Genome Sequence of Streptococcus gallolyticus: Insights into Its Adaptation to the Bovine Rumen and Its Ability To Cause Endocarditis

Streptococcus gallolyticus (formerly known as Streptococcus bovis biotype I) is an increasing cause of endocarditis among streptococci and frequently associated with colon cancer. S. gallolyticus is part of the rumen flora but also a cause of disease in ruminants as well as in birds. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of strain UCN34, responsible for endocarditis in a patient also suffering from colon cancer. Analysis of the 2,239 proteins encoded by its 2,350-kb-long genome revealed unique features among streptococci, probably related to its adaptation to the rumen environment and its capacity to cause endocarditis. S. gallolyticus has the capacity to use a broad range of carbohydrates of plant origin, in particular to degrade polysaccharides derived from the plant cell wall. Its genome encodes a large repertoire of transporters and catalytic activities, like tannase, phenolic compounds decarboxylase, and bile salt hydrolase, that should contribute to the detoxification of the gut environment. Furthermore, S. gallolyticus synthesizes all 20 amino acids and more vitamins than any other sequenced Streptococcus species. Many of the genes encoding these specific functions were likely acquired by lateral gene transfer from other bacterial species present in the rumen. The surface properties of strain UCN34 may also contribute to its virulence. A polysaccharide capsule might be implicated in resistance to innate immunity defenses, and glucan mucopolysaccharides, three types of pili, and collagen binding proteins may play a role in adhesion to tissues in the course of endocarditis.Several studies have reported that the proportion of infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus has increased during the last decades, concomitantly with a decrease of cases due to oral streptococci (35). S. gallolyticus is now becoming the first cause of infectious endocarditis among streptococci in Europe (16). Furthermore, S. gallolyticus endocarditis is associated with rural residency, suggesting transmission from animals (29). However, the reasons for the emergence of this pathogen remain poorly understood. S. gallolyticus belongs to the Streptococcus bovis group known for more than 60 years to cause endocarditis (45). Recently, the former species S. bovis has been divided into four major species (50, 53). S. gallolyticus corresponds to S. bovis biotype I (mannitol fermentation positive), the closely related species S. pasteurianus to biotype II/2 (mannitol negative and β-glucuronidase positive), and the more distantly related species S. infantarius to biotype II/1 (mannitol negative and β-glucuronidase negative). S. macedonicus, the fourth species, commonly found in cheese, is nonpathogenic and also considered a S. gallolyticus subspecies (53, 62). A majority of endocarditis cases was due, among the formerly S. bovis group, to S. gallolyticus strains (4).Multiple studies have shown that endocarditis due to S. gallolyticus as well as positive blood culture for this species is often associated with gastrointestinal malignancy (4, 6). This association has led to a strong indication for gastrointestinal investigation and endoscopic follow-up in the case of S. gallolyticus infections (66). The association of S. gallolyticus infection with colon cancer is a major but still unsolved issue. It may be just incidental, as the alteration of the digestive mucosa may favor the translocation of the bacteria into the bloodstream. Alternatively, the tumor may contribute to the proliferation of S. gallolyticus in close proximity to the gut epithelium, increasing its probability of translocating through the gut barrier. It has also been suggested that the bacterium itself contributes to carcinogenesis (60, 69). In addition to human disease, S. gallolyticus may also cause diseases in animals, like septicemia in pigeons (19), outbreaks in broiler flocks (11), or bovine mastitis (28).Independent from its association to disease, S. gallolyticus has been isolated as a tannin-resistant bacterium from the feces of different mammalian herbivores, including the koala (48) or the Japanese large wood mouse (52), and it is also a normal inhabitant of the rumen (39). Its resistance to tannins is linked to its tannase activity, a characteristic which also led this bacterium to be named “gallolyticus” as it is able to decarboxylate gallate, an organic acid derived from tannin degradation. S. gallolyticus is also known to express other degradative functions unique among streptococci, like a bile salt hydrolase or an amylase. These properties allow its multiplication outside the animal host, as S. gallolyticus was isolated from a digester fed with shea cake (derived from the nuts of the African tree Vitellaria paradoxa) rich in tannins and aromatic compounds (12). S. gallolyticus is a commensal of the human intestinal tract but remains a rarely detected (2.5 to 15%) low-abundance species (10, 40). In herbivores, overgrowth of S. bovis may become deleterious. For example, ingestion of large amounts of rapidly fermented cereal grains leads to a destabilization of the rumen flora and to the proliferation of acid-tolerant bacteria, including S. gallolyticus. This is accompanied by the overproduction of mucopolysaccharides that stabilize the foam, resulting in feedlot bloat, a significant cause of economical loss (14).Virulence and colonization factors of S. gallolyticus in humans are largely unknown. Studies of the bird host have shown that this Streptococcus species expresses a capsular polysaccharide, and five different serotypes have been described (19). In addition, electron microscopy studies have revealed the presence of fimbria-like structures on the surface of S. gallolyticus. It was hypothesized that capsules and/or fimbriae are involved in virulence (63). S. gallolyticus isolates responsible for endocarditis exhibited heterogeneous patterns of adherence to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which suggests that they produce different surface components (55). Recently, a collagen binding adhesin together with 10 putative ECM binding proteins were identified in the draft genome sequence of a human isolate of S. gallolyticus (54).Here we describe the sequence and analysis of the genome of S. gallolyticus strain UCN34 isolated from a human case of endocarditis associated with colon cancer. Analysis of the predicted proteins revealed unique metabolic and cell surface features among streptococci, which contribute to its adaptation to the rumen and to its ability to cause endocarditis. We showed by comparative genomics that many of the corresponding genes were probably acquired by lateral gene transfer (LGT) from other Firmicutes of the gut microbiota.     

