A crucial role for exopolysaccharide modification in bacterial biofilm formation, immune evasion, and virulence

Biofilms play an important role in many chronic bacterial infections. Production of an extracellular mixture of sugar polymers called exopolysaccharide is characteristic and critical for biofilm formation. However, there is limited information about the mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis and modification of exopolysaccharide components and how these processes influence bacterial pathogenesis. Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important human pathogen that frequently causes persistent infections by biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. It produces a poly-N-acetylglucosamine molecule that emerges as an exopolysaccharide component of many bacterial pathogens. Using a novel method based on size exclusion chromatography-mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that the surface-attached protein IcaB is responsible for deacetylation of the poly-N-acetylglucosamine molecule. Most likely due to the loss of its cationic character, non-deacetylated poly-acetylglucosamine in an isogenic icaB mutant strain was devoid of the ability to attach to the bacterial cell surface. Importantly, deacetylation of the polymer was essential for key virulence mechanisms of S. epidermidis, namely biofilm formation, colonization, and resistance to neutrophil phagocytosis and human antibacterial peptides. Furthermore, persistence of the icaB mutant strain was significantly impaired in a murine model of device-related infection. This is the first study to describe a mechanism of exopolysaccharide modification that is indispensable for the development of biofilm-associated human disease. Notably, this general virulence mechanism is likely similar for other pathogenic bacteria and constitutes an excellent target for therapeutic maneuvers aimed at combating biofilm-associated infection.     

Ultrastructure of Chlamydia pneumoniae in cell culture

The electron microscopic appearance of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies with pear-shaped, loose outer membrane has been suggested as one criterion of its classification as a new chlamydial species. The study of the original strain TW 183 in LCL 929 and HL cells and a low-passage isolate of Kajaani-6 isolate in HL cells revealed spherical compact elementary bodies common to other chlamydia.     

The ultrastructure of a new species of Chlamydia--Chlamydia pneumoniae]

The dynamic study of a new Chlamydia species, C. pneumoniae (strain TWAR, isolate TW-480), inoculated into the monolayer culture of cells L-929 was made 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after inoculation. When compared with C. trachomatis and C. psittaci, C. pneumoniae were found to stand between these two species with respect to the morphology of their intracytoplasmic microcolonies (inclusions): they were round, almost bubble-like, but more densely packed with chlamydiae, surrounded by an undulate membrane, preserving its integrity until the late stages of their development cycle. In cells L-929 C. pneumoniae had a typical development cycle accompanied by the formation of vegetative and spore-like cells, reticular and elementary bodies, as well as intermediate cells, though this process was slower than in C. trachomatis and C. psittaci. Besides normal elementary bodies, many altered ones were formed in the process of the development of C. pneumoniae in cells L-929. Most of these alterations were similar to the process of bacterial L-transformation and could be regarded as the manifestation of chlamydial pathology related to the adaptation to new host cells.     

POU2F1 (Oct-1) Differently Autoregulates the Alternative Promoters of Its Own Gene by Binding to Different Regulatory Sites

Molecular Biology - The POU2F1 gene, which plays an important role in regulating the mammalian genome and development, has both a ubiquitous (U) and a tissue-specific (L) promoter and is subject to...     

Microbially induced wrinkle structures in Middle Devonian siliciclastics from the Prague Basin,Czech Republic

The occurrence of wrinkle structures in Middle Devonian deep‐water siliciclastic sequences of the Prague Basin (Roblín Member, Srbsko Formation, Givetian) is reported and interpreted to be microbially induced. Current and/or gravitational forces are considered the simplest explanation of the origin of these structures. Taking into account the tectonic activity linked with ongoing Variscan orogeny, the wrinkle structures could also be interpreted as soft sediment deformation structures originating due to exposure of mat‐bearing sediment to seismic shocks. The distribution of n‐alkanes and isoprenoids suggests two types of prevailing biological sources, namely phytoplankton, representing organic material from the water column, and benthic bacteria. Judging from the sedimentary facies and lack of petrographic characteristics suggestive of light competition, the microbial mats are interpreted to be formed by non‐autotrophic bacteria.