutant. Mass spectrometric analysis of the crude lipid A fraction from the lipopolysaccharide of the S. typhimurium htrB mutant strain showed that for the dominant hexaacyl form, a lauric acid moiety was lost at one position on the lipid A and a palmitic acid moiety was added at another position; for the less abundant heptaacyl species, the lauric acid was replaced with palmitoleic acid.