Peptides and multiple antigen peptides from Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: preparation, immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity in C57BL/6 mice.

Four monoepitopic MAPs (MAP A, B, C and E) and one bis-diepitopic MAP B-E derived fromthe primary sequence of Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, previously tested in BALB/c mice, were examined for their immunogenicity and protective capacity in C57BL/6 mice. Despite multimerization into MAPs, MAP Aand MAP C were poorly immunogenic. In contrast toBALB/c mice, MAP E was non-immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice. Peptide B in the form of MAP B orbis-diepitopic MAPB-E elicited immune responses in C57BL/6 mice that were associated with a significant decrease in worm burden. The MAPs were prepared by the stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis using Boc/Bzl chemistry, successfully purified on the RP-HPLC column and characterized by RP-HPLC, HPCE and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. A general strategy for MAPs purification is discussed here and the purification of MAP Band MAP E is documented in detail.     

An innovative lattice Boltzmann model for simulating Michaelis–Menten-based diffusion–advection kinetics and its application within a cartilage cell bioreactor

Lattice Boltzmann models (LBM) are rapidly showing their ability to simulate a lot of fluid dynamics problems that previously required very complex approaches. This study presents a LBM for simulating diffusion–advection transport of substrate in a 2-D laminar flow. The model considers the substrate influx into a set of active cells placed inside the flow field. A new innovative method was used to simulate the cells activity using the LBM by means of Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The model is validated with some numerical benchmark problems and proved highly accurate results. After validation the model was used to simulate the transport of oxygen substrates that diffuse in water to feed a set of active cartilage cells inside a new designed bioreactor.     

Self-protection of individual CD4+ T cells against R5 HIV-1 infection by the synthesis of anti-viral CCR5 ligands

It is well established that paracrine secretion of anti-viral CCR5 ligands by CD8+ and CD4+ T cells can block the infection of activated CD4+ T cells by R5 and dual-tropic isolates of HIV-1. By contrast, because CD4+ T cells can be infected by HIV-1 and at least some subsets secrete anti-viral CCR5 ligands, it is possible that these ligands protect against HIV-1 via autocrine as well as paracrine pathways. Here we use a model primary CD4+ T cell response in vitro to show that individual CD4+ T cells that secrete anti-viral CCR5 ligands are 'self-protected' against infection with R5 but not X4 strains of HIV-1. This protection is selective for CD4+ T cells that secrete anti-viral CCR5 ligands in that activated CD4+ T cells in the same cultures remain infectable with R5 HIV-1. These data are most consistent with an autocrine pathway of protection in this system and indicate a previously unappreciated selective pressure on the emergence of viral variants and CD4+ T cell phenotypes during HIV-1 infection.     

