Host cell invasion and intracellular residence by Aeromonas salmonicida: role of the S-layer

Virulent strains of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida, which have surface S-layers (S+), efficiently adhere to, enter, and survive within macrophages. Here we report that S+ bacteria were 10- to 20-fold more adherent to non-phagocytic fish cell lines than S-layer-negative (S-) mutants. When reconstituted with exogenous S-layers, these S- mutants regained adherence. As well, latex beads coated with purified S-layers were more adherent to fish cell lines than uncoated beads, or beads coated with disorganized S-layers, suggesting that purified S-layers were sufficient to mediate high levels of adherence, and that this process relied on S-layer structure. Gentamicin protection assays and electron microscopy indicated that both S+ and S- A. salmonicida invaded non-phagocytic fish cells. In addition, these fish cells were unable to internalize S-layer-coated beads, clearly suggesting that the S-layer is not an invasion factor. Lipopolysaccharide (which is partially exposed in S+ bacteria) appeared to mediate invasion. Surprisingly, A. salmonicida did not show net growth inside fish cells cultured in the presence of gentamicin, as determined by viable bacterial cell counts. On the contrary, bacterial viability sharply decreased after cell infection. We thus concluded that the S-layer is an adhesin that promotes but does not mediate invasion of non-phagocytic fish cell lines. These cell lines should prove useful in studies aimed at characterizing the invasion mechanisms of A. salmonicida, but of limited value in studying the intracellular residence and replication of this invasive bacterium in vitro.     

Identification and characterization of carnobacteria associated with the gills of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Using the surface plate technique, the population level of aerobic bacteria, occurring in the gills of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), was determined to be approximately 3 x 10(4) g(-1). Of 100 isolates investigated, 58 were gram-negative. Out of the 42 gram-positive isolates, 26 belonged to the carnobacteria, of which ten were further identified on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis and AFLP fingerprinting. All were identified as Carnobacterium piscicola-like. These carnobacteria strains were also screened for their ability to produce growth inhibitory compounds active against the fish pathogens Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio salmonicida. Nine out of the ten C. piscicola isolates tested strongly inhibited growth of the three pathogens.     

Lactic acid bacteria associated with the digestive tract of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The present study reports the effect of excessive handling stress and starvation on the lactic acid bacteria associated with the digestive tract of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). A relatively low population level (approximately 2 x 103 bacteria per gram wet tissue) of viable adherent heterotrophic bacteria was associated with the digestive tract (foregut, midgut and hindgut). Of the 752 bacterial isolates isolated from diet, water and the digestive tract, 201 isolates belonged to the carnobacteria. Of these isolates, one from the diet, one from the rearing water and 80 from the gastrointestinal tract, were further identified on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis. All these isolates were identified as being Carnobacterium piscicola-like. Daily repeated stress and starvation of the fish over 11 d had no influence on the total culturable bacterial numbers or population level of C. piscicola associated with the digestive tract. C. piscicola-like isolates colonizing the various intestinal regions (foregut, midgut and hindgut) were also screened for their ability to produce growth inhibitory compounds active against the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. Of the 199 C. piscicola isolates tested, 139 inhibited growth of the pathogen.     

Water flow induced transport of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells through soil columns as affected by inoculant treatment

Abstract Water flow induced transport of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells through soil columns was measured as affected by the inoculant treatment. Bacterial cells were introduced into the topsoil of columns, either encapsulated in alginate beads of different types or mixed with bentonite clay in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0% (w/v). Survival of bacterial cells was improved with the use of alginate or bentonite. Transport, as determined by destructive sampling of the columns, was reduced with the use of alginate encapsulation. Drying of the beads had no influence on transport. The presence of bentonite in the topsoil, either pre-mixed through the soil, or applied as a slurry together with the bacteria, also reduced transport, except when 0.5% was pre-mixed through the soil. P. fluorescens cells encapsulated in alginate beads prepared with water and supplemented with skim milk powder and bentonite showed the best survival during the time of the experiment and the most reduced transport compared to the control. Therefore, cells encapsulated in this way are suitable, due to their optimal survival and reduced spread, for use in a field experiment with genetically manipulated bacteria.     

Siderophore production by using free and immobilized cells of two pseudomonads cultivated in a medium enriched with Fe and/or toxic metals (Cr, Hg, Pb)

Pseudomonads are serious candidates for siderophore production applied to toxic metal (TM) solubilization. The bioaugmentation of contaminated soils by these TM-solubilizing bacteria combined with phytoextraction is an emerging clean-up technology. Unfortunately, siderophore synthesis may be drastically reduced by soluble iron in soils and bacteria can suffer from TM toxicity. In this study, we compared siderophore production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens by using free and immobilized cells in Ca-alginate beads incubated in a medium containing Fe and/or TM (mixture of Cr, Hg, and Pb in concentrations which represented the soluble fraction of a contaminated agricultural soil). Free cell growth was stimulated by Fe, whatever the microorganism, the inoculum size and the presence or not of TM might have been. P. aeruginosa was less sensitive to TM than P. fluorescens. By comparison with free cells, immobilization with the high inoculum size showed less sensitivity to TM most probably because of lower metal diffusion in beads. Indeed, a maximum of 99.1% of Cr, 57.4% of Hg, and 99.6% of Pb were adsorbed onto beads. The addition of iron in the culture medium reduced significantly siderophore production of free cells while it led only to a low decrease with their immobilized counterparts, in particular with P. aeruginosa. In culture medium enriched with Fe and/or TM, siderophore-specific production of immobilized cells was higher than for free cells.     

EXOCYTOSIS OF LATEX BEADS DURING THE ENCYSTMENT OF ACANTHAMOEBA

Cells of Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff) are known to form mature cysts characterized by a cellulose-containing cell wall when transferred to a nonnutrient medium. Amebas which engulfed latex beads before encystment formed mature cysts essentially devoid of bead material. The encystment of bead-containing cells appeared to be similar to that of control cells since no important differences between the two were observed with respect to cellular levels of glycogen or protein, cellulose synthetase activity, the amount of cyst wall polysaccharide formed, or the percentage of cysts formed. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide inhibited encystment as well as bead expulsion. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the beads, which initially were contained in phagocytic vesicles, were released from the cell by fusion of vesicular membranes with the plasma membrane. Exocytosis was observed in cells after 3 hr of encystment, with most of the beads being lost before cyst wall formation. Each bead-containing vesicle involved in expulsion was conspicuously demarcated by an area of concentrated cytoplasm, which was more homogeneously granular than the surrounding cytoplasm. Beads were not observed in the cytoplasm of mature cysts but were occasionally found in the cyst wall.     

Starvation survival of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida in seawater

Abstract Three strains of the fish pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida were examined with respect to their ability to survive in seawater. Five to seven days after plate counts decreased below the detection limit of 10 cells/ml, the population of respiring A. salmonicida cells comprised less than 4% of the initial total bacterial population. At this stage, samples were transferred either to sterile nutrient or to control flasks containing sterile nutrient-free medium. The addition of nutrients caused reappearance of growing bacteria, detected by plating on agar medium and an increase of the population of respiring bacteria to 85–95% of the total population. In a separate experiment it was shown that after more than six months of starvation at 15°C, a few of the starved A. salmonicida cells were able to regrow in liquid media after addition of nutrients, but not on agar media. These cells evade detection by direct microscopic respiratory measurement but appear to be reactivated after addition of nutrients.     

Do detached root-cap cells influence bacteria associated with maize roots?

Abstract. A model rhizosphere has been used which consisted of detached root-cap cells of maize in their surrounding root-cap mucilage on the surface of Noble agar. These cells were co-cultured for periods up to 32 d with eight different bacterial isolates from soil-grown roots and surrounding soil and two laboratory cultures. Cap cells were unaffected by the bacteria. There were five different type-specific responses of the bacteria in proximity to the cap cells. There were, strong growth inhibition ( Rhizobium sp. and Escherichia coli ), strong stimulation ( Pseudomonas fluorescens , laboratory strain), mixed weak inhibition or stimulation ( Pseudomonas fluorescens , field isolate), early inhibition followed by strong stimulation then spore formation ( Bacillus spp.), no effect ( Streptomyces sp. and Cytophaga sp.). It is concluded that detached root-cap cells are actively involved in the establishment of characteristic rhizosphere bacterial microflora.     