Hypothalamic S-Nitrosylation Contributes to the Counter-Regulatory Response Impairment following Recurrent Hypoglycemia

Aims

Hypoglycemia is a severe side effect of intensive insulin therapy. Recurrent hypoglycemia (RH) impairs the counter-regulatory response (CRR) which restores euglycemia. During hypoglycemia, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) production of nitric oxide (NO) and activation of its receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) are critical for the CRR. Hypoglycemia also increases brain reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. NO production in the presence of ROS causes protein S-nitrosylation. S-nitrosylation of sGC impairs its function and induces desensitization to NO. We hypothesized that during hypoglycemia, the interaction between NO and ROS increases VMH sGC S-nitrosylation levels and impairs the CRR to subsequent episodes of hypoglycemia. VMH ROS production and S-nitrosylation were quantified following three consecutive daily episodes of insulin-hypoglycemia (RH model). The CRR was evaluated in rats in response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia or via hypoglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. Pretreatment with the anti-oxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) was used to prevent increased VMH S-nitrosylation.

Results

Acute insulin-hypoglycemia increased VMH ROS levels by 49±6.3%. RH increased VMH sGC S-nitrosylation. Increasing VMH S-nitrosylation with intracerebroventricular injection of the nitrosylating agent S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CSNO) was associated with decreased glucagon secretion during hypoglycemic clamp. Finally, in RH rats pre-treated with NAC (0.5% in drinking water for 9 days) hypoglycemia-induced VMH ROS production was prevented and glucagon and epinephrine production was not blunted in response to subsequent insulin-hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

These data suggest that NAC may be clinically useful in preventing impaired CRR in patients undergoing intensive-insulin therapy.     

Sensory pathways and their modulation in the control of locomotion

Recent experiments have extended our understanding of how sensory information in premotor networks controlling motor output is processed during locomotion, and at what level the efficacy of specific sensory—motor pathways is determined. Phasic presynaptic inhibition of sensory transmission combined with postsynaptic alterations of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission from interneurons of the premotor networks contribute to the modulation of reflex pathways and to the generation of reflex reversal. These mechanisms play an important role in adapting the operation of central networks to external demands and thus help optimize sensory—motor integration.     

Sensitivity and selectivity of neurons in the medial region of the olfactory bulb to skin extract from conspecifics in crucian carp,Carassius carassius

To examine the functional subdivision of the teleost olfactory bulb, extracellular recordings were made from the posterior part of the medial region of the olfactory bulb in the crucian carp, Carassius carassius. Bulbar units classified as type I or type II were frequently and simultaneously encountered at a recording site. Type I units displayed a diphasic action potential (AP) with a relatively small amplitude, a short duration (rise time approximately 1 ms) and high spontaneous activity (2.5 per s). Type II units exhibited an AP with a rise time of approximately 1.8 ms and low spontaneous activity (1.5 per s). The AP of this latter unit was nearly always followed by a slow potential, a characteristic diphasic wave with a rise time of approximately 5 ms. Chemical stimulation of the olfactory organ with a graded series of conspecific skin extract induced an increased firing of the type I units. During the period of increased activity of the type I units, the activity of the type II units was suppressed. Stimulation with nucleotides, amino acids and taurolithocholic acid did not induce firing of the type I units of the posterior part of the medial region of the olfactory bulb. These results indicate that the posterior part of the medial region of the olfactory bulb is both sensitive to and selective for skin extract from conspecifics, which has been shown to be a potent stimulus inducing alarm behaviour. The results of the present study indicate that recording single unit activity from a particular region of the olfactory bulb is a suitable method for isolating pheromones or other chemical signals that induce specific activity in the olfactory system. The projection of the neurons categorized as type II was determined by antidromic activation of their axons by electrical stimulation applied to the medial bundle of the medial olfactory tract. The anatomical basis of the type I and type II units in the fish olfactory bulb is discussed.