Simple method to identify bacteriocin induction peptides and to auto-induce bacteriocin production at low cell density

The production of some bacteriocins by lactic acid bacteria is regulated by induction peptides (IPs) that are secreted by a dedicated secretion system. The IP gene cbaX, for carnobacteriocin A production by Carnobacterium piscicola LV17A, and a presumptive IP gene (orf6), associated with the genetic locus for enterocin B production in Enterococcus faecium BFE 900, were fused to the signal peptide of the bacteriocin divergicin A from Carnobacterium divergens LV13 to access the general secretory pathway. The culture supernatants of C. piscicola UAL26 and Lactococcus lactis MG1363 containing either of these constructs were used to induce bacteriocin production by Bac(-) cultures of C. piscicola LV17A or E. faecium CTC492. The cbaX fusion product induced bacteriocin production by Bac(-) C. piscicola LV17A, but the orf6 fusion product did not induce bacteriocin production by E. faecium CTC492. This represents a relatively simple method of confirming the role of presumptive IPs. The transformation of C. piscicola LV17A with the CbaX gene under expression of the P32 promoter from L. lactis resulted in constitutive production of bacteriocin by either the dedicated transport apparatus or the general secretory pathway.     

Application of an immunoaffinity-based preconcentration method for mass spectrometric analysis of the O-chain polysaccharide of Aeromonas salmonicida from in vitro- and in vivo-grown cells

In this study, application of magnetic beads (Dynabeads) coated with Aeromonas salmonicida lipopolysaccharide-specific polyclonal antisera to MS-based characterization of bacterial lipopolysaccharides has been evaluated. The results showed that the affinity-based preconcentration strategy resulted in at least a 100-fold increase in the detection of sensitivity, affording direct capillary electrophoresis (CE)-MS analysis of A. salmonicida lipopolysaccharide O-chain polysaccharide from in vitro- cultured cells. Subsequent CE-MS analysis of in vivo -grown cells of A. salmonicida confirmed significant changes in the structure of the lipopolysaccharide O-chain polysaccharide as a result of in vivo cultivation.     

Comparative susceptibility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to the enteric redmouth bacterium and Aeromonas salmonicida

The bacterium causing enteric redmouth (ERM) and Aeromonas salmonicida were found to be equally pathogenic for fingerling Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Injection of 5 x 10(5) cells of ERM or A. salmonicida killed all salmon within 96 h. After a 30 min exposure to water-borne cells of the two test bacteria about one-half of the test salmon died within 14 days. Both ERM and A. salmonicida were transmitted horizontally. Results indicate that efforts should be made to prevent introduction of ERM into watersheds where Atlantic salmon occur.     

Heterologous expression of the lactacin F peptides by Carnobacterium piscicola LV17.

The lactacin F complex, composed of LafA and LafX peptides, is produced by Lactobacillus johnsonii VPI 11088 and is active against five other Lactobacillus species and Enterococcus faecalis. The genetic determinants encoding the lactacin F complex are organized in a 1-kb polycistronic operon which comprises three genes, lafA, lafX, and ORFZ (encoding the putative immunity protein). The lafA and lafX genes encode the bacteriocin precursors with N-terminal extensions characterized by a Gly-Gly-1*Xaa+1 cleavage site (*). The Gly-Gly motif is conserved in several other bacteriocins, including carnobacteriocins A, BM1, and B2. Carnobacterium piscicola LV17 produces carnobacteriocins which are active against Listeria monocytogenes and other lactic acid bacteria. In this study, the lactacin F operon was introduced into C. piscicola LV17. The transformants produced lactacin F concurrently with the carnobacteriocins. When the lafA and lafX genes were separated and cloned individually into LV17, production of either LafA or LafX by C. piscicola LV17 was detected by complementation with L. johnsonii clones producing LafX or LafA, respectively. Transformants of C. piscicola LV17 which produced lactacin F, LafA, or LafX, in combination with the carnobacteriocins, were assayed for an increased and expanded inhibitory spectrum. The recombinant organisms were only active against lactacin F- and carnobacteriocin-sensitive strains. A plasmidless derivative of LV17 which does not produce the carnobacteriocins failed to produce lactacin F, LafA, or LafX when transformed with the appropriate recombinant plasmids. The ability of C. piscicola LV17 to produce lactacin F demonstrates that the machinery for the carnobacteriocins is capable of processing and exporting bacteriocins from both systems.     

The contribution of bacteriocin to inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by Carnobacterium piscicola strains in cold-smoked salmon systems

AIMS: To study the importance of bacteriocin production for the antilisterial effect of a bacteriocinogenic Carnobacterium piscicola strain A9b on growth of Listeria monocytogenes in broth and cold-smoked salmon systems. METHODS AND RESULTS: Acriflavin treatment of strain A9b resulted in loss of bacteriocin production and of immunity to carnobacteriocin B2. Two plasmids present in the wild-type were lost in the variant that was also more sensitive to bavaricin and leucocin A than the wild-type indicating cross-resistance to class IIa bacteriocins. The growth rate of the bac- mutant was higher than that of the wild-type at 5 and 37 degrees C but not at 25 or 30 degrees C. In salmon juice the maximum cell density of L. monocytogenes was suppressed 3 and 6 log by co-culture with C. piscicola A9b bac- and bac+, respectively, as compared with the control. Sterile filtered cultures of C. piscicola A9b bac- caused a limited suppression of the maximum cell density of L. monocytogenes similar to that observed when sterile buffer was added in equal amounts. Semi-purified carnobacteriocin B2 caused a 3.5 log decline in viable cell count after 6 day of incubation in cold-smoked salmon juice at 5 degrees C. High resistance level to carnobacteriocin B2 was observed for L. monocytogenes cells exposed to semi-purified and in situ produced carnobacteriocin B2. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bacteriocin production in C. piscicola enhances its inhibition of L. monocytogenes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Due to the emergence of resistance, a bacteriocin negative lactic acid bacteria may be more suited for practical use as a bioprotective agent against L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods.     

The ADP-ribosylating toxin, AexT, from Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida is translocated via a type III secretion pathway

AexT is an extracellular ADP ribosyltransferase produced by the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida. The protein is secreted by the bacterium via a recently identified type III secretion system. In this study, we have identified a further 12 open reading frames that possess high homology to genes encoding both structural and regulatory components of the Yersinia type III secretion apparatus. Using marker replacement mutagenesis of aopB, the A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida homologue of yopB in Yersinia, we demonstrate that the bacterium translocates the AexT toxin directly into the cytosol of cultured fish cells via this type III secretion pathway. An acrV mutant of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida displays a calcium-blind phenotype, expressing and secreting significant amounts of AexT even in the presence of CaCl2 concentrations as high as 10 mM. This acrV mutant is also unable to translocate AexT into the cytosol of fish cells, indicating AcrV is involved in the translocation process. Inactivation of either the aopB or acrV gene in A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (resulting in an inability to translocate AexT) is accompanied by a loss of cytotoxicity that can be restored by trans complementation. Finally, we present data indicating that preincubation of the wild-type bacteria with antibodies directed against recombinant AcrV-His protein provides fish cells protection against the toxic effects of the bacterium.     

先锋牧草-香根草联合固氮菌多样性

[目的]香根草(Vetiver zizanioides)是一种多年生禾本科草本植物,具有极强的生态适应性和抗逆能力,可作饲料和水土保持用.通过研究香根草联合固氮菌多样性,为进一步研究和应用打下基础.[方法]采用无氮培养基,首次从香根草中分离到47株联合固氮菌,分别应用SDS-PAGE全细胞蛋白质电泳、DNA指纹图谱、唯一碳源和16S rDNA全序列测定等方法,进行聚类和多样性分析.[结果]SDS-PAGE、IS-PCR和Bio-BIQA碳源利用的聚类结果基本一致,将供试菌株分为6个类群和4个单菌株;16S rDNA序列测定表明,从香根草中分离的菌株包括了佛莱辛草螺菌(Herbaspirillum frisingense)、中型假食酸菌(Pseudacidovorax intermedius)、恶臭假单胞菌(Pseudomonas putida)、荧光假单胞菌(Pseudomonas fluorescens)、越南伯克氏菌(Burkholderia vietnamiensis)、阴沟肠杆菌(Enterobacter cloacae)、路德维希肠杆菌(Enterobacter ludwigii)和松江壳聚糖降解菌(Mitsuaria chitosanitabida)等不同菌种.[结论]香根草联合固氮菌具有较大的资源多样性,对固氮菌资源的扩展和将来牧草上的应用具有重要意义.     

先锋牧草-香根草联合固氮菌多样性研究

摘要：【目的】香根草（Vetiver zizanioides）是一种多年生禾本科草本植物,具有极强的生态适应性和抗逆能力,可作饲料和水土保持用。通过研究香根草联合固氮菌多样性,为进一步研究和应用打下基础。【方法】采用无氮培养基,首次从香根草中分离到47株联合固氮菌,分别应用SDS-PAGE全细胞蛋白质电泳、DNA指纹图谱、唯一碳源和16S rDNA全序列测定等方法,进行聚类和多样性分析。【结果】SDS-PAGE、IS-PCR和Bio-BIQA碳源利用的聚类结果基本一致,将供试菌株分为6个类群和4个单菌株;     

Studies on the reticulo-endothelial system of the dogfish,Scyliorhinus canicula

Summary Clearance and subsequent localisation of a range of materials, including colloidal carbon, latex beads, sheep erythrocytes, bacteria and dextran were followed in the lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula. It was found that two populations of peripheral blood leucocytes — monocytes and thrombocytes, but not granulocytes — were involved in clearance of the circulation. In the case of carbon, this material was cleared from the plasma after 12 h, and both the colloid-containing thrombocytes and monocytes disappeared from circulation by 8 weeks post injection. Upon injection of some of the materials, and particularly bacteria, a settling out of monocytes containing phagocytosed material was seen in the secondary lamellae and cavernous bodies of the gills. Large clumps of monocytes were found in the gills as early as 30 min post injection and these increased in size for up to one week, after which they gradually dispersed. The lining cells of the cavernous body, known as CB cells, were also responsible for the sequestration of carbon, latex beads and probably erythrocytes, but dextran and bacteria were not internalised. The origin, functions and phylogenetic significance of the CB cells are discussed.     

Survival of Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio salmonicida at different salinities

The fish pathogenic bacteria Vibrio anguillarum and V. salmonicida showed the capacity to survive for more than 50 and 14 months, respectively, in seawater microcosms. A salinity of 5% proved lethal to V. anguillarum harvested in the late-exponential growth phase, whereas a salinity of 9% was lethal to the bacterium after it had been starved at a salinity of 30% for 67 days. The lethal salinity for V. salmonicida harvested in the late-exponential growth phase was probably in the vicinity of 10%. V. anguillarum and V. salmonicida were very sensitive to nalidixic acid. Direct determination of viable cells after incubation with nalidixic acid was not possible, since the cells did not elongate. Samples of V. salmonicida were double stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibodies and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. After 3 or 4 days of starvation, there was a discrepancy between the total numbers of cells as determined by immunofluorescence versus by staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The immunofluorescence counts remained high, which indicated the presence of intact cell envelopes but leakage of DNA and other cytoplasm components. After 2 weeks of starvation, for some of the cells, the region stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (i.e., DNA) was markedly smaller than the cell envelope. I attributed this to a shrinkage of the cytoplasm or a confined nucleoid or both. V. anguillarum lost its exoproteolytic activity before 11 days of starvation.